bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tryptophan Research in Panic Disorder
Authors: Maron Eduard , Shlik Jakov , Nutt David J.
Published: November 2017

A considerable body of evidence suggests the involvement of serotonin neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of panic disorder. Research on pathways and functions of tryptophan, an essential amino acid converted into serotonin, may advance our understanding of serotonergic actions in panic disorder and related phenomena. The investigative approaches in this field include manipulations of tryptophan availability as well as genetic association and functional brain imaging studies. In this review we examine the principle findings of these studies and propose further research directions.
New Functions for Oxysterols and Their Cellular Receptors
Authors: Olkkonen Vesa M.
Published: November 2017

Oxysterols are naturally occurring oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, or by-products of cholesterol biosynthesis, with multiple biologic functions. These compounds display cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, and pro-inflammatory activities and may play a role in the pathology of atherosclerosis. Their functions as intermediates in the synthesis of bile acids and steroid hormones, and as readily transportable forms of sterol are well established. During the past decade, however, novel physiologic activities of oxysterols have emerged. They are now thought to act as endogenous regulators of gene expression in lipid metabolism. Recently, new intracellular oxysterol receptors have been identified and novel functions of oxysterols in cell signaling discovered, evoking novel interest in these compounds in several branches of biomedical research.
Evaluation of the Hydrophobic Grid Membrane Filter for the Enumeration of Moulds and Yeasts in Naturally-Contaminated Foods
Authors: Tournas V.H.
Published: November 2017

Over 240 food samples from six food groups (tree nuts, grains and grain products, dried fruits, fresh produce, fruit juice, and dairy products) were tested for levels of fungal contamination using the NEO-GRID hydrophobic grid membrane filter (HGMF) and the FDA official (BAM) method. Results showed that HGMF performed very well for all tested commodities giving yeast and mould (YM) counts similar to those of the BAM (reference) method. Statistical analysis of the data (t-test) revealed no significant differences between the two methods for all foods tested. Regression analysis showed that there was a good fit linear relationship between the two methods for most of the commodities examined. Some difficulties were encountered during counting of the colonies on HGMF since the size of the grid is very small and the number of possible colonies per plate can reach 1600.
Affinity Association between Polynucleotide, Glycoprotein, or Sulfated Polysaccharides and Disease-Associated Prion Protein
Authors: Tsukui Kazuo , Tadokoro Kenji
Published: November 2017

Proteinase-K resistant prion protein (PrPres) has the property to aggregate in TSE-injured animal tissues. We have developed a test method to discriminate scrapie-infected and mock-infected hamsters by detecting the PrPres in plasma. It seemed that aggregation of the PrPres with some heterogeneous molecule(s) enabled successful detection by this method. In order to investigate which molecule became the partner in the PrPres aggregates; we examined some molecules that could presumably have this ability. As a result, we found synthetic Poly-A RNA, especially in its denatured form, to be the most effective entity although glycoprotein, sulfated polysaccharide showed less effectiveness. DNA in the denatured form also has a high affinity, although in the presence of protein the effectiveness unsuccessful. On the basis of this result, it is possible that the PrPres aggregate in scrapie-infected hamster plasma is composed of PrPres and RNA.
Microbiological Quality of Various Medicinal Herbal Teas and Coffee Substitutes
Authors: Tournas V.H. , Katsoudas E.J.
Published: November 2017

Various herbal teas including German chamomile, Chrysanthemum Vascuflow herb tea, hop, jasmine and orange flowers, sweet marjoram, spearmint and thyme leaves, and papaya-mint tea as well as coffee substitutes (Bambu instant Swiss, Teeccino chocolate-mint, and Teeccino Mediterranean Espresso) were analyzed for fungal contamination and the presence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (APC). The results of this investigation showed that fungal counts reached levels as high as 5.8 × 105 colony forming units (cfu) per gram. German chamomile harbored the highest fungal contamination. The most common fungi found in herbal teas were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Eurotium rubrum, E. chevalieri, A. flavus, Fusarium spp., Alternaria alternata, and yeasts. Among the coffee substitutes, only the chocolate-mint coffee was contaminated with low numbers (<1.0 × 103 cfu g-1) of E. rubrum, Ulocladium spp. and Phoma spp., and with yeasts (< 100–6.8 × 103 cfu g-1). Aerobic mesophilic bacteria were recovered from 100% of the herbal tea, chocolate-mint and Mediterranean Espresso, and from 50% of the Bambu instant Swiss coffee samples. The highest APC counts of 1.2 × 107 cfu g-1 were observed in spearmint leaves.
Preclinical MRI and NMR Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Concepts and Applications
Authors: Dhenain Marc
Published: November 2017

