bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Proposed Clinical Diagnostic Criteria of Enteric Fever
Authors: Neopane A , Panta S
Published: September 2014

Background Enteric fever is very common infectious disease in developing countries like Nepal. Due to lack of resources diagnosis has to be clinical most of the time. Hence a proposal of clinical diagnostic criteria and validation of the same would be very useful. Objective To validate the proposed clinical diagnostic criterion including features characterized as major and minor criteria Methods This study was done in the department of medicine of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching hospital, from June 2009 to January 2012. A total of 114 patients presenting with fever were included in the study. After proposal of clinical diagnostic criteria for enteric fever, by a prior published study, all the fever patients were grouped according to criteria positive or negative. The most significant criteria were validated by calculating sensitivity and specificity along with positive and negative likelihood ratios with blood culture taken as gold standard. Results A total of 114 patients were enrolled. Total patients diagnosed as enteric was 47.3 %. Clinical diagnostic criterion B which included three major (headache, fever and relative bradycardia) and three minor criteria (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, splenomegaly and chills) was highly significant (p=<.0001) in diagnosing enteric fever and had a sensitivity of 72.2% ( 95% CI 58.1- 83.1) and specificity of 98.3% ( 95% CI 89.8-99-9). The positive likelihood ratio was 43.33 (95 % CI 6.16-304.77) and negative likelihood ratio as 0.28 (95% CI 0.18-0.43). Conclusion Clinical diagnostic criteria can be a very useful tool for diagnosis of enteric fever when culture facility is not available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i4.10986 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2012;10(4):8-11
Paroxysmal Neuralgia in Pediatric Population- A Diagnostic Dilemma for Physicians and Dental Practioners
Authors: Dubey A , Mujoo S , Sakarde SB , Dubey AK
Published: September 2014

Paroxysmal neuralgia is relatively uncommon in children. Neuropathic orofacial pain is a challenge for the clinician, as no obvious dental pathology exists either clinically or radiographically. Dentist and physician should be able to recognize the characteristics of neuropathic pain so as to correctly diagnose these conditions hence avoid unnecessary dental intervention. This article reviews the conditions with paroxysmal neuralgia in children and available treatment strategies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i4.11000 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2012;10(4):74-77
Problem Based Learning in Medical Education
Authors: Mansur DI , Kayastha SR , Makaju R , Dongol M
Published: September 2014

Problem based learning, originally introduced in the Medical School at Mc- Master University in Canada in the late 1960s, and is now being used as a learning method in many medical schools in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Problem based learning have been adapted in many medical colleges of Nepal be used either as the mainstay of an entire curriculum or for the delivery of individual courses. Institution of Medicine, Tribhuvan University in 1980, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences at Dharan in 1999, KUSMS with the great support of faculties from Harvard University in 2001, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), and lately all the affiliated medical colleges of Kathmandu University have adapted Problem based learning DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i4.11002 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2012;10(4):78-82
Abdominal Cocoon in an Adolescent Male
Authors: Shakya VC , Agrawal CS , Rajbanshi SK , Pradhan A , Khaniya S , Adhikary S
Published: September 2014

Abdominal cocoon is an uncommon peritoneal condition characterized by partial or complete encasement of small bowel by a thick rind of fibrous tissue and adhesions. Only few cases of this disease have been reported in world literature. The etiology of this condition is unknown, and most often it is found in adolescent girls from tropical or subtropical countries, and usually diagnosed incidentally on exploration. Surgery (membrane dissection and extensive adhesiolysis) is the treatment of choice. Here, we report a case of abdominal cocoon in a 20-year-old male patient, with a brief review of the literature. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i4.11009 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2012;10(4):83-86
Genetic identification of the central nucleus and other components of the central extended amygdala in chicken during development
Authors: Vicario Alba , Abellán Antonio , Desfilis Ester , Medina Loreta
Published: September 2014

In mammals, the central extended amygdala shows a highly complex organization, and is essential for animal survival due to its implication in fear responses. However, many aspects of its evolution are still unknown, and this structure is especially poorly understood in birds. The aim of this study was to define the central extended amygdala in chicken, by means of a battery of region-specific transcription factors (Pax6, Islet1, Nkx2.1) and phenotypic markers that characterize these different subdivisions in mammals. Our results allowed the identification of at least six distinct subdivisions in the lateral part of the avian central extended amygdala: (1) capsular central subdivision; (2) a group of intercalated-like cell patches; (3) oval central nucleus; (4) peri-intrapeduncular (peri-INP) island field; (5) perioval zone; and (6) a rostral part of the subpallial extended amygdala. In addition, we identified three subdivisions of the laterodorsal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTLd) belonging to the medial region of the chicken central extended amygdala complex. Based on their genetic profile, cellular composition and apparent embryonic origin of the cells, we discuss the similarity of these different subdivisions of chicken with different parts of the mouse central amygdala and surrounding cell masses, including the intercalated amygdalar masses and the sublenticular part of the central extended amygdala. Most of the subdivisions include various subpopulations of cells that apparently originate in the dorsal striatal, ventral striatal, pallidal, and preoptic embryonic domains, reaching their final location by either radial or tangential migrations. Similarly to mammals, the central amygdala and BSTLd of chicken project to the hypothalamus, and include different neurons expressing proenkephalin, corticotropin-releasing factor, somatostatin or tyrosine hydroxylase, which may be involved in the control of different aspects of fear/anxiety-related behavior.
Students vs. Jurors: Responding to Enhanced Video Technology
Authors: Rossner Meredith , Tait David , Goodman-Delahunty Jane
Published: September 2014

