bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving volcanic ash predictions with the HYSPLIT dispersion
model by assimilating MODIS satellite retrievals
Authors: Chai Tianfeng , Crawford Alice , Stunder Barbara , Pavolonis Michael , Draxler Roland , Stein Ariel
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Currently NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) runs the HYSPLIT dispersion model with a unit mass release rate to predict the transport and dispersion of volcanic ash. The model predictions provide information for the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) to issue advisories to meteorological watch offices, area control centers, flight information centers, and others. This research aims provide quantitative forecasts of ash distributions generated by objectively and optimally estimating the volcanic ash source strengths, vertical distribution and temporal variations using an observation-modeling inversion technique. In this top-down approach, a cost functional is defined to mainly quantify the differences between model predictions and the satellite measurements of column integrated ash concentrations, weighted by the model and observation uncertainties. Minimizing this cost functional by adjusting the sources provides the volcanic ash emission estimates. As an example, MODIS (MOderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite retrievals of the 2008 Kasatochi volcanic ash clouds are used to test the HYSPLIT volcanic ash inverse system. Because the satellite retrievals include the ash cloud top height but not the bottom height, three options for matching the model concentrations to the observed mass loadings are tested. Although the emission estimates vary significantly with different options the subsequent model predictions with the different release estimates all show decent skill when evaluated against the unassimilated satellite observations at later times. Among the three options, integrating over three model layers yields slightly better results than integrating from the surface up to the volcanic ash cloud top or using a single model layer. Inverse tests also show that including the ash-free region to constrain the model is not beneficial for the current case. In addition, extra constraints to the source terms can be given by explicitly enforcing ``no-ash'' for the atmosphere columns above or below the observed ash cloud top height. However, in this case such extra constraints are not helpful for the inverse modeling. It is also found that simultaneously assimilating observations at different times produces better hindcasts than only assimilating the most recent observations.
The filter loading effect by ambient aerosols in filter absorption photometers depends on the mixing state of the sampled particles
Authors: Drinovec Luka , Gregorič Asta , Zotter Peter , Wolf Robert , Bruns Emily Anne , Prévôt André S.~H. , Petit Jean-Eudes , Favez Olivier , Sciare Jean , Arnold Ian J. , Chakrabarty Rajan K. , Moosmüller Hans , Filep Agnes , Močnik Griša
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Black carbon is a primary aerosol tracer for high-temperature combustion emissions and can be used to characterize the time evolution of its sources. It is correlated with a decrease in public health and contributes to atmospheric warming. Black carbon measurements are usually conducted with absorption filter photometers, which are prone to the filter-loading effect – a saturation of the instrumental response due to the accumulation of the sample in the filter matrix. In this paper, we investigate the hypothesis that this filter-loading effect depends on the optical properties of particles present in the filter matrix, especially on the black carbon particle mixing state. We conducted field campaigns in contrasting environments to determine the influence of source characteristics, particle age and coating on the magnitude of the filter-loading effect. High time resolution measurements of the filter-loading parameter in filter absorption photometers show daily and seasonal variations of the effect. The variation is most pronounced in the near-infrared region, where the black carbon mass concentration is determined. During winter, the filter-loading parameter value increases with the absorption Ångström exponent. It is suggested that this effect is related to the size of the black carbon particle core as the wood burning (with higher values of the absorption Ångström exponent) produces soot particles with larger diameters. A reduction of the filter-loading effect is correlated with the availability of the coating material. As the coating of ambient aerosols is reduced or removed, the filter-loading parameter increases. Coatings composed of ammonium sulfate and secondary organics seem to be responsible for the variation of the loading effect. The potential source contribution function analysis shows that high values of the filter-loading parameter in the infrared are indicative of local pollution, whereas low values of the filter-loading parameter result from ageing and coating during long range transport. Our results show that the filter-loading parameter can be used as proxy for determination of the particle mixing state, thus allowing for differentiation between local/fresh and transported/aged particles.
Trends of tropical tropospheric ozone from 20 years of European satellite measurements and perspectives for the Sentinel-5 Precursor
Authors: Heue Klaus-Peter , Coldewey-Egbers Melanie , Delcloo Andy , Lerot Christophe , Loyola Diego , Valks Pieter , van Roozendael Michel
Published: October 2016

