bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteolytic behavior of isolated Pseudomonas spp. from refrigerated raw milk in different concentrations and storage temperatures
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Cristina Pinesso , Bruzaroski Samera Rafaela , Pereira Flavia De Almeida Bergonse , Paião Fernanda Gonzales , Poli-Frederico Regina Celia , Santos Joice Sifuentes dos , Santana Elsa Helena Walter de
Published: March 2018

The objective of the work was to evaluate the multiplication capacity and proteolytic activity of different Pseudomonas spp. cell counts inoculated in milk and storaged under different temperature. Strains isolated from refrigerated raw milk (RRM) were confirmed at genus level by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The Pseudomonas spp. was cultured in cephalothin-sodium fusidate-cetrimide (CFC) agar-base (30?C for 48 h) until it reached 2 log and 6 log CFU mL-1. Three of eight strains confirmed as Pseudomonas spp were inoculated in sterile reconstituted whole milk powder and incubated at 2°C, 4°C, and 8°C for 96 h. Primary proteolysis indices was determined by the Kjeldahl method. When taking into account the effect of storage time in Pseudomonas spp. population, it was found that the initial population (2 log CFU mL-1) showed significant difference in growth rates only from 0 h to 24 h, keeping at the same levels along 96 h. When a higher initial population was incubated (6 log CFU mL-1), it was not observed a significant difference for times tested. Related to the effect of storage time in proteolysis index, it was not observed a significant difference in samples inoculated with 2 and 6 log CFU mL-1 Pseudomonas spp. When we analyzed the influence of storage temperature on the bacterial multiplication, there was a significant difference in the Pseudomonas spp. population only between 2°C and 8°C after 96 h of milk storage with 2 log CFU/mL of initial inoculum. If we consider the temperature effect in the primary proteolysis index, there were significant differences at the inoculum of 2 log CFU mL-1 where the primary proteolysis at 24 h was lower at 2°C than at 8ºC. Low temperatures or short storage time had no influence on Pseudomonas spp. enumeration or in the primary proteolysis index when high initial contaminations are observed. At lower Pseudomonas spp. initial population, the smaller storage time tested influenced the population control, and linked with the reduction in the storage temperature, lower proteolysis index were observed.
Profitability of no-till grain production systems
Authors: Fuentes-Llanillo Rafael , Telles Tiago Santos , Volsi Bruno , Soares Júnior Dimas , Carneiro Sérgio Luiz , Guimarães Maria De Fátima
Published: March 2018

In general, the technical and agronomic benefits of no-till farming are widely known and well documented in the literature. However, studies focusing on the economics of no-tillage are scarce. In this context, the objective of this study is to determine whether no-till grain production systems that follow the principles of conservation agriculture are economically profitable by analyzing gross margins per hectare per year over six harvests for the agricultural years 1998/1999 to 2003/2004. In addition, a possible link between profitability and different no-till methods in terms of degree of soil turnover, crop rotation, and whether machinery used in agricultural operations is owned or rented is investigated. For this purpose, the multi-case analytical method was applied to thirteen grain producing family farms in Northern Paraná state, Brazil. Based on the results, two ranges of agricultural production variable costs and gross margins were identified. Higher gross margins were associated with longer use of the no-till system, ownership of machinery and equipment, specialization in grains, rotation of the commercial crops used, and higher variable costs. Lower gross margins were associated with outsourcing of sowing, small-scale cropping, and lack of crop rotation. It is concluded that family mechanized no-till systems of grain production in north Paraná are profitable.
Study of soil physical properties and water infiltration rates in different types of land use
Authors: Santos Kristiana Fiorentin dos , Barbosa Fabrício Tondello , Bertol Ildegardis , Werner Romeu De Souza , Wolschick Neuro Hilton , Mota Josie Moraes
Published: March 2018

Studying the changes in soil properties caused by different land uses allows measures to be adopted that will reduce the risk of future negative effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil physical properties and quantify water infiltration for different types of land use in the Santa Catarina Plateau of southern Brazil. The research was conducted on a 1,200 ha rural property. The land use types selected were natural forest (NF), planted pine (PP), crop-livestock integration (CLI), and burned natural rangeland (BR). A sample survey was carried out in nine different areas for each land use. Samples were collected from four soil layers and the soil bulk density (Bd), total porosity (Tp), and macropore (Ma), micropore (Mi), and biopore (Bio) volumes were measured. Water infiltration tests were performed to obtain the initial (ii) and final (fi) water infiltration rates into the soil, and the total amount of water that had infiltrated the soil (Ti). In NF, Bd was lower and Tp was higher than in other types of land use. The forest vegetation (NF and PP) had higher Ma and Bio volumes in the superficial layers of the soil. Water infiltration was markedly different between land use types. The NF had the highest ii, fi, and Ti values followed by PP, whereas the CLI and BR areas had drastically lower infiltration parameters with BR having the lowest values. The variables ii, fi, and Ti correlated positively with Tp, Ma, and Bio, but negatively with Bd.
Extended a constant part of Redheffer's type inequalities
Authors: Nishizawa Yusuke
Published: March 2018

