bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wellness Works: Community Service Health Promotion Groups Led by Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: Scott Anne Hiller
Published: April 2012

Objective. In the context of a group process course, occupational therapy students learned health promotion skills through working on personal wellness goals and leading community-based health promotion groups. The groups targeted topics such as smoking cessation, improving diet, reducing stress through yoga, meditation, tai chi chuan, ROM (Range of Motion) Dance, aerobics, and a variety of other activities.

Method. After identifying a personal wellness goal and developing it in a Wellness Awareness Learning Contract, each student used a Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) to predict an expected outcome for achieving the goal and to measure his or her progress toward attaining the goal. Students also used the GAS to measure progress in attaining group leadership skills within the community groups, which they outlined in a separate Group Skills Contract. Students kept weekly logs to foster reflective thinking, and the logs were used for interactive dialogue with the instructor. To further evaluate lifestyle change, students compared pretest and posttest scores on a Self-Assessment Scorecard, which surveyed six areas of health and human potential in body, mind, and spirit.

Results. Students monitored their own change process on both their personal health lifestyle goals and their group leadership skills while developing a richer appreciation of the dynamics of working for change with clients in community and traditional settings. Differences on the Self-Assessment Scorecard indicated improvement on two of the six scales for physical health and choices.

Conclusion. Students experienced firsthand the challenges of developing healthier lifestyles on the basis of their personal goals as well as through fostering group changes. The two GAS learning contracts provided them with concrete evidence of their growth and learning. This experience—embedded in the context of a group process course with a community service learning group practicum—provided most students with a positive initial experience with group leadership as they began to explore roles as agents for lifestyle and health change. Suggestions for expanding health promotion roles in practice in the changing health care environment are also examined.
Amine substitution into sulfuric acid – ammonia clusters
Authors: Kupiainen O. , Ortega I. K. , Kurtén T. , Vehkamäki H.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The substitution of ammonia by dimethylamine in sulfuric acid – ammonia – dimethylamine clusters was studied using a collision and evaporation dynamics model. Quantum chemical formation free energies were computed using B3LYP/CBSB7 for geometries and frequencies and RI-CC2/aug-cc-pV(T+d)Z for electronic energies. We first demonstrate the good performance of our method by a comparison with an experimental study investigating base substitution in positively charged clusters, and then continue by simulating base exchange in neutral clusters, which cannot be measured directly. Collisions of a dimethylamine molecule with an ammonia containing positively charged cluster result in the instantaneous evaporation of an ammonia molecule, while the dimethylamine molecule remains in the cluster. According to our simulations, a similar base exchange can take place in neutral clusters, although the overall process is more complicated. Neutral sulfuric acid – ammonia clusters are significantly less stable than their positively charged counterparts, resulting in a competition between cluster evaporation and base exchange.
Tropospheric bromine chemistry: implications for present and pre-industrial ozone and mercury
Authors: Parrella J. P. , Jacob D. J. , Liang Q. , Zhang Y. , Mickley L. J. , Miller B. , Evans M. J. , Yang X. , Pyle J. A. , Theys N. , Van Roozendael M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. We present a new model for the global tropospheric chemistry of inorganic bromine (Bry) coupled to oxidant-aerosol chemistry in the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model (CTM). Sources of tropospheric Bry include debromination of sea-salt aerosol, photolysis and oxidation of short-lived bromocarbons, and transport from the stratosphere. Comparison to a GOME-2 satellite climatology of tropospheric BrO columns shows that the model can reproduce the observed increase of BrO with latitude, the northern mid-latitudes maximum in winter, and the Arctic maximum in spring. This successful simulation is contingent on the HOBr + HBr reaction taking place in aqueous aerosols and ice clouds. Bromine chemistry in the model decreases tropospheric ozone concentrations by <1−8 nmol mol−1 (6.5% globally), with the largest effects in the northern extratropics in spring. The global mean tropospheric OH concentration decreases by 4%. Inclusion of bromine chemistry improves the ability of global models (GEOS-Chem and p-TOMCAT) to simulate observed 19th-century ozone and its seasonality. Bromine effects on tropospheric ozone are comparable in the present-day and pre-industrial atmospheres so that estimates of anthropogenic radiative forcing are minimally affected. Br atom concentrations are 40% higher in the pre-industrial atmosphere due to lower ozone, which would decrease by a factor of 2 the atmospheric lifetime of elemental mercury against oxidation by Br. This suggests that historical anthropogenic mercury emissions may have mostly deposited to northern mid-latitudes, enriching the corresponding surface reservoirs. The persistent rise in background surface ozone at northern mid-latitudes during the past decades could possibly contribute to the observations of elevated mercury in subsurface waters of the North Atlantic.
On the observed response of ozone to NOx and VOC reactivity reductions in San Joaquin Valley California 1995–present
Authors: Pusede S. E. , Cohen R. C.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. We present a statistical approach to describe the effects of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and organic reactivity reductions on the frequency of high ozone days. We use sixteen years of observations of ozone, nitrogen oxides, and temperature at sites upwind, within, and downwind of three cities in California's San Joaquin Valley to assess the probability of exceeding of the California 8-h average ozone standard of 70.4 ppb at each location. We demonstrate that the comprehensive data records in the region and the steep decreases in emissions over the last decade are sufficient to constrain the relative import of NOx and organic reactivity reductions on the frequency of violations. We show that high ozone has a large component that is due to local production, as the probability of exceeding the state standard is lowest for each city at the upwind site, increases across the city center, is highest at downwind locations, and then decreases at the receptor city to the south. We see that reductions in organic reactivity have been very effective in the central and northern regions of the San Joaquin but not in the southern portion of the Valley. We find evidence for two distinct categories of reactivity sources: one source that has decreased and dominates at moderate temperatures, and a second source that dominates at high temperatures in the southern San Joaquin, which has not changed over the last twelve years. We show that NOx reductions are already effective or are poised to become so in the southern and central Valley, where violations are most frequent, as conditions in these regions have or are transitioning to NOx-limited chemistry when temperatures are hottest and high ozone most probable.
