bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
As prerrogativas do ensino religioso como disciplina na educação básica e no curso de Pedagogia
Authors: Gilz Claudino
Published: February 2015

A presente pesquisa tem como principal objetivo investigar as prerrogativas do Ensino Religioso como disciplina nas etapas da educação básica e no curso de Pedagogia,a serviço da formação do cidadão brasileiro e do profissional docente dessa disciplina.Fundamenta-se no tratamento que o Ensino Religioso como ciência do fenômeno religioso necessita considerar para a elaboração de Planos Curriculares em âmbito da educação básica nos diferentes processos de ensino e aprendizagem em sala de aula (educação infantil, ensino fundamental e ensino médio) e no curso de Pedagogia,uma das licenciaturas na atualidade capaz de contemplar a formação do profissional docente dessa disciplina. Apresenta análise de dados de uma pesquisa de campo desenvolvida entre os anos de 2007 e 2011 com 46 alunos aprovados no vestibular do curso de Pedagogia da FAE Centro Universitário do Paraná, anterior ao processo de elaboração do Plano de Ensino da disciplina “Fundamentos e Metodologia do Ensino Religioso” e de frequência desses mesmos alunos à referida disciplina. Identifica, por meio da análise empreendida, uma pressuposição dos entrevistados da religião e do fenômeno religioso como caminho, crença, propulsora de boas ações humanas, devotamento pessoal, assunto inexplicável e incomensurável. Sinaliza, enquanto expectativa de estudo, uma proposta curricular capaz de atribuir tanto a mesma importância para a formação humana e profissional dos envolvidos como o discernimento da especificidade e a incumbência do Ensino Religioso em relação às demais disciplinas.
Transas na cena em transe: teatro e contracultura na Bahia
Authors: Matos de Leão Raimundo
Published: February 2015

A obra é fruto de tese defendida no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Artes Cênicas da UFBA, em 2007. Aborda questões relativas ao teatro em meio ao ideário contracultural, investindo sua argumentação contra a afirmação de que a produção teatral que se dá de 1968 a 1974 é destituída de criticidade. Propondo outro ponto de vista, o livro apresenta e analisa a produção teatral para afirmar que não houve um "vazio cultural" durante o período em que o governo civil-militar esteve no poder e utilizou a censura e a repressão para calar os artistas.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Syndesmotic Screw Design via Finite Element Analysis and Taguchi's Method
Authors: Er Mehmet Serhan , Verim Ozgur , Eroglu Mehmet , Altinel Levent , Gokce Bariş , Tasgetiren Suleyman
Published: February 2015

Background

Screw fixation of syndesmotic injuries facilitates ligament healing and restoration of ankle stability, but failure of the screw might threaten the success of the treatment. Screw design parameters, such as outer diameter, inner diameter, thread pitch, leading edge radius, trailing edge radius, leading edge angle, and trailing edge angle, might have effects on the stresses that occur in the screws. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to investigate which geometric screw parameters play key roles in stresses that occur in screws used for syndesmotic fixation.

Methods

A three-dimensional finite element model of an ankle was reconstructed. Four different types of titanium screws—4.5-mm malleolar, 4-mm cancellous, 4-mm machine, and 3.5-mm cortical—were placed on this model. Physiologic load was applied to evaluate the stress in the screw. Then the contribution of each design factor to stress in the screws was analyzed systematically by Taguchi's robust design method.

Results

The maximum equivalent ductile failure (von Mises equivalent stress) value was found in the 4-mm cancellous screw (402 MPa). Taguchi's analysis showed that the descending order of contribution of the design factors to stress emerging on the screw is inner diameter, leading edge angle, thread pitch, outer diameter, and trailing edge angle.

Conclusions

Stress that occurs in syndesmotic screws is closely related to their geometry and dimensions. According to the results, a 3.5-mm cortical screw with the ideal screw design regarding optimal parameters to resist against stresses in the syndesmosis seems more reasonable to choose in syndesmotic fixation.
Treatment of Bone Marrow Edema of the Talus with Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: Martinelli Nicolò , Bianchi Alberto , Sartorelli Elena , Dondi Alessandra , Bonifacini Carlo , Malerba Francesco
Published: February 2015

Background

Bone marrow edema (BME) of the talus is a rare, mostly self-limiting cause of foot and ankle pain. We sought to investigate in patients with idiopathic BME of the talus the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields and to determine the effect of this therapy on magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Methods

Six patients with BME of the talus confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled. Pain was quantified with a visual analog scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain imaginable). The clinical outcome was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scoring system. Treatment consisted of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation 8 h/d for 30 days. The device used generated pulses 1.3 milliseconds in duration, with a frequency of 75 Hz and a mean ± SD induced electric field of 3.5 ± 0.5 mV.

Results

The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved from 59.4 (range, 40–66) before treatment to 94 (range, 80–100) at the last follow-up. The visual analog scale score decreased significantly from 5.6 (range, 4–7) before treatment to 1 (range, 0–2) at the last follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that BME improved after 1 month of treatment and resolved completely within 3 months in 5 patients, with normal signal intensity and no signs of progression to avascular necrosis.

