bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meiofauna enhances organic matter mineralization in soft sediment ecosystems
Authors: Nascimento Francisco J. A. , Näslund Johan , Elmgren Ragnar
Published: August 2016

We investigated the influence of meiofauna on the benthic decomposition of a radiolabeled diatom bloom by measuring the production of 14CO2 in a laboratory microcosm. Mineralization of the diatom bloom material in the sediment was significantly enhanced in the treatment with high meiofauna abundance, with cumulative mineralization values, on average, 50% greater in the treatment with high meiofaunal abundance after 17 d, compared to sediments with low meiofauna abundance. In addition, bacteria species composition in the treatment with high meiofauna abundance was significantly different from the treatment with low meiofauna abundance, indicating that the activities of meiofauna in the sediments had an effect on the bacterial community composition. Meiofauna can enhance the mineralization of organic matter, probably by stimulating the activity of sediment bacterial community, indicating that positive biological interactions such as facilitation from meiofauna are important for ecosystem processes in soft sediments.
Nearshore hydrodynamics as loading and forcing factors for Escherichia coli contamination at an embayed beach
Authors: Ge Zhongfu , Whitman Richard L. , Nevers Meredith B. , Phanikumar Mantha S. , Byappanahalli Muruleedhara N.
Published: August 2016

Numerical simulations of the transport and fate of Escherichia coli were conducted at Chicago's 63rd Street Beach, an embayed beach that had the highest mean E. coli concentration among 23 similar Lake Michigan beaches during summer months of 2000–2005, in order to find the cause for the high bacterial contamination. The numerical model was based on the transport of E. coli by current circulation patterns in the embayment driven by longshore main currents and the loss of E. coli in the water column, taking settling as well as bacterial dark‐ and solar‐related decay into account. Two E. coli loading scenarios were considered: one from the open boundary north of the embayment and the other from the shallow water near the beachfront. Simulations showed that the embayed beach behaves as a sink for E. coli in that it generally receives E. coli more efficiently than it releases them. This is a result of the significantly different hydrodynamic forcing factors between the inside of the embayment and the main coastal flow outside. The settled E. coli inside the embayment can be a potential source of contamination during subsequent sediment resuspension events, suggesting that deposition‐resuspension cycles of E. coli have resulted in excessive bacterial contamination of beach water. A further hypothetical case with a breakwater shortened to half its original length, which was anticipated to enhance the current circulation in the embayment, showed a reduction in E. coli concentrations of nearly 20%.
Exceptional visual clarity and optical purity in a sub‐alpine lake
Authors: Gall Mark P. , Davies-Colley Rob J. , Merrilees Rob A.
Published: August 2016

Blue Lake, a remote sub‐alpine lake, in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand, has exceptional optical purity. Horizontal sighting range (‘visibility’) on six visits approached 80 m, the theoretical limit based on accepted light‐attenuation coefficients for pure water, making Blue Lake the most visually clear freshwater yet reported. Blue Lake is characterized by blue‐violet hues seen only in the clearest natural waters. Light penetration is as expected for pure water, except in the ultraviolet to blue spectrum where light‐attenuation is increased slightly by very low (‘oceanic’) concentrations of colored dissolved organic matter. Particulate concentrations are extremely low, comparable to those in the Southeast Pacific Gyre, and the lake is hyper (ultra) oligotrophic (Chlorophyll a concentrations ∼ 0.014 mg m−3). Continuous monitoring of beam attenuation (532 nm) over 18 months demonstrated consistently high visual clarity, except for short‐lived episodes following turbid inflows from ephemeral streams. The dominant inflow to Blue Lake comes from springs emerging from the face of landslide debris separating the lake from nearby glacial Lake Constance. The optical purity of Blue Lake apparently reflects efficient removal of particles and dissolved organic matter during groundwater flow from Lake Constance to these springs. Blue Lake may be valuable in aquatic optics research for testing optical instruments and models.
Groundwater‐derived dissolved inorganic and organic carbon exports from a mangrove tidal creek: The missing mangrove carbon sink?
Authors: Maher D. T. , Santos I. R. , Golsby-Smith L. , Gleeson J. , Eyre B. D.
Published: August 2016

A majority of the global net primary production of mangroves is unaccounted for by current carbon budgets. It has been hypothesized that this “missing carbon” is exported as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from subsurface respiration and groundwater (or pore‐water) exchange driven by tidal pumping. We tested this hypothesis by measuring concentrations and δ13C values of DIC, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and particulate organic carbon (POC), along with radon (222Rn, a natural submarine groundwater discharge tracer), in a tidal creek in Moreton Bay, Australia. Concentrations and δ13C values displayed consistent tidal variations, and mirrored the trend in 222Rn in summer and winter. DIC and DOC were exported from, and POC was imported to, the mangroves during all tidal cycles. The exported DOC had a similar δ13C value in summer and winter (∼ −30‰). The exported δ13C‐DIC showed no difference between summer and winter and had a δ13C value slightly more enriched (∼ −22.5‰) than the exported DOC. The imported POC had differing values in summer (∼ −16‰) and winter (∼ −22‰), reflecting a combination of seagrass and estuarine particulate organic matter (POM) in summer and most likely a dominance of estuarine POM in winter. A coupled 222Rn and carbon model showed that 93–99% of the DIC and 89–92% of the DOC exports were driven by groundwater advection. DIC export averaged 3 g C m−2 d−1 and was an order of magnitude higher than DOC export, and similar to global estimates of the mangrove missing carbon (i.e., ∼ 1.9–2.7 g C m−2 d−1).
Interaction of waves and currents with kelp forests (Macrocystis pyrifera): Insights from a dynamically scaled laboratory model
Authors: Rosman Johanna H. , Denny Mark W. , Zeller Robert B. , Monismith Stephen G. , Koseff Jeffrey R.
Published: August 2016

