bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anilino-Functionalized Graphene Oxide Intercalated with Pt Metal Nanoparticles for Application as Supercapacitor Electrode Material
Authors: Dywili Nomxolisi , Njomo Njagi , Ikpo Chinwe O. , Yonkeu Anne Lutgarde Djoumessi , John Suru Vivian , Hlongwa Ntuthuko Wonderboy , Raleie Naledi , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
Published: November 2016

Nanostructured anilino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide intercalated with Pt metal nanoparticles was successfully synthesized. Graphene oxide nanosheets were synthesized using a modified Hummers method with simultaneous in-situ functionalization with aniline and ionic Pt reduction and dispersion through sonication. The nanomaterial was characterised with FTIR, UV-visible, SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD and Raman spectroscopy to ascertain surface, chemical, elemental and crystalline properties, composite structures, size, morphology and successful entrapment of metal nanoparticles while the electro-conductivity of the nanomaterial was interrogated using CV. The graphene oxide was successfully functionalized with aniline with new peaks belonging to the N-H and C-N group being present and calculated band gaps of 5.35 eV and 4.39 eV which are attributed to functionalization of graphene oxide. The functionalized graphene oxide was successfully loaded with platinum nanoparticles as TEM revealed that the Pt particles are spread out on the graphene sheets and when magnified a uniform distribution of the nanoparticles can be observed. The material (functionalized graphene oxide loaded with platinum nanoparticles) was used in the design of an asymmetric supercapacitor cell using 6M KOH aqueous electrolyte. On testing by galvanostatic charge/discharge, a high specific capacitance value of 605 F/g with a corresponding energy and power densities of 0.021kWh/Kg and 0.372kW/Kg respectively, were obtained.
Generation of Immunity against Pathogens via Single-Domain Antibody–Antigen Constructs
Authors: Duarte Joao N. , Cragnolini Juan J. , Swee Lee Kim , Bilate Angelina M. , Bader Justin , Ingram Jessica R. , Rashidfarrokhi Ali , Fang Tao , Schiepers Ariën , Hanke Leo , Ploegh Hidde L.
Published: November 2016

mAbs specific for surface proteins on APCs can serve as Ag-delivery vehicles that enhance immunogenicity. The practical use of such constructs is limited by the challenge of expressing and modifying full-sized mAbs. We generated single-domain Ab fragments (VHHs) specific for class II MHC (MHCII), CD11b, and CD36. VHH sequences were modified by inclusion of a C-terminal sortase motif to allow site-specific conjugation with various Ag payloads. We tested T cell activation using VHHs that target distinct APC populations; anti-MHCII adducts elicited strong activation of CD4+ T cells, whereas anti-CD11b showed CD8+ T cell activation superior to targeting via MHCII and CD36. Differences in Ag presentation among constructs were unrelated to dendritic cell subtype or routing to acidic compartments. When coupled to antigenic payloads, anti-MHCII VHH primed Ab responses against GFP, ubiquitin, an OVA peptide, and the α-helix of influenza hemagglutinin’s stem; the last afforded protection against influenza infection. The versatility of the VHH scaffold and sortase-mediated covalent attachment of Ags suggests their broader application to generate desirable immune responses.
Anuran larvae diet from agroecosystem’s ponds: environmental quality and implications for their populations
Authors: Babini Selene , Cibils Martina Luciana , Luque Elisa , Gari Noemi , Salas Nancy , Martino Adolfo L.
Published: November 2016

Agriculture is considered an important factor for the decline of amphibians recorded in the last decades. Intensive agriculture requires the application of great amounts of pesticides and fertilizers, consequently many aquatic habitats have been altered. The over-enrichment of waters with nutrients from agriculture causes growth of algae and cyanobacteria and the shift of the community composition toward the dominance of tolerant taxa. The aim of this study was to analyze the diet of tadpoles and the size of larvae and metamorphs of the native species Rhinella arenarum in agroecosystems of central Argentina. Four sampling sites with different degree of human disturbance were selected, three temporary ponds from agroecosystems (A1, A2, A3), and a pond in a semi-modified landscape, not affected by agriculture or cattle. The sites were visited once a week from October 2013 to January 2014. Tadpoles and metamorphs were captured, anesthetize and preserved. Morphometric parameters were measured on tadpoles and metamorphs and for 20 tadpoles the complete intestine was removed and their contents analyzed. Phosphate values were higher in agroecosystem ponds. Body size and mass of tadpoles and metamorphs were different between sites, being smaller in agricultural ponds. Diet analysis revealed that all larvae mainly consumed microalgae. Larval diets allowed differentiating the sites, larvae from A1 and A3 sites showed a diet with a similar composition and structure (with a predominance of Nitzschia palea), meanwhile larvae from A2 and SM showed different diets. In SM, the larvae mainly consumed Trachelomonas sp. Analysis of structural variables revealed a higher algal abundance in the diet of larvae from A3, a lower richness in SM and that there were no differences between sites in diversity and evenness of diets. Our hypothesis was support in part, given that resistant algae taxa were found in agroecosystem ponds and tadpoles and metamorphs were smaller, but larval diets showed higher abundance and richness. The analysis of the diet of aquatic stages of R. arenarum allowed us to know the trophic availability and environmental quality of temporary ponds from agroecosystems. 
Are antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage related to biological and autecological characteristics in aquatic insects?
Authors: Sanz Ana , López-Rodríguez Manuel J. , García-Mesa Sergio , Trenzado Cristina , Ferrer Rosa M. , Tierno de Figueroa J. Manuel
Published: November 2016

