bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Adoption of SMP
Authors: Shaari Firdaus , Salihudin Nur Fatin Syafiqah , Jayaseelan Raymond Jayasurya , Noorazlan Muhammad Afiq Abdullah , Yusof Siti Nor Fadhilah Jamaluddin , Dzulkefli Muhammad Solehin Fahmi
Published: July 2016

This research aims to examine the acceptability of SMP and to distinguish the adjustments which must be acquired to the system to make it worthy to users which in this case is the students. The research used a hierarchical regression for the data analysis between 220 students who stay in Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSLIC). Their participant is not being forced and purely voluntary. Empirical analysis via hierarchical regression confirmed that prescriptiveness, lifecycle, ease of use, usefulness and behavioural intention to adopt SMP. These empirical results give benefit for the Department of Academic Service (BPA) in UMSLIC. The department can formulate effective strategies to fulfil the demand of the student and making improvement of the system. The result of this study offer the current study towards the staff of the Department of Academic Services (BPA) that is achieved from this research is that it could help the BPA to improve and design the SMP system software.
Exploring the Dimensions of Mobile Banking Service Quality
Authors: Nisha Nabila
Published: July 2016

Today, mobile phone is an essential part of the lives of most people – a reason why, banking sector and mobile phone service providers have teamed up to provide banking services to customers via mobile phones. However, customers often are critical of the quality of such alternative financial delivery services provided by banks. The aim of this paper is to examine the underlying factors and service qualities that can influence customers' behavioral intentions towards the use of mobile banking services in Bangladesh. The hybrid model in this study identifies service qualities like reliability, privacy, information quality, responsiveness and empathy that capture customers' overall perceptions of the performance of mobile banking services. In addition, other factors like performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions significantly influence customers' intention to use such services. Implications of these findings provide practical recommendations to banking industry, and directions for further work from the perspective of Bangladesh.
Deviant Pornography Use
Authors: Seigfried-Spellar Kathryn C.
Published: July 2016

Personality differences exist between consumers and non-consumers of Internet pornography, but limited attention has been given to the differences in nondeviant (adult-only) consumers and deviant (adult + deviant) pornography users. A recent study found individuals who consumed both adult + deviant pornography reported a significantly younger “age of onset” for adult pornography use compared to adult-only users. The current study investigated whether age of onset for adult pornography use and individual differences discriminated between adult-only and adult + deviant pornography use. 272 respondents completed an anonymous Internet-based survey; 46 respondents were non-pornography users, 165 respondents were adult-only pornography users, and 61respondents were adult + deviant pornography users. Results indicated that adult + deviant pornography users scored significantly higher on openness to experience and reported a significantly younger age of onset for adult pornography use compared to adult-only pornography users.
On Cognitive Foundations and Mathematical Theories of Knowledge Science
Authors: Wang Yingxu
Published: July 2016

Knowledge is one of the fundamental cognitive objects in the brain among those of data, information, and intelligence. Knowledge can be classified into two main categories, i.e., conceptual knowledge for knowing to-be and behavioral knowledge for knowing to-do, particularly the former. This paper presents a basic study on a mathematical theory of knowledge towards knowledge science. The taxonomy and cognitive foundations of knowledge are explored, which reveal that the basic cognitive structure of conceptual knowledge is a formal concept and that of behavioral knowledge is a formal process. Mathematical models of knowledge are created in order to enable formal representation and rigorous manipulation of knowledge. A set of formal principles and properties of knowledge is elicited and elaborated towards the development of knowledge science and cognitive knowledge systems. It is discovered that the basic unit of knowledge is a binary relation, shortly bir, as a counterpart of bit (a binary digit) for information and data.
Multiobjective Multivariate Optimization of Joint Spectrum Sensing and Power Control in Cognitive Wireless Networks
Authors: Van Dang Hieu , Kinsner Witold
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the authors investigate trade-off factors in designing efficient spectrum sensing and optimal power control techniques for a multichannel, multiple-user cognitive wireless network. They introduce the problem of joint spectrum sensing and power control as a maximization of the network throughput and a minimization of the interference to the network. These two optimization objectives can be achieved by a joint determination of sensing and transmission parameters of the secondary users, such as sensing times, decision threshold vectors, and power allocation vectors. There is a conflict between these two objectives, thus a multiobjective optimization problem is introduced. The authors propose an analytical approach based on Newton's methods and nonlinear barrier method to solve this large-scale joint multiobjective optimization problem.
Towards Psychologically based Personalised Modelling of Emotions Using Associative Classifiers
Authors: Ayesh Aladdin , Arevalillo-Herráez Miguel , Ferri Francesc J.
Published: July 2016

