bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A arte como visão crítica, cultura e políticas públicas: Uma grande “ausência” nas perspectivas de desenvolvimento regional para o Norte Fluminense / The art as critical vision, culture and public policies: A big “absence” in the regional development perspectives for the North Fluminense
Authors: Pimentel Nelson Crespo Pinto , Rocha Elisabeth Soares
Published: February 2017

A relação entre cultura e desenvolvimento regional tem sido pouco explorada, tanto a nível teórico quanto no viés da construção de políticas públicas. Ao mesmo tempo, a cultura também tem sido historicamente “negligenciada” nas análises marxistas da conjuntura e nas propostas de transformação social que, baseadas nesse paradigma, procuram enfrentar o atual avanço do pensamento conservador. Partindo da visão de arte de György Lukács, este artigo pretende mostrar como ela pode ser indutora de uma perspectiva de cultura como política pública capaz de construir uma concepção de desenvolvimento regional democrática e participativa, criada a partir da vontade coletiva e da iniciativa dos setores populares. Tendo por base o Norte Fluminense e seus municípios “petrorrentistas”, este artigo termina demonstrando, no entanto, alguns indicadores de como seus gestores têm perdido a oportunidade de alavancar, por meio da cultura, uma ponte para a construção da efetiva melhoria de vida da sua população, mas que ainda permanece como portadora única da possibilidade de mudança social.
Clinical and demographic factors associated with sexual behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Fourie Lurike , Kotzé Carla , Van der Westhuizen Deborah
Published: February 2017

Introduction: The sexual behaviour and development of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been mostly overlooked in research and practice. This study aimed to determine the association between certain clinical and demographic factors found in a sample of children with ASDs, and their reported sexual behaviour (RSB).

Methods: The study was conducted at a school in Gauteng, South Africa, for learners with ASDs. Two questionnaires completed by caregivers/parents enquired about family stability, clinical profile and RSB (if any) in their child. RSB was analysed via three domains: self-care, socio-sexual skills and actual RSB, with additional information from school records.

Results: Of the 107 questionnaires distributed, only 31 parents responded and 24 agreed to participate. The 24 (100%) children included 10 pubertal and 14 pre-pubertal children, of which 18 (n = 18) had more stable primary caregiver statuses as well as more stable socioeconomic and family environments. Two of the 14 pre-pubertal children had abnormal self-care, whereas none of the 10 pubertal children had any abnormal self-care. Eight of the 18 children from more stable environments displayed abnormal sexual behaviours. Of the 6 children from less stable environments, two displayed more abnormal socio-sexual skills, whereas 9 of the 18 children from more stable environments displayed more abnormal sexual behaviour. In contrast with the postulated hypothesis that children from less stable socioeconomic and family environments would exhibit more abnormal sexual behaviours, this study did not find any evidence of such a relationship or association.

Conclusion: ASDs are characterised by deficits in communication and social skills. These may lead to an affected individual struggling to develop appropriate sexual behaviour. If specific risk factors that contribute to the development of abnormal sexual behaviour can be identified, one can try to modify/prevent these where some degree of prevention or alleviation may be possible.
Model for optimising the execution of anti-spam filters
Authors: Ruano-Ordás David
Published: February 2017

During last years, the combination of several filtering techniques for the development of anti-spam systems has gained a enormous popularity. However, although the accuracy achieved by these models has increased considerably, its use has entailed the emergence of new challenges such as the need to reduce the excessive use of computational resources, the increase of filtering speed and the adjustment of the weights used for the combination of several filtering techniques. In order to achieve this goal we have been refined several aspects including: (i) the design and development of small technical improvements to increase the overall performance of the filter, (ii) application of genetic algorithms to increase filtering accuracy and (iii) the use of scheduling algorithms to improve filtering throughput.
Rational versus Intuitive Outcomes of Reasoning with Preferences: Argumentation Perspective
Authors: Cyras Kristijonas
Published: February 2017

Reasoning with preference information is a common human activity. As modelling human reasoning is one of the main objectives of AI, reasoning with preferences is an important topic in various fields of AI, such as Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KR). Argumentation is one particular branch of KR that concerns, among other tasks, modelling common-sense reasoning with preferences. A key issue there, is the lack of consensus on how to deal with preferences. Witnessing this is a multitude of proposals on how to formalise reasoning with preferences in argumentative terms. As a commonality, however, formalisms of argumentation with preferences tend to fulfil various criteria of `"rational" reasoning, notwithstanding the fact that human reasoning is often not `"rational", yet seemingly `"intuitive". In this paper, we study how several formalisms of argumentation with preferences model human intuition behind a particular common-sense reasoning problem. More specifically, we present a common-sense scenario of reasoning with rules and preferences, complemented with a survey of decisions made by human respondents that indicates an "intuitive" solution, and analyse how this problem is tackled in argumentation. We conclude that most approaches to argumentation with preferences afford a ``"rational" solution to the problem, and discuss one recent formalism that yields the "intuitive" solution instead. We argue that our results call for advancements in the area of argumentation with preferences in particular, as well as for further studies of reasoning with preferences in AI at large.
Токовое представление для дубля супер-янгиана $DY(\mathfrak{gl}(m|n))$ и векторы Бете
Authors: Hutsalyuk Arthur Aleksandrovich , Liashyk Andrii Nikolaevich , Pakuliak Stanislav Zdislavovich , Ragoucy Eric , Slavnov Nikita Andreevich
Published: February 2017

