bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Productivity and Efficiency of Potato Production in Two Selected Areas of Bangladesh: A Translog Stochastic Frontier Analysis
Authors: Begum A , Imam MF , Alam MA
Published: November 2013

Some partial analyses were used to determine the productivity of potato production. The per hectare potato production of the farmers of Lalmonirhat Sadar and Aditmari Upazila were 19897.88 and 21208.47 kg respectively. The benefit-cost ratio in Lalmonirhat Sadar and Aditmari Upazila were 1.52 and 1.56 respectively. The coefficient of farm size was positively significant in Aditmari in the inefficiency effect model, which meant large farmer was economically less efficient than small farmer. The sign of education was negative and significant, which indicates that inefficiency decreases with the increase of education in Aditmari Upazila. The economic efficiency varied from 81 to 99% at aggregate level, 97 to 99% in Lalmonirhat Sadar and 72 to 99% in Aditmari Upazila. The mean economic efficiencies were 98, 97 and 96% for Lalmonirhat Sadar, Aditmari Upazila and at aggregate, level respectively. There appeared to be 2, 3 and 4% economic inefficiencies for Lalmonirhat Sadar, Aditmari and all regions, respectively. This indicates that the cost of production could be reduced on an average by 4% keeping the output constant at the aggregate level.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v21i1-2.16780 Progress. Agric. 21(1 & 2): 233 - 245, 2010
The National Association of Dance and Mime Animateurs (1986–9): A Community of Practice
Authors: Stevens Jayne
Published: November 2013

The Foundation for Community Dance is the national lead body for community dance in the UK. It has been at the forefront of the development of community dance in Britain continuously for over twenty five years. It began, in 1986, as the National Association of Dance and Mime Animateurs (NADMA). This professional association of dance practitioners (referred to at the time as animateurs) sought to raise awareness of a newly identified profession and provide a forum for the dissemination of the forms, working processes and techniques needed to work successfully in community settings. This paper seeks to instigate a critical assessment of NADMA's work by considering it in relation to theoretical debates concerning cultural provision and pedagogic practice of the time and, subsequently, to the theory of communities of practice. The paper considers the cultural and educational policy contexts within which the dance animateurs, who formed and ran the association, worked. This helps explain the multiple demands and tensions, inherent in the cultural and pedagogic politics of the time, to which the profession was subject. The paper suggests that these were ultimately managed through the cooperative and collective working of NADMA members. In the five years following NADMA's formation some key parameters for dance development in Britain were established. The paper suggests that NADMA made a significant contribution to such development by helping to create a more integrated, adaptable dance profession and an infrastructure for participatory dance that pre-figured the national dance agency network of the 1990s.
Physicochemical, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Chitosan Films Incorporated with Carvacrol
Authors: López-Mata Marco , Ruiz-Cruz Saul , Silva-Beltrán Norma , Ornelas-Paz José , Zamudio-Flores Paul , Burruel-Ibarra Silvia
Published: November 2013

Chitosan films (CF) with carvacrol (CAR) [0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% v/v] were prepared by the emulsion method. The retained CAR, water solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), optical, mechanical properties, antibacterial and antioxidant capacity of films were analyzed. The results indicate that the retention of CAR in the CF was ≈50%. The incorporation of CAR to CF decreased the water solubility, the WVP, the yellowing and transparency and the tensile strength, but increased the stiffness. Microcapsules with diameters of 2 to 7 µm were found on the surface CF-CAR. The CF-CAR with highest CAR concentrations showed antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7. The CF-CAR had higher antioxidant capacity and an increased protective effect against oxidation of erythrocytes in different grades. These results suggest potential applications of CF-CAR as active packaging to preserve food products.
Selective Oxidation Reactions of Natural Compounds with Hydrogen Peroxide Mediated by Methyltrioxorhenium
Authors: Amato Maria , Ballistreri Francesco , Pappalardo Andrea , Tomaselli Gaetano , Toscano Rosa , Sfrazzetto Giuseppe
Published: November 2013

We have investigated the oxidative behaviour of natural compounds such as methyl abietate (1), farnesyl acetate (2), α-ionone (3), β-ionone (4), methyl linolelaidate (5), methyl linolenate (6) and bergamottin (7) with the oxidant system methyltrioxo-rhenium/ H2O2/pyridine. The reactions, performed in CH2Cl2/H2O at 25 °C, have shown good regio- and stereoselectivity. The oxidation products were isolated by HPLC or silica gel chromatography and characterized by MS(EI), 1H-, 13C-NMR, APT, gCOSY, HSQC, TOCSY and NOESY measurements. The selectivity seems to be controlled by the nucleophilicity of double bonds and by stereoelectronic and steric effects.
Sensitivity Characteristic Analysis of Adsorbent-Mixed Carbon Nanotube Sensors for the Detection of SF6 Decomposition Products under PD Conditions
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxing , Luo Chenchen , Tang Ju
Published: November 2013

