bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calibration and Deployment of a Fiber-Optic Sensing System for Monitoring Debris Flows
Authors: Huang Ching-Jer , Chu Chung-Ray , Tien Tsung-Mo , Yin Hsiao-Yuen , Chen Ping-Sen
Published: May 2012

This work presents a novel fiber-optic sensing system, capable of monitoring debris flows or other natural hazards that produce ground vibrations. The proposed sensing system comprises a demodulator (BraggSCOPE, FS5500), which includes a broadband light source and a data logger, a four-port coupler and four Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) accelerometers. Based on field tests, the performance of the proposed fiber-optic sensing system is compared with that of a conventional sensing system that includes a geophone or a microphone. Following confirmation of the reliability of the proposed sensing system, the fiber-optic sensing systems are deployed along the Ai-Yu-Zi and Chu-Shui Creeks in Nautou County of central Taiwan for monitoring debris flows. Sensitivity test of the deployed fiber-optic sensing system along the creek banks is also performed. Analysis results of the seismic data recorded by the systems reveal in detail the frequency characteristics of the artificially generated ground vibrations. Results of this study demonstrate that the proposed fiber-optic sensing system is highly promising for use in monitoring natural disasters that generate ground vibrations.
EBDC: An Energy-Balanced Data Collection Mechanism Using a Mobile Data Collector in WSNs
Authors: Chang Chih-Yung , Lin Chih-Yu , Kuo Chin-Hwa
Published: May 2012

The data collection problem is one of the most important issues in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Constructing a tree from all sensor nodes to the sink node is the simplest way, but this raises the problem of energy unbalance since the sensors closer to the sink node would have much higher workloads from relaying data. To cope with the energy unbalance problem, a number of mobile-sink mechanisms have been proposed in recent years. This paper proposes an Energy-Balanced Data Collection mechanism, called EBDC, which determines the trajectory of a mobile data collector (or mobile sink) such that the data-relaying workloads of all sensors can be totally balanced. Theoretical analysis and performance evaluation reveal that the proposed EBDC mechanism outperforms the existing approaches in terms of network lifetime and the degree of energy balancing.
A Thermodynamically Correct Treatment of Externalities with an Exergy-Based Numeraire
Authors: Sciubba Enrico
Published: May 2012

The concept of “sustainable development” implies that the environmental externalities unavoidably generated by human activities be reduced to a minimum: In fact, the very definition of “sustainability” leads—as it will be briefly discussed in the paper—to a physically measurable upper limit for untreated discharges. Since the current state of affairs on Earth is far from being sustainable, any proposal for a future scenario that is not substantiated by an accurate assessment of the effects of the environmental externalities is devoid of real sense and ought not to be pursued. The present paper illustrates the application of Extended Exergy Accounting (EEA) to the quantification of such externalities. The exergy flow diagrams of EEA include non-material and non-energetic production factors like labor, and capital and environmental remediation costs, providing a quantitative measure of the amount of primary resources that are cumulatively used in the production of a good or service, and it is shown to provide a wealth of quantitative information to energy managers and planners.
USING THE IDEA OF MARKET-EXPECTED RETURN RATES ON INVESTED CAPITAL IN THE VERIFICATION OF CONFORMITY OF MARKET EVALUATION OF STOCK-LISTED COMPANIES WITH THEIR INTRINSIC VALUE
Authors: Mielcarz Paweł , Roman Emilia
Published: May 2012

This article presents the concept of investor-expected rates of return on capital of listed companies and the use of these rates in the assessment of the extent to which the stock evaluation of a given entity is compatible with its intrinsic value. The article also features results of the research aimed at verification – with the use of the presented tool – of whether the market value of WSE-listed companies reflects their fundamental value. The calculations presented in the empirical part of the article show that at the beginning of 2011, market evaluation of the most of the analysed entities greatly exceeded their fundamental value.
PERSONNEL AUDIT PROCESS
Authors: Pająk Wojciech
Published: May 2012

Audit is one of the basic issues in organisation and management. It consists of a number of constituent problems. One of them is the problem of research methodology. On the other hand, internal audit plays an increasingly important role in improvement of the functioning of an organisation . An attempt to apply the concept of internal audit for the purposes of diagnosing human resource management is the subject matter of this paper. Apart from the problems strictly related to the essence of methodology of personnel audit, an attempt was made to determine the problem range determined by this audit.
AUDIT COMMITTEE PRACTICE IN THE POLISH LISTED STOCK COMPANIES. PRESENT SITUATION AND DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Szczepankowski Piotr
Published: May 2012

The audit committee is one of the parts of corporate governance mechanism, which is understood as the relationship between corporate managers, directors and the providers of equity, people and institutions who save and invest their capital to earn the return. This study presents survey research results of audit committee activity in Polish public stock companies quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). The purpose of this paper is to present the audit committee practice in Poland after 2009. The paper shows that the audit committee practice is still the most problematic issue of transitional Polish corporate governance rules. The survey has shown that the corporate needs and its implementation, and communication with listed companies leave a lot of room for improvement. The paper is based on the documents prepared in 2010 by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Polish Association of Listed Companies and the Polish Institute of Directors.
Réflexions sur les critères de définition et les problèmes d'identification des marqueurs évidentiels en français
Authors: Dendale Patrick , Van Bogaert Julie
Published: May 2012

