bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of secondary organic aerosol simulation bias in the Community Earth System Model (CESM2.1)
Authors: Liu Yaman , Dong Xinyi , Wang Minghuai , Emmons Louisa K. , Liu Yawen , Liang Yuan , Li Xiao , Shrivastava Manish
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) has been considered as one of the
most important uncertainties in climate modeling due to the complexity in
presenting its chemical production and depletion mechanisms. To better
understand the capability of climate models and probe into the associated
uncertainties in simulating OA, we evaluate the Community Earth System Model
version 2.1 (CESM2.1) configured with the Community Atmosphere Model version
6 (CAM6) with comprehensive tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry
representation (CAM6-Chem) through a long-term simulation (1988–2019) with
observations collected from multiple datasets in the United States. We find
that CESM generally reproduces the interannual variation and seasonal cycle
of OA mass concentration at surface layer with a correlation of 0.40 compared to ground observations and systematically overestimates (69 %)
in summer and underestimates (−19 %) in winter. Through a series of
sensitivity simulations, we reveal that modeling bias is primarily related
to the dominant fraction of monoterpene-formed secondary organic aerosol
(SOA), and a strong positive correlation of 0.67 is found between
monoterpene emission and modeling bias in the eastern US during summer. In terms
of vertical profile, the model prominently underestimates OA and monoterpene
concentrations by 37 %–99 % and 82 %–99 %, respectively, in the upper air
(> 500 m) as validated against aircraft observations. Our study
suggests that the current volatility basis set (VBS) scheme applied in CESM
might be parameterized with monoterpene SOA yields that are too high, which
subsequently results in strong SOA production near the emission source area. We
also find that the model has difficulty in reproducing the decreasing trend
of surface OA in the southeastern US probably because of employing pure gas VBS to
represent isoprene SOA which is in reality mainly formed through multiphase
chemistry; thus, the influence of aerosol acidity and sulfate particle change
on isoprene SOA formation has not been fully considered in the model. This
study reveals the urgent need to improve the SOA modeling in climate models.
Sesquiterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes dominate the VOC (C5–C20) emissions of downy birches
Authors: Hellén Heidi , Praplan Arnaud P. , Tykkä Toni , Helin Aku , Schallhart Simon , Schiestl-Aalto Piia P. , Bäck Jaana , Hakola Hannele
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by the forests
are known to have strong impacts in the atmosphere. However, lots of missing
reactivity is found, especially in the forest air. Therefore better
characterization of sources and identification/quantification of unknown
reactive compounds is needed. While isoprene and monoterpene (MT) emissions
of boreal needle trees have been studied quite intensively, there is much
less knowledge on the emissions of boreal deciduous trees and emissions of
larger terpenes and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs). Here we
quantified the downy birch (Betula pubescens) leaf emissions of terpenes, oxygenated terpenes
and green leaf volatiles (GLVs) at the SMEAR II boreal forest site using in
situ gas chromatographs with mass spectrometers. Sesquiterpenes (SQTs) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (OSQTs) were the main
emitted compounds. Mean emission rates of SQTs and OSQTs were significantly
higher in the early growing season (510 and 650 ng gdw-1 h−1,
respectively) compared to in the main (40 and 130 ng gdw-1 h−1,
respectively) and late (14 and 46 ng gdw-1 h−1, respectively)
periods, indicating that early leaf growth is a strong source of these
compounds. The emissions had a very clear diurnal variation with afternoon
maxima being on average 4 to 8 times higher than seasonal means for SQTs and
OSQTs, respectively. β-Caryophyllene and β-farnesene were the
main SQTs emitted. The main emitted OSQTs were tentatively identified as
14-hydroxy-β-caryophyllene acetate (M=262 g mol−1) and 6-hydroxy-β-caryophyllene (M=220 g mol−1). Over the whole growing season, the total MT
emissions were only 24 % and 17 % of the total SQT and OSQT emissions,
respectively. A stressed tree growing in a pot was also studied, and high
emissions of α-farnesene and an unidentified SQT were detected together
with high emissions of GLVs. Due to the relatively low volatility and the
high reactivity of SQTs and OSQTs, downy birch emissions are expected to
have strong impacts on atmospheric chemistry, especially on secondary
organic aerosol (SOA) production.
Uncertainties in eddy covariance air–sea CO2 flux measurements and implications for gas transfer velocity parameterisations
Authors: Dong Yuanxu , Yang Mingxi , Bakker Dorothee C. E. , Kitidis Vassilis , Bell Thomas G.
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Air–sea carbon dioxide (CO2) flux is often indirectly estimated by the bulk method using the air–sea difference in CO2
fugacity (ΔfCO2) and a parameterisation of the gas transfer velocity (K). Direct flux measurements by eddy covariance (EC)
provide an independent reference for bulk flux estimates and are often used to study processes that drive K. However, inherent uncertainties in EC
air–sea CO2 flux measurements from ships have not been well quantified and may confound analyses of K. This paper evaluates the
uncertainties in EC CO2 fluxes from four cruises. Fluxes were measured with two state-of-the-art closed-path CO2 analysers on
two ships. The mean bias in the EC CO2 flux is low, but the random error is relatively large over short timescales. The uncertainty (1
standard deviation) in hourly averaged EC air–sea CO2 fluxes (cruise mean) ranges from 1.4 to 3.2 mmolm-2d-1. This
corresponds to a relative uncertainty of ∼ 20 % during two Arctic cruises that observed large CO2 flux magnitude. The relative
uncertainty was greater (∼ 50 %) when the CO2 flux magnitude was small during two Atlantic cruises. Random uncertainty in the EC
CO2 flux is mostly caused by sampling error. Instrument noise is relatively unimportant. Random uncertainty in EC CO2 fluxes can
be reduced by averaging for longer. However, averaging for too long will result in the inclusion of more natural variability. Auto-covariance
analysis of CO2 fluxes suggests that the optimal timescale for averaging EC CO2 flux measurements ranges from 1 to 3 h, which
increases the mean signal-to-noise ratio of the four cruises to higher than 3. Applying an appropriate averaging timescale and suitable ΔfCO2 threshold (20 µatm) to EC flux data enables an optimal analysis of K.
Distributed wind measurements with multiple quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles in the atmospheric boundary layer
Authors: Wetz Tamino , Wildmann Norman , Beyrich Frank
Published: May 2021

