bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of SME's Semi Structured Data Using Semantic Technique
Authors: Singh Saravjeet , Singh Jaiteg
Published: February 2018

Management of data for an organization is crucial task but when data goes to its complex form then it becomes multifaceted as well as vital. In today era most of the organizations generating semi structured or unstructured data that requires special techniques to handle and manage. With the needs to handle unstructured data, semantic web technology provides a way to come up with the effective solution. In this chapter Synthetic Semantic Data Management (SSDM) is explained that is based semantic web technique and will helps to manage data of small and Midsized Enterprise (SME). SSDM provide the procedure to handle, store, manages and retrieval of semi structured data.
Improving the Quality of Linked Data Using Statistical Distributions
Authors: Paulheim Heiko , Bizer Christian
Published: February 2018

Linked Data on the Web is either created from structured data sources (such as relational databases), from semi-structured sources (such as Wikipedia), or from unstructured sources (such as text). In the latter two cases, the generated Linked Data will likely be noisy and incomplete. In this paper, we present two algorithms that exploit statistical distributions of properties and types for enhancing the quality of incomplete and noisy Linked Data sets: SDType adds missing type statements, and SDValidate identifies faulty statements. Neither of the algorithms uses external knowledge, i.e., they operate only on the data itself. We evaluate the algorithms on the DBpedia and NELL knowledge bases, showing that they are both accurate as well as scalable. Both algorithms have been used for building the DBpedia 3.9 release: With SDType, 3.4 million missing type statements have been added, while using SDValidate, 13,000 erroneous RDF statements have been removed from the knowledge base.
Patient-Centered Clinical Trials Decision Support Using Linked Open Data
Authors: MacKellar Bonnie , Schweikert Christina , Chun Soon Ae
Published: February 2018

Patients often want to participate in relevant clinical trials for new or more effective alternative treatments. The clinical search system made available by the NIH is a step forward to support the patient's decision making, but, it is difficult to use and requires the patient to sift through lengthy text descriptions for relevant information. In addition, patients deciding whether to pursue a given trial often want more information, such as drug information. The authors' overall aim is to develop an intelligent patient-centered clinical trial decision support system. Their approach is to integrate Open Data sources related to clinical trials using the Semantic Web's Linked Data framework. The linked data representation, in terms of RDF triples, allows the development of a clinical trial knowledge base that includes entities from different open data sources and relationships among entities. The authors consider Open Data sources such as clinical trials provided by NIH as well as the drug side effects dataset SIDER. The authors use UMLS (Unified Medical Language System) to provide consistent semantics and ontological knowledge for clinical trial related entities and terms. The authors' semantic approach is a step toward a cognitive system that provides not only patient-centered integrated data search but also allows automated reasoning in search, analysis and decision making using the semantic relationships embedded in the Linked data. The authors present their integrated clinical trial knowledge base development and a prototype, patient-centered Clinical Trial Decision Support System that include capabilities of semantic search and query with reasoning ability, and semantic-link browsing where an exploration of one concept leads to other concepts easily via links which can provide visual search for the end users.
Ranking Documents Based on the Semantic Relations Using Analytical Hierarchy Process
Authors: El-Dsouky Ali I. , Ali Hesham A. , Rashed Rabab Samy
Published: February 2018

With the rapid growth of the World Wide Web comes the need for a fast and accurate way to reach the information required. Search engines play an important role in retrieving the required information for users. Ranking algorithms are an important step in search engines so that the user could retrieve the pages most relevant to his query In this work, the authors present a method for utilizing genealogical information from ontology to find the suitable hierarchical concepts for query extension, and ranking web pages based on semantic relations of the hierarchical concepts related to query terms, taking into consideration the hierarchical relations of domain searched (sibling, synonyms and hyponyms) by different weighting based on AHP method. So, it provides an accurate solution for ranking documents when compared to the three common methods.
Enhanced Filter Feature Selection Methods for Arabic Text Categorization
Authors: Ghareb Abdullah Saeed , Abu Bakara Azuraliza , Al-Radaideh Qasem A. , Hamdan Abdul Razak
Published: February 2018

The filtering of a large amount of data is an important process in data mining tasks, particularly for the categorization of unstructured high dimensional data. Therefore, a feature selection process is desired to reduce the space of high dimensional data into small relevant subset dimensions that represent the best features for text categorization. In this article, three enhanced filter feature selection methods, Category Relevant Feature Measure, Modified Category Discriminated Measure, and Odd Ratio2, are proposed. These methods combine the relevant information about features in both the inter- and intra-category. The effectiveness of the proposed methods with Naïve Bayes and associative classification is evaluated by traditional measures of text categorization, namely, macro-averaging of precision, recall, and F-measure. Experiments are conducted on three Arabic text datasets used for text categorization. The experimental results showed that the proposed methods are able to achieve better and comparable results when compared to 12 well known traditional methods.
Sonar Data Classification Using a New Algorithm Inspired from Black Holes Phenomenon
Authors: Rahmani Mohamed Elhadi , Amine Abdelmalek , Hamou Reda Mohamed
Published: February 2018

