bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lysosome-Mediated Plasma Membrane Repair Is Dependent on the Small GTPase Arl8b and Determines Cell Death Type in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Michelet Xavier , Tuli Amit , Gan Huixian , Geadas Carolina , Sharma Mahak , Remold Heinz G. , Brenner Michael B.
Published: March 2018

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an extremely successful pathogen, and its success is widely attributed to its ability to manipulate the intracellular environment of macrophages. A central phenomenon of tuberculosis pathology enabling immune evasion is the capacity of virulent M. tuberculosis (H37Rv) to induce macrophage necrosis, which facilitates the escape of the mycobacteria from the macrophage and spread of infection. In contrast, avirulent M. tuberculosis (H37Ra) induces macrophage apoptosis, which permits Ag presentation and activation of adaptive immunity. Previously, we found that H37Rv induces plasma membrane microdisruptions, leading to necrosis in the absence of plasma membrane repair. In contrast, H37Ra permits plasma membrane repair, which changes the host cell death modality to apoptosis, suggesting that membrane repair is critical for sequestering the pathogen in apoptotic vesicles. However, mechanisms of plasma membrane repair induced in response to M. tuberculosis infection remain unknown. Plasma membrane repair is known to induce a Ca2+-mediated signaling, which recruits lysosomes to the area of damaged plasma membrane sites for its resealing. In this study, we found that the small GTPase Arl8b is required for plasma membrane repair by controlling the exocytosis of lysosomes in cell lines and in human primary macrophages. Importantly, we found that the Arl8b secretion pathway is crucial to control the type of cell death of the M. tuberculosis–infected macrophages. Indeed, Arl8b-depleted macrophages infected with avirulent H37Ra undergo necrotic instead of apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that membrane repair mediated by Arl8b may be an important mechanism distinguishing avirulent from virulent M. tuberculosis–induced necrotic cell death.
Elastin Shapes Small Molecule Distribution in Lymph Node Conduits
Authors: Lin Yujia , Louie Dante , Ganguly Anutosh , Wu Dequan , Huang Peng , Liao Shan
Published: March 2018

The spatial and temporal Ag distribution determines the subsequent T cell and B cell activation at the distinct anatomical locations in the lymph node (LN). It is well known that LN conduits facilitate small Ag distribution in the LN, but the mechanism of how Ags travel along LN conduits remains poorly understood. In C57BL/6J mice, using FITC as a fluorescent tracer to study lymph distribution in the LN, we found that FITC preferentially colocalized with LN capsule–associated (LNC) conduits. Images generated using a transmission electron microscope showed that LNC conduits are composed of solid collagen fibers and are wrapped with fibroblastic cells. Superresolution images revealed that high-intensity FITC is typically colocalized with elastin fibers inside the LNC conduits. Whereas tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate appears to enter LNC conduits as effectively as FITC, fluorescently-labeled Alexa-555–conjugated OVA labels significantly fewer LNC conduits. Importantly, injection of Alexa-555–conjugated OVA with LPS substantially increases OVA distribution along elastin fibers in LNC conduits, indicating immune stimulation is required for effective OVA traveling along elastin in LN conduits. Finally, elastin fibers preferentially surround lymphatic vessels in the skin and likely guide fluid flow to the lymphatic vessels. Our studies demonstrate that fluid or small molecules are preferentially colocalized with elastin fibers. Although the exact mechanism of how elastin fibers regulate Ag trafficking remains to be explored, our results suggest that elastin can be a potentially new target to direct Ag distribution in the LN during vaccine design.
Contribution of the new 2012 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: Muratore F. , Salvarani C. , Macchioni P.
Published: March 2018