Для квантовых интегрируемых моделей, связанных с суперсимметричными янгианами $Y(\mathfrak{gl}(m|n))$, построены векторы Бете в терминах токовых генераторов дубля янгиана $DY(\mathfrak{gl}(m|n))$. Для построения векторов Бете используется метод проекций на пересечения борелевских подалгебр различного типа в этой бесконечномерной алгебре. Вычисление данных проекций позволяет выразить векторы Бете через матричные элементы универсальной матрицы монодромии. Использование двух различных изоморфных токовых реализаций дубля янгиана $DY(\mathfrak{gl}(m|n))$ дает возможность получить два различных представления для векторов Бете. Показано, что они удовлетворяют некоторым рекуррентным соотношениям, которые доказывают их эквивалентность.
Библиография: 30 названий.
Local Leadership and Local-Self Government: Avoiding the Abyss
Authors: Copus Colin , Steyvers Kristof
Published: February 2017

A series of trends have emerged across Europe which have stimulated change in local government, local democracy and local leadership particularly where local government and local leaders have had to respond to crisis, economic downturn and the pressures of public engagement in times of restraint and public service decline. The special issue of Lex Localis (14:4, 2016) explored those factors in countries as diverse as Iceland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, the Czech and Slovak Republics and Poland, to provide valuable insights into the turbulent times within which local self-government is located. That issue of Lex Localis was drawn from two related sources: the ECPR joint sessions work shop in Warsaw on local political leadership in times of austerity and from papers produced for the LocRef Cost Action democratic renewal workgroup. The paper here presents a review of, and retrospective introduction to that special issue. But by also drawing on other sources it offers an exploration of the broad trends shaping the development of local government and also develops a commentary on the factors which stimulate or hinder the success of local leadership, local government and local democracy in challenging times.
Komentarz na temat kryteriów i trybu oceny czasopism naukowych przedstawionych w Projekcie z dnia 6 czerwca 2016 r. „Rozporządzenia Ministra Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego z dnia ……………….. 2016 r. w sprawie przyznawania kategorii naukowej jednostkom naukowym” oraz postulowane zmiany zapisów
Authors: Kokowski Michał ,   Institute for the History of Science, Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw– Cracow, Poland)
Published: February 2017

The article discusses the criteria and procedure for the parametric evaluation of scientific journals according to the Bill of 6 June 2016 of the “Directive of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Republic of Poland, dated .................... 2016 concerning the process of granting academic categories to scientific institutions”. It indicates serious legislative flaws as well as flaws concerning the science of science (including bibliometrics) in the Bill and proposes significant amendments to the provisions of this Directive. It indicates serious flaws of this Bill regarding legislation, the science of science (including bibliometrics), and proposes significant amendments to the content of the provisions of this Directive.
Prace matematyczne w Roczniku Towarzystwa Naukowego Krakowskiego (1817–1872)
Authors: Koroński Jan ,   Cracow University of Technology, Institute of Mathematics (Cracow, Poland)
Published: February 2017

This paper provides a general characterization of the Kraków Learned Society (Towarzystwo Naukowe Krakowskie). It existed in the period 1815–1872 and during that time changed its name several times. The Academy of Arts and Sciences (Akademia Umiejętności – AU) was founded in 1872, as a result of the transformation of the Krakow Learned Society. Additionally, this paper presents mathematical publications in the Annals of the Kraków Learned Society.
Omówienie książki: Władysław Marek Kolasa, Historiografia prasy polskiej (do 1918 roku). Naukometryczna analiza dyscypliny 1945–2009. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Pedagogicznego, 2013; „Prace Monograficzne” nr 678, ISBN 0239-6025, 978-83-7271-843-1, ss. 525 + Bibliografia przedmiotu (CD)
Authors: Kokowski Michał ,   Institute for the History of Science, Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw– Cracow, Poland)
Published: February 2017

This article presents a peer review of the book by Władysław Marek Kolasa on the historiography of the Polish press. It regards the methodology of historiography, the science of science and its sub-disciplines: scientometrics and bibliometrics.
Konferencja naukowa poświęcona pamięci Prof. Andrzeja Gawrońskiego (Przemyśl, 1 kwietnia 2016 r.)
Authors: Pudłocki Tomasz ,   Jagiellonian University, The Institute of History, Department of History of Culture and Historical Education (Cracow, Poland)
Published: February 2017

