bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The PMIP4 contribution to CMIP6 – Part 3: The last millennium, scientific objective, and experimental design for the PMIP4 past1000 simulations
Authors: Jungclaus Johann H. , Bard Edouard , Baroni Mélanie , Braconnot Pascale , Cao Jian , Chini Louise P. , Egorova Tania , Evans Michael , González-Rouco J. Fidel , Goosse Hugues , Hurtt George C. , Joos Fortunat , Kaplan Jed O. , Khodri Myriam , Klein Goldewijk Kees , Krivova Natalie , LeGrande Allegra N. , Lorenz Stephan J. , Luterbacher Jürg , Man Wenmin , Maycock Amanda C. , Meinshausen Malte , Moberg Anders , Muscheler Raimund , Nehrbass-Ahles Christoph , Otto-Bliesner Bette I. , Phipps Steven J. , Pongratz Julia , Rozanov Eugene , Schmidt Gavin A. , Schmidt Hauke , Schmutz Werner , Schurer Andrew , Shapiro Alexander I. , Sigl Michael , Smerdon Jason E. , Solanki Sami K. , Timmreck Claudia , Toohey Matthew , Usoskin Ilya G. , Wagner Sebastian , Wu Chi-Ju , Yeo Kok Leng , Zanchettin Davide , Zhang Qiong , Zorita Eduardo
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The pre-industrial millennium is among the periods selected by the Paleoclimate Model Intercomparison Project (PMIP) for experiments contributing to the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) and the fourth phase of the PMIP (PMIP4). The past1000 transient simulations serve to investigate the response to (mainly) natural forcing under background conditions not too different from today, and to discriminate between forced and internally generated variability on interannual to centennial timescales. This paper describes the motivation and the experimental set-ups for the PMIP4-CMIP6 past1000 simulations, and discusses the forcing agents orbital, solar, volcanic, and land use/land cover changes, and variations in greenhouse gas concentrations. The past1000 simulations covering the pre-industrial millennium from 850 Common Era (CE) to 1849 CE have to be complemented by historical simulations (1850 to 2014 CE) following the CMIP6 protocol. The external forcings for the past1000 experiments have been adapted to provide a seamless transition across these time periods. Protocols for the past1000 simulations have been divided into three tiers. A default forcing data set has been defined for the Tier 1 (the CMIP6 past1000) experiment. However, the PMIP community has maintained the flexibility to conduct coordinated sensitivity experiments to explore uncertainty in forcing reconstructions as well as parameter uncertainty in dedicated Tier 2 simulations. Additional experiments (Tier 3) are defined to foster collaborative model experiments focusing on the early instrumental period and to extend the temporal range and the scope of the simulations. This paper outlines current and future research foci and common analyses for collaborative work between the PMIP and the observational communities (reconstructions, instrumental data).
Age of Air as a diagnostic for transport time-scales in global models
Authors: Krol Maarten , de Bruine Marco , Killaars Lars , Ouwersloot Huug , Pozzer Andrea , Yin Yi , Chevallier Frederic , Bousquet Philippe , Patra Prabir , Belikov Dmitry , Maksyutov Shamil , Dhomse Sandip , Feng Wuhu , Chipperfield Martyn P.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This paper presents the first results of an age of air (AoA) inter-comparison of six global transport models. Following a protocol, three global circulation models and three chemistry transport models simulated five tracers with boundary conditions that grow linearly in time. This allows for an evaluation of the AoA and transport times associated with inter-hemispheric transport, vertical mixing in the troposphere, transport to and in the stratosphere, and transport of air masses between land and ocean. Since AoA is not a directly measurable quantity in the atmosphere, simulations of 222Rn and SF6 were also requested. We focus this first analysis on averages over the period 2000–2010, taken from longer simulations covering the 1988–2014 period. We find that two models, NIES and TOMCAT, show substantially slower vertical mixing in the troposphere compared to other models (LMDZ, TM5, EMAC, and ACTM). However, while the TOMCAT model, as used here, has slow transport between the hemispheres and between land and ocean, the NIES model shows efficient horizontal mixing and a smaller latitudinal gradient in SF6 compared to the other models and observations. We find consistent differences between models concerning vertical mixing of the troposphere, expressed as AoA differences and modeled 222Rn gradients between 950 and 500 hPa. All models agree, however, on an interesting asymmetry in inter-hemispheric mixing, with faster transport from the Northern hemisphere surface to the Southern hemisphere than vice versa. This is attributed to a rectifier caused by a stronger seasonal cycle in boundary layer venting over Northern hemispheric landmasses, and possibly to a related asymmetric position of the inter-tropical convergence zone. The calculated AoA in the upper stratosphere varies considerably among the models (4–7 years). Finally, we find that the inter-model differences are generally larger than differences in AoA that result from using the same model with a different resolution or convective parameterisation. Taken together, the AoA model inter-comparison provides a useful addition to traditional approaches to evaluate transport time scales. Results highlight that inter-model differences associated with resolved transport (advection) and parameterised transport (convection, boundary layer mixing) are still large, and require further analysis. For this purpose, all model output and analysis software is available.
Hydrochemical and isotopic evidences for deciphering conceptual model of groundwater salinization processes in a coastal plain, north China
Authors: Han Dongmei
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Groundwater is the important water resource for agricultural irrigation, urban and tourism development and industrial utilization in the coastal region of north China. In the past five decades, coastal groundwater salinization in the Yang-Dai River coastal plain has become more serious than ever before under natural climate change and anthropogenic activities. It is pivotal for the scientific management of coastal water resources to accurately understand groundwater salinization processes and its inducement. Hydrochemical and stable isotopic (δ18O and δ2H) analysis for the different water bodies (surface water, groundwater, geothermal water, and seawater) were applied to provide a better understanding of the processes of groundwater salinization in the Quaternary aquifers. Saltwater intrusion is the major aspect and can be caused by vertical infiltration along the riverbed at the downstream areas of rivers during the tide/surge period, and lateral inflow into fresh aquifer derived from intensively pumping groundwater. Seawater proportion can reach ~ 13 % in the well field. High mineralized geothermal water (TDS up to 10.6 g/L) with the indicator of paleoseawater relics (lower Cl / Br ratios relative to modern seawater) overflows into the cold Quaternary aquifers. Groundwater salinization can also be exacerbated by the anthropogenic activities (e.g., irrigation return-flow with solution of fertilizers, domestic wastewater discharge). Additionally, the interaction between surface water and groundwater can make the groundwater freshening or salinizing in different sections to locally modify the groundwater hydrochemistry. The cease of the well field and establishment of anti-tide dam in the Yang River estuary area have effective function to contain the development of saltwater intrusion. This study can guide the future water management practices, and provide research approaches and foundation for further investigation of seawater intrusion in this and similar region.
Understanding and seasonal forecasting of hydrological drought in the Anthropocene
Authors: Yuan Xing , Zhang Miao , Wang Linying , Zhou Tian
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Hydrological drought is not only caused by natural hydroclimate variability but can also be directly altered by human interventions including reservoir operation, irrigation, groundwater exploitation, etc. Understanding and forecasting of hydrological drought in the Anthropocene are grand challenges due to complicated interactions among climate, hydrology and humans. In this paper, five decades (1961–2010) of naturalized and observed streamflow datasets are used to investigate hydrological drought characteristics in a heavily managed river basin, the Yellow River basin in north China. Human interventions decrease the correlation between hydrological and meteorological droughts, and make the hydrological drought respond to longer timescales of meteorological drought. Due to large water consumptions in the middle and lower reaches, there are 118–262 % increases in the hydrological drought frequency, up to 8-fold increases in the drought severity, 21–99 % increases in the drought duration and the drought onset is earlier. The non-stationarity due to anthropogenic climate change and human water use basically decreases the correlation between meteorological and hydrological droughts and reduces the effect of human interventions on hydrological drought frequency while increasing the effect on drought duration and severity. A set of 29-year (1982–2010) hindcasts from an established seasonal hydrological forecasting system are used to assess the forecast skill of hydrological drought. In the naturalized condition, the climate-model-based approach outperforms the climatology method in predicting the 2001 severe hydrological drought event. Based on the 29-year hindcasts, the former method has a Brier skill score of 11–26 % against the latter for the probabilistic hydrological drought forecasting. In the Anthropocene, the skill for both approaches increases due to the dominant influence of human interventions that have been implicitly incorporated by the hydrological post-processing, while the difference between the two predictions decreases. This suggests that human interventions can outweigh the climate variability for the hydrological drought forecasting in the Anthropocene, and the predictability for human interventions needs more attention.
Defining scale thresholds for geomagnetic storms through statistics
Authors: Palacios Judith , Guerrero Antonio , Cid Consuelo , Saiz Elena , Cerrato Yolanda
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Geomagnetic storms, as part of the Sun-Earth relations, are continuously monitored with different indices and scales. These indices have some scale thresholds to quantify the severity or risk of geomagnetic disturbances. However, the most usual scale thresholds are arbitrarily chosen. In this work we aim to quantify the range of the thresholds through a new method. These new thresholds are based on statistical distribution fitting. The data used are from a regional real-time high-cadence geomagnetic index, named LDiñ, and its derivative, LCiñ. We considered the negative part of LDiñ, as significant for geomagnetic disturbances; and the absolute value of LCiñ, significant for geomagnetically induced currents. Then we look for the best fit for different statistical continuous distributions applied to these indices. The method yields that the beta prime is the most suitable functions for negative values of LDiñ, whereas power-law and Johnson-SU are the best fits for LCiñ and the whole distribution, respectively. We define new thresholds for intense, very intense and extreme geomagnetic disturbances as the intersects between these best fit distributions and the index complementary cumulative distribution function. Then, thresholds for the negative part of LDiñ, are −100 nT, −205 and −475 nT. The thresholds for the absolute value of LCiñ, are 6, 18 and 32 nT min−1. The thresholds defined here provide criteria to assess the vulnerability to geomagnetic activity on design or mitigation purposes. These threshold definitions will be applied for different products in the Spanish Space Weather Service (SeNMEs) website http://www.senmes.es/index-en.php.
On deep convection events and Antarctic Bottom Water formation in ocean reanalysis products
Authors: Aguiar Wilton , Mata Mauricio M. , Kerr Rodrigo
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Open ocean deep convection is a common source of error in the representation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation in ocean general circulation models. Although those events are well described in non-assimilatory ocean simulations, the recent appearance of a massive open ocean polynya in the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean Phase II reanalysis product (ECCO2) raises questions on which mechanisms are responsible for those spurious events and whether they are also present in other state-of-the-art assimilatory reanalysis products. To investigate this issue, we evaluate how three recently released high-resolution ocean reanalysis products form AABW in their simulations. We found that two of the products create AABW by open ocean deep convection events in the Weddell Sea that are triggered by the interaction of sea ice with the Warm Deep Water, which shows that the assimilation of sea ice is not enough to avoid the appearance of open ocean polynyas. The third reanalysis, My Ocean University Reading UR025.4, creates AABW using a rather dynamically accurate mechanism. The UR025.4 product depicts both continental shelf convection and the export of Dense Shelf Water to the open ocean. Although the accuracy of the AABW formation in this reanalysis product represents an advancement in the representation of the Southern Ocean dynamics, the differences between the real and simulated processes suggest that substantial improvements in the ocean reanalysis products are still needed to accurately represent AABW formation.
O Desenvolvimento Humano em ambientes metropolitanos: subsídios teóricos e metodológicos para a mensuração estatística
Authors: Pinheiro Alencar Diego , Lacerda Ribeiro Viana Juheina
Published: November 2017

