bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Results of Mathematics Examinations Before, During, and After the Covid-19 Related Restrictions
Authors: Ulrychová Eva , Majovská Renata , Tesař Petr
Published: October 2024

The article deals with the results of mathematics examinations at the University of Finance and Administration in Prague before, during, and immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic-related restrictions. The first objective is to evaluate whether the non-standard forms of testing (correspondence and online), used on an emergency basis during the pandemic, were adequate compared to the standard form (face-to-face) applied before the pandemic. The second objective is to assess whether and to what extent the results of the examinations have changed after the return of teaching and testing methods to normal. It turns out that the use of non-standard forms, although more challenging for teachers to control, did not lead to better results – the results in the correspondence form were similar to the standard form and even worse in the online form. The results of examinations administered in the standard form after the return to normal teaching were significantly better than in any of the periods studied, including the standard form of examination before the pandemic. Possible reasons for the results are analysed in the paper.
Évolution et répartition des inscriptions en sociologie dans les universités au Québec entre 1990 et 2021
Authors: Danican Malika , Bourihane Hassina
Published: October 2024

Cet article propose une vue d’ensemble de l’évolution du recrutement en sociologie dans les universités au Québec entre 1990 et 2021. Les données analysées proviennent du ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec (MEES), plus précisément du système de gestion des données sur l’effectif universitaire (GDEU). Parmi les informations disponibles, nous avons sélectionné les effectifs d’étudiants inscrits à l’enseignement universitaire selon le domaine à l’automne pour les années universitaires 1990-1991 à 2021-2022. Nous avons extrait les données pour la discipline « sociologie » selon l’établissement, le diplôme de grade et le sexe pour la même période ainsi que pour les étudiants internationaux inscrits en sociologie. Malgré une augmentation significative du nombre des inscriptions en sociologie au début des années 1990, celui-ci a chuté drastiquement jusqu’en 2001. Il a ensuite augmenté de manière relativement constante jusqu’en 2014, entamant alors un tournant à la baisse qui semble s’accélérer depuis la pandémie. Cette diminution semble provenir largement d’une baisse des inscriptions masculines au baccalauréat. À l’inverse, depuis dix ans, les inscriptions dans les universités, prises globalement, et dans une moindre mesure, les inscriptions en sciences humaines, suivent une trajectoire à la hausse.
Azolla pinnata redefines its importance in rice fields as it alleviates aluminum toxicity and low pH stress
Authors: Agarwal Karishma , Markkandan Ganesan
Published: October 2024

Monoculture of rice seedlings or Azolla pinnata was challenged with different aluminum stress conditions, and both species showed significantly reduced total biomass, chlorophyll, root, and leaf length. Mixed cultures showed no stress phenotypes and notably enhanced growth parameters under low and moderate aluminum stress (10 and 30 μM). Discretely, Azolla plants failed to survive when grown at >30 μM aluminum treatment (pH 4.75) but sustained well when grown with rice plants. Importantly, both species accumulated less aluminum and more root exudates in mixed cultures of Azolla and rice plants. Furthermore, expression of Sensitive To Proton rhizotoxicity1 (ApSTOP1 and OsART1) in both species declined significantly in mixed cultures than in monocultures. Ammonium transporter 1 (ApAMT1 and OsAMT1.1) expressed significantly more in heterogeneous cultures, indicating that ammonium transport is unaffected. Our observations conclude that aluminum accumulation and stress effects significantly decreased in heterogeneous cultures when compared with homogenous cultures.
Assessment of psychometric properties of patient education tools for oral anticoagulants
Authors: Vooradi Santosha , Rodrigues Gabriel Sunil , Devasia Tom , Kamath Ganesh Sevagur , Rajesh Vilakkathala
Published: October 2024

Anticoagulation information leaflets help the patient to understand regarding their disease, medications, and lifestyle modifications which aid in adhering to their treatment. The primary objective of the research is the development and assessment of psychometric properties of patient education tools on oral anticoagulants and warfarin pharmacogenetics. In this study, a patient education tool was developed by using an evidence-based literature search. The physicians and academic pharmacists validated the content of the patient education tool. The validated patient education tool was assessed for its readability, layout, and design. The patient education tool was assessed for psychometric properties includes validity, reliability, and responsiveness. “Item-content validity index” (I-CVI) and “scale-level CVI” (S-CVI) were used to assess the anticoagulation knowledge questionnaire. The change in knowledge score was analyzed using the paired-“t” test. For the readability assessment, the best FRE and FK-GL scores achieved are 62.3 and 8.1, respectively, for the anticoagulant patient education tool. Both readability scores rate the patient education tool as “standard”. The developed anticoagulant knowledge questionnaire showed an overall I-CVI of 0.81. The knowledge scores before and after using the patient education tool were 55 + 21.21 and 80 + 14.14 (p < 0.001). The readability and design criteria of the patient education tools were standard and had good layout and design. The knowledge questionnaire demonstrates a valid and reliable instrument to be utilized for concurrent assessment in patients prescribed anticoagulants. In the study, the developed patient education tools had good psychometric properties.
Las comisiones de la verdad y los legados coloniales: lecciones desde Colombia (2018-2022)
Authors: Wright Claire , Rolston Bill , Ni Aolain Fionnuala
Published: October 2024

