bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalized Analysis of a Distribution Separation Method
Authors: Zhang Peng , Yu Qian , Hou Yuexian , Song Dawei , Li Jingfei , Hu Bin
Published: April 2016

Separating two probability distributions from a mixture model that is made up of the combinations of the two is essential to a wide range of applications. For example, in information retrieval (IR), there often exists a mixture distribution consisting of a relevance distribution that we need to estimate and an irrelevance distribution that we hope to get rid of. Recently, a distribution separation method (DSM) was proposed to approximate the relevance distribution, by separating a seed irrelevance distribution from the mixture distribution. It was successfully applied to an IR task, namely pseudo-relevance feedback (PRF), where the query expansion model is often a mixture term distribution. Although initially developed in the context of IR, DSM is indeed a general mathematical formulation for probability distribution separation. Thus, it is important to further generalize its basic analysis and to explore its connections to other related methods. In this article, we first extend DSM’s theoretical analysis, which was originally based on the Pearson correlation coefficient, to entropy-related measures, including the KL-divergence (Kullback–Leibler divergence), the symmetrized KL-divergence and the JS-divergence (Jensen–Shannon divergence). Second, we investigate the distribution separation idea in a well-known method, namely the mixture model feedback (MMF) approach. We prove that MMF also complies with the linear combination assumption, and then, DSM’s linear separation algorithm can largely simplify the EM algorithm in MMF. These theoretical analyses, as well as further empirical evaluation results demonstrate the advantages of our DSM approach.
On the Stability of Classical Orbits of the Hydrogen Ground State in Stochastic Electrodynamics
Authors: Nieuwenhuizen Theodorus
Published: April 2016

De la Peña 1980 and Puthoff 1987 show that circular orbits in the hydrogen problem of Stochastic Electrodynamics connect to a stable situation, where the electron neither collapses onto the nucleus nor gets expelled from the atom. Although the Cole-Zou 2003 simulations support the stability, our recent numerics always lead to self-ionisation. Here the de la Peña-Puthoff argument is extended to elliptic orbits. For very eccentric orbits with energy close to zero and angular momentum below some not-small value, there is on the average a net gain in energy for each revolution, which explains the self-ionisation. Next, an 1 / r 2 potential is added, which could stem from a dipolar deformation of the nuclear charge by the electron at its moving position. This shape retains the analytical solvability. When it is enough repulsive, the ground state of this modified hydrogen problem is predicted to be stable. The same conclusions hold for positronium.
Correction: Kay, B.S. Entropy and Quantum Gravity. Entropy 2015, 17, 8174–8186
Authors: Kay Bernard
Published: April 2016

The following corrections should be made to the published paper [1]: First, the paragraph beginning with “One might argue that . . . ” and ending with “. . . increase monotonically with time.”[...]
A Method for Estimating Annual Energy Production Using Monte Carlo Wind Speed Simulation
Authors: Hrafnkelsson Birgir , Oddsson Gudmundur , Unnthorsson Runar
Published: April 2016

A novel Monte Carlo (MC) approach is proposed for the simulation of wind speed samples to assess the wind energy production potential of a site. The Monte Carlo approach is based on historical wind speed data and reserves the effect of autocorrelation and seasonality in wind speed observations. No distributional assumptions are made, and this approach is relatively simple in comparison to simulation methods that aim at including the autocorrelation and seasonal effects. Annual energy production (AEP) is simulated by transforming the simulated wind speed values via the power curve of the wind turbine at the site. The proposed Monte Carlo approach is generic and is applicable for all sites provided that a sufficient amount of wind speed data and information on the power curve are available. The simulated AEP values based on the Monte Carlo approach are compared to both actual AEP and to simulated AEP values based on a modified Weibull approach for wind speed simulation using data from the Burfell site in Iceland. The comparison reveals that the simulated AEP values based on the proposed Monte Carlo approach have a distribution that is in close agreement with actual AEP from two test wind turbines at the Burfell site, while the simulated AEP of the Weibull approach is such that the P50 and the scale are substantially lower and the P90 is higher. Thus, the Weibull approach yields AEP that is not in line with the actual variability in AEP, while the Monte Carlo approach gives a realistic estimate of the distribution of AEP.
Next Generation Sequencing of Actinobacteria for the Discovery of Novel Natural Products
Authors: Gomez-Escribano Juan , Alt Silke , Bibb Mervyn
Published: April 2016

Like many fields of the biosciences, actinomycete natural products research has been revolutionised by next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS). Hundreds of new genome sequences from actinobacteria are made public every year, many of them as a result of projects aimed at identifying new natural products and their biosynthetic pathways through genome mining. Advances in these technologies in the last five years have meant not only a reduction in the cost of whole genome sequencing, but also a substantial increase in the quality of the data, having moved from obtaining a draft genome sequence comprised of several hundred short contigs, sometimes of doubtful reliability, to the possibility of obtaining an almost complete and accurate chromosome sequence in a single contig, allowing a detailed study of gene clusters and the design of strategies for refactoring and full gene cluster synthesis. The impact that these technologies are having in the discovery and study of natural products from actinobacteria, including those from the marine environment, is only starting to be realised. In this review we provide a historical perspective of the field, analyse the strengths and limitations of the most relevant technologies, and share the insights acquired during our genome mining projects.
A Character Segmentation Proposal for High-Speed Visual Monitoring of Expiration Codes on Beverage Cans
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez José , Quesada-Arencibia Alexis , Moreno-Díaz Roberto , García Carmelo
Published: April 2016