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas decomposition results from the energy produced by partial discharge (PD). The detection of SO2 and H2S content, as important characteristic components of the decomposition products, is significant in the determination of the insulation level of SF6 gas and the inside insulation faults of gas-insulated equipment. A number of gas sensors use carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, the applications of these sensors are limited by their low intrinsic sensitivity. In this paper, an adsorbent-mixed carbon nanotube gas sensor is proposed to improve the detection of SO2 and H2S concentrations. The sensitivity of adsorbent-mixed carbon nanotube gas sensors to SO2 and H2S at 100 ppm was investigated experimentally. The effect of the mixing ratio on the gas sensitivity characteristic and mechanism of response was also studied. The results show that compared with intrinsic CNTs gas sensors, the gas sensor featuring adsorbent-mixed CNTs has significantly higher sensitivity and responsiveness to SO2 and H2S. The resistance-change rate of SO2 and H2S increased to 33.7% and 50.9% from 0.96% and 12.9%, respectively. Moreover, the resistance-change rate and gas concentration satisfy a linear relationship. The sensor has good repeatability and stability.
Multiple Solutions to Implicit Symmetric Boundary Value Problems for Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs): Equivariant Degree Approach
Authors: Balanov Zalman , Krawcewicz Wieslaw , Li Zhichao , Nguyen Mylinh
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we develop a general framework for studying Dirichlet Boundary Value Problems (BVP) for second order symmetric implicit differential systems satisfying the Hartman-Nagumo conditions, as well as a certain non-expandability condition. The main result, obtained by means of the equivariant degree theory, establishes the existence of multiple solutions together with a complete description of their symmetric properties. The abstract result is supported by a concrete example of an implicit system respecting D4-symmetries.
Nuclear SSR markers for Miscanthus, Saccharum, and related grasses (Saccharinae, Poaceae)
Authors: Hodkinson Trevor R. , de Cesare Mariateresa , Barth Susanne
Published: November 2013

• Premise of the study: We developed nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for the characterization of the biomass crop Miscanthus, especially M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis, and M. ×giganteus, and tested for cross‐species amplification.

• Methods and Results: Twenty‐nine SSR markers (di‐ and tetranucleotide repeats) were developed from DNA sequences obtained from 192 clones from an enriched genomic library of M. sinensis. All markers were successfully amplified in M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis, and M. ×giganteus, and 19 amplified across a broad range of Miscanthus species. Polymorphism information content and expected heterozygosity values (19 locus sample) were 0.88 and 0.89, respectively, for M. sinensis, 0.48 and 0.54 for M. sacchariflorus, and were the lowest in M. ×giganteus (0.33, 0.41). Thirteen out of 19 primer pairs showed cross‐species amplification in non‐Miscanthus sensu stricto taxa.

• Conclusions: The new set of 29 SSR markers will be of high value for characterizing Miscanthus germplasm collections, for prebreeding, and for assessing variation in natural populations.
De la nécessité et des raisons de déconstruire... la « notion » fourre-tout de maltraitance
Authors: Villa François
Published: November 2013

L’auteur déconstruit la notion de maltraitance en montrant qu’il s’agit bien plus d’un objet social que d’un objet de la psychopathologie. Il se demande si ce phénomène social ne relèverait pas davantage d’une psychologie de la foule que d’une analyse du moi.
Quel usage du diagnostic pour le psychologue clinicien ?
Authors: Grollier Michel , Doucet Caroline
Published: November 2013

La question du diagnostic concerne directement le psychologue dans sa pratique clinique. Nous verrons que la dimension du diagnostic renvoie à des choix théoriques et pratiques et ne peut se réduire à un idéal scientifique. Dans sa pratique, le psychologue ne peut négliger cette dimension diagnostique, mais il ne doit pas non plus s’y arrêter. En s’orientant de la psychanalyse, c’est la question de l’acte qui l’interpelle au premier point. Avec deux cas nous verrons ce qui relativise cette dimension diagnostique, dans un au-delà et dans un en deçà.
Robes, défilés et dérobades
Authors: Beillard-Robert Ludivine
Published: November 2013

La psychanalyse ne se risqua que frileusement à soulever la question de la robe, se réduisant à son tissu comme recouvrement du corps féminin, osant l’allusion à la robe comme seconde peau, ou à sa danse pulsionnelle avec la mode. Cette frilosité aurait-elle à voir avec la fonction vestimentaire elle-même, ou plutôt avec le lien incontour­nable qu’elle tisse avec la féminité ? Là où Freud faisait de la femme un « continent noir », il aura fallu attendre les travaux de Lacan pour que la question de la féminité outrepasse sa dimension subversive. Mais la robe, objet phare de la vie d’une femme, ne serait-elle pas restée pendue au vestiaire avec la multitude des futilités que l’on prête aux femmes ? Ou serait-ce que la robe recouvre l’épineuse rencontre avec la castration ? Pourrions-nous imaginer une reformulation enrobée de la question « Que veut une femme ? » en un « Que soulève la robe ? » Là est notre propos. Il s’agira d’analyser la fonction recouverte par la robe dans le champ psychanalytique, tant du point de vue de la femme qui la porte que de l’autre qui la regarde.
De l'angoisse dans les psychoses
Authors: Brémaud Nicolas
Published: November 2013