This study investigated the influence of visual media technologies used in remote witness testimony, examining whether it is suitable to use students as mock jurors when measuring the impact of new technologies. A 2 × 2 mixed factorial design explored how student status impacted ratings of the quality of the technology and remote witness facilities. A sample of 79 students and non-empanelled jurors from the Victorian Metropolitan County Court viewed direct questioning of four lay witnesses who testified from a remote location via standard or enhanced video technology. Students differed significantly from jurors in their attitudes towards media and technology. In responding to technology enhancements, students were similar in rating changes in the quality of the technology, but differed significantly in how they rated changes to the design of remote witness facilities. Students were thus a suitable sample to measure the effect of technological change in court on perceptions of technology, but not on perceptions of design. We conclude by stressing such technology enhancements can improve the quality of experience for all jurors.
The in Vitro Biological Activity of the Brazilian Brown Seaweed Dictyota mertensii against Leishmania amazonensis
Authors: Aliança Amanda , Anjos Keicyanne , De Vasconcelos Reis Thiago , Higino Taciana , Brelaz-de-Castro Maria , Bianco Éverson , De Figueiredo Regina
Published: September 2014

Seaweeds present a wide variety of interesting bioactive molecules. In the present work we evaluated the biological activity of the dichloromethane/methanol (2:1) extract (DME) from the brown seaweed Dictyota mertensii against Leishmania amazonensis and its cytotoxic potential on mammalian cells. The extract showed significant inhibitory effect on the growth of promastigote forms (IC50 = 71.60 μg/mL) and low toxicity against mammalian cells (CC50 = 233.10 μg/mL). The DME was also efficient in inhibiting the infection in macrophages, with CC50 of 81.4 μg/mL and significantly decreased the survival of amastigote forms within these cells. The selectivity index showed that DME was more toxic to both promastigote (SI = 3.25) and amastigote (SI = 2.86) forms than to macrophages. Increased NO production was observed in treated macrophages suggesting that besides acting directly on the parasites, the DME also shows an immunomodulatory effect on macrophages. Drastic ultrastructural alterations consistent with loss of viability and cell death were observed in treated parasites. Confocal microscopy and cytometry analyzes showed no significant impairment of plasma membrane integrity, whereas an intense depolarization of mitochondrial membrane could be observed by using propidium iodide and rhodamine 123 staining, respectively. The low toxicity to mammalian cells and the effective activity against promastigotes and amastigotes, point to the use of DME as a promising agent for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Cytotoxic Illudalane Sesquiterpenes from the Wood-Decay Fungus Granulobasidium vellereum (Ellis & Cragin) Jülich
Authors: Nord Christina , Menkis Audrius , Broberg Anders
Published: September 2014

Seven illudalane sesquiterpenes were obtained from the wood decomposing fungus Granulobasidium vellereum: granuloinden A, granuloinden B and dihydrogranuloinden, along with the previously known compounds radulactone, pterosin M, echinolactone A and D. Granuloinden B showed potent cytotoxic activity against the Huh7 and MT4 tumor cell lines (CC50 values of 6.7 and 0.15 µM, respectively), whereas granuloinden A and dihydrogranuloinden had no or moderate activity.
The Feature Extraction Based on Texture Image Information for Emotion Sensing in Speech
Authors: Wang Kun-Ching
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we present a novel texture image feature for Emotion Sensing in Speech (ESS). This idea is based on the fact that the texture images carry emotion-related information. The feature extraction is derived from time-frequency representation of spectrogram images. First, we transform the spectrogram as a recognizable image. Next, we use a cubic curve to enhance the image contrast. Then, the texture image information (TII) derived from the spectrogram image can be extracted by using Laws’ masks to characterize emotional state. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed emotion recognition in different languages, we use two open emotional databases including the Berlin Emotional Speech Database (EMO-DB) and eNTERFACE corpus and one self-recorded database (KHUSC-EmoDB), to evaluate the performance cross-corpora. The results of the proposed ESS system are presented using support vector machine (SVM) as a classifier. Experimental results show that the proposed TII-based feature extraction inspired by visual perception can provide significant classification for ESS systems. The two-dimensional (2-D) TII feature can provide the discrimination between different emotions in visual expressions except for the conveyance pitch and formant tracks. In addition, the de-noising in 2-D images can be more easily completed than de-noising in 1-D speech.
The Development of an Interpretive Experience to Foster Positive Tourist Encounters and Manage Turtle Tourism in Northwest Western Australia: Implications for Further Research
Authors: Smith L. , Newsome D. , Lee D.
Published: September 2014