With its signing of the Havana Peace Agreement in 2016, Colombia sought to end an armed conflict that had lasted more than sixty years and had left nearly nine million victims. The agreement led to the establishment of a transitional justice (TJ) framework, including the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition (CEV). This study identifies how the CEV incorporated the legacies of colonialism into its analytical framework. The research is based on in-depth interviews with twenty scholars specializing in colonialism and/or TJ, nineteen peacebuilders, informal conversations with CEV members, and a review of various volumes of the final report. The findings highlight that the commission adopted a long-term historical perspective, revisiting aspects of Spanish colonialism (including structural racism and the hacienda system as an institution of territorial, political, and economic order) as explanatory factors for the various forms of violence experienced during the armed conflict. Additionally, several volumes of the final report emphasize the ongoing impact of colonial legacies, viewing them more as continuities or “ruins,” using Stoler’s concept (2008). While the possibility of dismantling colonial legacies on a material level due to the CEV’s work is debated, its symbolic significance must be highlighted, especially in a context where the State had sought to erase the colonial past. This article contributes to the emerging literature that examines TJ from a decolonial perspective, providing an empirical analysis of the CEV in Colombia, which we believe can become a key reference for this field.
Prebiotic Gas Flow Environment Enables Isothermal Nucleic Acid Replication
Authors: Schwintek Philipp , Eren Emre , Mast Christof , Braun Dieter
Published: October 2024

Nucleic acid replication is a central process at the origin of life. On early Earth, replication is challenged by the dilution of molecular building blocks and the difficulty of separating daughter from parent strands, a necessity for exponential replication. While thermal gradient systems have been shown to address these problems, elevated temperatures lead to degradation. Also, compared to constant temperature environments, such systems are rare. The isothermal system studied here models an abundant geological environment of the prebiotic Earth, in which water is continuously evaporated at the point of contact with the gas flows, inducing up-concentration and circular flow patterns at the gas-water interface through momentum transfer. We show experimentally that this setting drives a 30-fold accumulation of nucleic acids and their periodic separation by a 3-fold reduction in salt and product concentration. Fluid dynamic simulations agree with observations from tracking fluorescent beads. In this isothermal system, we were able to drive exponential DNA replication with Taq polymerase. The results provide a model for a ubiquitous non-equilibrium system to host early Darwinian molecular evolution at constant temperature.
The asymmetric expression of HSPA2 in blastomeres governs the first embryonic cell-fate decision
Authors: Gao Jiayin , Wang Jiawei , Liu Shiyu , Song Jinzhu , Zhang Chuanxin , Liu Boyang , Wu Keliang
Published: October 2024

The first cell-fate decision is the process by which cells of an embryo take on distinct lineage identities for the first time, thus representing the beginning of developmental patterning. Here, we demonstrate that the molecular chaperone heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2), a member of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family, is asymmetrically expressed in the late 2-cell stage of mouse embryos. The knockdown of
Hspa2
in one of the 2-cell blastomeres prevented its progeny predominantly toward the inner cell mass (ICM) fate. In contrast, the overexpression of
Hspa2
in one of the two-cell blastomeres did not induce blastomeres to differentiate towards the ICM fate. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HSPA2 interacts with CARM1 and its levels correlate with ICM-associated genes and that it interacts with the CARM1. Collectively, our results identify HSPA2 as a critical early regulator of the first cell-fate decision in mammalian 2-cell embryos.
The asymmetric expression of HSPA2 in blastomeres governs the first embryonic cell-fate decision
Authors: Gao Jiayin , Wang Jiawei , Liu Shiyu , Song Jinzhu , Zhang Chuanxin , Liu Boyang , Wu Keliang
Published: October 2024

The first cell-fate decision is the process by which cells of an embryo take on distinct lineage identities for the first time, thus representing the beginning of developmental patterning. Here, we demonstrate that the molecular chaperone heat shock protein A2 (HSPA2), a member of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family, is asymmetrically expressed in the late 2-cell stage of mouse embryos. The knockdown of
Hspa2
in one of the two-cell blastomeres prevented its progeny predominantly toward the inner cell mass (ICM) fate, thus indicating that the differential distribution of HSPA2 in the blastomeres of two-cell embryos can influence the selection of embryonic cell lineages. In contrast, the overexpression of
Hspa2
in one of the two-cell blastomeres did not induce blastomeres to differentiate towards the ICM fate. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HSPA2 forms a complex with CARM1 and activates ICM-specific gene expression. Collectively, our results identify HSPA2 as a critical regulator of the first cell-fate decision which specifies the ICM via the execution of commitment and differentiation phases.
Unveiling hidden sources of noise
Authors: Fitzgerald Morgan , Kosik Eena , Voytek Bradley
Published: October 2024

Changes in neural activity thought to reflect brain aging may be partly influenced by age-dependent signals ‘leaking’ from the heart.
Unveiling the impact of organically activated biochar on physiological, biochemical, and yield attributes of maize under varied field moisture conditions
Authors: Iqbal Hajra , Jahan Summera , Akbar Muhammad , Kamran Atif , Rasul Fahd , Shahzad Sobia , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Alamri Saud
Published: October 2024

