bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibration transmitted to operator’s back by machines with back-pack power unit: a case study on blower and spraying machines
Authors: Deboli Roberto , Calvo Angela , Rapisarda Venerando , Preti Christian , Inserillo Marco
Published: September 2016

To correctly evaluate the vibration transmitted to the operators, it is necessary to consider each body’s point interested by the vibratory stimulus produced by machines. All the body’s part in contact to the vibration, when a portable device with internal combustion engine is used, are: hands, back and shoulders. Some information for wholebody vibration are available in the ISO 2631-1997 standard, which otherwise refers to a seated operator. ‘C’ type standards for the vibration analysis exist for some portable machines with an internal combustion engine which is comprehensive in the machine (chainsaw, brush-cutter, blower). If the engine is not inside the machine, but it is on the operator’s back, ‘C’ type standards on vibration measurements are quite incomplete. The IMAMOTER institute of CNR, the DISAFA Department (University of Turin) and the Occupational Medicine Department of the University of Catania started some tests to verify the vibration levels transmitted to an operator working with backed engine devices. Two machines have been examined: a blower and a spraying machine. Two operative conditions have been considered during all the tests: idling and full load. Three operators have been involved and each test has been repeated three times. The spraying machine has been tested both with the empty tank and with 10 litres of water, to simulate the load to be caused by the presence of liquid inside the tank. In this work the comfort condition of ISO 2631-1 standard was considered, using the frequency weighting Wc curve with the weighting factor 0.8 for X axis (back-ventral direction) and the Wd curve for Y and Z axis (shoulder - shoulder and buttocks - head) with weighting factors 0.5 and 0.4 (respectively for Y and Z axis). Data were examined using IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software package. The statistical analysis underlined that the running condition is the main factor to condition the vibration levels transmitted to the operator’s back, while the ballast and the operators are influent when the running conditions are distinguished. Concerning medical investigation, lower back and shoulders are the main critical part of the body interested by vibration transmitted to each operator.
Fitting and testing roll-over protective structures on self-propelled agricultural machinery
Authors: Pessina Domenico , Facchinetti Davide
Published: September 2016

Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) represents the state of art for the driver’s protection in case of tractors roll-over. Despite their real risk of overturning, the ROPS approach for the Self-Propelled agricultural Machinery (SPM) is quite recent. Due to the several SPM categories available on the market, characterized by very different mass, dimension and working functions, the fitting of a ROPS and consequently the ascertainment of its protection level is quite complicated. SPM could be preliminarily divided into at least two categories: - large SPM: combine, forage, potato, sugar-beet and grape harvesters; sprayer; etc.; - small SPM: ride-on tractor, mower, comb side-delivery rake, etc. The most followed approach at present is to check preliminarily the overturning behavior of the SPM considering its longitudinal and lateral stability; if a real risk of overturning is ascertained, in order to minimize the likelihood of driver’s injury the manufacturer often installs a ROPS. The consequent need is to provide some test criteria of them. Sprayers between large SPM, and comb side-delivery rake between small SPM were the machine types on which ROPS were tested, adopting in both cases the procedure provided by Code 4 issued by the Organization for Economic and Cooperation Development (OECD), dedicated to ROPS fitted on conventional agricultural and forestry tractors. Notwithstanding the very different dimensions of these two SPM, this standard was selected considering the predictable roll-over behavior, also in relation with the front and rear track values. On the 4950 kg mass sprayer was fitted a closed cab, while on the 690 kg mass comb side-delivery rakes a 3-pillars frame was applied. In both cases the response of the tests was positive, so indicating a general suitability of OECD Code 4 to assure a ROPS good driver’s protection level in case of overturning. On the other hand, to ascertain more in detail the roll-over behavior of the SPM, some further questions need to be deeply examined, such as the driver’s place location, the height of the centre of gravity from the ground in different machine configurations (i.e. with crop tanks empty or full), the external silhouette, the axles mass distribution of the laden/unladen machine, etc.
First investigation on the applicability of an active noise control system on a tracked tractor without cab
Authors: Pochi Daniele , Fanigliulo Roberto , Del Duca Lindoro , Nataletti Pietro , Vassalini Gennaro , Fornaciari Laura , Cerini Luigi , Sanjust Filippo , Annesi Diego
Published: September 2016

