bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improved Security 3D Watermarking Method Using Computational Integral Imaging Cryptosystem
Authors: Liu Yiqun , Wang Xiaorui , Zhang Jianqi , Zhang Minqing , Luo Peng , Wang Xu An
Published: May 2016

Robustness and security are difficult to be solved by conventional two-dimensional (2D) digital watermarking technology. In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) digital watermarking has become a new hotspot in optical information security. This paper presents a new improved security 3D digital watermarking method based on computational integrated imaging cryptosystem. Firstly, 3D digital watermarking is generated and encrypted by computational integral imaging cryptosystem that is implemented with smart pseudoscopic-to-orthoscopic conversion (SPOC) model. Secondly, discrete wavelet transform algorithm is applied to embed and extract the 3D digital watermarking. Finally, the extracted watermark is decrypted, and3D digital watermarking is displayed by integral imaging system. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by experiment. A primary implication of encrypted processing is that the majority of integral imaging cryptosystem will be encryption-in-the-loop applications, and the majority of system will improve the security and robustness of 3D digital watermarking. The new method is able to meet the requirements of robustness and security. Image quality and display quality achieve these criterions of the human visual model. The proposed method can be applied in the aspects of cloud computing and big data.
Design and Analysis of the Secure Scheme for Quantum Positioning based on Entangled Photon Pair
Authors: Huang Hong-Mei , Xu Lu-Ping
Published: May 2016

Positioning accuracy of the traditional positioning has been limited because of the power and bandwidth limitation, quantum entanglement and compression technology can greatly improve the accuracy of measurement and synchronization. So, using the coherence of entangled photons and the principle of quantum spatial positioning, the scheme of quantum positioning with entangled photon pair was proposed, which was consisted of ground unit, satellite and the user three parts, the ground unit respectively sent EPR entangled photon pairs to two satellites three times, then the entangled photon pairs were sent to user by satellites, User carrying HOM interferometer, when the coincidence counting rate reaches the maximum three times, the user location can be got by computing. In the end, the quantum positioning and the traditional positioning technology were compared from the aspects of positioning accuracy, safety and so on.
Electrostatic Aerosol Deposition Method for the Formation of an Ensemble of Monodisperse Particles on a Substrate
Authors: Efimov Alexey A. , Lizunova Anna A. , Kalinina Elena G. , Sukharev Valentin S. , Ivanov Victor V.
Published: May 2016

We have developed an aerosol-based technique for deposition of monodisperse ensembles of spherical SiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of single-crystal silicon substrate (1 cm2) with an average surface particle density of about 2.1±0.4 particles per μm2. The obtained samples of monodisperse ensembles SiO2 nanoparticles was characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The ensemble of deposited nanoparticles is characterized by a narrow size distribution with a modal size of 26.6 nm and a full width at half maximum of 3.5 nm according to the atomic force microscopy data. We have demonstrated the use of the obtained test structure to determine the effective radius of the tip of an atomic force microscope.
NKAP Regulates Invariant NKT Cell Proliferation and Differentiation into ROR-γt–Expressing NKT17 Cells
Authors: Thapa Puspa , Chen Meibo W. , McWilliams Douglas C. , Belmonte Paul , Constans Megan , Sant’Angelo Derek B. , Shapiro Virginia Smith
Published: May 2016

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are a unique lineage with characteristics of both adaptive and innate lymphocytes, and they recognize glycolipids presented by an MHC class I–like CD1d molecule. During thymic development, iNKT cells also differentiate into NKT1, NKT2, and NKT17 functional subsets that preferentially produce cytokines IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17, respectively, upon activation. Newly selected iNKT cells undergo a burst of proliferation, which is defective in mice with a specific deletion of NKAP in the iNKT cell lineage, leading to severe reductions in thymic and peripheral iNKT cell numbers. The decreased cell number is not due to defective homeostasis or increased apoptosis, and it is not rescued by Bcl-xL overexpression. NKAP is also required for differentiation into NKT17 cells, but NKT1 and NKT2 cell development and function are unaffected. This failure in NKT17 development is rescued by transgenic expression of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger; however, the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger transgene does not restore iNKT cell numbers or the block in positive selection into the iNKT cell lineage in CD4-cre NKAP conditional knockout mice. Therefore, NKAP regulates multiple steps in iNKT cell development and differentiation.
Selecting Reliable mRNA Expression Measurements across Platforms Improves Downstream Analysis
Authors: Tong Pan , Diao Lixia , Shen Li , Li Lerong , Heymach John Victor , Girard Luc , Minna John D. , Coombes Kevin R. , Byers Lauren Averett , Wang Jing
Published: May 2016

With increasing use of publicly available gene expression data sets, the quality of the expression data is a critical issue for downstream analysis, gene signature development, and cross-validation of data sets. Thus, identifying reliable expression measurements by leveraging multiple mRNA expression platforms is an important analytical task. In this study, we propose a statistical framework for selecting reliable measurements between platforms by modeling the correlations of mRNA expression levels using a beta-mixture model. The model-based selection provides an effective and objective way to separate good probes from probes with low quality, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of the analysis. The proposed method can be used to compare two microarray technologies or microarray and RNA sequencing measurements. We tested the approach in two matched profiling data sets, using microarray gene expression measurements from the same samples profiled on both Affymetrix and Illumina platforms. We also applied the algorithm to mRNA expression data to compare Affymetrix microarray data with RNA sequencing measurements. The algorithm successfully identified probes/genes with reliable measurements. Removing the unreliable measurements resulted in significant improvements for gene signature development and functional annotations.
Phylogenetic and Structural Analysis of Polyketide Synthases in Aspergilli
Authors: Bhetariya Preetida J. , Prajapati Madhvi , Bhaduri Asani , Mandal Rahul Shubhra , Varma Anupam , Madan Taruna , Singh Yogendra , Sarma P. Usha
Published: May 2016

