bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the Risk of Digital Addiction to Adolescent Targets of Internet Trolling
Authors: Bishop Jonathan
Published: August 2015

Research on digital addiction has been increasing significantly since the start of the 2010s. What is not currently available is a measurement scale to assess the extent to which adolescents are at risk of abuse on the Internet that might lead them to develop digital addiction. This chapter sets out to develop a check-list that can be used to risk assess those youths who might be at risk of digital addiction. Through using data from a study into 1,828 young people aged 9-16, the study devised a 6-point check-list based on using a t-test to determine those at high risk and those at low risk. The check-list can be seen as a reliable way for screening those adolescents for whom concerns are raised over their online activities. The chapter concludes that further research will be needed to test the scale with people in older age ranges.
Avoiding Adverse Consequences from Digital Addiction and Retaliatory Feedback
Authors: Solo Ashu M. G. , Bishop Jonathan
Published: August 2015

This chapter looks at the role of the participation continuum in helping to improve relationships that have been damaged as a result of digital addiction. Digital addiction in this context refers to what happens when a person with a compulsion who is not getting that compulsion fulfilled turns to the Internet and other digital technologies in order to fill the void. The chapter is a case study of two people called Person D and Person G in order to make them anonymous. Using medical and other records, it was found that a number of different interventions using the participation continuum could have resulted in changes in the relationship in either holding it together or preventing one party from posting malicious and defamatory comments. The chapter found that a theoretical model, with algorithmic principles applied, called the transitional flow of persuasion model would be able to understand the impacts of digital addiction and provide a means to remedy it.
Using “On-the-Fly Corpus Linguistics” to Systematically Derive Word Definitions Using Inductive Abstraction and Reductionist Correlation Analysis
Authors: Bishop Jonathan
Published: August 2015

Computer jargon is something that can either unite people, or draw them apart. This chapter looks at definitions of the terms, ‘trolling,' ‘flame,' ‘flame-war' and ‘lurking,' as presented in specialist dictionaries, newspapers and through a survey of laypersons. The aim of the chapter was to see whether it was possible to objectively define terms using a quantitative analysis of qualitative data. The study finds that objectively determining a definition of a term requires a bigger dataset than is used for qualitative studies. It further notes that whilst there is a lot in common with expert definitions, the problem with drawing definitions from others is that whilst it might produce objective definitions they might not be accurate ones.
The Association between Internet Addiction and Psychosocial Variables
Authors: Bozoglan Bahadir , Demirer Veysel
Published: August 2015

The past decade has seen plenty of studies focusing on Internet use and Internet addiction. This is because the Internet provides information about variety of topics all over world and is easily accessed. Arguments concerning the association between excessive use and Internet addiction are ongoing. There is not yet a clear, consensus definition of Internet addiction. In this chapter, we discuss previous research and implications for future studies regarding Internet addiction and its most studied psychosocial variables: depression, loneliness, social anxiety, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and social support.
Consulting the British Public in the Digital Age
Authors: Virkar Shefali
Published: August 2015

Over the last two decades, public confidence and trust in Government has declined visibly in several liberal democracies; giving way instead to disillusionment with current political institutions, actors, and practices, and rendering obsolete or inappropriate much of traditional democratic politics. Simultaneously, digital technologies have opened up huge opportunities and raised new challenges for public institutions and agencies. Through an analysis of the No. 10 Downing Street ePetitions Initiative based in the United Kingdom, this chapter will engage with issues related to the innovative use of digital network technology by Government to involve citizens in policy processes within existing democratic frameworks. The work examines whether the application of new digital platforms to participatory democracy in the Government 2.0 era leads eventually to radical transformations in government functioning and the body politic, or merely to modest, unspectacular political reform and to the emergence of technology-based pathologies and addictive behaviours amongst individuals in society.
Responsible Gambling Laws' Contributions to Behaviour Change in Problem Gamblers in Online Poker
Authors: Compton Wynford , Minoli Dino M. , Goode Mark M. H.
Published: August 2015

This chapter explores the application of responsible gambling legislation and controls in online poker software and to explore if these have an impact on changing consumer gambling behaviour. This study is needed for three reasons, the infancy of the industries completed research, the continued growth of the online gambling market and the risks to consumers and society of higher levels of problem and pathological gambling disorders. Using the current literature to identify the behaviours of problem and pathological gamblers and the features that the online poker operators have in their software, the consumer survey was created. The analysis showed that online poker consumers have a high rate of identified problem gambling behaviours compared to the publicised research of the gambling charities and that having accessed the responsible gambling information the consumers also had a high success rate at modifying them positively. There is also evidence that having the material available to the consumer leads to a higher level of social awareness when looking to the poker operators.
CRM in Tourism
Authors: Rahimi Roya , Nadda Vipin K. , Wang Hui
Published: August 2015

