bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial/ancestral diversity in 174 toxicity-related radiogenomic studies
Authors: Zuber Siti Hajar , Yahya Noorazrul
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

This study systematically reviews the distribution of racial/ancestral features and their inclusion as covariates in genetic–toxicity association studies following radiation therapy.

Materials and Methods:

Original research studies associating genetic features and normal tissue complications following radiation therapy were identified from PubMed. The distribution of radiogenomic studies was determined by mining the statement of country of origin and racial/ancestrial distribution and the inclusion in analyses. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine the distribution of studies across races/ancestries, countries, and continents and the inclusion in analyses.

Results:

Among 174 studies, only 23 with a population of more one race/ancestry which were predominantly conducted in the United States. Across the continents, most studies were performed in Europe (77 studies averaging at 30.6 patients/million population [pt/mil]), North America (46 studies, 20.8 pt/mil), Asia (46 studies, 2.4 pt/mil), South America (3 studies, 0.4 pt/mil), Oceania (2 studies, 2.1 pt/mil), and none from Africa. All 23 studies with more than one race/ancestry considered race/ancestry as a covariate, and three studies showed race/ancestry to be significantly associated with endpoints.

Conclusion:

Most toxicity-related radiogenomic studies involved a single race/ancestry. Individual Participant Data meta-analyses or multinational studies need to be encouraged.
Generalized Beilinson Elements and Generalized Soulé Characters
Authors: Sakugawa Kenji
Published: February 2020

The generalized Soulé character was introduced by H. Nakamura and Z. Wojtkowiak and is a generalization of Soulé’s cyclotomic character. In this paper, we prove that certain linear sums of generalized Soulé characters essentially coincide with the image of generalized Beilinson elements in K-groups under Soulé’s higher regulator maps. This result generalizes Huber–Wildeshaus’ theorem, which is a cyclotomic field case of our results, to an arbitrary number fields.
Driving Cycle and Elasticity Manoeuvres Simulation of a Small SUV Featuring an Electrically Boosted 1.0 L Gasoline Engine
Authors: Zanelli Alessandro , Millo Federico , Barbolini Marco
Published: February 2020

In order to meet the CO2 emission reduction targets, downsizing coupled with turbocharging has been proven as an effective way in reducing CO2 emissions while maintaining and improving vehicle driveability. As the downsizing becomes widely exploited, the increased boost levels entail the exploration of dual stage boosting systems. In a context of increasing electrification, the usage of electrified boosting systems can be effective in the improvement of vehicle performances. The aim of this work is therefore to evaluate, through numerical simulation, the impact of different voltage (12 V or 48 V) electric superchargers (eSC) on an extremely downsized 1.0L engine on vehicle performance and fuel consumption over different transient manoeuvres. The virtual test rig employed for the analysis integrates a 1D CFD Fast Running Model (FRM) engine representative of a 1.0L state-of-the-art gasoline engine featuring an eSC in series with the main turbocharger, an electric network (12 V or 48 V), a six speed manual transmission and a vehicle representative of a B-SUV segment car. A preliminary assessment of the steady state performances of the 1.0L engine with the electrified dual boosting system with both 12 V and 48 V electric supercharger was performed. Then, the vehicle performances were evaluated by means of, on the one hand, vehicle elasticity manoeuvres for the performance assessment and, on the other hand, type approval and RDE driving cycles, for the fuel economy assessment. An evaluation of possible engine and vehicle hardware modifications was also carried out. In particular, the effect of a variation of the final drive ratio, the increase of the turbine size and the usage of a high efficiency engine concept (featuring an increased compression ratio from 10 to 12 and a late intake valve closing, exploiting the advantages of a Miller cycle) were investigated.
Balancing Under and Over Communication in Sustainability
Authors: Pezet Eric , Casalegno Cecilia
Published: February 2020

As all-sized profit organizations mostly compete both globally and locally, they have to think about a combination of strategies that have increasing social and environmental impacts, naturally dictated by a wider range of actions. Problems frequently arise from firms’ inability to successfully balance these two business functions: Communication and CSR. Both functions should take into account all the firm stakeholders simultaneously and they frequently meet, as they both ultimately aim at understanding the links between society, communities, the economy and ecosystems. Considering this, a model which analyses the different types of communication suited to each dimension of the integrated CSR is proposed. The elements of this model, can help organizations to avoid traps represented by the so called under and over communication.
Transparency in Local State-Owned Enterprises in Italy
Authors: Bertocchi Marco
Published: February 2020

Transparency, integrated with corruption prevention measures, is one of the key answers provided by the Italian legislator to face the problem of the inefficiencies of Local SOEs. While, according to the international guidelines formulated by the OECD, SOEs should follow the same standards of transparency and disclosure adopted by listed companies, the approach followed in Italy is to assimilate SOEs to public administrations by providing them the same transparency regime as "compatible". An important exception concerns listed publicly owned companies, for which a "lighter" public transparency regime integrates the transparency and disclosure measures generally provided for listed companies.
Transparency Duties in Italian Universities
Authors: Valerio Daniele
Published: February 2020