In this work, we study the oxidative state of nine taxa of aquatic insects [Serratella ignita (Poda, 1761), Ephemera danica Müller, 1764, Crocothemis erythraea (Brullé, 1832), Dinocras cephalotes (Curtis, 1827), Perla bipunctata Pictet, 1833, Isoperla morenica Tierno de Figueroa & Luzón-Ortega, 2011, Notonecta maculata Fabricius, 1794, Gerris sp., and Hydropsyche sp.] in order to determine the relationships between this state and the biological and environmental characteristics of the species studied. The studied taxa are all in the same life cycle stage (nymph/larva), and many of them have different maximum life span potentials. We assess the antioxidant capacity through the determination of the trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity, the ferric-reducing/antioxidant power and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, DT-diaphorase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione transferase, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, to determine the oxidative damage, we examine thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, free malondialdehyde, protein-bound malondialdehyde, total hydroperoxides, and protein hydroperoxides. In summary, we can consider that having predatory feeding habits, having a long-life cycle and living in permanent streams with cold, well-oxygenated waters are related to a proper oxidative state in the insects that we studied. On the other hand, non-exclusive predator species living in temporary streams with warm and poorly oxygenated waters with a short life cycle have a worse oxidative state. Thus, the oxidative state of each species could be defined by an interaction of biological and autecological factors, for which the relative importance is difficult to assess.
Nature, creation and morality: The case of parasites
Authors: Durand Francois
Published: November 2016

Nature is paramount to our existence. Humankind clearly realised the importance of nature since the beginning of our sapient abilities. Archaeological evidence shows how humans revered nature and how natural phenomena were mystified. This mystification of nature inspired animism and many associated religious rites, some of which are still part of our cultural existence. Some of the important results that stemmed from the mystification of nature is that it was seen as either good, being the handiwork of God or Gods, or that it started out as perfect but then became bad after the fall. Scientific research however show that there is no morality or hidden codes in nature, but that nature consists of random events, some which benefit humans, while others do not. Parasitology serves as a good example to show how extremely non-humane nature can be and how naïve and idealised our view of nature is. Not only did parasites exist on the planet since the beginning of life on earth and long before the existence of hominins, but the majority of all known animals are parasites. The latest research shows that parasites have a very important role in the ecology and that life as it exists would not have been possible without them. This implies that our romanticised ideas of ecology, biodiversity, the morality of nature and the purpose of life should be reviewed.
Isolated Sphenoid Sinus Lesions: Experience with a Few Rare Pathologies
Authors: Sadashiva Nishanth , Nandeesh B. N. , Shukla Dhaval , Bhat Dhananjaya , Somanna Sampath , Devi Bhagavatula Indira
Published: November 2016

Introduction: The sphenoid sinus is often neglected because of its difficult access. The deep position of the sphenoid sinus hinders early diagnosis of pathologies in that location. Delayed diagnosis can cause serious complications due to proximity to many important structures. Objectives: The aim of this study is to demonstrate different pathologies which can affect the sphenoid sinus and elucidate the findings. Methods: Cases of isolated sphenoid sinus lesions encountered in the neurosurgical setting which had rare pathologies are discussed. Pathologies such as Langerhans cell histiocytosis, solitary plasmacytoma, chordoma, pituitary adenoma, leiomyosarcoma, fungal infection, and mucocele which appeared primarily in sphenoid sinus are discussed along with their imaging features and pathological findings. Conclusion: Multitude of different pathologies can occur in sphenoid sinus. Detailed preoperative imaging is very helpful, but transnasal biopsy and histological study are required often for definitive diagnosis. The possible advantages of early diagnosis before spread of pathology for prognosis cannot be overemphasized.
Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Review of 97 Patients
Authors: Mehta Anish , Mahale Rohan , Buddaraju Kiran , Majeed Anas , Sharma Suryanarayana , Javali Mahendra , Acharya Purushottam , Srinivasa Rangasetty
Published: November 2016

