bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Perspective on Talent Management
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: January 2017

Today, no country can claim that its business can be local or national due to the effects of globalization. The world of business has become international. In this new millennium, few economies can afford to ignore global business opportunities. The globalizing wind has broadened the mind sets of executives, extended the geographical reach of firms, and nudged international business into some new trajectories. One such new trajectory is the concern with national culture. This has a tremendous impact on the subject matter of talent management for any country, economy or nation. Africa is no exception. Though there is a considerable body of research suggesting a link between language, communication and how gender – and leadership – gets ‘done' in organisations, there is very little research on global perspective for managing talent especially in the African context. This chapter intends to fill that gap and in particular deals with global perspective of talent management in the African context.
Smart Citizens, Wise Decisions
Authors: Calisto Maria de Lurdes , Gonçalves Ana
Published: January 2017

This chapter takes as its research starting point a critical and convergent review and reexamination of existing theory and knowledge about entrepreneurship and sustainability. We question whether smart cities provide the ideal context for sustainability entrepreneurship (SE) to emerge and how sustainability-driven entrepreneurs can contribute to the development of smarter and more sustainable tourism destinations. Hence, we examine SE tourism and hospitality businesses implemented by these so-called ‘smart citizens' in Lisbon (Portugal), a city that arguably provides the necessary context for smart decisions to flourish. This chapter thus aims at opening up new modes of inquiry and questioning existing epistemologies on the study of smart cities and entrepreneurship that help breaking new ground about the role of entrepreneurs in the tourism activity.
The Triple Helix Model
Authors: Magrinho André , Neves Joana , Silva Joaquim Ramos
Published: January 2017

The chapter focuses on the role of the Triple Helix model that binds companies/business associations with the universities/research centers and the government at different levels, which has been widely used for policy purposes. This work examines the internationalization process of firms within the context of global value chains, and the study case is the Health Cluster of Portugal. The authors show that the recourse to the model is relevant to understand this industry, most notably in the regional context. However, on the basis of the case study, not all aspects of the relationships within the model attain the same level of satisfaction. It is concluded that the model enables the associated firms to more easily absorb the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution but important challenges remain in the advance of this process.
From Tangible Heritage to Intangible Heritage
Authors: Gustavo Nuno , Completo Fernando , Moreira Fernando João , Reis João
Published: January 2017

In an increasingly competitive tourism panorama where destinations and the offer of products has increased significantly, both in quantitative and qualitative terms (OMT, 2015), the Alentejo Regional Tourism Entity (ARTE), as part of its development and communication strategy, has been claiming the intangible heritage as a differentiating element of its offer, as way to ensure a distinctive international position. The strategic option of submitting several intangible cultural resources, representative of Alentejo's memory and identity, to UNESCO's Intangible Heritage, aims at promoting the region's culture in addition to legitimizing new attributes for a tourist approach centred on creativity and innovation, having the experience as a paradigm and disruptive element. The framework of the new tourism development-operating model presented here is supported on assumptions, such as: network development, business shared development, implementation of museum interpretation units, storytelling and the integration of do it yourself base technologies.
Sustainability in Smart Cities
Authors: Vázquez Dolores Gallardo , Gil María Teresa Nevado
Published: January 2017

Cities play an important role in the development of economies, generating wealth and well-being for citizens, providing better, energy efficient and sustainable services and giving residents their rightful place as the cornerstone of city management. Spain has a quite unique example of a smart city, Vitoria-Gasteiz. This is an emblematic city for Europe, which awarded this municipality the title of European Green Capital 2012. This paper seeks to analyse the best sustainable practices through a case study based on content analysis of this city's website. In the social dimension, the results highlight the promotion of resident participation through municipal services, to ensure public debate and transparency. In the environmental dimension, the city has a sustainable mobility plan that aims to reverse the trend towards an increased use of private vehicles by promoting the use of buses, trams and bicycles. Finally, in the economic dimension, the findings underscore the city's economic rigour, transparency in management and economic recovery.
The Role Corporate Social Responsibility Has in the Smart City Project in Spain
Authors: López-Arranz Mª Asunción
Published: January 2017

