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In the summer of 2020, ESA changed the orbit of CryoSat‐2 to align periodically with NASA's ICESat‐2 mission, a campaign known as CRYO2ICE, which allows for near‐coincident CryoSat‐2 and ICESat‐2 observations in space and time over the Arctic until summer 2022, where the CRYO2ICE Antarctic campaign was initiated. This study investigates the Arctic CRYO2ICE radar and laser freeboards acquired by CryoSat‐2 and ICESat‐2, respectively, during the winter seasons of 2020–2022, and derives snow depths from their differences along the orbits. Along‐track snow depth observations can provide high‐resolution snow depth distributions which are vital for air‐ice‐ocean heat and momentum transfer, understanding light transmission, and snow‐ice‐interactions. Generally, ICESat‐2 is backscattered at a surface above the elevation of the CryoSat‐2 signal. CRYO2ICE snow depths are thinner than the daily model‐ or passive‐microwave‐based snow depth composites used for comparison, with differences being most pronounced in the Atlantic and Pacific Arctic. Satellite‐derived and model‐based snow estimates show similar seasonal accumulation over first‐year ice, but CRYO2ICE has limited seasonal accumulation over multi‐year ice which is linked to a slow increase in ICESat‐2, and to some extent CryoSat‐2, freeboards. We present a first estimation of spaceborne along‐track snow depth estimates with average uncertainty of 10–11 ± 2–3 cm for 7‐km segments, with random and systematic contributions of 7 and 4 cm. These observations show the potential for along‐track dual‐frequency observations of snow depth from the future Copernicus mission CRISTAL; but they also highlight uncertainties in radar penetration and the correlation length scales of snow topography that still require further research. Plain Language Summary: Estimates of snow depth on sea ice are currently either outdated or limited in resolution, thus a need to derive high‐resolution snow depth on sea ice is crucial. Former studies have computed snow depth on sea ice using the difference in penetration between radar (Ku‐band) and laser (or Ka‐band radar) altimeters from different satellite missions, assuming the Ku‐band radar and laser/Ka‐band are reflected at the bottom and top of the snow pack, respectively. Those studies have resulted in monthly composites of snow depth due to a limited overlap of individual tracks between the satellite missions. Since the CRYO2ICE (CryoSat‐2/ICESat‐2 Resonance) campaign was initiated in July 2020, we have for the first time the possibility of investigating near‐coincident observations of spaceborne radar and laser altimeters. These results are important to initiate relevant discussions on snow depth retrieval in preparation for the future dual‐frequency altimeter mission, CRISTAL (Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter), expected to launch in 2028. Key Points: CRYO2ICE (C2I) orbits are investigated over sea ice for the first time and snow depth is computed along the orbitsC2I snow depth has an uncertainty of 10–11 cm along 7 km segments with 5–95% confidence interval of 7–16 cm for both winter seasonsAlong‐track snow depth is compared with modeled and passive‐microwave estimates and C2I is thinner for the Pacific and Atlantic Arctic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the summer of 2020, ESA changed the orbit of CryoSat‐2 to align periodically with NASA's ICESat‐2 mission, a campaign known as CRYO2ICE, which allows for near‐coincident CryoSat‐2 and ICESat‐2 observations in space and time over the Arctic until summer 2022, where the CRYO2ICE Antarctic campaign was initiated. This study investigates the Arctic CRYO2ICE radar and laser freeboards acquired by CryoSat‐2 and ICESat‐2, respectively, during the winter seasons of 2020–2022, and derives snow depths from their differences along the orbits. Along‐track snow depth observations can provide high‐resolution snow depth distributions which are vital for air‐ice‐ocean heat and momentum transfer, understanding light transmission, and snow‐ice‐interactions. Generally, ICESat‐2 is backscattered at a surface above the elevation of the CryoSat‐2 signal. CRYO2ICE snow depths are thinner than the daily model‐ or passive‐microwave‐based snow depth composites used for comparison, with differences being most pronounced in the Atlantic and Pacific Arctic. Satellite‐derived and model‐based snow estimates show similar seasonal accumulation over first‐year ice, but CRYO2ICE has limited seasonal accumulation over multi‐year ice which is linked to a slow increase in ICESat‐2, and to some extent CryoSat‐2, freeboards. We present a first estimation of spaceborne along‐track snow depth estimates with average uncertainty of 10–11 ± 2–3 cm for 7‐km segments, with random and systematic contributions of 7 and 4 cm. These observations show the potential for along‐track dual‐frequency observations of snow depth from the future Copernicus mission CRISTAL; but they also highlight uncertainties in radar penetration and the correlation length scales of snow topography that still require further research.