Abstract. In preparation of the TROPOMI/S5P launch in early 2017, a tropospheric ozone retrieval based on the convective cloud differential method was developed. For intensive tests we applied the algorithm to the total ozone columns and cloud data of the satellite instruments GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI, GOME-2A and GOME-2B. Thereby a time series of 20 years (1995–2015) of tropospheric column ozone was generated. To have a consistent total ozone data set for all sensors, one common retrieval algorithm, namely GODFITv3, was applied and the L1 reflectances were also soft calibrated. The total ozone columns and the cloud data were input into the tropospheric ozone retrieval. However, the tropical tropospheric column ozone (TCO) for the individual instruments still showed small differences and, therefore, we harmonised the data set. For this purpose, a multilinear function was fitted to the averaged difference between SCIAMACHY's TCO and those from the other sensors. The original TCO was corrected by the fitted offset. GOME-2B data were corrected relative to the harmonised data from OMI and GOME-2A. The harmonisation leads to a better agreement between the different instruments. Also, a direct comparison of the TCO in the overlapping periods proves that GOME-2A agrees much better with SCIAMACHY after the harmonisation. The improvements for OMI were small. Based on the harmonised observations, we created a merged data product, containing the TCO from July 1995 to December 2015. A first application of this 20-year record is a trend analysis. The tropical trend is 0.7 ± 0.12 DU decade−1. Regionally the trends reach up to 1.8 DU decade−1 like on the African Atlantic coast, while over the western Pacific the tropospheric ozone declined over the last 20 years with up to 0.8 DU decade−1. The tropical tropospheric data record will be extended in the future with the TROPOMI/S5P data, where the TCO is part of the operational products.
Comparison of surface mass balance of ice sheets simulated by positive-degree-day method and energy balance approach
Authors: Bauer Eva , Ganopolski Andrey
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Glacial cycles of the late Quaternary are shaped by the asymmetrically varying mass balance of continental ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. The surface mass balance is mostly positive during about four precssional periods and turns strongly negative at glacial terminations. The surface mass balance is governed by processes of ablation and accumulation. Here two ablation schemes, namely the positive-degree-day (PDD) method and the surface energy balance (SEB) approach, are compared in transient simulations of the last glacial cycle with an Earth system model of intermediate complexity. The standard version of the CLIMBER-2 model simulates ice volume variations reasonably close to reconstructions. It uses the SEB approach which comprises fluxes of short-wave and long-wave radiation and of sensible and latent heat and accounts explicitly for snow albedo changes from dust deposition and snow aging. The PDD-driven ablation is computed offline in ensemble simulations to study the sensitivity with respect to short-term temperature variability and to melt factors for snow and ice. With standard literature values, the anomaly between the 130 ka-long ablation series from the two schemes is minimized but, more suitable are smaller values for inception than for termination and larger values for ice sheets in America than in Europe. Accordingly, PDD-online simulations require smaller values for inception than for termination to reproduce global ice volume variations. However, a reproduction at inception involves afterward excessive ice volume growth up to twice as large as reconstructed at LGM while a reproduction at termination implies ice volume growth about half as reconstructed at LGM. The PDD-online simulation with standard values generates at LGM a huge sea level drop of 250 m and a global cooling of 8 °C. The PDD-online simulation reproducing the LGM ice volume produces insufficient ablation at the turning point from glacial to interglacial climate, hence termination is delayed. According to our simulations, the SEB approach including effects of changing snow albedo, in particular at the American ice sheet margins, proves superior for simulating glacial cycles.
Vehicular-networking- and road-weather-related research in Sodankylä
Authors: Sukuvaara Timo , Mäenpää Kari , Ylitalo Riika
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Vehicular-networking- and especially safety-related wireless vehicular services have been under intensive research for almost a decade now. Only in recent years has road weather information also been acknowledged to play an important role when aiming to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities via intelligent transport systems (ITSs). Part of the progress can be seen as a result of the Finnish Meteorological Institute's (FMI) long-term research work in Sodankylä within the topic, originally started in 2006. Within multiple research projects, the FMI Arctic Research Centre has been developing wireless vehicular networking and road weather services, in co-operation with the FMI meteorological services team in Helsinki. At the beginning the wireless communication was conducted with traditional Wi-Fi type local area networking, but during the development the system has evolved into a hybrid communication system of a combined vehicular ad hoc networking (VANET) system with special IEEE 802.11p protocol and supporting cellular networking based on a commercial 3G network, not forgetting support for Wi-Fi-based devices also. For piloting purposes and further research, we have established a special combined road weather station (RWS) and roadside unit (RSU), to interact with vehicles as a service hotspot. In the RWS–RSU we have chosen to build support to all major approaches, IEEE 802.11, traditional Wi-Fi and cellular 3G. We employ road weather systems of FMI, along with RWS and vehicle data gathered from vehicles, in the up-to-date localized weather data delivered in real time. IEEE 802.11p vehicular networking is supported with Wi-Fi and 3G communications. This paper briefly introduces the research work related to vehicular networking and road weather services conducted in Sodankylä, as well as the research project involved in this work. The current status of instrumentation, available services and capabilities are presented in order to formulate a clear general view of the research field.
The impact of resolving the Rossby radius at mid-latitudes in the ocean:
results from a high-resolution version of the Met Office GC2 coupled model
Authors: Hewitt Helene T. , Roberts Malcolm J. , Hyder Pat , Graham Tim , Rae Jamie , Belcher Stephen E. , Bourdallé-Badie Romain , Copsey Dan , Coward Andrew , Guiavarch Catherine , Harris Chris , Hill Richard , Hirschi Joël J.-M. , Madec Gurvan , Mizielinski Matthew S. , Neininger Erica , New Adrian L. , Rioual Jean-Christophe , Sinha Bablu , Storkey David , Shelly Ann , Thorpe Livia , Wood Richard A.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. There is mounting evidence that resolving mesoscale eddies and western boundary currents as well as topographically controlled flows can play an important role in air–sea interaction associated with vertical and lateral transports of heat and salt. Here we describe the development of the Met Office Global Coupled Model version 2 (GC2) with increased resolution relative to the standard model: the ocean resolution is increased from 1/4 to 1/12° (28 to 9 km at the Equator), the atmosphere resolution increased from 60 km (N216) to 25 km (N512) and the coupling period reduced from 3 hourly to hourly. The technical developments that were required to build a version of the model at higher resolution are described as well as results from a 20-year simulation. The results demonstrate the key role played by the enhanced resolution of the ocean model: reduced sea surface temperature (SST) biases, improved ocean heat transports, deeper and stronger overturning circulation and a stronger Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Our results suggest that the improvements seen here require high resolution in both atmosphere and ocean components as well as high-frequency coupling. These results add to the body of evidence suggesting that ocean resolution is an important consideration when developing coupled models for weather and climate applications.
Evaluation of various daily precipitation products for large-scale hydro-climatic applications over Canada
Authors: Wong Jefferson S. , Razavi Saman , Bonsal Barrie R. , Wheater Howard S. , Asong Zilefac E.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. A number of global and regional gridded climate products based on multiple data sources and models are available that can potentially provide better and more reliable estimates of precipitation for climate and hydrological studies. However, research into the reliability of these products for various regions has been limited and in many cases non-existent. This study identifies several gridded precipitation products over Canada and develops a systematic analysis framework to assess the characteristics of errors associated with the different datasets, using the best available adjusted precipitation-gauge data as a benchmark over the period 1979 to 2012. The framework quantifies the spatial and temporal variability of the errors over 15 terrestrial ecozones in Canada for different seasons at the daily time scale. Results showed that most of the products were relatively skillful in central Canada but tended to underestimate precipitation amounts on the east coast and overestimate on the west. The global product by WATCH Forcing Data ERA-Interim (WFDEI) augmented by Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) data (WFDEI [GPCC]) performed best with respect to different metrics. The Canadian Precipitation Analysis (CaPA) product of Meteorological Service of Canada, performed comparably with WFDEI [GPCC], however it only provides data from 2002. All the products performed best in summer, followed by autumn, spring, and winter in order of decreasing quality. Due to the sparse observational network, northern Canada (above 60° N) was most difficult to assess with the majority of products tending to significantly underestimate total precipitation. Results from this study can be used as a guidance for potential users regarding the performance of different precipitation products for a range of geographical regions and time periods.
A daily, 1 km resolution data set of downscaled Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance (1958–2015)
Authors: Noël Brice , van de Berg Willem Jan , Machguth Horst , Lhermitte Stef , Howat Ian , Fettweis Xavier , van den Broeke Michiel R.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. This study presents a data set of daily, 1 km resolution Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) surface mass balance (SMB) covering the period 1958–2015. Applying corrections for elevation, bare ice albedo and accumulation bias, the high-resolution product is statistically downscaled from the native daily output of the polar regional climate model RACMO2.3 at 11 km. The data set includes all individual SMB components projected to a down-sampled version of the Greenland Ice Mapping Project (GIMP) digital elevation model and ice mask. The 1 km mask better resolves narrow ablation zones, valley glaciers, fjords and disconnected ice caps. Relative to the 11 km product, the more detailed representation of isolated glaciated areas leads to increased precipitation over the southeastern GrIS. In addition, the downscaled product shows a significant increase in runoff owing to better resolved low-lying marginal glaciated regions. The combined corrections for elevation and bare ice albedo markedly improve model agreement with a newly compiled data set of ablation measurements.
Improving satellite-retrieved surface radiative fluxes in polar regions using a smart sampling approach
Authors: Van Tricht Kristof , Lhermitte Stef , Gorodetskaya Irina V. , van Lipzig Nicole P. M.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The surface energy budget (SEB) of polar regions is key to understanding the polar amplification of global climate change and its worldwide consequences. However, despite a growing network of ground-based automatic weather stations that measure the radiative components of the SEB, extensive areas remain where no ground-based observations are available. Satellite remote sensing has emerged as a potential solution to retrieve components of the SEB over remote areas, with radar and lidar aboard the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellites among the first to enable estimates of surface radiative long-wave (LW) and short-wave (SW) fluxes based on active cloud observations. However, due to the small swath footprints, combined with a return cycle of 16 days, questions arise as to how CloudSat and CALIPSO observations should be optimally sampled in order to retrieve representative fluxes for a given location. Here we present a smart sampling approach to retrieve downwelling surface radiative fluxes from CloudSat and CALIPSO observations for any given land-based point-of-interest (POI) in polar regions. The method comprises a spatial correction that allows the distance between the satellite footprint and the POI to be increased in order to raise the satellite sampling frequency. Sampling frequency is enhanced on average from only two unique satellite overpasses each month for limited-distance sampling < 10 km from the POI, to 35 satellite overpasses for the smart sampling approach. This reduces the root-mean-square errors on monthly mean flux estimates compared to ground-based measurements from 23 to 10 W m−2 (LW) and from 43 to 14 W m−2 (SW). The added value of the smart sampling approach is shown to be largest on finer temporal resolutions, where limited-distance sampling suffers from severely limited sampling frequencies. Finally, the methodology is illustrated for Pine Island Glacier (Antarctica) and the Greenland northern interior. Although few ground-based observations are available for these remote areas, important climatic changes have been recently reported. Using the smart sampling approach, 5-day moving average time series of downwelling LW and SW fluxes are demonstrated. We conclude that the smart sampling approach may help to reduce the observational gaps that remain in polar regions to further refine the quantification of the polar SEB.
Nutrition interventions in patients with Crohn´s disease
Authors: Beňová Eva , Boledovičová Mária , Krištofová Erika , Pavelová Ľuboslava
Published: October 2016

