bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
300-years of hydrological records and societal responses to droughts and floods on the Pacific coast of Central America
Authors: Guevara-Murua Alvaro , Williams Caroline A. , Hendy Erica J. , Imbach Pablo
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The management of hydrological extremes and impacts on society is inadequately understood because of the combination of short-term hydrological records, an equally short-term assessment of societal responses and the complex multi-directional relationships between the two over longer timescales. Rainfall seasonality and interannual variability on the Pacific coast of Central America is high due to the passage of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and large-scale phenomena El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Here we reconstruct hydrological variability and the associated impacts drawing on documentary sources from the cities of Santiago de Guatemala (now Antigua Guatemala) and Guatemala de la Asunción (now Guatemala City) over the period from 1640 to 1945. Near continuous records of city and municipal council meetings provide a rich source of information dating back to the beginning of Spanish colonisation in the 16thC. Beginning in 1640, we use almost continuous sources, including > 190 volumes of Actas de Cabildo and Actas Municipales (minutes of meetings of the city and municipal councils) held by the Archivo Histórico de la Municipalidad de Antigua Guatemala (AHMAG) and the Archivo General de Centro América (AGCA) in Guatemala City. For this 305-year period (with the exception of a total of 11 years where the books were either missing or damaged), information relating to Catholic rogation ceremonies and reports of flooding events and crop shortages, were used to classify the annual rainy season (May to October) on a 5 point scale from very wet to very dry. In total 12 years of very wet conditions, 25 years of wetter than usual conditions, 34 years of drier conditions and 21 years of very dry conditions were identified. An extended drier period from the 1640s to the 1740s was identified as well as two shorter periods (the 1820s and the 1840s) dominated by dry conditions. Wetter conditions dominated the 1760s–1810s, possibly coincident with reconstructions of more persistent La Niña conditions that are typically associated with higher precipitation over the Pacific Coast of Central America. The 1640s–1740s dry period coincides with the onset of the Little Ice Age and the associated southward displacement of the ITCZ.
Quantifying human impacts on hydrological drought using a combined modelling approach in a tropical river basin in Central Vietnam
Authors: Firoz A. B. M , Nauditt Alexandra , Fink Manfred , Ribbe Lars
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Hydrological droughts are one of the most damaging disasters in terms of economic loss in Central Vietnam and other regions of South East Asia severely affecting agricultural production and drinking water supply. Their increasing frequency and severity can be attributed to extended dry spells and increasing water abstractions for e.g. irrigation and hydropower development to meet the demand of dynamic socioeconomic development. Based on hydro-climatic data for the period from 1980 to 2013 and reservoir operation data, the impacts of recent hydropower development and other alterations of the hydrological network on downstream streamflow and drought risk were assessed for a mesoscale basin of steep topography in Central Vietnam, the Vu Gia Thu Bon (VGTB) river basin. The Just Another Modelling System (JAMS)/J2000 was calibrated for the VGTB river basin to simulate reservoir inflow and the naturalized discharge time series for the downstream gauging stations. The HEC-ResSim reservoir operation model simulated reservoir outflow from eight major hydropower stations as well as the reconstructed streamflow for the main river branches Vu Gia and Thu Bon. Drought duration, severity and frequency was analysed for different time scales for the naturalized and reconstructed streamflow by applying the daily varying threshold method. Efficiency statistics for both models show good results. A strong impact of reservoir operation on downstream discharge at the daily, monthly, seasonal and annual scale was detected for four discharge stations relevant for downstream water allocation. In accordance with the reports from local stakeholders, we found a stronger hydrological drought risk for the anthropogenically impacted reconstructed streamflow. We conclude that the calibrated model setup provides a valuable tool to quantify the different origins of drought to support cross-sectorial water management and planning in a suitable way to be transferred to similar river basins.
Governing equations of transient soil water flow and soil water flux in multi-dimensional fractional anisotropic media and fractional time
Authors: Kavvas M. Levent , Ercan Ali , Polsinelli James
Published: March 2017

