bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ALFALFA Hα SURVEY. I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND THE LOCAL STAR FORMATION RATE DENSITY FROM THE FALL SAMPLE
Authors: Sistine Angela Van , Salzer John J. , Sugden Arthur , Giovanelli Riccardo , Haynes Martha P. , Janowiecki Steven , Jaskot Anne E. , Wilcots Eric M.
Published: June 2016

The ALFALFA Hα survey utilizes a large sample of H i-selected galaxies from the ALFALFA survey to study star formation (SF) in the local universe. ALFALFA Hα contains 1555 galaxies with distances between ∼20 and ∼100 Mpc. We have obtained continuum-subtracted narrowband Hα images and broadband R images for each galaxy, creating one of the largest homogeneous sets of Hα images ever assembled. Our procedures were designed to minimize the uncertainties related to the calculation of the local SF rate density (SFRD). The galaxy sample we constructed is as close to volume-limited as possible, is a robust statistical sample, and spans a wide range of galaxy environments. In this paper, we discuss the properties of our Fall sample of 565 galaxies, our procedure for deriving individual galaxy SF rates, and our method for calculating the local SFRD. We present a preliminary value of log(SFRD[M
⊙ yr−1 Mpc−3]) = −1.747 ± 0.018 (random) ±0.05 (systematic) based on the 565 galaxies in our Fall sub-sample. Compared to the weighted average of SFRD values around z ≈ 2, our local value indicates a drop in the global SFRD of a factor of 10.2 over that lookback time.
SPITZER IRAC SPARSELY SAMPLED PHASE CURVE OF THE EXOPLANET WASP-14B
Authors: Krick J. E. , Ingalls J. , Carey S. , Braun K. von , Kane S. R. , Ciardi D. , Plavchan P. , Wong I. , Lowrance P.
Published: June 2016

Motivated by a high Spitzer IRAC oversubscription rate, we present a new technique of randomly and sparsely sampling the phase curves of hot Jupiters. Snapshot phase curves are enabled by technical advances in precision pointing as well as careful characterization of a portion of the central pixel on the array. This method allows for observations which are a factor of approximately two more efficient than full phase curve observations, and are furthermore easier to insert into the Spitzer observing schedule. We present our pilot study from this program using the exoplanet WASP-14b. Data of this system were taken both as a sparsely sampled phase curve as well as a staring-mode phase curve. Both data sets, as well as snapshot-style observations of a calibration star, are used to validate this technique. By fitting our WASP-14b phase snapshot data set, we successfully recover physical parameters for the transit and eclipse depths as well as the amplitude and maximum and minimum of the phase curve shape of this slightly eccentric hot Jupiter. We place a limit on the potential phase to phase variation of these parameters since our data are taken over many phases over the course of a year. We see no evidence for eclipse depth variations compared to other published WASP-14b eclipse depths over a 3.5 year baseline.
Complexité de l’accueil des nouvelles parentalités en maternité
Authors: Dorso Marie-Émilie , Teissier Emmanuelle
Published: June 2016

Cet article illustre des expériences autour des nouvelles formes de parentalité au sein d’une maternité. Il dresse un état des lieux non exhaustif de ces situations « atypiques », soulignant toute la complexité de ces nouveaux types de filiation et les questions qui se posent pour le devenir de l’enfant et de sa famille.
« Papa, Maman, bobos… »
Authors: Rajablat Marie , de Truchis-Ramière Vésiane
Published: June 2016

L’unité Esquirol est une unité d’hospitalisation à temps complet pour enfants et adolescents. Notre travail inclut une juste et nécessaire proximité avec les familles. Pour ces jeunes patients, famille rime avec famille d’origine, famille recomposée, décomposée, adoption, famille d’accueil, services sociaux, etc. Alors comment transformer l’accueil de ces jeunes et leurs parents en une rencontre nouvelle et créatrice où chacun a une place et où la proximité des êtres devient moins insoutenable ?
Jeu et maladie d’Alzheimer. Le cadre ludique dans la prise en charge de la démence
Authors: Gueyraud Cédric , Anaut Marie , Denormandie Philippe , Bathsavanis Anthony , Krolak-Salmon Pierre
Published: June 2016

La prise en charge des troubles du comportement liés à la pathologie démentielle constitue une réelle difficulté en ehpad et particulièrement dans la menée d’activités de groupe. Cet article vise à interroger l’intérêt et les conditions du jeu en institution selon le principe du cadre ludique. Cette approche pédagogique et thérapeutique applique les réflexions issues de l’éducation nouvelle et de la psychologie des médiations thérapeutiques. Expérimentée dans le cadre de la recherche ludim , elle permet d’interroger le jeu comme approche thérapeutique non médicamenteuse dans la maladie d’Alzheimer.
Les pionniers de la participation au Maroc. Espace de reclassement et constitution d’un savoir autonome
Authors: Cheynis Éric
Published: June 2016

