bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Superconvergence of Energy Conserving Local Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Wave Equations
Authors: Cao Waixiang , Li Dongfang , Zhang Zhimin
Published: December 2016

This paper is concerned with numerical solutions of the LDG method for 1D wave equations. Superconvergence and energy conserving properties have been studied. We first study the superconvergence phenomenon for linear problems when alternating fluxes are used. We prove that, under some proper initial discretization, the numerical trace of the LDG approximation at nodes, as well as the cell average, converge with an order 2k+1. In addition, we establishk+2-th order andk+1-th order superconvergence rates for the function value error and the derivative error at Radau points, respectively. As a byproduct, we prove that the LDG solution is superconvergent with an orderk+2 towards the Radau projection of the exact solution. Numerical experiments demonstrate that in most cases, our error estimates are optimal, i.e., the error bounds are sharp. In the second part, we propose a fully discrete numerical scheme that conserves the discrete energy. Due to the energy conserving property, after long time integration, our method still stays accurate when applied to nonlinear Klein-Gordon and Sine-Gordon equations.
A Mathematical Analysis of Scale Similarity
Authors: Wang Z. J. , Li Yanan
Published: December 2016

Scale similarity is found in many natural phenomena in the universe, from fluid dynamics to astrophysics. In large eddy simulations of turbulent flows, some sub-grid scale (SGS) models are based on scale similarity. The earliest scale similarity SGS model was developed by Bardina et al., which produced SGS stresses with good correlation to the true stresses. In the present study, we perform a mathematical analysis of scale similarity. The analysis has revealed that the ratio of the resolved stress to the SGS stress isγ2, whereγis the ratio of the second filter width to the first filter width, under the assumption of small filter width. The implications of this analysis are discussed in the context of large eddy simulation.
High Order Accurate Direct Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian ADER-MOOD Finite Volume Schemes for Non-Conservative Hyperbolic Systems with Stiff Source Terms
Authors: Boscheri Walter , Loubère Raphaël
Published: December 2016

In this paper we present a 2D/3D high order accurate finite volume scheme in the context of direct Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian algorithms for general hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations with non-conservative products and stiff source terms. This scheme is constructed with a single stencil polynomial reconstruction operator, a one-step space-time ADER integration which is suitably designed for dealing even with stiff sources, a nodal solver with relaxation to determine the mesh motion, a path-conservative integration technique for the treatment of non-conservative products and ana posterioristabilization procedure derived from the so-called Multidimensional Optimal Order Detection (MOOD) paradigm. In this work we consider the seven equation Baer-Nunziato model of compressible multi-phase flows as a representative model involving non-conservative products as well as relaxation source terms which are allowed to become stiff. The new scheme is validated against a set of test cases on 2D/3D unstructured moving meshes on parallel machines and the high order of accuracy achieved by the method is demonstrated by performing a numerical convergence study. Classical Riemann problems and explosion problems with exact solutions are simulated in 2D and 3D. The overall numerical code is also profiled to provide an estimate of the computational cost required by each component of the whole algorithm.
Локально изометричные накрытия группы Ли $\mathrm{SO}_0(2,1)$ со специальной субримановой метрикой
Authors: Berestovskii Valerii Nikolaevich , Zubareva Irina Aleksandrovna
Published: December 2016

Найдены геодезические, кратчайшие, сопряженные множества, множества раздела и расстояния на локально изометричных накрытиях группы Ли $\mathrm{SO}_0(2,1)$ с левоинвариантной субримановой метрикой, правоинвариантной относительно подгруппы Ли $1\oplus \mathrm{SO}(2)\subset \mathrm{SO}_0(2,1)$.
Библиография: 18 названий.
Об устранимых особенностях голоморфных функций
Authors: Chirka Evgenii Mikhailovich
Published: December 2016

Доказываются несколько достаточных условий устранимости особых множеств нулевой площади для голоморфных функций в плоских областях и на римановых поверхностях при некоторых метрических и
топологических условиях на предельные множества функций и их графиков.
Библиография: 14 названий.
Clinical Markers of Reperfusion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Its Prognostic Significance
Authors: Varma Anuj , Chillawar Swapnil , Kamble T , Acharya Sourya
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Thrombolysis in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a landmark event in the management as it has changed the outcomes. Clinical signs after thrombolysis in AMI may have a better correlation with functional reperfusion than the isolated image of angiographic patency.

Aims and objectives: To study successful clinical reperfusion (SCR) noninvasively using clinical markers of reperfusion. To evaluate the prognostic value of clinical markers of reperfusion in predicting early (30 days) prognosis after thrombolysis in AMI. To observe the effect of age, location of MI, presence of previous infarction, Killip's class at admission, and presence of clinical reperfusion assessed noninvasively on early (30 days) prognosis after AMI.

