bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach for simulating the paleo evolution of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets
Authors: Banderas Rubén , Alvarez-Solas Jorge , Robinson Alexander , Montoya Marisa
Published: July 2017

Abstract. The aim of this study is to assess and improve the methods currently used to force ice sheet models offline. To this end, three different synthetic transient forcing climatologies are developed for the past 120 kyr following a perturbative approach and applied to an ice-sheet model. The results are used to evaluate their consequences for simulating the paleo evolution of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets. The first method follows the usual approach in which temperature anomalies relative to present are calculated by combining a present-day climatology with a simulated glacial-interglacial climatic anomaly field interpolated through an index derived from ice-core data. In the second approach the representation of millennial-scale climate variability is improved by incorporating a simulated stadial-interstadial anomaly field. The third is a refinement of the second one in which the amplitudes of both orbital and millennial-scale variations are corrected to provide a perfect agreement with a recent absolute temperature reconstruction over Greenland. The comparison of the three climate forcing methods highlights the tendency of the usual approach to overestimate the temperature variability over North America and Eurasia at millennial timescales. This leads to a relatively high Northern Hemisphere (NH) ice-volume variability on these timescales. Through enhanced ablation, this results in too low an ice volume throughout the last glacial period (LGP), below or at the lower end of the uncertainty range of estimations. Improving the representation of millennial-scale variability alone yields an important increase of ice volume in all NH ice sheets, but especially in the Fennoscandian ice sheet (FIS). Optimizing the amplitude of the temperature anomalies to match the Greenland reconstruction results in a further increase of the simulated ice-sheet volume throughout the LGP. Our new method provides a more realistic representation of orbital and millennial scale climate variability and represents an improvement in the transient forcing of ice sheets during the last glacial period. Interestingly, our new approach underestimates ice-volume variations on millennial timescales as indicated by sea-level records. This suggests that either the origin of the latter is not the NH or that processes not represented in our study, notably variations in oceanic conditions, need to be invoked to account for an important role of millennial-scale climate variability on millennial-scale ice- volume fluctuations. We finally provide here both our derived climate evolution of the LGP using the three methods as well as the resulting ice-sheet configurations. These could be of interest for future studies dealing with the atmospheric or/and oceanic consequences of transient ice-sheet evolution throughout the LGP, and as a source of climate input to other ice sheet models.
How runoff components affect the export of DOC and nitrate: a
long-term and high-frequency analysis
Authors: Schwab Michael P. , Klaus Julian , Pfister Laurent , Weiler Markus
Published: July 2017

Abstract. We monitored dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate concentrations and fluxes in situ with a UV-Vis spectrometer for two years at a high temporal resolution of 15 minutes in the forested Weierbach headwater catchment. The catchment exhibits a characteristic double peak runoff response to incident rainfall during periods with wet initial conditions. When initial conditions are dry, only the first discharge peak occurs. During our observations, both DOC and nitrate concentrations increased during the first discharge peak, while only nitrate concentrations were elevated during the second discharge peak. Relying on additional biweekly end-member data of precipitation, throughfall, soil water and groundwater, we linked the first peak to near surface flowpaths and the second peak to shallow groundwater reactions and subsurface flowpaths. The mass export of DOC and nitrate is largely controlled by the discharge yield. Nevertheless, this relationship is altered by changing flowpaths during different wetness conditions in the catchment. Due to the absence of second discharge peaks during dry conditions, the DOC export is more relevant and the nitrate export is less relevant during dry catchment states. The study highlights the benefits of in-situ, long-term, and high-frequency monitoring for comparing DOC and nitrate export with runoff components that are changing rapidly during events as well as gradually between seasons.
A robust recurrent ANFIS for modeling multi-step-ahead flood forecast of Three Gorges Reservoir in the Yangtze River
Authors: Zhou Yanlai , Chang Fi-John , Guo Shenglian , Ba Huanhuan , He Shaokun
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Accurate and robust multi-step-ahead flood forecast during flood season is extremely crucial to reservoir flood control. A modified hybrid learning algorithm, which fuses the Least Square Estimator (LSE) with Genetic Algorithm (GA), is proposed for optimizing the parameters of recurrent ANFIS (R-ANFIS) model to overcome the instability and local minima problems as well as improve model’s generalization and robustness. A coherent set of evaluation criteria is used to fully explore the model's accuracy (MAE, RMSE, CC & CE) and robustness (reliability, vulnerability & resilience). Three types of ANFIS (i.e. Classic, Recurrent, and Modified Recurrent) models with their optimal input variables identified by the Gamma Test are utilized for modeling multi-step-ahead flood forecast of Three Gorges Reservoir in the Yangtze River, respectively. Taking the horizon t + 12 (three days ahead), for example, the comparison analysis between C-ANFIS and R-ANFIS indicates that the R-ANFIS model can largely improve the CE, CC, reliability and resilience by 38.09 %, 17.36 %, 28.30 % & 140.26 % as well as significantly reduce the MAE, RMSE, vulnerability by 68.03 %, 47.98 % & 13.32 %. The comparison analysis between R-ANFIS and MR-ANFIS shows that the MR-ANFIS model can further enhance the CE, CC, reliability and resilience by 2.04 %, 2.04 %, 5.05 %, and 3.61 %, respectively, as well as decrease the MAE, RMSE, vulnerability by 9.91 %, 13.79 %, and 9.92 %, respectively. Such results evidently promote data-driven model's generalization (accuracy & robustness) and leads to better decisions on real-time reservoir operation during flood season.
An intercomparison of approaches for improving operational seasonal streamflow forecasts
Authors: Mendoza Pablo A. , Wood Andrew W. , Clark Elizabeth , Rothwell Eric , Clark Martyn P. , Nijssen Bart , Brekke Levi D. , Arnold Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2017