Cet article est consacré aux agents qui fondent leur position sur l’élaboration, la promotion et la mise en œuvre, au Maroc, de la participation, afin d’en écarter toute approche téléologique, ou diffusionniste et désincarnée car sans acteur. Il porte sur une période particulière – la décennie au tournant du xx e  siècle – avant que ne s’institutionnalisent des dispositifs, des pratiques et des rôles. Dans ce contexte, il met au jour le rôle d’intermédiaires qui ont contribué à importer au Maroc la participation tout en s’imposant comme des experts de cette dernière. L’analyse aborde la participation comme un espace de reclassement social et professionnel et spécifie les compétences nécessaires à une « entrée en expertise » : expériences professionnelles antérieures, connaissances du terrain, savoirs académiques mais aussi passé militant. Au final, l’article met en relation deux histoires à l’origine de l’invention de positions sociales nouvelles : celle de rôles et de postes en train de se faire et liée à une offre de participation de la part de bailleurs étrangers et celle des hommes et des femmes qui les occupent.
Donner la parole aux étrangers ? De la création d’une participation politique à l’usage ethnicisé de la catégorie d’« étranger » par les municipalités
Authors: Flamant Anouk
Published: June 2016

Cet article s’intéresse à deux conseils de résidents étrangers existants dans les villes de Nantes et de Strasbourg dans les années 2000. Il questionne l’usage paradoxal de la catégorie d’« étranger » par les pouvoirs publics. En premier lieu, cet article permet de comprendre comment une citoyenneté territoriale est définie par l’intermédiaire de ces instances participatives. Ensuite, il révèle le fait que la distinction entre « national » et « étranger » est inadéquate pour comprendre quelle est la population ciblée par ces conseils. Ainsi, cet article démontre comment les villes ont recours à des critères ethniques au sein de la République française pour définir le public de leurs politiques d’intégration et de lutte contre les discriminations. Finalement, cet article vise à comprendre l’utilisation de critères ethniques dans les politiques publiques françaises.
La Turquie en quête d’un nouveau positionnement au Moyen-Orient
Authors: Marcou Jean
Published: June 2016

Avant les révoltes arabes de 2011, la Turquie apparaissait comme une puissance régionale ambitieuse, accumulant les succès diplomatiques. La déstabilisation du Moyen-Orient a remis en cause cette dynamique positive. Le positionnement d’Ankara dans le conflit syrien est loin d’être clair. Ses ambiguïtés à l’égard des djihadistes ont suscité méfiance et tensions. Les relations d’Ankara avec Moscou, Téhéran et Le Caire sont au plus bas, tandis qu’un rapprochement avec Riyad est amorcé.
Niveles de LAI/fPAR en superficies afectadas por incendios forestales en Aragón. Análisis mediante el producto MCD15A2 DE MODIS
Authors: Jiménez Ruano Adrián , Pérez-Cabello Fernando , Montorio Llovería Raquel
Published: June 2016

El índice de área foliar (LAI) y la fracción de radiación activa fotosintética absorbida por la vegetación (fPAR) son variables relacionadas con la estructura del dosel vegetal que pueden aportar nuevas claves en la comprensión del proceso de regeneración vegetal en zonas quemadas. En este contexto, el objetivo del trabajo es caracterizar diferentes superficies quemadas en Aragón en función del producto MDC15A2 (LAI/fPAR) de MODIS. Se realizan dos tipos diferentes de análisis: (1) análisis estático de los valores de LAI/fPAR a partir del compuesto de 2010; (2) seguimiento multianual en 6 grandes incendios ocurridos en la década de los 2000, representativos de condiciones ambientales diferentes. El proceso metodológico se basa en la selección de 18 incendios forestales (> 500 ha, ocurridos entre 1975-2010) que dispusieran de la cartografía digital; y en la descarga del producto MCD13A2 de MODIS (compuestos estacionales de 8 días, primera semana de mayo y septiembre).
Se ha identificado un patrón temporal de recuperación en los valores de LAI. En incendios ocurridos hace más de 35 años se recogen valores promedio de LAI >1 (1,13/1,40, en septiembre y mayo respectivamente), y valores de fPAR bajos (~ 0,5). Mientras, un año después del fuego los valores promedio de LAI/fPAR no superan el 0,20/0,40, respectivamente. Por otro lado, unos meses tras el fuego se han registrado valores promedio de LAI
Árboles viejos como indicadores de biodiversidad de vertebrados forestales amenazados de la provincia de Salamanca (España)
Authors: Núñez M. , Tarazona T. , Silla F. , Delgado L.
Published: June 2016

Se ha comparado la abundancia de árboles viejos en la provincia de Salamanca (España) con la distribución de las especies de vertebrados forestales amenazados presentes, observándose que existe una correlación significativa entre ambos parámetros para las siguientes especies estudiadas: águila imperial (Aquila adalberti), buitre negro (Aegypus monachus), lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus), milano real (Milvus milvus) y un grupo de especies de quirópteros forestales (Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis myotis, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Nyctalus noctula, Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum y Rhinolophus mehelyi). Se ha demostrado que existe un incremento de la biodiversidad de vertebrados forestales amenazados paralelo al aumento de la densidad de árboles viejos en los municipios de la provincia. Por ello, se puede deducir que la densidad de árboles viejos es un buen parámetro indicador del estado de conservación del ecosistema forestal y clave para el mantenimiento de dichas especies amenazadas.
Water Crises in Urban-Rural Gradients of African Drylands
Authors: Abdulhamid Adnan , Barau Aliyu
Published: June 2016

