bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The emptiness of exilic and early Persian Judah: A historical study
Authors: Makuwa Phaswane S.
Published: October 2014

The exile of some Judeans under the Babylonian Empire from 597 to 582 BCE is perceived to have left the land of Judah without residents, according to some biblical passages. Historically and biblically, the land of Judah was not left empty, but some peasants remained behind when the important and legitimate elite was deported to Babylon. Some Judeans fled to Egypt and other neighbouring countries. Some of the elite were executed around 587–586 BCE. The legitimate monarchs of Judah were either murdered or deported to Babylon and Egypt. Gedaliah, of non-royal lineage, was appointed as a governor of Judah by Babylon, but he was assassinated. Subsequently, Judah was left without leadership or was probably incorporated into the Samaria provincial governance. The second rebellion of Zedekiah in 588 BCE resulted in the fall of Jerusalem (586 BCE), the capital city of Judah. The deported, murdered and dispersed elite left a legitimate leadership void, which translates into the exile of Judah. The cultic and civil services performed by the elite like festal ceremonies, daily sacrifices, trade, public administration, military and judiciary were halted by the Babylonian exile.Thus, Judah was exiled by Babylon at the termination of necessary services done in Jerusalem.Die leegheid van ballingskap en die vroeë Persiese periode: ‘n Historiese studie. Sommige Skrifgedeeltes dra daartoe by dat die indruk geskep word dat Juda sonder inwoners gelaat is na die ballingskap van die Judeërs in die tyd van die Neo-Babiloniese Ryk (597–582 v.C.). Histories beskou en op grond van inligting in die Ou Testament, was die land egter nie leeg nie. Sommige van die gewone mense het agtergebly toe die vernaamste mense en die leiers na Babel weggevoer is. Sommige Judeërs het na Egipte en ander lande gevlug. Sommige van hierdie vernames is in 587–586 v.C. tereggestel. Die wettige regeerders van Juda is óf tereggestel óf na Babilon en Egipte weggevoer. Gedalia, wat nie uit die koninklike geslag was nie, is as goewerneur aangestel, maar hy is vermoor. Gevolglik is Juda leierloos gelaat, of waarskynlik deur die Babiloniese owerheid by die Samaritaanse gebied ingelyf. Die tweede opstand van Sedekia in 588 v.C. het tot die val van Jerusalem, die hoofstad van Juda, in 586 v.C. gelei. Die verbanning en verstrooing van, asook die moord op die leiers en vernames het ’n leemte in regmatige leierskap gelaat wat Juda se ballingskap verklaar. Die kultiese en siviele dienste soos feestelike seremonies, daaglikse offers, handel en openbare administrasie wat deur die leiers verrig is sowel as die regstelsel en militêre eenheid is ook deur die Babiloniese ballingskap beëindig. Die ballingskap het dus eerder die beëindiging van noodsaaklike dienste geïmpliseer as die wegvoering van die totale bevolking .
Temporal variations in rainwater methanol
Authors: Felix J. D. , Jones S. B. , Avery G. B. , Willey J. D. , Mead R. N. , Kieber R. J.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. This work reports the first comprehensive analysis of methanol concentrations in rainwater. Methanol concentrations measured in 49 rain events collected between 28 August 2007 and 10 July 2008 in Wilmington, NC, USA, ranged from below the detection limit of 6 nM to 9.3 μM with a volume-weighted average concentration of 1 ± 0.2 μM. Methanol concentrations in rainwater were up to ~200 times greater than concentrations reported previously in marine waters, indicating wet deposition as a potentially significant source of methanol to marine waters. Assuming that these methanol concentrations are an appropriate proxy for global methanol rainwater concentrations, the global methanol wet deposition sink is estimated as 20 Tg yr−1, which implies that previous methanol budgets underestimate removal by precipitation. Methanol concentrations in rainwater did not correlate significantly with H+, NO3−, and NSS, which suggests that the dominant source of the alcohol to rainwater is not anthropogenic. However, methanol concentrations were strongly correlated with acetaldehyde, which has a primarily biogenic input. The methanol volume-weighted concentration during the summer (2.7 ± 0.9 μM) was ~3 times that of the winter (0.9 ± 0.2 μM), further promoting biogenic emissions as the primary cause of temporal variations of methanol concentrations. Methanol concentrations peaked in rainwater collected during the time period 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Peaking during this period of optimal sunlight implies a possible relationship with photochemical methanol production, but there are also increases in biogenic activity during this time period. Rain events with terrestrial origin had greater concentrations than those of marine origin, demonstrating the significance of the continental source of methanol in rainwater.
Refractory black carbon mass concentrations in snow and ice: method evaluation and inter-comparison with elemental carbon measurement
Authors: Lim S. , Faïn X. , Zanatta M. , Cozic J. , Jaffrezo J.-L. , Ginot P. , Laj P.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Accurate measurement of black carbon (BC) mass concentrations in snow and ice is crucial for the assessment of climatic impacts. However, it is difficult to compare methods used to assess BC levels in the literature as they are not the same. The single particle soot photometer (SP2) method appears to be one of the most suitable to measure low concentrations of BC in snow and ice. In this paper, we evaluated a method for the quantification of refractory BC (rBC) in snow and ice samples coupling the SP2 with the APEX-Q nebulizer. The paper reviews all the steps of rBC determination, including SP2 calibration, correction for rBC particle aerosolization efficiency (75 ± 7% using the APEX-Q nebulizer), and treatment of the samples. In addition, we compare the SP2 method and the thermal–optical method – Sunset organic carbon (OC) / elemental carbon (EC) aerosol analyzer with EUSAAR2 protocol – using snow and firn samples with different characteristics from the Greenland Summit, the French Alps, the Caucasus, and the Himalayas. Careful investigation was undertaken of analytical artifacts that potentially affect both methods. The SP2-based rBC quantification may be underestimated when the SP2 detection range does not cover correctly the existing size distribution of the sample. Thermal–optical EC measurements can be underestimated by low filtration efficiency of quartz fiber filter before analysis or dust properties (concentration and type), and overestimated by pyrolyzed OC artifacts during EC analysis. These results underline the need for careful assessment of the analytical technique and procedure for correct data interpretation.
