bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model for Competence E-Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education
Authors: González-Marcos Ana , Navaridas-Nalda Fermín , Ordieres-Meré Joaquín , Alba-Elías Fernando
Published: August 2018

This chapter presents a non-conventional formative initiative which considers the e-assessment and feedback of project management competences in higher education. The proposed model is built upon a virtual learning environment (VLE) that offers opportunities for students to experience situations that are similar to what they will encounter in the working world. More specifically, the simulation environment is used to recreate the reality of an organization dedicated to direct, manage, and organize projects. The designed VLE enables the e-assessment and feedback of individual project management competences by considering a set of performance indicators for each participant in the simulation. That is, the performance and contribution of each student is measured through different pieces of evidence that are pertinent to each assessed competence. Additionally, the analysis and process of the information gathered from the VLE allows to deliver varied and detailed information to the learners with the intention of modifying their thinking or behavior and improving their learning process.
Induction Machine Rotor and Stator Faults Detection by Applying the N-F Network
Authors: Laribi Souad Saadi , Bendiabdellah Azzedine
Published: August 2018

This chapter focuses on the monitoring and diagnosis of induction machine faults, particularly the broken rotor bars. The design of a system for monitoring, detecting, and locating incipient faults for different loads of the machine is achieved by the use of advanced intelligent techniques based on ANFIS-based neuro-fuzzy network. The knowledge base is based on indicators derived from the stator current spectral analysis of the machine which in addition has to detect and assess the number of faulty bars.
Synthesis of Calcium Ferrite Nanoparticles (CaFe2O4-NPs) Using Auto-Combustion Method for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Jumril Yunas , Noor Humam Sulaiman , Ghazali Mariyam Jameelah
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we report the synthesis process development of calcium ferrite nanoparticles (CaFe2O4 NPs) using auto-combustion method. The process started by mixing the calcium nitrate Ca (NO2)3 and ferric nitrate Fe (NO3)3 dissolved in 150mL of distilled water with an addition of citric acid as a chelating agent. The mixture was synthesized through sol-gel combustion method and then calcined at 550°C to obtain powders. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of CaFe2O4 NPs were observed and characterized by using XRD and FESEM measurement, while the magnetic property of the synthesize particles was analyzed by using VSM. Analysis results through XRD showed that an orthorhombic structure of calcium ferrite NPs was observed. The analysis using the transmission electron microscopy (FESEM) and VSM measurement showed that the particle size of CaFe2O4 nanoparticles ranging from 5 to 20 nm was obtained. While the magnetic saturation (Ms) was 31.1emu/g for auto-combustion method with good magnetic properties. The magnetic property of the synthesized particles was also compared with that synthesized using a standard sol-gel method. This work will give important information about an alternative technique to synthesize the Calcium Ferrite magnetic nanoparticles used for targeted drug delivery application.
Effect of Silane-Treated Mineral Fillers on Corrosion, Wettability, and Adhesion of Saturated Polyester Coated on Carbon Steel
Authors: Pajarito Bryan B. , Caguntas Andrew Joelle F. , Felices Niño B. , Tubalinal Honesto Ovid S. , Leuterio Giselle Lou D.
Published: August 2018

Saturated polyester (PE) resin was modified with 0.5 and 1.0% (v/v) of epoxysilane-treated (aluminosilicate, muscovite, nepheline syenite, and wollastonite) and alkoxysilane-treated (aluminosilicate) mineral fillers before coating to carbon steel. The corrosion behavior of specimens was studied using potentiodynamic polarization method. Wetting behavior and adhesion of specimens were evaluated by static contact angle and cross-cut tape tests, respectively. The addition of silane-treated mineral fillers dramatically improved the corrosion resistance of saturated PE, with epoxysilane-treated wollastonite and alkoxysilane-treated aluminosilicate at 0.5% concentration significantly lowering the corrosion tendency and rate in 2 M HCl solution. Meanwhile, only epoxysilane-treated nepheline syenite significantly increased the water contact angle of saturated PE. The adhesion of saturated PE to carbons steel was increased after addition of fillers at 0.5%, with epoxysilane-treated wollastonite and alkoxysilane-treated aluminosilicate giving the lowest percent area removed after application of adhesive tape. Epoxysilane-treated wollastonite and alkoxysilane-treated aluminosilicate at 0.5% were found most suitable as fillers for saturated PE coating.
Applications and Designs of Vibration-Assisted Machining Devices
Authors: Yassin Mohamed , Hossam Mohab , El-Hofy Hassan
Published: August 2018

Recently, materials with superior mechanical properties have been developed and become the optimum choice in many applications such as optics and electronics. However, most of these materials such as glass and ceramics are considered difficult-to-cut materials due to their high hardness. Machining such materials by conventional machining leads to low surface quality, rapid tool wear, and high cutting forces. Currently, Vibration-Assisted Machining (VAM) is found to be effective for machining difficult-to-cut materials. Nevertheless, researchers are investigating how to optimize the machining parameters and to test the possibility of cutting a variety of novel engineering materials. This work reviews the different attempts which have been carried out to investigate the effect of VAM parameters during machining processes. This endeavour helps to get a deep understanding of the VAM, address its critical issues, and propose a framework to design a high performance VAM devices.
Finite Element Analysis of Hyperelastic Material Model for Non-Pneumatic Tire
Authors: Rugsaj Ravivat , Suvanjumrat Chakrit
Published: August 2018