In understanding the importance of interpretation in guiding sustainable turtle tourism, this article reports on the effect of an interpretation program, the Jurabi Turtle Experience (JTE), on the behavior of turtle-watching tourists at the Jurabi Coastal Park, on the Northwest Cape
of Western Australia. Ninety-seven turtle-watching tourists in the Jurabi Coastal Park, including people who attended the JTE and others who did not, were sampled during the peak turtle nesting season (December–January) using participant observation and a questionnaire. People participating
in the JTE showed increased compliance with a behavioral code of conduct for turtle watching and higher satisfaction with the experience compared with people who did not participate. These increases strengthen the case for continuing the JTE and possibly requiring all Jurabi Coastal Park visitors
to participate in a JTE-like experience.
Shark Diving in the Azores: Challenge and Opportunity
Authors: Bentz Julia , Dearden Philip , Ritter Erich , Calado Helena
Published: September 2014

Many shark species are highly endangered. The main cause of mortality is fishing. Shark tourism is growing worldwide and has the potential to provide incentive-based conservation for some shark species but fishing remains a major challenge. In the Azores, sharks are still relatively
abundant and a shark tourism industry has developed over the last few years. This article reports on the current status of shark diving, conflicts with fishing, dive industry management, and the potential future sustainability of shark diving in the Azores. Interviews with industry stakeholders
show a rapidly emerging conflict with fisheries that threatens the future sustainability of the shark-diving industry. To facilitate the sustainable development of shark watching, partnerships among operators, local fishers, and the government are essential.
Learn While Cruising: Experiential Learning Opportunities for Teaching Cruise Tourism Courses
Authors: Lohmann Gui
Published: September 2014

This article follows up on the seminal experience written by Weeden, Woolley, and Lester in 2011 where a cruise field trip was undertaken with a group of undergraduate students in the UK. It presents the reflections of students who undertook a cruise field trip carried out in Australia
with 24 undergraduate students. While some of the experiential learning findings obtained in this research (n = 22) support what was presented from the smaller sample of the above-mentioned article (n = 8)—facilitation of group cohesion and first-hand understanding of managerial
and operational aspects of the cruise sector—new pedagogical opportunities were also identified.
In vitro interaction of colloidal nanoparticles with mammalian cells: What have we learned thus far?
Authors: Nazarenus Moritz , Zhang Qian , Soliman Mahmoud G , del Pino Pablo , Pelaz Beatriz , Carregal-Romero Susana , Rejman Joanna , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara , Clift Martin J D , Zellner Reinhard , Nienhaus G Ulrich , Delehanty James B , Medintz Igor L , Parak Wolfgang J
Published: September 2014

The interfacing of colloidal nanoparticles with mammalian cells is now well into its second decade. In this review our goal is to highlight the more generally accepted concepts that we have gleaned from nearly twenty years of research. While details of these complex interactions strongly depend, amongst others, upon the specific properties of the nanoparticles used, the cell type, and their environmental conditions, a number of fundamental principles exist, which are outlined in this review.
Les différents niveaux de coordination
Authors: Le Sommer-Père Myriam
Published: September 2014

Reconnue par tous comme indispensable à l’organisation, nécessairement pluridisciplinaire, des réponses aux besoins des personnes âgées et point de convergence de multiples motivations, la coordination gérontologique reste difficile à mettre en œuvre. La hiérarchisation de ce principe de qualité en trois niveaux de fonctionnement permet de dégager les objectifs à court terme d’un premier niveau de coordination au cas par cas, de ceux d’un second niveau, d’ordre communautaire. Celui-ci vise à solidariser les différents acteurs autour de représentations communes et d’outils partagés, passant par l’adoption d’une charte et l’appropriation des critères d’évaluation du système. Le troisième niveau institutionnalise la coordination au sein d’un réseau avec l’organisation conventionnée de son cofinancement.
Création d'un réseau gérontologique
Authors: Leroux Philippe , Dubourg D.
Published: September 2014

Les auteurs constatent, dans un secteur sanitaire où pourtant la prise en charge gérontologique est particulièrement développée, que les prises en charge sont souvent trop tardives ou inadaptées. En conséquence, et pour prévenir les crises, ils proposent une organisation en réseau qu’ils décrivent et qui repose sur une évaluation médico-sociale conduite au domicile de la personne âgée, après son acceptation, par son médecin généraliste et un travailleur social. Cette évaluation est suivie par la proposition d’un plan d’accompagnement et la désignation d’un coordonnateur, médecin ou travailleur social. Ils décrivent les éléments positifs et les difficultés qui ont émaillé leur conduite du projet jusqu’à son agrément par les Ministres concernés en novembre 2001.
La coordination gérontologique locale d'Athis-Mons (Essonne)
Authors: Severin Mireille
Published: September 2014