Conclusions

A significant reduction in BME area was associated with a significant decrease in pain within 3 months of beginning treatment.
Normal Values of the Foot Posture Index in a Young Adult Spanish Population
Authors: Gijon-Nogueron Gabriel , Sanchez-Rodriguez Raquel , Lopezosa-Reca Eva , Cervera-Marin Jose Antonio , Martinez-Quintana Rodrigo , Martinez-Nova Alfonso
Published: February 2015

Background

Although the appearance of foot or lower-limb pathologies is etiologically multifactorial, foot postures in pronation or supination have been related to certain diseases such as patellofemoral syndrome and plantar fasciitis. The objective of the present study was to determine the normal values of foot posture in a healthy young adult Spanish sample, and to identify individuals at risk of developing some foot pathology.

Methods

The Foot Posture Index (FPI) was determined in a sample of 635 (304 men, 331 women) healthy young adults (ages 18–30 years). The FPI raw score was transformed into a logit score, and a new classification was obtained with the mean ± 2 SD to identify the 5% of the sample with potentially pathologic feet.

Results

The normal range of the FPI was −1 to +6, and FPI values from +10 to +12 and −6 to −12 could be classified as indicating potentially pathologic feet. The women's logit FPI (0.50 ± 1.4, raw FPI +3) was higher than the men's (0.25 ± 1.6, raw FPI +2), with the difference being significant (P = 0.038). No statistically significant differences were found between body mass index groups (P = 0.141).

Conclusions

The normal FPI range goes from just one point of supination to a certain degree of pronation (+6). The identification of 35 individuals with potentially pathologic feet may help in the implementation of a preventive plan to avoid the appearance of foot disorders.
Severe Bone Wax Foreign-Body Reaction Causing Peroneal Tendon Destruction
Authors: Allen-Wilson Nicole , Beatty Richard , Sharpe Jonathan
Published: February 2015

Bone wax is commonly used in orthopedic procedures for the hemostatic control of cancellous bone bleeding. Herein, ordinary bone wax was used to stop bleeding intraoperatively at the site of a peroneal tubercle resection. Five months postoperatively, a symptomatic retrofibular mass was removed. Gross examination showed severe peroneal tendon destruction associated with the mass. Microscopic examination diagnosed a bone wax granuloma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of significant tendon and nerve damage resulting from a bone wax foreign-body granuloma.
A “high 4He/3He” mantle material detected under the East Pacific Rise (15°4′N)
Authors: Mougel Berengere , Moreira Manuel , Agranier Arnaud
Published: February 2015

We investigate in details helium isotope data reported in Mougel et al. (2014) for 14 basaltic samples collected on the East Pacific Rise by submersible (15°4′N) where the ridge interacts with the Mathematician seamounts. Samples locations are separated by only few hundred meters across a 15 km along‐axis profile. The data reveal a strong geochemical variability that has never been observed at such high spatial resolution for helium isotope compositions. Moreover, they reveal an unusually high 4He/3He mantle component also characterized by unradiogenic lead, atypical in oceanic basalts. He‐Pb systematics suggests a mixture between a nonradiogenic lead and radiogenic helium pyroxenitic component, recycled from the deep continental lithosphere and the ambient peridotitic mantle. The He isotope difference between these two end‐members can be interpreted as a time evolution of two distinct mantle sources after a slight (U + Th)/3He fractionation, likely due to some ancient degassing during the formation of deep continental pyroxenites.
Modeling subauroral polarization streams during the 17 March 2013 storm
Authors: Yu Yiqun , Jordanova Vania , Zou Shasha , Heelis Roderick , Ruohoniemi Mike , Wygant John
Published: February 2015

The subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are one of the most important features in representing magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling processes. In this study, we use a state‐of‐the‐art modeling framework that couples an inner magnetospheric ring current model RAM‐SCB with a global MHD model Block‐Adaptive Tree Solar‐wind Roe Upwind Scheme (BATS‐R‐US) and an ionospheric potential solver to study the SAPS that occurred during the 17 March 2013 storm event as well as to assess the modeling capability. Both ionospheric and magnetospheric signatures associated with SAPS are analyzed to understand the spatial and temporal evolution of the electrodynamics in the midlatitude regions. Results show that the model captures the SAPS at subauroral latitudes, where Region 2 field‐aligned currents (FACs) flow down to the ionosphere and the conductance is lower than in the higher‐latitude auroral zone. Comparisons to observations such as FACs observed by Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE), cross‐track ion drift from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), and in situ electric field observations from the Van Allen Probes indicate that the model generally reproduces the global dynamics of the Region 2 FACs, the position of SAPS along the DMSP, and the location of the SAPS electric field around L of 3.0 in the inner magnetosphere near the equator. The model also demonstrates double westward flow channels in the dusk sector (the higher‐latitude auroral convection and the subauroral SAPS) and captures the mechanism of the SAPS. However, the comparison with ion drifts along DMSP trajectories shows an underestimate of the magnitude of the SAPS and the sensitivity to the specific location and time. The comparison of the SAPS electric field with that measured from the Van Allen Probes shows that the simulated SAPS electric field penetrates deeper than in reality, implying that the shielding from the Region 2 FACs in the model is not well represented. Possible solutions in future studies to improve the modeling capability include implementing a self‐consistent ionospheric conductivity module from inner magnetosphere particle precipitation, coupling with the thermosphere‐ionosphere chemical processes, and connecting the ionosphere with the inner magnetosphere by the stronger Region 2 FACs calculated in the inner magnetosphere model.
Exploring the feasibility of a nationwide earthquake early warning system in Italy
Authors: Picozzi M. , Zollo A. , Brondi P. , Colombelli S. , Elia L. , Martino C.
Published: February 2015

