bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The BErkeley Atmospheric CO2 Observation Network: field calibration and evaluation of low-cost air quality sensors
Authors: Kim Jinsol , Shusterman Alexis A. , Lieschke Kaitlyn J. , Newman Catherine , Cohen Ronald C.
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The newest generation of air quality sensors is small,
low cost, and easy to deploy. These sensors are an attractive option for
developing dense observation networks in support of regulatory activities and
scientific research. They are also of interest for use by individuals to
characterize their home environment and for citizen science. However, these
sensors are difficult to interpret. Although some have an approximately
linear response to the target analyte, that response may vary with time,
temperature, and/or humidity, and the cross-sensitivity to non-target
analytes can be large enough to be confounding. Standard approaches to
calibration that are sufficient to account for these variations require a
quantity of equipment and labor that negates the attractiveness of the
sensors' low cost. Here we describe a novel calibration strategy for a set of
sensors, including CO, NO, NO2, and O3, that makes use of (1) multiple
co-located sensors, (2) a priori knowledge about the chemistry of NO, NO2,
and O3, (3) an estimate of mean emission factors for CO, and (4) the global background of CO. The strategy requires one or more well calibrated
anchor points within the network domain, but it does not require direct
calibration of any of the individual low-cost sensors. The procedure
nonetheless accounts for temperature and drift, in both the sensitivity and
zero offset. We demonstrate this calibration on a subset of the sensors
comprising BEACO2N, a distributed network of approximately 50 sensor
“nodes”, each measuring CO2, CO, NO, NO2, O3 and particulate
matter at 10 s time resolution and approximately 2 km spacing within the
San Francisco Bay Area.
Organosulfates in atmospheric aerosol: synthesis and quantitative analysis of PM2.5 from Xi’an, Northwest China
Authors: Huang Ru-Jin , Cao Junji , Chen Yang , Yang Lu , Shen Jincan , You Qihua , Wang Kai , Lin Chunshui , Gao Bo , Li Yongjie , Hoffmann Thorsten , O'Dowd Colin D. , Bilde Merete , Glasius Marianne
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The sources, formation mechanism and amount of organosulfates (OS) in atmospheric aerosol are not yet well understood, partly due to the lack of authentic standards for quantification. In this study, we report an improved robust procedure for the synthesis of organosulfates with different functional groups. Nine authentic organosulfate standards were synthesized and four standards (benzyl sulfate, phenyl sulfate, glycolic acid sulfate, and hydroxyacetone sulfate) were used to quantify their ambient concentrations. The authentic standards and ambient aerosol samples were analyzed using an optimized ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric method (UPLC–ESI–MS/MS). The recovery ranged from 80.4 % to 93.2 %, the limits of detection and limits of quantification obtained were 1.1–16.7 pg m−3 and 3.4–55.6 pg m−3, respectively. Measurements of ambient aerosol particle samples collected in winter 2013–2014 in urban Xi’an, northwest China, show that glycolic acid sulfate (77.3 ± 49.2 ng m−3) is the most abundant species of the identified organosulfates followed by hydroxyacetone sulfate (1.3 ± 0.5 ng m−3), phenyl sulfate (0.14 ± 0.09 ng m−3), and benzyl sulfate (0.04 ± 0.01 ng m−3). Except for hydroxyacetone sulfate, which seems to form mainly from biogenic emissions in this region, the organosulfates quantified during winter in Xi’an show an increasing trend with an increase in the mass concentrations of organic carbon indicating their anthropogenic origin.
Harmonizing plant functional type distributions for evaluating Earth System Models
Authors: Dallmeyer Anne , Claussen Martin , Brovkin Victor
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Dynamic vegetation models simulate global vegetation in terms of fractional coverages of a few plant functional types (PFTs). Although these models often share the same concept, they differ with respect to the number and kind of PFTs, complicating the comparability of simulated vegetation distributions. Pollen-based reconstructions are initially only available in form of time-series of individual taxa that are not distinguished in the models. Thus, to evaluate simulated vegetation distributions, the modelling results and pollen-based reconstructions have to be converted into a comparable format. The classical approach is the method of biomisation, but hitherto, PFT-based biomisation methods were only available for individual models. We introduce and evaluate a simple, universally applicable technique to harmonize PFT-distributions by assigning them into nine mega-biomes that follow the definitions commonly used for vegetation reconstructions. The method works well for all state-of the art dynamic vegetation models, independent of the spatial resolution or the complexity of the models. Large biome belts (such as tropical forest) are well represented, but regionally confined biomes (warm-mixed forest, Savanna) are only partly captured. Overall, the PFT-based biomisation is able to keep up with the conventional biomisation approach of forcing biome models (here: BIOME1) with the background climate states. The new method has, however, the advantage that it allows a more direct comparison and evaluation of the vegetation distributions simulated by Earth System Models. Thereby, the new method provides a powerful tool for the evaluation of Earth System Models in general.
Mass imbalances in EPANET water-quality simulations
Authors: Davis Michael J. , Janke Robert , Taxon Thomas N.
Published: April 2018