Water deficiency in semiarid regions is a limiting factor that affects crop quality and yield. In Punjab, Pakistan, a 27% decline in maize yield was detected over the past two decades just because of water scarcity. Currently, no studies have reported the effects of organically activated biochar (AB) on crop productivity under natural field conditions. For this purpose, a field experiment in a split-split-plot design was conducted with three amendment levels (0, 2, and 4 tonnes ac−1), and three maize hybrids (DK-9108, DK-6321, and Sarhaab) under 100%, 70%, and 50% irrigation water (IW) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The AB significantly improved the soil’s physical and chemical properties, and maximum improvement was recorded in 4 tonnes ac−1 AB amendment in organic matter (16.6%), total organic carbon (17%), phosphorus (11.43%), and available potassium (29.27%). The 4 tonnes ac−1AB amendment in soil had a significant impact on total chlorophyll content (0.3–1-fold in DK-6321), carotenoid content (3.9–4.4-fold in Sarhaab), and relative water content (30% and 21% in Sarhaab) under 50% irrigation water (IW) of ETc at V14th and R3 stages, respectively. Moreover, a significant decline in stress markers (proline content and sugar content) was detected at both growth stages in all maize hybrids in AB amended soil. The analysis of plant metabolites indicated increased intensities of phenolics, alkyl esters, and carbohydrates by 2.5–7%, 17–80%, and 40–43% in DK-6321 under 50% IW in 2–4 tonnes ac−1 AB amended soil, respectively. The highest improvement in growth and yield attributes among maize hybrids was detected in the order DK-6321¿DK-9108¿Sarhaab in 2–4 tonnes ac−1AB amended soil under 70% and 50% IW of ETc, respectively. Hence, this research might help to develop an effective soil amendment to restore degraded soils and improve maize growth under arid climatic conditions.
Diseño e implementación de un indicador PMI manufacturero en Chile
Authors:   , Torres Betanco Néstor Adolfo
Published: October 2024

En los últimos años, el Índice de Gestores de Compras (o Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)) de la actividad manufacturera, ha tomado gran relevancia como referente de la dinámica del sector y de la economía en general. Dada su naturaleza, este indicador se considera clave en la toma de decisiones de los agentes que operan en los mercados (e.g, financieros), al ofrecer información adelantada y oportuna de las tendencias económicas en el corto plazo. Este estudio tiene como objetivo diseñar y estimar un indicador tipo PMI para el caso del sector manufacturero en Chile. Dada la falta de datos usados en la construcción del PMI, para lograr el objetivo del estudio se construye un indicador Proxy-PMI Compuesto a partir de datos primarios de empresas, así como de la modelación del crecimiento económico con el PMI de otros países; con lo que el índice incluye factores internos y externos. El índice diseñado posee un alto co-movimiento con la evolución económica en Chile. Además, los resultados sugieren que el indicador posee un importante grado de predictibilidad de los principales episodios de stress económico en general, y de la actividad manufacturera en particular.
Results of a Process Evaluation of the Implementation of a Housing First Program in Waterloo, Canada
Authors: Kirst Maritt , Bigioni Steven , Douglin Margaret , Rozycki Victoria , Nelson Geoffrey , Toope Edwina , Gill Tamcsu Lisa
Published: October 2024

This study evaluated PATHS2Home (P2H), a Housing First program in Canada, through qualitative interviews and focus groups with 34 program staff, participants, and partners. Results showed successful implementation with participant satisfaction, strong program design and leadership, skilled staff, positive service system relationships, effective housing support, and fidelity to the Housing First (HF) model. Challenges included skepticism of the program model, communication with partners, staff turnover, and systemic factors such as affordable housing availability. Overall, the evaluation showed successful implementation of the P2H program in line with HF principles and identified several areas for improvement to better support participants and achieve program goals.
Project Sober (Strengthening Our Basic Education Research): Research Capacity Building for Public School Teachers in the Department of Education- Division of Occidental Mindoro
Authors: Declaro-Ruedas Mary Yole Apple
Published: October 2024

The role of teachers in public schools has changed from teaching to administrative and research functions. In the Department of Education, Master Teachers as well as Teachers I-III are now required to conduct at least one action or basic research based on the Basic Education Research Agenda. 
This paper highlights the importance of the Project SOBER in promoting research culture in the different public schools in the Division of Occidental Mindoro. This program is a collaborative undertaking of the Occidental Mindoro State College and the Department of Education-Occidental Mindoro Division for five years.
Division trainings, seminar-workshops, roll-outs, colloquiums and research presentations were conducted from January 18, 2018-January 18, 2023. The topics discussed were research management, financial management for funded proposal, research conceptualization, research implementation, manuscript write up, and effective poster and oral presentation. The participants rated the extension as “very highly effective” in terms of content and management of the program.
To date, the teachers in the Division of Occidental Mindoro had been presenting research papers in the regional/national fora, receiving awards and publishing their outputs in refereed journals.
Impact of Maritime Environmental Factors on the Deployment of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Networks: A Case Study of the Forcados-Ogulagha Region of Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: R. N. Ugbeh , E. P. Ogherohwo , J. T. Zhimwang , O. S. Shaka
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the impact of maritime environmental factors on the deployment of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks, focusing on the Forcados-Ogulagha region of Delta State, Nigeria. The research examines how different environmental conditions, such as sea state, atmospheric conditions, and terrain, affect LTE signal propagation. Data were collected over 18 months using Cluster Drive Testing (CDT) to capture various seasons and weather patterns. The results highlight the significant influence of environmental factors on LTE pathloss, with clear air conditions over freshwater showing the least attenuation, while wet air over saltwater presents the most challenging conditions for signal propagation. The combination of high humidity and the reflective nature of saltwater in the study location led to increased path-loss and reduced signal strength, making it the most challenging scenario for LTE network deployment either the saltwater surface causes multipath propagation, potentially affecting signal quality. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing LTE network deployment in maritime environments
Optimizing Soil Moisture, Mulching, and Spacing for Yield and Water Productivity in Irrigated Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)
Authors: Abraham Mini , P S Bhindhu , Thomas Deepa , E K Kurien , Joseph Shyla , M S Mariya Dainy , M P Sruthi
Published: October 2024

