bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Design of Drip Emitters by Evaluating Hydraulic and Manufacturing Performance of Online Drip Emitters
Authors: A. N. Kunapara , R. Subbaiah , G. R. Patel
Published: July 2024

The efficiency of drip irrigation is closely influenced by the accuracy of its design, particularly the hydraulic and manufacturing performance of the emitters. This study investigates the hydraulic performance and flow variation of 8 litres per hour (lph) drip emitters. Discharge rates for 100 emitters were measured at a pressure of 1 kg/cm² to determine the manufacturer's coefficient of variation and the flow variation due to hydraulic factors. The relationship between pressure and discharge was modelled using power function regression, demonstrating a strong correlation between predicted and observed emitter discharge rates, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.56 lph. A design chart was derived from this model, illustrating the relationship between input pressure at the head end and output pressure at the tail end of the system. The manufacturing coefficient of variation for the 100 emitters was found to be 0.0521, classifying the emitters as "good" according to manufacturing standards. The study provides important understandings for designers aiming to create efficient drip irrigation systems and effective water management strategies. By addressing both hydraulic and manufacturing variations, the study confirms that it is possible to achieve more uniform water distribution, enhance crop yield, and optimize resource utilization.
Assessing the Attitude of Farmers towards Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
Authors: Priyanka R.
Published: July 2024

Digital technology innovations, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), have the potential to significantly benefit agriculture. Agriculture is increasingly being held accountable for ensuring food security and safety while also taking into account environmental concerns. AI in the agricultural sector has the potential to feed a continuously growing global population while also contributing to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was the right time to analyse and explore the artificial intelligence in agriculture. The present study was conducted in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The findings indicated that farmers had moderately favourable level of attitude towards AI in agriculture. Farmers had positive attitude towards AI in agriculture because AI-enabled systems make weather predictions, monitor agricultural sustainability, and assess farms for the presence of diseases or pests and undernourished plants using data like temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and sun radiation in conjunction with photographs taken by satellites and drones.
Investigating the Impact of Senna alata Extract on Hematology and Histopathology of Juvenile of Clarias gariepinus
Authors: M. A. Essien-Ibok, , U. U. George, , O. O. Ajayi, , P. Okokon,
Published: July 2024

This paper sheds light on the mechanism of action, potential effects and implication of Senna alata on fish health and ecosystem. Senna alata is renowned for its medicinal properties and ornamental value but is also recognized for its potential toxicity, particularly to aquatic organisms Understanding the toxicity of Senna alata to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings is essential for sustainable aquaculture practices and environmental conservation efforts. 250 juveniles of C. gariepinus were procured from E. I farm Limited in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Water quality tests were carried out to ensure that optimum water conditions were maintained and that the results obtained were solely due to the effects of the treatments (toxicants) on the fish samples. Chronic toxicity bioassay was done to determine the toxicity of the extract on the blood parameters and tissues of sensitive organs of the exposed fish. The bioassay was designed to be intermediate termed chronic test with 14 days exposure using sub-lethal concentrations of the treatment (0.0gm/, 0.18mg/L, 0.27mg/L. 0.4mg/L, 0.60mg/L, 0.90mg/L). Toxicology dose response (fish mortality) was subjected to detailed analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Senna alata exerted a toxic effect on the fish in the present study and toxicity increased with increased concentration. These findings underscore the potential adverse effects of prolonged exposure to Senna alata on the physiological and cellular integrity of the fish. Intriguingly, the absence of pathological changes in the control groups suggests a distinct response attributable to the treatment. This highlights the importance of continued monitoring and assessment of the impacts of Senna alata on aquatic organisms and ecosystem, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential long-term consequences.
Effects of Pinching on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Varieties in Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Dahal Binod , Banjade Dhurba , Shrestha Aman , Khanal Dipak , Regmi Pratima
Published: July 2024

