bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction between TNF and BmooMP-Alpha-I, a Zinc Metalloprotease Derived from Bothrops moojeni Snake Venom, Promotes Direct Proteolysis of This Cytokine: Molecular Modeling and Docking at a Glance
Authors: Silva Maraisa , Lopes Silva Tamires , Silva Murilo , Mota Caroline , Santiago Fernanda , Fonseca Kelly , Oliveira Fábio , Mineo Tiago , Mineo José
Published: July 2016

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a major cytokine in inflammatory processes and its deregulation plays a pivotal role in several diseases. Here, we report that a zinc metalloprotease extracted from Bothrops moojeni venom (BmooMP-alpha-I) inhibits TNF directly by promoting its degradation. This inhibition was demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo assays, using known TLR ligands. These findings are supported by molecular docking results, which reveal interaction between BmooMP-alpha-I and TNF. The major cluster of interaction between BmooMP-alpha-I and TNF was confirmed by the structural alignment presenting Ligand Root Mean Square Deviation LRMS = 1.05 Å and Interactive Root Mean Square Deviation IRMS = 1.01 Å, this result being compatible with an accurate complex. Additionally, we demonstrated that the effect of this metalloprotease on TNF is independent of cell cytotoxicity and it does not affect other TLR-triggered cytokines, such as IL-12. Together, these results indicate that this zinc metalloprotease is a potential tool to be further investigated for the treatment of inflammatory disorders involving TNF deregulation.
Toxin-Antitoxin Systems in Clinical Pathogens
Authors: Fernández-García Laura , Blasco Lucia , Lopez Maria , Bou German , García-Contreras Rodolfo , Wood Thomas , Tomas María
Published: July 2016

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are prevalent in bacteria and archaea. Although not essential for normal cell growth, TA systems are implicated in multiple cellular functions associated with survival under stress conditions. Clinical strains of bacteria are currently causing major human health problems as a result of their multidrug resistance, persistence and strong pathogenicity. Here, we present a review of the TA systems described to date and their biological role in human pathogens belonging to the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.) and others of clinical relevance (Escherichia coli, Burkholderia spp., Streptococcus spp. and Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Better understanding of the mechanisms of action of TA systems will enable the development of new lines of treatment for infections caused by the above-mentioned pathogens.
PROPLYDS AROUND A B1 STAR: 42 ORIONIS IN NGC 1977
Authors: Kim Jinyoung Serena , Clarke Cathie J. , Fang Min , Facchini Stefano
Published: July 2016

We present the discovery of seven new proplyds (i.e., sources surrounded by cometary Hα emission characteristic of offset ionization fronts (IFs)) in NGC 1977, located about 30′ north of the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC) at a distance of ∼400 pc. Each of these proplyds is situated at projected distances 0.04–0.27 pc from the B1V star 42 Orionis (c Ori), which is the main source of UV photons in the region. In all cases the IFs of the proplyds are clearly pointing toward the common ionizing source, 42 Ori, and six of the seven proplyds clearly show tails pointing away from it. These are the first proplyds to be found around a B star, with previously known examples instead being located around O stars, including those in the ONC around θ
1 Ori C. The radii of the offset IFs in our proplyds are between ∼200 and 550 au; two objects also contain clearly resolved central sources that we associate with disks of radii 50–70 au. The estimated strength of the FUV radiation field impinging on the proplyds is around 10–30 times less than that incident on the classic proplyds in the ONC. We show that the observed proplyd sizes are however consistent with recent models for FUV photoevaporation in relatively weak FUV radiation fields.
Le « dispositif Decroly », un levier éducatif pour réformer la société (Belgique 1900-1930)
Authors: Wagnon Sylvain
Published: July 2016

À partir des archives privées du pédagogue belge Ovide Decroly (1871-1932), figure de l’éducation nouvelle, cette contribution explore la manière dont ce pédagogue a pensé et élaboré des espaces éducatifs dans et hors l’école. Cet article montre que si ce pédagogue belge est devenu célèbre pour avoir fondé plusieurs écoles, il fut avant tout l’organisateur et l’administrateur d’espaces éducatifs non scolaires (orphelinats, communautés d’enfants, fermes-école). L’histoire de cet ensemble d’établissements « decrolyens » permet de mettre en lumière le rôle des éducateurs qui forment une « sphère decroyenne » mais aussi en quoi ces espaces éducatifs se voulaient préparer une société refondée.
La défense des langues régionales : Joseph Salvat et le Collège d’Occitanie
Authors: Terral Hervé
Published: July 2016

Le Collège d’Occitanie est une association d’enseignement fondée en 1927 à Castelnaudary (Aude), avant d’être transférée à Toulouse en 1940, qui a connu diverses fortunes au fil des ans. La volonté de ses fondateurs, Prosper Estieu, instituteur retraité, et Joseph Salvat, prêtre enseignant, était de suppléer à l’absence d’enseignement de la langue d’oc sous la III e République. Le Collège a rempli sa mission – qui s’est continuée jusqu’à nos jours – en dépit des vicissitudes politiques dans lesquelles il a été pris.
Des livres pour “entraîner dans la voie de l’éducation nouvelle” : la collection « Éducation » des éditions Flammarion (1928-1938)
Authors: Boulaire Cécile
Published: July 2016

