bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wet and dry deposition of mineral dust particles in Japan: factors related to temporal variation and spatial distribution
Authors: Osada K. , Ura S. , Kagawa M. , Mikami M. , Tanaka T. Y. , Matoba S. , Aoki K. , Shinoda M. , Kurosaki Y. , Hayashi M. , Shimizu A. , Uematsu M.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Data of temporal variations and spatial distributions of mineral dust deposition fluxes are very limited in terms of duration, location, and processes of deposition. To ascertain temporal variations and spatial distributions of mineral dust deposition by wet and dry processes, weekly deposition samples were obtained at Sapporo, Toyama, Nagoya, Tottori, Fukuoka, and Cape Hedo (Okinawa) in Japan during October 2008–December 2010 using automatic wet and dry separating samplers. Mineral dust weights in water-insoluble residue were estimated from Fe contents measured using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. For wet deposition, highest and lowest annual dust fluxes were found at Toyama (9.6 g m−2 yr−1) and at Cape Hedo (1.7 g m−2 yr−1) as average values in 2009 and 2010. Higher wet deposition fluxes were observed at Toyama and Tottori, where frequent precipitation (>60% days per month) was observed during dusty seasons. For dry deposition among Toyama, Tottori, Fukuoka, and Cape Hedo, the highest and lowest annual dust fluxes were found respectively at Fukuoka (5.2 g m−2 yr−1) and at Cape Hedo (2.0 g m−2 yr−1) as average values in 2009 and 2010. Although the seasonal tendency of the monthly dry deposition amount roughly resembled that of monthly days of Kosa dust events, the monthly amount of dry deposition was not proportional to monthly days of the events. Comparison of dry deposition fluxes with vertical distribution of dust particles deduced from Lidar data and coarse particle concentrations suggested that the maximum dust layer height or thickness is an important factor for controlling the dry deposition amount after long-range transport of dust particles. Size distributions of refractory dust particles were obtained using four-stage filtration: >20, >10, >5, and >1 μm diameter. Weight fractions of the sum of >20 μm and 10–20 μm (giant fraction) were higher than 50% for most of the event samples. Irrespective of the deposition type, the giant dust fractions were decreasing generally with increasing distance from the source area, suggesting the selective depletion of larger giant particles during atmospheric transport. Because giant dust particles are an important mass fraction of dust accumulation, especially in the north Pacific where is known as a high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) region, the transport height of giant dust particles is an important factor for studying dust budgets in the atmosphere and their role in biogeochemical cycles.
WRF-Chem simulations of a typical pre-monsoon dust storm in northern India: influences on aerosol optical properties and radiation budget
Authors: Kumar R. , Barth M. C. , Pfister G. G. , Naja M. , Brasseur G. P.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The impact of a typical pre-monsoon season (April–June) dust storm event on the regional aerosol optical properties and radiation budget in northern India is analyzed. The dust storm event lasted from 17 to 22 April 2010 and the WRF-Chem model estimated total dust emissions of 7.5 Tg over the model domain. Both in situ (AERONET) and satellite observations show significant increase (>50%) in local to regional scale aerosol optical depth (AOD) and decrease (>70%) in the Angström exponent (α) during this period. Amongst the AERONET sites in this region, Kanpur was influenced the most where the AOD reached up to 2.1 and the α decreased to −0.09 during the dust storm period. The WRF-Chem model reproduced the spatial and temporal distributions of dust plumes and aerosol optical properties but generally underestimated the AOD. The average MODIS and WRF-Chem AOD (550 nm) values in high dust laden region are estimated as 0.80 ± 0.30 and 0.68 ± 0.28, respectively. Model results show that dust particles cool the surface and the top of the atmosphere, and warm the atmosphere. The regionally averaged radiative perturbation due to dust aerosols is estimated as −2.0 ± 3.0 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere, 2.3 ± 1.8 W m−2 in the atmosphere and −4.4 ± 3.1 W m−2 at the surface. The impact of these radiative perturbations on the surface energy budget is estimated to be small on a regional scale but significant locally.
Evaluation of the warming structure in the Arctic
Authors: Chung C. E. , Cha H. , Vihma T. , Räisänen P.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. There has been growing interest in the vertical structure of the recent Arctic warming. We investigated temperatures at the surface, 925, 700, 500 and 300 hPa levels in the Arctic (north of 70° N) using observations and four reanalyses: ERA-Interim, CFSR, MERRA and NCEP II. For the period 1979–2011, the layers at 500 hPa and below show a~warming trend in all seasons in all the chosen reanalyses and observations. Restricting the analysis to the 1998–2011 period, however, all the reanalyses show a~cooling trend in the Arctic-mean 500 hPa temperature in autumn, and this also applies to both observations and the reanalyses when restricting the analysis to the locations with available IGRA radiosoundings. During this period, the surface observations mainly representing land areas surrounding the Arctic Ocean reveal no summer-time trend, in contrast with the reanalyses whether restricted to the locations of the available surface observations or not. In evaluating the reanalyses with observations, we find that the reanalyses agree better with each other at the available IGRA sounding locations than for the Arctic average, perhaps because the sounding observations were assimilated into reanalyses. Conversely, using the reanalysis data only from locations matching available surface (air) temperature observations does not improve the agreement between the reanalyses. At 925 hPa, CFSR deviates from the other three reanalyses especially in summer after 2000, and it also deviates more from the IGRA radiosoundings than the other reanalyses do. The CFSR error in summer T925 is due mainly to underestimations in the Canadian-Atlantic sector between 120° W and 0°. The other reanalyses also have negative biases in this longitude band.
Climate and air quality trade-offs in altering ship fuel sulfur content
Authors: Partanen A.-I. , Laakso A. , Schmidt A. , Kokkola H. , Kuokkanen T. , Pietikäinen J.-P. , Kerminen V.-M. , Lehtinen K. E. J. , Laakso L. , Korhonen H.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Aerosol particles from shipping emissions both cool the climate and cause adverse health effects. The cooling effect is, however, declining because of shipping emission controls aiming to improve air quality. We used an aerosol-climate model ECHAM-HAMMOZ to test whether by altering ship fuel sulfur content, the present-day aerosol-induced cooling effect from shipping could be preserved while at the same time reducing premature mortality rates related to shipping emissions. We compared the climate and health effects of a present-day shipping emission scenario with (1) a simulation with strict emission controls in the coastal waters (ship fuel sulfur content of 0.1%) and twofold ship fuel sulfur content compared to current global average of 2.7% elsewhere; and (2) a scenario with global strict shipping emission controls (ship fuel sulfur content of 0.1% in coastal waters and 0.5% elsewhere) roughly corresponding to international agreements to be enforced by the year 2020. Scenario 1 had a slightly stronger aerosol-induced radiative flux perturbation (RFP) from shipping than the present-day scenario (−0.43 W m−2 vs. −0.39 W m−2) while reducing premature mortality from shipping by 69% (globally 34 900 deaths avoided per year). Scenario 2 decreased the RFP to −0.06 W m−2 and annual deaths by 96% (globally 48 200 deaths avoided per year) compared to present-day. A small difference in radiative effect (global mean of 0.04 W m−2) in the coastal regions between Scenario 1 and the present-day scenario imply that shipping emission regulation in the existing emission control areas should not be removed in hope of climate cooling. Our results show that the cooling effect of present-day emissions could be retained with simultaneous notable improvements in air quality, even though the shipping emissions from the open ocean clearly have a significant effect on continental air quality. However, increasing ship fuel sulfur content in the open ocean would violate existing international treaties, could cause detrimental side-effects, and could be classified as geoengineering.
