bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viral News Content, Instantaneity, and Newsworthiness Criteria
Authors: Luchessi Lila
Published: January 2018

Social networks have modified the activities of the press, the actions of audiences, and the perceptions of societies. The strategies displayed to avoid losing consumers aim at fulfilling the audience's needs and the gap between the producers' and the consumers' interests tends to widen. This leads to a crisis point in news financing, affecting the traditional logic of the media industry; while advertisers are now able to reach their audiences without its mediation, viralization and instantaneity force the media to publish information incompatible with the public interest as considered by the press. In this way, traditional newsworthiness criteria are replaced by other criteria that redefine the concept of information. The aim of this chapter is to analyze the way in which instantaneity and viralization have affected not only the journalistic activity but also the information selection criteria and the audiences' input on the web.
Transmedia Journalism and the City
Authors: Gambarato Renira Rampazzo
Published: January 2018

This chapter discusses the participatory flair of transmedia journalism within the concreteness of urban spaces by examining The Great British Property Scandal (TGBPS), a transmedia experience designed to inform and engage the public and offer alternative solutions to the long-standing housing crisis in the United Kingdom. The theoretical framework is centered on transmedia storytelling applied to journalism in the scope of urban spaces and participatory culture. The methodological approach of the case study is based on Gambarato's (2013) transmedia analytical model and applied to TGBPS to depict how transmedia strategies within urban spaces collaborated to influence social change. TGBPS is a pertinent example of transmedia journalism within the liquid society, integrating mobile technologies into daily processes with the potential for enhanced localness, customization, and mobility within the urban fabric.
Ten Words About Morphogenetic Images
Authors: Luigini Alessandro , Vattano Starlight
Published: January 2018

This chapter describes how the repertoire of images derived from morphogenetic shaping processes is widely studied in every scientific and humanistic field. These are from the pioneering experiences of cinematic, programmed and generative arts of the 1960s and 1970s, the utopian digital space spells in the ‘90s, the morphogenetic architectural projects in the early 2000s, to the latest experiences. It is possible to look at these currents with a critical look detached from the time distance that has developed. Many denominations indicate processes and experiences in different fields but result from a common intellectual matrix. This is used to generate shapes, figures, spaces or images from automated information processes that do not delineate as deterministic figuration from the artist. Although, as interaction between the artist and computational thinking has declined in the most disparate ways. This chapter, through an apparently discontinuous pathway, reconstructs a theoretical structure on which the contemporary production of morphogenetic artifacts is based.
Geometrical Characterization of a Rototraslative Generative Tower
Authors: D'Uva Domenico
Published: January 2018

This chapter studies the geometric generation of the shape of a well-known building designed by the Spanish archistar Santiago Calatrava. The building is a skyscraper located in Malmö, Sweden named Turning Torso. The first step for analyzing the morphogenetic process is research on all of the available references that deal with building. This work aims to fully describe the process that has led the generation of the building itself.
Employment Protection Legislation in Haiti
Authors: Amine Samir , Predelus Wilner
Published: January 2018

The merit of employment regulations in a market economy is often measured by their effectiveness in facilitating job creation without jeopardizing the notion of “decent work,” as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Consequently, the recent literature on employment legislation has extensively focused on the flexibility of the labor market, as a fair middle ground is always necessary to avoid undue distortions that can negatively impact the economy and worker's wellbeing. This chapter analyzes the provisions of the labor law in Haiti and how it affects job security and flexibility to observe a flexible structure that rather benefits employers. Notably, labor law in Haiti may have in fact rendered workers more vulnerable because these labor legislations were enacted on the assumption that employers and workers are on the same footing when it comes to industrial relations, while historic facts do not support such an assumption.
Cross-Cultural Conflicts
Authors: Chaudhary Narendra Singh , Yadav Radha
Published: January 2018

The authors discuss in detail the meaning of conflict, cross-cultural conflict, the reasons for the conflicts, and its impact on overall organization performance and productivity. The authors also highlight and discuss the various strategies that can be worked out to reduce and resolve conflicts amicably and how to use conflicts for the betterment of the organization. The authors also focus upon the various issues and concerns that need to be taken care of while handling the conflicts and resolving them effectively. The authors have also drawn attention towards the future research perspectives, which will help organisations and management to address the cross-cultural conflicts and utilizing them for the betterment of the organisation in a constructive manner.
An Overview of Employer Branding With Special Reference to Indian Organizations
Authors: Rana Shikha , Sharma Ravindra
Published: January 2018

Talent acquisition is the most crucial activity an organization goes through. The reasons for its criticality are not just confined to the cost and time involved in recruiting talent but also matching the right incumbents at the right place and at the right time along with the organizational fit are the most essential factors to deal with. Nowadays, organizations are working in VUCA (volatile, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) environment that seeks a lot in terms of employee performance. Employer branding was initiated by Ambler and Barrow (1990) with an aim to attract and retain the best talent through various activities, and the contemporary research has proven that if branding of the organization is done in an effective manner then it retains the best talent; further, it enhances job engagement and motivation. The present chapter elaborates the concept of employer branding, benefits, and importance of employer branding. Recent surveys and trends of employer branding in Indian organizations have also been discussed.
Workplace Discrimination
Authors: Sharma Shikha , Mann Nimarta
Published: January 2018