Abstract. For much of the last century, forecasting centers around the world have offered seasonal streamflow predictions to support water management. Recent work suggests that the two major avenues to advance seasonal predictability are improvements in the estimation of initial hydrologic conditions (IHCs) and the incorporation of climate information. This study investigates the marginal benefits of a variety of methods using IHCs and/or climate information, focusing on seasonal water supply forecasts (WSFs) in five case study watersheds located in the US Pacific Northwest region. We specify two benchmark methods that mimic standard operational approaches – statistical regression against IHCs and model-based ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) – and then systematically intercompare WSFs across a range of lead times. Additional methods include (i) statistical techniques using climate information either from standard indices or from climate reanalysis variables and (ii) several hybrid/hierarchical approaches harnessing both land surface and climate predictability. In basins where atmospheric teleconnection signals are strong, and when watershed predictability is low, climate information alone provides considerable improvements. For those basins showing weak teleconnections, custom predictors from reanalysis fields were more effective in forecast skill than standard climate indices. ESP predictions tended to have high correlation skill but greater bias compared to other methods, and climate predictors failed to substantially improve these deficiencies within a trace weighting framework. Lower complexity techniques were competitive with more complex methods, and the hierarchical expert regression approach introduced here (hierarchical ensemble streamflow prediction – HESP) provided a robust alternative for skillful and reliable water supply forecasts at all initialization times. Three key findings from this effort are (1) objective approaches supporting methodologically consistent hindcasts open the door to a broad range of beneficial forecasting strategies; (2) the use of climate predictors can add to the seasonal forecast skill available from IHCs; and (3) sample size limitations must be handled rigorously to avoid over-trained forecast solutions. Overall, the results suggest that despite a rich, long heritage of operational use, there remain a number of compelling opportunities to improve the skill and value of seasonal streamflow predictions.
Satellite-based emergency mapping: Landslides triggered by the 2015 Nepal earthquake
Authors: Williams Jack G. , Rosser Nick J. , Kincey Mark E. , Benjamin Jessica , Oven Katie J. , Densmore Alexander L. , Milledge David G. , Robinson Tom R.
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Landslides triggered by large earthquakes in mountainous regions contribute significantly to overall earthquake losses and pose a major secondary hazard that can persist for months or years. While scientific investigations of coseismic landsliding are increasingly common, there is no protocol for rapid (hours-to-days) humanitarian-facing landslide assessment, and no published recognition of what is possible and what is useful to compile immediately after the event. Drawing on the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, we consider how quickly a landslide assessment based upon manual satellite-based emergency mapping (SEM) can be realistically achieved, and review the decisions taken by analysts to ascertain the timeliness and type of useful information that can be generated. We find that, at present, many forms of landslide assessment are too slow to generate relative to the speed of a humanitarian response, despite increasingly rapid access to high-quality imagery. Importantly, the value of information on landslides evolves rapidly as a disaster response develops, so identifying the purpose, timescales, and end-users of a post-earthquake landslide assessment is essential to inform the approach taken. It is clear that discussions are needed on the form and timing of landslide assessments, and how best to present and share this information, before rather than after an earthquake strikes. In this paper, we share the lessons learned from the Gorkha earthquake, with the aim of informing the approach taken by scientists to understand the evolving landslide hazard in future events and the expectations of the humanitarian community involved in disaster response.
Introduction
Authors: Dosse François
Published: July 2017

Introduction (anglais) ERRS 2017 8 1
Johann Michel, Quand le social vient au sens. Philosophie des sciences historiques et sociales, Bruxelles, Peter Lang, 2015, pp. 181
Authors: Lelièvre Samuel
Published: July 2017

Recension
Louis Carré, Alain Loute (dir.), Donner, reconnaître, dominer. Trois modèles en philosophie sociale, Villeneuve d’Ascq, Presses Universitaires du Septentrion, “philosophie,” 2016, pp. 229
Authors: Roman Sébastien
Published: July 2017

Recension
El "gentleman" y el bárbaro. Masculinidad y civilización en el nacionalismo vasco (1893-1937)
Authors: Aresti Nerea
Published: July 2017

