bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The lncRNA CCAT1 Upregulates Proliferation and Invasion in Melanoma Cells via Suppressing miR-33a
Authors: Lv Li , Jia Jian-Qin , Chen Jin
Published: April 2017

It is increasingly evident that various long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the tumorigenesis of multiple tumors, including melanoma. lncRNAs have been validated as oncogenic factors in various tumors; however, the potential regulatory mechanism of CCAT1 in melanoma is still
unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation of CCAT1 on melanoma genesis. The expression of CCAT1 in melanoma tissue and cell lines was measured using qRT-PCR. Interference oligonucleotide or mimic sequences were applied to up- or downregulate RNA expression. CCK-8
and colony formation assays were performed to detect the proliferation capability. Transwell assay was used to assess the migration and invasion capacities. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the target miRNAs of CCAT1. Expression of CCAT1 was significantly upregulated in melanoma
tissue and cell lines. CCAT1 knockdown observably suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR-33a acted as a target of CCAT1, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. CCAT1 knockdown reversed the tumor-promoting
ability of the miR-33a inhibitor. CCAT1 acts as an oncogenic factor in the genesis of melanoma and exerts tumor-promoting roles via sponging miR-33a, providing a novel insight for competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in the tumorigenesis of melanoma.
Benefits and Challenges of Community-Based Ecotourism in Park-Fringe Communities: The Case of Mesomagor of Kakum National Park, Ghana
Authors: Mensah Ishmael
Published: April 2017

Community-based ecotourism (CBE) is seen as a viable model for achieving conservation and improved livelihoods for park-fringe communities. In view of that, many communities in Ghana, including Mesomagor, have embraced the concept. Yet, most studies have employed quantitative
methods and failed to examine the challenges of community participation in ecotourism development. Therefore, this study employed qualitative methods to analyze the benefits and challenges of CBE in the Mesomagor community of the Kakum National Park. This involved key informant interviews
of 15 stakeholders using a semistructured interview guide. The results of the study show that though the community had made some modest economic gains, especially in infrastructural development, the project was confronted with a number of challenges including apathy towards participation,
limited employment and revenue-sharing opportunities, lack of local capacity to manage the project, and destruction of farms by stray elephants from the park.
Article Commentary: Regenerative Rehabilitation: An Innovative and Multifactorial Approach to Recovery from Stroke and Brain Injury
Authors: Portis Samantha M. , Sanberg Paul R.
Published: April 2017

There is currently a dearth of treatment options for stroke or traumatic brain injury that can restore cognitive and motor function. Regenerative and translational medicine have ushered forth promising new methods for mediating recovery in the central nervous system, the most salient of which are rehabilitation and stem cell therapies that, when combined, result in more pronounced recovery than one approach alone.
Association between Peritoneal Glucose Exposure and Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: The BalANZ Trial
Authors: Nataatmadja Melissa , Cho Yeoungjee , Pascoe Elaine M. , Darssan Darsy , Hawley Carmel M. , Johnson David W.
Published: April 2017

Background

Glucose is the primary osmotic medium used in most peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, and exposure to glucose has been shown to exert detrimental effects both locally, at the peritoneal membrane, and systemically. Moreover, high dialysate glucose exposure may predispose patients to an increased risk of peritonitis, perhaps as a result of impaired host defences, vascular disease, and damage to the peritoneal membrane.

Methods

In this post-hoc analysis of a multicenter, multinational, open-label randomized controlled trial of neutral pH, low-glucose degradation product (GDP) versus conventional PD solutions ( balANZ trial), the relationship between peritonitis rates of low (< 123.1 g/day) versus high (≥ 123.1 g/day) dialysate glucose exposure was evaluated in 177 incident PD patients over a 2-year study period.

Results

Peritonitis rates were 0.44 episodes per patient-year in the low-glucose exposure group and 0.31 episodes per patient-year in the high-glucose exposure group, (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.69, p = 0.09). There was no significant association between dialysate glucose exposure and peritonitis-free survival on univariable analysis (high glucose exposure hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40 –1.08) or on multivariable analysis (adjusted HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.39 – 1.05). Moreover, there was no relationship between peritoneal glucose exposure and type of organism causing peritonitis. Physician-rated severity of first peritonitis episodes was similar between groups, as was rate and duration of hospital admission.

Conclusions

Overall, this study did not identify an association between peritoneal dialysate glucose exposure and peritonitis occurrence, severity, hospitalization, or outcomes. A further large-scale, prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluating patient-level outcomes is merited.
The Influence of Glucose Exposure Load and Peritoneal Membrane Transport on Body Composition and Nutritional Status Changes after 1 Year on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Caron-Lienert Rafaela Siviero , Poli-de-Figueiredo Carlos Eduardo , Figueiredo Ana Elizabeth Prado Lima , da Costa Bartira Ercília Pinheiro , Crepaldi Carlo , Pizzato Alessandra Campani , Ferrari Fiorenza , Giuliani Anna , Ronco Claudio
Published: April 2017

Background

The characteristics of peritoneal membrane transport differ among patients, affecting the prescription of peritoneal dialysis (PD) modality and glucose exposure in order to achieve an effective dialysis. This study aims to verify the influence of glucose exposure load and peritoneal membrane transport on body composition and nutritional status changes after the first year of PD.

