bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Un espacio virtual para vivir la ciencia y la tecnología por medio de streaming
Authors: Lancheros-González Jordan-Andrés , Herrera-Marchena Magnolia , Morantes-Hernández Pilar-Juliana , Buitrago-Bernal Ricardo-Antonio , López-Buitrago Iván-Darío , Reynolds Pombo Jorge
Published: February 2021

Considerando las graves consecuencias que ha traído la actual pandemia de COVID-19 a toda escala: económica, social, ambiental, que han llevado a la realización de actividades académicas virtuales, y en aras de mitigar este impacto causado en el ámbito educativo en el país, se pretende unir esfuerzos para facilitar la continuidad de la educación a través de formación y estimulación enfocadas en el aprendizaje virtual de calidad.          
 
Es por esto que se hace necesaria la implementación de herramientas virtuales por medio de raspberry pi como dispositivo servidor de video (streaming) y manejo de equipos ópticos, como cámaras, para dar respuestas creativas y originales, a las problemáticas del entorno con impacto educativo y social para el país, basado en la utilización de herramientas tecnológicas de desarrollo como método de enseñanza a distancia en una red de área amplia con una presentación continua de video en vivo, para el enriquecimiento de experiencias educativas en Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (CTeI). Se requiere con urgencia crear e implementar métodos de enseñanza innovadora en sesiones vivenciales virtuales para la apropiación del conocimiento y el aprovechamiento de la tecnología, además de fomentar la creatividad y el pensamiento propositivo enfocados en el fortalecimiento de un ecosistema rico en generación de ideas como motor dinamizador de una industria vanguardista en pro de mejorar la calidad de vida de los estudiantes de básica y media, atendiendo sus necesidades y realidades.
 
Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, se ha implementado un modelo, que contempla y abarca una serie de actividades soportadas en recursos y propuestas pedagógicas de aprendizaje virtuales experienciales por medio de streaming para la observación en vivo de los seres de la naturaleza y su observación en vivo, esto permitirá a los docentes del área de ciencias hacer más eficiente la introducción de nuevas tecnologías en sus procesos de enseñanza, generando en los estudiantes compromiso, despertando curiosidad por la investigación y el emprendimiento, como herramientas para la construcción de un proyecto de vida alrededor del sector de la Ciencia, la Tecnología y la Innovación y de esta manera responder a las necesidades del mundo moderno y consolidar las capacidades del sector educativo en el uso de estas tecnologías.
Una experiencia de B- Learning (BL) a través de un aula virtual (MOODLE). El caso de la carrera “Licenciatura en marketing” de una universidad privada argentina
Authors: Vanina Orlando Flavia
Published: February 2021

La necesidad de mejorar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje es un tópico que preocupa a los estudiantes, rectores e instituciones de Nivel Superior en la Argentina, tanto de gestión pública como privada. Muchas universidades, han querido experimentar las TICs, implementando la “Educación a Distancia” haciendo una mezcla de educación presencial y no presencial, dependiendo de cada institución en particular. En dicho documento analizo un caso particular, la experiencia del uso del aula virtual (moodle) en una materia del área de Marketing. Este trabajo invita a hacer una reflexión de cómo las nuevas tecnologías impactan en los modelos de aprendizaje, transformando los procesos educativos del nivel superior, tanto de los estudiantes como de los profesores.
Microstrip patch antenna performance analysis with Defected Ground structures: A review
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Kaur Amandeep
Published: February 2021