Partant de la définition d’Anderson (1986), nous présentons ici les principaux problèmes auxquels on est confronté lorsque l’on accepte les quatre critères de cette définition, nous inspirant d’un article de Boye & Harder (2009) et d’analyses existantes de quelques marqueurs évidentiels français. Nous examinons le critère conceptuel de « source d’information » face à des critères conceptuels composites, qui intègrent la modalité épistémique, et aux divers types de sources d’information. Nous examinons le statut du concept de source d’information à l’intérieur du sémantisme d’une unité langagière, avec le problème de la polysémie des évidentiels et de leurs valeurs pragmatiquement dérivées, le problème de leur statut comme prédication principale ou comme commentaire de prédication, et le problème du statut grammatical ou autre de l’évidentiel. En guise de conclusion, nous plaidons en faveur de critères de définition relatifs au type d’étude qu’on fait sur l’évidentialité.
Modalité et évidentialité dans pouvoir et devoir : typologie et discussions
Authors: Vetters Carl
Published: May 2012

Cet article propose une classification des différents effets de sens des verbes modaux pouvoir et devoir . L’hypothèse de départ est que ces verbes ont un sens sous-déterminé leur permettant de prendre un grand nombre d’effets de sens grâce à l’interaction avec le co (n) texte. L’étude propose la distinction de trois niveaux d’analyse : la modalité du faire, la modalité de l’être et le niveau postmodal. À chaque niveau, le rapport entre modalité et évidentialité est commenté. Au niveau de la modalité du faire, pouvoir et devoir ne peuvent pas être des opérateurs évidentiels à cause de leur portée tandis qu’au niveau de la modalité de l’être, modalité épistémique et évidentialité inférentielle sont intrinsèquement liées. Du côté des emplois postmodaux, on observe l’absence de l’emploi évidentiel d’information rapportée de devoir et on suggère que pouvoir a un emploi (ad) miratif.
Revenus féminins et désunion en Europe
Authors: Jeandidier Bruno , Bodson Lucile
Published: May 2012

Résumé Partant d’une revue de littérature empirique qui montre, d’une part, des conclusions divergentes quant à la relation entre les revenus féminins et la probabilité de se séparer et, d’autre part, la rareté des travaux portant sur l’Europe, nous testons cette relation selon différentes variantes à partir de l’European Community Households Panel (dix pays européens). Nous montrons, en particulier, que la relation positive entre le revenu féminin et la probabilité de se séparer s’explique principalement par les situations extrêmes des femmes : les femmes au foyer qui n’apportent aucun revenu (faible-probabilité de se séparer) et les femmes en emploi qui contribuent nettement plus que leur conjoint aux ressources du couple (forte probabilité de se séparer).
NK Cell Tolerance to TLR Agonists Mediated by Regulatory T Cells after Polymicrobial Sepsis
Authors: Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes Fernando , Parlato Marianna , Fitting Catherine , Cavaillon Jean-Marc , Adib-Conquy Minou
Published: May 2012

As sensors of infection, innate immune cells are able to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns by receptors such as TLRs. NK cells present in many tissues contribute to inflammatory processes, particularly through the production of IFN-γ. They may display a protective role during infection but also a detrimental role during sterile or infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Nevertheless, the exact status of NK cells during bacterial sepsis and their capacity directly to respond to TLR agonists remain unclear. The expression of TLRs in NK cells has been widely studied by analyzing the mRNA of these receptors. The aim of this study was to gain insight into TLR2/TLR4/TLR9 expression on/in murine NK cells at the protein level and determine if their agonists were able to induce cytokine production. We show, by flow cytometry, a strong intracellular expression of TLR2 and a low of TLR4 in freshly isolated murine spleen NK cells, similar to that of TLR9. In vitro, purified NK cells respond to TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 agonists, in synergy with activating cytokines (IL-2, IL-15, and/or IL-18), and produce proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and GM-CSF). Finally, we explored the possible tolerance of NK cells to TLR agonists after a polymicrobial sepsis (experimental peritonitis). For the first time, to our knowledge, NK cells are shown to become tolerant in terms of proinflammatory cytokines production after sepsis. We show that this tolerance is associated with a reduction of the CD27+CD11b− subset in the spleen related to the presence of regulatory T cells and mainly mediated by TGF-β.
Clinical and Biological Significance of Cathepsin D Levels in Breast Cancer Cytosol in Women over 70 years
Authors: Ruibal Alvaro , Herranz Michel , Arias José Ignacio
Published: May 2012

Objective

To study cytosolic cathepsin D behavior and possible relationship with other clinical and biological parameters in women affected by breast invasive ductal carcinomas and older than 70 years (range: 71–88).

Material and methods

cytosolic levels of cathepsin D were determined by an Immunoradiometric Assay (IRMA-CIS France). Clinical and biological factors analyzed were: size, axillary lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, histological grade, ploidy, S phase cell, cytosolic estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and pS2, and concentrations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in cell membranes.

