bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO Sensing Performance of a Micro Thermoelectric Gas Sensor with AuPtPd/SnO2 Catalyst and Effects of a Double Catalyst Structure with Pt/α-Al2O3
Authors: Goto Tomoyo , Itoh Toshio , Akamatsu Takafumi , Shin Woosuck
Published: December 2015

The CO sensing properties of a micro thermoelectric gas sensor (micro-TGS) with a double AuPtPd/SnO2 and Pt/α-Al2O3 catalyst were investigated. While several nanometer sized Pt and Pd particles were uniformly dispersed on SnO2, the Au particles were aggregated as particles measuring >10 nm in diameter. In situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) analysis of the catalyst showed a CO adsorption peak on Pt and Pd, but no clear peak corresponding to the interaction between CO and Au was detected. Up to 200 °C, CO combustion was more temperature dependent than that of H2, while H2 combustion was activated by repeated exposure to H2 gas during the periodic gas test. Selective CO sensing of the micro-TGS against H2 was attempted using a double catalyst structure with 0.3–30 wt% Pt/α-Al2O3 as a counterpart combustion catalyst. The sensor output of the micro-TGS decreased with increasing Pt content in the Pt/α-Al2O3 catalyst, by cancelling out the combustion heat from the AuPtPd/SnO2 catalyst. In addition, the AuPtPd/SnO2 and 0.3 wt% Pt/α-Al2O3 double catalyst sensor showed good and selective CO detection. We therefore demonstrated that our micro-TGS with double catalyst structure is useful for controlling the gas selectivity of CO against H2.
Periodical Microstructures Based on Novel Piezoelectric Material for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Janusas Giedrius , Ponelyte Sigita , Brunius Alfredas , Guobiene Asta , Prosycevas Igoris , Vilkauskas Andrius , Palevicius Arvydas
Published: December 2015

A novel cantilever type piezoelectric sensing element was developed. Cost-effective and simple fabrication design allows the use of this element for various applications in the areas of biomedicine, pharmacy, environmental analysis and biosensing. This paper proposes a novel piezoelectric composite material whose basic element is PZT and a sensing platform where this material was integrated. Results showed that a designed novel cantilever-type element is able to generate a voltage of up to 80 µV at 50 Hz frequency. To use this element for sensing purposes, a four micron periodical microstructure was imprinted. Silver nanoparticles were precipitated on the grating to increase the sensitivity of the designed element, i.e., Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) effect appears in the element. To tackle some issues (a lack of sensitivity, signal delays) the element must have certain electronic and optical properties. One possible solution, proposed in this paper, is a combination of piezoelectricity and SPR in a single element.
Ultrasensitive Detection of Testosterone Using Microring Resonator with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
Authors: Chen Yangqing , Liu Yong , Shen Xiaodan , Chang Zhimin , Tang Longhua , Dong Wen-Fei , Li Mingyu , He Jian-Jun
Published: December 2015

We report ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of testosterone based on microring resonance sensor using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP). A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) micoring resonator was modified by MIP films (MIPs) on a surface. The MIPs was synthesized by thermopolymerization using methacrylic acid as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinking agent. The concentration of detected testosterone varies from 0.05 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL. The detection limit reaches 48.7 pg/mL. Ultrahigh sensitivity, good specificity and reproducibility have been demonstrated, indicating the great potential of making a cost effective and easy to operate lab-on-Chip and down scaling micro-fluidics devices in biosensing.
Smart Sensing Strip Using Monolithically Integrated Flexible Flow Sensor for Noninvasively Monitoring Respiratory Flow
Authors: Jiang Peng , Zhao Shuai , Zhu Rong
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a smart sensing strip for noninvasively monitoring respiratory flow in real time. The monitoring system comprises a monolithically-integrated flexible hot-film flow sensor adhered on a molded flexible silicone case, where a miniaturized conditioning circuit with a Bluetooth4.0 LE module are packaged, and a personal mobile device that wirelessly acquires respiratory data transmitted from the flow sensor, executes extraction of vital signs, and performs medical diagnosis. The system serves as a wearable device to monitor comprehensive respiratory flow while avoiding use of uncomfortable nasal cannula. The respiratory sensor is a flexible flow sensor monolithically integrating four elements of a Wheatstone bridge on single chip, including a hot-film resistor, a temperature-compensating resistor, and two balancing resistors. The monitor takes merits of small size, light weight, easy operation, and low power consumption. Experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of monitoring and diagnosing respiratory diseases using the proposed system.
Dynamic Changes of Water Conservation Service of Typical Ecosystems in China within a Year Based on Data from CERN
Authors: Pei Sha , Xie Gaodi , Liu Chunlan , Zhang Changshun , Li Shimei , Chen Long
Published: December 2015

