bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local air pollution from oil rig emissions observed during the airborne DACCIWA campaign
Authors: Brocchi Vanessa , Krysztofiak Gisèle , Deroubaix Adrien , Stratmann Greta , Sauer Daniel , Schlager Hans , Deetz Konrad , Dayma Guillaume , Robert Claude , Chevrier Stéphane , Catoire Valéry
Published: September 2019

Abstract. In the framework of the European DACCIWA
(Dynamics–Aerosol–Chemistry–Cloud Interactions in West Africa) project, the
airborne study APSOWA (Atmospheric Pollution from Shipping and Oil platforms
of West Africa) was conducted in July 2016 to study oil rig emissions off
the Gulf of Guinea. Two flights in the marine boundary layer were focused on
the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel operating off
the coast of Ghana. Those flights present simultaneous sudden increases in
NO2 and aerosol concentrations. Unlike what can be found in flaring
emission inventories, no increase in SO2 was detected, and an increase
in CO is observed only during one of the two flights. Using FLEXPART (FLEXible PARTicle
dispersion model)
simulations with a regional NO2 satellite flaring inventory in forward-trajectory mode, our study reproduces the timing of the aircraft NO2
enhancements. Several sensitivity tests on the flux and the injection height
are also performed, leading to the conclusion that a lower NO2 flux
helps in better reproducing the measurements and that the modification of the
injection height does not impact the results of the
simulations significantly.
Air pollution slows down surface warming over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Jia Aolin , Liang Shunlin , Wang Dongdong , Jiang Bo , Zhang Xiaotong
Published: September 2019

Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays a vital role in regional and global climate change. The TP has been undergoing significant surface warming since 1850, with an air temperature increase of 1.39 K and surface solar dimming resulting from decreased incident solar radiation. The causes and impacts of solar dimming on surface warming are unclear. In this study, long-term (from 1850–2015) surface downward radiation datasets over the TP are developed by integrating 18 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models and satellite products. The validation results from two ground measurement networks show that the generated downward surface radiation datasets have higher accuracy than the mean of multiple CMIP5 and the fused datasets of reanalysis and satellite products. After analyzing the generated radiation data with four air temperature datasets, we found that downward shortwave radiation (DSR) remained stable before 1950 and then declined rapidly at a rate of −0.53 W m−2 per decade and that the fastest decrease in DSR is in the southeastern TP. Evidence from site measurements, satellite observations, reanalysis, and model simulations suggested that TP solar dimming was primarily driven by increased anthropogenic aerosols. The TP solar dimming is stronger in summer, at the same time that the increasing magnitude of the surface air temperature is the smallest. The cooling effect of solar dimming offsets surface warming on the TP by 0.80 ± 0.28 K (48.6 ± 17.3 %) in summer. It helps us understand the role of anthropogenic aerosols in climate warming, and highlights the need for additional studies to be conducted to quantify the influence of air pollution on regional climate change over the TP.
Condensation/immersion mode ice nucleating particles in a boreal environment
Authors: Paramonov Mikhail , Drossaart van Dusseldorp Saskia , Gute Ellen , Abbatt Jonathan P. D. , Heikkilä Paavo , Keskinen Jorma , Chen Xuemeng , Luoma Krista , Heikkinen Liine , Hao Liqing , Petäjä Tuukka , Kanji Zamin A.
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Ice nucleating particle (INP) measurements were performed in the boreal environment of southern Finland at the Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations SMEAR II in the winter-spring of 2018. Measurements with the Portable Ice Nucleation Chamber (PINC) were conducted at 242 K and 105 % relative humidity with respect to water. The median INP number concentration [INP] during a six-week measurement period was found to be 13 L−1. [INP] spanned 3 orders of magnitude and showed a general increase from mid-February until early April. No persistent local or regional sources of INPs in the boreal environment of southern Finland could be identified. Rather, it is hypothesised that the INPs at SMEAR II are a result of dilution during long-range transport. Despite high variability, the measured [INP] values fall within the range expected for INP number concentrations measured elsewhere at similar thermodynamic conditions. [INP] did not correlate with any of the examined relevant parameters during the entire field campaign, indicating that no one single parameter can be used to predict the INP number concentration at the measurement location during the examined time period. The absence of correlation across the entire field campaign also suggests that a variety of particles are acting as INPs at different times, although it was indirectly determined that, on average, ambient INPs are most likely in the size range of 0.1–0.5 μm in diameter. On shorter time scales, several particle species correlated well with [INP] implying their potential role as INPs. Depending on the meteorological conditions, signatures of black carbon (BC), supermicron biological particles and sub-0.1 μm particles, most likely nanoscale biological fragments such as ice nucleating macromolecules (INMs), have been found in the INP signal. However, an increase in the concentration of any of these particle species may not necessarily lead to the increase in [INP], reasons for which remain unknown. Limitations of the instrumental setup and the necessity of the future field INP studies are addressed.
peakTree: a framework for structure-preserving radar Doppler spectra analysis
Authors: Radenz Martin , Bühl Johannes , Seifert Patric , Griesche Hannes , Engelmann Ronny
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Clouds are frequently composed of more than one particle population even at the smallest scales. Cloud radar observations frequently contain information on multiple particle species in the observation volume when there are distinct peaks in the Doppler spectrum. Multi-peaked situations are not taken into account by established algorithms, which only use moments of the Doppler spectrum. In this study, we propose a new algorithm that recursively represents the subpeaks as nodes in a binary tree. Using this tree data structure to represent the peaks of a Doppler spectrum, it is possible to drop all a priori assumptions on the number and arrangement of subpeaks. The approach is rigid, unambiguous and can provide a basis for advanced analysis methods.
The applicability is briefly demonstrated in two case studies, in which the tree structure was used to investigate particle populations in Arctic multilayered mixed-phase clouds, which were observed during the research vessel Polarstern expedition PS106 and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program BAECC campaign.
Dust mass, cloud condensation nuclei, and ice-nucleating particle profiling with polarization lidar: updated POLIPHON conversion factors from global AERONET analysis
Authors: Ansmann Albert , Mamouri Rodanthi-Elisavet , Hofer Julian , Baars Holger , Althausen Dietrich , Abdullaev Sabur F.
Published: September 2019

