bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Clay Type on Steam-Assisted-Gravity-Drainage Performance
Authors: Kar Taniya , Mukhametshina Albina , Unal Yasin , Hascakir Berna
Published: November 2015

This study investigates the effect of clay type on the performance variations of steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). Two SAGD experiments at identical experimental conditions were conducted. The reservoir rock for the first experiment (SAGD1) is prepared with a sand (85 wt%) and kaolinite (15 wt%) mixture, and the second experiment (SAGD2) is prepared with a sand (85 wt%), kaolinite (13.5 wt%), and illite (1.5 wt%) mixture. The effectiveness of the steam-chamber growth did not change with the clay type; however, 15-wt% reduction in oil recovery was observed for SAGD2. The possible reasons were investigated with the analyses on the produced-water, the produced-oil, and the spent-rock samples. Contact-angle, particle-size, zeta-potential, and interfacial-tension measurements were carried out on the samples. The mineralogical changes on spent-rock samples were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning-electron-microscope (SEM) analyses. The contact-angle measurements on the spent-rock samples displayed the higher oil-wetness for SAGD2 than SAGD1. However, the water-wetness of illite is known to be higher than that of kaolinite. This unexpected result is explained by the interaction of illite and the asphaltenes from SAGD2. The particle-size measurements, along with the SEM images, on post-mortem samples reveal that illite containing clay exhibits cementation behaviour and, hence, reduces the permeability of the rock. According to the experimental results, we developed hypotheses to understand the bitumen/illite and bitumen/kaolinite interactions for SAGD. Because of the high water-wetness of illite, illite particles first interact with water. This interaction results in cementation and forms illite lumps with sand. Then, illite lumps continue to interact more vigorously with the polar molecules (water, asphaltenes, and resins). Clay migration and production occur in both clay types; however, while kaolinite is produced in the water phase, illite-containing clay as a result of its interaction with asphaltenes is produced in the oil phase.
What do Bones Tell us? The Study of Human Skeletons from the Perspective of Forensic Anthropology
Authors: Corrieri Brigida , Márquez-Grant Nicholas
Published: November 2015

Human remains are present in a number of contexts. Some of these are archaeological burial sites, which can comprise individual or mass graves burials. Human remains are usually found buried (or cremated), but they can also be found in museums and in universities, as part of their anatomical collections. Human remains can be found in churches as relics, in ossuaries, and as part of objects. Hence human remains refer to not just a complete skeleton, but also a part of a bone or tooth, hair and mummified remains. In more recent forensic, police or medico-legal cases, human skeletal remains can be found in a number of contexts, such as fire scenes, natural disasters, clandestine graves, or on the surface in open areas (e.g. a woodland). One aspect of physical anthropology is that which studies human skeletal remains in order to reconstruct the past, understand human variation, and provide information about the deceased individuals, such as their age at death, sex, ancestry, stature, pathological conditions or traumatic injuries; the remains from medico-legal or police cases fall under the branch of forensic anthropology.
Dietary Lecithin Supplementation Can Improve the Quality of the M. Longissimus thoracis
Authors: D’Souza Darryl , Blake Bronwyn , Williams Ian , Mullan Bruce , Pethick David , Dunshea Frank
Published: November 2015

Forty crossbred (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) female pigs (16.4 kg ± 0.94 kg) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lecithin supplementation on growth performance and pork quality. Pigs were randomly allocated to a commercial diet containing either 0, 3, 15 or 75 g lecithin/kg of feed during the grower and finisher growth phase. Pork from pigs consuming the diets containing 15 g and 75 g lecithin/kg had lower hardness ( P < 0.001) and chewiness ( P < 0.01) values compared to the controls. Dietary lecithin supplementation at 75 g/kg significantly increased ( P < 0.05) the linoleic acid and reduced ( P < 0.05) the myristic acid levels of pork compared to the control and the 3 g/kg and 15 g/kg lecithin supplemented treatments. Pigs fed the 75 g/kg lecithin supplemented diet had lower plasma cholesterol ( P < 0.05) at slaughter compared to pigs fed the control diet and the 3 g/kg and 15 g/kg lecithin supplemented treatments. These data indicate that dietary lecithin supplementation has the potential to improve the quality attributes of pork from female pigs.
A New 1D Chained Coordination Polymer: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Antitumor Activity and Luminescent Property
Authors: Tai Xi-Shi , You Hai-Ying
Published: November 2015

A new 1D chained coordination polymer of Zn(II), {[Zn(L)2(4,4′-bipy)]·(H2O)}n(1) (HL = N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine; 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Theresults show that each asymmetric unit of Zn(II) complex belongs to monoclinic, space group P21 with a = 11.421(2) Å, b = 9.2213(17) Å, c = 15.188(3) Å,β = 106.112(3)°, V = 1536.7(5) Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.444 g·cm−3, µ = 0.857 mm−1, F(000) = 696, and final R1 = 0.0439, ωR2 = 0.1013. The molecules form one-dimensional chained structure by its the bridging 4,4′-bipyridine ligands. The antitumor activities and luminescent properties of Zn(II) coordination polymer have also been investigated.
Cultivating a Value for Non-Human Interests through the Convergence of Animal Welfare, Animal Rights, and Deep Ecology in Environmental Education
Authors: Kopnina Helen , Cherniak Brett
Published: November 2015