Abstract. In this study dimensionally consistent governing equations of continuity and motion for transient soil water flow and soil water flux in fractional time and in fractional multiple space dimensions in anisotropic media are developed. Due to the anisotropy in the hydraulic conductivities of natural soils, the soil medium within which the soil water flow occurs is essentially anisotropic. Accordingly, in this study the fractional dimensions in two horizontal and one vertical directions are considered to be different, resulting in multi-fractional multi-dimensional soil space within which the flow takes place. Toward the development of the fractional governing equations, first a dimensionally consistent continuity equation for soil water flow in multi-dimensional fractional soil space and fractional time is developed. It is shown that the fractional soil water flow continuity equation approaches the conventional integer form of the continuity equation as the fractional derivative powers approach integer values. For the motion equation of soil water flow, or the equation of water flux within the soil matrix in multi-dimensional fractional soil space and fractional time, a dimensionally consistent equation is also developed. Again, it is shown that this fractional water flux equation approaches the conventional Darcy equation as the fractional derivative powers approach integer values. From the combination of the fractional continuity and motion equations, the governing equation of transient soil water flow in multi-dimensional fractional soil space and fractional time is obtained. It is shown that this equation approaches the conventional Richards equation as the fractional derivative powers approach integer values. Then by the introduction of the Brooks–Corey constitutive relationships for soil water into the fractional transient soil water flow equation, an explicit form of the equation is obtained in multi-dimensional fractional soil space and fractional time. The governing fractional equation is then specialized to the case of only vertical soil water flow and of only horizontal soil water flow in fractional time–space. It is shown that the developed governing equations, in their fractional time but integer space forms, show behavior consistent with the previous experimental observations concerning the diffusive behavior of soil water flow.
Control spectra for Quito
Authors: Aguiar Roberto , Rivas-Medina Alicia , Caiza Pablo , Quizanga Diego
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The Metropolitan District of Quito is located on or very close to segments of reverse blind faults, Puengasí, Ilumbisí–La Bota, Carcelen–El Inca, Bellavista–Catequilla and Tangahuilla, making it one of the most seismically dangerous cities in the world. The city is divided into five areas: south, south-central, central, north-central and north. For each of the urban areas, elastic response spectra are presented in this paper, which are determined by utilizing some of the new models of the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) NGA-West2 program. These spectra are calculated considering the maximum magnitude that could be generated by the rupture of each fault segment, and taking into account the soil type that exists at different points of the city according to the Norma Ecuatoriana de la Construcción (2015). Subsequently, the recurrence period of earthquakes of high magnitude in each fault segment is determined from the physical parameters of the fault segments (size of the fault plane and slip rate) and the pattern of recurrence of type Gutenberg–Richter earthquakes with double truncation magnitude (Mmin and Mmax) is used.
Study on organic matter fractions in the surface micro layer in the Baltic Sea by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric methods
Authors: Drozdowska Violetta , Wróbel Iwona , Markuszewski Piotr , Makuch Przemyslaw , Raczkowska Anna , Kowalczuk Piotr
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The fluorescence and absorption measurements of the samples collected from a surface microlayer (SML) and a subsurface layer (SS), a depth of 1 m were studied during three research cruises in the Baltic Sea along with hydrophysical studies and meteorological observations. Several absorption (E2 : E3, S, SR) and fluorescence (fluorescence intensities at peaks: A, C, M, T, the ratio (M + T) / (A + C), HIX) indices of colored and fluorescent organic matter (CDOM and FDOM) helped to describe the changes in molecular size and weight as well as in composition of organic matter. The investigation allow to assess a decrease in the contribution of two terrestrial components (A and C) with increasing salinity (~ 1.64 % and ~ 1.89 % in SML and ~ 0.78 % and ~ 0.71 % in SS, respectively) and an increase of in-situ produced components (M and T) with salinity (~ 0.52 % and ~ 2.83 % in SML and ~ 0.98 % and ~ 1.87 % in SS, respectively). Hence, a component T reveals the biggest relative changes along the transect from the Vistula River outlet to Gdansk Deep, both in SML and SS, however an increase was higher in SML than in SS (~ 18.5 % and ~ 12.3 %, respectively). The ratio E2 : E3
Modelling radiative transfer through ponded first-year Arctic sea
ice with a plane parallel model
Authors: Taskjelle Torbjørn , Hudson Stephen R. , Granskog Mats A. , Hamre Børge
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Under-ice irradiance measurements were done on ponded first-year pack ice along three transects during the ICE12 expedition north of Svalbard. Bulk transmittances (400–900 nm) were found to be on average 0.15–0.20 under bare ice, and 0.39–0.46 under ponded ice. Radiative transfer modelling was done with a plane parallel model. While simulated transmittances deviate significantly from measured transmittances close to the edge of ponds, spatially averaged bulk transmittances agree well. That is, transect-average bulk transmittances, calculated using typical simulated transmittances for ponded and bare ice weighted by the fractional coverage of the two surface types, is in good agreement with the measured values. Radiative heating rates calculated from model output indicates that about 20 % of the incident solar energy is absorbed in bare ice, and 50 % in ponded ice (35 % in pond itself, 15 % in the underlying ice). This large difference is due to the highly scattering surface scattering layer (SSL) increasing the albedo of the bare ice.
Turbulence characterization from a forward-looking nacelle lidar
Authors: Peña Alfredo , Mann Jakob , Dimitrov Nikolay
Published: March 2017

Abstract. We present two methods to characterize turbulence in the turbine inflow using radial velocity measurements from nacelle-mounted lidars. The first uses a model of the three-dimensional spectral velocity tensor combined with a model of the spatial radial velocity averaging of the lidars, and the second uses the ensemble-averaged Doppler radial velocity spectrum. With the former, filtered turbulence estimates can be predicted, whereas the latter model-free method allows us to estimate unfiltered turbulence measures. Two types of forward-looking nacelle lidars are investigated: a pulsed system that uses a five-beam configuration and a continuous-wave system that scans conically. For both types of lidars, we show how the radial velocity spectra of the lidar beams are influenced by turbulence characteristics, and how to extract the velocity-tensor parameters that are useful to predict the loads on a turbine. We also show how the velocity-component variances and co-variances can be estimated from the radial-velocity unfiltered variances of the lidar beams. We demonstrate the methods using measurements from an experiment conducted at the Nørrekær Enge wind farm in northern Denmark, where both types of lidars were installed on the nacelle of a wind turbine. Comparison of the lidar-based along-wind unfiltered variances with those from a cup anemometer installed on a meteorological mast close to the turbine shows a bias of just 2 %. The ratios of the unfiltered and filtered radial velocity variances of the lidar beams to the cup-anemometer variances are well predicted by the spectral model. However, other lidar-derived estimates of velocity-component variances and co-variances do not agree with those from a sonic anemometer on the mast, which we mostly attribute to the small cone angle of the lidar. The velocity-tensor parameters derived from sonic-anemometer velocity spectra and those derived from lidar radial velocity spectra agree well under both near-neutral atmospheric stability and high wind-speed conditions, with differences increasing with decreasing wind speed and increasing stability. We also partly attribute these differences to the lidar beam configuration.
DESCRIÇÃO GEOLÓGICA DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO CÓRREGO DAS VACAS EM DIORAMA – GO
Authors: Moura Derick Martins Borges de , Sousa Flávio Alves de
Published: March 2017

