bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The correlation between medial plica and trochlear dysplasis: An MRI study
Authors: Ekin Elif E , Yildiz Hülya K , Mutlu Harun , Çetinkaya Engin
Published: January 2017

Background: Trochlear dysplasia is the most commonly encountered congenital etiologic factor of anterior knee pain. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between trochlear dysplasia with medial patellar plica as well as to investigate the distribution of plica types according to types of dysplasia. Settings and Design: This is a retrospective case-control study. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 138 knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The presence of medial plica and its types were compared among 69 patients in whom trochlear dysplasia had been detected and 69 individuals with normal trochlear who were of the same age and gender as the patient group. Statistical Analysis: Trochlear dysplasia and medial plica was compared by Chi-square with Yates correction and Fisher's exact probability tests (P < 0.001). The data were presented as mean, standard deviation, minimum–maximum, frequency, and percentage. Results: Of all the patients (n = 138), the number of patients in whom plica was observed was n = 104 (75.3%), and the distribution of plica type was as follows: n = 70 (67.3%) Type 1, n = 25 (24%) Type 2, and n = 9 (8.6%) Type 3. Medial plica was more frequently observed in patients with trochlear dysplasia (P < 0.001). Type 2 and Type 3 medial plica were more frequently encountered in trochlear dysplasia (P < 0.001). Type 3 plica was not seen in patients with normal trochlea. Conclusion: Medial patellar plica is more frequently seen in trochlear dysplasia. As the type of trochlear dysplasia progresses, the prevalence of thicker and shelf-shaped plica increases.
Myelopathy in adult aortic coarctation: Causes and caveats of an atypical presentation
Authors: Mourya Chandan , Verma Ashish , Bansal Anand , Shukla Ram C , Srivastava Arvind
Published: January 2017

A 57-year-old female presenting with acute-onset paraplegia was referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervico-dorsal spine. On MRI, multiple tortuous dilated vessels were noted in the epidural space with long segment cord compression and imaging features of compressive myelopathy. Associated small acute cervico-dorsal epidural hematoma was also noted in the same region. Computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed subsequently which revealed post-ductal coarctation of aorta with multiple arterial collaterals in the chest wall and spinal canal. An extensive review of English language literature pertaining to the clinical presentations of adult aortic coarctation revealed only few reports of acute compressive myelopathy due to spinal epidural collateral vessels. Further, presentation at such a late age has not been reported before. In the present case, apart from a hypertrophied anterior spinal artery and perispinal collaterals, an anterior epidural hematoma was an additional important factor in the causation of myelopathy.
Abdominal lymphatic malformation: Spectrum of imaging findings
Authors: Lal Anupam , Gupta Pankaj , Singhal Manphool , Sinha Saroj K , Lal Sadhana , Rana Surinder , Khandelwal Niranjan
Published: January 2017

Lymphatic malformations are congenital vascular malformations with lymphatic differentiation. Although the most common locations for lymphatic malformation are the neck and axilla, they can occur at several locations in the body including the abdomen. The abdominal location is rather rare and accounts for approximately 5% of all lymphatic malformation. Abdominal lymphatic malformation can arise from mesentery, omentum, gastrointestinal tract, and retroperitoneum. Clinical presentation includes an abdominal lump, vague abdominal discomfort, and secondary complications including intestinal obstruction, volvulus, ischemia, and bleeding. There is a broad spectrum of radiological manifestation. In the present review, we discuss the imaging appearance of abdominal lymphatic malformation. The diagnosis of lymphatic malformation in our series was based on the histopathological examination (in cases who underwent surgery) and fine needle aspiration cytology.
Percutaneous epidural drainage through a burr hole
Authors: Falsarella Priscila M , Rocha Rafael D , Garcia Rodrigo G
Published: January 2017

Intracranial extradural collection may cause an increase in intracranial pressure, requiring rapid emergency treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality. We described an alternative CT-guided percutaneous access for extradural collection drainage. We report a case of a patient with previous craniectomy for meningioma ressection who presented to the Emergency Department with symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Brains CT showed a extradural collection with subfalcine herniation. After multidisciplinary discussion a CT-guided percutaneous drainage through previous burr hole was performed. The patient was discharged after 36 hours of admission, without further symptoms. We describe a safe and effective alternative percutaneous access for extradural collection drainage in patients with previous burr hole.
Neurotuberculosis immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in the setting of HIV infection: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Jaganmohan Deepasree , Chakkalakkoombil Sunitha V , Beena Anjana A , Krishnan Nagarajan
Published: January 2017

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an exaggerated immune response which can occur with various coinfections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients, of which the most commonly implicated in central nervous system (CNS)-IRIS are progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), cryptococcosis, and tuberculosis (TB). TB-IRIS is a known complication of pulmonary TB or TB lymphadenitis coinfection in HIV infected patients who are on antituberculosis treatment (ATT) after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, development of IRIS in extrapulmonary TB such as CNS TB is very rare. Our case is that of an isolated CNS-TB-IRIS, presenting as increase in the size and perilesional edema of the ring enhancing lesions in the brain, which was observed in two sequential magnetic resonance imaging done over a period of 2 months in a retropositive patient who presented with clinical deterioration after commencement of ART. As prompt diagnosis was made and specific management aimed at IRIS was started without delay, the patient improved symptomatically.
Neonatal and infantile spinal sonography: A useful investigation often underutilized
Authors: Nair Nikhil , Sreenivas M , Gupta Arun K , Kandasamy Devasenathipathy , Jana Manisha
Published: January 2017