Materials and methods: All the patients were thrombolyzed (using streptokinase). Successful clinical reperfusion was defined by the presence of at least two of the following criteria at 2 hours of starting treatment: (1) Significant relief of pain (50% or more), (2) 50% or more reduction in sum of ST segment elevation, (3) abrupt initial rise of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) level, more than two-fold over upper normal or baseline values.

Results: Duration of symptoms (min) mean ± SD was nearly the same in two groups (94.80 ± 13.68 vs 96.19 ± 17) but early thrombolysis resulted in better outcome (0.01 S, p < 0.05). killips class at admission (KAD) > OR = 2, n (%) led to worsened fate of thrombolysis. Death n (%) occurred in 7 (8.75%) patients with 1 (1.25%) from SCR (+) group and 6 (7.5%) from SCR (–) group (0.01 S, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: It is concluded that Killip's class at admission of more than or equal to two and absence of SCR are the predictors of mortality after thrombolysis. Absence of SCR defines a group of patients with poorer prognosis after thrombolysis and in such patients alternative strategies of reperfusion should be considered.
Mandibular Bone Mineral Density to predict Skeletal Osteoporosis: A Literature Review
Authors: Pisulkar Sweta , Pisulkar Gajanan , Pakhan Ashok , Godbole Surekha , Dahane Trupti
Published: December 2016

Until and unless the disease is recognized as a disease entity, a little progress has been made in understanding its etiology and in developing a predictable treatment planning, restoration, and prevention of the tissues. In a process carried out to study a disease entity, whether it be cardiac disease, dental caries, or periodontal disease, it is helpful to study its pathology (the gross and microscopic structural changes of the disease), its pathophysiology (the mechanisms or disordered functions of the disease), its pathogenesis (the life history), and its epidemiology (the worldwide prevalence of the disease and various interrelated factors). The ultimate aim of such researches is the better understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, and thereby with such understanding leading to a predictable treatment planning and ultimately the prevention or control of these factors. Osteoporosis is a major health entity affecting the elderly population and thereby resulting in approximately 1.3 million spontaneous fractures in the USA every year. The above clinical condition is a deficiency of bone mass, or skeletal osteopenia, to that level where bone cannot provide adequate mechanical support. Many of the reported studies used inadequate measures of both skeletal and mandibular bone in evaluating their possible relationships. This literature review attempts to determine relationships between the total skeletal bone mass and bone mass of the mandible in the population suffering with osteoporosis.
Accentuated Skin Markings: A Clinical Clue for Idiopathic Eruptive Macular Pigmentation
Authors: Khare Stuti , Madke Bhushan , Singh Adarshlata
Published: December 2016

Idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation (IEMP) is a distinct clinicopathologic entity of which less cases have been reported in the literature. We report here a case of a 16-year-old boy who had completely asymptomatic brownish-colored lesions distributed over the trunk, back, and upper limbs since 4 months, and histopathologic findings showed features consistent with diagnosis of IEMP with one additional finding having papillomatosis with moderate acanthosis. We are reporting this case with additional clinical finding that is accentuated skin markings similar to acanthosis on dermoscopy, which aid in clinical diagnosis of this less reported entity. This helps avoidance of unnecessary treatment for this self-resolving state.
Fostering Full Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Marr Deborah
Published: December 2016

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a widely endorsed concept, but many occupational therapy practitioners would like to be more informed and supported in its full implementation. They need information on the evolving definitions and concepts of EBP, encouragement to develop and adopt EBP models that link to occupational therapy’s professional values, and methods that translate evidence into answers for clinical questions. This column discusses these needs and makes recommendations to the American Occupational Therapy Association for addressing them.
The watching eyes effect on charitable donation is boosted by fewer people in the vicinity
Authors: Oda Ryo , Ichihashi Ryota
Published: December 2016

