bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Christopher Alexander’s Theory of Wholeness as a Tetrad of Creative Activity: The Examples of A New Theory of Urban Design and The Nature of Order
Authors: Seamon David
Published: April 2019

To identify and evaluate architect Christopher Alexander’s theory of wholeness, this article draws on the work of British philosopher J.G. Bennett, who developed a conceptual method—what he called systematics—to clarify phenomena by drawing upon the qualitative significance of number. A central assumption of systematics is that there is something inherent in number itself that is fundamental to the way the world is and the way we can understand it. For Bennett, each whole number provides different but complementary modes for examining any phenomenon; thus, one-ness relates to the wholeness of the phenomenon; two-ness, to complementarity; three-ness, to relatedness, and so forth. This article draws on Bennett’s interpretation of four-ness, summarized by a diamond-shaped symbol that he called the tetrad. Bennett claimed that the tetrad provides an interpretive means for understanding any activity directed toward a focused outcome, for example, writing a book, designing a building, or planning a new city district. The tetrad is used in this article to probe and evaluate Alexander’s conceptual and practical efforts to recognize and fabricate wholeness, drawing on evidence from his Nature of Order and New Theory of Urban Design. The article first discusses the tetrad broadly and then considers how it helps to clarify Alexander’s efforts to understand and make wholeness.
Feline Foamy Virus is Highly Prevalent in Free-Ranging Puma concolor from Colorado, Florida and Southern California
Authors: Kechejian Sarah R. , Dannemiller Nick , Kraberger Simona , Ledesma-Feliciano Carmen , Malmberg Jennifer , Roelke Parker Melody , Cunningham Mark , McBride Roy , Riley Seth P. D. , Vickers Winston T. , Logan Ken , Alldredge Mat , Crooks Kevin , Löchelt Martin , Carver Scott , VandeWoude Sue
Published: April 2019

Feline foamy virus (FFV) is a retrovirus that has been detected in multiple feline species, including domestic cats (Felis catus) and pumas (Puma concolor). FFV results in persistent infection but is generally thought to be apathogenic. Sero-prevalence in domestic cat populations has been documented in several countries, but the extent of viral infections in nondomestic felids has not been reported. In this study, we screened sera from 348 individual pumas from Colorado, Southern California and Florida for FFV exposure by assessing sero-reactivity using an FFV anti-Gag ELISA. We documented a sero-prevalence of 78.6% across all sampled subpopulations, representing 69.1% in Southern California, 77.3% in Colorado, and 83.5% in Florida. Age was a significant risk factor for FFV infection when analyzing the combined populations. This high prevalence in geographically distinct populations reveals widespread exposure of puma to FFV and suggests efficient shedding and transmission in wild populations.
Optimization of Silver Ion Release from Silver-Ceramic Porous Media for Household Level Water Purification
Authors: Singh Rekha , Rento Chloe , Son Veronica , Turner Sydney , Smith James A.
Published: April 2019

A novel method has been developed to produce zerovalent silver nanopatches in a porous ceramic tablet using only clay, sawdust, water, and silver nitrate as precursors. When placed in 10 L of water, the silver nanopatches (2 to 3 nm diameter per patch) are gradually oxidized to produce silver ions, which diffuse out of the tablet into the bulk solution. The objective of this work is to optimize the silver-ceramic design to increase the rate of silver ion release from the tablet to further improve disinfection kinetics. To meet this objective, ceramic tablets were fabricated in different ways and tested for silver ion release into water over 8 to 24 h periods. Silver addition had an approximately linear effect on silver ion. Grinding the tablet into different particle sizes (4–60 mesh) had the most significant effect on silver release. However, if this ground fraction is compartmentalized into a fabric bag, silver levels produced in the water drop back to levels comparable to the single tablet form. Based on these results, 1 and 2 cm ceramic cubes were manufactured and represented a reasonable compromise between silver release and usability. Disinfection experiments on these silver-ceramic cubes resulted in effective disinfection of E. coli in laboratory experiments.
Evaluation and Hydrological Application of TRMM and GPM Precipitation Products in a Tropical Monsoon Basin of Thailand
Authors: Li Rui , Shi Jiancheng , Ji Dabin , Zhao Tianjie , Plermkamon Vichian , Moukomla Sitthisak , Kuntiyawichai Kittiwet , Kruasilp Jiratiwan
Published: April 2019

Watershed runoff is essential for water management. However, runoff materials are lacking in poorly gauged catchments and not always accessible. Microwave remote sensing offers emerging capabilities for hydrological simulation. In this study based on multi-satellite retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) products, and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) interpolated precipitation data, we simulated runoff using a variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model and studied the differences among the results. Then, we analyzed the impacts of the runoff on a moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer vegetation leaf area index (LAI) during dry seasons. The results showed that (1) IMERG V5 and TRMM products are capable of monitoring the night-day rainfall diurnal cycle and have higher correlations than the WMO daily observation interpolations. However, the WMO shows less overestimation of total precipitation than remote-sensing precipitation; (2) in the downstream, the TRMM shows better runoff simulation accuracy in the tributaries, and the WMO shows better results in the mainstreams. Therefore, at basin outlets in mainstreams, the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients of monthly runoff by the WMO are higher than the simulations by the TRMM; (3) for the whole basin during dry seasons, the LAI variation is correlated with the outlet runoff, which is similar to the correlation with three- to six-month accumulated precipitation. TRMM products can be used to depict both precipitation deficit and runoff deficit, which cause vegetation variations. Our research suggests the potential of microwave precipitation products for detailed watershed runoff simulations and water management.
Study on the Attachment of Escherichia coli to Sediment Particles at a Single-Cell Level: The Effect of Particle Size
Authors: Wu Tao , Zhai Chunhui , Zhang Jingchao , Zhu Dejun , Zhao Kun , Chen Yongcan
Published: April 2019

