bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impacts of drainage, nutrient status and management practice on the full carbon balance of grasslands on organic soils in a maritime temperate zone
Authors: Renou-Wilson F. , Barry C. , Müller C. , Wilson D.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Temperate grasslands on organic soils are diverse due to edaphic properties but also to regional management practices and this heterogeneity is reflected in the wide range of greenhouse gas flux values reported in the literature. In Ireland, most grasslands on organic soils were drained several decades ago and are managed as extensive pastures with little or no fertilisation. This study describes a two-year study of the net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) of two such sites. We determined greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes and waterborne carbon emissions in a nutrient rich grassland and compared it with values measured from two nutrient poor organic soils: a deep drained and a shallow drained site. GHG fluxes (CO2, CH4 and N2O) were determined using the chamber technique, and fluvial C fluxes were estimated by combining drainage water concentrations and flows. The nutrient rich site was an annual source of CO2 (NEE 233 g C m−2yr−1), CH4 neutral, and a small source of nitrous oxide (1.6 kg N2O-N ha−1yr−1). NEE at the shallow drained site was −89 and −99 g C m−2yr−1 in Years 1 and 2 respectively, and NEE at the deep drained site was +85 and −26 g C m−2yr−1 respectively. Low CH4 emissions (1.3 g C m−2yr−1) were recorded at the shallow drained nutrient poor site. Fluvial exports from the nutrient rich site totalled 69.8 g C m−2yr−1 with 54% as dissolved organic C (DOC). Waterborne C losses from the nutrient poor site reflected differences in annual runoff totalling 44 g C m−2yr−1 in Year 1 and 30.8 g C m−2yr−1 in Year 2. The NECB of the nutrient rich grassland was 663 g C m−2yr−1 with biomass exports being the major component accounting for 53%. The NECB of the nutrient poor deep drained site was less than half of the nutrient rich site (2 year mean 267 g C m−2yr−1). Although NEE at the nutrient poor shallow drained site was negative in both years, high biomass export meant it was a net C source (2 year mean NECB 103 g C m−2yr−1). While the impacts of the nutrient and drainage status on NEE, biomass exports and fluvial C losses were confirmed, inter-regional differences in management practice and climate are also significant factors which impact on the overall NECB of these ecosystems. Contrary to expectation, the NECB of nutrient poor drained organic soils under grasslands is not necessarily a large C source and this has implications for Ireland's choice of national GHG inventory reporting methodologies. This study can also aid the development of strategies to deliver reduced emissions tailored to local grassland types.
Sensitivity of the grassland-forest ecotone in East African open woodland savannah to historical rainfall variation
Authors: Ssemmanda I. , Gelorini V. , Verschuren D.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Fossil pollen records provide key insight into the sensitivity of terrestrial ecosystems to climate change at longer time scales. However, tracing vegetation response to relatively modest historical climate fluctuations is often complicated by the overriding signature of anthropogenic landscape disturbance. Here we use high-resolution pollen data from a ~200 year lake-sediment record in open woodland savannah of Queen Elisabeth National Park (southwestern Uganda) to assess the sensitivity of the tropical lowland grassland-forest ecotone to historical fluctuations in annual rainfall on the order of 10% lasting several decades. Specifically we trace vegetation response to three episodes of increased regional rainfall dated to the 1820s–1830s, ca. 1865–1890 and from 1962 to around 2000. During inferred wetter episodes we find increases in the relative pollen abundance from trees and shrubs of moist semi-deciduous forest (Allophylus, Macaranga, Celtis, Alchornea), riparian forest (Phoenix reclinata) and savannah woodland (Myrica, Acalypha, Combretaceae/Melostomataceae) as well as local savannah taxa (Acacia, Rhus type vulgaris, Ficus), together creating strong temporary reductions in Poaceae pollen (to 45–55% of the terrestrial pollen sum). During intervening dry episodes, most notably the period ca. 1920–1962, Poaceae pollen attained values of 65–75%, and dryland herbs such as Commelina, Justicia type odora and Chenopodiaceae expanded at the expense of Asteraceae, Solanum-type, Swertia usumbarensis-type, and (modestly so) Urticaceae. Noting that the overall diversity of arboreal taxa remained high but their combined abundance low, we conclude that the landscape surrounding Lake Chibwera has been an open woodland savannah throughout the past 200 years, with historical rainfall variation exerting modest effects on local tree cover (mostly the abundance of Acacia and Ficus) and the prevalence of damp soil areas promoting Phoenix reclinata. The strong apparent expansion of true forest trees during wet episodes can be explained partly by enhanced pollen influx via upland streams. Pollen from exotic trees and other cultural indicators appears from the 1970s onwards, but their combined influence fails to mask the region's natural vegetation dynamics.
Holocene environmental changes in the highlands of the southern Peruvian Andes (14° S) and their impact on pre-Columbian cultures
Authors: Schittek K. , Mächtle B. , Schäbitz F. , Forbriger M. , Wennrich V. , Reindel M. , Eitel B.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Within palaeoenvironmental studies, high-altitude peatlands of the Andes still remain relatively unexploited, although they offer an excellent opportunity for high-resolution chronologies, on account of their high accumulation rates and abundant carbon for dating. Especially in the central Andes, additional high-quality proxy records are still needed due to the lack of continuous and well-dated records, which show a significant variability on sub-centennial to decadal precision scales. To widen the current knowledge on climatic and environmental changes in the western Andes of southern Peru, we present a new, high-resolution 8600 year-long record from Cerro Llamoca peatland, a high-altitude Juncaceous cushion peatland in the headwaters of Río Viscas, a tributary to Río Grande de Nasca. A 10.5 m core of peat with intercalated sediment layers was examined for all kinds of microfossils, including fossil charred particles. We chose homogeneous peat sections for pollen analysis at a high temporal resolution. The inorganic geochemistry was analysed in 2 mm resolution using an ITRAX X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanner. We interpret the increase of Poaceae pollen in our record as an expansion of Andean grasslands during humid phases. Drier conditions are indicated by a significant decrease of Poaceae pollen and higher abundances of Asteraceae pollen. The results are substantiated by changes in arsenic contents and manganese/iron ratios, which turned out as applicable proxies for in situ palaeo-redox conditions. The mid-Holocene period of 8.6–5.6 ka is characterized by a series of episodic dry spells alternating with spells that are more humid. After a pronounced dry period at 4.6–4.2 ka, conditions generally shifted towards a more humid climate. We stress a humid/relatively stable interval between 1.8–1.2 ka, which coincides with the florescence of the Nasca culture in the Andean foreland. An abrupt turnover to a sustained dry period occurs at 1.2 ka, which coincides with the collapse of the Nasca/Wari society in the Palpa lowlands. Markedly drier conditions prevail until 0.75 ka, providing evidence for the presence of a Medieval Climate Anomaly. Moister but hydrologically highly variable conditions prevailed again after 0.75 ka, which allowed the re-expansion of tussock grasses in the highlands, increased discharge into the Andean foreland and the re-occupation of the settlements in the lowlands during this so-called Late Intermediate Period. On a supraregional scale, our findings can ideally be linked to and proofed by the archaeological chronology of the Nasca-Palpa region as well as other high-resolution marine and terrestrial palaeoenvironmental records. Our findings show that hydrological fluctuations, triggered by the changing intensity of the monsoonal tropical summer rains emerging from the Amazon Basin in the north-east, have controlled the climate in the study area.