This research aimed to find an appropriated hyperelastic material model for the finite element analysis (FEA) of a non-pneumatic tire (NPT). The innovative method involving water jet cutting technique was performed to prepare the tensile and compressive test specimens from the non-pneumatic tire, TWEEL, which was developed by Michelin. The stress-strain relationship of material testing results was fitted to select the suitable constitutive model. The FEA was performed and compared to the physical experiment to validate the hyperelastic material model. The suitable hyperelastic material model can be used in the development of NPT for the further work.
Effect of Glass Fiber on Shear Strength of Soil
Authors: Saha Himadri Shekhar , Bhowmik Debjit
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates the effect of glass fiber reinforcement on the shear strength properties of the sand clay mixture. The soil samples were prepared by mixing 50% of locally available Barak river sand with 50% of local clay soil. Triaxial tests were conducted on the soil samples containing five different percentage of fiber to know the effect of fiber content on the shear strength of the soil. Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) Triaxial tests were conducted under three different confining pressures for each sample. Samples were prepared with five different values of moisture content considering 2% less than OMC (Optimum Moisture Content), 1% less than OMC, OMC, 1% more than OMC, and 2% more than OMC to study the effect of water content (w) on behavior of fiber reinforced soil. A parametric study has been carried out in this paper to know the effect of different influencing parameters on the cohesion value and angle of internal friction. The results show that the failure stress and angle of internal friction increase with increase in fiber content up to an optimum value then decrease. On the other hand, the cohesion value increases consistently with increase in fiber content. The study also indicates that the peak deviator stress, angle of internal friction and cohesion values increase with increase in water content up to an optimum value which is less than OMC then decrease with further increase in water content.
Comparative Study of Compressive Strength of Epoxy Based Bio-Composites
Authors: Jayamani Elammaran , Heng Soon Kok , Khui Perry Law Nyuk , Bin Bakri Muhammad Khusairy
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the compressive strength of the natural fiber composites was investigated, especially on those epoxy based materials. Mulberry, cornhusk and commercialize weave jute reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated and the results were obtained through compressive test experiment. Comparison was made based on a Buransky model with the experimental results. Alkaline treatment was used to modify and alter the lumen structure of the natural fibers. It showed that the alkaline treated natural fiber composites gave promising improvement in the compressive strength compared with the raw natural fiber composites. It also showed that the misalignment angles played another vital role in in compressive strength performance. Buransky model can be used to predict the experimental results based on condition that failure occurs on the predicted misaligned angle.
A Hypermorphic Nfkbid Allele Contributes to Impaired Thymic Deletion of Autoreactive Diabetogenic CD8+ T Cells in NOD Mice
Authors: Presa Maximiliano , Racine Jeremy J. , Dwyer Jennifer R. , Lamont Deanna J. , Ratiu Jeremy J. , Sarsani Vishal Kumar , Chen Yi-Guang , Geurts Aron , Schmitz Ingo , Stearns Timothy , Allocco Jennifer , Chapman Harold D. , Serreze David V.
Published: August 2018