Long-path averaged mixing ratios of O3 and NO2 in the free troposphere from mountain MAX-DOAS
Authors: Gomez L. , Navarro-Comas M. , Puentedura O. , Gonzalez Y. , Cuevas E. , Gil-Ojeda M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. A new approximation is proposed to estimate O3 and NO2 mixing ratios in the northern subtropical free troposphere (FT). The proposed method uses O4 slant column densities (SCDs) at horizontal and near-zenith geometries to estimate a station-level differential path. The modified geometrical approach (MGA) is a simple method that takes advantage of a very long horizontal path to retrieve mixing ratios in the range of a few pptv. The methodology is presented, and the possible limitations are discussed. Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) high-mountain measurements recorded at the Izaña observatory (28° 18' N, 16° 29' W) are used in this study. The results show that under low aerosol loading, O3 and NO2 mixing ratios can be retrieved even at very low concentrations. The obtained mixing ratios are compared with those provided by in situ instrumentation at the observatory. The MGA reproduces the O3 mixing ratio measured by the in situ instrumentation with a difference of 28%. The different air masses scanned by each instrument are identified as a cause of the discrepancy between the O3 observed by MAX-DOAS and the in situ measurements. The NO2 is in the range of 20–40 ppt, which is below the detection limit of the in situ instrumentation, but it is in agreement with measurements from previous studies for similar conditions.
Groundwater dynamics under water-saving irrigation and implications for sustainable water management in an oasis: Tarim River basin of western China
Authors: Zhang Z. , Hu H. , Tian F. , Yao X. , Sivapalan M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Water is essential for life. Specifically in the oases of inland arid basins, water is a critically limited resource, essential for the development of the socio-economy and the sustainability of eco-environmental systems. Due to the unique hydrological regime present in arid oases, a moderate groundwater table is the goal of sustainable water management. A shallow water table induces serious secondary salinization and collapse of agriculture, while a deep water table causes deterioration of natural vegetation. From the hydrological perspective, the exchange flux between the unsaturated vadose zone and groundwater reservoir is a critical link to understanding regional water table dynamics. This flux is substantially influenced by anthropogenic activities. In the Tarim River basin of western China, where agriculture consumes over 90% of available water resources, the exchange flux between the unsaturated vadose zone and groundwater reservoir is influenced strongly by irrigation. Recently, mulched drip irrigation, a sophisticated water-saving irrigation method, was widely applied in the Tarim River basin, which greatly impacted the exchange flux and thus the regional groundwater dynamics. Capitalizing on recent progress in evaporation measurement techniques, we can now close the water balance and directly quantify the exchange flux at the field scale, thus gaining a better understanding of regional groundwater dynamics. In this study, comprehensive observations of water balance components in an irrigated cropland were implemented in 2012 and 2013 in a typical oasis within the Tarim River basin. The water balance analysis showed that the exchange flux and groundwater dynamics were significantly altered by the application of water-saving irrigation. The exchange flux at the groundwater table is mostly downward (310.5 mm year−1), especially during drip irrigation period and spring flush period, while the upward flux is trivial (16.1 mm year−1) due to the moderate groundwater table depth (annual average depth 2.9 m). Traditional secondary salinization caused by intense phreatic evaporation (fed by upward exchange flux) is alleviated. However, a new form of secondary salinization may be introduced unwittingly if there is lack of water for periodic flushing, especially when brackish water is used in the irrigation. Furthermore, the water saved via drip irrigation has been used in further growth of irrigated lands instead of supporting the ecological system. This could lead to an increased risk of eco-environmental degradation and calls for improved governance schemes. The insights gained from this study can be potentially applied to other arid inland areas (e.g., central Asia) which face similar water shortages and human development problems.
A simple method to recover the graphene-based chemi-resistor signal
Authors: Fedi F. , Ricciardella F. , Miglietta M. L. , Polichetti T. , Massera E. , Di Francia G.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. We present the development of a simple and fast method for restoring exhaust graphene-based chemi-resistors used for NO2 detection. Repeatedly exposing the devices to gases or to air for more than 2 days, an overall worsening of the sensing signal is observed; we hypothesized that the poisoning effect in both cases is caused by the exposure to NO2. Starting from this hypothesis and from the observation that NO2 is soluble in water, we performed a recovery method consisting in the dipping of exhaust devices into ultrapure water at 100 °C for 60 s. The device performances are compared with those obtained after the restoration is achieved using the typical annealing under vacuum method.
Network structure and metropolitan mobility
Authors: Parthasarathi Pavithra
Published: October 2014