Polyketide synthases (PKSs) of Aspergillus species are multidomain and multifunctional megaenzymes that play an important role in the synthesis of diverse polyketide compounds. Putative PKS protein sequences from Aspergillus species representing medically, agriculturally, and industrially important Aspergillus species were chosen and screened for in silico studies. Six candidate Aspergillus species, Aspergillus fumigatus Af293, Aspergillus flavus NRRL3357, Aspergillus niger CBS 513.88, Aspergillus terreus NIH2624, Aspergillus oryzae RIB40, and Aspergillus clavatus NRRL1, were selected to study the PKS phylogeny. Full-length PKS proteins and only ketosynthase (KS) domain sequence were retrieved for independent phylogenetic analysis from the aforementioned species, and phylogenetic analysis was performed with characterized fungal PKS. This resulted into grouping of Aspergilli PKSs into nonreducing (NR), partially reducing (PR), and highly reducing (HR) PKS enzymes. Eight distinct clades with unique domain arrangements were classified based on homology with functionally characterized PKS enzymes. Conserved motif signatures corresponding to each type of PKS were observed. Three proteins from Protein Data Bank corresponding to NR, PR, and HR type of PKS (XP_002384329.1, XP_753141.2, and XP_001402408.2, respectively) were selected for mapping of conserved motifs on three-dimensional structures of KS domain. Structural variations were found at the active sites on modeled NR, PR, and HR enzymes of Aspergillus. It was observed that the number of iteration cycles was dependent on the size of the cavity in the active site of the PKS enzyme correlating with a type with reducing or NR products, such as pigment, 6MSA, and lovastatin. The current study reports the grouping and classification of PKS proteins of Aspergilli for possible exploration of novel polyketides based on sequence homology; this information can be useful for selection of PKS for polyketide exploration and specific detection of Aspergilli.
Diet versus Exercise in Weight Loss and Maintenance: Focus on Tryptophan
Authors: Strasser Barbara , Fuchs Dietmar
Published: May 2016

An association between mood disturbance, the inability to lose or to stop gaining weight, and a craving for carbohydrates is manifested by many people who are overweight or are becoming so. In a recent study, we observed that low-calorie weight loss diet lowered not only levels of lept in but also levels of essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP) significantly. The disturbed metabolism of TRP might affect biosynthesis of serotonin and could thereby increase the susceptibility for mood disturbances and carbohydrate craving, increasing the cessation probability of weight reduction programs. Alternatively, moderate physical exercise – a potent stimulus to modulate (reduce/normalize) proinflammatory cytokines, which may affect TRP levels – could be helpful in improving mood status and preventing uncontrolled weight gain. In contrast, excessive physical exercise may induce breakdown of TRP when proinflammatory cascades together with TRP-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 are stimulated, which may lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms such as fatigue and low mood.
Redescription of tetrapod trackways from the Mississippian Mabou Group, Lepreau Falls, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Stimson Matthew R. , Miller Randall F. , Lucas Spencer G. , Park Adrian F. , Hinds Steven J.
Published: May 2016

Red-bed strata exposed at Lepreau Falls, southern New Brunswick, were originally interpreted as belonging to the Triassic Lepreau Formation. Poorly preserved tetrapod trackways within the strata were previously assigned to two ichnospecies; one to a new Triassic ichnospecies, Isocampe lepreauense Sarjeant and Stringer, and the other to Rhynchosauroides cf. R. franconicus (Heller). Both were attributed to reptiles. Subsequent mapping of the rocks and reassignment of the exposed strata at Lepreau Falls to the Mississippian Mabou Group prompted our re-examination of the trackway fossils. Isocampe lepreauense was described from a specimen block preserving three trackways and the original description was based on erroneous interpretation of extramorphological digit drags. Rhynchosauroides cf. R. franconicus was a tentative assignment in a letter accompanying a cast in the New Brunswick Museum, but was never formally published. We redescribe and re-interpret all the trackways as gait variations produced by temnospondyls, and most closely resemble the Carboniferous ichnotaxon Matthewichnus.
Field relations, age, and tectonic setting of metamorphic and plutonic rocks in the Creignish Hills – North Mountain area, southwestern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: White Chris E. , Barr Sandra M. , Davis Donald W. , Swanton David S. , Ketchum John W.F. , Reynolds Peter H.
Published: May 2016

The Creignish Hills and North Mountain areas of southwestern Cape Breton Island consist mostly of Neoproterozoic rocks typical of the Ganderian Bras d’Or terrane. U-Pb ages presented here for detrital zircon in the Blues Brook Formation of the Creignish Hills confirm a depositional age no greater than about 600 Ma. Although it is possible that some components of the formation are much older, similarities in rock types and field relations suggest that this is not the case. It is likely that the equivalent Malagawatch Formation of the North Mountain area, as well as high-grade metasedimentary rocks of the Melford Formation and Chuggin Road complex in the Creignish Hills and Lime Hill gneiss complex in the North Mountain area, represent the same or stratigraphically equivalent units as the Blues Brook Formation. The minimum ages of all of these units are constrained by cross-cutting syn- and post-tectonic plutons with ages mostly between 565 and 550 Ma, indicating that sediments were deposited, regionally metamorphosed, deformed, and intruded by plutons in less than 40–50 million years. The assemblage of pelitic, psammitic, and carbonate rocks indicates that a passive margin in a tropical climate was quickly changed to an active Andean-type continental margin in which voluminous calcalkaline dioritic to granitic plutons were emplaced. This sedimentary and tectonic history is characteristic of the Bras d’Or terrane and is shared by its likely correlative, the Brookville terrane in southern New Brunswick.
Megapezia longipes Willard and Cleaves 1930 from the Pennsylvanian Rhode Island Formation of Massachusetts: ichnotaxonomic status
Authors: Getty Patrick R.
Published: May 2016