In both NOD mice and humans, the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is dependent in part on autoreactive CD8+ T cells recognizing pancreatic β cell peptides presented by often quite common MHC class I variants. Studies in NOD mice previously revealed that the common H2-Kd and/or H2-Db class I molecules expressed by this strain aberrantly lose the ability to mediate the thymic deletion of pathogenic CD8+ T cell responses through interactions with T1D susceptibility genes outside the MHC. A gene(s) mapping to proximal chromosome 7 was previously shown to be an important contributor to the failure of the common class I molecules expressed by NOD mice to mediate the normal thymic negative selection of diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. Using an inducible model of thymic negative selection and mRNA transcript analyses, we initially identified an elevated Nfkbid expression variant as a likely NOD-proximal chromosome 7 region gene contributing to impaired thymic deletion of diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. CRISPR/Cas9–mediated genetic attenuation of Nfkbid expression in NOD mice resulted in improved negative selection of autoreactive diabetogenic AI4 and NY8.3 CD8+ T cells. These results indicated that allelic variants of Nfkbid contribute to the efficiency of intrathymic deletion of diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. However, although enhancing thymic deletion of pathogenic CD8+ T cells, ablating Nfkbid expression surprisingly accelerated T1D onset that was associated with numeric decreases in both regulatory T and B lymphocytes in NOD mice.
Wildfires as a source of airborne mineral dust – revisiting a conceptual model using large-eddy simulation (LES)
Authors: Wagner Robert , Jähn Michael , Schepanski Kerstin
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Airborne mineral dust is a key player in the Earth system and shows manifold impacts on atmospheric properties such as the radiation budget and cloud microphysics. Investigations of smoke plumes originating from wildfires found significant fractions of mineral dust within these plumes – most likely raised by strong, turbulent fire-related winds. This study presents and revisits a conceptual model describing the emission of mineral dust particles during wildfires. This is achieved by means of high-resolution large-eddy simulation (LES), conducted with the All Scale Atmospheric Model (ASAM). The impact of (a) different fire properties representing idealized grassland and shrubland fires, (b) different ambient wind conditions modulated by the fire's energy flux, and (c) the wind's capability to mobilize mineral dust particles was investigated. Results from this study illustrate that the energy release of the fire leads to a significant increase in near-surface wind speed, which consequently enhances the dust uplift potential. This is in particular the case within the fire area where vegetation can be assumed to be widely removed and uncovered soil is prone to wind erosion. The dust uplift potential is very sensitive to fire properties, such as fire size, shape, and intensity, but also depends on the ambient wind velocity. Although measurements already showed the importance of wildfires for dust emissions, pyro-convection is so far neglected as a dust emission process in atmosphere–aerosol models. The results presented in this study can be seen as the first step towards a systematic parameterization representing the connection between typical fire properties and related dust emissions.
Constraints and biases in a tropospheric two-box model of OH
Authors: Naus Stijn , Montzka Stephen A. , Pandey Sudhanshu , Basu Sourish , Dlugokencky Ed J. , Krol Maarten
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The hydroxyl radical (OH) is the main atmospheric oxidant and the primary sink of the greenhouse gas CH4. In two recent studies, constraints on the hydroxyl radical (OH) were derived using a tropospheric two-box model of methyl chloroform (MCF) and CH4. When OH variations as derived in this set-up were propagated to the CH4 budget, the constraints on OH from MCF still allowed for a wide range of CH4 emission scenarios. This is important, because global CH4 emissions are generally considered best constrained by the global lifetime of CH4, which is determined mainly by OH. Here, we investigate how the use of a tropospheric two-box model in these studies can have affected derived constraints on OH, due to the simplifying assumptions inherent to a two-box model. First, instead of prescribing fixed model parameters for interhemispheric transport, chemical loss rates and loss to the stratosphere, we derive species- and time-dependent quantities from a full 3D transport model simulation. We find significant deviations between the magnitude and time-dependence of the parameters we derive, and the assumptions commonly reported and adopted in literature. Moreover, using output from the 3D model simulations, we investigated differences between the burden seen by the surface measurement network of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the true tropospheric burden. Next, we accounted for these biases in a two-box model inversion of MCF and CH4, to investigate the impact of the biases on OH constraints. We find that the sensitivity of interannual OH anomalies to the biases is modest (1–2 %), relative to the significant uncertainties on derived OH (5–8 %). However, in an inversion where we implemented all four bias corrections simultaneously, we did find a shift to a positive OH trend over the 1994–2015 period. Moreover, the magnitude of derived global mean OH and by extent that of global CH4 emissions are affected much more strongly by the bias corrections than their anomalies (∼ 10 %). In this way, we identified and quantified direct limitations in the two-box model approach that can possibly be corrected for when a full 3D simulation is used to inform the two-box model. This derivation is, however, an extensive and species-dependent exercise. Therefore, a good alternative would be to move the inversion problem of OH to a 3D model completely. It is crucial to account for the limitations of two-box models in future attempts to constrain the atmospheric oxidative capacity, especially because though MCF and CH4 behave similarly in large parts of our analysis, it is not obvious that this should be the case for alternative tracers that potentially constrain OH, other than MCF.
A shape model of internally mixed soot particles derived from artificial surface tension
Authors: Ishimoto Hiroshi , Kudo Rei , Adachi Kouji
Published: August 2018

