bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SSNTD Technique in Photo-Neutron Applications
Authors: Sajo-Bohus Laszlo , Vega-Carrillo H.R. , Virk Hardev Singh
Published: August 2015

Passive Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs) are a versatile tool for neutron studies as has been shown long ago and several good quality materials are commercially available. They are useful for charged particle detection in the linear energy transfer (LET) range above the threshold value of ~10 keV μm-1. Linacs, operating above 6 MeV up to the energy region where radiotherapy is applied usually up to ~25MeV, induce unwanted photo-neutron field; their spectra shows two components due to reaction dynamics based on evaporation and knock-on mechanisms. Neutrons produced by Linacs are often neglected in health application; however, today it has become necessary to assess the effect on patient, staff and radiation workers. Radiation studies using SSNTDs play a major role in this case. Other fields also take advantage of the passive detectors properties; in fact they are employed with success to measure neutron signals relevant for plasma diagnostics as it was demonstrated at the RFX facility as part of the ITER project. The PADC-NTD techniques provide information on external neutron field values around the RFX-installation during pulsed operation. In any case, converter materials, as charged particles from (n, p) and (n, α) reactions, are required to produce neutron fingerprints through latent tracks. These once etched provide information on neutron fluence spatial values. Track histograms are then employed to determine photo-neutron induced damage in materials as well as radiation dose to both patient and professionally exposed workers. The estimated neutron fluence that can be determined by NTM covers a large range of values, the largest being above 1010(± 12%) neutrons/cm2.
Modgil-Virk Formulation of Single Activation Energy Model of Radiation Damage Annealing in SSNTDs: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Virk Hardev Singh
Published: August 2015

Passage of heavy ions produces radiation-damage trails known as latent tracks in a variety of solid-state nuclear-track detectors (SSNTDs). These tracks are made visible in an optical microscope by a simple process known as chemical etching. It is a well-known fact that latent tracks are radiation damage trails in SSNTDs, which can be annealed by thermal heating. Modgil-Virk formulation of single-activation-energy model of radiation damage annealing was proposed as an empirical approach for explaining the thermal fading of nuclear tracks in SSNTDs. The empirical formulation of this model is based on track annealing data collected from both isothermal and isochronal experiments performed on different types of SSNTDs using a variety of heavy ion beams and fission fragments. The main objective of this empirical model was to resolve some contradictions of variable activation energy derived by using Arrhenius plots to study annealing in mineral SSNTDs. Some equivalent versions of the Modgil-Virk model have been proposed but the concept of single activation energy is vindicated in all empirical formulations. The model always yields a unique value of activation energy independent of the nature of the ion beam used and the degree of annealing. The anisotropy of the mineral SSNTDs is revealed by variation in activation energy along different crystal planes and even with different orientations of the ion beam on the same plane. Some recent experiments are a pointer to the successful exploitation of this model for future cosmic-rays studies using SSNTDs.
Influence of Aluminide Layer on the Dynamics of the Development of Fatigue Damage in Ni-Cr-Co Alloy
Authors: Kukla Dominik , Sitek Ryszard
Published: August 2015

Thermomechanical conditions in which the elements of modern aircraft engines work, require the use of protective coatings. The coatings increase the creep strength and also the local thermal stress in the near-surface areas due to the differing thermal expansion of particular material layers. For this reason it is necessary to develop a method for evaluating the operating properties of nickel superalloys with the aluminide layer, taking into consideration the surface processes related to the thermo-mechanical fatigue, taking place during the operation. In the presented work the assessment of the influence of the aluminium-coated layer, deposited on the nickel alloy specimens in the chemical deposition process (CVD) on the changes of the damage parameter in cyclic load conditions was carried out. The damage parameter was defined as a total strain in consecutive load cycles. The dynamics of damage development was analysed for two specimen lots (4 with the layer and 4 without it) displaying axial symmetry with a narrowing in the measured section. The results obtained were correlated with the results of fractography studies using SEM. The results obtained were used for the determination of the relationship between the damage parameter being the sum of the average strain and the strain amplitude, and the number of cycles, until the specimen is destroyed.
Delamination Resistance of Laminates with Various Stacking Sequences against Low Velocity Impacts
Authors: Czanocki Piotr
Published: August 2015

Effects of low-velocity-low-energy impacts on interlaminar damage extent in Glass/Epoxy laminate panels of [0°/90°]10, [0°10/90°10], [0°5/90°5]2, [0°5/-45°5/90°5/+45°5] layups were experimentally investigated. The tests were carried out at room temperature with the help of INSTRON CEAST9350 impact system. The initial impact energy was 18J, impactor mass equaled 4kg and the corresponding contact speed was 3 m/s. During the impacts panels were simply supported with a circular steel rings of inner diameters d=80mm. It was found that the amounts of dissipated energy substantially varied depending on the reinforcement sequence and that the lowest amount of energy was dissipated by the laminate panel of [0°/90°]10 reinforcement stacking sequence while the highest one by the panel of [0°10/90°10] reinforcement stacking sequence. Such results suggested that clustering reinforcement layers of the same reinforcement orientation produced negative effects with the regard to the resistance of laminates against impact induced damage.
Influence of the Method of Polymerization of Composite Material for Teeth Crown Fillings on its Strength Properties
Authors: Milewski Grzegorz , Majewski Tomasz
Published: August 2015

