bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community Awareness - A Key to the Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Manickam Ajay , Saha Jayanta , Ghosh Debangshu , Sengupta Shaswati , Biswas Debabrata , Basu Sumit Kumar , Kumar Satish , Ray Souradeep
Published: August 2020

INTRODUCTION

Mortality and morbidity associated with head and neck cancers have decreased to a great extent in many developed countries of the world due to early diagnosis and treatment with advances in surgical techniques and better availability of radiotherapist and oncologists. But the situation in developing countries like India is quite different.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted amongst the patients attending the Otolaryngology department of a teaching hospital in Kolkata to find the incidence of various types and sites of head and neck cancer, to assess time delay from the date of onset of symptom to the final disease confirmation in relation to patients’ demographic profile, to assess time delay in histopathological diagnosis after reaching a tertiary care setup and also to correlate tobacco consumption and alcohol intake as risk factors for head and neck cancer and to note the reasons for late presentation, as described by the patient.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary level teaching hospital, in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology for a period from August 2013 to August 2015 with a study population of 133. 

OBSERVATIONS 

An average time lag from the onset of symptom to final diagnosis as malignancy was found to be 6 months to one year in nearly 72% of cases. Most of the patients were uneducated males of more than 50 years of age, hailing from rural areas. Cancer larynx was found to be the commonest of all head and neck cancers (31.6%). More than 65% of the patients were addicted to tobacco chewing or smoking or consumption of alcohol. 

DISCUSSION 

Poverty, lack of education, poor communication, lack of health care infrastructure in rural areas, community awareness about various risk factors, lack of effective health policy to achieve early diagnosis of head neck cancer were common factors related to delay in diagnosis. 

CONCLUSION 

Tobacco use and alcohol intake are the modifiable risk factors of head and neck cancer. Educating the field workers about the danger signs of head and neck cancer may promote early referral of the suspected cases to tertiary health care setup for early detection of cancer.
Role of Ultrasonography in Otolaryngology
Authors: Karim Rezaul
Published: August 2020

Ultrasonography (US) is frequently requested by the otolaryngologists in their day to day practice. Though US assessment is sensitive and in many situations, specific investigation for prognosis and management of patients, FNAC and Ultrasonography carries more predictive value. Ultrasonography is very useful for assessment of neck nodes and in combination with CT scan is an excellent imaging tool for follow up of head and neck cancers. Inflammatory neck nodes vary in characteristics from neoplastic nodes and US can classify them with fair degree of predictability. Thyroid nodules should strictly follow standard protocol of management, as most of the masses are benign and unnecessary diagnostic or therapeutic interventions are not required. Kim’s criteria and American Association for Clinical Endocrinology recommendations are sensitive and specific for offering systematic guidance for management of thyroid nodules. US have limited roles in the assessments of sialadenitis, Sialolithiasis and salivary tumors. US is an effective tool in guiding biopsies and aspirations for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss with Tinnitus: Does TRT Help?
Authors: Vohra Maggon Nidhi , Sethi Ashwani , Gupta Atul
Published: August 2020

Introduction

To determine if hearing augmentation and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) helps in cases of Tinnitus with Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and does degree of hearing loss, severity or duration of tinnitus affect recovery 

Materials and Methods

A prospective study was done on 100 patients of NIHL with tinnitus from Jan 14-Jul 15. Degree of hearing loss was assessed. Tinnitus severity was scored on Tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scale as Slight, Mild, Moderate, severe or catastrophic and patients were subjected to TRT. Patients scored after 1 year of TRT. A relation between tinnitus severity, duration and degree of hearing loss on recovery from tinnitus was analysed.

Result

62 of the 100 patients improved following TRT.

Discussion

In 100 patients THI scores improved from a mean of 63.12 (SD-21.12) to 38.16 (SD-18.21). Mean difference between pre and post-intervention THI scores was 24.96 (SD-17.97). Improvement was significant in severe or profound hearing loss (P<.001).

Tinnitus severity was slight, mild, moderate, severe or catastrophic on THI. Following TRT, 82.35% with Catastrophic, 70.96% with severe, 52.63% with moderate, 20% with mild tinnitus improved. 1 patient with slight tinnitus did not improve.

Based on duration of tinnitus three groups made; 0-6 months, 6-12 months and >12 months. All groups showed improvement. Reduction in Post-TRT THI was significant but did not show any difference among groups.

Conclusion

TRT helps in tinnitus with NIHL particularly if hearing loss is severe. Severe or catastrophic tinnitus patients experience greater improvement. Duration of tinnitus has no impact.
Present Scenario of Childhood Deafness: A Tertiary Level Health Care Study
Authors: Majumdar Kinjal Shankar , Roy Aditya Ghosh , Mondal Kasturi , Samanta Nirmalya , Jana Utpal , Sikder Biswajit , Shrestha Devjani Ghosh
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. Approximately 63 million people in India suffer from significant auditory impairment.

Materials and Methods

Fifty children of 0-7 years age group, presented to a tertiary level center in Kolkata were assessed by objective and behavioural audiological tests.

Result

Mean age of presentation was found to be 40.5 months. No risk factor could be identified in 72% of the cases. 47% fell into the profoundly deaf category.