This research aims to develop quantitative measures that capture various aspects of the underlying network structure, using aggregate level travel data from fifty metropolitan areas across the US. The influence of these measures on system performance is then tested using statistical regression models. The results corroborate that the quantitative measures of network structure affect the system performance. The results from this analysis can be used to develop network design guidelines that can be used to address current transportation problems.
Open Data: A Paradigm Shift in the Heart of Government
Authors: Al-Khouri Ali M.
Published: October 2014

In today's global economy, governments are coming to comprehend new realities and adopt new approaches to cope with the paradigm shift in citizens' relations. Among the different trends in recent years is the concept of open data where it requires governments placing more data for public consumption. The use and reuse of open data is argued to contribute to enormous potential for economies and citizens welfare. This article attempts to explore and provide a short overview of the concept of open data and its current applications. The primary contribution of the article is the presentation of a case study of how the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government envisages using open data to develop decision support models to improve public service delivery and primarily citizens’ quality of life. The presented approach aims to promote discussion among policy and decision-makers and fuel debate and knowledge development in this critical and evolving field of practice.
The Byzantine Church of Khirbet et-Tireh
Authors: Al-Houdalieh Salah H.
Published: October 2014

Khirbet et-Tireh was inhabited from the Hellenistic to Early Islamic periods and was later used for agriculture through the Ottoman period to modern times. It suffered severe damage due to urban development and looting over the past two centuries, resulting in the irretrievable loss of at least three-quarters of its archaeological remains. The surviving ruins include a Byzantine-era church, villa, and monastery, fortifications, a rock-cut reservoir, burial caves, a rock-cut olive press, a wine press, and several dry-stone terrace walls. The following article describes the site's current state, the efforts to uncover and preserve what remains, and an assessment of the recent destruction, particularly on the church, which is the focus here.
De wenselijkheid van beheerst beloningsbeleid in de financiële sector
Authors: Helstone A.M.
Published: October 2014

De wenselijkheid van beheerst beloningsbeleid in de financiële sector

In de afgelopen zes jaar heeft de regulering van variabele beloning bij financiële ondernemingen na de val van Lehman Brothers niet stilgestaan. In dit verband wordt er met name in Nederland een niet-aflatende strijd voor beheerst beloningsbeleid in de financiële sector gevoerd. Deze bijdrage richt zich op de belangrijkste initiatieven voor regulering van beloningen bij financiële ondernemingen van de afgelopen zes jaar. Hierbij wordt ook stilgestaan bij de recente voornemens van de Nederlandse wetgever om een bonusplafond van 20% te introduceren voor alle medewerkers die werkzaam zijn in de financiële sector. Daarbij wordt ook ingegaan op de vraag in hoeverre het wenselijk is dat deze nieuwe regels naast de bestaande regels zullen worden geïntroduceerd.
Bankenbelasting
Authors: Bouwman J.N.
Published: October 2014

Bankenbelasting

De kredietcrisis heeft in Nederland in 2012 geleid tot de invoering van een bankenbelasting. Deze belasting treft zogenoemde ongedekte schulden waarmee banken hun bedrijf financieren. Banken zijn bankenbelasting verschuldigd voor zover hun ongedekte schulden een doelmatigheidsvrijstelling overtreffen. De bankenbelasting wordt verhoogd indien aan het bestuur een bovenmatige bonus wordt toegekend. Andere landen hebben heffingen ingevoerd die vergelijkbaar zijn met de Nederlandse bankenbelasting. Om samenloop van deze heffingen tegen te gaan zijn maatregelen getroffen ter voorkoming van dubbele bankenbelasting. De techniek van de Nederlandse bankenbelasting en de voorkoming van dubbele bankenbelasting staan in deze bijdrage centraal.

Aan de invoering van de bankenbelasting zijn in de parlementaire geschiedenis doelstellingen en randvoorwaarden verbonden. Deze worden ook in de bijdrage besproken. Betwijfeld kan worden of zij volledig zijn gerealiseerd met de invoering van de huidige bankenbelasting.
Métodos para Captura de Lições Aprendidas: Em Direção a Melhoria Contínua na Gestão de Projetos
Authors: Veronese Giuliana Santos
Published: October 2014

Em um mercado competitivo e em constante evolução a gestão efetiva da informação e a transferência de conhecimento são aspectos estratégicos para as empresas. A fim de melhorar os processos de gestão de projetos, as empresas têm adotado metodologias e frameworks, como alternativas que permitam maximizar a taxa de sucesso no desenvolvimento dos projetos. Como uma extensão da gestão de projetos, o processo de captura e análise de lições aprendidas é um método eficiente e efetivo de gestão da informação e transferência de conhecimento, adquiridos durante a execução de um projeto, permitindo que a organização aprimore seus processos, reduza custos e gere valor ao negócio. Cada projeto executado fornece uma base de conhecimento importante que pode ser utilizada como diferencial competitivo pela empresa. Este artigo teórico apresenta uma revisita e análise dos principais métodos para captura de lições aprendidas em projetos propostos nas últimas décadas. A análise foi realizada a partir de critérios comuns a maior parte dos métodos. Os resultados incluem recomendações para promover o aprendizado sistemático em projetos e a implementação exitosa da gestão de lições aprendidas.
Le prêt de main-d’oeuvre : un dispositif innovant au service des territoires
Authors: Calamel Ludivine , Gallego-Roquelaure Virginie
Published: October 2014