Polymerization shrinkage of composite filling materials still becomes one of the most important features which decreases strength properties of reconstructed teeth crowns. From among various methods to reduce that disadvantageous phenomenon which are used in a dental practice sandwich filling processing of crown cavity seems to be the most effective one. The paper presents the results of the strength examination of the influence of the different ways of layered polymerization processing on the mechanical properties of modern hybrid micro composite material with regards to the following quantities: compressive strength, strain to fracture, modulus of elasticity and work to fracture.
Influence of the Parameter of Ductility of Reinforcing Steel on the Behaviour of a Narrow Three-Span Reinforced Concrete Slab Based on Experimental Investigations
Authors: Wieczorek Mirosław
Published: August 2015

In the time of the exploitation of building structures frequently situations do occur, in which due to failures they are exposed to much higher loads than has been originally predicted. In a state of emergency due to overloading of the structure, significant reserves of load capacity may be appear in the case of a self-acting tension member work. The aim of the paper was to demonstrate the influence of reinforced steel parameters and its quantity on the mechanism of destruction of four three-span models of reinforced concrete strips with the dimensions 7140×500×190 mm. The paper contains the description of the test stand and test models and the results of experimental tests which were compared with the results of the calculations based on traditional methods.
Theoretic-Strength Concept of a Model Describing the Destruction of the Corner Part of a Slab-Column Structure
Authors: Wieczorek Mirosław
Published: August 2015

The paper presents a proposed theoretical-strength destruction model of the corner of a slab-column structure at 1:2 scale. The theoretical destruction model was developed on the basis of laboratory tests of a reinforced concrete slab with the dimensions 4000×4000×100 mm. The assumptions of the proposed theoretical model were based on a traditional theory of behaviour of reinforced concrete constructions. The method for calculating the strength of reinforced concrete sections is based on interaction graphs of the load capacity NRd, MRd,x and MRd,y. The calculation method takes into account the influence of changes in the shape of the cross-section of the analysed element on its limit load capacity in every load step.
Experimental Studies on Protection Systems of Military Vehicles against RPG Type Missiles
Authors: Panowicz Robert , Niezgoda Tadeusz
Published: August 2015

The aim of this article is to present the results of experimental studies on protection systems of military vehicles against RPG type missiles. The paper presents the research methodology of rod armours and active protection system. On the basis of the presented methodology, both a rod armour and an active protection system were investigated. The effectiveness of these solutions reaches 70% in the rod armour and about 80% in the case of the active protection system.
Visualization of Processes of Plastic Deformation Initiation in Conditions of Pure Tension and Pure and Simple Bending
Authors: Jodłowski Henryk , Bućko Stefan , Gibas Piotr
Published: August 2015

The rules and capabilities of macro-strains identification method with the use of optical interference for identifying initial phase of plastic deformation process in steels with material instability were discussed in the work. It was also shown how the technique run in presentation of the initial phase of yielding progress. As the example for illustration of discussed method real capabilities the course of plastic deformations beginning in the tension tests of 15CrMo and 34CrNiMo6 steel samples was shown as well as the course of test of pure and simple bending for the steel 15CrMo beam. Namely, the sequence of interference fringes pictures showing the formation of plastic strains correlating to the points on the tensile test curve was presented. For bending process the pictures were correlated with the point on the graph of dimensionless bending moment versus maximal strain measured by the strain gauge
Determination of Damage to the Piezoelectric Sensor by Measuring the Electrical Capacitance
Authors: Rządkowski Witold , Pyrzanowski Paweł
Published: August 2015

This work presents testing mechanical defects of MFC piezoelectric transducers. The issue is important when piezoelectric transducer is used as eg. strain sensor. Repeatability of measurements is a goal, which can be obtained only if transducer has the same physical properties in every measurement. One way to determine damaged part of the sensor is measuring capacitance of MFC transducer. A couple of tests were performed to determine capacitance under non-destroying cyclic loading, and with loads causing PZT failure. Relation of capacity and load level was also investigated. All tests were validated with results from traditional resistive strain gauge
Introduction to Applications of the Raman Spectroscopy to Experimental Mechanics
Authors: Sikoń Marek , Rajchel Bogusław , Kwiatkowska Jadwiga , Strzała Alicja
Published: August 2015

In this work, the mechanical state of the material is considered in the form of the oscillation of the molecule. The analysis is carried out for material without an external load and for material under the action of the mechanical load. These two states are tested in a Raman spectroscope where oscillations of molecule with modulations are induced by laser light. One should expect that the results of these investigations will confirm the capability of Raman spectroscopy in analysis of molecular mechanical state of material.This research is carried out using photoelastic material, and an analogy to state of stress on the continuum level is presented by photoelastisity.
The Comparative Analysis of Experimental and Numerical Results of Initial Phase of Plastic Deformation in Shields with Openings under Tension
Authors: Jodłowski Henryk , Trzebicki Marcin
Published: August 2015