Crohn's disease is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease of any part of the digestive tract. The seriousness of the disease requires a multi-disciplinary approach when providing patients with secondary and tertiary care. Patients also have specific problems from the nursing perspective that require intervention of nurses, e.g. in the area of nutrition. The role of a nurse in a specific community lies in supporting public health in the field of prevention, health education, group educational activities and care of the acutely or chronically ill. The regulation tool of nursing practice when providing community care is the documented form of nursing data expressed by means of expert terminology. The Omaha System is a standardised terminology for multi-disciplinary teams providing community care. The objective of the research is to draw attention to the possibility of using standardised terminology of the Omaha System when supporting public health in patients with Crohn's disease with nutrition problems. The research was divided into 3 stages: in the first stage we assessed the nutrition problem in 100 patients dispensarised in gastroenterology counselling centres using a form from the Omaha System. Out of these, identified 42 patients suffered from Crohn's disease and had problems with nutrition; in the second stage we chose interventions for nutrition from the Intervention Scheme of the Omaha System: their efficiency in patients was assessed by a nurse/nutritionist in the third stage of the research when the patients came to the gastroenterology counselling centre using Problem Rating Scale for Outcomes. When comparing the initial and final nutrition assessment with socio-demographic indicators we found a statistically significant difference (p = 0.000) between the status assessment where women scored a more remarkable advance than men when comparing the initial and the final assessment. With respect to age groups, education and jobs, no statistically significant differences were found (p >0.05). Nutrition interventions, according to the Omaha System, are linked to administering enteral and parenteral nutrition, monitoring of nutrition condition and education, management and consultancy during the diet that is individual and dependent on various factors.
Content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in varieties of onion and garlic
Authors: Dalaram Ismael Sulaiman
Published: October 2016

