bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Results Comparasion of Calculation Method and Computer Modeling of Double Curvature Sheet Shells in Stretch Forming Process
Authors: Mikheev V.A. , Surudin S.V.
Published: February 2016

In this paper was conducted the dichotomous principle analysis, which based on the results comparability of calculation method and the computer simulation results of forming double curvature sheet shells using new scheme stretch forming and program PAM-stamp. The new scheme involves initially perform shaping the central part of the shell with the press jaws of the straight line. Then press clips installed on the contours, which corresponding with curves of stretch die end sections, and performed extension stretch forming up to a point. The results of the calculation method allows to compare the formation stage and extension stretch forming on the results of computer simulation and quickly find the practical applicability of the new scheme extension stretch forming on modern stretch forming press such as FEL.
Key words: extension stretch forming process, double curvature shell, computer simulation results, calculation method, stretch forming press FEL.
Development and Enhancement of Thin-Walled Tube Separation Methods
Authors: Simagina S.G.
Published: February 2016

The correct choice of a metal separation method, in particular for thin-walled tubes, is vital for technical and economical performance indices in aircraft building. The most important selection criteria are separation quality, the amount of waste, possibility to consolidate operations and equipment efficiency. These factors require ongoing development & enhancement of tube separation methods. Waste-free technological processes like torsion tube sectioning are preferred. As the result of the extended research of tube separation process using torsion with active counterpressure, particularly the effect of structural parameters on cut quality, optimum tolerance for clearance fit between dies was defined. Compliance with recommended practices during equipment manufacturing will let cut quality reach the value peculiar to the quality value of sectioning method of separation using metal-cutting equipment. Herewith manufacturing becomes waste-free and quarantines calibration of sections adjacent to the cut.
Research of the Parts Pressing Process Using the Elastic Media Pressure
Authors: Gromova E.G. , Eskina Е.V.
Published: February 2016

A method for production of profiled materials under the constrained bend conditions with polyurethane is described. Influence of main process parameters on the characteristics of final products is investigated using the ANSYS software. Experimental research has confirmed the suitability of the process mathematical model for the parts constrained bend using the elastic media pressure.
A Review on In Situ Synthesis of Al/TiC and Al/SiC-Composites
Authors: Nath Hrusikesh
Published: February 2016

The in-situ synthesis of ceramic particles in Al-matrix composites gives an uniform and homogeneous microstructure. The matrix reinforcement interface is compatible with the matrix, interface is clean and provides good interface bonding. The evenly distributed sub micron sized reinforcement particles in Al-matrix enhances the strength and toughness of the composite. The formation of particle clusters and agglomerations are minimized or eliminated by suitably choosing the in-situ process parameters. Large particles and agglomerate are easily fractured where as evenly distributed fine particles are resistant to crack propagation and improves the strength of the composites. The problem encountered with the formation of secondary intermetallic Al3Ti and Al4C3 phases are addressed.
Computer Analysis of Sinking Pass through one and Two Dies
Authors: Kargin Boris Vladimirovich
Published: February 2016

Here results of computer analysis of sinking pass of aluminum alloys in the one and two dies are widely used in aircraft construction and engineering. As a method of computer simulation of finite element method used in the program DEFORM - 2D.
Research of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Copper and CuZn36 Developing during Deformation into the Equal Channel Speed Matrix with High-Intensity Cooling
Authors: Volokitina I.E. , Lezhnev S.N. , Orlova E.P. , Kurapov G.G.
Published: February 2016

The relevance of the work is to develop a new method of obtaining submicroscopic metal structure by combining equal channel angular pressing process of deformation and intensive cooling. The process carried out by the pressing of copper and CuZn36 through equal channel angular matrix cooled after the metal matrix of liquid nitrogen. Combined process reduces submicrostructure technology to produce metal
Property Oriented Wire Rolling Technology for Mg-Al Alloys
Authors: Dembińska Joanna , Graf Marcel , Ullmann Madlen , Neh Kristina , Awiszus Birgit , Kawalla Rudolf
Published: February 2016

Magnesium and magnesium alloys offer high potential as lightweight materials. Current works are mainly focused on the metal forming technologies and material development for sheet and strips to provide magnesium flat products for industrial applications. However, the technology for the production of magnesium long products for fasteners or other connecting elements is exclusive the extrusion process. A cost-efficient alternative can be the caliber rolling technology for magnesium rods and wire with regard to refined microstructure and specific required properties. But this whole process is rarely applied up to now and all material-specific as well as deformation relevant basics must be developed and additionally validated under industrial conditions. This paper gives the overview for a magnesium-specific wire rolling technology under consideration of chemical composition (AZ31, AZ61, AZ80) and their influence to final mechanical properties in correlation with the microstructure evolution along the whole process line. Therefore, the process-and material-dependent microstructural evolution during rolling process was investigated. The structural constitution is detailed by the grain size and the precipitation conditions. For the determination of the mechanical properties hardness measurement as well as tensile testing was carried out. To preliminary design and determine the material flow, the temperature distribution, and the logarithmic strain, a commercial numerical simulation tool was applied on base of the implemented material-specific deformation and recrystallization behavior. Hence, it was possible to design a magnesium specific caliber sequence for the production of fine-grained magnesium wires with Ø 8 mm and excellent mechanical properties.
Quality Management of Metal Products Prepared by High-Speed Direct Laser Deposition Technology
Authors: Glukhov Vladimir , Turichin Gleb , Klimova-Korsmik Olga G. , Zemlyakov Evgeniy , Babkin Konstantin
Published: February 2016

