bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large-scale vertical velocity, diabatic heating and drying profiles associated with seasonal and diurnal variations of convective systems observed in the GoAmazon2014/5 experiment
Authors: Tang Shuaiqi , Xie Shaocheng , Zhang Yunyan , Zhang Minghua , Schumacher Courtney , Upton Hannah , Jensen Michael P. , Johnson Karen L. , Wang Meng , Ahlgrimm Maike , Feng Zhe , Minnis Patrick , Thieman Mandana
Published: November 2016

Abstract. This study describes the characteristics of large-scale vertical velocity, apparent heating source (Q1) and apparent moisture sink (Q2) profiles associated with seasonal and diurnal variations of convective systems observed during the two intensive operational periods (IOPs) that were conducted from 15 February to 26 March 2014 (wet season) and from 1 September to 10 October 2014 (dry season) near Manaus, Brazil, during the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon2014/5) experiment. The derived large-scale fields have large diurnal variations according to convective activity in the GoAmazon region and the morning profiles show distinct differences between the dry and wet seasons. In the wet season, propagating convective systems originating far from the GoAmazon region are often seen in the early morning, while in the dry season they are rarely observed. Afternoon convective systems due to solar heating are frequently seen in both seasons. Accordingly, in the morning, there is strong upward motion and associated heating and drying throughout the entire troposphere in the wet season, which is limited to lower levels in the dry season. In the afternoon, both seasons exhibit weak heating and strong moistening in the boundary layer related to the vertical convergence of eddy fluxes. A set of case studies of three typical types of convective systems occurring in Amazonia – i.e., locally occurring systems, coastal-occurring systems and basin-occurring systems – is also conducted to investigate the variability of the large-scale environment with different types of convective systems.
Observation of regional air pollutant transport between the megacity Beijing and the North China Plain
Authors: Li Yingruo , Ye Chunxiang , Liu Jun , Zhu Yi , Wang Junxia , Tan Ziqiang , Lin Weili , Zeng Limin , Zhu Tong
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Megacities have strong interactions with the surrounding regions through transport of air pollutants. It has been frequently addressed that the air quality of Beijing is influenced by the influx of air pollutants from the North China Plain (NCP). Estimations of air pollutant cross-boundary transport between Beijing and the NCP are important for air quality management. However, evaluation of cross-boundary transport using long-term observations is very limited. Using the observational results of the gaseous pollutants SO2, NO, NO2, O3, and CO from August 2006 to October 2008 at the Yufa site, a cross-boundary site between the megacity Beijing and the NCP, together with meteorological parameters, we explored a method for evaluating the transport flux intensities at Yufa, as part of the “Campaign of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region 2006–2008” (CAREBeijing 2006–2008). The hourly mean ± SD (median) concentration of SO2, NO, NO2, NOx, O3, Ox, and CO was 15 ± 16 (9) ppb, 12 ± 25 (3) ppb, 24 ± 19 (20) ppb, 36 ± 39 (23) ppb, 28 ± 27 (21) ppb, 52 ± 24 (45) ppb, and 1.6 ± 1.4 (1.2) ppm during the observation period, respectively. The bivariate polar plots showed the dependence of pollutant concentrations on both wind speed and wind direction, and thus inferred their dominant transport directions. Surface flux intensity calculations further demonstrated the regional transport influence of Beijing and the NCP on Yufa. The net surface transport flux intensity (mean ± SD) of SO2, NO, NO2, NOx, O3, Ox, and CO was 6.2 ± 89.5, −4.3 ± 29.5, −0.6 ± 72.3, −4.9 ± 93.0, 14.7 ± 187.8, 14.8 ± 234.9, and 70 ± 2830 µg s−1 m−2 during the observation period, respectively. For SO2, CO, O3, and Ox the surface flux intensities from the NCP to Yufa surpassed those from Beijing to Yufa in all seasons except winter, with the strongest net fluxes largely in summer, which were about 4–8 times those of other seasons. The surface transport flux intensity of NOx from Beijing to Yufa was stronger than that from the NCP to Yufa except in summer, with the strongest net flux in winter, which was about 1.3–8 times that of other seasons. The flux intensities were then assigned to the corresponding trajectories in the potential source contribution function analysis (PSCF), which confirmed the results of flux intensity calculations. Our study also suggested that various factors, such as the wind field, emission inventory, and photochemical reactions, could influence transport of air pollutants. The decrease of surface flux intensity during the Olympic Games implied the role of both local emission reduction and regional cooperation in successful air quality management. Three dimensional observations are needed for further comprehensive discussion of the regional transport between Beijing and the NCP.
Emissions of NO, NO2 and PM from inland shipping
Authors: Kurtenbach Ralf , Vaupel Kai , Kleffmann Jörg , Klenk Ulrich , Schmidt Eberhard , Wiesen Peter
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides NOx (NOx =  NO2+ NO) are key species for urban air quality in Europe and are emitted by mobile sources. According to European recommendations, a significant fraction of road freight should be shifted to waterborne transport in the future. In order to better consider this emission change pattern in future emission inventories, in the present study inland water transport emissions of NOx, CO2 and PM were investigated under real world conditions on the river Rhine, Germany, in 2013. An average NO2 ∕ NOx emission ratio of 0.08 ± 0.02 was obtained, which is indicative of ship diesel engines without exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. For all measured motor ship types and operation conditions, overall weighted average emission indices (EIs), as emitted mass of pollutant per kg burnt fuel of EINOx =  54 ± 4 g kg−1 and a lower limit EIPM1 ≥  2.0 ± 0.3 g kg−1, were obtained. EIs for NOx and PM1 were found to be in the range of 20–161 and  ≥  0.2–8.1 g kg−1 respectively. A comparison with threshold values of national German guidelines shows that the NOx emissions of all investigated motor ship types are above the threshold values, while the obtained lower limit PM1 emissions are just under. To reduce NOx emissions to acceptable values, implementation of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems is recommended.
Atmospheric processes of persistent organic pollutants over a remote lake of the central Tibetan Plateau: Implications for regional cycling
Authors: Ren Jiao , Wang Xiaoping , Wang Chuanfei , Gong Ping , Yao Tandong