Abstract. The POLIPHON (Polarization Lidar Photometer Networking) method permits the retrieval of particle number, surface area, and volume concentration for dust and non-dust aerosol components. The obtained microphysical properties are used to estimate height profiles of particle mass, cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) and ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentrations. The conversion of aerosol-type-dependent particle extinction coefficients, derived from polarization lidar observations, into the aerosol microphysical properties (number, surface area, volume) forms the central part of the POLIPHON computations. The conversion parameters are determined from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) aerosol climatologies of optical and microphysical properties. In this article, we focus on the dust-related POLIPHON retrieval products and present an extended set of dust conversion factors considering all relevant deserts around the globe. We apply the new conversion factor set to a dust measurement with polarization lidar in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in central Asia. Strong aerosol layering was observed with mineral dust advected from Kazakhstan (0–2 km height), Iran (2–5 km), the Arabian peninsula (5–7 km), and the Sahara (8–10 km). POLIPHON results obtained with different sets of conversion parameters were contrasted in this central Asian case study and permitted an estimation of the conversion uncertainties.
Performance of the IRI-2016 at the Brazilian low-latitude ionosphere over the South America Magnetic Anomaly during solar minimum
Authors: Moro Juliano , Xu Jiyao , Marcos De Nardin Clezio , Cristina Araújo Resende Laysa , Pereira Silva Régia , Su Chen Sony , Arlan da Silva Picanço Giorgio , Zhengkuan Liu , Li Hui , Yan Chunxiao , Wang Chi , Jorge Schuch Nelson
Published: September 2019

Abstract. In this work we analyse the ionograms obtained by the recent Digisonde installed in Santa Maria (29.7º S, 53.7º W, dip angle = − 37º), Brazil, to calculate the monthly averages of the F2 layer critical frequency (foF2), its peak height (hmF2), and the E-region critical frequency (foE) acquired during geomagnetically quiet days from September 2017 to August 2018. The monthly averages are compared to the 2016 version of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model predictions in order to study its performance close to the center of the South America Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA), which is a region particularly important for High Frequency (HF) ground-to-satellite navigation signals. The foF2 estimated with the Consultative Committee International Radio (CCIR) and International Union of Radio Science (URSI) options predicts well throughout the year. Whereas, for hmF2, it is recommended to use the SHU-2015 option instead of the other available options (AMTB2013 and BSE-1979). The IRI-2016 model outputs for foE and the observations presented very good agreements.
The Tall Tower Dataset. A unique initiative to boost wind energy
research
Authors: Ramon Jaume , Lledó Llorenç , Pérez-Zañón Núria , Soret Albert , Doblas-Reyes Francisco J.
Published: September 2019

Abstract. A dataset containing quality controlled wind observations from 222 tall towers has been created. Wind speed and wind direction measurements have been collected from existing tall towers around the world in an effort to boost the utilisation of these non-standard atmospheric datasets, especially within the wind energy and research fields. The observations taken at several heights greater than 10 metres above ground level have been retrieved from various sparse datasets and compiled in a unique collection with a common format, access, documentation and quality control. For the latter, a total of 18 Quality Control checks have been considered to ensure the high quality of the wind records. Non-quality-controlled temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure data from the towers have also been obtained and included in the dataset. The Tall Tower Dataset (Ramon and Lledó, 2019a) is published in the repository EUDAT and made available at https://doi.org/10.23728/b2share.0d3a99db75df4238820ee548f35ee36b.
Efficient estimation of effective hydraulic properties of stratal undulating surface layer using time-lapse multi-channel GPR
Authors: Pan Xicai , Jaumann Stefan , Zhang Jiabao , Roth Kurt
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Multi-scale soil architectures in shallow subsurface are
widespread in natural and anthropogenic depositional environments,
and acquisition of the surface stratal structure and hydrological properties are essential in quantifying water cycling. Geophysical methods like
ground-penetrating radar (GPR) can provide quantitative information like
soil architecture and spatiotemporal soil water content distribution for the shallow layer. Concerning the informative multi-dimensional water flow in the surface layer with an undulating bottom at the plot scale, this study
assesses the feasibility of efficiently estimating soil hydraulic properties using a few time-lapse multi-channel GPR observations, namely soil water storage and layer thickness of the surface layer, at reclamation land near an old river channel. We show that effective hydraulic properties of the surface layer can be obtained with a small number of time-lapse GPR measurements during a rainfall event. Additionally, we analyze the effect of some key factors controlling the informative lateral water redistribution on
the results of the proposed approach using synthetic simulations.
Jeffrey M. Leichman, Acting UP. Staging the Subject in Enlightenment France
Authors: Woodward Servanne
Published: September 2019

