bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria‐mediated oxidative stress induced by desert dust in rat alveolar macrophages
Authors: Pardo Michal , Katra Itzhak , Schaeur James J. , Rudich Yinon 
Published: March 2017

AbstractExposure to ambient particulate matter (PM), including PM from resuspension of soils and dusts, increases the risk for respiratory diseases. However, the exact mechanism of PM‐mediated damage to the lungs remains unclear. Due to recent increases in the frequency of dust storms in many areas, we examined the cytotoxic effects of soil‐dust samples collected in an arid zone in Israel on rat lung macrophages. The desert soil contains soil crusts and low levels of toxic metal content. Exposure of cells to water extracts from the dust samples caused significant reduction in the concentration of live cells and overall cell viability. The dust samples induced cell death through apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. The dust samples generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to control‐treated samples and National Institute of Standards and Technology San Joaquin Valley standard reference material. To assess whether the oxidative imbalance induced by dust extract also interferes with the antioxidant defense, we evaluated phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes, which are Nrf2 classical targets. The Nrf2 transcription factor is a master regulator of cellular adaptation to stress. The dust extracts produced a significant increase in phase II detoxifying genes. This work suggests that the health‐related injury observed in rat lung cells exposed to dust extracts is associated with ROS generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, and cellular antioxidant imbalance. Damage to lung mitochondria may be an important mechanism by which dust‐containing bacterial material induces lung injury upon inhalation.
Relating coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) incidence to soil moisture conditions
Authors: Coopersmith E. J. , Bell J. E. , Benedict K. , Shriber J. , McCotter O. , Cosh M. H. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCoccidioidomycosis (also called Valley fever) is caused by a soilborne fungus, Coccidioides spp., in arid regions of the southwestern United States. Though some who develop infections from this fungus remain asymptomatic, others develop respiratory disease as a consequence. Less commonly, severe illness and death can occur when the infection spreads to other regions of the body. Previous analyses have attempted to connect the incidence of coccidioidomycosis to broadly available climatic measurements, such as precipitation or temperature. However, with the limited availability of long‐term, in situ soil moisture data sets, it has not been feasible to perform a direct analysis of the relationships between soil moisture levels and coccidioidomycosis incidence on a larger temporal and spatial scale. Utilizing in situ soil moisture gauges throughout the southwest from the U.S. Climate Reference Network and a model with which to extend those estimates, this work connects periods of higher and lower soil moisture in Arizona and California between 2002 and 2014 to the reported incidence of coccidioidomycosis. The results indicate that in both states, coccidioidomycosis incidence is related to soil moisture levels from previous summers and falls. Stated differently, a higher number of coccidioidomycosis cases are likely to be reported if previous bands of months have been atypically wet or dry, depending on the location.
Electrification life cycle of incipient thunderstorms
Authors: Mattos Enrique V. , Machado Luiz A. T. , Williams Earle R. , Goodman Steven J. , Blakeslee Richard J. , Bailey Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis work evaluates how clouds evolve to thunderstorms in terms of microphysical characteristics to produce the first intracloud (IC) and cloud‐to‐ground (CG) lightning flashes. Observations of 46 compact isolated thunderstorms during the 2011/2012 spring‐summer in Southeast Brazil with an X‐band polarimetric radar and two‐ and three‐dimensional Lightning Location Systems demonstrated key parameters in a cloud's vertical structure that produce the initial electrification and lightning activity. The majority (98%) of the first CG flashes were preceded (by approximately 6 min) by intracloud (IC) lightning. The most important aspect of the observations going into this paper, which came originally from the visual examination of a large number of thunderstorms, is that an initial positive differential reflectivity (ZDR) (associated with supercooled raindrops) evolved to reduced ZDR (and even negative values) in the cloud layer between 0° and to −15°C before and during the time of the initial lightning, suggesting evolution from supercooled raindrops to frozen particles promoting the formation of conical graupel. An enhanced negative specific differential phase (KDP) (down to −0.5° km−1) in the glaciated layer (above −40°C) was predominantly observed at the time of the first CG flash, indicating that ice crystals, such as plates and columns, were being vertically aligned by a strong electric field. These results demonstrate that the observations of ZDR evolution in the mixed layer and negative KDP in the upper levels of convective cores may provide useful information on thunderstorm vigor and lightning nowcasting.