Methods

We examined a cohort of 85 incident PD patients during the first year of treatment. We established a cut-off of 5% to define changes in dry weight (DW), lean tissue mass (LTM), and fat mass (FM).

Results

In total, 50.6% of the patients presented DW gain, 41.2% showed LTM loss, and 65.9% presented FM gain. Over the time (T0 – T12), we found significant differences in DW, body mass index (BMI), adipose tissue mass (ATM), FM and fat tissue index (FTI). Patients with lower dialysate-to-plasma creatinine ratio showed DW and FM gain. We observed a higher percentage of nonfast transporters in DW gain when comparing with DW no gain. As for glucose exposure load, no body composition changes were seen.

Conclusions

Most patients presented DW gain, FM gain, and LTM loss. The characteristics of peritoneal membrane transport affected DW during the first year, changes being greater in nonfast than in fast transporters.
Time for determining the diagnosis of brain death and its relation to organ donation
Authors: Amorim Ingrid Gurgel , De Mendonça Ana Elza Oliveira , Freire Izaura Luzia Silvério , Nobre Thaiza Teixeira Xavier , Dantas Raysa Da Silva , De Morais Rafael Otávio Bezerra , Amorim Érico Gurgel , Amorim Paula Andréa Gurgel , Neto Vinicius Lino de Sousa , Júnior Belarmino Santos de Sousa
Published: April 2017

This study aimed to identify the time needed for confirmation of brain death and its relation to organ donation. Quantitative, descriptive and retrospective study with 175 patients who had diagnosis of brain death completed between January and December 2013. The time from 11 to 20 hours (38.9%) prevailed, with average of 17.91 hours (SD 17.53). There was significant association between the finding of brain death diagnosis in less than 20 hours and the number of donated livers (P = 0.041). We stress the importance of speeding up the diagnosis of brain death as an important step of the donation process, in order to contribute to realization of transplants.

Key words: Brain Death; Time; Directed Tissue Donation; Nursing.
Experiences Of Mothers Of Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Pinheiro Joana Angélica Marques , Pessoa Vera Lúcia Mendes de Paula , Machado Marcia Maria Tavares , Moreira Thereza Maria Magalhães , Salles Dafne Lopes
Published: April 2017

Introduction: This article discusses the experience of mothers during the process of falling ill of their children with congenital heart disease.

Method: This is a descriptive research with qualitative approach conducted with nine mothers who had their babies admitted to a pediatric cardiology unit in a reference center for treatment of congenital heart disease in the North and Northeast regions in Brazil located in Fortaleza, Ceará. Information and reports on the experience of these mothers emerging from the diagnosis process, surgery, treatment and hospitalization were collected in semi-structured individual interviews. After interviews, the testimonies of mothers were transcribed in full-length, identifying the speeches with the codes M1, M2,...M9, thereby ensuring anonymity. We used the thematic analysis technique of Minayo (2012) for treatment of information and design of the content of this article. This article is part of the research project: Breastfeeding babies with heart disease, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Messejana Hospital, under Opinion No 1,285,784.

Results: The study demonstrated that infants with congenital heart disease require specific and specialized care and that mothers undertake a long and sometimes painful journey in the search for the healing of their child.

Conclusion: Based on the collected speeches, we learned that mothers also need to be assisted by professionals of the health team. They must support the mother's empowerment in the child care and strengthen the relationship of the mother-infant binomial, and help in coping and adapting to the reality in the process of falling ill and healing of their child.

 

Key words: Congenital heart disease. Experience of mothers
Identification of hotspots on roads using continual variance analysis
Authors: Anđelković Dejan , Antić Boris , Lipovac Krsto , Tanackov Ilija
Published: April 2017

This paper presents a new statistical model for the identification of dangerous locations (subsections) on roads, also known as hotspots. The model is based on continual analysis of variance. The variance parameter has the potential for the synthesis of quantity and quality, especially regarding traffic accident frequencies and the consequences of traffic accidents within subsections and the significant comparison of the produced synthesis. The sensitivity of the suggested model can be adjusted with the level of disjunction and the length of subsections. A practical application of the new model is performed using a sample of 8442 traffic accidents, of which 6079 were Property Damage Only (PDO) accidents, 2041 resulted in injuries and 322 resulted in fatalities. The sample is for the period of 2001 to 2011 and is from an ‘I class’ two lane rural state road in the Serbia with total length of 284 kilometres. The results acquired using the continual analysis of variance were compared with previous results from four HotSpot Identification Methods (HSID) that are also based on the frequency of traffic accidents.
HAT-P-67b: An Extremely Low Density Saturn Transiting an F-subgiant Confirmed via Doppler Tomography∗
Authors: Zhou G. , Bakos G. Á. , Hartman J. D. , Latham D. W. , Torres G. , Bhatti W. , Penev K. , Buchhave L. , Kovács G. , Bieryla A. , Quinn S. , Isaacson H. , Fulton B. J. , Falco E. , Csubry Z. , Everett M. , Szklenar T. , Esquerdo G. , Berlind P. , Calkins M. L. , Béky B. , Knox R. P. , Hinz P. , Horch E. P. , Hirsch L. , Howell S. B. , Noyes R. W. , Marcy G. , Val-Borro M. de , Lázár J. , Papp I. , Sári P.
Published: April 2017