Aims: To standardize crop spacing and irrigation requirements under different mulching situation for better yield and water productivity.
Study Design:  The experiment was designed in RBD with two replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Station, Kerala Agriculture University (KAU), Chalakudy for three consecutive years from 2016 -17, 2017 – 18 and 2018 – 2019.
Methodology: Study conducted with 18 treatments, includes three levels of irrigation, three types of mulching and with two different crop spacing. Observations on weed count and weed dry matter production were also taken to study the effect of different mulches on weed growth. Biometric observations of crop growth and yield were recorded.
Results: Observations on biometric characters revealed that both the height and diameter of the crop canopy were significantly influenced by mulching and found to be highest in the plot where leaf was used as the mulching material and the yield of Amorphophallus during 2016 - 2017 showed that corm weight was greatly influenced by irrigation levels, mulching and spacing. Corm yield was lowest in the plot where irrigation frequency was once in three days (21.02 t/ha). Yield in leaf mulched plot was 38.11 t/ha while in plastic mulched and no mulched plots were 23.50 and 19.50 t/ha. Effect of treatments on water productivity and BC ratio showed that leaf mulching of the crop has significant effect. In leaf mulched plot, water productivity in 2016-17 was 2.03 while it was only 1.854 and 0.886 in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Similarly, BC ratio was highest for leaf mulched plot followed by no mulch and plastic mulch plot.
Conclusion: The experimental results from 2016 -17, 2017 – 18 and 2018 – 2019, showed that Amorphophallus planted at a spacing of 90 cm x 90 cm, irrigated at a frequency of once in three days along with leaf mulching can increase the yield and water productivity along with effective control of weed population.
Efficacy of Intercropping, Botanicals and Insecticides Against Okra Shoot and Fruit Borer (Earias vittella F.) on Okra in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Mansion Heenashree , Chandra Umesh , B. R. Sreelakshmi , Kumar Amit , Dhabhai Sunil Kumar
Published: October 2024

This study assesses the effectiveness of intercrops, insecticides and botanicals against the okra shoot and fruit borer Earias vittella. The okra + marigold (1:1) and okra + coriander (1:1) intercropping had the least shoot damage (4.35 percent, respectively), according to the data (4.70 per cent). Okra + maize (1:1) saw the most shoot damage (5.51%) when compared to monoculture (6.68 per cent). Spinosad 45 SC 75 g a.i./ha (2.49%) had the lowest rate of shoot damage among the insecticides, followed by Abamectin 1.8 EC 25 g a.i./ha (3.12%) and botanical NSKE 5 per cent, which found that the per cent shoot damage (3.25) compared to sole crop (okra) was higher (6.68 per cent). The data showed that the least fruit damage (9.25 percent, respectively) occurred in the intercropping of okra + marigold (1:1) and okra + coriander (1:1) (11.59 per cent) weight basis. The fruit damage in okra + maize (1:1) was highest (15.37%) compared to monoculture (18.08 per cent). Among the insecticides, Spinosad 45 SC 75 g a.i./ha (1.73%) had the lowest rate of shoot damage, followed by Abamectin 1.8 EC 25 g a.i./ha (2.02%) and botanical NSKE 5%, which discovered that the percentage of shoot damage (2.76) compared to lone crop (okra) was higher (18.08 per cent ). The highest yield was observed when intercropping coriander and okra (1:1), whereas the lowest yield was recorded when intercropping maize and okra (23.28 q/ha) (1:1).
Design and Study of Wave Flow Field in Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Xing Hao , Guo Pengyan , Bian Ningkang , Yin Wanxiang , Wei Jiabao , Peng Jiale
Published: October 2024

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is an efficient energy conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity through a chemical reaction. In PEMFC, the bipolar plate plays a crucial role, responsible for the collection and transfer of current and the distribution of reactant gases. The wave flow channel bipolar plate is a new design designed to improve the performance of the battery, including enhancing the mass transfer efficiency and reducing the pressure drop. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of other flow channels, this paper analyzes the conclusion that the wave flow field is more prominent in the comprehensive aspect. It is observed that the wave flow field can effectively increase the length of the flow path and improve the distribution of reactant gas by comparing the traditional flow path with the wavy flow path.
Risperidone-induced angioedema
Authors: Burton Caitlin , Laguado S. Andrea
Published: October 2024