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is one of the most common rheumatic inflammatory disorders in people aged over 50. It is characterized by aching and prolonged morning stiffness in the shoulder and pelvic girdles and neck. To date there are no specific diagnostic tests, and in clinical practice the diagnosis of PMR remains based on its characteristic clinical manifestations, laboratory evidence of systemic inflammation, rapid response to low doses of glucocorticoids and exclusion of other disorders that may present with proximal pain and stiffness. For classification purposes, several criteria have been proposed over time based on retrospective clinical series, but none have been validated and received universal acceptance. Recently, an international collaborative initiative between the EULAR and the ACR was undertaken to develop new polymyalgia rheumatica classification criteria. In this review, the provisional 2012 EULAR/ACR classification criteria will be presented and their contribution for the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica will be discussed.
Comparing the diagnostic efficacy of full field digital mammography with digital breast tomosynthesis using BIRADS score in a tertiary cancer care hospital
Authors: Singla Divya , Chaturvedi Arvind K. , Aggarwal Abhinav , Rao S. A. , Hazarika Dibyamohan , Mahawar Vivek
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers in females worldwide, and its incidence has been rising at an exponential pace in the last 10 years even in India. Mammography has been the mainstay for detection of breast cancer over decades and has gradually advanced from screen film to full-field digital mammography. Recently, tomosynthesis has evolved as an advanced imaging investigation for early diagnosis of breast lesions in both diagnostic and screening settings. Aim of Study: To compare and evaluate the impact of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) compared to full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in the interpretation of BIRADS score in both diagnostic and screening settings. Settings and Design: A 1-year prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the Department of Radio-diagnosis in our institute using Hologic Selenia Dimensions for mammography as well as tomosynthesis. Materials and Methods: One hundred women known or suspected (opportunistic screening) for breast cancer were evaluated either with FFDM alone or both FFDM and DBT. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and P value were used to assess the various diagnostic criteria in our study. Results: Addition of DBT to FFDM results in a statistically significant increase in the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value, and a statistically significant decrease in the false positive rates. Similar results were noted in both diagnostic and screening cases. It was observed that, in most cases, i.e. a total of 47, DBT did not change the BIRADS scoring; however, its addition increased the diagnostic confidence. BIRADS was upgraded and downgraded in 14 and 31 cases, respectively, with the addition of DBT to FFDM. New lesions were seen with addition of DBT to FFDM in 8 cases. Conclusion: Addition of DBT to FFDM results in increase in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and a statistically significant decrease in false positive rates in both diagnostic and screening cases. As addition of tomosynthesis results in a significant decrease in recall rate, it should be added, at least, in all screening mammography programs.
Hernia uteri inguinalis in ovotesticular disorder of sexual differentiation: A rare complication and role of imaging
Authors: Ponnatapura Janardhana
Published: March 2018

Neonate with ambiguous genitalia can cause great apprehension for the family as well as for healthcare providers. We report a rare complication of delayed diagnosis of hernia uteri inguinalis in ovotesticular disorder of sexual differentiation (DSD) in 20-year-old male patient who presented with pain and swelling in left inguinal region since 1 month. He had a past surgical history of repair of hypospadias 10 years back. On imaging, the left inguinal hernia sac contained nonfunctioning uterus and one ovary in the left scrotal sac and one testis in the right scrotal sac. Further investigation confirmed genotypically female (46XX) with negative sex determining region-Y gene on fluorescence in situ hybridization. The patient was given psychiatric counseling and wished to remain as male. The left inguinal hernia was repaired with excision of nonfunctioning uterus, ovary, and fallopian tube. Hernia uteri inguinalis is rare complication seen in DSD with only three cases being reported worldwide thus far, including our case.
Can MRI diffusion-weighted imaging identify postoperative residual/recurrent soft-tissue sarcomas?
Authors: ElDaly Mai Maher , Moustafa Amr Farouk Ibrahim , Abdel-Meguid Suzan Mohamed Samy , Shokry Ahmed Mohamed , Wahab Nagui Abd El
Published: March 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) and quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping in the detection of recurrent/residual postoperative soft tissue sarcomas. Materials and Methods: This study included 36 patients; 27 patients had postoperative recurrent/residual soft tissue sarcomas and 9 patients had postoperative and treatment-related changes (inflammation/fibrosis). The DWI was obtained with 3 b values including 0, 400, and 800 s/mm2. Calculation of the ADC value of the lesion was done via placing the region of interest (ROI) to include the largest area of the lesion. ADC values were compared to histopathology. Results: Our results showed that including CE-MRI improved the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity in recurrence detection compared to conventional non-enhanced sequences. However, it showed low specificity (55.56%) with a high false-positive rate that may lead to an unnecessary biopsy of a mass such as region of postoperative scar tissue. Conclusion: The joint use of gadolinium-enhanced MRI and quantitative DWI with ADC mapping offer added value in the detection of recurrent/residual postoperative soft tissue sarcoma. This combined use increased both the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity with a cut-off average ADC value for detecting nonmyxoid recurrent/residual lesions ≤1.3 × 10−3 mm2/s (100% specificity and 90.48% sensitivity). Our results showed limited value of DWI with ADC mapping in assessing myxoid sarcomatous tumor recurrences.
Emphysematous osteomyelitis: Report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Khanduri Sachin , Singh Meenu , Goyal Aakshit , Singh Simran
Published: March 2018

Emphysematous osteomyelitis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of intraosseous gas. A prompt diagnosis is required for this disease to expedite management as it is a potentially fatal condition. Many comorbidities, such as malignancy, diabetes mellitus, alcohol abuse, Crohn’s disease, and other etiologies causing immunosuppression, predispose to this condition. The causative organisms are generally anaerobes or members of Enterobacteriaceae family; however, the infection can be mono or polymicrobial. We report two cases affected with emphysematous osteomyelitis due to varied underlying comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to (a) emphasize the importance of computed tomography in diagnosing emphysematous osteomyelitis and (b) to highlight an unusual location of this rare pathology.
Gangrenous cholecystitis: Analysis of imaging findings in histopathologically confirmed cases
Authors: Sureka Binit , Rastogi Archana , Mukund Amar , Thapar Shalini , Bhadoria Ajeet Singh , Chattopadhyay Tushar Kanti
Published: March 2018