In this article the technology “high-speed direct laser deposition” is performed. Influence of process parameters on product properties and material structure was defined for Ni-based alloy Inconel 625. Developed technology provided the mechanic properties of products on the bottom level of rolled metal and allows avoid heat treatment and HIP in production process. Economic efficiency of this technology is demonstrated for main areas of industry.
Improvement of Technological Process of Multiproduct Production on the Bases of Simulation Modeling of Production Unit
Authors: Khaimovich Irina Nikolaevna , Frolov Mikhail Aleksandrovich
Published: February 2016

This paper presents an approach to identify the production capacities that must be replaced by new equipment in accordance with the sales implementation strategy on the market. The results of the performance evaluation of the new generation of machines are reported using techniques for defining the labor intensity, cost, production capacity with possibility to create casting process in simulation package.
Effect of Copper Additives on Mechanical and Tribotechnical Properties of Sintered Composites Al-Sn
Authors: Rusin N.M. , Skorentsev A.L. , Gurskikh A.V.
Published: February 2016

The mechanical and tribotechnical properties of sintered composites Al-Sn with small copper additives were studied. The sintering of compacts of pure metal powders mixture conducted in the vacuum furnace. It was established that copper additions up to 2% (wt.) lead to a significant increase in the strength and sharp decrease in a plasticity of Al-Sn composites. Because last, only Al-20Sn-1Cu alloy samples saved the integrity under the multiple equal channels angular pressing. The strength of treated samples significantly increased, but their compressive deformation did not exceed 0.5%. The wear intensity of Al-Sn-Cu samples under the dry friction was higher in comparison with Al-Sn composites.
Reliability Evaluation of Integrated Modular Avionics Computational Structures for Different Hardware Configurations
Authors: Kniga Ekaterina , Zharinov Igor , Shukalov Anatolii , Nechaev Vladimir
Published: February 2016

The problem of designing advanced computing systems of integrated modular avionics is considered in this paper. A unified topology of internal network based on SpaceWire channels and options for its application for a variety of onboard implementations are proposed. Equivalent reliability scheme of each special structure is provided and the fail-safe performance probability of each structure is analyzed.
Particularly Selective Sintering of Metal Powders by Pulsed Laser Radiation
Authors: Smelov V.G. , Sotov A.V. , Murzin Serguei P.
Published: February 2016

In this article, selective laser sintering of fine metal powder of pure Ni with the size fractions 56 ... 80 microns was conducted. Algorithm development process of laser sintering of fine powders was created, allowing to obtain defect-free samples. Investigation of the material structure of obtained samples was carried out.
Efficiency of Microcombustion System with Thermoelectric Generator Combined with Countercurrent Heat Exchanger
Authors: Belyakov Nikolai , Terletskii Igor , Minaev Sergey , Kumar Sudarshan , Maruta Kaoru
Published: February 2016

A new system for converting combustion heat into electric power was proposed on the basis of countercurrent burner with thermoelectric element embedded in a wall separating incoming fresh mixture and combustion products. The wall serves as heat exchanger between combustion products and the fresh mixture. Numerical simulations showed that almost whole combustion heat may be transferred through the thermoelectric element in such system and the total thermal efficiency attained a value close to the conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric device itself.
Sampling Control Planning on the Base of Operating Characteristics and with a Grapho-Analytical Method
Authors: Gomboeva Syndyma G. , Shishkin Igor’ F. , Hamhanova Darima N. , Vasendina Elena A. , Plotnikova Inna V. , Efremova Oksana N.
Published: February 2016

Statistical methods are widely used at quality control of products and services. One of the main tasks of quality control with the help of statistical methods is control plan development. Planning control is a difficult task. In this connection, the present article offers an automation of planning control with a grapho-analytical method and a method of operating characteristics.
Morphology of Aluminum Nanopowder Combustion Products in a Magnetic Field in Air
Authors: Mostovshchikov Andrei V. , Ilyin Alexander P. , Zabrodina Irina K.
Published: February 2016

