bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bowel Radiation Injury: Complexity of the Pathophysiology and Promises of Cell and Tissue Engineering
Authors: Moussa Lara , Usunier Benoît , Demarquay Christelle , Benderitter Marc , Tamarat Radia , Sémont Alexandra , Mathieu Noëlle
Published: May 2016

Ionizing radiation is effective to treat malignant pelvic cancers, but the toxicity to surrounding healthy tissue remains a substantial limitation. Early and late side effects not only limit the escalation of the radiation dose to the tumor but may also be life-threatening in some patients. Numerous preclinical studies determined specific mechanisms induced after irradiation in different compartments of the intestine. This review outlines the complexity of the pathogenesis, highlighting the roles of the epithelial barrier in the vascular network, and the inflammatory microenvironment, which together lead to chronic fibrosis. Despite the large number of pharmacological molecules available, the studies presented in this review provide encouraging proof of concept regarding the use of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy to treat radiation-induced intestinal damage. The therapeutic efficacy of MSCs has been demonstrated in animal models and in patients, but an enormous number of cells and multiple injections are needed due to their poor engraftment capacity. Moreover, it has been observed that although MSCs have pleiotropic effects, some intestinal compartments are less restored after a high dose of irradiation. Future research should seek to optimize the efficacy of the injected cells, particularly with regard to extending their life span in the irradiated tissue. Moreover, improving the host microenvironment, combining MSCs with other specific regenerative cells, or introducing new tissue engineering strategies could be tested as methods to treat the severe side effects of pelvic radiotherapy.
Immunogenicity of Anti-HLA Antibodies in Pancreas and Islet Transplantation
Authors: Chaigne Benjamin , Geneugelijk Kirsten , Bédat Benoît , Ahmed Mohamed Alibashe , Hönger Gideon , De Seigneux Sophie , Demuylder-Mischler Sandrine , Berney Thierry , Spierings Eric , Ferrari-Lacraz Sylvie , Villard Jean
Published: May 2016

The aim of the current study was to characterize the anti-HLA antibodies before and after pancreatic islet or pancreas transplantation. We assessed the risk of anti-donor-specific antibody (DSA) sensitization in a single-center, retrospective clinical study at Geneva University Hospital. Data regarding clinical characteristics, graft outcome, HLA mismatch, donor HLA immunogenicity, and anti-HLA antibody characteristics were collected. Between January 2008 and July 2014, 18 patients received islet transplants, and 26 patients received a pancreas transplant. Eleven out of 18 patients (61.1%) in the islet group and 12 out of 26 patients (46.2%) in the pancreas group had anti-HLA antibodies. Six patients (33.3%) developed DSAs against HLA of the islets, and 10 patients (38.4%) developed DSAs against HLA of the pancreas. Most of the DSAs were at a low level. Several parameters such as gender, number of times cells were transplanted, HLA mismatch, eplet mismatch and PIRCHE-II numbers, rejection, and infection were analyzed. Only the number of PIRCHE-II was associated with the development of anti-HLA class II de novo DSAs. Overall, the development of de novo DSAs did not influence graft survival as estimated by insulin independence. Our results indicated that pretransplant DSAs at low levels do not restrict islet or pancreas transplantation [especially islet transplantation (27.8% vs. 15.4.%)]. De novo DSAs do occur at a similar rate in both pancreas and islet transplant recipients (mainly of class II), and the immunogenicity of donor HLA is a parameter that should be taken into consideration. When combined with an immunosuppressive regimen and close follow-up, development of low levels of DSAs was not found to result in reduced graft survival or graft function in the current study.
Common Sound Scenarios: A Context-Driven Categorization of Everyday Sound Environments for Application in Hearing-Device Research
Authors: Wolters Florian , Smeds Karolina , Schmidt Erik , Christensen Eva Kümmel , Norup Christian
Published: May 2016

Background:Evaluation of hearing-device signal-processing features is performed for research and development purposes, but also in clinical settings. Most people agree that the benefit experienced in a hearing-device user’s daily life is most important, but laboratory tests
are popular since they can be performed uniformly for all participants in a study using sensitive outcome measures. In order to design laboratory tests that have the potential of indicating real-life benefit, there is a need for more information about the acoustic environments and listening
situations encountered by hearing-device users as well as by normal-hearing people.Purpose:To investigate the acoustic environments and listening situations people encounter, and to provide a structured framework of common sound scenarios (CoSS) that can be used for instance when designing
realistic laboratory tests.Research Design:A literature search was conducted. Extracted acoustic environments and listening situations were categorized using a context-based approach. A set of common sound scenarios was established based on the findings from the literature.Data Collection:A
number of publications providing data on encountered acoustic environments and listening situations were identified. Focus was on studies including informants who reported or recorded information in field trials. Nine relevant references were found. In combination with data collected at our
laboratory, 187 examples of acoustic environments or listening situations were found.Results:Based on the extracted data, a categorization approach based on context (intentions and tasks) was used when creating CoSS. Three intention categories, “speech communication,” “focused
listening,” and “nonspecific” were divided into seven task categories. In each task category, two sound scenarios were described, creating in total 14 common sound scenarios. The literature search showed a general lack of studies investigating acoustic environments and listening
situations, in particular studies where normal-hearing informants are included and studies performed outside North America and Western Europe.Conclusions:A structured framework was developed. Intentions and tasks constitute the main categories in the framework, and 14 common sound scenarios
were selected and described. The framework can for instance be used when developing hearing-device signal-processing features, in the evaluation of such features in realistic laboratory tests, and for demonstration of feature effects to hearing-device wearers.
L’Occident fatigué du Moyen-Orient
Authors: Bozarslan Hamit
Published: May 2016