Abstract. EPANET is widely employed to simulate water quality in water distribution
systems. However, in general, the time-driven simulation approach used to
determine concentrations of water-quality constituents provides accurate
results only for short water-quality time steps. Overly long time steps can
yield errors in concentration estimates and can result in situations in which
constituent mass is not conserved. The use of a time step that is
sufficiently short to avoid these problems may not always be feasible. The
absence of EPANET errors or warnings does not ensure conservation of mass.
This paper provides examples illustrating mass imbalances and explains how
such imbalances can occur because of fundamental limitations in the
water-quality routing algorithm used in EPANET. In general, these limitations
cannot be overcome by the use of improved water-quality modeling practices.
This paper also presents a preliminary event-driven approach that conserves
mass with a water-quality time step that is as long as the hydraulic time
step. Results obtained using the current approach converge, or tend to
converge, toward those obtained using the preliminary event-driven approach as
the water-quality time step decreases. Improving the water-quality routing
algorithm used in EPANET could eliminate mass imbalances and related errors
in estimated concentrations. The results presented in this paper should be of
value to those who perform water-quality simulations using EPANET or use the
results of such simulations, including utility managers and engineers.
Assessing carbon dioxide removal through global and regional ocean alkalinization under high and low emission pathways
Authors: Lenton Andrew , Matear Richard J. , Keller David P. , Scott Vivian , Vaughan Naomi E.
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels continue to rise, increasing the
risk of severe impacts on the Earth system, and on the ecosystem services
that it provides. Artificial ocean alkalinization (AOA) is capable of reducing
atmospheric CO2 concentrations and surface warming and addressing ocean
acidification. Here, we simulate global and regional responses to alkalinity
(ALK) addition (0.25 PmolALK yr−1) over the period 2020–2100
using the CSIRO-Mk3L-COAL Earth System Model, under high (Representative
Concentration Pathway 8.5; RCP8.5) and low (RCP2.6) emissions. While
regionally there are large changes in alkalinity associated with locations of
AOA, globally we see only a very weak dependence on where and when AOA is
applied. On a global scale, while we see that under RCP2.6 the carbon uptake
associated with AOA is only ∼ 60 % of the total, under RCP8.5 the
relative changes in temperature are larger, as are the changes in pH
(140 %) and aragonite saturation state (170 %). The simulations
reveal AOA is more effective under lower emissions, therefore the higher the
emissions the more AOA is required to achieve the same reduction in global
warming and ocean acidification. Finally, our simulated AOA for 2020–2100 in
the RCP2.6 scenario is capable of offsetting warming and ameliorating ocean
acidification increases at the global scale, but with highly variable
regional responses.
Reconstruction of global gridded monthly sectoral water withdrawals for 1971–2010 and analysis of their spatiotemporal patterns
Authors: Huang Zhongwei , Hejazi Mohamad , Li Xinya , Tang Qiuhong , Vernon Chris , Leng Guoyong , Liu Yaling , Döll Petra , Eisner Stephanie , Gerten Dieter , Hanasaki Naota , Wada Yoshihide
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Human water withdrawal has increasingly altered the global water cycle in
past decades, yet our understanding of its driving forces and patterns is
limited. Reported historical estimates of sectoral water withdrawals are
often sparse and incomplete, mainly restricted to water withdrawal estimates
available at annual and country scales, due to a lack of observations at seasonal
and local scales. In this study, through collecting and consolidating
various sources of reported data and developing spatial and temporal
statistical downscaling algorithms, we reconstruct a global monthly gridded
(0.5∘) sectoral water withdrawal dataset for the period 1971–2010,
which distinguishes six water use sectors, i.e., irrigation, domestic,
electricity generation (cooling of thermal power plants), livestock, mining,
and manufacturing. Based on the reconstructed dataset, the spatial and
temporal patterns of historical water withdrawal are analyzed. Results show
that total global water withdrawal has increased significantly during 1971–2010,
mainly driven by the increase in irrigation water withdrawal.
Regions with high water withdrawal are those densely populated or with large
irrigated cropland production, e.g., the United States (US), eastern China,
India, and Europe. Seasonally, irrigation water withdrawal in summer for the
major crops contributes a large percentage of total annual irrigation water
withdrawal in mid- and high-latitude regions, and the dominant season of
irrigation water withdrawal is also different across regions. Domestic water
withdrawal is mostly characterized by a summer peak, while water withdrawal
for electricity generation has a winter peak in high-latitude regions and a
summer peak in low-latitude regions. Despite the overall increasing trend,
irrigation in the western US and domestic water withdrawal in western Europe
exhibit a decreasing trend. Our results highlight the distinct spatial
pattern of human water use by sectors at the seasonal and annual timescales. The
reconstructed gridded water withdrawal dataset is open access, and can be
used for examining issues related to water withdrawals at fine spatial,
temporal, and sectoral scales.
Large-scale hydrological model river storage and discharge correction using a satellite altimetry-based discharge product
Authors: Emery Charlotte Marie , Paris Adrien , Biancamaria Sylvain , Boone Aaron , Calmant Stéphane , Garambois Pierre-André , Santos da Silva Joecila
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Land surface models (LSMs) are widely used to study the continental part of the water cycle. However, even though their accuracy is increasing, inherent model uncertainties can not be avoided. In the meantime, remotely sensed observations of the continental water cycle variables such as soil moisture, lakes and river elevations are more frequent and accurate. Therefore, those two different types of information can be combined, using data assimilation techniques to reduce a model's uncertainties in its state variables or/and in its input parameters. The objective of this study is to present a data assimilation platform that assimilates into the large-scale ISBA-CTRIP LSM a punctual river discharge product, derived from ENVISAT nadir altimeter water elevation measurements and rating curves, over the whole Amazon basin. To deal with the scale difference between the model and the observation, the study also presents an initial development for a localization treatment that allows one to limit the impact of observations to areas close to the observation and in the same hydrological network. This assimilation platform is based on the ensemble Kalman filter and can correct either the CTRIP river water storage or the discharge. Root mean square error (RMSE) compared to gauge discharges is globally reduced until 21 % and at Óbidos, near the outlet, RMSE is reduced by up to 52 % compared to ENVISAT-based discharge. Finally, it is shown that localization improves results along the main tributaries.
Attribution of sea ice model biases to specific model errors enabled by new induced surface flux framework
Authors: West Alex , Collins Mat , Blockley Ed , Ridley Jeff , Bodas-Salcedo Alejandro
Published: April 2018

