bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining hydraulic model, hydrogeomorphological observations and chemical analyses of surface waters to improve knowledge on karst flash floods genesis
Authors: Raynaud F. , Borrell-Estupina V. , Pistre S. , Van-Exter S. , Bourgeois N. , Dezetter A. , Servat E.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. During a flood event over a karst watershed, the connections between surface and ground waters appear to be complex ones. The karst may attenuate surface floods by absorbing water or contribute to the surface flood by direct contribution of karst waters in the rivers (perennial and overflowing springs) and by diffuse resurgence along the hillslopes. If it is possible to monitor each known outlet of a karst system, the diffuse contribution is yet difficult to assess. Furthermore, all these connections vary over time according to several factors such as the water content of the soil and underground, the rainfall characteristics, the runoff pathways. Therefore, the contribution of each compartment is generally difficult to assess, and flood dynamics are not fully understood. To face these misunderstandings and difficulties, we analysed surface waters during six recent flood events in the Lirou watershed (a karst tributary of the Lez, in South of France). Because of the specific chemical signature of karst waters, chemical analyses can supply information about water pathways and flood dynamics. Then, we used the dilution law to combine chemical results, flow data and field observations to assess the dynamics of the karst component of the flood. To end, we discussed the surface or karst origin of the waters responsible for the apparent runoff coefficient rise during flash karst flood.
The effect on river discharge estimation by considering an interaction between land surface process and river routing process
Authors: Yorozu K. , Tachikawa Y.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. There is much research assessing the impact of climate change on the hydrologic cycle. However, it has often focused on a specific hydrologic process, without considering the interaction among hydrologic processes. In this study, a distributed hydrologic model considering the interaction between flow routing and land surface processes was developed, and its effect on river discharge estimation was investigated. The model enables consideration of flow routing, irrigation withdrawal from rivers at paddy fields, crop growth depending on water and energy status, and evapotranspiration based on meteorological, soil water and vegetation status. To examine the effects of hydrologic process interaction on river discharge estimation, a developed model was applied to the Chao Phraya river basin using near surface meteorological data collected by the Japanese Meteorological Research Institute's Atmospheric General Circulation Model (MRI-AGCM3.2S) with TL959 spatial resolution as forcing data. Also, a flow routing model, which was part of the developed model, was applied independently, using surface and subsurface runoff data from the same GCM. In the results, the developed model tended to estimate a smaller river discharge than was estimated by the river routing model, because of the irrigation effect. In contrast, the annual maximum daily discharge calculated by the developed model was 24% greater than that by the flow routing model. It is assumed that surface runoff in the developed model was greater than that in the flow routing model because the soil water content was maintained at a high level through irrigation withdrawal. As for drought discharge, which is defined as the 355th largest daily discharge, the developed model gave a discharge 2.7-fold greater than the flow routing model. It seems that subsurface runoff in the developed model was greater than that in the flow routing model. The results of this study suggest that considering hydrologic interaction in a numerical model could affect both flood and drought estimation.
Investigation into impacts of land-use changes on floods in the upper Huaihe River basin, China
Authors: Yu M. , Li Q. , Lu G. , Wang H. , Li P.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. To investigate the agricultural land-use change on flood regime, the upper Huaihe River basin above the Dapoling station was selected as the case study site. Based on topography, land-use, hydrological and meteorological data in 1990s and 2010s, the improved distributed Xinanjiang model, with potential evapotranspiration being computed by coupling a dual-source evapotranspiration model with a simplified plant growth model, was adopted to simulate the daily and hourly rainfall-runoff processes over 1990s and 2010s, and then the effects of land-use change on flood volume, flood peak, occurring time of flood peak, the percentage of surface runoff component were investigated respectively. The results was interesting and indicated that impacts of land-use change on flood characteristics varied significantly with land-use types. The outputs could provide valuable references for flood risk management and water resources management in the Huaihe River basin.
A metric-based assessment of flood risk and vulnerability of rural communities in the Lower Shire Valley, Malawi
Authors: Adeloye A. J. , Mwale F. D. , Dulanya Z.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In response to the increasing frequency and economic damages of natural disasters globally, disaster risk management has evolved to incorporate risk assessments that are multi-dimensional, integrated and metric-based. This is to support knowledge-based decision making and hence sustainable risk reduction. In Malawi and most of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), however, flood risk studies remain focussed on understanding causation, impacts, perceptions and coping and adaptation measures. Using the IPCC Framework, this study has quantified and profiled risk to flooding of rural, subsistent communities in the Lower Shire Valley, Malawi. Flood risk was obtained by integrating hazard and vulnerability. Flood hazard was characterised in terms of flood depth and inundation area obtained through hydraulic modelling in the valley with Lisflood-FP, while the vulnerability was indexed through analysis of exposure, susceptibility and capacity that were linked to social, economic, environmental and physical perspectives. Data on these were collected through structured interviews of the communities. The implementation of the entire analysis within GIS enabled the visualisation of spatial variability in flood risk in the valley. The results show predominantly medium levels in hazardousness, vulnerability and risk. The vulnerability is dominated by a high to very high susceptibility. Economic and physical capacities tend to be predominantly low but social capacity is significantly high, resulting in overall medium levels of capacity-induced vulnerability. Exposure manifests as medium. The vulnerability and risk showed marginal spatial variability. The paper concludes with recommendations on how these outcomes could inform policy interventions in the Valley.
Crash tests for forward-looking flood control in the city of Zürich (Switzerland)
Authors: Zappa M. , Andres N. , Kienzler P. , Näf-Huber D. , Marti C. , Oplatka M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Floods in the city of Zürich (Switzerland) were already reported in the 13th century. The most severe threat are floods from the Sihl river (336 km2, including also an hydropower reservoir) with peaks exceeding 350 m3 s−1. An assessment using a rainfall-runoff model has been completed to evaluate extreme flood situations by combining 18 precipitation scenarios with different initial conditions. These scenarios identified deficits for the safety of Zürich. For the improvement of flood management several measures are possible. Crash-tests with 41 472 combinations of measures and scenarios have been evaluated. According to the results, the spillway channel option in the downstream reach of the Sihl is a promising structural measure to ensure flood relief for Zürich. Lowering the artificial reservoir lake before the event consistently increases safety also in the upstream part, but causes financial losses in terms of hydroelectricity. The combination of measures can lead to an optimal safety also in case of unfavourable initial conditions. Pending questions concern the costs, political decisions and the environmental sustainability.
Estimating urban flood risk – uncertainty in design criteria
Authors: Newby M. , Franks S. W. , White C. J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The design of urban stormwater infrastructure is generally performed assuming that climate is static. For engineering practitioners, stormwater infrastructure is designed using a peak flow method, such as the Rational Method as outlined in the Australian Rainfall and Runoff (AR&R) guidelines and estimates of design rainfall intensities. Changes to Australian rainfall intensity design criteria have been made through updated releases of the AR&R77, AR&R87 and the recent 2013 AR&R Intensity Frequency Distributions (IFDs). The primary focus of this study is to compare the three IFD sets from 51 locations Australia wide. Since the release of the AR&R77 IFDs, the duration and number of locations for rainfall data has increased and techniques for data analysis have changed. Updated terminology coinciding with the 2013 IFD release has also resulted in a practical change to the design rainfall. For example, infrastructure that is designed for a 1 : 5 year ARI correlates with an 18.13% AEP, however for practical purposes, hydraulic guidelines have been updated with the more intuitive 20% AEP. The evaluation of design rainfall variation across Australia has indicated that the changes are dependent upon location, recurrence interval and rainfall duration. The changes to design rainfall IFDs are due to the application of differing data analysis techniques, the length and number of data sets and the change in terminology from ARI to AEP. Such changes mean that developed infrastructure has been designed to a range of different design criteria indicating the likely inadequacy of earlier developments to the current estimates of flood risk. In many cases, the under-design of infrastructure is greater than the expected impact of increased rainfall intensity under climate change scenarios.
Analyzing the effect of urbanization on flood characteristics at catchment levels
Authors: Chen X. , Tian C. , Meng X. , Xu Q. , Cui G. , Zhang Q. , Xiang L.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. It is increasingly recognized that the land-use change, especially urbanization has influenced hydrological attributes intensely. Flood characteristics variation could likewise increase flood risks and pose higher demand on water management. The paper aims to evaluate temporal and spatial processes of urbanization affecting flood events at catchment level. The study sites were Xiaoqinhe catchment and its sub-catchments, a part of lower Yellow river basin in northern China. Historic cities Jinan and Zibo in the area have experienced dramatic urban expansion in recent decades, about 5% growth of urban build-up area annually from 1990s to 2010s, and also pressed alarm for increasing flood disasters. In the paper, a HEC-HMS model was set up to simulate flood processes for different land-use scenarios. The possible effects of urbanization on flood characteristics were checked in study catchment and its sub-catchments.
Changes in the firn structure of the western Greenland Ice Sheet caused by recent warming
Authors: de la Peña S. , Howat I. M. , Nienow P. W. , van den Broeke M. R. , Mosley-Thompson E. , Price S. F. , Mair D. , Noël B. , Sole A. J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Atmospheric warming over the Greenland Ice Sheet during the last 2 decades has increased the amount of surface meltwater production, resulting in the migration of melt and percolation regimes to higher altitudes and an increase in the amount of ice content from refrozen meltwater found in the firn above the superimposed ice zone. Here we present field and airborne radar observations of buried ice layers within the near-surface (0–20 m) firn in western Greenland, obtained from campaigns between 1998 and 2014. We find a sharp increase in firn-ice content in the form of thick widespread layers in the percolation zone, which decreases the capacity of the firn to store meltwater. The estimated total annual ice content retained in the near-surface firn in areas with positive surface mass balance west of the ice divide in Greenland reached a maximum of 74 ± 25 Gt in 2012, compared to the 1958–1999 average of 13 ± 2 Gt, while the percolation zone area more than doubled between 2003 and 2012. Increased melt and column densification resulted in surface lowering averaging −0.80 ± 0.39 m yr−1 between 1800 and 2800 m in the accumulation zone of western Greenland. Since 2007, modeled annual melt and refreezing rates in the percolation zone at elevations below 2100 m surpass the annual snowfall from the previous year, implying that mass gain in the region is retained after melt in the form of refrozen meltwater. If current melt trends over high elevation regions continue, subsequent changes in firn structure will have implications for the hydrology of the ice sheet and related abrupt seasonal densification could become increasingly significant for altimetry-derived ice sheet mass balance estimates.
Vitenskapelig usikkerhet – etiske utfordringer for forskning og forvaltning
Authors: Gillund Frøydis , Myhr Anne Ingeborg
Published: June 2015

