bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satellite Observations of El Niño Impacts on Eurasian Spring Vegetation Greenness during the Period 1982–2015
Authors: Li Jing , Fan Ke , Zhou Liming
Published: June 2017

As Earth’s most influential naturally-recurring sea and atmospheric oscillation, ENSO results in widespread changes in the climate system not only over much of the tropics and subtropics, but also in high latitudes via atmospheric teleconnections. In the present study, the linkages between springtime vegetation greenness over Eurasia and El Niño are investigated based on two long-term normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets from 1982 to 2015, and possible physical mechanisms for the teleconnections are explored. Results from the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) analyses consistently suggest that the spatial patterns of NDVI, with “negative-positive-negative” values, have closer connections to El Niño. In particular, East Russia is identified as the key region with the strongest negative influences from Eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño on spring vegetation growth. During EP El Niño years, suppressed convection over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) may excite a Rossby wave from the BoB to the Far East. East Russia is located in the west of a large cyclone anomaly accompanied by the strong North and Northwesterly wind anomalies and the transport of cold air from Siberia. As a result, surface air temperature decreases significantly over East Russia and thus inhibits the vegetation growth during spring in the EP El Niño years.
The DOM Generation and Precise Radiometric Calibration of a UAV-Mounted Miniature Snapshot Hyperspectral Imager
Authors: Yang Guijun , Li Changchun , Wang Yanjie , Yuan Huanhuan , Feng Haikuan , Xu Bo , Yang Xiaodong
Published: June 2017

Hyperspectral remote sensing is used in precision agriculture to remotely and quickly acquire crop phenotype information. This paper describes the generation of a digital orthophoto map (DOM) and radiometric calibration for images taken by a miniaturized snapshot hyperspectral camera mounted on a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The snapshot camera is a relatively new type of hyperspectral sensor that can acquire an image cube with one spectral and two spatial dimensions at one exposure. The images acquired by the hyperspectral snapshot camera need to be mosaicked together to produce a DOM and radiometrically calibrated before analysis. However, the spatial resolution of hyperspectral cubes is too low to mosaic the images together. Furthermore, there are no systematic radiometric calibration methods or procedures for snapshot hyperspectral images acquired from low-altitude carrier platforms. In this study, we obtained hyperspectral imagery using a snapshot hyperspectral sensor mounted on a UAV. We quantitatively evaluated the radiometric response linearity (RRL) and radiometric response variation (RRV) and proposed a method to correct the RRV effect. We then introduced a method to interpolate position and orientation system (POS) information and generate a DOM with low spatial resolution and a digital elevation model (DEM) using a 3D mesh model built from panchromatic images with high spatial resolution. The relative horizontal geometric precision of the DOM was validated by comparison with a DOM generated from a digital RGB camera. A surface crop model (CSM) was produced from the DEM, and crop height for 48 sampling plots was extracted and compared with the corresponding field-measured crop height to verify the relative precision of the DEM. Finally, we applied two absolute radiometric calibration methods to the generated DOM and verified their accuracy via comparison with spectra measured with an ASD Field Spec Pro spectrometer (Analytical Spectral Devices, Boulder, CO, USA). The DOM had high relative horizontal accuracy, and compared with the digital camera-derived DOM, spatial differences were below 0.05 m (RMSE = 0.035). The determination coefficient for a regression between DEM-derived and field-measured crop height was 0.680. The radiometric precision was 5% for bands between 500 and 945 nm, and the reflectance curve in the infrared spectral region did not decrease as in previous research. The pixel and data sizes for the DOM corresponding to a field area of approximately 85 m × 34 m were small (0.67 m and approximately 13.1 megabytes, respectively), which is convenient for data transmission, preprocessing and analysis. The proposed method for radiometric calibration and DOM generation from hyperspectral cubes can be used to yield hyperspectral imagery products for various applications, particularly precision agriculture.
Single-Lead Fetal ECG Extraction Based on a Parallel Marginalized Particle Filter
Authors: Zhao Zhidong , Tong Huiling , Deng Yanjun , Xu Wen , Zhang Yefei , Ye Haihui
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a novel method for extracting the fetal ECG (FECG) from a single-lead abdominal signal. A dynamical model for a modified abdominal signal is proposed, in which both the maternal ECG (MECG) and the FECG are modeled, and then a parallel marginalized particle filter (par-MPF) is used for tracking the abdominal signal. Finally, the FECG and MECG are simultaneously separated. Several experiments are conducted using both simulated and clinical signals. The results indicate that the method proposed in this paper effectively extracts the FECG and outperforms other Bayesian filtering algorithms.
Automatic Detection and Classification of Pole-Like Objects for Urban Cartography Using Mobile Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Ordóñez Celestino , Cabo Carlos , Sanz-Ablanedo Enoc
Published: June 2017