Diverse workforce is now a global phenomenon. The quality of interaction between people of diversified cultures in the organization has significant association with the marketing, managing, as well as human resource functions. The majority organizations are indulging in diversity management programmes so that they can benefit from the varied skills. But discriminatory behaviour against people of different backgrounds than majorities in the workplace act as a hindrance in taking full advantage of workplace diversity. This chapter reveals different forms in which discrimination can arise in a discrimination-free environment. The organizational as well as individual factors that cause discrimination at the workplace are discussed. The aftereffects that are related to discriminatory behavior at work, which render both employees as well as organization at disadvantage, are also highlighted. The chapter will help by highlighting the issue faced by thousands of employees every year and suggesting steps that need to be undertaken to remove discrimination from the workplace settings.
Relativity Applies to Physics, Not Ethics
Authors: Nandamuri Purna Prabhakar , Mishra Mukesh Kumar , Ch Gowthami
Published: January 2018

Ethical relativism is the most prevalent philosophical sub discipline. Ethical relativism represents that there is no moral right or wrong, asserting that morals evolve and change with social norms over a period of time. As the businesses have been growing transnational, this has become a burden rather than advantage, leading to confusion about whether to follow the host country or the home country cultural standards. Adopting the host country cultural values might end up with contradictory and inconsistent practices in the same organization whereas strictly believing in the home country culture might lead to rigidity and chaos in respective markets, forfeiting the opportunities. Thus, overcoming the mindset of ethical relativism has become a big burden on multinational businesses. Eventually, there lies a great hope for ethical universalism rather than relativism in the context of cross-cultural and diverse businesses.
The Role of Language Teacher Beliefs in an Increasingly Digitalized Communicative World
Authors: Lawrence Geoff
Published: January 2018

This chapter discusses the role of the language teacher and their beliefs in realizing the potential that rapidly evolving technology-mediated tools offer second/additional language learning (L2) in an increasingly digitalized world. The promise and pressures of technology integration are first discussed highlighting the need for new approaches to pedagogy in technology-mediated L2 teaching. Factors contributing to teacher resistance are then reviewed including the unique qualities of educational resistance to technology. Research identifying the nature of teacher beliefs from a range of studies is examined along with a conceptual framework illustrating the interconnected factors shaping L2 teacher beliefs and behaviour towards educational technology. Recommendations for effective approaches to technology-directed language teacher education and areas of needed research conclude the chapter.
Faculty Adoption, Application, and Perceptions of a CMS in a University English Language Program
Authors: Milliner Brett , Cote Travis J.
Published: January 2018

Central to most e-learning strategies is the course management system (CMS). While a CMS has the potential to facilitate better course management, enhance learning, and encourage student autonomy, reports indicate that faculty are slow to adopt a CMS, and yet others claim most faculty are not using a CMS to its potential. This chapter considers teachers in a university English program who were surveyed about their perceptions of the Blackboard CMS using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and data from usage logs were analyzed to appraise actual CMS application. While the teachers had an overwhelmingly positive view of the CMS, their utilization of Blackboard was limited or unsophisticated. As e-learning coordinators in the English program, the authors are interested in increasing CMS adoption and developing a robust e-learning component in the curriculum.
iPad and iPod in the Language Classrooms
Authors: Pellerin Martine
Published: January 2018

The chapter examines how the use of emergent mobile technologies such as iPad and iPod in the classroom with young language learners can promote innovative learning environments and authentic oral language learning experiences. The chapter is based on a collaborative action research (CAR) project involving young French language learners in primary schools in a western province of Canada. Findings show that the affordances of mobile technologies support the creation of innovative learning environments and authentic oral language learning experiences through collaborative dialogue and peer-peer scaffolding among young language learners. The outcomes of the inquiry also demonstrate that the use of mobile devices such as iPad and iPod promotes the emergence of metacognitive reflection among learners, as well as a greater sense of agency and autonomy.
Game Design Interaction in Digital Gameplay and Language Teaching and Learning
Authors: Shintaku Kayo
Published: January 2018

Digital games have drawn attention as second and foreign language (L2) tools for providing pedagogical potentials such as authentic and meaningful language use and social learning. However, less research examines how a game design interacts with pedagogical mediation. Intermediate-level learners of Japanese (n = 9) played a vernacular game in Japanese using a vocabulary reference list and worksheets before, during, and after their gameplay. In-game vocabulary was identified as primary or secondary based on its functionality, and vocabulary pre-, post-, and delayed tests were given. Results showed good retention between the posttest and delayed test when both types of vocabulary were combined. When separated, the primary vocabulary was retained well, but the secondary vocabulary was not retained. This confirms that in-game vocabulary functionality impacts learning and implicates the careful design of supplemental materials to balance learning strategies and guide L2 learners' attention in using vernacular games.
From Motivation and Self-Structure to a Decision-Support Framework for Online Social Networks
Authors: Antunes Francisco , Freire Manuela , Costa João Paulo
Published: January 2018