Discussion

Numerous studies agree that half of the infants with sensorineural hearing loss have no risk factors at birth and thus would be missed by a targeted hearing screening. 

Conclusion

India certainly faces a worse situation regarding childhood deafness. Implementation of universal neonatal hearing screening along with pre-school hearing assessment can certainly change the scenario.
Fractured Tracheostomy Tube - An Unusual Foreign Body in Tracheobronchial Tree
Authors: Moideen Sanu P , Arun G , Mohan M , Afroze Khizer Hussain
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Approximately 20% of patients with tracheostomy are discharged from hospital with the tracheostomy  tube in situ. Proper long term care and management of such tracheostomy patients remains as a challenge to care givers. Fracture of metallic tracheostomy tube (TT) with aspiration of the fragment into tracheobronchial airway is a rare complication of  tracheostomy.

Case Report

Here we are presenting a case of a 42-year-old male patient, presented to the emergency department with complaint of mild respiratory distress following aspiration of fractured metallic TT and a novel method in removing the dislodged fragment.

Discussion

A detailed review of literature has been included to discuss different aspects of aspiration of fractured fragment of tracheostomy tube and best practice recommendations for proper tracheostomy care.

Conclusion

Educating the care-giver about care of the tracheostomized patient in general and care of the tracheostomy tube in particular, may help reduce accidental complications.
A Comparative Study of Conventional versus Endoscopic Septoplasty
Authors: Singh Ankita , Bhat Nalini , Bhandarkar Pallavi , Singh Ram
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The standard surgical treatment for symptomatic deviated septum is septoplasty. This is usually done conventionally using the headlight. However, in recent years the endoscopic method has emerged as an alternative technique. This study aims to compare results of conventional and endoscopic septoplasty

Materials and Methods

A study comprising of 44 patients, randomly divided in two groups, was undertaken to compare the efficacy of both the techniques. This study evaluated parameters like postoperative subjective improvement in symptoms, using the NOSE questionnaire, intra-operative blood loss, duration of surgery, post-operative pain and complications across the two groups.

Further, cases were subgrouped according to the site of deviation as anterior, posterior or combined and the efficacy of these two methods for correcting different sites of deviation was assessed, using the same parameters.

Results

The endoscopic approach showed better overall clinical results, irrespective of the site of deviation. It was noted that correcting posterior deviations required shorter time and had lesser blood loss when operated using the endoscope whereas anterior deviations were dealt faster and had lesser bleeding by the conventional method. There was less pain and morbidity in the postoperative period in the endoscopic group as compared to conventional group.

Discussion

Historical perspective of the conventional and endoscopic septal surgery is mentioned. In review of literature on the four parameters of this study – Symptomatic improvement, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative pain and surgical complications, were compared with published reports.

Conclusion

Endoscopic septoplasty was found to have distinct advantages over the conventional method, more so for posterior septal deviations. It should be an option offered to all patients requiring septoplasty.
Primary Thyroid Lymphoma
Authors: Gupta Manish , Datta Ginni , Rao Naiya , Dadwal Eshita
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Lymphoma primarily arising from thyroid gland is very rare. Most patients give a history of previous Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

Case Report

We hereby report one such rare case, who presented with neck swelling and hoarseness. The fine needle aspiration cytology being inconclusive, the patient was taken up for near total thyroidectomy. The histopathology revealed it to be lymphoma, which was further confirmed on immunohistochemistry. The further whole body checkup showed it to be Stage IIE tumor. The patient received chemotherapy for residual mass in neck and is under follow-up for last one year with no recurrence.

Discussion

The case is being presented here due to its rarity, diagnostic dilemma and to discuss the management protocol for same.
Fat Plug Myringoplasty Vs Trichloroacetic Acid Cauterization as Office Procedures for Managing Small Central Perforation
Authors: Dhote Kanchan Sandeep , Dhoke Priti Rakesh , Harkare Vivek Vishwas , Deosthale Nitin Vasant , Khadakkar Sonali Prabhakar
Published: August 2020

Introduction

In a series of day care office procedures, techniques like fat plug myringoplasty and Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) cauterization are becoming increasingly popular for managing small central perforations now-a-days[Office1] . These are minor, cost effective procedures and have success rates that match success rates of conventional tympanoplasty[Office2] . The aim of this prospective randomized controlled trial, was to compare the effectiveness of fat plug myringoplasty and chemical cauterization in the management of small centrally located perforations of the pars tensa.

Materials and Methods

The study was carried out over a period of 2 years on 62 patients selected from ENT OPD in our tertiary health care setup of central India. All the selected patients were grouped into two using a random allocation software EPi Info7.1.1.14. Group A included those who underwent fat plug myringoplasty while group B were those who underwent TCA cauterization.

Results

At 6 months follow up there was closure of perforation in 29 out of 30(96.6%) patients of group A and 29 out of 32(91%) patients of group B. In both groups success was defined by closure of perforation. Comparison of results was done using Fisher Exact Test. The difference between the success rates of the two procedures was statistically insignificant with p value of 0.6624, indicating that both the office procedures are equally effective and can be used according to the needs of the patients.

