bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological State of Teachers: Developing and Validating a Standardised Scale
Authors: Barimah Solomon Jil , Amoako Mathew , Gaisey Isaac Kow , Akpadago Joseph , Inkoom Daniel , Attila Frank Lamadoku , Dabone Kyeremeh Tawiah , Ray Samrat , Eshun Emmanuel , Asamoah-Gyawu Joseph
Published: July 2024

People show different emotional and psychological states over time due to stress, workload, sleep and other factors. This study examined the emotional and psychological states of 200 Junior High School Teachers. The study employed the quantitative method. The instrument used was a questionnaire. The collected data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, Pearson's Correlation and Regression. The instrument was made based on the experiences of the researchers and available literature. Confirmatory Factor analysis led to the reduction of the number of items on the questionnaire to 40. The results showed that teachers do not freely express their emotions, which affects their sleep patterns. The final questionnaire has strong psychometric properties, including a clear factor structure and adequate reliability. Based on these findings, we recommend that stakeholders like the Ministries of Health and Labour educate teachers on emotion management and encourage them to seek psychological and medical support. We also urge the Ministry of Education to prioritize mental well-being among teachers by incorporating coping methods like positive, emotional, religious, and social coping. To the Mental Health Authority, we recommended that they must intensify their efforts to demystify mental health services, making them accessible to all, and to avoid viewing mental health problems solely through a spiritual lens.
The Distribution Policy of Non-Cash Food Assistance in the Sendana Sub-District of Palopo City, Indonesia
Authors: Roba Sahra , Rifdan  , Sailan Manan
Published: July 2024

This research aims to analyses and offer public policy strategies in implementing the food assistance program policy in Sendana Sub-district. This research uses a qualitative method conducted in Sendana Sub-district, which according to the information was done purposively by considering representation in each sub-district. Data was obtained using observation, interview and document analysis techniques. Then the collected data was analyzed using interactive qualitative techniques between data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. The research results show that:  The implementation strategy of the Non-Cash Food Assistance policy, the policy formula of the implementation mechanism is not in accordance with what is formulated in the policy so that the policy formula has not optimally run well in the Sendana District area. It can be concluded that the policy implementation strategy of the non-cash food assistance distribution program is oriented towards improving organisational management in improving human resource capabilities, increasing potential by paying attention to human resource development and training, understanding the application of SOPs, paying attention to operational facilities and infrastructure, building good coordination in creating humanist communication.
Isolation Techniques, Conidiation and Pathogenicity Studies of Ustilaginoidea virens Isolates (Uv3, Uv4, and Uv15) Causing False Smut in Rice
Authors: Ravali Somshetty , Basha S. Ameer , Babu T. Kiran , Mohan Y. Chandra , Pushpavalli SNCVL. , Naik B. Balaji
Published: July 2024

Rice false smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens (U. virens), is a highly destructive disease that results in significant grain yield losses. This study focuses on three isolates of U. virens (Uv3, Uv4, and Uv15), examining their isolation, cultural morphology, conidiation media, and pathogenicity. During isolation from chlamydospores and mycelial discs of smut balls, Uv3, Uv4, and Uv15 displayed small mycelial growth and varied density at 7 days of incubation. Twenty-seven days after incubation, isolate Uv3 exhibited the highest growth at 77.00 mm, characterized by raised elevation and white-yellow surface color with yellow-green pigmentation. Isolate Uv4 showed circular growth with a mycelial growth of 64.00 mm, while isolate Uv15 displayed the lowest growth at 55.66 mm, with flat elevation and white-yellow-green appearance. In BPT 5204 rice leaf extract (BRLE), conidia count increased significantly with higher concentrations: Uv3 reaches 31.38x106 conidia/ml, Uv4 27.71x106 conidia/ml, and U15 20.11x106 conidia/ml. TN1 rice leaf extract (TRLE) media yields lower counts but shows similar concentration-dependent trends. PSB yields notably fewer conidia. Pathogenicity assessments on TN1 and BPT 5204 rice varieties revealed Uv3 as the most aggressive isolate, causing higher numbers of smut balls per panicle and greater grain infection percentages compared to Uv4 and Uv15.
Identification of Mutations in Zebrafish Using Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Henke Katrin , Bowen Margot E. , Harris Matthew P.
Published: October 2013

Whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) has been used in many invertebrate model organisms as an efficient tool for mapping and identification of mutations affecting particular morphological or physiological processes. However, the application of WGS in highly polymorphic, larger genomes of vertebrates has required new experimental and analytical approaches. As a consequence, a wealth of different analytical tools has been developed. As the generation and analysis of data stemming from WGS can be unwieldy and daunting to researchers not accustomed to many common bioinformatic analyses and Unix‐based computational tools, we focus on how to manage and analyze next‐generation sequencing datasets without an extensive computational infrastructure and in‐depth bioinformatic knowledge. Here we describe methods for the analysis of WGS for use in mapping and identification of mutations in the zebrafish. We stress key elements of the experimental design and the analytical approach that allow the use of this method across different sequencing platforms and in different model organisms with annotated genomes.Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 104:7.13.1‐7.13.33. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Helicase‐Dependent Amplification of Nucleic Acids
Authors: Cao Yun , Kim Hyun‐Jin , Li Ying , Kong Huimin , Lemieux Bertrand
Published: October 2013