Businesses tend to operate under the influence of their internal and external environment for favourable outcome and competitive sustainability. Under such circumstances, it becomes critical to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with the variety of stakeholders and customers being of paramount importance, especially in the tourism sector. The recent time has seen dramatic growth in tourism industry and tourism has been considered as one of the largest global export industries (UNWTO, 2003). In order to strive, it has to meet the competitive challenges of the future where quality will be the main driving force which mainly focuses upon the satisfaction of all the legitimate product and service needs, requirements and expectations of the consumer, at an acceptable price, in accordance with the underlying quality determinants such as safety and security, hygiene, accessibility, transparency, authenticity and harmony of the tourism activity concerned with its human and natural environment. These expected needs correspond to what the customer expects to receive and to what is experienced as important. These needs can be expressed by the customer and if these expectations fulfilled, will lead to satisfaction and doing so the service provider creates expected quality (Kvist and Klefsjo, 2006). Recognizing this value of end user's opinion, more and more business organizations are focusing towards customer relationship management (CRM) for building and facilitating ever lasting relationship with them (Richard and Johns, 2008). The competitive marketing environment characterized with the availability of differentiated products (Gartner,2009),availability of low switch over options(Massey et al,2001) and the increasing cost of attracting new customer(Peppard, 2000) not only threaten the loyalties but also raise customer's expectations thus necessitating the need for CRM (Pan &Lee,2003). Buttle (2009) projects that the core aim of CRM is towards managing customer relationship shifting the focus from transaction to acquisition, development and retention.
Innovating Ansoff Growth Strategies in the Hotel Industry in Ghana
Authors: Amoako George K , De Heer Felicia , Baah-Ofori Rebecca
Published: August 2015

In the twenty first century Africa has seen an increased momentum and an infusion of economic vibrancy in various sectors of the economy. In most of the countries there has been the development of a strong private sector participation in business and the application of technology in business is introducing new opportunities. The face of business is changing as the new impetus is redefining new relationships with customers. One major contributor to GDP growth in Africa is Tourism. Africa is endowed with many natural and beautiful tourist attractions. However this natural endowment alone is not enough to bring about growth and revenue so desired by investors. Managers in the Tourism sector must therefore give investors value for money by embarking on innovative growth strategies. Ansoff growth Strategies have been identified in marketing literature to provides insights for understanding and growing businesses. They include the market penetration strategy, market development strategy, product development strategy and diversification strategy. This study seeks to examine how innovating Ansoff growth strategies can bring about customer retention and business growth in the Hotel Industry in Ghana and Africa. The study will be conducted using in-depth interviews with management of ten leading hotels and customers in Ghana. Secondary data on tourism from other African countries such as South Africa will be used. Thematic and content analysis will be used to analyze both secondary and primary data. The study seeks to find how innovating Ansoff growth strategies could bring about sustainable competitive advantage in the Tourism Sector in Ghana and Africa. The tourism sector is developing very fast and studies in this area are laudable. Also it will contribute to existing literature on tourism marketing management from a developing country perspective. Managers in the tourism sector will know which strategies work and why. There is very little research on innovative marketing strategies development in Ghana and Africa as a whole. This is an exploratory study on the application of Ansoff growth strategies within the African Tourism development context. Findings will also serve as a guide for both local and foreign investors and policy makers. The competitive environment in which tourism firms operate requires that business leaders/investors have good market information in order to build capabilities to win on the market.
A Comparative Study of an Innovative Marketing Strategies Adopted by Mahindra Holidays and Resorts (India) Ltd. (MHRIL) and Sterling Holidays Resorts (India) Ltd. (SHRIL)
Authors: Jadeja Jayrajsinh , Shukla Kedar
Published: August 2015

The tourism sector of India is economically important and though has been growing at a substantial rate, it has also undergone some turbulence post Mumbai attack on Hotel Taj at Mumbai on 26th November 2008. However it has started growing gradually and gaining back the momentum since 2009 with a marginal growth rate. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated INR6.4 trillion or 6.6% of the nation's GDP in 2012. To capture the opportunity of the growing tourism market, and to compete in to the extreme competitive hotel chain market of India, Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited (SHRIL) adopted the innovative marketing strategy in the year 1986 of ‘Providing Holidays on Time Share' basis model. In the current research paper authors have attempted to analyze and explain the ‘Holidays on Time Share Basis' concept and have also attempted to understand the comparative differences between both the service providing companies MHRIL and SHRIL which are leaders in the business with the help of the secondary data analysis obtained from their catalogs, website and marketing promotion programmes.
Experiential Tourist Products
Authors: Ferrari Sonia
Published: August 2015