De 1928 à 1933, Paul Faucher dirige chez Flammarion la collection « Éducation », qui entend promouvoir l’éducation nouvelle par la traduction d’ouvrages scientifiques majeurs, à destination du grand public. Mais la collection peine à trouver son allure comme son public, et se solde par un relatif échec. L’article envisage cette aventure éditoriale au sein d’un ensemble plus large d’actions militantes, qui permettront notamment la naissance de la fameuse collection progressiste pour enfants « Les Albums du Père Castor » en 1931.
La documentation au cœur de la réorganisation de la chimie dans l’entre-deux-guerres : Rôle des sociétés savantes et institutions françaises dans le contexte international
Authors: Fauque Danielle
Published: July 2016

Le développement considérable des connaissances au tournant du xx e siècle a rendu leur organisation impérative. Une réponse a été apportée par l’Institut international de bibliographie (IIB), créé en 1895 par Paul Otlet à Bruxelles ; il proposait un système de classification décimale universelle pour organiser la documentation dans chaque branche du savoir humain. En chimie, compte tenu de l’augmentation exponentielle du nombre de substances découvertes, leurs débouchés industriels rendaient encore plus cruciale une recension raisonnée de l’information, demandée par le monde de la production et du commerce comme par le monde académique, exigence d’autant plus vive dans un contexte de lutte économique au lendemain de la Grande Guerre. Mais, pour la France, une initiative, née de la guerre, a eu un développement international : l’Office international de chimie, intégré plus tard au Centre de documentation chimique abrité dans une Maison de la Chimie concrétisée, grâce à des souscriptions, lors de la célébration du centenaire de la naissance de Marcellin Berthelot, en 1927. Ce concept d’office fut d’abord porté par la Société de chimie industrielle (SCI), puis inscrit dans les premiers statuts de la jeune Union internationale de la chimie pure et appliquée (aujourd’hui IUPAC) en 1919. Il a ensuite été mis en œuvre jusqu’à aboutissement complet par un homme, Jean Gérard. Le centre de documentation de la Maison de la Chimie était un des organes les plus novateurs dans l’entre-deux-guerres dans ce domaine. Cet article veut développer certains des aspects de cette dynamique de réorganisation du champ de la chimie au sortir de la première guerre mondiale.
Albin Haller, chimie et politique (1918-1925)
Authors: Langlinay Erik
Published: July 2016

De 1918 à 1925, Albin Haller, professeur de chimie organique à la Sorbonne et directeur de l’École municipale de physique et de chimie industrielles de la ville de Paris (EMPCI), va développer une activité intense dans une double direction : la reconstitution d’une communauté scientifique internationale qui prolongerait la victoire et le développement de l’enseignement de la chimie en France. Ses deux buts, largement basés sur des considérations nationalistes, se heurtent aux tensions entre Alliés après la signature du traité de Versailles et à la faiblesse des moyens de l’État français dévolus à l’enseignement supérieur après la première guerre mondiale.
Contribución al conocimiento de la biodiversidad fúngica del Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido I
Authors: Ribes M. A. , Hernanz J. , Tello S. , Campos J. C. , Paz I. , Sánchez G. , Pancorbo F. , Serrano F.
Published: July 2016

Se realiza una revisión taxonómica de las especies fúngicas recolectadas a lo largo del año 2014 en el Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido con la finalidad de contribuir al conocimiento de la biodiversidad, clasificándolas en tres niveles: a) especies nuevas o de muy especial interés, b) especies interesantes o poco frecuentes, y c) resto de especies. Dada la amplitud del territorio estudiado, las zonas de prospección se han limitado a las cuencas de los ríos Ara, Arazas, Bellós, Yaga y Cinca.
Se determinaron 311 taxones, correspondiendo 240 al Phyllum Basidiomycota, 61 a Ascomycota y 10 a Myxomycota; los órdenes más representativos son Agaricales, Russulales, Pezizales, Polyporales, Boletales y Helotiales. Entre las especies determinadas se han encontrado 9 entre las propuestas para el catálogo de especies protegidas de la Península Ibérica y/o de Aragón.
En el presente trabajo se presenta una primera aportación al catálogo, en primer lugar en forma de listado de todos los taxones determinados y a continuación una descripción taxonómica con su iconografía macro y microscópica de 16 de ellos, que corresponden a especies interesantes o poco frecuentes.
La cartografía del yiqtol corto en hebreo bíblico
Authors: Andrason Alexander
Published: July 2016

En el presente artículo, el autor ofrece un análisis dinámico (cognitivo, tipológico y de gramaticalización) del yiqtol corto en hebreo bíblico. El gram, con toda su variedad de valores, se puede presentar como un fenómeno coherente por medio de una onda (un mapa sincrónico bidimensional cuyos valores están relacionados cognitivamente) con zonas de mayor o menor prototipicalidad y, por eso, semantización. El yiqtol corto se define como un gram de camino modal por contaminación, contaminado en el contexto deóntico de hablante (afirmativo y negativo), extendido después a usos subordinados de finalidad y, a continuación, empleado como futuro (primero apodótico y luego independiente). La zona de prototipicalidad corresponde a usos deónticos. El valor de finalidad constituye el pico de prototipicalidad secundario, mientras que el significado de futuro es minoritario.
La sociedad comercial de un mercader de la India en Almería (1139)
Authors: Akiva Friedman Mordechai
Published: July 2016