Abstract. In this study, a fleet of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is presented as a system to measure the spatial distribution of atmospheric boundary layer flow. The big advantage of this approach is that multiple and flexible measurement points in space can be sampled synchronously. The algorithm to obtain horizontal wind speed and direction is designed for hovering flight phases and is based on the principle of aerodynamic drag and the related quadrotor dynamics.
During the FESST@MOL campaign at the boundary layer field site (Grenzschichtmessfeld, GM) Falkenberg of the Lindenberg Meteorological Observatory – Richard Assmann Observatory (MOL-RAO), 76 calibration and validation flights were performed. The 99 m tower equipped with cup and sonic anemometers at the site is used as the reference for the calibration of the wind measurements. The validation with an independent dataset against the tower anemometers reveals that an average accuracy of σrms<0.3 m s−1 for the wind speed and σrms,ψ<8∘ for the wind direction was achieved.
Furthermore, we compare the spatial distribution of wind measurements with the fleet of quadrotors to the tower vertical profiles and Doppler wind lidar scans. We show that the observed shear in the vertical profiles matches well with the tower and the fluctuations on short timescales agree between the systems. Flow structures that appear in the time series of a line-of-sight measurement and a two-dimensional vertical scan of the lidar can be observed with the fleet of quadrotors and are even sampled with a higher resolution than the deployed lidar can provide.
Comprehensive bathymetry and intertidal topography of the Amazon estuary
Authors: Fassoni-Andrade Alice César , Durand Fabien , Moreira Daniel , Azevedo Alberto , dos Santos Valdenira Ferreira , Funi Claudia , Laraque Alain
Published: May 2021

Abstract. The characterization of estuarine hydrodynamics primarily
depends on knowledge of the bathymetry and topography. Here, we present the
first comprehensive, high-resolution dataset of the topography and
bathymetry of the Amazon River estuary, the world's largest estuary. Our
product is based on an innovative approach combining spaceborne remote
sensing data, an extensive and processed river depth dataset, and auxiliary
data. Our goal with this mapping is to promote the database usage in studies
that require this information, such as hydrodynamic modeling or
geomorphological assessments. Our twofold approach considered 500 000
sounding points digitized from 19 nautical charts for bathymetry estimation,
in conjunction with a state-of-the-art topographic dataset based on remote
sensing, encompassing intertidal flats, riverbanks, and adjacent
floodplains. Finally, our estimate can be accessed in a unified 30 m
resolution regular grid referenced to the Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM08), complemented both landward and
seaward by land (Multi-Error-Removed
Improved-Terrain digital elevation model, MERIT DEM) and ocean (General
Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans version 2020, GEBCO_2020) topographic data.
Extensive validation against independent and spatially distributed data,
from an airborne lidar survey, from ICESat-2 altimetric satellite data, and
from various in situ surveys, shows a typical vertical accuracy of
7.2 m (riverbed) and 1.2 m (non-vegetated intertidal floodplains). The
dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.17632/3g6b5ynrdb.2 (Fassoni-Andrade et al., 2021).
Towards in situ U–Pb dating of dolomite
Authors: Elisha Bar , Nuriel Perach , Kylander-Clark Andrew , Weinberger Ram
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Recent U–Pb dating by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has
demonstrated that reasonable precision (3 %–10 %, 2σ) can be
achieved for high-resolution dating of texturally distinct calcite phases.
Absolute dating of dolomite, for which biostratigraphy and traditional
dating techniques are very limited, remains challenging, although it may
resolve many fundamental questions related to the timing of mineral-rock
formation by syngenetic, diagenesis, hydrothermal, and epigenetic processes.
In this study we explore the possibility of dating dolomitic rocks via
recent LA-ICP-MS dating techniques developed for calcite. The in situ U–Pb dating
was tested on a range of dolomitic rocks of various origins from the
Cambrian to Pliocene age – all of which are from well-constrained stratigraphic
sections in Israel. We present imaging and chemical characterization
techniques that provide useful information on interpreting the resulting
U–Pb ages and discuss the complexity of in situ dolomite dating in terms of
textural features that may affect the results. Textural examinations
indicate zonation and mixing of different phases at the sub-millimeter scale
(< 1 µm), and thus Tera–Wasserburg ages represent mixed dates
of early diagenesis and some later epigenetic dolomitization event(s). We
conclude that age mixing at the sub-millimeter scale is a major challenge in
dolomite dating that needs to be further studied and note the importance of
matrix-matched standards for reducing uncertainties of the dated material.
A Schwarz iterative method to evaluate ocean–atmosphere coupling schemes: implementation and diagnostics in IPSL-CM6-SW-VLR
Authors: Marti Olivier , Nguyen Sébastien , Braconnot Pascale , Valcke Sophie , Lemarié Florian , Blayo Eric
Published: May 2021

