bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Cyber-Attacks against the Transportation Sector
Authors: van Niekerk Brett
Published: November 2016

For many countries the physical transport infrastructure is critical to the economy, with ports forming a gateway for the majority of trade, and rail and road used to distribute goods. Airlines are crucial to the tourism industry. Whilst the focus of cyber-defense is on financial networks and the power grid, recent incidents illustrate that the transport infrastructure is also susceptible to cyber-attacks. The chapter provides an overview of cyber-security incidents related to the transportation sector, and analyses the reports of the incidents to illustrate the prevalence of threat types and impact. The chapter then discusses some efforts to mitigate the threats in terms of regulations, threat intelligence and information sharing, and awareness training.
Trolls Just Want to Have Fun
Authors: Virkar Shefali
Published: November 2016

Over the last two decades, public confidence and trust in Government has declined visibly in several liberal democracies, giving way instead to disillusionment with current political institutions, actors, and practices; rendering obsolete or inappropriate much of traditional democratic politics. Simultaneously, digital technologies have created huge opportunities for public bodies and agencies. In analysing the No. 10 Downing Street ePetitions Initiative based in the United Kingdom, this chapter engages with issues related to the innovative use of digital network technology by Government to involve citizens in policy processes and to buffer national security within existing democratic frameworks. The work examines whether the application of new digital platforms to participatory democracy in the Government 2.0 era leads eventually to radical transformations in government functioning and the body politic, or merely to modest, unspectacular political reform and to the emergence of technology-based obsessive-compulsive pathologies and trolling behaviours amongst individuals in society.
BIM based Design Management of a Building Project Collaboratively Designed with a Foreign Design Firm in China
Authors: Tezel Algan , Aziz Zeeshan , Jiang Chuxiong
Published: November 2016

In parallel with China's growing construction market, there has been an influx of foreign architectural and engineering design firms into the Chinese construction market. Those firms generally form partnerships with local Chinese firms or institutions to overcome various complications in the country. Adding to the complexity, relatively recent technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) also started to play a role in those collaborative project design management efforts in China. This paper presents an in-depth case study of a complex building design project collaboratively executed using BIM by a foreign design firm from the USA and local Chinese firm in China. The project was analysed from different design management and stakeholder perspectives. Some of the findings confirm the pervious accounts from the literature. New insights and the key lessons learned for BIM based design management in this context are also presented.
Modeling, Mathematical and Numerical Studies of a New Biventricular Model for Artificial Heart Powered by an Electromagnet Subjected to Sinusoidal and Square Voltages
Authors: Woafo Paul , Lejuste Abobda Theodore
Published: November 2016

This paper describes and investigates the dynamics of a new model of biventricular model for artificial heart which consists of two ferromagnetic masses fixed on springs and subjected to a common electromagnet powered by sinusoidal and square wave voltage sources. The effects of the following control parameters are considered: the external voltage source frequency and amplitude, the ratio between the stiffness coefficients, and the one between the masses. As results in both cases of external excitations, subharmonic oscillations, hysteresis, coexistence of limit cycle and point attractor, permanent bounding are found. The optimal voltage and the ratio between the stiffness coefficients are obtained. Bursting oscillations usable for pulsatile pumping are observed for low frequencies under square wave voltage.
Forecasting Demand in Supply Chain Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ampazis Nicholas
Published: November 2016

Managing inventory in a multi-level supply chain structure is a difficult task for big retail stores as it is particularly complex to predict demand for the majority of the items. This paper aims to highlight the potential of machine learning approaches as effective forecasting methods for predicting customer demand at the first level of organization of a supply chain where products are presented and sold to customers. For this purpose, we utilize Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) trained with an effective second order algorithm, and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for regression. We evaluated the effectiveness of the proposed approach using public data from the Netflix movie rental online DVD store in order to predict the demand for movie rentals during an especially critical for sales season, which is the Christmas holiday season. In our analysis we also integrated data from two other sources of information, namely an aggregator for movie reviews (Rotten Tomatoes), and a movie oriented social network (Flixster). Consequently, the approach presented in this paper combines the integration of data from various sources of information and the power of advanced machine learning algorithms for lowering the uncertainty barrier in forecasting supply chain demand.
Image Edge Detection Based on Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Huan Yin
Published: November 2016

Ant colony optimization (ACO) is a new heuristic algorithm which has been proven a successful technique. The article applies the ACO to the image edge detection, get edge image edge according to different neighborhood access policy through MATLAB simulation, and use the best neighborhood strategy to get detection. Compared with the traditional edge detection methods, the algorithm can effectively suppress the noise interference, retain most of the effective information of the image.
Safety Analysis and Strategy of Alipay
Authors: Yuan Chong , Zhang Yue , Liu Ye
Published: November 2016

