bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of gridding procedures for air temperature over Southern Africa
Authors: Eiselt Kai-Uwe , Kaspar Frank , Mölg Thomas , Krähenmann Stefan , Posada Rafael , Riede Jens O.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Africa is considered to be highly vulnerable to climate change, yet the availability of observational data and derived products is limited. As one element of the SASSCAL initiative (Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management), a cooperation of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Germany, networks of automatic weather stations have been installed or improved (http://www.sasscalweathernet.org). The increased availability of meteorological observations improves the quality of gridded products for the region. Here we compare interpolation methods for monthly minimum and maximum temperatures which were calculated from hourly measurements. Due to a lack of longterm records we focused on data ranging from September 2014 to August 2016. The best interpolation results have been achieved combining multiple linear regression (elevation, a continentality index and latitude as predictors) with three dimensional inverse distance weighted interpolation.
A 4D-Var inversion system based on the icosahedral grid model (NICAM-TM 4D-Var v1.0) – Part 2: Optimization scheme and identical twin experiment of atmospheric CO2 inversion
Authors: Niwa Yosuke , Fujii Yosuke , Sawa Yousuke , Iida Yosuke , Ito Akihiko , Satoh Masaki , Imasu Ryoichi , Tsuboi Kazuhiro , Matsueda Hidekazu , Saigusa Nobuko
Published: June 2017

Abstract. A four-dimensional variational method (4D-Var) is a popular technique for source/sink inversions of atmospheric constituents, but it is not without problems. Using an icosahedral grid transport model and the 4D-Var method, a new atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) inversion system has been developed. The system combines offline forward and adjoint models with a quasi-Newton optimization scheme. The new approach is then used to conduct identical twin experiments to investigate optimal system settings for an atmospheric CO2 inversion problem, and to demonstrate the validity of the new inversion system. In this paper, the inversion problem is simplified by assuming the prior flux errors to be reasonably well known and by designing the prior error correlations with a simple function as a first step. It is found that a system of forward and adjoint models with smaller model errors but with nonlinearity has comparable optimization performance to that of another system that conserves linearity with an exact adjoint relationship. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the prior error correlations is demonstrated, as the global error is reduced by about 15 % by adding prior error correlations that are simply designed when 65 weekly flask sampling observations at ground-based stations are used. With the optimal setting, the new inversion system successfully reproduces the spatiotemporal variations of the surface fluxes, from regional (such as biomass burning) to global scales. The optimization algorithm introduced in the new system does not require decomposition of a matrix that establishes the correlation among the prior flux errors. This enables us to design the prior error covariance matrix more freely.
Global change in flood and drought intensities under climate change in the 21st century
Authors: Asadieh Behzad , Krakauer Nir Y.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Global warming is expected to intensify the Earth’s hydrological cycle and increase flood and drought risks. Changes in global high and low streamflow extremes over the 21st century under two warming scenarios are analyzed as indicators of hydrologic flood and drought intensity, using an ensemble of bias-corrected global climate model (GCM) fields fed into different global hydrological models (GHMs). Based on multi-model mean, approximately 37 % and 43 % of global land areas are exposed to increases in flood and drought intensities, respectively, by the end of the 21st century under RCP8.5 scenario. The average rates of increase in flood and drought intensities in those areas are projected to be 24.5 % and 51.5 %, respectively. Nearly 10 % of the global land areas are under the potential risk of simultaneous increase in both flood and drought intensities, with average rates of 10.1 % and 19.8 %, respectively; further, these regions tend to be highly populated parts of the globe, currently holding around 30 % of the world’s population (over 2.1 billion people). In a world more than 4 degrees warmer by the end of the 21st century compared to the pre-industrial era (RCP8.5 scenario), increases in flood and drought intensities are projected to be nearly twice as large as in a 2 degree warmer world (RCP2.6 scenario). Results also show that GHMs contribute to more uncertainties in streamflow changes than the GCMs. Under both forcing scenarios, there is high model agreement for significant increases in streamflow of the regions near and above the Arctic Circle, and consequent increases in the freshwater inflow to the Arctic Ocean, while subtropical arid areas experience reduction in streamflow.
Detecting seasonal and long-term vertical displacement in the North China Plain using GRACE and GPS
Authors: Wang Linsong , Chen Chao , Du Jinsong , Wang Tongqing
Published: June 2017