La fatigue de l’Occident à l’égard du Moyen-Orient s’exprime dans son repli stratégique, son incapacité à comprendre la géopolitique de la région et ses propres crises économiques et institutionnelles. Elle favorise le retour de la Russie comme puissance mondiale.
Pour une régulation agile de la culture
Authors: Engel Laurence
Published: May 2016

La régulation du secteur du livre, en France, est simple et efficace : l’éditeur fixe le prix du livre, tandis qu’un mécanisme de médiation permet au marché de s’adapter au numérique. Ce modèle pourrait servir au secteur audiovisuel et réfuter les dogmes du libéralisme.
Par-delà le bien et le mal, la morale sexuelle en question chez les femmes catholiques
Authors: Della Sudda Magali
Published: May 2016

1968, pour les catholiques, est l’année de la publication de l’encyclique Humanae Vitae . Peu après le concile Vatican II, qui avait déçu des féministes catholiques comme Cécile de Corlieu, le texte du magistère rappelait avec vigueur l’interdit pesant sur la maîtrise par les femmes de leur fécondité et de leur sexualité. Les réactions furent nombreuses et révélatrices de la mise en crise de la morale sexuelle catholique. Cet article revient sur un moment particulier pour l’Église et pour le féminisme : celui du décrochage d’une partie des fidèles de la parole du magistère sur les questions sexuelles, et celui de l’entrée difficile de certaines catholiques dans l’espace de la cause des femmes, à une époque où l’autonomie des femmes et leur droit à la contraception et à l’interruption volontaire de grossesse étaient l’objet principal du féminisme.
Lier la France à l’Afrique : La Marine nationale au service de la politique d’influence (1960-1990)
Authors: Le Hunsec Mathieu
Published: May 2016

RESUME. – Selon Hervé Coutau-Bégarie, un bâtiment militaire est le « meilleur des ambassadeurs ». La fonction diplomatique des marines est pourtant encore peu reconnue, éclipsée par l’image réductrice de la « politique de la canonnière ». La réalité est autrement plus subtile, les forces navales constituant pour le pouvoir politique un outil d’une extrême flexibilité. La France en use particulièrement après les indépendances ouest-africaines de 1960. Dès cette date, Paris s’appuie sur une permanence de la Marine nationale dans les eaux du golfe de Guinée pour maintenir et affermir les liens avec les jeunes États. Des puissantes escadres aux faibles escorteurs-côtiers, ces unités « montrent le pavillon », soutiennent les pouvoirs nouvellement établis et contribuent, dans le contexte de Guerre froide, à faire de la France le « gendarme de l’Afrique ».
Soutien militaire et aide humanitaire. Les ambiguïtés de la France au Biafra
Authors: Desgrandchamps Marie-Luce
Published: May 2016

RESUME. – Cet article analyse les raisons et les moyens de l’implication du gouvernement français dans la guerre du Biafra (1967-1970), un conflit qui se déroulait pourtant en dehors du traditionnel « pré carré » de la France sur le continent africain. Il étudie plus particulièrement les opérations de secours menées par le biais de la Croix-Rouge française et montre ainsi comment l’aide humanitaire fut pensée comme une dimension à part entière de la politique française à l’égard du conflit. En examinant les rapports qu’entretenaient le volet humanitaire et le volet militaire du soutien élyséen au Biafra, cet article met notamment en lumière les ambiguïtés entourant les opérations de secours, mais souligne également que l’humanitaire peut s’avérer un outil de politique étrangère plus difficile à manier qu’il ne pourrait le laisser présager.
Fundamental properties of industrial hybrid cement: utilization in ready-mixed concretes and shrinkage-reducing applications
Authors: Martauz P. , Janotka I. , Strigáč J. , Bačuvčík M.
Published: May 2016

Utility properties of novel hybrid cement (H-Cement) are influenced by pozzolanic reaction of fly ash, latent hydraulic reaction of metallurgical slag together with the alkali activation of inorganic geopolymer based on precipitated waste water coming from bauxite residues. Content of Portland cement clinker is at maximum of 20 mass %, the remaining portion consists of inorganic geopolymer. Up to 80% of CO2 emissions are saved by H-Cement manufacture compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). No heat treatment or autoclaving is needed at H-Cement production. The field application of H-Cement is performed by the same way than that of common cements listed in EN 197-1, and is also connected with highly efficient recovery and safe disposal of red mud waste. H-Cement is suitable for ready-mixed concretes up to C30/37 strength class and is specified by beneficial shrinkage-reducing property of the concrete kept in long dry-air cure opposite to common cements.
Determination of Load-Carrying Capacity of Railway Steel and Concrete Composite Bridges
Authors: Vican Josef , Odrobinak Jaroslav , Kotes Peter
Published: May 2016