The paper attempts to clarify the differences between theoretical and experimental values of elastic bearing capacity for shields with openings under tension. The discrepancies occur between the experimental and the FEM calculations results which were realized by team of Institute of Applied Mechanics of Cracow University of Technology.For the purpose of comparative analysis one performed FEM calculations of the 15CrMo steel shield of geometry which was the geometry of shields being the subject of the experiments. The material model assumed in the FEM calculations was the elastic-plastic steel with the small linear reinforcement. In the calculations it was failed to obtain analogous plastic deformation schemes as in the experiments. There was obtained a similarity between the plastic zones shape and dimensions obtained from FEM calculations and for plastic zones shape and dimensions from experiments for loadings which exceed the experimental elastic bearing capacity for about 20%.
Method of Determining the Strain Hardening of Carburized Elements in Ansys Environment
Authors: Lipa Sebastian , Sawicki Jacek , Wołowiec Korecka Emilia , Dybowski Konrad , Kula Piotr
Published: August 2015

The paper presents a method based on FEM analysis of determining the strain hardening of elements after the thermochemical treatment. A computational algorithm, which takes into account two factors, has been suggested. Firstly, the gradient of material properties resulting from the changes in the carbon content in the surface layer after the carburizing process. Secondly, the phase transformations occurring during the hardening of the material. The proposed flowchart did not include the flow effect, which greatly reduced the computation time by eliminating tedious CFD calculations. Thanks to an original program Converter coupled with a commercial software's SimHard, SimCarb J Math Pro and Ansys the carburizing process followed by quenching in gases was modeled. In parallel to the numerical calculations the results were verified experimentally. The results of FEM analysis for the tube made of stainless EN 16CrMn5 subjected to three processes of thermochemical treatment have also been presented in the paper. The experimental results were compared with the numerical simulations and a satisfactory convergence has been achieved.
Vehicle Modeling Additions for Off-Axis Improvements in a Real-Time Helicopter Model
Authors: Haycock Bruce C. , Grant Peter R.
Published: August 2015

An ongoing concern with helicopter simulations is that they often have an incorrect off-axis response to cyclic control inputs when compared with the corresponding flight-test data. The more commonly suggested contributing factors for this discrepancy include the influence of dynamic
wake distortion, rotor blade elasticity, and unsteady blade airfoil aerodynamics. A rotor model was developed using a Ritz expansion approach with constrained elastic modes to account for the blade elasticity, as it is computationally compact and efficient and therefore suitable for use in
a real-time simulation. The effect of including this blade flexibility on the dynamic response, and in particular the on-axis and off-axis response, of the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies helicopter models is examined. In addition, the combined effects of dynamic wake
distortion, unsteady blade section aerodynamics, and blade flexibility on the dynamic response are examined. The various features were successful in altering the off-axis response, with improvements in some areas, while not disrupting the on-axis response. In some conditions, the magnitude
of the resulting change due to flexibility was greater than the differences noted due to the addition of dynamic wake distortion or unsteady aerodynamics.
Investigation of entomophobia among agricultural students: the case of Shiraz University, Iran
Authors: Hayati D. , Minaei K.
Published: August 2015

The most significant impact of some insects involves their role as primary vectors and alternate hosts of many devastating infectious disease agents. They also affect the health of vertebrates directly by triggering altered mental states such as entomophobia. Investigate entomophobia among agricultural students as they are an important group of people who deal with and are involved with insects in various ways. Understanding those factors that affect their attitudes to insects was the main objective of this study. The findings revealed that fear of insects are a current sense among them. Gender, having previous experience toward working with insects, and passing entomology course were factors that showed positive correlation with the entomophobia of respondents. Some related discussions and recommendations are presented at the end of this manuscript.
Multioppia (Multioppia) biciliata sp. n. new species of oribatid mites from Iran (Acari: Oribatida: Oppiidae)
Authors: Akrami M.A. , Bastan S.R.
Published: August 2015

A new oribatid mite species of the family Oppiidae, Multioppia (Multioppia) biciliata sp. n. is described from Arak, Markazi province, central-western Iran. The new species is characterized by the rounded rostrum; strongly elbowed rostral setae; long sensilli with oblong head, dilated unilaterally, ciliated bilaterally with 15-16 long cilia on outer and 8 short cilia on inner edge; long, thick and bilaterally ciliate notogastral setae; smooth genital and ciliate epimeral, aggenital, anal and adanal setae. An identification key to Iranian species of Multioppia is presented.
Distribution and periodicity of sandflies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) along different altitudes in Asir Region, Southwest of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kenawy M.A. , Al Ashry H.A. , Shobrak M.
Published: August 2015

