bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detail Engineering Completion Rating Index System (DECRIS) for Optimal Initiation of Construction Works to Improve Contractors’ Schedule-Cost Performance for Offshore Oil and Gas EPC Projects
Authors: Kim Myung-Hun , Lee Eul-Bum , Choi Han-Suk
Published: July 2018

Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors with lump-sum turnkey contracts have recently been suffering massive profit losses due to re-works and schedule delays in offshore oil and gas EPC megaprojects. The main objective of this research is to develop and implement a detail engineering completion rating index system (DECRIS) to assist EPC contractors to optimize fabrication and construction works schedules while minimizing potential re-work/re-order. This is achieved through adequate detail design development and results in minimizing schedule delays and potential liquidated damages (i.e., delay penalties). The developed DECRIS was based on findings from an extensive review of existing literature, industry-led studies, expert surveys, and expert workshops. The DECRIS model is an evolution, and improvement of existing tools such as the project definition raking index (PDRI) and front-end loading (FEL) developed specifically for the early stage of engineering maturity assessment (i.e., planning, basic design, and front-end engineering design (FEED)), prior to EPC projects. The DECRIS was evaluated and validated with thirteen sample as-built offshore megaprojects completed recently. When the DECRIS was applied to the completed projects post-hoc, a correlation (R-squared 0.71) was found between DECRIS scores and schedule/cost performances. This is much superior to the PDRI-Industrial model’s correlation (R-squared 0.04), which was primarily devised for owners’ basic engineering or FEED completion assessment. Finally, as a means of further validation, project schedule and cost performance of an ongoing project was predicted based on the correlations found on the thirteen completed projects. The resultant predicted schedule and cost performance was well matched with the current project performance status. Based on the accuracy of the DECRIS model found in the validation, said model is an effective prospective tool for EPC contractors to manage their engineering and procurement/construction risks during the initial detail design stages.
Protecting Life on Land and Below Water: Using Storytelling to Promote Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes toward Animals
Authors: Lin Chi-I , Li Yuh-Yuh
Published: July 2018

The framework of Global Education 2030 Agenda suggests 17 learning objectives for sustainability education. Restoring the human–animal relationship is a core task emphasized by Goals 14 (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land). This study investigated the effect of using storytelling, focusing on the thematic topic of wild animals, as an integrated part of learning about attitude toward wild animals. It addressed the major question: how could the students’ perceptions concerning the human–animal relationship be changed? The participants were 31 university students majoring in a variety of subjects. Qualitative inquiry using a personal meaning map (PMM) and online in-depth focus group interview explored the students’ perceptions of wild animals and their learning experience. The results showed the students’ changing attitudes toward wild animals at the end of the storytelling session. In the focus group interview students reported the process of their storytelling regarding the invention the stories. In conclusion, storytelling, featuring the adoption of multiperspectives, addressed imagination and empathy and promoted an understanding of the ethical relationship between wild animals and human beings. The educational implication of storytelling appealed to a holistic approach, engaging an interdisciplinary classroom practice in defining humanity in relation to the nonhuman world.
Development of A BIM-Based Maintenance Decision-Making Framework for the Optimization between Energy Efficiency and Investment Costs
Authors: Kim Jin-Up , Hadadi Oussama A. , Kim Hyunjoo , Kim Jonghyeob
Published: July 2018

Eco-friendly materials have been developed recently that have made it possible to significantly reduce the maintenance cost of buildings when they are appropriately used in renovation. Indeed, it became extremely important to consider the eco-friendly energy-saving effects on design alternatives during renovation. The present study proposes a framework for the optimum maintenance decision-making model for considering eco-friendly energy to help people interested in making decisions concerning renovation; it requires that both the environmental friendliness and economic feasibility of the target building be simultaneously considered. Several studies mainly cover the structural aspects for energy improvements based on innovation and technology. However, energy simulation in existing buildings needs some additional consideration regarding the economic analysis of energy savings and the recovery period of construction costs. A case study was conducted as a research method by utilizing the proposed framework, which aims to: (1) make energy simulations with different basic design assumptions; (2) perform the energy simulations through building information modeling (BIM) technology; and (3) analyze the economic feasibility of the alternatives. As a result, an alternative combination that can save the net maximum energy cost during the life cycle period and invest the lowest renovation costs has been recommended. Furthermore, effective guidelines were proposed on which items the building owner values, depending on his economic investment conditions in decision-making regarding the level of design, through a comprehensive review of the energy savings by design variable. It is expected that the research findings will be utilized in the decision-making process and for conducting further relevant research in future.
Research on Big Data Digging of Hot Topics about Recycled Water Use on Micro-Blog Based on Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Fu Hanliang , Li Zhaoxing , Liu Zhijian , Wang Zelin
Published: July 2018