Purpose: To study the imaging findings in gangrenous acute cholecystitis. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of imaging findings in 31 histopathologically confirmed cases of gangrenous cholecystitis was done. The following imaging findings were analyzed: wall thickness, gallbladder distension, intraluminal membranes, mural striation, edema, wall enhancement, gallstones, gas, pericholecystic fluid, stranding, hemorrhage, hyperaemia in adjacent liver, mucosal/wall irregularity, complications. Statistical Analysis: Appropriate statistical tests were used using SPSS.22.0 software. The two proportions were compared using Chi-square or Fisher exact test and two means were compared using student t test. Results: Mean gallbladder wall thickening was 6 ± 1.93 mm. Gallstones, mural edema, mural striation, pericholecystic fluid, intraluminal membranes, gas were seen in 30, 27, 18, 20, 14 and 3 cases respectively. The mean short-axis distension of gallbladder lumen was 4.24 ± 0.91 cm. Gallbladder wall enhancement was studied in only 10 cases. Complete absence of enhancement was seen in 1, focal decreased enhancement in 8 cases. Mucosal/wall irregularity was seen in 28 cases. 74.2% cases had ≥4 cm gallbladder distension. Intraluminal membranes were present in 14 cases with mean short-axis distension of 4.6 cm and absent in 17 (P = 0.041), in 11 cases with mural striation (P = 0.036). Mean wall thickening was 6.69mm in patients with intraluminal membranes and 5.46 mm with absence of membranes (P = .078). Conclusion: Presence of more than one of these findings - gallbladder distension (short axis diameter of ≥4 cm), intraluminal membranes, mural striation, absent or decreased enhancement of gallbladder wall suggest high probability of gangrenous change in acute cholecystitis.
Single nucleotide polymorphism of the growth hormone (GH) encoding gene in inbred and outbred domestic rabbits
Authors: Hristova Deyana Gencheva , Tanchev S.G. , Velikov K.P. , Gonchev P.G. , Georgieva S.J.
Published: March 2018

Taking into consideration that the growth hormone (GH) gene in rabbits is a candidate for meat production, understanding the genetic diversity and variation in this locus is of particular relevance. The present study comprised 86 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) divided into 3 groups: New Zealand White (NZW) outbred rabbits; first-generation inbred rabbits (F1) and second-generation inbred rabbits (F2). They were analysed by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. A 231 bp fragment of the polymorphic site of the GH gene was digested with Bsh1236 restriction enzyme. Single nucleotide polymorphisms for the studied GH locus corresponding to 3 genotypes were detected in the studied rabbit populations: CC, CT and TT. In the synthetic inbred F1 and F2 populations, the frequency of the heterozygous genotype CT was 0.696 and 0.609, respectively, while for the homozygous CC genotype the frequency was lower (0.043 and 0.000), and respective values for the homozygous TT genotype were 0.261 and 0.391. This presumed a preponderance of the T allele (0.609 and 0.696) over the C allele (0.391 and 0.304) in these groups. In outbred rabbits, the allele frequencies were 0.613 (allele C) and 0.387 (allele Т); consequently, the frequency of the homozygous CC genotype was higher than that of the homozygous TT genotype (0.300 vs. 0.075). Observed heterozygosity for the GH gene was higher than expected, and the result was therefore a negative inbreeding coefficient (Fis=–0.317 for outbred NZW rabbits; –0.460 for inbred F1 and –0.438 for inbred F2), indicating a sufficient number of heterozygous forms in all studied groups of rabbits. The application of narrow inbreeding by breeding full sibs in the synthetic population did not cause a rapid increase in homozygosity.
Technical note: Estimation of real rabbit meat consumption in Italy
Authors: Petracci Massimiliano , Soglia Francesca , Baldi Giulia , Balzani Laura , Mudalal Samer , Cavani Claudio
Published: March 2018

As in other livestock species, the annual per capita consumption of rabbit meat is currently estimated as the ratio of the total weight of carcasses available for consumption to the number of inhabitants of a certain region. The aim of this work was to establish conversion coefficients from carcass to dible lean meat and estimate real rabbit meat consumption in Italy. Accordingly, a total of 24 rabbits were slaughtered at 2 different ages to obtain carcasses representative of the main market categories in Northern Italy: medium-size (carcass weight of about 1.4 kg) and heavy-size (carcass weight of about 1.8 kg). Chilled carcasses were used to determine offal, dissectible fat, bone and meat weights and yields. Experimentally obtained conversion factors from carcass to edible lean meat and estimated meat waste percentage at retail and consumption levels were subsequently used to estimate the real per capita amount of rabbit meat consumed in Italy. The finding of this study revealed that, if compared to the medium-size group, heavy-size carcasses had higher lean meat yield for both intermediate (92.9 vs. 92.4%; P<0.05) and hind parts (84.3 vs. 79.1%; P<0.001). On the contrary, the meat yield of fore part was higher in the medium-size group (66.2 vs. 65.5%; P<0.001) compared to heavy-size carcasses. Eventually, overall meat yield was higher in heavy-size carcasses compared to medium-size ones (64.4 vs. 63.2%; P<0.001). By using these conversion factors and estimated overall losses at retailing and home-consumption (15%), we estimated that real per capita annual rabbit meat consumption is 0.50 kg in Italy, which is only 54% compared to the estimated apparent consumption (0.90 kg).
Growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits fed on diets supplemented with Eucommia ulmoides leaves
Authors: Li Song , Zhao Miaoqing , Jiang Tingting , Lv Wenwen , Gao Shujuan , Zhou Yufa , Miao Zengmin
Published: March 2018