Garlic as onion family and the most important Allium species consumed all over the world. Garlic possesses potential health promoting effects due to its high phenolic content and a good source of vitamins, minerals and major component like polyphenols, flavonoids, thiosulfinates and other sulfur compounds. Red onion and garlic are among the important parts of diet in many world populations, and there is also a long-held belief in their health enhancing properties. In this work evaluated content of total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in onion and garlic. Samples of plant material (onion, garlic) were collected at the stage of full maturity in the village (Harmota) in Koysinjac town in Erbil city. The content of the total polyphenols was determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (FCR). Antioxidant activity was measured by using a compound DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Phenolic content and antioxidant activities of one variety of garlic and four varieties of onions have been studied. In the present experiment it was detected, that total polyphenols content in samples onion ranges from 626.61 - 322.83 mg.kg-1 (onion) and 506.7 mg.kg-1 for (garlic). Statistically significant highest value of total polyphenols was recorded in red onion the lowest content of total polyphenols was recorded in white onion 322.83.mg.kg-1, and statistically significant highest value of antioxidant activity was recorded in red onion (33.42%) the lowest value was in white onion (22.68%). The value of antioxidant activity of garlic was (28.47%). Data analysis showed that the red variety onion presents highest value of total polyphenolic compounds. Consequently, antioxidant capacity was highest for red variety compared to other variety of onion and garlic. The order value of TPC was follow: Red Onion (626.61) >Garlic (506.70) >yellow onion (423.94) >pink onion (345.36) >white onion (322.83). Based on the measured values of AOA in onion and garlic samples can be classified as follows: Red Onion (33.42) >Garlic (28.47 >yellow onion (25.95) >pink onion (23.74) >white onion (22.68).
The Prospects of Cloud Computing in Supply Chain Management (A Theoretical Perspective)
Authors: Al-jawazneh Bahjat Eid
Published: October 2016