Expiration date labels are ubiquitous in the food industry. With the passage of time, almost any food becomes unhealthy, even when well preserved. The expiration date is estimated based on the type and manufacture/packaging time of that particular food unit. This date is then printed on the container so it is available to the end user at the time of consumption. MONICOD (MONItoring of CODes); an industrial validator of expiration codes; allows the expiration code printed on a drink can to be read. This verification occurs immediately after printing. MONICOD faces difficulties due to the high printing rate (35 cans per second) and problematic lighting caused by the metallic surface on which the code is printed. This article describes a solution that allows MONICOD to extract shapes and presents quantitative results for the speed and quality.
MGRA: Motion Gesture Recognition via Accelerometer
Authors: Hong Feng , You Shujuan , Wei Meiyu , Zhang Yongtuo , Guo Zhongwen
Published: April 2016

Accelerometers have been widely embedded in most current mobile devices, enabling easy and intuitive operations. This paper proposes a Motion Gesture Recognition system (MGRA) based on accelerometer data only, which is entirely implemented on mobile devices and can provide users with real-time interactions. A robust and unique feature set is enumerated through the time domain, the frequency domain and singular value decomposition analysis using our motion gesture set containing 11,110 traces. The best feature vector for classification is selected, taking both static and mobile scenarios into consideration. MGRA exploits support vector machine as the classifier with the best feature vector. Evaluations confirm that MGRA can accommodate a broad set of gesture variations within each class, including execution time, amplitude and non-gestural movement. Extensive evaluations confirm that MGRA achieves higher accuracy under both static and mobile scenarios and costs less computation time and energy on an LG Nexus 5 than previous methods.
Factors Contributing to Residential Vacancy and Some Approaches to Management in Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Authors: Nam Jeehyun , Han Jiae , Lee Changho
Published: April 2016

With the decrease in the demand for large-scale apartments as a result of an aging society and a decrease in population, there has been an increase in vacant houses due to a supply that exceeds the projected demands. As a method of urban regeneration in rural areas and activation of citizen communities, the utilization of vacant houses has become one of the ways to promote a new lifestyle, active movement for citizen participation, and business model for long-term revitalization. This study aims to uncover and examine the major causes and factors behind the upswing in vacant houses. We investigated the current state of vacant houses, the recent policies concerning them, and the types of vacant houses in Korea’s Gyeonggi province. We then categorized and analyzed the causes of houses being vacant, their types, and the methods of utilizing them under different local conditions in order to understand the efficient processes and strategies for their utilization. The results showed that an excess of building construction (especially recent construction permits), the number of recipients of the national basic livelihood scheme, and the number of elderly people showed the strongest correlation with vacant houses.
Opportunities and challenges for direct C–H functionalization of piperazines
Authors: Ye Zhishi , Gettys Kristen E , Dai Mingji
Published: April 2016

Piperazine ranks within the top three most utilized N-heterocyclic moieties in FDA-approved small-molecule pharmaceuticals. Herein we summarize the current synthetic methods available to perform C–H functionalization on piperazines in order to lend structural diversity to this privileged drug scaffold. Multiple approaches such as those involving α-lithiation trapping, transition-metal-catalyzed α-C–H functionalizations, and photoredox catalysis are discussed. We also highlight the difficulties experienced when successful methods for α-C–H functionalization of acyclic amines and saturated mono-nitrogen heterocyclic compounds (such as piperidines and pyrrolidines) were applied to piperazine substrates.
KONKĖ: THE FIRST PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN VILNIUS
Authors: Vanagas Jurgis
Published: April 2016

The first public rail transport in the world started functioning in 1820. Like everywhere at that time, horsedrawn coaches heaved on tracks were the most popular. The first horse-drawn tram started carrying passengers in the industrial region of Wales, England. Starting from 1893, three the so called konkė lines of such a tram started operating in Vilnius. Although the ticket was expensive to the city residents of those days, however, they intensively used this kind of transport: in 1909, 2.6 million passengers were transported. Although attempts to replace horse drawn-vehicles by internal combustion engines after the First World War were made, this form of transport was found to be irrational and soon gave the way to buses. Initiative for the trams equipped with electric motors was shortly defeated in Vilnius: lack of funds was felt, and confusion in the administration of the city was predominating. For the period 1915–1920, the local government changed very frequently. In 1926, konkė tracks were dismantled. Its remains still can be seen at the enclosures of the embankment of the Vilnia (Vilnios upė) confluence. The coaches were sold for suburban residents that erected small cattle-sheds for domestic animals.
NEW PLEIADES ECLIPSING BINARIES AND A HYADES TRANSITING SYSTEM IDENTIFIED BY K2
Authors: David Trevor J. , Conroy Kyle E. , Hillenbrand Lynne A. , Stassun Keivan G. , Stauffer John , Rebull Luisa M. , Cody Ann Marie , Isaacson Howard , Howard Andrew W. , Aigrain Suzanne
Published: April 2016

