bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Building Energy-Saving Show from the Change of Climate Parameters in Energy-Saving Standards
Authors: Zhang Jie , Qin Xiao Dong
Published: July 2014

Energy-saving work has made great achievements in our country, the index of heat loss of building of per building area in new residential buildings fell sharply, but total energy consumption and the proportion of it in social total energy consumption is rising. A large number of coal, oil, gas and other fossil energy use, caused the climate warming and so on the adverse effects on the human survival environment, these phenomena, warns us to further strengthen the importance of building energy-saving work.
Histone Deacetylation Critically Determines T Cell Subset Radiosensitivity
Authors: Pugh Jason L. , Sukhina Alona S. , Seed Thomas M. , Manley Nancy R. , Sempowski Gregory D. , van den Brink Marcel R. M. , Smithey Megan J. , Nikolich-Žugich Janko
Published: July 2014

Lymphocytes are sensitive to ionizing radiation and naive lymphocytes are more radiosensitive than their memory counterparts. Less is known about radiosensitivity of memory cell subsets. We examined the radiosensitivity of naive (TN), effector memory (TEM), and central memory (TCM) T cell subsets in C57BL/6 mice and found TEM to be more resistant to radiation-induced apoptosis than either TN or TCM. Surprisingly, we found no correlation between the extent of radiation-induced apoptosis in T cell subsets and 1) levels of pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members or 2) the H2AX content and maximal γH2AX fold change. Rather, TEM cell survival correlated with higher levels of immediate γH2AX marking, immediate break binding and genome-wide open chromatin structure. T cells were able to mark DNA damage seemingly instantly (30 s), even if kept on ice. Relaxing chromatin with the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid following radiation or etoposide treatment improved the survival of TCM and TN cells up to levels seen in the resistant TEM cells but did not improve survival from caspase-mediated apoptosis. We conclude that an open genome-wide chromatin state is the key determinant of efficient immediate repair of DNA damage in T cells, explaining the observed T cell subset radiosensitivity differences.
Biomarkers of HIV-associated Cancer
Authors: Flepisi Brian Thabile , Bouic Patrick , Sissolak Gerhard , Rosenkranz Bernd
Published: July 2014

Cancer biomarkers have provided great opportunities for improving the management of cancer patients by enhancing the efficiency of early detection, diagnosis, and efficacy of treatment. Every cell type has a unique molecular signature, referred to as biomarkers, which are identifiable characteristics such as levels or activities of a myriad of genes, proteins, or other molecular features. Biomarkers can facilitate the molecular definition of cancer, provide information about the course of cancer, and predict response to chemotherapy. They offer the hope of early detection as well as tracking disease progression and recurrence. Current progress in the characterization of molecular genetics of HIV-associated cancers may form the basis for improved patient stratification and future targeted or individualized therapies. Biomarker use for cancer staging and personalization of therapy at the time of diagnosis could improve patient care. This review focuses on the relevance of biomarkers in the most common HIV-associated malignancies, namely, Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and invasive cervical cancer.
Laser Posterior Cordotomy: Is it a Good Choice in Treating Bilateral Vocal Fold Abductor Paralysis?
Authors: Khalil Mahmoud A. , Tawab Hazem M. Abdel
Published: July 2014

Background

Bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis can lead to respiratory distress and dyspnea.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of CO2 laser unilateral posterior cordotomy in cases with bilateral abductor paralysis as regards improvement of dyspnea with preservation of satisfactory voice and swallowing after the operation.

Methods

A prospective study was done on 18 patients with bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis (10 females and 8 males) from November 2010 to December 2012 with their ages ranging from 32 to 64 years.

Results

All patients showed improvement of dyspnea after the operation, most of the patients suffered from mild to moderate dyspnea in the immediate post-operative period, and two patients needed another intervention to solve it. All the patients had satisfactory results of their voice after the operation, and one patient only suffered from temporary aspiration.

