bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aligning In-Service Training Examinations in Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery With Competency-Based Education
Authors: Ganesh Kumar Nishant , Benvenuti Michael A. , Drolet Brian C.
Published: August 2017

Background 

In-service training examinations (ITEs) are used to assess residents across specialties. However, it is not clear how they are integrated with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones and competencies.

Objective 

This study explored the distribution of specialty-specific milestones and competencies in ITEs for plastic surgery and orthopaedic surgery.

Methods 

In-service training examinations were publicly available for plastic surgery (PSITE) and orthopaedics (OITE). Questions on the PSITE for 2014–2016 and the OITE for 2013–2015 were mapped to the specialty-specific milestones and the 6 competencies.

Results 

There was an uneven distribution of milestones and competencies in ITE questions. Nine of the 36 Plastic Surgery Milestones represented 52% (341 of 650) of questions, and 3 were not included in the ITE. Of 41 Orthopaedic Surgery Milestones, 7 represented 51% (201 of 394) of questions, and 5 had no representation on the ITE. Among the competencies, patient care was the most common (PSITE = 62% [403 of 650]; OITE = 59% [233 of 394]), followed by medical knowledge (PSITE = 34% [222 of 650]; OITE = 31% [124 of 394]). Distribution of the remaining competencies differed between the 2 specialties (PSITE = 4% [25 of 650]; OITE = 9% [37 of 394]).

Conclusions 

The ITEs tested slightly more than half of the milestones for the 2 specialties, and focused predominantly on patient care and medical knowledge competencies.
Exchange rate movements and export market dynamics: evidence from China
Authors: Huang Xiaobing
Published: August 2017

This paper highlights the relationship between foreign exchange rate fluctuations and firms’ export market dynamics using a Chinese firm-level production data and a firm-level trade data over the period of 2000–2006. This study adopts a discrete-time survival model in our empirical investigation and further executes several extensions and robustness checks to the baseline results. The main results of the paper can be summarized as follows: First, an exchange rate appreciation increases the likelihood of export market exit and decreases the probability of export market entry. Second, high productivity firms are less likely to exit from export markets and more likely to enter export markets in the period of exchange rate appreciation. Third, exchange rate appreciation decreases the likelihood of export market entering and increases the likelihood of export market exiting more for private-owned firms, young firms and non-eastern firms. Finally, other sources of heterogeneity, such as extensive margins, import demand elasticity, different destinations, U.S. dollar peg, and the liberalization of trading rights is also important to the effects of exchange rate changes.
Modeling the inorganic bromine partitioning in the tropical tropopause layer over the eastern and western Pacific Ocean
Authors: Navarro Maria A. , Saiz-Lopez Alfonso , Cuevas Carlos A. , Fernandez Rafael P. , Atlas Elliot , Rodriguez-Lloveras Xavier , Kinnison Douglas , Lamarque Jean-Francois , Tilmes Simone , Thornberry Troy , Rollins Andrew , Elkins James W. , Hintsa Eric J. , Moore Fred L.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. The stratospheric inorganic bromine (Bry) burden arising from the degradation of brominated very short-lived organic substances (VSLorg) and its partitioning between reactive and reservoir species is needed for a comprehensive assessment of the ozone depletion potential of brominated trace gases. Here we present modeled inorganic bromine abundances over the Pacific tropical tropopause based on aircraft observations of VSLorg from two campaigns of the Airborne Tropical TRopopause EXperiment (ATTREX 2013, carried out over the eastern Pacific, and ATTREX 2014, carried out over the western Pacific) and chemistry-climate simulations (along ATTREX flight tracks) using the specific meteorology prevailing. Using the Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM-Chem) we model that BrO and Br are the daytime dominant species. Integrated across all ATTREX flights, BrO represents ∼ 43 and 48 % of daytime Bry abundance at 17 km over the western and eastern Pacific, respectively. The results also show zones where Br / BrO > 1 depending on the solar zenith angle (SZA), ozone concentration, and temperature. On the other hand, BrCl and BrONO2 were found to be the dominant nighttime species with ∼  61 and 56 % of abundance at 17 km over the western and eastern Pacific, respectively. The western-to-eastern differences in the partitioning of inorganic bromine are explained by different abundances of ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), total inorganic chlorine (Cly), and the efficiency of heterogeneous reactions of bromine reservoirs (mostly BrONO2 and HBr) occurring on ice crystals.
Considering the future of anthropogenic gas-phase organic compound emissions and the increasing influence of non-combustion sources on urban air
quality
Authors: Khare Peeyush , Gentner Drew R.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Decades of policy in developed regions has successfully reduced total anthropogenic emissions of gas-phase organic compounds, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with an intentional, sustained focus on motor vehicles and other combustion-related sources. We examine potential secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and ozone formation in our case study megacity (Los Angeles), and demonstrate that non-combustion-related sources now contribute a major fraction of SOA and ozone precursors. Thus, they warrant greater attention beyond indoor environments to resolve large uncertainties in their emissions, oxidation chemistry, and outdoor air quality impacts in cities worldwide. We constrain the magnitude and chemical composition of emissions via several bottom-up approaches using: chemical analyses of products, emissions inventory assessments, theoretical calculations of emission timescales, and a survey of consumer product material safety datasheets. We demonstrate that the chemical composition of emissions from consumer products, and commercial/industrial products, processes, and materials is diverse across and within product/material-types with a wide range of SOA and ozone formation potentials that rivals other prominent sources, such as motor vehicles. With emission timescales from minutes to years, emission rates and source profiles need to be included, updated, and/or validated in emissions inventories, with expected regional/national variability. In particular, intermediate-volatility and semivolatile organic compounds (IVOCs and SVOCs) are key precursors to SOA but are excluded or poorly represented in emissions inventories, and exempt from emissions targets. We present an expanded framework for classifying VOC, IVOC, and SVOC emissions from this diverse array of sources that emphasizes a lifecycle approach over longer timescales and three emission pathways that extend beyond the short-term evaporation of VOCs: (1) solvent evaporation, (2) solute off-gassing, and (3) volatilization of degradation by-products. Furthermore, we find that ambient SOA formed from these non-combustion-related emissions could be misattributed to fossil fuel combustion due to the isotopic signature of their petroleum-based feedstocks.
A statistical comparison of cirrus particle size distributions measured using the 2-D stereo probe during the TC4, SPARTICUS, and MACPEX flight campaigns with historical cirrus datasets
Authors: Schwartz M. Christian
Published: August 2017

