bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of TiO2 Films: Temperature Impact on the Morphology and Phase Structure
Authors: Stepanov Anton , Vladimirov Alexander , Popova Anna , Sotnikova Larisa , Sozinov Sergey , Titov Fiodor , Sachkov Victor I.
Published: February 2016

This manuscript presents the results of titanium dioxide thin films study which were produced from organotitanium precursor films by thermal treatment or UV radiation. The organotitanium precursor films were deposited on a glass or foil substrate by centrifugation. XRD and AFM measurements confirmed the formation of well-crystallized titanium dioxide films with anatase structure at temperature of 400°C. The study of the surface morphology of anatase films showed the formation of surface with crystallographic indices (101). The choice of amorphous and crystalline titanium dioxide thin films for XRD analysis was experimentally justified.
Рroperties of Bioactive Thin-Films Based on System SiO2-P2O5-CаO and SiO2-P2O5-СаO-Na2O Obtained by Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Borilo Lyudmila P. , Lyutova Ekaterina S. , Spivakova Larisa N.
Published: February 2016

Thin films were synthesized from alcohol film-forming solutions based on tethraethoxysilane, phosphoric acid, calcium chloride and sodium chloride using sol-gel method. Thin films were produced on the single-crystal silicon substrates (model substrate) by extraction at a velocity of 5 mm/s following by heat treatment at a temperature of 60°С for 20 minutes and at a temperature of 600°С for 1 hour. During the experiment it was established that film-forming solutions are usable only for 2 to 7 days from the moment of preparation. Using thermal and infra-red – spectroscopic analysis main stages of oxide system formation were retraced. According to data from x-ray phase analysis phases CaClH2PO4∙H2O, Ca (H2PO4)2∙H2O, CaHPO4∙2H2O, Ca2SiO4∙H2O, Ca5(PO4)3Cl и CaSiO3,NaCl, CaCl2, H2PO4·H2O, Ca5(PO4)3Cl, SiO2 are being registered in the sample. Biological activity of the received material was evaluated in SBF environment. Presence of the sodium oxide in the system leads to the increase in the bioactivity of the material. Such material intensively exchanges with solution in calcium ions and phosphate-ions; silanol groups fix calcium ions, furthering the formation of the layer of amorphous calcium phosphates gradually crystallizing in hydroxyapatite, and other calcium phosphates.
Novel Composite Material SiO2-Cd2SiO4@CdS: Synthesis, Properties, Application
Authors: Gotovtseva Ekaterina , Biryukov Alexander A. , Svetlichnyi Valery
Published: February 2016

SiO2-Cd2SiO4@CdS multicomponent composite materials were synthesized in several stages. The structure and morphology of powders obtained were studied. According to SEM data the size of individual particles was about 400 nm. Specific surface area for all the samples did not exceed 1 cm2/g. It was found, that in contradistinction to CdS, composites obtained had high photo-corrosion resistance both to visible and UV-light. On the example of photodegradation of the dye Nile blue in water, it was shown that SiO2-Cd2SiO4@CdS composites had high photocatalytic activity in visible range.
Study of Sorption on Natural Minerals under Environmental Conditions
Authors: Shchetinin Pyotr P. , Shurupova Margarita
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a comparative study of the adsorption activity of the grass meal of lady's mantle aerial part (Alchemilla vulgaris) and modern adsorption materials – activated carbon (carbolenum) and hydrolyzed lignin (polyphepane) towards model substances (markers of adsorption). The model substances were used to effectively simulate a group of toxic substances with different molar mass and degree of ionogenicity in the environment that simulates gastric and intestinal juices. It was shown that hydrolized lignin had the highest protein adsorption activity and activated carbon appeared the most active in sorbing toxicants with low molar mass. The grass meal of lady's mantle aerial parts (Alchemilla vulgaris) was able to moderately absorb both high-molar mass and low-molar mass substances at an average degree of dispersion of the raw material. It is supposed that it was mainly due to the high-porous structure of the material. This shows the versatility of the enterosorbent under development.
Analyzing Deformation and Fracture of Dielectrics by Integral Characteristics of their Electromagnetic Emission
Authors: Yavorovich Ludmila , Bespal’ko Anatoly , Fedotov Pavel , Popelyaev Aleksey
Published: February 2016

Revealing of fracture harbingers of dielectric materials, that are under mechanical stress, is an important practical and scientific problem. Local stresses, produced by mechanical impact, can exceed the local strength, and a stress-strain state changes. As the result of such impacts, microcracks appear and lead to fracture. During change of stress-strain state, mechanoelectric transformations occur, that generate electromagnetic emission. So we aimed to observe regularities in electromagnetic emission characteristics. Rock samples, collected from Tashtagol ore-mine of Kemerovo region of Russia, were used as dielectric materials for the research. For analysis of rock samples deformation and fracture, integral characteristics of time series of electromagnetic emission were used. Observed, that low-strength samples accumulate and relax elastic energy stepwise unlike to high-strength samples, that accumulate energy linearizely. Differences in dispersion characteristics of samples differing with strength are observed. The research showed usability of suggested algorithms.
Structural Changes of Titanium Dioxide Thin Films Deposited by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering through Nitrogen Incorporation
Authors: Pustovalova Alla , Ivanova Nina
Published: February 2016

