bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Galactic Cosmic Rays Modulation in the Vicinity of Corotating Interaction Regions: Observations During the Last Two Solar Minima
Authors: Ghanbari Keyvan , Florinski Vladimir , Guo Xiaocheng , Hu Qiang , Leske Richard 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Corotating interaction regions (CIRs) are responsible for short-term recurrent cosmic-ray modulation, prominent near solar minima. Using the OMNI data sets for two periods of low solar activity near the beginning and end of solar cycle 24, superposed epoch analysis was performed on the solar wind plasma features for 53 and 43 events during periods 2007–2008 and 2017–2018, respectively. Turbulent properties of the solar wind were studied using the variance method for each CIR. Power spectra have been constructed for overlapped subintervals in the vicinity of stream interfaces (SIs). Using measured correlation lengths and turbulent energies, parallel and perpendicular diffusion mean free paths for cosmic-ray ions have been inferred based on two distinct theoretical formulations. For the two periods with opposite solar polarities, our results show that unlike solar wind speed, magnetic field strength, flow pressure, and proton density are relatively higher during the latest period. Increased turbulent energy and reduced parallel transport coefficients of energetic particles at the SIs are observed. The diffusion coefficients follow the same trends during both periods. The perpendicular diffusion starts increasing nearly a day before SIs and is higher in the fast wind. Superposed epoch analysis is performed on the >120 MeV proton count rate obtained from the CRIS instrument on board the ACE spacecraft for the same events. The recorded proton rates have peaks half a day before a SI and reach their minimum more than a day after a SI and have a high anticorrelation with the perpendicular diffusion coefficient.
Fermi-GBM Follow-up of LIGO-Virgo Binary Black Hole Mergers: Detection Prospects
Authors: Veres P. , Canton T. Dal , Burns E. , Goldstein A. , Littenberg T. B. , Christensen N. , Preece R. D. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Fermi-Gamma-ray Burst Monitor observed a 1 s long gamma-ray signal (GW150914-GBM) starting 0.4 s after the first gravitational-wave detection from the binary black hole (BH) merger GW150914. GW150914-GBM is consistent with a short gamma-ray burst origin; however, no unambiguous claims can be made as to the physical association of the two signals due to a combination of low gamma-ray flux and the unfavorable location of Fermi-GBM. Here we answer the following question: if GW150914 and GW150914-GBM were associated, how many LIGO-Virgo binary BH mergers would Fermi-GBM have to follow up to detect a second source? To answer this question, we perform simulated observations of binary BH mergers with LIGO-Virgo and adopt different scenarios for gamma-ray emission from the literature. We calculate the ratio of simulated binary BH mergers detected by LIGO-Virgo to the number of gamma-ray counterpart detections by Fermi-GBM, the BBH-to-GRB ratio. A large majority of the models considered here predict a BBH-to-GRB ratio in the range of 5–20, but for optimistic cases it can be as low as 2, while for pessimistic assumptions it can be as high as 700. Hence, we expect that the third observing run, with its high rate of binary BH detections and assuming the absence of a joint detection, will provide strong constraints on the presented models.
In Situ Measurements of the Variable Slow Solar Wind near Sector Boundaries
Authors: Sanchez-Diaz E. , Rouillard A. P. , Lavraud B. , Kilpua E. , Davies J. A. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The release of density structures at the tip of the coronal helmet streamers, likely as a consequence of magnetic reconnection, contributes to the mass flux of the slow solar wind (SSW). In situ measurements in the vicinity of the heliospheric plasma sheet of the magnetic field, protons, and suprathermal electrons reveal details of the processes at play during the formation of density structures near the Sun. In a previous article, we exploited remote-sensing observations to derive a 3D picture of the dynamic evolution of a streamer. We found evidence of the recurrent and continual release of dense blobs from the tip of the streamers. In the present paper, we interpret in situ measurements of the SSW during solar maximum. Through both case and statistical analysis, we show that in situ signatures (magnetic field magnitude, smoothness and rotation, proton density, and suprathermal electrons, in the first place) are consistent with the helmet streamers producing, in alternation, high-density regions (mostly disconnected) separated by magnetic flux ropes (mostly connected to the Sun). This sequence of emission of dense blobs and flux ropes also seems repeated at smaller scales inside each of the high-density regions. These properties are further confirmed with in situ measurements much closer to the Sun using Helios observations. We conclude on a model for the formation of dense blobs and flux ropes that explains both the in situ measurements and the remote-sensing observations presented in our previous studies.
