bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights into health care seeking behaviour for children in communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Haskins Lyn , Grant Merridy , Phakathi Sifiso , Wilford Aurene , Jama Ngcwalisa , Horwood Christiane
Published: May 2017

Background: South African infant and child mortality remains high, with many deaths occurring outside the formal health services. Delayed health care seeking represents a large proportion of these deaths.Aim: To generate knowledge about the role of, and influences on, caregivers with regard to decision-making about when and where to seek care for sick children.Setting: Two communities in KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: A qualitative, exploratory design employing participatory research techniques was used to undertake focus group discussions with community members.Results: Health care seeking for a sick child was described as a complex process influenced by multiple carers using multiple providers. Decision-making about seeking health care for a sick child was not an individual effort, but was shared with others in the household and guided by how the symptoms were perceived, either a Western illness or African illness. A sick child could either be treated at home or be taken to a variety of places including clinics, private doctors, traditional healers, faith healers and hospitals. Traditional healers were associated with the treatment of illnesses perceived to be traditional. Few participants said that they would take their child back to the original health provider if the child remained ill, but would move from one provider to another until the child’s health improved.Conclusion: The formal health system needs to ensure that sick children are identified and managed appropriately to reduce child deaths. Knowledge and understanding of health care seeking behaviour for sick children by carers is an important aspect. Interventions need to be designed with these contextual issues in mind.
The perceived role of ward-based primary healthcare outreach teams in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Khuzwayo Landiwe S. , Moshabela Mosa
Published: May 2017

Background: The aim of ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) is to improve access to primary healthcare (PHC) services including health promotion and disease prevention in South Africa. Limited information is available in South Africa on user perceptions of services provided by WBOTs in rural households.Aim: The study aimed to explore community awareness and perception of WBOTs, as well people’s motivation to engage and use WBOT services.Setting: The study was conducted between July and September 2015 in iLembe district, KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: This was exploratory-descriptive qualitative research. Purposive sampling technique was used in this study. A total of 16 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions were conducted. The voice recordings were transcribed in isiZulu and translated into English.Results: Four themes emerged from the data analysis, namely bringing services closer, organising services, expanding services and forming bridges. Respondents demonstrated insightful knowledge and understanding of services provided by WBOTs. They expressed an appreciation of the way WBOT services brought healthcare closer to people and serve to bridge the gap between the community and local healthcare facilities. Respondents identified unclear WBOT work schedules and the failure to carry medication other than vitamin A as the main challenges. However, WBOTs did deliver medication for controlled chronic patients in their households.Conclusion: The study suggests that WBOTs provide a commendable service, but need to expand their service package to further increase access to PHC services and cater for community health needs.
Isolation of bacteria from diabetic foot ulcers with special reference to anaerobe isolation by simple two-step combustion technique in candle jar
Authors: Haldar Jayeeta , Mukherjee Poulami , Mukhopadhyay Satinath , Maiti Prasanta Kumar
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Although polymicrobial infections involving both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are very common in diabetic foot ulcers, in many centres of developing countries, anaerobes are rarely isolated due to technical difficulties. This can be overcome by using a new simple, innovative technique of a combination of candle combustion and use of acidified copper-coated steel wool, as reported here.

Methods:

In-house developed method was used in a prospective clinico-microbiological study for anaerobes from randomly selected 43 patients with diabetic foot ulcers along with conventional method of anaerobic culture in GasPak system and aerobic culture by standard laboratory procedures. For primary isolation of anaerobes, Brucella blood agar supplemented with hemin (5 μg/ml) and menadione (1 μg/ml) was used. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed by the standard disc diffusion method for aerobes and E-test method for anaerobes.

Results:

All the 43 samples were culture positive, of which aerobic Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) predominated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus and diphtheroids. Anaerobes isolated from 21 samples were Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, Veillonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens by both GasPak and in-house developed and modified candle jar techniques. Imipenem and metronidazole were most sensitive while clindamycin, penicillin and cefoxitin were least sensitive drugs for anaerobes. Aerobic GNB were found to be multidrug resistant, especially to penicillin and cephalosporins. The most sensitive drug was piperacillin-tazobactam.

Interpretation & conclusions:

For isolation of anaerobes from clinical specimens such as diabetic foot ulcers, modified candle jar technique was found to be as reliable as GasPak system. This modified technique needs to be tested for many other clinical materials which are not yet evaluated.
Coexistence of celiac disease & type 1 diabetes mellitus in children
Authors: Singh Preeti , Seth Anju , Kumar Praveen , Sajjan Sushma
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease (CD) tend to co-exist due to similar underlying genetic predisposition. Failure to recognize CD in patients with T1DM predisposes them to complications. The present study was aimed to assess children with T1DM for the presence of CD.

Methods:

This was a retrospective analysis of the records of children with T1DM attending paediatric endocrinology clinic at a tertiary care hospital in north India from January 2006 to May 2014. All children were screened for CD at the time of diagnosis of T1DM using IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) levels in serum. Seropositive children were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy for histopathological confirmation. The children also underwent thyroid function testing (TFT); those with deranged TFT were evaluated for thyroid-specific antibodies.