In last years, several research teams pointed their attention on the application of active noise control systems (ANC) inside the cabs of agricultural tractor, with the purpose of reducing the driver exposition to noise, that is only partially controlled by the frame of the cab. This paper reports the results of a first experience that aimed at verifying the applicability of an ANC on a medium-high power, tracked tractor without cab. The tested tractor was a Fiat Allis 150 A, equipped with rear power take off, used in the execution of deep primary tillage in compact soils. It is a tracked tractor without cab, with maximum power of 108.8 kW at 1840 min–1 of the engine. The ANC consists of a control unit box based on a digital signal processor (DPS), two microphones, two speakers and a power amplifier. The instrumentation used in noise data collecting and processing consisted of a multichannel signal analyzer (Sinus - Soundbook), a ½” microphone capsule and an acoustic calibrator, both Bruel & Kjaer. The study aimed at evaluating the behaviour of the ANC by means of tests carried out under repeatable conditions, characterized by pre-defined engine speed values. Three replications have been made for each engine speed. The sampling time was 30 s. Two series of tests were performed in order to compare the results observed with the ANC on and off. The engine speed adopted in the study ranged from 600 min– 1, up to 2000 min–1 (maximum speed) with steps of 100 min–1. The ANC proved to be effective in the interval of speed between 1400 and 1700 min–1, where the samplings have been intensified, adopting steps of 50 min–1. In such an interval, the attenuation observed with the ANC system on appeared evident both as weighed A sound pressure level (from 1.29 up to 2.46 dB(A)) and linear (from 4.54 up to 8.53 dB). The best performance has been observed at the engine speed of 1550 min–1, with attenuations, respectively of 2.46 dB(A) and 7.67 dB. Outside of the engine speed interval 1400 - 1700 min–1, the attenuations always resulted lower than 1 dB(A) for the weighed A sound pressure level and between 0.66 and 7.72 dB.
Water balance of rice plots under three different cultivation methods: first season results
Authors: Chiaradia Enrico Antonio , Facchi Arianna , Gharsallah Olfa , Romani Marco , Bischetti Gian Battista , Gandolfi Claudio
Published: September 2016

In the last years rice cultivation methods have been the object of an intense research activity aiming to implement new irrigation methods in addition to traditional flooding, in order to reduce water use. This change has concerned also the traditional paddy-rice territories of the north-west of Italy, where rice has been traditionally cultivated as flooded and where paddy fields are a strong landscape landmark and represent a central feature in the Italian and European network for nature protection. The new techniques introduced in these territories consist in a dry seeding followed by field flooding after about one month (third-fourth leaf), and in a full aerobic cultivation with intermittent irrigations, similarly to standard irrigated crops. This paper presents the results obtained after the first year of a monitoring activity carried out at the Ente Nazionale Risi Experimental Station of Castello d’Agogna-Mortara (PV, Italy), where the main terms of water balance have been measured or estimated during the whole crop season. Because there is a substantial lack of data concerning the water balance related to the new water management techniques, the data are of wide interest despite this study covered only one season. The results here presented show that dry seeding-delayed flooding method required a rather similar amount of water respect to the traditional flooding method (2200 mm and 2491 mm, respectively), whereas the aerobic technique required one order of magnitude less water (298 mm), also due to the very shallow depth of the surface aquifer. Since evapotranspiration was nearly the same for the three methods (578 mm, 555 mm, and 464 mm, respectively for traditional flooded, dry seeding-delayed flooding and aerobic methods), percolation was very high in the case of the two flooded methods and very limited in the case of the aerobic cultivation with intermittent irrigations. These results suggest that, if the aerobic cultivation of rice represents a highly effective water-saving technique at the field scale, at the same time if applied on a large scale in traditional paddy areas, as the north-west of Italy, it could be a potential threat for groundwater dynamics, due to the dramatic decrease of groundwater recharge, and in general for traditional landscape conservation and nature protection.
Effect of different plant species in pilot constructed wetlands for wastewater reuse in agriculture
Authors: Barbagallo Salvatore , Cirelli Giuseppe L. , Marzo Alessia , Milani Mirco , Toscano Attilio
Published: September 2016

In this paper the first results of an experiment carried out in Southern Italy (Sicily) on the evapotranspiration (ET) and removal in constructed wetlands with five plant species are presented. The pilot plant used for this study is made of twelve horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands (each with a surface area of 4.5 m2) functioning in parallel, and it is used for tertiary treatment of part of the effluents from a conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant (trickling filter). Two beds are unplanted (control) while ten beds are planted with five different macrophyte species: Cyperus papyrus, Vetiveria zizanoides, Miscanthus x giganteus, Arundo donax and Phragmites australis (i.e., every specie is planted in two beds to have a replication). The influent flow rate is measured in continuous by an electronic flow meter. The effluent is evaluated by an automatic system that measure the discharged volume for each bed. Physical, chemical and microbiological analyses were carried out on wastewater samples collected at the inlet of CW plant and at the outlet of the twelve beds. An automatic weather station is installed close to the experimental plant, measuring air temperature, wind speed and direction, rainfall, global radiation, relative humidity. This allows to calculate the reference Evapotranspiration (ET0) with the Penman-Monteith formula, while the ET of different plant species is measured through the water balance of the beds. The first results show no great differences in the mean removal performances of the different plant species for TSS, COD and E.coli, ranged from, respectively, 82% to 88%, 60% to 64% and 2.7 to 3.1 Ulog. The average removal efficiency of nutrient (64% for TN; 61 for NH4-N, 31% for PO4-P) in the P.australis beds was higher than that other beds. From April to November 2012 ET measured for plant species were completely different from ET0 and ETcontrol, underlining the strong effect of vegetation. The cumulative evapotranspiration highest value was measured in the CWs vegetated with P.australis (4,318 mm), followed by A.donax (2,706 mm), V.zizanoides (1,904), M.giganteus (1,804 mm), C.papyrus (1,421 mm).
Effects of water distribution uniformity on waxy (Zea mays L.) yield: first results
Authors: Bortolini L. , Martello M.
Published: September 2016