Data collected from online social networks offers new possibilities for supporting organizations' daily activities. It is also common knowledge that the opinion exchange in online social networks provides a decisive contribution in decision making. It is, thus, necessary to review and bare present the motivations by which people engage in online social network and the ways in which firms can make use of such motivations in order to take advantage of online social networks as information sources for decision-making support. To do so, the authors of this chapter developed the decision-support social networks to extract such information, which encompasses the intertwined use of human interaction and network structure by combining human capabilities, social network analysis (SNA), and automatic data mining. In this chapter, a brief summary of the performed case studies over the proposed information model is also presented.
Principles of Secure Access and Privacy in Combined E-Learning Environment
Authors: Romansky Radi Petrov , Noninska Irina Stancheva
Published: January 2018

Globalization in the contemporary information society outlines new important challenges in privacy and personal data protection that apply to user security in cyberspace. This is also the case e-learning environments, which use new network technologies, such as remote access, distributed processing, information sharing, cloud services, social computing, etc. Strong security procedures based on authentication, authorization, and data protection should be proposed to protect system resources, user profiles, personal information, educational materials, and other specific information. The chapter presents the opportunities and challenges of some digital technologies that could increase the effectiveness of e-learning processes by developing a combined e-learning environment. A functional architecture with two sub-systems (front office and back office) and different information resources (public, internal, external) is discussed. Investigation by using formalization and modelling is made and assessments are presented.
Analysis of the European ICT Competence Frameworks
Authors: Sanz Luis Fernández , Gómez-Pérez Josefa , Castillo-Martinez Ana
Published: January 2018

The rapid evolution and expansion of ICT labor markets requires a common language to manage offer and demand of talent, which is especially critical and complex in a transnational integration scenario like the European Union. Models and frameworks represent useful tools for this purpose. This chapter analyzes the most relevant e-competences frameworks in the European Union (e-CF or EN16234, ESCO, and Body of Knowledge or BoK) as well as their integration and similarities. The present impact of these European frameworks in the ICT labor market and their connection to training and education is presented through data and several examples taken from two EU-funded projects: e-Skills Match and e-CF Council.
Signs Conveying Information
Authors: Stjernfelt Frederik
Published: January 2018

This chapter introduces Peirce's notion of proposition, “Dicisign.” It goes through its main characteristics and argues that its strengths have been overlooked. It does not fall prey to some of the problems in the received notion of propositions (their dependence upon language, upon compositionality, upon human intention). This implies that the extension of Peircean Dicisigns is wider in two respects: they comprise 1) propositions not or only partially linguistic, using in addition gesture, picture, diagrams, etc.; 2) non-human propositions in biology studied by biosemiotics.
Neologisms
Authors: West Joel
Published: January 2018

While people use language to let others know how and what it is that we think, language is also the means by, and also the substrate within which, humans think. This chapter explores the use of language as the basis for cognition, based on both a chosen word's denotative meaning and also its rhetorical (metaphorical) connotative meanings. The artificial dichotomy between language and speech is deconstructed. Peircean semiotics is used to argue that language is indexical in its primary referential functions, including sociolinguistic functions. Three new words, all of which were coined in the twenty-first century, are examined from a sociolinguistic and a semiotic point of view.
Ethical Implications of the Techno-Social Dilemma in Contemporary Cyber-Security Phenomenon in Africa
Authors: Essien Essien D.
Published: January 2018

This article examines the cyber security dimension of the global information Infrastructure which has resulted in the attainment of remarkable milestones and unlimited opportunities. However, these benefits notwithstanding, the cyberspace is increasingly under attack by cybercriminals, and the cost and damages from such attacks are increasing alarming. This article therefore, sets out to examine the ethical implications of cybersecurity phenomenon. Relying upon an extensive contemporary literature on cyber security, this study examines the phenomenon using the protection motivation theory. The article employs qualitative analysis of the current cybersecurity landscape in Nigeria. With an insight provided into understanding the independent layers of cyber security in Nigeria, a criterion on what should constitute appropriate procedure for cyber security is thus supplied. Findings posit that with the vulnerability of cyberspace, cyber security phenomenon in Africa, mirrors the existing social inequalities and widens the social division that is more apparent with the expansion of the ICTs.
Domestication of Telecentres by Malawian Rural Women
Authors: Kapondera Sellina Khumbo , Chigona Wallace
Published: January 2018