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Atmospheric processes (air-surface exchange, and atmospheric deposition and degradation) are crucial for understanding the global cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, such assessment over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) remains uncertain. More than 50 % of the Chinese lakes are located on the TP, which exerts a remarkable influence on the regional water, energy, and chemical cycling. In this study, air and water samples were simultaneously collected in Nam Co, a large lake on the TP, to test whether the lake is a "secondary source" or "sink" of POPs. Lower concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were observed in the atmosphere and lake water of Nam Co, while the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were relatively higher. Results of fugacity ratios and chiral signatures both suggest that the lake acted as the net sink of atmospheric hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), following their long-range transport driven by the Indian Monsoon. Different behaviors were observed in the PAHs, which primarily originated from local biomass burning. Acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, and fluorene showed volatilization from the lake to the atmosphere; while other PAHs were deposited into the lake due to the integrated deposition process (wet/dry and air-water gas deposition) and limited atmospheric degradation. As the dominant PAH compound, phenanthrene exhibited a seasonal reversal of air-water gas exchange, which was likely related to the melting of the lake ice in May. The annual input of HCHs from air to the entire lake area (2015 km2) was estimated as 1.9 kg year−1, while those estimated for PAHs can potentially reach up to 550 kg year−1. This study highlights the significance of PAH deposition on the regional carbon cycling in the oligotrophic lakes of the TP.
Improving global detection of volcanic eruptions using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)
Authors: Flower Verity J. B. , Oommen Thomas , Carn Simon A.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Volcanic eruptions pose an ever-present threat to human populations around the globe, but many active volcanoes remain poorly monitored. In regions where ground-based monitoring is present the effects of volcanic eruptions can be moderated through observational alerts to both local populations and service providers, such as air traffic control. However, in regions where volcano monitoring is limited satellite-based remote sensing provides a global data source that can be utilised to provide near-real-time identification of volcanic activity. This paper details a volcanic plume detection method capable of identifying smaller eruptions than is currently feasible, which could potentially be incorporated into automated volcanic alert systems. This method utilises daily, global observations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite. Following identification and classification of known volcanic eruptions in 2005–2009, the OMI SO2 data, analysed using a logistic regression analysis, permitted the correct classification of volcanic events with an overall accuracy of over 80 %. Accurate volcanic plume identification was possible when lower-tropospheric SO2 loading exceeded ∼ 400 t. The accuracy and minimal user input requirements of the developed procedure provide a basis for incorporation into automated SO2 alert systems.
Soil moisture control on sap-flow response to biophysical factors in a desert-shrub species, Artemisia ordosica
Authors: Zha Tianshan , Qian Duo , Jia Xin , Bai Yujie , Tian Yun , Bourque Charles P.-A. , Ma Jingyong , Feng Wei , Wu Bin , Peltola Heli
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Current understanding of acclimation processes in desert-shrub species to drought stress in dryland ecosystems is still incomplete. In this study, we measured sap flow in Artemisia ordosica and associated environmental variables throughout the growing seasons of 2013–2014 (May–September period of each year) to better understand the environmental controls on the temporal dynamics of sap flow. We found that the occurrence of drought in the dry year of 2013 during the leaf-expansion and leaf-expanded periods caused sap flow per leaf area (Js) to decline significantly, resulting in a sizable drop in transpiration. Sap flow per leaf area correlated positively with radiation (Rs), air temperature (T), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), when volumetric soil water content (VWC) was > 0.11 m3 m−3. Diurnal Js was generally ahead of Rs by as much as 6 hours. This lag time, however, decreased with increasing VWC. Relative response of Js to the environmental variables (i.e., Rs, T, and VPD) varied with VWC, Js being more biologically controlled with low decoupling coefficient and thus being less sensitive to the environmental variables during dry periods. According to this study, soil moisture is shown to control sap-flow (and, therefore, plant-transpiration) response in Artemisia ordosica to diurnal variations in biophysical factors. The findings of this study add to the knowledge of acclimation processes in desert-shrub species under drought-associated stress. This knowledge is essential to model desert-shrub-ecosystem functioning under changing climatic conditions.
Modeling precipitation δ18O variability in East Asia since the Last Glacial Maximum: temperature and amount effects across different timescales
Authors: Wen Xinyu , Liu Zhengyu , Chen Zhongxiao , Brady Esther , Noone David , Zhu Qingzhao , Guan Jian
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Water isotopes in precipitation have played a key role in the reconstruction of past climate on millennial timescales and longer. However, for midlatitude regions like East Asia with complex terrain, the reliability behind the basic assumptions of the temperature effect and amount effect is based on modern observational data and still remains unclear for past climate. In the present work, we reexamine the two basic effects on seasonal, interannual, and millennial timescales in a set of time slice experiments for the period 22–0 ka using an isotope-enabled atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). Our study confirms the robustness of the temperature and amount effects on the seasonal cycle over China in the present climatic conditions, with the temperature effect dominating in northern China and the amount effect dominating in the far south of China but no distinct effect in the transition region of central China. However, our analysis shows that neither temperature nor amount effect is significantly dominant over China on millennial and interannual timescales, which is a challenge to those classic assumptions in past climate reconstruction. Our work helps shed light on the interpretation of the proxy record of δ18O from a modeling point of view.
A non-linear Granger causality framework to investigate climate–vegetation dynamics
Authors: Papagiannopoulou Christina , Miralles Diego G. , Verhoest Niko E. C. , Dorigo Wouter A. , Waegeman Willem
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Satellite Earth observation has led to the creation of global climate data records of many important environmental and climatic variables. These take the form of multivariate time series with different spatial and temporal resolutions. Data of this kind provide new means to unravel the influence of climate on vegetation dynamics. However, as advocated in this article, existing statistical methods are often too simplistic to represent complex climate–vegetation relationships due to the assumption of linearity of these relationships. Therefore, as an extension of linear Granger causality analysis, we present a novel non-linear framework consisting of several components, such as data collection from various databases, time series decomposition techniques, feature construction methods and predictive modelling by means of random forests. Experimental results on global data sets indicate that with this framework it is possible to detect non-linear patterns that are much less visible with traditional Granger causality methods. In addition, we also discuss extensive experimental results that highlight the importance of considering the non-linear aspect of climate–vegetation dynamics.
Conditions for the occurrence of seismic sequences in a fault system
Authors: Dragoni Michele , Lorenzano Emanuele
Published: November 2016