Abstract. In total, 29 continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) time series data together with data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) are analysed to determine the seasonal displacements of surface loadings in the North China Plain (NCP). Results show significant seasonal variations and a strong correlation between GPS and GRACE results in the vertical displacement component; the average correlation and weighted root-mean-squares (WRMS) reduction between GPS and GRACE are 75.6 and 28.9 % respectively, when atmospheric and non-tidal ocean effects were removed, but the annual peak-to-peak amplitude of GPS (1.2–6.3 mm) is greater than the data (1.0–2.2 mm) derived from GRACE. We also calculate the trend rate as well as the seasonal signal caused by the mass load change from GRACE data; the rate of GRACE-derived terrestrial water storage (TWS) loss (after multiplying by the scaling factor) in the NCP was 3.39 cm yr−1 (equivalent to 12.42 km3 yr−1) from 2003 to 2009. For a 10-year time span (2003 to 2012), the rate loss of TWS was 2.57 cm yr−1 (equivalent to 9.41 km3 yr−1), which is consistent with the groundwater storage (GWS) depletion rate (the rate losses of GWS were 2.49 and 2.72 cm yr−1 during 2003–2009 and 2003–2012 respectively) estimated from GRACE-derived results after removing simulated soil moisture (SM) data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS)/Noah model. We also found that GRACE-derived GWS changes are in disagreement with the groundwater level changes from observations of shallow aquifers from 2003 to 2009, especially between 2010 and 2013. Although the shallow groundwater can be recharged from the annual climate-driven rainfall, the important facts indicate that GWS depletion is more serious in deep aquifers. The GRACE-derived result shows an overall uplift in the whole region at the 0.37–0.95 mm yr−1 level from 2004 to 2009, but the rate of change direction is inconsistent in different GPS stations at the −0.40–0.51 mm yr−1 level from 2010 to 2013. Then we removed the vertical rates, which are induced by TWS from GPS-derived data, to obtain the corrected vertical velocities caused by tectonic movement and human activities. The results show that there are uplift areas and subsidence areas in NCP. Almost the whole central and eastern region of NCP suffers serious ground subsidence caused by the anthropogenic-induced groundwater exploitation in the deep confined aquifers. In addition, the slight ground uplifts in the western region of NCP are mainly controlled by tectonic movement (e.g. Moho uplifting or mantle upwelling).
Ensemble reconstruction of spatio-temporal extreme low-flow events in France since 1871
Authors: Caillouet Laurie , Vidal Jean-Philippe , Sauquet Eric , Devers Alexandre , Graff Benjamin
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The length of streamflow observations is generally limited to the last 50 years even in data-rich countries like France. It therefore offers too small a sample of extreme low-flow events to properly explore the long-term evolution of their characteristics and associated impacts. To overcome this limit, this work first presents a daily 140-year ensemble reconstructed streamflow dataset for a reference network of near-natural catchments in France. This dataset, called SCOPE Hydro (Spatially COherent Probabilistic Extended Hydrological dataset), is based on (1) a probabilistic precipitation, temperature, and reference evapotranspiration downscaling of the Twentieth Century Reanalysis over France, called SCOPE Climate, and (2) continuous hydrological modelling using SCOPE Climate as forcings over the whole period. This work then introduces tools for defining spatio-temporal extreme low-flow events. Extreme low-flow events are first locally defined through the sequent peak algorithm using a novel combination of a fixed threshold and a daily variable threshold. A dedicated spatial matching procedure is then established to identify spatio-temporal events across France. This procedure is furthermore adapted to the SCOPE Hydro 25-member ensemble to characterize in a probabilistic way unrecorded historical events at the national scale. Extreme low-flow events are described and compared in a spatially and temporally homogeneous way over 140 years on a large set of catchments. Results highlight well-known recent events like 1976 or 1989–1990, but also older and relatively forgotten ones like the 1878 and 1893 events. These results contribute to improving our knowledge of historical events and provide a selection of benchmark events for climate change adaptation purposes. Moreover, this study allows for further detailed analyses of the effect of climate variability and anthropogenic climate change on low-flow hydrology at the scale of France.
Inter-comparison of snow depth retrievals over Arctic sea ice from
radar data acquired by Operation IceBridge
Authors: Kwok Ron , Kurtz Nathan T. , Brucker Ludovic , Ivanoff Alvaro , Newman Thomas , Farrell Sinead L. , King Joshua , Howell Stephen , Webster Melinda A. , Paden John , Leuschen Carl , Macgregor Joseph A. , Richter-Menge Jacqueline , Harbeck Jeremy , Tschudi Mark
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Since 2009, the ultra-wideband snow-radar on Operation IceBridge has acquired data in annual campaigns conducted during the Arctic and Antarctic springs. Progressive improvements in radar hardware and data processing methodologies have led to improved data quality for subsequent retrieval of snow depth. Existing retrieval algorithms differ in the way the air-snow and snow-ice interfaces are detected and localized in the radar returns, and in how the system limitations are addressed (e.g., noise, resolution). In 2014, the Snow Thickness On Sea Ice Working Group (STOSIWG) was formed and tasked with investigating how radar data quality affect snow depth retrievals and how retrievals from the various algorithms differ. The goal is to understand the limitations of the estimates and to produce a well-documented, long-term record that can be used for understanding broader changes in the Arctic climate system. Here, we assess five retrieval algorithms by comparisons with field measurements from two ground-based campaigns, including the BRomine Ozone Mercury EXperiment (BROMEX) at Barrow, Alaska and a field program by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) at Eureka, Nunavut, available climatology and snowfall from ERA-Interim reanalysis. The aim is to examine available algorithms and to use the assessment results to inform the development of future approaches. We present results from these assessments and highlight key considerations for the production of a long-term, calibrated geophysical record of springtime snow thickness over Arctic sea ice.
Joukowsky actuator disc momentum theory
Authors: van Kuik Gijs A. M.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Actuator disc theory is the basis for most rotor design methods, albeit with many extensions and engineering rules added to make it a well-established method. However, the off-design condition of a very low rotational speed Ω of the disc is still a topic for scientific discussions. Several authors have presented solutions of the associated momentum theory for actuator discs with a constant circulation, the so-called Joukowsky discs, showing the efficiency Cp → ∞ for the tip speed ratio λ → 0. The momentum theory is very sensitive to the choice of the radius δ of the core of the centreline vortex as the pressure and velocity gradients become infinite for δ → 0. Usually the vortex core area is not included in the momentum balance, as it vanishes for δ → 0. However, the pressure in the vortex core behaves as a Delta function and so contributes to the balance, thereby cancelling the singular behaviour. Applying this in the momentum balance results in Cp → 0 for λ → 0, instead of Cp → ∞. The Joukowsky actuator disc theory is confirmed by a very good match with numerically obtained results. At the disc the velocity in the meridian plane is shown to be constant. The Joukowsky calculations give higher Cp values than corresponding solutions for discs with a Goldstein-based wake circulation published in literature.
Contemporary Financial Crime
Authors: Jung Jeyong , Lee Julak
Published: June 2017