Conclusion

These office procedures can revolutionize the protocol of tympanoplasty which has an obvious higher morbidity and more days of absenteeism as compared to these minor procedures.
Impact of Auditory Verbal Therapy in Children with Cochlear Implant
Authors: Chatterjee Nikita , Chatterjee Indranil , Sarkar Aditya
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) is considered as most successful therapeutic approach for cochlear implant children. The impact of auditory verbal therapy has been studied vividly in Indian context. The number of cochlear implantees receiving AVT has been increased nationwide but there is no structured protocol that is used to assess the efficacy of AVT on children with cochlear implant. Hence, it is important to develop a structured protocol consisting of established tools to study the effectiveness of AVT.

Materials and Methods         

The study was conducted on 62 (male-38, female-24) bilaterally profound sensorineural hearing impaired children with cochlear implant done under ADIP (Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances) scheme. Pre-therapy assessments were done before 2 weeks of cochlear implantation using Functional Auditory Performance Indicator (FAPI), Assessment of language development, Speech intelligibility rating scales, Brown’s (1973) stages of mean length of utterance (MLU) assessment, and Overall rating of parental satisfaction on a visual analog scale of 0 to 10. Auditory verbal therapy (AVT) was given for 6-8 months, twice per week under video-monitoring of the sessions. Post therapeutic scores were obtained by assessing with the same tools through observation and interaction with the children and interviewing the caregivers.

 Results

Independent Sample’s T-test in SPSS -16 software were used and significant differences between pre and post therapy scores were obtained (p<0.005).

Conclusion

These tools can be used further as a protocol for assessment of baseline skills before AVT, then develop an individualized management program and finally to assess the improvement after AVT.
Dispositivos de subjetividades: algoritmos nas redes de poder e informação
Authors: Medeiros Jackson Da Silva
Published: August 2020

O trabalho busca lançar mão de um esboço de que permita análise sobre a produção, a circulação e o consumo de redes de comunicação dominadas/denominadas por algoritmos, em especial referente aos efeitos dessas redes na (re)configuração da subjetividade digital. Para tal, busca em Michel Foucault, a partir da noção de economia política da verdade, e em Gilles Deleuze e Félix Guattari, com a noção de rizoma, a caracterização das dimensões que materializam a rede de dispositivos de sociedades de controle.
O rizoma e as voltas que o mundo dá
Authors: Mostafa Solange Puntel , Rocha Ednéia Silva Santos
Published: August 2020

Breve discussão sobre ciência da informação e ciência de dados, tomando ambas as disciplinas como pretexto para discutir a lógica rizomática que as relaciona, redirecionando o problema fora dos quadros da representação disciplinar; apresenta a  lógica rizomática onde a linha de fuga traduz processos de desterritorialização necessários â formulação de novos agenciamentos não representativos, com ênfase para conceitos filosóficos de autores neodocumentalistas, como ‘moderna tradição da documentação’, ‘documentalidade’ e ‘documentaridade’.
"Coletamos dados para o seu bem" O truque retórico do imaginário sobre o dado digital promovido nos termos de uso, documentos de privacidade e relatórios de investidores da plataforma Fitbit
Authors: Bitencourt Elias Cunha
Published: August 2020

O artigo mapeia o significado e as qualidades atribuídas ao “dado” nos documentos destinados aos usuários e investidores da Fitbit, terceira maior plataforma no setor global de vestíveis. Foram analisados o relatório financeiro (IPO) do primeiro ano da marca no mercado de ações, os termos de uso e privacidade. Os documentos foram explorados no softwareAtlas.ti. Os resultados indicam que, embora os discursos endereçados ao cliente coloquem o dado como um benefício para o usuário, as narrativas dirigidas aos investidores destacam como riscos para o negócio: a garantia de segurança e privacidade dos usuários, os interesses governamentais no acesso aos dados e as políticas de regulação. O nosso argumento central é de que as narrativas oficiais constroem um imaginário do dado enquanto truque retórico, ocultando a rede político-econômica da marca, os riscos e as agendas de interesse ao passo que enaltecem as práticas de dataficação necessárias ao modelo de negócio da plataforma
Convenções de interfaces digitais e leitura ou: para ler interfaces nos textos
Authors: Novais Ana Elisa
Published: August 2020

Um movimento que transporta convenções de interfaces digitais (botões, janelas, mensagens de sistema, ícones, entre outros) para textos impressos é o fenômeno em foco neste trabalho. Inicialmente, discuto a importância cultural das interfaces digitais em três dimensões: pensando-as como diálogo, como mídia remediada e como sistema semiótico específico, constituído de convenções que lhe são próprias. Em seguida, analiso seis textos que usam convenções de interface em sua composição multimodal, buscando, em diálogo com estudos e categorias do Design de Interação, elementos para esclarecer quais questões são essenciais na compreensão do que se espera do leitor hoje, com esses textos e essas novas formas de produzir sentido.
Rizoma: potência conceitual à Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação
Authors: Amorim Igor Soares
Published: August 2020