Abstract. To retrieve the physical properties of aerosols from multi-channel ground-based/satellite measurements, we developed a shape model of coated soot particles and created a dataset of their optical properties. Bare soot particles were assumed to have an aggregate shape, and two types of aggregates with different size–shape dependences were modeled using a polyhedral Voronoi structure. To simulate the detailed shape properties of mixtures of soot aggregates and adhered water-soluble substances, we propose a simple model of surface tension derived from the artificial surface potential. The light-scattering properties of the modeled particles with different volume fractions of water-soluble material were calculated using the finite-difference time-domain method and discrete-dipole approximation. The results of the single-scattering albedo and asymmetry factors were compared to those of conventional internally mixed spheres (i.e., effective medium spheres based on the Maxwell–Garnett approximation and simple core–shell spheres). In addition, the lidar backscattering properties (i.e., lidar ratios and linear depolarization ratios) of the modeled soot particles were investigated. For internally mixed soot particles, the lidar backscattering properties were sensitive to the shape of the soot particles and the volume mixing ratio of the assumed water-soluble components. However, the average optical properties of biomass burning smoke, which have been reported from in situ field and laboratory measurements, were difficult to explain based on the individually modeled particle. Nonetheless, our shape model and its calculated optical properties are expected to be useful as an alternative model for biomass burning smoke particles in advanced remote sensing via multi-channel radiometer and lidar measurements.
Aerosol optical properties derived from POLDER-3/PARASOL (2005–2013) over the western Mediterranean Sea: I. Quality assessment with AERONET and in situ airborne observations
Authors: Formenti Paola , Mbemba Kabuiku Lydie , Chiapello Isabelle , Ducos Fabrice , Dulac François , Tanré Didier
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The western Mediterranean atmosphere is impacted by a variety of aerosol sources, producing a complex and variable mixture of natural and anthropogenic particles, with different chemical and physical properties. Satellite sensors provide a useful global coverage of aerosol parameters but through indirect measurements that request careful validation. Here we present the results of a long-term regional scale analysis of the full dataset (March 2005 and October 2013) of POLDER-3/PARASOL ocean operational retrievals of the total, fine and coarse aerosol optical depth (AOD, AODF and AODC), Angstrom exponent (AE), and the spherical/non-spherical partition of coarse-mode AOD (AODCS and AODCNS), respectively. The evaluation is performed using data from seventeen coastal and insular ground-based AERONET sites on one side, and airborne vertical profiles of aerosol extinction and number size distribution obtained by the SAFIRE ATR 42 aircraft operated in the area during summer 2012 and 2013 on the other side. This study provides the first regional evaluation of uncertainties of the POLDER-3 products, and highlights their quality. The POLDER-3 Ångström exponent, representing AOD spectral dependence in link with the aerosol particle size distribution, is biased towards small values. This bias, however, does not prevent using AE for classifying the regional aerosol laden air masses. AODF corresponds to particle smaller than 0.6–0.8 µm in diameter and appears suitable to monitor the aerosol submicron fraction from space. We also provide an original validation of POLDER-3 AODC and its spherical/non-spherical partition, which shows agreement within 25 % with AERONET shape retrievals when the aerosol coarse fraction dominates.
Optical thickness matching algorithm applied to the case study of an
accidental fire smoke plume over the Paris area with N2-Raman lidar
Authors: Shang Xiaoxia , Chazette Patrick , Totems Julien
Published: August 2018

Abstract. A smoke plume, coming from an accidental fire in a textile warehouse in the north of Paris, covered a significant part of the Paris area on 17 April 2015 and seriously impacted the visibility over the megalopolis. This exceptional event was sampled with an automatic N2-Raman lidar, which operated 15 km south of Paris. The industrial pollution episode was concomitant with a long-range transport of dust aerosols raised from Sahara, and with the presence of an extended stratus cloud cover. The analysis of the ground-based lidar profiles therefore required the development of an original inversion algorithm, using a top-down aerosol optical thickness matching (TDAM) approach. This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first lidar measurement of an accidental fire smoke plume. Vertical profiles of the aerosol extinction coefficient, depolarization and lidar ratio are derived to optically characterize the aerosols that form the plume. We found a lidar ratio close to 50 ± 10 sr for this fire smoke aerosol layer. The particle depolarization ratio is low, ~ 1 ± 0.1 %, suggesting the presence of spherical particles and therefore highly hydrated aerosols in that layer. A Monte Carlo algorithm was used to assess the uncertainties on the optical parameters, and to evaluate the TDAM algorithm.
Data mining for vortices on the Earth's magnetosphere – algorithm application for detection and analysis
Authors: Collado-Vega Yaireska M. , Kalb Virginia L. , Sibeck David G. , Hwang Kyoung-Joo , Rastätter Lutz
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Unsteady processes in the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction,
such as vortices developed at the magnetopause boundary by the
Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, may contribute to the process of mass, momentum
and energy transfer into the Earth's magnetosphere. The research described in
this paper validates an algorithm to automatically detect and characterize
vortices based on velocity data from simulations. The vortex identification
algorithm (VIA) systematically searches the 3-D velocity fields to
identify critical points where the magnitude of the velocity vector vanishes.
The velocity gradient tensor is computed and its invariants are used to
assess vortex structure in the flow field. We use the Community Coordinated
Modeling Center (CCMC) Runs on Request capability to create a series of model
runs initialized from the conditions observed by the Cluster mission in the
Hwang et al. (2011) analysis of Kelvin–Helmholtz vortices observed during
southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. We analyze further
the properties of the vortices found in the runs, including the velocity
changes within their motion across the magnetosheath. We also demonstrate the
potential of our tool to identify and characterize other transient features
(e.g., flux transfer events, FTEs) with vortical internal structures. We find
that the vortices are associated with flows on the magnetosheath side of the
magnetopause that reach speeds greater than the solar wind speed at the
bow shock. Keywords. Magnetospheric physics (MHD waves and instabilities; solar wind–magnetosphere interactions) – space plasma physics (numerical simulation studies)
Veros v0.1 – a fast and versatile ocean simulator in pure Python
Authors: Häfner Dion , Jacobsen René Løwe , Eden Carsten , Kristensen Mads R. B. , Jochum Markus , Nuterman Roman , Vinter Brian
Published: August 2018