Abstract. A new framework is presented for analysing the causes of model sea ice biases, demonstrated with the CMIP5 model HadGEM2-ES. Arctic sea ice extent has decreased over recent decades and has reached historic minima in late summer in recent years. Climate models project an ice-free Arctic in late summer during the 21st century, with wide-ranging implications for global climate and geopolitics. However, substantial spread remains in climate model projections of the rate of sea ice decline, with drivers poorly understood. In the framework described, the sea ice volume is treated as a consequence of the integrated surface energy balance. A system of simple models allows specific portions of the surface flux anomaly to be attributed to individual processes by calculating for each process an induced surface flux anomaly. The method allows detailed quantification of the role played by the surface albedo and ice thickness-growth feedbacks in causing anomalous sea ice melt and growth. It shows biases in the HadGEM2-ES sea ice volume simulation to be due to a bias in spring surface melt onset date, partly countered by a counteracting bias in winter downwelling longwave radiation. The framework is applicable in principle to any model and has the potential to greatly improve understanding of the reasons for ensemble spread in modelled sea ice state.
Energia e emissões de CO2 de sistema de vedação vertical em drywall [Energy and CO2 emissions of vertical sealing system in drywall]
Authors: Simões Branco Júnior Antonio , Santiago de Matos Monteiro Lira Júlia , Maria Sposto Rosa
Published: April 2018

A procura por maior otimização do processo produtivo de edificações, relacionada a simplificação e redução de prazos de execução e diminuição da geração de desperdícios, tem intensificado a utilização de sistemas construtivos industrializados no Brasil. De forma recorrente se verifica a disponibilização de sistemas de vedação em drywall nos lançamentos habitacionais recentes. Por exigência da NBR 15575 (ABNT, 2013) faz-se necessário avaliar o desempenho dos sistemas construtivos, tanto convencional como industrializado, considerando, entre outros, requisitos de sustentabilidade sob aspectos de durabilidade, manutenibilidade e adequação ambiental. Dessa forma, os sistemas construtivos industrializados em drywall devem atender aos requisitos e critérios estabelecidos naquela norma. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo de energia e emissão de CO2 de um sistema de vedação vertical em drywall, tipologia 140/90. A metodologia se baseou na quantificação de energia incorporada e emissões de CO2, por meio da avaliação de ciclo de vida energético - ACVE e de emissões de CO2 - ACVCO2, respectivamente, nas etapas de fabricação, transporte e manutenção do sistema analisado. Este trabalho procura contribuir com a maior conscientização do uso de sistemas construtivos racionalizados e, principalmente, mais sustentáveis ambientalmente.
Abstract
The search for greater optimization of buildings process production, related to simplification and reduction of lead times and reducing of waste, has intensified the use of industrialized constructive systems in Brazil. Repeatedly it is seem the availability of sealing system in drywall in recent housing releases. By requirement of NBR 15575 (ABNT, 2013) it is necessary to evaluate the performance of constructive systems, both conventional as industrialized, considering, among others, sustainability requirements under aspects of durability, maintainability and environmental suitability. Thus, the industrialized systems as drywall must comply with the requirements and criteria set out in that standard. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of a vertical sealing system in drywall, type 140/90. The methodology was based on quantification of embodied energy and CO2 emissions, through the energy life cycle assessment-LCEA and CO2 emissions-LCCO2A, respectively, considering the steps of manufacturing, transportation and maintenance of the system. This paper seeks to contribute to increase awareness of the use of rationalized constructive systems and, especially, more environmentally sustainable.
Paradigm of Peace, Silly Satire, Text of Terror: Perspectives on Matthew 5:38–48 for Immigrant Populations
Authors: Howard Melanie A.
Published: April 2018