A partir de 1989, la municipalité d’Athis-Mons nouvellement élue a remis en cause de manière fondamentale la politique d’assistance menée jusqu’alors en direction des aînés de la ville en supprimant le traditionnel colis de Noël et la gratuité des transports. Le redéploiement de ces crédits a permis la création d’un réseau gérontologique local permettant aux retraités de la Ville de bénéficier maintenant de services à domicile adaptés et de vieillir chez eux dans les meilleures conditions possibles.
L'agir suicidaire : un acte pour s'autoreprésenter ?
Authors: Jung Johann
Published: September 2014

Classiquement abordé comme une entrave à la symbolisation, l’agir est ici appréhendé, au-delà de sa fonction défensive, comme un appel en direction de l’objet et de sa fonction miroir. La problématique de l’agir révèlerait une faille dans l’organisation réflexive interne qui actualise d’une manière centrale les enjeux de l’identité et de l’autoreprésentation. A partir d’un cas clinique centré sur l’agir suicidaire, l’auteur interroge les effets de l’absence d’une réponse réflexive subjectivante de l’objet sur l’identité en souffrance. L’exploration de la valeur potentiellement autoreprésentative de l’acte et du discours qui lui est associé conduit à décrire les processus qui sous-tendent l’identité et l’établissement d’un rapport à soi au cours du développement.
Au commencement était l'acte contre-transférentiel : l'interpret'Action comme fonction symbolisante de l'objet
Authors: Vergnaud-Hagry Hélène
Published: September 2014

Le travail analytique auprès des états limites – souffrant de problématiques précoces touchant les fondements mêmes de leur identité – confronte parfois le psychothérapeute à un vacillement de sa propre identité, le poussant inconsciemment, par la force de la compulsion de répétition et des identifications projectives, à des manifestations agies qui ne sont pas son mode habituel de fonctionnement. Par l’intermédiaire d’un cas clinique, cet article vise à montrer que ces transgressions ou ces « expériences agies partagées » – prenant naissance dans le transfert – sont susceptibles de devenir des moteurs puissants à la symbolisation, pour peu qu’ils soient repris dans un second temps dans le travail d’élaboration, rendant à l’objet sa fonction symbolisante.
CD47 Signaling Regulates the Immunosuppressive Activity of VEGF in T Cells
Authors: Kaur Sukhbir , Chang Tiffany , Singh Satya P. , Lim Langston , Mannan Poonam , Garfield Susan H. , Pendrak Michael L. , Soto-Pantoja David R. , Rosenberg Avi Z. , Jin Shelly , Roberts David D.
Published: September 2014

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) inhibits angiogenesis, in part, by interacting with the ubiquitous cell-surface receptor CD47. In endothelial cells, CD47 interacts directly with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2, and TSP1 inhibits VEGFR2 phosphorylation and signaling by disrupting this association. We show that CD47 similarly associates with and regulates VEGFR2 in T cells. TSP1 inhibits phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its downstream target Src in wild type but not in CD47-deficient human Jurkat and primary murine T cells. VEGFR2 signaling inhibits proliferation and TCR signaling in wild type T cells. However, ligation of CD47 by TSP1 or loss of CD47 expression reverses some inhibitory effects of VEGF on proliferation and T cell activation. We further found that VEGF and VEGFR2 expression are upregulated in CD47-deficient murine CD4+ and human Jurkat T cells, and the resulting autocrine VEGFR2 signaling enhances proliferation and some TCR responses in the absence of CD47. Thus, CD47 signaling modulates the ability of VEGF to regulate proliferation and TCR signaling, and autocrine production of VEGF by T cells contributes to this regulation. This provides a mechanism to understand the context-dependent effects of TSP1 and VEGF on T cell activation, and reveals an important role for CD47 signaling in regulating T cell production of the major angiogenic factor VEGF.
Increased Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Associated with Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and Symptom Severity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
Authors: Russo Anthony J.
Published: September 2014

Background

One in 88 children in the US is thought to have one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). ASDs are characterized by social impairments and communication problems. Growth factors and their receptors may play a role in the etiology of ASDs. Research has shown that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is associated with nerve cell development and repair. This study was designed to measure plasma levels of EGFR in autistic children and correlate these levels with its ligand, epidermal growth factor, other related putative biomarkers such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the ligand for MET (MNNG HOS transforming gene) receptor, as well as the symptom severity of 19 different behavioral symptoms.

Subjects and Methods

Plasma EGFR concentration was measured in 33 autistic children and 34 age- and gender-similar neurotypical controls, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma EGFR levels were compared to putative biomarkers known to be associated with EGFR and MET and severity levels of 19 autism-related symptoms.

Results

We found plasma EGFR levels significantly higher in autistic children, when compared to neurotypical controls. EGFR levels correlated with HGF and high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) levels, but not other tested putative biomarkers, and EGFR levels correlated significantly with severity of expressive language, conversational language, focus/attention, hyperactivity, eye contact, and sound sensitivity deficiencies.