Abstract. State-of-the-art Earth system models, like the ones used in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), suffer from temporal inconsistencies at the ocean–atmosphere interface. Indeed, the coupling algorithms generally implemented in those models do not allow for a correct phasing between the ocean and the atmosphere and hence between their diurnal cycles.
A possibility to remove these temporal inconsistencies is to use an iterative coupling algorithm based on the Schwarz iterative method. Despite its large computational cost compared to standard coupling methods, which makes the algorithm implementation impractical for production runs, the Schwarz method is useful to evaluate some of the errors made in state-of-the-art ocean–atmosphere coupled models (e.g., in the representation of the processes related to diurnal cycle), as illustrated by the present study. IPSL-CM6-SW-VLR is a low-resolution version of the IPSL-CM6 coupled model with a simplified land surface model, implementing a Schwarz iterative coupling scheme. Comparisons between coupled solutions obtained with this new scheme and the standard IPSL coupling scheme (referred to as the parallel algorithm) show large differences after sunrise and before sunset, when the external forcing (insolation at the top of the atmosphere) has the fastest pace of change. At these times of the day, the difference between the two numerical solutions is often larger than 100 % of the solution, even with a small coupling period, thus suggesting that significant errors are potentially made with current coupling methods. Most of those differences can be strongly reduced by making only two iterations of the Schwarz method, which leads to a doubling of the computing cost.
Besides the parallel algorithm used in IPSL-CM6, we also test a so-called sequential atmosphere-first algorithm, which is used in some coupled ocean–atmosphere models. We show that the sequential algorithm improves the numerical results compared to the parallel one at the expanse of a loss of parallelism.
The present study focuses on the ocean–atmosphere interface with no sea ice. The problem with three components (ocean–sea ice–atmosphere) remains to be investigated.
Turbidity maximum zone index: A novel model for remote extraction of turbidity maximum zone in different estuaries
Authors: Wang Chongyang , Wang Li , Wang Danni , Li Dan , Zhou Chenghu , Jiang Hao , Zheng Qiong , Chen Shuisen , Liu Yangxiaoyue , Yang Ji , Zhou Xia , Li Yong
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Recognizing and extracting estuarine turbidity maximum zone (TMZ) efficiently is important for kinds of terrestrial hydrological process. Although many relevant studies of TMZ have been carried out around the world, the method of extracting and criteria of describing TMZ vary greatly from different regions and different times. In order to improve the applicability of the fixed threshold in previous studies and develop a novel model extracting TMZ accurately in multi estuaries and different seasons by remote sensing imagery, this study estimated the total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations and chlorophyll a (Chla) concentrations in Pearl River Estuary (PRE), Hanjiang River Estuary (HRE) and Moyangjiang River Estuary (MRE) of Guangdong province, China. The spatial distribution characteristics of both TSS concentrations and Chla concentrations were analyzed subsequently. It was found that there was an almost opposite relationship between TSS concentration and Chla concentration in the three estuaries, especially in PRE. The regions of high (low) TSS concentrations are exactly corresponding to the relative low (high) Chla concentrations. Based on the special feature, an index named turbidity maximum zone index (TMZI), defining as the ratio of the difference and sum of logarithmic transformation of TSS concentrations and Chla concentrations, was firstly proposed. By calculating the values of TMZI in PRE on 20 November 2004 (low-flow season), it was found that the criterion (TMZI > 0.2) could be used to distinguish TMZs of PRE effectively. Compared with the true (false) color imagery and the rudimentary visual interpretation results, the TMZs extraction results by TMZI were mostly consistent with the actual distribution. Moreover, the same criterion was further applied in PRE on 18 October 2015. The high accuracy and good consistency across seasons were also found. The west shoal of PRE was the main distribution areas of TMZs. In addition, the good performance in extracting TMZs by this newly proposed index were also found in different estuaries and different times (HRE, 13 August 2008, high-flow season; MRE, on 6 December 2013, low-flow season). Compared to the previous fixed threshold (TSS or turbidity) methods, extracting TMZ by TMZI has a higher accuracy and better applicability. Evidently, this unified TMZI is a potentially optimized method to monitor and extract TMZs of other estuaries in the world by different satellite remote sensing imageries, which can be used to improve the understanding of the spatial and temporal variation of TMZs and estuarial processes on regional and global scales, and the management and sustainable development of regional society and nature environment.
Bedymo: a combined quasi-geostrophic and primitive equation model in sigma coordinates
Authors: Spensberger Clemens , Thorsteinsson Trond , Spengler Thomas
Published: May 2021