Licenciements, restructurations et fermetures d’usines demeurent, dans le présent contexte de crise économique, au coeur de l’actualité. Cet environnement turbulent a des conséquences sur l’emploi local. C’est dans ce récent contexte de crise, menaçant l’emploi et les entreprises, que certaines organisations se sont emparées d’un dispositif de gestion des ressources humaines innovant : la mise à disposition de salariés (MAD). Ce dispositif vise à sauvegarder l’emploi local ainsi qu’à accroître le panel de compétences des salariés en bénéficiant. Il implique diverses organisations ayant pour but principal d’éviter les licenciements et de favoriser l’acquisition de nouvelles compétences pour les salariés y participant. Le prêt de main-d’oeuvre suppose que l’entreprise prêteuse ne facture à l’entreprise utilisatrice que la stricte valeur des salaires versés au salarié pendant la mise à disposition, des charges sociales afférentes, ainsi que, s’il y a lieu, des frais professionnels remboursés à l’intéressé au titre de la mise à disposition. Il s’agit d’un dispositif d’entraide à but non lucratif, généralement privilégié lorsque les entreprises ont des relations de proximité : géographique, dès lors que les acteurs sont localisés sur un même espace, mais aussi socio-économique, dès lors que les acteurs développent des relations. Trois pôles de compétitivité Rhône-Alpin ont été étudiés, dans lesquels l’utilisation de prêt de main-d’oeuvre entre organisations privées et centre de recherche public a été mise à profit. La grille de lecture utilisée correspond à la démarche analytique de l’économie de la proximité (Bouba-Olga et Grossetti, 2008). Nous nous attachons à répondre à la problématique suivante : dans quelles conditions la proximité permet-elle de construire des formules innovantes de GRH inter-organisationnelles, telles que le prêt de main-d’oeuvre ? Les résultats montrent que la proximité, qu’elle soit géographique ou socio-économique, permet de construire des dispositifs de GRH inter-organisationnelle innovants tels que la mise à disposition de salariés.
Understanding nitrile-degrading enzymes: classification, biocatalytic nature and current applications
Authors: Rodríguez Jorge Ricaño
Published: October 2014

Nitrile-degrading enzymes commonly known as nitrilase enzymes are able to metabolize nitrile-substituent compounds and they have several industrial applications, for example: in drugs synthesis. It is also common to observe their exploitation for obtaining chemical compounds with commercial interests related to cosmetics production, paints and additives. In addition, these are frequently used in the active metabolites synthesis of pesticides. Due to the catalytic nature of such proteins, it is possible to take advantage of their biotechnological potential to be applied in various scientific fields including synthetic biocatalysis and environmental remediation, since they have been successfully used for soils nitrile-wastes decontamination such as cyanide, bromoxynil and benzonitrile. On the other hand, these enzymes are considered very important intermediaries of metabolic pathways related to indolic compounds that are produced by bacteria, plants and superior fungi, acting in most cases as vegetal growth hormones. Given the fact that indole-derivative molecules play an important role in physiological responses in superior organisms, nitrilase enzymes may be considered as important part of unknown multi-enzymatic secondary metabolites pathways. In light of the above considerations, this review attempts to summarize the current status of nitrilase research and describing in detail the main characteristics of nitrile-converting enzymes with emphasis on fungal proteins, including their function and catalytic selectivity. Likewise, their relationship with plant metabolism and biotechnological importance in bioremediation processes is discussed.
The genus Acromastigum in Australia
Authors: Brown Elizabeth , Renner Matt
Published: October 2014

Eleven species of Acromastigum are recognised for Australia. Two species and one subspecies from Tasmania, A. prismaticale sp. nov., A. interstisiale sp. nov. and A. furcatifolium subsp. fumosum ssp. nov. are new. A. interstisiale also occurs in New Zealand on the Denniston Plateau. Two species, A. tenax and A. divaricatum, are new records for Australia, both are known from few collections, those of A. tenax from the Wet Tropics Bioregion and A. divaricatum from Tasmania. A. divaricatum is also reported for the New Zealand Botanical Region. The enigmatic New Zealand endemic A. brachyphyllum is synonymised with A. anisostomum, which is excluded from the Australian flora as Australian records are all based on misidentifications, primarily of A. interstisiale but also of A. mooreanum and A. furcatifolium subsp. fumosum. Both subspecies of A. furcatifolium are apparently sparsely distributed, subsp. furcatifolium on sandstone in rainforest in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and subsp. fumosum on peat in rainforest and shrublands in Tasmania. A. exiguum and A. marginatum are retained as separate species distributed either side of the Tasman. A key, descriptions, illustrations and associated observations for Australian species are presented.
N2O production in the eastern South Atlantic: Analysis of N2O stable isotopic and concentration data
Authors: Frame Caitlin H. , Deal Eric , Nevison Cynthia D. , Casciotti Karen L.
Published: October 2014