Conclusions

These results suggest a relationship between increased plasma EGFR levels and designated symptom severity in autistic children. A strong correlation between plasma EGFR and HGF and HMGB1 suggests that increased EGFR levels may be associated with the HGF/Met signaling pathway, as well as inflammation.
Photochemical roles of rapid economic growth and potential abatement strategies on tropospheric ozone over South and East Asia in 2030
Authors: Chatani S. , Amann M. , Goel A. , Hao J. , Klimont Z. , Kumar A. , Mishra A. , Sharma S. , Wang S. X. , Wang Y. X. , Zhao B.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. A regional air quality simulation framework including the Weather Research and Forecasting modeling system (WRF), the Community Multi-scale Air Quality modeling system (CMAQ), and precursor emissions to simulate tropospheric ozone over South and East Asia is introduced. Concentrations of tropospheric ozone and related species simulated by the framework are validated by comparing with observation data of surface monitoring, ozonesondes, and satellites obtained in 2010. The simulation demonstrates acceptable performance on tropospheric ozone over South and East Asia at regional scale. Future energy consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in 2030 under three future scenarios are estimated. One of the scenarios assumes a business-as-usual (BAU) pathway, and other two scenarios consider implementation of additional energy and environmental strategies to reduce energy consumption, CO2, NOx, and VOC emissions in China and India. Future surface ozone under these three scenarios is predicted by the simulation. The simulation indicates future surface ozone significantly increases around India for a whole year and around northeastern China in summer. NOx is a main driver on significant seasonal increase of surface ozone, whereas VOC as well as increasing background ozone and methane is also an important factor on annual average of surface ozone in East Asia. Warmer weather around India is also preferable for significant increase of surface ozone. Additional energy and environmental strategies assumed in future scenarios are expected to be effective to reduce future surface ozone over South and East Asia.
Global data set of biogenic VOC emissions calculated by the MEGAN model over the last 30 years
Authors: Sindelarova K. , Granier C. , Bouarar I. , Guenther A. , Tilmes S. , Stavrakou T. , Müller J.-F. , Kuhn U. , Stefani P. , Knorr W.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGANv2.1) together with the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) meteorological fields were used to create a global emission data set of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) available on a monthly basis for the time period of 1980–2010. This data set, developed under the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate project (MACC), is called MEGAN–MACC. The model estimated mean annual total BVOC emission of 760 Tg (C) yr−1 consisting of isoprene (70%), monoterpenes (11%), methanol (6%), acetone (3%), sesquiterpenes (2.5%) and other BVOC species each contributing less than 2%. Several sensitivity model runs were performed to study the impact of different model input and model settings on isoprene estimates and resulted in differences of up to ±17% of the reference isoprene total. A greater impact was observed for a sensitivity run applying parameterization of soil moisture deficit that led to a 50% reduction of isoprene emissions on a global scale, most significantly in specific regions of Africa, South America and Australia. MEGAN–MACC estimates are comparable to results of previous studies. More detailed comparison with other isoprene inventories indicated significant spatial and temporal differences between the data sets especially for Australia, Southeast Asia and South America. MEGAN–MACC estimates of isoprene, α-pinene and group of monoterpenes showed a reasonable agreement with surface flux measurements at sites located in tropical forests in the Amazon and Malaysia. The model was able to capture the seasonal variation of isoprene emissions in the Amazon forest.
Hydrometeor classification from two-dimensional video disdrometer data
Authors: Grazioli J. , Tuia D. , Monhart S. , Schneebeli M. , Raupach T. , Berne A.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. The first hydrometeor classification technique based on two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) data is presented. The method provides an estimate of the dominant hydrometeor type falling over time intervals of 60 s during precipitation, using the statistical behavior of a set of particle descriptors as input, calculated for each particle image. The employed supervised algorithm is a support vector machine (SVM), trained over 60 s precipitation time steps labeled by visual inspection. In this way, eight dominant hydrometeor classes can be discriminated. The algorithm achieved high classification performances, with median overall accuracies (Cohen's K) of 90% (0.88), and with accuracies higher than 84% for each hydrometeor class.
Influence of changes in humidity on dry temperature in GPS RO climatologies
Authors: Danzer J. , Foelsche U. , Scherllin-Pirscher B. , Schwärz M.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Radio occultation (RO) data are increasingly used in climate research. Accurate phase (change) measurements of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are the basis for the retrieval of near-vertical profiles of bending angle, microwave refractivity, density, pressure, and temperature. If temperature is calculated from observed refractivity with the assumption that water vapor is zero, the product is called "dry temperature", which is commonly used to study earth's atmosphere, e.g., when analyzing temperature trends due to global warming. Dry temperature is a useful quantity, since it does not need additional background information in its retrieval. However, it can only be safely used as proxy for physical temperature, where moisture is negligible. The altitude region above which water vapor does not play a dominant role anymore, depends primarily on latitude and season. In this study we first investigated the influence of water vapor on dry temperature RO profiles. Hence, we analyzed the maximum altitude down to which monthly mean dry temperature profiles can be regarded as being equivalent to physical temperature. This was done by examining dry temperature to physical temperature differences of monthly mean analysis fields from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), studied from 2006 until 2010. We introduced cutoff criteria, where maximum temperature differences of −0.1, −0.05, and −0.02 K were allowed (dry temperature is always lower than physical temperature), and computed the corresponding altitudes. As an example, a temperature difference of −0.05 K in the tropics was found at an altitude of about 14 km, while at higher northern latitudes in winter it was found at an altitude of about 9–10 km, in summer at about 11 km. Furthermore, regarding climate change, we expect an increase of absolute humidity in the atmosphere. This possible trend in water vapor could yield a wrongly interpreted dry temperature trend. As a consequence, we performed a model study, investigating the increase in height of the transition region between moist and dry air. We used data from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), analyzing again monthly mean dry temperature to physical temperature differences, now from the years 2006 to 2050. We used the highest emission scenario RCP8.5 (representative concentration pathway), studying all available models of the CMIP5 project, analyzing one internal run per model, with the goal to identify the altitude region where trends in dry temperature can be safely regarded as reflecting trends in physical temperature. From all models we therefore choose a selection of models ("max 8" CMIP5 models), which showed the largest trend differences. As a result, our trend study suggests that the lower boundary of the region where dry temperature is essentially equal to physical temperature rises about 150 m decade−1.
Phytoplankton responses and associated carbon cycling during shipboard carbonate chemistry manipulation experiments conducted around Northwest European shelf seas
Authors: Richier S. , Achterberg E. P. , Dumousseaud C. , Poulton A. J. , Suggett D. J. , Tyrrell T. , Zubkov M. V. , Moore C. M.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. The ongoing oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) is significantly altering the carbonate chemistry of seawater, a phenomenon referred to as ocean acidification. Experimental manipulations have been increasingly used to gauge how continued ocean acidification will potentially impact marine ecosystems and their associated biogeochemical cycles in the future; however, results amongst studies, particularly when performed on natural communities, are highly variable, which may reflect community/environment-specific responses or inconsistencies in experimental approach. To investigate the potential for identification of more generic responses and greater experimentally reproducibility, we devised and implemented a series (n = 8) of short-term (2–4 days) multi-level (≥4 conditions) carbonate chemistry/nutrient manipulation experiments on a range of natural microbial communities sampled in Northwest European shelf seas. Carbonate chemistry manipulations and resulting biological responses were found to be highly reproducible within individual experiments and to a lesser extent between geographically separated experiments. Statistically robust reproducible physiological responses of phytoplankton to increasing pCO2, characterised by a suppression of net growth for small-sized cells (<10 μm), were observed in the majority of the experiments, irrespective of natural or manipulated nutrient status. Remaining between-experiment variability was potentially linked to initial community structure and/or other site-specific environmental factors. Analysis of carbon cycling within the experiments revealed the expected increased sensitivity of carbonate chemistry to biological processes at higher pCO2 and hence lower buffer capacity. The results thus emphasise how biogeochemical feedbacks may be altered in the future ocean.
Impacts of soil moisture on de-novo monoterpene emissions from European beech, Holm oak, Scots pine, and Norway spruce