Abstract. This paper addresses two straightforward questions. First, how similar are the statistics of cirrus particle size distribution (PSD) datasets collected using the Two-Dimensional Stereo (2D-S) probe to cirrus PSD datasets collected using older Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) 2-D Cloud (2DC) and 2-D Precipitation (2DP) probes? Second, how similar are the datasets when shatter-correcting post-processing is applied to the 2DC datasets? To answer these questions, a database of measured and parameterized cirrus PSDs – constructed from measurements taken during the Small Particles in Cirrus (SPARTICUS); Mid-latitude Airborne Cirrus Properties Experiment (MACPEX); and Tropical Composition, Cloud, and Climate Coupling (TC4) flight campaigns – is used.Bulk cloud quantities are computed from the 2D-S database in three ways: first, directly from the 2D-S data; second, by applying the 2D-S data to ice PSD parameterizations developed using sets of cirrus measurements collected using the older PMS probes; and third, by applying the 2D-S data to a similar parameterization developed using the 2D-S data themselves. This is done so that measurements of the same cloud volumes by parameterized versions of the 2DC and 2D-S can be compared with one another. It is thereby seen – given the same cloud field and given the same assumptions concerning ice crystal cross-sectional area, density, and radar cross section – that the parameterized 2D-S and the parameterized 2DC predict similar distributions of inferred shortwave extinction coefficient, ice water content, and 94 GHz radar reflectivity. However, the parameterization of the 2DC based on uncorrected data predicts a statistically significantly higher number of total ice crystals and a larger ratio of small ice crystals to large ice crystals than does the parameterized 2D-S. The 2DC parameterization based on shatter-corrected data also predicts statistically different numbers of ice crystals than does the parameterized 2D-S, but the comparison between the two is nevertheless more favorable. It is concluded that the older datasets continue to be useful for scientific purposes, with certain caveats, and that continuing field investigations of cirrus with more modern probes is desirable.
Revising shortwave and longwave radiation archives in view of possible revisions of the WSG and WISG reference scales: methods and implications
Authors: Nyeki Stephan , Wacker Stefan , Gröbner Julian , Finsterle Wolfgang , Wild Martin
Published: August 2017