We present the discovery in Kepler’s K2 mission observations and our follow-up radial velocity (RV) observations from Keck/HIRES for four eclipsing binary (EB) star systems in the young benchmark Pleiades and Hyades clusters. Based on our modeling results, we announce two new low mass (

M

tot

<
0.6

M

⊙

) EBs among Pleiades members (HCG 76 and MHO 9) and we report on two previously known Pleiades binaries that are also found to be EB systems (HII 2407 and HD 23642). We measured the masses of the binary HCG 76 to ≲2.5% precision, and the radii to ≲4.5% precision, which together with the precise effective temperatures yield an independent Pleiades distance of 132 ± 5 pc. We discuss another EB toward the Pleiades that is a possible but unlikely Pleiades cluster member (AK II 465). The two new confirmed Pleiades systems extend the mass range of Pleiades EB components to 0.2–2

M

⊙

. Our initial measurements of the fundamental stellar parameters for the Pleiades EBs are discussed in the context of the current stellar models and the nominal cluster isochrone, finding good agreement with the stellar models of Baraffe et al. at the nominal Pleiades age of 120 Myr. Finally, in the Hyades, we report a new low mass eclipsing system (vA 50) that was concurrently discovered and studied by Mann et al. We confirm that the eclipse is likely caused by a Neptune-sized transiting planet, and with the additional RV constraints presented here we improve the constraint on the maximum mass of the planet to be ≲1.2 M
Jup.
Flies from L.A., The Sequel: A further twelve new species of Megaselia (Diptera: Phoridae) from the BioSCAN Project in Los Angeles (California, USA)
Authors: Hartop Emily , Brown Brian , Disney R. Henry
Published: April 2016

Presented are continued results from the BioSCAN Project, an urban biodiversity study sampling primarily from private backyards in Los Angeles, California (USA).

Presented are continued results from the BioSCAN Project, an urban biodiversity study sampling primarily from private backyards in Los Angeles, California (USA).

Twelve new species of Megaselia (Diptera: Phoridae) are described: M. baileyae, M. friedrichae, M. gonzalezorum, M. joanneae, M. losangelensis, M. phyllissunae, M. pongsaiae, M. shatesae, M. stoakesi, M. studentorum, M. voluntariorum, M. wongae.
Survey of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Greek Thrace
Authors: Bračko Gregor , Kiran Kadri , Karaman Celal , Salata Sebastian , Borowiec Lech
Published: April 2016

The ant fauna of Greek Thrace has been least known of all Greek regions with only 12 species mentioned in the literature. We conducted two field trips to this region in 2014 and 2015 and included some unpublished ant material, thus compiling new records from 72 sampling localities.

We found 115 ant species, 108 of them are recorded for the first time in Greek Thrace. Cataglyphis viaticoides, Temnothorax aeolius, Tetramorium cf. davidi, Tetramorium hippocratis, and Tetramorium rhodium were so far not known for continental Greece. In the checklist of recorded species, we also give information on the taxonomic status and distribution of certain taxa.
Un critère d’intégration... ou pas
Authors: Roques Laurence
Published: April 2016

La pratique sportive peut-elle favoriser l’obtention d’une carte de séjour ou faciliter l’accès à la nationalité française ? Telle est la question posée à Laurence Roques, avocate spécialisée dans les procédures de naturalisation et le droit des étrangers, et qui a eu à traiter de nombreux dossiers de sportifs. Ses réponses permettent de juger de la persistance de stéréotypes chez les agents de l’administration.
Les réfugiés espagnols en 1939, des « indésirables »
Authors: Dreyfus-Armand Geneviève
Published: April 2016

En 1939, l’arrivée soudaine et massive de 500000 Espagnols venus chercher refuge en France suscite autant le rejet que la solidarité. L’« accueil » qui leur est fait illustre les revirements politiques des gouvernements successifs en matière d’asile et inaugure une ère de camps dont ceux de Calais et de Grande-Synthe ne sont que le prolongement près de trois quarts de siècle plus tard.
Une fête rare : la première messe
Authors: Schlaefli Louis
Published: April 2016

Fête de famille, à l’instar d’un mariage, la première messe, beaucoup plus rare, mobilisait souvent toute la paroisse qui participait en corps à la solennité et décorait, tout comme pour la Fête-Dieu, les rues qu’allait parcourir la procession du domicile du jeune prêtre à l’église, arcs de triomphe en prime. Le jeune prêtre portait jadis une couronne de fleurs blanches. À l’issue de la grand’messe, il donnait la bénédiction aux participants et leur remettait souvent une image-souvenir. Le repas de fête pouvait être très simple ou fastueux, selon l’état de fortune de la famille.Les premières messes des prêtres ordonnés en France pendant la dernière guerre et revenus en Alsace après-guerre comportaient évidemment une tonalité particulière.
Les fêtes politiques de la Deuxième République en Alsace (1848-1852)
Authors: Igersheim François
Published: April 2016