While the original objective of environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD) acquired an awareness of the natural world and its current plight, animal welfare (AW), animal rights (AR), and deep ecology (DE) have often been absent within EE and ESD. AW and AR focus their attention on individual animals, while the DE perspective recognizes the intrinsic value of the environment. In this article, we shall discuss how the integration of these three approaches within EE/ESD can and should be improved, with particular reference to the ethical underpinnings of educational scholarship and practice. This article will argue that these three positions are well placed to enhance the democratic practices of EE/ESD through the adoption of an inclusive pluralism that embraces representation of non-human species and recognizes their interests.
Dermal Contributions to Human Interfollicular Epidermal Architecture and Self-Renewal
Authors: Lawlor Kynan , Kaur Pritinder
Published: November 2015

The human interfollicular epidermis is renewed throughout life by populations of proliferating basal keratinocytes. Though interfollicular keratinocyte stem cells have been identified, it is not known how self-renewal in this compartment is spatially organized. At the epidermal-dermal junction, keratinocytes sit atop a heterogeneous mix of dermal cells that may regulate keratinocyte self-renewal by influencing local tissue architecture and signalling microenvironments. Focusing on the rete ridges and complementary dermal papillae in human skin, we review the identity and organisation of abundant dermal cells types and present evidence for interactions between the dermal microenvironment and the interfollicular keratinocytes.
Immigration Federalism as Ideology: Lessons from the States
Authors: Newton Lina
Published: November 2015

Over the last decade states passed hundreds of immigration bills covering a range of policy areas. This article considers the recent state legislative surge against scholarly treatments of immigration federalism, and identifies the symbolic politics in state lawmaking. The analysis combines a historical treatment of key court decisions that delineated boundaries of state and federal immigration roles with a legislative analysis of over 2200 immigration bills passed between 2006 and 2013, to identify the numerous ways in which national immigration policy shapes state measures. It argues that recent laws must be considered against symbolic federalism which privileges state sovereignty and justifies social policy devolution by advancing frames of intergovernmental conflict, state-level policy pragmatism, and federal ineffectiveness.
Anti-Ferroelectric Ceramics for High Energy Density Capacitors
Authors: Chauhan Aditya , Patel Satyanarayan , Vaish Rahul , Bowen Chris
Published: November 2015

With an ever increasing dependence on electrical energy for powering modern equipment and electronics, research is focused on the development of efficient methods for the generation, storage and distribution of electrical power. In this regard, the development of suitable dielectric based solid-state capacitors will play a key role in revolutionizing modern day electronic and electrical devices. Among the popular dielectric materials, anti-ferroelectrics (AFE) display evidence of being a strong contender for future ceramic capacitors. AFE materials possess low dielectric loss, low coercive field, low remnant polarization, high energy density, high material efficiency, and fast discharge rates; all of these characteristics makes AFE materials a lucrative research direction. However, despite the evident advantages, there have only been limited attempts to develop this area. This article attempts to provide a focus to this area by presenting a timely review on the topic, on the relevant scientific advancements that have been made with respect to utilization and development of anti-ferroelectric materials for electric energy storage applications. The article begins with a general introduction discussing the need for high energy density capacitors, the present solutions being used to address this problem, and a brief discussion of various advantages of anti-ferroelectric materials for high energy storage applications. This is followed by a general description of anti-ferroelectricity and important anti-ferroelectric materials. The remainder of the paper is divided into two subsections, the first of which presents various physical routes for enhancing the energy storage density while the latter section describes chemical routes for enhanced storage density. This is followed by conclusions and future prospects and challenges which need to be addressed in this particular field.
Effect of Ceramic Content on the Compression Properties of TiB2-Ti2AlC/TiAl Composites
Authors: Shu Shili , Tong Cunzhu , Qiu Feng , Jiang Qichuan
Published: November 2015

In situ synthesized TiB2-reinforced TiAl composites usually possess high strength. However, it is very expensive to use B powder to synthesize TiB2 particles. Moreover, the strength enhancement of TiB2/TiAl composite is generally at the cost of plasticity. In this study, in situ dual reinforcement TiB2-Ti2AlC/TiAl composites were fabricated by using B4C powder as the B and C source, which greatly reduces the potential production cost. The 6 vol. % TiB2-Ti2AlC/TiAl composite fabricated by using the Ti-Al-B4C system shows greatly improved compressive properties, i.e., 316 MPa and 234 MPa higher than those of TiAl alloy and with no sacrifice in plasticity.
Puente pretensado sobre el río Main
Authors: Wittfoht Hans , Bilger Walter
Published: November 2015