Alzheimer's disease is an important social and economic issue for our societies. The development of therapeutics against this severe dementia requires assessing the effects of new drugs in animal models thanks to dedicated biomarkers. This review first overviews Alzheimer's disease and its models as well as the concept of biomarkers. It then focuses on MRI and NMR biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in animals. Anatomical markers such as atrophy and angiography are useful to phenotype newly developed models of Alzheimer's disease, even if the alterations in these animals are not as severe as in humans. Amyloid plaques imaging is a promising marker of the pathology in animals, and is a rapidly evolving field of MRI. Functional methods such as perfusion and diffusion imaging or spectroscopy are able to detect alterations in transgenic mice mimicking Alzheimer and also to show similar alterations than in humans. They can thus be good translational markers of the disease. Manganese-Enhanced MRI shows a reduction of neuronal transportation in transgenic models of Alzheimer and it allows monitoring improvements induced by treatments of the disease. It is thus a promising biomarker of the pathology in animals.
There's no Place like Home: Oklahoman's Preferences for Site of Death
Authors: Matzo Marianne , Hijjazi Kamal
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study sought to document Oklahomans knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding palliative care; this paper focuses on subjects stated preferences for where they would choose to die.

Design

Quantitative study used a random state-wide telephone sample of Oklahoma residents.

Subjects

Data from 804 residents in the State of Oklahoma between November and December (2005).

Results

An overwhelming majority of the respondents (80%) reported preference to die at home in the event that they suffer a terminal illness. The proportion of respondents under the age of 65 who preferred to die at home (80.9%) was slightly higher than those aged 65 and over (74.8%). Also, while 81.4% of the female respondents reported preference for dying at home, 75.8% of the male respondents shared such preference (P < 0.05). More married respondents (82.7%) than non-married respondents (74.7%) reported preference for dying at home (P < 0.01). A significant association (P < 0.05) between income level and preference for dying at home was noted. While 84.3% of those with income level at $21,000 or more reported reference for dying at home, 76.4% of those with income below $21,000 reported the same preference.

Conclusions

This paper offers insight into factors that influence Oklahoman's stated preferences for site of death that can assist the statewide agenda in the planning and provision of palliative care. This information can be adapted in other states or countries to determine palliative care needs.
Evaluating Palliative Care—A Review of the Literature
Authors: RN Hubert R. Jocham , Dassen Theo , Widdershoven Guy , Halfens Ruud
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this article was to investigate the outcome measures developed and used in palliative care. The paper involved a literature review of published research. Many of the reviewed papers concluded similarly that there was lack of good quality evidence on which to base conclusions. More high quality evidence is needed to compare the relative merits of the differences in models of palliative care services, so that we can learn from other appropriate systems of care at end of life. It follows that quality of life is the main outcome of palliative care, in which the patient instead of the disease represents the target of the clinical approach. Patients struggling with serious illness have other concerns, including managing pain and other symptoms, coordinating care among multiple providers and settings, ensuring that treatments reflect preferences and balance benefits and harms as well as clinical appropriateness, achieving empathic communication and care, fostering well-being, maintaining function and practically supporting family and caregivers through illness and bereavement.
Survey of Palliative Care Concepts among Medical Students and Interns in Austria: A Comparison of the Old and the New curriculum of the Medical University of Vienna
Authors: Pohl G. , Marosi C. , Dieckmann K. , Goldner G. , Elandt K. , Hassler M. , Ludwig H. , Watzke H.
Published: November 2017

Background

To improve the level of awareness in palliative care concepts, the new curriculum at the University of Vienna includes sixteen hours of palliative care education. The old curriculum did not include palliative care education.

Aim

To compare the level of awareness in palliative care concepts among 4th year students of the new curriculum of the Medical University of Vienna with interns who finished their studies in the old curriculum. Materials and methods: 440 medical students in their 4th year and 149 interns participated in a survey study. Data were collected after the survey and the responses were analyzed.

Results

Data analysis consists of completed survey obtained from 83% and 67% of the students and interns. We observed that students reported higher theoretical knowledge of palliative care concepts as compared to interns, whereas interns were better in performing practical aspects of palliative care. A significant percentage of students and interns would like to learn more about palliative care in their curriculum, although this was more present among interns (72.7% students and 92.6% interns, p < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

Although palliative care education is already included in a compulsory manner in the new curriculum of the Medical University of Vienna, almost two third of all students would support more implementation of palliative care issues throughout the curriculum. To further improve attitudes and skills towards patients at end of life, palliative care education should be augmented in the new curriculum.
Towards a gradient flow for microstructure
Authors: Bardsley Patrick , Barmak Katayun , Eggeling Eva , Epshteyn Yekaterina , Kinderlehrer David , Ta'asan Shlomo
Published: November 2017

A central problem of microstructure is to develop technologies capable of producing an arrangement, or ordering, of a polycrystalline material, in terms of mesoscopic parameters, like geometry and crystallography, appropriate for a given application. Is there such an order in the first place? Our goal is to describe the emergence of the grain boundary character distribution (GBCD), a statistic that details texture evolution discovered recently, and to illustrate why it should be considered a material property. For the GBCD statistic, we have developed a theory that relies on mass transport and entropy. The focus of this paper is its identification as a gradient flow in the sense of De Giorgi, as illustrated by Ambrosio, Gigli, and Savaré. In this way, the empirical texture statistic is revealed as a solution of a Fokker–Planck type equation whose evolution is determined by weak topology kinetics and whose limit behavior is a Boltzmann distribution. The identification as a gradient flow by our method is tantamount to exhibiting the harvested statistic as the iterates in a JKO implicit scheme. This requires several new ideas. The development exposes the question of how to understand the circumstances under which a harvested empirical statistic is a property of the underlying process.
“Triunfar ante la vida relámpago”: Saberes psi en clave de autoayuda en Chile y España (1940´s).
Authors: Ruperthuz Honorato Mariano , Lévy Lazcano Silvia
Published: November 2017

