bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Measuring Medical Pocket Calculator
Authors: Kompis Martin
Published: October 2017

A measuring medical pocket calculator is presented. The hardware is built around a BASIC-Stamp microcontroller and includes a keyboard, a liquid crystal display, a dual analogue-to-digital converter, digital outputs and a serial port for data exchange with a personal computer. The software is based on a generic programmable calculator and can be adapted to suit specific applications. As an example, a dedicated audiologic calculator is presented. It features one-key conversions between different measures of acoustic levels, a hearing aid battery tester, automated calculation of percent hearing loss, and frequency specific, age-corrected comparisons (percentiles) to hearing thresholds of the general population.
Doty's Method (Two Sinus Reconstructions) of Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis in Williams's Syndrome
Authors: Tiryakioglu Osman , Tiryakioglu Selma Kenar , Ari Hasan , Vural Hakan , Ozyazicioglu Ahmet
Published: October 2017

We experienced a successful surgical Williams's syndrome case of extended aortoplasty by means of Doty's method (two sinus reconstructions) for congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis. Case was 29-year-old woman, who had no complaint except heart murmur and dyspnea. The retrograde aortography and Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) demonstrated localized stenosis just above the aortic valve, and it was an hour-glass type. This case showed excellent results. Doty's aortoplasty was favorable method for supravalvular aortic stenosis without deformity of aortic valve and coronary obstruction.
Chemical Chaperone and Inhibitor Discovery: Potential Treatments for Protein Conformational Diseases
Authors: Zhao Jian-Hua , Liu Hsuan-Liang , Lin Hsin-Yi , Huang Chih-Hung , Fang Hsu-Wei , Chen Shiao-Shing , Ho Yih , Tsai Wei-Bor , Chen Wen-Yih
Published: October 2017

Protein misfolding and aggregation cause a large number of neurodegenerative diseases in humans due to (i) gain of function as observed in Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Prion's disease or (ii) loss of function as observed in cystic fibrosis and α1-antitrypsin deficiency. These misfolded proteins could either lead to the formation of harmful amyloids that become toxic for the cells or to be recognized and prematurely degraded by the protein quality control system. An increasing number of studies has indicated that some low-molecular-weight compounds named as chemical chaperones can reverse the mislocalization and/or aggregation of proteins associated with human conformational diseases. These small molecules are thought to non-selectively stabilize proteins and facilitate their folding. In this review, we summarize the probable mechanisms of protein conformational diseases in humans and the use of chemical chaperones and inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents against these diseases. Furthermore, recent advanced experimental and theoretical approaches underlying the detailed mechanisms of protein conformational changes and current structure-based drug designs towards protein conformational diseases are also discussed. It is believed that a better understanding of the mechanisms of conformational changes as well as the biological functions of these proteins will lead to the development and design of potential interfering compounds against amyloid formation associated with protein conformational diseases.
Chaperone Therapy for Neuronopathic Lysosomal Diseases: Competitive Inhibitors as Chemical Chaperones for Enhancement of Mutant Enzyme Activities
Authors: Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Ogawa Seiichiro , Sakakibara Yasubumi
Published: October 2017

Chaperone therapy is a newly developed molecular approach to lysosomal diseases, a group of human genetic diseases causing severe brain damage. We found two valienamine derivatives, N-octyl-4-epi-β-valienamine (NOEV) and N-octyl-β-valienamine (NOV), as promising therapeutic agents for human β-galactosidase deficiency disorders (mainly GM1-gangliosidosis) and β-glucosidase deficiency disorders (Gaucher disease), respectively. We briefly reviewed the historical background of research in carbasugar glycosidase inhibitors. Originally NOEV and NOV had been discovered as competitive inhibitors, and then their paradoxical bioactivities as chaperones were confirmed in cultured fibroblasts from patients with these disorders. Subsequently GM1-gangliosidosis model mice were developed and useful for experimental studies. Orally administered NOEV entered the brain through the blood-brain barrier, enhanced β-galactosidase activity, reduced substrate storage, and improved neurological deterioration clinically. Furthermore, we executed computational analysis for prediction of molecular interactions between β-galactosidase and NOEV. Some preliminary results of computational analysis of molecular interaction mechanism are presented in this article. NOV also showed the chaperone effect toward several β-glucosidase gene mutations in Gaucher disease. We hope chaperone therapy will become available for some patients with GM1-gangliosidosis, Gaucher disease, and potentially other lysosomal storage diseases with central nervous system involvement.
Aminoglycosides: Molecular Insights on the Recognition of RNA and Aminoglycoside Mimics
Authors: Chittapragada Maruthi , Roberts Sarah , Ham Young Wan
Published: October 2017