We report the discovery of HAT-P-67b, which is a hot-Saturn transiting a rapidly rotating F-subgiant. HAT-P-67b has a radius of

, and orbites a

,

host star in a ∼4.81 day period orbit. We place an upper limit on the mass of the planet via radial velocity measurements to be

, and a lower limit of

by limitations on Roche lobe overflow. Despite being a subgiant, the host star still exhibits relatively rapid rotation, with a projected rotational velocity of

, which makes it difficult to precisely determine the mass of the planet using radial velocities. We validated HAT-P-67b via two Doppler tomographic detections of the planetary transit, which eliminate potential eclipsing binary blend scenarios. The Doppler tomographic observations also confirm that HAT-P-67b has an orbit that is aligned to within 12°, in projection, with the spin of its host star. HAT-P-67b receives strong UV irradiation and is among one of the lowest density planets known, which makes it a good candidate for future UV transit observations in the search for an extended hydrogen exosphere.
Dynamically Hot Super-Earths from Outer Giant Planet Scattering
Authors: Huang Chelsea X. , Petrovich Cristobal , Deibert Emily
Published: April 2017

The hundreds of multiple planetary systems discovered by the Kepler mission are typically observed to reside in close-in (

AU), low-eccentricity, low-inclination orbits. We run N-body experiments to study the effect that unstable outer (

AU) giant planets, whose end orbital configurations resemble those in the Radial Velocity population, have on these close-in multiple super-Earth systems. Our experiments show that the giant planets greatly reduce the multiplicity of the inner super-Earths, and the surviving population can have large eccentricities (

) and inclinations (

) at levels that anti-correlate with multiplicity. Consequently, this model predicts the existence of a population of dynamically hot single-transiting planets with typical eccentricities and inclinations of ∼0.1–0.5 and ∼10°–40°. We show that these results can explain the following observations: (i) the recent eccentricity measurements of Kepler super-Earths from transit durations; (ii) the tentative observation that single-transiting systems have a wider distribution of stellar obliquity angles compared to the multiple-transiting systems; (iii) the architecture of some eccentric super-Earths discovered by Radial Velocity surveys such as HD 125612c. Future observations from TESS will reveal many more dynamically hot single transiting planets, for which follow up radial velocity studies will be able to test our models and see whether they have outer giant planets.
A Numerical Study of Forbush Decreases with a 3D Cosmic-Ray Modulation Model Based on an SDE Approach
Authors: Luo Xi , Potgieter Marius S. , Zhang Ming , Feng Xueshang
Published: April 2017

Based on the reduced diffusion mechanism for producing Forbush decreases (Fds) in the heliosphere, we constructed a three-dimensional (3D) diffusion barrier, and by incorporating it into a stochastic differential equation (SDE) based time-dependent, cosmic-ray transport model, a 3D numerical model for simulating Fds is built and applied to a period of relatively quiet solar activity. This SDE model generally corroborates previous Fd simulations concerning the effects of the solar magnetic polarity, the tilt angle of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS), and cosmic-ray particle energy. Because the modulation processes in this 3D model are multi-directional, the barrier’s geometrical features affect the intensity profiles of Fds differently. We find that both the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the barrier have relatively fewer effects on these profiles than its radial extent and the level of decreased diffusion inside the disturbance. We find, with the 3D approach, that the HCS rotational motion causes the relative location from the observation point to the HCS to vary, so that a periodic pattern appears in the cosmic-ray intensity at the observing location. Correspondingly, the magnitude and recovery time of an Fd change, and the recovering intensity profile contains oscillation as well. Investigating the Fd magnitude variation with heliocentric radial distance, we find that the magnitude decreases overall and, additionally, that the Fd magnitude exhibits an oscillating pattern as the radial distance increases, which coincides well with the wavy profile of the HCS under quiet solar modulation conditions.
The Slow Orbital Evolution of the Accreting Millisecond Pulsar IGR J0029+5934
Authors: Patruno Alessandro
Published: April 2017

The accreting millisecond pulsars IGR J00291+5934 and SAX J1808.4–3658 are two compact binaries with very similar orbital parameters. The latter has been observed to evolve on a very short timescale of ∼70 Myr, which is more than an order of magnitude shorter than expected. There is an ongoing debate on the possibility that the pulsar spin-down power ablates the companion, generating large amounts of mass-loss in the system. Therefore it is interesting to study whether IGR J00291+5934 does show a similar behavior as its twin system SAX J1808.4–3658. In this work we present the first constraints on the orbital period derivative of IGR J00291+5934. By using XMM-Newton data recorded during the 2015 outburst and adding the previous results of the 2004 and 2008 outbursts, we are able to measure a 90% confidence level allowed range of