J-L. Li and Y-L. Li \cite{LL2007} gave the following Redheffer's type inequality; \begin{equation*} \frac{ 1 -\left( \frac{x}{\pi} \right)^2 }{ \sqrt{1 + 3 \left( \frac{x}{\pi} \right)^4}} > \frac{\sin{x}}{x} \end{equation*} holds for $0 < x < \pi$, where the constant $3$ is the best possible. In this paper, we establish two inequalities extended the constant part of the above inequality.
Estrategias del alumnado de Educación Secundaria para estimar la densidad
Authors: Napal Fraile María , Echeverría Morrás Jesús , Zulet Amaia , Santos Cervera Leyre , Ibarra Murillo Julia
Published: March 2018

La densidad, o concentración de materia, es un concepto muy relevante pero que genera muchas dificultades de comprensión. Para medir la competencia en la estimación de la densidad del alumnado de la ESO, se pasó un cuestionario acompañado de un juego de materiales a 196 alumnos de los cuatro cursos de la ESO en dos colegios. La estimación de la densidad depende del peso percibido, el tamaño o la viscosidad, lo que a veces lleva a estimaciones erróneas. En todos los cursos, más del 40 % de los alumnos consideran la densidad como una propiedad extensiva; en torno a un 50 % usan modelos –no siempre coherentes– más cercanos a una propiedad intensiva y específica. Existen además dificultades para predecir los cambios en densidad con el estado de agregación o la temperatura, lo que sugiere que deben introducirse cambios en su enseñanza.
Evaluación de las competencias ambientales del profesorado de primaria en formación inicial: estudio de caso
Authors: Álvarez-García Olaya , Sureda-Negre Jaume , Comas-Forgas Rubén
Published: March 2018

En este artículo se evalúan las competencias ambientales (CA) del profesorado en formación inicial al comienzo y en la finalización del Grado de Maestro/a en Educación Primaria (GMEP) en una universidad española. Se ha desarrollado y validado un cuestionario con el fin de evaluar seis CA en relación con los conocimientos, las actitudes y los comportamientos ambientales de los y las estudiantes de la muestra (n = 341). Los resultados del estudio revelan que el profesorado en formación inicial carece de las CA suficientes con las que educar ambientalmente a su alumnado y que no existen diferencias en el grado de adquisición de estas competencias entre el alumnado de primer y cuarto curso del GMEP. Como resultado, se cuestiona el papel de la Universidad y los nuevos programas diseñados en el proceso de convergencia hacia el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y se sugieren algunas propuestas de mejora.
Staphylococcus aureus biofilm and the role of bacteriophages in its eradication
Authors: Łubowska Natalia , Piechowicz Lidia
Published: March 2018

The ability to form biofilm is an important virulence factor of many microorganisms. Infections involving biofilms account for approx. 65% of all human infections. Biofilms may develop on intravascular catheters or implanted devices such as prosthetic heart valves. Implanted devices are covered by biofilm and become reservoirs of microorganisms which can be a cause of persistent infections (endocarditis, deep tissue abscesses, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis). Treatment of infections caused by biofilm-growing cells is linked to a high risk of failure due to an extreme resistance to antimicrobial agents and increased capacity to evade the immune responses. A large number of biofilm-associated infections involve Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment of staphylococcal infections is a great challenge for clinicians because of the presence of various mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics in S. aureus, for example methicillin resistance and biofilm production. Therapeutic difficulties related with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and limitations in research on new antimicrobials were the reasons that nearly 100 years after
discovery, bacteriophages caught the attention of scientists around the world as a new therapeutic
option for bacterial infections. Numerous in vitro studies on S. aureus strains showed
that phages can both prevent biofilm formation and contribute to the elimination of bacteria
from the mature biofilm structure. The major role in biofilm eradication play depolymerases
produced by some phages which facilitate their penetration into the inner layers of biofilm
by disturbing the biofilm structure. This leads to the conclusion that bacteriophages treatment
might become a new strategy in the prevention and eradication of infectious bacterial
biofilms, including these formed by S. aureus.
Use of traditional knowledge by the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to support resource management
Authors: Kendall James J. , Brooks Jeffrey J. , Campbell Chris , Wedemeyer Kathleen L. , Coon Catherine C. , Warren Sharon E. , Auad Guillermo , Thurston Dennis K. , Cluck Rodney E. , Mann Frances E. , Randall Sharon A. , Storzer Mark A. , Johnston David W. , Meyer-Pietruszka Deanna , Haller Michael L.
Published: March 2018

