bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les mots de la guerre au Moyen Âge : étymologie, usage et évolution sémantique
Authors: Planelles Iváñez Montserrat
Published: March 2019

La guerre fait partie de l’univers socioculturel du Moyen Âge. Nous nous proposons de parcourir La Chanson de Roland pour étudier le lexique propre à la guerre. Notre analyse se limitera au vocabulaire de la guerre dans cette chanson de geste et ne portera que sur des éléments significatifs autour de trois grands concepts : le guerrier (guerrier, chevalier, cheval, escuier, armer), l’équipement et les armes (armeüre, haubert, escu, espée, javelot, oriflamme, enseigne, baniere) et l’armée (ost, armée, conestablie, cumpaignie, semondre, soldeiers, concorde, front, rereguarde, bataille, meslée). Notre objectif est d’observer ce champ sémantique du point de vue lexicologique, avec une démarche diachronique. En conséquence, nous présenterons les familles morphologiques et sémantiques des unités lexicales les plus représentatives en étudiant leur étymologie ainsi que leur évolution sémantique et leur survivance.
Using airborne observations to improve estimates of short-lived halocarbon emissions during summer from Southern Ocean
Authors: Asher Elizabeth , Hornbrook Rebecca S. , Stephens Britton B. , Kinnison Doug , Morgan Eric J. , Keeling Ralph F. , Atlas Elliot L. , Schauffler Sue M. , Tilmes Simone , Kort Eric A. , Hoecker-Martínez Martin S. , Long Matt C. , Lamarque Jean-François , Saiz-Lopez Alfonso , McKain Kathryn , Sweeney Colm , Hills Alan J. , Apel Eric C.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. We present observations of CHBr3, CH2Br2, CH3I, CHClBr2, and CHBrCl2 from the Trace Gas Organic Analyzer (TOGA) during the O2/N2 Ratio and CO2 Airborne Southern Ocean (ORCAS) study and the 2nd Atmospheric Tomography mission (ATom-2), in January and February of 2016 and 2017. We also use CH3Br from the University of Miami Advanced Whole Air Sampler (AWAS) on ORCAS and from the UC Irvine Whole Air Sampler (WAS) on ATom-2. We compare our observations with simulations from the Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM-Chem). We report regional enrichment ratios of CHBr3 and CH2Br2 to O2 of 0.19 ± 0.01, and 0.07 ± 0.004 pmol : mol, poleward of 60° S between 180° W and 55° W, and of 0.32 ± 0.02, 0.07 ± 0.004 pmol : mol over the Patagonian Shelf, between 40° S and 55° S and between 70° W and 55° W where we also report enrichment ratios of CH3I to O2 of 0.38 ± 0.03 pmol : mol and of CH2ClBr2 to O2 of 0.19 ± 0.04 pmol: mol. Using the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) particle dispersion model, we use correlations between halogenated hydrocarbon mixing ratios and the upwind influences of chlorophyll a, sea ice, solar radiation, and dissolved organic material to investigate previously hypothesized sources of halogenated volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) in the southern high latitudes. Our results are consistent with a biogenic regional source of CHBr3, and both non-biological and biological sources of CH3I over these regions, but do not corroborate a regional sea-ice source of HVOCs in January and February. Based on these relationships, we estimate the average two-month (Jan.-Feb.) emissions poleward of 60° S between 180° W and 55° W of CHBr3, CH2Br2, CH3I, and CHClBr2 to be 91 ± 8, 31 ± 17, 35 ± 29, and 11 ± 4 pmol m−2 hr−1, and regional emissions of these gases over the Patagonian Shelf to be 329 ± 23, 69 ± 5, 392 ± 32, 24 ± 4 pmol m−2 hr−1 respectively.
On the representation of major stratospheric warmings in reanalyses
Authors: Ayarzagüena Blanca , Palmeiro Froila M. , Barriopedro David , Calvo Natalia , Langematz Ulrike , Shibata Kiyotaka
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) represent one of the most abrupt phenomena of the boreal wintertime stratospheric variability, and constitute the clearest example of coupling between the stratosphere and the troposphere. A good representation of SSWs in climate models is required to reduce their biases and uncertainties in future projections of stratospheric variability. The ability of models to reproduce these phenomena is usually assessed with just one reanalysis. However, the number of reanalyses has increased in the last decade and their own biases may affect the model evaluation. Here we compare the representation of the main aspects of SSWs across reanalyses. The examination of their main characteristics in the pre- and post-satellite periods reveals that reanalyses behave very similarly in both periods. However, discrepancies are larger in the pre-satellite period than afterwards, particularly for the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. All datasets reproduce similarly the specific features of wavenumber-1 and wavenumber-2 SSWs. A good agreement among reanalyses is also found for triggering mechanisms, tropospheric precursors and surface fingerprint. In particular, differences in blocking precursor activity of SSWs across reanalyses are much smaller than between blocking definitions.
Marine liquid cloud geometric thickness retrieved from OCO-2's oxygen A-band spectrometer
Authors: Richardson Mark , Leinonen Jussi , Cronk Heather Q. , McDuffie James , Lebsock Matthew D. , Stephens Graeme L.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. This paper introduces the OCO2CLD-LIDAR-AUX product, which uses the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared
Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) lidar and the Orbiting Carbon
Observatory-2 (OCO-2) hyperspectral A-band spectrometer. CALIPSO provides a
prior cloud top pressure (Ptop) for an OCO-2-based retrieval of
cloud optical depth, Ptop and cloud geometric thickness expressed
in hPa. Measurements are of single-layer liquid clouds over oceans from
September 2014 to December 2016 when collocated data are available. Retrieval
performance is best for solar zenith angles <45∘ and when
the cloud phase classification, which also uses OCO-2's weak CO2
band, is more confident. The highest quality optical depth retrievals agree
with those from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
with discrepancies smaller than the MODIS-reported uncertainty. Retrieved
thicknesses are consistent with a substantially subadiabatic structure over
marine stratocumulus regions, in which extinction is weighted towards the
cloud top. Cloud top pressure in these clouds shows a 4 hPa bias compared
with CALIPSO which we attribute mainly to the assumed vertical structure of
cloud extinction after showing little sensitivity to the presence of
CALIPSO-identified aerosol layers or assumed cloud droplet effective radius.
This is the first case of success in obtaining internal cloud structure from
