bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphorus Effects of Mesoporous Bioactive Glass on Occlude Exposed Dentin
Authors: Chen Wen-Cheng , Chen Cheng-Hwei , Kung Jung-Chang , Hsiao Yu-Cheng , Shih Chi-Jen , Chien Chi-Sheng
Published: November 2013

In recent studies, sealing of exposed dentinal tubules is generally considered as one of the most effective strategies to treat dentin hypersensitivity. Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is a potential material for treating dentin hypersensitivity due to its highly specific areas for dissolution and re-precipitated reaction for reduction in dentin permeability. The groups of commercial products of PerioGlas®, synthetic MBG and MBG without phosphorus (MBGNP) were compared. The MBG and MBGNP powders were prepared by the sol-gel method and mixed with different calculated ratios of phosphoric acid (PA) and then was brushed onto dentin surfaces. We used X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the physiochemistry and the occlusion ability of dentinal tubules. The results showed that MBG paste mixed with PA solution has a better ability for occluding dentinal tubules than MBGNP; it has a short reaction time and good operability. The major crystallite phase of MBG agents was monocalcium phosphate monohydrate [Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O] in the early stages of the reactions. MBG pastes that were mixed with 30% and 40% PA had the ability to create excellent penetration depth greater than 80 μm. These agents have the potential to treat dentin hypersensitivity.
Triterpenoids and Steroids from Ganoderma mastoporum and Their Inhibitory Effects on Superoxide Anion Generation and Elastase Release
Authors: Thang Tran , Kuo Ping-Chung , Hwang Tsong-Long , Yang Mei-Lin , Ngoc Nguyen , Han Tran , Lin Chi-Wen , Wu Tian-Shung
Published: November 2013

The methanol extracts of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma mastoporum collected in Vietnam was purified to afford eight compounds, including three triterpenoids and five steroids. The purified compounds were examined for their inhibitory effects against superoxide anion generation and elastase release. Among the tested compounds, ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (3) exhibited the most significant inhibition towards superoxide anion generation and elastase release with IC50 values of 2.30 ± 0.38 and 1.94 ± 0.50 µg/mL, respectively.
A Stochastic Approach to Noise Modeling for Barometric Altimeters
Authors: Sabatini Angelo , Genovese Vincenzo
Published: November 2013

The question whether barometric altimeters can be applied to accurately track human motions is still debated, since their measurement performance are rather poor due to either coarse resolution or drifting behavior problems. As a step toward accurate short-time tracking of changes in height (up to few minutes), we develop a stochastic model that attempts to capture some statistical properties of the barometric altimeter noise. The barometric altimeter noise is decomposed in three components with different physical origin and properties: a deterministic time-varying mean, mainly correlated with global environment changes, and a first-order Gauss-Markov (GM) random process, mainly accounting for short-term, local environment changes, the effects of which are prominent, respectively, for long-time and short-time motion tracking; an uncorrelated random process, mainly due to wideband electronic noise, including quantization noise. Autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) system identification techniques are used to capture the correlation structure of the piecewise stationary GM component, and to estimate its standard deviation, together with the standard deviation of the uncorrelated component. M-point moving average filters used alone or in combination with whitening filters learnt from ARMA model parameters are further tested in few dynamic motion experiments and discussed for their capability of short-time tracking small-amplitude, low-frequency motions.
A Method for Estimating the Extent of Regional Food Self-Sufficiency and Dietary Ill Health in the Province of British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Ostry Aleck , Morrision Kathryn
Published: November 2013

We outline in this paper a suite of methods, and illustrate their use, to empirically determine food self-sufficiency at a relatively small (Local Health Areas) level of geography. Further we have, after identifying regions of lowest food self-sufficiency in British Columbia (BC) superimposed these on regions whose populations have relatively poor dietary ill health. Approximately one third of Local Health Areas in BC have both poor local food self-sufficiency and populations suffering from poor dietary health. These are located mainly (but not entirely) in poor under-developed rural regions of the province regions which require attention from health and food planners to improve local food security. Finally, we have demonstrated a methodological way forward to empirically determine regions in the province of BC most at risk for food insecurity. This information should be of interest to health and food planners within the province. These methods may also be useful for researchers and planners in other jurisdictions.
Ecotoxicology: The Challenges for the 21st Century
Authors: Vighi Marco , Villa Sara
Published: November 2013

