bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infinitesimal Structure of Singularities
Authors: Heller Michael , Król Jerzy
Published: February 2017

Some important problems of general relativity, such as the quantisation of gravity or classical singularity problems, crucially depend on geometry on very small scales. The so-called synthetic differential geometry—a categorical counterpart of the standard differential geometry—provides a tool to penetrate infinitesimally small portions of space-time. We use this tool to show that on any “infinitesimal neighbourhood” the components of the curvature tensor are themselves infinitesimal, and construct a simplified model in which the curvature singularity disappears, owing to this effect. However, one pays a price for this result. Using topoi as a generalisation of spaces requires a weakening of arithmetic (the existence of infinitesimals) and of logic (to the intuitionistic logic). Is this too high a price to pay for acquiring a new method of solving unsolved problems in physics? Without trying, we shall never know the answer.
Study of the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Meltwater Contribution to the Total Runoff in the Upper Changjiang River Basin
Authors: Fang Yuan-Hao , Zhang Xingnan , Niu Guo-Yue , Zeng Wenzhi , Zhu Jinfeng , Zhang Tao
Published: February 2017

Melt runoff (MR) contributes significantly to the total runoff in many river basins. Knowledge of the meltwater contribution (MCR, defined as the ratio of MR to the total runoff) to the total runoff benefits water resource management and flood control. A process-based land surface model, Noah-MP, was used to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of MR and MCR in the Upper Changjiang River (as known as Yangtze River) Basin (UCRB) located in southwestern China. The model was first calibrated and validated using snow cover fraction (SCF), runoff, and evapotranspiration (ET) data. The calibrated model was then used to perform two numerical experiments from 1981 to 2010: control experiment that considers MR and an alternative experiment that MR is removed. The difference between two experiments was used to quantify MR and MCR. The results show that in the entire UCRB, MCR was approximately 2.0% during the study period; however, MCR exhibited notable spatiotemporal variability. Four sub-regions over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) showed significant annual MCR ranging from 3.9% to 6.0%, while two sub-regions in the low plain regions showed negligible annual MCR. The spatial distribution of MCR was generally consistent with the distribution of glaciers and elevation distribution. Mann-Kendall (M-K) tests of the long-term annual MCR indicated that the four sub-regions in QTP exhibited increasing trends ranging from 0.01%/year to 0.21%/year during the study period but only one displayed statistically significant trend. No trends were found for the peak time (PT) of MR and MCR, in contrast, advancing trend were observed for the center time (CT) of MR, ranging from 0.01 months/year to 0.02 months/year. These trends are related to the changes of air temperature and precipitation in the study area.
A Volcanic Hydrogen Habitable Zone
Authors: Ramirez Ramses M. , Kaltenegger Lisa
Published: February 2017

The classical habitable zone (HZ) is the circular region around a star in which liquid water could exist on the surface of a rocky planet. The outer edge of the traditional N2–CO2–H2O HZ extends out to nearly ∼1.7 au in our solar system, beyond which condensation and scattering by CO2 outstrips its greenhouse capacity. Here, we show that volcanic outgassing of atmospheric H2 can extend the outer edge of the HZ to ∼2.4 au in our solar system. This wider volcanic-hydrogen HZ (N2–CO2–H2O–H2) can be sustained as long as volcanic H2 output offsets its escape from the top of the atmosphere. We use a single-column radiative-convective climate model to compute the HZ limits of this volcanic hydrogen HZ for hydrogen concentrations between 1% and 50%, assuming diffusion-limited atmospheric escape. At a hydrogen concentration of 50%, the effective stellar flux required to support the outer edge decreases by ∼35%–60% for M–A stars. The corresponding orbital distances increase by ∼30%–60%. The inner edge of this HZ only moves out ∼0.1%–4% relative to the classical HZ because H2 warming is reduced in dense H2O atmospheres. The atmospheric scale heights of such volcanic H2 atmospheres near the outer edge of the HZ also increase, facilitating remote detection of atmospheric signatures.
Discontinuation of Lamivudine Treatment in HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B: A Pilot Study with Long-Term follow-up
Authors: Karakaya Fatih , Özer Sevil , Kalkan Çağdaş , Tüzün E Ali , Çalişkan Aysun , Keskin Onur , Kabaçam Gökhan , Karatayli Senem , Karatayli Ersin , Bozdayi A Mithat , Idilman Ramazan , Yurdaydin Cihan
Published: February 2017

Background

Finite treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) is important in resource-limited countries. Outcome of treatment discontinuation in patients on long-term lamivudine (LVD) was assessed in a single centre observational pilot study in the current study.