Results

Cathepsin D concentrations ranged between 13 and 1228 pmol/mg prot. Median value of 41 was considered as threshold of positivity. Cathepsin D positive tumors showed higher S-phase values ( P = 0.046) and were most often histological grade III ( P = 0.047). However, the most important finding was the existence of a positive correlation (r = 0.51786) and statistically significant ( P < 0.05) between S-phase values and cathepsin D in the overall group of tumors, and those ER+, but not in ER-. We determined cathepsin D concentrations in 131 women with invasive ductal breast carcinomas, but aged between 50 and 70 years (median 61) and we did not find differences based on those values in women >70 years. In addition, we found no correlation between S-phase values and Cathepsin D, both overall and in relation with hormone dependence (ER).

Conclusions

Those results led us to the following conclusions: (1) cytosolic concentrations of cathepsin D in invasive infiltrating breast carcinomas in women over 70 are similar to those seen in women with the same type of tumor, but aged 50 to 70 years and are associated with increased cell proliferation measured by S phase, and histological grade III; (2) in women older than 70 years, cathepsin D concentrations are statistically significantly correlated with phase synthesis values in hormone-dependent tumors, but not in hormone-independent, fact not observed in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas of women aged between 50 and 70. This could reflect a different mitogenic role of the aspartyl protease enzyme linked to hormone dependence as age function parameter.
Identification of a Gene Expression Signature Common to Distinct Cancer Pathways
Authors: Fankhauser Niklaus , Cima Igor , Wild Peter , Krek Wilhelm
Published: May 2012

Mutations in cancer-causing genes induce changes in gene expression programs critical for malignant cell transformation. Publicly available gene expression profiles produced by modulating the expression of distinct cancer genes may therefore represent a rich resource for the identification of gene signatures common to seemingly unrelated cancer genes. We combined automatic retrieval with manual validation to obtain a data set of high-quality gene microarray profiles. This data set was used to create logical models of the signaling events underlying the observed expression changes produced by various cancer genes and allowed to uncover unknown and verifiable interactions. Data clustering revealed novel sets of gene expression profiles commonly regulated by distinct cancer genes. Our method allows retrieval of significant new information and testable hypotheses from a pool of deposited cancer gene expression experiments that are otherwise not apparent or appear insignificant from single measurements. The complete results are available through a web-application at http://biodata.ethz.ch/cgi-bin/geologic .
Small Cell Lung Cancer Doubling Time and its Effect on Clinical Presentation: A Concise Review
Authors: Harris Kassem , Khachaturova Inga , Azab Basem , Maniatis Theodore , Murukutla Srujitha , Chalhoub Michel , Hatoum Hassan , Kilkenny Thomas , Elsayegh Dany , Maroun Rabih , Alkaied Homam
Published: May 2012

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of many types rapidly growing malignant diseases, such as Burkitt's lymphoma and testicular germ cell cancers. At present, there is no reliable way to screen for SCLC, and imaging modalities tend to be delayed in detecting this type of cancer. The clinical presentation of acutely and rapidly growing SCLC can mimic those of pulmonary inflammatory or infectious disorders, and in some instances, this delays appropriate management and negatively affects patient outcome.
Factors controlling soil water storage in the hummocky landscape of the Prairie Pothole Region of North America
Authors: Biswas Asim , Chau Henry W. , Bedard-Haughn Angela K. , Si Bing C.
Published: May 2012

Biswas, A., Chau, H. W., Bedard-Haughn, A. K. and Si, B. C. 2012. Factors controlling soil water storage in the hummocky landscape of the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 649–663. The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in North America is unique hummocky landscape containing hydrologically closed topographic depressions with no permanent inlet or outlet. Knowledge about the controls of soil water distribution in the landscape is important for understanding the hydrology in the PPR. In this study, we investigated the correlation between soil water storage and different controlling factors over time. Time domain reflectometry and neutron probe were used to measure soil water storage up to 1.4 m depth over 4 yr along a 576-m long transect at St. Denis National Wildlife Area, Saskatchewan, Canada, which represent a typical landscape of the PPR. Soil and vegetation properties were measured along the transect, and various terrain indices were calculated from the digital elevation map of the study area. Soil texture (e.g., correlation coefficient, r=−0.57 to −0.73 for sand) provided one of the best explanations for the variations in soil water storage by controlling the entry and transmission of water within soil in the semi-arid climate of study area. Bulk density (r=−0.22 to −0.56), depth of A horizon, (r=0.18 to 0.49), C horizon (r=0.29 to 0.69), and CaCO3 layer (r=0.31 to 0.79) influenced the water transmission through soil and were correlated to soil water storage. Beside soil properties, topographic wetness index (r=0.47 to 0.67), slope (r=−0.41 to −0.56), convergence index (r=−0.29 to −0.60), and flow connectivity (r=0.27 to 0.60) were also correlated to soil water storage. However, multiple linear regressions showed a consistent high contribution from soil properties such as sand, organic carbon, depth of CaCO3 layer, and bulk density in explaining the variability in soil water storage. A substantial contribution from topographic variables such as wetness index, gradient, and solar radiation was also observed. Therefore, unlike other geographic regions, the soil-water storage variations in the PPR are controlled by a combination of soil and terrain properties with dominant control from soil characteristics at the field scale.
Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semi-arid region of the Canadian prairies
Authors: Kröbel R. , Campbell C. A. , Zentner R. P. , Lemke R. , Steppuhn H. , Desjardins R. L. , De Jong R.
Published: May 2012