An investigation was accomplished at the production farm of Nepal Agrovine Private Limited, Bharatpur-5, Chitwan, from February 2021 to May 2021. Two factorial randomized complete block designs with twelve treatment combinations and three replications were used to set up the experiment. Factor A comprised three watermelon hybrids (Augusta, Sugar Queen, and Super Queen), and factor B comprised four pinching levels treatment (no pinching, fourth node pinching, sixth node pinching, and tenth node pinching). Pinching combinations were placed in each replication. Augusta had the longest main vine and the most nodes, while Sugar Queen had the longest leaves. The number of branches, the number of leaves per vine, and the internodal distance were not significantly affected by variety. Super Queen had the most female flowers, but Sugar Queen had the highest yield characteristics, such as average fruit weight, yield, and the number of fruits collected per vine. Fruit quality parameters like rind thickness were highest in Augusta, while fruit length, pulp percentage, and total soluble solids were reported to be highest in Sugar Queen. The sixth node pinching level recorded the maximum length of the main vine, number of branches per vine, number of nodes on the main vine, and leaf length, while the fourth node pinching level reported the maximum number of leaves per vine. Days to first, 50% and 100% flowering were lowest in no pinching. In sixth-node pinching, the maximum amount of female flowers, lowest sex ratio, and minimum number of male flowers were recorded. In a similar vein, the yield, average fruit weight, and number of fruits gathered per vine were reported to be the highest in sixth-node pinching. Significantly greater leaf width was reported in Sugar Queen x sixth node pinching, maximum main vine's node count was reported in Augusta x fourth node pinching, greater internodal distance in Augusta x no pinching, Sugar Queen x no pinching, and Super Queen x no pinching. Similarly, the amount and quantity of fruits obtained from each vine were reported to be maximum in Sugar Queen x 10th node pinching. In contrast, the average fruit weight was reported to be maximum in Augusta x sixth node pinching. Thus, it can concluded that the Sugar Queen variety of watermelon can be grown in Chitwan conditions during the late winter to spring season by pinching it at the 10th node for better yield. By implementing the pinching technique at the 10th node, farmers can potentially achieve higher yields, improving overall productivity and profitability.
High Density Soil Survey of CRC -1 by the Use of Laboratory Methods
Authors: Arunkumar Laiphrakpam , Gautam Sandip Kr , Kumar Vipin , Rajpoot Pradeep , Lamjingba Aheibam , Samprass Laishram
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was carried out during the year 2024 in the Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture, ITM, Gwalior. Surface (0-15 cm) and sub surface (15-30 cm) soil sample were collected by systematic survey with location data using global position system from CRC-1 farm, ITM, Gwalior District, Madhya Pradesh. A total numb of collected soil sample was 120 sample. pH was varied between 7.21 to 8.69 at 0–15 cm depth and 7.18 to 8.57 at 15–30 cm depth. The pH is slightly alkaline. The Electrical conductivity (EC) ranging from 0.23 to 0.52 dsm-1 at 0 -15 cm depth and 0.31 to 0.59 dsm-1 at 15 -30 cm depth emphasizing that the fact that the soil is safe limit of EC. Organic carbon was varied between 0.31 to 0.39% in 15–30 cm depth and 0.35 to 0.42% in 0–15 cm depth. The OC status is low to medium. Nitrogen (N) was ranged between 134.5 to 139.9 kg ha-1 at a depth of 0–15 cm and 132.4 to 135.5 kg ha-1 at a depth of 15–30 cm. Phosphorus(P) ranging from 8.42 to 12.20 cm at 0–15 cm depth and 6.28 to 10.68 cm at 15–30 cm depth. Potassium (K)ranging from 8.42 to 12.20 kg ha -1 at 0–15 cm depth and 6.28 to 10.68 kg ha -1at 15–30 cm depth. Sulphur(S) was ranged between 15.36 to 20.54 kg ha-1 at a depth of surfaced and 13.64 to 18.74 kg ha -1 at a depth of sub surfaced.
Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection among Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Patients Attending the Gynaecology Clinic of a Private Tertiary Hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Ajani Tinuade Adesola , Elikwu Charles John , Makanjuola Olufunmilola B. , Okangba Chika Celen , Oluwasola Timothy Abiola , Anaedobe Chinenye Gloria
Published: July 2024

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is one of the very serious complications arising from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Chlamydia trachomatis has been implicated as one of the commonest causes of STI. Considering the adverse sequelae of PID, there is a need for locally relevant data which will guide preventive and therapeutic efforts. Detection of a combination of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) has been described as an indicator of an actively chronic infection
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection by the use of IgA and IgG and evaluate the associated risk factors among females that presented with Pelvic inflammatory disease at the gynaecology clinic of Babcock University Teaching Hospital. Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. (BUTH)
Materials and Methods: This was a hospital–based, case-controlled study involving 44 patients diagnosed with PID and 44 age-matched controls at the gynaecology clinic of BUTHI. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, and risk factors for PID, from consenting participants. Blood samples were collected from each participant and analysed, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, for Chlamydia trachomatis type‑specific for IgA and IgG. Analysis was done by SPSS, IBM version 23.0
Results: Both IgG and IgA were present in 15 cases (34.1%) as compared to none of the controls. The difference between Chlamydia IgG, IgA and (IgG+IgA) among the cases and the controls were statistically significant. Majority of the participants positive for the immunoglobulins were aged 25 years or younger (11, 73.3%), number of lifetime sex partners and age of first sexual intercourse being 18 years or younger were statistically associated with Chlamydia trachomatis causing PID.
Conclusion: Chlamydia trachomatis remains an important causative pathogen of PID and more prevalent among the young people. Screening is advocated among the young in resource limited countries.
Barriers to Trade Union Participation among Rural Migrant Workers in China: An Analysis of Labor Disputes, Employment Characteristics, and Socio-Demographic Factors
Authors: Dai Luote , Gu Shengyu
Published: July 2024