Book review
Le sublime de Burke. Transpositions : une assignation par la peinture française
Authors: Streicher Corinne
Published: September 2019

C’est le passage d’une notion philosophique, celle du sublime dans l’espace anglais qui s’offre en perspective dans la peinture française. Lorsqu’il s’agit de la tentative de peindre le sublime c’est le peintre Joseph Vernet (1714-1789) qui élabore une visualité picturale, suivie par toute une école de paysagistes qui se détournent de l’organisation classique d’une belle Nature. Les peintures de paysage de tempête s’inscrivent en effet dans un esprit très différent qui renverse les rapports de pouvoir entre l’homme et la nature. La représentation du paysage chez Vernet est plus intense que ce qu’on trouve chez tous ses contemporains. Le paysage est réinventé, la lumière est sublimée, les ciels sont tourmentés et les mers sont déchaînées.

Le sublime peut être abordé par des images (les peintures) et dans le cadre d’un dialogue avec le texte de Burke (Recherches philosophiques sur l’origine de nos idées du sublime et du beau). Les mêmes variations accompagnent le peintre et le philosophe et nous renvoient à un souci de parler de plusieurs espaces culturels dans leur difficile transposition, à la fois par leur altérité, mais aussi par leur curieuse objectivation. Il s’agira ici d’analyser les écarts entre ce qui est représenté et ce qui est dit, en prenant comme fil conducteur l’analyse du motif de la tempête dans son croisement avec ce qui est aussi l’irreprésentable de la peinture si l’on se réfère à sa genèse avec le texte de Pline.
MOVIMENTO ESTUDANTIL: AS OCUPAÇÕES NAS ESCOLAS ESTADUAIS DE SÃO PAULO
Authors: Souza Roseli Trevisan Marques de , Catani Afrânio Mendes
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo é parte de uma pesquisa que compõe a tese de doutorado em desenvolvimento que tem por objeto o projeto de reorganização e as ocupações nas escolas públicas do Estado de São Paulo no ano de 2015. De abordagem qualitativa (LUDKE; ANDRÉ, 2013), enquadra-se como pesquisa participante (SCHMIDT, 2006; BRANDÃO; BORGES, 2007) concebida como um instrumento, um método de ação científica ou um momento de um trabalho popular de dimensão pedagógica e política, quase sempre mais amplo e de maior continuidade do que a própria pesquisa (BRANDÃO; BORGES, 2007) procurando alinhar teoria e prática sob um viés crítico-reflexivo. Este estudo em particular tem por objetivo apresentar as impressões iniciais sobre as ocupações das escolas paulistas identificando se a contraposição feita pelos manifestantes pode reverter uma realidade político-social que visa reduzir gastos com a educação. Para situar historicamente o tema, será apresentado um breve panorama dos movimentos estudantis de 1960 aos nossos dias, destacando, nesse processo, a trajetória das ocupações das unidades escolares públicas pelo Brasil com ênfase no acontecimento do estado paulista em 2015 e finalizando com reflexão crítica sobre a motivação discente face ao anúncio do governo estadual do projeto de reorganização e sobre a relevância da organização estudantil para o exercício da cidadania.
PAIS NOSSOS QUE ESTÃO NOS CÉUS... E TAMBÉM NA UNIVERSIDADE: O QUE PENSAM OS UNIVERSITÁRIOS?
Authors: Kuchnir Jonatas Michel , Campos Névio De
Published: September 2019

Este artigo objetiva identificar as representações dos estudantes universitários do Curso de Letras sobre a relação entre Estado e Religião, tomando como pano de fundo a proposta de criação da Capela Ecumênica no Campus Uvaranas, aprovada pelo Conselho Universitário da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa e a prática de orações no interior das escolas públicas brasileiras a fim de perceber as posições dos estudantes de Letras. Apoia-se em dados oriundos de questionários aplicados as cinco turmas do curso de Licenciatura em Letras e no conceito de representação de Roger Chartier e Pierre Bourdieu. Ao cruzar as variáveis de idade, de sexo e de religião com as opiniões expressas pelos acadêmicos sobre ter capela em instituição de ensino superior pública e prática de orações em escolas públicas é possível sustentar que os estudantes apresentam uma fronteira tênue entre Religião e Estado.
Inleiding bij de dubbelrecensie Wij zijn ons en Veerkrachtig bestuur
Authors: Bannink Duco
Published: September 2019