Nowadays tourists look for enriching and involving experiences, together with a more active role during their holidays. Tourism can be considered overall as an experiential and aesthetic product, which involves the five senses. In order to offer unforgettable and valuable experiences, tourist products should be designed in a way that takes into account the subjective reactions of the single customer. Therefore, in the design of the service process, firms must offer a physical environment that favours the opportunity for every customer to live unique and subjective experiences, based on the personal use of servicescape, taking always into account the subjective reactions of the single consumer.
Regional Sustainable Development
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G.
Published: August 2015

This study aims to determine the potential of cultural tourism in the municipalities that comprise region 6 of the State of Jalisco, territorially delimited in the South of Jalisco. These municipalities are tested first to identify the demand for cultural tourism to determine the profile of the cultural tourist under the assumptions that tourists especially motivated by culture tend to travel longer distances than most tourists. It discusses the motivations and satisfactions of cultural tourists in order to establish the potential market in accordance with the characteristics of the target market in the southern region of Jalisco. Any operation of cultural tourism companies should make the strategic diagnosis, which explains the use of SWOT analysis as a tool for strategic planning of cultural tourism enterprises. Finally, we propose some development strategies of cultural tourism in this region of Southern Jalisco.
A Pilot Study of Comparing Social Network Behaviors between Onlies and Others
Authors: Nie Dong , Yan Zheng , Zhao Nan , Zhu Tingshao
Published: August 2015

Extensive research reported that only children (“Onlies”) have different daily behavior from children with siblings (“Others”) in the real world. However, little is known about whether Onlies and Others behave differently in the cyber world, especially on the social network. A pilot study has been conducted to compare the behaviors of Onlies and Others on Sina Weibo, a leading social network platform in China. Through analyzing both online Weibo data and survey data from 1792 Weibo users (52% Onlies), several differences between Onlies' and Others' Weibo behaviors were found: Onlies tended to be more willing to express themselves and be more active in social communication within a smaller social circle than Others. More explorations should be done to fully understand these differences between the two groups.
Evaluating Social Media
Authors: Hassan Shahizan , Shiratuddin Norshuhada , Hashim Nor Laily , Li Feng
Published: August 2015

Despite the widespread adoption and popularity of social media, research on measuring the quantifiable impact of popular social media platforms remains scarce. To this end, this study attempts to investigate how the influence of social media can be assessed in quantitative terms. The main objective is to develop a new assessment model able to integrate a broad range of criteria such as likes, subscribers, comments, posts, shares, and links. The authors extend previous assessment models focused on individual platforms such as blogs and propose a Social Media Influence Assessment model (SMIA). The process of model development—criteria, dimensions, and formula—and its validation are discussed. The results indicate that social media's influence can be measured in a structured, quantifiable manner by utilising a set of nine criteria grouped into three dimensions: recognition, activity generation, and credibility.
Self-Presentation Strategies among Users of Social Networking Sites
Authors: Ahmed Azza Abdel-Azim Mohamed
Published: August 2015

This study explored the strategies of self-presentation (ingratiation, supplication, and enhancement) among United Arab Emirates users (n = 230) of popular social networking sites (SNS). The size of social networks, degree of network connectivity, and perceptions of self-presentation success were examined. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between the frequency of SNS use and ingratiation and enhancement strategies. Greater diversity of online friends among the respondents was positively associated with the perception of online self-presentation success. Males and females differed in the size of the online social network they interacted with, diversity of online friends, and preferred self-presentation strategies. However, no significant gender differences were found in the levels of network connectivity and perceptions of self-presentation success.
Detection of Opinion
Authors: Boudia Mohamed Amine , Hamou Reda Mohamed , Amine Abdelmalek
Published: August 2015

Opinion Mining is an area that has attracted many researchers, which resulted in several works. There are two types of approaches for detecting opinion: Approaches based on the corpus (Corpus-based Approach) and other approaches based on dictionary (Dictionary-based Approach). In this article, the authors will make a comparative study between the two approaches: the Bayesian method of Turney for the first approach; for the second approach, the authors will study the detection of opinion by the SentiWordNet and then the introduction of fuzzy logic is seen in this method. This study aims to study the theoretical and practical limitations of these two approaches.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of a “Learning While Earning” Variation of Work-Integrated Learning
Authors: Clark Kaye
Published: August 2015

The background focus of this discussion about work-integrated learning is the three streams of undergraduate Built Environment programs at Central Queensland University that are accredited by their relevant industries. The students' truly work-integrated learning experience may be considered to be a 'self-paced flexible learning while earning' process. Relevant background theories of philosophy and the more recent manifestations of WIL are discussed at length in considering the strengths and weaknesses of the formal and informal opportunities for putting theory into practice in the alternative form of work integrated learning.
A Detailed Framework for SOA Governance
Authors: Koumaditis Konstantinos , Themistocleous Marinos
Published: August 2015