The stable isotopic composition of dissolved nitrous oxide (N2O) is a tracer for the production, transport, and consumption of this greenhouse gas in the ocean. Here we present dissolved N2O concentration and isotope data from the South Atlantic Ocean, spanning from the western side of the mid‐Atlantic Ridge to the upwelling zone off the southern African coast. In the eastern South Atlantic, shallow N2O production by nitrifier denitrification contributed a flux of isotopically depleted N2O to the atmosphere. Along the African coast, N2O fluxes to the atmosphere of up to 46 µmol/m2/d were calculated using satellite‐derived QuikSCAT wind speed data, while fluxes at the offshore stations averaged 0.04 µmol/m2/d. Comparison of the isotopic composition of the deeper N2O in the South Atlantic (800 m to 1000 m) to measurements made in other regions suggests that water advected from one or more of the major oxygen deficient zones contributed N2O to the mesopelagic South Atlantic via the Southern Ocean. This deeper N2O was isotopically and isotopomerically enriched (δ15Nbulk− N2O = 8.7 ± 0.1‰,δ18O − N2O = 46.5 ± 0.2‰, and Site Preference = 18.7 ± 0.6‰) relative to the shallow N2O source, indicating that N2O consumption by denitrification influenced its isotopic composition. The N2O concentration maximum was observed between 200 m and 400 m and reached 49 nM near the Angolan coast. The depths of the N2O concentration maximum coincided with those of sedimentary particle resuspension along the coast. The isotopic composition of this N2O (δ15Nbulk− N2O = 5.8 ± 0.1‰,δ18O − N2O = 39.7 ± 0.1‰, and Site Preference = 9.8 ± 1.0‰) was consistent with production by diffusion‐limited nitrate (NO3−) reduction to nitrite (NO2−), followed by NO2−reduction to N2O by denitrification and/or nitrifier denitrification, with additional N2O production by NH2OH decomposition during NH3oxidation. The sediment surface, benthic boundary layer, or particles resuspended from the sediments are likely to have provided the physical and chemical conditions necessary to produce this N2O.
Understanding the hydrologic sources and sinks in the Nile Basin using multisource climate and remote sensing data sets
Authors: Senay Gabriel B. , Velpuri Naga Manohar , Bohms Stefanie , Demissie Yonas , Gebremichael Mekonnen
Published: October 2014

In this study, we integrated satellite‐drived precipitation and modeled evapotranspiration data (2000–2012) to describe spatial variability of hydrologic sources and sinks in the Nile Basin. Over 2000–2012 period, 4 out of 11 countries (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda) in the Nile Basin showed a positive water balance while three downstream countries (South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt) showed a negative balance. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mass deviation in storage data analysis showed that at annual timescales, the Nile Basin storage change is substantial while over longer time periods, it is minimal (<1% of basin precipitation). We also used long‐term gridded runoff and river discharge data (1869–1984) to understand the discrepancy in the observed and expected flow along the Nile River. The top three countries that contribute most to the flow are Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya. The study revealed that ∼85% of the runoff generated in the equatorial region is lost in an interstation basin that includes the Sudd wetlands in South Sudan; this proportion is higher than the literature reported loss of 50% at the Sudd wetlands alone. The loss in runoff and flow volume at different sections of the river tend to be more than what can be explained by evaporation losses, suggesting a potential recharge to deeper aquifers that are not connected to the Nile channel systems. On the other hand, we also found that the expected average annual Nile flow at Aswan is greater (97 km3) than the reported amount (84 km3). Due to the large variations of the reported Nile flow at different locations and time periods, the study results indicate the need for increased hydrometeorological instrumentation of the basin. The study also helped improve our understanding of the spatial dynamics of water sources and sinks in the Nile Basin and identified emerging hydrologic questions that require further attention.
Scientists and Reporters Just Want to Get to the Bottom of It All
Authors: Rosen Julia
Published: October 2014

After just a few short months, my desk at the Los Angeles Times had succumbed to the same peculiar malady as my desk at Oregon State University, where I did my Ph.D. in paleoclimatology: It seemed to have sprouted a thin coat of fluorescent sticky notes. Each tiny square bore a fact that merited remembering or a question that demanded answering, and, every day, they multiplied.
Mountain ranges hold new clues to Pangaea's formation
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: October 2014

The upper Paleozoic period, from roughly 400 million to 260 million years ago, saw the surface of the Earth go through a radical transformation. It was during this period that most of the Earth's dry land came together to form the supercontinent Pangaea. The collisions and rifts caused by the tectonic drift left marks still visible today; among these are the Allegheny and Appalachian mountain ranges in eastern North America and the Variscan Mountains in northwestern Africa and Europe. These ranges share the same origin: the collision of Gondwana and Laurasia roughly 300 million years ago.
Separating the influence of temperature, drought, and fire on interannual variability in atmospheric CO2
Authors: Keppel‐Aleks Gretchen , Wolf Aaron S. , Mu Mingquan , Doney Scott C. , Morton Douglas C. , Kasibhatla Prasad S. , Miller John B. , Dlugokencky Edward J. , Randerson James T.
Published: October 2014

