bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilization of a functional refreshment from mango nectar and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) through spray drying encapsulation
Authors: Sofía Torres-Valenzuela Laura , Rafael Villamizar , Sara Angel-Rendon
Published: August 2018

Background: Yacon syrup (YS) may be implemented as a functional sweetener because of its concentration of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), sugars resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis in the human digestive tract. Additionally, health benefits related to the consumption of FOS have been reported, such as preventing constipation and reducing blood sugar and lipid levels in diabetic patients. Yacon is a tuber from South American Andes region, and its nutraceutical effects have been researched.Objective: The effect of YS as sweetener in a Mango Nectar (MN) stabilized through SD and encapsulated with maltodextrin and Arabic gum (AG) was evaluated as a natural and alternative beverage for diabetic patients.Methods: A sequential experimental design was used. Firstly, mangoes were characterized into 3 ripening stages, evaluating pH, TSS, WC, WA, and TTA. Then, 4 formulations of MN with YS with concentrations of 33.3, 66.6, and 99.9% yacon-to-juice ratio were evaluated according to the quantity of TSS, which were analyzed over the acceptance of untrained judges. Later on, the formulation with the best acceptance was chosen and evaluated based on the performance of the encapsulation of components through SD using maltodextrin and AG with a 30% concentration and tricalcium phosphate (TP) with a 0.15% concentration. Lastly, the encapsulation process with maltodextrin with a 30% concentration was analyzed at temperatures of 100, 105, 110, and 130°C over the rehydration, evaluating WA, TSS, and Vitamin C.Results: The mango with 12°Brix was selected for the formulation. The YS addition to MN generated significant differences (p<0.001) in the flavor because of the concentration, with the addition of a 33.3% enhancing the flavor. As a result, the 33.3% concentration was selected for further testing.  The final stage showed significant differences in the performance of the process, WA, TTA, TSS, and Vitamin C. Similar results were obtained regarding these components after the rehydration of the MN 5 days after storage. The retrieval of Vitamin C was not affected by the temperature, suggesting a favorable encapsulation.                                                                                                            Conclusion: The YS represents a potential nutraceutical sweetener, which may be used with concentrations around 33.3% over Tommy MN. The process of encapsulation through SD generates a product that is stable in storage and easily reconstructed.Key words: fructooligosaccharides, inulin, micro-encapsulation, spray drying, yacon
Proanthocyanidins from the American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Induce Cell Cycle Alterations in DU145 Human Prostate Cancer Cells in Vitro by Affecting the Expression of Cell Cycle-Associated Proteins
Authors: Kim Joseph , McKeown Brendan , Patel Kunal , Catalli Adriana , Kulka Marianna , Neto Catherine , Hurta Robert
Published: August 2018

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. There are genetic and environmental factors that can potentially impact the development and progression of many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. As a consequence of environmental factors, such as diet having a potential effect on the development of prostate cancer, considerable interest in the possible health benefits associated with the inclusion and consumption of certain foods in the diet exists.Context and purpose of this study: This study describes the effects of a proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction (PACs) isolated from the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) on the behaviour of androgen-refractory (insensitive) DU145 human prostate cancer cells in vitro.Results: Following treatment of DU145 human prostate cancer cells with 25 µg/mL of PACs for six hours, PACs significantly decreased the cellular viability of DU145 cells. PACs treatment (25 µg/mL for 6 hours) of DU145 cells increased the proportion of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle and decreased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These alterations were associated with changes in cell cycle regulatory proteins and other cell cycle associated proteins. PACs increased the expression of cyclin E, cyclin D1, CDK2 and CDK4, and decreased the expression of cyclin A and cyclin B1. The protein expression level of p27 increased, and the protein expression levels of p16INK4a, p21, and pRBp107 decreased in response to PACs treatment. The protein expression level of pRBp130 was unchanged in response to PACs treatment.Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that proanthocyanidins from the American cranberry can affect the behaviour of human prostate cancer cells in vitro and further support the potential health benefits associated with cranberries.Keywords: Prostate cancer, proanthocyanidin-enriched fraction (PACs), American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
14C-Psilocin tissue distribution in pregnant rats after intravenous administration
Authors: Law Francis , Poon Grace , Chui Y. C. , He Shao-Xiong
Published: August 2018