The Legislative Decree no. 33/2013 and subsequent amendments and additions involved large areas of the public sector, including state universities, which are subject to the publication obligations affecting most Italian administrations. The absence of specific guidelines on the subject, also due to the co-presence of different authorities, leaves operators to the difficult reconciliation between the specificity of the university system and the generality of regulatory obligations.
Integrity Management Policy in Italy
Authors: Borgonovi Elio , Esposito Paolo
Published: February 2020

Low efficiency of public administrations is considered an obstacle towards overcoming the effects of the financial crisis and recovering growth. Why does this happen? It is for sure because principles, criteria, techniques of good management are not tailored to the peculiarity of public interest organizations, but also because public integrity distortions orient people to use it as an instrument to exercise power. New Public Management has not been sufficient to break the vicious circle of inefficient public administration and a new anti-corruption law has been introduced in Italy. Its main objective is to prevent and control “the negative corruption effect” attempts towards the common good – also characterized by capital rationing – which can compromise the present and future wealth of communities.
Transparency and Spending Review: A Model for Italian Healthcare
Authors: Adinolfi Paola
Published: February 2020

Transparency and spending review are two key items in the public policies of most Western countries. Though they are constantly perceived as targets to be pursued, little evidence is found of an approach that may synergistically combine such two issues with a view to producing value. The T.R.E.E. project is an example of an integrated approach to the change management process that connects change to the production of value, as well as to training, organisation and communication.
The Maturity of Tourism Networks: An Exploratory Study
Authors: d'Angella Francesca , De Carlo Manuela
Published: February 2020

Networks in tourism are a growing phenomenon worldwide and tourism literature has devoted considerable space to networks’ policies, governance forms, competitive advantages and activities. Literature that focuses on networks’ operations generally analyzes what kind of activities are put in place without examining how they are carried out and whether they generate a competitive advantage. To fill this gap, our paper provides a notion of network maturity and introduces a taxonomy of the maturity levels of a network’s operations. The three-stage maturity model contributes to tourism literature by exploring how networks can evolve from basic to more sophisticated operations. From a managerial perspective, the paper contributes to evaluating network effectiveness and defining paths to improve it.
Collaborative Consumption and Tourism: Online Travelers’ Experience
Authors: Giachino Chiara , Re Piergiorgio , Cantino Valter
Published: February 2020

Tourism came out to be one of the sector more involved in the sharing economy and in the collaborative consumption phenomenon: the way people choose, buy and live a journey is changed and, even the way to do tourism is changed. Sharing and collaborative consumption, based on trading and swapping, has given the possibility to new companies to emerge and serve travelers as they need to. Today, lot of people doesn’t know how to describe the collaborative consumption, but they use it in everyday life.  Airbnb, Couchsurfing, HouseTrip and many others are examples of how collaborative consumption meets the tourist industry: different way to satisfy tourist’s search for a solution. The aim of the research is to investigate the users’ attitude toward online platforms and, how those platforms are changing travel’s experience.
CSR as a Driver where ESG Performance will Ultimately Matter
Authors: Cini Andrea Cincinnati , Ricci Chiara
Published: February 2020

Despite the clear evidence and vast research conducted both in Europe and America, little is known about the correlation between CSR and ESG performance metrics. The risk reporting and analysis are integrally tied to heightening efficiency, yet when it comes to risk reporting through ESG perspective the evidence is fragmentary and approximate. Starting from the question whether corporate social responsibility has a positive impact on firm long-term value, we have therefore explored how fundamental is for a company being capable of measuring its extrafinancial performance. Using a cross section of resources, we examine how essential is to evaluate firms performance through ESG reporting and why capital has started to flow towards high-ESG firms and in turn more sustainable companies. Given that social responsible companies are frequently estimated as more economically successful, we point out that being just CSR oriented is not an option anymore, but imperative. The trend is clear and the market has answered the question of whether ESG risk reporting is valuable or not.
CSR in Small and Medium Companies and Stakeholder’s Relationships
Authors: Re Piergiorgio , Giachino Chiara
Published: February 2020

Through the stakeholder theory perspective, this paper goes in depth in understanding the important role of family intentions in building relationships with multiple kinds of stakeholders. In literature, the different approach of family and non-family businesses towards social and environmental issues has been extensively discussed without reaching a commonly accepted conclusion. A family business context is more favourable for proactive stakeholder engagement because the owner can take decisions without worrying too much about the economic outcome. Moreover, the long-term orientation of family businesses is an element that can reinforce the role of corporate social responsibility and its link with local stakeholders, without need for formal and structured processes, above all in SMEs.
Retailing 4.0: The New Era of E-commerce in Fast Moving Consumer Goods
Authors: Fornari Edoardo , Grandi Sebastiano , Fornari Daniele
Published: February 2020