El proyecto definitivo, adjudicado por concurso a la empresa Polensky & Zöllner, consiste en una estructura de hormigón pretensado de tres tramos, de 85, 140 y 85 m de luz, respectivamente, y cuya forma y esbeltez se adaptará a la belleza natural del paisaje local. Los ejes del puente y río forman un ángulo de 72°, y el de la calzada es una línea circular de 1.400 m de radio. En el plano vertical, el perfil del tablero es también circular, de 14.000 m de radio, con concavidad hacia arriba y parte más baja en las proximidades de la clave. El hormigonado de las dos vigas cajón que soportan las calzadas y andenes se ha realizado por un sistema mixto de voladizo y cimbra móvil apoyada sobre un entramado que se iba corriendo, a medida que avanzaba el brazo en voladizo, por trozos de 3,5 y hasta 7 m de longitud, iniciándose sobre un pilar y avanzando después simultáneamente a uno y otro lado del trozo inicial. El pretensado ha sido la parte principal del sistema mixto de construcción. La construcción por trozos y el gran número de cables longitudinales y transversales, ha exigido especial atención para sus anclajes y colocación. Con objeto de evitar la fisuración se procedió a colocar una serie de tubos en el interior del hormigón fresco, a modo de serpentín refrigerador, que absorbían su calor de hidratación durante el fraguado. Durante el período de construcción, la articulación prevista sobre los soportes se solidarizó con el cuerpo de la pila, constituyendo un todo monolítico con la estructura celular del brazo en voladizo.
Observaciones acerca de la dosificación de cemento en morteros y hormigones fraguados
Authors: Calleja Carrete J.
Published: November 2015

Los métodos al uso para determinar la dosificación de conglomerantes en conglomerados, y más concretamente de cemento (portland o no) en morteros y hormigones fraguados, tienen, en general, limitaciones que les hacen adolecer en la mayoría de los casos prácticos de errores considerables.
En circunstancias determinadas, generalmente imprevistas, estos errores pueden aumentar notablemente e invalidar los resultados y las conclusiones que de los mismos pudieran extraerse.
En evitación de ello es preciso entonces complementar los métodos con otras determinaciones, particularmente si el dictamen basado en el resultado hallado para la dosificación puede afectar seriamente a intereses económicos, o determinar una responsabilidad de cualquier tipo.
Centro de la Industria Electrónica, en Frankfurt (Alemania)
Authors: Apel Otto , Beckert Hannsgeorg , Becker Gilbert
Published: November 2015

El complejo de la «Casa de la Industria Electrónica, en Frankfurt, comprende tres edificios principales: el edificio A, de tres plantas, situado en el centro, que aloja las oficinas de la Asociación VDE; el edificio B, que alberga las oficinas de la Asociación Alemana de Fábricas de Electricidad VDEW, y el edificio C, de siete plantas, que contiene las oficinas de la Asociación Central de la Industria Electrónica.
Dichos edificios están unidos por otros más bajos, que alojan una sección de ensayos, sala de conferencias y el casino. Todo ello es de una diafanidad notable, y los materiales y sistemas empleados en su construcción son los más avanzados del momento.
El aparato ultrasónico del IETcc
Authors: Tobío J. M.
Published: November 2015

En este trabajo se da la descripción de un nuevo aparato ultrasónico desarrollado en los laboratorios del I.E.T.C.C. (Instituto Eduardo Torroja de la Construcción y del Cemento), que viene a completar los equipos para ensayos no destructivos de que dispone la División de Metrología.
Como características más destacadas de este aparato se señalan: la posibilidad de trabajar a frecuencias diferentes (20 a 300 kc/seg), empleando transductores tanto de titanato de bario como de ferrita (Ferroxcube); control auditivo heterodino de la frecuencia de mareaje, y facultad opcional de observar el impulso recibido tanto en forma de onda amortiguada de alta frecuencia como de impulso diferenciado de baja frecuencia y elevada exactitud.
También se revisan los fundamentos teóricos del método de impulsos, así como las aplicaciones más usuales del mismo en cuanto se refiere a su empleo en hormigón en masa, estructural e incluso probetas de laboratorio.
El método revisado y reseñado posee las limitaciones inherentes a esta clase de procedimientos no destructivos que han sido señaladas en trabajos anteriores.
La evolución de la industria de la construcción
Authors: Nadal Jaime
Published: November 2015

No disponible
A New Panel of SNP Markers for the Individual Identification of North American Pumas
Authors: Fitak Robert R. , Naidu Ashwin , Thompson Ron W. , Culver Melanie
Published: November 2015

Pumas Puma concolor are one of the most studied terrestrial carnivores because of their widespread distribution, substantial ecological impacts, and conflicts with humans. Over the past decade, managing pumas has involved extensive efforts including the use of genetic methods. Microsatellites have been the most commonly used genetic markers; however, technical artifacts and little overlap of frequently used loci render large-scale comparison of puma genetic data across studies challenging. Therefore, a panel of genetic markers that can produce consistent genotypes across studies without the need for extensive calibrations is essential for range-wide genetic management of puma populations. Here, we describe the development of PumaPlex, a high-throughput assay to genotype 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms in pumas. We validated PumaPlex in 748 North American pumas Puma concolor couguar, and demonstrated its ability to generate reproducible genotypes and accurately identify individuals. Furthermore, in a test using fecal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples, we found that PumaPlex produced significantly more genotypes with fewer errors than 12 microsatellite loci, 8 of which are commonly used. Our results demonstrate that PumaPlex is a valuable tool for the genetic monitoring and management of North American puma populations. Given the analytical simplicity, reproducibility, and high-throughput capability of single nucleotide polymorphisms, PumaPlex provides a standard panel of markers that promotes the comparison of genotypes across studies and independent of the genotyping technology used.
The Influence of Institutional Environment on Quality Practices and Its Impact on Regional Development
Authors: Sánchez-Fernández María Dolores
Published: November 2015

