bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extreme Value Metaheuristics for Optimizing a Many-Objective Gas Turbine System
Authors: Ganesan T. , Aris Mohd Shiraz , Vasant Pandian
Published: January 2018

The increasing complexity of engineering systems has spurred the development of highly efficient optimization techniques. Stochastic engines or random number generators are commonly used to initialize metaheuristic approaches. This article proposes the incorporation of extreme value distribution into stochastic engines to improve the performance of the optimization technique. The central idea is to propose a potential boost to optimization algorithms for dealing with highly complex problems. In this article, the differential evolution (DE) approach is employed. Using two extreme value distributions, two DE variants are developed by modifying their stochastic engines: Pareto-DE and Extreme-DE. The algorithms are then applied to optimize a complex multiobjective (MO) Gas Turbine – Absorption Chiller system. Comparative analyses against the conventional DE approach (Gauss-DE) and a detail discussion on the optimization results are carried out.
Numerical Study of Discharged Heat Water Effect on Aquatic Environment From Coastal Thermal Power Plant by Using Two Water Discharged Pipes
Authors: Issakhov Alibek
Published: January 2018

The article presents a numerical study of the thermal load on the aquatic environment by using two water discharge pipes under various operational capacities of thermal power plant. It is solved by the Navier-Stokes and temperature transport equations for an incompressible fluid in a stratified medium. The aim of this article is to improve the existing water discharge system for reduce the heat load on the reservoir-cooler of the thermal power plants operation (Ekibastuz SDPP-1). In this article, thermal pollution using only two water discharge pipes, using the existing one and building only one additional in the eastern part of the reservoir-cooler is numerically simulated. The numerical method is based on the projection method, which was approximated by the finite volume method. The obtained numerical results of three-dimensional stratified turbulent flow for two water discharge pipes under various operational capacities of the thermal power plant were compared with experimental data and with the numerical results for one water discharge pipe.
Integrating Linear Physical Programming and Fuzzy Logic for Robot Selection
Authors: Ilgın Mehmet Ali
Published: January 2018

An increasing number of companies are using robots to perform a variety of repetitive and hazourdous tasks. Existence of many different robot alternatives force companies to consider several conflicting criteria before determining the most suitable robot alternative. Researchers have developed various multi-criteria decision making based methodologies in order to assist the decision makers in robot selection process. However, those methodologies require decision makers to assign physically meaningless weights to evaluation criteria. This article eliminates this weight assignment process by proposing a robot selection methodology based on linear physical programming. In addition, fuzzy logic was integrated into the proposed approach in order to determine the preference values of subjective robot evaluation criteria. A numerical example is also provided in order to present the applicability of the proposed methodology.
Rough Set Based Ontology Matching
Authors: Krishnamurthy Saruladha , Janardanan Arthi , Akoramurthy B
Published: January 2018

Ontologies enriches the knowledge and add meaning to the data residing in semantic web. Ontology matching identifies concepts for matching in source ontologies to the target ontologies to eliminate heterogeneities. Despite using similarity measures for identifying similar concepts, the ontology matching systems fails to handle uncertainty. This paper proposes a rough set based ontology matching system to handle uncertainty which aims (i)to optimize concepts considered for matching by using concept type classification(ii) to use rough set concepts using indiscernibility relations and reducts (iii) to apply criterion of realism – a decision making under uncertainty criteria. The experiments conducted in the OAEI benchmark data sets, RSOM system yielded an increase of 8% in precision. The combined approach of using reduct and indiscenibilty relations reduces the number of concepts considered for matching among uncertain entities to about 70% in comparison to the existing systems and increases the accuracy of results by using criterion of realism.
Nth Order Binary Encoding with Split-Protocol
Authors: Rawal Bharat S , Liang Songjie , Gautam Shiva , Kalutarage Harsha Kumara , Vijayakumar P
Published: January 2018

To cope up with the Big Data explosion, the Nth Order Binary Encoding (NOBE) algorithm with the Split-protocol has been proposed. In the earlier papers, the application Split-protocol for security, reliability, availability, HPC have been demonstrated and implemented encoding. This technology will significantly reduce the network traffic, improve the transmission rate and augment the capacity for data storage. In addition to data compression, improving the privacy and security is an inherent benefit of the proposed method. It is possible to encode the data recursively up to N times and use a unique combination of NOBE's parameters to generate encryption keys for additional security and privacy for data on the flight or at a station. This paper describes the design and a preliminary demonstration of (NOBE) algorithm, serving as a foundation for application implementers. It also reports the outcomes of computable studies concerning the performance of the underlying implementation.
A Novel Aspect Based Framework for Tourism Sector with Improvised Aspect and Opinion Mining Algorithm
Authors: Bhatnagar Vishal , Goyal Mahima , Hussain Mohammad Anayat
Published: January 2018

With the growth of e-commerce web sites, the demand of writing reviews on these portals have gained huge popularity. This huge data must be mined to analyze the opinion and for making better decisions in different domains. In this paper, we have proposed an aspect based opinion mining algorithm for the tourism domain. It first determines the aspects, and then extracts the opinion words related to the aspects. The opinion words are provided a score based on the Senti-Wordnet and the final score of each aspect is calculated by the summation of the scores of the opinions. The final score is visualized depicting ranking of scores of different aspects for different hotels.
Is deep ecology inapplicable in African context: a conversation with Fainos Mangena
Authors: Ibanga Diana-Abasi
Published: January 2018

