bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Soil and Water Control Technology (SWCT) in Keita Valley, a Semi-Arid Area of Niger
Authors: Karidjo Boureima , Wang Zhanqi , Boubacar Yamba , Wei Chao
Published: January 2018

The Ader Doutchi Maggia in Niger, as with other Sahelian zones, undergoes a process of climatic deterioration, which combines with the growing social and economic needs of the increasing population and causes a general economic crisis. Land degradation due to biophysical factors requires that priority action is given to land reclamation and soil conservation and to activities intended to increase agricultural production. This paper takes a look at socio-economic and established factors affecting the adoption of soil and water control technology (SWCT) in Keita valley, a semi-arid area in the central of Niger. Well-designed questionnaire survey on key agents was used to gather the indispensable data from farm ménages. The binary dichotomous logistic regression model prognosticated six factors to be affecting the adoption of soil and water control technology in Keita. These variables cover the gender of the respondent, age of the household’s head, income evolution within the family, small craft referring to off farm income, training provides by local institutions, use of credit and, possession of full rights on land and its resources. The results revealed that diffusion of adoption from local organized community is a good alternative to increase the adoption of soil and water control technology in Keita valley agriculture system in Niger. Researchers and policy makers should conceive proper strategies and agenda reflecting the farmers’ interest, position and restriction in advocating new technologies for greater assumption and adoption by the farmers.
An Ontology-Based Knowledge Modelling for a Sustainability Assessment Domain
Authors: Konys Agnieszka
Published: January 2018

Sustainability assessment has received more and more attention from researchers and it offers a large number of opportunities to measure and evaluate the level of its accomplishment. However, proper selection of a particular sustainability assessment approach, reflecting problem properties and the evaluator’s preferences, is a complex and important issue. Due to an existing number of different approaches dedicated to assessing, supporting, or measuring the level of sustainability and their structure oriented on the particular domain usage, problems with accurate matching frequently occur. On the other hand, the efficiency of sustainability assessment depends on the available knowledge of the ongoing capabilities. Additionally, actual research trends confirm that knowledge engineering gives a method to handle domain knowledge practically and effectively. Unfortunately, literature studies confirm that there is a lack of knowledge systematization in the sustainability assessment domain, however. The practical application of knowledge-based mechanisms may cover this gap. In this paper, we provide formal, practical and technological guidance to a knowledge management-based approach to sustainability assessment. We propose ontology as a form of knowledge conceptualization and using knowledge engineering, we make gathered knowledge publicly available and reusable, especially in terms of interoperability of collected knowledge.
A Critical Review of High and Very High-Resolution Remote Sensing Approaches for Detecting and Mapping Slums: Trends, Challenges and Emerging Opportunities
Authors: Mahabir Ron , Croitoru Arie , Crooks Andrew , Agouris Peggy , Stefanidis Anthony
Published: January 2018

Slums are a global urban challenge, with less developed countries being particularly impacted. To adequately detect and map them, data is needed on their location, spatial extent and evolution. High- and very high-resolution remote sensing imagery has emerged as an important source of data in this regard. The purpose of this paper is to critically review studies that have used such data to detect and map slums. Our analysis shows that while such studies have been increasing over time, they tend to be concentrated to a few geographical areas and often focus on the use of a single approach (e.g., image texture and object-based image analysis), thus limiting generalizability to understand slums, their population, and evolution within the global context. We argue that to develop a more comprehensive framework that can be used to detect and map slums, other emerging sourcing of geospatial data should be considered (e.g., volunteer geographic information) in conjunction with growing trends and advancements in technology (e.g., geosensor networks). Through such data integration and analysis we can then create a benchmark for determining the most suitable methods for mapping slums in a given locality, thus fostering the creation of new approaches to address this challenge.
Universities and primary care organisations working together to recruit GPs: a qualitative evaluation of the Enfield clinical teaching fellow programme
Authors: Jones Melvyn, M , Bashir Nadia , Purushotham Neetha , Friel Rachel , Rosenthal Joe
Published: January 2018

Background

General practice recruitment is in difficulty in the UK as many experienced GPs retire or reduce their commitment. The numbers of junior doctors choosing to specialise in the discipline is also falling, leading to primary care workforce issues particularly in 'hard to serve' areas.

Aim

To evaluate an academic service collaboration on GP recruitment between a primary care organisation (PCO), Enfield CCG, and a university, University College London (UCL).

Design & setting

Evaluation of an academic service collaboration in the Enfield CCG area of north east London.

Method

An action research method utilising qualitative methodology was used to evaluate a local service intervention, undertaken by the participants themselves. The qualitative data were analysed by one researcher but themes were agreed by the whole team. Enfield CCG, an NHS PCO, funded a collaboration with UCL to employ five GPs as clinical teaching fellows to work in Enfield, to increase patients' access, to provide input to CCG development projects, and to provide undergraduate medical student teaching in practice.

Results

Five teaching fellows were employed for ≤2 years and provided 18 266 extra appointments, engaged with development projects, and delivered local undergraduate teaching. The themes identified by stakeholders were the challenges of these organisations working together, recruiting GPs to an underserved area, and perceptions of the model’s value for money.