O artigo destaca o funcionamento do conceito de rizoma na ciência e na filosofia, com o propósito de identificar as diferenças que se evidenciam quando este é abordado na filosofia deleuzoguattariana e nas ciências sociais e humanas. O objetivo é analisar de que forma o conceito rizoma é apropriado na biblioteconomia e ciência da informação (BCI). A noção de rizoma nos escritos de Deleuze e Guattari e na bibliografia da BCI foram explorados e descritos, por meio da revisão bibliográfica e a análise conceitual. Constatou que o conceito apresenta configurações distintas quando enunciados na ciência e na filosofia. Na ciência é procurada maior estabilidade de sentido, enquanto na filosofia o conceito pode ter sentido atrelado à uma única obra. A noção de rizoma é flexível no plano filosófico e, embora procure definições na BCI, é um termo polissêmico. O conceito de rizoma é potencialmente importante para explorar inovações nos estudos de organização do conhecimento, classificação e recuperação da informação.
Acolhimento aos alunos transferidos - Um exemplo de aplicação de uma das propostas de valor do projeto FAESA
Authors: Alvarenga Leite Carla Letícia
Published: August 2020

Higher education is a challenging step in the vocational training pathway. The challenge becomes even greater when students are transferred from one educational institution to another thus needing to integrate into the new university environment. Each place has its own operational rules and specific protocols, often different from those learned at their home institutions. This transition requires that the students are willing to get exposed to new experiences, to meet new colleagues by leaving behind those with whom they already empathized and related to, and motivate themselves throughout the process to achieve their professional training with maximum potential. At the same time, faculty working with these students are required to truly understand that they need to know the students’ expectations, demands, strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge will allow faculty to guide students in the best possible way, recognizing that students’ protagonism is crucial and will be reached based on planned teamwork, awakening the students’ sense of belonging. The objective of this report is to present our experience with transferred students, that is based on the institutional value of welfare. In our institution, these students are welcomed in their first semester by taking a focused didactic course that helps them to integrate to other students in similar situation as well as with the institution’s personnel. This interaction facilitates the clarification of questions regarding the general functioning of the school and its protocols throughout the semester of admission, ensuring a smoother transition.
Empresa individual de responsabilidade limitada: Instrumento de resgate da formalidade empresarial
Authors: Santos Carvalho Carlyson
Published: August 2020

This article addressed the business theme involving the liability aspect of the members, arising from obligations arising from business activities. It has been demonstrated that EIRELI -Individual Limited Liability Company, regardless of imperfections in the approved normative text or the controversies pointed out by the doctrine, is considered an advance for corporate law, since it allows the formalization of entrepreneurs who are in Irregular situation. Therefore, it allows the constitution of a company without the need of a partner, shielding the personal patrimony of the owner.
Signifier of Kiwi Identity
Authors: Neill Lindsay , Waring Marilyn
Published: August 2020

Contested myths of origin surround one of New Zealand’s best-loved cultural icons, or ‘kiwiana’: a pull-along children’s toy called the Buzzy Bee. This paper clarifies those domains by presenting new information gleaned from Betty Schlesinger, widow of the bee’s inventor. Clarification is important because the Buzzy Bee is, as kiwiana, a material item strongly associated with Kiwi identity. As a Māori word, ‘Kiwi’ is a common, often self-ascribed, term identifying people from Aotearoa New Zealand. In clarifying the Buzzy Bee’s history, this paper adds new information to the knowledge base of what it means to be Kiwi. That knowledge base is enhanced, because this paper notes that the Buzzy Bee was invented and first manufactured here in New Zealand by Betty Schlesinger’s husband Maurice Schlesinger. Betty Schlesinger’s account contrasts more popular and well-known origin myths that have served to cloud the Bee’s definitive history. In clarifying the Buzzy Bee’s genesis using Betty Schlesinger’s narrative, this paper also emphasises the important link between identity, materiality and national identity.
Characterisation of African biomass burning plumes and impacts on the atmospheric composition over the South-West Indian Ocean
Authors: Verreyken Bert , Amelynck Crist , Brioude Jérôme , Müller Jean-François , Schoon Niels , Kumps Nicolas , Colomb Aurélie , Metzger Jean-Marc , Lee Christopher F. , Koenig Theodore K. , Volkamer Rainer , Stavrakou Trissevgeni
Published: August 2020