ResumoO levantamento de varáveis vinculado ao desenvolvimento humano se apresenta sempre enquanto exercício complexo, fato que é otimizado quando se trata de ambientes metropolitanos. Esserecorte espacial é caracterizado dentre outros fatores, por intensas contradições socioeconomicas, materializadas em diferentes contextos, como habitação, acesso à bens e consumo e oportunidades de mobilidade. Os deslocamentos intrametropolitanos são apresentados enquantopossibilidade de integração das demandas metropolitanas, fato que o torna a mobilidade, elemento central na discussão da qualidade de vida nos ambientes metropolitanos. Nesse sentido, a produção/organização dos indicadores relacionados ao desenvolvimento humano em Regiões Metropolitanas, se caracteriza como proposta negligente quando desconsidera os elementos relacionados aos deslocamentos populacionais cotidianos.Palavras-Chave: Desenvolvimento Humano; Regiões Metropolitanas; Indicadores Estatísticos. AbstractThe gathering of variables linked to human development is always presented as a complex exercise, fact optimized when the subject is metropolitan environments. This spatial scope is characterized, among other factors, for intense social and economic contradictions, materialized in different contexts as housing, access to goods and oportunities of mobility. The intrametropolitan displacements are presented as possibility of integration of metropolitan demands, fact that turns mobility a central element in the discussion of life quality in metropolitan environments. Thus, the production/organization of indexes related to human development in Metropolitan Regions characterize itself as a negligent proposal when elements related to daily population displacements are not considered.Keywords: Human Development. Metropolitan Regions. Statistical Indexes. ResumenLa encuesta de variables relacionadas con el desarrollo humano se presenta siempre como un ejercicio complejo, un hecho que se optimiza cuando se trata de entornos metropolitanos. Esta área espacial se caracteriza, entre otros factores, por las contradicciones socioeconómicas intensas incorporadas en diferentes contextos, como la vivienda, el acceso a los bienes y las oportunidades de consumo y movilidad. Los desplazamientos intra-metropolitanos san presentados mientras posibilidad para integración de las demandas metropolitanas, un hecho que hace la movilidad un elemento central en la discusión a respecto de la calidad de vida en entornos metropolitanos. En este sentido, la  producción / organización de los indicadores relacionados con el desarrollo humano en las áreas metropolitanas se  caracteriza por ser una propuesta negligente cuando no tiene en cuenta los elementos relacionados con el  desplazamiento diario de la población.Palabras clave: Desarrollo Humano; Las áreas metropolitanas; Los indicadores estadísticos.
Território Usado: o elo perdido no federalismo brasileiro
Authors: Carloto Denis Ricardo
Published: November 2017

