bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Household Perceptions about the Impacts of Climate Change on Food Security in the Mountainous Region of Nepal
Authors: Poudel Shobha , Funakawa Shinya , Shinjo Hitoshi
Published: April 2017

This study tried to understand the mountainous households’ perception of climate change and its impacts on food security in the Lamjung district of Nepal. The study attempted to find out changes in households food security and daily activities in the face of climate change for the last twenty years. The study started with the 150 household surveys along with participatory rural appraisal to understand the climate change perception of local people and its impact on dimensions of food security. Households expressed different levels of perception in terms of climate change on food security. The result shows that most of the mountainous households experienced increased temperature, less rainfall in winter, an increasing number of natural disasters and the emergence of insects for the last twenty years. They perceived the role of climate change in decreased crop production, decreased dairy products and increased household work. The situation of food security is likely to be more vulnerable to climate change in the future. It was also observed that households have been using different autonomous adaptation measures, such as high yielding crop varieties, enhanced irrigation systems and fertilizers, to cope with the changing climate. Finally, the study recommended policy instruments to enhance food security in the mountainous region amidst changing climate.
Toxins of Prokaryotic Toxin-Antitoxin Systems with Sequence-Specific Endoribonuclease Activity
Authors: Masuda Hisako , Inouye Masayori
Published: April 2017

Protein translation is the most common target of toxin-antitoxin system (TA) toxins. Sequence-specific endoribonucleases digest RNA in a sequence-specific manner, thereby blocking translation. While past studies mainly focused on the digestion of mRNA, recent analysis revealed that toxins can also digest tRNA, rRNA and tmRNA. Purified toxins can digest single-stranded portions of RNA containing recognition sequences in the absence of ribosome in vitro. However, increasing evidence suggests that in vivo digestion may occur in association with ribosomes. Despite the prevalence of recognition sequences in many mRNA, preferential digestion seems to occur at specific positions within mRNA and also in certain reading frames. In this review, a variety of tools utilized to study the nuclease activities of toxins over the past 15 years will be reviewed. A recent adaptation of an RNA-seq-based technique to analyze entire sets of cellular RNA will be introduced with an emphasis on its strength in identifying novel targets and redefining recognition sequences. The differences in biochemical properties and postulated physiological roles will also be discussed.
Quantum Cosmology of the Big Rip: Within GR and in a Modified Theory of Gravity
Authors: Bouhmadi-López Mariam , Albarran Imanol , Chen Che-Yu
Published: April 2017

Quantum gravity is the theory that is expected to successfully describe systems that are under strong gravitational effects while at the same time being of an extreme quantum nature. When this principle is applied to the universe as a whole, we use what is commonly named “quantum cosmology”. So far we do not have a definite quantum theory of gravity or cosmology, but we have several promising approaches. Here we will review the application of the Wheeler–DeWitt formalism to the late-time universe, where it might face a Big Rip future singularity. The Big Rip singularity is the most virulent future dark energy singularity which can happen not only in general relativity but also in some modified theories of gravity. Our goal in this paper is to review two simple setups of the quantisation of the Big Rip in a Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe within general relativity and in a modified theory of gravity.
Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter in Deep Geothermal Water from Different Burial Depths Based on Three-Dimensional Fluorescence Spectra
Authors: Qiao Weifang , Wang Xinyi , Liu Xiaoman , Zhen Xiaoge , Guo Jianwei , Wang Shidong , Yang Fang , Chen Guosheng , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2017

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the chemical evolution of groundwater. Thus, in order to understand the composition and characteristics of DOM in groundwater, analyzed 31geothermal water samples from five aquifers (i.e., between 600 m and 1600 m) in the city of Kaifeng were analyzed and the results were compared in order to clarify their spatial distribution, characteristics, sources, and environmental influences. Results show that as the depth of a thermal reservoir increases, the ultraviolet absorption (UV254) of geothermal water does not change significantly, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) gradually increases with depth, and the fluorescence intensity of DOM remains weak. Some differences are also evident with regard to the location and intensity of geothermal water sample DOM fluorescence peaks depending on thermal reservoir. The results of this study show that the main source of DOM in geothermal water is endogenous, derived from high stability organic matter derived from sedimentary processes and associated microbial activity. Within the three geothermal reservoir depth ranges, 600 m to 800 m, 800 m to 1000 m, and 1000 m to 1200 m, DOM components were mainly protein-like as well as soluble microbial metabolites. However, at deeper depths, within the 1200 m to 1400 m and 1400 m to 1600 m thermal reservoirs, the proportion of protein-like components in DOM decreased, while the ratio fulvic-like and humic-like components increased, leading to changes in the positions of fluorescence peaks. Finally, our results demonstrate a close relationship between the intensity of fluorescence peaks, suggesting that a number of fluorescent components may share a common source.
La docencia actual de la ética en las universidades jesuitas
Authors: Etxeberria Xabier
Published: April 2017