Risperidone is a second-generation antipsychotic with common adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain, hyperprolactinemia, and sedation. Angioedema, although generally considered to be uncommon, has previously been documented to occur following administration of some antipsychotics, including risperidone. This report describes a case of risperidone-induced angioedema in an older male patient.
Wettbewerb der Finanzstandorte — Eine rechtsvergleichende Analyse der Eigenkapitalfinanzierung in den USA, in Deutschland und im UK
Authors: Joser Niklas
Published: October 2024

Die Neuregelungen des Zukunftsfinanzierungsgesetzes zum Kapitalerhöhungsrecht der AG sind durch einen internationalen Wettbewerb der Finanzstandorte getrieben. Ein derartiger Beweggrund stellt keine Neuheit dar, rückt jedoch bei historischer Betrachtung zunehmend in den Fokus von Gesetzgebung und Rechtsprechung. Der Beitrag legt diese Entwicklung unter rechtsvergleichender Analyse der US-amerikanischen, deutschen und britischen Rechtsrahmen offen, prüft das aktuelle Level Playing Field der Eigenkapitalfinanzierung und prognostiziert den Fortgang des Wettbewerbs der Finanzstandorte.
Quantifying K, U, and Th contents of marine sediments using shipboard natural gamma radiation spectra measured on DVJOIDESResolution
Authors: De Vleeschouwer David , Dunlea Ann G. , Auer Gerald , Anderson Chloe H. , Brumsack Hans , de Loach Aaron , Gurnis Michael , Huh Youngsook , Ishiwa Takeshige , Jang Kwangchul , Kominz Michelle A. , März Christian , Schnetger Bernhard , Murray Richard W. , Pälike Heiko ,   Expedition 356 Shipboard Scientists
Published: February 2017

During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions, shipboard‐generated data provide the first insights into the cored sequences. The natural gamma radiation (NGR) of the recovered material, for example, is routinely measured on the ocean drilling research vessel DV JOIDES Resolution. At present, only total NGR counts are readily available as shipboard data, although full NGR spectra (counts as a function of gamma‐ray energy level) are produced and archived. These spectra contain unexploited information, as one can estimate the sedimentary contents of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) from the characteristic gamma‐ray energies of isotopes in the 40K, 232Th, and 238U radioactive decay series. Dunlea et al. (2013) quantified K, Th, and U contents in sediment from the South Pacific Gyre by integrating counts over specific energy levels of the NGR spectrum. However, the algorithm used in their study is unavailable to the wider scientific community due to commercial proprietary reasons. Here, we present a new MATLAB algorithm for the quantification of NGR spectra that is transparent and accessible to future NGR users. We demonstrate the algorithm's performance by comparing its results to shore‐based inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), inductively coupled plasma‐emission spectrometry (ICP‐ES), and quantitative wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. Samples for these comparisons come from eleven sites (U1341, U1343, U1366‐U1369, U1414, U1428‐U1430, and U1463) cored in two oceans during five expeditions. In short, our algorithm rapidly produces detailed high‐quality information on sediment properties during IODP expeditions at no extra cost.
Identifying spatial clustering in change points of streamflow across the contiguous U.S. between 1945 and 2009
Authors: Ivancic Timothy J. , Shaw Stephen B.
Published: February 2017

Much of the work investigating sudden changes in streamflow in the U.S. has used only a small subset of all available gage data and has identified only a single change point in each gage's period of record. In this paper, we apply a change point detection and clustering algorithm that uses all U.S. Geological Survey flow gages with near‐continuous records, detects multiple change points in annual streamflow, and groups change points into geographic clusters which are not predefined by any political or hydrologic boundaries. We identify 17 spatially distinct change point clusters, 14 of which are related to concurrent changes in precipitation. Several geographic regions display multiple clusters, indicating multiple change points in time. The presence of abrupt changes in streamflow suggests that natural variability in the climate signal may be dominating observed streamflow variations in the last 60 years in many locations in the contiguous U.S.
Dynamic properties of throat aurora revealed by simultaneous ground and satellite observations
Authors: Chen X.‐C. , Han D.‐S. , Lorentzen D. A. , Oksavik K. , Moen J. I. , Baddeley L. J.
Published: February 2017

Throat aurora is defined as south‐north aligned auroral arcs equatorward of the dayside cusp aurora and was suggested to be the results of cold magnetospheric plasma interaction with magnetopause reconnection, but its observational properties have not yet been well established. In this paper we carefully examine a sequence of throat auroras observed over Svalbard on 27 December 2003. Observations from 630.0 nm [OI] show that poleward moving throat auroras frequently show brightening followed by dimming in auroral intensity, and sometimes, the brightening throat aurora is a precursor of poleward moving auroral forms. Simultaneous all‐sky images and HF radar backscatter observations along geomagnetic meridian show that the throat aurora brightening is drifting with ionospheric E × B convection and is colocated with enhanced spectral width poleward of the convection reversal boundary (CRB), while its dimming tends to be in the vicinity of the CRB. This leads us to propose that the throat aurora brightening and dimming may be on the open and closed field lines, respectively. Particle data from NOAA 16 confirm that the dimming throat aurora is associated with precipitation of magnetosheath‐like particles mixed with magnetospheric ions (>30 keV), which is characteristic of the low‐latitude boundary layer. For particle data from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F16, we notice that the dimming throat aurora is associated with lower fluxes of magnetosheath‐like electrons accompanied with magnetospheric electrons, which is most likely on closed field lines. The dynamic properties of throat aurora presented in this paper are thus important to understand its generation mechanisms.
Substorm occurrence rates, substorm recurrence times, and solar wind structure
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E. , Yakymenko Kateryna
Published: February 2017