The arrival of the online channel has initiated a new cycle in competitiveness among retailers characterized by shoppers’ increasing nomadism around physical and digital touch points. The present work adopts a supply-side analytical approach to highlight drivers and perspectives of e-commerce development within the grocery sector. Research results emphasize that: (i) online-native retailers hold a well-established position of leadership worldwide and thus fundamentally influence e-grocery dynamics as a whole; (ii) the e-commerce channel is characterized by profit margins that are significantly lower than store-based channel ones. This represents the main limitation to online grocery sales growth, above all for offline-native retailers who maintain core business in their bricks & mortar stores.
The Hidden Side of 3D Printing in Management
Authors: Pascucci Federica , Perna Andrea , Runfola Andrea , Gregori Gian Luca
Published: February 2020

3D printing is stimulating a flourishing academic debate. This is witnessed by both the increasing number of scientific contributions and of ad-hoc conferences and workshops organized at national and international levels. Although this rising attention, it seems that the major part of studies has roots in technical areas such as engineering and materials science, while only a minor part of the available studies face the 3D printing from a business and management perspectives. Hence, this article focuses on two main issues: (1) understanding what the current business/management themes are related to 3D printing; (2) identifying the theoretical and managerial implications concerning 3D printing. Recurring to a systematic literature review of published academic articles, this paper identifies and discusses five main thematic areas and consequent implications.
Technology Resilience and the S.T.O.R.M. Factory
Authors: Pironti Marco , Pisano Paola , Papa Armando
Published: February 2020

Opportunities opened up by the Industry 4.0 paradigm are related to the acceleration of flexible and open business planning and governance mechanisms to foster the adaptability of the value chain to the rapid changes during ongoing operations by reducing gaps and controlling efforts. The constant search for a dual perspective (short- to medium/long term) and a twofold equilibrium (micro and macro vs. internal and external) is creating new challenges for sustainable business models. The Self-Tuning Open Reengineering Model (STORM) is well suited to explain the organizational behaviours of both industrial and craftsman firms in terms of the strategic and operational aspects of the smart factory paradigm.
Grocery Retailing in the I4.0 Era
Authors: Barile Sergio , Polese Francesco , Sarno Debora
Published: February 2020

Grocery Retailing is facing many challenges and digital transformation is required for a market-driven space competition. The paper analyses the major trends of technology adoption in grocery retailing and integrates them in the wider framework of Industry 4.0. New networks and network economies derive, and new issues for management emerge.
Box-Behnken Design Approach Toward Predicting the Corrosion Response of 13Cr Stainless Steel
Authors: Kazemipour Mostafa , Salahi Salar , Nasiri Ali
Published: February 2020

13Cr stainless steel, the most commonly used oil country tubular good material with good mechanical and corrosion behavior, has the drawback of sensitivity to localized corrosion, particularly in offshore downhole environments, limiting the life span of the parts. A careful assessment of the corrosion behavior of the material can be done by the perception of the most influential environmental factors combined with the material’s intrinsic microstructure. This study aims to focus on the former, the effect of environmental factors, including pH, temperature, and chloride concentration, varying in the ranges of 4 to 7, 22°C to 80°C, and 1,000 mg/L to 22,000 mg/L, respectively, on the pitting corrosion behavior of 13Cr stainless steel. Adopting a response surface methodology, using a Box-Behnken design, a carefully designed set of corrosion tests at various combinations of the environmental factors were performed. Considering the pitting potential measured from the cyclic potentiodynamic polarization testing, as the response of each experiment, a quadratic model was developed correlating the studied environmental factors and the pitting potential values. Further analysis of the developed model was conducted through analysis of variance, followed by optimizing the model according to the highest, medium, and lowest pitting potentials. The optimized results confirmed that the best corrosion behavior occurs at approximately the lowest chloride concentration and temperature, and the highest pH value. However, contrary to the expectations, the worst corrosion response was detected at the medium temperature of 52°C, instead of the highest temperature of 80°C. It was concluded that at higher temperatures, the corrosion tends to be more uniform, resulting in the formation of a layer of corrosion products that covers the sample’s surface. The corrosion product layer acts as a barrier against the diffusion of the aggressive ions, causing deceleration of the corrosion reactions.
Crime and Output
Authors: Plotnikov Dmitry
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a structural model of crime and output. Individuals make an occupational
choice between criminal and legal activities. The return to becoming a criminal is
endogenously determined in a general equilibrium together with the level of crime and
economic activity. I calibrate the model to the Northern Triangle countries and conduct
several policy experiments. I find that for a country like Honduras crime reduces GDP by
about 3 percent through its negative effect on employment indirectly, in addition to direct
costs of crime associated with material losses, which are in line with literature estimates.
Also, the model generates a non-linear effect of crime on output and vice versa. On average I
find that a one percent increase in output per capita implies about ½ percent decline in crime,
while a decrease of about 5 percent in crime leads to about one percent increase in output per
capita. These positive effects are larger if the initial level of crime is larger.
Wage Growth and Inflation in Europe
Authors: Boranova Vizhdan , Huidrom Raju , Nowak Sylwia , Topalova Petia , Tulin Volodymyr , Varghese Richard
Published: February 2020