−
5
×

10

−
13

<

P

˙

b

<
6
×

10

−
13

. This implies that the binary is evolving on a timescale longer than 0.5 Gyr, which is compatible with the expected timescale of mass transfer driven by angular momentum loss via gravitational radiation. We discuss the scenario in which the power loss from magnetic dipole radiation of the neutron star is hitting the companion star. If this model is applied to SAX J1808.4–3658, then the difference in orbital behavior can be ascribed to a different efficiency for the conversion of the spin-down power into energetic relativistic pulsar wind and X-ray/gamma-ray radiation for the two pulsars, with IGR J00291+5934 requiring an extraordinarily low efficiency of less than ∼5% to explain the observations. We thus conclude that the pulsar wind ablation model is unlikely to be an accurate description of the mechanism driving the orbital evolution of the two systems.
Fast Litho-panspermia in the Habitable Zone of the TRAPPIST-1 System
Authors: Krijt Sebastiaan , Bowling Timothy J. , Lyons Richard J. , Ciesla Fred J.
Published: April 2017

With several short-period, Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone (HZ), the TRAPPIST-1 system potentially allows litho-panspermia to take place on very short timescales. We investigate the efficiency and speed of inter-planetary material transfer resulting from impacts onto the HZ planets. By simulating trajectories of impact ejecta from their moment of ejection until (re-)accretion, we find that transport between the HZ planets is fastest for ejection velocities around and just above planetary escape velocity. At these ejection velocities, ∼10% of the ejected material reaches another HZ planet within 102 years, indicating litho-panspermia can be 4–5 orders of magnitude faster in TRAPPIST-1 than in the solar system.
Premenstrual Exacerbations: Achieving Stability All Month, Every Month
Authors: Leahy Laura G.
Published: April 2017

Premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or premenstrual exacerbation of a psychiatric condition may disrupt 10 years of a woman's life over the course of her reproductive lifespan. As health care practitioners, nurses see women who experience these premenstrual symptom exacerbations in all treatment settings. Premenstrual exacerbation of psychiatric illness is a common phenomenon, and it is treatable; however, research is limited and evidence-based guidelines for treatment are sparse. The current article offers insights and an algorithm, extrapolated from the existing literature, into a lesser-known treatment strategy, semi-intermittent dosing, which will provide symptom stability all month, every month. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55
(4), 9–13.]
Enhancing Care Models to Capture Psychological Trauma
Authors: Balch Mary Suzanne , Loomis Jo
Published: April 2017

Toxic levels of stress in childhood are an ongoing threat to public health. Traumatized children have special needs for health care to address their developmental, mental health, and medical problems, and mitigate risk for long-term health problems. Developmental trauma leads to increased use of medical, social, correctional, and mental health services. Longitudinal and retrospective studies link childhood trauma and adversity to academic difficulties, poor health, and low economic productivity in adulthood. Studies demonstrate a clear link among early childhood trauma, neglect, and malnutrition with somatic disease processes, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. A wide range of care providers, from the emergency department to subspecialties, should consider enhancing their typical models of care to include the special needs of traumatized children and the adults they become. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
,
55
(4), 29–36.]
Mesohabitat mosaic in lowland braided rivers: Short-term variability of macroinvertebrate metacommunities
Authors: Burgazzi Gemma , Laini Alex , Racchetti Erica , Viaroli Pierluigi
Published: April 2017

Braided rivers are among the most variable and dynamic riverine systems. Changes in these environments are sudden and frequent, driven by the high hydrological variability. They host high levels of local heterogeneity, with many different habitats in close proximity establishing a mosaic of patches. This provides the conditions for high levels of biodiversity, with strong community variability in particular among the different habitats at the stream-reach level. Nevertheless, these systems are still poorly studied and their complexity is often not taken into account in biomonitoring protocols. We applied mixed effects modelling, spatial ordination techniques and beta-diversity partitioning (into nestedness and turnover components) with the aim of improving the knowledge of braided rivers, investigating: i) the organization of macroinvertebrate communities among the different habitats of a river reach, and ii) the temporal variability of this organization (both among seasons and during summer). We predicted a differentiation of macroinvertebrate communities between distinct habitats within rivers, with this differentiation increasing during the low-flow period. We carried out our study in four braided rivers and streams of the Po River basin (Northern Italy) sampling three different kinds of mesohabitats (main channel, secondary channel and pool) in eight stations during seven campaigns from June 2015 to April 2016. We found a high variability of taxa richness, abundance and community structure among mesohabitats, with marginal ones accounting for the greater part of macroinvertebrate diversity. Secondary channels resulted as being the habitat hosting greater taxa diversity, with 10 exclusive taxa. Surprisingly the mesohabitat communities differed greatly during the seasonal phase, whereas their dissimilarity decreased during summer. This could be explained considering the summer flow reduction as a homogenizing force, leading to a general loss of the most sensitive taxa. However, the summer taxa turnover value resulted higher than nestedness, suggesting a strong environmental control on community organization, with taxa well adapted to the different conditions of mesohabitats and able to manage the effects of flow reduction. Our work represents a remarkable issue for biomonitoring protocols, highlighting the importance of taking into account the whole complexity of braided rivers for a more realistic evaluation of macroinvertebrate communities.
IMF Research Bulletin, September 2000
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.
Published: April 2017