Asir Region in the southwest of Saudi Arabia has been a subject for expansion of agricultural projects, urbanization, which presumably have impact on distribution of phlebotomine sandflies. Few reports are available on sandflies in this region which is an important focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therefore, this study aimed at updating the species composition, distribution and periodical fluctuation of sandflies in this region. Specimens were monthly collected by the Center for Disease Control light traps for one year in four localities representing different altitudes. In five other, collections were twice during the year period. Ten species (six Phlebotomus and four Sergentomyia) were identified, of which P. arabicus (32%) was the most common followed by P. bergeroti (29%) and P. sergenti (15%). Of the reported species, S. palestinensis is considered a new record from Asir. Sandflies were more common and maximum biodiversity was observed in lowlands and not in high altitudes. At different altitudes, the two commonest species were more active during spring. Sandfly density (sandfly/trap) was directly related to temperature and inversely related to altitude, relative humidity (RH) and wind velocity (P<0.05). To sum up, the distribution and abundance of sandflies in Asir are influenced by a combination of different factors: temperature, RH, wind velocity and altitude.
Structural geology of Portage Lakes area, Bathurst - Newcastle District, New Brunswick
Authors: Helmstaedt H
Published: August 2015

Polyphase deformed and regionally metamorphosed rocks of the Ordovician Tetagouche Group are unconformably overlain by and in faulted contact with mildly deformed and little metamorphosed Upper Silurian-Lower Devonian rocks. Five stratigraphic units were
distinguished in the Tetagouche Group; these indicate the transformation of a relatively stable platform into a highly unstable eugeosynclinal environment. The Tetagouche Group was affected by three penetrative phases of deformation, at least two of them preUpper Silurian, i.e. manifestations of the
Taconian Orogeny. The first phase was accompanied by a low-grade regional metamorphism and caused a penetrative foliation, which except for some shallow dips in the northern part of the area, has generally steep overall dips. A mineral lineation is locally developed. Mesoscopic folds of the first
phase are rare, but the rocks were folded on the macroscopic scale. The second phase of deformation caused microscopic and mesoscopic crenulations of the foliation and bedding and imposed a near-horizontal crenulation cleavage in large parts of the area. Metamorphic recrystallization was minimal.
The third phase was least penetrative on the mesoscopic scale but resulted in a regional antiform with a vertical north-northwesterly striking axial surface and a shallow northerly plunge. A slaty cleavage, the only penetrative secondary structure in the fine-grained rocks of the molasse-type
Siluro-Devonian sequence, was formed under nonmetamorphic conditions, probably prior to lithification. Further deformation of the Siluro-Devonian rocks was restricted to brittle faulting and fracturing. At present no definite conclusions can be reached regarding the behaviour of the Tetagouche
basement during the deformation of the SiluroDevonian rocks. Evidence is presented that the emplacement of the sulphide minerals of the massive sulphide deposits in the Tetagouche Group took place prior to the first phase of deformation of the Tetagouche Group. Possiblyapplications of structural
analysis to exploration in the Bathurst-Newcastle district are discussed.
The search for a more human face for Nelson Mandela: An urgent task
Authors: Maluleke Tinyiko
Published: August 2015

For many reasons, reflecting on the life of Nelson Mandela is a precarious exercise. If Mandela is a symbol of the resilience of the human spirit under trying conditions, he is also a symbol that is appropriated in various ways – helpful and unhelpful – by various people. This article explores some of the unhelpful ways in which the name and person of Nelson Mandela is invoked. In particular, the article looks at the hagiographical orientation of several reflections on Mandela, cautioning how some of these may have an effect less noble than originally intended. Accordingly, the article asks: How much can the symbol of Mandela bear? How much more can Mandela give? The logic and rationale of Mandela hagiography is explored. Following his death, there has been an explosion of interest in the life and symbol that is Nelson Mandela. Mandela literature, including multi-media, is on the rise. If the symbol of Mandela is in danger of being ‘cannibalised’, there is also a danger of relegating Mandela to an ahistorical mythical figure. The solution lies in at least two area, namely, the increment of alternative Mandela narratives and the introduction of more critical Mandela narratives. In this regard, Mandela’s own self-understanding as captured in his reflections about his life offer several clues which are explored in this article.
A solution to the combinatorial puzzle of Mayer’s virial expansion
Authors: Tate Stephen James
Published: August 2015

Mayer’s second theorem in the context of a classical gasmodel allows us to write the coefficients of the virial expansion of pressure in terms of weighted two-connected graphs. Labelle, Leroux and Ducharme studied the graph weights arising from the one-dimensional hardcore gas model and noticed that the sum of these weights over all two-connected graphs with

n

vertices is

–n(n–2)!