ResumoO texto tem como objetivo refletir sobre a categoria território usado na constituição da federação brasileira com o intuito de diminuir as desigualdades socioespaciais existentes no país. Entende-se que o território usado é um dos elos para o fortalecimento do federalismo brasileiro na construção de uma nação forte, democrática e consolidada. Reforça-se a ideia de que o federalismo é pacto entre diferentes que se uniram em prol da igualdade e combate as desigualdades, mantendo as diversidades e diferenças. Igualdade esta tanto social quanto política, econômica e cultural não para homogeneizar a sociedade, mas para garantir os usos mais igualitários. Não é também entendido como a igualdade das unidades federadas no que se refere ao tamanho da superfície e da população, como muitas vezes planejada.Palavras-chave: Território Usado; Federalismo; Desigualdades Socioespaciais; Fragmentação; Solidariedade. AbstractThe objective of the text is to consider carefully the category used territory in the constitution of the Brazilian federation with the aim of reducing the socialspatial inequalities that there are in the world. We understand that the used territory is one of the links for the strengthening of the Brazilian federalism in the building of a consolidated   democratic strong nation. We give additional force to the idea that federalism is an agreement among the different units. And these have joined together on the behalf of equality to strive against inequalities, maintaining the diversities and differences.  equality is not to make homogeneous but to guarantee more equalitarian uses. Also we do not understand as the equality of the federal units concerning the size of the area and the population as it is planned many times.Keywords : Used territory; Federalism; Socialspatial inequalities; Fragmentation;Solidarity.                                      RésuméLe texte a comme objectif réfléchir sur la catégorie territoire usé dans la constitution de la fédération brésilienne qui a comme but réduire les inégalités sociospatiaux existentes au pays. On comprend que le territoire usé est un lien pour le renforcement du fédéralisme brésilien  dans la construction d`une nation forte, démocratique et consolidée. On renforce l´idée  de que le fédéralisme est  un pacte entre différents, qu´ on se réunit en faveur d´égalité et d´affronter les inégalités, en conservant les diversités et les différences. Égalité celle-ci autant sociale que politique, économique et culturelle, pas pour homogénéiser la societé, mais pour assurer les usages plus égalitaires. Cela n´est pas aussi compris comme l´égalité des unités fédérés dans ce qui concerne la taille de la surface et de la population, comme beaucoup de fois planifiées.Mots-clé: Territoire Usé; Fédéralisme; Inégalités; Sociospatiaux; Fragmentation; Solidarité.
Beyond School Records: The Value of Cognitive and Affective Engagement in Predicting Dropout and On-Time Graduation
Authors: Lovelace Matthew D. , Reschly Amy L. , Appleton James J.
Published: November 2017