Sound Navigation and Ranging (Sonar) is underwater sound detection used in boats or submarines to navigate, communicate with or detect objects under the surface of water based on sound propagation. It is helpful for exploring and mapping the ocean because sound waves travel farther in the water than do radar and light waves. Based on signal data obtained from sonar, this article presents a new heuristic approach inspired from black holes' phenomenon proposed by Schwarzschild, it has been applied to the classification sonar returns from two undersea targets, a metal cylinder and a similarly-shaped rock. Results are very satisfied (almost 83% of accuracy) compared to original works. in manner that encourage to keep working on paper, the main idea of this article is to benefit from the power of nature to solve complex problems in computer science
Comparative Analysis of Texture Classification Using Local Binary Pattern and Its Variants
Authors: Sharma Richa , Lal Madan
Published: February 2018

Texture classification is an important issue in digital image processing and the Local Binary pattern (LBP) is a very powerful method used for analysing textures. LBP has gained significant popularity in texture analysis world. However, LBP method is very sensitive to noise and unable to capture the macrostructure information of the image. To address its limitation, some variants of LBP have been defined. In this chapter, the texture classification performance of LBP has been compared with the five latest high-performance LBP variants, like Centre symmetric Local Binary Pattern (CS-LBP), Orthogonal Combination of Local Binary Patterns (OC LBP), Rotation Invariant Local Binary Pattern (RLBP), Dominant Rotated Local Binary Pattern (DRLBP) and Median rotated extended local binary pattern (MRELBP). This was by using the standard images Outex_TC_0010 dataset. From the experimental results it is concluded that DRLBP and MRELBP are the best methods for texture classification.
An Approach to Discover the Stable Routes in BGP Confederations
Authors: Shukla Shipra , Kumar Mahesh
Published: February 2018

This article describes how the current internet is a network of interconnected autonomous systems which is susceptible to route instability when transferring data. The BGP confederation is the essential intra-domain routing protocol that may cause instability on the Internet. So far, route instability has been widely studied for internal BGP. However, the existing routing policies such as APMS and H-SSPP are not adequate for the route stability of BGP confederations. In fact, these routing policies may degrade the network performance parameters in terms of the packet delivery ratio, convergence time, average throughput and the average end to end delay. Therefore, this article proposes the Flexible BGP Confederation Policy Management (FBCPM) to reduce the anomalies. The proposed approach detects the route instability in the networks and provides a policy to construct a stable network. The routing policy shrinks the route oscillations and forwarding loops. Furthermore, the simulation results confirm that the authors' proposed approach has improved network performance parameters compared to other existing approaches.
SOM-Based Class Discovery for Emotion Detection Based on DEAP Dataset
Authors: Ayesh Aladdin , Arevalillo-Herra´ez Miguel , Arnau-González Pablo
Published: February 2018

This paper investigates the possibility of identifying classes by clustering. This study includes employing Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) in identifying clusters from EEG signals that could then be mapped to emotional classes. Beginning by training varying sizes of SOM with the EEG data provided from the public dataset: DEAP. The produced graphs showing Neighbor Distance, Sample Hits, and Weight Position are examined. Following that, the ground-truth label provided in DEAP is tested, in order to identify correlations between the label and the clusters produced by the SOM. The results show that there is a potential of class discovery using SOM-based clustering. It is then concluded that by evaluating the implications of this work and the difficulties in evaluating its outcome.
An Analysis of Motion Transition in Subtle Errors using Inductive Logic Programming
Authors: Martono Niken Prasasti , Abe Keisuke , Yamaguchi Takehiko , Ohwada Hayato
Published: February 2018

This article seeks to utilize the data collected from virtual reality (VR)-based software and a leap-motion device used for learning of subtle errors in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) cases to enable early detection of MCI by analyzing the classification rules for errors (action slips) based on finger-action transitions when performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Finger motion was recorded as a time-series database. An induction technique known as Inductive-Logic Programming (ILP), which uses logical and clausal language to represent the training data, was then used to discover a concise classification rule using logical programming. The content within this article was able to generate rules on how action transitions of the finger in the experiments were related to the pattern of micro-errors that indicate the difference of error regarding the length of the no-motion state of the finger.
Effects of a Preventive Warning Light System for Near-Miss Incidents
Authors: Yoshizawa Akira , Iwasaki Hirotoshi
Published: February 2018

This article describes how the number of fatal traffic accidents has been decreasing in Japan because of recent safety technologies of vehicles, such as stiff cabins, antilock braking systems, and seat belts. Automated vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems can advance the trend. However, many traffic accidents occur on narrow streets in residential sections, where it is difficult for even advanced vehicles to drive safely. In this research, this paper utilizes a near-miss incident database to analyze driver gazing. The result showed that preventive warning systems are useful for avoiding traffic accidents.
E-Rulemaking
Authors: Carvalho Nuno , Lourenço Rui Pedro
Published: February 2018