Sonography is an ideal, effective, noninvasive tool for evaluation of the spinal cord in neonatal and early infantile age groups owing to lack of ossification of the posterior elements of spine. Understanding normal anatomical appearances is a prerequisite for the interpretation of various pathologies of the spinal canal and its contents. This review elucidates normal appearances of the spinal cord in this age group, in both axial and sagittal planes. Usefulness of Doppler sonography is briefly discussed, and special emphasis is placed on normal anatomical variants that may mimic spinal abnormalities. Sonographic appearances of common intraspinal pathologies, both congenital and acquired, are exhaustively described. Key points regarding sonographic diagnosis of important spinal anomalies are emphasized and explained in detail. To conclude, spinal ultrasound is a reliable and widely available screening tool, albeit the usefulness of which is often underestimated.
On a Yamabe Type Problem in Finsler Geometry
Authors: Chen Bin , Zhao Lili
Published: January 2017

In this paper, a newnotion of scalar curvature for a Finslermetric F is introduced, and two conformal invariants Y(M, F) and C(M, F) are deûned. We prove that there exists a Finslermetric with constant scalar curvature in the conformal class of F if the Cartan torsion of F is suõciently small and Y(M, F)C(M, F) < Y(Sn) where Y(Sn) is the Yamabe constant of the standard sphere.
La incidencia de la crisis económica en las industrias culturales y creativas: el caso de Aragón (2008-2013)
Authors: Verón-Lassa José-Juan , Zugasti-Azagra Ricardo , Sabés-Turmo Fernando
Published: January 2017

Este trabajo describe los efectos de la última crisis económica sobre las industrias culturales y creativas (ICC) aragonesas. Ayuda a calibrar el impacto económico y social de estas industrias y aporta datos homologables sobre las ICC, así como su evolución. El periodo de estudio abarca desde 2008, año de bonanza todavía, hasta 2013, en que se frenó la fuerte caída económica de años anteriores. Metodología: se ha trabajado sobre datos estadísticos oficiales, obtenidos en exclusiva para el proyecto, en cuatro variables de referencia (cifra de negocio, valor añadido bruto, empleo y número de empresas) para siete subsectores ICC (Arquitectura; Artes escénicas; Artes visuales; Audiovisual; Bibliotecas, archivos y museos; Libros y prensa; y Publicidad). Resultados y conclusiones: las ICC tienen un escaso impacto en Aragón, comunidad en la que domina el subsector Libros y prensa. En general, todos los subsectores sufren un notable descenso en el conjunto de indicadores económicos seleccionados en el periodo analizado.
Characterization of gas-phase organics using proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry: fresh and aged residential wood combustion emissions
Authors: Bruns Emily A. , Slowik Jay G. , El Haddad Imad , Kilic Dogushan , Klein Felix , Dommen Josef , Temime-Roussel Brice , Marchand Nicolas , Baltensperger Urs , Prévôt André S. H.
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Organic gases emitted during the flaming phase of residential wood combustion are characterized individually and by functionality using proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The evolution of the organic gases is monitored during photochemical aging. Primary gaseous emissions are dominated by oxygenated species (e.g., acetic acid, acetaldehyde, phenol and methanol), many of which have deleterious health effects and play an important role in atmospheric processes such as secondary organic aerosol formation and ozone production. Residential wood combustion emissions differ considerably from open biomass burning in both absolute magnitude and relative composition. Ratios of acetonitrile, a potential biomass burning marker, to CO are considerably lower ( ∼  0.09 pptv ppbv−1) than those observed in air masses influenced by open burning ( ∼  1–2 pptv ppbv−1), which may make differentiation from background levels difficult, even in regions heavily impacted by residential wood burning. A considerable amount of formic acid forms during aging ( ∼  200–600 mg kg−1 at an OH exposure of (4.5–5.5)  ×  107 molec cm−3 h), indicating residential wood combustion can be an important local source for this acid, the quantities of which are currently underestimated in models. Phthalic anhydride, a naphthalene oxidation product, is also formed in considerable quantities with aging ( ∼  55–75 mg kg−1 at an OH exposure of (4.5–5.5)  ×  107 molec cm−3 h). Although total NMOG emissions vary by up to a factor of  ∼  9 between burns, SOA formation potential does not scale with total NMOG emissions and is similar in all experiments. This study is the first thorough characterization of both primary and aged organic gases from residential wood combustion and provides a benchmark for comparison of emissions generated under different burn parameters.
A wedge strategy for mitigation of urban warming in future climate scenarios
Authors: Zhao Lei , Lee Xuhui , Schultz Natalie
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Heat stress is one of the most severe climate threats to the human society in a future warmer world. The situation is further compounded in urban areas by the urban heat island (UHI). Because the majority of world's population is projected to live in cities, there is a pressing need to find effective solutions for the high temperature problem. We use a climate model to investigate the effectiveness of urban heat mitigation strategies: cool roofs, street vegetation, green roofs, and reflective pavement. Our results show that by adopting highly-reflective roofs, almost all the cities in the United States and southern Canada are transformed into white oases at midday, with an average oasis effect of −3.4 K in the summer for the period 2071–2100, which offsets approximately 80 % of the greenhouse gas (GHG) warming projected for the same period under the RCP4.5 scenario. A UHI mitigation wedge consisting of cool roofs, street vegetation and reflective pavement has the potential to eliminate the daytime UHI plus the GHG warming.
Direct comparisons of ice cloud macro- and microphysical properties simulated by the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 with HIPPO aircraft observations
Authors: Wu Chenglai , Liu Xiaohong , Diao Minghui , Zhang Kai , Gettelman Andrew , Lu Zheng , Penner Joyce E. , Lin Zhaohui
Published: January 2017