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Farms as a resilience factors to land degradation in peri-urban areas
Authors: Zappavigna Paolo , Brugnoli Andrea
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this study was the analysis of the effects induced by urban pressures on the socio-economic and territorial characteristics of the rural peri-urban areas in order to identify planning and intervention strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of agriculture and landscape. A survey was conducted in the surroundings of Parma on farms located in the vicinity of urban areas. The structural, productive and social characteristics of the family-farm units were analyzed. The survey updated an identical survey, carried out in 1986, in which it was examined a sample of 208 farms. The units surveyed were evaluated in two aspects: the “vitality”, which takes into account the structural characteristics (size, production, labour force, etc.), and the “stability”, in which a crucial role is played by the age of the conductor and the presence of a successor. It was found that only 28% of the original farm sample is still alive, one third has disappeared, 30% was absorbed by existing farms, 8% has been abandoned. The factors most favourable to the survival resulted those referred to the vitality, especially the physical and economic size of the farm, the presence of cattle, the percentage of land in property, the presence of young labour. Among the factors that predispose to the abandonment, the urbanization processes were found to be determinants, in terms of expansion of both the built-up area and of that planned as urbanisable. The research has highlighted the importance of the vitality of the farms together with a context that has maintained its original rural features. These combined aspects can better define what we call the resiliency of the landfarms system i.e. the capability of positively reacting to the variable modifications of the internal and external conditions.
Alternative method for vegetables cultivation in Benin
Authors: Recchia Lucia , Boncinelli Paolo , Cini Enrico
Published: September 2016

In the developing countries populations, which are already vulnerable and food insecure, are likely to be the most seriously affected by the effects of climate change, e.g. yield decreases and price increases for the most important agricultural crops. The IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report for Africa describes a trend of warming at a rate faster than the global average and increasing aridity: in many parts of Africa, it seems that warmer climates and changes in precipitation will destabilise agricultural production and aggravates food security. The present work concerns the vegetables cultivation in the Parakou region in Benin, where agriculture employs approximately 70% of the active population and contributes to 36% of the Gross Domestic Product and 88% of export earnings. However, the agricultural sector has been regarded as unproductive with low adaptation capacities because of structural factors (e.g. high level of poverty among rural populations, weak mechanization and intensification of production modes), but also because of natural constraints (e.g. poor management of water and soils, leading to soil degradation). Considering the aridity, the low carbon content and the reduced level of nutrients available in the soil, the use of an hydroponic module has been hypothesised. In this way sufficient yields of the crops may be assured and no agricultural machines will be needed for the tillage operations. In addition, the nutrients can be added to the growing solution using residual materials as poultry manure, ashes and green wastes. In order to verify if some construction or maintenance problems can occur and if a growing solution can be easily obtained using agricultural wastes, some tests have been carried out. Moreover laboratory analyses have been done for different solutions that may be adopted with different shares of water, poultry manure, ashes and green wastes. The tests have indicated that the hydroponic module could be used in Benin without incurring in technical problems and that a growing solution containing poultry manure, ashes and green wastes can supply to the crops a significant amount of nutrients.
Oncology Gold StandardTM practical consensus recommendations 2016 for treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Batra U , Parikh PM , Prabhash K , Tongaonkar HB , Chibber P , Dabkara D , Deshmukh C , Ghadyalpatil N , Hingmire S , Joshi A , Raghunath SK , Rajappa S , Rajendranath R , Rawal SK , Singh Manisha , Singh R , Somashekhar SP , Sood R
Published: September 2016

The Oncology Gold Standard (OGS) Expert Group on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) developed the consensus statement to provide community oncologists practical guidelines on the management of advanced clear cell (cc) RCC using published evidence, practical experience of experts in real life management, and results of a nationwide survey involving 144 health-care professionals. Six broad question categories containing 33 unique questions cover major situations in the routine management of RCC. This document serves as a ready guide for the standard of care to optimize outcome. The table of "Take Home Messages" at the end is a convenient tool for busy practitioners.
DNA Methylation Heterogeneity Patterns in Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Tian Sunny , Bertelsmann Karina , Yu Linda , Sun Shuying
Published: September 2016