Helicase‐dependent amplification (HDA) is a novel method for the isothermal in vitro amplification of nucleic acids. The HDA reaction selectively amplifies a target sequence by extension of two oligonucleotide primers. Unlike the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), HDA uses a helicase enzyme to separate the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strands, rather than heat denaturation. This allows DNA amplification without the need for thermal cycling. The helicase used in HDA is a helicase super family II protein obtained from a thermophilic organism, Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis (TteUvrD). This thermostable helicase is capable of unwinding blunt‐end nucleic acid substrates at elevated temperatures (60° to 65°C). The HDA reaction can also be coupled with reverse transcription for ribonucleic acid (RNA) amplification. The products of this reaction can be detected during the reaction using fluorescent probes when incubations are conducted in a fluorimeter. Alternatively, products can be detected after amplification using a disposable amplicon containment device that contains an embedded lateral flow strip. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 104:15.11.1‐15.11.12. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Stress magnitude and orientation in the Potiguar Basin, Brazil: Implications on faulting style and reactivation
Authors: Reis Álvaro F. C. , Bezerra Francisco H. R. , Ferreira Joaquim M. , do Nascimento Aderson F. , Lima Cláudio C.
Published: October 2013

We analyzed borehole breakout data and drilling‐induced tensile fractures derived from resistivity image logs run at 10 oil wells to derive the orientation of the maximum horizontal stress SHmax from the Potiguar Basin in the continental margin of Brazil. Stress magnitudes are derived from density logs for the vertical stress, mini‐frac tests for the minimum horizontal stress Shmin, and rock strength laboratory analysis to estimate the SHmax magnitudes. We compared these results with the stress regime and SHmax orientation derived from nine earthquake series located in the crystalline basement, where seismicity is concentrated, and previous breakout data from the basin. In the basin, the SHmax gradient is 20.0 MPa/km, and the SHmax/Shmin ratio is 1.154, indicating a normal tectonic stress regime from 0.5 to 2.0 km, whereas the SHmax gradient of 24.5 MPa/km and SHmax/Shmin ratio of 1.396 indicate a transition from a normal to strike‐slip stress regime at 2.5 to 4.0 km. The deeper stress regime in the basin is similar to that in the basement at 1–12 km depth. This transition of the tectonic stress regime is consistent with an incipient tectonic inversion in the basin. We note that the SHmax orientation rotates from NW–SE in the western part of the Potiguar Basin to E–W in its central and eastern parts, roughly following the shoreline geometry, indicating that local features such as flexural stresses influence the local (scale < 100 km) stress pattern. We also conclude that the basement is critically stressed, but not the basin.
The role of harzburgite layers in the morphology of subducting plates and the behavior of oceanic crustal layers
Authors: Yoshida Masaki
Published: October 2013

Numerical simulations of mantle convection with semidynamic plate subduction in 3‐D geometry is performed to investigate the role of harzburgite layers in the morphology of subducting plates and the behavior of oceanic crustal layers. The results show that a “buckled” crustal layer is observed under the “heel” of the stagnant slab that begins to penetrate into the lower mantle, regardless of the magnitude of the viscosity of the harzburgite layer, ∆ηhrz, when the factor of viscosity increase at the boundary of the upper and lower mantle, ∆ηlm, is larger than 60–100. As ∆ηhrz increases, the curvature of buckling is larger. When ∆ηlm and ∆ηhrz are larger, the volumes of crustal and harzburgite materials trapped in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) are also larger, although almost all of the materials penetrate into the lower mantle. These materials are trapped in the MTZ for over tens of millions of years.
Relative influence of oceanic and terrestrial pressure systems in driving upwelling‐favorable winds
Authors: García‐Reyes M. , Sydeman W. J. , Black B. A. , Rykaczewski R. R. , Schoeman D. S. , Thompson S. A. , Bograd S. J.
Published: October 2013

We use the 20th Century Reanalysis database to assess the influence of oceanic and terrestrial atmospheric pressure systems on winter and summer upwelling‐favorable winds in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems. The analysis provides baseline information regarding the roles of continental thermal low (CTL) and oceanic high (OH) pressure systems in driving seasonal upwelling modes, which have high biological relevance. We show that variability in upwelling‐favorable winds is dominated by OH, particularly in winter, and only weakly influenced by CTL, except at annual time scales. This is most pronounced in the California system given that the North Pacific High dominates wind variability. In contrast, CTL and OH equally influence Benguela upwelling‐favorable winds during summer. This work underscores the need to understand how OH systems are likely to respond to climate change and how this might impact coastal winds that drive upwelling and productivity in these ecosystems.
A 308 year record of climate variability in West Antarctica
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth R. , Bracegirdle Thomas J. , Turner John , Wolff Eric W.
Published: October 2013