With the widespread use pay treasures, which occupy an increasingly large daily, the proportion of third-party payment, pay treasure security issues become more and more prominent. So, how to better respond to Alipay security risks, how to improve its security, these are very important to discuss the contents. This article briefly learn Alipay technical processes missing from the mobile phone, Internet and transaction worries wireless network vulnerabilities, a brief description of the security issues Alipay, and put forward relevant measures in the third chapter of governance.
An Artificial Neural Network Classification of Prescription Nonadherence
Authors: Walczak Steven , Okuboyejo Senanu R.
Published: November 2016

This study investigates the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to classify reasons for medication nonadherence. A survey method is used to collect individual reasons for nonadherence to treatment plans. Seven reasons for nonadherence are identified from the survey. ANNs using backpropagation learning are trained and validated to produce a nonadherence classification model. Most patients identified multiple reasons for nonadherence. The ANN models were able to accurately predict almost 63 percent of the reasons identified for each patient. After removal of two highly common nonadherence reasons, new ANN models are able to identify 73 percent of the remaining nonadherence reasons. ANN models of nonadherence are validated as a reliable medical informatics tool for assisting healthcare providers in identifying the most likely reasons for treatment nonadherence. Physicians may use the identified nonadherence reasons to help overcome the causes of nonadherence for each patient.
Exploring Incidence-Prevalence Patterns in Spatial Epidemiology via Neighborhood Rough Sets
Authors: Banu K. Sharmila , Tripathy B.K.
Published: November 2016

Epidemiological studies are largely purposed to provide outcomes that may be used for interventions and development programs. In recent years, geo-referencing of epidemiological data has become one of the vital features. Often, epidemiological data collected for regions under study will show areas that are affected with certain diseases in the form of incidence or prevalence information. As well, such information may be spatially mapped and used for further analysis on pattern comparisons. A key objective of such analytic works would be to come up with effective interventions, including planning for remedial measures. In this paper, the authors propose the use of Neighborhood Rough Set Theory (NRST) to be applied innovatively within a mapped area featured with incident-prevalent cases of a disease and computing the similarity patterns among various affected areas in a region. The similarity statistics and/or indices thus computed may aid in planning remedial measures in a geographic region whose sub-regions are marked with various incidence-prevalence information.
Comparison of Several Acoustic Modeling Techniques for Speech Emotion Recognition
Authors: Trabelsi Imen , Bouhlel Med Salim
Published: November 2016

Automatic Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) is a current research topic in the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) with a wide range of applications. The purpose of speech emotion recognition system is to automatically classify speaker's utterances into different emotional states such as disgust, boredom, sadness, neutral, and happiness. The speech samples in this paper are from the Berlin emotional database. Mel Frequency cepstrum coefficients (MFCC), Linear prediction coefficients (LPC), linear prediction cepstrum coefficients (LPCC), Perceptual Linear Prediction (PLP) and Relative Spectral Perceptual Linear Prediction (Rasta-PLP) features are used to characterize the emotional utterances using a combination between Gaussian mixture models (GMM) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) based on the Kullback-Leibler Divergence Kernel. In this study, the effect of feature type and its dimension are comparatively investigated. The best results are obtained with 12-coefficient MFCC. Utilizing the proposed features a recognition rate of 84% has been achieved which is close to the performance of humans on this database.
Improving Accuracy of Event-Related Potentials Classification by Channel Selection Using Independent Component Analysis and Least Square Methods
Authors: Li Wenxuan , Li Mengfan , Li Wei
Published: November 2016

This paper proposes a method for achieving a high performance of N200 and P300 classification by applying independent component analysis to select the channels, which deliver brain signals with large N200 and P300 potentials and small artifacts. In this study, the authors find out the relationship between the highest accuracy and the weights of the independent components and use this relationship to predict the optimal channels of each individual subject. They compare five channel selection methods: the ICA-based method and the curve-fitting-based method proposed in this paper, the amplitude-based method, the experiential optimal 8 channel combination and all 30 channel combination methods. The comparative studies show that the ICA-based method achieves an average accuracy of 99.3% across four subjects, which is superior to the other four methods.
Bridging the Gap between LMS and Social Network Learning Analytics in Online Learning
Authors: Hernández-García Ángel , Conde-González Miguel Ángel
Published: November 2016

Despite the great potential of social network analysis (SNA) methods and visualizations for learning analytics in computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL), these approaches have not been fully explored due to two important barriers: the scarcity and limited functionality of built-in tools in Learning Management Systems (LMS), and the difficulty to import educational data from formal virtual learning environments into social network analysis programs. This study aims to cover that gap by introducing GraphFES, an application and web service for extraction of interaction data from Moodle message boards and generation of the corresponding social graphs for later analysis using Gephi, a general purpose SNA software. In addition, this paper briefly illustrates the potential of the combination of the three systems (Moodle, GraphFES and Gephi) for social learning analytics using real data from a computer-supported collaborative learning course with strong focus on teamwork and intensive use of forums.
Critical Factors Influencing E-Government Adoption in India
Authors: Gupta Kriti Priya , Bhaskar Preeti , Singh Swati
Published: November 2016