This study aims to understand the potential for migrant workers to join trade unions by analyzing labor disputes, employment characteristics, and socio-demographic factors. Utilizing data from a survey of 823 migrant workers conducted in Shanghai and nine other cities in China, this research examines both the associational (organizational membership) and behavioral (activity participation) aspects of trade union participation. The results indicate that rural migrant workers exhibit a low level of union participation, contrary to expectations based on their labor market position and the recruitment efforts by Chinese unions. Three primary barriers to union participation were identified: (1) migrant workers in state-owned firms are significantly more likely to participate in unions compared to those in private firms, where union presence is weaker; (2) occupational and employment status discrimination within workplaces hinders rural migrant workers from joining unions; and (3) trust in trade unions is relatively low among Chinese migrant workers, likely due to the close relationship between unions and the government, which may undermine union legitimacy and impede worker engagement. These findings highlight the systemic challenges that rural migrant workers face in engaging with trade unions in China.
Popliteal artery aneurysm is a cause that should not be forgotten in acute limb ischemia
Authors: Beyazpinar Deniz Sarp ,   Etlik City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Erol Mehmet Emir ,   Etlik City Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye  ORCID
Published: July 2024

Aim: The aim of our study is to determine the amputation rates in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) who were monitored for one year and to identify the factors influencing these rates, as well as to examine the effects of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) on acute limb ischemia. Material and Methods: Between January 2022 and January 2023, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 103 patients who presented to our clinic with ALI. Among patients, 59.2% (n=61) were not amputated and classified as Group-1. Group-2 comprised 40.8% of the patients (n=42) all of whom required amputation in the follow-up period. Cases of ALI attributable to atrial fibrillation and trauma were excluded from the study. Both groups were compared in terms of amputation rates in the follow-up period and demographic characteristics. All patients were Rutherford Stage IIa and IIb. Unsalvageable Rutherford Stage3 patients were also excluded. All patients who underwent amputation had exclusively undergone embolectomy; no amputations were observed in patients with PAA (p=0.01). Results: The average age of the patients was 70.01±12.56 years (min 31-max 89). Seventy-five patients were male (72.8%), while twenty-eight patients were female (27.2%). The etiology of ALI was identified as thromboembolic events secondary to atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (APAD) in 92 patients (89.3%), and as PAA in 11 patients (10.7%). Sixty-six (64.7%) patients underwent solely embolectomy, nine (8.7%) patients received combined embolectomy with thrombolytic therapy and twenty-eight patients (27.4%) patients underwent surgical revascularization. In the first year follow-up, 42 (41.2%) patients had undergone amputation. All patients who underwent amputation had exclusively undergone embolectomy; no amputations were observed in patients with PAA (p=0.01). Conclusion: Blinded embolectomy may be the first line surgical treatment for ALI but it has higher amputation rates in 1-year follow-up. While PAA is considered one of the rare causes of ALI, it should be kept in mind as one of the etiological factors in patients presenting with ALI. With appropriate treatment, amputation rates are significantly lower in patients with PAA.
The rise of artificial intelligence in vascular surgery: A bibliometric analysis (2020-2024)
Authors: Demirkilic Ufuk ,   Acıbadem Hospital, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara, Türkiye, Tosun Burcu ,   Atılım University, Faculty of Business, Department of Business, Ankara, Türkiye
Published: July 2024

Aim: This study aims to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of academic publications on AI applications in vascular surgery, identifying key authors, influential journals, prevalent research themes, and international collaborations, focusing on infrastructure, conceptual structure, and social networks within the field. Material and Methods: The analysis covers 815 documents published from 2020 to 2024, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Metrics analyzed include publication growth, citation rates, key contributors, leading journals, prevalent themes, and international collaborations. Results: The research output showed a 15% annual growth rate, peaking in 2023. Despite increasing publications, the average citation rate per article declined. The study identified 5039 contributors with significant international co-authorship. Leading authors included Lareyre F and Raffort J, and the "Journal of Vascular Surgery" was the most influential journal. The USA and China led in contributions, reflecting robust research infrastructure. Key themes include risk assessment, diagnostic methods, and patient management, highlighting AI's role in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes in vascular surgery. Conclusion: The analysis highlights the rapid growth and collaborative nature of AI research in vascular surgery. Key contributors, influential journals, and emerging themes were identified, emphasizing AI's role in improving diagnostics and patient outcomes. Limitations include the focus on one database and a five-year period, suggesting future research should include more databases and a longer timeframe. Exploring high-impact studies and practical applications will further advance the field.
Using SOAPaligner for Short Reads Alignment
Authors: Gu Shengchang , Fang Lin , Xu Xun
Published: December 2013

This unit shows how to use the SOAPaligner package to align short reads to reference. The use of the two most common versions of SOAPaligner, SOAP2 and SOAP3‐dp, will be described in detail. The unit also includes a protocol for SNP calling from SOAP2 alignment with SOAPsnp. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 44:11.11.1‐11.11.17. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using VarScan 2 for Germline Variant Calling and Somatic Mutation Detection
Authors: Koboldt Daniel C. , Larson David E. , Wilson Richard K.
Published: December 2013

The identification of small sequence variants remains a challenging but critical step in the analysis of next‐generation sequencing data. Our variant‐calling tool, VarScan 2, employs heuristic and statistic thresholds based on user‐defined criteria to call variants using SAMtools mpileup data as input. Here, we provide guidelines for generating that input, and describe protocols for using VarScan 2 to (1) identify germline variants in individual samples; (2) call somatic mutations, copy‐number alterations, and LOH events in tumor‐normal pairs; and (3) identify germline variants, de novo mutations, and Mendelian inheritance errors in family trios. Further, we describe a strategy for variant filtering that removes likely false positives associated with common sequencing‐ and alignment‐related artifacts. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 44:15.4.1‐15.4.17. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Solar cycle dependence of nightside field‐aligned currents: Effects of dayside ionospheric conductivity on the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling
Authors: Ohtani S. , Wing S. , Merkin V. G. , Higuchi T.
Published: December 2013