Professionals who collect and use traditional knowledge to support resource management decisions often are preoccupied with concerns over how and if traditional knowledge should be integrated with science. To move beyond the integration dilemma, we treat traditional knowledge and science as distinct and complementary knowledge systems. We focus on applying traditional knowledge within the decision-making process. We present succinct examples of how the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has used traditional knowledge in decision making in the North Slope Borough, Alaska: 1) using traditional knowledge in designing, planning, and conducting scientific research; 2) applying information from both knowledge systems at the earliest opportunity in the process; 3) using traditional knowledge in environmental impacts assessment; 4) consulting with indigenous leaders at key decision points; and 5) applying traditional knowledge at a programmatic decision level. Clearly articulating, early in the process, how best to use traditional knowledge and science can allow for more complete and inclusive use of available and pertinent information.
Atmospheric hydrological cycles in the Arctic and Antarctic during the past four decades
Authors: Oshima Kazuhiro , Yamazaki Koji
Published: March 2018

Atmospheric hydrological cycles over the Arctic and Antarctic have been investigated in the previous studies and there are some similarity and dissimilarity in the two polar regions. The Arctic and Antarctic are areas of moisture flux convergence through the year. So the precipitation (P) exceeds the evaporation (E) and the net precipitation (P-E) is positive. Therefore, the atmospheric moisture transport is a primary input of water into the polar regions. Meanwhile the climatological seasonal cycles of P-E over these regions are dominated by transient moisture flux associated with cyclone activities, the interannual variations are governed by the stationary flux associated with the Arctic Oscillation and the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO). In addition, recent climate changes influence the polar hydrological cycles. Our analyses using an atmospheric reanalysis up to recent years indicated that there were no significant long-term changes in the poleward moisture transport into both the Arctic and Antarctic during 1979-2016. On the other hand, the water vapor (precipitable water) were clearly increasing over the Arctic and gradually decreasing over the Antarctic during the same period. As expected, the increasing trend of water vapor was due to the large warming over the Arctic. There were two reasons for the gradually decreasing trend of water vapor over the Antarctic. The first one was the positive trend of AAO in summer and the second was deepening trend of the Amundsen low in autumn. The trends in water vapor and temperature during the past 38 years further suggest that both polar regions were getting dryer in several seasons. The trend, however, needs to be confirmed by follow-up climatological analyses.
Solution for information and analytical support of staffing management in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation
Authors: Oleynik Andrey Grigorevich , Bystrov Vitaliy Viktorovich , Khaliullina Darya Nikolaevna
Published: March 2018

One of the main problems of Arctic zone development in the Russian Federation (AZRF) is a limited labor resources. Poly-model complex for analysis and simulation of the AZRF labor market is presented in the article. The complex allows you to forecast the formation of the labor demand of socio-economic systems in AZRF and to explore the possibilities of regional professional education systems in terms of meeting the forecasted needs. Technologies of system-dynamic and agent-based modeling are shared within the framework of the complex. The advantage of the presented software tool is the ability to operatively vary not only the quantitative characteristics of the modeled system, but also the structure of interaction between the components of the system. This is a useful opportunity to analyze the possible impact on the regional labor market of investment projects that are planned for implementation in the region. Developed tool was used to support the personnel policy management in the Murmansk region.
Indigenous peoples' control over contemporary challenges of traditional subsistence socio-ecological systems sustainability: The case from the taiga zone of Siberia
Authors: Vlasova Tatiana , Kaplin Nikita , Volkov Sergey
Published: March 2018

Traditional subsistence socio-ecological systems (TSSESs) based on hunting, gathering and fishing are widely spread all-over the taiga zone of Siberia. Nowadays, they are strongly impacted by several drivers of change, coming from human activities and climate changes with cascading both positive and negative effects on all components of ecosystem functions and services. The effects may influence quality of life of indigenous people and human capacities. Key multi-scale issues and possible ways of their solution are identified in TSSESs of Evenkia municipal district of the Krasnoyarsk region based on scientific research and traditional local knowledge and perceptions integration. Among key issues the degradation of ecosystems heavily impacting local subsistence resources availability (fish and meat for food as well as wild animals’ skins for sale) is the most urgent for the indigenous people living on land. Several negative driving forces both socio-economic and natural such as widespread poaching, forest land auctions and increasing annual rent obligations for hunting grounds to the indigenous peoples, imposing limits (quarters) without taking into account real subsistence need of indigenous communities, non-compensated impact of spreading infrastructure and logging on taiga forest ecosystems and hunting grounds, as well as climate changes, are impacting quality of life and human capacities of indigenous people. This analysis of key issues and driving forces leading to them gives us opportunity to propose several ways of such issues solution. The improvement of control and management of TSSESs sustainability with active participation of indigenous people is the principle way for achieving TSSESs resilience and sustainability.
Aquinas on God-Sanctioned Stealing
Authors: Shea Matthew ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2018