Wages have been rising faster than productivity in many European countries for the past few years, yet signs of underlying consumer price pressures remain limited. To shed light on this puzzle, this paper examines the historical link between wage growth and inflation in Europe and factors that influence the strength of the passthrough from labor costs to prices. Historically, wage growth has led to higher inflation, but the impact has weakened since 2009. Empirical analysis suggests that the passthrough from wage growth to inflation is significantly lower in periods of subdued inflation and inflation expectations, greater competitive pressures, and robust corporate profitability. Thus the recent pickup in wage growth is likely to have a more muted impact on inflation than in the past.
Monetary Policy Is Not Always Systematic and Data-Driven
Authors: Bulir Ales , Vlcek Jan
Published: February 2020

Does monetary policy react systematically to macroeconomic innovations? In a sample of 16 countries – operating under various monetary regimes – we find that monetary policy decisions, as expressed in yield curve movements, do react to macroeconomic innovations and these reactions reflect the monetary policy regime. While we find evidence of the primacy of the price stability objective in the inflation targeting countries, links to inflation and the output gap are generally weaker and less systematic in money-targeting and multiple-objective countries.
Central African Republic
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Published: February 2020

The program of economic policies and reforms implemented under the three-year ECF arrangement that expired in July helped to restore growth, reduce fiscal and external imbalances, and strengthen public administration. While the peace agreement was signed last February, its implementation has been slow, reflecting in part the lack of ownership by some of the armed groups. Overall, the C.A.R. remains in a very fragile situation, with a volatile security environment, limited administrative capacity, poor governance, and lack of social cohesion. To help address the country’s protracted balance of payment financing needs in this challenging environment, the authorities have requested a new three-year arrangement under the ECF for an amount of SDR 83.55 million (75 percent of quota).
Peru
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Published: February 2020

Selected Issues
Niger
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Published: February 2020

Niger faces daunting development challenges, aggravated by terrorist incursions, climate change, and low uranium export prices. Presidential elections are due in late 2020. Reforms are advancing and economic activity is reasonably strong.
Mali
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Published: February 2020

Security and social conditions in Mali have steadily deteriorated in recent years, especially in the central and northern regions. Implementation of the 2015 peace agreement is challenging, rendering the return of effective state control to these regions difficult. Rising security spending is putting pressure on priority social and development spending. Notwithstanding the difficult security situation, the Malian economy, largely concentrated in the South, has performed fairly well. A new three-year ECF arrangement in support of the authorities’ medium-term development strategy (CREDD 2019–23) was approved on August 28, 2019.
Republic of South Sudan
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Statistics Dept.
Published: February 2020

To support the Bank of South Sudan (BSS) in improving external sector statistics
(ESS), the IMF’s Statistics Department (STA) conducted a technical assistance (TA) mission
in Juba, South Sudan, during June 17–28, 2019. This mission is part of the ongoing TA to
South Sudan on capacity building in ESS. The last ESS mission for South Sudan took place in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during July 30 to August 3, 2018. The action plan of the 2018 mission was
largely achieved, including the priority recommendations; however, some of the action items
from the 2016 mission are outstanding. Reliable ESS are essential for informed economic
policymaking by the authorities and will satisfy the data needs of key stakeholders to assess the
country’s external sector developments.
Republic of Estonia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Published: February 2020