Conclusion

The evaluation showed that the collaboration of an NHS PCO and a higher education institution can work, and the prestige of being associated with a universty and clinical variety ensured GP recruitment in an area that had previously struggled. However, the project’s costs were high, which affected perceptions of its value.
Le géographe chinois Xu Xiake. Un précurseur de la karstologie et de la spéléologie
Authors: Cai Zongxia , Wenheng Yang , Maire Richard
Published: January 2018

Xu Xiake (1587-1641), the Chinese explorer and geographer , began in 1637 an astonishing four-year-long journey in South-West China. "Xu Xiake's travels", written as a diary, is made up of 600 000 Chinese letters : it is a geographical encyclopedia belonging to the ancient masterpieces of China. Descriptions of the karstic geomorphology amount to more than 100 000 letters, that is to say the equivalent of 250 pages. He visits 288 karstic caves and describes 22 types of karstic land-forms. Xu Xiake's contribution to the study of the subterranean world is extremely valuable : deposits, underground rivers and lakes, climate, source of the waters, exploitation of the caves by humans and exploration techniques.
Les grands volumes souterrains de Mulu (Bornéo, Sarawak, Malaisie)
Authors: Gilli Eric
Published: January 2018

En mars 1993, deux semaines passées dans le Parc national de Gunong Mulu (Bornéo, Malaisie, Sarawak) nous ont permis de collecter des données sur les cavités de ce massif, remarquables par leurs dimensions. Un bivouac souterrain de cinq jours et l'utilisation de techniques spéciales ont permis de réaliser une photographie de la salle Sarawak, plus grande salle souterraine du monde et d'en préciser la structure. Deer cave, plus large galerie du monde, a aussi fait l'objet d'une reconnaissance. Les deux cavités se placent dans un contexte comparable et leurs dimensions s'expliquent par la présence de calcaires métamorphisés au sein d'une structure plissée. Comme la plupart des grands volumes souterrains connus à ce jour, ceux de Mulu sont placés à l'interface calcaire et substratum imperméable.
Rapports entre la karstification périméditerranéenne et la crise de salinité du Messinien. L'exemple du karst lombard (Italie)
Authors: Bini Alfredo
Published: January 2018

La théorie du Messinien prévoit que durant la fin du Miocène la mer Méditerranée s'est asséchée presque complètement, provoquant la formation d'épais dépôts d'évaporites (sel, gypse). L'abaissement général du niveau de base a provoqué une accentuation de l'érosion. Ainsi tous les fleuves tributaires de la Méditerranée ont formé de longs et profonds canyons (Nil, Rhône, Var, etc.). Un tel abaissement a également influencé la karstification comme nous le montrons pour le karst lombard autour des grands lacs sudalpins. Avant la théorie du Messinien, on pensait que le creusement des vallées des lacs était essentiellement lié aux glaciers quaternaires. Cette explication suppose que la distribution altitudinale des cavités dépend de l'abaissement du fond de la vallée après chaque glaciation. Or la sismique faite sur les lacs et les vallées a prouvé qu'il s'agissait de profonds canyons fluviatiles remblayés. En outre l'étude des grottes a montré que celles-ci sont plus anciennes que le modelé des versants et les glaciations. Les âges U/Th indiquent qu'une grande partie des concrétions sont plus anciennes que 350 000 ans (parfois > 1,5 millions d'années). Les premiers réseaux karstiques se forment dès l'émersion durant I'Oligo-Miocène. Durant le Messinien, l'abaissement du niveau de base provoque une réorganisation des réseaux karstiques qui s'approfondissent fortement. La transgression marine pliocène provoque une nouvelle révolution dans les réseaux car une partie des cavités se trouve sous le niveau de la mer. Ces phases ont été contrôlées par des climats chauds et humides. Les grandes galeries du karst lombard se placent dans ce contexte paléoclimatique.
GARAŽŲ TERITORIJOS DIRVOŽEMIO KOKYBĖS IR UŽTERŠTUMO VERTINIMAS
Authors: ALEKNAITĖ Jurgita , KLEPAITĖ Kristina , ŠEREVIČIENĖ Vaida , VALSKYS Vaidotas
Published: January 2018

Lietuvos geologijos tarnyba, atlikusi preliminarius tyrimus, turi informacijos apie daugiau nei 12000 užterštų teritorijų, kurias būtina tvarkyti. Straipsnyje pateiktas vienos iš tokių teritorijų tyrimas – nagrinėta garažų teritorijos dirvožemio kokybė, teršalų kiekiai ir galima jų sklaida. Norint nustatyti dirvožemio kokybės pokytį buvo tiriamas dirvožemio drėgnis, pH, granuliometrinė sudėtis ir bendrosios anglies kiekis, o rezultatai lyginami su kontroliniu švaraus dirvožemio mėginiu. Nustatyta, kad teritorijoje vyrauja smėlingas gruntas, kurio pH yra padidėjęs į šarminę pusę, o bendrosios anglies kiekis yra nepastovus ir priklauso nuo teršalų kiekio. Ištirti naftos produktų ir sunkiųjų metalų kiekiai teritorijoje tiek horizontaliai, tiek ir vertikaliai iki 0,5 m gylio. Nustatyta, kad naftos produktai viršija leistinas HN 60:2004 normas teritorijos viduryje, kur vykdyta daugiau veiklos, paviršiniame (0–10 cm) sluoksnyje nuo 1,35 iki 3,5 karto ir prasiskverbia iki 30 cm gylio. Sunkieji metalai aptikti visame plote ir tirtajame gylyje (iki 50 cm). Daugiausia vyrauja cinkas (aptikta iki 818,07 mg/kg), varis (iki 2401,76 mg/kg), manganas (iki 540,12 mg/kg), chromas (iki 75,25 mg/kg), švinas (iki 1833,85 mg/kg) ir vanadis (iki 77,79 mg/kg). Paviršiniame sluoksnyje (0–10 cm) aptikti sunkiųjų metalų leistinų koncentracijų viršijimai. Pagal gautus rezultatus apskaičiuotas teritorijos užterštumo naftos produktais koeficientas (K = 4,32) ir bendras dirvožemio užterštumo sunkiaisiais metalais koeficientas (Zd = 37,35). Nustatyta pavojinga teritorijos dirvožemio užterštumo klasė.
DRĖGNOSE DUJOSE ŠYLANČIŲ VANDENS LAŠELIŲ ŠILUMOS IR MASĖS MAINAI PEREINAMŲJŲ FAZINIŲ VIRSMŲ REŽIME
Authors: MAZIUKIENĖ Monika , MILIAUSKAS Gintautas
Published: January 2018