Over last few decades, wireless communication system has sought more attention and plays predominant role in different areas for human personal and commercial applications. Day by day, with advancements in technology, wireless gadgets got more compact due to microelectronics fabrication and integration techniques. So, such applications put great demand over new design specifications on antenna structures used in transmitter and receiver for radio wave communication. In wireless applications depending upon, frequency bands and bandwidth requirements numerous compact antenna structures are used with improved efficiency. Microstrip patch antennas are highly regarded due to its compact size, easy integration with microwave circuits. In study of patch antenna, Defected Ground structures gain popularity these days due to its various benefits to enhance antenna performance. This research article, provides extensive literature survey over use of Defected Ground Structures (DGS) in microstrip patch antenna with its design consequences. This article also explores the enhancement in antenna parameters with implementation of DGS’s. DGS concept is used in microstrip patch antenna and microwave engineering for performance improvement of these devices. DGS can be merged with other techniques to enhance antenna operational parameters like gain, bandwidth, VSWR and spurious radiations.
Uncertainties in eddy covariance air-sea CO2 flux measurements and
implications for gas transfer velocity parameterisations
Authors: Dong Yuanxu , Yang Mingxi , Bakker Dorothee C. E. , Kitidis Vassilis , Bell Thomas G.
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Air-sea carbon dioxide (CO2) flux is often indirectly estimated by the bulk method using the air-sea difference in CO2 fugacity (ΔfCO2) and a parameterisation of the gas transfer velocity (K). Direct flux measurements by eddy covariance (EC) provide an independent reference for bulk flux estimates and are often used to study processes that drive K. However, inherent uncertainties in EC air-sea CO2 flux measurements from ships have not been well quantified and may confound analyses of K. This paper evaluates the uncertainties in EC CO2 fluxes from four cruises. Fluxes were measured with two state-of-the-art closed-path CO2 analysers on two ships. The mean bias in the EC CO2 flux is low but the random error is relatively large over short time scales. The uncertainty (1 standard deviation) in hourly averaged EC air-sea CO2 fluxes (cruise-mean) ranges from 1.4 to 3.2 mmol m−2 day−1. This corresponds to a relative uncertainty of ~20 % during two Arctic cruises that observed large CO2 flux magnitude. The relative uncertainty was greater (~50 %) when the CO2 flux magnitude was small during two Atlantic cruises. Random uncertainty in the EC CO2 flux is mostly caused by sampling error. Instrument noise is relatively unimportant. Random uncertainty in EC CO2 fluxes can be reduced by averaging for longer. However, averaging for too long will result in the inclusion of more natural variability. Auto-covariance analysis of CO2 fluxes suggests that the optimal timescale for averaging EC CO2 flux measurements ranges from 1–3 hours, which increases the mean signal-to-noise ratio of the four cruises to higher than 3. Applying an appropriate averaging timescale and suitable ΔfCO2 threshold (20 µatm) to EC flux data enables an optimal analysis of K.
Sensitivity of stratospheric water vapour to variability in tropical tropopause temperatures and large-scale transport
Authors: Smith Jacob W. , Haynes Peter H. , Maycock Amanda C. , Butchart Neal , Bushell Andrew C.
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Concentrations of water vapour entering the tropical lower stratosphere are primarily determined by conditions that air parcels encounter as they are transported through the tropical tropopause layer (TTL).
Here we quantify the relative roles of variations in TTL temperatures and transport in determining seasonal and interannual variations of stratospheric water vapour.
Following previous studies, we use trajectory calculations with the water vapour concentration set by the Lagrangian dry point (LDP) along trajectories.
To assess the separate roles of transport and temperatures, the LDP calculations are modified by replacing either the winds or the temperatures with those from different years to investigate the wind or temperature sensitivity of water vapour to interannual variations and, correspondingly, with those from different months to investigate the wind or temperature sensitivity to seasonal variations.
Both ERA-Interim reanalysis data for the 1999–2009 period and data generated by a chemistry–climate model (UM-UKCA) are investigated.
Variations in temperatures, rather than transport, dominate interannual variability, typically explaining more than 70 % of variability, including individual events such as the 2000 stratospheric water vapour drop.
Similarly seasonal variation of temperatures, rather than transport, is shown to be the dominant driver of the annual cycle in lower stratospheric water vapour concentrations in both the model and reanalysis, but it is also shown that seasonal variation of transport plays an important role in reducing the seasonal cycle maximum (reducing the annual range by about 30 %). The quantitative role in dehydration of sub-seasonal and sub-monthly Eulerian temperature variability is also examined by using time-filtered temperature fields in the trajectory calculations.
Sub-monthly temperature variability reduces annual mean water vapour concentrations by 40 % in the reanalysis calculation and 30 % in the model calculation.
As with other aspects of dehydration, simple Eulerian measures of variability are not sufficient to quantify the implications for dehydration, and the Lagrangian sampling of the variability must be taken into account.
These results indicate that, whilst capturing seasonal and interannual variation of temperature is a major factor in modelling realistic stratospheric water vapour concentrations, simulation of seasonal variation of transport and of sub-seasonal and sub-monthly temperature variability are also important and cannot be ignored.
Dominant synoptic patterns associated with the decay process of PM2.5 pollution episodes around Beijing
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Renhe , Tan Yanke , Yu Wei
Published: February 2021