A serious challenge to religious believers in the Abrahamic traditions is that the God of the Old Testament seems to command immoral actions. Thomas Aquinas addresses this objection using the biblical story of God ordering the Israelites to plunder the Egyptians, which threatens to create an inconsistency among four of Aquinas’s views: (1) God did indeed command this action; (2) God is perfectly good and cannot command any evil actions; (3) the objective moral goodness or badness of actions is not based on arbitrary divine commands; and (4) the prohibition of theft is an immutable principle of the natural moral law. I examine Aquinas’s views on metaethics, stealing, justice, property, and collective responsibility to show that there is not a genuine inconsistency in his position, and that his strategy provides a helpful model for responding to the objection from divinely-sanctioned evil.
Genetic variation and structure of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations from soybean in Brazil
Authors: Pannullo Anthony , Kamvar Zhian N. , Miorini Thomas J.J. , Steadman James R , Everhart Sydney E
Published: March 2018

The clonal, necrotrophic plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of white mold on soybean, causing significant losses for Brazilian farmers each year. While assessments of population structure and clonal dynamics can be beneficial for determining effective management strategies, few studies have been performed. In this paper, we present a broad-scale population genetic analysis with 11 microsatellite loci of 94 isolates of S. sclerotiorum from soybean fields in nine Brazilian states (N=74) with Argentina (N=5) and the United States (N=15) as outgroups. Genotyping identified 87 multilocus genotypes with 81 represented by a single isolate. The pattern of genetic diversity observed suggested populations were not strongly differentiated because despite the high genetic diversity, there were few private alleles/genotypes and no multilocus genotypes were identified in both South and North America while one multilocus genotype was shared between Argentina and Brazil. Pairwise analysis of molecular variance between populations in Brazil revealed nine out of 15 pairs significantly different (P > 0.05). The population from the U.S. was most strongly differentiated in across all measures of population differentiation. Overall, our results found evidence for gene flow across populations with a moderate amount of population structure within states in Brazil. We additionally found shared genotypes across populations in Brazil and Argentina, suggesting that sclerotia may be transferred across states either through seeds or shared equipment. This represents the first population genetic study to cover a wide area in Brazil.
Aquatic training in menopause experimental model promote changes in the sarcomeres of the myotendinous junctions
Authors: Favaro Gabriel , Rissatto Luan , Rocha lara , Madre Sonia , Watanabe Ii , Ciena Adriano
Published: March 2018

Myotendinous junction (MTJ) is the largest area of force transmission between skeletal muscle and bone tissue, which is directly associated with physical exercise that possible promotes morphological changes in muscle and tendon tissues. The aim of this study is to describe the ultrastructural characteristics of myotendinous junction and morphometric alterations in length sarcomeres of the anterior tibial muscle of ovariectomized aged female Wistar rats submitted to a swimming protocol. Twenty aged rats with 1 year and 8 months old randomly divided into four groups (n=5): Sedentary (S); Exercised (E); Menopause (M) and Menopause Exercised (ME). The exercising protocol consists at 40 sessions, one hour daily for a two months period and overload 5 % body weight of animals with adjustments weekly measured. Histological images were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate morphometric characteristics and ultrastructural elements of the cellular components. From the results obtained by transmission electron microscopy ultrastructural adaptations were observed in the MTJ region. The S and M groups demonstrated tissue disorganization in addition to lower density and length of sarcoplasmatic invaginations. The E and ME groups showed greater density, length and tissue organization, besides presenting sub-levels and communications between the sarcoplasmatic projections. Besides, they present adaptations in the plasticity of the MTJ evidenced by increase in the length of the distal sarcomeres. We concluded that the MTJ region presented adaptations in relation to the physical exercise during aging associated with ovariectomy, increasing sarcoplasmatic invaginations and changing length sarcomere distal, by improving the resistance and the transmission of force in the main injured area.
Taxonomical and functional diversity in zooplankton communities from boreal and arctic waters
Authors: Głuchowska Marta , Trudnowska Emilia , Kwasniewski Slawomir
Published: March 2018

The advection of warm Atlantic water into the Arctic influences not only the thermal and sea ice conditions in the Arctic Ocean and the adjacent seas but also the Arctic marine biota. Earlier efforts to characterize the response of zooplankton communities to the increasing influence of warm AW were focused mostly on changes in taxonomic diversity and community structure, but how the zooplankton functional role will evolve under future global warming scenarios remains largely unknown. Based on the zooplankton collection gathered along a thermal gradient from temperate to Arctic marine domains (76-79°N) and an extensive functional trait matrix, we assessed the zooplankton taxonomical and functional structure and diversity under different temperature regimes. The results suggest that the temperature effects zooplankton community structure, taking into account not only the taxonomic, but also functional features. The findings can be used in predicting changes in the pelagic realm in the warming Arctic Ocean, and in constructing and tuning plankton components of ecosystem models.
Cumulative impacts of anthropogenic stressors on macrobenthic communities at a bay-scale: an experimental approach
Authors: Carrier-Belleau Charlotte , Archambault Philippe , McKindsey Christopher W.
Published: March 2018