El presente artículo contiene la edición y análisis del documento legal conocido más antiguo de Almería. Consiste en un título de sociedad escrito en judeo-árabe en 1139, conservado en la Guenizá de El Cairo. Las partes contratantes son Ḥalfón, un mercader judeo-egipcio de la India y gran viajero, famoso por su asociación con Judá ha-Leví y con Ibn al-Naghira, comerciante judío del Norte de África. La escritura recién descubierta fue ejecutada antes de la partida de Ḥalfon de Almería para Egipto, y en ella tanto se aclaran datos de la vida de Ḥalfon que ayudan, a su vez, a reconstruir la vida de Judá ha-Leví, como se confirma o se corrige la interpretación de otros elementos del archivo de Ḥalfon. Dos fragmentos del documento original han podido ser identificados, pero continúa incompleto. Aparte de la novedosa información que proporciona sobre algunos de los signatarios, mercaderes internacionales que acompañaban a Ḥalfon en su regreso a Egipto, este documento arroja luz sobre las rutas del comercio internacional y los contactos entre las comunidades de Egipto y al-Ándalus.
Hacia un léxico talmúdico: La raíz aramea ק.פ.י / q.f.y a la luz de un relato del Talmud de Babilonia
Authors: Zur Uri
Published: July 2016

El tratado Eruvin del Talmud de Babilonia cita tres historias y las presenta como un todo concatenado donde las tres comparten una sola característica: todas ellas recurren al «lenguaje de la sabiduría», como un medio atribuido a cada uno de los protagonistas de las historias. El presente artículo se centra en la primera de las historias de forma aislada de las demás, lo que proporciona un caso especial en relación con el estudio de la raíz aramea ק.פ.י / q.f.y, a partir de la cual se forma la palabra ותתקפי /ve-titqfey, cuyo significado se discute en el presente trabajo.
Teachers’ perceptions of the quality of the new Expressive Arts textbooks for Malawi primary schools
Authors: Ghirwa Grames , Naidoo Devika
Published: July 2016

The national government in Malawi implemented an outcomes-based curriculum reform in 2007. To facilitate implementation, new textbooks were developed for the primary school curriculum. This study intended to explore teachers’ use and perception of the new Expressive Arts textbooks. The participants consisted of 192 Expressive Arts teachers, grades 5–8, selected by purposeful sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and semistructured interviews. It was found that teachers believed that the textbooks were poorly designed, contained factual inaccuracies, did not support higher-level thinking of the learners, did not represent the lived experiences of the children using them and reinforced gender stereotyping. The study therefore suggests that there is need for review of the textbooks and that it is necessary to provide textbooks timely and in adequate quantities according to the needs of each school to ensure an effective implementation of a new curriculum.
La gestión de equipos de trabajo y productos radiofónicos en las radios universitarias
Authors: García-González Isabel M. , Robles-Andreu Carmen , Correyero-Ruiz Beatriz
Published: July 2016

El aprendizaje cooperativo y colaborativo están sustituyendo en las universidades a los modelos educacionales de trabajo en grupo que se conocían hasta ahora colocando al alumno en centro de su propia formación como un actor más en los procesos de adquisición de competencias, sirviendo las radios universitarias como laboratorios de experimentación para ello. Metodología: En esta investigación se realiza un análisis de todos los procesos de trabajo que se desarrollan en iradioUCAM, la radio Universitaria de la Universidad Católica de Murcia, comprendidos desde la puesta en marcha de una nueva temporada hasta la finalización de ésta según los criterios definitorios del aprendizaje cooperativo y colaborativo. Resultados: La aplicación de la metodología nos permite identificar cuatro fases de trabajo secuenciales diferenciadas según: acotación temporal, procesos desarrollados, objetivos a alcanzar y tipo de aprendizaje empleado. Discusión: los resultados obtenidos evidencian que en el proceso necesario para desarrollar los productos finales incluidos en su parrilla de programación, utilizan técnicas y herramientas tanto del aprendizaje cooperativo como del colaborativo. Conclusiones: iradioUCAM ha generado su propio modelo de gestión de radio universitaria que, mejorado y adaptado, puede servir como pauta no solo a otras radios universitarias sino también a otros escenarios formativos en los que recrear realidades profesionales.
Direct Gravitational Search Algorithm for Global Optimisation Problems
Authors: Ali Ahmed F. , Tawhid Mohamed A.
Published: July 2016

A gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is a meta-heuristic development that is modelled on the Newtonian law of gravity and mass interaction. Here we propose a new hybrid algorithm called the Direct Gravitational Search Algorithm (DGSA), which combines a GSA that can perform a wide exploration and deep exploitation with the Nelder-Mead method, as a promising direct method capable of an intensification search. The main drawback of a meta-heuristic algorithm is slow convergence, but in our DGSA the standard GSA is run for a number of iterations before the best solution obtained is passed to the Nelder-Mead method to refine it and avoid running iterations that provide negligible further improvement. We test the DGSA on 7 benchmark integer functions and 10 benchmark minimax functions to compare the performance against 9 other algorithms, and the numerical results show the optimal or near optimal solution is obtained faster.
Evolution narratologique du roman Africain francophone: le cas de les gardiens du temple de Cheikh Hamidou Kane
Authors: Eteka Ante James
Published: July 2016

Un observateur bien averti de la scène littéraire romanesque africaine peut y avoir une certaine évidence de l’évolution narratologique du roman francophone. On s’aperçoit que les études consacrées à cette évolution se limitent surtout dans le domaine de l’évolution des thèmes. On s’est surtout interrogé sur l’apparition des nouveaux thèmes, ou sur des oeuvres qui rejettent le réquisitoire de l’Occident pour se tourner vers une analyse critique interne des sociétés africaines. Notre propos consiste à analyser la nature de cette évolution dans notre corpus et de faire ressortir l’idéologie sociale prônée par l’auteur pendant sa narration.Mots clés: évolution, narratologie, les Gardiens du temple
Global combustion sources of organic aerosols: model comparison with 84 AMS factor-analysis data sets
Authors: Tsimpidi Alexandra P. , Karydis Vlassis A. , Pandis Spyros N. , Lelieveld Jos
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Emissions of organic compounds from biomass, biofuel, and fossil fuel combustion strongly influence the global atmospheric aerosol load. Some of the organics are directly released as primary organic aerosol (POA). Most are emitted in the gas phase and undergo chemical transformations (i.e., oxidation by hydroxyl radical) and form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In this work we use the global chemistry climate model ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) with a computationally efficient module for the description of organic aerosol (OA) composition and evolution in the atmosphere (ORACLE). The tropospheric burden of open biomass and anthropogenic (fossil and biofuel) combustion particles is estimated to be 0.59 and 0.63 Tg, respectively, accounting for about 30 and 32 % of the total tropospheric OA load. About 30 % of the open biomass burning and 10 % of the anthropogenic combustion aerosols originate from direct particle emissions, whereas the rest is formed in the atmosphere. A comprehensive data set of aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements along with factor-analysis results from 84 field campaigns across the Northern Hemisphere are used to evaluate the model results. Both the AMS observations and the model results suggest that over urban areas both POA (25–40 %) and SOA (60–75 %) contribute substantially to the overall OA mass, whereas further downwind and in rural areas the POA concentrations decrease substantially and SOA dominates (80–85 %). EMAC does a reasonable job in reproducing POA and SOA levels during most of the year. However, it tends to underpredict POA and SOA concentrations during winter indicating that the model misses wintertime sources of OA (e.g., residential biofuel use) and SOA formation pathways (e.g., multiphase oxidation).
Nocturnal new particle formation events in urban environment
Authors: Salimi Farhad , Rahman Md Mahmudur , Clifford Sam , Ristovski Zoran , Morawska Lidia
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Few studies have investigated nocturnal new particle formation (NPF) events, and none of them were conducted in urban environments. Nocturnal NPF can potentially be a significant source of particles in urban areas, and studying them would improve our understanding of nucleation mechanisms. To address this, our study was conducted in an urban environment to investigate the physical characteristics of NPF events, with a particular focus on nocturnal events and the differences between them and the daytime NPF events. Particle number size distribution (PNSD) was measured for two weeks at each of 25 sites across an urban environment. A new method was proposed to automatically categorise NPF events based on growth rate (GR) in order to remove the bias related to the manual procedure. Out of 219 observed events, 118 and 101 were categorised into class I and II respectively and 73 happened during the night time which included more than 30 % of the events. GR and condensation sink (CS) were calculated and a slight negative relationship between GR and CS was observed, and production of condensable vapour was lower in nighttime NPF events compared to daytime. Nocturnal events on average displayed 10 % higher GRs compared to day time ones. Back trajectory analysis was also conducted to estimate the locations of the sources of day time and nocturnal precursors. While the precursors related to day time events originated from different locations with no particular pattern, back-trajectory analysis showed many air masses associated with nocturnal NPF events were transported from over the ocean. Overall, nocturnal NPF events were found to be a significant source of particles in the studied environment with different physical characteristics/sources compared to day time events.
Influence of the spatial distribution of gravity wave activity on the middle atmospheric circulation and transport
Authors: Šácha Petr , Lilienthal Friederike , Jacobi Christoph , Pišoft Petr
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Analyzing GPS radio occultation density profiles, we have recently pointed out a localized area of enhanced gravity wave (GW) activity and breaking in the lower stratosphere of the Eastern Asia/North-western Pacific (EA/NP) region. With a mechanistic model for the middle and upper atmosphere (MUAM), experiments are performed to study a possible effect of such a localized IGW breaking region on the large-scale circulation and transport and also more generally, possible influence of spatial distribution of gravity wave activity on the middle atmospheric circulation and transport. The results indicate an important role of the spatial distribution of GW activity for the polar vortex stability, formation of planetary waves (PW) and for the strength and structure of the zonal mean residual circulation. Also, a possible effect of a zonally asymmetric GW breaking in the longitudinal variability of Brewer–Dobson circulation is analyzed. Finally, consequences of our results for a variety of research topics (Sudden Stratospheric Warmings, atmospheric blocking, teleconnections and a compensation mechanism between resolved and unresolved drag) are discussed.
Influence of enhanced Asian NOx emissions on ozone in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) in chemistry climate model simulations
Authors: Roy Chaitri , Fadnavis Suvarna , Müller Rolf , Chaudhary Ayantika Dey , Ploeger Felix
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Asian summer monsoon convection plays an important role in efficient vertical transport from the surface to the anticyclone. In this paper we investigate the potential impact of convectively transported anthropogenic nitrogen oxides (NOx) on the distribution of ozone in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) from simulations with the fully-coupled aerosol chemistry climate model, ECHAM5-HAMMOZ. We performed anthropogenic NOx emission sensitivity experiments over India and China. In these simulations, anthropogenic NOx emissions for the period 2000–2010 have been increased by 38 % over India and by 73 % over China in accordance with satellite observed trends over India of 3.8 % per year and China of 7.3 % per year. These NOx emission sensitivity simulations show that strong convection over the Bay of Bengal and the Southern slopes of the Himalayas transports Indian emissions into the UTLS. Convective transport from the South China Sea injects Chinese emissions into the lower stratosphere. Indian and Chinese emissions are partially transported over the Arabian Sea and west Asia by the tropical easterly jet. Enhanced NOx emissions over India and China increase the ozone radiative forcing over India by 0.112 W/m2 and 0.121 W/m2 respectively. These elevated emissions produces significant warming over the Tibetan Plateau and increase precipitation over India due to a strengthening of the monsoon Hadley circulation. However doubling of NOx emissions over India (73 %); equal to China, produced high ozone in the lower troposphere. It induced a reverse monsoon Hadley circulation and negative precipitation anomalies over India. The associated subsidence suppressed vertical transport of NOx and ozone into the anticyclone.
Comparison of Vaisala radiosondes RS41 and RS92 at the ARM Southern Great
Plains site
Authors: Jensen Michael P. , Holdridge Donna J. , Survo Petteri , Lehtinen Raisa , Baxter Shannon , Toto Tami , Johnson Karen L.
Published: July 2016