Methods

Non-cirrhotic patients on LVD for at least 5 years with undetectable HBV DNA on at least two consecutive assessments were offered to stop treatment. Biochemical, serological and virological measures were determined at 3–6 month intervals after treatment discontinuation. Serum quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined at treatment discontinuation and 5–6 years thereafter. NA treatment was re-instituted in patients with confirmed viral rebound defined as HBV DNA >20,000 IU/ml. Relapser patients were no longer followed but were re-assessed 6 years after treatment cessation.

Results

LVD was discontinued in 23 patients. 8 patients relapsed within 1 year and NA treatment was restarted; 15 patients (65%) were non-relapsers. Thirteen of them were followed for at least 5 years. Two patients had undetectable HBV DNA throughout the follow-up period. In the rest, HBV DNA fluctuated at low levels. Two patients cleared HBsAg 24 and 36 months after stopping treatment. Quantitative HBsAg levels 5–7 years after treatment discontinuation were lower in non-relapser compared to relapser patients (1.21 IU/ml ±0.98 versus 2.71 ±0.76; P=0.002). Of 8 relapser patients 1 patient had HBsAg levels less than 100 IU/ml compared to 11 out of 13 non-relapser patients ( P=0.0022).

Conclusions

These data suggest that cessation of NA treatment is a viable option after a reasonable treatment duration in patients with HBeAg-negative CHB and that HBsAg clearance may become an achievable target in these patients.
Multimedia Big Data Frame Combination Storage Strategy Based on Virtual Space Distortion
Authors: Luo Jian
Published: February 2017

Aiming at the transmission reliability and storage management of multimedia data, the multimedia big data frame combination storage strategy is proposed based on the virtual space distortion analysis model. On the one hand, the virtual space distortion analysis model is established. This model can be used to find the high similarity of video frames and flow structures in different multimedia streams. The model can be used to uniform the multimedia stream state and effectively improve the efficiency of data mining. The model can effectively analyze the difference between the multimedia stream of virtual space and the storage of the server group. On the other hand, based on the distorted efforts of the virtual space and heterogeneous of the multimedia data stream, combined with big data multimedia service requirements, the big data frame combination of storage space and virtual space integration would be integrated as a whole through the multimedia data frame combination and distorted perception. Finally, the combination of multimedia data frames is proposed. The delay, channel, storage and big data processing level of the virtual space storage scheme and were analyzed and evaluated by the simulation experiment, compared with the physical storage scheme of the multimedia big data. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme has significant advantages in the above aspects.
Hybrid Biometrics and Watermarking Authentication
Authors: Ghany Kareem Kamal A. , Zawbaa Hossam M.
Published: February 2017

There are many tools and techniques that can support management in the information security field. In order to deal with any kind of security, authentication plays an important role. In biometrics, a human being needs to be identified based on some unique personal characteristics and parameters. In this book chapter, the researchers will present an automatic Face Recognition and Authentication Methodology (FRAM). The most significant contribution of this work is using three face recognition methods; the Eigenface, the Fisherface, and color histogram quantization. Finally, the researchers proposed a hybrid approach which is based on a DNA encoding process and embedding the resulting data into a face image using the discrete wavelet transform. In the reverse process, the researchers performed DNA decoding based on the data extracted from the face image.
Cloud Computing in E-Governance
Authors: Husain Mohd. Shahid , Khanum M. Akheela
Published: February 2017

Cloud Computing is becoming a rapidly accepted and deployed paradigm both by individuals and organizations alike. The government of various countries is also moving its services to cloud to offer better and just in time services to the users. This chapter explores the basic concepts of Cloud Computing, which includes the main features of Cloud Computing, the cloud deployment models, the services offered by the cloud, motivations behind adoption of cloud by organizations, in general and by the Government, in particular. We also lay an insight into the various Cloud Computing initiatives taken by the Government of India to facilitate its citizens with easy access to information/services.
Major Technology Trends Affecting Government Data in Developing Countries
Authors: Zoughbi Saleem
Published: February 2017

The success of government data platforms and systems do not depend only on technology. There are other issues that affect this progress. Some of these are very essential to the continuity and not only the implementation, such as leadership. Other issues are the absence of a clear well adopted policy and legal framework that governs its data, security of data, cyber legislation and laws. The government-provided ICT resources and the infrastructure would also be an important issue that would affect government data. Financing is also another critical issue. For developing countries, sustainability of development is a necessity for best impact of development projects. As it is adopted by the United Nations, sustainable development goals (SDG's for the agenda of 2030) have substantial dependency on information and communications technology. All goals practically require government data in one way or another, and hence sustainable development is directly related to government data should successful development is sought. Other issues include open data, open government. This chapter discusses such issues and sheds light on ways of handing them.
Records Management and Open Data in Healthcare Provision in Africa
Authors: Sebina Peter Mazebe II Mothataesi , Grand Balulwami
Published: February 2017