Results:

Positive serology for CD was present in 43 of 126 children with T1DM whose records were reviewed [34.1%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 25.9-43.1]. Confirmed CD was diagnosed in 17 (13.5%; CI: 8.1-20.7) of the children screened and 17 of 40 (42.5%; CI: 27.1-59.1) seropositive participants. Four out of 17 children with coexisting CD and T1DM also had autoimmune thyroiditis with overt hypothyroidism. The children with confirmed CD were more likely to have short stature [odds ratios (OR)-3.16; 95% CI: 1.09-9.20, P<0.05] and hypothyroidism (OR-6.4; 95% CI: 1.52-26.90, P<0.05).

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our study showed a higher proportion of CD in children with T1DM as compared to that reported in general population. Regular screening of children with T1DM for CD is needed to improve metabolic control and prevent long-term complications.
N-acetyltransferase gene polymorphisms & plasma isoniazid concentrations in patients with tuberculosis
Authors: Hemanth Kumar A. K. , Ramesh K. , Kannan T. , Sudha V. , Haribabu Hemalatha , Lavanya J. , Swaminathan Soumya , Ramachandran Geetha
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Variations in the N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) gene among different populations could affect the metabolism and disposition of isoniazid (INH). This study was performed to genotype NAT2 gene polymorphisms in tuberculosis (TB) patients from Chennai, India, and compare plasma INH concentrations among the different genotypes.

Methods:

Adult patients with TB treated in the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, were genotyped for NAT2 gene polymorphism, and two-hour post-dosing INH concentrations were compared between the different genotypes. Plasma INH was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Genotyping of the NAT2 gene polymorphism was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction method.

Results:

Among the 326 patients genotyped, there were 189 (58%), 114 (35%) and 23 (7%) slow, intermediate and fast acetylators, respectively. The median two-hour INH concentrations in slow, intermediate and fast acetylators were 10.2, 8.1 and 4.1 μg/ml, respectively. The differences in INH concentrations among the three genotypes were significant (P<0.001).

Interpretation & conclusions:

Genotyping of TB patients from south India for NAT2 gene polymorphism revealed that 58 per cent of the study population comprised slow acetylators. Two-hour INH concentrations differed significantly among the three genotypes.
Genetic diversity & drug sensitivity profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from two slums of Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Malhotra Bharti , Dashora Deepti , Kumar Vipin , Goyal Sumit , Sharma Bhavana , Kumar Madhu , Gupta Kailash Narayan , Sharma Vishnu Dutt , Chauhan D. S. , Katoch Kiran , Katoch Vishwa Mohan
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Slums are considered as hotspots of tuberculosis (TB). The study of genetic diversity and drug susceptibility profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) will help understand the transmission dynamics and can be used for better prevention and control of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the drug susceptibility profiles and genetic diversity using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU VNTR) of MTB isolates from sputum samples of pulmonary TB patients residing in the two slums of Jaipur city in Rajasthan, India.

Methods:

Sputum samples collected from pulmonary TB patients, their contacts and suspects during 2010-2012 were processed for microscopy and mycobacterial culture. Drug susceptibility testing was done by one per cent indirect proportion method on Lowenstein–Jensen medium for first-line anti-TB drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and streptomycin. MTB DNA was extracted by physicochemical method, and DNA fingerprinting was done by RAPD and MIRU VNTR analysis.

Results:

Among 175 sputum samples collected, 75 were positive (43.8%) for acid-fast bacilli, 83 for MTB culture and four were contaminated. Fifty two isolates (62.7%) were fully sensitive to four drugs, and five (6%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). RAPD analysis of 81 isolates revealed six clusters containing 23 (28.4%) isolates, and 58 (71.6%) were unique. MIRU VNTR analysis clustered 20 (24.7%) isolates, and 61 (75.3%) were unique.

Interpretation & conclusions:

About 62.7 per cent isolates from the sputum samples from slum areas were sensitive to four drugs; six per cent of isolates were MDR. Poly-resistance other than MDR was high (16%). About one-fourth isolates were clustered by either method. RAPD was rapid, less expensive but had low reproducibility. MIRU VNTR analysis could identify to greater extent the epidemiological link in the population studied.
Comparison of injectable doxorubicin & its nanodrug complex chemotherapy for the treatment of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide induced oral squamous cell carcinoma in rats
Authors: Khiavi Monir Moradzadeh , Abdal Khadijeh , Abbasi Mehran Mesgari , Hamishehkar Hamed , Aghbali Amir Ala , Salehi Roya , Sina Mahmoud , Abdollahi Bita , Fotohi Soheila
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Combination treatments of chemotherapy and nanoparticle drug delivery have shown significant promise in cancer treatment. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of a nanodrug complex with its free form in the treatment of tongue squamous cell carcinoma induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in rats.

Methods:

In this study, 75 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was induced by using 4- nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) as a carcinogen. Newly formulated doxorubicin (DOX)-methotrexate (MTX)-loaded nanoparticles, and free DOX-MTX were administrated intravenously to rats. During the study, the animals were weighed once a week. At the end of the treatment, rats’ tongues were evaluated histopathologically.