En stor del av dagens forskningsaktivitet er knyttet til utvikling av ny teknologi. Teknologiutvikling anses gjerne som et gode, fordi den bidrar til økt eller ny bruk av naturlige ressurser til beste for menneskers generelle levekår og helse, samt miljøet og samfunnet som helhet. Bruk av ny teknologi innebærer imidlertid også risiko for uønskede effekter. Risikovurderinger er ofte preget av vitenskapelig usikkerhet, spesielt med hensyn til effekter som oppstår over tid. Denne usikkerheten reiser nye etiske dilemmaer og gjør det nødvendig med en kritisk vurdering av kunnskapsgrunnlaget. I denne artikkelen fokuserer vi på hvilke etiske utfordringer vitenskapelig usikkerhet har for forskning og forvaltning, og vi vil se nærmere på bruk av DNA-vaksiner i oppdrettsnæring. Vi argumenterer for at det er viktig å anerkjenne kvalitative former for vitenskapelig usikkerhet, som går utover det som uttrykkes i statistiske termer. Walker & Harremoeës (W&H) usikkerhetsanalyse presenteres som en metode for å identifisere og systematisere vitenskapelig usikkerhet av kvalitativ karakter. En slik analyse kan øke forskeres evne til å reflektere over og kommunisere usikkerhet knyttet til eget arbeid. Vi argumenterer videre for at kommunikasjon av vitenskapelig usikkerhet bør være en del av forskerens etiske ansvar, blant annet for å stimulere føre-var-basert forskning og forvaltning. En helhetsvurdering av nytte, risikomomenter og usikkerhet kan best oppnås gjennom en tverrfaglig tilnærming. Det vil bidra til at de implisitte verdiene som er assosiert til bruk av ny teknologi blir bedre belyst.
Critical remarks on Religion in the public sphere' – Habermas between Kant and Kierkegaard
Authors: Fremstedal Roe
Published: June 2015

