bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profiling wind and greenhouse gases by infrared-laser occultation: results from end-to-end simulations in windy air
Authors: Plach A. , Proschek V. , Kirchengast G.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The new mission concept of microwave and infrared-laser occultation between low-Earth-orbit satellites (LMIO) is designed to provide accurate and long-term stable profiles of atmospheric thermodynamic variables, greenhouse gases (GHGs), and line-of-sight (l.o.s.) wind speed with focus on the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). While the unique quality of GHG retrievals enabled by LMIO over the UTLS has been recently demonstrated based on end-to-end simulations, the promise of l.o.s. wind retrieval, and of joint GHG and wind retrieval, has not yet been analyzed in any realistic simulation setting. Here we use a newly developed l.o.s. wind retrieval algorithm, which we embedded in an end-to-end simulation framework that also includes the retrieval of thermodynamic variables and GHGs, and analyze the performance of both stand-alone wind retrieval and joint wind and GHG retrieval. The wind algorithm utilizes LMIO laser signals placed on the inflection points at the wings of the highly symmetric C18OO absorption line near 4767 cm−1 and exploits transmission differences from a wind-induced Doppler shift. Based on realistic example cases for a diversity of atmospheric conditions, ranging from tropical to high-latitude winter, we find that the retrieved l.o.s. wind profiles are of high quality over the lower stratosphere under all conditions, i.e., unbiased and accurate to within about 2 m s−1 over about 15 to 35 km. The wind accuracy degrades into the upper troposphere due to the decreasing signal-to-noise ratio of the wind-induced differential transmission signals. The GHG retrieval in windy air is not vulnerable to wind speed uncertainties up to about 10 m s−1 but is found to benefit in the case of higher speeds from the integrated wind retrieval that enables correction of wind-induced Doppler shift of GHG signals. Overall both the l.o.s. wind and GHG retrieval results are strongly encouraging towards further development and implementation of a LMIO mission.
Adaption of the MODIS aerosol retrieval algorithm by airborne spectral surface reflectance measurements over urban areas: a case study
Authors: Jäkel E. , Mey B. , Levy R. , Gu X. , Yu T. , Li Z. , Althausen D. , Heese B. , Wendisch M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. MODIS retrievals of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) are biased over urban areas, where surface reflectance is not well characterized. Since the operational MODIS aerosol retrieval for dark targets assumes fixed spectral slopes to calculate the surface reflectance at 0.47 μm, the algorithm may fail in urban areas with different spectral characteristics of the surface reflectance. To investigate this bias we have implemented variable spectral slopes into the operational MODIS aerosol algorithms of Collection 5 (C5) and C6. The variation of slopes is based on airborne measurements of surface reflectances over the city of Zhongshan, China. AOD retrieval results of the operational and the modified algorithms were compared for a MODIS measurement over Zhongshan. For this case slightly lower AOD values were derived using the modified algorithm. The retrieval methods were additionally applied to MODIS data of the Beijing area for a period between 2010–2014 when also AERONET data were available. A reduction of the differences between the AOD retrieved using the modified C5 algorithm and AERONET was found, whereby the mean difference from 0.31 ± 0.11 for the operational C5 and 0.18 ± 0.12 for the operational C6 where reduced to a mean difference of 0.09 ± 0.18 by using the modified C5 retrieval. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the MODIS AOD retrieval for several surface types was investigated. Radiative transfer simulations were performed to model reflectances at top of atmosphere for predefined aerosol properties. The reflectances were used as input for the retrieval methods. It is shown that the operational MODIS AOD retrieval over land reproduces the AOD reference input of 0.85 for dark surface types [retrieved AOD = 0.87 (C5)]. An overestimation of AOD = 0.99 is found for urban surfaces, whereby the modified C5 algorithm shows a good performance with a retrieved value of AOD = 0.86.
Transmissivity of solar radiation within a Picea sitchensis stand under various sky conditions
Authors: Dengel S. , Grace J. , MacArthur A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. We tested the hypothesis that diffuse radiation from cloudy and overcast skies penetrates the canopy more effectively than direct radiation from clear skies. We compared the flux density and spectral properties of direct and diffuse radiation (around solar noon (±1 h)) above, within and below a forest stand under sunny, cloudy and overcast conditions in a thinned Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) forest (28 years old, with a leaf area index of approximately 5.2 m2 m−2). We recorded vertical profiles of radiation penetration (from 350 to 1050 nm), and we also explored the horizontal pattern of radiation along a 115 m transect. We showed that in "clear sky" conditions, the photosynthetically active radiation in the lower parts of the canopy was substantially attenuated, more so than under cloudy and overcast skies. It was particularly depleted in the blue part of the spectrum, but only slightly blue-depleted when the sky was overcast or cloudy. Moreover, the red : far-red ratio under clear skies fell to values less than 0.3 but only to 0.6 under cloudy or overcast skies. Near the ground, the light climate was strongly influenced by the thinning pattern (carried out in accordance with standard forestry management practice).
Soil resources and climate jointly drive variations in microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in China's forest ecosystems
Authors: Zhou Z. H. , Wang C. K.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Microbial metabolism plays a key role in regulating the biogeochemical cycle of forest ecosystems, but the mechanisms driving microbial growth are not well understood. Here, we synthesized 689 measurements on soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and nitrogen (Nmic) and related parameters from 207 independent studies published during the past 15 years across China's forest ecosystems. Our objectives were to (1) examine patterns in Cmic, Nmic, and microbial quotient (i.e., Cmic / Csoil and Nmic / Nsoil rates) by climate zones and management regimes for these forests; and (2) identify the factors driving the variability in the Cmic, Nmic, and microbial quotient. There was a large variability in Cmic (390.2 mg kg−1), Nmic (60.1 mg kg−1), Cmic : Nmic ratio (8.25), Cmic / Csoil rate (1.92 %), and Nmic / Nsoil rate (3.43 %) across China's forests, with coefficients of variation varying from 61.2 to 95.6 %. The natural forests had significantly greater Cmic and Nmic than the planted forests, but had less Cmic : Nmic ratio and Cmic / Csoil rate. Soil resources and climate together explained 24.4–40.7 % of these variations. The Cmic : Nmic ratio declined slightly with the Csoil : Nsoil ratio, and changed with latitude, mean annual temperature and precipitation, suggesting a plastic homeostasis of microbial carbon-nitrogen stoichiometry. The Cmic / Csoil and Nmic / Nsoil rates were responsive to soil resources and climate differently, suggesting that soil microbial assimilation of carbon and nitrogen be regulated by different mechanisms. We conclude that soil resources and climate jointly drive microbial growth and metabolism, and also emphasize the necessity of appropriate procedures for data compilation and standardization in cross-study syntheses.
14C-age tracers in global ocean circulation models
Authors: Koeve W. , Wagner H. , Kähler P. , Oschlies A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The natural abundance of 14C in total CO2 dissolved in seawater (DIC) is a property applied to evaluate the water age structure and circulation in the ocean and in ocean models. In this study we use three different representations of the global ocean circulation augmented with a suite of idealised tracers to study the potential and limitations of using natural 14C to determine water age, which is the time elapsed since a body of water has been in contact with the atmosphere. We find that, globally, bulk 14C-age is dominated by two equally important components, one associated with ageing, i.e. the time component of circulation, and one associated with a "preformed 14C-age". The latter quantity exists because of the slow and incomplete atmosphere–ocean equilibration of 14C particularly in high latitudes where many water masses form. In the ocean's interior, preformed 14C-age behaves like a passive tracer. The relative contribution of the preformed component to bulk 14C-age varies regionally within a given model, but also between models. Regional variability in the Atlantic Ocean is associated with the mixing of waters with very different end members of preformed 14C-age. Here, variations in the preformed component over space and time mask the circulation component to an extent that its patterns are not detectable from bulk 14C-age. Between models, the variability of preformed 14C-age can also be considerable (factor of 2), related to the combination of physical model parameters, which influence circulation dynamics or gas exchange. The preformed component was found to be very sensitive to gas exchange and moderately sensitive to ice cover. In our model evaluation, the choice of the gas-exchange constant from within the currently accepted range of uncertainty had such a strong influence on preformed and bulk 14C-age that if model evaluation would be based on bulk 14C-age, it could easily impair the evaluation and tuning of a model's circulation on global and regional scales. Based on the results of this study, we propose that considering preformed 14C-age is critical for a correct assessment of circulation in ocean models.
Development of the National Health Information Systems in Botswana: Pitfalls, prospects and lessons
Authors: Seitio-Kgokgwe Onalenna , Gauld Robin DC , Hill Philip C , Barnett Pauline
Published: July 2015