Governments in Africa have made huge ICT investments which have been intended to improve the governance process hence their uptake of e-government. One of the benefits derived from all this has been the open data initiative through which some countries in Africa have empowered citizens to better inform themselves and others through access, harnessing and reusing government held data. Another of the benefits has been enhanced open government which has an array of access to information platforms. While indications are that open data can lead to improvements among lives in the Continent arising from availability and access to healthcare data, this chapter advances that a critical element of open data which is often overlooked and little regarded most times, is records management. Arising from the fundamental role of records management in open data, the Republic of Ireland through the Programmable City Working Paper 3 avers that open data must among others be seen as a component part of records management (Lauriault, 2014). The chapter argues that the key elements of open data notably: availability of data, in other words information content in the form of data must be available on platforms which are easily accessible and easy to manipulate for purposes of use and reuse; transparency of the open data process; information security; information privacy, and finally trust which could lead to acceptance, reuse of data and also emerging encouragement among citizens that data is worth accessing, using and reusing, are all made possible by good public sector records management. Records management, this chapter shows, is a clear means through which effective open data especially in healthcare may be achieved. While the chapter draws out lessons which Botswana could learn from and makes recommendations for workable open data in the country's public health sector, these are nonetheless applicable to many African countries and others in the developing world.
Viral Education via Mobile Phone
Authors: Bello-Bravo Julia , Lutomia Anne Namatsi , Songu Thomas , Pittendrigh Barry Robert
Published: February 2017

This chapter documents a strategy for the development and deployment of educational content on Ebola prevention and treatment targeted at low-literate learners speaking diverse languages. During the outbreak of Ebola in Sierra Leone, Njala University partnered with Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to create educational animations on Ebola. Drawing on an international network of collaborators, these animations were then placed into multiple languages for Sierra Leone. Njala University in turn acted as the central hub for engaging local partner groups to deploy this content throughout Sierra Leone. This chapter describes the development process, which occurred during the outbreaks and the ICT tools now available to the global health community. The educational animations created during the 2014 Ebola outbreak are now available in multiple languages for Sierra Leone, as well as other West African countries, along with a highly scalable deployment pathway that can be rapidly operationalized during future outbreaks or modeled for other outbreak or health crisis situations.
Mobile Phones and Expanding Human Capabilities in Plural Health Systems
Authors: Sam Steven
Published: February 2017

This chapter explores the integration of mobiles into the local health culture in Sierra Leone to advance healthcare delivery to marginalised communities. It draws on Amartya Sen's capability approach to conceptualise the mobile phone as a potential technology to expand healthcare capabilities in an environment of scarce healthcare resources. It builds on ethnographic data collected through mixed-methods from rural and urban communities to analyse the different actors, dynamics and practices of healthcare behaviours in a plural healthcare system. The analysis shows increasing trends towards mobile phone usage to ease healthcare communication and information poverty. Mobile phones enable marginalised publics to collapse distance and reduce time and health infrastructural constraints to seek healthcare within their abilities. It, however, concludes that to fully harness and maintain sustainable mobile phone-enabled healthcare in Sierra Leone requires the need for an appropriate institutional configuration to foster an integrated healthcare information system management and service delivery.
Telemedicine in Low Resource Settings
Authors: Ndlovu Kagiso , Mauco Kabelo Leonard , Littman-Quinn Ryan
Published: February 2017

Telemedicine is a means to support health-care provision utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) tools and telecommunication services. This chapter focuses on telemedicine practices in low resource settings, referencing key telemedicine initiatives in Botswana. Telemedicine is highly practiced in the developed world, and recently there is an increasing interest in the developing world. Current literature suggests telemedicine as an important tool for improving healthcare delivery for low resource settings. Hence the authors' interest in exploring the current status of telemedicine practices with reference to telemedicine projects from low resource settings such as Botswana. The chapter reveals that telemedicine in such settings is mainly implemented through mobile phones, also known as mobile health (mHealth). In this chapter, the authors discuss factors influencing successful implementation of telemedicine solutions in Botswana. Furthermore, the chapter discusses telemedicine implementation challenges in each of the projects and presents possible mitigation strategies. The chapter concludes by affirming the feasibility of successfully practicing telemedicine in low resource settings; notwithstanding challenges such as lack of legal and eHealth frameworks in most developing countries.
Telemedicine and Electronic Health
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: February 2017

This chapter reveals the overview of telemedicine; telemedicine in developing countries; Electronic Health Record (EHR); and mobile health technologies. Telemedicine and Electronic Health (e-health) are modern technologies toward improving quality of care and increasing patient safety in developing countries. Telemedicine and e-health are the utilization of medical information exchanged from one site to another site via electronic communications. Telemedicine and e-health help health care organizations share data contained in the largely proprietary EHR systems in developing countries. Telemedicine and e-health help reduce the cost of health care and increases the efficiency through better management of chronic diseases, shared health professional staffing, reduced travel times, and shorter hospital stays. The chapter argues that utilizing telemedicine and e-health has the potential to enhance health care performance and reach strategic goals in developing countries.
Transnational Activism of Young Spanish Emigrants and Uses of ICT
Authors: Olivera Mauricio N. , Cogo Denise
Published: February 2017