The usual procedures for ecological risk assessment (ERA) have been based for decades on simplified approaches in order to provide basic information on the huge amount of chemicals introduced into the environment. These approaches allowed the development of international regulatory tools capable of substantially reducing the adverse effects on ecosystems in developed countries. Nevertheless, these approaches suffer from a lack of ecological realism and are poorly suitable for understanding the actual consequences for ecosystem health. The need for more ecologically-based approaches is now recognized by the scientific community and has been highlighted by a recent document of the European Commission. In this paper, a synthesis is presented of the most important issues and the need for research to improve the ecological realism of exposure and effect assessment and the tools that should be developed to reach this objective. In particular, the major challenges are the following: the effects of variable exposure patterns; the vulnerability of ecosystems; the indirect ecological effects; the responses to multiple stress factors; the improvement of ecological modeling. The possibilities for using new scientific achievements in regulatory ERA are also discussed.
The Deciphered Genome of Mesobuthus martensii Uncovers the Resistance Mysteries of Scorpion to Its Own Venom and Toxins at the Ion Channel Level
Authors: Andreotti Nicolas , Sabatier Jean-Marc
Published: November 2013

Scorpions are amongst the most ancient arthropods, as the oldest fossils were dated from the late silurian (Proscorpius osborni, 418 million years B.P.)
A Monoclonal Antibody Based Capture ELISA for Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype B: Toxin Detection in Food
Authors: Stanker Larry , Scotcher Miles , Cheng Luisa , Ching Kathryn , McGarvey Jeffery , Hodge David , Hnasko Robert
Published: November 2013

Botulism is a serious foodborne neuroparalytic disease, caused by botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Seven toxin serotypes (A–H) have been described. The majority of human cases of botulism are caused by serotypes A and B followed by E and F. We report here a group of serotype B specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) capable of binding toxin under physiological conditions. Thus, they serve as capture antibodies for a sandwich (capture) ELISA. The antibodies were generated using recombinant peptide fragments corresponding to the receptor-binding domain of the toxin heavy chain as immunogen. Their binding properties suggest that they bind a complex epitope with dissociation constants (KD’s) for individual antibodies ranging from 10 to 48 × 10−11 M. Assay performance for all possible combinations of capture-detector antibody pairs was evaluated and the antibody pair resulting in the lowest level of detection (L.O.D.), ~20 pg/mL was determined. Toxin was detected in spiked dairy samples with good recoveries at concentrations as low as 0.5 pg/mL and in ground beef samples at levels as low as 2 ng/g. Thus, the sandwich ELISA described here uses mAb for both the capture and detector antibodies (binding different epitopes on the toxin molecule) and readily detects toxin in those food samples tested.
Nuclear Trafficking of Retroviral RNAs and Gag Proteins during Late Steps of Replication
Authors: Stake Matthew , Bann Darrin , Kaddis Rebecca , Parent Leslie
Published: November 2013

Retroviruses exploit nuclear trafficking machinery at several distinct stages in their replication cycles. In this review, we will focus primarily on nucleocytoplasmic trafficking events that occur after the completion of reverse transcription and proviral integration. First, we will discuss nuclear export of unspliced viral RNA transcripts, which serves two essential roles: as the mRNA template for the translation of viral structural proteins and as the genome for encapsidation into virions. These full-length viral RNAs must overcome the cell’s quality control measures to leave the nucleus by co-opting host factors or encoding viral proteins to mediate nuclear export of unspliced viral RNAs. Next, we will summarize the most recent findings on the mechanisms of Gag nuclear trafficking and discuss potential roles for nuclear localization of Gag proteins in retrovirus replication.
Biomedical Informatics: We Are What We Publish
Authors: Brown S. H. , Wright G. , Elkin P. L.
Published: November 2013

Introduction: This article is part of a For-Discussion-Section of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Biomedical Informatics: We are what we publish“. It is introduced by an editorial and followed by a commentary paper with invited comments. In subsequent issues the discussion may continue through letters to the editor.

Objective: Informatics experts have attempted to define the field via consensus projects which has led to consensus statements by both AMIA. and by IMIA. We add to the output of this process the results of a study of the Pubmed publications with abstracts from the field of Biomedical Informatics.

Methods: We took the terms from the AMIA consensus document and the terms from the IMIA definitions of the field of Biomedical Informatics and combined them through human review to create the Health Infor -matics Ontology. We built a terminology server using the Intelligent Natural Language Processor (iNLP). Then we downloaded the entire set of articles in Medline identified by searching the literature by “Medical Informatics” OR “Bioinformatics”. The articles were parsed by the joint AMIA / IMIA terminology and then again using SNOMED CT and for the Bioinformatics they were also parsed using HGNC Ontology.

Results: We identified 153,580 articles using “Medical Informatics” and 20,573 articles using “Bioinformatics”. This resulted in 168,298 unique articles and an overlap of 5,855 articles. Of these 62,244 articles (37%) had titles and abstracts that contained at least one concept from the Health Infor -matics Ontology. SNOMED CT indexing showed that the field interacts with most all clinical fields of medicine.