L’angoisse est trans-structurale ; elle est pour tout parlêtre . Ses manifestations diffèrent d’un sujet à l’autre, et diffèrent très nettement dans les cas de névroses ou dans les cas de psychoses. Pour autant, existe-t-il une angoisse spécifiquement psychotique ? L’angoisse permet-elle un repérage quant à la question diagnostique ? Il s’agira ici de dépasser la phénoménologie de l’angoisse pour en interroger sa structure. Le parcours conceptuel que nous proposons prend son point de départ dans la définition freudienne de l’angoisse comme affect . Nous verrons ensuite que l’angoisse – en tant qu’angoisse de castration – présente un lien radical avec l’objet perdu, donc avec un manque. Chez le psychotique, qui n’a pas perdu l’objet, l’angoisse vient prendre une forme bien particulière. Le manque de ce manque y entraîne l’échec de la construction du fantasme fondamental, d’où un rapport direct du sujet avec l’objet de jouissance. Les conséquences de cet échec sont importantes : la réalité distordue n’est pas cadrée, les semblants y font défaut, de sorte que le sujet se trouve davantage confronté au réel qu’à la réalité. Du fait que l’angoisse est intimement liée à la castration symbolique on abordera la question de la signification phallique, du signifiant phallique – innommable – et des rapports du sujet psychotique quant au sexe, à la sexuation, et au désir de l’Autre. On verra quelle indication clinique découle de cette conception de l’angoisse dans la psychose.
The cuckoo wrasse, Labrus mixtus (Pisces: Labridae): biological indices for life history and conservation
Authors: Matić-Skoko Sanja , Bojanić Varezić Dubravka , Šiljić Jasna , Tutman Pero , Pallaoro Armin
Published: November 2013

The cuckoo wrasse, Labrus mixtus, is widely distributed in the moderate warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. Generally, labrids are small inshore coastal species susceptible to anthropogenic habitat degradation and, although without commercial importance, they make up a significant part of the by-catch and discard. Also, these fishes are intensively caught in recreational and subsistence fisheries. Basic biological information is required for their stock assessment and conservation. Studies of the age, growth, reproduction and feeding of L. mixtus have not been undertaken previously in the Adriatic Sea. The observed maximum age of the cuckoo wrasse was 10 years, although most of the sampled fish were 7 years old. The estimated parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model suggested that the growth of L. mixtus was relatively fast in the first four years of life. L. mixtus is a protogynous hermaphrodite and sex change occurred at 26 cm, while the greatest increase in gonadosomatic index in April confirmed spring as the spawning period. The cuckoo wrasse is an opportunistic predator, feeding primarily on crustaceans, gastropods and fishes. The information provided on biological indices is necessary for life history pathways and future conservation measures of this population in the Adriatic Sea.
Cultural-Pedagogical Norms in Iranian Virtual Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Masoumi Davoud , Lindström Berner
Published: November 2013

By discussing the cultural-pedagogically inscribed norms, this chapter argues that, regarding the design and implementation of e-learning from the perspective of globalization, it is critically important to recognize, understand, and thus take into account cultural situatedness. Such cultural-pedagogical norms are often taken for granted in educational settings. Drawing on the literature, this study presents a model of cultural-pedagogical paradigms in higher education in general and e-learning in particular. The authors use this model to explore cultural-pedagogical orientations in Iranian virtual institutions as an instance of a developing country. This is done from a comparative perspective, looking to the similarities and differences of teachers’ and learners’ points of view.
Streptococcus pyogenes aortic aneurysm infection: forgotten but not gone
Authors: Gardiner Bradley J. , Wong Joy , Yii Ming , Buckenham Timothy , Korman Tony M.
Published: November 2013

Historically, Streptococcus pyogenes was a common cause of endocarditis and infected aortic aneurysm. Today, endovascular infections due to this organism have become exceedingly rare. We report the first case of aortic aneurysm infection due to S. pyogenes treated with initial endoluminal repair, review previous reports and discuss current treatment options.
Retroperitoneal Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy and Partial Nephrectomy
Authors: Nezakatzgoo Nosratollah , Colli Janet , Mutter Matthew , Aranmolate Sheg , Wake Robert
Published: November 2013

The purpose of the present paper is to describe our technique and experience with retroperitoneal hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) nephrectomies as an alternative to the transperitoneal approach. Eight retroperitoneal HAL nephrectomies and one partial nephrectomy were performed. Several excisional techniques were employed incorporating the Harmonic scalpel or Ligasure device. Hemostatic agents were used to cover the renal defect. Surgical bolsters were sutured to the renal capsule with pleget reinforcements to aid in hemostasis. The average operative time was 210 min and estimated blood loss 110 mL. Mean change in hematocrit was 3 units and creatinine was 1 point. No patient required a transfusion. There were no major complications, with a mean follow-up of fourteen months. On average, patients resumed oral intake in 2 days, and were discharged in 3 days. Pathological examination revealed that two lesions were benign and seven malignant. Tumor diameter averaged 3 cm. There were no positive surgical margins. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the feasibility of retroperitoneal laparoscopic hand-assisted nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy surgery for solid renal masses.
Quaternary geology, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Authors: Grant D R
Published: November 2013