The present study evaluated the effect of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaves (EUL) on growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits under heat stress condition. Four hundred and fifty weaned New Zealand male rabbits (6 wk old) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (150 rabbits/group) and fed with a basal diet (control, digestible energy (DE): 15.92 MJ/kg and crude protein (CP): 19.24%) or the basal diet supplemented with 1 or 5 g of EUL/kg of diet (EUL1 and EUL5), in which the same quantity of barley meal was replaced. During the 21 d of experiment (43 to 63 d of age), the temperature and relative humidity of the rabbit house ranged from 27.5 to 32.5°C and from 65 to 73%, respectively. We analysed feed intake, growth performance and antioxidant status of growing rabbits. Compared with the control group, at the end of the experimental period, EUL supplementation significantly reduced the average daily feed intake (92.0, 92.8 and 100.7 g/d for EUL1, EUL5 and control, respectively; P<0.05), improved the feed conversion ratio (3.80, 3.81 and 4.59 for EUL1, EUL5 and control, respectively; P<0.05), increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase (+35.5 and +35.0% in plasma and liver of rabbits in EUL5 vs. control group, respectively; P<0.05) and reduced those of malondialdehyde (–12.0 and –46.0% in plasma and liver of rabbits in EUL5 vs. control group, respectively; P<0.05). These results suggest that inclusion of EUL in the diet of growing rabbits improved the growth performance and antioxidant status in growing rabbits.
The effect of ethnic diversity on income – an empirical investigation using survey data from a postconflict environment
Authors: Efendic Adnan , Pugh Geoff
Published: March 2018

This empirical study is based on nationally representative cross-sectional survey data gathered to investigate the effect of ethnic diversity on personal and family incomes in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a post-conflict society. The 1992–1995 conflict was harmful for ethnic diversity. Yet, two decades later, where it still exists, ethnic diversity gives rise to positive economic consequences. After controlling for other influences, the authors find lower probabilities of respondents in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods being in the lowest income categories but higher probabilities of being in medium and higher income categories. The largest effects are the reduced probabilities of respondents reporting no income, and are thus particularly relevant to poverty reduction. At the limit, their estimates imply an income gap of more than 20 per cent between a counter-factual completely heterogenous environment and a counter-factual completely homogenous environment. Policy makers in this post-conflict country, and in similar environments elsewhere, should take into consideration the economic costs of policies supporting ethnic homogeneity over diversity.
Ozone pollution around a coastal region of South China Sea: interaction between marine and continental air
Authors: Wang Hao , Lyu Xiaopu , Guo Hai , Wang Yu , Zou Shichun , Ling Zhenhao , Wang Xinming , Jiang Fei , Zeren Yangzong , Pan Wenzhuo , Huang Xiaobo , Shen Jin
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Marine atmosphere is usually considered to be a clean environment, but this study indicates that the near-coast waters of the South China Sea (SCS) suffer from even worse air quality than coastal cities. The analyses were based on concurrent field measurements of target air pollutants and meteorological parameters conducted at a suburban site (Tung Chung, TC) and a nearby marine site (Wan Shan, WS) from August to November 2013. The observations showed that the levels of primary air pollutants were significantly lower at WS than those at TC, while the ozone (O3) value was greater at WS. Higher O3 levels at WS were attributed to the weaker NO titration and higher O3 production rate because of stronger oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. However, O3 episodes were concurrently observed at both sites under certain meteorological conditions, such as tropical cyclones, continental anticyclones and sea–land breezes (SLBs). Driven by these synoptic systems and mesoscale recirculations, the interaction between continental and marine air masses profoundly changed the atmospheric composition and subsequently influenced the formation and redistribution of O3 in the coastal areas. When continental air intruded into marine atmosphere, the O3 pollution was magnified over the SCS, and the elevated O3 ( >  100 ppbv) could overspread the sea boundary layer  ∼  8 times the area of Hong Kong. In some cases, the exaggerated O3 pollution over the SCS was recirculated to the coastal inshore by sea breeze, leading to aggravated O3 pollution in coastal cities. The findings are applicable to similar mesoscale environments around the world where the maritime atmosphere is potentially influenced by severe continental air pollution.
The NASA Carbon Airborne Flux Experiment (CARAFE): instrumentation and methodology
Authors: Wolfe Glenn M. , Kawa S. Randy , Hanisco Thomas F. , Hannun Reem A. , Newman Paul A. , Swanson Andrew , Bailey Steve , Barrick John , Thornhill K. Lee , Diskin Glenn , DiGangi Josh , Nowak John B. , Sorenson Carl , Bland Geoffrey , Yungel James K. , Swenson Craig A.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The exchange of trace gases between the Earth's surface and atmosphere strongly influences atmospheric composition. Airborne eddy covariance can quantify surface fluxes at local to regional scales (1–1000 km), potentially helping to bridge gaps between top-down and bottom-up flux estimates and offering novel insights into biophysical and biogeochemical processes. The NASA Carbon Airborne Flux Experiment (CARAFE) utilizes the NASA C-23 Sherpa aircraft with a suite of commercial and custom instrumentation to acquire fluxes of carbon dioxide, methane, sensible heat, and latent heat at high spatial resolution. Key components of the CARAFE payload are described, including the meteorological, greenhouse gas, water vapor, and surface imaging systems. Continuous wavelet transforms deliver spatially resolved fluxes along aircraft flight tracks. Flux analysis methodology is discussed in depth, with special emphasis on quantification of uncertainties. Typical uncertainties in derived surface fluxes are 40–90 % for a nominal resolution of 2 km or 16–35 % when averaged over a full leg (typically 30–40 km). CARAFE has successfully flown two missions in the eastern US in 2016 and 2017, quantifying fluxes over forest, cropland, wetlands, and water. Preliminary results from these campaigns are presented to highlight the performance of this system.
Plant n-alkane production from litterfall altered the diversity and community structure of alkane degrading bacteria in litter layer in lowland subtropical rainforest in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Tung-Yi , Hsu Bing-Mu , Chao Wei-Chun , Fan Cheng-Wei
Published: March 2018