Mobile laser scanning (MLS) is a modern and powerful technology capable of obtaining massive point clouds of objects in a short period of time. Although this technology is nowadays being widely applied in urban cartography and 3D city modelling, it has some drawbacks that need to be avoided in order to strengthen it. One of the most important shortcomings of MLS data is concerned with the fact that it provides an unstructured dataset whose processing is very time-consuming. Consequently, there is a growing interest in developing algorithms for the automatic extraction of useful information from MLS point clouds. This work is focused on establishing a methodology and developing an algorithm to detect pole-like objects and classify them into several categories using MLS datasets. The developed procedure starts with the discretization of the point cloud by means of a voxelization, in order to simplify and reduce the processing time in the segmentation process. In turn, a heuristic segmentation algorithm was developed to detect pole-like objects in the MLS point cloud. Finally, two supervised classification algorithms, linear discriminant analysis and support vector machines, were used to distinguish between the different types of poles in the point cloud. The predictors are the principal component eigenvalues obtained from the Cartesian coordinates of the laser points, the range of the Z coordinate, and some shape-related indexes. The performance of the method was tested in an urban area with 123 poles of different categories. Very encouraging results were obtained, since the accuracy rate was over 90%.
Coordinate Optimization of the Distribution Network Electricity Price, Energy Storage Operation Strategy, and Capacity under a Shared Mechanism
Authors: Liu Wenxia , Wang Shu , Chen Ye , Chen Xingliang , Niu Shuya , Liu Zongqi
Published: June 2017

The large scale deployment of renewable generation is generally seen as the most promising option for displacing fossil fuel generators. A challenge in integrating renewable energy resources (RERs) for distribution networks is to find approaches that ensure the long term sustainability and economic profit of the Distribution Company (DisCo). In this paper, considering the air condition load demand side response, a coordinate optimization of the energy storage capacity and operation strategy is presented to maximize the economic profit of the DisCo. The operation strategy in the optimization is divided into two parts. Under the normal state, a price-based air condition quick response strategy is proposed, with both the comfort and economic efficiency of the users taken into account. Under the fault state, a sharing strategy of Generalized Demand Side Resources (GDSRs) is proposed to improve the utilization level of equipment based on the reliability insurance. Finally, the optimization is carried out on an improved IEEE-33 bus test system. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and discuss the effect of the load demand response participation rate on energy storage configuration. At the same time, the effect of GDSRs on the safe load rate of the line is also presented. The research provides a reference for the optimization and utilization of GDSRs.
Variation of Land-Expropriated Farmers’ Willingness: A Perspective of Employment and Inhabitance
Authors: Li Yongle , Shu Bangrong , Shi Xiaoping , Zhu Yu
Published: June 2017

Understanding land-expropriated farmers’ welfare change and the determinants of their willingness to change is very important for sustainable urbanization and social stability in developing countries. However, this issue has been seldom explored in previous studies, especially in China. This paper aims to enrich this field by conducting an empirical study using a household survey in 2014 in Nanjing, a major city in the Yangtze River Delta. The impacts of land expropriation on the variation of land-expropriated farmers’ employment and inhabitance are explored, while the determinants of land-expropriated farmers’ willingness are estimated using ordered logistic regression. Results show that the land-expropriated farmers pay more attention to the changes of employment and inhabitance after land expropriation, rather than land expropriation itself. While employment aspects were key determinants of the farmers’ willingness in 1996, factors relating to inhabitance aspects have become more important nowadays. Moreover, it is necessary to grasp the changing rules of land-expropriated farmers’ interest appeals in order to adjust the compensation and resettlement policies according to local conditions. Thus, this will improve land-expropriated farmers’ willingness. Meanwhile, the government should create a better expectation of employment and inhabitance after land expropriation for farmers. Furthermore, the government should also build a land expropriation information sharing and feedback mechanism in addition to improve the employment and housing security system.
Promoting Crowdsourcing for Urban Research: Cycling Safety Citizen Science in Four Cities
Authors: Ferster Colin , Nelson Trisalyn , Laberee Karen , Vanlaar Ward , Winters Meghan
Published: June 2017

People generate massive volumes of data on the Internet about cities. Researchers may engage these crowds to fill data gaps and better understand and inform planning decisions. Crowdsourced tools for data collection must be supported by outreach; however, researchers typically have limited experience with marketing and promotion. Our goal is to provide guidance on effective promotion strategies. We evaluated promotion efforts for BikeMaps.org, a crowdsourced tool for cycling collisions, near misses, hazards, and thefts. We analyzed website use (sessions) and incidents reported, and how they related to promotion medium (social, traditional news, or in-person), intended audience (cyclists or general), and community context (cycling mode share, cycling facilities, and a survey in the broader community). We compared four Canadian cities, three with active promotion, and one without, over eight months. High-use events were identified in time periods with above average web sessions. We found that promotion was essential for use of the project. Targeting cycling specific audiences resulted in more data submitted, while targeting general audiences resulted in greater age and gender diversity. We encourage researchers to use tools to monitor and adapt to promotion medium, audience, and community context. Strategic promotion may help achieve more diverse representation in crowdsourced data.
A Review of Flaviviruses that Have No Known Arthropod Vector
Authors: Blitvich Bradley , Firth Andrew
Published: June 2017