This article provides a critical assessment of Habermas's recent work on religion and the role of religion in the public sphere by comparing it to Kant's philosophy of religion on the one hand and that of Kierkegaard on the other. It is argued that although Habermas is in many ways a Kantian, he diverges from Kant when it comes to religion, by taking a position which comes closer to the Kierkegaardian view that religiousness belongs to private faith rather than philosophy. This has implications not just for the conception of religion but also for the very roles of communication, validity, rationality, and philosophy.
Moral and ethical decision-making: A chance for doping prevention in sports?
Authors: Melzer Marcus , Elbe Anne-Marie , Brand Ralf
Published: June 2015

Because doping is becoming more and more of a problem in elite sports, anti-doping and prevention programs are receiving more attention. However, current doping prevention programs that primarily involve pedagogical education in youths have not been shown to be very effective. In sports philosophy there is a discourse about ethics and morality in sports in connection with doping. So far, however, the aspect of ethics has been neglected in anti-doping prevention programs. This article discusses a new approach to doping prevention for young athletes and a way to improve conventional doping prevention by focusing on the process of decision-making. The article argues that ethical decision-making programs based on ethical training programs developed in business offer a large potential for prevention programs in sport. The article concludes with a presentation of training possibilities for ethical decision-making in connection with doping.
Redefining disability: a rejoinder to a critique
Authors: Reindal Solveig Magnus
Published: June 2015

Recently, scholars have argued that disability activists' redefinition of disability' as a social problem, rather than a medical problem, is maleficent, unjust, and inconsistent. It seems that the discussion on whether disability is a medical or a social category is not settled and that disability is an essentially contested concept. However, the question is: What is the social aspect in disability? It appears that there is some confusion as to what the social is in a social definition of disability. The article pursues possible reasons for this confusion by investigating the critique of the social model. This is followed by a discussion on what a possible space for the social might be in a social definition of disability. Such a space is illuminated by using the framework of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). The article suggests that disability as a social category is not inconsistent if reframed within a social relational model of disability.
A Nordic Perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Authors: Carson Siri Granum , Fet Annik Magerholm , Skaar Christofer
Published: June 2015