Abstract. A large number of radiometers are traceable to the World Standard Group (WSG) for shortwave radiation and the interim World Infrared Standard Group (WISG) for longwave radiation, hosted by the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos/World Radiation Centre (PMOD/WRC, Davos, Switzerland). The WSG and WISG have recently been found to over- and underestimate radiation values, respectively (Fehlmann et al., 2012; Gröbner et al., 2014), although research is still ongoing. In view of a possible revision of the reference scales of both standard groups, this study discusses the methods involved and the implications on existing archives of radiation time series, such as the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN). Based on PMOD/WRC calibration archives and BSRN data archives, the downward longwave radiation (DLR) time series over the 2006–2015 period were analysed at four stations (polar and mid-latitude locations). DLR was found to increase by up to 3.5 and 5.4 W m−2 for all-sky and clear-sky conditions, respectively, after applying a WISG reference scale correction and a minor correction for the dependence of pyrgeometer sensitivity on atmospheric integrated water vapour content. Similar increases in DLR may be expected at other BSRN stations. Based on our analysis, a number of recommendations are made for future studies.
Reflected ray retrieval from radio occultation data using radio
holographic filtering of wave fields in ray space
Authors: Gorbunov Michael E. , Cardellach Estel , Lauritsen Kent B.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Linear and non-linear representations of wave fields constitute the basis of modern algorithms for analysis of radio occultation (RO) data. Linear representations are implemented by Fourier Integral Operators, which allow for high-resolution retrieval of bending angles. Non-linear representations include Wigner Distribution Function (WDF), which equal the pseudo-density of energy in the ray space. Representations allow for filtering wave fields by suppressing some areas of the ray space and mapping the field back from the transformed space to the initial one. We apply this technique to the retrieval of reflected rays from RO observations. The use of reflected rays may increase the accuracy of the retrieval of the atmospheric refractivity. Reflected rays can be identified by the visual inspection of WDF or spectrogram plots. Numerous examples from COSMIC data indicate that reflections are mostly observed over oceans or snow, in particular, over Antarctica. We introduce the reflection index that characterizes the relative intensity of the reflected ray with respect to the direct ray. The index allows for the automatic identification of events with reflections. We use the radio holographic estimate of the errors of the retrieved bending angle profiles of reflected rays. A comparison of indices evaluated for a large base of events including the visual identification of reflections indicated a good agreement.
Net ecosystem carbon exchange of a dry temperate eucalypt forest
Authors: Hinko-Najera Nina , Isaac Peter , Beringer Jason , van Gorsel Eva , Ewenz Cacilia , McHugh Ian , Exbrayat Jean-François , Livesley Stephen J. , Arndt Stefan K.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by sequestering a considerable fraction of anthropogenic CO2, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. However, there is a gap in our understanding about the carbon dynamics of eucalypt (broadleaf evergreen) forests in temperate climates, which might differ from temperate evergreen coniferous or deciduous broadleaved forests given their fundamental differences in physiology, phenology and growth dynamics. To address this gap we undertook a 3-year study (2010–2012) of eddy covariance measurements in a dry temperate eucalypt forest in southeastern Australia. We determined the annual net carbon balance and investigated the temporal (seasonal and inter-annual) variability in and environmental controls of net ecosystem carbon exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER). The forest was a large and constant carbon sink throughout the study period, even in winter, with an overall mean NEE of −1234 ± 109 (SE) g C m−2 yr−1. Estimated annual ER was similar for 2010 and 2011 but decreased in 2012 ranging from 1603 to 1346 g C m−2 yr−1, whereas GPP showed no significant inter-annual variability, with a mean annual estimate of 2728 ± 39 g C m−2 yr−1. All ecosystem carbon fluxes had a pronounced seasonality, with GPP being greatest during spring and summer and ER being highest during summer, whereas peaks in NEE occurred in early spring and again in summer. High NEE in spring was likely caused by a delayed increase in ER due to low temperatures. A strong seasonal pattern in environmental controls of daytime and night-time NEE was revealed. Daytime NEE was equally explained by incoming solar radiation and air temperature, whereas air temperature was the main environmental driver of night-time NEE. The forest experienced unusual above-average annual rainfall during the first 2 years of this 3-year period so that soil water content remained relatively high and the forest was not water limited. Our results show the potential of temperate eucalypt forests to sequester large amounts of carbon when not water limited. However, further studies using bottom-up approaches are needed to validate measurements from the eddy covariance flux tower and to account for a possible underestimation in ER due to advection fluxes.
Global CO2 emissions from cement production
Authors: Andrew Robbie M.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Global production of cement has grown very rapidly in recent years, and after fossil fuels and land-use change, it is the third-largest source of anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide. The required data for estimating emissions from global cement production are poor, and it has been recognised that some global estimates are significantly inflated. Here we assemble a large variety of available datasets, prioritising official data and emission factors, including estimates submitted to the UNFCCC plus new estimates for China and India, to present a new analysis of global process emissions from cement production. We show that global emissions in 2016 were 1.45 ± 0.20 Gt CO2, equivalent to about 4 % of emissions from fossil fuels. Cumulative emissions to 2016 were 39.3 ± 2.6 Gt CO2, 66 % of which have occurred since 1990. Emissions in 2015 were 30 % lower than those recently reported by the Global Carbon Project. The data associated with this article can be found at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.831455.
Human–water interface in hydrological modelling: current status and future directions
Authors: Wada Yoshihide , Bierkens Marc F. P. , de Roo Ad , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Famiglietti James S. , Hanasaki Naota , Konar Megan , Liu Junguo , Müller Schmied Hannes , Oki Taikan , Pokhrel Yadu , Sivapalan Murugesu , Troy Tara J. , van Dijk Albert I. J. M. , van Emmerik Tim , Van Huijgevoort Marjolein H. J. , Van Lanen Henny A. J. , Vörösmarty Charles J. , Wanders Niko , Wheater Howard