Este trabalho faz uma análise da geologia da bacia hidrográfica do córrego das Vacas, que se diferencia das demais bacias em volta por demonstrar uma morfologia em forma de anfiteatro, enquanto as demais apresentam limites mais rebaixados e abertos. Dessa maneira o presente estudo teve por objetivo, compreender a estrutura geológica de formação da bacia de drenagem, e que fatores contribuíram para a forma diferenciada da mesma, levando em consideração a erosão diferencial em função das diferentes resistências litológicas ao intemperismo. Para isso, foram utilizados métodos de descrição petrográfica, geotecnológicos de mapeamento e revisões bibliográficas para entender melhor os aspectos geológicos e geomorfológicos. Os levantamentos cartográficos e bibliográficos tiveram ainda o subsídio de incursão em campo, visando o controle das informações cartográficas e levantamento de informações que não foram visualizadas em mapas. Foram confeccionados diversos mapas temáticos da bacia, que acompanhado das análises bibliográficas e de campo, auxiliaram a entender que a bacia teve sua morfologia esculpida por erosão diferencial como as demais, porém, as litologias presentes na bacia são mais diversificadas, com diferentes idades e resistências, dando à bacia uma morfologia diferenciada.
ASSOCIAÇÃO ENTRE A INCIDÊNCIA DE DENGUE E OS ELEMENTOS CLIMÁTICOS NA XVI RA DE JACAREPAGUÁ-RJ
Authors: De Sousa Paiva Paulo Roberto , Brandão Cássia Barreto , Calheiros de Miranda Ricardo Augusto
Published: March 2017

Este estudo buscou compreender a influência dos elementos climatológicos sobre a incidência e a distribuição espacial dos casos de dengue na XVI Região Administrativa (RA) de Jacarepaguá, localizada no município do Rio de Janeiro, na qual compõe a Área de Planejamento 4 (AP 4). Esta área se configurou no período de 2001 a 2010 como aquela que deteve em média o maior número de casos da doença, onde se identificou dois picos com alto índice de dengue nos períodos de 2001/2002 e 2007/2008. Neste estudo foi estabelecida a correlação entre os elementos climáticos de temperatura e pluviosidade para a área com os casos de dengue, na qual se observou a sazonalidade bem definida, ou seja, a concentração dos casos foi percebida no período de verão a outono, não evidenciando, porém, a correlação com períodos epidêmicos do período, o que levou a refletir sobre os aspectos sociais e estruturais da malha urbana, bem como a evolução demográfica da área analisada, e os aspectos biológicos do vetor, Aedes Aegypti, que somados colocam uma luz sobre as indagações levantadas neste estudo.
ANFÍBIOS ANUROS NOS COVAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE JATAÍ, ESTADO DE GOIÁS
Authors: Oliveira Sílvio Lacerda de , Silva Daniela De Melo e , Bastos Rogério Pereira , Morais Alessandro Ribeiro de
Published: March 2017

O Brasil é possuidor da maior riqueza de espécies de anfíbios no mundo, apesar disso, inventários sobre anuros no Cerrado, o segundo maior Bioma do país, são escassos. A forte pressão antrópica, o alto grau de endemismo e declínio de populações de anuros registrados nesse bioma reforçam a importância desses estudos. Especificamente, não existem inventários de anuros para os Covais, uma fitofisionomia dentro dos Campos, subsistema do bioma Cerrado. O presente trabalho apresenta um levantamento de espécies de anuros em duas situações de conservação no município de Jataí, sudoeste do Estado de Goiás: Covais preservados e ocupados por agricultura. Foram registradas 17 espécies distribuídas em sete gêneros e quatro famílias no Coval preservado e 4 espécies no ocupado por agricultura. Acentuada sobreposição temporal e espacial foi observada entre espécies filogeneticamente próximas.
VARIABILIDADE NA EROSÃO DE MARGEM E PRODUÇÃO DE SEDIMENTOS EM UM CANAL FLUVIAL NA ÁREA URBANA DE IRATI-PR
Authors: Antoneli Valdemir , Do Rocio Mattos Elisandra , Guimarães Mileine Aparecida
Published: March 2017