Previous field experiments have found that artificial surveillance cues facilitated prosocial behaviors such as charitable donations and littering. Several previous field studies found that the artificial surveillance cue effect was stronger when few individuals were in the vicinity; however, others reported that the effect was stronger in large groups of people. Here, we report the results of a field study examining the effect of an artificial surveillance cue (stylized eyes) on charitable giving. Three collection boxes were placed in different locations around an izakaya (a Japanese-style tavern) for 84 days. The amount donated was counted each experimental day, and the izakaya staff provided the number of patrons who visited each day. We found that the effect of the stylized eyes was more salient when fewer patrons were in the izakaya. Our findings suggest that the effect of the artificial surveillance cue is similar to that of “real” cues and that the effect on charitable giving may weaken when people habituate to being watched by “real” eyes.
Gridded uncertainty in fossil fuel carbon dioxide emission maps, a CDIAC example
Authors: Andres Robert J. , Boden Thomas A. , Higdon David M.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Due to a current lack of physical measurements at appropriate spatial and temporal scales, all current global maps and distributions of fossil fuel carbon dioxide (FFCO2) emissions use one or more proxies to distribute those emissions. These proxies and distribution schemes introduce additional uncertainty into these maps. This paper examines the uncertainty associated with the magnitude of gridded FFCO2 emissions. This uncertainty is gridded at the same spatial and temporal scales as the mass magnitude maps. This gridded uncertainty includes uncertainty contributions from the spatial, temporal, proxy, and magnitude components used to create the magnitude map of FFCO2 emissions. Throughout this process, when assumptions had to be made or expert judgment employed, the general tendency in most cases was toward overestimating or increasing the magnitude of uncertainty. The results of the uncertainty analysis reveal a range of 4–190 %, with an average of 120 % (2σ) for populated and FFCO2-emitting grid spaces over annual timescales. This paper also describes a methodological change specific to the creation of the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) FFCO2 emission maps: the change from a temporally fixed population proxy to a temporally varying population proxy.
The impact of historical land use change from 1850 to 2000 on secondary particulate matter and ozone
Authors: Heald Colette L. , Geddes Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Anthropogenic land use change (LUC) since preindustrial (1850) has altered the vegetation distribution and density around the world. We use a global model (GEOS-Chem) to assess the attendant changes in surface air quality and the direct radiative forcing (DRF). We focus our analysis on secondary particulate matter and tropospheric ozone formation. The general trend of expansion of managed ecosystems (croplands and pasturelands) at the expense of natural ecosystems has led to an 11 % decline in global mean biogenic volatile organic compound emissions. Concomitant growth in agricultural activity has more than doubled ammonia emissions and increased emissions of nitrogen oxides from soils by more than 50 %. Conversion to croplands has also led to a widespread increase in ozone dry deposition velocity. Together these changes in biosphere–atmosphere exchange have led to a 14 % global mean increase in biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA) surface concentrations, a doubling of surface aerosol nitrate concentrations, and local changes in surface ozone of up to 8.5 ppb. We assess a global mean LUC-DRF of +0.017, −0.071, and −0.01 W m−2 for BSOA, nitrate, and tropospheric ozone, respectively. We conclude that the DRF and the perturbations in surface air quality associated with LUC (and the associated changes in agricultural emissions) are substantial and should be considered alongside changes in anthropogenic emissions and climate feedbacks in chemistry–climate studies.
Antarctic climate and ice sheet configuration during a peak-warmth Early Pliocene interglacial
Authors: Golledge Nicholas R. , Thomas Zoë A. , Levy Richard H. , Gasson Edward G. W. , Naish Timothy R. , McKay Robert M. , Kowalewski Douglas E. , Fogwill Christopher J.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The geometry of Antarctic ice sheets during warm periods of the geological past is difficult to determine from geological evidence, but is important to know because such reconstructions enable a more complete understanding of how the ice-sheet system responds to changes in climate. Here we investigate how Antarctica evolved under orbital and greenhouse gas conditions representative of a peak warmth interglacial in the early Pliocene at 4.23 Ma. Using offline-coupled climate and ice-sheet models, together with palaeoenvironmental proxy data to define a likely climate envelope, we simulate a range of ice-sheet geometries and calculate their likely contribution to sea level. In addition, we use these simulations to investigate the processes by which the West and East Antarctic ice sheets respond to environmental forcings and the timescales over which these behaviours manifest. We conclude that the Antarctic ice sheet contributed approximately 8.5 m to global sea level at this time, under an atmospheric CO2 concentration identical to present (400 ppm). Warmer-than-present ocean temperatures led to the collapse of West Antarctica over centuries, whereas higher air temperatures initiated surface melting in parts of East Antarctica that over one to two millennia led to lowering of the ice-sheet surface, flotation of grounded margins in some areas, and retreat of the ice sheet into the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. The results show that regional variations in climate, ice-sheet geometry, and topography produce long-term sea-level contributions that are non-linear with respect to the applied forcings, and which under certain conditions exhibit threshold behaviour associated with behavioural tipping points.
On ZRP wind input term consistency in Hasselmann equation
Authors: Zakharov Vladimir , Resio Donald , Pushkarev Andrei
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The new ZRP wind input source term (Zakharov et al., 2012) is checked for its consistency via numerical simulation of Hasselmann equation. The results are compared to field experimental data, collected at different sites around the world, and theoretical predictions of self-similarity analysis. Good agreement is obtained for limited fetch and time domain statements.
Open-source sea ice drift algorithm for Sentinel-1
SAR imagery using a combination of feature-tracking
and pattern-matching
Authors: Muckenhuber Stefan , Sandven Stein
Published: December 2016