Įvairiai technologinei praktikai svarbus lašelių šilumos ir masės mainų pažinimas. Darbe skaitiškai sumodeliuotas skirtingo dispersiškumo vandens lašelių šilimas ir faziniai virsmai drėgname ore. Išskirtinis dėmesys skirtas kondensaciniam ir pereinamojo garavimo režimams. Lašelių temperatūros kitimas apibrėžtas pagal iteracinę skaitinę schemą, kuri grįsta prie lašelio paviršiaus pritekančių ir nutekančių šilumos srautų balansu. Atsižvelgta į pernašos procesų tarpusavio sąveiką. Lašelių fazinių virsmų režimus apibrėžiančiais parametrais įvardyta išpurškiamojo vandens temperatūra, oro temperatūra ir drėgnumas bei lašelių šildymo procesas. Įvertinta jų įtaka lašelių energinei būsenai bei faziniams virsmams.
PAPRASTOJO KAŠTONO (AESCULUS HIPOCASTANUM L.) SĖKLŲ
PANAUDOJIMO TYRIMAI VARIO ŠALINIMUI IŠ VANDENINIŲ TIRPALŲ
Authors: SKRIPKA Andrius , ŠEREVIČIENĖ Vaida
Published: January 2018

Sunkiųjų metalų tarša, patenkanti į aplinką su nuotekomis, kelia labai rimtą pavojų augalams, gyvūnams,
žmogui ir net ištisoms ekosistemoms, todėl ieškoma pigių, efektyvių bei natūralių ir aplinkai nekenksmingų būdų šiems
metalams iš gamybinių nuotekų pašalinti. Pastebėta, kad biologinės kilmės medžiagos gali turėti sunkiųjų metalų sorbcijos
savybių, todėl tyrimais ieškoma pagrįstų įrodymų, kurie galėtų nurodyti tinkamiausius, efektyviausius ir universaliausius
sorbentus ir jų panaudojimo bei efektyvumo didinimo metodus. Atlikti vario šalinimo iš vandeninių tirpalų tyrimai panaudojant
skirtingais būdais paruoštus sorbentus iš paprastojo kaštono (Aesculus Hipocastanum L.) sėklų parodė, kad paprastojo
kaštono sėklų luobelė yra tinkama kaip natūrali ar chemiškai modifikuota medžiaga vario sorbcijai iš vandeninių
tirpalų, o joje esančios celiuliozės cheminis modifikavimas (fosforilinimas) gali padidinti sorbento sorbcijos efektyvumą
iki 99,9 %.
MĖKLOS UPELIO REGULIAVIMO ĮTAKOS SAVAIMINIO APSIVALYMO
EFEKTYVUMUI VERTINIMAS
Authors: STANIONYTĖ Auksė , ŠAULYS Valentinas
Published: January 2018

Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas Mėklos upelio, esančio Vidurio Lietuvoje ir priklausančio Nevėžio pabaseiniui, savaiminio
apsivalymo efektyvumas natūraliame ir reguliuotame ruože. Pasirinkti du upelio ruožai po 4 kilometrus: natūralus
ir reguliuotas. Vandens kokybės tyrimai buvo vykdomi nuo 2015 m. lapkričio mėn. Cheminiams vandens tyrimams iš
upelio 4 taškų 12 mėnesių buvo imami mėginiai ir tiriami nitratų bei fosfatų junginiai. Įvertintas savaiminio apsivalymo
nuo nitratų ir fosfatų reguliuotame ir natūraliame ruožuose efektyvumas. Pateikti ruožų savaiminio apsivalymo koeficientai.
Savaiminis upelio apsivalymas nuo nitratinio azoto geriau vyko natūraliame upelio ruože. Vidutiniškai per tyrimų
laikotarpį natūraliame ruože savaiminio koeficiento vidutinė reikšmė siekė 0,109, o reguliuotame upelio ruože nitratinio
azoto koeficiento reikšmė siekė 0,003. Tyrimų laikotarpiu reguliuotame upelio ruože fosfatų fosforo savaiminio apsivalymo
koeficientas siekė 0,044, o natūraliame ruože – 0,153. Mėklos upelis geriau nuo fosfatų fosforo apsivalo natūraliame upelio
ruože. Buvo nustatytas upelio ruožų pakrantės apsaugos juostų plotis. Reguliuoto ruožo apsaugos juostos pločio vidurkis –
7,92 m, o natūralaus ruožo – 7,56 m. Pakrantės apsaugos juostos plotis kinta nuo 3,0 iki 13,3 m. Siekiant pagerinti vandens
kokybę ir apsivalymo efektyvumą, reguliuotą upelio dalį, kiek leidžia sąlygos, reikia natūralizuoti: leisti augti ant šlaitų
daugiau sumedėjusios augalijos, formuoti natūralias kliūtis upelio tėkmei bei šlapynėms būdingus elementus upės salpoje.
RESEARCH OF THE BIOREMEDIATION OF HYDROCARBONS
IN SOIL BY THE USE OF SILICA NANOCOMPOSITE
Authors: ŽIVELYTĖ Vilma , VASAREVIČIUS Saulius , GALGINIENĖ Irma
Published: January 2018