The attachment of bacteria to sediment particles has a significant impact on the level of bacterial contamination in water. In this work, the attachment of Escherichia coli to particles was investigated with emphasis on the effect of particle size. To exclude the impact of other facts, e.g., the irregularity of particles, we used regular spherical glass particles in addition to natural sediment particles. Both types of particles are mainly composed of SiO2 and are similar in density. Through a bacterial tracking method together with microfluidic techniques, the attachment of single Escherichia coli cells on the particles was observed. The results showed that only a small portion of the cells that approach the particles remain attached and that the attachment probability per approach increases with surface area for both sediment and glass particles within the size range (8–62 μm) examined in this study. Therefore, finer sediments with more surface area have a higher E. coli attachment capacity. The attachment probability is higher on sediment particles than on glass microspheres of equivalent size, indicating preferential attachment of E. coli to sediment particles. The partition coefficient of the commonly used linear partition model was calculated based on microscopic measurements and the obtained relation of the partition coefficient with attachment probability and particle size was validated with data from the published literature.
Quantifying the Performances of the Semi-Distributed Hydrologic Model in Parallel Computing—A Case Study
Authors: Kim JungJin , Ryu Jae
Published: April 2019

The research features how parallel computing can advance hydrological performances associated with different calibration schemes (SCOs). The result shows that parallel computing can save up to 90% execution time, while achieving 81% simulation improvement. Basic statistics, including (1) index of agreement (D), (2) coefficient of determination (R2), (3) root mean square error (RMSE), and (4) percentage of bias (PBIAS) are used to evaluate simulation performances after model calibration in computer parallelism. Once the best calibration scheme is selected, additional efforts are made to improve model performances at the selected calibration target points, while the Rescaled Adjusted Partial Sums (RAPS) is used to evaluate the trend in annual streamflow. The qualitative result of reducing execution time by 86% on average indicates that parallel computing is another avenue to advance hydrologic simulations in the urban-rural interface, such as the Boise River Watershed, Idaho. Therefore, this research will provide useful insights for hydrologists to design and set up their own hydrological modeling exercises using the cost-effective parallel computing described in this case study.
Impact of Farmland Abandonment on Water Resources and Soil Conservation in Citrus Plantations in Eastern Spain
Authors: Cerdà Artemi , Ackermann Oren , Terol Enric , Rodrigo-Comino Jesús
Published: April 2019

Due to the reduction in the prices of oranges on the market and social changes such as the ageing of the population, traditional orange plantation abandonment in the Mediterranean is taking place. Previous research on land abandonment impact on soil and water resources has focused on rainfed agriculture abandonment, but there is no research on irrigated land abandonment. In the Valencia Region—the largest producer of oranges in Europe—abandonment is resulting in a quick vegetation recovery and changes in soil properties, and then in water erosion. Therefore, we performed rainfall simulation experiments (0.28 m2; 38.8 mm h−1) to determine the soil losses in naveline orange plantations with different ages of abandonment (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years of abandonment) which will allow for an understanding of the temporal changes in soil and water losses after abandonment. Moreover, these results were also compared with an active plantation (0). The results show that the soils of the active orange plantations have higher runoff discharges and higher erosion rates due to the use of herbicides than the plots after abandonment. Once the soil is abandoned for one year, the plant recovery reaches 33% of the cover and the erosion rate drops one order of magnitude. This is related to the delay in the runoff generation and the increase in infiltration rates. After 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years, the soil reduced bulk density, increase in organic matter, plant cover, and soil erosion rates were found negligible. We conclude that the abandonment of orange plantations reduces soil and water losses and can serve as a nature-based solution to restore the soil services, goods, and resources. The reduction in the soil losses was exponential (from 607.4 g m−2 in the active plot to 7.1 g m−2 in the 10-year abandoned one) but the water losses were linear (from 77.2 in active plantations till 12.8% in the 10-year abandoned ones).
Effect of the Concentration of Sand in a Mixture of Water and Sand Flowing through PP and PVC Elbows on the Minor Head Loss Coefficient
Authors: Wichowski Piotr , Siwiec Tadeusz , Kalenik Marek
Published: April 2019

