bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the functional form of particle number size distributions:
influence of particle source and meteorological variables
Authors: Cugerone Katia , De Michele Carlo , Ghezzi Antonio , Gianelle Vorne , Gilardoni Stefania
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Particle number size distributions (PNSDs) have been collected periodically in Milan urban area, Italy, during 2011 and 2012 in winter and summer months. Moreover, comparable PNSD measurements were carried out in the rural mountain site of Oga-San Colombano (2250 m a.s.l.), Italy, during February 2005 and August 2011. The aerosol data have been measured through the use of Optical Particle Counters in the size range 0.3–25 µm, mainly belonging to the coarse mode (PMcoarse), with a time resolution of one minute. The comparison of the PNSDs collected in the two sites has been done in terms of total number concentration, showing higher numbers in Milan (often exceeding 103 cm−3 in winter season) compared to Oga-San Colombano (not greater than 2 ∙ 102 cm−3), as expected. The skewness-kurtosis plane has been used in order to provide a synoptic view, and select the best distribution family describing the empirical PNSD pattern. The four-parameter Johnson SB (JSB) distribution has been tested for this aim, due to its great flexibility and ability of assuming different shapes. The PNSD pattern has been found to be generally invariant under site and season changes. Nevertheless, several PNSDs belonging to Milan winter season (generally more than 30 %) clearly deviate from the standard empirical pattern. The seasonal increase of the concentration of primary aerosols due to combustion processes in winter and the influence of weather variables, such as precipitation and wind speed, throughout the year, could be considered plausible explanations of PNSD dynamics.
Impacts of aerosol direct effects on tropospheric ozone through changes in atmospheric dynamics and photolysis rates
Authors: Xing Jia , Wang Jiandong , Mathur Rohit , Wang Shuxiao , Sarwar Golam , Pleim Jonathan , Hogrefe Christian , Zhang Yuqiang , Jiang Jingkun , Wong David C. , Hao Jiming
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Aerosol direct effects (ADE), i.e., scattering and absorption of incoming solar radiation, reduce radiation reaching the ground and the resultant photolysis attenuation can decrease ozone (O3) formation in polluted areas. One the other hand, evidence also suggests that ADE associated cooling suppresses atmospheric ventilation thereby enhancing surface-level O3. Assessment of ADE impacts is thus important for understanding emission reduction strategies that seek co-benefits associated with reductions in both particulate matter and O3 levels. This study quantifies the impacts of ADE on tropospheric ozone by using a two-way online coupled meteorology and atmospheric chemistry model, WRF-CMAQ, instrumented with process analysis methodology. Two manifestations of ADE impacts on O3 including changes in atmospheric dynamics (ΔDynamics) and changes in photolysis rates (ΔPhotolysis) were assessed separately through multiple scenario simulations for January and July of 2013 over China. Results suggest that ADE reduced surface daily maxima 1 h O3 (DM1O3) in China by up to 39 μg m-3 through the combination of ΔDynamics and ΔPhotolysis in January, but enhanced surface DM1O3 by up to 4 μg m-3 in July. Increased O3 in July is largely attributed to ΔDynamics which causes a weaker O3 sink of dry deposition and a stronger O3 source of photochemistry due to the stabilization of atmosphere. Meanwhile, surface OH is also enhanced at noon in July, though its daytime average values are reduced in January. An increased OH chain length and a shift towards more VOC-limited condition are found due to ADE in both January and July. This study suggests that reducing ADE may have potential risk of increasing O3 in winter, but it will benefit the reduction of maxima O3 in summer.
Advanced error diagnostics of the CMAQ and Chimere modelling systems within the AQMEII3 model evaluation framework
Authors: Solazzo Efisio , Hogrefe Christian , Colette Augustin , Garcia-Vivanco Marta , Galmarini Stefano
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The work here complements the overview analysis of the modelling systems participating in the third phase of the Air Quality Model Evaluation International Initiative (AQMEII3) by focusing on the performance for hourly surface ozone by two modelling systems, Chimere for Europe and CMAQ for North America. The evaluation strategy outlined in the course of the three phases of the AQMEII activity, aimed to build up a diagnostic methodology for model evaluation, is pursued here and novel diagnostic methods are proposed. In addition to evaluating the base case simulation in which all model components are configured in their standard mode, the analysis also makes use of sensitivity simulations in which the models have been applied by altering and/or zeroing lateral boundary conditions, emissions of anthropogenic precursors, and ozone dry deposition. To help understand of the causes of model deficiencies, the error components (bias, variance, and covariance) of the base case and of the sensitivity runs are analysed in conjunction with time-scale considerations and error modelling using the available error fields of temperature, wind speed, and NOx concentration. The results reveal the effectiveness and diagnostic power of the methods devised (which remains the main scope of this study), allowing the detection of the time scale and the fields that the two models are most sensitive to. The representation of planetary boundary layers (PBL) dynamics is pivotal to both models. In particular: i) The fluctuations slower than −1.5 days account for 70–85 % of the total ozone quadratic error; ii) A recursive, systematic error with daily periodicity is detected, responsible for 10–20 % of the quadratic total error; iii) Errors in representing the timing of the daily transition between stability regimes in the PBL are responsible for a covariance error as large as 9 ppb (as much as the standard deviation of the network-average ozone observations in summer in both Europe and North America); iv) The CMAQ ozone error has a weak/negligible dependence on the errors in NO2 and wind speed, while the error in NO2 significantly impacts the ozone error produced by Chimere; v) On a continent wide monitoring network-average, a zeroing out of anthropogenic emissions produces an error increase of 45 % (25 %) during summer and of 56 % (null) during winter for Chimere (CMAQ), while a zeroing out of lateral boundary conditions results in an ozone error increase of 30 % during summer and of 180 % during winter (CMAQ).
Effect of water vapour absorption on hydroxyl temperatures measured from Svalbard
Authors: Chadney Joshua M. , Whiter Daniel K. , Lanchester Betty S.
Published: March 2017