Decades ago, oil spill has become a global issue. It effects not only environment but also economic life. Oil
spills occur due to tanker disasters, wars, operation failures, during transportation, storage, use of oil and other accidents.
Soil contaminated with petroleum effects human health, causes organic pollution of groundwater, which limits its use and
decreases the agricultural productivity of the soil. Therefore, it is important to clean up oil spills as quickly as possible.
Nowadays researchers are looking for new technologies that tackle three most important factors related with the oil spill
clean-up: money, efficiency and time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of bioremediation of petroleum
hydrocarbons in oil-contaminated soil using silica nanocomposite. According to the findings, silica nanocomposite might
increase microbial activity during biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil because of the ability of nanoparticles
to absorb water and keep moisture in soil thus creating a favourable environment for microorganisms. The study of
biodegradation with the use of silica nanocomposite was carried out for a period of ten weeks in cooperation with the
company Grunto Valymo Technologijos.
UŽDARYTO IR VEIKIANČIO SĄVARTYNŲ LIEKAMOSIOS TARŠOS
TYRIMAI IR VERTINIMAS
Authors: DAJORAITĖ Greta , ZIGMONTIENĖ Aušra , VALSKYS Vaidotas
Published: January 2018

Didelis kiekis atliekų vis dar keliauja į sąvartynus ir tai daugelyje šalių išlieka vienu iš pagrindinių atliekų
šalinimo būdų. Lietuvoje tiek veikiančių, tiek uždarytų sąvartynų stebėjimas apsiriboja tik sąvartynų monitoringo programoje
nurodytais dujų, filtrato ir požeminio vandens tyrimais, tačiau nėra gamtinės aplinkos tyrimų. Išorinės aplinkos
stebėsena svarbi norint ištirti galimą sąvartynų poveikį aplinkai. Tyrimams pasirinkti objektai – veikiantis regioninis Kazokiškių
ir uždarytas – Kariotiškių sąvartynai. Mėginiai imti 20 m atstumu už sąvartyno teritorijos visomis pasaulio šalių
kryptimis – Š, ŠR, R, PR, P, PV, V, ŠV. Pasirinkti tiriamieji objektai – kerpės ir samanos. Biomonitoriuose nustatyti
sunkieji metalai – Sr, Mn, Cr. Mėginių ėmimo taške buvo sudaryti du tinkleliai. Pirmasis – 10×50 cm ant pasirinkto medžio
kamieno, paimti kerpių bandiniai. Antrasis – 25×25 cm ant dirvožemio paviršiaus, po pasirinkto medžio laja, paimti samanų
bandiniai. Kontroliniai ėminiai imti iš Elektrėnų rajone esančio Veprių botaninio draustinio. Sunkiųjų metalų tyrimas buvo
atliekamas remiantis rentgeno fluorescencinės spektrometrijos (XRF) analitiniu metodu. Nustatyta, jog biomonitorius, kuriame
vyravo didžiausios sunkiųjų metalų koncentracijos, uždarytame Kariotiškių sąvartyne – samanos, o veikiančiame
Kazokiškių sąvartyne – kerpės. Atlikus sunkiųjų metalų eksperimentinius tyrimus, matoma tendencija, jog didesnė tarša
vyrauja uždarytame Kariotiškių sąvartyne. Galima daryti išvadą, kad liekamoji tarša yra didelė ir todėl dėl mažesnės atliekų
kontrolės bei pavojingesnių atliekų kiekio uždaryti sąvartynai yra galimai pavojingesni nei eksploatuojami sąvartynai.
The K2-HERMES Survey. I. Planet-candidate Properties from K2 Campaigns 1–3
Authors: Wittenmyer Robert A. , Sharma Sanjib , Stello Dennis , Buder Sven , Kos Janez , Asplund Martin , Duong Ly , Lin Jane , Lind Karin , Ness Melissa , Zwitter Tomaz , Horner Jonathan , Clark Jake , Kane Stephen R. , Huber Daniel , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Casey Andrew R. , De Silva Gayandhi M. , D’Orazi Valentina , Freeman Ken , Martell Sarah , Simpson Jeffrey D. , Zucker Daniel B. , Anguiano Borja , Casagrande Luca , Esdaile James , Hon Marc , Ireland Michael , Kafle Prajwal R. , Khanna Shourya , Marshall J. P. , Mohd Saddon Mohd Hafiz , Traven Gregor , Wright Duncan
Published: January 2018

Accurate and precise radius estimates of transiting exoplanets are critical for understanding their compositions and formation mechanisms. To know the planet, we must know the host star in as much detail as possible. We present first results from the K2-HERMES project, which uses the HERMES multi-object spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope to obtain R ∼ 28000 spectra of up to 360 stars in one exposure. This ongoing project aims to derive self-consistent spectroscopic parameters for about half of K2 target stars. We present complete stellar parameters and isochrone-derived masses and radii for 46 stars hosting 57 K2 candidate planets in Campaigns 1–3. Our revised host-star radii cast severe doubt on three candidate planets: EPIC 201407812.01, EPIC 203070421.01, and EPIC 202843107.01, all of which now have inferred radii well in excess of the largest known inflated Jovian planets.
SDSSJ1156−0207: A 0.54+0.19 M⊙ Double-lined M-Dwarf Eclipsing Binary System
Authors: Lee 李 Chien-Hsiu 見修
Published: January 2018