Abstract. This paper introduces the idealised atmospheric circulation model Bedymo, which combines the quasi-geostrophic approximation and the hydrostatic primitive equations in one modelling framework. The model is designed such that the two systems of equations are solved as similarly as possible, such that differences can be unambiguously attributed to the different approximations, rather than the model formulation or the numerics. As a consequence, but in contrast to most other quasi-geostrophic models, Bedymo is using sigma-coordinates in the vertical. In addition to the atmospheric core, Bedymo also includes a slab ocean model and passive tracer module that will provide the basis for future idealised parametrisation of moisture and latent heat release. Further, Bedymo has a graphical user interface, making it particularly useful for teaching. Bedymo is evaluated for three atmosphere-only test cases and one coupled test case including the slab ocean component. The atmosphere-only test cases comprise the growth of a cyclonic disturbance in a baroclinic environment and the excitation of Rossby waves by isolated orography, both in a mid-latitude channel, as well as the simulation of a mid-latitude storm track. The atmosphere-ocean coupled test case is based on an equatorial channel and evaluates the coupled response to an isolated equatorial temperature anomaly in the ocean mixed layer. For all test cases, results agree well with expectations from theory and results obtained with more complex models.
Technical note: Evaluation and bias correction of an observation-based global runoff dataset using streamflow observations from small tropical catchments in the Philippines
Authors: Ibarra Daniel E. , David Carlos Primo C. , Tolentino Pamela Louise M.
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Even in relatively wet tropical regions, seasonal fluctuations in the water
cycle affect the consistent and reliable supply of water for urban,
industrial, and agricultural uses. Historic streamflow monitoring datasets
are crucial in assessing our ability to model and subsequently plan for
future hydrologic changes. In this technical note, we evaluate a new
observation-based global product of monthly runoff (GRUN; Ghiggi et al.,
2019) for 55 small tropical catchments in the Philippines with at least 10 years of data, extending back to 1946 in some cases. Since GRUN did not use discharge data from the Philippines to train or calibrate their models, the data presented in this study, 11 915 monthly data points, provide an
independent evaluation of this product. We demonstrate across all
observations a significant but weak correlation (r2=0.372) between
the GRUN-predicted values and observed river discharge, as well as somewhat skillful prediction (volumetric efficiency = 0.363 and log(Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency) = 0.453). GRUN performs best among catchments located in climate types III (no pronounced maximum rainfall with short dry season) and IV (evenly distributed rainfall, no dry season). There was a weak negative correlation between volumetric efficiency and catchment area, and there was a positive correlation between volumetric efficiency and mean observed runoff. Further, analysis for individual rivers demonstrates systematic biases (over- and underestimation) of baseflow during the dry season and underprediction of peak flow during some wet months for most catchments. To correct for underprediction during wet months, we applied a log-transform bias correction which greatly improves the nationwide root mean square error between GRUN and the observations by an order of magnitude (2.648 mm d−1 vs. 0.292 mm d−1). This technical note demonstrates the importance of performing such corrections when determining the proportional contribution of smaller catchments or tropical islands such as the Philippines to global tabulations of discharge. These results also demonstrate the potential use of GRUN and future data products of this nature after consideration and correction of systematic biases to (1) assess trends in regional-scale runoff over the past century, (2) validate hydrologic models for unmonitored catchments in the Philippines, and (3) assess the impact of hydrometeorological phenomena to seasonal water supply in this wet but drought-prone archipelago.
Behavior of saline ice under cyclic flexural loading
Authors: Murdza Andrii , Schulson Erland M. , Renshaw Carl E.
Published: May 2021

Abstract. New systematic experiments reveal that the flexural
strength of saline S2 columnar-grained ice loaded normal to the columns can
be increased upon cyclic loading by about a factor of 1.5. The experiments
were conducted using reversed cyclic loading over ranges of frequencies from
0.1 to 0.6 Hz and at a temperature of −10 ∘C on saline ice
of two salinities: 3.0 ± 0.9 and 5.9 ± 0.6 ‰.
Acoustic emission hit rate during cycling increases with an increase in
stress amplitude of cycling. Flexural strength of saline ice of 3.0 ± 0.9 ‰ salinity appears to increase linearly with
increasing stress amplitude, similar to the behavior of laboratory-grown
freshwater ice (Murdza et al., 2020b) and to the behavior
of lake ice (Murdza et al., 2021). The flexural strength of saline ice of
5.9 ± 0.6 ‰ depends on the vertical location of the
sample within the thickness of an ice puck; i.e., the strength of the upper
layers, which have a lower brine content, was found to be as high as 3
times that of lower layers. The fatigue life of saline ice is erratic.
Cyclic strengthening is attributed to the development of an internal back
stress that opposes the applied stress and possibly originates from
dislocation pileups.
Inversor spwm de alta eficiencia y baja distorsión armónica
Authors: Gutiérrez Torres Jairo Luis , Ramírez C Miguel E. , Torres Castillo Rodolfo
Published: May 2021

Este documento presenta los resultados del diseño de un convertidor dc-ac con la técnica spwm para obtener como salida una onda seno pura, después de un proceso de conversión energética con altos niveles de eficiencia y bajos niveles de distorsión armónica. El diseño electrónico seleccionado se orientó para lograr una implementación de bajo costo en sistemas fotovoltaicos para uso doméstico, lo que aporta, con una solución amigable con el medio ambiente, a la resolución del problema de cobertura energética que tienen las regiones apartadas de Colombia.
Diseño de un sistema de automatización para las bahías de la subestación de San Bernardino
Authors: Martínez Santa Fernando , Lugo Sierra Yamit Ricardo
Published: May 2021