This paper presents the results of the studies of the structure and chemical composition of nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide thin films obtained by reactive magnetron sputtering deposition. The XRD data show the changes of the structure and phase composition of titanium dioxide thin films due to the nitrogen doping. The change of the films structure increases with the growth of the nitrogen content. The reduction of crystallites size takes place at the increase of the nitrogen concentration. Chemical bonds present in the films were examined by FTIR spectroscopy.
Photodegradation of some Furocoumarins in Ethanol under UV Irradiation
Authors: Bryantseva Natalya G. , Tchaikovskaya Olga N. , Kraiukhina Vlada S. , Gómez Maria , Gómez Jose Luis
Published: February 2016

Photodegradation of 5-Methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), 4', 5'-dimethyl-3,4-cyclogeksilpsoralen (KC5) and 4'-methyl-3,4 cycloheptylpsoralen (KC4) has been carried out in an XeBr exilamps, both in the presence of H2O2, and a kinetic model, which explains the dependence of the pseudo-first order kinetic parameter on the substrate concentration and other operational variables, has been developed. In the development of the model, mass transfer of 5-MOP, KC5 and KC4from the bulk solution to the wall of the vessel was assumed as the step determining the rate of the photodegradation process, which successfully explains some singularities observed in the experimental results.By fitting the experimental data to the model, a detailed study of the influence of all operational variables on the pseudo-first order kinetic parameter has been done, in good agreement with the model hypotheses.
Study of Biological Properties of Thin-Film Materials on the Basis of the SIO2–P2O5–СaO System
Authors: Borilo Lyudmila P. , Lyutova Ekaterina S. , Spivakova Larisa N.
Published: February 2016

Thin films were obtained from film-forming solutions by the sol-gel method on the basis of the SiO2-P2O5-СаO system. Thin films were produced on the single-crystal silicon substrates (model substrate) by extraction at a velocity of 5 mm/s following by heat treatment at a temperature of 60°С for 20 minutes and at a temperature of 600°С for 1 hour. During the experiment it was established that film-forming solutions are usable only for 2 to 7 days from the moment of preparation. Using thermal and infra-red – spectroscopic analysis main stages of oxide system formation were retraced. According to data from x-ray phase analysis phases CaClH2PO4∙H2O, Ca(H2PO4)2∙H2O, CaHPO4∙2H2O, Ca2SiO4∙H2O, Ca5(PO4)3Cl. On the supporter’s surface a homogeneous film coating with quite equally spaced crystal-like formations with the diameter of 10-11 microns at the distance of 1-30 microns was formed. Phase composition, surface properties and biological activity of the synthesized materials were investigated. XRD results indicated that after being immersed into the SBF, hydroxylapatite, wollastonite, and chlorapatite were formed on the samples’ surfaces, which was important for practical applications
Optimization of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Inter Simple Sequence Repeat Technique for Four Species of Plants
Authors: Gudkova Polina , Bayahmetov Eugene
Published: February 2016

Polymerase chain reaction optimization for inter simple sequence repeat primers is a key factor to obtain accurate and reproducible results for gene mapping, studying the genetic structure of populations, plant passporting, phylogenetic analysis. Changing temperature conditions, the amount of amplification cycles and concentration of reaction mixture components is allowed to vary the number of bands obtained by this method. This article is result of preliminary research of method selection for molecular analysis. It is aimed to show how to adjust the profile of inter simple sequence repeat fragments by polymerase chain reaction for four model species Stipa lessingiana, Poa intricata, Equisetum fluviatile and Pteridium aquilinum. The working concentrations of magnesium chloride for primer ((СТС)3GC) and ((АС)8YG) were 2.5 mM for 0.63 units of Taq DNA polymerase and for primer ((СА)6GG) it was 4.5 mM for 1.25 units. Sharply defined banding was observed from the minimal amount of DNA 5 ng per reaction, with primer concentration from 10 to 80 pmol and dNTPs concentration 0.2 mM. Optimal hybridization temperatures were 51.9 °C for primers ((АС)8YG), ((СА)6GG) and 50.0 °C for ((СТС)3GC). The best imaging results were obtained when setting up electrophoresis in 1.9% agarose gel
The Peculiar Physicochemical and Agrochemical Properties of Vermiculture-Processed Poplar Leaf Litter
Authors: Kurovsky Alexander V. , Petrochenko Ksenia A. , Babenko Andrey S. , Yakimov Yuri E.
Published: February 2016

In the vermicompost obtained from horse manure the concentration of K+ and NO3- was, on average, 112.2 and 82.9 milliequivalents/kg of dry weight, respectively. It was significantly higher than in the vermicompost obtained from poplar leaf litter (73 and 5.6 milliequivalents/kg of dry weight, respectively). The pH-values and concentration of calcium ions in the vermicompost from poplar leaf litter were significantly higher than in the vermicompost from horse manure (7.6 vs 6.9 and 112.3 vs 83 milliequivalents/kg of dry weight, respectively). The sprouting of wheat seeds and isolated potato shoots of Nevsky breed using poplar leaf litter vermicompost extractions resulted in a significant increase in the weight of the roots compared to the seeds and shoots grown on tap water. We did not observe the effect in the case with horse manure vermicompost extracts
Effect of Thermophysical Properties of Solid Walls on Turbulent Modes of Complex Heat Transfer in an Enclosure
Authors: Miroshnichenko Igor V. , Sheremet Mikhail A.
Published: February 2016