The author gave to print the report of the scientific “Andrzej Gawroński (1885–1927) - a linguist and scholar.” It was organized by the Society of Friends of Science in Przemyśl, Juliusz Słowacki High School No. 1 in Przemyśl as well as the Podkarpackie Center for Teacher Education Przemysl Chapter on April 1, 2016. The meeting was devoted to different aspects of life and scientific work of one of the world's most famous linguists - professor of oriental philology Krakow and Lviv universities, also briefly lived in Przemysl. Materials from the session will be published in The Przemyśl Yearbook issue Literature and Language.
Clinical and Radiological Predictability of Aditus Patency in Mucosal COM with Sclerosed Mastoid: An Analytical Study
Authors: Singh VP , Agrahari Alok Kumar , Pandey Apoorva Kumar
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the predictability of aditus patency in mucosal chronic otitis media (COM) with sclerosed mastoid using clinical and radiological tests.

Study design

Prospective study.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five cases of mucosal COM with sclerosed mastoid were taken for antrotomy with tympanoplasty. The preoperative evaluation of aditus patency was done using clinical examination, inflation deflation test for Eustachian tube function and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) temporal bone. The intraoperative patency was tested by water test.

Results

This study shows that there is statistically insignificant correlation between duration of discharge, tympanosclerosis and Eustachian tube function with aditus patency. There is statistically significant relationship between HRCT temporal bone and aditus patency (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

High-resolution computed tomography temporal bone is a reliable predictor for aditus patency and we recommend routine use in sclerosed mastoid before all tympanoplasties for best results.

How to cite this article

Varma A, Maithani T, Agrahari AK, Pandey AK, Singh VP. Clinical and Radiological Predictability of Aditus Patency in Mucosal COM with Sclerosed Mastoid: An Analytical Study. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2015;7(3):121-124.
Indications of Emergency vs Elective Cesarean Section: Cross-sectional Study done at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Authors: Javaid Kiran , Sultana Abida , Faisal Muneeba , Iqbal Rahim , Khalid Mohammad Bin , Khalid Mohammad A
Published: February 2017

Aim

To assess the indications of emergency vs elective cesarean section in patients at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi.

Materials and methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 675 women who underwent cesarean section in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan over a period of 2 months. Sociodemographic features, type of cesarean, and their indications were recorded on a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.

Results

A total of 675 women underwent cesarean section during the study period. The emergency cesarean section rate was 70.4%, while elective cesarean constituted of 29.6% cases. The most common indications for emergency cesarean were fetal distress (43.2%) followed by previous cesarean (19.2%) and failure to progress (9.3%), while that for elective cesarean were previous cesarean (41%) and malpresentation (24.5%).

Conclusion

Fetal distress and previous scar are the leading causes of cesarean section in our study. The improvement of maternal and child health facilities at basic health units, appropriate training of lady health workers and midwives, timely involvement of senior obstetrician, and formation of strict policies regarding cesarean section can have a profound effect in decreasing the rate of cesarean section.

Clinical significance

This study can prove to be of profound value in getting an insight into the continuously increasing rate of cesarean section. In developing countries like Pakistan, these increasing cesarean deliveries prove to be a burden on the already-constrained resources.

How to cite this article

Sultana A, Faisal M, Iqbal R, Javaid K, Khalid MB, Khalid MA. Indications of Emergency vs Elective Cesarean Section: Cross-sectional Study done at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2017;9(1):14-17.
A Comparative Study of Manual vs Instrumental Intracesarean Postpartum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device
Authors: Kaur Parneet , Kaur Khushpreet , Singh Beant , Mohi Manjit K , Chakheni N
Published: February 2017

Aims and objectives

The main objective of the study was to compare the two different methods of intracesarean insertion of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD), i.e., manual vs instrumental, and to study the effectiveness, safety, and continuation rate of intracesarean PPIUCD as a contraceptive method.

Materials and methods

A total of 100 subjects undergoing lower (uterine) segment cesarean section (LSCS) were enrolled for the study. In group I (n = 50), Cu-T 380A was inserted manually and in group II (n = 50), Cu-T 380A was inserted with a PPIUCD forceps. After checking for the inclusion and exclusion criteria and proper counseling, written consent was obtained and subjects were enrolled for the study. All the subjects were followed up for 3 months either clinically or telephonically. All the complaints, side effects, complications, and findings of both the groups were compared and analyzed.

Results

The continuation rate after the period of follow-up was 94% in group I and 92% in group II. There was only one case (2%) of expulsion in group II. A total of 3 (6%) subjects in group I and 3 (6%) of the subjects in group II got PPIUCD removed for various reasons. There was no case of infection, perforation, or contraceptive failure.

Conclusion

Intracesarean PPIUCD is an effective method of postpartum contraception and both the methods (manual and instrumental) are equally effective with minimum side effects and complications and good acceptability by the clients.