Evaluation of continuous water vapor δD and δ18O measurements by off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy
Authors: Kurita N. , Newman B. D. , Araguas-Araguas L. J. , Aggarwal P.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Recent commercially available laser spectroscopy systems enabled us to continuously and reliably measure the δD and δ18O of atmospheric water vapor. The use of this new technology is becoming popular because of its advantages over the conventional approach based on cold trap collection. These advantages include much higher temporal resolution/continuous monitoring and the ability to make direct measurements of both isotopes in the field. Here, we evaluate the accuracy and precision of the laser based water vapor isotope instrument through a comparison of measurements with those found using the conventional cold trap method. A commercially available water vapor isotope analyzer (WVIA) with the vaporization system of a liquid water standard (Water Vapor Isotope Standard Source, WVISS) from Los Gatos Research (LGR) Inc. was used for this study. We found that the WVIA instrument can provide accurate results if: (1) correction is applied for time-dependent isotope drift, (2) normalization to the VSMOW/SLAP scale is implemented, and (3) the water vapor concentration dependence of the isotopic ratio is also corrected. In addition, since the isotopic value of water vapor generated by the WVISS is also dependent on the concentration of water vapor, this effect must be considered to determine the true water vapor concentration effect on the resulting isotope measurement. To test our calibration procedure, continuous water vapor isotope measurements using both a laser instrument and a cold trap system were carried out at the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Laboratory in Vienna from August to December 2011. The calibrated isotopic values measured using the WVIA agree well with those obtained via the cold trap method. The standard deviation of the isotopic difference between both methods is about 1.4‰ for δD and 0.28‰ for δ18O. This precision allowed us to obtain reliable values for d-excess. The day-to-day variation of d-excess measured by WVIA also agrees well with that found using the cold trap method. These results demonstrate that a coupled system, using commercially available WVIA and WVISS instruments can provide continuous and accurate isotope data, with results achieved similar to those obtained using the conventional method, but with drastically improved temporal resolution.
Aerosol information content analysis of multi-angle high spectral resolution measurements and its benefit for high accuracy greenhouse gas retrievals
Authors: Frankenberg C. , Hasekamp O. , O'Dell C. , Sanghavi S. , Butz A. , Worden J.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. New generations of space-borne spectrometers for the retrieval of atmospheric abundances of greenhouse gases require unprecedented accuracies as atmospheric variability of long-lived gases is very low. These instruments, such as GOSAT and OCO-2, typically use a high spectral resolution oxygen channel (O2 A-band) in addition to CO2 and CH4 channels to discriminate changes in the photon path-length distribution from actual trace gas amount changes. Inaccurate knowledge of the photon path-length distribution, determined by scatterers in the atmosphere, is the prime source of systematic biases in the retrieval. In this paper, we investigate the combined aerosol and greenhouse gas retrieval using multiple satellite viewing angles simultaneously. We find that this method, hitherto only applied in multi-angle imagery such as from MISR, greatly enhances the ability to retrieve aerosol properties by 2–3 degrees of freedom. We find that the improved capability to retrieve aerosol parameters significantly reduces interference errors introduced into retrieved CO2 and CH4 total column averages. Instead of focussing solely on improvements in spectral and spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratios or sampling frequency, multiple angles reduce uncertainty in space based greenhouse gas retrievals more effectively and provide a new potential for dedicated aerosols retrievals.
Tracing inputs of terrestrial high molecular weight dissolved organic matter within the Baltic Sea Ecosystem
Authors: Deutsch B. , Alling V. , Humborg C. , Korth F. , Mörth C. M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. To test the hypothesis whether dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a high latitude marginal sea is dominated by terrestrial derived matter 10 stations were sampled along the salinity gradient of the central and northern Baltic Sea and were analyzed for concentrations of dissolved organic carbon as well as δ13C values of high molecular weight DOM. Different end-member-mixing models were applied to quantify the influence of terrestrial DOM and to test for conservative versus non-conservative behavior of the terrestrial dissolved organic matter in the different Baltic Sea basins. The share of terrestrial DOM to the total DOM was calculated for each station, ranging from 43 to 83%. This shows the high influence of terrestrial DOM inputs for the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The data also suggest that terrestrial DOM that reaches the open Baltic Sea is not subject to substantial removal anymore. However compared to riverine DOM concentrations our results indicate that substantial amounts of DOM (>50%) seems to be removed near the coastline during estuarine mixing. A budget approach yielded residence times for terrestrial DOM of 2.3, 2.7, and 4.1 yr for the Bothnian Bay, the Bothnian Sea and the Baltic Proper.
Fine scale variability in methanol uptake and oxidation in the micro-layer and near-surface waters of the Atlantic
Authors: Dixon J. L. , Nightingale P. D.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The aim of this research was to make the first depth profiles of the microbial assimilation of methanol carbon, and its oxidation to carbon dioxide and use as an energy source from the micro-layer to 1000 m. Some of the highest reported methanol oxidation rate constants of 0.5–0.6 d−1 were occasionally found in the micro-layer, and immediately underlying waters (10 cm depth), albeit these samples also showed the greatest heterogeneity compared to other depths down to 1000 m. Methanol uptake into the particulate phase was exceptionally low in micro-layer samples, suggesting that any methanol utilised by microbes in this environment is for energy generation. The sea surface micro-layer and 10 cm depth also showed a higher proportion of bacteria with a low DNA content, and bacterial leucine uptake rates in surface micro-layer samples were either less than, or the same as those in the underlying 10 cm layer. The average methanol oxidation and particulate rates were however statistically the same throughout the depths sampled, although the later were highly variable in the near surface 0.25–2 m compared to deeper depths. The statistically significant relationship demonstrated between uptake of methanol into particles and bacterial leucine incorporation suggests that heterotrophic bacteria use methanol carbon for cellular growth, but the lack of relationships observed with methanol oxidation, perhaps suggest that a wider group of marine microbes use methanol for energy generation. Whilst the statistically significant relationship observed between the uptake of methanol into cell particles and the numbers of Prochlorococcus during diel experiments could also suggest that this abundant group of marine cyanobacteria are capable of mixotrophy, using methanol as a carbon source for growth. We conclude that microbial methanol uptake rates, i.e., loss from seawater are highly variable, particularly close to the seawater surface, which could significantly impact upon seawater concentrations and hence the air-sea flux.