This article aims to identify the different technologies used in e-rulemaking platforms and initiatives and to assess the results from those initiatives. It aims to contribute to aid public officials responsible for the organization of such initiatives to decide what are the best practices and technologies in order to achieve the best results. A systematic literature review was carried out based on the E-Government Reference Library (EGRL) and Google Scholar, and the methodology proposed by Schlichter and Kraemmergaard (2010) was used. The set of collected articles was then analyzed in three dimensions: technologies used, supported activities and achieved results. The analysis of the several articles originated a set of recommendations that might be valuable for those considering implementing eRulemaking projects. The results point to the successful use of automatic comments processing technologies, social interaction tools and specific sites of e-rulemaking.
Increasing Adherence to Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines for Hospital Care of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Saherwala Ali A. , Bader Mary Kay , Stutzman Sonja E. , Figueroa Stephen A. , Ghajar Jamshid , Gorman April R. , Minhajuddin Abu , Olson DaiWai M.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The Brain Trauma Foundation has developed treatment guidelines for the care of patients with acute traumatic brain injury. The Adam Williams Initiative is a program established to provide education and resources to encourage hospitals across the United States to incorporate the guidelines into practice.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship in hospitals between participation in the Adam Williams Initiative and adherence to the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines for patients with acute traumatic brain injury.

METHOD

Hospitals that participated in the Adam Williams Initiative entered data into an online tracking system of patients with traumatic brain injury for at least 2 years after the initial site training. Data included baseline hospital records and daily records on hospital care of patients with traumatic brain injury, including blood pressure, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, oxygenation, and other data relevant to the 15 key metrics in the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines.

RESULTS

The 16 hospitals funded by the Adam Williams Initiative had good overall adherence to the 15 key metrics of the recommendations detailed in the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines. Variability in results was primarily due to data collection methods and analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The Adam Williams Initiative helps promote adherence to the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines for hospital care of patients with traumatic brain injury by providing a platform for developing and standardizing best practices. Participation in the initiative is associated with high adherence to clinical guidelines, a situation that may subsequently improve care and outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury.
Athletic Training Student Active Learning Time With and Without the Use of Bug-in-Ear Technology
Authors: Nottingham Sara L. , Montgomery Melissa M. , Kasamatsu Tricia M.
Published: February 2018

Context:

Clinical education experiences that actively engage students in patient care are important to the development of competent clinicians. It is important to assess athletic training students' time spent clinically and explore new technology that may facilitate more active learning during clinical education.

Objective:

To assess athletic training students' active learning time with and without the use of bug-in-ear technology.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

High school, rehabilitation clinic, and college/university clinical sites affiliated with 3 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education–accredited undergraduate athletic training programs.

Patients or Other Participants:

Thirteen athletic training students (11 females, 2 males; 22.0 ± 1.8 years old, 1.8 ± 0.9 years enrolled in the current athletic training program) and 8 preceptors (5 females, 3 males; 35.4 ± 10.4 years old, 3.5 ± 2.9 years of experience as a preceptor) volunteered for this study.

Intervention(s):

The principal investigator observed preceptor-student interactions on 2 control days and 2 days using bug-in-ear technology. Participants and the principal investigator assessed students' active learning time at each observation period using the Athletic Training Clinical Education Time Framework.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Minutes spent on instructional, clinical, managerial, engaged waiting, and down time as recorded on the Athletic Training Clinical Education Time Framework. Parametric (analysis of variance) and nonparametric (Wilcoxon signed-rank and Kruskal-Wallis) tests compared the perceived amount of time spent in each category between technologies and roles.

Results:

Bug-in-ear technology resulted in less time on managerial tasks (8.2% ± 5.1% versus 14.6% ± 9.8%; P < .01) and instruction (10.7% versus 12.7%, P < .01). The researcher observed significantly more unengaged waiting time than both the students and preceptors (both P < .01) perceived.

Conclusions:

Bug-in-ear technology may decrease managerial time and spoken instruction during clinical experiences. Preceptors and students significantly underestimate the amount of unengaged time spent during clinical education, which is of concern. Athletic training programs may also benefit from assessing and improving students' time spent actively learning during clinical education.
Effective Characteristics of Formal Mentoring Relationships: The National Athletic Trainers' Association Foundation Research Mentor Program
Authors: Nottingham Sara L. , Mazerolle Stephanie M. , Barrett Jessica L.
Published: February 2018

Context:

Mentoring is a beneficial mechanism to support junior faculty members as they navigate job expectations, institutional nuances, and the professional landscape during the first few years as a faculty member. Whereas effective characteristics of informal mentoring relationships are generally understood, less is known about factors that contribute to formal mentoring relationships.

Objective:

Gain mentor and mentee perceptions of effective mentoring in a formal setting.

