bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial resistance, biofilm synthesis and virulence genes in Salmonella isolated from pigs bred on intensive farms
Authors: Barilli Elena , Bacci Cristina , Villa Zulena Stella , Merialdi Giuseppe , D’Incau Mario , Brindani Franco , Vismarra Alice
Published: July 2018

Salmonella is the second cause of foodborne infection in humans in the USA and Europe. Pigs represent the second most important reservoir for the pathogen and the consumption of pork meat is a major risk factor for human salmonellosis. Here, we evaluated the virulence patterns of eleven Salmonella isolated from pigs (carcasses and faces) bred in intensive farms in the north of Italy. The two serotypes identified were S. Typhimurium and its monophasic variant 1,4,5,12:i:-. None of the isolates was an ESBL producer, as confirmed also by PCR. However, the presence of a multidrug resistant pattern was evident, with all the isolates being resistant to at least to five antimicrobial agents belonging to various classes. Moreover, six out of eleven isolates showed important resistance profiles, such as resistance against colistin and ciprofloxacin, with nine to twelve recorded resistances. The isolates were negative for the biofilm synthesis test, while four different virulotypes were characterized. All the isolates showed the presence of invA, hilA, stn, ssrA, sipC. One sample also harbored ssaR and spvC genes. One strain was positive for all the virulence genes tested and was resistant to 12 antimicrobial agents. The present study contributes new data to the surveillance program for antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the presence of eleven highly virulent isolates poses concern for human health in relation to their diffusion in the environment.
Effect of Nigella sativa against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Alsuhaibani Amnah M.A.
Published: July 2018

In this study, the gross composition and mineral content of Nigella sativa seed powder (NSP) and fatty acid composition of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) were investigated. The ability of NSP, extract (NSE) and NSO in reducing the effects of cisplatin-induced renal toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats were examined. The obtained results showed that NSP contains high amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber while NSO has higher amounts of linoleicacid, oleic acid, and myristic acid. Rats treated with NSP, NSO, and NSE exhibitedreducedserum levels of urea, creatinine, and potassium, and a significant increase of Na, Na/K, vitamin D, nutritional markers, and antioxidant enzymes compared to the cisplatin-induced renal toxicity group receiving no Nigella sativa seed treatment. This study determined that all powder, oil, and extracts of N. sativa contain potent bioactive components that may aid in treatment against cisplatininduced renal toxicity in rats.
Ecological drivers of testate amoeba diversity in tropical water bodies of central Mexico
Authors: Sigala Regalado Itzel , Lozano García Socorro , Pérez Alvarado Liseth , Caballero Margarita , Lugo Vázquez Alfonso
Published: July 2018

Testate amoebae are unicellular organisms characterized by a shell-like test. Due to their potential use as bioindicators (and paleoindicators), these organisms have been increasingly studied in the last decade, particularly in temperate latitudes. This study’s objective was two-fold: to identify the testate amoeba communities sampled from 29 water bodies in Mexico and to determine if their presence and distribution also made them suitable bioindicators for tropical latitudes. A total of 40 taxa were recorded within 12 genera, and six significant variables—oxygen, pH, depth, temperature, conductivity, and total alkalinity—that explained testate amoeba distribution within and among the water bodies were identified through a canonical correspondence analysis. The Q-mode clusters rendered five assemblages, each named after their respective dominant species: 1) Centropyxis aculeata strain “aculeata” assemblage, 2) Difflugia oblonga strain “bryophila” assemblage, 3) Diverse assemblage, 4) Cucurbitella tricuspis assemblage, and 5) Difflugia protaeiformis strain “acuminata” assemblage. We found that Cucurbitella tricuspis and the Difflugia protaeiformis strain “acuminata” have similar ecological preferences to those reported previously for temperate lakes, with the former identified as an indicator of eutrophic environments and the latter as an indicator of low oxygen levels. On the other hand, Centropyxis aculeata strain “aculeata” and Arcella vulgaris seem to indicate adverse conditions, but the source of this environmental stress apparently differs from that reported in temperate latitudes. Although this stress source could not be identified in all cases, our study nonetheless demonstrates that testate amoebae in the water bodies of central Mexico could reveal the presence of environmental stress.
In Memoriam: Dr. Hiroshi Hashimoto (1924–2015)
Authors: Yamamoto Masaru
Published: July 2018

Dr. Hiroshi Hashimoto, Emeritus Professor of Shizuoka University, passed away on 26th February 1915, at the age of 90. Chironomid workers within and beyond Japan must never forget that three entomologists, Drs Masaaki Tokunaga, Hiroshi Hashimoto and Manabu Sasa, have contributed greatly to the progress of chironomid taxonomy, morphology, ecology and public health.
Response of Diamesa spp. (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Alpine streams to newly emergent contaminants and pesticides
Authors: Lencioni Valeria , Bellamoli Francesco , Bernabò Paola , Miari Francesco , Scotti Alberto
Published: July 2018