Conclusion

Unilateral CO2 laser posterior cordotomy is an easy and effective procedure to solve the dyspnea after bilateral vocal fold abductor paralysis without aspiration or significant voice alteration.
Climatology of stratocumulus cloud morphologies: microphysical properties and radiative effects
Authors: Muhlbauer A. , McCoy I. L. , Wood R.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. An artificial neural network cloud classification scheme is combined with A-train observations to characterize the physical properties and radiative effects of marine low clouds based on their morphology and type of mesoscale cellular convection (MCC) on a global scale. The cloud morphological categories are (i) organized closed MCC, (ii) organized open MCC and (iii) cellular but disorganized MCC. Global distributions of the frequency of occurrence of MCC types show clear regional signatures. Organized closed and open MCCs are most frequently found in subtropical regions and in midlatitude storm tracks of both hemispheres. Cellular but disorganized MCC are the predominant type of marine low clouds in regions with warmer sea surface temperature such as in the tropics and trade wind zones. All MCC types exhibit a pronounced seasonal cycle. The physical properties of MCCs such as cloud fraction, radar reflectivity, drizzle rates and cloud top heights as well as the radiative effects of MCCs are found highly variable and a function of the type of MCC. On a global scale, the cloud fraction is largest for closed MCC with mean cloud fractions of about 90%, whereas cloud fractions of open and cellular but disorganized MCC are only about 51% and 40%, respectively. Probability density functions (PDFs) of cloud fractions are heavily skewed and exhibit modest regional variability. PDFs of column maximum radar reflectivities and inferred cloud base drizzle rates indicate fundamental differences in the cloud and precipitation characteristics of different MCC types. Similarly, the radiative effects of MCCs differ substantially from each other in terms of shortwave reflectance and transmissivity. These differences highlight the importance of low-cloud morphologies and their associated cloudiness on the shortwave cloud forcing.
African dust outbreaks over the western Mediterranean Basin: 11-year characterization of atmospheric circulation patterns and dust source areas
Authors: Salvador P. , Alonso-Pérez S. , Pey J. , Artíñano B. , de Bustos J. J. , Alastuey A. , Querol X.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The occurrence of African dust outbreaks over different areas of the western Mediterranean Basin were identified on an 11-year period (2001–2011). The main atmospheric circulation patterns causing the transport of African air masses were characterized by means of an objective classification methodology of atmospheric variable fields. Next, the potential source areas of mineral dust, associated to each circulation pattern were identified by trajectory statistical methods. Finally, an impact index was calculated to estimate the incidence of the African dust outbreaks produced during each circulation pattern, in the areas of study. Four circulation types were obtained (I–IV) and three main potential source areas of African dust were identified (Western Sahara and Morocco; Algeria; northeastern Algeria and Tunisia). The circulation pattern I (24% of the total number of episodic days) produced the transport of dust mainly in summer from Western Sahara, southern Morocco and Tunisia. The circulation pattern IV (33%) brings dust mainly from areas of northern and southern Algeria in summer and autumn, respectively. The circulation pattern II (31%) favored the transport of dust predominantly from northern Algeria, both in spring and summer. Finally, the circulation type III was the less frequently observed (12%). It occurred mainly in spring and with less intensity in winter, carrying dust from Western Sahara and southern Morocco. Our findings point out that the most intense episodes over the western Mediterranean Basin were produced in the summer period by the circulation type I (over the western side of the Iberian Peninsula) and the circulation type IV (over the central and eastern sides of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands).
Multiday production of condensing organic aerosol mass in urban and forest outflow
Authors: Lee-Taylor J. , Hodzic A. , Madronich S. , Aumont B. , Camredon M. , Valorso R.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production in air masses containing either anthropogenic or biogenic (terpene-dominated) emissions is investigated using the explicit gas-phase chemical mechanism generator GECKO-A. Simulations show several-fold increases in SOA mass continuing for several days in the urban outflow, even as the initial air parcel is diluted into the regional atmosphere. The SOA mass increase in the forest outflow is more modest (∼50%) and of shorter duration (1–2 days). The production in the urban outflow stems from continuing oxidation of gas-phase precursors which persist in equilibrium with the particle phase, and can be attributed to multigenerational reaction products of both aromatics and alkanes. In particular we find large contributions from substituted maleic anhydrides and multi-substituted peroxide-bicyclic alkenes. The results show that the predicted production is a robust feature of our model even under changing atmospheric conditions, and contradict the notion that SOA undergoes little mass production beyond a short initial formation period. The results imply that anthropogenic aerosol precursors could influence the chemical and radiative characteristics of the atmosphere over an extremely wide region, and that SOA measurements near precursor sources may routinely underestimate this influence.
First measurements of continuous δ18O-CO2 with a Fourier Transform InfraRed spectrometer in Heidelberg, Germany
Authors: Vardag S. N. , Hammer S. , Sabasch M. , Griffith D. W. T. , Levin I.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The continuous in-situ measurement of δ18O in atmospheric CO2 opens a new door to differentiating between CO2 source and sink components with high temporal resolution. Continuous 13C-CO2 measurement systems have been commercially available already for some time, but until now, only few instruments have been able to provide a continuous measurement of the oxygen isotope ratio in CO2. Besides precise 13C/12C observations, the Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometer also measures the 18O/16O ratio of CO2, but the precision and accuracy of the measurements has not been evaluated yet. Here we present a first analysis of δ18O-CO2 (and δ13C-CO2) measurements with the FTIR in Heidelberg. We find that our spectrometer measures 18O in CO2 with a reproducibility of better than 0.3‰ at a temporal resolution of less than 10 min, as determined from surveillance gas measurements over a period of ten months. An Allan deviation test shows that the δ18O repeatability reaches 0.15‰ for half-hourly means. The compatibility of our spectroscopic measurements was determined by comparing FTIR measurements of calibration gases and ambient air to mass-spectrometric measurements of flask samples, filled with the cylinder gases or episodically collected over a diurnal cycle (event). We found that direct cylinder gas measurements agree to 0.01 ± 0.04‰ (mean and standard deviation) for δ13C-CO2 and 0.01 ± 0.11‰ for δ18O. Two weekly episodes of recent ambient air measurements, one in winter and one in summer, are discussed in view of the question, which potential insights and new challenges combined highly resolved δ18O-CO2 and δ13C-CO2 records may provide in terms of better understanding regional scale continental carbon exchange processes.
High precision dual-inlet IRMS measurements of the stable isotopes of CO2 and the N2O/CO2 ratio from polar ice core samples
