bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Methane‐Hydrate Phase Equilibrium in the Presence of Electrolytes or Organic Inhibitors by using a Semi‐Theoretical Framework
Authors: Ghiasi Mohammad M. , Mohammadi Amir H. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA thermodynamic‐based procedure was developed that is capable of predicting the incipient hydrate dissociation temperature in the presence of a single electrolyte or organic inhibitor aqueous solution. In the proposed framework, the two‐suffix Margules activity model is used to take into account the concentration of inhibitor and the Clausius–Clapeyron approach is employed to calculate the hydrate dissociation enthalpy. The presented model uses the Peng–Robinson (PR) equation of state (EoS) to compute the compressibility factor of the gas phase. The introduced model is then specified for predicting the methane‐hydrate dissociation temperature (MHDT) in the presence aqueous solutions of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, methanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1‐propanol, and 2‐propanol. Finally, the optimal values of the Margules coefficient are obtained due to the type of additive. The proposed model for MHDT estimation provides consistently satisfactory results. Absolute deviations between the model predictions and corresponding experimental data for all studied systems are less than 1 K across the investigated pressure and temperature ranges.
Mapping gamma radiation and its uncertainty from weathering products in a Tasmanian landscape with a proximal sensor and random forest kriging
Authors: Viscarra Rossel Raphael A. , Webster Richard , Kidd Darren 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe radionuclides of potassium (40 K), uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) emit from the land surface gamma radiation that is characteristic of the underlying rocks and the distribution of their weathering products in the landscape. We measured the radiation along widely separated transects using a mobile proximal sensor over a 10 000‐ha region of Tasmania. We supplemented the transect data with information from soil and geological maps and dense data from LandSat and SPOT imagery, a digital elevation model and terrain attributes on a grid at 30‐m intervals so as to map the radionuclides. We used a sequence of steps, starting with a spatial bootstrap and random forests to predict emissions across the study area and at sampling points excluded from the bootstrap samples. The predictions at the sampling points were compared with the observed values to obtain residuals, which were then used to krige them at all points on the 30 m grid. We combined the random forest and kriging predictions on the 30‐m grid to obtain our random forest kriging predictions. Repeating the procedure 100 times provided confidence limits on our results and predictions. The resulting maps of the radionuclides accord well with what we know of the soil, lithology and topography of the region from other sources. Alluvial deposits with large amounts of potassium extend from the foot slopes of the Great Western Tiers and along the flood plains of the Meander River, providing evidence of previous widespread weathering and deposition of the material. The fertile Red Ferrosols (roughly equivalent to Ferralic Nitisols in the World reference base (WRB) classification) on the extensive Tertiary basalt plateau emit little gamma radiation as a result of deep weathering and of potassium movement and accumulation down its talus slopes. The maps show the complexity of the region in terms of soil, lithology and terrain, and they show the merits of gamma radiometry for mapping and understanding the distribution of materials in such regions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global change and mercury cycling: Challenges for implementing a global mercury treaty
Authors: Selin Noelle E. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury. In the present study, the provisions of the Minamata Convention are examined to assess their influence on global biogeochemical cycling of Hg. Although the convention's scope covers all major categories of atmospheric emissions, the degree to which it will affect future emissions trajectories remains unclear. A box model analysis shows that future global biogeochemical cycling under projected technological provisions would result mainly in avoided increases and that estimated differences in atmospheric concentrations resulting from policies would be on the order of 1% to 2% per year. Present experience suggests that scientific knowledge is not currently sufficient to attribute causes to changes of this magnitude. Enhancements to capacity to measure the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention are suggested, including both measurement and modeling. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1202–1210. © 2013 SETAC
Constraints on surface NOx emissions by assimilating satellite observations of multiple species
Authors: Miyazaki Kazuyuki , Eskes Henk 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSurface NOx emissions are estimated by a combined assimilation of satellite observations of NO2, CO, O3, and HNO3 with a global chemical transport model. The assimilation of measurements for species other than NO2 provides additional constraints on the NOx emissions by adjusting the concentrations of the species affecting the NOx chemistry and leads to changes in the regional monthly‐mean emissions of −58 to +32% and the annual total emissions of −16 to +3%. These large changes highlight that uncertainties in the model chemistry impact the quality of the emission estimates. In the inversion from NO2 observations only, NOx analysis increments occur closer to the surface. Because of the shorter residence time, larger emissions increments are required compared to the multiple species assimilation. Validation against independent observations and comparisons with the recent Regional Emission inventory in Asia version 2.1 emissions shows that the multiple species assimilation improves the chemical consistency including the relation between concentrations and the estimated emissions.