APIFLAME v1.0: high-resolution fire emission model and application to the Euro-Mediterranean region
Authors: Turquety S. , Menut L. , Bessagnet B. , Anav A. , Viovy N. , Maignan F. , Wooster M.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. This paper describes a new model for the calculation of daily, high-resolution (up to 1 km) fire emissions, developed in the framework of the APIFLAME (Analysis and Prediction of the Impact of Fires on Air quality ModEling) project. The methodology relies on the classical approach, multiplying the burned area by the fuel load consumed and the emission factors specific to the vegetation burned. Emissions can be calculated on any user-specified domain, horizontal grid, and list of trace gases and aerosols, providing input information on the burned area (location, extent), and emission factors of the targeted species are available. The applicability to high spatial resolutions and the flexibility to different input data (including vegetation classifications) and domains are the main strength of the proposed algorithm. The modification of the default values and databases proposed does not require any change in the core of the model. The code may be used for the calculation of global or regional inventories. However, it has been developed and tested more specifically for Europe and the Mediterranean area. A regional analysis of fire activity and the resulting emissions in this region is provided. The burning season extends from June to October in most regions, with generally small but frequent fires in eastern Europe, western Russia, Ukraine and Turkey, and large events in the Mediterranean area. The resulting emissions represent a significant fraction of the total yearly emissions (on average amounting to ~ 30% of anthropogenic emissions for PM2.5, ~ 20% for CO). The uncertainty regarding the daily carbon emissions is estimated at ~ 100% based on an ensemble analysis. Considering the large uncertainties regarding emission factors, the potential error on the emissions for the various pollutants is even larger. Comparisons with other widely used emission inventories show good correlations but discrepancies of a factor of 2–4 in the amplitude of the emissions, our results being generally on the higher end.
Climate and topographic controls on simulated pasture production in a semiarid Mediterranean watershed with scattered tree cover
Authors: Lozano-Parra J. , Maneta M. P. , Schnabel S.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Natural grasses in semiarid rangelands constitute an effective protection against soil erosion and degradation, are a source of natural food for livestock and play a critical role in the hydrologic cycle by contributing to the uptake and transpiration of water. However, natural pastures are threatened by land abandonment and the consequent encroachment of shrubs and trees as well as by changing climatic conditions. In spite of their ecological and economic importance, the spatiotemporal variations of pasture production at the decadal–century scales over whole watersheds are poorly known. We used a physically based, spatially distributed ecohydrologic model applied to a 99.5 ha semiarid watershed in western Spain to investigate the sensitivity of pasture production to climate variability. The ecohydrologic model was run using a 300-year-long synthetic daily climate data set generated using a stochastic weather generator. The data set reproduced the range of climatic variations observed under the current climate. Results indicated that variation of pasture production largely depended on factors that also determined the availability of soil moisture such as the temporal distribution of precipitation, topography, and tree canopy cover. The latter is negatively related with production, reflecting the importance of rainfall and light interception, as well as water consumption by trees. Valley bottoms and flat areas in the lower parts of the catchment are characterized by higher pasture production but more interannual variability. A quantitative assessment of the quality of the simulations showed that ecohydrologic models are a valuable tool to investigate long-term (century scale) water and energy fluxes, as well as vegetation dynamics, in semiarid rangelands.
Dedradation of buried ice and permafrost in the Veleta Cirque (Sierra Nevada, Spain) from 2006–2013
Authors: Gómez-Ortiz A. , Oliva M. , Salvador-Franch F. , Salvà-Catarineu M. , Palacios D. , de Sanjosé-Blasco J. J. , Tanarro-García L. M.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The Veleta cirque is located at the foot of the Veleta peak, one of the highest summits of the Sierra Nevada National Park (Southern Spain). This cirque was the source of a glacier valley during the Quaternary cold periods. During the Little Ice Age it sheltered a small glacier, the most southerly in Europe, about which we have possessed written records since the XVII century. This glacier still had ice residues until the mid-XX century. This ice is no longer visible, but a residue persists along with discontinuous permafrost trapped under strata of rock blocks that make up an incipient rock glacier. From 2006 to 2013, this rock glacier was monitored by measurement of the temperature of the active layer, the degree of snow cover on the ground, movements of the body of the rock glacier and geophysical prospection inside it. The results show that the relict ice and trapped permafrost have been steadily declining. The processes that explain this degradation occur in chain, starting from the external radiation that affects the ground in summer, which is when the temperatures are higher. In effect, when this radiation steadily melts the snow on the ground, the thermal expansive wave advances into the heart of the active layer, reaching the ceiling of the frozen mass, which it then degrades and melts. In this entire linked process, the circulation of melt waters fulfil a highly significant function, as they act as heat transmitters. The complementary nature of these processes explains the subsidence and continuous changes in the entire clastic pack and the melting of the frozen ceiling on which it rests. This happens in summer in just a few weeks. All these events, in particular the geomorphological ones, take place on the Sierra Nevada peaks within certain climate conditions that are at present unfavourable to the maintenance of snow on the ground in summer. These conditions could be related to recent variations in the climate, starting in the mid-XIX century and most markedly since the second half of the XX century. The work and results highlight the climate sensitivity of the peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the effect of climate change and its impact on the dynamics of ecosystems, which is a benchmark for evaluating the current evolution of landscapes Mediterranean high mountain.
Crime, Justice, and Inequality: Oh Canada, Where Art Thou?
Authors: DeKeseredy Walter
Published: April 2014

