bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Academic Storytelling: A Critical Race Theory Story of Affirmative Action
Authors: Aguirre Adalberto
Published: September 2012

The minority (nonwhite) can tell stories about institutional practices in academia that result in unintended benefits for the majority (white). One institutional practice in academia is affirmative action. This article presents a story about a minority applicant for a sociology position and his referral to an affirmative action program for recruiting minority faculty. One reason for telling the story is to illustrate how an affirmative action program can be implemented in a manner that marginalizes minority persons in the faculty recruitment process and results in benefits for majority persons. Another reason for telling the story is to sound an alarm for majority and minority faculty who support affirmative action programs that the programs can fall short of their goals if their implementation is simply treated as a bureaucratic activity in academia.
“Coming Out of the internet”
Authors: Gorkemli Serkan
Published: September 2012

This article focuses on the Internet as a “digital closet” in the context of Turkish lesbian and gay activism in the 1990s and early 2000s. In its analysis of media and sexual discourse, the article first discusses traditional media, such as the printing press and television. While the printing press and political reforms during the late Ottoman Empire and the early Turkish republic silenced sexual discourses, television brought them back as part of the new gender regime and disseminated a gender “deviance” model of homosexuality. Against this background, the rest of the article analyzes the metaphor of the Internet as a digital closet as it relates to collegiate lesbian and gay activism. The conclusion reflects on the significance and functions of this media metaphor for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual agency and subjectivities in Turkey, suggesting similar venues of research regarding sexuality and the Arab Spring in the Middle East.
Reliability of Sino-Nasal Outcome Test in Measuring the Outcome of Septoplasty
Authors: Prakash S , Pradhan B , Thapa NM
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.1 Issue 1 (Jan-Jun 2011) 8-11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i1.6776
Leiomyosarcoma of the Nasal Cavity
Authors: Thapa N , Pradhan B
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.1 Issue 1 (Jan-Jun 2011) 29-30 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i1.6784
Outcomes of Paediatric ENT Appointment for Surgery
Authors: GC A , Guragain R , Bhusal CL , Sinha P
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.1 Issue 1 (Jan-Jun 2011) 31-32 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i1.6785
Best Wishes...
Authors: Guragain RP
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 1 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6790
Comparison of Outcome Following Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy with External Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Acharya K , Pradhan B , Thapa N , Khanal S
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 2-3 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6791
Epistaxis and its Relation with Temperature and Humidity
Authors: Rijal AS , Maharjan S , Joshi RR , Jha AK , Rijal JP
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 4-5 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6792
Microbiological Profile of Chronic Supurative Otitis Media
Authors: Shrestha BL , Amatya RCM , Shrestha I , Ghosh I
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 6-7 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6793
Acute Mastoiditis with Facial Nerve Paralysis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Acharya R , Tulachan B
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 13-14 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6796
Congenital Rhabdomyosarcoma of Tongue in a Newborn
Authors: Gurung U , Srivastav A , Guragain R , Bhusal CL
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 15-16 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6797
Primary Tuberculosis of the Tonsil
Authors: Sood AS , Bhardwaj B , Gill JS
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 17-18 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6798
An Audit of Operative Notes at TUTH
Authors: Shah S , Dangol B , Kumari S , Guragain RP
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 25-26 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6802
Mastoid Cavity Obliteration in Children
Authors: Guragain RP
Published: September 2012

Nepalese Journal of ENT Head and Neck Surgery Vol.2 No.2 Issue 2 (July-Dec 2011) 29-30 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njenthns.v2i2.6804
Fame, Fate-Fortune, and Tokens of Value among the nuosu of Southwest China
Authors: Swancutt Katherine
Published: September 2012

Landmark anthropological works on fame have shown that gift-giving is often the vehicle for producing relations of 'positive value' and recognition. When viewing fame against the related notion of fortune, however, the focal point of study shifts to how people produce reputations that are 'beyond value' or 'priceless'. This article proposes that the Nuosu of Southwest China enter into an ongoing 'economy of ordeals' in order to accumulate priceless 'tokens of value' that increase their 'fate-fortune' and fame. It shows that ambitious Nuosu accept new ordeals to achieve fame, while comfortably viewing their accomplishments as akin to those of a predatory spider. Tellingly, though, these efforts are vulnerable to the counter-extractive maneuvers of other people and ghosts, which present the Nuosu with new ordeals that could deplete their resources.
Development and validation of UV spectroscopic methods for simultaneous estimation of ciprofloxacin and tinidazole in tablet formulation
Authors: Gummadi Sowjanya , Thota Devi , Varri Sri Valli , Vaddi Pratyusha , Rao Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha Seshagiri
Published: September 2012