In this study, we compared and analyzed the dynamic changes of water conservation and its value of some typical forests, grasslands, and farmlands in China within a year based on the dataset of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Net (CERN). Results showed that forest, grassland, and farmland provide different kinds of water conservation services which vary in size and dynamic processes within a year. Water conservation of forest consisted of water regulation service, here referred to as water retaining service, and water supply service, while water conservation of grassland and farmland was mainly water regulation service. Different types of forests/grasslands/farmlands can serve different water conservation services in both size and change patterns. In general, the water conservation service and value of forests is the largest (Xishuangbanna forest being $712·hm−2·year−1, Dingshu Mountains forest being $823·hm−2·year−1, and Changbai Mountains forest being $366·hm−2·year−1), and then is the farmlands (Yucheng farmland being $147·hm−2·year−1, Changshu farmland being $92·hm−2·year−1, Qianyanzhou farmland being $247 hm−2·year−1), and that of the grasslands is the least (Haibei alpine meadow being $75·hm−2·year−1, Mongolia grassland being $30·hm−2·year−1). The monthly water conservation and its value of each ecosystem had its own changing pattern throughout the year.
Assessment of Suspended Sand Availability under Different Flow Conditions of the Lowermost Mississippi River at Tarbert Landing during 1973–2013
Authors: Joshi Sanjeev , Xu Y.
Published: December 2015

Rapid land loss in the Mississippi River Delta Plain has led to intensive efforts by state and federal agencies for finding solutions in coastal land restoration in the past decade. One of the proposed solutions includes diversion of the Mississippi River water into drowning wetland areas. Although a few recent studies have investigated flow-sediment relationships in the Lowermost Mississippi River (LmMR, defined as the 500 km reach from the Old River Control Structure to the river’s Gulf outlet), it is unclear how individual sediment fractions behave under varying flow conditions of the river. The information can be especially pertinent because the quantity of coarse sands plays a critical role for the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River deltaic development. In this study, we utilized long-term (1973–2013) records on discharge and sediments at Tarbert Landing of the LmMR to assess sand behavior and availability under different river flow regimes, and extreme sand transport events and their recurrence. We found an average annual sand load (SL) of 27.2 megatonnes (MT) during 1973 and 2013, varying largely from 3.37 to 52.30 MT. For the entire 41-year study period, a total of approximately 1115 MT sand were discharged at Tarbert Landing, half of which occurred during the peak 20% flow events. A combination of intermediate, high and peak flow stages (i.e., river discharge was ≥18,000 cubic meter per second) produced about 71% of the total annual SL within approximately 120 days of a year. Based on the long-term sediment assessment, we predict that the LmMR has a high likelihood to transport 4 to 446 thousand tonnes of sand every day over the next 40 years, during which annual sand loads could reach a maximum of 51.68 MT. Currently, no effective plan is in place to utilize this considerably high sand quantity and we suggest that river engineering and sediment management in the LmMR consider practices of hydrograph-based approach for maximally capturing riverine sediments.
L'ancienne industrie du fer dans le Périgord septentrional
Authors: Pijassou René
Published: December 2015

Le Périgord septentrional ou Nontronnais était la 6e région sidérurgique de France en 1789. Il était bien pourvu en ressources naturelles : bois, minerai de fer oolithique, énergie hydraulique. Pays rural pauvre et isolé, le Nontronnais avait, de plus d'importantes disponibilités de main-d'œuvre. La sidérurgie nontronnaise garda, du XVIIIe au XXe siècle, dans ses techniques de production de la fonte au bois comme dans l'élaboration du fer d'affinage, la structure d'une petite industrie. Les forges à canons du Bandiat qui armèrent la Marine du Ponant, au XVIIIe siècle, époque de leur apogée, étaient cependant des entreprises industrielles plus importantes. Le commerce des canons de marine donna un réel prestige à certains maîtres de forges ; mais la plupart d'entre eux connurent la faillite en 1772. Les marchands de fer, qui étaient en liaison avec les grosses forges et avec les petites fonderies et raffineries, firent, par contre, de fructueuses affaires. Au cours du XIXe siècle la sidérurgie périgourdine disparut progressivement. Une seule fonderie, celle de Savignac-Lédrier résista ; elle effectua son dernier fondage en 1930.
NDT ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING CONCRETE STRUCTURES: SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF REBOUND HAMMER RESULTS RECORDED IN-SITU
Authors: Borosnyói Adorján
Published: December 2015

A comparative spatial analysis of surface hardness of structural concrete is introduced. Main objective of the paper is to make a repeatability comparison of three types of the still most popular non-destructive testing devices for concrete: L-type original Schmidt rebound hammer, N-type original Schmidt rebound hammer and N-type Silver Schmidt rebound hammer. Results indicate that the surface hardness measurement uncertainty is related to the weight of the hammer mass and is apparently not related to the impact energy of the rebound hammer devices. It is observed that the measure of surface hardness for the Silver Schmidt rebound hammer (Q-value) does not have positive correlation to the original rebound index (R). Results indicate the best performance of the N-type original Schmidt rebound hammer in terms of stability and normality of data. Geostatistical analysis of the measured data (in terms of empirical semivariograms) highlights different statistical behaviour for the mechanical recording rebound hammers and for the electro-optical recording rebound hammer.
Amelioration of Cadmium-Induced Nephropathy using Polyphenol-rich Extract of Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) Leaves in Rat Model
Authors: Imafidon Christian E. , Akomolafe Rufus O. , Abubakar Sanusi A. , Ogundipe Oluwadare J. , Olukiran Olaoluwa S. , Ayowole Oladele A.
Published: December 2015

