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A global database of water vapor isotopes measured with high temporal resolution infrared laser spectroscopy
Get PDFThe isotopic composition of water vapour provides integrated perspectives on the hydrological histories of air masses and has been widely used for tracing physical processes in hydrological and climatic studies. Over the last two decades, the infrared laser spectroscopy technique has been used to measure the isotopic composition of water vapour near the Earth's surface. Here, we have assembled a global database of high temporal resolution stable water vapour isotope ratios (delta O-18 and delta D) observed using this measurement technique. As of March 2018, the database includes data collected at 35 sites in 15 Koppen climate zones from the years 2004 to 2017. The key variables in each dataset are hourly values of delta O-18 and delta D in atmospheric water vapour. To support interpretation of the isotopologue data, synchronized time series of standard meteorological variables from in situ observations and ERA5 reanalyses are also provided. This database is intended to serve as a centralized platform allowing researchers to share their vapour isotope datasets, thus facilitating investigations that transcend disciplinary and geographic boundaries
Release of functional peptides from mother's milk and fortifier proteins in the premature infant stomach
Get PDFDigestion of milk proteins in the premature infant stomach releases functional peptides; however, which peptides are present has not been reported. Premature infants are often fed a combination of human milk and bovine milk fortifiers, but the variety of functional peptides released from both human and bovine milk proteins remains uncharacterized. This study applied peptidomics to investigate the peptides released in gastric digestion of mother's milk proteins and supplemental bovine milk proteins in premature infants. Peptides were assessed for homology against a database of known functional peptides-Milk Bioactive Peptide Database. The peptidomic data were analyzed to interpret which proteases most likely released them from the parent protein. We identified 5,264 unique peptides from bovine and human milk proteins within human milk, fortifier or infant gastric samples. Plasmin was predicted to be the most active protease in milk, while pepsin or cathepsin D were predicted to be most active in the stomach. Alignment of the peptide distribution showed a different digestion pattern between human and bovine proteins. The number of peptides with high homology to known functional peptides (antimicrobial, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, etc.) increased from milk to the premature infant stomach and was greater from bovine milk proteins than human milk proteins. The differential release of bioactive peptides from human and bovine milk proteins may impact overall health outcomes in premature infants
Genome size, ploidy, and base composition of wild and cultivated Acer
Get PDFAcer is a large and important genus of woody plants most commonly encountered as small to large trees in urban landscapes. Considerable investigation has been devoted to addressing the taxonomy of maples, but little is known about genome sizes across the genus. Relatively more work has been conducted to determine chromosome numbers and ploidy of more species, but much could be gained by expanding knowledge of genome sizes in combination with traditional cytology. Furthermore, base pair (bp) composition may have implications for a species' adaptability and also impacts nucleic acid stability at high temperatures. Our objectives were to determine the genome size of 195 accessions of maples, assign ploidy to each using inference as well as cytology, and determine base composition of a subset of 48 accessions. Most species had small genome sizes (1.4-3.5 pg) with the exception of section Rubra, which contains many polyploids. Holoploid genome sizes ranged from 1.39 to 6.10 pg, with the latter being interpreted as 9x. The mean monoploid genome sizes (1Cx) ranged from 0.43 pg in A. carpinifolium (section Indivisa) to 1.66 pg in A. caudatifolium (section Macrantha); mean monoploid genome sizes were significantly different among sections. Forty-four of the 48 accessions measured using both fluorochromes had greater estimates with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) than propidium iodide (PI). The proportion of the genome composed of guanosine and cytosine (GC%) among the taxa evaluated in this study ranged from just 38.61% to 43.96% and did not appear to be related to ecological adaptability or urban tolerance among these taxa
On the splash-up of tsunami bore impact
Get PDFImpulsive forces on a box-shaped structure due to bore impact are investigated experimentally. Experiments are conducted in the laboratory by generating a Gaussian-shaped wave onto a step before impacting structures of three different cross-shore to long-shore length ratios. The relationship between measurements of the splash-up flow on the structure wall and the force measurements is investigated. The pressures are predicted based on the Euler model. Maximum impact forces are found to occur during the run-down phase after the maximum splash-up value is reached. The uniform vertical velocity profile assumption used in the Euler model yields a better estimate for the impact force than the linear and hydrostatic assumptions. In order to verify the pressure distribution during the splash-up flow, we utilize the pressure data collected from a separate experiment in a large-scale laboratory flume. The combined evidence suggests that the flow near the splash-up tip behaves like a solid body projectile