Este artigo teve como objetivo, avaliar a erosão de margem e o transporte de sedimentos suspensos na Bacia hidrográfica do Rio das Antas localizada na área urbana de Irati-Paraná em dois cenários (antes e depois da dragagem). Foram monitoradas a erosão de margem, através da técnica de pinos de erosão e a produção de sedimentos suspensos através de coletas de amostras em determinados eventos pluviométricos. As amostras foram levadas ao laboratório para identificar a concentração total de sedimentos em miligramas por litros (mg/L) . Ao término da pesquisa observou-se que antes da dragagem houve um acúmulo de sedimentos nas margens em torno de 1,03 cm e, após a dragagem houve uma erosão média de 0,32 cm. A produção de sedimentos suspensos houve um aumento em torno de 26,3% após a dragagem.
O EFEITO DA QUEIMADA NA CONDUTIVIDADE HIDRÁULICA DO SOLO EM AGRICULTURA DE ROÇA-DE-TOCO
Authors: Fachin Paulo Angelo , Wouk Tatiane , Pereira Adalberto Alves , Thomaz Edivaldo Lopes
Published: March 2017

No Brasil, a agricultura tradicional ainda é muito praticada pelos pequenos agricultores, muitos ainda utilizam o método de queimada para limpeza de terreno para o plantio, chamada de agricultura de roça-de-toco. O fogo causa diversas mudanças no solo: física, química e biológica. Muitos estudos têm mostrado as alterações físico-químicas negativas no solo, no entanto, há uma carência na literatura de estudos que avaliem o comportamento do solo para melhor entendimento do sistema de pousio. O presente estudo avaliou a capacidade de condutividade hidráulica de água em solos submetidos à queimada que se encontram em diferentes estágios de pousio, em uma escala de 0 a 15 meses e de 0 a 12 anos, na comunidade faxinalense, Tijuco Preto, no município de Prudentópolis, Paraná. O solo apresentou repelência a água no primeiro mês e maior condutividade hidráulica no terceiro mês para as duas escalas analisadas. O aumento da condutividade hidráulica pós- queimada não se manteve permanente, diferenciando de outros resultados reportados na literatura.
AVALIAÇÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DO USO DA TERRA NAS BACIAS HIDROGRAFICAS DO RIBEIRÃO PARAÍSO-GO E CÓRREGO CERRADO/CADUNGA-MG
Authors: Lopes Simone Marques Faria , Cabral João Batista Pereira , Braga Celso De Carvalho , Ramalho Fernanda Luísa
Published: March 2017

A crescente demanda por atividades agropastoris e geração de energia (hidrelétrica e sucroenergética), tem provocado mudanças no uso da terra ao longo do tempo, o que traz algumas vezes benefícios à sociedade e consequências ambientais. A agricultura e a pecuária são as atividades econômicas que mais demandam área, mas atualmente essas áreas, estão perdendo espaço para a construção de empreendimento hidráulicos e monocultura de cana de açúcar e, encontrando-se no centro do debate sobre mudanças do uso da terra e seus impactos. A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar as mudanças temporais em duas bacias hidrográficas no bioma Cerrado com usos distintos, buscando compreender as transformações antrópicas em termos de uso da terra, a partir de uma classificação não supervisionada de imagens referente aos anos de 2005, 2010 e 2015, em que foi possível quantificar a modificação em cada porção da paisagem, evidenciando a evolução antrópica de acordo com os aspectos uso de cada bacia. Verificou-se que a vegetação original perdeu espaço nos 10 anos analisados, ao mesmo tempo em que aumentaram as áreas de agricultura principalmente após a inserção da monocultura da cana-de-açúcar.
Mind the Gap: Exploring Hospitality Teachers’ and Student Interns’ Perception of Using Virtual Communities for Maintaining Connectedness in Internship
Authors: Hsu Liwei
Published: March 2017

Considerable attention has been given to the relationship between internship and hospitality education and positive results have been extracted. More and more hospitality programs worldwide emphasize the necessity of internship; nevertheless, intern students always considered the lack of support from academic staff as a major challenges for teachers to overcome and virtual community can be exploited as a venue to provide such assistance. The present study surveyed 230 teachers and 660 intern students of hospitality programs in Taiwan and discovered significant differences existed between hospitality teachers and their intern students in terms of their perception about satisfaction, sense of belonging as well as effectiveness of using virtual communities to maintain the connectedness among the teacher and students. When two major social media are compared when being exploited as the platforms for interactions, again, significant differences were discovered with respect to the participants’ satisfaction, sense of belong and effectiveness of using Facebook, Line and two of them. Scheffe’s Post-hoc further reported that participants’ satisfaction with Line was greater than Facebook and their sense of belonging toward the class and effectiveness were stronger when Facebook and Line were used at the same time. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also included in the end of this manuscript.
Bahraini men living with heart failure: A phenomenological study
Authors: Mohamed Shereen Mohamed , O'Neill Catherine
Published: March 2017