The article presents the results of tests of minor head losses through PVC and PP elbows for a flow of water and mixtures of water and sand with grain sizes of up to 0.5 mm and concentrations of 5.6 g·L−1, 10.84 g·L−1, and 15.73 g·L−1. The tests were carried out at variable flow velocities for three elbow diameters of 63 mm, 75 mm, and 90 mm. The flow rate, pressure difference in the tested cross-sections, and temperature of the fluids were measured and automatically recorded. The results of the measurements were used to develop mathematical models for determining the minor head loss coefficient as a function of elbow diameter, sand concentration in the liquid, and Reynolds number. The mathematical model was developed by cross validation. It was shown that when the concentration of sand in the liquid was increased by 1.0 g∙L−1, the coefficient of minor head loss through the elbows increased, in the Reynolds number range of 4.6 × 104–2.1 × 105, by 0.3–0.01% for PP63, 0.6–0.03% for PP75, 1.1–0.06% for PP90, 0.8−0.01% for PVC63, 0.8–0.02% for PVC75, and 0.9–0.04% for PVC90. An increase in Re from 5 × 104 to 2 × 106 for elbows with diameters of 63, 75 and 90 mm caused a 7.3%, 6.8%, and 6.0% decrease in the minor head loss coefficient, respectively.
A Physically Based Empirical Localization Method for Assimilating Synthetic SWOT Observations of a Continental-Scale River: A Case Study in the Congo Basin
Authors: Revel Menaka , Ikeshima Daiki , Yamazaki Dai , Kanae Shinjiro
Published: April 2019

Water resource management has faced challenges in recent decades due to limited in situ observations and the limitations of hydrodynamic modeling. Data assimilation techniques have been proposed to improve hydrodynamic model outputs of local rivers (river length ≤ 1500 km) using synthetic observations of the future Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission to overcome limited in situ observations and the limitations of hydrodynamic modeling. However, large-scale data assimilation schemes require computationally efficient filtering techniques, such as the Local Ensemble Transformation Kalman Filter (LETKF). Expansion of the assimilation domain to maximize observations is limited by error covariance caused by limited ensemble size in complex river networks, such as the Congo River. Therefore, we tested the LETKF algorithm in a continental-scale river (river length > 1500 km) using a physically based empirical localization method to maximize the observations available while filtering error covariance areas. Physically based empirical local patches were derived separately for each river pixel, considering spatial auto-correlations. An observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) was performed using empirical localization parameters to evaluate the potential of our method for estimating discharge. We found our method could improve discharge estimates considerably without affected from error covariance while fully using the available observations. We compared this experiment using empirical localization parameters with conventional fixed-shape local patches of different sizes. The empirical local patch OSSE showed the lowest normalized root mean square error of discharge for the entire Congo basin. Extending the conventional local patch without considering spatial auto-correlation results in very large errors in LETKF assimilation due to error covariance between small tributaries. The empirical local patch method has the potential to overcome the limitations of conventional local patches for continental-scale rivers using SWOT observations.
A Conceptual Time-Varying Flood Resilience Index for Urban Areas: Munich City
Authors: Chen Kai-Feng , Leandro Jorge
Published: April 2019

In response to the increased frequency and severity of urban flooding events, flood management strategies are moving away from flood proofing towards flood resilience. The term ‘flood resilience’ has been applied with different definitions. In this paper, it is referred to as the capacity to withstand adverse effects following flooding events and the ability to quickly recover to the original system performance before the event. This paper introduces a novel time-varying Flood Resilience Index (FRI) to quantify the resilience level of households. The introduced FRI includes: (a) Physical indicators from inundation modelling for considering the adverse effects during flooding events, and (b) social and economic indicators for estimating the recovery capacity of the district in returning to the original performance level. The district of Maxvorstadt in Munich city is used for demonstrating the FRI. The time-varying FRI provides a novel insight into indicator-based quantification methods of flood resilience for households in urban areas. It enables a timeline visualization of how a system responds during and after a flooding event.
Profound Impacts of the China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT Model (CMADS)
Authors: Meng Xianyong , Wang Hao , Chen Ji
Published: April 2019

As global warming continues to intensify, the problems of climate anomalies and deterioration of the water environment in East Asia are becoming increasingly prominent. In order to assist decision-making to tackle these problems, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the water environment and water resources through applying various hydrological and environmental models. To this end, the China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model (CMADS) has been applied to East Asian regions where environmental issues are obvious, but the stations for monitoring meteorological variables are not uniformly distributed. The dataset contains all of the meteorological variables for SWAT, such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, precipitation, and radiation. In addition, it includes a range of variables relevant to the Earth’s surface processes, such as soil temperature, soil moisture, and snowfall. Although the dataset is used mainly to drive the SWAT model, a large number of users worldwide for different models have employed CMADS and it is expected that users will not continue to limit the application of CMADS data to the SWAT model only. We believe that CMADS can assist all the users involved in the meteorological field in all aspects. In this paper, we introduce the research and development background, user group distribution, application area, application direction, and future development of CMADS. All of the articles published in this special issue will be mentioned in the contributions section of this article.
Coordination and Participation Boards under the European Water Framework Directive: Different Approaches Used in Some EU Countries
Authors: Pellegrini Emilia , Bortolini Lucia , Defrancesco Edi
Published: April 2019

River basin planning under the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE, WFD) poses two major challenges to EU countries: coordination among administrative units for large-scale river basin planning and the inclusion of interested parties in decision-making processes. To face both challenges, many Member States have established Coordination and Participation Boards at the River Basin District or river basin level. These boards can be defined as multi-agency and multi-actor groups that support the development of inclusive and coordinated river basin planning to comply with the WFD requirements. The aim of this paper is to understand the functioning and effectiveness of the coordination and participation boards in promoting participatory river basin planning in seven EU countries. We built a conceptual framework, based on spatial fit, coordination capacity and participatory governance theories, to assess the scale at which these boards are established as well as the type of coordination and participation they support. The results indicate the relevance of the sub-River Basin District level to promote participatory decision-making. However, a clear linkage between participatory processes conducted at the sub-district level and decision-making processes at River Basin District should be established. Only if this link is well established are the outcomes achieved through the coordination and participation boards included in river basin plans. Moreover, we identified a lack of knowledge on how planning and implementation activities carried out at sub-River Basin District are aggregated and coordinated for the entire District. Research could contribute to this issue, by focusing on coordination mechanisms and problems that occur at the River Basin District level.
Hydrological Modelling and Water Resources Assessment of Chongwe River Catchment using WEAP Model
Authors: Tena Tewodros M. , Mwaanga Phenny , Nguvulu Alick
Published: April 2019