Background: Many species of hallucinogenic mushrooms have been found in the genus Psilocybe. The main psychoactive chemicals of Psilocybe mushrooms are psilocin and its phosphoryloxy derivative, psilocybin. In addition to its psychedelic effects, psilocybin is an effective agent to lift the mood of depressed patients with terminal cancers.Objective: To study the dispositional kinetics of 14C-psilocin in pregnant rats after intravenous injection, to calculate tissue dose surrogates i.e., tissue 14C concentration and area under the concentration-time curve using the experimental data, to quantify trans-placental passage of psilocin and/or its metabolites, and to identify new psilocin metabolite(s) in rat urine.Methods: A group of 15 pregnant Wistar rats weighing between 0.30-0.36 kg was used in the study. Each rat was given a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg 14C-psilocini.v. Three rats were randomly selected and sacrificed at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 hr post-dosing. The maternal and fetal tissues were quickly removed and the radioactivity in these tissues determined by liquid scintillation counting.In a separate study, urine samples were collected from 6 male Wistar rats after administering 15 mg/kg of unlabeled psilocin i.p. The urine samples were collected and extracted by chloroform-methanol (9:1 v/v) and analyzed using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer.Results: 14C-Psilocin crossed the placental barrier of pregnant rats readily after i.v. administration; maternal tissue 14C concentrations were found to be much higher than those in fetal tissues. The areas under the curve for maternal tissues also were much higher than the fetal tissues. In general, maternal tissues could be divided into the fast eliminating organ group, which included the brain (elimination half-life <13 hr) and the slow eliminating organ group, which included all fetal tissues (elimination half-life >13 hr). A new psilocin metabolite tentatively identified as dihydroxyindoleacetic acid was found in the urine.Conclusion: Our study showed that psilocin readily crossed the placental and blood-brain barriers of pregnant rats. Because psilocin was eliminated slowly from the fetal tissues of rats, human consumption of magic mushrooms should be avoided during pregnancy. Key words: magic mushrooms, psilocin, placental barrier, pregnant rats
Management of Chestnut Blight in Greece Using Hypovirulence and Silvicultural Interventions
Authors: Diamandis Stephanos
Published: August 2018

Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) is an important tree for Greece. The invasive fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, which causes chestnut blight, was first found in Central Greece in 1963. It has since spread all over the country, significantly reducing the national annual nut production. The increasing decline of forests and orchards due to the disease led to a project in 1995, which aimed at studying the feasibility of applying biological control. A prerequisite study of the existing vegetative compatibility types of the pathogen showed only four, and their distribution was mapped. A pilot project (1998–2000) that consisted of clear cutting heavily infected coppice stands and introducing hypovirulence to the remainder was implemented on Mt. Athos on a 7000 ha sweet chestnut forest. Two evaluations (in 2003 and 2011) revealed that hypovirulence was established in the sweet chestnut forests and spread more or less homogeneously. A nationwide project introducing hypovirulence to 29 counties was implemented in two, 3-yr-periods 2007–2009 (17 counties) and 2014–2016 (12 counties). The new evaluations showed that hypovirulence spread profoundly and forests and orchards started recovering. The appearance of natural hypovirulence cannot be predicted. Introduced hypovirulence and silvicultural interventions can be used to manage the disease. It is the responsibility of the forest/orchard manager to decide whether to wait for appearance of natural hypovirulence, or to introduce it for a faster decline in disease.
Computational-Based Study of QuEChERS Extraction of Cyclohexanedione Herbicide Residues in Soil by Chemometric Modeling
Authors: Villaverde Juan José , Sevilla-Morán Beatriz , López-Goti Carmen , Alonso-Prados José Luis , Sandín-España Pilar
Published: August 2018

Assessment of two buffered QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) versions (i.e., citrate and acetate) modified by including methanol to recover the residues of three cyclohexanedione oxime (CHD) herbicides and three of their byproducts from agricultural soil was performed. In this context, a full second-order face-centered factorial experimental design was developed to quantify the influences of the main five variables (i.e., extraction time, water content, soil weight, and extraction solvent volume and composition) on the target compound recoveries. The fitting equations satisfactorily described the extraction process behavior. The mathematical models also showed the most influencing independent variables (i.e., extraction solvent composition and soil weight). Handling simpler expressions was possible with the acetate QuEChERS but not with the citrate QuEChERS. The recoveries of the CHD residues were close to 100% after performing the extraction under suitable conditions. Furthermore, dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) clean-up steps were assessed to reduce the matrix effect in mass spectrometry. In this sense, the citrate QuEChERS in combination with the PSA + C18 clean-up step was the best option for the extraction of CHD residues.
A Bifunctional Anti-Amyloid Blocks Oxidative Stress and the Accumulation of Intraneuronal Amyloid-Beta
Authors: Hilt Silvia , Altman Robin , Kálai Tamás , Maezawa Izumi , Gong Qizhi , Wachsmann-Hogiu Sebastian , Jin Lee-Way , Voss John C.
Published: August 2018

There is growing recognition regarding the role of intracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) in the Alzheimer’s disease process, which has been linked with aberrant signaling and the disruption of protein degradation mechanisms. Most notably, intraneuronal Aβ likely underlies the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction that have been identified as key elements of disease progression. In this study, we employed fluorescence imaging to explore the ability of a bifunctional small molecule to reduce aggregates of intracellular Aβ and attenuate oxidative stress. Structurally, this small molecule is comprised of a nitroxide spin label linked to an amyloidophilic fluorene and is known as spin-labeled fluorene (SLF). The effect of the SLF on intracellular Aβ accumulation and oxidative stress was measured in MC65 cells, a human neuronal cell line with inducible expression of the amyloid precursor protein and in the N2a neuronal cell line treated with exogenous Aβ. Super-resolution microscopy imaging showed SLF decreases the accumulation of intracellular Aβ. Confocal microscopy imaging of MC65 cells treated with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive dye demonstrated SLF significantly reduces the intracellular Aβ-induced ROS signal. In order to determine the contributions of the separate SLF moieties to these protective activities, experiments were also carried out on cells with nitroxides lacking the Aβ targeting domain or fluorene derivatives lacking the nitroxide functionality. The findings support a synergistic effect of SLF in counteracting both the conformational toxicity of both endogenous and exogenous Aβ, its promotion of ROS, and Aβ metabolism. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate an intimate link between ROS production and Aβ oligomer formation.
Effects of Quercetin on Proliferation and H2O2-Induced Apoptosis of Intestinal Porcine Enterocyte Cells
Authors: Chen Zhigang , Yuan Qiaoling , Xu Guangren , Chen Huiyu , Lei Hongyu , Su Jianming
Published: August 2018