A reliable and non-destructive method for estimating forage shrub cover and biomass in arid environments using digital vegetation charting technique
Get PDFDespite the importance of fodder shrubs to small ruminant diets and production in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, they are often not considered when quantifying grazing land potential. This oversight is mainly due to the time consuming and costly traditional techniques used to estimate shrub biomass. The shrub fodder component should be measured to avoid underestimation of the carrying capacity of rangelands. In this study, we present a fast, reliable and non-destructive method to estimate canopy vegetation cover to obtain aboveground shrub biomass. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in northwest Syria, where seedlings of seven shrub species were monitored for one year: Atriplex leucoclada (Moq.) Boiss., A. halimus L., A. lentiformis (Torr.) S. Watson, A. canescens (Pursh) Nutt., A. nummularia Lindl., Salsola vermiculata L. and Haloxylon aphyllum (C.A. Meyer) Bunge. The experimental layout was a randomized complete block design with five replications. We explored the effectiveness of digital vegetation charting technique (DVCT) for estimating shrub canopy cover. Aboveground shrub biomass was clipped to estimate the dry matter (DM) weight per species and to determine its relationship to canopy cover. In this study, an estimate of greenness (percent green vegetation cover) was extracted by way of greenness algorithms. Simple linear regressions between vegetation cover and biomass for 210 plots were performed. The cover of the seven species differed (P<0.01): A. leucoclada had the highest vegetation cover (56%) and H. aphyllum the lowest (7%). Vegetation cover and DM biomass were positively correlated (P<0.01) with R-squared ranging from 0.66 (H. aphyllum) to 0.84 (S. vermiculata). Our method provided reasonable estimations of canopy coverage which could predict aboveground phytomass. We conclude that DVCT offers a rapid, reliable and consistent measurement of shrub cover and biomass provided that shrubs have open architecture. This study shows the potential of digital cameras and image processing to determine cover/biomass in a non-destructive, timely and cost efficient way
Electrode design for electrochemical cell to treat palm oil mill effluent by electrocoagulation process
Get PDFIn the present study, the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solid (SS) from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) by electrocoagulation process was investigated by operating the electrochemical cell using various types of electrode design. The experiments were carried out by designing the electrode in vertical and horizontal orientation; monopolar series (MP-S), monopolar parallel (MP-P) and bipolar (BP) arrangement; and by applying aluminium, iron and steel wool as electrode material. The highest removal efficiency of 74, 70 and 66% for COD, BOD and SS respectively were obtained by selecting vertical orientation, MP-S arrangement and steel wool material. However, the economic study shows that MP-S arrangement has higher operating cost than MP-P and BP. While, the placement of electrode in vertical orientation not only gaining a higher removal efficiency, but also economical. A novel steel wool that was used in the study has given the great performance by removing the pollutants fast, effective and with reasonable price. This research originally attempts to highlight the significance of electrode design including orientation, arrangement and material, and the effect of the best design combination. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Effects of Kaempfera Parviflora supplementation on the cardiovascular endurance of athletes: A randomized, placebo controlled, parallel design study
Get PDFBackground: Kaempfera (K.) parviflora (i.e., Thai ginseng) is believed to have medicinal properties associated with good health (e.g., increased vitality, metabolism booster) because it expands blood vessels, which allows for increased blood flow. These effects might extend into the realm of improving physical performance, specifically that of the cardiovascular system.
Objectives: A randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design study was conducted to determine the effects of 12 weeks of K. parviflora supplementation on the cardiovascular endurance of healthy male adults.
Methods: Participants included 57 Thai air force cadetswhowere undergoing physical training for sports competition. Participants were randomly divided into either the treatment group (n = 30) (Age = 20.30 + 0.65 yrs.) or control group (n = 27) (Age = 20.37 + 0.68 yrs.). Treatment group participants received 360 mg of K. parviflora extract in capsule form, and those in the control group received a placebo capsule. Measurements included lactate threshold and heart rate recovery, assessed at baseline and weeks 6 and 12. Group differences were assessed using a 2 (group)�3 (time) repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results: No main or interaction effects were observed for the lactate threshold (all P > 0.05). No group differences were observed for heart rate recovery (P > 0.05); however, a significant time effect was observed for heart rate recovery at weeks 6 and 12 (P 0.05).