The potential of telecentres to bridge the digital divide can only be realised when their services are appropriated by all groups in the community. Previous studies show that in Malawi only a few women use telecentres. This article used Domestication Theory to explain the processes through which women in rural Malawi encounter technologies, deal with them and integrate them into their lives. Data was obtained via interviews with women (both users and non-users) and a Telecentre Manager. The study shows that: i) commodification was influenced mainly by word of mouth; ii) the women who appropriated the Telecentre used it for instrumental and hedonic purposes; iii) the appropriation was influenced by convenience, compatibility with the needs of women and perceived usefulness of the Telecentre; and iv) non-use was due to lack of awareness, illiteracy, limited financial resources, cultural roles and perceptions about the telecentres. The findings could help policymakers in maximising use of telecentres among women.
Performance Evaluating System Based on MapReduce in Context of Educational Big Data
Authors: Verma Chitresh , Pandey Rajiv , Katiyar Devesh
Published: January 2018

The Big Data subsist in every characteristic of our daily life. The educational Big Data is one of these aspects of Big Data which is linked to student life. This article provides the comprehensive understanding of the implementation of the grade analysis system using educational Big Data. The grade analysis can be used for helping the students in many ways like selecting an elective subject, determining the toughness of elective subjects. Selection of good subject by the student will improve their career opportunities and placement probability. Further, this article builds a reference performance evaluating system for any future performance system with other aspects like employee performance evolution in any human capital management system(HCM).
Learning Avatar's Locomotion Patterns Through Spatial Analysis in FPS Video Games
Authors: Santillan Luis Alberto Casillas , Gonzalez Johor Ismael Jara
Published: January 2018

This article describes how current video games offer an extreme use of media fusion. Such construction implies a novel form of complexity regarding game control and active response from game to player. All of these elements produce deeper immersion effect in players. In order to perform a detailed supervision over this kind of game, additional controls should be included in game. Some of these controls are the moving and decision schemes. Authors believe that players move around virtual scenarios following some sort of pattern. Every player would have a specific pattern, according to his/her experience and capability to manage the gamepad layout. Current proposal consists in a 3D geometrical model surrounding player's avatar. Data unwittingly provided by the player, have elements to discover and, eventually, learn some gamers' patterns. The availability of these patterns would allow an improved game response and even the possibility of machine learning, as well as other artificial intelligence strategies. Every 3D game may include the model proposed in this paper, due to its noninvasive operation.
Optimal Design Parameters of Cab’s Isolation System for Vibratory Roller Using a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Le Van Quynh , Nguyen Khac Tuan
Published: January 2018

In order to improve the vibratory roller ride comfort, a multi-objective optimization method based on the improved genetic algorithm NSGA-II is proposed to optimize the design parameters of cab’s isolation system when vehicle operates under the different conditions. To achieve this goal, 3D nonlinear dynamic model of a single drum vibratory roller was developed based on the analysis of the interaction between vibratory roller and soil. The weighted r.m.s acceleration responses of the vertical driver’s seat, pitch and roll angle of the cab are chosen as the objective functions. The optimal design parameters of cab’s isolation system are indentified based on a combination of the vehicle nonlinear dynamic model of Matlab/Simulink and the NSGA - II genetic algorithm method. The results indicate that three objective function values are reduced significantly to improve vehicle ride comfort.
Analysis of Factors Influencing the Characteristics of the Tire and its Model Used in MSC.ADAMS/Car
Authors: Butin Danila , Vasiliev Alexey , Tumasov Anton , Bagichev Sergey
Published: January 2018

The tire model validity factors are listed and discussed when using tires in complex multi-mass vehicle models. Complex vehicle system models are used to estimate (to forecast) their handling and stability properties (including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) performance). It should be as less as possible discrepancy between vehicle virtual computational and experimental tests results. The objective forces to create more complex vehicle models. A tire is known to be the one of the most significant elements in the model and to influence considerably on vehicle handling and stability factors transmitting all road reactions. The paper describes factors to be able to get influence on the PAC2002 pneumatic tire model validity when simulating it in MSC.ADAMS/Car Software. The tire model creating begins by conducting studies of rolling tire characteristics. The studies are examined on tire benches. Conducting experimental studies there are the set of factors to be able to bring a measurement error into study results. The analysis of various literary sources has permitted to choose three basic factors to be able to get influenced on tire model and all the vehicle model validity. Among these factors there are following: tire pressure, tire temperature и tire tread wear. The most significant of these factors is the tire pressure. For providing required study accuracy it needs to apply tight restrictions on each factor changing range influencing on rolling tire characteristics. The ranges are to be determined for each certain tire model by using study results.
Chemical Etching of TiO2 Nanorods Greatly Improves Current Generation of S. loihica PV-4 on a Carbon Paper Electrode
Authors: Dong Li , Yin Tao , Su Lin , Fu De Gang
Published: January 2018