Learning environments, among other user-centred applications, are excellent candidates to trial Computational Emotions and their algorithms to enhance user experience and to expand the system usability. However, this was not feasible because of the paucity in affordable consumer technologies that support the requirements of systems with advanced cognitive capabilities. Microsoft Kinect provides an accessible and affordable technology that can enable cognitive features such as facial expressions extraction and emotions detection. However, it comes with its own additional challenges, such as the limited number of extracted Animation Units (AUs). This paper presents a new approach that attempts at finding patterns of interaction between AUs, and between AUs and a given emotion. By doing so, the authors aim to reach a mechanism to generate a dynamically personified set of rules relating AUs and emotions. These rules will implicitly encode a person's individuality in expressing one's emotions.
IPHDBCM
Authors: Babu Erukala Suresh , Nagaraju C. , Prasad M.H.M. Krishna
Published: July 2016

Secure communication is one of the basic requirements for any network standard. Particularly, cryptographic algorithms have gained more popularity to protect the communication in a hostile environment. As the critical information that is being transferred over the wireless adhoc networks can be easily acquired and is vulnerable to many security attacks. However, several security communication threats had been detected and defended using conventional symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic mechanism, which are too difficult and resource consuming for such mobile adhoc networks. Recently, one of the severe security threats that have to be detected and defend in any type of network topology is blackhole attack and cooperative blackhole. Because of its severity, the black hole attack has attracted a great deal of attention in the research community. Comprehensively the results of the existing system conclude that the black hole attack on various mobile adhoc networks is hard to detect and easy to implement. This paper addresses to detect and defend the blackhole attack and cooperative blackhole attack using hybrid DNA-based cryptography (HDC) mechanism. Moreover, the proposed method upsurge the security issue with the underlying AODV routing protocol. Eventually, This Hybrid DNA-based Cryptography (HDC) is one of the high potential candidates for advanced wireless ad hoc networks, which require less communication bandwidth and memory in comparison with other cryptographic systems. The simulation results of this proposed method provide better security and network performances as compared to existing schemes.
Migration Goals and Risk Management in Cloud Computing
Authors: Islam Shareeful , Fenz Stefan , Weippl Edgar , Kalloniatis Christos
Published: July 2016

Organizations are now seriously considering adopting cloud into the existing business context, but migrating data, application and services into cloud doesn't come without substantial risks. These risks are the significant barriers for the wider cloud adoption. There are works that consolidate the existing work on cloud migration and technology. However, there is no secondary study that consolidates the state of the art research and existing practice on risk management in cloud computing. It makes difficult to understand the risks management trend, maturity, and research gaps. This paper investigates the state of the art research and practices relating to risk management in cloud computing and discusses survey results on migration goals and risks. The survey participants are practitioners from both public and private organizations of two different locations, i.e., UK and Malaysia. The authors identify and classify the relevant literature and systematically compare the existing works and survey results. The results show that most of the existing works do not consider the existing organization and business context for the risk assessment. The authors' study results also reveal that risk management in cloud computing research and practice is still not in a mature stage but gradually advancing. Finally, they propose a risk assessment approach and determine the relative importance of the migration goals from two real migration use cases.
ASSESSMENT OF DYNAMIC FEATURES OF MECHANICAL OSCILLATORS FOR A ROOT-BALLING MACHINE WITH A VIBRATING BLADE
Authors: Friso Dario , Bietresato Marco
Published: July 2016

A theoretical analysis of the oscillating motion produced by a mechanical oscillator for the vibrating blade of a root-balling machine was carried out. The result was harmonic motion with a strong phase displacement with respect to the forcing torque of the eccentric masses; however, the amplitude can be approximately calculated by in-air motion analysis. Experiments were also carried out in order to determine the cutting torque of the blade in typical treenursery soil. These results, together with the indications of other literature reports, were used to propose a possible design directive.
A NOVEL, AIR-ASSISTED TUNNEL SPRAYER FOR VINEYARDS: OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS AND FIRST ASSESSMENT IN THE FIELD
Authors: Pergher Gianfranco , Petris Raffaella
Published: July 2016

Tunnel (recycling) sprayers have long been recognised as an important tool to reduce drift losses. Depending on the crop and the growth stage, tunnel sprayers may recycle up to 60% of the spray volume, thus enabling the farmers to control pests even at reduced PPP dose rates. However, the introduction of tunnel sprayers in Italian vine-growing farms has been hindered so far by high machine cost, low working speed, and often unsatisfactory uniformity of deposition, generally related to the difficulty of correctly managing the air currents inside the tunnel. Recently, a new prototype, air-assisted shielded sprayer has been developed by the University of Udine and Agricolmeccanica s.r.l. The two-row, tractor-mounted sprayer uses a lamellae separator wall, placed in front of each nozzle boom, to recover the excess spray which has not deposited on the canopy. Initial tests have been conducted to analyse the effects of the main sprayer settings (air flow rate, distance between the shields, and orientation of the air outlets) on spray recovery. Maximum recovery rate was 95.1% under static conditions. The sprayer was then used for spray application in the vineyard during the 2007 season, showing high reliability and work capacity. The recovery rate was 34% to 77% under field conditions, depending on the leaf area of the crop and other factors.
Needs assessment for adapting TB directly observed treatment intervention programme in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A community-based participatory research approach
Authors: Mabunda Jabu T. , Khoza Lunic B. , Van den Borne Hubertus B. , Lebese Rachel T.
Published: July 2016