Eclipsing binaries are instrumental to our understanding of fundamental stellar parameters. With the arrival of ultra-wide cameras and large area photometric monitoring programs, numerous eclipsing binaries systems have been reported photometrically. However, due to the expensive efforts to follow up spectroscopically, most of their basic properties remain unexplored. In this paper, we exploited the eclipsing binary light curves delivered by the all-sky catalina sky surveys, in tandem with the single shot spectroscopic survey from SDSS, and identify a double-lined M-dwarf eclipsing binary SDSSJ1156−0207. Because this system is very faint (V = 15.89 mag), we obtained follow-up radial velocity measurements using the Gemini Multi-object Spectrograph on board the Gemini North Telescope. This provides us with a spectral resolution R ∼ 4000, enabling us to determine the mass and radius of each of the stellar components when jointly fitted with light curve. Our best-fit results indicate that both components are from the M dwarf, with the primary component being

and

, while the secondary component is

and

. High-resolution spectroscopic observations in the future will help pin down the stellar parameters, providing insights into the stellar models at low-mass regimes, as well as sheding light on the internal structure of close-in low-mass objects and their inflation mechanism.
The Dipole Segment Model for Axisymmetrical Elongated Asteroids
Authors: Zeng Xiangyuan , Zhang Yonglong , Yu Yang , Liu Xiangdong
Published: January 2018

Various simplified models have been investigated as a way to understand the complex dynamical environment near irregular asteroids. A dipole segment model is explored in this paper, one that is composed of a massive straight segment and two point masses at the extremities of the segment. Given an explicitly simple form of the potential function that is associated with the dipole segment model, five topological cases are identified with different sets of system parameters. Locations, stabilities, and variation trends of the system equilibrium points are investigated in a parametric way. The exterior potential distribution of nearly axisymmetrical elongated asteroids is approximated by minimizing the acceleration error in a test zone. The acceleration error minimization process determines the parameters of the dipole segment. The near-Earth asteroid (8567) 1996 HW1 is chosen as an example to evaluate the effectiveness of the approximation method for the exterior potential distribution. The advantages of the dipole segment model over the classical dipole and the traditional segment are also discussed. Percent error of acceleration and the degree of approximation are illustrated by using the dipole segment model to approximate four more asteroids. The high efficiency of the simplified model over the polyhedron is clearly demonstrated by comparing the CPU time.
Observing Galaxy Mergers at the Epoch of Reionization
Authors: Chaikin Evgenii A. , Tyulneva Nadezda V. , Kaurov Alexander A.
Published: January 2018

The galaxies with photometric redshifts observed in a close angular proximity might be either projection coincidences, strongly lensed images of the same galaxy, or separate galaxies that are in a stage of merging. We search for the groups of galaxies in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF09) in z ∼ 7 and z ∼ 8 drop-out samples. We find no close pairs among 50 galaxies in the z ∼ 7 sample, while in the z ∼ 8 sample we find that 6 out of 22 galaxies have a companion within ∼1″ (3 pairs). Adopting a numerical simulation and performing forward modeling, we show that even though mergers are unlikely to have such a high fraction, the projection coincidences and the strong lensing are even less likely mechanisms to account for all of three pairs. Alternatively, there is a possibility of the contamination in the drop-out catalog from lower redshifts, which potentially can account for all of the groups. Finally, we make projection on the sensitivity to mergers of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and discuss the possible applications of the high-redshift merging galaxies for decreasing cosmic variance effects on the luminosity function and for improving the accuracy of photometric redshifts in general.
The Large-scale Coronal Structure of the 2017 August 21 Great American Eclipse: An Assessment of Solar Surface Flux Transport Model Enabled Predictions and Observations
Authors: Nandy Dibyendu , Bhowmik Prantika , Yeates Anthony R. , Panda Suman , Tarafder Rajashik , Dash Soumyaranjan
Published: January 2018

On 2017 August 21, a total solar eclipse swept across the contiguous United States, providing excellent opportunities for diagnostics of the Sun’s corona. The Sun’s coronal structure is notoriously difficult to observe except during solar eclipses; thus, theoretical models must be relied upon for inferring the underlying magnetic structure of the Sun’s outer atmosphere. These models are necessary for understanding the role of magnetic fields in the heating of the corona to a million degrees and the generation of severe space weather. Here we present a methodology for predicting the structure of the coronal field based on model forward runs of a solar surface flux transport model, whose predicted surface field is utilized to extrapolate future coronal magnetic field structures. This prescription was applied to the 2017 August 21 solar eclipse. A post-eclipse analysis shows good agreement between model simulated and observed coronal structures and their locations on the limb. We demonstrate that slow changes in the Sun’s surface magnetic field distribution driven by long-term flux emergence and its evolution governs large-scale coronal structures with a (plausibly cycle-phase dependent) dynamical memory timescale on the order of a few solar rotations, opening up the possibility for large-scale, global corona predictions at least a month in advance.
Simulations of Effects of Nanophase Iron Space Weather Products on Lunar Regolith Reflectance Spectra
Authors: Escobar-Cerezo J. , Penttilä A. , Kohout T. , Muñoz O. , Moreno F. , Muinonen K.
Published: January 2018

Lunar soil spectra differ from pulverized lunar rocks spectra by reddening and darkening effects, and shallower absorption bands. These effects have been described in the past as a consequence of space weathering. In this work, we focus on the effects of nanophase iron (npFe0) inclusions on the experimental reflectance spectra of lunar regolith particles. The reflectance spectra are computed using SIRIS3, a code that combines ray optics with radiative-transfer modeling to simulate light scattering by different types of scatterers. The imaginary part of the refractive index as a function of wavelength of immature lunar soil is derived by comparison with the measured spectra of the corresponding material. Furthermore, the effect of adding nanophase iron inclusions on the reflectance spectra is studied. The computed spectra qualitatively reproduce the observed effects of space weathered lunar regolith.
Magnetic Buoyancy and Rotational Instabilities in the Tachocline
Authors: Gilman Peter A.
Published: January 2018