When accompanied by appropriate training and preparedness of a population, Earthquake Early Warning Systems (EEWS) are effective and viable tools for the real‐time reduction of societal exposure to seismic events in metropolitan areas. The Italian Accelerometric Network, RAN, which consists of about 500 stations installed over all the active seismic zones, as well as many cities and strategic infrastructures in Italy, has the potential to serve as a nationwide early warning system. In this work, we present a feasibility study for a nationwide EEWS in Italy obtained by the integration of the RAN and the software platform PRobabilistic and Evolutionary early warning SysTem (PRESTo). The performance of the RAN‐PRESTo EEWS is first assessed by testing it on real strong motion recordings of 40 of the largest earthquakes that have occurred during the last 10 years in Italy. Furthermore, we extend the analysis to regions that did not experience earthquakes by considering a nationwide grid of synthetic sources capable of generating Gutenberg‐Richter sequences corresponding to the one adopted by the seismic hazard map of the Italian territory. Our results indicate that the RAN‐PRESTo EEWS could theoretically provide for higher seismic hazard areas reliable alert messages within about 5 to 10 s and maximum lead times of about 25 s. In case of large events (M > 6.5), this amount of lead time would be sufficient for taking basic protective measures (e.g., duck and cover, move away from windows or equipment) in tens to hundreds of municipalities affected by large ground shaking.
Spatial and temporal distribution of deformation at the front of the Andean orogenic wedge in southern Bolivia
Authors: Weiss Jonathan R. , Brooks Benjamin A. , Arrowsmith J. Ramón , Vergani Gustavo
Published: February 2015

New observations from an active orogenic wedge help link the seismotectonic behavior of individual faults to wedge deformation rates and patterns over multiple timescales. We provide the first detailed constraints on the distribution and timing of deformation at the front of the Andean orogenic wedge in southern Bolivia, where a recent study suggests that great (Mw > 8) earthquakes could rupture the master fault underlying the wedge. We use stratigraphic relationships across fault‐related folds and elastic dislocation modeling of seismic reflection horizons to obtain probabilistic estimates of wedge‐front fault ages and slip rates. Our analyses reveal that at least half of the previously determined GPS‐based wedge‐loading and Quaternary whole‐wedge shortening rates are absorbed across a 20–40 km wide wedge‐front zone consisting of 1–4 en echelon and partially to fully overlapping faults and folds associated with blind thrust faults. The difference between our slip rates and the geodetic/geologic observations combined with evidence for activity across internal wedge structures supports the notion that nonsteady state mass balance conditions coupled with elevated erosional efficiency result in distributed wedge deformation. The orogenic wedge in southern Bolivia behaves in a similar fashion to the Taiwanese and Himalayan ranges; slip accumulates at downdip locations along the master fault and is released incrementally by earthquakes that rupture the wedge‐front fault zone. The faults and folds comprising this zone pose a major source of seismic hazard. Accumulating slip is also released in the wedge interior and older, internal wedge faults must be considered in any future assessment of regional earthquake risk.
Variability in the meteoric water, sea‐ice melt, and Pacific water contributions to the central Arctic Ocean, 2000–2014
Authors: Alkire Matthew B. , Morison James , Andersen Roger
Published: February 2015

Fourteen years (2000–2014) of bottle chemistry data collected during the North Pole Environmental Observatory were compiled to examine variations in the composition of freshwater (meteoric water, net sea‐ice meltwater, and Pacific water) over mixed layer of the Central Arctic Ocean. In addition to significant spatial and interannual variability, there was a general decrease in meteoric water (MW) fractions at the majority of stations reoccupied over the duration of the program that was approximately balanced by a concomitant increase in freshwater from sea‐ice melt (SIM FW) between 2000 and 2012. Inventories (0–120 m) of MW and SIM FW computed using available data between 2005 and 2012 exhibited similar variations over the study area, allowing for first‐order estimates of the mean annual changes in MW (−389 ± 194 km3 yr−1) and SIM FW (292 ± 97 km3 yr−1) for the Central Arctic region. These mean annual changes were attributed to the diversion of Siberian river runoff to the Beaufort Gyre and the overall reduction of sea ice volume across the Arctic, respectively. In addition to this lower‐frequency variability, spatial gradients and interannual variations in MW, SIM FW, and Pacific water contributions to specific locations were attributed to shifts in the Transpolar Drift that advects waters of eastern and western Arctic origin through the study area.
Anomalous dispersion of sea ice in the Fram Strait region
Authors: Gabrielski A. , Badin G. , Kaleschke L.
Published: February 2015

