bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validating Precision Estimates in Horizontal Wind Measurements from a Doppler Lidar
Authors: Newsom Rob K. , Brewer W. Alan , Wilczak James M. , Wolfe Daniel E. , Oncley Steven P. , Lundquist Julie K.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Results from a recent field campaign are used to assess the accuracy of wind speed and direction precision estimates produced by a Doppler lidar wind retrieval algorithm. The algorithm, which is based on the traditional velocity-azimuth-display (VAD) technique, estimates the wind speed and direction measurement precision using standard error propagation techniques. For this study, the lidar was configured to execute an 8-beam plan-position-indicator (PPI) scan once every 12 minutes during the 6 week deployment period. Several wind retrieval trials were conducted using different schemes for estimating the uncertainty in the radial velocity measurements. The resulting wind speed and direction precision estimates were compared to differences in wind speed and direction between the VAD algorithm and sonic anemometer measurements taken on a nearby 300-m tower. All trials produced qualitatively similar wind fields with negligible bias, but substantially different wind speed and direction precision fields. The most accurate wind speed and direction precisions were obtained when the radial velocity uncertainty was determined by direct calculation of radial velocity standard deviation along each pointing direction and range gate of the PPI scan. By contrast, setting the radial velocity uncertainty to the radial velocity precision (thereby ignoring turbulence effects) resulted in wind speed and direction precisions that were biased far too low and poor indicators of data quality.
Aerosol data assimilation in the chemical transport model MOCAGE during the TRAQA/ChArMEx campaign: aerosol optical depth
Authors: Sič Bojan , El Amraoui Laaziz , Piacentini Andrea , Marécal Virginie , Emili Emanuele , Cariolle Daniel , Prather Michael , Attié Jean-Luc
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In this study, we describe the development of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) assimilation module in the chemistry transport model (CTM) MOCAGE (Modèle de Chimie Atmosphérique à Grande Echelle). Our goal is to assimilate the spatially averaged 2-D column AOD data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument, and to estimate improvements in a 3-D CTM assimilation run compared to a direct model run. Our assimilation system uses 3-D-FGAT (first guess at appropriate time) as an assimilation method and the total 3-D aerosol concentration as a control variable. In order to have an extensive validation dataset, we carried out our experiment in the northern summer of 2012 when the pre-ChArMEx (CHemistry and AeRosol MEditerranean EXperiment) field campaign TRAQA (TRAnsport à longue distance et Qualité de l'Air dans le bassin méditerranéen) took place in the western Mediterranean basin. The assimilated model run is evaluated independently against a range of aerosol properties (2-D and 3-D) measured by in situ instruments (the TRAQA size-resolved balloon and aircraft measurements), the satellite Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) instrument and ground-based instruments from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) network. The evaluation demonstrates that the AOD assimilation greatly improves aerosol representation in the model. For example, the comparison of the direct and the assimilated model run with AERONET data shows that the assimilation increased the correlation (from 0.74 to 0.88), and reduced the bias (from 0.050 to 0.006) and the root mean square error in the AOD (from 0.12 to 0.07). When compared to the 3-D concentration data obtained by the in situ aircraft and balloon measurements, the assimilation consistently improves the model output. The best results as expected occur when the shape of the vertical profile is correctly simulated by the direct model. We also examine how the assimilation can influence the modelled aerosol vertical distribution. The results show that a 2-D continuous AOD assimilation can improve the 3-D vertical profile, as a result of differential horizontal transport of aerosols in the model.
An explicit GIS-based river basin framework for aquatic ecosystem conservation in the Amazon
Authors: Venticinque Eduardo , Forsberg Bruce , Barthem Ronaldo , Petry Paulo , Hess Laura , Mercado Armando , Cañas Carlos , Montoya Mariana , Durigan Carlos , Goulding Michael
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Despite large-scale infrastructure development, deforestation, mining and petroleum exploration in the Amazon Basin, relatively little attention has been paid to the management scale required for the protection of wetlands, fisheries and other aspects of aquatic ecosystems. This is due, in part, to the enormous size, multinational composition and interconnected nature of the Amazon River system, as well as to the absence of an adequate spatial model for integrating data across the entire Amazon Basin. In this data article we present a spatially uniform multi-scale GIS framework that was developed especially for the analysis, management and monitoring of various aspects of aquatic systems in the Amazon Basin. The Amazon GIS-Based River Basin Framework is accessible as an ESRI geodatabase at doi:10.5063/F1BG2KX8.
In search of traceability: two decades of calibrated Brewer UV measurements in Sodankylä and Jokioinen
Authors: Heikkilä Anu , Sakari Mäkelä Jakke , Lakkala Kaisa , Meinander Outi , Kaurola Jussi , Koskela Tapani , Karhu Juha Matti , Karppinen Tomi , Kyrö Esko , de Leeuw Gerrit
Published: November 2016