Background: Studies evaluating development of health information systems in developing countries are limited. Most of the available studies are based on pilot projects or cross-sectional studies. We took a longitudinal approach to analysing the development of Botswana’s health information systems.Objectives: We aimed to: (i) trace the development of the national health information systems in Botswana (ii) identify pitfalls during development and prospects that could be maximized to strengthen the system; and (iii) draw lessons for Botswana and other countries working on establishing or improving their health information systems.Methods: This article is based on data collected through document analysis and key informant interviews with policy makers, senior managers and staff of the Ministry of Health and senior officers from various stakeholder organizations.Results: Lack of central coordination, weak leadership, weak policy and regulatory frameworks, and inadequate resources limited development of the national health information systems in Botswana. Lack of attention to issues of organizational structure is one of the major pitfalls.Conclusion: The ongoing reorganization of the Ministry of Health provides opportunity to reposition the health information system function. The current efforts including development of the health information management policy and plan could enhance the health information management system.Keywords: Disease outbreaks, electronic health records/classification, machine learning, natural language processing, public health informatics, public health surveillance/methods
Coding of Electronic Laboratory Reports for Biosurveillance, Selected United States Hospitals, 2011
Authors: Dhakal Sanjaya , Burrer Sherry L. , Winston Carla A. , Dey Achintya , Ajani Umed , Groseclose Samuel L.
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveElectronic laboratory reporting has been promoted as a public health priority. The Office of the U.S. National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has endorsed two coding systems: Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) for laboratory test orders and Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) for test results.  Materials and MethodsWe examined LOINC and SNOMED CT code use in electronic laboratory data reported in 2011 by 63 non-federal hospitals to BioSense electronic syndromic surveillance system.  We analyzed the frequencies, characteristics, and code concepts of test orders and results.ResultsA total of 14,028,774 laboratory test orders or results were reported. No test orders used SNOMED CT codes. To describe test orders, 77% used a LOINC code, 17% had no value, and 6% had a non-informative value, “OTH”. Thirty-three percent (33%) of test results had missing or non-informative codes. For test results with at least one informative value, 91.8% had only LOINC codes, 0.7% had only SNOMED codes, and 7.4% had both. Of 108 SNOMED CT codes reported without LOINC codes, 45% could be matched to at least one LOINC code.ConclusionMissing or non-informative codes comprised almost a quarter of laboratory test orders and a third of test results reported to BioSense by non-federal hospitals. Use of LOINC codes for laboratory test results was more common than use of SNOMED CT. Complete and standardized coding could improve the usefulness of laboratory data for public health surveillance and response.
Conus hughmorrisoni, a new species of cone snail from New Ireland, Papua New Guinea (Gastropoda: Conidae)
Authors: Lorenz Felix , Puillandre Nicolas
Published: July 2015

