Physical oceanography from 120 CTDs, 79 water bottles stations, and 30 helicopter-borne CTDs during POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXII/2 (ISPOL)

The Ice Station POLarstern (ISPOL) cruise revisited the western Weddell Sea in late 2004 and obtained a comprehensive set of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) data. This study describes the thermohaline structure and diapycnal mixing environment observed in 2004 and compares them with conditions observed more than a decade earlier. Hydrographic conditions on the central western Weddell Sea continental slope, off Larsen C Ice Shelf, in late winter/early spring of 2004/2005 can be described as a well-stratified environment with upper layers evidencing relict structures from intense winter near-surface vertical fluxes, an intermediate depth temperature maximum, and a cold near-bottom layer marked by patchy property distributions. A well-developed surface mixed layer, isolated from the underlying Warm Deep Water (WDW) by a pronounced pycnocline and characterized by lack of warming and by minimal sea-ice basal melting, supports the assumption that upper ocean winter conditions persisted during most of the ISPOL experiment. Much of the western Weddell Sea water column has remained essentially unchanged since 1992; however, significant differences were observed in two of the regional water masses. The first, Modified Weddell Deep Water (MWDW), comprises the permanent pycnocline and was less saline than a decade earlier, whereas Weddell Sea Bottom Water (WSBW) was horizontally patchier and colder. Near-bottom temperatures observed in 2004 were the coldest on record for the western Weddell Sea over the continental slope. Minimum temperatures were ~0.4 and ~0.3 °C colder than during 1992-1993, respectively. The 2004 near-bottom temperature/salinity characteristics revealed the presence of two different WSBW types, whereby a warm, fresh layer overlays a colder, saltier layer (both formed in the western Weddell Sea). The deeper layer may have formed locally as high salinity shelf water (HSSW) that flowed intermittently down the continental slope, which is consistent with the observed horizontal patchiness. The latter can be associated with the near-bottom variability found in Powell Basin with consequences for the deep water outflow from the Weddell Sea.

Chlorofluorocarbons, helium, and neon measured on water bottle samples during POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXII/2 (ISPOL)

During Ice Station POLarstern (ISPOL; R.V. Polarstern cruise ANT XXII/2, November 2004-January 2005), hydrographic and tracer observations were obtained in the western Weddell Sea while drifting closely in front of the Larsen Ice Shelf. These observations indicate recently formed Weddell Sea Bottom Water, which contains significant contributions of glacial melt water in its upper part, and High-Salinity Shelf Water in its lower layer. The formation of this bottom water cannot be related to the known sources in the south, the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. We show that this bottom water is formed in the western Weddell Sea, most likely in interaction with the Larsen C Ice Shelf. By applying an Optimum Multiparameter Analysis (OMP) using temperature, salinity, and noble gas observations (helium isotopes and neon), we obtained mean glacial melt-water fractions of about 0.1% in the bottom water. On sections across the Weddell Gyre farther north, melt-water fractions are still on the order of 0.04%. Using chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as age tracers, we deduced a mean transit time between the western source and the bottom water found on the slope toward the north (9±3 years). This transit time is larger and the inferred transport rate is small in comparison to previous findings. But accounting for a loss of the initially formed bottom water volume due to mixing and renewal of Weddell Sea Deep Water, a formation rate of 1.1±0.5 Sv in the western Weddell Sea is plausible. This implies a basal melt rate of 35±19 Gt/year or 0.35±0.19 m/year at the Larsen Ice Shelf. This bottom water is shallow enough that it could leave the Weddell Basin through the gaps in the South Scotia Ridge to supply Antarctic Bottom Water. These findings emphasize the role of the western Weddell Sea in deep- and bottom-water formation, particularly in view of changing environmental conditions due to climate variability, which might induce enhanced melting or even decay of ice shelves.

The impact of geometric non-linearities on the fatigue analysis of trailing edge bond lines in wind turbine rotor blades

The accurate prediction of stress histories for the fatigue analysis is of utmost importance for the design process of wind turbine rotor blades. As detailed, transient, and geometrically non-linear three-dimensional finite element analyses are computationally weigh too expensive, it is commonly regarded sufficient to calculate the stresses with a geometrically linear analysis and superimpose different stress states in order to obtain the complete stress histories. In order to quantify the error from geometrically linear simulations for the calculation of stress histories and to verify the practical applicability of the superposition principal in fatigue analyses, this paper studies the influence of geometric non-linearity in the example of a trailing edge bond line, as this subcomponent suffers from high strains in span-wise direction. The blade under consideration is that of the IWES IWT-7.5-164 reference wind turbine. From turbine simulations the highest edgewise loading scenario from the fatigue load cases is used as the reference. A 3D finite element model of the blade is created and the bond line fatigue assessment is performed according to the GL certification guidelines in its 2010 edition, and in comparison to the latest DNV GL standard from end of 2015. The results show a significant difference between the geometrically linear and non-linear stress analyses when the bending moments are approximated via a corresponding external loading, especially in case of the 2010 GL certification guidelines. This finding emphasizes the demand to reconsider the application of the superposition principal in fatigue analyses of modern flexible rotor blades, where geometrical nonlinearities become significant. In addition, a new load application methodology is introduced that reduces the geometrically non-linear behaviour of the blade in the finite element analysis.