Two simple, accurate, precise, reproducible and economical UV spectroscopic methods (A &  B) for simultaneous estimation of Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole in tablet dosage form have been developed. Method A employs solving of simultaneous equations based on the measurement of absorbance at two wavelengths, 271nm and 318nm which are the ?max values of Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole respectively in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Method B is based on the principle of  Q-Analysis where in the absorbance was measured at 292nm (iso-absorptive point) and 271nm (?max of Ciprofloxacin)in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole  shows linearity at all the selected wave-lengths and  obeys Beers law in the concentration range of 10-35µg/mL and 10-80µg/mL respectively.  Recovery studies for Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole were performed and the percentage recovery for both the drugs was obtained in the range of 98.1-99.7% (Method A) and 98.0-100.4% (Method B) confirming the accuracy of the proposed method. Both the methods showed good reproducibility and recovery with %RSD less than 2. Statistical validation of the data shows that the proposed methods can be successfully applied for the routine analysis of drugs in commercial tablets.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i10.11849 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(10): 317-321
Role of clinical pharmacist in rational therapy of pediatric seizures
Authors: Lakshmi Chaitanya , Babitha Mr. , Ramesh Mr. , Dhanapal Mr. , Manavalan Mr.
Published: September 2012

Seizures are more common in children than in any other age group, except the elderly. In fact, there are several kinds of seizures that affect only children. Sometimes children outgrow their seizures but many need to be treated for their seizures for their entire life. The main objectives of this study are to study the physician prescribing pattern in pediatric seizures and to educate the patient care taker about the disease and the use of drugs in order to control seizures and improve the quality of life. A non invasive prospective observational study was done with 86 pediatric patients from 01.11.2010 to 30.04.2011. Females were found to be more prone to seizures; prevalence of seizure was more in children aged 1-5 years old. Febrile seizures (46.5%) are the most commonly observed type of seizure in children followed by tonic    clonic seizures (21%) and complex partial seizures (14%). The other types of seizures observed are simple partial seizures (7%), status epilepticus (2.3%) and others (9.3%). We observed that Clobazam is the most commonly prescribed drug for prophylaxis of febrile seizures. Phenytoin, Clobazam and Sodium valproate were commonly used drug in children. We infer that monotherapy for seizure is effective choice of treatment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i10.11851 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(10): 328-331
Experimental Study on Frost Height of Round Plate Fin-Tube Heat Exchangers for Mobile Heat Pumps
Authors: Lee Moo-Yeon , Kim Yongchan , Lee Dong-Yeon
Published: September 2012

The objective of this study was to provide experimental data that could be used to predict frost growth and frost performance of a round plate fin-tube heat exchanger for low temperature heat pumps used in zero emission vehicles under cold weather conditions. In this study, round plate fin-tube heat exchangers were tested with variation of the fin space, air flow rate, relative humidity, and inlet air temperature. Frost height was measured and considered with the boundary layer interruption between fins. Frost height for 8.0 mm of fin space was increased by approximately 91.9% with an increase of relative humidity from 50.0% to 80.0%. The growth rate of frost height at 1.2 m3/min was observed to be 13.0% greater than that at 0.8 m3/min. Finally, the variation of the blockage ratio with fin space would be an important reference for designing advanced heat exchangers that operate under cold weather conditions.
High Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Bioenergetic Function Are Associated with Tumor Invasion of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Lin Chen-Sung , Lee Hui-Ting , Lee Shu-Yu , Shen Yao-An , Wang Liang-Shun , Chen Yann-Jang , Wei Yau-Huei
Published: September 2012

We previously reported a gradual increase of relative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number during the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Because mitochondria are the intracellular organelles responsible for ATP production, we investigated the associations among mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial bioenergetic function, tumor invasion and the expression levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in a series of seven ESCC cell lines, including 48T, 81T, 146T, TE1, TE2, TE6 and TE9. Among them, TE1 had the highest relative mtDNA copy number of 240.7%. The mRNA of mtDNA-encoded ND1 gene (2.80), succinate-supported oxygen consumption rate (11.21 nmol/min/106 cells), ATP content (10.7 fmol/cell), and the protein level of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) were the highest and the lactate concentration in the culture medium (3.34 mM) was the lowest in TE1. These findings indicate that TE1 exhibited the highest bioenergetic function of mitochondria. Furthermore, TE1 showed the highest trans-well migration activity of 223.0 cells/field, the highest vimentin but the lowest E-cadherin protein expression levels, which suggest that TE1 had the highest invasion capability. We then conducted a knockdown study using pLKO.1-based lentiviral particles to infect TE1 cells to suppress the expression of TFAM. Molecular analyses of the parental TE1, control TE1-NT and TFAM knockdown TE1-sh-TFAM(97) cells were performed. Interestingly, as compared to the control TE1-NT, TE1-sh-TFAM(97) exhibited lower levels of the relative mtDNA copy number (p = 0.001), mRNA of mtDNA-encoded ND1 gene (p = 0.050), succinate-supported oxygen consumption rate (p = 0.065), and ATP content (p = 0.007), but had a higher lactate concentration in the culture medium (p = 0.010) and higher protein level of lactate dehydrogenase. A decline in mitochondrial bioenergetic function was observed in TE1-sh-TFAM(97). Significantly, compared to the control TE1-NT, TE1-sh-TFAM(97) had a lower trans-well migration activity (p < 0.001), a higher E-cadherin level but a lower vimentin protein level, which indicates a decrease of invasiveness. Taken together, we suggest that high relative mtDNA copy number and bioenergetic function of mitochondria may confer an advantage for tumor invasion of ESCC.
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, Endothelial Dysfunction and Renal Disease
Authors: Aldámiz-Echevarría Luis , Andrade Fernando
Published: September 2012