Abstract. We model absorption by atmospheric water vapour of hydroxyl airglow emission using the HIgh-resolution TRANsmission molecular absorption database (HITRAN2012). Transmission coefficients are provided as a function of water vapour column density for the strongest OH Meinel emission lines in the (8–3), (5–1), (9–4), (8–4), and (6–2) vibrational bands. These coefficients are used to determine precise OH(8–3) rotational temperatures from spectra measured by the High Throughput Imaging Echelle Spectrograph (HiTIES), installed at the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO), Svalbard. The method described in this paper also allows us to estimate atmospheric water vapour content using the HiTIES instrument.
River logjams cause frequent large-scale forest die-off
events in Southwestern Amazonia
Authors: Lombardo Umberto
Published: March 2017

Abstract. This paper investigates the dynamics of logjam-induced floods and alluvium deposition in the Bolivian Amazon and the effects these have on forest disturbance/recovery cycles. It expands on previous work by Gullison et al (1996) who reported a case of catastrophic floods triggered by logjams in the Chimane Forest on the Bolivian Amazon. No further studies have followed up on this observation and no research has been published on the effects of large wood in tropical lowland rivers. The study is based on the analysis of a time series of Landsat imagery (1984–2016) and field evidence. Results show that logjam-induced floods are a major driver of forest disturbance along the Andean piedmont in the Bolivian Amazon. Logjams form on an almost yearly basis and migrate upriver until an avulsion takes place. Logjam-induced floods are here characterized by a sudden deposition of a thick sand layer and the death of forest in a V-shaped area. The Bolivian Amazon offers a unique opportunity to further research on how large wood affects river behavior in lowland tropical settings and how large and frequent forest disturbance events resulting from river logjams affect forest biodiversity and community successions.
Seabed images from Southern Ocean shelf regions off the northern
Antarctic Peninsula and in the southeastern Weddell Sea
Authors: Piepenburg Dieter , Buschmann Alexander , Driemel Amelie , Grobe Hannes , Gutt Julian , Schumacher Stefanie , Segelken-Voigt Alexandra , Sieger Rainer
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Recent advances in underwater imaging technology allow for gathering invaluable scientific information on sea- floor ecosystems, such as direct in-situ views of seabed habitats and quantitative data on composition, diversity, abundance and distribution of epibenthic fauna. The imaging approach has been extensively used within the research project Dynamics of Antarctic Marine Shelf Ecosystems (DynAMo) of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research Bremerhaven (AWI), which aimed to comparatively assess the pace and quality of the dynamics of Southern Ocean benthos. Within this framework, epibenthic spatial distribution patterns have been comparatively investigated in two regions of the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, the shelf areas off the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, representing a region with above-average warming of surface waters and sea-ice reduction, and the shelves of the eastern Weddell Sea, as an example of a stable high-Antarctic marine environment that is not (yet) affected by climate change. The Ocean Floor Observation System (OFOS) of the AWI was used to collect seabed imagery during two cruises of the German research vessel Polarstern, ANT-XXIX/3 (PS81) to the Antarctic Peninsula in January–March 2013 and ANT-XXXI/2 (PS96) to the Weddell Sea from December 2015 to February 2016. Here, we report on the image and data collections gathered during these cruises. During PS81, OFOS was successfully deployed at a total of 31 stations at water depths between 29 and 784 m. At most stations, series of 500 to 530 pictures (> 15,000 in total, each depicting a seabed area of approx. 3.45 m2 (= 2.3 m × 1.5 m)) were taken along transects of approx. 3.7 km length. During PS96, OFOS was used at a total of 13 stations at water depths between 200 and 754 m, yielding series of 110 to 293 photos (2,670 in total) along transects of 0.9 to 2.6 km length. All seabed images taken during the two cruises, including metadata, are available from the data publisher PANGAEA via the two persistent identifiers doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.872719 (for PS81) and doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.862097 (for PS96).
Modelling liquid water transport in snow under rain-on-snow conditions – considering preferential flow
Authors: Würzer Sebastian , Wever Nander , Juras Roman , Lehning Michael , Jonas Tobias
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Rain on snow (ROS) has the potential to generate severe floods. Thus, precisely predicting the effect of an approaching ROS event on runoff formation is very important. Data analyses from past ROS events have shown that a snowpack experiencing ROS can either release runoff immediately or delay it considerably. This delay is a result of refreeze of liquid water and water transport, which in turn is dependent on snow grain properties but also on the presence of structures such as ice layers or capillary barriers. During sprinkling experiments, preferential flow was found to be a process that critically impacted the timing of snowpack runoff. However, current one-dimensional operational snowpack models are not capable of addressing this phenomenon. For this study, the detailed physics-based snowpack model SNOWPACK is extended with a water transport scheme accounting for preferential flow. The implemented Richards equation solver is modified using a dual-domain approach to simulate water transport under preferential flow conditions. To validate the presented approach, we used an extensive dataset of over 100 ROS events from several locations in the European Alps, comprising meteorological and snowpack measurements as well as snow lysimeter runoff data. The model was tested under a variety of initial snowpack conditions, including cold, ripe, stratified and homogeneous snow. Results show that the model accounting for preferential flow demonstrated an improved overall performance, where in particular the onset of snowpack runoff was captured better. While the improvements were ambiguous for experiments on isothermal wet snow, they were pronounced for experiments on cold snowpacks, where field experiments found preferential flow to be especially prevalent.
The Mediterranean outflow in the Strait of Gibraltar and its connection with upstream conditions in the Alborán Sea
Authors: García-Lafuente Jesús , Naranjo Cristina , Sammartino Simone , Sánchez-Garrido José C. , Delgado Javier
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The present study addresses the hypothesis that the Western Alborán Gyre in the Alborán Sea (the westernmost Mediterranean basin adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar) influences the composition of the outflow through the Strait of Gibraltar. The process invoked is that strong and well-developed gyres help to evacuate the Western Mediterranean Deep Water from the Alborán basin, thus increasing its presence in the outflow, whereas weak gyres facilitate the outflow of Levantine and other intermediate waters. To this aim, in situ observations collected at the Camarinal (the main) and Espartel (the westernmost) sills of the strait have been analysed along with altimetry data, which were employed to obtain a proxy of the strength of the gyre. An encouraging correlation of the expected sign was observed between the time series of potential temperature at the Espartel Sill, which is shown to keep information on the outflow composition, and the proxy of the Western Alborán Gyre, suggesting the correctness of the hypothesis, although the weakness of the involved signals does not allow for drawing definitive conclusions.
Announcement of Retraction
Authors: Williams Richard
Published: March 2017