The Chongwe River Catchment (CRC) is located in Zambia. It receives a mean annual precipitation of 889 mm. The catchment is facing growing anthropogenic and socio-economic activities leading to severe water shortages in recent years, particularly from July to October. The objective of this study was to assess the available water resources by investigating the important hydrological components and estimating the catchment water balance using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model. The average precipitation over a 52 year period and a 34 year period of streamflow measurement data for four stations were used in the hydrological balance model. The results revealed that the catchment received an estimated mean annual precipitation of 4603.12 Mm3. It also released an estimated mean annual runoff and evapotranspiration of 321.94 Mm3 and 4063.69 Mm3, respectively. The estimated mean annual total abstractions in the catchment was 119.87 Mm3. The average annual change in the catchment storage was 120.18 Mm3. The study also determined an external inflow of 22.55 Mm3 from the Kafue River catchment. The simulated mean monthly streamflow at the outlet of the CRC was 10.32 m3/s. The estimated minimum and maximum streamflow volume of the Chongwe River was about 1.01 Mm3 in September and 79.7 Mm3 in February, respectively. The performance of the WEAP model simulation was assessed statistically using the coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.97) and the Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient (NSE = 0.64). The R2 and NSE values indicated a satisfactory model fit and result. Meeting the water demand of the growing population and associated socio-economic development activities in the CRC is possible but requires appropriate water resource management options.
Effects of the South-North Water Diversion Project on the Water Dispatching Pattern and Ecological Environment in the Water Receiving Area: A Case Study of the Fuyang River Basin in Handan, China
Authors: Fu Hao , Yang Xiaoliu
Published: April 2019

Inter-basin water transfer projects are widely used in water-stressed areas. North China is facing severe imbalance between water demand and water supply. The South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) Project was built to transfer water from the Yangtze River Basin to the Hai River Basin. The Fuyang River Basin in the southern part of the Hai River Basin, passing through the Handan city, was chosen as the study area. To identify the effects of the SNWD Project on the water-receiving area, this paper used the decision support system AQUATOOL to simulate the water-dispatching scheme while using the water from the SNWD Project for domestic need in different level years. The results indicate that the SNWD Project provided 128.32 × 106 m3 of water in a wet year, 109.88 × 106 m3 in a normal year and 135.14 × 106 m3 in a dry year to this area. The added quantity of recycled water is 56.75 × 106 m3, 50.59 × 106 m3 and 57.52 × 106 m3, respectively. The water shortage in normal years was covered by the SNWD Project and the water shortage in dry years was reduced by 62.4%. Local environment was improved because of the SNWD Project, i.e., the SNWD water replaced and reduced the use of groundwater and increased the inflow to the Fuyang River and the Yongnian Wetland by increasing the recycled water. This research has demonstrated the SNWD Project has started to play a key role in securing water use and improving the environment in the water-receiving area since its completion in 2014.
İlaca Bağlı Olarak Çene Kemiklerinde Görülen Osteonekroz (Mronj): Derleme
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Ergin , SARUHAN Nesrin
Published: April 2019

Bifosfonatlar, osteoporöz tedavisinde
kullanımı günden güne artan ve kemikteki rezorpsiyon sürecini yavaşlatan ve
hatta durduran ilaçlardır. Bu ilaçlar, aynı zamanda Paget hastalığı ve
metabolik kemik hastalıkları, hiperkalsemi, multiple miyelom ve metastatik
durumlar ile ilişkili kemik hastalıklarının tedavisinde de etkin şekilde
kullanılmaktadır. Bu ilaçlar için en tehlikeli yan etki olarak da osteonekroza
sebebiyet verme riskinden bahsedilebilir. Bifosfonata bağlı olarak oluşan bu
osteonekroz, ilk olarak 2002 yılında Marx ve Stern tarafından bifosfonat
kullanan hastaların bir kısmında ağız içinde ortaya çıkan, iyileşmeyen, üstü
mukoza ile örtülü olmayan ekspoze osteonekrotik kemik alanlarının varlığını
farketmeleri ile teşhis edilmiştir.Bifosfonatların kullanımına bağlı olarak
çene kemiklerinde görülen bu osteonekroz isimlendirme olarak da ‘’Bisphosphonate-Related
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw’’ kelimelerinin baş harflerinin birleştirilmesinden
oluşan BRONJ terimi olarak literatüre geçmiştir. Ancak yıllar içinde bu konuda
hasta üzerinde yapılan çalışma ve araştırmalar artmış olup bu çeşit bir
osteonekroza sadece bifosfonat türevi ilaçların değil; RANKL inhibitörü olan
denosumab gibi kemoterapötik ilaçlar ve türevlerinin de sebep olduğu ortaya
konmuştur. 2014 AAOMS terimsel olarak değişikliğe gidilmesi gerekliliği
nedeniyle ilaca bağlı olarak çene kemiklerinde görülen osteonekroz manasına
gelen ‘’Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ)’’ olarak terimi
güncellemiştir.
Pitriyazis Rosea Olgularında Otoimmün Belirteçlerin Araştırılması
Authors: SEVİMLİ DİKİCİER Bahar , GÜR AKSOY Güneş
Published: April 2019