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Over recent decades, the global population has been rapidly increasing and human activities have altered terrestrial water fluxes to an unprecedented extent. The phenomenal growth of the human footprint has significantly modified hydrological processes in various ways (e.g. irrigation, artificial dams, and water diversion) and at various scales (from a watershed to the globe). During the early 1990s, awareness of the potential for increased water scarcity led to the first detailed global water resource assessments. Shortly thereafter, in order to analyse the human perturbation on terrestrial water resources, the first generation of large-scale hydrological models (LHMs) was produced. However, at this early stage few models considered the interaction between terrestrial water fluxes and human activities, including water use and reservoir regulation, and even fewer models distinguished water use from surface water and groundwater resources. Since the early 2000s, a growing number of LHMs have incorporated human impacts on the hydrological cycle, yet the representation of human activities in hydrological models remains challenging. In this paper we provide a synthesis of progress in the development and application of human impact modelling in LHMs. We highlight a number of key challenges and discuss possible improvements in order to better represent the human–water interface in hydrological models.
Estimating unconsolidated sediment cover thickness by using the horizontal distance to a bedrock outcrop as secondary information
Authors: Kitterød Nils-Otto
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Unconsolidated sediment cover thickness (D) above bedrock was estimated by using a publicly available well database from Norway, GRANADA. General challenges associated with such databases typically involve clustering and bias. However, if information about the horizontal distance to the nearest bedrock outcrop (L) is included, does the spatial estimation of D improve? This idea was tested by comparing two cross-validation results: ordinary kriging (OK) where L was disregarded; and co-kriging (CK) where cross-covariance between D and L was included. The analysis showed only minor differences between OK and CK with respect to differences between estimation and true values. However, the CK results gave in general less estimation variance compared to the OK results. All observations were declustered and transformed to standard normal probability density functions before estimation and back-transformed for the cross-validation analysis. The semivariogram analysis gave correlation lengths for D and L of approx. 10 and 6 km. These correlations reduce the estimation variance in the cross-validation analysis because more than 50 % of the data material had two or more observations within a radius of 5 km. The small-scale variance of D, however, was about 50 % of the total variance, which gave an accuracy of less than 60 % for most of the cross-validation cases. Despite the noisy character of the observations, the analysis demonstrated that L can be used as secondary information to reduce the estimation variance of D.
Mineral-leaching chemical transport with runoff and sediment from severely eroded rare-earth tailings in southern China
Authors: Lu Huizhong , Cao Longxi , Liang Yin , Yuan Jiuqin , Zhu Yayun , Wang Yi , Gu Yalan , Zhao Qiguo
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Rare-earth mining has led to severe soil erosion in southern China. Furthermore, the presence of the mineral-leaching chemical ammonium sulfate in runoff and sediment poses a serious environmental threat to downstream water bodies. In this paper, the characteristics of mineral-leaching chemicals in surface soil samples collected in the field were studied. In addition, NH4+ and SO42− transport via soil erosion was monitored using runoff and sediment samples collected during natural rainfall processes. The results demonstrated that the NH4+ contents in the surface sediment deposits increased from the top of the heap (6.56 mg kg−1) to the gully (8.23 mg kg−1) and outside the tailing heap (13.03 mg kg−1). The contents of SO42− in the different locations of the tailing heaps ranged from 27.71 to 40.33 mg kg−1. During typical rainfall events, the absorbed NH4+ concentrations (2.05, 1.26 mg L−1) in runoff were significantly higher than the dissolved concentrations (0.93, 1.04 mg L−1), while the absorbed SO42− concentrations (2.87, 1.92 mg L−1) were significantly lower than the dissolved concentrations (6.55, 7.51 mg L−1). The dissolved NH4+ and SO42− concentrations in runoff displayed an exponentially decreasing tendency with increasing transport distance (Y = 1. 02 ⋅ exp( − 0. 00312X); Y = 3. 34 ⋅ exp( − 0. 0185X)). No clear trend with increasing distance was observed for the absorbed NH4+ and SO42− contents in transported sediment. The NH4+ and SO42− contents had positive correlations with the silt and clay ratio in transported sediment but negative correlations with the sand ratio. These results provide a better understanding of the transport processes and can be used to develop equations to predict the transport of mineral-leaching chemicals in rare-earth tailings, which can provide a scientific foundation for erosion control and soil management in rare-earth tailing regions in southern China.
Characterization of Canadian High Arctic glacier surface albedo from MODIS C6 data, 2001–2016
Authors: Mortimer Colleen A. , Sharp Martin
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Inter-annual variations and longer-term trends in the annual mass balance of glaciers in Canada's Queen Elizabeth Islands (QEI) are largely attributable to changes in summer melt. The largest source of melt energy in the QEI in summer is net shortwave radiation, which is modulated by changes in glacier surface albedo. We used measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors to investigate large scale spatial patterns and temporal trends and variability in the summer surface albedo of QEI glaciers and their relationship to observed changes in glacier surface temperature from 2001 to 2016. Mean summer black-sky shortwave broadband albedo (BSA) decreased at a rate of 0.029 ± 0.025 decade-1 over that period. Larger reductions in BSA occurred in July (−0.050 ± 0.031 decade-1). No change in BSA was observed in either June or August. Most of the decrease in BSA, which was greatest at lower elevations around the margins of the ice masses, occurred between 2007 and 2012 when mean summer BSA was anomalously low. The First Principal Component of the 16-year record of mean summer BSA was well correlated with the mean summer North Atlantic Oscillation Index, except in 2006, 2010, and 2016. During this 16-year period, the mean summer LST increased by 0.046 ± 0.036 °C yr-1 and the BSA record was negatively correlated (−0.64, p
Carnevalesque Postmodern Provocations from Boris Groy’s Argument
Authors: Tesar Marek
Published: August 2017