En este artículo se presenta y analiza la docencia de la ética en los últimos 20 años en las universidades jesuitas en España. Se combina para ello el acercamiento histórico y sistemático. Respecto a este, se resalta la focalización de esa docencia en la ética de las profesiones, destacando todas sus implicaciones. Entre estas son importantes: la asunción de un enfoque de universalidad y pluralidad armonizado con la identidad jesuita de la universidad, la inclusión de la dimensión fundamental y cívica de la ética, el enraizamiento en los contextos sociales e históricos de las profesiones, la concepción compleja de la ética profesional pivotada en el bien interno de las profesiones. Se concluye proponiendo procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje que reasuman todos estos supuestos y ofreciendo la experiencia al ámbito universitario como una de las referencias posibles para debatir el lugar de la ética en la Universidad.
Justicia y ecología como frontera para las universidades jesuitas
Authors: Senent de Frutos Juan Antonio
Published: April 2017

Las universidades jesuitas, en cuanto instituciones que participan de la misión de la Compañía de Jesús han de dar respuesta desde sus funciones a la superación de las fracturas sociales y ecológicas que proliferan en la sociedad global. Esto implica un esfuerzo continuado de traducción e internalización universitaria de esta misión en todas sus actividades propias. En este artículo trataremos de acercarnos a algunas de las implicaciones que tiene esta misión para la vida de las universidades jesuitas. Plantearemos una visión de conjunto de la misión conforme a las últimas congregaciones generales así como el contexto científico y cultural en el que esta traducción universitaria puede darse. Consideraremos en qué líneas puede aportar la propia tradición cultural y espiritual jesuita al tratamiento de la cuestión social y la cuestión ecológica y qué implicaciones tiene esta misión en cuanto a la docencia y aprendizaje, investigación y proyección social en las universidades jesuitas.
Educación y compromiso: las universidades jesuitas en Centroamérica
Authors: Gómez Díez Francisco Javier
Published: April 2017

Este artículo analiza a partir, muy especialmente, de las declaraciones públicas de sus responsables, cómo han definido las universidades jesuitas centroamericanas su misión, con la intención de intentar explicar por qué surge en conflicto con el inicial objetivo fundacional de las universidades y, al tiempo, considerar los límites y contradicciones de este esfuerzo.
Hardware and Software Implementation of an Artificial Pancreas System on a Mobile Device
Authors: Lazaro Caterina , Oruklu Erdal , Sevil Mert , Turksoy Kamuran , Cinar Ali
Published: April 2017

In this work, an artificial pancreas (AP) system, implemented on a mobile device is described. The proposed AP platform integrates hardware (insulin pump, glucose monitor, various sensors for vital signs and physical activities) and software (closed-loop control algorithm, sensor fusion, data storage and remote server access) components via smartphone that is running a dedicated Operating System designed for AP systems. Interfacing with this OS and custom application development steps are presented. Closed loop operation is demonstrated with case studies.
Convex Optimization Via Jensen-Bregman Divergence for WLAN Indoor Positioning System
Authors: Abdullah Osamah Ali , Abdel-Qader Ikhlas , Bazuin Bradley
Published: April 2017

In the last two decades, the indoor positioning systems (IPS) have attracted many researchers because of the great importance in many pervasive applications. Different techniques have been developed for IPS, a method that fingerprints the Received Signal Strength (RSS) of WLAN at specific places that can obtain high accuracy of about one meter at the exact location. A large range of indoor navigation needs can be provided by using IPS, especially in unusual conditions such as being in large complex buildings or emergency healthcare needs. IPS can play a great role in other applications that needs tracking and observing such as for the elderly people or for security purpose. In this paper, a framework that incorporates the probabilistic neural network (PNN) with Jensen-Bregman Divergence (JBD) is proposed. To validate our algorithm, the results were compared with PNN and kNN nearest neighbor. Where implemented inside an academic building. The experiment results show that PNN-JBD achieves competitive performance comparing with traditional approaches.
The Social Impact of the Financial Crises in the Recent Past and Evidence Thereof — With Special Reference to India
Authors: Karmakar Asim Kumar , Jana Sebak Kumar
Published: April 2017

Financial crises have significant short-term and long-term social costs. As a result, economic and social indicators have dwindled significantly since 2007. The soar in the unemployment rate has been most marked in so called advanced economies, reaching alarming levels in the tangential Europe with more than half of the young labour force unemployed in Greece and Spain. What is more, the crises, one global and another Euro zone financial crisis, have inexplicably hurt the poor. The progress in poverty alleviation has been not smooth across regions, and the pace has slowed since 2007 across the board. The crisis has also created challenges to the achievement of other development targets, including reduction of the occurrence of malnutrition and mortality rates, and civilizing gender equality in education and access to hygienic water and sanitation. This also suggests a significant loss or a reversal of the progress in development. In the above background, this paper presents evidence on the extent to which the global financial crisis and other crises since 2007 has been associated with deteriorating economic and social well-being indicators with a special focus on India. The results clearly indicate that poverty levels have been falling before the pre-crisis period but the post-crisis period witnessed a jump in the poverty rates across India.
Characterization of T-Dependent and T-Independent B Cell Responses to a Virus-like Particle
Authors: Liao Wenhua , Hua Zhaolin , Liu Can , Lin Lin , Chen Rui , Hou Baidong
Published: April 2017