Tertiary planation and uplift exhumed two unconformities (paleoplains) and produced two peneplains into which Quaternary glaciation excavated submarine basins and channels. The last interglaciation deposited organic beds and cut an intertidal rock bench and
littoral gravel, now emerged 2-7 m. The nonglacial period spanned 126-47 ka BP according to 30 Th/U and 14C wood ages at 16 sites. Two temperate cycles climaxed 125 and 86 ka BP and are correlated to oxygen isotope substages 5e and 5a; the first had hardwood forest reflecting a warmer than present
climate; the second had boreal forest like today. Early-Middle Wisconsinan time is recorded by three tundra/boreal forest alternations, reflecting climatic deterioration until Wisconsinan glaciers arrived 62-47 ka BP. Several ice flow phases left crosscutting striations, superimposed drumlins and
fluting, and three main till sheets of differing lithology, colour, texture, and provenance. An ice cap began on the highlands, then an ice sheet from mainland Nova Scotia advanced eastward and deposited a red foreign till on the lowlands. South-flowing regional ice (Laurentide?) crossed the island;
it was cold-based on the highlands and preserved preglacial soil and landforms. Weathered striations beneath fresh till suggest an ice free interval. A northward flow from Scotian Shelf which introduced shell fragments may have signalled an ice rise, a flow reversal due to drawdown, or a new ice
dome on the emergent shelf. The ice divide shifted onshore forming a Bras d'Or Lake centre. Gulf of St. Lawrence ice on the west coast dammed lakes that drained northward. Climatic cooling 11-10 ka caused glacial readvance and renewed solifluction. Highland ice lasted until 8-9 ka and Neoglacial
cirque glaciers may have formed. Neotectonics tilted the bench southward and displaced it 15 m at Aspy Fault. Submerged features, geodetic relevelling, and tide gauging show a relative sea level rise of 20-70 cm/100 a due glacial forebulge collapse. Unstable slopes have landslides and sagging
cliffs.
Elements of the universe in Philo’s De Vita Mosis: Cosmological theology or theological cosmology?
Authors: Steyn Gert J.
Published: November 2013

It is the intention of this article to investigate how Philo’s understanding of the universe, and particularly its four basic elements as taught by the Greek philosophers, influenced his description of the God of Israel’s world in which the Moses narrative unfolds. Given the fact that Philo was a theologian par excellence, the question can be asked whether Philo’s approach is closer to what one might call ‘theological cosmology’ or rather closer to ‘cosmological theology’? After a brief survey of Philo’s inclination to interpret Jewish history in the light of Greek cosmology, the study proceeds with his universe as symbolised in the high priest’s vestments. The τετρακτύς with its 10 points of harmony is a key to Philo’s symbolism and numerology. The article concludes that Philo is not writing cosmology per se in his De Vita Mosis, but he is rather writing a theology that sketches the cosmic superiority and involvement of Israel’s God against the backdrop of Greek cosmology as it was influenced by Pythagoras’ geometry and numerology as well as by Plato’s philosophy. In this sense his account in the De Vita Mosis is closer to a cosmological theology. He utilises the cosmological picture of the Greco-Hellenistic world in order to introduce and present the powerful nature and qualities of Israel’s God.Hierdie artikel het ten doel om ondersoek in te stel na Philo se begrip van die heelal en veral die vier basiese elemente soos dit deur die Griekse filosowe geleer is. Dit het verder ten doel om vas te stel tot watter mate hierdie denke sy beskrywing van die God van Israel se wêreld, waarbinne die Moses-vertelling ontvou, beïnvloed het. Gegewe die feit dat Philo ’n teoloog par excellence is, kan die vraag gevra word of Philo se benadering nader is aan wat ’n mens ’n ‘teologiese kosmologie’ kan noem, of eerder nader aan ’n ‘kosmologiese teologie’ is? Na ’n kort oorsig oor Philo se neiging om die Joodse geskiedenis in die lig van die Griekse kosmologie te interpreteer, analiseer die artikel Philo se heelal soos dit gesimboliseer word in die hoëpriester se klere. Die τετρακτύς met sy 10 punte van harmonie is ’n sleutel tot Philo se simboliek en numerologie. Die artikel kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat Philo nie kosmologie per se in sy De Vita Mosis beskryf nie, maar eerder ’n teologie wat die kosmiese superioriteit en betrokkenheid van Israel se God skets teen die agtergrond van Griekse kosmologie soos dit deur Pythagoras se geometrie en numerologie sowel as deur Plato se filosofie beïnvloed is. In hierdie opsig is sy weergawe in die De Vita Mosis nader aan ’n kosmologiese teologie. Hy maak gebruik van die kosmologiese beeld van die Grieks-Hellenistiese wêreld ten einde die kragtige aard en eienskappe van Israel se God voor te stel en aan te bied.
Impact of Implementation and Conduct of the HEALTHY Primary Prevention Trial on Student Performance
Authors: Hernandez Arthur E. , Marcus Marsha D. , Hirst Kathryn , Faith Myles S. , Goldberg Linn , Treviño Roberto P.
Published: November 2013

Purpose.

To determine whether a school-wide intervention program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) affected student achievement, rates of disciplinary actions, and attendance rates.