Abstract. In the fall of 2013, the Vaisala RS41 (fourth generation) radiosonde was introduced as a replacement for the RS92-SGP radiosonde with improvements in measurement accuracy of profiles of atmospheric temperature, humidity, and pressure. In order to help characterize these improvements, an intercomparison campaign was undertaken at the US Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility site in north-central Oklahoma, USA. During 3–8 June 2014, a total of 20 twin-radiosonde flights were performed in a variety of atmospheric conditions representing typical midlatitude continental summertime conditions. The results show that for most of the observed conditions the RS92 and RS41 measurements agree much better than the manufacturer-specified combined uncertainties with notable exceptions when exiting liquid cloud layers where the “wet-bulbing” effect appears to be mitigated for several cases in the RS41 observations. The RS41 measurements of temperature and humidity, with applied correction algorithms, also appear to show less sensitivity to solar heating. These results suggest that the RS41 does provide important improvements, particularly in cloudy conditions. For many science applications – such as atmospheric process studies, retrieval development, and weather forecasting and climate modeling – the differences between the RS92 and RS41 measurements should have little impact. However, for long-term trend analysis and other climate applications, additional characterization of the RS41 measurements and their relation to the long-term observational records will be required.
4-D-VAR assimilation of disdrometer data and radar spectral reflectivities for raindrop size distribution and vertical wind retrievals
Authors: Mercier François , Chazottes Aymeric , Barthès Laurent , Mallet Cécile
Published: July 2016

Abstract. This paper presents a novel framework for retrieving the vertical raindrop size distribution (DSD) and vertical wind profiles during light rain events. This is also intended as a tool to better characterize rainfall microphysical processes. It consists in coupling K band Doppler spectra and ground disdrometer measurements (raindrop fluxes) in a 2-D numerical model propagating the DSD from the clouds to the ground level. The coupling is done via a 4-D-VAR data assimilation algorithm. As a first step, in this paper, the dynamical model and the geometry of the problem are quite simple. They do not allow the complexity implied by all rain microphysical processes to be encompassed (evaporation, coalescence breakup and horizontal air motion are not taken into account). In the end, the model is limited to the fall of droplets under gravity, modulated by the effects of vertical winds. The framework is thus illustrated with light, stratiform rain events. We firstly use simulated data sets (data assimilation twin experiment) to show that the algorithm is able to retrieve the DSD profiles and vertical winds. It also demonstrates the ability of the algorithm to deal with the atmospheric turbulence (broadening of the Doppler spectra) and the instrumental noise. The method is then applied to a real case study which was conducted in the southwest of France during the autumn 2013. The data set collected during a long, quiet event (6 h duration, rain rate between 2 and 7 mm h−1) comes from an optical disdrometer and a 24 GHz vertically pointing Doppler radar. We show that the algorithm is able to reproduce the observations and retrieve realistic DSD and vertical wind profiles, when compared to what could be expected for such a rain event. A goal for this study is to apply it to extended data sets for a validation with independent data, which could not be done with our limited 2013 data. Other data sets would also help to parameterize more processes needed in the model (evaporation, coalescence/breakup) to apply the algorithm to convective rain and to evaluate the adequacy of the model's parameterization.
A reduced-complexity model for sediment transport and step-pool morphology
Authors: Saletti Matteo , Molnar Peter , Hassan Marwan A. , Burlando Paolo
Published: July 2016