No abstract
Effects of Task Complexity Variables on Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency of Second Language Production: A Critical Review
Authors: Ismail Lilliati , Abd. Samad Arshad
Published: August 2017

This paper reviews recent research that has manipulated task complexity variables to gauge their effects on L2 learning. This review draws upon Robinson’s Triadic Componential Framework for task design (2001a) which suggests that increases in task complexity levels should be an important consideration when designing and sequencing a task-based language syllabus. Most of the studies discussed support Robinson’s contention that more complex tasks result in greater accuracy and complexity in L2 learners’ language production. This would imply the need to consider task complexity variables in selecting, designing and administering tasks in the second language classroom to achieve optimum effects on the learning process. Teachers would also have to be conscientious in evaluating cognitive loads of tasks to ensure heightened attention to meaning and forms. Also, the potential of using task complexity level as an organising principle for a second-language syllabus needs to be further explored and investigated.
Políticas públicas, interpretação judicial e as intenções do legislador: o ProUni e o “cripto-ativismo” do Supremo Tribunal Federal
Authors: Da Costa e Silva Lima João Marcelo , Werneck Arguelhes Diego
Published: August 2017

Este texto identifica e discute um caso de “cripto-ativismo” – um tipo de intervenção judicial forte na produção legislativa que, por outro lado, fica oculta sob sinais exteriores de deferência, como a declaração de constitucionalidade de uma norma questionada. Exemplos claros de cripto-ativismo aparecem com frequência em decisões de “interpretação conforme a constituição”, em que uma lei é formalmente mantida pelos juízes, mas seu conteúdo é alterado por meio de adições, na decisão judicial, ao texto legal. Neste trabalho, identificamos um mecanismo mais sutil que pode produzir o mesmo fenômeno. Argumentamos que a decisão do Supremo Tribunal Federal quanto à lei que instituiu o ProUni, mesmo declarando a constitucionalidade da medida, alterou o seu conteúdo ao redesenhar a finalidade do programa. A mudança é visível não na parte dispositiva da decisão, mas em sua fundamentação, que desconsiderou as preocupações concretas do legislador ao desenhar um programa focalizado e atribuiu ao ProUni um caráter universalista, e mais ambicioso, de redução das desigualdades sociais. Utilizamos o caso do ProUni para apontar problemas na postura típica da doutrina e da jurisprudência brasileiras quanto às “intenções do legislador”. A desconsideração absoluta das palavras do legislador quando se trata de investigar as finalidades de normas que consagram políticas públicas pode produzir impactos no mundo.
O princípio da supremacia do interesse público sobre o interesse privado como fundamento do Direito Administrativo Social
Authors: Gabardo Emerson
Published: August 2017

O artigo tem como objetivo analisar o princípio da supremacia do interesse público sobre o privado no contexto do Direito administrativo brasileiro. Utiliza como premissa uma visão contemporânea, cotejando a perspectiva tradicional com as críticas que vem sendo atribuídas à ideia de supremacia do interesse público. Tem como foco principal a demonstração de como deve ser realizada uma correta aplicação do princípio do ponto de vista hermenêutico. Finaliza contrapondo uma visão liberal dos fundamentos do Direito administrativo. Conclui pelo entendimento de que o interesse público está no núcleo de uma correta concepção de Estado social, bem como a sua supremacia está na essência da corrente chamada “Direito Administrativo Social”; razões pelas quais tornam-se absolutamente equivocadas as críticas desconstrutivas do princípio, bem como uma visão subsidiária do Direito administrativo, ou seja, pautada no interesse privado como fundamento normativo.
Water Deficiency Detection of Hevea brasiliensis Clones by Laser Induced Fluorescence
Authors: ZORO-DIAMA Emma Georgina , SORO Adama Penetjiligue , DIOMANDE Kedro Siriki , DIAN Kouadio , KAMATE Amara , ADOHI-KROU Adjo Viviane
Published: August 2017

Water is the key nutritional element for the optimal development of plants. A water deficiency leads to lower crop productivity. As the health status of a plant influences the photosynthesis process, a photosynthetic diagnosis of a plant can be carried by laser induced chlorophyll fluorescence, a reliable and fast method that is non-destructive to the sample. In this study, we show that it is possible to detect the water deficiency of rubber tree hevea brasiliensis from the chlorophyll fluorescence ratio. The fluorescence ratio used in this study is called the effective ratio and it corresponds to the both fluorescence peaks ratio. We noticed that the water deficient plants fluorescence ratios were higher than those of normally watered plants. Moreover, the stressed plants' ratios are greater than a threshold value which depends on the duration of water deprivation application.
A Study on Implications of Implementing Green HRM in the Corporate Bodies with Special Reference to Developing Nations
Authors: Ramasamy Adimuthu , Inore Ishmael , Sauna Richard
Published: August 2017

Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) is very critical in helping different organizations achieve environmental sustainability. This is a novel concept in relatively many organizations and especially those in the developing countries. Although more effort is required to help organizations in the implementation of the green policy, some of these organizations have already embraced the concept and have been utilizing it in some or all their Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. The main HRM practices generally include recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management and appraisal, compensation and reward, empowerment and participation, and the management of the organizational culture. This shows that HRM has a major role to play in helping turn their particular organizations green. This sets the basis of this paper, which utilizes the desk research but proposes further research in the area considering that it is still a green concept in the field of HRM. For the purpose of this paper, the terms businesses, companies, organizations, and firms will be used interchangeably.
Matching Local and Global Dimensions: A Knowledge Based Approach to Classify European Life Sciences Clusters
Authors: Parmentola Adele
Published: August 2017