This 2019 Article IV Consultation with Estonia discusses that the outlook is favorable for the near term, however, for slower economic activity for the medium term. Th economy has performed well in recent years, supported by prudent management and effective structural reforms. Growth remains strong and unemployment is at a record low. Inflation is above the euro-area average, consistent with Estonia’s convergence process. Wages are rising, reflecting a tight labor market and skill shortages at the high end of the labor market. Absent reforms to boost productivity and manage demographic challenges, however, growth will slow notably. The authorities need to guard against potential overheating in the near term while taking advantage of sizable fiscal buffers in the medium term to support innovation and labor supply and reduce inequality. The report recommends that it is imperative to consider changes that preserve the pension system’s viability and sustainability, while promoting policies that address inequality. This includes raising female labor participation through broader implementation of gender pay transparency and flexible childcare arrangements.
Characterization of aerosol particles at Cabo Verde close to sea level and at the cloud level – Part 2: Ice-nucleating particles in air, cloud and seawater
Authors: Gong Xianda , Wex Heike , van Pinxteren Manuela , Triesch Nadja , Fomba Khanneh Wadinga , Lubitz Jasmin , Stolle Christian , Robinson Tiera-Brandy , Müller Thomas , Herrmann Hartmut , Stratmann Frank
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) in the troposphere can form ice in clouds via heterogeneous ice nucleation. Yet, atmospheric number concentrations of INPs (NINP) are not well characterized, and, although there is some understanding of their sources, it is still unclear to what extend different sources contribute or if all sources are known. In this work, we examined properties of INPs at Cabo Verde (a.k.a. Cape Verde) from different environmental compartments: the oceanic sea surface microlayer (SML), underlying water (ULW), cloud water and the atmosphere close to both sea level and cloud level. Both enrichment and depletion of NINP in SML compared to ULW were observed. The enrichment factor (EF) varied from roughly 0.4 to 11, and there was no clear trend in EF with ice-nucleation temperature. NINP values in PM10 sampled at Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) at any particular ice-nucleation temperature spanned around 1 order of magnitude below −15 ∘C, and about 2 orders of magnitude at warmer temperatures (>-12 ∘C). Among the 17 PM10 samples at CVAO, three PM10 filters showed elevated NINP at warm temperatures, e.g., above 0.01 L−1 at −10 ∘C. After heating samples at 95 ∘C for 1 h, the elevated NINP at the warm temperatures disappeared, indicating that these highly ice active INPs were most likely biological particles. INP number concentrations in PM1 were generally lower than those in PM10 at CVAO. About 83±22 %, 67±18 % and 77±14 % (median±standard deviation) of INPs had a diameter >1 µm at ice-nucleation temperatures of −12, −15 and −18 ∘C, respectively. PM1 at CVAO did not show such elevated NINP at warm temperatures. Consequently, the difference in NINP between PM1 and PM10 at CVAO suggests that biological ice-active particles were present in the supermicron size range. NINP in PM10 at CVAO was found to be similar to that on Monte Verde (MV, at 744 m a.s.l.) during noncloud events. During cloud events, most INPs on MV were activated to cloud droplets. When highly ice active particles were present in PM10 filters at CVAO, they were not observed in PM10 filters on MV but in cloud water samples instead. This is direct evidence that these INPs, which are likely biological, are activated to cloud droplets during cloud events. For the observed air masses, atmospheric NINP values in air fit well to the concentrations observed in cloud water. When comparing concentrations of both sea salt and INPs in both seawater and PM10 filters, it can be concluded that sea spray aerosol (SSA) only contributed a minor fraction to the atmospheric NINP. This latter conclusion still holds when accounting for an enrichment of organic carbon in supermicron particles during sea spray generation as reported in literature.
Identifying a regional aerosol baseline in the Eastern North Atlantic using collocated measurements and a mathematical algorithm to mask high submicron number concentration aerosol events
Authors: Gallo Francesca , Uin Janek , Springston Stephen , Wang Jian , Zheng Guangjie , Kuang Chongai , Wood Robert , Azevedo Eduardo B. , McComiskey Allison , Mei Fan , Kyrouac Jenni , Aiken Allison C.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. High time-resolution measurements of in situ aerosol and cloud properties provide the ability to study regional atmospheric processes that occur on timescales of minutes to hours. However, one limitation to this approach is that continuous measurements often include periods when the data collected are not representative of the regional aerosol. Even at remote locations, submicron aerosols are pervasive in the ambient atmosphere with many sources. Therefore, periods dominated by local aerosol should be identified before conducting subsequent analyses to understand aerosol regional processes and aerosol-cloud interactions. Here, we present a novel method to validate the identification of regional baseline aerosol data by applying a mathematical algorithm to the data collected at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility in the Eastern North Atlantic (ENA). The ENA Central facility (C1) includes an Aerosol Observing System (AOS) for the measurement of aerosol physical, optical, and chemical properties at time resolutions from seconds to minutes. A second temporary Supplementary facility (S1), located ~ 0.75 km from C1, was deployed for ~ 1 year during the Aerosol and Cloud Experiments (ACE-ENA) campaign in 2017. First, we investigate the local aerosol at both locations. We associate periods of high submicron number concentration (Ntot) in the fine mode Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) and size distributions from the Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS) as a function of wind direction using a meteorology sensor with local sources. Elevated concentrations of Aitken mode (
Inducing the attachment of cable bacteria on oxidizing electrodes
Authors: Li Cheng , Reimers Clare E. , Alleau Yvan
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Cable bacteria (CB) are multicellular, filamentous
bacteria within the family of Desulfobulbaceae that transfer electrons longitudinally from
cell to cell to couple sulfide oxidation and oxygen reduction in surficial
aquatic sediments. In the present study, electrochemical reactors that
contain natural sediments are introduced as a tool for investigating the
growth of CB on electrodes poised at an oxidizing potential. Our experiments
utilized sediments from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, USA, and we include new
phylogenetic analyses of separated filaments to confirm that CB from this
marine location cluster with the genus “Candidatus Electrothrix”. These CB may belong to
a distinctive lineage, however, because their filaments contain smaller
cells and a lower number of longitudinal ridges compared to cables described
from other locales. The results of a 135 d bioelectrochemical reactor
experiment confirmed that these CB can migrate out of reducing sediments and
grow on oxidatively poised electrodes suspended in anaerobic seawater. CB
filaments and several other morphologies of Desulfobulbaceae cells were observed by scanning
electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization on electrode
surfaces, albeit in low densities and often obscured by mineral