Results:

There was significant difference between the mean weight of rats in groups A and B (P=0.001) and also groups A and K (P<0.001). No significant association was found between the mortality rate of groups. The difference between the severity of dysplasia of treated and untreated groups was significant (P<0.001).

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our study showed that DOX-MTX nanoparticle complex was more effective than free DOX-MTX in chemotherapy treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in rat models. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of the nanoparticle complex and its potential therapeutic application for different types of cancer.
Community based kangaroo mother care for low birth weight babies
Authors: Rasaily Reeta , Ganguly K. K. , Roy M. , Vani S. N. , Kharood N. , Kulkarni R. , Chauhan S. , Swain S. , Kanugo L.
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Kangaroo mother care (KMC - early continuous skin-to-skin contact between mother and infants) has been recommended as an alternative care for low birth weight infants. There is limited evidence in our country on KMC initiated at home. The present study was undertaken to study acceptability of KMC in different community settings.

Methods:

A community-based pilot study was carried out at three sites in the States of Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra covering rural, urban and rural tribal population, respectively. Trained health workers provided IEC (information, education and communication) on KMC during antenatal period along with essential newborn care messages. These messages were reinforced during the postnatal period. Outcome measures were the proportion of women accepting KMC, duration of KMC/day and total number of days continuing KMC. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were also carried out.

Results:

KMC was provided to 101 infants weighing 1500-2000 g; 57.4 per cent were preterm. Overall, 80.2 per cent mothers received health education on KMC during antenatal period, family members (68.3%) also attended KMC sessions along with pregnant women and 55.4 per cent of the women initiated KMC within 72 h of birth. KMC was provided on an average for five hours per day. Qualitative survey data indicated that the method was acceptable to mothers and family members; living in nuclear family, household work, twin pregnancy, hot weather, etc., were cited as reasons for not being able to practice KMC for a longer duration.

Interpretation & conclusions:

It was feasible to provide KMC using existing infrastructure, and the method was acceptable to most mothers of low birth infants.
Coverage & missed opportunity for Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Gorakhpur division, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2015
Authors: Murhekar Manoj V. , Oak Chinmay , Ranjan Prashant , Kanagasabai K. , Shinde Satish , Pandey Ashok Kumar , Mittal Mahima , Gore Milind , Mehendale Sanjay M.
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an important aetiology of acute encephalitis syndrome in Gorakhpur division, Uttar Pradesh, India. Two doses of JE vaccine (first during 9-12 months and second during 16-24 months of age) are administered under the Universal Immunization Programme. We conducted surveys to estimate the coverage of JE vaccine and magnitude of missed opportunity for vaccination (MoV) for JE in Gorakhpur division.

Methods:

To estimate the JE vaccine coverage, cluster surveys were conducted in four districts of Gorakhpur division by selecting 30 clusters by probability proportional to size method in each district, seven children aged 25-36 months were selected from each cluster and their mothers were interviewed about JE vaccination. To estimate the magnitude of MoV, exit surveys were conducted in vaccination clinics in selected health facilities, mothers were interviewed about the vaccination status of their children and vaccines administered to the child on the day of interview.

Results:

A total of 840 children were surveyed, 210 from each district. The coverages of one and two doses of JE vaccine in Gorakhpur division were 75 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 71.0-78.9] and 42.3 per cent (95% CI: 37.8-46.8), respectively. Facility-based exit survey indicated that 32.7 per cent of the eligible children missed JE vaccine.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The survey results showed that three of the four children aged 25-36 months in Gorakhpur division had received at least one dose of JE vaccine. The coverage of second dose of JE vaccine, however, was low. Failure to administer vaccination simultaneously was the most common reason for MoV for JE vaccine. Training vaccinators about correct vaccination schedule and removing their misconception about administering vaccines simultaneously would substantially improve JE vaccine coverage in Gorakhpur.
Patterns in antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonellae isolated at a tertiary care hospital in northern India
Authors: Behl Preeti , Gupta Varsha , Sachdev Atul , Guglani Vishal , Chander Jagdish
Published: May 2017

Background & objectives:

Multidrug-resistant Salmonellae have emerged worldwide as also in India. The aim of this study was to study the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella enterica serovars isolated at a tertiary care hospital in northern India.

Methods:

A total of 106 S. enterica serovars isolated from various clinical samples from January 2011 to June 2012 were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone was determined both by agar dilution method and E-test for all the isolates.

Results:

Salmonella Typhi (73.6%) was the predominant isolate followed by S. Paratyphi A (15.1%), S. Typhimurium (9.4%) and S. Enteritidis (1.9%). Of these, 34 (32.1%) were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC ≥1 μg/ml by agar dilution) with MIC90 of ciprofloxacin for S. Typhi, S. Paratyphi A and S. Typhimurium being 32, 4 and 1 μg/ml, respectively. All the isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol (MIC ≤8 μg/ml) and ceftriaxone (MIC ≤1 μg/ml). Disk diffusion method showed high susceptibility rates to cefotaxime (100%), azithromycin (93.4%) and co-trimoxazole (97.2%). Nalidixic acid resistance was seen in 105 (99.1%) isolates. Of the nalidixic acid-resistant strains, only 34 (32.3%) were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC ≥1 μg/ml).