hyperspectral A-band measurements and exploits otherwise unused OCO-2 data.
This retrieval approach should provide additional constraints on
satellite-based estimates of cloud droplet number concentration from visible
imagery, which rely on parameterization of the cloud thickness.
Albedo-Ice Regression method for determining ice water content of polar mesospheric clouds using ultraviolet observations from space
Authors: Thomas Gary E. , Lumpe Jerry , Bardeen Charles , Randall Cora E.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. High spatial resolution images of polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs)
from a camera array on board the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite
have been obtained since 2007. The Cloud Imaging and Particle Size
Experiment (CIPS) detects scattered ultraviolet (UV) radiance at a variety
of scattering angles, allowing the scattering phase function to be measured
for every image pixel. With well-established scattering theory, the mean
particle size and ice water content (IWC) are derived. In the nominal mode
of operation, approximately seven scattering angles are measured per cloud
pixel. However, because of a change in the orbital geometry in 2016, a new
mode of operation was implemented such that one scattering
angle, or at most two, per pixel are now available. Thus particle size and IWC can no longer
be derived from the standard CIPS algorithm. The Albedo-Ice Regression (AIR)
method was devised to overcome this obstacle. Using data from both a
microphysical model and from CIPS in its normal mode, we show that the AIR
method provides sufficiently accurate average IWC so that PMC IWC can be
retrieved from CIPS data into the future, even when albedo is not measured
at multiple scattering angles. We also show from the model that 265 nm UV
scattering is sensitive only to ice particle sizes greater than about 20–25 nm
in (effective) radius and that the operational CIPS algorithm has an
average error in retrieving IWC of -13±17 %.
The importance of particle size distribution shape for triple-frequency radar retrievals of the morphology of snow
Authors: Mason Shannon L. , Hogan Robin J. , Westbrook Christopher D. , Kneifel Stefan , Moisseev Dmitri
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The accurate representation of ice particles is essential for both remotely-sensed estimates of cloud and precipitation and numerical models of the atmosphere. As it is typical in radar retrievals to assume that all snow is composed of unrimed aggregate snowflakes, both denser rimed snow and the mixed-phase cloud in which riming occurs may be under-diagnosed in retrievals, and therefore difficult to evaluate in weather and climate models. Recent experimental and numerical studies have yielded methods for using triple-frequency radar measurements to distinguish fractal aggregate snowflakes from more dense and homogeneous rimed particles. In this study we investigate which parameters of the particle size distribution (PSD) and morphology of ice particles are most important to the triple-frequency radar signature of snow, in order to carry out an optimal estimation retrieval using triple-frequency Doppler radar observations. We represent a range of ice particle morphologies using a fractal model for aggregate snowflakes and homogeneous spheroids to represent rimed graupel-like particles, and modulate the prefactor and exponent of the particles' mass-size relations with a density factor. We find that for both fractal particles and homogeneous spheroids the PSD shape has a greater influence on the triple-frequency radar signature than the density factor, and show that the PSD shape must be allowed to vary to adequately constrain a triple-frequency radar retrieval of snow. We then demonstrate a novel triple-frequency Doppler radar retrieval of three parameters of the PSD as well as particle density, and show that the estimated snow rate, PSD and bulk density compare well against in situ observations at the surface. In a case study of compact rimed snow, we find that triple-frequency radar measurements provide a strong constraint on the estimation of PSD shape, but a relatively weak constraint on particle density, which we find can be more directly estimated from the Doppler velocity due to the relation between particle density and fallspeed. Including variations in PSD shape as well as particle morphology allows for a better representation of the triple-frequency radar signatures of rimed and unrimed snow, and suggests the potential for making new insights into the interaction between particles during aggregation and riming mechanisms. However, we find that improved representation of the PSD shape has a limited impact on improved estimates of snow rate from radar. The importance of the PSD shape to triple-frequency radar retrievals of snow suggests that further work is needed to account for variations in PSD shape before triple-frequency radar measurements can be used to better constrain particle morphology.
High-precision monitoring of compliance with fuel sulfur content through UAV measurements of ship emissions
Authors: Zhou Fan , Pan Shengda , Chen Wei , Ni Xunpeng , An Bowen
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Efficient supervision of ship emissions is currently a major concern of maritime authorities. A potential solution is the establishment of Emission Control Areas (ECAs), through which pollution from ship exhaust gas can be reduced. Nevertheless, ECAs should be strictly monitored to control ship emissions and maintain a healthy environment. In this study, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based measurement system for exhaust gas from ships was designed and developed. Waigaoqiao port in the Yangtze River Delta, an ECA in China, was selected for monitoring compliance with fuel sulfur content. Unlike in situ or airborne measurements, the proposed measurement could be used to determine the smoke plume at about 5 m from the chimney mouth of ships, providing a means for estimating the fuel sulfur content (FSC) of ship. In order to verify the accuracy of this measurement, fuel samples were collected and sent to the laboratory for chemical examination, and these two types of measurements were compared. After more than 20 comparative experiments, the results show that, in general, the deviation of the estimated value for FSC is less than 0.03 % (m m−1). Hence, UAV measurement can be used for high-precision monitoring of ECAs for compliance with FSC.
Interannual variability in the summer dissolved organic matter inventory of the North Sea: implications for the continental shelf pump
Authors: Chaichana Saisiri , Jickells Tim , Johnson Martin
Published: March 2019

