bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Imaging of Strengthening Particles in Cr-V-Mo (13HMF) Steel Using FIB/SEM Tomography
Authors: Osuch Władysław , Kruk Adam , Michta Grzegorz , Czyrska-Filemonowicz Aleksandra
Published: March 2012

The electron tomography and transmission electron microscopy studies of the carbides in the 0.5Cr-0.5Mo-0.25V (13HMF) low-alloy steel after service during 160 000 h at 540 °C were carried out. Identification of the carbides was performed by means of electron diffraction analysis. Meso-scale tomography technique, mainly FIB/SEM tomography, was used for detailed characterization of spatial distribution and metrology of the carbides in 13HMF steel. The results achieved confirm the ability of FIB tomography to get 3D reconstruction of internal microstructure of steel as well as to obtain information about the shape and spatial distribution of carbides.
High Resolution EBSD/SEM Analysis of PLZT Ferroelectric Crystals in Low Vacuum Conditions - A few Practical Remarks
Authors: Berent Katarzyna , Faryna Marek
Published: March 2012

Modern scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) increase the ability to study a wide range of materials. Especially, an application of low vacuum conditions enables characterization of nonconductive samples without complicated preparation procedure. However, the operator must be aware of several problems he may encounter collecting electron diffractions in the SEM with variable pressure. The charge control and quality of the surface are the challenges when running experiments on insulators. Specimen charging obscures forward scatter electrons images and decreases the EBSD pattern quality making indexing difficult or even impossible. Another crucial question is how to limit the influence of so called "skirt effect" caused by ionization of gas molecules followed by electron beam broading above the sample. The influence of several important parameters (gas pressure, a type of gas, working distance and energy of electron beam) on the EBSD pattern quality must also be considered. When it is properly done, a coupling of crystallographic information with the chemical data obtained from Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) in the LV-SEM allows to perform phase identification of insulators. The paper presents some ideas how to deal with the (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O3 ceramics in high resolution Quanta 3D SEM (with thermally assisted Schottky type FEG) equipped with EDAX-TSL system in low vacuum environment. The problems occurring during EBSD analysis of the PLZT ceramics are discussed and some solutions are suggested. Paper summarizes the results obtained from PLZT ferroelectric ceramics in the low vacuum FEGSEM and shows how to optimise experimental parameters in order to achieve the best quality of orientation maps acquired from nonconductive samples.
BIOLOGY OF HUMAN MALARIA PLASMODIA INCLUDING PLASMODIUM KNOWLESI
Authors: Antinori Spinello , Galimberti Laura , Milazzo Laura , Corbellino Mario
Published: March 2012

Malaria is a vector-borne infection caused by unicellular parasite of the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodia are obligate intracellular parasites that in humans after a clinically silent replication phase in the liver are able to infect and replicate within the erythrocytes. Four species (P.falciparum, P.malariae, P.ovale and P.vivax) are traditionally recognized as responsible of natural infection in human beings but the recent upsurge of P.knowlesi malaria in South-East Asia has led clinicians to consider it as the fifth human malaria parasite. Recent studies in wild-living apes in Africa have revealed that P.falciparum, the most deadly form of human malaria, is not only human-host restricted as previously believed and its phylogenetic lineage is much more complex with new species identified in gorilla, bonobo and chimpanzee. Although less impressive, new data on biology of P.malariae, P.ovale and P.vivax are also emerging and will be briefly discussed in this review.
MIGRATION AND MALARIA IN EUROPE
Authors: Monge-Maillo Begoña , López-Vélez Rogelio
Published: March 2012

The proportion of imported malaria cases due to immigrants in Europe has increased during the lasts decades, being the higher rates for those settled immigrants who travel to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) at their country of origin. Cases are mainly due to P. falciparum and Sub-Saharan Africa is the most common origin. Clinically, malaria in immigrants is characterized by a mild clinical presentation with even asymptomatic o delayed malaria cases and low parasitemic level. These characteristics may be explained by a semi-immunity acquired after long periods of time exposed to stable transmission of malaria. Malaria cases among immigrants, even those asymptomatic patients with sub-microscopic parasitemia, could increase the risk of transmission and reintroduction of malaria in certain areas with the adequate vectors and climate conditions. Moreover imported malaria cases by immigrants can also play an important role in the non-vectorial transmission out of endemic area, by blood transfusions, organ transplantation or congenital or occupational exposures. Probably, out of endemic areas, screening of malaria among recent arrived immigrants coming from malaria endemic countries should be performed. These aim to reduce the risk of clinical malaria in the individual as well as to prevent autochthonous transmission of malaria in areas where it had been eradicated.
SHORT HISTORY OF MALARIA AND ITS ERADICATION IN ITALY
Authors: Majori Giancarlo
Published: March 2012