Abstract. In this study we evaluate cloud properties simulated by the Community Atmosphere Model Version 5 (CAM5) using in-situ measurements from the HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) for the period of 2009 to 2011. The modeled wind and temperature are nudged towards reanalysis. Model results collocated with HIPPO flight tracks are directly compared with the observations, and model sensitivities to the representations of ice nucleation and growth are also examined. Generally, CAM5 is able to capture specific cloud systems in terms of vertical configuration and horizontal extension. In total, the model reproduces 79.8 % of observed cloud occurrences inside model grid boxes, and even higher (94.3 %) for ice clouds (T ≤ −40 °C). The missing cloud occurrences in the model are primarily ascribed to the fact that the model cannot account for the high spatial variability of observed relative humidity (RH). Furthermore, model RH biases are mostly attributed to the discrepancies in water vapor, rather than temperature. At the micro-scale of ice clouds, the model captures the observed increase of ice crystal mean sizes with temperature, albeit with smaller sizes than the observations. The model underestimates the observed ice number concentration (Ni) and ice water content (IWC) for ice crystals larger than 75 μm in diameter. Modeled IWC and Ni are more sensitive to the threshold diameter for autoconversion of cloud ice to snow (Dcs), while simulated ice crystal mean size is more sensitive to ice nucleation parameterizations than to Dcs. Our results highlight the need for further improvements to the sub-grid RH variability and ice nucleation and growth in the model.
Observation- and Model-Based Estimates of Particulate Dry Nitrogen Deposition to the Oceans
Authors: Baker Alex R. , Kanakidou Maria , Altieri Katye E. , Daskalakis Nikos , Okin Gregory S. , Myriokefalitakis Stelios , Dentener Frank , Uematsu Mitsuo , Sarin Manmohan M. , Duce Robert A. , Galloway James N. , Keene William C. , Singh Arvind , Zamora Lauren , Lamarque Jean-Francois , Hsu Shih-Chieh , Rohekar Shital S. , Prospero Joseph M.
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Nitrogen (N) emissions to the atmosphere have increased by a factor of 3–4 through anthropogenic activity since the Industrial Revolution. This has led to large increases in the deposition of nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) to the surface waters of the open ocean, with potential impacts on marine productivity and the global carbon cycle. Global-scale understanding of N deposition to the oceans is reliant on our ability to produce and validate models of nitrogen emission, atmospheric chemistry, transport and deposition. In this work, ~ 2900 observations of aerosol NO3− and NH4+ concentrations, acquired from sampling aboard ships in the period 1995–2012, are used to assess the performance of modelled N concentration and deposition fields over the remote ocean. Three ocean regions (the eastern tropical North Atlantic, the northern Indian Ocean and northwest Pacific) were selected in which the density and distribution of observational data were considered sufficient to provide effective comparison to model products. All of these study regions are affected by transport and deposition of mineral dust, which alters the deposition of N. Surface particulate NO3− and NH4+ concentrations simulated by the TM4-ECPL (TM4) model were compared to observed aerosol concentrations. Dry deposition fluxes of these species predicted by TM4 (ModDep) were compared with equivalent fluxes calculated from the observed concentrations (CalDep) using two commonly applied methods for the determination of CalDep. CalDep was also compared to total dry deposition fluxes of oxidised N (NOy) and reduced N (NHx) from TM4 and the ACCMIP multi-model mean product. Comparison in the three study regions suggests that TM4 over-estimates NO3− concentrations and under-estimates NH4+ concentrations, with spatial distributions in the tropical Atlantic and northern Indian Ocean not being reproduced by the model. In the case of NH4+ in the Indian Ocean, this discrepancy was probably due to seasonal biases in the sampling. Similar patterns were observed in the various comparisons of CalDep to ModDep and it was not possible to assess objectively the relative merits of the two methods for estimating CalDep. Comparisons of NH4+ CalDep to NHx ModDep were impaired by the significant fraction of gas-phase NH3 deposition incorporated in the TM4 and ACCMIP model products. All of the comparisons (of concentration and deposition) suffered due to the large uncertainty in dry deposition velocities used in the models and in the calculation of CalDep. These uncertainties have been a major limitation on estimates of the flux of material to the oceans for several decades.
Shift of subtropical transport barriers explains observed hemispheric asymmetry of decadal trends of age of air
Authors: Stiller Gabriele P. , Fierli Federico , Ploeger Felix , Cagnazzo Chiara , Funke Bernd , Haenel Florian J. , Reddmann Thomas , Riese Martin , von Clarmann Thomas
Published: January 2017