Two collections of substorms are created: 28,464 substorms identified with jumps in the SuperMAG AL index in the years 1979–2015 and 16,025 substorms identified with electron injections into geosynchronous orbit in the years 1989–2007. Substorm occurrence rates and substorm recurrence‐time distributions are examined as functions of the phase of the solar cycle, the season of the year, the Russell‐McPherron favorability, the type of solar wind plasma at Earth, the geomagnetic‐activity level, and as functions of various solar and solar wind properties. Three populations of substorm occurrences are seen: (1) quasiperiodically occurring substorms with recurrence times (waiting times) of 2–4 h, (2) randomly occurring substorms with recurrence times of about 6–15 h, and (3) long intervals wherein no substorms occur. A working model is suggested wherein (1) the period of periodic substorms is set by the magnetosphere with variations in the actual recurrence times caused by the need for a solar wind driving interval to occur, (2) the mesoscale structure of the solar wind magnetic field triggers the occurrence of the random substorms, and (3) the large‐scale structure of the solar wind plasma is responsible for the long intervals wherein no substorms occur. Statistically, the recurrence period of periodically occurring substorms is slightly shorter when the ram pressure of the solar wind is high, when the magnetic field strength of the solar wind is strong, when the Mach number of the solar wind is low, and when the polar‐cap potential saturation parameter is high.
Radial variation of sulfur and oxygen ions in the Io plasma torus as deduced from remote observations by Hisaki
Authors: Yoshioka K. , Tsuchiya F. , Kimura T. , Kagitani M. , Murakami G. , Yamazaki A. , Kuwabara M. , Suzuki F. , Hikida R. , Yoshikawa I. , Bagenal F. , Fujimoto M.
Published: February 2017

The Io plasma torus, situated in the Jovian inner magnetosphere (6–8 Jovian radii from the planet) is filled with heavy ions and electrons, a large part of which are derived from Io's volcanos. The torus is the key area connecting the primary source of plasma (Io) with the midmagnetosphere (>10 Jovian radii), where highly dynamic phenomena are taking place. Revealing the plasma behavior of the torus is a key factor in elucidating Jovian magnetospheric dynamics. A global picture of the Io plasma torus can be obtained via spectral diagnosis of remotely sensed ion emissions generated via electron impact excitation. Hisaki, an Earth‐orbiting spacecraft equipped with an extreme ultraviolet spectrograph Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscope for Exospheric Dynamics, has observed the torus at moderate spectral resolution. The data have been submitted to spectral analysis and physical chemistry modeling under the assumption of axial symmetry. Results from the investigation are radial profiles of several important parameters including electron density and temperature as well as ion abundances. The inward transport timescale of midmagnetospheric plasma is obtained to be 2–40 h from the derived radial profile for the abundance of suprathermal electrons. The physical chemistry modeling results in a timescale for the outward transport of Io‐derived plasma of around 30 days. The ratio between inward and outward plasma speed (~1%) is consistent with the occurrence rate of depleted flux tubes determined using in situ observations by instruments on the Galileo spacecraft.
Impact of the ice strength formulation on the performance of a sea ice thickness distribution model in the Arctic
Authors: Ungermann Mischa , Tremblay L. Bruno , Martin Torge , Losch Martin
Published: February 2017

The impact of a subgrid‐scale ice thickness distribution (ITD) and two standard ice strength formulations on simulated Arctic sea ice climate is investigated. To this end, different model configurations with and without an ITD were tuned by minimizing the weighted mean error between the simulated and observed sea ice concentration, thickness, and drift speed with an semiautomatic parameter optimization routine. The standard ITD and ice strength parameterization lead to larger errors when compared to the simple single‐category model with an ice strength parameterization based on the mean ice thickness. Interestingly, the simpler ice strength formulation, which depends linearly on the mean ice thickness, also reduces the model‐observation error when using an ITD. For the ice strength parameterization that makes use of the ITD, the effective ice strength depends strongly on the number of thickness categories, so that introducing more categories can lead to overall thicker ice that is more easily deformed.
Summer extreme precipitation in eastern China: Mechanisms and impacts
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zheng Yongjie , Singh Vijay P. , Luo Ming , Xie Zhenghui
Published: February 2017