Interpretation & conclusions:

This study showed an alarming increase in MIC to quinolones and re-emergence of susceptibility to conventional antibiotics among Salmonellae.
Rare cancers
Authors: Pillai Raveendran K. , Jayasree K.
Published: May 2017

Rare cancers account for about 22 per cent of all cancers diagnosed worldwide, disproportionately affecting some demographic groups, with an occurrence of less than 6 per 100,000 individuals annually. Many rare cancers in adults, adolescents and children are not curable, and patients and care providers have little option to take therapeutic decisions. The epidemiology of rare cancers is a challenging area of study but is inadequately addressed. Despite efforts mainly in some European nations, a few improvements have been observed in the management of rare cancers. Reasons for this obvious stagnation are multifactorial and are mainly inherent to logistical difficulties in carrying out clinical trials in very small patient populations, hesitation of the pharmaceutical industry to spend in small markets and complexity in creating adequate information for the development of cost-effective drugs. Rare cancers also face specific challenges that include late and incorrect diagnosis, lack of clinical expertise and lack of research interest and development of new therapies. The utilization of nationally representative study findings for the patients’ evaluation may possibly offer chances to find out pathogenesis and prevalence, and this will eventually lead to control and prevention. Currently, advancing targeted therapies offer a great opportunity for the better management of rare cancers. Conducting clinical trials with small patient population, innovative clinical trial approach, prevailing controlling obstacles for international cooperation and financial support for research are the present challenges for rare cancers. The International Rare Cancers Initiative functions as a main platform for achieving new international clinical trials in rare tumours. This review delineates the current challenges and issues in the interpretation, management and research scenarios of rare cancers.
Elliptic Zeta Functions and Equivariant Functions
Authors: Sebbar Abdellah , Al-Shbeil Isra
Published: May 2017

In this paper we establish a close connection between three notions attached to a modular subgroup, namely, the set of weight two meromorphic modular forms, the set of equivariant functions on the upper half-plane commuting with the action of the modular subgroup, and the set of elliptic zeta functions generalizing theWeierstrass zeta functions. In particular, we show that the equivariant functions can be parameterized by modular objects as well as by elliptic objects.
Knot homology via derived categories of coherent sheaves IV, coloured links
Authors: Cautis Sabin , Kamnitzer Joel
Published: May 2017

We define a deformation of our earlier link homologies for fundamental representations of

\mathfrak {sl}_m

. The deformed homology of a link is isomorphic to the deformed homology of the disjoint union of its components. Moreover, there exists a spectral sequence starting with the old homology and converging to this deformed homology.
Evaluation of the performance of different firefly algorithms to the economic load dispatch problem in electrical power systems
Authors: Moustafa Fatma Sayed , Badra N.M. , Abdelaziz Almoataz Y.
Published: May 2017

The planning, operation and control of electric power systems has attracted the attention of many researchers. Thus, effort is put in improving the efficiency of generation and operation of power plants. Economic load dispatch (ELD) is crucial since it is required to schedule committed generating units so as to meet load demand at minimum operating cost. In addition to satisfying all system equality and inequality constraints as well as limitations imposed on the generating units during operation. To solve the economic load dispatch problem, traditional and intelligent techniques were applied. Researchers have shown interest in utilizing metaheuristic methods to solve complex optimization problems in real life applications. In this paper, three alternatives of firefly algorithms are applied to solve the nonlinear ELD problem. A comparative study is carried out on the solution of ELD problem using those recent variants and the classical firefly algorithm for different test cases. Efficiency is evaluated by comparing best solutions obtained in terms of execution time, fuel cost and power loss.Keywords: Economic load dispatch, Firefly algorithm, Modified firefly, Memetic firefly, and Variable step size firefly
Analysis of horizontal axis wind turbine blade using CFD
Authors: Nigam P.K. , Tenguria Nitin , Pradhan M.K.
Published: May 2017

Blade is very essential part of HAWT (horizontal axis wind turbine). Forces for Lift and drag on the blade has an important role in the wind turbine performance. The main purpose of this work is to perform CFD analysis of a blade and airfoil of wind turbine using k-ω SST model. In this present study NACA 634 -221 airfoil profile is taken for the modeling and then analysis of the blade. The lift and drag forces are calculated for the blade at different AOA (angle of attack). For present work the blade length is taken 38.98 meter, which is a redesigned blade for VESTAS V82-1.65MW horizontal axis wind turbine blade. Results obtained from simulation are compared with the experimental work found in literature.Keywords: Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine, CFD, ANSYS, Airfoil
Multi responses optimization of wire EDM process parameters using Taguchi approach coupled with principal component analysis methodology
Authors: Dhakad Anil Kumar , Vimal Jyoti
Published: May 2017