Based on newly collected material from the Kavieng Lagoon Biodiversity Survey, we describe a new species of cone snail, Conus hughmorrisoni sp. nov., from the vicinity of Kavieng, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. It closely resembles the New Caledonian C. exiguus and the Philippine C. hanshassi, but differs from these species by having more numerous shoulder tubercles, by the shell’s sculpturing and details of the color pattern. We also sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene of five specimens collected alive. All possessed very similar sequences (genetic distances < 0.3%), different from all the COI sequences of cone snails available in GenBank (genetic distances > 10%).
Uphill and Downhill Walking in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Samaei Afshin , Bakhtiary Amir Hoshang , Hajihasani Abdolhamid , Fatemi Elham , Motaharinezhad Fatemeh
Published: July 2015

Background: Various exercise protocols have been recommended for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the effects of uphill and downhill walking exercise on mobility, functional activities, and muscle strength in MS patients.

Methods: Thirty-four MS patients were randomly allocated to either the downhill or uphill treadmill walking group for 12 sessions (3 times/wk) of 30 minutes' walking on a 10% negative slope (n = 17) or a 10% positive slope (n = 17), respectively. Measurements were taken before and after the intervention and after 4-week follow-up and included fatigue by Modified Fatigue Impact Scale; mobility by Modified Rivermead Mobility Index; disability by Guy's Neurological Disability Scale; functional activities by 2-Minute Walk Test, Timed 25-Foot Walk test, and Timed Up and Go test; balance indices by Biodex Balance System; and quadriceps and hamstring isometric muscles by torque of left and right knee joints. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to investigate the intervention effects on the measurements.

Results: After the intervention, significant improvement was found in the downhill group versus the uphill group in terms of fatigue, mobility, and disability indices; functional activities; balance indices; and quadriceps isometric torque (P < .05). The results were stable at 4-week follow-up.

Conclusions: Downhill walking on a treadmill may improve muscle performance, functional activity, and balance control in MS patients. These findings support the idea of using eccentric exercise training in MS rehabilitation protocols.
Registered report: Biomechanical remodeling of the microenvironment by stromal caveolin-1 favors tumor invasion and metastasis
Authors: Fiering Steven , Ang Lay-Hong , Lacoste Judith , Smith Tim D , Griner Erin ,   Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology
Published: July 2015

The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology seeks to address growing concerns about reproducibility in scientific research by conducting replicating selected results from a number of high-profile papers in the field of cancer biology. The papers, which were published between 2010 and 2012 were selected on the basis of citations and Altimetric scores (Errington et al., 2014). This Registered report describes the proposed replication plan of key experiments from ‘Biomechanical remodeling of the microenvironment by stromal caveolin-1 favors tumor invasion and metastasis’ by Goetz and colleagues, published in Cell in 2011 (Goetz et al., 2011). The key experiments being replicated are those reported in Figures 7C (a-d), Supplemental Figure S2A, and Supplemental Figure S7C (a-c) (Goetz et al., 2011). In these experiments, which are a subset of all the experiments reported in the original publication, Goetz and colleagues show in a subcutaneous xenograft model that stromal caveolin-1 remodels the intratumoral microenvironment, which is correlated with increased metastasis formation. The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology is a collaboration between the Center for Open Science and Science Exchange and the results of the replications will be published in eLife.
Dopamine receptors reveal an essential role of IFT-B, KIF17, and Rab23 in delivering specific receptors to primary cilia
Authors: Leaf Alison , Von Zastrow Mark
Published: July 2015