Les périodes révolutionnaires concentrent les moments d’extériorisation d’émotions politiques collectives qui peuvent prendre le nom de fêtes. Ils sont particulièrement abondants sous la Deuxième République. Les députés orléanistes honnis font l’objet de charivaris, comme à Strasbourg en février 1848. L’opposition se réunit en banquets républicains, à Colmar et à Strasbourg en 1847. Puis en février, c’est l’explosion ; plus d’une centaine de localités alsaciennes sont le théâtre d’émeutes, avec parfois la plantation d’arbres de la liberté, et aussi l’excès de la persécution anti‑juive. Les nouveaux dirigeants républicains entendent contrôler ces mouvements et décide de la célébration de Fêtes officielles dans les chef-lieux, à Strasbourg et à Colmar puis dans de nombreuses petites villes avec plantation d’arbres de la liberté et fraternisations entre soldats et gardes nationaux, patrons et ouvriers etc. La politique reprend ses droits et les campagnes électorales voient réapparaître les banquets. Mais les démocrates-sociaux (rouges) inventent aussi le grand meeting populaire de plein air, comme pendant la campagne électorale de 1849. En Alsace, ils l’emportent sur les partis modérés jusqu’en 1851. En 1850, le voyage présidentiel entre dans le registre de la célébration publique, à Mulhouse, à Colmar, à Strasbourg et dans les localités du parcours. À partir du coup d’État militaire du 2 décembre, à la fête politique succède une « fête nationale » tout aussi politique, où le spectacle est celui de la force armée en revue, particulièrement importante dans une Alsace qui concentre de nombreuses garnisons.
Fêtes et frappes métalliques en Alsace : essais de typologie
Authors: Greissler Paul
Published: April 2016

Depuis très longtemps, les monnaies et les médailles ont été utilisées pour diffuser des messages. Passant de main en main, un tel support touche un public nombreux. De plus, ce qui est gravé dans le métal se conserve longtemps.La fête marque un événement, une frappe métallique permet de le pérenniser. L’Alsace, depuis la fin du Moyen Âge et jusqu’à nos jours, a vu de nombreuses émissions, publiques ou privées, inscrites dans ce type de démarches. Des festivités liées à un concours de tir jusqu’à la commémoration du bimillénaire de Strasbourg, de l’inauguration d’une ligne de chemin de fer jusqu’à un anniversaire de mariage, la matière est abondante. Ne pouvant envisager un catalogue, nous donnons ici, en nous fondant sur l’iconographie disponible, un aperçu des types de frappes qui ont vu le jour, en Alsace, au cours de la période.
Environmental change and Rift Valley fever in eastern Africa: projecting beyond HEALTHY FUTURES
Authors: Taylor David , Hagenlocher Michael , Jones Anne E. , Kienberger Stefan , Leedale Joseph , Morse Andrew P.
Published: April 2016

Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF), a relatively recently emerged zoonosis endemic to large parts of sub-Saharan Africa that has the potential to spread beyond the continent, have profound health and socio-economic impacts, particularly in communities where resilience is already low. Here output from a new, dynamic disease model [the Liverpool RVF (LRVF) model], driven by downscaled, bias-corrected climate change data from an ensemble of global circulation models from the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project run according to two radiative forcing scenarios [representative concentration pathway (RCP)4.5 and RCP8.5], is combined with results of a spatial assessment of social vulnerability to the disease in eastern Africa. The combined approach allowed for analyses of spatial and temporal variations in the risk of RVF to the end of the current century. Results for both scenarios highlight the high-risk of future RVF outbreaks, including in parts of eastern Africa to date unaffected by the disease. The results also highlight the risk of spread from/to countries adjacent to the study area, and possibly farther afield, and the value of considering the geography of future projections of disease risk. Based on the results, there is a clear need to remain vigilant and to invest not only in surveillance and early warning systems, but also in addressing the socio-economic factors that underpin social vulnerability in order to mitigate, effectively, future impacts.
Mosquito breeding site water temperature observations and simulations towards improved vector-borne disease models for Africa
Authors: Asare Ernest O. , Tompkins Adrian M. , Amekudzi Leonard K. , Ermert Volker , Redl Robert
Published: April 2016

An energy budget model is developed to predict water temperature of typical mosquito larval developmental habitats. It assumes a homogeneous mixed water column driven by empirically derived fluxes. The model shows good agreement at both hourly and daily time scales with 10-min temporal resolution observed water temperatures, monitored between June and November 2013 within a peri-urban area of Kumasi, Ghana. There was a close match between larvae development times calculated using either the model-derived or observed water temperatures. The water temperature scheme represents a significant improvement over assuming the water temperature to be equal to air temperature. The energy budget model requires observed minimum and maximum temperatures, information that is generally available from weather stations. Our results show that hourly variations in water temperature are important for the simulation of aquatic-stage development times. By contrast, we found that larval development is insensitive to sub-hourly variations. Modelling suggests that in addition to water temperature, accurate estimation of degree-day development time is very important to correctly predict the larvae development times. The results highlight the potential of the model to predict water temperature of temporary bodies of surface water. Our study represents an important contribution towards the improvement of weatherdriven dynamical disease models, including those designed for malaria early forecasting systems.
Strict Comparison of Positive Elements in Multiplier Algebras
Authors: Kaftal Victor , Wong Ng Ping , Zhang Shuang
Published: April 2016