The object and justification of this chapter is to analyse how Smart Cities will have an impact on workers' social welfare. Another aspect is the opportunity for businesses immersed in Smart Cities to improve working conditions through corporate social responsibility, reverting in this way to the society all that they have to offer. The future of employment in Smart Cities is analysed. Anyway, the realisation of the present work also has allowed to check how finds Spain in the implantation of this model of Cities and as they are involved the spanish companies. In this sense, the investigation after an unproductive analysis and conceptual of the terms business social responsibility and smart quote analyses the implication of the right of the work in the new cities through the repercussion of these in the conditions of work of the workers taken by the companies so much of the small, of the average as of the big company, to finish with conclusions. It analyses the normative activity that Spain has developed specifically in this regard and his plans in the aim 20/20.
A Smart City Initiative
Authors: Pawlikowska-Piechotka Anna , Łukasik Natalia , Ostrowska-Tryzno Anna , Sawicka Karolina
Published: January 2017

This chapter presents theoretical base for the creation of the Smart Evaluation Method (SEM) and an attempt to use this scoring method in practice for measuring environment, sport and recreation potentials of urban greens. A multi-item questionnaire instrument was used to assess selected urban parks: environment quality (air, soil, and water), natural resources (greens, water, and landscape), socio-cultural resources (as public safety), recreation and sport facilities (as children playgrounds, tennis courts, pathways), and park visitor's satisfaction. The survey was carried out in eight selected urban parks in Warsaw and Madrid. With the use of correlation, factor and graphic analysis of their quality, a number of subjective and objective factors which might determine urban greens potentials were identified. They include strong and weak points of the sport and recreation programme of urban parks which were identified. The SEM method was developed with a goal of responding to the challenges of smart city, helping to create sustainable environment and reduce negative consequences of climate change, improve information about public space programme and promote active lifestyle. The knowledge acquired on the base of the SEM innovative scoring method and its outcomes analyse could help to develop smart planning and management of urban greens, enhance the quality of life, provide healthier environment and improve the use of public space.
Environmental protection and Tourism
Authors: Tugjamba Navchaa , Gantumur Amarbayasgalan
Published: January 2017

Mongolia is a unique and relatively unexplored tourism and leisure travel destination. In the world tourism market, the tourism sector offers a great combination of wild natural features, a wide variety of untouched landscapes, historical heritage reserves, and nomadic life style and culture. The Protected Area Network of Mongolia cover over 14.5 percent of the country's territory and has become major destinations for rapidly growing tourism and recreational activities for its natural beauty, rare species of wildlife and historical and cultural heritage sites. Orkhon valley National Park (OVNP) is one of Mongolian main tourism destinations regarding to natural beautiful landscape and including numerous cultural and historical remains and sites. Thus, promoting sustainable tourism development to improve local livelihoods based on the nomadic lifestyle and protection of land with natural wilderness, watersheds, important biodiversity, historical and cultural heritage and rare remains is challenging in the national park.
Mastering Sustainable Tourism and Rural Tourism in the Global Economy
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2017

This chapter explains the overviews of tourism, sustainable development, sustainable tourism, and rural tourism; the perspectives on rural tourism destination; rural tourism and entrepreneurship; the importance of sustainable tourism in the global economy; and the importance of rural tourism in the global economy. The fulfillment of sustainable tourism and rural tourism is necessary for modern tourism organizations that seek to serve suppliers and customers, increase business performance, strengthen competitiveness, and achieve continuous success in the global economy. Therefore, it is essential for modern tourism organizations to promote their sustainable tourism and rural tourism and develop a strategic plan to regularly check their practical advancements toward satisfying customer requirement. The chapter argues that promoting sustainable tourism and rural tourism has the potential to enhance organizational performance and gain sustainable competitive advantage in the global economy.
Changing Behavioural of Patterns of Travelers to Urban Ecotourism Sites of Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Sarkar Sudipta Kiran
Published: January 2017

This underlying motivation behind this chapter is to examine and understand the changing patterns of travel behaviour of travellers to urban nature attractions of 2010 and 2015 (5 year gap period) in the context of Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia offers a major potential for the growth and development of urban ecotourism given the natural hotspots in both inside and on the peripheries of the city. The results emanating from the descriptive statistics employed in this study demonstrate that changes have occurred in terms of benefits of urban ecotourism, ecotourism activity, source of ecotourism knowledge and in terms of more female ecotourists than male. These results put forth a range of implications from the perspectives of understanding the evolving tourist behaviour in urban spaces and significance of urban eco-travel in Malaysia. In light of challenges and prospects faced in terms of survival of nature-based areas in and around Kuala Lumpur, the findings of the study have been discussed.
Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis and Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN
Authors: Pratoomchat Praopan
Published: January 2017