Mechanism of MFI film growth from seed crystals and evolution of defects during the film growth were investigated. The hydrothermal growth of colloidal silicalite-1 crystals of 50 nm on silicon substrate was used to reveal the MFI film formation mechanism at different time intervals using high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and extreme high resolution-scanning electron microscopy (XHR-SEM). It was found that the MFI seeds started to grow in the early stages of hydrothermal treatment from 50 nm to 75 nm in size and connect to the crystals in the vicinity, showing the onset of film formation. The film growth mechanism was led by the sub-colloidal particles in the synthesis solution arriving at the crystal surfaces contributing to the film growth. A continuous film with a thickness of 100 nm was formed after 12 h of hydrothermal treatment containing pinhole defects. Pinhole defects disappeared after 24 h of hydrothermal treatment with a film thickness of 200 nm and grain boundaries thickness of 2 nm were formed. Furthermore, mesoporous defects were found in the grains of the film, which appeared due to the film growth by sub-colloidal particles of synthesis solution. The growth rate of the MFI film was calculated to 0.007 (μm/h) and compared with the crystal growth inside the synthesis solution. Resumen: Se investigó el mecanismo de crecimiento de películas de MFI a partir de cristales semilla y la evolución de los defectos durante el crecimiento de dichas películas. La síntesis hidrotérmica a partir de cristales coloidales de silicalita-1 de 50 nm sobre sustrato de silicio se utilizó para revelar el mecanismo de formación de la película de MFI en diferentes intervalos de tiempo, utilizando microscopía electrónica de transmisión de alta resolución (HR-TEM) y microscopía electrónica de barrido de extrema alta resolución (XHR-SEM). Se observó que las semillas de MFI comenzaron a crecer en las primeras etapas del tratamiento hidrotérmico de 50 a 75 nm de tamaño y se conectaron a los cristales en las cercanías, evidenciando el inicio de la formación de la película. El mecanismo de crecimiento fue dirigido por las partículas subcoloidales en la solución de síntesis que llegaron a las superficies de los cristales, contribuyendo al crecimiento de la película. Se formó una película continua con un espesor de 100 nm después de 12 h de tratamiento hidrotérmico que contenía orificios. Estos desaparecieron después de 24 h de este mismo tratamiento, habiendo alcanzado un espesor de película de 200 nm, y se formaron límites de grano de 2 nm. Además, se encontraron defectos mesoporosos que aparecieron debido al crecimiento de la película a partir de partículas subcoloidales presentes en la solución de síntesis. La tasa de crecimiento de la película de MFI se calculó en 0,007 (μm/h) y se comparó con el crecimiento de cristales dentro de la solución de síntesis.

La lesión de la mucosa asociada a cristales es un cuadro clínico importante en un subconjunto de pacientes urémicos a los que se les administran resinas de intercambio catiónico como el sulfonato de poliestireno sódico (Kayexalate) y sevelamer para el tratamiento de la hiperpotasemia y la hiperfosfatemia, respectivamente. La necrosis colónica en estos pacientes es rara, pero puede estar asociada a una lesión gastrointestinal mortal, con una tasa de mortalidad del 33%. Los secuestrantes de ácidos biliares son otro tipo de resina que teóricamente son biológicamente inertes. Se presentan dos casos de colitis asociada a cristales. El primer paciente tenía antecedentes de múltiples intervenciones quirúrgicas y patologías del tracto gastrointestinal, y estaba en manejo con colestiramina. Se realizó una sigmoidectomía en la que se encontraron varios focos de cristales. El segundo paciente tenía antecedente de enfermedad renal crónica que requirió el uso de Kayexalate y se presentó al servicio de urgencias con una hemorragia grave del tracto gastrointestinal inferior. Se realizó una colectomía parcial en la que se detectaron cambios morfológicos relacionados con el depósito de cristales. Las resinas pueden producir un amplio espectro de lesiones mortales de la mucosa, por lo que el diagnóstico precoz es fundamental para disminuir la mortalidad y mejorar el pronóstico. Sin embargo, es incierto si el consumo de colestiramina y Kayexalate, así como el depósito de sus cristales en el tracto gastrointestinal son el factor causal de la lesión de las mucosas. Por tanto, la presencia de resinas debería ayudar a establecer el diagnóstico correcto y el tratamiento médico oportuno para evitar resultados nocivos.

We present an extreme rare case of cristal atrial tachycardia (AT) in a 23-year-old male presenting with recurrent refractory palpitation since last 1 year treated with betablocker metoprolol 50 mg twice daily. We subjected the patient for electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation and A wave in the mid cristal region preceded the surface P-wave by 16 ms. Ablation here terminated the tachycardia but interestingly patient turned up with recurrent palpitation after 1 month. In view of mid cristal AT, we treated the patient with Ivabradine 5 mg twice daily after which the patient was asymptomatic in follow up. Our case is a unique demonstration of sinus node funny current inhibitor Ivabradine being effective to relieve symptoms even in failed cases of radiofrequency ablation with partial modification of mid cristal region in a case of recurrent mid cristal AT. Our take home message from this electrophysiology experience is that even in cases with partial modification of crista terminalis or failed radiofrequency ablation of Cristal atrial tachycardia Ivabradine can serve as an alternative before proceeding to 3D ablation.