In this paper, the authors present an integrated model based on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), trust and citizen satisfaction, to explore the factors which influence the adoption of e-government services in Delhi (India). The findings indicate that effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and trust in technology followed by trust in government, citizen satisfaction, and facilitating conditions are significant predictors of citizen adoption of e-government. The findings also reveal that facilitating conditions can be divided into two factors: ‘Available Facilitating Conditions' (AFC) which are concerned with the facilitating conditions available at the user's end and ‘Provided Facilitating Conditions' (PFC) which refer to the facilitating conditions provided by the government. According to the findings of the study, AFC has a greater impact on e-government adoption, as compared to PFC.
Myeloid-Specific Gene Deletion of Protein Phosphatase 2A Magnifies MyD88- and TRIF-Dependent Inflammation following Endotoxin Challenge
Authors: Sun Lei , Pham Tiffany T. , Cornell Timothy T. , McDonough Kelli L. , McHugh Walker M. , Blatt Neal B. , Dahmer Mary K. , Shanley Thomas P.
Published: November 2016

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a member of the intracellular serine/threonine phosphatases. Innate immune cell activation triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns is mediated by various protein kinases, and PP2A plays a counter-regulatory role by deactivating these kinases. In this study, we generated a conditional knockout of the α isoform of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2ACα). After crossing with myeloid-specific cre-expressing mice, effective gene knockout was achieved in various myeloid cells. The myeloid-specific knockout mice (lyM-PP2Afl/fl) showed higher mortality in response to endotoxin challenge and bacterial infection. Upon LPS challenge, serum levels of TNF-α, KC, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly increased in lyM-PP2Afl/fl mice, and increased phosphorylation was observed in MAPK pathways (p38, ERK, JNK) and the NF-κB pathway (IKKα/β, NF-κB p65) in bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) from knockout mice. Heightened NF-κB activation was not associated with degradation of IκBα; instead, enhanced phosphorylation of the NF-κB p65 subunit and p38 phosphorylation-mediated TNF-α mRNA stabilization appear to contribute to the increased TNF-α expression. In addition, increased IL-10 expression appears to be due to PP2ACα-knockout–induced IKKα/β hyperactivation. Microarray experiments indicated that the Toll/IL-1R domain–containing adaptor inducing IFN-β/ TNFR-associated factor 3 pathway was highly upregulated in LPS-treated PP2ACα-knockout BMDMs, and knockout BMDMs had elevated IFN-α/β production compared with control BMDMs. Serum IFN-β levels from PP2ACα-knockout mice treated with LPS were also greater than those in controls. Thus, we demonstrate that PP2A plays an important role in regulating inflammation and survival in the setting of septic insult by targeting MyD88- and Toll/IL-1R domain–containing adaptor inducing IFN-β–dependent pathways.
Blocking Virus Replication during Acute Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection Paradoxically Prolongs Antigen Presentation and Increases the CD8+ T Cell Response by Preventing Type I IFN–Dependent Depletion of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Loo Christopher P. , Snyder Christopher M. , Hill Ann B.
Published: November 2016

Increasing amounts of pathogen replication usually lead to a proportionate increase in size and effector differentiation of the CD8+ T cell response, which is attributed to increased Ag and inflammation. Using a murine CMV that is highly sensitive to the antiviral drug famciclovir to modulate virus replication, we found that increased virus replication drove increased effector CD8+ T cell differentiation, as expected. Paradoxically, however, increased virus replication dramatically decreased the size of the CD8+ T cell response to two immunodominant epitopes. The decreased response was due to type I IFN–dependent depletion of conventional dendritic cells and could be reproduced by specific depletion of dendritic cells from day 2 postinfection or by sterile induction of type I IFN. Increased virus replication and type I IFN specifically inhibited the response to two immunodominant epitopes that are known to be dependent on Ag cross-presented by DCs, but they did not inhibit the response to “inflationary” epitopes whose responses can be sustained by infected nonhematopoietic cells. Our results show that type I IFN can suppress CD8+ T cell responses to cross-presented Ag by depleting cross-presenting conventional dendritic cells.
Accurate Structure Prediction of CDR H3 Loops Enabled by a Novel Structure-Based C-Terminal Constraint
Authors: Weitzner Brian D. , Gray Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2016

Ab structure prediction has made great strides, but accurately modeling CDR H3 loops remains elusive. Unlike the other five CDR loops, CDR H3 does not adopt canonical conformations and must be modeled de novo. During Antibody Modeling Assessment II, we found that biasing simulations toward kinked conformations enables generating low–root mean square deviation models (Weitzner et al. 2014. Proteins 82: 1611–1623), and since then, we have presented new geometric parameters defining the kink conformation (Weitzner et al. 2015. Structure 23: 302–311). In this study, we use these parameters to develop a new biasing constraint. When applied to a benchmark set of high-quality CDR H3 loops, the average minimum root mean square deviation sampled is 0.93 Å, compared with 1.34 Å without the constraint. We then test the performance of the constrained de novo method for homology modeling and rigid-body docking and present the results for 1) the Antibody Modeling Assessment II targets, 2) the 2009 RosettaAntibody benchmark set, and 3) the high-quality set.
High temperature requirement A1 and fibronectin: two possible players in placental tissue remodelling
Authors: Tossetta G. , Avellini C. , Licini C. , Giannubilo S.R. , Castellucci M. , Marzioni D.
Published: November 2016