Authors: Bauska T. K. , Brook E. J. , Mix A. C. , Ross A.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. An important constraint on mechanisms of past carbon cycle variability is provided by the stable isotopic composition of carbon in atmospheric carbon dioxide (δ13C-CO2) trapped in polar ice cores, but obtaining very precise measurements has proven to be a significant analytical challenge. Here we describe a new technique to determine the δ13C of CO2 at exceptional precision, as well as measuring the CO2 and N2O mixing ratios. In this method, ancient air is extracted from relatively large ice samples (~ 400 grams) with a dry-extraction "ice-grater" device. The liberated air is cryogenically purified to a CO2 and N2O mixture and analyzed with a micro-volume equipped dual-inlet IRMS (Thermo MAT 253). The reproducibility of the method, based on replicate analysis of ice core samples, is 0.02‰ for δ13C-CO2 and 2 ppm and 4 ppb for the CO2 and N2O mixing ratios, respectively (1-sigma pooled standard deviation). Our experiments show that minimizing water vapor pressure in the extraction vessel by housing the grating apparatus in a ultra-low temperature freezer (−60 °C) improves the precision and decreases the experimental blank of the method. We describe techniques for accurate calibration of small samples and the application of a mass spectrometric method based on source fragmentation for reconstructing the N2O history of the atmosphere. The oxygen isotopic composition of CO2 is also investigated, confirming previous observations of oxygen exchange between gaseous CO2 and solid H2O within the ice archive. These data offer a possible constraint on oxygen isotopic fractionation during H2O and CO2 exchange below the H2O bulk melting temperature.
PTR-QMS vs. PTR-TOF comparison in a region with oil and natural gas extraction industry in the Uintah Basin in 2013
Authors: Warneke C. , Veres P. R. , Murphy S. M. , Soltis J. , Field R. A. , Graus M. G. , Koss A. , Li S.-M. , Li R. , Yuan B. , Roberts J. M. , de Gouw J. A.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Here we compare volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements using a standard Proton-Transfer-Reaction Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (PTR-QMS) with a new Proton-Transfer-Reaction Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometer (PTR-TOF) during the Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study 2013 (UBWOS2013) field experiment in an oil and gas field in the Uintah Basin, Utah. The PTR-QMS uses a quadrupole, which is a mass filter that lets one mass pass at a time, whereas the PTR-TOF uses a Time Of Flight mass spectrometer, which takes full mass spectra with typical 0.1 s to 1 min integrated acquisition times. The sensitivity of the PTR-QMS in units of counts per ppbv is about a factor of 10–35 times larger than the PTR-TOF, when only one VOC is measured. The sensitivity of the PTR-TOF is mass dependent because of the mass discrimination caused by the sampling duty cycle in the orthogonal-acceleration region of the TOF. For example, the PTR-QMS on mass 33 (methanol) is 35 times more sensitive than the PTR-TOF and for masses above 120 amu less than 10 times more. If more than 10–35 compounds are measured with PTR-QMS, the sampling time per ion decreases and the PTR-TOF has higher signals per unit measuring time for most masses. For UBWOS2013 the PTR-QMS measured 34 masses in 37 s and on that time-scale the PTR-TOF is more sensitive for all masses. The high mass resolution of the TOF allows for the measurements of compounds that cannot be separately detected with the PTR-QMS, such as oxidation products from alkanes and cycloalkanes emitted by oil and gas extraction. PTR-TOF masses do not have to be pre-selected allowing for identification of unanticipated compounds. The measured mixing ratios of the two instruments agreed very well (R2 ≥ 0.92 and within 20%) for all compounds and masses monitored with the PTR-QMS.
Variation in photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic vegetation along edaphic and compositional gradients in northwestern Amazonia
Authors: Higgins M. A. , Asner G. P. , Perez E. , Elespuru N. , Alonso A.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Tropical forests vary substantially in aboveground properties such as canopy height, canopy structure, and plant species composition, corresponding to underlying variations in soils and geology. Forest properties are often difficult to detect and map in the field, however, due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of these forests. Spectral mixture analysis of Landsat imagery allows mapping of photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic vegetation quantities (PV and NPV), corresponding to biophysical properties such as canopy openness, forest productivity, and disturbance. Spectral unmixing has been used for applications ranging from deforestation monitoring to identifying burn scars from past fires, but little is known about variations in PV and NPV in intact rainforests. Here we use spectral unmixing of Landsat imagery to map PV and NPV in northern Amazonia, and to test their relationship to soils and plant species composition. To do this we sampled 117 sites crossing a geological boundary in northwestern Amazonia for soil cation concentrations and plant species composition. We then used the Carnegie Landsat Analysis System to map PV and NPV for these sites from multiple dates of Landsat imagery. We found that soil cation concentrations and plant species composition consistently explain a majority of the variation in remotely sensed PV and NPV values. After combining PV and NPV into a single variable (PV–NPV), we determined that the influence of soil properties on canopy properties was inseparable from the influence of plant species composition. In all cases, patterns in PV and NPV corresponded to underlying geological patterns. Our findings suggest that geology and soils regulate canopy PV and NPV values in intact tropical forests, possibly through changes in plant species composition.
Quantifying the biophysical climate change mitigation potential of Canada's forest sector
Authors: Smyth C. E. , Stinson G. , Neilson E. , Lemprière T. C. , Hafer M. , Rampley G. J. , Kurz W. A.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The potential of forests and the forest sector to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is widely recognized, but challenging to quantify at a national scale. Forests and their carbon (C) sequestration potential are affected by management practices, where wood harvesting transfers C out of the forest into products, and subsequent regrowth allows further C sequestration. Here we determine the mitigation potential of the 2.3 × 106 km2 of Canada's managed forests from 2015 to 2050 using the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3), a harvested wood products (HWP) model that estimates emissions based on product half-life decay times, and an account of emission substitution benefits from the use of wood products and bioenergy. We examine several mitigation scenarios with different assumptions about forest management activity levels relative to a base case scenario, including improved growth from silvicultural activities, increased harvest and residue management for bioenergy, and reduced harvest for conservation. We combine forest management options with two mitigation scenarios for harvested wood product use involving an increase in either long-lived products or bioenergy uses. Results demonstrate large differences among alternative scenarios, and we identify potential mitigation scenarios with increasing benefits to the atmosphere for many decades into the future, as well as scenarios with no net benefit over many decades. The greatest mitigation impact was achieved through a mix of strategies that varied across the country and had cumulative mitigation of 254 Tg CO2e in 2030, and 1180 Tg CO2e in 2050. There was a trade-off between short-term and long-term goals, in that maximizing short-term emissions reduction could reduce the forest sector's ability to contribute to longer-term objectives. We conclude that (i) national-scale forest sector mitigation options need to be assessed rigorously from a systems perspective to avoid the development of policies that deliver no net benefits to the atmosphere, (ii) a mix of strategies implemented across the country achieves the greatest mitigation impact, and (iii) because of the time delays in achieving carbon benefits for many forest-based mitigation activities, future contributions of the forest sector to climate mitigation can be maximized if implemented soon.