Understanding Uniturbulence: Self-cascade of MHD Waves in the Presence of Inhomogeneities
Authors: Magyar N. , Van Doorsselaere T. , Goossens M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
It is widely accepted in the MHD turbulence community that the nonlinear cascade of wave energy requires counterpropagating Alfvénic wave packets, along some mean magnetic field. This fact is an obvious outcome of the MHD equations under the assumptions of incompressibility and homogeneity. Despite attempts to relax these assumptions in the context of MHD turbulence, the central idea of turbulence generation persists. However, once the assumptions of incompressiblity and homogeneity break down, the generally accepted picture of turbulent cascade generation is not universal. In this paper, we show that perpendicular inhomogeneities (across the mean magnetic field) lead to propagating wave solutions that are necessarily described by co-propagating Elsässer fields, already in the incompressible case. One simple example of these wave solutions is the surface Alfvén wave on a planar discontinuity across the magnetic field. We show through numerical simulations how the nonlinear self-deformation of these unidirectionally propagating waves leads to a cascade of wave energy across the magnetic field. The existence of this type of unidirectional cascade might have an additional strong effect on the turbulent dissipation rate of dominantly outward-propagating Alfvénic waves in structured plasma, as in the solar corona and solar wind.
The Antibiotic sensitivity of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in a 5-year period and investigation of clonal outbreak with PFGE
Authors: Çalışkan Ahmet , Çopur Çicek Ayşegül , Aydogan Ejder Nebahat , Karagöz Alper , Kirişci Özlem , Kılıç Selçuk 
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which is able to form a biofilm, has mostly been related to catheters when it is the agent in hospital infections; these infections generally present as bacteremia and pneumonia, which may progress with complications and result in death.
Methodology: The study included 153 S. maltophilia strains isolated from clinical samples sent to our hospital laboratory between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2018. The bacteria were identified and their antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the VITEK-2 automated system. PFGE (Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis): The strains isolated from 34 patient clinical samples and from 1 patient bedcover were taken for PFGE examination.
Results: The TMP/SXT and levofloxacin sensitivity of 153 S. maltophilia strains was examined. TMP/SXT resistance was determined to be 39% and levofloxacin resistance at 5%. Among 35 S. maltophilia strains, seven genotypes were identified using the PFGE method. While three strains showed a specific genotype profile, the other 32 were determined to consist of four clusters. The cluster rate was therefore 91.4% (32/35).
Conclusions: There was a clonal relationship between the vast majority of the 35 S. maltophilia isolates, which suggests that there was a cross-contamination problem in the hospital. One strain (#4) was identified by dendrogram analysis showed a high rate of similarity to the other strains and was determined to be the common source of the cross-contamination.
Performance of a new in-house medium Carba MTL-broth for the rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Mairi Assia , Touati Abdelaziz , Pantel Alix , Dunyach-Remy Catherine , Sotto Albert , De Champs Christophe , Lavigne Jean-Philippe 
Published: September 2019

Introduction: The spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) represents a major public health issue. Methods allowing rapid detection of carbapenemases in developing countries are therefore urgently needed. In the current study, we developed a new in-house medium for the rapid detection of CPE isolates, especially OXA-48 producers.
Methodology: A panel of 144 clinical strains previously characterized was tested on in-house Carba MTL-broth medium using four different concentrations of ertapenem (0.5 to 2 mg/L), and compared to chromID® OXA-48 and chromID® CARBA (BioMérieux) media.
Results: Comparative evaluation of the Carba MTL-broth with chromID® OXA-48 and chromID® CARBA showed that chromID® OXA-48 and Carba MTL-broth had the highest sensitivity for detection of OXA-48 producers (93.9% and 100%, respectively) comparatively to chromID® CARBA (21.2%). The chromID® OXA-48 had the highest specificity (100%), as compared to the Carba MTL-broth (65.5%) and chromID® CARBA (84.4%) for the detection of OXA-48 producers.