In 2015, Fainos Mangena published an essay entitled “How Applicable is the Idea of Deep Ecology in the African Context?” where he presented a number of arguments to support his thesis that deep ecology as discussed in the West has no place in the African context. Mangena later presented a counter-version of deep ecology that he claims is based on African philosophy. In this paper, I interrogated Mangena’s arguments for rejecting deep ecology and found that they were based on certain erroneous presuppositions. Further, I developed a critique of Mangena’s Shona version of deep ecology which shows it to be impractical, unappealing, and based on a misunderstanding of the true nature of the modern African environment. I employ the method of conversationalism in this work.Keywords: Deep Ecology, African Environmental Ethics, Fainos Mangena
Part of What We Do: Teacher Perceptions of STEM Integration
Authors: Stubbs Eric A. , Myers Brian E.
Published: January 2018

This study explored three high school agriculture teachers’ perceptions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) integration through interviews. The approach was constructivist and data were analyzed according to the framework of integrated STEM education presented in a National Academy of Sciences report. Each participant agreed to complete three interviews that first investigated past experiences, then present perceptions, and lastly reflections on meaning. A total of about six hours of interview data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Teacher perceptions were outlined individually and then compared. The teachers shared similar perceptions related to time constraints, the effects of STEM integration, concerns about rapport with students, how agricultural education has changed, and curricular resources. Perceptions aligned well with the framework of integrated STEM education because teachers described increased student interest, motivation, and career-readiness due to agriculture programs, and these perceptions were in some cases supported by non-agriculture teachers. Misconceptions of STEM education included incomplete definitions of engineering education and viewing the use of instructional technology as STEM education. Teacher educators may benefit from increased insight into the perceptions of veteran teachers.
Deconstructing Content Knowledge: Coping Strategies and their Underlying Influencers for Beginning Agriculture Teachers
Authors: Rice Amber H. , Kitchel Tracy
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this grounded theory qualitative study was to explore how beginning agriculture teachers break down content knowledge for student understanding. The overarching theme that emerged during data collection and analysis was beginning teachers self-perceived content knowledge deficiency in various subjects within agriculture. This initial finding guided subsequent collection and analysis which focused on how teachers coped with this feeling of inadequacy in content and the underlying influencers that guided those actions. Various coping strategies occurred during planning and in-the-moment teaching stages. Underlying influencers for choosing a particular coping strategy included a combination of internal and external influencers. External influencers included structure of the school environment, individual department structure, and offering agriculture courses for core content credit. Internal influencers included teachers’ content interest, perceived credibility as a content teacher, and philosophies regarding agricultural education. Recommendations include reconciling the purpose of agricultural education in teacher preparation programs, creating more accessible professional development opportunities, and examining experienced teachers in the field for similar findings.
The Politics of Extension Water Programming: Determining if Affiliation Impacts Participation
Authors: Owens Courtney T. , Lamm Alexa J.
Published: January 2018

Research has found levels of engagement in environmental behaviors and participation in Extension programming around environmental issues are directly associated with political affiliation. Democrat and Independent parties encourage members to vote for stricter environmental regulations, such as water conservation efforts, while Republicans resist. These divergent political behaviors imply that individuals’ political affiliation affects their water conservation habits and their attitudes towards environmental issues. Hence, this can be used as a basis for creating appropriate water conservation-focused Extension programs targeting specific populations. However, research on the level of individual engagement in water conservation efforts and participation in Extension programming by political affiliation is lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify how engagement in water conservation behaviors and interest in waterfocused Extension programs differ by political affiliation. The results show that Democrats are more interested in water-based education when compared to Republicans. These findings have important implications for the development of effective Extension programs designed to assist in water conservation efforts. By understanding the diverse political influences on water conservation behaviors, Extension educators can create appropriate and effective water-based education programs that resonates with all audiences.
Discovering Quality in Teacher Education: Perceptions Concerning What Makes and Effective Cooperating Teacher
Authors: Stewart Josh , Lambert Misty D. , Ulmer Jonathan D. , Witt Phillip A. , Carraway Candis L.
Published: January 2018

With a continuous shortage of qualified agricultural science teachers (Foster, Lawver, Smith, 2014; Kantrovich, 2010), it is imperative teacher preparation programs identify and utilize effective cooperating teachers, as well as develop training for in-service teachers that will assist in preparing more effective cooperating teachers. The purpose of this study was to identify which characteristics define an effective cooperating teacher in agricultural education. We utilized Roberts’ (2006) Model of Effective Cooperating Teachers and the Delphi methodology to identify characteristics of effective cooperating teachers from expert panels of agricultural educators in Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas. The findings of this study revealed nine themes, which define effective cooperating teachers. We propose a new model defining the characteristics of effective cooperating teachers and recommend teacher educators work to create an assessment using these characteristics.
Enhancing Student Teacher Supervision Through Hybridization: Adding e-Supervision to the Mix
Authors: Paulsen Thomas H. , Schmidt-Crawford Denise A.
Published: January 2018