El presente trabajo es un ejercicio de historia cultural acerca de la conformación de una cultura terapéutica, en clave de autoayuda, en Chile y España a mediados del siglo XX. Teóricamente reconoce, a partir de las investigaciones de Nikolas Rose (1998) y Eva Illouz (2010; 2014), que los procesos de modernización le dieron un papel preponderante a los saberes psi - entendidos como un conjunto de disciplinas sobre lo mental -, especialmente en la reconfiguración de la estructura y narrativa del yo. En este sentido, se recuperan dos cursos ¡Controle su cerebro! (1946) de Chile y ¿Cómo triunfar? (1945) de España, encontrando - desde una perspectiva compartida - cómo presentan, al gran público, las características del sujeto moderno exitoso: individual, competitivo y ambicioso principalmente. Se constata así, la existencia de procesos transnacionales de recepción, circulación e implantación de los saberes psi, los que abrirán, en un futuro, posibilidades a investigaciones comparativas.
Ensamblajes socio-técnicos para la producción de intervenciones psicosociales en un programa del Servicio Nacional de Menores de Chile
Authors: Schöngut-Grollmus Nicolás
Published: November 2017

El siguiente artículo se enmarca en el estudio de programas de protección a la infancia vulnerada, y específicamente en el caso chileno, mediante los programas de protección licitados por el Servicio Nacional de Menores. Los servicios de protección a la infancia en Chile no han estado exentos de los procesos de privatización en los que ha incurrido el Estado Chileno desde la dictadura militar en adelante, con el Nuevo Management Público como una premisa que instala dispositivos de gestión y gobierno de las intervenciones psicosociales que se desarrollan en su interior. Mediante la realización de entrevistas semi-estructuradas y una estrategia de análisis de contenido, este artículo intenta abordar algunos de los ensamblajes socio-técnicos que afectan la producción de las intervenciones y la acción de los/as operadores/as de los programas.
Tecnologías, episteme y subjetivación en un régimen de garantías en salud
Authors: Castillo-Sepúlveda Jorge , Espejo Marjorie , Tapia Jorge , Catalán Miguel , Toro José , Gálvez Mariana
Published: November 2017

Analizamos la gubernamentalidad emergente en la última reforma en salud en Chile: el Régimen de Garantías Explícitas. Esta modalidad de gobierno articula esquemas de legitimación de conocimiento y priorización de acciones biomédicas orientados por la Medicina Basada-en-la-Evidencia y otros criterios, reorientando las actividades de gobierno para redefinir el status algunas funciones biológicas. Hemos definido como biogubernamentalidad al campo de posibilidades que promueve la articulación entre biomedicina y procesos de gobierno. Para el análisis propuesto, empleamos recursos de la teoría del actor-red, dando cuenta de los procesos de enactment en la articulación del régimen. Esto, a partir del despliegue de etnografías focalizadas en diversos niveles del entramado asistencial público y privado, y realización de entrevistas a expertos diseñadores y profesionales. Los análisis dan cuenta de objetos tecnológicos (priorizadores, guías de práctica clínica, canastas de prestaciones, sistemas informáticos) y epistémicos (entramados de priorización, regímenes de aceleración y somatocracia) que producen un modo específico de subjetivación somática, que reconfigura al sujeto como un espacio de gobierno basado en órganos y fisiología corporal.
Gobernados por números: El financiamiento como forma de gobierno de la universidad en Chile
Authors: Sisto Vicente
Published: November 2017

En el contexto de los nuevos modelos de gestión pública, este artículo estudia los mecanismos de financiamiento vinculados a estándares e indicadores como formas de gobierno a distancia. Se toma el caso del sistema universitario chileno mediante dos estudios. El primero analiza el discurso oficial contenido en 52 documentos emitidos entre 2010 y 2015 por autoridades nacionales y sectoriales, abordando argumentos y construcciones retóricas que sustentan la implantación de estos mecanismos. La Universidad como ‘institución en deuda con la sociedad' emerge como principal figura discursiva que justifica un financiamiento condicionado por indicadores, como forma de gobierno. El segundo estudio analiza descriptivamente 175 documentos oficiales de carácter normativo y procedimental emitidos entre 2010 y 2015, de lo cual emerge un mapa con los principales indicadores que, insertos en mecanismos de financiamiento, interpelan a la Universidad, sus actores y su trabajo cotidiano. Mediante estos estudios se muestra cómo retóricas que justifican e instrumentos son parte de un ensamblaje que transforma la actividad de la Universidad y sus actores en objetos financiables, y, por ello, gobernables, instalando objetivos y modelando su devenir.
Editorial Sección Temática: Estudios de Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad (CTS): Prácticas psi y modos de producción de subjetividad
Authors: Sisto Vicente , López Verónica , Castillo-Sepúlveda Jorge , Ferreira Arthur Arruda Leal , Espinosa-Cristia Juan Felipe
Published: November 2017