Anode surface plays important role for extracellular electron transfer (EET) of exoelectrogenic microbes in microbial fuel cell (MFC). In this report, the electrochemical performance of a TiO2nanorod array modified carbon paper electrode (TiO2NRs/CP) is greatly improved by controlled chemical etching process. The etching process keeps the array morphology but yields obvious hollows on tops of TiO2nanorods. The etched electrode (TiO2NRs-HOT/CP) exhibits better hydrophilicity than carbon paper (CP) and TiO2NRs/CP electrode as seen from smaller contact angle (CA) and more attached microbes S.loihica PV-4. Meanwhile, the hollows allow higher local concentration of microbial self-secreted flavins that can act as electron mediators for interfacial electron transfer of PV-4 through in-direct pathway. Accordingly, PV-4 produces larger current density at TiO2NRs-HOT/CP electrode with maximum current density of 0.038 mA cm–2, which was much higher than that at CP electrode, and almost five times higher than that at un-etched TiO2NRs/CP electrode.
Applying Absorption in Environmental Mechanics’ Decreasing of Aspiration Emissions of Gas Station
Authors: Koshkarev Sergey A. , Azarov Valery N. , Stefanenko I.V. , Sokolova E.V.
Published: January 2018

The article presents the results of applying environmental mechanics in research of absorber for capturing emissions’ hydrocarbons vapors exhausting from the gas station into the atmosphere air. Often residential human habitants are located within the boundary of the sanitary protection zone (SPZ) of these gas filling stations. The analysis measurement’s and stratification’ modeling results these gas emissions’ in the atmosphere showed that benzene and xylene vapor’s concentration in the atmosphere exceeds the existing sanitary-hygienic norms for these ingredients often. There presented the research results of the proposed aspiration schemes was equipped absorbing device for the capture of gas vapor’ emissions at the gas station in this article. It was obtained the regressions of capture effectiveness for the proposed device by mathematical processing. The research results were implemented for design of pilot industrial set up that was installed and successful tested in one of the gas filling station in Russia. It was showed the reliability of the proposed device for practical commercial use.
Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Chaichannawatik Bhawat , Sirisonthi Athasit , Hussain Qudeer , Joyklad Panuwat
Published: January 2018

This study presents results of an experimental investigation conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of sisal and glass fiber reinforced concrete. Four basic concrete mixes were considered: 1) Plain concrete (PC) containing ordinary natural aggregates without any fibers, 2) sisal fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC), 3) sisal and glass fiber reinforced concrete (SGFRC), 4, glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC). Investigated properties were compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural tensile strength and workability. The results of fiber reinforced concrete mixes were compared with plain concrete to investigate the effect of fibers on the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced concrete. It was determined that addition of different kinds of fibers (natural and synthetic) is very useful to produce concrete. The addition of fibers was resulted into higher compressive strength, splitting and tensile strength. However, the workability of the fiber reinforced concrete was found lower than the plain concrete due to the addition of fibers in the concrete.
On the Regularities of the Concentration Profile of Asbestos-Cement Dust, its Particle Size Distribution Depending on the Height of Working Room and the Methods of Air Exchange Organization
Authors: Azarov Valery N. , Stefanenko I.V. , Burkhanova R.A.
Published: January 2018

The dependences of the concentration profile and the particle size distribution of asbestos-cement dust on the dimensions of working room along the horizontal and vertical axes were obtained in the work. The paper considers the dependence of the median size values of dust particles on the methods of air exchange organization in the working room.
Una mirada patagónica sobre la integración. El caso del diario Río Negro y las relaciones argentino-chilenas (1960-1973)
Authors: Azcoitia Alfredo
Published: January 2018

En el presente artículo proponemos analizar los distintos sentidos que adquirieron los discursos sobre la integración argentino-chilena que circularon en la prensa norpatagónica, desde la conformación del ALALC hasta el final de la autodenominada “Revolución Argentina”. Para ello, recurrimos al diario más influyente de una región cuya territorialización estuvo atravesada por una multiplicidad de procesos que se vinculan tempranamente a Chile. En este sentido, podemos mencionar la continua circulación de trabajadores, mercancías y capitales, de uno y al otro lado de la cordillera, que no solo ha tenido importancia económica, sino que también configuró un sustancial aporte social y cultural para la región. Sin embargo, este estrecho vínculo también ha despertado históricos temores del nacionalismo territorial, que dieron vida a las más variadas teorías conspirativas. En suma, la tensión entre la profundización de los vínculos transcordilleranos y los temores al “vecino expansionista”, constitutiva del espacio patagónico, junto a las características propias de un período signado por la creciente pretorización de la sociedad y del Estado argentino, configuran un escenario por demás propicio para indagar sobre la polisemia desplegada durante esos años por los discursos integracionistas.
О теореме существования Балдера для задач
оптимального управления с бесконечным горизонтом
Authors: Besov Konstantin Olegovich
Published: January 2018