Acute toxicity and genotoxic activity of 11 pollutants were investigated in wild populations of Diamesa cinerella and Diamesa zernyi (Diptera Chironomidae) from two alpine streams (Italian Alps). D. cinerella was collected in two sites on the non-glacial Vermigliana stream, 50 m-upstream and 5-m downstream of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) at the Tonal Pass (1799 m a.s.l.). D. zernyi was collected in the Presena glacial stream, close to the glacier snout (2685 m a.s.l.). IV-instar larvae were exposed for 24-96 h to increasing concentrations of three drugs (ibuprofen-IBU, furosemide-FUR, trimethoprim-TMP), three personal care products (triclocarban-TCC, tonalid-TON, sucralose-SUCR), and five pesticides (boscalid-BOS, captan-CAP, chlorpyrifos-CPS, metolachlor-MET, terbuthylazine-TER). The experimental concentrations were from one to several million times higher than the highest environmental concentration (EC) measured in the study sites. Two mixtures of pesticides were also prepared: MIX 1K =103 x EC of CPS, MET and TER, and MIX 10K = 104 x EC of CPS, MET and TER. Species- and site-specific responses were observed for both tests. On the basis of survival data, both species resulted very resistant to pharmaceuticals (mainly to FUR for which no effects on survival and movement or pupation were observed), and more sensitive to pesticides (mainly to CPS, MET and CAP). Genotoxicity tests (Comet assay) highlighted a WTP effect under natural conditions and a genotoxic effect for 9 of the 11 tested compounds. Overall, a clear gradient of increasing resistance in larvae from the least (PR0) to the most polluted (TP_dw) site was highlighted by both tests, ecotoxicological and of genotoxicity, as also expected according to species autecology (D. zernyi is restricted to very cold and pristine habitats). D. cinerella living downstream of the effluent accumulates a significantly higher DNA damage than the other populations, highlighting a basal physiological stress condition in nature. It is plausible that these larvae possess chemical resistance strategies to survive already under natural conditions. Diamesa spp. exhibited a higher toxic resistance than any other model species tested to date under the same pollutants, probably associable to its strong cold resistance. The results emphasised that the measured concentrations of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and pesticides seem to be far below those required to cause acute effects. However, the effects on freshwater communities of prolonged exposure to mixture of trace CECs and pesticides remain unknown.
Population growth potential of rotifers from a high altitude eutrophic waterbody, Madín reservoir (State of Mexico, Mexico): The importance of seasonal sampling
Authors: Moreno-Gutiérrez Rosa Martha , Sarma S.S.S. , Sobrino-Figueroa Alma Socorro , Nandini S.
Published: July 2018

To understand the population growth potential of different species of rotifers in nature, field collections through seasons are essential. We sampled zooplankton (and measured selected physicochemical variables) from the Madín reservoir, a high altitude eutrophic urban waterbody from Mexico, every month for a year. Qualitative analysis of zooplankton revealed 28 rotifer species and four cladoceran crustaceans plus one unidentified copepod. Cephalodella catellina (1400 ind L-1), Horaella thomassoni (550 ind L-1), Conochilus dossuarius (380 ind L-1) and Filinia longiseta (25 ind L-1) had higher peak density than other rotifers. Based on the concentrations of nitrates and phosphates, chlorophyll a levels or different diversity indices (e.g., Carlson, Shannon-Wiener, Pantle and Buck, Ejsmont-Karabin’s TSIRot), the waterbody is eutrophic to hypertrophic, depending on the season. In this waterbody we observed high densities of Aphanothece sp. which is a toxic picocyanobacterium. During the blooms of Aphanothece, we also recorded higher densities of H. thomassoni and C. catellina. Based on the gut contents we found that both these rotifer species feed on Aphanothece in this waterbody. This study thus suggests the potential growth of Horaella, Cephalodella, Conochilus and Filinia in this eutrophic reservoir containing blooms of Aphanothece.
Uniform ball property and existence of optimal shapes for a wide class of geometric functionals
Authors: Dalphin Jérémy
Published: July 2018

In this article, we study shape optimization problems involving the geometry of surfaces (normal vector, principal curvatures). Given

\varepsilon > 0

and a fixed non-empty large bounded open hold-all

B \subset \mathbb{R}^{n}

,

n \geqslant 2

, we consider a specific class

\mathcal{O}_{\varepsilon}(B)

of open sets

\Omega \subset B

satisfying a uniform

\varepsilon

-ball condition. First, we recall that this geometrical property

\Omega \in \mathcal{O}_{\varepsilon}(B)

can be equivalently characterized in terms of

C^{1,1}

-regularity of the boundary

\partial \Omega \neq \emptyset

, and thus also in terms of positive reach and oriented distance function. Then, the main contribution of this paper is to prove the existence of a

C^{1,1}

-regular minimizer among

\Omega \in \mathcal{O}_{\varepsilon}(B)

for a general range of geometric functionals and constraints defined on the boundary

\partial \Omega

, involving the first- and second-order properties of surfaces, such as problems of the form:

\inf_{\Omega \in \mathcal{O}_{\varepsilon}(B)} \int_{\partial \Omega} \left( \begin{matrix} \\ \\ \end{matrix} j_{0} \left[ \mathbf{x},\mathbf{n}\left(\mathbf{x}\right) \right] ~+~ j_{1} \left[ \mathbf{x},\mathbf{n}\left(\mathbf{x}\right),H\left( \mathbf{x} \right)\right] ~+~ j_{2}\left[\mathbf{x},\mathbf{n}\left(\mathbf{x}\right),K\left(\mathbf{x}\right)\right] \begin{matrix} \\ \\ \end{matrix} \right) dA \left( \mathbf{x}\right),

where

\mathbf{n}

,

H

,

K

respectively denote the unit outward normal vector, the scalar mean curvature and the Gaussian curvature. We only assume continuity of