The wire EDM was known as for its better efficiency to machining hardest material and give precise and accurate result comparing to other machining process. The intent of this experimental paper is to optimize the machining parameters of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) on En45A Alloy Steel with the approach of Principal component Analysis (PCA). Three control variables Open Voltage (OV), Servo Voltage (SV), & Wire Feed (WF) are considered in this study to see their effect on three responses ie. Metal Removal Rate (MRR), Machining Time (MT) and Gap voltage (GV). The experiment has been conducted as per Taguchi’s L9 Orthogonal Array (OA). The Total principal component index (TPCI) is find out by using PCA methodology. There after ANOVA is applied to find out the percentage contribution of the process variables. It has been found that the open voltage (OV) is the most effecting variable on multiple responses.Keywords: En45A alloy steel, wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), Taguchi’s orthogonal array (OA), Principal component analysis (PCA), ANOVA
?We All Black Innit??: Analysing Relations between African and African-Caribbean Groups in Britain
Authors: Owusu-Kwarteng Louise
Published: May 2017

‘We all Black innit?’ examines relationships between African and African-Caribbean communities in Britain. Historically, these groups have formed coalitions, especially in times of difficulty, for example in resistances against racism. Yet media coverage and academic research studies have highlighted ‘tensions’ between African and Caribbean migrants, especially those arriving from the latter stages of World War 2 and during the 1960s (Mwakigale 2007, Benson 1981). However, this research is limited and focuses specifically on the views and experiences of that particular generation. Very little, if any academic research considers the views and perceptions of second and third generation British born people of African and African-Caribbean descent, although plays, books and, more recently films have begun to explore this issue (see for example, Femi Oguns, Torn (2008) and Bola Agbaje's Gone Too Far (2013). Therefore, the following research draws on interviews with second and third generation British African and African Caribbean people to assess whether tensions still exist between the two groups, and if so, the potential causes, and if they replicate those of previous generations. Conversely it may be that there has been reconcilement between them, and establishment of new ‘race based coalitions’ (Rogers 2004). Again, the research considers the factors which may have contributed to this.
Significance Testing is Still Wrong, and Damages Real Lives: A Brief Reply to Spreckelsen and Van Der Horst, and Nicholson and McCusker
Authors: Gorard Stephen
Published: May 2017

This paper is a brief reply to two responses to a paper I published previously in this journal. In that first paper I presented a summary of part of the long-standing literature critical of the use of significance testing in real-life research, and reported again on how significance testing is abused, leading to invalid and therefore potentially damaging research outcomes. I illustrated and explained the inverse logic error that is routinely used in significance testing, and argued that all of this should now cease. Although clearly disagreeing with me, neither of the responses to my paper addressed these issues head on. One focussed mainly on arguing with things I had not said (such as that there are no other problems in social science). The other tried to argue either that the inverse logic error is not prevalent, or that there is some other unspecified way of presenting the results of significance testing that does not involve this error. This reply paper summarises my original points, deals with each response paper in turn, and then turns to an examination of how the responders use significance testing in practice in their own studies. All of them use significance testing exactly as I described in the original paper – with non-random cases, and using the probability of the observed data erroneously as though it were the probability of the hypothesis assumed in order to calculate the probability of the observed data.
XBAER derived aerosol optical thickness from OLCI/Sentinel-3 observation
Authors: Mei Linlu , Rozanov Vladimir , Vountas Marco , Burrows John P. , Richter Andreas
Published: May 2017

Abstract. A prolonged pollution haze event occurred in the northeast part of China during December 16–21, 2016. To assess the impact of such events, the amounts and distribution of aerosol particles formed in such events need to be quantified. The newly launched Ocean Land Color Instrument (OLCI) onboard Sentinel-3 is the successor of the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS). It provides measurements of the radiance and reflectance at the top of the atmosphere which can be used to retrieve the Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) on both synoptic to global scales. In this paper, the recently developed AOT retrieval algorithm – eXtensible Bremen AErosol Retrieval (XBAER) has been applied to data from the OLCI instrument for the first time to inlustrate the feasibility of transferring XBAER to new instrument. The first global retrieval results show similar patterns as MODIS and MISR aerosol products. The AOT retrieved from OLCI is validated by comparison with AERONET observations and a correlation coefficient of 0.819 and bias (root mean square) of 0.115 is obtained. The haze episode is well-captured by the OLCI-derived AOT product. XBAER is shown to retrieve AOT from the observations of MERIS and OLCI.
Mixing layer height on the North China Plain and meteorological
evidence of serious air pollution in southern Hebei
Authors: Zhu Xiaowan , Tang Guiqian , Guo Jianping , Hu Bo , Song Tao , Wang Lili , Xin Jinyuan , Gao Wenkang , Münkel Christoph , Schäfer Klaus , Li Xin , Wang Yuesi
Published: May 2017