The concept of financial crime changes constantly as social contexts and technical aspects surrounding financial transactions advance. This paper aims at understanding contemporary financial crime with consideration on various factors associated with it. Firstly, financial crime is classified with definition, components, and typology. Secondly, related crime types, extent of financial crime, and its victim are suggested in a way that comprehends the scale of it. Lastly, to better capture the concept of financial crime in relational terms, its facilitating factors and relationships with other crimes are explained. This paper demonstrates that contemporary financial crime develops in a complicating manner as a reflection of its environmental changes.
Examination of Different Item Response Theory Models on Tests Composed of Testlets
Authors: Kogar Esin Yilmaz , Kelecioglu Hülya
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this research is to first estimate the item and ability parameters and the standard error values related to those parameters obtained from Unidimensional Item Response Theory (UIRT), bifactor (BIF) and Testlet Response Theory models (TRT) in the tests including testlets, when the number of testlets, number of independent items, and sample size change, and then to compare the obtained results. Mathematic test in PISA 2012 was employed as the data collection tool, and 36 items were used to constitute six different data sets containing different numbers of testlets and independent items. Subsequently, from these constituted data sets, three different sample sizes of 250, 500 and 1000 persons were selected randomly. When the findings of the research were examined, it was determined that, generally the lowest mean error values were those obtained from UIRT, and TRT yielded a mean of error estimation lower than that of BIF. It was found that, under all conditions, models which take into consideration the local dependency have provided a better model-data compatibility than UIRT, generally there is no meaningful difference between BIF and TRT, and both models can be used for those data sets. It can be said that when there is a meaningful difference between those two models, generally BIF yields a better result. In addition, it has been determined that, in each sample size and data set, item and ability parameters and correlations of errors of the parameters are generally high.
Opteren voor de Netherlands Commercial Court
Authors: Hoeben J. , Keirse A.L.M. , Reijneveld M.D.
Published: June 2017

Opteren voor de Netherlands Commercial Court

Internationale contracten leiden tot internationale handelsgeschillen. Deze kunnen onder meer worden beslecht bij een commercial court. In Nederland wordt momenteel een Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) opgericht. Dit introduceert een keuze voor (contracts)partijen voor een nieuw forum voor beslechting van internationale handelsgeschillen in de Engelse taal, waarbij de belangen van snelheid, efficiëntie en goede financierbaarheid centraal staan. Dit artikel verkent de positieve aspecten van de NCC en houdt de contractspraktijk de mogelijkheid voor om te opteren voor dit nieuwe forum.
Update jurisprudentie agentuurovereenkomsten 2015-2017
Authors: Kleinjan H.S.
Published: June 2017

Update jurisprudentie agentuurovereenkomsten 2015-2017

In dit artikel wordt de in de periode 1 januari 2015 tot en met 22 mei 2017 gewezen jurisprudentie over agentuurovereenkomsten besproken. Een breed scala aan onderwerpen met betrekking tot agentuurovereenkomsten passeerde de revue de afgelopen twee jaar bij de rechtbanken, de gerechtshoven en het HvJ EU. Gemeenschappelijke noemer was dat vrijwel alle besproken uitspraken verband hielden met de beëindiging van de agentuurovereenkomsten. Een algemeen beeld dat naar voren komt, is dat de agent nog altijd veel bescherming wordt geboden.
Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrophotometry: An Ecofriendly Method for the Analysis of Injectable Daptomycin
Authors: Tótoli Eliane Gandolpho , Salgado Hérida Regina Nunes
Published: June 2017