Abstract. An open-source sea ice drift algorithm for Sentinel-1 SAR imagery is introduced based on the combination of feature-tracking and pattern-matching. A computational efficient feature-tracking algorithm produces an initial drift estimate and limits the search area for the pattern-matching, that provides small to medium scale drift adjustments and normalised cross correlation values as quality measure. The algorithm is designed to utilise the respective advantages of the two approaches and allows drift calculation at user defined locations. The pre-processing of the Sentinel-1 data has been optimised to retrieve a feature distribution that depends less on SAR backscatter peak values. A recommended parameter set for the algorithm has been found using a representative image pair over Fram Strait and 350 manually derived drift vectors as validation. Applying the algorithm with this parameter setting, sea ice drift retrieval with a vector spacing of 8 km on Sentinel-1 images covering 400 km x 400 km, takes less than 3.5 minutes on a standard 2.7 GHz processor with 8 GB memory. For validation, buoy GPS data, collected in 2015 between 15th January and 22nd April and covering an area from 81° N to 83.5° N and 12° E to 27° E, have been compared to calculated drift results from 261 corresponding Sentinel-1 image pairs. We found a logarithmic distribution of the error with a peak at 300 m. All software requirements necessary for applying the presented sea ice drift algorithm are open-source to ensure free implementation and easy distribution.
Numerical homogenization of the viscoplastic behavior of snow
based on X-ray tomography images
Authors: Wautier Antoine , Geindreau Christian , Flin Frédéric
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The homogenization techniques recently developed for the numerical study of the elastic behavior of snow are adapted to its non-linear visco-plastic behavior. Based on the definition of kinematically uniform boundary conditions, homogenization problems are applied to 3D-images obtained by X-ray tomography, and the mechanical response of snow samples of different densities is explored. An original post-processing approach in terms of viscous dissipated powers is defined in order to formulate the macroscopic behavior of snow. Then, the ability of Abouaf models to account for snow visco-plastic behavior is shown and a homogenized constitutive equation is proposed based on a density parametrization. Finally, the mechanical responses of snow for classical laboratory tests are analyzed and compared with the proposed model.
Arctic sea ice signatures: L-Band brightness temperature sensitivity
comparison using two radiation transfer models
Authors: Richter Friedrich , Drusch Matthias , Kaleschke Lars , Maaß Nina , Tian-Kunze Xiangshan , Mecklenburg Susanne
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Sea ice is a crucial component for short-, medium- and long term numerical weather predictions. Most importantly changes of sea ice coverage and areas covered by thin sea ice have a large impact on heat fluxes between the ocean and the atmosphere. L-Band brightness temperatures from ESA's first Earth Explorer SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) have been proven to be a valuable tool to estimate mean thin sea ice thicknesses. Potentially, these measurements can be assimilated in forecasting systems to constrain the ice analysis leading to more accurate initial conditions and subsequently more accurate forecasts. As a first step, we use two different radiative transfer models as forward operators to generate top of atmosphere brightness temperatures based on ORAP5 model output for the 2012/2013 winter season. The simulations are then compared against actual SMOS measurements. The results indicate that both models are able to capture the general variability of measured brightness temperatures over sea ice. We identify one model to be favorable for brightness temperature assimilation purposes in the ORAP5 setup. The simulated brightness temperatures are dominated by sea ice coverage and thickness changes most pronounced in the marginal ice zone where new sea ice is formed. There we observe largest differences of more than 20 Kelvin over sea ice between simulated and observed brightness temperatures. We conclude that the assimilation of SMOS brightness temperatures yield high potential for forecasting models to correct for uncertainties in sea ice thicknesses of less than 0.5 meter and caution that uncertainties in sea ice fractional coverage may induce large errors.
The Propensity to Cycle Tool: An open source online system for sustainable transport planning
Authors: Lovelace Robin , Goodman Anna , Aldred Rachel , Berkoff Nikolai , Abbas Ali , Woodcock James
Published: December 2016

Getting people cycling is an increasingly common objective in transport planning institutions worldwide. A growing evidence base indicates that high quality infrastructure can boost local cycling rates. Yet for infrastructure and other cycling measures to be effective, it is important to intervene in the right places, such as along ‘desire lines’ of high latent demand. This creates the need for tools and methods to help answer the question ‘where to build?’. Following a brief review of the policy and research context related to this question, this paper describes the design, features and potential applications of such a tool. The Propensity to Cycle Tool (PCT) is an online, interactive planning support system that was initially developed to explore and map cycling potential across England (see www.pct.bike). Based on origin-destination data it models cycling levels at area, desire line, route and route network levels, for current levels of cycling, and for scenario-based ‘cycling futures.’ Four scenarios are presented, including ‘Go Dutch’ and ‘Ebikes,’ which explore what would happen if English people had the same propensity to cycle as Dutch people and the potential impact of electric cycles on cycling uptake. The cost effectiveness of investment depends not only on the number of additional trips cycled, but on wider impacts such as health and carbon benefits. The PCT reports these at area, desire line, and route level for each scenario. The PCT is open source, facilitating the creation of scenarios and deployment in new contexts. We conclude that the PCT illustrates the potential of online tools to inform transport decisions and raises the wider issue of how models should be used in transport planning.
A Business Model Canvas: Traditional Restaurant “Melayu” in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Indrawan Muhammad Isa , Nasution Muhammad Dharma Tuah Putra , Adil Efrizal , Rossanty Yossie
Published: December 2016