Background: Limpopo Province is one of the hardest hit by tuberculosis and human immune virus infections in the country. The province has been implementing directly observed treatment strategy since 1996. However, the cure rate was 64% in 2015 and remains far from the set target by the World Health Organization of 85%. Poor health-care seeking and adherence behaviours were identified as major risk behaviours.Aim: To apply a community-based participatory research approach in identifying barriers and facilitators to health-care seeking and adherence to treatment, and to determine strategies and messages in order to inform the design of an adapted intervention programme.Setting: This study was conducted in three districts in the Limpopo Province, Capricorn, Mopani and Sekhukhune districts.Methods: Community participatory research approach was applied. Purposive sampling was used to sample participants. Focus group discussions were used to collect data. Participatory analysis was used comparing findings within and across all the participants.Results: A total of 161 participated in the study. Participants included coordinators, professional nurses, supporters and patients. Major modifiable behavioural-related barriers were lack of knowledge about tuberculosis, misinformation and misperceptions cultural beliefs, stigma and refusal of treatment support. Environment-related barriers were attitudes of health workers, lack of support by family and community, lack of food and use of alcohol and drugs. Strategies and messages included persuasive and motivational messages to promote healthy behaviour.Conclusion: Joint programmatic collaboration between the community and academic researchers is really needed for interventions to address the needs of the community.Keywords: Health seeking, Adherence, Community based participatory research, Tuberculosis
Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a partially Amputated Finger using a Silicone Prosthesis
Authors: Fernandez Teny , Harshakumar K , Ravichandran R
Published: July 2016

Amputation of a finger will have considerable functional and psychological impact on an individual. Although prosthetic rehabilitation incorporating implants is considered an ideal treatment option, the patient may not give consent due to apprehension toward surgical procedures. The ideal prosthesis should replace the missing part of the finger so precisely that it would not draw the attention of the observer. Fabrication of such a prosthesis will require great technical and artistic expertise. This paper presents a case of prosthetic rehabilitation of an amputated finger using a silicone finger prosthesis.

How to cite this article

Fernandez T, Harshakumar K, Ravichandran R. Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a partially Amputated Finger using a Silicone Prosthesis. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2016;6(1):10-13.
What Drives Long-term Oil Market Volatility? Fundamentals versus Speculation
Authors: Yin Libo , Zhou Yimin
Published: July 2016

This paper explores the role of speculation and economy fundamentals in the oil market using a two-component GARCH-MIDAS model. Specifically, the authors highlight the different roles played by the changing oil shocks with respect to the short-term and long-term components regarding oil market volatility. The results indicate that a global demand shock is the only factor found not only to be positive but to also significantly increase long- and short-term oil volatility in the full sample. This is consistent with a classic host of research that advocates that global demand dominates the oil market. However, since 2004, impacts of other oil shocks have been significantly weakened or even reversed. For example, the speculative demand shock has helped to stabilize long-term oil volatility during the post-2004 period. The results also suggest the existence of asymmetric impacts on short-term oil volatility, particularly for shocks from oil supply, oil-specific demand and oil speculative demand.
Treat-to-target therapy does not prevent excessive progression of carotid intima media thickness during the first year of therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Raczkiewicz Anna , Juszkiewicz Aleksandra , Kisiel Bartłomiej , Bachta Artur , Kur-Zalewska Joanna , Kłos Krzysztof , Bujakowska Olga , Tłustochowicz Małgorzata , Tłustochowicz Witold
Published: July 2016

Introduction:  The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and predictors of change in carotid intima-media measures in early rheumatoid arthritis patients (eRA) as compared to chronic RA patients and patients without arthritis.

Material and methods: Fifty-five consecutive eRA patients were assessed at the time of diagnosis and after 1 year of therapy. Fifty-five sex- and age-matched chronic RA patients and 29 patients without inflammatory disease were used as controls. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques were measured at baseline and after follow-up. In eRA patients ultrasound assessment of hand joints was performed before and after treatment. Carotid artery intima-media thickness was assessed again after 2 years in 44 eRA patients.

Results: Carotid artery intima-media thickness progression after 1 year of therapy was higher in eRA patients compared to both control groups (p = 0.017) and correlated with symptoms duration (p = 0.017) and DMARD monotherapy (p = 0.015). Ultrasound progression of hand joint erosions was associated with longer symptoms duration (p = 0.006). After 2 years of observation CIMT progression was similar in all examined groups.