Student teaching is a critical component of the preservice teacher preparation program which has a major role in preparing novices to teach. This capstone experience has been frequently examined and the subject of numerous reform measures. Clinical experiences for preservice teachers have recently seen new recommendations for increased supervisor observational visits to meet accreditation standards. In this study, we sought to determine Iowa State University student teachers’ perceptions of a hybridized supervision approach which included an electronic supervision component. Student teachers participated in one of two focus group sessions held during the final on-campus student teacher professional development session. A researcher not involved with the supervision or grading of the student teachers facilitated the interviews. Interviews were later transcribed and analyzed. Three major themes emerged: Benefits to Student Teachers, Improving the e-Supervision Process, and Benefits to the Teacher Education Program. We conclude that e-supervision has the potential to improve the quality of the student teacher experience and the teacher education program. Recommendations for implementation and further research are provided.
Exploring Relationships between Personal Variables, Programmatic Variables, and Self-Efficacy in School-Based Agricultural Education
Authors: McKim Aaron J. , Velez Jonathan J. , Clement Haley Q.
Published: January 2018

The educational importance of teacher self-efficacy necessitates research into variables presumed to significantly influence teacher self-efficacy. In the current study, the role of personal and programmatic variables on the self-efficacy of school-based agriculture teachers was explored. Self-efficacy was measured in five aspects of the agriculture teaching profession: (a) classroom management, (b) instructional strategies, (c) leadership, (d) science teaching, and (e) math teaching. Early career agriculture teachers in five western states were used as the population for the study. Backward deletion model selection was completed for each of the five self-efficacy areas and multiple linear regression was used to analyze final models. The number of teachers within an agriculture program, years of teaching experience, number of students in the agriculture program, science credit being offered, and CASE certification were all statistically significant, positive predictors of one or more of the five self-efficacy areas. Additionally, a significant, negative relationship between additional teachers and math teaching self-efficacy was discovered, suggesting predictors are influenced by positive or negative vicarious experiences and/or social persuasion. Findings are explored using concepts from broader self-efficacy literature.
Quantifying black carbon light absorption enhancement with a novel statistical approach
Authors: Wu Cheng , Wu Dui , Yu Jian Zhen
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) particles in the atmosphere can absorb more light when coated by non-absorbing or weakly absorbing materials during atmospheric aging, due to the lensing effect. In this study, the light absorption enhancement factor, Eabs, was quantified using a 1-year measurement of mass absorption efficiency (MAE) in the Pearl River Delta region (PRD). A new approach for calculating primary MAE (MAEp), the key for Eabs estimation, is demonstrated using the minimum R squared (MRS) method, exploring the inherent source independency between BC and its coating materials. A unique feature of Eabs estimation with the MRS approach is its insensitivity to systematic biases in elemental carbon (EC) and σabs measurements. The annual average Eabs550 is found to be 1.50 ± 0.48 (±1 SD) in the PRD region, exhibiting a clear seasonal pattern with higher values in summer and lower in winter. Elevated Eabs in the summertime is likely associated with aged air masses, predominantly of marine origin, along with long-range transport of biomass-burning-influenced air masses from Southeast Asia. Core–shell Mie simulations along with measured Eabs and absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) constraints suggest that in the PRD, the coating materials are unlikely to be dominated by brown carbon and the coating thickness is higher in the rainy season than in the dry season.
Heterogeneous reaction of HO2 with airborne TiO2 particles and its implication for climate change mitigation strategies
Authors: Moon Daniel R. , Taverna Giorgio S. , Anduix-Canto Clara , Ingham Trevor , Chipperfield Martyn P. , Seakins Paul W. , Baeza-Romero Maria-Teresa , Heard Dwayne E.
Published: January 2018