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) has now become a standard treatment in eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who present within 4.5 h of symptom onset. Objective: To determine the usefulness of IVT and the subset of patients who will benefit from IVT in AIS within 4.5 h. Materials and Methods: Patients with AIS within 4.5 h of symptom onset who underwent IVT were studied prospectively. The study period was from October 2011 to October 2015. Results: A total of 97 patients were thrombolysed intravenously. The mean onset to needle time in all patients was 177.2 ± 62 min (range: 60–360). At 3 months follow-up, favorable outcome was seen in 65 patients (67.1%) and poor outcome including death in the remaining 32 patients (32.9%). Factors predicting favorable outcome was age <65 years (P = 0.02), the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) <15 (P < 0.001), small vessel occlusion (P = 0.006), cardioembolism (P = 0.006), and random blood sugar (RBS) <250 mg/dl (P < 0.001). Factors predicting poor outcome was diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01), dyslipidemia (P = 0.01), NIHSS at admission >15 (P = 0.03), RBS >250 mg/dl (P = 0.01), Dense cerebral artery sign, age, glucose level on admission, onset-to-treatment time, NIHSS on admission score >5 (P = 0.03), and occlusion of large artery (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Milder baseline stroke severity, blood glucose <250 mg/dL, younger patients (<65 years), cardioembolic stroke, and small vessel occlusion benefit from recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.
Aporte de los usuarios en la construcción de contenidos digitales en los principales medios de comunicación de la Comunidad Andina
Authors: Rivera Rogel Diana Elizabeth , Carrión Salinas Gianella , Córdova Camacho Jhoana
Published: November 2016

Lograr una participación de los usuarios con tinte periodístico se ha convertido en el gran desafío de los medios digitales de la Comunidad Andina y del mundo. La presente investigación analiza las formas de interacción, medios para relacionarse, modelos y herramientas que poseen los cibermedios para que el usuario aporte datos relevantes. Los diarios digitales objeto de estudio son: El Comercio de Perú, El Tiempo de Colombia, El Deber de Bolivia y El Universo de Ecuador. Metodología. Se basa en una investigación de tipo cualitativa y cuantitativa, mediante la observación de los medios digitales durante dos semanas, para determinar niveles de interactividad y participación de los ciudadanos, criterios y valoraciones que dan a las noticias. Resultados. La investigación concluye que la participación de los usuarios proporciona credibilidad, mantiene al medio digital vivo y cumple con el propósito del cibermedio que es educar, entretener y formar a su audiencia. Los usuarios pueden ser incluso productores de nuevos contenidos y practicar un periodismo ciudadano responsable.
Predictors of Health-Care Utilization Among Children 6–59 Months of Age in Zambézia Province, Mozambique
Authors: Bayham Mary , Blevins Meridith , Lopez Melanie , Olupona Omo , González-Calvo Lazaro , Ndatimana Elisée , Green Ann F. , Moon Troy D.
Published: November 2016

Globally, approximately 5.9 million children under 5 years of age died in 2015, a reduction of over 50% since 1990. Millennium Development Goal 4 established the goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by 2015. Multiple countries have surpassed this goal; however, regional and within-country inequities exist. We sought to study determinants of health-care utilization among children 6–59 months of age with fever, diarrhea, and respiratory symptoms in Zambézia Province, Mozambique. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey of female heads of household between April and May 2014. Mobile teams conducted interviews in 262 enumeration areas, with three distinct districts being oversampled for improved precision. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression using Stata 13.1 and R 3.2.2 were used to examine factors associated with health-care utilization. A total of 2,317 children were evaluated in this study. Mothers' median age was 26 years, whereas child median age was 24 months. The proportion of children reporting fever, diarrhea, or respiratory illness in the prior 30 days was 44%, 22%, and 22%, respectively. Health-care utilization varied with 65% seeking health care for fever, compared with 57% for diarrhea and 25% for respiratory illness. In multivariable logistic regression, the characteristics most associated with health-care utilization across illnesses were delivery of last child at a facility, higher maternal education, and household ownership of a radio. The decision or ability to use health care is a multifaceted behavior swayed by societal norms, values, socioeconomics, and perceived need. Recognizing the predictors of a particular population may offer useful information to increase uptake in health-care services.
Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Training in Global Health Through a Novel Joint Project for Trainees from Diverse Disciplines: Benefits, Risks, and Observations
Authors: Oberhelman Richard A. , Huaynate Cynthia Anticona , Correa Malena , Malpartida Holger Mayta , Pajuelo Monica , Paz-Soldan Valerie A. , Gilman Robert H. , Zimic Mirko , Murphy Laura , Belizan Jose
Published: November 2016

Postdoctoral training programs are usually highly individualized arrangements between trainees and a limited number of senior mentors in their field, an approach that contrasts with current trends in public health education that promote interdisciplinary training to spur innovation. Herein, we describe an alternative model for postdoctoral training for a group of fellows from distinct disciplines. Fellows work with mentors from diverse fields to create a joint research project or a group of complementary projects, with the goal of developing a new device, intervention, or innovation to address a global health problem. The perceived benefits, challenges, and limitations of this team approach to interdisciplinary postdoctoral training are presented.
Recombinant Dengue Virus 4 Envelope Glycoprotein Virus-Like Particles Derived from Pichia pastoris are Capable of Eliciting Homotypic Domain III-Directed Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Khetarpal Niyati , Shukla Rahul , Rajpoot Ravi Kant , Poddar Ankur , Pal Meena , Swaminathan Sathyamangalam , Arora Upasana , Khanna Navin
Published: November 2016