Weanling stress and toxicosis, which are harmful to the health of pigs’ intestines, are associated with oxidative stress. Quercetin (Que) is a polyphenolic compound that shows good anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects. This study aimed to elaborate whether or not Que promotes IPEC-J2 (intestinal porcine enterocyte cells) proliferation and protects IPEC-J2 from oxidative damage. Thus, we examined the effects of Que on proliferation and H2O2-induced apoptosis in IPEC-J2. The results showed that Que increased IPEC-J2 viabililty, propelled cells from G1 phase into S phase and down-regulated gene levels of P27 and P21, respectively. Besides, H2O2-induced cell damage was alleviated by Que after different exposure times, and Que depressed apoptosis rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and percentage of G1 phase cells and elevated the percentage of cells in G2 phase and S phase and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) after IPEC-J2 exposure to H2O2. Meanwhile, Que reduced the value of Bax/Bcl-2 in H2O2 exposed cells. In low-degree oxidative damage cells, lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were increased. In turn, Que could reverse the change of MDA content and SOD activity in low-degree damage cells. Nevertheless, catalase (CAT) activity was not changed in IPEC-J2 incubated with Que under low-degree damage conditions. Interestingly, relative expressive levels of the proteins claudin-1 and occludin were not altered under low-degree damage conditions, but Que could improve claudin-1 and occludin levels, slightly. This research indicates that Que can be greatly beneficial for intestinal porcine enterocyte cell proliferation and it protects intestinal porcine enterocyte cells from oxidation-induced apoptosis, and could be used as a potential feed additive for porcine intestinal health against pathogenic factor-induced oxidative damages and apoptosis.
Development and Characterization of High-Throughput EST-Based SSR Markers for Pogostemon cablin Using Transcriptome Sequencing
Authors: Ouyang Puyue , Kang Dali , Mo Xiaolu , Tian Enwei , Hu Yanyu , Huang Rongshao
Published: August 2018

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellite markers derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are routinely used for molecular assisted-selection breeding, comparative genomic analysis, and genetic diversity studies. In this study, we investigated 54,546 ESTs for the identification and development of SSR markers in Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli). In total, 1219 SSRs were identified from 1144 SSR-containing ESTs. Trinucleotides (80.8%) were the most abundant SSRs, followed by di- (10.8%), mono- (7.1%), and hexa-nucleotides (1.3%). The top six motifs were CCG/CGG (15.3%), AAG/CTT (15.0%), ACC/GGT (13.5%), AGG/CCT (12.4%), ATC/ATG (9.9%), and AG/CT (9.8%). On the basis of these SSR-containing ESTs, a total of 192 primer pairs were randomly designed and used for polymorphism analysis in 38 accessions collected from different geographical regions of Guangdong, China. Of the SSR markers, 45 were polymorphic and had allele variations from two to four. Furthermore, a transferability analysis of these primer pairs revealed a 10–40% cross-species transferability in 10 related species. This report is the first comprehensive study on the development and analysis of a large set of SSR markers in P. cablin. These markers have the potential to be used in quantitative trait loci mapping, genetic diversity studies, and the fingerprinting of cultivars of P. cablin.
Ursolic Acid-Induced Apoptosis via Regulation of the PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Huh-7 Cells
Authors: Lee Kwong-Chiu , Chen Yao-Li , Lin Ping-Yi , Chuang Wan-Ling
Published: August 2018

Ursolic acid (UA), is a kind of triterpene acid that exhibits wide biological properties. In this article, the effects of UA on apoptosis and the proliferation of human hepatoma Huh-7 cells were reported. The MTT results showed that cell viability of Huh-7 was reduced in a concentration and time-dependent effect. In addition, DAPI staining was used to detected condensation of chromatin in nucleus. Apoptotic cell population was examined using Annexin V/PI staining. The results showed that exposure to UA affected extrinsic and intrinsic pathways through, reduced expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and TCTP; increased levels of the apoptotic proteins TNF-α, Fas, FADD, and Bax; and activation of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. UA also inhibited the p-Akt and p38 MAPK signaling transduction pathways, and increased activity in the p-ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, UA inhibited the cell growth of Huh-7 cells and affected apoptosis, via regulated cellular signaling transduction.
Chalcones Repressed the AURKA and MDR Proteins Involved in Metastasis and Multiple Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Komoto Tatiana Takahasi , Bernardes Tayná Minervina , Mesquita Thaís Balthazar , Bortolotto Luis Felipe Buso , Silva Gabriel , Bitencourt Tamires Aparecida , Baek Seung Joon , Marins Mozart , Fachin Ana Lúcia
Published: August 2018