This introduction points to the divergent factors relevant to the topic of CSR, clearly indicating the need for multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches to this research area. This is reflected in the way CSR has developed at NTNU. For the past 10 years, there has been a focus on CSR in different ways; in course curricula, research projects, and strategic activities across faculties and department and as the focus area within two of the six overall research strategic areas at NTNU: the Globalization research program and the Maritime research program. Environment and energy are core topics in the programs, hereunder long traditions of collaboration with industry in innovative research projects are found. The science and technology profile, but with close connections with the social sciences and humanities, distinguishes CSR research at NTNU. The research focus on CSR attracts students and support possibilities for increased collaboration with industry.
Legitimizing policies: How policy approaches to irregular migrants are formulated and legitimized in Scandinavia
Authors: Jørgensen Martin Bak
Published: June 2015

The focus of this article is on representations of irregular migration in a Scandinavian context and how irregular migrants are constructed as a target group. A common feature in many (Western-)European states is the difficult attempt to navigate between an urge for control and respecting, upholding and promoting humanitarian aspects of migration management. Legitimizing policies therefore become extremely important as governments have to appease national voters to remain in power and have to respect European regulations and international conventions. Doing so raises questions of social, political and economic rights, of moral obligations, of sovereignty, and of equity, as well as of how to define target groups and legal and categorical statuses into the debates. Having a backdrop in the theoretical framework of Carol Bacchi, Anne Schneider and Helen Ingram and Giorgio Agamben, this article looks at how policy problematizations and constructions of target populations guide and legitimize particular policy approaches and may end up marginalizing and excluding groups in society and ultimately become a challenge for democracy.Dansk abstract: Legitimering af politik: Hvordan politiske tilgange til irregulære indvandrere formuleres og legitimeres i SkandinavienFokus i denne artikel er på repræsentationer af irregulær migration i en skandinavisk kontekst og hvordan illegale indvandrere er konstrueret som målgruppe. Et fælles træk i mange vesteuropæiske nationalstater er det svære forsøg på at navigere mellem kontrol og samtidig respektere, forsvare og fremme humanitære aspekter af migrationsstyringen. At legitimere den givne politik er derfor blevet særdeles vigtigt fordi regeringerne er nødt til at formilde de nationale indvandringsskeptiske vælgere for at forblive ved magten og er nødsaget til at respektere europæiske regler og internationale konventioner. Dette italesætter en diskussion om sociale, politiske og økonomiske rettigheder, af moralske forpligtelser, af suverænitet, af at definere målgrupper og juridiske statuskategorier i debatterne. Artiklen har baggrund i en teoretisk ramme som er udstukket af Carol Bacchi, Anne Schneider, Helen Ingram og Giorgio Agamben. Artiklen ser på, hvordan politiske problematiseringer og konstruktioner af målgrupper vejleder og legitimerer bestemte politiske strategier og kan ende med at marginalisere og udelukke grupper i samfundet og i sidste ende blive en udfordring for demokratiske principper som sådan.
Letselschade: de hypothetische situatie zónder ongeval
Authors: Kolder A.
Published: June 2015

Letselschade: de hypothetische situatie zónder ongeval

Ter vaststelling van personenschade dient steeds zowel de situatie mét als de situatie zónder ongeval in kaart te worden gebracht, om vervolgens op basis van het verschil de (financiële) schade te kunnen begroten. In deze bijdrage wordt een nadere verfijning bepleit van het reeds door de Hoge Raad in ‘standaardrechtspraak’ ontwikkelde ‘traditionele’ normatieve kader ter begroting van personenschade. Betoogd wordt voortaan bij vaststellingen omtrent de situatie zónder ongeval nadrukkelijk(er) onderscheid te maken tussen de binnen en buiten ‘de persoon’ van het slachtoffer gelegen aspecten daarvan. Gelet op de ter bepaling van de fictieve toekomst van ieder letselschadeslachtoffer aan te leggen ‘redelijkheidstoets’ kunnen beide aspecten namelijk niet over één kam worden geschoren.
Een reactie op ‘Causaal verband in whiplashzaken: een beschouwing vanuit juridisch en medisch perspectief’ van P. Oskam & A.M. Reitsma
Authors: Schultz J.F.
Published: June 2015

Een reactie op ‘Causaal verband in whiplashzaken: een beschouwing vanuit juridisch en medisch perspectief’ van P. Oskam & A.M. Reitsma

Een discussie over de schaderegeling bij whiplashzaken (WAD graad I en II) zou als uitgangspunt moeten hebben dat de slachtoffers erkend worden in hun (soms ook blijvende) klachten en beperkingen. Het is bekend dat in deze zaken een (aantoonbaar) medisch substraat ontbreekt, maar dat betekent niet dat de klachten niet reëel zijn of daardoor niet aan een ongeval kunnen worden toegerekend. Als de klachten een zekere ernst hebben, dan kunnen daaruit ook beperkingen voor bijvoorbeeld het verrichten van arbeid voortvloeien gedurende een lange looptijd. In juridisch opzicht is de ‘whiplashdiscussie’ al gevoerd: deze heeft (te) kort gezegd in het voordeel van het slachtoffer uitgepakt. Daarmee zijn we er echter nog niet: we zouden moeten proberen de schaderegeling in deze kwesties te verbeteren.
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE POLLUTANT EMISSION FROM THE SELF IGNITION ENGINE IN ITS DIFFERENT OPERATING STATES
Authors: Chłopek Zdisław
Published: June 2015