Kröbel, R., Campbell, C. A., Zentner, R. P., Lemke, R., Steppuhn, H., Desjardins, R. L. and De Jong, R. 2012. Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semi-arid region of the Canadian prairies. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 573–587. Water use efficiency (WUE) has often been analyzed for semiarid environments, but fallow-containing cropping systems were assessed inappropriately. Further, these short-term studies are unlikely to correctly assess weather variability impacts in such environments. We assessed the impact of fertilizer N and P on water use efficiency (WUE) and precipitation use efficiency (PUE) of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from a 39-yr long-term crop rotation study in semi-arid southwestern Saskatchewan. In the rotation experiment, continuous wheat (Cont W) with N+P or P fertilizer only, and fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W) with N+P, P only, or N only were studied. We calculated WUE using: (i) Yield (Y)/[water use (WU)/potential water use (PET)]; (ii) Y/WU; (iii) Y/WU with a fallow phase element added; and (iv) Y/harvest-to-harvest precipitation (PUE). The WUEs in the rotation experiment were generally greater for treatments with N+P fertilizer, and greatest after an increase of N application coupled with favourable soil water conditions in the final decades of this study. In cases (i) and (ii), WUE for F-W-W was greater than for the Cont W-treatment. In case (iii), the WUEs were 5.7, 4.5, 3.9, 3.6, and 3.6 kg ha−1 mm−1 water for Cont W (N+P), Cont W (P), F-W-W (N+P), F-W-W (P), and F-W-W (N), respectively. For PUE [case (iv)] the values were 4.0, 3.1, 3.4, 3.0, and 2.9, respectively. We concluded that case (ii) was most appropriate for continuous cropping and case (iii) for systems including fallow, while case (iv) was usable in general.
Long-term grazing effects on grassland soil properties in southern British Columbia
Authors: Evans C. R. W. , Krzic M. , Broersma K. , Thompson D. J.
Published: May 2012

Evans, C. R. W., Krzic, M., Broersma, K. and Thompson, D. J. 2012. Long-term grazing effects on grassland soil properties in southern British Columbia. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 685–693. Although grazing effects on soil properties have been evaluated on various temperate grasslands, no study has dealt with these effects in the southern interior of British Columbia. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of spring versus fall season grazing as well as grazing [at a moderate rate of 0.6 animal unit months (AUM) ha−1] versus non-grazing by beef cattle on selected soil properties. Effects were determined 20 and 30 yr after the establishment of the field experiment. Soil properties were determined for the 0- to 7.5-cm, 7.5- to 15-cm, and 15- to 30-cm depths. In comparison with fall grazing, spring grazing had greater soil bulk density, greater mechanical resistance within the top 15 cm of the soil profile, higher pH, and lower polysaccharides. This was true for both 20 and 30 yr of treatment. Grazing effects on aggregate stability were observed only after 30 yr with spring grazing leading to a more stable structure with a mean weight diameter (MWD) of 1.5 mm and 32% and 10% of aggregates in the 2- to 6-mm and 1- to 2-mm size fractions, respectively, compared with a MWD of 1.0 mm and 20% and 6% under fall grazing. Greater soil bulk density, mechanical resistance, and pH were observed under the grazed treatment relative to the control without grazing, but as we used a moderate stocking rate the impacts were not as great as in previous studies, which used heavy stocking rates. Our findings show that long-term grazing at a moderate stocking rate of 0.6 AUM ha−1did not have critical detrimental effects on soil properties as some land managers and ranchers have suggested.
Comparing SPAD and atLEAF values for chlorophyll assessment in crop species
Authors: Zhu Juanjuan , Tremblay Nicolas , Liang Yinli
Published: May 2012

Zhu, J., Tremblay, N. and Liang, Y. 2012. Comparing SPAD and atLEAF values for chlorophyll assessment in crop species. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 645–648. This research had the objective of determining whether a new light transmittance meter, the atLEAF, could be used as a less expensive alternative to the SPAD meter. Both meters measure transmittance through leaf surfaces in wavelengths associated with chlorophyll, and both provide an indirect method for determining the nitrogen status of crop canopies. The current study compared SPAD and atLEAF values under different conditions and for six crop species (canola, wheat, barley, potato and corn). The results indicated strong correlations among laboratory leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content, SPAD values, and atLEAF values. Equivalent performances were observed for SPAD and atLEAF values in different environments regardless of crop species. Therefore, the atLEAF Chl meter can be used as an inexpensive alternative to the SPAD-502 meter.
The structure of basin‐scale internal waves in a stratified lake in response to lake bathymetry and wind spatial and temporal distribution: Lake Iseo, Italy
Authors: Valerio Giulia , Pilotti Marco , Marti Clelia Luisa , Imberger Jö rg
Published: May 2012