Este artículo analiza la evolución de los ideales de masculinidad creados por el nacionalismo vasco desde sus orígenes, a finales del siglo XIX, hasta la guerra civil española, situando el concepto de civilización en el centro. El “hombre vasco” fue construido en oposición al español y se situó a sí mismo cercano a la figura del gentleman. El trabajo plantea que este juego de identificaciones y contrastes no fue una derivación lógica de la ideología nacionalista o de su comprensión del significado de la diferencia sexual. Al contrario, fue fruto de maniobras discursivas y redefiniciones que pusieron de manifiesto la versatilidad de los conceptos y su capacidad para adaptarse a visiones del mundo y proyectos políticos dispares.
Marx contra Buda: Colonialismo, guerra y las raíces del Partido Comunista de Birmania (1930-1945)
Authors: Gomà Daniel
Published: July 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar el proceso de construcción del marxismo birmano y su relación con otras ideologías del movimiento anticolonial opuesto al dominio británico, así como las consecuencias de la fundación del Partido Comunista de Birmania (PCB). Analizaremos el periodo formativo del PCB y sus dificultades para consolidarse ideológicamente en un entorno político, social y cultural complejo y cómo su actuación en la Segunda Guerra Mundial le permitirá erigirse en la principal fuerza política del país y tener el poder absoluto al alcance de la mano, oportunidad que desaprovechará y que marcará el inicio de su declive político.
A Biaxial Strain–Based Expansion Mechanism for Auxetic Stent Deployment
Authors: Bukhari Faiza , Ansari Umar , Najabat Ali Murtaza , Akhtar Hafsah , Asif Sarim , Mohammad Umer , Mir Mariam
Published: July 2017

Background

Auxetics, a special class of materials, tend to expand both in the radial and longitudinal directions when a unidirectional tensile force is applied. Recently, studies have come up with new designs for auxetic vascular and nonvascular stents which are deployed with commercial balloon catheters. There are some inherent limitations associated with a unidirectional application of expansion force in the effective deployment of stents. This work proposed a solution to some of these limitations through the use of a biaxial mode of a predetermined strain-based expansion mechanism.

Method

The design incorporated a pressure-activated crank-slider mechanism. Fabrication of a prototype for experimental verification was carried out through milling and high-speed lathe machining. The testing of the device employed the use of auxetic stents, fabricated from a biocompatible polymer. A finite element study is presented to extrapolate experimental results to a broader range of operation and working conditions.

Results and Conclusions

The expansion mechanism is similar in operation to the opening of an umbrella. The length of the connected auxetic stent increases when internal hydraulic pressure is applied. The degree of linear expansion in 1 direction influences the expansion of auxetic stent in the lateral direction. As the device exerts pressure longitudinally, a larger amount of the force is distributed on the unit cells/hinges which ultimately results in an increased expansion of the stent.
SEGURANÇA DO PACIENTE EM UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA DE ACORDO COM A TEORIA DE WANDA HORTA
Authors: Perão Odisséia Fátima , Zandonadi Giseli Cristina , Rodrúguez Anita Hernández , Fontes Moisés Dos Santos , Do Nascimento Eliane Regina Pereira , Dos Santos Evanguelia Kotzias Atherino
Published: July 2017

Este artigo objetivou refletir sobre a segurança do paciente em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva associada à Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas de Wanda de Aguiar Horta, realizado em dezembro de 2015. Utilizou-se para o estudo a Cartilha dos 10 Passos para a Segurança do Paciente e as dimensões psicobiológicas, psicossociais e psicoespirituais da teoria. A escolha da Teoria se justifica pelo fato de seus elementos darem sentido ao cuidado de enfermagem em diferentes contextos como no ambiente crítico de cuidado. Resultou na elaboração de um quadro contendo a relação da Cartilha 10 Passos para Segurança do Paciente com a Teoria das Necessidades Humanas Básicas de Wanda Horta. Após a reflexão teórica, concluiu-se que existe conexão entre as necessidades básicas de Wanda Horta com os 10 Passos para a Segurança do Paciente, o que nos leva a inferir que a implementação adequada desta teoria sustenta um cuidado livre de riscos.
Automatic bone drilling using a novel robot in orthopedic trauma surgery
Authors: Kastelov Rumen , Boiadjiev George , Boiadjiev Tony , Delchev Kamen , Zagurski Kazimir , Gueorguiev Boyko
Published: July 2017

Background: Currently, applications of robotized systems in orthopedic trauma surgery steadily increase due to their functional abilities facilitating surgeon skills. The aim of this study is to present the functional advantages of a recently developed robot for bone drilling.Methods: Ex-vivo experiments were performed on fresh porcine and bovine bones, as well as on fresh and embalmed human bones such as femora, vertebrae and rips, by the use of the robot for bone drilling to identify diverse control parameters and analyse thrust force and drill bit temperature during drilling.Results: Experimental data during drilling is shown, control algorithms are described and bone drilling modes are characterized. Maximal values of thrust force and temperature are detected. Controlling thrust force seems to be the proper way to reduce force resistance and hence temperature during drilling. In automatic drilling mode, preliminary defined channel depth is drilled with accuracy of 0.1 mm, and far cortex end recognition is proved to work reliably for automatic stop with minimal controlled soft tissue penetration. Cortex and bone marrow thickness are measured and analysed in real time.Conclusion: The bone drilling robot is programmed to follow with high accuracy parameters defined by the surgeon. Enhancing surgeon’s freedom and responsibility to make decisions, it can perform precise manipulations, decreasing the influence of subjective factors and increasing patient’s safety.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Education Studies, Vol. 10, No. 8
Authors: Lee Chris
Published: July 2017