Heterogeneous DNA methylation patterns are linked to tumor growth. In order to study DNA methylation heterogeneity patterns for breast cancer cell lines, we comparatively study four metrics: variance, I2 statistic, entropy, and methylation state. Using the categorical metric methylation state, we select the two most heterogeneous states to identify genes that directly affect tumor suppressor genes and high- or moderate-risk breast cancer genes. Utilizing the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software and the ConsensusPath Database visualization tool, we generate integrated gene networks to study biological relations of heterogeneous genes. This analysis has allowed us to contribute 19 potential breast cancer biomarker genes to cancer databases by locating “hub genes” – heterogeneous genes of significant biological interactions, selected from numerous cancer modules. We have discovered a considerable relationship between these hub genes and heterogeneously methylated oncogenes. Our results have many implications for further heterogeneity analyses of methylation patterns and early detection of breast cancer susceptibility.
Oncogene Mutations in Colorectal Polyps Identified in the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention (NORCCAP) Screening Study
Authors: Lorentzen Jon A. , Grzyb Krzysztof , De Angelis Paula M. , Hoff Geir , Eide Tor J. , Andresen Per Arne
Published: September 2016

Data are limited on oncogene mutation frequencies in polyps from principally asymptomatic participants of population-based colorectal cancer screening studies. In this study, DNA from 204 polyps, 5 mm or larger, were collected from 176 participants of the NORCCAP screening study and analyzed for mutations in KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA including the rarely studied KRAS exons 3 and 4 mutations. KRAS mutations were identified in 23.0% of the lesions and were significantly associated with tubulovillous adenomas and large size. A significantly higher frequency of KRAS mutations in females was associated with mutations in codon 12. The KRAS exon 3 and 4 mutations constituted 23.4% of the KRAS positive lesions, which is a larger proportion compared to previous observations in colorectal cancer. BRAF mutations were identified in 11.3% and were associated with serrated polyps. None of the individuals were diagnosed with de novo or recurrent colorectal cancer during the follow-up time (median 11.2 years). Revealing differences in mutation-spectra according to gender and stages in tumorigenesis might be important for optimal use of oncogenes as therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production
Authors: Patel Vinay R. , Dumancas Gerard G. , Viswanath Lakshmi C. Kasi , Maples Randall , Subong Bryan John J.
Published: September 2016

Castor oil, produced from castor beans, has long been considered to be of important commercial value primarily for the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, and coatings, among others. Global castor oil production is concentrated primarily in a small geographic region of Gujarat in Western India. This region is favorable due to its labor-intensive cultivation method and subtropical climate conditions. Entrepreneurs and castor processors in the United States and South America also cultivate castor beans but are faced with the challenge of achieving high castor oil production efficiency, as well as obtaining the desired oil quality. In this manuscript, we provide a detailed analysis of novel processing methods involved in castor oil production. We discuss novel processing methods by explaining specific processing parameters involved in castor oil production.
Early Childhood Diarrhea Predicts Cognitive Delays in Later Childhood Independently of Malnutrition
Authors: Pinkerton Relana , Oriá Reinaldo B. , Lima Aldo A. M. , Rogawski Elizabeth T. , Oriá Mônica O. B. , Patrick Peter D. , Moore Sean R. , Wiseman Benjamin L. , Niehaus Mark D. , Guerrant Richard L.
Published: September 2016

Understanding the complex relationship between early childhood infectious diseases, nutritional status, poverty, and cognitive development is significantly hindered by the lack of studies that adequately address confounding between these variables. This study assesses the independent contributions of early childhood diarrhea (ECD) and malnutrition on cognitive impairment in later childhood. A cohort of 131 children from a shantytown community in northeast Brazil was monitored from birth to 24 months for diarrhea and anthropometric status. Cognitive assessments including Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI), coding tasks (WISC-III), and verbal fluency (NEPSY) were completed when children were an average of 8.4 years of age (range = 5.6–12.7 years). Multivariate analysis of variance models were used to assess the individual as well as combined effects of ECD and stunting on later childhood cognitive performance. ECD, height for age (HAZ) at 24 months, and weight for age (WAZ) at 24 months were significant univariate predictors of the studies three cognitive outcomes: TONI, coding, and verbal performance (P < 0.05). Multivariate models showed that ECD remained a significant predictor, after adjusting for the effect of 24 months HAZ and WAZ, for both TONI (HAZ, P = 0.029 and WAZ, P = 0.006) and coding (HAZ, P = 0.025 and WAZ, P = 0.036) scores. WAZ and HAZ were also significant predictors after adjusting for ECD. ECD remained a significant predictor of coding (WISC III) after number of household income was considered (P = 0.006). This study provides evidence that ECD and stunting may have independent effects on children's intellectual function well into later childhood.
Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Problem Gamblers who Gamble over the Internet: A Controlled Study
Authors: Harris Nicholas , Mazmanian Dwight
Published: September 2016