Conclusions: The in-house Carba MTL-broth developed in this study is sensitive, inexpensive, an easy-to-use phenotypic method for the detection of OXA-48-producing enterobacteria. Given the burden of pan-drug resistance, its implementation in the microbiology laboratory of developing countries could be a useful tool for rapid detection of these bacteria.
High time-resolved measurement of stable carbon isotope composition in water-soluble organic aerosols: method optimization and a case study during winter haze in eastern China
Authors: Zhang Wenqi , Zhang Yan-Lin , Cao Fang , Xiang Yankun , Zhang Yuanyuan , Bao Mengying , Liu Xiaoyan , Lin Yu-Chi 
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) is a significant fraction of
organic carbon (OC) in atmospheric aerosols. WSOC is of great interest due
to its significant effects on atmospheric chemistry, the Earth's climate and
human health. The stable carbon isotope (δ13C) can be used to track
the potential sources and investigate atmospheric processes of organic
aerosols. However, the previous methods measuring the δ13C
values of WSOC in ambient aerosols require a large amount of carbon content, are time-consuming and require labor-intensive preprocessing. In this study,
a method of simultaneously measuring the mass concentration and the δ13C values of WSOC from aerosol samples is established by coupling the
GasBench II preparation device with isotopic ratio mass spectrometry. The
precision and accuracy of isotope determination is better than 0.17 ‰ and 0.5 ‰, respectively, for
samples containing WSOC amounts larger than 5 µg. This method is then applied
for the aerosol samples collected every 3 h during a severe wintertime
haze period in Nanjing, eastern China. The WSOC values vary between 3 and 32 µg m−3, whereas δ13C−WSOC ranges from −26.24 ‰ to −23.35 ‰. Three different
episodes (Episode 1, Episode 2 and Episode 3) are
identified in the sampling period, showing a different tendency of δ13C−WSOC with the accumulation process of WSOC aerosols. The
increases in both the WSOC mass concentrations and the δ13C−WSOC values in Episode 1 indicate that WSOC is subject to
a substantial photochemical aging during the air mass transport. In Episode 2, the decline of the δ13C−WSOC is accompanied
by the increase in the WSOC mass concentrations, which is associated with
regional-transported biomass burning emissions. In Episode 3, heavier
isotope (13C) is exclusively enriched in total carbon (TC) in comparison to WSOC aerosols. This suggests that the non-WSOC fraction in total carbon may
contain 13C-enriched components such as dust carbonate, which is
supported by the enhanced Ca2+ concentrations and air mass
trajectory analysis. The present study provides a novel method to
determine the stable carbon isotope composition of WSOC, and it offers
a great potential to better understand the source emission, the atmospheric
aging and the secondary production of water-soluble organic aerosols.
Rogation ceremonies: a key to understanding past drought variability in northeastern Spain since 1650
Authors: Tejedor Ernesto , de Luis Martín , Barriendos Mariano , Cuadrat José María , Luterbacher Jürg , Saz Miguel Ángel 
Published: September 2019

Abstract. In the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, few studies have reconstructed
drought occurrence and variability for the pre-instrumental period using
documentary evidence and natural proxies. In this study, we compiled a
unique dataset of rogation ceremonies – religious acts asking God for rain –
from 13 cities in the northeast of Spain and investigated the annual
drought variability from 1650 to 1899 CE. Three regionally different
coherent areas (Mediterranean, Ebro Valley, and Mountain) were detected. Both
the Barcelona and the regional Mediterranean drought indices were compared
with the instrumental series of Barcelona for the overlapping period
(1787–1899), where we discovered a highly significant and stable correlation
with the Standardized Precipitation Index of May with a 4-month lag
(r=-0.46 and r=-0.53; p<0.001, respectively). We found common
periods with prolonged droughts (during the mid and late 18th century)
and extreme drought years (1775, 1798, 1753, 1691, and 1817) associated with
more atmospheric blocking situations. A superposed epoch analysis (SEA) was
performed showing a significant decrease in drought events 1 year after
the volcanic events, which might be explained by the decrease in
evapotranspiration due to reduction in surface temperatures and,
consequently, the higher availability of water that increases soil moisture.