Conclusions: Further defining the field by what we publish can add value to the consensus driven processes that have been the mainstay of the efforts to date. Next steps should be to extract terms from the literature that are uncovered and create class hierarchies and relationships for this content. We should also examine the high occurring of MeSH terms as markers to define Biomedical Informatics. Greater understanding of the Biomedical Informatics Literature has the potential to lead to improved self-awareness for our field.
Information Technology Acceptance in Health Information Management
Authors: Abdekhoda M. , Dehnad A. , Hosseini A. F. , Ahmadi M.
Published: November 2013

Objective: User acceptance of information technology has been a significant area of research for more than two decades in the field of information technology. This study assessed the acceptance of information technology in the context of Health Information Management (HIM) by utilizing Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which was modified and applied to assess user acceptance of health information technology as well as viability of TAM as a research construct in the context of HIM.

Methods: This was a descriptive- analytical study in which a sample of 187 personnel from a population of 363 personnel, working in medical records departments of hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, was selected. Users’ perception of applying information technology was studied

by a researcher-developed questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software (version16) using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Results: The results suggest that TAM is a useful construct to assess user acceptance of information technology in the context of HIM. The findings also evidenced the per -ceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PE) were positively associated with favorable users’ attitudes towards HIM. PU was relatively more associated ( r= 0.22, p = 0.05) than PEOU (r = 0.014, p = 0.05) with favorable user attitudes towards HIM.

Conclusions: Users’ perception of usefulness and ease of use are important determinants providing the incentive for users to accept information technologies when the application of a successful HIM system is attempted. The findings of the present study suggest that user acceptance is a key element and should subsequently be the major concern of health organizations and health policy makers.
Soil nitrogen, and not phosphorus, promotes cluster‐root formation in a South American Proteaceae, Embothrium coccineum
Authors: Piper Frida I. , Baeza Gabriela , Zúñiga‐Feest Alejandra , Fajardo Alex
Published: November 2013

• Premise of the study: Cluster roots are a characteristic root adaptation of Proteaceae species. In South African and Australian species, cluster roots promote phosphorus (P) acquisition from poor soils. In a South American Proteaceae species, where cluster roots have been scarcely studied and their function is unknown, we tested whether cluster‐root formation is stimulated by low soil nutrition, in particular low P‐availability.

• Methods: Small and large seedlings (< 6‐ and > 6‐months old, respectively) of Embothrium coccineum and soil were collected across four different sites in Patagonia (Chile). We determined cluster‐root number and relative mass, and leaf Pi concentration per mass (Pimass) and per area (Piarea) for each seedling, and tested relationships with Olsen–P (OP), sorbed–P (sP) and total nitrogen (N) using generalized linear mixed‐effects models and model selection to assess the relative strength of soil and plant drivers.

• Key results: Best‐fit models showed a negative logarithmic relationship between cluster‐root number and soil nitrogen (N), and between cluster‐root relative mass and both leaf Piarea and soil N, and a positive logarithmic relationship between cluster‐root number and leaf Piarea. Cluster‐root relative mass was higher in small than in large seedlings.

• Conclusions: Contrary to that found in South African and Australian Proteaceae, cluster roots of E. coccineum do not appear to be driven by soil P, but rather by soil N and leaf Piarea. We suggest that cluster roots are a constitutive and functional trait that allows plants to prevail in poor N soils.
Morfología de la cementita en aceros arqueológicos que han sufrido incendio
Authors: Criado-Martín A. J. , García L. , Cartón M. , Criado-Portal A. J. , Dietz C. , Martínez J. A.
Published: November 2013

Se presenta un estudio metalográfico de piezas arqueológicas de acero, encontradas en distintos yacimientos arqueológicos, cuyas microestructuras características revelan que se han visto afectadas por niveles de incendio. El estudio se ha realizado mediante FEG (Field Emission Gun). Se han reproducido en el laboratorio las estructuras de los aceros arqueológicos.
Nuevos tratamientos T6 para aleaciones de AlSi obtenidas por conformación en estado semisólido
Authors: Menargues S. , Baile M. T. , Forn A.
Published: November 2013

Se estudian los cambios microestructurales que tienen lugar en los tratamientos térmicos de las aleaciones AlSi, conformadas en estado semisólido, durante las etapas de puesta en solución y envejecimiento. El estudio ha permitido proponer nuevos tratamientos T6, con tiempos de puesta en solución inferiores a los 30 min, manteniendo o mejorando las propiedades mecánicas que se obtienen con los actuales procesos de tratamiento de 6 a 8 h. Estos tratamientos de corta duración, realizados a 540 ºC, permiten una completa disolución del magnesio, minimizando al mismo tiempo el crecimiento de los granos y del silicio eutéctico. Si bien la experimentación se ha realizado con componentes producidos por Sub-Liquidus Casting (SLC) con aleaciones A356 y A357, se considera que los resultados obtenidos pueden ser aplicables a los componentes producidos en estado semisólido por otras tecnologías, con diferentes aleaciones AlSi que se endurecen por formación de precipitados coherentes de magnesio. La caracterización del material se ha realizado mediante análisis micrográficos, ensayos de dureza y ultramicrodureza.
Development of virtual laboratory experiments in iLabs
Authors: Ostroukh Andrey Vladimirovich , Nikolaev Andrey Borisovich
Published: November 2013