Daptomycin (DPT) is an important antimicrobial agent used in clinical practice because it is very active against several types of medicinally challengingGram-positive bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. In addition to concerns about the quality of the analytical methods used in the QC of drugs, there is also concern about the impact of these methods on the environment. The trend toward sustainable consumption is increasingly evident and has forced the pharmaceutical industry to reduce the generation of toxic waste. Inthis context, IR spectrophotometry stands out because it does not use organic solvents and, although it is formally accepted for the identification of individual compounds, also allows the quantification of substances. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop and validate a green analytical method for theanalysis of DPT in a lyophilized powder for injection by FTIR spectrophotometry. The method involved absorbance measurements in the spectral region of 1700–1600 cm−1. The method was properly validated and found to be linear, precise, accurate, selective, and robust for the concentrationrange between 0.2 and 0.6 mg/150 mg. The validated method was able to quantify DPT powder for injection and can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative for routine analysis in QC.
Osteoblast Behavior on Silicon and Porous-Silicon Substrates
Authors: Parveen Asma , Potluri Avinash , Kuila Debasish , K. Mills David
Published: June 2017

Osteoblast viability, proliferation, protein expression and mineralization were studied on bare, micro- and nanoporous silicon (Si) substrates. Micro- and nano-porous-Si substrates were prepared by anodic etching of silicon in ethanolic hydrofluoric acid and characterized using scanning electron and atomic force microscopies. Mouse osteoblasts were cultured on these substrates and cellular response to these surfaces was assessed using the Live/Dead Cell Viability assay and the MTT assay for cell proliferation. Osteoblast functionality was assessed using immunohistochemistry for bone protein specific markers. Osteoblasts grew well on micro- and nanoporous silicon substrates over the twenty-one day experimental period supporting the assessment that these are suitable cell supportive surfaces. Cell proliferation rates on bare and nanoporous silicon were similar initially, however, nanoporous silicon displayed enhanced cell proliferation, in comparison to bare silicon, after 14 days in culture. Immunocytochemical assays, using bone specific markers, showed positive reactions for osteonectin and osteopontin expression on all substrates with staining intensity increasing over the 21-day experimental period. Calcium mineral deposits were quantified using the Alizarin Red histochemical assay and nanoporous silicon induced the highest level of calcium mineral production in comparison to bare and microporous silicon. The data supports the potential use of nanoporous silicon as a surface implant coating for dental and orthopedic applications. The ability to dope (and then release) drugs or growth factors from the silicon nanopores offers the potential for a multi-functional implant surface.
Peculiarities of Electron-Beam Formation of Hydrophobic and Superhydrophobic Coatings Based on Hydrocarbons of Various Molecular Weights and PTFE
Authors: Chen Qi , Rogachev A.V. , Yarmolenko M.A. , Rogachev A.A. , Jiang Xiaohong , Gorbache D.L.
Published: June 2017

The paper studies the possibility of superhydrophobic coatings formations at exposure of powder mixture of polytetrafluorethylene and hydrocarbons having various molecular weights to low-energy electron beam in vacuum. It is shown that paraffin and PTFE based thin composite coatings may be characterized by superhydrophobic properties. The superhydrophobic properties are attained due to low surface energy of the fluorine-containing component and structured surface due to peculiarities of composite layer formation. The chemical processes observed in electron beam exposed area determine the molecular structure, morphology and the contact angle of thin organic coatings deposited. It is shown that high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon compounds should not be recommended for vacuum electron-beam deposition of superhydrophobic thin coatings because of deep changes in the molecular structure exposed to electron beam. These processes are responsible for high degree of unsaturation of the thin layer formed and for occurrence of oxygen-containing polar groups. The influence of substrate temperature on molecular structure, morphology and hydrophobic properties of thin coatings deposited is investigated. Potentially such coatings may be applied for deposition on the surface of metal capillaries used in biotechnological analyzers.
Dream Shapes as Quest or Question in Shelley's Prometheus Unbound
Authors: Lee Monika
Published: June 2017

In Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound, the Oceanides – Asia, Panthea, and Ione – direct the evolution of poetic consciousness through their lyricism which expresses human intuition and what Shelley calls in his ‘Defence of Poetry’ (1820) ‘the before unapprehended relations of things’. Their presence in Shelley’s lyrical drama leads from both abstract transcendental and literalist perspectives on reality in Act I to a more flexible and creative inner perspective in Act 2. The internal spaces evoked by the language of the Oceanides, spaces of reverie and dream, are the locus of metaphor – the endowment of absence with meaning and the identification of disparate objects with one another. As in dream, the dissolution of metaphor is integral to its dynamic processes. Asia, her dreams, and the unconscious liberate Prometheus as consciousness from the fixed rigidity which kills both metaphor and purpose; dream unfurls a ‘nobler’ myth to replace the stagnant one. Although Prometheus Unbound cannot narrate its own apotheosis, it weaves the process or spell of metaphor-making: ‘These are the spells by which to reassume / An empire o’er the disentangled Doom’ (IV, 568–69). After the words have been spoken, meaning must be continually sought in the non-verbal reverberating echoes of the unconscious.
De la lecture de César à l’écriture textuelle
Authors: Bertrand Michel
Published: June 2017