Given the discourse surrounding immigration in the 2016 presidential election, this article inquires how Jesus's teachings regarding nonresistance to evil and love of enemies (Matthew 5:38–48) may look from a Christian immigrant perspective. The article suggests that there are several possibilities. First, the article investigates peace church perspectives on the Sermon. Second, taking a cue from the Sermon's hyperbolic speech, the article explores reading the Sermon as satire. Finally, the article explores this passage as a “text of terror” and concludes that each of these paradigms offer both strengths and drawbacks given the diversity of immigrant experiences.
Lipophilicity determination of acidic compounds: MEEKC as a reliable high-throughput methodology
Authors: Subirats Xavier , Redón Lidia , Rosés Martí
Published: April 2018

In the present study a pressure-assisted MEEKC method with reversed-polarity using a conventional CE instrument with UV detection and uncoated fused silica capillaries is validated as a high-throughput methodology for the lipophilicity determination of the neutral species of acidic compounds (pKa > 3.5). After the calibration of the system with four standard compounds of known log Po/w, mass distribution ratios (log kMEEKC) of new molecules can be directly converted into log Po/w values by means of a simple linear equation (log Po/w=a·log kMEEKC+b). The method was internally and externally validated for a log Po/w range between -1.54 and 4.75, with higher accuracies than conventional liquid chromatographic methods.
Revisão sistemática: dieta cetogênica e suas implicações na performance
Authors: Dahlke Ana Paula , Viana Kelly Ribeiro de Freitas
Published: April 2018

Introdução: O glicogênio é fonte energética para ações musculares. Dietas ricas em carboidratos permitem o armazenamento e disponibilização desse glicogênio. As dietas cetogênicas, apesar de reduzir os estoques de glicogênio, permitem que o organismo utilize como substrato a gordura corporal. Objetivamos identificar se a mudança alimentar pode influenciar na performance. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática na base de dados do PubMed. Resultados: Foram encontrados 100 estudos. Cinco foram selecionados para compor este artigo. Conclusão: Esse tipo de intervenção dietética permite a perda de gordura corporal, mantendo a estrutura muscular construída pelo treinamento, sem prejudicar a performance.
Quels sont les paradigmes didactiques présents dans les méthodes de guitare destinées aux débutants : expérimentation d’une méthodologie d’analyse
Authors: Héroux Isabelle
Published: April 2018

Cet article présente une analyse de méthodes de guitare classique pour débutants puisées dans les programmes d’études pour l’enseignement privé reconnu par le gouvernement du Québec. Pour identifier les principes didactiques sous-jacents à la conception des ouvrages, nous avons analysé les éléments d’apprentissages proposés, leur ordre de présentation ainsi que le type et la quantité d’activités pour chacun. L’apprentissage des notes, de leur lecture et des techniques de jeu dans le but de reproduire le texte musical à l’instrument constitue l’essentiel de ce qui est présenté dans ces méthodes, dans des proportions variables souvent en lien avec l’âge ciblé.
De la musique à l’architecture : le mystère des pans de verre « ondulatoires » du couvent de la tourette de le corbusier et Xenakis
Authors: Kiourtsoglou Elisavet
Published: April 2018

Les pans de verre « ondulatoires » du Couvent de la Tourette (1953-1961) — une distribution irrégulière de pans de verre de longueurs graduellement variables — se présentent comme une nouvelle version de l’ancienne analogie entre musique et architecture ; c’est Iannis Xenakis, qui travaillait comme ingénieur et architecte dans l’atelier Le Corbusier, qui les a conçus en faisant appel à ses recherches musicales. Dans cet article, nous proposons une hypothèse pour déchiffrer leur conception et leur rapport avec son travail de compositeur, restés longtemps peu détaillés, en interprétant des éléments tirés des archives.
La formation du citoyen à l’école : individualisation et dépolitisation de la citoyenneté
Authors: Bozec Géraldine
Published: April 2018