The type and only specimen of the ichnospecies Megapezia longipes, from the Pennsylvanian Rhode Island Forma-tion of Plainville, Massachusetts, consists of two poorly defined tracks, one made by a manus and the other by a pes, rather than a single pedal imprint. Whereas the type species of Megapezia, Megapezia pineoi, has tetradactyl pedal imprints, the pes imprint of Megapezia longipes is pentadactyl, a feature that precludes assignment to this ichnogenus. Rather, the tracks share two characteristics with the ichnogenus Matthewichnus, namely elongate digits II and III on the manus, and a pes imprint oriented anterolaterally to the manus imprint, and are thus tentatively reassigned to that ichnogenus. Cf. Matthewichnus longipes is retained as a separate ichnospecies pending the collection of additional ma-terial that can be compared with other species within the ichnogenus. With the tentative reassignment of the Plainville tracks to Matthewichnus, Megapezia becomes monospecific and is no longer recorded in New England. The tracks are the first known occurrence of Matthewichnus from this region.
Case Series of Imported Enteric Fever at a Referral Center in Tokyo, Japan: Antibiotic Susceptibility and Risk Factors for Relapse
Authors: Matono Takashi , Kato Yasuyuki , Morita Masatomo , Izumiya Hidemasa , Yamamoto Kei , Kutsuna Satoshi , Takeshita Nozomi , Hayakawa Kayoko , Mezaki Kazuhisa , Kawamura Maho , Konishi Noriko , Mizuno Yasutaka , Kanagawa Shuzo , Ohmagari Norio
Published: May 2016

Owing to the increase in Salmonella strains with decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility in the endemic areas, we have been treating enteric fever with intravenous ceftriaxone empirically since 2007. In this study, we reevaluated our treatment protocol. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institute in Tokyo, Japan, between January 2006 and December 2013. Enteric fever was defined as isolation of Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi A, B, and C from the blood and/or stool of patients with fever. Of the 35 patients with imported enteric fever, 28 (80%) had returned from south Asia. Ciprofloxacin-susceptible strains were detected in only 12% of the cases. The isolates showed excellent susceptibility to ampicillin (91%), chloramphenicol (94%), ceftriaxone (97%), and azithromycin (97%). One case of Salmonella Paratyphi B was excluded, and of the remaining 34 patients, 56% were treated with ceftriaxone alone, 26% with ceftriaxone then fluoroquinolone, and 9% with levofloxacin alone. The overall relapse rate was 6.1%; however, among those receiving ceftriaxone monotherapy, the relapse rate was 11% (N = 2). The relapse group was characterized by longer times to treatment initiation (P = 0.035) and defervescence (> 7 days) after treatment initiation (P = 0.022). In such cases, we recommend that ceftriaxone treatment be continued for > 4 days after defervescence or be changed to fluoroquinolone if the strains are found to be susceptible to prevent relapse. Furthermore, ampicillin and chloramphenicol, which are no longer prescribed, may be reconsidered as treatment options in Asia.
Ozone variability in the troposphere and the stratosphere from the first 6 years of IASI observations (2008–2013)
Authors: Wespes Catherine , Hurtmans Daniel , Emmons Louisa K. , Safieddine Sarah , Clerbaux Cathy , Edwards David P. , Coheur Pierre-François
Published: May 2016