Abstract. A
general circulation ocean model is translated from Fortran to Python. Its
code structure is optimized to exploit available Python utilities, remove
simulation bottlenecks, and comply with modern best practices. Furthermore, support for
Bohrium is added, a framework that provides a just-in-time compiler for array
operations and that supports parallel execution on both CPU and GPU targets. For applications containing more than a million grid elements, such as a
typical 1∘×1∘ horizontal resolution global ocean model,
Veros is approximately half as fast as the MPI-parallelized Fortran base code
on 24 CPUs and as fast as the Fortran reference when running on a high-end
GPU. By replacing the original conjugate gradient stream function solver with
a solver from the pyAMG Python package, this particular subroutine
outperforms the corresponding Fortran version by up to 1 order of magnitude. The study is concluded with a simple application in which the North Atlantic
wave response to a Southern Ocean wind perturbation is investigated. It is
found that even in a realistic setting the phase speeds of boundary waves
matched the expectations based on theory and idealized models.
A comprehensive sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for discharge
and nitrate-nitrogen loads involving multiple discrete model inputs
under future changing conditions
Authors: Schürz Christoph , Hollosi Brigitta , Matulla Christoph , Pressl Alexander , Ertl Thomas , Schulz Karsten , Mehdi Bano
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Environmental modeling studies aim to infer the impacts on environmental variables that are caused by natural and human-induced changes in environmental systems. Changes in environmental systems are typically implemented as discrete scenarios in environmental models to simulate environmental variables under changing conditions. The scenario development of a model input usually involves several data sources and perhaps other models, that are potential sources of uncertainty. The setup and the parametrization of the implemented environmental model are additional sources of uncertainty for the simulation of environmental variables. Yet, to draw well-informed conclusions from the model simulations it is essential to identify the dominant sources of uncertainty. In two Austrian impact studies the eco-hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to simulate discharge and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N) loads under future changing conditions. For both catchments the SWAT model was set up with different spatial aggregations and non-unique model parameter sets were identified that adequately reproduced observations of discharge and NO3−-N loads. We developed scenarios of future changes for land use, point source emissions, and climate and implemented the scenario realizations in the different SWAT model setups with different model parametrizations, which resulted in 7000 combinations of scenarios and model setups for both catchments. With all model combinations we simulated daily discharge and NO3−-N loads at the catchment outlets. In both case studies we employed global sensitivity analysis (GSA) to identify the impact of the scenario inputs, the model setup and the parametrization on the simulation of discharge and NO3−-N loads. We accompanied the GSA with a visual analysis of the simulation outputs and their associated uncertainties that resulted from the simulations of the 7000 SWAT model combinations. We present visualizations of the results of the GSA and the simulation uncertainty bands that proved to be powerful diagnostic tools in this study. Based on the GSA we identified climate change and the model parametrization to be the most sensitive model inputs for the simulation of discharge and NO3−-N loads in both case studies. In contrast, the impact of the model setup on the simulation of discharge and NO3−-N loads was low and the changes in land use and point source emissions were found to have the least impact on the simulated discharge and NO3−-N loads. Additionally, the visual analysis of the uncertainty bands illustrated that the precipitation of the climate scenarios dominated the changes in simulation outputs, rather than changes in air temperature in both case studies.
Evaluating seasonal hydrological extremes in mesoscale (pre-)Alpine basins at coarse 0.5° and fine hyperresolution
Authors: Buitink Joost , Uijlenhoet Remko , Teuling Adriaan J.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. In this study, we investigate the effect of model resolution on the simulated hydrological response in five mesoscale basins in the Swiss Alps using the distributed hydrological model Spatial Processes in Hydrology (SPHY). Model simulations are performed at resolutions matching regional scale (500 × 500 m, also matching hyperresolution) and global scale modeling (40 × 40 km, matching a 0.5 × 0.5° pixel). The simulated response is investigated for four seasonal extremes, selected based on temperature and precipitation anomalies. Results from the high resolution model show that the intra-basin response covers a large range of anomalies, often with contrasting anomaly signs. The intra-basin response was grouped by land cover, where different dominant runoff generating processes are driving the differences between these groups. The low resolution model failed to capture the diverse and contrasting response from the high resolution model, since both the complex topography and land cover classes were not properly represented. We show that the hydrological response simulated with a high resolution model can be a lot more extreme than a low resolution model might indicate, which has important implications for global assessments carried out at their typical 0.5 × 0.5° resolution.
Surface water monitoring in small water bodies: potential and limits of multi-sensor Landsat time series
Authors: Ogilvie Andrew , Belaud Gilles , Massuel Sylvain , Mulligan Mark , Le Goulven Patrick , Calvez Roger
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Hydrometric monitoring of small
water bodies (1–10 ha) remains rare, due to their limited size and
large numbers, preventing accurate assessments of their agricultural
potential or their cumulative influence in watershed hydrology. Landsat
imagery has shown its potential to support mapping of small water bodies, but
the influence of their limited surface areas, vegetation growth, and rapid
flood dynamics on long-term surface water monitoring remains unquantified. A
semi-automated method is developed here to assess and
optimize the potential of
multi-sensor Landsat time series to monitor surface water extent and mean
water availability in these small water bodies. Extensive hydrometric field
data (1999–2014) for seven small reservoirs within the Merguellil catchment
in central Tunisia and SPOT imagery are used to calibrate the method and
explore its limits. The Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (MNDWI) is shown out of six
commonly used water detection indices to provide high overall accuracy and
threshold stability during high and low floods, leading to a mean surface
area error below 15 %. Applied to 546 Landsat 5, 7, and 8 images over
1999–2014, the method reproduces surface water extent variations across
small lakes with high skill (R2=0.9) and a mean root mean square error
(RMSE) of 9300 m2. Comparison with published global water datasets
reveals a mean RMSE of 21 800 m2 (+134 %) on the same lakes
and highlights the value of a tailored MNDWI approach to improve hydrological
monitoring in small lakes and reduce omission errors of flooded vegetation.
The rise in relative errors due to the larger proportion and influence of
mixed pixels restricts surface water monitoring below 3 ha with
Landsat (Normalised RMSE = 27 %). Interferences from
clouds and scan line corrector failure on ETM+ after 2003 also decrease the
number of operational images by 51 %, reducing performance on lakes with
rapid flood declines. Combining Landsat observations with 10 m
pansharpened Sentinel-2 imagery further reduces RMSE to 5200 m2,
displaying the increased opportunities for surface water monitoring in small
water bodies after 2015.
Characteristics and fate of isolated permafrost patches in coastal Labrador, Canada
Authors: Way Robert G. , Lewkowicz Antoni G. , Zhang Yu
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Bodies of peatland permafrost were examined at five sites
along a 300 km transect spanning the isolated patches permafrost zone in the
coastal barrens of southeastern Labrador. Mean annual air temperatures
ranged from +1 ∘C in the south (latitude 51.4∘ N) to
−1.1 ∘C in the north (53.7∘ N) while mean ground
temperatures at the top of the permafrost varied respectively from
−0.7 to −2.3 ∘C with shallow active layers (40–60 cm)
throughout. Small surface offsets due to wind scouring of snow from the
crests of palsas and peat plateaux, and large thermal offsets due to thick
peat are critical to permafrost, which is absent in wetland and
forested and forest–tundra areas inland, notwithstanding average air
temperatures much lower than near the coast. Most permafrost peatland bodies
are less than 5 m thick, with a maximum of 10 m, with steep geothermal
gradients. One-dimensional thermal modelling for two sites showed that they
are in equilibrium with the current climate, but the permafrost mounds are
generally relict and could not form today without the low snow depths that
result from a heaved peat surface. Despite the warm permafrost, model
predictions using downscaled global warming scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5)
indicate that perennially frozen ground will thaw from the base up and may
persist at the southern site until the middle of the 21st century. At
the northern site, permafrost is more resilient, persisting to the 2060s
under RCP8.5, the 2090s under RCP4.5, or beyond the 21st century under
RCP2.6. Despite evidence of peatland permafrost degradation in the study
region, the local-scale modelling suggests that the southern boundary of
permafrost may not move north as quickly as previously hypothesized.
Wireless Mesh Networks as Community Hubs: Analysis of Small-Scale Wireless Mesh Networks and Community-Centered Technology Training
Authors: Greig Jamie Alexander
Published: August 2018