The article describes the experience of developing Internet-oriented cross-platform interactive visualization system objects and processes with the organization of computer access to real laboratory equipment, interfacing with packages research software and specialized scientific databases on engineering Automobile and Road Complex in teaching Moscow Automobile and Road construction State Technical University (MADI).
Use of GIS Mapping as a Public Health Tool–-From Cholera to Cancer
Authors: Musa George J. , Chiang Po-Huang , Sylk Tyler , Bavley Rachel , Keating William , Lakew Bereketab , Tsou Hui-Chen , Hoven Christina W.
Published: November 2013

The field of medical geographic information systems (Medical GIS) has become extremely useful in understanding the bigger picture of public health. The discipline holds a substantial capacity to understand not only differences, but also similarities in population health all over the world. The main goal of marrying the disciplines of medical geography, public health and informatics is to understand how countless health issues impact populations, and the trends by which these populations are affected. From the 1990s to today, this practical approach has become a valued and progressive system in analyzing medical and epidemiological phenomena ranging from cholera to cancer. The instruments supporting this field include geographic information systems (GIS), disease surveillance, big data, and analytical approaches like the Geographical Analysis Machine (GAM), Dynamic Continuous Area Space Time Analysis (DYCAST), cellular automata, agent-based modeling, spatial statistics and self-organizing maps. The positive effects on disease mapping have proven to be tremendous as these instruments continue to have a great impact on the mission to improve worldwide health care. While traditional uses of GIS in public health are static and lacking real-time components, implementing a space-time animation in these instruments will be monumental as technology and data continue to grow.
Proteomic Analysis of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Roots Inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum Strain CPAC 15
Authors: Torres Adalgisa R. , Rodrigues Elisete P. , Batista Jesiane S.S. , Gomes Douglas F. , Hungria Mariangela
Published: November 2013