This chapter analyses the transnational collective action of Spanish emigrants in the countries of destination and origin, from appropriations of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In the conceptual framework of migrant transnationalism, we approach the collective action and communication, the experience of network activism and the use of ICTs by the transnational Spanish collective Marea Granate (MG), created in 2013, with the aim of intervening in in the discourses of the Spanish government, regarding: a) the Spanish migration; and b) their rights abroad. The focus is on MG´s four collective actions on the voting rights of Spanish emigrants, applying a qualitative methodology. In the conclusions, a transnational activism is observed, with actions mediated and unmediated by ICTs, where Spanish emigrants denounce and mobilize, causing rearrangements in the sociopolitical spaces between States and citizens.
Validation of the Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007) Collaboration Instrument in the South African context
Authors: Roberts Debbie , Van Wyk René , Dhanpat Nelesh
Published: February 2017

Orientation: Collaboration is deemed important in today’s connected and complex business environment. People’s ability to collaborate with each other in organisations is becoming a business imperative. This study focuses on a valid measurement of collaboration within organisations.Research purpose: Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007) developed a collaboration measurement instrument in the United States. The aim of this study was to validate this instrument for a South African context.Motivation for the study: South African organisations face unique challenges that require optimal use of resources to improve business results. Effective collaboration is considered a powerful strategy to achieve this. Measuring the extent of collaboration can help to identify required changes in business practices. As far as could be established, there is no evidence of collaboration instruments developed and validated in South Africa.Research design, approach and method: Additional items were designed for further development of the Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007) Collaboration Instrument sub-scales, as suggested by the authors. The revised questionnaire consisting of 31 (17 existing, 14 new) items was distributed electronically to 4200 employees in two organisations, with 343 valid responses received. Reliability and construct validity were tested, as was convergent validity of the norms factor with the Trust in Teams Scale.Main findings: The results of the study support a four-factor, 29-item model of collaboration when applied to a South African sample. Cronbach’s alpha ranged between 0.85 and 0.95. Confirmatory Factor Analysis fits were at an acceptable level. Convergent validity showed a moderate fit with the data.Practical/managerial implications: South African managers and human resources practitioners can utilise results to foster a collaborative environment.Contribution/value-add: This study builds on the theoretical concept of collaboration as defined by Thomson, Perry and Miller (2007).
SAE J1850 Verification Test Procedures
Authors:   Vehicle E E System Diagnostic Standards Committee
Published: February 2017

This SAE Recommended Practice recommends test methods, test procedures, and specific test parameters to help verify that vehicles and test tools can communicate using the SAE J1850. This document only verifies the portion of SAE J1850 that is used for OBD-II communications. The term “test tool” is synonymous with OBD-II Scan tool.
Data Link Layer
Authors:   Truck Bus Control and Communications Network Committee
Published: February 2017

The SAE J1939 documents are intended for light, medium, and
heavy-duty vehicles used on or off road as well as appropriate
stationary applications which use vehicle derived components (e.g.
generator sets). Vehicles of interest include, but are not limited
to, on- and off-highway trucks and their trailers, construction
equipment, and agricultural equipment and implements.

The purpose of these documents is to provide an open
interconnect system for electronic systems. It is the intention of
these documents to allow Electronic Control Units to communicate
with each other by providing a standard architecture.

This particular document, SAE J1939-21, describes the data link
layer using the CAN protocol with 29-bit Identifiers. For SAE J1939
no alternative data link layers are permitted.
Agricultural and Forestry Off-Road Machinery Control and Communication Network
Authors:   Truck Bus Control and Communications Network Committee
Published: February 2017

These RPs are intended for light and heavy duty vehicles used primarily off road as well as appropriate stationary applications which use vehicle derived components (e.g. generator sets). Vehicles of interest include, but are not limited to: construction equipment; and agricultural equipment and implements.

The purpose of these RPs is to provide an open interconnect system for electronic systems. It is the intention of these recommended practices to allow Electronic Control Units to communicate with each other by providing a standard architecture.

This document is intended to specify the requirements for application of J1939 in construction and agricultural equipment. This document specifies the series of documents within the set of J1939 documents that are applicable to construction and agricultural equipment and provides further requirements for this industry.
Connections for On-Board Road Vehicle Electrical Wiring Harnesses - Part 1: Single-Pole Connectors - Flat Blade Terminals - Dimensional Characteristics and Specific Requirements
Authors:   Connector Systems Standards Committee
Published: February 2017

This SAE Standard specifies dimensional characteristics of flat blades of single-pole connectors and specific requirements for on-board electrical harnesses of road vehicles, which can be fitted into female connectors such as those given as in Appendix A.