Abstract. We present the distribution and C:N stoichiometry of
dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the North Sea in two summers (August 2011 and
August 2012), with supporting data from the intervening winter (January 2012). These data
demonstrate local variability superimposed on a general pattern of decreasing DOM with
increasing distance from land, suggesting concentrations of DOM are controlled on large
spatial scales by mixing between the open North Atlantic and either riverine sources or
high DOM productivity in nearshore coastal waters driven by riverine nutrient discharge.
Given the large size and long residence time of water in the North Sea, we find
concentrations are commonly modified from simple conservative mixing between two
endmembers. We observe differences in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved
organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations and land–ocean gradients between the two summers,
leading to an estimated 10–20 Tg difference in the DOC inventory between the two years,
which is of the same order of magnitude as the annual uptake of atmospheric CO2
by the North Sea system, and thus significant for the carbon budget of the North Sea.
This difference is not consistent with additional terrestrial loading and is more likely
to be due to balancing of mixing and in situ production and loss processes across the
North Sea. Differences were particularly pronounced in the bottom layer of the seasonally
stratifying northern North Sea, with higher DOC and C:N ratio in 2011 than in
2012. Using other data, we consider the extent to which these differences in the
concentrations and C:N ratio of DOM could be due to changes in the biogeochemistry
or physical circulation in the two years, or a combination of both. The evidence we have
is consistent with a flushing event in winter 2011/12 exchanging DOM-rich, high
C:N shelf waters, which may have accumulated over more than 1 year, with deep
North Atlantic waters with lower DOC and marginally higher DON. We discuss the
implications of these observations for the shelf sea carbon pump and the export of
carbon-rich organic matter off the shelf and hypothesise that intermittent flushing of
temperate shelf systems may be a key mechanism in the maintenance of the continental
shelf pump, via the accumulation and subsequent export of carbon-rich DOM.
Estimating global gross primary productivity using chlorophyll fluorescence and a data assimilation system with the BETHY-SCOPE model
Authors: Norton Alexander J. , Rayner Peter J. , Koffi Ernest N. , Scholze Marko , Silver Jeremy D. , Wang Ying-Ping
Published: March 2019