j_{0},j_{1},j_{2}

with respect to the set of variables and convexity of

j_{1},j_{2}

with respect to the last variable, but no growth condition on

j_{1},j_{2}

are imposed here regarding the last variable. Finally, we give various applications in the modelling of red blood cells such as the Canham–Helfrich energy and the Willmore functional.
Impact of long-range transport over the Atlantic Ocean on Saharan dust optical and microphysical properties based on AERONET data
Authors: Velasco-Merino Cristian , Mateos David , Toledano Carlos , Prospero Joseph M. , Molinie Jack , Euphrasie-Clotilde Lovely , González Ramiro , Cachorro Victoria E. , Calle Abel , de Frutos Angel M.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Arid regions are a major source of mineral dust aerosol. Transport from these sources can have a great impact on aerosol climatology in distant regions. In order to assess the impact of dust on climate we must understand how dust properties change after long distance transport from sources. This study addresses the changes in columnar aerosol properties when mineral dust outbreaks from western Africa arrive over the eastern Caribbean after transport across the Atlantic Ocean, a transit of 5–7 days. We use data from the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) located at five Caribbean and two western Africa sites to characterize changes in columnar aerosol properties: aerosol optical depth (AOD), size distribution, single scattering albedo, and refractive indexes. We first characterized the local aerosol climatology at each site and then using air mass back trajectories we identified those days when trajectories over Caribbean sites back-tracked to western Africa. Over the period 1996–2014 we identify 3174 days, an average of 167 days per year, when the air mass over the Caribbean sites could be linked to at least one of the two western Africa sites. For 1162 of these days, AOD data are available for the Caribbean sites as well as for the corresponding western Africa sites about 5–7 days earlier, when the air mass passed over these sites. We identified dust outbreaks as those air masses yielding AOD  ≥  0.2 and an Ångström exponent below 0.6. On this basis of the total 1162 days, 484 meet the criteria for mineral dust outbreaks. We observe that the AOD at 440 nm decreases by about 0.16 or 30 % during transport. The volume particle size distribution shows a similar decrease in the volume concentration, mainly in the coarse mode. The single scattering albedo, refractive indexes, and asymmetry factor remain unchanged. The difference in the effective radius over western Africa sites with respect to Caribbean sites ranges between 0 and −0.3 µm. Finally we conclude that in about half of the cases only non-spherical dust particles are present in the atmosphere over the western Africa and Caribbean sites, while in the other cases dust particles were mixed with other types of aerosol particles.
The diurnal cycle of cloud profiles over land and ocean between 51° S and 51° N, seen by the CATS spaceborne lidar from the International Space Station
Authors: Noel Vincent , Chepfer Hélène , Chiriaco Marjolaine , Yorks John
Published: July 2018