precipitation. These findings provide new information to suggest what kinds of
conditions will induce CB to perform electron donation to an electrode
surface, further informing future experiments to culture CB outside of a
sediment matrix.
Algal lipids reveal unprecedented warming rates in alpine areas of SW Europe during the industrial period
Authors: García-Alix Antonio , Toney Jaime L. , Jiménez-Moreno Gonzalo , Pérez-Martínez Carmen , Jiménez Laura , Rodrigo-Gámiz Marta , Anderson R. Scott , Camuera Jon , Jiménez-Espejo Francisco J. , Peña-Angulo Dhais , Ramos-Román María J.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Alpine ecosystems of the southern Iberian Peninsula are among the
most vulnerable and the first to respond to modern climate change in
southwestern Europe. While major environmental shifts have occurred over the
last ∼1500 years in these alpine ecosystems, only changes in
the recent centuries have led to abrupt environmental responses, but factors
imposing the strongest stress have been unclear until now. To understand
these environmental responses, this study, for the first time, has
calibrated an algal lipid-derived temperature proxy (based on long-chain
alkyl diols) to instrumental historical data extending alpine temperature
reconstructions to 1500 years before present. These novel results highlight
the enhanced effect of greenhouse gases on alpine temperatures during the
last ∼200 years and the long-term modulating role of solar
forcing. This study also shows that the warming rate during the 20th
century (∼0.18 ∘C per decade) was double that of the last
stages of the Little Ice Age (∼0.09 ∘C per decade), even
exceeding temperature trends of the high-altitude Alps during the 20th
century. As a consequence, temperature exceeded the preindustrial record
in the 1950s, and it has been one of the major forcing processes of the recent enhanced
change in these alpine ecosystems from southern Iberia since then. Nevertheless, other
factors reducing the snow and ice albedo (e.g., atmospheric deposition) may
have influenced local glacier loss, since almost steady climate conditions
predominated from the middle 19th century to the first decades of the
20th century.
The Sea State CCI dataset v1: towards a Sea State Climate Data
Record based on satellite observations
Authors: Dodet Guillaume , Piolle Jean-François , Quilfen Yves , Abdalla Saleh , Accensi Mickaël , Ardhuin Fabrice , Ash Ellis , Bidlot Jean-Raymond , Gommenginger Christine , Marechal Gwendal , Passaro Marcello , Quartly Graham , Stopa Justin , Timmermans Ben , Young Ian , Cipollini Paolo , Donlon Craig
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Sea state data are of major importance for climate studies, marine engineering, safety at sea, and coastal management. However, long-term sea state datasets are sparse and not always consistent, and sea state data users still mostly rely on numerical wave models for research and engineering applications. Facing the urgent need for a sea state Climate Data Record, the Global Climate Observing System has listed Sea State as an Essential Climate Variable (ECV), fostering the launch in 2018 of the Sea State Climate Change Initiative (CCI). The CCI is a program of the European Space Agency, whose objective is to realize the full potential of global Earth Observation archives established by ESA and its member states in order to contribute to the ECV database. This paper presents the implementation of the first release of the Sea State CCI dataset, the implementation and benefits of a high-level denoising method, its validation against in-situ measurements and numerical model outputs, and the future developments considered within the Sea State CCI project. The Sea State CCI dataset v1 is freely available on the ESA CCI website (http://cci.esa.int/data) at ftp://anon-ftp.ceda.ac.uk/neodc/esacci/sea_state/data/v1.1_release/. Three products are available: a multi-mission along-track L2P product (https://doi.org/10.5285/f91cd3ee7b6243d5b7d41b9beaf397e1, Piollé et al., 2020a), a daily merged multi mission along-track L3 product (https://doi.org/10.5285/3ef6a5a66e9947d39b356251909dc12b, Piollé et al., 2020b) and a multi-mission monthly gridded L4 product (https://doi.org/10.5285/47140d618dcc40309e1edbca7e773478, Piollé et al., 2020c).
A new borehole electromagnetic receiver developed for CSEM methods
Authors: Song Sixuan , Deng Ming , Chen Kai , A Muer , Jin Sheng
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Conventional surface electromagnetic methods have limitations of shallow detection depth and low resolution. In an attempt to increase the detection depth and resolution, borehole-surface electromagnetic methods for electromagnetic three-dimensional observations of ground, tunnels, and boreholes has been developed. Current borehole receivers only measure a single parameter of the magnetic field component, which does not meet the special requirements of controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) methods. This study proposes a borehole electromagnetic receiver which realizes synchronous acquisition of the vertical electric field component in the borehole and the three-axis orthogonal magnetic field components. This receiver uses Ti electrodes and fluxgates as sensors to acquire electric and magnetic field components. Multi-component comprehensive observation methods that add the electric field component can effectively support the CSEM method, improve detection accuracy, and show broad potentials for detecting deep ore bodies. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to verify the performance of our new borehole electromagnetic receiver. The receiver achieved magnetic field noise less than 6 pT/√Hz at 1 kHz, and the electric field noise floor was approximately 10 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz. The −3 dB electric field bandwidth can reach DC ~ 10 kHz. Results of our experiments support the claim that high-quality CSEM signals can be obtained using this new borehole electromagnetic receiver, and that the electric field component exhibits sufficient advantages for measuring the vertical component of the electric field.
The generation of gridded emissions data for CMIP6
Authors: Feng Leyang , Smith Steven J. , Braun Caleb , Crippa Monica , Gidden Matthew J. , Hoesly Rachel , Klimont Zbigniew , van Marle Margreet , van den Berg Maarten , van der Werf Guido R.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Spatially distributed anthropogenic and open burning emissions are
fundamental data needed by Earth system models. We describe the methods used
for generating gridded datasets produced for use by the modeling
community, particularly for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase
6. The development of three sets of gridded data for historical open
burning, historical anthropogenic, and future scenarios was coordinated to
produce consistent data over 1750–2100. Historical data up to 2014 were
provided with annual resolution and future scenario data in 10-year
intervals. Emissions are provided on a sectoral basis, along with additional
files for speciated non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs). An
automated framework was developed to produce these datasets to ensure that
they are reproducible and facilitate future improvements. We discuss the
methodologies used to produce these data along with limitations and
potential for future work.
Physical-Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile and Sensory Attributes of Meat of Lambs Fed With Saccharine Sorghum Silage
Authors: Ledesma Luana Liz Medina , Miranda de Vargas Junior Fernando , Monteschio Jéssica De Oliveira , Retore Marciana , Cunha Tamires Marques Paes da , Leonardo Ariádne Patrícia , Cardoso Claudia Andréa Lima , Previdelli Orrico Junior Marco Antonio
Published: February 2020