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a worldwide chronic and progressive condition. HF symptoms affect an individual’s life perspectives, and create dramatic changes in their everyday living routines. Qualitative studies showed that HF symptoms were associated with reported low quality of life, reduced physical activities, and altered social interactions and relationships. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of men under the age of 65 diagnosed with HF living in the Kingdom of Bahrain.Methods: An interpretive phenomenological approach was used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six men under the age of 65 who were diagnosed with HF for a period of not less than a year. The interviews were conducted in Arabic, and then translated and transcribed into English. Smith’s framework was drawn on for data analysis.Results: Three main themes emerged: the physical burden of the illness; the psychosocial aspects of the illness and living with HF. The findings showed that the physical symptoms shaped men’s everyday work activities and also their resting and sleeping patterns. Participants expressed feelings of frustration, anger, and sadness following the diagnosis and recounted how their masculinity roles changed at home and in society. Families played a major role giving support to the men, who utilized different coping strategies, as lifestyle and behavioral modifications were adopted. Keeping faith and a belief in God, coupled with social support was a thread that connected all participants coping strategies. The authors recommend that educational programs for men who are diagnosed with HF and their families would help them cope with this chronic illness.Conclusions: Heart failure patients experience dramatic changes in their life. An understanding of the challenges they are facing in their daily living enables them, and those who care for them, both families and nurses, to creatively assist them live with the difficulties encountered with HF.
Economic Contributions and Challenges of Immigrant Entrepreneurs to Their Host Country – Case of African Immigrants in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Omisakin Olufemi Muibi
Published: March 2017

Entrepreneurship is an important concept in both developing and developed societies today. Although there is no consensus on the definition of entrepreneurship, it is believed to be a process of creating value by bringing together a unique package of resources to exploit entrepreneurship opportunities (Morris, 2002). This study aims to discover the economic contributions and challenges of immigrant entrepreneurs to their host country, and focuses on African small business owners in Auckland, New Zealand. Literature on immigrant entrepreneurship was reviewed, resulting in a discussion of the economic contributions of immigrant entrepreneurship as well as its challenges. Data was collected using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, observation and field notes as the sources of inquiry. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 17 participants. All participants were African immigrant small business owners running businesses in Auckland. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected (Braun & Clarke, 2006).
A iconografia das cartas de baralho
Authors: Soares Kamyla Lemes
Published: March 2017

Durante o artigo será apresentado às características gráfico-visuais e simbólicas do jogo de cartas popularmente conhecido no Brasil como baralho e será investigados os aspectos materiais e imateriais que envolvem a configuração das cartas de baralho (materiais, formatos, significados e usos), do seu surgimento ao século XXI. Também será abordado de que forma o baralho pode ser usado na preservação da identidade cultural de um povo com exemplos de baralhos criados
The Effect of Aural and Visual Storytelling on Vocabulary Retention of Iranian EFL Learners
Authors: AminAfshar Maryam , Mojavezi Ahmad
Published: March 2017

EFL learners at all ages and proficiency levels are usually confronted with various problems in vocabulary learning and retention. This study sought to introduce strategies for improvement of vocabulary learning and retention. Therefore, the effects of using aural/visual storytelling on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning and retention were investigated. To do so, 50 intermediate female EFL learners were randomly assigned to two groups. After the administration of teacher made English Vocabulary Test as the pre-test, aural storytelling method was used for the control group, and visual storytelling method was used for the experimental group. After three months of instruction, the aforementioned teacher made English Vocabulary Test, as the post-test, was given to the students of both groups to assess their improvements. Two weeks after post-test, they were given a delayed post-test to measure their retention of English vocabulary knowledge. The reliability of the English Vocabulary Test using Cronbach's Alpha was estimated equal to 0.80. Finally, Using ANCOVA, the results revealed that, the experimental group’s participants outperformed those of control group in both learning and retention of English vocabulary. So, it can be noted that the training program according to visual could have impressive impact on the learning and retention of vocabulary knowledge.
Proteomic Approach for Extracting Cytoplasmic Proteins from Streptococcus sanguinis using Mass Spectrometry
Authors: El-Rami Fadi , Nelson Kristina , Xu Ping
Published: March 2017

Streptococcus sanguinis is a commensal and early colonizer of oral cavity as well as an opportunistic pathogen of infectious endocarditis. Extracting the soluble proteome of this bacterium provides deep insights about the physiological dynamic changes under different growth and stress conditions, thus defining “proteomic signatures” as targets for therapeutic intervention. In this protocol, we describe an experimentally verified approach to extract maximal cytoplasmic proteins from Streptococcus sanguinis SK36 strain. A combination of procedures was adopted that broke the thick cell wall barrier and minimized denaturation of the intracellular proteome, using optimized buffers and a sonication step. Extracted proteome was quantitated using Pierce BCA Protein Quantitation assay and protein bands were macroscopically assessed by Coomassie Blue staining. Finally, a high resolution detection of the extracted proteins was conducted through Synapt G2Si mass spectrometer, followed by label-free relative quantification via Progenesis QI. In conclusion, this pipeline for proteomic extraction and analysis of soluble proteins provides a fundamental tool in deciphering the biological complexity of Streptococcus sanguinis.
Reporting Results of Molecular Tests: A Retrospective Examination of BRAF Mutation Reporting
Authors: Treece Amanda L. , Gulley Margaret L. , Vasalos Patricia , Paquette Cherie , Lindeman Neal I. , Jennings Lawrence J. , Bartley Angela N.
Published: March 2017

Context.—

With enormous growth in the field of molecular pathology, the reporting of results gleaned from this testing is essential to guide patient care.

Objective.—

To examine molecular reports from laboratories participating in proficiency testing for required elements to convey molecular laboratory test results to clinicians and patients.

Design.—

Molecular laboratories participating in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) proficiency testing program for BRAF mutation analysis were solicited to submit examples of final reports from 2 separate proficiency testing reporting cycles. Reports were reviewed for the presence or absence of relevant components.