Introduction to the ‘mutual review’ of Trommel and Van Ostaijen

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Een krachtig pleidooi voor veerkrachtige bestuurssociologie
Authors: van Ostaijen Mark
Published: September 2019

A strong plea for resilient administrative sociology

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
THE SCALE OF INVESTMENT ACTIVITY OF COMMERCIAL FARMS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS
Authors: Mikołajczyk Jarosław , Wojewodzic Tomasz , Sroka Wojciech
Published: September 2019

The aim of the research was to identify the scale of investment activity in commercial farms located within different distances of large urban centres. The research covered six voivodships: Lower Silesia, the Lubelskie Voivodship, Lesser Poland, Masovia, Pomerania and Greater Poland. The source of data used in the analyses was the database of the Polish FADN system. Out of the 3,508 farms participating in the system, over an uninterrupted period between 2004 and 2016, entities operating within the study area were selected and classified into three groups: the inner zone of the metropolitan area, the outer zone of the metropolitan area and others (outside metropolitan areas). Out of the population of 1,668 commercial farms that were selected, 46 operated in the inner zone of metropolitan areas, while 143 – in the outer zone. The averaged values for the distinguished groups were subjected to a comparative analysis. The research showed that farms in metropolitan areas have more factors of production (especially land) and demonstrate faster growth compared to farms located outside the zones of a city’s economic impact. They also spend higher amounts on investment and show a higher investment rate. The scale of investment activity of farms located in metropolitan zones gives such entities a real chance of gaining a competitive advantage (both in resources and production) over farms located outside metropolitan areas.
INCOME FROM VINEYARD FARMS ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC SIZE IN SELECTED EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES
Authors: Maciejczak Mariusz , Filipiak Tadeusz , Gardinam Massimo
Published: September 2019

The wine sector is of great importance for many national economies of EU countries. The European Union is a world leader in area under grape cultivation and wine production. The goal of the paper was to determine the profitability of farms specializing in winegrape production depending on economic size in selected EU countries in the years 2004-2016. In addition, the level of farm income per 1 ha of viticulture was determined, as well as the level of family income and the share of total subsidies in total income. Overall, it was found that there was an increase in income, however income increased along with economic size. In the examined period, growth was only observed from the fourth economic class (EUR 50-100 thousand). Additionally, the share of income subsidies under CAP decreased along with economic size. The conducted research gave light to information that could prove vital to adapt the European vineyard and wine sector to the opportunities and needs of the market, namely by taking into account the links between economies of scale and economies of scope.
MARKET ADJUSTMENTS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCERS TO CHANGING DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS IN SELECTED EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES AFTER 2012
Authors: Guth Marta , Bieniek-Majka Maryla , Maican Silvia
Published: September 2019

The purpose of the article was to indicate selected distribution channels in groups and organizations of fruit and vegetable producers in countries with different agrarian structures and cultures of horizontal organization, as well as identify differences in preferred distribution channels. Based on the literature review, changes in the supply chain of agri-food products were presented and the growing importance of retail chains was pointed out. Using the data obtained from the European Commission, the weight of individual distribution channels was presented, and by Ward agglomeration cluster analysis using Euclidean distances, 3 disjointed clusters of countries with different characteristics of fruit and vegetable producer groups/organizations were selected. The first cluster consisted of few producer groups/organizations from Great Britain, Denmark and Romania, whose members engaged in a relatively large area of land and dedicated (65%) their production to retail chains, thus obtaining, on average, higher effects (measured by sales value) attributable to both the group/organization and hectare of land. In contrast, the third cluster included producers from countries that are leaders in the production of fruit and vegetables in Europe, that is, from Spain, Italy, France and Poland. What was characteristic for them was that many members possessing a relatively small area of land joined groups/organisations. They dedicated their production (25%) to retail chains, and their advantage, which may affect the largest share of the average value of sales per member, is the processing of raw materials as part of their own operations.
FINANCIALIZATION AND SPECULATION IN AGRICULTURE – POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE FINANCIALIZATION OF THE ECONOMY
Authors: Franc-Dąbrowska Justyna
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to present the phenomenon of financialization, with consideration for its dual nature: the negatively-perceived side, which is said to have contributed to the financial crisis of 2007-2008, and the positive, which influences the production of real value, especially in the agricultural land market. It was found that the value of agricultural land is increasing, along with the average annual prices of agricultural products paid for by economic entities purchasing directly from producers. The financialization of the economy after 2007 is not only associated with increases in value brought about by investments in new financial instruments, but with the process of investors transferring agricultural raw materials to commodity and agricultural land markets. The study found that both institutional investors and farmers invest in agricultural land, with a view to benefiting from the advantages of future increases in their value. There are, however, limitations on the potential purchase of agricultural land by institutional investors, which, as a result, create a price barrier on the purchase of land by actual farmers.
Reporting of financial ratios by (Polish) public companies
Authors: Masztalerz Marek
Published: September 2019