Abstract. The variation in the concentrations of ambient PM2.5 (particles with an
aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) generally forms a continuous
sawtooth cycle with a recurring smooth increase followed by a sharp
decrease. The episode of abrupt decay of pollution is mostly meteorological in
origin and is controlled by the passage of synoptic systems. One affordable
and effective measure for quickly reducing PM2.5 concentrations in
northern China is to wait for a strong wind to arrive. However, it is still
unclear how strong the wind needs to be and exactly what kind of synoptic
system most effectively results in the rapid decay of air pollution
episodes. PM2.5 variations over the 28 pollution channel cities of the Beijing region are investigated to determine the mechanisms by which synoptic patterns
affect the decay processes of pollution episodes. This work shows more
obvious day-to-day variations in PM2.5 concentration in winter than in
summer, which implies that wintertime PM2.5 variations are more sensitive to
meteorological factors. There were 365 decay processes from January 2014 to
March 2020, and 97 of them were related to the effective wet deposition.
In total, 26 %–43 % of PM2.5 pollutant is removed by the wet
deposition in different seasons. Two dominant circulation patterns are
identified in summer. All the other three seasons have three circulation
types (CTs), respectively. The three CTs in spring show the same patterns
as those in autumn and winter. The circulation patterns beneficial to the
decay processes all exhibit a higher-than-normal surface wind speed, a
negative relative humidity anomaly and net outflow of PM2.5 from the domain.
In addition, CT1 in spring, autumn and winter is controlled by northeasterly
wind and features the most significant horizontal net outflow of air
pollutants and effective upward spread of air pollutants to the free
atmosphere. CT2 is the most frequent CT in autumn and winter, with the
highest wind speed from the northwest, highest boundary layer height
(BLH) and lowest relative humidity among the three CTs, all of which are
favorable for the reduction of PM2.5 concentrations. In CT3, strong vertical
wind shear within the boundary layer enhances the mixing of surface air
pollutants, which is the extra cleaning mechanism besides dry and clean air
mass inflow. PM2.5 concentrations show significant decreases of more than
37 %, 41 % and 27 % after the passage of CT1, CT2 and CT3,
respectively. A dry airflow with a positive BLH anomaly and the effective
horizontal outflow of air pollutants are the main reasons for the abrupt
decay phase in summer. PM2.5 concentrations after the decay process show a
significant decreasing trend from 2014 to 2020, reflecting successful
emission mitigation. Emission reductions have led to a 4.3–5.7 µgm-3yr-1 decrease in PM2.5 concentrations in the 28
pollution channel cities of the Beijing region.
Comparison of chemical lateral boundary conditions for air quality predictions over the contiguous United States during pollutant intrusion events
Authors: Tang Youhua , Bian Huisheng , Tao Zhining , Oman Luke D. , Tong Daniel , Lee Pius , Campbell Patrick C. , Baker Barry , Lu Cheng-Hsuan , Pan Li , Wang Jun , McQueen Jeffery , Stajner Ivanka
Published: February 2021

Abstract. The National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) operated in the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides the
operational forecast guidance for ozone and fine particulate matter with
aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) over the
contiguous 48 US states (CONUS) using the Community Multi-scale Air
Quality (CMAQ) model. The existing NAQFC uses climatological chemical lateral boundary conditions (CLBCs), which cannot capture pollutant intrusion events originating outside of the model domain. In this study, we
developed a model framework to use dynamic CLBCs from the Goddard Earth
Observing System Model, version 5 (GEOS) to drive NAQFC. A mapping of the
GEOS chemical species to CMAQ's CB05–AERO6 (Carbon Bond 5; version 6 of the aerosol module) species was
developed. The utilization of the GEOS dynamic CLBCs in NAQFC showed the best overall performance in simulating the surface observations during the Saharan dust intrusion and Canadian wildfire events in summer 2015. The simulated PM2.5 was improved from 0.18 to 0.37, and the mean bias was reduced from −6.74 to −2.96 µg m−3 over CONUS. Although the effect of CLBCs on the PM2.5 correlation was mainly near the inflow boundary, its impact on the background concentrations reached further inside the domain. The CLBCs could affect background ozone concentrations through the inflows of ozone itself and its precursors, such as CO. It was further found that the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) from satellite retrievals correlated well with the column CO and elemental carbon from GEOS. The satellite-derived AOT CLBCs generally improved the model performance for the wildfire intrusion events during a summer 2018 case study and demonstrated how satellite observations of atmospheric composition could be used as an alternative method to capture the air quality effects of intrusions when the CLBCs of global models, such as GEOS CLBCs, are not available.
Exploratory experiments on pre-activated freezing nucleation on mercuric iodide
Authors: Vali Gabor
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Pre-activation of freezing nucleation (PFN) with mercuric iodide was first reported by Edwards, Evans, and Zipper (Edwards et al., 1970). They found that freezing, followed by melting just a few degrees Celsius above the melting point, leads to subsequent freezing of the sample more than 10 ∘C above the temperature of the initial nucleation temperature. Results presented in this paper are from laboratory experiments that followed the procedure designed by Edwards, Evans, and Zipper (1970) but employed multiple sample drops and many repetitions of the pre-activation cycle. The results obtained confirm the basic findings of the earlier work and refine them. It is shown that the pre-activation effect is lost gradually as the sample is heated above the melting point and that some effect is still seen with heating above +5 ∘C. Instrumental limitation in these experiments precluded detection of pre-activated freezing above −2 ∘C, but that possibility is not excluded. Some PFN was noted down to at least −6 ∘C. By also drawing on the results of Seeley and Seidler (2001), PFN is analyzed in search of constraints that help define the process responsible for it. No firm conclusions are reached, but the accumulated evidence points quite clearly to the role of surface sites in leading to PFN. Thus, sites are seen to play the same role as they do in heterogeneous freezing nucleation in general. PFN differs from pore condensation and freezing described by Marcolli (2020) and David et al. (2020), in that PFN is observed in liquid water while that process takes place in the vapor phase. Further explorations of the process leading to PFN can help in understanding ice nucleation and its practical manifestations at a basic level. The results call attention to an ice nucleation pathway hitherto barely explored that can be expected to have consequences in how ice nucleation occurs in atmospheric clouds and in other systems. PFN is also a potential tool for deliberate initiation of freezing in clouds and other systems.
Airborne Mid-Infrared Cavity enhanced Absorption spectrometer
(AMICA)
Authors: Kloss Corinna , Tan Vicheith , Leen J. Brian , Madsen Garrett L. , Gardner Aaron , Du Xu , Kulessa Thomas , Schillings Johannes , Schneider Herbert , Schrade Stefanie , Qiu Chenxi , von Hobe Marc
Published: February 2021