The response of the carbon cycle in prognostic Earth system models (ESMs) contributes significant uncertainty to projections of global climate change. Quantifying contributions of known drivers of interannual variability in the growth rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is important for improving the representation of terrestrial ecosystem processes in these ESMs. Several recent studies have identified the temperature dependence of tropical net ecosystem exchange (NEE) as a primary driver of this variability by analyzing a single, globally averaged time series of CO2 anomalies. Here we examined how the temporal evolution of CO2 in different latitude bands may be used to separate contributions from temperature stress, drought stress, and fire emissions to CO2 variability. We developed atmospheric CO2 patterns from each of these mechanisms during 1997–2011 using an atmospheric transport model. NEE responses to temperature, NEE responses to drought, and fire emissions all contributed significantly to CO2 variability in each latitude band, suggesting that no single mechanism was the dominant driver. We found that the sum of drought and fire contributions to CO2 variability exceeded direct NEE responses to temperature in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Additional sensitivity tests revealed that these contributions are masked by temporal and spatial smoothing of CO2 observations. Accounting for fires, the sensitivity of tropical NEE to temperature stress decreased by 25% to 2.9 ± 0.4 Pg C yr−1 K−1. These results underscore the need for accurate attribution of the drivers of CO2 variability prior to using contemporary observations to constrain long‐term ESM responses.
A novel EBSD‐based finite‐element wave propagation model for investigating seismic anisotropy: Application to Finero Peridotite, Ivrea‐Verbano Zone, Northern Italy
Authors: Zhong Xin , Frehner Marcel , Kunze Karsten , Zappone Alba
Published: October 2014

A novel electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) ‐based finite‐element (FE) wave propagation simulation is presented and applied to investigate seismic anisotropy of peridotite samples. The FE model simulates the dynamic propagation of seismic waves along any chosen direction through representative 2D EBSD sections. The numerical model allows separation of the effects of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) and shape preferred orientation (SPO). The obtained seismic velocities with respect to specimen orientation are compared with Voigt‐Reuss‐Hill estimates and with laboratory measurements. The results of these three independent methods testify that CPO is the dominant factor controlling seismic anisotropy. Fracture fillings and minor minerals like hornblende only influence the seismic anisotropy if their volume proportion is sufficiently large (up to 23%). The SPO influence is minor compared to the other factors. The presented FE model is discussed with regard to its potential in simulating seismic wave propagation using EBSD data representing natural rock petrofabrics.
Airborne radar sounding evidence for deformable sediments and outcropping bedrock beneath Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica
Authors: Schroeder Dustin M. , Blankenship Donald D. , Young Duncan A. , Witus Alexandra E. , Anderson John B.
Published: October 2014

The geologic and morphologic records of prior ice sheet configurations show evidence of rapid, back‐stepping, meltwater intensive retreats. However, the potential for such a retreat in a contemporary glacier depends on the lithology of the current ice sheet bed, which lies beneath kilometers of ice, making its physical properties difficult to constrain. We use radar sounding and marine bathymetry data to compare the bed configuration of Thwaites Glacier to the bed of paleo‐Pine Island Glacier. Using observed and modeled radar scattering, we show that the tributaries and upper trunk of Thwaites Glacier are underlain by ice flow‐aligned bedforms consistent with deformable sediment and that the lower trunk is grounded on a region of high bed roughness consistent with outcropping bedrock. This is the same configuration as paleo‐Pine Island Glacier during its retreat across the inner continental shelf.
Modeling vegetation controls on fluvial morphological trajectories
Authors: Bertoldi Walter , Siviglia Annunziato , Tettamanti Stefano , Toffolon Marco , Vetsch David , Francalanci Simona
Published: October 2014

The role of riparian vegetation in shaping river morphology is widely recognized. The interaction between vegetation growth and riverbed evolution is characterized by complex nonlinear feedbacks, which hinder direct estimates of the role of key elements on the morphological evolutionary trajectories of gravel bed rivers. Adopting a simple theoretical framework, we develop a numerical model which couples hydromorphodynamics with biomass dynamics. We perform a sensitivity analysis considering several parameters as flood intensity, type of vegetation, and groundwater level. We find that the inclusion of vegetation determines a threshold behavior, identifying two possible equilibrium configurations: unvegetated versus vegetated bars. Stable vegetation patterns can establish only under specific conditions, which depend on the different environmental and species‐related characteristics. From a management point of view, model results show that relatively small changes in water availability or species composition may determine a sudden shift between dynamic unvegetated conditions to more stable, vegetated rivers.
Steady‐state field‐aligned currents at Mercury
Authors: Anderson Brian J. , Johnson Catherine L. , Korth Haje , Slavin James A. , Winslow Reka M. , Phillips Roger J. , McNutt Ralph L. , Solomon Sean C.
Published: October 2014

Magnetic field observations acquired in orbit about Mercury by the MESSENGER spacecraft demonstrate the presence in the planet's northern hemisphere of Birkeland currents that flow to low altitudes. Currents of density 10–30 nA/m2 flow downward at dawn and upward at dusk. Total currents are typically 20–40 kA and exceed 200 kA during disturbed conditions. The current density and total current are two orders of magnitude lower than at Earth. An electric potential of ~30 kV from dayside magnetopause magnetic reconnection implies a net electrical conductance of ~1 S. A spherical‐shell conductance model indicates closure of current radially through the low‐conductivity layers near the surface and by lateral flow from dawn to dusk through more conductive material at depth.
The steepness of the magnetic shear angle “saddle”: A parameter for constraining the location of dayside magnetic reconnection?
Authors: Petrinec S. M. , Trattner K. J. , Fuselier S. A. , Stovall J.
Published: October 2014