Two-dimensional numerical studies were performed for investigation of the effect of thermophysical properties of solid walls on turbulent convective – radiative heat transfer in an air filled square cavity. The main attention was paid to the influence of thermal conductivity ratio1 ≤ κ1, 2 ≤ 1000 and an emissivity of internal surfaces of the solid walls 0 £ < 1 on velocity and temperature fields. Numerical results were obtained by means of the finite difference method. The effect of the governing parameters on the average Nusselt number has been defined. The obtained results provide better technical support for development and research of energy-efficient building materials
Methodology of Nanomodified Binder Examination: Experimental and Numerical Ab Initio Studies
Authors: Korolev Evgeniy Valerjevich , Inozemtcev Alexandr  Sergeevich , Evstigneev Alexandr
Published: February 2016

Feasibility of the sulfur-based construction materials is caused by properties, availability and low cost of sulfur. There exist numerous ways to improve the operational properties, including the ways that are based on nanotechnology, and ab initio (quantum chemistry) studies. Unfortunately, both application and verification of numerical simulation within the same research are quite complex. In the present case study we present typical scheme of survey involving both experimental and numerical studies. As a test subject we have selected orthorhombic sulfur crystals grown from the solution in toluene. It was clearly shown that good correspondence between experimental and numerical results can be achieved for offered methodology; Raman shifts for isolated S8 molecule mostly correspond to the shifts of sulfur crystal. Computed frequencies for all primary modes are close to the experimental data. Similar correspondences can serve as proofs of conformity between unknown molecular structures in nanomodified sulfur-based material and selected structural models
Development of Cross-Platform Cognitive Tools Invariant to Problem Areas and their Integration into Intelligent Systems
Authors: Yankovskaya Anna , Yamshanov Artyom
Published: February 2016

Nowadays application and development of cognitive graphic tools for the usage in intelligent system of data and knowledge analysis, decision-making and its justification for different problem areas including material research are urgency. Most significantly developed cognitive graphics tools based on n-simplex which are invariant to problem areas are presented. Specificity of program realization of cognitive graphics tools which is invariant to problem areas is described. Most significant results are given and discussed. Future investigations are connected with the usage of new approach to rendering, cross-platform realization, improving cognitive features and expanding n-simplex family
Influence of Nanoscale Barium Hydrosilicates on Composition of Cement Stone
Authors: Grishina Anna Nikolaevna , Korolev Evgeniy Valerjevich
Published: February 2016

The development of new types of composite materials is an important aim for construction. Nanoscale admixtures allow efficient control of the composition and properties. Results of experimental investigations concerning effect of admixture of nanoscale barium hydrosilicates to the chemical composition of hydrated portland cement are discussed in the present work. It is shown that several key processes are taking place during nanomodification. Amount of portlandite in cement stone decreases, and there is also quantity growth of different calcium hydrosilicates CSH (I), CSH (II), riversideite and xonotlite. Influence of composition and storing time of barium hydrosilicates to the ratio of different portland cement hydration products is examined. It is found that admixture of barium hydrosilicates with gross formula BaO•26.47SiO2•nH2O stored for 28 days leads to both reduction of portlandite and accretion of hydrated phase.
Opioid use and diabetes: An overview
Authors: Sharma Pawan , Balhara Yatan
Published: February 2016

Illicit opioids have emerged as a major public health problem over the past century. It continues to remain so in the current times. From the studies conducted among the animals, it has been clear that there are acute as well as chronic effects of opioids on the endocrine system. Diabetes has been recognized as a major public health concern and is expected to be a major problem in the coming decades. In this article, we shall discuss the effects of opioids in the glucose homeostasis in both the animal population and human population and its relation to diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes and fasting during Ramzan
Authors: Sahay Rakesh , Nagesh V.
Published: February 2016

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and consequently, even the Muslims with diabetes prefer to fast fast during Ramadan, irrespective of the healthcare implications. However, this fast can be very difficult to manage in patients of Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), who are on insulin therapy. Risks of diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycaemia, hyperglycemia, dehydration and thrombotic episodes are increased. Lack of proper pre-fast assessment, management and diabetes education have been stumbling blocks in facilitating Ramadan fasting in type 1 diabetes patients. Recent developments like the use of insulin pumps and analogs and recognition of the importance of structured diabetes education and assessment to select the patients best suited for the rigors of fasting, have wrought a sea change in the usually negative approach of doctors towards Ramadan fasting in patients with T1DM. Sophisticated therapeutic options like smart insulins, can provide safer and more convenient options for management of Type 1 diabetes during Ramadan, a few years down the line. More studies are also needed to explore other options like GLP-1 agonists, alpha glycosides inhibitors and DDP-4 agonists, as adjuncts to insulin therapy.
Self-care practices among diabetes patients registered in a chronic disease clinic in Puducherry, South India
Authors: Selvaraj Kalaiselvi , Ramaswamy Gomathi , Radhakrishnan Shrivarthan , Thekkur Pruthu , Chinnakali Palanivel , Roy Gautam
Published: February 2016