In the frame of global European standardization and in consequence of new knowledge related to existing bridges, the need for revision of the service handbook "Determination of load-carrying capacity of railway bridges" grown up. The paper presents general concepts and basic assumptions for determining the railway bridge load-carrying capacity. In contrast to design of a new bridge, additional data related to existing bridge condition and behavior like information from regular inspections and real state of degradation can be taken into account. Based on these data together with the remaining lifetime, a modification of reliability levels for existing bridges based on the mathematic theory of probability can be adopted in the evaluation process. Special attention is also paid to the specific features of determination of load caring capacity of steel-concrete composite bridges in exploitation. Recommendation and allowances for global analysis of existing composite steel and concrete superstructures for the purpose of the load-carrying capacity estimation are discussed as well.
Failure of Slender Concrete Columns of Loss of Stability
Authors: Benko Vladimír , Kendický Peter , Gúcky Tomáš
Published: May 2016

Experimental verification of global reliability of slender reinforced concrete columns from the regular concrete C45/55 and high performance concrete C70/85 was realized within the applied research of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (SUT). Production of test columns and samples was in cooperation with ZIPP Bratislava Ltd. Columns are designed in the way to collapse due to stability before the resistance of the critical cross-section is reached. The relative compression of concrete was scheduled about 1,5 ‰. For performed experimentally verified slender columns, the reliability of simplified and nonlinear design methods according to European standards was compared.
Steel Core in Composite Steel-Concrete Columns
Authors: Frolo Juraj , Gramblička Štefan
Published: May 2016

This paper presents some results of theoretical and experimental investigations of composite steel-concrete columns with solid steel profiles - steel cores. Due to absence of simplified design method according to EN 1994-1-1 [1], design of these columns in practice is limited in general. Reasons for this are residual stresses in steel profile caused by fabrication process and limitation of strains in concrete. Recommendations have been determined for simplified design method according to EN 1994-1-1 for composite columns made of high strength concrete filled steel tube with central steel core. Results of experimental research on composite columns with the cross-section made of steel core covered by reinforced concrete are presented.
Experimental Verification of the Behavior of Protective Steel Liner of Concrete Containment
Authors: Kohoutková Alena , Bily Petr , Fladr Josef , Vodicka Jan
Published: May 2016

Containment is the last barrier protecting the environment from contamination in case of serious accident in nuclear power plant. Steel liner is often used to guarantee leaktightness of concrete containment and therefore the design of the liner must be done with utmost care. Several methods are used in practice to anchor the liner plate to concrete containment wall, differing in layout and type of anchorage elements used. The anchorage system must ensure full connection of the liner to the wall, liner buckling and tearing have to be prevented. The objective of the research was to determine the behavior of typical details of steel liner of concrete containment subjected to axial and shear loads. Two types of experiments were proposed. The first one was aimed at defining the response of two different types of liner anchorage system – L-profiles and headed studs – to the axial loads imposed on the liner plate. Behavior of specimens with and without initial imperfection of the steel plate was also compared. The goal of the second experiment was to determine the shear load-bearing capacity of the anchorage and to verify that liner tearing will not occur before the failure of the anchorage – this one of the main conditions of the safe design. The experimental program was successfully executed and the results are presented in the paper.
Connections in Precast Concrete Elements
Authors: Holly Ivan , Harvan Ivan
Published: May 2016

The structural integrity of precast concrete structures depends mainly on the connections between the precast structural elements. The purpose of a connection is to transfer loads, restrain movement, and/or to provide stability to a component or an entire structure. Therefore, the design of connections is one of the most important aspects in the design of precast concrete structures. All connections should design with valid codes. Every precasters have developed connection details over the years that suit their particular production and erection preferences. It is common, that the structural engineer to show loads and connection locations and allow the successful manufacturer’s engineering department to provide the final design and details of the connections.
Slenderness Influence on the Behavior of Composite Columns
Authors: Gramblička Štefan , Hrusovska Andrea
Published: May 2016

Composite steel and concrete columns have been used in the tall buildings due theirs high-resistance and the possibility to reduce cross sections when we compered composite columns with reinforced concrete columns. There are a lot of types of composite columns. We are concerned with columns, which are completely or partially concrete-encased steel members. In practice, a lot of composite columns are relatively slender and in design the second - order effects will usually need to be included. A partially concrete encased steel cross-section was selected for laboratory tests of composite columns. According to the results of the experiments (total of 18 columns were tested in two series), we analyzed the effects of the second - order theory. The experimental results were compared with theoretical results obtained from the model developed in the non-linear software. The evaluation of the results is also shown in comparison with the general design method according to Eurocode 4, Design of composite steel and concrete structures - Part 1.1 General rules and rules for buildings.
Recent Advances in Fabrication of Photocatalytic Micro-Reactor
Authors: Das Susmita , Srivastava Vimal Chandra
Published: May 2016