This document applies to connectors designed to be disconnected after mounting in the vehicle in the case of repair and/or maintenance only.
Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with Associated Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Sharma Preeti , Singh Harkant , Kumar Bhupesh , Munirathinam Ganesh K
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) may have associated infective endocarditis in which case single aneurysm may drain into adjacent chamber of heart via multiple openings. We report a rare case of congenital SOVA with associated infective endocarditis where intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) helped in localizing two separate openings in the SOVA draining into right ventricle and an associated perforation in the larger rightward cusp of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) causing severe aortic regurgitation.

Case report

A 28-year-old male presented with grade III to IV dyspnea with previous history of infective endocarditis. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed calcified BAV with severe aortic valve regurgitation and stenosis, severe tricuspid regurgitation, and pulmonary artery hypertension along with ruptured SOVA arising from right coronary sinus and draining into the right ventricle. Intraoperative TEE confirmed the TTE findings and in addition showed the presence of two jets arising from the SOVA draining into right ventricle, a subaortic membrane, and a perforation in the aortic cusp opening into left ventricle. The ruptured SOVA was repaired using single patch technique and aortic valve was replaced. The completeness of the repair was checked using TEE to exclude failure of closure of additional opening if any and the patient was discharged from hospital after 7 days of uneventful postoperative course.

Conclusion

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm may have multiple openings draining into adjacent chamber, particularly if associated with infective endocarditis. Intraoperative TEE plays a crucial role in identification of multiple opening, involvement of adjacent structure, and assessment of completeness of repair.

How to cite this article

Kumar B, Munirathinam GK, Sharma P, Puri GD, Singh H. Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with Associated Infective Endocarditis. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2016;4(2):59-63.
Giant Right Atrial Myxoma: The Importance of Transesophageal Echocardiography during Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Resection
Authors: Ungerman Elizabeth , Haft Wendy
Published: February 2017

Most cardiac tumors are benign myxomas, and are most commonly found in the left atrium. Such tumors are identified either during symptomatic workup or found incidentally. We present a case in which a patient with recurrent transient ischemic attacks and syncope was found to have a giant right atrial myxoma with subsequent right atrial outflow obstruction. The mass was initially diagnosed on transthoracic echocardiography and its full scope was detailed utilizing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). With swift intervention, the mass was successfully removed with the help of TEE guidance and the patient made a full recovery. The importance of TEE both preoperatively and intraoperatively during resection of giant cardiac masses is highlighted.

How to cite this article

Ungerman E, Haft W. Giant Right Atrial Myxoma: The Importance of Transesophageal Echocardiography during Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Resection. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2016;4(2):74-78.
Spirituality, Corporate Culture, and American Business
Authors: LoRusso James Dennis
Published: February 2017

By the early twenty-first century, Americans had embraced a holistic vision of work, that one’s job should be imbued with meaning and purpose, that business should serve not only stockholders but also the common good, and that, for many, should attend to the “spiritual” health of individuals and society alike.

While many voices celebrate efforts to introduce “spirituality in the workplace” as a recent innovation that holds the potential to positively transform business and the American workplace, James Dennis LoRusso argues that workplace spirituality is in fact more closely aligned with neoliberal ideologies that serve the interests of private wealth and undermine the power of working people.

LoRusso traces how this new moral language of business emerged as part of the larger shift away from the post-New Deal welfare state towards today’s global market-oriented social order. Building on other studies that emphasize the link between American religious conservatism and the rise of global capitalism, LoRusso shows how progressive “spirituality” remains a vital part of this story as well. Drawing on cultural history as well as case studies from New York City and San Francisco of businesses and leading advocates of workplace spirituality, this book argues that that religion reveals much about work, corporate culture, and business in contemporary America.
Sources of Springtime Surface Black Carbon in the Arctic: An Adjoint Analysis
Authors: Qi Ling , Li Qinbin , Henze Daven K. , Tseng Hsien-Liang , He Cenlin
Published: February 2017