Accelerated ice mass depletion revealed by low‐degree gravity field from satellite laser ranging: Greenland, 1991–2011
Authors: Matsuo Koji , Chao Benjamin F. , Otsubo Toshimichi , Heki Kosuke 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe detect the acceleration of ice mass depletion in Greenland for the period 1991–2011 from the low‐degree gravity field up to degree and order 4 derived from the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) data. Between 2003 and 2011, during the era when the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite data are available, our SLR results of gravity changes agree well with GRACE showing significant negative patterns in Greenland. Prior to that, the SLR linear trend maps show a near balance in Greenland ice mass during 1991–2002 (after the glacial isostatic adjustment is accounted for using model values). We further confirm the consistency of our SLR results with the vertical crustal uplift of the region observed by the Global Positining System (GPS) which manifests ice mass loading/unloading. Thus, the SLR data series constitute a continuous benchmark for the time history of the Greenland ice mass changes for over two decades.
Sustainable conjunctive use of groundwater for additional irrigation
Authors: Alam N. , Olsthoorn Theo N. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe key to ‘sustainable conjunctive use of groundwater for additional irrigation’ is the salt balance of groundwater below an irrigated field. This paper aims to develop a mathematical tool to study the accumulation of salt in the groundwater below an irrigated field as caused by irrigation recirculation. This study derives a salt balance of groundwater to ensure that the additional irrigation from groundwater remains possible in the future. The water and salt budgets by themselves do neither provide information concerning farmers' options nor on the limits of the individual terms in the budget equations. It is presumed that farmers will intuitively aim for (1) an optimal value of the actual evapotranspiration, and (2) a return flow as a feasible low fraction of the available water. We, therefore, derive the irrigation from groundwater Q as a consequence of the predefined farmers' aims to achieve a high actual evapotranspiration in combination with a given optimally used irrigation system. Our model concludes that the required amount of drainage is only dependent on the ratio of the salinity in the surface irrigation water and the acceptable salinity of the groundwater. The final salinity in the saturated zone only depends on salt‐carrying inflows and outflows. From the aforesaid model, it is further concluded that sustainable conjunctive use of groundwater for additional irrigation requires long‐term salt management, which should be founded on the essential controlling factors as derived in this paper. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sonography of trapezial ridge fractures
Authors: Botchu Rajesh , Bianchi Stefano 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTTrapezial ridge fractures are very rare. These can be a diagnostic challenge and one needs to have a high index of suspicion. We report two cases of trapezial ridge fractures that were diagnosed sonographically and confirmed by cross‐sectional imaging (CT or MRI). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:241–244, 2014
Modeling of temporal patterns and sources of atmospherically transported and deposited pesticides in ecosystems of concern: A case study of toxaphene in the Great Lakes
Authors: Li Rong , Jin Jiming 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPesticides have adverse effects on human health and the environment and can be transported through the atmosphere from application sites and deposited to sensitive ecosystems. This study applies a comprehensive multimedia regional pesticide fate and chemical transport modeling system that we developed to investigate the atmospheric transport and deposition of toxaphene to the Great Lakes. Simulated results predict a significant amount of toxaphene (~350 kg) being transported through the atmosphere and deposited into the Great Lakes in the simulation year. Results also show that U.S. residues and global background are major sources to toxaphene deposition into the Great Lakes and atmospheric concentrations in the region. While the U.S. residues are the dominant source in warm months, the background dominates during winter months. In addition, different sources have different influences on the individual Great Lakes due to their proximity and relative geographical positions to the sources; U.S. residues are the dominant source to Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan, but they are a much less important source to Lake Superior. These results shed light on the mystery that observed toxaphene concentrations in Great Lakes' lake trout and smelt declined between 1982 and 1992 in four of the Great Lakes except Lake Superior. While monthly total depositions to Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan have clear seasonal variability with much greater values in April, May, and June, monthly total depositions to Lake Superior are more uniformly distributed over the year with comparatively greater levels in cold months.
Monochromatic Kr‐Decompositions of Graphs
Authors: Liu Henry , Sousa Teresa 
Published: August 2013

AbstractGiven graphs G and H, and a coloring of the edges of G with k colors, a monochromatic H‐decomposition of G is a partition of the edge set of G such that each part is either a single edge or forms a monochromatic graph isomorphic to H. Let be the smallest number ϕ such that any graph G of order n and any coloring of its edges with k colors, admits a monochromatic H‐decomposition with at most ϕ parts. Here, we study the function for and .