Conclusions: We observed rapid CIMT progression during the first year of RA therapy. Longer symptoms duration and less aggressive therapy were associated with CIMT increase.
Factor structure of suggestibility revisited: new evidence for direct and indirect suggestibility
Authors: Polczyk Romuald
Published: July 2016

Background

Yielding to suggestions can be viewed as a relatively stable individual trait, called suggestibility. It has been long proposed that there are two kinds of suggestible influence, and two kinds of suggestibility corresponding to them: direct and indirect. Direct suggestion involves overt unhidden influence, while indirect suggestion concerns influence that is hidden, and the participant does not know that the suggestibility is being measured. So far however, empirical evidence for the existence of the two factors has been scarce. In the present study, more sophisticated and reliable tools for measuring suggestibility were applied than in the previous research, in the hope that better measurement would reveal the factor structure of suggestibility. Two tests of direct suggestibility were used: the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A, measuring hypnotic susceptibility, and the Barber Suggestibility Scale, measuring non-hypnotic direct imaginative suggestibility. Three tests served to measure indirect suggestibility: the Sensory Suggestibility Scale, measuring indirect suggestibility relating to perception; the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale, measuring the tendency to yield to suggestive questions and changing answers after negative feedback; and the Emotional Dialogs Tests, measuring the tendency to perceive nonexistent aggression.

Participants and procedure

In sum, 115 participants were tested, 69 women, 49 men, mean age 22.20 years, SD = 2.20. Participants were tested in two sessions, lasting for a total of four hours.

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the existence of two uncorrelated factors of suggestibility: direct and indirect.

Conclusions

Suggestibility may indeed involve two factors, direct and indirect, and failure to discover them in previous research may be due to methodological problems.
The role of rumination in the occurrence of positive effects of experienced traumatic events
Authors: Ogińska-Bulik Nina
Published: July 2016

Background

Cognitive processes play a significant role in both the negative and positive consequences of traumatic experiences. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of rumination in the occurrence of positive effects, in the form of posttraumatic growth, of experienced traumatic events.

Participants and procedure

Data were collected from 227 subjects who had experienced traumatic events, including cancer patients (31.30%), women who had experienced domestic violence (39.20%), and medical rescue workers exposed to traumatic events at work (29.50%). The age of participants ranged from 19 to 67 years (M = 40.12, SD = 13.28). The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was used to measure positive changes, and the Event Related Rumination Inventory was used to assess the two types of ruminations (intrusive and deliberate).

Results

Both types of ruminations (intrusive and deliberate) were positively correlated with the level of posttraumatic growth in the group of cancer patients, and deliberate ruminations were associated with posttraumatic growth in the group of women who had experienced domestic violence and in the medical rescue workers. The results of regression analysis confirmed a significant role of deliberate rumination.

Conclusions

The study of ruminations allows us to better explain the mechanisms underlying the consequences of traumatic experiences.
Coexistence of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and Crohn’s disease or multiorgan manifestation of the same disease?
Authors: Jóźwiak Lucyna , Ławnicka Izabela , Książek Andrzej
Published: July 2016

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of unknown aetiology, often related to the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). GPA was previously named Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG). The disease frequently has multisystemic presentation, targeting mainly the respiratory tract and kidneys, but gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon. Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with many extraintestinal manifestations. Clinically, symptoms of WG and CD can mimic each other. In this paper a case of GPA manifested initially by severe multiorgan damage including colitis, regarded to be coexistent CD, is presented. The case illustrates the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis when symptoms of the diseases mimic each other.
Influence of exogenous leptin on redox homeostasis in neutrophils and lymphocytes cultured in synovial fluid isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Gajewski Michał , Gajewska Joanna , Rzodkiewicz Przemysław , Wojtecka-Łukasik Elżbieta
Published: July 2016

Objectives: Leptin is an adipose cells derived hormone that regulates energy homeostasis within the body. Energy metabolism of immune cells influences their activity within numerous pathological states, but the effect of leptin on these cells in unclear. On the one hand, it was observed that leptin induces neutrophils chemotaxis and modulates phagocytosis. On the other hand, neutrophils exposed to leptin did not display detectable Ca2+ ions mobilization or β2-integrin upregulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of leptin on the redox homeostasis in lymphocytes and neutrophils.

Material and methods: Neutrophils and lymphocytes were isolated by density-gradient centrifugation of blood from healthy volunteers. Cells were cultured with or without leptin (100 ng/ml for lymphocytes and 500 ng/ml for neutrophils) or with or without synovial fluid (85%) for 0–72 h. Culture media were not changed during incubation. Cells were homogenized and homogenate was frozen until laboratory measurements. Redox homeostasis was assessed by the reduced glutathione (GSH) vs. oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio and membrane lipid peroxidation evaluation.

Results: Lymphocytes cultured with leptin and synovial fluid showed a significant increase of the GSSG level. The GSSG/GSH ratio increased by 184 ±37%. In neutrophils incubated in a similar environment, the GSSG/GSH ratio increased by just 21 ±7%, and the effect was observed irrespectively of whether they were exposed to leptin or synovial fluid or both together. Neither leptin nor synovial fluid influenced lipid peroxidation in neutrophils, but in lymphocytes leptin intensified lipid peroxidation.