Abstract. The two Brewer spectrophotometers of the Finnish Meteorological Institute at Jokioinen and Sodankylä have been operated according to the highest levels of the WMO∕GAW (World Meteorological Organization∕Global Atmosphere Watch) recommendations with rigorous quality control and quality assurance. The calibration of the instruments is based on annual recalibrations of primary standard lamps in the VTT MIKES Metrology National Standards Laboratory in Finland and an exhaustive measurement program with measurements of standard and working lamps in the on-site optical laboratories. Over the years, the maintenance of the calibration has produced data sets of approximately 2000 lamp scans for both instruments. An extensive re-examination of the lamp measurements and the response of the spectrophotometers was carried out. The primary standard lamps were found to age on an average rate of 0.3 % per burn. The responsivity at wavelength 311 nm was found to exhibit both long-term and short-term changes. The overall long-term change was declining. In addition, abrupt changes of as large as 25 % were detected. The short-term changes were found to fluctuate on time frames shorter than the interval between the measurements of the primary standard lamps. This underlines the importance of the use of more frequently measured working standard lamps.
The hierarchy of controls on snowmelt-runoff generation over seasonally-frozen hillslopes
Authors: Coles Anna E. , Appels Willemijn M. , McConkey Brian G. , McDonnell Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Understanding and modeling snowmelt-runoff generation in seasonally-frozen regions is a major challenge in hydrology. Partly, this is because the controls on hillslope-scale snowmelt-runoff generation are potentially extensive and their hierarchy is poorly understood. Understanding the relative importance of controls (e.g. topography, vegetation, land use, soil characteristics, and precipitation dynamics) on runoff response is necessary for model development, spatial extrapolation, and runoff classification schemes. Multiple interacting process controls, the nonlinearities between them, and the resultant threshold-like activation of runoff, typically are not observable in short-term experiments or single-season field studies. Therefore, long-term datasets and analyses are needed. Here, we use a 52-year dataset of runoff, precipitation, soil water content, snow cover, and meteorological data from three monitored c.5 ha hillslopes on the Canadian Prairies to determine the controls on snowmelt-runoff, their time-varying hierarchy, and the interactions between the controls. We use decision tree learning to extract information from the dataset on the controls on runoff ratio. Our analysis shows that there was a variable relationship between total spring runoff amount and either winter snowfall amount or snow cover water equivalent. Other factors came into play to control the fraction of precipitated water that infiltrated into the frozen ground. In descending order of importance, these were: total snowfall, snow cover, fall soil surface water content, melt rate, melt season length, and fall soil profile water content. While mid-winter warm periods in some years likely increased soil water content and/or led to development of impermeable ice lenses that affected the runoff response, hillslope memory of fall soil moisture conditions played a strong role in the spring runoff response. The hierarchy of these controls was condition-dependent, with the biggest differences between high and low snow cover seasons, and wet and dry fall soil moisture conditions. For example, when snow cover was high, the top three controls on runoff ratio matched the overall hierarchy of controls, with fall soil surface water content being the most important of these. By comparison, when snow cover was low, fall soil surface content was relatively unimportant and superseded by four other controls. Existing empirical methods for predicting infiltration into frozen ground failed to adequately predict runoff response at our site. Our analysis of the hierarchy of controls on meltwater runoff will aid in focusing new model approaches and understanding what to focus future measurement campaigns on in snowmelt-dominated, seasonally-frozen regions.
Impact of snow deposition on major and trace element concentrations and fluxes in surface waters of Western Siberian Lowland
Authors: Shevchenko Vladimir P. , Pokrovsky Oleg S. , Vorobyev Sergey N. , Krickov Ivan V. , Manasypov Rinat M. , Politova Nadezhda V. , Kopysov Sergey G. , Dara Olga M. , Auda Yves , Shirokova Liudmila S. , Kolesnichenko Larisa G. , Zemtsov Valery A. , Kirpotin Sergey N.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Towards a better understanding of chemical composition of snow and its impact on surface water hydrochemistry in poorly studied Western Siberia Lowland (WSL), dissolved (melted snow) and particulate (> 0.45 μm) fractions of snow were sampled in February 2014 across a 1700-km latitudinal gradient (c.a. 56.5 to 68° N) in essentially pristine regions. Concentration of dissolved Fe, Co, Cu, As, La, increased by a factor of 2 to 5 north of 63° N. The pH, Ca, Mg, Sr, Mo and U dissolved concentration in snow water increased with the increase in concentration of particulate fraction (PF), which was also correlated with the increase in calcite and dolomite proportion in the mineral fraction, suggesting an enrichment of meltwater by these elements during dissolution of carbonate minerals. The concentrations of Al, Fe, Pb, La and other insoluble elements in
Remapping precipitation in mountainous area based on vegetation pattern
Authors: Zhou Xing , Ni Guang-Heng , Shen Chen , Sun Ting
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Accurate high-resolution estimates of precipitation are vital to improve the understanding on basin-scale hydrology in mountainous areas. The traditional interpolation methods or satellite-based remote sensing products are known to have limitations in capturing spatial variability of precipitation in mountainous areas. In this study, we develop a fusion framework to improve the precipitation estimation in mountainous areas by jointly utilizing the satellite-based precipitation, gauge measured precipitation and vegetation index. The development consists of vegetation data merging, vegetation response establishment, and precipitation remapping. The framework is then applied to the mountainous area of Nu River basin for precipitation estimation. The results demonstrate the reliability of the framework in reproducing the high-resolution precipitation regime and capturing its high spatial variability in Nu River basin. In addition, the framework can significantly reduce the errors in precipitation estimates as compared with the inverse distance weighted (IDW) method and TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) precipitation product.
Electric resistivity and seismic refraction tomography, a challenging
joint underwater survey at Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory
Authors: Ronczka Mathias , Hellman Kristofer , Günther Thomas , Wisen Roger , Dahlin Torleif
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Tunnelling below water passages is a challenging task in terms of planning, pre-investigation and construction. Fracture zones in the underlying bedrock lead to low rock quality and thus reduced stability. For natural reasons they tend to be more frequent at water passages. Ground investigations that provide information of the subsurface are necessary prior to the construction phase, but can be logistically difficult. Geophysics can help close the gaps between local point information and produce subsurface images. An approach that combines seismic refraction tomography and electrical resistivity tomography has been tested at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL). The aim was to detect fracture zones in a well-known but logistically and, from a measuring perspective, challenging area. The presented surveys cover a water passage along a part of a tunnel that connects surface facilities with an underground test laboratory. The tunnel is approximately 100 m below and 20 m east of the survey line and gives evidence for one major and several minor fracture zones. The geological and general test site conditions, e.g. with strong powerline noise from the nearby nuclear power plant, are challenging for geophysical measurements. Co-located positions for seismic and ERT sensors and source positions are used on the 450 m long underwater section of the 700 m long profile. Because of a large transition zone that appeared in the ERT result and the missing coverage of the seismic data, fracture zones at the southern and northern part of the underwater passage cannot be detected by separated inversion. A simple synthetic study shows significant three dimensional artefacts corrupting the ERT model that have to be taken into account while interpreting the results. A structural coupling cooperative inversion approach is able to image the northern fracture zone successfully. In addition, previously unknown sedimentary deposits with a significant large thickness are detected in the otherwise unusually well documented geological environment. The results significantly improve imaging of some geologic features, which would have been not detected or misinterpreted otherwise, and combines the images by means of cluster analysis to a conceptual subsurface model.
Decision support for the selection of reference sites using 137Cs as soil erosion tracer
Authors: Arata Laura , Meusburger Katrin , Bürge Alexandra , Zehringer Markus , Ketterer Michael E. , Mabit Lionel , Alewell Christine
Published: November 2016