Early warning systems use school record data— such as attendance rate, behavior records, and course performance—to identify students at risk of dropping out. These are useful predictors of graduation-related outcomes, in large part because they indicate a student's level of engagement with school. However, these data do not indicate how invested students are in education—information that could help school counselors and other staff understand and intervene when students are falling off the path to graduation. To examine whether student engagement surveys have additional predictive value beyond data readily available in school databases, we followed a cohort of students, who completed a survey of cognitive/affective engagement as ninth graders, to one year beyond their expected high school graduation. Some engagement factors measured by the survey met rigorous tests of predictive value in terms of identifying which students were falling off the graduation path, even when controlling for other powerful predictors of the outcome.
Aplicando método do gradiente ótimo na otimização do cálculo do grau de cobertura das regras em árvores de decisão Fuzzy
Authors: Junior Luiz Antonio Ferreira do Nascimento
Published: November 2017

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um levantamento na literatura sobre as técnicas aplicadas para confecção de arvores de decisão fuzzy e comparar algumas delas com o objetivo de analisar sua performance para comprovar a aplicabilidade do método de otimização no cálculo de cobertura de cada regra gerada através de arvores de decisão fuzzy nos mais diversos problemas existentes no mundo real. Os algoritmos abordados neste trabalho são o FID3, FuzzyDT, FCART, FlexDT e uma versão modificada do FuzzyDT chamada FuzzyDTC.
Comparando algoritmos de otimização computacional aplicados ao problema de predição de estruturas proteicas com modelo HP-2D
Authors: Brasil Christiane Regina Soares , Dias Julia Manfrin
Published: November 2017

Os métodos de otimização computacional são largamente aplicados a diversos tipos de problemas complexos a fim de encontrar soluções para os mesmos. Neste trabalho, os métodos de otimização estudados foram o Algoritmo Evolutivo (AE) e a Otimização por Colônia de Formiga (ACO – Ant Colony Optimization). Ambos são bioinspirados, isto é, são baseados em processos que ocorrem na natureza. Neste caso específico, o AE e o ACO foram utilizados para encontrar soluções ao desafiador problema de predição de proteínas (PSP – Protein Structure Problem), caracterizado como um problema não polinomial. Foi realizada uma comparação entre estes dois métodos aplicados ao PSP usando modelo HP-2D com algumas sequências específicas, tanto do ponto de vista computacional quanto bioquímico. Os resultados mostraram que o ACO é melhor em termo de energia, enquanto que o AE é mais adequado em termo de tempo, especialmente para proteínas maiores.
Editorial
Authors: Hölbig Carlos Amaral
Published: November 2017

Apresentação do vigésimo número da Revista Brasileira de Computação Aplicada por parte do editor da revista.
PRÁTICAS DE ALEITAMENTO MATERNO EXCLUSIVO ENTRE PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE DE UM HOSPITAL AMIGO DA CRIANÇA
Authors: Melo Rayanne Sousa , Costa Ana Cristina Pereira de Jesus , Dos Santos Leonardo Hunaldo , Saldan Paula Chuproski , Santos Neto Marcelino , Santos Floriacy Stabnow
Published: November 2017