. This paper addresses the question of achieving a purely combinatorial proof of this observation and extends the proof of Bernardi for the connected graph case.
Clustering properties of rectangular Macdonald polynomials
Authors: Dunkl Charles  F. , Luque Jean-Gabriel
Published: August 2015

The clustering properties of Jack polynomials are relevant in the theoretical study of the fractional Hall states. In this context, some factorization properties have been conjectured for the

(q,t)

-deformed problem involving Macdonald polynomials (which are also the quantum eigenfunctions of a familly of commuting difference operators with significance in the relativistic Ruijsenaars–Schneider model). The present paper is devoted to the proof of this formula. To this aim we use four families of Jack/Macdonald polynomials: symmetric homogeneous, nonsymmetric homogeneous, shifted symmetric and shifted nonsymmetric.
Veldkamp-space aspects of a sequence of nested binary Segre varieties
Authors: Saniga Metod , Havlicek Hans , Holweck Frédéric , Planat Michel , Pracna Petr
Published: August 2015

Let

S_{(N)} \equiv \operatorname{PG}(1,\,2) \times \operatorname{PG}(1,\,2) \times \cdots \times \operatorname{PG}(1,\,2)

be a Segre variety that is an

N

-fold direct product of projective lines of size three. Given two geometric hyperplanes

H'

and

H''

of

S_{(N)}

, let us call the triple

\{H', H'', \overline{H' \Delta H''}\}

the Veldkamp line of

S_{(N)}

. We shall demonstrate, for the sequence

2 \leq N \leq 4

, that the properties of geometric hyperplanes of

S_{(N)}

are fully encoded in the properties of Veldkamp
lines
of

S_{(N-1)}

. Using this property, a complete classification of all types of geometric hyperplanes of

S_{(4)}

is provided. Employing the fact that, for

2 \leq N \leq 4

, the (ordinary part of) Veldkamp space of

S_{(N)}

is

\operatorname{PG}(2^N-1,2)

, we shall further describe which types of geometric hyperplanes of

S_{(N)}

lie on a certain hyperbolic quadric

\mathcal{Q}_0^+(2^N-1,2) \subset \operatorname{PG}(2^N-1,2)

that contains the

S_{(N)}

and is invariant under its stabilizer group; in the

N=4

case we shall also single out those of them that correspond, via the Lagrangian Grassmannian of type

LG(4,8)

, to the set of 2295 maximal subspaces of the symplectic polar space

\mathcal{W}(7,2)

.
Lower bounds for resonance counting functions for Schrödinger operators with fixed sign potentials in even dimensions
Authors: Christiansen T. J.
Published: August 2015

If

d

is even, the resonances of the Schrödinger operator

-\Delta +V

on

\mathbb R^d

with

V\in L^{infty}_{\mathrm {comp}}(\mathbb R^d)