High temperature requirement A1 (HtrA1) is a secreted protease involved in placental development. Fibronectin (FN) is involved in important process such as wound healing, cell adhesion and spreading, growth, migration, and differentiation. The purpose of this study was to analyse the expression patterns of HtrA1 in relationship to FN and to the key growth zones of placenta such as mesenchymal villi as well as cell islands and cell columns. We demonstrated that FN and HtrA1 are localized in the placental key growth zones suggesting a pivotal role in maintaining the balance among the molecules involved in the placental development and differentiation.
Cooling Effectiveness of a Modified Cold-Water Immersion Method After Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia
Authors: Luhring Katherine E. , Butts Cory L. , Smith Cody R. , Bonacci Jeffrey A. , Ylanan Ramon C. , Ganio Matthew S. , McDermott Brendon P.
Published: November 2016

Context: Recommended treatment for exertional heat stroke includes whole-body cold-water immersion (CWI). However, remote locations or monetary or spatial restrictions can challenge the feasibility of CWI. Thus, the development of a modified, portable CWI method would allow for optimal treatment of exertional heat stroke in the presence of these challenges.

Objective: To determine the cooling rate of modified CWI (tarp-assisted cooling with oscillation [TACO]) after exertional hyperthermia.

Design: Randomized, crossover controlled trial.

Setting: Environmental chamber (temperature = 33.4°C ± 0.8°C, relative humidity = 55.7% ± 1.9%).

Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen volunteers (9 men, 7 women; age = 26 ± 4.7 years, height = 1.76 ± 0.09 m, mass = 72.5 ± 9.0 kg, body fat = 20.7% ± 7.1%) with no history of compromised thermoregulation.

Intervention(s): Participants completed volitional exercise (cycling or treadmill) until they demonstrated a rectal temperature (Tre) ≥39.0°C. After exercise, participants transitioned to a semirecumbent position on a tarp until either Tre reached 38.1°C or 15 minutes had elapsed during the control (no immersion [CON]) or TACO (immersion in 151 L of 2.1°C ± 0.8°C water) treatment.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The Tre, heart rate, and blood pressure (reported as mean arterial pressure) were assessed precooling and postcooling. Statistical analyses included repeated-measures analysis of variance with appropriate post hoc t tests and Bonferroni correction.

Results: Before cooling, the Tre was not different between conditions (CON: 39.27°C ± 0.26°C, TACO: 39.30°C ± 0.39°C; P = .62; effect size = −0.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.2, 0.1). At postcooling, the Tre was decreased in the TACO (38.10°C ± 0.16°C) compared with the CON condition (38.74°C ± 0.38°C; P < .001; effect size = 2.27; 95% CI = 0.4, 0.9). The rate of cooling was greater during the TACO (0.14 ± 0.06°C/min) than the CON treatment (0.04°C/min ± 0.02°C/min; t15 = −8.84; P < .001; effect size = 2.21; 95% CI = −0.13, −0.08). These differences occurred despite an insignificant increase in fluid consumption during exercise preceding CON (0.26 ± 0.29 L) versus TACO (0.19 ± 0.26 L; t12 = 1.73; P = .11; effect size = 0.48; 95% CI = −0.02, 0.14) treatment. Decreases in heart rate did not differ between the TACO and CON conditions (t15 = −1.81; P = .09; effect size = 0.45; 95% CI = −22, 2). Mean arterial pressure was greater at postcooling with TACO (84.2 ± 6.6 mm Hg) than with CON (67.0 ± 9.0 mm Hg; P < .001; effect size = 2.25; 95% CI = 13, 21).

Conclusions: The TACO treatment provided faster cooling than did the CON treatment. When location, monetary, or spatial restrictions are present, TACO represents an effective alternative to traditional CWI in the emergency treatment of patients with exertional hyperthermia.
Volitional Spine Stabilization During a Drop Vertical Jump From Different Landing Heights: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Authors: Haddas Ram , Hooper Troy , James C. Roger , Sizer Phillip S.
Published: November 2016

Context:

Volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) during dynamic activities may alter trunk motion, but the role of the core musculature in positioning the trunk during landing tasks is unclear.

Objective:

To determine whether volitional core-muscle activation incorporated during a drop vertical jump alters lower extremity kinematics and kinetics, as well as trunk and lower extremity muscle activity at different landing heights.

Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Setting:

Clinical biomechanics laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

Thirty-two young healthy adults, consisting of 17 men (age = 25.24 ± 2.88 years, height = 1.85 ± 0.06 m, mass = 89.68 ± 16.80 kg) and 15 women (age = 23.93 ± 1.33 years, height = 1.67 ± 0.08 m, mass = 89.68 ± 5.28 kg).