Abstract. In response to global warming the Brewer–Dobson circulation in the stratosphere is expected to accelerate and the mean transport time of air along this circulation to decrease. This would imply a negative stratospheric age of air trend, i.e. an air parcel would need less time to travel from the tropopause to any point in the stratosphere. Age of air as inferred from tracer observations, however, shows zero to positive trends in the Northern midlatitude stratosphere and zonally asymmetric patterns. Using satellite 5 observations and model calculations we show that the observed latitudinal and vertical patterns of the decadal changes of age of air in the lower to middle stratosphere during 2002–2012 are predominantly caused by a southward shift of the circulation pattern of about 5 degrees. After correction for this shift, the observations reveal a hemispherically almost symmetric decrease of age of air in the lower to middle stratosphere up to 800 K of up to −0.25 years over the 2002–2012 period with strongest decrease in the Northern tropics. This net change is consistent with long-term trends from model predictions.
Novel approaches to estimating turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate from low and moderate resolution velocity fluctuation time series
Authors: Wacławczyk Marta , Ma Yong-Feng , Kopeć Jacek M. , Malinowski Szymon P.
Published: January 2017

Abstract. In this paper we propose two approaches to estimating the kinetic energy dissipation rate, based on the zero-crossing method by Sreenivasan et al. [J. Fluid Mech., 137, 1983]. The original formulation requires a good accuracy of the measured signal (down to the smallest dissipative scales). However, due to finite sampling frequency, as well as measurement errors, velocity time series obtained from airborne experiments are characterized by the presence of effective spectral cut-offs. In contrast to the original formulation the new approaches are suitable for use with signals originating from such experiments. The fittingness of the new approaches is tested using measurement data obtained during the Physics of Stratocumulus Top (POST) airborne research campaign.
Sea ice and pollution-modulated changes in Greenland ice core methanesulfonate and bromine
Authors: Maselli Olivia J. , Chellman Nathan J. , Grieman Mackenzie , Layman Lawrence , McConnell Joseph R. , Pasteris Daniel , Rhodes Rachael H. , Saltzman Eric , Sigl Michael
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Reconstruction of past changes in Arctic sea ice extent may be critical for understanding its future evolution. Methanesulfonate (MSA) and bromine concentrations preserved in ice cores have both been proposed as indicators of past sea ice conditions. In this study, two ice cores from central and north-eastern Greenland were analysed at sub-annual resolution for MSA (CH3SO3H) and bromine, covering the time period 1750–2010. We examine correlations between ice core MSA and the HadISST1 ICE sea ice dataset and consult back trajectories to infer the likely source regions. A strong correlation between the low-frequency MSA and bromine records during pre-industrial times indicates that both chemical species are likely linked to processes occurring on or near sea ice in the same source regions. The positive correlation between ice core MSA and bromine persists until the mid-20th century, when the acidity of Greenland ice begins to increase markedly due to increased fossil fuel emissions. After that time, MSA levels decrease as a result of declining sea ice extent but bromine levels increase. We consider several possible explanations and ultimately suggest that increased acidity, specifically nitric acid, of snow on sea ice stimulates the release of reactive Br from sea ice, resulting in increased transport and deposition on the Greenland ice sheet.
Sedimentary record from the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean: implications for late to middle Pleistocene glacial history
Authors: Dong Linsen , Liu Yanguang , Shi Xuefa , Polyak Leonid , Huang Yuanhui , Fang Xisheng , Liu Jianxing , Zou Jianjun , Wang Kunshan , Sun Fuqiang , Wang Xuchen
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Sediment core ARC4–BN05 collected from the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean, covers the late to middle Quaternary (Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–15, ca. 0.5–0.6 Ma) as estimated by correlation to earlier proposed Arctic Ocean stratigraphies and AMS 14C dating of the youngest sediments. Detailed examination of clay and bulk mineralogy along with grain size, content of Ca and Mn, and planktonic foraminiferal numbers in core ARC4–BN05 provides important new information about sedimentary environments and provenance. We use increased contents of coarse debris as an indicator of glacier collapse events at the margins of the western Arctic Ocean, and identify the provenance of these events from mineralogical composition. Notably, peaks of dolomite debris, including large dropstones, track the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) discharge events to the Arctic Ocean. Major LIS inputs occurred during the stratigraphic intervals estimated as MIS 3, intra-MIS 5 and 7 events, MIS 8, and MIS 10. Inputs from the East Siberian Ice Sheet (ESIS) are inferred from peaks of smectite, kaolinite, and chlorite associated with coarse sediment. Major ESIS sedimentary events occurred in the intervals estimated as MIS 4, MIS 6 and MIS 12. Differences in LIS vs. ESIS inputs can be explained by ice-sheet configurations at different sea levels, sediment delivery mechanisms (iceberg rafting, suspension plumes, and debris flows), and surface circulation. A long-term change in the pattern of sediment inputs, with an apparent step change near the estimated MIS 7/8 boundary (ca. 0.25 Ma), presumably indicates an overall glacial expansion at the western Arctic margins, especially in North America.
Multi-proxy reconstructions of precipitation field in China over the past 500 years
Authors: Shi Feng , Zhao Sen , Guo Zhengtang , Goosse Hugues
Published: January 2017