In addition, we discovered a common and significant drought response in the
three regional drought indices 2 years after the Tambora volcanic
eruption. Our study suggests that documented information on rogation ceremonies
contains important independent evidence to reconstruct extreme drought
events in areas and periods for which instrumental information and other
proxies are scarce. However, drought index for the mountainous areas (denoted Mountain later in the text) presents
various limitations and its interpretation must be treated with caution.
Trajectories of nitrate input and output in three nested catchments along a land use gradient
Authors: Ehrhardt Sophie , Kumar Rohini , Fleckenstein Jan H. , Attinger Sabine , Musolff Andreas 
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Increased anthropogenic inputs of nitrogen (N) to the
biosphere during the last few decades have resulted in increased groundwater and
surface water concentrations of N (primarily as nitrate), posing a global
problem. Although measures have been implemented to reduce N inputs, they
have not always led to decreasing riverine nitrate concentrations and loads.
This limited response to the measures can either be caused by the
accumulation of organic N in the soils (biogeochemical legacy) – or by long
travel times (TTs) of inorganic N to the streams (hydrological legacy).
Here, we compare atmospheric and agricultural N inputs with long-term
observations (1970–2016) of riverine nitrate concentrations and loads in a
central German mesoscale catchment with three nested subcatchments
of increasing agricultural land use. Based on a data-driven
approach, we assess jointly the N budget and the effective TTs of N through
the soil and groundwater compartments. In combination with long-term
trajectories of the C–Q relationships, we evaluate the potential for and
the characteristics of an N legacy. We show that in the 40-year-long observation period, the catchment (270 km2) with 60 % agricultural area received an N input of
53 437 t, while it exported 6592 t, indicating an overall retention of
88 %. Removal of N by denitrification could not sufficiently explain this
imbalance. Log-normal travel time distributions (TTDs) that link the N input
history to the riverine export differed seasonally, with modes spanning
7–22 years and the mean TTs being systematically shorter during the high-flow season as compared to low-flow conditions. Systematic shifts in the
C–Q relationships were noticed over time that could be attributed to strong
changes in N inputs resulting from agricultural intensification before 1989,
the break-down of East German agriculture after 1989 and the
seasonal differences in TTs. A chemostatic export regime of nitrate was only
found after several years of stabilized N inputs. The changes in C–Q
relationships suggest a dominance of the hydrological N legacy over the
biogeochemical N fixation in the soils, as we expected to observe a stronger
and even increasing dampening of the riverine N concentrations after
sustained high N inputs. Our analyses reveal an imbalance between N input
and output, long time-lags and a lack of significant denitrification in the
catchment. All these suggest that catchment management needs to address
both a longer-term reduction of N inputs and shorter-term mitigation of
today's high N loads. The latter may be covered by interventions triggering
denitrification, such as hedgerows around agricultural fields, riparian
buffers zones or constructed wetlands. Further joint analyses of N budgets
and TTs covering a higher variety of catchments will provide a deeper insight into N trajectories and their controlling parameters.
DBSA-Catalyzed Sewage Sludge Conversion into Biodiesel in a CSTR: RSM Optimization and RTD Study
Authors: Jazie Ali A. 
Published: September 2019

Sewage sludge from the primary stage of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Al-Diwaniyah City was direct-transesterified to biodiesel using dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid catalyst in a system with two continuously stirred tank reactors. The response surface and the central cube design methodologies were used to optimize the parameters affecting the biodiesel yield. The optimum conditions for the process in this study were found to be (residence time: 90 min; catalyst loading 8 wt%; methanol/oil ratio: 18; reaction temperature: 368.15 K). Under the optimum process conditions a biodiesel yield of 96.51% was obtained. The experimental residence time distribution (RTD) was calculated and compartment models were applied for the two-tank reactor system. In the CSTR, a dead zone of (10 liter) was estimated. The independent analysis of fatty acids in the sewage showed that the lipids consisted primarily of palmitic acid (C16:0 = 37.86), oleic acid (C18:1 cis-9 = 19.72) and stearic acid (C18:0 = 17.32), and the acid value was (2.44 mg KOH/g). The properties of the biodiesel produced were comparable with the ASTM D-6751-2 standard and the properties of mineral diesel.