are points on

\Lambda

, the logarithmic cover of

\mathbb C \setminus \{0\}

. We show that for fixed sign potentials

V

and for

m\in \mathbb Z \setminus \{0\}

, the resonance counting function for the

m

th sheet of

\Lambda

has maximal order of growth.
Interactions of bromine, chlorine, and iodine photochemistry during ozone depletions in Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Thompson C. R. , Shepson P. B. , Liao J. , Huey L. G. , Apel E. C. , Cantrell C. A. , Flocke F. , Orlando J. , Fried A. , Hall S. R. , Hornbrook R. S. , Knapp D. J. , Mauldin III R. L. , Montzka D. D. , Sive B. C. , Ullmann K. , Weibring P. , Weinheimer A.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The springtime depletion of tropospheric ozone in the Arctic is known to be caused by active halogen photochemistry resulting from halogen atom precursors emitted from snow, ice, or aerosol surfaces. The role of bromine in driving ozone depletion events (ODEs) has been generally accepted, but much less is known about the role of chlorine radicals in ozone depletion chemistry. While the potential impact of iodine in the High Arctic is more uncertain, there have been indications of active iodine chemistry through observed enhancements in filterable iodide, probable detection of tropospheric IO, and recently, observation of snowpack photochemical production of I2. Despite decades of research, significant uncertainty remains regarding the chemical mechanisms associated with the bromine-catalyzed depletion of ozone, as well as the complex interactions that occur in the polar boundary layer due to halogen chemistry. To investigate this, we developed a zero-dimensional photochemical model, constrained with measurements from the 2009 OASIS field campaign in Barrow, Alaska. We simulated a 7-day period during late March that included a full ozone depletion event lasting 3 days and subsequent ozone recovery to study the interactions of halogen radicals under these different conditions. In addition, the effects of iodine added to our Base Model were investigated. While bromine atoms were primarily responsible for ODEs, chlorine and iodine were found to enhance the depletion rates and iodine was found to be more efficient per atom at depleting ozone than Br. The interaction between chlorine and bromine is complex, as the presence of chlorine can increase the recycling and production of Br atoms, while also increasing reactive bromine sinks under certain conditions. Chlorine chemistry was also found to have significant impacts on both HO2 and RO2, with organic compounds serving as the primary reaction partner for Cl atoms. The results of this work highlight the need for future studies on the production mechanisms of Br2 and Cl2, as well as on the potential impact of iodine in the High Arctic.
Atmospheric black carbon and sulfate concentrations in Northeast Greenland
Authors: Massling A. , Nielsen I. E. , Kristensen D. , Christensen J. H. , Sørensen L. L. , Jensen B. , Nguyen Q. T. , Nøjgaard J. K. , Glasius M. , Skov H.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Measurements of equivalent black carbon (EBC) in aerosols at the high Arctic field site Villum Research Station (VRS) at Station Nord in North Greenland showed a seasonal variation in EBC concentrations with a maximum in winter and spring at ground level. Average measured concentrations were about 0.067 ± 0.071 for the winter and 0.011 ± 0.009 for the summer period. These data were obtained using a multi-angle absorption photometer (MAAP). A similar seasonal pattern was found for sulfate concentrations with a maximum level during winter and spring analyzed by ion chromatography. Here, measured average concentrations were about 0.485 ± 0.397 for the winter and 0.112 ± 0.072 for the summer period. A correlation between EBC and sulfate concentrations was observed over the years 2011 to 2013 stating a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.72. This finding gives the hint that most likely transport of primary emitted BC particles to the Arctic was accompanied by aging of the aerosols through condensational processes. BC and sulfate are known to have only partly similar sources with respect to their transport pathways when reaching the high Arctic. Aging processes may have led to the formation of secondary inorganic matter and further transport of BC particles as cloud processing and further washout of particles is less likely based on the typically observed transport patterns of air masses arriving at VRS. Additionally, concentrations of EC (elemental carbon) based on a thermo-optical method were determined and compared to EBC measurements. EBC measurements were generally higher, but a correlation between EC and EBC resulted in a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.64. Model estimates of the climate forcing due to BC in the Arctic are based on contributions of long-range transported BC during spring and summer. The measured concentrations were here compared with model results obtained by the Danish Eulerian Hemispheric Model, DEHM. Good agreement between measured and modeled concentrations of both EBC/BC and sulfate was observed. Also, the correlation between BC and sulfate concentrations was confirmed based on the model results observed over the years 2011 to 2013 stating a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.74. The dominant source is found to be combustion of fossil fuel with biomass burning as a minor, albeit significant source.
Quantifying the biological impact of surface ocean light attenuation by colored detrital matter in an ESM using a new optical parameterization
Authors: Kim G. E. , Pradal M.-A. , Gnanadesikan A.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Light attenuation by colored detrital material (CDM) was included in a fully coupled Earth system model (ESM). This study presents a modified parameterization for shortwave attenuation, which is an empirical relationship between 244 concurrent measurements of the diffuse attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiance, chlorophyll concentration and light absorption by CDM. Two ESM model runs using this parameterization were conducted, with and without light absorption by CDM. The light absorption coefficient for CDM was prescribed as the average of annual composite MODIS Aqua satellite data from 2002 to 2013. Comparing results from the two model runs shows that changes in light limitation associated with the inclusion of CDM decoupled trends between surface biomass and nutrients. Increases in surface biomass were expected to accompany greater nutrient uptake and therefore diminish surface nutrients. Instead, surface chlorophyll, biomass and nutrients increased together. These changes can be attributed to the different impact of light limitation on surface productivity versus total productivity. Chlorophyll and biomass increased near the surface but decreased at greater depths when CDM was included. The net effect over the euphotic zone was less total biomass leading to higher nutrient concentrations. Similar results were found in a regional analysis of the oceans by biome, investigating the spatial variability of response to changes in light limitation using a single parameterization for the surface ocean. In coastal regions, surface chlorophyll increased by 35 % while total integrated phytoplankton biomass diminished by 18 %. The largest relative increases in modeled surface chlorophyll and biomass in the open ocean were found in the equatorial biomes, while the largest decreases in depth-integrated biomass and chlorophyll were found in the subpolar and polar biomes. This mismatch of surface and subsurface trends and their regional dependence was analyzed by comparing the competing factors of diminished light availability and increased nutrient availability on phytoplankton growth in the upper 200 m. Understanding changes in biological productivity requires both surface and depth-resolved information. Surface trends may be minimal or of the opposite sign than depth-integrated amounts, depending on the vertical structure of phytoplankton abundance.
Water Expert: a conceptualized framework for development of a rule-based decision support system for distribution system decontamination
Authors: Gutenson J. L. , Ernest A. N. S. , Fattic J. R. , Ormsbee L. E. , Oubeidillah A. A. , Zhang X.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Significant drinking water contamination events pose a serious threat to public and environmental health. Water utilities often must make timely, critical decisions without evaluating all facets of the incident. The data needed to enact informed decisions are inevitably dispersant and disparate, originating from policy, science, and heuristic contributors. Water Expert is a functioning hybrid decision support system (DSS) and expert system framework that emphasizes the meshing of parallel data structures in order to expedite and optimize the decision pathway. Delivered as a thin-client application through the user's web browser, Water Expert's extensive knowledgebase is a product of inter-university collaboration that methodically pieced together system decontamination procedures. Decontamination procedures are investigated through consultation with subject matter experts, literature review, and prototyping with stakeholders. This paper discusses the development of Water Expert, analyzing the development process underlying the DSS and the system's existing architecture specifications. Water Expert constitutes the first system to employ a combination of deterministic and heuristic models which provide decontamination solutions for water distribution systems. Results indicate that the decision making process following a contamination event is a multi-disciplinary effort. This contortion of multiple inputs and objectives limit the ability of the decision maker to find optimum solutions without technological intervention.
A low-order coupled chemistry meteorology model for testing online and offline data assimilation schemes
Authors: Haussaire J.-M. , Bocquet M.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Bocquet and Sakov (2013) have introduced a low-order model based on the coupling of the chaotic Lorenz-95 model which simulates winds along a mid-latitude circle, with the transport of a tracer species advected by this zonal wind field. This model, named L95-T, can serve as a playground for testing data assimilation schemes with an online model. Here, the tracer part of the model is extended to a reduced photochemistry module. This coupled chemistry meteorology model (CCMM), the L95-GRS model, mimics continental and transcontinental transport and the photochemistry of ozone, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. Its numerical implementation is described. The model is shown to reproduce the major physical and chemical processes being considered. L95-T and L95-GRS are specifically designed and useful for testing advanced data assimilation schemes, such as the iterative ensemble Kalman smoother (IEnKS) which combines the best of ensemble and variational methods. These models provide useful insights prior to the implementation of data assimilation methods on larger models. We illustrate their use with data assimilation schemes on preliminary, yet instructive numerical experiments. In particular, online and offline data assimilation strategies can be conveniently tested and discussed with this low-order CCMM. The impact of observed chemical species concentrations on the wind field can be quantitatively estimated. The impacts of the wind chaotic dynamics and of the chemical species non-chaotic but highly nonlinear dynamics on the data assimilation strategies are illustrated.
Planes, Pucks, Automobiles: Migration and Youth Hockey
Authors: Mountain Alexandra
Published: August 2015