Appropriate physiological signaling by primary cilia depends on the specific targeting of particular receptors to the ciliary membrane, but how this occurs remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that D1-type dopaminergic receptors are delivered to cilia from the extra-ciliary plasma membrane by a mechanism requiring the receptor cytoplasmic tail, the intraflagellar transport complex-B (IFT-B), and ciliary kinesin KIF17. This targeting mechanism critically depends on Rab23, a small guanine nucleotide binding protein that has important effects on physiological signaling from cilia but was not known previously to be essential for ciliary delivery of any cargo. Depleting Rab23 prevents dopamine receptors from accessing the ciliary membrane. Conversely, fusion of Rab23 to a non-ciliary receptor is sufficient to drive robust, nucleotide-dependent mis-localization to the ciliary membrane. Dopamine receptors thus reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism of ciliary receptor targeting and functional role of Rab23 in promoting this process.
Genome-wide DNA hypomethylation and RNA:DNA hybrid accumulation in Aicardi–Goutières syndrome
Authors: Lim Yoong Wearn , Sanz Lionel A , Xu Xiaoqin , Hartono Stella R , Chédin Frédéric
Published: July 2015

Aicardi–Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a severe childhood inflammatory disorder that shows clinical and genetic overlap with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AGS is thought to arise from the accumulation of incompletely metabolized endogenous nucleic acid species owing to mutations in nucleic acid-degrading enzymes TREX1 (AGS1), RNase H2 (AGS2, 3 and 4), and SAMHD1 (AGS5). However, the identity and source of such immunogenic nucleic acid species remain undefined. Using genome-wide approaches, we show that fibroblasts from AGS patients with AGS1-5 mutations are burdened by excessive loads of RNA:DNA hybrids. Using MethylC-seq, we show that AGS fibroblasts display pronounced and global loss of DNA methylation and demonstrate that AGS-specific RNA:DNA hybrids often occur within DNA hypomethylated regions. Altogether, our data suggest that RNA:DNA hybrids may represent a common immunogenic form of nucleic acids in AGS and provide the first evidence of epigenetic perturbations in AGS, furthering the links between AGS and SLE.
The deca-GX3 proteins Yae1-Lto1 function as adaptors recruiting the ABC protein Rli1 for iron-sulfur cluster insertion
Authors: Paul Viktoria Désirée , Mühlenhoff Ulrich , Stümpfig Martin , Seebacher Jan , Kugler Karl G , Renicke Christian , Taxis Christof , Gavin Anne-Claude , Pierik Antonio J , Lill Roland
Published: July 2015

Cytosolic and nuclear iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins are involved in many essential pathways including translation and DNA maintenance. Their maturation requires the cytosolic Fe-S protein assembly (CIA) machinery. To identify new CIA proteins we employed systematic protein interaction approaches and discovered the essential proteins Yae1 and Lto1 as binding partners of the CIA targeting complex. Depletion of Yae1 or Lto1 results in defective Fe-S maturation of the ribosome-associated ABC protein Rli1, but surprisingly no other tested targets. Yae1 and Lto1 facilitate Fe-S cluster assembly on Rli1 in a chain of binding events. Lto1 uses its conserved C-terminal tryptophan for binding the CIA targeting complex, the deca-GX3 motifs in both Yae1 and Lto1 facilitate their complex formation, and Yae1 recruits Rli1. Human YAE1D1 and the cancer-related ORAOV1 can replace their yeast counterparts demonstrating evolutionary conservation. Collectively, the Yae1-Lto1 complex functions as a target-specific adaptor that recruits apo-Rli1 to the generic CIA machinery.
Levetiracetam (Keppra) efficacy and safety in the prevention of early-onset seizures following traumatic brain injuries in pediatric patients
Authors: Shin Young , Benavides Sandra , Wurster Joanie , Patel Neil
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Approximately half a million emergency department visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI) by children and adolescents occur each year. One of the complications of TBI is early-onset seizure. Current guidelines recommend the use of phenytoin for prevention of seizures following a TBI; however, several drug interactions and adverse reactions are associated with its use. Despite studies demonstrating efficacy of levetiracetam in adult patients, the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in children with TBI is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for the prevention of early-onset seizures in pediatric patients following TBI.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation was conducted, which included children, ages 0 to 17 years, admitted secondary to a nonpenetrating TBI and who received levetiracetam for seizure prophylaxis for up to 7 days. The primary outcome was the number of children who had a seizure within the first 7 days following a TBI, and secondary outcomes included the number of adverse drug reactions.

Results

A total of 89 pediatrics patients with nonpenetrating TBI were identified and included in the study. Forty-seven patients received a mean dose of 10 mg/kg (SD ± 4.22) of levetiracetam twice a day, and 42 patients received 500 mg 2 times per day (based on adult dosing). Seizure activity was observed in only two patients (2.2%) within the first 7 days following TBI. A total of 13 patients (14.6%) experienced anemia, agitation, and elevation of liver enzymes during levetiracetam therapy.

Discussion

The study suggests that levetiracetam appears to be an effective and safe agent for early-onset seizure prophylaxis in pediatric patients with TBI as indicated by the low number of patients with seizures. The reported adverse reactions may have resulted from the trauma rather than the use of levetiracetam.
Evaluation of a prior authorization policy on compliance with VA pharmacy benefits management services recommendations for antipsychotic selection
Authors: Nevo Ofir Noah , Gold Jeffrey , Hawk Sherri
Published: July 2015

Introduction:

A previous study at Veterans Affairs (VA) Eastern Colorado Health Care System revealed low rates of compliance with VA Pharmacy Benefits Management Services recommendations for antipsychotic selection in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. As a result, formulary restrictions of second-line antipsychotics were implemented. Since April 2013, new starts of second-line antipsychotic agents require a prior authorization drug review. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the prior authorization process on compliance with the VA criteria for prescribing aripiprazole, olanzapine, and ziprasidone. The primary objective was to compare compliance rates with VA antipsychotic selection criteria preimplementation and postimplementation of the prior authorization drug review policy.