Abstract. We present an investigation of biomass burning (BB) plumes originating from Africa and Madagascar based on measurements of carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and a suite of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) obtained during the dry season of 2018 and 2019 at the high altitude Maïdo observatory (21.1° S, 55.4° E, 2250 m above sea level), located on the remote island of La Réunion in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO). Biomass burning plume episodes were identified from increased acetonitrile (CH3CN) mixing ratios. Enhancement ratios (EnRs) – relative to CO – were calculated from in situ measurements for CH3CN, acetone (CH3COCH3), formic acid (HCOOH), acetic acid (CH3COOH), benzene (C6H6), methanol (CH3OH) and O3. We compared the EnRs to emission ratios (ERs) – relative to CO – reported in literature in order to estimate loss/production of these compounds during transport. For CH3CN and CH3COOH, the calculated EnRs are similar to the ERs. For C6H6 and CH3OH, the EnR is lower than the ER, indicating a significant net sinks of these compounds. For CH3COCH3 and HCOOH, the calculated EnRs are larger than the ERs. The discrepancy reaches an order of magnitude for HCOOH (18–34 pptv ppbv−1 compared to 1.8–4.5 pptv ppbv−1). This points to significant secondary production of HCOOH during transport. The Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS) global model simulations reproduces well the temporal variation of CO mixing ratios at the observatory but underestimates O3 and NO2 mixing ratios in the plumes on average by 16 ppbv and 60 pptv respectively. This discrepancy between modelled and measured O3 mixing ratios was attributed to (i) large uncertainties in VOC and NOx (NO + NO2) emissions due to BB in CAMS and (ii) misrepresentation of NOx recycling in the model during transport. Finally, transport of pyrogenically emitted CO is calculated with FLEXPART in order to (i) determine the mean plume age during the intrusions at the observatory and (ii) estimate the impact of BB on the pristine marine boundary layer (MBL). By multiplying the excess CO in the MBL with inferred EnRs at the observatory, we calculated the expected impact of BB on CH3CN, CH3COCH3, CH3OH and C6H6 concentrations in the MBL. These excesses constitute increases of ~ 20 %–150 % compared to background measurements in the SWIO MBL reported in literature.
Characteristics, primary sources and secondary formation of water soluble organic aerosols in downtown Beijing
Authors: Yu Qing , Chen Jing , Qin Weihua , Cheng Siming , Zhang Yuepeng , Sun Yuewei , Xin Ke , Ahmad Mushtaq
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Water soluble organic compounds (WSOC) account for a large proportion of aerosols and play a critical role in various atmospheric chemical processes. In order to investigate the primary sources and secondary production of WSOC in downtown Beijing, the day and night PM2.5 samples in January (winter), April (spring), July (summer) and October (autumn) of 2017 were collected and analyzed for WSOC and organic tracers in this study. WSOC showed the highest concentration in winter and comparable levels in the other seasons, and dominated by its hydrophobic fraction (HULIS-C). Some typical organic tracers were chosen to evaluate the emission strength and secondary formation for the major sources of WSOC. According to the diurnal patterns and correlation coefficients with the key influencing factors, most SOA tracers were closely related to gaseous photooxidation in summer, but mainly generated via aqueous-phase processing in other seasons. These organic tracers were applied into the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model to calculate the source contributions of WSOC as well as its hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions. The secondary sources contributed over 50 % to WSOC, with higher contributions in summer (75.7 %) and winter (67.7 %), and the largest contributor was aromatic SOC. Besides, the source apportionment results under different pollution levels suggested that controlling biomass burning and the aromatic precursors would be effective to reduce WSOC during the haze episodes in cold seasons. The possible formation mechanisms of the total secondary organic carbon (SOC) as well as hydrophobic and hydrophilic SOC were also explored in this study. The aqueous-phase process appeared to dominate in the SOC formation in winter and spring, while gas-phase photooxidation played a dominant role in summer. Besides, the gaseous photooxidation played a major role in the generation of hydrophobic SOC, whereas aqueous-phase reactions posed vital effects on the formation of hydrophilic SOC.
A Bayesian approach to evaluation of soil biogeochemical models
Authors: Xie Hua W. , Romero-Olivares Adriana L. , Guindani Michele , Allison Steven D.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. To make predictions about the carbon cycling consequences of
rising global surface temperatures, Earth system scientists rely on
mathematical soil biogeochemical models (SBMs). However, it is not clear
which models have better predictive accuracy, and a rigorous quantitative
approach for comparing and validating the predictions has yet to be
established. In this study, we present a Bayesian approach to SBM comparison
that can be incorporated into a statistical model selection framework. We
compared the fits of linear and nonlinear SBMs to soil respiration data
compiled in a recent meta-analysis of soil warming field experiments. Fit
quality was quantified using Bayesian goodness-of-fit metrics, including the
widely applicable information criterion (WAIC) and leave-one-out
cross validation (LOO). We found that the linear model generally
outperformed the nonlinear model at fitting the meta-analysis data set.
Both WAIC and LOO computed higher overfitting risk and effective numbers of
parameters for the nonlinear model compared to the linear model,
conditional on the data set. Goodness of fit for both models generally
improved when they were initialized with lower and more realistic steady-state soil organic carbon densities. Still, testing whether linear models
offer definitively superior predictive performance over nonlinear models on
a global scale will require comparisons with additional site-specific data
sets of suitable size and dimensionality. Such comparisons can build upon
the approach defined in this study to make more rigorous statistical
determinations about model accuracy while leveraging emerging data sets,
such as those from long-term ecological research experiments.
The transformation of the forest steppe in the lower Danube Plain of south-eastern Europe: 6000 years of vegetation and land use dynamic
Authors: Feurdean Angelica , Grindean Roxana , Florescu Gabriela , Tanţău Ioan , Niedermeyer Eva , Diaconu Andrei-Cosmin , Hutchinson Simon M. , Nielsen Anne Brigitte , Sava Tiberiu , Panait Andrei , Braun Mihaly , Hickler Thomas
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Forest steppes are dynamic ecosystems, highly susceptible to changes in climate and land use. Here we examine the Holocene history of the European forest steppe ecotone in the Lower Danube Plain to better understand its sensitivity to climate fluctuations and human impact, and the timing of its transition into a cultural forest steppe. We used multi-proxy analyses (pollen, n-alkane, coprophilous fungi, charcoal, and geochemistry) of a 6000-year sequence from Lake Oltina (SE Romania), combined with a REVEALS model of quantitative vegetation cover. We found the greatest tree cover, composed of xerothermic (Carpinus orientalis and Quercus) and temperate (Carpinus betulus, Tilia, Ulmus and Fraxinus) tree taxa between 6000 and 2500 cal yr BP. Maximum tree cover (~ 50 %) occurred between 4200 and 2500 cal yr BP at a time of wetter climatic conditions. Compared to other European forest steppe areas, the dominance of Carpinus orientalis represents the most distinct feature of the woodland's composition during that time. Forest loss was under way by 2500 yr BP (Iron Age) with REVEALS estimates indicating a fall to ~ 20 % tree cover from the mid-Holocene forest maximum linked to clearance for agriculture, while climate conditions remained wet. Biomass burning increased markedly at 2500 cal yr BP suggesting that fire was regularly used as a management tool until 1000 cal yr BP when woody vegetation became scarce. A sparse tree cover, with only weak signs of forest recovery, then became a permanent characteristic of the Lower Danube Plain, highlighting recurring anthropogenic pressure. The timing of anthropogenic ecosystem transformation here (2500 cal yr BP) was in between that in central eastern (between 3700 and 3000 cal yr BP) and eastern (after 2000 cal yr BP) Europe. Our study is the first quantitative land cover estimate at the forest steppe ecotone in south eastern Europe spanning 6000 years and provides critical empirical evidence that the present-day forest steppe/woodlands reflects the potential natural vegetation in this region under current climate conditions. This study also highlights the potential of n-alkane indices for vegetation reconstruction, particularly in dry regions where pollen is poorly preserved.
Winter atmospheric boundary layer observations over sea ice in the
coastal zone of the Bothnian Bay (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Wenta Marta , Brus David , Doulgeris Konstantinos , Vakkari Ville , Herman Agnieszka
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The Hailuoto Atmospheric Observations over Sea ice (HAOS) campaign took place at the westernmost point of Hailuoto island (Finland) between 27 February and 2 March 2020. The aim of the campaign was to obtain atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) observations over seasonal sea ice in the Bay of Bothnia. Throughout 4 days both fixed-wing and quad-propeller rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were deployed over the sea ice to measure the properties of the lower ABL and to obtain accompanying high-resolution aerial photographs of the underlying ice surface. Additionally, a 3D sonic anenometer, an automatic weather station and a Halo Doppler lidar were installed on the shore to collect meteorological observations. During the UAV flights, measurements of temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were collected at 4 different altitudes between 25 m and 100 m, over an area of ~ 1.5 km2 of sea ice, located 1.1–1.3 km offshore from the Hailuoto Marjaniemi pier, together with orthomosaic maps of the ice surface below. Altogether the obtained dataset consists of 27 meteorological flights, 4 photogrammetry missions and continuous measurements of atmospheric properties from ground-based stations located at the coast. The acquired observations have been quality controlled and post processed and are available through the PANGAEA repository (https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.918823, Wenta et al., 2020).
Coupling threshold theory and satellite image derived channel width to estimate the formative discharge of Himalayan Foreland rivers
Authors: Gaurav Kumar , Métivier François , Sreejith AV , Sinha Rajiv , Kumar Amit , Tandon Sampat Kumar
Published: August 2020