Abstract. We consider a fault system producing a sequence of seismic events of similar magnitudes. If the system is made up of n faults, there are n! possible sequences, differing from each other for the order of fault activation. Therefore the order of events in a sequence can be expressed as a permutation of the first n integers. We investigate the conditions for the occurrence of a seismic sequence and how the order of events is related to the initial stress state of the fault system. To this aim, we consider n coplanar faults placed in an elastic half-space and subject to a constant and uniform strain rate by tectonic motions. We describe the state of the system by n variables that are the Coulomb stresses of the faults. If we order the faults according to the magnitude of their Coulomb stresses, a permutation of the first n integers can be associated with each state of the system. This permutation changes whenever a fault produces a seismic event, so that the evolution of the system can be described as a sequence of permutations. A crucial role is played by the differences between Coulomb stresses of the faults. The order of events implicit in the initial state is modified due to changes in the differences between Coulomb stresses and to different stress drops of the events. We find that the order of events is determined by the initial stress state, the stress drops and the stress transfers associated with each event. Therefore the model allows the retrieval of the stress states of a fault system from the observation of the order of fault activation in a seismic sequence. As an example, the model is applied to the 2012 Emilia (Italy) seismic sequence and enlightens the complex interplay between the fault dislocations that produced the observed order of events.
Numerical Modeling of Fluid Effects on Seismic Properties of
Fractured Magmatic Geothermal Reservoirs
Authors: Grab Melchior , Quintal Beatriz , Caspari Eva , Maurer Hansruedi , Greenhalgh Stewart
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Seismic investigations of geothermal reservoirs over the last 20 years have sought to interpret the resulting tomograms and reflection images in terms of the degree of reservoir fracturing and fluid content. Since the former provides the pathways and the latter acts as the medium for transporting geothermal energy, such information is needed to evaluate the quality of the reservoir. In conventional rock physics-based interpretations, this hydro-mechanical information is approximated from seismic velocities computed at the low frequency (field-based) and high frequency (lab-based) limits. In this paper, we demonstrate how seismic properties of fluid-filled, fractured reservoirs can be modeled over the full frequency spectrum using a numerical simulation technique which has become popular in recent years. It is based on Biot's theory of poroelasticity and enables the modeling of the seismic velocity dispersion and the frequency dependent seismic attenuation due to wave-induced fluid flow. These properties are sensitive to key parameters such as the hydraulic permeability of fractures as well as the compressibility and viscosity of the pore fluids. Applying the poroelastic modeling technique to the specific case of a magmatic geothermal system under stress due to the weight of the overlying rocks requires careful parameterization of the model. This includes consideration of the diversity of rock types occurring in the magmatic system and examination of the confining pressure-dependency of each input parameter. After the evaluation of all input parameters, we use our modeling technique to determine the seismic attenuation factors and phase velocities of a rock containing a complex interconnected fracture network, whose geometry is based on a fractured geothermal reservoir in Iceland. Our results indicate that in a magmatic geothermal reservoir the overall seismic velocity structure mainly reflects the lithological heterogeneity of the system, whereas indicators for reservoir permeability and fluid content are deducible from the magnitude of seismic attenuation and the critical frequency at which the peak of attenuation and maximum velocity dispersion occur. The study demonstrates how numerical modeling provides a valuable tool to overcome interpretation ambiguity and to gain a better understanding of the hydrology of geothermal systems, which are embedded in a highly heterogeneous host medium.
Community-weighted mean traits but not functional diversity determine the changes of soil properties during wetland drying on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Wei , Epstein Howard E. , Wen Zhongmin , Zhao Jie , Jin Jingwei , Jing Guanghua , Cheng Jimin , Du Guozhen
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Climate change and human activities have caused a shift in vegetation composition and soil biogeochemical cycles of alpine wetlands on the Tibetan Plateau. The primary goal of this study was to test for associations between community-weighted mean (CWM) trait and functional diversity, and soil properties during wetland drying. We collected soil samples and investigated the above-ground vegetation in swamp, swamp meadow and typical meadow; four CWM trait values (specific leaf area, SLA; leaf dry matter content, LDMC; leaf area, LA; and mature plant height, MPH) for 42 common species were measured across the three habitats; three components of functional diversity (functional richness; functional evenness; and functional divergence) were also quantified in these sites. Our results showed that the drying of the wetland dramatically altered plant community and soil properties. There was a significant correlation between CWM of traits and soil properties, but not a significant correlation between functional diversity and soil properties. Our results further showed that CWM-LA, CWM-SLA and CWM-LDMC had positive correlations with soil readily available nutrients (available nitrogen, AN; available phosphorus, AP), but negative correlations with total soil nutrients (soil organic carbon, SOC; total nitrogen TN; and total phosphorus, TP). Our study demonstrated that simple, quantitative plant functional traits, but not functional diversity, are directly related to soil C / N properties, and likely play an important role in plant-soil interactions, and our results also suggest that functional identity of species may be more important than functional diversity in influencing ecosystem processes during wetland drying.
Benefits of assimilating thin sea ice thickness from SMOS into the TOPAZ system
Authors: Xie Jiping , Counillon François , Bertino Laurent , Tian-Kunze Xiangshan , Kaleschke Lars
Published: November 2016