This research intended to analyze the expression pattern of proteins in roots of the Brazilian soybean cultivar Conquista when inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum CPAC 15, a strain broadly used in commercial inoculants in Brazil. At ten days after bacterial inoculation, whole-cell proteins were extracted from roots and separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis. Comparative analysis revealed significant changes in the intensity of 37 spots due to the inoculation (17 up-regulated and 20 down-regulated proteins), identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF-TOF. Identified proteins were associated with COG functional categories of information storage and processing, cellular processes and signaling, metabolism, and also in the “poorly characterized” and “not in COG” categories. Among the up-regulated proteins, we identified sucrose synthase (nodulin-100), β-tubulin, rubisco activase, glutathione-S-transferase, a putative heat-shock 70-kDa protein, pyridine nucleotide-disulphideoxidoreductase and a putative transposase. Proteomic analysis allowed for the identification of some putative symbiotic functions and confirmed the main biological processes triggered in the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with soybean.
Global risk from the atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides by nuclear power plant accidents in the coming decades
Authors: Christoudias T. , Proestos Y. , Lelieveld J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We estimate the global risk from the release and atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides from nuclear power plant accidents using the EMAC atmospheric chemistry–general circulation model. We included all nuclear reactors that are currently operational, under construction and planned or proposed. We implemented constant continuous emissions from each location in the model and simulated atmospheric transport and removal via dry and wet deposition processes over 20 yr (2010–2030), driven by boundary conditions based on the IPCC A2 future emissions scenario. We present global overall and seasonal risk maps for potential surface layer concentrations and ground deposition of radionuclides, and estimate potential dosages to humans from the inhalation and the exposure to ground deposited radionuclides. We find that the risk of harmful doses due to inhalation is typically highest during boreal winter due to relatively shallow boundary layer development and reduced mixing. Based on the continued operation of the current nuclear power plants, we calculate that the risk of radioactive contamination to the citizens of the USA will remain to be highest worldwide, followed by India and France. By including stations under construction and those that are planned and proposed our results suggest that the risk will become highest in China, followed by India and the USA.
Measurements of nitrite production in and around the primary nitrite maximum in the central California Current
Authors: Santoro A. E. , Sakamoto C. M. , Smith J. M. , Plant J. N. , Gehman A. L. , Worden A. Z. , Johnson K. S. , Francis C. A. , Casciotti K. L.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Nitrite (NO2−) is a substrate for both oxidative and reductive microbial metabolism. NO2− accumulates at the base of the euphotic zone in oxygenated, stratified open-ocean water columns, forming a feature known as the primary nitrite maximum (PNM). Potential pathways of NO2− production include the oxidation of ammonia (NH3) by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea as well as assimilatory nitrate (NO3−) reduction by phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria. Measurements of NH3 oxidation and NO3− reduction to NO2− were conducted at two stations in the central California Current in the eastern North Pacific to determine the relative contributions of these processes to NO2− production in the PNM. Sensitive (< 10 nmol L−1), precise measurements of [NH4+] and [NO2−] indicated a persistent NH4+ maximum overlying the PNM at every station, with concentrations as high as 1.5 μmol L−1. Within and just below the PNM, NH3 oxidation was the dominant NO2− producing process, with rates of NH3 oxidation to NO2− of up to 31 nmol L−1 d−1, coinciding with high abundances of ammonia-oxidizing archaea. Though little NO2− production from NO3− was detected, potentially nitrate-reducing phytoplankton (photosynthetic picoeukaryotes, Synechococcus, and Prochlorococcus) were present at the depth of the PNM. Rates of NO2− production from NO3− were highest within the upper mixed layer (4.6 nmol L−1 d−1) but were either below detection limits or 10 times lower than NH3 oxidation rates around the PNM. One-dimensional modeling of water column NO2− production agreed with production determined from 15N bottle incubations within the PNM, but a modeled net biological sink for NO2− just below the PNM was not captured in the incubations. Residence time estimates of NO2− within the PNM ranged from 18 to 470 days at the mesotrophic station and was 40 days at the oligotrophic station. Our results suggest the PNM is a dynamic, rather than relict, feature with a source term dominated by ammonia oxidation.
Image analysis for measuring stratigraphy in sand-gravel laboratory experiments
Authors: Orrú C. , Chavarrías V. , Uijttewaal W. S. J. , Blom A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Measurements of spatial and temporal changes in the grain size distribution are crucial to improving the modelling of sediment transport and associated grain size-selective processes. We present three complementary techniques to determine such variations in the grain size distribution in sand-gravel laboratory experiments, as well as the resulting stratigraphy: (1) particle colouring, (2) removal of sediment layers, and (3) image analysis. The resulting stratigraphy measurement method has been evaluated in two sets of experiments. In both sets three grain size fractions within the range of coarse sand to fine gravel were painted in different colours. Sediment layers are removed using a wet vacuum cleaner. Subsequently areal images are taken of the surface of each layer. The areal fraction content, i.e. the relative presence of each size fraction over the bed surface, is determined using a colour segmentation algorithm which provides the areal fraction content of a specific colour (i.e., grain size) covering the bed surface. Particle colouring is not only beneficial to this type of image analysis but also observing and understanding grain size-selective processes. The stratigraphy based on areal fractions is measured with sufficient accuracy. Other advantages of the proposed stratigraphy measurement technique are: (a) rapid collection and processing of a large amount of data, (b) very high spatial density of information on the grain size distribution (so far unequalled in other methods), (c) the lack of disturbances to the bed surface, (d) only minor disturbances to the substrate due to the removal of sediment layers, and (e) the possibility to return a sediment layer at its original elevation and continue the flume experiment. The areal fractions can be converted into volumetric fractions using a conversion model. The proposed empirical conversion model is based on a comparison between the photogrammetry results and dry sieve analysis.