The public’s acceptance level of recycled water use is a key factor that affects the popularization of this technology; therefore, it is critical to know the public’s attitude in order to make guiding policies effectively and scientifically. To examine the major focuses and hot topics among the public about recycled water use, one of the major platforms for social opinion in China, the micro blog, is used as a source to obtain data related to the topic. Through the “follow-be followed” and “forward-dialogue” behaviors, a network of discussion of recycled water use among micro-blog users has been constructed. Improved particle swarm optimization has been used to allow deep digging for key words. Ultimately, key words about the topic of have been clustered into three categories, namely, the popularization status of recycled water use, the main application, and the public’s attitude. The conclusion accurately describes the concerns of Chinese citizens regarding recycled water use, and has important significance for the popularization of this technology.
Sorption Characteristics and Fraction Distribution Changes of Selenite in Soil
Authors: Fan Jianxin , Zhao Guoliang
Published: July 2018

Sorption properties play a key role in the mobility of selenium (Se) and fraction distribution changes, leading to the bioavailability of Se in the soil environment. Thus, the effect of soil physicochemical properties on the sorption of exogenous selenite was investigated to predict the rate and capacity of sorption. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to observe the relationship between sorption characteristics and soil properties. Sequential extraction was used to observe the fractions of Se at different ages in soil. Results indicated that sorption isotherms followed the Langmuir equation, and the sorption capacity ranged from 50.7 to 567 mg·kg−1 with pseudo-second-order sorption kinetics. The correlation and multiple linear regression analyses showed that sorption parameters were significantly positively correlated with dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate-extracted Fe (FeDCB), dithionite–citrate–bicarbonate-extracted Al (AlDCB), amorphous Fe (FeOX), and soil organic matter (SOM), whereas pH was negatively correlated. Sequential extraction analyses revealed that the fraction distribution of Se in soil varied with the age, and the content of elemental Se increased with prolonged aging. FeDCB, AlDCB, FeOX, pH, and SOM play important roles in selenite sorption onto soils. Selenite sorption onto soil can be reduced to a lower-state Se, such as elemental Se and selenides, during the aging process. This information on the environmental behavior of Se is used to develop agronomic strategies for increasing Se levels in food crops and improving human health.
Space-Time Second-Quantization Effects and the Quantum Origin of Cosmological Constant in Covariant Quantum Gravity
Authors: Cremaschini Claudio , Tessarotto Massimo
Published: July 2018

Space-time quantum contributions to the classical Einstein equations of General Relativity are determined. The theoretical background is provided by the non-perturbative theory of manifestly-covariant quantum gravity and the trajectory-based representation of the related quantum wave equation in terms of the Generalized Lagrangian path formalism. To reach the target an extended functional setting is introduced, permitting the treatment of a non-stationary background metric tensor allowed to depend on both space-time coordinates and a suitably-defined invariant proper-time parameter. Based on the Hamiltonian representation of the corresponding quantum hydrodynamic equations occurring in such a context, the quantum-modified Einstein field equations are obtained. As an application, the quantum origin of the cosmological constant is investigated. This is shown to be ascribed to the non-linear Bohm quantum interaction of the gravitational field with itself in vacuum and to depend generally also on the realization of the quantum probability density for the quantum gravitational field tensor. The emerging physical picture predicts a generally non-stationary quantum cosmological constant which originates from fluctuations (i.e., gradients) of vacuum quantum gravitational energy density and is consistent with the existence of quantum massive gravitons.
Characterisation of the Mycobiota on the Shell Surface of Table Eggs Acquired from Different Egg-Laying Hen Breeding Systems
Authors: Tomczyk Łukasz , Stępień Łukasz , Urbaniak Monika , Szablewski Tomasz , Cegielska-Radziejewska Renata , Stuper-Szablewska Kinga
Published: July 2018

Microbial safety is an important factor contributing to the egg quality. During egg acquisition, there is significant risk of contamination of the eggshell surface with microscopic fungi. Mycelial hyphae may grow on the eggshell surface and penetrate into the egg content. However, there is no information on the populations of microscopic fungi on the eggshell surface and, consequently, on possible production of mycotoxins. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify the species of microscopic fungi present on the eggshell surface acquired from different breeding systems and to measure the number of selected mycotoxins. The qualitative analysis resulted in the identification of 41 isolates on the surface of eggs. There were 7 isolates from the organic production system, 11 from the free-range production system, 14 from the deep litter indoor housing system and 9 from the cage farming production system. The research proved that the diversification in the population of mycobiota on the eggshells depended on the egg-laying hen breeding system. The microscopic fungi isolated from the eggshells included toxigenic and pathogenic species such as Fusarium culmorum and F. equiseti. As the egg storage time increased, fungi, including the pathogenic species, penetrated through the eggshells. In consequence, mycotoxins were identified in the egg whites. Type-A and type-B trichothecenes were found in the eggshell samples containing F. culmorum.
Multi-Mycotoxin Occurrence in Dairy Cattle Feeds from the Gauteng Province of South Africa: A Pilot Study Using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS
Authors: Changwa Rumbidzai , Abia Wilfred , Msagati Titus , Nyoni Hlengilizwe , Ndleve Khanyisa , Njobeh Patrick
Published: July 2018