Abstract. We propose an innovative methodology to estimate the formative discharge of alluvial rivers from remote sensing images. This procedure involves automatic extraction of the width of a channel from Landsat Thematic Mapper, Landsat 8, and Sentinel-1 satellite images. We translate the channel width extracted from satellite images to discharge by using a widthdischarge regime curve established previously by us for the Himalayan Rivers. This regime curve is based on the threshold theory, a simple physical force balance that explains the first-order geometry of alluvial channels. Using this procedure, we estimate the discharge of six major rivers of the Himalayan Foreland: the Brahmaputra, Chenab, Ganga, Indus, Kosi, and Teesta rivers. Except highly regulated rivers (Indus and Chenab), our estimates of the discharge from satellite images can be compared with the mean annual discharge obtained from historical records of gauging stations. We have shown that this procedure applies both to braided and single-thread rivers over a large territory. Further our methodology to estimate discharge from remote sensing images does not rely on continuous ground calibration.
Evidence for elevation-dependent warming from the Chinese
Tianshan Mountains
Authors: Gao Lu , Deng Haijun , Lei Xiangyong , Wei Jianhui , Chen Yaning , Li Zhongqin , Ma Miaomiao , Chen Xingwei , Chen Ying , Liu Meibing , Gao Jianyun
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The phenomenon that the warming rate of air temperature is amplified with elevation is termed elevation-dependent warming (EDW). It has been clarified that EDW can accelerate the retreat of glaciers and the melting of snow, which would have significant impacts on regional ecological environment. Owing to the lack of high-density ground observations in the high mountains, there is a widespread controversy on the existence of the EDW. Current evidences are mainly derived from some typical high mountains such as the Swiss Alps, the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Tropical Andes and the Tibetan Plateau/Himalayas. Rare evidences in other mountains have been reported, especially in arid regions. In this study, EDW features in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains (CTM) are detected using a unique high-resolution (1 km, 6-hourly) air temperature data set (CTMD). The results showed that there are significant EDW signals at different altitudes on different time scales. The warming rate of the minimum temperature in winter shows significant elevation dependence, especially above 4000 m. The greatest altitudinal gradient in the warming rate of maximum temperature is found above 2500 m in April. For the mean temperature, the warming rates in January, February and March show prominent EDW features but with different significances. Within the CTM, the Tolm Mountains, the eastern part of the Borokoonu Mountains, the Bogda Mountains and the Balikun Mountains are the representative regions that show significant EDW features on different time scales. This new evidence partly explains the accelerated melting of glaciers in spring in the CTM.
Simulated Ka- and Ku-band radar altimeter scattering horizon on
snow-covered Arctic sea ice
Authors: Tonboe Rasmus T. , Nandan Vishnu , Yackel John , Kern Stefan , Pedersen Leif Toudal , Stroeve Julienne
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Owing to differing and complex snow geophysical properties, radar waves of different wavelengths undergo variable penetration through snow-covered sea ice. However, the mechanisms influencing radar altimeter backscatter from snow-covered sea ice, especially at Ka- and Ku-band frequencies, and its impact on the Ka- and Ku-band radar scattering horizon or the "track point" (i.e. the scattering layer depth detected by the radar re-tracker), are not well understood. In this study, we evaluate the Ka- and Ku-band radar scattering horizon with respect to radar penetration and ice floe buoyancy using a first-order scattering model and Archimedes’ principle. The scattering model is forced with snow depth data from the European Space Agency (ESA) climate change initiative (CCI) round robin data package, NASA’s Operation Ice Bridge (OIB) data and climatology, and detailed snow geophysical property profiles from the Canadian Arctic. Our simulations demonstrate that the Ka- and Ku-band track point difference is a function of snow depth, however, the simulated track point difference is much smaller than what is reported in the literature from the CryoSat-2 Ku-band and SARAL/AltiKa Ka-band satellite radar altimeter observations. We argue that this discrepancy in the Ka- and Ku-band track point differences are sensitive to ice type and snow depth and its associated geophysical properties. Snow salinity is first increasing the Ka- and Ku-band track-point difference when the snow is thin and then decreasing the difference when the snow is thick (> 10 cm). A relationship between the Ku-band radar scattering horizon and snow depth is found. This relationship has implications for 1) the use of snow climatology in the conversion of radar freeboard into sea ice thickness and 2) the impact of variability in measured snow depth on the derived ice thickness. For both 1 and 2, the impact of using a snow climatology versus the actual snow depth is relatively small on the measured freeboard, by only raising the measured freeboard by 0.03 times the climatological snow depth plus 0.03 times the real snow depth. This study serves to enhance our understanding of microwave interactions towards improved accuracy of snow depth and sea ice thickness retrievals from combining currently operational and upcoming Ka- and Ku-band dual-frequency radar altimeter missions, such as ESA’s Copernicus High Priority Candidate Mission CRISTAL.
Deciphering the evolution of the Bleis Marscha rock glacier (Val
d'Err, eastern Switzerland) with cosmogenic nuclide exposure
dating, aerial image correlation, and finite-element modelling
Authors: Amschwand Dominik , Ivy-Ochs Susan , Frehner Marcel , Steinemann Olivia , Christl Marcus , Vockenhuber Christof
Published: August 2020