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo entre profissionais de saúde em hospital credenciado como Amigo da Criança e as variáveis de risco para a não adesão ao aleitamento materno exclusivo. Estudo transversal realizado entre janeiro e junho de 2014, com 53 profissionais da saúde que tiveram filhos enquanto trabalhavam em hospital no interior do Maranhão. Dados coletados de instrumento estruturado. Praticaram aleitamento materno exclusivo, até o sexto mês, 15 (28,3%) profissionais. Facilitou o aleitamento, o alojamento conjunto (n=45/ 84,9%), apoio para amamentar por profissionais de saúde, amigos ou familiares (n=43/ 81,1%). Dificultaram o aleitamento materno fissuras de mamilo (n=22/ 41,5%), dor (n=20/ 37,7%), mastite (n=11/ 20,7%), ingestão de leites industrializados (n=nove/ 17%), água (n=seis/ 11,3%) e chás (n=quatro/ 7,5%). O fato de serem profissionais trabalhadoras em hospital “Amigo da Criança” não influenciou de forma positiva no tempo de aleitamento materno exclusivo.
FATORES ASSOCIADOS AO TABAGISMO EM USUÁRIOS DA ESTRATÉGIA SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA
Authors: Müller Erildo Vicente , Da Silva Makcine Timm , Grden Clovis Regina Blanski , Reche Péricles Martins , Borges Pollyanna Kassia de Oliveira , De Souza Jacy Aurélia Vieira
Published: November 2017

Objetivou-se identificar fatores associados ao tabagismo em usuários da estratégia saúde da família. Estudo epidemiológico transversal, descritivo e analítico. A amostra por conveniência compreendeu 100 indivíduos usuários de uma Unidade Saúde da Família de um município da região centro sul do Paraná. Houve predomínio das mulheres (n=63; 63%), com média de idade de 49,5 anos, cor branca (n=82; 82%), com ensino fundamental completo (n=21; 21%) e casados (n=49; 49%). O consumo médio diário de cigarro foi de 17,7 cigarros/dia e 56 (56%) participantes apresentavam grau de dependência muito elevado ou elevado à nicotina. Constatou-se associação entre a média de tempo de tabagismo e idade (p=0,001), estado civil viúvo (p=0,035), colesterol elevado (p=0,035), uso de anti-hipertensivo (p=0,031) e grau de dependência a nicotina muito elevada (p=0,008). A identificação dos fatores associados ao tabagismo possibilita à equipe de saúde buscar e planejar estratégias de prevenção, tratamento e acompanhamento dos tabagistas.
REPERCUSSÃO DA QUIMIOTERAPIA NO COMBATE AO CÂNCER: A EXPERIÊNCIA DE UM GRUPO AMAZÔNICO
Authors: Da Silva Silvio Eder Dias , Da Costa Joel Lobato , Moura Adriana Alaíde Alves , Araújo Jeferson Santos , Dos Santos Arielle Lima , Ferreira Amanda Leticia Dos Santos
Published: November 2017

O objetivo deste relato foi descrever a experiência acadêmica adquirida sobre o cotidiano do paciente oncológico em quimioterapia, construído junto a um projeto extensionista em um hospital universitário, compreendido entre março de 2015 e fevereiro de 2016, contendo um contingente em média de 20 participantes por atividade desenvolvida. Apontamos que os pacientes e profissionais enfrentam grandes desafios, como o conhecimento sobre a função da terapêutica da forma relevante que permita a participação ativa do paciente e família durante a sistematização dos cuidados ao paciente. Acreditamos que a aproximação prévia dos acadêmicos com os pacientes constitui-se em um instrumento que viabiliza o aperfeiçoamento e especialização em cuidados oncológicos em quimioterapia.
FATORES DE RISCO PARA O CÂNCER DE PRÓSTATA: POPULAÇÃO DE UMA UNIDADE BÁSICA DE SAÚDE
Authors: Czorny Rildo César Nunes , Pinto Maria Helena , Pompeo Daniele Alcalá , Bereta Denise , Cardoso Luciana Ventura , Da Silva Dorival Marques
Published: November 2017

O estudo objetivou identificar os fatores de risco para o câncer de próstata entre homens atendidos durante o mês de novembro de 2015, em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do estado de São Paulo. Estudo descritivo, transversal e de abordagem quantitativa, composta por 150 usuários homens que compareceram na unidade para realização de consulta e/ou acolhimento de enfermagem. Os fatores de risco com maior relevância foram idade, nível de escolaridade, sedentarismo, uso de bebida alcoólica, ingestão de carne vermelha, leite e gorduras e Índice de Massa Corporal aumentado. O exame de rastreio mais realizado foi o Antígeno Prostático Específico, seguido do toque retal. O número de participantes que apresentou algum fator de risco para o câncer de próstata foi elevado, observou-se que a história familiar da doença motiva os homens a procurarem por medidas de prevenção, com a realização de consulta com o urologista e exames de rastreio.
Are Inventories Accretive? Lessons from Inventory and Earnings Relationship in the U.S. Capital Goods Sector
Authors: Ray Achintya
Published: November 2017