The single‐particle dispersion of sea ice in the Fram Strait region is investigated using ice drift buoys deployed from 2002 to 2009 within the Fram Strait Cyclones and the Arctic Climate System Study campaigns. A new method to estimate the direction of the mean flow, based on a satellite drift product, is introduced. As a result, the bias in the dispersion introduced by the mean flow is eliminated considering only the displacements of the buoys in the cross‐stream direction. Results show an absolute dispersion growing quadratically in time for the first 3 days and an anomalous dispersion regime exhibiting a strongly self‐similar scaling following a 5/4 power law for time scales larger than 6 days persisting over the whole time series of length 32 days. The non‐Gaussian distribution of the velocity fluctuations with a skewness of −0.15 and a kurtosis of 7.33 as well as the slope of the Lagrangian frequency spectrum between −2 and −1 are in agreement with the anomalous diffusion regime. Comparison with data from the International Arctic Buoy Program yields similar results with an anomalous dispersion starting after 10 days and persisting over the whole time series of length 50 days. The results suggest the presence of deformation and shear acting on the sea ice dispersion. The high correlation between the cross‐stream displacements and the cross‐stream wind velocities shows the important role of the wind as a source for the anomalous dispersion.
A multiyear dust devil vortex survey using an automated search of pressure time series
Authors: Jackson Brian , Lorenz Ralph
Published: February 2015

Dust devils occur in arid climates on the Earth and ubiquitously on Mars, where they likely dominate the supply of atmospheric dust and influence climate. Martian dust devils have been studied with a combination of orbiting and landed spacecraft, while most studies of terrestrial dust devils have involved manned monitoring of field sites, which can be costly both in time and personnel. As an alternative approach, we describe a multiyear in situ survey of terrestrial dust devils using pressure loggers deployed at El Dorado Playa in Nevada, USA, a site known for dust devil activity. Analogous to previous surveys for Martian dust devils, we conduct a posthoc analysis of the barometric data to search for putative dust devil pressure dips using a new automated detection algorithm. We investigate the completeness and false positive rates of our new algorithm and conduct several statistically robust analyses of the resulting population of dips. We also investigate possible seasonal, annual, and spatial variability of the putative dust devil dips, possible correlations with precipitation, and the influence of sample size on the derived population statistics. Our results suggest that large numbers of dips (>1000) collected over multiple seasons are probably required for accurate assessment of the underlying dust devil population. Correlating long‐term barometric time series with other data streams (e.g., solar flux measurements from photovoltaic cells) can uniquely elucidate the natures and origins of dust devils, and accurately assessing their influence requires consideration of the full distribution of dust devil properties, rather than average values.
Constraining a coupled erosion and soil organic carbon model using hillslope‐scale patterns of carbon stocks and pool composition
Authors: Wang Zhengang , Doetterl Sebastian , Vanclooster Marnik , van Wesemael Bas , Van Oost Kristof
Published: February 2015

A large amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) is laterally redistributed by agricultural erosion. Recent studies have shown that this leads to strong horizontal (i.e., spatial) and vertical (i.e., with soil depth) gradients in SOC stock and C pool distribution in eroding landscapes. However, the mechanisms leading to these gradients in relation to erosion and deposition are still poorly documented. In particular, the effect of the inherent properties of SOC (as controlled by the SOC pool composition) versus the effect of depth‐related soil environmental condition (i.e., differences in soil humidity, temperature, aeration, etc.) on the persistence of SOC in eroding landscapes is uncertain. Nonetheless, a detailed understanding of these factors is important to correctly assess landscape‐scale soil C turnover and vulnerability to disturbance from human activities. This study utilizes observational data on long‐term erosion/deposition rates and C pool composition derived from soil C fractionation experiments along an eroding agricultural hillslope to constrain a coupled erosion‐SOC dynamics model. The simulation results show that the data set used can result in a robust parameter estimation of a multipool C model for an eroding landscape with parameter values that are consistent with incubation experiments. A scenario analysis, where we evaluate the contribution of different processes, demonstrates that soil redistribution is essential to explain the observation that depositional locations contain more SOC in subsoils, while the SOC content of the surface layer is similar to those observed along an eroding hillslope. The spatial variability of plant production could explain some of the observed variability in SOC content, but our results suggest that the spatial variability of SOC pool composition is mainly related to soil redistribution. Finally, we suggest that environmental factors may play a more important role than the inherent properties of SOC in determining the vertical variation of SOC mineralization. This implies that depositional C stocks might be highly vulnerable to disturbance from human activities that may reconnect the buried SOC with the atmosphere.
Importance of nondiffusive transport for soil CO2 efflux in a temperate mountain grassland
Authors: Roland Marilyn , Vicca Sara , Bahn Michael , Ladreiter‐Knauss Thomas , Schmitt Michael , Janssens Ivan A.
Published: February 2015