The indispensable nature of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in agricultural systems is of worldwide concern, hence the need for surveillance studies to preserve public health. Thirteen dairy farms were surveyed and 40 dairy feeds of varying nature collected and analyzed for mycotoxins. Estimated levels of aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisin B1 (FB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), citrinin (CIT), zearalenone (ZEN), α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β-zearalenol (β-ZEL), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3- and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (ADONs), HT-2 toxin (HT-2), and beauvericin (BEA) were established using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Highest frequencies (40/40) were found for AFG2 (range: <LOQ—116.1 ppb), α-ZEL (range: 0.98–13.24 ppb), and β-ZEL (range: 0.73–4.71 ppb), followed by AFB2 at 37/40 (range: <LOQ—23.88 ppb), BEA at 36/40 (range: <LOQ—55.99 ppb), HT-2 at 35/40 (range: <LOQ—312.95 ppb), and FB1 at 34/40 (range: <LOQ—1389.62 ppb). Apart from samples exceeding regulatory limits for total AFs in dairy feeds due to the high amounts of AFG2 and AFB2, levels of other mycotoxins were regarded as safe for dairy production in South Africa. This is the first-time the natural occurrence of the cold climate HT-2 in South African feeds was documented. Persistent co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins across samples, however, may elicit synergistic and/or additive effects in hosts, hence raising concerns about their impacts and how such interactions may affect the dairy livestock sector.
Importance of Welfare and Ethics Competence Regarding Animals Kept for Scientific Purposes to Veterinary Students in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Collins Teresa , Cornish Amelia , Hood Jennifer , Degeling Chris , Fisher Andrew , Freire Rafael , Hazel Susan , Johnson Jane , Lloyd Janice , Phillips Clive , Tzioumis Vicky , McGreevy Paul
Published: July 2018

Veterinarians are in a strong position of social influence on animal-related issues. Hence, veterinary schools have an opportunity to raise animal health and welfare standards by improving veterinary students’ animal welfare and ethics (AWE) education, including that related to animals used for scientific purposes. A survey of 818 students in the early, mid, and senior stages of their courses at all eight veterinary schools across Australia and New Zealand was undertaken on their first day of practice (or Day One Competences) to explore how veterinary students viewed the importance of their competence in the management of welfare and ethical decision-making relating to animals kept for scientific purposes. From highest to lowest, the rankings they assigned were: Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) Procedures or Requirements; 3Rs (Replacement, Refinement and Reduction); Humane Endpoints; Euthanasia; “What Is a Research Animal?”; and Conscientious Objections. Female students rated Conscientious Objections, Humane Endpoints, and Euthanasia significantly higher than male students did across the three stages of study. The score patterns for these three variates showed a trend for the male students to be more likely to score these topics as extremely important as they advanced through the course, but female students’ scores tended to decline slightly or stay relatively stable. No gender differences emerged for the three variates: 3Rs (Replacement, Refinement and Reduction); AEC Procedures or Requirements; and “What Is a Research Animal?”. This study demonstrates that understandings of the regulatory and normative frameworks are considered most important in animal welfare and ethics competence in veterinary students. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate what importance veterinary students place on their competence regarding animals kept for scientific purposes.
Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Water Hammer in Gravitational Pipe Flow with Continuous Air Entrainment
Authors: Zhang Boran , Wan Wuyi , Shi Mengshan
Published: July 2018

Water hammer is an undesired hydraulic shock phenomenon in water supply pipe systems. It is very important to simulate water hammer for preventing the hazard of over pressure. In order to predict the transient pressure caused by a valve closing in a gravitational pipe with continuous air entrainment, a numerical model based on the Lax-Wendroff format is established, and the matched boundary model is provided. Compared with the traditional methods, this study provides another access by considering the influence of the pipe flow velocity on the wave propagation to simulate transient processes. A corresponding experiment is conducted to optimize the numerical model. Based on the experimental result, an additional friction function is proposed to evaluate the influence of the air content on the attenuation. The result shows that the energy dissipation of the shock waves may be underestimated in air-water mixture flow using the common steady friction. By introducing the additional friction function, the improved model can more accurately simulate the attenuation of the water hammer in the gravitational pipe with continuous air entrainment. As there are plenty of practical water supply systems running with air content, the improved Lax-Wendroff Method (LWM) is valued in accurately predicting water hammer processes especially in those conditions.
Modelling the Effects of Historical and Future Land Cover Changes on the Hydrology of an Amazonian Basin
Authors: Abe Camila Andrade , Lobo Felipe de Lucia , Dibike Yonas Berhan , Costa Maycira Pereira de Farias , Dos Santos Vanessa , Novo Evlyn Márcia L. M.
Published: July 2018