Известная теорема существования Балдера (1983) для задач оптимального
управления с бесконечным горизонтом перенесена на случай, когда
интегральный функционал понимается в несобственном смысле. При этом условие
сильной равномерной (по всем допустимым управлениям и траекториям)
интегрируемости положительной части $\max\{f_0,0\}$ подынтегральной
функции $f_0$ в максимизируемом функционале ослаблено до равномерной
односторонней оценки сверху интегралов от $f_0$ по отрезкам $[T,T']$
величиной $\omega(T,T')$ такой, что $\omega(T,T')\to 0$ при
$T,T'\to\infty$. Последнее условие было предложено А. В. Дмитруком и
Н. В. Кузькиной (2005), однако доказательство в настоящей работе получено не
по разработанной ими схеме, а при помощи достаточно простых рассуждений на
основе вспомогательных результатов самого Балдера. Приведен иллюстрирующий
пример.
Библиография: 11 названий.
Условные конфигурационные графы со случайным параметром степенного распределения степеней
Authors: Pavlov Yurii Leonidovich
Published: January 2018

Рассматриваются конфигурационные графы с дискретным степенным законом распределения степеней вершин. Параметр этого распределения является случайной величиной, о распределении которой известно только то, что оно обеспечивает достаточно слабые ограничения на асимптотическое поведение вероятностей больших значений степеней. Для таких графов при условии, что число ребер известно, найдены предельные распределения максимальной степени вершины и числа вершин заданной степени в различных зонах стремления числа вершин и числа ребер к бесконечности. Полученные результаты доказаны с помощью обобщенной схемы размещения частиц по ячейкам и демонстрируют возможность применения этой схемы для случая независимых случайных величин с известным предельным поведением хвоста распределения.
Библиография: 13 названий.
Inverse modelling of European CH4 emissions during 2006–2012 using different inverse models and reassessed atmospheric observations
Authors: Bergamaschi Peter , Karstens Ute , Manning Alistair J. , Saunois Marielle , Tsuruta Aki , Berchet Antoine , Vermeulen Alexander T. , Arnold Tim , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Hammer Samuel , Levin Ingeborg , Schmidt Martina , Ramonet Michel , Lopez Morgan , Lavric Jost , Aalto Tuula , Chen Huilin , Feist Dietrich G. , Gerbig Christoph , Haszpra László , Hermansen Ove , Manca Giovanni , Moncrieff John , Meinhardt Frank , Necki Jaroslaw , Galkowski Michal , O'Doherty Simon , Paramonova Nina , Scheeren Hubertus A. , Steinbacher Martin , Dlugokencky Ed
Published: January 2018

Abstract. We present inverse modelling (top down) estimates of European methane (CH4) emissions for 2006–2012 based on a new quality-controlled and harmonised in situ data set from 18 European atmospheric monitoring stations. We applied an ensemble of seven inverse models and performed four inversion experiments, investigating the impact of different sets of stations and the use of a priori information on emissions. The inverse models infer total CH4 emissions of 26.8 (20.2–29.7) Tg CH4 yr−1 (mean, 10th and 90th percentiles from all inversions) for the EU-28 for 2006–2012 from the four inversion experiments. For comparison, total anthropogenic CH4 emissions reported to UNFCCC (bottom up, based on statistical data and emissions factors) amount to only 21.3 Tg CH4 yr−1 (2006) to 18.8 Tg CH4 yr−1 (2012). A potential explanation for the higher range of top-down estimates compared to bottom-up inventories could be the contribution from natural sources, such as peatlands, wetlands, and wet soils. Based on seven different wetland inventories from the Wetland and Wetland CH4 Inter-comparison of Models Project (WETCHIMP), total wetland emissions of 4.3 (2.3–8.2) Tg CH4 yr−1 from the EU-28 are estimated. The hypothesis of significant natural emissions is supported by the finding that several inverse models yield significant seasonal cycles of derived CH4 emissions with maxima in summer, while anthropogenic CH4 emissions are assumed to have much lower seasonal variability. Taking into account the wetland emissions from the WETCHIMP ensemble, the top-down estimates are broadly consistent with the sum of anthropogenic and natural bottom-up inventories. However, the contribution of natural sources and their regional distribution remain rather uncertain. Furthermore, we investigate potential biases in the inverse models by comparison with regular aircraft profiles at four European sites and with vertical profiles obtained during the Infrastructure for Measurement of the European Carbon Cycle (IMECC) aircraft campaign. We present a novel approach to estimate the biases in the derived emissions, based on the comparison of simulated and measured enhancements of CH4 compared to the background, integrated over the entire boundary layer and over the lower troposphere. The estimated average regional biases range between −40 and 20 % at the aircraft profile sites in France, Hungary and Poland.
Wind regimes and their relation to synoptic variables using self-organizing maps
Authors: Berkovic Sigalit
Published: January 2018