In the present investigation, trans-chalcone and licochalcone A were tested against MCF-7 and BT-20 breast cancer cell lines for anti-tumor activity. We found that both chalcones down regulated important genes associated to cancer development and inhibited cell migration of metastatic cells (BT-20). Finally, we observed that licochalcone A reduces the MDR-1 protein, while both chalcones suppress the AURKA protein in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, we observed the trans-chalcone and licochalcone A affected the cell viability of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and BT-20 and presents anti-metastatic and anti-resistance potential, by the repression of AUKA and MDR-1 proteins.
Electric Vehicles in Rural Demand-Responsive Systems: Findings of Two Demand Responsive Transport Projects for the Improvement of Service Provision
Authors: Camacho Alcocer David , Krams Benedikt , Körner Matthias , Hantsch Fabian , Martin Ullrich , Herzwurm Georg
Published: August 2018

To fill in mobility gaps, volunteer-based flexible transit solutions have been successfully implemented in Germany since early 1980s. These concepts have evolved to address a diverse array of needs and situations, and to incorporate new solutions and technologies. Such is the case of electrical vehicles (EVs), which have found an application in these systems through state-run initiatives seeking to promote sustainable mobility. This article presents two electric-car volunteer-based rural demand-responsive services, namely, a Buerger(ruf)auto (Dial-a-ride or “Citizen-operated-car”) and a Buergerbus (“Citizen-operated-bus”). The article outlines specific aspects of the EVs that are used, which need to be addressed to in order to achieve an operational efficiency that is comparable to an equivalent service using internal combustion vehicles. Specific challenges are identified, namely in relation to the technological limitations, and the size and characteristic of the vehicles required. In addition, specific challenges include the need for the vehicle components that allow data gathering directly from the car’s electric motor in order to analyze the car’s performance under different operational conditions. The article mentions the issues explicitly and specifies what would be required of electrical vehicles to become an asset in the provision of demand-responsive systems in rural settings.
Antibiotic resistance rates among bacterial isolates from infected patients of intensive care unit over the period (2011-2016) in Bursa, Turkey
Authors: Karadag Gecgel Sanem , Demircan Necmiye
Published: August 2018

Background: The aims of this study were to evaluate the microbiological datas for effective infection control and specific antimicrobial stewardship and to report the epidemiology of ICU-acquired infections and the local antimicrobial resistance of pathogen microorganisms.

Methods: Datas were collected between January 2011-October 2016 retrospectively from the cardiology and cardiovascular surgery patients. The identification and antimicrobial susceptibility analyses in clinical isolates of pathogen microorganisms were determined by the automatic device system.

Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected increasingly resistant to imipenem (IMP) significantly (p=0.048). Acinetobacter baumanii was found increasingly resistant to amikacin (AN), gentamicin (GN), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) and tetracycline (TE) significantly (p=0.045, p=0.030, p=0.006, p=0.027). There was a significantly decrease in the resistant rates of IMP, piperacillin-tazobactam (TPZ), meropenem (MEM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) for Pseudomonas spp. (p=0.048). In all of the gram-negative microorganisms, significantly increasing resistance rates to cefepime (CEP) was detected (p=0.015). In all of the gram-positive microorganisms, significantly decreasing resistance rates to teicoplanin (TEC) was also detected (p=0.034).

Conclusion: As a result, the inadequacy of infection control measures such as hand hygiene and patient isolation to prevent transmission between patients has increased the carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pnemoniae (CR-KP) ratio, which is frequently found in recent years in our hospital. However, preferring preemptive treatment as a result of cooperation with microbiology laboratory instead of empirical treatment with antibiotics such as carbapenem and vancomycin caused the decrease in the resistance rates of resistant microorganism.
New and Known Moving Groups and Clusters Identified in a Gaia Comoving Catalog
Authors: Faherty Jacqueline K , Bochanski John J. , Gagné Jonathan , Nelson Olivia , Coker Kristina , Smithka Iliya , Desir Deion , Vasquez Chelsea
Published: August 2018