Abstract. The dominant modes of variability of precipitation for the whole of China over the past millennium and the mechanism governing their spatial structure remain unclear. The first reason is probably that it is difficult to reconstruct the precipitation field in western China because the published high-resolution proxy records for this region are scarce. Numerous tree-ring chronologies have recently been archived in publicly available databases through PAGES2k activities, and these provide an opportunity to refine precipitation field reconstructions for China. Based on 600 proxy records, including 491 tree-ring chronologies, 108 drought/flood indices, and a long-term instrumental precipitation record from South Korea, we revised the precipitation field reconstruction for China for the past half millennium using the optimal information extraction method. A total of 3971 of 4189 grid points in the reconstruction field passed the cross-validation process, accounting for 94.8 % of the total number of grid points. The first leading mode of variability of the reconstruction shows coherent variations over most of China. The second mode, a north–south dipole in eastern China with variations of the same sign in western China and southeastern China, may be controlled by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability. The third mode, a sandwich triple mode in eastern China with variations of the same sign in western China and central China. Five of the six coupled ocean-atmosphere climate models (BCC-CSM1.1, CCSM4, FGOALS-s2, GISS-E2-R and MPI-ESM-P) of the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project Phase III (PMIP3), can reproduce the south-north dipole mode of precipitation in eastern China, and its likely link with ENSO. However, there is mismatch in terms of their time development. This is consistent with an important role of the internal variability in the precipitation field changes over the past 500 years.
Reinitialised versus continuous regional climate simulations using ALARO-0 coupled to the land surface model SURFEXv5
Authors: Berckmans Julie , Giot Olivier , De Troch Rozemien , Hamdi Rafiq , Ceulemans Reinhart , Termonia Piet
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Dynamical downscaling in a continuous approach using initial and boundary conditions from a reanalysis or a global climate model is a common method for simulating the regional climate. The simulation potential can be improved by applying an alternative approach of reinitialising the atmosphere, combined with either a daily reinitialised or a continuous land surface. We evaluated the dependence of the simulation potential on the running mode of the regional climate model ALARO coupled to the land surface model Météo-France SURFace EXternalisée (SURFEX), and driven by the ERA-Interim reanalysis. Three types of downscaling simulations were carried out for a 10-year period from 1991 to 2000, over a western European domain at 20 km horizontal resolution: (1) a continuous simulation of both the atmosphere and the land surface, (2) a simulation with daily reinitialisations for both the atmosphere and the land surface and (3) a simulation with daily reinitialisations of the atmosphere while the land surface is kept continuous. The results showed that the daily reinitialisation of the atmosphere improved the simulation of the 2 m temperature for all seasons. It revealed a neutral impact on the daily precipitation totals during winter, but the results were improved for the summer when the land surface was kept continuous. The behaviour of the three model configurations varied among different climatic regimes. Their seasonal cycle for the 2 m temperature and daily precipitation totals was very similar for a Mediterranean climate, but more variable for temperate and continental climate regimes. Commonly, the summer climate is characterised by strong interactions between the atmosphere and the land surface. The results for summer demonstrated that the use of a daily reinitialised atmosphere improved the representation of the partitioning of the surface energy fluxes. Therefore, we recommend using the alternative approach of the daily reinitialisation of the atmosphere for the simulation of the regional climate.
A high-fidelity multiresolution digital elevation model for Earth systems
Authors: Duan Xinqiao , Li Lin , Zhu Haihong , Ying Shen
Published: January 2017