This chapter takes a critical look at the multiple dimensions of water crises in drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa. It argues that urban water crises cannot be explained in isolation of rural areas many of which have competing water needs and are the locations for dams and other critical urban water infrastructure. It uses an example of Kano region – a hydrogeological and geopolitical region of over ten million inhabitants whose lives and livelihoods are vulnerable to climate change. The study draws upon a suite of methods comprising literature review, field-based measurements and observations of wells, as well as information retrieval from people managing wells and those directly affected by water scarcity. Results reveal that basement complex aquifer found mostly in Kano State is the most overexploited compared to Jigawa State's predominantly Chad formation system. It is evident that majority people in basement complex areas travel to a distance of 300-1000m in order to fetch water for their daily use. The current situation of current and future water crises in the region brings to the fore the role of technology, governance, and the need for active private sector participation in planning and management of water resources and services in dry land areas.
Urbanization in Ghana
Authors: Cobbinah Patrick Brandful , Erdiaw-Kwasie Michael Odei
Published: June 2016

Urbanization, in theory, should result in human advancement by stimulating socio-economic development. However, recent studies indicate that African urbanization tends to compound urban poverty, stall socio-economic development, and disrupt urban functionality. Unfortunately, African urbanization is expected to intensify in the foreseeable future with the continent expected to become home to about 1.3 billion of the global urban population by 2050.This current and expected increase in African urbanization has implications for urban governance, and how this phenomenon is managed will largely determine the future of urban Africa. This chapter examines the contours of African urbanization using Ghana as a case study. An analysis of past and recent urbanization patterns and causes in Ghana is presented. The chapter further explores urban governance implications associated with Ghana's urbanization and suggests policy reforms which may help address the growing depressing implications of urbanization in Ghana and Africa at large.
Coping with Erratic Water Supply in Small Towns
Authors: Mujere Never , Saidi Trust
Published: June 2016

In Sub-Saharan Africa, artificial water shortages are common due to financial constraints impeding the procurement of adequate equipment to harness water. Most previous studies on variability of water supply in sub-Saharan Africa have largely focused on large urban settlements such as cities and towns. Thus, this chapter therefore presents findings from a study conducted to assess the causes and effects of erratic water supply in Kamwaza Township in Zimbabwe as well as to establish and evaluate coping strategies to the problem of erratic water supply. From the study, it was also observed that erratic water supply has socio-economic effects and these include high incidences of diseases, disruption of service delivery at institutions such as the hospital, clinic and schools and retarded infrastructural development. The study recommends a collaborative approach from all stakeholders in solving the problem of erratic water supply by upgrading the pumping station, repairing leaking pipes, employing people with technical expertise and sinking boreholes.
Population Growth, Governance and Urban Social Conflicts in Africa
Authors: Garba Shaibu Bala
Published: June 2016

Many African countries are witnessing an increase in social conflicts with negative impacts on their development. Most conflicts are urban centered, with causes rooted in social, economic and political issues and fatalities, property destruction and displacement as outcomes. This chapter asserts that issues of growth and governance are at the heart of conflict, with growth challenging the ability of most governments to deliver services. The chapter undertakes a broad examination of social conflict in the African context with focus on understanding their cause and effects and the role that population growth, urbanization and governance play in country conflict situation. The chapter examined conflict in three countries; Algeria, Kenya and Nigeria, from a macro and micro level, along with the role that population growth, urbanization and governance play. The chapter concludes with findings and recommendations on ways to mitigate conflicts.
Low Power Arithmetic Circuit Design for Multimedia Applications
Authors: Pari Senthil C.
Published: June 2016

The objective of this chapter is to describe the various designed arithmetic circuit for an application of multimedia circuit that can be used in a high-performance or mobile microprocessor with a particular set of optimisation criteria. The aim of this chapter is to describe the design method of binary arithmetic especially using by CMOS and Pass Transistor Logic technique. The pass transistor techniques are reduced the noise margin for small circuit, which can be explained in this chapter. This chapter further describe the types of arithmetic and its techniques. The technique design principle procedure should make the following decisions: circuit family (complementary static CMOS, pass-transistor, or Shannon Theorem based); type of arithmetic to be used. The decisions on the designed logic level significantly affect the propagation delay, area and power dissipation.
Inference of Gene Regulatory Networks by Topological Prior Information and Data Integration
Authors: Martins Jr. David Correa , Lopes Fabricio Martins , Ray Shubhra Sankar
Published: June 2016

The inference of Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) is a very challenging problem which has attracted increasing attention since the development of high-throughput sequencing and gene expression measurement technologies. Many models and algorithms have been developed to identify GRNs using mainly gene expression profile as data source. As the gene expression data usually has limited number of samples and inherent noise, the integration of gene expression with several other sources of information can be vital for accurately inferring GRNs. For instance, some prior information about the overall topological structure of the GRN can guide inference techniques toward better results. In addition to gene expression data, recently biological information from heterogeneous data sources have been integrated by GRN inference methods as well. The objective of this chapter is to present an overview of GRN inference models and techniques with focus on incorporation of prior information such as, global and local topological features and integration of several heterogeneous data sources.
Prioritize Transcription Factor Binding Sites for Multiple Co-Expressed Gene Sets Based on Lasso Multinomial Regression Models
Authors: Hu Hong , Dai Yang
Published: June 2016