Abstract. This paper presents the assimilation of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) into a terrestrial biosphere model to estimate the gross uptake of carbon through photosynthesis (GPP). We use the BETHY-SCOPE model to simulate both GPP and SIF using a process-based formulation, going beyond a simple linear scaling between the two. We then use satellite SIF data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) for 2015 in the data assimilation system to constrain model biophysical parameters and GPP. The assimilation results in considerable improvement in the fit between model and observed SIF, despite a limited capability to fit regions with large seasonal variability in SIF. The SIF assimilation increases global GPP by 31 % to 167 ± 5 Pg C yr−1 and shows an improvement in the global distribution of productivity relative to independent estimates, but a large difference in magnitude. This change in global GPP is driven by an overall increase in photosynthetic light-use efficiency across almost all biomes and more minor, regionally distinct changes in APAR. This process-based data assimilation opens up new pathways to the effective utilization of satellite SIF data to improve our understanding of the global carbon cycle.
A hydrological model for root zone water storage simulation on a global scale
Authors: Mao Ganquan , Liu Junguo
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The soil water stored in the root zone is a critical variable for many applications as it plays key role in several hydrological and atmospheric processes. Many studies have been done to obtain reliable soil water information in the root zone layer. However, most of them are mainly focused on the soil moisture in a certain depth rather than the water stored in the entire rooting system. In this work, a hydrological model is developed to simulate the root zone water storage (RZWS) on a global scale. The model is based on a well validated lumped model and has been extended now to a distribution model. To reflect the natural spatial heterogeneity of the plant rooting system across the world, a key variable that influencing the RZWS, i.e. root zone storage capacity (RZSC), is integrated into the model. The newly developed model is evaluated on runoff and RZWS simulation across ten major basins. The evaluation of runoff indicates the strong capacity of the model for monthly simulation with a good performance on time series and distribution depiction. Results also show the ability of the model for RZWS dynamics mimicing in most of the regions. This model may offer benefits for many applications due to its ability for RZWS simulation. However, attentions need to also be paid for application as the high latitude regions are not investigated by this work due to the incomplete latitudinal coverage of the RZSC. Therefore, the performance of the model in such regions are not justified.
Can the Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica sand-fixing forest develop sustainably in a semi-arid region?
Authors: Cheng Yiben , Zhan Hongbin , Shi Mingchang
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Desertification is a global environmental and societal concern at present, and China is one of the countries that face the most severe damage of desertification. China’s so-called Three North shelterbelt Program (3NSP) has produced a vast area of lined forest in the semi-arid regions with the purpose of battling desertification. Such a wind-breaking and sand-fixing forest has successfully slowed down the incursion of desert. However, the vast artificial forestry consumes a large amount of water resources, which profoundly affect the fragile ecological environment in the semi-arid regions. In turn, a large amount of water loss also causes a great number of vegetation deaths or defects. To understand the water balance and sustainable development of artificial forest in semi-arid region, this study uses the 30-year-old lined Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica sand-fixing forest in the eastern part of Mu Us Sandy land in Northwestern China as an example. Specifically, this investigation studies the redistribution of water in soil under existing precipitation conditions, so as to evaluate whether the rain-feed forestry can develop sustainably or not. Rain gauge, newly designed lysimeter and soil moisture sensor are used to monitor precipitation, deep soil recharge (DSR) and soil water content, resulting in an accurate estimation of annual moisture distribution of the rain-feed Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica. The study shows that there are two obvious moisture recharge processes in an annual base for the Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica forest soil in Mu Us Sandy land: 1) the snow melted water infiltration-recharge process in the spring, and 2) the precipitation-recharge process in the summer. The recharge depth of the first process is 160 cm. The second process results in DSR (referring to recharge that can reach a depth more than 200 cm and may eventually replenish the groundwater reservoir). The DSR of 2016–2018 is 1.4 mm, 0.2 mm, 1.2 mm, respectively. To reach the recharge depths of 20 cm, 40 cm, 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm, and 200 cm, the corresponding precipitation intensities have to be 2.6 mm/d, 3.2 mm/d, 3.4 mm/d, 8.2 mm/d, 8.2 mm/d, and 13.2 mm/d, respectively. The annual evaporation amount in the Mu Us Sandyland Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica forest is 426.96 mm in 2016, 324.6 mm in 2017, 416.253 mm in 2018. This study concludes that under the current precipitation conditions, very small but observable DSR happened, thus the groundwater system underneath the forest may be replenished, meaning that the artificial Pinus forestry can probably develop sustainably. This study confirms that developing limited amount forestry in semi-arid regions is likely in a sustainable fashion. The widely variable annual precipitation in semi-arid areas may affect this conclusion and should be investigated in the future.
Technical note: Laboratory modelling of urban flooding: strengths and challenges of distorted scale models
Authors: Li Xuefang , Erpicum Sébastien , Bruwier Martin , Mignot Emmanuel , Finaud-Guyot Pascal , Archambeau Pierre , Pirotton Michel , Dewals Benjamin
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Laboratory experiments are a viable approach for improving
process understanding and generating data for the validation of computational
models. However, laboratory-scale models of urban flooding in street networks
are often distorted, i.e. different scale factors are used in the horizontal
and vertical directions. This may result in artefacts when transposing the
laboratory observations to the prototype scale (e.g. alteration of secondary
currents or of the relative importance of frictional resistance). The
magnitude of such artefacts was not studied in the past for the specific case
of urban flooding. Here, we present a preliminary assessment of these
artefacts based on the reanalysis of two recent experimental datasets related
to flooding of a group of buildings and of an entire urban district,
respectively. The results reveal that, in the tested configurations, the
influence of model distortion on the upscaled values of water depths and
discharges are both of the order of 10 %. This research contributes to
the advancement of our knowledge of small-scale physical processes involved in urban
flooding, which are either explicitly modelled or parametrized in urban
hydrology models.
Before the fire: Assessing post-wildfire flooding and debris-flow
hazards for pre-disaster mitigation
Authors: Youberg Ann M. , Loverich Joseph B. , Kellogg Michael J. , Fuller Jonathan E.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Increasing size and severity of wildfires, and the expanding built environment into the wildland-urban interface makes it imperative that local governments identify, prepare for and reduce risks to people and infrastructure from wildfires and the aftermaths of fires. Here we report on a pre-wildfire assessment of post-fire hazards in Coconino County, Arizona, the mitigation measures identified and implemented as a result of the study, and proposed changes to the assessment methodology for upcoming studies. Results from the Coconino County study indicate that up to 34 % of the buildings, and up to 26 % of the critical facilities countywide are at some level of increased risk of post-fire flooding if no actions are taken to reduce the risk of severe wildfires. As many as 593 homes (2,191 parcels) in Coconino County, as well as 13 dams and other critical facilities, may be impacted by post-fire debris flows. In two smaller areas of detailed study, flood peaks could increase as much as 4–5 times the existing 100-year flood levels, with up to a 350 % increase in the number of buildings in flood-prone areas. Debris flows will likely be limited in aerial extent but could impact a much larger area from following floods and sediment-laden flows. Mitigation measures identified and implemented as a result of this study include County Coconino County coordination with the Kaibab National Forest in regard to forest health projects, development of a post-wildfire emergency action plan for the City of Williams, development of a Post-Fire, Pre-Disaster plan for the City of Williams and educating the City of Williams and County officials and business stakeholders of the post-fire flood risk. Other mitigation measures that are still in the planning stage include installation of additional early flood warning system gages, and increasing building and infrastructure resiliency through channel conveyance improvement and utility protection projects. For two upcoming assessments, we plan to use a new statistical methodology to develop burn severity maps using historical burns, and we plan to employ a new process-based debris-flow model developed for use in Arizona to assess debris-flow inundation limits.
A Review of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL): Development, Challenges, and Future Impact
Authors: Mirani Javed Iqbal , Lohar Shokat Ali , Jat Abdul Razaque Lanjwani , Faheem Muhammad
Published: March 2019