Microfluidic technology has been increasingly applied in field of photo catalytic reactor because of the large surface to volume ratio, shorter diffusion distance of the reactant solution, higher mixing efficiency and lower cost. This article reviews the detail progress in fabrication of micro-reactor for degradation of dye in waste water. Importantly, dye degradation required uniform UV light exposure which could be resolved by carrying out degradation in a micro-reactor. This paper discussed several of potential and commercial photocatalytic micro-reactor fabrication and configurations, in particular, the polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) photocatalytic reactors.
Genetic parameters of reproductive traits in Tunisian Holsteins
Authors: Ben Zaabza Hafedh , Ben Gara Abderrahmen , Hammami Hedi , Jemmali Borni , Ferchichi Mohamed Amine , Rekik Boulbaba
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Multi-trait Bayesian procedure was used to estimate genetic parameters for reproductive traits in Tunisian Holstein cows. A total of 31 348 lactations of the calving years 2005 to 2012 were analyzed. Fertility traits were the calving interval (CI), days open (DO), days to first insemination (DFI), days from first insemination to conception (FIC), and number of inseminations per conception (NI). Posterior means of heritabilities of CI, DO, DFI, FIC, and NI were 0.047, 0.03, 0.025, 0.024, and 0.069, respectively. Posterior means of repeatabilities of the same respective traits were 0.106, 0.094, 0.051, 0.036, and 0.17. Genetic correlations among female fertility traits were also computed. Calving interval and DO had the highest genetic correlation estimate (0.85) because they have overlapping genetic meanings. The lowest genetic correlation estimate (−0.25) was found between DFI and NI. Genetic parameter estimates are low and are even lower than those reported in most literature, implying that more focus should be put upon improving the management of reproduction in dairy cattle herds in Tunisia.
Geochemistry of PM10 over Europe during the EMEP intensive measurement periods in summer 2012 and winter 2013
Authors: Alastuey Andrés , Querol Xavier , Aas Wenche , Lucarelli Franco , Pérez Noemí , Moreno Teresa , Cavalli Fabrizia , Areskoug Hans , Balan Violeta , Catrambone Maria , Ceburnis Darius , Cerro José C. , Conil Sébastien , Gevorgyan Lusine , Hueglin Christoph , Imre Kornelia , Jaffrezo Jean-Luc , Leeson Sarah R. , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos , Mitosinkova Marta , O'Dowd Colin D. , Pey Jorge , Putaud Jean-Philippe , Riffault Véronique , Ripoll Anna , Sciare Jean , Sellegri Karine , Spindler Gerald , Yttri Karl Espen
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The third intensive measurement period (IMP) organised by the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) under the UNECE CLTRAP took place in summer 2012 and winter 2013, with PM10 filter samples concurrently collected at 20 (16 EMEP) regional background sites across Europe for subsequent analysis of their mineral dust content. All samples were analysed by the same or a comparable methodology. Higher PM10 mineral dust loadings were observed at most sites in summer (0.5–10 µg m−3) compared to winter (0.2–2 µg m−3), with the most elevated concentrations in the southern- and easternmost countries, accounting for 20–40 % of PM10. Saharan dust outbreaks were responsible for the high summer dust loadings at western and central European sites, whereas regional or local sources explained the elevated concentrations observed at eastern sites. The eastern Mediterranean sites experienced elevated levels due to African dust outbreaks during both summer and winter. The mineral dust composition varied more in winter than in summer, with a higher relative contribution of anthropogenic dust during the former period. A relatively high contribution of K from non-mineral and non-sea-salt sources, such as biomass burning, was evident in winter at some of the central and eastern European sites. The spatial distribution of some components and metals reveals the influence of specific anthropogenic sources on a regional scale: shipping emissions (V, Ni, and SO42−) in the Mediterranean region, metallurgy (Cr, Ni, and Mn) in central and eastern Europe, high temperature processes (As, Pb, and SO42−) in eastern countries, and traffic (Cu) at sites affected by emissions from nearby cities.
Temporal variability and sources of VOCs in urban areas of Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Kaltsonoudis Christos , Kostenidou Evangelia , Florou Kalliopi , Psichoudaki Magda , Pandis Spyros N.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. During the summer of 2012 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored by Proton Transfer Reaction – Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) in urban backgrounds sites, in Athens and Patras, two of the largest cities in Greece. Also during the winter of 2013 PTR-MS measurements were conducted in the center of the city of Athens. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to the VOC measurements to gain insights about their sources. In summer most of the measured VOCs were due to biogenic and traffic emissions. Isoprene, monoterpenes and several oxygenated VOCs (oVOCs) originated mainly from vegetation either directly or as oxidation products. Isoprene average concentrations in Patras and Athens were 1 ppb and 0.7 ppb respectively while the monoterpene concentrations were 0.3 ppb and 0.9 ppb respectively. Traffic was the main source of aromatic compounds during summer. For Patras and Athens the average concentrations of benzene were 0.1 ppb and 0.2 ppb, of toluene 0.3 ppb and 0.8 ppb and of the xylenes 0.3 ppb and 0.7 ppb respectively. Winter measurements in Athens revealed that biomass burning used for residential heating was a major VOC source contributing both biogenic compounds such as isoprene and the monoterpenes, and aromatic VOCs. Several episodes related to biomass burning were identified and emission ratios (ER) and emission factors (EF) were estimated.
Contributions of dynamic environmental signals during life-cycle transitions to early life-history traits in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.)
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Tongli , El-Kassaby Yousry A.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Environmental signals are important triggers in the life-cycle transitions and play a crucial role in the life-history evolution. Yet very little is known about the leading ecological factors contributing to the variations of life-history traits in perennial plants. This paper explores both the causes and consequences for the evolution of life-history traits (i.e., seed dormancy and size) in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) across British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. We selected 83 logepole pine populations covering 22 ecosystem zones of B.C. and through their geographic coordinate, 197 climatic variables were generated accordingly for the reference (1961–1990) and future (2041–2070) periods. We found that dynamic climatic variables rather than constant geographic variables are the true environmental driving forces in seed dormancy and size variations and thus provide reliable predictors in response to global climate change. Evapotranspiration and precipitation in the plant-to-seed chronology are the most critical climate variables for seed dormancy and size variations, respectively. Hence, we predicted that levels of seed dormancy in lodgepole pine would increase across large tracts of B.C. in 2050s. Winter-chilling is able to increase the magnitude of life-history plasticity and lower the bet-hedge strategy in the seed-to-plant transition; however, winter-chilling is likely to be insufficient in the north of 49° N in 2050s, which may delay germination while unfavorable conditions during dry summers may result in adverse consequences in the survival of seedlings owing to extended germination span. These findings provide useful information to studies related to assessments of seed transfer and tree adaptation.
Determination of the carbon budget of a pasture: effect of system boundaries and flux uncertainties
Authors: Felber Raphael , Bretscher Daniel , Münger Andreas , Neftel Albrecht , Ammann Christof