Dengue is a viral pandemic caused by four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4) transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Reportedly, there has been a 2-fold increase in dengue cases every decade. An efficacious tetravalent vaccine, which can provide long-term immunity against all four serotypes in all target populations, is still unavailable. Despite the progress being made in the live virus-based dengue vaccines, the World Health Organization strongly recommends the development of alternative approaches for safe, affordable, and efficacious dengue vaccine candidates. We have explored virus-like particles (VLPs)-based nonreplicating subunit vaccine approach and have developed recombinant envelope ectodomains of DENV-1, 2, and 3 expressed in Pichia pastoris. These self-assembled into VLPs without pre-membrane (prM) protein, which limits the generation of enhancing antibodies, and elicited type-specific neutralizing antibodies against the respective serotype. Encouraged by these results, we have extended this work further by developing P. pastoris–expressed DENV-4 ectodomain (DENV-4 E) in this study, which was found to be glycosylated and assembled into spherical VLPs without prM, and displayed critical neutralizing epitopes on its surface. These VLPs were found to be immunogenic in mice and elicited DENV-4-specific neutralizing antibodies, which were predominantly directed against envelope domain III, implicated in host-receptor recognition and virus entry. These observations underscore the potential of VLP-based nonreplicative vaccine approach as a means to develop a safe, efficacious, and tetravalent dengue subunit vaccine. This work paves the way for the evaluation of a DENV E-based tetravalent dengue vaccine candidate, as an alternative to live virus-based dengue vaccines.
Dengue and West Nile Virus Transmission in Children and Adults in Coastal Kenya
Authors: Vu David M. , Banda Tamara , Teng Crystal Y. , Heimbaugh Chelsea , Muchiri Eric M. , Mungai Peter L. , Mutuku Francis M. , Brichard Julie , Gildengorin Ginny , Borland Erin M. , Powers Ann M. , Kitron Uriel , King Charles H. , LaBeaud A. Desiree
Published: November 2016

Dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV) are important reemerging arboviruses that are under-recognized in many parts of Africa due to lack of surveillance. As a part of a study on flavivirus, alphavirus, and parasite exposure in coastal Kenya, we measured neutralizing antibody against DENV and, to evaluate assay specificity, WNV in serum samples that tested positive for serum anti-DENV IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of 830 anti-DENV IgG-positive samples that were tested for neutralizing activity, 488 (58.8%) neutralized DENV and 94 (11.3%) neutralized WNV. Of children ≤ 10 years of age, 23% and 17% had serum neutralizing antibody to DENV and WNV, respectively, indicating that DENV and WNV transmission has occurred in this region within the past decade. The results suggest that ongoing DENV and WNV transmission continues on the coast of Kenya and supports a need for routine arboviral surveillance in the area to detect and respond to future outbreaks.
Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Compared to Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Test for the Detection of Fasciola hepatica in Human Stool
Authors: Cabada Miguel M. , Malaga Jose L. , Castellanos-Gonzalez Alejandro , Bagwell Kelli A. , Naeger Patrick A. , Rogers Hayley K. , Maharsi Safa , Mbaka Maryann , White A. Clinton
Published: November 2016

Fasciola hepatica is the most widely distributed trematode infection in the world. Control efforts may be hindered by the lack of diagnostic capacity especially in remote endemic areas. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based methods offer high sensitivity and specificity but require expensive technology. However, the recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is an efficient isothermal method that eliminates the need for a thermal cycler and has a high deployment potential to resource-limited settings. We report on the characterization of RPA and PCR tests to detect Fasciola infection in clinical stool samples with low egg burdens. The sensitivity of the RPA and PCR were 87% and 66%, respectively. Both tests were 100% specific showing no cross-reactivity with trematode, cestode, or nematode parasites. In addition, RPA and PCR were able to detect 47% and 26% of infections not detected by microscopy, respectively. The RPA adapted to a lateral flow platform was more sensitive than gel-based detection of the reaction products. In conclusion, the Fasciola RPA is a highly sensitive and specific test to diagnose chronic infection using stool samples. The Fasciola RPA lateral flow has the potential for deployment to endemic areas after further characterization.
The spectral signature of cloud spatial structure in shortwave irradiance
Authors: Song Shi , Schmidt K. Sebastian , Pilewskie Peter , King Michael D. , Heidinger Andrew K. , Walther Andi , Iwabuchi Hironobu , Wind Gala , Coddington Odele M.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In this paper, we used cloud imagery from a NASA field experiment in conjunction with three-dimensional radiative transfer calculations to show that cloud spatial structure manifests itself as a spectral signature in shortwave irradiance fields – specifically in transmittance and net horizontal photon transport in the visible and near-ultraviolet wavelength range. We found a robust correlation between the magnitude of net horizontal photon transport (H) and its spectral dependence (slope), which is scale-invariant and holds for the entire pixel population of a domain. This was surprising at first given the large degree of spatial inhomogeneity. We prove that the underlying physical mechanism for this phenomenon is molecular scattering in conjunction with cloud spatial structure. On this basis, we developed a simple parameterization through a single parameter ε, which quantifies the characteristic spectral signature of spatial inhomogeneities. In the case we studied, neglecting net horizontal photon transport leads to a local transmittance bias of ±12–19 %, even at the relatively coarse spatial resolution of 20 km. Since three-dimensional effects depend on the spatial context of a given pixel in a nontrivial way, the spectral dimension of this problem may emerge as the starting point for future bias corrections.
Multiresolution analysis of the spatiotemporal variability in global
radiation observed by a dense network of 99 pyranometers during
the HOPE campaign
Authors: Madhavan Bomidi Lakshmi , Deneke Hartwig , Witthuhn Jonas , Macke Andreas
Published: November 2016