Natural pathogens, such as viruses, often induce T-dependent and T-independent Ab responses. However, the activation and differentiation of Ag-specific B cells under these conditions had not been examined in detail. In this study, we used bacterial phage Qβ-derived virus-like particles (Qβ-VLPs) as an immunogen to examine the T-independent and T-dependent phases of the response in mice. Using Qβ-specific cell labeling and enrichment methods developed in this study, we were able to characterize the rare Ag-specific B cells in detail. Surprisingly, we found that Qβ-VLPs could induce Bcl-6 expression in pregerminal center B cells independently of T cell help. In addition, Qβ-VLP–induced T-independent responses could lead to isotype-switched and somatically mutated memory B cells. Finally, in contrast to what has been reported with several other Ags, long-lived IgG+ memory cells were induced by Qβ-VLPs, with IgM+ memory B cells being produced but only evident for a limited time, suggesting that different types of immunogens may preferentially generate or maintain IgM+ versus IgG+ memory B cells.
Induction of an IFN-Mediated Antiviral Response by a Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccine: Implications for Vaccine Design
Authors: Pepini Timothy , Pulichino Anne-Marie , Carsillo Thomas , Carlson Alicia L. , Sari-Sarraf Farid , Ramsauer Katrin , Debasitis Jason C. , Maruggi Giulietta , Otten Gillis R. , Geall Andrew J. , Yu Dong , Ulmer Jeffrey B. , Iavarone Carlo
Published: April 2017

RNA-based vaccines have recently emerged as a promising alternative to the use of DNA-based and viral vector vaccines, in part because of the potential to simplify how vaccines are made and facilitate a rapid response to newly emerging infections. SAM vaccines are based on engineered self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) replicons encoding an Ag, and formulated with a synthetic delivery system, and they induce broad-based immune responses in preclinical animal models. In our study, in vivo imaging shows that after the immunization, SAM Ag expression has an initial gradual increase. Gene expression profiling in injection-site tissues from mice immunized with SAM-based vaccine revealed an early and robust induction of type I IFN and IFN-stimulated responses at the site of injection, concurrent with the preliminary reduced SAM Ag expression. This SAM vaccine-induced type I IFN response has the potential to provide an adjuvant effect on vaccine potency, or, conversely, it might establish a temporary state that limits the initial SAM-encoded Ag expression. To determine the role of the early type I IFN response, SAM vaccines were evaluated in IFN receptor knockout mice. Our data indicate that minimizing the early type I IFN responses may be a useful strategy to increase primary SAM expression and the resulting vaccine potency. RNA sequence modification, delivery optimization, or concurrent use of appropriate compounds might be some of the strategies to finalize this aim.
The effect of surgical technique on hemodynamics, arterial oxygenation and pulmonary mechanics in radical prostatectomy operations
Authors: Yuce Yucel , Erkal Kutlu Hakan , Goktas Cemal , Eryildirim Bilal , Sarica Kemal
Published: April 2017

Objective: The effects of surgical technique on respiratory mechanics, arterial oxygenation and hemodynamics in radical prostatectomy operation were investigated. Methods: The study was planned on ASA II-III, 40-65 years old, fourty patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy under general anesthesia. They were divided into two groups: perineal and suprapubic (Group P, n = 20; Group S, n = 20). Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PEtCO2), Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), plato pressure (Pplato), partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) values were evaluated at 10 minutes after induction. After the position applied for surgery in the 30.60 and 90th minutes, the Alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure gradient (P(A-a) O2), the ratio of physiologic dead space over tidal volume (VD/VT), arterial to end tidal CO2 gradient (P(a-et) CO2), static compliance (CS), dynamic compliance (CD) were assessed. Results: In the assessment of groups, there were not statistical differences about mean blood pressure, heart rate, SpO2, PetCO2, PaO2, plateau pressure, and P (A-a) values (p > 0.05). Peak inspiratory pressure was higher in Group P. Peak inspiratory pressure and plateau pressure increased with CO2 insufflation in Group P. PaCO2 and P(a-et) CO2 were higher statistically significantly in Group 0. There was no difference in terms of the PetCO2 values. VD/VT ratios were statistically significantly lower in the Group P. Conclusions: Suprapubic surgery was shown to improve oxygenation and respiratory mechanics without causing any hemodynamic side effect in radical prostatectomy operation.
B-lymphocytic infiltration of the prostate to a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A case report
Authors: Anastasiou Ioannis , Skoufias Spyridon , Katafigiotis Ioannis , Skarmoutsos Ioannis , Constantinides Constantinos A.
Published: April 2017