Ce texte analyse les qualités et les figures du citoyen légitime dans la sphère de l’école, en s’intéressant à la fois aux directives officielles et aux représentations et pratiques des acteurs scolaires. Les données de deux enquêtes qualitatives conduites dans des établissements scolaires français sont ici mobilisées. Le regard porte prioritairement sur la dimension politique de la citoyenneté : le rapport de l’individu au pouvoir et sa capacité d’action dans la vie collective et politique. Globalement, la participation du citoyen apparait comme une dimension relativement secondaire dans l’éducation scolaire à la citoyenneté, au profit de l’autonomie intellectuelle du citoyen critique. L’école offre peu d’outils permettant aux élèves d’appréhender la vie politique, ses enjeux, ses acteurs et ses processus concrets. L’évitement des sujets politiques que l’on observe dans les classes renvoie non seulement à une conception particulière de la neutralité politique, mais aussi et surtout à l’objectif de cohésion qui est attribué officiellement à l’école et que les enseignants reconnaissent comme légitime. La citoyenneté est par ailleurs censée s’exprimer de plus en plus dans la vie même de l’établissement, dont les modes de fonctionnement doivent se rapprocher de la démocratie politique adulte. Le texte montre les limites d’une telle analogie entre la sphère scolaire et la société politique et identifie divers obstacles qui pèsent sur la mise en oeuvre de cette « démocratie scolaire ». Il met enfin en évidence le décalage entre l’insistance sur la figure d’un individu-citoyen dans l’espace scolaire et l’inscription dans des collectifs que suppose l’exercice réel de la citoyenneté.
Promouvoir la « citoyenneté » dans les quartiers populaires : les professionnels du développement social urbain à l’épreuve des enfants et des jeunes
Authors: Leclercq Benjamin , Demoulin Jeanne
Published: April 2018

Cet article interroge les tensions qui régissent l’injonction à se comporter en citoyen dans les quartiers populaires en France. Plus spécifiquement, il s’intéresse aux pratiques des professionnels du développement social urbain, recrutés ou mandatés par des organismes HLM pour lutter contre les incivilités dont les enfants des locataires sont rendus responsables (dégradations, vandalisme…). Les interventions sociales conçues par ces professionnels à l’intention des enfants et des jeunes s’apparentent à des formes d’éducation à la citoyenneté qui oscillent entre normalisation des conduites et valorisation de l’engagement pour le bien commun. D’un côté, elles constituent des expériences susceptibles d’engendrer des questionnements profanes sur le vivre-ensemble dans la Cité. De l’autre, en demeurant tributaires d’une approche gestionnaire de l’espace public, elles résistent mal au simple rappel des normes élémentaires du savoir-vivre en société. Pour éviter cette approche morale de la citoyenneté, les agents cherchent alors à donner des capacités à leur public afin que celui-ci résolve de lui-même les problématiques auxquelles il est confronté. Ce travail participatif est redevable d’une conception capacitaire de la citoyenneté, impliquant une maîtrise préalable de la civilité. Il s’adresse ainsi aux jeunes les plus influents, les « grands frères » qui détiennent des compétences d’encadrement de leurs pairs. Les professionnels cherchent alors à leur donner des « codes » pour être reconnus comme partenaires des institutions. Mais ce partenariat implique d’acquérir des compétences d’adaptation aux façons de faire et de dire la politique locale qui n’autorisent pas ces jeunes à publiciser leurs critiques ordinaires du fonctionnement institutionnel.
The Role of Visual Merchandising to Position Fashion Retailers: a Key Place in Spanish Literature
Authors: Llovet Rodríguez Carmen
Published: April 2018

The review article examines the communication and marketing tool called visual merchandising (VM) by which the product and the brand are displayed through the store. The elements of VM transmit particularly an emotional identity in fashion retail. The international success of Spanish companies like Zara, Pronovias and Mango is linked to the visual communication of the brand image through the universe of retail. VM needs to find a place in academic Spanish literature for the first time as it has attracted recent interest from the professional approach. The status quo covers national and international publications from the first publications found in 1980 to 2017. The type of documents reviewed are national and international database, specialized journals in consumption, brand management and retail, as well as textbooks of design, communication, marketing and sociology, catalogues at libraries and universities. Besides, interviews with academics, consultants and visual merchandisers in Spain constituted a valuable source of information. Results suggest that VM helps Spanish companies to gain brand recognition and positioning -in an effective and coherent way- and lead consumers to simplify shopping decisions. Among the conclusions, it is highlighted that VM also contributes to the creation of emotions in textile retail through the store personality. Brands that bet for this creative and strategic tool are best global brands. Subsequently managerial implications include more investment and research on this essential tool for textile retail brands in Spain. Retail’s bases are established with this work as offline behavior is the strongest predictor of online shopping, a future research field for visual literacy.
Alternativas a la publicidad tradicional: Lovisual, un evento de éxito
Authors: Juaneda Ayensa Emma , Olarte Pascual Cristina , Pérez Bustamante Miriam
Published: April 2018

Nowadays the firms face a market saturated with information in which the conventional campaigns can be ignored by the consumer. The development of new forms of communication such as event marketing, ambush marketing, street marketing or ambient marketing aims to impact on target audience. The objective of this work is to identify the key aspects for the organization and communication of an event through the study of a success case. Lovisual is an ephemeral, novel and unconventional event that seeks to draw attention and give visibility to traditional local commerce through artistic interventions performed in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja (Spain). The results show the combination of efforts between small merchants and artists can achieve great benefits for both like the activation of social networks, give visibility to the stores, attract visitors to the commercial areas or cause notoriety in the media. The return on investment in Lovisual has been estimated at 234,43%. The case studied has practical implications and can serve as an example to revive the city trade and attract the attention of the environment.
Antimicrobial peptide expression in a wild tobacco plant reveals the limits of host-microbe-manipulations in the field
Authors: Weinhold Arne , Karimi Dorcheh Elham , Li Ran , Rameshkumar Natarajan , Baldwin Ian T
Published: April 2018