Today’s world organizations are searching for ways to minimize the cost and maximize the efficiency of each cycle of their supply chain, such as procurement, manufacturing, and distribution, particularly for those that handle multiple supply chains. Cloud computing technology emerges as an effective tool that, according to some researches, contributes to firms’ effectiveness and competiveness by providing the right infrastructure and business solutions for the entire supply chain via the Internet. This study aims to shed more light on the prospects of cloud computing in supply chain management. More specifically, with focus on cloud computing’s suitability and benefits by offering a thorough review and analysis to previous and current research, including all types of published materials that lead to an adequate answer for the main research problem, as follows:What are the prospects and benefits of cloud computing technology in the supply chain of business organizations?This research method relies solely on secondary data, such as research papers, reference materials, conference proceedings, and all types of reliable data that serve the purpose of this paper.The major conclusion of this study is that; Organizations that work in a more turbulent environment are the ones that feel the effect of the cloud computing technology on their supply chain performance compared to those that work in a more stable business environment. Therefore, the degree of importance of cloud computing adoption varies from one sector to another, therefore, cloud computing—if adopted properly—can improve the supply chain performance in terms of cost, quality, speed, and flexibility.
Survey on the perception of urology as a specialty by medical students
Authors: Kim Soojin , Farrokhyar Forough , Braga Luis H.
Published: October 2016

Introduction: Upon inquiring with medical students and urologists across Canada, it is evident that urology is perceived as a maledominant specialty, among other stereotypes. These misperceptionsmay hamper the recruitment of the best and brightest trainees. With that in mind, we surveyed medical students at our institution to obtain an objective assessment of their perception of urology andto determine the cause for misperceptions.Methods: A 25-factor, validated, anonymous, cross-sectional, selfreported, electronic survey was sent to all medical students at McMaster University to assess their perception of urology. The survey was piloted among students and educational leaders to optimize face and content validity, and minimize measurement bias. Six variables (years in training, role model, a family member or friend in urology, gender, and exposure) were selected a priori and entered into a logistic regression model to determine factors associated with a positive impression of the specialty.Results: The overall response rate was 70%. Of the respondents, 66% had no exposure to urology and 61% found the amount of exposure to be inadequate. Urology staff and resident involvement in education was considered to be poor by over 30% of medical students. Over 70% perceived urology to be a specialty with a great gender imbalance. On multivariate analysis, exposure to urology was the most important factor (p<0.001) associated with students’ positive perception of the specialty, in addition to male gender, earlier years in training, and positive role models.Conclusions: Concerns regarding inadequate urology exposure and poor staff and resident involvement in undergraduate education were seen as potential causes for misperceptions of the specialty. Increasing exposure to urology, encouraging female students, constant effort to approach senior students, and providing mentorship are found to be important factors in establishing a positive perception of urology.
One is the new six: The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) patient-focused approach to Gleason grading
Authors: Srigley John R. , Delahunt Brett , Egevad Lars , Samaratunga Hemamali , Yaxley John , Evans Andrew J.
Published: October 2016

N/A
School Achievement and Backwardness Analysis Model at the Metropolitan Autonomous University—Cuajimalpa Unit
Authors: Olivera-Villarroel Sazcha Marcelo , Pilar Fuerte-Celis Maria del
Published: October 2016

This work stems from the need to develop a line of institutional policy recommendations to improve school performance and to reduce the backlog in the graduation of students in the Cuajimalpa Unit of the Metropolitan Autonomous University.