RNA is increasingly recognized for its significant functions in biological systems and has recently become an important molecular target for therapeutics development. Aminoglycosides, a large class of clinically significant antibiotics, exert their biological functions by binding to prokaryotic ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and interfering with protein translation, resulting in bacterial cell death. They are also known to bind to viral mRNAs such as HIV-1 RRE and TAR. Consequently, aminoglycosides are accepted as the single most important model in understanding the principles that govern small molecule-RNA recognition, which is essential for the development of novel antibacterial, antiviral or even anti-oncogenic agents. This review outlines the chemical structures and mechanisms of molecular recognition and antibacterial activity of aminoglycosides and various aminoglycoside mimics that have recently been devised to improve biological efficacy, binding affinity and selectivity, or to circumvent bacterial resistance.
AJAX Interface: A Breakthrough in Bioinformatics Web Applications
Authors: Aravindhan G. , Kumar G. Ramesh , Kumar R. Sathish , Subha K.
Published: October 2017

Bioinformatics applications are generally multi-server dependants and will have to communicate several information repositories to carry out any analyses. These applications remain computationally intensive and time consuming as they engage lots of data transfer. Hence they face a major bottleneck when ported as web applications. Browser based web applications normally feature the classical request-response approach. If the response becomes late, as it is expected to happen in the case of long running Bioinformatics programs, Apache will get tired and a request timeout error might occur. Alternate approaches like “Client-Pull” models that involve polling strategy with the unpredictable amount of page refreshes, only tend to intensify the network traffic. Hence a technology that is intelligent enough to support the varied exhaustive Bioinformatics processes becomes highly essential. In this review, we propose how AJAX can afford a laconic framework within the Bioinformatics applications to completely reduce the page refresh nuisance and provide a better user experience.
Article Commentary: Prospects for Proteomics Directed Genomic and Genetic Analyses in Disease Discoveries
Authors: Bhattacharya Sanjoy K.
Published: October 2017

Proteomic discoveries are usually made using database searches for identification of proteins in a given protein sample derived from cells or tissues. High throughput searches leave a number of peptides not analyzed for a variety of reasons, such as posttranslational modification or a mutation that results changes in the peptide that is not present in databases. Such mutations may be critically important in causing disease conditions. Accounts from ocular diseases are presented where the search provided results often from non-conventional databases (such as structural database instead of protein database) due to the presence of information about a mutant peptide. We contemplate that better algorithms and the ability to determine probabilities of different amino acids in the available sequence may permit combinatorial analysis with genomics which may help identify new disease associated mutations directly from the sequence of the captured peptides. In addition, the de novo analysis of spectra of the unidentified peptides may provide mutation or polymorphism information enabling additional insight about the disease association of a mutation or posttranslational modification.
Article Commentary: Identifying the Sequence and Distinguishing the Oxidized—Methionine from Phenylalanine Peptides by MALDI TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometry in an Antarctic Bacterium Pseudomonas Syringae
Authors: Jagannadham M. V.
Published: October 2017

This short note highlights a procedure to distinguish the residues having similar masses, oxidized methionine and phenylalanine containing peptides using MALDI TOF/TOF. The isotope intensities give a preliminary recognition of peptides containing oxidized methionine. In the peptides with partial oxidation of methionine a mass difference of 16 Da can be observed in the mass finger print of the peptide. Neutral loss of methane sulphenate (CH3 SOH) in the MS/MS spectra is the most abundant ion in the peptide containing oxidized methionine, whereas this fragment ion is not produced from phenylalanine containing peptide. The mass spectra of methionine, oxidized methionine and phenylalanine containing peptides were examined from the proteins of Pseudomonas syringae Lz4W, whose genome sequence is not known.
Comparison of an Enzyme Immunoassay versus Mass Spectrometry-based Assay for the Quantitative Determination of the Procollagen Type I N-terminal Propeptide in Rat Serum
Authors: Dzieciatkowska Monika , Copeland Marci , You Jinsam , Wery Jean-Pierre , Wang Mu
Published: October 2017

Traditionally, antibody-based assays, such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA), are the primary tool for the targeted quantification of a specific protein. An antibody-based assay can be run at high-throughput and has extraordinary sensitivity and specificity. In the cases where antibody-based assays exist, the process of validating biomarker candidates can be relatively straightforward. However, the antibody-based approach is limited by the lack of availability of antibodies with high specificity. The development of a high quality antibody-based assays can be costly, time-consuming and a resource-intensive effort. Another disadvantage of antibody-based assays is that they often do not discriminate closely related isoforms. While the antibody development is central to the success of antibody-based platform, mass spectrometry (MS) provides alternative and complementary approach to existing antibody-based assays. The MS-based assays are becoming very popular for quantitative candidates proteins detection in a complex biological mixture.