I present results documenting the effects of inventories (considered as current assets) on corporate earnings in the US capital goods industry. The results reveal that inventories may have a negative impact on corporate earnings. Therefore, shareholder wealth may be negatively impacted by carrying inventories in US capital goods sector. Carrying inventories may be crowding out non-inventory assets. Interestingly, higher inventories may lead to depressed overall sales. Depressed overall sales may contribute to further reduction in non-inventory assets. This reduction in non-inventory assets may further result in lower corporate earnings. These significant results strengthen the need for optimal inventory management and also call for a more nuanced treatment of inventories in the standard accounting literature. The results also strengthen the popular rationale for lean supply chain management. This paper contributes to the literature on the close relationship between operational efficiency and corporate financial outcomes.
Self-esteem of Saudi Learners and Its Relationship to Their Achievement in English as a Foreign Language
Authors: Alrabai Fakieh
Published: November 2017

This study examined the concept of language self-esteem among 263 Saudi learners of English as a foreign Language (EFL) and its association with their achievement in this language. The study utilized a questionnaire survey for data collection and descriptive statistical analyses (e.g. mean, standard deviation, correlations) and a t-test for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.414) between learners' self-esteem and their EFL achievement. In addition, participating learners demonstrated low levels of self-esteem (M = 2.94 (out of 5), SD = .44); and low language achievement (M = 62.80 (out of 100), SD = 12.75). There were also no significant differences between male and female learners in terms of both their self-esteem and EFL achievement. The findings derived from this study acknowledge the vital need for all the partners of EFL teaching/learning process in Saudi Arabia to find practical solutions to build and promote Saudi EFL learners' self-esteem for learning the English language. Based on these findings, some suggestions on how to put learner's self-esteem into practice in order to ensure optimal EFL learning outcomes as well as other points for possible future self-esteem research are presented in the concluding section of this paper.
Scrum Methodology in Higher Education: Innovation in Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Authors: Jurado-Navas Antonio , Munoz-Luna Rosa
Published: November 2017

The present paper aims to detail the experience developed in a classroom of English Studies from the Spanish University of Málaga, where an alternative project-based learning methodology has been implemented. Such methodology is inspired by scrum sessions widely extended in technological companies where staff members work in teams and are assigned tasks within long-termed projects. Students were initially reluctant and afraid to work in teams but, as the experience advanced, their point of view was changing. Thus they positively stated that this methodology encouraged themselves to participate and to change ideas, with a deeper feeling of empathy, self-organisation and self-knowledge. At the end, most of the students declared they would participate again in a similar activity. Hence, considering the opinions from the students (and also from the teachers), and after observing the whole experience and analyzing the documents generated in an electronic portfolio, we think this method can be considered as a good proposal to accomplish a teaching-learning process of high quality at universities for three main reasons: first, it improves the capacity of using the knowledge in a disciplined, critical and creative way; second, it promotes the coexistence in heterogeneous human groups; and third, it develops the capacity of thinking, living and acting with complete autonomy.
The Role of Motivation and Creativity in Sustaining Volunteerism of Citizenship for Positive Youth Development after the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Oie Mayumi
Published: November 2017

This paper examined how the interdisciplinary field of volunteer motivation and creativity research helps improve our understanding of social issues. This research focused on the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011, and discussed how volunteer motivations support volunteer activities, positive youth development and citizenship from the perspective of sociocultural and self-determination theories Next, volunteerism based on prosocial behaviors was explored, such as improvement of victims’ lives after the disaster. Despite the positive effect of volunteer activities on lifespan youth development, volunteer assistance within the stricken area has gradually declined during the past year compared to the period immediately after the disaster, when there were a substantial number of volunteers. To sustain volunteer motivation for longer periods, interdisciplinary studies within the areas of psychology and leisure are necessary. This research outlined three important interdisciplinary concepts, which are necessary to recover from the disaster: identity formation, collaborative creativity, and community citizenship. Volunteering as extracurricular activities for undergraduate and prospective teachers can strengthen their own and students’ rich and deep life course in future.
The Analysis of Hypothesis Testing on Rare Sugars in Kagawa Prefecture
Authors: Takeyasu Hiromasa , Higuchi Yuki , Tanaka Masazumi , Matsushita Yumiko , Takeyasu Kazuhiro
Published: November 2017

The Rare Sugars exist naturally and have many kinds (more than 50). They have good effect for health such as prevention of increasing the blood‐sugar level after eating, suppression of fat accumulation, suppression of increasing the blood pressure, and anti-oxidative effect etc. It is in the spotlight for many people especially for those who are in the metabolic syndrome. The Rare Sugars are prevailing in Japan by such activities as cooking class where the Rare Sugars are utilized for the new cuisine. There are few related papers concerning the marketing research and its utilization of this matter. In this paper, a questionnaire investigation is executed to the student of Kagawa Junior College in order to clarify consumers’ current condition and their consciousness, and to seek the possibility of utilizing the Rare Sugars. Fundamental statistical analysis and Hypothesis Testing analysis are executed based on that. Some interesting and instructive results were obtained.
The Effectiveness of Strategic Relationship Marketing: Exploring Relationship Quality towards Customer Loyalty
Authors: Lian Song Bee , Yoong Liew Chee
Published: November 2017