Involvement of the prostate gland, as an early extra-nodal manifestation of a hematologic disease, or as a secondary infiltration is rare. Even rarer is the acute urinary retention due to infiltration by lymphocytes and simultaneously enlarged prostate. We present a case of a 61 years old male patient with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, who was under oncological follow-up with no active treatment and had typical lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia and was receiving 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. After an acute urinary retention episode which was managed with a suprapubic catheter due to urethral catheter insertion failure, the patient was submitted to a transurethral prostatectomy. Histological examination revealed lymphocytic infiltration of the prostatic parenchyma by mostly small B cells. B-lymphocytic infiltration of the prostate gland, causes symptoms similar to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Acute urinary retention due to B-lymphocytic infiltration of the prostate is rare and the diagnosis is always histological and an oncological re-evaluation is necessary. The prognosis of these patients is related to the generalized disease rather than to the prostatic involvement.
The problem of mystery in science and technology: a philosophical analysis
Authors: Alawa Peter
Published: April 2017

When one talks about science, it is all about facts we know; technology is the practical products of science, but there are certain phenomena, occurrences or incidences that are beyond human comprehension, and therefore cannot be subjected to any empirical investigation. Such are called mysteries, for instance, the existence of God in itself is shrouded in mysteries. However, the problem is that today sciences use mysteries but deny that they do not have room for it. They are pretending because the entire theoretical framework of all scientists is not empirical. In this paper, we are establishing that we live in the middle of mysteries if we care to notice it, and we are surrounded by mysteries. Therefore, we need to be humble at the presence of the Supreme Being. But now the contemporary man because of science and technology thinks he/she knows everything which leads to pride and arrogance - the ills of our society. Our method is textual analysis; it is a critical look at the works written on mysteries in order to learn from the mysteries, since we cannot understand it all through reasoning and scientific experiments.Keywords: Revelation, Mysteries, Science and Technology
Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs): chemical compositions and separation of sources
Authors: Yuan Bin , Coggon Matthew M. , Koss Abigail R. , Warneke Carsten , Eilerman Scott , Peischl Jeff , Aikin Kenneth C. , Ryerson Thomas B. , de Gouw Joost A.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) emit a large number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere. In this study, we conducted mobile laboratory measurements of VOCs, methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) downwind of dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and chicken CAFO facilities in northeastern Colorado using a hydronium ion time-of-flight chemical-ionization mass spectrometer (H3O+ ToF-CIMS), which can detect numerous VOCs. Regional measurements of CAFO emissions in northeastern Colorado were also performed using the NOAA WP-3D aircraft during the Shale Oil and Natural Gas Nexus (SONGNEX) campaign. Alcohols and carboxylic acids dominate VOC concentrations and the reactivity of the VOCs with hydroxyl (OH) radicals. Sulfur-containing and phenolic species provide the largest contributions to the odor activity values and the nitrate radical (NO3) reactivity of VOC emissions, respectively. VOC compositions determined from mobile laboratory and aircraft measurements generally agree well with each other. The high time-resolution mobile measurements allow for the separation of the sources of VOCs from different parts of the operations occurring within the facilities. We show that the emissions of ethanol are primarily associated with feed storage and handling. Based on mobile laboratory measurements, we apply a multivariate regression analysis using NH3 and ethanol as tracers to determine the relative importance of animal-related emissions (animal exhalation and waste) and feed-related emissions (feed storage and handling) for different VOC species. Feed storage and handling contribute significantly to emissions of alcohols, carbonyls, carboxylic acids and sulfur-containing species. Emissions of phenolic species and nitrogen-containing species are predominantly associated with animals and their waste.
Measurement of alkyl and multifunctional organic nitrates by proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry
Authors: Duncianu Marius , David Marc , Kartigueyane Sakthivel , Cirtog Manuela , Doussin Jean-François , Picquet-Varrault Benedicte
Published: April 2017