We present a new stable isotope record from Ellsworth Land which provides a valuable 308 year record (1702–2009) of climate variability from coastal West Antarctica. Climate variability at this site is strongly forced by sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the tropical Pacific and related to local sea ice conditions. The record shows that this region has warmed since the late 1950s, at a similar magnitude to that observed in the Antarctic Peninsula and central West Antarctica; however, this warming trend is not unique. More dramatic isotopic warming (and cooling) trends occurred in the mid‐nineteenth and eighteenth centuries, suggesting that at present, the effect of anthropogenic climate drivers at this location has not exceeded the natural range of climate variability in the context of the past ~300 years.
Electrical and thermal transport properties of iron and iron‐silicon alloy at high pressure
Authors: Seagle Christopher T. , Cottrell Elizabeth , Fei Yingwei , Hummer Daniel R. , Prakapenka Vitali B.
Published: October 2013

The efficiency of heat transfer by conduction in the Earth's core controls the dynamics of convection and limits the power available for the geodynamo. We have measured the room temperature electrical resistivity of iron and iron‐silicon alloy to 60 GPa and present a new model of the resistivity at high pressures and temperatures relevant to the Earth's core. The model is compared with available shock wave data and theoretical studies. For a power law and linear temperature dependence of electrical resistivity, the calculated thermal conductivity at the core‐mantle boundary is ~67–145 W/m/K for pure Fe and ~41–60 W/m/K for Fe–9 wt % Si. Impurities in the core have a strong effect on the transport properties of iron that could significantly impact core thermal models. The models describing the data indicate higher thermal conductivity at core pressure than previously suggested, requiring additional energy sources in the past to operate the geodynamo.
Auroral wave structures and ballooning instabilities in the plasma sheet
Authors: Xing Xiaoyan , Liang Jun , Spanswick Emma , Lyons Larry , Angelopoulos Vassilis
Published: October 2013

Auroral wavelike structures extended in the east‐west direction along preexisting arcs are often observed to precede the auroral poleward expansions initiated along that arc. These wave structures are suggested to be the manifestation of ballooning/interchange instabilities in the near‐Earth plasma sheet that may play crucial roles in leading to substorm expansion. The triggering and the development of the ballooning instability in the MHD regime can be evaluated with theory and numerical simulations; however, observations have never shown how these instabilities are initiated in the plasma sheet. In order to examine the instability triggering, we take advantage of the THEMIS ground all‐sky‐imagers and NORSTAR‐NASCAM multiwavelength imagers together with a multi‐spacecraft conjunction to identify the auroral wave structures and to examine the dynamics in the plasma sheet. We show in a case study that the MHD ballooning instability criterion is violated near X = −11 RE in the plasma sheet starting about 1.5 min prior to the initiation of the auroral wave structures. The estimated Alfvénic transit time is slightly larger than 1 min, indicating that the observed auroral signatures are correlated with the ballooning instability developing in the plasma sheet and propagating to the ionosphere along field lines. Magnetic field wavelet analysis shows the initiation of the perpendicular disturbances between 0.01 and 0.02 Hz correlated with the calculated onset of the instability perturbations at the same location, supporting the identification of the localized ballooning instability. At the more tailward region of X ~ −13 RE, enhanced earthward transport toward the unstable region are observed several minutes prior to the instability initiation, which may have modified the pressure spatial distribution and magnetic field topology in the near‐Earth region, leading to the violation of the instability criterion. The further development of the instability may play a crucial role for the aurora explosive expansion.
First results from CSSWE CubeSat: Characteristics of relativistic electrons in the near‐Earth environment during the October 2012 magnetic storms
Authors: Li X. , Schiller Q. , Blum L. , Califf S. , Zhao H. , Tu W. , Turner D. L. , Gerhardt D. , Palo S. , Kanekal S. , Baker D. N. , Fennell J. , Blake J. B. , Looper M. , Reeves G. D. , Spence H.
Published: October 2013

Measurements from the Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope integrated little experiment (REPTile) on board the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat mission, which was launched into a highly inclined (65°) low Earth orbit, are analyzed along with measurements from the Relativistic Electron and Proton Telescope (REPT) and the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) instruments aboard the Van Allen Probes, which are in a low inclination (10°) geo‐transfer‐like orbit. Both REPT and MagEIS measure the full distribution of energetic electrons as they traverse the heart of the outer radiation belt. However, due to the small equatorial loss cone (only a few degrees), it is difficult for REPT and MagEIS to directly determine which electrons will precipitate into the atmosphere, a major radiation belt loss process. REPTile, a miniaturized version of REPT, measures the fraction of the total electron population that has small enough equatorial pitch angles to reach the altitude of CSSWE, 480 km × 780 km, thus measuring the precipitating population as well as the trapped and quasi‐trapped populations. These newly available measurements provide an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the source, loss, and energization processes that are responsible for the dynamic behavior of outer radiation belt electrons. The focus of this paper will be on the characteristics of relativistic electrons measured by REPTile during the October 2012 storms; also included are long‐term measurements from the Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer to put this study into context.
Diffuse elastic wavefield within a simple crustal model. Some consequences for low and high frequencies
Authors: García‐Jerez Antonio , Luzón Francisco , Sánchez‐Sesma Francisco J. , Lunedei Enrico , Albarello Dario , Santoyo Miguel A. , Almendros Javier
Published: October 2013