AIM: To determine the effects of polyphenol-rich extract of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (PEVA) in rats with Cd-induced nephropathy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows; Group 1 received distilled water throughout the period of study. Group 2 received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium (Cd), in the form of CdSO4, for five consecutive days via intraperitoneal route. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were pretreated with Cd as group 2 and thereafter received oral treatment of PEVA for 4 weeks at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively.RESULTS: Exposure to Cd toxicity significantly induced deleterious alterations in plasma and urine levels of creatinine, urea and glucose as well as creatinine and urea clearance (p < 0.05) in the rat model. There was a significant disturbance in the antioxidant system as revealed by the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05) in the kidney tissue of the rats. With marked improvements in renal histoarchitecture, PEVA treatment showed a duration and non dose-dependent ameliorative potential. CONCLUSION: PEVA treatment reversed the compromise of renal function that was induced by Cd toxicity in rat model.
Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy and Early Atherosclerosis in Adolescent Type 1 Diabetic Patient
Authors: Abd El Dayem Soha M. , Battah Ahmed A. , El Bohy Abo El Magd
Published: December 2015

AIM: To evaluate cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type 1 Diabetics and to detect its relation to coronary artery calcification.PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a cross sectional study included 62 diabetics and 30 controls. Clinical, laboratory assessment and 24 Hr holter were done for all patients and controls and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring by multisclice CT was done for all patients only. T-test, Mann Whitney U test, and stepwise multiple regression were used for statistical analyses.RESULTS: CAC score was positive in 8.1 % of patients. Heart rate variability (HRV) was significantly lower in diabetics. All parameters of HRV were insignificantly lower in diabetics with positive CAC score. Patients with microalbuminuria had a significantly lower HRV. HRV had a significant correlation with age of patients, duration of disease, HbA1, and Qtc in diabetics.CONCLUSION: Percentage of arrhythmia and early atherosclerosis is high in adolescent type 1 diabetic patients. CAN is associated with early atherosclerosis. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is associated with older age, longer duration, and poor glycemic control and microalbuminuria.
Comorbidities Associated with Psoriatic Arthritis Compared with Non-psoriatic Spondyloarthritis: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Haque Naba , Lories Rik J. , de Vlam Kurt
Published: December 2015

Objective.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory skeletal disease associated with health concerns such as obesity, Type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension (HTN), and cardiovascular (CV) disease. The involvement of these metabolic factors in the pathogenesis, severity, and progression of PsA remains unclear. In our study, we compared comorbidities associated with PsA to those patients with related but non-PsA forms of spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods.

The SpA database at the Rheumatology Department of University Hospitals Leuven was analyzed in a cross-sectional manner using the demographic, medical, and laboratory information of 518 patients with PsA and non-PsA SpA. The patients were grouped by their diagnosis and evaluated on the basis of sex, age, education, work status, disease duration, treatment, and type and number of comorbidities. The data were assessed using the chi-square test, Student t test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression, including correction for multiple testing.

Results.

Out of the 518 patients (62.74% men, 37.25% women), 53.66% had comorbidities. The PsA group had 262 patients (mean age 58.8 yrs) and the non-PsA SpA group had 256 patients (mean age 44.9 yrs, p < 0.001). The PsA group was found to have more and multiple comorbidities compared with non-PsA SpA (p < 0.001). The CV and metabolic comorbidities were also significantly higher in the PsA group (p < 0.001). Coronary artery disease, HTN, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome showed a marked difference between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). An increased incidence of malignancy was found in PsA group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

Comorbidities and malignancies are increased in patients with PsA compared with non-PsA SpA, irrespective of demographic factors and type of treatment.
Minimal Disease Activity and Remission in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients Treated with Anti-TNF-α Drugs
Authors: Perrotta Fabio Massimo , Marchesoni Antonio , Lubrano Ennio
Published: December 2015

Objective.

A state of remission is the target of therapy in chronic arthritis. The aim of the present study was to assess the rate of minimal disease activity (MDA) and remission in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) blockers. Disease characteristics and predictors of MDA were also evaluated.

Methods.

Patients fulfilling the ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria and treated with TNF-α blockers adalimumab, etanercept, or golimumab were enrolled and prospectively followed every 4 months for 1 year in a clinical practice setting. Patients were considered in MDA when they met at least 5/7 of the criteria previously defined. Other remission criteria evaluated were 28-joint Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) < 2.6 and Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score ≤ 3.3. Patients achieving MDA were compared to non-MDA to identify outcome predictor factors.

Results.

Of the 75 patients treated with TNF-α blockers, at baseline no patients were in MDA or had a DAPSA score ≤ 3.3, while 25 (21.3%) had a DAS28-CRP score < 2.6. Five patients (6%) discontinued treatment because of side effects or inefficacy during followup. After 12 months, MDA was achieved in 46 patients (61.3%). No difference was found among the 3 anti-TNF-α drugs. Predictors for MDA were found to be male sex, high CRP, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and low Health Assessment Questionnaire.

Conclusion.