La Sección Temática que publicamos en este número busca abrir un espacio para la divulgación de investigaciones y revisiones teóricas, de lo que se ha denominado "Prácticas Psi". En los últimos años, se aprecia un creciente interés por interrogar el potencial descriptivo de las perspectivas tradicionales, e inclusive las denominadas aproximaciones sociales críticas, en lo referente a la composición del sujeto y la subjetividad en la contemporaneidad. Tales cuestionamientos se agrupan en una serie de trabajos derivados el ámbito de los Estudios Sociales de Ciencia y Tecnología, o estudios de Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad (CTS), que abordan, entre otros aspectos, los procesos heterogéneos en los cuales se producen versiones estables acerca de la realidad, los hechos, y la apertura y cierre de las discusiones a la base. En lo referente a los estudios sobre el sujeto, algunas aproximaciones vindican que el lugar de lo humano y la subjetividad pueden ser recomprendidos si se abordan desde la perspectiva de su asociación con entidades  de  naturaleza  diversa.  Esto  es, considerar alsujeto como un efecto o producto, antes que un punto de partida. De tal modo, es posible estudiar las formaciones subjetivas como la asociación de esfuerzos entre humanos y no humanos, reconfigurándose en el proceso tanto el significado y noción del sí mismo, como las herramientas por las cuales se genera y desarrolla investigación.
Revealing the meteorological drivers of the September 2015 severe dust event in the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Gasch Philipp , Rieger Daniel , Walter Carolin , Khain Pavel , Levi Yoav , Knippertz Peter , Vogel Bernhard
Published: November 2017