Dryland ecohydrology and climate change: critical issues and technical advances
Authors: Wang L. , D'Odorico P. , Evans J. P. , Eldridge D. , McCabe M. F. , Caylor K. K. , King E. G.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Drylands cover about 40% of the terrestrial land surface and account for approximately 40% of global net primary productivity. Water is fundamental to the biophysical processes that sustain ecosystem function and food production, particularly in drylands, where a tight coupling exists between water resource availability and ecosystem productivity, surface energy balance, and biogeochemical cycles. Currently, drylands support at least 2 billion people and comprise both natural and managed ecosystems. In this synthesis, we identify some current critical issues in the understanding of dryland systems and discuss how arid and semiarid environments are responding to the changes in climate and land use. Specifically, we focus on dryland agriculture and food security, dryland population growth, desertification, shrub encroachment and dryland development issues as factors of change requiring increased understanding and management. We also review recent technical advances in the quantitative assessment of human versus climate change related drivers of desertification, evapotranspiration partitioning using field deployable stable water isotope systems and the remote sensing of key ecohydrological processes. These technological advances provide new tools that assist in addressing major critical issues in dryland ecohydrology under climate change
Quantifying heterogeneous transport of a tracer and a degradable contaminant in the field, under two infiltration rates
Authors: Schotanus D. , van der Ploeg M. J. , van der Zee S. E. A. T. M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. To examine the persistence of preferential flow paths in a field soil, and to compare the leaching of a degradable contaminant with the leaching of a non-degradable tracer, we did two field experiments, using a multicompartment sampler. The first experiment was done during the snowmelt period in early spring, characterized by high infiltration fluxes from snowmelt. The second experiment was done in early summer with irrigation to mimic homogeneous rainfall. In the second experiment, the soil was warmer and degradation of the degradable contaminant was observed. For both experiments, the highest tracer concentrations were found in the same area of the sampler, but the leached tracer masses of the individual locations were not highly correlated. Thus, the preferential flow paths were stable between seasons. With a lower infiltration rate, in the second experiment, more isolated peaks in the drainage and the leached masses were found than in the first experiment. Therefore it is concluded that the soil heterogeneity is mainly caused by local differences in the soil hydraulic properties, and not by macropores. With higher infiltration rates, the clustering of high and low leaching cells was higher. The leached masses of the degradable contaminant were lower than the leached masses of the non-degradable tracer, but the masses were highly correlated. The first-order degradation rate was 0.02 d−1. The dispersivity varied between 1.9 and 7.1 cm. Soil heterogeneity is the main reason for the heterogeneous water flow and solute transport in this soil. Heterogeneous melting of snow does not influence the heterogeneous flow in the soil much at this scale.
In connection with identification of VLF emissions before L'Aquila earthquake
Authors: Kachakhidze M. K. , Kereselidze Z. A. , Kachakhidze N. K. , Ramishvili G. T. , Kukhianidze V. J.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The present paper deals with an attempt to check the theoretical model of self-generated seismo-electromagnetic oscillations of LAI system on the basis of retrospective data. Application of the offered simple model enables one to explain qualitatively the mechanism of VLF electromagnetic emission initiated in the process of an earthquake preparation. Besides, the model enables us to associate telluric character geoelectric and geomagnetic perturbations incited by rock polarization and self-generated electromagnetic oscillations of lithosphere-atmosphere system. L'Aquila earthquake taken as an example to isolate reliably the Earth VLF emission from the magnetospheric electromagnetic emission of the same frequency range, MHD criterion is offered together with geomagnetic activity indexes. On the basis of the considered three earthquakes, according to the opinion of authors the model of self-generated seismo-electromagnetic oscillations of the LAI system will enable us to approach the problem of resolution of earthquake prediction with certain accuracy.
Modeling propagation and inundation of the 11 March 2011 Tohoku tsunami
Authors: Løvholt F. , Kaiser G. , Glimsdal S. , Scheele L. , Harbitz C. B. , Pedersen G.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. On 11 March 2011 the Tohoku tsunami devastated the east coast of Japan, claiming thousands of casualties and destroying coastal settlements and infrastructure. In this paper tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation are modeled to hindcast the event. Earthquake source models with heterogeneous slips are developed in order to match tsunami observations, including a best fit initial sea surface elevation with water levels up to 8 m. Tsunami simulations were compared to buoys in the Pacific, showing good agreement. In the far field the frequency dispersion provided a significant reduction even for the leading wave. Furthermore, inundation simulations were performed for ten different study areas. The results compared well with run-up measurements available and trim lines derived from satellite images, but with some overestimation of the modeled surface elevation in the northern part of the Sanriku coast. For inundation modeling this work aimed at using freely available, medium-resolution data for topography, bottom friction, and bathymetry, which are easily accessible in the framework of a rapid assessment. Although these data come along with some inaccuracies, the results of the tsunami simulations suggest that their use is feasible for application in rapid tsunami hazard assessments. A heterogeneous source model is essential to simulate the observed distribution of the run-up correctly, though.
The Stava mudflow of 19 July 1985 (Northern Italy): a disaster that effective regulation might have prevented