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Governance is a critical factor for the success of SOA implementations, yet a detailed SOA Governance framework is lacking. The paper reintroduces a conceptual SOA Governance framework in a healthcare setting. The proposed framework is based on a rigorous literature review and consist of nine governance elements that should be considered during the SOA practice. The identification and conceptualisation of the elements are grounded in the normative literature. Moreover, the authors propose a unique formulation combining nine elements of SOA Governance with SOA Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Healthcare Information Systems (HIS) challenges. This proposal aims to pinpoint attributes and guidelines for each element, required to successfully govern SOA and tackle longstanding HIS challenges. The framework is intended to be used as a decision supporting tool for SOA governance in a healthcare setting.
Semiochemical profile of four aphidophagous Indian Coccinellidae (Coleoptera)
Authors: Pattanayak Rojalin , Mishra Geetanjali , Chanotiya Chandan Singh , Rout Prasant Kumar , Mohanty Chandra Sekhar , Omkar
Published: August 2015

The emitted aliphatic hydrocarbon profile of four Indian Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus) (C7), Coccinella transversalis Fabricius (Ct), Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) (Ms), and Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Pd) has been investigated by simple solvent-less headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Identified volatile and non-volatile compounds were confirmed by running corresponding standards and comparing with the National Institute of Standards and Technology library. Among the 56 identified aliphatic hydrocarbons, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons were more in number than unsaturated ones. Among saturated hydrocarbons, methyl branched hydrocarbons were more in number in C7 and Ct than Ms and Pd. Menochilus sexmaculatus and Pd had higher percentages of unsaturated hydrocarbons than C7 and Ct. Among branched chain-hydrocarbons, mono-methylated saturated hydrocarbons were more in number than dimethylated saturated hydrocarbons. Further analysis of the semiochemical profile revealed a closeness between C7 and Ct, and between Ms and Pd. Quantitative analysis revealed that straight chain hydrocarbons form separate clusters to branched chain methylated hydrocarbons. This is the first attempt to identify the semiochemical profile of some Indian coccinellids using the headspace solid phase micro-extraction technique coupled with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. This report will be helpful for various chemotaxonomic studies of the species in the future.
Designing Collaborative Healthcare Technology for the Acute Care Workflow
Authors: Gonzales Michael , Cheung Vanice , Riek Laurel
Published: August 2015

Preventable medical errors in hospitals are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Many of these are caused by poor situational awareness, especially in acute care resuscitation scenarios. While a number of checklists and technological interventions have been developed to reduce cognitive load and improve situational awareness, these tools often do not fit the clinical workflow. To better understand the challenges faced by clinicians in acute care codes, we conducted a qualitative study with interprofessional clinicians at three regional hospitals. Our key findings are: Current documentation processes are inadequate (with information recorded on paper towels); reference guides can serve as fixation points, reducing rather than enhancing situational awareness; the physical environment imposes significant constraints on workflow; homegrown solutions may be used often to solve unstandardized processes; simulation scenarios do not match real-world practice. We present a number of considerations for collaborative healthcare technology design and discuss the implications of our findings on current work for the development of more effective interventions for acute care resuscitation scenarios.
伝統と今–3・11以後の詩歌 /Tradition and Now––Poetry after 3/11
Authors: TAKAHASHI Mutsuo
Published: August 2015

高橋陸郎氏　2014年3月27日講演
Japonski jezik med nacijo in imperijem: Tokieda Motoki in aporija nacionalnega jezika
Authors: CULIBERG Luka
Published: August 2015

Predvsem strukturalistična veja jezikoslovja je poskušala zavreči vse jeziku na videz zunanje aspekte in se mu posvetiti v njegovi »čisti« ali abstraktni pojavnosti. Na drugi strani so se vzpostavile tudi jezikoslovne smeri, ki so jezik poskušale razumeti z vidika družbenega konteksta. Vendar pa jezik tako v strukturalnem jezikoslovju kakor v družbeno naravnanih jezikoslovnih teorijah lahko ostane ideološki pojem, če te teorije ne razvijejo tudi ustrezne kritike družbe oziroma družbenih odnosov, iz katerih izhajajo vsakokratne predstave o jeziku oziroma jezikovni praksi. V pričujoči razpravi pokažemo ta ideološki spregled na primeru jezikoslovnih razmišljanj Tokiede Motokija (時枝誠記1900–1967), ki je s svojo jezikoslovno teorijo utemeljeval kolonialno jezikovno politiko Japonskega imperija na Tajvanu in v Koreji.
Nakamura Ryûtarô’s Anime, Serial Experiments, Lain (1998)
Authors: PRINDLE Tamae KOBAYASHI
Published: August 2015