Abstract. The classical approach to use 137Cs as soil erosion tracer is based on the comparison between stable reference sites and sites affected by soil redistribution processes, and enables to derive soil erosion and deposition rates. The method is associated with potentially large sources of uncertainty with major parts of this uncertainty being associated with the selection of the reference sites. We propose a decision support tool to Check the Suitability of reference Sites (CheSS) for systematic validation or rejection of reference sites. The method is based on a repeated sampling approach, where the reference sites are resampled after a certain time period. Suitable reference sites are expected to present no significant temporal variation in their decay corrected 137Cs depth profiles. Possible causes of temporal variation are narrowed down by a decision tree. More specifically, the decision tree tests for (i) uncertainty connected to small scale variability of 137Cs due to its heterogeneous initial fallout (such as in areas affected by the Chernobyl fallout), (ii) signs of erosion/deposition processes, (iii) artefacts due to the collection, preparation and measurement of the samples and (iv) finally, if none of the above can be assigned, this variation might be attributed to "turbation" processes (e.g. bioturbation, cryoturbation and mechanical turbation such as avalanches or rock falls). CheSS has been tested in one Swiss alpine valley, where the suitability of six reference sites was tested.
Teaching in Grief: Critical Reflections, Redefining Justice, and a Reorientation to Teaching
Authors: Moore Heather Cherie
Published: November 2016

Since the creation of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, many scholars from historically underrepresented communities have revisited discourse on social movements. Many supporters of the #BlackLivesMatter movement are outsiders participating in solidarity with organizers across the globe.  But what happens when questions of police brutality and injustice adversely impact your family and your career? Using the self-narrative method and grief framework, the author describes her teaching transformation in a pilot Multicultural Education course immediately following the death of her cousin in police custody. The author describes how the terms injustice, action, and pedagogy changed over time and took on new meanings during an extended grieving period.
¿Qué es una ‘religión’? Tres teorías recientes
Authors: Alvarado Marambio José Tomás
Published: November 2016

