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This article describes the extension of the spreadsheet-based point energy balance snow model ESCIMO.spread by (i) an advanced approach for precipitation phase detection, (ii) a concept for cold and liquid water storage consideration and (iii) a canopy sub-model that allows to quantify the effect of a forest canopy on the meteorological conditions inside the forest as well as the simulation of snow accumulation and ablation inside a forest stand. To provide the data for model application and evaluation, innovative low-cost Snow Monitoring Systems (SnoMoS) have been utilized that allow the collection of important meteorological and snow information in and outside the canopy. The model performance with respect to both, the modification of meteorological conditions as well as the subsequent calculation of the snow cover evolution are evaluated using in- and outside-canopy observations of meteorological variables and snow cover evolution as provided by a pair of SnoMoS for a site in the Black Forest mountain range (south-west Germany). The validation results indicate a good overall model performance in and outside the forest canopy. The newly developed version of the model refered to as ESCIMO.spread (v2) is provided free of charge together with one year of sample data including the meteorological data and snow observations used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastic asphalt workers may be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) present in bitumen. We conducted a cross-shift study to determine genotoxic effects after exposure to bitumen. For this purpose, external and internal exposure of 202 mastic asphalt workers exposed to bitumen and 55 construction workers without exposure to bitumen was assessed. Exposure by inhalation to fumes of bitumen during the shift was measured by personal ambient monitoring. To assess overall exposure to bitumen (by inhalation and dermal absorption), 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and the sum of 1-, 2 + 9-,3-,4-hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) were determined in pre- and postshift urine. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) adducts, anti-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (anti-BPDE) DNA adducts, DNA strand breaks and alkali-labile sites, and micronucleus frequencies were determined as biomarkers of genotoxic effects in white blood cells (WBC). Concentrations of fumes of bitumen were correlated with a moderate association with 1-OHP and OHPhe after work shift (r(s) = 0.25, P < 0.001 and r(s) = 0.36, P < 0.001). Significantly increased 8-oxodGuo adduct levels were observed after shift in both exposure groups (P < 0.0001). Paradoxically, decreased DNA strand break frequencies were observed after shift in both groups (P < 0.05). Postshift values in DNA strand break frequency were associated with 1-OHP (Spearman rank correlation coefficient 0.19, P = 0.01). Significantly more 8-oxodGuo adducts and DNA strand breaks were found in workers exposed to bitumen before and after shift compared with the reference group. However, no dose-dependent association was observed between exposure and genotoxic effects. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that workers exposed to bitumen exerted a higher level of DNA damage (8-oxodGuo and DNA strand breaks) in WBC compared with reference subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is one of the basic facts of linear time-invariant systems theory that any two minimal (canonical) realizations are connected in the best possible way: by system similarity. We study five different types of possible connections between two arbitrary realizations of a transfer function, and are interested in questions of existence (sufficient and/or necessary conditions), uniqueness, and description of all (or of a possibly large class of) connecting operators or pairs of operators. In the case of the existence of nonnegative realizations we seek nonnegative connecting pairs or operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Lolium perenne L. genotypes collected from different natural habitats were tested for the effects of their fungal endophyte Neotyphodium spp. on plant growth and seed yield. Half the clones of the originally infected plants were subjected to fungicide treatment to eradicate the endophytes. In an experiment, the clones were planted separately into pots and were either watered adequately or subjected to drought stress. In the genotype collected from a dry site, the endophyte infection reduced plant growth at an adequate water supply, but increased regrowth under drought. In the genotype from a periodically either flooded or dry site, endophyte infection significantly promoted the development of reproductive tillers and seed production (effects which are associated with adaptation to drought). In contrast, the genotype that originated from a wet site showed higher sensitivity to drought stress when endophyte infection was present. The results suggest that environmental conditions in the original habitat of the plants may influence the symbiotic interaction between plant and fungus, probably through natural selection. However, endophyte-induced increases in root dry weight and root/shoot ratio were recorded for all three genotypes. These features could be beneficial for plant persistence, especially on sites where water is the growth-limiting factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is described to evaluate initial-energy distributions of fragments produced by proton-molecule collisions. The fragments are analysed by means of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and their initial energies are evaluated from their time-of-flight spectrum. These energies are presented for various fragments of H, N, O, CO, CHCl, CHBr, CHI, CH and CH produced with 65-keV protons. The results indicate the generation of several energetic fragments of the halomethanes, ethane and propane via dissociation of a doubly charged molecule followed by evaporation of one or more hydrogen atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]