Soil respiration and its biotic and abiotic drivers have been an important research topic in recent years. While the bulk of these efforts has focused on the emission of CO2 from soils, the production and subsequent transport of CO2 from soil to atmosphere received far less attention. However, to understand processes underlying emissions of CO2 from terrestrial ecosystems, both processes need to be fully evaluated. In this study, we tested to what extent the transport of CO2 in a grassland site in the Austrian Alps could be modeled based on the common assumption that diffusion is the main transport mechanism for trace gases in soils. Therefore, we compared the CO2 efflux calculated from the soil CO2 concentration gradient with the CO2 efflux from chamber measurements. We used four commonly used diffusion‐driven models for the flux‐gradient approach. Models generally underestimated the soil chamber effluxes and their amplitudes, indicating that processes other than diffusion were responsible for the transport of CO2. We further observed that transport rates correlated well with irradiation and, below a soil moisture content of 33%, with wind speed. This suggests that mechanisms such as bulk soil air transport, due to pressure pumping or thermal expansion of soil air due to local surface heating, considerably influence soil CO2 transport at this site. Our results suggest that nondiffusive transport may be an important mechanism influencing diel and day‐to‐day dynamics of soil CO2 emissions, leading to a significant mismatch (10–87% depending on the model used) between the two approaches at short time scales.
Regionally coupled atmosphere‐ocean‐sea ice‐marine biogeochemistry model ROM: 1. Description and validation
Authors: Sein Dmitry V. , Mikolajewicz Uwe , Gröger Matthias , Fast Irina , Cabos William , Pinto Joaquim G. , Hagemann Stefan , Semmler Tido , Izquierdo Alfredo , Jacob Daniela
Published: February 2015

The general circulation models used to simulate global climate typically feature resolution too coarse to reproduce many smaller‐scale processes, which are crucial to determining the regional responses to climate change. A novel approach to downscale climate change scenarios is presented which includes the interactions between the North Atlantic Ocean and the European shelves as well as their impact on the North Atlantic and European climate. The goal of this paper is to introduce the global ocean‐regional atmosphere coupling concept and to show the potential benefits of this model system to simulate present‐day climate. A global ocean‐sea ice‐marine biogeochemistry model (MPIOM/HAMOCC) with regionally high horizontal resolution is coupled to an atmospheric regional model (REMO) and global terrestrial hydrology model (HD) via the OASIS coupler. Moreover, results obtained with ROM using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis and ECHAM5/MPIOM CMIP3 historical simulations as boundary conditions are presented and discussed for the North Atlantic and North European region. The validation of all the model components, i.e., ocean, atmosphere, terrestrial hydrology, and ocean biogeochemistry is performed and discussed. The careful and detailed validation of ROM provides evidence that the proposed model system improves the simulation of many aspects of the regional climate, remarkably the ocean, even though some biases persist in other model components, thus leaving potential for future improvement. We conclude that ROM is a powerful tool to estimate possible impacts of climate change on the regional scale.
From analytical solutions of solute transport equations to multidimensional time‐domain random walk (TDRW) algorithms
Authors: Bodin Jacques
Published: February 2015

In this study, new multi‐dimensional time‐domain random walk (TDRW) algorithms are derived from approximate one‐dimensional (1‐D), two‐dimensional (2‐D), and three‐dimensional (3‐D) analytical solutions of the advection‐dispersion equation and from exact 1‐D, 2‐D, and 3‐D analytical solutions of the pure‐diffusion equation. These algorithms enable the calculation of both the time required for a particle to travel a specified distance in a homogeneous medium and the mass recovery at the observation point, which may be incomplete due to 2‐D or 3‐D transverse dispersion or diffusion. The method is extended to heterogeneous media, represented as a piecewise collection of homogeneous media. The particle motion is then decomposed along a series of intermediate checkpoints located on the medium interface boundaries. The accuracy of the multi‐dimensional TDRW method is verified against (i) exact analytical solutions of solute transport in homogeneous media and (ii) finite‐difference simulations in a synthetic 2‐D heterogeneous medium of simple geometry. The results demonstrate that the method is ideally suited to purely diffusive transport and to advection‐dispersion transport problems dominated by advection. Conversely, the method is not recommended for highly dispersive transport problems because the accuracy of the advection‐dispersion TDRW algorithms degrades rapidly for a low Péclet number, consistent with the accuracy limit of the approximate analytical solutions. The proposed approach provides a unified methodology for deriving multi‐dimensional time‐domain particle equations and may be applicable to other mathematical transport models, provided that appropriate analytical solutions are available.
Model averaging methods to merge operational statistical and dynamic seasonal streamflow forecasts in Australia
Authors: Schepen Andrew , Wang Q. J.
Published: February 2015

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology produces statistical and dynamic seasonal streamflow forecasts. The statistical and dynamic forecasts are similarly reliable in ensemble spread; however, skill varies by catchment and season. Therefore, it may be possible to optimize forecasting skill by weighting and merging statistical and dynamic forecasts. Two model averaging methods are evaluated for merging forecasts for 12 locations. The first method, Bayesian model averaging (BMA), applies averaging to forecast probability densities (and thus cumulative probabilities) for a given forecast variable value. The second method, quantile model averaging (QMA), applies averaging to forecast variable values (quantiles) for a given cumulative probability (quantile fraction). BMA and QMA are found to perform similarly in terms of overall skill scores and reliability in ensemble spread. Both methods improve forecast skill across catchments and seasons. However, when both the statistical and dynamical forecasting approaches are skillful but produce, on special occasions, very different event forecasts, the BMA merged forecasts for these events can have unusually wide and bimodal distributions. In contrast, the distributions of the QMA merged forecasts for these events are narrower, unimodal and generally more smoothly shaped, and are potentially more easily communicated to and interpreted by the forecast users. Such special occasions are found to be rare. However, every forecast counts in an operational service, and therefore the occasional contrast in merged forecasts between the two methods may be more significant than the indifference shown by the overall skill and reliability performance.
An Amine‐Functionalized Iron(III) Metal–Organic Framework as Efficient Visible‐Light Photocatalyst for Cr(VI) Reduction
Authors: Shi Li , Wang Tao , Zhang Huabin , Chang Kun , Meng Xianguang , Liu Huimin , Ye Jinhua
Published: February 2015

The photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) is investigated over iron(III)‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) structured as MIL‐88B. It is found that MIL‐88B (Fe) MOFs, containing Fe3‐μ3‐oxo clusters, can be used as photocatalyst for the reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation, which is due to the direct excitation of Fe3‐μ3‐oxo clusters. The amine‐functionalized MIL‐88B (Fe) MOFs (denoted as NH2–MIL‐88B (Fe)) shows much higher efficiency for the photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction under visible‐light irradiation compared with MIL‐88B (Fe). It is revealed that in addition to the direct excitation of Fe3‐μ3‐oxo clusters, the amine functionality in NH2–MIL‐88B (Fe) can also be excited and then transferred an electron to Fe3‐μ3‐oxo clusters, which is responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction. The enhanced photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction is also achieved for other two amine‐functionalized iron(III)‐based MOFs (NH2–MIL‐53 (Fe) and NH2–MIL‐101 (Fe)).
Chaotic level mixing in a two‐band Bose‐Hubbard model
Authors: Parra‐Murillo Carlos A. , Madroñero Javier , Wimberger Sandro
Published: February 2015

A two‐band Bose‐Hubbard model is presented which is shown to be minimal in the necessary coupling terms at resonant tunneling conditions. The dynamics of the many‐body problem is studied by sweeping the system across an avoided level crossing. The linear sweep generalizes Landau‐Zener transitions from single‐particle to many‐body realizations. The temporal evolution of single‐ and two‐body observables along the sweeps is investigated in order to characterize the non‐equilibrium dynamics in our complex quantum system.

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Remote Chiral Communication in Coadsorber‐Induced Enantioselective 2D Supramolecular Assembly at a Liquid/Solid Interface
Authors: Chen Ting , Li Shu‐Ying , Wang Dong , Yao Man , Wan Li‐Jun
Published: February 2015

Remote chiral communication in 2D supramolecular assembly at a liquid/solid interface was investigated at the molecular level. The stereochemical information in a chiral coadsorber was transmitted over a flexible spacer with a length of up to five methylene groups to a 2D supramolecular assembly of achiral building blocks with the cooperation of specific hydrogen bonding between the chiral coadsorber and achiral building blocks and the confinement effect during 2D crystallization. When the position of the stereogenic center was changed with respect to the stereocontrolling moiety, an odd–even effect was found. A stereogenic center closer to the stereocontrolling moiety transmitted the stereochemical information to the 2D supramolecular assembly more reliably. This result is beneficial not only for mechanistic understanding of chiral communication in 2D supramolecular assembly on surfaces but also for the rational design of homochiral supramolecular assemblies on surfaces.
Directed Evolution of RebH for Site‐Selective Halogenation of Large Biologically Active Molecules
Authors: Payne James T. , Poor Catherine B. , Lewis Jared C.
Published: February 2015

We recently characterized the substrate scope of wild‐type RebH and proceeded to evolve variants of this enzyme with improved stability for biocatalysis. The substrate scopes of both RebH and the stabilized variants, however, are limited primarily to compounds similar in size to tryptophan. A substrate walking approach was used to further evolve RebH variants with expanded substrate scope. Two particularly notable variants were identified: 3‐SS, which provides high conversion of tricyclic tryptoline derivatives; and 4‐V, which accepts a broad range of large indoles and carbazoles. This constitutes the first reported use of directed evolution to enable the functionalization of substrates not accepted by wild‐type RebH and demonstrates the utility of RebH variants for the site‐selective halogenation of biologically active compounds.
Magnetic‐field‐assisted electrospinning highly aligned composite nanofibers containing well‐aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Mei Lin‐Yu , Song Ping , Liu Ya‐Qing
Published: February 2015

Composite nanofiber meshes of well‐aligned polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully fabricated by a magnetic‐field‐assisted electrospinning (MFAES) technology, which was confirmed to be a favorable method for preparation of aligned composite nanofibers in this article. The MFAES experiments showed that the diameters of composite nanofibers decreased first and then increased with the increase of voltage and MWCNTs content. With the increase of voltage, the degree of alignment of the composite nanofibers decreased, whereas it increased with increasing MWCNTs concentration. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed that MWCNTs were parallel and oriented along the axes of the nanofibers under the low concentration. A maximum enhancement of 178% in tensile strength was manifested by adding 2 wt % MWCNTs in well‐aligned composite nanofibers. In addition, the storage modulus of PAN/PVP/MWCNTs composite nanofibers was significantly higher than that of the PAN/PVP nanofibers. Besides, due to the highly ordered alignment structure, the composite nanofiber meshes showed large anisotropic surface resistance, that is, the surface resistance of the composite nanofiber films along the fiber axis was about 10 times smaller than that perpendicular to the axis direction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41995.
Chloromethane–Water Adduct: Rotational Spectrum, Weak Hydrogen Bonds, and Internal Dynamics
Authors: Gou Qian , Spada Lorenzo , Lòpez Juan Carlos , Grabow Jens‐Uwe , Caminati Walther
Published: February 2015