In our prospective observational study, based on a clinical practice setting, MDA was achieved in 61.3% of patients treated with TNF-α blockers, identifying this as an achievable target for patients with PsA. Predictors of remission were also identified.
Les enjeux liés aux activités d’audit, de conseil et d’évaluation dans les administrations publiques : une perspective canadienne
Authors: Bourgault Jacques , Smits Pernelle
Published: December 2015

Résumé L’activité d’« inspection » se manifeste sous forme de contrôles pendant ou juste après l’exécution d’une mission. Elle inclut aussi des dimensions nouvelles comme l’audit, le conseil et l’évaluation plutôt normative. En ce sens, l’évaluation est plus large que les missions relevant de l’inspectorat (qui recouvrent les aspects liés à la pré exécution, à la réponse au « quoi » et au « pourquoi », pertinence, suivi en cours d’implantation, etc. ). L’article aborde quatre défis majeurs de l’inspection au regard de l’expérience canadienne et québécoise : les enjeux méthodologiques (combinaison du quantitatif et du qualitatif, les aspects intersectoriels) ; la nécessité d’une multiplicité de compétences ; le suivi du retour sur investissement des inspections et des évaluations, le défi de leur utilité du fait de politiques qui évitent la reddition de comptes par des objectifs aux énoncés vagues.
Mannose-Capped Lipoarabinomannan from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Induces CD4+ T Cell Anergy via GRAIL
Authors: Sande Obondo J. , Karim Ahmad F. , Li Qing , Ding Xuedong , Harding Clifford V. , Rojas Roxana E. , Boom W. Henry
Published: December 2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall glycolipid, lipoarabinomannan, can inhibit CD4+ T cell activation by downregulating the phosphorylation of key proximal TCR signaling molecules: Lck, CD3ζ, ZAP70, and LAT. Inhibition of proximal TCR signaling can result in T cell anergy, in which T cells are inactivated following an Ag encounter, yet remain viable and hyporesponsive. We tested whether mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (LAM)-induced inhibition of CD4+ T cell activation resulted in CD4+ T cell anergy. The presence of LAM during primary stimulation of P25 TCR-transgenic murine CD4+ T cells with M. tuberculosis Ag85B peptide resulted in decreased proliferation and IL-2 production. P25 TCR-transgenic CD4+ T cells primed in the presence of LAM also exhibited decreased response upon restimulation with Ag85B. The T cell anergic state persisted after the removal of LAM. Hyporesponsiveness to restimulation was not due to apoptosis, generation of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells, or inhibitory cytokines. Acquisition of the anergic phenotype correlated with upregulation of gene related to anergy in lymphocytes (GRAIL) protein in CD4+ T cells. Inhibition of human CD4+ T cell activation by LAM also was associated with increased GRAIL expression. Small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of GRAIL before LAM treatment abrogated LAM-induced hyporesponsiveness. In addition, exogenous IL-2 reversed defective proliferation by downregulating GRAIL expression. These results demonstrate that LAM upregulates GRAIL to induce anergy in Ag-reactive CD4+ T cells. Induction of CD4+ T cell anergy by LAM may represent one mechanism by which M. tuberculosis evades T cell recognition.
Heavy mineral studies in the Klondike area, Yukon Territory
Authors: Gleeson C F
Published: December 2015

The Klondike area is underlain by various schists belonging to the Nasina and Klondike Series. Foliated granite and ultramafic rocks cut both series as does a stock of biotite granite. Tertiary rhyolite porphyry bodies also intrude the two series. Eocene
sediments and luffs are present, and andesite, diabase, and ultramafic dykes are common. Four types of lode gold deposits have been recognized: ( 1) gold with quartz-barite veins, (2) gold with quartz veins in chlorite schist, (3) gold with quartz stringers in shear zones, and ( 4) gold in tertiary
conglomerates (ancient placers). No new placer deposits have been found, but large deposits of unworked high-level and valley gravels remain to be evaluated. Forty-eight heavy minerals have been found and described from the gravels of the area, but only gold is present in mineable quantities.
Indications are that geochemical prospecting followed by panning for gold might be helpful in outlining lode gold bearing structures.
Chitinozoa and Acritarcha of the Hamilton Formation (Middle Devonian), southwestern Ontario
Authors: Legault J A
Published: December 2015

The Middle Devonian (Givetian) Hamilton Formation of southwestern Ontario is rich in Chitinozoa and Acritarcha. Three cores from southwestern Ontario were sampled and numerous and varied palynomorphs were recovered. The Chitinozoa are represented by sixteen
genera, two new, and forty-seven species, eight new; Acritarcha are represented by nine genera, one new, and twelve species, two new. The Chitinozoa- Acritarcha assemblages are relatively consistent with only two groups of Chitinozoa being stratigraphically differentiated: that of the species of
Angochitina, and the genera Desmochitina, Eisenackitina, and Poteriochitina n. gen. Variation in relative percentages of Chitinozoa and Acritarcha is unrelated to lithological changes in the Hamilton Formation, but percentage trends do change at stratigraphic boundaries. The use of Chitinozoa and
Acritarcha as biostratigraphical tools is strengthened because they appear to be unaffected by local ecological factors.
Geology of the Resurgent Cryptoexplosion Crater at Mistastin Lake, Labrador
Authors: Currie K L
Published: December 2015