With the highest population density in China, eastern China has an unshakable position in Chinese socioeconomic development. To understand the precipitation changes and the related mechanisms is of great significance for regional management of water resources and agricultural irrigation. In this study, the impacts of western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) on precipitation changes in eastern China and the underlying processes are investigated. The results indicate that the strength and location of WNPSH are in close relations with the changes of summer precipitation in eastern China, and their influences vary across both space and time. In particular, WNPSH exerts remarkable impacts on precipitation in June and July in Jiang‐Huai region and precipitation in June in South China such as the Pearl River basin. The interannual variations of WNPSH exhibit significant correlations with water vapor flux in East Asia, and the variations of the location and direction of the west flank of the WNPSH are well corroborated with the influences of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) on precipitation in eastern China. The westward extension of WNPSH tends to favor the strong moisture transport to East Asia, intensify the EASM, and thus increase water vapor flux in East Asia, which greatly benefits the occurrence of Meiyu regimes in Jiang‐Huai region. Besides, analysis results also show that the westward extension of WNPSH drives tropical cyclones southward so as to increase the occurrence of extreme precipitation in South China. This study helps to bridge the knowledge gap in the relationship between WNPSH, tropical cyclones, and summer precipitation events in eastern China.
The distribution and biogeochemical importance of high‐latitude dust in the Arctic and Southern Ocean‐Antarctic regions
Authors: Bullard Joanna E.
Published: February 2017

Recent studies suggest that around 5% of global dust emissions come from sources in the high latitudes (≥50°N and ≥40°S). A substantial proportion of this dust remains within the high latitudes and is deposited in marine and terrestrial environments. Stable air masses and limited atmospheric convection associated with cold climates reduce vertical mixing of dust plumes and can restrict the altitudes at which the deposition of dust originating from high latitudes can take place. Within local high‐latitude systems, dust transport pathways facilitate links between different landscape components contributing nutrients and sediments. Dust deposition to the polar areas may also be a critical source of sediments and nutrients that trigger and maintain phytoplankton blooms.
Dynamics of the Bingham Canyon rock avalanches (Utah, USA) resolved from topographic, seismic, and infrasound data
Authors: Moore Jeffrey R. , Pankow Kristine L. , Ford Sean R. , Koper Keith D. , Hale J. Mark , Aaron Jordan , Larsen Chris F.
Published: February 2017

The 2013 Bingham Canyon Mine rock avalanches represent one of the largest cumulative landslide events in recorded U.S. history and provide a unique opportunity to test remote analysis techniques for landslide characterization. Here we combine aerial photogrammetry surveying, topographic reconstruction, numerical runout modeling, and analysis of broadband seismic and infrasound data to extract salient details of the dynamics and evolution of the multiphase landslide event. Our results reveal a cumulative intact rock source volume of 52 Mm3, which mobilized in two main rock avalanche phases separated by 1.5 h. We estimate that the first rock avalanche had 1.5–2 times greater volume than the second. Each failure initiated by sliding along a gently dipping (21°), highly persistent basal fault before transitioning to a rock avalanche and spilling into the inner pit. The trajectory and duration of the two rock avalanches were reconstructed using runout modeling and independent force history inversion of intermediate‐period (10–50 s) seismic data. Intermediate‐ and shorter‐period (1–50 s) seismic data were sensitive to intervals of mass redirection and constrained finer details of the individual slide dynamics. Back projecting short‐period (0.2–1 s) seismic energy, we located the two rock avalanches within 2 and 4 km of the mine. Further analysis of infrasound and seismic data revealed that the cumulative event included an additional 11 smaller landslides (volumes ~104–105 m3) and that a trailing signal following the second rock avalanche may result from an air‐coupled Rayleigh wave. Our results demonstrate new and refined techniques for detailed remote characterization of the dynamics and evolution of large landslides.
Environmental constraints on transpiration and stomatal conductance in a Siberian Arctic boreal forest
Authors: Kropp Heather , Loranty Michael , Alexander Heather D. , Berner Logan T. , Natali Susan M. , Spawn Seth A.
Published: February 2017

Boreal forest ecosystems are experiencing changes in plant productivity that are likely to continue with ongoing climate change. Transpiration (T) and canopy stomatal conductance (gc) are a key influence on plant productivity, and a better understanding of drivers and limitations of T and gc is necessary for constraining estimates of boreal ecosystem change. We describe patterns in T and gc of a deciduous conifer, Larix cajanderi, in an arctic boreal forest in northeastern Russia across three growing seasons from 2013 to 2015. We examine the influence of environmental drivers on gc using a phenomenological model. T was highly variable across days and varied between 0.03 and 0.75 L m−2 d−1. T and gc largely covaried with daily fluctuations in air temperature and vapor pressure deficit. gc was highly suppressed on days when the vapor pressure deficits exceeded 0.75 kPa with an average daily gc of 37.55 mmol m−2 s−1, and the average daily gc was almost double (71.25 mmol m−2 s−1) when vapor pressure deficits stayed below 0.75 kPa. Daily variation in gc was significantly related to air temperature, permafrost thaw depth, and past precipitation. The influence of past precipitation and permafrost thaw depth on gc indicates that belowground conditions relating to soil moisture status are a key limitation for T. Such limitations on gc and T suggest that soil water and plant water stress play an important role in plant productivity and water relations in far northeastern Siberia.
Evaluating financial risk management strategies under climate change for hydropower producers on the Great Lakes
Authors: Meyer Eliot S. , Characklis Gregory W. , Brown Casey
Published: February 2017