L-Arginine (Arg) is oxidized to L-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO) by the action of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In contrast, protein-incorporated Arg residues can be methylated with subsequent proteolysis giving rise to methylarginine compounds, such as asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) that competes with Arg for binding to NOS. Most ADMA is degraded by dimethylarginine dimethyaminohydrolase (DDAH), distributed widely throughout the body and regulates ADMA levels and, therefore, NO synthesis. In recent years, several studies have suggested that increased ADMA levels are a marker of atherosclerotic change, and can be used to assess cardiovascular risk, consistent with ADMA being predominantly absorbed by endothelial cells. NO is an important messenger molecule involved in numerous biological processes, and its activity is essential to understand both pathogenic and therapeutic mechanisms in kidney disease and renal transplantation. NO production is reduced in renal patients because of their elevated ADMA levels with associated reduced DDAH activity. These factors contribute to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and the progression of renal damage, but there are treatments that may effectively reduce ADMA levels in patients with kidney disease. Available data on ADMA levels in controls and renal patients, both in adults and children, also are summarized in this review.
Challenges in Implementing Personalized Medicine for Lung Cancer within a National Healthcare System
Authors: Dawe David E. , Ellis Peter M.
Published: September 2012

The traditional approach to the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) relied on the uniform use of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Over the last eight years, this paradigm of care has been shifting towards the use of molecularly targeted agents. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have emerged as an important biomarker for these targeted agents and multiple studies have shown that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that inhibit EGFR are superior to traditional chemotherapy in patients possessing an EGFR mutation. Nationally funded health care systems face a number of challenges in implementing these targeted therapies, most related to the need to test for biomarkers that predict likelihood of benefiting from the drug. These obstacles include the challenge of getting a large enough tissue sample, workload of involved specialists, reliability of subtyping in NSCLC, differences in biomarker tests, and the disconnect between the funding of drugs and the related biomarker test. In order to improve patient outcomes, in a national healthcare system, there is a need for governments to accept the changing paradigm, invest in technology and build capacity for molecular testing to facilitate the implementation of improved patient care.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Hsp90 with an Eye to Inhibitor Design
Authors: Moroni Elisabetta , Morra Giulia , Colombo Giorgio
Published: September 2012

Proteins carry out their functions through interactions with different partners. Dynamic conformational switching among different structural sub-states favors the adaptation to the shapes of the different partners. Such conformational changes can be determined by diverse biochemical factors, such as ligand-binding. Atomic level investigations of the mechanisms that underlie functional dynamics may provide new opportunities for the discovery of leads that target disease-related proteins. In this review, we report our views and approaches on the development of novel and accurate physical-chemistry-based models for the characterization of the salient aspects of the ligand-regulated dynamics of Hsp90, and on the exploitation of such new knowledge for the rational discovery of inhibitors of the chaperone.
Selective Controlled/Living Photoradical Polymerization of Glycidyl Methacrylate, Using a Nitroxide Mediator in the Presence of a Photosensitive Triarylsulfonium Salt
Authors: Yoshida Eri
Published: September 2012

The controlled/living photoradical polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was attained using 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (MTEMPO) as the mediator and (2RS,2'RS)-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as the initiator in the presence of (4-tert-butylphenyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate (tBuS). Whereas the polymerization in the absence of MTEMPO yielded a gel-containing polymer, the MTEMPO-mediated polymerization produced poly(GMA) bonded at the vinyl site, and retained the oxirane ring structure. No occurrence of the cationic ring-opening photopolymerization of the oxirane ring even in the presence of the photosensitive onium salt indicated that tBuS served as the photoelectron transfer agent between MTEMPO in their excited states at the propagating chain end. The resulting polymers had comparatively narrow molecular weight distributions of Mw/Mn = 1.46–1.48. The living nature of the MTEMPO-mediated polymerization was confirmed on the basis of a linear increase in the conversion-molecular weight plots and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis.
Surface Modification on Acoustic Wave Biosensors for Enhanced Specificity
Authors: Onen Onursal , Ahmad Asad A. , Guldiken Rasim , Gallant Nathan D.
Published: September 2012