Este artículo pretende mostrar el diseño del Sistema de Automatización de las bahías Jamondino 1, Jamondino 2 y Yumbo, de la Subestación de San Bernardino, ubicada en Popayán, departamento de Cauca. La subestación sirve como conexión al Sistema Interconectado Nacional, y surge como estrategia para mejorar el mantenimiento de los Sistemas de Automatización de Subestaciones, sas. El artículo incluye el diseño y pruebas del sas de San Bernardino, que les permiten al operador tenertodas las señales concentradas en un solo sitio, con el propósito de ejecutar sus acciones operativas de una manera más segura. De esa forma, el operador cuenta con la información necesaria en el tiempo oportuno, para impedir cometer errores en la operación de la subestación e incluso agilizar la reposición de los circuitos ante eventos imprevistos. También ofrece mayor facilidad para realizar mantenimiento y ampliaciones en el sistema, sin incurrir en altos gastos operativos.
Trennung von redaktionellem Teil und Werbung im Fokus
Authors: Strebel Dominique
Published: May 2021

Der Presserat ist 2019 wie in den beiden Vorjahren in über 100 Fällen angerufen worden. Er hat 83 Stellungnahmen verfasst. In einem guten Drittel der Fälle (29) hat er die Beschwerden ganz oder teilweise gutgeheissen. Ein Schwerpunkt der Tätigkeit des Presserates betraf die Frage der Trennung von redaktionellem Teil und Werbung. Dazu hat der Presserat drei Stellungnahmen verfasst und ist aus aktuellem Anlass selber an die Medien getreten. Er zeigte sich «zutiefst besorgt» über die «immer subtileren Formen, welche für das Native Advertising eingesetzt werden». Eine grosse Zahl der Beschwerden betrafen erneut das Wahrheitsgebot, insbesondere Fragen zum Belegen von Fakten, und die Zulässigkeit der Namensnennung. Merklich zugenommen haben Beschwerden, mit denen Verletzungen der Menschenwürde geltend gemacht wurden.
Understanding role of three ficus species in the management of skin diseases with respect to pittaj kushtha
Authors: Kulkarni Dhananjay , Kudale Dr.Ruchita Raghunath , Pawar Renuka Shahaji
Published: May 2021

Skin diseases are most common form of infections. Due to changes in lifestyle, food habits and different causative organisms; the occurrence of skin diseases is increasing day by day. While treating of skin diseases, with the help of modern science, success is mixed with lot of hazards. In Ayurveda, all skin diseases are described under the title-â€˜Kushthaâ€™. Many medicinal plants are described in treatment of Kushtha according to its type. Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis), Ashvattha (Ficus religiosa) and Udumbara (Ficus racemosa) are the plants belonging to Moraceae family and Ficus species. These are classified under the Mishrak gana viz. - Panchvalkala Vruksh and Panchkshiri Vruksh, which are used for the treatment of Pittaj kushtha since ages. All these three drugs are in possession of Kashaya Rasa, Katu Vipaka and Sheeta Veerya along with Ruksha guna. Kashaya rasa is composed of Prithvi and Vayu mahabhuta and is responsible for Kledshoshak activity. Kashaya rasa and Sheeta veerya have Pittaghna and Stambhak action by which it reduces kleda which is one of the main Dushyas in Kushtha. Ruksha guna act as kled and strav shoshak. Use of Nyagrodha, Ashvattha and Udumbara may found beneficial in treatment of Pittaj Kushtha. As these drugs are easily available and cost effective; they may offer a helping hand for the poor patients suffering from skin diseases. This review reveals their role in Pittaj Kushtha.
Utilidad diagnóstica de la enteroscopía simple balón como segundo estudio para caracterización de lesiones en una cohorte de pacientes: experiencia en un centro de derivación
Authors: Abecia Víctor H , Pizzala Juan E , R Daffra Pamela , Durán Sebastián , G Rinaudo Santiago , M Marcolongo Mariano
Published: May 2021

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy has proved to be effective in the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel lesions previously visualized by other methods. Few studies evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic capsule (EC) and non-invasive imaging studies preceding simple balloon enteroscopy (SBE). This work represents a contribution to a better understanding of the SBE in relation to the diagnostic yield as a second study and the existing coincidence between enteroscopy and the different preceding studies regarding lesions location. Material and methods. An analytical and observational study of a retrospective cohort of patients referred for SBE. Consecutive patients, who underwent SBE at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, were included between September 2010 and June 2017. Results. 140 SBE performed in 120 patients were analyzed. The access route was ante-grade in 91% of the studies. The most frequent indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (41%). 50% of the patients had carried out an EC before the study, 27% had an enterotomography (ETC) or enteroresonance (ERMN) and 21% presented both studies. The overall diagnosis of lesions was 70%. The most frequent finding was angiodysplasias (46%) and was higher when the enteroscopy was preceded by CE compared with ETC or ERMN (76% vs. 61%; p = 0.06). The agreement between CE and ESB was moderate for the lesions diagnosis (Kappa 0.4194; p < 0.001) and good its localization (Kappa 0.6337; p < 0.001). Conclusions. SBE in our center is a procedure with a high diagnostic yield. This yield gets higher and the topographic agreement of the lesions is greater when it is carried out in a directed way after an EC.
High-resolution manometry in the diagnosis and classification of achalasia in children
Authors: Toro-Monjaraz Erick , Peña-Vélez Rubén , Carrillo-Quan María José , Avelar-Rodríguez David , Martínez-Soto Martha Cecilia , Ignorosa-Arellano Karen , Cervantes-Bustamante Roberto , Ramírez-Mayans Jaime
Published: May 2021