Abstract. The time series of global radiation observed by a dense network of 99 autonomous pyranometers are investigated with a multiresolution analysis based on the maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform and the Haar wavelet. For different sky conditions, typical wavelet power spectra are calculated to quantify the timescale dependence of variability in global transmittance. The power spectra of global transmittance are found to be dominated by the direct irradiance component under all sky conditions. Distinctly higher variability is observed at all frequencies in the power spectra of global transmittance under broken cloud conditions compared to clear, cirrus or overcast skies. The spatial autocorrelation function including its frequency-dependence is determined to quantify the degree of similarity of two measurements as a function of their spatial separation. Distances ranging from 100 m to 10 km are considered, and a rapid decrease of the autocorrelation function is found with increasing frequency and distance. For frequencies below 1.0 min−1, variations in transmittance become completely uncorrelated already after several hundred meters. A method is introduced to estimate the deviation between a point measurement and a spatially averaged value for a surrounding domain, which takes into account domain size and averaging period, and is used to explore the representativeness of a single pyranometer observation for its surrounding region. Two distinct mechanisms are identified, which limit the representativeness: on the one hand, spatial averaging reduces variability and thus modifies the shape of the power spectrum. On the other hand, the correlation of variations of the spatially averaged field and a point measurement decreases rapidly with increasing temporal frequency. For a grid-box of 10 x 10 km2 and averaging periods of 1.5–3 h, the deviation of global transmittance between a point measurement and an area-averaged value depends on the prevailing sky conditions: 2.8 % (clear), 1.8 % (cirrus), 1.5 % (overcast) and 4.2 % (broken clouds). The global radiation observed at a single station is found to deviate from the spatial average by as much as 14–23 Wm−2 (clear), 8–26 Wm−2 (cirrus), 4–23 Wm−2 (overcast), and 31–79 Wm−2 (broken clouds) from domain averages ranging from 1 x 1 km2 to 10 x 10 km2 in area.
Size-dependent response of foraminiferal calcification to seawater carbonate chemistry
Authors: Henehan Michael J. , Evans David , Shankle Madison , Burke Janet , Foster Gavin L. , Durrant Joseph , Anagnostou Eleni , Chalk Thomas B. , Stewart Joseph A. , Alt Claudia H. S. , Hull Pincelli M.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. The response of the marine carbon cycle to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations will be determined, in part, by the relative response of calcifying and non-calcifying organisms to global change. Planktonic foraminifera are responsible for a quarter or more of global carbonate production, therefore understanding the sensitivity of calcification in these organisms to environmental change is critical. Despite this, there remains little consensus as to whether, or to what extent, chemical and physical factors affect foraminiferal calcification. To address this, we directly test the effect of multiple controls on calcification in culture experiments and core-top measurements of Globigerinoides ruber. We find that two factors, body size and the carbonate system, strongly influence calcification intensity in life, but that exposure to corrosive bottom waters can overprint this signal post mortem. Using a simple model for the addition of calcite through ontogeny, we show that variable body size between and within datasets could complicate studies that examine environmental controls on foraminiferal shell weight. In addition, we suggest that size could ultimately play a role in determining whether calcification will increase or decrease with acidification. Our models highlight that knowledge of the specific morphological and physiological mechanisms driving ontogenetic change in calcification in different species will be critical in predicting the response of foraminiferal calcification to future change in atmospheric pCO2.
Changes in the geometry and strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the last glacial (20–50 ka)
Authors: Burckel Pierre , Waelbroeck Claire , Luo Yiming , Roche Didier M. , Pichat Sylvain , Jaccard Samuel L. , Gherardi Jeanne , Govin Aline , Lippold Jörg , Thil François
Published: November 2016