Since Canada’s colonial beginnings, it has become increasingly riddled with classism, racism, sexism, and other damaging outcomes of structured social inequality. In 2006, however, many types of social injustice were turbo-charged under the federal leadership of the Harper government. For example, a recent southern Ontario study shows that less than half of working people between the ages of 25 and 65 have full-time jobs with benefits. The main objective of this paper is to critique the dominant Canadian political economic order and the pain and suffering it has caused for millions of people. Informed by left realism and other progressive ways of knowing, I also suggest some ways of turning the tide.
A Common ‘Outlawness’: Criminalisation of Muslim Minorities in the UK and Australia
Authors: Tufail Waqas , Poynting Scott
Published: April 2014

Since mass immigration recruitments of the post-war period, ‘othered’ immigrants to both the UK and Australia have faced ‘mainstream’ cultural expectations to assimilate, and various forms of state management of their integration. Perceived failure or refusal to integrate has historically been constructed as deviant, though in certain policy phases this tendency has been mitigated by cultural pluralism and official multiculturalism. At critical times, hegemonic racialisation of immigrant minorities has entailed their criminalisation, especially that of their young men. In the UK following the ‘Rushdie Affair’ of 1989, and in both Britain and Australia following these states’ involvement in the 1990-91 Gulf War, the ‘Muslim Other’ was increasingly targeted in cycles of racialised moral panic. This has intensified dramatically since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing ‘War on Terror’. The young men of Muslim immigrant communities in both these nations have, over the subsequent period, been the subject of heightened popular and state Islamophobia in relation to: perceived ‘ethnic gangs’; alleged deviant, predatory masculinity including so-called ‘ethnic gang rape’; and paranoia about Islamist ‘radicalisation’ and its supposed bolstering of terrorism. In this context, the earlier, more genuinely social-democratic and egalitarian, aspects of state approaches to ‘integration’ have been supplanted, briefly glossed by a rhetoric of ‘social inclusion’, by reversion to increasingly oppressive assimilationist and socially controlling forms of integrationism. This article presents some preliminary findings from fieldwork in Greater Manchester over 2012, showing how mainly British-born Muslims of immigrant background have experienced these processes.
Mapping the Conditions of Penal Hope
Authors: Brown David
Published: April 2014