The reliability of usual assumptions regarding the wavefield composition in applications of the Diffuse Field Approach (DFA) to passive seismic prospecting is investigated. Starting from the more general formulation of the DFA for full wavefield (FW), the contribution of each wave to the horizontal‐ and vertical‐component power spectra at surface are analyzed for a simple elastic waveguide representing the continental crust‐upper mantle interface. Special attention is paid to their compositions at low and high frequencies, and the relative powers of each surface wave (SW) type are identified by means of a semianalytical analysis. If body waves are removed from the analysis, the high‐frequency horizontal asymptote of the H/V spectral ratio decreases slightly (from 1.33 for FW to around 1.14 for SW) and shows dependence on both the Poisson's ratio of the crust and the S wave velocity contrast (while FW‐H/V asymptote depends on the former only). Experimental tests in a local broadband network provide H/V curves compatible with any of these values in the band 0.2–1 Hz, approximately, supporting the applicability of the DFA approximation. Coexistence of multiple SW modes produces distortion in the amplitudes of vertical and radial component Aki's coherences, in comparison with the usual predictions based on fundamental modes. At high frequencies, this effect consists of a decrement by a constant scaling factor, being very remarkable in the radial case. Effects on the tangential coherence are severe, including a − π/4 phase shift, slower decay rate of amplitude versus frequency, and contribution of several velocities for large enough distances.
Hidden aftershocks of the 2011Mw9.0 Tohoku, Japan earthquake imaged with the backprojection method
Authors: Kiser Eric , Ishii Miaki
Published: October 2013

The first 25 h of the aftershock sequence following the 11 March 2011Mw9.0 Tohoku, Japan earthquake is investigated using a backprojection method. In total, 600 aftershocks are imaged during this time period. These aftershocks are distributed over a 500 by 300 km area and include many events in the outer rise. The backprojection events are compared with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) catalogue, which is composed of earthquakes recorded by local seismic networks in Japan. Surprisingly, half of the backprojection events are not found in the JMA catalogue. These events cluster near the Japan Trench and in the outer rise and fill in gaps in the spatial distribution of the early aftershock sequence where large main shock slip is thought to have occurred. These results show that the JMA magnitude of completeness is very high near the trench following the 2011 Tohoku main shock, and earthquakes as large as magnitude 6.8 went undetected by local seismic networks.
The Sm:YAG primary fluorescence pressure scale
Authors: Trots Dmytro M. , Kurnosov Alexander , Ballaran Tiziana Boffa , Tkachev Sergey , Zhuravlev Kirill , Prakapenka Vitali , Berkowski Marek , Frost Daniel J.
Published: October 2013

Primary pressure determinations involve the measurement of pressure without recourse to secondary standard materials. These measurements are essential for ensuring the accuracy of pressures measured in gasketed high‐pressure devices. In this study, the wavelength of optical fluorescence bands and the density of single crystal Sm‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet Y3Al5O12 (Sm:YAG) have been calibrated as a primary pressure scale up to 58 GPa. Absolute pressures were obtained by integrating the bulk modulus determined via Brillouin spectroscopy with respect to volumes measured simultaneously by X‐ray diffraction. A third‐order Birch‐Murnaghan equation of state of Sm:YAG yields V0 = 1735.15(26) Å3, KT0 = 185(1.5) GPa, and K` = 4.18(5). The accompanied pressure‐induced shifts of the fluorescence lines Y1 and Y2 of Sm:YAG were calibrated to the primary pressure, thus creating a highly accurate fluorescence pressure scale. These shifts are described as P = (A/B) * {[1 + (Δλ/λ0)]B − 1} with A = 2089.91(23.04), B = −4.43(1.07) for Y1, and A = 2578.22(48.70), B = −15.38(1.62) for Y2 bands, where ∆λ = λ − λ0, λ and λ0 are wavelengths in nanometer at pressure and ambient conditions. The sensitivity in the pressure determination of the Sm:YAG fluorescence shift is 0.32 nm/GPa, which is identical to that of the ruby scale. Sm:YAG can be considered elastically isotropic up to 58 GPa, implying insensitivity of the determined pressure to the crystallographic orientation under nonhydrostatic or quasi‐hydrostatic conditions. The Sm:YAG fluorescence shift is apparently also independent of crystallographic orientation, in contrast to that of ruby. Since the Y fluorescence band of Sm:YAG is insensitive to temperature changes, this material is highly suitable for the measurement of pressure at elevated temperatures.
Extension fracture propagation in rocks with veins: Insight into the crack‐seal process using Discrete Element Method modeling
Authors: Virgo Simon , Abe Steffen , Urai Janos L.
Published: October 2013