Paper presents the results of pollutant emission tests from the self ignition engine in various states of its operation. Engine operating states were obtained on the engine test stand. The investigations were conducted in static and dynamic tests, both standard used in the type approval procedures as special ones, simulating specific engine operating conditions. The specific brake emission of carbon monoxide as well as those of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, averaged during the tests, have been determined. The influence of the engine operating states on the pollutant emission of impurities has been evaluated. Very high sensitivity was established of the pollutant specific brake emission on the operating states of the engine, both static ones and dynamic.
THE USE OF HEURISTIC ALGORITHMS TO OPTIMIZE THE TRANSPORT ISSUES ON THE EXAMPLE OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMPANIES
Authors: Izdebski Mariusz
Published: June 2015

In this article the main optimization problems in the municipal services companies were presented. These problems concern the issue of vehicle routing. The mathematical models of these problems were described. The function of criterion and the conditions on designating the vehicle routing were defined. In this paper the hybrid algorithm solving the presented problems was proposed. The hybrid algorithm consists of two heuristic algorithms: the ant and the genetic algorithm. In this paper the stages of constructing of the hybrid algorithm were presented. A structure of the data processed by the algorithm, a function of adaptation, a selection of chromosomes, a crossover, a mutation and an inversion were characterized. A structure of the data was presented as string of natural numbers. In selection process the roulette method was used and in the crossover process the operator PMX was presented. This algorithm was verified in programming language C #. The process of verification was divided into two stages. In the first stage the best parameters of the hybrid algorithm were designated. In the second stage the algorithm was started with these parameters and the result was compared with the random search algorithm. The random search algorithm generates 2000 routes and the best result is compared with the hybrid algorithm.
GENETIC ALGORITHMS BASED APPROACH FOR TRANSHIPMENT HUB LOCATION IN URBAN AREAS
Authors: Szczepański Emilian , Jacyna-Gołda Ilona , Murawski Jakub
Published: June 2015

Points of distribution, sales or service are important elements of the supply chain. These are the final elements which are responsible for proper functioning of the whole cargo distribution process. Proper location of these points in the transport network is essential to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of the supply chain. The location of these points is very important also from the consumers point of view. In this paper developed method of points location was present on the example of urban transport network. The developed approach is based on the Vehicle Routing Problem in the multistage distribution systems. The proposed method uses a genetic algorithm. Article also presents a mathematical model of delivery cost as a criterion func
AUTOMATIC TARGET RECOGNITION OF COMPLEX INTERNAL STRUCTURE
Authors: Niedziela Tadeusz
Published: June 2015

The paper presents methods of automatic target recognition from images with complex internal structure. Recognition methods proposed are based on the Fourier transform properties. These methods make it possible to bring the problem to Fourier transform, feature extraction and input image classification. Image data synthesis within diffraction plane significantly increases the probability of target detection.
Free Geospatial Data and Quality: Implications for Users, Contributors and Distributors
Authors: de Rijcke Izaak , Mills Megan
Published: June 2015

Geospatial data is widely available and used by a broad range of users for a wide range of purposes—from government planning for service delivery to directions on how to get to a coffee shop. What, if any, duties and standards of care are owed to users of geospatial data by the provider? This is a question complicated by a growing trend toward volunteer geographic information (or VGI) that is itself part of the broader trend of user generated content whereby the users of data contribute geographic data and create a wide range of value-added products based on available data.

This paper is a companion piece to the article authored by Katherine Plante and Marc Gervais entitled “Geospatial Data Quality Guarantee.” Plante and Gervais provide an overview of geospatial data quality guarantees in the legal context of the Quebec Civil Code. This paper, in contrast, looks at similar concepts, but from the perspective of the common law in Canada and drawing at times from other common law jurisdictions.
Cosine: A Tool for Constraining Spatial Neighbourhoods in Marine Environments
Authors: Suarez Cesar , Nelson Trisalyn , Laberee Karen
Published: June 2015

Spatial analysis methods used for detecting, interpolating, or predicting local patterns in geographic data require delineating a neighbourhood to define the extent of the spatial interaction. Certain spatial analysis methods, such as interpolation, have implemented the concept of directionality and barriers. However, not all approaches take into consideration geographic or environmental constraints such as impassable mountain ranges, road networks, or coastlines. Specifically, complex marine landscapes and coastlines pose problematic neighbourhood definitions for standard neighbourhood matrices used in the spatial analysis of marine environments. Here, we offer a new approach to constraining spatial neighbourhoods when conducting geographical analysis in marine environments. We developed methods and open source software (COnstraining SpatIal NEighbourhoods—COSINE) for modifying spatial neighbourhoods, and demonstrate their utility with a marine study of oil spills. The COSINE graphical user interface allows users to modify the most common standard spatial neighbourhood definitions such as fixed distance, inverse distance and k-nearest neighbour.
Phenotypic and ecological diversity of freshwater coccoid cyanobacteria from maritime Antarctica and Islands of NW Weddell Sea. II.
Authors: Komárek Jiří
Published: June 2015