The editorial board announced this article has been retracted on November 12, 2018.If you have any further question, please contact us at: jas@macrothink.org
High satisfaction ratings in an orthogeriatric ward: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Abrahamsen Charlotte , Draborg Eva , Nørgaard Birgitte
Published: March 2017

Patients’ experiences and satisfaction should be incorporated when quality of healthcare is assessed as patients offer key insights into the quality of care and treatment. Over a period of 12 months, 236 elderly patients (+65 years) with hip fracture, vertebral fracture or other appendicular fractures were questioned concerning their satisfaction and experience of admission to an orthogeriatric unit. Research nurses questioned the patients using an electronic questionnaire. Our survey documents a high level of satisfaction with the clinical elements of orthogeriatric care. On average 80% of the patients felt respected by professionals all or most of the time; 72% felt confident at discharge. Equally large groups preferred very much, little or no involvement; and 74% of the patients preferred family involvement. In total, 64% felt the extent of their own involvement in care and treatment had been appropriate, while 52% felt this was the case for family involvement. Some patients reported no experience of training or ward rounds taking place, no opportunity to speak with a physician when needed, and receiving no information about waiting time. Our results contribute to the limited knowledge concerning the satisfaction and experiences of orthogeriatric in-hospital patients.
Effect of Prevalent Supervisory Styles on Teaching Performance in Kuwaiti High Schools
Authors: Aldaihani Sultan G.
Published: March 2017

Purpose: This study sought to identify the importance of supervision in Kuwaiti high schools from the viewpoints of heads of departments and school teachers, as well as identifying the gap between ideal and prevalent supervisory styles in Kuwaiti high schools and determining the effects of supervision on teachers’ professional performance. Methodology: The researcher took a qualitative approach, using structured interviews with a study sample represented by six heads of departments and six teachers from two high schools in Kuwait. Findings: It was found that supervision as a tool for continuous improvement in the school system positively affected the school climate. There was a gap between actual and ideal supervisory styles in the schools studied. Supervision had a positive effect on the professional performance of teachers; supervisors’ notes and observations helped teachers in identifying their shortcomings and modifying their behavior accordingly. Challenges to the effective implementation of supervision in high schools included unsuitable supervisory practices, loss of connection between the teacher and the supervisor, teacher resistance to support, and lack of meaningful feedback. Recommendations: It is necessary to employ advanced supervisory styles in order to cope with the changes in the surrounding environment. Further study will help to determine the effect of supervision on the relationship between teachers and students.
Information Resources Co-construction and Sharing of Higher Education
Authors: Tian Juan
Published: March 2017