It is now widely accepted that innovation is a territorially embedded process, which cannot be fully understood independent of the social and institutional conditions of individual places. On the basis of these considerations, some authors identified criteria to define the geographic confines for the innovative process, introducing the concept of the local systems of innovation (LIS), defined as networks of technologically specialized and locally situated firms, institutions and research agencies. Nevertheless empirical evidences show that especially in high tech industry like life sciences, relatively few clusters are completely self-sufficient in terms of the knowledge base from which they draw suggesting that the knowledge flows that feed innovation in a cluster are often both local and global.According to these considerations and starting from the knowledge based theory of innovations systems the paper proposes a theoretical framework that classifies the innovation systems considering the place of knowledge sourcing and the place of knowledge development. The framework has then been used to classify the European life sciences clusters. The empirical analysis shows that Local Innovation System is only a possible configuration of technology clusters that can be assumes also the configurations of Imported Innovation Systems, Exported Innovation Systems and Global Innovation Systems.
Scholarly Views on Theory: Its Nature, Practical Application, and Relation to World View in Business Research
Authors: Thomas Jason Earl
Published: August 2017

Understanding theory, its practical application, and how to select a theoretical framework for research studies is often a challenging problem for new graduate and doctoral business students. As these students explore theory use in various fields and the general academic body of knowledge, this task can become even more daunting and confusing. There does not appear to be a common definition of theory across or within different disciplines. Further, scholars disagree on the value of theory and its practical application. This paper explores the scholarly nature of theory, its application, and its relationship to world view. Examples and a discussion are provided to better help students absorb this important yet ambiguous topic.
Integrative Model of Nussp Program Policy Implementation in the Poor Community Empowerment Based on Tridaya
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Kadji Yulianto , Abdussamad Zuchri , Aneta Yanti
Published: August 2017

The implementation of NUSSP (Neighborhood Upgrading Shelter Sector Project) program policy is a residential upgrading and settlement sector project in the context of urban slum settlement management for the empowerment of the poor communities based on tridaya in Makassar City which was implemented since 2005-2009 (phase I). This study used a qualitative approach by using case study at five urban villages of NUSSP’s program locations as the key areas, namely: Buloa, Cambaya, Lette, Rappocini, and Balang Beru sub-districts within Makassar. The data collection used in-depth interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), direct and participatory observation supported by document study, case history, and triangulation. The results of this study indicated that the integrative model achievement of NUSSP’s program policy implementation in handling of urban slum settlement by using the tridaya’s empowerment approach as an effort to empower the poor society, in the form of output and outcome of policy implementation that had provided benefits for the government and the poor communities from the empowerment development aspect, such as the physical environment, economic empowerment, and social empowerment. Although from the economic aspect and social empowerment were not relatively optimal conducted by government and private parties, neither were not yet relatively optimal conducted by NUSSP executing actors in the utilization of local cultural values and religious values to support the successful implementation of NUSSP program policies in the field. The findings of this study were in the form of the development of “Tridaya” empowerment concept into “Pancadaya” (environmental, social, economic, cultural and religious development). This finding revealed that the importance of the use of cultural and religious values transformed in the poor community empowerment concept, so it was assumed that they will give a significant contribution in supporting the integrative model of NUSSP’s program policy implementation in the handling of slums in order to empower the poor communities in urban slum areas.
THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE EVOLUTION OF TRADE POLICY ON AGRICULTURAL MARKETS IN DEVELOPING ASIAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Poczta-Wajda Agnieszka , Pawlak Karolina
Published: August 2017

The situation in agricultural markets in Asian countries, as well as the future of agricultural policy and trade policy in these countries, is important for food producers in other parts of the world, especially in developed countries. The aim of this article is to present current agricultural policy trends in selected developing Asian countries using support measures published by the World Bank and the OECD, as well as to examine the global impact of food trade policy developments in these countries as a result of full liberalization scenario, as well as increased protectionism scenario. Research shows that raising tariffs on agricultural products in the analyzed Asian countries to a maximum allowable level would lead globally to lower trade and GDP in other parts of the world, while full tariff reductions would be a stimulus to trade and benefit the rest of the world.
O comprometimento organizacional segundo o perfil dos colaboradores de cooperativas de crédito.
Authors: Stecca Jaime Peixoto , Von Ende Marta , Stecca Fabiana Letícia Pereira Alves , Bento Márcia Helena dos Santos
Published: August 2017