The article contains the second part of the review of natural populations of coccoid (unicellular, colonial) cyanobacteria from the coastal, maritime Antarctica and the vicinity of Antarctic Peninsula, mainly from its north-eastern region. The samples were collected from several localities with terrestrial and freshwater habitats of the deglaciated parts of South Shetland Islands, and from the northern part of James Ross Island. The material was identified according to the modern system (Komárek et al. 2014b). This second part contains 16 species (from 12 genera) from the cytologically more complicated orders Chroococcales, Pleurocapsales and Chroococcidiopsidales, characterized also by more irregular thylakoidal system. Similarly as in types from the order Synechococcales, all species are connected with special habitats and their cultivation is difficult. They are adapted to the special biotopes and in spite of their relatively wide diversity, only few occurred rarely in massive populations. Several species are evidently endemic for Antarctica, 8 species are described as new recognized taxa.
Effect of temperature and increased concentration of CO2 on growth and photosynthetic activity of polar alga Trebouxia sp.
Authors: Sehnal Luděk , Váczi Peter , Barták Miloš
Published: June 2015

Trebouxia sp., a lichen symbiotic alga, was isolated from lichen Usnea antarctica collected at James Ross Island, Antarctica. After isolation, the alga was cultivated on Bold‘s Basal Medium (BBM-agar) with addition of nitrogen for 12 days. Growth of alga and its photosynthetic properties were studied in relation to increased concentration of CO2 (850±50 ppm) and two cultivation temperature (8 and 12°C). Physiological status of algae was evaluated by chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Simultaneously, content of pigments and changes in biomass were evaluated during cultivation period. Evaluation of physiological state of Trebouxia sp. was carried out after the end of experiment. Results of chlorophyll fluorescence induction parameters and content of pigments showed that the highest efficiency of primary processes of photosynthesis was found at the treatment with elevated concentration of CO2 and temperature 12°C. In this treatment, potential quantum yield of photochemical processes in photosystem II (FV/FM) was 0.44 and content of Chl a was 5.14 µg ml-1. In contrast, the lowest efficiency of primary processes was found at the treatment with addition of CO2 and temperature 8°C, where value of FV/FM reached 0.37 and content of Chl a was 3.71 µg ml-1.
Deposits of pyroclastic mass flows at Bibby Hill (Pliocene, James Ross Island, Antarctica)
Authors: Nehyba Slavomír , Nývlt Daniel
Published: June 2015

Sedimentological study of the southern slopes of Bibby Hill (relic of a Pliocene tuff cone) allows recognition of twelve lithofacies and three facies associations. Deposits of pyroclastic currents (both low- and high density pyroclastic currents) dominate over the deposits of pyroclastic flows. Products of suabaerial resedimented pyroclastic deposits play minor role. Vertical distribution of facies associations within the studied succession is not uniform. These differences in the distribution of facies associations are interpreted as response to variations in the intensity and type (Surtseyan, Taalian) of phreato-magmatic eruptions, water availability and morphology of the cone.
Sample database of the Centre for Polar Ecology - Database design and data management
Authors: Kvíderová Jana
Published: June 2015

The increasing number of observations and samples led to development of systems for data storage and management. In this paper, design and experience with data manage-ment of the Sample database (SampleDTB) used in the Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic, is presented. The SampleDTB was designed for microbiological, phycological or hydro-biological data. The SampleDTB consists of data tables including defined lists of cli-matic zones, habitats, communities and taxons, specific queries for datasets determina-tion and searches, forms for filling in samples and reports. The data tables contain detailed information on site, its environment, types of habitats and communities, in-cluding data on taxonomic diversity. The queries provide source data for reports or serve for searches for specific taxon, sample etc. Forms are used primarily for data entry or modifications. The reports provide summaries and charts for export, either for whole data set or for specific datasets. Data management resulted in system of sample numbering, site specification, and system for photographs storage. Possible future development will be focused on on-line data access, biovolume and diversity indices calculation, laboratory sample processing, and connection to culture collection database.
Capital social et recherche en PME
Authors: Geindre Sébastien , Dussuc Bernard
Published: June 2015

L’article présente une revue de la littérature sur le thème du capital social (CS) à partir de 103 articles publiés lors de la décennie écoulée (2002-2011) dans les principales revues dédiées à la recherche en PME et en entrepreneuriat. Le capital social est souvent considéré comme une ressource clé pour la PME, source de performance et d’efficacité dans la démarche entrepreneuriale. Nous montrons que les problématiques envisageables à partir du concept de capital social sont particulièrement nombreuses et diverses, mais que toutefois, elles reposent sur des constructions théoriques et des démarches méthodologiques très hétérogènes. Le capital social est le plus souvent utilisé comme une variable explicative de la performance de la PME ou de la démarche entrepreneuriale. Ce champ de recherche, s’il peut toujours être complété, paraît cependant moins nécessaire aujourd’hui. Par contre, les recherches émergentes sur le capital social où celui-ci est appréhendé non plus comme une cause, mais comme le résultat d’un processus managérial du dirigeant de PME ou de l’entrepreneur, s’avèrent, selon nous, plus pertinentes et porteuses de perspectives pour notre champ. Les travaux sur les effets négatifs et sclérosants du capital social sont également des pistes à creuser en matière de recherche sur les PME.
Urban Restructuring, Homelessness, and Collective Action in Toronto, 1980–2003
Authors: Greene Jonathan
Published: June 2015