The IMF Research Bulletin, a quarterly publication, selectively summarizes research and analytical work done by various departments at the IMF, and also provides a listing of research documents and other research-related activities, including conferences and seminars. The Bulletin is intended to serve as a summary guide to research done at the IMF on various topics, and to provide a better perspective on the analytical underpinnings of the IMF’s operational work.
Environmental risk assessment of freshwater sediments contaminated with triclosan
Authors: Pusceddu Fabio Hermes , Cortez Fernando Sanzi , Santos Aldo Ramos , Pereira Camilo Dias Seabra , Cesar Augusto , Choueri Rodrigo Brasil , Bohrer-Morel Maria Beatriz
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental risk of sediments contaminated with triclosan to thropical aquatic invertebrates. Acute toxicity assays with Chironomus xanthus and chronic toxicity assays with Ceriodaphnia dubia were performed using spiked sediments with environmentally relevant concentrations of triclosan. We obtained a lethal concentration (LC50 96-h) in acute toxicity assays with C. xanthus of 45.26 Î¼g g-1 and a no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) for C. dubia of 5.78 and 6.94 Î¼g g-1, respectively. According to equilibrium partitioning theory, these spiked sediment values are equivalent to interstitial water LC50 values of 47.28 Î¼g L-1 for C. xanthus and an LOEC of 7.24 Î¼g L-1 for C. dubia. Our results suggest that sediments contaminated with triclosan represent high risk to freshwater organisms, since this compound has been reported on the order of magnitude of Î¼g g-1 in sediment near discharge of untreated domestic and industrial wastewater.
Improving PM2. 5 forecast over China by the joint adjustment of initial conditions and source emissions with an ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Peng Zhen , Liu Zhiquan , Chen Dan , Ban Junmei
Published: April 2017