Background: In management of diabetes, self-care plays an important role in prevention of complications. This study aims to find the proportion of diabetic patients following the recommended self-care practices in an urban area of Puducherry. Materials and Methods: Consecutive eligible patients registered in chronic disease clinic were interviewed using Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities Score (SDSCA) questionnaire. Self-care practices were evaluated in domains of diet, physical activity, foot-care, adherence to medications and blood glucose monitoring. All domains were scored from the range of 0 to 7. Results: Totally 162 diabetic patients were interviewed. The mean (SD) age of participants was 57 (11.1) yrs. Among all domains, adherence to medication was the highest (95.6 %) followed by avoidance of selected food items (99.4%). Almost 78% of patients had their blood sugar checked at least once in the last three months. Only half of them (50.6%) had followed at least 20 minutes of leisure time physical activity. Except washing of foot (83.3%) all other foot care practices were less commonly (35-57%) followed. Conclusion: The study shows that higher level of compliance to self-care practices in terms of taking drugs and diet but self-care in other domains such as foot care is alarmingly low.
Transcriptome Analysis in Domesticated Species: Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Hekman Jessica P. , Johnson Jennifer L , Kukekova Anna V.
Published: February 2016

Domesticated species occupy a special place in the human world due to their economic and cultural value. In the era of genomic research, domesticated species provide unique advantages for investigation of diseases and complex phenotypes. RNA sequencing, or RNA-seq, has recently emerged as a new approach for studying transcriptional activity of the whole genome, changing the focus from individual genes to gene networks. RNA-seq analysis in domesticated species may complement genome-wide association studies of complex traits with economic importance or direct relevance to biomedical research. However, RNA-seq studies are more challenging in domesticated species than in model organisms. These challenges are at least in part associated with the lack of quality genome assemblies for some domesticated species and the absence of genome assemblies for others. In this review, we discuss strategies for analyzing RNA-seq data, focusing particularly on questions and examples relevant to domesticated species.
Extremely High Prevalence of Metronidazole-Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains in Mountain People (Karen and Hmong) in Thailand
Authors: Vilaichone Ratha-korn , Ratanachu-ek Thawee , Gamnarai Pornpen , Chaithongrat Supakarn , Uchida Tomahisa , Yamaoka Yoshio , Mahachai Varocha
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to survey the prevalence, patterns of antibiotic resistance, and clinical factors associated with antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori among the Karen and Hmong mountain people of Thailand. We recruited dyspeptic patients in the Maesod district, Tak Province, Thailand. All subjects underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and three antral gastric biopsies were obtained for rapid urease tests and culture. An epsilometer was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin (AMX), clarithromycin (CLR), metronidazole (MNZ), levofloxacin (LVX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and tetracycline (TET). A total of 291 subjects were enrolled; 149 (51.2%) were infected with H. pylori. Helicobacter pylori infection was present in 47.1% of Thai, 51.7% of Karen, and 58.7% of Hmong subjects. Antibiotic resistance was present in 75.8% including AMX (0.8%), TET (0%), CLR (5.6%), MNZ (71.8%), CIP (19.4%), LVX (19.4%), and multidrug resistance in 21.8%. Karen subjects had the highest prevalence of MNZ resistance (84.6%), and Hmong subjects had the highest prevalence of fluoroquinolone (27.3%) and multidrug (34.1%) resistance. MNZ plus fluoroquinolone (14.5%) was the most common multidrug resistance. There was no association between clinical factors and antibiotic resistance. MNZ resistance was prevalent, whereas fluoroquinolone- and multidrug-resistant H. pylori infections are important problems in mountain people of Thailand.
Laboratory-Based Surveillance and Molecular Characterization of Dengue Viruses in Taiwan, 2014
Authors: Chang Shu-Fen , Yang Cheng-Fen , Hsu Tung-Chieh , Su Chien-Ling , Lin Chien-Chou , Shu Pei-Yun
Published: February 2016

We present the results of a laboratory-based surveillance of dengue in Taiwan in 2014. A total of 240 imported dengue cases were identified. The patients had arrived from 16 countries, and Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China were the most frequent importing countries. Phylogenetic analyses showed that genotype I of dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) and the cosmopolitan genotype of DENV-2 were the predominant DENV strains circulating in southeast Asia. The 2014 dengue epidemic was the largest ever to occur in Taiwan since World War II, and there were 15,492 laboratory-confirmed indigenous dengue cases. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the explosive dengue epidemic in southern Taiwan was caused by a DENV-1 strain of genotype I imported from Indonesia. There were several possible causes of this outbreak, including delayed notification of the outbreak, limited staff and resources for control measures, abnormal weather conditions, and a serious gas pipeline explosion in the dengue hot spot areas in Kaohsiung City. However, the results of this surveillance indicated that both active and passive surveillance systems should be strengthened so appropriate public health measures can be taken promptly to prevent large-scale dengue outbreaks.
Detection of Onchocerca volvulus in Skin Snips by Microscopy and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction: Implications for Monitoring and Evaluation Activities
Authors: Thiele Elizabeth A. , Cama Vitaliano A. , Lakwo Thomson , Mekasha Sindeaw , Abanyie Francisca , Sleshi Markos , Kebede Amha , Cantey Paul T.
Published: February 2016