Design:

Qualitative phenomenology.

Setting:

Higher education institutions.

Patients or Other Participants:

Six mentees (4 women and 2 men with 3 ± 4 years in their current faculty position) and 4 mentors (2 women and 2 men with an average of 10 ± 3 years in their current faculty position) participating in the 2015 National Athletic Trainers' Association Foundation mentor-program cohort.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Participants completed one telephone interview before starting the mentor program and one interview upon program completion 11 months later. Participants also completed 3 structured online journals at 3-month increments throughout their participation in the program. Two researchers independently analyzed the interview and journal data using a phenomenological approach. To improve trustworthiness, we used peer review and pilot testing of the interview guides, member-checks, and multiple-analyst triangulation.

Results:

Participants described effective mentoring relationships as those that facilitated collaboration and demonstrated humanistic qualities. Participants who collaborated on scholarly activities during their mentoring experience perceived this to be a highly valuable aspect of the experience that increased the potential for a long-lasting relationship. Whereas the mentoring focused on professional development, humanistic attributes such as approachability and personal connections further enriched participants' mentoring experiences.

Conclusions:

Participants in formal mentoring experiences describe effective mentoring characteristics similarly to those who have participated in informal mentoring and should be encouraged to exhibit them. Additionally, coordinators of formal mentoring programs should provide participants with resources and guidance to facilitate their experiences.
A combinatorial Hopf algebra for the boson normal ordering problem
Authors: Bousbaa Imad Eddine , Chouria Ali , Luque Jean-Gabriel
Published: February 2018

In the aim of understand the generalization of Stirling numbers occurring in the bosonic normal ordering problem, several combinatorial models have been proposed. In particular, Blasiak \emph{et al.} defined combinatorial objects allowing to interpret the number of

S_{\bf{r,s}}(k)

appearing in the identity

(a^\dagger)^{r_n}a^{s_n}\cdots(a^\dagger)^{r_1}a^{s_1}=(a^\dagger)^\alpha\displaystyle\sum S_{\bf{r,s}}(k)(a^\dagger)^k a^k

, where

\alpha

is assumed to be non-negative. These objects are used to define a combinatorial Hopf algebra which projects to the enveloping algebra of the Heisenberg Lie algebra. Here, we propose a new variant this construction which admits a realization with variables. This means that we construct our algebra from a free algebra

\mathbb{C}\langle A \rangle

using quotient and shifted product. The combinatorial objects (B-diagrams) are slightly different from those proposed by Blasiak \emph{et al.}, but give also a combinatorial interpretation of the generalized Stirling numbers together with a combinatorial Hopf algebra related to Heisenberg Lie algebra. the main difference comes the fact that the B-diagrams have the same number of inputs and outputs. After studying the combinatorics and the enumeration of B-diagrams, we propose two constructions of algebras called. The Fusion algebra

\mathcal{F}

defined using formal variables and another algebra

\mathcal{B}

constructed directly from the B-diagrams. We show the connection between these two algebras and that

\mathcal{B}

can be endowed with Hopf structure. We recognise two already known combinatorial Hopf subalgebras of

\mathcal{B}

: WSym the algebra of word symmetric functions indexed by set partitions and BWSym the algebra of biword symmetric functions indexed by set partitions into lists.
Heegaard Floer correction terms, with a twist
Authors: Behrens Stefan , Golla Marco
Published: February 2018

We use Heegaard Floer homology with twisted coefficients to define numerical invariants for arbitrary closed 3-manifolds equipped torsion spin

^c

structures, generalising the correction terms (or

d

-invariants) defined by Ozsváth and Szabó for rational homology 3-spheres and, more generally, for 3-manifolds with standard HF

^\infty

. Our twisted correction terms share many properties with their untwisted analogues. In particular, they provide restrictions on the topology of 4-manifolds bounding a given 3-manifold.
$p$-adic dimensions in symmetric tensor categories in characteristic $p$
Authors: Etingof Pavel , Harman Nate , Ostrik Victor
Published: February 2018

To every object

X

of a symmetric tensor category over a field of characteristic

p>0

we attach

p

-adic integers Dim

_+(X)

and Dim

_-(X)

whose reduction modulo

p

is the categorical dimension dim

(X)

of

X

, coinciding with the usual dimension when

X

is a vector space. We study properties of Dim

_{\pm}(X)

, and in particular show that they don't always coincide with each other, and can take any value in

\mathbb Z_p

. We also discuss the connection of

p

-adic dimensions with the theory of

\lambda

-rings and Brauer characters.
Planar algebras, cabling and the Drinfeld double
Authors: De Sandipan , Kodiyalam Vijay
Published: February 2018

We produce an explicit embedding of the planar algebra of the Drinfeld double of a finite-dimensional, semisimple and cosemisimple Hopf algebra