In Italy at the end of 19th Century, malaria cases amounted to 2 million with 15,000-20,000 deaths per year. Malignant tertian malaria was present in Central-Southern areas and in the islands. Early in the 20th Century, the most important act of the Italian Parliament was the approval of laws regulating the production and free distribution of quinine and the promotion of measures aiming at the reduction of the larval breeding places of Anopheline vectors. The contribution from the Italian School of Malariology (Camillo Golgi, Ettore Marchiafava, Angelo Celli, Giovanni Battista Grassi, Amico Bignami, Giuseppe Bastianelli) to the discovery of the transmission’s mechanism of malaria was fundamental in fostering the initiatives of the Parliament of the Italian Kingdom. A program of cooperation for malaria control in Italy, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation started in 1924, with the establishment of the Experimental Station in Rome, transformed in 1934 into the National Institute of Public Health. Alberto Missiroli, Director of the Laboratory of Malariology, conducted laboratory and field research, that with the advent of DDT brought to Italy by the Allies at the end of the World War II, allowed him to plan a national campaign victorious against the secular scourge.
Water-stable aggregates and their organic carbon distribution after five years of chemical fertilizer and manure treatments on eroded farmland of Chinese Mollisols
Authors: Sui Yue-yu , Jiao Xiao-guang , Liu Xiao-bing , Zhang Xing-yi , Ding Guang-wei
Published: March 2012

Sui, Y.-y., Jiao, X.-g., Liu, X.-b., Zhang, X.-y. and Ding, G.-w. 2012. Water-stable aggregates and their organic carbon distribution after five years of chemical fertilizer and manure treatments on eroded farmland of Chinese Mollisols. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 551–557. Water-stable aggregates are the foundation for both water and fertility conservation and nutrient release in the soil. We investigated the effects of 5 yr of different fertilizer treatments (chemical fertilizer and fertilizer+manure) on water-stable aggregates and their organic carbon distribution patterns within five different simulated erosion levels (removal of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm of topsoil) in an eroded Black soil of northeast China. Water-stable aggregates greater than 0.25 mm in size and aggregate-associated-carbon (AAC) contents in the aggregates were greater in the soils with fertilizer+manure application than those with chemical fertilizers alone. Both water-stable aggregates and AAC contents declined (P<0.05) gradually as soil removal depth increased. The decline in aggregates larger than 1 mm with increased erosion depth was greater in the fertilizer-only application than that in the fertilizer+manure application. The minimum value was found in the case of 30 cm topsoil removal under the fertilizer-only application. Significant correlations (P<0.05) between water-stable aggregates greater than 1 mm and soil organic carbon (SOC) were observed in the soil with fertilizer+manure application. A significant positive correlation was observed between SOC and all different aggregate classes with both chemical fertilizer and fertilizer+manure applications. AAC within large aggregates and SOC contents were significantly higher in the fertilizer+manure treatment than in the fertilizer-only treatment. The study shows that water-stable aggregates (>1 mm) can be used as an indicator in evaluating the influence of carbon transformation on soil quality. The increases in SOC by cattle manure application to eroded Black soil might be responsible for the larger size aggregate formation.
Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black soils in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Veenstra Jessica J. , Burras C. Lee
Published: March 2012

Veenstra, J. J. and Burras, C. L. 2012. Effects of agriculture on the classification of Black soils in the Midwestern United States. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 403–411. Soil surveys are generally treated as static documents. Many soil survey users assume that pedon data generated 30 to 50 yr ago still represents today's soil, as short-term changes in soil properties are perceived to be limited to the soil surface and thus pedologically insignificant. In this study, we re-sampled and re-analyzed 82 pedons with historical descriptions and laboratory data in Iowa, United States, to evaluate changes in soil profile properties and taxonomic classification after approximately 50 yr of agricultural land use. Using historical and current data, we classified sampled pedons using Canadian Soil Taxonomy, US Soil Taxonomy and the Food and Agriculture Association World Reference Base (FAO-WRB). Our results show that soil characteristics have changed significantly enough to change the classification. In each taxonomic system, the classification of 60% or more of the sampled pedons differed from the original. Classification of 15 to 32% of the sampled pedons changed at the Order (or equivalent) level with 11 to 33% of the pedons originally classified as Black soils – Mollisols, Chernozems or Phaeozems – no longer classified as Black soils. The change in soil classification over such a short-time period challenges the validity and usefulness of treating existing soil maps as static documents as well as traditional soil classification hierarchies.
Tillage and rotation effects on crop yield and profitability on a Black soil in northeast China
Authors: Fan Ruqin , Zhang Xiaoping , Liang Aizhen , Shi Xiuhuan , Chen Xuewen , Bao Kunshan , Yang Xueming , Jia Shuxia
Published: March 2012

Fan, R., Zhang, X., Liang, A., Shi, X., Chen, X., Bao, K., Yang, X. and Jia, S. 2012. Tillage and rotation effects on crop yield and profitability on a Black soil in northeast China. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 463–470. To evaluate the feasibility of no-tillage (NT) practices for Black soils (Mollisols) in northeast China, knowledge of the effects of different tillage and rotation combinations on crop yield and profitability is required. An 8-yr field experiment was conducted to investigate variation of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) yields and economic returns under NT, moldboard plow (MP) and ridge tillage (RT) combined with continuous corn (C-C-C), corn-soybean (C-S), and corn-corn-soybean (C-C-S) rotations. Under C-S rotation, corn and soybean yields were similar to or slightly higher in NT than in MP and RT; NT corn profitability was 15.9% higher than MP, and NT soybean profitability was even higher, 62.9 and 22.4% higher than MP and RT, respectively. There were no differences in crop yield and profitability between the C-C-S and C-C-C rotations. The C-S under NT produced better yield and profitability, particularly in dry years, than the C-C-C and C-C-S rotations. Accordingly, NT combined with C-S would be a good practice to increase crop yields and profitability for the Black soils in northeast China.
Corn root growth and nutrient accumulation improved by five years of repeated cattle manure addition to eroded Chinese Mollisols
Authors: Zhou Keqin , Liu Xiaobing , Zhang Xingyi , Sui Yueyu , Herbert S. J. , Xia Yongmao
Published: March 2012