This study tests the relationships of visitor spending, foreign direct investment in the tourism sector, and the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the period of 1988 to 2011 to prove the tourism-led growth hypothesis. The results of panel regression show that tourism-led growth hypothesis is valid for the ASEAN countries. Factors determining the GDP per capita in these countries are visitor spending, foreign investment and government consumption in tourism sector, human capital and trade openness. The results from this study suggest that the governments of the ASEAN countries are able to have effective growth policies by encouraging foreign direct investment in the tourism sector and improving their human capital. Therefore, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which will strengthen and facilitate investment cooperation and human capital developments in the tourism sector among ASEAN countries will have a significant benefit to economic growth in the region.
Actor Network Theory in Tourism
Authors: Tran Xuan
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study is to use actor network theory to explore the short-term and long-term relationships between two Asian countries: Malaysia and China, the two most visited countries in Asia in 2012. The Actor Network theory explains the roles of two actors China and Malaysia in tourism as mobility and performativity, respectively. The tourism in China is composed of culture differences whereas the tourism in Malaysia focuses on business concentration. Vector Auto Regressive, Vector Error Correction, and Granger analysis were conducted to explore the time series data of tourism receipts. Findings indicate that both Malaysia and China do not have short-term influence of tourism development. Interestingly, the long-term tourism of Malaysia will depend on the disequilibrium of tourism receipts between China and Malaysia but not vice versa. The findings have contributed to supporting the Actor Network Theory in developing tourism of China and Malaysia.
Examining the Effect of Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion Events on the Heart
Authors: Malhotra Ashim , Soni Shivani
Published: January 2017

Mitochondria constitute an integral structural and functional part of the cardiac muscle. The heart muscle relies on the mitochondrial production of fatty acids and ATP as sources of energy during different stages of human growth and development. New mitochondria are created from existing ones by a process called mitochondrial biogenesis which involves both fusion and fission events controlled by a bevy of proteins such as Drp1, OPA1, Mfn1, and Mfn2. In this chapter, we examine the role of these mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins in regulating various heart diseases, particularly, reperfusion injury, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. It is our intent to examine whether any of these proteins may serve as future candidates for cardiovascular therapy.
Resveratrol
Authors: Powell Catherine A. , Zhang Jian , Bowman John D. , Choudhury Mahua
Published: January 2017

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in both men and women and has largely been attributed to genetic makeup and lifestyle factors. However, genetic regulation does not fully explain the pathophysiology. Recently, epigenetic regulation, the regulation of the genetic code by modifications that affect the transcription and translation of target genes, has been shown to be important. Silent information regulator-2 proteins or sirtuins are an epigenetic regulator family of class III histone deacetylases (HDACs), unique in their dependency on coenzyme NAD+, that are postulated to mediate the beneficial effects of calorie restriction, thus promoting longevity by reducing the incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and CVD. Emerging evidence shows that SIRT1 is ubiquitously expressed throughout the body. Resveratrol, a plant polyphenol, has cardioprotective effects and its mechanism of action is attributed to regulation of SIRT1. Incoproation of resveratrol into the diet may be a powerful therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment of CVD.
Maximizing the Value of Packaged Software Customization
Authors: Balint Bryon
Published: January 2017

Organizations that purchase packaged application software – for example, an Enterprise Resource Planning system – must make choices about customization. Packaged software vendors and practitioners recommend that organizations customize software as little as possible, and instead adapt their processes to meet the “best practices” of the software. However, organizations continue to exceed their budgets on implementing and maintaining customized software. This suggests that either these organizations are making poor decisions, or that the conventional wisdom about customization is incorrect. In this paper the author models the primary factors in the customization decision, most notably the “fit” between desired processes and the procedures inherent in the packaged software. The author then consider costs related to development, maintenance, and technical corrections due to poor integration and performance; and benefits related to increased fit, technical corrections, and user acceptance. This paper extends prior work by (1) modelling nonlinear relationships between the amount of time spent on custom development and the resulting benefits, (2) modelling nonlinear relationships between development costs and maintenance costs, and (3) modelling corrective development as a function of development related to fit and user acceptance. The author uses simulation techniques to illustrate the conditions under which customization is likely to provide value to the organization, as well as conditions under which customization should be avoided.
Towards Understanding the Determinants of Employees' E -Learning Adoption in Workplace
Authors: Sarabadani Jalal , Jafarzadeh Hamed , ShamiZanjani Mahdi
Published: January 2017

E-learning has been widely used as a prominent solution to provide on demand learning opportunities to reduce training time and cost. While e-learning acceptance has received a significant attention in academic/student domain, little research has been conducted in organizational setting. This paper aims to contribute to understanding the underlying factors which influence employees' intention towards using e-learning systems, through developing and proposing a conceptual research model based on one of the most comprehensive behavioral theory, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The proposed conceptual model first examines the native UTAUT constructs and then, by borrowing insight from other theories in the literature, expands the UTAUT theory to account for more context-specific e-learning factors in a workplace setting, namely, perceived organizational support, e-learning self-efficacy, perceived e-learning content quality and e-learning satisfaction. The paper also identifies directions for an empirical examination of the proposed research model in future.
Political Participation in the Form of Online Petitions
Authors: Berg Janne
Published: January 2017