Hace un siglo el progreso en todas sus manifestaciones suscitaba un entusiasmo colectivo. Por entonces, la arquitectura de vidrio y acero emocionaba como símbolo y expresión de las más altas aspiraciones de libertad material y espiritual. Con el transcurrir del tiempo se ha ido trastocando nuestra conciencia y nuestra sensibilidad, y hoy apesadumbrados nos sentimos culpables de haber incentivado un incalculable derroche energético causado por el uso descontrolado de aquellos deslumbrantes materiales. “El hombre es un dios cuando sueña y un mendigo cuando reflexiona”, son sabias palabras de Hölderlin cuando anhelante rememora otros tiempos y nos muestra que aún no sabemos el pasado que nos espera. Con ese mismo afán, este artículo nos traslada a los fulgurantes inicios de la arquitectura de cristal para desvelar una arquitectura insólita y pionera realizada en 1903: la Steiff Factory.

Introduction: the consumption of methamphetamine creates a chemical reaction with the dopamine segregated in the structures of the mesolimbic way, producing alterations in the behavioral emotional and cognitive processes. Objective: the objective of this work was to identify the neuropsychological changes associated with the consumption of crystal in students of medium and high education, in an initial stage of treatment, with controlled consumption. Method: is a comparative study, with the participation of 170 adolescents, evaluated in the neuropsychological (NEUROPSI), personality (NEO-FFI) and emotional regulation (DASS-21) categories. Results: the evaluation of the cognitive dimensions by NEUROPSI reveal differences statistically significant between the two groups. Discussion and conclusion: the consumption of cristal seems to produce a series of acute neuropsychological damages, as a consequence of a sintering less pure that attack to determine regions and cerebral systems. Emotional changes demonstrated to have links with the behaviours and as the same time with the neuropsychological aspect, generating changes that carry a social inadequacy by consumers. ---- Introducción: la ingesta de metanfetamina origina una reacción química con la dopamina segregada en las estructuras de la vía mesolímbica, produciendo alteraciones en los procesos conductuales, emocionales y cognitivos. Objetivo: el objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los cambios neuropsicológicos asociados al consumo de cristal en estudiantes de educación media superior y superior, en fase inicial de tratamiento, con consumos controlados. Método: es un estudio comparativo con la participación de 170 adolescentes evaluados en los ámbitos neuropsicológicos (NEUROPSI), personalidad (NEO-FFI) y regulación emocional (DASS-21). Resultados: la evaluación de las dimensiones cognitivas por el NEUROPSI revelan diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos. Discusión y conclusiones: el consumo de cristal parece producir una serie de daños neuropsicológicos acentuados, como consecuencia de una sintetización menos pura que ataca determinadas regiones y sistemas cerebrales. Los cambios emocionales demuestran tener vínculos con la conducta y a la vez con el aspecto neuropsicológico, generando cambios que llevan a una inadecuación social por parte de los consumidores.

This study presents the preliminary results on the non-destructive, DA meter-based optimum harvest maturity models for several Romanian disease resistant pear genotypes, cultivated in the Bucharest area. Six cultivars (Tudor, Cristal, Orizont, Corina, Euras, and Romcor) and three new hybrid selections (R3-146, Hl2-83-79, and H5-5-84) on their own roots, in vitro propagated, or grafted on quince (CTS 212) and pear (Farold 40) were analyzed. The results bring important details about the post-harvest maturation of the studied pear genotypes using the lAD index. Each cultivar has its maturity index correlated to lAD and consumer preferences and further research is needed to calibrate for each cultivar the optimal harvesting moment and the appropriate lAD value for shelf life after storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn-phyllosilicates are common minerals in nonsulfide Zn deposits and can give crucial information about the genesis of these oxidized mineralizations. They seldom represent the prevailing economic species but might have a significant impact on mineral processing. This study has been carried out on the Mina Grande and Cristal Zn-sulfide/nonsulfide deposits, which occur in the Bongará district (Amazonas region, northern Peru). The Cristal and Mina Grande orebodies are hosted by the sedimentary (prevailingly carbonate) successions of the Pucará Group (Condorsinga formation, Lower Jurassic), in an area affected by Neogene tectonics and characterized by Late Miocene and Pliocene-Early Pleistocene uplift phases (Andean and Quechua tectonic pulses). The Cristal deposit consists of both sulfide (sphalerite with minor pyrite and galena) and nonsulfide concentrations. The nonsulfides consists of smithsonite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite, chalcophanite, goethite, and greenockite, locally