Measuring Expatriate Return on Investment With an Evaluation Framework
Authors: McNulty Yvonne , Cieri Helen De 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMeasuring the outcomes of any human resource management activity is critical in terms of the acquisition, allocation, development, and compensation of employees. Although international assignments and expatriation are important components of most large companies' activities, few of those firms have developed sound metrics to evaluate the success of these initiatives. In particular, there is a lack of established procedures for measuring expatriate return on investment (ROI). The experiences of a large international software development company in measuring expatriate ROI are used to illustrate the dangers of over‐reliance on common HR measurement techniques. Then, a two‐phase approach to constructing an evaluation framework for expatriate ROI is presented. Rather than focusing on that which is easily measurable, it is designed to direct attention toward the desired outcomes and make the mobility manager directly accountable for business results. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new radiocarbon chronology of Baumkirchen, stratotype for the onset of the Upper Würmian in the Alps
Authors: SPÖTL CHRISTOPH , REIMER PAULA J. , STARNBERGER REINHARD , REIMER RON W. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe start of the Upper Würmian in the Alps was marked by massive fluvioglacial aggradation prior to the arrival of the Central Alpine glaciers. In 1984, the Subcommission on European Quaternary Stratigraphy defined the clay pit of Baumkirchen (in the foreland of the Inn Valley, Austria) as the stratotype for the Middle to Upper Würmian boundary in the Alps. Key for the selection of this site was its radiocarbon chronology, which still ranks among the most important datasets of this time interval in the Alps. In this study we re‐sampled all available original plant specimens and established an accelerator mass spectrometry chronology which supersedes the published 40‐year‐old chronology. The new data show a much smaller scatter and yielded slightly older conventional radiocarbon dates clustering at ca. 31 14C ka BP. When calibrated using INTCAL13 the new data suggest that the sampled interval of 653–681 m in the clay pit was deposited 34–36 cal ka BP. Using two new radiocarbon dates of bone fragments found in the fluvioglacial gravel above the banded clays allows us to constrain the timing of the marked change from lacustrine to fluvioglacial sedimentation to ca. 32–33 cal ka BP, which suggests a possible link to the Heinrich 3 event in the North Atlantic. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Artificial neural network approach to predict the lubricated friction coefficient
Authors: Echávarri Otero J. , de la Guerra Ochoa E. , Chacón Tanarro E. , Lafont Morgado P. , Díaz Lantada A. , Munoz‐Guijosa J. M. , Muñoz Sanz J. L. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the applicability of artificial neural networks for predicting the lubricated friction coefficient. We will consider their use as faster and simpler alternatives to simulations based on theoretical behaviour equations. The development of several different artificial neural networks is presented. They have been trained through tribological tests on a mini‐traction‐machine, which furnishes the friction coefficient in point contacts. Once the training has been completed the networks are applied as tools for predicting the results in different operating conditions. Their advantages and disadvantages are analysed compared with conventional simulation tools. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vitamin D2 from UVB light exposed mushrooms modulates immune response to LPS in rats
Authors: Babu Uma S. , Balan Kannan V. , Garthoff Larry H. , Calvo Mona S. 
Published: August 2013

ScopePoor vitamin D (vitD) status is linked to increased risk of infectious diseases, thus there is need for vitD‐rich foods. UVB‐exposed mushrooms synthesize vitD2 but knowledge of bioavailability and function in immune response is lacking.Methods and resultsOne hundred rats were fed one of five diets—control, 20 IU vitD3/day; no vitD3/day; 5% unexposed mushroom, 2.4 IU vitD2/day; 2.5% UVB mushroom, 300 IU vitD2/day; and 5% UVB mushroom, 600 IU vitD2/day—for 10 wk and challenged with either saline or the endotoxin LPS. Blood and tissues were collected at 3 h postchallenge. Plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels from UVB‐exposed mushroom fed rats were significantly elevated and associated with higher natural killer cell activity and reduced plasma inflammatory response to LPS compared to control diet fed rats. Microarray evaluation of rat spleens for changes in inflammatory gene expression showed significant upregulation of proinflammatory genes after LPS compared to saline controls in all groups. However, compared to control rats, upregulation of the proinflammatory genes was markedly reduced in the groups fed vitD2‐enriched mushrooms.ConclusionRats fed UVB‐exposed mushrooms had significantly higher plasma total 25OHD levels that were associated with increased innate immune response and anti‐inflammatory effects.