This project positions the professionalization of youth hockey as a small component of a much larger process of the “globalization” of sport. Youth hockey players have moved to Canada internationally and among Canadian provinces locally. This study traces the movement and advances of young players (ages 16-20), 1980-2012, of the London Knights (London, Ontario), tapping into already compiled data on players’ team affiliation that many historians might overlook.  This database shows an emerging pattern of transnational and internal migration among professional youth players.
Large-scale data on U.S. disease, 1887 – 2014
Authors: Manning Patrick
Published: August 2015

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The Slave Population in Pernambuco, Brazil, 1560-1872: A macrodemographic reconstruction
Authors: De Moura Filho Heitor P.
Published: August 2015

This paper exposes a demographic model to represent the evolution of the population of African slaves brought to the province of Pernambuco, Brazil, from 1560 to 1872, including their descendants. The main conclusion at this stage of the research is the confirmation that realistic combinations of mortality and fertility parameters, within the wide intervals acknowledged by the literature, do, in fact, generate populations in size and – more importantly – with the sex and age distributions uncovered in the first nation-wide census for Brazil, in 1872. Such combinations of parameters also reinforce the thesis that the slave trade was the main motor for the growth of the slave population and its descendants.
The Effect of Metacognitive Strategy Use via Task Supported Language Teaching on Vocabulary Acquisition: The Case of Iranian EFL learners
Authors: Dehghan Fatemeh , Khatib Mohammad
Published: August 2015

The main difference between proficient and less proficient learners lies in the conscious ability to the so-called metacognition. Students who possess good metacognition know how to learn and what to do in any learning circumstances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of metacognitive strategy use via task supported language teaching on vocabulary acquisition. To achieve this aim, 40 learners studying at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences were put into experimental and control groups. For the experimental group, 10 units of 'Barron's Essential Words for the TOEFL (IBT) were covered through 'metacognitive strategy use', 'vocabulary acquisition', and 'task supported language teaching' principles of vocabulary teaching. In the case of the control group, the lesson plan was covered in accordance with the cognitive strategies and based on the exercises posed in the book. A sample of vocabulary test was administered as the pretest and another parallel one for the post-test of the study after each group was exposed to the treatment for 10 sessions. Data analyses revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the post-test; in this regard, the efficacy of the teaching protocol for experimental group is confirmed.
Aggregation, Evaluation, and Social Choice Theory
Authors: Patty John W. , Penn Elizabeth Maggie
Published: August 2015

We argue that political theory, regardless of whether it is “positive” or “normative” in nature, is structured and unified by social choice theory. We point out that the central conclusions of social choice theory are context-free and thus apply to any aggregation of multiple factors. The generality of the basic framework of social choice theory implies its results are relevant to any consideration of trade-offs and, because any interesting theory must deal with a situation in which there are at least two plausible predictions or prescriptions, these results unify all interesting theories of politics.
South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) and killer whales (Orcinus orca) attending chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) commercial trawl fisheries over the Patagonian Shelf: a first report
Authors: Seco Pon Juan Pablo , Favero Marco
Published: August 2015

Killer whale-seal interactions have been reported for almost all pinniped species globally. However the literature on offshore interactions between killer whales and sea lions is rare for the South Atlantic, particularly in Argentine waters. Here we report for the first time the harassment of a South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) by killer whales (Ornicus orca) while attending commercial fishing vessels in offshore national waters and describe a novel sea lion antipredator behaviour. These observations were made during an ongoing survey to assess seabird-fisheries interactions in the commercial trawl fishery off Argentina.
Detection of infection with Leptospira spp. in manatees (Trichechus inunguis) of the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Mathews Delgado Patrick , Sanchez Perea Nofre , Biffi Garcia Claudia , García Davila Carmen Rosa
Published: August 2015