Plant-microbe associations are thought to be beneficial for plant growth and resistance against biotic or abiotic stresses, but for natural ecosystems, the ecological analysis of microbiome function remains in its infancy. We used transformed wild tobacco plants (Nicotiana attenuata) which constitutively express an antimicrobial peptide (Mc-AMP1) of the common ice plant, to establish an ecological tool for plant-microbe studies in the field. Transgenic plants showed in planta activity against plant-beneficial bacteria and were phenotyped within the plants´ natural habitat regarding growth, fitness and the resistance against herbivores. Multiple field experiments, conducted over 3 years, indicated no differences compared to isogenic controls. Pyrosequencing analysis of the root-associated microbial communities showed no major alterations but marginal effects at the genus level. Experimental infiltrations revealed a high heterogeneity in peptide tolerance among native isolates and suggests that the diversity of natural microbial communities can be a major obstacle for microbiome manipulations in nature.
Including autapomorphies is important for paleontological tip-dating with clocklike data, but not with non-clock data
Authors: Matzke Nicholas J. , Irmis Randall B.
Published: April 2018

Tip-dating, where fossils are included as dated terminal taxa in Bayesian dating inference, is an increasingly popular method. Data for these studies often come from morphological character matrices originally developed for non-dated, and usually parsimony, analyses. In parsimony, only shared derived characters (synapomorphies) provide grouping information, so many character matrices have an ascertainment bias: they omit autapomorphies (unique derived character states), which are considered uninformative. There has been no study of the effect of this ascertainment bias in tip-dating, but autapomorphies can be informative in model-based inference. We expected that excluding autapomorphies would shorten the morphological branchlengths of terminal branches, and thus bias downwards the time branchlengths inferred in tip-dating. We tested for this effect using a matrix for Carboniferous-Permian eureptiles where all autapomorphies had been deliberately coded. Surprisingly, date estimates are virtually unchanged when autapomorphies are excluded, although we find large changes in morphological rate estimates and small effects on topological and dating confidence. We hypothesized that the puzzling lack of effect on dating was caused by the non-clock nature of the eureptile data. We confirm this explanation by simulating strict clock and non-clock datasets, showing that autapomorphy exclusion biases dating only for the clocklike case. A theoretical solution to ascertainment bias is computing the ascertainment bias correction (Mkparsinf), but we explore this correction in detail, and show that it is computationally impractical for typical datasets with many character states and taxa. Therefore we recommend that palaeontologists collect autapomorphies whenever possible when assembling character matrices.
2D versus 3D real time ultrasound with live xPlane imaging to visualize aortic and ductal arches: comparison between methods
Authors: Dell’Oro Stefania , Verderio Maria , Incerti Maddalena , Mastrolia Salvatore Andrea , Cozzolino Sabrina , Vergani Patrizia
Published: April 2018

Background

The diagnosis of congenital heart defects is challenging, especially for what concerns conotruncal anomalies. Indeed, although the screening techniques of fetal cardiac anomalies have greatly improved, the detection rate of conotruncal anomalies still remains low due to the fact that they are associated with a normal four-chamber view. Therefore, the study aimed to compare real-time three-dimensional echocardiography with live xPlane imaging with two-dimensional (2D) traditional imaging in visualizing ductal and aortic arches during routine echocardiography of the second trimester of gestation.

Methods

This was an observational prospective study including 114 women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies. All sonographic studies were performed by two different operators, of them 60 by a first level operator, while 54 by a second level operator. A subanalysis was run in order to evaluate the feasibility and the time needed for the two procedures according to fetal spine position and operator’s experience.

Results

The measurements with 2D ultrasound were performed in all 114 echocardiographies, while live xPlane imaging was feasible in the 78% of the cases, and this was mainly due to fetal position. The time lapse needed to visualize aortic and ductal arches was significantly lower when using 2D ultrasound compared to live xPlane imaging (29.56 ± 28.5 s vs. 42.5 ± 38.1 s, P = 0.006 for aortic arch; 22.14 ± 17.8 s vs. 37.1 ± 33.8 s, P = 0.001 for ductal arch), also when performing a subanalysis according to operators’ experience (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Feasibility of live xPlane proved to be correlated with the position of the fetal spine and the operator’s experience.