The school backlog of students of this university is one of the main institutional concerns, due to the existence of “bottlenecks” in the different careers educational process, preventing the completion of studies at the time established by the educational programs.

At the same time, the improvement in the students’ academic achievement, represented by the increase of the school averages, is an approximation of knowledge assimilation as a substantive part of the University’s activity. Thus, the study analyzes the determinants on which the University can exercise institutional policies to improve student’s achievement rates and lower rates of backwardness in this university student’s graduation.
Algorithms and Properties for Positive Symmetrizable Matrices
Authors: Dias Elisângela Silva , Castonguay Diane , Dourado Mitre Costa
Published: October 2016

Matrices are the most common representations of graphs. They are also used for representing algebras and cluster algebras. This paper shows some properties of matrices in order to facilitate the understanding of symmetrizable matrices with specific characteristics, called positive quasi-Cartan companion matrices, and the problem of localizing them. Here, symmetrizable matrices are those which are symmetric when multiplied by a diagonal matrix with positive entries called symmetrizer matrix. We conjecture that this problem is NP-complete and we show that it is in NP by generalizing Sylvester's criterion for symmetrizable matrices. We straighten known coefficient limits for such matrices.
Subcritical Hopf Equilibrium Points in Boundary of the Stability Region
Authors: Gouveia Jr Josaphat Ricardo Ribeiro , Amaral Fabíolo Moraes , Alberto Luís Fernando Costa
Published: October 2016

A complete characterization of the boundary of the stability region of a class of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems is developed admitting the existence of Subcritical Hopf nonhyperbolic equilibrium points on the boundary of the stability region. The characterization of the stability region developed in this paper is an extension of the characterization already developed in the literature, which considers only hyperbolic equilibrium point. Under the transversality condition, it is shown the boundary of the stability region is comprised of the stable manifolds of all equilibrium points on the boundary of the stability region, including the stable manifolds of the subcritical Hopf equilibrium points of type k, with 0<=k<=(n-2), which belong to the boundary of the stability region.
Klein maar fijn?
Authors: Veenendaal Wouter
Published: October 2016

Good things come in small packages? The effects of a small state size on politics and democracy

Whereas the six Dutch islands in the Caribbean all have a (very) limited population size, analyses of political problems on the islands rarely seem to take the variable of state size into account. The available academic literature demonstrates that the population size of states has a strong influence on the quality of democratic governance, although scholars disagree on the question whether smallness is an asset or an obstacle to democratic development. After a discussion of this theoretical literature, the present article proceeds with a presentation of field research in three small island states (St. Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Palau) in which the political consequences of a limited population size are analyzed. This analysis reveals that a number of size-related effects can be observed in all three examined island states, among which a tendency to personalistic competition, strong polarization between parties and politicians, particularistic relationships between voters and their representatives, and a dominant position of the political executive vis-à-vis other institutions. A subsequent analysis of the contemporary political situation on the Dutch Caribbean islands shows that the observed problems also play a role on these islands, which indicates that smallness is perhaps of greater significance than is now often supposed.
Veranderend lokaal gezag
Authors: Karsten Niels , Jansen Thijs
Published: October 2016

Changing sources of authority for mayors and aldermen

The traditional authority of mayors and aldermen is readily challenged. Formal positions do no longer constitute authority. For that reason, new political repertoires are being sought after and are being developed by local political-executive leaders. This article analyses and compares the sources of authority for mayors and aldermen: how can they develop, maintain, and strengthen their authority? It develops an innovative typology of sources of authority. A distinction is made between institutional, positional, and personal sources of authority. The model is applied to the mayors and aldermen in relation to relevant socio-political developments that affect the two offices. It is found that the authority of mayors rests on institutional sources of authority more so than that of aldermen. For the latter, positional and personal sources of authority are more important. At the same time, personal sources of authority have become very important for mayors as well as aldermen. The results call upon mayors and aldermen’s skills and competences to develop personal authority through persuasion.
Kunst- en cultuurbeleid op zoek naar legitimatie
Authors: Kremer Monique
Published: October 2016

Kunst- en cultuurbeleid op zoek naar legitimatie

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Laat cultuurbeleid over aan de politiek
Authors: Blokland Hans
Published: October 2016

Laat cultuurbeleid over aan de politiek

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Openbaarheid als elfde gebod?
Authors: de Lange Sarah L.
Published: October 2016

Openbaarheid als elfde gebod?

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Snelheid, efficiëntie en transparantie: het Nederlandse wetgevingsproces in transitie?
Authors: ten Napel Hans-Martien
Published: October 2016

Snelheid, efficiëntie en transparantie: het Nederlandse wetgevingsproces in transitie?