Intervention(s):

Core-muscle activation using VPAC.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

We collected 3-dimensional ankle, knee, and hip motions, moments, and powers; ground reaction forces; and trunk and lower extremity muscle activity during 0.30- and 0.50-m drop vertical-jump landings.

Results:

During landing from a 0.30-m height, VPAC performance increased external oblique and semitendinosis activity, knee flexion, and knee internal rotation and decreased knee-abduction moment and knee-energy absorption. During the 0.50-m landing, the VPAC increased external oblique and semitendinosis activity, knee flexion, and hip flexion and decreased ankle inversion and hip-energy absorption.

Conclusions:

The VPAC performance during landing may protect the anterior cruciate ligament during different landing phases from different heights, creating a protective advantage just before ground contact and after the impact phase. Incorporating VPAC during high injury-risk activities may enhance pelvic stability, improve lower extremity positioning and sensorimotor control, and reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury risk while protecting the lumbar spine.
Heterosexuell erotisierte Beziehungsgeflechte in der Mission
Authors: Kessler Martina , Landman Christina
Published: November 2016

Heterosexual eroticising situations and relationships in the context of missions. This article contains some of the results of empirical research done on heterosexual eroticising relationships in which missionary women engage. This research was done for a DTh thesis submitted at the University of South Africa in 2014. Eroticising always precedes actions and influences the later relationships of male and female missionaries who are still alive and working. In an initial study it was found that many missionary organisations had addressed and listed sexuality as a theme. However, the eroticising of heterosexual relationships has up till now not been systematically researched and reflected upon. During interviews with missionary women, it was found that they not only had been involved in erotic relationships beforehand, but that they also experienced eroticising in the mission field, establishing eroticising as part of the internal system of missionary work.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Consequently, a Missiology of being authentically human was developed for this study in which eroticising was addressed. With this, it should be possible to deal theologically and practically with eroticising, temptation and sexual needs.
Imaging Guidance Improves the Results of Viscosupplementation with HANOX-M-XL in Patients with Ankle Osteoarthritis: Results of a Clinical Survey in 50 Patients Treated in Daily Practice
Authors: Bossert Marie , Boublil Daniel , Parisaux Jean-Marc , Bozgan Ana-Maria , Richelme Emmanuel , Conrozier Thierry
Published: November 2016

Background

The objective of this survey was to assess retrospectively the interest of performing viscosupplementation using imaging guidance in patients suffering from ankle osteoarthritis (OA).

Patients and Methods

This is a multicenter retrospective survey using a standardized questionnaire. Fifty patients suffering from ankle OA and treated, in daily clinical practice, with a single intra-articular injection of a novel viscosupplement made of a combination of a non-animal cross-linked hyaluronan and mannitol, HANOX M-XL, were included in the survey. The injection procedure (imaging or landmark guidance), demographic data, patient's self-evaluation of pain, satisfaction, treatment efficacy, and tolerability were collected. Predictive factors of both efficacy and patient's satisfaction were investigated.

Results

The percentages of patients very satisfied/satisfied and not really satisfied/dissatisfied with the treatment were 68% and 32%, respectively. Efficacy was rated as very good, good, moderate, and poor by 38%, 30%, 12%, and 20% of the cases, respectively. Efficacy was unrelated to gender and age and was highly correlated with pain score ( P < 0.0001). In satisfied patients, the decrease in consumption of analgesics/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was >75% in 64% of the cases. Efficacy was significantly different with regard to imaging guidance. There was a statistically significant difference in efficacy and satisfaction between landmark-guided and imaging-guided injections ( P = 0.02). The success rate was 2.3 times higher in the imaging-guided group than in the landmark-guided group. No significant difference was found between patients injected under fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance, despite a trend favoring ultrasound ( P = 0.09). Tolerability was rated as very good/good in 47 patients, moderate in two, and poor in one and was unrelated to the type of guidance.

Conclusion

This preliminary study suggests that the use of imaging guidance significantly optimizes the success rate of ankle viscosupplementation. No safety concern was observed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.
Daytime formation of nitrous acid at a coastal remote site in Cyprus indicating a common ground source of atmospheric HONO and NO
Authors: Meusel Hannah , Kuhn Uwe , Reiffs Andreas , Mallik Chinmay , Harder Hartwig , Martinez Monica , Schuladen Jan , Bohn Birger , Parchatka Uwe , Crowley John N. , Fischer Horst , Tomsche Laura , Novelli Anna , Hoffmann Thorsten , Janssen Ruud H. H. , Hartogensis Oscar , Pikridas Michael , Vrekoussis Mihalis , Bourtsoukidis Efstratios , Weber Bettina , Lelieveld Jos , Williams Jonathan , Pöschl Ulrich , Cheng Yafang , Su Hang
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Characterization of daytime sources of nitrous acid (HONO) is crucial to understand atmospheric oxidation and radical cycling in the planetary boundary layer. HONO and numerous other atmospheric trace constituents were measured on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus during the CYPHEX (CYprus PHotochemical EXperiment) campaign in summer 2014. Average volume mixing ratios of HONO were 35 pptv (±25 pptv) with a HONO ∕ NOx ratio of 0.33, which was considerably higher than reported for most other rural and urban regions. Diel profiles of HONO showed peak values in the late morning (60 ± 28 pptv around 09:00 local time) and persistently high mixing ratios during daytime (45 ± 18 pptv), indicating that the photolytic loss of HONO is compensated by a strong daytime source. Budget analyses revealed unidentified sources producing up to 3.4  ×  106 molecules cm−3 s−1 of HONO and up to 2.0  ×  107 molecules cm−3 s−1 NO. Under humid conditions (relative humidity  >  70 %), the source strengths of HONO and NO exhibited a close linear correlation (R2 = 0.72), suggesting a common source that may be attributable to emissions from microbial communities on soil surfaces.
Identification of the different magnetic field contributions during a geomagnetic storm in magnetospheric and ground observations
Authors: Alberti Tommaso , Piersanti Mirko , Vecchio Antonio , De Michelis Paola , Lepreti Fabio , Carbone Vincenzo , Primavera Leonardo
Published: November 2016