Changes in mass loading on the surface of acoustic biosensors result in output frequency shifts which provide precise measurements of analytes. Therefore, to detect a particular biomarker, the sensor delay path must be judiciously designed to maximize sensitivity and specificity. B-cell lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2) found in urine is under investigation as a biomarker for non-invasive early detection of ovarian cancer. In this study, surface chemistry and biofunctionalization approaches were evaluated for their effectiveness in presenting antibodies for Bcl-2 capture while minimizing non-specific protein adsorption. The optimal combination of sequentially adsorbing protein A/G, anti-Bcl-2 IgG and Pluronic F127 onto a hydrophobic surface provided the greatest signal-to-noise ratio and enabled the reliable detection of Bcl-2 concentrations below that previously identified for early stage ovarian cancer as characterized by a modified ELISA method. Finally, the optimal surface modification was applied to a prototype acoustic device and the frequency shift for a range of Bcl-2 concentration was quantified to demonstrate the effectiveness in surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based detection applications. The surface functionalization approaches demonstrated here to specifically and sensitively detect Bcl-2 in a working ultrasonic MEMS biosensor prototype can easily be modified to detect additional biomarkers and enhance other acoustic biosensors.
No Advantage of Quadruple- or Triple-Class Antiretroviral Therapy as Initial Treatment in Patients with Very High Viraemia
Authors: Grijsen Marlous L , Holman Rebecca , Gras Luuk , Wit Ferdinand WNM , Hoepelman Andy IM , van den Berk Guido E , de Wolf Frank , Prins Jan M ,   the ATHENA National Observational Cohort Study
Published: September 2012

Background

We assessed whether quadruple or triple-class therapy for the initial treatment of HIV-1 infection provides a virological benefit over standard triple therapy in patients with very high plasma viraemia. The assessment was made based on a national observational HIV cohort in the Netherlands.

Methods

Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, treatment-naive, plasma viral load (pVL) ≥500,000 copies/ml and initiation of quadruple or triple therapy between 2001 and 2011. Time to viral suppression, defined as pVL<50 copies/ ml, was compared between the two groups using Kaplan– Meier plots and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 675 patients were included: 125 (19%) initiated quadruple and 550 (81%) triple therapy. Median pVL was 5.9 (IQR 5.8–6.1) log10 copies/ml in both groups ( P=0.49). 22 (18%) patients on quadruple and 63 (12%) on triple therapy interrupted the treatment regimen because of drug-related toxicity ( P=0.06). Median time to viral suppression was 5.8 (IQR 4.6–7.9) and 6.0 (4.0–9.4) months in the patients on quadruple and triple therapy, respectively (log-rank, P=0.42). In the adjusted Cox analysis, quadruple therapy was not associated with time to viral suppression (HR 1.07 [95% CI 0.86, 1.33], P=0.53). Similar results were seen when comparing triple- versus dual-class therapy ( n=72 versus n=601, respectively).

Conclusions

Initial quadruple- or triple-class therapy was equally effective as standard triple therapy in the suppression of HIV-1 in treatment-naive patients with very high viraemia and did not result in faster pVL decreases, but did expose patients to additional toxicity.
Review of Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats
Authors: Meyer Ralf B.
Published: September 2012

How to cite this book review: Meyer, R.B., 2012, ‘Review of Acupuncture for Dogs and Cats’, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 83(1), Art. #20, 1 page. http://dx.doi. org/10.4102/jsava.v83i1.20
Higher Connectedness Properties of Support Points and Functionals of Convex Sets
Authors: De Bernardi Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2012

We prove that the set of all support points of a nonempty closed convex bounded set C in a real infinite-dimensional Banach space X is AR(σ-compact) and contractible. Under suitable conditions, similar results are proved also for the set of all support functionals of C and for the domain, the graph, and the range of the subdifferential map of a proper convex lower semicontinuous function on X.
Phytoplankton photosynthetic response to solar ultraviolet irradiance in the Ross Sea Polynya: Development and evaluation of a time‐dependent model with limited repair
Authors: Smyth Robyn L. , Sobrino Cristina , Phillips-Kress Jesse , Kim Hae-Cheol , Neale Patrick J.
Published: September 2012