Abstract. We reconstruct the geometry and strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the Heinrich stadial 2 and three Greenland interstadials of the 20–50 ka period based on the comparison of new and published sedimentary 231Pa / 230Th data with simulated sedimentary 231Pa / 230Th. We show that the deep Atlantic circulation during these interstadials was very different from that of the Holocene. Northern-sourced waters likely circulated above 2500 m depth, with a flow rate lower than that of the present-day North Atlantic deep water (NADW). Southern-sourced deep waters most probably flowed northwards below 4000 m depth into the North Atlantic basin and then southwards as a return flow between 2500 and 4000 m depth. The flow rate of this southern-sourced deep water was likely larger than that of the modern Antarctic bottom water (AABW). Our results further show that during Heinrich stadial 2, the deep Atlantic was probably directly affected by a southern-sourced water mass below 2500 m depth, while a slow, southward-flowing water mass originating from the North Atlantic likely influenced depths between 1500 and 2500 m down to the equator.
The influence of ice sheets on the climate during the past 38 million
years
Authors: Stap Lennert B. , van de Wal Roderik S. W. , de Boer Bas , Bintanja Richard , Lourens Lucas J.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Since the inception of the Antarctic ice sheet at the Eocene-Oligocene Transition (~ 34 Myr ago), land ice has played a crucial role in Earth's climate. Through the ice-albedo and surface-height-temperature feedbacks, land ice variability strengthens atmospheric temperature changes induced by orbital and CO2 variations. Quantification of these feedbacks on long time scales has hitherto scarcely been undertaken. In this study, we use a zonally averaged energy balance climate model bi-directionally coupled to a one-dimensional ice sheet model. The relative simplicity of these models allows us to perform integrations over the past 38 Myr in a fully transient fashion, using a benthic oxygen isotope record as forcing to inversely simulate CO2. Output of the model are mutually consistent records of CO2, temperature, ice volume-equivalent sea level and benthic δ18O. Firstly, we investigate the relation between global temperature and CO2, which changes once the model run has experienced high CO2 concentrations. Secondly, we study the influence of ice sheets on the evolution of global temperature and polar amplification by comparing runs with ice sheet-climate interaction switched on and off. We find that ice volume variability has a strong enhancing effect on atmospheric temperature changes, particularly in the regions where the ice sheets are located. As a result, polar amplification in the Northern Hemisphere decreases towards warmer climates as there is little land ice left to melt. Conversely, decay of the Antarctic ice sheet increases polar amplification in the Southern Hemisphere in the high-CO2 regime. Our results also show that in cooler climates than the pre-industrial, the ice-albedo feedback predominates the surface-height-temperature feedback, while in warmer climates they are more equal in strength.
Impacts of future climate change on urban flood risks: benefits of climate mitigation and adaptations
Authors: Zhou Qianqian , Leng Guoyong , Huang Maoyi
Published: November 2016

Abstract. As China is urbanized, flooding has become a regular feature in major cities. Assessing potential urban flood risks under climate change has become crucial for better managing such risks given the severity of the devastating disasters (e.g., the current 2016 flooding across China). Although the impacts of future climate change on urban flood risks have been investigated in many existing studies, the effects of both climate mitigation and adaptations have rarely been accounted for in a consistent framework. In this study, we assess the benefits of (1) avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and (2) adapting drainage systems on urban flood risks within the context of global warming through a case study in the Northern China. The urban drainage model, Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), was employed to simulate urban floods under current conditions and two feasible adaptation scenarios (i.e., pipe enlargement and low impact development), driven by bias-corrected meteorological forcing from five general circulation models (GCMs) in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) archive Based on the results, the volume of urban floods is projected to increase by 52 % in the period of 2020–2040 when compared to that in 1971–2000 under the business-as-usual scenario (i.e., Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 8.5). The magnitudes of urban floods are found to increase nonlinearly with changes in precipitation intensity, and highest risks associated with floods with smaller return periods below 10 years are identified. Despite the high level of uncertainty, it is obvious that avoided greenhouse emissions will be beneficial in terms of reducing risks associated with urban floods. On average, the magnitude of projected urban floods under RCP 2.6 is 13 % less than that under RCP8.5, demonstrating the importance of global-scale efforts on GHG emission reduction in regulating local to regional hydrometeorological responses. Moreover, the two feasible adaptation scenarios are shown to be able to further reduce risk associated with floods effectively. This study highlights the importance of accounting for local climate adaptation efforts in assessing urban flood risks under a changing climate.
Calibration of a parsimonious distributed ecohydrological daily
model in a data scarce basin using exclusively the spatio-temporal
variation of NDVI
Authors: Ruiz-Pérez Guiomar , Koch Julian , Manfreda Salvatore , Caylor Kelly , Francés Félix
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Ecohydrological models provide a tool to investigate the mutual relationships between vegetation and the hydrological cycle. Ecohydrological modelling studies in developing countries, such as sub-saharan Africa often face the problem of extensive parametrical requirements and limited available data. Satellite remote sensing data may be able to fill this gap, but require novel methodologies to exploit its spatio-temporal information that could potentially be incorporated in ecohydrological model calibration and validation. The present study aims to implement a distributed ecohydrological daily model in a data scarce environment with the support of remote sensing data. An automatic calibration procedure, based on Empirical Orthogonal Functions techniques, is proposed and applied in the Upper Ewaso river basin in Kenya. The model is calibrated only using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data derived from MODIS. The obtained results demonstrate that: (1) satellite data of vegetation dynamics contains an extraordinary amount of information that can be used to implement ecohydrological models in scarce data dry regions; (2) the model calibrated only using satellite data is able to reproduce both the spatio-temporal vegetation dynamics and the observed discharge at the outlet point; and (3) the proposed semi-automatic calibration methodology works satisfactorily and it allows to incorporate spatio-temporal data in the model parametrization.
Optimization of a sensor for a Tian–Calvet calorimeter with LTCC-based sensor discs
Authors: Schubert Franz , Gollner Michael , Kita Jaroslaw , Linseis Florian , Moos Ralf
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In this work, it is shown how a finite element method (FEM) model of a Tian–Calvet calorimeter is used to find improvements in the sensor design to increase the sensitivity of the calorimeter. By changing the layout of the basic part of the sensor, which is a low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) based sensor disc, an improvement by a factor of 3 was achieved. The model was validated and the sensors were calibrated with a set of measurements that were later used to determine the melting enthalpies and melting temperatures of indium and tin samples. Melting temperatures showed a maximum deviation of 0.2 K while the enthalpy was measured with a precision better than 1 % for most samples. The values for tin deviate by less than 2 % from literature data.
Brief communication: Loss and damage from a catastrophic landslide in Nepal
Authors: van der Geest Kees , Schindler Markus
Published: November 2016