This article examines the conditions of penal optimism behind suggestions that the penal expansionism of the last three decades may be at a ‘turning point’. The article proceeds by outlining David Green’s suggested catalysts of penal reform and considers how applicable they are in the Australian context. Green’s suggested catalysts are: the cycles and saturation thesis; shifts in the dominant conception of the offender; the GFC and budgetary constraints; the drop in crime; the emergence of the prisoner re-entry movement; apparent shifts in public opinion; the influence of evangelical Christian ideas and the Right on Crime initiative. The article then considers a number of other possible catalysts or forces: the role of trade unions; the role of courts; the emergence of recidivism as a political issue; the influence of ’evidence based’/’what works’’ discourse; and the emergence of justice reinvestment (JR). The article concludes with some comments about the capacity of criminology and criminologists to contribute to penal reductionism, offering an optimistic assessment for the prospects of a reflexive criminology that engages in and engenders a wider politics around criminal justice issues.
Domestic Violence and Family Law: Criminological Concerns
Authors: Dragiewicz Molly
Published: April 2014

The battered women’s movement in the United States contributed to a sweeping change in the recognition of men’s violence against female intimate partners. Naming the problem and arguing in favor if its identification as a serious problem meriting a collective response were key aspects of this effort. Criminal and civil laws have been written and revised in an effort to answer calls to take such violence seriously. Scholars have devoted significant attention to the consequences of this reframing of violence, especially around the unintended outcomes of the incorporation of domestic violence into criminal justice regimes. Family law, however, has remained largely unexamined by criminologists. This paper calls for criminological attention to family law responses to domestic violence and provides directions for future research.
Changing Narratives: Colonised Peoples, Criminology and Social Work
Authors: Cunneen Chris , Rowe Simone
Published: April 2014

There is growing recognition in criminology and social work of the importance of Indigenous knowledges and methodologies. Yet to date there have been limited attempts (particularly in criminology and criminal justice social work) to consider the theoretical and practice implications of Indigenous understandings and approaches to these disciplines. Both disciplines have also been slow to recognise the importance of understanding the way in which colonial effects are perpetuated through knowledge control, particularly in the operation of criminal justice systems.   Our paper thus begins by examining the historical and institutional factors that have contributed to the continuing subjugation of Indigenous knowledges and methodologies. A discussion of the connections between the hegemony of Western science, the construction of race, and the colonial project follows. While herein Western and Indigenous approaches are conceptualised broadly, the dangers of over-simplifying these categories is also acknowledged. The paper proceeds by examining the distinctive character of each approach through a consideration of their ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological differences. Whilst acknowledging the considerable challenges which arise in any attempt to develop connections between these differing worldviews, a pathway forward for understanding both theoretically and methodologically the relationship between Western and Indigenous approaches is proposed.
Integrated Information Literacy and Student Outcomes in Foundational First-Year Writing
Authors: Fielding Jennifer , Hans Julia , Mabee Frank , Tracy Kisha , Consalvo Annamary , Craig Layne
Published: April 2014

Information literacy is becoming widely established as an assessed and reportable student learning outcome in higher education, yet it is often poorly integrated into the undergraduate curriculum at points where applied knowledge in particular is measured. The current study discusses a collaboration between a librarian and several English Studies faculty to integrate information literacy content more thoroughly into an undergraduate foundational writing course and to assess information literacy outcomes in student artifacts from a pilot group versus a control group using an information literacy rubric. The results indicate that significant gains occurred in all aspects of information literacy when these concepts were broadly integrated into course content and reinforced at multiple points in the course.
Reflecting on Assessment Results to Inform Communication Center Tutor Training and Hiring
Authors: Yook Eunkyong Lee , Kim Mikyong Minsun
Published: April 2014

This study examines students' after-session survey data collected between fall 2010 and fall 2012 from a communication center (n = 1,100) to investigate four types of independent variables: (1) consultants' demographic variables such as female or male status and academic disciplines (language arts versus other disciplines), (2) length of consultation time and whether students received undivided attention, (3) suggestion categories (tapping suggestions on content, delivery, organization respectively), and (4) client willingness to return and client encouragement of others to use the center. Regression analyses provided new insight into predictors of student ratings of usefulness of suggestions and expertise of the consultant. Explanations for the results of the regression analyses are offered, and future directions for research are suggested. Further, implications of the findings on communication center staff hiring and training are suggested.
Tracing de Tocqueville
Authors: Sułek Antoni
Published: April 2014