Abstract. A new particle-based reduced-complexity model to simulate sediment transport and channel morphology in steep streams in presented. The model CAST (Cellular Automaton Sediment Transport) contains phenomenological parameterizations, deterministic or stochastic, of sediment supply, bed load transport, and particle entrainment and deposition in a cellular-automaton space with uniform grain size. The model reproduces a realistic bed morphology and typical fluctuations in transport rates observed in steep channels. Particle hop distances, from entrainment to deposition, are well fitted by exponential distributions, in agreement with field data. The effect of stochasticity in both the entrainment and the input rate is shown. A stochastic parameterization of the entrainment is essential to create and maintain a realistic channel morphology, while the intermittent transport of grains in CAST shreds the input signal and its stochastic variability. A jamming routine has been added to CAST to simulate the grain–grain and grain–bed interactions that lead to particle jamming and step formation in a step-pool stream. The results show that jamming is effective in generating steps in unsteady conditions. Steps are created during high-flow periods and they survive during low flows only in sediment-starved conditions, in agreement with the jammed-state hypothesis of Church and Zimmermann (2007). Reduced-complexity models like CAST give new insights into the dynamics of complex phenomena such as sediment transport and bedform stability and are a useful complement to fully physically based models to test research hypotheses.
Comparison and validation of global and regional ocean forecasting systems
for the South China Sea
Authors: Zhu Xueming , Wang Hui , Liu Guimei , Régnier Charly , Kuang Xiaodi , Wang Dakui , Ren Shihe , Jing Zhiyou , Drévillon Marie
Published: July 2016

Abstract. In this paper, the performance of two operational ocean forecasting systems, the global Mercator Océan (MO) Operational System, developed and maintained by Mercator Océan in France, and the regional South China Sea Operational Forecasting System (SCSOFS), by the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center (NMEFC) in China, have been examined. Both systems can provide science-based nowcast/forecast products of temperature, salinity, water level, and ocean circulations. Comparison and validation of the ocean circulations, the structures of temperature and salinity, and some mesoscale activities, such as ocean fronts, typhoons, and mesoscale eddies, are conducted based on observed satellite and in situ data obtained in 2012 in the South China Sea. The results showed that MO performs better in simulating the ocean circulations and sea surface temperature (SST), and SCSOFS performs better in simulating the structures of temperature and salinity. For the mesoscale activities, the performance of SCSOFS is better than MO in simulating SST fronts and SST decrease during Typhoon Tembin compared with the previous studies and satellite data; but model results from both of SCSOFS and MO show some differences from satellite observations. In conclusion, some recommendations have been proposed for both forecast systems to improve their forecasting performance in the near future based on our comparison and validation.
The Configuration of Speaking: The Hermeneutics of Idiomatic Knowledge
Authors: Martinez del Castillo Jesus
Published: July 2016

Idiomatic knowledge, the competence of speakers to speak consists of nine aspects perfectly to be separated through abstraction in accordance with two sets of criteria to be found in the activity of speaking: three levels (universal, historical or particular and individual) and three points of view (activity, knowledge and product). Combining the three levels with the three points of view with the aspects referred to they are speaking in general, speaking a particular language and speaking individually; elocutive knowledge, idiomatic knowledge, and expressive knowledge; and the total manifestations of speaking, abstract language and text. My purpose now is to analyze the activity of speaking in order to know if idiomatic knowledge is structured or not thus interpreting the idiomatic knowledge underlying speaking.

Hermeneutics is the science consisting in the interpretation of human facts in terms of the human life. Hermeneutics tries to justify what has already been made by humans.
Knowledge and Community: The Effect of a First-Year Seminar on Student Persistence
Authors: Pittendrigh Adele , Borkowski John , Swinford Steven , Plumb Carolyn
Published: July 2016

This study explores the effects of an academic seminar on the persistence of first-year college students, including effects on students most at risk of dropping out. A secondary interest was demonstrating the utility of using classification and regression tree analysis to identify relevant predictors of student persistence. The results of the study showed that persistence rates improved for all students who took the seminar and, most importantly, that the persistence rate for higher-risk students showed double the improvement of that of lower-risk students. Results also suggest that changes in student perception of the value of a college education and engagement in classroom discussion are factors for improving the persistence of higher-risk students.
Imposto de renda da pessoa física, isonomia e capacidade econômica: analisando o atributo da generalidade
Authors: Borba Bruna Estima , Coelho André Felipe Canuto
Published: July 2016