Field data, theoretical analyses, and numerical simulations were used to investigate the effects of lake basin bathymetry and spatial and temporal structures of the wind field on the basin‐scale internal wave spectrum in Lake Iseo. This deep Italian basin is characterized by the presence of a large island, imparting attributes of an annulus to the lake. During the summer of 2010, the internal wave activity was dominated by a basin‐scale internal wave of vertical and horizontal modes 1 (V1H1), superimposed on which were occasional higher vertical modes (V2H1) and higher horizontal modes (V1H5) trapped by the main island. The occurrence of these motions was interpreted as forcing by the wind components with similar horizontal structures and with energies at frequencies near the natural oscillations of the excited modes. The modifications of the wind field by the topography, in particular, controlled the excitation of an anticyclonic wave trapped around the island, whose features were investigated on the basis of an extension of the circular model to the case of an annular basin of constant depth.
Potential of Native Plant Species From the Industrial Complex of Camaçari (BA, Brazil) as Accumulators of Chemical Elements Contained in Air Pollution
Authors: Santos O. M. , Guedes M. L. S. , Araújo C. V. M.
Published: May 2012

The present study aimed to assess the potential of plant species Anacardium occidentale L., Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana and Byrsonima sericea DC. as bioaccumulators of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and sulphur (S), coming from industrial emission from the Industrial Complex of Camaçari (ICC). Element concentrations were measured in the leaves of three adult individuals per species. The data showed that M. albicans is an accumulator species of Al, Cu and S. Moreover, this specie showed visible damage symptoms on the leaves such as chloroses and necroses, which may be attributed to air pollution. On the other hand, the accumulation of the elements was lower in the leaves of A. occidentale and B. sericea. In general, Zn concentrations were similar in all species. As and Ni concentrations in the species were below detection limit. The results indicate that M. albicans may potentially be employed in biomonitoring studies in this region.
Ecotoxicity of Agricultural Surfactants for Guaru Phalloceros caudimaculatus
Authors: Carraschi S. P. , Luna L. A. V. , Neto A. N. , Gírio A. C. F. , Cruz C. , Pitelli R. A.
Published: May 2012

The surfactants are amphipathic molecules that promote the reduction of surface tension of water. The objectives were to estimate the LC(I)50;96h; to determine the assessment risk;to assess the water quality and the intoxication signs during the tests with the surfactants Agral®, Aterbane®BR, Ag-Bem®, Energic®, Fixade®e Gotafix® for guaru (Phalloceros caudimaculatus). The animals were exposed to the surfactants and a control treatment in completely randomized design with three replicates. To characterize the assessment risk were used the data of the estimated environmental concentration and of the LC(I)50;96 hours of each surfactant, classifying them according to a coefficient of risk. A LC(I)50;96h of surfactant Agral® was 4.33 mgL-1; Aterbane®BR 5.81 mgL-1; Energic®3.93 mgL-1; GOTAFIX®3.40 mgL-1; Fixade®4.06 mgL-1 and Ag-Bem®22.19 mgL-1. The water quality was not changed by the presence of surfactants. The intoxication signs showed were: increase in opercullar beat, loss of ability to pitching, erratic swimming and spasms. Ag-Bem®can be considered as slightly toxic and anothers moderately toxic. Aterbane®BR, Agral®, Ag-Bem®and Gotafix® are considered at risk with possibility adverse effect and Energic®and Fixade® risk likely adverse effect to the guaru. The intoxication signs of guaru may be indicative of environmental contamination by these molecules.
Ecotoxicity of Sludges Generated by Textile Industries: A Review
Authors: Gomes L. S. , Silva F. A. , Barbosa S. , Kummrow F.
Published: May 2012

Textile industries consume a large amount of water and use toxic products in its processes. Consequently, they produce and release large volumes of effluents, which, treated, generate great amount of sludge. The final disposal of this sludge remains a challenge, and its ecotoxicological assessment is an important parameter to minimize its impacts. This article reviewed the ecotoxicological tests that have been employed to evaluate the hazard of such sludge. There are few papers in the literature on this issue, as well as a lack of consensus about sample preparation procedures and test organisms to be used. The test organisms most employed are higher plants, bacteria and aquatic organisms. Only one article used earthworms and one, mammals. Composting was efficient for reduction or elimination of the phytotoxicity of textile sludge. Both Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri showed adequate sensitivity for sludge acute toxicity evaluation. The endpoint genotoxicity using the Salmonella/ microsome assay seems to be important, because most of the obtained results were positive. More studies are needed to understand the applicability of algae, earthworms and mammals. Efforts are being made to establish a reliable battery of bioassays for ecotoxicological evaluation of such waste.
LA DIVERSIDAD DE ESPECIES ÚTILES Y SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES.
Authors: Navarro Garza Hermilio , Santiago Santiago Alfredo , Musálem Santiago Miguel Ángel , Vibrans Lindemann Heike , Pérez Olvera Ma. Antonia
Published: May 2012