lnc-SAMD14-4 can regulate expression of the COL1A1 and COL1A2 in human chondrocytes
Authors: Zhang Haibin , Chen Cheng , Cui Yinghong , Li Yuqing , Wang Zhaojun , Mao Xinzhan , Dou Pengcheng , Li Yihan , Ma Chi 
Published: September 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common motor system disease in aging people, characterized by matrix degradation, chondrocyte death, and osteophyte formation. OA etiology is unclear, but long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that participate in numerous pathological and physiological processes may be key regulators in the onset and development of OA. Because profiling of lncRNAs and their biological function in OA is not understood, we measured lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles using high-throughput microarray to study human knee OA. We identified 2,042 lncRNAs and 2,011 mRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed in OA compared to non-OA tissue (>2.0- or < − 2.0-fold change; p < 0.5), including 1,137 lncRNAs that were upregulated and 905 lncRNAs that were downregulated. Also, 1,386 mRNA were upregulated and 625 mRNAs were downregulated. QPCR was used to validate chip results. Gene Ontology analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes was used to study the biological function enrichment of differentially expressed mRNA. Additionally, coding-non-coding gene co-expression (CNC) network construction was performed to explore the relevance of dysregulated lncRNAs and mRNAs. Finally, the gain/loss of function experiments of lnc-SAMD14-4 was implemented in IL-1β-treated human chondrocytes. In general, this study provides a preliminary database for further exploring lncRNA-related mechnisms in OA.
Winter bird-window collisions: mitigation success, risk factors, and implementation challenges
Authors: Brown Barbara B. , Kusakabe Erika , Antonopoulos Angelo , Siddoway Sarah , Thompson Lisa 
Published: September 2019

Millions of birds die in bird-window collisions in the United States each year. In specialized test settings, researchers have developed methods to alter window designs to mitigate collisions. However, few published studies provide pretest and posttest evaluations of mitigation treatment areas and untreated control areas on existing buildings. We initially monitored bird-window collisions at a single building on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, during winter 1 (November 9, 2017–January 2, 2018). We found 15 bird-window collisions, most under a portion of the building with a mirrored façade. To test a mitigation treatment, we installed Feather Friendly® bird deterrent film on part of the mirrored façade after winter 1. The unmitigated areas of the same building served as a control area. We continued monitoring during the following winter 2 (November 15, 2018–January 12, 2019). The treated area collisions declined from seven before mitigation to two after mitigation, a 71% reduction. The control area had eight collisions at both times. Results of a generalized estimating equation yielded a significant area by season interaction effect (p = 0.03) and fewer collisions in the mitigated area than the control area at winter 2 (p = 0.03), supporting efficacy of the mitigation. In winter 2 we also expanded monitoring to eight total buildings to evaluate the risks of mirrored windows and proximity to fruiting pear trees (Prunus calleryana) and the benefits of bird-friendly glass. Bird-friendly glass, found on two buildings, included windows with permanent fritted dots or embedded ultraviolet patterns. We counted 22 collisions across the eight buildings. Mirrored windows and proximity to fruiting pear trees related to higher odds of bird-window collisions, based on separate generalized estimating equations. The best fit model included mirrored windows and pear trees. The two buildings with bird-friendly glass had only one collision, suggesting that these designs deter collisions, although the difference was not statistically significant. To publicize the study and to receive reports of additional bird collisions or fatalities on campus, we created a citizen science project on iNaturalist and engaged in additional outreach efforts that yielded 22 ad hoc reports. Many previous studies have documented Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) collisions, but at relatively low numbers. Cedar Waxwings accounted for 31 of 34 identifiable collisions from the monitoring study and 4 of 21 identifiable collisions or fatalities from ad hoc reports.