The microstructure of aluminum nanopowder combustion crystalline products in air and the influence of a constant magnetic field (with induction of 0.3 T) on their structures have been studied. It was revealed that in the combustion products of free-poured aluminum nanopowder two-level whiskers are present. Hexagonal single crystals are formed by combustion in air in a homogeneous magnetic field, and in case of inhomogeneous magnetic field (with induction of 0.3 T) faceted elongated crystals of micron size are generated. The crystallites of such structure are formed due to the mass transfer of the combustion products in the direction of thermal flows. Ordered six-sided crystal structures are formed by overcooling the oxidation products by the action of magnetic field and by increasing the mobility of their structural units in recrystallization thermal wave. According to electron- microscope investigation the formation of the faceted crystals is possible with optimal sizes of combustion product particles.
Influence of Severe Plastic Deformation on Physicomechanical Properties of Ti-40 mas % Nb Alloy
Authors: Kovalevskaya Zhanna G. , Khimich Margarita A. , Belyakov Andrey V. , Shulepov Ivan A.
Published: February 2016

The changes of the phase composition, structure and physicomechanical properties of Ti‑40 mas % Nb after severe plastic deformation are investigated in this paper. By the methods of microstructural, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy it is determined that phase and structural transformations occur simultaneously in the alloy after severe plastic deformation. The martensitic structure formed after tempering disappears. The inverse α'' → β transformation occurs. The structure consisting of oriented refined grains is formed. The alloy is hardened due to the cold working. The Young modulus is equal to 79 GPa and it is less than that of initial alloy and close to the value obtained after tempering. It is possible that Young modulus is reduced by additional annealing.
Distributed Information System for Processing and Storage of Meteorological Data
Authors: Sherstnyov Vladislav S. , Sherstnyova Anna I. , Botygin Igor A. , Kustov Denis A.
Published: February 2016

The following article features the results of developing distributed network storage of ground meteorological observation data. The data is represented with the national variant of international rapid transmission code of environment data from meteorological stations across the Russian Federation. They are available for researchers in both visual and common export formats. The design of the distributed network storage of meteorological data includes the following modules: dispatcher module (monitors calculation nodes, distributes data to nodes, processes client requests), client module (allows external researchers to access the meteorological data), terminal module (used to import new meteorological data), data processing and storage module (a node for distributed meteorological data storage, consists of two sub-modules for data processing and data storage respectively). The article displays the results of practical testing of the developed software. To simulate the cluster of informational and calculation servers in the pilot project, multithreading was used. Multithreading is supported by nearly every operational system for parallel data processing. The development tools chosen for the network storage allowed to design storage module interaction with the optimal efficiency, to ensure proper performance, stability and reliability of processing and managing large amounts of data. The obtained results allow using the designs for efficient management of meteorological surface observation data, for rapid data gathering, for systematization and storage of hydro-meteorological data in different alphanumeric codes and other related categories.
Fast Search for Intra Prediction Mode in H.265/HEVC Video Compression
Authors: Sharabayko Maxim P. , Markov Nikolay G.
Published: February 2016

Mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and other industries have a high demand for the video compression systems that are used, e.g., in CCTV and video sensing. The newest video compression standard H.265/HEVC provides the compression rate of 100–300 times to the uncompressed video. The side effect is the increase of a computational complexity of the compression system. This high complexity obstructs the industrial implementation of H.265/HEVC video compression systems. One of the main objectives is to reduce intra compression complexity. In this paper, we present our algorithm of a fast search for intra prediction mode in H.265/HEVC video compression. The algorithm on average provides only 1.9% bitrate increase with 41% timesaving.
Development of a Queuing System with Dynamic Priorities
Authors: Apachidi X.N. , Katsman Yu.Ya.
Published: February 2016

The article discusses the development of a queuing system with the use of various queuing disciplines. The authors have developed a model of the queuing system and conducted the experiments on system overload, which helped to distinguish its weaknesses and improve it using dynamic priorities. The priority is increased on a one-off basis for an entity with low priority under specified conditions. Consequent testing of the system has confirmed its robustness.
Studies on Influence of Chemical Modification, Plasticizer and Starch Concentration on Some Characteristics of Biodegradable Film
Authors: Riar C.S.
Published: February 2016

Starch was isolated from sweet potato and the process was standardized. It was found that the treatment ‘T8’ containing (0.25% potassium meta-bisulphite (KMS) and 0.12% citric acid) had shown excellent and promising result so far as residual protein, yield, past clarity and colour of the isolated starch was concerned. Chemical modification of isolate sweet potato starch at 3% and 5% (w/v) levels was carried out by acetylation using vinyl acetate concentration (4 to 10 %) and dual-modification using propylene oxide at a specific level of 7% and adipic acid anhydride (0.05 to 0.12%). Biodegradable films were prepared from the isolated native and modified starches. Glycerol at levels such as (0.25g/g, 0.35g/g, and 0.45g/g) was used as a plasticizer in the film preparation. Thickness of bio-films increased with increase in glycerol and starch concentrations whereas solubility decreased with increase in starch concentration and modification levels. Water and acid solubility of films prepared from native starch were highest which decreased in the acetylated starch films and further decreased in cross-linked starch films. With increase in starch and glycerol concentration tensile and puncture strengths of bio-films increased. Dual-modified starch films had shown higher mechanical strength than acetylated starches. The biodegradability was higher for native bio-films followed by acetylated starch and least for dual-modified films.
IMPACT OF MANNOSE-BINDING PROTEIN GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN OMANI SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS
Authors: Zachariah Mathew , Pathare Anil
Published: February 2016