The relationship of photosynthesis (14C incorporation) to ultraviolet (UVR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured over the course of the late‐spring to early‐summer phytoplankton bloom in the Ross Sea Polynya (Southern Ocean). Experiments were conducted in November 2005 to determine PAR‐only photosynthesis–irradiance (P‐E) curves, biological weighting functions (BWFs) using a new version of the “photoinhibitron” laboratory spectral incubator, and variation in photosynthesis under high vs. low solar UVR treatments in on‐deck incubations. These observations were incorporated into a new spectral model of photosynthetic response to UVR + PAR with time‐dependent repair rates. The distinguishing feature of this model is that repair scales with inhibition up to a maximum absolute repair rate (rmax). Once repair is limited at the maximum rate, additional exposure has a more severe inhibitory effect on photosynthesis, consistent with measured exposure response curves. Parameters for the BWFRmax/P‐E model were determined for 10 sampling locations ranging from mixed diatom and Phaeocystis antarctica assemblages at the beginning of the bloom to assemblages dominated by P. antarctica at the peak of the bloom. The model explained 86–97% of the measured spectral variation with BWFs severalfold higher (more inhibitory) than those previously measured in the Weddell–Scotia Confluence and coastal waters near the Antarctic Peninsula. Predicted relative productivity (ratio of modeled photosynthesis under high vs. low UVR) was close to observed relative productivity, but absolute photosynthetic rates were higher in the on‐deck incubations than in the photoinhibitron.
Global and regional trends of aerosol optical depth over land and ocean using SeaWiFS measurements from 1997 to 2010
Authors: Hsu N. C. , Gautam R. , Sayer A. M. , Bettenhausen C. , Li C. , Jeong M. J. , Tsay S.-C. , Holben B. N.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Both sensor calibration and satellite retrieval algorithm play an important role in the ability to determine accurately long-term trends from satellite data. Owing to the unprecedented accuracy and long-term stability of its radiometric calibration, SeaWiFS measurements exhibit minimal uncertainty with respect to sensor calibration. In this study, we take advantage of this well-calibrated set of measurements by applying a newly-developed aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval algorithm over land and ocean to investigate the distribution of AOD, and to identify emerging patterns and trends in global and regional aerosol loading during its 13-yr mission. Our correlation analysis between climatic indices (such as ENSO) and AOD suggests strong relationships for Saharan dust export as well as biomass-burning activity in the tropics, associated with large-scale feedbacks. The results also indicate that the averaged AOD trend over global ocean is weakly positive from 1998 to 2010 and comparable to that observed by MODIS but opposite in sign to that observed by AVHRR during overlapping years. On regional scales, distinct tendencies are found for different regions associated with natural and anthropogenic aerosol emission and transport. For example, large upward trends are found over the Arabian Peninsula that indicate a strengthening of the seasonal cycle of dust emission and transport processes over the whole region as well as over downwind oceanic regions. In contrast, a negative-neutral tendency is observed over the desert/arid Saharan region as well as in the associated dust outflow over the north Atlantic. Additionally, we found decreasing trends over the eastern US and Europe, and increasing trends over countries such as China and India that are experiencing rapid economic development. In general, these results are consistent with those derived from ground-based AERONET measurements.
High lightning activity in maritime clouds near Mexico
Authors: Kucienska B. , Raga G. B. , Romero-Centeno R.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Lightning activity detected by the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) over oceanic regions adjacent to Mexico is often as high as that observed over the continent. In order to explore the possible causes of the observed high flash density over those regions, the relationships between lightning, rainfall, vertical hydrometeor profiles, latent heating, wind variability and aerosol optical depth are analyzed. The characteristics of lightning and precipitation over four oceanic zones adjacent to Mexican coastlines are contrasted against those over the continent. The number of flashes per rainfall over some coastal maritime regions is found to be higher than over the continent. The largest number of flashes per rainfall is observed during the biomass burning season. In addition, we compare two smaller areas of the Tropical Pacific Ocean: one located within the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone and characterized by high rainfall and weak lightning activity and the other one influenced by a continental wind jet and characterized by high rainfall and strong lightning activity. During the rainy season, the monthly distribution of lightning within the region influenced by the continental wind jet is contrary to that of rainfall. Moreover, the monthly variability of lightning is very similar to the variability of the meridional wind component and it is also related to the variability of aerosol optical depth. The analysis suggests that the high lightning activity observed over coastal Pacific region is linked to the continental cloud condensation nuclei advected over the ocean. Analysis of daily observations indicates that the greatest lightning density is observed for moderate values of the aerosol optical depth, between 0.2 and 0.35.
A comparative study of the major sudden stratospheric warmings in the Arctic winters 2003/2004–2009/2010
Authors: Kuttippurath J. , Nikulin G.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We present an analysis of the major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) in the Arctic winters 2003/04–2009/10. There were 6 major SSWs (major warmings [MWs]) in 6 out of the 7 winters, in which the MWs of 2003/04, 2005/06, and 2008/09 were in January and those of 2006/07, 2007/08, and 2009/10 were in February. Although the winter 2009/10 was relatively cold from mid-December to mid-January, strong wave 1 activity led to a MW in early February, for which the largest momentum flux among the winters was estimated at 60° N/10 hPa, about 450 m2 s−2. The strongest MW, however, was observed in 2008/09 and the weakest in 2006/07. The MW in 2008/09 was triggered by intense wave 2 activity and was a vortex split event. In contrast, strong wave 1 activity led to the MWs of other winters and were vortex displacement events. Large amounts of Eliassen-Palm (EP) and wave 1/2 EP fluxes (about 2–4 ×105 kg s−2) are estimated shortly before the MWs at 100 hPa averaged over 45–75° N in all winters, suggesting profound tropospheric forcing for the MWs. We observe an increase in the occurrence of MWs (~1.1 MWs/winter) in recent years (1998/99–2009/10), as there were 13 MWs in the 12 Arctic winters, although the long-term average (1957/58–2009/10) of the frequency stays around its historical value (~0.7 MWs/winter), consistent with the findings of previous studies. An analysis of the chemical ozone loss in the past 17 Arctic winters (1993/94–2009/10) suggests that the loss is inversely proportional to the intensity and timing of MWs in each winter, where early (December–January) MWs lead to minimal ozone loss. Therefore, this high frequency of MWs in recent Arctic winters has significant implications for stratospheric ozone trends in the northern hemisphere.