Several studies have found higher rates of problem gambling among Internet gamblers than non-Internet gamblers. Because of easy access and convenience, along with other gaming characteristics, many researchers in the field have advanced the argument that Internet gambling is potentially more addictive and problematic than land-based gambling activities. However, research examining the efficacy of treatments for problem gamblers who gamble over the Internet has not yet been conducted. The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy of group cognitive behavioural therapy for self-identified problem Internet gamblers. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (n = 16) or wait list (delayed treatment) comparison group (n = 16). Results indicated that the treatment was efficacious in improving three of the four dependent variables from pre- to post-test/treatment: number of DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling endorsed, perception of control over gambling, and number of sessions gambled. No significant pre- to post-test/treatment difference was found between groups on desire to gamble. Groups were combined to examine treatment outcome over time, with results showing significant pre- to post-treatment and pre- to three-month post-treatment improvement for all four dependent variables.
The Social Casino Gaming-Gambling Link: Motivation for Playing Social Casino Games Determines Whether Self-Reported Gambling Increases or Decreases Among Disordered Gamblers
Authors: Hollingshead Samantha J. , Kim Hyoun S. , Wohl Michael J A. , Derevensky Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2016

Engagement with social casino games (i.e., free online casino-like games available on social networking sites) has been found to be a risk factor for increased gambling behaviours (Kim, Wohl, Salmon, Gupta, & Derevensky, 2015). However, this may not be true for all social casino gamers. In the current research, we tested the idea that motivation to play social casino games will predict changes in self-reported gambling behaviours among disordered gamblers. Results showed that disordered gamblers (N = 140) who were motivated to play social casino games for the social connection it provides or for skill building reported an increase in their gambling. Conversely, playing in order to cope with negative life events or for excitement was not predictive of gambling. However, gamblers who reported playing social casino games to reduce cravings to gamble reported an overall decrease in gambling. The implications of social casino games as a potential harm reduction strategy for some disordered gamblers are discussed.
Fluorescent Bioaerosol Particle, Molecular Tracer, and Fungal Spore Concentrations during Dry and Rainy Periods in a Semi-Arid Forest
Authors: Gosselin Marie Ila , Rathnayake Chathurika M. , Crawford Ian , Pöhlker Christopher , Fröhlich-Nowoisky Janine , Schmer Beatrice , Després Viviane R. , Engling Guenter , Gallagher Martin , Stone Elizabeth , Pöschl Ulrich , Huffman J. Alex
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Bioaerosols pose risks to human health and agriculture and may influence the evolution of mixed-phase clouds and the hydrological cycle on local and regional scales. The availability and reliability of methods and data on the abundance and properties of atmospheric bioaerosols, however, are rather limited. Here we analyze and compare data from different real-time Ultraviolet Laser/Light Induced Fluorescence (UV-LIF) instruments with results from a culture-based spore sampler and offline molecular tracers for airborne fungal spores in a semi-arid forest in the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Commercial UV-APS (Ultraviolet Aerodynamic Particle Sizer) and WIBS-3 (Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor, Version 3) instruments with different excitation and emission wavelengths were utilized to measure fluorescent aerosol particles (FAP) during both dry weather conditions and periods heavily influenced by rain. Seven molecular tracers of bioaerosols were quantified by analysis of total suspended particle (TSP) high-volume filter samples using High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD). From the same measurement campaign Huffman et al. (2013) previously reported dramatic increases in total and fluorescence particle concentrations during and immediately after rainfall and also showed a strong relationship between the concentrations of FAP and ice nuclei (Huffman et al., 2013; Prenni et al., 2013). Here we investigate molecular tracers and show that during rainy periods the atmospheric concentrations of arabitol (35.2 ± 10.5 ng m−3) and mannitol (44.9 ± 13.8 ng m−3) were 3–4 times higher than during dry periods. During and after rain the correlations between FAP and tracer mass concentrations were also significantly improved. Fungal spore number concentrations on the order of 104 m−3, accounting for 2–4 % of TSP mass during dry periods and 17–23 % during rainy periods, were obtained from scaling the tracer measurements and from multiple analysis methods applied to the UV-LIF data. Endotoxin concentrations were also enhanced during rainy periods, but showed no correlation with FAP concentrations. Average mass concentrations of erythritol, levoglucosan, glucose, and (1→3)-β-D-glucan in TSP samples are reported separately for dry and rainy weather conditions. Overall, the results indicate that UV-LIF measurements can be used to infer fungal spore concentrations, but substantial development of instrumental and data analysis methods seems required for improved quantification.
Comparison of key absorption and optical properties between pure and transported anthropogenic dust over East and Central Asia
Authors: Bi Jianrong , Huang Jianping , Holben Brent
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Asian dust particulate is one of the primary aerosol constituents in the Earth-atmosphere system that exerts profound influences on environmental quality, human health, marine biogeochemical cycle and Earth’s climate. To date, the absorptive capacity of dust aerosol generated from Asian desert region is still an open question. In this article, we compile columnar key absorption and optical properties of mineral dust over East and Central Asia areas by utilizing the multi-year quality assured datasets observed at 13 sites of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). We identify two types of Asian dust according to threshold criteria from previously published literature. (I) The particles with high aerosol optical depth at 440 nm (AOD440 ≥ 0.4) and low Ångström wavelength exponent at 440–870 nm (α
Ceilometer evaluation of the eastern Mediterranean summer boundary
layer height – first study of two Israeli sites
Authors: Uzan Leenes , Egert Smadar , Alpert Pinhas
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Active remote-sensing instruments, such as ceilometers, have been shown to be potentially useful for the investigation of the behavior of the atmospheric mixing layer height (MLH). For the first time ever, high-resolution measurements of backscatter intensity, taken from two CL31 ceilometers situated inland and onshore of Israel, have enabled evaluation of the mean diurnal cycle of the MLH in the eastern Mediterranean region. Although the Israeli summer synoptic conditions are considered to be quite stable, results for the summer season (July–August 2014) showed the inland MLH to be about 200 m higher than the MLH at the onshore site, situated only 7.5 km away. The prevailing influence of the sea breeze front (SBF), as it progresses inland, is presented by the ceilometer plots. Complementing results were found between the radiosonde profiles and the adjacent ceilometer at the inland site of Beit Dagan. In contrast to the expected regularity of clear skies during the Israeli summer, the ceilometers revealed significant cloud cover throughout the day, with higher presence onshore. Assessment of cloud thickness in further research would serve to improve the evaluation of the MLH evolution.
Anisotropic Jüttner (relativistic Boltzmann) distribution
Authors: Treumann Rudolf A. , Baumjohann Wolfgang
Published: September 2016