The article is the result of an original empirical study and complements the cognitive gap in existing
studies on the reporting of financial indicators – no comparisons have been made so far between different
types of messages. The purpose of the article is to identify and compare the scope of voluntary disclosures
of financial ratios in the announcements of public companies included in the WIG20 index. The
study includes the analysis the content of messages posted by companies on websites, such as financial
statements, annual report, auditor's report, letter of the president to shareholders, presentation of results
for investors, spreadsheet with financial data and data published directly on the website. In total, 106
messages were examined. Content analysis, descriptive and comparative analysis, and the induction
method were used. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that selected financial indicators
(out of a total of 22 reported indicators in the surveyed population) are presented in various messages,
while companies make different choices regarding the type of indicators, place of publication and calculation
formulas used. The EBITDA-based ratios were the most popular, which is a surprising finding.
DETERMINANTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY FARMS BREEDING ANIMALS OF CONSERVATIVE BREEDS
IN CONDITIONS OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Authors: Żmija Janusz
Published: September 2019

The aim of the research was to determine the role and significance of natural, economic and social conditions influencing the development of family farms keeping animals of conservative breeds in conditions of sustainable agriculture. Family farms are conducive to the sustainable development of agriculture, particularly in farms which keep animals of conservative breeds. These breeds are well adapted to local, often difficult, environmental and climatic conditions, have a high reproductive capacity and high survival rate, and the products obtained from them have a high nutritional value. Conservation breeds are suitable for traditional breeding on family farms that farm in harmony with the natural and social environment. The research was carried out in family farms in south-eastern Poland. Taking into account the functions performed by family farms, especially those of small scale production, and the influence of various factors on their development, an evaluation of changes from a structural, social and environmental point of view was carried out in this study. In order to achieve the assumed objectives, the following research methods were used: indicator method, descriptive method, vertical and horizontal comparative method, cause and effect analysis. Research has shown that conservation breeds are well adapted to local environmental conditions; they can be maintained on poor fodder resources on the basis of permanent grassland, enabling areas of high landscape value to be managed and protected, and their products are of high quality. Family farms with conservative breeds also influence natural and landscape features as well as social and cultural features of a given region.
RESOURCES AND EFFECTIVE CONDITIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CEREAL AND OIL PLANTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors: Czakowski Dariusz , Czyżewski Andrzej
Published: September 2019

The aim of the article was to compare the resource conditions and efficiency of cereal and oil plant production in individual EU member states and assess changes over the analyzed decade 2007-2016. This implementation was used to construct three indicators regarding resource conditions, which are the relation of land and labor (area of agricultural land/labor input AWU), capital and land (value of fixed assets/area of agricultural land), and capital and labor (value of fixed assets/labor input AWU). In turn, production efficiency was determined using the following indicators: the ratio of production and land (value of production/area of agricultural land), production and labor (value of production/labor input AWU) and production and capital (value of production/value of fixed assets). The above indicators were developed for the years 2007-2009, 2010-2013 and 2014-2016, and then the position in ranking and distance from the model for each country were determined using the Hellwig method. The research used data from the Accounting Data Network from Agricultural Holdings. The obtained results indicate a high level of convergence between the resources owned by agricultural holdings and production results achieved. There was also a significant difference between the development of individual resource and efficiency indicators in favor of producers from the so-called “old Union”, towards countries that joined the EU after 2004. However, comparing the results achieved in individual periods, it can be concluded that this disproportion was diminishing.
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY AS A DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE FOR COOPERATIVE BANKS IN POLAND
Authors: Kata Ryszard
Published: September 2019

In paper the economic and financial efficiency of cooperative banks in Poland in 2004-2018 was assessed. It was developed and the efficiency gap ratio, which determines the efficiency gap of cooperative banks towards commercial banks in particular areas of banking activity, was applied. It was shown that the effectiveness of cooperative banks compared to commercial banks is gradually deteriorating, which was already visible from 2013. Negative trends mainly concern the return on assets and the return on equity, the ability to transform deposits into loans to customers and the quality of the loan portfolio. It was found that the deterioration of economic and financial efficiency of cooperative banks occurred primarily in 2015-2018, in conditions of a good macroeconomic situation in Poland. This means that the reasons for the weakening of cooperative bank efficiency are internal sources, i.e. the model of a bank’s operation and the organization and rules of functioning of cooperative bank associations. The reversal of these negative trends is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of cooperative banks and requires changes in their business model and strengthening intra-group integration. This will reduce the operating costs of banks and achieve economies of scale.
Proposition de protocoles pour la surveillance de l’état de conservation de sept coléoptères saproxyliques de la Directive Habitats-Faune-Flore
Authors: BRUSTEL Hervé , BRAUD Yoan , GOUIX Nicolas , GAZAY Camille , NOBLECOURT Thierry , VALLADARES Lionel , VIGNON Vincent , TOUROULT Julien
Published: September 2019