This paper contributes to the field of e-participation by studying e-petitioning on both formal and informal petition bodies. The aim is to contribute to the understanding of the features of formal and informal e-petition platforms as well as the characteristics of the e-petitions. A formal (kansalaisaloite.fi) and an informal e-petition platform (adressit.com) in Finland were compared using quantitative content analysis. By examining the differences between formal and informal platforms, this paper sheds light over citizens' political behavior in the form of online petitioning. The varying formality of the platforms was reflected in their features and e-petitioning processes. Furthermore, formal and informal e-petitions differed regarding their initiators, text length, topics, preparation quality, rationality, affectivity and connections to other types of media. E-petitions on the formal platform are better prepared, show more signs of rational argumentation, and more often concern controversial topics.
Open Source Digital Camera on Field Programmable Gate Arrays
Authors: Ababei Cristinel , Duerr Shaun , Ebel Jr. William Joseph , Marineau Russell , Moghaddam Milad Ghorbani , Sewell Tanzania
Published: January 2017

We present an open source digital camera implemented on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The camera functionality is completely described in VHDL and tested on the DE2-115 educational FPGA board. Some of the current features of the camera include video mode at 30 fps, storage of taken snapshots into SDRAM memories, and grayscale and edge detection filters. The main contributions of this project include 1) the actual system level design of the camera, tested and verified on an actual FPGA chip, and 2) the public release of the entire implementation including source code and documentation. While the proposed camera is far from being able to compete with commercial offerings, it can serve as a framework to test new research ideas related to digital camera systems, image processing, computer vision, etc., as well as an educational platform for advanced digital design with VHDL and FPGAs. As examples of that, we report two spin-off projects developed on top of or starting from the presented digital camera system.
Cloud Computing as a Catalyst in STEM Education
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Sharma Deepika
Published: January 2017

The under representation of students in STEM disciplines creates big worries for the coming demands of STEM occupations. This requires new strategies to make curriculum interesting to enhance student's engagement in learning. Technology integration in curriculum makes more interesting and engaging, where students can learn with flexibility in time and place. This methodology creates and deepens interest in students towards learning with creativity and innovation. STEM students can work on authentic and real solutions within a technology-mediated learning environment, while inculcating higher order thinking skills. Technology-mediated environments support new ideas, real time collaboration and promotes peer learning. However, affordance as an adoption factor of technology in academics can be addressed by cloud computing technology. STEM education on cloud computing technology will gain access to its content rich features based on flexibility, accessibility, scalability, affordability, and reliability and enhanced agility. The cloud computing based STEM education infrastructure will inculcate development and experimentation skills in students. The present work (a) reviews scholarly work in cloud computing technology for simulations and prototypes for different STEM subjects, (b) outlines the benefits of using cloud computing technology for students pursuing STEM careers, and (c) presents the case studies of the successful implementation of cloud computing in STEM disciplines.
A System Dynamics Model for the Analysis of the Deregulation in Electricity Market
Authors: Gholizad Arezou , Ahmadi Loza , Hassannayebi Erfan , Memarpour Mehrdad , Shakibayifar Masoud
Published: January 2017

The process of privatization of the electricity market involves the serious needs of the industry in order to increase productivity, attract private investment and partnerships. If current trends continue, the total investment needed for the industry is not to be able to be supplied from domestic sources. The participation of the private sector in capacity expansion is essential. In this study, a system dynamic approach is presented to study the pricing strategies in electricity market and also to analyze the rate of load consumption in Iranian electricity market. The proposed model enables the decision-maker to assess the effect of prices on the average rate of energy consumption as well as to simulate and predict the behavior of the model with/without taking into account subsidies to the electricity sales rate. The results show that capacity under construction is of high amplitude fluctuations. Moreover, the energy consumption increases with increasing capacity growth.
Proposed Heuristics Model Optimizing the Risk on RTS
Authors: Pradhan PL
Published: January 2017