Results.—

A total of 107 evaluable reports were received (57 demonstrating a positive result for the BRAF V600E mutation and 50 negative). Methods for BRAF testing varied, with 95% (102 of 107) of reports adequately describing their assay methods and 87% (93 of 107) of reports adequately describing the target(s) of their assays. Information on the analytic sensitivity of the assay was present in 74% (79 of 107) of reports and 83% (89 of 107) reported at least 1 assay limitation, though only 34% (36 of 107) reported on variants not detected by their assays. Analytic and clinical interpretive comments were included in 99% (106 of 107) and 90% (96 of 107) of reports, respectively. Of participants that perform a laboratory-developed test, 88% (88 of 100) included language addressing the development of the assay.

Conclusions.—

Laboratories participating in BRAF proficiency testing through the CAP are including most of the required reporting elements to unambiguously convey molecular results. Laboratories should continue to strive to report these results in a concise and comprehensive manner.
p27Kip1 promotes invadopodia turnover and invasion through the regulation of the PAK1/Cortactin pathway
Authors: Jeannot Pauline , Nowosad Ada , Perchey Renaud T , Callot Caroline , Bennana Evangeline , Katsube Takanori , Mayeux Patrick , Guillonneau François , Manenti Stéphane , Besson Arnaud
Published: March 2017

p27Kip1 (p27) is a cyclin-CDK inhibitor and negative regulator of cell proliferation. p27 also controls other cellular processes including migration and cytoplasmic p27 can act as an oncogene. Furthermore, cytoplasmic p27 promotes invasion and metastasis, in part by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Herein, we find that p27 promotes cell invasion by binding to and regulating the activity of Cortactin, a critical regulator of invadopodia formation. p27 localizes to invadopodia and limits their number and activity. p27 promotes the interaction of Cortactin with PAK1. In turn, PAK1 promotes invadopodia turnover by phosphorylating Cortactin, and expression of Cortactin mutants for PAK-targeted sites abolishes p27’s effect on invadopodia dynamics. Thus, in absence of p27, cells exhibit increased invadopodia stability due to impaired PAK1-Cortactin interaction, but their invasive capacity is reduced compared to wild-type cells. Overall, we find that p27 directly promotes cell invasion by facilitating invadopodia turnover via the Rac1/PAK1/Cortactin pathway.
Investigating the effect of available redox protein ratios for the conversion of a steroid by a myxobacterial CYP260A1
Authors: Khatri Yogan , Schifrin Alexander , Bernhardt Rita
Published: March 2017

Since cytochromes P450 are external monooxygenases, available surrogate redox partners have been used to reconstitute the P450 activity. However, the effect of various ratios of P450s and the redox proteins have not been extensively studied so far, although different combinations of the redox partners have shown variations in substrate conversion. To address this issue, CYP260A1 was reconstituted with various ratios of adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase to convert 11‐deoxycorticosterone, and the products were characterized by NMR. We show the effect of the available redox protein ratios not only on the P450 catalytic activity but also on the product pattern.
Basic Properties and Parameters of Superconductors
Authors: Kleiner Reinhold
Published: March 2017

This chapter shows that the main ingredient of the superconducting state is that electron pairs form a macroscopic matter wave. The well‐defined phase of the matter wave leads to the ideal diamagnetism at not too large fields and to the vortex state in type‐II superconductors. The chapter introduces important length scales like the London penetration depth λL, the Ginzburg–Landau coherence length ξGL, and the BCS coherence length ξ0. The rationale that the phenomenon of superconductivity in high‐temperature superconductors (HTS) can be conceptually reduced to the physics of the CuO2layers has evolved to more 2D view in terms of CuO2planes. In order to put the superconducting proximity phenomenon into a broader context, the chapter commences with a simplest version of the proximity effect (PE) by considering a relatively trivial case of a metal–insulator (MI) contact. Finally, tunneling, flux pinning, losses and numerical modeling of superconductors are discussed.
Bulk Superconducting Magnets for Bearings and Levitation
Authors: Hull John R.
Published: March 2017

In this chapter the main features of superconducting magnets used for particle accelerators are reviewed. Magnet design, mechanical structure, field quality and training behavior as well as stability and protection of the magnets used for present and past accelerators is discussed. An overview of more recent new lay‐outs of advanced magnets using Nb3Sn is given. The main focus is on dipoles for High Energy Physics colliders, however, magnets for fast synchrotrons are also discussed.

This section on NMR and medical diagnostic MRI magnets begins with introductory remarks on NMR and MRI, their unique field requirements, both spatial and temporal, and types of superconducting coils that constitute NMR and medical diagnostic MRI magnets. Discussed next are key design issues: stress analysis (electromagnetic, thermal, winding); stability of adiabatic magnet; magnet protection; cryogenics (liquid; liquid‐free; solid); field analysis (general and harmonic); field shimming (superconducting; copper; ferromagnetic); field shielding (passive vs. active); and safety. Discussion continues with the statuses (2014) of NMR (solid state and solution) and medical diagnostic MRI magnets. The section concludes with potential applications of the enabling technology of HTS to the next generation of NMR and MRI Magnets.