O corrente artigo tem por objetivo geral demonstrar o baixo grau de concretização dos princípios da igualdade fiscal e da capacidade econômica no cenário nacional atual, no que se refere ao imposto de renda da pessoa física (IRPF). Para tanto, serão examinadas as características deste imposto, abordando os atributos da universalidade, da progressividade, e em especial, da generalidade, em correlação com referidos princípios. A hipótese central é de que há reduzido grau de generalidade na incidência do IRPF, em razão de um indevido tratamento privilegiado dado aos rendimentos de capital em detrimento dos rendimentos do trabalho. Utilizando metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa e método indutivo, a construção do texto tratará do estudo do significado e da efetividade desses caracteres, especificamente no que tange à generalidade, associando-a aos princípios da isonomia e da capacidade econômica no contexto do IRPF. Empregar-se-á o exame do conteúdo dos textos constitucionais e legais nacionais relativos ao imposto de renda, além de alguma jurisprudência e de reflexões promovidas por doutrinadores, como principais fundamentações teóricas. A presente investigação se justifica pela necessidade de identificar, na tributação da pessoa física, a realização dos princípios da capacidade econômica e da isonomia tributária.
Una lectura neoconstitucional de la teoría del poder de policía
Authors: Marcondes Ricardo Martins , Santano Ana Claudia
Published: July 2016

El poder de policía es un tema bastante polémico dentro del Derecho Administrativo. Se refiere no sólo a cómo la Administración Pública debe portarse ante los administrados, sino también refleja una posición ideológica que el Estado adopta en el ejercicio de sus potestades. Además, su proximidad con otros problemáticos temas como la discrecionalidad administrativa vuelve aún más difícil su exposición doctrinal. Por medio de una lectura a partir de los cánones del neoconstitucionalismo, se debate la aplicación del poder de policía ante los derechos fundamentales y los principios constitucionales, resultando en breves aportes sobre la utilización de la técnica de ponderación de principios, que pueden colidir en un caso concreto, de modo que la Administración Pública no los viole cuando ejerza su poder de policía. Al final, se subraya el perfil ideológico del debate, así como la importancia de un nuevo encaje del poder de policía en la Ciencia del Derecho.
Forest structure, diversity and regeneration potential along altitudinal gradient in Dhanaulti of Garhwal Himalaya
Authors: Saha Sushil , Rajwar Govind-Singh , Kumar Munesh
Published: July 2016

Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to understatnd the forest composition, structure, diversity and regeneration potential along altitudinal gradient.Area of study: The study was carried out in Dhanaulti forest which falls under temperate region of Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand state, India.Material and Methods: Vegetation analysis was carried out using 10 quadrats at each altitude using a quadrate size of 10×10 m2. In each quadrate, categories of trees >30 cm cbh were considered as trees, 10-30cm cbh as saplings and <10 cm cbh as seedlings. The data were quantitatively analyzed.Main results: In upper and middle altitudes, Cedrus deodara was reported dominant tree whereas, in lower altitude Quercus leucotrichophora was reported dominant. Tree density was highest in lower altitude which reduced middle and upper altitudes whereas, total basal cover increased with increasing altitude. The increasing total basal cover with altitude could be because of the presence of Cedrus deodara trees having higher girth classes. In tree, sapling and seedling layers, diversity (H) and equitabiltiy (EC) decreased with increasing altitude. However, concentrations of dominace (CD) and beta diversity (BD have shown reverse trend with H and EC which increased with increasing altitudes, in each layer of tree, sapling and seedling.The distribution pattern of most species in all layers of trees, saplings and seedlings was contagious. The regeneration potential of the species has shown that some of the species in the absence of tree layer are still regenerating particularly, Rhododendron arboreum, Benthamidia capitata, Neolitsea pallens etc. It indicates that most of the species are shifting upward as they are getting suitable conditions.Research highlights: Altitude influence species composition, diversity and regeneration potential of species.Key words: Distribution pattern; tree diversity; regeneration; mountains; temperate; Himalaya.
FlorNExT®, a cloud computing application to estimate growth and yield of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) stands in Northeastern Portugal
Authors: Pérez-Rodríguez Fernando , Nunes Luis , Sil Ângelo , Azevedo João
Published: July 2016

Aim of the study: To introduce and describe FlorNExT®, a free cloud computing application to estimate growth and yield of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) even-aged stands in the Northeast of Portugal (NE Portugal).Area of study: NE Portugal.Material and methods: FlorNExT® implements a dynamic growth and yield modelling framework which integrates transition functions for dominant height (site index curves) and basal area, as well as output functions for tree and stand volume, biomass, and carbon content.Main results: FlorNExT® is freely available from any device with an Internet connection at: http://flornext.esa.ipb.pt/.Research highlights: This application has been designed to make it possible for any stakeholder to easily estimate standing volume, biomass, and carbon content in maritime pine stands from stand data, as well as to estimate growth and yield based on four stand variables: age, density, dominant height, and basal area. FlorNExT® allows planning thinning treatments. FlorNExT® is a fundamental tool to support forest mobilization at local and regional scales in NE Portugal.Keywords: forest management; maritime pine; forest modelling; knowledge transfer tool.
Effects of spacing on early growth rate and carbon sequestration in Pinus brutia Ten. plantations
Authors: Erkan Nesat , Aydin Ali C.
Published: July 2016