Methods

Single center, retrospective chart review of patients receiving aripiprazole, olanzapine, and ziprasidone. A report of all patients receiving a prescription for the above 3 agents between April 8, 2013, and December 6, 2013, was generated from the electronic medical record system. Charts were reviewed manually to determine compliance.

Results

One hundred forty-two unique patients were started on aripiprazole, olanzapine, and/or ziprasidone. Ninety percent of patients met VA criteria for use of these second-line antipsychotic agents, compared to 26% of patients prior to implementation of the prior authorization drug review. Overall prescribing of these agents decreased by 60%, resulting in an estimated cost avoidance of $617 389.

Discussion

Implementation of a prior authorization drug request for aripiprazole, olanzapine, and ziprasidone was associated with increased compliance with VA criteria for use of antipsychotic agents and with marked cost avoidance due to the reduced use of more expensive second-line antipsychotic agents.
An ulcerated mouth lesion following one dose of sublingual asenapine
Authors: Sweet Gary , Washington Nicole B. , Brahm Nancy C.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To report the first descriptive case of a mouth lesion following one dose of sublingually administered asenapine.

Asenapine is a second-generation antipsychotic, approved in the United States in August 2009, for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute mania associated with bipolar disorder. It is administered as a sublingual tablet to be taken twice daily. Although the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, it is thought to be mediated through a combination of antagonist activity at the dopamine and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Sublingual bioavailability is estimated at 35% and is highly plasma protein bound (95%). Oral administration results in low bioavailability (< 2%) due to extensive first-pass metabolism. Adverse tissue reactions identified by the manufacturer include mouth ulcers, blisters, and peeling/sloughing of the contact area. In one manufacturer-sponsored trial, oral paresthesia events were reported for the following administration routes: sublingual (75.8%), supralingual (55.9%), and buccal (45.7%).

Case Report

A 35-year-old patient diagnosed with schizophrenia and swallowing problems was on a regimen that included liquid haloperidol via oral syringe. Adherence was problematic and psychotic symptoms were poorly controlled. The patient was prescribed asenapine 5-mg sublingual tablets to be dissolved under the tongue twice daily. Following the first dose, the patient developed an extremely painful ulcerated lip lesion and refused additional doses. The Naranjo Probability Scale was applied and indicated a probable reaction (7 of 12).

Conclusions

In our patient, the adverse event occurred following one dose. Rechallenge was not attempted. Primary care providers may not be fully aware of the potential severity for this medication-related effect. Based on findings from the manufacturer, clinicians are encouraged to counsel patients and conduct follow-up to determine whether any adverse oral effects were experienced that might have an impact on medication adherence.
Review of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections
Authors: Mullen Sandy
Published: July 2015

During the past decade, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) has become the topic of numerous debates, sparking research on its presentation, existence, and treatment. As the awareness of PANDAS has increased among the general community, health care providers have been forced to increase their knowledge of this controversial disease state. This article will review the background information, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and contentious issues related to PANDAS.
Parameterization of aerosol scavenging due to atmospheric ionization
Authors: Tinsley Brian A. , Zhou Limin
Published: July 2015

A new approach to parameterizing the modulation of aerosol scavenging by electric charges on particles and droplets gives improved accuracy and is applied over an extended range of droplet and particle radii relevant to cloud microphysical processes. The base level scavenging rates for small particles are dominated by diffusion and for large particles by intercept, weight, and flow effects. For charged particles encountering uncharged droplets, in all cases there is an increase in the scavenging rates, due to the image force. For droplets with charges of opposite sign to those of the particle charge, the rates are further increased, due to the Coulomb force, whereas for droplet with charges of the same sign, the rates are decreased. Increases above the base level (electroscavenging) predominate for the larger particles and occur in the interior of clouds even when no space charge (net charge) is present. Decreases below the base level (electroantiscavenging) occur for same‐sign charges with smaller particles. The rates for uncharged droplets are parameterized, and the effect of charges on the droplets then parameterized as a departure from those rates. The results are convenient for incorporation in models of clouds which include detailed microphysics, to model the electrically induced reductions and increases in cloud condensation nucleus and ice forming nucleus concentrations and size distributions and contact ice nucleation rates that affect coagulation and precipitation and cloud albedo. Implications for effects on weather and climate, due both to externally and internally induced variability in atmospheric ionization, are outlined.
The impact of stored solar heat on Arctic sea ice growth
Authors: Timmermans M.‐L.
Published: July 2015