Abstract. In September 2015 one of the severest and most unusual dust events on record occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean. Surprisingly, operational dust transport models were unable to forecast the event. This study details the reasons for this failure and presents simulations of the event at convection-permitting resolution using the modelling system ICON-ART. The results allow for an in-depth analysis of the influence of the synoptic situation, the complex interaction of multiple driving atmospheric systems and the mineral dust radiative effect on the dust event. A comparison of the results with observations reveals the quality of the simulation results with respect to structure and timing of the dust transport. The forecast of the dust event is improved decisively. The event is triggered by the unusually early occurrence of an active Red Sea trough situation with an easterly axis over Mesopotamia. The connected sustained organized mesoscale convection produces multiple cold-pool outflows responsible for intense dust emissions. Complexity is added by the interaction with an intense heat low, the inland-penetrating Eastern Mediterranean sea breeze and the widespread occurrence of supercritical flow conditions and subsequent hydraulic jumps in the vicinity of the Dead Sea Rift Valley. The newly implemented mineral dust radiation interaction leads to systematically more intense and faster propagating cold-pool outflows.
Diurnal and day-to-day characteristics of ambient particle mass size distributions from HR-ToF-AMS measurements at an urban site and a suburban site in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Berto Paul , Wang Hao , Chan Chak Keung
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Mass-concentration-based particle size distributions measured by a high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer were systematically analyzed to assess long and short-term temporal characteristics of ambient particle size distributions sampled at a typical urban environment close to emission sources and a suburban coastal site representing a regional and local pollution receptor location in Hong Kong. Measured distributions were bimodal and deconvoluted into submodes, which were analyzed for day-to-day variations and diurnal variations. Traffic and cooking emissions at the urban site contributed substantially to particle mass in both modes, while notable decreases in mass median diameters were limited to the morning rush hour. Inorganic particle components displayed varying diurnal behavior, including nocturnal nitrate formation and daytime photochemical formation evident in both modes. Suburban particle size distributions exhibited notable seasonal disparities with differing influence of local formation, particularly in spring and summer, and transport which dominated in the fall season leading to notably higher sulfate and organic accumulation-mode particle concentrations. Variations in particle mixing state were evaluated by comparison of interspecies mass median diameter trends at both measurement sites. Internal mixing was prevalent in the accumulation mode in spring at the urban site, while greater frequency of time periods with external mixing of particle populations comprising different fractions of organic constituents was observed in summer. At the suburban site, sulfate and nitrate in the accumulation mode more frequently exhibited differing particle size distributions in all seasons, signifying a greater extent of external mixing. At the urban site, periods of greater submicron inorganic mass concentrations were more likely to be caused by increases in both Aitken- and accumulation-mode particle mass in summer, while at the suburban receptor location, organic and nitrate Aitken-mode particle mass contributed more regularly to higher total submicron species mass concentrations in most seasons (spring, summer, and winter).
Effects of temporal averaging on short-term irradiance variability under mixed sky conditions
Authors: Lohmann Gerald M. , Monahan Adam H.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Characterizations of short-term variability in solar radiation are required to successfully integrate large numbers of photovoltaic power systems into the electrical grid. Previous studies have used ground-based irradiance observations with a range of different temporal resolutions, and a systematic analysis of the effects of temporal averaging on the representation of variability is lacking. Using high-resolution surface irradiance data with original temporal resolutions between 0.01 s and 1 s from six different locations in the Northern Hemisphere, we characterize the changes in representation of temporal variability resulting from time averaging. In this analysis, we condition all data to states of mixed skies, which are the most potentially problematic in terms of local PV power volatility. Statistics of clear-sky index k* and its increments Δk*τ (i.e., normalized surface irradiance and changes therein over specified intervals of time) are considered separately. Our results indicate that a temporal averaging time scale of around 1 s marks a transition in representing single-point irradiance variability, such that longer averages result in substantial underestimates of variability. Higher-resolution data increase the complexity of data management and quality control without appreciably improving the representation of variability. The results do not show any substantial discrepancies between locations or seasons.
Land-use and land-cover change carbon emissions between 1901 and 2012 constrained by biomass observations
Authors: Li Wei , Ciais Philippe , Peng Shushi , Yue Chao , Wang Yilong , Thurner Martin , Saatchi Sassan S. , Arneth Almut , Avitabile Valerio , Carvalhais Nuno , Harper Anna B. , Kato Etsushi , Koven Charles , Liu Yi Y. , Nabel Julia E.M.S. , Pan Yude , Pongratz Julia , Poulter Benjamin , Pugh Thomas A. M. , Santoro Maurizio , Sitch Stephen , Stocker Benjamin D. , Viovy Nicolas , Wiltshire Andy , Yousefpour Rasoul , Zaehle Sönke
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The use of dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) to estimate CO2 emissions from land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) offers a new window to account for spatial and temporal details of emissions and for ecosystem processes affected by LULCC. One drawback of LULCC emissions from DGVMs, however, is lack of observation constraint. Here, we propose a new method of using satellite- and inventory-based biomass observations to constrain historical cumulative LULCC emissions (ELUCc) from an ensemble of nine DGVMs based on emerging relationships between simulated vegetation biomass and ELUCc. This method is applicable on the global and regional scale. The original DGVM estimates of ELUCc range from 94 to 273 PgC during 1901–2012. After constraining by current biomass observations, we derive a best estimate of 155 ± 50 PgC (1σ Gaussian error). The constrained LULCC emissions are higher than prior DGVM values in tropical regions but significantly lower in North America. Our emergent constraint approach independently verifies the median model estimate by biomass observations, giving support to the use of this estimate in carbon budget assessments. The uncertainty in the constrained ELUCc is still relatively large because of the uncertainty in the biomass observations, and thus reduced uncertainty in addition to increased accuracy in biomass observations in the future will help improve the constraint. This constraint method can also be applied to evaluate the impact of land-based mitigation activities.
Seagrass as major source of transparent exopolymer particles in the oligotrophic Mediterranean coast
Authors: Iuculano Francesca , Duarte Carlos Maria , Marbà Núria , Agustí Susana
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The role of seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, meadows as a source of transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) to Mediterranean coastal waters was tested by comparing the TEP dynamics in two adjacent coastal waters in the oligotrophic NW Mediterranean Sea, one characterized by oligotrophic open-sea waters and the other accumulating seagrass leaf litter, together with an experimental examination of TEP release by seagrass litter. TEP concentrations ranged from 4.6 to 90.6 µg XG (xanthan gum) Eq L−1, with mean (±SE) values of 38.7 (± 2.02) µg XG Eq L−1 in the site devoid of seagrass litter, whereas the coastal beach site accumulating leaf litter had > 10-fold mean TEP concentrations of 487.02 (± 72.8) µg XG Eq L−1. Experimental evaluation confirmed high rates of TEP production by P. oceanica litter, allowing calculations of the associated TEP yield. We demonstrated that P. oceanica is an important source of TEPs to the Mediterranean Sea, contributing an estimated 76 Gg C as TEPs annually. TEP release by P. oceanica seagrass explains the elevated TEP concentration relative to the low chlorophyll a concentration in the Mediterranean Sea.
Technical note: An inverse method to relate organic carbon reactivity to isotope composition from serial oxidation
Authors: Hemingway Jordon D. , Rothman Daniel H. , Rosengard Sarah Z. , Galy Valier V.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Serial oxidation coupled with stable carbon and radiocarbon analysis of sequentially evolved CO2 is a promising method to characterize the relationship between organic carbon (OC) chemical composition, source, and residence time in the environment. However, observed decay profiles depend on experimental conditions and oxidation pathway. It is therefore necessary to properly assess serial oxidation kinetics before utilizing decay profiles as a measure of OC reactivity. We present a regularized inverse method to estimate the distribution of OC activation energy (E), a proxy for bond strength, using serial oxidation. Here, we apply this method to ramped temperature pyrolysis or oxidation (RPO) analysis but note that this approach is broadly applicable to any serial oxidation technique. RPO analysis directly compares thermal reactivity to isotope composition by determining the E range for OC decaying within each temperature interval over which CO2 is collected. By analyzing a decarbonated test sample at multiple masses and oven ramp rates, we show that OC decay during RPO analysis follows a superposition of parallel first-order kinetics and that resulting E distributions are independent of experimental conditions. We therefore propose the E distribution as a novel proxy to describe OC thermal reactivity and suggest that E vs. isotope relationships can provide new insight into the compositional controls on OC source and residence time.
From Engineering Hydrology to Earth System Science: Milestones in the Transformation of Hydrologic Science
Authors: Sivapalan Murugesu
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Hydrology has undergone almost transformative changes over the past 50 years. Huge strides have been made in the transition from early empirical approaches to rigorous approaches based on the fluid mechanics of water movement on and below the land surface. However, progress has been hampered by problems posed by the presence of heterogeneity, including subsurface heterogeneity, at all scales. The inability to measure or map the heterogeneity everywhere prevented the development of balance equations and associated closure relations at the scales of interest, and has led to the virtual impasse we are presently in, in terms of development of physically based models needed for hydrologic predictions. An alternative to the mapping of heterogeneity everywhere is a new Earth System Science view, which sees the heterogeneity as the end result of co-evolutionary hydrological, geomorphological, ecological and pedological processes, each operating at a different rate, which help to shape the landscapes that we see in nature, including the heterogeneity that we do not readily see. The expectation is that instead of specifying exact details of the heterogeneity in our models, we can replace it (without loss of information) with the ecosystem function that they perform. Guided by this new Earth System Science perspective, development of hydrologic science is now addressing new questions using novel holistic co-evolutionary approaches as opposed to the physical, fluid mechanics based reductionist approaches that we inherited from the recent past. In the emergent Anthropocene, the co-evolutionary view has expanded further to involve interactions and feedbacks with human-social processes as well. In this paper, I present my perspective of key milestones in the transformation of hydrologic science from Engineering Hydrology to Earth System Science, drawn from the work of several students and colleagues of mine, and discuss their implication for hydrologic observations, theory development and predictions.
Brief communication: Vehicle routing problem and UAV application in the post-earthquake scenario
Authors: Cannioto Marco , D'Alessandro Antonino , Lo Bosco Giosuè , Scudero Salvatore , Vitale Giovanni
Published: November 2017