Abstract. This study exemplifies the ability of the self-organizing maps (SOM) method to directly define well known wind regimes over Israel during the entire year, except summer period, at 12:00 UTC. This procedure may be applied at other hours and is highly relevant to future automatic climatological analysis and applications. The investigation is performed by analysing surface wind measurements from 53 Israel Meteorological Service stations. The relation between the synoptic variables and the wind regimes is revealed from the averages of ECMWF ERA-INTERIM reanalysis variables for each SOM wind regime. The inspection of wind regimes and their average geopotential anomalies has shown that wind regimes relate to the gradient of the pressure anomalies, rather than to the specific isobars pattern. Two main wind regimes – strong western and the strong eastern or northern – are well known over this region. The frequencies of the regimes according to seasons is verified. Strong eastern regimes are dominant during winter, while strong western regimes are frequent in all seasons.
Size-Resolved Stratospheric Aerosol Distributions after Pinatubo Derived from a Coupled Aerosol-Chemistry-Climate Model
Authors: Sukhodolov Timofei , Sheng Jian-Xiong , Feinberg Aryeh , Luo Bei-Ping , Peter Thomas , Revell Laura , Stenke Andrea , Weisenstein Debra K. , Rozanov Eugene
Published: January 2018

Abstract. We evaluate how the coupled aerosol-chemistry-climate model SOCOL-AER represents the influence of the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on stratospheric aerosol loading, aerosol microphysical processes, radiative effects, and atmospheric chemistry. The aerosol module includes comprehensive sulfur chemistry and microphysics, in which the particle size distribution is represented by 40 size bins spanning radii from 0.39 nm to 3.2 μm. Radiative forcing is computed online using aerosol optical properties calculated according to Mie theory. SOCOL-AER simulations are compared with satellite and in situ measurements of aerosol parameters, temperature reanalyses, and ozone observations. In addition to the reference model configuration, we performed a series of sensitivity experiments looking at different processes affecting the aerosol layer. An accurate sedimentation scheme is found to be essential to prevent particles diffusing too rapidly to high and low altitudes. The aerosol radiative feedback and the use of a nudged quasi-biennial oscillation help to keep aerosol in the tropics and significantly affect the evolution of the stratospheric aerosol burden, which improves the agreement with observed aerosol mass distributions. Changes in the aerosol distribution affected by an inclusion of Van der Waals forces to the particle coagulation scheme suggest improvements in particle effective radius, although other parameters (such as aerosol longevity) deteriorate. Modification of the Pinatubo emission rate also improves some aerosol parameters, while worsens others compared to observations. Observations themselves are highly uncertain and render it difficult to conclusively judge the necessity of further model reconfiguration. In conclusion, our results show that SOCOL-AER is capable of predicting the most important global-scale atmospheric and climate effects following volcanic eruptions, which is also a prerequisite for improved understanding of anthropogenic effects from sulfur emissions.
Automatic detection of snow avalanches in continuous seismic data using hidden Markov models
Authors: Heck Matthias , Hammer Conny , van Herwijnen Alec , Schweizer Jürg , Fäh Donat
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Snow avalanches generate seismic signals as many other mass movements.
Detection of avalanches by seismic monitoring is highly relevant to assess
avalanche danger. In contrast to other seismic events, signals generated by
avalanches do not have a characteristic first arrival nor is it possible to
detect different wave phases. In addition, the moving source character of
avalanches increases the intricacy of the signals. Although it is possible to
visually detect seismic signals produced by avalanches, reliable automatic
detection methods for all types of avalanches do not exist yet. We therefore
evaluate whether hidden Markov models (HMMs) are suitable for the automatic
detection of avalanches in continuous seismic data. We analyzed data recorded
during the winter season 2010 by a seismic array deployed in an avalanche
starting zone above Davos, Switzerland. We re-evaluated a reference catalogue
containing 385 events by grouping the events in seven probability classes.
Since most of the data consist of noise, we first applied a simple amplitude
threshold to reduce the amount of data. As first classification results were
unsatisfying, we analyzed the temporal behavior of the seismic signals for
the whole data set and found that there is a high variability in the seismic
signals. We therefore applied further post-processing steps to reduce the
number of false alarms by defining a minimal duration for the detected event,
implementing a voting-based approach and analyzing the coherence of the
detected events. We obtained the best classification results for events
detected by at least five sensors and with a minimal duration of
12 s. These processing steps allowed identifying two periods of
high avalanche activity, suggesting that HMMs are suitable for the automatic
detection of avalanches in seismic data. However, our results also showed that
more sensitive sensors and more appropriate sensor locations are needed to
improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the signals and therefore the
classification.
The Effect of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) on Firm Performance: Evidence from the Diversified Industry of Sri Lanka
Authors: Alawattegama Kingsley Karunaratne
Published: January 2018