Abstract. In this paper, we assess how daily ozone (O3) measurements from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on the MetOp-A platform can contribute to the analyses of the processes driving O3 variability in the troposphere and the stratosphere and, in the future, to the monitoring of long-term trends. The temporal evolution of O3 during the first 6 years of IASI (2008–2013) operation is investigated with multivariate regressions separately in four different layers (ground–300, 300–150, 150–25, 25–3 hPa), by adjusting to the daily time series averaged in 20° zonal bands, seasonal and linear trend terms along with important geophysical drivers of O3 variation (e.g. solar flux, quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO)). The regression model is shown to perform generally very well with a strong dominance of the annual harmonic terms and significant contributions from O3 drivers, in particular in the equatorial region where the QBO and the solar flux contribution dominate. More particularly, despite the short period of the IASI data set available up to now, two noticeable statistically significant apparent trends are inferred from the daily IASI measurements: a positive trend in the upper stratosphere (e.g. 1.74 ± 0.77 DU year−1 between 30 and 50° S), which is consistent with other studies suggesting a turnaround for stratospheric O3 recovery, and a negative trend in the troposphere at the mid-latitudes and high northern latitudes (e.g. −0.26 ± 0.11 DU year−1 between 30 and 50° N), especially during summer and probably linked to the impact of decreasing ozone precursor emissions. The impact of the high temporal sampling of IASI on the uncertainty in the determination of O3 trend has been further explored by performing multivariate regressions on IASI monthly averages and on ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements.
Mesospheric gravity waves and their sources at the South Pole
Authors: Mehta Dhvanit , Gerrard Andrew J. , Ebihara Yusuke , Weatherwax Allan T. , Lanzerotti Louis J.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The sourcing locations and mechanisms for short period, long vertical wavelength upward-propagating gravity waves at high polar latitudes remain largely unknown. Using all-sky imager data from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station we determine the spatial and temporal characteristics of 94 observed small-scale waves in three austral winter months in 2003 and 2004. These data, together with background atmospheres from synoptic and/or climatological empirical models, are used to model gravity wave propagation from the polar mesosphere to each wave's source using a ray-tracing model. Our results provide a compelling case that a significant proportion of the observed waves are launched in several discrete layers in the tropopause and/or stratosphere. Analyses of synoptic geopotentials and temperatures indicate that wave formation is a result of baroclinic instability processes in the stratosphere and the interaction of planetary waves with the background wind fields in the tropopause. These results are significant for defining the influences of the polar vortex on the production of these small-scale, upward propagating gravity waves at the highest polar latitudes.
Effect of light on photosynthetic efficiency of sequestered chloroplasts in intertidal benthic foraminifera (Haynesina germanica and Ammonia tepida)
Authors: Jauffrais Thierry , Jesus Bruno , Metzger Edouard , Mouget Jean-Luc , Jorissen Frans , Geslin Emmanuelle
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Some benthic foraminifera have the ability to incorporate functional chloroplasts from diatoms (kleptoplasty). Our objective was to investigate chloroplast functionality of two benthic foraminifera (Haynesina germanica and Ammonia tepida) exposed to different irradiance levels (0, 25, 70 µmol photon m−2 s−1) using spectral reflectance, epifluorescence observations, oxygen evolution and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry (maximum photosystem II quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and rapid light curves (RLC)). Our results clearly showed that H. germanica was capable of using its kleptoplasts for more than 1 week while A. tepida showed very limited kleptoplastic ability with maximum photosystem II quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm  =  0.4), much lower than H. germanica and decreasing to zero in only 1 day. Only H. germanica showed net oxygen production with a compensation point at 24 µmol photon m−2 s−1 and a production up to 1000 pmol O2 cell−1 day−1 at 300 µmol photon m−2 s−1. Haynesina germanica Fv/Fm slowly decreased from 0.65 to 0.55 in 7 days when kept in darkness; however, it quickly decreased to 0.2 under high light. Kleptoplast functional time was thus estimated between 11 and 21 days in darkness and between 7 and 8 days at high light. These results emphasize that studies about foraminifera kleptoplasty must take into account light history. Additionally, this study showed that the kleptoplasts are unlikely to be completely functional, thus requiring continuous chloroplast resupply from foraminifera food source. The advantages of keeping functional chloroplasts are discussed but more information is needed to better understand foraminifera feeding strategies.
Australian vegetation phenology: new insights from satellite remote sensing and digital repeat photography
Authors: Moore Caitlin E. , Brown Tim , Keenan Trevor  F. , Duursma Remko  A. , van Dijk Albert I. J. M. , Beringer Jason , Culvenor Darius , Evans Bradley , Huete Alfredo , Hutley Lindsay B. , Maier Stefan , Restrepo-Coupe Natalia , Sonnentag Oliver , Specht Alison , Taylor Jeffrey R. , van Gorsel Eva , Liddell Michael J.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Phenology is the study of periodic biological occurrences and can provide important insights into the influence of climatic variability and change on ecosystems. Understanding Australia’s vegetation phenology is a challenge due to its diverse range of ecosystems, from savannas and tropical rainforests to temperate eucalypt woodlands, semi-arid scrublands and alpine grasslands. These ecosystems exhibit marked differences in seasonal patterns of canopy development and plant life-cycle events, much of which deviates from the predictable seasonal phenological pulse of temperate deciduous and boreal biomes. Many Australian ecosystems are subject to irregular events (i.e., drought, flooding, cyclones and fire) that can alter ecosystem composition, structure and functioning just as much as seasonal change. We show how satellite remote sensing and ground-based digital repeat photography (i.e. phenocams) can be used to improve understanding of phenology in Australian ecosystems. First, we examine temporal variation in phenology at the continental scale using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), calculated from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiomter (MODIS) data. Spatial gradients are revealed, ranging from regions with pronounced seasonality in canopy development (i.e., tropical savannas) to regions where seasonal variation is minimal (i.e., tropical rainforests) or high but irregular (i.e., arid ecosystems). Next, we use time series colour information extracted from phenocam imagery to illustrate a range of phenological signals in four contrasting Australian ecosystems. These include greening and senescing events in tropical savannas and temperate eucalypt understory, as well as strong seasonal dynamics of individual trees in a seemingly static evergreen rainforest. We also demonstrate how phenology links with ecosystem gross primary productivity (from eddy covariance) and discuss why these processes are linked in some ecosystems but not others. We conclude that phenocams have the potential to greatly improve current understanding of Australian ecosystems. To facilitate sharing of this information, we have formed the Australian Phenocam Network (http://phenocam.org.au/).
The carbon cycle in the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS-ESM1). 2. Historical simulations
Authors: Ziehn Tilo , Lenton Andrew , Law Rachel M. , Matear Richard J. , Chamberlain Matthew A.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Over the last decade many climate models have evolved into earth system models (ESMs), which are able to simulate both physical and biogeochemical processes through the inclusion of additional components such as the carbon cycle. The Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS) has been recently extended to include land and ocean carbon cycle components in its ACCESS-ESM1 version. A detailed description of ACCESS-ESM1 components including results from pre-industrial simulations is provided in Part 1. Here, we focus on the evaluation of ACCESS-ESM1 over the historical period (1850–2005) in terms of its capability to reproduce climate and carbon related variables. Comparisons are performed with observations, if available, but also with other ESMs to highlight common weaknesses. We find that climate variables controlling the exchange of carbon are well reproduced, however ACCESS-ESM1 is somewhat over-sensitive to anthropogenic aerosols which leads to an overly strong cooling response in the land from about 1960 onwards. The land carbon cycle is evaluated for two scenarios: running with a prescribed leaf area index (LAI) and running with a prognostic LAI. We overestimate the seasonal amplitude of the prognostic LAI at the global scale, which is common amongst CMIP5 ESMs. However, the prognostic LAI is our preferred choice, because it allows for the vegetation feedback through the coupling between LAI and the leaf carbon pool. Globally integrated land-atmosphere and ocean-atmosphere fluxes and flux patterns are well reproduced and show good agreement with most recent observations. The seasonal cycle of simulated atmospheric CO2 is close to the observed seasonal cycle, but shows a larger amplitude in the high northern latitudes. Overall, ACCESS-ESM1 performs well over the historical period, making it a useful tool to explore the change in land and oceanic carbon uptake in the future.
Trans-Pacific transport and evolution of aerosols: evaluation of quasi-global WRF-Chem simulation with multiple observations
Authors: Hu Zhiyuan , Zhao Chun , Huang Jianping , Leung L. Ruby , Qian Yun , Yu Hongbin , Huang Lei , Kalashnikova Olga V.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. A fully coupled meteorology-chemistry model (WRF-Chem, the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry) has been configured to conduct quasi-global simulation for 5 years (2010–2014) and evaluated with multiple observation data sets for the first time. The evaluation focuses on the simulation over the trans-Pacific transport region using various reanalysis and observational data sets for meteorological fields and aerosol properties. The simulation generally captures the overall spatial and seasonal variability of satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) and absorbing AOD (AAOD) over the Pacific that is determined by the outflow of pollutants and dust and the emissions of marine aerosols. The assessment of simulated extinction Ångström exponent (EAE) indicates that the model generally reproduces the variability of aerosol size distributions as seen by satellites. In addition, the vertical profile of aerosol extinction and its seasonality over the Pacific are also well simulated. The difference between the simulation and satellite retrievals can be mainly attributed to model biases in estimating marine aerosol emissions as well as the satellite sampling and retrieval uncertainties. Compared with the surface measurements over the western USA, the model reasonably simulates the observed magnitude and seasonality of dust, sulfate, and nitrate surface concentrations, but significantly underestimates the peak surface concentrations of carbonaceous aerosol likely due to model biases in the spatial and temporal variability of biomass burning emissions and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production. A sensitivity simulation shows that the trans-Pacific transported dust, sulfate, and nitrate can make significant contribution to surface concentrations over the rural areas of the western USA, while the peaks of carbonaceous aerosol surface concentrations are dominated by the North American emissions. Both the retrievals and simulation show small interannual variability of aerosol characteristics for 2010–2014 averaged over three Pacific sub-regions. The evaluation in this study demonstrates that the WRF-Chem quasi-global simulation can be used for investigating trans-Pacific transport of aerosols and providing reasonable inflow chemical boundaries for the western USA, allowing one to further understand the impact of transported pollutants on the regional air quality and climate with high-resolution nested regional modeling.
Tracer test modeling for local scale residence time distribution characterization in an artificial recharge site
Authors: Valhondo Cristina , Martínez-Landa Lurdes , Carrera Jesús , Hidalgo Juan J. , Tubau Isabel , De Pourcq Katrien , Grau-Martínez Alba , Ayora Carlos
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Artificial recharge of aquifers is a technique for improving water quality and increasing groundwater resources. Understanding the fate of a potential contaminant requires knowledge of the residence times distribution (RTD) of the water beneath the artificial recharge infrastructure. A simple way to obtain the RTDs is to perform a tracer test. We performed a pulse injection tracer test in an artificial recharge system through an infiltration basin to obtain the breakthrough curves, which yield directly the RTDs. These were very broad and we used a numerical model to interpret them, and to extend the characterization to other flow conditions. The model comprised nine layers at the site scaled to emulate the layering of aquifer deposits. Two types of hypotheses were considered: homogeneous (all flow and transport parameters identical for every layer) and heterogeneous (diverse parameters for each layer). The parameters were calibrated against the head and concentration data in both model types, which were validated quite satisfactory against 1,1,2-Trichloroethane and electrical conductivity data collected over a long period of time with highly varying flow conditions. We found that the broad RTDs were caused by both the complex flow structure generated under the basin (the homogeneous model produced broad RTDs) and the heterogeneity of the media (the heterogeneous model yielded much better fits). We conclude that acknowledging heterogeneity is required to properly assess mixing and broad RTDs, which are required to explain the water quality improvement of artificial recharge basins.
Characterisation of the polarisation state of embedded piezoelectric transducers by thermal waves and thermal pulses
Authors: Eydam Agnes , Suchaneck Gunnar , Gerlach Gerald
Published: May 2016