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Education Studies, Vol. 10, No. 8, 2017.
Mangroves Sediment Ability as a Traps of Heavy Metal Chrome in Tukad Mati Estuary, Bali – Republic of Indonesia
Authors: Dirgayusa I Gusti Ngurah Putra , Suteja Yulianto , Adnyana Ida Bagus Putu
Published: July 2017

Tukad Mati is one of the ten rivers has decreased due to the development of water quality screen printing and textile industries. Monitoring of the waters of the Tukad Mati has so far been confined to the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) only. Whereas monitoring should be carried out thoroughly considering the heavy metal content is also harmful to users of water resources in Tukad Mati. One of the natural buffer of heavy metals in sediments of mangrove waters is a final media gathering all kinds of heavy metals waters, while mangrove itself is a natural sediment trap.Therefore, the heavy metals in the waters will experience the highest accumulation in mangrove sediments. The purpose of this study is as early monitoring to detect the chromium metal in waters and sediments in Tukad Mati estuary. In this study conducted in on-site data measurements in the form of data pH, temperature, salinity, disolved oxygen (DO) and discharge water. measurement of chromium content in the water and sediment of Tukad Mati estuary using AAS method.The study showed that from the results of on-site data measurements in estuary of Tukad Mati showed that the average value of salinity, pH, temperature and Dissolved Oxygen still meet quality ministerial decree of the environment of Indonesian Republic no 51 in 2004 for biota and marine tourism. The measurement results also showed that chromium content in water an average of 0.19 (mg/l) and exceed the ministerial decree of the environment of Indonesian Republic no 51 in 2004. Mangrove and non-mangrove sediments in Tukad Mati estuary have been exceed the Lowest Effect Level for organism and some sediment contaminated with chromium and passed the quality standards According to Canadian Council of Ministers of Environmental in 2000. Chromium concentration in sediment higer than water allegedly caused by heavy metals that tends to bind and fall to the bottom waters along the process of sedimentation.
Climate Change Awareness and Joint Decision to Adopt Agroforestry and Conservation Agriculture Practices in Zambia
Authors: Tembo Moses C. , Kuntashula Elias , Kalinda Thomson
Published: July 2017

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that small holder farmers face in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Zambia. In response to this, various interventions such as Agroforestry (AF) and Conservation Agriculture (CA) have been promoted within the country so as to enhance uptake among farmers and ultimately mitigate climate change. However, the adoption rates of these technologies has been low. To understand the adoption process several adoption studies have focused on the effects of socio-economic and other institutional factors on adoption of the technologies. The direct link between small holder farmer’s climate change awareness and the uptake of both AF and CA is an area that has received less attention among these studies. This paper estimates the effect of climate change awareness on the adoption of AF and CA, and establishes whether the adoption of the two technologies is jointly determined in Zambia. Data used emanated from the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI) and University of Zambia (UNZA) Climate Change and Land Use Project that implemented a supplemental climate change survey in 2013 on Rural Agricultural Livelihood Survey (RALS 2012) panel sample of 1,231 households in six districts of Zambia. Results showed that the majority of farmers (77.2 %) were aware of climate change issues and their consequences on agriculture production and the environment. It was also observed that holding other factors constant, a farmer aware of climate change and its consequences was 6% more likely to adopt both AF and CA compared to those not aware. The decision to adopt AF and CA was found to be jointly determined by farmers. In addition to climate change awareness, the other factors affecting the joint decision to adopt the two technologies included gender, farmer group membership of the household head as well as ownership of radio sets and rippers. There is need therefore to deliberately increase climate change awareness among smallholder farmers and promote the simultaneous uptake of both AF and CA through the mass media and the provision of an environment that increases accessibility to tools that ease up the uptake of these technologies.
Designing Thermally Pleasant Open Areas: The Influence of Microclimatic Conditions on Comfort and Adaptation in Midwest Brazil
Authors: Lucchese Julia Romero , Andreasi Wagner Augusto
Published: July 2017

The increasing temperatures in urban areas can negatively affect the health and comfort of its dwellers. Thus, this study assessed thermal comfort conditions in a public square, located in hot-humid Midwest Brazil, based on the relationship between microclimate conditions, thermal sensations and adaptation. Data used were collected through micrometeorological measurements and questionnaire surveys, which were performed simultaneously in field campaigns during hot and cold seasons. The aim was to propose design guidelines for open areas according to local thermal preferences. An updated regionally-calibrated Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) assessment scale is also proposed. Neutral temperatures were estimated on a seasonal basis and critical discomfort hours on a monthly basis. The results reaffirm that psychological and behavioral factors influence the individuals’ assessment of the outdoor thermal environment and therefore should be considered as design criteria. To improve the microclimate of urban open areas in Campo Grande, shading must be provided primarily by trees and resting areas should be protected from wind exposure. The use of water features for evaporative cooling purposes is not recommended, however, drinking fountains should be available in public squares. Such results can be used by landscape architects and urban planners to deliver thermally comfortable open spaces, encouraging greater use and increased length of stay in these areas.
Risk Analysis of Tender Documents on the Execution of Private Construction Work at Badung Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia
Authors: Yuni Ni Kadek Sri Ebtha , Norken I Nyoman , Sudarsana Dewa Ketut , Adnyana Ida Bagus Putu
Published: July 2017