Hydropower on the Great Lakes makes up a substantial fraction of regional electricity generation capacity. Hydropower producers on the Niagara River (flowing between lakes Erie and Ontario) operate as run‐of‐river, and changing lake levels alter interlake flows reducing both generation and revenues. Index‐based insurance contracts, wherein contract payouts are linked to lake levels, offer a tool for mitigating this risk. As a potentially useful tool, pricing of financial insurance is typically based on historical behavior of the index. However, uncertainty with respect to the impacts of climate change on lake level behavior and how this might translate to increased (or decreased) risk for those selling or buying the insurance remains unexplored. Portfolios of binary index‐insurance contracts are developed for hydropower producers on the Niagara River, and their performance is evaluated under a range of climate scenarios. Climate Informed Decision Analysis is used to inform the sensitivity of these portfolios to potential shifts in long‐term, climatological variations in water level behavior. Under historical conditions, hydropower producers can use portfolios costing 0.5% of mean revenues to increase their minimum revenue threshold by approximately 18%. However, a one standard deviation decrease in the 50 year mean water level potentially doubles the frequency with which these portfolios would underperform from the perspective of a potential insurer. Trade‐offs between portfolio cost and the frequency of underperformance are investigated over a range of climate futures.
Anxiety symptoms as a moderator of the reciprocal links between forms of aggression and peer victimization in middle childhood
Authors: Cooley John L. , Frazer Andrew L. , Fite Paula J. , Brown Shaquanna , DiPierro Moneika
Published: February 2017

The current short‐term longitudinal study evaluated whether anxiety symptoms moderated the bidirectional associations between forms (i.e., physical and relational) of aggression and peer victimization over a 1‐year period during middle childhood. Participants were 228 predominantly Caucasian children (50.4% boys; M = 8.32 years, SD = .95 years) in the second through fourth grades and their homeroom teachers. Children completed a self‐report measure of anxiety symptoms at Time 1. Peer victimization was assessed using self‐reports at Time 1 and approximately 1 year later (Time 2), and teachers provided ratings of children's aggressive behavior at both time points. A series of cross‐lagged path analysis models indicated that high (+1 SD) initial levels of anxiety symptoms exacerbated the prospective link from Time 1 relational aggression to Time 2 peer victimization; conversely, when initial levels of anxiety symptoms were low (−1 SD), relational aggression predicted lower levels of subsequent peer victimization. Time 1 peer victimization was also found to predict lower levels of Time 2 physical aggression when initial levels of anxiety symptoms were low, and Time 1 anxiety symptoms were uniquely related to higher levels of relational aggression over a 1‐year period. Regions of significance were calculated to further decompose significant interactions, which did not differ according to gender. Study findings are discussed within a social information processing theoretical framework, and directions for future research and implications for practice are reviewed. Specifically, co‐occurring anxiety symptoms may need to be addressed in interventions for both aggression and peer victimization during middle childhood.
Reductions in Radiographic Progression in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Over Twenty‐Five Years: Changing Contribution From Rheumatoid Factor in Two Multicenter UK Inception Cohorts
Authors: Carpenter Lewis , Norton Sam , Nikiphorou Elena , Jayakumar Keeranur , McWilliams Daniel F. , Rennie Kirsten L. , Dixey Josh , Kiely Patrick , Walsh David Andrew , Young Adam ,   on behalf of the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study and the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Network
Published: February 2017

Objective

To assess the 5‐year progression of erosions and joint space narrowing (JSN) and their associations with rheumatoid factor (RF) status in 2 large, multicenter, early rheumatoid arthritis cohorts, spanning 25 years.

Methods

Radiographic joint damage was recorded using the Sharp/van der Heijde (SHS) method in the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS), 1986–2001, and the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Network (ERAN), 2002–2013. Mixed‐effects negative binomial regression estimated changes in radiographic damage over 5 years, including erosions and JSN, separately. RF, along with age, sex, and baseline markers of disease activity were controlled for.

Results

A total of 1,216 patients from ERAS and 446 from ERAN had radiographic data. Compared to ERAS, ERAN patients had a lower mean total SHS score at baseline (ERAN 6.2 versus ERAS 10.5; P < 0.001) and mean annual rate of change (ERAN 2.5 per year versus ERAS 6.9 per year; P < 0.001). Seventy‐four percent of ERAS and 27% of ERAN patients progressed ≥5 units. Lower scores at baseline in ERAN were largely driven by reductions in JSN (ERAS 3.9 versus ERAN 1.2; P < 0.001), along with erosions (ERAS 1.9 versus ERAN 0.8; P < 0.001). RF was associated with greater progression in each cohort, but the absolute difference in mean annual rate of change for RF‐positive patients was substantially higher for ERAS (RF positive 8.6 versus RF negative 5.1; P < 0.001), relative to ERAN (RF positive 2.0 versus RF negative 1.9; P = 0.855).

Conclusion

Radiographic progression was shown to be significantly reduced between the 2 cohorts, and was associated with lower baseline damage and other factors, including changes in early disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug use. The impact of RF status as a prognostic marker of clinically meaningful change in radiographic progression has markedly diminished in the context of more modern treatment.