associated with Zn-bearing phyllosilicates. The Mina Grande deposit consists almost exclusively of Zn-oxidized minerals in limestone host rocks. The nonsulfides association consists of hydrozincite, hemimorphite, smithsonite, fraipontite, and Fe-(hydr)oxides, also containing a clayey fraction. The study deals with TEM-HRTEM and AEM investigations on clayey materials, to determine their crystal-chemical features and the origin of the complex Zn-clays-bearing parageneses. In both deposits, Zn-bearing illites (1Md and 2M polytypes) and I/S clay minerals (I3) are the main detected phases, with few compositions close to (Zn-bearing) muscovite. In the clayey fraction at Mina Grande, fraipontite, a Zn-bearing mica called K-deficient hendricksite, and (Zn-bearing) kaolinite also occur. Zn-illites and smectites (always containing Zn in variable amounts) characterize the mineral association at Cristal. The investigated compositional gap between di- and tri-octahedral Zn-phyllosilicates gives indications on the genetic relationships between them and advances on the knowledge of these species. The present work gives an insight into the Zn-bearing phyllosilicates systems by determining the amount/mode of metal incorporation in their lattices and understanding the relationships of natural occurring clay-rich complex associations, which can act as models for possible synthetic counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of blood in dry spots using the Takayama crystallographic method is used to support the orientation tests in the laboratory of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences (Colombia). This study evaluates and determines, using the crystallographic method, the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value, the negative predictive value, the detection limit, and the concordance index under the conditions of different temperatures, support, and environmental conditions for Takayama test. 100 samples of dry spots were taken to be double-blinded evaluated, on different substrates using the Takayama confirmatory method for blood identification, following the relevant biosecurity measures developed by the Forensic Biology Laboratory. The statistical values of sensitivity were 92.68%, Specificity 100%, Positive Predictive Value 100%, Negative Predictive Value 95.24%, Detection Limit 1/40 and 100% Concordance Index. The high degree of specificity reveals the effectiveness of the Takayama crystallographic method as confirmatory evidence of support for the presumptive methods of orientation in the identification of blood in spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of farmers’ perceptions of and adaptations to climate change is important to inform policies addressing the risk of climate change to farmers. This case study explored those issues in the Melamchi Valley of Nepal through a survey of 365 households and focus group discussions in 6 communities using a Community-Based Risk Screening Tool–Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL). Analysis of climate trends in the study area for 1979–2009 showed that mean annual temperatures rose by 1.02°C and the frequency of drought increased measurably after 2003. Farmers reported increases in crop pests, hailstorms, landslides, floods, thunderstorms, and erratic precipitation as climate-related hazards affecting agriculture. They responded in a variety of ways including changing farming practices, selling livestock, milk, and eggs, and engaging in daily wage labor and seasonal labor migration. With more efficient support and planning, some of these measures could be adjusted to better meet current and future risks from climate change.

RESUMO A interação de compostos orgânicos com minerais de argila pode alterar o tamanho dos cristais. No entanto, em solos, esse efeito é ainda pouco claro por causa das limitações na separação de fases puras de minerais para realizar experimentos de dissolução. Neste estudo, a relação entre a matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e diâmetro médio do cristal (DMC) de minerais de argila de horizontes superficiais e subsuperfíciais de solos de uma topossequência no sul do Brasil foi avaliada. Os teores de C e N foram determinados, e a natureza dos grupos funcionais da MOS foi avaliada por espectroscopia de FTIR. O DMC dos minerais foi avaliado por difração de raios X, em umas amostras desferrificadas e outras com óxidos de Fe concentrados. Os teores de C e N e as intensidades relativas dos espectros de FTIR foram considerados como variáveis preditoras; e o DMC de hematita, goethita, caulinita e gibbsita, como variáveis preditas. Os teores de C e N e os grupos carboxílicos e C-O-Alquil evidenciaram efeito significativo sobre a variação do DMC. A dimensão dos cristais de óxidos de Fe e de caulinita foi inversamente correlacionada com esses atributos da MOS. Em contraste, o DMC de gibbsita não foi influenciado pelos atributos dae MOS. A influência da MOS sobre o DMC dos óxidos de Fe foi atribuída às reações de complexação de superfície e de redox, que promovem um processo contínuo de dissolução-precipitação.