Strong stoichiometric resilience after litter manipulation experiments; a case study in a Chinese grassland
Authors: Xiao C. W. , Janssens I. A. , Zhou Y. , Su J. Q. , Liang Y. , Guenet B.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Global climate change has generally increased net primary production which leads to increasing litter inputs. Therefore assessing the impacts of increasing litter inputs on soil nutrients, plant growth and ecological Carbon (C) : nitrogen (N) : phosphorus (P) stoichiometry is critical for an understanding of C, N and P cycling and their feedback processes to climate change. In this study, we added plant litter to the 10–20 cm subsoil layer under a steppe community at rates equivalent to 0, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 g (dry mass) m−2 and measured the resulting C, N and P content of different pools (above and below ground plant biomass, litter, microbial biomass). High litter addition (120% of the annual litter inputs) significantly increased soil inorganic N and available P, aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and litter. Nevertheless small litter additions, which are more realistic compared to the future predictions, had no effect on the variables examined. Our results suggest that while very high litter addition can strongly affect C : N : P stoichiometry, the grassland studied here is quite resilient to more realistic inputs in terms of stoichiometric functioning. This result highlights the complexity of the ecosystem's response to climate change.
A method for analysis of vanillic acid in polar ice cores
Authors: Grieman M. M. , Greaves J. , Saltzman E. S.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Biomass burning generates a wide range of organic compounds that are transported via aerosols to the polar ice sheets. Vanillic acid is a product of conifer lignin combustion, which has previously been observed in laboratory and ambient biomass burning aerosols. In this study a method was developed for analysis of vanillic acid in melted polar ice core samples. Vanillic acid was chromatographically separated using reversed phase LC and detected using electrospray triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Using a 100 μL injection loop and analysis time of 4 min, we obtained a detection limit (S : N = 2) of 58 ppt (parts per trillion by mass) and an analytical precision of ±10 %. Measurements of vanillic acid in Arctic ice core samples from the Siberian Akademii Nauk core are shown as an example application of the method.
Analysing Amazonian forest productivity using a new individual and trait-based model (TFS v.1)
Authors: Fyllas N. M. , Gloor E. , Mercado L. M. , Sitch S. , Quesada C. A. , Domingues T. F. , Galbraith D. R. , Torre-Lezama A. , Vilanova E. , Ramírez-Angulo H. , Higuchi N. , Neill D. A. , Silveira M. , Ferreira L. , Aymard C. G. A. , Malhi Y. , Phillips O. L. , Lloyd J.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Repeated long-term censuses have revealed large-scale spatial patterns in Amazon basin forest structure and dynamism, with some forests in the west of the basin having up to a twice as high rate of aboveground biomass production and tree recruitment as forests in the east. Possible causes for this variation could be the climatic and edaphic gradients across the basin and/or the spatial distribution of tree species composition. To help understand causes of this variation a new individual-based model of tropical forest growth, designed to take full advantage of the forest census data available from the Amazonian Forest Inventory Network (RAINFOR), has been developed. The model allows for within-stand variations in tree size distribution and key functional traits and between-stand differences in climate and soil physical and chemical properties. It runs at the stand level with four functional traits – leaf dry mass per area (Ma), leaf nitrogen (NL) and phosphorus (PL) content and wood density (DW) varying from tree to tree – in a way that replicates the observed continua found within each stand. We first applied the model to validate canopy-level water fluxes at three eddy covariance flux measurement sites. For all three sites the canopy-level water fluxes were adequately simulated. We then applied the model at seven plots, where intensive measurements of carbon allocation are available. Tree-by-tree multi-annual growth rates generally agreed well with observations for small trees, but with deviations identified for larger trees. At the stand level, simulations at 40 plots were used to explore the influence of climate and soil nutrient availability on the gross (ΠG) and net (ΠN) primary production rates as well as the carbon use efficiency (CU). Simulated ΠG, ΠN and CU were not associated with temperature. On the other hand, all three measures of stand level productivity were positively related to both mean annual precipitation and soil nutrient status. Sensitivity studies showed a clear importance of an accurate parameterisation of within- and between-stand trait variability on the fidelity of model predictions. For example, when functional tree diversity was not included in the model (i.e. with just a single plant functional type with mean basin-wide trait values) the predictive ability of the model was reduced. This was also the case when basin-wide (as opposed to site-specific) trait distributions were applied within each stand. We conclude that models of tropical forest carbon, energy and water cycling should strive to accurately represent observed variations in functionally important traits across the range of relevant scales.
Flood history of the Bavarian Alpine Foreland since the late Middle Ages in the context of internal and external climate forcing factors
Authors: Böhm O. , Jacobeit J. , Glaser R. , Wetzel K.-F.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. This paper describes the flood history of the Bavarian part of the Alpine Foreland of Germany and addresses different questions concerning climate variability and flood frequencies from the 13th century until today. Will recent climatic change modify the flood frequencies within the Bavarian Alpine Foreland or are the flood frequencies varying due to altering climatic conditions since historical times? In the context of recent discussions whether man-made climate change will modify the present state of flood frequencies, a look back into the past is essential to understand the occurrence of floods in general and of recent floods in particular. In order to understand climatic variability and changes in a comprehensive way, it is necessary to review long time series. A perceived increase of summer floods in eastern Germany and Bavaria since 1997 requires examination of long time series to estimate changes in flood frequencies in a proper way. In view of the annual distribution of flood events within the Alpine Foreland of Germany, summer floods prove to be most important. Based on written historical sources, the flood history of the Alpine Foreland of Germany can be reconstructed back to the 14th century. One major result is the occurrence of "flood-rich" and "flood-poor" episodes in nearly cyclical sequences. Flood-rich periods were recorded in the periods 1300–1335, 1370–1450, 1470–1525, 1555–1590, 1615–1665, 1730–1780, 1820–1870, and 1910–1955 as well as in a 9th period beginning in 1980. The flood-rich periods are characterized by longer flood durations. Most of the flood-rich and flood-poor periods (in particular the beginning and the end of them) can be connected to changes in natural climate variability. These include changing sunspot numbers (as a measure of solar activity), so-called Little Ice Age Type Events (LIATEs) as well as changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Climate signals from external forcing factors, which could be used to explain the changing flood frequencies in the Bavarian Alpine Foreland, end in 1930. Relationships within the climate system such as the correlation of flood frequencies with the NAO have changed during the transition from the post Little Ice Age period to the Modern Climate Optimum around 1930. Natural climate variability might have been outperformed by anthropogenic climate change.