Abstract. In this work, we apply the thermal wave method and the thermal pulse method for non-destructive characterisation of the polarisation state of embedded piezoelectric transducers. Heating the sample with a square-wave modulated laser beam or a single laser pulse leads to a pyroelectric current recorded in the frequency or time domain, respectively. It carries information about the polarisation state. Analytical and numerical finite element models describe the pyroelectric response of the piezoceramic. Modelling and experimental results are compared for a simple lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) plate, a low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC)/PZT sensor and actuator, and a macro-fibre composite (MFC) actuator.
A possibility of large scale intrusions generation in the Arctic Ocean under stable-stable stratification: an analytical consideration
Authors: Kuzmina Natalia
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Some analytical solutions are found for the problem of three-dimensional instability of a weak geostrophic flow with linear velocity shear taking into account vertical diffusion of buoyancy. The analysis is based on the potential vorticity equation in a long-wave approximation when the horizontal scale of disturbances is taken to be much larger than the local baroclinic Rossby radius. It is hypothesized that the solutions found can be applied to describe stable and unstable disturbances on a planetary scale with respect, especially, to the Arctic Basin, where weak baroclinic fronts with typical temporal variability periods of the order of several years or more are observed and the beta-effect is negligible. Stable (decaying with time) solutions describe disturbances that, in contrast to the Rossby waves, can propagate to both the west and east, depending on the sign of the linear shear of geostrophic velocity. The unstable (growing with time) solutions are applied to describe large-scale intrusions at baroclinic fronts under the stable–stable thermohaline stratification observed in the upper layer of the Polar Deep Water in the Eurasian Basin. The proposed description of intrusive layering can be considered as a possible alternative to the mechanism of interleaving due to the differential mixing.
Comparison of a Coupled Near and Far Wake Model With a Free Wake Vortex Code
Authors: Pirrung Georg , Riziotis Vasilis , Madsen Helge , Hansen Morten , Kim Taeseong
Published: May 2016