Abstract. To investigate the spatiotemporal variability of regional mixing layer height (MLH) on the North China Plain (NCP), multi-site and long-term observations of MLH with ceilometers at three inland stations [e.g., Beijing (BJ), Shijiazhuang (SJZ), Tianjin (TJ)] and one coastal site [e.g., Qinhuangdao (QHD)] were conducted from 16 October 2013 to 15 July 2015. The MLH at the inland stations on the NCP were highest in summer and lowest in winter, while the MLH in the coastal area of Bohai was lowest in summer and highest in spring. The regional MLH developed the earliest in summer (at approximately 7:00 LT) and reached the highest growth rates (164.5 m h−1) at approximately 11:00 LT, while in winter, the regional MLH developed much later (at approximately 9:00 LT), with the maximum growth rates (101.8 m h−1) occurring at 11:00 LT. As a typical site in southern Hebei, the annual mean of MLH at SJZ was 464 ± 183 m, which was 15.0 % and 21.9 % lower than that at the BJ (594 ± 183 m) and TJ (546 ± 197 m) stations, respectively. Investigation of radiation and wind shear at NCP revealed that the net radiation was almost consistent on a regional scale, and the lower MLH in southern Hebei was mainly due to the 1.9–2.8-fold higher intensity of wind shear on the northern NCP than in southern Hebei at an altitude of 300–1700 m. Furthermore, the ventilation coefficient and the relative humidity in southern Hebei were 1.1–2.1 times smaller and 13.2–22.1 % higher than that on the northern NCP, respectively. As a result, severe haze pollution occurred much more readily in southern Hebei and the annual means of near-ground PM2.5 concentrations were almost 1.3 times higher than those of the northern areas. Due to the unfavorable weather conditions, industrial capacity should be reduced in southern Hebei, heavily polluting enterprises should be relocated and strong emission reduction measures are required to improve the air quality.
Hemispheric asymmetry in stratospheric NO2 trends
Authors: Yela Margarita , Gil-Ojeda Manuel , Navarro-Comas Mónica , González-Bartolomé David , Puentedura Olga , Funke Bernd , Iglesias Javier , Rodríguez Santiago , García Omaira , Ochoa Hector , Deferrari Guillermo
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Over twenty years of stratospheric NO2 vertical column density (VCD) data from ground-based zenith DOAS spectrometers was used for trend analysis, specifically, via multiple linear regression. Spectrometers from the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) cover the subtropical latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere (Izaña, 28° N), southern Subantarctica (Ushuaia, 55° S) and Antarctica (Marambio, 64° S and Belgrano, 78° S). The results show that for the period 1993–2014, a mean positive decadal trend of +8.7 % was found in the subtropical Northern Hemisphere stations, and negative decadal trends of −9.1 % and −13.8 % were found in the Southern Hemisphere at Ushuaia and Marambio, respectively; all trends are statistically significant at 95 %. Belgrano only shows a significant decadal trend of −11.3 % in the summer/autumn period. Most of the trends result from variations after 2005. The trend in the diurnal build up per hour (DBU) was used to estimate the change in the rate of N2O5 conversion to NO2 during the day. With minor differences, the results reproduce those obtained for NO2. The trends computed for individual months show large month-to-month variability. At Izaña, the maximum occurs in December (+13.1 %), dropping abruptly to lower values in the first part of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, the polar vortex dominates the monthly distributions of the trends. At Marambio, the maximum occurs in the mid-winter (−21 %), whereas at the same time, the Ushuaia trend is close to its annual minimum (−7 %). The large difference in the trends at these two relatively close stations suggests a vortex shift towards the Atlantic/South American area over the past few years. Finally, the hemispheric asymmetry obtained in this work is discussed in the frame of the results obtained by previous works that considered tracer analysis and Brewer-Dobson circulation. The results obtained here provide evidence that the NO2 produced by N2O decomposition is not the only cause of the observed trend in the stratosphere and support recent publications pointing to a dynamical redistribution starting in the past decade.
Influence of temperature on the molecular composition of ions and charged clusters during pure biogenic nucleation
Authors: Frege Carla , Ortega Ismael K. , Rissanen Matti P. , Praplan Arnaud P. , Steiner Gerhard , Heinritzi Martin , Ahonen Lauri , Amorim António , Bernhammer Anne-Kathrin , Bianchi Federico , Brilke Sophia , Breitenlechner Martin , Dada Lubna , Dias António , Duplissy Jonathan , Ehrhart Sebastian , El-Haddad Imad , Fischer Lukas , Fuchs Claudia , Garmash Olga , Gonin Marc , Hansel Armin , Hoyle Christopher R. , Jokinen Tuija , Junninen Heikki , Kirkby Jasper , Kürten Andreas , Lehtipalo Katrianne , Leiminger Markus , Mauldin Roy Lee , Molteni Ugo , Nichman Leonid , Petäjä Tuukka , Sarnela Nina , Schobesberger Siegfried , Simon Mario , Sipilä Mikko , Stolzenburg Dominik , Tomé António , Vogel Alexander L. , Wagner Andrea , Wagner Robert , Xiao Mao , Yan Chao , Ye Penglin , Curtius Joachim , Donahue Neil M. , Flagan Rick C. , Kulmala Markku , Worsnop Douglas R. , Winkler Paul M. , Dommen Josef , Baltensperger Urs
Published: May 2017