Documents received during the tender, are in the form of drawings, specifications, bill of quantity (BQ), and the general terms of the contract. Tender activity will bring a variety of risks during the project implementation, and this research is done to identify and assessment of risks, mitigating risk and determining the ownership of the dominant risk.The research was conducted on a private building construction project at Badung Regency in Bali, by using a qualitative method and data collection was done through interview, brainstorming with experts and questionnaires. Among the 39 risk identified, 15 risks were obtained from the previous research, and the remaining 24 risks in this research.The results of this risk assessment were that 18 risks (46.2%) categorized into unacceptable, that include: the addition items of work, the drawing does not match with plan, and the changes in the material specifications. Risk assessment fell into the undesirable category that 21 risks (53.8%), including the mismatch information from planners, the arithmetic error, and materials used were not available on the market. Mitigation was done to dominant risk, among others by reassessing, submitting the contract change order, and asking questions. The biggest risk of ownership was the contractor, namely 39 risks with 18 unacceptable and 21 undesirable risks, this mean, problems associated with tender documents should receive the attention to contractors, planner consultants, owners and Quantity Surveyor (QS) consultants. Contractors as the recipient of the biggest risk were expected to increase the competence of those involved in the tender process.
Evaluation of Building Materials Based on Sustainable Development Indicators
Authors: Baglou Mona , Ghoddousi Parviz , Saeedi Mohsen
Published: July 2017

Construction industry regarded as one of the key aspects of achieving the goals of sustainable development in communities. In this regard, the choice of building materials is one of the key challenges in order to improve project performance with respect to sustainable development indicators and the use of sustainable materials, is an effective step towards achieving sustainable construction. This research uses information and evidence, interview and questionnaire prepared (by five points Likert scale method). Also, it has provided expert opinions related indicators widely used in a construction materials, manufacturing process and defining the impact of the production of these materials on sustainable development deals. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were also performed (with Cronbach's alpha method). As a result of this research, Cement was identified as the most unsustainable material, after that Steel and then Brick and Glass were located with a wide margin. So Light concrete block, Gypsum, Stone, Lime, and Concrete were identified as the most sustainable materials according to existing indicators respectively. The consequences of this study can help the project executors in order to promote the use of sustainable building materials in construction and also industries will be aware of the impact of the sustainability indicators on their products.
Assessment of Sustainable Livelihood Assets of Farming Households in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Udoh Edet J. , Akpan Sunday B. , Uko Edikan Francis
Published: July 2017

There is surfeit of evidence on increase poverty and low agricultural productivity among majority of rural dwellers in Nigeria. Researches have established an inverse linked between rural poverty and sustainable households’ asset based. Agricultural production, being the major livelihood source for majority of rural dwellers needs considerable asset or capital for it to be considered as sustainable. Based on this assertion, the study assesses the sustainable livelihood assets of farming households in Abak Local Government area of Akwa Ibom state in Southern region of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 110 farming household heads in the study area. Structured questionnaires were used to collect cross sectional data from respondents. Descriptive tools were used to analyse data collected. The socioeconomic features of respondents revealed a sample population that is fast ageing, dominated by married male and moderately educated. Result also showed that, respondents had considerable piles of physical, social and natural assets to assist in livelihood sustenance. However, the index of capacity structure of sustainable livelihood assets revealed a huge deficiency in financial and human assets among farming households in the region. Hence, it is recommended that, farming households should increase their human assets by encouraging education of the younger household members. Also, efforts should be made to improve social capital formation among farming households and communities.
Effects of heavy metals ions on primary photosynthetic processes in Antarctic filamentous alga Zygnema sp. ( Short Communication )
Authors: Varela Hernandez Higinio Pablo
Published: July 2017

Algae show different extent of resistance to heavy metals. In this study, the resistance of green filamentous alga Zygnema sp. (strain EEL201, originally collected at James Ross Island, Antarctica) was tested by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The alga was taken from the stock culture cultivated on agar, innoculated to liquid medium and allowed to develop biomass large enough for exposition experiments. Heavy metal treatments consisted of addition of Cd and Zn so that effective concentration was 66 mM. Response of primary photosynthetic processes to Cd, Zn addition was assessed by the exposition time-dependent decrease in potential quantum yield (FV/FM) photosystem II (PS II) and relative fluorescence decline ratio (RFd). Cd- and Zn-treated Zygnema sp. exhibited similar extent of decline of the two parameters associated with inhibition of primary processes of photosynthesis. Negative changes to PS II, however, did not bring full inhibition of PS II functioning since FV/FM was about 0.450 after 120 min. exposition. The results might indicate a potential of Antarctic Zygnema in the studies focused on resistance to heavy metals and phytoremediation technologies.
Characterisation of humic acids, isolated from selected sub-antarctic soils by 13C-NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Abakumov Evgeny
Published: July 2017