An advanced distributed automated extraction of drainage network model on high-resolution DEM
Authors: Mao Y. , Ye A. , Xu J. , Ma F. , Deng X. , Miao C. , Gong W. , Di Z.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. A high-resolution and high-accuracy drainage network map is a prerequisite for simulating the water cycle in land surface hydrological models. The objective of this study was to develop a new automated extraction of drainage network model, which can get high-precision continuous drainage network on high-resolution DEM (Digital Elevation Model). The high-resolution DEM need too much computer resources to extract drainage network. The conventional GIS method often can not complete to calculate on high-resolution DEM of big basins, because the number of grids is too large. In order to decrease the computation time, an advanced distributed automated extraction of drainage network model (Adam) was proposed in the study. The Adam model has two features: (1) searching upward from outlet of basin instead of sink filling, (2) dividing sub-basins on low-resolution DEM, and then extracting drainage network on sub-basins of high-resolution DEM. The case study used elevation data of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) at 3 arc-second resolution in Zhujiang River basin, China. The results show Adam model can dramatically reduce the computation time. The extracting drainage network was continuous and more accurate than HydroSHEDS (Hydrological data and maps based on Shuttle Elevation Derivatives at multiple Scales).
Electrochemical analysis of water and suds by impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Gruden R. , Buchholz A. , Kanoun O.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Optimum detergent dosage during a washing process depends on water quality, degree of pollution and quantity of laundry. Particularly, water quality is an important factor. Other parameters like carbonate- or non-carbonate hardness and calcium / magnesium (Ca / Mg) ratio in addition to total hardness of water have an impact on the amount of detergent. This work discusses the possibilities realizing a detergent sensor that measures important parameters for the washing process and assess the ideal necessary amount of detergent during the washing process. The approach is to combine impedance spectroscopy with cyclic voltammetry in order to determine both water quality and concentration of detergent in the suds which build up the basis for an optimum detergent dosage. The results of cyclic voltammetry show that it is possible to identify the Ca / Mg ratio and the carbonate hardness separately, which is necessary for the optimization of the washing process. Impedance measurements identify total hardness and detergent concentrations.
A simple model for the estimation of the number of fatalities due to floods in central Europe
Authors: Brazdova M. , Riha J.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. In this paper a model for the estimation of the number of potential fatalities is proposed based on data from 19 past floods in central Europe. First, the factors contributing to human losses during river floods are listed and assigned to the main risk factors: hazard – exposure – vulnerability. The order of significance of individual factors has been compiled by pairwise comparison based on experience with real flood events. A comparison with factors used in existing models for the estimation of fatalities during floods shows good agreement with the significant factors identified in this study. The most significant factors affecting the number of human losses in floods have been aggregated into three groups and subjected to correlation analysis. A close-fitting regression dependence is proposed for the estimation of loss of life and calibrated using data from selected real floods in central Europe. The application of the proposed model for the estimation of fatalities due to river floods is shown via a flood risk assessment for the locality of Krnov in the Czech Republic.
Deformation information system for facilitating studies of mining-ground deformations, development, and applications
Authors: Blachowski J. , Milczarek W. , Stefaniak P.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The paper presents the concept of the deformation information system (DIS) to support and facilitate studies of mining-ground deformations. The proposed modular structure of the system includes data collection and data visualisation components, as well as spatial data mining, modelling and classification modules. In addition, the system integrates interactive three-dimensional models of the mines and local geology. The system is used to calculate various parameters characterising ground deformation in space and time, i.e. vertical and horizontal displacement fields, deformation parameters (tilt, curvature, and horizontal strain) and input spatial variables for spatial data classifications. The core of the system in the form of an integrated spatial and attributive database has been described. The development stages and the functionality of the particular components have been presented and example analyses utilising the spatial data mining and modelling functions have been shown. These include, among other things, continuous vertical and horizontal displacement field interpolations, calculation of parameters characterising mining-ground deformations, mining-ground category classifications, data extraction procedures and data preparation preprocessing procedures for analyses in external applications. The DIS has been developed for the Walbrzych coal mines area in SW Poland where long-time mining activity ended at the end of the 20th century and surface monitoring is necessary to study the present-day condition of the former mining grounds.
A theoretical model for the initiation of debris flow in unconsolidated soil under hydrodynamic conditions
Authors: Guo C.-X. , Zhou J.-W. , Cui P. , Hao M.-H. , Xu F.-G.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Debris flow is one of the catastrophic disasters in an earthquake-stricken area, and remains to be studied in depth. It is imperative to obtain an initiation mechanism and model of the debris flow, especially from unconsolidated soil. With flume experiments and field investigation on the Wenjiagou Gully debris flow induced from unconsolidated soil, it can be found that surface runoff can support the shear force along the slope and lead to soil strength decreasing, with fine particles migrating and forming a local relatively impermeable face. The surface runoff effect is the primary factor for accelerating the unconsolidated slope failure and initiating debris flow. Thus, a new theoretical model for the initiation of debris flow in unconsolidated soil was established by incorporating hydrodynamic theory and soil mechanics. This model was validated by a laboratory test and proved to be better suited for unconsolidated soil failure analysis. In addition, the mechanism analysis and the established model can provide a new direction and deeper understanding of debris flow initiation with unconsolidated soil.
Provisional Measures and the MVArctic Sunrise
Authors: Guilfoyle Douglas , Miles Cameron A.
Published: July 2014