Abstract. One geoengineering mitigation strategy for global temperature rises resulting
from the increased concentrations of greenhouse gases is to inject particles
into the stratosphere to scatter solar radiation back to space, with
TiO2 particles emerging as a possible candidate. Uptake coefficients of
HO2, γ(HO2), onto sub-micrometre TiO2 particles were
measured at room temperature and different relative humidities (RHs) using an
atmospheric pressure aerosol flow tube coupled to a sensitive HO2
detector. Values of γ(HO2) increased from 0.021 ± 0.001 to
0.036 ± 0.007 as the RH was increased from 11 to 66 %, and the
increase in γ(HO2) correlated with the number of monolayers of
water surrounding the TiO2 particles. The impact of the uptake of
HO2 onto TiO2 particles on stratospheric concentrations of HO2
and O3 was simulated using the TOMCAT three-dimensional chemical
transport model. The model showed that, when injecting the amount of TiO2
required to achieve the same cooling effect as the Mt Pinatubo eruption,
heterogeneous reactions between HO2 and TiO2 would have a
negligible effect on stratospheric concentrations of HO2 and O3.
Online differentiation of mineral phase in aerosol particles by ion formation mechanism using a LAAP-TOF single-particle mass spectrometer
Authors: Marsden Nicholas A. , Flynn Michael J. , Allan James D. , Coe Hugh
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Mineralogy of silicate mineral dust has a strong influence on
climate and ecosystems due to variation in physiochemical
properties that result from differences in composition and crystal
structure (mineral phase). Traditional offline methods of analysing
mineral phase are labour intensive and the temporal resolution of
the data is much longer than many atmospheric processes. Single-particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) is an established technique for
the online size-resolved measurement of particle composition by
laser desorption ionisation (LDI) followed by time-of-flight mass
spectrometry (TOF-MS). Although non-quantitative, the technique is
able to identify the presence of silicate minerals in airborne dust
particles from markers of alkali metals and silicate molecular ions
in the mass spectra. However, the differentiation of mineral phase
in silicate particles by traditional mass spectral peak area
measurements is not possible. This is because instrument function
and matrix effects in the ionisation process result in variations in
instrument response that are greater than the differences in
composition between common mineral phases. In this study, we introduce a novel technique that enables the
differentiation of mineral phase in silicate mineral particles by
ion formation mechanism measured from subtle changes in ion arrival
times at the TOF-MS detector. Using a combination of peak area and
peak centroid measurements, we show that the arrangement of the
interstitial alkali metals in the crystal structure, an important
property in silicate mineralogy, influences the ion arrival times of
elemental and molecular ion species in the negative ion mass
spectra. A classification scheme is presented that allowed for the
differentiation of illite–smectite, kaolinite and feldspar minerals
on a single-particle basis. Online analysis of mineral dust aerosol
generated from clay mineral standards produced mineral fractions
that are in agreement with bulk measurements reported by traditional
XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis.
The instrument constant of sky radiometer (POM-02), Part I: Calibration constant
Authors: Uchiyama Akihiro , Matsunaga Tsuneo , Yamazaki Akihiro
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Ground-based networks have been developed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of aerosols using radiometers. In this study, the accuracy of the calibration constant (V0) for the sky radiometer (POM-02) which is used by SKYNET was investigated. The temperature dependence of the sensor output was also investigated, and the dependence in the 340, 380, and 2200 nm channels was found to be larger than for other channels, and varied with the instrument. In the summer, the sensor output had to be corrected by a factor of 1.5 to 2 % in the 340 and 380 nm channels and by 4 % in the 2200 nm channel in the measurements at Tsukuba. In the other channels, the correction factors were less than 0.5 %. The accuracy of V0 from the normal Langley method is between 0.2 and 1.3 %, except in the 940 nm channel. The effect of gas absorption was less than 1 % in the 1225, 1627, and 2200 nm channels. The degradation of V0 for shorter wavelengths was larger than that for longer wavelengths. The accuracy of V0 estimated from the side-by-side measurements was 0.1 to 0.5 %. The V0 determined by the improved Langley (IML) method had a seasonal variation of 1 to 3 %. The RMS error from the IML method was about 0.6 to 2.5 %, and in some cases, the maximum difference reached 5 %. The trend in V0 after removing the seasonal variation was almost the same as for the normal Langley method. The calibration method for water vapor in the 940 nm channel was developed using an empirical formula for transmittance. The accuracy of V0 was better than 1 % on relatively stable and fine days. A calibration method for the near-infrared channels, 1225, 1627, and 2200 nm, was also developed. The logarithm of the ratio of the sensor output can be written as a linear function of the airmass, by assuming that the ratio of the optical thicknesses between the two channels is constant. The accuracy of V0 was better than 1 % on days with good conditions.
The instrument constant of sky radiometers (POM-02),
Part II: Solid view angle
Authors: Uchiyama Akihiro , Matsunaga Tsuneo , Yamazaki Akihiro
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Ground-based networks have been developed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of aerosols using sky radiometers. In this study, errors related to the solid view angle (SVA) of sky radiometers, which are used by SKYNET, were investigated. The SVA is calculated using solar disk scan data, the measured radiances around the solar direction in 0.1 × 0.1 degree increments. These measurements include the scattered light from aerosol and air molecules, as well as the direct solar irradiance, causing errors in the SVA calculation. The influence of these errors was evaluated with simulations. From the results of these simulations, if the aerosol optical thickness is less than 0.5 at 550 nm and the aerosol does not include large particles, such as desert dust particles, then its influence on the SVA calculation was less than 0.5 %. Problems with the software for the SVA calculation were also investigated. First, the data processing does not consider the change of airmass (solar zenith angle) during the solar disk scan measurement. In practice, if a measurement is made in the period when the change in airmass is small, then the error is small. Second, before starting data processing, the minimum measured value is subtracted from the measured values, resulting in underestimation of the SVA by 1 to 4 %. Thirdly, the values between 1.4 and 2.5 degrees are not properly extrapolated, resulting in overestimation of the SVA by 0.6 to 2.1 %. The second and third error sources partially cancel each other out, and the total error is an underestimation of 0.5 to 1.9 % of the actual value. Furthermore, the annual trend in the SVA was examined. In both the visible and near-infrared regions, this trend cannot be seen in 4 and 8 years of data, respectively. The seasonal variation of the SVA was also examined, but no clear seasonal variation could be detected.
Characteristics of wet carbon deposition in a semi-arid catchment at Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Wang Linhua , Yen Haw , Chen Liding , E Xinhui , Wang Yafeng
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Wet carbon deposition is a critical node of the global carbon cycle, but little is known about dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC) variation and flux in semi arid area of the Loess Plateau Region (LPR). In this study, concentration of DOC and DIC in rainfall was monitored in the period of July to September 2015 at Yangjuangou catchment in the LPR. Results showed that the Volume-Weighted Mean (VWM) concentration of DOC and DIC were 24.62 and 4.30 (July), 3.58 and 10.52 (August), 1.01 and 5.89 (September) mg C L−1. VWM concentrations of DOC and DIC for the concentrated rainy season (July–September) in the studied region were 7.06 and 7.00 mg C L−1, respectively. In addition, the monthly deposition flux of DOC and DIC were 541.64/94.60, 131.03/385.03, and 44.44/259.16 mg C m−2 for July, August and September. The estimated annual wet carbon depositions were 1.91, 1.89 g C m−2 yr−1 for DOC and DIC, which were higher than those of other sites and lower than those in the tropical and sub-tropical sites. Furthermore, the loess dust deposition process provides soil parental material in soil formation process and might be another source of carbon at the LPR. Therefore, the given results reflect characteristics of wet carbon deposition process during concentrated rainfall season in a semi-arid catchment of the LPR. Our preliminary results suggest that further investigation is needed on carbon source and deposition flux from atmosphere at long term temporal and large scale for revealing the global carbon cycle.
In depth characterization of diazotroph activity across the Western Tropical South Pacific hot spot of N2 fixation
Authors: Bonnet Sophie , Caffin Mathieu , Berthelot Hugo , Grosso Olivier , Benavides Mar , Helias-Nunige Sandra , Guieu Cécile , Stenegren Marcus , Foster Rachel A.
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Here we report quantification of N2 fixation rates over a ~ 4000 km transect in the western and central tropical South Pacific. Water samples were collected along a west to east transect from 160° E to 160° W, covering contrasting trophic regimes, from oligotrophy in the Melanesian archipelagoes (MA) waters to ultra-oligotrophy in the South Pacific Gyre (GY) waters. N2 fixation was detected at all 17 sampled stations with an average rate of 631 ± 286 µmol N m−2 d−1 (range 196–1153 µmol N m−2 d−1) in MA waters and of 85 ± 79 µmol N m−2 d−1 (range 18–172 µmol N m−2 d−1) in GY waters. Exceptionally high rates of N2 fixation in MA waters were favored by availability of both iron and phosphate and the observed warm sea surface temperatures (> 28 °C). Trichodesmium and UCYN-B cyanobacteria dominated the diazotroph community (> 80 %) and gene expression of nitrogenase genes (cDNA > 105 nifH copies L−1) in MA waters, and single-cell isotopic analyses performed by nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry at selected stations reveal that Trichodesmium was always the major contributor to N2 fixation in MA waters, accounting for 47.1 to 83.8 % of bulk N2 fixation.
Contrasting terrestrial carbon cycle responses to the 1997/98 and 2015/16 extreme El Niño events
Authors: Wang Jun , Zeng Ning , Wang Meirong , Jiang Fei , Wang Hengmao , Jiang Ziqiang
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Large interannual atmospheric CO2 variability is dominated by the
response of the terrestrial biosphere to El Niño–Southern Oscillation
(ENSO). However, the behavior of terrestrial ecosystems differs during
different El Niños in terms of patterns and biological processes. Here,
we comprehensively compare two extreme El Niños (2015/16 and 1997/98) in
the context of a multi-event “composite” El Niño. We find large
differences in the terrestrial carbon cycle responses, even though the two
events were of similar magnitude. More specifically, we find that the global-scale land–atmosphere carbon flux (FTA) anomaly during the 1997/98 El Niño
was 1.64 Pg C yr−1, but half that quantity during the 2015/16 El Niño (at 0.73 Pg C yr−1). Moreover,
FTA showed no obvious lagged response during the 2015/16 El Niño, in contrast to that during 1997/98. Separating the
global flux by geographical regions, we find that the fluxes in the tropics and extratropical Northern Hemisphere were 1.70 and
−0.05 Pg C yr−1 during 1997/98, respectively. During 2015/16, they were 1.12 and −0.52 Pg C yr−1,
respectively. Analysis of the mechanism shows that, in the tropics, the widespread drier and warmer conditions caused a decrease in
gross primary productivity (GPP; −0.73 Pg C yr−1) and an increase in terrestrial ecosystem respiration (TER;
0.62 Pg C yr−1) during the 1997/98 El Niño. In contrast, anomalously wet conditions occurred in the Sahel and East
Africa during 2015/16, which caused an increase in GPP, compensating for its reduction in other tropical regions. As a result, the
total 2015/16 tropical GPP and TER anomalies were −0.03 and 0.95 Pg C yr−1. GPP dominance during 1997/98 and TER
dominance during 2015/16 accounted for the phase difference in their FTA. In the extratropical Northern Hemisphere, the
large difference occurred because temperatures over Eurasia were warmer during the 2015/16, as compared with the cooling seen during
the 1997/98 and the composite El Niño. These warmer conditions enhanced GPP and TER over Eurasia during the 2015/16 El Niño,
while these fluxes were suppressed during 1997/98. The total extratropical Northern Hemisphere GPP and TER anomalies were 0.63 and
0.55 Pg C yr−1 during1997/98, and 1.90 and 1.45 Pg C yr−1 during 2015/16, respectively. Additionally,
wildfires played a less important role during the 2015/16 than during the 1997/98 El Niño.
Mapping of soil properties at high resolution in Switzerland using boosted geoadditive models
Authors: Nussbaum Madlene , Walthert Lorenz , Fraefel Marielle , Greiner Lucie , Papritz Andreas
Published: January 2018