La Directive Habitats-Faune-Flore (DHFF) prévoit un suivi dans le temps de l’état de conservation des espèces d’intérêt communautaire. En France, cette surveillance reste peu développée pour les invertébrés. Des protocoles nationaux sont proposés pour sept espèces de coléoptères saproxyliques rares ou à caractère « parapluie » : Stephanopachys linearis (Kugelann, 1792) et Stephanopachys substriatus (Paykull, 1800) (Bostrichidae), Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758 et Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cerambycidae), Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763) (Trichiinae), Limoniscus violaceus (P.W.J. Müller,1821) (Elateridae) et Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) (Rhysodinae). La DHFF définit quatre paramètres d’état de conservation : l’aire de répartition, la taille des populations, l’habitat d’espèce et les perspectives futures. À partir de la littérature sur l’écologie et la conservation de ces espèces et de l’expertise des auteurs sur les populations françaises, la réflexion a porté sur des protocoles économiquement et techniquement réalistes pour effectuer une veille à large échelle. Pour ces espèces rares et discrètes, les mesures directes des tailles de populations ne paraissent pas opérationnelles. Il est proposé de confirmer l’occupation des sites (voire de détecter de nouvelles localités) et de suivre les micro-habitats clés de chacune de ces espèces. Ce focus sur l’habitat d’espèce doit permettre de faire le lien avec les pressions et les mesures de gestion. Un recours à la modélisation et aux observatoires participatifs est envisagé pour préciser la distribution de certaines espèces. Il est préconisé de mobiliser des statistiques de l’inventaire forestier national en les affinant à l’échelle de la distribution de chaque espèce. Un tableau résume les propositions pour chaque espèce : paramètres visés, plan et unités d’échantillonnage, techniques et matériel, périodes favorables, possibilité d’impliquer les gestionnaires, périodicité des relevés, types d’indicateurs, éléments de coûts et perspectives de recherche.Ces propositions sont discutées en termes de moyens nécessaires et au regard des rares protocoles disponibles dans les pays concernés par ces espèces, notamment en Italie.
Transforming Technology Into High-Value Solutions for Compelling Biomedical Needs: Bio Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 2.0
Authors: Boni Arthur
Published: September 2019

Startups are an important source of innovation for any industry, particularly for disruptive or transformative innovations enabled by technology. Therefore, it is no surprise that the startup community has been and continues to be an essential component at the “front end” of the evolving ecosystem for biopharma, MedTech and digital medicine. Challenges exist for the startups, the evolving community of accelerators, and their commercializing partners who form alliances with the startup community to achieve and accelerate transformative innovation.
A problemática ambiental dos poluentes emergentes: possíveis impactos por hormônios sexuais
Authors: Lima Jerri Adriano Vieira , Stachiw Rosalvo , Militão Julio Sancho Linhares Teixeira
Published: September 2019

O aumento da contaminação dos recursos hídricos tem preocupado a comunidade científica, em relação a qualidade das águas, tendo em vista que é um dos elementos primordiais a continuação da vida no planeta. A fragilidade dos sistemas de saneamento, aliadas ao crescimento populacional, tem auxiliado para que esgoto domésticos e efluentes industriais sejam lançados em águas superficiais. Uma classe de poluentes tem chamado a atenção de várias autoridades e pesquisadores: Contaminantes Emergentes (CE) ou Poluentes Emergentes (PE), são substâncias encontradas em concentrações muito baixas em ordem de nanogramas ou picogramas. A partir de um desenho metodológico dessa problemática, utilizou-se o método dedutivo e abordagem qualitativa, bem como técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica, onde pode-se constatar que dentre os contaminantes os Interferentes Endócrinos (IE), tem-se destacado, devido seu potencial em causar danos à saúde humana e de outras espécies animais, o que levou a Agência de Proteção Ambiental dos Estados Unidos (USEPA) a definir como umas das 6 áreas de pesquisas mais importantes. Os hormônios sexuais femininos (HSF) estão dentre os interferentes endócrinos que merecem uma devida atenção. Os hormônios femininos ou estrógenos podem ser naturais (produzidas pelo organismo animal) tais como: 17ß-estradiol, estriol, estrona ou sintéticas (17a-etinilestradiol) produzidos para fins de reposição hormonal ou como métodos contraceptivos. Dessa forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo esclarecer a comunidade acadêmica e sociedade em geral sobre a problemática em torno dos Poluentes Emergentes, em especial, os hormônios sexuais.
A Flow Formulation for Horizontal Coordinate Assignment with Prescribed Width
Authors: Jünger Michael , Mutzel Petra , Spisla Christiane
Published: September 2019

We consider the coordinate assignment phase of the Sugiyama framework for drawing directed graphs in a hierarchical style.
The extensive literature in this area has given comparatively little attention to a prescribed width of the drawing.
We present a minimum cost flow formulation that supports prescribed width and optionally other criteria like lower and upper bounds on the distance of neighboring nodes in a layer or enforced vertical edge segments.
In our experiments we demonstrate that our approach can compete with state-of-the-art algorithms.
Los centros penitenciarios en Cataluña. Una visión general
Authors: Farelo Gil Antonio
Published: September 2019