The interaction of surface waves and currents with kelp forests was examined under controlled conditions using a dynamically matched 1/25‐scale physical model in a laboratory flume. In experiments with kelp mimics, waves increased the time‐averaged drag by a factor of 2 and altered the shape of current profiles. Relative motion between model kelp and water under waves increased wake generation of turbulence, resulting in turbulent kinetic energies 2–5 times larger, and eddy viscosities 20–50% larger, than for experiments without waves. Because mixing lengths were reduced to wake‐scales in the model kelp forest, eddy viscosities were 25–50% smaller than when kelp was absent. In the model kelp‐forest surface canopy where solid obstacles were most densely spaced, wave orbital velocities were reduced by ∼ 10% from linear wave theory predictions. This decrease in wave orbital velocities is thought to result primarily from inertial forces exerted on water by model kelp. Stokes drift was reduced by ∼ 20% as a result of the change in wave orbital velocities. Although hydrodynamics within kelp forests are more complex than in the laboratory experiments and a wide range of flow conditions can occur, laboratory results suggest that (1) kelp forest drag is increased by waves; (2) wave properties can be altered by drag and inertial forces; and (3) wake production of turbulence caused by waves may be the main source of turbulence in dense kelp stands. Interactions between kelp and waves must therefore be taken into account when developing models for drag and mixing in these systems.
Avoidance and attraction: Chemical cues influence predator‐prey interactions of planktonic protists
Authors: Harvey Elizabeth L. , Jeong Hae Jin , Menden-Deuer Susanne
Published: August 2016

We measured how predator‐ and prey‐derived chemical cues affect swimming behaviors and encounter rates of two common phytoplankton species (Amphidinum carterae, Heterosigma akashiwo) and two heterotrophic dinoflagellate predators (Stoeckeria algicida, Gyrodiniellum shiwhaense). Using video and image analysis, the microscopic three‐dimensional movement behaviors and macroscopic population distributions of the species were quantified in response to chemical cues derived from their respective predator or prey species. S. algicida preferentially feeds on H. akashiwo but displayed significant increases in swimming speed and turning rate when exposed to filtrate from either prey species. Prey cue‐induced changes in predator swimming behavior resulted in an average 11% increase in encounter rate. S. algicida that respond to prey filtrate would reach their daily prey quota at a 25% lower ambient prey concentration. In contrast, G. shiwhaense, which rarely feeds and does not grow on H. akashiwo, exhibited no shifts in behavior in response to algal filtrate. Predator‐derived cues from S. algicida elicited significant increases in upward motility in H. akashiwo, resulting in a shift in the prey population abundance away from the predator‐derived chemical cue. These algal fleeing behaviors reduced estimated encounter rates by 4%, compared to non‐fleeing behaviors. Our results provide quantitative evidence for the importance of chemical cues in modulating feeding interactions and emphasize the ramifications of individual behaviors, and modulation thereof, to population‐level outcomes, including population distributions, and predation pressure.
Dissolved organic carbon manipulation reveals coupled cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in a nitrogen‐rich stream
Authors: Oviedo-Vargas Diana , Royer Todd V. , Johnson Laura T.
Published: August 2016

To investigate the coupling between carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) cycling in a human‐altered stream, we conducted a whole‐ecosystem manipulation of the labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool in a nitrate ()‐rich stream in the midwestern United States. For 6 d, we increased stream DOC by ∼ 1 mg L−1 through a continuous addition of sodium acetate. On the sixth day of the addition, ammonium () was increased by ∼ 130 µg N L−1 to examine the potential for nitrogen (N) to mediate coupled C and P cycling. Of the added DOC, 85% was retained within the treatment reach, which increased ecosystem respiration with respect to the reference reach. Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) increased from day 1 to day 6; however, water column P uptake only increased on day 6 concurrent with the addition. Gross primary production decreased during the DOC addition relative to the reference reach, yet seemed to recover on day 6 ( addition). These results suggest that during the DOC addition, heterotrophs out‐competed autotrophs for N and that sediment‐sorbed P sustained the heterotrophic community while P uptake from the water column was dominated by autotrophs. Because APA and P uptake were stimulated by the simultaneous DOC and addition, P cycling appeared to be N limited, despite the high ambient concentration; this indicates a strong preferential uptake of over In streams, C and P cycling can be intrinsically coupled through biological mechanisms, and this coupling can be mediated by the availability of different forms of inorganic N.
Eddy correlation measurements of oxygen fluxes in permeable sediments exposed to varying current flow and light
Authors: Berg Peter , Long Matthew H. , Huettel Markus , Rheuban Jennie E. , McGlathery Karen J. , Howarth Robert W. , Foreman Kenneth H. , Giblin Anne E. , Marino Roxanne
Published: August 2016