Abstract. We quantify source contributions to springtime (April 2008) surface black carbon (BC) in the Arctic by interpreting surface observations of BC at five receptor sites (Denali, Barrow, Alert, Zeppelin, and Summit) using a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and its adjoint. Contributions to BC at Barrow, Alert, and Zeppelin are dominated by Asian anthropogenic sources (40–43 %) before April 18 and by Siberian open biomass burning emissions (29–41 %) afterward. In contrast, Summit, a mostly free tropospheric site, has predominantly an Asian anthropogenic source contribution (24–68 %, with an average of 45 %). We compute the adjoint sensitivity of BC concentrations at the five sites during a pollution episode (April 20–25) to global emissions from March 1 to April 25. The associated contributions are the combined results of these sensitivities and BC emissions. Local and regional anthropogenic sources in Alaska are the largest anthropogenic sources of BC at Denali (63 %), and natural gas flaring emissions in the Western Extreme North of Russia (WENR) are the largest anthropogenic sources of BC at Zeppelin (26 %) and Alert (13 %). We find that long-range transport of emissions from Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (also known as Jing-Jin-Ji), the biggest urbanized region in Northern China, contribute significantly (~ 10 %) to surface BC across the Arctic. On average it takes ~ 12 days for Asian anthropogenic emissions and Siberian biomass burning emissions to reach Arctic lower troposphere, supporting earlier studies. Natural gas flaring emissions from the WENR reach Zeppelin in about a week. We find that episodic, direct transport events dominate BC at Denali (87 %), a site outside the Arctic front, a strong transport barrier. The relative contribution of direct transport to surface BC within the Arctic front is much smaller (~ 50 % at Barrow and Zeppelin and ~ 10 % at Alert). The large contributions from Asian anthropogenic sources are predominately in the form of ‘chronic’ pollution (~ 40 % at Barrow and 65 % at Alert and 57 % at Zeppelin) on 1–2 month timescales. As such, it is likely that previous studies using 5- or 10-day trajectory analyses strongly underestimated the contribution from Asia to surface BC in the Arctic. Both finer temporal resolution of biomass burning emissions and accounting for the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen (WBF) process in wet scavenging improve the source attribution estimates.
Organic molecular tracers in the atmospheric aerosols from Lumbini,
Nepal, in the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain: Influence of biomass
burning
Authors: Wan Xin , Kang Shichang , Li Quanlian , Rupakheti Dipesh , Zhang Qianggong , Guo Junming , Chen Pengfei , Tripathee Lekhendra , Rupakheti Maheswar , Panday Arnico K. , Wang Wu , Kawamura Kimitaka , Gao Shaopeng , Wu Guangming , Cong Zhiyuan
Published: February 2017

Abstract. To better understand the characteristics of biomass burning in the northern Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), total suspended particles were collected in a rural site, Lumbini, Nepal during April 2013 to March 2014 and analyzed for the biomass burning tracers (i.e., levoglucosan, mannosan, vanillic acid, etc.). The annual average concentration of levoglucosan was 734 ± 1043 ng m−3 with the maximum seasonal mean concentration during post-monsoon season (2206 ± 1753 ng m−3), followed by winter (1161 ± 1347 ng m−3), pre-monsoon (771 ± 524 ng m−3) and minimum concentration during monsoon season (212 ± 279 ng m−3). The other biomass burning tracers (mannosan, galactosan, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and dehydroabietic acid) also showed the similar seasonal variations. There were good correlations among levoglucosan, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), indicating significant impact of biomass burning activities on carbonaceous aerosol loading throughout the year in Lumbini area. According to the characteristic ratios: levoglucosan / mannosan (Lev / Man) and syringic acid / vanillic acid (Syr / Van), we deduced that the high abundances of biomass burning products during non-monsoon seasons were mainly caused by the burning of crop residues and hardwood while the softwood had less contribution. Based on the diagnostic tracer ratio (i.e., Lev / OC), the OC derived from biomass burning constituted large fraction of total OC, especially during post-monsoon season. By analyzing the MODIS fire spot product and five-day air-mass back trajectories, we further demonstrated that organic aerosol composition was not only related to the local agricultural activities and residential biomass usage, but was also impacted by the regional emissions. During the post-monsoon season, the emissions from rice residue burning in western India and eastern Pakistan could impact particulate air pollution in Lumbini and surrounding regions in southern Nepal. Therefore, our finding is meaningful and has a great importance for adopting the appropriate mitigation measures, not only at the local level but also by involving different regions and nations, to reduce the biomass burning emissions in the broader IGP region nations.
Impact of North America on the aerosol composition in the North Atlantic free troposphere
Authors: García M. Isabel , Rodríguez Sergio , Alastuey Andrés
Published: February 2017