Ludwik Krzywicki (1859-1941), a founding father of the social sciences in Poland, was one of the first European sociologists to visit the United States of America. His written impressions and observations were published in a little-known tome titled, Beyond the Atlantic (1895). Krzywicki’s journey and book are introduced here from a trifold perspective. First, Krzywicki undertook his travels to observe modernity emerging in America, and to see how the future of Europe might possibly look. Second, the book constitutes a report of the firsthand field observations of a "modern" society by a social scientist who had previously studied "primitive" societies from the comfort of a library; thus it demonstrates how an "armchair ethnologist" became a fieldwork anthropologist. Third, Krzywicki analyzed changes in the attitudes and behavior of the Polish immigrants sometime after their coming to the United States; his observations on this topic were later confirmed by William Thomas and Florian Znaniecki in their classic The Polish Peasant in Europe and America.
Diffusing Global Medical Knowledge in Poland and Ukraine
Authors: Romuzga Natalia
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study is to assess the thirty-year effort of the Children’s Medical Care Foundation (CMCF) in Poland and Ukraine and identify the main determinants of success and limitations of the program. Using the diffusion of innovations theory as a guide for assessment, this study discusses the most common themes associated with barriers to knowledge dissemination and innovation implementation that CMCF trainees face, or have faced, in both countries. The data collected suggest that training through the CMCF has resulted in knowledge diffusion that has led to positive health outcomes for infants and children in both Poland and Ukraine; however, a large gap still exists between knowledge acquisition and the translation of knowledge into practice through the dissemination of innovative methods, particularly in regard to Ukraine. In light of the economic, political, and social barriers CMCF confronts, this article aims to provide options for the reinvention and modernization of the program’s focus, as it pertains to Poland and Ukraine. Suggestions are offered for tailoring the CMCF’s objectives to each country separately, while maintaining sustainability through increased collaboration and rapid knowledge diffusion. This study used face-to-face interviews in a qualitative methods approach among former CMCF trainees in the specializations of neonatology and pediatric surgery.
Antoni Gronowicz
Authors: Guzlowski John Z.
Published: April 2014

Antoni Gronowicz, one of the most prolific and famous Polish American writers of his time, is seldom read now because of the controversies and legal issues that developed over his last two books, God’s Broker, a biography of John Paul II, and Garbo, a biography of the film actress. Gronowicz did not have the access to these two figures that he pretended to have. Instead, both books were seen to be almost entirely fictionalized. This article on Gronowicz argues that despite this, there is value in taking another look at these two works and the writing about Poland that Gronowicz published for almost five decades.
Comprehensive assessment of left anterior descending coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula
Authors: Campari Alessandro , Tresoldi Silvia , Lucreziotti Stefano , Centola Marco , Cornalba Gianpaolo
Published: April 2014

A 66-year-old man was hospitalized because of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). During stent placement in the medium tract of the circumflex artery, conventional coronary angiography (CCA) depicted a fistulous tract between the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the pulmonary trunk. After exclusion of coronary steal in the LAD territories by means of rest-stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) with Tc-99m, one-year follow up was established. Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) was performed in order to better delineate fistula’s feature and provide a starting point for periodic evaluation. CTCA is less-invasive and more reproducible than conventional coronary angiography (CCA), therefore we suggest it as the modality of choice in the follow-up of coronary artery fistulas in asymptomatic patients.
Pre-diagnostic management of patients suspicious of deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Santosa Frans , Raming Andreas , Moerchel Christian , Kröger Knut
Published: April 2014

Background: We analysed the feasibility of the 9th ACCP-guidelines recommendation of starting therapeutic anti- coagulation in patients with a high suspicion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and tried to answer the question as to whether it generates a relevant over- or under-use of anti-coagulants in the period prior to the definitive diagnosis. Patients and methods: From March to May 2013 we included 98 consecutive out-patients (mean age 63 ± 17 years, 39 males) suspected of DVT, classifying them according to the 9th ACCP-guidelines recommendations into two groups with high and low clinical suspicion. Those with a high suspicion (Wells Score ≥ 2 and elevated DDimer concentration) initially received Rivaroxaban 15 mg orally. Results: Out of the 80 patients with a high clinical suspicion, 15 (19%) received therapeutic anti-coagulation without any medical necessity because DVT was finally excluded. Out of the 10 patients with a low clinical suspicion, 2 (20%) with a finally proven DVT might have benefited from initial therapeutic anti-coagulation. Females were at a slightly higher risk of receiving therapeutic anti-coagulation unnecessarily. Out of the 45 females with a high clinical suspicion, who received therapeutic anti-coagulation, DVT was excluded in 9 (20%). In males it was 6 (17%) out of 35 patients. The costs for those 80 patients accepting initial anti-coagulation by taking Rivaroxaban 15 mg were €312. By using Certoparin 8000 I.E. the cost would have been €792, which is 150% higher compared to Rivaroxaban within in the same period. Conclusion: Defining patients to have a high suspicion for DVT by Wells score and DDimer is associated with an over-use of therapeutic anticoagulation in almost every fifth patients.
After the Afghan War: Nationalism and the Changes in the Balance of Power in Central Asia
Authors: Cohen Ariel
Published: April 2014