This article explores the links between urban restructuring, homelessness, and collective action in Toronto in the 1980s and 1990s. In Toronto, as elsewhere, urban restructuring at this time comprised a series of interconnected political-economic and spatial shifts, including economic and occupation change, gentrification, neo-liberal welfare state reform, and urban entrepreneurialism. Jointly, these political-economic shifts were implicated in the production and consolidation of new forms of socio-spatial polarization and segregation that dramatically changed the landscape of urban poverty. One of the most visible manifestations of the uneven effects of restructuring was the emergence and consolidation of mass homelessness. This changing landscape of poverty, in turn, produced a new landscape of political activism. It is this contested landscape that I explore in this article through a focus on homelessness as a primary mobilizing issue in opposition to restructuring during this key period in Toronto’s transition into a second-tier world city. I argue that urban restructuring, homelessness, and the dynamics of collective action were linked in two important ways. First, collective advocates and activists defined the crisis of homelessness as a direct effect of urban restructuring; in this way collective action mobilized to defend the interests of homeless people was simultaneously a collective struggle to contest urban restructuring. Second, the politics of restructuring directly informed the dynamics of collective action over time, influencing their organizational, strategic, and tactical dimensions.
Methylene Blue Inhibits the Inflammatory Process of the Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rat Colonic Mucosa
Authors: Dinc Soykan , Caydere Muzaffer , Akgul Giray , Yenidogan Erdinc , Hucumenoglu Semra , Rajesh Mohanraj
Published: June 2015

Inflammatory bowel disease is a serious health problem. Although it has been widely investigated, treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases currently remains a challenging clinical problem. Overproduction of nitric oxide has been demonstrated to cause tissue damage and inflammation. In this study, the effect of methylene blue (MB), a well-known inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, was investigated in acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Eighty male rats were randomized into 4 groups (control, control MB, colitis, colitis + MB). AA was applied to groups 3 and 4. MB was added into groups 2 and 4. Three days later, animals were killed and the 8 cm distal colonic segment was resected, and the specimens were examined using macroscopical, histological, and biochemical methods. The results of the macroscopic and microscopic examination showed that in group 4 the mucosal damage and inflammation score was significantly lower than group 3. Increased intestinal permeability in acetic acid-administered group was significantly reversed by MB application. Myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels increased significantly, while superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were suppressed after AA-administration. These biochemical parameters were reversed in MB-treated group. Administration of acetic acid resulted in increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, total nitrite/nitrate levels, and nitric oxide synthase activity. These biochemical alterations were also significantly reversed by MB application. In conclusion, our results indicate that MB decreases the level of nitric oxide and decreases inflammation in acetic acid-induced colitis.
Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed meta‐CH Olefination: Constructing Multisubstituted Arenes through Homo‐Diolefination and Sequential Hetero‐Diolefination
Authors: Bera Milan , Maji Arun , Sahoo Santosh K. , Maiti Debabrata
Published: June 2015

Divinylbenzene derivatives represent an important class of molecular building blocks in organic chemistry and materials science. Reported herein is the palladium‐catalyzed synthesis of divinylbenzenes by meta‐CH olefination of sulfone‐based arenes. Successful sequential olefinations in a position‐selective manner provided a novel route for the synthesis of hetero‐dialkenylated products, which are difficult to access using conventional methods. Additionally, 1,3,5‐trialkenylated compounds can be generated upon successful removal of the directing group.
Recruitment and Immobilization of a Fluorinated Biomarker Across an Interfacial Phospholipid Film using a Fluorocarbon Gas
Authors: Yang Guang , O'Duill Miriam , Gouverneur Véronique , Krafft Marie Pierre
Published: June 2015

Perfluorohexane gas when introduced in the air atmosphere above a film of phospholipid self‐supported on an aqueous solution of C2F5‐labeled compounds causes the recruitment and immobilization of the latter in the interfacial film. When the phospholipid forms a liquid‐condensed Gibbs monolayer, which is the case for dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), the C2F5‐labeled molecule remains trapped in the monolayer after removal of F‐hexane. Investigations involve bubble profile analysis tensiometry (Gibbs films), Langmuir monolayers and microbubble experiments. The new phenomenon was utilized to incorporate a hypoxia biomarker, a C2F5‐labeled nitrosoimidazole (EF5), in microbubble shells. This finding opens perspectives in the delivery of fluorinated therapeutic molecules and biomarkers.
in situ synthesis of biopolyurethane nanocomposites reinforced with modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhang Chaoqun , Vennerberg Danny , Kessler Michael R.
Published: June 2015