We present a reorganization of the Oh et al. wide, comoving catalog of 4555 groups of stars (10,606 individual objects) identified in the Tycho Gaia Astrometric Survey (TGAS) into new and known coevolving groups of stars in the Milky Way. We use the BANYAN Σ kinematic analysis tool to identify 1015 individual stars in the Oh et al. catalog that yielded a >80% probability in 1 of 27 known associations (e.g., the AB Doradus moving group, Columba, Upper Scorpius) in the vicinity of the Sun. Among the 27 groups uncovered by Oh et al. that had >10 connected components, we find that 4 are newly discovered. We use a combination of Tycho, Gaia, Two micron All Sky catalog, Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer Mission, Galaxy Evolution Explorer, and Rontgen Satellite photometry as well as Gaia parallaxes to determine that these new groups are likely older than the Pleiades but younger than ∼1 Gyr. Using isochrone fitting, we find that the majority of these new groups have solar-type stars and solar-type metallicity. Among the 35 Oh et al. groups with five to nine members, we find that 19 also appear new and comoving, with Oh et al. Group 30 is particularly exciting as it is well within 100 pc (range of 77–90 pc) and also appears to be older than the Pleiades. For known star-forming regions, open clusters, and moving groups identified by Oh et al., we find that the majority were broken up into pieces over several Oh et al. groups (e.g., Lower Centaurus Crux members are spread over 26 Oh et al. groups); however, we found no correlation with positions of the groups on color–magnitude diagrams, and therefore no substructure of the association correlated with the Oh et al. designated group. We find that across the 27 groups tested by BANYAN Σ there were 400 new members to 20 different associations uncovered by Oh et al. that require further vetting.
The Orbit of the New Milky Way Globular Cluster FSR1716 = VVV-GC05∗
Authors: Ramos Rodrigo Contreras , Minniti Dante , Fernández-Trincado José G. , Alonso-García Javier , Catelan Márcio , Gran Felipe , Hajdu Gergely , Hanke Michael , Hempel Maren , Díaz Edmundo Moreno , Pérez-Villegas Ángeles , Rojas-Arriagada Álvaro , Zoccali Manuela
Published: August 2018

We use deep, multi-epoch near-IR images of the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) Survey to measure proper motions (PMs) of stars in the Milky Way globular cluster (GC) FSR1716 = VVV-GC05. The color-magnitude diagram of this object, made by using PM-selected members, shows an extended horizontal branch, nine confirmed RR Lyrae (RRL) members in the instability strip, and possibly several hotter stars extending to the blue. Based on the fundamental-mode (ab-type) RRL stars that move coherently with the cluster, we confirmed that FSR1716 is an Oosterhoff I GC with a mean period

 = 0.574 days. Intriguingly, we detect tidal extensions to both sides of this cluster in the spatial distribution of PM-selected member stars. Also, one of the confirmed RRabs is located ∼11 arcmin in projection from the cluster center, suggesting that FSR1716 may be losing stars due to the gravitational interaction with the Galaxy. We also measure radial velocities (RVs) for five cluster red giants selected using the PMs. The combination of RVs and PMs allow us to compute for the first time the orbit of this GC, using an updated Galactic potential. The orbit results to be confined within

kpc, and has eccentricity 0.4 < e < 0.6, with perigalactic distance

, and apogalactic distance

. We conclude that, in agreement with its relatively low metallicity ([Fe/H] = −1.4 dex), this is an inner-halo GC plunging into the disk of the Galaxy. As such, this is a unique object with which to test the dynamical processes that contribute to the disruption of Galactic GCs.
Gaia Proper Motions and Orbits of the Ultra-faint Milky Way Satellites
Authors: Simon Joshua D.
Published: August 2018

The second data release from the Gaia mission (DR2) provides a comprehensive and unprecedented picture of the motions of astronomical sources in the plane of the sky, extending from the solar neighborhood to the outer reaches of the Milky Way. I present proper-motion measurements based on Gaia DR2 for 17 ultra-faint dwarf galaxies within 100 kpc of the Milky Way. I compile the spectroscopically confirmed member stars in each dwarf bright enough for Gaia astrometry from the literature, producing member samples ranging from two stars in Triangulum II to 68 stars in Boötes I. From the spectroscopic member catalogs, I estimate the proper motion of each system. I find good agreement with the proper motions derived by the Gaia collaboration for Boötes I and Leo I. The tangential velocities for 14 of the 17 dwarfs are determined to better than 50 km s−1, more than doubling the sample of such measurements for Milky Way satellite galaxies. The orbital pericenters are well constrained, with a mean value of 38 kpc. Only one satellite, Tucana III, is on an orbit passing within 15 kpc of the Galactic center, suggesting that the remaining ultra-faint dwarfs are unlikely to have experienced severe tidal stripping. As a group, the ultra-faint dwarfs are on high-velocity, eccentric, retrograde trajectories, with nearly all of them having space motions exceeding 370 km s−1. A large majority of the objects are currently close to the pericenters of their orbits. In a low-mass (M
vir = 0.9 × 1012
M
⊙) Milky Way potential, eight out of the 17 galaxies lack well-defined apocenters and appear likely to be on their first infall, indicating that the Milky Way mass may be larger than previously estimated or that many of the ultra-faint dwarfs are associated with the Magellanic Clouds. The median eccentricity of the ultra-faint dwarf orbits is 0.79, similar to the values seen in numerical simulations but distinct from the rounder orbits of the more luminous dwarf spheroidals.
Lower Limits on the Nucleosynthesis of 44Ti and 60Fe in the Dynamic Spiral-arm Cosmic-Ray Propagation Model
Authors: Benyamin David , Shaviv Nir J.
Published: August 2018

We have previously focused on studying the electron-capture isotopes within the dynamic spiral-arms cosmic-rays propagation model and empirically derived the energy dependence of the electron attachment rate using the observation of 49Ti/49V and 51V/51Cr ratios in cosmic rays. We have also shown how this relation recovers the energy dependence seen in the lab measurements. In this work, we use this relation to construct the 44Ti/44Ca ratio and place a lower limit on the amount of 44Ti that is required for it to be nucleosynthesized at the source. The results also imply that the acceleration process of the radioisotopes cannot be much longer than a century timescale (or else the required nucleosynthesized amount has to be correspondingly larger). We also provide a similar lower limit on the source 60Fe by comparing to the recently observed 60Fe/56Fe.
Observation of Interplanetary Slow Shock Pair Associated with Reconnection Exhaust in Magnetic Cloud Boundary Layer
Authors: Zhou Zilu , Wei Fengsi , Feng Xueshang , Wang Yi , Zuo Pingbing , Xu Xiaojun
Published: August 2018