Observations of cutoff velocities in plasma distribution functions within the cusps have been used to remotely map reconnection sites on the dayside magnetopause. From these observations, a model of the location of magnetic reconnection along the dayside magnetopause has been developed during conditions of southward interplanetary magnetic field. The reconnection merging region runs along a crest of maximum magnetic shear across the magnetopause, either along two separate antiparallel lines or along a single continuous line. The single, continuous line also follows along a crest of a “saddle” topology in the magnetic shear angle, crossing local noon at low to middle latitudes. In this study the steepness of the saddle at local noon as a function of the solar wind condition and the dipole tilt angle of the Earth is examined. In addition, the locations of dayside low to middle latitude magnetopause crossings by spacecraft for which plasma velocity signatures suggest that the reconnection X line passed over the spacecraft are compared to the expected location of the model X line and as a function of the steepness of the saddle. The comparisons between model and observations are used to help determine to what extent the steepness of the saddle constrains the location of the X line.
Interannual variability of the surface summertime eastward jet in the South China Sea
Authors: Li Yuanlong , Han Weiqing , Wilkin John L. , Zhang Weifeng G. , Arango Hernan , Zavala‐Garay Javier , Levin Julia , Castruccio Frederic S.
Published: October 2014

The summertime eastward jet (SEJ) located around 12°N, 110°E–113°E, as the offshore extension of the Vietnam coastal current, is an important feature of the South China Sea (SCS) surface circulation in boreal summer. Analysis of satellite‐derived sea level and sea surface wind data during 1992–2012 reveals pronounced interannual variations in its surface strength (SSEJ) and latitudinal position (YSEJ). In most of these years, the JAS (July, August, and September)‐mean SSEJ fluctuates between 0.17 and 0.55 m s−1, while YSEJ shifts between 10.7°N and 14.3°N. These variations of the SEJ are predominantly contributed from the geostrophic current component that is linked to a meridional dipole pattern of sea level variations. This sea level dipole pattern is primarily induced by local wind changes within the SCS associated with the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Enhanced (weakened) southwest monsoon at the developing (decaying) stage of an El Niño event causes a stronger (weaker) SEJ located south (north) of its mean position. Remote wind forcing from the tropical Pacific can also affect the sea level in the SCS via energy transmission through the Philippine archipelago, but its effect on the SEJ is small. The impact of the oceanic internal variability, such as eddy‐current interaction, is assessed using an ocean general circulation model (OGCM). Such impact can lead to considerable year‐to‐year changes of sea level and the SEJ, equivalent to ∼20% of the observed variation. This implies the complexity and prediction difficulty of the upper ocean circulation in this region.
Filling in the gaps: Inferring spatially distributed precipitation from gauge observations over complex terrain
Authors: Livneh Ben , Deems Jeff S. , Schneider Dominik , Barsugli Joseph J. , Molotch Noah P.
Published: October 2014

In recent decades, computational hydrology has trended toward higher‐resolution distributed models of the land surface. The accuracy of these models is limited, by uncertainty in distributed precipitation forcings. In this research, different precipitation distribution schemes were compared through inter‐station transfer experiments, as well as within a distributed hydrologic model applied at ≤150 m resolution over four study catchments in complex terrain. Distributed precipitation estimates were derived using multiplicative spatial scaling (MSS) and map‐based precipitation (MBP) techniques including both climatological and time‐varying spatial information from a range of native spatial resolutions (500 m–4 km). The primary interest was to evaluate a novel application of satellite‐based snow water equivalent (SWE) reconstruction (RSWE) as a surrogate for cold season precipitation against a common source of spatial precipitation information: the Parameter‐elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM). An elevation‐based orographic precipitation gradient and simple inverse‐distance interpolation were also included as a baseline. For the case of RSWE, MSS was very sensitive to differences between observed SWE and reconstructed SWE, producing positive biases in the catchment water balance. Over 12 year simulations, daily streamflow correlations from the uncalibrated model were highest for RSWE when adjusted for accumulation‐season sublimation, and for monthly PRISM, both achieving R=0.8, where the former performed better during anomalous years for both MSS and MBP. Annual water balance ratios were much more sensitive to the choice of distribution scheme, with large overestimates, > 30%, for RSWE products using the MSS techniques versus MBP (< 15%). Overall, PRISM performed best using MSS, while RSWE performed best using MBP.
Use of 7Be measurements to estimate rates of soil loss from cultivated land: Testing a new approach applicable to individual storm events occurring during an extended period
Authors: Porto Paolo , Walling Des E.
Published: October 2014