Conclusions: Leptin altered the lymphocytes, but not neutrophils redox state. Because firstly neutrophils are anaerobic cells and have just a few mitochondria and secondly lymphocytes have typical aerobic metabolism, the divergence of our data supports the hypothesis that leptin induces oxidative stress by modulation of mitochondria.
Emissions of NO, NO2, and PM from inland water transportation
Authors: Kurtenbach Ralf , Vaupel Kai , Kleffmann Jörg , Klenk Ulrich , Schmidt Eberhard , Wiesen Peter
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides NOx (NOx = NO2 + NO) are key species for urban air quality in Europe and are emitted by mobile sources. According to European recommendations, a significant fraction of road freight should be shifted to waterborne transport in the future. In order to better consider this changed emission pattern in future emission inventories, in the present study, inland water transport emissions of NOx, CO2 and PM were investigated under real world conditions at the river Rhine, Germany in 2013. An average NO2/NOx emission ratio of 0.08 ± 0.02 was obtained, which is indicative of ship diesel engines without after-treatment systems. For all measured motor ship types and operation conditions overall weighted average emission indices of EINOx = 54 ± 4 g/kg and a lower limit EIPM1 = ≥ 2.0 ± 0.3 g/kg were obtained. EIs for NOx and PM1 were found to be in the range of 20–161 g kg−1 and ≥ 0.2–8.1 g kg−1, respectively. A comparison with threshold values of national German guidelines shows that the NOx emissions of all investigated motor ship types are above the threshold values, while the obtained lower limit PM1 emissions just within. To reduce NOx emissions to acceptable values, implementation of after-treatment systems is recommended.
Coastal-ocean uptake of anthropogenic carbon
Authors: Bourgeois Timothée , Orr James C. , Resplandy Laure , Terhaar Jens , Ethé Christian , Gehlen Marion , Bopp Laurent
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Anthropogenic changes in atmosphere–ocean and atmosphere–land CO2 fluxes have been quantified extensively, but few studies have addressed the connection between land and ocean. In this transition zone, the coastal ocean, spatial and temporal data coverage is inadequate to assess its global budget. Thus we use a global ocean biogeochemical model to assess the coastal ocean's global inventory of anthropogenic CO2 and its spatial variability. We used an intermediate resolution, eddying version of the NEMO-PISCES model (ORCA05), varying from 20 to 50 km horizontally, i.e. coarse enough to allow multiple century-scale simulations but finer than coarse-resolution models (∼  200 km) to better resolve coastal bathymetry and complex coastal currents. Here we define the coastal zone as the continental shelf area, excluding the proximal zone. Evaluation of the simulated air–sea fluxes of total CO2 for 45 coastal regions gave a correlation coefficient R of 0.8 when compared to observation-based estimates. Simulated global uptake of anthropogenic carbon results averaged 2.3 Pg C yr−1 during the years 1993–2012, consistent with previous estimates. Yet only 0.1 Pg C yr−1 of that is absorbed by the global coastal ocean. That represents 4.5 % of the anthropogenic carbon uptake of the global ocean, less than the 7.5 % proportion of coastal-to-global-ocean surface areas. Coastal uptake is weakened due to a bottleneck in offshore transport, which is inadequate to reduce the mean anthropogenic carbon concentration of coastal waters to the mean level found in the open-ocean mixed layer.
Anthropogenically induced environmental changes in the northeastern Adriatic Sea in the last 400 years (Panzano Bay, Gulf of Trieste)
Authors: Vidović Jelena , Nawrot Rafał , Gallmetzer Ivo , Haselmair Alexandra , Tomašových Adam , Stachowitsch Michael , Ćosović Vlasta , Zuschin Martin
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Shallow and sheltered marine embayments in urbanized areas are prone to the accumulation of pollutants, but little is known about the historical baselines of such marine ecosystems. Here we study foraminiferal assemblages, geochemical proxies and sedimentological data from 1.6 m long sediment cores to uncover ~ 400 years of anthropogenic pressure from mining, port and industrial zones in the Gulf of Trieste, Italy. From 1600 to 1900 AD, element concentrations and foraminiferal assemblages point to negligible effects of agricultural activities. The only significant anthropogenic activity during this period is mercury mining in the hinterlands of the gulf, releasing high amounts of mercury into the bay and significantly exceeding today's Italian sediment quality guidelines (SQG) and the standards on the effects of trace elements to benthic organisms (ERL and ERM). Nonetheless, the fluctuations in the concentrations of mercury do not correlate with changes in the composition and diversity of foraminiferal assemblages due to its nonbioavailability. Intensified agricultural and maricultural activities in the first half of the 20th century caused slight nutrient enrichment and a minor increase in foraminiferal diversity. Intensified port and industrial activities in the second half of 20th century increased the normalised trace element concentrations and persistent organic pollutants (PAH, PCB) in the topmost part of the core, with solely Ni exceeding Italian SQG, ERL and ERM. This increase caused only minor changes in the foraminiferal community because foraminifera in Panzano Bay have a long history of adaptation to naturally elevated trace element concentrations. Our study underlines the importance of using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach in reconstructing the history of environmental and anthropogenic changes in marine systems. Given the prolonged human impacts in coastal areas like the Gulf of Trieste, such long term baseline data are crucial for interpreting the present state of marine ecosystems.
An Extended Global Earth System Data Record on Daily Landscape Freeze-Thaw Status Determined from Satellite Passive Microwave Remote Sensing
Authors: Kim Youngwook , Kimball John S. , Glassy Joseph , Du Jinyang
Published: July 2016