Magnetic reconnection is prevalent in the solar wind and is usually associated with interplanetary coronal mass ejections. We examined a Petschek-like reconnection exhaust (RE) in the front boundary of a magnetic cloud observed by the WIND spacecraft on 1998 June 2 and presented the first observation of a slow shock pair bounding the Petschek-like outflow jet in the interplanetary space. The whole structure contained an Alfvénic accelerated outflow and a pair of reverse slow shocks. The Alfvénic accelerated outflow was identified by Walén analysis. Rankine–Hugoniot relations were applied to confirm the slow shocks bounding the RE. Both shocks strictly satisfied the characteristics of slow shocks: (1) the intermediate Alfvén Mach numbers were both below unit in the up/downstream region; (2) the slow Mach number was above unit in the upstream side but below unit in the downstream side. Plasma was compressed and heated across the trailing slow shock, especially in the shock jump layer that has a temperature 2.4 times that of the upstream.
Microwave and Hard X-Ray Observations of the 2017 September 10 Solar Limb Flare
Authors: Gary Dale E. , Chen Bin , Dennis Brian R. , Fleishman Gregory D. , Hurford Gordon J. , Krucker Säm , McTiernan James M. , Nita Gelu M. , Shih Albert Y. , White Stephen M. , Yu Sijie
Published: August 2018

We report the first science results from the newly completed Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA), which obtained excellent microwave (MW) imaging spectroscopy observations of SOL2017-09-10, a classic partially occulted solar limb flare associated with an erupting flux rope. This event is also well-covered by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) in hard X-rays (HXRs). We present an overview of this event focusing on MW and HXR data, both associated with high-energy nonthermal electrons, and we discuss them within the context of the flare geometry and evolution revealed by extreme ultraviolet observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The EOVSA and RHESSI data reveal the evolving spatial and energy distribution of high-energy electrons throughout the entire flaring region. The results suggest that the MW and HXR sources largely arise from a common nonthermal electron population, although the MW imaging spectroscopy provides information over a much larger volume of the corona.
A Solar Eruption with Relatively Strong Geoeffectiveness Originating from Active Region Peripheral Diffusive Polarities
Authors: Wang Rui , Liu Ying D. , Hu Huidong , Zhao Xiaowei
Published: August 2018

We report the observations of a moderate but relatively intense geoeffective solar eruption on 2015 November 4 from the peripheral diffusive polarities of active region 12443. We use space-borne Solar Dynamics Observatory and ACE observations. EUV images identified a helical pattern along a filament channel, and we regard this channel as flux-rope structure. Flow velocity derived from tracked magnetograms infers converging motion along the polarity inversion line beneath the filament channel. An associated magnetic cancellation process was detected in the converging region. Further, the pre-eruptive EUV brightening was observed in the converging region, the most intense part of which appeared in the magnetic cancellation region. These observations imply that the converging and canceling flux probably contributed to the formation of the helical magnetic fields associated with the flux rope. A filament-height estimation method suggests that the middle part of the filament probably lies at a low altitude and was consistent with the initial place of the eruption. A thick current channel associated with the flux rope is also determined. For an expanding thick current channel, the critical height of the decay index for torus instability lies in the range of 37–47 Mm. Southward magnetic fields in the sheath and the ejecta induced a geomagnetic storm with a D
st global minimum of ∼−90 nT.
The Energetic Particle Environment of the Lunar Nearside: Influence of the Energetic Ions from Earth’s Bow Shock
Authors: Xu Xiaojun , Chang Qing , Xu Qi , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Wang Yi , Zuo Pingbing
Published: August 2018

Energetic particles from Earth’s bow shock can frequently access the lunar orbit. These energetic particles are mainly ions. Since they are mostly field-aligned, they have much greater impacts on the lunar near side than on its far side. We present a statistical study of these upstream energetic ions at the lunar orbit using ARTEMIS observations. During the five-year time interval from 2012 to 2016, 496 energetic ion events with time durations ≥30 minutes were identified. The average duration of an event is about 1.93 hr. Most events occurred at the dawn-looking quadrants of Earth, showing an asymmetric dawn–dusk distribution in space. In 490 of the 496 events, the magnetic field lines directly extend to the bow shock. This is very important in order for energetic ions to arrive at the lunar orbit along field lines. The highest energies of these upstream energetic ions range from 101.5 to 658.5 keV based on the energy channels of ARTEMIS. The spatial distribution of the events depends on the highest energy. Events with higher energies tend to occur near the subsolar region and are related to greater AE indices, indicating stronger disturbances of the geomagnetosphere. By taking into account upstream energetic ions, in addition to galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles, our results provide a more comprehensive understanding of the energetic particle environment of the lunar near side.
The Effect of Strategic Flexibility on Strategy-Performance Nexus: A Conceptual Model
Authors: Liyanage A. S. , Weerasinghe T. D.
Published: August 2018