Main result: If a C*-algebrais simple,σ-unital, hasfinitely many extremal traces, and has strict comparison of positive elements by traces, then its multiplier algebraalso has strict comparison of positive elements by traces. The same results holds if finitely many extremal traces is replaced byquasicontinuous scale. A key ingredient in the proof is that every positive element in the multiplier algebra of an arbitrary σ-unital C* -algebra can be approximated by a bi-diagonal series. As an application of strict comparison, ifis a simple separable stable C* -algebra with real rank zero, stable rank one, and strict comparison of positive elements by traces, then whether a positive element is a positive linear combination of projections is determined by the trace values of its range projection.
Mixed Norms and Iterated Rearrangements
Authors: Kolyada Viktor , Soria Javier
Published: April 2016

We prove sharp estimates, and find the optimal range of indices, for the comparison of mixed norms for both functions and their iterated rearrangements.
Нелокальное преобразование Дарбу двумерного стационарного уравнения Шредингера и его связь с преобразованием Мутара
Authors: Kudryavtsev Andrey Georgievich
Published: April 2016

Рассмотрено нелокальное преобразование Дарбу для двумерного стационарного уравнения Шредингера и установлена его связь с преобразованием Мутара. Показано, что преобразование Мутара является частным случаем нелокального преобразования Дарбу. В качестве приложения нелокального преобразования Дарбу получены новые примеры интегрируемых двумерных стационарных операторов Шредингера с гладкими потенциалами.
The mechanism of spray electrification: the waterfall effect
Authors: Beattie James K.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The waterfall effect describes the separation of charge by splashing at the base of a waterfall. Smaller drops that have a net negative charge are created, while larger drops and/or the bulk maintain overall charge neutrality with a net positive charge. Since it was first described by Lenard (1892) the effect has been confirmed many times, but a molecular explanation has not been available. Application of our fluctuation-correlation model of hydrophobic hydration accounts for the negative charge observed at aqueous interfaces with low permittivity materials. The negative surface charge observed in the waterfall effect is created by the preferential adsorption of hydroxide ions generated from the autolysis of water. On splashing, shear forces generate small negative drops from the surface, leaving a positive charge on the remaining large fragment. The waterfall effect is a manifestation of the general phenomenon of the negative charge at the interface between water and hydrophobic surfaces that is created by the preferential adsorption of hydroxide ions.
Gridded uncertainty in fossil fuel carbon dioxide emission maps, a CDIAC example
Authors: Andres Robert J. , Boden Thomas A. , Higdon David M.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Due to a current lack of physical measurements at appropriate spatial and temporal scales, all current global maps/distributions of fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO2) emissions use one or more proxies to distribute those emissions. These proxies and distribution schemes introduce additional uncertainty into these maps. This manuscript examines the uncertainty associated with the magnitude of gridded FFCO2 emissions. This uncertainty is gridded at the same spatial and temporal scales as the mass magnitude maps. This gridded uncertainty includes uncertainty contributions from the spatial, temporal, proxy, and magnitude components used to create the magnitude map of FFCO2 emissions. Throughout this process, when assumptions had to be made or expert judgment employed, the general tendency in most cases was toward overestimating or increasing the magnitude of uncertainty. This manuscript also describes a methodological change specific to the creation of the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) FFCO2 emission maps: the change from a temporally fixed population proxy to a temporally varying population proxy.
Non-deforestation fire vs. fossil fuel combustion: the source of CO2 emissions affects the global carbon cycle and climate responses
Authors: Landry Jean-Sébastien , Matthews H. Damon
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Non-deforestation fire – i.e., fire that is typically followed by the recovery of natural vegetation – is arguably the most influential disturbance in terrestrial ecosystems, thereby playing a major role in carbon exchanges and affecting many climatic processes. The radiative effect from a given atmospheric CO2 perturbation is the same for fire and fossil fuel combustion. However, major differences exist per unit of CO2 emitted between the effects of non-deforestation fire vs. fossil fuel combustion on the global carbon cycle and climate, because (1) fossil fuel combustion implies a net transfer of carbon from geological reservoirs to the atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial pools, whereas fire occurring in terrestrial ecosystems does not; (2) the average lifetime of the atmospheric CO2 increase is longer when originating from fossil fuel combustion compared to fire, due to the strong vegetation regrowth following fire disturbances in terrestrial ecosystems; and (3) other impacts, for example on land surface albedo, also differ between fire and fossil fuel combustion. The main purpose of this study is to illustrate the consequences from these fundamental differences between fossil fuel combustion and non-deforestation fires using 1000-year simulations of a coupled climate–carbon model with interactive vegetation. We assessed emissions from both pulse and stable fire regime changes, considering both the gross (carbon released from combustion) and net (fire-caused change in land carbon, also accounting for vegetation decomposition and regrowth, as well as climate–carbon feedbacks) fire CO2 emissions. In all cases, we found substantial