Aim of study: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of initial spacing on early growth and carbon sequestration rates in Turkish red pine plantations up to 12 years old, established with improved seeds and deep soil cultivation.Area of study: The study was conducted on experimental sites established in two locations within the Turkish red pine natural distribution areas, namely Duacı and Nebiler close to Antalya city.Material and methods: Data were collected from the experimental sites established as a Nelder design (fan-shaped), with 72 rays and 18 arcs (circles), and trees were planted (almost square) at distances ranging from 1.15 to 4.77 m. Soil type of both sites is loamy, with soil clay content varying between 70-87% in Duacı and 51-70% in Nebiler. Soils are deep being more than one m in both sites, but rockier in Nebiler, providing better soil drainage in this site.Main results: The results showed that mean total height was greater at closer spacing than those of wider spacing until age eight. Growth retardation at wider spacing in early years may be related to water loss due to evaporation in hot summer days and weed suppression. Following the age eight, competition among trees appears to be the major factor reducing the growth and carbon fixation. Diameter at breast height and individual tree volume increased, while stand volume, mean annual volume increment and annual carbon storage per hectare considerably decreased for wider spacing. Our results suggest that in order to obtain higher yield and more carbon fixation, short rotation plantations should initially be established in closer spacing, followed by thinning in subsequent years as required by silvicultural concerns. In this context, spacing 3.0 × 1.0 m or 3.0 × 1.5 m (3.0 and 4.5 m2 growing area per tree, respectively) seems to be more plausible, providing farm machinery for maintenance and harvesting. We also found that mean annual volume increment per unit area can be considerably increased by using improved seed and deep soil cultivation in plantations.Research highlights: Results encourage managers for short rotation management in industrial plantations using closer spacing in terms of carbon sequestration as well as wood production.Keywords: Pinus brutia Ten.; spacing; forest growth and yield; carbon sequestration; Nelder experimental design.Abbreviations used: TFS: Turkish Forest Service; OGM: General Directorate of Forestry; Dbh: Diameter at breast height.
Towards Acceptance M-Learning Approach in Higher Education in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Badwelan Alaa , Drew Steve , Bahaddad Adel A.
Published: July 2016

Mobile learning (m-learning) is one of the most critical technological environment of distance learning in higher education institutes. The m-learning provides a widespread access to mobile devices networks and the possibility to learn regardless of time and place, unlike other learning services that depend on the location of the user. The research objectives of this study is investigate and determine the possibility of acceptance in m-Learning and examine the main factors that affect using m-Learning in higher education students in Saudi Arabia. The method tool is quantitative approach using questionnaire method to collect around 400 participants of universities students who are study in e-learning system in various collages in the universities. The survey was distributed electronically via self-selected and social network channels.

The study is applied Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. The framework focuses to determine the factors that influence the students’ intention to use M-Learning via smart mobile devices. The numbers of distance learning in some Saudi universities are increased gradually in the last five years. Also, the Saudi electronic university in Saudi Arabic has been established 2011.
The smart phone devices are one of popular usage in Saudi audience and eMarketer reports, it was reached around 73% of publication of internet user to in Saudi Arabia and third global country for using the smartphone depending on the number of population. It is beneficial to determine the factor that influencing to accept of M-Learning in education field generally and in higher education in particular.
The Impact of Events Sponsorship on Attendee’s Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Brand Image
Authors: Tomalieh Elham Fakhri
Published: July 2016

This study aims to investigate the impact of sponsorship events on the purchase intent of attendees, mediated by brand image. For the purpose of this study, attendee's purchase intention is treated as a dependent variable and brand image as a mediated variable. Independent variables are: brand awareness, attitude towards the event and event-sponsor fit. The study relied on collecting primary data through a self-prepared questionnaire. In total (400) questionnaires were distributed randomly to the sponsoring event attendees who could be reached by the researcher. Response rate was (96.75) percent. The results revealed all the variables under investigation have a significant effect on attendee’s purchase intention. The major effect on the attendee’s purchase intention was for brand awareness followed by attitude towards the event, the weakest effect was for event–sponsor fit. While the major effect on the attendee’s perception of the sponsoring brand image was for attitude towards the event followed by brand awareness, the event–sponsor fit was excluded. Furthermore, it is found that brand image mediates the relationship between brand awareness, attitude towards the event and attendee’s purchase intention.
The Impact of Variable Interactions on Lebanese Banks Fragility
Authors: Awdeh Ali
Published: July 2016

This paper aimed at studying the development of bank fragility in Lebanon over the period 1990-2013. Using the Z-score measure, we find significant improvement of bank stability over the studied period. We also detect the impact of several internal and external factors on Z-score and find that bank size, liquidity, and market concentration boost bank stability. Conversely, higher net interest margin, deposit growth, and inefficiency increase insolvency risk. We extend our analysis and test the impact of variable interactions on Z-score and show that the common impact of many variables totally differs from the impact of those variables separately. This finding stresses the importance of looking beyond the influence of each factor individually and considering the impact of interaction among variables on bank fragility.