Most viruses in the genus Flavivirus are horizontally transmitted between hematophagous arthropods and vertebrate hosts, but some are maintained in arthropod- or vertebrate-restricted transmission cycles. Flaviviruses maintained by vertebrate-only transmission are commonly referred to as no known vector (NKV) flaviviruses. Fourteen species and two subtypes of NKV flaviviruses are recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), and Tamana bat virus potentially belongs to this group. NKV flaviviruses have been isolated in nature almost exclusively from bats and rodents; exceptions are the two isolates of Dakar bat virus recovered from febrile humans and the recent isolations of Sokoluk virus from field-collected ticks, which raises questions as to whether it should remain classified as an NKV flavivirus. There is evidence to suggest that two other NKV flaviviruses, Entebbe bat virus and Yokose virus, may also infect arthropods in nature. The best characterized bat- and rodent-associated NKV flaviviruses are Rio Bravo and Modoc viruses, respectively, but both have received limited research attention compared to many of their arthropod-infecting counterparts. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of NKV flaviviruses, placing a particular emphasis on their classification, host range, geographic distribution, replication kinetics, pathogenesis, transmissibility and molecular biology.
Fabrication of hierarchically porous TiO2 nanofibers by microemulsion electrospinning and their application as anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Jin , Cai Yibing , Hou Xuebin , Song Xiaofei , Lv Pengfei , Zhou Huimin , Wei Qufu
Published: June 2017

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofibers have been widely applied in various fields including photocatalysis, energy storage and solar cells due to the advantages of low cost, high abundance and nontoxicity. However, the low conductivity of ions and bulk electrons hinder its rapid development in lithium-ion batteries (LIB). In order to improve the electrochemical performances of TiO2 nanomaterials as anode for LIB, hierarchically porous TiO2 nanofibers with different tetrabutyl titanate (TBT)/paraffin oil ratios were prepared as anode for LIB via a versatile single-nozzle microemulsion electrospinning (ME-ES) method followed by calcining. The experimental results indicated that TiO2 nanofibers with the higher TBT/paraffin oil ratio demonstrated more axially aligned channels and a larger specific surface area. Furthermore, they presented superior lithium-ion storage properties in terms of specific capacity, rate capability and cycling performance compared with solid TiO2 nanofibers for LIB. The initial discharge and charge capacity of porous TiO2 nanofibers with a TBT/paraffin oil ratio of 2.25 reached up to 634.72 and 390.42 mAh·g−1, thus resulting in a coulombic efficiency of 61.51%; and the discharge capacity maintained 264.56 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles, which was much higher than that of solid TiO2 nanofibers. TiO2 nanofibers with TBT/paraffin oil ratio of 2.25 still obtained a high reversible capacity of 204.53 mAh·g−1 when current density returned back to 40 mA·g−1 after 60 cycles at increasing stepwise current density from 40 mA·g−1 to 800 mA·g−1. Herein, hierarchically porous TiO2 nanofibers have the potential to be applied as anode for lithium-ion batteries in practical applications.
Pediatric Hearing Aid Management: Challenges among Hispanic Families
Authors: Caballero Ana , Muñoz Karen , White Karl , Nelson Lauri , Domenech-Rodriguez Melanie , Twohig Michael
Published: June 2017

Background:Hearing aid fitting in infancy has become more common in the United States as a result of earlier identification of hearing loss. Consistency of hearing aid use is an area of concern for young children, as well as other hearing aid management challenges parents encounter
that may contribute to less-than-optimal speech and language outcomes. Research that describes parent hearing aid management experiences of Spanish-speaking Hispanic families, or the extent of their needs, is not available. To effectively support parent learning, in a culturally sensitive
manner, providers may benefit from having a better understanding of the needs and challenges Hispanic families experience with hearing aid management.Purpose:The purpose of the current study was to describe challenges with hearing aid management and use for children from birth to 5
yr of age, as reported by Spanish-speaking parents in the United States, and factors that may influence hearing aid use.Research Design:This study used a cross-sectional survey design.Study Sample:Forty-two Spanish-speaking parents of children up to 5 yr of age who had been fitted
with hearing aids.Data Collection and Analysis:Responses were obtained from surveys mailed to parents through early intervention programs and audiology clinics. Descriptive statistics were used to describe frequencies and variance in responses.Results:Forty-seven percent of the
parents reported the need for help from an interpreter during audiology appointments. Even though parents received information and were taught skills by their audiologist, many wanted to receive more information. For example, 59% wanted to know how to meet other parents of children who have
hearing loss, although 88% had previously received this information; 56% wanted to know how to do basic hearing aid maintenance, although 71% had previously received instruction. The two most frequently reported hearing aid use challenges were fear of losing the hearing aids, and not seeing
benefit from the hearing aids. Hearing aid use during all waking hours was reported by more parents (66%) when their child had a good day than when their child had a bad day (37%); during the previous two weeks, 35% of the parents indicated their child had all good days.Conclusions:Hispanic
parents wanted more comprehensive information, concrete resources, and emotional support from the audiologist to overcome hearing aid management challenges. Understanding parents’ perspectives, experiences, and challenges is critical for audiologists to provide appropriate support in
a culturally sensitive manner and to effectively address families’ needs.
Very Deep inside the SN 1987A Core Ejecta: Molecular Structures Seen in 3D
Authors: Abellán F. J. , Indebetouw R. , Marcaide J. M. , Gabler M. , Fransson C. , Spyromilio J. , Burrows D. N. , Chevalier R. , Cigan P. , Gaensler B. M. , Gomez H. L. , Janka H.-Th. , Kirshner R. , Larsson J. , Lundqvist P. , Matsuura M. , McCray R. , Ng C.-Y. , Park S. , Roche P. , Staveley-Smith L. , Loon J. Th. van , Wheeler J. C. , Woosley S. E.
Published: June 2017