Design.

The HEALTHY primary prevention trial was designed to evaluate a comprehensive school-based intervention to reduce factors for T2D, especially overweight and obesity. Students were followed up from beginning of sixth grade (Fall 2006) through end of eighth grade (Spring 2009).

Setting.

Forty-two middle schools at seven U.S. sites.

Subjects.

Schools were randomized in equal numbers at each site to intervention (21 schools, 2307 students) or control (21 schools, 2296 students).

Intervention.

An integrated school-wide program that focused on (1) foods and beverages, (2) physical education, (3) classroom-based behavior change and education, and (4) social marketing communication and promotional campaigns.

Measures.

Aggregate (grade- and school-wide) test performance (passing rate), attendance, and referrals for disciplinary actions.

Analysis.

Descriptive statistics and tests of intervention versus control using mixed linear models methods to adjust for the clustering of students within schools.

Results.

There were no differences between intervention and control schools in test performance for mathematics (p = .7835) or reading (p = .6387), attendance (p = .5819), or referrals for disciplinary action (p = .8671).

Conclusion.

The comprehensive HEALTHY intervention and associated research procedures did not negatively impact student achievement test scores, attendance, or referrals for disciplinary action.
Home Lighting Assessment for Clients With Low Vision
Authors: Perlmutter Monica S. , Bhorade Anjali , Gordon Mae , Hollingsworth Holly , Engsberg Jack E. , Baum M. Carolyn
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to develop an objective, comprehensive, near-task home lighting assessment for older adults with low vision.

METHOD. A home lighting assessment was developed and tested with older adults with low vision. Interrater and test–retest reliability studies were conducted. Clinical utility was assessed by occupational therapists with expertise in low vision rehabilitation.

RESULTS. Interrater reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .83–1.0). Test–retest reliability was moderate (ICC = .67). Responses to a Clinical Utility Feedback Form developed for this study indicated that the Home Environment Lighting Assessment (HELA) has strong clinical utility.