Abstract. High-resolution maps of soil properties are a prerequisite for assessing soil threats and soil functions and for fostering the sustainable use of soil resources. For many regions in the world, accurate maps of soil properties are missing, but often sparsely sampled (legacy) soil data are available. Soil property data (response) can then be related by digital soil mapping (DSM) to spatially exhaustive environmental data that describe soil-forming factors (covariates) to create spatially continuous maps. With airborne and space-borne remote sensing and multi-scale terrain analysis, large sets of covariates have become common. Building parsimonious models amenable to pedological interpretation is then a challenging task. We propose a new boosted geoadditive modelling framework (geoGAM) for DSM. The geoGAM models smooth non-linear relations between responses and single covariates and combines these model terms additively. Residual spatial autocorrelation is captured by a smooth function of spatial coordinates, and non-stationary effects are included through interactions between covariates and smooth spatial functions. The core of fully automated model building for geoGAM is component-wise gradient boosting. We illustrate the application of the geoGAM framework by using soil data from the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. We modelled effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) in forest topsoils as a continuous response. For agricultural land we predicted the presence of waterlogged horizons in given soil depths as binary and drainage classes as ordinal responses. For the latter we used proportional odds geoGAM, taking the ordering of the response properly into account. Fitted geoGAM contained only a few covariates (7 to 17) selected from large sets (333 covariates for forests, 498 for agricultural land). Model sparsity allowed for covariate interpretation through partial effects plots. Prediction intervals were computed by model-based bootstrapping for ECEC. The predictive performance of the fitted geoGAM, tested with independent validation data and specific skill scores for continuous, binary and ordinal responses, compared well with other studies that modelled similar soil properties. Skill score (SS) values of 0.23 to 0.53 (with SS = 1 for perfect predictions and SS = 0 for zero explained variance) were achieved depending on the response and type of score. GeoGAM combines efficient model building from large sets of covariates with effects that are easy to interpret and therefore likely raises the acceptance of DSM products by end-users.
Evaluación de la Enfermedad periodontal como factor de riesgo para el parto prematuro y bajo peso al nacer, en las embarazadas que asisten al servicio de Gineco-obstetricia del Hospital Amistad México-Nicaragua del municipio de Ticuantepe
Authors: Martínez González Rubén Alexander
Published: January 2018