Long term measurements of aerosol optical properties at a pristine forest site in Amazonia
Authors: Rizzo L. V. , Artaxo P. , Müller T. , Wiedensohler A. , Paixão M. , Cirino G. G. , Arana A. , Swietlicki E. , Roldin P. , Fors E. O. , Wiedemann K. T. , Leal L. S. M. , Kulmala M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. A long term experiment was conducted in a pristine area in the Amazon forest, with continuous in situ measurements of aerosol optical properties between February 2008 and April 2011, comprising, to our knowledge, the longest database ever in Amazonia. Two types of aerosol particles, with significantly different optical properties were identified: coarse mode predominant biogenic aerosols in the wet season (January–June), naturally released by the forest metabolism, and fine mode dominated biomass burning aerosols in the dry season (July–December), transported from regional fires. Dry particle median scattering coefficients at the wavelength of 550 nm increased from 6.3 Mm−1 to 22 Mm−1, whereas absorption at 637 nm increased from 0.5 Mm−1 to 2.8 Mm−1 from wet to dry season. Most of the scattering in the dry season was attributed to the predominance of fine mode particles (40–80% of PM10 mass), while the enhanced absorption coefficients are attributed to the presence of light absorbing aerosols from biomass burning. As both scattering and absorption increased in the dry season, the single scattering albedo (SSA) did not show a significant seasonal variability, in average 0.86 ± 0.08 at 637 nm for dry particles. Measured particle optical properties were used to estimate the aerosol forcing efficiency at the top of the atmosphere. Results indicate that in this pristine forest site the radiative balance was dominated by the cloud cover, or, in other words, the aerosol indirect effect predominated over the direct effect, particularly in the wet season. Due to the high cloud fractions, the aerosol forcing efficiency was below −3.5 W m−2 in 70% of the wet season days and in 46% of the dry season days. These values are lower than the ones reported in the literature, which are based on remote sensing data. Besides the seasonal variation, the influence of external aerosol sources was observed occasionally. Periods of influence of the Manaus urban plume were detected, characterized by a consistent increase on particle scattering (factor 2.5) and absorption coefficients (factor 5). Episodes of biomass burning and mineral dust particles advection from Africa were observed between January and April, characterized by enhanced concentrations of fine mode (PM2.0), crustal elements (Al, Si, Ti, Fe) and potassium. During these episodes, median particle absorption coefficients increased by a factor of 2, whereas median SSA values decreased by 7%, in comparison to wet season conditions.
Evaluation of different calibration strategies for large scale continuous hydrological modelling
Authors: Wallner M. , Haberlandt U. , Dietrich J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. For the analysis of climate impact on flood flows and flood frequency in macroscale river basins, hydrological models can be forced by several sets of hourly long-term climate time series. Considering the large number of model units, the small time step and the required recalibrations for different model forcing an efficient calibration strategy and optimisation algorithm are essential. This study investigates the impact of different calibration strategies and different optimisation algorithms on the performance and robustness of a semi-distributed model. The different calibration strategies were (a) Lumped, (b) 1-Factor, (c) Distributed and (d) Regionalisation. The latter uses catchment characteristics and estimates parameter values via transfer functions. These methods were applied in combination with three different optimisation algorithms: PEST, DDS, and SCE. In addition to the standard temporal evaluation of the calibration strategies, a spatial evaluation was applied. This was done by transferring the parameters from calibrated catchments to uncalibrated ones and validating the model performance of these uncalibrated catchments. The study was carried out for five sub-catchments of the Aller-Leine River Basin in Northern Germany. The best result for temporal evaluation was achieved by using the combination of the DDS optimisation with the Distributed strategy. The Regionalisation method obtained the weakest performance for temporal evaluation. However, for spatial evaluation the Regionalisation indicated more robust models, closely followed by the Lumped method. The 1-Factor and the Distributed strategy showed clear disadvantages regarding spatial parameter transferability. For the parameter estimation based on catchment descriptors as required for ungauged basins, the Regionalisation strategy seems to be a promising tool particularly in climate impact analysis and for hydrological modelling in general.
Long term January–March and May–August temperature reconstructions from tree-ring records from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Poljanšek S. , Ceglar A. , Levanič T.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We present the first spring and summer temperature reconstruction for the north-western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The reconstruction is based on tree-ring width measurements from 7 representative black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We found a significant, positive influence of above-average January–March temperatures on 4 sites (Blace, Peručica, Šator, Konjuh) and a negative influence of above-average May–August temperatures and a positive relationship with an above-average sum of May–August precipitation on tree-ring width formation from 3 sites (Krivaja, Prusac, Šipovo). A 31-yr running correlation between temperature and precipitation of the May–August period and tree-ring indices gave a stable relationship between 1901 and the 1960s, after which values of correlation coefficients decrease to the level of significance. A change in summer cyclones in the central part of the Adriatic Sea is presented as a possible cause of the divergence with the climate signal. In the period of calibration and verification of the linear model for the group of 3 sites (Krivaja, Prusac, Šipovo), the best relationship was found between tree-ring indices and mean May–August temperatures of the current year. For the group of 4 sites (Blace, Peručica, Šator, Konjuh), the relationship between tree-ring indices and mean January–March temperatures of the current year is the strongest. The developed models were used for reconstruction of May–August temperatures for BiH for the period 1701–1901 and January–March temperatures for the period 1685–1901. Using the method of percentiles (85th and 15th) we identified extreme hot/cool summers and warm/cold springs and compared them to available documentary historical sources and other reconstructions from the broader region.
Development and operation of a muon detection system under extremely high humidity environment for monitoring underground water table