Authors: Luino F. , De Graff J. V.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The disaster occurring in the Eastern Italian Alps in the summer of 1985 was caused by the failure of two tailings dams located just upstream from the village of Stava in the municipality of Tesero (Trento province, Italy). The structure comprised two small storage basins for the deposition of tailings from the separation process of the Prestavel fluorite mine. On their downstream sides, the basins were contained by steep earth embankments, whereas upstream they rested directly on the natural slope. The total height from the base of the lower dam to the crest of the upper dam was over 50 m. On 19 July 1985, the front of the upper dam suddenly burst, triggering a vast mudflow (180 000 m3) that flowed down-channel through Stava, a small village of 20 buildings. The mudflow rapidly traveled over 4.2 km along the Stava Valley and passed through Tesero, before flowing into the Avisio River. The mudflow destroyed many buildings and resulted in 268 fatalities and 20 injuries. From an analysis of the data collected and field observation, several factors may be cited as having contributed to increasing instability, as the upper dam continued to be raised until the disastrous collapse of 19 July. Foremost among these factors is the mistaken assumption that the tailings deposited in the impoundments would consolidate fairly quickly. Indeed, no monitoring system was ever installed to verify the assumed consolidation. Other operational shortcomings and construction errors were contributing factors. Regulations requiring construction standards, operational monitoring, and independent periodic inspection could have prevented this disaster. Comprehensive legislation is required to effectively limit the adverse consequences of tailings dam failures by providing a regulatory environment where the safety and welfare of the local area can be balanced with the economic benefits of mining operations.
Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of coastal flood damage estimates in the west of the Netherlands
Authors: de Moel H. , Asselman N. E. M. , Aerts J. C. J. H.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Uncertainty analyses of flood damage assessments generally require a large amount of model evaluations. This is often hampered by the high computational costs necessary to calculate flood extents and depths using 2-dimensional flow models. In this paper we developed a new approach to estimate flood inundation depths that can be incorporated in a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis. This allows estimation of the uncertainty in flood damage estimates and the determination of which parameters contribute the most to this uncertainty. The approach is applied on three breach locations on the west coast of the Netherlands. In total, uncertainties in 12 input parameters were considered in this study, related to the storm surge, breach growth and the damage calculation. We show that the uncertainty in flood damage estimates is substantial, with the bounds of the 95% confidence range being more than four times smaller or larger than the median. The most influential parameter is uncertainty in depth-damage curves, but five other parameters also contribute substantially. The contribution of uncertainty in parameters related to the damage calculation is about equal to the contribution of parameters related to the volume of the inflowing water. Given the emphasis of most risk assessments on the estimation of the hazard, this implies that the damage calculation aspect deserves more attention in flood risk research efforts. Given the large uncertainties found in this study, it is recommended to always perform multiple calculations in flood simulations and damage assessments to capture the full range of model outcomes.
Identification of uranium targets based on airborne radiometric data analysis by using multifractal modeling, Tark and Avanligh 1:50 000 sheets, NW Iran
Authors: Afzal P. , Zia Zarifi A. , Bijan Yasrebi A.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Airborne geophysical anomaly separation using conventional statistics and the fractal/multifractal concentration-area (C-A) method has been applied to the Tark and Avanligh 1:50 000 sheets in NW Iran. The geophysical survey that resulted in the airborne geophysical data was conducted for uranium exploration in both areas. Selected anomalies were further investigated by using surface radiometric data. Firstly, threshold values to define anomalies were determined and compared by means of conventional statistical methods. Several relatively large anomalies were identified with uranium (U) equal to 1.7 eppm and 1.9 eppm in the Tark and Avanligh areas, respectively; locally these U anomalies have magnitudes exceeding 3.5 eppm in both areas. Log-log plots obtained for the C-A method indicate existence of two separate stages of U enrichment, with a major event being the cause of U concentration values above 6.1 and 3.4 eppm in the Tark and Avanligh areas, respectively. These higher intensity anomalies are located in the northwestern part of the Tark and in the southern part of the Avanligh sheets. In both areas, the C-A anomalies were further investigated using ground radiometric data and XRF analysis revealing higher than 150 and 280 ppm U concentration values in the two areas, respectively. Correlation between the anomalies and geological units show that the anomalies are associated with limestone and sandstone units.
Global application of a surface mass balance model using gridded climate data
Authors: Giesen R. H. , Oerlemans J.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Global applications of surface mass balance models have large uncertainties, as a result of poor climate input data and limited availability of mass balance measurements. This study addresses several possible consequences of these limitations for the modelled mass balance. This is done by applying a simple surface mass balance model that only requires air temperature and precipitation as input data, to glaciers in different regions. In contrast to other models used in global applications, this model separately calculates the contributions of net solar radiation and the temperature-dependent fluxes to the energy balance. We derive a relation for these temperature-dependent fluxes using automatic weather station (AWS) measurements from glaciers in different climates. With local, hourly input data, the model is well able to simulate the observed seasonal variations in the surface energy and mass balance at the AWS sites. Replacing the hourly local data by monthly gridded climate data removes summer snowfall and winter melt events and hence influences the modelled mass balance most on locations with a small seasonal temperature cycle. Representative values for the multiplication factor and vertical gradient of precipitation are determined by fitting modelled winter mass balance profiles to observations on 80 glaciers in different regions. For 72 of the 80 glaciers, the precipitation provided by the climate data set has to be multiplied with a factor above unity; the median factor is 2.55. The vertical precipitation gradient ranges from negative to positive values, with more positive values for maritime glaciers and a median value of 1.5 mm a−1 m. With calibrated precipitation, the modelled annual mass balance gradient closely resembles the observations on the 80 glaciers, the absolute values are matched by adjusting either the incoming solar radiation, the temperature-dependent flux or the air temperature. The mass balance sensitivity to changes in temperature is particularly sensitive to the chosen calibration method, emphasizing the importance of well-calibrated model parameters. We additionally calculate the mass balance sensitivity to changes in incoming solar radiation, revealing that widely observed variations in irradiance can affect the mass balance by a magnitude comparable to a 1 °C change in temperature or a 10 % change in precipitation.
The American Political Discourse in 2012
Authors: Springman Jeremy Robert
Published: April 2012