El Parto Pretérmino (PP) y Bajo Peso al Nacer (BPN) es un problema serio en los países desarrollados y en los países en vías de desarrollo, pues causa el 35% de las muertes neonatales y es la segunda causa de muerte solo sobrepasado por la Neumonía. En Nicaragua, se calcula que para el año 1990 al 2010, la tasa de nacimiento prematuros era del 9.3 % por cada 100 nacidos vivos. Este fenómeno ha sido vinculado a varios procesos infecciosos que podrían causar una respuesta inflamatoria en el líquido amniótico y causar PP y BPN; de estas infecciones, la Enfermedad Periodontal (EP) no está exenta. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la periodontitis como factor de riesgo para causar parto pretérmino y bajo peso al nacer. Para el estudio se examinó a 29 gestantes, quienes fueron ordenadas en cuatro grupos experimentales según el tipo de EP. Se realizaron dos exámenes clínicos; el primero, fue previo al tratamiento dental y el segundo examen, después del tratamiento y antes de cumplido las 35 semanas gestacional.Los resultados muestran que, el 89.7% de las pacientes presentó periodontitis moderada y 10.3 % periodontitis leve. El 27.6 % presentó PP y el 20.7%, BPN. No se encontró relación estadística significativa entre la EP ni el tipo de periodontitis sobre el PP (p=0.24) ni sobre el BPN (p=0.81). Estos resultados indican que la enfermedad periodontal no es un factor causal ni de riesgo para el PP y BPN en las embarazadas que asisten al hospital Amistad México-Nicaragua.
Isolated pituitary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney
Authors: Win Kay K , Blocher Nissa , Tester William , Ginzburg Serge , Pomo Lauren
Published: January 2018

Objective: To describe a patient with isolated symptomatic pituitary metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) in a horseshoe kidney.Case report: We report a case of 56-year-old man with RCC of a horseshoe kidney with symptomatic isolated pituitary gland metastasis. He initially presented to us for evaluation of a sellar mass. He complained of fatigue, 50-pound weight loss, anorexia, constipation and nonspecific abdominal pain for 4 months. CT head showed 2.6 cm × 1.8 cm × 2.5 cm sellar mass likely with bilateral cavernous sinus extension. Pituitary function evaluation revealed panhypopituitarism. CT abdomen/pelvis for the evaluation of abdominal pain showed 12.1 cm solid mass in the right renal moiety of a horseshoe kidney. Hydrocortisone and levothyroxine therapy led to cessation of weight loss, but unmasked diabetes insipidus requiring desmopressin therapy. Right heminephrectomy confirmed RCC. Soon after he complained of progressively worsening headache and visual disturbance. Histopathology from urgent trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy revealed RCC. The patient began post-surgical radiotherapy, but eventually he declined further treatments. In the end, he was placed on hospice where he passed away.Conclusion: Symptomatic pituitary metastasis from RCC are rare and most of those occur in the setting of diffuse metastatic disease. They typically mimic signs and symptoms of non-functioning macroadenomas. They can be synchronous, metachronous or even the presenting lesion of the primary tumor. A pituitary mass in the setting of malignancy should raise suspicion for metastatic disease even though it is extremely rare.
Fuzzy Linear Programming: Optimization of an Electric Circuit Model
Authors: Bertone Ana Maria Amarillo , Jafelice Rosana Sulei da Motta , Câmara Marcos Antônio da
Published: January 2018