On September 18, 2013, several Greenpeace activists, bearing ropes and posters, attempted to board a Gazprom oil platform, the Prirazlomnaya, in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Russian Federation. They did so in inflatable craft launched from a Greenpeace vessel, the Netherlands-flagged MVArctic Sunrise. They were soon arrested by the Russian Coast Guard. The following day, armed agents of the Russian Federal Security Service boarded theArctic Sunriseitself from a helicopter, arresting those on board. The Netherlands was apparently informed of Russia’s intention to board and arrest the vessel shortly after the original boarding of the platform. Over the next four days, the vessel was towed to Murmansk. Russian authorities charged the thirty detained persons (the so-called Arctic 30) with “piracy of an organized group.” Although President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that the protesters were “obviously... not pirates,” he also noted that “formally, they tried to seize our platform.” On October 4, the Netherlands announced that, under Annex VII of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it had commenced arbitration proceedings against Russia over the detention of theArctic Sunriseand the legality of its seizure. On October 21, the Netherlands filed with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) a request for the prescription of provisional measures pending the constitution of the Annex VII arbitration tribunal.
Salt tolerance of mango rootstocks (Magnifera indica L. cv. Osteen)
Authors: Duran V.H. , Martinez Raya A. , Aguilar J.
Published: July 2014

The aim of this work was to establish the criteria to determine the relative tolerance of mango rootstocks (Mangiferaindica L.) to high Cl- and Na+ concentrations present in irrigation water. Two rootstocks, Gomera-1 and Gomera-3 grafted with the cultivar Osteen, were subjected to study. Grafted plants were exposed to salinized irrigation watersmeasured by electrical conductivity (1.02, 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50 dS m-1). Results indicated differences in retainingtoxic elements in different organs (roots, stem, or leaves) of both rootstocks. Gomera-3 was more sensitive as took uphigher amounts of Cl- and Na+ than Gomera-1. Gomera-1 was more tolerant, being the tolerance possibly associatedwith the capacity of this rootstock to restrict the uptake and transport of Cl- and Na+ ions from the root system to theaboveground parts. The Cl- ions were more toxic in rootstock and cultivar leaves, while the Na+ ions were more toxicin the roots. Therefore, the present study reveals that Gomera-1 proved to be the most adaptable rootstock to salineconditions, making it feasible for use in areas with low water quality.
Influence of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under irrigated conditions
Authors: Moreno A. , Moreno M.M. , Ribas F. , Cabello M.J.
Published: July 2014