Abstract. The impact of topography on Earth systems variability is well recognised. As numerical simulations evolved to incorporate broader scales and finer processes, accurately assimilating or transforming the topography to produce more exact land–atmosphere–ocean interactions, has proven to be quite challenging. Numerical schemes of Earth systems often use empirical parameterisation at sub-grid scale with downscaling to express topographic endogenous processes, or rely on insecure point interpolation to induce topographic forcing, which creates bias and input uncertainties. Digital elevation model (DEM) generalisation provides more sophisticated systematic topographic transformation, but existing methods are often difficult to be incorporated because of unwarranted grid quality. Meanwhile, approaches over discrete sets often employ heuristic approximation, which are generally not best performed. Based on DEM generalisation, this article proposes a high-fidelity multiresolution DEM with guaranteed grid quality for Earth systems. The generalised DEM surface is initially approximated as a triangulated irregular network (TIN) via selected feature points and possible input features. The TIN surface is then optimised through an energy-minimised centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT). By devising a robust discrete curvature as density function and exact geometry clipping as energy reference, the developed curvature CVT (cCVT) converges, the generalised surface evolves to a further approximation to the original DEM surface, and the points with the dual triangles become spatially equalised with the curvature distribution, exhibiting a quasi-uniform high-quality and adaptive variable resolution. The cCVT model was then evaluated on real lidar-derived DEM datasets and compared to the classical heuristic model. The experimental results show that the cCVT multiresolution model outperforms classical heuristic DEM generalisations in terms of both surface approximation precision and surface morphology retention.
Interactions between the accumulation of sediment storage and debris flow characteristics in a debris-flow initiation zone, Ohya landslide body, Japan
Authors: Imaizumi Fumitoshi , Hayakawa Yuichi S. , Hotta Norifumi , Tsunetaka Haruka , Ohsaka Okihiro , Tsuchiya Satoshi
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Debris flows often occur in steep mountain channels, and can be extremely hazardous as a result of their destructive power, long travel distance, and high velocity. However, their characteristics in the initiation zones, which could possibly be affected by temporal changes in the channel topography associated with sediment supply from hillslopes and the evacuation of sediment by debris flows, are poorly understood. Thus, we studied the interaction between the flow characteristics and the topography in an initiation zone of debris flow at the Ohya landslide body in Japan using a variety of methods, including a physical analysis, a periodical terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) survey, and field monitoring. Our study clarified that both partly and fully saturated debris flows are important hydrogeomorphic processes in the initiation zones of debris flow because of the steep terrain. The predominant type of flow varied temporally and was affected by the volume of storage and rainfall patterns. The small-scale channel gradient (on the order of meters) formed by debris flows differed between the predominant flow types during debris flow events. The relationship between flow type and the slope gradient could be explained by a simple analysis of the static force at the bottom of the sediment mass.
CO2 SOLUBILITY AND DIFFUSIVITY AND RAPID GAS DECOMPRESSION RESISTANCE OF ELASTOMERS CONTAINING CNT
Authors: Chen Xuming , Salem Hamid A , Zonoz Ray
Published: January 2017

Understanding the structure–property relationship of elastomers is of critical importance in developing next-generation elastomers for high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) applications and in extending the application temperature and pressure range of existing oilfield products. Gas dissolution and diffusion in elastomers are essential to understanding the relationship among elastomer structures, rapid gas decompression (RGD) resistance, and sealing performance. Solubility and diffusivity (or diffusion efficiency) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) and fluoroelastomers (FKM) comprising carbon nanotubes (CNT) were measured using a gravimetric method. The Rubotherm method was also used to estimate the solubility and swelling of HNBR in both subcritical liquid and supercritical CO2. It was demonstrated that CNT had a direct impact on CO2 solubility, diffusion, and mechanical properties of elastomers, hence improving the RGD resistance of the elastomers.
All God's Children Had Wings: The Flying African in History, Literature, and Lore
Authors: Young Jason R.
Published: January 2017

This article investigates stories of human flight in the folklore of enslaved men and women throughout the plantation Americas, and especially along the coastal regions of Georgia and South Carolina where examples abound of Africans taking flight and returning to an African homeland, more than an ocean away. The ubiquity of these stories and their persistence even after the era of slavery reveal a lasting search for a sanctuary away from the horrors of plantation life and racial oppression. This tradition of flight posed a serious threat not only to slavery, which demanded ultimate control over the Black body, but also to evangelical religion and Enlightenment rationalism that conspired to support slavery in the first place. The flying African embodies a kind of resistance par excellence by asserting that enslaved men and women were not ultimately bound to chain or shackle, but were instead free to challenge the constraints of slavery and the very limits of human capability. In addition, this article interrogates stories of flying Africans as a way of addressing some of the vexed epistemological problems that these stories raise for scholars.
What Determines Banks’ Profitability? Evidence from Emerging Markets—the Case of the UAE Banking Sector
Authors: Mehta Anupam , Bhavani Ganga
Published: January 2017

The primary objective of this study is to examine the variables that impact the profitability of UAE banks. The current study provides evidence of important bank-specific, macroeconomic, and industry-specific variables that have affected UAE banks’ profitability by analyzing balanced panel data for 2006 to 2013. Both Islamic and non-Islamic, domestic commercial banks are considered for the purposes of this study. This paper puts into relief the determinants of the profitability of the domestic commercial banking sector of the UAE. The sample comprises 19 UAE domestic banks. The paper examines internal variables (company-level indicators), which include size, liquidity, and capital adequacy, as well as external variables, which include macroeconomic and industry-specific variables. Panel data regression analysis is used for the analysis. Based on the empirical analysis, the cost efficiency, nontraditional revenue sources, and high asset quality are the most significant bank-specific variables, and bank managers can use them to make future policy decisions. The GDP, a macroeconomic variable, is found to be relevant to the return on assets and return on equity. The model generated in the study can explain a greater than 75% change in the total variance of various measures of profitability. This paper adds to the body of knowledge by empirically highlighting the most recent and extensive panel data for the entire domestic banking sector of the UAE, undoubtedly one of the most important banking sectors in the Middle East. The paper uses a range of independent variables for the internal, macroeconomic, and industry-specific variables.
Social Media Usability and Its Impact on Buyer Purchasing Behavior Based on Buyer's Trust: Saudi Arabia Context
Authors: Khalaf Ahmad Ala'Eddin Mohammad
Published: January 2017