O estudo do comprometimento organizacional, nas mais diferentes organizações, e seus antecedentes e consequentes, tem ocupado um espaço importante na agenda de pesquisas. É conveniente nesta agenda incluir as sociedades cooperativas devido sua importância na geração e distribuição de riquezas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar o comprometimento organizacional dos colaboradores de acordo com o seu perfil.  Para o alcance deste, realizou-se uma investigação junto aos colaboradores de cooperativas de crédito dos estados do Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná e Santa Catarina pertencentes a três representativos sistemas brasileiros de crédito cooperativo – Sicredi, Sicoob e Unicred. Um total de 388 pessoas responderam a 6 questões de perfil e 23 questões relativas ao comprometimento organizacional, com base no modelo validado por Medeiros (2003). Os resultados indicam que o comprometimento organizacional não se altera quando são considerados a faixa etária, a escolaridade e o tempo de atuação na cooperativa. Porém, ao se considerar o gênero, a área de atuação e o sistema onde se atua, é possível perceber alterações no comprometimento de acordo com o perfil. Conclui-se que em diferentes perfis é possível encontrar diferentes comprometimentos.
As características dos empreendimentos sociais atuantes na economia solidária em diferentes países da América Latina
Authors: Santos Maríndia Brachak dos , Duarte Tatiane Lopes , Piveta Maíra Nunes , Scherer Flavia Luciane , Madruga Lúcia Rejane Da Rosa Gama
Published: August 2017

O presente artigo tem como objetivo identificar as características e a concepção de economia solidária de empreendimentos sociais de diferentes países participantes da 2ª Feira Mundial de Economia Solidária. Quanto ao método, o estudo classifica-se como uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem qualitativa. Para a coleta de dados primários utilizou-se de entrevistas semiestruturadas, aplicadas junto aos representantes de quatro empreendimentos da América Latina, sendo eles: Peru, Argentina, Uruguai e Brasil. Dentre os principais resultados tem-se que a maioria dos entrevistados considera a economia solidária um fenômeno social que resulta em trabalho coletivo, autogestão, equidade e solidariedade o que vem ao encontro dos ditames da teoria. Aliado a isto, destaca-se a importância das feiras como ponto de comercialização de produtos e troca de informações.
O cooperativismo urbano: A experiência das cooperativas habitacionais no Brasil e no Uruguai
Authors: Oliveira Filho Joao Telmo , Vasconcellos Carla Portal , Cirino Maria Joana , Rigo Murielli Novelli , Tebald Vanusa
Published: August 2017

O presente artigo busca informar sobre o modelo do cooperativismo habitacional, suas características históricas, políticas e sociais e sua configuração jurídica, apresentando neste texto o exemplo de cooperativas brasileiras e uruguaias. Busca-se relacionar as experiências em análise, salientando a importância histórica das iniciativas das cooperativas habitacionais na legalidade urbanística num contexto geral e nas experiências em particular. Inicialmente é feita uma breve referência do problema da habitação social no Brasil, da politica urbana no Brasil e do histórico do cooperativismo habitacional no país para depois analisar experiências de organizações cooperativas nas cidades de Porto Alegre e Bento Gonçalves, no Estado do rio Grande do Sul, no Brasil, e a experiência das cooperativas habitacionais no Uruguai, especialmente o modelo da Federação Uruguaia de Cooperativas de Vivenda por Ajuda Mutua- FUCVAM. As cooperativas habitacionais no Uruguai são exemplos de uma produção de moradias de qualidade por meio da mobilização social. As experiências nos dois países revelam a importância do estímulo às cooperativas habitacionais na busca de uma sociedade menos excludente e desigual
Study on Cultivators Associating Post Harvest Losses of Onion Vegetable in Sindh’s Mirpurkhas District
Authors: Shakeel Hussain Chattha  , Benish Nawaz Mirani  , Shakeel Ahmed Soomro  , Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto  , Irfan Ahmed Shaikh  , Hafeez-u-Rehman Mangio  , Ghulam Mujtaba Khushk  , Imtiaz Ali Dahri  , Abid Ali Abro  , Zaheer Ahmed Khan
Published: August 2017

A study was carried out in Mirpurkhas District of Sindh Province during the year 2015-16, aiming to observe post-harvest losses of onions associated with the cultivators. Following the random sampling 60 respondents were selected from 12 villages of 06 Talukas in the District. Interviews were conducted for the collection of data. Problems expressed were as; high cost of fertilizers (93.33%), high cost of pesticides (93.33%), hand weeding is labour consuming and expensive (91.66%), labour problems during harvesting (85%), ineffective and costly weedicides (80%), lack of knowledge about recommended fertilizers doses for onion crop (80%) and lack of knowledge about improved varieties (68.33%). The problems in marketing of onion include lack of remunerative price (96.66%), fluctuation in market price (93.33%) and high charges of transportation (20%). The present study suggested that training/ awareness programs should be conducted for cultivators regarding establishing technical storage and handling onion problems.
Real Risk-Free Rate, the Central Bank, and Stock Market Bubbles
Authors: Ilomäki Jukka , Laurila Hannu
Published: August 2017