Application of mobile aerosol and trace gas measurements for the investigation of megacity air pollution emissions: the Paris metropolitan area
Authors: von der Weiden-Reinmüller S.-L. , Drewnick F. , Crippa M. , Prévôt A. S. H. , Meleux F. , Baltensperger U. , Beekmann M. , Borrmann S.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. For the investigation of megacity emission development and impact outside the source region mobile aerosol and trace gas measurements were carried out in the Paris metropolitan area between 1 July and 31 July 2009 (summer conditions) and 15 January and 15 February 2010 (winter conditions) in the framework of the European Union FP7 MEGAPOLI project. Two mobile laboratories, MoLa and MOSQUITA, were deployed, and here an overview of these measurements and an investigation of the applicability of such measurements for the analysis of megacity emissions are presented. Both laboratories measured physical and chemical properties of fine and ultrafine aerosol particles as well as gas phase constituents of relevance for urban pollution scenarios. The applied measurement strategies include cross section measurements for the investigation of plume structure and quasi-Lagrangian measurements radially away from the city center to study plume aging processes. Results of intercomparison measurements between the two mobile laboratories represent the adopted data quality assurance procedures. Most of the compared measurement devices show sufficient agreement for combined data analysis. For the removal of data contaminated by local pollution emissions a video tape analysis method was applied. Analysis tools like positive matrix factorization and peak integration by key analysis applied to high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer data are used for in-depth data analysis of the organic particulate matter. Several examples, including a combination of MoLa and MOSQUITA measurements on a cross section through the Paris emission plume are provided to demonstrate how such mobile measurements can be used to investigate the emissions of a megacity. A critical discussion of advantages and limitations of mobile measurements for the investigation of megacity emissions completes this work.
Evaluating terrestrial CO2 flux diagnoses and uncertainties from a simple land surface model and its residuals
Authors: Hilton T. W. , Davis K. J. , Keller K.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Global terrestrial atmosphere-ecosystem carbon dioxide fluxes are well-constrained by the concentration and isotopic composition of atmospheric carbon dioxide. In contrast, considerable uncertainty persists surrounding regional contributions to the net global flux as well as the impacts of atmospheric and biological processes that drive the net flux. These uncertainties severely limit our ability to make confident predictions of future terrestrial biological carbon fluxes. Here we use a simple light-use efficiency ecosystem model (the Vegetation Photosynthesis Respiration Model, VPRM) driven by remotely-sensed temperature, moisture, and phenology to diagnose North American gross ecosystem exchange (GEE), ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) for the period 2001 to 2006. We optimize VPRM parameters to eddy covariance (EC) NEE observations from 65 North American FluxNet sites. We use a separate set of 27 cross-validation FluxNet sites to evaluate a range of spatial and temporal resolutions for parameter estimation. With these results we demonstrate that different spatial and temporal groupings of EC sites for parameter estimation achieve similar sum of squared residuals values through radically different spatial patterns of NEE. We also derive a regression model to estimate observed VPRM errors as a function of VPRM NEE, temperature, and precipitation. Because this estimate is based on model-observation residuals it is comprehensive of all of the error sources present in modeled fluxes. We find that 1 km interannual variability in VPRM NEE is of similar magnitude to estimated 1 km VPRM NEE errors.
Bayesian calibration of a soil organic carbon model using Δ14C measurements of soil organic carbon and heterotrophic respiration as joint constraints
Authors: Ahrens B. , Reichstein M. , Borken W. , Muhr J. , Trumbore S. E. , Wutzler T.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Soils of temperate forests store significant amounts of organic matter and are considered to be net sinks of atmospheric CO2. Soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover has been studied using the Δ14C values of bulk SOC or different SOC fractions as observational constraints in SOC models. Further, the Δ14C values of CO2 evolved during the incubation of soil and roots have been widely used together with Δ14C of total soil respiration to partition soil respiration into heterotrophic respiration (HR) and rhizosphere respiration. However, these data have not been used as joint observational constraints to determine SOC turnover times. Thus, we focus on: (1) how different combinations of observational constraints help to narrow estimates of turnover times and other parameters of a simple two-pool model, ICBM; (2) if a multiple constraints approach allows determining whether the soil has been storing or losing SOC. To this end ICBM was adapted to model SOC and SO14C in parallel with litterfall and the Δ14C of litterfall as driving variables. The Δ14C of the atmosphere with its prominent bomb peak was used as a proxy for the Δ14C of litterfall. Data from three spruce dominated temperate forests in Germany and the USA (Coulissenhieb II, Solling D0 and Howland Tower site) were used to estimate the parameters of ICBM via Bayesian calibration. Key findings are: (1) the joint use of all 4 observational constraints (SOC stock and its Δ14C, HR flux and its Δ14C) helped to considerably narrow turnover times of the young pool (primarily by Δ14C of HR) and the old pool (primarily by Δ14C of SOC). Furthermore, the joint use all observational constraints allowed constraining the humification factor in ICBM, which describes the fraction of the annual outflux from the young pool that enters the old pool. The Bayesian parameter estimation yielded the following turnover times (mean ± standard deviation) for SOC in the young pool: Coulissenhieb II 1.7 ± 0.5 yr, Solling D0 5.7 ± 0.7 yr and Howland Tower 1.1 ± 0.5 yr. Turnover times for the old pool were 380 ± 61 yr (Coulissenhieb II), 137 ± 30 yr (Solling D0) and 188 ± 45 yr (Howland Tower), respectively. (2) At all three sites the multiple constraints approach was not able to determine if the soil has been losing or storing carbon. Nevertheless, the relaxed steady state assumption hardly introduced any additional uncertainty for the other parameter estimates. Overall the results suggest that using Δ14C data from more than one carbon pool or flux helps to better constrain SOC models.
Simulating the temperature and precipitation signal in an Alpine ice core