Lire en latin La guerre civile de César puis rendre compte du sens de cette lecture en restituant le texte originel sous la forme d’un texte rédigé en langue française, tel est le pensum infligé au collégien que mettent en scène Histoire (1967) et La bataille de Pharsale (1969). Pourtant, cet ouvrage fut pour Claude Simon une première approche de l’événement central que constitua dans son existence sa participation à la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Ensuite, complétant cette lecture par celle de La guerre civile (La Pharsale) de Lucain, il put éprouver la tension qu’implique la transposition dans le domaine romanesque de la technique cubiste qui s’attache à rendre compte des différents points de vue d’un objet sur une même image. Pharsale, lieu historique où se joua autrefois le destin du monde, lieu géographique aujourd’hui abandonné de tous, constitue l’un de ces mots-carrefours, l’un de ces mots qui « en suscitent plusieurs autres » qu’évoque le romancier dans sa préface à Orion aveugle (1970). Pharsale, érigé en matrice de l’écriture scripturale, révèle selon quelles modalités l’écriture contrainte peut ouvrir l’accès aux sentiers de la création, d’une création qui confère aux mots leur entière liberté, leur inaliénable autonomie. Pharsale devenu en somme la clé d’une parole qui restitue à la langue romanesque sa légitimité.
Le dernier législateur du Parnasse : Roger Caillois
Authors: Mainguy Thomas
Published: June 2017

Parmi les poètes qui ont composé un « Art poétique » au cours du xxe siècle, on compte étonnamment Roger Caillois. Ce fait surprend dans la mesure où Caillois a plus d’une fois dénoncé les supercheries de la poésie dans ses travaux. Or si ses propos sont parfois teintés de haine, ils semblent par ailleurs naître d’un réel attachement envers la poésie. C’est avant tout cet attachement qui aura conditionné l’écriture de son Art poétique (1958), assez marginal en raison de la fermeté avec laquelle il légifère, au moment même où l’idée de réglementer la poésie passe pour désuète. Sous la forme d’une confession négative, Caillois en vient à définir un cadre à la fois pratique et éthique qui vise à assurer la réussite du poème et la bonne conduite du poète. Cette démarche, empreinte de classicisme et d’humanisme, répond en bonne partie à l’essor de la poétique surréaliste conspuée par Caillois en filigrane.
Du labyrinthe… et des poétiques en miettes : érotisme du vide chez Jacques Brault et Jean-Marc Desgent
Authors: Gagnon François
Published: June 2017

En comparant deux courts textes réflexifs sur la poésie, l’un de Jacques Brault, « Une poétique en miettes » (1981), et l’un de Jean-Marc Desgent, « Je ne reviendrai jamais du labyrinthe » (1984), il s’agira d’aborder une dynamique du vide à l’oeuvre chez les deux auteurs, mais d’un vide qui s’actualise chez le premier par la vacance (« le silence, là, s’impose — physiologiquement »), et inversement chez le deuxième par la surabondance (« chez l’être du labyrinthe, tout est masqué, retourné, traversé, symbolisé, dénaturé, transfiguré »). Les deux textes se rejoignent cependant par une esthétique de l’émiettement et par le refus de la définition du poème, deux voies menant au dénuement et à l’érotique du vide. Les deux textes datant de la même période, nous établirons des liens avec la « querelle » du « retour du religieux » — « religieux » qui sera entrevue ici sous l’angle du Jardin des délices…
A subset of ipRGCs regulates both maturation of the circadian clock and segregation of retinogeniculate projections in mice
Authors: Chew Kylie S , Renna Jordan M , McNeill David S , Fernandez Diego C , Keenan William T , Thomsen Michael B , Ecker Jennifer L , Loevinsohn Gideon S , VanDunk Cassandra , Vicarel Daniel C , Tufford Adele , Weng Shijun , Gray Paul A , Cayouette Michel , Herzog Erik D , Zhao Haiqing , Berson David M , Hattar Samer
Published: June 2017

The visual system consists of two major subsystems, image-forming circuits that drive conscious vision and non-image-forming circuits for behaviors such as circadian photoentrainment. While historically considered non-overlapping, recent evidence has uncovered crosstalk between these subsystems. Here, we investigated shared developmental mechanisms. We revealed an unprecedented role for light in the maturation of the circadian clock and discovered that intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are critical for this refinement process. In addition, ipRGCs regulate retinal waves independent of light, and developmental ablation of a subset of ipRGCs disrupts eye-specific segregation of retinogeniculate projections. Specifically, a subset of ipRGCs, comprising ~200 cells and which project intraretinally and to circadian centers in the brain, are sufficient to mediate both of these developmental processes. Thus, this subset of ipRGCs constitute a shared node in the neural networks that mediate light-dependent maturation of the circadian clock and light-independent refinement of retinogeniculate projections.
Taxonomic richness and abundance of cryptic peracarid crustaceans in the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, Mexico
Authors: Monroy-Velázquez Luz Veronica , Rodríguez-Martínez Rosa Elisa , Alvarez Fernando
Published: June 2017

Background and Aims

Cryptic peracarids are an important component of the coral reef fauna in terms of diversity and abundance, yet they have been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the taxonomic richness and abundance of cryptic peracarids in coral rubble in the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, Mexico (PMRNP), and their relationship with depth.