Giriş ve Amaç: Pitriyazis rosea (PR), ilk olarak 1798’de tanımlanmış; akut, kendini sınırlayan bir papulo skuamöz deri hastalığıdır. Etiyolojisi halen açıklığa kavuşmamış olan PR, ilk tanımlandığından beri enfeksiyöz ajanlarla bağlantısından şüphelenilip bu konuda birçok araştırmanın yapıldığı, ancak kesin bir sonuca varılamadığı bir hastalıktır. Etiyopatogenezdeki rolleri açısından otoimmünite, genetik yatkınlık ve atopi ise halen araştırılmakta olan diğer faktörlerdir. Bu çalışmada PR etyopatogenezinde otoimmünitenin rolünü değerlendirmek amacı ile tanı alan hastalarda (anti-nükleer antikor) ANA prevalansının araştırılması amaçlanmıştır.  Materyal ve metod: Bu çalışmada, PR tanısı almış 46 hasta ve 26 sağlıklı kontrol dahil edilmiş olup bireylerde kanda, otoimmün belirteçlerden tarama testi olarak kabul edilen anti-nükleer antikor(ANA- indirect İFA Hep-2 BioSystemsᴿ) prevalansı araştırılmıştır. ANA pozitiflerde antistreptolizin-o (ASO), C-reaktif protein (CRP), romatoid faktör (RF), IgG, IgM, IgA, kompleman 3 ve 4 (C3 ve C4) düzeyleri de nefelometrik yöntemle; anti SSA (Ro), anti SSB (La), anti dsDNA, antihiston, anti U1RNP, anti Jo1, anti sentromer, anti-Scl-70, antisentromer antikor (ANCA), anti mitokondriyal, anti düz kas, anti Rib P protein, anti tiroglobulin (anti TG), anti tiroid peroksidaz antikor (anti TPO) testleri de immünblotting yöntemiyle araştırılmıştır. Bulgular: PR’lı hastaların 4’ünde(%8,7) ANA (+) iken kontrol grubunda hepsi negatif saptanmış olup gruplar arası fark anlamlı bulunmuştur(p<0.05). Ancak istatistiksel olarak ANA pozitifliği ile PR arasında anlamlı ilişki bulunmamıştır.   Sonuç: Çalışmamızda PR hastalarında saptanan ANA prevalansı istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunsa da toplumda sağlıklı kişilerde de beklenen ANA prevalansı (%4-5) benzer oranlarda saptanabildiği için PR patogenezinde otoimmünitenin rolünü inceleyen daha geniş kapsamlı çalışmalara gereksinim vardır.
Pneumonia Due to a Rare Bacteria: Chryseobacterium indologenes Infection in a Paediatric Patient
Authors: DEMİRAY Tayfur , AYHANCI Tuğba , HATİPOĞLU Hüseyin , ÇİÇEK Halime , KÖROĞLU Mehmet , ALTINDİŞ Mustafa
Published: April 2019

Chryseobacterium indologenes is a non-fermantative yellow-pigmented Gram-negative bacillus and is widely distributed in nature. Chryseobacterium spp. can easily grow on wet surfaces and they are resistant to sanitation with chlorine to some degree, which causes them to colonize in hospital environments. C. indologenes is rarely isolated from human infections and is an emerging multı-drug resistant microorganism. In this report, we present a case of severe pneumonia caused by multidrug resistant C. indologenes in a paediatric patient.
Resetting Targets: Examining Large Effect Sizes and Disappointing Benchmark Progress
Authors: Stern Jonathan M. B. , Piper Benjamin
Published: April 2019

This paper uses recent evidence from international early grade reading programs to provide guidance about how best to create appropriate targets and more effectively identify improved program outcomes. Recent results show that World Bank and US Agency for International Development–funded large-scale international education interventions in low- and middle–income countries tend to produce larger impacts than do interventions in the United States, as measured by effect sizes. However, these effect sizes rarely translate into large gains in mean oral reading fluency scores and are associated with only small increases in the proportion of students meeting country-level reading benchmarks. The limited impact of these low- and middle–income countries’ reading programs on the proportion of students meeting reading benchmarks is in large part caused by right-skewed distributions of student reading scores. In other words, modest impacts on the proportion of students meeting benchmarks are caused by low mean scores and large proportions of nonreaders at baseline. It is essential to take these factors into consideration when setting program targets for reading fluency and comprehension. We recommend that program designers in lower-performing countries use baseline assessment data to develop benchmarks based on multiple performance categories that allow for more ambitious targets focused on reducing nonreaders and increasing beginning readers, with more modest targets aimed at improving oral reading fluency scores and increasing the percentage of proficient readers.
Unsupervised Generation of High Dynamic Range Solar Images: A Novel Algorithm for Self-calibration of Interferometry Data
Authors: Mondal Surajit , Mohan Atul , Oberoi Divya , Morgan John S. , Benkevitch Leonid , Lonsdale Colin J. , Crowley Meagan , Cairns Iver H.
Published: April 2019