CONCLUSION. The HELA provides a structured tool to describe the quantitative and qualitative aspects of home lighting environments where near tasks are performed and can be used to plan lighting interventions. The HELA has the potential to affect assessment and intervention practices of rehabilitation professionals in the area of low vision and improve near-task performance of people with low vision.
Model analyses of atmospheric mercury: present air quality and effects of transpacific transport on the United States
Authors: Lei H. , Liang X.-Z. , Wuebbles D. J. , Tao Z.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric mercury is a toxic air and water pollutant that is of significant concern because of its effects on human health and ecosystems. A mechanistic representation of the atmospheric mercury cycle is developed for the state-of-the-art global climate-chemistry model, CAM-Chem (Community Atmospheric Model with Chemistry). The model simulates the emission, transport, transformation and deposition of atmospheric mercury (Hg) in three forms: elemental mercury (Hg(0)), reactive mercury (Hg(II)), and particulate mercury (PHg). Emissions of mercury include those from human, land, ocean, biomass burning and volcano related sources. Land emissions are calculated based on surface solar radiation flux and skin temperature. A simplified air–sea mercury exchange scheme is used to calculate emissions from the oceans. The chemistry mechanism includes the oxidation of Hg(0) in gaseous phase by ozone with temperature dependence, OH, H2O2 and chlorine. Aqueous chemistry includes both oxidation and reduction of Hg(0). Transport and deposition of mercury species are calculated through adapting the original formulations in CAM-Chem. The CAM-Chem model with mercury is driven by present meteorology to simulate the present mercury air quality during the 1999–2001 period. The resulting surface concentrations of total gaseous mercury (TGM) are then compared with the observations from worldwide sites. Simulated wet depositions of mercury over the continental United States are compared to the observations from 26 Mercury Deposition Network stations to test the wet deposition simulations. The evaluations of gaseous concentrations and wet deposition confirm a strong capability for the CAM-Chem mercury mechanism to simulate the atmospheric mercury cycle. The general reproduction of global TGM concentrations and the overestimation on South Africa indicate that model simulations of TGM are seriously affected by emissions. The comparison to wet deposition indicates that wet deposition patterns of mercury are more affected by the spatial variability of precipitation. The sensitivity experiments show that 22% of total mercury deposition and 25% of TGM concentrations in the United States result from domestic anthropogenic sources, but only 9% of total mercury deposition and 7% of TGM concentrations are contributed by transpacific transport. However, the contributions of domestic and transpacific sources on the western United States levels of mercury are of comparable magnitude.
Observations of filamentary structures near the vortex edge in the Arctic winter lower stratosphere
Authors: Kalicinsky C. , Grooß J.-U. , Günther G. , Ungermann J. , Blank J. , Höfer S. , Hoffmann L. , Knieling P. , Olschewski F. , Spang R. , Stroh F. , Riese M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The CRISTA-NF (Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescope for the Atmosphere – New Frontiers) instrument is an airborne infrared limb sounder operated aboard the Russian research aircraft M55-Geophysica. The instrument successfully participated in a large Arctic aircraft campaign within the RECONCILE (Reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interactions) project in Kiruna (Sweden) from January to March 2010. This paper concentrates on the measurements taken during one flight of the campaign, which took place on 2 March in the vicinity of the polar vortex. We present two-dimensional cross-sections of derived volume mixing ratios for the trace gases CFC-11, O3, and ClONO2 with an unprecedented vertical resolution of about 500 to 600 m for a large part of the observed altitude range (≈ 6–19 km) and a dense horizontal sampling along flight direction of ≈ 15 km. The trace gas distributions show several structures, for example a part of the polar vortex and a vortex filament, which can be identified by means of O3–CFC-11 tracer–tracer correlations. The observations made during this flight are interpreted using the chemistry and transport model CLaMS (Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere). Comparisons of the observations with the model results are used to assess the performance of the model with respect to advection, mixing, and the chemistry in the polar vortex. These comparisons confirm the capability of CLaMS to reproduce even very small-scale structures in the atmosphere, which partly have a vertical extent of only 1 km. Based on the good agreement between simulation and observation, we use artificial (passive) tracers, which represent different air mass origins (e.g. vortex, tropics), to further analyse the CRISTA-NF observations in terms of the composition of air mass origins. These passive tracers clearly illustrate the observation of filamentary structures that include tropical air masses. A characteristic of the Arctic winter 2009/10 was a sudden stratospheric warming in December that led to a split of the polar vortex. The vortex re-established at the end of December. Our passive tracer simulations suggest that large parts of the re-established vortex consisted to about 45% of high- and mid-latitude air.
Combined impacts of current and future dust deposition and regional warming on Colorado River Basin snow dynamics and hydrology
Authors: Deems J. S. , Painter T. H. , Barsugli J. J. , Belnap J. , Udall B.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven western states and two countries and to 5.5 million irrigated acres. The river has long been overallocated. Climate models project runoff losses of 5–20% from the basin by mid-21st century due to human-induced climate change. Recent work has shown that decreased snow albedo from anthropogenic dust loading to the CO mountains shortens the duration of snow cover by several weeks relative to conditions prior to western expansion of the US in the mid-1800s, and advances peak runoff at Lees Ferry, Arizona, by an average of 3 weeks. Increases in evapotranspiration from earlier exposure of soils and germination of plants have been estimated to decrease annual runoff by more than 1.0 billion cubic meters, or ~5% of the annual average. This prior work was based on observed dust loadings during 2005–2008; however, 2009 and 2010 saw unprecedented levels of dust loading on snowpacks in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), being on the order of 5 times the 2005–2008 loading. Building on our prior work, we developed a new snow albedo decay parameterization based on observations in 2009/10 to mimic the radiative forcing of extreme dust deposition. We convolve low, moderate, and extreme dust/snow albedos with both historic climate forcing and two future climate scenarios via a delta method perturbation of historic records. Compared to moderate dust, extreme dust absorbs 2× to 4× the solar radiation, and shifts peak snowmelt an additional 3 weeks earlier to a total of 6 weeks earlier than pre-disturbance. The extreme dust scenario reduces annual flow volume an additional 1% (6% compared to pre-disturbance), a smaller difference than from low to moderate dust scenarios due to melt season shifting into a season of lower evaporative demand. The sensitivity of flow timing to dust radiative forcing of snow albedo is maintained under future climate scenarios, but the sensitivity of flow volume reductions decreases with increased climate forcing. These results have implications for water management and suggest that dust abatement efforts could be an important component of any climate adaptation strategies in the UCRB.
Cold fronts in the Colombian Caribbean Sea and their relationship to extreme wave events