Most massive stars end their lives in core-collapse supernova explosions and enrich the interstellar medium with explosively nucleosynthesized elements. Following core collapse, the explosion is subject to instabilities as the shock propagates outward through the progenitor star. Observations of the composition and structure of the innermost regions of a core-collapse supernova provide a direct probe of the instabilities and nucleosynthetic products. SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud is one of very few supernovae for which the inner ejecta can be spatially resolved but are not yet strongly affected by interaction with the surroundings. Our observations of SN 1987A with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array are of the highest resolution to date and reveal the detailed morphology of cold molecular gas in the innermost regions of the remnant. The 3D distributions of carbon and silicon monoxide (CO and SiO) emission differ, but both have a central deficit, or torus-like distribution, possibly a result of radioactive heating during the first weeks (“nickel heating”). The size scales of the clumpy distribution are compared quantitatively to models, demonstrating how progenitor and explosion physics can be constrained.
La triple escalera de caracol en el Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval (Santiago, España): hipótesis de diseño y construcción
Authors: Fernández Cabo M. C. , González Uriel A. , De Miguel M.
Published: June 2017

Hacia 1700, en los últimos años de su carrera, el maestro mayor de la catedral de Santiago de Compostela, Domingo de Andrade, realizó un alarde técnico sin precedentes al construir una singular escalera de caracol en el Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval. El presente trabajo ofrece una hipótesis constructiva de la obra en base a los conocimientos y medios disponibles en la época, atendiendo a su geometría, trazado, labra de los peldaños y puesta en obra en condiciones de estabilidad estructural. Se ha realizado una maqueta a escala 1:5, que ha permitido demostrar la hipótesis de que la escalera pudo ser levantada sin necesidad alguna de apeos. Tal circunstancia habría supuesto para Andrade, arquitecto y contratista, una reducción importante de los costes de construcción. Más allá de la indudable demostración de pericia, es muy posible que motivaciones económicas animaran al maestro en su audacia.
Approach Operations and the Energy Management Challenge
Authors: Smith Kevin M.
Published: June 2017

This article presents vital approach energy management data that has been flight tested. This important background information may be of considerable interest to those involved in designing solutions for the approach and landing safety problem. This data can easily be uploaded to a “Smart Cockpit” feature so that flight crews can have this information presented when it is most needed. Limiting parameters for a stabilized approach are presented. The flight crew must be aware of certain stabilization targets so as to make a more informed decision concerning the go-around or land decision. Aerodynamic factors such as weight and airspeed effects are covered to provide the necessary understanding of the dynamic stability challenge. Deceleration distances versus approach airspeeds have been operationally examined. These profiles include level flight deceleration, level flight maximum deceleration, three-degree maximum rate deceleration, high-speed descent, low-speed descent, and the concerning “slam dunk” turn.
A Simulation Study on Boarding and Deplaning Utilizing Two-Doors for a Narrow Body Aircraft
Authors: Liang Yuhang , Bazargan Massoud
Published: June 2017

Boarding and deplaning processes are major and longest metrics for aircraft turnaround times. Currently, many studies have been conducted to develop more efficient strategies to reduce the boarding times. However, these studies, primarily focus on one-door boarding strategy for narrow body aircraft. Recent technological innovations provide the flexibility to add an extension to existing jet bridges making it possible to board and deplane through the front and rear doors of a narrow body aircraft. Motivated by this technological flexibility, the current study employs simulation approaches to examine, compare and contrast boarding and deplaning times utilizing one and two-door jet bridges. Different boarding and deplaning strategies are studied in this research. The results show significant time savings can be achieved for both boarding and deplaning for two-door jet bridges compared to current one-door practices.
The labyrinth as a symbol of life: A journey with God and chronic pain
Authors: Els Lishje
Published: June 2017