Soils of Antarctic considered as underestimated in terms of soils organic matter polls, organic remnants humification/mineralization rates and biogenic-abiogenic interactions. Humic acids of selected Sub Antarctic soils were investigated in terms of elemental and structural composition with special reference to evaluation of organic matter stabilisation degree and assessment of carbon species distributions in the molecules with use of solid state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. It was shown, that the prevailing of aliphatic compounds on the aromatic one is more pronounced in Antarctic soils than in Arctic ones. Average portion of the aromatic compounds is about 20% in humic acids, extracted from soils with evident ornitogenic effect from Fildes Peninsula (Norh-West Antarctic peninsula). This indicates that the role of humification precursors composition is the leading in the humification process. The stabilisation rate of the Antarctic HAs can be assessed as low and the potential risk of biodegradation of their molecules are high.
Cyanoprokaryotes of the west part of Oscar II Land, West Spitsbergen Island, Spitsbergen archipelago
Authors: Davydov Denis
Published: July 2017

The present study provides new information about the diversity of freshwater and terrestrial cyanoprokaryotes of the western part of the Oscar II Land, Spitsbergen (Svalbard) archipelago. Altogether, and 51 taxa were found in different habitats (29 species was found on wet rocks, 21 on the seepages, 18 on the lakes, 11 on the moss tundra), mainly in wet ones. Nostoc commune, Gloeocapsa kuetzingiana, Microcoleus autumnalis, and Microcoleus vaginatus dominated almost all types of habitats. Aphanocapsa rivularis and Woronichinia karelica are reported for the first time for Spitsbergen flora. The studied flora is most similar to the flora of the vicinity of settlement Pyramiden. Since all these areas are dominated by carbonate rocks, it can assume that this might be due to the similarity of the geological conditions. In general, the cyanobacterial (cyanoprokaryotes) flora of western part of the Oscar II Land includes widespread, frequent and typical Spitsbergen species.
Changes in thermohaline system on the west Spitsbergen shelf since 1950 to present time
Authors: Vesman Anna V. , Ivanov Boris V. , A.Volkov Vladimir
Published: July 2017

The west Spitsbergen shelf is the principal region for the Atlantic water pass and it is very dynamic area, which has been changing a lot in the last two centuries. Herein, the analysis results of long-term variability of thermohaline characteristics of West-Spitsbergen current (WSC) and Coastal current (CC) are presented for the period from 1950 to present time based on the in-situ oceanographic data from the “Nordic Seas” database created in the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI). Water temperature and salinity of WSC and CC were measured at 10 points and analyzed. It was concluded that the temperature and salinity in the study region were exposed to quasicyclic changes with common periods of about 5-6 and 10 years. Positive trends of water temperature for all points in the both currents were estimated (1.2°C per 60 years for WSC, and 2°C for CC, respectively). Correlation coefficients were calculated to describe the linear relationship between air temperature, atmospheric circulation indexes, the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation index, and water temperature in the region of the western shelf of the Spitsbergen.
Símbolos gráficos da floresta: a arte marajoara nas aprendizagens visuais
Authors: Souza Aldair José Batista de Souza Batista
Published: July 2017

O presente trabalho apresenta uma abordagem pedagógica para o tema a Cerâmica Marajoara no ensino da Arte. Este estudo fundamenta-se no uso da cerâmica no ambiente escolar. O objetivo deste ensaio é apresentar estratégias de ensino e aprendizagem em Arte, fazendo uso da Arte Marajoara na sala de aula, para ser utilizado com a intermediação do professor. Desse modo, pretende-se apresentar a experiência de docente fazendo uso da arte da cerâmica da Amazônia, na Escola Municipal Maria Valdionice Pereira na cidade de Carutapera-MA. Este trabalho revela a sintonia entre as áreas de pesquisa arqueológica preocupadas em partilhar o conhecimento científico com a sociedade. Ademais, poderá ser um instrumento auxiliar para as escolas na demonstração metodológica de que os acervos dos museus são importantes documentos reveladores de informações e, portanto, um valioso e útil patrimônio para a sociedade. Enviado em: 17 de julho de 2016.  Aprovado em: 3 de março de 2017
Plasticity of calcium-permeable AMPA glutamate receptors in Pro-opiomelanocortin neurons
Authors: Suyama Shigetomo , Ralevski Alexandra , Liu Zhong-Wu , Dietrich Marcelo O , Yada Toshihiko , Simonds Stephanie E , Cowley Michael A , Gao Xiao-Bing , Diano Sabrina , Horvath Tamas L
Published: July 2017