How to cite this article

Chakheni N, Kaur P, Kaur K, Singh B, Mohi MK. A Comparative Study of Manual vs Instrumental Intracesarean Postpartum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2017;9(1):25-28.
Successful Outcome of Spontaneously Conceived Heterotopic Pregnancy masquerading Ovarian Torsion
Authors: Kumar Sunesh , Roy Kallol K , Bharti Juhi , Vatsa Richa , Meena Jyoti , Zangmo Rinchen
Published: February 2017

Aim

To sensitize clinicians regarding possibility of heterotopic pregnancy even in spontaneous conceptions.

Background

Though heterotopic pregnancy is a rare condition, its incidence is rising, which varies from one in 8,000 to 30,000, more in assisted reproductive technique conceptions. It is being commonly misdiagnosed. Here, we present a case of heterotopic pregnancy after spontaneous conception, diagnosis of which was confused with ovarian torsion.

Case Report

A 31-year-old second gravid para one with one living issue at 12 week 6 day period of gestation presented to emergency with acute-onset pain in right lower abdomen for 3 days. On examination, an ovarian tumor with ascitis with probable torsion was suspected along with intrauterine pregnancy. These findings were further supported by similar ultrasound picture. Patient was taken up for laparotomy. Intraoperative finding was suggestive of heterotopic pregnancy with ruptured left tubal ectopic pregnancy. Left salpingectomy was done with minimal uterine manipulation. Histopathology showed blood clots, hyalinized villi, and acute inflammatory cell infiltrate suggestive of ectopic pregnancy. Ultrasonography (USG) done in the postoperative period showed viable intrauterine pregnancy. The patient is currently following with us and is in her second trimester of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Heterotopic pregnancy is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge; a high index of suspicion is required. It is important for clinicians to see adnexal in detail even if intrauterine pregnancy has been seen clearly during USG, especially in high-risk cases.

Clinical significance

Heterotopic pregnancies can occur even in the absence of high-risk factors. In patients with intrauterine pregnancy, who present with adnexal mass with free fluid in abdomen, clinicians should keep their mind open for possible diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy. Early diagnosis and surgical management will decrease maternal morbidity and increase chances of survival of intrauterine pregnancy.