H

into the two-cabling of the planar algebra of the dual Hopf algebra

H^*

.
A MILP for multi-machine injection moulding sequencing in the scope of C2NET Project
Authors: Andrés Beatriz , Sanchis Raquel , Poler Raúl , Díaz-Madroñero Manuel , Mula Josefa
Published: February 2018

The goal of C2NET European H2020 Funded Project is the creation of cloud-enabled tools for supporting the SMEs supply network optimization of manufacturing and logistic assets based on collaborative demand, production and delivery plans. In the scope of C2NET Project, and particularly in the Optimisation module (C2NET OPT), this paper proposes a novel holistic mixed integer linear programing (MILP) model to optimise the injection sequencing in a multi-machine case. The results of the MILP will support the production planner decision-making process in the calculation of (i) moulds setup in certain machines, and (ii) the amount of products to produce in order to minimise the setup, inventory, and backorders costs. The designed MILP takes part of the algorithms repository created in C2NET European Funded Project to solve realistic industry planning problems. The MILP is verified in realistic data considering three data sets with different sizes, in order to test it’s the computation efficiency.
Nine-year spatial and temporal evolution of desert dust aerosols over South and East Asia as revealed by CALIOP
Authors: Proestakis Emmanouil , Amiridis Vassilis , Marinou Eleni , Georgoulias Aristeidis K. , Solomos Stavros , Kazadzis Stelios , Chimot Julien , Che Huizheng , Alexandri Georgia , Binietoglou Ioannis , Daskalopoulou Vasiliki , Kourtidis Konstantinos A. , de Leeuw Gerrit , van der A Ronald J.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. We present a 3-D climatology of the desert dust distribution over
South and East Asia derived using CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and
Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) data. To distinguish
desert dust from total aerosol load we apply a methodology developed
in the framework of EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar
Network). The method involves the use of the particle linear
depolarization ratio and updated lidar ratio values suitable for
Asian dust, applied to multiyear CALIPSO observations
(January 2007–December 2015). The resulting dust product provides information
on the horizontal and vertical distribution of dust aerosols over
South and East Asia along with the seasonal transition of dust
transport pathways. Persistent high D_AOD (dust aerosol optical depth) values at 532 nm, of the order of 0.6, are present
over the arid and semi-arid desert regions. Dust aerosol transport
(range, height and intensity) is subject to high seasonality, with the highest values observed during spring for northern China
(Taklimakan and Gobi deserts) and during summer over the Indian
subcontinent (Thar Desert). Additionally, we decompose the CALIPSO
AOD (aerosol optical depth) into dust and non-dust aerosol
components to reveal the non-dust AOD over the highly industrialized
and densely populated regions of South and East Asia, where the
non-dust aerosols yield AOD values of the order of 0.5. Furthermore,
the CALIPSO-based short-term AOD and D_AOD time series and trends
between January 2007 and December 2015 are calculated over South and East Asia
and over selected subregions. Positive trends are observed over
northwest and east China and the Indian subcontinent, whereas over
southeast China trends are mostly negative. The calculated AOD
trends agree well with the trends derived from Aqua MODIS (Moderate
Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), although significant
differences are observed over specific regions.
Retrieval of an ice water path over the ocean from ISMAR and MARSS millimeter and submillimeter brightness temperatures
Authors: Brath Manfred , Fox Stuart , Eriksson Patrick , Harlow R. Chawn , Burgdorf Martin , Buehler Stefan A.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. A neural-network-based retrieval method to determine the snow ice water path (SIWP), liquid water path (LWP), and integrated water vapor (IWV) from millimeter and submillimeter brightness temperatures, measured by using airborne radiometers (ISMAR and MARSS), is presented. The neural networks were trained by using atmospheric profiles from the ICON numerical weather prediction (NWP) model and by radiative transfer simulations using the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS). The basic performance of the retrieval method was analyzed in terms of offset (bias) and the median fractional error (MFE), and the benefit of using submillimeter channels was studied in comparison to pure microwave retrievals. The retrieval is offset-free for SIWP  > 0.01 kg m−2, LWP  > 0.1 kg m−2, and IWV  > 3 kg m−2. The MFE of SIWP decreases from 100 % at SIWP  =  0.01 kg m−2 to 20 % at SIWP  =  1 kg m−2 and the MFE of LWP from 100 % at LWP  = 0.05 kg m−2 to 30 % at LWP  =  1 kg m−2. The MFE of IWV for IWV  > 3 kg m−2 is 5 to 8 %. The SIWP retrieval strongly benefits from submillimeter channels, which reduce the MFE by a factor of 2, compared to pure microwave retrievals. The IWV and the LWP retrievals also benefit from submillimeter channels, albeit to a lesser degree. The retrieval was applied to ISMAR and MARSS brightness temperatures from FAAM flight B897 on 18 March 2015 of a precipitating frontal system west of the coast of Iceland. Considering the given uncertainties, the retrieval is in reasonable agreement with the SIWP, LWP, and IWV values simulated by the ICON NWP model for that flight. A comparison of the retrieved IWV with IWV from 12 dropsonde measurements shows an offset of 0.5 kg m−2 and an RMS difference of 0.8 kg m−2, showing that the retrieval of IWV is highly effective even under cloudy conditions.
Evaluation of OAFlux datasets based on in situ air-sea flux tower observations over the Yongxing Islands in 2016
Authors: Zhou Fenghua , Zhang Rongwang , Shi Rui , Chen Ju , He Yunkai , Zeng Lili , Wang Dongxiao , Xie Qiang
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The high-quality Yongxing air-sea flux tower (YXASFT), which was specially designed for air-sea boundary layer flux-related observations, was constructed on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea (SCS). Surface bulk variable measurements were collected during a one-year period from 2016/02/01 to 2017/01/31. The sensible heat flux (SHF) and latent heat flux (LHF) were further derived via the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment version 3.0 (COARE3.0) using those variables. This study employed the YXASFT in situ observations to evaluate the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) OAFlux reanalysis data products in the SCS. The study period was divided into the spring, summer_autumn and winter periods to conduct seasonal comparisons for each variable. First, the reliability of COARE3.0 data in the SCS was validated using direct turbulent heat flux measurements via an eddy covariance flux (ECF) system. The LHF data derived from COARE3.0 are highly consistent with the ECF measurements with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.78. Second, to conduct seasonal comparisons, the overall reliabilities of the bulk OAFlux variables diminish in order from Ta, U, Qa to Ts based on a combination of R2 values and biases. OAFlux overestimates (underestimates) U (Qa) throughout the year and provides better estimates of both variables in the winter and spring than in the summer_autumn period, which seems to be highly correlated with the monsoon climate in the SCS. The lowest R2 value is observed between the OAFlux-estimated and YXASFT-observed Ts, indicating that Ts is the least reliable product and should thus be used with considerable caution. In terms of the heat fluxes, OAFlux considerably overestimates LHF with an ocean heat loss bias of 52 w/m2 (73 % of the observed mean) in the spring, and the seasonal OAFlux LHF performance is consistent with U and Qa. The OAFlux-estimated SHF appears to be poorly representative with enormous overestimations in the spring and winter, while its performance is much better during the summer_autumn period. Third, an analysis reveals that the biases in Qa are the most dominant factor on the LHF biases in the spring and winter and that the biases in both Qa and U are responsible for controlling the biases in LHF during the summer_autumn period. The biases in Ts are responsible for controlling the SHF biases, and the effects of biases in Ts on the biases in SHF during the spring and winter are much greater than that in the summer_autumn period.
Impact of aerosol size distribution on extinction and spectral dependence of radiances measured by the OMPS Limb profiler instrument