Abstract. This paper presents the integration of a near wake model for trailing vorticity, which is based on a prescribed wake lifting line model proposed by Beddoes, with a BEM-based far wake model and a 2D shed vorticity model. The resulting coupled aerodynamics model is validated against lifting surface computations performed using a free wake panel code. The focus of the description of the aerodynamics model is on the numerical stability, the computation speed and the accuracy of unsteady simulations. To stabilize the near wake model, it has to be iterated to convergence, using a relaxation factor that has to be updated during the computation. Further, the effect of simplifying the exponential function approximation of the near wake model to increase the computation speed is investigated in this work. A modification of the dynamic inflow weighting factors of the far wake model is presented that ensures good induction modeling at slow time scales. Finally, the unsteady airfoil aerodynamics model is extended to provide the unsteady bound circulation for the near wake model and to improve the modeling of the unsteady behavior of cambered airfoils. The model comparison with results from a free wake panel code and a BEM model is centered around the NREL 5 MW reference turbine. The response to pitch steps at different pitching speeds is compared. By means of prescribed vibration cases, the effect of the aerodynamic model on the predictions of the aerodynamic work is investigated. The validation shows that a BEM model can be improved by adding near wake trailed vorticity computation. For all prescribed vibration cases with high aerodynamic damping, results similar to those obtained by the free wake model can be achieved in a small fraction of computation time with the proposed model. In the cases with low aerodynamic damping, the addition of trailed vorticity modeling shifts the results closer to those obtained by using the free wake code, but differences remain.
Asmenų, patyrusių galūnių amputaciją, streso įveikos strategijų ir agresijos sąsajos
Authors: Ramoškienė Birutė
Published: May 2016

Galūnės netekimas lemia labai svarbius biopsichosocialinius pokyčius asmens gyvenime: pasikeičia savo kūno vaizdas, tampa kur kas sudėtingiau judėti bei pasirūpinti savimi, pakinta psichosocialinio gyvenimo statusas, paveikiama profesinė ir kita veikla, amputaciją patyrusių asmenų, palyginus su jos nepatyrusiais, pačių vertinama gyvenimo kokybė visais aspektais yra žemesnė [1]. Ištyrus asmenų, patyrusių galūnių amputaciją, streso įveikos strategijas ir agresiją paaiškėjo, jog apatinių galūnių amputaciją dėl traumos ir dėl ligos patyrusių asmenų naudojamos streso įveikos strategijos statistiškai reikšmingai nesiskiria, o praėjus daugiau laiko po amputacijos, statistiškai reikšmingai dažniau naudojama vengimo streso įveikos strategija. Taip pat nustatyta, jog apatinių galūnių amputaciją patyrusioms moterims statistiškai reikšmingai labiau nei vyrams būdingas priešiškumas. Be to, jaunesni apatinių galūnių amputaciją patyrę asmenys yra labiau linkę naudoti problemų sprendimo streso įveikos strategiją, jiems labiau nei vyresniems asmenims būdingas pyktis, aukštesnio išsilavinimo apatinių galūnių amputaciją patyrusiems asmenims labiau nei žemesnio išsilavinimo asmenims būdinga verbalinė agresija. Aptikta, jog ženkli apatinių galūnių amputaciją patyrusių asmenų emocinės iškrovos streso įveikos strategija siejasi su labiau išryškėjusiais pykčio rodikliais, o su stipriais fizinės agresijos rodikliais siejasi tik vyresnių bei amputaciją dėl ligos patyrusių asmenų pogrupiuose. Didesnį verbalinės agresijos įvertį prognozuoja aukštesnis išsilavinimas, didesnį pykčio įvertį prognozuoja dažnesnis problemų sprendimo ir emocinės iškrovos streso įveikos strategijų naudojimas ir aukštesnis išsilavinimas, didesnį priešiškumo įvertį prognozuoja moteriška lytis, o didesnį bendrosios agresijos įvertį prognozuoja emocinės iškrovos streso įveikos strategijos naudojimas ir aukštesnis išsilavinimas.
Hemochromatozės diagnostika ir autopsijos reikšmė. Klinikinis atvejis
Authors: Mažeikaitė Ieva , Banionis Dalius , Laima Sigitas , Jasulaitis Algimantas
Published: May 2016