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is an aquatic mammal (Family Trichechidae) that inhabits freshwater environments. It is endemic to the Amazon Basin, and occurs from Marajó Island (at the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil) to the headwaters of the floodplain in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Little is known of the causes of death or the prevalence of zoonotic organisms in manatees from Peru; however, Leptospira spp. have been reported to cause mortalities in marine mammals. Here we evaluated the presence of Leptospira spp. antibodies in Amazonian manatees. To our knowledge, this is the first report of presence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in aquatic mammals maintained in captivity in the Peruvian Amazon.
Epidemiological characteristics of skin disorders in cetaceans from South American waters
Authors: Van Bressem Marie-Francoise Elisabeth , Flach Leonardo , Reyes Julio César , Echegaray Mónica , Santos Marcos , Viddi Francisco , Félix Fernando , Lodi Liliane , Van Waerebeek Koen
Published: August 2015

We document the macroscopic phenotypic characteristics (relative size, location, pattern, colour, extension), prevalence and evolution of five types of skin disorders of unknown aetiology, including ‘green-brown plaques’ (GBP), ‘orange patches’ (OPA), ‘cutaneous nodules’ (NOD), ‘pale dermatitis’ (PAD) and ‘expansive annular lesions’ (EAL) in five odontocete species (n = 559 individuals) from the Southeast Pacific (n = 230) and Southwest Atlantic (n = 329) oceans. GBP affected two likely-adult Sotalia guianensis traveling side-by-side in a freshwater area of the Cananéia Estuary in August 2009. Low salinity is suggested as predisposing factor. OPA were distinguished in three of 209 (1.4%) free-ranging S. guianensis in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil, during winter months of 2005-2008. Epibiont diatoms are suspected aetiological agents. NOD were chronically present in one male adult Orcinus orca observed off the coast of southern Brazil in 2007-2010. PAD was seen in free-ranging individuals and carcasses of Tursiops truncatus, S. guianensis and Pseudorca crassidens from both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in 1992 and in 2004-2009. Prevalence was 1% in 103 S. guianensis from Paranaguá Estuary (Brazil), 2.3% in 222 S. guianensis from Sepetiba Bay and 6.9% in 87 inshore T. truncatus from Paracas Bay, Peru. Although in some cases the lesions covered up to 35-40% of the visible body surface and ulcers may occur there was no evidence of mortality and, in time-series of six individuals, PAD eventually healed. In six T. truncatus and five S. guianensis acutely affected, PAD was associated with minor cutaneous injuries and scars, including tooth rakes, suggesting infection routes for opportunistic pathogens. EAL were noted in a Cephalorhynchus eutropia calf from Palena province, Chile, in 2003 and in a P. crassidens calf washed ashore dead in southern Brazil in 2009. The C. eutropia calf disappeared, and probably died, two weeks after first observation. Prevalence of EAL was 6.7% in 15 C. eutropia in 2002-2004. These data suggest that EAL are potentially lethal in calves. PAD and EAL were primarily seen in cetaceans inhabiting biologically or chemically contaminated nearshore waters. In view of their emergence and occasional severity these disorders should be the subject of systematic monitoring.
Molecular Testing in Anatomic Pathology and Adherence to Guidelines: A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes Study of 2230 Testing Events Reported by 26 Institutions
Authors: Volmar Keith E. , Idowu Michael O. , Souers Rhona J. , Nakhleh Raouf E.
Published: August 2015

Context

The appropriate and timely performance of molecular testing in anatomic pathology is an indicator of quality. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) publishes a comprehensive treatment guideline that includes recommendations for ancillary testing.

Objective

To establish benchmarks for rates of adherence to NCCN testing recommendations through a multi-institutional study.

Design

Participants in a 2013 Q-Probes study of the College of American Pathologists reported data from molecular testing on anatomic pathology cases, excluding hematolymphoid neoplasms, breast primary carcinomas, and gynecologic cytology.

Results

Twenty-six institutions reported data from 2230 molecular testing events. In a retrospective study limited to colon, lung, and melanoma, there was strict adherence to guidelines in a median 71% (10th to 90th percentile range, 33%–90%) and there was at least loose adherence in a median 95% (10th to 90th percentile range, 57%–100%). There was adequate tissue to complete testing in a median 98% (10th to 90th percentile range, 86%–100%); in aggregate the adequacy rate for cell blocks was lower (84%, P < .001). Median test turnaround time was 8 days (10th to 90th percentile range, 4–13 days). In a prospective collection of all organ sites, there was strict adherence to guidelines in a median 53% (10th to 90th percentile range, 20%–71%), and there was at least loose adherence in a median 94% (10th to 90th percentile range, 75%–100%). Adherence to guidelines was higher for lung specimens and in institutions with more multidisciplinary conferences.

Conclusions

This multi-institutional study provides benchmarking data on appropriateness and timeliness of molecular testing in anatomic pathology.