How to cite this article

Vatsa R, Meena J, Kumar S, Zangmo R, Bharti J, Roy KK. Successful Outcome of Spontaneously Conceived Heterotopic Pregnancy masquerading Ovarian Torsion. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2017;9(1):60-62.
Projected Changes in Haze Pollution Potential in China: An Ensemble of Regional Climate Model Simulations
Authors: Han Zhenyu , Zhou Botao , Xu Ying , Wu Jia , Shi Ying
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Based on the dynamic downscaling by the regional climate model RegCM4 from three CMIP5 global models under the historical and the RCP4.5 simulations, this article evaluated the performance of the RegCM4 downscaling simulations on the air environment carrying capacity (AEC) and weak ventilation days (WVD) in China, which are applied to measure haze pollution potential. Their changes during the middle and the end of the 21st century were also projected. The evaluations show that the RegCM4 downscaling simulations can generally capture the observed features of the AEC and WVD distributions over the period 1986–2005. The projections indicate that the annual AEC tends to decrease and the annual WVD tends to increase almost over the whole country except central China, concurrent with greater change by the late of the 21st century than by the middle of the 21st century. It suggests that annual haze pollution potential would be enlarged under the RCP4.5 scenario as compared to the present. For seasonal change in the four main economic zones of China, it is projected consistently that there would be a higher probability of haze pollution risk over the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in winter and over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) zone in spring and summer in the context of the warming scenario. Over Northeast China (NEC), future climate change might reduce the AEC or increase the WVD throughout the whole year, which favors the occurrence of haze pollution and thus the haze pollution risk would be aggravated. Relative contribution of different components related to the AEC change further indicates that changes of the boundary layer depth and the wind speed play the leading roles in the AEC change over the BTH and NEC regions. In addition to those two factors, the precipitation change also exerts dominant impacts on the ACE change over the YRD and PRD zones.
A satellite and reanalysis view of cloud organization, thermodynamic, and dynamic variability within the subtropical marine boundary layer
Authors: Kahn Brian H. , Matheou Georgios , Yue Qing , Fauchez Thomas , Fetzer Eric J. , Lebsock Matthew , Martins João , Schreier Mathias M. , Suzuki Kentaroh , Teixeira João
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The global-scale patterns and covariances of subtropical marine boundary layer (MBL) cloud fraction and spatial organization with atmospheric thermodynamic and dynamic fields remain poorly understood. We describe a novel approach that leverages coincident NASA A-train and the Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) data to quantify the relationships in the subtropical MBL derived at the native pixel and grid resolution. Four subtropical oceanic regions that capture transitions from closed-cell stratocumulus to open-cell trade cumulus are investigated. We define stratocumulus and cumulus regimes based exclusively from infrared-based thermodynamic phase. Visible reflectances are normally distributed within stratocumulus and are increasingly skewed away from the coast where disorganized cumulus dominates. Increases in MBL depth, wind speed and effective radius (re), and reductions in 700–1000 hPa moist static energy differences and 700 and 850 hPa vertical velocity, correspond with increases in reflectance skewness. We posit that a more robust representation of the cloudy MBL is obtained using visible reflectance rather than retrievals of optical thickness that are limited to a smaller subset of cumulus. An increase in re within shallow cumulus is strongly related to higher MBL wind speeds that further correspond to increased precipitation occurrence according to CloudSat. Our results are consistent with surface-based observations and suggest that the combination of A-train and MERRA data sets have potential to add global context to our process understanding of the subtropical cumulus-dominated MBL.
Atmospheric processes affecting the separation of volcanic ash and SO2 in volcanic eruptions: Inferences from the May 2011 Grímsvötn eruption
Authors: Prata Fred , Woodhouse Mark , Huppert Herbert E. , Prata Andrew , Thordarson Thor , Carn Simon
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The separation of volcanic ash and sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas is sometimes observed during volcanic eruptions. The exact conditions under which separation occurs are not fully understood but the phenomenon is of importance because of the effects volcanic emissions have on aviation, on the environment and to the earth's radiation balance. The eruption of Grimsvotn, a subglacial volcano under the Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland during 21–28 May 2011 produced one of the most spectacular examples of ash and SO2 separation that led to errors in the forecasting of ash in the atmosphere over northern Europe. Satellite data from several sources coupled with meteorological wind data and photographic evidence suggest that the eruption column was unable to sustain itself, resulting in a large deposition of ash which left a low level ash-rich atmospheric plume moving southwards and then eastwards towards the southern Scandanavian coast, and a high level predominantly SO2 plume travelling northwards and then spreading eastwards and westwards. Here we provide observational and modelling perspectives on the separation of ash and SO2 and present quantitative estimates of the masses of ash and SO2 erupted, the directions of transport, and the likely impacts. We hypothesise that a partial column collapse or perhaps several occurred during the early stage of the eruption leading to an ash-laden gravity intrusion that was swept southwards, separated from the main column. Our model suggests that water-mediated aggregation caused enhanced ash removal because of the plentiful supply of source water from exsolved magmatic water, from melted glacial ice and from entrained atmospheric water. The analysis also suggests that ash and SO2 should be treated with separate source terms, leading to improvements in forecasting the movement of both types of emissions.
HoloGondel: in situ cloud observations on a cable car in the Swiss Alps using a holographic imager
Authors: Beck Alexander , Henneberger Jan , Schöpfer Sarah , Fugal Jacob , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: February 2017

Abstract. In situ observations of cloud properties in complex alpine terrain where research aircraft cannot sample are commonly conducted at mountain-top research stations and limited to single-point measurements. The HoloGondel platform overcomes this limitation by using a cable car to obtain vertical profiles of the microphysical and meteorological cloud parameters. The main component of the HoloGondel platform is the HOLographic Imager for Microscopic Objects (HOLIMO 3G), which uses digital in-line holography to image cloud particles. Based on two-dimensional images the microphysical cloud parameters for the size range from small cloud particles to large precipitation particles are obtained for the liquid and ice phase. The low traveling velocity of a cable car on the order of 10 m s−1 allows measurements with high spatial resolution; however, at the same time it leads to an unstable air speed towards the HoloGondel platform. Holographic cloud imagers, which have a sample volume that is independent of the air speed, are therefore well suited for measurements on a cable car. Example measurements of the vertical profiles observed in a liquid cloud and a mixed-phase cloud at the Eggishorn in the Swiss Alps in the winters 2015 and 2016 are presented. The HoloGondel platform reliably observes cloud droplets larger than 6.5 µm, partitions between cloud droplets and ice crystals for a size larger than 25 µm and obtains a statistically significantly size distribution for every 5 m in vertical ascent.
Satellite based high resolution mapping of rainfall over Southern Africa
Authors: Meyer Hanna , Drönner Johannes , Nauss Thomas
Published: February 2017