En este trabajo se discuten tres propuestas recientes de análisis del concepto de ‘religión’ (Stone, 2001; Kapitan, 2008; Schaffalitzky, 2014). Hay una fuerte convergencia entre estas tres propuestas en varios puntos: todas ellas sostienen que una religión debe ser la creencia de algo –un conjunto de proposiciones, el objeto de una actitud proposicional como una creencia–, todas ellos sostienen que el objeto de la creencia debe ser una teoría acerca del bien, y todas ellos sostienen que una religión debe tener consecuencias normativas y prácticas importantes. Se argumenta aquí que hay al menos dos problemas con la concepción general que resulta de estos análisis. En primer lugar, atribuir a una religión las condiciones de identidad de un acto de creencia conduce a consecuencias absurdas. En segundo lugar, parece mucho mejor analizar una religión como una teoría acerca de Dios o algunos dioses.
Internet, geração Y e saúde: um estudo nas comunidades de Manguinhos (RJ).
Authors: Pereira Neto André , Barbosa Leticia , Muci Stephanie
Published: November 2016

A Internet é a principal tecnologia informação e comunicação na atualidade. Ela trouxe mudanças em diversos campos da sociedade, inclusive a saúde. Ainda que seu acesso tenha aumentado ultimamente, a exclusão digital persiste, principalmente entre excluídos sociais. As questões que nortearam este estudo foram as seguintes: É possível falar de exclusão digital ainda hoje? Que lugar a saúde ocupa na busca de informações on-line? Foi aplicado um questionário a adultos jovens, moradores das comunidades de Manguinhos (RJ) enquanto aguardavam a consulta na sala de espera de unidades básicas de saúde públicas. Nossos achados indicam que embora estes indivíduos continuem excluídos socialmente, a exclusão digital está diminuindo entre eles graças às tecnologias móveis. A população pesquisada usa amplamente esta tecnologia como fonte de informação sobre saúde.
A divulgação científica nas universidades do grande ABC: inovações ou repetições de formatos?
Authors: Pessoni Arquimedes
Published: November 2016

A divulgação científica é tão antiga quanto a própria ciência e, ao longo da história, os formatos de divulgação foram evoluindo, acompanhando o progresso das ciências e da tecnologia. As universidades, geradoras de conhecimento e propulsoras de pesquisa, têm importante papel na divulgação científica e fortalecimento desta cultura. O presente trabalho buscou investigar a atuação das universidades do Grande ABC (Universidade Metodista de São Paulo, Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul e Universidade Federal do ABC) no cenário da divulgação científica. O problema da pesquisa está em encontrar as ações de comunicação realizadas pelas universidades para essa atividade. Por meio de pesquisa exploratória, de natureza qualitativa, com utilização da análise documental e entrevistas com Pró-Reitores de Pesquisa, de Extensão e profissionais de comunicação foi possível inferir alguns resultados da pesquisa como: a divulgação científica está nas diretrizes organizacionais de todas universidades analisadas; entrevistados ressaltam a todo momento a importância dessa atividade e a obrigação de realizá-la de forma inovadora, com o objetivo de atingir seus públicos. Porém, as ações práticas não confirmam esse discurso, pois ainda são muito incipientes. Como conclusão, é possível apontar a fraca cultura de divulgação científica dentro das universidades do Grande ABC e o importante papel da comunicação organizacional para o fortalecimento desta.
On multiplicative difference sequence spaces and related dual properties
Authors: Kadak Ugur
Published: November 2016

The main purpose of the present article is to introduce the multiplicative difference sequence spaces of order $m$  by defining the multiplicative difference operator $\Delta_{*}^m(x_k)=x^{}_k~x^{-m}_{k+1}~x^{\binom{m}{2}}_{k+2}~x^{-\binom{m}{3}}_{k+3}~x^{\binom{m}{4}}_{k+4}\dots x^{(-1)^m}_{k+m}$ for all $m, k \in \mathbb N$. By using the concept of multiplicative linearity various topological properties are investigated  and the relations related to their dual spaces are studied via multiplicative infinite matrices.
A Takeuchi-Yamada type equation with variable exponents
Authors: Simsen Jacson , Simsen Mariza S , Teixeira Primo Marcos R
Published: November 2016

We prove continuity of the flows and upper semicontinuity of globalattractors for a Takeuchi-Yamada type equation with variableexponents.
Characterization and Effects of β–Galactosidase in the Crude Extracts of Cuminum cyminum and Curcuma longa in Preparation of Delactosed Milk and Whey
Authors: Atrooz Omar M.
Published: November 2016

β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) was extracted from Cuminum cyminum and Curcuma longa. The crude extracts of these plants were then characterized in term of pH, temperature, and enzyme kinetic. The crude extracts were also used in hydrolysis of lactose in milk and whey. The enzyme activity was measured by its ability to hydrolyze the substrate o-nitrophenyl β -D-galactopyranoside (ONPG).

It was found that β-galactosidase in the crude extracts of Cuminum cyminum exhibited maximum activity at pH 8.0 and optimum temperature at 60 °C. While, β-galactosidase in the crude extracts of Curcuma longa have optimum pH at 5.0 and 7.0 and optimum temperature at 50 °C.The Km and Vmax values of the β-galactosidase in the crude extracts of Cuminum cyminum and Curcuma longa were 4.16 mM and 0.087 μmol/min, and 2.63 mM and 0.333μmol/min, respectively.