Computational prediction of cis-regulatory elements for a set of co-expressed genes based on sequence analysis provides an overwhelming volume of potential transcription factor binding sites. It presents a challenge to prioritize a set of functional transcription factors and their binding sites on the regulatory regions of the target genes that are relevant to the gene expression study. A novel approach based on the use of lasso multinomial regression models is proposed to address this problem. We examine the ability of the lasso models using a time-course microarray data obtained from a comprehensive study of gene expression profiles in skin and mucosal in mouse over all stages of wound healing.
Integrating ACT-R Cognitive Models with the Unity Game Engine
Authors: Smart Paul Richard , Scutt Tom , Sycara Katia , Shadbolt Nigel R.
Published: June 2016

The main aim of the chapter is to describe how cognitive models, developed using the ACT-R cognitive architecture, can be integrated with the Unity game engine in order to support the intelligent control of virtual characters in both 2D and 3D virtual environments. ACT-R is a cognitive architecture that has been widely used to model various aspects of human cognition, such as learning, memory, problem-solving, reasoning and so on. Unity, on the other hand, is a very popular game engine that can be used to develop 2D and 3D environments for both game and non-game purposes. The ability to integrate ACT-R cognitive models with the Unity game engine thus supports the effort to create virtual characters that incorporate at least some of the capabilities and constraints of the human cognitive system.
HRM Practices in Banking Sector of Pakistan
Authors: Rahimi Roya , Nadda Vipin , Hamid Muhammad
Published: June 2016

Current study aims to critically investigate the impact of HR practices on organizational commitment of employees in the Banking Sector of Pakistan. The impact of training, compensation, performance evaluation, and promotion practices have been assessed on affective, normative and continuance commitment of employees via 12 hypotheses. Survey methodology was adopted via using structured questionnaire. A sample of 100 respondents was drawn from the employees working with various branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) located in Lahore, Pakistan. Collected data was subjected to Pearson Correlation and Regression analysis. The results of Pearson Correlation matrix demonstrated a positive correlation between HR practices and organizational commitment of employees which confirms all proposed hypotheses. Regression results showed a significant positive impact of training and performance evaluation on organizational commitment of employees. However, the significance of compensation and promotional practices could not be proved.
A Primer for Conducting Survey Research using MTurk
Authors: Chambers Silvana , Nimon Kim , Anthony-McMann Paula
Published: June 2016

This paper presents best practices for conducting survey research using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Readers will learn the benefits, limitations, and trade-offs of using MTurk as compared to other recruitment services, including SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics. A synthesis of survey design guidelines along with a sample survey are presented to help researchers collect the best quality data. Techniques, including SPSS and R syntax, are provided that demonstrate how users can clean resulting data and identify valid responses for which workers could be paid.
Dashboard for Analyzing Ubiquitous Learning Log
Authors: Lkhagvasuren Erdenesaikhan , Matsuura Kenji , Mouri Kousuke , Ogata Hiroaki
Published: June 2016

Mobile and ubiquitous technologies have been applied to a wide range of learning fields such as science, social science, history and language learning. Many researchers have been investigating the development of ubiquitous learning environments; nevertheless, to date, there have not been enough research works related to the reflection, analysis and traces of learners' activities in the history of ubiquitous learning environment. Therefore this paper presents a research on the design and development of a dashboard function which proposes new opportunity for ubiquitous learning. The dashboard captures, analyzes and visualizes traces of learning activities in order to promote awareness and enables learners to reflect on their own activity and helps to recall what they have learned. An initial evaluation has been conducted with 14 international students. Results indicate that the dashboard is a useful tool for self-reflection on activities and recall what learners have learned by repeated quizzes.
A System for English Vocabulary Acquisition based on Code-Switching
Authors: Mazur Michal , Karolczak Krzysztof , Rzepka Rafal , Araki Kenji
Published: June 2016

Vocabulary plays an important part in second language learning and there are many existing techniques to facilitate word acquisition. One of these methods is code-switching, or mixing the vocabulary of two languages in one sentence. In this paper the authors propose an experimental system for computer-assisted English vocabulary learning in context using a code-switching based approach for Japanese learners. First they introduce the CO-MIX system, an English vocabulary teaching system that uses code-switching for vocabulary acquisition. Next, they show how they utilize incidental learning techniques with graded readers to increase language proficiency. The authors present the system architecture, underlying technologies, and evaluate the system's performance through user interaction with both a baseline and the proposed system by using a semantic differential scale. They also perform separate factor analysis of participants' attitudes for both systems, an analysis of users' mistakes and compare users' language tests scores. Finally, the authors discuss the evaluation results and further development of this technology.
Global Project Management Trends
Authors: Alvarez-Dionisi Luis Emilio , Turner Rodney , Mittra Mitali
Published: June 2016