A field study was conducted from 1998 to 2000 in Ciudad Real (Spain) to analyze the productive response of thebarley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop to different nitrogen-fertilizer strategies. The effect of N dose and its partitioningbetween sowing-time and top-dressing at tillering state on grain yield and yield components was evaluated, as well asthe contribution of each one of these parameters to the final yield by means of a correlation and regression study, andpath coefficient analysis. The specific climatic conditions of each growing season had a very marked effect on barleycrops, and grain yields and yield components significantly differed every year. No significant differences in yieldwere found between 100 and 150 kg N ha-1 doses, but yield was significantly reduced by applying 200 kg N ha-1. Theevolution of grain yield according to N fertilizer was properly fitted to a quadratic function, with the maximum valuecorresponding to about 120 kg N ha-1. It is not advisable to exceed this dose because this is of no benefit to the plantand implies a risk of environmental contamination. The highest yield was obtained by applying two thirds of the totalN fertilizer at seeding time, whereas a single application of N fertilizer as a top-dressing resulted in a significantreduction in barley grain yield. In these field conditions, grain yield mainly depended on the number of ears per squaremeter, being the 1000-kernel weight the most stable yield component.
Nitrification potential, dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass in an argiudol soil cultivated with wheat under two tillering methods
Authors: Diosma G. , Golik S.I. , Chidichimo H.O. , Balatti P.A.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this work was to analyze the dynamics of soil biomass and its activity in a soil fertilized with N andcultivated under conventional or zero tillage systems. The soil under conventional tillage had larger biomass than underzero tillage but, in this latter condition, it was further increased by the N-fertilization. Dehydrogenase activity inthe soil was identical under both management systems suggesting similar levels of activity. In addition, fertilizationdid not modify the nitrogen mineralization capacity of the soil. Only the addition of calcareous NH4NO3, a fertilizerthat releases nitrogen much faster than urea, resulted in the immobilization of nitrogen during wheat tillering, whereasurea did not alter soil N mineralization. The lack of a significant biomass response to tilling practices was reflectedby the wheat biomass and grain yield, that was the same under both tilling systems. Only the total N content of wheatwas higher under zero tillage than under conventional management, although this did not result in an increment ingrain yield.
Short communication: Virulence of different isolates causing verticillium wilt of pepper in the Padrón region
Authors: Saavedra Garcia A.M. , Diaz Varela J. , Merino de Caceres F.
Published: July 2014