Authors: Chen Zhong , Bhartia Pawan K. , Loughman Robert , Colarco Peter
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Limb Profiler (OMPS/LP) has been flying on the Suomi NPP satellite since Oct 2011. It is designed to produce ozone and aerosol vertical profiles at ~ 2 km vertical resolution over the entire sunlit globe. The current operational (V1) aerosol extinction retrieval algorithm assumes a bimodal lognormal aerosol size distribution (ASD) whose parameters were derived from in situ data taken from an aircraft. In this paper we discuss the impact on the retrieval of using an ASD derived by the Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA). We find that the impact of ASD on the retrieved extinctions varies strongly with the underlying reflectivity of the scene, and the functional form of this variation is very different at different scattering angles. We also evaluate how well the two ASDs perform in explaining the spectral dependence of Aerosol Scattering Index (ASI); a dimensionless quantity that we derive from the measured radiances by subtracting out the Rayleigh contribution. ASI is easier to interpret than radiances themselves and serves as our measurement vector. The results show that even though the two ASDs produce very different aerosol scattering phase function values at small and large scattering angles, the effect of the ASD on the spectral dependence of ASI is significant only at small angles. This implies that while OMPS/LP measurements have some information to evaluate the ASDs, they are most effective only at small scattering angles, which for LP measurement geometry occur only in the northern hemisphere. Our analysis suggests that overall CARMA ASD does a better job in explaining the spectral dependence of measured ASI than the ASD used in the operational V1 algorithm.
Boreal forest soil is a significant and diverse source of volatile organic
compounds
Authors: Mäki Mari , Aaltonen Hermanni , Heinonsalo Jussi , Hellén Heidi , Pumpanen Jukka , Bäck Jaana
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Vegetation emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are intensively studied world-wide because oxidation products of VOCs contribute to atmospheric processes, but the quantities by which different species of VOCs are produced by soil, or how effectively belowground VOCs are released into the atmosphere from soil remains largely unknown. This is the first published study that measures belowground VOC concentrations at different depths in a podzol combined with simultaneous soil surface flux measurements in a boreal coniferous forest. More than 50 VOCs, dominated by monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, were detected in the air space in the soil during the two measurement campaigns. Organic forest soil was a significant monoterpene source as it contained fresh isoprenoid-rich litter, and the concentrations of monoterpenes were comparable to the VOC concentrations in the air above the coniferous forest. Belowground monoterpene concentrations were largely decoupled from forest floor monoterpene fluxes; thus, it seems that production processes and storages of VOCs partly differ from those VOCs that are simultaneously emitted from the soil surface. Relatively high isoprenoid concentrations were measured under snow cover, which indicates that snow and ice cover hinders gas diffusion and causes belowground accumulation of VOCs when the activity of vegetation is very low.
seNorge2 daily precipitation, an observational gridded dataset over Norway from 1957 to the present day
Authors: Lussana Cristian , Saloranta Tuomo , Skaugen Thomas , Magnusson Jan , Tveito Ole Einar , Andersen Jess
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The conventional climate gridded datasets based on observations only are widely used in atmospheric sciences; our focus in this paper is on climate and hydrology. On the Norwegian mainland, seNorge2 provides high-resolution fields of daily total precipitation for applications requiring long-term datasets at regional or national level, where the challenge is to simulate small-scale processes often taking place in complex terrain. The dataset constitutes a valuable meteorological input for snow and hydrological simulations; it is updated daily and presented on a high-resolution grid (1 km of grid spacing). The climate archive goes back to 1957. The spatial interpolation scheme builds upon classical methods, such as optimal interpolation and successive-correction schemes. An original approach based on (spatial) scale-separation concepts has been implemented which uses geographical coordinates and elevation as complementary information in the interpolation. seNorge2 daily precipitation fields represent local precipitation features at spatial scales of a few kilometers, depending on the station network density. In the surroundings of a station or in dense station areas, the predictions are quite accurate even for intense precipitation. For most of the grid points, the performances are comparable to or better than a state-of-the-art pan-European dataset (E-OBS), because of the higher effective resolution of seNorge2. However, in very data-sparse areas, such as in the mountainous region of southern Norway, seNorge2 underestimates precipitation because it does not make use of enough geographical information to compensate for the lack of observations. The evaluation of seNorge2 as the meteorological forcing for the seNorge snow model and the DDD (Distance Distribution Dynamics) rainfall–runoff model shows that both models have been able to make profitable use of seNorge2, partly because of the automatic calibration procedure they incorporate for precipitation. The seNorge2 dataset 1957–2015 is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.845733. Daily updates from 2015 onwards are available at http://thredds.met.no/thredds/catalog/metusers/senorge2/seNorge2/provisional_archive/PREC1d/gridded_dataset/catalog.html.
Land susceptibility to soil erosion in Orashi Catchment, Nnewi South, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Odunuga Shakirudeen , Ajijola Abiodun , Igwetu Nkechi , Adegun Olubunmi
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Soil erosion is one of the most critical environmental hazards that causes
land degradation and water quality challenges. Specifically, this phenomenon
has been linked, among other problems, to river sedimentation, groundwater
pollution and flooding. This paper assesses the susceptibility of Orashi
River Basin (ORB) to soil erosion for the purpose of erosion control
measures. Located in the South Eastern part of Nigeria, the ORB which covers
approximately 413.61 km2 is currently experiencing one of the
fastest population growth rate in the region. Analysis of the soil erosion
susceptibility of the basin was based on four factors including; rainfall,
Land use/Land cover change (LULC), slope and soil erodibility factor (k).
The rainfall was assumed to be a constant and independent variable, slope and
soil types were categorised into ten (10) classes each while the landuse was
categorised into five classes. Weight was assigned to the classes based on
the degree of susceptibility to erosion. An overlay of the four variables in
a GIS environment was used to produce the basin susceptibility to soil
erosion. This was based on the weight index of each factors. The LULC
analysis revealed that built-up land use increased from 26.49 km2
(6.4 %) in year 1980 to 79.24 km2 (19.16 %) in 2015 at an
average growth rate of 1.51 km2 per annum while the light forest
decreased from 336.41 km2 (81.33 %) in 1980 to
280.82 km2 (67.89 %) in 2015 at an average rate
1.59 km2 per annum. The light forest was adjudged to have the
highest land cover soil erosion susceptibility. The steepest slope ranges
between 70 and 82∘ (14.34 % of the total land area) and was
adjudged to have the highest soil susceptibility to erosion. The total area
covered of the loamy soil is 112.37 km2 (27.07 %) with
erodibility of 0.7. In all, the overlay of all the variables revealed that
106.66 km2 (25.70 %) and 164.80 km2 (39.7 %) of the
basin has a high and very high susceptibility to soil erosion. The over
50 % high susceptibility of catchment has serious negative implications
on the surface water in terms of water quality and downstream siltation with
great consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem services including domestic
and industrial usage.
Possibilidade de aproveitamento dos sedimentos de dragagem do porto de Paranaguá
Authors: Simões Neto José Augusto , De Souza Maria Cristina , Trzaskos Barbara , Angulo Rodolfo José , Besser Marcell Leonard
Published: February 2018