Abstract. We describe the Airborne Mid-Infrared Cavity enhanced Absorption spectrometer (AMICA) designed to measure trace gases in situ on research aircraft using Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS). AMICA contains two largely independent and exchangeable OA-ICOS arrangements, allowing for the simultaneous measurement of multiple substances in different infrared wavelength windows tailored to scientific questions related to a particular flight mission. Three OA-ICOS setups have been implemented to measure OCS, CO2, CO and H2O at 2050 cm−1, O3, NH3 and CO2 at 1035 cm−1, and HCN, C2H2 and N2O at 3331 cm−1. The 2050 cm−1 setup has been fully characterized in the lab and successfully used for atmospheric measurements during two campaigns with the research aircraft M55-Geophysica and one with the German HALO aircraft. Nominal measurement precision is 30 ppt for OCS, 1 ppm for CO2, 3 ppb for CO and 100 ppm for H2O. The 1035 and 3331 cm−1 arrangements have only partially been characterized and are still in development. The ~100 kg instrument with a typical in-flight power consumption of about 500 VA is dimensioned to fit into one 19 inch rack typically used for deployment inside the aircraft cabin. Its rugged design and a pressurized and temperature stabilized compartment containing the sensitive optical and electronic hardware also allow for deployment in payload bays outside the pressurized cabin even at high altitudes of 20 km. A sample flow system with two parallel proportional solenoid valves of different size orifices allows for precise regulation of cavity pressure over the wide range of inlet port pressures encountered between the ground and maximum flight altitudes. Sample flow on the order of 1 SLM maintained by an exhaust-side pump limits the useful time resolution to about 2.5 s (corresponding to the average cavity flush time).
Long-term global ground heat flux and continental heat storage from geothermal data
Authors: Cuesta-Valero Francisco José , García-García Almudena , Beltrami Hugo , González-Rouco J. Fidel , García-Bustamante Elena
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Energy exchanges among climate subsystems are of critical importance to determine the climate sensitivity of the Earth's system to greenhouse gases, to quantify the magnitude and evolution of the Earth's energy imbalance, and to project the evolution of future climate. Thus, ascertaining the magnitude of and change in the Earth's energy partition within climate subsystems has become urgent in recent years. Here, we provide new global estimates of changes in ground surface temperature, ground surface heat flux, and continental heat storage derived from geothermal data using an expanded database and new techniques. Results reveal markedly higher changes in ground heat flux and heat storage within the continental subsurface than previously reported, with land temperature changes of 1 K and continental heat gains of around 12 ZJ during the last part of the 20th century relative to preindustrial times. Half of the heat gain by the continental subsurface since 1960 has occurred in the last 20 years.
Coastal change patterns from time series clustering of permanent laser scan data
Authors: Kuschnerus Mieke , Lindenbergh Roderik , Vos Sander
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Sandy coasts are constantly changing environments governed by complex, interacting processes. Permanent laser scanning is a promising technique to monitor such coastal areas and to support analysis of geomorphological deformation processes. This novel technique delivers 3-D representations of the coast at hourly temporal and centimetre spatial resolution and allows us to observe small-scale changes in elevation over extended periods of time. These observations have the potential to improve understanding and modelling of coastal deformation processes. However, to be of use to coastal researchers and coastal management, an efficient way to find and extract deformation processes from the large spatiotemporal data set is needed.
To enable automated data mining, we extract time series of surface elevation and use unsupervised learning algorithms to derive a partitioning of the observed area according to change patterns. We compare three well-known clustering algorithms (k-means clustering, agglomerative clustering and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise; DBSCAN), apply them on the set of time series and identify areas that undergo similar evolution during 1 month. We test if these algorithms fulfil our criteria for suitable clustering on our exemplary data set. The three clustering methods are applied to time series over 30 d extracted from a data set of daily scans covering about 2 km of coast in Kijkduin, the Netherlands. A small section of the beach, where a pile of sand was accumulated by a bulldozer, is used to evaluate the performance of the algorithms against a ground truth. The k-means algorithm and agglomerative clustering deliver similar clusters, and both allow us to identify a fixed number of dominant deformation processes in sandy coastal areas, such as sand accumulation by a bulldozer or erosion in the intertidal area. The level of detail found with these algorithms depends on the choice of the number of clusters k. The DBSCAN algorithm finds clusters for only about 44 % of the area and turns out to be more suitable for the detection of outliers, caused, for example, by temporary objects on the beach. Our study provides a methodology to efficiently mine a spatiotemporal data set for predominant deformation patterns with the associated regions where they occur.
The Vertical City Weather Generator (VCWG v1.3.2)
Authors: Moradi Mohsen , Dyer Benjamin , Nazem Amir , Nambiar Manoj K. , Nahian M. Rafsan , Bueno Bruno , Mackey Chris , Vasanthakumar Saeran , Nazarian Negin , Krayenhoff E. Scott , Norford Leslie K. , Aliabadi Amir A.
Published: February 2021