Inversion of AMSR‐E observations for land surface temperature estimation: 2. Global comparison with infrared satellite temperature
Authors: Ermida S. L. , Jiménez C. , Prigent C. , Trigo I. F. , DaCamara C. C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA comparison of land surface temperature (Ts) derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer–Earth Observing System (AMSR‐E) with infrared Ts is presented. The infrared Ts include clear‐sky estimates from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Imager, and the Japanese Meteorological Imager. The higher discrepancies between AMSR‐E and MODIS are observed over deserts and snow‐covered areas. The former seems to be associated with Ts underestimation by MODIS, whereas the latter is mostly related to uncertainties in microwave emissivity over snow/ice. Ts differences between AMSR‐E and MODIS are significantly reduced after masking out snow and deserts, with a bias change from 2.6/4.6 K to 3.0/1.4 K for daytime/nighttime and a standard deviation (STD) decrease from 7.3/7.9 K to 5.1/3.9 K. When comparing with all infrared sensors, the STD of the differences between microwave and infrared Ts is generally higher than between IR retrievals. However, the biases between microwave and infrared Ts are, in some cases, of the same order as the ones observed between infrared products. This is the case for GOES, with daytime biases with respect to AMSR‐E and MODIS of 0.45 K and 0.60 K, respectively. While the infrared Ts are clear‐sky estimates, AMSR‐E also provides Ts under cloudy conditions. For frequently cloudy regions, this results in a large increase of available Ts estimates (>250%), making the microwave Ts a very powerful complement of the infrared estimates.
Simultaneous upward and downward propagating inertia‐gravity waves in the MLT observed at Andes Lidar Observatory
Authors: Huang Kai Ming , Liu Alan Z. , Zhang Shao Dong , Yi Fan , Huang Chun Ming , Gong Yun , Gan Quan , Zhang Ye Hui , Wang Rui 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBased on the temperature and zonal and meridional winds observed with an Na lidar at Andes Lidar Observatory (30.3°S, 70.7°W) on the night of 20–21 July 2015, we report simultaneous upward and downward propagating inertia‐gravity waves (IGWs) in the mesosphere/lower stratosphere (MLT). The ground‐based periods of the upward and downward IGWs are about 5.4 h and 4.8 h, respectively. The horizontal and vertical wavelengths are about 935 km and 10.9 km for the 5.4 h IGW and about 1248 km and 22 km for the 4.8 h IGW, respectively. Hodograph analyses indicate that the 5.4 h IGW propagates in the direction of about 23° west of north, while the 4.8 h IGW travels northward with an azimuth of 20°clockwise from north. These wave parameters are in the typical IGW wavelength and period ranges; nevertheless, the downward propagating IGWs in the MLT are rarely reported in previous observations. The ray‐tracing analysis suggests that the 5.4 h IGW is likely to originate from the stratospheric jet adjustment over the Antarctic, while the 4.8 h IGW source may be above the MLT because it is unlikely to propagate downward through a reflection in the realistic atmospheric wind field. Although both IGWs do not reach their amplitude thresholds of instability, the Richard number reveals that the dynamical and convective instabilities occur intermittently, which indicates that the instability arising from the multiple‐perturbation superposition may have a significant influence on wave saturation and amplitude constraint in the MLT.