Abstract. In an attempt to improve the forecasting of atmospheric aerosols, the ensemble square root filter algorithm was extended to simultaneously optimize the chemical initial conditions (ICs) and emission input. The forecast model, which was expanded by combining the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model and a forecast model of emission scaling factors, generated both chemical concentration fields and emission scaling factors. The forecast model of emission scaling factors was developed by using the ensemble concentration ratios of the WRF-Chem forecast chemical concentrations and also the time smoothing operator. Hourly surface fine particulate matter (PM2. 5) observations were assimilated in this system over China from 5 to 16 October 2014. A series of 48 h forecasts was then carried out with the optimized initial conditions and emissions on each day at 00:00 UTC and a control experiment was performed without data assimilation. In addition, we also performed an experiment of pure assimilation chemical ICs and the corresponding 48 h forecasts experiment for comparison. The results showed that the forecasts with the optimized initial conditions and emissions typically outperformed those from the control experiment. In the Yangtze River delta (YRD) and the Pearl River delta (PRD) regions, large reduction of the root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) was obtained for almost the entire 48 h forecast range attributed to assimilation. In particular, the relative reduction in RMSE due to assimilation was about 37.5 % at nighttime when WRF-Chem performed comparatively worse. In the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (JJJ) region, relatively smaller improvements were achieved in the first 24 h forecast but then no improvements were achieved afterwards. Comparing to the forecasts with only the optimized ICs, the forecasts with the joint adjustment were always much better during the night in the PRD and YRD regions. However, they were very similar during daytime in both regions. Also, they performed similarly for almost the entire 48 h forecast range in the JJJ region.
Spatiotemporal patterns of the fossil-fuel CO2 signal in central Europe: Results from a high-resolution atmospheric transport model
Authors: Liu Yu , Gruber Nicolas , Brunner Dominik
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The emission of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuel is a prime determinant of variations in atmospheric CO2. Here, we simulate this fossil fuel signal together with the natural and background components with a regional high-resolution atmospheric transport model for central and southern Europe considering separately the emissions from different sectors and countries on the basis of emission inventories and hourly emission time functions. The simulated variations in atmospheric CO2 agree very well with observation-based estimates, although the observed variance is slightly underestimated, particularly for the fossil fuel component. Despite relatively rapid atmospheric mixing, the simulated fossil fuel signal reveals distinct annual mean structures deep into the troposphere reflecting the spatially dense aggregation of most emissions. The fossil fuel signal accounts for more than half of the total (fossil fuel + biospheric + background) temporal variations in atmospheric CO2 in most areas of northern and western central Europe, with the largest variations occurring on diurnal timescales owing to the combination of diurnal variations in emissions and atmospheric mixing/transport out of the surface layer. Their co-variance leads to a fossil-fuel diurnal rectifier effect with a magnitude as large as 9 ppm compared to a case with time-constant emissions. The spatial pattern of CO2 from the different sectors largely reflects the distribution and relative magnitude of the corresponding emissions, with power plant emissions leaving the most distinguished mark. An exception is southern and western Europe, where the emissions from the transportation sector dominate the fossil fuel signal. Most of the fossil fuel CO2 remains within the country responsible for the emission, although in smaller countries, up to 80 % of the fossil fuel signal can come from abroad. A fossil fuel emission reduction of 30 % is clearly detectable for a surface-based observing system for atmospheric CO2, while it is beyond the edge of detectability for the current generation of satellites with the exception of a few hotspot sites. Changes in variability in atmospheric CO2 might open an additional door for the monitoring and verification of changes in fossil fuel emissions, primarily for surface based systems.
Impact of aerosol hygroscopic growth on retrieving aerosol extinction coefficient profiles from elastic-backscatter lidar signals
Authors: Zhao Gang , Zhao Chunsheng , Kuang Ye , Tao Jiangchuan , Tan Wangshu , Bian Yuxuan , Li Jing , Li Chengcai
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Light detection and ranging (lidar) measurements have been widely used to profile ambient aerosol extinction coefficient (σext). Particle extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio, LR), which highly depends on aerosol dry particle number size distribution (PNSD) and aerosol hygroscopicity, is introduced to retrieve the σext profile from elastic-backscatter lidar signals. Conventionally, a constant column integrated LR that is estimated from aerosol optical depth is used by the retrieving algorithms. In this paper, the influences of aerosol PNSD, aerosol hygroscopic growth and relative humidity (RH) profiles on the variation of LR are investigated based on the datasets from field measurements in the North China Plain (NCP). Results show that LR has an enhancement factor of 2.2 when RH reaches 92 %. Simulation results indicate that both the magnitude and vertical structures of the σext profiles by using column-related LR method are significantly biased from the original σext profile. The relative bias, which is mainly influenced by RH and PNSD, can reach up to 40 % when RH at the top of the mixed layer is above 90 %. A new algorithm for retrieving σext profiles and a new scheme of LR enhancement factor by RH in the NCP are proposed in this study. The relative bias between the σext profile retrieved with this new algorithm and the ideal true value is reduced to below 13 %.
The effects of different footprint sizes and cloud algorithms on the top-of-atmosphere radiative flux calculation from CERES instrument on Suomi-NPP
Authors: Su Wenying , Liang Lusheng , Miller Walter F. , Sothcott Victor E.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Only one CERES instrument is onboard the Suomi-NPP and it has been placed in cross-track mode since launch, it is thus not possible to construct a set of angular distribution models (ADMs) specific for CERES on NPP. Edition 4 Aqua ADMs were used for flux inversions for CERES-NPP measurements. However, the footprint size of CERES-NPP is larger than that of CERES-Aqua, as the altitude of the NPP orbit is higher than that of the Aqua orbit. Furthermore, cloud retrievals from VIIRS and MODIS, the imagers fly alongside CERES-NPP and CERES-Aqua, are also different. To quantify the flux uncertainties due to the footprint size difference between CERES-Aqua and CERES-NPP, and due to both the footprint size difference and cloud property difference, a simulation is designed using the MODIS pixel level data which are convolved with the CERES-Aqua and CERES-NPP spectral response functions into their respective footprints. The simulation is designed to isolate the effects of footprint size difference and cloud property difference on flux uncertainty from calibration difference between CERES-NPP and CERES-Aqua. The footprint size difference between CERES-Aqua and CERES-NPP introduces instantaneous flux uncertainties in monthly gridded CERES-NPP of less than 4.0 Wm−2 for SW, and less than 1.0 Wm−2 for both daytime and nighttime LW. The global monthly mean instantaneous SW flux from simulated CERES-NPP has a low bias of 0.4 Wm−2 and an uncertainty of 0.8 Wm−2, the LW has a bias of about 0.1 Wm−2 and an uncertainty of 0.2 Wm−2. These uncertainties are within the uncertainties of CERES ADMs. When both footprint size and cloud property differences are considered, the uncertainties of monthly gridded CERES-NPP SW flux can be up to 20 Wm−2 in the Arctic regions where cloud optical depth retrievals from VIIRS differ significantly from MODIS. The global monthly mean instantaneous SW flux from simulated CERES-NPP has a high bias of 1.1 Wm−2 and an uncertainty of 2.4 Wm−2. LW flux shows less sensitivity to cloud property differences than SW flux, with the uncertainties of about 2 Wm−2 in monthly gridded LW flux and about 0.3 Wm−2 for global area-weighted monthly mean LW flux. These results highlight the importance of consistent cloud retrieval algorithms to maintain the accuracy and stability of the CERES climate data record.