Abstract. In this paper we simulate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) recognition after a possible case of diffuse damage after a seismic event in the town of Acireale (Sicily, Italy). Given a set of sites (84 relevant buildings) and the range of the UAV, we are able to find a number of vehicles to employ and the shortest survey path. The problem of finding the shortest survey path is an operational research problem called the vehicle routing problem (VRP). which has a solution that is known to be computationally time-consuming. We used the simulated annealing (SA) heuristic, which is able to provide stable solutions in a relatively short computing time. We also examined the distribution of the cost of the solutions varying the depot on a regular grid in order to find the best area for executing the survey.
Melting and fragmentation laws from the evolution of two large
southern ocean icebergs
Authors: Bouhier Nicolas , Tournadre Jean , Rémy Frédérique , Gourves-Cousin Rozenn
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The evolution of the thickness and area of two large southern ocean icebergs, having drifted in open water for more than a year, is estimated through the combined analysis of altimeter data and visible satellite images. Most of the iceberg modelling studies uses two main melting formulations that are compared with the observed thickness evolution of our two icebergs, to test their validity in case of large icebergs. The first formulation, based on a fluid dynamics approach, would tend to underestimate basal melt rates, so that using the second one (using a thermodynamic budget consideration) may be more relevant. Fragmentation is, before melting, the major decay process of large icebergs, yet it is a complex and still poorly documented mechanism. A correlation analysis between the observed volume loss of our two icebergs and environmental parameters highlights those most likely to promote fragmentation. Consequently, a bulk model of fragmentation depending on ocean temperature and iceberg velocity is established and is shown to be able to reproduce well the observed volume variations. Finally, the size distribution of the calved pieces is estimated using both altimeter data and visible images and is found to be consistent with previous studies as typical of brittle fragmentation processes. These results are valuable to account for a more realistic representation of the freshwater flux constrained by large icebergs in models.
A new tracking algorithm for sea ice age distribution estimation
Authors: Korosov Anton Andreevich , Rampal Pierre , Pedersen Leif Toudal , Saldo Roberto , Ye Yufang , Heygster Georg , Lavergne Thomas , Aaboe Signe , Girard-Ardhuin Fanny
Published: November 2017

Abstract. A new algorithm for estimating sea ice age (SIA) distribution based on the Eulerian advection scheme is presented. The advection scheme accounts for the observed divergence/convergence and freezing/melting of sea ice and predicts consequent generation/loss of new ice. The algorithm uses daily gridded sea ice drift and sea ice concentration products from the Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility and produces gridded fractions of sea ice of a specific age. Thus, each grid cell of the output product contains a frequency distribution of sea ice age allowing to apply mean, median, weighted average or other statistical measures. The produced SIA maps and time series are compared to the National Snow and Ice Data Center SIA product. Several improvements related to the usage of the new ice drift product, constraining the algorithm by the observed ice concentration and preventing undersampling by the Eulerian scheme are demonstrated. Muliyear ice (MYI) concentration is computed as a sum of all multi-year ice fractions and compared to the MYI products based on passive and active microwave and SAR products.
Minerva ed i pueri: proposta per una rilettura di alcune fonti letterarie
Authors: Cinaglia Tiziano
Published: November 2017