This paper addresses two policy questions. Firstly, how might evolving technologies associated with broadband networks enhance or hinder marginalized or underserved population groups' effective use and access to information resources? Secondly, how can we foster public hybrid broadband, situating broadband networks within existing communities, as a means to promote digital self-determination? This study finds that wireless mesh technology initiatives can create and foster community engagement through infrastructure deployment, maintenance and use; combat myths regarding marginalized demographics and technology, and provide marginalized communities with an opportunity to become decision-makers regarding communications technology infrastructure development.
Atividade antimicrobiana de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni e de adoçantes não calóricos sobre bactérias cariogênicas: estudo in vitro
Authors: Henz Sandra Liana , Arthur Rodrigo Alex , Colvara Beatriz Carriconde , Severo Raísa , Felten Vinícius
Published: August 2018

Objetivo: avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana in vitro daplanta Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni e de adoçantes nãocalóricos sobre o crescimento de Streptococcus mutanse Lactobacillus casei, micro-organismos cariogênicospresentes na cavidade bucal. Materiais e método: oestudo foi realizado utilizando as cepas padrões de S.mutans (UA159) e L. casei (ATCC7469). Foram avaliadosdiferentes compostos não calóricos substitutos dasacarose nas concentrações de 1%, 5% e 10%: eritritol(ER), Fit Sucralose® (SU), Stevita® (ST), solução de Steviarebaudiana Bertoni (SSr) e, como controle positivo,digluconato de clorexidina (DC). A análise do efeito inibitóriodesses compostos no crescimento das bactériasfoi feita por meio da técnica de difusão em ágar. Resultado:observou-se que existe um efeito inibitório decrescimento de ambos os micro-organismos por parteda SSr e do ER, enquanto os demais adoçantes testadosnão tiveram efeito inibitório sobre esses micro-organismos.Conclusão: os resultados demonstram que SSR eER apresentam efeito inibidor no crescimento das cepastestadas de S. mutans e L. casei.