El manejo y uso de biodiversidad sustentan servicios agroecosistémicos multifuncionales: aprovisionamiento de alimentos, forrajes, leña, madera, combustibles, fibra y recarga de acuíferos, entre otros. La pérdida de diversidad biológica y los riesgos crecientes de su deterioro, inherentes frecuentemente a diversas actividades humanas, plantean la necesidad de desarrollar capacidades institucionales y sociales para su restauración y conservación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar y describir la di¬versidad de árboles y arbustos, sus usos y tipos de sistemas agroforestales. Lo importante es conocer la multiplicidad de usos, como expresión sintética de lógicas funcionales que viabilizan los sistemas agroforestales territoriales. La metodología fue descriptiva, basada en talleres participativos orientados a conocer la diversidad de recursos y usos. Posteriormente, selección de unidades familiares, transec¬tos, entrevistas, colecta y clasificación de ejemplares. Se identificaron 81 especies y 34 familias. La diversidad se amplifica por la multifuncionalidad de usos para 55.6 % de especies: 7.42 %, con cinco tipos de usos; 11.1 % con cuatro tipos; 14.8 %, con tres; y 22.2 % con dos. Tipos de usos: leña, 41 especies; medicinales, 30; elaboración de utensilios, 29; madera, 25; fines alimenticios, 23; forrajeras, 20, y cercos vivos, seis especies. De los sistemas familiares, 91.7 % utilizan sistemas agrosilvícolas, y 41.7 %, silvopastoriles, según diversos propósitos socioeconómicos y combinaciones de usos.
FERTILIZACIÓN CON NITRÓGENO, FÓSFORO Y POTASIO EN UN LATIZAL DE Pinus patula Schl. et Cham.
Authors: Lázaro-Dzul Martha O. , Velázquez-Mendoza Juan , Vargas-Hernández José J. , Gómez-Guerrero Armando , Álvarez-Sánchez María E. , López-López Miguel A.
Published: May 2012

Las masas forestales enfrentan el problema de productividad, la cual demanda que se incremente en cantidad y calidad. El crecimiento forestal depende de varios factores, entre ellos, el edáfico, que actúa sobre el árbol mediante el agua y los elementos minerales. Se incrementa la productividad fo¬restal al mejorar la disponibilidad nutrimental mediante la fertilización. Consecuentemente, la finalidad de este trabajo fue estudiar la fertilización con nitrógeno (0, 138,185), fósforo (0, 15, 21) y potasio (0, 123,164) kg•ha-1 con relación al crecimiento de follaje nuevo, mediante un experimento factorial 33 en una plantación de Pinus patula Schl. et Cham. de 10 años de edad, en Aquixtla, Puebla, durante 2009-2010. La tasa relativa de crecimiento instantáneo (TCRI) en volumen de follaje nuevo fue mejor (0.0255 mL•mL-1•día-1) con la dosis 185-0-0 kg•ha-1 de NPK, y la TCRI de peso seco fue mejor (0.0254 y 0.0249 g•g-1•día-1, respectivamente) con las dosis 138-0-123 y 138-0-0. Se determinó deficiencia de nitrógeno, que se atribuyó a la acidez edáfica y a la lenta mineralización de la materia orgánica. La dosis recomendada para las condiciones edáficas y climáticas del sitio experimental fue 185-0-0 kg•ha-1 NPK para volumen de follaje nuevo y 138-0-0 kg•ha-1 de NPK para peso seco.
DESCOMPOSICIÓN Y LIBERACIÓN DE NITRÓGENO Y MATERIA ORGÁNICA EN HOJAS DE Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. Y Moringa oleifera Lam. EN UN BANCO MIXTO DE FORRAJE
Authors: Petit-Aldana Judith , Uribe-Valle Gabriel , Casanova-Lugo Fernando , Solorio-Sánchez Javier , Ramírez-Avilés Luis
Published: May 2012

Se evaluaron las tasas de descomposición, la liberación de N y MO en hojas de Leucaena leuco¬cephala (Lam.) de Wit, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. y Moringa oleifera Lam. en un banco mixto de forraje en Yucatán, México, en las épocas de lluvias y sequía, en un diseño de bloques completos al azar, cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Se llenaron 120 bolsas con hojas frescas de las especies colectadas, y se colocaron en cada unidad experimental. Se evaluaron tres periodos de incubación para cada tratamiento: cuatro, ocho, y 16 semanas por cada época. A finales del experimento se observó que el proceso de descomposición fue más rápido en la temporada de lluvias. La pérdida de peso y la liberación de N y MO fueron más aceleradas en M. oleifera en monocultivo y en la asociación L. leucocephala con M. oleifera. Los patrones de descomposición de todas las especies siguieron el modelo exponencial simple, con más del 80 % de la masa inicial incorporada al final del periodo de estudio. Se concluye que L. leucocephala, G. ulmifolia y M. oleifera en monocultivo y asociadas, demostraron su capacidad para producir considerables cantidades de materia orgánica y liberar importantes cantidades de N en cortos periodos.
ALMACÉN DE CARBONO EN SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES CON CAFÉ
Authors: Espinoza-Domínguez William , Reddiar Krishnamurthy Laksmi , Vázquez-Alarcón Antonio , Torres-Rivera Antonio
Published: May 2012