The research purpose is to evaluate the business model on the traditional restaurant in Tanjung Pura, North Sumatera, Indonesia. Business Model Canvas (BMC) consists of customer segments, value propositions, channels, customer relationship, revenue streams, key resources, key activities, key partnership, and cost structure. The research method was used qualitative descriptive analysis. The data collected using in-depth interviews. Analysis TOWS is to evaluate the business model on a traditional restaurant. The authors recommend increasing the intensity to visit the restaurant with the privilege of membership. The next recommendation is to collaborate with the new business partners such as banking, e-traveler, e-destination, and e-restaurant. The traditional restaurant enables to obtain the other revenues of the subscription fee and advertising space. Also, the authors recommend registering the food recipes as the intellectual property.
Effects of a Training Workshop on Taiwan Teachers’ Remedial Instruction: Results from a Case Study
Authors: Hu Wen-Chi
Published: December 2016

The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan proclaimed to strengthen underachievers’
self-esteem and academic performance, the first Teacher Training Workshop on Remedial
Teaching (TTWRT) was designed to cultivate qualified remedial teachers for further
education policy movement. This study aimed to investigate 58 qualified remedial instructors’
perceptions on their professional growth and support requirements under the impact of the
reforms. The aim of this study was to ascertain remedial teachers’ perceptions of demands,
training satisfaction, and professionalism. Four significant findings are that (1) teachers lack
the confidence to teach and promote remediation adequately; (2) teachers face the
miscommunication among students, parents, schools, and administrative staffs; (3) teachers
lack of remedial teaching materials and methods; and (4) teachers hold positive attitudes
towards the professional remediation workshop. The results of this study assess the chances
of success for teacher professional development preparing remedial teachers to implement the
reforms.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Vol. 4, No. 4, December 2016
Authors: Williams Richard
Published: December 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Vol. 4, No. 4, December 2016Journal of Agricultural Studies would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issueReviewers for Volume 4, Number 4 Abhishek A. CukkemaneAftab AlamAriel Reinaldo SotoChenlin HuEwa MoliszewskaGerardo OjedaJeong HwanSahar BahmaniZakaria Fouad Abdallah Zhao Chen  Richard WilliamsEditorJournal of Agricultural Studies-------------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Fax: 1-702-420-2900Email: jas@macrothink.orgURL: http://jas.macrothink.org
Perfil transfusional dos cem primeiros pacientes submetidos a transplante hepático em Fortaleza
Authors: Silva Eliana Lima da , Moreira Francisca Sirlan Alves , Marinho David Silveira , Brasil Ivelise Regina Canito
Published: December 2016

Objetivo: Traçar o perfil transfusional da primeira centena de pacientes submetidos a transplante hepático em um hospital escola, em Fortaleza,Ceará. Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, analítico e retrospectivo. Resultados: Dentre os cem pacientes inicialmente incluídos no estudo,houve dez retransplantes. Um paciente foi excluído do estudo por impossibilidade de acesso ao prontuário. Por esses motivos, 89 prontuários foram analisados.Conclusão: Os pacientes, em sua maioria, eram adultos com idade média de 47 anos, do gênero masculino e com grande prevalência de cirurgiasabdominais prévias. O grupo sanguíneo mais prevalente foi o grupo A, e a principal causa do transplante, a cirrose por álcool. Em média, os pacientesreceberam seis unidades de hemocomponentes, sendo o concentrado de hemácias o mais frequentemente transfundido.
Developing Content-Based Criteria for EFL Textbooks: The Case of Iranian Junior & Senior High School Levels
Authors: Masoomi Mohsen , Rahiminezhad Vida , Abbasian Gholam-Reza
Published: December 2016

Images are part of the content of the English textbooks and since junior high school curriculum is currently being underdevelopment, developing criteria for the images of the content of high school textbooks needs attentive consideration. The images need to be chosen according to the needs of students and those objectives found at the higher level documents. This research is conducted based on mixed approach in which students’ need is surveyed and data gathered by sifting through the higher level documents. Also, exploring the goals and objectives of the higher level documents, the criteria are obtained and determined by which the content was developed. In addition, the Delphi method is applied to measure the validity of the developed content. The study population at this research consisted of all students in the seventh grade (the first grade of high school), the third grade Secondary School and the first grade high school in five provinces of Iran, including Tehran, Semnan, Kurdistan, Khuzestan and East Azerbaijan counting 394 boys and 396 girls who completed the questionnaire. Also, 10 accessible experts and practitioners in English curriculum participated in developing and validating the criteria. One of the findings of this research indicates that 321 students interested in real images at the first rank and 306 other students fascinated with colored ones, at the second rank respectively.
The Effect of Content-Based Approach in Student vs. Teacher-Centered Environment on Improving Speaking among Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners
Authors: Afsahi Seyed Ehsan , Chalak Azizeh
Published: December 2016