In the present study we observationally address the role of ionospheric conductivity in the solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling in terms of global field‐aligned currents (FACs). Solar EUV irradiance changes during a solar cycle and so does its contribution to the ionospheric conductivity. We statistically examine how, under fixed external conditions, the intensities of the R1 and R2 currents and their demarcation latitude depend on solar activity (F10.7). An emphasis is placed on nightside FACs in the dark hemisphere. The result shows that for fixed ranges of interplanetary electric field, the nightside FACs are more intense for higher solar activity irrespective of their polarities or local times. It is also found that the R1‐R2 pair, therefore the auroral oval, moves equatorward as the solar activity increases. For both current intensity and latitude, the dependence on F10.7 is more sensitive at smaller F10.7 and it levels off with increasing F10.7. The intensities of dayside FACs reveal similar F10.7 dependence as expected from the enhancement of the local ionospheric conductance. Interestingly, they also move equatorward with increasing F10.7. It is expected from force balance that as the dayside R1 current becomes more intense with increasing solar activity, the magnetosphere shrinks on the day side and expands on the night side. This configurational change of the magnetosphere presumably affects the energy transport from the solar wind to the magnetosphere, although its details still remain to be understood. We conclude that the ionospheric conductivity plays an active role in the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling.
Regional variability of factors controlling the onset timing and magnitude of spring algal blooms in the northwestern North Pacific
Authors: Shiozaki Takuhei , Ito Shin‐Ichi , Takahashi Kazutaka , Saito Hiroaki , Nagata Toshi , Furuya Ken
Published: December 2013

Satellite imagery and oceanographic data collected between 2003 and 2009 were used to examine factors controlling the onset timing and magnitude of spring algal blooms in the northwestern North Pacific. Consistent with the critical depth hypothesis, the spring bloom onsets coincided with the mixed layer depth (MLD) shoaling in the north of the Kuroshio extension and in Oyashio, where complex frontal physical structures and turbulence weakening, respectively, would be responsible for the MLD shoaling. In contrast, in the formation regions of the dense central mode water (D‐CMW) and the transition region mode water (TRMW), bloom onsets coincided with possible turbulence weakening but not with MLD shoaling. The peak of chlorophyll a in the formation regions of the D‐CMW (0.44 ± 0.23 mg m−3) and the TRMW (0.58 ± 0.34 mg m−3) were ca. 5 times lower than that in the Oyashio (2.54 ± 0.74 mg m−3), despite the fact that nitrate concentration during the prebloom period was high (∼10 µM) and MLDs became shallow enough at the bloom peak in all the three regions. These observations indicated that light conditions and nitrate concentration did not explain the regional variability in the magnitude of spring blooms. The bloom magnitude west of ca. 150°E and in the north Kuroshio extension was increased relative to that in the eastern region, suggesting a chemical property in the water delivered from the Okhotsk Sea that would influence the western bloom. Our results demonstrated that factors controlling the timing and magnitude of spring algal blooms depend on the physicochemical regime in the northwestern North Pacific.
The Southern Ocean silicon trap: Data‐constrained estimates of regenerated silicic acid, trapping efficiencies, and global transport paths
Authors: Holzer Mark , Primeau François W. , DeVries Timothy , Matear Richard
Published: December 2013

We analyze an optimized model of the global silicon cycle embedded in a data‐assimilated steady ocean circulation. Biological uptake is modeled by conditionally restoring silicic acid in the euphotic zone to observed concentrations where the modeled concentrations exceed the observational climatology. An equivalent linear model is formulated to which Green‐function‐based transport diagnostics are applied. We find that the models' opal export through 133 m depth is 166 ± 24 Tmol Si/yr, with the Southern Ocean (SO) providing ∼70% of this export, ∼50% of which dissolves above 2000 m depth. The global‐scale gradients of the opal dissolution rate are primarily meridional, while the global‐scale gradients of phosphate remineralization are primarily vertical. The mean depth of the temperature‐dependent silicic‐acid regeneration reaches 2300 m in the SO, compared to 600 m for phosphate remineralization. Silicic acid is stripped out of the euphotic zone far more efficiently than phosphate, with only (34 ± 5)% of the global silicic‐acid inventory being preformed, compared to (61 ± 7)% for phosphate. Subantarctic and tropical waters contribute most of the ocean's regenerated silicic acid, while Antarctic waters provide most of the preformed silicic acid. About half of the global silicic‐acid inventory is trapped in transport paths connecting successive SO utilizations, with silicic acid last utilized in the SO having only a (5 ± 2)% chance of being next utilized outside the SO. This trapping depletes subantarctic mode waters of silicic acid relative to phosphate, which has a (44 ± 2)% probability of escaping successive SO utilization.
Statistical relationship between surface PM10 concentration and aerosol optical depth over the Sahel as a function of weather type, using neural network methodology
Authors: Yahi H. , Marticorena B. , Thiria S. , Chatenet B. , Schmechtig C. , Rajot J. L. , Crepon M.
Published: December 2013