differences from equivalent amounts of emissions produced by fossil fuel combustion. These findings suggest that side-by-side comparisons of non-deforestation fire and fossil fuel CO2 emissions – implicitly implying that they have similar effects per unit of CO2 emitted – should therefore be avoided, particularly when these comparisons involve gross fire emissions, because the reservoirs from which these emissions are drawn have very different residence times (millions of years for fossil fuel; years to centuries for vegetation and soil–litter). Our results also support the notion that most net emissions occur relatively soon after fire regime shifts and then progressively approach zero. Overall, our study calls for the explicit representation of fire activity as a valuable step to foster a more accurate understanding of its impacts on global carbon cycling and temperature, as opposed to conceiving fire effects as congruent with the consequences from fossil fuel combustion.
Early warning signals of tipping points in periodically forced systems
Authors: Williamson Mark S. , Bathiany Sebastian , Lenton Timothy M.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The prospect of finding generic early warning signals of an approaching tipping point in a complex system has generated much interest recently. Existing methods are predicated on a separation of timescales between the system studied and its forcing. However, many systems, including several candidate tipping elements in the climate system, are forced periodically at a timescale comparable to their internal dynamics. Here we use alternative early warning signals of tipping points due to local bifurcations in systems subjected to periodic forcing whose timescale is similar to the period of the forcing. These systems are not in, or close to, a fixed point. Instead their steady state is described by a periodic attractor. For these systems, phase lag and amplification of the system response can provide early warning signals, based on a linear dynamics approximation. Furthermore, the Fourier spectrum of the system's time series reveals harmonics of the forcing period in the system response whose amplitude is related to how nonlinear the system's response is becoming with nonlinear effects becoming more prominent closer to a bifurcation. We apply these indicators as well as a return map analysis to a simple conceptual system and satellite observations of Arctic sea ice area, the latter conjectured to have a bifurcation type tipping point. We find no detectable signal of the Arctic sea ice approaching a local bifurcation.
Climate and soil factors influencing seedling recruitment of plant species used for dryland restoration
Authors: Muñoz-Rojas Miriam , Erickson Todd E. , Martini Dylan C. , Dixon Kingsley W. , Merritt David J.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Land degradation affects 10–20 % of drylands globally. Intensive land use and management, large scale disturbances such as extractive operations, and global climate change, have contributed to degradation of these systems worldwide. Restoring these damaged environments is critical to improve ecosystem services and functions, conserve biodiversity, and contribute to climate resilience, food security, and landscape sustainability at local, regional and global scales. Here, we present a case study on plant species of the mining intensive semi-arid Pilbara region in Western Australia that examines the effects of climate and soil factors on the restoration of drylands. We analysed the effects of a range of climate scenarios (rainfall and temperature) and the use of alternative soil materials on seedling recruitment of key native plant species from this area. Experimental studies were conducted in controlled environment facilities where conditions simulated those found in the Pilbara. Air temperature and soil moisture were modified and monitored routinely. Soil from topsoil (T) stockpiles and waste materials (W) from an active mine site were mixed at different proportions (100 % T, 100 % W, and two mixes of topsoil and waste at 50 : 50 (TW50 : 50) and 25 : 75 (TW25 : 75) ratios) and used as growth media. Our results showed that seedling recruitment of the five native plants was highly dependent on soil moisture. Emergence across the five plant species was higher in the topsoil growth media, which had the highest available water content compared to the other soil materials. In general, responses to the climate scenarios differed significantly among the native species which suggest that future climate scenarios of increasing drought might affect not only seedling recruitment but also diversity and structure of native plant communities. The use of growth media such as waste materials from mining operations could be an alternative to the limited topsoil. However, at early plant stages the use of these alternative substrates that are depleted of organic compounds can be challenging for successful seedling recruitment in the absence of water. These limitations could be overcome by using soil amendments but the cost associated to these solutions at large landscape scales needs to be adressed.
Costs of Musculoskeletal Injury in the California Film and Motion Picture Industry
Authors: Garcia Eddie , Yazdanshenas Hamed , Kusnezov Nicholas A , Shamie Arya Nick
Published: April 2016

INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal injuries may have a significant economic impact on the film and motion picture (FMP) industry. However, there is currently no comprehensive data on the cost of workers’ compensation (WC) claims in the FMP industry. We present the first analysis of the cost of musculoskeletal injuries in the California (CA) FMP industry.

METHODS: We reviewed the WC claims database of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) from 2003 to 2007 and employment statistics through the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We analyzed the medical cost and indemnity of musculoskeletal injuries and compared the CA FMP injury data to the data for all CA industries.