La relazione che intercorre tra Minerva ed i pueri romani, nota archeologicamente dai più antichi santuari italici della dea ed inoltre documentata dalla presenza dell’altare della dea Iuventas nella cella di Minerva del tempio capitolino, appare altresì evidente ad una più approfondita disamina di alcune fonti letterarie di epoca classica; in particolare, risultano assolutamente determinanti le testimonianze relative alla prassi del tributo del minerval, alla tutela della dea sulla memoria e, infine, le numerose attestazioni del patronato di Minerva sulle attività dell’artigianato tessile. Quantunque pertinenti ad ambiti totalmente diversi, tali competenze di Minerva sono collegate da un unico filo conduttore, riconducibili ad una origine comune costituita dal primigenio culto tributatole come dea tutelare dei riti di passaggio post-puberali.
Origen y consolidación de los conventus iuridici en el noroeste peninsular
Authors: Santos Yanguas Narciso
Published: November 2017

Toda una serie de hechos fechados en torno a la década de los 50 del siglo I de nuestra era nos llevan a pensar que sería el emperador Claudio quien no solo pondría en explotación los recursos mineros del norte peninsular con cierta intensidad, sino también el funcionamiento de los conventus iuridici como subdivisiones provinciales en dicho suelo. Sobresalen entre ellos la desmilitarización del norte peninsular (con la desaparición de los distritos), el aprovechamiento agrícola de los prados militares, la reconversión de funciones de los soldados establecidos en dicho espacio geográfico, la presencia de militares (legionarios y auxiliares) en zonas mineras, el cese de las acuñaciones monetarias en suelo hispano y el funcionamiento de los conventus jurídicos con todas sus consecuencias.
El Ottaviano Capoparte de Mario Attilio Levi y su influencia en The Roman Revolution de Ronald Syme
Authors: Vivas García Gustavo Alberto
Published: November 2017

El Ottaviano Capoparte, la monografía en dos volúmenes escrita por el historiador italiano Mario Attilio Levi (1902-1988), publicada en Florencia en 1933, ejerció una gran influencia en el proceso de composición de The Roman Revolution (1939), la obra más conocida de Ronald Syme (1903-1989). La obra del italiano se cita hasta en diez ocasiones en La revolución romana, lo que da una idea de la importancia que la obra de Levi tenía para el especialista neozelandés. Términos como “partido”, “facción” y “Estado Nuevo”, que aparecen de manera recurrente en Ottaviano Capoparte, están presentes a lo largo de todo el libro de Syme y en nuestro artículo queremos demostrar que éste tenía muy presente, quizá en su mesa de trabajo, la obra de Levi cuando escribía La Revolución Romana.
Seguridad alimentaria y alimentos transgénicos
Authors: Luque Polo Kitiara
Published: November 2017

Una de las cuestiones de mayor preocupación a nivel mundial es la superpoblación del planeta. En los últimos años la población ha crecido de manera exponencial y se espera que en un futuro el número de personas que habitan el planeta siga aumentando. Esta situación supone una amenaza a la hora de garantizar la seguridad alimentaria; según organismos oficiales, será necesario incrementar la producción de alimentos al menos en un 50% para el año 2050. Para conseguirlo existen diversas posibilidades, aumentar la superficie dedicada a los cultivos, aumentar su intensidad o aumentar el rendimiento de los mismos. Este artículo pretende investigar sobre si los transgénicos pueden ser la solución a la hora de garantizar la seguridad alimentaria. Para ello se analizan las ventajas que tienen estos productos en diferentes ámbitos, pero sobre todo en agricultura y ganadería. Sin embargo, existe un fuerte rechazo hacia estos alimentos por varias causas. Entre ellas, su posible riesgo para la salud, la pérdida de biodiversidad y sobre todo, el monopolio las de grandes empresas que controlan el sector agrario. Una vez analizadas diversas fuentes de información y la legislación existente en torno a los organismos genéticamente modificados, se llega a la conclusión de que estos no son buenos o malos en sí mismos, sino que la ingeniería genética es un instrumento, que correctamente regulado y usado, puede contribuir a reducir la inseguridad alimentaria presente y futura
"Le mal d'aimer" en la novela de Rachilde
Authors: Lojo Tizón Mª del Carmen
Published: November 2017

En el presente artículo, procederemos a realizar un análisis del amor en la novela de Rachilde (1860-1953). Si bien la escritora rechaza por completo la novela sentimental, el amor es una temática recurrente en su obra. No obstante, siempre se trata de un amor malheureux debido a que sus personajes, fieles representantes de la Decadencia, no son dignos de acceder al amor absoluto.
Assessing the Human Capital Emergence, Performance and Effectiveness in a Brazilian Retail Bank
Authors: Carbone Pedro Paulo , Moreira Tito Belchior Silva , Candido Osvaldo
Published: November 2017