This chapter studied the institutional influence associated to quality practices in hotels. The aim was to interpret whether it was the normative, coercive or mimetic pressures (Institutional pressures) that influenced the three, four and five star hotels in north of Portugal. In order to accomplish these objectives the author used an investigation model that connects institutional context pressures with quality practices and quality practices with legitimacy. To study used the Institutional Theory as theoretical reference.
Omega-3 fatty acids after myocardial infarction. News for prescription
Authors: Fattirolli Francesco
Published: November 2015

Not available
Community engagement as the organic link with the street: Creating a learning community between the academy and homeless people in Tshwane
Authors: Botha Nico
Published: November 2015

Does the current community engagement project, of the Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology at the University of South Africa (UNISA), respond to the conceptual discourse on community engagement? Informed by this question this article’s objective is two-pronged. Firstly, an attempt is made to locate the project’s beginning in a proper historical perspective by engaging the initial ministry of the Department with homeless people. The narrative about the work of a Mennonite couple is told by structuring it around the dimensions of agency (identification or insertion), context analysis, strategies for mission and theological reflection or in simple terms, the reading of the Bible. Secondly, this article proceeds by subjecting both the initial ministry with homeless people and the community engagement project, in its current form, to the scrutiny of three high ranking publications from the Higher Education Quality Committee in collaboration with JET Education Services, the Council on Higher Education and a handbook on service learning in South Africa on the conceptual clarification of service learning and community engagement. As the documents reveal some difference of opinion amongst the experts, the bottom-line is that unless the interaction between the academy and the community (homeless people) is a consistent, sustainable, reciprocal and mutual process aimed at creating a genuine learning community, the project is called into question. A further issue is that the engagement between the parties must find reflection in what is taught – students or learners are to benefit from this – and researched.
Some insights into the condensing vapors driving new particle growth to CCN sizes on the basis of hygroscopicity measurements
Authors: Wu Z. J. , Poulain L. , Birmili W. , Größ J. , Niedermeier N. , Wang Z. B. , Herrmann H. , Wiedensohler A.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) and growth is an important source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). In this study, we investigated the chemical species driving new particle growth to the CCN sizes on the basis of particle hygroscopicity measurements carried out at the research station Melpitz, Germany. Three consecutive NPF events occurred during summertime were chosen as examples to perform the study. Hygroscopicity measurements showed that the (NH4)2SO4-equivalent water-soluble fraction accounts for 20 and 16 % of 50 and 75 nm particles, respectively, during the NPF events. Numerical analysis showed that the ratios of H2SO4 condensational growth to the observed particle growth were 20 and 13 % for 50 and 75 nm newly formed particles, respectively. Aerosol mass spectrometer measurements showed that an enhanced mass fraction of sulfate and ammonium in the newly formed particles was observed when new particles grew to the sizes larger than 30 nm shortly after the particle formation period. At a later time, the secondary organic species played a key role in the particle growth. Both hygroscopicity and aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements and numerical analysis confirmed that organic compounds were major contributors driving particle growth to CCN sizes. The critical diameters at different supersaturations estimated using AMS data and κ-Köhler theory increased significantly during the later course of NPF events. This indicated that the enhanced organic mass fraction caused a reduction in CCN efficiency of newly formed particles. Our results implied that the CCN production associated with atmospheric nucleation may be overestimated if assuming that newly formed particles can serve as CCN once they grow to a fixed particle size, an assumption made in some previous studies, especially for organic-rich environments. In our study, the enhancement in CCN number concentration associated with individual NPF events were 63, 66, and 69 % for 0.1, 0.4, and 0.6 % supersaturation, respectively.
Modelled thermal and dynamical responses of the middle atmosphere to EPP-induced ozone changes
Authors: Karami K. , Braesicke P. , Kunze M. , Langematz U. , Sinnhuber M. , Versick S.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Energetic particles including protons, electrons and heavier ions, enter the Earth's atmosphere over the polar regions of both hemispheres, where they can greatly disturb the chemical composition of the upper and middle atmosphere and contribute to ozone depletion in the stratosphere and mesosphere. The chemistry–climate general circulation model EMAC is used to investigate the impact of changed ozone concentration due to Energetic Particle Precipitation (EPP) on temperature and wind fields. The results of our simulations show that ozone perturbation is a starting point for a chain of processes resulting in temperature and circulation changes over a wide range of latitudes and altitudes. In both hemispheres, as winter progresses the temperature and wind anomalies move downward with time from the mesosphere/upper stratosphere to the lower stratosphere. In the Northern Hemisphere (NH), once anomalies of temperature and zonal wind reach the lower stratosphere, another signal develops in mesospheric heights and moves downward. Analyses of Eliassen and Palm (EP) flux divergence show that accelerating or decelerating of the stratospheric zonal flow is in harmony with positive and negative anomalies of the EP flux divergences, respectively. This results suggest that the oscillatory mode in the downwelling signal of temperature and zonal wind in our simulations are the consequence of interaction between the resolved waves in the model and the mean stratospheric flow. Therefore, any changes in the EP flux divergence lead to anomalies in the zonal mean zonal wind which in turn feed back on the propagation of Rossby waves from the troposphere to higher altitudes. The analyses of Rossby waves refractive index show that the EPP-induced ozone anomalies are capable of altering the propagation condition of the planetary-scale Rossby waves in both hemispheres. It is also found that while ozone depletion was confined to mesospheric and stratospheric heights, but it is capable to alter Rossby wave propagation down to tropospheric heights. In response to an accelerated polar vortex in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) late wintertime, we found almost two weeks delay in the occurrence of mean dates of Stratospheric Final Warming (SFW). These results suggest that the stratosphere is not merely a passive sink of wave activity from below, but it plays an active role in determining its own budget of wave activity.