Authors: Tanaka H. K. M. , Sannomiya A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. In order to investigate the complex nature of the landslides triggered by rainfall, dynamic muon radiography of the motion of the underground water table is performed in a the drainage tunnel drilled underneath an the estimated fault plane. However, the humidity inside the tunnel is almost 100%. In order to suppress the moisture effect, a scintillation counter with Cockcroft-Wwalton photomultipler tubes (CW-MPT) was developed and tested at the observation site. The counter was stably operated for 38 days without gain degrading. Based on the result, we constructed a muon detection system with CW-PMTs at the same site and started operation runs. In this work, the data from borehole-based measurement of the underground water levels were analyzed and discussed. It was confirmed that the comparison between muon and borehole data would be useful.
PORT, a CESM tool for the diagnosis of radiative forcing
Authors: Conley A. J. , Lamarque J.-F. , Vitt F. , Collins W. D. , Kiehl J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The Parallel Offline Radiative Transfer (PORT) model is a tool for diagnosing radiative forcing. It isolates the radiation code from the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM4) in the Community Earth System Model (CESM1). The computation of radiative forcing from doubling of carbon dioxide and from the change of ozone concentration from year 1850 to 2000 illustrates the use of PORT.
Spatial variations of shallow and deep soil moisture in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Yang L. , Wei W. , Chen L. , Jia F. , Mo B.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Soil moisture in deep soil layers is an important relatively stable water resource for vegetation growth in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China. Characterizing the spatial variations of deep soil moisture with respect to the topographic conditions has significant importance for vegetation restoration. In this study, we focused on analyzing the spatial variations and factors influencing soil moisture content (SMC) in shallow (0–2 m) and deep (2–8 m) soil layers, based on soil moisture observations in the Longtan watershed, Dingxi, Gansu province. The vegetation type of each sampling site for each comparison is same and varies by different positions, gradients, or aspects. The following discoveries were captured: (1) in comparison with shallow SMC, slope position and slope aspect may affect shallow soil moisture more than deep layers, while slope gradient affects both shallow and deep soil moisture significantly. This indicates that a great difference in deep soil hydrological processes between shallow and deep soil moisture remains that can be attributed to the introduced vegetation and topography. (2) A clear negative relationship exists between vegetation growth condition and deep soil moisture, which indicates that plants under different growing conditions may differ in consuming soil moisture, thus causing higher spatial variations in deep soil moisture. (3) The dynamic role of slope position and slope aspect on deep soil moisture has been changed due to large-scale plantation in semi-arid environment. Consequently, vegetation growth conditions and slope gradients may become the key factors dominating the spatial variations in deep soil moisture.
Trends of streamflow, sediment load and their dynamic relation for the catchments in the middle reaches of the Yellow River over the past five decades
Authors: Gao Z. L. , Fu Y. L. , Li Y. H. , Liu J. X. , Chen N. , Zhang X. P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. To control severe soil erosion on the Loess Plateau, China, a great number of soil conservation measures have been implemented since 1950s and subsequently, the "Grain for Green" project was implemented in 1999. The measures and the project resulted in a large scale land use/cover change (LUCC). Understanding the impacts of the measures and the project on streamflow, sediment load and their dynamic relation is essential because the three elements are closely related to the sustainable catchment management strategy on the Loess Plateau. The data for seven selected catchments in the middle reaches of the Yellow River were used and standardized with the precipitation and the controlling area for analysis. The nonparametric Mann-Kendall test and the Pettitt test were employed to detect trends and change points of the annual streamflow and annual sediment load. Simple linear regressions for the monthly streamflow and sediment load from May to October were made to express their relationship. Based on the change point identification and the time when the project began to be implemented on the Loess Plateau, the complete time for the data records was divided into three periods to compare the change degrees of streamflow, sediment load and their relation for the catchments. Results show that there are three types of responses in streamflow, sediment load, and their dynamic relations for the seven catchments. The effects of the LUCC on streamflow, sediment load, and their relationships are greatest in the three transition zone catchments followed by the two rocky mountain catchments. The effects are much weaker in the two loess hilly-gully catchments. In general, the change degrees for sediment load are much greater than those for streamflow, which results from the decreased streamflow and weakening trend of their dynamic relation period by period in catchments.
3-D image-based numerical computations of snow permeability: links to specific surface area, density, and microstructural anisotropy
Authors: Calonne N. , Geindreau C. , Flin F. , Morin S. , Lesaffre B. , Rolland du Roscoat S. , Charrier P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We used three-dimensional (3-D) images of snow microstructure to carry out numerical estimations of the full tensor of the intrinsic permeability of snow (K). This study was performed on 35 snow samples, spanning a wide range of seasonal snow types. For several snow samples, a significant anisotropy of permeability was detected and is consistent with that observed for the effective thermal conductivity obtained from the same samples. The anisotropy coefficient, defined as the ratio of the vertical over the horizontal components of K, ranges from 0.74 for a sample of decomposing precipitation particles collected in the field to 1.66 for a depth hoar specimen. Because the permeability is related to a characteristic length, we introduced a dimensionless tensor K*=K/res2, where the equivalent sphere radius of ice grains (res) is computed from the specific surface area of snow (SSA) and the ice density (ρi) as follows: res=3/(SSA×ρi. We define K and K* as the average of the diagonal components of K and K*, respectively. The 35 values of K* were fitted to snow density (ρs) and provide the following regression: K = (3.0 ± 0.3) res2 exp((−0.0130 ± 0.0003)ρs). We noted that the anisotropy of permeability does not affect significantly the proposed equation. This regression curve was applied to several independent datasets from the literature and compared to other existing regression curves or analytical models. The results show that it is probably the best currently available simple relationship linking the average value of permeability, K, to snow density and specific surface area.
Structural, Electrical, and Optical Properties of Reactively Sputtered Ag-Cu-O Films
Authors: Reddy P. Narayana , Sreedhar A. , Reddy M. Hari Prasad , Uthanna S.
Published: September 2012