The use of computer technology has become compulsory in education particularly in foreign language teaching and learning. It is known as Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Language teachers and learners usually take more interest to utilize technology like mobile phone, computer, and internet in their teaching and learning. CALL has unlocked innovative dimensions in learning. Further, CALL offers advanced learning and teaching methods such as Audio–Video, Cognitive and Communicative approaches. Learning with help of CALL improves students’ cognitive and communicative abilities more as compare to traditional methods of teaching and learning. Cognitive learning makes learner responsible for his own learning and communicative approach improves learner communication skills in the language. It is necessary to consider major aspects of CALL. This paper discusses detail information about Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The overview focus is especially on the development of CALL, Challenges and Future Impact on language teaching and learning.
Dividend Policy and Share Price Volatility: Evidence from Jordan
Authors: Almanaseer Sufian Radwan
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to study the relationship between dividend policy and share price volatility in insurance companies listed in the Amman Stock Exchange. A sample of 20 companies from 23 insurance companies listed in the Amman Stock Exchange was selected. The current study used two main measurements of dividend policy, dividend yield, and payout ratio, by applying multiple linear regressions for the period 2008 to 2017. The main regression model was modified by adding control variables including firm size, earnings volatility, financial leverage and growth in assets. The study finds a significant negative relationship between share price volatility and dividend yield and payout ratio. But the most impact variable on share price volatility was dividend yield.
Body sensor networks for monitoring performances in sports: A brief overview and some new thoughts
Authors: Sattar Farook , Azad AKM Abdul Malek , Sikder Md Sarfaraj , Arefin Md Shamsul
Published: March 2019

This paper aims to review on body sensor networks (BSNs) for sports from performance monitoring point of view with some new thoughts. The focus of the paper is to show that wearable sensor is more efficient than cameras in measuring sport performance and thereby video data and video based systems can be replaced by wearable sensors. Here, the current state-of-the art in BSNs are mainly introduced relating to sports performance instead of physical activity and health/safety related issues for sports and to the best of our knowledge, this has not been done yet for different types of sports rather than a particular sport. Although the progress in BSN for sports performance is in early stage, the ultimate goal is to develop a complete training/match analysis tool using wearable sensors and various analyses techniques to monitor as well as improve performances in sports.
Information is a key prerequisite for perceived relevance of patient reported outcome data (PRO data): A multicenter questionnaire study
Authors: Kildemand Malene , Lindegaard Hanne Merete , Rothmann Mette Juel , Nørgaard Birgitte
Published: March 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of patient reported outcome data (PRO data) as assessed by arthritis patients in a Danish hospital setting.Methods: The study was conducted as a multicenter questionnaire survey comprising patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis at three rheumatology outpatient clinics. Respondents with experience of reporting PRO data were recruited. The recruitment took place in March 2017.Results: A total of 98 respondents were included. We found significant correlation between respondents’ level of information about PRO data and the perceived relevance of PRO data questions. Remarkably, a third of the respondents stated that PRO data prepared neither themselves nor the healthcare professionals for the consultation, while 40% found that their PRO data responses were not used during consultations with healthcare professionals.Conclusions: The respondents’ assessment of the relevance of PRO data depended on the information offered to them. In recognition of its potential as a tool for patient involvement, the use of PRO data should be formally integrated in routine clinical care.
Assessment and Selection of Contractors in Specific Contracting Projects with Supply Chain Approach, Using GRAY and AHP Methods as Decision Support
Authors: Najiazarpour Sara , Pouresfandyani Homa
Published: March 2019