Land cover changes (LCC) affect the water balance (WB), changing surface runoff (SurfQ), evapotranspiration (ET), groundwater (GW) regimes, and streamflow (Q). The Tapajós Basin (southeastern Amazon) has experienced LCC over the last 40 years, with increasing LCC rates projected for the near future. Several studies have addressed the effects of climate changes on the region’s hydrology, but few have explored the effects of LCC on its hydrological regime. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to model the LCC effects on the hydrology of the Upper Crepori River Basin (medium Tapajós Basin), using historical and projected LCC based on conservation policies (GOV_2050) and on the “Business as Usual” trend (BAU_2050). LCC that occurred from 1973 to 2012, increased Q by 2.5%, without noticeably altering the average annual WB. The future GOV_2050 and BAU_2050 scenarios increased SurfQ by 238.87% and 300.90%, and Q by 2.53% and 2.97%, respectively, and reduced GW by 4.00% and 5.21%, and ET by 2.07% and 2.43%, respectively. Results suggest that the increase in deforestation will intensify floods and low-flow events, and that the conservation policies considered in the GOV_2050 scenario may still compromise the region’s hydrology at a comparable level to that of the BAU_2050.
The Flow Generator Relations for Water Renewal through the Flushing Culverts in Marinas
Authors: Bartolić Ivana , Lončar Goran , Bujak Damjan , Carević Dalibor
Published: July 2018

An understanding of the relationship between the flow generators and harbor design could result in an acceptable seawater renewal into an enclosed basin. The flushing culverts located in the breakwater are the most cost-effective technique for improving water renewal in port engineering. The aim of the paper was to identify and quantify the relation between flow generators and culvert flow to propose an optimal position for the flushing culverts. Mentioned relations are important for designing and positioning the flushing culverts in marinas to achieve optimal sea exchange in the marina basin. Field measurements in the marina Opatija were performed and the data served for calibrating a 3D circulation model and a wave generation/propagation model. The absolute volume of the flow through the culverts caused by wind waves has the more important contribution to the water renewal in the marina basin than the coastal springs have. The optimal flow rates through the culverts are performed by positioning the flushing culvert axis at the mean sea level in accordance with the main incident direction of the propagating waves.
Developing a Statistical Model to Improve Drinking Water Quality for Water Distribution System by Minimizing Heavy Metal Releases
Authors: Peng Wei , Mayorga Rene V.
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a novel statistical approach for blending source waters in a public water distribution system to improve water quality (WQ) by minimizing the release of heavy metals (HMR). Normally, introducing a new source changes the original balanced environment and causes adverse effects on the WQ in a water distribution system. One harmful consequence of blending source water is the release of heavy metals, including lead, copper and iron. Most HMR studies focus on the forecasting of unfavorable effects using precise and complicated nonlinear equations. This paper uses a statistical multiple objectives optimization, namely Multiple Source Waters Blending Optimization (MSWBO), to find optimal blending ratios of source waters for minimizing three HMRs in a water supply system. In this paper, three response surface equations are applied to describe the reaction kinetics of HMR, and three dual response surface equations are used to track the standard deviations of the three response surface equations. A weighted sum method is performed for the multi-objective optimization problem to minimize three HMRs simultaneously. Finally, the experimental data of a pilot distribution system is used in the proposed statistical approach to demonstrate the model’s applicability, computational efficiency, and robustness.
Constructed Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cells for Sustainable Greywater Treatment
Authors: Araneda Ignacio , Tapia Natalia F. , Lizama Allende Katherine , Vargas Ignacio T.
Published: July 2018

Greywater reuse through decentralized and low-cost treatment systems emerges as an opportunity to tackle the existing demand for water. In recent years, constructed wetlands (CW) systems and microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as attractive technologies for sustainable wastewater treatment. In this study, constructed wetland microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs) planted with Phragmites australis were tested to evaluate the potential of combining these two systems for synthetic greywater treatment and energy recovery. Open (CW) and closed circuit (CW-MFCs) reactors were operated for 152 days to evaluate the effect of energy recovery on the removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), nutrients and total suspended solids (TSS). Results indicate no significant differences for sCOD and phosphate removal efficiencies. CW-MFCs and CW reactors presented sCOD removal efficiency of 91.7 ± 5.1% and 90 ± 10% and phosphate removal efficiencies of 56.3 ± 4.4% and 61.5 ± 3.5%, respectively. Nitrate removal efficiencies were higher in CW: 99.5 ± 1% versus 86.5 ± 7.1% in CW-MFCs, respectively. Energy generation reached a maximum power density of 33.52 ± 7.87 mW m−3 and 719.57 ± 67.67 mW m−3 at a poised anode potential of −150 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Thus, our results suggest that the incorporation of MFC systems into constructed wetlands does allow energy recovery while providing effective greywater treatment.
An Experimental and Theoretical Study on Separations by Vacuum Membrane Distillation Employing Hollow-Fiber Modules
Authors: Karanasiou Anthoula , Kostoglou Margaritis , Karabelas Anastasios
Published: July 2018

Vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) is an attractive variant of the novel membrane distillation process, which is promising for various separations, including water desalination and bioethanol recovery through fermentation of agro-industrial by-products. This publication is part of an effort to develop a capillary membrane module for various applications, as well as a model that would facilitate VMD process design. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory pilot VMD unit, comprising polypropylene capillary-membrane modules. Performance data, collected at modest temperatures (37 °C to 65 °C) with deionized and brackish water, confirmed the improved system productivity with increasing feed-water temperature; excellent salt rejection was obtained. The recovery of ethanol from ethanol-water mixtures and from fermented winery by-products was also studied, in continuous, semi-continuous, and batch operating modes. At low-feed-solution temperature (27–47 °C), ethanol-solution was concentrated 4 to 6.5 times in continuous operation and 2 to 3 times in the semi-continuous mode. Taking advantage of the small property variation in the module axial-flow direction, a simple VMD process model was developed, satisfactorily describing the experimental data. This VMD model appears to be promising for practical applications, and warrants further R&D work.
Proposta de um sistema de informação para apoio à logística humanitária
Authors: Callefi Mario Henrique Bueno Moreira , Rodrigues Gilberto Junior , Silva Mailson Jose da , Miotto José Luiz , Samed Marcondes Altimari
Published: July 2018

A logística humanitária (LH) é umas das ramificações da logística convencional, que trata dos processos envolvidos com a mobilização de pessoas, recursos e conhecimentos em casos de ocorrência de desastres naturais ou provocados pela ação humana. A utilização de sistemas de informação (SI) na logística humanitária é fundamental para comunicar, gerar conhecimento e permitir a colaboração dos diversos envolvidos nas ações. Além disso, podem-se planejar ações estratégicas. Uma das demandas atendidas pela LH é o combate e controle de epidemias. Na hipótese de epidemias, se faz necessário o uso e desenvolvimento de Sistemas de Informação, no qual seja possível coordenar o uso de recursos e o fluxo de informações, permitindo ações preventivas e corretivas mais eficazes. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de identificar as necessidades de informações nas atividades de controle da dengue e modelar um sistema que gerencie essas informações. Como metodologia, realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica em artigos que tratam da epidemiologia e medidas de controle. Em seguida, foram identificados os dados de entrada, necessidades de processamento e informações de saída. E a partir disso foi definido um modelo de SI para casos epidemiológicos da dengue. Esse modelo busca trazer benefícios às situações reais e que possa ser empregado e ter funcionalidade em tempo real, utilizando tecnologias como a internet e servidores com arquivamento de dados em nuvens.
New populations of two threatened species of Alsodes (Anura, Alsodidae) reveal the scarce biogeographic knowledge of the genus in the Andes of central Chile
Authors: Correa Claudio , Zepeda Paulo , Lagos Nicolás , Salinas Hugo , Palma R. Eduardo , Vásquez Dayana
Published: July 2018

High Andean environments of central Chile (32°–38°S) are inhabited by several endemic species of the genusAlsodes. Two of them,A.pehuencheandA.hugoi, have geographic distributions restricted to their type locality and surroundings. The Chilean government classifiesA.pehuencheas Critically Endangered (like the IUCN) andA.hugoias Vulnerable. In this study we report 16 new localities ofAlsodes, corresponding to first order streams, located in the Andes of Chile between 35°58’ and 36°32’S (1800–2470 m). In some of these sites, adults and juveniles morphologically similar toA.pehuencheandA.hugoiwere observed, as well as specimens ofAlsodesthat could not be identified by their external morphology. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis with mitochondrial sequences (cytochrome b) was performed to identify the new populations to species level. All populations around 36°S belong toA.pehuenche, while most of those located south of that area would beA.hugoi. The exception is Cajón de Plaza (36°23’S), where specimens with sequences ofA.hugoiorA.pehuenchecoexist, whose taxonomic status could not be determined. These findings imply not only a westward range extension ofA.pehuenchein Chile of about 14.5 km and ofA.hugoiabout 100 km southward, but also that practically all the first order streams of the Andes of central Chile would be inhabited by populations ofAlsodes. Both results demonstrate the scarce biogeographic knowledge of the genus in the Andes, which has important implications for its conservation at local and species levels.
miR-340 Alleviates Psoriasis in Mice through Direct Targeting of IL-17A
Authors: Bian Jiang , Liu Ruiling , Fan Tingting , Liao Lijuan , Wang Shaowen , Geng Wenwen , Wang Ting , Shi Weiyun , Ruan Qingguo
Published: July 2018