A survey of verticillium wilt of pepper was carried out in farms of the Padrón region, including both greenhouses andfields. Pepper plants cv. Padrón showing wilt symptoms were collected in three successive sampling sessions performedfrom May to October 1997. A total number of 79 isolates of Verticillium dahliae Kleb were obtained. The high frequencyof farms with plants infected with V. dahliae, especially at the end of the crop season, was related to a high persistenceof the fungus during the whole of the 1990s. Twenty-two isolates were tested for pathogenicity, and all of them were ableto induce wilting in cv. Padrón pepper plants. Dry weight and stem length data of inoculated plants showed that there wasa high variability in the virulence of the isolates tested, and significant differences were observed among them.
Management factors associated to the duration of postpartum anoestrus interval in Brown Swiss and Pirenaica beef cows
Authors: Sanz A. , Bernués A. , Casasús I. , Villalba D. , Revilla R.
Published: July 2014

A global analysis of several productive indicators and the postpartum anoestrous interval (PPI) of 549 beef cowswas carried out to determine the management factors related with postpartum ovarian reactivation in extensive mountainfarming systems. Multivariate statistic methods (Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Cluster Analysis) were usedto analyse the data due to the multifactorial nature of the processes involved. PPI was associated to four factors thatexplained 59% of the total inertia of the sample and were defined as follows: «Prepartum feeding level» (19% of theinertia), «Postpartum feeding level-Parity» (16.4%), «Suckling frequency» (13%) and «Calving difficulty» (10.5%).These factors were introduced into a Cluster Analysis that identified five types of cows: «Primiparous cows», «Twicedailysuckling», «Ad libitum suckling-Brown Swiss», «Autumn calving season» and «Spring calving season». Cowbreed was not related to PPI, although the Cluster Analysis associated the suckling-induced prolonged PPI with BrownSwiss animals. In Brown Swiss breed, PPI was longer in the spring than in the autumn due to nutritional differencesrather than to a seasonal effect. Autumn calving was better adapted to dry mountain conditions.
Forages resources in "dehesa" system: fertilization, tillage and forage sowing. I. Influence to the environment (soil and vegetation)
Authors: Martin Polo J.L. , Valle Gutierrez C.J. , Blanco de Pablos A. , Sánchez Rodríguez M.E.
Published: July 2014

This work studies the ecological impact to the environment (soil, vegetation) produced by the application of differenttreatments, such as phosphoric fertilization, superficial tillage on the pasture, or deep ploughing and sowing fodder, ontwo types of soil, slate and granite over the period 1994-1997. The evolution of the chemical and granulometric compositionof the soil and also the covering and floral composition of the vegetation was monitored. The duration of the residualeffect was also considered, in order to determine the best possible time to carry out these practices. The evolution ofthe pH and the levels of organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, clay, lime and humidity werethe main factors surveyed on the soil. For each type of treatment, the floral abundance and density of the vegetation wasrecorded and catalogued. One of the conclusions obtained was that both the content in organic matter of the soil and thefloral cover decreases with sowing of fodder. The recovery of the soil organic matter usually takes more than four years,whereas the vegetation cover reaches its initial levels after three years. By the end of the experimental period these coverlevels are even higher than the original ones. In three year old oat stubble, pastures that can be related to syntaxonomicunits (Koelerio Corynephoretea y Molinio-Arrhenateretea) were seen. The plots of fertilized pasture showed higher levelsof legumes whereas the plots that had been fertilized and ploughed showed increased values of both legumes and grasses.The oat stubble showed higher levels of Composites after the first year, but their presence decreased with time.
Intraannual variations in the pollinic spectrum of honey from the lower valley of the River Chubut (Patagonia, Argentina)
Authors: Forcone A. , Bravo O. , Ayestarán M.G.
Published: July 2014

Thirty honey samples from the lower valley of the River Chubut, obtained by successive harvests in five apiaries overtwo consecutive apicultural periods (between 1997 and 2000) were analysed. Three hives per apiary were selected, fromwhich three successive harvests were obtained at the end of the following periods: initial (September 1st-December 20th),middle (December 20th-January 30th) and final (January 30th-March 15th). Pollen types were identified by comparisonwith a reference collection. Both reference pollen and sample pollen were subjected to acetolysis. A total of fifty entomophilouspollen types were identified: thirty-six, thirty-five and thirty-seven in initial, middle and final periods,respectively. The most abundant pollen was similar over the whole season, due to the long flowering periods of the taxaproducing dominant and secondary pollen. Tamarix gallica and Medicago sativa were main sources of nectar duringthe entire production period. Significant differences (P