In our current conditions, it is not possible for all contractors to participate in specific construction project tenders due to the social, political and many other circumstances. Therefore, employers select appropriate contractors in two qualitative and quantitative stages; the second stage criteria are more important than the first stage. In this research, different stages for the evaluation and ranking of contractors in tenders of projects with specific conditions have been investigated. Researchers have tried to provide a comprehensive and complete approach to select a more appropriate contractor as an optimization method. In the first stage of the tender, the researchers used the GRAY method to rank contractors. In the second stage, they used AHP method to assess and rank the criteria of the contractors brought to this stage. Finally, the appropriate contractor selected and announced to the employer.
Defensins in humans and animals
Authors: Deptuła Jakub , Tokarz-Deptuła Beata , Deptuła Wiesław
Published: March 2019

Defensins are immune peptides - HDP (Host Defense Peptides) that present high activity against viruses, bacteria and fungi in mammals, including humans. They are an important element of natural resistance in macroorganisms, when microorganisms couldn’t developed this resistance during the evolution. Defensins in vertebrate macroorganisms, have direct and indirect impact on germs, including stimulating the synthesis of immune substances such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors.
Disrupted Treg/Th17 balance in patients with recurrent furunculosis
Authors: Nowicka Danuta , Grywalska Ewelina , Grafka Agnieszka , Fitas Elżbieta , Surdacka Agata , Roliński Jacek
Published: March 2019

Aim: Tregs and Th17 functioning may be impaired in patients with recurrent furunculosis (RF); therefore, we analyzed changes in CD4+ lymphocyte T subsets (Treg/Th17) in patients with RF, and assessed the relationships between increased susceptibility to infections and Treg/Th17 status in RF patients and healthy subjects.
Material/Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 30 patients with RF and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were examined. The percentage and number of Th17 cells, Tregs, and other basic lymphocyte subsets were examined.
Results: Tregs and CD3+CD4+ count was significantly lower in patients with RF (p <0.0001 and p = 0.0003), while Th17 and CD19+CD25+ cell count was significantly higher (p = 0.0450 and p = 0.0119) in comparison with controls. Strong positive correlations occurred between the following subsets of cells: Th17 and Th CD3+CD4+(r = 0.55, p<0.05); CD3+CD4+T17 and CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes (r = 0.66, p <0.05); CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes and CD3+CD25+ lymphocytes (r = 0.69, p <0.05), and between lymphocytes B and CD19+CD25+ lymphocytes (r = 0.81).
Conclusions: Proportions of subpopulations of lymphocytes in patients with RF differ to those in healthy subjects. It is possible that a decrease in the percentage and number of Tregs together with a decrease in the number of CD3+CD4+ and increase in the percentage and number of Th17 may contribute to the pathogenesis of RF.
Anatomia do lenho de esculturas do Museu Vicente Pallotti (Santa Maria, RS, Brasil). II – Descrição e identificação de cinco imagens sacras
Authors: Machado Paulo Fernando Dos Santos , Marchiori José Newton Cardoso , Sanches Danieli
Published: March 2019

Os lenhos das esculturas intituladas Cabeça de Cristo, Nossa Senhora da Glória, Rei Mago, São José e São Roque, provenientes das Missões Jesuíticas do Rio Grande do Sul e integrantes do acervo do Museu Vicente Pallotti, de Santa Maria, RS, foram anatomicamente descritos, ilustrados e identificados como pertencentes a Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae), o popular Cedro da flora regional. Entre os caracteres que levaram à identificação da espécie, salientam-se: parênquima em faixa marginal com 2-10 células de largura; poros solitários, de diâmetro médio a grande; placas de perfuração simples; raios heterogêneos com até 4 células de largura e 1-2 fileiras marginais de células quadradas; e fibras libriformes de paredes finas, não septadas.
A Black-Box Noninvasive Characterization Method for Industrial Wireless
Networks
Authors: Kashef Mohamed , Candell Richard , Lee Kang
Published: March 2019