Sex-associated variations in coral skeletal oxygen and carbon isotopic composition of Porites panamensis in the southern Gulf of California
Authors: Cabral-Tena R. A. , Sánchez A. , Reyes-Bonilla H. , Ruvalcaba-Díaz A. H. , Balart E. F.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Coral δ18O variations are used as a proxy for changes in near sea surface temperature and seawater isotope composition. Skeletal δ13C of coral is frequently used as a proxy for solar radiation because most of its variability is controlled by an interrelationship between three processes: photosynthesis, respiration, and feeding. Coral growth rate is known to influence the δ18O and δ13C isotope record to a lesser extent. Recent published data show differences in growth parameters between female and male coral; thus, skeletal δ18O and δ13C are hypothesized to be different in each sex. To assess this difference, this study describes changes in the skeletal δ18O and δ13C record of four female and six male Porites panamensis coral collected in Bahía de La Paz, whose growth bands spanned 12 years. The isotopic data were compared to SST, precipitation, PAR, chlorophyll a, and skeletal growth parameters. Porites panamensis is a known gonochoric brooder whose growth parameters are different in females and males. Splitting the data by sexes explained 81 and 93 % of the differences of δ18O, and of δ13C, respectively, in the isotope record between colonies. Both isotope records were different between sexes. δ18O was higher in female colonies than in male colonies, with a 0.31 ‰ difference; δ13C was lower in female colonies, with a 0.28 ‰ difference. A difference in the skeletal δ18O implies an error in SST estimates of ≈ 1.0 °C to ≈ 2.6 °C. The δ18O records showed a seasonal pattern that corresponded to SST, with low correlation coefficients (−0.45, −0.32), and gentle slopes (0.09 ‰ °C−1, 0.10 ‰ °C−1) of the δ18O–SST relation. Seasonal variation in coral δ18O represents only 52.37 and 35.66 % of the SST cycle; 29.72 and 38.53 % can be attributed to δ18O variability in seawater. δ13C data did not correlate with any of the environmental variables; therefore, variations in skeletal δ13C appear to be driven mainly by metabolic effects. Our results support the hypothesis of a sex-associated difference in skeletal δ18O and δ13C signal, and suggest that environmental conditions and coral growth parameters affect skeletal isotopic signal differently in each sex.
The SPARSE model for the prediction of water stress and evapotranspiration components from thermal infra-red data and its evaluation over irrigated and rainfed wheat
Authors: Boulet G. , Mougenot B. , Lhomme J.-P. , Fanise P. , Lili-Chabaane Z. , Olioso A. , Bahir M. , Rivalland V. , Jarlan L. , Merlin O. , Coudert B. , Er-Raki S. , Lagouarde J.-P.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Evapotranspiration is an important component of the water cycle, especially in semi-arid lands. A way to quantify the spatial distribution of evapotranspiration and water stress from remote-sensing data is to exploit the available surface temperature as a signature of the surface energy balance. Remotely sensed energy balance models enable one to estimate stress levels and, in turn, the water status of continental surfaces. Dual-source models are particularly useful since they allow derivation of a rough estimate of the water stress of the vegetation instead of that of a soil–vegetation composite. They either assume that the soil and the vegetation interact almost independently with the atmosphere (patch approach corresponding to a parallel resistance scheme) or are tightly coupled (layer approach corresponding to a series resistance scheme). The water status of both sources is solved simultaneously from a single surface temperature observation based on a realistic underlying assumption which states that, in most cases, the vegetation is unstressed, and that if the vegetation is stressed, evaporation is negligible. In the latter case, if the vegetation stress is not properly accounted for, the resulting evaporation will decrease to unrealistic levels (negative fluxes) in order to maintain the same total surface temperature. This work assesses the retrieval performances of total and component evapotranspiration as well as surface and plant water stress levels by (1) proposing a new dual-source model named Soil Plant Atmosphere and Remote Sensing Evapotranspiration (SPARSE) in two versions (parallel and series resistance networks) based on the TSEB (Two-Source Energy Balance model, Norman et al., 1995) model rationale as well as state-of-the-art formulations of turbulent and radiative exchange, (2) challenging the limits of the underlying hypothesis for those two versions through a synthetic retrieval test and (3) testing the water stress retrievals (vegetation water stress and moisture-limited soil evaporation) against in situ data over contrasted test sites (irrigated and rainfed wheat). We demonstrated with those two data sets that the SPARSE series model is more robust to component stress retrieval for this cover type, that its performance increases by using bounding relationships based on potential conditions (root mean square error lowered by up to 11 W m−2 from values of the order of 50–80 W m−2), and that soil evaporation retrieval is generally consistent with an independent estimate from observed soil moisture evolution.
Hypernatremia in a Cat with Toxoplasma-Induced Panencephalitis
Authors: Weingart Christiane , Gruber Achim D. , Brunnberg Mathias , Kohn Barbara
Published: November 2015