Methods

Three reef sites were selected: (1) Bonanza, (2) Bocana, and (3) Jardines. At each site six kilograms of coral rubble were collected over four sampling periods at three depths: 3 m (back-reef), 6–8 m (fore-reef), and 10–12 m (fore-reef).

Results

A total of 8,887 peracarid crustaceans belonging to 200 taxa distributed over five orders and 63 families was obtained; 70% of the taxa were identified to species and 25% to genus level. Fifty species of those collected represent new records for the Mexican Caribbean Sea. Isopoda was the most speciose order while Tanaidacea was the most abundant.

Discussion

Cryptic peracarid taxonomic richness and abundance were related to depth with higher values of both parameters being found in the shallow (3 m) back-reef, possibly due to a higher reef development and a greater accumulation of coral rubble produced during hurricanes. Peracarid data obtained in the present study can be used as a baseline for future monitoring programs in the PMRNP.
Putative archaeal viruses from the mesopelagic ocean
Authors: Vik Dean R. , Roux Simon , Brum Jennifer R. , Bolduc Ben , Emerson Joanne B. , Padilla Cory C. , Stewart Frank J. , Sullivan Matthew B.
Published: June 2017

Oceanic viruses that infect bacteria, or phages, are known to modulate host diversity, metabolisms, and biogeochemical cycling, while the viruses that infect marine Archaea remain understudied despite the critical ecosystem roles played by their hosts. Here we introduce “MArVD”, for Metagenomic Archaeal Virus Detector, an annotation tool designed to identify putative archaeal virus contigs in metagenomic datasets. MArVD is made publicly available through the online iVirus analytical platform. Benchmarking analysis of MArVD showed it to be >99% accurate and 100% sensitive in identifying the 127 known archaeal viruses among the 12,499 viruses in the VirSorter curated dataset. Application of MArVD to 10 viral metagenomes from two depth profiles in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP) oxygen minimum zone revealed 43 new putative archaeal virus genomes and large genome fragments ranging in size from 10 to 31 kb. Network-based classifications, which were consistent with marker gene phylogenies where available, suggested that these putative archaeal virus contigs represented six novel candidate genera. Ecological analyses, via fragment recruitment and ordination, revealed that the diversity and relative abundances of these putative archaeal viruses were correlated with oxygen concentration and temperature along two OMZ-spanning depth profiles, presumably due to structuring of the host Archaea community. Peak viral diversity and abundances were found in surface waters, whereThermoplasmata16S rRNA genes are prevalent, suggesting these archaea as hosts in the surface habitats. Together these findings provide a baseline for identifying archaeal viruses in sequence datasets, and an initial picture of the ecology of such viruses in non-extreme environments.
TRPM4 regulates Akt/GSK3‐β activity and enhances β‐catenin signaling and cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Sagredo Alfredo I. , Sagredo Eduardo A. , Cappelli Claudio , Báez Pablo , Andaur Rodrigo E. , Blanco Constanza , Tapia Julio C. , Echeverría César , Cerda Oscar , Stutzin Andrés , Simon Felipe , Marcelain Katherine , Armisén Ricardo
Published: June 2017

Increased expression of the TRPM4 channel has been reported to be associated with the progression of prostate cancer. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its effect remains unknown. This work found that decreasing TRPM4 levels leads to the reduced proliferation of PC3 cells. This effect was associated with a decrease in total β‐catenin protein levels and its nuclear localization, and a significant reduction in Tcf/Lef transcriptional activity. Moreover, TRPM4 silencing increases the Ser33/Ser37/Thr41 β‐catenin phosphorylated population and reduces the phosphorylation of GSK‐3β at Ser9, suggesting an increase in β‐catenin degradation as the underlying mechanism. Conversely, TRPM4 overexpression in LNCaP cells increases the Ser9 inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK‐3β and the total levels of β‐catenin and its nonphosphorylated form. Finally, PC3 cells with reduced levels of TRPM4 showed a decrease in basal and stimulated phosphoactivation of Akt1, which is likely responsible for the decrease in GSK‐3β activity in these cells. Our results also suggest that the effect of TRPM4 on Akt1 is probably mediated by an alteration in the calcium/calmodulin‐EGFR axis, linking TRPM4 activity with the observed effects in β‐catenin‐related signaling pathways. These results suggest a role for TRPM4 channels in β‐catenin oncogene signaling and underlying mechanisms, highlighting this ion channel as a new potential target for future therapies in prostate cancer.
Detection of meteoroid hypervelocity impacts on the Cluster spacecraft: First results
Authors: Vaverka Jakub , Pellinen‐Wannberg Asta , Kero Johan , Mann Ingrid , De Spiegeleer Alexandre , Hamrin Maria , Norberg Carol , Pitkänen Timo
Published: June 2017