Abstract. In the AEROATLAN project we study the composition of aerosols collected over ~ 5 years at Izaña Observatory (located at ~ 2400 m a.s.l. in Tenerife, the Canary Islands) under the prevailing westerly airflows typical of the North Atlantic free troposphere at subtropical and mid-latitudes. Mass concentrations of sub10-µm aerosols (PM10) carried by westerly winds to Izaña, after transatlantic transport, are typically within the range 1.2 and 4.2 µg m−3 (20th and 80th percentiles). The main contributors to background levels of aerosols (PM10 within the 1st–50th percentiles = 0.15–2.54 µg m−3) are North American dust (53 %), non-sea-salt-SO4= (14 %) and organic matter (18 %). High PM10 events (75th–95th percentiles ≈ 4.0–9.0 µg m−3) and are prompted by dust (56 %), organic matter (24 %) and nss-SO4= (9 %). These aerosol components experience a seasonal evolution explained by (i) their spatial distribution in North America and (ii) the seasonal shift of the North American outflow, which migrates from low latitudes in winter (~ 32º N, January–March) to high latitudes in summer (~ 52º N, August–September). The westerlies carry maximum loads of nss-sulphate, ammonium and organic matter in spring (March–May), of North American dust from mid-winter to mid-spring (February–May) and of elemental carbon in summer (August–September). Our results suggest that a significant fraction of organic aerosols may be linked to sources other than combustion (e.g. biogenic); further studies are necessary for this topic. The present study evidences how long-term evolution of the aerosol composition in the North Atlantic free troposphere will be influenced by air quality policies and the use of soils (potential dust emitter) in North America.
Comparison of the long-term trends in stratospheric dynamics of four reanalyses
Authors: Kozubek Michal , Krizan Peter , Lastovicka Jan
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Since the long-term trends of different atmospheric parameters have been already studied separately in many papers, this study is focused on the stratospheric wind (zonal and meridional components) and temperature over the whole globe at 10 hPa during 1979–2015. We present the trends for the whole winter (October–March), for each individual month of winter and separately for the period before and after the ozone trend turnaround during the mid-1990s. The change of ozone trends has a clear impact on trends in other investigated stratospheric parameters. Four reanalyses (MERRA, ERA-Interim, JRA-55 and NCEP-DOE) are used for comparison. Every grid point is analysed, not zonal averages. The comparison of trends in meridional wind, which is closely connected with Brewer–Dobson circulation, shows a good agreement for all four reanalyses (main features and amplitudes of the trends) in terms of winter averages, but there are some differences in individual months, particularly in trend amplitude. These results could be important for studying dynamics (transport) in the whole stratosphere.
Homogenous regions based on extremogram for regional frequency analysis of extreme skew storm surges
Authors: Andreewsky Marc , Griolet Samuel , Hamdi Yasser , Bernardara Pietro , Frau Roberto
Published: February 2017

Abstract. To resist marine submersion, coastal protection must be designed by taking into account the most accurate estimate of the return levels of extreme events, such as storm surges. However, because of the paucity of data, local statistical analyses often lead to poor frequency estimations. Regional Frequency Analysis (RFA) reduces the uncertainties associated with these estimations, by extending the dataset from local (only available data at the target site) to regional (data at all the neighboring sites including the target site) and by assuming, at the scale of a region, a similar extremal behavior. RFA, based on the index flood method, assumes that, in a homogeneous region, observations at sites, normalized by a local index, follow the same probability distribution. In this work, the spatial extremogram approach is used to form a physically homogeneous region centered on the target site. The approach is applied on a database of extreme skew storm surges and used to carry out a RFA.
A deeper look at the relationship between root carbon pools and the vertical
distribution of the soil carbon pool
Authors: Dietzel Ranae , Liebman Matt , Archontoulis Sotirios
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Plant root material makes a substantial contribution to the soil organic carbon (C) pool, but this contribution is disproportionate below 20 cm, where 30 % of root mass and 50 % of soil organic C is found. Root carbon inputs changed drastically when native perennial plant systems were shifted to cultivated annual plant systems. We used the reconstruction of a native prairie and a continuous maize field to examine both the relationship between root carbon and soil carbon and the fundamental rooting system differences between the vegetation under which the soils developed versus the vegetation under which the soils continue to change. In all treatments we found that root C : N ratios increased with depth, which may help explain why an unexpectedly large proportion of soil organic C is found below 20 cm. Measured root C : N ratios and turnover times along with modeled root turnover dynamics showed that in moving from prairie to maize, a large, structural-tissue dominated root C pool with slow turnover, concentrated at shallow depths was replaced by a small, non-structural-tissue dominated root C pool with fast turnover evenly distributed in the soil profile. These differences in rooting systems suggest that while prairie roots contribute more C to the soil than maize at shallow depths, maize may contribute more C to the soil than prairies at deeper depths.
The Impact of Tax Planning in Industrial Public Joint Stock Companies upon the Performance of the Industrial Companies Listed in the Amman Stock Exchange Market
Authors: Alduneibat Khalid Ali Ahmad , Altawalbeh Mohammad Abdallah fayad , Rawhi Hashem Firas Na'el
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this current study is seeking to shed a light on the issue of tax planning which is considered to be one of the most significant topic that are related to the matters of tax. It has become something significant to investigate and identify the impact of tax planning in industrial public joint stock companies upon the performance of the Industrial companies listed in the Amman stock exchange market. The method of this study adopted the analytical descriptive approach the population of the current study includes financial managers who were working in Jordanian industrial public joint stock companies. The total number of those companies is 66 companies in Jordan. The result of the study there is an impact for conducting tax planning in industrial public joint stock companies upon the performance of the Industrial companies listed in the Amman stock exchange market the recommendation of the study has proposed the following the researcher recommended exerting much efforts to raise awareness of companies’ managers and employees about the legal consequences of tax evasion.
Gestalt as an Emergence of Knowledge at Schools
Authors: Niati Masoud
Published: February 2017