POMC neurons integrate metabolic signals from the periphery. Here, we show in mice that food deprivation induces a linear current-voltage relationship of AMPAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in POMC neurons. Inhibition of EPSCs by IEM-1460, an antagonist of calcium-permeable (Cp) AMPARs, diminished EPSC amplitude in the fed but not in the fasted state, suggesting entry of GluR2 subunits into the AMPA receptor complex during food deprivation. Accordingly, removal of extracellular calcium from ACSF decreased the amplitude of mEPSCs in the fed but not the fasted state. Ten days of high-fat diet exposure, which was accompanied by elevated leptin levels and increased POMC neuronal activity, resulted in increased expression of Cp-AMPARs on POMC neurons. Altogether, our results show that entry of calcium via Cp-AMPARs is inherent to activation of POMC neurons, which may underlie a vulnerability of these neurons to calcium overload while activated in a sustained manner during over-nutrition.
Influenza virus recruits host protein kinase C to control assembly and activity of its replication machinery
Authors: Mondal Arindam , Dawson Anthony R , Potts Gregory K , Freiberger Elyse C , Baker Steven F , Moser Lindsey A , Bernard Kristen A , Coon Joshua J , Mehle Andrew
Published: July 2017

Influenza virus expresses transcripts early in infection and transitions towards genome replication at later time points. This process requires de novo assembly of the viral replication machinery, large ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) composed of the viral polymerase, genomic RNA and oligomeric nucleoprotein (NP). Despite the central role of RNPs during infection, the factors dictating where and when they assemble are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that human protein kinase C (PKC) family members regulate RNP assembly. Activated PKCδ interacts with the polymerase subunit PB2 and phospho-regulates NP oligomerization and RNP assembly during infection. Consistent with its role in regulating RNP assembly, knockout of PKCδ impairs virus infection by selectively disrupting genome replication. However, primary transcription from pre-formed RNPs deposited by infecting particles is unaffected. Thus, influenza virus exploits host PKCs to regulate RNP assembly, a step required for the transition from primary transcription to genome replication during the infectious cycle.
Fundamentals for an Osteopathic Obesity Designed Study: The Effects of Education on Osteopathic Medical Students’ Attitudes Regarding Obesity
Authors: Gayer Gregory G. , Weiss Jennifer , Clearfield Michael
Published: July 2017

Context

Obesity is a major health concern in the United States, and its prevalence continues to rise. Although it is a common health issue, many people, including health care professionals, are biased against people with obesity.

Objective

To determine whether a comprehensive obesity curriculum presented to students in medical school can positively influence their attitudes toward obesity.

Methods

The study was designed around a comprehensive educational obesity curriculum at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine-CA, involving the classes of 2013 through 2018. A survey to assess student attitudes toward obesity was distributed to first-year students before the curriculum, directly after completion, and each year after until graduation (graduating classes of 2015 through 2018). Second- and third-year medical students in 2011 (graduating classes of 2014 and 2013), who did not complete the curriculum, were given an examination to establish baseline values and served as the control group. The obesity curriculum consisted of lectures delivered during the first and second year of medical school and case study simulations during the third year. Knowledge gained from the curriculum was assessed with a multiple-choice examination, and bias was assessed using the Fat Phobia Scale.

Results

A total of 718 first- through fourth-year students were included. Students who completed the first year of the obesity curriculum (n=528) showed significantly greater medical knowledge regarding obesity-related epidemiology, pathogenesis, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and metabolic factors; nutrition, diet, physical activity, self-control, and behavior modification; pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions; and associated chronic disorders, based on their multiple-choice examination scores compared with the control group. The examination scores indicated significant increases in medical knowledge compared with the precurriculum cohort after the curriculum (OMS I students: 130 [72.4%]; 133 [92.6%]; 133 [91.1%]; 132 [89.0%]; vs control: 105 [47.2%]; 134 [52.6%], respectively [P<.01]). In all 4 years observed, there was a significant reduction in bias among first-year medical students after obesity curriculum (before: 3.65, 3.76, 3.57, 3.61, and after: 3.47, 3.38, 3.34, 3.37, respectively) (P<.05). The reduction in bias was also significantly sustained throughout the fourth year.

Conclusion

A comprehensive obesity curriculum throughout medical school resulted in an improvement in students’ attitudes toward and knowledge of obesity.
Conversion of Sugar to Fat: Is Hepatic de Novo Lipogenesis Leading to Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Chronic Diseases?
Authors: Schwarz Jean-Marc , Clearfield Michael , Mulligan Kathleen
Published: July 2017

Epidemiologic studies suggest a link between excess sugar consumption and obesity, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. One important pathway that may link these metabolic diseases to sugar consumption is hepatic conversion of sugar to fat, a process known as de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Mechanistic studies have shown that diets high in simple sugars increase both DNL and liver fat. Importantly, removal of sugar from diets of children with obesity for only 9 days consistently reduced DNL and liver fat and improved glucose and lipid metabolism. Although the sugar and beverage industries continue to question the scientific evidence linking high-sugar diets to metabolic diseases, major health organizations now make evidence-based recommendations to limit consumption of simple sugars to no more than 5% to 10% of daily intake. Clear recommendation about moderating sugar intake to patients may be an important nonpharmacologic tool to include in clinical practice.
Ducks change wintering patterns due to changing climate in the important wintering waters of the Odra River Estuary
Authors: Marchowski Dominik , Jankowiak Łukasz , Wysocki Dariusz , Ławicki Łukasz , Girjatowicz Józef
Published: July 2017