Solar radio emission, especially at meter wavelengths, is well known to vary over small spectral (≲100 kHz) and temporal (<1 s) spans. It is comparatively recently, with the advent of a new generation of instruments, that it has become possible to capture data with sufficient resolution (temporal, spectral, and angular) so that one can begin to characterize the solar morphology simultaneously along the axes of time and frequency. This ability is naturally accompanied by an enormous increase in data volumes and computational burden, a problem that will only become more acute with the next generation of instruments such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The usual approach, which requires manual guidance of the calibration process, is impractical. Here we present the Automated Imaging Routine for Compact Arrays for the Radio Sun (AIRCARS), an end-to-end imaging pipeline optimized for solar imaging with arrays with a compact core. We have used AIRCARS so far on data from the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) Phase-I. The dynamic range of the images is routinely from a few hundred to a few thousand. In the few cases, where we have pushed AIRCARS to its limits, the dynamic range can go as high as ∼100,000. The images made represent a substantial improvement in the state of the art in terms of imaging fidelity and dynamic range. This has the potential to transform the multi-petabyte MWA solar archive from raw visibilities into science-ready images. AIRCARS can also be tuned to upcoming telescopes like the SKA, making it a very useful tool for the heliophysics community.
Adding a Suite of Chemical Abundances to the MACER Code for the Evolution of Massive Elliptical Galaxies
Authors: Gan Zhaoming , Choi Ena , Ostriker Jeremiah P. , Ciotti Luca , Pellegrini Silvia
Published: April 2019

We add a suite of chemical abundances to the MACER (Massive AGN Controlled Ellipticals Resolved) 2D code, by solving 12 additional continuity equations for H, He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ca, Fe, and Ni with sources from AGB stars and Type Ia and II supernovae with metal yields based on standard stellar physics. New stars, formed in Toomre unstable circumnuclear disks (of a size ≲150 pc), are assumed to have a top-heavy initial mass function with a power index of 1.65. The metal dilution effects due to cosmic accretion are also included. With a high resolution of a few parsecs in central regions, resolved black hole accretion, and active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback, we can track the metal enrichment, transportation, and dilution throughout the modeled massive elliptical galaxy of velocity dispersion ∼280 km s−1. We retrieve the chemical composition of the broad absorption line (BAL) winds launched by the central AGN, synthesize the X-ray features of the hot ISM, and find that (1) the simulated metallicity in the BAL winds could be up to ∼8 Z
⊙, while that of the hot ISM in the host galaxy is ∼2.3 Z
⊙, matching well with SDSS observations of BLR gas; (2) the X-ray emitting hot gas is metal-enriched with a typical value ∼2.5 Z
⊙; (3) the circumunuclear cold gas disk, where the metals are condensed, further enriched, and recycled, plays a critical role in the metal enrichment; (4) the black hole accretion rate

linearly correlates with the star formation rate

in the circumnuclear disk, i.e.,

, but lagged in time by roughly 106 yr.
Neutron Star Mergers Might Not Be the Only Source of r-process Elements in the Milky Way
Authors: Côté Benoit , Eichler Marius , Arcones Almudena , Hansen Camilla J. , Simonetti Paolo , Frebel Anna , Fryer Chris L. , Pignatari Marco , Reichert Moritz , Belczynski Krzysztof , Matteucci Francesca
Published: April 2019

Probing the origin of r-process elements in the universe represents a multidisciplinary challenge. We review the observational evidence that probes the properties of r-process sites, and address them using galactic chemical evolution simulations, binary population synthesis models, and nucleosynthesis calculations. Our motivation is to define which astrophysical sites have significantly contributed to the total mass of r-process elements present in our Galaxy. We found discrepancies with the neutron star (NS–NS) merger scenario. When we assume that they are the only site, the decreasing trend of [Eu/Fe] at [Fe/H] > −1 in the disk of the Milky Way cannot be reproduced while accounting for the delay-time distribution (DTD) of coalescence times (∝t
−1) derived from short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and population synthesis models. Steeper DTD functions (∝t
−1.5) or power laws combined with a strong burst of mergers before the onset of supernovae (SNe) Ia can reproduce the [Eu/Fe] trend, but this scenario is inconsistent with the similar fraction of short GRBs and SNe Ia occurring in early-type galaxies, and it reduces the probability of detecting GW170817 in an early-type galaxy. One solution is to assume an additional production site of Eu that would be active in the early universe, but would fade away with increasing metallicity. If this is correct, this additional site could be responsible for roughly 50% of the Eu production in the early universe before the onset of SNe Ia. Rare classes of supernovae could be this additional r-process source, but hydrodynamic simulations still need to ensure the conditions for a robust r-process pattern.
The Parallelism between Galaxy Clusters and Early-type Galaxies. I. The Light and Mass Profiles
Authors: D’Onofrio Mauro , Sciarratta Mauro , Cariddi Stefano , Marziani Paola , Chiosi Cesare
Published: April 2019