Authors: Brönnimann S. , Mariani I. , Schwikowski M. , Auchmann R. , Eichler A.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Accumulation and δ18O data from Alpine ice cores provide information on past temperature and precipitation. However, their correlation with seasonal or annual mean temperature and precipitation at nearby sites is often low. This is partly due to the irregular sampling of the atmosphere by the ice core (i.e. ice cores almost only record precipitation events and not dry periods) and the possible incongruity between annual layers and calendar years. Using daily meteorological data from a nearby station and reanalyses, we replicate the ice core from the Grenzgletscher (Switzerland, 4200 m a.s.l.) on a sample-by-sample basis by calculating precipitation-weighted temperature (PWT) over short intervals. Over the last 15 yr of the ice core record, accumulation and δ18O variations can be well reproduced on a sub-seasonal scale. This allows a wiggle-matching approach for defining quasi-annual layers, resulting in high correlations between measured quasi-annual δ18O and PWT. Further back in time, the agreement deteriorates. Nevertheless, we find significant correlations over the entire length of the record (1938–1993) of ice core δ18O with PWT, but not with annual mean temperature. This is due to the low correlations between PWT and annual mean temperature, a characteristic which in ERA-Interim reanalysis is also found for many other continental mid-to-high-latitude regions. The fact that meteorologically very different years can lead to similar combinations of PWT and accumulation poses limitations to the use of δ18O from Alpine ice cores for temperature reconstructions. Rather than for reconstructing annual mean temperature, δ18O from Alpine ice cores should be used to reconstruct PWT over quasi-annual periods. This variable is reproducible in reanalysis or climate model data and could thus be assimilated into conventional climate models.
Removal of paraquat pesticide with Fenton reaction in a pilot scale water system
Authors: Oliveira C. , Gruskevica K. , Juhna T. , Tihomirova K. , Alves A. , Madeira L. M.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Advanced oxidation processes, such as the Fenton's reagent, are powerful methods for decontamination of different environments from recalcitrant organics. In this work it was studied the degradation of paraquat pesticide (employing the commercial product gramoxone) directly inside the pipes of a pilot scale loop system; the effect of corroded cast iron pipe and loose deposits for catalysing the process was also evaluated. Results showed that complete degradation of paraquat ([PQ]0= 3.9 × 10−4 M, T = 20–30 °C, pH0 = 3, [H2O2]0 = 1.5 × 10−2 M and [Fe (II)] = 5.0 × 10−4 M,) was achieved within 8 h, either in lab scale or in the pilot loop. Complete PQ degradation was obtained at pH 3 whereas only 30% of PQ was degraded at pH 5 during 24 h. The installation of old cast iron segments with length from 0.5 to 14 m into PVC pipe loop system had a significant positive effect on degradation rate of PQ, even without addition of iron salt; the longer the iron pipes section, the fastest was the pesticide degradation. Addition of loose deposits (mostly corrosion products composed of goethite, magnetite and a hydrated phase of FeO) also catalysed the Fenton reaction due to presence of iron in the deposits. Moreover, gradual addition of hydrogen peroxide improved gramoxone degradation and mineralization. This study showed for the first time that is possible to achieve complete degradation of pesticides in situ of pipe water system and that deposits and corroded pipes catalyse oxidation of pesticides.
Sensitivities and uncertainties of modeled ground temperatures in mountain environments
Authors: Gubler S. , Endrizzi S. , Gruber S. , Purves R. S.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Model evaluation is often performed at few locations due to the lack of spatially distributed data. Since the quantification of model sensitivities and uncertainties can be performed independently from ground truth measurements, these analyses are suitable to test the influence of environmental variability on model evaluation. In this study, the sensitivities and uncertainties of a physically based mountain permafrost model are quantified within an artificial topography. The setting consists of different elevations and exposures combined with six ground types characterized by porosity and hydraulic properties. The analyses are performed for a combination of all factors, that allows for quantification of the variability of model sensitivities and uncertainties within a whole modeling domain. We found that model sensitivities and uncertainties vary strongly depending on different input factors such as topography or different soil types. The analysis shows that model evaluation performed at single locations may not be representative for the whole modeling domain. For example, the sensitivity of modeled mean annual ground temperature to ground albedo ranges between 0.5 and 4 °C depending on elevation, aspect and the ground type. South-exposed inclined locations are more sensitive to changes in ground albedo than north-exposed slopes since they receive more solar radiation. The sensitivity to ground albedo increases with decreasing elevation due to shorter duration of the snow cover. The sensitivity in the hydraulic properties changes considerably for different ground types: rock or clay, for instance, are not sensitive to uncertainties in the hydraulic properties, while for gravel or peat, accurate estimates of the hydraulic properties significantly improve modeled ground temperatures. The discretization of ground, snow and time have an impact on modeled mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) that cannot be neglected (more than 1 °C for several discretization parameters). We show that the temporal resolution should be at least 1 h to ensure errors less than 0.2 °C in modeled MAGT, and the uppermost ground layer should at most be 20 mm thick. Within the topographic setting, the total parametric output uncertainties expressed as the length of the 95% uncertainty interval of the Monte Carlo simulations range from 0.5 to 1.5 °C for clay and silt, and ranges from 0.5 to around 2.4 °C for peat, sand, gravel and rock. These uncertainties are comparable to the variability of ground surface temperatures measured within 10 m × 10 m grids in Switzerland. The increased uncertainties for sand, peat and gravel are largely due to their sensitivity to the hydraulic conductivity.
Hydro-climatological non-stationarity shifts patterns of nutrient delivery to an estuarine system
Authors: Ruibal-Conti A. L. , Summers R. , Weaver D. , Hipsey M. R.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The influence of hydro-climatological variability on catchment nutrient export was assessed by a retrospective analysis of rainfall, discharge, and total and dissolved nutrient loads for three sub-basins (Serpentine, Murray and Harvey) of the Peel–Harvey catchment, Western Australia. Both, temporal trends and their variability for different hydrological conditions (dry, normal or wet years) were analyzed from 1984 to 2011. Rainfall declined below median values for the study period over the last two decades and runoff decreased significantly in two of the three main rivers. Since Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) loads were strongly correlated with river discharge, nutrient exports decreased. However, when nutrient loads were flow-adjusted, increases in Total P (TP) and Total N (TN) were observed in the Serpentine and Murray rivers respectively, suggesting new sources of TP and TN and that the flow–export relationship is non-stationary. Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus (DIP), showed a decreasing tendency in the last decade; but the trend in DIN loads is not clear and it appears to show a decreasing trend until 2004 and an increasing trend from 2004, accompanied with large inter-annual variability. The analysis of TP, TN, DIP and DIN in relation to dry and wet years, indicated that there is a significantly higher load in wet years for all three rivers, except for DIP in the Murray sub-catchment, explained by a higher proportion of soils with a higher Phosphorus Retention Index (PRI). Hydrological conditions, specific sub-catchment characteristics (e.g. soil type) and chemical properties of the nutrients altered the degree of nutrient partitioning (defined as dissolved inorganic to total nutrient concentration). For example, DIP increased to more than 50% of TP in wet years in Harvey and Serpentine but not in the Murray sub-catchment due to a higher PRI, while DIN behaved more randomly and did not show a link to discharge or the catchment soil type. We also found a mild association between nutrient partitioning and the rate of population growth which indicates that rapid change in population growth is accompanied by an increase in nutrient dissolved species. Changes in hydrological conditions between seasons did result in changes in the TN : TP and DIN : DIP ratio, but on an annual scale these ratios were not sensitive to whether a year was classified as wet or dry. The findings indicate that the quantity and nature of nutrient export varies in response to climate variability, which is superimposed on effects from changing land-use characteristics.