The rotational spectra of four isotopologues of the 1:1 complex between chloromethane and water revealed the presence of only one rotamer in a pulsed jet expansion. The two subunits are linked through two weak hydrogen bonds, OH⋅⋅⋅Cl (RH⋅⋅⋅Cl=2.638(2) Å) and CH⋅⋅⋅O (RH⋅⋅⋅O=2.501(2) Å), forming a five‐membered ring. All transitions display the hyperfine structure due to the 35Cl (or 37Cl) nuclear quadrupole effects. Dynamical features in the spectrum are caused by two large‐amplitude motions. Each component line appears as an asymmetric doublet with a relative intensity ratio of 1:3. The splittings led to the determination of barrier to internal rotation of water around its symmetry axis, V2=320(10) cm−1. Finally, an unexpected small value of the inertial defect (−0.96 uÅ2 rather than −3.22 uÅ2) allowed the estimation of the barrier to the internal rotation of the CH3 group, V3≈8 cm−1.
Dibenzocarbazolediimides: Synthesis, Solid Structure, Self‐Assembly Behavior, and Optoelectronic Properties
Authors: Wu Di , Zhang Yufeng , Zhang Jing , Liu Sheng Hua , Yin Jun
Published: February 2015

Both planar and nonplanar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have attracted attention owing to their potential applications in optoelectronic materials. Four twist benzopicenediimides with good optoelectronic properties have been reported previously. Following on from this work, four functionalized dibenzocarbazoles have been synthesized and reported herein. The fluorescence quantum yields of these compounds were high in dichloromethane and moderate in the solid state. They have interesting self‐assembling behavior and tunable packing motifs in single crystals obtained by introducing different functional groups. Their good optoelectronic properties make them potential candidates for organic devices, bioimaging, and biolabeling.
Investigation of omeprazole and phenacetin first‐pass metabolism in humans using a microscale bioreactor and pharmacokinetic models
Authors: Bricks Thibault , Hamon Jérémy , Fleury Marie José , Jellali Rachid , Merlier Franck , Herpe Yves Edouard , Seyer Alexandre , Regimbeau Jean‐Marc , Bois Frédéric , Leclerc Eric
Published: February 2015

A new in vitro microfluidic platform (integrated insert dynamic microfluidic platform, IIDMP) allowing the co‐culture of intestinal Caco‐2 TC7 cells and of human primary hepatocytes was used to test the absorption and first‐pass metabolism of two drugs: phenacetin and omeprazole. The metabolism of these drugs by CYP1A2, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 was evaluated by the calculation of bioavailabilities and of intrinsic clearances using a pharmacokinetic (PK) model. To demonstrate the usefulness of the device and of the PK model, predictions were compared with in vitro and in vivo results from the literature. Based on the IIDMP experiments, hepatic in vivo clearances of phenacetin and omeprazole in the IIDMP were predicted to be 3.10 ± 0.36 and 1.46 ± 0.25 ml/min/kg body weight, respectively. This appeared lower than the in vivo observed data with values ranging between 11.9–19.6 and 5.8–7.5 ml/min/kg body weight, respectively. Then the calculated hepatic and intestinal clearances led to predicting an oral bioavailability of 0.85 and 0.77 for phenacetin and omeprazole versus 0.92 and 0.78 using separate data from the simple monoculture of Caco‐2 TC7 cells and hepatocytes in Petri dishes. When compared with the in vivo data, the results of oral bioavailability were overestimated (0.37 and 0.71, respectively). The feasibility of co‐culture in a device allowing the integration of intestinal absorption, intestinal metabolism and hepatic metabolism in a single model was demonstrated. Nevertheless, further experiments with other drugs are needed to extend knowledge of the device to predict oral bioavailability and intestinal first‐pass metabolism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiological Correlates of Choice‐Induced Dissonance: An Exploration of HPA‐Axis Responses
Authors: Kimel Sasha Y. , Lopez‐Duran Nestor , Kitayama Shinobu
Published: February 2015

Choice can produce a negatively arousing cognitive conflict (called dissonance), which is thought to motivate the chooser to spread their preferences for the relevant options (called Spreading of Alternatives, or SA). The current work aimed to determine the relationship between HPA‐axis activity and both choice‐induced dissonance and its reduction (i.e. SA) among individuals with varying cultural backgrounds. European–Americans and Asians made a choice between two equally attractive CDs either in the presence of a cue indicative of social eyes (i.e. public‐choice condition) or in the absence thereof (i.e. private‐choice condition). As predicted, European–Americans and Asians showed a reliable SA primarily in the private and public choice conditions, respectively. Importantly, a sharp decline of salivary cortisol was observed over the span of 30 min, and, moreover, this decline was reliably predicted by the magnitude of SA regardless of either culture or the choice being private vs. public. These results suggest that although choice‐induced dissonance is too weak to elicit an HPA‐axis stress response, SA is associated with variability in the decline of salivary cortisol during the laboratory task. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A transcriptional and proteomic survey of Arachnocampa luminosa (Diptera: Keroplatidae) lanterns gives insights into the origin of bioluminescence from the Malpighian tubules in Diptera
Authors: Silva J. R. , Amaral D. T. , Hastings J. W. , Wilson T. , Viviani V. R.
Published: February 2015