The concept of globalization refers to a multitude of processes rapidly changing the space in which individuals, institutions, and systems interact with one another. Popular interpretations have seen increasing interconnectedness as the beginning of a “race to the bottom” in which the state is precluded from governance as competition to attract capital and prevent flight mandates a retrenchment of the public sector. As this occurs, outside influences should crowd out opportunities for the “collective priority and preference setting” that defines democratic governance. Instead, much of the convergence toward retrenchment has been endogenous change motivated by ideas and political strategy rather than exogenous economic pressure.  America’s protracted battle over the debt ceiling provides a compelling case to explore how the ideational force of globalization has included new voices in domestic preference setting and augmented rather than crowded out public deliberation. Tracking the impact of these influences on the American discourse will help us understand how the 2012 elections are likely to be impacted by the emergence of groups willing and able to compete with the Republican Party on behalf of economic conservatives.
Key to the 2012 Presidential Election: The Philadelphia Suburbs
Authors: Lonergan Thomas Joseph
Published: April 2012

Mitt Romney or Barack Obama: this is the choice Pennsylvanian voters will have in November as the 2012 presidential election draws closer. The voters of Pennsylvania will be at the height of importance in the history of American presidential elections, playing a key role as one of the leading battleground states in this upcoming election. With twenty electoral votes, tied for the fifth most of any state in the country, both campaigns will look to focus a great amount of time and money on trying to win this crucial state. And at the center of this fierce battle between the current GOP presumptive nominee and the President of the United States are four counties that comprise the suburbs of Philadelphia. These counties will ultimately decide the fate of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes, and possibly even the election itself.
Intraornatosporaceae (Gigasporales), a new family with two new genera and two new species
Authors: Goto Bruno T. , Silva Gladstone A. , Assis Daniele M.A. de , Silva Danielle K.A. , Souza Renata G. , Ferreira Araeska C.A. , Jobim Khadija , Mello Catarina M.A. , Vieira Helder E.E. , Maia Leonor C. , Oehl Fritz
Published: April 2012