As obras de dragagem do canal de acesso aos portos de Paranaguá e Antonina, no estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, mobilizaram 23,5.106 m³ de sedimentos entre 2009 e 2015, totalizando investimentos em 365,8 milhões de reais. A partir da análise dos dados sedimentológicos fornecidos pela Administração dos Portos de Paranaguá e Antonina (APPA) e da revisão dos métodos de aproveitamento, avaliou-se as possibilidades de usos destes materiais dragados. Conclui-se que estes sedimentos apresentam características próprias para recuperação e alimentação de praias com problemas de erosão. O trecho de dragagem mais externo, localizado sobre o delta de maré vazante, denominado trecho Alfa, apresenta as melhores características quantitativas e qualitativas para este aproveitamento, com predomínio de areia grossa a fina e baixos ou ausentes teores de contaminantes. Foram identificados três setores da costa paranaense com problemas erosivos localizados próximos ao canal, que poderiam receber reposições artificiais de areia, correspondentes ao istmo da Ilha do Mel, a região da Fortaleza da mesma ilha e o trecho entre Pontal do Sul e a Ponta do Poço. Finalmente, observou-se que, embora atualmente os sedimentos dragados no Complexo Estuarino de Paranaguá sejam descartados seguindo padrões e imposições ambientais, não há indicações de usos benéficos para eles.
Mapping of Student Sustainable Development Education Knowledge in Malaysia using Geographical Information System (GIS)
Authors: Hanifah Mahat , Mohmadisa Hashim , Nasir Nayan , Yazid Saleh , Saiyidatina Balkhis Norkhaidi
Published: February 2018