Zhou, K., Liu, X., Zhang, X., Sui, Y., Herbert, S. J. and Xia, Y. 2012. Corn root growth and nutrient accumulation improved by five years of repeated cattle manure addition to eroded Chinese Mollisols. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 521–527. The use of fertilizers with additional cattle manure application on eroded soil has been reported to improve cereal yields. Limited research exists on the long-term effect of cattle manure on root growth and nutrient uptake by corn (Zea mays L.) grown on eroded soils. A field experiment was established in Hailun city, Northeast China to determine the impact of long-term cattle manure addition on corn production in eroded Mollisols. There were five levels of simulated-erosion, which removed 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 cm of topsoil. Two soil amendments were: (1) chemical fertilizer at the rate normally used by farmers in the region and (2) chemical fertilizer plus 15 000 kg ha−1 (dry weight basis) of cattle manure. Root growth (length, surface area and dry weight) was assessed at the three-leaf stage. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake and accumulation by corn were evaluated at the three-leaf stage and at harvest. Compared with chemical fertilizer alone, 5 yr of repeated cattle manure addition significantly increased root surface area by 18–35%, and root dry weight by 45–129% in soil with simulated-erosion. The improvement of root growth by manure application was mainly correlated with the changes in larger size aggregate. N content increased by 12–59%, P by 31–129%, and K by 297–494% in corn at the three-leaf stage, and the same trend was found at harvest. Long-term cattle manure addition increased corn yield by 7% in soils with 5 cm topsoil removal, and gave similar yields in soils with 10 and 20 cm topsoil removal as non-eroded plots receiving chemical fertilizer only. Our results suggest that the increased corn yield in manure-amended soils was related to greater N, P and K accumulation due to larger root surface area and biomass. Addition of cattle manure with chemical fertilizer would be a practical and effective approach to restore soil productivity and improve corn yields in eroded Chinese Mollisols.
Effects of moisture condition and freeze/thaw cycles on surface soil aggregate size distribution and stability
Authors: Wang Enheng , Cruse Richard M. , Chen Xiangwei , Daigh Aaron
Published: March 2012

Wang, E., Cruse, R. M., Chen, X. and Daigh, A. 2012. Effects of moisture condition and freeze/thaw cycles on surface soil aggregate size distribution and stability. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 529–536. Freeze/thaw cycles can affect soil aggregate stability, which in turn impacts wind and water erosion. The objectives of this laboratory study were: (1) to determine the effect of variable freeze/thaw cycles and soil water conditions on aggregate size distribution and stability; and (2) to evaluate differences in aggregate size distribution and stability between disturbed soil and undisturbed soil cores as affected by freeze/thaw cycles and soil water conditions. Surface soil was collected before freezing in late fall of 2009. Aggregates isolated from disturbed soil or intact soil cores were subjected to a factorial combination of 3 gravimetric water content treatments: 0.15 m3 m−3, 0.23 m3 m−3 or 0.30 m3 m−3, and 3 freeze/thaw treatments: 0, 3, or 9 cycles. A freeze/thaw cycle involved soil freezing at –10∘C for 24 h, followed by thawing at 5∘C for 24 h. Most aggregate size classes were affected significantly (P<0.05) by freeze/thaw cycles except for wet-sieved aggregates >5 mm. Dry-sieved aggregates were relatively more sensitive to the freeze/thaw treatment than wet-sieved aggregates. The mean weight diameter (MWD) of dry-sieved aggregates was significantly (P<0.05) greater at 0.30 m3 m−3 than 0.15 m3 m−3 water content, but the opposite trend was observed for MWD of wet aggregates and aggregate stability. There was a significant (P<0.05) response of the MWD in dry-sieved aggregates to the interactive freeze/thaw×water content effect that differed for aggregates obtained from disturbed soil and those in the undisturbed soil core, but not for the MWD of wet-sieved aggregates and aggregate stability.
Overview of Mollisols in the world: Distribution, land use and management
Authors: Liu Xiaobing , Lee Burras Charles , Kravchenko Yuri S. , Duran Artigas , Huffman Ted , Morras Hector , Studdert Guillermo , Zhang Xingyi , Cruse Richard M. , Yuan Xiaohui
Published: March 2012