A new family (Intraornatosporaceae), two new genera (Intraornatospora, Paradentiscutata), two new species (P. bahiana, P. maritima), and a new combination (I. intraornata) are presented in the Gigasporales. The genera, both with diagnostic
introverted ornamentations on the spore wall, are distinguished by spore wall structure and germ shield characteristics. The new species, detected in NE Brazil, can be differentiated by their projections on the outer spore surface. Partial sequences of the LSU rRNA gene place both species
next to I. intraornata in a monophyletic major clade related to Gigasporaceae and Dentiscutataceae.
Radulomycetopsis (Agaricomycetes), a new corticioid genus from India
Authors: Dhingra G.S. , Priyanka  , Kaur Jaspreet
Published: April 2012

A new corticioid genus, Radulomycetopsis, is described for the new species, R. cystidiata, from West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh.
Two new fungi from Mexico: Anaseptoidium gen. nov. and Cylindrosympodium sosae sp. nov.
Authors: Castañeda-Ruiz Rafael F. , Heredia Gabriela , Arias-Mota Rosa M. , Stadler Marc , Saikawa Masatoshi , McKenzie Eric H.C.
Published: April 2012

Two new anamorphic fungi are described and illustrated from a cloud forest in Mexico. Anaseptoidium mycophilum gen. & sp. nov. is distinguished by monoblastic, integrated, mostly determinate conidiogenous cells and solitary, 2–3-septate, oblong to cylindrical, pale
brown conidia that usually remain attached after maturity. Cylindrosympodium sosae sp. nov. is characterized by cylindrical, mostly 4–5-septate, smooth, hyaline to subhyaline, sometimes guttulate conidia.
A new species and new combinations and records of Hypotrachyna and Remototrachyna from Bolivia
Authors: Flakus Adam , Rodriguez Saavedra Pamela , Kukwa Martin
Published: April 2012

Remototrachyna sipmaniana is described as new to science, and three new combinations, R. aguirrei, R. consimilis, and R. singularis, are proposed. Ten Hypotrachyna and two Remototrachyna species are reported as new to Bolivia, including the
southernmost localities of H. halei and H. partita, the first record of H. primitiva from the southern hemisphere, and the second locality for H. neoscytodes.
A new species of Fulvifomes (Hymenochaetaceae) from Cambodia
Authors: Zhou Li-Wei , Zhang Wei-Min
Published: April 2012

Fulvifomes cambodiensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Preah Vihear, Cambodia. It produces perennial, pileate and solitary basidiomes with a concentrically sulcate zonate pileal surface, homogeneous context, hymenial setae, and yellowish acyanophilous basidiospores.
The new species macroscopically resembles F. rimosus, which differs in lacking hymenial setae and having cyanophilous generative hyphae and slightly smaller basidiospores. The macroscopically similar Fomitiporia hartigii is distinguished by larger hyaline basidiospores and the
absence of setae. Fulvifomes johnsonianus has abundant hymenial setae and quite similar hyphal structure to F. cambodiensis, but its much smaller basidiospores and effused-reflexed to pileate basidiomes distinguish it from the new species with pileate and ungulate basidiomes
with cracked pileal surface.
Four new polypore species from the western United States
Authors: Vlasák Josef , Vlasák Jr. Josef , Ryvarden Leif
Published: April 2012

Four new species of polypores are described from California, Oregon, and Washington, U.S.A. Antrodia madronae, seemingly confined to dead stems and branches of Arbutus menziesii, is closely related to European Antrodia sandaliae growing on Arbutus unedo.
The generic position is evaluated for Ceriporiopsis pseudoplacenta, a strikingly colored species with many unique features that seems surprisingly common in the northwestern states. Fuscoporia palomari is distinguished from the similar F. viticola by much larger pores
and spores. Skeletocutis subodora differs from S. odora by having thick subiculum, differently shaped basidiospores, abundant cystidioles, and no skeletal hyphae in the context. The nrDNA ITS region of all new species gave unique sequences in GenBank.
A new species of Ijuhya, I. oenanthicola
Authors: Lechat Christian , Hairaud Michel
Published: April 2012

Ijuhya oenanthicola sp. nov. (Bionectriaceae) is described and illustrated based on a collection from Oenanthe crocata (Apiaceae) in France. The Acremonium-like asexual state was obtained in culture.
New records of noteworthy gasteroid fungi from Pakistan
Authors: Yousaf N. , Niazi A.R. , Khalid A.N.
Published: April 2012