Human activities such as maritime transport, fishing and aquaculture create environmental stressors affecting the structure and the functioning of benthic communities. While these disturbances can act individually, they can also act synergistically and lead to changes more difficult to predict. The bay of Sept-Îles hosts a harbour receiving the most important ballast volume in North America and represents one of the most eutrophic bays in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This project is part of the Canadian healthy oceans network (CHONe II) and attempts to identify the effect of the interaction of anthropogenic stressors on the macrobenthic invertebrate communities in the bay of Sept-Îles. In situ and laboratory manipulative experiments will be conducted to determine the influence of stressors on biological responses when taken individually, and when these stressors interact through time at different intensities. In that way, these experiments will improve our knowledge of cumulated impacts of multiple stressors on the structure of benthic communities. It will also eventually contribute to species conservation and the management of maritime resources.
Assessing benthic communities’ health by the means of epibenthic indicators in Gulf and Estuary of St.Lawrence, Canada
Authors: Isabel Laurie , Archambault Philippe , McKindsey Chris
Published: March 2018

Management tools are needed to characterize the increasing numbers and intensities of stressors resulting from human activities that affect marine organisms. This project aims to create epibenthic indicators to qualify the health condition of Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (EGSL) communities that are subjected to multiple anthropogenic stressors. There are many advantages to using marine macroinvertebrates in the development of health indicators. They are closely related to bottom sediments – where contaminants usually accumulate and where oxygen stress is more frequent. Most benthic organisms are also sessile, which means their health condition is a picture of the local environment quality. The aim of this project will be to first test the benthic indicators that have already been developed around the world with the epibenthic communities of the St. Lawrence. Second, we will develop new indicators for stressors that may not be covered by existing indicators for St. Lawrence communities. It is hoped that such indicators of epibenthic health will enable scientists and environmental managers to monitor the condition of the EGSL ecosystem over time.
Comparison of nutrient solubilisation and dewatering by freeze/thaw processing of sludge from Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Non-BNR wastewater treatment plants.
Authors: Sabri Mahrooz , Cicek Nazim , Yuan Qiuyan
Published: March 2018

Natural freeze/thaw processing is a simple, practical and low-cost solid-liquid separation method, which can effectively dewater wastewater sludge in Northern Canadian communities located in cold climate conditions. This method is especially effective when used in small treatment plants in remote and cold regions as typical dewatering methods require complex and expensive equipment, skilled operators and special maintenance. The objective of this research was to evaluate freeze/thaw processing as a method for dewatering, nutrient solubilisation and organics separation of wastewater sludge originating from two different wastewater treatment facilities: a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) plant and non-BNR plant. The results of experiments showed the effectiveness of this method for sludge dewatering and solubilisation of organics and nutrients. The sludge solid content increased approximately 10-fold after freeze/thaw processing. The treatment solubilised 15.2%, 33.5% and 21.5% of the initial total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total chemical oxygen demand, respectively for the non-BNR sludge. These values were 6.3%, 80.0% and 16.5%, respectively for the BNR sludge. The released phosphorus and nitrogen in the water can be recovered and used as fertilizer for agricultural purposes, supporting northern food production.
Challenges and Induction Needs of Novice English as a Foreign Language Teachers in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhamad Rufaida
Published: March 2018

The first year of teaching poses massive challenges that lead to attrition among novice teachers. School communities often fail to provide adequate support to novice teachers to help them adapt to their new professional environments. In Saudi Arabia, attrition among novice teachers is a significant problem that hinders the development of the educational system. This study was conducted to examine the challenges that Saudi Arabian EFL novice teachers face as they transit into their first teaching jobs, and to determine whether these teachers have adequate support or would benefit from a formal induction process.  Two kinds of data collection methods were used in this study, namely quantitative and qualitative. In this mixed methods study, 150 novice teachers were surveyed and 5 teachers were selected for semi-structured interviews. The quantitative analysis of the data was accomplished using descriptive and inferential statistics to answer the research questions. The qualitative analysis of the data was accomplished by interpreting the responses provided to the interview questions. The findings indicated that the challenges surrounding novice teachers hinder them in their development as new teachers. The most conspicuous challenges reported by the study participants were dealing with low English proficiency students and managing the negative attitudes of students toward learning English. This report also determined additional perceptible challenges: adoption of various teaching methods and the establishment of a student-centered approach, student behavior management, course planning, dealing with individual differences, and communication with parents.  This study showed that these teachers had left their pre-service training with a very limited knowledge and skills for dealing with the reality of teaching. Mentoring and observing veteran teachers were identified by novice teachers as the two most beneficial strategies for implementing a teacher induction program that could mitigate the challenges they face in their first few years.
Bandwidth Enhanced MIMO antenna for LTE bands using Split Ring Resonators and Stubs
Authors: Malathi C. J. , Thiripurasundari D.
Published: March 2018