Abstract. We used the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to investigate the time variation of the magnetospheric and ground-based observations of the Earth's magnetic field during both quiet and disturbed periods. We found two timescale variations in magnetospheric data which are associated with different magnetospheric current systems and the characteristic diurnal orbital variation, respectively. On the ground we identified three timescale variations related to the solar-wind–magnetosphere high-frequency interactions, the ionospheric processes, and the internal dynamics of the magnetosphere. This approach is able to identify the different physical processes involved in solar-wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling. In addition, the large-timescale contribution can be used as a local index for the identification of the intensity of a geomagnetic storm on the ground.
Future supply and demand of net primary production in the Sahel
Authors: Sallaba Florian , Olin Stefan , Engström Kerstin , Abdi Abdulahakim M. , Boke-Olén Niklas , Lehsten Veiko , Ardö Jonas , Seaquist Jonathan W.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In the 21st century, climate change in combination with increasing demand, mainly from population growth, will exert greater pressure on the ecosystems of the Sahel to supply food and feed resources. The balance between supply and demand (annual biomass required for human consumption) serves as a key metric for quantifying basic resource shortfalls over broad regions. Here we apply an exploratory modelling framework to analyze the variations in the timing and geography of different NPP (net primary production) supply-demand scenarios (with distinct assumptions determining supply and demand) for the 21st century Sahel. We achieve this by coupling a simple NPP supply model (forced with projections from four representative concentration pathways) with a global, reduced-complexity demand model (driven by socio-economic data and assumptions derived from five shared socio-economic pathways). For the scenario that deviates least from current socio-economic and climate trends, we find that per capita NPP outstrips its supply in the 2070s, while by 2050, half the countries in the Sahel experience NPP shortfalls. We also find that despite variations in the timing of the onset of NPP shortfalls, demand cannot consistently be met across the majority of scenarios. Moreover, large between-country variations are shown across the scenarios where by the year 2050, some countries consistently experience shortage, others surplus while yet others shift from surplus to shortage. At the local level (i.e. grid cell) hotspots of total NPP shortfall consistently occur in the same locations across all scenarios, but vary in size and magnitude. These hotspots are linked to population density and high demand. For all scenarios, total simulated NPP supply doubles by 2050 but is outpaced by increasing demand due to a combination of population growth and adoption of a diets rich in animal products. Finally, variations in the timing of onset and end of supply shortfalls stem from the assumptions that underpin the shared socio-economic pathways rather than the representative concentration pathways. Our results suggest that the UN sustainable development goals for eradicating hunger are at high risk for failure. This emphasizes the importance of policy interventions such as the implementation of sustainable and healthy diets, family planning, reducing yield gaps, and encouraging transfer of resources to impoverished areas via trade relations.
Forest soil carbon stock estimates in a nationwide inventory: evaluating performance of the ROMULv and Yasso07 models in Finland
Authors: Lehtonen Aleksi , Linkosalo Tapio , Peltoniemi Mikko , Sievänen Risto , Mäkipää Raisa , Tamminen Pekka , Salemaa Maija , Nieminen Tiina , Ťupek Boris , Heikkinen Juha , Komarov Alexander
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Dynamic soil models are needed for estimating impact of weather and climate change on soil carbon stocks and fluxes. Here, we evaluate performance of Yasso07 and ROMULv models against forest soil carbon stock measurements. More specifically, we ask if litter quantity, litter quality and weather data are sufficient drivers for soil carbon stock estimation. We also test whether inclusion of soil water holding capacity improves reliability of modelled soil carbon stock estimates. Litter input of trees was estimated from stem volume maps provided by the National Forest Inventory, while understorey vegetation was estimated using new biomass models. The litter production rates of trees were based on earlier research, while for understorey biomass they were estimated from measured data. We applied Yasso07 and ROMULv models across Finland and ran those models into steady state; thereafter, measured soil carbon stocks were compared with model estimates. We found that the role of understorey litter input was underestimated when the Yasso07 model was parameterised, especially in northern Finland. We also found that the inclusion of soil water holding capacity in the ROMULv model improved predictions, especially in southern Finland. Our simulations and measurements show that models using only litter quality, litter quantity and weather data underestimate soil carbon stock in southern Finland, and this underestimation is due to omission of the impact of droughts to the decomposition of organic layers. Our results also imply that the ecosystem modelling community and greenhouse gas inventories should improve understorey litter estimation in the northern latitudes.
P-CSI v1.0, an accelerated barotropic solver for the high-resolution ocean model component in the Community Earth System Model v2.0
Authors: Huang Xiaomeng , Tang Qiang , Tseng Yuheng , Hu Yong , Baker Allison H. , Bryan Frank O. , Dennis John , Fu Haohuan , Yang Guangwen
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In the Community Earth System Model (CESM), the ocean model is computationally expensive for high-resolution grids and is often the least scalable component for high-resolution production experiments. The major bottleneck is that the barotropic solver scales poorly at high core counts. We design a new barotropic solver to accelerate the high-resolution ocean simulation. The novel solver adopts a Chebyshev-type iterative method to reduce the global communication cost in conjunction with an effective block preconditioner to further reduce the iterations. The algorithm and its computational complexity are theoretically analyzed and compared with other existing methods. We confirm the significant reduction of the global communication time with a competitive convergence rate using a series of idealized tests. Numerical experiments using the CESM 0.1° global ocean model show that the proposed approach results in a factor of 1.7 speed-up over the original method with no loss of accuracy, achieving 10.5 simulated years per wall-clock day on 16 875 cores.
Towards simplification of hydrologic modeling: identification of dominant processes