This work aims at assessing the capability of passive remote‐sensed measurements such as aerosol optical depth (AOD) to monitor the surface dust concentration during the dry season in the Sahel region (West Africa). We processed continuous measurements of AODs and surface concentrations for the period (2006–2010) in Banizoumbou (Niger) and Cinzana (Mali). In order to account for the influence of meteorological condition on the relationship between PM10 surface concentration and AOD, we decomposed the mesoscale meteorological fields surrounding the stations into five weather types having similar 3‐dimensional atmospheric characteristics. This classification was obtained by a clustering method based on nonlinear artificial neural networks, the so‐called self‐organizing map. The weather types were identified by processing tridimensional fields of meridional and zonal winds and air temperature obtained from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model output centered on each measurement station. Five similar weather types have been identified at the two stations. Three of them are associated with the Harmattan flux; the other two correspond to northward inflow of the monsoon flow at the beginning or the end of the dry season. An improved relationship has been found between the surface PM10 concentrations and the AOD by using a dedicated statistical relationship for each weather type. The performances of the statistical inversion computed on the test data sets show satisfactory skills for most of the classes, much better than a linear regression. This should permit the inversion of the mineral dust concentration from AODs derived from satellite observations over the Sahel.
An evaluation of CALIOP/CALIPSO's aerosol‐above‐cloud detection and retrieval capability over North America
Authors: Kacenelenbogen M. , Redemann J. , Vaughan M. A. , Omar A. H. , Russell P. B. , Burton S. , Rogers R. R. , Ferrare R. A. , Hostetler C. A.
Published: December 2013

Assessing the accuracy of the aerosol‐above‐cloud (AAC) properties derived by CALIOP (the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) is challenged by the shortage of accurate global validation measurements. We have used measurements of aerosol vertical profiles from the NASA Langley airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL‐1) in 86 CALIOP‐coincident flights to evaluate CALIOP AAC detection, classification, and retrieval. Our study shows that CALIOP detects ~23% of the HSRL‐detected AAC. According to our CALIOP‐HSRL data set, the majority of AAC aerosol optical depth (AOD) values are < 0.1 at 532 nm over North America. Our analyses show that the standard CALIOP retrieval algorithm substantially underestimates the occurrence frequency of AAC when optical depths are less than ~0.02. Those aerosols with low AOD values can still have a consequent radiative forcing effect depending on the underlying cloud cover and overlying aerosol absorption properties. We find essentially no correlation between CALIOP and HSRL AAC AOD (R2 = 0.27 and N = 151). We show that the CALIOP underestimation of AAC is mostly due to tenuous aerosol layers with backscatter less than the CALIOP detection threshold. The application of an alternate CALIOP AAC retrieval method (depolarization ratio) to our data set yields very few coincident cases. We stress the need for more extensive suborbital CALIOP validation campaigns to acquire a process‐level understanding of AAC implications and further evaluate CALIOP's AAC detection and retrieval capability, especially over the ocean and in different parts of the world where AAC are more frequently observed and show higher values of AOD.
Trace element geochemistry (Li, Ba, Sr, and Rb) using Curiosity's ChemCam: Early results for Gale crater from Bradbury Landing Site to Rocknest
Authors: Ollila Ann M. , Newsom Horton E. , Clark Benton , Wiens Roger C. , Cousin Agnes , Blank Jen G. , Mangold Nicolas , Sautter Violaine , Maurice Sylvestre , Clegg Samuel M. , Gasnault Olivier , Forni Olivier , Tokar Robert , Lewin Eric , Dyar M. Darby , Lasue Jeremie , Anderson Ryan , McLennan Scott M. , Bridges John , Vaniman Dave , Lanza Nina , Fabre Cecile , Melikechi Noureddine , Perrett Glynis M. , Campbell John L. , King Penelope L. , Barraclough Bruce , Delapp Dorothea , Johnstone Stephen , Meslin Pierre‐Yves , Rosen‐Gooding Anya , Williams Josh ,   The MSL Science Team
Published: December 2013

The ChemCam instrument package on the Mars rover, Curiosity, provides new capabilities to probe the abundances of certain trace elements in the rocks and soils on Mars using the laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy technique. We focus on detecting and quantifying Li, Ba, Rb, and Sr in targets analyzed during the first 100 sols, from Bradbury Landing Site to Rocknest. Univariate peak area models and multivariate partial least squares models are presented. Li, detected for the first time directly on Mars, is generally low (<15 ppm). The lack of soil enrichment in Li, which is highly fluid mobile, is consistent with limited influx of subsurface waters contributing to the upper soils. Localized enrichments of up to ~60 ppm Li have been observed in several rocks but the host mineral for Li is unclear. Bathurst_Inlet is a fine‐grained bedrock unit in which several analysis locations show a decrease in Li and other alkalis with depth, which may imply that the unit has undergone low‐level aqueous alteration that has preferentially drawn the alkalis to the surface. Ba (~1000 ppm) was detected in a buried pebble in the Akaitcho sand ripple and it appears to correlate with Si, Al, Na, and K, indicating a possible feldspathic composition. Rb and Sr are in the conglomerate Link at abundances >100 ppm and >1000 ppm, respectively. These analysis locations tend to have high Si and alkali abundances, consistent with a feldspar composition. Together, these trace element observations provide possible evidence of magma differentiation and aqueous alteration.
Thermochronologic constraints on the late Cenozoic exhumation history of the Gurla Mandhata metamorphic core complex, Southwestern Tibet
Authors: McCallister A. T. , Taylor M. H. , Murphy M. A. , Styron R. H. , Stockli D. F.
Published: December 2013