Titan's atmosphere and climate
Authors: Hörst S. M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTitan is the only moon with a substantial atmosphere, the only other thick N2 atmosphere besides Earth's, the site of extraordinarily complex atmospheric chemistry that far surpasses any other solar system atmosphere, and the only other solar system body with stable liquid currently on its surface. The connection between Titan's surface and atmosphere is also unique in our solar system; atmospheric chemistry produces materials that are deposited on the surface and subsequently altered by surface‐atmosphere interactions such as aeolian and fluvial processes resulting in the formation of extensive dune fields and expansive lakes and seas. Titan's atmosphere is favorable for organic haze formation, which combined with the presence of some oxygen‐bearing molecules indicates that Titan's atmosphere may produce molecules of prebiotic interest. The combination of organics and liquid, in the form of water in a subsurface ocean and methane/ethane in the surface lakes and seas, means that Titan may be the ideal place in the solar system to test ideas about habitability, prebiotic chemistry, and the ubiquity and diversity of life in the universe. The Cassini‐Huygens mission to the Saturn system has provided a wealth of new information allowing for study of Titan as a complex system. Here I review our current understanding of Titan's atmosphere and climate forged from the powerful combination of Earth‐based observations, remote sensing and in situ spacecraft measurements, laboratory experiments, and models. I conclude with some of our remaining unanswered questions as the incredible era of exploration with Cassini‐Huygens comes to an end.
A decomposition‐integration risk analysis method for real‐time operation of a complex flood control system
Authors: Chen Juan , Zhong Ping‐An , Zhang Yu , Navar David , Yeh William W.‐G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRisk analysis plays an important role in decision making for real‐time flood control operation of complex flood control systems. A typical flood control system consists of reservoirs, river channels, and downstream control points. The system generally is characterized by nonlinearity and large scale. Additionally, the input variables are mostly stochastic. Because of the dimensionality problem, generally, it would not be possible to carry out risk analysis without decomposition. In this paper, we propose a decomposition‐integration approach whereby the original complex flood control system is decomposed into a number of independent subsystems. We conduct risk analysis for each subsystem and then integrate the results by means of combination theory of stochastic processes. We evaluate the propagation of uncertainties through the complex flood control system and calculate the risk of reservoir overtopping, as well as the risk of flooding at selected downstream control points. We apply the proposed methodology to a flood control system in the middle reaches of the Huaihe River basin in China. The results show that the proposed method is practical and provides a way to estimate the risks in real‐time flood control operation of a complex flood control system.
Convergence in the Geosciences
Authors: McNutt Marcia K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe 21st century presents unprecedented challenges if society is to continue to provide abundant energy, water, and food, and high quality housing and medical care to a growing global population. Deforestation and aquifer depletion are at unsustainable rates, and use of fossil fuels is leading to unprecedented climate change. Geoscientists can confront these challenges by expanding partnerships with other disciplines. “Convergence,” the integration of engineering, physical sciences, computation, and life sciences to benefit health, energy, and the environment, has been successfully developed for biomedical research. It is time for the geosciences to embrace convergence, as our future depends upon it.
First optical observations of interhemispheric electron reflections within pulsating aurora
Authors: Samara M. , Michell R. G. , Khazanov G. V. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA case study of a pulsating auroral event imaged optically at high time resolution presents direct observational evidence in agreement with the interhemispheric electron bouncing predicted by the SuperThermal Electron Transport model. “Pulsation‐on” times are identified and subsequent equally spaced fainter pulsations are also noted and can be explained by a portion/percentage of the primary precipitating electrons reflecting upward from the ionosphere, traveling to the opposite hemisphere and reflecting upward again. The high time resolution of these data, combined with the short duration of the pulsation‐on time (∼1 s) and the relatively long spacing between pulsations (∼6 to 9 s) made it possible to observe the faint optical pulses caused by the reflected electrons coming from the opposite hemisphere.