Most of the literature on project management has been used to explain the concepts and ideas related to project management, yet limited research has been done on project management trends. This paper presents the study of the application of project management to the practitioner's world from the project management trends' perspective. This research addresses the global project management trends to watch in the years: 2015, 2016, and 2017. Consequently, the research is dissected from the point of views of propelling project management with knowledge management; research approach; research results; and conclusion & recommendations: global project management trends.
Referencing in the Virtual World
Authors: Deshmukh G. K. , Joseph Sanskrity
Published: June 2016

The fact that ‘Man is a social being' is seen and felt in real as well as in virtual world. The paper discusses the advent of concept of social customer. All customers who use social media to share their experience through their positive or negative comments related with goods and services used as well as those who browse social media for getting reference to arrive at a decision to buy or choose are social customers. In the above backdrop the researchers have tried to highlight following issues: (i) definition of Social Customers, (ii) impact of Social media as a reference group on social customer. The researchers have conducted an empirical study and analyzed the data through Structural equation modeling and provided guidelines to marketers on the impact of social media in general and e-WOM in particular on buying behavior of social customers.
Designing a Car-Driver's Cognitive Process Model for considering Degree of Distraction
Authors: Harada Taku , Mori Kazuaki , Yoshizawa Akira , Iwasaki Hirotoshi
Published: June 2016

A distracted state of a driver affects car driving state. The eye tracking can reveal an individual's psychological state. In this paper, we design a driver's cognitive process model by clearly indicating the relations between cognitive states, such as perception and memory, in the process to produce the driving action using the eye tracking data. It is important to consider degree of distraction. Therefore, we consider a cognitive distraction expressed both serially and quantitatively in the model. In this modeling, we utilize a production system framework, and the cognitive distracted state is managed by a module in the production system.
HMBPP Analog Prodrugs Bypass Energy-Dependent Uptake To Promote Efficient BTN3A1-Mediated Malignant Cell Lysis by Vγ9Vδ2 T Lymphocyte Effectors
Authors: Kilcollins Ashley M. , Li Jin , Hsiao Chia-Hung Christine , Wiemer Andrew J.
Published: June 2016

Vγ9Vδ2 effector T cells lyse cells in response to phosphorus-containing small molecules, providing primates a unique route to remove infected or malignant cells. Yet, the triggering mechanisms remain ill defined. We examined lysis mediated by human Vγ9Vδ2 effector T cells in response to the naturally occurring (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl diphosphate (HMBPP) or a synthetic cell-permeable prodrug, bis (pivaloyloxymethyl) (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl phosphonate. CD27+/CD45RA− Th1-like effector cells killed K562 target cells through a mechanism that could be enhanced by either compound or TCR Ab and blocked by Src inhibition or butyrophilin 3 isoform A1 (BTN3A1) disruption. Pretreatment at 4°C decreased HMBPP-induced lysis but did not reduce lysis induced by bis (pivaloyloxymethyl) (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl phosphonate. Together, our results show that internalization of HMBPP into target cells is required for BTN3A1-dependent lysis by Vγ9Vδ2 effector T cells. The enhanced activity of the prodrug analog is due to its ability to bypass the pathways required for entry of HMBPP. These findings support an inside-out model of T cell triggering driven by small-molecule induction of BTN3A1.
Making the most of spatial information in health: a tutorial in Bayesian disease mapping for areal data
Authors: Kang Su Yun , Cramb Susanna M. , White Nicole M. , Ball Stephen J. , Mengersen Kerrie L.
Published: June 2016

Disease maps are effective tools for explaining and predicting patterns of disease outcomes across geographical space, identifying areas of potentially elevated risk, and formulating and validating aetiological hypotheses for a disease. Bayesian models have become a standard approach to disease mapping in recent decades. This article aims to provide a basic understanding of the key concepts involved in Bayesian disease mapping methods for areal data. It is anticipated that this will help in interpretation of published maps, and provide a useful starting point for anyone interested in running disease mapping methods for areal data. The article provides detailed motivation and descriptions on disease mapping methods by explaining the concepts, defining the technical terms, and illustrating the utility of disease mapping for epidemiological research by demonstrating various ways of visualising model outputs using a case study. The target audience includes spatial scientists in health and other fields, policy or decision makers, health geographers, spatial analysts, public health professionals, and epidemiologists.
The porous media equation in an infinite cylinder, between two infinite parallel plates, and like spatial domains
Authors: Gilding Brian H. , Goncerzewicz Jan
Published: June 2016

The porous media equation has played a prominent role in the current development of the mathematical theory of interfaces and free boundaries. One occurs whenever the equation is solved in an unbounded spatial domain with initial data that have bounded support, and its appearance is of relevance to the physical and biological phenomena that the equation models. For a number of commonly studied spatial domains, the large-time behaviour of a solution of the porous media equation and of the solution’s free boundary is known. The present paper is concerned with this topic for a class of spatial domains which includes an infinite and a semi-infinite strip in two-dimensional space, an infinite and a semi-infinite cylinder of arbitrary cross-section in three-dimensional space, certain subdomains of these domains, and, their higher dimensional analogues. The homogeneous Cauchy–Dirichlet problem with initial data that are locally integrable is considered. Dependent upon the dimensionality, it is shown that there is a universal pattern of convergence to a self-similar solution. Moreover, the large-time behaviour of the free boundary in every solution mimics that of the self-similar one. The results rely on the establishment of an invariance principle for solutions of the problem.
Evidence of Rickettsia and Orientia Infections Among Abattoir Workers in Djibouti
Authors: Horton Katherine C. , Jiang Ju , Maina Alice , Dueger Erica , Zayed Alia , Ahmed Ammar Abdo , Pimentel Guillermo , Richards Allen L.
Published: June 2016