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Transparantie in het wetgevingsproces
Authors: Passchier Reijer
Published: October 2016

Transparantie in het wetgevingsproces

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Meer openbaarheid, meer vertrouwen?
Authors: Grimmelikhuijsen Stephan
Published: October 2016

Meer openbaarheid, meer vertrouwen?

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Volgdewet!
Authors: Jeuken Yvette
Published: October 2016

Volgdewet!

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Een geslaagde verzoeningspoging
Authors: Duyvendak Jan Willem
Published: October 2016

Een geslaagde verzoeningspoging

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
De Collectieve Horeca Ontzegging: uitsluiting uit de publieke ruimte?
Authors: Schuilenburg Marc , van Steden Ronald
Published: October 2016

The Collective Pub Ban: Excluded from Public Space?

The article provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of the Night Time Economy and how the Collective Pub Ban is applied in three Dutch cities: Utrecht, Amersfoort and Den Bosch. The Collective Pub Ban is a measure taken in the Netherlands in an effort to make pubs, bars and clubs co-responsible for maintaining security. Depending on the severity of the conduct, an offender can be denied of entry to these venues for five years. During this period, the offender is not allowed to enter the particular pub or any of the other pubs, bars and clubs that participate in this measure. On the basis of 84 interviews, we show how these venues fill out their new responsibilities with respect to the Collective Pub Ban-measure. Also, we answer the question what this new measure means for the quality of the public space.
Het ongrijpbare onbehagen
Authors: de Ruiter Dieneke , Zuure MSc Jasper
Published: October 2016

The intangible discontent

Since Pim Fortuyn, discontent has become a central issue in public and political debates in the Netherlands. The government tries to ban out all risks and polarisation between citizens, because it fears this will have a destabilising impact on society. However, these measures do not seem to decrease discontent. In this article, we analyse why discontent so persistently keeps dominating debates. We argue that it is prominently and continuously expressed due to the position of opinion polls and the interaction between politicians, journalists and citizens and due to the platform that social media offer. But meanwhile, means to convert discontent into constructive, collective action are diminishing. As a result we continuously gather superficial information about people’s discontent. In order not to hinder constructive debates with this kind of information, as happens in current political discussions, different and more detailed information about the public opinion is needed. Politicians and researchers should make a more clear distinction between discontent itself and the incapacity of citizens to deal with it. Moreover, a revitalisation of the role of civil organisations is important to channel discontent.
Hoe verdienen we in de toekomst ons brood?
Authors: Kremer Monique
Published: October 2016

R&D

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Geopolitiek: terug van nooit weggeweest
Authors: Criekemans David
Published: October 2016

Geopolitiek: terug van nooit weggeweest

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Geopolitiek behoeft geografische kennis en geopolitieke inzichten
Authors: Mamadouh Virginie
Published: October 2016

Geopolitiek behoeft geografische kennis en geopolitieke inzichten

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Politieke pech levert prachtig inzicht op
Authors: Hilhorst Pieter
Published: October 2016

Politieke pech levert prachtig inzicht op

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Gemeenten en route van zorg naar participatie
Authors: van der Veer Judith
Published: October 2016

Gemeenten en route van zorg naar participatie

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Eindeloze stagnatie
Authors: Jacobs Bas
Published: October 2016

Eindeloze stagnatie

In a column a journal editor or an author expresses his or her opinion on a particular subject.
Door het glazen plafond
Authors: Merens Ans , Henderikse Wilma , Pouwels Babette
Published: October 2016

Cracking the glass ceiling: towards effective initiatives to raise the number of women at the top

Although in many Western European countries women have entered the workforce in large numbers this has not resulted in an equal representation in senior positions. Little is known about how organizational policies could be changed and what initiatives have proven to be effective in raising the number of women in the top of organizations. This article examines the effectiveness of measures taken by organizations to increase the number of women in senior management positions. We have reviewed literature regarding the effects of various types of measures on realizing more women in senior positions. The outcomes of this literature review have been used as a framework for an empirical analysis of the effectiveness of measures taken by companies. Data from the Charter Talent to the Top show that adopting a broad range of measures at the strategic level leads to a higher share of women in senior management positions. HR instruments and communication strategies also affect the proportion of women at the top. More specifically, facilitating flexible work options, external communication about the organization’s diversity goals, and increasing women’s visibility within the organization all have positive effects on the share of women in the top.
De therapeutische werking van slachtofferdeelname aan het strafproces
Authors: Kunst Maarten
Published: October 2016

The therapeutic impact of victim participation in the criminal justice process: A critical reflection from a psychological trauma perspective