Esophageal achalasia is a primary motor disorder that presents with dysphagia secondary to esophageal body dysfunction and functional obstruction of the lower esophageal sphincter. High-resolution manometry is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of achalasia and, according to the Chicago classification v3.0; it can be further divided into three different subtypes based on the pressurization patterns. Herein, we present the case series of 6 pediatric patients in whom high-resolution manometry was performed for the diagnosis and classification of esophageal achalasia.
Pancreatitis crónica del surco pancreatoduoenal: un desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico. Reporte de un caso
Authors: Murillo Matamoros Claudio , Muñiz Muñoz Marta , Suárez Matías Miguel , Olcina Domínguez Pablo , Valiente González Laura , del Moral Martínez María , Martínez Pérez Teresa de Jesús , Martínez Fernández Raquel , Gómez Ruiz Carmen Julia , Viñuelas Chicano Miriam , Morillas Ariño Julia , García Cano Lizcano Jesús , Pérez García José Ignacio
Published: May 2021

Groove pancreatitis is a very uncommon type of chronic pancreatitis of uncertain etiology that occurs in the pancreatoduodenal groove. Despite the great advances in imaging techniques, making a definitive diagnosis is difficult because of the complex anatomy of this area. Therefore, surgical treatment is often required due to the impossibility of excluding malignancy. We present the case of a patient with a history of chronic pancreatitis admitted due to duodenal obstruction. The diagnosis was difficult, especially for the need to exclude the neoplasms of the duodenal-pancreatic area. Endoscopic ultrasound was essential to establish a definitive diagnosis, allowing FNAP and correct assessment of the duodenal wall.
Pancreatoblastoma. Case report and review of literature
Authors: Pennella Carla , Bosaleh Andrea , Rose Adriana , Zubizarreta Pedro , Cacciavillano Walter
Published: May 2021

Although pancreatoblastoma (PB) is a rare tumor, it is the most common malignant pancreatic tumor in children. Clinic presentation is insidious, so early diagnostic suspicion allows timely therapy. We reported 3 cases of PB treated at our center. The first two cases achieved complete disease response after full tumor resection. The first one is in complete remission at 7 months after chemotherapy. The second patient is in second complete remission at 206 months after diagnosis and 128 months after metastatic relapse. The third case died from disease progression 61 months after the initial metastatic unresectable tumor. Histology, clinical features and treatment options are discussed along with presentation of the cases.
Cápsula endoscópica para el diagnóstico de metástasis de melanoma en intestino delgado, reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Cedron Cheng Hugo , Aliaga Ramos Josué
Published: May 2021

Malignant melanoma is the neoplasm that most frequently produces metastasis at the gastrointestinal tract. Metastatic lesions can be found in the small bowel in 50 to 60% of the necropsies of patients who die due to malignant melanoma; however, the diagnosis of metastasis in vivo is achieved in less than 10% of patients with this clinical entity. The capsule endoscopy is considered an excellent non-invasive diagnostic method for the evaluation of the small bowel in this group of patients. All patients with melanoma history and gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, iron deficiency anemia, abdominal pain and / or unexplained weight loss should perform an capsule endoscopy to rule out small bowel involvement. We present two patients with cutaneous melanoma with apparent remission who develop iron-deficiency anemia, without a history of evident gastrointestinal bleeding with negative endoscopic examinations and capsule endoscopy findings of intestinal metastasis due to melanoma.
Impacto de la afectación hepatobiliopancreática y el estatus nutricional en la sobrevida de adultos con fibrosis quística
Authors: D´Ascenzo María Virginia , Bosia José Daniel , Borzi Silvia Mabel , Barán Ezequiel , García Gabriel Ricardo , Calzona María Cecilia
Published: May 2021

The increase survival of adult patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has generated a greater relevance of extra pulmonary disease. Objective. Determine digestive, nutritional commitment and its impact on the survival of adult patients with CF. Methods. Retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of 100 adult patients with CF, assisted between 2003 and 2017. It was evaluated: clinical parameters, genetic, body mass index (BMI), respiratory function tests, bacteriological sputum, pancreatic insufficiency (PI), CF-related diabetes (CFRD), acute pancreatitis (AP), liver cirrhosis and biliary lithiasis. Results. 100 patients were evaluated [median age: 26 years (range: 16-65)]. Median age at diagnosis: 2 years. Mean BMI 21.5 ± 2.6 SD kg/m2. PI 69/100 (69%), CFRD 29 patients (29%), AP 4 patients (4%). Liver cirrhosis 6 patients (6%) and biliary lithiasis 21 patients (21%).Median Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV1) 50%. Most frequent mutation ΔF508 (54%). Fourteen patients (14%) malnourished. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent colonizing microorganism (67%), with a median overall survival of 160 months (95% CI 131-160). We found lower survival in those patients who had PI [(mean 124.2 vs. 136 months (p = 0.4)], malnutrition [median 60 vs. 160 months (p = 0.001)] and cirrhosis [median 36 vs. 160 months (p = 0.003).] Conclusion. Digestive diseases and malnutrition influence negatively in the survival of adult patients with CF.
CHINESE POLICY OF SOFT POWER AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Authors: HARUTYUNYAN AGHAVNI
Published: May 2021