The need for superconducting magnets in large fusion devices was already recognized in the middle of the 1970s, associated with several development programs for the conductor and for the coils. Today five superconducting fusion systems are in operation and most prominently Tore Supra, which started operation 25 years ago, demonstrating the reliability of this technology for confining high temperature plasmas. The most emblematic project is now ITER, including about 700 tons of NbTi and Nb
3
Sn superconducting strands. The ITER magnet system, whose main component is the TF system, storing 40 GJ of magnetic energy, represents about 30 % of the ITER cost investment. The Cable in Conduit Conductor (CICC) is now the selected conductor of all the superconducting tokamaks, for its ability to carry high currents, sustain high voltages and its stability against magnetic field disturbances. The protection against quench of the magnet system is ensured by resistive voltage detection and external extraction of the magnetic energy. The quench detection has to be made as early as possible, which is made difficult due to the slow quench propagation in CICC and due to magnetic disturbances.

For DEMO, the next step after ITER, aiming at producing electricity, an extrapolation of the ITER magnet system is envisaged with the same order of magnitude for the magnetic field and the same technology mainly for the magnets. The increase of the fusion power will be essentially produced by the increase of the tokamak size.
Cavities for Accelerators
Authors: Belomestnykh Sergey A. , Padamsee Hasan S.
Published: March 2017

The article contains sections titled:

Introduction to Radio Frequency Superconductivity for Accelerators

Physics ofRFSuperconductivity

Fabrication and Surface Preparation

Effects Limiting Performance of Superconducting Cavities

Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgments
Logic Circuits
Authors: Przybysz John X. , Miller Donald L.
Published: March 2017

The article contains sections titled:

Introduction

Latching Logic

RSFQLogic

Low‐Energy Logic

Alternative Low‐Power Logic Gates

Output Interface Circuits

Summary of Logic Gates
Automatic segmentation of coronary tree in CT angiography images
Authors: Gao Zhifan , Liu Xin , Qi Song , Wu Wanqing , Hau William Kongto , Zhang Heye
Published: March 2017

In this study, we proposed an automatic approach to segment the three‐dimensional coronary tree from computed tomography angiography (CTA) image data. Compared to the previous studies, our approach can efficiently locate the coronary root through extracting aorta by using circular Hough transform. Then, we extracted the two‐dimensional coronary borders in multiple projection directions by dynamic programming and used the border information to reconstruct the coronary surface by the spline fitting. The performance of our approach has been validated on the CTA dataset from 50 subjects, with the comparison to the manual segmentation by an experienced medical physician on the corresponding CTA data and X‐ray angiography data. Our experiments have shown that the average bias between our approach and the manual segmentation are 2.44 mm2 with confidence interval [‐2.20 mm2, 6.68 mm2] for cross‐sectional lumen area, 0.84 mm with confidence interval [‐2.76 mm, 4.44 mm] for maximum lumen diameter, and 0.32 mm with confidence interval [‐1.14 mm, 1.78 mm] for minimum lumen diameter. The results can demonstrate the potential effectiveness of our approach in CTA image processing.
In vitro Evaluation of Tribocorrosion Induced Failure Mechanisms at the Cell‐Metal Interface for the Hip Implant Application
Authors: Runa Maria , (Jenny) Lau Eik‐lang , Takoudis Christos , Sukotjo Cortino , Shokuhfar Tolou , Rocha Luis , Mathew Mathew
Published: March 2017

In a hip joint environment, the bone‐metal implant interface of an implant is exposed to the combined effect of wear and corrosion (tribocorrosion). This may create mechanical instability and cause early failure of the implants. The aim of this work was to investigate the tribocorrosion behavior of Ti6Al4V alloys in the presence of bone‐forming cells cultured on its surface (cell‐metal interface), using an electrochemical and tribological approach. The results showed that at a cathodic potential (−0.9 V), the presence of osteoblast‐like cells and serum proteins in the media might induce a higher passivation rate of the oxide film, enhancing the corrosion resistance. However, when the surface is in steady state (0.7 V) they show a lower resistant to corrosion, increasing the susceptibility to corrosion.
Monolithic Flexible Supercapacitors Integrated into Single Sheets of Paper and Membrane via Vapor Printing
Authors: Liu Andong , Kovacik Peter , Peard Nolan , Tian Wenda , Goktas Hilal , Lau Jonathan , Dunn Bruce , Gleason Karen K.
Published: March 2017

A novel approach to fabricate supercapacitors (SCs) via vapor printing, specifically oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD), is demonstrated. Compared to stacking multiple layers into a SC, this method enables the monolithic integration of all components into a single‐sheet substrate, minimizing the inactive materials and eliminating the possibility of multilayer delamination. Electrodes comprised of pseudocapacitive material, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), are deposited into both sides of a sheet of flexible porous substrate. The film deposition and patterning are achieved in a single step. The oCVD PEDOT penetrates partially into the porous substrate from both surfaces, while leaving the interior of the substrate serving as a separator. Near the surface, the PEDOT coating conforms to the substrate's structure without blocking the pores, resembling the substrate's intrinsic morphology with high surface area. The porously structured PEDOT coating, paired with in situ ion gel electrolyte synthesis, gives enhanced electrode–electrolyte interfaces. The monolithic device demonstrates high volumetric capacitance (11.3 F cm−3), energy density (2.98 mWh cm−3), and power density (0.42 W cm−3). These outstanding performance metrics are attributed to the large loading of active materials, minimization of inactive materials, and good electrode–electrolyte interfaces. SC arrays can be printed on a single substrate without the use of wire interconnects.
Assessment of renal response with urinary exosomes in patients with AL amyloidosis: A proof of concept
Authors: Ramirez‐Alvarado Marina , Barnidge David R. , Murray David L. , Dispenzieri Angela , Marin‐Argany Marta , Dick Christopher J. , Cooper Shawna A. , Nasr Samih H , Ward Christopher J. , Dasari Surendra , Jiménez‐Zepeda Víctor H. , Leung Nelson
Published: March 2017