Abstract. A spatially explicit mapping of rainfall is highly required for Southern Africa for eco-climatological studies or nowcasting but accurate estimates are still a challenging task. This study presents a method to estimate hourly rainfall based on data from the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) spinning enhanced visible and infrared imager (SEVIRI). Rainfall measurements from about 350 weather stations from the years 2010–2014 served as ground truths for calibration and validation. SEVIRI and weather station data were used to train neural networks that allowed predicting rainfall area and rainfall quantities during all times of the day. The results revealed that 60 % of recorded rainfall events were correctly classified by the model (Probability of detection, POD). However, the false alarm ratio (FAR) was high (0.80), leading to an Heidke Skill Score (HSS) of 0.18. Predicted hourly rainfall quantities were estimated with an average hourly correlation of rho = 0.33 and a RMSE of 0.72. The correlation increased with temporal aggregation to 0.52 (daily), 0.67 (weekly) and 0.71 (monthly). The main weakness was the overestimation of rainfall events. The model results were compared to the IMERG product of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. Despite being a comparably simple approach, the presented MSG based rainfall retrieval outperformed GPM IMERG in terms of rainfall area detection where GPM IMERG had a considerably lower POD. The HSS was not significantly different compared to the MSG based retrieval due to a lower FAR of GPM IMERG. There were no further significant differences between the MSG based retrieval and GPM IMERG in terms of correlation with the observed rainfall quantities. The MSG based retrieval, however, provides rainfall in higher spatial resolution. Though it remains challenging to estimate rainfall from satellite data, especially on a high temporal resolution, this study showed promising results towards improved spatio-temporal estimates of rainfall over Southern Africa.
Extreme flood impact on estuarine and coastal biogeochemistry: the 2013 Elbe flood
Authors: Voynova Yoana G. , Brix Holger , Petersen Wilhelm , Weigelt-Krenz Sieglinde , Scharfe Mirco
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Within the context of the predicted and observed increase in droughts and floods with climate change, large summer floods are likely to become more frequent. These extreme events can alter typical biogeochemical patterns in coastal systems. The extreme Elbe River flood in June 2013 not only caused major damages in several European countries but also generated large-scale biogeochemical changes in the Elbe estuary and the adjacent German Bight. The high-frequency monitoring network within the Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas (COSYNA) captured the flood influence on the German Bight. Data from a FerryBox station in the Elbe estuary (Cuxhaven) and from a FerryBox platform aboard the M/V Funny Girl ferry (traveling between Büsum and Helgoland) documented the salinity changes in the German Bight, which persisted for about 2 months after the peak discharge. The Elbe flood generated a large influx of nutrients and dissolved and particulate organic carbon on the coast. These conditions subsequently led to the onset of a phytoplankton bloom, observed by dissolved oxygen supersaturation, and higher than usual pH in surface coastal waters. The prolonged stratification also led to widespread bottom water dissolved oxygen depletion, unusual for the southeastern German Bight in the summer.
Evaluation of the Transport Matrix Method for simulation of ocean
biogeochemical tracers
Authors: Kvale Karin F. , Khatiwala Samar , Dietze Heiner , Kriest Iris , Oschlies Andreas
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Conventional integration of earth system and ocean models can accrue considerable computational expenses, particularly for marine biogeochemical applications. Offline numerical schemes in which only the biogeochemical tracers are time-stepped and transported using a pre-computed circulation field can substantially reduce the burden and are thus an attractive alternative. One such scheme is the transport matrix method (TMM), which represents tracer transport as a sequence of sparse matrix-vector products that can be performed efficiently on distributed-memory computers. While the TMM has been used for a variety of geochemical and biogeochemical studies, to date the resulting solutions have not been comprehensively assessed against their online counterparts. Here, we present a detailed comparison of the two. It is based on simulations of the state-of-the-art biogeochemical sub-model embedded within the widely-used University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM). Transport matrices were extracted for an equilibrium run of the physical model and subsequently used to integrate the biogeochemical model offline to equilibrium. The identical biogeochemical model was also run online. Our simulations show that offline integration introduces some bias to biogeochemical quantities through the omission of the polar filtering used in UVic ESCM, and in the offline application of time-dependent forcing fields, with high latitudes showing the largest differences with respect to the online model. Differences in other regions and in the seasonality of nutrients and phytoplankton distributions are found to be relatively minor, giving confidence that the TMM is a reliable tool for offline integration of complex biogeochemical models. Moreover, while UVic ESCM is a serial code, the TMM can be run on a parallel machine with no change to the underlying biogeochemical code, thus providing orders of magnitude speed-up over the online model.
Integrating faults and past earthquakes into a probabilistic seismic hazard
model for peninsular Italy
Authors: Valentini Alessandro , Visini Francesco , Pace Bruno