An elliptical depression about 7 by 11 miles in Labrador is similar in form to other resurgent cryptoexplosion structures in the Canadian Shield but the large number of outcrops that occur n ear the outer boundary is unusual. They reveal an apparent dyke - like
feeder for the igneous rocks of the structure and also the presence of localized shock metamorphism associated with the feeder. In this report the general geology and structural geology are described and the petrochemistry of the igneous rocks is examined, the various theories for the origin of
resurgent cryptoexplosion structures are examined and from the data presented the author concludes that the structure has an indigenous origin and that it did not form from the impact of an extraterrestrial missile.
Report of activities for the drainage geochemistry and indicator minerals study in the Sylvia Grinnell Lake map area (parts of NTS 25-N, 26-C and 26-F), Baffin Island, Nunavut, GEM2 Baffin Project
Authors: Day S J A , McNeil R J , Tremblay T
Published: December 2015

Foreword/Context
The Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program is laying the foundation for sustainable economic development in the North. The Program provides modern public geoscience that will set the stage for long-term decision making related to investment in responsible resource development. Geoscience
knowledge produced by GEM supports evidence-based exploration for new energy and mineral resources and enables northern communities to make informed decisions about their land, economy and society. Building upon the success of its first five-years, GEM has been renewed until 2020 to continue
producing new, publically available, regional-scale geoscience knowledge in Canada's North.
During the summer 2015, GEM program has successfully carried out 14 research activities that include geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying. These activities have been undertaken in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, northerners and their institutions, academia and
the private sector. GEM will continue to work with these key collaborators as the program advances.
Morewood Ontario aeromagnetic calibration range
Authors: Kiss F
Published: December 2015

An aeromagnetic calibration range has been established at Morewood, Ontario. The range is in close proximity to the Ottawa, Ontario geomagnetic observatory and in an area of low magnetic gradient. An airborne survey of the range was flown under contract to
Natural Resources Canada by Geo Data Solutions Inc. of Montreal, Quebec. The survey consisted of traverses with a calibrated aircraft flown at a series of heights along the four cardinal directions. Magnetic data were acquired that profile the magnetic field above the traverse intersection point.
From these airborne magnetic data and the magnetic diurnal variation data from the geomagnetic observatory, a magnetic offset constant between the Morewood site and the observatory was established at a height of 1500 ft. (457.2 m) above the site. Aeromagnetic survey aircraft acquire data over the
range, remove the diurnal variation determined from geomagnetic observatory data, and apply the offset constant to calculate the aircraft's magnetic error.
The massification process in chinese higher education
Authors: Costa Danilo de Melo , Zha Qiang
Published: December 2015