Gasteroid fungi were collected during the course of fieldwork in Pakistan. Here, we report on two species, Bovistella japonica and Lycoperdon excipuliforme, from the Himalayan moist temperate forest of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, each a new record for the country.
Phellorinia herculeana represents a new record from Cholistan Desert of the Punjab Province. For each taxon reported, detailed macro- and microscopic descriptions are presented.
Phlebopus spongiosus sp. nov. (Boletales, Boletinellaceae) with a sponge-like tissue
Authors: Pham Nguyen Duc Hoang , Takahashi Haruki , Fukiharu Toshimitsu , Shimizu Kiminori , Le Ba Dung , Suzuki Akira
Published: April 2012

A new species, Phlebopus spongiosus, is described with a peculiar sponge-like tissue in which the hollow spaces in the tubes are filled in by pleurocystidia-like elements, and a thin membrane of dissepiments encloses the immature pores. It occurs in citrus orchards (Citrus
maxima) in southern Vietnam.
Taxonomy of the Gymnopus inusitatus group and the new G. inusitatus var. cystidiatus from Hungary
Authors: Antonín Vladimír , Finy Péter , Tomšovský Michal
Published: April 2012

The authors describe a new bisporic basidiomycete, Gymnopus inusitatus var. cystidiatus, collected in Hungary. It differs morphologically from var. inusitatus by the presence of well-developed cheilocystidia and ecologically by growing in the sandy grassland under
Salix. Its taxonomic position is confirmed by DNA studies.
New records of Pezizales from Pakistan
Authors: Ashraf T. , Khalid A.N.
Published: April 2012

Geopora cooperi f. cooperi and Peziza succosa have been described and illustrated morphologically and by amplifying ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of rDNA. Both taxa are new records from Pakistan.
The genus Xylaria in the south of China – 3. X. atroglobosa sp. nov.
Authors: Ma Hai-xia , Vasilyeva Larissa , Li Yu
Published: April 2012

Xylaria atroglobosa (Xylariales, Xylariaceae) is described from China as a new species. It is characterized by its semi-globose stromata and ascospores with an appendage on one end. Photographs of stromata and microstructures are provided.
Abrachium, a new genus in the Clathraceae, and Itajahya reassessed
Authors: Cabral Tiara Sousa , Marinho Paulo , Goto Bruno Tomio , Baseia Iuri Goulart
Published: April 2012

Molecular and morphological analyses have elucidated phylogenetic relationships of two remarkable species in the Phallales: Aseroe floriformis and Phallus roseus. Genes from ATPase subunit 6 (atp6), the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nuc-LSU), and the second
largest RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2) underwent Bayesian and parsimony molecular analyses. Molecular datasets, combined with morphological characters, support a new genus (Abrachium for Aseroe floriformis), reassessment of Itajahya, and emendation of Clathraceae.
Puccinia, Uromyces, and Xenodochus species new to Turkey
Authors: Kabaktepe Sanli , Bahcecioglu Zeliha
Published: April 2012

The genus Xenodochus and nine rust taxa — Xenodochus carbonarius, Puccinia hysteriiformis, P. majoricensis, P. pedunculata, P. stachydis, P. tendae, Uromyces colchici, U. kochiae, U. veratri — are reported for
the first time from Turkey. The morphological and microscopical features of these fungi are described.
Pseudobaeospora deckeri sp. nov.—a new agaric from central California
Authors: Schwarz Christian
Published: April 2012

Pseudobaeospora deckeri is described from the central California coast. This new species is characterized by fruitbodies with deep purple to lilac tones, a pileipellis with irregularly shaped erect elements, an undifferentiated subpellis, absence of cheilocystidia, and strong
alkaline-virescent reactions in the pileus subpellis and stipe context.
A new species of Volvariella from India
Authors: Senthilarasu Gunasekaran , Sharma Rahul , Singh Sanjay K.
Published: April 2012

Volvariella sathei sp. nov., collected from Agharkar Research Institute Campus, Pune, is described, illustrated, and compared with morphologically closely related taxa of Volvariella and Volvopluteus. Diagnostic characters of the new species are the large white
fruitbodies, relatively small basidiospores, and cylindric-clavate pleuro- and cheilocystidia. Neighbour-Joining analysis based on ITS sequences confirmed that it is distinct from its closest relative, V. nivea and other morphologically similar Volvariella species. A key to the
Indian species of Volvariella and Volvopluteus is provided.
Influence of Certain Animal Manures on Incidence of Stem Canker and Black Scurf Disease on Potato
Authors: Heidi I.G. Abo-Elnaga  , A.A. Mohamed  , M.M. El-Fawy  , A.M. Amein
Published: April 2012