Liu, X., Burras, C. L., Kravchenko, Y. S., Duran, A., Huffman, T., Morras, H., Studdert, G., Zhang, X., Cruse, R. M. and Yuan, X. 2012. Overview of Mollisols in the world: Distribution, land use and management. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 383–402. Mollisols – a.k.a., Black Soils or Prairie Soils – make up about 916 million ha, which is 7% of the world's ice-free land surface. Their distribution strongly correlates with native prairie ecosystems, but is not limited to them. They are most prevalent in the mid-latitudes of North America, Eurasia, and South America. In North America, they cover 200 million ha of the United States, more than 40 million ha of Canada and 50 million ha of Mexico. Across Eurasia they cover around 450 million ha, extending from the western 148 million ha in southern Russia and 34 million ha in Ukraine to the eastern 35 million ha in northeast China. They are common to South America's Argentina and Uruguay, covering about 89 million and 13 million ha, respectively. Mollisols are often recognized as inherently productive and fertile soils. They are extensively and intensively farmed, and increasingly dedicated to cereals production, which needs significant inputs of fertilizers and tillage. Mollisols are also important soils in pasture, range and forage systems. Thus, it is not surprising that these soils are prone to soil erosion, dehumification (loss of stable aggregates and organic matter) and are suffering from anthropogenic soil acidity. Therefore, soil scientists from all of the world's Mollisols regions are concerned about the sustainability of some of current trends in land use and agricultural practices. These same scientists recommend increasing the acreage under minimum or restricted tillage, returning plant residues and adding organic amendments such as animal manure to maintain or increase soil organic matter content, and more systematic use of chemical amendments such as agricultural limestone to replenish soil calcium reserves.
Twenty-five years of changes in soil cover on Canadian Chernozemic (Mollisol) soils, and the impact on the risk of soil degradation
Authors: Huffman T. , Coote D. R. , Green M.
Published: March 2012

Huffman, T., Coote, D. R. and Green, M. 2012. Twenty-five years of changes in soil cover on Canadian Chernozemic (Mollisol) soils, and the impact on the risk of soil degradation. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 471–479. Agricultural soils that are covered by vegetation or crop residue are less susceptible to degradation by wind and water erosion, organic matter depletion, structural degradation and declining fertility. In general, perennial crops, higher yields, reduced tillage and continuous cropping provide more soil cover than annual crops, lower yields, intensive tillage, residue harvesting and fallowing. This study presents a model for estimating the number of days in a year that the soil surface is protected and demonstrates its application on the Canadian prairies over the period from 1981 to 2006. Over the 25-yr study period, the average soil cover on Canadian prairie soils increased by 4.8% overall. The improvement came primarily as a result of widespread adoption of no-till and a decline in the use of summerfallow, but the gains were offset to a great deal by a shift from higher-cover crops such as wheat, oats and barley to more profitable but lower-cover crops such as canola, soybeans and potatoes. The implication of these trends is that, even though protection of prairie agricultural soils has improved over the past 25 yr, soil cover could decline dramatically over the next several decades if crop changes continue, the adoption of conservation tillage reaches a peak and residue harvesting for biofuels becomes more common.
Stereotypes, Stigma, and Mental Illness: Learning From Fieldwork Experiences
Authors: Lyons Michael , Ziviani Jenny
Published: March 2012

Objectives. A phenomenological study explored occupational therapy students’ experiences in psychiatric fieldwork. Of particular interest were students’ experiences with and perceptions of persons using psychiatric services.

Method. Data were gathered from 16 informants, via in-depth interviews and participant observation, on multiple occasions throughout the students’ fieldwork affiliations in hospital and community psychiatric service settings. Triangulation of data gathering methods and member checking were used to strengthen the interpretive validity of the study.

Results. Informants manifested stereotyped preconceptions and associated anxiety regarding persons labeled as mentally ill, though the strength of such beliefs and feelings was found to diminish as fieldwork progressed. Sensationalized popular images of mental illness (e.g., that it is linked with malevolence) and some aspects of academic and clinical education (e.g., a deficit focus) seemed to adversely affect students’ perceptions.