This paper demonstrates the massification process in higher education using as reference China, which reached in a few years the largest university system in the world. To do this, we present in the theoretical reference the Government intervention and its economic responsibilities, the main challenges of global higher education and the effects of globalization on this level of education. As regards the methodology, this study is designed on the principles of explanatory research, with qualitative approach. Data were collected through documentary and bibliographic research, and subsequently analyzed and interpreted to record the findings that were correlated with other data collected. This research shows at its end how was the expansion of Chinese higher education, which was a elite system and became a mass system, becoming a reference for other nations that also seek to expand this educational level.
Polarimetric radar and in situ observations of riming and snowfall microphysics during CLACE 2014
Authors: Grazioli J. , Lloyd G. , Panziera L. , Hoyle C. R. , Connolly P. J. , Henneberger J. , Berne A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. This study investigates the microphysics of winter alpine snowfall occurring in mixed-phase clouds in an inner-Alpine valley during January and February 2014. The available observations include high-resolution polarimetric radar and in situ measurements of the ice-phase and liquid-phase components of clouds and precipitation. Radar-based hydrometeor classification suggests that riming is an important factor to favor an efficient growth of the precipitating mass and correlates with snow accumulation rates at ground level. The time steps during which rimed precipitation is dominant are analyzed in terms of temporal evolution and vertical structure. Snowfall identified as rimed often appears after a short time period during which the atmospheric conditions favor wind gusts and updrafts and supercooled liquid water (SLW) is available. When a turbulent atmospheric layer persists for several hours and ensures continuous SLW generation, riming can be sustained longer and large accumulations of snow at ground level can be generated. The microphysical interpretation and the meteorological situation associated with one such event are detailed in the paper. The vertical structure of polarimetric radar observations during intense snowfall classified as rimed shows a peculiar maximum of specific differential phase shift Kdp, associated with large number concentrations and riming of anisotropic crystals. Below this Kdp peak there is usually an enhancement in radar reflectivity ZH, proportional to the Kdp enhancement and interpreted as aggregation of ice crystals. These signatures seem to be recurring during intense snowfall.
Aerosol source apportionment from 1 year measurements at the CESAR tower at Cabauw, NL
Authors: Schlag P. , Kiendler-Scharr A. , Blom M. J. , Canonaco F. , Henzing J. S. , Moerman M. M. , Prévôt A. S. H. , Holzinger R.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Intensive measurements of submicron aerosol particles and their chemical composition were performed with an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) at the Cabauw Experimental Site for Atmospheric Research (CESAR) in Cabauw, NL. The campaign lasted nearly one year from July 2012 to June 2013 as part of the ACTRIS project. Including black carbon data an average particulate mass concentration of 9.50 μg m−3 was obtained during the whole campaign with dominant contributions from ammonium nitrate (45 %), organic aerosol (OA, 29 %), and ammonium sulfate (19 %). 12 exceedances of the World Health Organization (WHO) PM2.5 daily mean limit (25 μg m−3) were observed at this rural site using PM1 instrumentation only. Ammonium nitrate and OA represented the largest contributors to total particulate matter during periods of exceedance. Source apportionment of OA was performed season-wise by Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) using the Multilinear Engine 2 (ME-2) controlled via the source finder (SoFi). Primary organic aerosols were attributed mainly to traffic (8–16 % contribution to total OA, averaged season-wise) and biomass burning (0–23 %). Secondary organic aerosols (SOA, 61–84 %) dominated the organic fraction during the whole campaign, particularly on days with high mass loadings. A SOA factor which is attributed to humic-like substances (HULIS) was identified as a highly oxidized background aerosol in Cabauw. This shows the importance of atmospheric ageing processes for aerosol concentration at this rural site. Due to the large secondary fraction, the reduction of particulate mass at this rural site is challenging on a local scale.
Modelling and measurements of urban aerosol processes on the neighborhood scale in Rotterdam, Oslo and Helsinki
Authors: Karl M. , Kukkonen J. , Keuken M. P. , Lützenkirchen S. , Pirjola L. , Hussein T.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. This study evaluates the influence of aerosol processes on the particle number (PN) concentrations in three major European cities on the temporal scale of one hour, i.e. on the neighborhood and city scales. We have used selected measured data of particle size distributions from previous campaigns in the cities of Helsinki, Oslo and Rotterdam. The aerosol transformation processes were evaluated using an aerosol dynamics model MAFOR, combined with a simplified treatment of roadside and urban atmospheric dispersion. We have compared the model predictions of particle number size distributions with the measured data, and conducted sensitivity analyses regarding the influence of various model input variables. We also present a simplified parameterization for aerosol processes, which is based on the more complex aerosol process computations; this simple model can easily be implemented to both Gaussian and Eulerian urban dispersion models. Aerosol processes considered in this study were (i) the coagulation of particles, (ii) the condensation and evaporation of n-alkanes, and (iii) dry deposition. The chemical transformation of gas-phase compounds was not taken into account. It was not necessary to model the nucleation of gas-phase vapors, as the computations were started with roadside conditions. Dry deposition and coagulation of particles were identified to be the most important aerosol dynamic processes that control the evolution and removal of particles. The effect of condensation and evaporation of organic vapors emitted by vehicles on particle numbers and on particle size distributions was examined. Under inefficient dispersion conditions, condensational growth contributed significantly to the evolution of PN from roadside to the neighborhood scale. The simplified parameterization of aerosol processes can predict particle number concentrations between roadside and the urban background with an inaccuracy of ∼ 10 %, compared to the fully size-resolved MAFOR model.
Retrieving high-resolution surface solar radiation with cloud parameters derived by combining MODIS and MTSAT data