Of 49 workers at a Djiboutian abattoir, eight (16%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9–29) were seropositive against spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), two (4%, 95% CI: 1–14) against typhus group rickettsiae, and three (6%, 95% CI: 2–17) against orientiae. One worker (9%, 95% CI: 2–38) seroconverted against orientiae during the study period. This is the first evidence of orientiae exposure in the Horn of Africa. SFGR were also identified by polymerase chain reaction in 32 of 189 (11%, 95% CI: 8–15) tick pools from 26 of 72 (36%) cattle. Twenty-five (8%, 95% CI: 6–12) tick pools were positive for Rickettsia africae, the causative agent of African tick-bite fever. Health-care providers in Djibouti should be aware of the possibility of rickettsiae infections among patients, although further research is needed to determine the impact of these infections in the country.
Opossums and Cat Fleas: New Insights in the Ecology of Murine Typhus in Galveston, Texas
Authors: Blanton Lucas S. , Idowu Boluwatife M. , Tatsch Tyler N. , Henderson Joshua M. , Bouyer Donald H. , Walker David H.
Published: June 2016

Murine typhus is an acute undifferentiated febrile illness caused by Rickettsia typhi. The classic reservoir (Rattus spp.) and flea vector (Xenopsylla cheopis) were once culprits of murine typhus in the United States. Vector and rodent control efforts have drastically decreased the prevalence of disease, except in a few endemic foci where opossums and cat fleas play a role in transmission. Since 2012, there has been a reemergence of murine typhus in Galveston, TX. We hypothesize that opossums and cat fleas are involved in the transmission of R. typhi in Galveston. To explore this, we sought to find the seroprevalence of typhus group antibodies from opossums. We also sought to find the prevalence of R. typhi in fleas parasitizing these animals. We collected blood from 12 opossums and found that eight (66.7%) had the presence of anti-R. typhi antibodies. All opossums were infested with fleas; a total of 250 Ctenocephalides felis fleas were collected from these animals. Seven opossums (53.8%) were infested with fleas that had molecular evidence of R. typhi infection, while six (46.2%) were infested with fleas that contained Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis, an organism closely related to R. felis. The minimum flea infection rate for R. typhi was 7.0%. The minimum infection rate for Candidatus R. senegalensis was 6.1%. Our study demonstrates that fleas infected with R. typhi parasitize opossums in Galveston. It is therefore likely that opossums and their fleas play a role in the city's recent reemergence of murine typhus.
Capilla Brennand: un lugar, tres muros, un piso, una cubierta y unos detalles
Authors: Verde Zein Ruth
Published: June 2016

A pesar de pequeña y discreta, no es una obra fácil de comprender, menos aún de digerir. Para poder apreciarla como merece, se requiere la suspensión de juicio y una aproximación cuidadosa y demorada en cada detalle. Como siempre –pero aquí en especial– describirla no es una tarea dispensable, sino un paso básico y fundamental. Más aún cuando sabemos quién es su autor, y por eso mismo, es grande la tentación de olvidarse de la cosa-obra y solo comentar a la persona-arquitecto; y aún mayor la tentación de intentar “explicarla” con metáforas de lo que no es, en vez de apreciar su carácter tectónico, la proporción, los vacíos y los materiales.
Estación de Tranvías en Niza. Francia
Authors: Marc Barani Atelier
Published: June 2016