Abstract. The landscape freeze-thaw (FT) signal determined from satellite microwave brightness temperature (Tb) observations has been widely used to define frozen temperature controls on land surface water mobility and ecological processes. Calibrated 37 GHz Tb retrievals from the Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and SSM/I Sounder (SSMIS) were used to produce a consistent and continuous global daily data record of landscape FT status at 25-km grid cell resolution. The resulting FT Earth System Data Record (FT-ESDR) is derived from a refined classification algorithm and extends over a larger domain and longer period (1979–2014) than prior FT-ESDR releases. The global domain encompasses all land areas affected by seasonal frozen temperatures, including urban, snow-ice dominant and barren land. The FT retrieval is obtained using a modified seasonal threshold algorithm (MSTA) that classifies daily Tb variations in relation to grid cell-wise FT thresholds calibrated using surface air temperature data from model reanalysis. The resulting FT record shows mean annual spatial classification accuracies of 90.3 and 84.3 percent for PM and AM overpass retrievals relative to global weather station measurements. Detailed data quality metrics are derived characterizing effects of sub-grid scale open water and terrain heterogeneity, and algorithm uncertainties on FT classification accuracy. The FT-ESDR results are also verified against other independent cryospheric data, including in situ lake and river ice phenology, and satellite observations of Greenland surface melt. The expanded FT-ESDR enables new investigations encompassing snow and ice dominant land areas, while the longer record and favorable accuracy allow for refined global change assessments that can better distinguish transient weather extremes, landscape phenological shifts, and climate anomalies from longer-term trends extending over multiple decades. The data set is freely available online (http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/MEASURES/CRYOSPHERE/nsidc-0477.003).
Improved representation of plant functional types and physiology in the
Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES v4.2) using plant trait
information
Authors: Harper Anna B. , Cox Peter M. , Friedlingstein Pierre , Wiltshire Andy J. , Jones Chris D. , Sitch Stephen , Mercado Lina M. , Groenendijk Margriet , Robertson Eddy , Kattge Jens , Bönisch Gerhard , Atkin Owen K. , Bahn Michael , Cornelissen Johannes , Niinemets Ülo , Onipchenko Vladimir , Peñuelas Josep , Poorter Lourens , Reich Peter B. , Soudzilovskaia Nadjeda A. , Bodegom Peter van
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Dynamic global vegetation models are used to predict the response of vegetation to climate change. They are essential for planning ecosystem management, understanding carbon cycle–climate feedbacks, and evaluating the potential impacts of climate change on global ecosystems. JULES (the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator) represents terrestrial processes in the UK Hadley Centre family of models and in the first generation UK Earth System Model. Previously, JULES represented five plant functional types (PFTs): broadleaf trees, needle-leaf trees, C3 and C4 grasses, and shrubs. This study addresses three developments in JULES. First, trees and shrubs were split into deciduous and evergreen PFTs to better represent the range of leaf life spans and metabolic capacities that exists in nature. Second, we distinguished between temperate and tropical broadleaf evergreen trees. These first two changes result in a new set of nine PFTs: tropical and temperate broadleaf evergreen trees, broadleaf deciduous trees, needle-leaf evergreen and deciduous trees, C3 and C4 grasses, and evergreen and deciduous shrubs. Third, using data from the TRY database, we updated the relationship between leaf nitrogen and the maximum rate of carboxylation of Rubisco (Vcmax), and updated the leaf turnover and growth rates to include a trade-off between leaf life span and leaf mass per unit area.Overall, the simulation of gross and net primary productivity (GPP and NPP, respectively) is improved with the nine PFTs when compared to FLUXNET sites, a global GPP data set based on FLUXNET, and MODIS NPP. Compared to the standard five PFTs, the new nine PFTs simulate a higher GPP and NPP, with the exception of C3 grasses in cold environments and C4 grasses that were previously over-productive. On a biome scale, GPP is improved for all eight biomes evaluated and NPP is improved for most biomes – the exceptions being the tropical forests, savannahs, and extratropical mixed forests where simulated NPP is too high. With the new PFTs, the global present-day GPP and NPP are 128 and 62 Pg C year−1, respectively. We conclude that the inclusion of trait-based data and the evergreen/deciduous distinction has substantially improved productivity fluxes in JULES, in particular the representation of GPP. These developments increase the realism of JULES, enabling higher confidence in simulations of vegetation dynamics and carbon storage.
A practical approach to lake water density from electrical conductivity and
temperature
Authors: Moreira Santiago , Schultze Martin , Rahn Karsten , Boehrer Bertram
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Density calculations are essential to study stratification, circulation patterns, internal wave formation and other aspects of hydrodynamics in lakes and reservoirs. Currently, the most common procedure is the use of CTD (conductivity, temperature and depth) profilers and the conversion of measurements of temperature and electrical conductivity into density. In limnic waters, such approaches are of limited accuracy if they do not consider lake-specific composition of solutes, as we show. A new approach is presented to correlate density and electrical conductivity, using only two specific coefficients based on the composition of solutes. First, it is necessary to evaluate the lake-specific coefficients connecting electrical conductivity with density. Once these coefficients have been obtained, density can easily be calculated based on CTD data. The new method has been tested against measured values and the most common equations used in the calculation of density in limnic and ocean conditions. The results show that our new approach can reproduce the density contribution of solutes with a relative error of less than 10 % in lake waters from very low to very high concentrations as well as in lakes of very particular water chemistry, which is better than all commonly implemented density calculations in lakes. Finally, a web link is provided for downloading the corresponding density calculator.
Using video games for volcanic hazard education and communication:
an assessment of the method and preliminary results
Authors: Mani Lara , Cole Paul D. , Stewart Iain
Published: July 2016