The techniques available for documenting rates and patterns of soil redistribution in the landscape have many limitations and the value of those employing fallout radionuclides (FRNs), including caesium‐137 (137Cs) and excess lead‐210 (210Pbex) is being increasingly recognized. However, the use of 137Cs and 210Pbex measurements is best suited to investigations of longer‐term soil redistribution rates (i.e., ∼50–60 years for 137Cs and ∼100 years for 210Pbex). For many purposes, a much shorter timeframe is required. Beryllium‐7 (7Be), another FRN (half‐life 53 days), offers the potential to document soil redistribution associated with individual events or short periods of heavy rainfall. However, existing approaches for using 7Be possess important limitations related to both the timing of the study period and its length. This contribution reports the development of a new approach that permits estimation of the soil loss associated with all individual events or short periods of rainfall occurring during a study period extending over a year or more. The approach was validated using data collected from an erosion plot located in southern Italy. The close agreement of the measured and estimated values demonstrates the validity of the new approach which has the potential to greatly increase the scope for using 7Be measurements to document short‐term soil redistribution associated with individual storm events.
Why do households invest in sanitation in rural Benin: Health, wealth, or prestige?
Authors: Gross Elena , Günther Isabel
Published: October 2014

Seventy percent of the rural population in sub‐Saharan Africa does not use adequate sanitation facilities. In rural Benin, as much as 95% of the population does not use improved sanitation. By analyzing a representative sample of 2000 rural households, this paper explores why households remain without latrines. Our results show that wealth and latrine prices play the most decisive role for sanitation demand and ownership. At current income levels, sanitation coverage will only increase to 50% if costs for construction are reduced from currently $190 USD to $50 USD per latrine. Our analysis also suggests that previous sanitation campaigns, which were based on prestige and the allure of a modern lifestyle as motives for latrine construction, have had no success in increasing sanitation coverage. Moreover, improved public health, which is the objective of public policies promoting sanitation, will not be effective at low sanitation coverage rates. Fear at night, especially of animals, and personal harassment, are stated as the most important motivational factors for latrine ownership and the intention to build one. We therefore suggest changing the message of sanitation projects and introduce new low‐cost technologies into rural markets; otherwise, marketing strategies will continue to fail in increasing sanitation demand.
There may Not be a Cultural Life Script for Public Events, But there is a Youth Bias: Response to Janssen (2014)
Authors: Koppel Jonathan , Berntsen Dorthe
Published: October 2014

Janssen asserts that, in a recent paper, we introduced the concept of a cultural life script for public events, in the form of the youth bias. Moreover, he contends that we claimed to have found evidence for such a life script. Correspondingly, he frames his own failure to find evidence for a life script for public events as a rebuttal of our paper. We demonstrate, however, that the youth bias is in fact conceptually and methodologically distinct from life scripts. We conclude that we therefore deserve no credit for the concept of a cultural life script for public events and that Janssen's critique of our paper rests on a misinterpretation of our central concept. Lastly, we argue that, although Janssen may not have found evidence for a life script for public events, his study serves as a confirmation and extension of the youth bias. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal Analysis of Children's Internal States Language and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Following a Natural Disaster
Authors: Legerski John‐Paul , Greenhoot Andrea Follmer , Vernberg Eric M. , M. La Greca Annette , Silverman Wendy K.
Published: October 2014

Disclosure of internal states terms (e.g., emotions, cognitions, and perceptions) in traumatic event descriptions is thought to be associated with physical and mental health in adults, but studies with children have been mixed, and the interpretation of many findings is complicated by the lack of longitudinal data. Using data collected from 568 students (ages 7–12 years) attending schools in Miami‐Dade County, Florida, this study examined the internal states language in participant's written descriptions of the ‘worst things that happened during the hurricane’ collected 3 and 7 months after Hurricane Andrew. Associations between these internal states and their posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) 3, 7, and 10 months post‐hurricane were evaluated using structural equation modeling. Patterns of association suggest that PTSS were not affected by internal states disclosure; rather, internal states language seemed to be a manifestation of PTSS. Implications for risk assessment, theory building, and treatment of PTSS in children are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Air‐promoted adsorptive desulfurization of diesel fuel overTi‐Ce mixed metal oxides
Authors: Xiao Jing , Sitamraju Siddarth , Chen Yongsheng , Watanabe Shingo , Fujii Mamoru , Janik Michael , Song Chunshan
Published: October 2014

Air‐promoted adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) of commercial diesel fuel over a Ti‐Ce mixed oxide adsorbent in a flow system is investigated in this work. The fresh/spent adsorbents were characterized using X‐ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy. Results show that sulfoxide species are formed during air‐promoted ADS over Ti0.9Ce0.1O2adsorbent. Adsorption selectivity of various compounds in fuel follows the order of dibenzothiophene sulfone > dibenzothiophene ≃ benzothiophene > 4‐methyldibenzothiophene >  4,6‐dimethyldibenzothiophene > phenanthrene > methylnaphthalene > fluorene > naphthalene. The high adsorption affinity of sulfoxide/sulfone is attributed to stronger Ti‐OSR2than Ti‐SR2interactions, resulting in significantly enhanced ADS capacity. Adsorption affinity was calculated using ab initio methods. For Ti‐Ce mixed oxides, reduced surface sites lead to O‐vacancy sites for O2activation for oxidizing thiophenic species. Low temperature is preferred for air‐promoted ADS, and the Ti‐Ce adsorbent can be regenerated via oxidative air treatment. This study paves a new path of designing regenerable adsorbents. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 61: 631–639, 2015