We present results from an analytical model for magnetic buoyancy and rotational instabilities in a full spherical shell tachocline that includes rotation, differential rotation close to that observed helioseismically, and toroidal field. Perturbation solutions are found for the limit of large latitudinal wave number, a limit commonly used to maximize instability due to magnetic buoyancy. We find that at all middle and high latitudes vigorous rotational instability is induced by weak toroidal fields, particularly for high longitudinal wave number, even when the vertical rotation gradient is marginally stable without toroidal field. We infer that this instability will prevent much storage of toroidal fields in the tachocline at these latitudes, but could be responsible for the appearance of ephemeral active regions there. By contrast, the low-latitude vertical rotation gradient, opposite in sign to that at high latitudes, is not only stable itself but also prevents magnetic buoyancy instability until the peak toroidal field is raised above a threshold of about 9 kG at the equator, declining to zero where the vertical rotation gradient changes sign, at

in our model. Thus this rotation gradient provides a previously unnoticed mechanism for storage of toroidal fields until they amplify by dynamo action to order 10 kG, whereupon they can overcome the rotation gradient to emerge as sunspots. These results provide a new explanation for why sunspots are seen only at low latitudes. The purely rotational instability at latitudes above 50°, even without toroidal fields, also suggests that the high-latitude tachocline should be much thicker, due to HD turbulence, than has been inferred for lower latitudes from helioseismic measurements.
Le Brésil en 2017
Authors: Théry Hervé
Published: January 2018

La conjoncture économique et politique du Brésil en 2017 est médiocre en raison d'une série de scandales politico-judiciaires qui ont mené à la destitution de la présidente Dilma Rousseff, son successeur, Michel Temer, étant à son tour menacé par les mêmes scandales qui affectent toute la classe politique. Ce constat de crise peut être relativisé en rappelant quelques-uns des atouts dont dispose le pays, comme son immensité et l'abondance de ses ressources agricoles. On peut y ajouter la fenêtre démographique que lui offre la jeunesse de sa population et l'indépendance énergétique qu'il a conquise. On peut alors réévaluer la situation du Brésil dans le monde en observant sa position intermédiaire dans le commerce international et les niveaux de violence, pour confirmer qu'il est toujours un pays émergent, voire déjà émergé.
Effective Parent Partnerships Between Schools and Diverse Families
Authors: Norris Katherine E. L.
Published: January 2018

The demographics in the United States are steadily changing. There has been a constant increase in the diverse families in schools. Often, culturally diverse and high-poverty families face more and/or different barriers to home-school partnerships than typical families. With parent involvement being so crucial to school and child success, effective education programs would benefit from learning to create partnerships with all families in authentic and meaningful ways. This chapter gives educators an overview of the challenges and the suggested practices for creating effective partnerships with diverse families.
Listening to Speak and Speaking to Be Heard
Authors: Brown Timothy J.
Published: January 2018

The need for cultural competence is important, especially in our schools where administrators, teachers, students, and parents have to bridge the cultural gap in order to educate, to communicate, and to prepare students for a global society. Nowhere is the need for cultural competence more important than in the school system where individuals from different cultural backgrounds engage on a daily basis. This chapter addresses cultural competence in the education system by focusing on the cultural values and practices that distinguish the communication styles of American mainstream culture with African American culture. More specifically, contrasting the American mainstream and African American communication cultural values. This chapter explores strategies for enhancing the communication between administrators, teachers and African American parents. This chapter explores strategies for enhancing the communication between administrators, teachers and African American parents. This approach provides a deeper cultural understanding of the communication practices and strategies of administrators, teachers and African American parents in order to minimize miscommunication and conflict.
Childhood Sexual Abuse and Violence
Authors: Pandey Jyoti Mishra , Pandey Abhishek , Mishra Preeti
Published: January 2018

The current chapter will focus on how serious this concern is and how this can be identified and overcome with different psychological methods or techniques. Childhood is a phase of innocence. The darker side of the world is yet to be known to them. Sexual abuse and violence is seen to occur in all ages, in all socioeconomic classes, and nearly in all countries with some differences in the magnitude. Consequences of child sexual abuse and violence include impaired lifelong physical and mental health. Many a times a person who was sexually abused in his/her childhood remains have some experiences that haunt them may be throughout his/her life. These may be guilt or shame of not able to stop the abuser or didn't tell it to others. Sexual abuse in children is very difficult to identify and may even harder to see. Knowledge of the risk factors for child maltreatment can be used to identify children at risk and may represent opportunities for prevention. Preventing child maltreatment before it starts is possible and requires a multidimensional approach.
Sexual Abuse Among Adolescents
Authors: Kakati Ankita , Goswami Sangeeta
Published: January 2018

This chapter addresses about the prevalence of sexual abuse of adolescents. The consequences, effects and treatment are discussed in this chapter. The chapter also focuses on the laws and amendment acts enforced for the protection of child and adolescents. The major objectives of this chapter are to bring into focus the consequences of sexually abused child and adolescents and how to help them by making them aware of the available treatments and laws enforced for their protection.
Sexual Abuse Among Individuals With Disabilities
Authors: Choudhury Sandamita , Goswami Sangeeta
Published: January 2018