In this work, an array of circular patch antenna loaded with a partial split ring and a pair of stubs each with same dimensions, on each of the antenna. Patch of the radius (r) = 7.5mm. The split ring is of the width 1.35mm. the split ring not only accounts for a newer operating band, but also tend to reduce the isolation and the stubs are tends to increase the bandwidth which results in change by 44.92% compared to array of antennas without split rings. The substrate dimensions are 55´30´0.8mm3 and the ground of 55´9mm2. The proposed antennas are simulated using high frequency structural simulator and the results compared with the circular patch antenna without split ring resonators. The results obtained clearly show that, bandwidth of circular micro strip antenna without split ring can be enhanced. The proposed antennas may find applications in LTE band 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 GHz covering a broadband width of 2500MHz.
A Triple-band Suspended Microstrip Antenna with Symmetrical USlots for WLAN/WiMax Applications
Authors: Behera S. B. , Barad D. , Behera S.
Published: March 2018

In this study, a triple-band suspended microstrip antenna with symmetrical U-slots is proposed for modern wireless communication systems. The antenna is specifically designed to acquire application in WLAN and WiMAX communication. Symmetrical U-slots in the radiator patch increase the number of resonances and improve the gain response. An appropriate air height was maintained between the ground plane and the radiator patch layer for improving bandwidth operation. The impedance characteristics of the antenna are enhanced using probe feeding techniques. The proposed compact antenna is designed on a single dielectric substrate of (30×25×1.56) mm3 . Parametric analysis of the proposed structure has been realized using IE3D software. This prototype exhibits maximum impedance bandwidth of 750 MHz and gain response of 7.28 dBi. The performance of the structure at three resonating bands i.e., at 3.3 GHz, 3.78 GHz and 5.3 GHz facilitate it to be applicable for WLAN/WiMAX systems.
A Compact Broad-band UHF RFID Tag Loaded with Triangular SRR Arrays
Authors: John A. K. K. , Mathew T.
Published: March 2018

A novel compact planar UHF RFID tag with broadband operation and enhanced read range characteristics are presented. The structure of the tag consists of a T- matched dipole antenna whose arms are orthogonally loaded with Triangular SRR arrays. Triangular SRR arms loaded in the structure produce compactness and good impedance matching which is needed for maximizing the read range. The measured results shows that the projected tag shows a highest read range of 9.6 meter in the European UHF RFID band of 866 MHz and significantly better read range in the other UHF RFID bands in the 860-930 MHz range . Measured read range differences over the azimuth and elevation angular ranges are also suggested.
Constraining the Distribution of Vertical Slip on the South Heli Shan Fault (Northeastern Tibet) From High‐Resolution Topographic Data
Authors: Bi Haiyun , Zheng Wenjun , Ge Weipeng , Zhang Peizhen , Zeng Jiangyuan , Yu Jingxing
Published: March 2018

Reconstruction of the along‐fault slip distribution provides an insight into the long‐term rupture patterns of a fault, thereby enabling more accurate assessment of its future behavior. The increasing wealth of high‐resolution topographic data, such as Light Detection and Ranging and photogrammetric digital elevation models, allows us to better constrain the slip distribution, thus greatly improving our understanding of fault behavior. The South Heli Shan Fault is a major active fault on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we built a 2 m resolution digital elevation model of the South Heli Shan Fault based on high‐resolution GeoEye‐1 stereo satellite imagery and then measured 302 vertical displacements along the fault, which increased the measurement density of previous field surveys by a factor of nearly 5. The cumulative displacements show an asymmetric distribution along the fault, comprising three major segments. An increasing trend from west to east indicates that the fault has likely propagated westward over its lifetime. The topographic relief of Heli Shan shows an asymmetry similar to the measured cumulative slip distribution, suggesting that the uplift of Heli Shan may result mainly from the long‐term activity of the South Heli Shan Fault. Furthermore, the cumulative displacements divide into discrete clusters along the fault, indicating that the fault has ruptured in several large earthquakes. By constraining the slip‐length distribution of each rupture, we found that the events do not support a characteristic recurrence model for the fault.
Long Wave Runup in Asymmetric Bays and in Fjords With Two Separate Heads
Authors: Raz Amir , Nicolsky Dmitry , Rybkin Alexei , Pelinovsky Efim
Published: March 2018

Modeling of tsunamis in glacial fjords prompts us to evaluate applicability of the cross‐sectionally averaged nonlinear shallow water equations to model propagation and runup of long waves in asymmetrical bays and also in fjords with two heads. We utilize the Tuck‐Hwang transformation, initially introduced for the plane beaches and currently generalized for bays with arbitrary cross section, to transform the nonlinear governing equations into a linear equation. The solution of the linearized equation describing the runup at the shore line is computed by taking into account the incident wave at the toe of the last sloping segment. We verify our predictions against direct numerical simulation of the 2‐D shallow water equations and show that our solution is valid both for bays with an asymmetric L‐shaped cross section, and for fjords with two heads—bays with a W‐shaped cross section.
Nighttime Ozone Chemical Equilibrium in the Mesopause Region
Authors: Kulikov M. Yu. , Belikovich M. V. , Grygalashvyly M. , Sonnemann G. R. , Ermakova T. S. , Nechaev A. A. , Feigin A. M.
Published: March 2018