We have analyzed the parallelism between the properties of galaxy clusters and early-type galaxies (ETGs) by looking at the similarity between their light profiles. We find that the equivalent luminosity profiles of all these systems in the V band, once normalized to the effective radius R

e
and shifted in surface brightness, can be fitted by the Sérsic law

and superposed with a small scatter (≤0.3 mag). By grouping objects in different classes of luminosity, the average profile of each class slightly deviates from the other only in the inner and outer regions (outside 0.1 ≤ r/R

e
 ≤ 3), but the range of values of n remains ample for the members of each class, indicating that objects with similar luminosity have quite different shapes. The “Illustris” simulation reproduces the luminosity profiles of ETGs quite well, with the exception of in the inner and outer regions, where feedback from supernovae, active galactic nuclei, and wet and dry mergers is at work. The total mass and luminosity of galaxy clusters, as well as their light profiles, are not well reproduced. By exploiting simulations, we have followed the variation of the effective half-light and half-mass radius of ETGs up to z = 0.8, noting that progenitors are not necessarily smaller in size than current objects. We have also analyzed the projected dark+baryonic and dark-only mass profiles, discovering that, after a normalization to the half-mass radius, they can be well superposed and fitted by the Sérsic law.
Microarcsecond VLBI Pulsar Astrometry with PSRπ II. Parallax Distances for 57 Pulsars
Authors: Deller A. T. , Goss W. M. , Brisken W. F. , Chatterjee S. , Cordes J. M. , Janssen G. H. , Kovalev Y. Y. , Lazio T. J. W. , Petrov L. , Stappers B. W. , Lyne A.
Published: April 2019

We present the results of PSRπ, a large astrometric project targeting radio pulsars using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). From our astrometric database of 60 pulsars, we have obtained parallax-based distance measurements for all but 3, with a parallax precision that is typically ∼45 μas and approaches 10 μas in the best cases. Our full sample doubles the number of radio pulsars with a reliable (≳5σ) model-independent distance constraint. Importantly, many of the newly measured pulsars are well outside the solar neighborhood, and so PSRπ brings a near-tenfold increase in the number of pulsars with a reliable model-independent distance at d > 2 kpc. Our results show that both widely used Galactic electron density distribution models contain significant shortcomings, particularly at high Galactic latitudes. When comparing our results to pulsar timing, two of the four millisecond pulsars in our sample exhibit significant discrepancies in their proper motion estimates. With additional VLBI observations that extend our sample and improve the absolute positional accuracy of our reference sources, we will be able to additionally compare pulsar absolute reference positions between VLBI and timing, which will provide a much more sensitive test of the correctness of the solar system ephemerides used for pulsar timing. Finally, we use our large sample to estimate the typical accuracy attainable for differential VLBA astrometry of pulsars, showing that for sufficiently bright targets observed eight times over 18 months, a parallax uncertainty of 4 μas per arcminute of separation between the pulsar and calibrator can be expected.
Confirming Interstellar C60
+ Using the Hubble Space Telescope
Authors: Cordiner M. A. , Linnartz H. , Cox N. L. J. , Cami J. , Najarro F. , Proffitt C. R. , Lallement R. , Ehrenfreund P. , Foing B. H. , Gull T. R. , Sarre P. J. , Charnley S. B.
Published: April 2019

Recent advances in laboratory spectroscopy lead to the claim of ionized Buckminsterfullerene (C

) as the carrier of two diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in the near-infrared. However, irrefutable identification of interstellar C

requires a match between the wavelengths and the expected strengths of all absorption features detectable in the laboratory and in space. Here we present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectra of the region covering the C

9348, 9365, 9428, and 9577 Å absorption bands toward seven heavily reddened stars. We focus in particular on searching for the weaker laboratory C

bands, the very presence of which has been a matter for recent debate. Using the novel STIS-scanning technique to obtain ultra-high signal-to-noise spectra without contamination from telluric absorption that afflicted previous ground-based observations, we obtained reliable detections of the (weak) 9365, 9428 Å and (strong) 9577 Å C

bands. The band wavelengths and strength ratios are sufficiently similar to those determined in the latest laboratory experiments that we consider this the first robust identification of the 9428 Å band, and a conclusive confirmation of interstellar

.
Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 7
Authors: Ravera Sonia , Puglisi Marta , Vizzini Alfredo , Totti Cecilia , Aleffi Michele , Barberis Giuseppina , Benesperi Renato , von Brackel Wolfgang , Dagnino Davide , De Giuseppe Antonio B. , Fačkovcová Zuzana , Gheza Gabriele , Giordani Paolo , Guttová Anna , Mair Petra , Mayrhofer Helmut , Nascimbene Juri , Nimis Pier Luigi , Paoli Luca , Passalacqua Nicodemo G. , Pittao Elena , Poponessi Silvia , Prosser Filippo , Ottonello Mauro , Puntillo Domenico , Puntillo Michele , Sicoli Giovanni , Sguazzin Francesco , Spitale Daniel , Tratter Wilhelm , Turcato Claudia , Vallese Chiara
Published: April 2019

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algae genusChara, the bryophyte generaCephalozia,Conardia,Conocephalum,Didymodon,Sphagnum,Tetraplodon, andTortula, the fungal generaEndophyllum,Gymnosporangium,Microbotryum,Phragmidium, andPluteus, and the lichen generaCandelariella,Cladonia,Flavoplaca,Lichenothelia,Peltigera,Placolecis,Rinodina,Scytinium, andSolenopsora.
Contribution to the floristic knowledge of Velino and Aterno valleys (Lazio-Abruzzo, central Italy)
Authors: Bartolucci Fabrizio , Cancellieri Laura , Conti Fabio , Banfi Enrico , Bouvet Daniela , Celestini Michela , Ciaschetti Giampiero , Di Pietro Romeo , Falcinelli Francesco , Fascetti Simonetta , Galasso Gabriele , Lattanzi Edda , Masin Rizzieri R. , Pennesi Riccardo , Rosati Leonardo , Stinca Adriano , Tilia Agnese , G.W. Forte T’ai , Scoppola Anna
Published: April 2019