Discussion

To find a reproducible and standardized method to detect fetal heart defects may bring a great benefit for both patients and operators. In this scenario live xPlane imaging is a novel method to visualize ductal and aortic arches. We found that the position of the fetal spine may affect the feasibility of the method since, when the fetal back is anterior or transverse, the visualization of the correct view of three-vessels and trachea in order to set the reference line properly becomes more challenging. In addition, the fetal spine position influences the duration of the ultrasound examination. Regarding operator’s skills and experience, in our study a first level operator was able to perform the complete 2D and xPlane examination in a lower number of cases compared to second level operators. In addition, the time required for the complete examination was higher for first level operators. This means that this technique is based on an adequate operators’ expertise.
Effects of feeding varying levels of fufu sieviate meal based diets with Panicum maximum basal on the blood characteristics of West African dwarf goats
Authors: Jiwuba Peter-Damian Chukwunomso , Assam Ekeno Michael , Inyang Eka Christian
Published: April 2018

The effects of fufu sieviate meal based diets at 0%, 20%, 40% and 60% levels using Panicum maximum as the basal on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) goats were studied for 87 days. Thirty six blood samples were collected from the WAD goats and their haematological and serum biochemical indices were determined using Beckman Coulter Ac-T10 Laboratory Haematology Blood Analyzer and Bayer DCA 2000+ HbA1c analyzer, respectively using a completely randomized design. Packed cell volume (PCV) was better (p<0.05) at T1 than the other treatments. Red Blood Cell (RBC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were numerically improved at T2, T3 and T4 than in the control group while lymphocyte increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing levels of the test ingredient. Results on serum biochemical indices showed that serum urea, creatinine, glucose and ALP differed significantly (P<0.05) and tended to be higher in the treatment (T2, T3 and T4)groups than the control group. The study therefore revealed that inclusion of fufu sieviate in the diets of West African Dwarf goats had no deleterious effects on the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of WAD goats and could be included up to 60% in goat diets.
Determinants of child Labour in Crop Production (A Case Study of Anambra State of Nigeria).
Authors: Smiles Ume , Ezeano C I , Nnadozie A. K.O.
Published: April 2018

Determinants of child Labour use among rural household crop farmers in Anambra State of Nigeria were studied. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select one hundred (100) respondents for the detailed study. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents for the study. Percentage response was used to capture objective i and iii.  Objective ii was capture using Probit model analysis.  The result showed that majority of the respondents were married, youthful, had moderate household size, educated and highly experienced in farming. The determinant factors to the use of child labour among rural household were relationship between the child and household heads, access to credit and educational level.  The major operations accomplished by the children in the study area were bird scaring, fertilizer application and planting. The child right act should be enforced by appropriate government agencies and the offenders brought to book, free education to all children and social mobilization on change of attitude to use of child labour were recommended. Keywords; Determinants, Child Labour, Crop Production, Anambra  State, Nigeria
Silica, Amorphous
Authors: Graf Christina
Published: April 2018

Amorphous or noncrystalline silica is silicon dioxide (SiO2) that does not have a crystalline structure. Amorphous silica can be naturally occurring or synthetic, and has a wide range of applications.

The chemical structure and chemical, physical, and particulate characteristics of amorphous silica are given. Polymerization processes and further modifications and important applications, including silica sols and colloidal silica, silica gel, precipitated silica, pyrogenic silica (fumed silica), and fused silica and fused quartz, are discussed. Formation, properties, processing, modification approaches, and applications of naturally occurring amorphous silica are presented as well. Finally, health effects and safety issues of amorphous silica materials are introduced, including exposure and uptake, biological effects, and classification and labeling according to international regulations.
Lead, Toxicology
Authors: Koehrn Kara
Published: April 2018

The toxic effects of lead have been recognized since ancient times. Today, lead and its compounds are some of the most well‐studied environmental toxicants. Efforts to reduce exposures in the United States have made dramatic and steady progress since the 1970s. However, lead exposure is still a significant health concern with broad implications for public health, particularly for its effects on neurodevelopment and the cardiovascular system.

In this article, occupational and nonoccupational exposures are reported followed by a review of lead's toxic effects. Detection and treatment of lead poisoning are also discussed.
Extraction method using sinusoidal waves to simplify earthquake ground motion
Authors: Yamamoto Masashi , Sato Yoshiyuki , Inoue Shusaku
Published: April 2018

A method for simplifying earthquake ground motion using sinusoidal waves is proposed. The method combines the advantages of a wavelet analysis suitable for non‐stationary states and a Fourier analysis suitable for stationary states through an extraction of the best‐matched waveforms using multiple wavelets. The proposed method was formulated and applied to an acceleration waveform observed during the 1995 Kobe earthquake and a frequency‐swept sinusoidal waveform. The results show that the method appropriately extracts both non‐stationary and stationary waveforms. The method can be utilized to resolve a waveform into various waveform components created by different propagation paths.
RecA
Protein
Authors: Bianco Piero R
Published: April 2018

The RecA protein of
Escherichia coli
is the prototypic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)‐strand exchange protein. It assembles on single‐stranded DNA to form a helical nucleoprotein filament that is the active species for all RecA protein‐dependent functions. This protein–DNA complex is responsible for three mutually exclusive functions: DNA recombination, induction of the DNA‐damage SOS response and SOS‐induced mutagenesis. The overall structure and activity of the nucleoprotein filament are determined by nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) cofactor binding, hydrolysis and product release. This is evident when the crystal structure of the filament is closely examined and NTP‐related structural changes are related to biological function.