Inverse streamflow routing
Authors: Pan M. , Wood E. F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The process whereby the spatially distributed runoff (generated through saturation/infiltration excesses, subsurface flow, etc.) travels over the hillslope and river network and becomes streamflow is generally referred to as "routing". In short, routing is a runoff-to-streamflow process, and the streamflow in rivers is the response to runoff integrated in both time and space. Here we develop a methodology to invert the routing process, i.e., to derive the spatially distributed runoff from streamflow (e.g., measured at gauge stations) by inverting an arbitrary linear routing model using fixed interval smoothing. We refer to this streamflow-to-runoff process as "inverse routing". Inversion experiments are performed using both synthetically generated and real streamflow measurements over the Ohio River basin. Results show that inverse routing can effectively reproduce the spatial field of runoff and its temporal dynamics from sufficiently dense gauge measurements, and the inversion performance can also be strongly affected by low gauge density and poor data quality. The runoff field is the only component in the terrestrial water budget that cannot be directly measured, and all previous studies used streamflow measurements in its place. Consequently, such studies are limited to scales where the spatial and temporal difference between the two can be ignored. Inverse routing provides a more sophisticated tool than traditional methods to bridge this gap and infer fine-scale (in both time and space) details of runoff from aggregated measurements. Improved handling of this final gap in terrestrial water budget analysis may potentially help us to use space-borne altimetry-based surface water measurements for cross-validating, cross-correcting, and assimilation with other space-borne water cycle observations.
A comparison of methods for determining field evapotranspiration: photosynthesis system, sap flow, and eddy covariance
Authors: Zhang Z. , Tian F. , Hu H. C. , Hu H. P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. A multi-scale, multi-technique study was conducted to measure evapotranspiration and its components in a cotton field under mulched drip irrigation conditions in northwestern China. Three measurement techniques at different scales were used: photosynthesis system (leaf scale), sap flow (plant scale), and eddy covariance (field scale). The experiment was conducted from July to September 2012. To upscale the evapotranspiration from the leaf to the plant scale, an approach that incorporated the canopy structure and the relationships between sunlit and shaded leaves was proposed. To upscale the evapotranspiration from the plant to the field scale, an approach based on the transpiration per unit leaf area was adopted and modified to incorporate the temporal variability in the relationships between leaf area and stem diameter. At the plant scale, the estimate of the transpiration based on the photosynthesis system with upscaling was slightly higher (18%) than that obtained by sap flow. At the field scale, the estimates of transpiration derived from sap flow with upscaling and eddy covariance shown reasonable consistency during the cotton open boll growth stage when soil evaporation can be neglected. The results indicate that the upscaling approaches are reasonable and valid. Based on the measurements and upscaling approaches, evapotranspiration components were analyzed under mulched drip irrigation. During the two analysis sub-periods in July and August, evapotranspiration rates were 3.94 and 4.53 mm day−1, respectively. The fraction of transpiration to evapotranspiration reached 87.1% before drip irrigation and 82.3% after irrigation. The high fraction of transpiration over evapotranspiration was principally due to the mulched film above drip pipe, low soil water content in the inter-film zone, well-closed canopy, and high water requirement of the crop.
Climate change impacts on the hydrologic regime of a Canadian river: comparing uncertainties arising from climate natural variability and lumped hydrological model structures
Authors: Seiller G. , Anctil F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Diagnosing the impacts of climate change on water resources is a difficult task pertaining to the uncertainties arising from the different modeling steps. Lumped hydrological model structures contribute to this uncertainty as well as the natural climate variability, illustrated by several members from the same Global Circulation Model. In this paper, the hydroclimatic modeling chain consist of twenty-four potential evapotranspiration formulations, twenty lumped conceptual hydrological models, and seven snowmelt modules. These structures are applied on a natural Canadian sub-catchment to address related uncertainties and compare them to the natural variability as depicted by five climatic members. Uncertainties are commented on the observation period and on simulated and projected climates. They rely on interannual hydrographs and hydrological indicators analysis. Results show that the natural climate variability is the major source of uncertainty, followed by the potential evapotranspiration formulations and hydrological models. The selected snowmelt modules, however, do not contribute much to the uncertainty. The analysis also illustrates that the streamflow simulation over the current climate period is already conditioned by tools' selection, propagating this uncertainty on reference and future projection, while climatic members add over it. These findings demonstrate the importance of opting for several climatic members to encompass the important uncertainty related to the climate natural variability, but also of selecting multiple modeling tools to provide a trustworthy diagnosis of the impacts of climate change on water resources.
Focusing wave group on a current of finite depth
Authors: Merkoune D. , Touboul J. , Abcha N. , Mouazé D. , Ezersky A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Formation of freak waves resulting from the wave packets propagating in finite water depth on the background of a current is studied experimentally and numerically. In the experiment, the freak waves appear as a result of dispersion focusing of wave train excited by wave maker with modulated frequency. The space evolution of the frequency modulated train is studied in numerical simulations. We showed that in the water of finite depth, a distance of focusing increases and amplitude in the focal point decreases in comparison with infinite water depth. Experimental results are in good agreement with numerical simulations if wave breaking of surface waves does not occur.
Preliminary investigation on the coastal rogue waves of Jiangsu, China