We examine the applicability of the assumption that nighttime ozone is in photochemical equilibrium. The analysis is based on calculations with a 3‐D chemical transport model. These data are used to determine the ratio of correct (calculated) O3 density to its equilibrium value for the conditions of the nighttime mesosphere depending on the altitude, latitude, and month in the annual cycle. The results obtained demonstrate that the retrieval of O and H distributions using the assumption of photochemical ozone equilibrium may lead to a significant error below 81–87 km depending on season. Possible modifications of the currently used approach that allow improving the quality of retrieval of O and H mesospheric distributions from satellite‐based observations are discussed.
Trends of Cyclone Characteristics in the Arctic and Their Patterns From Different Reanalysis Data
Authors: Zahn Matthias , Akperov Mirseid , Rinke Annette , Feser Frauke , Mokhov Igor I.
Published: March 2018

Cyclones in the Arctic are detected and tracked in four different reanalysis data sets from 1981 to 2010. In great detail the spatial and seasonal patterns of changes are scrutinized with regards to their frequencies, depths, and sizes. We find common spatial patterns for their occurrences, with centers of main activity over the seas in winter, and more activity over land and over the North Pole in summer. The deep cyclones are more frequent in winter, and the number of weak cyclones peaks in summer. Overall, we find a good agreement of our tracking results across the different reanalyses. Regarding the frequency changes, we find strong decreases in the Barents Sea and along the Russian coast toward the North Pole and increases over most of the central Arctic Ocean and toward the Pacific in winter. Areas of increasing and decreasing frequencies are of similar size in winter. In summer there is a longish region of increase from the Laptev Sea toward Greenland, over the Canadian archipelago, and over some smaller regions west of Novaya Zemlya and over the Russia. The larger part of the Arctic experiences a frequency decrease. All the summer changes are found statistically unrelated to the winter patterns. In addition, the frequency changes are found unrelated to changes in cyclone depth and size. There is generally good agreement across the different reanalyses in the spatial patterns of the trend sign. However, the magnitudes of changes in a particular region may strongly differ across the data.
Recent Acceleration of the Terrestrial Hydrologic Cycle in the U.S. Midwest
Authors: Yeh Pat J.‐F. , Wu Chuanhao
Published: March 2018

Most hydroclimatic trend studies considered only a subset of water budget variables; hence, the trend consistency and a holistic assessment of hydrologic changes across the entire water cycle cannot be evaluated. Here we use a unique 31 year (1983–2013) observed data set in Illinois (a representative region of the U.S. Midwest), including temperature (T), precipitation (P), evaporation (E), streamflow (R), soil moisture, and groundwater level (GWL), to estimate the trends and their sensitivity to different data periods and lengths. Both the Mann‐Kendall trend test and the least squares linear method identify trends in close agreement. Despite no clear trends during 1983–2013, increasing trends are found in P (8.73–9.05 mm/year), E (6.87–7.47 mm/year), and R (1.57–3.54 mm/year) during 1992–2013, concurrently with a pronounced warming trend of 0.029–0.037 °C/year. However, terrestrial water storageis decreased by −2.0 mm/year (mainly due to declining GWL), suggesting that the increased R is caused by increased surface runoff rather than baseflow. Monthly analyses identify warming trends for all months except winter. In summer, P (E) exhibits an increasing (decreasing) trend, leading to increasing R, soil moisture, GWL, and terrestrial water storage. Most trends estimated for different subperiods are found to be sensitive to data lengths and periods. Overall, this study provides an internally consistent observed evidence on the intensification of the hydrologic cycle in response to recent climate warming in U.S. Midwest, in agreement with and well supported by several recent studies consistently reporting the increased P, R and E over the Midwest and Mississippi River basin.
Electrical Properties of Tholins and Derived Constraints on the Huygens Landing Site Composition at the Surface of Titan
Authors: Lethuillier A. , Le Gall A. , Hamelin M. , Caujolle‐Bert S. , Schreiber F. , Carrasco N. , Cernogora G. , Szopa C. , Brouet Y. , Simões F. , Correia J. J. , Ruffié G.
Published: March 2018