Abstract. An observation product for thin sea ice thickness (SMOS-Ice) is derived from the brightness temperature data of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. This product is available in near-real time, at daily frequency, during the cold season. In this study, we investigate the benefit of assimilating SMOS-Ice into the TOPAZ coupled ocean and sea ice forecasting system, which is the Arctic component of the Copernicus marine environment monitoring services. The TOPAZ system assimilates sea surface temperature (SST), altimetry data, temperature and salinity profiles, ice concentration, and ice drift with the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). The conditions for assimilation of sea ice thickness thinner than 0.4 m are favorable, as observations are reliable below this threshold and their probability distribution is comparable to that of the model. Two parallel Observing System Experiments (OSE) have been performed in March and November 2014, in which the thicknesses from SMOS-Ice (thinner than 0.4 m) are assimilated in addition to the standard observational data sets. It is found that the root mean square difference (RMSD) of thin sea ice thickness is reduced by 11 % in March and 22 % in November compared to the daily thin ice thicknesses of SMOS-Ice, which suggests that SMOS-Ice has a larger impact during the beginning of the cold season. Validation against independent observations of ice thickness from buoys and ice draft from moorings indicates that there are no degradations in the pack ice but there are some improvements near the ice edge close to where the SMOS-Ice has been assimilated. Assimilation of SMOS-Ice yields a slight improvement for ice concentration and degrades neither SST nor sea level anomaly. Analysis of the degrees of freedom for signal (DFS) indicates that the SMOS-Ice has a comparatively small impact but it has a significant contribution in constraining the system (> 20 % of the impact of all ice and ocean observations) near the ice edge. The areas of largest impact are the Kara Sea, Canadian Archipelago, Baffin Bay, Beaufort Sea and Greenland Sea. This study suggests that the SMOS-Ice is a good complementary data set that can be safely included in the TOPAZ system.
Language as an instrument of thought
Authors: Asoulin Eran
Published: November 2016