Biopolyurethane nanocomposites reinforced with silane‐modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (s‐MWCNT) were successfully prepared. The carbon nanotube surfaces were modified by means of functional amine groups via ozone oxidation followed by silanization. The surface structure of the s‐MWCNTs was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The s‐MWCNTs were incorporated into a vegetable oil‐based polyurethane (PU) network via covalent bonding to prepare PU nanocomposites. The effect of s‐MWCNT loading on the morphology, thermomechanical, and tensile properties of the PU nanocomposites was studied. It was determined that the s‐MWCNTs were dispersed effectively in the polymer matrix and that they improved the interfacial strength between the reinforcing nanotubes and the polymer matrix. Storage modulus, glass transition temperature, Young's modulus, and tensile strength of the nanocomposites increased with increasing s‐MWCNT loading up to 0.8%. However, increasing the s‐MWCNT content to 1.2 wt % resulted in a decrease in thermomechanical properties of the PU nanocomposites. This effect was attributed to the fact that at high s‐MWCNT contents, the increased number of amine groups competed with the polyol's hydroxyl groups for isocyanate groups, causing a decrease in the integrity of the PU matrix. High s‐MWCNT contents also facilitated aggregation of the nanotubes, causing a decrease in thermomechanical properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42515.
Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and anchor worms (Lernaea cyprinacea) found on sea trout (Salmo trutta) in the River Minho catchment, an important area for conservation in NW Spain
Authors: Bao M. , Costal D. , Garci M. E. , Pascual S. , Hastie L. C.
Published: June 2015

The International Stretch of the River Minho (ISRM), in NW Spain, is an important area for marine and freshwater conservation. It constitutes the southern limit of distribution of migratory sea trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), where their populations are considered as vulnerable and endangered, respectively.

A sample of sea trout from the River Minho catchment (NW Spain) was examined for ectoparasites.

Sea lice (Lepeoptheirus salmonis) were found on 10/113 fish (9%). Infection levels ranged from 0–8 lice/fish. Anchor worms (Lernaea cyprinacea) were also found, on three fish (3%).

Lice identifications were confirmed by taxonomic and molecular analysis. This is the first time the presence of L. salmonis has been confirmed in NW Iberia.

The confirmed presence of these parasites will inform conservation agencies, wild fisheries and sustainable aquaculture initiatives in this important area.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability Margin Determination of Linear Discrete‐Time Systems Described By Fuzzy Convex Sets Uncertainty
Authors: Hallaji Majid , Zare Assef
Published: June 2015

This paper proposes a new method for determining the stability margin of uncertain linear discrete‐time systems with uncertainty described by fuzzy convex sets. Nonsymmetrical triangular membership functions describing the uncertainty of characteristic polynomial coefficients are considered. This method is based on transformation of the uncertain discrete systems to the continuous time area and generalization of Kharitonov theorem for determining the uncommon minimum confidence level that guarantees stability of the system.
Photoluminescence Tuning and Water Detection of Yttrium Diazinedicarboxylate Materials through Lanthanide Doping
Authors: Cepeda Javier , Pérez‐Yáñez Sonia , Beobide Garikoitz , Castillo Oscar , García Jose Ángel , Luque Antonio
Published: June 2015

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Oscar Castillo at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Bilbao, Spain. The cover image shows the colors emitted by polycrystalline samples of a series of 3D coordination compounds comprising yttrium(III) metal ions and pyrimidine‐4,6‐dicarboxylato and oxalato ligands when they are doped with europium(III) and terbium(III) ions. The color of the emission can be tuned by changing the amount of doping, varying the excitation wavelength, and/or monitoring the dehydration/rehydration of the channels.
Synthesis of 2‐X‐, 3‐X‐4,4′‐Dicyanobiphenyls (X = CH3, OCH3, F) by Cross‐Coupling of the Terephthalonitrile Dianion with Substituted Benzonitriles
Authors: Peshkov Roman Yu. , Panteleeva Elena V. , Shchegoleva Lyudmila N. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu. , Rybalova Tatyana V. , Vasilieva Nadezhda V. , Shteingarts Vitalij D.
Published: June 2015

A concise noncatalytic synthetic approach to 2‐ and 3‐substituted 4,4′‐dicyanobiphenyls by applying terephthalonitrile dianion 12– as para‐cyanophenylating reagent for neutral benzonitriles is described. Neutral participants are varied to reveal the scope of applicable substrates and to evaluate the electronic and structural factors governing the regioselectivity and efficiency of the cross‐coupling. Benzonitriles substituted with Me, OMe and F provide the corresponding dicyanobiphenyls in good yields. The regularities in the reactivities are interpreted in terms of a reaction scheme involving the intermediacy of a charge‐transfer complex between 12– and benzonitrile, which transforms into a dimeric dianion either through a heterolytic pathway and/or by successive single electron transfer and recombination of the primary generated radical anions. Quantum chemical calculations of the structure and energy of the principal reaction intermediates match the experimental data. CV measurements of the new dicyanobiphenyls are also included.