Fungus‐gnats of the genus Arachnocampa are unique among bioluminescent insects for displaying blue–green bioluminescence, and are responsible for one of the most beautiful bioluminescence spectacles on the roofs of the Waitomo Caves. Despite morphological studies showing that Arachnocampa larval lanterns involve specialization of the Malpighian tubules, the biochemical origin of their bioluminescence remains enigmatic. Using a cDNA library previously constructed from lanterns of the New Zealand glowworm A. luminosa, we carried out the first transcriptional analysis of ~ 500 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to identify putative candidate proteins for light production, and to better understand the molecular physiology of the lanterns and their relationship with Malpighian tubule physiology. The analysis showed an abundance of hexamerin‐like proteins, as well as luciferase‐like enzymes, indicating a possible critical role for these proteins in bioluminescence. These findings were corroborated by proteomic analysis of lantern extracts, which showed the presence of hexamerins and luciferase‐like enzymes. Other gene products typical of Malpighian tubules, such as detoxifying enzymes, were also found. The results support the existence of an evolutionary link between Malpighian tubule detoxification and the origin of bioluminescence in these Diptera. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Representations of Mental Health Among Middle‐Aged Urban Chinese Men
Authors: Lu Xuan‐Wei , Chauhan Apurv , Campbell Catherine
Published: February 2015

Little is understood by the ideas that urban Chinese population holds about mental health. Insufficient research and recognition of mental illnesses, and a dearth of social resources for mental health support and promotion limit understandings of how daily life stresses restrict the quality of life of China's urban population. Drawing on in‐depth interviews with 15 middle‐age urban men, we map out men's accounts of how they battle to cope with the demands of everyday social, political, and familial pressures. The study reveals that the representations of mental health are shaped by notions of control over emotions, adherence to Confucian philosophy, familial obligations, and the need to demonstrate social obedience and conformity. Data also suggest that the participants represent stable family support along with healthy social interactions as important enabling factors of positive mental health, whereas pressures of modernity are regarded as significant disruptive factors in mental health. The theory of social representations guides the process as well as analytic interpretations of this research. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trans‐pulmonary echocardiography as a guide for device closure of patent ductus arteriosus
Authors: Kudo Yoshiyuki , Suda Kenji , Yoshimoto Hironaga , Teramachi Yozo , Kishimoto Shintaro , Iemura Motofumi , Matsuishi Toyojiro
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop trans‐pulmonary echocardiography (TPE) to guide device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (DC‐PDA).

Background

Aortography requires a large amount of contrast yet may give us an inadequate image to evaluate anatomy or residual shunt in patients with large PDA or dilated vessels and is precluded in patients with renal dysfunction. Practically, there is no imaging modality to monitor the entire procedure except for trans‐esophageal echocardiography that requires general anesthesia.

Methods

Subjects were seven patients with ages ranged from 6‐ to 77‐years old and body weight > 15 kg. The size of the PDA ranged from 1.8 to 6.3 mm with pulmonary to systemic flow ratios from 1.2 to 2.2. During DC‐PDA using Ampaltzer Duct Occluder or coil, an intra‐cardiac echocardiographic (ICE) catheter was advanced into pulmonary arteries and standard views were developed to guide DC‐PDA.

Results

We have developed two standard views; the main pulmonary artery view (MPA view) and the left pulmonary artery view (LPA view). The MPA view provided aortic short axis view equivalent to that seen by trans‐thoracic echocardiography in children. The LPA view, obtained by the echo probe in the LPA and turned it up upside down, provided long axis view of the PDA allowing more precise anatomical evaluation. TPE allowed us to monitor the entire procedure and determine residual shunts.

Conclusions

TPE in the MPA and LPA view can be an effective guide for DC‐PDA. This report leads to new application of this imaging device. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hierarchical CaCO3 Chromatography: A Stationary Phase Based on Biominerals
Authors: Sato Kosuke , Oaki Yuya , Takahashi Daisuke , Toshima Kazunobu , Imai Hiroaki
Published: February 2015

In biomineralization, acidic macromolecules play important roles for the growth control of crystals through a specific interaction. Inspired by this interaction, we report on an application of the hierarchical structures in CaCO3 biominerals to a stationary phase of chromatography. The separation and purification of acidic small organic molecules are achieved by thin‐layer chromatography and flash chromatography using the powder of biominerals as the stationary phase. The unit nanocrystals and their oriented assembly, the hierarchical structure, are suitable for the adsorption site of the target organic molecules and the flow path of the elution solvents, respectively. The separation mode is ascribed to the specific adsorption of the acidic molecules on the crystal face and the coordination of the functional groups to the calcium ions. The results imply that a new family of stationary phase of chromatography can be developed by the fine tuning of hierarchical structures in CaCO3 materials.