Abstract. n-Alkane and alkane-degrading bacteria have long been used as crucial
biological indicators of paleoecology, petroleum pollution, and oil and gas
prospecting. However, the relationship between n-alkane and
alkane-degrading bacteria in natural forests is still poorly understood. In
this study, long-chain n-alkane (C14–C35) concentrations in
litterfall, litter layer, and topsoil as well as the diversity and abundance of
n-alkane-degrading bacterial communities in litter layers were investigated
in three habitats across a lowland subtropical rainforest in southern Taiwan:
ravine, windward, and leeward habitats in Nanjenshan. Our results demonstrate
that the litterfall yield and productivity of long-chain n-alkane were
highest in the ravine habitats. However, long-chain n-alkane concentrations
in all habitats were decreased drastically to a similar low level from the
litterfall to the bulk soil, suggesting a higher rate of long-chain
n-alkane degradation in the ravine habitat. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU)
analysis using next-generation sequencing data revealed that the
relative abundances of microbial communities in the windward and leeward
habitats were similar and different from that in the ravine habitat. Data
mining of community amplicon sequencing using the NCBI database revealed that
alkB-gene-associated bacteria (95 % DNA sequence similarity to
alkB-containing bacteria) were most abundant in the ravine habitat. Empirical
testing of litter layer samples using semi-quantitative polymerase chain
reaction for determining alkB gene levels confirmed that the ravine habitat
had higher alkB gene levels than the windward and leeward habitats. Heat map
analysis revealed parallels in pattern color between the plant and microbial
species compositions of the habitats, suggesting a causal relationship
between the plant n-alkane production and microbial community diversity.
This finding indicates that the diversity and relative abundance of microbial
communities in the litter layer are affected by n-alkane plant composition
in the litterfall.
Modulation of the vertical particles transfer efficiency in the Oxygen Minimum Zone off Peru
Authors: Bretagnon Marine , Paulmier Aurélien , Garçon Véronique , Dewitte Boris , Illig Sérena , Leblond Nathalie , Coppola Laurent , Campos Fernando , Velazco Frederico , Panagiotopoulos Christos , Oschlies Andreas , Hernandez-Ayon Martin Jose , Maske Helmut , Vergara Oscar , Montes Ivonne , Martinez Philippe , Carasco Edgardo , Grelet Jacques , Desprez-De-Gesincourt Olivier , Maes Christophe , Scouarnec Lionel
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The fate of the Organic Matter (OM) produced by marine life controls the major biogeochemical cycles of the Earth’s system. The OM produced through photosynthesis is either preserved, exported towards sediments or degraded through remineralisation in the water column. The productive Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUSs) associated with Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) should foster OM preservation due to low O2 conditions, but their intense and diverse microbial activity should enhance OM degradation. To investigate this contradiction, sediment traps were deployed near the oxycline and in the OMZ core on an instrumented moored line off Peru, providing high temporal resolution O2 series characterizing two seasonal steady states at the upper trap: suboxic ([O2]
A bias-corrected CMIP5 dataset for Africa using the CDF-t method – a contribution to agricultural impact studies
Authors: Famien Adjoua Moise , Janicot Serge , Ochou Abe Delfin , Vrac Mathieu , Defrance Dimitri , Sultan Benjamin , Noël Thomas
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The objective of this paper is to present a new dataset of bias-corrected
CMIP5 global climate model (GCM) daily data over Africa. This dataset was
obtained using the cumulative distribution function transform (CDF-t) method,
a method that has been applied to several regions and contexts but never to
Africa. Here CDF-t has been applied over the period 1950–2099 combining
Historical runs and climate change scenarios for six variables: precipitation,
mean near-surface air temperature, near-surface maximum air temperature,
near-surface minimum air temperature, surface downwelling shortwave
radiation, and wind speed, which are critical variables for agricultural
purposes. WFDEI has been used as the reference dataset to correct the GCMs.
Evaluation of the results over West Africa has been carried out on a list of
priority user-based metrics that were discussed and selected with
stakeholders. It includes simulated yield using a crop model simulating maize
growth. These bias-corrected GCM data have been compared with another
available dataset of bias-corrected GCMs using WATCH Forcing Data as the reference dataset.
The impact of WFD, WFDEI, and also EWEMBI reference datasets has been also
examined in detail. It is shown that CDF-t is very effective at removing the
biases and reducing the high inter-GCM scattering. Differences with other
bias-corrected GCM data are mainly due to the differences among the
reference datasets. This is particularly true for surface downwelling
shortwave radiation, which has a significant impact in terms of simulated
maize yields. Projections of future yields over West Africa are quite
different, depending on the bias-correction method used. However all these
projections show a similar relative decreasing trend over the 21st century.
Vista-LA: Mapping methane-emitting infrastructure in the Los Angeles megacity