Authors: Wang Y. , Tao A.-F. , Zheng J.-H. , Doong D.-J. , Fan J. , Peng J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. As an eye-catching issue, rogue waves have been undergoing different stages from theory to practice gradually, whose occurrence always brings about severe threat to not only ships and sailors but also coastal structural integrity. Due to the scarce wave observations in coastal zone and meager study in Mainland China, the discussion specifically aimed at observed coastal rogue waves in China was at elementary stage. Based on the measured data from Xiangshui station of Jiangsu, China, the characteristics including occurrence probability and nonlinearity are investigated, which is a supplement to the previous research works. Surprisingly, the outcomes tend to refute rather than confirming some of the traditional conceptions about rogue waves. A new concept for the classification of coastal rogue waves is proposed afterwards.
Extreme storm surges: a comparative study of frequency analysis approaches
Authors: Hamdi Y. , Bardet L. , Duluc C.-M. , Rebour V.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. In France, nuclear facilities were designed to very low probabilities of failure. Nevertheless, exceptional climatic events have given rise to surges much larger than observations (outliers) and had clearly illustrated the potential to underestimate the extreme water levels calculated with the current statistical methods. The objective of the present work is to conduct a comparative study of three approaches including the Annual Maxima (AM), the Peaks-Over Threshold (POT) and the r-Largest Order Statistics (r-LOS). These methods are illustrated in a real analysis case study. All the data sets were screened for outliers. Non-parametric tests for randomness, homogeneity and stationarity of time series were used. The shape and scale parameters stability plots, the mean excess residual life plot and the stability of the standard errors of return levels were used to select optimal thresholds and r values for the POT and r-LOS method, respectively. The comparison of methods was based on: (i) the uncertainty degrees, (ii) the adequacy criteria and tests and (iii) the visual inspection. It was found that the r-LOS and POT methods have reduced the uncertainty on the distributions parameters and return level estimates and have systematically shown values of the 100 and 500 yr return levels smaller than those estimated with the AM method. Results have also shown that none of the compared methods has allowed a good fitting at the right tail of the distribution in the presence of outliers. As a perspective, the use of historical information was proposed in order to increase the representativity of outliers in data sets. Findings are of practical relevance not only to nuclear energy operators in France, for applications in storm surge hazard analysis and flood management, but also for the optimal planning and design of facilities to withstand extreme environmental conditions, with an appropriate level of risk.
Facing and managing natural disasters in the Sporades Islands, Greece
Authors: Karanikola P. , Panagopoulos T. , Tampakis S. , Karantoni M. I. , Tsantopoulos G.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The region of the Sporades Islands located in central Greece is at the mercy of many natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, due to the marine volcano "Psathoura", and the rift of Anatolia, forest fires, floods, landslides, storms, hail, snowfall and frost. The present work aims at studying the perceptions and attitudes of the residents regarding how they face and manage natural disasters. A positive public response during a hazard crisis depends not only upon the availability and good management of a civil defence plan but also on the knowledge and perception of the possible hazards by the local population. It is important for the stakeholders to know what the citizens expect from each of the separate stakeholders so that the necessary structures can be developed in the phase of preparation and organization. The residents were asked about their opinion about what they think should be done by the stakeholders after a catastrophic natural disaster, particularly the immediate response of stakeholders and their involvement and responsibilities at different, subsequent intervals of time following the disaster. The residents were also asked about the most common disasters that happen in their region and about the preparation activities of the stakeholders.
High temperature indentation creep tests on anhydrite – a promising first look
Authors: Dorner D. , Röller K. , Stöckhert B.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Indentation creep tests are established in materials engineering, providing information on rheology, deformation mechanisms, and related microstructures of materials. Here we explore the potential of this method on natural, polycrystalline anhydrite. The tests are run at atmospheric pressure, temperatures between 700 °C and 920 °C, and reference stresses between 7 MPa and 30 MPa. An activation energy Q of 338 kJ mol−1 and a stress exponent n of 3.9 are derived. Deformation is localized into shear zones bounding a less deformed approximately conical plug underneath the indenter. Shear zone microstructures reveal inhomogeneous crystal plastic deformation, subgrains, and extensive strain induced grain boundary migration, while mechanical twinning appears not to be activated. Microstructure and mechanical data are consistent with deformation by dislocation creep. Extrapolated to slow natural strain rates, the flow law predicts a high flow strength of anhydrite compared to previous studies.
Modeling near-surface firn temperature in a cold accumulation zone (Col du Dôme, French Alps): from a physical to a semi-parameterized approach
Authors: Gilbert A. , Vincent C. , Six D. , Wagnon P. , Piard L. , Ginot P.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Analysis of the thermal regime of glaciers is crucial for glacier hazard assessment, especially in the context of a changing climate. In particular, the transient thermal regime of cold accumulation zones needs to be modeled. A modeling approach has therefore been developed to determine this thermal regime using only near-surface boundary conditions coming from meteorological observations. In the first step, a surface energy-balance (SEB) model accounting for water percolation was applied to identify the main processes that control the subsurface temperatures in cold firn. Results agree well with subsurface temperatures measured at Col du Dôme (4250 m a.s.l., France). In the second step, a simplified model using only daily mean air temperature and potential solar radiation was developed. This model properly simulates the spatial variability of surface melting and subsurface firn temperatures and was used to accurately reconstruct the deep borehole temperature profiles measured at Col du Dôme. Results show that percolation and refreezing are efficient processes for the transfer of energy from the surface to underlying layers. However, they are not responsible for any higher energy uptake at the surface, which is exclusively triggered by increasing energy flux from the atmosphere due to SEB changes when surface temperature reach 0 °C. The resulting enhanced energy uptake makes cold accumulation zones very vulnerable to air temperature rise.
Sexual dimorphism involved in the mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions of permanent teeth
Authors: Sabóia Ticiana Medeiros , Tannure Patricia Nivoloni , Luiz Ronir Raggio , Costa Marcelo de Castro , Granjeiro Jose Mauro , Küchler Erika Calvano , Antunes Leonardo Santos
Published: November 2013