This paper introduces Nakamura Ryūtarō’s anime, Serial Experiments, Lain (1998) as a new type of anime, a genre nameable as an “expository anime”, for the reason that it creates a diachronic story out of a synchronic aspect of a certain field of science. The overarching topic of Experiments is electronics, focusing on the comparison between digital and analogue communication systems. Experiments unfolds the rationales, potentials, and effects of the two types of communication systems using the perceptions of the major character, a thirteen-year old girl, Rein, as well as other supporting characters.
Japanese Martial Arts as Popular Culture: Teaching Opportunity and Challenge
Authors: NAGY Stephen Robert
Published: August 2015

Japanese martial arts, here after Japanese budō, are popular cultural icons that are found in films, comics, video games and books. Teaching Japanese budō at university offers a novel way to teach about East Asian and in particular Japanese culture, history, and philosophy while including ideas about the globalization and the localization of culture. Question though remains as to how and what should we teach about the popular culture of Japanese budō at the university level? This paper found that a comprehensive approach to teaching about budō was effective. By using many kinds of materials and the incorporation of opportunities to experience budō and to try budō, students were better able to grasp the historical, cultural and religious characteristics of budō.
Effects of urban land expansion on the regional meteorology and air quality of eastern China
Authors: Tao W. , Liu J. , Ban-Weiss G. A. , Hauglustaine D. A. , Zhang L. , Zhang Q. , Cheng Y. , Yu Y. , Tao S.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Rapid urbanization throughout eastern China is imposing an irreversible effect on local climate and air quality. In this paper, we examine the response of a range of meteorological and air quality indicators to urbanization. Our study uses the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF/Chem) to simulate the climate and air quality impacts of four hypothetical urbanization scenarios with fixed surface pollutant emissions during the month of July from 2008 to 2012. An improved integrated process rate (IPR) analysis scheme is implemented in WRF/Chem to investigate the mechanisms behind the forcing–response relationship at the process level. For all years, as urban land area expands, concentrations of CO, elemental carbon (EC), and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) tend to decrease near the surface (below ~ 500 m), but increase at higher altitudes (1–3 km), resulting in a reduced vertical concentration gradient. On the other hand, the O3 burden, averaged over all newly urbanized grid cells, consistently increases from the surface to a height of about 4 km. Sensitivity tests show that the responses of pollutant concentrations to the spatial extent of urbanization are nearly linear near the surface, but nonlinear at higher altitudes. Over eastern China, each 10 % increase in nearby urban land coverage on average leads to a decrease of approximately 2 % in surface concentrations for CO, EC, and PM2.5, while for O3 an increase of about 1 % is simulated. At 800 hPa, pollutants' concentrations tend to increase even more rapidly with an increase in nearby urban land coverage. This indicates that as large tracts of new urban land emerge, the influence of urban expansion on meteorology and air pollution would be significantly amplified. IPR analysis reveals the contribution of individual atmospheric processes to pollutants' concentration changes. It indicates that, for primary pollutants, the enhanced sink (source) caused by turbulent mixing and vertical advection in the lower (upper) atmosphere could be a key factor in changes to simulated vertical profiles. The evolution of secondary pollutants is further influenced by the upward relocation of precursors that impact gas-phase chemistry for O3 and aerosol processes for PM2.5. Our study indicates that dense urbanization has a moderate dilution effect on surface primary airborne contaminants, but may intensify severe haze and ozone pollution if local emissions are not well controlled.
Evaluation of VIIRS, GOCI, and MODIS Collection 6 AOD retrievals against ground sunphotometer measurements over East Asia
Authors: Xiao Q. , Zhang H. , Choi M. , Li S. , Kondragunta S. , Kim J. , Holben B. , Levy R. C. , Liu Y.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Persistent high aerosol loadings together with extremely high population density have raised serious air quality and public health concerns in many urban centers in East Asia. However, ground based air quality monitoring is relatively limited in this area. Recently, satellite retrieved Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) at high resolution has become a powerful tool to characterize aerosol patterns in space and time. Using ground AOD measurements from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and the Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Networks (DRAGON)-Asia Campaign, as well as from handheld sunphotometers, we evaluated emerging aerosol products from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP), the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) aboard the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorology Satellite (COMS), and Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (Collection 6) in East Asia in 2012 and 2013. In the case study in Beijing, when compared with AOD measured by handheld sunphotometers, 51 % of VIIRS Environmental Data Record (EDR) AOD, 33 % of VIIRS Intermediate Product (IP) AOD, 31 % of GOCI AOD, 26 % of Terra MODIS C6 3 km AOD, and 16 % of Aqua MODIS C6 3 km AOD fell within the reference expected error (EE) envelop (±0.05 ± 0.15 AOD). Comparing against AERONET measurements over the Japan–South Korea region, 64 % of EDR, 37 % of IP, 62 % of GOCI, 39 % of Terra MODIS and 56 % of Aqua MODIS C6 3 km AOD fell within the EE. In general, satellite aerosol products performed better in tracking the day-to-day variability than tracking the spatial variability at high resolutions. The VIIRS EDR and GOCI products provided the most accurate AOD retrievals, while VIIRS IP and MODIS C6 3 km products had positive biases.