This article aims to examine the levels of education for sustainable development (ESD) knowledge among studentsin secondary schools according to zones in Malaysia by using GIS mapping. The five main zones of the study werethe north zone, the south zone, the east coast zone, the central zone, and the East Malaysia zone. This quantitativeform of study used a questionnaire as research instrument. Two types of sampling techniques were applied, namelystratified sampling for school selection and simple random sampling for choosing respondents from the selectedschools. The three ESD knowledge variables measured in this study were knowledge of ESD content, knowledge ofenvironmental education and knowledge of health. The study results showed that in general the levels of sustainabledevelopment education knowledge of secondary school students in all zones were high for ESD content knowledgewhile moderate for environmental education knowledge and health knowledge. Meanwhile, the GIS map clearlyindicates the levels of knowledge among students seemed high in the north zone, central zone and east Malaysia zone,at moderate levels in the south zone, and low in the east coast zone. In conclusion, there are differences between thezones in terms of levels of knowledge of sustainable development education, and this gives an indication thatincreasing sustainability-related activities in these zones with the participation of all parties—especially schools,local communities and non-governmental organisations—may disseminate sustainability knowledge and practices atall age levels and all school locations.
Internal Fixation of Osteoporotic Bone
Authors: Grant Kevin D. , Busse Eric C. , Park Daniel K. , Baker Kevin C.
Published: February 2018

Osteoporosis is one of the costliest conditions managed by orthopaedic surgeons. This condition, which is characterized by decreased bone density and thinning of cortical bone, is strongly influenced by complex signaling in both the hormonal and mechanical environments. Osteoporosis cannot be cured; instead, it can only be managed to decrease patient morbidity. Current pharmacologic treatments are aimed at minimizing bone turnover and have substantial side effects. Therefore, much work remains to find safer and more effective agents to restore bone density. In addition to the high incidence of fracture in elderly patients, many of the traditional fixation constructs used for repair of these fractures are not suitable for use in osteoporotic bone. Increased use of fixed-angle locking plates, intramedullary devices, and bone substitutes has greatly improved outcomes in these patients.
Primary Caregivers of People with Severe Mental Illness Experience of Anti-Psychotic Medication: Findings from the Semi-Structured Interviews
Authors: Hasan Abdalhadi , Tumah Hussein
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND: Management of schizophrenia is now shifted to the community setting and family caregivers are the primary caregivers. Managing medications is a complex responsibility of family caregivers caring for patients with mental illness. Medication compliance contributes to improve health outcomes and reduced hospitalization for the care service users; however, little is known about attitudes and perception of family caregivers.METHODS: A purposeful sample of 21 family caregivers were included in the study. Semi-structured interview was employed to collect data from the participants between May and October 2015. Thematic analysis approach was used to identify the common pattern in the data.RESULTS: Four main themes emerged from the study: insight into illness (poor understanding of illness), treatment factor (thinking about medication, poor guidance for medication compliance), resources and support (availability of medication and cost of medication), health care provider factors (communication gap and poor assessment with follow-up, social dysfunction (social isolation, disruption in life routine).CONCLUSIONS: Responsibility for providing care for patients with mental illness are taken place in the community setting and cared by family caregivers. More information resources are required for this role, which requires specific medication management skills and knowledge.