I show that there are good arguments and evidence to boot that support the language as an instrument of thought hypothesis. The underlying mechanisms of language, comprising of expressions structured hierarchically and recursively, provide a perspective (in the form of a conceptual structure) on the world, for it is only via language that certain perspectives are available to us and to our thought processes. These mechanisms provide us with a uniquely human way of thinking and talking about the world that is different to the sort of thinking we share with other animals. If the primary function of language were communication then one would expect that the underlying mechanisms of language will be structured in a way that favours successful communication. I show that not only is this not the case, but that the underlying mechanisms of language are in fact structured in a way to maximise computational efficiency, even if it means causing communicative problems. Moreover, I discuss evidence from comparative, neuropathological, developmental, and neuroscientific evidence that supports the claim that language is an instrument of thought.
Physiological and Biochemical Grounding of Different Nanomaterials Use WhenGrowing Corn Seeds
Authors: S. D. Polishchuk , A. A. Nazarova , N. V. Byshov , D. V. Kuznetsov , D. G. Churilov , G. I. Churilov
Published: November 2016

We have investigated in labandfield conditions the influence of cornpre-plant treatment with cuprum and cobalt nano particles and humicacids. We have determined the vitaland morpho-physiological parameters of plants and shown that the effective concentrations are within the limit 0.1-1.0 gper hectare norm of seeding rate. We have discovered that nano particlesi ncrease photosynthesis efficiency andactivate oxidation-reduction ferments and parameters of mineral metabolismthat increases fat in grown seeds by 0.63% as compared with the control.
Wetenschap en de beroepspraktijk: partners in veiligheidszorg
Authors: Kolthoff Emile
Published: November 2016

Science and the professional: partners in safety assurance

This article discusses the relationship between science and professional practice from the presumption that the two need and reinforce each other. The distinction between theoretical and applied research is rather small and maybe even fictional. This is also true for research in the area of public safety. However, we deal with a very specific area of research here that sometimes requires specific requirements concerning publications and trust.
Samen voor de jeugd: hoe wetenschap, onderwijs en praktijk samenwerken aan de preventie van seksueel misbruik in de residentiële jeugdzorg
Authors: Wismans Michelle , Boer Anne , Höing Mechtild , Vink Remy
Published: November 2016

Together for our youth at risk: how researchers, developers, youth workers and professional educators co-operate in the prevention of sexual problematic behavior in residential youth care

Young people in residential health care are experimenting with sexual behavior and sexual boundaries just like other young people do. But unlike youth in ‘normal’ circumstances, they often face an increased risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of sexual problematic behavior. Professionals often find it difficult to deal adequately with sexual behavior. The ‘Flag system’ is a method that helps them to assess sexual behavior adequately by applying six criteria, and rate satiation with four different ‘flags’ (green = normal behavior, yellow = risky behavior, red = mildly sexual abusive behavior, black = severely sexual abusive behavior). It provides guidelines to react in a way that supports normal behavior and addresses problematic behavior. A set of drawings illustrate situations that range from normal sexual behavior to severely abusive behavior, which can be used to discuss with young people or with colleagues. The original Flag system was developed by Sensoa, a Belgian experts center on sexuality. The original version was developed for use with children from 0 to 18, and therefore an adaptation was necessary to fit the needs of adolescents in residential youth care.

In a 4-year project, a partnership of researchers, program developers and professional educators, all experts in sexual health, develops an adapted version of the Flag system. The project provided a theoretical underpinning for the method, and a conceptual framework of goals and activities for the training program that is mandatory for those who want to work with the Flag system in a professional context. Also, drawings and guidelines were adapted to the context of residential youth care. This version is currently piloted in twelve institutions for residential youth care. Also, schools for higher professional education in social work are involved in a number of project activities to enhance their training programs in order to improve knowledge, skills and comfort of future youth workers to discuss sexual matters with young people.
De DJI en de wetenschap
Authors: Van den Hurk Arie , Jorna Annelies
Published: November 2016

The Custodial Institutions Agency (Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen - DJI) and science

The Custodial Institutions Agency (Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen - DJI) is responsible for the incarceration of offenders, the restoration of the legal order and reducing the risk of recidivism. DJI thereby provides a unique contribution to the security of society. An individualised approach of offenders and a focus on staff expertise are at the heart of the DJI strategy.

Knowledge management can make a significant contribution to achieving these objectives. Knowledge management aims at injecting penal policy as well as practice with knowledge.