In the present paper, an in-house developed mass spectrometry (MS)-based assay was compared to a commercially available EIA in reproducibility, measurement accuracy, and dynamic range using rat procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) as a model.
Small Heat Shock Proteins Produced by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Clonal Variants Isolated from Diverse Niches
Authors: Sriramulu Dinesh Diraviam
Published: October 2017

Genomic islands interspersed in the chromosome of P. aeruginosa led to inter- and intraclonal diversity. Recently, a particular clone of P. aeruginosa called clone C was isolated from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, clinical and non-clinical habitats throughout Europe and in Canada. P. aeruginosa clone C strains harbour up to several hundred acquired genes involved in the adaptation of bacteria to diverse niches. Two genes ( hp25 and hp18) from one of the hypervariable regions in the chromosome of clone C strains were highly expressed under standard culture conditions as well as under conditions that mimicked CF sputum environment. Protein sequence analysis revealed that Hp25 and Hp18 belonged to small heat shock protein (sHSP) family. Hp25 protein possessed α-crystallin domain, which is a conserved region among heat shock proteins involved in diverse functions. Sequence homology search revealed that in the Methylobacillus flagellatus genome both genes were situated close to each other and the hp25 gene is found among a few other members of Proteobacteria. Expression of hp25 and hp18 by inter- and intraclonal strains of P. aeruginosa suggested that both genes were present in the stable part of the hypervariable region at the toxR locus and might play a role in their adaptation to diverse niches including the CF lung environment.
Digital Personalization in Early Childhood
Authors: Kucirkova Natalia
Published: October 2017

Digital personalization is an emerging interdisciplinary research field, with application to a variety of areas including design, education and the publication industry. This book focuses on children’s education and literacy resources, which have undergone important changes with the ‘personalization revolution’ in the early 21st century.