Under the influence of international law, procedural rights for crime victims have been enormously expanded in the Netherlands in the last decades. Legislators often assume that such rights may have a therapeutic impact on those who use them. This paper discusses the course and nature of psychological problems which may arise in the aftermath of crime victimization to nuance this assumption. The author argues that participation in criminal justice procedures is most likely to have a positive impact on crime victims’ emotional well-being during the first weeks post victimization. Positive experiences with the criminal justice system during this phase may prevent some victims from developing significant mental health problems, because the course of this period determines whether one returns to pre-victimization levels of psychological functioning or not. Victims who still suffer psychologically from the effects of the crime afterwards will only benefit from professional mental health interventions. The author substantiates his argumentation with findings from a recent systematic literature review.
De nieuwe tempel
Authors: Hendrikse Reijer
Published: October 2016

Reflectie & Debat

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Wat zijn de publieke taken van de universiteit?
Authors: Schinkel Willem
Published: October 2016

Reflectie & Debat

Reflection & Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
De eer aan onszelf houden
Authors: Duyvendak Jan Willem
Published: October 2016

Reflectie & Debat

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
Drie wensen voor 2015
Authors: van der Meer Mohr Pauline
Published: October 2016

Reflectie & Debat

Reflection and Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
NPM is dood, lang leve NPM!
Authors: van Thiel Sandra
Published: October 2016

Reflectie & Debat

Reflection & Debate initiates academically inspired discussions on issues that are on the current policy agenda.
De onttovering van de universiteit
Authors: Kruiter Albert-Jan
Published: October 2016

Boekensignalement

In this feature authors review recently published books on subjects of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
De democratische vertegenwoordiging van cliënten en patiënten bij de decentralisaties
Authors: Van de Bovenkamp Hester , Vollaard Hans
Published: October 2016

Democratic representation of clients and patients in the decentralisation process

Citizen participation is firmly on the agenda of many Western policy makers. Numerous opportunities for individuals to participate in public decision-making have been created. However, few citizens use these opportunities. Those who do are often the highly educated, white, middle and upper classes that also tend to dominate other democratic spaces. Opportunities to become active can increase inequalities in terms of whose voices are heard in public decision-making. This fundamentally challenges the central democratic value of equality. Nevertheless, others can represent the interests of those who remain silent. Using the concept of representative claim this paper explores a variety of forms of representation (electoral, formal non-electoral and informal self-appointed) in the domain of social policy which is currently decentralized in the Netherlands. We conclude that especially informal self-appointed representatives such as medical professionals, churches and patient organizations can potentially play an important role in representing groups who often remain unheard in the public debate. They can therefore play an important role in ensuring the democratic quality of the decentralization process.
Bevlogen en begrensd
Authors: van Ostaaijen Julien
Published: October 2016

Inspired and bounded. The role of local politicians behind the screens of the local elections

The Dutch voters have little interest in local politics and are not aware of the political activities that take place behind the screens of the local elections. However, compared to the many people with little interest in local elections, there is a small group of people, the local politicians, that is very much involved in it. The central research question in this article is: How do the local (political) processes and activities related to the municipal elections of 2014, from the campaign to the coalition negotiations, look like and develop? The question is answered by systematically looking at the local election programmes, the local candidates, the local election campaign, the electoral results and coalition formation, and the role of non-local actors. The conclusion is presented in five images of the local/municipal elections: the local election as a quest for attention, the local election as a search for differences, the local election as the national election’s little brother, the local election as an interference in coalition negotiations, and the local election as a spectacle provided by local enthusiasts.
Vroeger voor vandaag
Authors: Boele Anita , van Dixhoorn Arjan , van Houwelingen Pepijn
Published: October 2016

Past-present comparisons for practical applications

In this article we explore how and under what circumstances present-past comparisons can be used to find solutions to current social issues. We argue that meaningful comparisons can not only be made between countries or groups within countries, rather, comparisons between current and past societies too can enrich our thinking about pressing social problems. We search for the conditions under which such comparisons are possible without undermining the professional skills, epistemological and methodological insights of the various disciplines. Learning from the past calls for an in-depth study of present problems and the historical (role) model alike, with historians and social and political scientists cooperating in teams. We propose a five-step-method: (1) diagnosing the social issue, (2) tracing comparable historical practices that might offer solutions, (3) distilling these practices from their historical contexts, (4) massaging the ‘historical’ practices into the diagnosed present-day context through an imaginative exercise, and (5) implementing these solutions into everyday life through forms of experiment.
Komt het basisinkomen terug?
Authors: Bannink Duco , Metze Tamara
Published: October 2016

Dossier

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.