Based on noninvasive eddy correlation measurements at a marine and a freshwater site, this study documents the control that current flow and light have on sediment‐water oxygen fluxes in permeable sediments. The marine sediment was exposed to tidal‐driven current and light, and the oxygen flux varied from night to day between −29 and 78 mmol m−2 d−1. A fitting model, assuming a linear increase in oxygen respiration with current flow, and a photosynthesis‐irradiance curve for light‐controlled production reproduced measured fluxes well (R2 = 0.992) and revealed a 4‐fold increase in oxygen uptake when current velocity increased from ∼ 0 to 20 cm s−1. Application of the model to a week‐long measured record of current velocity and light showed that net ecosystem metabolism varied substantially among days, between −27 and 31 mmol m−2 d−1, due to variations in light and current flow. This variation is likely typical of many shallow‐water systems and highlights the need for long‐term flux integrations to determine system metabolism accurately. At the freshwater river site, the sediment‐water oxygen flux ranged from −360 to 137 mmol m−2 d−1. A direct comparison during nighttime with concurrent benthic chamber incubations revealed a 4.1 times larger eddy flux than that obtained with chambers. The current velocity during this comparison was 31 cm s−1, and the large discrepancy was likely caused by poor imitation by the chambers of the natural pore‐water flushing at this high current velocity. These results emphasize the need for more noninvasive oxygen flux measurements in permeable sediments to accurately assess their role in local and global carbon budgets.
Spatial overlap in lake phytoplankton: Relations with environmental factors and consequences for diversity
Authors: Beisner Beatrix E. , Longhi Maria Lorena
Published: August 2016