Even though more than 30 years have passed since the “socialism
with Chinese characteristics” reforms of 1978 began, Western criticism of
China regarding its political system, human rights issues, its treatment of
Tibet, and so forth continues unabated today . Until the middle of the 1990s, as it emerged from the shadow of the Tiananmen events, China’s communist leaders designed new state-craft to revitalize economic reform and improve its national image. They have continued to view soft power as indispensable for the country’s efforts to increase comprehensive national strength and regain its status as a great power.
Union Strategies of Addressing Conflicts at the National University of Lesotho
Authors: Mojalefa Mamoeletsi Limakatso
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses the strategies that are used by the unions to address industrial conflict at the National university of Lesotho (NUL). Content analysis was undertaken to understand the interviewee’s responses and the NUL policy documents. The strategies are analyzed within the policy context, pre-industrial action, industrial action and post-industrial action. The study also shows that unions at the higher education institutions consult with other unions in the sector and, where other strategies have failed, they resort to either industrial action or legal process to resolve conflicts at the workplace. The findings further show that unions employ widespread communication between their members to share new development in the negotiation process. The findings reveal that strategies which unions normally adopt at NUL are: constant consultations and joint decision making, strikes/industrial action, work to rule, negotiations, collective bargaining, taking legal process and communication of possible ideas and solutions.
Centroamérica ante los retos de los procesos constituyentes
Authors: Narváez Fidel Ernesto
Published: May 2021

Centroamérica forma parte de una de las regiones que las instituciones internacionales califican como las más desiguales e inseguras del mundo. Sin embargo, los movimientos sociales durante los últimos meses en Honduras y Guatemala han exigido una reforma del sistema político y han solicitado una respuesta democrática, popular y constituyente a la problemática social prolongada. Esto ha procurado la aparición de un tejido social homogéneo y la de un prisma de oportunidades para superar el status quo de la región. Este artículo pretende coadyuvar al fortalecimiento de ese proceso de ruptura y a la vez de transición política y democratización económica desde la perspectiva de otros países de América Latina y que integran el llamado bloque del Nuevo Constitucionalismo Latinoamericano
Using IPEC pedagogy to transform the future rural advanced practice nursing workforce
Authors: Rosenberger Kelly D. , Olson Heidi , MacDowell Martin , Gruss Valerie
Published: May 2021

Objective: The number of primary care providers has not kept pace with the increasing number of underserved rural populations placing unprecedented demands on the healthcare system and the gap is expected to widen with shortages projected to increase across the United States. Given the urgent need to grow and expand the number of trained diverse primary care providers in rural communities, an innovative sustainable program was implemented to recruit and train diverse rural advanced practice nurses. Building on the successful rural medical and rural pharmacy educational programs at the UIC Health Sciences Campus in Rockford, a rural nursing program with interprofessional curriculum was designed and refined to enable nursing students along with two other professions to develop appreciation, insight, and knowledge of rural healthcare and health disparities in a variety of rural settings as part of an interprofessional team.Methods: A mixed-methods program evaluation approach utilized both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate program satisfaction and inform ongoing program refinement.Results: Students indicated positive responses to this interprofessional course of study. Continued development and refinement of the curriculum is planned to train the future rural healthcare workforce.Conclusions: Students from three health sciences colleges benefitted from the IPEC program with confirmed satisfaction in interprofessional rural education and collaborative practice. The addition of a rural nursing program merits continuation with modification and expansion to prepare the future rural interprofessional healthcare workforce.
Robotic-arm–assisted Knee Arthroplasty Associated With Favorable In-hospital Metrics and Exponentially Rising Adoption Compared With Manual Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Emara Ahmed K. , Zhou Guangjin , Klika Alison K. , Koroukian Siran M. , Schiltz Nicholas K. , Krebs Viktor E. , Molloy Robert M. , Piuzzi Nicolas S.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Technology-assisted knee arthroplasty (KA), including robotic-arm-assisted knee arthroplasty (RA-KA) and computer-assisted (CA-KA) knee arthroplasty, was developed to improve surgical accuracy of implant positioning and alignment, which may influence implant stability, longevity, and functional outcomes. However, despite increased adoption over the past decade; its value is still to be determined.

Questions/Purpose:

This study aimed to compare robotic-arm (RA)-KA, CA-KA, and manual (M)-KA regarding (1) in-hospital metrics (length of stay [LOS], discharge disposition, in-hospital complications, and hospitalization-episode costs), (2) characterize annual utilization trends, and (3) future RA-KA and CA-KA utilization projections.

Methods:

National Inpatient Sample was queried for primary KAs (unicompartmental/total; 2008 to 2018). KAs were classified by modality (M-KA/CA-KA/RA-KA) using International Classification of Disease-9/10 codes. A propensity score-matched comparison of LOS, discharge disposition, in-hospital complications (implant-related mechanical or procedure-related nonmechanical complications), and costs was conducted. Trends and projected utilization rates were estimated.