Authors: Tang W. , Qin J. , Yang K. , Liu S. , Lu N. , Niu X.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Cloud parameters (cloud mask, effective particle radius and liquid/ice water path) are the important inputs in determining surface solar radiation (SSR). These parameters can be derived from MODIS with high accuracy but their temporal resolution is too low to obtain high temporal resolution SSR retrievals. In order to obtain hourly cloud parameters, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is applied in this study to directly construct a functional relationship between MODIS cloud products and Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT) geostationary satellite signals. Meanwhile, an efficient parameterization model for SSR retrieval is introduced and, when driven with MODIS atmospheric and land products, its root mean square error (RMSE) is about 100 W m-2 for 44 Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) stations. Once the estimated cloud parameters and other information (such as aerosol, precipitable water, ozone and so on) are input to the model, we can derive SSR at high spatio-temporal resolution. The retrieved SSR is first evaluated against hourly radiation data at three experimental stations in the Haihe River Basin of China. The mean bias error (MBE) and RMSE in hourly SSR estimate are 12.0 W m-2 (or 3.5 %) and 98.5 W m-2 (or 28.9 %), respectively. The retrieved SSR is also evaluated against daily radiation data at 90 China Meteorological Administration (CMA) stations. The MBEs are 9.8 W m-2 (5.4 %); the RMSEs in daily and monthly-mean SSR estimates are 34.2 W m-2 (19.1 %) and 22.1 W m-2 (12.3 %), respectively. The accuracy is comparable or even higher than other two radiation products (GLASS and ISCCP-FD), and the present method is more computationally efficient and can produce hourly SSR data at a spatial resolution of 5 km.
Optical and microphysical characterization of aerosol layers over South Africa by means of multi-wavelength depolarization and Raman lidar measurements
Authors: Giannakaki E. , van Zyl P. G. , Müller D. , Balis D. , Komppula M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Optical and microphysical properties of different aerosol types over South Africa measured with a multi-wavelength polarization Raman lidar are presented. This study could assist in bridging existing gaps relating to aerosol properties over South Africa, since limited long-term data of this type is available for this region. The observations were performed under the framework of the EUCAARI campaign in Elandsfontein. The multi-wavelength PollyXT Raman lidar system was used to determine vertical profiles of the aerosol optical properties, i.e. extinction and backscatter coefficients, Ångström exponents, lidar ratio and depolarization ratio. The mean microphysical aerosol proper ties, i.e. effective radius and single scattering, albedo were retrieved with an advanced inversion algorithm. Clear differences were observed for the intensive optical properties of atmospheric layers of biomass burning and urban/industrial aerosols. Our results reveal a wide range of optical and microphysical parameters for biomass burning aerosols. This indicates probable mixing of biomass burning aerosols with desert dust particles, as well as the possible continuous influence of urban/industrial aerosol load in the region. The lidar ratio at 355 nm, the linear particle depolarization ratio at 355 nm and the extinction-related Ångström exponent from 355 to 532 nm were 52 ± 7 sr; 0.9 ± 0.4 % and 2.3 ± 0.5, respectively for urban/industrial aerosols, while these values were 92 ± 10 sr; 3.2 ± 1.3 %; 2.0 ± 0.4 respectively for biomass burning aerosols layers. Biomass burning particles are larger and slightly less absorbing compared to urban/industrial aerosols. The particle effective radius were found to be 0.10 ± 0.03, 0.17 ± 0.04 and 0.13 ± 0.03 μm for urban/industrial, biomass burning, and mixed biomass burning and desert dust aerosols, respectively, while the single scattering albedo at 532 nm were 0.87 ± 0.06, 0.90 ± 0.06, and 0.88 ± 0.07 (at 532 nm), respectively for these three types of aerosols. Our results were within the same range of previously reported values.
Characteristics of Monsoon inversions over Arabian Sea observed by satellite sounder and reanalysis data sets
Authors: Dwivedi Sanjeev , Narayanan M. S. , Venkat Ratnam M. , Narayana Rao D.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Monsoon inversions (MIs) over Arabian Sea (AS) are an important characteristic associated with the monsoon activity over Indian region during summer monsoon season. In the present study, we have used five years (2009–2013) data of temperature and water vapor profiles obtained from satellite sounder instrument, Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) onboard MetOp satellite, besides ERA-Interim data, to study their characteristics. The lower atmospheric data over the AS have been examined first to identify the areas where monsoon inversions are predominant and occur with higher strength. Based on this information, a detailed study has been made to investigate their characteristics separately in eastern AS (EAS) and western AS (WAS) to examine their contrasting features. The initiation and dissipation times of MI, their percentage occurrence, strength etc., has been examined using the huge data base. The relation with monsoon activity (rainfall) over Indian region during normal and poor monsoon years is also studied. WAS ΔT values are ~ 2 K less than those over the EAS, ΔT being temperature difference between 950 and 850 hPa. A much larger contrast between WAS and EAS in Δ\\textit{T} is noticed in ERA-Interim dataset Vis a Vis those observed by satellites. The possibility of detecting MI from another parameter, Refractivity $N$, obtained directly from another satellite constellation of GPS RO (COSMIC), has also been examined. MI detected from IASI and Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) sounder onboard NOAA satellite have been compared to see how far the two data sets can be combined to study the MI characteristics. We suggest MI could also be included as one of the semi-permanent features of southwest monsoon along with the presently accepted six parameters.
Improved stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles from SCIAMACHY: validation and sample results
Authors: von Savigny C. , Ernst F. , Rozanov A. , Hommel R. , Eichmann K.-U. , Rozanov V. , Burrows J. P. , Thomason L. W.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles have been retrieved from SCIAMACHY/Envisat measurements of limb-scattered solar radiation. The retrieval is an improved version of an algorithm presented earlier. The retrieved aerosol extinction profiles are compared to co-located aerosol profile measurements from the SAGE II solar occultation instrument at a wavelength of 525 nm. Comparisons were carried out with two versions of the SAGE II data set (version 6.2 and the new version 7.0). In a global average sense the SCIAMACHY and the SAGE II version 7.0 extinction profiles agree to within about 10 % for altitudes above 15 km. Larger relative differences (up to 40 %) are observed at specific latitudes and altitudes. We also find differences between the two SAGE II data versions of up to 40 % for specific latitudes and altitudes, consistent with earlier reports. Sample results on the latitudinal and temporal variability of stratospheric aerosol extinction and optical depth during the SCIAMACHY mission period are presented. The results confirm earlier reports that a series of volcanic eruptions is responsible for the increase in stratospheric aerosol optical depth from 2002 to 2012. Above about an altitude of 28 km, volcanic eruptions are found to have negligible impact in the period 2002–2012.