Abstract. We document, for the first time, how detailed vertical profiles of cloud
fraction (CF) change diurnally between 51∘ S and 51∘ N, by
taking advantage of 15 months of measurements from the Cloud-Aerosol
Transport System (CATS) lidar on the non-sun-synchronous International Space
Station (ISS). Over the tropical ocean in summer, we find few high clouds during daytime. At
night they become frequent over a large altitude range (11–16 km between
22:00 and 04:00 LT). Over the summer tropical continents,
but not over ocean, CATS observations reveal mid-level clouds (4–8 km above
sea level or a.s.l.) persisting all day long, with a weak diurnal cycle
(minimum at noon). Over the Southern Ocean, diurnal cycles appear for the
omnipresent low-level clouds (minimum between noon and 15:00) and
high-altitude clouds (minimum between 08:00 and 14:00). Both cycles are time
shifted, with high-altitude clouds following the changes in low-altitude
clouds by several hours. Over all continents at all latitudes during summer,
the low-level clouds develop upwards and reach a maximum occurrence at about
2.5 km a.s.l. in the early afternoon (around 14:00). Our work also shows that (1) the diurnal cycles of vertical profiles derived
from CATS are consistent with those from ground-based active sensors on a
local scale, (2) the cloud profiles derived from CATS measurements at local
times of 01:30 and 13:30 are consistent with those observed from CALIPSO at
similar times, and (3) the diurnal cycles of low and high cloud amounts (CAs)
derived from CATS are in general in phase with those derived from
geostationary imagery but less pronounced. Finally, the diurnal variability
of cloud profiles revealed by CATS strongly suggests that CALIPSO
measurements at 01:30 and 13:30 document the daily extremes of the cloud
fraction profiles over ocean and are more representative of daily averages
over land, except at altitudes above 10 km where they capture part of the
diurnal variability. These findings are applicable to other instruments with
local overpass times similar to CALIPSO's, such as all the other A-Train
instruments and the future EarthCARE mission.
A comprehensive study of hygroscopic properties of calcium- and
magnesium-containing salts: implication for hygroscopicity of mineral dust and sea salt aerosols
Authors: Guo Liya , Gu Wenjun , Peng Chao , Wang Weigang , Li Yong Jie , Zong Taomou , Tang Yujing , Wu Zhijun , Lin Qinhao , Ge Maofa , Zhang Guohua , Hu Min , Bi Xinhui , Wang Xinming , Tang Mingjin
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Calcium- and magnesium-containing salts are important components for mineral dust and sea salt aerosols, but their physicochemical properties are not well understood yet. In this study, the hygroscopic properties of eight Ca- and Mg-containing salts, including Ca(NO3)2 · 4H2O, Mg(NO3)2 · 6H2O, MgCl2 · 6H2O, CaCl2 · 6H2O, Ca(HCOO)2, Mg(HCOO)2 · 2H2O, Ca(CH3COO)2 · H2O and Mg(CH3COO)2 · 4H2O, were systematically investigated using two complementary techniques. A vapor sorption analyzer was used to measure the change of sample mass with relative humidity (RH) under isotherm conditions, and the deliquescence relative humidities (DRH) for temperature in the range of 5–30 °C as well as water-to-solute ratios as a function of RH at 5 and 25 °C were reported for these eight compounds. DRH values showed a large variation for these compounds; for example, at 25 °C the DRH values were measured to be ~ 28.5 % for CaCl2 · 6H2O and > 95 % for Ca(HCOO)2 and Mg(HCOO)2 · 2H2O. In addition, a humidity-tandem differential analyzer was used to measure the change in mobility diameter with RH (up to 90 %) at room temperature, in order to determine the hygroscopic growth factors of aerosol particles generated by atomizing water solutions of these eight compounds. All the aerosol particles studied in this work, very likely to be amorphous, started to grow at very low RH (as low as 10 %) and showed continuous growth with RH. The hygroscopic growth factors at 90 % RH were found to range from 1.26 ± 0.04 for Ca(HCOO2)2 and 1.79 ± 0.03 for Ca(NO3)2, varying significantly for the eight types of aerosols considered herein. Overall, our work provides a systematical and comprehensive investigation of the hygroscopic properties of these Ca- and Mg-containing salts, largely improving our knowledge in the physicochemical properties of mineral dust and sea salt aerosols.
Long-chain diols in rivers: distribution and potential biological sources
Authors: Lattaud Julie , Kirkels Frédérique , Peterse Francien , Freymond Chantal V. , Eglinton Timothy I. , Hefter Jens , Mollenhauer Gesine , Balzano Sergio , Villanueva Laura , van der Meer Marcel T. J. , Hopmans Ellen C. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Schouten Stefan
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Long-chain diols (LCDs) occur widespread in marine environments
and also in lakes and rivers. Transport of LCDs from rivers may impact the
distribution of LCDs in coastal environments, however relatively little is
known about the distribution and biological sources of LCDs in river systems.
In this study, we investigated the distribution of LCDs in suspended
particulate matter (SPM) of three river systems (Godavari, Danube, and Rhine)
in relation with precipitation, temperature, and source catchments. The
dominant long-chain diol is the C32 1,15-diol followed by the
C30 1,15-diol in all studied river systems. In regions influenced
by marine waters, such as delta systems, the fractional abundance of the
C30 1,15-diol is substantially higher than in the river itself,
suggesting different LCD producers in marine and freshwater environments. A
change in the LCD distribution along the downstream transects of the rivers
studied was not observed. However, an effect of river flow is observed; i.e.,
the concentration of the C32 1,15-diol is higher in stagnant
waters such as reservoirs and during seasons with river low stands. A
seasonal change in the LCD distribution was observed in the Rhine, likely due
to a change in the producers. Eukaryotic diversity analysis by 18S rRNA gene
sequencing of SPM from the Rhine showed extremely low abundances of sequences
(i.e., < 0.32 % of total reads) related to known algal LCD
producers. Furthermore, incubation of the river water with
13C-labeled bicarbonate did not result in 13C
incorporation into LCDs. This indicates that the LCDs present are mainly of
fossil origin in the fast-flowing part of the Rhine. Overall, our results
suggest that the LCD producers in rivers predominantly reside in lakes or
side ponds that are part of the river system.
Middle Miocene climate of southwestern Anatolia from multiple botanical proxies
Authors: Bouchal Johannes M. , Güner Tuncay H. , Denk Thomas
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The middle Miocene climate transition (MMCT) was a phase of global cooling possibly linked to decreasing levels of atmospheric CO2. The MMCT coincided with the European Mammal Faunal Zone MN6. From this time, important biogeographic links between Anatolia and eastern Africa include the hominid Kenyapithecus. Vertebrate fossils suggested mixed open and forested landscapes under (sub)tropical seasonal climates for Anatolia. Here, we infer the palaeoclimate during the MMCT and the succeeding cooling phase for a middle Miocene (14.8–13.2 Ma) of an intramontane basin in southwestern Anatolia using three palaeobotanical proxies: (i) Köppen signatures based on the nearest-living-relative principle. (ii) Leaf physiognomy analysed with the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP). (iii) Genus-level biogeographic affinities of fossil floras with modern regions. The three proxies reject tropical climates for the MMCT of southwestern Anatolia and instead infer warm temperate C climates. Köppen signatures reject summer-dry Cs climates but cannot discriminate between fully humid Cf and winter-dry Cw; CLAMP reconstructs Cf climate based on the low X3.wet/X3.dry ratio. Additionally, we assess whether the palaeobotanical record does resolve transitions from the warm Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO, 16.8–14.7 Ma) into the MMCT (14.7–13.9 Ma), and a more pronounced cooling at 13.9–13.8 Ma, as reconstructed from benthic stable isotope data. For southwestern Anatolia, we find that arboreal taxa predominate in MCO floras (MN5), whereas in MMCT floras (MN6) abundances of arboreal and non-arboreal elements strongly fluctuate indicating higher structural complexity of the vegetation. Our data show a distinct pollen zone between MN6 and MN7+8 dominated by herbaceous taxa. The boundary MN6 and MN7+8, roughly corresponding to a first abrupt cooling at 13.9–13.8 Ma, possibly might be associated with this herb-rich pollen zone.
Sea surface salinity and temperature in the southern Atlantic Ocean from South African icebreakers, 2010–2017
Authors: Aulicino Giuseppe , Cotroneo Yuri , Ansorge Isabelle , van den Berg Marcel , Cesarano Cinzia , Belmonte Rivas Maria , Olmedo Casal Estrella
Published: July 2018