No abstract available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v0i8-9.125 The Mongolian Journal of International Affairs; Number 8-9, 2002, Pages 12-23
A Hybrid System of Hierarchical Planning of Behaviour Selection Networks for Mobile Robot Control
Authors: Lee Young-Seol , Cho Sung-Bae
Published: April 2014

An office delivery robot receives a large amount of sensory data and there is uncertainty in its action outcomes. The robot should not only accomplish its goals using environmental information, but also consider various exceptions simultaneously. In this paper, we propose a hybrid system using hierarchical planning of modular behaviour selection networks to generate autonomous behaviour in the office delivery robot. Behaviour selection networks, one of the well-known behaviour-based methods suitable for goal-oriented tasks, are made up of several smaller behaviour modules. Planning is attached to the construct and adjust sequences of the modules by considering the sub-goals, the priority in each task and the user feedback. This helps the robot to quickly react in dynamic situations as well as achieve global goals efficiently. The proposed system is verified with both the Webot simulator and a Khepera II robot that runs in a real office environment carrying out delivery tasks. Experimental results have shown that a robot can achieve goals and generate module sequences successfully even in unpredictable situations. Additionally, the proposed planning method reduced the elapsed time during tasks by 17.5% since it adjusts the behaviour module sequences more effectively.
A Novel Hybrid Safety-Control Strategy for a Manipulator
Authors: Xia Jing , Jiang Zainan , Liu Hong , Cai Hegao , Wu Guangxin
Published: April 2014

As robots tend to work cooperatively with humans in shared workplaces, safety as regards robot-human interactions has caused a great deal of concern in the robot community, and control strategies have become a hot topic in robotics research. In order to guarantee the robot's safety and continuous motions, this paper proposes a novel safety-control strategy, which is strictly conservative and which consists of a pre-contact and post-contact safety strategy. We adopt an optimal motion trajectory-planning method, by use of which the jerk, acceleration and velocity of the robot's motion can be limited and a time-optimal motion can be obtained as a post-contact safety strategy for a position-controlled manipulator. The optimal motion trajectory planning not only reduces the impact forces during the collision period, but also maintains the efficiency of the manipulator and preserves continuous motions. Next, we describe a novel collision detection method as a pre-contact safety strategy to avoid collisions. The method proposed here can compute security warning region to handle the effect of robot motion on collision detection and detect collisions between non-convex polygon soups. Finally, the control strategy is implemented for a 7-DOF humanoid manipulator and the experimental results demonstrate the validity of this novel hybrid safety-control strategy.
An Efficient Hybrid Face Recognition Algorithm Using PCA and GABOR Wavelets
Authors: Cho Hyunjong , Roberts Rodney , Jung Bowon , Choi Okkyung , Moon Seungbin
Published: April 2014

With the rapid development of computers and the increasing, mass use of high-tech mobile devices, vision-based face recognition has advanced significantly. However, it is hard to conclude that the performance of computers surpasses that of humans, as humans have generally exhibited better performance in challenging situations involving occlusion or variations. Motivated by the recognition method of humans who utilize both holistic and local features, we present a computationally efficient hybrid face recognition method that employs dual-stage holistic and local feature-based recognition algorithms. In the first coarse recognition stage, the proposed algorithm utilizes Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify a test image. The recognition ends at this stage if the confidence level of the result turns out to be reliable. Otherwise, the algorithm uses this result for filtering out top candidate images with a high degree of similarity, and passes them to the next fine recognition stage where Gabor filters are employed. As is well known, recognizing a face image with Gabor filters is a computationally heavy task. The contribution of our work is in proposing a flexible dual-stage algorithm that enables fast, hybrid face recognition. Experimental tests were performed with the Extended Yale Face Database B to verify the effectiveness and validity of the research, and we obtained better recognition results under illumination variations not only in terms of computation time but also in terms of the recognition rate in comparison to PCA- and Gabor wavelet-based recognition algorithms.
Characterization of TiO2 Nanofilms Obtained by Sol-Gel and Anodic Oxidation
Authors: Vera María Laura , Alterach Miguel Ángel , Rosenberger Mario Roberto , Lamas Diego Germán , Schvezov Carlos Enrique , Ares Alicia Esther
Published: April 2014

The influence of sol-gel dip-coating and anodic oxidation process parameters in producing thin TiO2 films is studied. As the size of the films is in the order of nanometres (20–140 nm), to obtain a precise measurement of their thickness and analyse their crystalline structures, glancing incidence angle X-ray techniques (X-ray reflectometry and X-ray diffraction) using synchrotron radiation are used. A relationship between the colour and thickness of the films was found. This enables the film thickness to be estimated by the film colour. Within the range of the parameters studied, both techniques produce thin films with smooth surfaces which at most reproduce the roughness of the polished substrate. Independently of the technique, thermally-treated films thicker than 30 nm presented different crystalline structures with anatase and rutile phases.
Between Fiction and Reality in Post-Genocide Rwanda: Reflections on a Social-Psychological Media Intervention for Social Change
Authors: Bilali Rezarta
Published: April 2014