Microscopic evaluation of skin biopsies is the monitoring and evaluation (M and E) method currently used by multiple onchocerciasis elimination programs in Africa. However, as repeated mass drug administration suppresses microfilarial loads, the sensitivity and programmatic utility of skin snip microscopy is expected to decrease. Using a pan-filarial real-time polymerase chain reaction with melt curve analysis (qPCR-MCA), we evaluated 1) the use of a single-step molecular assay for detecting and identifying Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in residual skin snips and 2) the sensitivity of skin snip microscopy relative to qPCR-MCA. Skin snips were collected and examined with routine microscopy in hyperendemic regions of Uganda and Ethiopia (N = 500 each) and “residual” skin snips (tissue remaining after induced microfilarial emergence) were tested with qPCR-MCA. qPCR-MCA detected Onchocerca DNA in 223 residual snips: 139 of 147 microscopy(+) and 84 among microscopy(−) snips, suggesting overall sensitivity of microscopy was 62.3% (139/223) relative to qPCR-MCA (75.6% in Uganda and 28.6% in Ethiopia). These findings demonstrate the insufficient sensitivity of skin snip microscopy for reliable programmatic monitoring. Molecular tools such as qPCR-MCA can augment sensitivity and provide diagnostic confirmation of skin biopsies and will be useful for evaluation or validation of new onchocerciasis M and E tools.
Aerosol optical properties derived from the DRAGON-NE Asia campaign, and implications for a single-channel algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical depth in spring from Meteorological Imager (MI) on-board the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS)
Authors: Kim M. , Kim J. , Jeong U. , Kim W. , Hong H. , Holben B. , Eck T. F. , Lim J. H. , Song C. K. , Lee S. , Chung C.-Y.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. An aerosol model optimized for northeast Asia is updated with the inversion data from the Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Networks (DRAGON)-northeast (NE) Asia campaign which was conducted during spring from March to May 2012. This updated aerosol model was then applied to a single visible channel algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) from a Meteorological Imager (MI) on-board the geostationary meteorological satellite, Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS). This model plays an important role in retrieving accurate AOD from a single visible channel measurement. For the single-channel retrieval, sensitivity tests showed that perturbations by 4 % (0.926 ± 0.04) in the assumed single scattering albedo (SSA) can result in the retrieval error in AOD by over 20 %. Since the measured reflectance at the top of the atmosphere depends on both AOD and SSA, the overestimation of assumed SSA in the aerosol model leads to an underestimation of AOD. Based on the AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) inversion data sets obtained over East Asia before 2011, seasonally analyzed aerosol optical properties (AOPs) were categorized by SSAs at 675 nm of 0.92 ± 0.035 for spring (March, April, and May). After the DRAGON-NE Asia campaign in 2012, the SSA during spring showed a slight increase to 0.93 ± 0.035. In terms of the volume size distribution, the mode radius of coarse particles was increased from 2.08 ± 0.40 to 2.14 ± 0.40. While the original aerosol model consists of volume size distribution and refractive indices obtained before 2011, the new model is constructed by using a total data set after the DRAGON-NE Asia campaign. The large volume of data in high spatial resolution from this intensive campaign can be used to improve the representative aerosol model for East Asia. Accordingly, the new AOD data sets retrieved from a single-channel algorithm, which uses a precalculated look-up table (LUT) with the new aerosol model, show an improved correlation with the measured AOD during the DRAGON-NE Asia campaign. The correlation between the new AOD and AERONET value shows a regression slope of 1.00, while the comparison of the original AOD data retrieved using the original aerosol model shows a slope of 1.08. The change of y-offset is not significant, and the correlation coefficients for the comparisons of the original and new AOD are 0.87 and 0.85, respectively. The tendency of the original aerosol model to overestimate the retrieved AOD is significantly improved by using the SSA values in addition to size distribution and refractive index obtained using the new model.
Impact of an improved WRF urban canopy model on diurnal air temperature simulation over northern Taiwan
Authors: Lin Chuan-Yao , Su Chiung-Jui , Kusaka Hiroyuki , Akimoto Yuko , Sheng Yang-Fan , Huang Jr-Chuan , Hsu Huang-Hsiung
Published: February 2016