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Carbon (C) sequestration in the soil is considered as a potential important mechanism to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the agricultural sector. It can be quantified by the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) describing the change of soil C as the sum of all relevant import and export fluxes. NECB was investigated here in detail for an intensively grazed dairy pasture in Switzerland. Two budget approaches with different system boundaries were applied: NECBtot for system boundaries including the grazing cows and NECBpast for system boundaries excluding the cows. CO2 and CH4 exchange induced by soil/vegetation processes as well as direct emissions by the animals were derived from eddy covariance measurements. Other C fluxes were either measured (milk yield, concentrate feeding) or derived based on animal performance data (intake, excreta). For the investigated year, both approaches resulted in a small near-neutral C budget: NECBtot −27 ± 62 and NECBpast 23 ± 76 g C m−2 yr−1. The considerable uncertainties, depending on the approach, were mainly due to errors in the CO2 exchange or in the animal-related fluxes. The comparison of the NECB results with the annual exchange of other GHG revealed CH4 emissions from the cows to be the major contributor in terms of CO2 equivalents, but with much lower uncertainty compared to NECB. Although only 1 year of data limit the representativeness of the carbon budget results, they demonstrate the important contribution of the non-CO2 fluxes depending on the chosen system boundaries and the effect of their propagated uncertainty in an exemplary way. The simultaneous application and comparison of both NECB approaches provides a useful consistency check for the carbon budget determination and can help to identify and eliminate systematic errors.
Ocean-atmosphere interactions modulate irrigation's climate impacts
Authors: Krakauer Nir Y. , Puma Michael J. , Cook Benjamin I. , Gentine Pierre , Nazarenko Larissa
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Numerous studies have focused on the local and regional climate effects of irrigated agriculture and other land cover and land use change (LCLUC) phenomena, but there are few studies on the role of ocean-atmosphere interaction in modulating irrigation climate impacts. Here, we compare simulations of the equilibrium effect of contemporary irrigation geographic extent and intensity on climate with and without interactive sea surface temperatures. We find that ocean-atmosphere interaction does impact the magnitude of global-mean and spatially varying climate impacts, greatly increasing their global reach. The interaction amplifies irrigation-driven standing wave patterns in the tropics and midlatitudes in our simulations, approximately doubling the global mean amplitude of surface temperature changes due to irrigation. Subject to confirmation with other models, these findings imply that LCLUC is an important contributor to climate change even in remote areas such as the Southern Ocean. Attribution studies should include interactive oceans and need to consider LCLUC, including irrigation, as a truly global forcing that affects climate and the water cycle over ocean as well as land areas.
The abandoned surface mining sites in the Czech Republic: mapping and creating a database with a GIS web application
Authors: Pokorný Richard , Peterková Marie Tereza
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Based on the vectorization of the 55-volume book series the Quarry Inventories of the Czechoslovak Republic/Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, published in the years 1932–1961, a new comprehensive database was built comprising 9958 surface mining sites of raw materials, which were active in the first half of the 20th century. The mapped area covers 40.9 % of the territory of the Czech Republic. For the purposes of visualization, a map application, the Quarry Inventories Online, was created that enables the data visualization.
Assessing the potential for DMS enrichment at the sea-surface and its influence on air–sea flux
Authors: Walker C. F. , Harvey M. J. , Smith M. J. , Bell T. G. , Saltzman E. S. , Marriner A. S. , McGregor J. A. , Law C. S.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The flux of dimethylsulfide (DMS) to the atmosphere is generally inferred using water sampled at or below 2 m depth, thereby excluding any concentration anomalies at the air–sea interface. Two independent techniques were used to assess the potential for near-surface DMS enrichment to influence DMS emissions and also identify the factors influencing enrichment. DMS measurements in productive frontal waters over the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand, did not identify any significant DMS gradients between 0.01 and 6 m in sub-surface seawater, whereas DMS enrichment in the sea-surface microlayer was variable, with a mean enrichment factor (EF; the concentration ratio between DMS in the SSM and in sub-surface water) of 1.7. Physical and biological factors influenced sea-surface microlayer DMS concentration, with high enrichment (EF > 1.3) only recorded in a dinoflagellate-dominated bloom, and associated with low to medium wind speeds and near-surface temperature gradients. On occasion, high DMS enrichment preceded periods when the air–sea DMS flux, measured by eddy covariance, exceeded the flux calculated using COARE parameterised gas transfer velocities and measured sub-surface seawater DMS concentrations. The results of these two independent approaches suggest that air–sea emissions may be influenced by near-surface DMS production under certain conditions, and highlights the need for further study to constrain the magnitude and mechanisms of DMS production in the sea surface microlayer.
Sensitivity of snow density and specific surface area measured by microtomography to different image processing algorithms
Authors: Hagenmuller Pascal , Matzl Margret , Chambon Guillaume , Schneebeli Martin
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Microtomography can measure the X-ray attenuation coefficient in a 3-D volume of snow with a spatial resolution of a few microns. In order to extract quantitative characteristics of the microstructure, such as the specific surface area (SSA), from these data, the greyscale image first needs to be segmented into a binary image of ice and air. Different numerical algorithms can then be used to compute the surface area of the binary image. In this paper, we report on the effect of commonly used segmentation and surface area computation techniques on the evaluation of density and specific surface area. The evaluation is based on a set of 38 X-ray tomographies of different snow samples without impregnation, scanned with an effective voxel size of 10 and 18 μm. We found that different surface area computation methods can induce relative variations up to 5 % in the density and SSA values. Regarding segmentation, similar results were obtained by sequential and energy-based approaches, provided the associated parameters were correctly chosen. The voxel size also appears to affect the values of density and SSA, but because images with the higher resolution also show the higher noise level, it was not possible to draw a definitive conclusion on this effect of resolution.
Basic controller tuning for large offshore wind turbines
Authors: Merz Karl O.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. When a wind turbine operates above the rated windspeed, the blade pitch may be governed by a basic single-input single-output PI controller, with the shaft speed as input. The performance of the wind turbine depends upon the tuning of the gains and filters of this controller. Rules-of-thumb, based upon pole placement, with a rigid model of the rotor, are inadequate for tuning the controller of large, flexible, offshore wind turbines. It is shown that the appropriate controller tuning is highly dependent upon the characteristics of the aeroelastic model: no single reference controller can be defined for use with all models. As an example, the ubiquitous NREL 5 MW wind turbine controller is unstable, when paired with a fully-flexible aeroelastic model. A methodical search is conducted, in order to find models with a minimum number of degrees-of-freedom, which can be used to tune the controller for a fully-flexible aeroelastic model; this can be accomplished with a model containing 16-20 states. Transient aerodynamic effects, representing rotor-average properties, account for 5 of these states. A simple method is proposed to reduce the full transient aerodynamic model, and the associated turbulent wind spectra, to the rotor-average. Ocean waves are also an important source of loading; it is recommended that the shaft speed signal be filtered such that wave-driven tower side-to-side vibrations do not appear in the PI controller output. An updated tuning for the NREL 5 MW controller is developed using a Pareto front technique. This fixes the instability and gives good performance with fully-flexible aeroelastic models.
Extension of silicon emission model to silicon pillar oxidation
Authors: Kageshima Hiroyuki , Shiraishi Kenji , Endoh Tetsuo
Published: May 2016