The chapter addresses the concept of sexual abuse among individual with disabilities across lifespan, barriers to reporting of sexual abuse, its impact on the psychological and physical health, characteristics of perpetuators of sexual abuse, importance of family in prevention and protection of individuals with disability.
Elder Abuse and Consent Capacity
Authors: Giannouli Vaitsa
Published: January 2018

This chapter explores the findings of theoretical and empirical studies for the complicated construct of capacity to consent to sexual relations in elders. This is alongside an attempt to clarify through small-scale research, the knowledge and attitudes towards consent capacity as reported by elders themselves. Results indicate that Greek respondents are not fully informed about consent capacity and approach this topic as a taboo. Moreover, they believe that the Greek society and state do not provide adequate prevention programs. Future directions on how to make elders and their family members aware of consent capacity problems are discussed.
Interventions for Women With Substance Abuse Issues: A Scoping Review
Authors: Leppard Alison , Ramsay Margaret , Duncan Andrea , Malachowski Cindy , Davis Jane A.
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this scoping review was to describe the characteristics and features of substance abuse interventions for women in North America and discuss the findings from an occupational perspective.

METHOD. A scoping review was conducted to examine North American peer-reviewed literature published between 2001 and 2014. Four databases were searched using terms related to intervention, substance abuse, and women only. Descriptive statistics of categorical groupings were used to describe the data sources and characteristics and features of the interventions.

RESULTS. Forty-two articles met the inclusion criteria, with the majority citing a harm-reduction approach and using multifaceted interventions with various targets for change.

CONCLUSION. Substance abuse interventions for women are typically multifaceted and follow a harm-reduction philosophy. Further research into the efficacy of interventions that more specifically target occupation beyond substance use is needed.
Goal Attainment and Goal Adjustment of Older Adults During Person-Directed Cancer Rehabilitation
Authors: Lyons Kathleen Doyle , Newman Robin M. , Kaufman Peter A. , Bruce Martha L. , Stearns Diane M. , Lansigan Frederick , Chamberlin Mary , Bartels Stephen J. , Whipple Jessica , Hegel Mark T.
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE. In this pilot study of a home-based occupational therapy intervention intended to reduce disability and improve quality of life, our objective was to identify rates of goal attainment and patterns of goal adjustment of participants.

METHOD. Thirty older adults with cancer were randomized to the intervention arm, and 24 participants identified goals and completed the six-session intervention. An exploratory content analysis of qualitative and quantitative session data was performed.

RESULTS. Participants set 63 6-wk goals and attained 62% of them. Most of the goals addressed walking (28%), sedentary leisure (24%), exercising (16%), or instrumental activities of daily living (14%). When 6-wk goals were not attained (n = 24), there were 10 instances of goal disengagement and 14 instances of goal reengagement.

CONCLUSION. Although most participants were able to meet their goals, many also changed their goals and priorities after reflection and attempts to resume or initiate meaningful activities.
Effectiveness of the Co-PID for Students With Moderate Intellectual Disability
Authors: Selanikyo Efrat , Weintraub Naomi , Yalon-Chamovitz Shira
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE. We aimed to corroborate the effectiveness of the Collaborative Consultation for Participation of Students With Intellectual Disability (Co-PID), intended for enhancing participation in classroom-related activities.

METHOD. The study took place in two special education schools and included students with moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 7–20 yr. The schools were randomly assigned to intervention (Co-PID; n = 28 students, n = 4 teachers) and control (In-Service [IS]; n = 32 students, n = 7 teachers) groups. Participation was evaluated at pre- and posttest of an 8-mo intervention.

RESULTS. The Co-PID improved students’ ability to choose among provided options. Additionally, the Co-PID group achieved more goals (measured by goal attainment scaling) than the IS group in all participation areas, and their enhanced participation transferred to other school environments (as measured by the School Function Assessment).

CONCLUSION. The Co-PID was found to be an effective program for enhancing classroom and school participation.
Pilot Study Combining Electrical Stimulation and a Dynamic Hand Orthosis for Functional Recovery in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Doucet Barbara M. , Mettler Joni A.
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the effect of a combined neuromuscular electrical stimulation (ES) and dynamic hand orthosis (DHO) regimen with a group of people with chronic stroke to improve performance on specific daily tasks.

METHOD. Four people with chronic stroke participated in an ES–DHO regimen using the affected upper extremity 5×/wk for 6 wk. Outcome measures included grip strength, range of motion (ROM), and analysis of muscle activation–deactivation during release of grasp through electromyography. Ability to perform specific daily living tasks was assessed using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS).

RESULTS. Results suggested that improvements in strength, ROM, and grasp deactivation are possible with the combined ES–DHO regimen. All participants’ AMPS motor scores improved.

CONCLUSIONS. An ES–DHO regimen may improve motor skills needed for functional task performance in people with chronic stroke. Results should be interpreted cautiously because of the pilot nature of the study and the small sample size.
Novel alternative splicing variants of ACOX1 and their differential expression patterns in goats
Authors: Wu Xian-Feng , Liu Yuan , Gao Cheng-Fang , Chen Xin-Zhu , Zhang Xiao-Pei , Li Wen-Yang
Published: January 2018