Speaking is the most important skill of language. Speaking a language is especially difficult for foreign language learners because effective oral communication requires the ability to use the language appropriately in social interactions, and in suitable context and situation. Purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Iranian intermediate EFL learners who learn speaking based on content approach in student-centered environment and their learning in the traditional teacher-centered environment. To this end, there are two classes, one as the experimental and the other as the control one. The same teacher taught them both. The subjects were all homogenous regarding their age, gender, and first language. During the experiment, the experimental group, who were in the environment of content-based approach in student-centered, was received quizzes. The results indicated that a statistically significant positive relationship existed between giving the students the central role in content-based approach class and yielding in better performance of speaking ability. The results revealed the positive relationship between content-based approach in student-centered class and the improvement of EFL Iranian students’ speaking ability. Preparation of such a system for teaching speaking to learners, learning English as a foreign language will facilitate the teaching and learning process for both teachers and learners.
Reading Strategies in Persian and English Languages and Their Influence on English Reading Comprehension Ability
Authors: Bohlooli Niri M. Rahim
Published: December 2016

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between successful readers’ strategies in Persian and English languages, and the impact of instruction of such strategies on English reading comprehension ability. The present study relies on Casanave’s (1998) expanded view of schema theory, the strategy schema, Goodman’s (1971) language transfer or linguistic independent hypothesis and Clarke’s idea of short-circuit or language ceiling hypothesis in ESL or EFL. This study also aims at finding an answer to the question of reading problem versus language problem, first raised by Alderson (1984, pp. 1-27) and then followed by Carrell (1991, pp. 159-179).
Iranian EFL Teachers’ Perceptions, Practices and Problems Regarding Raising Students’ Intercultural Awareness
Authors: Zamanian Jafar , Saeidi Mahnaz
Published: December 2016

Intercultural approaches to language learning and teaching are strongly advocated and implemented in ESL contexts. However, little empirical research has addressed the extent to which such approaches are actually operationalized in EFL contexts and what the roles of the teachers are. This study investigated perceptions, practices and problems of 100 Iranian EFL teachers regarding raising students’ Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) awareness. Based on a mixed-method design, using questionnaire, observation, and interview, the findings indicated an apparent disparity between teachers’ perceptions about ICC and their current classroom practices. Teachers also identified and discussed a lack of training, time, and support to raise language learners’ ICC awareness. This study provides strong empirical evidence supporting the claim that it is difficult for EFL teachers to integrate culture into their teaching in order to develop learners’ intercultural competence.
The Acquisition of French (L3) Wh-question by Persian (L1) Learners of English (L2) as a Foreign Language: Optimality Theory
Authors: Mollaie Azam , Jabbari Ali Akbar , Rezaie Mohammad Javad
Published: December 2016

Recent decade has been prominent in investigating third language acquisition (L3). This study presents an Optimality theoretic account of French wh-question by learners whose first and second language are Persian and English respectively. Additionally, it investigates transfer at the initial stage based on the three dominant transfer hypotheses namely, L1 transfer hypothesis, L2 status factor, Cumulative Enhancement Model (CEM) in the domain of L3 acquisition. First, in French and Persian wh- question structure, the wh-word move to pre subject position (Spec-CP & Spec-FOCP) but the interrogative verb do not raise to C. This is the indicator of L1 Factor hypothesis. Second, in French and English the wh-word follows by an interrogative verb in French or by subject-auxiliary inversion in English so in these languages the wh-word occupies the Spec-CP and the verb occupies the C position. This is an evidence for L2 status factor. Third, in English and Persian the wh-word remains in original position for echo questions, this feature triggers this parallel structure in French; this confirms Cumulative Enhancement Model hypothesis. Two groups of Persian native speakers with different English proficiency levels (the lower-intermediate & advanced) that were at the initial stage of acquiring L3 French were asked to complete two test namely, grammar judgment task and translation test. The results showed that the main source of transfer was L1 transfer hypothesis and partially CEM. Regarding OT, although the advanced learners transferred their L2 knowledge in the L3 acquisition in GJT, there was not any significant difference between L1 transfer and L2 transfer context. Therefore, the following constraint hierarchies were obtained for TT and GJT respectively, Q-Scope>> Lex-V>Stay>>Q-Mark and Stay>>Lex-V>>Q-Mark>>Q-Scope. In fact, these ranking, particularly the former one, advocated the L1 transfer hypothesis.
Reflective Teaching Practice in an EFL Context: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ashraf Hamid , Samir Aynaz , Yazdi Mona T.
Published: December 2016