La ciudad de Niza, escondida entre sus abruptas colinas y el mar, echa en falta espacio para acoger grandes infraestructuras. El proyecto, moldeado por esta restricción, se instala en un espacio residual encajado entre una autopista, sus vías de acceso e imponentes edificios de viviendas. Así pues, anida, en una geometría compleja, el centro de mantenimiento para el Tranvía, un aparcamiento y la estación terminal de la línea.
Cluster analysis of European surface ozone observations for evaluation of MACC reanalysis data
Authors: Lyapina Olga , Schultz Martin G. , Hense Andreas
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The high density of European surface ozone monitoring sites provides unique opportunities for the investigation of regional ozone representativeness and for the evaluation of chemistry climate models. The regional representativeness of European ozone measurements is examined through a cluster analysis (CA) of 4 years of 3-hourly ozone data from 1492 European surface monitoring stations in the Airbase database; the time resolution corresponds to the output frequency of the model that is compared to the data in this study. K-means clustering is implemented for seasonal–diurnal variations (i) in absolute mixing ratio units and (ii) normalized by the overall mean ozone mixing ratio at each site. Statistical tests suggest that each CA can distinguish between four and five different ozone pollution regimes. The individual clusters reveal differences in seasonal–diurnal cycles, showing typical patterns of the ozone behavior for more polluted stations or more rural background. The robustness of the clustering was tested with a series of k-means runs decreasing randomly the size of the initial data set or lengths of the time series. Except for the Po Valley, the clustering does not provide a regional differentiation, as the member stations within each cluster are generally distributed all over Europe. The typical seasonal, diurnal, and weekly cycles of each cluster are compared to the output of the multi-year global reanalysis produced within the Monitoring of Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC) project. While the MACC reanalysis generally captures the shape of the diurnal cycles and the diurnal amplitudes, it is not able to reproduce the seasonal cycles very well and it exhibits a high bias up to 12 nmol mol−1. The bias decreases from more polluted clusters to cleaner ones. Also, the seasonal and weekly cycles and frequency distributions of ozone mixing ratios are better described for clusters with relatively clean signatures. Due to relative sparsity of CO and NOx measurements these were not included in the CA. However, simulated CO and NOx mixing ratios are consistent with the general classification into more polluted and more background sites. Mean CO mixing ratios are within 140–145 nmol mol−1 (CL1–CL3) and 130–135 nmol mol−1 (CL4 and CL5), and NOx mixing ratios are within 4–6 nmol mol−1 and 2–3 nmol mol−1, respectively. These results confirm that relatively coarse-scale global models are more suitable for simulation of regional background concentrations, which are less variable in space and time. We conclude that CA of surface ozone observations provides a powerful and robust way to stratify sets of stations, being thus more suitable for model evaluation.
Observation of new particle formation and measurement of sulfuric acid, ammonia, amines and highly oxidized molecules using nitrate CI-APi-TOF at a rural site in central Germany
Authors: Kürten Andreas , Bergen Anton , Heinritzi Martin , Leiminger Markus , Lorenz Verena , Piel Felix , Simon Mario , Sitals Robert , Wagner Andrea , Curtius Joachim
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The exact mechanisms for new particle formation (NPF) under different boundary layer conditions are not known yet. One important question is if amines and sulfuric acid lead to efficient NPF in the atmosphere. Furthermore, it is not clear to what extent highly oxidized organic molecules (HOM) are involved in NPF. We conducted field measurements at a rural site in central Germany in the proximity of three larger dairy farms to investigate if there is a connection between NPF and the presence of amines and/or ammonia due to the local emissions from the farms. Comprehensive measurements using a nitrate Chemical Ionization-Atmospheric Pressure interface-Time Of Flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometer, a Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS), particle counters and Differential Mobility Analyzers (DMAs) as well as measurements of trace gases and meteorological parameters were performed. It is shown that the nitrate CI-APi-TOF is suitable for sensitive measurements of sulfuric acid, amines, a nitrosamine, ammonia, iodic acid and HOM. NPF was found to correlate with sulfuric acid, while an anti-correlation with RH, amines and ammonia is observed. The anti-correlation between NPF and amines could be due to the efficient uptake of these compounds by nucleating clusters and small particles. Much higher HOM dimer (C19/C20 compounds) concentrations during the night than during the day indicate that these HOM do not efficiently self-nucleate as no night-time NPF is observed. Observed iodic acid probably originates from an iodine-containing reservoir substance but the iodine signals are very likely too low to have a significant effect on NPF.
Atmospheric abundance and global emissions of perfluorocarbons CF4, C2F6 and C3F8 since 1900 inferred from ice core, firn, air archive and in situ measurements
Authors: Trudinger Cathy M. , Fraser Paul J. , Etheridge David M. , Sturges William T. , Vollmer Martin K. , Rigby Matt , Martinerie Patricia , Mühle Jens , Worton David R. , Krummel Paul B. , Steele L. Paul , Miller Benjamin R. , Laube Johannes , Mani Francis , Rayner Peter J. , Harth Christina M. , Witrant Emmanuel , Blunier Thomas , Schwander Jakob , O'Doherty Simon , Battle Mark