Abstract. As the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway, acyl-coenzyme A oxidase 1 (ACOX1), which is regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated alfa (PPARα), is vital for fatty acid oxidation and deposition, especially in the lipid metabolism of very long-chain fatty acids. Alternative splicing events of ACOX1 have been detected in rodents, Nile tilapia, zebra fish and humans but not in goats. Herein, we identified a novel splice variant of the ACOX1 gene, which was designated as ACOX1-SV1, in addition to the complete transcript, ACOX1, in goats. The length of the ACOX1-SV1 coding sequence was 1983 bp, which presented a novel exon 2 variation owing to alternative 5′-splice site selection in exon 2 and partial intron 1, compared to that in ACOX1. The protein sequence analysis indicated that ACOX1-SV1 was conserved across different species. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that these two isoforms were expressed spatially and differently in different tissue types. ACOX1 and ACOX1-SV1 were expressed at high levels in liver, spleen, brain and adipose tissue in kid goats, and they were abundantly expressed in the fat, liver and spleen of adults. Interestingly, whether in kids or in adults, in fat, the mRNA level of ACOX1 was considerably higher than that of ACOX1-SV1. In contrast, in the liver, the expression of ACOX1-SV1 was considerably higher than that of ACOX1. This differential expression patterns showed the existence of a tissue-dependent splice regulation. These novel findings for ACOX1 should provide new insights for further studies on the function of ACOX1 and its variants that should aid in the breeding of goats with improved meat quality.
Seasonal characteristics, formation mechanisms and source origins of PM2.5 in two megacities in Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Wang Huanbo , Tian Mi , Chen Yang , Shi Guangming , Liu Yuan , Yang Fumo , Zhang Leiming , Deng Liqun , Yu Jiayan , Peng Chao , Cao Xuyao
Published: January 2018

Abstract. To investigate the characteristics of PM2.5 and its major chemical components, formation mechanisms, and geographical origins in the two megacities, Chengdu (CD) and Chongqing (CQ), in Sichuan Basin of southwest China, daily PM2.5 samples were collected simultaneously at one urban site in each city for four consecutive seasons from autumn 2014 to summer 2015. Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 were 67.0 ± 43.4 and 70.9 ± 41.4 µg m−3 at CD and CQ, respectively. Secondary inorganic aerosol (SNA) and organic matter (OM) accounted for 41.1 and 26.1 % of PM2.5 mass at CD, and 37.4 and 29.6 % at CQ, respectively. Seasonal variations of PM2.5 and major chemical components were significant, usually with the highest mass concentration in winter and the lowest in summer. Daily PM2.5 concentration exceeded the national air quality standard on 30 % of the sampling days at both sites, and most of the pollution events were at the regional scale within the basin formed under stagnant meteorological conditions. The concentrations of carbonaceous components were higher at CQ than CD, likely partially caused by emissions from the large number of motorcycles and the spraying processes used during automobile production in CQ. Heterogeneous reactions probably played an important role in the formation of SO42−, while both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions contributed to the formation of NO3−. Geographical origins of emissions sources contributing to high PM2.5 masses at both sites were identified to be mainly distributed within the basin based on potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis.
Universal power law of the gravity wave manifestation in the AIM CIPS polar mesospheric cloud images
Authors: Rong Pingping , Yue Jia , Russell III James M. , Siskind David E. , Randall Cora E.
Published: January 2018

Abstract. We aim to extract a universal law that governs the gravity wave manifestation in polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs). Gravity wave morphology and the clarity level of display vary throughout the wave population manifested by the PMC albedo data. Higher clarity refers to more distinct exhibition of the features, which often correspond to larger variances and a better-organized nature. A gravity wave tracking algorithm based on the continuous Morlet wavelet transform is applied to the PMC albedo data at 83 km altitude taken by the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) instrument to obtain a large ensemble of the gravity wave detections. The horizontal wavelengths in the range of  ∼ 20–60 km are the focus of the study. It shows that the albedo (wave) power statistically increases as the background gets brighter. We resample the wave detections to conform to a normal distribution to examine the wave morphology and display clarity beyond the cloud brightness impact. Sample cases are selected at the two tails and the peak of the normal distribution to represent the full set of wave detections. For these cases the albedo power spectra follow exponential decay toward smaller scales. The high-albedo-power category has the most rapid decay (i.e., exponent  =  −3.2) and corresponds to the most distinct wave display. The wave display becomes increasingly blurrier for the medium- and low-power categories, which hold the monotonically decreasing spectral exponents of −2.9 and −2.5, respectively. The majority of waves are straight waves whose clarity levels can collapse between the different brightness levels, but in the brighter background the wave signatures seem to exhibit mildly turbulent-like behavior.
Interannual-to-multidecadal Hydroclimate Variability and its
Sectoral Impacts in northeastern Argentina
Authors: Lovino Miguel A. , Müller Omar V. , Müller Gabriela V. , Sgroi Leandro C. , Baethgen Walter E.
Published: January 2018

Abstract. This study examines the relation between hydroclimate variability (precipitation, river discharge, temperature) and water resources, agriculture and human settlements at different time scales in northeastern Argentina. It also discusses the impacts on these productive and socio-economic sectors. The leading patterns of variability, their nonlinear trends, and cycles are identified by means of a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) complemented with a Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). Interannual hydroclimatic variability centres on two broad frequency bands: one of 2.5–6.5 years corresponding to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) periodicities and the second of about 9 years. Interdecadal variability is characterized by low-frequency trends and multidecadal oscillations that have induced a transition to wetter and warmer climate starting in the mid-twentieth century. The hydroclimate variability at all time scales had significant sectoral impacts. Frequent wet events between 1970 and 2005 favoured floods that affected agricultural and livestock productivity and forced population displacements. On the other hand, agricultural droughts produced soil moisture deficits affecting crops at critical growth periods. Hydrological droughts affected surface water resources causing water and food scarcity and stressed the capacity for hydropower generation. Lastly, increases in minimum temperature reduced wheat and barley yields.