This article is written in the style and method of an autoethnography that focuses on the author’s spiritual journey with God while living with chronic pain. The labyrinth is used as a metaphor and spiritual tool to describe this journey. The author’s personal experience with religion and spirituality is described as well as the choice of moving from thinking about God being ‘out there’, far away and looking upon God’s creation (supernatural theism) to discovering God within – God ‘right here’ (panentheism). The affects and effects of living with chronic pain are discussed in reference to the process of walking the circuits of a labyrinth. The role of different people who played a part in this journey is highlighted. This way of writing corresponds with a narrative way of living which concentrates on deconstruction of dominant discourses and looking for outcomes that may lead to hope and transformation. The difference between rainbow hope and reasonable hope is explained and the consequence of choosing reasonable hope is discussed. Transformation of the person through the journey becomes apparent in the article.
Phylogenetic analysis of a partial L1 gene from bovine papillomavirus type 1 isolated from naturally occurring papilloma cases in the northwestern region of Turkey
Authors: Timurkan M. Ozkan , Alcigir M. Eray
Published: June 2017

This study was aimed at the molecular characterisation of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) isolated from papilloma cases in the northwestern region of Turkey. BPV-1 is a widely occurring oncogenic virus in cattle and is associated with benign epithelial neoplasia which causes significant economic losses in dairy and beef cattle because of treatment costs. In this study, 29 suspected papilloma specimens were collected from cattle in northwestern Turkey. These samples underwent molecular characterisation via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis as well as macroscopic and histopathological examination. The histopathological examinations confirmed papilloma as the main lesion type in the specimens. Of the 29 papilloma-like tissue samples that were collected, 11 (i.e. 37.93%) were detected as positive and determined as containing BPV-1 (11 of 11, 100%). Using a partial sequence for the L1 gene acquired from GenBank, phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of BPV-1 and revealed that the infection might have originated in cross bred domestic and imported cattle. This study provides potentially useful information on the origin and spread of this disease. Its results can potentially aid in the development of appropriate control measures and therapeutic or vaccination strategies against the BPV-1 strain of bovine papillomatosis.
El lector literario
Authors: Sánchez Ortiz César , Miaja de la Peña Maria Teresa , Fernández de Alba Luz
Published: June 2017

Reseña de la obra El lector literario, de Pedro C. Cerrillo, editada por la editorial mexicana Fondo de Cultura Económica en 2016.
La publicidad en el aula de Lengua Castellana y Literatura en Enseñanza Secundaria en España: retos y desafíos
Authors: López Pena Zósimo
Published: June 2017

La comunicación publicitaria forma parte de nuestra vida de manera diaria. Si en muchas ocasiones los adultos no sabemos identificar y valorar críticamente este tipo de comunicación comercial, nos preguntamos de qué herramientas dispone un alumno de Educación Secundaria, formado en el sistema educativo español, para detectar y procesar adecuadamente este tipo de mensajes que, en muchos casos, pueden llegar a condicionar su desarrollo como ciudadano en el futuro. El objetivo principal del presente artículo consiste en la revisión del tratamiento de la didáctica de la publicidad en la etapa de Enseñanza Secundaria, concretamente en la materia de Lengua Castellana y Literatura, y el posterior planteamiento de una serie de propuestas y desafíos que contribuirían a mejorar la forma de enseñar publicidad en esta etapa. Para alcanzar dicho objetivo, se ha realizado un examen del currículum de la materia Lengua Castellana y Literatura en España así como de la literatura científica que existe actualmente sobre la aplicación de la publicidad en el aula como recurso educativo. Al hilo de las diversas carencias que hemos detectado se han ofrecido una serie de líneas novedosas de trabajo que permitirían lograr una mejor educación mediática y unos futuros ciudadanos más críticos.
Les adaptacions de clàssics literaris en la formació de mestres: la narrativa breu medieval
Authors: Méndez Cabrera Jeroni
Published: June 2017

A partir de la consideració del paper dels clàssics en l’educació literària del segle XXI, aquest treball planteja la idea que alguns textos pertanyents a la narratio brevis medieval poden suposar lectures idònies per al foment del gaudi lector i la formació de futurs docents. Així, a manera d’exemple, es presenta una experiència d’aula basada en l’adaptació didàctica del fabliau originalment titulat Estula, realitzada en el marc dels estudis de Grau de Mestre/a en Educació Infantil.
Concentration Analysis of New Private Residential Units Market in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Sai On , Levina Brigitta , Niu Yuhan
Published: June 2017

The new residential property price in Hong Kong has rocketed in the last decade and has ranked within the top three metropolitan cities in the world. Housing is a necessity for most people, high residential property price has its social ramification. The rocketing price seems not solely the result of the market. As such, this raised the issue of competition in this market. This study employs Concentration Ratio and Hirfindahl-Hirschman index to evaluate the market concentration of the New Private Resident Units Market in Hong Kong. Using the best information available in the public domains and applying universal thresholds, the New Private Resident Units Market in Hong Kong is considered moderately concentrated. It is noted that the big five listed developers in Hong Kong are collectively holding a dominant position of the potential supply. Moreover, the top three have comparable market shares thus suggesting no monopoly exists. It is also found that the substantial land banks held by the five big listed developers, amount to 60% of that owned by the Government. These developers will therefore retain their dominant market power in the future. Further study is recommended to examine whether the big developers have abused their market power.
Finding the community in sustainable online community engagement: Not-for-profit organisation websites, service-learning and research
Authors: Dodd Alice
Published: June 2017