Results:

After propensity score matched to their respective M-KA cohorts, RA-KA and CA-KA exhibited shorter LOS (RA-KA versus M-KA: 2.0 ± 1.4 days versus 2.5 ± 1.8 days; P < 0.001; CA-KA versus M-KA: 2.7 ± 1.4 days versus 2.9 ± 1.6 days; P < 0.001) and in-hospital implant-related mechanical complications (P < 0.05, each). RA-KA demonstrated lower nonhome discharge (P < 0.001) and in-hospital procedure-related nonmechanical complications (P = 0.005). RA-KA had lower in-hospital costs ($16,881 ± 7,085 versus $17,320 ± 12,820; P < 0.001), whereas CA-KA exhibited higher costs ($18,411 ± 7,783 versus $17,716 ± 8,451; P < 0.001). RA-KA utilization increased from <0.1% in 2008 to 4.3% in 2018. CA-KA utilization rose temporarily to 6.2% in 2014, then declined to pre-2010 levels in 2018 (4.5%). Projections indicate that RA-KA and CA-KA will represent 49.9% (95% confidence interval, 41.1 to 59.9) and 6.2% (95% confidence interval, 5.3% to 7.2%) of KAs by 2030.

Discussion:

RA-KA may provide value through improving in-hospital metrics and mitigating net costs. Similar advantages may not be reliably attainable with CA-RA. Because RA-KA is projected to reach half of all knee arthroplasties done in the United States by 2030, further cost analyses and long-term studies are warranted.
Identification of heavy metals source within selected active dumpsites in southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Onwukeme Valentine Ifenna , Eze Victor Chukwuemeka
Published: May 2021

Discriminating contaminant sources is crucial for pollution control. The study aimed at identifying the source(s) of heavy metals in active dumpsite soils from selected areas in Southeastern Nigeria using statistical tools. The dumpsites were Enyimba dumpsite Aba (dumpsite-1), Okpuno-Egbu dumpsite Nnewi (dumpsite-2), Rice mill dumpsite Abakaliki (dumpsite-3) and Nekede dumpsite Owerri (dumpsite-4) in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. After standard sampling, elemental analysis was carried out using an energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer; Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were quantified and results showed they were present in high concentrations above control and standard values set by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) / World Health Organization (WHO). Metals investigated exhibited variable correlations among themselves suggesting potential multi-element contamination, while soil organic matter (OM) and pH displayed both significant positive and negative influence on the metal availability in the studied soils. Test of significance of the observed correlation were positive and significant (r > 0.9 at p < 0.05/0.01) for Cr/Co, Cr/Fe, Mn/Co, Co/Fe, Cu/Zn, Zn/Pb, Cu/As, Cu/Pb, Zn/As, As/Pb in dumpsite-1; in dumpsite-2, only Ni/Cu; in dumpsite-3, Fe/OM and Cd/OM while in dumpsite-4,Co/Fe, Cu/As, Cu/Pb, Zn/Cd, Ni/OM, and As/Pb. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two to three components/groups based on square Euclidean distance and eigenvalues > 1, confirming sources to be from organic pigments in plastics, scrap metals and incinerated biodegradable wastes. This study concludes that statistical methods can provide a scientific basis for monitoring heavy metals accumulation in dumpsite soils.
Immunohistochemical Staining for Lymphatic and Blood Vessels in Normal Tissues: Comparison between Routinely Paraffin-Embedded Tissues and Frozen Sections
Authors: Tomita Tatsuo
Published: May 2021

Objective. In the current study, we compared the distribution of blood and lymphatic vessels from paraffin-embedded tissues with those of frozen tissues of normal human and rhesus monkey.

 Materials and Methods. We performed immunocytochemical staining for lymphatic and blood vessels using LYVE-1 for lymphatic vessels and von Willebrand factor (F-8) for blood ves- sels.

Results. Normal tissues included spleen, lymph node, liver, pancreas, salivary gland, colon, diaphragm, heart, lung, thyroid, adrenal gland, kidney, ovary, endometrium, and prostate. Splenic sinusoids were stained for LYVE-1 and F-8 in the frozen sections, supporting that the sinusoid is a lymphoreticular system and blood vessel in structure and function. In frozen sections, the lymphatic sinusoids were consistently positive for LYVE-1, while hepatic sinusoids were positive for LYVE-1, but not for F-8. Thus, lymphatic and blood vessels were more readily detected in frozen tissue sections than in the paraffin-embedded sections. In the endometrium, lymphatic vessels were not diffusely immunostained in paraffin-embedded sections. However, frozen sections detected cyclic changes of lymphatic vessels, growing from basalis to functionalis in the menstrual cycle. Lymphatic vessels were immunostained in many organs using frozen sections. Small pulmonary blood vessels were not immunostained by F-8 in the periphery of the bronchial vessel tree most likely these smallest blood vessels were not immunostained due to less F-8 attached to their endothelia. Conclusion. The present findings illustrate the differences in the immunostaining of blood vessels in sections obtained from paraffin-embedded tissues and those from frozen tissue. These new findings may be relevant for the basic histology and histopathology of lymphatic and blood vessels.