The results showed that 96.84-97.08% of lactose was hydrolyzed in cow’s milk and whey when treated with crude extracts of Cuminum cyminum and 90-98.6% when treated with crude extracts of Curcuma longa.
Quarreling with Rancière: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Democratic Disruption
Authors: Sparks Holloway
Published: November 2016

This article contests Jacques Rancière's disinclination to theorize the gendered, sexual, racial, colonial, and other fields of power that dramatically shape contemporary possibilities for democratic disruptions. Drawing on Samuel Chamber's book The Lessons of Rancière (2013), I sketch out Rancière's account of democratic politics as dissensus, conflict, and rupture by particularly emphasizing his compelling notion of democratic quarreling and use it to illuminate disruptive practices within the U.S. civil and welfare rights movements. As valuable and productive as Rancière's ideas are, I nonetheless argue that his reluctance to heed the lessons offered by critical race scholars, postcolonial critics, feminists, and others about how histories of racism, sexism, heteronormativity, and colonialism influence who remains uncounted or miscounted perpetuates the all-too-common tendency of Western theorizing from an unacknowledged center. I conclude with reflections on the politics of polemicizing and Rancière's recent elevation within the worlds of political philosophy and political theory.
Politics Is Hard Work: Performativity and the Preconditions of Intelligibility
Authors: Zivi Karen
Published: November 2016

This article examines Rancière's account of politics from a performative perspective. It brings insight about linguistic performativity to bear on key examples of political subjectification in order to illuminate the value and limits of a Rancièrean account of politics. It argues that Rancière's account of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century political activism helps shed light on how language produces the political subjects of dissensual politics and illuminates the important role citationality plays in that production. Nonetheless, a performative analysis reveals that Rancière's account, with its emphasis on the momentary character of politics and its briefly detailed and decontextualized examples, glosses over the necessity of citational repetition to the intelligibility and disruptiveness of an act of resistance. Without an account of politics more attuned to these iterative dimensions we may be unable to cultivate the ethos required by the conditions of our age or the terms of Rancière's own account.
Pressure compensation by a floppy disk in a sprinkler with rotation by centrifugal action
Authors: Oliveira Vinicius Mendes Rodrigues de , Fischer Filho João Alberto , Zanini José Renato , Drumond Luis César Dias
Published: November 2016

Water wastage is a great concern worldwide. Water is effectively utilized by using equipment and systems that have more uniform water distribution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the FR Super 10 sprinkler with a pressure compensator under different pressures, spacing, and installation heights. The tests were performed in the laboratory, and pressure was controlled with two gauges calibrated with a mercury column. The distribution uniformity was measured using the Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CUC) and distribution uniformity coefficient (CUD). Four spray nozzles were utilized for the Super 10 sprinkler, at two heights (0.6 and 1.2 m), six pressures (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 m H2O), and six spacings (9 × 9, 9 × 10, 10 × 10, 9 × 12, 10 × 12, and 12 × 12 m). The blue, yellow, and red nozzles presented self-compensating features and the green nozzle was not fully self-compensating. The manufacturing coefficients of variations were lower in the nozzles with smaller apertures (blue and yellow) compared to those with larger apertures. Increasing the sprinkler height provided better water distribution uniformity and a better radial distribution profile, lowering the application rate near the sprinkler. Since this sprinkler compensates for pressure changes, pressure did not influence the sprinkler range.
Soil chemical alterations of a Dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol) treated with an alkaline effluent from a pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Esper Neto Michel , Batista Marcelo Augusto , Inoue Tadeu Takeyoshi , Bertonha Altair , Costa Antônio Carlos Saraiva da
Published: November 2016

Effluents from different industrial supply conglomerates are often discarded in the environment without proper treatment. The concern for an economically viable industrial production line, which is both environmentally sound and socially acceptable, is increasing. Some of these effluents are alkaline in nature and may be used as an alternative to chemical conditioners for acidic soils in agricultural systems. This research aimed to evaluate changes in the chemical attributes of a Dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol) after application of an effluent from a pharmaceutical industry. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using PVC tubes of 1-m length and a 0.2-m diameter filled with soil and different doses of the effluent. After 3 days, 100 mm of water was applied to each treatment. The PVC tubes were incubated for 30 days; thereafter, the tubes disassembled, and soil chemical analyses were made at different soil depths: 0-0.2, 0.2-0.4, 0.4-0.6, 0.6-0.8, and 0.8-1.0 m. The effluent applications significantly altered the soil elements in the 0-0.2 m layer, increasing the concentrations of K+, P, Mn2+, Na+, Cu2+, H+, Ca2+, Al3+ and the soil pH. In the subsurface layers, the concentration of the elements Zn2+, Cu2+, K+, and Na+ also changed significantly. In general, the application of pharmaceutical industry residue improved soil chemical attributes.
Efficiency of boiling and four other methods for genomic DNA extraction of deteriorating spore-forming bacteria from milk
Authors: Ribeiro Junior Jose Carlos , Tamanini Ronaldo , Soares Bruna Fritegoto , Oliveira Aline Marangon de , Silva Fernando De Godoi , Silva Francine Fernandes da , Augusto Nayara Assis , Beloti Vanerli
Published: November 2016