In vitro neuroendocrine effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the AhR-expressing hypothalamic rat GnV-3 cell line.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is involved in a wide variety of biological and toxicological responses, including neuroendocrine signaling. Due to the complexity of neuroendocrine pathways in e.g. the hypothalamus and pituitary, there are limited in vitro models available despite the strong demand for such systems to study and predict neuroendocrine effects of chemicals. In this study, the applicability of the AhR-expressing rat hypothalamic GnV-3 cell line was investigated as a novel model to screen for neuroendocrine effects of AhR ligands using 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as reference compound. The qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated the presence of several sets of neurotransmitter receptors in the GnV-3 cells. TCDD (10nM) altered neurotransmitter signaling by up-regulation of glutamate (Grik2), gamma-amino butyric acid (Gabra2) and serotonin (Ht2C) receptor mRNA levels. However, no significant changes in basal and serotonin-evoked intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) or serotonin release were observed. On the other hand, TCDD de-regulated period circadian protein homolog 1 (Per1) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (Gnrh) mRNA levels within a 24-h time period. Both Per1 and Gnrh genes displayed a similar mRNA expression pattern in GnV-3 cells. Moreover, the involvement of AhR in TCDD-induced alteration of Neuropeptide Y (Npy) gene expression was found and confirmed by using siRNA targeted against Ahr in GnV-3 cells. Overall, the combined results demonstrate that GnV-3 cells may be a suitable model to predict some mechanisms of action and effects of AhR ligands in the hypothalamus.

05017-006 Lake Storm Lake Watershed Final Report

This project will include the construction of four separate drainage and retention facilities to handle urban runoff that currently flows directly into Lake Storm Lake. These facilities will filter storm water from approximately 503 acres of urban land including two large industrial users Tyson Fresh Meats and Sara Lee Turkey Processing as well as other commercial and residential sections that currently go directly to the lake without filtration. Specifically the project involves the construction of a two cell dry bottomed detention pond system, construction of two rain gardens/bio retention areas, construction of rain gardens along storm water intakes on Highway 7, and construction of a porous rock detention area. The completed project will provide for cleaner water outleting to the fake in an area that has the largest potential for pollutants to enter the lake. This project is being done in conjunction with other watershed improvements including two additional rain gardens already in place and a multi-year dredging effort of Lake Storm Lake that will be starting its fifth year in 2006. Improvements in the rural water shed are also taking place with the help of a watershed coordinator. Some of these projects include buffer strips and filter slips along the waterways in the watershed.

Preparation and characterization of Cd(2)Nb(2)O(7) thin films on Si substrates

Thin Cd(2)Nb(2)O(7) films were grown on single-crystal p-type SiO(2)/Si substrates by the metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) technique. The films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy, and showed a single phase (cubic pyrochlore), a crack-free spherical grain structure, and nanoparticles with a mean size of about 68 nm. A Cauchy model was also used in order to obtain the thickness and index of refraction of the stack layers (transparent layer/SiO(2)/Si) by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The dielectric constant (K) of the films was calculated to be about 25 from the capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Análise da expressão imuno-histoquímica da ciclofilina A, EMMPRIN e MMP-7 na doença periodontal

Periodontal disease is an infectious disease resulting from the immunoinflammatory response of the host to microorganisms present in the dental biofilm which causes tissue destruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of cyclophilin A (CYPA), extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) in human specimens of clinically healthy gingiva (n=32), biofilm-induced gingivitis (n=28), and chronic periodontitis (n=30). Immunopositivity for CYPA, EMMPRIN and MMP-7 differed significantly between the three groups, with higher percentages of staining in chronic periodontitis specimens, followed by chronic gingivitis and healthy gingiva specimens (p < 0.001). Immunoexpression of CYPA and MMP-7 was higher in the intense inflammatory infiltrate observed mainly in cases of periodontitis. Analysis of possible correlations between the immunoexpression of EMMPRIN, MMP-7 and CYPA and between the expression of these proteins and clinical parameters (probing depth and clinical attachment loss) showed a positive correlation of CYPA expression with MMP-7 (r = 0.831; p < 0.001) and EMMPRIN (r = 0.289; p = 0.006). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between probing depth and expression of MMP-7 (r = 0.726; p < 0.001), EMMPRIN (r = 0.345; p = 0.001), and CYPA (r = 0.803; p < 0.001). These results suggest that CYPA, EMMPRIN and MMP-7 are associated with the pathogenesis and progression of periodontal disease

Measurement of the Isolated Prompt Photon Production Cross Section in pp Collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurement of the inclusive W and Z production cross sections in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV with the CMS experiment

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurements of the t(t)Overbar charge asymmetry using the dilepton decay channel in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Measurement of associated W plus charm production in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Patient characteristics differently affect early cup and stem loosening in THA: a case-control study on 7,535 patients

We postulated that certain patient characteristics have different effects on early THA component loosening. With two matched case-control studies we assessed 3,028 cups and 5,224 stems. Loosening was defined using signs of mechanical component failure on routine follow-up radiographs or revision for aseptic loosening. Women and men had similar cup-loosening odds, but women had lower odds for stem loosening (p < 0.0001). Odds for cup loosening decreased by 2.1% per additional year of age (p = 0.0004), those for stem loosening by 2.4% (p < 0.0001). Each additional kilogram of weight decreased cup loosening odds by 1.3% (p = 0.0051). Each additional unit of BMI increased stem loosening odds (p = 0.0109). Charnley classes B and C were protective factors against loosening of both components. There were no risk differences for the various main diagnoses. Certain patient characteristics differently affected early cup and stem loosening, although some characteristics had the same protective or harmful effect on component survival.