El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de estimar el almacén de carbono en sistemas agro¬forestales (SAF) con base en café en la región de Huatusco, zona de mayor producción de café (Coffea arabiga L.) en el estado de Veracruz, México, a fin de obtener información cuantitativa sobre el potencial de mitigación de carbono en los SAF de la región. Para ello, se estimaron los reservorios de carbono en biomasa vegetal y la materia orgánica edáfica existentes en sistemas agroforestales de café-plátano, café-macadamia, café-cedro rosado, café-ganado ovino y café-chalahuite, y como referencia de una condición no agroforestal se incluyeron un bosque primario y un potrero con prade¬ra natural. La recolección de muestras se hizo en parcelas de 4 x 25 m (100 m2), donde se colectó biomasa de vegetación herbácea y mantillo, y para el suelo la profundidad de muestreo fue de 0 a 30 cm. El sistema agroforestal que presentó la mayor cantidad de carbono aéreo, estimado con modelos alelométricos, fue café-cedro rosado (Ca + Ce), con 114 Mg C•ha-1, seguido de los sistemas café - macadamia (Ca + Ma), con 34 Mg C•ha-1; café-chalahuite (Ca + Ch), con 29 Mg C•ha-1; café-plátano velillo (Ca + Pl), con 27 Mg C•ha-1; y por último el sistema silvopastoril (Sp), con 2 Mg C•ha-1. Para el caso del carbono orgánico del suelo, el tratamiento (Ca + Ce) fue el que presentó mayor contenido de carbono fácilmente oxidable en el suelo, con 58 Mg C•ha-1, y el menor fue el tratamiento potrero (P), con 50 Mg C•ha-1. Del carbono orgánico total entre los SAF el tratamiento Ca + Ce fue el que tuvo el mayor valor, con 172 Mg C•ha-1, y el tratamiento silvopastoril (Sp) presentó el menor, con 65 Mg C•ha-1. De los sistemas evaluados se concluye que, en promedio, los SAF almacenan 102 Mg C•ha-1, mientras que el potrero almacena 52 t C•ha-1, y el bosque primario es el sistema que más almacena carbono total, con un valor de 355 Mg C•ha-1.
Changing sources and environmental factors reduce the rates of decline of organochlorine pesticides in the Arctic atmosphere
Authors: Becker S. , Halsall C. J. , Tych W. , Kallenborn R. , Schlabach M. , Manø S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. An extensive database of organochlorine (OC) pesticide concentrations measured at the Norwegian Arctic monitoring station at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, was analysed to assess longer-term trends in the Arctic atmosphere. Dynamic Harmonic Regression (DHR) is employed to investigate the seasonal and cyclical behaviour of chlordanes, DDTs and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and to isolate underlying inter-annual trends. Although a simple comparison of annual mean concentrations (1994–2005) suggest a decline for all of the OCs investigated, the longer-term trends identified by DHR only show a significant decline for p,p'-DDT. Indeed, HCB shows an increase from 2003–2005. This is thought to be due to changes in source types and the presence of impurities in current use pesticides, together with retreating sea ice affecting air-water exchange. Changes in source types were revealed by using isomeric ratios for the chlordanes and DDTs. Declining trends in ratios of trans-chlordane/cis-chlordane (TC/CC) indicate a shift from primary sources, to more "weathered" secondary sources, whereas an increasing trend in o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT ratios indicate a shift from use of technical DDT to dicofol. Continued monitoring of these OC pesticides is required to fully understand the influence of a changing climate on the behaviour and environmental cycling of these chemicals in the Arctic as well as possible impacts from "new" sources.
Impact of cloud parameterization on the numerical simulation of a super cyclone
Authors: Deshpande M. S. , Pattnaik S. , Salvekar P. S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. This study examines the role of parameterization of convection and explicit moisture processes on the simulated track, intensity and inner core structure of Orissa super cyclone (1999) in Bay of Bengal (north Indian Ocean). Sensitivity experiments are carried out to examine the impact of cumulus parameterization schemes (CPS) using MM5 model (Version 3.7) in a two-way nested domain (D1 and D2) configuration at horizontal resolutions (45–15 km). Three different cumulus parameterization schemes, namely Grell (Gr), Betts-Miller (BM) and updated Kain Fritsch (KF2), are tested. It is noted that track and intensity both are very sensitive to CPS and comparatively, KF2 predicts them reasonably well. Particularly, the rapid intensification phase of the super cyclone is best simulated by KF2 compared to other CPS. To examine the effect of the cumulus parameterization scheme at high resolution (5 km), the three-domain configuration (45-15-5 km resolution) is utilized. Based on initial results, KF2 scheme is used for both the domains (D1 and D2). Two experiments are conducted: one in which KF2 is used as CPS and another in which no CPS is used in the third domain. The intensity is well predicted when no CPS is used in the innermost domain. The sensitivity experiments are also carried out to examine the impact from microphysics parameterization schemes (MPS). Four cloud microphysics parameterization schemes, namely mixed phase (MP), Goddard microphysics with Graupel (GG), Reisner Graupel (RG) and Schultz (Sc), are tested in these experiments. It is noted that the tropical cyclone tracks and intensity variation have considerable sensitivity to the varying cloud microphysical parameterization schemes. The MPS of MP and Sc could very well capture the rapid intensification phase. The final intensity is well predicted by MP, which is overestimated by Sc. The MPS of GG and RG underestimates the intensity.
Advanced information criterion for environmental data quality assurance
Authors: Düsterhus A. , Hense A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. A new method for testing time series of environmental data for internal inconsistencies is presented. The method divides the dataset into several disjunct blocks. By means of a comparison of the blocks' estimated probability density distributions, each block is compared with the others. In order to judge the differences, four different measures are used and compared: Kullback-Leibler Divergence, Jensen-Shannon Divergence, Earth Mover's Distance and the Root Mean Square. By looking at the resulting patterns, conclusions on possible inconsistencies in the data can be drawn. This paper shows some sensitivitiy tests and gives an example for an application to real data. Furthermore, it is shown, in which cases of errors (shift in mean, shift in variance and rounding), which measure performs best.