Opposing gradients of light and nutrients can create a variety of niche opportunities for lake phytoplankton. Theory predicts that phytoplankton vertical distribution should be associated with these gradients as different taxa maximize resource access, while minimizing competitive interactions using niche partitioning. We examined the relationships between spatial overlap (SO) of four major phytoplankton spectral groups with key biogeochemical and morphometric environmental parameters across 52 north temperate lakes. SO decreased primarily with greater thermal stratification, and where more light was available and nutrient levels lower. When greater SO did occur in highly stratified lakes, taxonomic diversity was favored through increased species evenness, but not richness. Taxonomic richness, on the other hand, increased in lakes with greater light availability, coincident with low SO. Similarly, niche partitioning associated with greater functional diversity in the range of traits present in the communities was detected when SO was low in clear lakes. Overall, our results indicate that the ability of phytoplankton to spatially separate and utilize large portions of the water column is important for augmenting species and functional trait richness related to motility and resource acquisition. However, our study also suggests that community evenness is favored when phytoplankton distributions overlap in deep chlorophyll maxima associated with stratified lakes.
Satellite observations of middle atmosphere gravity wave
absolute momentum flux and of its vertical
gradient during recent stratospheric warmings
Authors: Ern Manfred , Trinh Quang Thai , Kaufmann Martin , Krisch Isabell , Preusse Peter , Ungermann Jörn , Zhu Yajun , Gille John C. , Mlynczak Martin G. , Russell III James M. , Schwartz Michael J. , Riese Martin
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) are circulation anomalies in the polar region during winter. They mostly occur in the Northern Hemisphere and affect also surface weather and climate. Both planetary waves and gravity waves contribute to the onset and evolution of SSWs. While the role of planetary waves for SSW evolution has been recognized, the effect of gravity waves is still not fully understood, and has not been comprehensively analyzed based on global observations. In particular, information on the gravity wave driving of the background winds during SSWs is still missing.We investigate the boreal winters from 2001/2002 until 2013/2014. Absolute gravity wave momentum fluxes and gravity wave dissipation (potential drag) are estimated from temperature observations of the satellite instruments HIRDLS and SABER. In agreement with previous work, we find that sometimes gravity wave activity is enhanced before or around the central date of major SSWs, particularly during vortex-split events. Often, SSWs are associated with polar-night jet oscillation (PJO) events. For these events, we find that gravity wave activity is strongly suppressed when the wind has reversed from eastward to westward (usually after the central date of a major SSW). In addition, gravity wave potential drag at the bottom of the newly forming eastward-directed jet is remarkably weak, while considerable potential drag at the top of the jet likely contributes to the downward propagation of both the jet and the new elevated stratopause. During PJO events, we also find some indication for poleward propagation of gravity waves. Another striking finding is that obviously localized gravity wave sources, likely mountain waves and jet-generated gravity waves, play an important role during the evolution of SSWs and potentially contribute to the triggering of SSWs by preconditioning the shape of the polar vortex. The distribution of these hot spots is highly variable and strongly depends on the zonal and meridional shape of the background wind field, indicating that a pure zonal average view sometimes is a too strong simplification for the strongly perturbed conditions during the evolution of SSWs.
Marine boundary layer cloud property retrievals
from high–resolution ASTER observations: Case
studies and comparison with Terra–MODIS
Authors: Werner Frank , Wind Galina , Zhang Zhibo , Platnick Steven , Di Girolamo Larry , Zhao Guangyu , Amarasinghe Nandana , Meyer Kerry
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Retrievals of marine boundary layer (MBL) cloud microphysical and optical properties, based on high spatial resolution observations from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), are presented. The research–level retrieval algorithm, which is modified from the MODIS Data Collection 6 (C6) operational algorithms, is documented. An ASTER specific cloud masking scheme is implemented and the derived cloud covers agree well with those from an independent scheme reported in a previous ASTER cloud cover study by (Zhao and Di Girolamo, 2006). The viability of the retrieval algorithm is shown by a comparison of retrieved cloud optical thickness τAaM and effective droplet radius reff,AaM with the co-located, operational MODIS retrievals for 48 MBL cloud scenes with different degrees of cloud heterogeneity. The input for the retrieval is provided by aggregated, atmospherically corrected ASTER cloud top reflectances γ^0.86,AaM and γ^2.1,AaM. By means of the subpixel cloud cover Csub, which is derived from the ASTER cloud mask at its native resolution, the data set is divided into 52,254 overcast and 47,538 partially cloudy pixels. PDFs and scatter plots of γ^0.86,AaM, γ^2.1,AaM, and τAaM agree well with the corresponding MODIS products with Pearson's product–moment correlation coefficients of R > 0.980. A comparison for pixels with Csub = 1.0 yields a high agreement between reff,AaM and the MODIS retrievals with R = 0.972. However, for partially cloudy pixels there are significant differences between both products which can exceed 10 μm. Moreover, it is shown that the numerous delicate cloud structures in the example MBL scenes, resolved by the high–resolution ASTER retrievals, are smoothed by the MODIS observations. The overall good agreement between the research–level ASTER results and the operational MODIS C6 products proves the feasibility of MODIS–like retrievals from ASTER reflectance measurements and provides the basis for future studies concerning the scale–dependency of satellite observations and 3–dimensional radiative effects.
Toward autonomous surface-based infrared remote sensing of polar clouds: cloud-height retrievals
Authors: Rowe Penny M. , Cox Christopher J. , Walden Von P.
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Polar regions are characterized by their remoteness, making measurements challenging, but an improved knowledge of clouds and radiation is necessary to understand polar climate change. Infrared radiance spectrometers can operate continuously from the surface and have low power requirements relative to active sensors. Here we explore the feasibility of retrieving cloud height with an infrared spectrometer that would be designed for use in remote polar locations. Using a wide variety of simulated spectra of mixed-phase polar clouds at varying instrument resolutions, retrieval accuracy is explored using the CO2 slicing/sorting and the minimum local emissivity variance (MLEV) methods. In the absence of imposed errors and for clouds with optical depths greater than  ∼  0.3, cloud-height retrievals from simulated spectra using CO2 slicing/sorting and MLEV are found to have roughly equivalent high accuracies: at an instrument resolution of 0.5 cm−1, mean biases are found to be  ∼  0.2 km for clouds with bases below 2 and −0.2 km for higher clouds. Accuracy is found to decrease with coarsening resolution and become worse overall for MLEV than for CO2 slicing/sorting; however, the two methods have differing sensitivity to different sources of error, suggesting an approach that combines them. For expected errors in the atmospheric state as well as both instrument noise and bias of 0.2 mW/(m2 sr cm−1), at a resolution of 4 cm−1, average retrieval errors are found to be less than  ∼  0.5 km for cloud bases within 1 km of the surface, increasing to  ∼  1.5 km at 4 km. This sensitivity indicates that a portable, surface-based infrared radiance spectrometer could provide an important complement in remote locations to satellite-based measurements, for which retrievals of low-level cloud are challenging.
Potential of needle trap microextraction–portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for measurement of atmospheric volatile compounds
Authors: Barreira Luís Miguel Feijó , Xue Yu , Duporté Geoffroy , Parshintsev Jevgeni , Hartonen Kari , Jussila Matti , Kulmala Markku , Riekkola Marja-Liisa
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in atmospheric chemistry and physics. They participate in photochemical reactions in the atmosphere, which have direct implications on climate through, e.g. aerosol particle formation. Forests are important sources of VOCs, and the limited resources and infrastructures often found in many remote environments call for the development of portable devices. In this research, the potential of needle trap microextraction and portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the study of VOCs at forest site was evaluated. Measurements were performed in summer and autumn 2014 at the Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II) in Hyytiälä, Finland. During the first part of the campaign (summer) the applicability of the developed method was tested for the determination of monoterpenes, pinonaldehyde, aldehydes, amines and anthropogenic compounds. The temporal variation of aerosol precursors was determined, and evaluated against temperature and aerosol number concentration data. The most abundant monoterpenes, pinonaldehyde and aldehydes were successfully measured, their relative amounts being lower during days when particle number concentration was higher. Ethylbenzene, p- and m-xylene were also found when wind direction was from cities with substantial anthropogenic activity. An accumulation of VOCs in the snow cover was observed in the autumn campaign. Results demonstrated the successful applicability of needle trap microextraction and portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the rapid in situ determination of organic gaseous compounds in the atmosphere.
Cooperative effects of field traffic and organic matter treatments on some compaction-related soil properties
Authors: Mujdeci Metin , Isildar Ahmet Ali , Uygur Veli , Alaboz Pelin , Unlu Husnu , Senol Huseyin
Published: August 2016