The aim of the present study was to find the reflection factors at which Iranian EFL teachers reflect on their teaching practice. To this end, 18 Iranian EFL teachers at several language institutes participated in this research. Teachers were surveyed using in-depth interview. The results of study indicated that Iranian EFL teachers were practicing four underlying factors of reflection in their teaching including: practical, cognitive, meta-cognitive, and affective factors. Obviously, the practice of reflective teaching improves the quality of teaching practice and increases students’ motivation towards language learning in classroom. The results call for paying further notice to important role of theses reflective teachers in Iranian EFL context and there is a need to raise knowledge and awareness of all language teachers of the importance of reflecting on their teaching practice.
The Effect of Explicit Instruction through Combined Input-Output Tasks on the Acquisition of Indirect Reported Speech in English
Authors: Afsahi Seyed Ehsan , Lotfi Ahmad Reza
Published: December 2016

Grammar is being rehabilitated (e.g., Doughty & Williams 1998a) and recognized for what it has always been (Thornbury, 1997, 1998, cited in Burgess & Etherington, 2002): an essential, inescapable component of language use and language learning. Few would dispute nowadays that teaching and learning with a focus on form is valuable, if not indispensable. What perhaps is still the subject of debate is the degree of explicitness such teaching and learning should display. The ultimate goal of any instruction is to make L2 learning implicit, like L1 (due to ease of access and automaticity of it). The current study examines the effect of explicit instruction on the participants’ acquisition of explicit and implicit grammatical knowledge in the case of indirect reported speech. The descriptive-survey method was used in this research. The results revealed that this type of instruction fosters both short- and long-term acquisition of explicit grammatical knowledge. However, the study could not foster the acquisition of implicit knowledge.
Rapid Assessment Method of Flood Damage Using Spatial-Statistical Models
Authors: Mar Iman Abdul Hamid , Sathiamurthy Edlic
Published: December 2016

Attention to damage assessment is always a priority especially in cases of natural disaster. The state of Kelantan is known to be one of a few Malaysian states with noticeable natural disaster, in particular, flood. In December 2014, an extraordinary magnitude of flood – nicknamed as yellow flood – struck the state causing hundreds of million ringgit of damage to properties. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a spatial approach to estimating property damage incurred by flood. By selecting a badly affected area, GIS was used to map geo-referenced flood-hit location in Kuala Krai, Kelantan. Flood hazard was modelled and superimposed on estimated property damage. GIS spatial technique was then employed to estimate the flood damage incurred. This study, however, did not make a complete damage assessment of the properties but rather focusing on the methodology of damage assessment to show how it can be implemented. In conclusion, GIS spatial technique can generally be used to provide flood damage rapid assessment method.
Hoe staat de lokale democratie in Nederland ervoor?
Authors: Peters Klaartje , van Stipdonk Vincent
Published: December 2016

What is the state of local democracy in the Netherlands?

Is local democracy in the Netherlands equipped for its mission? There is confusion and disagreement about the answer to this question. How people assess existing democratic practices is strongly influenced by one of the three main perspectives: representative democracy, participative (deliberative) democracy or ‘do-democracy’ (associative democracy). But to be able to have this discussion in the first place, empirical knowledge is required about the state of democracy at the local level. In this article (apart from the introduction, the first in a series on the local democratic audit) the authors bring together the available research data and organize these data with the help of David Easton’s system model: from input of citizens and civil society via throughput to output and finally feedback again in the political system. The research presented offers some insight in the state of local democracy, although it is not possible to give a final assessment. That depends on the perspective on democracy chosen, but it is also not possible because of the fragmented and incomplete nature of the research on local democracy in the Netherlands. The authors advocate contributing to these discussions with more empirical knowledge. The overview in this article shows that there is work to be done in this respect.
Rank thresholds in classifier ensembles in medical diagnosis
Authors: Antczak Karol
Published: December 2016

Classification methods have multiple applications, with medical diagnosis being one of the most common.
A powerful way to improve classification quality is to combine single classifiers into an ensemble. One of the
approaches for creating such ensembles is to combine class rankings from base classifiers. In this paper, two
rank-based ensemble methods are studied: Highest Rank and Borda Count. Furthermore, the effect of applying
class rank threshold to these methods is analyzed. We performed tests using real-life medical data. It turns out
that specificity of data domain can affect classification quality depending on classifier type.
Introducing Enterprise Architecture Framework in Statistics Poland
Authors: Dygaszewicz Janusz , Szafrański Bolesław
Published: December 2016

Article is devoted to the modernization of the statistical production process. The starting point for formulating the principles and methods of the modernization is to establish a framework architecture. An in-depth analysis of all relevant aspects arising from the holistic approach to the production of statistics is essential to extract the key business issues. Business needs are the foundation for the formulation of a coherent and transparent guidelines, demands, legal and technical requirements, both domestic and international which are the basis for the construction of the enterprise architecture framework and the development of solutions used to carry out the tasks of public statistics. The process of constructing architectural framework requires the use of models and methods used in scientific research, in particular arising from the achievements of enterprise architecture and modeling tools for object-oriented computing.
Molecular and Quantum Mechanical Study for the Separation of Cefprozil in the Presence of Its Alkaline Degradation Product Using RP-HPLC with UV Detection
Authors: Attia Khalid A M , Nassar Mohammed W I , El-Zeiny Mohamed B , Serag Ahmed
Published: December 2016