Abstract. We present here sea surface salinity (SSS) and temperature (SST) data collected on board the S.A. Agulhas-I and S.A. Agulhas-II research vessels, in the framework of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). Onboard Sea-Bird thermosalinographs were regularly calibrated and continuously monitored in-between cruises, and no appreciable sensor drift emerged. Water samples were taken on a daily basis and later analyzed with a Portasal salinometer; some CTD measurements collected along the cruises were used to validate the data. No systematic differences appeared after a rigorous quality control on continuous data. Results show that salinity measurement error was a few hundredths of a unit on the practical salinity scale. Quality control included several steps, among which an automatic detection of unreliable values through selected threshold criteria and an attribution of quality flags based on multiple criteria, i.e., analysis of information included in the cruise reports, detection of insufficient flow and/or presence of air bubbles and ice crystals in the seawater pipe, visual inspection of individual campaigns, and ex post check of sea ice maps for confirming ice field locations. This data processing led us to discard about 36 % of acquired observations, while reliable data showed an excellent agreement with several independent SSS products. Nevertheless, a sea ice flag has been included for identifying valid data which could have been affected by scattered sea ice contamination. In our opinion, this dataset, available through an unrestricted repository at https://doi.org/10.7289/V56M3545, contributes to improving the knowledge of surface water features in one of the most important regions for global climate. The dataset will be highly valuable for studies focusing on climate variability in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, especially across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and its fronts. Furthermore, we expect that the collected SSS data will represent a valuable tool for the calibration and validation of recent satellite observations provided by SMOS and Aquarius missions.
Measuring Decadal Vertical Land-level Changes from SRTM-C (2000) and TanDEM-X (~ 2015) in the South-Central Andes
Authors: Purinton Benjamin , Bookhagen Bodo
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Vertical change is often measured in the cryosphere via digital elevation model (DEM) differencing to assess glacier and ice-sheet mass balances. This requires the signal of change to outweigh the noise associated with the datasets. On the ice-free earth, land-level change is much smaller in magnitude and thus requires more accurate DEMs for differencing and identification of change. Previously, this has required high-resolution data at small scales. For the first time we measure land-level changes at the scale of entire mountain belts in the south-central Andes using the SRTM-C (collected in 2000) and the TanDEM-X (collected from 2010–2015), both spaceborne radar DEMs. Long-standing errors in the SRTM-C are corrected using the TanDEM-X as a control surface and applying cosine-fit co-registration to remove ~ 1/10 pixel (~ 3 m) shifts, Fast Fourier Transform and filtering to remove SRTM-C short- and long-wavelength stripes, and blocked shifting to remove remaining complex biases. The datasets are then differenced and outlier pixels are identified as potential signal for the case of gravel-bed channels and hillslopes. We are able to identify signals of incision and aggradation (with magnitudes down to ~ 3 m in best case) in two > 100 km river reaches, with increased geomorphic activity downstream of knickpoints. Anthropogenic gravel excavation and piling is prominently measured, with magnitudes exceeding ±5 m (up to > 10 m for large piles). These values correspond to conservative rates of 0.2 to > 0.5 m/yr for vertical changes in gravel-bed rivers. For hillslopes, since we require stricter cutoffs for noise, we are only able to identify one major landslide with a deposit volume of 16 ± 0.15 × 106 m3. Additional signals of change can be garnered from TanDEM-X auxiliary layers, however, these are more difficult to quantify. The methods presented can be extended to any region of the world with SRTM-C and TanDEM-X coverage where vertical land-level changes are of interest, with the caveat that remaining vertical uncertainties in primarily the SRTM-C limit detection in steep and complex topography.
The probabilistic hydrological model MARCS (MARkov Chain System):
the theoretical basis for the core version 0.2
Authors: Shevnina Elena , Silaev Andrey
Published: July 2018