This study examines customer satisfaction, trust, control mutuality and communication as determinants of relationship quality and customer loyalty in relationship marketing. The study focuses on Malaysian telecommunication industry in the business-to-customer context. The structural equation modelling technique is used to empirically test the proposed hypotheses based on the sample size of 405 customers collected by a questionnaire survey. Trust had the greatest positive influence on relationship quality, followed by satisfaction. Subsequently, there was no significant effect of control mutuality and communication on relationship quality. Customer loyalty was significantly affected by relationship quality. The contribution of this paper is twofold. From a theoretical perspective, the social exchange theory is validated and it offers both a conceptual foundation and empirical-based evaluation of customer loyalty through the context of relationship quality. In the practical perspective, the findings proposed useful information to the telecommunication service providers in developing more effective relationship marketing strategies to build better relationship quality and customer loyalty.
Accelerated Life Test Sampling Plans under Progressive Type II Interval Censoring with Random Removals
Authors: Tse Siu Keung , Ding Chang
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates the design of accelerated life test (ALT) sampling plans under progressive Type II interval censoring with random removals. For ALT sampling plans with two over-stress levels, the optimal stress levels and the allocation proportions to them are obtained by minimizing the asymptotic generalized variance of the maximum likelihood estimation of model parameters. The required sample size and the acceptability constant which satisfy given levels of producer’s risk and consumer’s risk are found. ALT sampling plans with three over-stress levels are also considered under some specific settings. The properties of the derived ALT sampling plans under different parameter values are investigated by a numerical study. Some interesting patterns, which can provide useful insight to practitioners in related areas, are found. The true acceptance probabilities are computed using a Monte Carlo simulation and the results show that the accuracy of the derived ALT sampling plans is satisfactory. A numerical example is also provided for illustrative purpose.
Profiling of Phenolic Compounds in Sprouted Common Beans and Bambara Groundnuts
Authors: Nyau V. , Prakash S. , Rodrigues J. , Farrant J.
Published: November 2017

Consumption of sprouted legumes is a popular trend at household level in Africa at the moment. This study investigated the effect of sprouting on the phenolic phytochemicals of the red bambara groundnuts and red beans. Plant-derived phenolic compounds are important as antioxidants in our diet. Phenolic phytochemical profiling was performed using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS and Folin Ciocalteu assay. There were noticeable changes in the phenolic profiles due to sprouting of the two legumes. The total polyphenol content increased by 1.3-fold and 3-fold after sprouting in red bambara groundnuts and red beans respectively. The HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS profiling of the methanolic extracts of the sprouts revealed new emerging compounds. In red bambara groundnuts, eleven new compounds emerged. The new compounds identified include caffeic acid hexoside, resveratrol glucoside, a caffeic acid derivative, naringenin and kaempferol glucoside. In red beans, eight new compounds emerged. Catechin glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, luteolin hexoside, quercetin glucoside acylated and p-coumaric acid hexoside were new compounds identified. Sprouting therefore enhances the polyphenolic profiles of the two legumes.
E-learning and AMRES in teaching architecture
Authors: Djukic Aleksandra , Mrdjenovic Tatjana , Jokovic Jugoslav J
Published: November 2017

ICT is not only the additional instrument of the Information Society, but also an important catalyst and tool for inducing educational reforms that change our students into productive knowledge workers. There are notions that students should be trained to learn more autonomously and to get access to and digest information more independently which could provide a good basis for life long learning. The research will discuss pros and cons of using AMRES as an e-learning academic platform in academic education in theoretical and practical courses at engineering and architectural studies. The hypothesis is that e-learning concept provides attitude change among students in knowledge development regarding the course subject.
The hypothesis will be tested inside main approaches and attitudes of using ICT in knowledge development, using case study using AMRES at the courses Design of
Open Public Spaces and Studio Project 3, both at Bachelor studies at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade.
E-learning en el campo de la docencia en arquitectura sostenible: aplicación al anàlisis de ventilación natural en la edificación
Authors: López Jiménez P. Amparo
Published: November 2017

La docencia a través de herramientas a distancia (e-learning) utilizando recursos en plataformas que utilizan Internet es cada día más importante. Las razones
para ello son varias: de un lado, los alumnos se encuentran con que el proceso enseñanza- aprendizaje puede adaptarse a sus requerimientos de tiempo y de
comprensión de los conceptos; y de otro lado, los conceptos que se presentan pueden incluir elementos interactivos. En este sentido, las experiencias
desarrolladas por la autora del presente trabajo se centran en el desarrollo de los llamados Objetos de Aprendizaje para la docencia interactiva en el campo de la ventilación natural en la edificación. La experiencia está siendo muy interactiva. A modo de ejemplo, el objeto "Diseño de ventilación sostenible en la edificación"
se encuentra presentado en castellano, pero transcrito a inglés y ha recibido un seguimiento muy importante desde su creación.