With the rapid development of information technology and education, there occurred several problems in higher education information resource construction and sharing, such as incomplete infrastructure, low overall resources level, insufficient information resources application, low teachers' information literacy and imperfect resource sharing mechanism. Under the current environment, it’s necessary to establish a set of information resources co-construction and sharing education service system to balance resources sharing and improve the sharing mechanism. Also to improve colleges’ management, to promote college teachers' development, to adapt to ubiquitous learning and to realize resource sharing.
The Importance of Multicultural Education in Schools in the Era of ASEAN Economic Community
Authors: Arifin Imron , Hermino Agustinus
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding importance of multicultural education for students in the schools relate with diversity in the era of Asean Economic Community. The ASEAN, which groups eleven countries, is a very diverse region, with different dynamics that are owned by their respective countries, particularly when associated with education. Diversities can be seen from the many islands, ethnicity, culture, language and religion. Regardless all those differences, these eleven countries share a similar emphasis on human resource development as a key in developing the whole nation to enter the knowledge-based economy and global environment. Pluralism that is the one of the power and uniqueness in the ASEAN Economic Community that can be interpreted as diversity in unity. Diversity, on the one hand is a blessing, because it actually reflects the diversity of the wealth of cultural treasures. But on the other hand, diversity is also great potential for growing proliferation of conflicts, particularly if such diversity is not able to run well. To build the ASEAN community who recognize and appreciate the differences required processes and better understanding through relevant education. Education, as a fundamental human right, is considered very important and strategic for developing their human resources. The right to education imposes an obligation upon countries to ensure that all children and citizens have opportunities to meet their basic learning needs. Promoting quality and equity education is a common policy for countries regardless their different levels of development. Herein lies the importance of multicultural education. Multicultural education becomes strategic for ASEAN nations to be able to manage the plurality creatively, and can be interpreted as an internalization process of values in educational institutions.
“Civilization and Its Discontents”—A Reappraisal
Authors: Zepf Siegfried
Published: March 2017

The author questions the extent to which Freud's theory of culture can justify Freud’s postulated claim concerning the social causation of neuroses. Since the premises on which Freud bases his cultural theory are untenable, it is argued that this justification cannot be supplied by it. This is followed by an examination of Freud’s arguments against historical materialism, and a further reasoned rejection of those objections Freud did not withdraw. Finally, in the author’s proposing to open psychoanalysis onto historical materialism, Freud's concept of sexual instincts is deciphered in the light of Laplanche’s considerations as a naturalistic mystification of the unconscious. With this opening, the contradiction between conscious and unconscious objectives in neuroses appears abstractly as a manifestation of the contradiction of subjects in which society finds itself. In closing, the need for a meta-theoretical mediation of psychoanalytic insights and historical materialistic knowledge in making a concrete analysis of the social conditions of neuroses is emphasised.
A Pilot Included Column Mean Vanishing Matrix
Authors: Kim Myungsup , Kwak Do Y.
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we study a special matrix used in  OFDM technology including the pilot vector. This is based on the property of 'column mean vanishing'  and orthogonal columns. We study the  spectral decomposition. Using this, we suggest a new method of generating such matrices. Numerical examples  are included.
The inhibition of adenylate kinase by 2,4-thiazolidinedione evaluated by protein-ligand docking
Authors: Ionescu Mihaela Ileana
Published: March 2017

Due to its crucial role in nucleotide metabolism, adenylate kinase deserves a special attention in screening of potential inhibitors. Herein, we report the assessment of the relative orientation of the ligand 2,4-thiazolidinedione to adenylate kinase crystallized in closed conformation. Protein-ligand docking was performed to estimate the binding energy and inhibition constant of 2,4-thiazolidinedione to the adenylate kinases’ active sites from different organisms. Our results revealed the best orientation of 2,4-thiazolidinedione is with Gram-positive and acid fast bacteria adenylate kinase – Ki = 0.76±0.1 mM and binding energy -4.26±0.08 kcal/mol. Human adenylate kinases display unfavourable interactions, the binding affinity fluctuating among Ki=0.84 mM and 8.8 mM (3.88±3.51); the energy binding -3.56±0.57. From the three human adenylate kinases analysed, only isoenzyme 2 shows a binding conformation similar to its counterpart from E. coli. Adenylate kinase - this small enzyme needed for survival of every organisms - interacts differently with 2,4-thiazolidinedione, this selectivity being the most important evidence of the present study.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors: new molecules in non-small cell lung cancer (EGFR AND ALK)
Authors: Franco Fernando , Mendez Miriam , Gutierrez Lourdes , Provencio Mariano
Published: March 2017

Lung cancer is a tumor pathology that includes a group of neoplasms with different biological characteristics, which determine the course of the disease and the potential treatment response depending on the subtype diagnosed. Non-small lung carcinoma corresponds to 85 % of all lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histologic subtype of this group. In the United States approximately 130,000 new cases a year are diagnosed and in the world around a million. Adenocarcinoma is the most likely subtype, with possible molecular alterations (EGFR mutations and translocations in ALK), which are a therapeutic target. Knowledge of the molecular profile of the tumor and its biology has led us to identify therapeutic targets as protein tyrosine kinase, whose inhibition have demonstrated impact in terms of survival and quality of life for patients with these molecular alterations. However, the complex biology of non-small cell lung carcinoma gives the malignant cell the ability to generate mechanisms of resistance to these drugs and has forced us to extend the studies to control the disease by blocking these mechanisms.
In vitro membrane binding and protein binding (IAM MB/PB technology) to estimate in vivo distribution: applications in early drug discovery
Authors: Valko Klara Livia , Teague Simon P. , Pidgeon Charles
Published: March 2017