Carbon mineralization in Laptev and East Siberian Sea shelf and slope sediment
Authors: Brüchert Volker , Bröder Lisa , Sawicka Joanna E. , Tesi Tommaso , Joye Samantha P. , Sun Xiaole , Semiletov Igor P. , Samarkin Vladimir A.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The Siberian Arctic Sea shelf and slope is a key region for the degradation of terrestrial organic material transported from the organic carbon-rich permafrost regions of Siberia. We report on sediment carbon mineralization rates based on O2 microelectrode profiling, intact sediment core incubations, 35S-sulfate tracer experiments, porewater dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), δ13CDIC, and iron, manganese, and ammonium concentrations from 20 shelf and slope stations. This data set provides a spatial overview of sediment carbon mineralization rates and pathways over large parts of the outer Laptev and East Siberian Arctic shelf and slope, and allowed us to assess degradation rates and efficiency of carbon burial in these sediments. Rates of oxygen uptake and iron and manganese reduction were comparable to temperate shelf and slope environments, but bacterial sulfate reduction rates were comparatively low. In the topmost 20 to 50 cm of sediment, aerobic carbon mineralization dominated degradation and comprised on average 82 % of the depth-integrated carbon mineralization. Oxygen uptake rates and 35S-sulfate reduction rates were higher in the eastern East Siberian Sea shelf compared to the Laptev Sea shelf. DIC/NH4+ ratios in porewaters and the stable carbon isotope composition of remineralized DIC indicated that the degraded organic matter on the Siberian shelf and slope was a mixture of marine and terrestrial organic matter. Based on dual end member calculations, the terrestrial organic carbon contribution varied between 32 % and 36 %, with a higher contribution in the Laptev Sea than in the East Siberian Sea. Extrapolation of the measured degradation rates using isotope end member apportionment over the outer shelf of the Laptev and East Siberian Sea suggests that about 16 Tg C per year are respired in the outer shelf sea floor sediment. Of the organic matter buried below the oxygen penetration depth, between 0.6 and 1.3 Tg C per year are degraded by anaerobic processes, with a terrestrial organic carbon contribution ranging between 0.3 and 0.5 Tg per year.
Changes in dissolved organic matter quality in a peatland and forest headwater stream as a function of seasonality and hydrologic conditions
Authors: Broder Tanja , Knorr Klaus-Holger , Biester Harald
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Peatlands and peaty riparian zones are major sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM), but are poorly understood in terms of export dynamics and controls thereof. Thereby quality of DOM affects function and behavior of DOM in aquatic ecosystems, but DOM quality can also help to track DOM sources and their export dynamics under specific hydrologic preconditions. The objective of this study was to elucidate controls on temporal variability in DOM concentration and quality in stream water draining a bog and a forested peaty riparian zone, particularly considering drought and storm flow events. DOM quality was monitored using spectrofluorometric indices for aromaticity (SUVA254), apparent molecular size (SR) and precursor organic material (FI), as well as PARAFAC modeling of excitation emission matrices (EEMs). Indices for DOM quality exhibited major changes due to different hydrologic conditions, but patterns were also dependent on season. Stream water at the forested site with mineral, peaty soils generally exhibited higher variability in DOM concentrations and quality compared to the outflow of an ombrotrophic bog, where DOM was less susceptible to changes in hydrologic conditions. During snowmelt and spring events, near-surface protein-like DOM pools were exported. A microbial DOM fraction originating from groundwater and deep peat layers was increasing during drought, while a strongly microbially altered DOM fraction was also exported by discharge events with dry preconditions at the forested site. This might be due to accelerated microbial activity in the peaty riparian zone of the forested site under these preconditions. Our study demonstrated that DOM export dynamics are not only a passive mixing of different hydrological sources, but monitoring studies have to consider that DOM quality depends on hydrologic preconditions and season. Moreover, the forested peaty riparian zone generated the most variability in headwater DOM quantity and quality, as could be tracked by the used spectrofluorometric indices.
An atmosphere–wave regional coupled model: improving predictions of wave heights and surface winds in the southern North Sea
Authors: Wahle Kathrin , Staneva Joanna , Koch Wolfgang , Fenoglio-Marc Luciana , Ho-Hagemann Ha T. M. , Stanev Emil V.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The coupling of models is a commonly used approach when addressing the complex interactions between different components of earth systems. We demonstrate that this approach can result in a reduction of errors in wave forecasting, especially in dynamically complicated coastal ocean areas, such as the southern part of the North Sea – the German Bight. Here, we study the effects of coupling of an atmospheric model (COSMO) and a wind wave model (WAM), which is enabled by implementing wave-induced drag in the atmospheric model. The numerical simulations use a regional North Sea coupled wave–atmosphere model as well as a nested-grid high-resolution German Bight wave model. Using one atmospheric and two wind wave models simultaneously allows for study of the individual and combined effects of two-way coupling and grid resolution. This approach proved to be particularly important under severe storm conditions as the German Bight is a very shallow and dynamically complex coastal area exposed to storm floods. The two-way coupling leads to a reduction of both surface wind speeds and simulated wave heights. In this study, the sensitivity of atmospheric parameters, such as wind speed and atmospheric pressure, to the wave-induced drag, in particular under storm conditions, and the impact of two-way coupling on the wave model performance, is quantified. Comparisons between data from in situ and satellite altimeter observations indicate that two-way coupling improves the simulation of wind and wave parameters of the model and justify its implementation for both operational and climate simulations.
Practical Steps for the Utilization of Action Research in Your Organization: A Qualitative Approach for Non-Academic Research
Authors: Antonellis Paul James , Berry Gwendolyn
Published: April 2017