To obtain this knowledge DJI has appealed to science for quite some time. This has resulted in various forms of cooperation. This article describes the principles of this cooperation and gives many examples of ongoing cooperation. Knowledge management within DJI has to deal with two bottlenecks in particular: (1) the articulation of the exact need for knowlegde (‘asking the right questions’) and (2) the use of available relevant knowledge on behalf of penal policy and practice.
Roma en exemplarisch handelingsonderzoek
Authors: Khonraad Sjaak
Published: November 2016

Roma people and exemplary action research

Since ages Roma people, in a formal context often described as multi problem families from Roma origin, constitute a large minority in Europe, about 8 to 12 million people. For that reason alone they are an important subject of scientific research. Research, which according to critics, often suffers from unilateral thinking, simplification, speculation and generalization. However, the fact that scientific insights rarely find their way to or are used by professionals working with and for Roma people, is a serious omission which unfortunately is not only characteristic for this specific subject. In this case what we see is a Chinese Wall between theory on practice and theory in practice.

In my belief, and also according to my experience, a way exists in which this wall can be torn down. There’s a method available in which theory and practice do not exist next to each other but take each other into account and strengthen each other. This paper presents an account of (exemplary) action research which started early 2012 and is still ongoing. It is a methodological reflection on a process which a team of professionals working with and for Roma people went through and which is based mainly on the thesis Handelingsonderzoek als exemplarisch leren (1987) by the late Harrie Coenen.

First, the background and immediate cause of this research project are described. Followed by a short summary of principles, goals and characteristics of exemplary action research and a summary of the research process. Conclusively, I argue why this type of research is especially interesting for professional practice and consequently for Higher Vocational Education/Universities of Applied Sciences.
Bridging the Generational Culture Gap in Youth Civic Engagement through Social Media: Lessons Learnt from Young Designers in Three Civic Organisations
Authors: Mainsah Henry , Brandtzæg Petter Bae , Følstad Asbjørn
Published: November 2016

Youth civic identities and social media practices are changing rapidly, and civic organisations are struggling to exploit the potential of social media to reach youth. One major challenge concerns the generational culture gap between the networked culture of today’s youth and the top–down culture characteristic of many civic organisations. This study presents lessons learnt from three cases where young designers (22–26 years) were engaged to develop social media concepts for civic organisations. Drawing on this experience, we present lessons learnt on how design by youth for youth may help to bridge the generational culture gap concerning civic engagement through social media. It is suggested that design may benefit from not only being informed by youth but also created by them. Through the design cases, we contribute to how civic organisations might innovate in their social media approach to better reflect the fast-changing networked youth culture.
Application of an Accuracy Profile Strategy Based on the β-Expectation Tolerance Interval for the Validation of a Liquid Chromatography Analytical Method for the Quantification of Benzoic Acid and Its Salts in Different Foodstuffs
Authors: Tighrine Abderrahmane , Amir Youcef , Mamou Marzouk
Published: November 2016

This paper presents the validation of a method for the quantification of benzoic acid and its salt preservatives, which are extensively used in the preservation of foodstuffs. The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives at the Food Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization has established maximum permitted limits for these compounds in different foodstuffs because of the harmful effects of benzoic acid and its salt preservatives when they exceed certain limits. Therefore, a reliable and simple method to quantify these preservatives was validated. The developed method used a combination of extracted external calibration standards, a simple extraction procedure, and reversed-phase HPLC. This method was validated by applying a new approach in which the total error was based on the β-expectation tolerance interval developed by the Society of Pharmaceutical Science and Techniques Commission with an acceptability limit fixed ata λ of ±15%. The results demonstrated that themethod is accurate, with repeatability between 1.096 and 1.986% and intermediate precision between 1.133 and 2.005% in the considered concentration range. The LOD was 0.1597 μg/mL.
Determination of Bovine Lactoferrin in Food by HPLC with a Heparin Affinity Column for Sample Preparation
Authors: Zhang Yin , Lou Fei , Wu Wei , Dong Xin , Ren Jia , Shen Qiuguang
Published: November 2016

An HPLC method was developed for the quantitative determination of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) in sterilized milk, modified milk, fermented milk, infant formula, adult formula, rice cereal, vitamin function drink, and protein powder products. bLF was first extracted with a phosphate buffer (pH 8), underwent cleanup in a heparin affinity column, and was detected by HPLC with a C4 column and diode-array detector at a wavelengthof 280 nm. The proposed method provided a linear detection range of 10.0–1000 μg/mL with an LOD of 0.6 mg/100 g in liquid samples and 3 mg/100 g in solid samples and an LOQ of 2 mg/100 g in liquid samples and 10 mg/100 g in solid samples. In addition, the method showed good recovery for various samples, ranging from 76 to 96%. The method had several remarkable advantages, including ease of handling, high sensitivity and accuracy, good reproducibility, and low-cost detection. Based on the distinctive properties presented here, webelieve the proposed HPLC assay holds great promise for the oversight and detection of bLF in testing organizations, dairy enterprises, and regulatory authorities.
Development of a Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Method Combined with UV-Visible Spectrophotometry for Determination of Trace Aluminum(III) in Water, Wastewater, Food, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Samples
Authors: Birgani Nasrin Taghipour , Elhami Shahla
Published: November 2016