The drug discovery process can be accelerated by chromatographic profiling of the analogs to model in vivo distribution and the major non-specific binding. A balanced potency and chromatographically determined membrane and protein binding (IAM MB/PB) data enable selecting drug discovery compounds for further analysis that have the highest probability to show the desired in vivo distribution behavior for efficacy and reduced chance for toxicity. Although the basic principles of the technology have already appeared in numerous publications, the lack of standardized procedures limited its widespread applications especially in academia and small drug discovery biotech companies. In this paper, the standardized procedures are described that has been trademarked as Regis IAM MB/PB Technology®. Comparison between the Drug Efficiency Index (DEI=pIC50-logVdu+2) and generally used Ligand Lipophilicity Efficiency (LLE) has been made, demonstrating the advantage of measured IAM and HSA binding over calculated log P. The power of the proposed chromatographic technology is demonstrated using the data of marketed drugs.
Exérese de lipoma gigante na Clínica da Família: um relato de caso
Authors: Lacerda Roberto Wallace Dias , Serafini Cássio Battisti , Vianna Pedro Miño , Maria Leandro Jácomo , Regattieri Giulia Garcia
Published: March 2017

A realização de procedimentos cirúrgicos na Unidade Básica de Saúde é preconizada e descrita na literatura. No entanto, tal prática vem sendo cada vez menos aplicada na atenção primária. Em um contexto de superlotações de hospitais terciários e consequente inoperação de cirurgias eletivas, é de extrema importância a realização desses procedimentos na Clínica da Família. Nesse trabalho, apresenta-se um caso de um paciente submetido à exérese de lipoma gigante incapacitante, na fossa poplítea esquerda, com 12 anos de evolução e com tentativa frustrada de resolução cirúrgica em um hospital terciário.
New Technologies Overhaul Access‐Hole Rehab Efforts
Authors: Buss Robert F.
Published: March 2017

As part of a multiyear assessment program, the city of Chandler, Ariz., developed a faster, cheaper, safer approach to inspecting and rehabilitating access holes.
Autologous Blood Donation Before Hepatectomy in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Iida Hiroya , Kaibori Masaki , Matsui Kosuke , Ishizaki Morihiko , Kon Masanori
Published: March 2017

Autologous blood is sometimes collected before hepatectomy. The usefulness of autologous blood donation (ABD) has been reported in several studies. However, the relationship between ABD and CKD has never been studied. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between preoperative autologous blood donation (ABD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in anemia. Between January 2006 and December 2012, 70 patients made 2 ABDs ≥ 600 mL before hepatectomy. CKD stages were based on estimated glomerular filtration rates. Univariate analyses were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for nominal variables. Patients at CKD stages < G3b (n = 60) and ≥ G3b (n = 10) were compared. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin level at the initial hospital visit or total volume of ABD between the 2 groups. However, hemoglobin levels just before the first ABD, the second ABD, and resection, and just after resection were significantly lower in the CKD ≥ G3b group than those in the < G3b group (P < 0.05). CKD stage contributes to reductions in hemoglobin levels after ABD. We recommend the use of erythropoietin in CKD ≥ G3b cases that include ABDs.
A plant‐derived dehydrorotenoid: a new inhibitor of hepatitis C virus entry
Authors: Bose Mihika , Kamra Mohini , Mullick Ranajoy , Bhattacharya Santanu , Das Saumitra , Karande Anjali A.
Published: March 2017

Emergence of drug‐resistant viruses, high cost and adverse side‐effects associated with the standard therapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection demonstrate the need for development of well tolerated and effective antivirals. We identified and chemically characterised the dehydrorotenoid boeravinone H, isolated from the herb Boerhavia diffusa, as a new inhibitor of HCV entry. The compound significantly inhibits the binding and entry of hepatitis C‐like particles (HCV‐LPs) in hepatoma cells in vitro with no apparent cytotoxicity. Boeravinone H inhibits the initial phase of HCV entry probably by acting directly on the viral particle. Importantly, the compound prevents HCV entry and infection in cell culture (ex vivo). Thus, boeravinone H is a potential antiviral agent for the prevention and control of HCV infection.
Development of a near‐infrared balloon‐borne camera for dayside and sunlit auroral observations
Authors: Zhou X.‐Y. , Lummerzheim D. , Gladstone R. , Rafol S. B. , Gunapala S. , He Y.‐T. , Hampton D.
Published: March 2017