Hemochromatozė – bronzinė liga, kitaip dar vadinama geležies pertekliaus ar geležies kaupimo liga, kuriai būdingas organų (ypač kepenų, taip pat – kasos, širdies, sąnarių, kaulų, hipofizės, odos, nagų) pažeidimas dėl geležies pertekliaus organizme. Paveldima hemochromatozė yra viena dažniausių genetinių ligų tarp baltosios rasės žmonių. Šiaurės Europos populiacijoje nustatoma 1 iš 220-250. Pirminė hemochromatozė – tai autosominiu recesyviniu būdu paveldima liga, dažniausia susijusi su HFE genu. Pirminės hemochromatozės eiga iki vidutinio amžiaus (40-60 metų) asimptominė. Hemochromatozei būdinga triada: kepenų cirozė, cukrinis diabetas ir odos hiperpigmentacija. Kardiomiocitų pažeidimas sukelia širdies veiklos nepakankamumą ir gali būti staigios mirties priežastis. Dažniausiai liga diagnozuojama atsitiktinai – nustačius padidėjusią geležies koncentraciją kraujo serume ir pasireiškus sunkioms, kartais mirtinoms komplikacijoms. Sergant paveldima hemochromatoze nustatomas padidėjęs serumo feritinas bei transferino įsotinimas. Paveldimą hemochromatozę diagnozuoti padeda genetinis ištyrimas – HFE geno C282Y, H63D mutacijų nustatymas. Pagrindinis hemochromatozės gydymo principas – sumažinti geležies toksinį poveikį. Pirminės hemochromatozės gydymo būdas yra flebotomija (kraujo nuleidimas). Pacientams, kuriems flebotomija yra kontraindikuotina arba jie netoleruoja šio gydymo metodo, taikomas medikamentinis gydymas – chelatais, kepenų transplantacija atliekama retai.
Spontaniškai kvėpuojančių pacientų apatinės tuščiosios venos diametro kitimo vertinimas prognozuojant atsaką į skysčių terapiją
Authors: Mačiulienė Asta , Mačiulis Vytautas , Macas Andrius
Published: May 2016

Tyrimo tikslas įvertinti literatūros publikacijas ir palyginti tikslinio ultragarsinio monitoravimo – apatinės tuščiosios venos (ATV) diametro kitimą kvėpavimo fazių metu, nustatyti spontaniškai kvėpuojančių pacientų atsaką į skysčių terapiją. Vykdyta publikacijų paieška PubMed mokslinių publikacijų duomenų bazėje. Buvo ieškoma mokslinių tyrimų, tenkinančių nustatytus atrankos kriterijus. Taip pat peržiūrėti pasirinktų publikacijų naudotos literatūros sąrašai. Atrinktos keturios mokslinės publikacijos, tenkinančios nustatytus kriterijus. Studijose vertinti 170 pacientų, kuriems vertinant atsaką į skysčių terapiją buvo atlikti ATV diametro matavimai kvėpavimo fazių metu. Išvada: ATV diametro matavimų metodikos tyrimuose buvo vienodos. Trijų tyrimų duomenimis, didesnės nei 40 proc. ATV diametro kitimo reikšmės spontaniškai kvėpuojančių pacientų susijusios su teigiamu atsaku į skysčių terapiją. Viename tyrime nebuvo nustatyta ATV diametro prognostinės reikšmės vertinant atsaką į skysčių terapiją, tačiau šis tyrimas turėjo tam tikrų apribojimų.
Mėginimų žudytis sąsajos su subjektyviai reikšmingais stresogeniniais veiksniais
Authors: Kunigėlienė Aida , Adomaitienė Virginija , Stankevičiūtė Akvilė
Published: May 2016