Authors: Markstrom Steven L. , Hay Lauren E. , Clark Martyn P.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. parameter hydrologic model, has been applied to the conterminous US (CONUS). Parameter sensitivity analysis was used to identify: (1) the sensitive input parameters and (2) particular model output variables that could be associated with the dominant hydrologic process(es). Sensitivity values of 35 PRMS calibration parameters were computed using the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test procedure on 110 000 independent hydrologically based spatial modeling units covering the CONUS and then summarized to process (snowmelt, surface runoff, infiltration, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, interflow, baseflow, and runoff) and model performance statistic (mean, coefficient of variation, and autoregressive lag 1). Identified parameters and processes provide insight into model performance at the location of each unit and allow the modeler to identify the most dominant process on the basis of which processes are associated with the most sensitive parameters. The results of this study indicate that: (1) the choice of performance statistic and output variables has a strong influence on parameter sensitivity, (2) the apparent model complexity to the modeler can be reduced by focusing on those processes that are associated with sensitive parameters and disregarding those that are not, (3) different processes require different numbers of parameters for simulation, and (4) some sensitive parameters influence only one hydrologic process, while others may influence many.
Predicted ripple dimensions in relation to the precision of in situ measurements in the southern North Sea
Authors: Krämer Knut , Winter Christian
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Ripples are common morphological features in sandy marine environments. Their shapes and dimensions are closely related to local sediment properties and forcing by waves and currents. Numerous predictors for the geometry and hydraulic roughness of ripples exist but, due to their empirical nature, they may fail to properly reflect conditions in the field. Here, measurements of tide and wave generated ripples in a shallow shelf sea are reported. Discrete and continuous methods for the extraction of ripple dimensions from digital elevation models (DEMs) are inter-compared. The range of measured ripple dimensions is quantified and compared to the results of empirical predictors. The repeatability of a measurement for inactive conditions is taken as the precision of measurements of bedform dimensions. The accuracy of measurement is assessed via comparison to predicted dimensions. Results from field data show that the precision of measurements is limited to 10 % of the absolute ripple dimensions. The application of different methods for the detection of ripple heights may result in form roughness heights differing by a factor of up to 2 between the traditional statistical estimate and a full evaluation of the spatial bathymetry.
High-resolution monitoring of marine protists based on an observation strategy integrating automated on-board filtration and molecular analyses
Authors: Metfies Katja , Schroeder Friedhelm , Hessel Johanna , Wollschläger Jochen , Micheller Sebastian , Wolf Christian , Kilias Estelle , Sprong Pim , Neuhaus Stefan , Frickenhaus Stephan , Petersen Wilhelm
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Information on recent biomass distribution and biogeography of photosynthetic marine protists with adequate temporal and spatial resolution is urgently needed to better understand the consequences of environmental change for marine ecosystems. Here we introduce and review a molecular-based observation strategy for high-resolution assessment of these protists in space and time. It is the result of extensive technology developments, adaptations and evaluations which are documented in a number of different publications, and the results of the recently completed field testing which are introduced in this paper. The observation strategy is organized at four different levels. At level 1, samples are collected at high spatiotemporal resolution using the remotely controlled automated filtration system AUTOFIM. Resulting samples can either be preserved for later laboratory analyses, or directly subjected to molecular surveillance of key species aboard the ship via an automated biosensor system or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (level 2). Preserved samples are analyzed at the next observational levels in the laboratory (levels 3 and 4). At level 3 this involves molecular fingerprinting methods for a quick and reliable overview of differences in protist community composition. Finally, selected samples can be used to generate a detailed analysis of taxonomic protist composition via the latest next generation sequencing technology (NGS) at level 4. An overall integrated dataset of the results based on the different analyses provides comprehensive information on the diversity and biogeography of protists, including all related size classes. At the same time the cost of the observation is optimized with respect to analysis effort and time.
Linking pollen deposition, snow accumulation and isotopic composition on the Alto dell'Ortles glacier (South Tyrol, Italy) for sub-seasonal dating of a firn temperate core
Authors: Festi Daniela , Carturan Luca , Kofler Werner , dalla Fontana Giancarlo , de Blasi Fabrizio , Cazorzi Federico , Bucher Edith , Mair Volkmar , Gabrielli Paolo , Oeggl Klaus
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Dating of ice cores from temperate non-polar glaciers is challenging and often problematic. Yet, a proper timescale is essential for a correct interpretation of the proxies measured in the cores. Here, we introduce a new method developed to obtain a sub-seasonal timescale relying on statistically measured similarities between pollen spectra obtained from core samples, and daily airborne pollen monitoring samples collected in the same area. This approach was developed on a 10 m core retrieved from the temperate firn portion of Alto dell'Ortles glacier (Eastern Italian Alps), for which a five-year annual/seasonal timescale already exists. The aim was to considerably improve this timescale, reaching the highest possible temporal resolution, and testing the efficiency and limits of pollen as a chronological tool. A test of the new timescale was performed by comparing our results to the output (date of layer formation) of the mass balance model EISModel, during the period encompassed by the timescale. The correspondence of the results supports the new sub-seasonal timescale based on pollen analysis. This comparison also allows to draw important conclusions on the post depositional effects of meltwater percolation on the pollen content of the firn core, as well as on the climatic interpretation of the pollen signal. Finally, we provide an example of useful application of the timescale related to the direct comparison of measured meteorological parameters and the stable isotopes composition of the core.
Hashtag Activism and Why #BlackLivesMatter In (and To) the Classroom
Authors: Cumberbatch Prudence , Trujillo-Pagán Nicole
Published: November 2016