We investigate how existing veins interact with extension fractures in rocks using 3‐D Discrete Element Method models with a geometry inspired by tension tests with notched samples. In a sensitivity study, we varied (a) the angle between the vein and the bulk extension direction and (b) the strength ratio between host rock and vein material. Results show a range of vein‐fracture interactions, which fall into different, robust, “structural styles.” Veins, which are weaker than the host rock, tend to localize fracturing into the vein, even at high‐misorientation angles. Veins, which are stronger than the host rock, cause deflection of the fracture tip along the vein‐host rock interface. Fractures are arrested at the interface from weak to stronger material. When propagating from a stronger to a weaker material, macroscopic bifurcation of the fracture is common. Complex interactions are favored by a low angle between the vein and the fracture and by high‐strength contrast. The structural styles in the models show good agreement with microstructures and mesostructures of crack‐seal veins found in natural systems. We propose that these structural styles form the basis for criteria to recognize strength contrasts and stress of crack‐seal systems in nature.
Two distinct shear wave splitting directions in the northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province
Authors: Madhusudhan Rao K. , Ravi Kumar M. , Singh Arun , Rastogi B. K.
Published: October 2013

The northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province in India has witnessed several tectonic episodes resulting in the formation of rift zones, wide spread magmatism, and deep‐seated faults that are host to some deadly intraplate earthquakes. In this study, we attempt to decipher the mantle deformation beneath the region using the SKS splitting technique applied to high‐quality data from a regional network comprising 44 broadband seismic stations sited on diverse tectonic environments. The first measurements of 461 (312 SKS and 149 SKKS) splitting parameters from 117 earthquake sources reveal two major trends, one coinciding with the absolute plate motion (APM) of the Indian plate and the other roughly oriented in the E‐W direction. Forward modeling of the dependence of the splitting parameters on incoming polarization assuming horizontal axis of symmetry brings out two layers of anisotropy beneath the study region with the fast axis azimuths oriented N22°E in the bottom layer and N77°E in the top layer. While stronger anisotropy (δt∼1.2 s) in the bottom layer is related to asthenospheric flow, a weaker anisotropy (δt∼ 0.5 s) in the upper layer could represent anisotropy frozen in the lithosphere due to deformation related to widespread magmatism in this plume affected region.
Comparison of CH4 inversions based on 15 months of GOSAT and SCIAMACHY observations
Authors: Monteil Guillaume , Houweling Sander , Butz André , Guerlet Sandrine , Schepers Dinand , Hasekamp Otto , Frankenberg Christian , Scheepmaker Remco , Aben Ilse , Röckmann Thomas
Published: October 2013

Over the past decade the development of Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) retrievals has increased the interest in the use of satellite measurements for studying the global sources and sinks of methane. Meanwhile, measurements are becoming available from the more advanced Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT). The aim of this study is to investigate the application of GOSAT retrievals to inverse modeling, for which we make use of the TM5‐4DVAR inverse modeling framework. Inverse modeling calculations are performed using data from two different retrieval approaches: a full physics and a lightpath proxy ratio method. The performance of these inversions is analyzed in comparison with inversions using SCIAMACHY retrievals and measurements from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‐Earth System Research Laboratory flask‐sampling network. In addition, we compare the inversion results against independent surface, aircraft, and total‐column measurements. Inversions with GOSAT data show good agreement with surface measurements, whereas for SCIAMACHY a similar performance can only be achieved after significant bias corrections. Some inconsistencies between surface and total‐column methane remain in the Southern Hemisphere. However, comparisons with measurements from the Total Column Carbon Observing Network in situ Fourier transform spectrometer network indicate that those may be caused by systematic model errors rather than by shortcomings in the GOSAT retrievals. The global patterns of methane emissions derived from SCIAMACHY (with bias correction) and GOSAT retrievals are in remarkable agreement and allow an increased resolution of tropical emissions. The satellite inversions increase tropical methane emission by 30 to 60 TgCH4/yr compared to initial a priori estimates, partly counterbalanced by reductions in emissions at midlatitudes to high latitudes.
SPARC Data Initiative: A comparison of ozone climatologies from international satellite limb sounders
Authors: Tegtmeier S. , Hegglin M. I. , Anderson J. , Bourassa A. , Brohede S. , Degenstein D. , Froidevaux L. , Fuller R. , Funke B. , Gille J. , Jones A. , Kasai Y. , Krüger K. , Kyrölä E. , Lingenfelser G. , Lumpe J. , Nardi B. , Neu J. , Pendlebury D. , Remsberg E. , Rozanov A. , Smith L. , Toohey M. , Urban J. , von Clarmann T. , Walker K. A. , Wang R. H. J.
Published: October 2013

A comprehensive quality assessment of the ozone products from 18 limb‐viewing satellite instruments is provided by means of a detailed intercomparison. The ozone climatologies in form of monthly zonal mean time series covering the upper troposphere to lower mesosphere are obtained from LIMS, SAGE I/II/III, UARS‐MLS, HALOE, POAM II/III, SMR, OSIRIS, MIPAS, GOMOS, SCIAMACHY, ACE‐FTS, ACE‐MAESTRO, Aura‐MLS, HIRDLS, and SMILES within 1978–2010. The intercomparisons focus on mean biases of annual zonal mean fields, interannual variability, and seasonal cycles. Additionally, the physical consistency of the data is tested through diagnostics of the quasi‐biennial oscillation and Antarctic ozone hole. The comprehensive evaluations reveal that the uncertainty in our knowledge of the atmospheric ozone mean state is smallest in the tropical and midlatitude middle stratosphere with a 1σ multi‐instrument spread of less than ±5%. While the overall agreement among the climatological data sets is very good for large parts of the stratosphere, individual discrepancies have been identified, including unrealistic month‐to‐month fluctuations, large biases in particular atmospheric regions, or inconsistencies in the seasonal cycle. Notable differences between the data sets exist in the tropical lower stratosphere (with a spread of ±30%) and at high latitudes (±15%). In particular, large relative differences are identified in the Antarctic during the time of the ozone hole, with a spread between the monthly zonal mean fields of ±50%. The evaluations provide guidance on what data sets are the most reliable for applications such as studies of ozone variability, model‐measurement comparisons, detection of long‐term trends, and data‐merging activities.
Performance of the high‐resolution atmospheric model HRRR‐AK for correcting geodetic observations from spaceborne radars
Authors: Gong W. , Meyer F. J. , Webley P. , Morton D.
Published: October 2013