High‐resolution measurements of ocean temperature and salinity in the Arctic Ocean's Canada Basin reveal the importance of the release of solar‐derived stored ocean heat on sea ice growth. Locally absorbed summer solar heat is stored in a near‐surface temperature maximum (NSTM) layer underlying the mixed layer. The heat content of the NSTM layer was anomalously large following summer 2007, which saw considerable sea ice losses and intense solar absorption into the exposed surface ocean. Measurements provide evidence for the entrainment of NSTM layer heat in fall/winter 2007–2008 by shear‐driven mixing, and convective mixing by the release of dense, salty plumes during sea ice growth. While at least a portion of the NSTM layer was eroded, deeper warm ocean layers remained unaffected. It is shown that the release of solar heat stored following summer 2007 was sufficient to have reduced sea ice thickness at the end of the 2008 growth season by about 25%.
Linear relation between convective cloud base height and updrafts and application to satellite retrievals
Authors: Zheng Youtong , Rosenfeld Daniel
Published: July 2015

Measurements done by the Department of Energy/Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program, at the Southern Great Plains, the central Amazon, and on board an oceangoing ship between Honolulu and Los Angeles, show that updraft speeds measured by Doppler lidar and 95 GHz cloud radar are tightly linearly correlated with cloud base height (Hb). Based on these relationships, a method of satellite retrieval of maximum (Wmax) and cloud base (Wb) updraft speeds in cloud topped planetary boundary layer is proposed. Hb, as an input for updraft estimation, is obtained from satellite‐retrieved cloud base temperature in combination with 2 m air temperature derived from European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis. Validation by the lidar and radar measurements shows good agreements for the satellite retrieval of Wmax with RMSE (root‐mean‐square error) = 0.38 m/s and MAPE (mean absolute percentage error) = 19% and Wb with RMSE = 0.34 m/s and MAPE = 21%.
Identification of the source of quasiperiodic VLF emissions using ground‐based and Van Allen Probes satellite observations
Authors: Titova E. E. , Kozelov B. V. , Demekhov A. G. , Manninen J. , Santolik O. , Kletzing C. A. , Reeves G.
Published: July 2015

We report on simultaneous spacecraft and ground‐based observations of quasiperiodic VLF emissions and related energetic‐electron dynamics. Quasiperiodic emissions in the frequency range 2–6 kHz were observed during a substorm on 25 January 2013 by Van Allen Probe‐A and a ground‐based station in the Northern Finland. The spacecraft detected the VLF signals near the geomagnetic equator in the night sector at L = 3.0–4.2 when it was inside the plasmasphere. During the satellite motion toward higher latitudes, the time interval between quasiperiodic elements decreased from 6 min to 3 min. We find one‐to‐one correspondence between the quasiperiodic elements detected by Van Allen Probe‐A and on the ground, which indicates the temporal nature of the observed variation in the time interval between quasiperiodic elements. Multiсomponent measurements of the wave electric and magnetic fields by the Van Allen Probe‐A show that the quasiperiodic emissions were almost circularly right‐hand polarized whistler mode waves and had predominantly small (below 30°) wave vector angles with respect to the magnetic field. In the probable source region of these signals (L about 4), we observed synchronous variations of electron distribution function at energies of 10–20 keV and the quasiperiodic elements. In the pause between the quasiperiodic elements pitch angle distribution of these electrons had a maximum near 90°, while they become more isotropic during the development of quasiperiodic elements. The parallel energies of the electrons for which the data suggest direct evidence of the wave‐particle interactions is in a reasonable agreement with the estimated cyclotron resonance energy for the observed waves.
Variations in grain size and viscosity based on vacancy diffusion in minerals, seismic tomography, and geodynamically inferred mantle rheology
Authors: Glišović Petar , Forte Alessandro M. , Ammann Michael W.
Published: July 2015

The effect of grain size on mantle viscosity is comparable to that of temperature and pressure. The current 3‐D distribution of grain size in the mantle is, however, unknown. To explore the possible variability of grain size, we use the following: geodynamic inferences of effective viscosity, vacancy diffusion rates in upper mantle minerals and perovskite in the lower mantle, lateral variations in temperature derived from seismic images, and different geotherms. An important outcome of this modeling is a new mapping of lateral viscosity variations throughout the mantle. The corresponding 3‐D variations in grain size are characterized by 2 orders of magnitude changes. We find a correlation between grain size variability in the mantle and absolute viscosity changes with depth. Our findings suggest that the traditional assumption of Arrhenius temperature dependence for vacancy diffusion in the lower mantle is not sufficient to constrain the deformation mechanisms that determine its effective bulk viscosity.
End‐of‐winter snow depth variability on glaciers in Alaska
Authors: McGrath Daniel , Sass Louis , O'Neel Shad , Arendt Anthony , Wolken Gabriel , Gusmeroli Alessio , Kienholz Christian , McNeil Christopher
Published: July 2015