A reversed-phase HPLC method (RP-HPLC) with UV detection was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of cefprozil, a second-generation cephalosporin. Due to β-lactam ring instability under alkaline conditions, this RP-HPLC method was applied for the determination of cefprozil in the presence of its possible degradation product. The interactions that govern the separation process with stationary phase were investigated at both molecular and quantum mechanical levels. Moreover, electrostatic potential maps were generated to determine the sites of interaction with mobile phase. The suggested method was validated in compliance with International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and successfully applied for the determination of cefprozil in its commercial pharmaceutical formulation.
Análise temporal da relação entre o uso da terra e a morfologia do terreno em áreas urbanas: bacias dos ribeirões Guacuri e Apurus, represa Billings (SP)
Authors: Portela Viviane Dias Alves
Published: December 2016

O trabalho teve por objetivo efetuar a análise temporal da relação entre o uso da terra e a morfologia do terreno, nas bacias dos ribeirões Guacuri e Apurus, margem direita do reservatório Billings, Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Para se atingir esse objetivo foram feitas correlações entre parâmetros morfológicos (hipsometria, declividade, unidades morfológicas) e o uso da terra das bacias no período de 1962 a 2001. Observou-se ao longo do período a crescente ocupação pelas Autoconstruções das áreas de risco, caracterizadas pelas vertentes côncavas com maior declividade, enquanto as Habitações Planejadas ocuparam áreas de baixa declividade (topos convexos e colos). As atividades antrópicas promoveram mudanças na morfologia original (cortes e aterros), que modificaram a dinâmica geomorfológica tanto em superfície quanto em subsuperfície, provocando a intensificação dos fluxos superficiais, exposição de material antes protegido pela cobertura vegetal às intempéries, diminuição das taxas de infiltração do solo entre outros. A partir das correlações, foi possível identificar três estágios sucessivos de desenvolvimento urbano. O período suburbano retratado em 1962 ilustra as condições mais próximas do quadro natural, quando ainda predominava a cobertura vegetal e a intervenção na morfologia do relevo era baixa. Entre 1962 e 1994, o “período de construção” caracteriza-se pelo predomínio das superfícies em exposição. Por fim, o “período urbano desenvolvido” (1994 a 2001) caracteriza-se pela diminuição da cobertura vegetal e das superfícies em exposição, que deram lugar ao aumento e a consolidação da ocupação urbana.
New keywords in the geosciences – some conceptual and scientific issues
Authors: Thomas Michael F.
Published: December 2016

New keywords in the geosciences such as geodiversity, geoconservation, geoheritage and geotourism are now in common use, with a rapid increase in the delineation of geosites and geomorphosites on the ground, usually with an intention to establish geoparks for promotion of geotourism and geoconservation. Geodiversity, as the abiotic equivalent of biodiversity, is argued by many to provide the foundation for delivery of ecosystem services. But others wish to define geosites separately for conservation of the geoheritage, while geodiversity defines geomorphosites as an input to geotourism. It is argued that geomorphosites are one category of geosite and commonly preserve essential features of the geoheritage, while understanding the dynamic status of component land facets and their connectivity are necessary to inform programmes for geoconservation.
Estudo da suscetibilidade à inundação com base em análise geomorfológica, bacia hidrográfica do Arroio Santa Isabel, região costeira do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
Authors: Marth Jonathan Duarte , Moura Nina Simone Vilaverde , Koester Edinei
Published: December 2016

As inundações causam prejuízos em todo o mundo, afetando principalmente a população que ocupa áreas próximas aos leitos dos rios. Considerando a diversidade de condicionantes das inundações, este estudo buscou o entendimento da inter-relação de fatores geomorfológicos, climatológicos e antrópicos para mapear e categorizar a suscetibilidade à inundação da bacia hidrográfica do arroio Santa Isabel, tributário do rio Camaquã, sul do Rio Grande do Sul, região com frequentes inundações. A análise dos mapas geológico, geomorfológico, hipsométrico, clinográfico, cobertura vegetal e usos da terra, com o apoio do levantamento de uma longa série histórica de pluviosidade (46 anos) e de imagens referentes aos períodos dos eventos de inundação captadas pelo sensor Landsat 5, permitiram categorizar cinco níveis de suscetibilidade à inundação na referida bacia. Os fatores determinantes para essa categorização foram: amplitude do relevo e declividade na planície de inundação e no seu entorno imediato e as interven- ções antrópicas diretas e indiretas nessa planície, com destaque para supressão da vegetação e para as alterações nos canais (construção de barragens). Ainda foi considerada a influência exercida pelo rio Camaquã na porção jusante da bacia. A bacia apresenta suscetibilidade média a muito forte em 75% do sistema fluvial. A metodologia utiliza uma abordagem integrada de dados de fácil acesso e mostrou-se satisfatória à análise das inundações, servindo de base para o ordenamento territorial.