Electron density profiles probed by radio occultation of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 at 520 and 800 km altitude
Authors: Liu J. Y. , Lin C. Y. , Tsai H. F.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (F7/C2) will ultimately place 12 satellites in orbit with two launches with 24–28.5° inclination and 520–550 km altitude in 2016 and with 72° inclination and 720–750 km altitude in 2018. It would be very useful for the community to construct the global three-dimensional electron density structure by simultaneously combining the two launch observations for studying ionospheric structure and dynamics. However, to properly construct the global electron density structure, it is essential to know and evaluate differences between the ionospheric electron densities probed by the two launches. To mimic the F7/C2 observations, we examine the electron density probed at the two satellite altitudes 500 and 800 km by means of FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (F3/C) observations at the parking orbit 500 km altitude and mission orbit 800 km altitude, as well as a corresponding observing system simulation experiment (OSSE). Observation and OSSE results show that the sounding geometries by satellite orbiting at 500 and 800 km altitudes can cause the overall differences in the electron density, the F2 peak electron density, and the F2 peak height of about 18–24, 12–28 %, and 7–19 km, respectively. Results confirm that the discrepancies mainly result from the sounding geometry and the grid (contour) bias of the electron density.
Indirect estimation of absorption properties for fine aerosol particles using AATSR observations: a case study of wildfires in Russia in 2010
Authors: Rodríguez E. , Kolmonen P. , Virtanen T. H. , Sogacheva L. , Sundström A.-M. , de Leeuw G.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) on board the ENVISAT satellite is used to study aerosol properties. The retrieval of aerosol properties from satellite data is based on the optimized fit of simulated and measured reflectances at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). The simulations are made using a radiative transfer model with a variety of representative aerosol properties. The retrieval process utilizes a combination of four aerosol components, each of which is defined by their (lognormal) size distribution and a complex refractive index: a weakly and a strongly absorbing fine-mode component, coarse mode sea salt aerosol and coarse mode desert dust aerosol). These components are externally mixed to provide the aerosol model which in turn is used to calculate the aerosol optical depth (AOD). In the AATSR aerosol retrieval algorithm, the mixing of these components is decided by minimizing the error function given by the sum of the differences between measured and calculated path radiances at 3–4 wavelengths, where the path radiances are varied by varying the aerosol component mixing ratios. The continuous variation of the fine-mode components allows for the continuous variation of the fine-mode aerosol absorption. Assuming that the correct aerosol model (i.e. the correct mixing fractions of the four components) is selected during the retrieval process, also other aerosol properties could be computed such as the single scattering albedo (SSA). Implications of this assumption regarding the ratio of the weakly/strongly absorbing fine-mode fraction are investigated in this paper by evaluating the validity of the SSA thus obtained. The SSA is indirectly estimated for aerosol plumes with moderate-to-high AOD resulting from wildfires in Russia in the summer of 2010. Together with the AOD, the SSA provides the aerosol absorbing optical depth (AAOD). The results are compared with AERONET data, i.e. AOD level 2.0 and SSA and AAOD inversion products. The RMSE (root mean square error) is 0.03 for SSA and 0.02 for AAOD lower than 0.05. The SSA is further evaluated by comparison with the SSA retrieved from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). The SSA retrieved from both instruments show similar features, with generally lower AATSR-estimated SSA values over areas affected by wildfires.
The Ice Selective Inlet: a novel technique for exclusive extraction of pristine ice crystals in mixed-phase clouds
Authors: Kupiszewski P. , Weingartner E. , Vochezer P. , Schnaiter M. , Bigi A. , Gysel M. , Rosati B. , Toprak E. , Mertes S. , Baltensperger U.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Climate predictions are affected by high uncertainties partially due to an insufficient knowledge of aerosol–cloud interactions. One of the poorly understood processes is formation of mixed-phase clouds (MPCs) via heterogeneous ice nucleation. Field measurements of the atmospheric ice phase in MPCs are challenging due to the presence of much more numerous liquid droplets. The Ice Selective Inlet (ISI), presented in this paper, is a novel inlet designed to selectively sample pristine ice crystals in mixed-phase clouds and extract the ice residual particles contained within the crystals for physical and chemical characterization. Using a modular setup composed of a cyclone impactor, droplet evaporation unit and pumped counterflow virtual impactor (PCVI), the ISI segregates particles based on their inertia and phase, exclusively extracting small ice particles between 5 and 20 μm in diameter. The setup also includes optical particle spectrometers for analysis of the number size distribution and shape of the sampled hydrometeors. The novelty of the ISI is a droplet evaporation unit, which separates liquid droplets and ice crystals in the airborne state, thus avoiding physical impaction of the hydrometeors and limiting potential artefacts. The design and