Abstract. Soil compaction is common problem of mineral soils under conventional tillage practices. Organic matter addition is an efficient way of reducing the effects of field traffic in soil compaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of number of tractor passes (1, 3 and 5) on depth dependent (0–10 and 10–20 cm) penetration resistance, bulk density and porosity of a clay textured soil (Typic Xerofluvent) under organic vegetable cultivation practiced in 2010–2013 growing seasons treated with farmyard manure (35 t FYM ha−1), green manure (GM) (common vetch, Vicia sativa L.) and conventional tillage (C). The number of tractor passes resulted in increases in bulk density and penetration resistance (C > GM > FYM) whereas the volume of total and macro pores decreased. The maximum penetration resistance (3.60 MPa) was recorded in C treatment with 5 passes in 0–10 cm depth whereas the minimum (1.64 MPa) was observed for FYM treatment with 1 pass in 10–20 cm depth. The highest bulk density was determined as 1.61 g cm−3 for C treatment with 5 passes in 10–20 cm depth, the smallest value was 1.25 g cm−3 in the FYM treatment with only 1 pass in 0–10 cm depth. The highest total and macro pores volume were determined as 0.53 and 0.16 cm3 cm−3, respectively, in 0–10 cm depth of FYM treatment with 1 pass. The volume of micro pores (0.38 cm3 cm−3) was higher in 0–10 cm depth of FYM treatment with 3 passes. It can be concluded that organic pre-composted organic amendment rather than green manure was likely to be more efficient in chasing compaction problem in soils.
Effect of Application of E-Government on the Staff Performance in the Greater Amman Municipality A Field Study
Authors: Darwazeh Suzan , Khrisat Diana , Al Dajah Sherien
Published: August 2016

This study aims to identify effect of application of e-government with its dimensions (cost reduction, HR efficiency, transparency, and service quality) on the job performance with its dimensions (task completion, job loyalty and staff compliance) in the Greater Amman Municipality. The study uses the descriptive analytical method (theoretical and field), and (245) questionnaires were distributed to all administrative staff in the Municipality. The study shows a number of results; the most important of which are that there is an evident effect of application of e-government on the staff performance, compliance of employees with regulations and instructions, and the transactions are characterized by accuracy and quality unlike the situation in the past. The study recommends that it is necessary to increase incentives so that staff's loyalty gets greater, and that it is important to make ongoing improvement to maintain the present distinct performance level.
Factors influencing use of a performance measurement system in a rehabilitation hospital
Authors: Zidarov Diana , Sicotte Claude , Menon Anita , Hallé Marie-Christine , Poissant Lise
Published: August 2016

Background: Rehabilitation hospitals, like other healthcare organizations, are under increasing pressure to apply management tools such as performance measurement systems (PMSs). PMS implementation represents a major challenge as it involves significant organizational change. This study explored how a PMS was used in a rehabilitation hospital and what were the factors explaining its use.Methods: A qualitative longitudinal study was conducted. Two data sources were used: interviews with hospital directors and organizational documents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted pre-implementation (n = 7) and 10 months post-implementation (n = 7) of the PMS. A total of 111 documents produced between 2011 and 2014 were reviewed. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used as a conceptual framework for data collection and analysis.Results: Decision makers used the PMS mostly for monitoring and accountability purposes and also for promoting their organization’s performance and enhancing the organization’s credibility. It was rarely used to trigger change management projects. Major barriers to PMS use were the lack of planning of the implementation process, available resources and the perceived quality of the developed PMS. Major facilitators for PMS implementation were related to continuous leadership engagement, specific PMS characteristics (perceived advantages, lack of complexity), quality of communications, and a perceived need for a PMS. Some key recommendations are proposed to decision makers that may enhance PMS use.Conclusions: PMS use is influenced by multiple factors, however the positive or negative influence of each factor is context dependent. Key recommendations are proposed to decision makers that may enhance PMS use.
INSERÇÃO NO MERCADO INTERNACIONAL: ANÁLISE DO COMPORTAMENTO DAS EXPORTAÇÕES DAS EMPRESAS ALIMENTÍCIAS DA REGIÃO DE MARÍLIA/SP
Authors: Pigatto Gessuir , Ribeiro Bianca Caroline Dos Santos , Negreti Amanda Dos Santos
Published: August 2016