Teaching through remote tools (e-learning) using resources on platforms based on Internet is increasingly important. The reasons for this are several: first, students find that the teaching-learning process can be adapted to their time requirements and understanding of concepts. Secondly, the concepts presented may include interactive elements such as videos, spreadsheets, links to other pages updated, etc ... Making that information always available for students is very interesting for them, presenting the most important concepts at every
moment of their curricula. In this sense, the experiences developed by the author of this work focus on the development of so-called "Learning Objects" for
interactive teaching in the field of natural ventilation in buildings. The experience has been very interactive. I.e., the object "Designing sustainable ventilation in buildings" is presented in Spanish, but transcribed into English. Many students have followed this information since it was presented online.
Factores que afectan la salud en los edificios: un tema a ser considerado en la enseñanza de arquitectura
Authors: Medina Soraya , Franco González Fidel
Published: November 2017

Este artículo recoge las conclusiones de un trabajo previo de fin de máster relativas a la sensibilidad química múltiple causada por la gran cantidad de contaminantes químicos
en el interior de las edificaciones. Los campos electromagnéticos de baja frecuencia y microondas son otros de los contaminantes que han provocado el fenómeno de la electrosensibilidad. La masificación del uso de materiales sintéticos en los edificios, productos químicos contaminantes y herramientas tecnológicas automatizadas (domótica), están causando un gran impacto negativo en la salud por lo que debería comenzar a inquietar y ser preocupación de los profesionales el contribuir a proteger la salud de sus ocupantes y debería considerarse ampliar la docencia de arquitectura ofreciendo una enseñanza exhaustiva de estos temas a los estudiantes de arquitectura con el fin de evitar la mala praxis futura.

In this paper the results of a previous study master on multiple chemical sensitivity caused by the large number of chemical contaminants inside buildings and electromagnetic fields of low frequency and microwave are collected are other pollutants that have caused electrosensitivity phenomenon. The mass use of synthetic materials, chemical pollutants, automated technological tools (automation), is causing a negative impact on health. So you should start to worry and be concerned for construction professionals that beyond providing a space for housing help protect the health of its occupants. Just as it should be considered seriously expand the lecture in the teaching of architecture offering a complete teaching of these subjects to students of architecture in order to avoid future unknowns and bad practice, as is currently evident.
History … never repeat yourself! Breaking the ‘history of architecture’ pedagogy in university education
Authors: Ismail Ayman M
Published: November 2017

This paper asks the following question: can university architecture students benefit from a change, more engaging and fun approach to learning history of
architecture through drama? It presents the findings of a 5-year old pioneering project to spear-head a mood-change in teaching History of Architecture for
university architecture students in Egypt. The approach, to be called “Collaborative Character Dramatization or CCD”; puts the student at the steering wheel of the
course through a number of exciting activities that involve integrating drama and multimedia production of many types into their learning cycle. Rather than just
memorizing a style or a school, student self-learn about the architect, institutions, society and events that shaped the architect’s style in an exciting and creative media
production of their choice. Pre-and-post-drama surveys, word-clouds and personal observation of the students showed amazing results: a group of very inspired and
learned students, whose course objectives fulfillment rates were very high, and with impacts on their own awareness and personality exceeding the course boundaries. The findings were consistent and progressing throughout the years, producing a new breed of motivated, confident and creative students.
Sostenibilidad y otras demandas contraintuitivas de la pedagogía de la creatividad
Authors: Mestre Nieves , Roig Eduardo
Published: November 2017

Numerosos organismos internacionales han resaltado la urgencia e importancia de una educación para la sostenibilidad en todos los ámbitos educativos y especialmente en el universitario (Aznar et al. 2010). Sus
profundos efectos sobre las áreas de conocimiento relacionadas con la creatividad aplicada precisan de una fuerte renovación pedagógica, que las actuales estructuras académicas politécnicas pueden encajar con dificultad. Frente a la mirada focal de la didáctica clásica, esta pedagogía requiere la ejercitación de la mirada periférica propia de un nuevo contexto centrífugo.
Debemos rediseñar una herramienta que permita superar la “falacia mecanicista” sostenida por la disciplina durante todo el siglo pasado y que ha consolidado la separación de las ciencias ambientales respecto del diseño
arquitectónico (Roaf y Bairstow 2008: 4).

Numerous international organizations have highlighted the urgency and importance of education for sustainability in all areas of education, especially at university (Aznar et al. 2010). Its effects on knowledge areas related to applied creativity require a strong educational reform, which current Polytechnic academic structures can match up with difficulty. Against the focal view of classical didactic, this pedagogy requires a training on peripheral view
towards a new centrifugal context. We should envisage a tool to overcome the "mechanistic fallacy" sustained by the discipline over the last century, which has consolidated the separation of environmental science from architectural
design (Roaf and Bairstow 2008: 4).