Abstract. This study evaluates the impact of urbanization over northern Taiwan using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model coupled with the Noah land-surface model and a modified urban canopy model (WRF–UCM2D). In the original UCM coupled to WRF (WRF–UCM), when the land use in the model grid is identified as "urban", the urban fraction value is fixed. Similarly, the UCM assumes the distribution of anthropogenic heat (AH) to be constant. This may not only lead to over- or underestimation of urban fraction and AH in urban and non-urban areas, but spatial variation also affects the model-estimated temperature. To overcome the abovementioned limitations and to improve the performance of the original UCM model, WRF–UCM is modified to consider the 2-D urban fraction and AH (WRF–UCM2D).The two models were found to have comparable temperature simulation performance for urban areas, but large differences in simulated results were observed for non-urban areas, especially at nighttime. WRF–UCM2D yielded a higher correlation coefficient (R2) than WRF–UCM (0.72 vs. 0.48, respectively), while bias and RMSE achieved by WRF–UCM2D were both significantly smaller than those attained by WRF–UCM (0.27 and 1.27 vs. 1.12 and 1.89, respectively). In other words, the improved model not only enhanced correlation but also reduced bias and RMSE for the nighttime data of non-urban areas. WRF–UCM2D performed much better than WRF–UCM at non-urban stations with a low urban fraction during nighttime. The improved simulation performance of WRF–UCM2D in non-urban areas is attributed to the energy exchange which enables efficient turbulence mixing at a low urban fraction. The result of this study has a crucial implication for assessing the impacts of urbanization on air quality and regional climate.
Imbalanced phosphorus and nitrogen deposition in China’s forests
Authors: Du Enzai , de Vries Wim , Han Wenxuan , Liu Xuejun , Yan Zhengbing , Jiang Yuan
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Acceleration of anthropogenic emissions in China has substantially increased nitrogen (N) deposition during last three decades and may result in an imbalance of atmospheric N and phosphorus (P) inputs in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the status of P deposition in China is poorly understood. This study synthesized data on total P and total N concentrations in bulk precipitation and throughfall from published literature to assess the characteristics of P deposition, N deposition and N : P deposition ratio in China’s forests. Our results show relatively high mean rates of atmospheric P inputs by bulk precipitation (0.38 kg P ha-1 yr-1) and throughfall (0.84 kg P ha-1 yr-1), but they were accompanied by even much higher N inputs by bulk precipitation (16.5 kg N ha-1 yr-1) and throughfall (26.2 kg N ha-1 yr-1), resulting in high N : P ratios in bulk precipitation (44.4) and throughfall (32.8), respectively. Total P and N concentrations both were significantly enriched in throughfall versus bulk precipitation, leading to an estimate of canopy captured dry deposition of 0.46 kg P ha-1 yr-1 and at least 9.7 kg N ha-1 yr-1, respectively. We found significantly higher P deposition and lower N : P ratios nearby than far from semiarid regions. Moreover, fluxes of total P and total N in bulk precipitation and throughfall both showed a significant power-law increase with closer distance to the nearest large cities. Our results suggest an anthropogenic alternation of regional P and N cycling, which might shift large areas of China’s forests towards human-induced P limitation especially in southern China.
ESCIMO.spread (v2): parameterization of a spreadsheet-based energy balance snow model for inside-canopy conditions
Authors: Marke T. , Mair E. , Förster K. , Hanzer F. , Garvelmann J. , Pohl S. , Warscher M. , Strasser U.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. This article describes the extension of the ESCIMO.spread spreadsheet-based point energy balance snow model by (i) an advanced approach for precipitation phase detection, (ii) a method for cold content and liquid water storage consideration and (iii) a canopy sub-model that allows the quantification of canopy effects on the meteorological conditions inside the forest as well as the simulation of snow accumulation and ablation inside a forest stand. To provide the data for model application and evaluation, innovative low-cost snow monitoring systems (SnoMoS) have been utilized that allow the collection of important meteorological and snow information inside and outside the canopy. The model performance with respect to both, the modification of meteorological conditions as well as the subsequent calculation of the snow cover evolution, are evaluated using inside- and outside-canopy observations of meteorological variables and snow cover evolution as provided by a pair of SnoMoS for a site in the Black Forest mountain range (southwestern Germany). The validation results for the simulated snow water equivalent with Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency values of 0.81 and 0.71 and root mean square errors of 8.26 and 18.07 mm indicate a good overall model performance inside and outside the forest canopy, respectively. The newly developed version of the model referred to as ESCIMO.spread (v2) is provided free of charge together with 1 year of sample data including the meteorological data and snow observations used in this study.
The role of sexual versus asexual recruitment of Artemisia wudanica in transition zone habitats between inter-dune lowlands and active dunes in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Wang Yongcui , Alberto Busso Carlos , Jiang Deming , Ala Musa , Li Xuehua , Zhou Quanlai , Lin Jixiang , Ren Guohua , Jia Lian
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Artemisia wudanica is an endemic, perennial, pioneering psammophyte species in the sand dune ecosystems of western Horqin Sand Land in northern China. However, no studies have addressed how sexual and asexual reproduction modes of A. wudanica perform at the transitional zones between active dune inter-dune lowlands and active dunes. In early spring, quadrats were randomly set up in the study area to monitor surviving seedling and/or ramet density and frequency coming from sexual/asexual reproduction of A. wudanica. Iron sticks were also inserted near each quadrat to determine wind erosion (WE) intensity. Additionally, soil samples were collected nearby each quadrat to test for soil moisture (SM) and organic matter (OM) contents, and pH, respectively. Surviving seedlings of A. wudanica showed an inverse response in comparison with ramets to SM, OM and WE. Soil moisture showed the most positive effect, and WE the negative effect, on surviving, sexual reproduction seedlings. Contrarily, WE had the most positive effect, and SM the negative effect, on asexual reproduction ramets. This suggests that increases in SM and decreases in WE should benefit recruitment of A. wudanica seedlings. On the contrary, ramets coming from asexual reproduction showed a different response to environmental factors in transition zone habitats. While SM was not a key constraint for the survival of seedlings, they showed a better, positive response to wind erosion environments. Overall, various study environmental parameters could be improved to foster A. wudanica invasion and settlement in the plant community through different reproductive modes, thereby promoting vegetation restoration and rehabilitation.
The Surplus of the Machine: Trope and History in The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
Authors: Bost Matthew W. , May Matthew S.
Published: February 2016