This article explores the use of action research (2008–2014) based on a case study of the Sustainable Online Community Engagement (SOCE) Project, a service-learning project in which University of South Australia students build websites for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations, to demonstrate that effective teaching, public service and research are interdependent. A significant problem experienced in the SOCE project was that, despite some training and ongoing assistance, the community organisations reported that they found it difficult to make effective use of their websites. One of the proposed solutions was to develop an online community of the participating organisations that would be self-supporting, member-driven and collaborative, and enable the organisations to share information about web-based technology. The research reported here explored the usefulness of developing such an online community for the organisations involved and sought alternative ways to assist the organisations to maintain an effective and sustainable web presence.
The research used a three-phase ethnographic action research approach. The first phase was a content analysis and review of the editing records of 135 organisational websites hosted by the SOCE project. The second phase was an online survey sent to 145 community organisation members responsible for the management of these websites, resulting in 48 responses. The third phase consisted of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 of the website managers from 12 of these organisations. The research revealed the extent to which organisations were unable to manage their websites and found that the proposed solution of an online community would not be useful. More importantly, it suggested other useful strategies which have been implemented. In Furco’s (2010) model of the engaged campus, public engagement can be used to advance the public service, teaching and research components of higher education’s tripartite mission, but this requires a genuine and sustained process of listening to the community of which the institution is a part. The article argues that, with recent changes to government policy reducing funding to the community sector, an important role for universities is to engage with their communities in both teaching and research. Service-learning projects are often evaluated for learning and teaching outcomes and valued as aligning with university policy on community engagement, but there is potential to do more harm than good for community partners. The experience with the SOCE project demonstrates that effective community engagement must be based on research of what the community partners genuinely want and then assessed against those objectives. Research and community engagement should not be framed as mutually exclusive but understood as part of the same process.
‘Useful, usable and used’: Sustaining an Australian model of cross-faculty service learning by concentrating on shared value creation
Authors: Andersen Lisa
Published: June 2017

In recent decades, partnerships between community-based organisations and universities through service-learning programs have proliferated, reflected in an equally energetic growth in the research literature on process, evaluation, benefits and lessons learned. As an example of student experiential education through community engagement, service learning’s potential to contribute to students, community partners and the university is well recognised, although the research has tended to focus on benefits to students rather than the value in engagement for the community sector. UTS Shopfront Community Program is a cross-university initiative that has successfully facilitated curricular service learning in multiple disciplines for 20 years at an Australian university, leading to the completion of more than 1000 community projects. In examining this program, this article aims to describe both a sustainable, generative partnership model for creating shared value and, through analysis of 10 years of evaluation data, define what value is created for community partners and students through this project work. Key components in enabling a shared-value approach include: community-initiated projects based on need; a dedicated cross-university program and an assigned project coordinator; the engagement of faculty expertise through students with developed skills in appropriately structured courses; and community ownership of outcomes. Ongoing challenges include: scoping ‘student-ready’ briefs; managing risk, commitment and workload; designing coursework structures to deliver shared value; and achieving the ‘Holy Grail’ of transdisciplinarity.
Editorial: The engaged university
Authors: Nyden Phil , Ashton Paul , O'Loughlin Pauline
Published: June 2017

Gateways has been a place where university researchers and community members join together to better understand the broad range of issues confronting communities across the globe, including academic communities. It is well positioned to promote a healthy debate among community members, researchers and policy-makers around scores of problems. We will continue to be a resource that is free to the thousands of our readers.
The Effects of El Niño-South Oscillation on the Winter Haze
Pollution of China
Authors: Zhao Shuyun , Zhang Hua , Xie Bing
Published: June 2017

Abstract. It is reported in previous studies that El Niño-South Oscillation (ENSO) influences not only the summer monsoon, but also the winter monsoon over East Asia. This contains some clues that ENSO may affect the winter haze pollution of China, which has become a serious problem in recent decades, through influencing the winter climate of East Asia. In this work, we explore the effects of ENSO on the winter (from December to February) haze pollution of China statistically and numerically. Statistical results reveal that the haze days of southern China tend to be less (more) than normal in El Niño (La Niña) winter; whereas the winter haze days of northern and eastern China have no significant relationship with ENSO. Results from numerical simulations show that under the emission level of aerosols for the year 2010, the winter-average atmospheric contents of anthropogenic aerosols over southern China are generally more (less) than normal in El Niño (La Niña) winter. It is because that the transports of aerosols from South and Southeast Asia to southern China are enhanced (weakened), which mask the better (worse) scavenging conditions for aerosols in El Niño (La Niña) winter. The probability density function (PDF) of the simulated daily surface concentrations of aerosols over southern China indicates that the region tends to have less clean and moderate (heavy) haze days, but more heavy (moderate) haze days in El Niño (La Niña) winter.
NOy production, ozone loss and changes in net radiative heating due to energetic particle precipitation in 2002–2010
Authors: Sinnhuber Miriam , Berger Uwe , Funke Bernd , Nieder Holger , Reddmann Thomas , Stiller Gabriele , Versick Stefan , von Clarmann Thomas , Wissing Jan Maik
Published: June 2017