RESULTS: From 2003-2009, the total cost of WC claims in the CA FMP industry was $19.1 million per year, 88.6% of which was attributed to musculoskeletal injuries. The anatomical sites which incurred the most expense were the knee, lower back, and ankle at $2.3, $1.5 and $1.1 million per year, respectively. The most expensive causes of injury were work-directed activity and falls, totaling $5.4 and $4.7 million per year, respectively. The most costly types of isolated injuries were dislocations and fractures at $57,000 and $55,000 per claim. Additionally, the average cost per anatomic site, cause of injury and type of injury were significantly different for the CA FMP compared to CA industry in general. Over the course of the seven years that data was reviewed, orthopedic injury cost $191.71 per worker per year while orthopedic injury cost $224.00 per worker per year across CA industries (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal injuries contribute substantially to both FMP expenditures and US WC costs. Though the costs for injuries were statistically significant between the FMP and CA industries, the clinical significance has yet to be seen. The data presented in this study provides detailed data to help guide future designs for reducing costs associated with workplace injury in both the FMP industry and across CA industries.
Investigation and Prioritizing the Effective Factors on Increasing the Human Resources Productivity in Agriculture Bank Using Multi-Attribute Decision Making Model
Authors: Abachi Amir
Published: April 2016

As organizations are going to develop, the need for efficient manpower becomes more apparent. Obviously, productivity of the manpower requires the attention of managers to the complexity of human behavior and appropriate utilization of the principles, techniques and skills of the management. This study aims to prioritize the effective factors on productivity of human resources in the Agriculture Bank. Productivity is beyond the performance, it also contains the effectiveness concept, and in other words, productivity is not just doing the right things. An activity may be done correctly and in the best way, while it has no role in achieving the goal. In this case, the performance is available but there is no productivity. Difference between the performance and is rooted in the effectiveness or in the direction of doing a work. The current paper is a descriptive survey. Statistical population includes all experts in the Research and Strategic Planning center of the Agricultural Bank (33 persons). The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency table. Questions were examined based on the one-group- t-test and using SPSS.  Effective factors on increasing the human resources productivity were prioritized using Multi- Attribute Decision Making (MADM). After comparison of the alternatives, the related tables were prepared and prioritizing or ranking were done by determining the weight of each factor indexes and finally determining the weight of the four main factors. TOPSIS was used to evaluate the results of the MADM. Our research aims to prioritize the four factors according to the MADM.
Determine the best location for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) in Iranian Seas
Authors: Shekarbaghani Ashrafoalsadat
Published: April 2016

Two-thirds of the earth's surface is covered by oceans. These bodies of water are vast reservoirs of renewable energy. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion technology, known as OTEC, uses the ocean’s natural thermal gradient to generate power. In geographical areas with warm surface water and cold deep water, the temperature difference can be leveraged to drive a steam cycle that turns a turbine and produces power. Warm surface sea water passes through a heat exchanger, vaporizing a low boiling point working fluid to drive a turbine generator, producing electricity. OTEC power plants exploit the difference in temperature between warm surface waters heated by the sun and colder waters found at ocean depths to generate electricity. This process can serve as a base load power generation system that produces a significant amount of renewable, non-polluting power, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In this paper investigated the potential of capturing electricity from water thermal energy in Iranian seas (Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and Oman Sea). According to the investigated parameters of OTEC in case study areas, the most suitable point in Caspian Sea for capturing the heat energy of water is the south part of it which is in the neighborhood of Iran and the most suitable point in the south water of Iran, is the Chahbahar port.
The Adsorption of Rhodamine B in Water by Modified Zeolites
Authors: Cheng Wang Yu , Li Ning , Pan Yong Zhang , Jin La Hua
Published: April 2016

In this study, modified zeolites were prepared through the modification of raw zeolites, using hydrochloric acid (HCl) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), whose properties were then characterized by a Zeta Potential Meter and an X-ray diffractometer. Also, the adsorption mechanisms were investigated in depth. The experimental results indicated that, in terms of the adsorption capacity of Rhodamine B in water, the modified zeolites were more favorable than the raw zeolites. As the dosage of adsorbent increased, the removal percentage of Rhodamine B in the water increased, while the unit adsorption capacity decreased. The pH value of the solution, and reaction temperature imposed little effects on the adsorption of the Rhodamine B. In accordance with the adsorption thermodynamic results, Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal adsorption models were able to accurately describe the adsorption of Rhodamine B in water by the modified zeolites. The fitting results had a higher correlation when using a Freundlich isothermal model. At 303 K, the static saturated adsorption capacity was 4.41 mg/g. The kinetic results demonstrated that the adsorption of Rhodamine B in water using modified zeolites fit well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
The Effect of Salinity and Irrigation Regimes on the Level of Fatty Acids in Olive Flesh Oil
Authors: Ghaemi Ali Asghar , Dindarlou Ali , Golmakani Mohammad Taghi , Razzaghi Fatemeh
Published: April 2016