Thin films of silver-copper-oxide were deposited on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering of Ag80Cu20 target under various oxygen partial pressures in the range 5×10−3–8×10−2 Pa. The effect of oxygen partial pressure on the crystallographic structure and surface morphology and electrical and optical properties was systematically studied and the results were reported. The oxygen content in the films was correlated with the oxygen partial pressure maintained during the growth of the films. The films which formed at low oxygen partial pressure of 5×10−3 Pa were mixed in phase of Ag2Cu2O3 and Ag while those deposited at 2×10−2 Pa were grown with Ag2Cu2O3 and Ag2Cu2O4 phases. The films which formed at oxygen partial pressure of 2×10−2 Pa showed electrical resistivity of 2.3 Ωcm and optical band gap of 1.47 eV.
Effect of Feed Restriction and Realimentation with Monensin Supplementation on Placental Structure and Ultrastructure in Anglo-Nubian Goats
Authors: Cristofolini A. L. , Turiello M. P. , Sanchis E. G. , Cufré G. , Merkis C. I.
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction followed by a realimentation with monensin supplementation on morphological, ultrastructural, and apoptotic characteristics in the term placenta of Anglo-Nubian does. Treatments were a control group (), a group fed at 0.70 of that consumed by controls (), and the same as R with monensin (). After parturition, 27 placentas were gathered, C: 7, M: 10, and R: 10. No differences were detected between treatments in relation to morphological and ultrastructural analysis. The greatest values of binucleate cells were detected in placentas from R, and it could be due to the need to compensate and satisfy nutritional differences of restriction. We detected the highest apoptotic index in R as a consequence of nutritional treatment. We describe for the first time the structural and ultrastructural morphology and remodeling by apoptosis of Anglo-Nubian placenta at term of goats subjected to nutritional restriction during peripubertal period and the use of monensin as a growth promoter.