We present the first study of dust impact events on one of the Earth‐orbiting Cluster satellites. The events were identified in the measurements of the wide band data (WBD) instrument on board the satellite operating in monopole configuration. Since 2009 the instrument is operating in this configuration due to the loss of three electric probes and is therefore measuring the potential between the only operating antenna and the spacecraft body. Our study shows that the WBD instrument on Cluster 1 is able to detect pulses generated by dust impacts and discusses four such events. The presence of instrumental effects, intensive natural waves, noncontinuous sampling modes, and the automatic gain control complicates this detection. Due to all these features, we conclude that the Cluster spacecraft are not ideal for dust impact studies. We show that the duration and amplitudes of the pulses recorded by Cluster are similar to pulses detected by STEREO, and the shape of the pulses can be described with the model of the recollection of impact cloud electrons by the positively charged spacecraft. We estimate that the detected impacts were generated by micron‐sized grains with velocities in the order of tens of km/s.
Assessing ocean alkalinity for carbon sequestration
Authors: Renforth Phil , Henderson Gideon
Published: June 2017

Over the coming century humanity may need to find reservoirs to store several trillions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from fossil fuel combustion, which would otherwise cause dangerous climate change if it were left in the atmosphere. Carbon storage in the ocean as bicarbonate ions (by increasing ocean alkalinity) has received very little attention. Yet recent work suggests sufficient capacity to sequester copious quantities of CO2. It may be possible to sequester hundreds of billions to trillions of tons of C without surpassing postindustrial average carbonate saturation states in the surface ocean. When globally distributed, the impact of elevated alkalinity is potentially small and may help ameliorate the effects of ocean acidification. However, the local impact around addition sites may be more acute but is specific to the mineral and technology. The alkalinity of the ocean increases naturally because of rock weathering in which >1.5 mol of carbon are removed from the atmosphere for every mole of magnesium or calcium dissolved from silicate minerals (e.g., wollastonite, olivine, and anorthite) and 0.5 mol for carbonate minerals (e.g., calcite and dolomite). These processes are responsible for naturally sequestering 0.5 billion tons of CO2 per year. Alkalinity is reduced in the ocean through carbonate mineral precipitation, which is almost exclusively formed from biological activity. Most of the previous work on the biological response to changes in carbonate chemistry have focused on acidifying conditions. More research is required to understand carbonate precipitation at elevated alkalinity to constrain the longevity of carbon storage. A range of technologies have been proposed to increase ocean alkalinity (accelerated weathering of limestone, enhanced weathering, electrochemical promoted weathering, and ocean liming), the cost of which may be comparable to alternative carbon sequestration proposals (e.g., $20–100 tCO2−1). There are still many unanswered technical, environmental, social, and ethical questions, but the scale of the carbon sequestration challenge warrants research to address these.
Reformation of rippled quasi‐parallel shocks: 2‐D hybrid simulations
Authors: Hao Yufei , Gao Xinliang , Lu Quanming , Huang Can , Wang Rongsheng , Wang Shui
Published: June 2017

One‐dimensional (1‐D) hybrid simulations have demonstrated that a quasi‐parallel shock is nonstationary and undergoes a reformation process. Recently, two‐dimensional (2‐D) hybrid simulations have revealed that ripples along the shock front is an inherent property of a quasi‐parallel shock. In this paper, we investigate reformation process of a rippled quasi‐parallel shock with a 2‐D hybrid simulation model. The simulation results show that at a rippled shock, incident particles behave differently and just can be partially reflected at some specific locations along the rippled shock front, and the reflected particles will form an ion beam that moves back to the upstream along the magnetic field. Then, the beam locally interacts with upstream waves, and the waves are enhanced and finally steepen into a new shock front. As the upstream incident plasma moves to the shock front, the new shock front will approach and merge with the old shock front. Such a process occurs only before these locations along the shock front, and after the merging of the new shock front and old shock front is finished, a relatively plane shock front is formed. Subsequently, a new rippled shock front is again generated due to its interaction with the upstream waves, and it will repeat the previous process. In this pattern, the shock reforms itself quasiperiodically, and at the same time, ripples can shift along the shock front. The simulations present a more complete view of reformation for quasi‐parallel shocks.
Permeable fracture zones in the hard rocks of the geothermal reservoir at Rittershoffen, France
Authors: Vidal J. , Genter A. , Chopin F.
Published: June 2017

Fluid circulation in zones of fractures are a key challenge to exploit deep geothermal heat from natural reservoir. At Rittershoffen (Upper Rhine Graben, France), two geothermal boreholes, GRT‐1 and GRT‐2, were drilled in 2012 and 2014, respectively. They targeted the local Rittershoffen normal fault, which strikes N‐S and dips westward. In this study, major natural fractures were observed in the open holes of both wells from acoustic image logs correlated with other standard geophysical logs (gamma ray, neutron porosity, and caliper). Their permeability was evaluated at the borehole scale from temperature logs, mud losses, and gas surveys. One originally permeable (OP) fracture zone was observed in the granite of GRT‐1. In GRT‐2, four OP fracture zones were observed in the granite and two in sandstones. In GRT‐2, fracture zones are composed by several fluid pathways that could explain the higher natural permeability than in GRT‐1. All OP fractures are associated with positive temperature anomaly, interpreted as circulation of hot geothermal water through the permeable fracture, or negative one, interpreted as the cooling of a porous, altered and fractured zone around the permeable fracture after drilling operations. Permeability of natural fracture oriented N170° seems to be intimately linked to the secondary mineral deposits resulting from paleocirculations. The geometrical fracture model along the wellbore suggests that the inclined trajectory of GRT‐2 increases the connection between the borehole and the nearly vertical fracture network associated to the local fault. A good characterization of zones of fractures in a targeted natural reservoir allows an optimal exploitation of geothermal resource.
Comparison of using distribution‐specific versus effective radius methods for hydrometeor single‐scattering properties for all‐sky microwave satellite radiance simulations with different microphysics parameterization schemes
Authors: Sieron Scott B. , Clothiaux Eugene E. , Zhang Fuqing , Lu Yinghui , Otkin Jason A.
Published: June 2017