Th17 cell is a well-known lineage of CD4+ effector Th cells that selectively produce IL-17A and play critical roles during the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. A microRNA (miRNA) is a small noncoding RNA molecule that functions in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that multiple miRNAs are dysregulated in patients with various autoimmune diseases and mediate autoimmune disease pathologic condition at least in part through the regulation of Th17 response. However, among the few miRNAs identified so far that play possible roles in the differentiation of Th17 cells, they all regulate the Th17 response through targeting negative or positive regulators of Th17 differentiation. In the current study, we sought to identify new miRNAs that can directly regulate the expression of IL-17A, the most important cytokine produced by Th17 cells. Our results showed that the 3′ untranslated region of mouse IL-17A can act as a negative regulatory element to downregulate gene expression. Further study revealed that miR-340 can specifically bind to the 3′ untranslated region of mouse IL-17A and downregulate the expression of endogenous IL-17A. More importantly, we demonstrated that treatment with miR-340 alleviates the clinical severity of imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice through the downregulation of IL-17A. These data indicate that miR-340 may be a useful therapeutic target for the treatment of psoriasis and other IL-17A–mediated autoimmune diseases.
Volume residual gástrico como verificação de tolerância alimentar enteral em recém-nascidos de baixo peso e lactentes
Authors: Pinto Luís Cláudio Santos , Pantoja Mauro de Souza , Brito Marcus Vinícius Henriques , Carballo Mariela Carolina Santos
Published: July 2018

Introdução: A ocorrência de intolerância à iniciação dietética lipídica e proteica enteral em prematuros é comum. Esta dieta enteral deve ser iniciada, ao mesmo tempo, de forma gradual e precoce para evitar a depleção nutricional, a qual poderá levar a uma condição de desnutrição se não for tratada. Para determinar se a nutrição enteral está progredindo de forma satisfatória, existem certos parâmetros como o volume residual gástrico (VRG), usado para determinar se recém-nascidos de baixo peso (RNBP), de muito baixo peso (RNMBP) e lactentes se mostram tolerantes à progressão deste modelo dietético.Objetivo: realizar uma revisão da literatura médica, em bases de dados indexadas, para verificar se a determinação do VRG se mostra como ferramenta eficaz na predição da correta progressão da dieta enteral em RNBP, RNMBP e lactentes. Método: Verificar a importância da utilização do VRG como ferramenta de acompanhamento nutricional os autores buscaram artigos com as palavras-chave: esvaziamento gástrico, recém-nascido, baixo peso, lactente. Foram encontrados 47 artigos em três bases de dados científicas em um período de busca entre fevereiro e abril de 2018: Pubmed, Portal da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (LILACS eMedline) e Biblioteca Cochrane. Apenas vinte e três trabalhos foram considerados por apresentarem a VRG como método para verificar a tolerância dietética enteral em RNBP, RNMBP e lactentes. Nenhum artigo foi excluído pelos parâmetros de idioma ou data de publicação. Conclusão: Apesar de ser uma prática rotineira nos serviços de unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal verificar a tolerância à alimentação enteral no RNBP e lactentes pelo VRG, não há consenso entre os diferentes protocolos de serviço encontrados na literatura, não sendo possível, no momento, estabelecer o VRG como um parâmetro validado na avaliação da progressão dietética enteral nessa população.
A cloud algorithm based on the O2-O2 477 nm absorption band featuring an advanced spectral fitting method and the use of surface geometry-dependent Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity
Authors: Vasilkov Alexander , Yang Eun-Su , Marchenko Sergey , Qin Wenhan , Lamsal Lok , Joiner Joanna , Krotkov Nickolay , Haffner David , Bhartia Pawan K. , Spurr Robert
Published: July 2018