Action research is different from traditional research. Action research is more practice based as it is implementing an intervention to improve a problem. Action research involves collaboration and communication between the researcher and the participants within the study. The purpose of this article is to explain the multi-step process for a non-academic researcher or novice researcher when employing qualitative action research in an organization that is looking to solve a complex issue. The article will explore the action research steps for conducting phone employment interviews within the organization and an example of the process to follow. The outlined steps can be adjusted to any organization looking to create sustainable improvements for any problem the organization is looking to change.
Training Phonological Awareness in Children through Pedagogical Technologies: An App for Learning Italian as a Foreign Language
Authors: Peppoloni Diana , Bonesso Emanuele
Published: April 2017

This article analyses the role of phonological awareness (PA) in developing reading and writing skills in young learners, studying Italian as a Foreign Language. Its main objective is to identify and describe original didactic strategies supporting students in training PA, the metalinguistic strategy that allows them to reflect and manipulate the phonemic units composing words (Nijakowska, 2010). Research on PA shows a direct correlation between training this linguistic ability and improving learners’ linguistic competencies, either in their native language or in a foreign one (Bus & van IJzendoorn, 1999; Ehri et al., 2001; Snow et al., 1999; Ganschow & Sparks, 1995; Lesaux & Siegel, 2003; Chiappe et al., 2002; Gottardo et al., 2001). In particular, PA is directly involved in the process of learning how to read and write. Which are then the most suitable didactic tools to help students in improving PA? Digital technologies seem to constitute effective means, proposing challenging activities, creating pseudo-real communicative scenarios and stimulating different sensorial channels at the same time. Even if similar tools have been developed for children with learning disabilities, it doesn’t exist yet, according to our best knowledge, a specific instrument for the study of Italian as a foreign language by non-impaired learners. Starting from the observation of a classroom of the Elementary School “Colegio Leonardo da Vinci” in Bogotà, the prototype of an app for training PA has been developed, specifically based on their linguistic needs, provided with examples of usage, exercises, explanations, and a series of indications
OPTIMIZACIÓN DE INDICADORES DE RENTABILIDAD MEDIANTE EL MODELO DE DEPRECIACIÓN ÁURICA EN NICARAGUA
Authors: Silva F.M. , Marenco G.A. , Zelaya C.E.
Published: April 2017

La implementación de medidas fiscales tiende a disminuir el impacto de la carga tributaria sobre las actividades económicas empresariales. Por años se ha utilizado la depreciación como escudo fiscal, así que se planteó un nuevo modelo denominado Depreciación Áurica. Este planteamiento del modelo consistió en ponderar valores más altos en los primeros años de un activo con respecto a la sucesión de Fibonacci, para que sirviera a la mejora de los indicadores de rentabilidad: tasa interna de retorno (TIR) e índice de rentabilidad (IR). Se comparó este nuevo modelo con el de línea recta y depreciación acelerada (por suma de dígitos), a través del planteamiento de un escenario para la empresa con una anualidad mínima requerida para cumplir la premisa de rentabilidad; se disminuyó esta anualidad con la carga impositiva del 30% no sin antes aplicar tres métodos de depreciación. Al final, la TIR promedio y el IR corregido por impuestos, resultaron ser mayores con la aplicación del modelo áurico a tasas planificadas superiores al 16%, pues a menores tasas no se permitió una rentabilidad apreciable por ningún método. Este modelo tiene, pues, la finalidad de servir como incentivo para la creación y formalización de nuevas empresas, le permite capitalización y supervivencia, y garantiza a la administración tributaria la recaudación de impuestos a largo plazo.
Ernest Hemingway’s Idiosyncratic Style and Its Reflection in Russian Translation
Authors: Orujova Irina
Published: April 2017

The creative legacy of great American modernist writer Ernest Hemingway presents a huge interest both for the linguists and literary critics. His books have been translated into a great majority of languages, his creative activity and personal style of writing has been investigated by literary critics and linguists at different times, his life and personality has been described extensively by his biographers, researchers and people who knew him personally. Nevertheless, both his biography and the value of his literary works have always been the object of debates. Scholars have always argued about the linguistic value of his style of writing; for some linguists Hemingway’s style seemed too simple to be analysed. Others, and they are in majority, find his style complicated, idiosyncratic and heterogeneous with the very peculiar choice of language means. Therefore, translation of Hemingway’s stories and novels creates challenges for translators trying to achieve the greatest degree of adequacy. Contrary to the opinion of some scholars and critics, such as D. H. Lawrence, Louis Kronenberger, Schuyler Ashley and others, Hemingway’s prose is rich in figures of speech, such as metaphor, metonymy, repetition, simile and others. While translating Hemingway’s prose into Russian, the translators managed to find the adequate solution to the stylistic difficulties of the original by means of resorting to analogue translation, compensation and other techniques analysed in this article. The article focuses on revealing the linguistic and cultural complexity of adequate transformation of Ernest Hemingway’s short stories into Russian, paying special attention to his unique style. The article also emphasizes the fact of neutralization and decoration of some original phrases used by translators into Russian which didn’t affect the level of adequacy of the target text.