Rhizoctonia solani (Kuhn) is the causal pathogen of stem canker and black scurf disease on potato. Under open greenhouse conditions two isolates of R. solani (AG-3) were used to infect Nicola potato cultivar and caused typical symptoms of stem canker and black scurf disease with different disease severities ranged from strong to weak. In vitro Addition of chickens, pigeons and cows manure extracts to the media at different concentrations 0-50% (vol/vol) reduced the growth of the tested isolates of the pathogen. The highest reduction of mycelial growth of the pathogen isolates was obtained when pigeons manure extract was added to the growing media at a concentration of 50 % (vol/vol) followed by another concentrations. Under open greenhouse conditions during two growing seasons 2010 and 2011 addition of manures to the soil at 0.5 and 1% weight of the soil before sowing significantly decreased incidence of stem canker and black scurf disease. Generally, cow manure showed the highest effect on controlling the disease followed by pigeons and chickens. On the other hand, concentration 1 % of all manures was more effective on the reducing of disease incidence than the concentration 0.5 %. On the other hand, cow manure was more effective in increasing the eyes germination followed by pigeons and chicken manure and decreased the dead of sprouts, stem canker and black scurf. Treatment with all the kinds of tested manures increased eyes germination of tubers and reduced sclerotia formation on the surface of tubers and hence disease incidence.
Exploiting Nanoroughness on Holographically Patterned Three‐Dimensional Photonic Crystals
Authors: Li Jie , Liang Guanquan , Zhu Xuelian , Yang Shu
Published: April 2012

The fabrication of three‐dimensional (3D) diamond photonic crystals with controllable nanoroughness (≤120 nm) on the surface from epoxy‐functionalized cyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) is reported. The nanoroughness is generated on the 3D network due to microphase separation of the polymer chain segments in a nonsolvent during the rinsing step in holographic lithography process. The degree of roughness can be tuned by the crosslinking density of the polymer network, which is dependent on the loading of photoacid generators, the exposure dosage, and the choice of developer and rinsing solvent. Because the nanoroughness size is small, it does not affect the photonic band gap position of the photonic crystal in the infrared region. The combination of periodic microstructure and nanoroughness, however, offers new opportunities to realize superhydrophobicity and enhanced dye adsorption in addition to the photon management in the 3D photonic crystal.
Investigation of Drying of Poly(N‐isoproplacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) by Fluorescence Technique
Authors: EvingüR Gülşen Akin , Pekcan Önder
Published: April 2012

The steady‐state fluorescence technique was performed on drying of various molar percentages of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐ acrylamide) [poly(NIPA‐co‐AAc)] to elucidate the mechanism of temperature‐induced phase separation and the effect of monomer content. Poly(NIPA‐co‐AAc) copolymers were prepared by free radical cross‐linking copolymerization. The fluorescence intensity, I, of pyranine, introduced as a probe, increased as drying time was increased for all samples. The behavior of I was modeled by using the Stern–Volmer equation combined with the moving boundary diffusion model. The desorption coefficient, D, increased as NIPA content was increased at a given temperature. Gravimetric and volumetric experiments also supported the results of the fluorescence technique. The energy, Δ E, values were measured for the drying processes for each molar percentage of NIPA monomer content by using fluorescence, gravimetric, and volumetric methods, respectively. It is understood that Δ E values decrease by increasing NIPA content, until 50% NIPA, and then increase after 50% NIPA, indicating that the phase separation has occurred at 50% NIPA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E231–E240, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21269
On the Pinning of Downstream Meniscus for Slot Die Coating
Authors: Lin Chi‐Feng , Wang Bo‐Kai , Tiu Carlos , Liu Ta‐Jo
Published: April 2012

The pinning behavior of the downstream contact line between the coating bead and coating die corner for slot die coating was studied. For uniform coating, the downstream contact line must not go beyond the die corner; otherwise, an undesirable vortex may appear near the downstream meniscus. The locations of the upstream and the downstream menisci were computed by the commercial software package FLOW‐3D®, and the theoretical predictions were verified by flow visualization experiments. Three possible approaches in die design were investigated to ensure the downstream meniscus remains in constant contact with the die surface. These were (1) reducing the angle between the slot die shoulder and the die lip, (2) increasing the lyophobicity of the die surface, and (3) raising the coating gap between the die lip and the substrate. The first method was found to be the most effective, as it also increases the maximum coating speed. The second method was feasible only if proper surface modification is applied. The third method potentially caused the creation of a new vortex under the die lip. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E249–E257, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21271
A new catalytic process for high‐efficiency synthesis of p‐xylene by methylation of toluene with CH3Br
Authors: Ouyang Qiang , Yin Shuang‐Feng , Chen Lang , Zhou Xiao‐Ping , Au Chak‐Tong
Published: April 2012

A new catalytic process for p‐xylene synthesis from the methylation of toluene with CH3Br was proposed. CH3Br was prepared from the catalytic bromination of natural gas (CH4), by using H2O + HBr + O2 as mediator over supported Rh catalyst. The methylation conditions were investigated using HZSM‐5 or modified HZSM‐5 catalyst. Under optimal reaction conditions, p‐xylene selectivity is up to 93%, and p‐xylene yield is more than 21% at 673 k over the Si—P modified HZSM‐5 catalyst. Compared to the processes using MeOH or dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as methylation agent, this new process is very attractive in an economic standpoint since CH4 is much cheaper than MeOH and DMC. In addition, the process has other advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, simple operation, high‐product yield, and so on. It is predicted that the process has good industrial potential for para‐xylene production. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 532–540, 2013