A simple and sensitive method was proposed for the preconcentration of trace levels of Al(III) prior to its determination by spectrophotometry, based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. The complexation of the Al(III) was performed by chelation with Eriochrome Cyanine R (ECR). In this method, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a dispersant was dissolved in chloroform as an extractant solvent, and then the solution was rapidly injected by a syringe into the samples containing Al(III), which had already been complexed by ECR at optimized pH. Various parameters were studied and optimized for a 10 mL sample volume. Under the optimum conditions, the LOD (3 times the SD of 10 replicate readings of the reagent blank) and the dynamic range of the calibration obtained were 0.2 ng mL−1 (7 nM) and 1.0–80.0 ng mL−1, respectively. The RSDs for eight replicate determinations of10 and 60 ng mL−1 of Al(III) were 3.3 and 1.8%, respectively. This strategy was successfully applied to determine the Al concentration in water, wastewater,yogurt, apple, carrot, celery, bread, potato, urine, and Al–Mg syrup samples.
Effects of controlled oxidative stress and uncouplers on primary photosynthetic processes in vegetative cells of Antarctic alga Zygnema sp.
Authors: Kakkou Christos , Barták Miloš , Hájek Josef , Skácelová Kateřina , Hazdrová Jana
Published: November 2016

In our study, we present responses of Antarctic strain of filamentous alga Zygnema sp. collected at James Ross Island (Antarctica) to application of variuos uncouplers of pri-mary photosynthetic processes. We exposed the alga to different concentrations of nigericin, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), dithiothreitol (DTT), methyl viologen (MV) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in order to test stability of photosystem II, involvement of non-photochemical quenching, and PS II functioning under combination of moderate light with particular uncoupler. Oxidative stress tolerance was tested by the combination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and moderate light. Time courses of FV/FM, FPSII, NPQ and qF0 were investigated and particular effects of the above-specified chem-icals discussed. Moderate doses of uncouplers allowing partial recovery, and the doses causing full inhibition of PS II were specified.
Diversity of the Cyanoprokaryota in polar deserts of Innvika cove North-East Land (Nordaustlandet) Island, Spitsbergen
Authors: Davydov Denis
Published: November 2016

The study of polar deserts cyanoprokaryotes up to now is few. Foremost this is connected with difficulty visiting of the area. The paper presents the results of a study of сyanoprokaryota on the southern coast of Innvika cove (Fotherbyfjorden bay, North-East Land Island, Spitsbergen archipelago). A total of 74 taxa were observed in various habitats of investigated area. Nine species are reported for the first time for Spitsbergen flora. Gloeocapsopsis magma (20 observations), Nostoc commune (19), Microcoleus autumnalis (17) were the most common species in the investigated samples. The most number of species (42) was found on wet rocks. The similarity Sorensen index between wet rock species, seepage species and pools species is very high. It can mean that for many species the only necessary preference in habitat is a rock substrate and wetting. Most similar are the flora of the Innvika area and flora of the west part of Oscar II Land (61%).
The genus Tocantinia (Amaryllidaceae, Amaryllidoideae) and two new species from Brazil
Authors: Büneker Henrique Mallmann , Bastian Regis Eduardo , Soares Kelen Pureza , Costa Calmito Miranda
Published: November 2016

A synopsis of the genus Tocantinia is provided, with two new species being described and illustrated: T. dutilhiana and T. stigmovittata. Descriptions, illustrations and data on etymology, ecology, conservation status, distribution and habitat of the species are provided. The taxonomic placement of the genus in morphological and phylogenetic aspects is discussed.
The genome of the crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis, a model for animal development, regeneration, immunity and lignocellulose digestion
Authors: Kao Damian , Lai Alvina G , Stamataki Evangelia , Rosic Silvana , Konstantinides Nikolaos , Jarvis Erin , Di Donfrancesco Alessia , Pouchkina-Stancheva Natalia , Sémon Marie , Grillo Marco , Bruce Heather , Kumar Suyash , Siwanowicz Igor , Le Andy , Lemire Andrew , Eisen Michael B , Extavour Cassandra , Browne William E , Wolff Carsten , Averof Michalis , Patel Nipam H , Sarkies Peter , Pavlopoulos Anastasios , Aboobaker Aziz
Published: November 2016

The amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis is a blossoming model system for studies of developmental mechanisms and more recently regeneration. We have sequenced the genome allowing annotation of all key signaling pathways, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs that will enhance ongoing functional studies. Parhyale is a member of the Malacostraca clade, which includes crustacean food crop species. We analysed the immunity related genes of Parhyale as an important comparative system for these species, where immunity related aquaculture problems have increased as farming has intensified. We also find that Parhyale and other species within Multicrustacea contain the enzyme sets necessary to perform lignocellulose digestion ('wood eating'), suggesting this ability may predate the diversification of this lineage. Our data provide an essential resource for further development of Parhyale as an experimental model. The first malacostracan genome will underpin ongoing comparative work in food crop species and research investigating lignocellulose as an energy source.
DNA methylation directs genomic localization of Mbd2 and Mbd3 in embryonic stem cells
Authors: Hainer Sarah J , McCannell Kurtis N , Yu Jun , Ee Ly-Sha , Zhu Lihua J , Rando Oliver J , Fazzio Thomas G
Published: November 2016

Cytosine methylation is an epigenetic and regulatory mark that functions in part through recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes containing methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) proteins. Two MBD proteins, Mbd2 and Mbd3, were previously shown to bind methylated or hydroxymethylated DNA, respectively; however, both of these findings have been disputed. Here, we investigated this controversy using experimental approaches and re-analysis of published data and find no evidence for methylation-independent functions of Mbd2 or Mbd3. We show that chromatin localization of Mbd2 and Mbd3 is highly overlapping and, unexpectedly, we find Mbd2 and Mbd3 are interdependent for chromatin association. Further investigation reveals that both proteins are required for normal levels of cytosine methylation and hydroxymethylation in murine embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, Mbd2 and Mbd3 regulate overlapping sets of genes that are also regulated by DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation factors. These findings reveal an interdependent regulatory mechanism mediated by the DNA methylation machinery and its readers.
Simplified optical correlation-domain reflectometry employing proximal reflection point
Authors: Shizuka Makoto , Lee Heeyoung , Hayashi Neisei , Mizuno Yosuke , Nakamura Kentaro
Published: November 2016

We develop a new configuration of simplified optical correlation-domain reflectometry using a proximal reflection point. The experimental setup is basically composed of standard silica fibers and includes neither an optical frequency shifter such as an acousto-optic modulator nor an explicit reference path. The light reflected at the proximal reflection point, which is artificially fabricated near an optical circulator, is used as the reference light. Unlike the conventional silica-based setup, this configuration can perform a distributed reflectivity measurement along the distal half of the sensing fiber. After demonstration of the basic operation, the incident optical power dependence of the reflectivity distribution is investigated, and the existence of the optimal incident power is clarified.
Characterizing polyubiquitinated forms of the neurodegenerative ubiquitin mutant UBB+1
Authors: Chojnacki Michal , Zhang Daoning , Talarowska Monika , Gałecki Piotr , Szemraj Janusz , Fushman David , Nakasone Mark A.
Published: November 2016

The ubiquitin mutant UBB+1 has been identified as a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we characterize polyubiquitinated forms of UBB+1 in vitro and from patient samples. The ability of UBB+1 to be readily ubiquitinated by several E2 enzymes provided a mechanism for the controlled synthesis and purification of defined conjugates. This allowed us to utilize polyUb–UBB+1 conjugates for biochemical assays, as well as solution NMR. Coupled with our immunoassay for detection of ubiquitinated forms of UBB+1 in patient blood samples, we gain a clearer picture of the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases.
Statistical behavior of the longitudinal variations of daytime electron density in the topside ionosphere at middle latitudes
Authors: Su Fanfan , Wang Wenbin , Burns Alan G. , Yue Xinan , Zhu Fuying , Lin Jian
Published: November 2016

Electron density in the topside ionosphere has significant variations with latitude, longitude, altitude, local time, season, and solar cycle. This paper focuses on the global and seasonal features of longitudinal structures of daytime topside electron density (Ne) at middle latitudes and their possible causes. We used in situ Ne measured by DEMETER and F2 layer peak height (hmF2) and peak density (NmF2) from COSMIC. The longitudinal variations of the daytime topside Ne show a wave number 2‐type structure in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas those in the Southern Hemisphere are dominated by a wave number 1 structure and are much larger than those in the Northern Hemisphere. The patterns around December solstice (DS) in the Northern Hemisphere (winter) are different from other seasons, whereas the patterns in the Southern Hemisphere are similar in each season. Around March equinox (ME), June solstice (JS), and September equinox (SE) in the Northern Hemisphere and around ME, SE, and DS in the Southern Hemisphere, the longitudinal variations of topside Ne have similar patterns to hmF2. Around JS in the Southern Hemisphere (winter), the topside Ne has similar patterns to NmF2 and hmF2 does not change much with longitude. Thus, the topside variations may be explained intuitively in terms of hmF2 and NmF2. This approach works reasonably well in most of the situations except in the northern winter in the topside not too far from the F2 peak. In this sense, understanding variations in hmF2 and NmF2 becomes an important and relevant subject for this topside ionospheric study.