Abstract. This brief communication reports key findings of a recent piece of research that studied the impacts of the 2014 Jure landslide in Sindhupalchok (Nepal) and the effectiveness of household preventive and coping measures. The people-centered methods reveal not just what was lost in the disaster, but also how and why. A key finding of the household survey is that households in higher income groups incurred higher losses in monetary terms, simply because they had more to lose. By contrast, lower-income households lost more in relative terms: the value of their losses amounted to 14 times their annual earnings. Many lower-income households will never fully recover from this blow to their livelihoods and wellbeing. The findings have important implications for discussions on loss and damage valuation, compensation and relief.
Mapping and inventorying active rock glaciers in the Northern Tien Shan (China) using satellite SAR interferometry
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Liu Lin , Zhao Lin , Wu Tonghua , Li Zhongqin , Liu Guoxiang
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Rock glaciers are widespread in the high mountains of western China. However, they have not been systematically investigated for more than two decades. In this study, we propose a new method that combines SAR interferometry and optical images from Google Earth to map active rock glaciers (ARGs) in the Northern Tien Shan (NTS) in China. We compiled an inventory that includes 261 ARGs and quantitative information about their locations, geomorphic parameters, and down-slope velocities. Our inventory shows that most of the ARGs are moraine-derived (68 %) and facing north-east (56 %). The altitude distribution of ARGs in the western NTS is significantly different from those located in the eastern part. The down-slope velocities of the ARGs vary significantly in space, with a maximum of about 114 cm yr−1 and a mean of about 37 cm yr−1. Using the ARG locations as a proxy for the extent of alpine permafrost, our inventory suggests that the lowest altitudinal limit for the presence of permafrost in the Northern Tien Shan is about 2500–2800 m, a range determined by the lowest ARG in the entire inventory and by a statistics-based estimation. The successful application of the proposed method would facilitate an effective and robust effort to map rock glaciers over major mountain ranges and provide important datasets to improve mapping and modeling permafrost distribution in vast western China.
The winners take it all: A comparative study of Twitter campaigns under pressure
Authors: Pettersen Lene , Larsson Anders Olof
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a comparative study on two Twitter campaigns that came under pressure when recipients started to engage in the campaigns in unexpected ways. Despite two organizations employing different engagement strategies with users, both campaigns played out in somewhat similar ways. Users with an abundance of retweets tend to be male, holding privileged positions in society, with large networks of followers.
Impact of Vertically Integrated Road Transport on Brazilian Sugar Export Logistics: A Mathematical Programming Application
Authors: Péra Thiago Guilherme , Caixeta-Filho José Vicente
Published: November 2016

Brazil currently exports 73% of the sugar produced at harvest. Approximately 75% of those exports are transported to the port of Santos and 18% to the port of Paranaguá for oversea shipment. Transportation to the two ports is mainly through the use of outsourced road transport vehicles. This study analyzes the impact of vertically integrating road transportation operations on the cost to transport raw sugar to the ports. Specifically, the study consists of an evaluation of the economic costs and benefits arising from sugar shippers using their own fleet of vehicles to transport their product to Santos and Paranaguá. Many papers have reduced logistics costs using strategies that involve a change in transport mode, most often to the railways. Although a change in modality may reduce logistics costs, vertically integrating the transport fleet into the producing company may also effectively lower costs. This article aims to (i) assess economic impacts on sugar export logistics in Brazil’s South-Central region if agro-industry shippers (mills) vertically integrated their road transport and (ii) identify the optimal regional allocation of vertically integrated logistics operations. The analysis was conducted using a linear programming model designed to identify minimum, multimodal sugar export logistics costs taking into account private and outsourced shipping fleets. The model was programmed and processed with the GAMS modeling system using a CPLEX solver. The results indicate: (i) the competitive economic transportation radius using a mill’s private trucking fleet is 420 km or less, (ii) the best strategy to minimize road transportation export logistics costs in Brazil’s South-Central region was obtained by using a private fleet 46.30% of the time, which, if all road shipping services had been outsourced, would reduce road transport costs 5.01%, and (iii) there are a number of sugar-producing meso-regions in which the use of vertically integrated transportation operations reduced logistics costs by over 10%, even if all road transportation services were vertically integrated. The results are expected to be used to promote sugar transportation through the optimized use of private shipping fleets and stimulate further discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of vertically integrated product transport operations.
AVANT: Un cambio de época
Authors: Martí Fenández César
Published: November 2016

Artículo para la sección Tribuna de adComunica.
La producción audiovisual móvil
Authors: Casanova Mascarell Javier
Published: November 2016