Abstract. We constrain the Holocene morphodynamic development of the Bleis Marscha rock glacier (Err-Julier area, eastern Swiss Alps) with fifteen cosmogenic nuclide exposure ages (10Be, 36Cl), 2003/2012 horizontal surface creep rate quantification from orthophoto orientation correlation, and semi-quantitative ice-content estimates from finite-element modelling. The results suggest that the complex Bleis Marscha rock glacier formed during two activity phases, one in the early Holocene and one in the late Holocene, separated by a mid-Holocene period of inactivation. The now transitional-inactive low-elevation lobes (first generation) formed after the retreat of the Egesen cirque glacier in a pulse-like manner at 11.5–9.0 ka. Rock-glacier viscosities inverted with the finite-element model hint at ground ice in these lobes which is possibly as old as its early-Holocene debris cover. In contrast to the debris-conditioned rapid emplacement, the thermally controlled permafrost degradation is still ongoing, likely attenuated by thermal decoupling from the insulating coarse-debris boulder mantle. Nuclide loss from boulder erosion, affecting the nuclide inventory of boulders independently, led to a heterogeneous exposure age distribution on the transitional-inactive lobes. Exposure ages on such disturbed lobes record time elapsed since inactivation and are interpreted as (minimum) stabilisation ages. The inception of the active high-elevation lobes (second generation) at 2.8 ka is related to the late-Holocene cooling recorded at numerous sites across the Alps. Precise exposure ages of the last 1.2 ka correlate with down-stream distance and yield a long-term average surface speed coincident with 2003/2012 measurements. These long-term consistent surface creep rates indicate stable permafrost conditions and continuous rock-glacier growth despite the intermittent late-Holocene glacier cover of the Bleis Marscha cirque. The exposure ages on active, undisturbed lobes record time elapsed since boulder emergence at the rock-glacier root and are interpreted as travel time estimates. This work contributes to deciphering the past to quasi-present climate sensitivity of rock glaciers.
Stage Review of Fences
Authors: Lee E. Andrew
Published: August 2020