Conclusions: In this set of observations, 12-weeks of K. parviflora supplementation had no effect on the lactate threshold; however, it does appear that it might have improved heart rate recovery
OPEnS Hub: Real-time Data Logging, Connecting Field Sensors to Google Sheets
Get PDFIn Earth science, we must often collect data from sensors installed in remote locations. Retrieving these data and storing them can be challenging. Present options include proprietary commercial dataloggers, communication devices, and protocols with rigid software and data structures that may require ongoing expenses. While there are open-source solutions that include telemetry, such as EnviroDIY’s Mayfly, none presently generate real-time, remotely accessible workbooks (EnviroDIY,
2018). The Openly Published Environmental Sensing (OPEnS) Lab developed the OPEnS Hub, a new approach to using low-power, open-source hardware and software to achieve real-time data logging from the field to the web. The Hub is an order of magnitude less expensive than commercial products, inherently modular and flexible, and aims to reduce technical barriers for users with little programming experience (DeBell, 2019). Data can be collected remotely using a host of transmission protocols to relay data from distributed in-situ monitoring devices. The Hub mesh-networks with several nodes and backs up to an onboard microSD card. Telemetry options include 900 MHz Long Range Radio (LoRa) with up to 25 km range and Nordic Radio Frequency (nRF) for higher data rates (Adafruit Industry, 2019). Ongoing transmissions from the Hub to the internet currently employ Ethernet with potential support for Wi-Fi and the cell network. The Hub engages a dynamic, low latency portal to Google Sheets via the free Application Programming Interface (API), PushingBox, and an adaptable Google Apps Script. This framework was tested on 12 individual sensors nodes at remote sites in Oregon. This manuscript details our methods and evaluates PushingBox, Google Apps Script, Adafruit Industries’ open-hardware Feather development boards, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and the aforementioned modes of data transfer
How to Debug Inclusivity Bugs? An Empirical Investigation of Finding-to-Fixing with Information Architecture
Get PDFBackground: Although some previous research has found ways to find inclusivity bugs (biases in software that introduce inequities among cognitively diverse individuals), little attention has been paid to how to go about fixing such bugs. We hypothesized that Information Architecture (IA)--the way information is organized, structured and labeled--may provide the missing link from finding inclusivity bugs in information-intensive technology to fixing them. Aims: To investigate whether Information Architecture provides an effective way to remove inclusivity bugs from technology, we created Why/Where/Fix, an inclusivity debugging paradigm that adds inclusivity fault localization via IA. Method: We conducted a qualitative empirical investigation in three stages. (Stage 1): An Open Source (OSS) team used the Why (which cognitive styles) and Where (which IA) parts to guide their understanding of inclusivity bugs in their OSS project’s infrastructure. (Stage 2): The OSS team used the outcomes of Stage One to produce IA-based fixes (Fix) to the inclusivity bugs they had found. (Stage 3): We brought OSS newcomers into the lab to see whether and how the IA-based fixes had improved equity and inclusion across cognitively diverse OSS newcomers. Results: Information Architecture was a source of numerous inclusivity bugs. The OSS team's use of IA to fix these bugs reduced the number of inclusivity bugs participants experienced by 90%. Conclusions: These results provide encouraging evidence that using IA through Why/Where/Fix can help technologists to address inclusivity bugs in information-intensive technologies such as OSS project infrastructures
Pruning and Training Systems Impact Yield and Cold Hardiness of "Marion' Trailing Blackberry
Get PDFThe floricane-fruiting, trailing blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus, Watson) cultivar Marion was evaluated in two plantings for the impact of floricane pruning date. This included leaving the dead canes unpruned and training new primocanes over the dead wood (new-over-old), primocane topping and suppression date in alternate year (AY) and every year (EY) production systems at various planting densities. The presence of primocanes during fruit development did not affect yield of the floricane in the current season but suppressing primocanes to June 30 in Oregon, USA, led to insufficient time for primocane growth, reducing yield of the floricane the following year by 36% relative to no primocane suppression. Pruning out senescing floricanes immediately after fruit harvest or laterthus allowing more time for remobilization of nutrients or reserveshad no impact on yield. However, yield in the new-over-old system was higher, likely due to less training damage to primocanes in this treatment. All of the AY treatments studied led to lower berry weight compared to EY production but this has not been an issue in the processed fruit market to date. Plants in AY production produced more canes per plant than in EY but at the industry standard spacing of 1.5 m, AY plants yielded only 60% to 66% more than EY plants in these studies, despite evidence of plants in AY production having greater cold hardiness. There was no significant effect of planting at higher density (0.6 and 0.9 m) on cumulative yield over 4 years. However, planting at 0.6 m and topping the primocanes to the top trellis wire (1.8 m) increased yield significantly compared to other AY treatments. This alternative production system may offer economic advantages to the 1.5 m EY or AY production systems through reducing management costs and allowing for mechanical pruning and training