Authors: Wu C. , Pullinen I. , Andres S. , Carriero G. , Fares S. , Goldbach H. , Hacker L. , Kasal T. , Kiendler-Scharr A. , Kleist E. , Paoletti E. , Wahner A. , Wildt J. , Mentel T. F.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Impacts of soil moisture on de-novo monoterpene (MT) emissions from Holm oak, European beech, Scots pine, and Norway spruce were studied in laboratory experiments. The volumetric water content of the soil, Θ, was used as reference quantity to parameterize the dependency of MT emissions on soil moisture and to characterize the severity of the drought. When Θ dropped from 0.4 m3 m−3 to ~ 0.2 m3 m−3 slight increases of de-novo MT emissions were observed but with further progressing drought the emissions decreased to almost zero. The increases of MT emissions observed under conditions of mild drought were explainable by increases of leaf temperature due to lowered transpirational cooling. When Θ fell below certain thresholds, MT emissions decreased simultaneously with Θ and the relationship between Θ and MT emissions was approximately linear. The thresholds of Θ (0.044–0.19 m3 m−3) were determined as well other parameters required to describe the soil moisture dependence of de-novo MT emissions for application in the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature, MEGAN. A factorial approach was found appropriate to describe the impacts of Θ, temperature, and light. Temperature and Θ influenced the emissions largely independent from each other, and, in a similar manner, light intensity and Θ acted independently on de-novo MT emissions. The use of Θ as reference quantity in a factorial approach was tenable in predicting constitutive de-novo MT emissions when Θ changed on a time scale of days. Only when soil moisture changed suddenly empirical parameterization with Θ as a reference was unsuccessful.
ObsPack: a framework for the preparation, delivery, and attribution of atmospheric greenhouse gas data
Authors: Masarie K. A. , Peters W. , Jacobson A. R. , Tans P. P.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Observation Package (ObsPack) is a framework designed to bring together atmospheric greenhouse gas observations from a variety of sampling platforms, prepare them with specific applications in mind, and package and distribute them in a self-consistent and well-documented product. Data products created using the ObsPack framework (called "ObsPack products") are intended to support carbon cycle modeling studies and represent the next generation of value-added greenhouse gas observation products modeled after the cooperative GLOBALVIEW products introduced in 1996. Depending on intended use, ObsPack products may include data in their original form reformatted using the ObsPack framework or may contain derived data consisting of averages, subsets or smoothed representations of original data. All products include extensive ancillary information (metadata) intended to help ensure the data are used appropriately, their calibration and quality assurance history are clearly described, and that individuals responsible for the measurements (data providers or principal investigators (PIs)) are properly acknowledged for their work. ObsPack products are made freely available using a distribution strategy designed to improve communication between data providers and product users. The strategy includes a data usage policy that requires users to directly communicate with data providers and an automated e-mail notification system triggered when a product is accessed. ObsPack products will be assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to ensure each product can be unambiguously identified in scientific literature. Here we describe the ObsPack framework and its potential role in supporting the evolving needs of both data providers and product users.
New method for assessing the susceptibility of glacial lakes to outburst floods in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru
Authors: Emmer A. , Vilímek V.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. This paper presents a new and easily repeatable method for assessing the susceptibility of glacial lakes to outburst floods (GLOFs) within the Peruvian region of the Cordillera Blanca. The presented method was designed to: (a) be repeatable (from the point of view of the demands on input data), (b) be reproducible (to provide an instructive guide for different assessors), (c) provide multiple results for different GLOF scenarios and (d) be regionally focused on the lakes of the Cordillera Blanca. Based on the input data gained from remotely sensed images and digital terrain models/topographical maps, the susceptibility of glacial lakes to outburst floods is assessed using a combination of decision trees for clarity and numerical calculation for repeatability and reproducibility. A total of seventeen assessed characteristics are used, of which seven have not been used in this context before. Also, several ratios and calculations are defined for the first time. We assume that it is not relevant to represent the overall susceptibility of a particular lake to outburst floods by one result (number), thus it is described in the presented method by five separate results (representing five different GLOF scenarios). These are potentials for (a) dam overtopping resulting from a fast slope movement into the lake, (b) dam overtopping following the flood wave originating in a lake situated upstream, (c) dam failure resulting from a fast slope movement into the lake, (d) dam failure following the flood wave originating in a lake situated upstream and (e) dam failure following a strong earthquake. All of these potentials include two or three components and theoretically range from 0 to 1. The presented method was verified on the basis of assessing the pre-flood conditions of seven lakes which have produced ten glacial lake outburst floods in the past and ten lakes which have not. A comparison of these results showed that the presented method successfully identified lakes susceptible to outburst floods (pre-flood conditions of lakes which have already produced GLOFs).
Attribution of satellite-observed vegetation trends in a hyper-arid region of the Heihe River basin, Western China
Authors: Wang Y. , Roderick M. L. , Shen Y. , Sun F.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Terrestrial vegetation dynamics are closely influenced by both climate and by both climate and by land use and/or land cover change (LULCC) caused by human activities. Both can change over time in a monotonic way and it can be difficult to separate the effects of climate change from LULCC on vegetation. Here we attempt to attribute trends in the fractional green vegetation cover to climate variability and to human activity in Ejina Region, a hyper-arid landlocked region in northwest China. This region is dominated by extensive deserts with relatively small areas of irrigation located along the major water courses as is typical throughout much of Central Asia. Variations of fractional vegetation cover from 2000 to 2012 were determined using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation index data with 250 m spatial resolution over 16-day intervals. We found that the fractional vegetation cover in this hyper-arid region is very low but that the mean growing season vegetation cover has increased from 3.4% in 2000 to 4.5% in 2012. The largest contribution to the overall greening was due to changes in green vegetation cover of the extensive desert areas with a smaller contribution due to changes in the area of irrigated land. Comprehensive analysis with different precipitation data sources found that the greening of the desert was associated with increases in regional precipitation. We further report that the area of land irrigated each year can be predicted using the runoff gauged 1 year earlier. Taken together, water availability both from precipitation in the desert and runoff inflow for the irrigation agricultural lands can explain at least 52% of the total variance in regional vegetation cover from 2000 to 2010. The results demonstrate that it is possible to separate the satellite-observed changes in green vegetation cover into components due to climate and human modifications. Such results inform management on the implications for water allocation between oases in the middle and lower reaches and for water management in the Ejina oasis.
Assessing the operation rules of a reservoir system based on a detailed modelling-chain
Authors: Bruwier M. , Erpicum S. , Pirotton M. , Archambeau P. , Dewals B.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. According to available climate change scenarios for Belgium, drier summers and wetter winters are expected. In this study, we focus on two muti-purpose reservoirs located in the Vesdre catchment, which is part of the Meuse basin. The current operation rules of the reservoirs are first analysed. Next, the impacts of two climate change scenarios are assessed and enhanced operation rules are proposed to mitigate these impacts. For this purpose, an integrated model of the catchment was used. It includes a hydrological model, one-dimensional and two-dimensional hydraulic models of the river and its main tributaries, a model of the reservoir system and a flood damage model. Five performance indicators of the reservoir system have been defined, reflecting its ability to provide sufficient drinking, to control floods, to produce hydropower and to reduce low-flow condition. As shown by the results, enhanced operation rules may improve the drinking water potential and the low-flow augmentation while the existing operation rules are efficient for flood control and for hydropower production.
Healing of snow surface-to-surface contacts by isothermal sintering
Authors: Podolskiy E. A. , Barbero M. , Barpi F. , Chambon G. , Borri-Brunetto M. , Pallara O. , Frigo B. , Chiaia B. , Naaim M.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Natural sintering in ice is a fundamental process determining mechanical properties of various ice forms. According to the literature, limited data are available about the complex subjects of snow sintering and bond formation. Here, through cold laboratory mechanical tests with a new shear apparatus we demonstrate time-dependent effects of isothermal sintering on interface strengthening at various normal pressures. Measurements showed that interfacial strength evolved rapidly, conforming to a power law (mean exponent ≈ 0.21); higher pressure corresponded to higher initial strength and sintering rates. Our findings are consistent with observations on homogeneous snow, provide unique records essential for slope stability models and indicate the significant importance of normal load on data interpretation.
GERMINAÇÃO E VIGOR DE SEMENTES DE FEIJÃO-VAGEM TRATADAS COM MICRONUTRIENTES
Authors: Ohse Silvana , Barzotto Godoi Luana , Alves Rezende Bráulio Luciano , Fernades Otto Rosana , Godoy Amanda Regina
Published: September 2014