Abstract. It was recently shown by the CERN CLOUD experiment that biogenic highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) form particles under atmospheric conditions in the absence of sulfuric acid where ions enhance the nucleation rate by one to two orders of magnitude. The biogenic HOMs were produced from ozonolysis of α-pinene at 5 °C. Here we extend this study to compare the molecular composition of positive and negative HOM clusters measured with atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight mass spectrometers (APi-TOFs), at three different temperatures (25 °C, 5 °C and −25 °C). Most negative HOM clusters include a nitrate (NO3−) ion and the spectra are similar to those seen in the nighttime boreal forest. On the other hand, most positive HOM clusters include an ammonium (NH4+) ion and the spectra are characterized by mass bands that differ in their molecular weight by ~ 20 C atoms, corresponding to HOM dimers. At lower temperatures the average oxygen to carbon (O : C) ratio of the HOM clusters decreases for both polarities, reflecting an overall reduction of HOM formation with decreasing temperature. This indicates a decrease in the rate of autoxidation with temperature due to a rather high activation energy as has previously been determined by quantum chemical calculations. Furthermore, at the lowest temperature (−25 °C) the presence of C30 clusters show that HOM monomers start to contribute to the nucleation of positive clusters. These experimental findings are supported by quantum chemical calculations of the binding energies of representative neutral and charged clusters.
Sensitivity of surface temperature to radiative forcing by cirrus and
contrails in a radiative-convective model
Authors: Schumann Ulrich , Mayer Bernhard
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Earth surface temperature changes induced by added thin cirrus or contrails are investigated with a radiative-convective-diffusive model, basically without climate system changes, with relaxation of the temperature profile by radiation and mixing. The conceptual study shows that the surface temperature sensitivity to cirrus depends strongly on the ratio of the time scales of energy transport by mixing and radiation, where mixing may include turbulent diffusion, convection and transports by the large-scale circulation. The time scales are derived for steady layered heating (ghost-forcing) and for a transient cirrus case. The time scales are shortest at the surface and shorter in the troposphere than in the mid-stratosphere. Heat induced by cirrus in the upper troposphere reaches the surface only for strong vertical mixing. The local surface-temperature sensitivity to adjusted radiative forcing (RF) is larger for the shortwave (SW) than the longwave (LW) cirrus forcing. For weak mixing, cirrus may cool the surface even if the cirrus causes a positive instantaneous or stratosphere-adjusted radiative forcing (RF) at the tropopause. The shorter time scales near the surface indicate a potential for dominant SW surface cooling regionally where cirrus or contrails form, while weak LW warming may dominate at larger distances.
The Horizontal Ice Nucleation Chamber HINC: INP measurements at
Conditions Relevant for Mixed-Phase Clouds at the High Altitude
Research Station Jungfraujoch
Authors: Lacher Larissa , Lohmann Ulrike , Boose Yvonne , Zipori Assaf , Herrmann Erik , Bukowiecki Nicolas , Steinbacher Martin , Kanji Zamin A.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. In this work we describe the Horizontal Ice Nucleation Chamber, HINC as a new instrument to measure ambient ice nucleating particle (INP) concentrations for conditions relevant to mixed-phase clouds. Laboratory verification and validation experiments confirm accuracy of the thermodynamic conditions of temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) in HINC with uncertainties in temperature of ±0.4 K and in RH with respect to water (RHw) of ±1.5 %, which translates to an uncertainty in RH with respect to ice (RHi) of ±3.0 % at T > 235 K. For further validation of HINC as a field instrument, two measurement campaigns were conducted in winters 2015 and 2016 at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch (JFJ; Switzerland, 3580 m a.s.l.) to sample ambient INPs. During winters 2015 and 2016 the site encountered free tropospheric conditions 92 % and 79 % of the time respectively. We measured INP concentrations at 242 K at water sub-saturated conditions (RHw = 94 %), relevant for the formation of ice clouds, and in the water supersaturated regime (RHw = 103–104 %) to represent ice formation occurring under mixed-phase cloud conditions. In winter 2015 and 2016 the median INP concentrations at RHw = 94 % was below the minimum detectable concentration. At RHw = 104 %, INP concentrations were an order of magnitude higher, with median concentrations in winter 2015 of 2.8 per standard liter (stdL−1; normalized to standard temperature T = 273 K and pressure p = 1013 hPa) and 4.7 stdL−1 in winter 2016. The measurements are in agreement with previous winter measurements obtained with the Portable Ice Nucleation Chamber, PINC, of 2.2 stdL−1 at the same location. During winter 2015, two events caused the INP concentrations at RHw = 103–104 % to significantly increase above the campaign average. First, an increase to 72.1 stdL−1 was measured during an event influenced by marine air, coming from the Northern Sea and the Norwegian Sea. Second, INP concentrations up to 146.2 stdL−1 were observed during a Saharan dust event. To our knowledge this is the first time that a clear enrichment in ambient INP concentration is observed during a time of marine air mass influence, indicating the importance of marine particles on ice nucleation in the free troposphere.
Quality assessment of integrated water vapour measurements at St. Petersburg site, Russia: FTIR vs. MW and GPS techniques
Authors: Virolainen Yana A. , Timofeyev Yury M. , Kostsov Vladimir S. , Ionov Dmitry V. , Kalinnikov Vladislav V. , Makarova Maria V. , Poberovsky Anatoly V. , Zaitsev Nikita A. , Imhasin Hamud H. , Polyakov Alexander V. , Schneider Matthias , Hase Frank , Barthlott Sabine , Blumenstock Thomas
Published: May 2017