Abstract. The Vertical City Weather Generator (VCWG) is a computationally efficient urban microclimate model developed to predict temporal and vertical variation of potential temperature, wind speed, specific humidity, and turbulent kinetic energy. It is composed of various sub-models: a rural model, an urban vertical diffusion model, a radiation model, and a building energy model. Forced with weather data from a nearby rural site, the rural model is used to solve for the vertical profiles of potential temperature, specific humidity, and friction velocity at 10 m a.g.l. The rural model also calculates a horizontal pressure gradient. The rural model outputs are applied to a vertical diffusion urban microclimate model that solves vertical transport equations for potential temperature, momentum, specific humidity, and turbulent kinetic energy. The urban vertical diffusion model is also coupled to the radiation and building energy models using two-way interaction. The aerodynamic and thermal effects of urban elements, surface vegetation, and trees are considered. The predictions of the VCWG model are compared to observations of the Basel UrBan Boundary Layer Experiment (BUBBLE) microclimate field campaign for 8 months from December 2001 to July 2002. The model evaluation indicates that the VCWG predicts vertical profiles of meteorological variables in reasonable agreement with the field measurements. The average bias, root mean square error (RMSE), and R2 for potential temperature are 0.25 K, 1.41 K, and 0.82, respectively. The average bias, RMSE, and R2 for wind speed are 0.67 m s−1, 1.06 m s−1, and 0.41, respectively. The average bias, RMSE, and R2 for specific humidity are 0.00057 kg kg−1, 0.0010 kg kg−1, and 0.85, respectively. In addition, the average bias, RMSE, and R2 for the urban heat island (UHI) are 0.36 K, 1.2 K, and 0.35, respectively. Based on the evaluation, the model performance is comparable to the performance of similar models. The performance of the model is further explored to investigate the effects of urban configurations such as plan and frontal area densities, varying levels of vegetation, building energy configuration, radiation configuration, seasonal variations, and different climate zones on the model predictions. The results obtained from the explorations are reasonably consistent with previous studies in the literature, justifying the reliability and computational efficiency of VCWG for operational urban development projects.
Objective functions for information-theoretical monitoring network design: what is “optimal”?
Authors: Foroozand Hossein , Weijs Steven V.
Published: February 2021

Abstract. This paper concerns the problem of optimal monitoring network layout using information-theoretical methods. Numerous different objectives
based on information measures have been proposed in recent literature,
often focusing simultaneously on maximum information and minimum
dependence between the chosen locations for data collection stations. We discuss
these objective functions and conclude that a single-objective optimization of joint entropy suffices to maximize the collection of information for a given number of stations. We argue that the widespread notion of minimizing redundancy, or dependence between monitored signals, as a secondary objective is not desirable and has no intrinsic justification. The negative effect of redundancy on total collected information is already accounted for in joint entropy, which measures total information net of any redundancies. In fact, for two networks of equal joint entropy, the one with a higher amount of redundant information should be preferred for reasons of robustness against failure.
In attaining the maximum joint entropy objective, we investigate exhaustive optimization, a more computationally tractable greedy approach that adds one station at a time, and we introduce the “greedy drop” approach, where the full set of stations is reduced one at a time. We show that no greedy approach can exist that is guaranteed to reach the global optimum.
The cooling signature of basal crevasses in a hard-bedded region of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: McDowell Ian E. , Humphrey Neil F. , Harper Joel T. , Meierbachtol Toby W.
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Temperature sensors installed in a grid of nine full-depth boreholes
drilled in the southwestern ablation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet
recorded cooling in discrete sections of ice over time within the lowest
third of the ice column in most boreholes. Rates of temperature change
outpace cooling expected from vertical conduction alone. Additionally,
observed temperature profiles deviate significantly from the site-average
thermal profile that is shaped by all thermomechanical processes upstream.
These deviations imply recent, localized changes to the basal thermal state
in the boreholes. Although numerous heat sources exist to add energy and
warm ice as it moves from the central divide towards the margin such as
strain heat from internal deformation, latent heat from refreezing
meltwater, and the conduction of geothermal heat across the ice–bedrock
interface, identifying heat sinks proves more difficult. After eliminating
possible mechanisms that could cause cooling, we find that the observed
cooling is a manifestation of previous warming in near-basal ice. Thermal
decay after latent heat is released from freezing water in basal crevasses
is the most likely mechanism resulting in the transient evolution of
temperature and the vertical thermal structure observed at our site. We
argue basal crevasses are a viable englacial heat source in the basal ice of
Greenland's ablation zone and may have a controlling influence on the
temperature structure of the near-basal ice.
Rhizospheric Fungi to Plant Growth Promotion: A Review
Authors: Silva João Manoel da , Montaldo Yamina Coentro , Almeida Arthur Costa Pereira Santiago de , Dalbon Viviane Araújo , Acevedo Juan Pablo Molina , Santos Tania Marta Carvalho dos , Lima Gaus Silvestre de Andrade
Published: February 2021