Abstract. A question of environmental risks of social and economic infrastructure has become apparent recently due to an increase in the number of extreme weather events. Extreme runoff events include floods and droughts. In water engineering extreme runoff is described in terms of probability, and uses methods of frequency analysis to evaluate an exceedance probability curve (EPC) of runoff. It is assumed that historical observations of runoff are representative for the future; however trends in observed time series doubt this assumption. The paper describes an Advance Frequency Analysis (AFA) approach to be applied to predict future extreme runoff. The approach combines traditional methods of hydrological modelling and frequency analysis, and results in a probabilistic hydrological model markov Chain System (marcs). The MARCS model simulates statistical estimators of a multi-year runoff to perform future runoff projections in probabilistic form. Projected statistics of meteorological variables available in climate scenarios force the MARCS model. This study introduces a new model core (version 0.2), and provides an user guide as well as an example of the model set up for a single case study. In this case study, the model simulates projected exceedance probability curves of annual runoff under three climate scenarios. The scope of applicability and limitations of the model are discussed.
Metal ion binding and tolerance of bacteria cells in view of sensor applications
Authors: Jung Jonas , Blüher Anja , Lakatos Mathias , Cuniberti Gianaurelio
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The biotechnological use of bacterial cells and cell components for the
detection and accumulation of valuable substances, such as metals and rare
earth elements in aqueous systems, is possible by utilizing innate binding
characteristics of microorganisms. We have studied the bacteria cells of
Lysinibacillus sphaericus JG-B53 and Sporosarcina ureae
ATCC 13881 to assess their potential applicability for the detection of rare
earth elements, base metals or precious metals in water. First, we have
demonstrated the interactions of the cells with the metal complexes of Au, Ho
and Y by studying the color changes of the respective solutions, scanning
electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the metal cluster decoration on the cell
surfaces and cell growth tolerance tests. Based on these results, we have
developed two potential sensor systems. A colorimetric sensor was established
by applying gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with surface-layer
(S-layer) proteins SslA of S. ureae ATCC 13881 or Slp1 of
L. sphaericus JG-B53 for the selective detection of YCl3 up
to 1.67 × 10−5 mol L−1 in water. Additionally, a
regenerative sensor layer of S-layer proteins on a thin gold film was
developed for the detection of 1 × 10−4 mol L−1
YCl3 in water by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy.
Flood risk assessment due to cyclone induced dike breaching on coastal areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md Feroz , Bhattacharya Biswa , Popescu Ioana
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Bangladesh, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, has a dynamic delta with 123 polders protected by earthen dikes. Cyclone induced storm surges cause severe damages to these polders by overtopping and breaching the dikes. Nineteen major tropical storms hit the coast in last 50 years and storm intensity is predicted to increase due to climate change. The present paper presents an investigation of the inundation pattern in a protected area behind dikes due to floods caused by storm surges and identifies possible critical locations of dike breaches. Polder 48 in the coastal region, also known as Kuakata, was selected as the study area. A HEC-RAS 1D–2D inundation model was developed to simulate inundation under different scenarios. Tidal variations, angle of the cyclone at landfall, different dike breach locations, geometrical properties of the breach, breach propagation time and the sea level rise due to climate change according to the fifth assessment report (AR5) of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were combined to develop the scenarios. The critical location of the dike breach was identified by comparing the three worst cases of the developed scenarios. Generated flood risk maps corresponding to the breaching at the critical location indicated that settlements adjacent to the canals face higher risk. The probabilistic flood map (PFM) calculated from the results of all the developed scenarios indicated the need of appropriate land use zoning to minimize the vulnerability to flooding. The developed model can be applied to generate location based flood forecasting, identify critical locations of the dike to reduce the risk from flooding and to study the effect of climate change.
Parametric covariance dynamics for the nonlinear diffusive Burgers equation
Authors: Pannekoucke Olivier , Bocquet Marc , Ménard Richard
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The parametric Kalman filter (PKF) is a computationally efficient alternative method to the ensemble Kalman filter. The PKF relies on an approximation of the error covariance matrix by a covariance model with a space–time evolving set of parameters. This study extends the PKF to nonlinear dynamics using the diffusive Burgers equation as an application, focusing on the forecast step of the assimilation cycle. The covariance model considered is based on the diffusion equation, with the diffusion tensor and the error variance as evolving parameters. An analytical derivation of the parameter dynamics highlights a closure issue. Therefore, a closure model is proposed based on the kurtosis of the local correlation functions. Numerical experiments compare the PKF forecast with the statistics obtained from a large ensemble of nonlinear forecasts. These experiments strengthen the closure model and demonstrate the ability of the PKF to reproduce the tangent linear covariance dynamics, at a low numerical cost.
Discovering sounds in Patagonia, characterizing sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) downsweeps in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Español-Jiménez Sonia , Bahamonde Paulina A. , Chiang Gustavo , Häussermann Verena
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) is the least known whale species. Information on sei whale´s vocalizations in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean and its regional variability are even more scarce than that from other ocean areas. This research presents the first characterization of sei whale sounds recorded in Chile during austral autumn of 2016 and 2017. A total of 41 calls have been attributed to sei whale’s downsweeps. In 2016, calls ranged from an average maximum frequency of 105.3 Hz down to an average minimum 35.6 Hz over 1.6 s with a peak frequency of 65.4 Hz. During 2017, calls ranged from an average maximum frequency of 93.3 Hz down to 42.2 Hz (over 1.6 s) with a peak frequency of 68.3 Hz. The absolute minimum frequency recorded was 30 Hz and the absolute maximum frequency was 129.4 Hz. Calls generally occurred in pairs, but triplets or singles were also registered. These low frequency sounds share characteristics with recordings of sei whales near the Hawaii Islands, but with differences in the maximum frequencies and duration. These calls distinctly differ from sounds previously described for sei whales in the Southern Ocean and are the first documented sei whale calls in the South-eastern Pacific.
(In)Formação musical: proximidades antropo-comunicacionais epistemológicas sobre o Catolicismo e o Candomblé
Authors: Silva Ana Maria Ferreira da , Ferreira da Costa Luciana , Curcino Pedreira da Silva Alan , Nunes Maria de Fátima
Published: July 2018