A stage review of Fences by August Wilson, staged by the Chattanooga Theatre Centre in Chattanooga, Tennessee from Friday, February 15 through Saturday, March 9, 2019.
Financial Capability in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Addis Ababa City
Authors: Lemu Miheretu Kebede
Published: August 2020

This study investigates financial knowledge, behavior and attitude of individuals to gauge how the financial market evaluates an individual's financial capability and financial decision making. Higher financial knowledge increases the entry into sophisticated financial contracts and the understanding of contemporary featured new financial products as well as good financial decision making. Financial behavior also enhances the financial decision making of those individuals as well as the relationship between individuals and their behavior towards saving, investment, cash and credit. These effects are intensified by individuals' financial behavior, the level of relationship with investments, savings and the use of credit. This study found out that a deeper acquaintance of individuals on financial knowledge, attitude and behaviour results in positive consequences on their relations with financial services providers and in turn promotes to financial capability.
Using Writing Portfolios to Assess Course Learning Outcomes in a Jordanian University
Authors: Kamhieh Celine
Published: August 2020

Portfolios were used to assess cognitive and affective course learning outcomes in an undergraduate writing program at a private university in Jordan. A convenience sample of twenty-one male and female Arab EFL/ESL freshmen, wrote short weekly assignments over a fifteen-week semester, made regular diary entries about their writing and leisure reading, and wrote a short children's story. These were not graded but students received prompt feedback. At semester’s end, they collected their work in a portfolio and wrote a final evidence-based reflection, in which they analysed their strengths and weaknesses in writing. These portfolios were graded based on their inclusion of regularly submitted written work, evidence of their response to given feedback and their analysis of their progress in writing. Using qualitative data analysis based on the grounded theory method, students’ reflections were mined for rich data, concepts were labelled and emerging categories were identified. These codes were further analysed in more depth, using cognitive and affective taxonomies, which showed that the course outcomes had been met. Recommendations are made for greater use of portfolio assessment at tertiary level in Jordan.
Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding and Communication: International Chinese Students’ Use of Laughter as a Means to Modify the Meaning of Speech
Authors: Wang Jianli
Published: August 2020

Student mobility across national borders has been increasing at an extraordinary pace. Correspondingly, much research has been conducted into issues concerning learners that move internationally to pursue learning in a culturally different country. To a great extent, vigorous debate and research did promote cross-cultural diversity, understanding and communication. However, few studies have looked into international Chinese students’ use of laughter in much detail, given that laughter plays a significant part in shaping or molding meaning. This article demonstrates with examples of a group of ICSs on how their use of laughter alters the meaning of utterance in speech. The findings offer insights that aim at promoting cross-cultural understanding and communication so that a much smoother and a more inclusive and successful adjustment of these learners can be facilitated.
E-Learning’s “De Facto” Implementation Probabilities in Educational Sector: A Preliminary Estimation if Confinement Should Be Extended in Covid-19 Crisis Context
Authors: DOSSOU Semliko Fulbert
Published: August 2020

Background: Before the Covid-19 breakout, some debates' subjects were left hanging in the education area: the E-Learning integration. With the pandemic impact (making closed almost all schools in the same month), the debate gained again importance. Among the temporal Anti-Covid-19 measures adopted, was the replacement of classic education by distance-online education.Purpose: This article attempted a preliminary estimate related to the probabilities of E-learning’s ‘‘de facto’’ implementation in different countries groups of the world if the confinement should be extended in Covid-19 crisis context.Methods/Approach: The probabilistic method was adopted to analyze 143 countries including (49 High income, 40 upper-middle-income, 33 lower-middle-income, and 21 low-income economies). The main variables (related to E-learning), collected from official sources in the Covid-19 period were: Access-to-electricity, Access-to-Internet, Access-to-Multimedia-Devices (Personal-Computer, Tablet and/or Smartphone).Results: Results showed that the probabilities of E-learning's ''de facto'' implementation would be around 0.6502 in the world, 0.8731 in High-Incomes, 0.7075 in Upper-Middle-Incomes, 0.5272 in Lower-Middle-Incomes, and 0.2950 in Low-Income economies.Originality/value: (1) In the past, "suddenly closing almost all schools in the world" would be inadmissible. Everyone can henceforth believe in that eventuality after the experience with Covid-19. In this context, this research shows the need to reconsider E-learning or at least, a new hybrid education model as a "plan B" for future times. Thanks to technological integration, online and traditional education could go hand in hand, even after the Covid-19. (2) This study reminds the importance of speeding up the resolution of certain thorny (pending) problems such as access to energy and the development of educational infrastructure in certain regions of the world. The quality, performance and success of the educational component depend on it.