Dosimetric characteristics of LinaTech DMLC H multi leaf collimator: Monte Carlo simulation and experimental study
Authors: Molazadeh Mikaeil , Zeinali Ahad , Robatjazi Mostafa , Shirazi Alireza , Geraily Ghazale 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study evaluated the basic dosimetric characteristics of a Dynamic Multi Leaf Collimator (DMLC) using a diode detector and film measurements for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Quality Assurance (IMRT QA). The EGSnrc Monte Carlo (MC) simulation system was used for the determination of MLC characteristics. Radiation transmission and abutting leaf leakage relevant to the LinaTech DMLC H were measured using an EDGE detector and EBT3 film. In this study, the BEAMnrc simulation code was used for modeling. The head of Siemens PRIMUS linac (6 MV) with external DMLC H was entered into a BEAMnrc Monte Carlo model using practical dosimetry data. Leaf material density, as well as interleaf and abutting air gaps were determined according to the computed and measured dose profiles. The IMRT QA field was used to evaluate the dose distribution of the simulated DMLC H. According to measurements taken with the EDGE detector and film, the total average measured leakage was 1.60 ± 0.03% and 1.57 ± 0.05%, respectively. For these measurements, abutting leaf transmission was 54.35 ± 1.85% and 53.08 ± 2.05%, respectively. To adapt the simulated leaf dose profiles with measurements, leaf material density, interleaf and abutting air gaps were adjusted to 18 g/cm3, 0.008 cm and 0.108 cm, respectively. Thus, the total average leakage was estimated to be about 1.59 ± 0.02%. The step‐and‐shoot IMRT was implemented and 94% agreement was achieved between the film and MC, using 3%‐3 mm gamma criteria. The results of this study showed that the dosimetric characteristics of DMLC H satisfied international standards.
Interfaith Groups as Mediating Structures for Political Action: A Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Todd Nathan R. , Boeh Brett A. , Houston‐Kolnik Jaclyn D. , Suffrin Rachael L. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study investigates interfaith groups from across the United States to understand how these religious settings may serve as mediating structures to facilitate individual political action. Based on a multilevel modeling analysis with 169 individuals from 25 interfaith groups, we found that core activities of the group, such as group members sharing community information (e.g., announcing upcoming events, political meetings, community issues) or sharing religious information (e.g., educating members about their religion) positively and negatively predicted individual political action as a result of group participation, respectively. Moreover, a sense that the interfaith group served as a community to work for local change, but not trust within the group, predicted political action as a result of group participation. However, this effect for a sense the group served as a community to work for local change was stronger and more positive as the degree of community information sharing in the group increased. These results show that a core activity of sharing community information may enhance the ability of a group to mediate political action. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential role of interfaith groups to mediate political action, and show the importance of considering both individual and group characteristics when understanding these religious settings. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.
Investigation of the effect of tetrahydrofuran and acetone as cosolvents in acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene–based nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Moghadassi A. R. , Bagheripour E. , Hosseini S. M. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTIn this study, novel nanofiltration membranes were prepared with acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)–poly(ethylene glycol)–N,N‐dimethylacetamide–[tetrahydrofuran (THF)–acetone] as a cosolvent. All of the membranes were prepared by the phase‐inversion method and a casting solution technique. The effects of the cosolvent concentration in the casting solution and the evaporation time before the immersion/precipitation step on the membrane performance and properties were investigated. The prepared membranes were characterized through their permeation flux, salt rejection, and phase‐inversion time values. The salt rejection was increased from 53% for the bare ABS membrane to 73% for the membrane prepared with 40 wt % THF as a cosolvent. The water flux was decreased from 4345 to 1121 cc m−2 h−1 with the addition of THF to the casting solution. The addition of acetone to the casting solution improved the water flux from 4345 to 5607 cc m−2 h−1 and reduced the salt rejection from 53 to 36%. The evaporation time of THF and acetone led to similar effects on flux and rejection. However, with evaporation time, membranes prepared with acetone were denser than those prepared with THF; this was due to the lower boiling point and higher boiling rate of acetone at the same temperatures. This resulted in greater effects on the ABS performance and structure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44993.