Missing Si in the oxidation of Si pillar structures is investigated by extending the Si emission model to the oxidation of planar structures. The original Si emission model [H. Kageshima et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 38, L971 (1999)] assumes the emission of excess Si from the interface into the oxide during the oxidation process, the diffusion of the excess Si through the oxide, and the control of the oxidation rate by the concentration of remaining excess Si around the interface. By assuming the sublimation of the excess Si from the oxide surface in addition to the assumptions of the original Si emission model, the origin of the missing Si is consistently explained. It is suggested that the amount of the missing Si is enhanced by the geometrical effect of the pillar structure because the concentration of excess Si is inversely proportional to the radial position. This also suggests that the missing Si is inevitable for the thin pillar structures. Careful approaches to the oxidation process are recommended for pillar structures.
Development of an angiogenesis-promoting microvesicle-alginate-polycaprolactone composite graft for bone tissue engineering applications
Authors: Xie Hui , Wang Zhenxing , Zhang Liming , Lei Qian , Zhao Aiqi , Wang Hongxiang , Li Qiubai , Chen Zhichao , Zhang WenJie
Published: May 2016

One of the major challenges of bone tissue engineering applications is to construct a fully vascularized implant that can adapt to hypoxic environments in vivo. The incorporation of proangiogenic factors into scaffolds is a widely accepted method of achieving this goal. Recently, the proangiogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (MSC-MVs) has been confirmed in several studies. In the present study, we incorporated MSC-MVs into alginate-polycaprolactone (PCL) constructs that had previously been developed for bone tissue engineering applications, with the aim of promoting angiogenesis and bone regeneration. MSC-MVs were first isolated from the supernatant of rat bone marrow-derived MSCs and characterized by scanning electron microscopic, confocal microscopic, and flow cytometric analyses. The proangiogenic potential of MSC-MVs was demonstrated by the stimulation of tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cellsin vitro. MSC-MVs and osteodifferentiated MSCs were then encapsulated with alginate and seeded onto porous three-dimensional printed PCL scaffolds. When combined with osteodifferentiated MSCs, the MV-alginate-PCL constructs enhanced vessel formation and tissue-engineered bone regeneration in a nude mouse subcutaneous bone formation model, as demonstrated by micro-computed tomographic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. This MV-alginate-PCL construct may offer a novel, proangiogenic, and cost-effective option for bone tissue engineering.
Molecular mass as a determinant for nuclear San1‐dependent targeting of misfolded cytosolic proteins to proteasomal degradation
Authors: Amm Ingo , Wolf Dieter H.
Published: May 2016