The author develops original insights from educational research and her own studies concerned with digital and non-digital personalization, to discuss in a clear and critical way the thinking, research issues and practical implications of this new field. She scrutinises the character of technology-based personalized education to substantiate the claim that the current models of personalized education tend to be technology- and business-driven, with little pedagogical understanding of the social value of personalization. Research involving touchscreens, personalized books and 2-8-year olds is interrogated for its impact on children’s development of language, creativity and identity, as well as family dynamics and classroom dialogue. The literature available on digital and non-digital personalization is discussed in relation to five key themes of personalized education, the so-called 5As: autonomy, authorship, aesthetics, attachment and authenticity. It is argued that the 5As need to be anchored in humanist principles for a sustainable pedagogy and practice. Based on the insights from research with typically and atypically developing children, Kucirkova proposes personalized pluralisation as a pedagogical framework of personalized education for the future. The book aims to help scholars and professionals understand the connections between personalization and literacy, personalization and education, and personalization and wider socio-moral issues.
An updated emission inventory of vehicular VOCs and IVOCs in China
Authors: Liu Huan , Man Hanyang , Cui Hongyang , Wang Yanjun , Deng Fanyuan , Wang Yue , Yang Xiaofan , Xiao Qian , Zhang Qiang , Ding Yan , He Kebin
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Currently, the emission inventory of vehicular volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of those with the largest errors and uncertainties due to suboptimal estimation methods and the lack of first-hand basic data. In this study, an updated speciated emission inventory of VOCs and an estimation of intermediate-volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) from vehicles in China at the provincial level for the year of 2015 are developed based on a set of state-of-the-art methods and an abundance of local measurement data. Activity data for light-duty vehicles are derived from trajectories of more than 70 000 cars for 1 year. The annual mileage of trucks are calculated from reported data by more than 2 million trucks in China. The emission profiles are updated using measurement data. Vehicular tailpipe emissions (VTEs) and four types of vehicular evaporation emissions (VEEs), including refueling, hot soak, diurnal and running loss, are taken into account. Results show that the total vehicular VOC emissions in China are 4.21 Tg (with a 95 % confidence interval range from 2.90 to 6.54 Tg) and the IVOC emissions are 200.37 Gg in 2015. VTEs are still the predominant contributor, while VEEs are responsible for 39.20 % of VOC emissions. The control of VEEs is yet to be optimized in China. Among VTEs, passenger vehicles emissions have the largest share (49.86 %), followed by trucks (28.15 %) and motorcycles (21.99 %). Among VEEs, running loss is the largest contributor (81.05 %). For both VTEs and VEEs, Guangdong, Shandong and Jiangsu province are three of the highest, with a respective contribution of 10.66, 8.85 and 6.54 % to the total amounts of VOCs from vehicles. 97 VOC species are analyzed in this VOC emission inventory. i-Pentane, toluene and formaldehyde are found to be the most abundant species in China's vehicular VOC emissions. The estimated IVOCs are another inconvenient truth, concluding that precursor emissions for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from vehicles are much larger than previously estimated.
Impacts of solar-absorbing aerosol layers on the transition of stratocumulus to trade cumulus clouds
Authors: Zhou Xiaoli , Ackerman Andrew S. , Fridlind Ann M. , Wood Robert , Kollias Pavlos
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The effects of an initially overlying layer of solar-absorbing aerosol on the transition of stratocumulus to trade cumulus clouds are examined using large-eddy simulations. For lightly drizzling cloud the transition is generally hastened, resulting mainly from increased cloud droplet number concentration (Nc) induced by entrained aerosol. The increased Nc slows sedimentation of cloud droplets and shortens their relaxation time for diffusional growth, both of which accelerate entrainment of overlying air and thereby stratocumulus breakup. However, the decrease in albedo from cloud breakup is more than offset by redistributing cloud water over a greater number of droplets, such that the diurnal-average shortwave forcing at the top of the atmosphere is negative. The negative radiative forcing is enhanced by sizable longwave contributions, which result from the greater cloud breakup and a reduced boundary layer height associated with aerosol heating. A perturbation of moisture instead of aerosol aloft leads to a greater liquid water path and a more gradual transition. Adding absorbing aerosol to that atmosphere results in substantial reductions in liquid water path (LWP) and cloud cover that lead to positive shortwave and negative longwave forcings on average canceling each other. Only for heavily drizzling clouds is the breakup delayed, as inhibition of precipitation overcomes cloud water loss from enhanced entrainment. Considering these simulations as an imperfect proxy for biomass burning plumes influencing Namibian stratocumulus, we expect regional indirect plus semi-direct forcings to be substantially negative to negligible at the top of the atmosphere, with its magnitude sensitive to background and perturbation properties.
Do contemporary (1980–2015) emissions determine the elemental carbon deposition trend at Holtedahlfonna glacier, Svalbard?
Authors: Ruppel Meri M. , Soares Joana , Gallet Jean-Charles , Isaksson Elisabeth , Martma Tõnu , Svensson Jonas , Kohler Jack , Pedersen Christina A. , Manninen Sirkku , Korhola Atte , Ström Johan
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The climate impact of black carbon (BC) is notably amplified in the Arctic by its deposition, which causes albedo decrease and subsequent earlier snow and ice spring melt. To comprehensively assess the climate impact of BC in the Arctic, information on both atmospheric BC concentrations and deposition is essential. Currently, Arctic BC deposition data are very scarce, while atmospheric BC concentrations have been shown to generally decrease since the 1990s. However, a 300-year Svalbard ice core showed a distinct increase in EC (elemental carbon, proxy for BC) deposition from 1970 to 2004 contradicting atmospheric measurements and modelling studies. Here, our objective was to decipher whether this increase has continued in the 21st century and to investigate the drivers of the observed EC deposition trends. For this, a shallow firn core was collected from the same Svalbard glacier, and a regional-to-meso-scale chemical transport model (SILAM) was run from 1980 to 2015. The ice and firn core data indicate peaking EC deposition values at the end of the 1990s and lower values thereafter. The modelled BC deposition results generally support the observed glacier EC variations. However, the ice and firn core results clearly deviate from both measured and modelled atmospheric BC concentration trends, and the modelled BC deposition trend shows variations seemingly independent from BC emission or atmospheric BC concentration trends. Furthermore, according to the model ca. 99 % BC mass is wet-deposited at this Svalbard glacier, indicating that meteorological processes such as precipitation and scavenging efficiency have most likely a stronger influence on the BC deposition trend than BC emission or atmospheric concentration trends. BC emission source sectors contribute differently to the modelled atmospheric BC concentrations and BC deposition, which further supports our conclusion that different processes affect atmospheric BC concentration and deposition trends. Consequently, Arctic BC deposition trends should not directly be inferred based on atmospheric BC measurements, and more observational BC deposition data are required to assess the climate impact of BC in Arctic snow.
Evaluation of MUSICA MetOp/IASI tropospheric water vapour profiles by theoretical error assessments and comparisons to GRUAN Vaisala RS92 measurements
Authors: Borger Christian , Schneider Matthias , Ertl Benjamin , Hase Frank , García Omaira E. , Sommer Michael , Höpfner Michael , Tjemkes Stephen A. , Calbet Xavier
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Volume mixing ratio water vapour profiles have been retrieved from IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) spectra by using the MUSICA (MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water) processor. The retrievals are made for IASI observations that coincide with Vaisala RS92 radiosonde measurements performed in the framework of the GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) in three different climate zones: the tropics (Manus Island, 2° S), mid-latitudes (Lindenberg, 52° N) and polar regions (Sodankylä, 67° N). The retrievals show good sensitivity with respect to the vertical H2O distribution between 1–2 km above ground and the upper troposphere. Typical DOFS (degree of freedom for signal) values are about 5.5 for the tropics, 5.0 for summertime midlatitudes, 4.0 for wintertime mid-latitudes, and 4.5 for summertime polar regions. The errors of the IASI water vapour profiles have been theoretically estimated considering the contribution of a large number of uncertainty sources. For all three climate regions unrecognized cirrus clouds and uncertainties in atmospheric temperature have been identified as the most important error sources, whereby the total errors are estimated to be typically 25 %. The IASI water vapour profiles have been compared to 100 individual coinciding GRUAN water vapour profiles. The systematic difference between the IASI and GRUAN data is within 12 % at all altitudes. The scatter is largest close to the surface and close to the tropopause, but does never exceed 30 %. The study documents that the MUSICA MetOp/IASI retrieval processor provides H2O profiles with good accuracy and captures the variations in H2O volume mixing ratio profiles from 1–2 km above ground up to altitudes close to the tropopause with a precision that is in accordance to the theoretical error assessment.
Probabilistic evaluation of competing climate models
Authors: Braverman Amy , Chatterjee Snigdhansu , Heyman Megan , Cressie Noel
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Climate models produce output over decades or longer at high spatial and temporal resolution. Starting values, boundary conditions, greenhouse gas emissions, and so forth make the climate model an uncertain representation of the climate system. A standard paradigm for assessing the quality of climate model simulations is to compare what these models produce for past and present time periods, to observations of the past and present. Many of these comparisons are based on simple summary statistics called metrics. In this article, we propose an alternative: evaluation of competing climate models through probabilities derived from tests of the hypothesis that climate-model-simulated and observed time sequences share common climate-scale signals. The probabilities are based on the behavior of summary statistics of climate model output and observational data over ensembles of pseudo-realizations. These are obtained by partitioning the original time sequences into signal and noise components, and using a parametric bootstrap to create pseudo-realizations of the noise sequences. The statistics we choose come from working in the space of decorrelated and dimension-reduced wavelet coefficients. Here, we compare monthly sequences of CMIP5 model output of average global near-surface temperature anomalies to similar sequences obtained from the well-known HadCRUT4 data set as an illustration.
Vertical segregation among pathways mediating nitrogen loss (N2 and N2O production) across the oxygen gradient in a coastal upwelling ecosystem
Authors: Galán Alexander , Thamdrup Bo , Saldías Gonzalo S. , Farías Laura
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The upwelling system off central Chile (36.5° S) is seasonally subjected to oxygen (O2)-deficient waters, with a strong vertical gradient in O2 (from oxic to anoxic conditions) that spans a few metres (30–50 m interval) over the shelf. This condition inhibits and/or stimulates processes involved in nitrogen (N) removal (e.g. anammox, denitrification, and nitrification). During austral spring (September 2013) and summer (January 2014), the main pathways involved in N loss and its speciation, in the form of N2 and/or N2O, were studied using 15N-tracer incubations, inhibitor assays, and the natural abundance of nitrate isotopes along with hydrographic information. Incubations were developed using water retrieved from the oxycline (25 m depth) and bottom waters (85 m depth) over the continental shelf off Concepción, Chile. Results of 15N-labelled incubations revealed higher N removal activity during the austral summer, with denitrification as the dominant N2-producing pathway, which occurred together with anammox at all times. Interestingly, in both spring and summer maximum potential N removal rates were observed in the oxycline, where a greater availability of oxygen was observed (maximum O2 fluctuation between 270 and 40 µmol L−1) relative to the hypoxic bottom waters ( <  20 µmol O2 L−1). Different pathways were responsible for N2O produced in the oxycline and bottom waters, with ammonium oxidation and dissimilatory nitrite reduction, respectively, as the main source processes. Ammonium produced by dissimilatory nitrite reduction to ammonium (DNiRA) could sustain both anammox and nitrification rates, including the ammonium utilized for N2O production. The temporal and vertical variability of δ15N-NO3− confirms that multiple N-cycling processes are modulating the isotopic nitrate composition over the shelf off central Chile during spring and summer. N removal processes in this coastal system appear to be related to the availability and distribution of oxygen and particles, which are a source of organic matter and the fuel for the production of other electron donors (i.e. ammonium) and acceptors (i.e. nitrate and nitrite) after its remineralization. These results highlight the links between several pathways involved in N loss. They also establish that different mechanisms supported by alternative N substrates are responsible for substantial accumulation of N2O, which are frequently observed as hotspots in the oxycline and bottom waters. Considering the extreme variation in oxygen observed in several coastal upwelling systems, these findings could help to understand the ecological and biogeochemical implications due to global warming where intensification and/or expansion of the oceanic OMZs is projected.
Low-resolution Australasian palaeoclimate records of the last 2000 years
Authors: Dixon Bronwyn C. , Tyler Jonathan J. , Lorrey Andrew M. , Goodwin Ian D. , Gergis Joëlle , Drysdale Russell N.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Non-annually resolved palaeoclimate records in the Australasian region were compiled to facilitate investigations of decadal to centennial climate variability over the past 2000 years. A total of 675 lake and wetland, geomorphic, marine, and speleothem records were identified. The majority of records are located near population centres in southeast Australia, in New Zealand, and across the maritime continent, and there are few records from the arid regions of central and western Australia. Each record was assessed against a set of a priori criteria based on temporal resolution, record length, dating methods, and confidence in the proxy–climate relationship over the Common Era. A subset of 22 records met the criteria and were endorsed for subsequent analyses. Chronological uncertainty was the primary reason why records did not meet the selection criteria. New chronologies based on Bayesian techniques were constructed for the high-quality subset to ensure a consistent approach to age modelling and quantification of age uncertainties. The primary reasons for differences between published and reconstructed age–depth models were the consideration of the non-singular distribution of ages in calibrated 14C dates and the use of estimated autocorrelation between sampled depths as a constraint for changes in accumulation rate. Existing proxies and reconstruction techniques that successfully capture climate variability in the region show potential to address spatial gaps and expand the range of climate variables covering the last 2000 years in the Australasian region. Future palaeoclimate research and records in Australasia could be greatly improved through three main actions: (i) greater data availability through the public archiving of published records; (ii) thorough characterisation of proxy–climate relationships through site monitoring and climate sensitivity tests; and (iii) improvement of chronologies through core-top dating, inclusion of tephra layers where possible, and increased date density during the Common Era.
Climate indices for the Baltic states from principal component analysis
Authors: Bethere Liga , Sennikovs Juris , Bethers Uldis
Published: October 2017