The Cristal Zn prospect is located in the northernmost part of a wide mining district corresponding to the “Charlotte Bongará Zinc Project”, which covers an area of approximately 110 km 2 in the Amazonas region in northern Peru. The mineralized area consists of many Zn occurrences that contain mixed sulfide and nonsulfide mineralizations. The nonsulfide ores are interpreted to be the product of weathering of primary MVT sulfide bodies. The Zn concentrations of the Cristal prospect are hosted by platform carbonates of the Condorsinga Formation (Early Jurassic), which belongs to the Pucará Group. The prospect extends over an area of approximately 2 × 1 km, with nearly continuous zones of Zn enrichment that has been detected in soil and rock samples. The nonsulfide mineralization consists mainly of semi-amorphous orange to brown zinc “oxides” that include hemimorphite, smithsonite and Fe-(hydr)oxides. The most important mineralized areas are the Esperanza and Yolanda occurrences, which were also most intensively explored. In both occurrences, the supergene Zn-carbonates and silicates infill solution cavities, or replace the carbonate host rocks and/or the primary sulfides, forming smithsonite- and hemimorphite-rich mineralizations. The analyzed drill core samples have on average 20 wt% Zn and maximum Ge concentrations of 200 ppm. The Bongará area experienced a prolonged phase of weathering from Miocene to Recent under tropical climatic conditions. In these conditions, the weathering processes affected many pre-existing sulfide deposits (e.g. Cristal, Florida Canyon, Mina Grande), where supergene profiles were developed under locally different settings that are defined primarily on the basis of mineralogical and geochemical data. Contrary to the Mina Grande deposit, at Cristal, the development of a karst network was minor due to limited uplift, and supergene alteration did not completely obliterate the roots of the original sulfide orebody. The mineralogy and geochemistry of Bongará nonsulfides is dependent on two main factors at the local scale: (1) uplift rates, and (2) host rock composition. The latter may have favored the development of more (e.g. Mina Grande) or less (e.g. Cristal) alkaline supergene environments. Uplift was controlled by the activity of local faults, which allowed the exposure of sulfide protores at variable elevations in different periods of time and hydrological settings. Such different settings resulted in the precipitation of isotopically different supergene carbonates (e.g. smithsonites and calcites at Mina Grande and Cristal). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progresses made in global responses to climate change shows that adaptation is gradually finding its way into development planning, yet delays are generally expected from competing priorities of several sectors, policy and knowledge challenges. To understand these dynamics, a pathway for enhanced climatic risk communication, which is a form of a non-structural adaptation, was analyzed in Ghana’s coastal zones. Two learning platforms, the Community-based Risk Screening Tool for Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL), and U-Learning (Theory U-Process) were used to engage the state level policy-making process in governing development within coastal zones in the face of increased climatic risks and climate change impacts. Local livelihood priorities showed that a national level development planning framework that excluded local contexts of climatic risks face possible maladaptation. Subsequently the process that was engaged in the local contextualization of climatic risks and development in selected Districts culminated in the consensus framework, Coastal Zone Green Growth (CZGG), informed mostly by concerns over clean energy usage and ecologically compatible use of coastal resources. Therefore the CZGG potentially provides co-benefits for enhanced ecosystem services, livelihoods and adaptation. Thus, it constitutes a denominator for measuring climatic risks and adaptation to potentially inform the policy-making process towards sustainable coastal zone management practices. Except for the desired goals of CZGG being far reaching and futuristic, they overlapped with goals of the adaptation strategies of the local population, which are similar to development goals. Therefore communicating localized contexts of coastal climatic risks of which sea level rise is seen often as remote to planning, could strengthen risk management in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) and enhance resilience of vulnerable communities. However, this will require the designation of a body which is accustomed to the local issues to facilitate, harmonize and coordinate multi-sector actions and diverse stakeholders’ interests for the CZGG to become a reality in contributing to ICZM in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic effects of tourism consumption must also be evaluatedin terms of the income gained by the work force directly or indirectly engaged in the tourism industry: the tourists' service appeals to a numerous workforce with a varied competence profile, whose expenses of consumption also increase as a result of raising the standard of living, precisely due to a more rational and comprehensive use of the labor force as tourism develops. Băile Felix resort is the most famous spa resort in Romania, well known abroad. Discovered from antiquity, geothermal water springs at temperatures of 20 and 49°C have certified curative properties, being oligometallic, bicarbonate, calcium and sodium, and the muds have sapropelic properties (rich in colloidal iron hydrosulphide). The existing accommodation capacity comprises the network of accommodation units and has the role of creating the conditions for the tourist's rest. The importance of this component of material resources is given by the fact that the tourist spends about half of his time in accommodation. The accommodation of the tourists is provided by the proper accommodation services, as well as by a series of complementary services meant to ensure optimal comfort conditions for the tourists during their stay. The occupancy rate indicator reflects the use of the offer over a specified period, ie the level of activity in the presented structure according to the existing accommodation capacity. We analyzed this indicator in the years 2014-2016 in order to be able to see its evolution over time and provide solutions for profit growth in the analyzed situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the purpose of enabling the analysis by digital methods of particles of multisource pharmaceutical raw materials, this study analyzed different crystal habits of ampicillin particles, by grouping the external shapes obtained from 3 different solvents (acetonitrile, ethanol, and methanol), thereby reducing the number of descriptors necessary to adequately represent each shape. For this purpose, a selection of morphological descriptors was used including: circularity, roughness, roundness, compactness, aspect ratio, effective diameter, solidity, convexity, fractal dimension, and 10 Complex Fourier descriptors. These measures cover highly diverse morphological properties and define the crystal habit of a particle. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Cluster Analysis (CA) were the grouping techniques used, which demonstrated the possibility of using between 2 and 4 descriptors instead of the 18 proposed initially.Com o objetivo de possibilitar a análise, por meio de métodos digitais, de partículas de matérias-primas farmacêuticas de múltiplas fontes, analisaram-se diferentes cristais de partículas de ampicilina através do agrupamento de formas externas obtidas de três diferentes solventes (acetonitrila, etanol e metanol), reduzindo, desse modo, o número de descritores necessários para representar adequadamente cada forma. Com esse propósito, utilizou-se seleção de descritores morfológicos, incluindo: circularidade, aspereza, arredondamento, compactação, relação de aspecto, diâmetro efetivo, solidez, convectividade, dimensão fractal e 10 descritores complexos de Fourier. Essas medidas cobrem diversas propriedades morfológicas e definem a cristalinidade de uma partícula. As análises do componente principal (PCA) e por grupamento (CA) foram as técnicas de agrupamento utilizadas, que demonstraram a possibilidade de utilizar entre 2 e 4 descritores ao invés dos 18, inicialmente propostos.