O artigo analisa o fenômeno sócio religioso como (in)formacional sobre a experiência do homem com o sagrado por meio da música nos ritos antropo-comunicacionais de comunhão do Catolicismo e do Candomblé. A discussão sobre o tema é ancorado pelo diálogo transversal entre as áreas da Ciência da Informação, da Comunicação e das Ciências da Religião, utilizando-se de referências antropológicas e sociológicas. Apresenta definição de música, sua presença em lugares e meio de comunicação no cotidiano dos indivíduos, incluindo sua presença em rituais de exaltação a determinadas entidades no âmbito das religiões. Aborda como a música é enfocada no contexto do Catolicismo e do Candomblé como instrumento de celebração, de comunicação, de instrução, de educação de crenças e tradições religiosas. Conclui que o conhecimento acerca da música nos espaços sagrados precisa ser amplamente investigado e compreendido, sobretudo no que se refere à utilização e funções da música na experiência religiosa e na interação do ser humano com a música.
Análise de mitos africanos em uma comunidade quilombola: comunicação, informação e religiosidade
Authors: Pereira Cleyciane Cássia Moreira , Farias Maria Giovanna Guedes
Published: July 2018

Apresenta resultados de pesquisa realizada na Comunidade Quilombola Alcantarense de Itamatatiua, localizada no Maranhão. Objetivou identificar e verificar como ocorre a preservação e a compreensão dos mitos africanos presentes nesta comunidade - a exemplo de Oxum, Iemanjá, Nana e Exu -, bem como a possibilidade de contribuição para a continuidade de estudos que retratem a história e memória negra. Esses mitos constituem-se como informações fundamentais das tradições dos moradores de Itamatatiua, os quais se preocupam em preservar os segredos, a religiosidade e as histórias vivenciadas por eles e pelos antepassados, repassando-as para os mais novos e para pesquisadores interessados pela oralidade. Para coleta e análise dos dados utilizou-se a mito análise, a partir da Teoria do Imaginário de Gilbert Durand, concomitante com a metodologia qualitativa de abordagem etnográfica. Os resultados demonstram que analisar as narrativas míticas em linhas diacrônicas e sincrônicas, contribui para o desvendamento de riquezas e tradições adormecidas em um passado de opressão e repressão, o qual pode ser reconstruído e devolvido às populações desconhecedoras de sua própria ancestralidade. Conclui-se que essas informações mitológicas, repassadas pela oralidade, podem, inclusive, devolver a autoestima dessa população.
“Que queres de mim, mulher?”: A Virgem Maria no filme O Rei dos Reis como representação de um imaginário feminino conservador
Authors: Bastos Rodolpho Alexandre Santos Melo , Oliveira Amanda Muniz , Maior Júnior Paulo Souto , Pimentel Helen Ulhoa
Published: July 2018

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo demonstrar que, embora ancorados nas figuras bíblicas tradicionais, a filmografia Cristã também faz remissão ao contexto histórico social na qual foi produzida. Partindo da análise do imaginário feminino católico, será demonstrado que, quando as representações de Maria são veiculadas no cinema, mais do que a figura bíblica em si, ali está representado o imaginário social da época na qual o filme se insere. Para tanto, foi selecionado o filme O Rei dos Reis, de 1961, que representa uma Maria extremamente conservadora, que além de seguir a tradição católica, reforça a resistência às mudanças sociais que ocorrem em seu tempo.
RUÍNAS DE SÃO MIGUEL DAS MISSÕES/RS E FORMAÇÃO DOCENTE: a saída de campo como recurso pedagógico interdisciplinar nos anos iniciais
Authors: Vestena Rosemar De Fátima , Ortiz Ail Conceiçao Meireles , Santos Eliane Aparecida Galvão dos
Published: July 2018

As reflexões acerca dos saberes e vivências voltadas às áreas das Ciências Humanas e da Natureza, na formação inicial de professores em Pedagogia, é de extrema relevância tanto para a inserção de conhecimentos de Geografia, História, Arte e Ciências no currículo escolar dos anos iniciais, como também para sensibilizar os acadêmicos quanto ao desenvolvimento da cidadania em diferentes espaços educacionais. Nesse sentido, oportunizar aos acadêmicos momentos de interlocução entre teoria e prática, por meio de recursos didáticos, como as saídas de campo, podem favorecer uma nova postura docente nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental. Nesses termos, este trabalho objetiva identificar e analisar quais os conhecimentos espaço-temporais, sociocientíficos e artístico-culturais são evidenciados pelos estudantes de Pedagogia a partir de uma visita técnica orientada ao sítio histórico das Ruínas de São Miguel das Missões (RSMM), RS, no segundo semestre de 2017. A pesquisa é de abordagem qualitativa e cunho bibliográfico e documental. Como material de análise, utilizaram-se 19 resumos, de modo não excludente, produzidos por 57 estudantes reunidos em grupos, demonstrando seus conhecimentos acerca da viagem de estudo. Para análise dos dados, partiu-se de três categorias pré-estabelecidas, i) conhecimentos espaço-temporais, ii) conhecimentos sociocientíficos e iii) conhecimentos artístico-culturais. Identificou-se, dentre os 19 resumos produzidos pelos acadêmicos, que 13 contêm informações e análises acerca da categoria artístico-cultural. Já a categoria espaço-temporal está presente em seis (06) resumos e a categoria sociocientífica, em apenas dois (02) resumos.  Defende-se que, na formação inicial de docentes, é necessário abordar metodologias interdisciplinares e recursos didáticos, como visitas técnicas orientadas, que potencializem experiências didáticas capazes de correlacionar saberes teóricos e práticos na formação inicial dos estudantes, visando a transpô-los para os espaços da educação básica.
REPRESENTAÇÕES DO ENTORNO DO DISTRITO FEDERAL NA GEOGRAFIA ESCOLAR: um estudo de Valparaíso de Goiás
Authors: Farias Ricardo Chaves de , Souza Mariana Rezende , Coelho Lucas Lima
Published: July 2018