What is emphasised in this analysis is that the awareness of Gestalt by school principals and teachers can be utilisedfor implementing knowledge management strategies. Since one of the challenges to implement knowledgemanagement is lack of transparency and how to transform synergy into innovation as well, it is assumed thatGestalt-oriented approach will help this lack of transparency diminish, and that synergy can turn into innovation.This work also tries to get an organized representation of how teachers and managers can consciously apply Gestaltqualities at schools in conjunction with knowledge management. First, a broad definition of Gestalt theory in thefields of psychology (in accordance with Christian Von Ehrenfelsin and Weithermar) will be given. Then a very briefphilosophical depiction of Gestalt (by Heidegger) will be considered. After depicting the qualities of Gestalt, itssupposed values and conceptions will be brought into a couple of frameworks (represented in figures 1 & 2) amongteachers, managers, family and society. Finally, at the end of this analysis, it is suggested that knowledge can begained by Gestalt qualities and there can possibly no difference between knowledge creation and emergence ofGestalt at schools.
Psychological Empowerment on Organizational Commitment as Perceived by Saudi Academics
Authors: Jomah Nouf Bin
Published: February 2017

Various scholars have identified commitment as one of the major contributors of workplace productivity.Commitment provides the interest and morale for handling tasks which results in organisation progress and growth.Commitment is perceived as either continuance, normative, or continuance commitment. The three commitmentcategories are fundamental, and academics have established empowerment as a fundamental tool for developingworkplace commitment. Significantly, empowerment is categorized as either psychological or structural.Psychological empowerment is purported to increase the commitment levels in institutions. Basically, psychologicalempowerment is concerned more with personnel experience and their responsibilities in the organization rather thanfocusing on managerial activities. This study, therefore, establishes the validity of psychological empowerment inimproving the commitment levels among institutions.The study sampled 100 employees from varied departments in King Saudi University. The participants weredistributed in accordance with their working experience; twenty of the respondents had worked for between 11 and 15years, thirty had a working experience of 6-10 years, and the majority (50) had worked for less than five years. Thelevel of psychological empowerment (PE) and the corresponding organization commitment (OC) was measuredthrough a survey questionnaire. In both questionnaires, the items were measured in 7-point Likert- type, with theleast value being 1 (strongly disagree) and the highest 7 (strongly agree). The results of the study indicated that thatthe average of psychological empowerment and the five dimensions relating to it with organization commitmentwere on the higher side. Notably, organization commitment relied heavily on the level of autonomy given to theemployee in decision making at the workplace.
Managing the Organization Culture in Domestic and Foreign Operations
Authors: Makhlouf Hany H.
Published: February 2017

Organizations develop their own cultures that reflect their shared values, norms, and preferred approaches to attaintheir goals and solve problems. Such organization cultures condition the employees ways of thinking; interpersonalrelations; and perceptions of what is the right thing to do and what is not, what is an acceptable pattern of behaviorand what is not, and what is good for the enterprise and what is not. Organization cultures, however, encountermultiple challenges once companies expand their operations geographically, particularly when they enter foreignmarkets and start to operate subsidiaries in diverse cultural, political, sociological, and economic environments. Amain question addressed in this paper is: To what extent can and should organization cultures remain intact in highlydiverse environments? To address this problem, the meaning and significance of organization cultures will first beexplored; then the analysis will focus on the challenges that multinational enterprises face in managing theirorganization cultures in the complex global environment.
A Theoretical Inquiry of the Offset Mechanism in Mitigating Global Warming: Economic Welfare Implications of the Clean Development Mechanism Investment
Authors: Kuninori Morio , Otaki Masayuki
Published: February 2017

This study attentively examines the role of the offset mechanism like the Clean Develop Mechanism (CDM) in mitigating global warming problems and considers its economic welfare implications in a theoretical offset environment. The CDM is a kind of offset trading scheme of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions between advanced and developing economies. Formulating the essence of the offset market into a simple model, we interpret the right to trade CO2 emissions at an ideal price as rewards to advanced economies for investing in more CO2 saving technologies and/or factories in developing economies. Our model shows that under some conditions the CDM can succeed in suppressing CO2 emissions and become a second-best measure to mitigate global warming. Nevertheless, we also clarify that the prices of carbon offset in advanced economies are not generally sustainable without the help of the outside agencies such as the governments. This fact suggests that offset mechanism like the CDM incurs an additional burden, such as taxes to advanced economies for preserving the scheme, although the resultant transfer evidently equalizes the international income distribution.