How the Tibetan plateau is geodynamically linked to the Himalayas is a topic receiving considerable attention. The Karakoram fault plays key roles in describing the structural relationship between southern Tibet and the Himalayas. In particular, considerable debate exists at the southeastern end of the Karakoram fault, where its role is interpreted in two different ways. One interpretation states that slip along the dextral Karakoram fault extends eastward along the Indus‐Yalu suture zone, bypassing the Himalayas. The other interprets that fault slip is fed southward into the Himalayan thrust belt along the Gurla Mandhata detachment (GMD). To evaluate these competing models, the late Miocene history of the GMD was reconstructed from thermokinematic modeling of zircon (U‐Th)/He data. Three east‐west transects reveal rapid cooling of the GMD footwall from 8.0 ± 1.3 Ma to 2.6 ± 0.7 Ma. Model simulations show a southward decrease in slip magnitude and rate along the GMD. In the north, initiation of the GMD range between 14 and 11 Ma with a mean fault slip rate of 5.0 ± 0.9 mm/yr. The central transect shows an initiation age from 14 to 11 Ma with a mean fault slip rate of 3.3 ± 0.6 mm/yr. In the south, initiation began between 15 and 8 Ma with a mean fault slip rate of 3.2 ± 1.6 mm/yr. The initiation ages and slip rates match the Karakoram fault across several timescales, supporting the idea that the two are kinematically linked. Specifically, the data are consistent with the GMD acting as an extensional stepover, with slip transferred southward into the Himalayas of western Nepal.
Embedded Mathematics Remediation Using the Math you Need, When you Need it: A 21st–Century Solution to an Age–Old Problem
Authors: Burn Helen E. , Baer Eric M. D. , Wenner Jennifer M.
Published: December 2013

Using the need for math skills in geoscience courses as an example, Helen E. Burn and Eric M. D. Baer from Highline Community College and Jennifer M. Wenner from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh make the case for just–in–time embedded remediation to improve student learning while using class time efficiently.
Strongly‐Coupled Freestanding Hybrid Films of Graphene and Layered Titanate Nanosheets: An Effective Way to Tailor the Physicochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Graphene Film
Authors: Kim In Young , Park Suhye , Kim Hyunseok , Park Sungsu , Ruoff Rodney S. , Hwang Seong‐Ju
Published: December 2013

An effective way to tailor the physicochemical properties of graphene film is developed by combining colloidal suspensions of reduced graphene oxide (rG‐O) nanosheets and exfoliated layered titanate nanosheets for the fabrication of freestanding hybrid films comprised of stacked and overlapped nanosheets. A flow‐directed filtration of such mixed colloidal suspensions yields freestanding hybrid films comprised of strongly‐coupled rG‐O and titanate nanosheets with tunable chemical composition. This is the first example of highly flexible hybrid films composed of graphene and metal oxide nanosheets. The intimate incorporation of layered titanate nanosheets into the graphene film gives rise not only to an increase of mechanical strength but also to increased surface roughness, chemical stability, and hydrophilicity; thus, the physicochemical properties of the graphene film can be tuned by hybridization with inorganic nanosheets. These freestanding hybrid films of rG‐O‐layered titanate show unprecedentedly high antibacterial property, resulting in the complete sterilization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (≈100%) in the very short time of 15 min. The antibacterial activity of the hybrid film is far superior to that of the pure graphene film, underscoring the beneficial effect of the layered metal oxide nanosheets in improving the functionality of the graphene film.
Single‐Crystal Pd and its Alloy Nanowires for Plasmon Propagation and Highly Sensitive Hydrogen Detection
Authors: Gu Fuxing , Zeng Heping , Zhu Y. B. , Yang Qing , Ang L. K. , Zhuang Songlin
Published: December 2013

In this work plasmon propagation and highly sensitive hydrogen sensing are demonstrated in single‐crystal Pd and its alloy nanowires, based on an evanescent wave coupling technique using optical fiber tapers. The plasmon propagation losses of Pd nanowires on an MgF2 substrate are measured to be ∼2 dB/μm (at 635 nm). Using a suspension scheme of the nanowire, the propagation losses decrease to ∼0.6 dB/μm in air. Utilizing an alloying technique, single‐crystal PdAg nanowires are fabricated and exhibit decreasing and tunable propagation losses. Furthermore, Pd nanowires are used for plasmonic gas sensing with amplitude sensitivity of ∼11 dB to 3.6% hydrogen gas, which is much higher than those in photonic nanowire sensors. The concentration detection limit is about 0.2%, which is lower than those in photonic nanowire sensors and most surface plasmon resonance sensors. The hysteresis effect of the Pd nanowire in hydrogen sensing is suppressed by using single‐crystal PdAu alloy nanowires. This work may find widespread application, ranging from sensing and integrated circuits to materials research.
Sehr starke Organosuperbasen durch Verknüpfung von Imidazol‐ und Guanidinbasen – Synthese, Struktur und Basizität
Authors: Vazdar Katarina , Kunetskiy Roman , Saame Jaan , Kaupmees Karl , Leito Ivo , Jahn Ullrich
Published: December 2013