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Italy is one of the most seismically active countries in Europe. Moderate to strong earthquakes, with magnitudes of up to ~ 7, have been recorded on many of active faults in historical times. Currently, probabilistic seismic hazard assessments in Italy are mainly based on area source models, in which the seismicity is modelled on a number of seismotectonic zones and the occurrence of earthquakes is assumed to be uniform. However, in the last decade, efforts have increasingly been directed towards using fault sources in seismic hazard models to obtain more detailed and possibly more realistic patterns of ground motion. In our model, we used two categories of earthquake sources. The first involves active faults, and fault slip rates were used to quantify the seismic activity rate. We produced an inventory of all fault sources, with details on their geometric, kinematic and energetic properties. The parameters are used to compute the total seismic moment rate for each fault. We evaluated the magnitude-frequency distributions of each fault source using two models, a characteristic Gaussian model centred on the maximum magnitude and a Truncated Gutenberg-Richter model. The second earthquake source category involves distributed seismicity, and a fixed-radius smoothed approach and a historical catalogue were used to evaluate seismic activity. Under the assumption that deformation is concentrated along faults, we combined the earthquakes derived from the geometry and slip rates of active faults with the earthquakes from the spatially smoothed earthquake sources and assumed that the smoothed seismic activity in the vicinity of an active fault gradually decreases by a fault-size driven factor. We computed horizontal peak ground acceleration maps for return periods of 475 and 2,475 yr. Although the range and gross spatial distribution of the expected accelerations obtained here are comparable to those obtained through methods involving seismic catalogues and classical zonation models, the spatial pattern of our model is far more detailed. Our model is characterized by areas that are more hazardous and that correspond to mapped active faults, while the previous models yield expected accelerations that are almost uniformly distributed across large regions. In addition, we conducted sensitivity tests to determine the impact on the hazard results of the earthquake rates derived from two magnitude-frequency distribution models for faults and to determine the relative contributions of faults versus distributed seismic activity. We think our model represents an advance for Italy in terms of input data (quantity and quality) and methodology in the field of the fault-based regional seismic hazard modelling.
Scale and space dependencies of soil nitrogen variability
Authors: Tarquis Ana M. , Castellanos María Teresa , Cartagena Maria Carmen , Arce Augusto , Ribas Francisco , Cabello María Jesús , de Herrera Juan López , Bird Nigel R. A.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. In this study, we use multifractal analysis, through generalized dimensions (Dq) and the relative entropy (E(δ)), to investigate the residual effects of fertigation treatments applied to a previous crop on wheat and grain biomass and nitrogen content. The wheat crop covered nine subplots from a previous experiment on melon responses to fertigation. Each subplot had previously received a different level of applied nitrogen (Napp), and the plants from the previous melon crop had already taken up part of it. Many factors affect these variables, causing them to vary at different scales and creating a non-uniform distribution along a transect. Correlations between the four variables and Napp showed high volatility, although the relationships between grain weight and wheat weight versus wheat nitrogen content presented a statistically significant logarithmic trend. The Dq values were used to study the relation between scales and E(δ) values, and their increments between scales were used to identify the scale at which the variable had the maximum structure and were compared with the scaling behaviour of the Napp. E(δ) is particularly appropriate for this purpose because it does not require any prior assumptions regarding the structure of the data and is easy to calculate. The four variables studied presented a weak multifractal character with a low variation in Dq values, although there was a distinction between variables related to nitrogen content and weight. On the other hand, the E(δ) and the increments in E(δ) help us to detect changes in the scaling behaviour of all the variables studied. In this respect, the results showed that the Napp through fertigation dominated the wheat and grain biomass response, as well as the nitrogen content of the whole plant; surprisingly, the grain nitrogen content did not show the same structure as Napp. At the same time, there was a noticeable structure variation in all the variables, except wheat nitrogen content, at smaller scales that could correspond to the previous cropping root arrangement due to uptake of the Napp.
The effect of municipal wastewater on soil chemical properties
Authors: Irandoust Mohsen , Tabriz Ali Salehi
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The most important concern of the authorities in reuse of wastewater through artificial recharge of aquifers, drinking water and water used in agricultural exchange or direct use treated wastewater for health expenditures in different regions of the world, experience has resulted in effluent into account as a reliable source of water to supply the cities considered any parts of the world to supply water to cities and centers of population. In this direction the use of methods based on low quality irrigation water such as wastewater is a practical and convenient solution. The waste can be a rich source of minerals and organic be considered in order to the fertile soil. In the present study in order to assess the effects of wastewater, sewage refined Shiraz on soil chemical properties were analyzed in depth measurement. All samples from the middle of each plot at depths of 0–30 and 30–60 centimeter and also tested in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The results showed a decrease in acidity, salinity, phosphorus, nitrogen and heavy metals concentration in soil irrigated with waste water in the soil is irrigated with well water.
Field Test of Wake Steering at an Offshore Wind Farm
Authors: Fleming Paul , Annoni Jennifer , Shah Jigar J. , Wang Linpeng , Ananthan Shreyas , Zhang Zhijun , Hutchings Kyle , Wang Peng , Chen Weiguo , Chen Lin
Published: February 2017