La idea del autor fue hacer una aplicación web sobre la historia de las prisiones y la situación actual de los centros penitenciarios en Cataluña.
Elegir el mejor hosting para profesionales del desarrollo web
Authors: García Bonilla Josep
Published: September 2019

Damos un repaso a las principales características a considerar por los desarrolladores web antes de escoger un proveedor de hosting.
Rereading of the genetic origins of cancer: the puzzle of all eras
Authors: Abumsimir Berjas , Kasmi Yassine , Ennaji Moulay Mustapha
Published: September 2019

This is a scientific introduction to review the concept of cancer from a purely genetic perspective in which we try to link the development of tumors by the driving force of the evolution of living beings: the mutations. And to prove the assumption that cancer diversity has a parallel route instead of the whole development process of the cell. Calling for expanding the rolling concept of cancer and tumors definition in general. Which may contribute to altering the angle of our vision to this dangerous biological phenomenon. This call is based on the hypothesis that cancer is a genetic phenomenon that has arisen on the margins of the evolution process, that has continued since the beginning of creation. The pieces of evidence and indications that support this view were presented successively.
The impact of the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) on the radiation of Early Jurassic dinoflagellate cysts in the Lusitanian Basin, Portugal
Authors: Fraguito Correia Vânia , Riding James B. , Duarte Luís V. , Fernandes Paulo , Pereira Zélia
Published: September 2019

Dinoflagellates, together with diatoms and coccolithophores, form a major element of the marine eukaryotic phytoplankton, and are significant primary producers. Based on the fossil record, dinoflagellates appeared in Middle Triassic and during the Early Jurassic (late Pliensbachian) and underwent an important evolutionary radiation episode, with the occurrence of around 40 new species. The Lower Jurassic is particularly well-developed in the Lusitanian Basin of central western Portugal. This depocentre is filled mainly with marine Jurassic sediments, characterized by marl-limestone alternations. We analysed 214 samples from six Lower Jurassic sections in the Lusitanian Basin. The Pliensbachian–Toarcian succession in the Lusitanian Basin is characterised by relatively low dinoflagellate cyst diversity. Only fifteen taxa were recorded; these are assigned to seven genera. These are Luehndea, Mancodinium, Mendicodinium, Nannoceratopsis, Scriniocassis, Sentusidinium and Valvaeodinium. At the base of upper Pliensbachian (Amaltheus margaritatus ammonite biozone) the first dinoflagellate cyst appearances in the Lusitanian Basin are recorded, corresponding to the late Pliensbachian radiation event of this group. We identified the inceptions of Mancodinium semitabulatum, Luehndea spinosa, which belong to the family Mancodiniaceae, Nannoceratopsis gracilis and Nannoceratopsis senex, representing the family Nannoceratopsiaceae are also present. This family is confined to the Jurassic and the genus Nannoceratopsis is the only representative. These taxa became very common and abundant throughout the remaining late Pliensbachian and early Toarcian (Dactylioceras polymorphum ammonite biozone), before the T-OAE. The T-OAE in the Lusitanian Basin is expressed at the base of Hildaites levisoni ammonite biozone and is characterised by the apparent extinction of Luehndea spinosa and the disappearance of all dinoflagellate cyst taxa. During the remaining Toarcian only four new genera and families were identified and the abundance of this group is consistently very low. Apparently, the palaeoenvironmental changes associated with the T-OAE were more extensive in the Lusitanian Basin, compared with coeval basins in northern Europe. Hence, the T-OAE in this basin strongly affected the dinoflagellate cyst evolution patterns. Nevertheless, the late Toarcian of the Lusitanian Basin included an important evolutionary episode, namely the emergence of the first Gonyaulacaceae, due to the appearance of Sentusidinium. The family Gonyaulacaceae continued their diversification and became the most abundant family of cyst-forming dinoflagellates in the fossil record. In conclusion, the late Pliensbachian radiation of dinoflagellate cysts is well documented in the Lusitanian Basin and the T-OAE drastically affected the morphological experimentation period of this group during the remaining Early Jurassic.
Lack of activity of recombinant HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) on reported non-HIF substrates
Authors: Cockman Matthew E , Lippl Kerstin , Tian Ya-Min , Pegg Hamish B , Figg William D , Abboud Martine I , Heilig Raphael , Fischer Roman , Myllyharju Johanna , Schofield Christopher J , Ratcliffe Peter J
Published: September 2019