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a fatal complication of B‐cell proliferation secondary to deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs. Urinary exosomes (UEX) are the smallest of the microvesicles excreted in the urine. Previously, we found UEX of patients with AL amyloidosis contained immunoglobulin light chain (LC) oligomers that patients with multiple myeloma did not have. To further explore the role of the LC oligomers, UEX was isolated from an AL amyloidosis patient with progressive renal disease despite achieving a complete response. LC oligomers were identified. Mass spectrometry (MS) of the UEX and serum identified two monoclonal lambda LCs. Proteomics of the trypsin digested amyloid fragments in the kidney by laser microdissection and MS analysis identified a λ6 LC. The cDNA from plasma cell clone was from the IGLV‐ 6‐57 family and it matched the amino acid sequences of the amyloid peptides. The predicted mass of the peptide product of the cDNA matched the mass of one of the two LCs identified in the UEX and serum. UEX combined with MS were able to identify 2 monoclonal lambda LCs that current clinical methods could not. It also identified the amyloidogenic LC which holds potential for response assessment in the future.
Germabenzenylpotassium: A Germanium Analogue of a Phenyl Anion
Authors: Mizuhata Yoshiyuki , Fujimori Shiori , Sasamori Takahiro , Tokitoh Norihiro
Published: March 2017

Reduction of the stable germabenzene, 1‐Tbt‐2‐tert‐butyl‐germabenzene (Tbt=2,4,6‐tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl), with KC8 resulted in the formation of 2‐tert‐butylgermabenzenylpotassium, that is, the germanium analogue of phenylpotassium, under concomitant elimination of the aryl group from the Ge atom. Under an inert atmosphere, this germabenzenylpotassium could be isolated in the form of stable yellow crystals. In the crystalline state, as well as in solution, the germabenzenyl moiety adopts a monomeric form, even though the X‐ray diffraction analysis suggests the presence of highly reactive Ge=C double bonds. The spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallographic analyses, in combination with theoretical calculations indicate an ambident character for this germabenzenyl anion, with contributions from aromatic and germylene resonance structures.
Iterative C−H Functionalization Leading to Multiple Amidations of Anilides
Authors: Park Juhyeon , Lee Jia , Chang Sukbok
Published: March 2017

Polyaminobenzenes were synthesized by the ruthenium‐catalyzed iterative C−H amidation of anilides using dioxazolones as an amino source. This strategy could be implemented by the sequential activation of C−H bonds of formerly generated compounds by cascade chelation assistance of newly installed amide groups. Computational studies provided a rationale.
Regioselective Photoisomerization/C−C Bond Formation of Asymmetric B(ppy)(Mes)(Ar): The Role of the Aryl Groups on Boron
Authors: Mellerup Soren K. , Li Cally , Peng Tai , Wang Suning
Published: March 2017

Asymmetric N,C‐chelate organoboron compounds bearing two different aryl groups at the boron center undergo photoisomerization reactions that involve exclusively the less bulky aryl group, generating various strongly colored “dark isomers”. These species thermally isomerize to 4bH‐azaborepin molecules by direct hydrogen atom transfer from a borirane cycle to the pyridyl moiety and ring expansion. Mechanistic insight into these highly regioselective transformations was obtained from kinetic data and through computational studies.
Novel hybrid transition metal complexes of diaquabis(acetylacetonato‐κ2o,o′)[nickel(II)/zinc (II)] as solid metal–organic precursors: Synthesis, properties and magnetic response
Authors: Modaberi Matin Roshanzamir , Brahma Sanjaya , Rooydell Reza , Wang Ruey‐Chi , Liu Chuan‐Pu
Published: March 2017

A series of hybrid hetero bimetallic metal–organic frameworks, as solid metal–organic precursors, have been prepared via a conventional hydrothermal method. Herein, we report a facile approach for the synthesis of novel crystalline organic–inorganic hybrid compounds of diaquabis(acetylacetonato)[nickel(II)/zinc(II)] in the presence of varying mole ratios of Ni(II)/Zn(II) mixed metal ions. C10H18O6Ni0.7Zn0.3 (N0.7Z0.3AA.2H2O) as an instance of the series has been investigated through detailed characterization. The crystal is composed of N0.7Z0.3AA units and two coordinated water molecules to form a monoclinic structure with space group P21/c. All the solid‐state structures have the metals in octahedral environments forming six‐membered chelate rings. The unit cell dimensions were obtained using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the hybrid compounds can be considered as suitable precursors for the synthesis of oxides via metal–organic chemical vapour deposition. At room temperature, all crystals clearly exhibit paramagnetic behaviour. Besides varying molar ratios of hybrid, the transition point of magnetic behaviour occurs at Ni critical concentration of around 10% in the hybrid. In addition, the magnetic susceptibility increases with increasing Ni content in the compounds.