The spore-forming microbiota is mainly responsible for the deterioration of pasteurized milk with long shelf life in the United States. The identification of these microorganisms, using molecular tools, is of particular importance for the maintenance of the quality of milk. However, these molecular techniques are not only costly but also labor-intensive and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of boiling in conjunction with four other methods for the genomic DNA extraction of sporulated bacteria with proteolytic and lipolytic potential isolated from raw milk in the states of Paraná and Maranhão, Brazil. Protocols based on cellular lysis by enzymatic digestion, phenolic extraction, microwave-heating, as well as the use of guanidine isothiocyanate were used. This study proposes a method involving simple boiling for the extraction of genomic DNA from these microorganisms. Variations in the quality and yield of the extracted DNA among these methods were observed. However, both the cell lysis protocol by enzymatic digestion (commercial kit) and the simple boiling method proposed in this study yielded sufficient DNA for successfully carrying out the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the rpoB and 16S rRNA genes for all 11 strains of microorganisms tested. Other protocols failed to yield sufficient quantity and quality of DNA from all microorganisms tested, since only a few strains have showed positive results by PCR, thereby hindering the search for new microorganisms. Thus, the simple boiling method for DNA extraction from sporulated bacteria in spoiled milk showed the same efficacy as that of the commercial kit. Moreover, the method is inexpensive, easy to perform, and much less time-consuming.
Assessment of different cut-off values of the ELISA-Typhimurium for the discrimination of swine herds with Salmonella isolation
Authors: Kich Jalusa Deon , Costa Eduardo De Freitas , Triques Nelise Juliane , Niogueira Mariana , Costa Osmar Antonio Dalla , Coldebella Arlei , Kummer Aline , Cardoso Marisa
Published: November 2016

Salmonella control programs require the classification of positive herds according with the prevalence of infected pigs. This must be based on diagnostic methods that are reliable, accurate and cost effective. Since serological methods fulfill most of these prerequisites, many countries have adopted indirect ELISA tests to discriminate herds, based on their seroprevalence. In view of that, an in-house indirect ELISA test (ELISA-Typhimurium) previously developed proved to be able to detect sera antibodies against the most prevalent serovars of Salmonella found in Brazilian pig farms. This study aimed to assess different cut-off values of the ELISA-Typhimurium in terms of their correlation with Salmonella isolation results at the herd level. Blood and mesenteric lymph node or rectal swabs were taken from 56 slaughter and 14 grower batches from different farms. Serum was tested using the ELISA-Typhimurium at different cut-off points (OD: 6.87%-40%). A total of 55 slaughter batches had at least one Salmonella-positive sample, and the within-herd prevalence was 64.9% (SE±24.8). All 14-grower batches were negative on Salmonella isolation. The logistic regression demonstrated that at 20% OD the ELISA-Typhimurium test is the best model to predict Salmonella isolation frequency at the herd level. At this cut-off point, the test may be a helpful tool for discriminating Salmonella infected herds.
Long-axis fractional shortening and mitral annulus motion in dogs
Authors: Sousa Marlos Gonçalves , Gava Fabio Nelson , Silva Filho Jorge Cardoso da , Silva Sheila Nogueira Saraiva da , Camacho Rafael Rodrigues , Carareto Roberta , Wolf Marcela , Camacho Aparecido Antonio
Published: November 2016

Ventricular systolic dynamics involves the contraction of transverse and longitudinal myocardial fibers. Unfortunately, only the activity of the transverse myocardial fibers is foreseen by the standard systolic echocardiographic parameters. Although strain and strain rate have been used to assess the radial, circumferential and longitudinal planes of cardiac contraction, such analysis requires advanced equipment which is not always available in veterinary medicine. On the contrary, some unusual parameters may be recorded via standard methodology, allowing for the specific evaluation of left ventricular longitudinal contractility. In this study, the longitudinal contractile activity was evaluated using the long-axis fractional shortening and the mitral annulus motion, which were compared with several standard echocardiographic parameters in 14 beagles, including seven with asymptomatic mitral valve disease. The long-axis fractional shortening was positively correlated with both the mitral annulus motion and the end-diastolic left-ventricular diameter. Also, a significant correlation was found to exist between the mitral annulus motion and the left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter, which is likely supportive of its preload dependency. Even though no difference was documented in either mitral annulus motion or long-axis fractional shortening between healthy dogs and dogs with mitral valve disease, the latter only included animals with minimal cardiac remodeling, with no overt compromise of systolic function. Since it is possible to obtain these two parameters with any echocardiographic equipment, their inclusion in the routine exam would probably add information regarding the activity of the longitudinal myocardial fibers, whose functional deterioration supposedly occurs prior to the impairment of transverse fibers.
Carcass and non-carcass characteristics of sheep fed on annatto byproduct
Authors: Lima Júnior Dorgival Morais de , Carvalho Francisco Fernando Ramos de , Batista Ângela Maria Vieira , Clementino Rossana Herculano , Moreno Greicy Mitzi Bezerra , Rangel Adriano Henrique do Nascimento , Silva Eduardo De Almeida , Pinheiro Waldonys Moreira
Published: November 2016