The author's objective is resolve the unstable, uncertainty problems of complex technology on right time and right place of ever where & every time in around the globe. It should be more accountable for performance, fault tolerance, throughput, bench marking and risk assessment on any application on any time. This work would optimize the technology & resource cost and maximizes the business (throughput) based on dynamic heuristics model over a multiple business and location. The subject and object can able to integrate, synchronize, communicate and optimize through RTOS and optimizing them step by step of heuristic function, that have been highlighted in proposed pattern for development and production purpose. This work has to define, design, development and deployment this mechanism to prevent the data & services on RTOS from external hackers, theft, uncertainty, un-order, un-setup and unsafe environment. Therefore, this proposed dynamic heuristics pattern for risk optimization on RTOS based on available technology, business & resources for anti-fragile technology.
The Consequences of a Third Party Decision on Coopetition Strategies
Authors: Fernandez Anne-Sophie , Pierrot Francoise
Published: January 2017

Coopetition is a paradoxical strategy combining simultaneously cooperation and competition. Previous scholars investigated the role of the third-party in coopetition dynamics: it can initiate and drive the coopetition strategy or it can be involved in the management of the relationship. But the consequences of this involvement remain under-investigated. This research aims to fill this gap: what are the consequences of the involvement of a third-party in a coopetition strategy on the partners and their relationship? To answer this question, we conducted a longitudinal case study of coopetition strategies between two institutions the FASB and the IASB in the specific context of the global accounting standard-setting process and convergence process between the US GAAPs and the IFRSs.Our findings enable us to identify three different phases in the process. We provide evidence on the role of the third-party (the European Union in the case) in the evolution of the coopetition dynamic between the FASB and the IASB, and analyze the consequences on both partners and their relationship.
Particle Swarm Optimization Research Base on Quantum Q-Learning Behavior
Authors: Li Lu , Wu Shuyue
Published: January 2017

Quantum-behaved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is analyzed, contraction-expansion coefficient and its control method are studied. To the different performance characteristics with different coefficients control strategies, a control method of coefficient with Q-learning is proposed. The proposed method can tune the coefficient adaptively, and the whole optimization performance is increased. The comparison and analysis of results with the proposed method, constant coefficient control method, linear decreased coefficient control method and non-linear decreased coefficient control method is given based on CEC 2005 benchmark function.
Hylaeus communis(Hymenoptera: Colletidae), a new exotic bee for North America with generalist foraging and habitat preferences
Authors: Martins Kyle T. , Normandin Étienne , Ascher John S.
Published: January 2017

We document a novel exotic bee for North America,Hylaeus(Hylaeus)communisNylander, 1852 (Hymenoptera: Colletidae), and determine whether it is likely to spread widely across the continent. To evaluate the extent to whichH. communisbehaves as a generalist and would be able to adapt to novel North American environments, we compare the breadth of its climatic, floral, habitat, and nesting preferences between its native European range and sites where it was first discovered in southern Québec, Canada. Specifically, we calculate the paired difference index, which approximates species generalism, from a set of bipartite networks linkingHylaeusFabricius, 1793 species to their respective floral hosts and habitats. Results indicate thatH. communisis the most adaptable bee of the EuropeanHylaeusfauna and will likely acclimate to its new environment, being a greater generalist than an already widely established exotic bee,H. hyalinatusSmith, 1842. In southern Québec, we find that, despite visiting a wide variety of flowering species, it exhibits a strong association with non-native plants and resides almost exclusively in urban settings. We hypothesise thatH. communiswill be able to spread widely throughout North America via multiple human-mediated but accidental dispersal events and by following the distribution of European weeds and horticultural plants.
Bronchial Artery Aneurysm with Associated Bronchial Artery to Pulmonary Artery Fistula: Treatment by Embolization
Authors: Hsieh Caleb G , Le Thomas , Fogelfeld Keren , Kamangar Nader
Published: January 2017

Bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is a rare vascular phenomenon. This review highlights a case of a BAA that was complicated by the presence of a bronchial artery to pulmonary artery (BA-PA) fistula, consequently presenting a unique challenge to management. BAAs have a strongly reported risk of rupture resulting in life-threatening hemoptysis. Embolization has thus become routine for the management such severe cases. The management of incidentally found anomalies is less obvious, but prophylactic embolization is a generally accepted practice. In this report, we review some of the risks and benefits associated with BAA embolization with specific consideration of the challenges in cases of co-existing BA-PA fistula.
Gastropericardial Fistula as a Late Complication of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
Authors: Rudd Adam A , Lall Chandana , Deodhar Ajita , Chang Kenneth J , Smith Brian R
Published: January 2017