Tyrimo tikslas: įvertinti išgyvenusių po mėginimo žudytis ir gydytų psichiatrijos stacionare pacientų mėginimo žudytis ypatumus, jų sąsajas su psichikos sutrikimais ir socialinėmis-demografinėmis charakteristikomis. Metodai ir medžiaga. Tyrimas atliktas Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto ligoninės (LSMUL) Kauno klinikų (KK) psichiatrijos klinikoje ir Respublikinės Kauno ligoninės (RKL) padalinio Psichiatrijos ligoninėje (PL) nuo 2012 m. spalio mėn. 1 d. iki 2013 m. spalio mėn. 31 d. Leidimas atlikti tyrimą duotas Kauno regioninio bioetikos komiteto (Nr. BE-2-37; Nr. P1-138/2012). Tyrimo dalyviams buvo paaiškinti tyrimo tikslai, konfidencialumo ir anonimiškumo principai. Tyrime dalyvavo išgyvenę po mėginimo žudytis pacientai, kurie dėl tokio poelgio buvo hospitalizuoti į LSMUL Kauno klinikų Psichiatrijos kliniką arba į RKL padalinį PL. Apklausta 240 suaugusių pacientų. Tyrimo metu pacientai apklausti tik vieną kartą. Tyrimo duomenys surinkti apklausus išgyvenusius po mėginimo žudytis ir stacionarizuotus į psichiatrijos skyrių pacientus 3 dienų laikotarpiu po mėginimo žudytis. Statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta SPSS (Statistinio paketo socialiniams mokslams) 19.0-ąja versija. Rezultatai. Tiriamųjų kontingentą sudarė 101 (42,1 proc.) vyras ir 139 (57,9 proc.) moterys. Tiriamųjų amžius svyruoja nuo 18 iki 84 metų. Dauguma tiriamųjų turėjo subjektyviai vertinamų traumuojančių įvykių, galėjusių paveikti mėginimą žudytis (93,7 proc.). Tyrimo metu siekta išsiaiškinti tiriamųjų subjektyviai vertinamas priežastis, kurios galėjo paskatinti mėginimą žudytis. Gauti rezultatai parodė, kad didžioji dalis tiriamųjų (93,3 proc.) manė, kad mėginimą žudytis nulėmė vienas ar keli veiksniai. Nustatyta, kad 38,8 proc. pacientų neseniai patyrė ir išgyveno sunkią stresinę situaciją. Apie penktadalis pacientų (18,8 proc.) mėginimą žudytis sieja su didelėmis finansinėmis problemomis ir reikšmingais gyvenimo aplinkybių pasikeitimais. Taip pat, subjektyviu tiriamųjų vertinimu, mėginimą žudytis paskatino skyrybų procesas, sunkiai sergantis šeimos narys, smurtas ir agresija šeimoje bei seksualinė prievarta. Apie 40 proc. tiriamųjų priežasties, nulėmusios mėginimą žudytis, tiksliai neįvardijo, tačiau manė, kad tokia priežastis buvo. Dauguma išgyvenusiųjų po mėginimo žudytis pažymi, kad mėginimui žudytis turėjo įtakos vienas ar keli subjektyviai vertinami psichotraumuojantys veiksniai. Moterys dažniau mėgino žudytis apsinuodydamos medikamentais negu vyrai. Po mėginimo žudytis išgyvenusiems vyrams dažniau buvo nustatyti komorbidiniai psichikos sutrikimai, o moterims – afektiniai sutrikimai.
The heavy metals content in wild growing mushrooms from burdened Spiš area
Authors: Slávik Marek , Tóth Tomáš , Árvay Július , Harangozo Ľuboš , Kopernická Miriama
Published: May 2016

In this work, we evaluated the rate of entry of heavy metals into the edible parts of wild mushrooms, from central Spiš area. The area is characterized by extremely high content of heavy metals particularly mercury in abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems. The toxicity of heavy metals is well known and described. Known is also the ability of fungi to accumulate contaminants from substrates in which mushrooms grow. We have collected commonly consumed species of mushrooms (Russula vesca., Macrolepiota procera, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Lecinum piceinum, Boletus reticulatus). Sampling was conducted for two years 2012 and 2013. The samples taken mushrooms and substrates on which to grow, we determined heavy metal content (Cd, Pb, Cu), including total mercury content modified by atomic absorption spectrometry (AMA - 254). In the substrate, we determined the humus content and pH value. The heavy metal content in soils were evaluated according to Law no. 220/2004 Z.z The exceedance limit values of Cd, Pb, Cu and Hg was recorded. Most significantly the respective limit was recorded in soil samples in the case of mercury. The determined concentration Hg was 39.01 mg.kg-1. From the results, we evaluated the degree of ability to bioaccumulate heavy metals different kinds of fungi. We also evaluated the health safety of the consumption of these fungi on the comparison with the limit values provided in the food code of SR. We recorded a high rate of accumulation of mercury in the species Boletus reticulatus and Macrolepiota procera. For these types we recorded the most significant than allowed concentrations of mercury in mushrooms. The highest recorded concentration reached 17.64 mg.kg-1 Hg in fresh matter. The limit value was exceeded also in the case of copper. We do not recommend to increased consumption of wild mushrooms in the reference area.
Effect of diet supplemented with propolis extract and probiotic additives on performance, carcass characteristics and meat composition of broiler chickens
Authors: Haščí­k Peter , Trenbecká Lenka , Bobko Marek , Kačániová Miroslava , Čuboň Juraj , Kunová Simona , Bučko Ondřej
Published: May 2016

The present research focused on the effects of propolis extract and probiotic preparation based on Lactobacillus fermentum (1 × 109 CFU per 1 g of bearing medium) on performance, carcass characteristics and meat composition of broiler chickens. The experiment was performed with 360 one day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks of mixed sex. The chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n = 120 pcs chicks per group), namely, control (C) and experimental (E1, E2). Each group consisted of 3 replicated pens with 40 broiler chickens per pen. The experiment employed a randomized design, and dietary treatments were as follows: 1. basal diet with no supplementation as control (group C), 2. basal diet plus 400 mg propolis extract per 1 kg of feed mixture (group E1), 3. basal diet plus 3.3 g probiotic preparation added to drinking water (group E2). Besides, the groups were kept under the same conditions. Fattening period lasted for 42 days. Feed mixtures were produced without any antibiotic preparations and coccidiostats. As regards performance of broilers, all the investigated parameters were improved after addition of the supplements, especially after probiotic supplementation. However, neither propolis extract nor probiotic in diet of broiler chickens had any significant effect (p ≥0.05) on performance. Meat composition was evaluated as proximate composition (dry matter, crude protein, fat and ash), cholesterol content and energy value in the most valuable parts of chicken meat (breast and thigh muscles). The statistically significant results (p ≤0.05) were attained in fat, ash and cholesterol content, as well as energy value in both breast and thigh muscles after the propolis supplementation. To sum up, the present study demonstrated the promising potential of propolis extract and probiotic to enhance the performance, carcass characteristics and meat composition under conditions of the experiment with, however, statistical significance of results in a few parameters.