Abstract. A commercial PTR-TOF-MS has been optimized in order to allow the measurement of individual organic nitrates in the atmosphere. This has been accomplished by shifting the distribution between different ionizing analytes, H3O+∕ H3O+(H2O)n or NO+∕ NO2+. The proposed approach has been proven to be appropriate for the online detection of individual alkyl nitrates and functionalized nitrates. It has been shown that hydroxyl and ketonitrates have a high affinity towards NO+, leading to the formation of an adduct that allows the easy identification of the organic nitrate (R) from the R–NO+ ion signal. The recorded sensitivities for both ionization modes correspond to detection limits of tens of ppt min−1 in the case of hydroxy- and ketonitrates. Alkyl nitrates exhibit a moderate affinity towards NO+ ionization leading to detection units of few hundreds of ppt and the highest sensitivity in H3O+ mode was obtained for the water adducts signals. However, this method exhibits much lower capabilities for the detection of peroxyacetyl nitrates with detection limits in the ppb range.
Atmosphere Density Measurements Using GPS Data from Rigid Falling Spheres
Authors: Yuan Yunxia , Ivchenko Nickolay , Tibert Gunnar , Stanev Marin , Hedin Jonas , Gumbel Jörg
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Atmospheric density profiles in the stratosphere and mesosphere are determined by means of low cost Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers on in situ rigid falling spheres released from a sounding rocket. Values below an altitude of 80 km are obtained. Aerodynamic drag relates atmospheric densities to other variables such as velocities of spheres, drag coefficients,and reference area.The densities are reconstructed by iterative solution. The calculated density is reasonably accurate, with deviation within 10 % with respect to the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts ( ECMWF) reference value. The atmospheric temperature and wind profiles are obtained as well, and compared to independent data.
A statistical framework for conditional extreme event attribution
Authors: Yiou Pascal , Jézéquel Aglaé , Naveau Philippe , Otto Frederike E. L. , Vautard Robert , Vrac Mathieu
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The goal of the attribution of individual events is to estimate whether and to what extent the probability of an extreme climate event evolves when external conditions (e.g., due to anthropogenic forcings) change. Many types of climate extremes are linked to the variability of the large-scale atmospheric circulation. It is hence essential to decipher the roles of atmospheric variability and increasing mean temperature in the change of probabilities of extremes. It is also crucial to define a background state (or counterfactual) to which recent observations are compared. In this paper we present a statistical framework to determine the dynamical (linked to the atmospheric circulation) and thermodynamical (linked to slow forcings) contributions to the probability of extreme climate events. We illustrate this methodology on a record precipitation event that hit southern United Kingdom in January 2014. We compare possibilities for the creation of two states (or worlds) in which probability change is determined. These two worlds are defined in a large ensemble of atmospheric model simulations (Weather@Home factual and counterfactual simulations) and separate periods (new: 1951–2014, and old: 1900–1950) in reanalyses and observations. We discuss how the atmospheric circulation conditioning can affect the interpretation of extreme event attribution. We eventually show the qualitative coherence of results between the choice of worlds (factual/counterfactual vs. new/old).
δ13C decreases in the upper western South Atlantic during Heinrich Stadials 3 and 2
Authors: Campos Marília C. , Chiessi Cristiano M. , Voigt Ines , Piola Alberto R. , Kuhnert Henning , Mulitza Stefan
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Abrupt millennial-scale climate change events of the last deglaciation (i.e. Heinrich Stadial 1 and the Younger Dryas) were accompanied by marked increases in atmospheric CO2 (CO2atm) and decreases in its stable carbon isotopic ratios (δ13C), i.e. δ13CO2atm, presumably due to outgassing from the ocean. However, information on the preceding Heinrich Stadials during the last glacial period is scarce. Here we present δ13C records from two species of planktonic foraminifera from the western South Atlantic that reveal major decreases (up to 1 ‰) during Heinrich Stadials 3 and 2. These δ13C decreases are most likely related to millennial-scale periods of weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and the consequent increase (decrease) in CO2atm (δ13CO2atm). We hypothesise two mechanisms that could account for the decreases observed in our records, namely strengthening of Southern Ocean deep-water ventilation and weakening of the biological pump. Additionally, we suggest that air–sea gas exchange could have contributed to the observed δ13C decreases. Together with other lines of evidence, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the CO2 added to the atmosphere during abrupt millennial-scale climate change events of the last glacial period also originated in the ocean and reached the atmosphere by outgassing. The temporal evolution of δ13C during Heinrich Stadials 3 and 2 in our records is characterized by two relative minima separated by a relative maximum. This w structure is also found in North Atlantic and South American records, further suggesting that such a structure is a pervasive feature of Heinrich Stadial 2 and, possibly, also Heinrich Stadial 3.
The interactions between soil–biosphere–atmosphere (ISBA) land surface model multi-energy balance (MEB) option in SURFEXv8 – Part 2: Introduction of a litter formulation and model evaluation for local-scale forest sites
Authors: Napoly Adrien , Boone Aaron , Samuelsson Patrick , Gollvik Stefan , Martin Eric , Seferian Roland , Carrer Dominique , Decharme Bertrand , Jarlan Lionel
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Land surface models (LSMs) need to balance a complicated trade-off between computational cost and complexity in order to adequately represent the exchanges of energy, water and matter with the atmosphere and the ocean. Some current generation LSMs use a simplified or composite canopy approach that generates recurrent errors in simulated soil temperature and turbulent fluxes. In response to these issues, a new version of the interactions between soil–biosphere–atmosphere (ISBA) land surface model has recently been developed that explicitly solves the transfer of energy and water from the upper canopy and the forest floor, which is characterized as a litter layer. The multi-energy balance (MEB) version of ISBA is first evaluated for three well-instrumented contrasting local-scale sites, and sensitivity tests are performed to explore the behavior of new model parameters. Second, ISBA-MEB is benchmarked against observations from 42 forested sites from the global micro-meteorological network (FLUXNET) for multiple annual cycles.It is shown that ISBA-MEB outperforms the composite version of ISBA in improving the representation of soil temperature, ground, sensible and, to a lesser extent, latent heat fluxes. Both versions of ISBA give comparable results in terms of simulated latent heat flux because of the similar formulations of the water uptake and the stomatal resistance. However, MEB produces a better agreement with the observations of sensible heat flux than the previous version of ISBA for 87.5 % of the simulated years across the 42 forested FLUXNET sites. Most of this improvement arises owing to the improved simulation of the ground conduction flux, which is greatly improved using MEB, especially owing to the forest litter parameterization. It is also shown that certain processes are also modeled more realistically (such as the partitioning of evapotranspiration into transpiration and ground evaporation), even if certain statistical performances are neutral. The analyses demonstrate that the shading effect of the vegetation, the explicit treatment of turbulent transfer for the canopy and ground, and the insulating thermal and hydrological effects of the forest floor litter turn out to be essential for simulating the exchange of energy, water and matter across a large range of forest types and climates.
Improving estimates of water resources in a semi-arid region by assimilating GRACE data into the PCR-GLOBWB hydrological model
Authors: Tangdamrongsub Natthachet , Steele-Dunne Susan C. , Gunter Brian C. , Ditmar Pavel G. , Sutanudjaja Edwin H. , Sun Yu , Xia Ting , Wang Zhongjing
Published: April 2017