This paper considers #blacklivesmatter an important part of current discussions of race and social justice. It explores the ways in which Twitter users (and students) are developing a globally-connected voice to not only build awareness and solidarity, but also challenge the framing of issues relating to #blacklivesmatter and the ways blacks are represented by a variety of political actors, including the mainstream media. The paper identifies two trends in teaching #blacklivesmatter and its relevance to the classroom: historicizing the “new” civil rights movement and the use of testimony and discussion as a new praxis. The authors conclude that students must be reminded of their ability to influence their own lives by using their personal stories and seizing their voice.
The Architecture of American Slavery: Teaching the Black Lives Matter Movement to Architects
Authors: Zipf Catherine
Published: November 2016

The spatial dynamics surrounding the murder of Trayvon Martin are rarely discussed in architecture schools. Yet, the racial biases in our landscape are key to the agenda of the Black Lives Matter movement. This article tells the story of how these issues found their way into a course on the architecture of American slavery.  As the semester progressed, students discovered how the remnants of slave spaces, along with the racial biases they embodied, have contributed to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Black Lives Matter in Information Literacy
Authors: Pashia Angela
Published: November 2016

The institutional racism addressed by the Black Lives Matter movement is encoded in many of the structures of academia, including academic libraries. As a librarian who teaches information literacy, I ask students to think about which voices are represented in the scholarly literature, make explicit the implicit biases of the way scholarly materials are organized in the library and research databases, and examine the way their own biases affect their evaluations of information. In this article, I examine some of the ways racism is build into the structure of the library and describe ways I teach students to recognize inequities in the sources they rely on for college level research.
Liberation Through Education: Teaching #BlackLivesMatter in Africana Studies
Authors: Wallace Danielle M.
Published: November 2016

This paper is based on teaching about #BlackLivesMatter in Africana Studies in two seminar courses during the Spring of 2015 and 2016, respectively. Guided by a pedagogy grounded in the belief that education can be a tool of social justice, arguments are made for how to frame discussions of #BlackLivesMatter in regard to the socio-historical circumstances that inform and shape the modern day movement. In addition, suggestions are made for including a discussion of the tradition of activism within the Black community as a way to understand the present movement.
The Challenges of Teaching About the Black Lives Matter Movement: A Dialogue
Authors: Troka Donna , Adedoja Dorcas
Published: November 2016

This essay is a conversation between and teacher and student who worked together on the first iteration of a course that juxtaposes the Civil Rights Movement with the Black Lives Matter movement. Through their conversation they uncover what went well and what changes need to be made so that the course can be more transformative.
In Memoriam: Jim Miller
Authors: Melnick Jeffrey
Published: November 2016

Remembering Jim Miller.