The objective of this work was to evaluate the qualitative and sensory characteristics and the fatty acid profiles of the meat of lambs fed with silages of two saccharine sorghum varieties and compare them with forage sorghum and maize silages. Twenty non-castrated male Suffolk lambs were arranged in a completely randomised block design, and the treatments consisted of the following silages: forage sorghum (FORSOR), saccharine sorghum (‘BRS506’), saccharine sorghum (‘BRS511’) and maize (MAIZE). The animals were slaughtered after 70 days in the feedlot. The carcasses were cooled at 4 °C for 24 h. The longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle was removed for analysis. No differences (p > 0.05) between treatments were found for chemical composition and qualitative and sensory characteristics of the evaluated meat. Lambs fed with ‘BRS506’ presented muscles with higher total unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and with higher percentages of oleic acid. The BRS506 saccharin sorghum silage increased the meat total unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents, which are beneficial to human health; thus, this silage can replace maize silage in the feed for finishing lambs.
La La socioeconomía del café y las intervenciones desarrollistas en la región occidental de Honduras
Authors: Orellana Peña Jorge Humberto
Published: February 2020

Entre 2014 y 2018, se realizó un estudio de la economía política del café y el desarrollo humano en los departamentos de Copán, Ocotepeque y Lempira. El objetivo del estudio fue comprender las contribuciones socioeconómicas de la caficultura y su relación con las intervenciones desarrollistas del occidente de Honduras. La investigación contempló una fase cualitativa y una cuantitativa. Se realizaron diversas entrevistas, observaciones, giras de campo y se aplicó un cuestionario a 378 sujetos para traducir percepciones y frecuencias al lenguaje numérico. Se utilizaron software como Atlas. ti y SPSS. Los resultados evidencian una estructura de desigualdad en la repartición de los beneficios de la caficultura. Las familias, con sus modestos ingresos, logran solventar necesidades de alimentación, vivienda, salud y educación, sin embargo, existen diversas formas de empobrecimiento que les condiciona y les coloca en una situación de vulnerabilidad permanente. Cuando los precios del café son buenos, se produce un proceso de reinversión social. Los modelos, programas y estrategias de intervención en nombre de la pobreza y del desarrollo necesitan procesos de deconstrucción cultural y descolonización epistemología que permitan nuevas comprensiones para desnaturalizar la vergonzosa exclusión que vive el occidente de Honduras.
Los Determinantes del trabajo infantil en Honduras
Authors: Zepeda Maradiaga Sergio Francisco
Published: February 2020