China's water sustainability in the 21st century: a climate informed water risk assessment covering multi-sector water demands
Authors: Chen X. , Devineni N. , Lall U. , Hao Z. , Dong L. , Ju Q. , Wang J. , Wang S.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. China is facing a water resources crisis with growing concerns as to the reliable supply of water for agricultural, industrial and domestic needs. High inter-annual rainfall variability and increasing consumptive use across the country exacerbates the situation further and is a constraint on future development. For water sustainability, it is necessary to examine the differences in water demand and supply and their spatio-temporal distribution in order to quantify the dimensions of the water risk. Here, a detailed quantitative assessment of water risk as measured by the distribution of cumulated deficits for China is presented. Considering daily precipitation and temperature variability over fifty years and the current water demands, risk measures are developed to inform county level water deficits that account for both within year and across year variations in climate. We choose political rather than watershed boundaries since economic activity and water use are organized by county and the political process is best informed through that unit. The risk measures highlight North China Plain counties as highly water stressed. Regions with high water stress are typically the regions with high inter-annual variability in rainfall and now have depleted groundwater aquifers. The stress components due to agricultural, industrial and domestic water demands are illustrated separately to assess the vulnerability of particular sectors within the country to provide a basis for targeted policy analysis for reducing water stress.
On kinematics of very steep waves
Authors: Shemer L.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Experiments on extremely steep deterministic waves generated in a large wave tank by focusing of a broad-banded wave train serve as a motivation for the theoretical analysis of the conditions leading to wave breaking. Particular attention is given to the crest of the steepest wave where both the horizontal velocity and the vertical acceleration attain their maxima. Analysis is carried out up to the third order in wave steepness. The apparent, Eulerian and Lagrangian accelerations are computed for wave parameters observed in experiments. It is demonstrated that for a wave group with a wide spectrum, the crest propagation velocity differs significantly from both the phase and the group velocities of the peak wave. Conclusions are drawn regarding the applicability of various criteria for wave breaking.
QVAST: a new Quantum GIS plugin for estimating volcanic susceptibility
Authors: Bartolini S. , Cappello A. , Martí J. , Del Negro C.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. One of the most important tasks of modern volcanology is the construction of hazard maps simulating different eruptive scenarios that can be used in risk-based decision-making in land-use planning and emergency management. The first step in the quantitative assessment of volcanic hazards is the development of susceptibility maps, i.e. the spatial probability of a future vent opening given the past eruptive activity of a volcano. This challenging issue is generally tackled using probabilistic methods that use the calculation of a kernel function at each data location to estimate probability density functions (PDFs). The smoothness and the modeling ability of the kernel function are controlled by the smoothing parameter, also known as the bandwidth. Here we present a new tool, QVAST, part of the open-source Geographic Information System Quantum GIS, that is designed to create user-friendly quantitative assessments of volcanic susceptibility. QVAST allows to select an appropriate method for evaluating the bandwidth for the kernel function on the basis of the input parameters and the shapefile geometry, and can also evaluate the PDF with the Gaussian kernel. When different input datasets are available for the area, the total susceptibility map is obtained by assigning different weights to each of the PDFs, which are then combined via a weighted summation and modeled in a non-homogeneous Poisson process. The potential of QVAST, developed in a free and user-friendly environment, is here shown through its application in the volcanic fields of Lanzarote (Canary Islands) and La Garrotxa (NE Spain).
Structuring of turbulence and its impact on basic features of Ekman boundary layers
Authors: Esau I. , Davy R. , Outten S. , Tyuryakov S. , Zilitinkevich S.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The turbulent Ekman boundary layer (EBL) has been studied in a large number of theoretical, laboratory and modeling works since F. Nansen's observations during the Norwegian Polar Expedition 1893–1896. Nevertheless, the proposed analytical models, analysis of the EBL instabilities, and turbulence-resolving numerical simulations are not fully consistent. In particular, the role of turbulence self-organization into longitudinal roll vortices in the EBL and its dependence on the meridional component of the Coriolis force remain unclear. A new set of large-eddy simulations (LES) are presented in this study. LES were performed for eight different latitudes (from 1° N to 90° N) in the domain spanning 144 km in the meridional direction. Geostrophic winds from the west and from the east were used to drive the development of EBL turbulence. The emergence and growth of longitudinal rolls in the EBL was simulated. The simulated rolls are in good agreement with EBL stability analysis given in Dubos et al. (2008). The destruction of rolls in the westerly flow at low latitude was observed in simulations, which agrees well with the action of secondary instability on the rolls in the EBL. This study quantifies the effect of the meridional component of the Coriolis force and the effect of rolls in the EBL on the internal EBL parameters such as friction velocity, cross-isobaric angle, parameters of the EBL depth and resistance laws. A large impact of the roll development or destruction is found. The depth of the EBL in the westerly flow is about five times less than it is in the easterly flow at low latitudes. The EBL parameters, which depend on the depth, also exhibit large difference in these two types of the EBL. Thus, this study supports the need to include the horizontal component of the Coriolis force into theoretical constructions and parameterizations of the boundary layer in models.
Non-syndromic oral clefts and risk of cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Popoff Daniela Araújo Veloso , Coelho Mateus Prates , Martelli Daniella Reis Barbosa , Saini Rajiv , Coletta Ricardo Della , Martelli-Júnior Hercílio
Published: August 2013