Abstract. This paper presents the findings from a study aimed at understanding whether video games (or serious games) can be effective in enhancing volcanic hazard education and communication. Using the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent, we have developed a video game – St. Vincent's Volcano – for use in existing volcano education and outreach sessions. Its twin aims are to improve residents' knowledge of potential future eruptive hazards (ash fall, pyroclastic flows and lahars) and to integrate traditional methods of education in a more interactive manner. Here, we discuss the process of game development including concept design through to the final implementation on St. Vincent. Preliminary results obtained from the final implementation (through pre- and post-test knowledge quizzes) for both student and adult participants provide indications that a video game of this style may be effective in improving a learner's knowledge. Both groups of participants demonstrated a post-test increase in their knowledge quiz score of 9.3 % for adults and 8.3 % for students and, when plotted as learning gains (Hake, 1998), show similar overall improvements (0.11 for adults and 0.09 for students). These preliminary findings may provide a sound foundation for the increased integration of emerging technologies within traditional education sessions. This paper also shares some of the challenges and lessons learnt throughout the development and testing processes and provides recommendations for researchers looking to pursue a similar study.
An insight into pre-Columbian raised fields: the case of San Borja, Bolivian lowlands
Authors: Rodrigues Leonor , Lombardo Umberto , Trauerstein Mareike , Huber Perrine , Mohr Sandra , Veit Heinz
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Pre-Columbian raised field agriculture in the tropical lowlands of South America has received increasing attention and been the focus of heated debates regarding its function, productivity, and role in the development of pre-Columbian societies. Even though raised fields are all associated to permanent or semi-permanent high water levels, they occur in different environmental contexts. Very few field-based studies on raised fields have been carried out in the tropical lowlands and little is known about their use and past management. Based on topographic surveying and mapping, soil physical and chemical analysis and OSL and radiocarbon dating, this paper provides insight into the morphology, functioning and time frame of the use of raised fields in the south-western Llanos de Moxos, Bolivian Amazon. We have studied raised fields of different sizes that were built in an area near the town of San Borja, with a complex fluvial history. The results show that differences in field size and height are the result of an adaptation to a site where soil properties vary significantly on a scale of tens to hundreds of metres. The analysis and dating of the raised fields sediments point towards an extensive and rather brief use of the raised fields, for about 100–200 years at the beginning of the 2nd millennium.
Workplace Romances: “Going to Work Is Amazing and Really Fun”
Authors: Wallgren Tengberg Lars Goran , Tidefors Inga
Published: July 2016

Much of the research on workplace romance has been conducted in the United States, and the focus has often been on negative consequences and risks for gender discrimination. The purpose of this study was to obtain an understanding of workplace romance through the point of view of those involved. Data were collected from five female participants and five male participants in separate focus groups; all participants had started a love affair at work. The thematic analysis of the transcripts showed that having a workplace romance was mostly a positive experience. However, all participants described the need to keep their romances secret for two main reasons: one, to avoid possible negative consequences, and the other, to enjoy feelings associated with a secret love affair. To some degree, the participants seemed to excuse themselves more readily than others whose behavior they thought was worse. When asked about workplace rules and policies, the participants wavered between expressing negative views and describing situations where rules could be needed.
La investigación en Tecnología Educativa y las nuevas ecologías del aprendizaje: Design-Based Research (DBR) como enfoque metodológico
Authors: Valverde-Berrocoso Jesús
Published: July 2016