Abstract. An accurate estimation of water resources dynamics is crucial for proper management of both agriculture and the local ecology, particularly in semi-arid regions. Imperfections in model physics, uncertainties in model land parameters and meteorological data, as well as the human impact on land changes often limit the accuracy of hydrological models in estimating water storages. To mitigate this problem, this study investigated the assimilation of terrestrial water storage variation (TWSV) estimates derived from the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) data using an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) approach. The region considered was the Hexi Corridor in northern China. The hydrological model used for the analysis was PCR-GLOBWB, driven by satellite-based forcing data from April 2002 to December 2010. The impact of the GRACE data assimilation (DA) scheme was evaluated in terms of the TWSV, as well as the variation of individual hydrological storage estimates. The capability of GRACE DA to adjust the storage level was apparent not only for the entire TWSV but also for the groundwater component. In this study, spatially correlated errors in GRACE data were taken into account, utilizing the full error variance–covariance matrices provided as a part of the GRACE data product. The benefits of this approach were demonstrated by comparing the EnKF results obtained with and without taking into account error correlations. The results were validated against in situ groundwater data from five well sites. On average, the experiments showed that GRACE DA improved the accuracy of groundwater storage estimates by as much as 25 %. The inclusion of error correlations provided an equal or greater improvement in the estimates. In contrast, a validation against in situ streamflow data from two river gauges showed no significant benefits of GRACE DA. This is likely due to the limited spatial and temporal resolution of GRACE observations. Finally, results of the GRACE DA study were used to assess the status of water resources over the Hexi Corridor over the considered 9-year time interval. Areally averaged values revealed that TWS, soil moisture, and groundwater storages over the region decreased with an average rate of approximately 0.2, 0.1, and 0.1 cm yr−1 in terms of equivalent water heights, respectively. A particularly rapid decline in TWS (approximately −0.4 cm yr−1) was seen over the Shiyang River basin located in the southeastern part of Hexi Corridor. The reduction mostly occurred in the groundwater layer. An investigation of the relationship between water resources and agricultural activities suggested that groundwater consumption required to maintain crop yield in the growing season for this specific basin was likely the cause of the groundwater depletion.
A meteo-hydrological modelling system for the reconstruction of
river runoff: the case of the Ofanto river catchment
Authors: Verri Giorgia , Pinardi Nadia , Gochis David , Tribbia Joseph , Navarra Antonio , Coppini Giovanni , Vukicevic Tomislava
Published: April 2017