Objective: To discuss the risk of cancer among relatives of individuals with cleft lip and palate (CL/P), as well as the risk of CL/P among relatives of individuals with cancer, since studies published currently have suggested  an increased risk of cancer among relatives of cleft individuals. Design: A systematic literature review was carried out in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration Group protocol, including literature search strategy, selection of papers through the inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction and quality assessment. PubMed, Scopus and ISI - Web of Science databases were systematically searched using the fallowing search strings: “cleft lip and palate” AND “cancer”, “oral clefts” AND “cancer” and “orofacial clefts” AND “cancer”. Results: From 653 studies accessed, 8 comprised the final sample: 6 investigating CL/P index cases and their family history of cancer and 2 investigating individuals with cancer and their family history for CL/P. The sample sizes were not homogeneous. Oral clefts, the type of cancer and the degree of kinship family were not categorized in all studies. Leukemia, breast cancer and colon cancer were the most cited types, even as first-and-second degree relatives. Conclusions: An increased risk of cancer among relatives of cleft individuals could not be entirely confirmed. However, studies with this specific purpose suggest that first-and-second degrees relatives of cleft individuals have some types of cancer more often than unexposed families, highlighting that future studies should expand their samples to investigate possible common molecular mechanisms that allow relating oral clefts and cancer.
Plant regeneration from petiole segments of some species in tissue culture
Authors: Klimaszewska Krystyna
Published: August 2013