A internacionalização é uma das estratégias utilizadas pelas empresas na busca por maior competitividade através da expansão dos mercados de atuação, sendo que a alternativa mais comum adotada pelas empresas é por meio da exportação. Assim, o objetivo proposto para este artigo é analisar o comportamento histórico das exportações das empresas alimentícias da região de Marília (SP), no período de 2001 a 2015, com base na evolução do número de empresas exportadoras, na constância com que essas empresas se mantêm no mercado internacional e no intervalo de valor das exportações em que essas organizações se encontravam no mesmo período. Para esta análise, utilizou-se a base de dados da Secretária de Comércio Exterior (SECEX). A partir da análise descritiva dos dados, percebeu-se um acréscimo do número total de empresas que antes não exportavam e passaram a acessar o mercado internacional anualmente. Foi possível observar também que a maioria das empresas não consegue estabelecer uma constância em suas exportações, tendo uma atuação inconstante ou pontual no mercado externo. Parte desse comportamento pode estar relacionada a alterações do cenário econômico nacional (câmbio e consumo interno) e internacional (crise no final da década).
A EXCLUSÃO BANCÁRIA COMO CONSEQUÊNCIA DA MIOPIA DE MARKETING
Authors: Pinho Renato Lúcio , Vasconcelos Fernanda Carla Wasner , Ituassu Cristiana Trindade , Goulart Íris Barbosa
Published: August 2016

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os desafios da inclusão bancária a partir das dimensões: produtos e serviços; canais de atendimento; comunicação. Os fatores críticos que impactam o sujeito da base da pirâmide social, em especial, o microempreendedor, no acesso e utilização dos produtos e serviços oferecidos pelas instituições bancárias são apresentados ao leitor, com base nos depoimentos de 37 entrevistados, todos micro-empreendedores que mantêm suas atividades no Aglomerado da Serra, em Belo Horizonte – MG. Suas falas foram submetidas a uma análise de conteúdo e os resultados evidenciam, como pontos críticos para uma inclusão bancária eficiente: canais de atendimento alternativos e fisicamente mais próximos; tecnologia segura, de fácil acesso e com uso intuitivo; custo dos produtos e operações financeiras compatível com a população; atendimento de qualidade em todos os canais de atendimento; propaganda específica direcionada para esse público e, por fim, uma política constante de promoção de educação financeira. Segundo os resultados da pesquisa, essas ações poderiam reduzir o distanciamento entre as instituições bancárias e o sujeito objeto do estudo, evidenciando o papel do marketing como potencial instrumento de inclusão
Desenvolvimento endógeno: uma compreensão da perspectiva dos pesquisadores de uma empresa federal
Authors: Cruz Anderson Cougo da , Rios Silvana Einhardt , Einhardt Mariani Garcia , Cruz Franciane Cougo da
Published: August 2016

The objective of this research was to analyze the understanding and application of the concepts of endogenous development in the context of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Pecuária Sul unity in order to ascertain the perception of the researchers of this institution on the importance of endogenous development to obtaining sustainable growth. Specifically, this study highlights the importance of this process, checking the knowledge of researchers in relation to the theme and understanding about the factors that reflect a commitment to the concept of endogenous development. For this, through a case study, exploratory and descriptive, using a qualitative approach and literature analysis, interviews were conducted with 19 researchers who are effective servers in Embrapa Pecuária Sul unity, located in the city of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The instrument was composed of seven mixed questions, giving information that was interpreted with the help of content analysis. From this, it as concluded that the company analyzed, based on the understanding of the researchers interviewed, do not realize the endogenous development as the most favorable alternative for sustainable development.
Adaptação psicossocial na obesidade pediátrica: Um estudo com pais, crianças e adolescentes
Authors: Frontini Roberta , Gouveia Maria João , Moreira Helena , Canavarro Maria Cristina
Published: August 2016

Objetivo

Os objetivos do presente estudo são 1) comparar a qualidade de vida (QdV) e os problemas psicológicos de crianças/adolescentes com obesidade, excesso de peso e peso saudável, e a QdV e sintomas de depressão e ansiedade dos seus pais; 2) averiguar se a adaptação psicossocial dos pais está associada à QdV das crianças/adolescentes através dos seus problemas psicológicos e se estas associações são moderadas pela idade da criança/adolescente.

Método

A amostra foi constituída por 264 díades pais-filhos divididas em 3 grupos (peso saudável, excesso de peso e obesidade).

Resultados

As crianças/adolescentes com obesidade reportaram pior QdV e maiores níveis de problemas psicológicos do que as crianças/adolescentes com peso saudável. Os adolescentes reportaram pior QdV do que as crianças. Os pais das crianças/adolescentes com obesidade reportaram pior QdV e mais sintomas ansiosos e depressivos comparativamente aos pais das crianças/adolescentes com peso saudável. A associação entre ansiedade dos pais e a QdV das crianças/adolescentes foi mediada pelos problemas psicológicos dos adolescentes.