Abstract. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to derive climate indices that describe the main spatial features of the climate in the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Monthly mean temperature and total precipitation values derived from the ensemble of bias-corrected regional climate models (RCMs) were used. Principal components were derived for the years 1961–1990. The first three components describe 92 % of the variance in the initial data and were chosen as climate indices in further analysis. Spatial patterns of these indices and their correlation with the initial variables were analyzed, and it was detected (based on correlation coefficient between principal components and initial variables) that higher values in each index corresponded to locations with (1) less distinct seasonality, (2) warmer climate, and (3) wetter climate. In addition, for the pattern of the first index, the impact of the Baltic Sea (distance to coast) was apparent; for the second, latitude and elevation were apparent, and for the third elevation was apparent. The loadings from the chosen principal components were further used to calculate the values of the climate indices for the years 2071–2100. An overall increase was found for all three indices with minimal changes in their spatial pattern.
Fog-based automatic true north detection for absolute magnetic declination measurement
Authors: Gonsette Alexandre , Rasson Jean , Bracke Stephan , Poncelet Antoine , Hendrickx Olivier , Humbled François
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Absolute magnetic measurements are of great importance in magnetic observatories. They allow not only instrument calibration but also data quality checking. They require the vertical and the geographic or true north as reference directions, usually determined by means of a level and by pointing an azimuth mark, respectively. We present here a novel system able to measure the direction of the magnetic field and of the vertical and true north. A design of a north seeker is proposed taking into account sensor bias as well as misalignment errors. Different methods are derived from this model and measurement results are presented. A measurement test at high latitude is also shown.
Overview of experiment design and comparison of models
participating in phase 1 of the SPARC Quasi-Biennial Oscillation
initiative (QBOi)
Authors: Butchart Neal , Anstey James A. , Hamilton Kevin , Osprey Scott , McLandress Charles , Bushell Andrew C. , Kawatani Yoshio , Kim Young-Ha , Lott Francois , Scinocca John , Stockdale Tim , Bellprat Omar , Braesicke Peter , Cagnazzo Chiara , Chen Chih-Chieh , Chun Hye-Yeong , Dobrynin Mikhail , Garcia Rolando R. , Garcia-Serrano Javier , Gray Lesley J. , Holt Laura , Kerzenmacher Tobias , Naoe Hiroaki , Pohlmann Holger , Richter Jadwiga H. , Scaife Adam A. , Schenzinger Verena , Serva Federico , Versick Stefan , Watanabe Shingo , Yoshida Kohei , Yukimoto Seiji
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The Stratosphere-troposphere Processes And their Role in Climate (SPARC) Quasi-Biennial Oscillation initiative (QBOi) aims to improve the fidelity of tropical stratospheric variability in general circulation and Earth system models by conducting coordinated numerical experiments and analysis. In the equatorial stratosphere, the QBO is the most conspicuous mode of variability. Five coordinated experiments have therefore been designed to (i) evaluate and compare the verisimilitudeof modelled QBOs under present-day conditions, (ii) identify robustness (or, alternatively the spread/uncertainty) in the simulated QBO response to commonly imposed changes in model climate forcings (e.g., a doubling of CO2 amounts) and, (iii) examine model dependence of QBO predictability. This paper documents these experiments and the recommended output diagnostics. The rationale behind the experimental design and choice of diagnostics is presented. To facilitate scientific interpretation of the results in other planned QBOi studies, consistent descriptions of the models performing each experiment set are given, with those aspects particularly relevant for simulating the QBO tabulated for easy comparison.
Complex interplay between stress perturbations and viscoelastic relaxation in a two-asperity fault model
Authors: Lorenzano Emanuele , Dragoni Michele
Published: October 2017