O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar a ausência de materiais didáticos voltados ao ensino de Geografia Urbana na Educação Básica que utilizam o Distrito Federal e Entorno como referência didática. O Distrito Federal (DF) no ano de 1970 possuía em Brasília e nas demais Regiões Administrativas uma população de cerca de 537 mil habitantes. Havia a necessidade de novas alternativas de moradia para deslocar os constantes fluxos migratórios que se destinavam à região para a área externa ao quadrilátero do DF. A região escolhida abrangeu os municípios goianos próximos à nova capital brasileira. No entanto, surgiram novos espaços desmembrados do município de Luziânia, como é o caso do município de Valparaíso de Goiás; espaços estes sem possuir os equipamentos urbanos adequados para comportar as necessidades de uma população em constante crescimento, tais como escolas e hospitais de grande porte. Dessa forma, se constatou que a maior parte da população valparaisense buscava trabalho e serviços básicos fora do município goiano, deslocando-se diariamente num fluxo migratório pendular, sufocando os equipamentos urbanos de Brasília. Com o passar dos anos, a cidade de Valparaíso de Goiás apresentou um crescimento vertiginoso, o que ocasionou problemas para o próprio município, para Brasília e para algumas Regiões Administrativas do DF. O município está ligado a outros espaços geográficos e o lugar (município) pode ter sua organização territorial vinculada a espaços distantes, nesse caso, o centro de gravidade é o DF, com Brasília sendo a principal referência.
Translanguaging, Heterodiscourse and Multilingualism in the Teaching-Learning of Languages: An Reflection
Authors: Souza Sweder
Published: July 2018

One of the central points for the concept of heteroglossia is negotiation, the social negotiation that is central to the heterodiscourse, since all the time one is negotiating to place of saying and, still, negotiating to position, in the interaction, in the own language. One issue that has become increasingly strong in translanguaging studies is the understanding that if one is negotiating tension, one is actually negotiating power relations. According to this context, this work aims at a theoretical-methodological reflection of some concepts that can, also to dialogism and interactionism, to contribute significantly to the practice and to the teaching-learning of languages.
Desarrollar estrategias didácticas para la adquisición de competencias investigativas en estudiantes de octavo grado del Centro de Investigación e Innovación Educativas
Authors: Guity López Sonia Patricia , Mendoza Corrales Josué Alfonzo
Published: July 2018

Este artículo muestra el resultado de la intervención realizada en el octavo grado de Educación Básica del Centro de Investigación e Innovación Educativas (CIIE) de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán (UPNFM) en donde mediante un Diseño No Experimental, (pretest y postest) se implementaron diversas estrategias didácticas en Matemáticas, Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias Sociales, para desarrollar competencias investigativas en los estudiantes. Los resultados de la Anova, aplicada en el Postest, evidenciaron que no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos control y experimental, sin embargo, permitió identificar que los estudiantes de octavo grado poseen primero competencias actitudinales, en segundo lugar, las procedimentales y finalmente, competencias conceptuales. La investigación realizada abre la posibilidad de continuar indagando sobre condiciones diversas del aula, docentes, centro educativo y tiempo de intervención, para lograr diferencias significativas en los resultados.
Beneficios Socioeconómicos para la Integración Económica de los bienes Públicos: Tren de carga y pasajeros
Authors: Lara Benavides Guadalupe Rafaela , Lara Benavidez Rebeca Saray
Published: July 2018

El objetivo del escrito es describir algunos de los beneficios Socioeconómicos para la Integración Económica de los bienes regionales públicos: tren de carga y pasajeros en Centroamérica. Así pues, para efectos de desarrollo del estudio investigativo se ha recurrido al método de explicativo-descriptivo-relacional que explicar y ejemplificar las condiciones en que se da el uso de un tren de cargas y pasajeros. De ahí que se induzca que tales ordenanzas, logran un grado de facilitación y agilización del transporte de las mercancías y de las personas, que vayan a ser incorporadas a un determinado régimen. Logrando un crecimiento en la eficiencia del uso de los recursos, ya sean de los servicios, las autoridades aduaneras como de los auxiliares de la función pública en cuanto al tiempo que se utiliza para cada procedimiento, es decir un incremento en la productividad. No obstante, deben de realizarse un estudio de profundidad para valorar los aspectos detallados en el documento con mayor precisión y en un futuro aplicar en el territorio regional.
Determinación de la Orientación e Impulso Fiscal en Nicaragua para el Periodo 1994 - 2016
Authors: Morales Rivas Oliver David
Published: July 2018

El artículo presenta la estimación de indicadores de Orientación Fiscal e Impulso Fiscal para Nicaragua. Para ello, se utilizó la metodología general propuesta por (Heller, 1986), para lograr este propósito y también se usó el Filtro Hodrick- Prescott para estimar el PIB Potencial y se utilizaron las estimaciones de ingreso y gasto estructurales cálculos por (Morales & Flores, 2017), los datos se obtuvieron del Anuario Estadístico del Banco Central de Nicaragua. La política fiscal se ha concentrado con una orientación expansiva y con un impulso fiscal principalmente procíclico, además se infiere que el resultado de la política fiscal obedece a un componente estructural de la actividad económica.