A 12 yr old female neutered Carthusian crossbreed cat was presented due to progressive neurological signs. Clinical signs included dehydration, stupor, and anisocoria. Laboratory examination revealed severe hypernatremia, azotemia, hyperglobulinemia, and an erythrocytosis. Clinical signs and hypernatremia suggested an intracranial process. Imaging studies revealed a loss of structure in the cerebrum, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland. Due to a poor prognosis, the cat was euthanatized. Histopathological examination revealed a subacute granulomatous and necrotizing panencephalitis with Toxoplasma-typical protozoa. The Toxoplasma-induced dysfunction of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland led to diabetes insipidus, which was, in combination with insufficient water intake, the most likely cause for the hypernatremia.
Consumer Attitudes toward the Use of Gene Technology in Breakfast Products: Comparison between College Students from the U.S. and China
Authors: Wang Nanying , Houston Jack E. , Colson Gregory , Liu Zimin
Published: November 2015

Second-generation Genetically Modified (GM) crops are associated with consumer-oriented benefits such as improvement of nutritional quality. Given such an evolving market environment, this paper presents differences in consumer preferences and valuations for genetically modified breakfast grain products. The perception of consumers from a developing country, China, is discussed and compared to attitudes in a developed country, the U.S. The survey results reveal that there are notable differences in the attitude and perception of college students across these two countries. Purchase intent for GM foods was low, unless a benefit was promised, and some modifications are viewed more positively than others. Overall, it appears that GM foods may be acceptable in the U.S. and Chinese market. The findings in this study have potential implications for establishing various GM marketing strategies and information campaigns.
Scar Revision Surgery: The Patient's Perspective
Authors: Miranda Benjamin H , Allan Anna Y , Butler Daniel P , Cussons Paul D
Published: November 2015

Background Insufficient satisfaction outcome literature exists to assist consultations for scar revision surgery; such outcomes should reflect the patient's perspective. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate scar revision patient satisfaction outcomes, according to specified patient-selection criteria.

Methods Patients (250) were randomly selected for telephone contacting regarding scar revisions undertaken between 2007-2011. Visual analogue scores were obtained for scars pre- and post-revision surgery. Surgery selection criteria were; 'presence' of sufficient time for scar maturation prior to revision, technical issues during or wound complications from the initial procedure that contributed to poor scarring, and 'absence' of site-specific or patient factors that negatively influence outcomes. Patient demographics, scar pathogenesis (elective vs. trauma), underlying issue (functional/symptomatic vs. cosmetic) and revision surgery details were also collected with the added use of a real-time, hospital database.

Results Telephone contacting was achieved for 211 patients (214 scar revisions). Satisfaction outcomes were '2% worse, 16% no change, and 82% better'; a distribution maintained between body sites and despite whether surgery was functional/symptomatic vs. cosmetic. Better outcomes were reported by patients who sustained traumatic scars vs. those who sustained scars by elective procedures (91.80% vs. 77.78%, P=0.016) and by females vs. males (85.52% vs. 75.36%, P<0.05), particularly in the elective group where males (36.17%) were more likely to report no change or worse outcomes versus females (16.04%) (P<0.01).

Conclusions Successful scar revision outcomes may be achieved using careful patient selection. This study provides useful information for referring general practitioners, and patient-surgeon consultations, when planning scar revision.
Comparison of Ultrasound‐Guided Core Needle Biopsy and Endoscopic Ultrasound‐Guided Fine‐Needle Aspiration for Solid Pancreatic Lesions
Authors: Sur Young Keun , Kim Young Chul , Kim Jai Keun , Lee Jei Hee , Yoo Byung Moo , Kim Young Bae
Published: November 2015

Objectives

The objective of our study was to compare the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) using a 25‐gauge needle and ultrasound (US)‐guided core needle biopsy (CNB) using an 18‐gauge core needle for diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions.

Methods

This retrospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Patients who underwent either EUS‐guided FNA or US‐guided CNB for a solid pancreatic lesion from January 2008 to December 2012 were included and reviewed. Fine‐needle aspirations and CNBs were performed by experienced endoscopists and radiologists. The diagnostic yield, accuracy, technical failure rate, sensitivity, and specificity for malignancy were calculated and compared.

Results

A total of 106 biopsy attempts were undertaken in 89 patients (EUS‐guided FNA, n = 70; US‐guided CNB, n = 36). Biopsy specimens were successfully obtained in 98 biopsy attempts (EUS‐guided FNA, n = 63; US‐guided CNB, n = 35). The accuracy, technical failure rate, sensitivity, and specificity of EUS‐guided FNA for malignancy (73.02%, 10.00%, 77.78%, and 44.44%, respectively) was not significantly different from those of US‐guided CNB (88.57%, 2.78%, 87.10%, and 100%, respectively; P ≥ .089). Diagnostic performance did not differ between the modalities according to the size and the location of the lesion in the pancreas. However, the diagnostic yield of US‐guided CNB (86.11%) was higher than that of EUS‐guided FNA (65.71%, P = .035).