A quantitative understanding of snow thickness and snow water equivalent (SWE) on glaciers is essential to a wide range of scientific and resource management topics. However, robust SWE estimates are observationally challenging, in part because SWE can vary abruptly over short distances in complex terrain due to interactions between topography and meteorological processes. In spring 2013, we measured snow accumulation on several glaciers around the Gulf of Alaska using both ground‐ and helicopter‐based ground‐penetrating radar surveys, complemented by extensive ground truth observations. We found that SWE can be highly variable (40% difference) over short spatial scales (tens to hundreds of meters), especially in the ablation zone where the underlying ice surfaces are typically rough. Elevation provides the dominant basin‐scale influence on SWE, with gradients ranging from 115 to 400 mm/100 m. Regionally, total accumulation and the accumulation gradient are strongly controlled by a glacier's distance from the coastal moisture source. Multiple linear regressions, used to calculate distributed SWE fields, show that robust results require adequate sampling of the true distribution of multiple terrain parameters. Final SWE estimates (comparable to winter balances) show reasonable agreement with both the Parameter‐elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model climate data set (9–36% difference) and the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Benchmark Glaciers (6–36% difference). All the glaciers in our study exhibit substantial sensitivity to changing snow‐rain fractions, regardless of their location in a coastal or continental climate. While process‐based SWE projections remain elusive, the collection of ground‐penetrating radar (GPR)‐derived data sets provides a greatly enhanced perspective on the spatial distribution of SWE and will pave the way for future work that may eventually allow such projections.
Space weather conditions during the Galaxy 15 spacecraft anomaly
Authors: Loto'aniu T. M. , Singer H. J. , Rodriguez J. V. , Green J. , Denig W. , Biesecker D. , Angelopoulos V.
Published: July 2015

On 5 April 2010, the Galaxy 15 spacecraft, orbiting at geosynchronous altitudes, experienced an anomaly near local midnight when it stopped responding to any ground commands. The anomaly has been reported as due to a lockup of the field‐programmable gate array within the spacecraft baseband communications unit during an onboard electrostatic discharge (ESD). This study evaluates the space weather conditions at the time of the Galaxy 15 anomaly. The study also compares the plasma and geomagnetic environments around the anomaly to space weather observations over the operational lifetime of Galaxy 15 up to the anomaly time. On 5 April, the Galaxy 15 spacecraft encountered severe plasma conditions while it was in eclipse and during the subsequent anomaly interval. These conditions included a massive magnetic field dipolarization that injected energetic particles from the magnetotail during a substorm observed by GOES and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms satellites. Galaxy 15 was located at a near‐optimum position and local time to experience the full impact of the injected energetic particles. During the largest previous storm experienced by Galaxy 15 in December 2006, evidence suggests that it would not have been exposed to the same level of space weather as on 5 April 2010. Hence, while Galaxy 15 was traversing the nightside on 5 April, it likely experienced, for a short period, the most severe local plasma conditions it had encountered since launch. The most likely contributions to the ESD were interactions of the spacecraft with substorm‐injected energetic particles facilitating spacecraft surface charging and deep dielectric charging.
Appreciation of peer reviewers for 2014
Authors: Montanari Alberto , Bahr Jean , Blöschl Günter , Cai Ximing , Mackay D. Scott , Michalak Anna , Rajaram Harihar , Sander Graham
Published: July 2015

During 2014 Water Resources Research benefited from the voluntary effort of 2103 reviewers. Their constructive and professional effort was instrumental for publishing high‐quality contributions thereby supporting the development of our knowledge of water resources. The contribution of the reviewers is instrumental to science for reaching the target of benefiting humanity. Editors and Associate Editors of Water Resources Research are grateful to the reviewers for their talented, unselfish, and continuous support to the journal.
Correlates of sports practice, occupational and leisure‐time physical activity in Brazilian adolescents
Authors: Silva Danilo R.P. , Fernandes Rômulo A. , Ohara David , Collings Paul J. , Souza Mariana F. , Tomeleri Crisieli M. , Ronque Enio R.V. , Sardinha Luís B. , Cyrino Edilson S.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To analyze the relationship between different physical activity (PA) domains and sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral and biological factors in Brazilian adolescents.

Methods

1,220 adolescents (55.1% female) aged between 10 and 16 years‐old participated in this study. The Baecke questionnaire was used to evaluate different PA domains, namely occupational, sports and leisure‐time. Socioeconomic status, number of siblings, friendships satisfaction, mother's and father's PA level and previous experience with sports were self‐reported. Cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, and somatic maturity were estimated by objective indicators. Linear regression was used for the main statistical analysis.

Results

The variables consistently related to all of the PA domains were gender (boys more active), friendship satisfaction (positive with sports and leisure‐time PA and negative with occupational PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (positive). There were also domain‐specific relationships for occupational (number of siblings [β = 0.02] and father's PA [β = 0.13]), sport practice (previous experience with sports [β = 0.33], waist circumference [β = 0.01] and somatic maturity [β = −0.12]) and leisure‐time PA (chronological age [β = −0.15], mother's PA [β = 0.47] and previous experience with sports [β = 0.17]).