Texture description is a challenging problem with color images. Despite some attempts to include colors in local binary patterns (LBPs), no proposal has emerged as a color counterpart of grayscale LBPs. This is because colors are defined by vectors that are not naturally ordered and several ways exist to compare them. We propose an LBP extension that takes the vector information of color into account due to a color order. As several color orders are available and the selection of the most suitable one is difficult, we combine two of them in a texture descriptor called "mixed color order LBPs." This small-size feature provides good performance on several benchmark databases for two classification problems with regard to larger-size LBP-based features Of color textures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tubulo-interstitial microcalcifications in renal transplant are described with a wide difference of incidence (4–78%) according to time and goal of biopsies. Currently, staining procedures are used to deduce the composition of crystals and speculate about their aetiologies. Here we test the contribution of infrared microspectroscopy (IR-MS) in understanding kidney transplant crystal deposits. First, microcalcifications observed in 118 allograft biopsies are studied by IR-MS. The Fourier transform infrared signal shows that a major proportion (92%) of calcium phosphate crystals is in the pure or mixed form. Next, we compare 50 patients with calcifications to 100 without calcifications and show persistent hyperparathyroidism and tubular cell vacuolization as circumstances of crystal deposition. Finally, the graduation level of calcification by IR-MS appears to be correlated with the graft outcome. Graft survival seems to be worse in case of high microcalcification detection by IR-MS. These preliminary data suggest IR-MS as a great tool for clinicians to diagnose, characterize, and quantify microcalcifications in kidney allografts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of farmers' perceptions of and adaptations to climate change is important to inform policies addressing the risk of climate change to farmers. This case study explored those issues in the Melamchi Valley of Nepal through a survey of 365 households and focus group discussions in 6 communities using a Community-Based Risk Screening Tool-Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL). Analysis of climate trends in the study area for 1979-2009 showed that mean annual temperatures rose by 1.02°C and the frequency of drought increased measurably after 2003. Farmers reported increases in crop pests, hailstorms, landslides, floods, thunderstorms, and erratic precipitation as climate-related hazards affecting agriculture. They responded in a variety of ways including changing farming practices, selling livestock, milk, and eggs, and engaging in daily wage labor and seasonal labor migration. With more efficient support and planning, some of these measures could be adjusted to better meet current and future risks from climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genera and species of Piperaceae show a considerable structural diversity of leaves and especially stems. This paper presents a comparative morphological and anatomical study of the leaves and stems of three common Brazilian species of this family (Peperomia dahlstedtii C.DC., Ottonia martiana Miq. and Piper diospyrifolium Kunth), the vegetative organs of which have previously been little studied. The collected plant material was fixed in FAA, cut freehand and stained in safranin and astra blue. P. dahlstedtii is an epiphyte and has a herbaceous stem with whorled leaves phyllotaxis and a polystelic structure, a multiseriate adaxial leaf epidermis and calcium oxalate monocrystals in parenchyma and collenchyma petiole cells. O. martiana and P. diospyrifolium showed strong similarities, both being terrestrial plants, with alternate phyllotaxis, stele with medullary bundles and dorsiventral leaves with an epidermis and subepidermic layer. In O. martiana the stomatal complex is staurocytic and presented silica crystal sand in parenchyma petiole and midrib cells. In P. diospyrifolium the stomatal complex is tetracytic and there are calcium oxalate raphide crystals in the parenchyma of the petiole and midrib cells. On the other hand, the three species show some structural likenesses in that all have hypostomatic and dorsiventral leaves, oily cells in petiole and mesophyll, secretory trichomes and an endodermis with Casparian strips.Los géneros y las especies de Piperaceae muestran una notoria diversidad estructural en sus hojas, y en particular en tallos. Este trabajo presente presenta un estudio comparativo morfológico y anatómico del tallo y hoja de tres especies de esta familia (Peperomia dahlstedtii C.DC., Ottonia martiana Miq. y Piper diospyrifolium Kunth) que son frecuentes en los bosques brasileños, sin que sus órganos vegetativos hubiesen sido previamente examinados anatómicamente. El material fue fijado en FAA, cortado a mano y coloreado con safranina y azul de astra. P. dahlstedtii es un epífito que posee un tallo herbáceo con filotaxia verticilada y estructura polistélica, hoja con epidermis adaxial multiseriada y monocristal de oxalato de calcio en células parenquimáticas y colenquimáticas del pecíolo. O. martiana y P. diospyrifolium presentan muchas semejanzas, siendo ambas plantas terrestres con filotaxia alterna, estela con haces medulares y hoja dorsiventral con epidermis y subepidermis. En O. martiana el aparato estomático es estaurocítico y presenta cristal de sílice en células parenquimáticas del pecíolo y vena media. En P. diospyrifolium el aparato estomático es tetracítico con presencia de rafidios en la parénquima del pecíolo y vena media. Por otro lado, las tres especies muestran cierta semblanza estructural, como hojas hipostomáticas y dorsiventrales, células con aceite en el peciolo y lámina, tricomas glandulares y endodermis provista de banda de Caspary.