Palavras-chave: Adoçante natural. Cárie dentária. Lactobacilluscasei. Stevia. Streptococcus mutans.
Saúde bucal: dos hábitos e conhecimento de higiene ao comportamento e acesso a serviços odontológicos de universitários brasileiros e estrangeiros
Authors: Da Silva Cosmo Helder Ferreira , Benedito Francisco Cezanildo Silva , Joaquim Davide Carlos , De Sousa Daniel Freire , Leite Ana Caroline Rocha de Melo
Published: August 2018

Objetivo: o estudo objetivou investigar os hábitos, oconhecimento sobre higiene oral e o comportamentoem saúde bucal bem como o acesso aos serviços odontológicosde estudantes brasileiros e principalmenteestudantes africanos, recém-ingressos à universidade.Sujeitos e método: trata-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo,transversal e quantitativo, conduzido em universidadepública brasileira. Após assinatura do termode consentimento livre e esclarecido, foi aplicado umquestionário aos acadêmicos. Os dados foram tabuladose analisados. Resultados: entre os brasileiros, 90%escovavam os dentes no mínimo 3 vezes ao dia, 50%não utilizavam fio dental, 55% não faziam uso de colutório,e 80% higienizavam a língua. Entre os estrangeiros,55% escovavam 2 vezes ao dia, 85% não usavamfio dental, 80% não utilizavam colutório, e 65%higienizavam a língua. Todos os brasileiros conheciamfio dental e colutório, enquanto que 70% dos acadêmicosestrangeiros sabiam o que era fio dental, e 60%desconheciam o que era colutório. Observou-se umaassociação entre ser estudante estrangeiro e não utilizarfio dental. Dos participantes, 95% dos brasileiros e 50%dos estrangeiros já tinham buscado atendimento odontológico.Sobre a autopercepção de higiene bucal, 95%dos brasileiros e 60% dos estrangeiros consideravam-naboa. Constatou-se ainda uma relação entre ser acadêmicorecém-ingresso e ter uma boa percepção de higieneoral sem utilizar fio dental. Conclusão: concluiu-se quehá diferenças entre hábitos, conhecimento e comportamentoem saúde bucal de acadêmicos de acordo com anacionalidade. A pesquisa contribuiu para caracterização,comparação e relação de importantes variáveis emsaúde bucal nos contextos universitário e étnico.Palavras-chave: Acesso aos serviços de saúde. Estudantes.Hábitos. Saúde bucal. Saúde da população negra.
Eutanásia no Brasil: entre o Código Penal e a dignidade da pessoa humana
Authors: Barbosa Gabriella Sousa da Silva , Federico Losurdo
Published: August 2018

No Brasil o atual Código Penal não tipifica a prática da eutanásia, alocando a conduta no art. 121, §1º, homicídio privilegiado.  A “morte piedosa” começa a ser tratada pelas legislações e jurisprudência estrangeiras sem que o debate atinja maior destaque nos âmbitos legislativo e judiciário brasileiro. Entre a garantia da dignidade da pessoa humana, art. 1º, III/CF-88, e a proteção à vida, art. 5º, caput/CF-88, há uma nítida colisão de princípios. Tendo-se por base o direito comparado e por plano de fundo o julgamento da ADI 3.510 pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal brasileiro e do Projeto de Lei nº 236/12 – Novo Código Penal –, o qual tipifica a prática da eutanásia, analisa-se a possibilidade de não imputação de pena ao agente da eutanásia frente à interpretação constitucional.
Expediente
Authors: Masthead Journal
Published: August 2018

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Multivariate Analysis for the Questionnaire Investigation on the Needs at Fuji City
Authors: Higuchi Yuki , Okubo Akane , Suzuki Daisuke , Takeyasu Kazuhiro
Published: August 2018

Shopping streets at local city in Japan became old and are generally declining. In this paper, we handle the area rebirth and/or regional revitalization of shopping street. We focus on Fuji city in Japan. Four big festivals are held at Fuji city (two for Fuji Shopping Street Town and two for Yoshiwara Shopping Street Town). Many people visit these festivals including residents in that area. Therefore a questionnaire investigation to the residents and visitors is conducted during these periods in order to clarify residents and visitors’ needs for the shopping street, and utilize them to the plan building of the area rebirth and/or regional revitalization of shopping street. These are analyzed by using Multiple Correspondence Analysis. These are utilized for constructing a much more effective and useful plan building. We have obtained fruitful results. To confirm the findings by utilizing the new consecutive visiting records would be the future works to be investigated.
Pedagogical Application of Corpus on EFL of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): The Function of Visualization on Attention Deficit Problem
Authors: Shi Jing
Published: August 2018