Abstract. We discuss a new cloud algorithm that retrieves an effective cloud pressure,
also known as cloud optical centroid pressure (OCP), from oxygen dimer
(O2-O2) absorption at 477 nm after determining an effective
cloud fraction (ECF) at 466 nm, a wavelength not significantly affected by
trace-gas absorption and rotational Raman scattering. The retrieved cloud
products are intended for use as inputs to the operational nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) retrieval algorithm for the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)
flying on the Aura satellite. The cloud algorithm uses temperature-dependent
O2-O2 cross sections and incorporates flexible spectral
fitting techniques that account for specifics of the surface reflectivity.
The fitting procedure derives O2-O2 slant column densities
(SCDs) from radiances after O3, NO2, and H2O
absorption features have been removed based on estimates of the amounts of
these species from independent OMI algorithms. The cloud algorithm is based
on the frequently used mixed Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity (MLER) concept. A geometry-dependent
Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity (GLER), which is a proxy of surface
bidirectional reflectance, is used for the ground reflectivity in our
implementation of the MLER approach. The OCP is derived from a match of the
measured O2-O2 SCD to that calculated with the MLER method.
Temperature profiles needed for computation of vertical column densities are
taken from the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) model. We investigate the
effect of using GLER instead of climatological LER on the retrieved ECF and
OCP. For evaluation purposes, the retrieved ECFs and OCPs are compared with
those from the operational OMI cloud product, which is also based on the same
O2-O2 absorption band. Impacts of the application of the
newly developed cloud algorithm to the OMI NO2 retrieval are
discussed.
Technical note: Continuous fluorescence-based monitoring of seawater pH in situ
Authors: Runcie John W. , Krause Christian , Torres Gabarda Sergio A. , Byrne Maria
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Electrical conductivity (salinity), temperature and
fluorescence-based measurements of pH were employed to examine diel
fluctuations in seawater carbonate chemistry of surface waters in Sydney
Harbour over two multiple-day periods. A proof-of-concept device employing
the fluorescence-based technique provided a useful time series for pH.
Alkalinity with pH and temperature were used to calculate the degree of
calcite and aragonite saturation (ΩCa and
ΩAr, respectively). Alkalinity was determined from a
published alkalinity–salinity relationship. The fluctuations observed in pH
over intervals of minutes to hours could be distinguished from background
noise. While the stated phase angle resolution of the lifetime fluorometer
translated into pH units was ±0.0028 pH units, the repeatability standard
deviation of calculated pH was 0.007 to 0.009. Diel variability in pH,
ΩAr and ΩCa showed a clear pattern that
appeared to correlate with both salinity and temperature. Drift due to
photodegradation of the fluorophore was minimized by reducing exposure to
ambient light. The ΩCa and ΩAr fluctuated
on a daily cycle. The net result of changes in pH, salinity and temperature
combined to influence seawater carbonate chemistry. The fluorescence-based pH
monitoring technique is simple, provides good resolution and is unaffected by
moving parts or leaching of solutions over time. The use of optics is
pressure insensitive, making this approach to ocean acidification monitoring
well suited to deepwater applications.
Impact of carbonate saturation on large Caribbean benthic foraminifera assemblages
Authors: Martinez Ana , Hernández-Terrones Laura , Rebolledo-Vieyra Mario , Paytan Adina
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and its dissolution in seawater have reduced ocean pH and carbonate ion concentration with potential implications to calcifying organisms. To assess the response of Caribbean benthic foraminifera to low carbonate saturation conditions, we analyzed benthic foraminifera abundance and relative distribution in proximity to low carbonate saturation submarine springs and at adjacent control sites. Our results show that the total abundance of benthic foraminifera is significantly lower at the low pH low calcite saturation submarine springs than at control sites, despite higher concentrations of inorganic carbon at the spring sites. The relative abundance of symbiont-bearing foraminifera and agglutinated foraminifera was higher at the low pH low calcite saturation submarine springs compared to control sites. These differences indicate that non-symbiont bearing heterotrophic calcareous foraminifera are more sensitive to the effects of ocean acidification than non-calcifying and symbiont bearing foraminifera, suggesting that future ocean acidification may impact natural benthic foraminifera populations.
Mediterranean Sea Hydrographic Atlas: towards optimal data analysis by including time-dependent statistical parameters
Authors: Iona Athanasia , Theodorou Athanasios , Watelet Sylvain , Troupin Charles , Beckers Jean-Marie , Simoncelli Simona
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The goal of the present work is to provide the scientific community with a high-resolution atlas of temperature and salinity for the Mediterranean Sea based on the most recent datasets available and contribute to the studies of the long-term variability in the region. Data from the pan-European marine data infrastructure SeaDataNet were used, the most complete and, to our best knowledge, best quality dataset for the Mediterranean Sea as of today. The dataset is based on in situ measurements acquired between 1900 and 2015. The atlas consists of horizontal gridded fields produced by the Data-Interpolating Variational Analysis, in which unevenly spatial distributed measurements were interpolated onto a 1∕8°  ×  1∕8° regular grid on 31 depth levels. Seven different types of climatological fields were prepared with different temporal integration of observations. Monthly, seasonal and annual climatological fields have been calculated for all the available years, seasonal to annual climatologies for overlapping decades and specific periods. The seasonal and decadal time frames have been chosen in accordance with the regional variability and in coherence with atmospheric indices. The decadal and specific-period analysis was not extended to monthly resolution due to the lack of data, especially for the salinity. The Data-Interpolating Variational Analysis software has been used in the Mediterranean region for the SeaDataNet and its predecessor Medar/Medatlas Climatologies. In the present study, a more advanced optimization of the analysis parameters was performed in order to produce more detailed results. The past and present