Most misfolded cytosolic proteins in the cell are eliminated by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. In yeast, polyubiquitination of misfolded cytosolic proteins is triggered mainly by the action of two ubiquitin ligases Ubr1, formerly discovered as recognition component of the N‐end rule pathway, and the nuclear ubiquitin ligase San1. For San1‐mediated targeting to proteasomal degradation, cytosolic proteins have to be imported into the nucleus. Selection of misfolded substrates for import into the nucleus had remained elusive. This study shows that an increasing molecular mass of substrates prevents nuclear San1‐triggered proteasomal degradation but renders them susceptible to cytoplasmic Ubr1‐triggered degradation.
Quasi‐biennial oscillation modulation of the middle‐ and high‐latitude mesospheric semidiurnal tides during August–September
Authors: Laskar Fazlul I. , Chau Jorge L. , Stober Gunter , Hoffmann Peter , Hall Chris M. , Tsutsumi M.
Published: May 2016

The seasonal and interannual variabilities of mesospheric semidiurnal tides (SDT) are investigated using specular meteor radar‐based winds. The horizontal wind observations during 2003 to 2014 from a high‐latitude station, Andenes (69°N, 16°E), and during 2008 to 2014 from a midlatitude station, Juliusruh (54°N, 13°E), are used. It has been observed that the amplitudes of mesospheric SDTs are enhanced at both stations during August–September of all the years. These enhancements show a systematic behavior with that of the low‐latitude stratospheric quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO), which is characterized based on winds from radiosonde data. The SDT amplitude values during enhancement are below/above mean level for those years in which the QBO wind at 50 hPa is westward/eastward (QBOw/QBOe). The average SDT amplitudes during the August–September enhancement duration are found to vary hand in hand with the low‐latitude QBO wind, suggesting QBO modulation of SDT. Stratospheric and lower mesospheric zonal wind perturbations from MERRA reanalysis data show weak local forcing in the Northern Hemisphere and indication of enhanced quasi‐stationary planetary waves (SPW) in the Southern Hemisphere. Based on these observations and some earlier results, we hypothesize that the QBOw/QBOe wind damp/enhance the southern hemispheric SPW of wave number 1 (SPW1). This modulated SPW1 then interacts with the northern midlatitude and high‐latitude SDTs to imprint the signature of QBO on them.
Control of slab width on subduction‐induced upper mantle flow and associated upwellings: Insights from analog models
Authors: Strak Vincent , Schellart Wouter P.
Published: May 2016