Conclusions. Assisting students to acquire a sound appreciation of the humanness of persons with psychiatric disorders is an educational imperative. There is a need to critically appraise academic and fieldwork practices in psychiatric occupational therapy.
Kinetic multi-layer model of gas-particle interactions in aerosols and clouds (KM-GAP): linking condensation, evaporation and chemical reactions of organics, oxidants and water
Authors: Shiraiwa M. , Pfrang C. , Koop T. , Pöschl U.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. We present a novel kinetic multi-layer model for gas-particle interactions in aerosols and clouds (KM-GAP) that treats explicitly all steps of mass transport and chemical reaction of semi-volatile species partitioning between gas phase, particle surface and particle bulk. KM-GAP is based on the PRA model framework (Pöschl-Rudich-Ammann, 2007), and it includes gas phase diffusion, reversible adsorption, surface reactions, bulk diffusion and reaction, as well as condensation, evaporation and heat transfer. The size change of atmospheric particles and the temporal evolution and spatial profile of the concentration of individual chemical species can be modeled along with gas uptake and accommodation coefficients. Depending on the complexity of the investigated system and the computational constraints, unlimited numbers of semi-volatile species, chemical reactions, and physical processes can be treated, and the model shall help to bridge gaps in the understanding and quantification of multiphase chemistry and microphysics in atmospheric aerosols and clouds. In this study we demonstrate how KM-GAP can be used to analyze, interpret and design experimental investigations of changes in particle size and chemical composition in response to condensation, evaporation, and chemical reaction. For the condensational growth of water droplets, our kinetic model results provide a direct link between laboratory observations and molecular dynamic simulations, confirming that the accommodation coefficient of water at ~270 K is close to unity (Winkler et al., 2006). Literature data on the evaporation of dioctyl phthalate as a function of particle size and time can be reproduced, and the model results suggest that changes in the experimental conditions like aerosol particle concentration and chamber geometry may influence the evaporation kinetics and can be optimized for efficient probing of specific physical effects and parameters. With regard to oxidative aging of organic aerosol particles, we illustrate how the formation and evaporation of volatile reaction products like nonanal can cause a decrease in the size of oleic acid particles exposed to ozone.
Temporal co-registration for TROPOMI cloud clearing
Authors: Genkova I. , Robaidek J. , Roebling R. , Sneep M. , Veefkind P.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) is anticipated to provide high-quality and timely global atmospheric composition information through observations of atmospheric constituents such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, formaldehyde and aerosol properties. The methane and the aerosol retrievals require very precise cloud clearing, which is difficult to achieve at the TROPOMI spatial resolution (7 by 7 km) and without thermal IR measurements. The TROPOMI carrier – the Sentinel 5 Precursor (S5P), does not include a cloud imager, thus it is planned to fly the S5P mission in a constellation with an instrument yielding an accurate cloud mask. The cloud imagery data will be provided by the US NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) mission, which will have the Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on board (Scalione, 2004). This paper investigates the temporal co-registration requirements for suitable time differences between the VIIRS measurements of clouds and the TROPOMI methane and aerosol measurements, so that the former could be used for cloud clearing. The temporal co-registration is studied using Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) data with 15 min temporal resolution (Veefkind, 2008b), and with data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – 10 (GOES-10) having 1 min temporal resolution. The aim is to understand and assess the relation between the amount of allowed cloud contamination and the required time difference between the two satellites' overflights. Quantitative analysis shows that a time difference of approximately 5 min is sufficient (in most conditions) to use the cloud information from the first instrument for cloud clearing in the retrievals using data from the second instrument. In recent years the A-train constellation demonstrated the benefit of flying satellites in formation. Therefore this study's findings will be useful for designing future Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.
Precipitation as the main driver of Neoglacial fluctuations of Gualas glacier, Northern Patagonian Icefield
Authors: Bertrand S. , Hughen K. A. , Lamy F. , Stuut J.-B. W. , Torrejón F. , Lange C. B.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Glaciers are frequently used as indicators of climate change. However, the link between past glacier fluctuations and climate variability is still highly debated. Here, we investigate the mid- to late-Holocene fluctuations of Gualas Glacier, one of the northernmost outlet glaciers of the Northern Patagonian Icefield, using a multi-proxy sedimentological and geochemical analysis of a 15 m long fjord sediment core from Golfo Elefantes, Chile, and historical documents from early Spanish explorers. Our results show that the core can be sub-divided into three main lithological units that were deposited under very different hydrodynamic conditions. Between 5400 and 4180 cal yr BP and after 750 cal yr BP, sedimentation in Golfo Elefantes was characterized by the rapid deposition of fine silt, most likely transported by fluvio-glacial processes. By contrast, the sediment deposited between 4130 and 850 cal yr BP is composed of poorly sorted sand that is free of shells. This interval is particularly marked by high magnetic susceptibility values and Zr concentrations, and likely reflects a major advance of Gualas glacier towards Golfo Elefantes during the Neoglaciation. Several thin silt layers observed in the upper part of the core are interpreted as secondary fluctuations of Gualas glacier during the Little Ice Age, in agreement with historical and dendrochronological data. Our interpretation of the Golfo Elefantes glaciomarine sediment record in terms of fluctuations of Gualas glacier is in excellent agreement with the glacier chronology proposed for the Southern Patagonian Icefield, which is based on terrestrial (moraine) deposits. By comparing our results with independent proxy records of precipitation and sea surface temperature, we suggest that the fluctuations of Gualas glacier during the last 5400 yr were mainly driven by changes in precipitation in the North Patagonian Andes.