This article reflects on the potential and challenges of implementing social psychological interventions in the aftermath of genocide, specifically focusing on an education entertainment media campaign in Rwanda. The analysis is based on the author’s experience working with a non-governmental organization in producing "Musekeweya"—a very popular violence prevention and reconciliation radio drama. The article highlights the advantages of using fiction as an effective tool to communicate messages about violence and reconciliation, and provide a safe space to address sensitive topics in post-genocide contexts. In addition, it outlines some of the challenges of translating existing knowledge to interventions that promote reconciliation in specific socio-political settings, such as Rwanda, where the government has implemented a series of programs and policies to achieve unity and reconciliation. The paper ends with a discussion of future directions to further increase social and political psychology’s potential to inform effective social interventions in the aftermath of violence.
The Role of Nutrients in a Dietary Intervention in Improving Blood Cholesterol Profile and Lowering Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Augusto Innocenti  , Ferdinando Franzoni  , Carlo Pruneti
Published: April 2014

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been positively associated to an increase of cardiovascular risk by a large number of epidemiological studies. On the contrary, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol results inversely related to cardiovascular risk. In this contest plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and the total cholesterol – high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio seems to be able to predict cardiovascular risk. Diet and its composition affects various plasma cholesterol concentration and their ratios. Particularly, a reduction of saturated fat acids dietary intake is strictly related to both improve of blood lipid profile and reduction of cardiovascular events incidence. On the other hand, the evidences from epidemiologic and clinical studies are consistent in finding that the reduction of cardiovascular risk depends by nutrients used for replacing saturated fat acids. Specifically it has been demonstrated that replacement of saturated fat acids with unsaturated fat acids, either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated ones, is effective in improving cardiovascular risk. On the contrary, saturated fat acids replacement with high glycemic index refined carbohydrate actually increases cardiovascular risk. Despite that, many dietary guidelines do not give any tips about nutrients to use in replacement of saturated fat acids, underestimating the significance. In this perspective Mediterranean diet, represents an attractive dietary pattern for the improvement of blood lipid profile and the reduction of the cardiovascular risk.
Carteles de ferias y fiestas. Análisis documental e iconográfico
Authors: Cadenas Pazos Carolina , Salvador Benítez Antonia
Published: April 2014

Estudio y análisis documental de los carteles de fiestas como una tipología específica del cartelpublicitario. Se realiza el análisis documental e iconográfico de 71 carteles de las fiestas de San Isidro Labrador y sedescriben sus características empleando una ficha de análisis de diseño propio. A nivel visual, los resultadosmuestran cómo se han representado y cómo se venden los motivos festivos madrileños a través de este mediopublicitario. Desde el punto de vista documental e informativo, el análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de la muestra hapermitido la identificación de los artistas autores de los carteles, los formatos, técnicas y soportes utilizadas, asícomo los elementos iconográficos, temas, personajes y lugares más representados en los carteles.
Comparación de los hábitos y perfil del lector digital entre Estados Unidos y España
Authors: Alonso-Arévalo Julio , Cordón-García José Antonio , Gómez-Díaz Raquel
Published: April 2014

La irrupción de los libros electrónicos (soporte y contenido) está provocando cambios en los hábitos de la lectura y en los factores asociados a ella. Aunque es indudable la importancia de este fenómeno aún son pocos los trabajos que tratan de sistematizar los cambios que se han producido, y la falta de homogeneidad en los parámetros dificulta en muchas ocasiones la elaboración de estudios diacrónicos en un mismo contexto o sincrónicos en entornos geográficos distintos. A pesar de ello, la riqueza de datos que ofrecen algunos informes recientes permite extraer información y comparar el fenómeno de los hábitos y perfiles de los lectores digitales, como es el caso del Pew Research Center & American Life Project para el contexto estadounidense y Hábitos de compra y Lectura de libros en España para el español lo que permite mostrar cómo a pesar de que los contextos sociales y culturales son diferentes, existe una coincidencia en la evolución de la lectura digital.
Un estudio del contenido científico de las preguntas formuladas por estudiantes cuando intentan comprender dispositivos experimentales
Authors: Torres Valois Tarcilo , Milicic Beatriz Estela , Sanjosé López Vicente
Published: April 2014