validation of the droplet evaporation unit is based on modelling studies of droplet evaporation rates and computational fluid dynamics simulations of gas and particle flows through the unit. Prior to deployment in the field, an inter-comparison of the optical particle size spectrometers and a characterization of the transmission efficiency of the PCVI was conducted in the laboratory. The ISI was subsequently deployed during the Cloud and Aerosol Characterization Experiment (CLACE) 2013 and 2014 – two extensive international field campaigns encompassing comprehensive measurements of cloud microphysics, as well as bulk aerosol, ice residual and ice nuclei properties. The campaigns provided an important opportunity for a proof of concept of the inlet design. In this work we present the setup of the ISI, including the modelling and laboratory characterization of its components, as well as field measurements demonstrating the ISI performance and validating the working principle of the inlet. Finally, measurements of biological aerosol during a Saharan dust event (SDE) are presented, showing a first indication of enrichment of bio-material in sub-2 μm ice residuals.
Effects of temperature and organic pollution on nutrient cycling in marine sediments
Authors: Sanz-Lázaro C. , Valdemarsen T. , Holmer M.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Increasing ocean temperature due to climate change is an important anthropogenic driver of ecological change in coastal systems. In these systems sediments play a major role in nutrient cycling. Our ability to predict ecological consequences of climate change is enhanced by simulating real scenarios. Based on predicted climate change scenarios, we tested the effect of temperature and organic pollution on nutrient release from coastal sediments to the water column in a mesocosm experiment. PO43− release rates from sediments followed the same trends as organic matter mineralization rates, increased linearly with temperature and were significantly higher under organic pollution than under nonpolluted conditions. NH4+ release only increased significantly when the temperature rise was above 6 °C, and it was significantly higher in organic polluted compared to nonpolluted sediments. Nutrient release to the water column was only a fraction from the mineralized organic matter, suggesting PO43− retention and NH4+ oxidation in the sediment. Bioturbation and bioirrigation appeared to be key processes responsible for this behavior. Considering that the primary production of most marine basins is N-limited, the excess release of NH4+ at a temperature rise > 6 °C could enhance water column primary productivity, which may lead to the deterioration of the environmental quality. Climate change effects are expected to be accelerated in areas affected by organic pollution.
Predicting landscape-scale CO2 flux at a pasture and rice paddy with long-term hyperspectral canopy reflectance measurements
Authors: Matthes J. H. , Knox S. H. , Sturtevant C. , Sonnentag O. , Verfaillie J. , Baldocchi D.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Measurements of hyperspectral canopy reflectance provide a detailed snapshot of information regarding canopy biochemistry, structure and physiology. In this study, we collected 5 years of repeated canopy hyperspectral reflectance measurements for a total of over 100 site visits within the flux footprints of two eddy covariance towers at a pasture and rice paddy in northern California. The vegetation at both sites exhibited dynamic phenology, with significant interannual variability in the timing of seasonal patterns that propagated into interannual variability in measured hyperspectral reflectance. We used partial least-squares regression (PLSR) modeling to leverage the information contained within the entire canopy reflectance spectra (400–900 nm) in order to investigate questions regarding the connection between measured hyperspectral reflectance and landscape-scale fluxes of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and gross primary productivity (GPP) across multiple timescales, from instantaneous flux to monthly integrated flux. With the PLSR models developed from this large data set we achieved a high level of predictability for both NEE and GPP flux in these two ecosystems, where the R2 of prediction with an independent validation data set ranged from 0.24 to 0.69. The PLSR models achieved the highest skill at predicting the integrated GPP flux for the week prior to the hyperspectral canopy reflectance collection, whereas the NEE flux often achieved the same high predictive power at daily to monthly integrated flux timescales. The high level of predictability achieved by PLSR in this study demonstrated the potential for using repeated hyperspectral canopy reflectance measurements to help partition NEE into its component fluxes, GPP and ecosystem respiration, and for using quasi-continuous hyperspectral reflectance measurements to model regional carbon flux in future analyses.
"Changes" of the thermal continentality in Central Europe between the years 1951 and 2013: case study – Slovak Republic
Authors: Vilček J. , Škvarenina J. , Vido J. , Kandrík R. , Škvareninová J. , Nalevanková P.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The influence of continents and oceans plays conceptually the key role in the climate conditions of Europeans regions. Continentality is also an important phytogeographic factor of vegetation distribution in Slovakia. This study analysed continentality development at six meteorological stations in Slovakia during the periods 1951–2013, or 1961–2013. Rising trend of the maximal and minimal temperature has been observed at all meteorological stations (lowland as well as mountainous stations) in this periods. However the results showed non-significant increase of continentality index during the monitored period of 63 (53) years. Based on the results of CCM 2000 climate model we cannot expect significant changes of continentality by the end of the 21st century, but the climate change will be significantly manifested by the increase of maximum and minimum air temperatures.