Advancing data assimilation in operational hydrologic forecasting: progresses, challenges, and emerging opportunities
Authors: Liu Y. , Weerts A. H. , Clark M. , Hendricks Franssen H.-J. , Kumar S. , Moradkhani H. , Seo D.-J. , Schwanenberg D. , Smith P. , van Dijk A. I. J. M. , van Velzen N. , He M. , Lee H. , Noh S. J. , Rakovec O. , Restrepo P.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Data assimilation (DA) holds considerable potential for improving hydrologic predictions as demonstrated in numerous research studies. However, advances in hydrologic DA research have not been adequately or timely implemented into operational forecast systems to improve the skill of forecasts to better inform real-world decision making. This is due in part to a lack of mechanisms to properly quantify the uncertainty in observations and forecast models in real-time forecasting situations and to conduct the merging of data and models in a way that is adequately efficient and transparent to operational forecasters. The need for effective DA of useful hydrologic data into the forecast process has become increasingly recognized in recent years. This motivated a hydrologic DA workshop in Delft, The Netherlands in November 2010, which focused on advancing DA in operational hydrologic forecasting and water resources management. As an outcome of the workshop, this paper reviews, in relevant detail, the current status of DA applications in both hydrologic research and operational practices, and discusses the existing or potential hurdles and challenges in transitioning hydrologic DA research into cost-effective operational forecasting tools, as well as the potential pathways and newly emerging opportunities for overcoming these challenges. Several related aspects are discussed, including (1) theoretical or mathematical considerations in DA algorithms, (2) the estimation of different types of uncertainty, (3) new observations and their objective use in hydrologic DA, (4) the use of DA for real-time control of water resources systems, and (5) the development of community-based, generic DA tools for hydrologic applications. It is recommended that cost-effective transition of hydrologic DA from research to operations should be helped by developing community-based, generic modelling and DA tools or frameworks, and through fostering collaborative efforts among hydrologic modellers, DA developers, and operational forecasters.
Correcting the radar rainfall forcing of a hydrological model with data assimilation: application to flood forecasting in the Lez Catchment in Southern France
Authors: Harader E. , Borrell Estupina V. , Ricci S. , Coustau M. , Thual O. , Piacentini A. , Bouvier C.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. The present study explores the application of a data assimilation (DA) procedure to correct the radar rainfall inputs of an event-based, distributed, parsimonious hydrological model. A simplified Kalman filter algorithm was built on top of a rainfall-runoff model in order to assimilate discharge observations at the catchment outlet. The study site is the 114 km2 Lez Catchment near Montpellier, France. This catchment is subject to heavy orographic rainfall and characterized by a karstic geology, leading to flash flooding events. The hydrological model uses a derived version of the SCS method, combined with a Lag and Route transfer function. Because it depends on geographical features and cloud structures, the radar rainfall input to the model is particularily uncertain and results in significant errors in the simulated discharges. The DA analysis was applied to estimate a constant correction to each event hyetogram. The analysis was carried out for 19 events, in two different modes: re-analysis and pseudo-forecast. In both cases, it was shown that the reduction of the uncertainty in the rainfall data leads to a reduction of the error in the simulated discharge. The resulting correction of the radar rainfall data was then compared to the mean field bias (MFB), a corrective coefficient determined using ground rainfall measurements, which are more accurate than radar but have a decreased spatial resolution. It was shown that the radar rainfall corrected using DA leads to improved discharge simulations and Nash criteria compared to the MFB correction.
Use of a thermal imager for snow pit temperatures
Authors: Shea C. , Jamieson B. , Birkeland K. W.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Weak snow of interest to avalanche forecasting often forms and changes as thin layers. Thermometers, the current field technology for measuring the temperature gradients across such layers – and for thus estimating the expected vapour flux and future type of crystal metamorphism – are difficult to use at distances shorter than 1 cm. In contrast, a thermal imager can provide thousands of simultaneous temperature measurements across small distances with better accuracy. However, a thermal imager only senses the exposed surface, complicating its methods for access and accuracy of buried temperatures. This paper presents methods for exposing buried layers on pit walls and using a thermal imager to measure temperatures on these walls, correct for lens effects with snow, adjust temperature gradients, adjust time exposed, and calculate temperature gradients over millimetre distances. We find lens error on temperature gradients to be on the order of 0.03 °C between image centre and corners. We find temperature gradient change over time to usually decrease – as expected with atmospheric equalization as a strong effect. Case studies including thermal images and visual macro photographs of crystals, collected during the 2010–2011 winter, demonstrate large temperature differences over millimetre-scale distances that are consistent with observed kinetic metamorphism. Further study is needed to use absolute temperatures independently of supporting gradient data.
Evaluation of the Capability of the Multigrid Method in Speeding Up the Convergence of Iterative Methods
Authors: Harimi Iman , Saghafian Mohsen
Published: March 2012