El trabajo infantil en Honduras es de los fenómenos sociales que afecta a la población infantil entre 5 y 17 años, se estima que uno de cada diez niños se encuentra en dicha situación. Sin lugar a duda, este problema vulnera los derechos de niños en el país, perjudicando su desarrollo físico y psicológico; además incide negativamente en la formación de su capital humano y profesional. El objetivo de esta investigación radica en determinar los principales factores que inciden en la participación laboral de los niños y niñas en el mercado laboral hondureño, de manera que se logre identificar y analizar cuáles factores constituyen un riesgo o protección para la niñez hondureña, y cuáles son los que presentan una mayor probabilidad de incidencia ante dicha problemática.

Las estimaciones de esta investigación proceden del módulo de trabajo infantil de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares de Propósitos Múltiples del Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Honduras para los años 2001 al 2018. A partir de esta, se caracterizó a la población infantil trabajadora y se estimó un modelo probabilístico de elección discreta para estimar las probabilidades de que un menor se incorpore en actividades productivas bajo ciertos factores asociados al trabajo infantil.
Factores influyentes en el aprendizaje del inglés en instituciones públicas
Authors: Gonzales Barbarán Flor Mildred , Gonzales Sánchez Aracelli Del Carmen , Trujillo Mariño Nancy Rita , Fernández Díaz Carlos Mario
Published: February 2020

El aprendizaje es el punto focal en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, y por tanto es la preocupación de los docentes cuando los estudiantes no logran internalizar el proceso. Este ensayo aborda algunos de los factores que inciden en el aprendizaje del inglés. Se trabajó con una muestra de 284 estudiantes y se le aplicaron tres encuestas, estas se refieren a la motivación, la percepción del estudiante respecto al desempeño del docente y las estrategias de aprendizaje y para medir el conocimiento del inglés se le aplico un test. Se analizó los datos, obteniendo como resultado que los tres factores en conjunto inciden en el aprendizaje del inglés en un 23.1%, esto nos demuestra que hay que mejorar en muchos aspectos para que los aprendizajes sean efectivos e identificar las otras variables que influyen en los aprendizajes.
Challenges of Teaching English Language Classes of Slow and Fast Learners in the United Arab Emirates Universities
Authors: Zakarneh Bilal , Al-Ramahi Najah , Mahmoud Mahmoud
Published: February 2020

One of the greatest challenges experienced by teachers teaching students who learn English as a foreign or a second language is teaching a class consisting of fast learners and slow learners commonly referred to as mixed-ability classes. The present study investigates challenges experienced by teachers of English language classes encompassing slow learners and fast learners. Data was collected using survey questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft excel. Results revealed that teachers of English language experience several challenges: mixed-ability class tend to be uncooperative and fast learners get bored easily; challenges in planning for the lesson to teach a mixed-ability class; challenges in creating appropriate work-materials for the mixed-ability class; lack of best approaches to manage mixed-ability class; challenges in getting attention of all learners in a mixed-ability class; and frustration when teaching mixed-ability classroom due to low motivation of weak students.
The Emotional Impact of Social Media in Higher Education
Authors: Iwamoto Darren , Chun Hans
Published: February 2020

College and university students have been observed increasing their usage of social media applications as it has become central to everyday life. Students can use different forms of social media to connect, share, and view a myriad of content. When influenced by posts, social media can have a significant impact on their lives. Social media can be a form of social support, but it can also have a negative effect on mental health. With the increase in use, social media can provoke individuals to begin self-comparing or gain an unrealistic expectation of themselves and other individuals. This can lead to lower self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. This exploratory study attempts to determine the relationship between social media use and its impact on depression, anxiety, and stress amongst students in higher education.
Maintaining Academic Standards and Integrity in Online Business Courses
Authors: Goff Delbert , Johnston Jarrod , Bouboulis Bryan
Published: February 2020

As the number of online courses being offered at universities has increased dramatically over the past several years, the level of oversight has lagged and created an environment ripe for cheating. We find that students admit to higher levels of cheating in online classes and believe other students also cheat more relative to face-to-face classes. This is likely due to the lack of tools to combat online cheating and the lack of policy from universities. We know from previous studies that business colleges have a comparatively high level of cheating and the amount of cheating at universities has been rising. These trends threaten to create an unfair system where cheaters are rewarded with higher grades than non-cheaters, thereby encouraging otherwise honest students to cheat. This may result in declining and erratic knowledge among university graduates, diminishing the value of a university education.