Conclusions

The different domains of PA are related to specific variables in adolescence. This information may be helpful in formulating strategies for physical activity promotion, particularly in adolescents from low‐to‐middle income countries. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:112–117, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Styrene Aziridination by Iron(IV) Nitrides
Authors: Muñoz Salvador B. , Lee Wei‐Tsung , Dickie Diane A. , Scepaniak Jeremiah J. , Subedi Deepak , Pink Maren , Johnson Michael D. , Smith Jeremy M.
Published: July 2015

Thermolysis of the iron(IV) nitride complex [PhB(tBuIm)3FeN] with styrene leads to formation of the high‐spin iron(II) aziridino complex [PhB(tBuIm)3Fe‐N(CH2CHPh)]. Similar aziridination occurs with both electron‐rich and electron‐poor styrenes, while bulky styrenes hinder the reaction. The aziridino complex [PhB(tBuIm)3Fe‐N(CH2CHPh)] acts as a nitride synthon, reacting with electron‐poor styrenes to generate their corresponding aziridino complexes, that is, aziridine cross‐metathesis. Reaction of [PhB(tBuIm)3Fe‐N(CH2CHPh)] with Me3SiCl releases the N‐functionalized aziridine Me3SiN(CH2CHPh) while simultaneously generating [PhB(tBuIm)3FeCl]. This closes a synthetic cycle for styrene azirdination by a nitride complex. While the less hindered iron(IV) nitride complex [PhB(MesIm)3FeN] reacts with styrenes below room temperature, only bulky styrenes lead to tractable aziridino products.
A Methoxydiphenylamine‐Substituted Carbazole Twin Derivative: An Efficient Hole‐Transporting Material for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gratia Paul , Magomedov Artiom , Malinauskas Tadas , Daskeviciene Maryte , Abate Antonio , Ahmad Shahzada , Grätzel Michael , Getautis Vytautas , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: July 2015

The small‐molecule‐based hole‐transporting material methoxydiphenylamine‐substituted carbazole was synthesized and incorporated into a CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cell, which displayed a power conversion efficiency of 16.91 %, the second highest conversion efficiency after that of Spiro‐OMeTAD. The investigated hole‐transporting material was synthesized in two steps from commercially available and relatively inexpensive starting reagents. Various electro‐optical measurements (UV/Vis, IV, thin‐film conductivity, hole mobility, DSC, TGA, ionization potential) have been carried out to characterize the new hole‐transporting material.
Asymmetric γ‐Allylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes by Combined Organocatalysis and Transition‐Metal Catalysis
Authors: Næsborg Line , Halskov Kim Søholm , Tur Fernando , Mønsted Sofie M. N. , Jørgensen Karl Anker
Published: July 2015

The first asymmetric regio‐ and diastereodivergent γ‐allylation of cyclic α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes based on combined organocatalysis and transition‐metal catalysis is disclosed. By combining an aminocatalyst with an iridium catalyst, both diastereomers of branched allylated products can be achieved in moderate to good yields and excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivities. Furthermore, by replacing the iridium catalyst with a palladium catalyst, the linear allylated products are formed in good yields and excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. The developed method thus provides selective access to all six isomers of the γ‐allylated product in a divergent fashion by choosing the appropriate combination of organocatalyst, transition‐metal catalyst, and ligand.
A Solution‐Processable Donor–Acceptor Compound Containing Boron(III) Centers for Small‐Molecule‐Based High‐Performance Ternary Electronic Memory Devices
Authors: Poon Chun‐Ting , Wu Di , Lam Wai Han , Yam Vivian Wing‐Wah
Published: July 2015

A novel small‐molecule boron(III)‐containing donor–acceptor compound has been synthesized and employed in the fabrication of solution‐processable electronic resistive memory devices. High ternary memory performances with low turn‐on (VTh1=2.0 V) and distinct threshold voltages (VTh2=3.3 V), small reading bias (1.0 V), and long retention time (>104 seconds) with a large ON/OFF ratio of each state (current ratio of “OFF”, “ON1”, and “ON2”=1:103:106) have been demonstrated, suggestive of its potential application in high‐density data storage. The present design strategy provides new insight in the future design of memory devices with multi‐level transition states.
ROLE OF SERUM AND ION CHANNEL BLOCK ON GROWTH AND HORMONALLY‐INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION OF Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) INSECT CELLS
Authors: Jenson Lacey J. , Bloomquist Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2015

A neuronal morphological phenotype can be induced in cultured Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells (Sf21) by supplementing serum‐containing media with 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20‐HE) and/or insulin. In this study, the primary objectives were to determine any role of ion channels in mediating the morphological change in cells treated with 20‐HE and insulin, and whether serum was required to observe this effect. Results showed serum‐free media also induced growth of processes in Sf21 cells, but at a lower percentage than that found previously in cells bathed in serum‐containing media. Veratridine, a sodium channel activator, increased cell survival when applied in combination with 20‐HE to Sf21 cells, and the effect was blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 μM) a known sodium channel blocker. Cobalt, a calcium channel blocker, showed significant inhibition of cell process growth when applied in combination with both 20‐HE and 20‐HE plus veratridine. Cobalt also showed significant inhibition of cell process growth when applied in combination with insulin. Thus, some type of sodium channel, as well as a mechanism for transmembrane calcium ion movement, are apparently expressed in Sf21 cells and are involved in the differentiation process. These cell lines may be used in a wide variety of endeavors, including the screening of insecticides, as well as foster basic studies of neurodevelopment and ecdysone action.