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a bariatric procedure that is being performed with increasing frequency as an alternative management option for morbid obesity. Several common complications have been reported including gastric band slippage and associated pouch dilatation, intragastric erosion of the band, gastric wall perforation, and abscess formation. We present a case of gastropericardial fistula occurring nine years after an LAGB. There have been no previous documented cases of the complication after this procedure.
Elastography-targeted Thyroid Nodule Aspiration: A Novel Approach
Authors: Landau Elliot , Del Re Danielle , Kviatkovsky Bina , Rothstein Aryeh , Scheiner Jonathan , Lin Cheryl
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

Since 2009, the rate of nondiagnostic (ND) thyroid nodule fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has ranged from 2% to 20%. A ND result can cause further patient morbidity secondary to repeated procedures and delay in diagnosis. The use of real-time strain elastography (RTE) in determining nodule malignant risk has gained considerable focus recently. A less studied area where RTE may prove beneficial is its role in targeting areas for FNA. Our hypothesis is that FNA performed in concurrence with RTE will show a decreased rate of ND results leading to fewer repeated FNA.

Materials and Methods:

The Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. A retrospective review of all thyroid nodule FNA from January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2014, was performed with review of nodule size, presence of microcalcifications, vascularity, solid components, patient age, and gender. Cases were separated based if RTE was done before FNA or not. Pathology reports were reviewed to assess for specimen adequacy. Statistical comparison was performed using SAS analysis software.

Results:

A total of 221 specimens were reviewed, with RTE performed on 140 cases (63.4%). Both groups were similar in demographics and previously described nodule characteristics. The ND rate when RTE was not performed was 16% (13/68) compared to 10% when RTE was performed (14/126). The difference was not found to be statistically significant, P = 0.205.

Conclusions:

The presence of an elastogram failed to demonstrate a significant decrease in ND FNA rates although these results may be secondary to study design. Further evaluation with prospective trials using larger sample size may ultimately detect increased accuracy of RTE-targeted FNA.
Data assimilation for volcanic ash plumes using a satellite observational operator: a case study on the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption
Authors: Fu Guangliang , Prata Fred , Lin Hai Xiang , Heemink Arnold , Segers Arjo , Lu Sha
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Using data assimilation (DA) to improve model forecast accuracy is a powerful approach that requires available observations. Infrared satellite measurements of volcanic ash mass loadings are often used as input observations for the assimilation scheme. However, because these primary satellite-retrieved data are often two-dimensional (2-D) and the ash plume is usually vertically located in a narrow band, directly assimilating the 2-D ash mass loadings in a three-dimensional (3-D) volcanic ash model (with an integral observational operator) can usually introduce large artificial/spurious vertical correlations.In this study, we look at an approach to avoid the artificial vertical correlations by not involving the integral operator. By integrating available data of ash mass loadings and cloud top heights, as well as data-based assumptions on thickness, we propose a satellite observational operator (SOO) that translates satellite-retrieved 2-D volcanic ash mass loadings to 3-D concentrations. The 3-D SOO makes the analysis step of assimilation comparable in the 3-D model space.Ensemble-based DA is used to assimilate the extracted measurements of ash concentrations. The results show that satellite DA with SOO can improve the estimate of volcanic ash state and the forecast. Comparison with both satellite-retrieved data and aircraft in situ measurements shows that the effective duration of the improved volcanic ash forecasts for the distal part of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano is about 6 h.
Variations of China's emission estimates: response to uncertainties in energy statistics
Authors: Hong Chaopeng , Zhang Qiang , He Kebin , Guan Dabo , Li Meng , Liu Fei , Zheng Bo
Published: January 2017

Abstract. The accuracy of China's energy statistics is of great concern because it contributes greatly to the uncertainties in estimates of global emissions. This study attempts to improve the understanding of uncertainties in China's energy statistics and evaluate their impacts on China's emissions during the period of 1990–2013. We employed the Multi-resolution Emission Inventory for China (MEIC) model to calculate China's emissions based on different official data sets of energy statistics using the same emission factors. We found that the apparent uncertainties (maximum discrepancy) in China's energy consumption increased from 2004 to 2012, reaching a maximum of 646 Mtce (million tons of coal equivalent) in 2011 and that coal dominated these uncertainties. The discrepancies between the national and provincial energy statistics were reduced after the three economic censuses conducted during this period, and converging uncertainties were found in 2013. The emissions calculated from the provincial energy statistics are generally higher than those calculated from the national energy statistics, and the apparent uncertainty ratio (the ratio of the maximum discrepancy to the mean value) owing to energy uncertainties in 2012 took values of 30.0, 16.4, 7.7, 9.2 and 15.6 %, for SO2, NOx, VOC, PM2.5 and CO2 emissions, respectively. SO2 emissions are most sensitive to energy uncertainties because of the high contributions from industrial coal combustion. The calculated emission trends are also greatly affected by energy uncertainties – from 1996 to 2012, CO2 and NOx emissions, respectively, increased by 191 and 197 % according to the provincial energy statistics but by only 145 and 139 % as determined from the original national energy statistics. The energy-induced emission uncertainties for some species such as SO2 and NOx are comparable to total uncertainties of emissions as estimated by previous studies, indicating variations in energy consumption could be an important source of China's emission uncertainties.
Near-field emission profiling of Rainforest and Cerrado fires in Brazil during SAMBBA 2012
Authors: Hodgson Amy K. , Morgan William T. , O'Shea Sebastian , Bauguitte Stéphane , Allan James D. , Darbyshire Eoghan , Flynn Michael J. , Liu Dantong , Lee James , Johnson Ben , Haywood Jim , Longo Karla M. , Artaxo Paulo E. , Coe Hugh
Published: January 2017