Nitrogen dioxide observations from the Geostationary Trace gas and Aerosol Sensor Optimization (GeoTASO) airborne instrument: retrieval algorithm and measurements during DISCOVER-AQ Texas 2013
Authors: Nowlan C. R. , Liu X. , Leitch J. W. , Chance K. , González Abad G. , Liu C. , Zoogman P. , Cole J. , Delker T. , Good W. , Murcray F. , Ruppert L. , Soo D. , Follette-Cook M. B. , Janz S. J. , Kowalewski M. G. , Loughner C. P. , Pickering K. E. , Herman J. R. , Beaver M. R. , Long R. W. , Szykman J. J. , Judd L. M. , Kelley P. , Luke W. T. , Ren X. , Al-Saadi J. A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The Geostationary Trace gas and Aerosol Sensor Optimization (GeoTASO) airborne instrument is a testbed for upcoming air quality satellite instruments that will measure backscattered ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared light from geostationary orbit. GeoTASO flew on the NASA Falcon aircraft in its first intensive field measurement campaign during the Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ) Earth Venture Mission over Houston, Texas in September 2013. Measurements of backscattered solar radiation between 420–465 nm collected on four days during the campaign are used to determine slant column amounts of NO2 at 250 m × 250 m spatial resolution with a fitting precision of 2.2 × 1015 molecules cm−2. These slant columns are converted to tropospheric NO2 vertical columns using a radiative transfer model and trace gas profiles from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. Total column NO2 from GeoTASO is well correlated with ground-based Pandora observations (r = 0.90 on the most polluted and cloud-free day of measurements), with GeoTASO NO2 slightly higher for the most polluted observations. Surface NO2 mixing ratios inferred from GeoTASO using the CMAQ model show good correlation with NO2 measured in situ at the surface during the campaign (r = 0.91 for the most polluted day). NO2 slant columns from GeoTASO also agree well with preliminary retrievals from the GEO-CAPE Airborne Simulator (GCAS) which flew on the NASA King Air B200 (r = 0.84, slope = 0.94). Enhanced NO2 is resolvable over areas of traffic NOx emissions and near individual petrochemical facilities.
Salinization alters fluxes of bioreactive elements from stream ecosystems across land use
Authors: Duan S. , Kaushal S. S.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. There has been increased salinization of fresh water over decades due to the use of road salt deicers, wastewater discharges, saltwater intrusion, human-accelerated weathering, and groundwater irrigation. Salinization can mobilize bioreactive elements (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur) chemically via ion exchange and/or biologically via influencing of microbial activity. However, the effects of salinization on coupled biogeochemical cycles are still not well understood. We investigated potential impacts of increased salinization on fluxes of bioreactive elements from stream ecosystems (sediments and riparian soils) to overlying stream water and evaluated the implications of percent urban land use on salinization effects. Two-day incubations of sediments and soils with stream and deionized water across three salt levels were conducted at eight routine monitoring stations across a land-use gradient at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Results indicated (1) salinization typically increased sediment releases of labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total dissolved Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) (ammonium + ammonia + dissolved organic nitrogen), and sediment transformations of nitrate; (2) salinization generally decreased DOC aromaticity and fluxes of soluble reactive phosphorus from both sediments and soils; (3) the effects of increased salinization on sediment releases of DOC and TKN and DOC quality increased with percentage watershed urbanization. Biogeochemical responses to salinization varied between sediments and riparian soils in releases of DOC and DIC, and nitrate transformations. The differential responses of riparian soils and sediments to increased salinization were likely due to differences in organic matter sources and composition. Our results suggest that short-term increases in salinization can cause releases of significant amounts of labile organic carbon and nitrogen from stream substrates and organic transformations of nitrogen and phosphorus in urban watersheds. Given that salinization of fresh water will increase in the future due to human activities, significant impacts on carbon and nutrient mobilization and water quality should be anticipated.
Determination of the carbon budget of a pasture: effect of system boundaries and flux uncertainties
Authors: Felber R. , Bretscher D. , Münger A. , Neftel A. , Ammann C.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Carbon (C) sequestration in the soil is considered as a potential important mechanism to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the agricultural sector. It can be quantified by the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) describing the change of soil C as the sum of all relevant import and export fluxes. NECB was investigated here in detail for an intensively grazed dairy pasture in Switzerland. Two budget approaches with different system boundaries were applied: NECBtot for system boundaries including the grazing cows and NECBpast for system boundaries excluding the cows. CO2 and CH4 exchange induced by soil/vegetation processes as well as direct emissions by the animals were derived from eddy covariance measurements. Other C fluxes were either measured (milk yield, concentrate feeding) or derived based on animal performance data (intake, excreta). For the investigated year, both approaches resulted in a small non-significant C loss: NECBtot - 13 ± 61 g C m−2 yr−1 and NECBpast - 17 ± 81 g C m−2 yr−1. The considerable uncertainties, depending on the approach, were mainly due to errors in the CO2 exchange or in the animal related fluxes. The associated GHG budget revealed CH4 emissions from the cows to be the major contributor, but with much lower uncertainty compared to NECB. Although only one year of data limit the representativeness of the carbon budget results, they demonstrated the important contribution of the non-CO2 fluxes depending on the chosen system boundaries and the effect of their propagated uncertainty in an exemplary way. The simultaneous application and comparison of both NECB approaches provides a useful consistency check for the carbon budget determination and can help to identify and eliminate systematic errors.