This article is a contribution to the Spanish glass industry from the knowledge of Fabrica de Cristal y Vidrio de Santa Lucia (Cartagena) during the XIXth century. The evolution of this company is accomplished within the context of the Spanish sector underlining some phases: Its impulse during 1840´s and 1850´s, market problems and competition in the last decades of the XIXth century, and its restructuring at the beginning of the XXth century, which ended with an intense process of concentration and internationalization that affected plane glass and hollow glass. Likewise, industrial location factors, regional distribution of the production, and changes occurred in its various branches between 1856 and 1905 are reported. Data reveal the leading role of this factory from Cartagena in the glass industry and, particularly, its specialization in crystal, glassware of best quality, and white cut glass during the Restoration period.El trabajo contribuye al conocimiento de la industria del vidrio español durante el siglo XIX a partir de la Fábrica de Cristal y Vidrio de Santa Lucia (Cartagena). La evolución de la empresa es analizada en el contexto del sector español, destacándose varias fases: el impulso que vivió el sector en las décadas de 1840 y 1850, los problemas de mercado y competitividad en las décadas finales del siglo XIX y la reestructuración de comienzos del siglo XX. Esta última acabó con la formación de estructuras de oligopolio que afectaron a las ramas del vidrio plano y del vidrio hueco. Se destacan, asimismo, los factores de localización industrial, la distribución regional de la producción y los cambios acaecidos en sus diferentes ramas entre 1856 y 1905. Los datos aportados revelan el protagonismo de la empresa de Cartagena en el sector vidriero, y en particular su especialización en cristal y vidrio blanco tallado durante el periodo de la Restauración.

Abstract: The objective of the present work is to characterise, using an experimental microscopic observation device, the crystal size distribution (CSD) of ice and tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate slurries, which can be used as two-phase refrigerant fluids for cold transportation and storage in the field of secondary refrigeration. Three different solutes (ethanol, propylene glycol and sodium chloride) were used to form ice slurries. The studied hydrate was THF hydrate since it is stable at atmospheric pressure and in a temperature range suitable for refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. Experimental ice and THF hydrate slurry CSDs were compared to classical normal (Gaussian), log-normal, gamma, and Weibull (Rosin–Rammler) distributions. A comparison between ice and THF hydrate slurry CSD results showed that hydrate slurries were composed of crystals approximately 1.5 times smaller than ice crystals. The present results were shown to be useful input parameters for modelling thermophysical properties of slurry systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An analytical solution to the problem of an anti-plane constrained shear of single crystals placed in a soft device within the continuum dislocation theory is found. The dependence of the nucleation stress on the grain size exhibits a modest deviation from the Hall–Petch relation. It is shown that, as soon as the dissipation is taken into account, the hardening behavior becomes nearly identical to that of single crystals in a hard device. To cite this article: K.C. Le, Q.S. Nguyen, C. R. Mecanique 337 (2009). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The biological damages caused by the use of illicit psychoactive substances can result not only from the illegal substances themselves, but can also be due to substances that dealers had to the mixtures in order to increase the overall volume of drug {cutting substances). The central aim of the present study was analysing illegal psychoactive substances and their contaminants/adulterants, through the conjugation of efforts by CHECK-IN/APDES and Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal do Porto.This cooperation allowed the comparison of Portuguese data with the data that were collected in Spain by Energy Control, a project that has been working in risk reduction for the past 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A steady state simulation model has been developed to evaluate the system performance of a transcritical carbon dioxide heat pump for simultaneous heating and cooling. The simulated results are found to be in reasonable agreement with experimental results reported in the literature. Such a system is suitable, for example, in dairy plants where simultaneous cooling at 4°C and heating at 73°C are required. The optimal COP was found to be a function of the compressor speed, the coolant inlet temperature to the evaporator and inlet temperature of the fluid to be heated in the gas cooler and compressor discharge pressure. An optimizing study for the best allocation of the fixed total heat exchanger inventory between the evaporator and the gas cooler based on the heat exchanger area has been carried out. Effect of heat transfer in the heat exchangers on system performance has been presented as well. Finally, a novel nomogram has been developed and it is expected to offer useful guidelines for system design and its optimisation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of stationary and sweeping frequency AC electric fields on frost crystals growth and frost control/removal on a cold plate was studied for the first time in this paper. The main results of this study showed that the presence of AC electric fields can greatly affect both the frost crystals growth pattern and mass accumulation on cold surfaces. The ice surface electrical properties and basic electrostatics were used to explain the main findings in this paper. Up to 46% frost reduction was obtained when the electric field frequency spanned 370Hz to 7.5kHz while the applied voltage was 14.5kV. Two different sets of environmental conditions were tested, which showed that the plate temperature placed an important effect on frost crystals growth under electric fields. An optimum application time of the AC electric fields was found based on least frost mass accumulation on the cold plate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A Micro-Slicer Image Processing System (MSIPS) has been applied to observe the ice crystal structures formed in frozen dilute solutions. Several characteristic parameters were also proposed to investigate the three-dimensional (3-D) morphology and distribution of ice crystals, based on their reconstructed images obtained by multi-slicing a frozen sample with the thickness of 5 μm. The values of characteristic parameters were determined for the sample images with the dimension of 530×700×1000 μm. The 3-D morphology of ice crystals was found to be a bundle of continuous or dendrite columns at any freezing condition. The equivalent diameter of ice crystals were in the range of 73–169 μm, and decreased exponentially with increasing freezing rate at the copper cooling plate temperature of −20 to −80 °C. At the Tcp −40 °C, the volumes of ice crystals were in the range of 4.6×104 μm3 to 3.3×107 μm3, and 36 ice columns were counted in the 3-D image. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this research was to investigate the ice growth of a single crystal in three dimensions. Three-dimensional pattern of ice crystal growth in supercooled water was observed using Mach–Zehnder spectro-interferometer. Temperature was varied from −0.3 to −1.6 °C. It was found that the ice crystal began to grow as a single crystal at the tip of the capillary tube and propagated freely in supercooled water. Time variation of the shape of dendrite on a–c plane was obtained. It was found that half parabola fits the shape very closely, and the coefficient of squared term, a, of a quadratic function was calculated. The coefficient, a varied in time but at quasi steady state it was found to be depending mostly upon the degree of supercooling. Furthermore, the growth velocity in c-axis at the flat surface was calculated from the thickness measured. It was found that the velocity in c-axis is independent of the degree of supercooling but depends upon time, in other words, the thickness in c-axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel technique has been developed for measuring the three-dimensional (3-D) structure and distribution of ice crystals formed in frozen beef by using a micro-slicer image processing system (MSIPS). The system has functions to reconstruct the 3-D image based on the image data of exposed cross-sections obtained by multi-slicing of a frozen sample with the minimum thickness of 1 μm and to display the internal structure as well as an arbitrary cross-section of the sample choosing observation angles. The size and distribution of ice crystals can be determined from the 2-D quantitative information, such as the periphery and area of the crystals. The effects of freezing conditions on the morphology and distribution of the ice crystals were demonstrated quantitatively from the observations of raw beef stained by fluorescent indicator. For the samples frozen at −15 °C, the network structure of ice crystals were observed mainly at intercellular space, having approximately 100 μm in cross-sectional size, while that prepared at −120 °C showed the spherical crystals of 10–20 μm in diameter within the cells. The 3-D image of the sample demonstrated that the growth of ice columns was restricted by the intrinsic structure of muscle fibers. The proposed method provided a new tool to investigate the effects of freezing conditions on the size, morphology and distribution of ice crystals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experimental and analytical studies for freezing phenomena of ethylene glycol solution around a vertical cooled polyvinyl-chloride cylinder have been performed. It is found that the crystal ice formed around the vertical cylinder is removed from the cylinder surface due to a buoyancy force acting on the crystal ice. The crystal ice slides along the cylinder surface due to buoyancy force and grows in the shape of a tube by joining with the neighboring ice. It is shown that the onset of ice removal condition is related to the heat flux ratio, ‘from the cylinder surface into the cylinder’ to ‘from the cylinder surface into the solution’. The ice removal occurs more easily for short cylinders than for long ones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Study on the crystal growth of ice in water-ethyleneglycol solution was carried out, experimentally. The ice crystal, which was seeded on top of the capillary tube, propagated inside the tube slowly and began to grow freely at the tip of the tube in subcooled solution. The outer diameter of the tip of the capillary tube was less than 0.1 mm, which was much smaller than that of other researchers. Hence, considerable reduction of the influence of the existence of a capillary was accomplished and the initial growth of a single crystal was observed, precisely. Under the condition of subcooling of less than 8 K, the shape of the crystal was observed to be different from that of the one in pure water. The velocity of dendrite ice growth and the radius of the curvature of the tip were measured. It was found that after the dendrite ice developed to a certain size, the velocity of the dendritic growth and the radius of curvature were kept steady, and its values were dependent on the degree of subcooling and the concentration of the solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experimental studies for freezing phenomena of ethylene glycol solution on an inclined polyvinyl-chloride plate have been performed. It is found that the crystal ice formed on the inclined cooled plate is removed from the plate surface due to a buoyancy force acting on the crystal ice. It is shown that the crystal ice grows in a shape of sheet by joining with neighboring ice and that the ice slides along the inclined surface when it is removed. The onset of the ice removal condition is related to the cooling heat flux at the surface. The ice removal occurs more easily for the plate of large inclination than that of a small one. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The authors introduce the glass harmonica by placing it in its historical context. They then explain how, after more than a century of obscurity, the glass harmonica has been recreated, using updated methods and materials. Specific features of the instrument are examined, including its adaptability to a wide range of compositional works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]