states of the Mediterranean region have been extensively studied and documented in a series of publications. The purpose of this atlas is to contribute to these climatological studies and get a better understanding of the variability on timescales from months to decades and longer. Our gridded fields provide a valuable complementary source of knowledge in regions where measurements are scarce, especially in critical areas of interest such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) regions and subregions. The dataset used for the preparation of the atlas is available from https://doi.org/10.12770/8c3bd19b-9687-429c-a232-48b10478581c.The climatologies in netCDF are available at the following sources: annual climatology (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146976), seasonal climatology for 57 running decades (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146938), seasonal climatology (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146953), annual climatology for 57 running decades (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146957), seasonal climatology for six periods (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146966), annual climatology for six periods (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146970), monthly climatology (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1146974).
Adding four-dimensional data assimilation by analysis nudging to the Model for Prediction Across Scales – Atmosphere (version 4.0)
Authors: Bullock Jr. Orren Russell , Foroutan Hosein , Gilliam Robert C. , Herwehe Jerold A.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The Model for Prediction Across Scales – Atmosphere (MPAS-A) has been
modified to allow four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) by the nudging of
temperature, humidity, and wind toward target values predefined on the MPAS-A
computational mesh. The addition of nudging allows MPAS-A to be used as a
global-scale meteorological driver for retrospective air quality modeling.
The technique of “analysis nudging” developed for the Penn State/National
Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Mesoscale Model, and later applied in
the Weather Research and Forecasting model, is implemented in MPAS-A with
adaptations for its polygonal Voronoi mesh. Reference fields generated from
1∘ × 1∘ National Centers for Environmental
Prediction (NCEP) FNL (Final) Operational Global Analysis data were used to
constrain MPAS-A simulations on a 92–25 km variable-resolution mesh with
refinement centered over the contiguous United States. Test simulations were
conducted for January and July 2013 with and without FDDA, and compared to
reference fields and near-surface meteorological observations. The results
demonstrate that MPAS-A with analysis nudging has high fidelity to the
reference data while still maintaining conservation of mass as in the
unmodified model. The results also show that application of FDDA constrains
model errors relative to 2 m temperature, 2 m water vapor mixing ratio, and
10 m wind speed such that they continue to be at or below the magnitudes
found at the start of each test period.
Capturing soil-water and groundwater interactions with an iterative
feedback coupling scheme: New HYDRYS package for MODFLOW
Authors: Zeng Jicai , Yang Jinzhong , Zha Yuanyuan , Shi Liangsheng
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Accurately capturing complex soil-water and groundwater interactions is vital for describing the coupling between subsurface/surface/atmospheric systems in regional-scale models. The non-linearity of the Richards' equation for water flow, however, introduces numerical complexity to large unsaturated-saturated modeling systems. An alternative is to use quasi-3D methods with a feedback coupling scheme to join practically sub-models with different properties, such as governing equations, numerical scales, and dimensionalities. In this work, to reduce the non-linearity in the coupling system, two different forms of the Richards' equation are switched according to the soil-water content at each numerical node. A rigorous multi-scale water balance analysis is carried out at the phreatic interface to link the soil water and groundwater models at separated spatial and temporal scales. With a moving-boundary approach at the coupling interface, the non-trivial coupling errors introduced by the saturated lateral fluxes are minimized for problems with dynamic groundwater flow. It is shown that the developed iterative feedback coupling scheme results in significant error reduction, and is numerically efficient for capturing drastic flow interactions at the water table, especially with dynamic local groundwater flow. The coupling scheme is developed into a new HYDRUS package for MODFLOW, which is applicable for regional-scale problems.
Transferability of climate simulation uncertainty to hydrological impacts
Authors: Wang Hui-Min , Chen Jie , Cannon Alex J. , Xu Chong-Yu , Chen Hua
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Considering rapid increases in the number of climate model simulations being
produced by modelling centres, it is often infeasible to use all of them in
climate change impact studies. In order to thoughtfully select subsets of
climate simulations from a large ensemble, several envelope-based methods
have been proposed. The subsets are expected to cover a similar uncertainty
envelope to the full ensemble in terms of climate variables. However, it is
not a given that the uncertainty in hydrological impacts will be similarly
well represented. Therefore, this study investigates the transferability of
climate uncertainty related to the choice of climate simulations to
hydrological impacts. Two envelope-based selection methods, K means
clustering and the Katsavounidis–Kuo–Zhang (KKZ) method, are used to select
subsets from an ensemble of 50 climate simulations over two watersheds with
very different climates using 31 precipitation and temperature variables.
Transferability is evaluated by comparing uncertainty coverage between
climate variables and 17 hydrological variables simulated by a hydrological
model. The importance of choosing climate variables properly when selecting
subsets is investigated by including and excluding temperature variables.
Results show that KKZ performs better than K means at selecting subsets of
climate simulations for hydrological impacts, and the uncertainty coverage of
climate variables is similar to that of hydrological variables. The subset of
the first 10 simulations covers over 85 % of total uncertainty. As
expected, temperature variables are important for the snow-related watershed,
but less important for the rainfall-driven watershed. Overall, envelope-based
selection of around 10 climate simulations, based on climate variables that
characterize the physical processes controlling the hydrology of the
watershed, is recommended for hydrological impact studies.