Authors: Carranza Valerie , Rafiq Talha , Frausto-Vicencio Isis , Hopkins Francesca M. , Verhulst Kristal R. , Rao Preeti , Duren Riley M. , Miller Charles E.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) and a critical target of climate mitigation efforts. However, actionable emission reduction efforts are complicated by large uncertainties in the methane budget on relevant scales. Here, we present Vista, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach to map potential methane emissions sources in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) that encompasses Los Angeles, an area with a dense, complex mixture of methane sources. The goal of this work is to provide a database that, together with atmospheric observations, improves methane emissions estimates in urban areas with complex infrastructure. We aggregated methane source location information into three sectors (energy, agriculture, and waste) following the frameworks used by the State of California GHG Inventory and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for GHG Reporting. Geospatial modeling was applied to publicly available datasets to precisely geolocate facilities and infrastructure comprising major anthropogenic methane source sectors. The final database, Vista-Los Angeles (Vista-LA), is presented as maps of infrastructure known or expected to emit CH4. Vista-LA contains over 33 000 features concentrated on  <  1 % of land area in the region. Currently, Vista-LA is used as a planning and analysis tool for atmospheric measurement surveys of methane sources, particularly for airborne remote sensing, and methane hotspot detection using regional observations. This study represents a first step towards developing an accurate, spatially resolved methane flux estimate for point sources in SoCAB, with the potential to address discrepancies between bottom–up and top–down methane emissions accounting in this region. The Vista-LA datasets and associated metadata are available from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center for Biogeochemical Dynamics (ORNL DAAC; https://doi.org/10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1525).
Global radiation, photosynthetically active radiation, and the diffuse
components dataset of China, 1981–2010
Authors: Ren Xiaoli , He Honglin , Zhang Li , Yu Guirui
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Solar radiation, especially photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), is the main energy source of plant photosynthesis; and the diffuse component can enhance canopy light use efficiency, thus increasing ecosystem productivity. In order to predict the terrestrial ecosystem productivity precisely, we not only need global radiation and PAR as driving variables, but also need to treat diffuse radiation and diffuse PAR explicitly in ecosystem models. Therefore, we generated a series of radiation datasets, including global radiation, diffuse radiation, PAR, and diffuse PAR of China from 1981 to 2010, based on the observations of China Meteorology Administration (CMA) and Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN). The dataset should be useful for the analysis of the spatio-temporal variations of solar radiation in China and the impact of diffuse radiation on terrestrial ecosystem productivity based on ecosystem models. The dataset is freely available from the Zenodo at the website of https://zenodo.org/record/1198894 (DOI: 10.11922/sciencedb.555).
Unsupervised detection of salt marsh platforms: a topographic method
Authors: Goodwin Guillaume C. H. , Mudd Simon M. , Clubb Fiona J.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Salt marshes filter pollutants, protect coastlines against storm surges, and
sequester carbon, yet are under threat from sea level rise and anthropogenic
modification. The sustained existence of the salt marsh ecosystem depends on
the topographic evolution of marsh platforms. Quantifying marsh platform
topography is vital for improving the management of these valuable
landscapes. The determination of platform boundaries currently relies on
supervised classification methods requiring near-infrared data to detect
vegetation, or demands labour-intensive field surveys and digitisation. We
propose a novel, unsupervised method to reproducibly isolate salt marsh
scarps and platforms from a digital elevation model (DEM), referred to as Topographic Identification of
Platforms (TIP). Field observations and numerical models show that salt
marshes mature into subhorizontal platforms delineated by subvertical
scarps. Based on this premise, we identify scarps as lines of local maxima on
a slope raster, then fill landmasses from the scarps upward, thus isolating
mature marsh platforms. We test the TIP method using lidar-derived DEMs from
six salt marshes in England with varying tidal ranges and geometries, for
which topographic platforms were manually isolated from tidal flats.
Agreement between manual and unsupervised classification exceeds 94 % for DEM
resolutions of 1 m, with all but one site maintaining an accuracy superior to
90 % for resolutions up to 3 m. For resolutions of 1 m, platforms detected
with the TIP method are comparable in surface area to digitised platforms
and have similar elevation distributions. We also find that our method allows
for the accurate detection of local block failures as small as 3 times the
DEM resolution. Detailed inspection reveals that although tidal creeks were
digitised as part of the marsh platform, unsupervised classification
categorises them as part of the tidal flat, causing an increase in false
negatives and overall platform perimeter. This suggests our method may
benefit from combination with existing creek detection algorithms. Fallen
blocks and high tidal flat portions, associated with potential pioneer zones,
can also lead to differences between our method and supervised mapping.
Although pioneer zones prove difficult to classify using a topographic
method, we suggest that these transition areas should be considered when
analysing erosion and accretion processes, particularly in the case of
incipient marsh platforms. Ultimately, we have shown that unsupervised
classification of marsh platforms from high-resolution topography is possible
and sufficient to monitor and analyse topographic evolution.
A new pachyrhizodontid fish (Actinopterygii, Teleostei) from the Muhi Quarry (Albian-Cenomanian), Hidalgo, Mexico
Authors: Arratia Gloria , González-Rodríguez Katia A. , Hernández-Guerrero Citlalli
Published: March 2018