Neue Strukturmotive für Organosuperbasen, die leicht zugänglich sind und hohe Basizitäten aufweisen, sind für viele Bereiche der Chemie dringend notwendig. Wir berichten hier über die Synthese von N,N′‐Bis(imidazolyl)guanidin‐Basen (BIG‐Basen). Ihre pKα‐Werte wurden zu 26.1–29.3 in THF bestimmt. Sie sind damit wahrscheinlich die stärksten phosphorfreien organischen Basen sowohl in Lösung als auch in der Gasphase. Rechnungen halfen bei der Bestimmung der strukturellen und elektronischen Faktoren, die zur beobachteten hohen Basizität beitragen.
Very Strong Organosuperbases Formed by Combining Imidazole and Guanidine Bases: Synthesis, Structure, and Basicity
Authors: Vazdar Katarina , Kunetskiy Roman , Saame Jaan , Kaupmees Karl , Leito Ivo , Jahn Ullrich
Published: December 2013

New structural motives for organosuperbases, that are easy to prepare and highly basic are urgently required in many areas of chemistry. The synthesis of N,N′‐bis(imidazolyl)guanidine bases (BIG bases) is reported. Their pKα values are determined as 26.1–29.3 in THF. They are thus probably the strongest known phosphorous‐free organic bases both in solution and in the gas phase. Calculations help to determine the structural and electronic factors giving rise to the high basicity.
Perfluorinated lubricant/ polypyrrole composite material: Preparation and corrosion inhibition application
Authors: Zhu Hongfei , Hou Jian , Qiu Ri , Zhao Jiong , Xu Jingkun
Published: December 2013

Chronoamperometry technique was used to prepare polypyrrole onto low alloy steel surface from aqueous solutions. The morphology and composition of the as‐obtained deposit was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier‐transform infrared techniques. The dendritic polymer could be realized at the high potential and favorable mass transfer conditions. Contact angle tests proved that the polypyrrole with rough surfaces had small contact angles. After the modification with the 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H‐perfluorooctyl trichlorosilane, the values of contact angles of polypyrrole reached up to ca. 130°. The consequent infusion of perfluorinated lubricant into the hydrophobic matrix led to a composite material. Potentiodynamic polarization tests in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution revealed that low alloy steel covered with this composite material raised the corrosion potential more than 1000 mV and decreased the corrosion current density ca. 3 orders, suggesting that the perfluorinated lubricant/ polypyrrole composite material behaved as a good candidate for corrosion inhibition. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40184.
A Framework for Understanding Aid Effectiveness Determinants, Strategies and Tradeoffs
Authors: Howes Stephen
Published: December 2013

Prominent reform agendas for aid abound. How do they relate to each other? This article tries to organise the aid reform literature by proposing a general framework for thinking about the determinants of aid effectiveness and strategies for improving the same. It presents three schools of thought on aid effectiveness: the recipient, donor and transaction costs schools. It argues that none of the reform agendas proposed by these schools dominates. Although actual aid reform agendas will combine elements of all three schools, there are in fact important tradeoffs between the recipient and the donor school reform agendas, and between the transaction costs and the donor school reform agendas. Contrary to the clarion calls of prominent aid reform advocates, aid reform in practice is a messy and difficult business.
Redo MitraClip mitral valve repair after a late single leaflet detachment
Authors: Tay Edgar L.W. , Lim D. Scott , Yip James
Published: December 2013

Percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip® (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL) can reduce mitral regurgitation (MR) and improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with severe mitral regurgitation. While this therapy is safe, there have been reports of single leaflet detachment where the MitraClip remains attached only to one leaflet of the mitral valve after deployment. Most of these cases occur within the first month of the procedure but there have been reports of late detachment occurring after this period. This case report describes a patient with severe functional MR who underwent an initial successful MitraClip procedure with implantation of two clips but subsequently developed late detachment of one clip. It also discusses the challenges and feasibility of performing a repeat MitraClip procedure in these patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inline Monitoring of CO2 Absorption Processes Using Simple Analytical Techniques and Multivariate Modeling
Authors: van der Ham Leen V. , Bakker Daphne E. , Geers Leon F. G. , Goetheer Earl L. V.
Published: December 2013