This article stages a new encounter between rhetorical studies and the thought of Karl Marx. We examine one of Marx's central writings on French history, The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, arguing that Marx's text enacts a philosophy of rhetorical trope that facilitates new and productive connections between philosophy, rhetoric, and theories of social change. Focusing on Marx's use of metonymy and chiasmus to structure his narrative, we argue that these figures function as rhetorical machines—textual devices that render legible the causal logics which led to Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew Louis being crowned emperor of France following an 1851 coup d'état. In addition, our diagram of Marx's tropological machines highlight points of unspent potential for resistance within and against such causal logics. We thus establish Marx as a resource for materialist theories of rhetorical trope, demonstrating the value of his concepts for accessing the political surplus of the present.
O que precisa saber um professor de história?
Authors: Caimi Flávia Eloísa
Published: February 2016

O presente artigo resulta de um estudo bibliográfico em que se dialoga com autores do campo da História, do Ensino da História e da Educação, com o propósito de problematizar algumas das principais demandas que se apresentam ao trabalho do professor de História, diante da diversidade e complexidade das práticas sociais e culturais que adentram a escola na contemporaneidade. Parte-se do pressuposto de que a História como disciplina escolar contempla potencialidades educativas fundamentais para a formação das novas gerações. Nessa perspectiva, defende-se a centralidade do professor como um agente mediador decisivo na concretização das finalidades educativas desta disciplina e questiona-se acerca de quais conhecimentos e capacidades um professor de História precisa manejar para dar conta das exigências que emergem dos atuais contextos social e escolar. No raciocínio empreendido, elenca-se três principais conjuntos de saberes a serem mobilizados na docência em História: 1) os saberes a ensinar, circunscritos na própria história, na historiografia, na epistemologia da história, dentre outros; 2) os saberes para ensinar, que dizem respeito, por exemplo, à docência, ao currículo, à didática, à cultura escolar; 3) os saberes do aprender, que se referem ao aluno, aos mecanismos da cognição, à formação do pensamento histórico etc.
Professores de história iniciantes: entre saberes e práticas
Authors: Cerezer Osvaldo Mariotto , Guimarães Selva
Published: February 2016

O estudo apresenta alguns aspectos importantes relacionados à fase inicial da carreira profissional e suas implicações com a formação da identidade profissional docente, tomando como referência a análise de narrativas orais de professores de História iniciantes. O principal instrumento utilizado para o registro das vozes dos colaboradores foi a entrevista oral, inspirada nos procedimentos metodológicos delineados pela história oral temática. A opção pela história oral temática, nas investigações no campo da educação, se justifica por entendermos que proporciona uma mediação significativa entre dois campos do conhecimento, história e educação. A analise dos dados foi orientada pela análise qualitativa. Os aspectos salientados pelas vozes dos professores iniciantes investigados demonstram que ainda é necessário um investimento maior no que se refere a formação de professores de História para o exercício da docência na Educação Básica.
A formação do professor de história e os desafios contemporâneos
Authors: Monteiro Francisco Gleison da Costa , Rocha Valdécio Sá
Published: February 2016

Neste artigo procuramos discutir os desafios da formação docente na sociedade contemporânea. O mote das discussões são as atividades de monitoria realizadas na disciplina de Metodologia do Ensino de História, na Universidade Federal do Piauí, Campus Senador Helvídio Nunes de Barros. O texto procura expor as estratégias que mobilizamos para a construção da identidade docente e em tempo apontar a monitoria como espaço dinâmico para ampliarmos a formação e articular a teoria à prática. Esta relação entre teoria e prática é fundamental para ratificarmos a identidade docente e reavaliarmos os espaços da prática e a produção do conhecimento historiográfico.
Viver e pensar a docência em história diante das demandas sociais e identitárias do século XXI
Authors: Pereira Nilton Mullet , Meinerz Carla Beatriz , Pacievitch Caroline
Published: February 2016

Este artigo discute os desafios enfrentados pelo professor de História, diante de algumas das demandas sociais e identitárias do século XXI, em especial em relação ao diálogo intercultural, ao patrimônio cultural e aos passados imaginados nas mídias. O objetivo principal é refletir sobre o papel da formação acadêmica do professor de História diante destas problemáticas. Dialoga-se com perspectivas teóricas sobre formação de professores, memória e História, a partir de Antonio Nóvoa, Andreas Huyssen, Hayden White, entre outros, articuladas com experiências, observações e pesquisas desenvolvidas pelos autores. Argumenta-se que o ensino de História hoje consiste numa prática muito diversa em relação a tempos anteriores, uma vez que as demandas que a sociedade tem colocado aos currículos e ao papel dos professores se multiplicam e estão ligados a movimentos sociais, étnicos e culturais muito singulares, que questionam as relações entre historiografia, memória, identidades e sentidos na aula de História. Estes questionamentos demonstram a complexidade do trabalho docente dentro e fora da sala de aula, que extrapola a ideia de adaptação metodológica do conhecimento histórico acadêmico e se concretiza nas propostas de problematização e de diálogo entre muitas histórias e muitos passados.
Aula de história: evento, ideia e escrita
Authors: Rocha Helenice Aparecida Bastos
Published: February 2016