A problem of a voltage division circuit is modeled in order to determine the values of the resistors, centered in away that the impedance of the resistance voltage divider is minimal. This problem is equivalent to maximizing the admittance, associated to the resistance, which is defined as the quotient of the electric current and its voltage, measured in Siemens. Three cases are analyzed for the components of the linear programming: real numbers, fuzzy numbers of type-1, and fuzzy set of type-2. The first case is considered in order to validate the other two cases. The optimal solution in the fuzzy linear programming of type-1 is obtained through a total linear order defuzzification function, defined in the trapezoidal fuzzy numbers subspace of fuzzy numbers vector space, which allows to solve the corresponding linear programming problem with real components. A discussion upon the parameter for the linear defuzzification is establish to determined the best representative of the parameters family. The α−levels representation theorem is the method to obtain the optimal solution of type-2. For each α−level is solved a fuzzy linear programming problem of type-1, using the previous methodology. Numerical simulations illustrate the results in the three cases.
Rechtspositie van mensen met een verstandelijke beperking en ouderen met dementie; vrijheid gewaarborgd?
Authors: Frederiks B.J.M.
Published: January 2018

Rechtspositie van mensen met een verstandelijke beperking en ouderen met dementie; vrijheid gewaarborgd?

Deze bijdrage gaat over gedwongen zorg aan mensen met een verstandelijke beperking en mensen met een psychogeriatrische aandoening. De aanleiding hiervoor is de toekomstige Wet zorg en dwang, die de Wet bijzondere opnemingen in psychiatrische ziekenhuizen (Wet Bopz) moet vervangen. Het beoogde doel van de nieuwe wet is het realiseren van een uniforme regeling voor het verlenen van zorg aan alle mensen met een psychogeriatrische aandoening of verstandelijke beperking, ook als zij niet instemmen met de zorgverlening en ongeacht de plaats waar zij verblijven. De vraag die in deze bijdrage centraal staat is of de wetgever haar grondwettelijke taak serieus neemt als het gaat om rechtsbescherming van cliënten met een verstandelijke beperking of een psychogeriatrische aandoening als zij te maken krijgen met gedwongen De Wet zorg en dwang is een wet met een zeer brede reikwijdte, waardoor inbreuken op artikel 11 Grondwet in veel meer situaties en ook bij vrijwillig opgenomen zorg cliënten mogelijk zijn dan onder het regime van de Wet bopz het geval was. Daar staat tegenover dat deze toepassingen wettelijk beschermd worden (stappenplan). Tegelijkertijd is volgens de auteur de rechtsbescherming daarmee erg dun. Bovendien zijn de verschillen met de toepassing van gedwongen zorg in andere sectoren groot. In het licht van artikel 11 Grondwet zijn deze verschillen volgens de auteur zelfs te groot.
De stand van zaken van de stelselherziening: een nieuw regeerakkoord
Authors: Gierveld H.A.J. (Henk)
Published: January 2018

De stand van zaken van de stelselherziening: een nieuw regeerakkoord

In deze bijdrage wordt de stand van zaken van de stelselherziening van het omgevingsrecht gegeven vanaf het zomerreces 2017.
Participatie bij besluitvorming over aanleg, verlegging of versterking van primaire waterkeringen
Authors: Gierveld H.A.J. (Henk)
Published: January 2018

Participatie bij besluitvorming over aanleg, verlegging of versterking van primaire waterkeringen

Deze bijdrage gaat over de codificering van het participatiebeginsel. Dit wordt besproken aan de hand van de projectprocedure op grond van de Omgevingswet, de zogenoemde voornemenprocedure, en het overgangsrecht zoals dat is opgenomen in de Invoeringswet Omgevingswet.
Análisis de las relaciones de los actores estratégicos con los recursos poblacionales del Campo de Gibraltar (España)
Authors: Ortega Gil Manuela , Segovia Cuevas María Concepción
Published: January 2018

Un sistema territorial contiene elementos y actores que se interrelacionan. Entre ellos se encuentran los recursos poblacionales y los actores estratégicos. Estos últimos se nutren de los elementos y son esas relaciones las que dinamizan y potencian el desarrollo de los espacios territoriales. Por tanto, la existencia de relaciones entre los actores estratégicos y los elementos territoriales son esenciales para el desarrollo territorial. Este trabajo analiza las relaciones existentes entre los actores estratégicos y las variables poblacionales de la comarca del Campo de Gibraltar para obtener una información que ayude a detectar los problemas de ese espacio territorial, utilizando como herramienta el análisis de redes sociales mediante el programa UCINET (Hanneman 2000; Wasserman, Stanley y Faust, 1994; Borgatti, Everett y Freeman, 2002) para el estudio de las relaciones tanto de variables físicas como sociales.
Redes sociales, entornos situacionales, entornos reticulares: representaciones distribuidas o el poder borroso de las cliques
Authors: Lozares Colina Carlos , Verd Pericàs Joan Miquel , Muntanyola Dafne
Published: January 2018