Annatto byproduct is the residue from the extraction of powder dye that covers the seed pericarp; after processing, between 94% and 98% of the original product is considered a byproduct. The aim was to evaluate the influence of increasing levels of annatto byproduct on the components of sheep body weight. Thirty-two male sheep, not castrated, with initial weight of 23.17 ± 1.45 kg, without a defined breed, were used in randomized blocks in all four treatments (0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg?1 of annatto byproduct in the diet dry matter). The increase to 300 g kg?1 of annatto byproduct had a negative linear effect (P < 0.05) for hot carcass weight (kg) and cold carcass weight (kg). Increasing levels of annatto byproduct resulted in a linear reduction (P < 0.05) for palette weight (kg), leg weight (kg), carcass compactness index (kg cm?1), liver weight (kg) and skin weight (kg). The inclusion of annatto byproduct up to 200 g kg?1 of dry matter in sheep diets did not affect the components of sheep body weight.
Introduction of sugar cane bagasse pellets in diets devoid of long fiber for feedlots finished steers
Authors: Neumann Mikael , Ueno Robson Kyoshi , Perussolo Letícia Farias , Gheller Luiz Fernando Menegazzo , Poczynek Mateus , Barcellos Júlio Otávio Jardim , Bumbieris Junior Valter Harry
Published: November 2016

The use of diets without roughage in beef feedlot has become common in recent years due to practicality, feasibility and availability of inputs. However, the introduction of roughage that does not harm the operation of the feeding management can bring health benefits to animals and economic gain. This study aimed to evaluate the productive and economic performance of steers finished in feedlot, fed three levels of sugar cane bagasse pellets (SBP) in diets without long-fiber. The treatments consisted of 0%, 7% and 14% of SBP in a mixture of concentrate, comprising 80% whole corn grain plus 20% of a protein core. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications. The diet with 0% of SBP promoted lower dry matter intake and weight gain. Feed conversion was similar between treatments, with an average of 6.21 kg-1. The lower dry matter digestibility was found in the diet with 14% of SBP. The introduction of SBP did not change the rumination, averaging 1.9 hours day-1. Animals fed 7% of SBP showed higher fat thickness. Due to the numerical differences between treatments for feed conversion in housing and daily cost of food, the profit margin was maximal in the diet with 0% of SBP, with values of R$ 338.1; R$ 311.6 and R$ 305,1 per animal, respectively 0%, 7% and 14% of SBP. The introduction of SBP promoted improvements in production performance, but did not improve the economic results of steers finished in feedlot.
Total Wrist Arthrodesis: Indications and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Wei David H. , Feldon Paul
Published: November 2016

Total wrist arthrodesis remains an important technique in the surgical armamentarium of upper extremity surgeons. The procedure has evolved over time but continues to provide reliable pain relief at the expense of wrist motion. It is indicated for management of a wide variety of upper extremity conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, cerebral palsy, and brachial plexus injuries, and as a salvage technique after failed implant arthroplasty. Recent studies demonstrate high levels of patient satisfaction and good functional outcomes after bilateral wrist fusion. Compared with total wrist arthroplasty, total wrist arthrodesis provides more reliable pain relief with lower rates of complications, but further studies are needed to compare functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Credit Card Rates and Consumer Switch: New Evidence
Authors: Abdelrahman Omar A.
Published: November 2016

This paper investigates the underlying determinants of consumer’s choices regarding switching credit-card balances. To estimate the likelihood that consumers switch credit cards, two logit models are estimated. Using data from the Consumer Finance Monthly (CFM) of The Ohio State University, the author finds that at the conventional 5 percent level of significance, the following variables have significance: old interest rate, new interest rate, duration of the introductory rate, balances, number of credit cards, homeownership, and age. As expected, interest rates, balances, the duration of new introductory offer rates, and homeownership have the greatest influence on why or why not people switch credit cards. The findings are consistent with the view that consumers make rational decisions in the credit card market, challenging Ausubel’s (1991) argument of credit card consumer irrationality and Calem and Mester’s (1995) empirical finding that credit card rates are sticky because consumers are irresponsive to rate cuts.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Psychological Studies, Vol. 8, No. 4
Authors: Sun Barbara
Published: November 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Psychological Studies, Vol. 8, No. 4, 2016
The Impact of Online Algorithm Visualization on ICT Students’ Achievements in Introduction to Programming Course
Authors: Saltan Fatih
Published: November 2016