Abstract. We analyze the impact of energetic particle precipitation on the stratospheric nitrogen budget, ozone abundances and net radiative heating using results from three global chemistry-climate models considering solar protons and geomagnetic forcing due to auroral or radiation belt electrons. Two of the models cover the atmosphere up to the lower thermosphere, the source region of auroral NO production. Geomagnetic forcing in these models is included by prescribed ionization rates. One model reaches up to about 80 km, and geomagnetic forcing is included by applying an upper boundary condition of auroral NO mixing ratios parameterized as a function of geomagnetic activity. Despite the differences in the implementation of the particle effect, the resulting modeled NOy in the upper mesosphere agrees well between all three models, demonstrating that geomagnetic forcing is represented in a consistent way either by prescribing ionization rates or by prescribing NOy at the model top. Compared with observations of stratospheric and mesospheric NOy from the MIPAS instrument for the years 2002–2010, the model simulations reproduce the spatial pattern and temporal evolution well. However, after strong sudden stratospheric warmings, particle induced NOy is underestimated by both high-top models, and after the solar proton event in October 2003, NOy is overestimated by all three models. Model results indicate that the large solar proton event in October 2003 contributed about 1–2 Gmol (109 mol) NOy per hemisphere to the stratospheric NOy budget, while downwelling of auroral NOx from the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere contributes up to 4 Gmol NOy. Accumulation over time leads to a constant particle-induced background of about 0.5–1 Gmol per hemisphere during solar minimum, and up to 2 Gmol per hemisphere during solar maximum. Related negative anomalies of ozone are predicted by the models nearly in every polar winter, ranging from 10–50 % during solar maximum to 2–10 % during solar minimum. Ozone loss continues throughout polar summer after strong solar proton events in the Southern hemisphere and after large sudden stratospheric warmings in the Northern hemisphere. During mid-winter, the ozone loss causes a reduction of the infrared radiative cooling, i.e., a positive change of the net radiative heating (effective warming), in agreement with analyses of geomagnetic forcing in stratospheric temperatures which show a warming in the late winter upper stratosphere. In late winter and spring, the sign of the net radiative heating change turns to negative (effective cooling). This spring-time cooling lasts well into summer and continues until the following autumn after large solar proton events in the Southern hemisphere, after sudden stratospheric warmings in the Northern hemisphere.
Forest Fire Finder – DOAS application to long-range forest fire detection
Authors: Valente de Almeida Rui , Vieira Pedro
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Fires are an important factor in shaping Earth's ecosystems. Plant and animal life, in almost every land habitat, are at least partially dependent on the effects of fire. However, their destructive force, which has often proven uncontrollable, is one of our greatest concerns, effectively resulting in several policies in the most important industrialised regions of the globe. This paper aims to comprehensively characterise the Forest Fire Finder (FFF), a forest fire detection system based mainly upon a spectroscopic technique called differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). The system is designed and configured with the goal of detecting higher-than-the-horizon smoke columns by measuring and comparing scattered sunlight spectra. The article covers hardware and software, as well as their interactions and specific algorithms for day mode operation. An analysis of data retrieved from several installations deployed in the course of the last 5 years is also presented. Finally, this paper features a discussion on the most prominent future improvements planned for the system, as well as its ramifications and adaptations, such as a thermal imaging system for short-range fire seeking or environmental quality control.
Retrieval of an Ice Water Path over the Ocean from ISMAR and MARSS millimeter/submillimeter brightness temperatures
Authors: Brath Manfred , Fox Stuart , Eriksson Patrick , Harlow R. Chawn , Burgdorf Martin , Buehler Stefan A.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. A neural network (NN)-based retrieval method to determine the snow ice water path (SIWP), liquid water path (LWP), and integrated water vapor (IWV) from millimeter and sub-millimeter brightness temperatures, measured by using airborne radiometers (ISMAR and MARSS), is presented. The NNs were trained by using atmospheric profiles from the ICON numerical weather prediction (NWP) model and by radiative transfer simulations using the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS). The basic performance of the retrieval method was analyzed in terms of offset (bias) and the median fractional error (MFE), and the benefit of using submillimeter channels was studied in comparison to pure microwave retrievals. The retrieval is offset free for SIWP > 0.01 kg/m2, LWP > 0.1 kg/m2 and IWV > 3 kg/m2. The MFE of SIWP decreases from 100 % at SIWP = 0.01 kg/m2 to 20 % at SIWP = 1 kg/m2 and the MFE of LWP from 100 % at LWP = 0.05 kg/m2 to 30 % at LWP = 1 kg/m2. The MFE of IWV for IWV > 3 kg/m2 is 5 % to 8 %. The SIWP retrieval strongly benefits from sub-millimeter channels, which reduce the MFE by a factor of two, compared to pure microwave retrievals. The IWV and the LWP retrieval also benefit from sub-millimeter channels, albeit to a lesser degree. The retrieval was applied to ISMAR and MARSS brightness temperatures from FAAM flight B897 on 18 March 2015 of a precipitating frontal system west of the coast of Iceland. Considering the given uncertainties, the retrieval is in reasonable agreement with the SIWP, LWP, and IWV values simulated by the ICON NWP model for that flight. A comparison of the retrieved IWV with IWV from 12 dropsonde 15 measurements shows an offset of 0.5 kg/m2 and an rms difference of 0.8 kg/m2, showing that the retrieval of IWV is highly effective even under cloudy conditions.
Trapped planetary (Rossby) waves observed in the Indian Ocean by satellite borne altimeters
Authors: De-Leon Yair , Paldor Nathan
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Using 20 years of accurately calibrated, high-resolution observations of sea surface height anomalies (SSHAs) by satellite borne altimeters, we show that in the Indian Ocean south of the Australian coast the low-frequency variations of SSHAs are dominated by westward propagating, trapped, i.e., non-harmonic, Rossby (Planetary) waves. Our results demonstrate that the meridional-dependent amplitudes of the SSHAs are large only within a few degrees of latitude next to the southern Australian coast while farther in the ocean they are uniformly small. This meridional variation of the SSHA signal is typical of the amplitude structure in the trapped wave theory. The westward propagation speed of the SSHA signal is analyzed by employing three different methods of estimation. Each one of these methods yields speed estimates that can vary widely between adjacent latitudes but the combination of at least two of the three methods yields much smoother variation. The estimates obtained in this manner show that the observed phase speeds at different latitudes exceed the phase speeds of harmonic Rossby (planetary) waves by 140 to 200 % (which was also reported in previous studies). In contrast, the theory of trapped Rossby (planetary) waves in a domain bounded by a wall on its equatorward side yields phase speeds that approximate more closely the observed phase speeds in the study area.
The Challenges of Democratization and Good Governance in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Ture Iaia
Published: June 2017