Este artículo aborda diferentes temáticas convergentes. Se trata, en primer lugar, de identificar y dar contenido aplicado al concepto de ‘entorno reticular’ basado en la idea de ‘entorno situacional’ que a su vez, ambos, se aproximan al de ‘marco o frame semántico’. Se parte inicialmente del concepto de campo y red semántica hastaprogresivamente llegar al de “entorno reticular”. Es pues cuestión de identificar dicho concepto  de tal manera que pueda ser tratado y analizado en el marco la Teoría y Análisis de las Redes Sociales (TARS) por sus conceptos,  y metodología específica.La segunda temática se refiere a contenidos temáticos en el  el macro de la  TARS. Se trata de analizar el relato escrito de alumnos de un aula universitaria sobre los acontecimientos importantes en su vida cotidiana y las relaciones que se establecen entre dichos acontecimentos y entre los  alumnos.. El relato que los alumnos hacen se refieren a situaciones, contenidos, temáticas  importantes en vida actual ; lo que guarda alguna  equivalencia con una entrevista dirigida y como interpretación puede ser asimilable a la propia del análisis del discurso. La originalidad del artículo consiste en la aplicación de la TARS como mecanismo de análisis e interpetativo de los  acontecimientos que son considerados como nodos y los vínculos entre ellos  las relaciones en la  red que corresponde. A cada alumno le corresponde su red que corresponde a las relaciones declardas por los alumnos entre sus acontecimientos declarados. El resultado para cada alumno es una nube relacional entre lo que es importante en sus vidas expresado vincularmente.. No se lleva a cabo el análisis específico de cada alumno, que también fuera posible, sino la visión global de todos los alumnos del aula.        En este sentido, un tercer contenidoconsiste en superar un tratamiento puramente temático o semántico sin vinculaciones entre  acontecimientos de los agentes  superando así los análisis habituados de contenido enlazando el discurso por los mismos vínculos que declaran los actores. Se trata pues de  del análisis de un discurso relacional respetando la declaración relacional de los agentes sobre  los acontecimientos importantes en la vida de las personas.
Trajetória e estado corrente da sociometria brasileira
Authors: Araújo Uajará Pessoa , Mendes Maria de Lourdes , Gomes Patricia Alburquerque , Coelho Simoni de Cássia Pinto , Vinícius Wayne , Brito Mozar José de
Published: January 2018

Foram analisados 573 trabalhos de autores brasileiros ou publicados no Brasil que empregaram softwares sociométricos. O propósito foi descrever criticamente a trajetória do arranjo de sociometristas no país, que somou 1013 pesquisadores distribuídos em cinco componentes maiores, uma dezena de outros menores e uma maioria de inexpressivos. Como método, favoreceu-se uma abordagem objetivista, ancorada na teoria das redes e em postulados bibliométricos. “Leis” e hipóteses foram apresentadas, testadas e não refutadas: de Lotka, de Bradford, modelo de difusão, relevância dos Programas de Pós-Graduação, free-scale state, small world, homofilia e configuração centro-periferia. Os resultados levam à admissão que a produção sociométrica brasileira foi encontrada consoante às principais indicações teóricas, tanto bibliométricas quanto da análise de redes sociais. Contudo, registra-se que cada vez mais a sociometria se converte em uma ilustração da bibliometria, basicamente nas áreas de Administração, Ciências Contábeis, Turismo e de Ciência da Informação – declinante como novidade, e qualquer meta-análise mais aprofundada é inviabilizada pela parca caracterização estrutural dos arranjos estudados; a maioria em um corte transversal sobrepondo em um desenho único toda a dinâmica do arranjo. Dessas constatações, procurou-se dar conta de algumas alternativas à sociometria praticada no país e recomendar um modelo de pesquisa sociométrico mais rigoroso.
Cultura material y cultura visual de las villae en el ager de Olisipo = Material culture and visual culture of the villae in the ager of Olisipo
Authors: Tomás García Jorge
Published: January 2018

Resumen: La cultura material en el contexto agrario caracteriza de manera definitiva la cosmovisión de la provincia romana de Lusitania. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar la realidad material de los distintos asentamientos rurales reconocidos como villae en el ager de Olisipo –actual Lisboa-. La riqueza geográfica de la zona (a través del contraste ager-litoral), la variedad económica de los intercambios comerciales (especialmente las factorías de pescado), las influencias artísticas de distintas partes del Imperio (norte de África y península Itálica), y la idiosincrasia propia de Lusitania, conforman un caso de estudio paradigmático para definir los mecanismos de actuación de la cultura material en la zona de Olisipo y su ager.Abstract: Material culture in the agrarian context characterizes the worldview of the Roman province of Lusitania. This article aims to analyze the material reality of the different rural settlements recognized as villae in the ager of Olisipo –Lisbon today-. The geographic richness of the area (contrast ager-littoral), the economic variety of commercial exchanges (especially fish factories), the artistic influences of different parts of the Empire (North Africa and Italian peninsula), and idiosyncrasy of Lusitania, constitute a paradigmatic case study to define the mechanisms of action of the material culture in the area of Olisipio and its ager.