The regeneration ability of 21 plant species belonging to 14 families was tested. The method of tissue culture in vitro was applied, on basic MS medium with an addition of growth regulators from the auxin and cytokinin groups. From among the investigated plant groups Peperomia scandens and Caladium × hortulanum were capable of plant regeneration, Passiilora coerulea regenerated shoots, Hedera helix, Begonia glabra, Coleus blumei, Fuchsia hybrida, Passiflora suberosa and Peperomia eburnea formed callus and roots, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Pelargonium grandiflorum, P. peltatum, P. radula, Coleus shirensis and Magnolia soulangeana produced callus, Philodendron scandens, Rhododendron smirnovii, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Coprosma baueri, Cestrum purpureum and Solanum rantonnetii did not exhibit any regeneration reactions.
Some genetic parameters of the spring wheat caryopsis characters
Authors: Kosina Romuald
Published: August 2013

Nineteen characters of the single caryopsis of many pure lines and their F2 generation hybrids of spring wheat were analyzed. A large differentiation of forms was ascertained. "Manitoba" cultivar, sphaerococcum and spelta forms, hybrids of durum forms, hybrids of spelta and sphaerococcum forms were foud to have the higest values of the DBC parameter. The characters were found to show a differentiated relative varirtion from a few to more than 100%. A great variation of F2 generation as well as transgressions of characters appeard more marked in hybrids between various subspecies than between varietes of one subspecies. A specific gravity of the caryopsis is marked by a high value of coefficients of heritability in broad sense. An influence of asymetry of distribution on the h2 value was stated. The distributions of characters with a deviation from normal curve are only leptokurtic. The heigh of endosperm cavity revealed the largest number of deviations characterized by asymmetry and kurtosis. These deviations appeared smaller in the distributions of homozygous forms than of herterozygous forms. The interspecies hybrids are marked by numerous genetic correlations in matrix of correlation coefficients than hybrids of less differentiated forms. Many reciprocal hybrids revelated a differentiation in the mean values of characters as well as in the range of transgession. These hybrids are similar to their maternal forms. A short consideration of an ideotype of wheat caryopsis was made.
Dormancy, flowering and sex expression in 20 olive cultivars (Olea europea L.) under Giza conditions
Authors: Hegazi E. S. , Stino G. R.
Published: August 2013