Industrial control systems are increasingly using wireless communications to
improve monitoring and control of industrial processes.In existing installations,
distances and costs for installation often prohibit the running of new cables and
conduits, making wirelesssolutions very attractive. With costs reduced, monitoring
of the physical process becomes easier, and operators often desire to extendwireless
to include supervisory and feedback control. Feedback control, in particular,
requires certain reliability, latency, andperformance guarantees that are difficult
to characterize. Industrial wireless solutions rarely make quality-of-service
measurementsavailable at the control system level. When they do, indicators such as
per-link packet success rate are often difficult to translate intomeaningful metrics
useful to the control system designer. This is especially true for multihop mesh
network architectures, where it isdifficult to translate link performance to system
performance. In this paper, we propose a more useful method to characterize
truenetwork latency and reliability of a deployed industrial wireless network
without the need for physical layer and link layer performancemetrics and design
knowledge.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis of As, Au, Cd, Pb and Cu heavy metal responsive marker genes through Arabidopsis thaliana GEO datasets
Authors: Niu Chao , Jiang Min , Li Na , Cao Jianguo , Hou Meifang , Ni Di-an , Chu Zhaoqing
Published: March 2019

Background

Current environmental pollution factors, particularly the distribution and diffusion of heavy metals in soil and water, are a high risk to local environments and humans. Despite striking advances in methods to detect contaminants by a variety of chemical and physical solutions, these methods have inherent limitations such as small dimensions and very low coverage. Therefore, identifying novel contaminant biomarkers are urgently needed.

Methods

To better track heavy metal contaminations in soil and water, integrated bioinformatics analysis to identify biomarkers of relevant heavy metal, such as As, Cd, Pb and Cu, is a suitable method for long-term and large-scale surveys of such heavy metal pollutants. Subsequently, the accuracy and stability of the results screened were experimentally validated by quantitative PCR experiment.

Results

We obtained 168 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which contained 59 up-regulated genes and 109 down-regulated genes through comparative bioinformatics analyses. Subsequently, the gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichments of these DEGs were performed, respectively. GO analyses found that these DEGs were mainly related to responses to chemicals, responses to stimulus, responses to stress, responses to abiotic stimulus, and so on. KEGG pathway analyses of DEGs were mainly involved in the protein degradation process and other biologic process, such as the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways and nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, we also speculated that nine candidate core biomarker genes (namely, NILR1, PGPS1, WRKY33, BCS1, AR781, CYP81D8, NR1, EAP1 and MYB15) might be tightly correlated with the response or transport of heavy metals. Finally, experimental results displayed that these genes had the same expression trend response to different stresses as mentioned above (Cd, Pb and Cu) and no mentioned above (Zn and Cr).

Conclusion

In general, the identified biomarker genes could help us understand the potential molecular mechanisms or signaling pathways responsive to heavy metal stress in plants, and could be applied as marker genes to track heavy metal pollution in soil and water through detecting their expression in plants growing in those environments.
Impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation 2015-2016 on the soluble proteomic profile and cytolytic activity of Millepora alcicornis (“fire coral”) from the Mexican Caribbean
Authors: Olguín-López Norma , Hérnandez-Elizárraga Víctor Hugo , Hernández-Matehuala Rosalina , Cruz-Hernández Andrés , Guevara-González Ramón , Caballero-Pérez Juan , Ibarra-Alvarado César , Rojas-Molina Alejandra
Published: March 2019

Reef-forming cnidarians are extremely susceptible to the “bleaching” phenomenon caused by global warming. The effect of elevated seawater temperature has been extensively studied on Anthozoans; however, to date the impact of thermal stress on the expression of genes and proteins in Hydrozoan species has not been investigated. The present study aimed to determine the differential proteomic profile ofMillepora alcicornis, which inhabits the Mexican Caribbean, in response to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation 2015–2016. Additionally, the cytolytic activity of the soluble proteomes obtained from normal and bleachedM. alcicorniswas assessed. Bleached specimens showed decreased symbiont’s density and chlorophyll a and c2 levels. After bleaching, we observed a differential expression of 17 key proteins, tentatively identified as related to exocytosis, calcium homeostasis, cytoskeletal organization, and potential toxins, including a metalloprotease, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and an actitoxin. Although, some of the differentially expressed proteins included potential toxins, the hemolytic, PLA2, and proteolytic activities elicited by the soluble proteomes from bleached and normal specimens were not significantly different. The present study provides heretofore-unknown evidence that thermal stress produces a differential expression of proteins involved in essential cellular processes of Hydrozoan species. Even though our results showed an over-expression of some potential toxin-related proteins, the cytolytic effect (as assessed by hemolytic, PLA2, and caseinolytic activities) was not increased in bleachedM. alcicornis, which suggests that the cytolysis is mainly produced by toxins whose expression was not affected by temperature stress. These findings allow hypothesizing that this hydrocoral is able to prey heterotrophically when suffering from moderate bleaching, giving it a better chance to withstand the effects of high temperature.
Edutainment Teaching Technique and Students’ Skills Performance in Building Drawing in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State
Authors: Usoro A. D. , Bassey Otu, Ebeten
Published: March 2019