Online Algorithm Visualization (OAV) is one of the recent developments in the instructional technology field that aims to help students handle difficulties faced when they begin to learn programming. This study aims to investigate the effect of online algorithm visualization on students’ achievement in the introduction to programming course. To achieve this goal, quantitative and qualitative investigations were conducted in a mixed method design. Participants of the study consisted of 40 ICT students who were taking the introduction to programming course for the first time in fall semester. Students were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. During the first 4 weeks, the treatment group students participated in OAV. Concurrently, students in the control group were taught the semantics of programming and algorithm through traditional approaches. An achievement test consisting of six questions was used to measure ICT students’ performance in computer programming at the end of the introduction to programming course. An open-ended survey and semi-structured interviews were also used to gain qualitative insight. The quantitative data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA statistical analysis. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Results showed that the experimental group, for which OAV treatment was implemented, had a higher mean score than the control group, for which traditional methods were implemented. There was a significant mean difference between the experimental group (M = 51.85, SD = 20.34) and the control group (M = 38.75, SD = 12.86). In qualitative analysis, five themes emerged. Students highlighted that OAV contributed to their algorithmic thinking (28%) and progressive thinking abilities (7%), and allowed for explorative learning (7%). Although their reasons varied, most of the students perceived OAV as an engaging instructional tool for learning computer programming.
Content-Based Recreational Book Reading and Taiwanese Adolescents’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Chen Su-Yen , Chang Hsing-Yu , Yang Shih Ruey
Published: November 2016

The linkage between reading for pleasure and language ability has been well established, but the relationship between content-based recreational reading and academic achievement in various subject areas has rarely been explored. To investigate whether reading literature, social studies, and science trade books for pleasure is related to students’ growth in achievement for the subjects of Chinese, social studies, and science, respectively, this study used data from 4,730 students at a Taiwanese girls’ high school. Based on students’ high school entrance exam test scores in three subject areas as control variables, and their college entrance exam scores as the outcomes, the findings indicated that pleasure reading in a specific content area might lead to growth in achievement for that particular content area, and in some cases, reading in other content areas might help as well. A reading program that invites students to engage in self-sponsored reading can promote disciplinary literacy and academic achievement.
A critical appraisal on wavelet based features from brain MR images for efficient characterization of ischemic stroke injuries
Authors: R Karthik
Published: November 2016

Ischemic stroke is a severe neuro disorder typically characterized by a block inside a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. It remains the third leading cause for death, after heart attack and cancer. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were the vital major imaging techniques used for diagnosing this disorder. While the CT imaging can be used at the primary stage, MRI proves to be a standard aid for progressive diagnostic planning in the treatment of stroke injuries. Developing a fully automatic approach for lesion segmentation is a challenging issue due to the complex nature of the lesions structures. This research basically aims at examining the properties of such complex structures. It analyses the characteristics of the normal brain tissues and abnormal lesion structures using a three-level wavelet decomposition procedure. Four different wavelet functions namely daubechies, symlet, coiflet and de-meyer were applied to the different datasets and the resulting observations were examined based on their feature statistics obtained. Experiments indicate the feature statistics obtained from daubechies and de-meyer wavelets were able to clearly distinguish between the typical brain tissues and abnormal lesion structures.
Minneord til Bjørn Myhre 1938–2015
Authors: Iversen Frode
Published: November 2016

Minneord til Bjørn Myhre skrevet på vegne av Ingrid Fuglestvedt, førsteamanuensis, Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie, Universitetet i OsloTerje Gansum, seksjonssjef kulturarv, Vestfold fylkeskommuneGrete Lillehammer, professor, Arkeologisk Museum, Universitetet i StavangerDagfinn Skre, professor, Kulturhistorisk museum, Universitetet i OsloIngvild Øye, professor emeritus, Institutt for arkeologi, historie, kultur-og religionsvitenskap, Universitetet i BergenFrode Iversen, generalsekretær, Norsk Arkeologisk selskapOle Rikard Høisæther, preses, Norsk Arkeologisk Selskap
With a little help from my family: A mixed-method study on the outcomes of family support and workload
Authors: Lo Presti Alessandro , D’Aloisio Fulvia , Pluviano Sara
Published: November 2016

Our aim was to investigate some predictors and outcomes of family-to-work enrichment (FWE) via a mixed-method approach. We sampled 447 married employees of an Italian factory. Survey results from Study 1 showed that emotional support from family positively predicted FWE, while this latter mediated the associations between the former on one side, and work engagement and life satisfaction on the other. Moreover, extra-household support directly associated positively with life satisfaction. Evidence from 20 anthropological in-depth interviews (Study 2) returned a more complex picture, highlighting the gendered role of partners inside couples, the importance of kinship support, the sense and the value of filiation and parenthood in their connection with job roles, the complex and continuous interplay between family and life domains. In combination, results from both studies stressed the importance of family support; additionally, evidences from Study 2 suggested that FWE could be better understood taking into account crossover dynamics and the compresence of work-to-family enrichment and conflict. In sum, these studies contributed to shed light on FWE dynamics, an under-researched topic in Italy, whose knowledge could be of great empirical and practical value.