The performance of the multigrid method and the effect of different grid levels on the convergence rate are evaluated. The two-, three-, and four-level V-cycle multigrid methods with the Gauss-Seidel iterative solver are employed for this purpose. The numerical solution of the one-dimensional Laplace equation with the Dirichlet boundary conditions is obtained using these methods. For the Laplace equation, a two-frequency function involving high- and low-frequency components is defined. It is observed that, however, the GS method can smooth out the high-frequency error components properly, but because the difference scheme for Laplace equation is remarkably concise, in the fine grids, a very large number of iterations are needed for extending the boundary conditions into the domain. Furthermore, the obtained results reveal that the number of necessary iterations for convergence is reduced considerably by employing the two-level multigrid algorithm. But increasing the number of levels of algorithm does not have any significant effect on the convergence rate in this study.
Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Injury-Related Chronic Pain
Authors: Stålnacke Britt-Marie
Published: March 2012

Background. Chronic injury-related pain could be influenced by psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress that also affect daily life. Methods. Patients with chronic pain caused by an injury () aged 18–65 years referred to the Pain Rehabilitation Clinic at the Umeå University Hospital answered a set of questionnaires to assess pain intensity, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Results. A significantly higher proportion of women (47.5%) reported depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD)) than men (22.2%). In all patients anxiety (HAD) was reported by 39.5% and moderate/severe posttraumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale) by 30.2%. A majority reported sleep disturbance (84.9%) and fatigue (90.7%). Significant relationships were found between posttraumatic stress and depression and anxiety. Conclusion. These findings indicate the importance of assessing and treating psychological symptoms associated with chronic pain as the result of trauma.
Natural History Observations on a Warty Frog: Callulina dawida (Amphibia: Brevicipitidae) in the Taita Hills, Kenya
Authors: Malonza Patrick K.
Published: March 2012

Amphibian populations are declining throughout the world, but most of the susceptible species possess particular biological attributes. Understanding these traits plus the environmental factors responsible for declines greatly aids conservation prioritization and planning. This paper examines the natural history observations and ecological characteristics of Callulina dawida, a frog endemic to the montane forests of the Taita Hills, Kenya. Sampling was accomplished by use of standardized pitfall trapping, transects, and time-limited searches. Mean monthly temperature and elevation significantly influenced the species distribution and abundance but mean monthly rainfall did not. The species was rare or absent during the cold season and its abundance increased with elevation. Breeding occurred during the long dry season (June to October) with juveniles being abundant between January and March. Available evidence shows that this species deposits a cluster of large yolk-rich eggs on the forest floor with maternal care and direct development. Its occurrence only within highly fragmented indigenous forests makes the species worth listing as critically endangered. To conserve this species, all remaining indigenous forest fragments including those communally or privately owned should be preserved and connected through planting of indigenous trees along stream valleys. In addition, the exotic tree plantations should be replaced with indigenous trees to restore the species habitat.
Vestibular Hearing and Neural Synchronization
Authors: Emami Seyede Faranak , Daneshi Ahmad
Published: March 2012

Objectives. Vestibular hearing as an auditory sensitivity of the saccule in the human ear is revealed by cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs). The range of the vestibular hearing lies in the low frequency. Also, the amplitude of an auditory brainstem response component depends on the amount of synchronized neural activity, and the auditory nerve fibers' responses have the best synchronization with the low frequency. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate correlation between vestibular hearing using cVEMPs and neural synchronization via slow wave Auditory Brainstem Responses (sABR). Study Design. This case-control survey was consisted of twenty-two dizzy patients, compared to twenty healthy controls. Methods. Intervention comprised of Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), Impedance acoustic metry (IA), Videonystagmography (VNG), fast wave ABR (fABR), sABR, and cVEMPs. Results. The affected ears of the dizzy patients had the abnormal findings of cVEMPs (insecure vestibular hearing) and the abnormal findings of sABR (decreased neural synchronization). Comparison of the cVEMPs at affected ears versus unaffected ears and the normal persons revealed significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion. Safe vestibular hearing was effective in the improvement of the neural synchronization.
Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene-Aluminum-Dross Composite
Authors: Adeosun S. O. , Usman M. A. , Ayoola W. A. , Sekunowo I. O.
Published: March 2012

Aluminum (Al) dross is a hazardous waste from the secondary smelting of aluminium industries, and safe disposal of this waste is a big challenge to these industries. Dumping of this waste is an environmental hazard to plants, animals, and even human beings. This study is aimed at improving the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) by adding Al dross in 2–50 wt% for particle sizes 53 μm and 150 μm. PP-Al-dross composite samples were cast, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS), impact resistance (IR), water absorption (WA), and density (D) tests were carried out. The results obtained show that UTS improved by 68% (at 15 wt% Al-dross addition), D increased by 54% (at 50 wt% Al-dross addition), and WA by 500% (at 8 wt% Al-dross addition) over the convectional PP. The impact resistance of the composite was found to be the same (68 J) with that of conventional PP at 15 wt% Al dross.
Performance Evaluation of a Low-Grade Low-Heat-Rejection Diesel
Engine with Crude Pongamia oil
Authors: Reddy Ch. Kesava , Krishna M. V. S. Murali , Murthy P. V. K. , Ratna Reddy T.
Published: March 2012

Investigations are carried out to evaluate the performance of a low heat rejection (LHR) diesel engine with ceramic coated cylinder head [ceramic coating of thickness 500 microns is done on inside portion of cylinder head] with different operating conditions [normal temperature and pre-heated temperature] of crude Pongamia oil (CPO) with varied injection pressure and injection timing. Performance parameters and pollution levels are determined at various magnitudes of brake mean effective pressure. Combustion characteristics at peak load operation of the engine are measured with special pressure-crank angle software package. Conventional engine (CE) showed deteriorated performance, while LHR engine showed improved performance with CPO operation at recommended injection timing and pressure and the performance of both version of the engine is improved with advanced injection timing and at higher injection pressure when compared with CE with pure diesel operation. The optimum injection timing is 31°bTDC for conventional engine while it is 29°bTDC with LHR engine with vegetable oil operation. Peak brake thermal efficiency increased by 5%, smoke levels decreased by 2% and NOx levels increased by 40% with CPO operation on LHR engine at its optimum injection timing, when compared with pure diesel operation on CE at manufacturer’s recommended injection timing.
Ctenodontina Enderlein, 1914 (Diptera, Asilidae, Asilinae): First Record for Brazil and Description of a New Species
Authors: Vieira Rodrigo
Published: March 2012