Existem no mercado vários produtos contendo micronutrientes, os quais podem ser recomendados para aplicação via tratamento de sementes, visando melhorar o enraizamento e o desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas. No entanto, esses produtos não foram testados até então para olerícolas, dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses de produtos comerciais contendo micronutrientes sobre a germinação e o vigor de sementes de feijão-vagem ‘Líder’. O trabalho foi executado no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes da UEPG. No experimento 1 testou-se o produto contendo N, K, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn (Always®=P1) e no experimento 2 o produto contendo N, Co e Zn (Ever®=P2). Os tratamentos constaram de sete doses para cada produto (0; 2; 4; 8; 10; 12 e 16 mL.kg-1 sementes), conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Com a aplicação das doses 9,9 e 12,4 mL.kg-1 sementes de P1 e P2, a germinação foi 38 e 40% maior em relação à testemunha, respectivamente. A aplicação tanto de Always® quanto de Ever® via tratamento de sementes influenciou positivamente a germinação e o vigor de sementes de feijão-vagem ‘Líder’, porém, sobre o vigor o efeito do produto Always® foi mais pronunciado.
ESTUDO ETNOBOTÂNICO DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS UTILIZADAS EM COMUNIDADES INDÍGENAS NO ESTADO DO MARANHÃO - BRASIL
Authors: COUTINHO D. F. , TRAVASSOS L. M. A. , Do AMARAL F. M. M.
Published: September 2014