The current research investigates the social media usability influences on buyer purchasing behavior based on buyer's trust in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. This research proposes and tests a five-factor model that influences purchasing behaviors. These factors include the independent variables of social media usability, namely connectedness, openness, speed, accessibility, and participation, while the dependent variable is purchasing behavior. In order to explore this issue, a quantitative method was used in the form of a questionnaire issued in Jeddah city. The research targeted 500 respondents as a representative sample, rather than the whole population. A random sample was used to choose the participants in this research. The research retrieved 370 valid questionnaires, which represented a response rate of 74%. The results confirm significant differences in the influence of these factors on purchasing behavior. The research concludes that there are significant influences from connectedness, openness, speed, accessibility, and participation.
Impact of Immigration on Native and Ethnic Consumer Identity via Body Image
Authors: Hingorani Anurag G. , Freeman Lynne , Agudera Michelle
Published: January 2017

This research focuses on consumer identity of two under-researched but growing immigrant communities in Australia via the lens of the body image construct. Consistent with an emerging stream of research, body image is viewed as a part of identity. Given the variety of goods and services that have an impact on consumers’ perceptions of their body, and because consumers use products to create and convey desired identities, body image is also viewed as a part of consumer identity. Considering literature on identity, body image, and acculturation, exploratory research was undertaken to determine the impact of immigration on the identities of both immigrants and natives. Specifically, focus groups were conducted on two generations of Filipino- and Indian-Australian women as well as Anglo-Australian women. It was found that second generation immigrants have dual consumer identities where they balance the values, attitudes and lifestyles of both their home (i.e., native or heritage) and host cultures whereas first generation immigrants tend to retain their native consumer identity even if they appear to adopt values, attitudes, and lifestyles of the host culture. The impact of immigrants on consumer identities of native residents who are typically in the majority (i.e., the Anglo group) was not evident. Theoretical and practical implications including recommendations for marketing practitioners are then discussed followed by suggestions for future research.
Critical Atmospheric Cues in Designing Online Stores: The Case of Amazon.com
Authors: Koo Wanmo , Park Hyejune
Published: January 2017

Online store environments have changed due to advancements in broadband speed and web development technologies. Despite the widespread real-time interactive features in online stores, social cues have been overlooked in a great number of taxonomies of online store atmospheric cues. To fill the gap, this study considers social cues with other atmospheric cues (i.e., visual, information, and navigation) in the taxonomy, and examines critical atmospheric cues that can generate a pleasure emotional response. The study also investigates whether the pleasure emotional response can lead to the approach behavior of consumers. Amazon.com, the U.S. top online pure player, is used as the specific research setting, and the results demonstrate that all atmospheric cues except visual cues can generate the pleasure emotional response. The pleasure emotional response turned out to be a significant predictor of the approach behavior.
The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities on Consumers Purchase Intention in China: Mediating Role of Consumer Support for Responsible Business
Authors: Mulaessa Naveedullah , Wang Hong
Published: January 2017

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has demonstrated the positive influence on consumer attitudes and buying behaviors. However the questions worth investigating are “how different CSR types influence consumer purchase intention?” Also, how does firm’s overall CSR lead to consumer purchase intention? The purpose of this investigation is to examine the intervening mechanism between CSR and consumer purchase intention. We expect consumer support for responsible business (CSRB) mediates the relationship between CSR and consumer purchase intention. We tested the hypotheses with data from dyad sample of 200 firms’ representatives and consumers from apparel industry in China. The result supported the hypothesized relationships between CSR, CSRB, and consumer purchase intention. Findings of this study contribute to the CSR and consumer attitude research. This study also discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the findings.
The Study of Semantic Analysis on Intelligence Research under the Environment of Big Data
Authors: Gu Hong , Yuan Hongwei
Published: January 2017