Ctenodontina Enderlein is reported for the first time in Brazil. A new species Ctenodontina nairae sp. nov. is described from the Amazonas state, Brazil. The habitus, wing, and structures of terminalia are described, and illustrated and a key to species is presented.
New Di- and Triorganotin(IV) Tyrosylalaninates as Models for
Metal—Protein Interactions: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Potentiometric Studies of Tyrosylalanine, Glycyltyrosine, and Glycylisoleucine with Di- and Trimethyltin(IV) Moieties in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Nath Mala , Sulaxna  , Song Xueqing , Eng George
Published: March 2012

Di- and triorganotin(IV) derivatives of tyrosylalanine (H2Tyr-Ala) with general formula R2Sn(Tyr-Ala) (where R = Me, n-Bu, n-Oct, and Ph) and R3Sn(HTyr-Ala) (where R = Me and Ph) have been synthesized and structurally characterized in the solid state as well as in solution on the basis of various spectroscopic techniques, namely. FT-IR, multinuclear (1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR and 119Sn Mössbauer. These investigations suggest that tyrosylalanine in R2Sn(Tyr-Ala) acts as dianionic tridentate ligand coordinating through carboxylate oxygen [–C(O)O−], amino (–NH2), and (CO)Npeptide- nitrogen, while in the case of R3Sn(HTyr-Ala), the ligand acts as monoanionic bidentate coordinating through –C(O)O− and –NH2, and the polyhedron around tin in R2Sn(Tyr-Ala) and R3Sn(HTyr-Ala) is a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal. Equilibrium (pH-metric) studies of the interaction of Me2Sn(IV)2+ and Me3Sn(IV)+ with dipeptides namely, tyrosylalanine (H2Tyr-Ala), glycyltyrosine (H2Gly-Tyr), and glycylisoleucine (H2Gly-Ile), in aqueous solution (I = 0.1 M KNO3, 298 K) have also been carried out. The concentration distribution of the various complex species in solution has been evaluated as a function of pH. It has been found that in these dipeptides, [–C(O)O−, N−, NH2] coordinated complexes are dominant in the neutral pH range with a trigonal-bipyramidal structure. The complex species formed are water soluble in the pH range 2.7–10.5. In all of the studied systems, no polymeric species have been detected in the experimental pH range. Beyond pH 8.0, significant amounts of hydroxo species, namely. Me3Sn(OH) and Me2Sn(OH)2, are formed.
Determination of Molecular Diameter by PVT
Authors: Moeini Vahid , Deilam Mehri
Published: March 2012

We derive an equation for calculation of molecular diameter of dense fluids, with using simultaneous Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential function and the internal pressure results. Considering the internal pressure by modeling the average configurational potential energy and then taking its derivative with respect to volume to a minimum point of potential energy has been shown that molecular diameter is function of the resultant of the forces of attraction and the forces of repulsion between the molecules in a fluid. The regularity is tested with experimental data for 10 fluids including Ar, N2, CO, CO2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, C6H6, and C6H5CH3. These problems have led us to try to establish a function for the accurate calculation of the molecular diameter based on the internal pressure theory for different fluids. The relationship appears to hold both compressed liquids and dense supercritical fluids.
Development of a Rapid and Precise Method of Digital Image Analysis to Quantify Canopy Density and Structural Complexity
Authors: Goodenough Anne E. , Goodenough Andrew S.
Published: March 2012

Estimation of canopy density is necessary for ecological research and woodland management. However, traditional manual methods are time consuming and subject to interobserver variability, while existing photographic methods usually require expensive fish-eye lenses and complex analysis. Here we introduce and test a new method of digital image analysis, CanopyDigi. This allows user-defined threshold to polarise the 256 grey shades of a standard monochrome bitmap into dark “canopy” and light “sky” pixels (the threshold being selected using false-colour images to ensure its suitability). Canopy density data are calculated automatically and rapidly, and, unlike many other common methods, aggregation data are obtainable using Morisita’s index to differentiate closed (diffuse light) and open (direct light) canopies. Results were highly repeatable in both homogeneous and heterogeneous woodland. Estimates correlated strongly with existing (nondigital) canopy techniques, but quicker and with significantly lower interobserver variability (CV = 3.74% versus 20.73%). We conclude that our new method is an inexpensive and precise technique for quantifying canopy density and aggregation.
Development of Film Dosage Form Containing Allopurinol for Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis
Authors: Murata Yoshifumi , Kofuji Kyoko , Nishida Norihisa , Kamaguchi Ryosei
Published: March 2012

Film dosage forms (FDs) containing allopurinol (AP) were prepared using a casting method with water-soluble polysaccharides, such as sodium alginate (ALG), and the release profile of AP from FDs was investigated in limited dissolution medium. Some ALGs were able to form FDs incorporating AP, and the thickness was about 50 μm. All FDs were easy to handle, though the rheological properties varied with ALG species. AP was homogenously present throughout the FDs and was released with disintegration in 10 mL of physiological saline. These results confirmed that FDs are useful for preventing or treating localized problems in the oral cavity, such as mucositis. FDs are also useful for administering drugs to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.