Studies indicate that tooth crown diameters are clinical markers for sex differentiation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the degree of sexual dimorphism in different teeth. Maximum mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual (BL) dimensions of 2400 permanent teeth from 100 pretreatment orthodontic dental study casts and clinical records (50 males and 50 females) from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were examined. Comparison of the MD and BL dimensions between males and females was performed using the Student’s t test with alpha 0.05, effect size, and discriminant function analysis. Comparisons in MD and BL widths between sexes demonstrated that the combined mean in the female group presented reduction when compared with the male group, except for the BL dimension of tooth 26. In regard to the MD dimensions, statistically significant differences were observed in various dental groups. The greatest sexual dimorphism was observed in the left mandibular canine (p<0.001) with effect size over 0.8 (0.94), which characterizes large effect. In BL dimension, numerous teeth demonstrated statistical differences between the sexes. Our findings reinforced the magnitude of sexual dimorphism in tooth size, and, in addition, highlighted the differences in specific dental groups.
Synonymus and homonymus of "Malvasía" cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) existing in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Torres I. , Ibáñez J. , De Andrés M.T. , Rubio C. , Borrego J. , Cabello F. , Zerolo J. , Muñoz-Organero G.
Published: November 2013

"Malvasia" is a common name for different grape cultivars that have long been grown in Spain. In many cases, these cultivars are noted as being aromatic, sweet, and similar to Muscat in flavour. However, not all grapes that share this name exhibit these characteristics. This study compares the Malvasia cultivars in the Spanish Denominations of Origin with those grape cultivars grown in the grapevine collection of El Encín (Alcalá de Henares, Spain) using morphological, isoenzymatic, and microsatellite analysis as well as a large bibliographic search of the studied cultivars. Despite their Malvasia denomination, some cultivars have been identified as synonyms of "Macabeo", "Alarije", "Doña Blanca,", "Chasselas", or "Planta Nova", all included on the official Spanish list of commercial grape cultivars. "Malvasía de Sitges" and "Malvasía de Lanzarote" have the characteristic flavour of Malvasia grapes and no synonyms were found among the cultivars grown in Spain, whereas "Malvasía Rosada" resulted from a colour mutation in "Malvasía de Sies".
Within-plant distribution and seasonal population dynamics of flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) infesting French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya
Authors: Kasina M. , Nderitu J. , Nyamasyo G. , Waturu C. , Olubayo F. , Obudho E. , Yobera D.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this research was to study spatial distribution of flower thrips on French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kenya. Their build up and seasonal population dynamics was monitored using sticky blue colour traps and sampling of leaves and flowers in two seasons in 2002. Thrips infested French beans from the second week after crop emergence. Their population peaked at peak flowering. The sticky trap catches were linearly related to the actual presence of thrips on the crop and could estimate population build up of adult thrips on leaves and flowers. On the plants, most adults were on flowers. Larvae mainly inhabited leaves, buds and pods. The two thrips species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) and Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom were spatially separated. The former colonized lower-canopy leaves and early flowers while the latter inhabited middle-canopy leaves and mature flowers. Overall, M. sjostedti was less than 5% of the total thrips population, implying that F. occidentalis was the main thrips pest of French beans. This study suggests that French bean growers should monitor thrips population before initiating any control measure. In addition, they should commence thrips control early, at pre-flowering, using larvicides to reduce the thrips pool and their migration to flowers. A combination of monitoring with sticky traps and proper sampling would contribute to sustainable thrips management.
Role of Bradyrhizobium japonicum induced by genistein on soybean stressed by water deficit
Authors: Nápoles M.C. , Guevara E. , Montero F. , Rossi A. , Ferreira A.
Published: November 2013

The soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a crop mainly grown under rain fed conditions although irrigation is increasingly being used. Water deficiency is the main factor limiting seed production. The symbiosis process is also negatively affected by water stress. The isoflavone genistein have been recognized as a powerful inducer of Nod factors production by Bradyrhizobium and its addition to inocula has been shown to increase nodule number and promote soybean nitrogen (N) fixation at low temperatures. This study looks for answers about the possible role of genistein in countering the stress on nodulation produced by water deficit in soybeans. Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079 was grown in culture media induced or not induced with genistein. Inocula were applied to plants growing at different moisture levels. The effect of the treatments on nodulation and N content was evaluated.An improved response to drought stress was observed when the bacteria were grown in presence of genistein as a Nod factors inducer. Nodulation values under moisture stress differed from 8.9 nodules/plant with genistein at 10 micro M to 1.8 nodules/plant when no inducer was used. Genistein reduced the negative effect on nodulation caused by water deficiency.