The rhizosphere is the region that has direct influence from the roots. This is the place where most of the interactions between microorganisms and plants occur. Studies involving the ecology of microbial communities from the rhizosphere became more frequent after the first reports of biological interactions of microorganisms with plants that influence physically and chemically modify the soil surrounding. According to these hypotheses, the rhizosphere mycobiota provides the development of plants through various mechanisms, direct and indirect. Thus, the objective of this review was to explain the aspects that provide characterizing these microorganisms as beneficial to plants in view of their applicability to agro-ecosystems. Therefore, it is stated that rhizospheric fungi have the solubilization of phosphorus (P), assimilating this nutrient for plants, promoting growth through the production or stimulation of the production of growth regulators such as 3-indole acetic acid, and control of phytopathogenic agents such as other filamentous fungi, and also phytonemamatodes. Therefore, it is possible to observe the importance of the constant observance of the action of these microorganisms in terms of their ecological role due to the agro-ecosystem.
Identity Statuses among Kuwaitis
Authors: Ahmed Ramadan A. , Aljarallah Maha  J A
Published: February 2021

The present study investigated the identity statuses: Achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion, and their ideological and relational aspects in samples of Kuwaiti adolescents, youth, and adults (N=3621 aged between 12 and 64 years; 1159 (or 32%) males, and 2462 (or 68%) females; and 2945 (or 81.3%) aged 24 years and younger, and 676 (or 18.7%) aged 25 years and older. By using an Arabic version of Bennion’s and Adams’ Extended Objective Measure of Ego Statuses – 2 (EOMES – 2). Results showed that a) 18.8%, 16.0%, 20.5%, and 17.3% of Kuwaiti participants were classified as identity achieved, moratorium, foreclosed or diffused, respectively. B) Males, compared with their female counterparts, scored significantly higher on Achievement and Foreclosure, and their ideological and relational aspects. No significant differences have been found between the two sexes on Moratorium and Diffusion and their ideological and relational components. c) Younger subjects, compared with older ones, scored significantly higher on Moratorium, Foreclosure and Diffusion, and lower on Achievement. d) Higher educated participants, compared with lower educated ones- scored higher on Achievement and Moratorium and lower on Foreclosure and Diffusion. e) Participants with literature, social and humanitarian backgrounds were significantly higher on Moratorium and Foreclosure identity statuses, compared with participants with sciences and technology backgrounds. No significant differences have been found between the two groups concerning their performance on Achievement and Diffusion. Results of the present study came in line with results of Arab and non -Arab previous studies. The possibility of application of the results in practical fields were discussed and suggestions for further research were provided.
Systematic Review of the Job Demands and Resources of Academic Staff within Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Naidoo-Chetty Mineshree , Plessis Marieta Du
Published: February 2021

The Higher Education sector has been through an array of changes, such as globalisation, massification, lack of job security, decolonisation and a number of technological advancements. These changes have impacted academic workload and have increased work pressure with resultant effects on family and work life balance. A review of the existing literature indicates a lack of clarity when it comes to the job demands and job resources inherent to the academic occupation. In order to determine the job demands and job resources of academics, a systematic review of empirical literature is warranted. This paper systematically reviewed empirical research published from 2014 to 2019 investigating job demands and resources based on the job demands-resources model in the higher education environment. Six articles were identified that met the criteria for inclusion. Thus, a list of quantitative, qualitative and organisational job demands as well as organisational and personal resources specific to the academic environment were identified. This will allow Higher Education Institutions to provide targeted development of job resources and mitigation of job demands for their academic employees and enable the development of specific interventions.
Characterization of community-based donation of personal protective equipment to an academic health center during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Fuher Alexandra N. , Pathoulas James T. , Rubin Nathan , Hursin Lisa M. , Wyman Molly A. , Farah Ronda S.
Published: February 2021