Key Concepts

RecA protein is the prototype enzyme for a family of proteins known as recombinases.

Homologous recombination is the exchange of the corresponding stretches of DNA between two DNA molecules of similar sequence.

The SOS response is an inducible DNA repair and damage tolerance system that is induced by RecA.

SOS‐induced mutagenesis is a form of DNA repair catalysed by error‐prone, translesion DNA polymerases.

The RecA nucleoprotein filament is a large dynamic structure whose formation is essential to all RecA functions.

Coprotease activity is the induced self‐cleavage of one protein (LexA) by another (RecA).
A
rabidopsis thaliana

as an Experimental Organism
Authors: Serino Giovanna , Marzi Davide
Published: April 2018

In the past decades, plant research has experienced an incredibly fast growth, thanks both to the increasing number of scientists joining the field and the great number of publicly available tools. In this context,
Arabidopsis thaliana
still retains a central role in Plant Science, being the prominent plant model adopted worldwide. Indeed, its main features such as easy and fast growth, high seed production, easy genetic manipulation and a completely sequenced genome still place
Arabidopsis
as the best model for studying plants.
Arabidopsis
has proven to be an ideal organism for studying plant development at the molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological levels. By concentrating their efforts on a single model system,
Arabidopsis
scientists have made outstanding advances in almost any field of plant research. Further, discoveries made in
Arabidopsis
have been translated to other plant species such as economically important crops, as well as to animal systems, including complex human disease processes.

Key Concepts

Arabidopsis
is a small flowering plant, which has emerged as the primary experimental organism for the study of all aspects of plant biology.

Arabidopsis
genome has been fully sequenced in 2000 and contains approximately 28 000 genes.

Several molecular tools have been established to identify
Arabidopsis
transcription profiles, epigenetic landscape, protein and metabolite composition.

Systems biology is currently being used in
Arabidopsis
to investigate the transcriptional networks regulating root development, the metabolic response to stress and the genetic regulation of metabolic variability.

Gain of function and loss of function transgenic lines for specific
Arabidopsis
genes can be easily produced or obtained from public collections.

Most of the information on
Arabidopsis
research is available from dedicated websites.

Discoveries made in
Arabidopsis
can be easily translated to other plant species, as well as to animal systems.
Identification of Differentially Regulated Edwardsiella ictaluri Proteins During Catfish Serum Treatment
Authors: Dumpala Pradeep R. , Lawrence Mark L. , Karsi Attila
Published: April 2018

Edwardsiella ictaluri is a facultative, intracellular, gram-negative bacterium that causes enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). Edwardsiella ictaluri is known to be resistant to defense mechanisms present in catfish serum, which might aid in its use of a host's bloodstream to become septicemic. However, the precise mechanisms of the survival of E. ictaluri in host serum are not known. Analysis of the response of E. ictaluri to the host serum treatment at a proteomic level might aid in the elucidation of its adaptation mechanisms against defense mechanisms present in catfish serum. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify differentially regulated proteins of E. ictaluri upon exposure to naïve catfish serum. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) followed by in-gel trypsin digestion and MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis were used for identification of differentially expressed E. ictaluri proteins. A total of 19 differentially regulated proteins (7 up- and 12 downregulated) were identified. Among those were four putative immunogenic proteins, two chaperones and eight proteins involved in the translational process, two nucleic acid degradation and integration proteins, two intermediary metabolism proteins, and one iron-ion-binding protein. Further research focusing on the functions of these differentially expressed proteins may reveal their roles in host adaptation by E. ictaluri.
(Un)Free Work: Architecture, Labour and Self‐Determination
Authors: Deamer Peggy
Published: April 2018

Does the very nature of architectural practice preclude architects from creating spaces that foster freedom for their users? And what is freedom anyway? Peggy Deamer – a practising architect and Professor of Architecture at Yale University – sets out her point of view. Citing theorists from Karl Marx to Theodor Adorno and from Michel Foucault to Slavoj Zizek, she examines the particular challenges presented to architects by Neoliberalism, and discusses how they might generate a healthier working and living climate for all.
The Freedom of Being Three: The Art of Architectural Growing Up
Authors: Scott‐Whitby Alex
Published: April 2018

Experiential learning and an open, enquiring mind are as integral to the profession of architecture as they are to a child's development. Watching his daughter in her early years, Alex Scott‐Whitby has noticed parallels with the evolution of his practice. Founded in the year she was born, his London architecture and urban design consultancy ScottWhitbyStudio has gone through similar phases: from the seed of an idea, to finding its feet, to seeking guidance from its forebears, to pushing boundaries.