Imaging aurora in daylight is a difficult and challenging task. The brightness of the sunlit atmosphere overwhelms the auroral emissions at visible wavelengths. Modeling of atmospheric brightness suggests that the contrast between auroral brightness and sky brightness makes it possible to image the aurora at near‐infrared (NIR) wavelengths from sufficient altitudes. Preliminary experiments confirmed that the auroral N2+ Meinel emissions at about 1100 nm are bright enough to be extracted from atmospheric background brightness during daylight at about 40 km of a balloon altitude, which lead to the development of a high‐performance NIR InGaAs camera that can be flown on a high‐altitude and long‐duration balloon. Auroral observations from such a platform are highly accommodated to current space missions (such as Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms/Acceleration Reconnection Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon's Interaction with the Sun, Magnetospheric Multiscale, Cluster, Geotail, and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) and many ground‐based measurements and will enhance the science return significantly.
Comment on “An improved coupling model for the lithosphere‐atmosphere‐ionosphere system” by Kuo et al. [2014]
Authors: Prokhorov B. E. , Zolotov O. V.
Published: March 2017

The lithosphere‐atmosphere‐ionosphere coupling problem is a challenge nowadays. It requires understanding of (a) the physical mechanism that is responsible for plasma disturbances generation at ionospheric heights, (b) the penetration of seismogenic impact from the ground into the ionosphere through the underlying neutral atmosphere, and (c) on‐the‐ground (in‐the‐ground) sources generation. Kuo et al. (2014) reported an improved model of lithosphere‐atmosphere‐ionosphere coupling that includes the ionosphere as well as the underlying neutral atmosphere (from the ground up to the ionosphere altitudes, i.e., 60–80 km above the Earth's surface). The main feature of the Kuo et al. (2014) approach is that they find ground‐to‐ionosphere currents from

system of equations. In contrast to Kuo et al. (2011), where well‐known
equations are used, Kuo et al. (2014) looks better as it does not require the knowledge of electric conductivity σ profile. In this paper we show that the Kuo et al. (2014) equations can be obtained as a special case of the Kuo et al. (2011) ones, given the electric conductivity tensor is a spatially invariant scalar. Therefore, Kuo et al. (2014) formulation may not describe correctly electric currents flowing between the Earth and the ionosphere.
Simultaneous space and ground‐based observations of a plasmaspheric virtual resonance
Authors: Shi X. , Baker J. B. H. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Hartinger M. D. , Frissell N. A. , Liu Jiang
Published: March 2017

We present simultaneous space and ground‐based observations of Pi2 pulsations which occurred during a substorm on 25 September 2014. The timeline for this event starts at ∼06:04 UT when the THEMIS probe D located inside the plasmasphere detected Pi2 pulsations in the electric and magnetic fields. Cross‐spectral analysis shows the azimuthal electric field and compressional magnetic field oscillated nearly in quadrature, highly suggestive of a standing fast‐mode wave. Simultaneous Pi2 observations from dayside and nightside ground magnetometers at low latitudes indicate a global wave mode. A latitudinal magnetometer chain on the nightside observed a phase reversal in the H component of the Pi2 pulsations when crossing the footprint of the plasmapause, estimated from THEMIS spacecraft measurements. Spectral analysis of data from ground magnetometers in this latitudinal chain showed fundamental and second harmonic spectral peaks in their H and D components. Similar pulsation signatures at comparable harmonic frequencies were observed by three midlatitude SuperDARN HF radars, both poleward and equatorward of the plasmapause ionospheric footprint. Finally, the longitudinal polarization pattern and azimuthal phase propagation of midlatitude Pi2 pulsations are consistent with previous observations of a plasmaspheric virtual resonance being excited by a longitudinally localized source near midnight.
The frictional strength of talc gouge in high‐velocity shear experiments
Authors: Chen Xiaofeng , Elwood Madden Andrew S. , Reches Ze'ev
Published: March 2017

Talc is present in several large‐scale fault zones worldwide and is mineralogically stable at temperature of the upper crust. It is therefore necessary to gain a better understanding of the frictional behavior of talc under a wide range of slip velocity conditions occurring during the seismic cycle. We analyzed the frictional and structural characteristics of room‐dry and water‐saturated talc gouge by shear experiments on a confined gouge layer at slip velocity range of 0.002–0.66 m/s and normal stress up to 4.1 MPa. Room‐dry talc showed a distinct slip‐strengthening with the initial friction coefficient of μ ~ 0.4 increased systematically to μ ~ 1 at slip distance D > 1 m. Room‐dry talc also displayed velocity‐strengthening at slip distances shorter than 1 m. The water‐saturated talc gouge displayed systematic low frictional strength of μ = 0.1–0.3 for the entire experimental range, with clear velocity‐strengthening behavior with positive (a‐b) values (rate dependence parameter of rate and state friction) of 0.01–0.04. The microstructural analyses revealed distributed shear and systematic dilation (up to 50%) for the room‐dry talc, in contrast to the extreme slip localization and strong shear compaction for water‐saturated talc. We propose that talc frictional strength is controlled by lubrication along cleavage surfaces that is facilitated by adsorbed water (room‐dry) and surplus water (water‐saturated). This mechanism can explain our experimental observations of slip‐strengthening and velocity‐strengthening for both types of talc gouge, as well as other clay minerals. It is thus expected that talc presence in fault zones would enhance creep and inhibit unstable slip.
Rip currents and alongshore flows in single channels dredged in the surf zone
Authors: Moulton Melissa , Elgar Steve , Raubenheimer Britt , Warner John C. , Kumar Nirnimesh
Published: March 2017