Many of the business strategies adopted by organizations fail as a result of inflexibility of such strategies in responding to market dynamics. Although there is a considerable number of research to indicate that the strategic clarity has a strong positive association with firm performance, there remains little theoretical and empirical evidence to explain the effect of strategic flexibility on firm performance. Hence, this concept paper draws on the Porter’s typology and the Miles and Snow’s typology to analyze how the strategic flexibility moderates the association between strategic clarity and firm performance. The paper concludes with a conceptual model that enables the testing of the discrete effect of strategic flexibility on firm performance which in turn will add insights to the said models in the study.
Quantification and evaluation of atmospheric pollutant
emissions from open biomass burning with multiple methods:
A case study for Yangtze River Delta region, China
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhao Yu
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Air pollutant emissions from open biomass burning (OBB) in Yangtze River Delta (YRD) were estimated for 2005–2015 using three (traditional bottom-up, fire radiative power (FRP)-based, and constraining) approaches, and the differences between those methods and their underlying reasons were analyzed. The species included PM10, PM2.5, organic carbon (OC), black carbon (BC), CH4, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), CO, CO2, NOX, SO2 and NH3. The inter-annual trends in emissions with FRP-based and constraining methods were similar with the fire counts in 2005–2012, while that with traditional method was not. For most years, emissions of all species estimated with constraining method were smaller than those with traditional method except for NMVOCs, while they were larger than those with FRP-based except for EC, CH4 and NH3. Such discrepancies result mainly from different masses of crop residues burned in the field (CRBF) estimated in the three methods. Chemistry transport modeling (CTM) was applied to test the three OBB inventories. The simulated PM10 concentrations with the constrained emissions were closest to available observations, implying that the constraining method provided the best emission estimates. To further evaluate the effects of method and data on OBB emission estimation, CO emissions in this study were compared with other national and global inventories. In general, inventories of FRP/BA-based method might underestimate the emissions, attributed to the detection limit on small fires. In contrast, the method based on the assumed/surveyed fraction of burned biomass could often overestimate OBB emissions and could hardly track their inter-annual trends. In particular, the constrained emissions in this work were close to GFEDv4.1s that contained emissions from small fires. The contributions of OBB to two particulate pollution events in 2010 and 2012 were analyzed with brute-force method. Attributed to varied OBB emissions and meteorology, the average contribution of OBB to PM10 concentrations in June 8–14 2012 was estimated at 37.6 % (56.7 μg/m3), larger than that in June 17–24, 2010 at 21.8 % (24.0 μg/m3). Influences of diurnal curves of OBB emissions and meteorology on air pollution caused by OBB were evaluated by designing simulation scenarios, and the results suggested that air pollution caused by OBB would become heavier if the meteorological conditions were unfavorable, and that more attention should be paid to the OBB control at night. Quantified with Monte-Carlo simulation, the uncertainty of traditional bottom-up inventory was smaller than that of FRP-based one. The percentages of CRBF and emission factors were the main source of uncertainty for the two approaches, respectively. Further improvement on CTM for OBB events would help better constraining OBB emissions.
Anthropogenic Fine Particulate Matter Pollution Will Be Exacerbated in Eastern
China Due to 21st-Century GHG Warming
Authors: Chen Huopo , Wang Huijun , Sun Jianqi , Xu Yangyang , Yin Zhicong
Published: August 2018

Abstract. China has experienced a substantial increase in severe haze events over the past several decades, which is primarily attributed to the increased pollutant emissions caused by its rapid economic development. The climate changes observed under the warming scenarios, especially those induced by increases in greenhouse gases (GHG), are also conducive to the increase in air pollution. However, how the air pollution changes in response to the GHG warming has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. We investigate this change using the century-long large ensemble simulations with the Community Earth System Model 1 (CESM1) with the fixed anthropogenic emissions at the year 2005. Our results show that although the aerosol emission is assumed to be a constant throughout the experiment, anthropogenic air pollution presents robust positive responses to the GHG-induced warming, with an increase of approximately 68 % to be observed in the most severe days at the end of the 21st century. Further research indicates that the increased stagnation days and the decreased light precipitation days are the primary causes of the increase in PM2.5 concentration, as well as the anthropogenic air pollution days. Estimation shows that the effect of climate change induced by the GHG warming can account for 11 %–28 % of the changes in anthropogenic air pollution days over eastern China. Therefore, in the future, more stringent regulations on regional air pollution emissions are needed to balance the effect from climate change.
The observed diurnal cycle of nocturnal low-level stratus clouds
over southern West Africa: a case study
Authors: Babić Karmen , Adler Bianca , Kalthoff Norbert , Andersen Hendrik , Dione Cheikh , Lohou Fabienne , Lothon Marie , Pedruzo-Bagazgoitia Xabier
Published: August 2018