Statistics reveals that Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) becomes prevalent in recent years. Among 68 children, 1 is reported as being on the spectrum. Children with ASD often encounter a variety of challenges in their academic life, most of which are supposed to be attributed to the core symptoms of ASD. This study attempts to explore the effects of the pedagogical application of corpus on children with ASD by analyzing the visualization function of corpus tools on children with ASD. This research involves 30 children (aged 8–10) who have been diagnosed as being with ASD on the mild side. They have spontaneous utterances in their L1 and most of which are of pragmatic functions. Compared with the normally developed peers, these 30 children have shown difficulties in learning a foreign language. This article assesses the visualizing function of the pedagogical application of corpus on helping them overcome the difficulties: they can be seated longer during the class; they pay more attention to the instructor and peers; and they respond more frequently to the instructor and peers. Hopefully, this article can provide some constructive suggestions for foreign language teaching and learning for children with ASD.
Analyzing and Forecasting Zonal Imbalance Signs in the Italian Electricity Market
Authors: Lisi Francesco , Edoli Enrico
Published: August 2018

In this paper, within the Italian electricity market, we analyse the features and the dynamics of the imbalance sign, defined as the sign of the algebraic sum of energy bought and sold by the national Transmission and System Operator during the real-time balancing of the electric network. The analyses provide evidence that the probability of having a positive (negative) sign exhibits a serial dependence structure and a dependence on the load periods, as well as on past history. Based on this evidence, we build a suitable model for zonal sign dynamics, and we use it for an out-of-sample forecasting exercise concerning the probability of a positive imbalance sign, nt. The results show that the zonal imbalance sign is ‘predictable.’ An economic evaluation of the benefits of using the proposed model is also provided.
Armored carrier MT-LB and support vehicles produced on its basis in Poland
Authors: Kajetanowicz Jerzy
Published: August 2018

The article presents the history of construction of the armored carrier MT-LB designed in 1960s in Kharkiv Tank Factory in the USSR. The serial production of the carrier in Poland and the involvement of Polish scientific and research centers in the preparation of its specialized versions is discussed. The individual versions of the carrier are characterized, streaming them according to: vehicles produced in Poland, prototype vehicles constructed in Polish scientific and research centers and vehicles obtained for the Polish Armed Forces under import. Furthermore, the article outlines the utilization of the MT-LB armored carrier and anti-aircraft missile launchers, engineering vehicles, armored recovery and command-staff vehicles built on its basis by the Polish Armed Forces’ units, drawing the attention to their role in process of technical modernization of the land forces.
Analysis of means of personal protection for rescuers during incidents involving radioactive materials
Authors: Kukfisz Bozena , Polka Marzena
Published: August 2018

During firefighting and rescue operations there is a high probability that rescuers will come into contact with ionizing radiation and radiation contamination. The firemen of the State Fire Service and the Volunteer Fire Service perform a number of tasks during the action [Obwieszczenie Marszałka Sejmu… 2009], for which they are prepared during exercises and theoretical sessions. A significant reduction in the probability of radiation or radiation contamination risk can be achieved by taking appropriate precautions and following certain rules and procedures. The actions at which ionizing radiation occurs take place very rarely and procedures are regulated by the “Rules of conduct in the event of radiation risk” [Komenda Główna… 2009] annexed to the “Rules of the organization of chemical and environmental rescue in the National Firefighting and Rescue System” [Komenda Główna… 2013]. The aim of this article is to present the possibilities of protecting the rescue team during fire and rescue operations associated with the potential presence of radioactive materials at the scene.
Content and Language Integrated Learning – functional safety study programme in English
Authors: Raczkiewicz Joanna , Golacki Krzysztof
Published: August 2018

Safety engineering has become a challenging and rewarding career field in the present day age of rapid technological and scientific advances. But how to raise student’s awareness regarding the legal and regulatory requirements introduced by safety organizations and government agencies?
The aim of this paper is to show how successful cooperation between professionals in the field of safety engineering, especially functional safety and experienced university language teachers can boost student motivation and inspire them to face the social and industrial needs of changing business environments.
We will try to prove that a tailor-made course provides students with efficient information about the subject, source material and vocabulary from the field of safety engineering. It will also enable students to use knowledge to respond to hazards and accidents. It will teach them to take independent decisions in emergency situations and prepare them to feel comfortable in the global business.
New challenges and technologies related to aircrafts’ battle damages
Authors: Roskowicz Marek , Smal Tomasz , Szrama Slawomir
Published: August 2018

The authors of the article present the idea of the maintenance of aircrafts’ battle damages. The aim of the paper is to discuss the issue of the field maintenance of aircrafts. The process of evaluating damages and recommendations regarding verification of airframe structure elements and its equipment damaged by an enemy’s impact has been addressed. The paper demonstrates the changes in dealing with the issue of battle damages of aircrafts, which have occurred over the period of several decades. The new challenges faced by personnel servicing the modern aviation constructions in a contemporary battlefield have been subjected to the evaluation. Concepts regarding the new maintenance methods of an airframe construction of military aircrafts have been outlined.