Objective: The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) early in the pandemic. Healthcare systems asked for public donations of PPE and established community drop-off sites. Herein, we aim to profile community PPE donors at one large academic medical center including evaluation of donor industry, public messaging, and psychosocial aspects of donation.Methods: A survey was created and distributed to donors at two urban PPE drop-off sites between March and April 2020. Targeted donors and drop-off sites were located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area (approximate population of 3.5 million people).Results: A total of 486 surveys were completed. Nearly half (47.3%) of PPE donated was initially intended for personal use. Donors primarily learned of PPE collection efforts through word of mouth (23.2%) and social media (22.7%). The most frequently reported barrier to donation included distance between donors and drop off sites or location (27.8%). Donors rated the severity of the PPE shortage in the state as a 7.8 ± 1.7 out of 10. There was a slight correlation between donors assessment of COVID-19 severity and feeling that their donation was a meaningful contribution against COVID-19 (r = 0.21, p = .00).Conclusions: Future community collection campaigns during widespread disasters should prioritize mobilizing privately held goods from individuals rather than small businesses. Public messaging around donation should utilize simple narratives that are easily shareable via social media and evoke donation as a means of building community.
Opinions of Graduate Students of Social Studies Education About Qualitative Research Method
Authors: Ezer Feyzullah , Aksüt Selda
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the study is to determine the opinions of graduate students from social studies education regarding the qualitative research method. The study was conducted in accordance with the phenomenological design, one of the qualitative research designs. The sample group of the study was composed of 25 postgraduate students including 11 females and 14 males studying in the Department of Social Studies Education in Division of Turkish Language and Social Sciences Education of Educational Sciences Institute, in Firat University in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. The sample group was determined with criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The data of the study were obtained through interview method by using semi-structured interview form. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data obtained in the study and the qualitative data analysis program was employed to assess the data. It was determined as a result of the study that the graduate students expressed the qualitative research method as sensitivity to the natural environment, in-depth examination of a social phenomenon, and revealing perception and experiences. Since the qualitative research experience positively affect the knowledge and skills of the graduate students towards the study, they should be included more in the research environment and process. In addition, during the qualitative research process, graduate students should be encouraged and directed to academic activities.
Boys Are Boys: A Contrastive Study of Nominal Tautology Between L1 English and L1 Arabic
Authors: Kabli Hanan Mohammed
Published: February 2021

This study aims to examine nominal tautology functioned as human nature based on the assumptions by Wierzbicka (1987). It compares English and Arabic tautology on construction like Boys are boys. This study integrates Miki’s evocation function with two other core concepts namely a macro-frame and a micro-frame. In addition, the role of the context is closely investigated as it forms an essential component in the realization of nominal tautology as proposed by Gibbs and McCarrell (1990). All these notions are merged into one solid framework to comprehend the mechanism of tautology in the brain of the speakers/hearer in any given language. Acceptability Judgment Task is used as an instrument to elicit participants’ acceptable judgments and interpretations on human nature tautology. The study includes two groups; English native speakers (51 participants) and Arabic native speakers (34 participants). According to the analyses, the results show no difference between the study groups, in the realization of nominal tautology related to human nature at the level of the acceptability and the interpretation.
Effects of Innovative Land-based Proprioceptive Training on Knee Joint Position Sense and Function in Athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hajouj Elie , Hadian Mohammad Reza , Mir Seyed Mohsen , Talebian Saeed , Ghazi Salah
Published: February 2021

Background: Proprioceptive deficits are one of the most important challenges after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating innovative land-based proprioceptive training into the conventional accelerated land-based rehabilitation protocol, as compared to the conventional accelerated land-based rehabilitation protocol alone, on knee function and joint position sense in male athletes after ACLR. Methods: Thirty male athletes with ACLR were randomly assigned to two rehabilitation groups. The conventional therapy (CT) group (n = 15) received conventional rehabilitation for six weeks, and the proprioception training (PT) group (n = 15) received the same conventional rehabilitation in addition to 12 sessions of innovative land-based proprioceptive training. Outcomes included joint position sense (JPS) errors, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: There were significant differences in absolute errors (AE) (FAE = 56.81, P < 0.001) and variable errors (VE) (FVE = 60.95, P < 0.001) between the two groups. No significant differences were found in constant error (CE), VAS, and IKDC score between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both groups showed significant changes in terms of AE, VE, VAS, and IKDC after the intervention (P < 0.05). Percent changes after the intervention for AE, VE, CE, VAS, and IKDC were greater in the PT group than in the CT group, which were 70.19%, 69.22%, 66.20%, 38.50%, and 39.61%, respectively. Conclusions: Innovative land-based proprioceptive training incorporated into the conventional accelerated rehabilitation protocol offers the improvement of proprioception efficiency for individuals with ACL reconstruction, and therefore, it could be useful for clinicians when designing rehabilitation protocols to ensure the optimal engagement of proprioception.
Freedom of expression and protection of personal data on the Internet: The perspective of Internet users in Serbia
Authors: Mitrović Marta
Published: February 2021