Ultrasound imaging of the median nerve as a prognostic factor for carpal tunnel decompression
Authors: Bland Jeremy D.P. , Rudolfer Stephan M. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The diagnostic value of ultrasound imaging in carpal tunnel syndrome is established, but reports on its prognostic value have been contradictory. Methods: This investigation was an observational study of subjective surgical results, evaluated by symptom severity and functional status scales, and an ordinal scale for overall outcome, for 145 carpal tunnel decompressions in relation to preoperative measurement of median nerve cross‐sectional area. Results: The surgical success rate was 86%. In univariate analyses no significant correlation existed between outcome and preoperative cross‐sectional area, nor with preoperative nerve conduction studies or patient variables, except for body mass index and gender. A multivariate model including electrophysiological, imaging, and patient variables was moderately predictive of success with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82. Conclusions: Cross‐sectional area alone is unlikely to be a sufficiently reliable predictor of outcome for use in counseling individual patients, but imaging results may be useful in multivariate prognostic models. Muscle Nerve 49: 741–744, 2014
The Future of Amorphous Silicon Photovoltaic Technology
Authors: Crandall R. , Luft W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAmorphous silicon modules are commercially available. They are the first truly commercial thin‐film photovoltaic (PV) devices. Well‐defined production processes over very large areas (> 1 m2) have been implemented. There are few environmental issues during manufacturing, deployment in the field or with the eventual disposal of the modules. Manufacturing safety issues are well characterized and controllable. The highest measured initial efficiency to date is 13.7% for a small triple‐stacked cell and the highest stabilized module efficiency is 10%, There is a consensus among researchers that in order to achieve a 15% stabilized efficiency, a triple‐junction amorphous silicon structure is required. Fundamental improvements in alloys are needed for higher efficiencies. This is being pursued through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory/US Department of Energy (NREL/DOE) Thin‐Film Partnership Program. Cost reductions through improved manufacturing processes are being pursued under the NREL/DOE‐sponsored research in manufacturing technology (PVMaT). Much of the work in designing a‐Si devices is a result of trying to compensate for the Staebler‐Wronski effect. Some new deposition techniques hold promise because they have produced materials with lower stabilized defect densities. However, none has yet produced a high‐efficiency device and shown it to be more stable than those from standard glow discharge‐deposited material.
Solar Cells Based on CuInSe2 and Related Compounds: Material and Device Properties and Processing
Authors: Nadenau V. , Braunger D. , Hariskos D. , Kaiser M. , Köble Ch. , Oberacker A. , Ruckh M. , Rühle U. , Schäffler R. , Schmid D. , Walter T. , Zweigart S. , Schock H. W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis paper summarizes recent material and device results obtained at the Institute of Physical Electronics at Stuttgart University (IPE). Properties of the material system Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 were analysed and wherever possible a correlation between the material properties and the device characteristics is made. Different high‐vacuum techniques of absorber preparation are presented and compared. The formation of different alloys of the family Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 is possible for the co‐evaporation and at least one of the sequential evaporation techniques. The model for Cu‐rich growth of CuInSe2 known from the co‐evaporation process can also be used for the Cu‐rich growth in the sequential evaporation processes. The surface composition of slightly (In, Ga)‐rich bulk compositions is always determined to be the defect chalcopyrite Cu(In, Ga)3Se5. Solar cells prepared with different processes and therefore different morphologies yielded similar device performance. An exponential decay of the density of states from the valence and conduction bands was obtained. Improved cell performance is achieved using absorber layers with higher carrier concentrations. The carrier concentration can be increased by using Na‐containing substrates or by utilizing a new Cd‐free buffer layer. Device efficiencies in the range of 15% were achieved using the Cd‐free buffer layer.
The Future of CdTe Photovoltaics
Authors: Meyers Peter V. , Birkmire Rober T. W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe prospects for widespread commercial success of CdTe‐based photovoltaics are discussed and the key technical issues to be resolved are identified. Device efficiencies achieved using thin CdS on small‐area cells must he adapted to manufacturing, potential consumers must he convinced of module stability and environmental concerns must he dealt with effectively. All these issues are being actively addressed and there do not appear to be any insurmountable obstacles to the commercialization of CdTe photovoltaic technology.
Theoretical research on chromatic aberration of gradient refractive index polymeric rod lenses
Authors: Lv Hao , Ding Yaoming , Liu Aimei , Tong Jufang , Yi Xunong , Li Qianguang , Wang Xinming 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWe present an approach to an analysis of the chromatic aberrations of gradient refractive index polymeric rod lens. Two kinds of materials system are used in this study: diallyl phthalate‐methyl methacrylate and diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate)‐poly (1,1,5‐trihydroperfluoropentyl methacrylate). The results of a numerical simulation reveal that the chromatic aberration of the focal length, the longitudinal, and lateral chromatic aberrations depend on the ratios between the change in periodic length caused by wavelength and the periodic length. By reducing the ratios, the chromatic aberration of focal length, the longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations at any lens length are decreased effectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1529–1532