The impact of slab width W (i.e., trench‐parallel extent) on subduction‐induced upper mantle flow remains uncertain. We present a series of free subduction analog models where W was systematically varied to upscaled values of 250–3600 km to investigate its effect on subducting plate kinematics and upper mantle return flow around the lateral slab edges. We particularly focused on the upwelling component of mantle flow, which might promote decompression melting and could thereby produce intraplate volcanism. The models show that W has a strong control on trench curvature and on the trench retreat, subducting plate, and subduction velocities, generally in good agreement with previous modeling studies. Upper mantle flow velocity maps produced by means of a stereoscopic particle image velocimetry technique indicate that the magnitude of the subduction‐induced mantle flow around the lateral slab edges correlates positively with the product of W and trench retreat velocity. For all models an important upwelling component is always produced close to the lateral slab edges, with higher magnitudes for wider slabs. The trench‐parallel lateral extent of this upwelling component is the same irrespective of W, but its maximum magnitude gets located closer to the subducting plate in the trench‐normal direction and it is more focused when W increases. For W ≤ 2000 km the upwelling occurs laterally (in the trench‐parallel direction) next to the subslab domain and the mantle wedge domain, while for W ≥ 2000 km it is located only next to the subslab domain and focuses closer to the trench tip, because of stronger poloidal flow in the mantle wedge extending laterally.
On the stability and spatiotemporal variance distribution of salinity in the upper ocean
Authors: O'Kane Terence J. , Monselesan Didier P. , Maes Christophe
Published: May 2016

Despite recent advances in ocean observing arrays and satellite sensors, there remains great uncertainty in the large‐scale spatial variations of upper ocean salinity on the interannual to decadal timescales. Consonant with both broad‐scale surface warming and the amplification of the global hydrological cycle, observed global multidecadal salinity changes typically have focussed on the linear response to anthropogenic forcing but not on salinity variations due to changes in the static stability and or variability due to the intrinsic ocean or internal climate processes. Here, we examine the static stability and spatiotemporal variability of upper ocean salinity across a hierarchy of models and reanalyses. In particular, we partition the variance into time bands via application of singular spectral analysis, considering sea surface salinity (SSS), the Brunt Väisälä frequency (N2), and the ocean salinity stratification in terms of the stabilizing effect due to the haline part of N2 over the upper 500m. We identify regions of significant coherent SSS variability, either intrinsic to the ocean or in response to the interannually varying atmosphere. Based on consistency across models (CMIP5 and forced experiments) and reanalyses, we identify the stabilizing role of salinity in the tropics—typically associated with heavy precipitation and barrier layer formation, and the role of salinity in destabilizing upper ocean stratification in the subtropical regions where large‐scale density compensation typically occurs.
The potassic sedimentary rocks in Gale Crater, Mars, as seen by ChemCam on board Curiosity
Authors: Le Deit L. , Mangold N. , Forni O. , Cousin A. , Lasue J. , Schröder S. , Wiens R. C. , Sumner D. , Fabre C. , Stack K. M. , Anderson R. B. , Blaney D. , Clegg S. , Dromart G. , Fisk M. , Gasnault O. , Grotzinger J. P. , Gupta S. , Lanza N. , Le Mouélic S. , Maurice S. , McLennan S. M. , Meslin P.‐Y. , Nachon M. , Newsom H. , Payré V. , Rapin W. , Rice M. , Sautter V. , Treiman A. H.
Published: May 2016

The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity encountered potassium‐rich clastic sedimentary rocks at two sites in Gale Crater, the waypoints Cooperstown and Kimberley. These rocks include several distinct meters thick sedimentary outcrops ranging from fine sandstone to conglomerate, interpreted to record an ancient fluvial or fluvio‐deltaic depositional system. From ChemCam Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) chemical analyses, this suite of sedimentary rocks has an overall mean K2O abundance that is more than 5 times higher than that of the average Martian crust. The combined analysis of ChemCam data with stratigraphic and geographic locations reveals that the mean K2O abundance increases upward through the stratigraphic section. Chemical analyses across each unit can be represented as mixtures of several distinct chemical components, i.e., mineral phases, including K‐bearing minerals, mafic silicates, Fe‐oxides, and Fe‐hydroxide/oxyhydroxides. Possible K‐bearing minerals include alkali feldspar (including anorthoclase and sanidine) and K‐bearing phyllosilicate such as illite. Mixtures of different source rocks, including a potassium‐rich rock located on the rim and walls of Gale Crater, are the likely origin of observed chemical variations within each unit. Physical sorting may have also played a role in the enrichment in K in the Kimberley formation. The occurrence of these potassic sedimentary rocks provides additional evidence for the chemical diversity of the crust exposed at Gale Crater.
Near‐axis crustal structure and thickness of the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge
Authors: Soule Dax , Wilcock William S. D. , Toomey Douglas R. , Hooft Emilie E. E. , Weekly Robert T.
Published: May 2016

A model of crustal thickness and lower crustal velocities is obtained for crustal ages of 0.1–1.2 Ma on the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge by inverting travel times of crustal paths and non‐ridge‐crossing wide‐angle Moho reflections obtained from a three‐dimensional tomographic experiment. The crust is thicker by 0.5–1 km beneath a 200 m high plateau that extends across the segment center. This feature is consistent with the influence of the proposed Heckle melt anomaly on the spreading center. The history of ridge propagation on the Cobb overlapping spreading center may also have influenced the formation of the plateau. The sharp boundaries of the plateau and crustal thickness anomaly suggest that melt transport is predominantly upward in the crust. Lower crustal velocities are lower at the ends of the segment, likely due to increased hydrothermal alteration in regions influenced by overlapping spreading centers, and possibly increased magmatic differentiation.