Conclusão

É fundamental a implementação de intervenções multidisciplinares focadas na família, que visem a perda de peso da criança/adolescente, mas também a promoção da saúde mental e da QdV das crianças/adolescentes e dos seus pais.
The Clough Collection of Prints at the Whitworth Institute
Authors: Morris David
Published: August 2016

George Clough‘s donation of old master prints raised the Whitworth Institute‘s
collection to international standing. Simultaneously, it presented Manchester
with a viewing experience that was possibly unique in Britain, and placed on
permanent display one of the nations finest collections of engravings, etchings
and woodcuts so as to offer a visual history of the medium of print. Clough had
a special interest in Marcantonio Raimondi, collecting over forty prints by him
at a time when such works commanded high prices. This article examines the
history and composition of Clough‘s collection and its place in the collecting
culture of northern England, and of Manchester in particular, around 1900.
The Forest Around the Fir Tree: Looking for Marcantonio Raimondi‘s Art
Authors: Emison Patricia
Published: August 2016

Marcantonio Raimondis career is here considered as a record of a distinctively
Renaissance hunger for imagery, on the part of the literate as well as the
illiterate, a taste that did not demand autograph work and yet was very
attentive to the decisions made by artists about which subjects to portray and
how to present them. Marcantonios contribution is described less in terms of
having made Raphaels work known widely, and more as having made engraving into
an established art form: collectible, discussable, debatable. His innovative
technique yielded, it is argued, images of deliberately impersonal style, an
accomplishment obscured by the ensuing emphasis on maniera.
Dido and Lucretia: Raphael‘s Designs and Marcantonio‘s Engravings
Authors: Joannides Paul
Published: August 2016

Vasari said that Marcantonio Raimondis first engraving after a design by Raphael
was the Suicide of Lucretia, but he most likely confused it with the similar but
much smaller Suicide of Dido, also engraved by Marcantonio. Following the Didos
success Raphael no doubt wished Lucretia to be larger and bolder. The two
figures were probably recycled from a group of dancers, perhaps the Muses,
projected for a mural decoration; a drawing by Raphael adapted to Lucretia is
precisely in the style of his Parnassus studies The hypothesis that Dido and
Lucretia were initially conceived as dancers is supported by a montage of the
two figures silhouetted and by a glance at contemporary representations of
dancing Muses.
Raphaels Vitruvius and Marcantonio Raimondi‘s Caryatid Façade
Authors: Christian Kathleen W.
Published: August 2016

Marcantonio Raimondis so-called Caryatid Façade has received scant attention, yet
it occupies an important place in the printmakers oeuvre and was widely admired
and imitated in the sixteenth century. The image, which features an
architectural façade adorned with Caryatid and Persian porticoes and an
oversized female capital, does not fit easily with the usual narrative about
Raimondis career in Rome, summed up in Vasaris account that he collaborated with
Raphael to publicise the masters storie. Rather than being an illustration of a
religious or mythological subject, it brings together architectural fantasia,
archaeology and Vitruvian studies, reflecting on the origins of the orders and
the nature of architectural ornament. Arguably, it is also an indirect trace of
Raphaels unfinished projects to reconstruct Rome and to collaborate with
humanist Fabio Calvo and others on a new, illustrated edition of Vitruvius.
Septin/anillin filaments scaffold central nervous system myelin to accelerate nerve conduction
Authors: Patzig Julia , Erwig Michelle S , Tenzer Stefan , Kusch Kathrin , Dibaj Payam , Möbius Wiebke , Goebbels Sandra , Schaeren-Wiemers Nicole , Nave Klaus-Armin , Werner Hauke B
Published: August 2016

Myelination of axons facilitates rapid impulse propagation in the nervous system. The axon/myelin-unit becomes impaired in myelin-related disorders and upon normal aging. However, the molecular cause of many pathological features, including the frequently observed myelin outfoldings, remained unknown. Using label-free quantitative proteomics, we find that the presence of myelin outfoldings correlates with a loss of cytoskeletal septins in myelin. Regulated by phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2)-levels, myelin septins (SEPT2/SEPT4/SEPT7/SEPT8) and the PI(4,5)P2-adaptor anillin form previously unrecognized filaments that extend longitudinally along myelinated axons. By confocal microscopy and immunogold-electron microscopy, these filaments are localized to the non-compacted adaxonal myelin compartment. Genetic disruption of these filaments in Sept8-mutant mice causes myelin outfoldings as a very specific neuropathology. Septin filaments thus serve an important function in scaffolding the axon/myelin-unit, evidently a late stage of myelin maturation. We propose that pathological or aging-associated diminishment of the septin/anillin-scaffold causes myelin outfoldings that impair the normal nerve conduction velocity.
Suppression of ischemia in arterial occlusive disease by JNK-promoted native collateral artery development
Authors: Ramo Kasmir , Sugamura Koichi , Craige Siobhan , Keaney John F , Davis Roger J
Published: August 2016

Arterial occlusive diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Blood flow to the affected tissue must be restored quickly if viability and function are to be preserved. We report that disruption of the mixed-lineage protein kinase (MLK) - cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in endothelial cells causes severe blockade of blood flow and failure to recover in the murine femoral artery ligation model of hindlimb ischemia. We show that the MLK-JNK pathway is required for the formation of native collateral arteries that can restore circulation following arterial occlusion. Disruption of the MLK-JNK pathway causes decreased Dll4/Notch signaling, excessive sprouting angiogenesis, and defects in developmental vascular morphogenesis. Our analysis demonstrates that the MLK-JNK signaling pathway is a key regulatory mechanism that protects against ischemia in arterial occlusive disease.
Hearing lessons from flies
Authors: Lee Yi-Nan , Chien Cheng-Ting
Published: August 2016