Abstract. A rigorous derivation of the Jüttner (covariant Boltzmann) distribution is provided for anisotropic pressure (or temperature) tensors. It was in similar form anticipated first by Gladd (1983). Its manifestly covariant version follows straightforwardly from its scalar property.
Depth-resolved particle-associated microbial respiration in the northeast
Atlantic
Authors: Belcher Anna , Iversen Morten , Giering Sarah , Riou Virginie , Henson Stephanie A. , Berline Leo , Guilloux Loic , Sanders Richard
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide are tightly linked to the depth at which sinking particulate organic carbon (POC) is remineralised in the ocean. Rapid attenuation of downward POC flux typically occurs in the upper mesopelagic (top few hundred metres of the water column), with much slower loss rates deeper in the ocean. Currently, we lack understanding of the processes that drive POC attenuation, resulting in large uncertainties in the mesopelagic carbon budget. Attempts to balance the POC supply to the mesopelagic with respiration by zooplankton and microbes rarely succeed. Where a balance has been found, depth-resolved estimates reveal large compensating imbalances in the upper and lower mesopelagic. In particular, it has been suggested that respiration by free-living microbes and zooplankton in the upper mesopelagic are too low to explain the observed flux attenuation of POC within this layer. We test the hypothesis that particle-associated microbes contribute significantly to community respiration in the mesopelagic, measuring particle-associated microbial respiration of POC in the northeast Atlantic through shipboard measurements on individual marine snow aggregates collected at depth (36–500 m). We find very low rates of both absolute and carbon-specific particle-associated microbial respiration (< 3 % d−1), suggesting that this term cannot solve imbalances in the upper mesopelagic POC budget. The relative importance of particle-associated microbial respiration increases with depth, accounting for up to 33 % of POC loss in the mid-mesopelagic (128–500 m). We suggest that POC attenuation in the upper mesopelagic (36–128 m) is driven by the transformation of large, fast-sinking particles to smaller, slow-sinking and suspended particles via processes such as zooplankton fragmentation and solubilisation, and that this shift to non-sinking POC may help to explain imbalances in the mesopelagic carbon budget.
The origin of methane in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf unraveled with triple isotope analysis
Authors: Sapart Célia J. , Shakhova Natalia , Semiletov Igor , Jansen Joachim , Szidat Sönke , Kosmach Denis , Dudarev Oleg , van der Veen Carina , Egger Matthias , Sergienko Valentine , Salyuk Anatoly , Tumskoy Vladimir , Tison Jean-Louis , Röckmann Thomas
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Methane (CH4) is a strong greenhouse gas emitted by human activity and natural processes that are highly sensitive to climate change. The Arctic Ocean, especially the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) overlays large areas of subsea permafrost that is degrading. The release of large amount of CH4 originally stored or formed there could create a strong positive climate feedback. Large scale CH4 super-saturation has been observed in the ESAS waters, pointing to leakages of CH4 through the sea floor and possibly to the atmosphere, but the origin of this gas is still debated. Here, we present CH4 concentration and triple isotope data analyzed on gas extracted from sediment and water sampled over the shallow ESAS from 2007 to 2013. We find high concentrations (up to 500 μM) of CH4 in the pore water of the partially thawed subsea permafrost of this region. For all sediment cores, both hydrogen and carbon CH4 isotope data reveal the predominant presence of CH4 that is not of thermogenic/natural gas origin as it has long been thought, but resultant from microbial CH4 formation using as primary substrate glacial water and old organic matter preserved in the subsea permafrost or below. Radiocarbon data demonstrate that the CH4 present in the ESAS sediment is of Pleistocene age or older, but a small contribution of highly 14C-enriched CH4, from unknown origin, prohibits precise age determination for one sediment core and in the water column. Our data suggest that at locations where bubble plumes have been observed, CH4 can escape anaerobic oxidation in the surface sediment. CH4 will then rapidly migrate through the very shallow water column of the ESAS to escape to the atmosphere generating a positive radiative feedback.
Mode transitions in Northern Hemisphere glaciation: co-evolution of
millennial and orbital variability in Quaternary climate
Authors: Hodell David A. , Channell James E. T.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. We present a 3.2 Myr record of stable isotopes and physical properties at IODP Site U1308 (reoccupation of DSDP Site 609) located within the ice-rafted detritus (IRD) belt of the North Atlantic. We compare the isotope and lithological proxies at Site U1308 with other North Atlantic records (e.g., sites 982, 607/U1313, and U1304) to reconstruct the history of orbital and millennial-scale climate variability during the Quaternary. The Site U1308 record documents a progressive increase in the intensity of Northern Hemisphere glacial–interglacial cycles during the late Pliocene and Quaternary, with mode transitions at  ∼  2.7, 1.5, 0.9, and 0.65 Ma. These transitions mark times of change in the growth and stability of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets. They also coincide with increases in vertical carbon isotope gradients between the intermediate and deep ocean, suggesting changes in deep carbon storage and atmospheric CO2. Orbital and millennial climate variability co-evolved during the Quaternary such that the trend towards larger and thicker ice sheets was accompanied by changes in the style, frequency, and intensity of millennial-scale variability. This co-evolution may be important for explaining the observed patterns of Quaternary climate change.
The Earth’s climate system recurrent & multi-scale lagged responses: empirical law, evidence, consequent solar explanation of recent CO2 increases & preliminary analysis
Authors: Sánchez-Sesma Jorge
Published: September 2016