The study was on edutainment technique and students’ skills performance in building drawing in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State. The study sought to find the effect of edutainment technique and demonstration method on students’ performance in building drawing. Three research questions and null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. The population used for the study was three hundred and eighty (380) senior technical college II students in all the seven (7) public Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State. The sample comprised one hundred and ten (110) students drawn from two (2) intact classes. A 30-item multiple-choice performance test called Performance Test on Building Drawing (PTBD) was developed to determine performance level of the control and experimental groups and building drawing lesson plan for the treatment of the experimental group. The instrument was validated by three experts. Two from the Department of Vocational Education, one from Test and Measurement Unit of the Department of Educational Foundations. Cronbach alpha reliability was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument. The instrument yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.86. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while analysis of covariance was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The results showed that students taught using edutainment technique have higher mean scores than those taught with demonstration method. It also showed that the mean score of male students was slightly higher than that of female students in the experimental group. The post-test analysis on Building Drawing Performance Test (PTBD) was in favour of the experimental group. However, there was no significant difference between males and females on building drawing performance test as a result upon treatment. Based on these results, it was recommended among others that edutainment technique should be adopted by building drawing teachers in teaching building drawing in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State to solve the problem of poor performance of students.
Small Earnings Changes by Using Fair Value Measurement: Evidence from the Banking Industry of Sri Lanka
Authors: De Chickera G. K. Suren W. , Qi Liu
Published: March 2019

One of the most serious concerns presently facing the accounting profession is the growing complexity, extension, and significance of issues adjoining fair value measurements. The fair value accounting is liable for enhancing financial destruction. This research study the samples of licensed commercial banks and the financial institution listed under Colombo stock exchange to examine the association between the fair value accounting and the small earnings increase reported by the banks attributable to earnings management. We used the statistical methodology follow by Beatty et al. [1] to test the banks reported fair value assets and liabilities associated with bank report small earnings increase. We use both the current year and one-year ahead data after controlling discretionary provision for loan loss, discretionary security gains and losses and other features of banks. We found evidence that; banks reported fair value assets and liabilities are positively associate with bank reported small earnings increase. We further use the fair value hierarchy; to identify which level of fair value assets and liabilities associated with bank reported small earnings increase and we found the evidence that the level 2 fair value assets and liabilities are a predominant determination for the association between banks reported fair value assets and liabilities associated with bank report small earnings increase. The assets available-sales report under fair value is the primary use of item earnings management and the level 2 fair value assets and liabilities to reporting smooth earnings over the periods. Therefore, consistent with past research and present us, banks use the fair value measurements to manage the earnings.
Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients Receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Usman Dada Mobolaji , Olubunmi Okewole Adeniran , Lukman Raji Ayanjide
Published: March 2019

Aims: To obtain sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients receiving Electroconvulsive therapy in a Nigerian psychiatric hospital.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Place and duration: The study was carried out at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria over a period of 3 months.

Methodology: An extensive review of the hospital records of patients receiving the modified form of electroconvulsive therapy for the first time over a period of eight years was done.  The demographic information, clinical diagnosis and indication for electroconvulsive therapy were retrieved and analysis was done using SPSS 19.

Results: There were a total of 222 cases, ranging from 45 in 2000 to 21 in 2007. Mean age was 31.7 ± 9.65. Male: female ratio was 1:2. Almost 60% of them were single and unemployed. Clinical diagnosis using ICD 10 ranged from schizophrenia (44.8%), severe depression (27.8%), bipolar disorder (15.5%) to puerperal psychosis (8.2%). Indications for electroconvulsive therapy included psychosis (41.6%), severe depressive episode (25.8%), catatonia (23.7%) and manic episode (7.4%).

Conclusion: This study has shown that the use of ECT has declined in the facility over the study periods.  Also, females were twice as likely to receive electroconvulsive therapy compared to males and schizophrenia still remains the most common diagnosis among the patients.
Livelihood Vulnerability of Fishery-based Communities in Context of Climate Change: Insights From and Around Selective Fishing Grounds of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
Authors: Sinha Aparupa , Das Anupam
Published: March 2019

The 4th Assessment Reports prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007 reported serious concerns which directly affect the livelihoods of millions of coastal habitants and fishing communities. This study mainly concentrates on the awareness regarding the climate variability and vulnerability exposed by climate change on the marine fishing communities based on their Socio-Demographic Profile, Livelihood strategies, Social Networks, Health, Water, Natural disasters and Climate Variability and Knowledge and Skills; which are divided into three main components of vulnerability (IPCC): Exposure, Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity. Here, we have chosen the three major functioning fishing harbours of this district are Lakshmipur Abad of Namkhana, Kalinagar of Kakdwip and Sultanpur of Diamond Harbour with their respective fish landing centers. The primary data used is based on a purposive sampling survey of 150 household of fishing communities and the secondary data about recent climate variability and extreme events was collected from official records. This study used the participatory tools and methods in order to generate qualitative and quantitative information about climate change impacts and community based adaptation strategies to climate change.

The study reveals that the most important climate-related elements of exposure are the storms and cyclones. We have also found that studied villages are highly populated and competing for limited resources, furthermore lack of economic opportunities like agriculture in coastal areas making these communities already vulnerable along within higher sensitivity and lower adaptive capacity combine to create higher vulnerability.