The inventory of the taxa collected during the annual field trip of the working group for Floristics, Systematics and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society is reported. The field trip was held in 2016 along the Velino and Aterno valleys located between Lazio and Abruzzo administrative regions (central Italy). The flora documented for the studied area amounts to 629 specific and subspecific taxa (including two hybrids) belonging to 300 genera and 69 families. Thirty-eight taxa are endemic to Italy, and only 16 alien taxa were detected. Thirty-eight taxa are included in the IUCN Red List of the Italian Flora. Twenty-four taxa have to be considered as floristic novelties because either new or confirmed for the regional flora of Lazio or Abruzzo. In particular, 15 taxa are new and 6 are confirmed for Lazio. Regarding Abruzzo, 2 taxa are new for the regional flora and one is confirmed. Furthermore, the alien status in Lazio has been updated for one taxon.
Blastosporium persicolor gen. et sp. nov., a new helotialean fungus
Authors: Zheng Hua , Zhang ZhenNa , Wen Zhijia , Castañeda-Ruiz Rafael F. , Yu ZeFen
Published: April 2019

A new genus and species, Blastosporiumpersicolor, is described and illustrated from leaves of mildewed tobacco. It is characterised by branched, septate hyphae from which arise macronematous, unbranched or spaced branched conidiophores and mono- or polyblastic conidiogenous cells that produced solitary and blastocatenate, obovoid, oblong, ellipsoidal, allantoid, broad fusiform to irregular, unicellular, hyaline conidia. The phylogenetic analyses, based on the combined sequence data from the small and large nuclear subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU and LSU), placed B.persicolor in the Leotiomycetes class, Helotiales order.
Temporal activity of rural free-ranging dogs: implications for the predator and prey species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Carvalho William Douglas , Rosalino Luís Miguel , Godoy Maíra Sant’Ana M. , Giorgete Marília F. , Adania Cristina Harumi , Esbérard Carlos E. Lustosa
Published: April 2019

Domestic or free-ranging dogs (Canislupusfamiliaris) can have deleterious effects on wildlife, acting as predators or competitors to native species. These impacts can be highly important in fragmented pristine habitats or well-preserved areas located in human dominated landscapes and where biodiversity values are usually high, such as those in southeastern Brazil. Here we explored the level of overlap or mismatch in the distributions of activity patterns of rural free-ranging dogs and potential wild prey (Didelphisaurita, Cuniculuspaca; Sylvilagusbrasiliensis) and a wild predator (Leoparduspardalis) in areas of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. We further explored the possible influence of the wild predator on the dog presence pattern detected in the territory analyzed. Our camera-trap data (714 camera-trap days) showed that while rural free-ranging dogs display a cathemeral activity pattern, with activity peaks at dusk and dawn, ocelot and prey species are mainly nocturnal. Moreover, we found no evidence of an effect of ocelot presence, the distance to human houses and the presence of native forests on site occupancy by dogs. The ocelot activity patterns in this study were similar to those already reported in previous studies. On the other hand, previous studies have indicated that that free-ranging dogs are often reported to be more diurnal, and it seems that the rural free-ranging dogs in our study area may have adjusted their behaviour to be more active at dawn and dusk periods. This might be to both maintain some overlap with potential prey, e.g. Sylvilagusbrasiliensis, and also to avoid ocelots by being less active in periods when this predator is more active (which also coincides with peaks in activity for potential prey species). We hypothesize that the presence of ocelots might be influencing the temporal niche dimension of rural free-ranging dogs. As a sustainable management strategy, we propose conserving territories to promote the presence of medium to large predators in natural areas, in order to control free-ranging dogs and protect their vertebrate prey species.
A new species of perennial Bromus (Bromeae, Poaceae) from the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Acedo Carmen , Llamas Félix
Published: April 2019

During a survey of the genus Bromus for the ongoing Flora Iberica, B.picoeuropeanussp. nov., a new orophilous species of perennial Bromus from Picos de Europa National Park, was found, and it is described and illustrated here. This new species belongs to the Bromuserectus complex and differs from the other perennial species of this group occurring in the Iberian Peninsula in its well-developed rhizome, the small innovation leaves and all peduncles and branches shorter than the spikelets. B.picoeuropeanus grows on calcareous stony soils associated with dry places. We provide a description and illustrations of the new species and an identification key for the most related European perennial species belonging to the complex.
La formalisation des récupérateurs à Bogota et Lima : reconnaître, réguler puis intégrer ?
Authors: Rateau Mélanie , Tovar Luisa
Published: April 2019

Les modèles de gestion des déchets en Colombie et au Pérou connaissent un tournant en faveur de l’intégration des récupérateurs informels des déchets. Le District Capital de Bogota et les cinquante municipalités de Lima mettent en place des processus de formalisation qui sont bien plus qu’une simple formalité. Il s’agit de reconnaitre, de réguler et d’intégrer les récupérateurs de déchets. L’étude des processus à l’œuvre dans ces deux villes révèle des modèles de formalisation distincts aux impacts contrastés sur l’informalité et la marginalité d’une pratique et de la population qui s’y dédie.