To investigate the dynamics of flows near nonuniform bathymetry, single channels (on average 30 m wide and 1.5 m deep) were dredged across the surf zone at five different times, and the subsequent evolution of currents and morphology was observed for a range of wave and tidal conditions. In addition, circulation was simulated with the numerical modeling system COAWST, initialized with the observed incident waves and channel bathymetry, and with an extended set of wave conditions and channel geometries. The simulated flows are consistent with alongshore flows and rip‐current circulation patterns observed in the surf zone. Near the offshore‐directed flows that develop in the channel, the dominant terms in modeled momentum balances are wave‐breaking accelerations, pressure gradients, advection, and the vortex force. The balances vary spatially, and are sensitive to wave conditions and the channel geometry. The observed and modeled maximum offshore‐directed flow speeds are correlated with a parameter based on the alongshore gradient in breaking‐wave‐driven‐setup across the nonuniform bathymetry (a function of wave height and angle, water depths in the channel and on the sandbar, and a breaking threshold) and the breaking‐wave‐driven alongshore flow speed. The offshore‐directed flow speed increases with dissipation on the bar and reaches a maximum (when the surf zone is saturated) set by the vertical scale of the bathymetric variability.
A simulation of small to giant Antarctic iceberg evolution: Differential impact on climatology estimates
Authors: Rackow Thomas , Wesche Christine , Timmermann Ralph , Hellmer Hartmut H. , Juricke Stephan , Jung Thomas
Published: March 2017

We present a simulation of Antarctic iceberg drift and melting that includes small, medium‐sized, and giant tabular icebergs with a realistic size distribution. For the first time, an iceberg model is initialized with a set of nearly 7000 observed iceberg positions and sizes around Antarctica. The study highlights the necessity to account for larger and giant icebergs in order to obtain accurate melt climatologies. We simulate drift and lateral melt using iceberg‐draft averaged ocean currents, temperature, and salinity. A new basal melting scheme, originally applied in ice shelf melting studies, uses in situ temperature, salinity, and relative velocities at an iceberg's bottom. Climatology estimates of Antarctic iceberg melting based on simulations of small (≤2.2 km), “small‐to‐medium‐sized" (≤10 km), and small‐to‐giant icebergs (including icebergs >10 km) exhibit differential characteristics: successive inclusion of larger icebergs leads to a reduced seasonality of the iceberg meltwater flux and a shift of the mass input to the area north of 58°S, while less meltwater is released into the coastal areas. This suggests that estimates of meltwater input solely based on the simulation of small icebergs introduce a systematic meridional bias; they underestimate the northward mass transport and are, thus, closer to the rather crude treatment of iceberg melting as coastal runoff in models without an interactive iceberg model. Future ocean simulations will benefit from the improved meridional distribution of iceberg melt, especially in climate change scenarios where the impact of iceberg melt is likely to increase due to increased calving from the Antarctic ice sheet.
Interannual surface salinity on Northwest Atlantic shelf
Authors: Grodsky Semyon A. , Reul Nicolas , Chapron Bertrand , Carton James A. , Bryan Frank O.
Published: March 2017

Sea surface salinity (SSS) from the Aquarius and SMOS satellite missions displays a steady increase of ∼1 psu over the entire northwestern Atlantic shelf south of Nova Scotia during 2011–2015. Put in the context of longer ocean profile data, the results suggest that mixed layer salinity and temperature north of the Gulf Stream experience positively correlated shelf‐wide interannual oscillations (1 psu/2°C). Salty and warm events occur coincident with anomalous easterly‐southeasterly winds and Ekman transport counteracting the mean southwestward shelf currents. They are coincident with weakening of both branches of the Scotian Shelf Current (SSC), but only moderately correlate with shifts of the Gulf Stream North Wall. This suggests that salt advection by anomalous SSC acting on the mean salinity gradient is the primary driver regulating the transport of fresh/cold water from high latitudes. The advection mechanism imposes a connectedness of the larger‐scale interannual variability in this region and its tie to atmospheric oscillations. In the second part, an analysis of 15 year‐long numerical simulations is presented which show eight interannual salinity oscillations (positive and negative). Six of these are driven by horizontal advection by slow varying currents (>2 months), while two events are driven by horizontal eddy advection (<2 months). In line with observations, salt/warm model events correspond to anomalously weak SSC, correlate with southeasterly wind anomaly, and confirm that interannual horizontal salt advection drives interannual salinity. Indeed, vertical exchanges provide negative feedback, while interannual horizontal diffusion and the net surface salt flux anomalies are small.
Global observations of 2 day wave coupling to the diurnal tide in a high‐altitude forecast‐assimilation system
Authors: Lieberman R. S. , Riggin D. M. , Nguyen V. , Palo S. E. , Siskind D. E. , Mitchell N. J. , Stober G. , Wilhelm S. , Livesey N. J.
Published: March 2017