Abstract. The cross-comparison of different techniques for atmospheric integrated water vapour (IWV) measurements is the essential part of their quality assessment protocol. We inter-compare the synchronised data sets of IWV values measured by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer Bruker 125 HR (FTIR), microwave radiometer RPG-HATPRO (MW) and global navigation satellite system receiver Novatel ProPak-V3 (GPS) at St. Petersburg site between August 2014 and October 2016. Generally, all three techniques agree well with each other and therefore are suitable for monitoring IWV values at St. Petersburg site. We show that GPS and MW data quality depends on the atmospheric conditions; in dry atmosphere (IWV smaller than 6 mm), these techniques are less reliable at St. Petersburg site than the FTIR method. We evaluate the upper bound of statistical measurement errors for clear-sky conditions as 0.33 ± 0.03 mm (2.0 ± 0.3 %), 0.54 ± 0.03 mm (4.5 ± 0.3 %), and 0.76 ± 0.04 mm (6.3 ± 0.7 %) for FTIR, GPS and MW methods, respectively. We conclude that accurate spatial and temporal matching of different IWV measurements is necessary for achieving the better agreement between various methods for IWV monitoring.
Vertical profile of tropospheric ozone derived from synergetic retrieval using three different wavelength ranges, UV, IR, and Microwave: sensitivity study for satellite observation
Authors: Kasai Yasuko , Sato Tomohiro O. , Sato Takao M. , Sagawa Hideo , Noguchi Katsuyuki , Saitoh Naoko , Irie Hitoshi , Kita Kazuyuki , Mahani Mona E. , Zettsu Koji , Imasu Ryoichi , Hayashida Sachiko
Published: May 2017

Abstract. We performed a quantitative feasibility study of constraining the vertical profile of the amount of ozone in the troposphere by using a synergetic retrieval method on multiple spectra, i.e., ultraviolet (UV), thermal infrared (TIR) and microwave (MW) ranges, measured from space. Twenty atmospheric scenarios for East Asia in summer and winter seasons were assumed in this study. Geometry of line-of-sight was nadir down-looking for UV and TIR measurements, and limb-sounding for MW measurement. The sensitivities of retrieved ozone in the upper troposphere (UT), middle troposphere (MT) and lowermost troposphere (LMT) were estimated using values of the degree of freedom for signal (DFS), partial column error, and averaging kernel matrix, derived based on the optimal estimation method. The measurement noises were assumed at the same level as the currently available instruments. The weighting functions for the UV, TIR and MW ranges were calculated using the SCIATRAN radiative transfer model, the Line-By-Line Radiative Transfer Model, and the Advanced Model for Atmospheric Terahertz Radiation Analysis and Simulation, respectively. In the UT region, the DFS value was enhanced by about 200 % by adding the MW measurements to the combination of UV and TIR measurements. We found that the DFS value of the LMT ozone was increased by approximately 40 % by adding the MW measurements to the combination of UV and TIR measurements; nevertheless, the MW measurement alone has no sensitivity for the LMT ozone. Better information of the LMT ozone can be educed by adding constraints on the UT and MT ozone from the MW measurement. The results of this study will be implemented in the Japanese air-quality monitoring missions, APOLLO, GMAP-Asia and uvSCOPE.
Plant functional types, nutrients and hydrology drive carbon cycling along a transect in an anthropogenically altered Canadian peatland complex
Authors: Berger Sina , Praetzel Leandra , Goebel Marie , Blodau Christian , Knorr Klaus-Holger
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Peatlands play an important role in global carbon cycling, however, the response of peatland carbon fluxes to anthropogenically changed hydrologic conditions and long-term infiltration of nutrients is still understudied. Along a transect of 4 study sites, spanning from largely pristine to strongly altered conditions within the Wylde Lake peatland complex in Ontario (Canada), we monitored carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes at the soil/atmosphere interface and DIC and CH4 concentrations in the peat profiles from April 2014 through September 2015. Moreover, we applied δ13C-CH4 and δ13C-CO2 stable isotope abundance analyses to examine CH4 and CO2 production and consumption as well as the dominant CH4 emission pathways during the growing season of 2015. We found that a graminoid-moss dominated site, which was exposed to wet conditions and long-term infiltration of nutrients, was a great sink of CO2 (2260 ± 480 g CO2 m−2) but a great source of CH4 (61.4 ± 32 g CH4 m−2). Comparably low δ13C-CH4 signatures (−62.30 ± 5.54 ‰) indicated only low mitigation of CH4 emission by methanotrophic activity here. On the contrary, a shrub dominated site, which has been subjected to similarly high moisture conditions and loads of nutrients, was a much weaker sink of CO2 (1093 ± 794 g CO2 m−2) as compared with all other sites. The shrub dominated site featured notably low DIC concentrations in the peat as well as comparably 13C enriched CH4 (δ13C-CH4: −57.81 ± 7.03 ‰) and depleted CO2 (δ13C-CO2: −15.85 ± 3.61 ‰) in a more decomposed and surficial aerated peat, suggesting a higher share of CH4 oxidation. Plant mediated transport was the prevailing methane emission pathway throughout the summer of 2015 among all sites, even where graminoids covered only 10 % of the area. Our study provides insight into the accelerated carbon cycling of a strongly altered peatland and our results supported earlier findings, that strongly altered, shrub dominated peatlands may turn into weak carbon sinks or even sources, while a graminoid-moss dominance may maintain the peatland's carbon storage function.