Guinea-Bissau is a small country by size, yet is well-known for chaos. The country has always been affected by political instability marked by constant coup d’états and civil upheavals. This paper investigated the historical relationship between democratization process and good governance in Guinea-Bissau. The paper analysed the challenges experienced from when the country was a one-party state to when it became a multi-party democracy. The paper found that politicians used government institutions and abused power for their personal benefits. In order to restore sanity via democratization in Guinea Bissau, it is recommended that an effective system of governance which is capable of combating poverty and promoting community development, be installed by the people.
Efecto redistributivo de la política fiscal en El Salvador para el año 2012
Authors: Burgos Brenda Sofía , Galdámez Catalina , Peña Paola Alejandra , Ramírez Gabriela Alejandra
Published: June 2017

En el presente trabajo se estudian los efectos de la estructura fiscal existentes en el 2012 para el caso de El Salvador, enfocándose en la capacidad redistributiva de dicha política sobre el ingreso de los hogares, representados por deciles de ingreso. Por tanto, se realiza un análisis exhaustivo sobre el impacto de los tributos y del gasto público social sobre la redistribución del ingreso y la desigualdad; todo a partir de micro datos obtenidos de la Encuesta de Hogares de Propósitos Múltiples, obteniendo resultados significativos que pueden usarse para la elaboración de futuras políticas fiscales.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 143-144, 2015: 81-113
La frontera México-Guatemala como vertedero de la posmodernidad. Crónica de dos ciudades: Ciudad Hidalgo y Tecún Umán
Authors: Serrato Córdova José Eduardo
Published: June 2017

El problema de la migración de centroamericanos a territorio mexicano ha puesto en evidencia la política criminal que el Estado mexicano, con apoyo del gobierno estadounidense, aplica al control y vigilancia de las ciudades fronterizas. El Programa Frontera Sur, que es parte de la Iniciativa Mérida, es un tratado de seguridad binacional México-Estados Unidos, en el que se supervisa al migrante con la intensión de seleccionar a los que mejor puedan servir a los consorcios internacionales. Desde esta perspectiva policíaca, el migrante es visto y tratado como una amenaza a la seguridad nacional y remitido a las cárceles fronterizas disfrazadas de centro de apoyo al migrante. Quien logra superar los puestos fronterizos queda a merced de las maras o de los sicarios de los cárteles de la droga. Nunca como hoy se han violado los derechos humanos del migrante por parte de una nación que se presume democrática. En este trabajo analizo el testimonio de los migrantes, tomado como el discurso de las víctimas, dentro de la lógica del Capitalismo gore que es la fase superior del necroestado.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No.145-146, 2015: 61-72