We examine wave components in a high‐altitude forecast‐assimilation system that arise from nonlinear interaction between the diurnal tide and the westward traveling quasi 2 day wave. The process yields a westward traveling “sum” wave with zonal wave number 4 and a period of 16 h, and an eastward traveling “difference” wave with zonal wave number 2 and a period of 2 days. While the eastward 2 day wave has been reported in satellite temperatures, the westward 16 h wave lies outside the Nyquist limits of resolution of twice daily local time satellite sampling. Hourly output from a high‐altitude forecast‐assimilation model is used to diagnose the nonlinear quadriad. A steady state primitive equation model forced by tide‐2 day wave advection is used to intepret the nonlinear wave products. The westward 16 h wave maximizes in the midlatitude winter mesosphere and behaves like an inertia‐gravity wave. The nonlinearly generated component of the eastward 2 day wave maximizes at high latitudes in the lower thermosphere, and only weakly penetrates to low latitudes. The 16 h and the eastward 2 day waves are of comparable amplitude and alias to the same apparent frequency when viewed from a satellite perspective.
Major dust storms and westward traveling waves on Mars
Authors: Wang Huiqun
Published: March 2017

Westward traveling waves are observed during major dust storm periods in northern fall and winter. The close correlation in timing makes westward traveling wave one of the signature responses of the Martian atmosphere to major dust storms. Westward traveling waves are dominated by zonal wave number m = 1 in the middle atmosphere and are typically characterized by long wave period. They are associated with significant temperature perturbations near the edge of the north polar vortex. Their wind signals extend to the low latitudes and the southern hemisphere. Their eddy momentum and heat fluxes exhibit complex patterns on a global scale in the middle atmosphere.
Performance and crystallization kinetics of poly (L‐lactic acid) toughened by poly (D‐lactic acid)
Authors: Song Zhongbo , Zhen Weijun
Published: March 2017

Poly(D‐lactic acid) (PDLA) was prepared from D‐lactic acid under optimized polymerization conditions of 1 wt% stannous octoate, at 170°C for 12 hr. Poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and its optical isomer, PDLA, were blended to improve the thermal and mechanical properties. Mechanical testing showed an increase in the impact strength of the PLLA/PDLA (0.3 wt%) by 27.6%. SEM showed more shear zones and fibrillation on the composite surfaces, compared withthe PLLA, suggesting high toughness and shock strength. TGA showed the enhanced thermal stability of PLLA composites. The DSC results indicated that the crystallinity of PLLA/PDLA (0.3 wt%) was increased by 54.31%, compared with pure PLLA. Non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics suggested the formation of crystal nucleus and the growth rate of PLLA/PDLA (0.3 wt%) increased gradually. Half crystallization time showed a decreasing trend, which could provide a large number of heterogeneous nucleation sites and improved the crystallization rate of PLLA.
Assessing the Informed Consent Skills of Emergency Medicine Resident Physicians
Authors: Binstadt Emily S. , Curl Nathaniel D. , Nelson Jessie G. , Johnson Gail L. , Hegarty Cullen B. , Knopp Robert K.
Published: March 2017

Background

Informed consent (IC) is an essential component of shared medical decision making between patients and providers in emergency medicine (EM). The basic components required for adequate consent are well described, yet little is published investigating whether EM residents demonstrate adequate IC skills.

Objective

The objectives were to assess the ability of EM residents to obtain IC for an invasive emergency procedure using a novel assessment tool and to assess reliability and validity of the tool.

Methods

This was an observational study in which participants were initially blinded to the primary objectives of the study. Each participant conducted a video‐recorded history and physical examination with a standardized patient, requiring tube thoracostomy due to spontaneous pneumothorax. Two faculty EM physicians independently reviewed the videos and evaluated the participants’ IC skills. First, they gave an overall impression of whether IC was obtained; they then evaluated the participants using a 30‐point scoring tool based on the five elements of IC (decision‐making capacity, disclosure, voluntariness, understanding, and physician recommendation). Upon all participants’ case completion, we revealed the primary objectives and gave participants the option to withdraw from the study. Descriptive statistics and kappa coefficient were generated from the data collected.

Results

Twenty‐two residents completed the study. None withdrew from the study after the primary objectives were revealed. Twenty residents (91%) obtained adequate IC based on both reviewers’ overall impression. One disagreement occurred between reviewers (κ = 0.64). The mean IC score on a 30‐point scale was 18.5 ± 0.5.

Conclusions

In a simulated setting, most EM residents at this training program possess the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain IC prior to an invasive procedure. The assessment tool appears reliable and demonstrates construct validity.
Effect of membrane morphology on rising properties of filtration resistance in microfiltration of dilute colloids
Authors: Iritani Eiji , Katagiri Nobuyuki , Yamashita Yuuki
Published: March 2017

The effect of membrane morphology on the flux decline behaviors in dead‐end unstirred microfiltration of very dilute colloids of polystyrene latex was examined using mixed cellulose ester and cellulose acetate membranes with interconnected tortuous pores and track‐etched polycarbonate membranes with uniform straight cylindrical pores. The plots of reciprocal filtration rate against the filtrate volume per unit membrane area for the former two membranes exhibit concave downward curves in the initial period when the membrane pore blocking is significant, whereas the plot for the latter shows a concave upward curve in that period. The former results were described by a serial resistance model consisting of the initial membrane pore blocking followed by filter cake growth, and the latter was represented by a parallel resistance model in which the pore blocking and cake growth develop simultaneously from the beginning of filtration. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3511–3522, 2017