Abstract. In this paper, a field test of wake steering control is presented. The field test is the result of a collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Envision Energy, a smart energy management company and turbine manufacturer. In the campaign, an array of turbines within an operating commercial offshore wind farm in China have the normal yaw controller modified to implement wake steering according to a yaw control strategy. The strategy was designed using NREL wind farm models, including a computational fluid dynamics model, SOWFA, for understanding wake dynamics and an engineering model, FLORIS, for yaw control optimization. Results indicate that, within the certainty afforded by the data, the wake-steering controller was successful in increasing power capture, by amounts similar to those predicted from the models.
From the Outside Looking In: Lessons Learned about Library Instruction from Working as a Composition Instructor
Authors: White Amy Cooper
Published: February 2017

Librarians often teach instructional sessions through the one-shot model. While this model allows the library to embed itself into many courses, it leaves the librarian with a very limited view into how their instructional sessions fit into an overall course. The author, having a unique perspective as both a composition instructor and librarian, reports on her experience having viewed library instruction sessions through both lenses. The author describes lessons learned from her experience along with specific enhancements that she made to her library instruction sessions. While her experience is institution-specific and offers just one perspective, the article addresses how one could apply the lessons learned at other institutions.
Our Stories Transforming Our Libraries: The York County Library System
Authors: Edmondson Mina , Eicher-Catt Deborah
Published: February 2017

These narratives chronicle the authors’ journeys to collaborate and discover the transformative impact that stories have on library culture and library staff. This study describes a research collaboration between York County Libraries and Penn State York. In Phase I, we collected stories from library staff as the library system was being challenged to reimage public libraries for the future. The major themes and types of organizational stories identified in the initial narrative project were presented during a county-wide all-staff in-service training. The library District Consultant (first author) and the Penn State professor (second author) then facilitated a workshop designed to lead staff in their exploration of these topics and generate a written record of their storytelling/discussions. This data became the basis for Phase II of the project and allowed the system to strategically assess its evolving culture and identity.
Editors' Note
Authors: Behler Anne , Reinsfelder Tom
Published: February 2017

A note from the co-editors.
Evaluación de las fortalezas y debilidades del proceso educativo en centros de infantil, primaria y secundaria desde una perspectiva inclusiva
Authors: Escarbajal Frutos Andrés , Arnaiz Sánchez Pilar , Giménez Gualdo Ana
Published: February 2017

Este artículo presenta el estudio llevado a cabo en cinco centros educativos (cuatro de educación infantil y primaria y uno de educación secundaria) con el objetivo de evaluar, desde la perspectiva del profesorado de educación infantil, primaria y secundaria, las fortalezas y debilidades del proceso educativo para establecer propuestas de mejora educativa. El diseño de investigación utilizado fue cuantitativo no experimental de corte descriptivo incluyendo como variables influyentes en el proceso educativo la planificación y organización de la enseñanza, implicación activa del alumnado e interacción entre los alumnos, entre otras. Para la recogida de la información se utilizó el instrumento “Autoevaluación de Centros para la Atención a la Diversidad desde la Inclusión” (ACADI) en su dimensión C referida al Proceso Educativo, cumplimentado por 97 docentes de centros públicos de la Región de Murcia. Los resultados muestran que las principales fortalezas que encuentra el profesorado en  su quehacer educativo son las referidas al respeto a los estilos de aprendizaje, planificación y organización de la enseñanza, implicación activa del alumnado en su propio aprendizaje, evaluación tolerante, organización de la acción tutorial, interacción entre los alumnos, y relaciones centro-contexto social. En cambio la atención a los ritmos de aprendizaje y a las características del alumnado son las que reciben las puntuaciones más bajas en todos los centros. Al comparar los resultados de los centros de infantil y primaria con el de secundaria, los docentes de infantil y primaria discrepan de forma significativa con los profesores de secundaria en la organización de la acción tutorial, mientras que en otros aspectos como diversidad metodológica, apoyo colaborativo, conocimiento de los objetivos y contenidos del curriculum por parte del alumnado, las discrepancias no son tan significativas.
Factores de éxito de las comunidades virtuales universitarias basadas en redes sociales. Análisis de XarFED
Authors: Pérez Garcias Adolfina , Tur Ferrer Gemma , Negre Bennàssar Francisca , Lizana Alexandra
Published: February 2017

El presente artículo analiza los factores de éxito de una pionera comunidad virtual universitaria basada en redes sociales, XarFED, que une en un solo espacio a profesores, alumnos y ex-alumnos de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de las Islas Baleares (UIB). Este nuevo espacio pretende ser el encuentro entre los entornos formales, no formales e informales de aprendizaje de los  participantes. La revisión teórica, además de centrarse en el análisis de los factores que la investigación hasta la fecha ha observado como elementos clave para el éxito de las comunidades virtuales, aporta una nueva visión a partir de otros aspectos analizados en el contexto de las redes sociales. La recogida de datos se lleva a cabo a través de un cuestionario, diseñado a partir de un modelo de factores críticos de éxito. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una incipiente actividad participativa y colaborativa así como las percepciones positivas por parte de los usuarios. Las conclusiones plantean reflexiones para la práctica e interesantes líneas de investigación basadas en las potencialidades de las redes sociales para la creación de comunidades virtuales, así como la necesidad de responder a las demandas generadas por los nuevos entornos abiertos de aprendizaje.