Frente a la actual tendencia de muchos artistas a escoger tecnologías obsoletas como el celuloide como respuesta crítica y lógica a la digitalización masiva de la sociedad, y que en ocasiones alcanza el tono nostálgico de una técnica en desaparición (imitar lo analógico a partir de lo digital es hoy una corriente dominante), vamos a dar un paso más allá para reflexionar en la capacidad que tienen los pequeños dispositivos móviles como herramientas para la realización de una película, destacando siempre la naturaleza artística de estos nuevos medios y tecnologías.
El malestar en la cultura digital: comunicaciones, redes e interactividad
Authors: Rodriguez Serrano Aarón , Galán Cubillo Esteban
Published: November 2016

Presentación del informe.
La automatización y digitalización de la vida cotidiana
Authors: Crogan Patrick
Published: November 2016

Este texto recoge la conferencia The Automation of Everyday Life impartida por el Dr. Patrick Crogan (University of West England, Bristol) el 5 de Febrero de 2016 en el marco de las Jornadas de comunicación y cultura digital: Investigaciones emergentes de la Universitat Jaume I. Dichas jornadas fueron organizadas por la dirección del Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Comunicación y del Máster Universitario en Nuevas Tendencias y Procesos de Innovación en Comunicación con el apoyo del Departamento de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universitat Jaume I y la Asociación Española de Investigación en Comunicación (AEIC).
Tendencias discursivas: cine colaborativo, comunicación social y prácticas de participación en internet
Authors: Villaplana Ruiz Virginia
Published: November 2016

El presente artículo analiza las tendencias discursivas relacionadas con las formas de producción colaborativas en red y la imagen colectiva. El artículo desarrolla dos líneas organizadas: Antecedentes, prácticas de producción cinematográficas colaborativas (Collaborative film-making as process) y la producción audiovisual colaborativa como experiencia para configurar imaginarios sociales críticos. El artículo se compone de la recopilación de casos de estudio  que argumenta la emergencia de experiencias y prácticas de producción colaborativa imbricadas con comunidades físicas y virtuales como: Cine sin Autor, Remapping Europe and Long Short Story. Estas prácticas colaborativas inciden en la creación de discursos contrahegemónico sobre el agenciamiento y la construcción de representaciones como parte de procesos de participación democrática y justicia social. Del mismo modo, el artículo propone la exploración de nuevas estrategias discursivas colaborativas relacionadas con los formatos participativos en el marco de la acción comunicativa y el arte colaborativo.
Domain-swapped T cell receptors improve the safety of TCR gene therapy
Authors: Bethune Michael T , Gee Marvin H , Bunse Mario , Lee Mark S , Gschweng Eric H , Pagadala Meghana S , Zhou Jing , Cheng Donghui , Heath James R , Kohn Donald B , Kuhns Michael S , Uckert Wolfgang , Baltimore David
Published: November 2016

T cells engineered to express a tumor-specific αβ T cell receptor (TCR) mediate anti-tumor immunity. However, mispairing of the therapeutic αβ chains with endogenous αβ chains reduces therapeutic TCR surface expression and generates self-reactive TCRs. We report a general strategy to prevent TCR mispairing: swapping constant domains between the α and β chains of a therapeutic TCR. When paired, domain-swapped (ds)TCRs assemble with CD3, express on the cell surface, and mediate antigen-specific T cell responses. By contrast, dsTCR chains mispaired with endogenous chains cannot properly assemble with CD3 or signal, preventing autoimmunity. We validate this approach in cell-based assays and in a mouse model of TCR gene transfer-induced graft-versus-host disease. We also validate a related approach whereby replacement of αβ TCR domains with corresponding γδ TCR domains yields a functional TCR that does not mispair. This work enables the design of safer TCR gene therapies for cancer immunotherapy.
Jump to contact of hcp nanowires
Authors: Wakasugi Shinsaku , Kurokawa Shu , Sakai Akira
Published: November 2016

Exploiting molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated jump to contact (JC) at the recontact of broken Mg and Cd nanowires. We observed frequent JCs for junctions of these soft hcp metals, as previously reported for soft fcc metals [C. Untiedt et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 206801 (2007)]. Thus, the crystal structure matters little for JC, and the high rate of JC should be a common characteristic of soft metal junctions. Recontacts of broken nanowires also lead to the frequent formation of single-atom contacts (SACs). For comparison, we have also studied JC and the SAC formation for tip–sample junctions of Pb.
Comparisons of forecasting for hepatitis in Guangxi Province, China by using three neural networks models
Authors: Gan Ruijing , Chen Ni , Huang Daizheng
Published: November 2016

This study compares and evaluates the prediction of hepatitis in Guangxi Province, China by using back propagation neural networks based genetic algorithm (BPNN-GA), generalized regression neural networks (GRNN), and wavelet neural networks (WNN). In order to compare the results of forecasting, the data obtained from 2004 to 2013 and 2014 were used as modeling and forecasting samples, respectively. The results show that when the small data set of hepatitis has seasonal fluctuation, the prediction result by BPNN-GA will be better than the two other methods. The WNN method is suitable for predicting the large data set of hepatitis that has seasonal fluctuation and the same for the GRNN method when the data increases steadily.