Objectives: Our objective was to study mannose binding protein (MBP) polymorphisms in exonic and promoter region and correlate associated infections and vasoocculsive (VOC) episodes, since MBP plays an important role in innate immunity by activating the complement system.Methods: We studied the genetic polymorphisms in the Exon 1 (alleles A/O) and promoter region (alleles Y/X; H/L, P/Q) of the MBL2 gene, in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients as increased incidence of infections is seen in these patients. A PCR-based, targeted genomic DNA sequencing of MBL2 was used to study 68 SCD Omani patients and 44 controls (voluntary blood donors).Results: The observed frequencies of MBL2 promoter polymorphism (-221, Y/X) were 44.4% and 20.5% for the heterozygous genotype Y/X and 3.2% and 2.2% for the homozygous (X/X) respectively between SCD patients and controls. MBL2 Exon1 gene mutations were 29.4% and 50% for the heterozygous genotype A/O and 5.9% and 6.8% respectively for the homozygous (O/O) genotype between SCD patients and controls. The distribution of variant MBL2 polymorphisms did not show any correlation in SCD patients with or without vasoocculsive crisis (VOC) attacks (p=0.162; OR-0.486; CI=0.177 -1.33), however, it was correlated with infections (p=0.0162; OR-3.55; CI 1.25-10.04).Conclusions: Although the frequency of the genotypes and haplotypes of MBL2 in SCD patients did not differ from controls, overall in the SCD patient cohort the increased representation of variant alleles was significantly correlated with infections (p<0.05). However, these variant MBL2 polymorphisms did not seem to play a significant role in the VOC episodes in this SCD cohort.Keywords: Mannose-binding lectin, polymorphism, promoter, Sickle cell disease, MBL2, MBP
Ponatinib induced improvement of cutaneous lesions associated to accelerated phase of Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Breccia Massimo , Colafigli Gioia , Quattrocchi Luisa , Abruzzese Elisabetta , Alimena Giuliana
Published: February 2016

Ponatinib a third generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for all phases of disease in CML. In advanced phase, has been confirmed with a good efficacy in all type of resistance, including T315I kinase domain mutation. We here report activity of the drug in advanced phase with extramedullary localization.
Vitamin D insufficiency among children with cancer in India
Authors: Mohan Ram , Mohan Gem , Scott Julius , Rajendran Aruna , Paramasivam Venkatraman , Ravindran Manipriya
Published: February 2016

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating various homeostatic mechanisms and has yet untapped potential in cancer prevention and prognosis. Only a few studies have been done worldwide in relating the Vitamin D levels in pediatric cancer patients to the general population but none so far in an Indian setting to the best of our knowledge. Objective: To compare the Vitamin D levels in a group of children with cancer to that of the general pediatric population and to note differences in the prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency and make inferences arising from demographic and therapeutic variations. Materials and Methods: Vitamin D levels were found by immuno-chemilumino-metric assay in 102 children (51 cases and 51 controls) over a 6 months period. Results: In comparing the Vitamin D levels of children with cancer and controls from a healthy population we found an increased incidence of Vitamin D insufficiency in cancer children (80.39%) when compared to controls (50.98%) and a much lower mean Vitamin D value in cancer children (22.8 ng/ml) when compared to controls (33 ng/dl). It was also found that cancer children above 6 years had a greater chance for developing Vitamin D insufficiency (P = 0.038) as did children suffering from hematological malignancies (P = 0.025). Conclusion: Our study showed an increased prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency in children with cancer and hence we suggest routine measurement of Vitamin D levels in children with cancer and subsequent supplementation.
Hodgkin lymphoma: A clinicopathological and immunophenotypic study
Authors: Konkay Kaumudi , Paul Tara Roshni , Uppin Shantveer G , Rao Digumarti Raghunadha
Published: February 2016

Introduction: The diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is defined in terms of its microscopic appearance (histology) and the expression of cell surface markers (immunophenotype). Aims and objectives: This study aims to analyze the clinical features, histomorphology, and immunoprofile of over 200 patients of HL diagnosed over a period of 4 years at our institute and to determine relative frequency of various histological subtypes (based on WHO classification) in relation to age and sex distribution in this part of the country. Materials and Methods: All HL cases diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2009 were retrieved from hospital records. The histopathology of both lymph node and bone marrow biopsy (where ever available) along with immunohistochemistry (CD15, CD30, CD20, and ALK) were reviewed. Results: There was a bimodal age distribution. HL affected people a decade earlier than in the western population. The most common presenting complaint was cervical lymphadenopathy. Mixed cellularity was the most frequent subtype (67%), followed by nodular sclerosing subtype (23.5%). Group A (CD15+, CD30+, CD20−), which represents the archetypical immunophenotype of classical HL (CHL) was the most common type (60.6%). The number of CD15 negative CHL was 35.8% and CD20 positive CHL was 17.5%. CD15 negativity with CD20 positivity was seen in 5% CHL. One out of seven CD20 positive CHL patients showed relapse. Conclusion: In this paper, we have discussed in detail about various clinical and histopathological parameters of HL and their relative frequency in various histological subtypes. This paper is being presented as it is a rather large study from India taking into consideration the clinical, pathologic, and immunophenotypic profile of the patients.
Effect of alcoholic treated MWCNT on tensile behavior of epoxy composite
Authors: Tajammul Hussain M. , Gouda P.S. Shivakumar , Siddhalingeshwar I.G. , Kodancha Krishnaraja G.
Published: February 2016