Atmospheric phase delays are considered to be one of the main performance limitations for high‐quality satellite radar techniques, especially when applied to ground deformation monitoring. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are widely seen as a promising tool for the mitigation of atmospheric delays as they can provide knowledge of the atmospheric conditions at the time of Synthetic Aperture Radar data acquisition. However, a thorough statistical analysis of the performance of using NWP production in radar signal correction is missing to date. This study provides a quantitative analysis of the accuracy in using operational NWP products for signal delay correction in satellite radar geodetic remote sensing. The study focuses on the temperate, subarctic, and Arctic climate regions due to a prevalence of relevant geophysical signals in these areas. In this study, the operational High Resolution Rapid Refresh over the Alaska region (HRRR‐AK) model is used and evaluated. Five test sites were selected over Alaska (AK), USA, covering a wide range of climatic regimes that are commonly encountered in high‐latitude regions. The performance of the HRRR‐AK NWP model for correcting absolute atmospheric range delays of radar signals is assessed by comparing to radiosonde observations. The average estimation accuracy for the one‐way zenith total atmospheric delay from 24 h simulations was calculated to be better than ~14 mm. This suggests that the HRRR‐AK operational products are a good data source for spaceborne geodetic radar observations atmospheric delay correction, if the geophysical signal to be observed is larger than 20 mm.
The potential of commercial microwave networks to monitor dense fog‐feasibility study
Authors: David N. , Alpert P. , Messer H.
Published: October 2013

Here we show the potential for dense fog monitoring using existing measurements from wireless communication systems. Communication networks widely deploy commercial microwave links across the terrain at ground level. Operating at frequencies of tens of gigahertz, they are affected by fog and are, practically, an existing, sensor network, spatially distributed worldwide, which can provide crucial information about fog concentration and visibility. The goal of this paper is to show the feasibility for fog identification and intensity estimation. A method is proposed and is demonstrated by two cases of heavy fog that took place in Israel. During these events, fog covered wide areas (tens of kilometers) and caused severe decrease in visibility, dropping as low as several tens of meters. Liquid water content and visibility values were estimated using measurements from tens of microwave links deployed in the observed area for each event. Each of the links provided a single measurement which was taken simultaneously across all of the links in the system. The values were found to be in the range of 0.5–0.8 gr/m3, high concentration values that match the maximum value range observed in field measurements carried out for prior studies in different test areas in the world. The visibility ranges calculated, between 30 and 70 m, fit the visibility assessments from the specialized measuring equipment operating in the observed area at the same time. These results point to the strong potential of the proposed technique.
Unhindered Spatial Processing During Route Memorization is Required to Maximize Both Spatial and Verbal Route Knowledge
Authors: van Doorn Robert R. A. , Blokland Arjan
Published: October 2013

To successfully remember a route in a physical environment, individuals are believed to process and store both verbal and spatial information of that route. The present study tested whether both spatial and verbal contents are necessary to form an effective route memory. For that purpose, route learning was performed in three concurrent task conditions (spatial, verbal and control) and appraised at two moments in time, via three route memory tests (spatial, verbal and spatial–verbal). Results showed that route memory generally improved across time and that spatial information was remembered better than verbal information. The concurrent spatial condition resulted in lower retention scores of both spatial and verbal route knowledge. These results suggest that effective spatial processing forms a scaffold without which long‐term retention lacks detail of both spatial and verbal route knowledge. It is discussed how these findings add to understanding spatial memory of routes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Misleading Suggestions can Alter Later Memory Reports even Following a Cognitive Interview
Authors: LaPaglia Jessica A. , Wilford Miko M. , Rivard Jillian R. , Chan Jason C. K. , Fisher Ronald P.
Published: October 2013

Taking an immediate recall test prior to misinformation exposure can increase eyewitness suggestibility—a finding termed retrieval‐enhanced suggestibility. Here, we examined whether retrieval‐enhanced suggestibility would occur when participants were administered an immediate Cognitive Interview (CI). The CI is an investigative interviewing technique that consistently elicits more correct details in memory reports than standard interviews. In this study, participants watched a video of a crime and then completed a distractor task (control condition), a free recall test, or the CI. They then heard misinformation presented in a narrative. Participants produced more accurate memory details in the CI than in free recall despite spending equal time on both tasks. However, the CI also increased the later report of misinformation relative to the control condition. These results show that initial retrieval can increase subsequent suggestibility even when such retrieval occurs under relatively ideal conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Background Sound Impairs Interruption Recovery in Dynamic Task Situations: Procedural Conflict?
Authors: Hodgetts Helen M. , Vachon François , Tremblay Sébastien
Published: October 2013