In 2005, the complex permittivity of the surface of Saturn's moon Titan was measured by the PWA‐MIP/HASI (Permittivity Wave Altimetry‐Mutual Impedance Probe/Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument) experiment on board the Huygens probe. The analysis of these measurements was recently refined but could not be interpreted in terms of composition due to the lack of knowledge on the low‐frequency/low‐temperature electrical properties of Titan's organic material, a likely key ingredient of the surface composition. In order to fill that gap, we developed a dedicated measurement bench and investigated the complex permittivity of analogs of Titan's organic aerosols called “tholins.” These laboratory measurements, together with those performed in the microwave domain, are then used to derive constraints on the composition of Titan's first meter below the surface based on both the PWA‐MIP/HASI and the Cassini Radar observations. Assuming a ternary mixture of water ice, tholin‐like dust and pores (filled or not with liquid methane), we find that at least 10% of water ice and 15% of porosity are required to explain observations. On the other hand, there should be at most 50–60% of organic dust. PWA‐MIP/HASI measurements also suggest the presence of a thin conductive superficial layer at the Huygens landing site. Using accurate numerical simulations, we put constraints on the electrical conductivity of this layer as a function of its thickness (e.g., in the range 7–40 nS/m for a 7‐mm thick layer). Potential candidates for the composition of this layer are discussed.
Biomodulation of Nitrogen Cycle in Suspended Sediment
Authors: Tang Fiona H. M. , Maggi Federico
Published: March 2018

Biogeochemical experiments and modeling were coupled to investigate how nutrient leaching to aquatic ecosystems changes the dynamics of microbial community on suspended sediment and how these changes modulate the nitrogen cycle. Mineral suspensions amended with inorganic nitrogen (NH
and NO
) and inoculated with native sedimentary microbial strains were tested in a settling column under continuous water quality measurements. Experiments were used to calibrate and validate a kinetic model that explicitly described the chemical adsorption on minerals, aqueous complexation, gas dissolution, microbial metabolism, necromass dynamics, and microbial competition for limiting substrates. Modeling revealed that the interactions between microbial functional groups were highly nonlinear and highly sensitive to changes in nutrient and dissolved oxygen concentrations, showing shifts in regimes where a functional group became prevalent over the others. Our results suggested that necromass dynamics played a major role in sustaining microbial growth in low nutrient conditions and had an important control over the N cycle. The reaction network and model structure presented in this study provide a tool to analyze and predict the long‐term nutrient dynamics of both natural and engineered aquatic ecosystems.
Denitrification in Shallow Groundwater Below Different Arable Land Systems in a High Nitrogen‐Loading Region
Authors: Zhou Wei , Ma Yuchun , Well Reinhard , Wang Hua , Yan Xiaoyuan
Published: March 2018

To evaluate the risk of nitrate (NO3−‐N) in groundwater, it is necessary to know the denitrification capacity. In this study, observations were carried out for 2 years to investigate the groundwater denitrification capacity below three arable land systems in eastern China. Denitrification capacity was assessed by measuring the concentration and distribution patterns of nitrous oxide (N2O) and dinitrogen (N2) in groundwater. The results revealed that groundwater denitrification activity was high and consumed 76%, 83%, and 65% of the NO3−‐N in the vineyard (VY), vegetable field (VF), and paddy field (PF), respectively. The high denitrification activity might be attributed to the strong reducing conditions, with high dissolved carbon concentrations in groundwater, which promotes denitrification. During the sampling period, we observed high dinitrogen (excess N2) accumulation in groundwater, which exceeded the total reactive nitrogen (N) in the deep layer. The large amount of excess N2 observed in VY and VF indicated that considerable N was stored as gaseous N2 in groundwater and should not be ignored when balancing N budgets in aquifers where denitrification is high.
Sexual‐perception processes in acquaintance‐targeted sexual aggression
Authors: Treat Teresa A. , Viken Richard J.
Published: March 2018

This study analyzes data from seven published studies to examine whether three performance‐based indices of men's misperception of women's sexual interest (MSI), derived from a self‐report questionnaire, are associated with sexual‐aggression history, rape‐supportive attitudes, sociosexuality, problem drinking, and self‐reported MSI. Almost 2000 undergraduate men judged the justifiability of a man's increasingly unwanted advances toward a woman on the Heterosocial Perception Survey‐Revised. Participants self‐reported any sexual‐aggression history, and some completed questionnaires assessing rape‐supportive attitudes, sociosexuality, problem drinking, and self‐reported MSI. A three‐parameter logistic function was fitted to participants’ justifiability ratings within a non‐linear mixed‐effects framework, which provided precise participant‐specific estimates of three sexual‐perception processes (baseline justifiability, bias, and sensitivity). Sexual‐aggression history and rape‐supportive attitudes predicted: (a) reduced sensitivity to women's affect; (b) more liberal biases, such that the woman's affect had to be more negative before justifiability ratings dropped substantially; and (c) greater baseline justifiability of continued advances after a positive response. Sexual‐aggression history and attitudes correlated more strongly with sensitivity than baseline justifiability; remaining variables showed the opposite pattern. This work underscores the role of sexual‐perception processes in sexual aggression and illustrates the derivation of performance‐based estimates of sexual‐perception processes from questionnaire responses.