Abstract. A new genus and species – Motlayoichthys sergioi (ZooBank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2C503741-2362-4234-8CE0-BB7D8BE5A236, urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:EF5040FD-F306-4C0F-B9DA-2CC696CA349D) – from the Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) of the Muhi Quarry, Hidalgo, central Mexico is assigned to the family Pachyrhizodontidae based on the presence of the inner premaxillary tooth and a few other cranial characters. Its unique suite of characters, that includes several autapomorphies supports its assignment as a new genus and species, such as the presence of a triangular head with three sides of similar lengths and with its deepest part at the level of the supraoccipital region; the lower jaw projecting anterior to the premaxilla; the ornamentation of cranial bones – especially those of the cheek region – consisting of fine longitudinal crests densely covering the bony surfaces; one or a few deep grooves on the mandibular teeth, which in addition bear acrodin tips ornamented with fine parallel striae; and the position of the dorsal fin, near the posterior margin of the cranium. Motlayoichthys n. gen., together with Michin, Pachyrhizodus, Rhacolepis, and Notelops, is part of the early radiation of pachyrhizodontoids during Albian times.
Modeling Lake Titicaca Daily and Monthly Evaporation
Authors: Pillco Zolá Ramiro , Bengtsson Lars , Berndtsson Ronny , Martí-Cardona Belen , Satgé Frederic , Timouk Franck , Bonnet Marie-Paule , Mollericon Luis , Gamarra Cesar , Pasapera José
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Lake Titicaca is an important water ecosystem of South America. Due to uncertainties in estimating the evaporation losses from the lake, surface water storage calculations are uncertain. In this paper, we try to improve evaporation loss estimations by comparing different methods to calculate daily and monthly evaporation from Lake Titicaca. These were: water balance, heat balance, mass transfer method, and the Penman equation. The evaporation was computed at daily time step and compared with estimated evaporation using mean monthly meteorological observations. We found that the most reliable method of determining the annual lake evaporation is using the heat balance approach. To estimate the monthly lake evaporation using heat balance, the heat storage changes must be known in advance. Since convection from the surface layer is intense during nights resulting in a well-mixed top layer every morning, it is possible to determine the change of heat storage from the measured morning surface temperature. The mean annual lake evaporation was found to be 1700 mm. Monthly evaporation computed using daily data and monthly means resulted in minor differences.
Remote-sensing data processing with the multivariate regression analysis method for iron mineral resource potential mapping: a case study in the Sarvian area, central Iran
Authors: Mansouri Edris , Feizi Faranak , Jafari Rad Alireza , Arian Mehran
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This paper uses multivariate regression to create a mathematical model for iron skarn exploration in the Sarvian area, central Iran, using multivariate regression for mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM). The main target of this paper is to apply multivariate regression analysis (as an MPM method) to map iron outcrops in the northeastern part of the study area in order to discover new iron deposits in other parts of the study area. Two types of multivariate regression models using two linear equations were employed to discover new mineral deposits. This method is one of the reliable methods for processing satellite images. ASTER satellite images (14 bands) were used as unique independent variables (UIVs), and iron outcrops were mapped as dependent variables for MPM. According to the results of the probability value (p value), coefficient of determination value (R2) and adjusted determination coefficient (Radj2), the second regression model (which consistent of multiple UIVs) fitted better than other models. The accuracy of the model was confirmed by iron outcrops map and geological observation. Based on field observation, iron mineralization occurs at the contact of limestone and intrusive rocks (skarn type).
Snowmobile impacts on snowpack physical and mechanical properties
Authors: Fassnacht Steven R. , Heath Jared T. , Venable Niah B. H. , Elder Kelly J.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Snowmobile use is a popular form of winter recreation in Colorado, particularly on public lands. To examine the effects of differing levels of use on snowpack properties, experiments were performed at two different areas, Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs and at Fraser Experimental Forest near Fraser, Colorado USA. Differences between no use and varying degrees of snowmobile use (low, medium and high) on shallow (the operational standard of 30 cm) and deeper snowpacks (120 cm) were quantified and statistically assessed using measurements of snow density, temperature, stratigraphy, hardness, and ram resistance from snow pit profiles. A simple model was explored that estimated snow density changes from snowmobile use based on experimental results. Snowpack property changes were more pronounced for thinner snow accumulations. When snowmobile use started in deeper snow conditions, there was less difference in density, hardness, and ram resistance compared to the control case of no snowmobile use. These results have implications for the management of snowmobile use in times and places of shallower snow conditions where underlying natural resources could be affected by denser and harder snowpacks.
Earnings Smoothing as Information Signaling or Garbling: A Review of Literature
Authors: Shabani Nor Afifah , Sofian Saudah
Published: March 2018