Modelling the contribution of short-range atmospheric and hydrological transfers to nitrogen fluxes, budgets and indirect emissions in rural landscapes
Authors: Drouet J.-L. , Duretz S. , Durand P. , Cellier P.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Spatial interactions within a landscape may lead to large inputs of reactive nitrogen (Nr) transferred from cultivated areas and farms to oligotrophic ecosystems and induce environmental threats such as acidification, nitric pollution or eutrophication of protected areas. The paper presents a new methodology to estimate Nr fluxes at the landscape scale by taking into account spatial interactions between landscape elements. This methodology includes estimates of indirect Nr emissions due to short-range atmospheric and hydrological transfers. We used the NitroScape model which integrates processes of Nr transformation and short-range transfer in a dynamic and spatially distributed way to simulate Nr fluxes and budgets at the landscape scale. Four configurations of NitroScape were implemented by taking into account or not the atmospheric, hydrological or both pathways of Nr transfer. We simulated Nr fluxes, especially direct and indirect Nr emissions, within a test landscape including pig farms, croplands and unmanaged ecosystems. Simulation results showed the ability of NitroScape to simulate patterns of Nr emissions and recapture for each landscape element and the whole landscape. NitroScape made it possible to quantify the contribution of both atmospheric and hydrological transfers to Nr fluxes, budgets and indirect Nr emissions. For instance, indirect N2O emissions were estimated at around 21% of the total N2O emissions. They varied within the landscape according to land use, meteorological and soil conditions as well as topography. This first attempt proved that the NitroScape model is a useful tool to estimate the effect of spatial interactions on Nr fluxes and budgets as well as indirect Nr emissions within landscapes. Our approach needs to be further tested by applying NitroScape to several spatial arrangements of agro-ecosystems within the landscape and to real and larger landscapes.
Brief communication "Assessment of change in temperature and precipitation over Xinjiang, China"
Authors: Zhang Y. , Wei W. , Jiang F. , Liu M. , Wang W. , Bai L. , Li K.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Climate changes seriously affect people's daily life. Temperature and precipitation have been the focus of many studies dealing with regional climate changes in recent decades. In this study, the climatic trends in Xinjiang, northwest of China during 1961–2008 are analysed in detail on the basis of several parameters: annual and seasonal mean precipitation, and annual mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures. The results show a significant increasing trend of 7.40 mm decade−1 in the annual mean precipitation and a relatively minimal upward trend of 1.45 mm decade−1 in winter in Xinjiang. The annual mean temperature increases significantly in Xinjiang with an increasing trend of 0.30 °C decade−1. There is an increasing trend of 0.25 °C decade−1 in the annual maximum temperature and an increasing trend of 0.52 °C decade−1 in the annual minimum temperature.
A 20-yr reanalysis Experiment in the Baltic Sea Using three Dimensional Variational (3DVAR) method
Authors: Fu W. , She J. , Dobrynin M.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. A 20-year retrospective reanalysis of the ocean state in the Baltic Sea is constructed using three dimensional variational (3DVAR) data assimilation combining an operational numerical model with available historical temperature (T) and salinity (S) profiles. To determine the accuracy of the reanalysis, the authors present a series of comparisons with independent observations on a monthly mean basis. The performance of the assimilation in deep/shallow waters is investigated. With assimilation, temperature and salinity in the reanalysis fit better than the free run with independent measurements at different depths. Overall, the mean biases of temperature and salinity are reduced by 0.32 °C and 0.34 psu, respectively. Similarly, the mean root mean square error (RMSE) of the reanalysis is decreased by 0.35 °C and 0.3 psu compared to the free run. In space, the model error is inhomogeneous and strongly steered by the model error dynamics. Seasonally varying error of the modeled sea surface temperature is mainly controlled by the weather forcing, and shows the least improvements due to sparse observations. Deep layers, on the other hand, witness significant and stable model error improvements. In particular, the salinity related to saline water intrusions into the Baltic Proper is largely improved in the reanalysis. The major inflow events such as in 1993 and 2003 are captured more accurately in the reanalysis as the model salinity in the bottom layer is increased by 2–3 psu. Sea level is also improved due to an improved density field. The correlation between model and observation is increased by 2 %–5 %, and the RMSE is generally reduced by 10 cm in the reanalysis compared to the free run. The reduction of RMSE is mainly due to the reduction of mean bias. Assimilation of T/S contributes little to the barotropic transport in the shallow Danish Transition zone. The mixed layer depth exhibits strong seasonal variations in the Baltic Sea. The basin-averaged value is about 10 m in summer and 30 m in winter. In addition, assimilation of T/S profiles results in changes of about 20 m for the mixed layer depth in the Baltic Proper region in winter. Comparisons of mixed layer depth show that the assimilation induces more changes in deep water of winter time whereas the mixed layer depth is changed only about 2 m in summer time and shallow waters. One reason could be that the effect of the assimilation is counterbalanced by the effect of heating in summer and the dominant role of the surface forcing in shallow water. The significant impact in deep waters suggests that the T/S assimilation mainly adjusts the baroclinic transport by redistributing the density field.