Se muestra un análisis descriptivo del contenido científico de las preguntas formuladas por estudiantes de secundaria y universitarios, cuando tratan de comprender el funcionamiento de dispositivos experimentales. Se consideran tres situaciones didácticas habituales: leer un texto acompañado de imágenes estáticas (esquemáticas); visualizar imágenes dinámicas (video o demostración de cátedra), observar y manipular los dispositivos. Solo una tercera parte de las preguntas de los estudiantes contuvieron algún término científico, aunque los universitarios superaron claramente a los de secundaria. Las leyes y principios científicos, necesarios para modelizar y explicar la realidad, apenas fueron mencionadas por porcentajes muy pequeños de estudiantes, incluso universitarios. Así mismo, se encontraron errores conceptuales e ideas animistas preocupantes. La condición observar y manipular, típica de laboratorios escolares y de museos interactivos, estimuló mayor proporción de preguntas y mayor variedad en el uso de términos científicos en los estudiantes.
La memoria histórica en los libros de texto escolares
Authors: Diez Gutierrez Enrique Javier
Published: April 2014

Este artículo describe los resultados de la investigación llevada a cabo por la Universidad de León, financiada por el Ministerio de Presidencia, cuyo objetivo ha sido analizar cómo reflejan los libros de texto de Historia de España los contenidos correspondientes al período de la posguerra civil y especialmente los relacionados con la represión de la dictadura franquista y la lucha antifranquista. Se han revisado los manuales de texto, especialmente los de 2º de Bachillerato, por ser el período curricular en el que se trabaja más detenidamente la Historia contemporánea de España. Metodológicamente se ha utilizado el Análisis Crítico del Discurso para indagar sobre la extensión y completud, así como sobre la orientación y visión que presentan de los contenidos, y se han realizado 610 entrevistas a profesorado de Historia sobre su percepción respecto a la adecuación de estos contenidos. Las conclusiones más significativas reflejan que se han empezado a introducir contenidos sobre estos aspectos, aunque no con la suficiente profundidad.
The Regulation of Food Science and Technology Professions in Europe
Authors: Costa Rui , Možina Sonja Smole , Pittia Paola
Published: April 2014

The regulation of a profession is justified when it improves consumer protection and public health. Higher education food science and technology (FST) degrees, widely offered in many universities in Europe open to a wide range of jobs in the food sectors where the employees could cover different positions, roles and carry out diverse activities dealing with the food production and the quality and safety of the food products.This work reviews the state of the art of the FST regulated professions requiring higher education qualifications in the European countries. The research was carried out by collecting specific information on regulated professions by contacting unions, professional associations, public servant categories/professions, and by visiting national and EU websites.  The data collected for each regulated profession were: country, training/education required, date of implementation of regulation, professional training (if required), capability test (if required) and acts required by law to be signed by a regulated professional. Only professions that required a higher education diploma were included in this search.Few countries were found to have a regulated profession in FST, in particular: Food Engineering (Turkey), Food Technologist (Greece, Iceland, Italy and Slovenia), and Oenologist (Italy, Portugal and Spain). FST regulated professions in Europe are thus scarce and have a rather limited history. The Food Technologist in Italy and the Food Engineer in Turkey were found to be the only completely regulated professions found in Europe. Food and professional regulation have been evolved over the years and raised the debate on the regulation of FST professions. Academia as well as other policymakers has to further contribute to this discussion to keep high the standards for quality of education and training of the qualified workforce and professionals in the food sector.
Popping characteristics of paddy using microwave energy and optimization of process parameters
Authors: Swarnakar Ajay Kumar , Devi M. Kalpana , Das Susanta
Published: April 2014

Microwave popping characteristics of a particular variety of paddy were studied using a domestic microwave oven. The experiments were carried out at 4 levels of moisture content (around 13%, 14%, 15% and 16% wb), 3 levels of power (600 W, 850 W and 1000 W) and 5 levels of heating time (40 s, 60 s, 80 s, 100 s and 120 s). A general factorial experiment design was followed, and effect of different treatment combinations on popping percentage and expansion ratio of the paddy was evaluated. The maximum popping percentage of 63.47% was obtained at a moisture content of 14.15% and energy level of 80 kJ (1000 W and 80 s) while the maximum expansion ratio of 4.42 was obtained at 14.94% moisture content and energy level of 68 kJ (850 W and 80 s). Optimum values of microwave power, time of heating and moisture content of paddy were achieved at 1000 W, 80 s and 15%, respectively, corresponding to popping percentage and expansion ratio of 58.73 and 3.58.
Disentangling Professional Discretion: A Conceptual and Methodological Approach
Authors: Wallander Lisa , Molander Anders
Published: April 2014

With the aim of furthering the investigation of professional discretion, this article builds on a combination of a conceptual framework for understanding discretion and an advanced method for collecting data on human judgments. Discretion is described as consisting of two dimensions – a structural dimension (discretionary space) and an epistemic dimension (discretionary reasoning). Discretionary reasoning is defined as the cognitive activity that may take place within the discretionary space of professional judgment, and it is illustrated by means of Toulmin’s model of argumentation. The factorial survey, a quasi-experimental vignette approach, is proposed and illustrated as a method with substantial potential for studying agreement and disagreement in discretionary reasoning. While the combined framework presented in this article could form the basis for case studies and/or comparative studies of discretionary reasoning across professions and contexts, the results of such studies could be used for improving practice within a specific professional field.