The paper examines the views of Internet users concerning the protection of their rights on the Internet. The Web survey, conducted by the snowball sampling, included 783 Internet users who expressed their views regarding the ways the state (Serbia) and private agents (Facebook and Google) relate to the right of freedom of expression and privacy on the Internet. Also, the survey was used to examine the individual responsibility of users when it comes to the use of Internet services. Several hypotheses suggested that Internet users in Serbia do not have confidence in the country and private actors on the issue of protecting their rights. However, users also do not demonstrate a satisfactory level of individual responsibility. The most important findings indicate that: 1) only one-sixth of the respondents consider that the Government of the Republic of Serbia does not violate the privacy of Internet users; 2) almost half of the respondents do not feel free to express their views criticizing the government; 3) almost 90% of users are not satisfied how Facebook protects their privacy, while it is 1% lower in the case of Google; 4) a third of respondents answered positively to the question whether they had read terms of use of the analyzed companies, but half of them did not give a correct answer to the main questions; 5) only 8.9% of respondents who claimed to have read terms of use are aware of the fact that Facebook shares their data with third parties.
How does market share affect the increase in the value of investment unit of voluntary pension funds?
Authors: Stojanović Boban , Radukić Snežana , Kostić Milan , Kostić Zorana
Published: February 2021

The importance of this research stems from highly concentrated markets of voluntary pension funds, on the one hand, and intensive competition pressure among market participants, on the other. The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate the static and dynamic relationship between a pension fund's market share and value of its investment unit. The research was designed to monitor the changes in the size of market share and investment units in the period from 2008 to 2017 in the funds in the Republic of Serbia. The main findings suggest that the size of market share of individual voluntary pension funds has no influence on the growth of investment unit value. Contrary to the static approach, the dynamic approach argues that the changes of market share affect the performance of voluntary pension funds. The obtained results indicate that the performances of individual pension funds do not depend on their size, but rather on their ability to occupy a larger portion of the market and increase their market share. This paper provides a systematic review of the relevant empirical literature on internal and external determinants of a pension fund's performance. It represents a significant contribution to the understanding of market factors, such as market share and value of investment units.
Export potential of Serbia's defense industry
Authors: Stanojević Nataša
Published: February 2021

This paper empirically tests an augmented gravity model of international trade in order to investigate the impact of various factors on the volume and direction of export of the Serbian defense industry. The results show that military expenditure, arms import and a dummy variable referring to historical ties in arms trade have positive effects, while, on the other hand, population, distance and degree of industrial development of partner countries have negative effects on Serbia's military export. The study resulted in three empirical models, all with a high coefficient of determination but different statistical significance of variables. One of them was selected and applied to all export partners of the Serbian defense industry. Out of 61 countries, 21 were determined as target markets based on the combination of two criteria - the trade potential index, determined by the application of the gravity model, and trade dynamics.
The successfulness of crisis management teams' response to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lukić Jelena , Jaganjac Jamila , Lazarević Snežana
Published: February 2021

Crises are an inevitable part of the life cycle of any organisation, regardless of its location, size, market, and sector. At the beginning of 2020, all organisations faced a new crisis caused by a COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid spread of the disease and its consequences to human health required a quick reaction of organisations to protect the health and safety of employees through physical distancing. Organisations had to reorganise their way of doing business and adapt to new circumstances. The first response to the crisis is to activate or form a crisis management team. The main goal of the crisis management team is to prepare the organisation for a new way of functioning by using all its opportunities and strengths to minimise the negative effects of the crisis. The success of crisis management and the recovery of an organisation depend on the quality of functioning of the crisis management team. The results of a survey conducted during April and May 2020 which included 108 members of crisis management teams showed that the respective teams responded adequately to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research results showed that team members reacted quickly to the first signs of the crisis. They made real-time decisions by using a holistic approach due to their different knowledge, skills and experience, clear team roles, commitment to a common goal, open, honest and effective communication, and mutual trust.
Environmental policy in the programs of political parties in Macedonia
Authors: Veljanovska Svetlana
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to analyze whether, how much and in what way environmental policies are developed in the programs of political parties in Macedonia. The paper will initially develop the terms party, party program and policies in the field of ecology. The central topic of the paper is the environmental policy in the programs of the parties and their systematization in terms of the topics on which they base their policies. The author will try to contribute to the typology of parties in terms of their attitude towards environmental issues.