Abstract. This study presents the first detailed observational analysis of the complete diurnal cycle of stratiform low-level clouds (LLC) and involved atmospheric processes over southern West Africa. The data used here were collected during the comprehensive DACCIWA (Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud-Interactions in West Africa) ground-based campaign, which aimed at monitoring LLC characteristics and capturing the wide range of atmospheric conditions related to the West African monsoon flow. In this study, in-situ and remote sensing measurements from the supersite near Savè (Benin) collected during a typical day, which is characterized by the onset of a nocturnal low-level jet (NLLJ) and the formation of LLC, are analyzed. The associated dynamic and thermodynamic conditions allow the identification of five different phases of the LLC diurnal cycle: the Stable, Jet, Stratus I, Stratus II and Convective phase. The analysis of relative humidity tendency shows that cooling is a dominant process for LLC formation, which leads to a continuous increase of relative humidity at a maximum rate of 6 % per hour, until finally saturation is reached and LLC form with a cloud-base height near the height of NLLJ maximum. Results of heat budget analysis illustrate that horizontal cold air advection, related to the maritime inflow, which brings the cool maritime air mass and a prominent NLLJ wind profile, has the dominant role on the observed strong cooling of −1.2 K per hour during the Jet phase. The contribution from horizontal cold advection is quantified to be up to 72 %, while radiative cooling and sensible heat flux divergence contribute with 16 and 12 %, respectively, to the observed heat budget below the NLLJ maximum. After the LLC form (Stratus phase I and II), turbulent mixing is an important factor leading to the cooling below the cloud base, while strong radiative cooling at the cloud top helps to maintain thick stratus.
Positive Matrix Factorization of Organic Aerosol: Insights
from a Chemical Transport Model
Authors: Drosatou Anthoula D. , Skyllakou Ksakousti , Theodoritsi Georgia N. , Pandis Spyros N.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Factor analysis of Aerosol Mass Spectrometer measurements (organic aerosol mass spectra) is often used to determine the sources of organic aerosol (OA). In this study we aim to gain insights regarding the ability of positive matrix factorization (PMF) to identify and quantify the OA sources accurately. We performed PMF and multilinear engine (ME-2) analysis on the predictions of a state-of-the-art chemical transport model (PMCAMx-SR) during a photochemically active period for specific sites in Europe in an effort to interpret the diverse factors usually identified by PMF analysis of field measurements. Our analysis used the predicted concentrations of 27 OA components, assuming that each of them is chemically different from the others. The PMF results based on the chemical transport model predictions are quite consistent (same number of factors and source types) with those of the analysis of AMS measurements. The estimated uncertainty of the contribution of fresh biomass burning is less than 30 % and of the other primary sources less than 40 %, when these sources contribute more than 20 % to the total OA. For contributions between 10 and 20 % the corresponding uncertainties increase to 50 %. Finally, when these sources are small (less than 10 % of the OA) the corresponding error is a factor of two or even three. One of the major questions in PMF analysis of AMS measurements concerns the sources of the two or more oxygenated OA (OOA) factors often reported in field studies. Our analysis suggests that these factors include secondary OA compounds from a variety of anthropogenic and biogenic sources and do not correspond to specific sources. Their characterization in the literature as low and high volatility factors is probably misleading, because they have overlapping volatility distributions. However, the average volatility of the one often characterized as low-volatility factor is indeed lower than that of the other (high volatility factor). Based on the analysis of the PMCAMx-SR predictions, the first oxygenated OA factor includes mainly highly-aged OA transported from outside Europe, but also highly aged secondary OA from precursors emitted in Europe. The second oxygenated OA factor contains fresher SOA from volatile, semi-volatile, and intermediate volatility anthropogenic and biogenic organic compounds. The exact contribution of these OA components to each OA factor depends on the site and the prevailing meteorology during the analysis period.
Calculating uncertainty for the RICE ice core continuous flow analysis water isotope record
Authors: Keller Elizabeth D. , Baisden W. Troy , Bertler Nancy A. N. , Emanuelsson B. Daniel , Canessa Silvia , Phillips Andy
Published: August 2018

Abstract. We describe a systematic approach to the calibration and uncertainty
estimation of a high-resolution continuous flow analysis (CFA) water isotope
(δ2H, δ18O) record from the Roosevelt Island
Climate Evolution (RICE) Antarctic ice core. Our method establishes robust
uncertainty estimates for CFA δ2H and δ18O
measurements, comparable to those reported for discrete sample
δ2H and δ18O analysis. Data were calibrated
using a time-weighted two-point linear calibration with two standards
measured both before and after continuously melting 3 or 4 m of ice core.
The error at each data point was calculated as the quadrature sum of three
factors: Allan variance error, scatter over our averaging interval (error of
the variance) and calibration error (error of the mean). Final mean total
uncertainty for the entire record is δ2H=0.74 ‰ and δ18O=0.21 ‰.
Uncertainties vary through the data set and were exacerbated by a range of
factors, which typically could not be isolated due to the requirements of the
multi-instrument CFA campaign. These factors likely occurred in combination
and included ice quality, ice breaks, upstream equipment failure,
contamination with drill fluid and leaks or valve degradation. We demonstrate
that our methodology for documenting uncertainty was effective across periods
of uneven system performance and delivered a significant achievement in the
precision of high-resolution CFA water isotope measurements.