In this work, the effect of alcoholic treatment of the multi-wall carbon nano-tube (MWCNT) on the mechanical properties of epoxy composites are investigated and compared. Nano-composites were developed by mixing 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75wt% of MWCNT. Tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and Elongation are found to be effectively improved with the addition of alcoholic functionalized MWCNT in epoxy matrix. Increased tensile strength and elastic modulus of epoxy composites loaded with the alcoholic functionalized MWCNT are observed through experimental studies. The results were compared with neat epoxy composite. These findings confirm that the improved dispersion and interfacial interaction in the composites arising from covalent bonds between the MWCNT and the epoxy matrix.Keywords: MWCNT, tensile strength, alcoholic treatment, tensile modulus, epoxy
La Sociedad para la Protección de Edificios Antiguos (SPAB)
Authors: Slocombe Matthew
Published: February 2016

En 1877, un pequeño grupo de pioneros entusiastas pusieron en práctica en Inglaterra las ideas del crítico de arte John Ruskin e ‘inventaron’ el primer movimiento de conservación de edificios del país. Esta organización – la SPAB – sigue viva en la actualidad. Este artículo examina cómo las ideas originales de la Sociedad – establecidas en su Manifiesto – han guiado a las labores de conservación en el Reino Unido y otros países. Hoy en día, el trabajo de la sociedad se ha expandido para abarcar la educación y formación, y responde a los nuevos retos que afrontan los edificios históricos, como la necesidad de reducir las emisiones de carbono mejorando la eficiencia energética del parque inmobiliario.
La restauración del ayuntamiento de Gotemburgo, Suecia
Authors: Nädele Mikael , Losman Caroline
Published: February 2016

Al ayuntamiento de Gothenburg se le ha dado una nueva vida. Tanto el exterior como el interior se han restaurado y conservado siguiendo su estado inicial. La organización del edificio se ha adaptado a las nuevas necesidades, gracias a la previsión de Gunnar Asplund de espacios abiertos y transparentes, con una circulación central. Esta descripción podríamos obtenerla del concepto de oficina moderna, que se desarrolla hoy en día para la oficina del futuro. Además el factor principal y más importante es su origen profundamente humano, que lo convierte en un espacio atemporal para trabajar incluso hoy en día.
Supporting local governance and local economic development – some experiences from Swaziland
Authors: Parker Terry
Published: February 2016

In the December 2012 issue of this Journal, Lucy Slack and Susan Rhodes (2012) of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) introduced a new CLGF programme focussing on improving governance and service delivery at local level in selected Commonwealth countries in Southern and West Africa and South Asia (CLGF no date; CLGF 2015). The initiative is in the third year of its four-year lifespan and it is opportune to examine progress made so far towards achieving the development aims sought by the programme funders, CLGF and partners in 2012. This contribution will explore the operationalisation of the programme to date through a snapshot of implementation in one country under the Southern Africa component of the programme, Swaziland. It will briefly describe how the project emerged, what it intends to achieve, examine progress to date and conclude with some observations around what has been learned so far. The paper draws on the author’s work as Regional Adviser for the CLGF Southern Africa Programme based in Pretoria and project documentation (see Acknowledgements).
Role of courts in interpreting local government's environmental powers in South Africa
Authors: Fuo Oliver
Published: February 2016

Local government in post-apartheid South Africa has undergone fundamental transformation. This is evident from its extensive governing powers and functions and its expanded developmental mandate. At the forefront of sustainable development, municipalities have legislative and executive powers to administer the matters listed in Schedules 4B and 5B of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Moreover, matters listed in Schedules 4A and 5A of the Constitution can be assigned to municipalities by national and provincial governments. Like other spheres of government, municipalities are obliged to contribute towards realising s 24 of the Constitution – guaranteeing environmental rights. However, the exact contours of their powers in promoting the objectives of s 24 of the Constitution are ill-defined and subject to ongoing definition by way of legislation, policies and case-law. This article argues that environmental litigation presents courts an opportunity to further redefine the powers of municipalities in fostering constitutional environmental objectives in South Africa. Drawing from Le Sueur and Another v eThekwini Municipality and Others [2013] ZAKZPHC 6 (30 January 2013), this article demonstrates how courts can play an important role in clarifying the environmental powers and functions of municipalities in South Africa. This article is based on a review of legal and extra-legal sources.
Network governance and capacity of local governments to deliver LED in Uganda
Authors: Namara Rose B , Karyeija Gerald Kagambirwe , Mubangizi Betty C
Published: February 2016