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are very potent and long-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, released predominantly during aluminium production and semiconductor manufacture. They have been targeted for emission controls under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Here we present the first continuous records of the atmospheric abundance and global emissions of CF4 (PFC-14), C2F6 (PFC-116) and C3F8 (PFC-218) from 1900 to 2014. The records are derived from high precision measurements of PFCs in air extracted from polar firn or ice at six sites (DE08, DE08-2, DSSW20K, EDML, NEEM and South Pole) and air archive tanks and atmospheric air sampled from both hemispheres. We take proper account of the age characteristics of the firn and ice core air samples and demonstrate excellent consistency between the ice core, firn and atmospheric measurements. In addition to an inversion for global emissions from 1900 to 2014, we also formulate the inversion to directly infer emission factors for PFC emissions due to aluminium production prior to the 1980s. We show that the late-Holocene pre-industrial level was 34.05 ± 0.33 ppt for CF4, and below detection limits of 0.002 ppt and 0.01 ppt for C2F6 and C3F8, respectively. We find a significant peak in CF4 and C2F6 emissions around 1940, most likely due to the high demand for aluminium during World War II, for example for construction of aircraft. The PFC emission factors for aluminium production in the early twentieth century were significantly higher than today, but have decreased since then due to improvements and better control of the smelting process. We see a temporary reduction of around 15 % in CF4 emissions in 2009, presumably associated with the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on aluminium and semiconductor production.
Variations of China's emission estimates response to uncertainties in energy statistics
Authors: Hong Chaopeng , Zhang Qiang , He Kebin , Guan Dabo , Li Meng , Liu Fei , Zheng Bo
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The accuracy of China's energy statistics is of great concern because it contributes greatly to the uncertainties in estimates of global emissions. This study attempts to improve the understanding of uncertainties in China's energy statistics and evaluate their impacts on China's emissions during the period of 1990–2013. We employed the Multi-resolution Emission Inventory for China (MEIC) model to calculate China's emissions based on different official datasets of energy statistics using the same emission factors. We found that the apparent uncertainties (maximum discrepancy) in China's energy consumption increased from 2004 to 2012, reaching a maximum of 646 Mtce (million tons of coal equivalent) in 2011, and that coal dominated these uncertainties. The discrepancies between the national and provincial energy statistics were reduced after the three economic censuses conducted during this period, and converging uncertainties were found in 2013. The emissions calculated from the provincial energy statistics are generally higher than those calculated from the national energy statistics, and the apparent uncertainty ratio (the ratio of the maximum discrepancy to the mean value) owing to energy uncertainties in 2012 took values of 30.0 %, 16.4 %, 7.7 %, 9.2 % and 15.6 %, for SO2, NOx, VOC, PM2.5 and CO2 emissions, respectively. SO2 emissions are most sensitive to energy uncertainties because of the high contributions from industrial coal combustion. The calculated emission trends are also greatly affected by energy uncertainties – from 1996 to 2012, CO2 and NOx emissions, respectively, increased by 191 % and 197 % according to the provincial energy statistics but by only 145 % and 139 % as determined from the original national energy statistics. The energy-induced emission uncertainties for some species such as SO2 and NOx are comparable to total uncertainties of emissions as estimated by previous studies, indicating variations at energy consumption could be an important source of China's emission uncertainties.
Recent divergences in stratospheric water vapor measurements by frost point hygrometers and the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder
Authors: Hurst Dale F. , Read William G. , Vömel Holger , Selkirk Henry B. , Rosenlof Karen H. , Davis Sean M. , Hall Emrys G. , Jordan Allen , Oltmans Samuel J.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Balloon-borne frost point hygrometers (FPs) and the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) provide high-quality vertical profile measurements of water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). A previous comparison of stratospheric water vapor measurements by FPs and MLS over three FP sites, Boulder, Colorado (40.0° N), Hilo, Hawaii (19.7° N) and Lauder, New Zealand (45.0° S), from August 2004 through December 2012, demonstrated agreement better than 1 % between 68 and 26 hPa, but also exposed statistically significant biases of 2 to 10 % at 83 and 100 hPa (Hurst et al., 2014). A simple linear regression analysis of the FPH-MLS differences revealed no significant long-term drifts between the two instruments. Here we extend the drift comparison to mid-2015 and add two FP sites, Lindenberg, Germany (52.2° N) and San José, Costa Rica (10.0° N) that employ FPs of different manufacture and calibration for their water vapor soundings. The extended comparison period reveals that stratospheric FP and MLS measurements over 4 of the 5 sites have diverged at rates of 0.03 to 0.07 ppmv yr−1 (0.6 to 1.5 % yr−1) from ~2010 to mid-2015. These rates are similar in magnitude to the 30-year (1980–2010) average growth rate of stratospheric water vapor (~1 % yr−1) measured by FPs over Boulder (Hurst et al., 2011). By mid-2015, the FP-MLS differences at some sites were large enough to exceed the combined accuracy estimates of the FP and MLS measurements.
Organic carbon burial efficiency in a subtropical hydroelectric reservoir
Authors: Mendonça Raquel , Kosten Sarian , Sobek Sebastian , Cardoso Simone Jaqueline , Figueiredo-Barros Marcos Paulo , Estrada Carlos Henrique Duque , Roland Fábio
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Hydroelectric reservoirs bury significant amounts of organic carbon (OC) in their sediments. Many reservoirs are characterized by high sedimentation rates, low oxygen concentrations in bottom water and a high share of terrestrially derived OC, and all of these factors have been linked to a high efficiency of OC burial. However, investigations of OC burial efficiency (OCBE, i.e., the ratio between buried and deposited OC) in reservoirs are limited to a few studies, none of which include spatially resolved analyses. In this study we determined the spatial variation in OCBE in a large subtropical reservoir and related it to sediment characteristics. Our results show that the sediment accumulation rate explains up to 92 % of the spatial variability in OCBE, outweighing the effect of other variables, such as OC source and oxygen exposure time. OCBE at the pelagic sites varied from 48 to 86 % (mean 67 %) and decreased towards the dam. At the margins, OCBE was lower (9–17 %) due to the low sediment accumulation in shallow areas. Our data show that the variability in OCBE both along the rivers–dam and the margin–pelagic axes must be considered in whole-reservoir assessments. Combining these results with a spatially resolved assessment of sediment accumulation and OC burial in the studied reservoir, we estimated a spatially resolved mean OC burial efficiency of 57 %. Being the first assessment of OCBE with such a high spatial resolution in a reservoir, these results suggest that reservoirs may bury OC more efficiently than natural lakes.