Abstract. This paper analyzes the lagged responses of the Earth’s climate system, as part of cosmic-solar-terrestrial processes. Firstly, we analyze and model the lagged responses of the Earth’s climate system, previously detected for geological and orbital scale processes, with simple non-linear functions, and we estimate a correspondent lag of ~1600-yr for the recently detected ~9500-yr scale solar recurrent patterns. Secondly, a recurrent and lagged linear influence of solar variation on volcanic activity and carbon dioxide (CO2) has been assessed for the last millennia, and extrapolated for future centuries and millennia. As a consequence we found that, on one side, the recent CO2 increase can be considered as a lagged response to solar activity, and, on the other side, the continental tropical climate signal during late Holocene can be considered as a sum of three lagged responses to solar activity, through direct, and indirect (volcanic and CO2), influences with different lags of around 40, 800 and 1600 years. Thirdly, we find more examples of this ~1600-yr lag, associated with oceanic processes throughout the Holocene, manifested in the mineral content of SE Pacific waters, and in a carbon cycle index, CO3, in the Southern Atlantic. Fourthly, we propose the global ocean circulation processes, that include the well known meridional overturning circulation, and the thermohaline circulation, as a global mechanism capable of explaining the lagged forcing (volcanic activity & CO2) and continental tropical climate responses to solar activity variations. Finally, some conclusions are provided for the lagged responses of the Earth's climate system with their influences and consequences on present and future climate, and implications for climate modelling are preliminarily analyzed.
Laboratory rivers: Lacey's law, threshold theory and channel stability
Authors: Métivier François , Lajeunesse Eric , Devauchelle Olivier
Published: September 2016

Abstract. More than a century of experiments have demonstrated that many features of natural rivers can be reproduced in the laboratory. Here, we revisit some of these experiments to cast their results into the framework of the threshold-channel theory developed by Glover and Florey (1951). In all the experiments we analyze, the typical size of the channel conforms to this theory, regardless of the river's planform (single-thread or braiding). In that respect, laboratory rivers behave exactly like their natural counterpart. Using this finding to reinterpret experiments by Stebbings (1963), we suggest that sediment transport widens the channel until it reaches a limit width, beyond which it destabilizes into a braided river. If confirmed, this observation would explain the remarkable scarcity of single-thread channels in laboratory experiments.
CHIMERE-2016: From urban to hemispheric chemistry-transport modeling
Authors: Mailler Sylvain , Menut Laurent , Khvorostyanov Dmitry , Valari Myrto , Couvidat Florian , Siour Guillaume , Turquety Solène , Briant Régis , Tuccella Paolo , Bessagnet Bertrand , Colette Augustin , Létinois Laurent , Meleux Frédérik
Published: September 2016