Earnings smoothing, which refers to the action of managers managing earnings to reduce fluctuations of reported earnings, is a special type of earnings management because while earnings smoothing may be used to distort shareholders and creditors’ view of corporate actual performance, it may also serve as a tool to communicate corporate private information of future earnings to the aforementioned stakeholders. Hence, it comes to no surprise when prior literatures reveal that the studies on the role of earnings smoothing are divided into two streams: as information signaling and information garbling. This paper aims to review prior literatures, specifically on the role of earnings smoothing either as information signaling or garbling based on four themes: firm value, financing need, compensation contract and outsiders’ intervention. This paper reviews journal articles gathered from Web of Science database. Based on the shortcomings of prior literatures, this paper highlights avenue for future research.
Efforts to Prevent the Conflict in the Succession of the Family Business Using the Strategic Collaboration Model
Authors: Adil Efrijal , Nasution Muhammad Dharma Tuah Putra , Samrin Samrin , Rossanty Yossie
Published: March 2018

The issue of succession is important news if there is a generation that involved more than one man. Of course, the possibility of dispute occurs as a result of the difference in the perspective of the successor generation when running the business. The proposed research aims to demonstrate how the process of succession in the family business with Strategic Collaboration Models (SCM). This research includes descriptive qualitative research. The data will be collected with the interview and selection of informants using the purposive sampling technique. In this proposed research, the informants are the founder generation that including family business leaders and potential successor. The result of this research is expected to explain the process of succession through strategic collaboration model. Three phases need to be addressed when the process of succession already from input, process, and output. The input stage is more advancing in training, guidance and direction program for the successor generation. In the process, stages explain how the founder generation can identify the interest and talents of the successor generation. This case is aimed to know whether the business existence related to interest and talent for the successor generations. In output stage will explain how the founder generation and the successor ability to calculate about how much financing required to build a new business. In the family business allows a conflict, so it necessary anticipates with how about the existence of an agreement can separate the business from the founder generation with the business from the successor.
An Optimal Redesign Approach for Optimal Global Supply Chain Redesign: Brazilian Soybean Grain Study
Authors: Lopéz Juan José Uchuya , Qassim Raad Yahya
Published: March 2018

Brazil and the United States are the leading soybean grain producing and exporting countries in the world. Although crop production cost is significantly lower in Brazil than in the United States due to more advanced crop production technology, this competitive advantage vanishes in view of the higher logistics costs in Brazil than in the United States, in view of the dominance of road transportation in Brazil, whilst river and rail transportation are prevalent in the United States. In order to regain its competitive advantage, there is a clear need for a redesign of the inland supply chain in Brazil through the use and expansion of existent inland waterways and rail networks. In this paper, an optimal supply chain redesign methodology is presented to achieve the aforesaid objective, with a focus on Mato Grosso which is the largest producer and exporting state in Brazil. This methodology is in fact applicable to multiply echelon global supply chains in general.
Homosexuality and the “Aqedah Theology”: A Comparison of Modern Orthodoxy and the Conservative Movement
Authors: Irshai Ronit
Published: March 2018

The present article examines the halakhic attitudes toward homosexuality in Modern Orthodoxy and in the Conservative movement, through the prism of the “Aqedah theology” and the link between religion and morality. The article argues that even if there is no clear halakhic boundary between some of the positions of Conservative and Modern Orthodox Judaism, there is a clear difference between them with regard to the Aqedah theology. For Modern Orthodoxy, even if God commands certain things that on the surface clash with contemporary moral concepts, individuals are expected to sacrifice or “bind” their inclinations, including their moral values, to comply with the divine injunction. This is not the case in the Conservative movement. Here the debate is not about whether the Aqedah theology is legitimate (all agree that it is not), but whether the situation of a human being who is barred from realizing his sexual orientation involves “binding” moral concepts.