Studying the auditory system of the fruit fly can reveal how hearing works in mammals.
An investigation into the bilateral functional differences of the lower limb muscles in standing and walking
Authors: Liang Shengyun , Xu Jiali , wang Lei , Zhao Guoru
Published: August 2016

To date, most studies use surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals as the control source on active rehabilitation robots, and unilateral data are collected based on the gait symmetry hypothesis, which has caused much controversy. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the sEMG activity asymmetry of bilateral muscles in lower extremities during functional tasks. Nine participants were instructed to perform static and dynamic steady state tests. sEMG signals from the tibialis anterior, soleus, medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius muscles of bilateral lower extremities were recorded in the experiments. Muscle activities are quantified in terms of sEMG amplitude. We investigated whether characteristics of left limb and the one of the right limb have the same statistical characteristics during functional tasks using The Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and studied dynamic signal irregularity degree for sEMG activities via sample entropy. The total of muscle activities showed significant differences between left limb and right limb during the static steady state (p= 0.000). For dynamic steady states, there were significant differences for most muscle activities between left limb and right limb at different speeds (p= 0.000). Nevertheless, there was no difference between the lateral gastrocnemius for bilateral limb at 2.0 kilometers per hour (p= 0.060). For medial gastrocnemius, differences were not found between left limb and right limb at 1.0 and 3.0 kilometers per hours (p= 0.390 andp= 0.085, respectively). Similarly, there was no difference for soleus at 3.0 kilometers per hour (p= 0.115). The importance of the differences in muscle activities between left limb and right limb were found. These results can potentially be used for evaluating lower limb extremity function of special populations (elderly people or stroke patients) in an objective and simple method.
Simple Formula to Place Central Venous Catheter Tip at T6 After Surgical Cutdown in Neonates
Authors: Lee Eunhye , Moon Suk-Bae
Published: August 2016

The objective of this paper was to develop a generally applicable formula to estimate correct catheter length after surgical cutdown in right internal jugular vein (RIJV) in neonates. The carina has been utilized as an anatomic landmark indicating superior vena cava-right atrium junction (SVC-RA) for the optimal placement of the central venous catheter (CVC) tip position. However, this landmark may not be accurate in neonates. Recent researches noted that the sixth vertebral body (T6) could better serve as a new landmark of SVC-RA in neonates and smaller children. We prospectively performed RIJV cutdown. For a controlled and reproducible surgical procedure, the venous entry site was consistently taken as the point where the omohyoid muscle crosses the RIJV. On intraoperative infantogram, the vertical distance between the venous entry site and T6 was measured and the catheter was inserted to this length. A linear regression model was investigated using the following variables to elicit the best prediction model for catheter length: gestational age, postconceptional age, birth weight, and weight at operation. Weight at operation best correlated with the measured CVC length (R2 = 0.916, P = 0.00), and the following linear equation was derived: estimated CVC length (mm) = 9 × [weight at operation (Kg)] + 30. There was no statistically significant difference between measured and estimated CVC length. With this formula, the optimal catheter length could easily be estimated when considering RIJV cutdown.
An Artificial Bile Duct Made of Bioabsorbable Polymer: A Viable Substitute for Narrowed Portion of the Extrahepatic Bile Duct
Authors: Miyazawa Mitsuo , Aikawa Masayasu , Okada Katsuya , Watanabe Yukihiro , Okamoto Kojun , Santosh Shrestha , Yamaguchi Shigeki , Koyama Isamu , Ikada Yoshito
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate whether an artificial bile duct made of bioabsorbable polymer could serve as a substitute for narrowed portions of the bile duct. The experiments were performed using hybrid pigs (n = 11). After laparotomy under general anesthesia, the extrahepatic bile duct was identified and ligated around the confluence with the cystic duct. A week later, repeat laparotomy was performed on the animals, and the bile duct on the hepatic side of the ligature was resected. The cut end was connected to the duodenum using a bioabsorbable artificial bile duct fabricated from a copolymer of polycaprolactone and polylactic acid fibers. The grafts were recovered for gross, histologic, and blood chemical studies at 4 months after the surgery. All recipient pigs survived until they were humanely killed for collection of the implants. A week of ligation of the extrahepatic bile duct dilated the duct to approximately 1 cm in diameter and increased total bilirubin. Total bilirubin had returned to the pre-implantation level in all animals at 4 months post implantation. Examinations of the grafts revealed complete freedom of stricture and the regeneration of a neo-bile duct of approximately 1 cm in diameter from the graft site in 10 of 11 animals. Gross observation of the graft from the 1 remaining animal revealed stricture at the anastomosis site and poor bile duct epithelization. We have concluded that this bioabsorbable polymer bile duct can serve as a replacement for narrowed portions of the bile duct.