Olive cultivars differed significantly concerning the number of buds per shoot, percentage of burst buds, and floral buds borne on one-year-old shoot. Time of flowering varied in the cultivars studied differently in two successive years of investigation. It is uncertain whether chilling hours or the number of heat units influenced this phenomenon more. Sex expression depended as well on cultivar as on climatic conditions of the year.
The influence of indolebutyric acid, sampling-dates and juvenility on the rooting of filbert (Corylus sp.) cuttings
Authors: Piskornik Z. , Piskornik M. , Goc F.
Published: August 2013

Propagation of filberts (= hazelnuts) by cuttings taken from long shoots (adult cuttings) and offshoots (juvenile cuttings) was attempted. The influence of sampling-dates, source of cuttings and of application of indolebutyric acid (IBA) was investigated. The best results were obtained when cuttings were taken in June and treated with IBA (50 mg/l-1 for 18 h). Juvenile cuttings, obtained from offshoots rooted better than those from long shoots of the crown. The rootability of cuttings varied in the investigated filbert cultivars. The results suggest the possibility of propagating filbert by cuttings.
Influence of the kind and age of the inoculum on the development of rot caused by Penicillium expansum (Link) Thom on stored apples
Authors: Borecka H. , Bryk H.
Published: August 2013

The influence of the kind and age of the inoculum on development of rot on 'Bankroft' and 'Mcintosh' apples was tested. The inoculum consisted of spore suspension and disks of culture of Penicillium expansum (Link) Thorn. Spores were taken from cultures 3, 7, 14, 28 and 52 days old. Disks were prepared from 3- and 7-day-old cultures. The mother cultures in both cases were inoculated with spore suspensione from 7-day-old culture. The influence of the kind and age of cultures was significant, particularly after longer storage period. The rot developed faster after inoculation with the disks of culture than with the spore suspension. The speed of rot development on the four cvs of apples was compared; the rot developed fastest on 'Mcintosh'.
Effect of tomato post-harvest fungicide treatment and storage conditions on the quality of fruits, and biological value of tomato pulp and concentrated pulp
Authors: Parynow H. , Borecka H.
Published: August 2013

The influence of storage conditions on the quality of tomato fruits was tested. The rate of ripening was established in normal air, where tomatoes ripen quickly, under controlled atmosphere where they ripen more slowly and under low pressure, where they ripen slowest. The influence of post-harvest benomyl or methylthiophanate treatment on tomato rot, ripening, and biological value were examined. Post-harvest tomato treatment did not reduce fruit rot. The color of fruits and the processed products depended on the fungicide treatment. Concentrated tomato pulp made of fruits treated with methylthiophanate was redder than the others. The fungicide treatment increased or decreased the level of some chemical substances in the fruits in dependence on the applied fungicide, storage conditions and the length of storage, e.g. tomatoes treated with benomyl and stored for 14 days contained the highest level of vitamin C under 0% CO2:3%O2 and tomatoes treated with methylthiophanate contained the highest level of vitamin C under 38 mm Hg. Degradation of vitamin C in pulp was faster than in the concentrated pulp. Tomato pulp made of tomatoes treated with methylthiophanate contained the lowest level of vitamin C.
Effect of herbicides and various NPK dosage on ß-carotene content in the leaves of Vicia faba L. ssp. minor
Authors: Wójcik Wiesław , Sykut Anna
Published: August 2013

Effect of herbicides Afalon (linuron), Aretit (dinoseb acetate), Gesatop 50 (simazine) was tested concemitantly with two NPK fertilization levels (N - 0, P2O5 - 36 kg/ha, K2O - 60 kg/ha and N - 70 kg/ha, P2O5 - 72 kg/ha, K2O - 120 kg/ha) on the ß-carotene content of field bean leaves. The carotenoids content was determined by thin-layer chromatography on magnesium oxide in the system petroleum ether: acetone (88 : 12 v/v). An increase of ß-carotene content in the field bean leaves at the flower-bud formation stage was found, after application of above mentioned herbicides and high dosage NPK fertilization levels. No influence of herbicides and mineral fertilization on the (ß-carotene content in the plant leaves could be demonstrated at the full pods stage.
Effects of soil temperature and precipitation on nodulation intensity of some soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.) cultivars
Authors: Szyrmer Jerzy , Boros Lech
Published: August 2013

Root-nodule formation in soybean varieties from maturity groups: '00' and '0' was studied in 1976 - 1978. The highest number and dry weight of root nodules was found in variety 'Evans' while cultivar 'Altona' was the poorest in this respect. The differences found in the tested material were probably caused by the specific interaction between the plant genotype and the particular Rhizobium japonicum strains. The intensity of nodule formation was influenced by climatic conditions, particularly temperature and precipitation. However, temperature and precipitation studied separately showed little effect on nodule formation only the joint effect of both factors was significant as is shown by calculated correlation coefficients. Significant increase of both: nodule number and its dry weight was found during the second period of studies, e.g. durind the end of flowering.
Transfer by grafting of the effect of thermal induction of generative development in winter rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera L.)
Authors: Dubert Franciszek , Pieńkowski Sebastian , Filek Władysław
Published: August 2013