This paper discusses network governance and its contribution to the capacity of local governments (LGs) to deliver local economic development (LED) in Uganda. Although a formal LED policy was only established in Uganda in February 2014, there have been LED-inspired practices in the past decade. Various scholars and practitioners have observed that the autonomy and capacity of LGs to deliver LED is limited, but have been hopeful that new governance strategies like network governance would increase the capacities of LGs. However, neither network governance arrangements among LGs, nor their potential to improve governance capacity, have been documented. In a case study of Kyenjojo District, this paper finds that existing network governance arrangements have been fundamental in improving financial autonomy at this LG, delivering some income to invest in LED activities, although no evidence was found of reduced transaction costs in transforming local economies. The study further reveals that network governance arrangements have not led to the development of specialised skills in regulation or law enforcement, and capacity gaps are evident amongst staff and members in understanding the private sector and how it works. On a positive note, there is clear evidence of attempts by the LG to be innovative. Based on these findings, this study recommends that LGs need to consider a multi-pronged or multi-network governance approach to LED, which in turn will require a refocusing of governance mechanisms to become more dynamic and responsive, and offer incentives to the various actors in the development sector.
STUDY OF AFRICAN DUST WITH MULTI-WAVELENGTH RAMAN LIDAR DURING THE “SHADOW” CAMPAIGN IN SENEGAL
Authors: Veselovskii I. , Goloub P. , Podvin T. , Bovchaliuk V. , Derimian Y. , Augustin P. , Fourmentin M. , Tanre D. , Korenskiy M. , Whiteman D. N. , Diallo A. , Ndiaye T. , Kolgotin A. , Dubovik O.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. West Africa and the adjacent oceanic regions are very important locations for studying dust properties and their influence on weather and climate. The SHADOW (Study of SaHAran Dust Over West Africa) campaign is performing a multi-scale and multi-laboratory study of aerosol properties and dynamics using a set of in situ and remote sensing instruments at an observation site located at IRD (Institute for Research and Development) Center, Mbour, Senegal (14° N, 17° W). In this paper, we present the results of lidar measurements performed during the first phase of SHADOW which occurred in March-April, 2015. The multiwavelength Mie-Raman lidar acquired 3β + 2α + 1δ measurements during this period. This set of measurements has permitted particle intensive properties such as extinction and backscattering Ångström exponents (BAE) for 355/532 nm wavelengths corresponding lidar ratios and depolarization ratio at 532 nm to be determined. The mean values of dust lidar ratios during the observation period were about 53 sr at both 532 nm and 355 nm, which agrees with the values observed during the SAMUM 1 and SAMUM 2 campaigns held in Morocco and Cape Verde in 2006, 2008. The mean value of particle depolarization ratio at 532 nm was 30 ± 4.5 %, however during strong dust episodes this ratio increased to 35 ± 5 %, which is also in agreement with the results of the SAMUM campaigns. The backscattering Ångström exponent during the dust episodes decreased to ~ −0.7, while the extinction Ångström exponent though being negative, was greater than −0.2. Low values of BAE can likely be explained by an increase in the imaginary part of the dust refractive index at 355 nm compared to 532 nm. The dust extinction and backscattering coefficients at multiple wavelengths were inverted to the particle microphysics using the regularization algorithm and the model of randomly oriented spheroids. The analysis performed has demonstrated that the spectral dependence of the imaginary part of the dust refractive index may significantly influence the inversion results and should be taken into account.
The pelagic microbial food web structure in Sanggou Bay, Yellow Sea: Spatial variation over four successive seasons
Authors: Chen Xue , Zhang Wuchang , Denis Michel , Zhao Yuan , Huang Lingfeng , Jiang Zengjie , Xiao Tian
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Sanggou Bay (Yellow Sea, China) is a small semi-closed bay in the eastern part of the Shandong Peninsula. In order to characterise the Sanggou Bay microbial food web (MFW) structure, we first documented, over four successive seasons, the distributions of environmental variables and abundances and biomasses of heterotrophic prokaryotes (HP), Synechococcus (SYN), picoeukaryrotes (PEUK), heterotrophic and pigmented nanoflagellates (HNF & PNF) and ciliates. The four season distributions in the Sanggou Bay of environmental variables and MFW components were submitted to cluster analysis, leading to distinguish Inner Bay and Outer Bay clusters at each season. In addition, Outer Bay MFW was found identical to the Inner Bay one but with a delay of one season, thus limiting to 4 the number of MFW characterising Sanggou Bay in that survey. We confirmed the existence of a strong relationship between HNF and HP, and extended this empirical relationship to the other MFW components: SYN, PEUK, PNF and ciliates. We also established upper and lower empirical linear boundaries for all the MFW component relationships with HP. The existence of these boundaries in the complex system made by the MFW stresses the need for systemic studies like the ones conducted for multi-enzyme systems and metabolic pathways that lead to the metabolic control theory. To better determine the MFW structure, we normalised for each sample, the biomass of the MFW components by that of HP. The normalised biomasses of SYN, PEUK, PNF and HNF had obvious seasonal variations with high values in summer or autumn, while ciliate normalised biomasses were low in summer and exhibited high values in winter. The main MFW-structure difference between Inner and Outer Bay clusters came from biomass differences for SYN, PEUK and PNF, whereas other component biomass-values were similar between Inner and Outer Bay clusters. Our study showed that the normalisation method could be used in other marine area to study the microbial food web structure. Indeed, the efficiency of this approach to determine MFW structure was demonstrated by successfully applying it to a similar data set from the literature and related to the Arabian Sea.