Interruptions impair performance even on simple, static, laboratory‐based tasks, but little research has looked at their impact in more complex and realistic settings that involve dynamically evolving circumstances and other environmental stressors. Using a radar operator task with or without background sound, participants were unexpectedly interrupted to complete another task, which masked the radar screen as the scenario continually evolved. Task efficiency was impaired by interruption: decision‐making time was slower immediately following interruption, this cost being greater and persevered longer in the presence of auditory distraction. Resumption time was also increased with distraction. Eye fixation durations were shorter following interruption, reflecting participants' attempts to rapidly re‐encode and update their model of the situation. These results suggest that those processes involved in task resumption are also susceptible to background sound, and indicate a need for theories of task interruption to better specify the role of attention in interruption recovery. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Taking Charge of Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study to Assess the Effectiveness of an Internet Self‐Management Program
Authors: Poole Janet L. , Mendelson Cindy , Skipper Betty , Khanna Dinesh
Published: October 2013

Objective

To assess the effects of an internet self‐management program for systemic sclerosis on self‐efficacy, health efficacy, and management of care, pain, fatigue, functional ability, and depression.

Methods

Participants logged on to a password‐protected web site and completed modules and learning activities at their own pace over 10 weeks. Participants were encouraged to log on to the discussion board, participate in an interactive component of the web site, and respond to questions posted for each module. Participants completed pre‐ and postintervention questionnaires on perceived self‐efficacy, health efficacy, ability to manage care, functional disability, depression, pain, and fatigue. They also completed an 8‐question evaluation form regarding satisfaction with the web site, program content, discussion boards, and learning activities.

Results

Sixteen participants completed the study and postintervention measures. There were significant improvements in mean scores for ability to manage care (effect size [ES] 0.62, P = 0.025) and health efficacy (ES 0.72, P = 0.012), and significant decreases in fatigue (ES −0.55, P = 0.045) and depression (ES −0.71, P = 0.013). Self‐efficacy improved, but not significantly. The evaluation of the program revealed mean scores ranging from 4.2 (web site was visually appealing) to 4.9 (information presented clearly) on a 5‐point scale, where 5 is most satisfied.

Conclusion

These findings from this pilot study suggest that a self‐management program delivered using an internet format can lead to statistically significant changes in health efficacy and management of care, fatigue, and depression. These results need to be confirmed with a larger randomized controlled trial with a longer followup period.
Extension of the Martensite Transformation Temperature Relation to Larger Alloying Elements and Contents
Authors: Barbier David
Published: October 2013

A new relation for the Ms temperature prediction is proposed. The composition ranges covered by the new model are enlarged compared to the classical relations. This new relation is obtained from a data base of almost 1000 different compositions. The predictive ability of this new relation is compared to the classical ones.
Nepenthes Pitcher Inspired Anti‐Wetting Silicone Nanofilaments Coatings: Preparation, Unique Anti‐Wetting and Self‐Cleaning Behaviors
Authors: Zhang Junping , Wang Aiqin , Seeger Stefan
Published: October 2013

Nepenthes pitcher inspired anti‐wetting coatings, fluoro‐SNs/Krytox, are successfully fabricated by the combination of fluoro‐silicone nanofilaments (fluoro‐SNs) and Krytox liquids, perfluoropolyethers. Fluoro‐SNs with different microstructure are grown onto glass slides using trichloromethylsilane by simply repeating the coating step, and then modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane. Subsequently, the Krytox liquid is spread on the fluoro‐SNs coatings via capillary effect. The fluoro‐SNs/Krytox coatings feature ultra‐low sliding angle for various liquids, excellent stability, and transparency. The sliding speed of liquid drops on the fluoro‐SNs/Krytox coating is obviously slower than on the lotus inspired superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings, and is controlled by composition of the coating (e.g., morphology of the fluoro‐SNs, type of Krytox and its thickness) and properties of the liquid drops (e.g., density and surface tension). In addition, the self‐cleaning property of the fluoro‐SNs/Krytox coating is closely related to properties of liquid drops and dirt.
Dissolvable Metals for Transient Electronics
Authors: Yin Lan , Cheng Huanyu , Mao Shimin , Haasch Richard , Liu Yuhao , Xie Xu , Hwang Suk‐Won , Jain Harshvardhan , Kang Seung‐Kyun , Su Yewang , Li Rui , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A.
Published: October 2013

Reactive dissolution and its effects on electrical conduction, morphological change and chemical transformation in thin films of Mg, AZ31B Mg alloy, Zn, Fe, W, and Mo in de‐ionized (DI) water and simulated body fluids (Hanks’ solution pH 5–8) are systematically studied, to assess the potential for use of these metals in water‐soluble, that is, physically "transient", electronics. The results indicate that the electrical dissolution rates in thin films can be much different that traditionally reported corrosion rates in corresponding bulk materials. Silicon metal oxide field effect transistors (MOSFETs) built with these metals demonstrate feasibility for use in transient electronics.
Influence of Cavity Thickness and Emitter Orientation on the Efficiency Roll‐Off of Phosphorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Murawski Caroline , Liehm Philipp , Leo Karl , Gather Malte C.
Published: October 2013