The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) presently uses one look‐up table (LUT) of cloud and precipitation single‐scattering properties at microwave frequencies, with which any particle size distribution may interface via effective radius. This may produce scattering properties insufficiently representative of the model output if the microphysics parameterization scheme particle size distribution mismatches that assumed in constructing the LUT, such as one being exponential and the other monodisperse, or assuming different particle bulk densities. The CRTM also assigns a 5 μm effective radius to all nonprecipitating clouds, an additional inconsistency. Brightness temperatures are calculated from 3 h convection‐permitting simulations of Hurricane Karl (2010) by the Weather Research and Forecasting model; each simulation uses one of three different microphysics schemes. For each microphysics scheme, a consistent cloud scattering LUT is constructed; the use of these LUTs produces differences in brightness temperature fields that would be better for analyzing and constraining microphysics schemes than using the CRTM LUT as‐released. Other LUTs are constructed which contain one of the known microphysics inconsistencies with the CRTM LUT as‐released, such as the bulk density of graupel, but are otherwise microphysics‐consistent; differences in brightness temperature to using an entirely microphysics‐consistent LUT further indicate the significance of that inconsistency. The CRTM LUT as‐released produces higher brightness temperature than using microphysics‐consistent LUTs. None of the LUTs can produce brightness temperatures that can match well to observations at all frequencies, which is likely due in part to the use of spherical particle scattering.
Wind and rainfall regulation of the diffuse attenuation coefficient in large, shallow lakes from long‐term MODIS observations using a semianalytical model
Authors: Huang C. C. , Yao L. , Huang T. , Zhang M. L. , Zhu A. X. , Yang H.
Published: June 2017

Knowledge of the variation and regulation of the diffuse attenuation coefficient is important for management of lake water quality and ecological environments. Data were collected seven times (378 samples) from 2006 to 2011 in Lake Taihu to improve the existing semianalytical model of diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm (Kd(490)) by measuring in situ Kd(490) and remote sensing reflectance (Rrs). This semianalytical model was applied to determine the long‐term variation of Kd(490) and its driving factors from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images. Our semianalytical model of Kd(490) improves the retrieval accuracy of Kd(490) from 29.60% to 22.58% (root‐mean‐square percentage error) and 24.28 ± 18.54% (mean value ± standard deviation) to 19.29 ± 14.34% (mean absolute relative error). The Kd(490) from maps produced from MODIS images clearly present the temporal and spatial variations of Kd(490). This indicates the suitability of using the improved semianalytical model and MODIS to observe Kd(490) in turbid shallow inland waters. Long‐term MODIS observation of Kd(490) shows distinct seasonal and spatial variations. Temporally, the highest and the lowest Kd(490) were found in winter and in summer, respectively. Spatially, high Kd(490) values were primarily distributed in the southwestern and northwestern Lake Taihu, and relatively low Kd(490) values were distributed in Meiliang Bay and Gonghu Bay (the eastern part of the lake and East Bay were excluded in this study due to invalid retrieval results of Kd(490)). Many covarying points were found between Kd(490) and maximum wind speed from long‐term observations, suggesting that wind‐induced sediment resuspension is the principal driver of high Kd(490). Correlation was also observed between Kd(490) and heavy rainfall events, suggesting the regulating effect of heavy rainfall.
Efficient Mercury Capture Using Functionalized Porous Organic Polymer
Authors: Aguila Briana , Sun Qi , Perman Jason A. , Earl Lyndsey D. , Abney Carter W. , Elzein Radwan , Schlaf Rudy , Ma Shengqian
Published: June 2017

The primary challenge in materials design and synthesis is achieving the balance between performance and economy for real‐world application. This issue is addressed by creating a thiol functionalized porous organic polymer (POP) using simple free radical polymerization techniques to prepare a cost‐effective material with a high density of chelating sites designed for mercury capture and therefore environmental remediation. The resulting POP is able to remove aqueous and airborne mercury with uptake capacities of 1216 and 630 mg g−1, respectively. The material demonstrates rapid kinetics, capable of dropping the mercury concentration from 5 ppm to 1 ppb, lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water limit (2 ppb), within 10 min. Furthermore, the material has the added benefits of recyclability, stability in a broad pH range, and selectivity for toxic metals. These results are attributed to the material's physical properties, which include hierarchical porosity, a high density of chelating sites, and the material's robustness, which improve the thiol availability to bind with mercury as determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption fine structure studies. The work provides promising results for POPs as an economical material for multiple environmental remediation applications.