The solvent and the dissolved CO2 concentrations are two essential properties of CO2 absorption processes. Currently, they are typically monitored using time‐consuming offline analytical techniques. Initial development efforts aiming at a cost‐effective and reliable inline monitoring system are described. Using a fractional factorial experimental design covering six solvent properties and five analytical techniques, it is demonstrated that the CO2 and solvent concentrations correlate well with the density and refractive index. Applying a simplistic multivariate model to solvent samples from an industrial pilot plant indicated good potential for predictive use. Future work should focus on the development of a more accurate multivariate model, on the modeling of more solvents, and on combining the results with available process data.
An improved method for the removal of ring artifacts in synchrotron radiation images by using GPGPU computing with compute unified device architecture
Authors: Zhu Leqing , Wang Dadong , Wang Huiyan
Published: December 2013

Ring artifacts are a common problem in computed tomography, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and synchrotron radiation images. Before further processing the images such as segmentation and quantification, these artifacts have to be removed or suppressed. Otherwise, they may introduce additional errors for the segmentation and subsequent analysis. This paper proposes an improved ring artifact removal method based on biorthogonal wavelet transform, one‐dimensional fast Fourier transform, and Gaussian damping, which is implemented on general‐purpose computing on graphics processing unit with compute unified device architecture. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithms can be speed up several hundred times compared with the previous algorithms on CPU. The significant performance improvement makes the algorithms much more practical in processing large volume of images in real time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying spore viability of the honey bee pathogen Nosema apis using flow cytometry
Authors: Peng Yan , Lee‐Pullen Tracey F. , Heel Kathy , Millar A. Harvey , Baer Boris
Published: December 2013

Honey bees are hosts to more than 80 different parasites, some of them being highly virulent and responsible for substantial losses in managed honey bee populations. The study of honey bee pathogens and their interactions with the bees' immune system has therefore become a research area of major interest. Here we developed a fast, accurate and reliable method to quantify the viability of spores of the honey bee gut parasite Nosema apis. To verify this method, a dilution series with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% live N. apis was made and SYTO 16 and Propidium Iodide (n = 35) were used to distinguish dead from live spores. The viability of spores in each sample was determined by flow cytometry and compared with the current method based on fluorescence microscopy. Results show that N. apis viability counts using flow cytometry produced very similar results when compared with fluorescence microscopy. However, we found that fluorescence microscopy underestimates N. apis viability in samples with higher percentages of viable spores, the latter typically being what is found in biological samples. A series of experiments were conducted to confirm that flow cytometry allows the use of additional fluorescent dyes such as SYBR 14 and SYTOX Red (used in combination with SYTO 16 or Propidium Iodide) to distinguish dead from live spores. We also show that spore viability quantification with flow cytometry can be undertaken using substantially lower dye concentrations than fluorescence microscopy. In conclusion, our data show flow cytometry to be a fast, reliable method to quantify N. apis spore viabilities, which has a number of advantages compared with existing methods. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A queuing model for distributed scheduling in IEEE 802.16 wireless mesh networks
Authors: César Cecília A.C. , Carvalho Solon V.
Published: December 2013

The IEEE 802.16 standard for wireless broadband networks includes the mesh mode in its specifications, where network nodes interact to deliver packets from a client to a remote destination through intermediate nodes. This paper presents a study of the capacity of IEEE 802.16 wireless networks in mesh mode by using M/G/1/L queuing model that represents each network node by incorporating the features of the standard in order to calculate the average delay and throughput in the node. An iterative method integrates the calculation results at each node, obtaining the end‐to‐end delay from any node of the mesh to the Base Station. Because of multiple hops, a node far from the Base Station may have its flows damaged. To minimize this problem, we propose a criterion for a fair distribution of resources. We show the numerical results of the model which indicate a good fit when compared with simulation results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A decrease in the addition of new cells in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex between puberty and adulthood in male rats
Authors: Staffend Nancy A. , Mohr Margaret A. , DonCarlos Lydia L. , Sisk Cheryl L.
Published: December 2013

Adolescence involves shifts in social behaviors, behavioral flexibility, and adaptive risk‐taking that coincide with structural remodeling of the brain. We previously showed that new cells are added to brain regions associated with sexual behaviors, suggesting that cytogenesis may be a mechanism for acquiring adult‐typical behaviors during adolescence. Whether pubertal cell addition occurs in brain regions associated with behavioral flexibility or motivation and whether these patterns differ between pubertal and adult animals had not been determined. Therefore, we assessed patterns of cell proliferation or survival in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Pubertal and adult male rats were given injections of bromo‐deoxyuridine (BrdU). To assess cell proliferation, half of the animals from each group were sacrificed 24 h following the last injection. The remaining animals were sacrificed at Day 30 following the last injection to evaluate cell survival. Adult animals had significantly lower densities of BrdU‐immunoreactive (ir) cells in the prefrontal cortex, irrespective of post‐BrdU survival time, whereas in the nucleus accumbens, adult animals had a lower density of BrdU‐ir cells at the short survival time; however, the density of BrdU‐ir cells was equivalent in pubertal and adult animals at the longer survival time. These data provide evidence that cell addition during puberty may contribute to the remodeling of brain regions associated with behavioral flexibility and motivation, and this cell addition continues into adulthood, albeit at lower levels. Higher levels of cell proliferation or survival in younger animals may reflect a higher level of plasticity, possibly contributing to the dynamic remodeling of the pubertal brain. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 633–642, 2014