As plantas medicinais representam uma importante ferramenta na promoção da saúde em muitas regiões do Brasil, e em particular para muitas comunidades indígenas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um estudo etnobotânico de plantas medicinais na Terra Indígena Araribóia, localizada no Estado do Maranhão-Brasil. Informações sobre 40 espécies vegetais e suas aplicações terapêuticas e modo de uso foram documentados e descritos. ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY THE INDIAN COMMUNITIES FROM MARANHÃO - BRAZIL Abstract Medicinal plants are an important health resource in many regions of Brazil and are of particular importance to many indian communities. This works aims at the carrying out an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the Araribóia indigenous land, located in Maranhão Brazil. Informations on 40 species and their therapeutic application and manner of use was documented and described.
O EDUCADOR EM LÍNGUA DOMINANTE E O DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL
Authors: Piccoli Maria Cecília
Published: September 2014

Considerando questões de sustentabilidade, este artigo discute a correlação entre o ensino de inglês como língua dominante, educação e desenvolvimento sustentáveis. Grande importância é dada ao ensino da língua e das habilidades lingüísticas enquanto os aspectos educacionais que buscam a educação integral da pessoa e o desenvolvimento sustentável são negligenciados. Como a língua inglesa domina a comunicação entre pessoas e nações de diferentes culturas, é relevante preparar os professores para trabalharem como educadores reais, visando a educação integral da pessoa. Questões educacionais poderiam ser incluídas no processo de formação profissional dos professores de língua inglesa, pois os mesmos ainda não se reconhecem como educadores em potencial e tampouco se assumem como educadores reais.
Taxonomy and systematic position of tremellaceous fungi
Authors: Wojewoda Władysław
Published: September 2014

The taxonomy of fungi from the orders Tremellales, Auriculariales. Septobasidiales and related groups (Tulasnellales, Dacrymycetales, Exobasidiales, Sporobolomycetaceae) and the taxonomic position of these fungi within class Basidiomycetes is discussed. The author also presents ideas on the origin, evolution and age of tremellaceous fungi.