Abstract. We consider a plane fault with two asperities embedded in a shear zone, subject to a uniform strain rate owing to tectonic loading. After an earthquake, the static stress field is relaxed by viscoelastic deformation. We treat the fault as a discrete dynamical system with three degrees of freedom: the slip deficits of the asperities and the variation of their difference due to viscoelastic deformation. The dynamics of the system is described in terms of one sticking mode and three slipping modes. We consider the effect of stress transfers connected to earthquakes produced by neighbouring faults. The perturbation is studied in terms of a vector in the state space, whose components are the changes in the state variables of the system. The interplay between the stress perturbation and the viscoelastic relaxation significantly complicates the evolution of the fault and its seismic activity. We show that the presence of viscoelastic relaxation prevents any simple correlation between the change of Coulomb stresses on the asperities and the anticipation or delay of their failures. As an application, we study the effects of the 1999 Hector Mine, California, earthquake on the post-seismic evolution of the fault that generated the 1992 Landers, California, earthquake, which we model as a two-mode event associated with the consecutive failure of two asperities.
Testing the effects of topography, geometry and kinematics on modeled thermochronometer cooling ages in the eastern Bhutan Himalaya
Authors: Gilmore Michelle E. , McQuarrie Nadine , Eizenhöfer Paul , Ehlers Todd A.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The temporal and kinematic evolution of fold-thrust belts is a critical component for evaluating the viability of proposed plate tectonic, geodynamic and even climatic processes in regions of convergence. Thermochronometer data have the potential to provide temporal constraints, but interpretations of these data are sensitive to both exhumational and deformational processes. In this study, reconstructions of a balanced geologic cross section in the Himalayan fold-thrust belt of eastern Bhutan are used in a flexural and thermal-kinematic model to understand the sensitivity of predicted cooling ages to changes in fault kinematics, geometry and topography. We sequentially deform the cross section with ~ 10 km deformation steps and apply flexural loading and erosional unloading at each step to develop a high-resolution evolution of deformation, erosion, and burial over time. Comparison of model-predicted cooling ages to published thermochronometer data reveals that cooling ages are most sensitive to (1) location and magnitude of fault ramps, (2) variable shortening rates between 68-6.4 mm/yr, and (3) timing and magnitude of out-of-sequence faulting. The predicted ages are less sensitive to (4) radiogenic heat production, and (5) estimates of topographic evolution. We propose a revised cross section geometry that separates one large ramp previously proposed for the modern decollement into two smaller ramps. The revised cross section results in an improved fit to observed ages, particularly young AFT ages (2–6 Ma) located north of the Main Central Thrust.
Modelling seasonal meltwater forcing of the velocity of the
Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Koziol Conrad P. , Arnold Neil
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Surface runoff at the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet drains to the ice-sheet bed leading to enhanced summer ice flow. Ice velocities show a pattern of early summer acceleration followed by mid-summer deceleration, due to evolution of the subglacial hydrology system in response to meltwater forcing. Modelling the integrated hydrological – ice dynamics system to reproduce measured velocities at the ice margin remains a key challenge for validating the present understanding of the system, and constraining the impact of increasing surface runoff rates on dynamic ice mass loss from the GrIS. Here we show that a multi-component model incorporating supraglacial, subglacial, and ice dynamic components applied to a land-terminating catchment in western Greenland produces modeled velocities which are in good agreement with those observed in GPS records for three melt seasons of varying melt intensities. This provides support for the hypothesis that the subglacial system develops analogously to alpine glaciers, and supports recent model formulations capturing the transition between distributed and channelized states. The model shows development of efficient conduit drainage up-glacier from the ice sheet margin which develops more extensively, and further inland, as melt intensity increases. This suggests current trends of decadal timescale slow-down in the ablation zone will continue in the near future, although the strong summer velocity scaling in our results could begin to offset potential future fall and winter velocity decreases for very high melt rates which are predicted for the end of the 21st century.
FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL: CONCEPÇÕES E PRÁTICAS DE EDUCADORAS
Authors: Nogueira Adrinelly Lemes
Published: October 2017