Conclusions

The diagnostic yield of US‐guided CNB for solid pancreatic lesions is superior to that of EUS‐guided FNA.
Decadal trends of ocean and land carbon fluxes from a regional joint ocean‐atmosphere inversion
Authors: Steinkamp K. , Gruber N.
Published: November 2015

From 1980 until 2010, the combined CO2 sink strengths of ocean and land increased by nearly 50% (−0.55 Pg C yr−1 decade−1), but the spatial distribution of this trend is not well known. We address this by performing a joint cyclostationary ocean‐atmosphere inversion for the three decades 1980–1989, 1990–1999, and 2000–2008, using only carbon data from the ocean and atmosphere as constraints, i.e., without applying any prior information about the land fluxes. We find that in the inversion, most of the 30 year sink trend stems from the ocean (−0.44 Pg C yr−1 decade−1). The contribution of the terrestrial biosphere is commensurably smaller but has more decadal variability. First, the land sink strength intensified in the 1990s by 0.4 (±0.3) Pg C yr−1 compared to the 1980s but then weakened slightly by 0.2 (±0.4) Pg C yr−1 in the 2000s. The different land regions contributed very variedly to these global trends. While the northern extratropical land acted as an increasing carbon sink throughout the examined period primarily driven by boreal regions, the tropical land is estimated to have acted as an increasing source of CO2, with source magnitude and trend dominated by enhanced release in tropical America during the Amazon mean wet season. This pattern is largely unchanged if the oceanic inversion constraint, which is based on a stationary ocean circulation, is replaced by an estimate based on simulation results from an ocean biogeochemical general circulation model that includes year‐to‐year variability in the air‐sea CO2 fluxes and also has a trend (−0.07 Pg C yr−1 decade−1) that is at the very low end of current estimates. However, the land/ocean partitioning of the trend contribution is adjusted accordingly. Oceanic carbon data has a major impact on carbon exchange for all tropical regions and southern Africa but also for observationally better constrained regions in North America and temperate Asia. The European trend exhibits a strong sensitivity to the choice of the atmospheric CO2 network.
Dating base flow in streams using dissolved gases and diurnal temperature changes
Authors: Sanford Ward E. , Casile Gerolamo , Haase Karl B.
Published: November 2015

A method is presented for using dissolved CFCs or SF6 to estimate the apparent age of stream base flow by indirectly estimating the mean concentration of the tracer in the inflowing groundwater. The mean value is estimated simultaneously with the mean residence times of the gas and water in the stream by sampling the stream for one or both age tracers, along with dissolved nitrogen and argon at a single location over a period of approximately 12–14 h. The data are fitted to an equation representing the temporal in‐stream gas exchange as it responds to the diurnal temperature fluctuation. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated by collecting and analyzing samples at six different stream locations across parts of northern Virginia, USA. The studied streams drain watersheds with areas of between 2 and 122 km2 during periods when the diurnal stream temperature ranged between 2 and 5°C. The method has the advantage of estimating the mean groundwater residence time of discharge from the watershed to the stream without the need for the collection of groundwater infiltrating to streambeds or local groundwater sampled from shallow observation wells near the stream.
Anisotropy in the subducting slab: Observations from Philippine Sea plate events in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Kate Huihsuan , Tseng Yu‐Lung , Furumura Takashi , Kennett Brian L. N.
Published: November 2015

In the southernmost Ryukyu subduction zone, slab‐guiding behavior from intermediate‐depth earthquakes is well documented with a low‐frequency (<2 Hz) first P arrival followed by sustained high‐frequency (3–10 Hz) wave trains. Such waves developed by propagating along a long path within the slab are expected to have high sensitivity to anisotropy within the slab. We determine shear wave splitting parameters from 178 intraplate events that are deeper than 100 km. The possible slab‐anisotropy‐associated polarization pattern shows the fast direction at N65°E and delay time of 0.13–0.45 s. This is stronger than the previously documented crust effect (<0.1 s), similar to the mantle wedge effect (0.28 s in average), but weaker than the upper mantle effect (1.3 s in average) in Taiwan. The fast axis reflects the fossil spreading direction of Philippine Sea plate with minor clockwise rotation due to the collision to Eurasian plate.
Effects of Reductions in Body Mass Index on the Future Osteoarthritis Burden in Canada: A Population‐Based Microsimulation Study
Authors: Kopec Jacek A. , Sayre Eric C. , Fines Philippe , Flanagan William M. , Nadeau Claude , Okhmatovskaia Anya , Wolfson Michael C. ,   the Simulation Technology for Applied Research Team
Published: November 2015

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease and a major cause of disability. Incidence and prevalence of OA are expected to increase due to population aging and increased levels of obesity. The purpose of this study was to project the effect of hypothetical interventions that change the distribution of body mass index (BMI) on OA burden in Canada.

Methods

We used a microsimulation computer model of OA based on the Population Health Model platform. The model used demographic predictions for Canada and population data from an administrative database in British Columbia and national Canadian surveys.