Variability of daily winter wind speed distribution over Northern Europe during the past millennium in regional and global climate simulations
Authors: Bierstedt Svenja E. , Hünicke Birgit , Zorita Eduardo , Wagner Sebastian , Gómez-Navarro Juan José
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We analyse the variability of the probability distribution of daily wind speed in wintertime over Northern and Central Europe in a series of global and regional climate simulations covering the last centuries, and in reanalysis products covering approximately the last 60 years. The focus of the study lies on identifying the link of the variations in the wind speed distribution to the regional near-surface temperature, to the meridional temperature gradient and to the North Atlantic Oscillation. Our main result is that the link between the daily wind distribution and the regional climate drivers is strongly model dependent. The global models tend to behave similarly, although they show some discrepancies. The two regional models also tend to behave similarly to each other, but surprisingly the results derived from each regional model strongly deviates from the results derived from its driving global model. In addition, considering multi-centennial timescales, we find in two global simulations a long-term tendency for the probability distribution of daily wind speed to widen through the last centuries. The cause for this widening is likely the effect of the deforestation prescribed in these simulations. We conclude that no clear systematic relationship between the mean temperature, the temperature gradient and/or the North Atlantic Oscillation, with the daily wind speed statistics can be inferred from these simulations. The understanding of past and future changes in the distribution of wind speeds, and thus of wind speed extremes, will require a detailed analysis of the representation of the interaction between large-scale and small-scale dynamics.
Assessing performance and seasonal bias of pollen-based climate reconstructions in a perfect model world
Authors: Rehfeld Kira , Trachsel Mathias , Telford Richard , Laepple Thomas
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Reconstructions of summer, winter or annual mean temperatures based on the species composition of bio-indicators such as pollen, foraminifera or chironomids are routinely used in climate model-proxy data comparison studies. Most reconstruction algorithms exploit the joint distribution of modern spatial climate and species distribution for the development of the reconstructions. They rely on the assumption of ''uniformitarianism'', which implies that environmental variables other than those reconstructed should not be important, or that their relationship with the reconstructed variable(s) should be the same in the past as in the modern spatial calibration dataset. Here we test the implications of uniformitarianism on such reconstructions in an ideal model world, in which climate and vegetation are known at all times. The alternate reality is a climate simulation of last 6000 years with dynamic vegetation. Transient changes of plant functional types are considered as surrogate pollen counts, and allow to establish, apply and evaluate transfer functions in the modeled world. We find that the transfer function cross-validation r2 is of limited use to identify reconstructible climate variables, as it only relies on the modern spatial climate/vegetation relationship. However, ordination approaches that assess the amount of fossil vegetation variance explained by the reconstructions are promising. We furthermore show that correlations between climate variables in the modern climate/vegetation relationship are systematically extended into the reconstructions. Summer temperatures, the most prominent driving variable for modelled vegetation change in the Northern Hemisphere, are accurately reconstructed. However, the amplitude of the winter and mean annual temperature cooling between the mid-Holocene and present day is overestimated, and similar to the summer trend in magnitude. This effect occurs, because temporal changes of a dominant climate variable, such as summer temperature, are imprinted on a less important variable, leading to reconstructions biased towards the dominant variable's trends. Our results indicate that reconstructions of multiple climate variables from the same bio-indicator dataset should be treated with caution. Expert knowledge on the eco-physiological drivers of the proxies, and statistical methods that go beyond the cross-validation on modern calibration datasets are crucial to avoid misinterpretation.
The cost of ending groundwater overdraft on the North China Plain
Authors: Davidsen Claus , Liu Suxia , Mo Xingguo , Rosbjerg Dan , Bauer-Gottwein Peter
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Overexploitation of groundwater reserves is a major environmental problem around the world. In many river basins, groundwater and surface water are used conjunctively and joint optimization strategies are required. A hydroeconomic modeling approach is used to find cost-optimal sustainable surface water and groundwater allocation strategies for a river basin, given an arbitrary initial groundwater level in the aquifer. A simplified management problem with conjunctive use of scarce surface water and groundwater under inflow and recharge uncertainty is presented. Because of head-dependent groundwater pumping costs the optimization problem is nonlinear and non-convex, and a genetic algorithm is used to solve the one-step-ahead subproblems with the objective of minimizing the sum of immediate and expected future costs. A real-world application in the water-scarce Ziya River basin in northern China is used to demonstrate the model capabilities. Persistent overdraft from the groundwater aquifers on the North China Plain has caused declining groundwater levels. The model maps the marginal cost of water in different scenarios, and the minimum cost of ending groundwater overdraft in the basin is estimated to be CNY 5.58 billion yr−1. The study shows that it is cost-effective to slowly recover the groundwater aquifer to a level close to the surface, while gradually lowering the groundwater value to the equilibrium at CNY 2.15 m−3. The model can be used to guide decision-makers to economic efficient long-term sustainable management of groundwater and surface water resources.