Some species of birds react to climate change by reducing the distance they travel during migration. The Odra River Estuary in the Baltic Sea is important for wintering waterfowl and is where we investigated how waterbirds respond to freezing surface waters. The most abundant birds here comprise two ecological groups: bottom-feeders and piscivores. Numbers of all bottom-feeders, but not piscivores, were negatively correlated with the presence of ice. With ongoing global warming, this area is increasing in importance for bottom-feeders and decreasing for piscivores. The maximum range of ice cover in the Baltic Sea has a weak and negative effect on both groups of birds. Five of the seven target species are bottom-feeders (Greater ScaupAythya marila, Tufted DuckA. fuligula, Common PochardA. ferina, Common GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaand Eurasian CootFulica atra), and two are piscivores (SmewMergellus albellusand GoosanderMergus merganser). Local changes at the level of particular species vary for different reasons. A local decline of the Common Pochard may simply be a consequence of its global decline. Climate change is responsible for some of the local changes in the study area, disproportionately favoring some duck species while being detrimental to others.
Evolutionary response to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau uplift: phylogeny and biogeography ofAmmopiptanthusand tribe Thermopsideae (Fabaceae)
Authors: Shi Wei , Liu Pei-Liang , Duan Lei , Pan Bo-Rong , Su Zhi-Hao
Published: July 2017

Previous works resolved diverse phylogenetic positions for genera of the Fabaceae tribe Thermopsideae, without a thoroughly biogeography study. Based on sequence data from nuclear ITS and four cpDNA regions (matK,rbcL,trnH-psbA,trnL-trnF) mainly sourced from GenBank, the phylogeny of tribe Thermopsideae was inferred. Our analyses support the genera of Thermopsideae, with the exclusion ofPickeringia, being merged into a monophyletic Sophoreae. Genera of Sophoreae were assigned into the Thermopsoid clade and Sophoroid clade. Monophyly ofAnagyris,BaptisiaandPiptanthuswere supported in the Thermopsoid clade. However, the genera Thermopsis and Sophora were resolved to be polyphyly, which require comprehensive taxonomic revisions. Interestingly,Ammopiptanthus, consisting ofA. mongolicusandA. nanus, nested within the Sophoroid clade, withSalweeniaas its sister.AmmopiptanthusandSalweeniahave a disjunct distribution in the deserts of northwestern China and the Hengduan Mountains, respectively. Divergence age was estimated based on the ITS phylogenetic analysis. Emergence of the common ancestor ofAmmopiptanthusandSalweenia, divergence between these two genera and the split ofAmmopiptanthusspecies occurred at approximately 26.96 Ma, 4.74 Ma and 2.04 Ma, respectively, which may be in response to the second, third and fourth main uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, respectively.
Symplectin evolved from multiple duplications in bioluminescent squid
Authors: Francis Warren R. , Christianson Lynne M. , Haddock Steven H.D.
Published: July 2017

The squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis, formerly Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis, generates light using the luciferin coelenterazine and a unique enzyme, symplectin. Genetic information is limited for bioluminescent cephalopod species, so many proteins, including symplectin, occur in public databases only as sequence isolates with few identifiable homologs. As the distribution of the symplectin/pantetheinase protein family in Metazoa remains mostly unexplored, we have sequenced the transcriptomes of four additional luminous squid, and make use of publicly available but unanalyzed data of other cephalopods, to examine the occurrence and evolution of this protein family. While the majority of spiralians have one or two copies of this protein family, four well-supported groups of proteins are found in cephalopods, one of which corresponds to symplectin. A cysteine that is critical for symplectin functioning is conserved across essentially all members of the protein family, even those unlikely to be used for bioluminescence. Conversely, active site residues involved in pantetheinase catalysis are also conserved across essentially all of these proteins, suggesting that symplectin may have multiple functions including hydrolase activity, and that the evolution of the luminous phenotype required other changes in the protein outside of the main binding pocket.
phydms: software for phylogenetic analyses informed by deep mutational scanning
Authors: Hilton Sarah K. , Doud Michael B. , Bloom Jesse D.
Published: July 2017

It has recently become possible to experimentally measure the effects of all amino-acid point mutations to proteins using deep mutational scanning. These experimental measurements can inform site-specific phylogenetic substitution models of gene evolution in nature. Here we describe software that efficiently performs analyses with such substitution models. This software,phydms, can be used to compare the results of deep mutational scanning experiments to the selection on genes in nature. Given a phylogenetic tree topology inferred with another program,phydmsenables rigorous comparison of how well different experiments on the same gene capture actual natural selection. It also enables re-scaling of deep mutational scanning data to account for differences in the stringency of selection in the lab and nature. Finally,phydmscan identify sites that are evolving differently in nature than expected from experiments in the lab. As data from deep mutational scanning experiments become increasingly widespread,phydmswill facilitate quantitative comparison of the experimental results to the actual selection pressures shaping evolution in nature.