Results

Under the base‐case scenario, between 2010 and 2030, OA prevalence is expected to increase from 11.5% to 15.6% in men and 16.3% to 21.1% in women. In scenarios assuming, on average, a 0.3‐, 0.5‐, or 1‐unit drop in BMI per year, OA prevalence in 2030 would reach 14.9%, 14.6%, and 14.2% in men and 20.3%, 19.7%, and 18.5%, in women, respectively. Under these scenarios, the proportion of new cases prevented would be 9.5%, 13.2%, and 16.7%, respectively, in men, and 9.1%, 15.2%, and 25.0% in women. Targeting only those people ages ≥50 years for weight reduction would achieve approximately 70% of the impact of a full population strategy. Targeting only the obese (BMI ≥30) would likely result in a larger benefit for men than women.

Conclusion

Due to the aging of the population, OA will remain a major and growing health issue in Canada over the next 2 decades, regardless of the course of the obesity epidemic.
Sensing and Sensibility: Single‐Islet‐based Quality Control Assay of Cryopreserved Pancreatic Islets with Functionalized Hydrogel Microcapsules
Authors: Chen Wanyu , Shu Zhiquan , Gao Dayong , Shen Amy Q.
Published: November 2015

Despite decades of research and clinical studies of islet transplantations, finding simple yet reliable islet quality assays that correlate accurately with in vivo potency is still a major challenge, especially for real‐time and single‐islet‐based quality assessment. Herein, proof‐of‐concept studies of a cryopreserved microcapsule‐based quality control assays are presented for single islets. Individual rat pancreatic islets and fluorescent oxygen‐sensitive dye (FOSD) are encapsulated in alginate hydrogel microcapsules via a microfluidic device. To test the susceptibility of the microcapsules and the FOSD to cryopreservation, the islet microcapsules containing FOSD are cryopreserved and the islet functionalities (adenosine triphosphate, static insulin release measurement, and oxygen consumption rate) are assessed after freezing and thawing steps. The cryopreserved islet capsules with FOSD remain functional after encapsulation and freezing/thawing procedures, validating a simple yet reliable individual‐islet‐based quality control method for the entire islet processing procedure prior to transplantation. This work also demonstrates that the functionality of cryopreserved islets can be improved by introducing trehalose into the routinely used cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide. The functionalized alginate hydrogel microcapsules with embedded FOSD and optimized cryopreservation protocol presented in this work serve as a versatile islet quality assay and offer tremendous promise for tackling existing challenges in islet transplantation procedures.
Silver‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Propargylic Amides to Oxazolines
Authors: Wong Valerie H. L. , White Andrew J. P. , Hor T. S. (Andy) , Hii King Kuok (Mimi)
Published: November 2015

A ligand‐accelerated effect is observed in the cyclization of propargylic amides catalyzed by bis(pyridyl)silver(I) complexes, with an unexpected reversal of electronic demand to the analogous NH addition reaction. The catalyst was found to be effective for internal alkyne substrates, offering exclusive selectivity for the 5‐exo‐dig product. Differences in selectivity profile between gold‐ and silver‐catalyzed processes are highlighted and discussed.

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Organocatalytic Radical Involved Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of N‐Hydroxyphthalimide with Benzylic and Allylic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Dian Longyang , Wang Sisi , Zhang‐Negrerie Daisy , Du Yunfei
Published: November 2015

The cross‐coupling reaction between N‐hydroxyphthalimide and various benzylic and allylic hydrocarbons was realized through an organocatalytic radical‐mediated process involving C(sp3)O bond formation using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BuOOH) as an oxidant and tetra‐n‐butylammonium iodide [(n‐Bu]4NI] as a catalyst, during which the phthalimide N‐oxyl (PINO) radical and benzylic and allylic radicals were generated in situ and underwent the selective radical/radical cross‐coupling reaction. This novel method provides a convenient metal‐free approach to the synthesis of O‐alkylated hydroxy imides under mild reaction conditions.

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Iridium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of α,ω‐Diynes with Cyanamides
Authors: Hashimoto Toru , Ishii Satoshi , Yano Reiko , Miura Hiroki , Sakata Ken , Takeuchi Ryo
Published: November 2015

The complex [Ir(cod)Cl]2/DPPF or rac‐BINAP is an efficient catalyst for the [2+2+2] cycloaddition of α,ω‐diynes with cyanamides. A wide range of cyanamides derived from secondary amines are good coupling partners for α,ω‐diynes. The reaction of unsymmetrical α,ω‐diynes possessing two different internal alkyne moieties with cyanamides is regioselective. A competitive experiment showed that cyanamide is more reactive than nitrile. This higher reactivity of cyanamide than nitrile was analyzed based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level.

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Fabrication of high aspect ratio and open‐ended TiO2 nanotube photocatalytic arrays through electrochemical anodization
Authors: Wong Roong Jien , Liu Sanly , Ng Yun Hau , Amal Rose
Published: November 2015

Well‐aligned, high aspect‐ratio and open‐ended TiO2 nanotube arrays secured within a Ti foil (TiO2 nanotubes cartridge) were successfully prepared through the double‐sided anodization method. With ∼210 µm of nanotube length, the anodic growth of TiO2 was accelerated and stabilized by the lactic acid‐containing ethylene glycol electrolyte. In the absence of lactic acid, the anodization led to detachment of nanotubes from the Ti foil after 5–6 h of high voltage (80 V) anodization. Transmission electron microscope image and Raman spectrum revealed that the as‐anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays without annealing treatment were partially crystalline anatase and demonstrated photocatalytic activity in the mineralization of formic acid. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 415–420, 2016