The objective of this empirical study is to explore the effect of the adoption of ERM on the performance of the diversified industry of Sri Lanka. The extent of the adoption of ERM is assessed based on eight ERM functions recognized by the ERM integrated framework of the committee of sponsoring organization of the Treadway Commission and use return on equity as a proxy to measure firm performance. This study finds ERM supportive internal environment, risk-aligned objective setting, event identifications, and risk response have a positive impact on firm performance. However, none of those impacts were statistically significant. Surprisingly, empirical evidence reveals that risk assessment and control activities have a negative impact on the firm performance. Information & communication and monitoring functions indicate a significant impact on firm performance. Nevertheless, monitoring function shows a negative impact on the firm performance. The researcher believes this negative impact is attributable to the increased cost of monitoring activities that is crucial for a diversified business setup. This empirical evidence induces the researcher to conclude that, except for communication and monitoring, the adoption of ERM has no significant impact on the firm performance. These findings are contradictory with the findings of prior researchers.
Consumer Importance on Sustainable Water Sanitation & Hygiene Facilities Provided in Rural District Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors: Anwar Abid , Shah Mussawar , Abid Yasrab , Qamar Zia Ul , Qamar Hina
Published: January 2018

This study was accompanied with objectives to analyze the usefulness of, Water Distribution Practices prevailed in targeted union counsel of rural district Peshawar, and Behavior change in WASH. A sample size 359 respondents were randomly selected in rural district of Peshawar. The data was analyzed through SPSS (20) by the application of Chi-Square test statistics and simple univariate analysis. The study concluded that improved Water Distribution Practice had highly significant association with enhancement in behavior change in WASH, adoption of positive Health behaviors, health advocacy and awareness help healthy physique and behavior change in WASH as a way towards healthy life as well as sound human resource, and this human resource can play role in boosting Country’s GDP. This study concentrated on aspect of current water distribution practice and behavior change in WASH, in the study area where this study affirmed that sound body has a sound brain. Use of healthy and fresh water from secure water storage and source directly related to healthy physique.  Safe drinking water is the only source of avoidance from all types of water born disease i.e. diarrhea, dysentery, cholera etc. And ill health especially for those who have no or less access to health services in rurality. This study also indicated the importance of mass awareness campaign, general perceptions of common men in terms of better and healthy life.
Análisis de la situación actual del modelo de vinculación de UNITEC San Pedro Sula
Authors: Domínguez Ortíz José Isaac
Published: January 2018

La extensión o vinculación universitaria se ha convertido en los últimos años, en una función sumamente preciada por cualquier universidad, principalmente porque funciona como ventaja competitiva para la misma, así como también permite establecer un vínculo con la sociedad y proyectar los conocimientos adquiridos en ella. El presente artículo busca analizar desde la perspectiva del proceso, cuál es la situación actual del modelo de vinculación de UNITEC, y ver cuáles son las limitantes que afronta el modelo actual, el nivel de calidad de los proyectos que se realizan y comparar el sistema con el de otras universidades de la región, con el fin de proponer mejoras que propicien, subsecuentemente, una mejoría en el sistema.
Propuesta de guía para la socialización de proyectos eólicos en Honduras
Authors: Rodríguez Ávila Rigoberto , Rivera Portillo Oscar Andrés , Flores Castro Wilfredo César
Published: January 2018

El presente es un estudio sobre la manera de socializar correctamente en las fases previas, durante y post de la construcción, generación y manejo de un parque eólico. En Honduras la demanda energética está aumentando, por lo que actualmente se está invirtiendo en nuevas tecnologías, una de ellas es la energía eólica. Debido a que estas energías son nuevas no hay un claro manejo social de cómo se debería intervenir y cómo un proyecto de magnitud considerable no afecte de una manera errónea a la población, por lo que es importante tener en cuenta la regulación, tales como el Convenio OIT 169, protección forestal, protección de la fauna, manejo de tierras, entre otros.Por la amplia diversidad cultural de Honduras, es importante realizar socialización con los pueblos o comunidades de la zona donde se realizará el proyecto y así poder invertir sin futuras posibles consecuencia. Con una correcta socialización un proyecto de generación eléctrica tendrá éxito; en Honduras existen casos lamentables de una mala socialización, pero también existen casos exitosos, tal es el proyecto de Cerro de Hula, el cual tuvo una aceptación positiva de la comunidad. Una guía para la socialización de un proyecto eólico tendrá como fin orientar, mejorar las técnicas y manejo, para intervenir exitosamente en dichas comunidades.
O ADVÉRBIO REALMENTE: MODALIDADE EPISTÊMICA E IMPLICITURAS
Authors: GUIMARÃES Márcio Renato
Published: January 2018

Este artigo revê parte das alegações, presentes nas descrições do advérbio realmente do português brasileiro, de que esse advérbio expressa um tipo de noção de natureza epistêmica. Essa alegação vai depender do que se entende por “epistêmico” e exige uma definição ampla da noção, e não apenas da representação de possibilidade epistêmicas. Ao mesmo tempo, a alegação de que realmente evoca polifonicamente alternativas contrastantes no contexto de fala se realiza na forma da expressão de implicituras, no sentido de BACH (1994), de natureza conversacional e fortemente dependentes de contexto. Por fim, os dois componentes do significado de realmente o caracterizam como um modificador de proferimento, também no sentido de BACH (1994).