Abstract. A meteo-hydrological modelling system has been designed for the reconstruction of long time series of rainfall and river runoff events. The modelling chain consists of the mesoscale meteorological model Weather Research and Forecasting WRF, the Land Surface Model NOAH-MP and the hydrology-hydraulics model WRF-Hydro. Two 3-months periods are reconstructed for winter 2011 and autumn 2013, containing heavy rainfall and river flooding events. Several sensitivity tests were performed along with an assessment of which tunable parameters, numerical choices and forcing data most impacted on the modelling performance. The calibration of the experiments highlighted that the infiltration and aquifer coefficients should be considered as seasonally dependent. The WRF precipitation was validated by a comparison with rain gauges in the Ofanto basin. The WRF model was demonstrated to be sensitive to the initialization time and a spin-up of about 1.5 days was needed before the start of the major rainfall events in order to improve the accuracy of the reconstruction. However this was not sufficient and an optimal interpolation method was developed to correct the precipitation simulation. It is based on an Objective Analysis and a Least Square melding scheme, collectively named OA+LS. We demonstrated that the OA+LS method is a powerful tool to reduce the precipitation uncertainties and produce a lower error precipitation reconstruction that itself generates a better river discharge time series.The validation of the river streamflow showed promising statistical indices. The final set-up of our meteo-hydrological modelling system was able to realistically reconstruct the local rainfall and the Ofanto hydrograph.
Nexus between Human Values and Overall Satisfaction with the Urban Environment. A Non-Lineal Partial Least Square Path Modeling. Argentine Cities Case
Authors: Nigro Hector Oscar , Cisaro Sandra Elizabeth Gonzalez
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we examine the relationship between Human Values and the Urban Environment, and how values are behaviorally instantiated in different environments, through Non-Linear Structural Equation Model based on Partial Least Square. Beginning with a unified framework of the study of values, we analyze its organization, antecedents, covariates and presumed consequences that emerge from the data. Schwartz Model is used because it has a coherent and flexible structure with the measure instrument that has been evolved. Ten categories of Human Values and two dimensions are used to evaluate the Urban Environment. We will prove that the Human Value Conservation, through the dimensions: Conformity, Security and Tradition depends on the perceptions of the Urban Environment, specifically on the dimension Consumption/Esthetic & Social Cohesion. We postulate tentatively that the Human Value Self-Enhancement, through the subdimensions Achievement and Power, it is a variable, which in short and long time, impacts on the Perception of the Urban Environment, specifically on the Perception of the System of Generation and Distribution of Habitat Resource.
Differences between Spanish monolingual and Spanish-English bilingual children in their calculation of entailment-based scalar implicatures
Authors: Syrett Kristen , Lingwall Anne , Perez-Cortes Silvia , Austin Jennifer , Sánchez Liliana , Baker Hannah , Germak Christina , Arias-Amaya Anthony
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we extend investigations of the possible effects of cross-linguistic influence at the pragmatics-syntax interface (Hulk & Müller 2000; Müller & Hulk 2001; Serratrice, Sorace & Paoli 2004), by presenting two experiments designed to probe how Spanish monolingual and Spanish-English bilingual preschool-age children approach the ‘some, but not all’ scalar implicature (SI) associated with algunos (‘some’). We compare algunos and unos (also a ‘some’ indefinite, but one that is not context-linked and does not induce an SI), and algunos and todos (the universal quantifier ‘every/all’). The performance of the children is compared to fluent adult Spanish heritage speakers. Experiment 1 is a variation of Noveck’s (2001) statement evaluation task, also replicated by Guasti et al. (2005). Experiment 2 is a forced-choice picture selection task. Results demonstrate that adults were the only group to consistently calculate the SI associated with algunos – a finding that was expected to some extent, given that our tasks were stripped of the contextual support that could benefit children’s pragmatic reasoning. While bilingual and monolingual children displayed comparable performance across tasks, bilinguals in Experiment 2 appeared to experience difficulty with judgments related to todos – a pattern we attribute (in light of independent findings) to the cognitive overload in the task, not the lexical entry of this quantifier. We conclude that young monolingual and bilingual children confront the same challenges when called upon to deploy pragmatic skills in a discourse context.This article is part of the special collection: Acquisition of Quantification
Overcoming Reluctance towards High Fidelity Simulation - A Mutual Challenge for Nursing Students’ and Faculty Teachers
Authors: Häggström Marie , Bäckstrom Britt , Vestling Irene , Hallin Karin , Segevall Cecilia , Kristiansen Lisbeth
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: One strategy to develop nursing students’ clinical judgment are the use of high-fidelity patient simulation (HFS). The aim of the study was twofold. Firstly, the aim of this study was to describe the nursing students’ experiences while participating in HFS, and secondly to describe faculty teachers’ reflections about nursing students’ need in HFS and the related teaching challenges.METHOD: Data was collected in focus group discussions and individual interviews, analyzed using thematic qualitative content analysis.FINDINGS: The nursing students’ experienced HFS as being thrown into an uncertain, exposure situation. This were for some, reason for reluctance. The teachers challenge was motivating and coaching the students throughout a demanding teaching situation. DISCUSSION: Students’ ability to perform in HFS is influenced by self-perceived efficacy, own attitudes and responsibility for one’s learning, which are a challenge for the teachers.CONCLUSION: HFS methodology can be useful to identify gaps and strengths in students’ professional transition towards becoming registered nurses. Overcoming reluctance towards HFS is a mutual challenge for faculty teachers and nursing students. By entering the scenario with a positive mindset, nursing students can improve their ability to perform clinical judgments.
A Comprehensive Review of E-HRM in Service SMEs in Jordan
Authors: Roman Nader Abu
Published: April 2017

This article reviews current empirical studies on electronic Human Resource Management (E-HRM) in SMEs in Jordan and discuss some findings for future undertakings. The comprehensive review is composed of related studies extracted from the online index or data base of the various journals. Contextual structure had been presented to have a clear mapping and understanding with the proceedings. It also included some studies of E-HRM outside Jordan to supplement the insufficiency and reliability of the comprehensive review. Conclusion and recommendation had been made.
Immunohistochemical Detection of Hairy Cell Leukemia in Paraffin Sections: The Role of Pax5 and CD103 Double Staining to Improve Specificity and Sensitivity
Authors: Rozenvald Igor B. , Richardson Maurice D. , Brock Lenessa , Maiese Russell L.
Published: April 2017

Context.—

In hematopathology practice, abnormal expression of CD103 on B cells is detected by flow cytometry in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and, in combination with other phenotypic and morphologic findings, provides diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. Immunostaining on paraffin sections makes it possible to perform immunophenotyping in situ. However, normal bone marrow contains CD103-positive cells, which are not B cells, making it difficult to be certain about low-level involvement by HCL.

Objective.—

To develop dual immunostaining for confirmation that CD103 is expressed in B cells, which may be highly desirable in assessing low-level involvement by HCL.