Abstract. CHIMERE is a chemistry-transport model initially designed for box-modelling of regional atmospheric composition. In the past decade, it has been converted into a 3D eulerian model that could be used at a variety of scales from local to continental domains. However, due to the model design and its historic use as a regional model, major limitations had remained, prohibiting its use at hemispheric scale, due to the coordinate system used for transport as well as to missing processes that are important in regions outside Europe. Most of these limitations have been lifted in the CHIMERE-2016 version, allowing its use in any region of the world and at any scale, from the scale of a single urban area up to hemispheric scale, including or not polar regions. Other important improvements have been brought in the treatment of the physical processes affecting aerosols and the emissions of mineral dust. From a computational point of view, the parallelization strategy of the model has also been improved in order to improve model numerical performance. The present article describes all these changes. Scores for a model simulation over continental Europe are presented, and a simulation of the circumpolar transport of volcanic ash plume from the Puyehue volcanic eruption in June 2011 in Chile provides a test case for the new model version at hemispheric scale.
High-resolution monitoring of nutrients in groundwater and surface waters: process understanding, quantification of loads and concentrations, and management applications
Authors: van Geer Frans C. , Kronvang Brian , Broers Hans Peter
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Four sessions on "Monitoring Strategies: temporal trends in groundwater and surface water quality and quantity" at the EGU conferences in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 and a special issue of HESS form the background for this overview of the current state of high-resolution monitoring of nutrients. The overview includes a summary of technologies applied in high-frequency monitoring of nutrients in the special issue. Moreover, we present a new assessment of the objectives behind high-frequency monitoring as classified into three main groups: (i) improved understanding of the underlying hydrological, chemical, and biological processes (PU); (ii) quantification of true nutrient concentrations and loads (Q); and (iii) operational management, including evaluation of the effects of mitigation measures (M). The contributions in the special issue focus on the implementation of high-frequency monitoring within the broader context of policy making and management of water in Europe for support of EU directives such as the Water Framework Directive, the Groundwater Directive, and the Nitrates Directive. The overview presented enabled us to highlight the typical objectives encountered in the application of high-frequency monitoring and to reflect on future developments and research needs in this growing field of expertise.
A reconstruction of the August 1st 1674 thunderstorms over Holland
Authors: van der Schrier Gerard , Groenland Rob
Published: September 2016

Abstract. On August 1st 1674 an active cold front moved over the low countries. The accompanying thunderstorms along the squall line were abnormally active, leading to large-scale damage in Europe, from northern France to the northern parts of Holland where damages were particularly severe. Using reported and pictured observations of damages, a reconstruction of this storm is made and an interpretation using modern meteorological concepts is given. The velocity of this exceptionally severe squall line and its orientation, including a developed bow-echo structure, are reconstructed. An estimate of the wind speeds associated with this event and an estimate of the return time of this event is given. This storm is compared to a more recent storm which was similar in dynamics but much less devastating. Special attention is given to the city of Utrecht which was hit hardest, and where the impact of this storm is still recognisable in the cityscape.
Intestinal parasite communities of six sympatric lemur species at Kirindy Forest, Madagascar
Authors: Springer Andrea , Kappeler Peter M.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Intestinal parasites impact host health, survival and reproductive success and therefore exert selective pressures on hosts' ecology and behavior. Thus, characterizing and comparing the parasitic fauna of different wildlife hosts sharing the same habitat can provide insights into the mechanisms underlying variation in parasitism, as well as the role of parasites as possible conservation threats. Several host traits have been proposed to generate differences in parasite diversity among different host species, including phylogeny, host body mass, host longevity, diet, and differences in ranging and social behavior. Here, we provide an overview of intestinal helminths and protozoa detected by fecal microscopy in six sympatric lemur species in Kirindy Forest, western Madagascar. The described patterns indicate that host phylogeny and diet may play an important role in shaping intestinal parasite assemblages in this system, as the closely related, omnivorous cheirogaleids showed the strongest overlap in parasite communities. No indication was found for an effect of body mass or longevity on parasite species richness. Regarding the effect of sociality, the two group-living lemur species, Propithecus verreauxi and Eulemur rufifrons, harbored directly transmitted parasites at higher prevalence than solitary foragers, but not at higher diversity. Effects of season and sex on parasite prevalence confirm the results of previous studies, with higher prevalence in the energetically demanding dry season and a male bias in parasitism. We highlight the opportunities of exploring the parasitic fauna of wildlife from a community ecology and evolutionary perspective, and identify prospects for future research on lemur parasitism.