The feasibility was studied of transferring the flowering factor in winter rape from vernalized plants to plants in which generative development was not induced by cold treatment. In a series of grafts made under field conditions scions from non vernalized plants were grafted into stems of vernalized ones at the phase of bud and flower formation. Non vernalized scions adopted the ability to generative development from vernalized stock. The transfer of the flowering stimulus was more effective in the case of grafts performed at the top of cut off stems than in the case of scions grafted on the side of a stem. The activity of the flowering factor in vernalized plants was the highest at or just before the bud formation phase. The responsiveness to the flowering factor transferred from vernalized stock was highest in 60- to 80-day-old scions. Analysis of the effect of age of the stock on the duration of the particular generative phases in grafted scions indicates that in vernalized plants of winter rape there may be more than one transferable factor that enables full generative development.
Tests of biological activity of metabolites from Penicillium expansum (Link) Thom various isolates
Authors: Borecka Halina , Pytel Mariola , Fenney Marie
Published: August 2013

Aqrobacterium tumefaciens and cucumber, mustard and linseeds were compared as test organisms for evaluation of the biological activity of patulin. It was found that the reaction of cucumber seeds and linseed to the patulin concentrations was more pronounced than that of mustard and Aqrobacterium tumefaciens. The activity of metabolites produced by Penicillium expansum was investigated with the use of cucumber seeds. As measure of activity served the percentage of radicule growth inhibition was compared with the growth in control seeds. The biological activity of the metabolites was specific for the isolates, those from apples being more active. Thirty two isolates from pears and 34 from apples were examined.
Regeneration of some monocotyledonous plants from subterranean organs in vitro
Authors: Kromer Krystyna D.
Published: August 2013

The aim in view was investigation ofthe regenerative potential of rhizomes, bulbs and corms of ten monocotyledonous plant species from four families: Amaryllidaceae (Haemanthus katharinae, Crinum abyssinicum, Leucojum vernum), Araceae (Spathiphyllum wallisii), Iridaceae (Crocus vernus, Iris germanica), Liliaceae (Hosta lancifolia, Muscari racemosum, Scilla laxiflora, Veltheimia viridifolia) under conditions of in vitro culture. All the investigated species were capable of buld or, alternatively, bud and root regeneration. Different morphogenetic potential was noted between the particular families. A high regenerative potential under the conditions of culture applied was characteristic for plants of the Liliaceae and Araceae families, it was lower in plants belonging to Amaryllidaceae and lowest in those of the Iridaceae family. Plants from the Liliaceae family exhibited also the highest ability of callus formation, whereas Amaryllidaceae and Iridaceae plants possessed this ability in only a low degree. The influence of growth regulators of the auxin group (NAA, IAA, 2,4-D) and of cytokinins (K) on the initiation and course of organogenesis was tested. The results of the experiments indicate that auxins in interaction with kinetin gave the highest percentage of regenerating explants and also a large number of buds on the latter. Stimulation of callus tissue was highest under the influence of 2,4-D, and weaker when NAA IAA were used.
Potential natural vegetation as a basis of evaluation of the agricultural production conditions
Authors: Kozłowska Anna Barbara
Published: August 2013

Bioindicative value of potential natural vegetation was used in aim to evaluate conditions of agricultural production. Two maps from the south-east Poland in a scale 1 : 300 000 were compared. These were: the map of potential natural vegetation and the map of land capability units. Statisticaly significant correlation was found between phenomena presented on each of the maps. The unit of each of the maps was characterized in terms of the second map unit. Ecological amplitudes of the units of two typologies were determined. Legend symbols of both of the maps could be arranged in a consequent series. It resulted in the unequivocal division into groups of land use units connected with ecological and altitudional differentiation of the habitats. It enabled to evaluate agricultural production on a basis of data on potential natural vegetation, as well as, to describe potential plant community on the grounds of the map of land capability units. Conditions under which both soil-agricultural and potential-vegetation units could be fully parallelized were determined. Value of the map of potential natural vegetation as the grounds of evaluation of habitat potential independent of the land used is emphasized.
Imbibition and germination in the seeds of Glinus lotoides L.
Authors: Bhatia Ramesh C.
Published: August 2013

Imbibition in the seeds of Glinus lotoides L. varied under different temperatures. The optimum temperatures for imbibition and germination were different. Fifty-five percent imbibition was essential for germination and this capability was achieved by 12 weeks old seeds. With growing duration of dry storage, imbibition and germination increased, although germination declined on prolonged dry storage for over 36 weeks. A soil moisture of 50% was essential and 100% was optimal for germination. A correlation was found between imbibition and germination.
Nitrogen composition of bean cultivars grown for dry seeds
Authors: Kosson Ryszard , Bąkowski Józef
Published: August 2013

Polish bean cultivars grown for dry seeds were characterized in respect to total nitrogen content and protein nitrogen content, and were compared to foreign cultivars. The effect of two different regions of cultivation on total nitrogen content in seeds of some bean cultivars was evaluated also. Based on the differential solubility of bean proteins, the contents of albumins, globulins and other fractions in the seeds of six Polish bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus multiflorus), cultivated for dry seeds, were determined. It was found that the total nitrogen content in the seeds of Polish cultivars was lower on average, by 0.3% in comparision to foreign cultivars. Seeds of the same cultivar grown in 2 regions did not differ in total nitrogen content. The protein nitrogen content in seeds makes up 82.2% of total nitrogen and does not depend on the total nitrogen content in each cultivar. It was found that globulins made up on average 70% of the proteins in the investigated bean cultivars.