Authors: Ortiz-Royero J. C. , Otero L. J. , Restrepo J. C. , Ruiz J. , Cadena M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Extreme ocean waves in the Caribbean Sea are commonly related to the effects of storms and hurricanes during the months of June through November. The collapse of 200 m of the Puerto Colombia pier in March 2009 revealed the effects of meteorological phenomena other than storms and hurricanes that may be influencing the extreme wave regime in the Colombian Caribbean. The marked seasonality of these atmospheric fronts was established by analyzing the meteorological–marine reports of the Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales of Colombia (IDEAM, based on its initials in Spanish) and the Centro de Investigación en Oceanografía y Meteorología of Colombia (CIOH, based on its initials in Spanish) during the last 16 yr. The highest number of cold fronts was observed during the months of January, February, and March, with 6 fronts occurring per year. An annual trend was observed and the highest number of fronts occurred in 2010 (20 in total); moreover, an annual strong relationship between the maximum average wave values and the cold fronts in the central zone of the Colombian Caribbean during the first three months of the year was established. In addition, the maximum values of the significant height produced by the passage of cold fronts during the last 16 yr were identified. Although the Colombian Caribbean has been affected by storms and hurricanes in the past, this research allows us to conclude that there is a strong relationship between cold fronts and the largest waves in the Colombian Caribbean during the last 16 yr, which have caused damage to coastal infrastructure. We verified that the passage of a cold front corresponded to the most significant extreme wave event of the last two decades in the Colombian Caribbean, which caused the structural collapse of the Puerto Colombia pier, located near the city of Barranquilla, between 5 and 10 March 2009. This information is invaluable when evaluating average and extreme wave regimes for the purpose of informing the design of structures in this region of the Caribbean.
The "Shackleton Site" (IODP Site U1385) on the Iberian Margin
Authors: Hodell D. A. , Lourens L. , Stow D. A. V. , Hernández-Molina J. , Alvarez Zarikian C. A. ,   the Shackleton Site Project Members
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Nick Shackleton's research on piston cores from the Iberian margin highlighted the importance of this region for providing high-fidelity records of millennial-scale climate variability, and for correlating climate events from the marine environment to polar ice cores and European terrestrial sequences. During the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 339, we sought to extend the Iberian margin sediment record by drilling with the D/V JOIDES Resolution. Five holes were cored at Site U1385 using the advanced piston corer (APC) system to a maximum depth of ~155.9 m below sea floor (m b.s.f.). Immediately after the expedition, cores from all holes were analyzed by core scanning X-ray fluorescence (XRF) at 1 cm spatial resolution. Ca/Ti data were used to accurately correlate from hole-to-hole and construct a composite spliced section, containing no gaps or disturbed intervals to 166.5 m composite depth (mcd). A low-resolution (20 cm sample spacing) oxygen isotope record confirms that Site U1385 contains a continuous record of hemipelagic sedimentation from the Holocene to 1.43 Ma (Marine Isotope Stage 46). The sediment profile at Site U1385 extends across the middle Pleistocene transition (MPT) with sedimentation rates averaging ~10 cm kyr−1. Strong precession cycles in colour and elemental XRF signals provide a powerful tool for developing an orbitally tuned reference timescale. Site U1385 is likely to become an important type section for marine–ice–terrestrial core correlations and the study of orbital- and millennial-scale climate variability.
Scientific drilling and the evolution of the earth system: climate, biota, biogeochemistry and extreme systems
Authors: Soreghan G. S. , Cohen A. S.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. A US National Science Foundation-funded workshop occurred 17–19 May 2013 at the University of Oklahoma to stimulate research using continental scientific drilling to explore earth's sedimentary, paleobiological and biogeochemical record. Participants submitted 3-page "pre-proposals" to highlight projects that envisioned using drill-core studies to address scientific issues in paleobiology, paleoclimatology, stratigraphy and biogeochemistry, and to identify locations where key questions can best be addressed. The workshop was also intended to encourage US scientists to take advantage of the exceptional capacity of unweathered, continuous core records to answer important questions in the history of earth's sedimentary, biogeochemical and paleobiologic systems. Introductory talks on drilling and coring methods, plus best practices in core handling and curation, opened the workshop to enable all to understand the opportunities and challenges presented by scientific drilling. Participants worked in thematic breakout sessions to consider questions to be addressed using drill cores related to glacial–interglacial and icehouse–greenhouse transitions, records of evolutionary events and extinctions, records of major biogeochemical events in the oceans, reorganization of earth's atmosphere, Lagerstätte and exceptional fossil biota, records of vegetation–landscape change, and special sampling requirements, contamination, and coring tool concerns for paleobiology, geochemistry, geochronology, and stratigraphy–sedimentology studies. Closing discussions at the workshop focused on the role drilling can play in studying overarching science questions about the evolution of the earth system. The key theme, holding the most impact in terms of societal relevance, is understanding how climate transitions have driven biotic change, and the role of pristine, stratigraphically continuous cores in advancing our understanding of this linkage. Scientific drilling, and particularly drilling applied to continental targets, provides unique opportunities to obtain continuous and unaltered material for increasingly sophisticated analyses, tapping the entire geologic record (extending through the Archean), and probing the full dynamic range of climate change and its impact on biotic history.
Changing basal conditions during the speed-up of Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland
Authors: Habermann M. , Truffer M. , Maxwell D.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Ice-sheet outlet glaciers can undergo dynamic changes such as the rapid speed-up of Jakobshavn Isbræ following the disintegration of its floating ice tongue. These changes are associated with stress changes on the boundary of the ice mass. We invert for basal conditions from surface velocity data throughout a well-observed period of rapid change and evaluate parameterizations currently used in ice-sheet models. A Tikhonov inverse method with a shallow-shelf approximation forward model is used for diagnostic inversions for the years 1985, 2000, 2005, 2006 and 2008. Our ice-softness, model norm, and regularization parameter choices are justified using the data-model misfit metric and the L curve method. The sensitivity of the inversion results to these parameter choices is explored. We find a lowering of effective basal yield stress in the first 7 km upstream from the 2008 grounding line and no significant changes higher upstream. The temporal evolution in the fast flow area is in broad agreement with a Mohr–Coulomb parameterization of basal shear stress, but with a till friction angle much lower than has been measured for till samples. The lowering of effective basal yield stress is significant within the uncertainties of the inversion, but it cannot be ruled out that there are other significant contributors to the acceleration of the glacier.
Prevalence of Duodenal Diverticulum in South Indians: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Sakthivel Sulochana , Kannaiyan Kavitha , Thiagarajan Sivakami
Published: November 2013