A practice for engineering students based on the control and monitoring an experimental biomass combustor using labview
Authors: Regueiro Araceli , Patiño David , Míguez Carla , Cuevas Miguel 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe methods delineated herein enable students to acquire new knowledge and competences at a high academic level in an independent manner and to demonstrate competence in the current concepts and theories governing energy flows, heat transfer, and energy conversions. These methods have been used in the Energy Thermal Master class that is offered in the Engineering School at the University of Vigo. The study presents an innovative learning method in which two new pedagogical concepts are combined, “learning by doing” and “blended learning,” implying a modernization of the classical learning methods. Using the methodology described below, students are able to operate a biomass experimental as well as use numerous measuring devices to obtain the combustion parameters, which are the latest commercial technology. Furthermore, by using LabVIEW programming, students are able to realize the importance of automation in the facilities and to create a code that is responsible for the control, supervision and monitoring of the system. In addition to the purely experimental aspect, students must analyze the data acquired by LabVIEW, apply their theoretical knowledge and exchange data with other groups, improving their teamwork skills. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:392–403, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21806
Converting Alkali Lignin to Biofuels over NiO/HZSM‐5 Catalysts Using a Two‐Stage Reactor
Authors: Cheng Shouyun , Wei Lin , Zhao Xianhui , Julson James , Kadis Ethan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA series of NiO/HZSM‐5 catalysts were used to convert alkali lignin to hydrocarbon biofuels in a two‐stage catalytic pyrolysis system. The results indicated that all NiO/HZSM‐5 catalysts reduced the content of undesirable phenols, furans, and alcohols of the biofuel compared to non‐catalytic treatment. The NiO/HZSM‐5 catalyst with the lowest amount of NiO generated the highest biofuel yield in all catalytic treatments, and it also produced biofuel with the highest content of hydrocarbons. The emission of carbon oxides (CO and CO2) increased in the treatments with higher‐NiO loading HZSM‐5 due to the redox reaction between NiO and the oxygenated compounds in the bio‐oil. Ni2SiO4 was generated in the used NiO/HZSM‐5 catalysts during the high‐temperature pyrolysis process.
Comparison of Flat and Hollow‐Fiber Mixed‐Matrix Composite Membranes for CO2 Separation with Temperature
Authors: Fernández-Barquín Ana , Casado-Coterillo Clara , Etxeberria-Benavides Miren , Zuñiga Jon , Irabien Angel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractZeolite A/poly (1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (zeoliteA/PTMSP) and [emim][Ac]/chitosan (IL/CS) are mixed‐matrix membrane (MMM) materials with enhanced CO2/N2 permselectivity even at higher temperature. The scalability to asymmetric flat and hollow‐fiber geometry by a simple dip‐coating method was analyzed. The CO2/N2 separation performance was evaluated at different temperatures. The resulting composite membranes exhibit a significantly enhanced CO2 permeation flux because the MMM layer thickness is reduced by 97 % from flat to hollow‐fiber geometries in IL‐CS composite membranes, while the selectivity is maintained similar to the self‐standing membranes, thus proving that compatibility between the membrane component materials leads to a defect‐free composite membrane, regardless the geometry and temperature.
Visualization of the Reaction Trajectory and Transition State in a Hydrolytic Reaction Catalyzed by a Metalloenzyme
Authors: Selleck Christopher , Clayton Daniel , Gahan Lawrence R. , Mitić Nataša , McGeary Ross P. , Pedroso Marcelo Monteiro , Guddat Luke W. , Schenk Gerhard 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMetallohydrolases are a vast family of enzymes that play crucial roles in numerous metabolic pathways. Several members have emerged as targets for chemotherapeutics. Knowledge about their reaction mechanisms and associated transition states greatly aids the design of potent and highly specific drug leads. By using a high‐resolution crystal structure, we have probed the trajectory of the reaction catalyzed by purple acid phosphatase, an enzyme essential for the integrity of bone structure. In particular, the transition state is visualized, thus providing detailed structural information that may be exploited in the design of specific inhibitors for the development of new anti‐osteoporotic chemotherapeutics.