Abstract. We profile trace gas and particulate emissions from near-field airborne measurements of discrete smoke plumes in Brazil during the 2012 biomass burning season. The South American Biomass Burning Analysis (SAMBBA) Project conducted during September and October 2012 sampled across two distinct fire regimes prevalent in the Amazon Basin. Combined measurements from a Compact Time Of Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (C-ToF-AMS) and a Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) are reported for the first time in a tropical biomass burning environment. Emissions from a mostly-smouldering rainforest wildfire in Rondonia state and numerous smaller flaming Cerrado fires in Tocantins state are presented. While the Cerrado fires appear to be representative of typical fire conditions in the existing literature, the rainforest wildfire likely represents a more extreme example of biomass burning with a bias towards mostly-smouldering emissions. We determined fire integrated modified combustion efficiencies, emission ratios and emission factors for trace gas and particulate components for these two fire types, alongside aerosol microphysical properties. Seven times more black carbon was emitted from the Cerrado fires per unit of fuel combustion (EFBC of 0.13 ± 0.04 g kg−1) compared to the rainforest fire (EFBC of 0.019 ± 0.006 g kg−1) and more than six times the amount of organic aerosol was emitted from the rainforest fire per unit of fuel combustion (EFOC of 5.00 ± 1.58 g kg−1) compared to the Cerrado fires (EFOC of 0.82 ± 0.26 g kg−1). Particulate phase species emitted from the fires sampled are generally lower than those reported in previous studies and in emission inventories, which is likely a combination of differences in fire combustion efficiency and fuel content, along with different measurement techniques. Previous modelling studies focussed on the biomass burning season in tropical South America have required significant scaling of emissions to reproduce in-situ and satellite aerosol concentrations over the region. Our results do not indicate that emission factors used in inventories are biased low, which could be one potential cause of the reported underestimates in modelling studies. This study supplements and updates trace gas and particulate emission factors for fire type specific biomass burning in Brazil for use in weather and climate models. The study illustrates that initial fire conditions can result in substantial differences in terms of their emitted chemical components, which can potentially perturb the Earth system.
Ozone profiles by DIAL at Maïdo Observatory (Reunion Island)
Part 1. Tropospheric ozone lidar: system description, performances
evaluation and comparison with ancillary data
Authors: Duflot Valentin , Baray Jean-Luc , Payen Guillaume , Marquestaut Nicolas , Posny Françoise , Metzger Jean-Marc , Langerock Bavo , Vigouroux Corinne , Hadji-Lazaro Juliette , Portafaix Thierry , De Mazière Martine , Coheur Pierre-François , Clerbaux Cathy , Cammas Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Recognizing the importance of ozone in the troposphere and lower stratosphere in the tropics, a DIAL tropospheric ozone lidar system (LIO3TUR) was developped and installed at the Université de la Réunion campus site (close to the sea) in Reunion Island (southern tropics) in 1998. From 1998 to 2010, it acquired 427 ozone profiles from the low to the upper troposphere and has been central to several studies. In 2012, the system was moved up to the new Maïdo Observatory facility (2160 m above mean sea level – amsl) where it started operation in February 2013. The current system (LIO3T) configuration generates a 266 nm beam obtained with the fourth harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser sent into a Raman cell filled up with deuterium (using helium as buffer gas) generating the 289 and 316 nm beams enabling the use of the DIAL method for ozone profile measurements. Optimal range for the actual system is 6–19 km amsl, depending on the instrumental and atmospheric conditions; for a 1-hour integration time, vertical resolution varies from 0.7 km at 6 km amsl to 1.3 km at 19 km amsl, and mean uncertainty within the 6–19 km range is between 6 and 13 %. Comparisons with 8 electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) sondes simultaneously launched from the Maïdo Observatory show a good agreement between datasets with a 7.7 % mean absolute value of the relative differences with respect to the mean (D) between 6 and 17 km amsl (LIO3T low); comparisons with 37 ECC sondes launched from the nearby Gillot site during day time in a ±24-hour window around lidar shooting result in a 10.3 % D between 6 and 19 km amsl (LIO3T low); comparisons with 11 ground-based Network for Detection of Atmosphere Composition Change (NDACC) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer measurements acquired during day time in a ±24-hour window around lidar shooting show a good agreement between datasets with a D of 11.8 % for the 8.5–16 km partial column (LIO3T high); and comparisons with 39 simultaneous Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) observations over Reunion Island show a good agreement between datasets with a D of 11.3 % for the 6–16 km partial column (LIO3T high). ECC, LIO3TUR and LIO3T O3 monthly climatologies all exhibit the same range of values and patterns. In particular, the southern hemisphere biomass burning seasonal enhancement, the ozonopause altitude decrease in late austral winter-spring, as well as the signature of deep convection bringing boundary layer-ozone poor air masses up to the mid-upper troposphere in late austral summer, are clearly visible on all datasets.
Exploring the distance between nitrogen and phosphorus limitation in mesotrophic surface waters using a sensitive bioassay
Authors: Hrustić Enis , Lignell Risto , Riebesell Ulf , Thingstad Tron Frede
Published: January 2017