O artigo busca contribuir para o tratamento da aula e de seu planejamento como conteúdos na formação de professores de História. Para isso, dialoga com bibliografia historiográfica e pedagógica sobre o tema, considerando a especificidade dos conteúdos e objetivos da aula de História no ensino básico.  Levando em conta a pluralidade constitutiva de alternativas didáticas para o ensino de história na escola, o texto se divide em quatro partes: a aula como unidade singular e rotineira, especificidades curriculares da história escolar e da organização do ensino na escola, o planejamento do ensino em diferentes escalas e o planejamento de sequencias didáticas como uma primeira escrita da história escolar que se realiza na aula.
Effect of radical prostatectomy surgeon volume on complication rates from a large population-based cohort
Authors: Almatar Ashraf , Wallis Christopher J.D. , Herschorn Sender , Saskin Refik , Kulkarni Girish S. , Kodama Ronald T. , Nam Robert K.
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Surgical volume can affect several outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP). We examined if surgical volume was associated with novel categories of treatment-related complications following RP.

Methods: We examined a population-based cohort of men treated with RP in Ontario, Canada between 2002 and 2009. We used Cox proportional hazard modeling to examine the effect of physician, hospital and patient demographic factors on rates of treatmentrelated hospital admissions, urologic procedures, and open surgeries.

Results: Over the study interval, 15 870 men were treated with RP. A total of 196 surgeons performed a median of 15 cases per year (range: 1–131). Patients treated by surgeons in the highest quartile of annual case volume (>39/year) had a lower risk of hospital admission (hazard ratio [HR]=0.54, 95% CI 0.47–0.61) and urologic procedures (HR=0.69, 95% CI 0.64–0.75), but not open surgeries (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.47‒1.45) than patients treated by surgeons in the lowest quartile (<15/year). Treatment at an academic hospital was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization (HR=0.75, 95% CI 0.67–0.83), but not of urologic procedures (HR=0.94, 95% CI 0.88–1.01) or open surgeries (HR=0.87, 95% CI 0.54–1.39). There was no significant trend in any of the outcomes by population density.

Conclusions: The annual case volume of the treating surgeon significantly affects a patient’s risk of requiring hospitalization or urologic procedures (excluding open surgeries) to manage treatment-related complications.
Impact Evaluation of Residential Irrigation Audits on Water Conservation in Colorado
Authors: Shimabuku Morgan , Stellar Dan , Mayer Peter
Published: February 2016

Residential sprinkler audit programs are commonly used as a tool for municipalities to achieve their water conservation goals, but little evaluative work has been done to measure the water savings from these efforts. Results include a statistical analysis of the impact of 2,000 residential sprinkler audits in Colorado and guidance for future conservation program design. Analysis of water billing records from at least two years pre‐ and two years post‐irrigation audit from five seasons (2007–2012) were used to answer key questions about irrigation audit impact on water use as well as to understand factors that contribute to water savings from irrigation programs. While the average water savings one year post‐audit were 5,000 gal/participant and median savings were 2,000 gal/participant, high variability among savings beyond one year suggests that audits may not produce as robust long‐term benefits.
Estimation of Groundwater Levels With Surface Observations via Genetic Programming
Authors: Cobaner Murat , Babayigit Bilal , Dogan Ahmet
Published: February 2016

Surface water levels alone are indicators of both surface and groundwater storage in which the surface water and groundwater are highly interactive; such situations exist in most parts of Florida. Forecasting groundwater‐level fluctuations by means of easily measured surface water levels using a groundwater–surface water model is an important requirement for planning conjunctive use in any basin. This article investigates the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) approaches in forecasting groundwater‐level fluctuations in an aquifer using the measured water levels of two lakes in North Central Florida along with monthly averaged precipitation and evaporation. Relationships among lake levels, groundwater levels, rainfall, and evaporation were determined using different AI approaches—namely a multi‐layer perceptron, radial basis neural network, multi‐gene genetic programming, and multi‐linear and multi‐nonlinear regression models. A comparison of the results revealed that the proposed multi‐gene genetic programming model produced more accurate predictions than those of the other approaches.
Performance and Economic Evaluation of a Semibatch Vertical‐Flow Wetland for Onsite Residential Bathroom Graywater Treatment
Authors: Yu Zita L.T. , Rahardianto Anditya , Stenstrom Michael K. , Cohen Yoram
Published: February 2016

The performance and economic feasibility of residential bathroom graywater treatment using a semibatch vertical‐flow wetland was evaluated over an eight‐month field study in a single‐family home in Los Angeles, Calif. Graywater treatment time of only 3 h produced an effluent with turbidity (~0.3 ntu) and 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand (~3.1 mg/L) that met graywater reuse guidelines for nonpotable applications. After chlorine disinfection, total coliform count was below the mandated level of 2.2 most probable number per 100 mL for aboveground water reuse. Process modeling demonstrated that the treatment process followed first‐order kinetics with optimal operation at a hydraulic retention time of 0.3 h. Treatment capacity of 2 m3/day was feasible with the present system, which had a modest footprint area of 0.68 m2. Economic analysis demonstrated a breakeven period of between two to six years depending on the daily treatment volume. Higher water costs favor graywater treatment, especially when power costs are modest or low.