Design.—

We developed a dual immunostaining approach using a B-cell marker, Pax5, expressed in the nucleus, in combination with a membrane marker, CD103.

Results.—

We analyzed 6 HCLs, 7 marginal zone lymphomas, 12 lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas, 7 follicular lymphomas, 5 chronic lymphocytic leukemias, 5 mantle cell lymphomas, 1 multiple myeloma (lymphocytic variant), and 3 bone marrows not involved by any B-cell neoplasm. Our dual staining approach confirmed that only the neoplastic cells of HCL were positive for both CD103 and Pax5.

Conclusions.—

This dual-staining method is particularly helpful in cases with low-level involvement by HCL and can be used for determining minimal residual disease after treatment.
“Justice was Refused Me, I Resolved to Free Myself”
Authors: Broyld Dann J.
Published: April 2017

Though born a free man, John W. Lindsay at the age of seven was abducted by slave catchers and enslaved in Washington D.C. He eventually landed in Western Tennessee where he made a declaration that he intended to emancipate himself no matter the cost. In order to receive the rights, liberties, and immunities granted to natural-born white men in the United States constitution, Lindsay had to flee to the border town of St. Catharines, Ontario. This article will reconstruct the principally unknown life of Lindsay as he negotiated nations, helped to build a Black community in Canada out of American refugees, and resolved to live in citizenship and equality with his contemporaries.
Nonlinear feedback drives homeostatic plasticity in H2O2 stress response
Authors: Goulev Youlian , Morlot Sandrine , Matifas Audrey , Huang Bo , Molin Mikael , Toledano Michel B , Charvin Gilles
Published: April 2017

Homeostatic systems that rely on genetic regulatory networks are intrinsically limited by the transcriptional response time, which may restrict a cell’s ability to adapt to unanticipated environmental challenges. To bypass this limitation, cells have evolved mechanisms whereby exposure to mild stress increases their resistance to subsequent threats. However, the mechanisms responsible for such adaptive homeostasis remain largely unknown. Here, we used live-cell imaging and microfluidics to investigate the adaptive response of budding yeast to temporally controlled H2O2 stress patterns. We demonstrate that acquisition of tolerance is a systems-level property resulting from nonlinearity of H2O2 scavenging by peroxiredoxins and our study reveals that this regulatory scheme induces a striking hormetic effect of extracellular H2O2 stress on replicative longevity. Our study thus provides a novel quantitative framework bridging the molecular architecture of a cellular homeostatic system to the emergence of nonintuitive adaptive properties.
Pollinator diversity and reproductive success ofEpipactis helleborine(L.) Crantz (Orchidaceae) in anthropogenic and natural habitats
Authors: Rewicz Agnieszka , Jaskuła Radomir , Rewicz Tomasz , Tończyk Grzegorz
Published: April 2017

Background

Epipactis helleborineis an Eurasian orchid species which prefers woodland environments but it may also spontaneously and successfully colonise human-made artificial and disturbed habitats such as roadsides, town parks and gardens. It is suggested that orchids colonising anthropogenic habitats are characterised by a specific set of features (e.g., large plant size, fast flower production). However, as it is not well known how pollinator diversity and reproductive success ofE. helleborinediffers in populations in anthropogenic habitats compared to populations from natural habitats, we wanted to compare pollinator diversity and reproductive success of this orchid species between natural and anthropogenic habitat types.

Methods

Pollination biology, reproductive success and autogamy in populations ofE. helleborinefrom anthropogenic (roadside) and natural (forest) habitats were compared. Eight populations (four natural and four human-disturbed ones) in two seasons were studied according to height of plants, length of inflorescences, as well as numbers of juvenile shoots, flowering shoots, flowers, and fruits. The number and diversity of insect pollinators were studied in one natural and two human-disturbed populations.

Results

Reproductive success (the ratio of the number of flowers to the number of fruits) in the populations from anthropogenic habitats was significantly higher than in the natural habitats. Moreover, plants from anthropogenic habitats were larger than those from natural ones. In both types of populations, the main insect pollinators were Syrphidae, Culicidae, Vespidae, Apidae and Formicidae. With respect to the type of pollinators’ mouth-parts, chewing (39%), sponging (34%) and chewing-sucking (20%) pollinators prevailed in anthropogenic habitats. In natural habitats, pollinators with sponging (55%) and chewing mouth-parts (32%) dominated, while chewing-sucking and piercing-sucking insects accounted for 9% and 4% respectively.

Discussion

We suggest that higher reproductive success ofE. helleborinein the populations from anthropogenic habitats than in the populations from natural habitats may result from a higher number of visits by pollinators and their greater species diversity, but also from the larger size of plants growing in such habitats. Moreover, our data clearly show thatE. helleborineis an opportunistic species with respect to pollinators, with a wide spectrum of pollinating insects. Summarising,E. helleborineis a rare example of orchid species whose current range is not declining. Its ability to make use of anthropogenically altered habitats has allowed its significant spatial range expansion, and even successful colonisation of North America.