Tendo como objetivo identificar como ocorre a formação continuada das professoras da Educação Infantil da rede municipal de Ituiutaba-MG, bem como discutir o que pensam sobre a formação que recebem, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo, dentro da abordagem qualitativa, em seis escolas da rede municipal de Ituiutaba-MG. Buscou-se, por meio de uma entrevista semi-estruturada com seis educadoras infantis, entender os processos formativos vivenciados por essas profissionais com ênfase na formação continuada e quais são os seus reflexos na prática pedagógica que desenvolvem em seu cotidiano. Elegemos como referencial teórico a perspectiva Histórico-cultural de Vygotsky, por acreditarmos que ela contribui para que o trabalho do professor seja pensado enquanto uma atividade e não apenas uma ação e que a proposta de formação realizada deve ter significado para o professor, pois quando ele a busca por motivos próprios, aprenderá com significado os conhecimentos ali construídos e terá mais possibilidade de transformar suas práticas. Os dados coletados na pesquisa nos permitiram apontar questões relacionadas ao processo de formação continuada vivenciado pelas educadoras infantis: 1) os conteúdos discutidos nesta não correspondem às dificuldades que vivenciam em seu dia-a-dia; 2) consideram-na como uma possibilidade efetiva de novas aprendizagens, momento em que tiram suas dúvidas, discutem problemas, aprendem a lidar com as novas tecnologias; 3) o horário em que os cursos são oferecidos e ao fato de, muitas vezes, os mesmos não serem condizentes com a realidade profissional vivenciada por elas contribui para que as descrevam como atividades pontuais e descontextualizadas; 4) estas devem ser realizadas por profissionais que conhecem a realidade da escola e por meio de modelos de metodologias que possam ser utilizados por elas em sua sala de aula; 5) não atribuem sentido a esses cursos considerados por elas como aligeirados e que se utilizam somente de conteúdos teóricos. A partir do exposto, percebemos que novas alternativas de formação precisam ser empregadas ao invés de serem apenas imposições das secretarias e dos demais órgãos governamentais e entidades voltadas para a educação. É preciso que ao professor seja dada voz no seu processo de formação
RECORTES HISTÓRICOS DA MEDICALIZAÇÃO E A IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DO FÓRUM SOBRE A MEDICALIZAÇÃO DA EDUCAÇÃO E DA SOCIEDADE EM JATAÍ
Authors: Paiva Letícia Mendes , Carrijo Thassia Silva , Schumacher Joice Veridiane , Cassoli Tiago
Published: October 2017