Human and other animal cells deploy three closely related dioxygenases (PHD 1, 2 and 3) to signal oxygen levels by catalysing oxygen regulated prolyl hydroxylation of the transcription factor HIF. The discovery of the HIF prolyl-hydroxylase (PHD) enzymes as oxygen sensors raises a key question as to the existence and nature of non-HIF substrates, potentially transducing other biological responses to hypoxia. Over 20 such substrates are reported. We therefore sought to characterise their reactivity with recombinant PHD enzymes. Unexpectedly, we did not detect prolyl-hydroxylase activity on any reported non-HIF protein or peptide, using conditions supporting robust HIF-α hydroxylation. We cannot exclude PHD-catalysed prolyl hydroxylation occurring under conditions other than those we have examined. However, our findings using recombinant enzymes provide no support for the wide range of non-HIF PHD substrates that have been reported.
Processing of different spatial scales in the human brain
Authors: Peer Michael , Ron Yorai , Monsa Rotem , Arzy Shahar
Published: September 2019

Humans navigate across a range of spatial scales, from rooms to continents, but the brain systems underlying spatial cognition are usually investigated only in small-scale environments. Do the same brain systems represent and process larger spaces? Here we asked subjects to compare distances between real-world items at six different spatial scales (room, building, neighborhood, city, country, continent) under functional MRI. Cortical activity showed a gradual progression from small to large scale processing, along three gradients extending anteriorly from the parahippocampal place area (PPA), retrosplenial complex (RSC) and occipital place area (OPA), and along the hippocampus posterior-anterior axis. Each of the cortical gradients overlapped with the visual system posteriorly and the default-mode network (DMN) anteriorly. These results suggest a progression from concrete to abstract processing with increasing spatial scale, and offer a new organizational framework for the brain’s spatial system, that may also apply to conceptual spaces beyond the spatial domain.
MRGPRX4 is a bile acid receptor for human cholestatic itch
Authors: Yu Huasheng , Zhao Tianjun , Liu Simin , Wu Qinxue , Johnson Omar , Wu Zhaofa , Zhuang Zihao , Shi Yaocheng , Peng Luxin , He Renxi , Yang Yong , Sun Jianjun , Wang Xiaoqun , Xu Haifeng , Zeng Zheng , Zou Peng , Lei Xiaoguang , Luo Wenqin , Li Yulong
Published: September 2019

Patients with liver diseases often suffer from chronic itch, yet the pruritogen(s) and receptor(s) remain largely elusive. Here, we identify bile acids as natural ligands for MRGPRX4. MRGPRX4 is expressed in human dorsal root ganglion (hDRG) neurons and co-expresses with itch receptor HRH1. Bile acids elicited Ca2+ responses in cultured hDRG neurons, and bile acids or a MRGPRX4 specific agonist induced itch in human subjects. However, a specific agonist for another bile acid receptor TGR5 failed to induce itch in human subjects and we find that human TGR5 is not expressed in hDRG neurons. Finally, we show positive correlation between cholestatic itch and plasma bile acids level in itchy patients and the elevated bile acids is sufficient to activate MRGPRX4. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that MRGPRX4 is a novel bile acid receptor that likely underlies cholestatic itch in human, providing a promising new drug target for anti-itch therapies.
A question of scale
Authors: Irish Muireann , Ramanan Siddharth
Published: September 2019

An fMRI experiment reveals distinct brain regions that respond in a graded manner as humans process distance information across increasing spatial scales.
Phase transition and optical behavior of PVP–MBBA microfibers
Authors: Fatayati Rusliana , Kusumaatmaja Ahmad , Yusuf Yusril
Published: September 2019

This study discusses the fabrication and characterization of optically responsive microfibers with uniaxially ordered nematic liquid crystal molecules at their core. The liquid crystal microfibers were electrospun from a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA). A study of phase transition and optical behavior was performed using optical observation by polarized optical microscope, and intermolecular interaction was investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The diameter, orientational order of the fibers and light intensity that passed through the fibers depended on the MBBA concentration during the electrospinning process. The nematic–isotropic temperature (T
NI) of PVP–MBBA microfibers shifted lower from the T
NI of MBBA. Meanwhile a reverse correlation between MBBA concentrations and phase transition was found in the isotropic phase; a significant increase in temperature rate and response time was occurred with small weightage of MBBA. FTIR measurement confirmed that the liquid crystal molecules were self-phase separated from the PVP chains in the fibers.
A Modified Compact Bi-Directional UWB Taperd Slot Antenna with Double Band-Notch Characteristics
Authors: Abdul Hassain Z. A. , Azeez A. R. , Ali M. M. , Elwi T. A.
Published: September 2019

This research puts forward a design regarding a novel compact bi-directional UWB (1.9–10.6 GHz) tapered slot patch antenna that has dual band-notches characteristics within 3.4–3.9 GHz applicable for WiMax application and 5-6 GHz applicable for WLAN (IEEE 802.11a and HIPERLAN/2 systems). A parasitic quasi-trapezoidal shape single split ring resonator SRR is positioned to secure the first WiMax band-notch to minimize the electromagnetic interference occurring in WiMax band. A single circular complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) is etched to secure the second band-notch. Simulated and measured results showed a good match, thereby signifying that the proposed antenna is an optimum candidate for UWB communication applications along with the guide lines design to employ the notch bands in the preferred frequency regions.