The central bank acts as a social planner, and adjusts the real risk-free rate of return to correct any mispricing in the stock market so that the emergence of positive or negative bubbles is avoided. The analysis shows that the central bank must raise the risk-free rate in the case of a positive bubble, and vice versa. Moreover, the central bank should intervene in the stock market even if it does not have perfect information about the bubble. This is because the sequential dividend yields in the pricing equations are stationary. Thus, even the delayed reaction of the central bank prevents the fundamental value and the equilibrium price from drifting apart for extended periods.
Mudança organizacional: uma análise a partir da teoria das tipologias estratégicas
Authors: Machado Emanuelly Comoretto , Marchi Janaina , HÃ¶rbe Tatiane de Andrade Neves , Tomazzoni Gean Carlos , Goulart Cristiane Silveira , De Moura Gilnei Luiz
Published: August 2017

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar o processo de mudança organizacional em uma indústria de médio porte, por meio da percepção de atores envolvidos com o processo, a luz da teoria das tipologias – defensor, prospector, analyzer e reactor – de estratégia, estrutura e processo de Miles et al. (1978). A revisão de literatura apoiou-se nas perspectivas teóricas do processo de mudança organizacional, descrevendo os facilitadores e dificultadores deste fenômeno, e nas tipologias estratégicas, baseando-se no modelo proposto por Miles et al. (1978). Este estudo classifica-se como exploratório, com emprego de abordagem metodológica qualitativa. Para coleta de dados, realizou-se oito entrevistas semiestruturadas com colaboradores que perpassaram pelo processo de mudança organizacional na referida indústria. A análise de dados foi realizada com a utilização da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados demostraram um alinhamento estratégico entre a proposta da nova gestão, o comportamento dos líderes e as expectativas dos colaboradores. Ainda, verificou-se uma migração de tipologia estratégica, durante o fenômeno da mudança organizacional. Sendo que, em uma fase inicial percebeu-se um predomínio da estratégia reactor e em uma fase final, a tipologia predominante foi a analyzer.
Editorial
Authors: Folloni André , Hachem Daniel Wunder
Published: August 2017

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Defensive behaviors of the Oriental armywormMythimna separatain response to different parasitoid species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Zhou Jincheng , Meng Ling , Li Baoping
Published: August 2017

This study examined defensive behaviors ofMythimna separata(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae varying in body size in response to two parasitoids varying in oviposition behavior;Microplitis mediatorfemales sting the host with the ovipositor after climbing onto it whileMeteorus pulchricornisfemales make the sting by standing at a close distance from the host.Mythimna separatalarvae exhibited evasive (escaping and dropping) and aggressive (thrashing) behaviors to defend themselves against parasitoidsM. mediatorandM. pulchricornis. Escaping and dropping did not change in probability with host body size or parasitoid species. Thrashing did not vary in frequency with host body size, yet performed more frequently in response toM. mediatorthan toM. pulchricornis. Parasitoid handling time and stinging likelihood varied depending not only on host body size but also on parasitoid species. Parasitoid handling time increased with host thrashing frequency, similar in slope for both parasitoids yet on a higher intercept forM. mediatorthan forM. pulchricornis. Handling time decreased with host size forM. pulchricornisbut not forM. mediator. The likelihood of realizing an ovipositor sting decreased with thrashing frequency of both small and large hosts forM. pulchricornis, while this was true only for large hosts forM. mediator. Our results suggest that the thrashing behavior ofM. separatalarvae has a defensive effect on parasitism, depending on host body size and parasitoid species with different oviposition behaviors.
Allele specific expression analysis identifies regulatory variation associated with stress-related genes in the Mexican highland maize landrace Palomero Toluqueño
Authors: Aguilar-Rangel M. Rocío , Chávez Montes Ricardo A. , González-Segovia Eric , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey , Simpson June K. , Sawers Ruairidh J.H.
Published: August 2017

Background

Gene regulatory variation has been proposed to play an important role in the adaptation of plants to environmental stress. In the central highlands of Mexico, farmer selection has generated a unique group of maize landraces adapted to the challenges of the highland niche. In this study, gene expression in Mexican highland maize and a reference maize breeding line were compared to identify evidence of regulatory variation in stress-related genes. It was hypothesised that local adaptation in Mexican highland maize would be associated with a transcriptional signature observable even under benign conditions.

Methods

Allele specific expression analysis was performed using the seedling-leaf transcriptome of an F1individual generated from the cross between the highland adapted Mexican landrace Palomero Toluqueño and the reference line B73, grown under benign conditions. Results were compared with a published dataset describing the transcriptional response of B73 seedlings to cold, heat, salt and UV treatments.

Results

A total of 2,386 genes were identified to show allele specific expression. Of these, 277 showed an expression difference between Palomero Toluqueño and B73 alleles under benign conditions that anticipated the response of B73 cold, heat, salt and/or UV treatments, and, as such, were considered to display a prior stress response. Prior stress response candidates included genes associated with plant hormone signaling and a number of transcription factors. Construction of a gene co-expression network revealed further signaling and stress-related genes to be among the potential targets of the transcription factors candidates.

Discussion

Prior activation of responses may represent the best strategy when stresses are severe but predictable. Expression differences observed here between Palomero Toluqueño and B73 alleles indicate the presence ofcis-acting regulatory variation linked to stress-related genes in Palomero Toluqueño. Considered alongside gene annotation and population data, allele specific expression analysis of plants grown under benign conditions provides an attractive strategy to identify functional variation potentially linked to local adaptation.