La investigación en Tecnología Educativa ha experimentado un amplio crecimiento en las últimas décadas. Este desarrollo no ha tenido una influencia significativa en la práctica educativa. La integración de las tecnologías digitales en los sistemas educativos no ha modificado sustancialmente la metodología docente para adaptarse a las competencias del siglo XXI. La investigación educativa tiene un escaso impacto en la toma de decisiones de los profesionales de la educación. Por otra parte, las nuevas ecologías del aprendizaje nos sitúan ante contextos de enseñanza-aprendizaje más flexibles, abiertos, distribuidos y conectados. Se necesitan nuevas teorías del conocimiento y nuevos enfoques en las metodologías de investigación educativa. En este artículo el «aprendizaje trialógico» se identifica como un marco conceptual útil para la comprensión de los nuevos contextos educativos y el «Design-Based Research» (DBR) se describe como un modelo metodológico idóneo para la integración efectiva de la investigación en la teoría y práctica pedagógica.
Investigador novel: estrategias y herramientas en el mundo conectado
Authors: González Calatayud Víctor , Román García María del Mar
Published: July 2016

El momento en el que un estudiante comienza con el proceso investigador, ya sea en un trabajo fin de master o una tesis, se encuentra en muchas ocasiones desbordado por la gran cantidad de cosas nuevas que debe manejar en poco tiempo. Para ese proceso existen una serie de herramientas que nos permiten regular todo el proceso, en lo que se ha denominado como investigación aumentada. De este modo, nos encontramos con herramientas que nos van a permitir realizar una buena búsqueda de información en las bases de datos. Después tendremos herramientas para gestionar esa cantidad ingente de información, la cual es abrumadora. Además, nos encontramos con programas estadísticos -tanto cuantitativos como cualitativos- que van a hacer del proceso de análisis de datos algo bastante sencillo. Estos programas tendremos que escogerlos según nuestros intereses. Por último, tendremos que decidir donde publicar nuestra investigación, y para ellos debemos escoger a la revista más adecuada en los listados de revistas con factor de impacto. De todos modos, debemos ser conscientes de que la falta de información y formación con respecto a todas estas herramientas es muy grande, y las instituciones implicadas en la formación de los futuros investigadores debería de poner remedio a esta situación. 
Ética e investigación en Tecnología Educativa: necesidad, oportunidades y retos
Authors: Carrera Farran F.Xavier , González Martínez Juan , Coiduras Rodríguez Jordi L
Published: July 2016

A pesar de que la ética no ocupa un lugar privilegiado en los estudios del ámbito de la tecnología educativa, su transversalidad nos debe llevar a considerar su importancia en tres grandes ámbitos: la ética como compromiso de acción y de investigación (que parte de la cada vez más expresa recomendación institucional de respeto hacia principios éticos sólidos y compartidos), la ética como regulación del investigador (que le exige el respeto de esos principios generales en el quehacer concreto del proceso de investigación) y la ética como objeto de estudio (que entiende que las diferentes respuestas éticas a las diversas situaciones tiene un interés intrínseco que merece ser estudiado). De todo ello se reflexiona en el presente artículo, a fin de dar pautas que ayuden a promover investigaciones sobre tecnología educativa seguras, éticas y responsables.
Structural elucidation of a novel mechanism for the bacteriophage-based inhibition of the RNA degradosome
Authors: Van den Bossche An , Hardwick Steven W , Ceyssens Pieter-Jan , Hendrix Hanne , Voet Marleen , Dendooven Tom , Bandyra Katarzyna J , De Maeyer Marc , Aertsen Abram , Noben Jean-Paul , Luisi Ben F , Lavigne Rob
Published: July 2016

In all domains of life, the catalysed degradation of RNA facilitates rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions, while destruction of foreign RNA is an important mechanism to prevent host infection. We have identified a virus-encoded protein termed gp37/Dip, which directly binds and inhibits the RNA degradation machinery of its bacterial host. Encoded by giant phage фKZ, this protein associates with two RNA binding sites of the RNase E component of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa RNA degradosome, occluding them from substrates and resulting in effective inhibition of RNA degradation and processing. The 2.2 Å crystal structure reveals that this novel homo-dimeric protein has no identifiable structural homologues. Our biochemical data indicate that acidic patches on the convex outer surface bind RNase E. Through the activity of Dip, фKZ has evolved a unique mechanism to down regulate a key metabolic process of its host to allow accumulation of viral RNA in infected cells.
Substitution of a conserved catalytic dyad into 2‐KPCC causes loss of carboxylation activity
Authors: Prussia Gregory A. , Gauss George H. , Mus Florence , Conner Leah , DuBois Jennifer L. , Peters John W.
Published: July 2016

The characteristic His–Glu catalytic dyad of the disulfide oxidoreductase (DSOR) family of enzymes is replaced in 2‐ketopropyl coenzyme M oxidoreductase/carboxylase (2‐KPCC) by the residues Phe–His. 2‐KPCC is the only known carboxylating member of the DSOR family and has replaced this dyad potentially to eliminate proton‐donating groups at a key position in the active site. Substitution of the Phe–His by the canonical residues results in production of higher relative concentrations of acetone versus the natural product acetoacetate. The results indicate that these differences in 2‐KPCC are key in discriminating between carbon dioxide and protons as attacking electrophiles.