Faced with complex, large mass of data, how to find the information we need from these data, then to do intelligence research, it is an issue of concern in the intelligence community. This paper analyzes the significance of research and three technologies to ensure the rigor of intelligence research: visualization, data mining and semantic analysis technology, focuses on the semantic analysis technology in the application of intelligence research, exemplified by the semantic role annotation and semantic-based text orientation analysis of two methods, described the meaning of these two methods, the semantic database, the basic flow of information, their strengths and weaknesses, as well asdevelopment and raised its outlook in information research.
Remuneration of Flexibility using Operating Reserve Demand Curves: A Case Study of Belgium
Authors: Papavasiliou Anthony , Smeers Yves
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Flexibility is becoming an increasingly important attribute of conventional generators due to the challenges imposed by the unpredictable, highly variable and non-controllable nature of renewable supply. Paradoxically, flexible units are currently being mothballed or retired in Europe due to financial losses. Weinvestigate an energy-only market design, referred to as operating reserve demand curves, that rewards flexibility by adjusting the real-time energy price to a level that reflects the value of capacity under conditions of scarcity. We test the performance of the mechanism by developing a model of the Belgian electricity market, which is validated against the historical outcomes of the market over a study period of 21 months. We verify that (i) based on the observed market outcomes of our study period, none of the existing combined cycle gas turbines of the Belgian market can cover their investment costs, and (ii) the introduction of price adders that reflect the true value of scarce flexible capacity restores economic viability for most combined cycle gas turbines in the Belgian market.
Why Consumers Switch Energy Suppliers: The Role of Individual Attitudes
Authors: He Xiaoping , Reiner David
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Since 2008, fewer customers switched suppliers in British electricity and gas markets despite the potential for financial gains, suggesting that psychological factors may affect switching behaviors. Using a unique nation-wide British survey, we explore the influence of consumers’ attitudes and perceptions on switching behaviors and assess the differences in switching propensity across different groups. Support for simplifying energy tariffs, professed less difficulty in understanding energy bills, expected difficulty in changing suppliers and lack of attention to the issue of energy prices are associated with lower switching activity. At a time of high saliency, political party voting intention was strongly related to switching. Unlike the bivariate analyses conducted by the regulator and the competition authority, our multivariate analysis show few demographic factors affect the likelihood of switching except for educational attainment and tariff payment patterns. Remedies aiming to encourage switching cannot be targeted correctly unless the supporting analysis is robust to alternative model specifications.
Especialización, concentración y aglomeración espacial de los servicios intensivos en conocimiento en España
Authors: Escolano-Utrilla Severino , Escalona-Orcao Ana Isabel
Published: January 2017

El uso intensivo de conocimiento, de creatividad y de información caracteriza a un conjunto heterogéneo de actividades de servicio (acrónimo en inglés: KIS o KISA) muy ramificadas por el tejido social y productivo. La localización es un factor crucial para el desenvolvimiento de los KIS, que tienden, en general, a aprovechar las oportunidades de las economías de urbanización. Con estos supuestos, en el presente trabajo se estudia la localización de los KIS en España a varias escalas mediante indicadores de autocorrelación espacial (LISA). Los resultados demuestran que los KIS presentan un grado de concentración mayor que el de la población, y más acusado que en otros países y en otras actividades de la economía del conocimiento. Los KIS se aglomeran en grandes áreas metropolitanas, con variaciones que dependen de la intensidad de conocimiento invertido en la producción de los servicios.
Àrees públiques i militars abandonades a Itàlia: Problemes i oportunitats per a la regeneració urbana i la reorganització territorial
Authors: Gastaldi Francesco , Camerin Federico
Published: January 2017

La jurisprudència relativa a l’alienació de béns immobles públics a Itàlia neix a la dècada de 1980 i continua durant la de 1990, en un context de crisi dels recursos públics. A més, en l’àmbit nacional, el patrimoni militar sovint ja no satisfà les necessitats de l’exèrcit, atès que es troba en zones marginals, de manera que ja no pot ser útil per al nou context logístic i estratègic d’un sistema de defensa modern.Aquest article té la intenció de reconstruir breument la història de la reutilització del patrimoni immobiliari públic italià, descrivint el marc legislatiu heterogeni i complex que recau en el procés de regeneració dels béns, especialment en els que havien estat de l’exèrcit. Es proposa fer una crònica de les dificultats que caracteritzen els programes promoguts per l’Estat italià i els procediments connexos, a partir de l’anàlisi de polítiques i de projectes desenvolupats per part de la UE per reconvertir els military brownfields (antics terrenys militars abandonats).
El nuevo paradigma del patrimonio y su consideración con los paisajes: Conceptos, métodos y prospectivas
Authors: Silva Pérez Rocío , Fernández Salinas Víctor
Published: January 2017

Este artículo se adentra en el debate sobre el paisaje, el patrimonio y el territorio desde un entendimiento del patrimonio como asignación social e institucional de valores y desde la propia complejidad territorial y tipológica de los paisajes patrimoniales. Plantea un acercamiento conceptual y metodológico a tales paisajes centrado en los actores patrimoniales y en sus dinámicas apreciativas (los procesos de patrimonialización), así como en los elementos y argumentos en torno a los que se aglutina la identificación social e institucional con los paisajes (los vectores patrimoniales). Esboza una propuesta de traslación empírica que ejemplifica en paisajes de distintas dominantes y escalas, y concluye con una valoración crítica de los instrumentos utilizados en el reconocimiento patrimonial institucional y en la gestión de los paisajes, atendiendo a sus potencialidades y limitaciones.
Lois González, Rubén C. y Pino, Daniel (coords.) (2015). A Galicia urbana
Authors: Miramontes Carballada Ángel
Published: January 2017

Lois González, Rubén C. y Pino, Daniel (coords.) (2015)A Galicia urbanaVigo (Pontevedra): Edicións Xerais Galicia, 755 p.ISBN 978-84-9914-930-1