This article describes the first systematic investigation of how the efficiency roll‐off in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is influenced by the position and orientation of the emitter molecules within the OLED cavity. The efficiency roll‐off is investigated for two OLED stacks containing either the phosphorescent emitter Ir(MDQ)2(acac) or Ir(ppy)3 by varying the distance between emitter and metal cathode; a strong influence of emitter position and orientation on roll‐off is observed. The measurements are modeled by triplet‐triplet‐annihilation (TTA) theory yielding the critical current density and the TTA rate constant. It is found that Ir(MDQ)2(acac) shows the lowest roll‐off when the emitter is located in the first optical maximum of the electromagnetic field, whereas the roll‐off of the Ir(ppy)3 stack is lowest when the emitter is positioned closer to the metal cathode. Measurement and modeling of time‐resolved electroluminescence show that the different roll‐off behavior is due to the different orientation and the corresponding change of the decay rate of the emissive dipoles of Ir(MDQ)2(acac) and Ir(ppy)3. Finally, design principles are developed for optimal high‐brightness performance by modeling the roll‐off as a function of emitter‐cathode distance, emissive dipole orientation, and radiative efficiency.
Polymer Blend Particles with Defined Compositions for Targeting Antigen to Both Class I and II Antigen Presentation Pathways
Authors: Tran Kenny K. , Zhan Xi , Shen Hong
Published: October 2013

Defense against many persistent and difficult‐to‐treat diseases requires a combination of humoral, CD4+, and CD8+ T‐cell responses, which necessitates targeting antigens to both class I and II antigen presentation pathways. In this study, polymer blend particles are developed by mixing two functionally unique polymers, poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) and a pH‐responsive polymer, poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate‐co‐propylacrylic acid‐co‐butyl methacrylate) (DMAEMA‐co‐PAA‐co‐BMA). Polymer blend particles are shown to enable the delivery of antigens into both class I and II antigen presentation pathways in vitro. Increasing the ratio of the pH‐responsive polymer in blend particles increases the degree of class I antigen presentation, while maintaining high levels of class II antigen presentation. In a mouse model, it is demonstrated that a significantly higher and sustained level of CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses, and comparable antibody responses, are elicited with polymer blend particles than PLGA particles and a conventional vaccine, Alum. The polymer blend particles offer a potential vaccine delivery platform to generate a combination of humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses that insure robust and long‐lasting immunity against many infectious diseases and cancers.
Nonlinear Optical Bioinspired Peptide Nanostructures
Authors: Handelman Amir , Lavrov Sergey , Kudryavtsev Andrei , Khatchatouriants Artium , Rosenberg Yuri , Mishina Elena , Rosenman Gil
Published: October 2013

A nonlinear optical effect of a second harmonic generation (SHG) was first observed in quartz and then found in many inorganic materials that have an asymmetric crystalline structure. Second‐order nonlinear responses were also found in organic and biomaterials and are exploited for fundamental studies of helical and chiral biological molecules, such as proteins and amyloid fibrils. Another class of biomaterials is man‐made bioinspired nanostructures, which are composed of chemically synthesized biomolecules and are self‐assembled into supramolecular nanofibrils. Most of these materials have an asymmetric crystalline structure and possess ferroelectric and related phenomena. Here, the SHG effect is studied in bio‐organic peptide nanostructures of different morphologies and symmetries. These nanostructures are self‐assembled in different solvents from peptide precursors with a variable number of phenylalanine (F) amino acid units. A pronounced SHG response is detected in FFF‐nanobelts, FF‐nanotubes, and FFF‐nanospheres. SHG and Raman spectroscopy studies during phase transformation in FF‐nanotubes allow the definition of the intermolecular bonds responsible for SHG. Using two‐photon optical microscopy, orientational molecular ordering in aligned peptide supramolecular structures is found by adapting a generic model developed earlier for diverse biological protein fibrils. Efficient optical frequency conversion from NIR to green and blue light is demonstrated, as well as an effect of nonlinear optical waveguiding. These results suggest these bioinspired nanostructures as promising for a new generation of nonlinear optical nanomaterias, which can be integrated into nanophotonic devices.
Visible Diffraction from Graphene and Its Application in Holograms
Authors: Butt Haider , Kidambi Piran R. , Dlubak Bruno , Montelongo Yunuen , Palani Ananta , Amaratunga Gehan A. J. , Hofmann Stephan , Wilkinson Timothy D.
Published: October 2013

A fundamental study of visible diffraction effects from patterned graphene layers is presented. By patterning graphene into optical gratings, visible diffraction from graphene is experimentally measured as a function of the number of layers and visible wavelengths. A practical application of these effects is also presented, by demonstrating an optical hologram based on graphene. A high resolution (pixel size 400 nm) intensity hologram is fabricated which, in response to incident laser light, generates a visible image. These findings suggest that visible diffraction in graphene can find practical application in holograms and should also be considered during the design and characterisation of graphene‐based optical applications.