Olive trees have the capability of growing under semi-arid regions, where drought and salinity are the major concerns. Two years field experiments were carried out to investigate the interaction effects of natural saline well water and irrigation levels on the quantity and quality of fatty acids in the olive flesh fruits (“Roghani” cultivar). A factorial layout within a randomized complete blocks design with three replications of five irrigation levels (I1 to I5 as 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.25 ETc) and three saline water levels  (S1 to S3 as 100%WW, 50%WW+50%FW and 100%FW) were considered. The fresh and brackish irrigation water were withdrawn from two different natural wells (fresh water (FW) and saline water wells (WW)). Results revealed that increasing salinity and decreasing irrigation water levels caused significant increment in the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids, palmitic acid to the percentage of oil and oil percentage in olive flesh fruit. It is found that as water salinity increased from lowest to the highest level, the oleic acid trends to its highest value of 23.68% in I1S1. Mean values of palmitic acid in 2013 were 27.52% and decreased to 19% in 2014. It is concluded that highest percentage of oleic, linoleic, linolenic and palmitic acids obtained under high saline and less applied irrigation treatment (S1I2) yielding to improve the olive oil quality.
La crítica neopragmatista de Rorty a la fundamentación discursiva de Habermas: Dos estrategias de legitimación democrática
Authors: Ruiz Moscardo Javier
Published: April 2016

El presente trabajo rastrea las principales objeciones que, diseminadas en diferentes lugares de su obra, realiza Richard Rorty contra Jürgen Habermas al respecto de la fundamentación de la política democrática. Tales críticas nos servirán para contraponer dos estrategias diferentes de legitimación democrática, coincidentes en su objetivo – la defensa de la socialdemocracia – pero divergentes en sus postulados – el neopragmatismo contra la racionalidad comunicativa. Leer a Habermas desde la óptica rortyana arroja luces sobre algunas nociones centrales de su doctrina y, al tiempo, ayuda a contextualizar y valorar su propuesta, confrontándonos con un problema crucial de la filosofía política actual: ¿necesita la política democrática una justificación racional?
Ortega y Hegel. La interpretación de la historia y sus trampas
Authors: Sanchez Cuervo Antolin
Published: April 2016

Se revisan los tres ensayos y las abundantes notas de trabajo que Ortega dedicó al pensamiento de Hegel, especialmente a su filosofía de la historia. Se trata de una dedicación relativamente escueta en el conjunto de la obra de Ortega, pero nada insignificante ya que ilumina diversos aspectos de su reflexión sobre la historia. Entre otros, su noción de “historiología” y sus críticas del historicismo, el eurocentrismo y, por supuesto, del idealismo. En este sentido, todo su pensamiento cabría ser interpretado como una especie de reducción del idealismo hegeliano, encaminada a liberar la experiencia vital de la tiranía conceptual y del determinismo dialéctico del Espíritu
La constitución de la identidad personal en el nuevo capitalismo y sus repercusiones morales
Authors: García Ferrer Borja
Published: April 2016

Con el objeto de colmar el vacío teórico y ético de los simplificadores de los «maestros de la sospecha», analizamos el devenir imagen del sistema-capital y la consiguiente supremacía del exterior, un universo inédito y peligrosamente alarmante que exige, eo ipso, repensar cuestiones como la identidad personal o el modo de vida, concebir su estatus y evaluar sus implicaciones morales en el presente, toda vez que la re-significación capitalista del espacio alcanza su eco siniestro en la temporalidad del vivir como una fuerza centrífuga, a costa del sistema de valores que había regido la existencia hasta ahora.
La Filosofía del Cuidado de la Tierra como Ecosofía
Authors: Comins Mingol Irene
Published: April 2016

La historia del pensamiento occidental se ha caracterizado por erigir ciertos centrismos excluyentes y reduccionistas de la realidad. Algunos de esos centrismos son el androcentrismo, el etnocentrismo o el antropocentrismo, respectivamente excluyentes de las mujeres, las culturas no occidentales y la naturaleza. La búsqueda de un pensamiento inclusivo, no reduccionista, ha caracterizado el pensamiento alternativo que se ha ido gestando en las últimas décadas. En este artículo se abordará una de las líneas de trabajo al respecto, la filosofía ecológica, y en concreto el potencial de la filosofía del cuidar como ecosofía.
Relación entre conducta prosocial, resolución de problemas y consumo de drogas en adolescentes
Authors: Hernández-Serrano Olga , Espada José P. , Guillén-Riquelme Alejandro
Published: April 2016

The objectives of the present study are the following ones: 1) to study the use of drugs, the prosocial behaviour and the problem-solving skills with respect to age and gender, and 2) to analyze the association of both the prosocial behaviour and the problem-solving skills with the use of drugs. An exploratory cross-sectional study was performed, amongst a sample of 567 students in Spanish Compulsory Secondary Education (48.14% males) with an age range from 14 to 17 years (M = 14.92; SD = 0.90). Statistically significant differences were found concerning alcohol use and the prosocial behaviour with respect to gender, as well as concerning alcohol and cannabis use with respect to age. Logistic regression analyses revealed statistical significance of the prosocial behaviour with respect to the use of alcohol and cannabis. The ability in problem-solving was the most important protective predictor with respect to the abuse of cannabis. The results from this study enhance the importance of tailored interventions based on the promotion of prosocial behaviours and/or problem-solving strategies as fundamental protective factors for substance use amongst adolescents.