A pan-African medium-range ensemble flood forecast system
Authors: Thiemig V. , Bisselink B. , Pappenberger F. , Thielen J.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The African Flood Forecasting System (AFFS) is a probabilistic flood forecast system for medium- to large-scale African river basins, with lead times of up to 15 days. The key components are the hydrological model LISFLOOD, the African GIS database, the meteorological ensemble predictions by the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Ranged Weather Forecasts) and critical hydrological thresholds. In this paper, the predictive capability is investigated in a hindcast mode, by reproducing hydrological predictions for the year 2003 when important floods were observed. Results were verified by ground measurements of 36 sub-catchments as well as by reports of various flood archives. Results showed that AFFS detected around 70 % of the reported flood events correctly. In particular, the system showed good performance in predicting riverine flood events of long duration (> 1 week) and large affected areas (> 10 000 km2) well in advance, whereas AFFS showed limitations for small-scale and short duration flood events. The case study for the flood event in March 2003 in the Sabi Basin (Zimbabwe) illustrated the good performance of AFFS in forecasting timing and severity of the floods, gave an example of the clear and concise output products, and showed that the system is capable of producing flood warnings even in ungauged river basins. Hence, from a technical perspective, AFFS shows a large potential as an operational pan-African flood forecasting system, although issues related to the practical implication will still need to be investigated.
Relating seasonal dynamics of enhanced vegetation index to the recycling of water in two endorheic river basins in north-west China
Authors: Matin M. A. , Bourque C. P.-A.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. This study associates the dynamics of enhanced vegetation index in lowland desert oases to the recycling of water in two endorheic (hydrologically closed) river basins in Gansu Province, north-west China, along a gradient of elevation zones and land cover types. Each river basin was subdivided into four elevation zones representative of (i) oasis plains and foothills, and (ii) low-, (iii) mid-, and (iv) high-mountain elevations. Comparison of monthly vegetation phenology with precipitation and snowmelt dynamics within the same basins over a 10-year period (2000–2009) suggested that the onset of the precipitation season (cumulative % precipitation > 7–8 %) in the mountains, typically in late April to early May, was triggered by the greening of vegetation and increased production of water vapour at the base of the mountains. Seasonal evolution of in-mountain precipitation correlated fairly well with the temporal variation in oasis-vegetation coverage and phenology characterised by monthly enhanced vegetation index, yielding coefficients of determination of 0.65 and 0.85 for the two basins. Convergent cross-mapping of related time series indicated bi-directional causality (feedback) between the two variables. Comparisons between same-zone monthly precipitation amounts and enhanced vegetation index provided weaker correlations. Start of the growing season in the oases was shown to coincide with favourable spring warming and discharge of meltwater from low- to mid-elevations of the Qilian Mountains (zones 1 and 2) in mid-to-late March. In terms of plant requirement for water, mid-seasonal development of oasis vegetation was seen to be controlled to a greater extent by the production of rain in the mountains. Comparison of water volumes associated with in-basin production of rainfall and snowmelt with that associated with evaporation seemed to suggest that about 90 % of the available liquid water (i.e. mostly in the form of direct rainfall and snowmelt in the mountains) was recycled locally.
Future changes in flash flood frequency and intensity of the Tha Di River (Thailand) based on rainfall–runoff modeling and advanced delta change scaling
Authors: Hilgert S. , Wagner A. , Fuchs S.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. As a consequence of climate change, extreme and flood-causing precipitation events are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency, especially in today's high-precipitation areas. During the north-east monsoon seasons, Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand is flash-flooded every 2.22 years on average. This study investigates frequency and intensity of harmful discharges of the Tha Di River regarding the IPCC emission scenarios A2 and B2. The regional climate model (RCM) PRECIS was transformed using the advanced delta change (ADC) method. The hydrologic response model HBV-Light was calibrated to the catchment and supplied with ADC-scaled daily precipitation and temperature data for 2010–2089. Under the A2 (B2) scenario, the flood threshold exceedance frequency on average increases by 133 % (decreases by 10 %), average flood intensity increases by 3 % (decreases by 2 %) and the annual top five discharge peaks intensities increase by 46 % (decrease by 5 %). Yearly precipitation sums increase by 30 % (10 %) towards the end of the century. The A2 scenario predicts a precipitation increase during the rainy season, which intensifies flood events; while increases projected exclusively for the dry season are not expected to cause floods. Retention volume demand of past events was calculated to be up to 12 × 106 m3. Flood risks are staying at high levels under the B2 scenario or increase dramatically under the A2 scenario. Results show that the RCM scaling process is inflicted with systematic biases but is crucial to investigate small, mountainous catchments. Improvement of scaling techniques should therefore accompany the development towards high-resolution climate models.