O presente texto é fruto do projeto de extensão universitária “Fórum sobre a Medicalização da Educação e da Sociedade/Jataí/GO” e tem como objetivo principal, apresentar e problematizar os processos de medicalização e medicamentalização da sociedade e, para tanto, realizamos alguns recortes históricos sobre tais processos e seus efeitos. Posteriormente apresentamos o processo de implementação do Fórum Sobre a Medicalização da Educação e da Sociedade no município de Jataí/GO e finalizamos com a análise da banalização de algumas práticas de diagnóstico na educação hoje. Temos como resultado o mapeamento de algumas alianças que constituem o poder médico-psiquiátrico, dentre elas, a aliança com a psicanálise, a biologia e a neurociência. Concluímos que a medicalização na educação decorre de práticas e procedimentos disciplinares presentes na sociedade que almejam homogeneizar as diferenças entres as pessoas e, consequentemente, medicar aqueles que fogem aos padrões estabelecidos pela norma médica e psiquiátrica. Essa normalização das condutas ocorre por meio de psicofármacos, cujo uso busca gerir os riscos sociais das consideradas más condutas, assumindo, muitas vezes, uma nova forma de punição.
DIREITO DESPORTIVO: A VISÃO DOS EGRESSOS EM EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA
Authors: FALQUETO Flávia Couto , LOPES Chaysther De Andrade
Published: October 2017

Resumo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo Analisar o conhecimento que os professores egressos da Faculdade de Educação Física (FEF) do Campus Jataí (CAJ) da Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), que participam de eventos desportivos com equipes amadoras e escolares, tem do Direito Desportivo. A pesquisa foi realizada com egressos do curso de Educação Física, treinadores ou técnicos de equipes e que estão trabalhando com treinamento desportivo a nível amador com equipes escolares ou não. Os resultados desta investigação poderão contribuir na divulgação da realidade encontrada, propiciando aos futuros e aos atuais profissionais da área do desporto o acesso às informações sobre o direito desportivo e suas responsabilidades na prática de sua profissão. A metodologia utilizada é de cunho qualitativo descritivo, com uma análise temática sobre o assunto. Os sujeitos foram sete professores de Educação Física, egressos do curso FEF/CAJ/UFG, que atuam em escolas públicas e particulares no município. O instrumento de pesquisa foi um roteiro de uma entrevista semi-estruturada, onde a partir dos resultados analisados, três categorias emergiram da realidade investigada: A primeira referiu-se às responsabilidades inerentes ao profissional de Educação Física, a segunda aos procedimentos e normas adotados por aqueles profissionais diante das práticas desportivas, formal e não-formal, e, a terceira abordou o conhecimento sobre o direito desportivo, o acesso a esse conhecimento e sua relevância. Foi possível constatar que o conhecimento acerca do Direito Desportivo demonstrado pelos entrevistados é baseado no senso comum.
Relações sociais de acesso: redes informacionais e interlocuções frente aos documentos policiais na Região do Alto Solimões/Amazonas
Authors: Silva Marcelo Araújo , Azevedo Rodolfo Almeida de
Published: October 2017

Introdução: O campo da pesquisa social em organizações policiais revela uma zona de tensão relacionada ao acesso a dados e informações, especialmente porque estes registros produzidos em delegacias guardam informações sensíveis e são mantidos por uma instituição com amplo histórico de restrição de acesso no Brasil. Diante disso, o presente estudo investigou os mecanismos e estratégias de acesso utilizados por um grupo de pesquisa atuante na mesorregião do Alto Solimões no Estado do Amazonas, bem como suas relações e interlocuções no acesso às delegacias de quatro municípios, em busca de dados e informações sobre violência contra mulheres. Metodologia: Utilizou-se o método de análise de conteúdo nos relatórios de campo produzidos pelos membros do grupo de pesquisadores em suas três etapas: pré-análise; exploração do material; tratamento dos resultados: inferência e interpretação. Resultados: Quanto às interlocuções e a rede informacional elencaram-se as seguintes observações: a atuação dos interlocutores influencia no acesso às organizações; a identificação de uma rede eficiente nos municípios; o pleno acesso às organizações, com apenas um caso de restrição justificada; a contribuição de agentes internos que dinamizam a coleta de dados e colaboram na recuperação da informação. Conclusões: As observações durante a análise permitiram, a partir da formulação de “acesso jurídico” e “acesso intelectual” de Jardim (1999b), a reflexão sobre dois novos conceitos idealizados inicialmente como “Pré-acesso” e “Relações Sociais de Acesso” com os aportes relacionados à antropologia da informação observando as condições sociais na constituição do acesso, assim como a definição das etapas do acesso aos registros/documentos mantidos por estas organizações.