To assess the human capital (HC) effectiveness on the operational results of a major Brazilian retail bank (Bank), a HC inventory of the Bank’s employees with information on 25 attributes of HC and six operational performance measures of the Bank in the period of 2006-2008 is used. Thus, this study relies on proven information of all the Bank’s staff and not on surveys as often used in the literature. The empirical results show that the effectiveness of the HC is related to the establishment of an optimal construct of HC attributes and to the improvement of specific skills. Furthermore, the turnover has a negative impact in maintaining high HC employees into the branches with negative effects on the credit control process and the Bank’s profitability. Lastly, the staff size into the branches as well as the economic conditions surrounding them play also an important role for the HC effectiveness.
Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Streptomyces sp. on Bipolaris sorokiniana and the Growth Promotion of Wheat Plants
Authors: Monteiro Priscila , Borba Marcela Proença , Van Der Sand Sueli Teresinha
Published: November 2017

Streptomyces sp. R18(6) and Streptomyces sp. 6(4) strains were evaluated for their ability to control brown spot and common root rot caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in wheat crops. The antifungal activity of these isolates was tested using a double-layer assay and culture pairing at 28 °C. Physiological and enzymatic activity performed through siderophore, indole-3-acetic acid, nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization tests. The biocontrol of the disease and growth-promoting efficiency of wheat seedlings were assessed using in vivo assays in a greenhouse. In the culture pairing assays, both strains inhibited B. sorokiniana mycelial growth, while in the double-layer only Streptomyces sp. R18(6). Streptomyces sp. 6(4) produced auxin, siderophores, fixed nitrogen and solubilized phosphate, whereas R18(6) did not produce siderophores. In the greenhouse assays, strain R18(6) showed statistical differences in shoot dry mass and root dry mass compared with those of strain 6(4) in the presence of the phytopathogen (P ≤ 0.05), and these results were more evident when the environmental temperature was higher. In the absence of the phytopathogen, Streptomyces sp. 6(4) strain increased the root dry mass compared with that of the control during the same period. Therefore, these isolates can potentially control root rot and brown spotting and may promote the growth of wheat plants.
Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase and Source-Flow-Sink Related Attributes in Rice Genotypes Subjected to High Night Temperatures
Authors: Moura Diogo S. , Brito Giovani G. , Campos Ângela D. , Moraes Ítalo L. , Fagundes Paulo R. R. , Deuner Sidnei
Published: November 2017

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) which is considered to be one of the main lines of cell acclimation against stress in plants, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) accumulation and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were quantified in two rice genotypes as a function of two temperature regimes: 22/30 °C (control) and 28/30 °C night/day (high night temperatures - HNT), imposed from heading to milk stage. The rice cultivars chosen were Nagina22 (N22) and BRS Querência (BRS-Quer), which are genotypes tolerant and sensitive to high temperatures, respectively. BRS-Quer genotype highlighted more sensitive responses maintaining higher PAL and peroxidase levels on seventh and twenty-first days after stress imposing. On the other hand, this genotype showed levels of fructose, glucose and sucrose decreasingly across stress period whether compared to N22. Both genotypes showed similarity for most of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. However, the photosynthesis induction curve highlighted that HNT caused decreases in some photochemical quenching of fluorescence as well as increases of non-phochemical quenching, affecting more prominently BRS-Quer genotype. N22 maintained unaltered the spikelet sterility and 1000-grain weight across temperature regimes showing a consistent trend with its stem NSC accumulation during stress period. The higher availability of soluble sugars shown by N22 at the end of stress period could be unloaded in spikelet formation and grain fillings contributing in their lower sterility rate and greater 1000-grain weight stability across the environments. These results indicate that selecting genotypes with higher capacity to stem NSC translocation beyond accumulation at HNT could lead to more grain yield stability in future climate scenarios.
Effect of Selected Plant Growth Regulators on Yield and Stem Height of Spring Wheat in Ontario
Authors: Zhang Yuxue , Su Shengnan , Tabori Mirko , Yu Junjie , Chabot Denise , Baninasab Bahram , Wang Xuelian , Ma Bao-Luo , Li Chunyan , Khanizadeh Shahrokh
Published: November 2017

Lodging is an important limiting factor in wheat because it affects growth, yield and grain quality. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are often used to restrain elongation of internodes, improve lodging traits, and protect yield potentials. An experiment was set up in the greenhouse at the Ottawa Research and Development Centre (ORDC) to study the effect of the selected PGRs (Manipulator, the active ingredient of which is chlormequat; and Palisade, the active ingredient of which is trinexapac-ethyl) on yield, stem height and morphological traits in six spring wheat cultivars (AC Carberry, AAC Scotia, Hoffman, Fuzion, FL62R1, and AW725). Both PGRs reduced plant height and caused a 6% to 48% reduction in the length of the second basal internode. The mixture of the two PGRs had a synergistic affect and made the stem shorter. The application of PGRs significantly reduced lodging, increased stem diameter, thickness, filling degree, and stem strength, and increased leaf relative chlorophyll content. However, application of PGRs significantly reduced grain yield, and the combination of the two PGRs (Manipulator and Palisade) had a synergistic effect and lowered the yield. In general, the effect of Palisade was more evident than that of Manipulator.