Abstract. The balance in microbial net consumption of nitrogen and phosphorus was investigated in samples collected in two mesotrophic coastal environments: the Baltic Sea (Tvärminne field station) and the North Sea (Espegrend field station). For this, we have refined a bioassay based on the response in alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) over a matrix of combinations in nitrogen and phosphorus additions. This assay not only provides information on which element (N or P) is the primary limiting nutrient, but also gives a quantitative estimate for the excess of the secondary limiting element (P+ or N+, respectively), as well as the ratio of balanced net consumption of added N and P over short timescales (days). As expected for a Baltic Sea late spring–early summer situation, the Tvärminne assays (n =  5) indicated N limitation with an average P+ =  0.30 ± 0.10 µM-P, when incubated for 4 days. For short incubations (1–2 days), the Espegrend assays indicated P limitation, but the shape of the response surface changed with incubation time, resulting in a drift in parameter estimates toward N limitation. Extrapolating back to zero incubation time gave P limitation with N+ ≈  0.9 µM-N. The N : P ratio (molar) of nutrient net consumption varied considerably between investigated locations: from 2.3 ± 0.4 in the Tvärminne samples to 13 ± 5 and 32 ± 3 in two samples from Espegrend. Our assays included samples from mesocosm acidification experiments, but statistically significant effects of ocean acidification were not found by this method.
Looking beyond general metrics for model comparison – lessons from an international model intercomparison study
Authors: de Boer-Euser Tanja , Bouaziz Laurène , De Niel Jan , Brauer Claudia , Dewals Benjamin , Drogue Gilles , Fenicia Fabrizio , Grelier Benjamin , Nossent Jiri , Pereira Fernando , Savenije Hubert , Thirel Guillaume , Willems Patrick
Published: January 2017

Abstract. International collaboration between research institutes and universities is a promising way to reach consensus on hydrological model development. Although model comparison studies are very valuable for international cooperation, they do often not lead to very clear new insights regarding the relevance of the modelled processes. We hypothesise that this is partly caused by model complexity and the comparison methods used, which focus too much on a good overall performance instead of focusing on a variety of specific events. In this study, we use an approach that focuses on the evaluation of specific events and characteristics. Eight international research groups calibrated their hourly model on the Ourthe catchment in Belgium and carried out a validation in time for the Ourthe catchment and a validation in space for nested and neighbouring catchments. The same protocol was followed for each model and an ensemble of best-performing parameter sets was selected. Although the models showed similar performances based on general metrics (i.e. the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency), clear differences could be observed for specific events. We analysed the hydrographs of these specific events and conducted three types of statistical analyses on the entire time series: cumulative discharges, empirical extreme value distribution of the peak flows and flow duration curves for low flows. The results illustrate the relevance of including a very quick flow reservoir preceding the root zone storage to model peaks during low flows and including a slow reservoir in parallel with the fast reservoir to model the recession for the studied catchments. This intercomparison enhanced the understanding of the hydrological functioning of the catchment, in particular for low flows, and enabled to identify present knowledge gaps for other parts of the hydrograph. Above all, it helped to evaluate each model against a set of alternative models.