Background. Duodenum is the second most common site of diverticula after the colon. Diagnosis of duodenal diverticula is incidental and found during other therapeutic procedures. In 90% of cases, they are asymptomatic, and less than 10% develop clinical symptoms. The difficulty to ascertain the true incidence of duodenal diverticula demanded for the present study to elucidate the prevalence of the duodenal diverticulum in South Indians. Materials and Methods. One hundred and twenty specimens of duodenum were utilized for the study. The prevalence, anatomical location, and dimension of duodenal diverticulum were studied. Results. Among the 120 specimens of duodenum, five specimens had solitary, extraluminal, and globular-shaped diverticula in the medial wall of the duodenum. In three (60%) cases, it was found in the second part of duodenum and in two (40%) cases in the third part. The mean size of the diverticula was 1.4 cm. Conclusion. In the present study in South Indian people, the prevalence (4.2%) of duodenal diverticula is low comparable to other studies in the literature. Even though most of the duodenal diverticula are asymptomatic, the knowledge about its frequency and location is of great importance to prevent complications like diverticulitis, hemorrhage, obstructive jaundice, and perforation.
Comparison of different mulch materials in a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop
Authors: Moreno M. M. , Moreno A. , Mancebo I.
Published: November 2013

Black polyethylene as mulch is the most extended material among vegetable growers; however, photodegradable and biodegradable films have appeared as an alternative to conventional mulches due to the risk of the progressive contamination of soils. Reflective materials reflect back most of the incoming solar radiation, being recommended in areas characterized by high soil temperatures. We compared the effect of three mulches, black polyethylene, black biodegradable corn starch plastic and aluminized photodegradable plastic on a tomato crop in an open field.We measured mulch deterioration, soil temperature under mulches, tomato yield and fruit quality attributes (total soluble solids, firmness, dry weight, juice content and shape). Biodegradable mulch performed its function successfully and disappeared visually from the soil about three months after the crop was finished. Photodegradable mulch deteriorated prematurely and polyethylene film was practically intact at the end of season. Significant differences in mean soil temperature under mulches were observed (27.8ºC in biodegradable, 28.7ºC in aluminized and 31.8ºC in polyethylene), although they did not have a marked effect on the crop yield. Marketable yields were similar in both biodegradable and polyethylene mulches (9.82 and 8.66 kg m-2, respectively), and higher than those recorded in aluminized photodegradable mulch (6.85 kg m-2), which resulted in the highest sunscald in fruits. No effect on the fruit quality attributes was observed. Biodegradable plastic mulches could be a good alternative to the traditional plastic films, and aluminized photodegradable mulches seem not very advisable because they reduce marketable yield and could increase the incidence of sunscald.
Effects of N fertilisation, year and prolamin alleles on gluten quality in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. turgidum) landraces from Spain
Authors: Aguiriano E. , Ruiz M. , Fité R. , Carrillo J.M.
Published: November 2013

A subset of durum wheat Spanish landraces, previously evaluated for yield at low and high nitrogen (N) levels, was analysed for quality, protein content (P) and sodium dodecyl sulphate sedimentation (SDSS) test. The evaluation was carried out at the two N rates and in two years. The influence of prolamin alleles at the Glu-1, Glu-3, Glu-B2 and Gli-1 loci on quality parameters was also studied. The non significant Variety-by-Year or Variety-by-N interactions suggested that year and N affected all the varieties in a similar manner. Year and N effects were larger than variety effect for P, which increased with N. In contrast, variety genotype exhibited a stronger influence on SDSS test, which was not affected by year and fertilizer. Variety effects on P did not reflect the variety differences for SDSS test. A high positive influence of some prolamin alleles on quality parameters was detected, mainly for SDSS values. No correlation between yield and P was detected in the landraces adapted to low N. Based on the results of yield and quality evaluations, four landraces with high yield and high gluten strength were pre-selected for low N production.
Factors influencing fruit set and quality in different sweet cherry cultivars
Authors: Garcia Montiel F. , Serrano M. , Martinez-Romero D. , Alburquerque N.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this work is the characterisation of seven cultivars of sweet cherry grown at Murcia (Spain) by determining flower density, flower buds drop, number of developing flower buds and total number of flowers per node, fruit set and percentage of double fruits from 2004 to 2007. Also some attributes related to fruit quality, such as fruit weight, colour, soluble solids, total acidity and firmness were evaluated at different ripening stages. ‘Brooks’ shows high production of flower buds and an appropriate total number of flowers per node in different years, besides high levels of total soluble solids (TSS), ripening index and fruit firmness. ‘Burlat’ and ‘Somerset’ ranged medium values of most of the analyzed floral biology and fruit quality parameters. ‘Cristobalina’ had high fruit set percentages in all years of study (34-42 %), but the fruit size (7.26±0.30 g) and the fruit firmness values were low (1 N mm-1). The maturation period of ‘Marvin’ fruits was very short and at the commercial ripening stage these fruits showed the darkest red colour. In ‘Ruby’ the fruit set was very erratic and the percentage of double fruits was high. This cultivar presented a good ripening index and fruit firmness levels. ‘New Star’ is characterized by consistent high fruit set percentages (35-65 %), absence of double fruits as well as by good fruit size (12.7±0.54 g), colour  and firmness levels (≈ 2 N mm-1).