Influence of environmental factors on spectral characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in Inner Mongolia Plateau, China
Authors: Wen Z. D. , Song K. S. , Zhao Y. , Du J. , Ma J. H.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Spectral characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were examined in conjunction with environmental factors in the waters of rivers and terminal lakes within the Hulun Buir plateau, northeast China. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorous (TP) were significantly higher in terminal lakes than rivers waters (p  <  0.01). Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that non-water light absorption and anthropogenic nutrient disturbances were the likely causes of the diversity of water quality parameters. CDOM absorption in river waters was significantly lower than terminal lakes. Analysis of the ratio of absorption at 250 to 365 nm (E250 : 365), specific ultraviolet (UV) absorbance (SUVA254), and the spectral slope ratio (Sr) indicated that CDOM in river waters had higher aromaticity, molecular weight, and vascular plant contribution than in terminal lakes. Furthermore, results showed that DOC concentration, CDOM light absorption, and the proportion of autochthonous sources of CDOM in plateau waters were all higher than in other freshwater rivers reported in the literature. The strong evapoconcentration, intense ultraviolet irradiance, and landscape features of the Hulun Buir plateau may be responsible for the above phenomenon. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that the environmental variables total suspended matter (TSM), TN, and electrical conductivity (EC) had a strong correlation with light absorption characteristics, followed by total dissolved solid (TDS) and chlorophyll a. In most sampling locations, CDOM was the dominant non-water light-absorbing substance. Light absorption by non-algal particles often exceeded that by phytoplankton in the plateau waters. Study of these optical–physicochemical correlations is helpful in the evaluation of the potential influence of water quality factors on non-water light absorption in cold plateau water environments. The construction of a correlation between DOC concentration and water quality factors may help contribute to regional estimates of carbon sources and fate for catchment carbon budget assessments.
ENSO-Conditioned Weather Resampling Method for Seasonal Ensemble Streamflow Prediction
Authors: Beckers Joost V. L. , Weerts Albrecht H. , Tijdeman Erik , Welles Edwin
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Oceanic-atmospheric climate modes, such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), are known to affect the local streamflow regime in many rivers around the world. A method is proposed to incorporate climate mode information into the Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP) method for seasonal forecasting. The ESP is conditioned on an ENSO index in two steps. First, a number of original historical ESP traces are selected based on similarity between the index value in the historical year and the index value at the time of forecast. In the second step, additional ensemble traces are generated by a stochastic ENSO-conditioned weather resampler. These resampled traces compensate for the reduction of ensemble size in the first step and prevent degradation of forecast skill in sub-basins that are less affected by ENSO. The skill of the ENSO-conditioned ESP is evaluated over 50 years of seasonal reforecasts of streamflows in three sub-basins of the Columbia River basin in the Pacific Northwest. An improvement in forecast skill up to 10% is found.
Application and analysis of debris-flow early warning system in Wenchuan earthquake-affected area
Authors: Liu D. L. , Zhang S. J. , Yang H. J. , Zhao L. Q. , Jiang Y. H. , Tang D. , Leng X. P.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The activities of debris flow (DF) in the Wenchuan earthquake-affected area significantly increased after the earthquake on 12 May 2008. The safety of the lives and property of local people is threatened by DFs. A physics-based early warning system (EWS) for DF forecasting was developed and applied in this earthquake area. This paper introduces an application of the system in the Wenchuan earthquake-affected area and analyzes the prediction results via a comparison to the DF events triggered by the strong rainfall events reported by the local government. The prediction accuracy and efficiency was first compared with a contribution-factor-based system currently used by the weather bureau of Sichuan province. The storm on 17 August 2012 was used as a case study for this comparison. The comparison shows that the false negative rate and false positive rate of the new system is, respectively, 19 and 21 % lower than the system based on the contribution factors. Consequently, the prediction accuracy is obviously higher than the system based on the contribution factors with a higher operational efficiency. On the invitation of the weather bureau of Sichuan province, the authors upgraded their prediction system of DF by using this new system before the monsoon of Wenchuan earthquake-affected area in 2013. Two prediction cases on 9 July 2013 and 10 July 2014 were chosen to further demonstrate that the new EWS has high stability, efficiency, and prediction accuracy.