bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building a Maturity Framework for Big Data Cybersecurity Analytics
Authors: Pham Chi Minh
Published: June 2018

In recent years, big data analytics has become widely applied in cybersecurity, leading to the novel approach of big data cybersecurity analytics. While some organizations have been adopting this new approach in tackling cybercrime, there are limited guidelines to which companies can refer. Therefore, the renowned maturity model concept, which offers a systematic approach for an organization to measure and improve its maturity level, is applied in this study. On the basis of a comprehensive literature review, this chapter proposes a maturity framework for big data cybersecurity analytics. This synthesized comprehensive maturity framework comprises seven dimensions across five stage levels—namely organization, human, infrastructure, data management, analytics application, governance, and security dimensions. Knowing which dimensions need to be improved and which pathway to follow ensures the successful implementation of big data cybersecurity analytics within organizations.
A Study of Business Intelligence Strategy Development by Large Organizations
Authors: Carmine Sellitto Carmine , Hawking Paul
Published: June 2018

Organizations have adopted business intelligence solutions with a mixed degree of benefits. Some businesses highlight significant outcomes, while others identify limitations or shortfalls in the benefits derived. Notably, the alignment of business strategy with the adoption of business intelligence processes has been an important predictor of firms being able to achieve organizational wide benefits. The chapter uses a case study approach to document the informational needs achieved through aligning organizational strategy and the adoption of business intelligence solution at two distinct companies. The adoption approaches used by each firm, although different, reflect the important areas in which business intelligence is most useful—strategic alignment, governance, and information presentation.
The Impact of Social Media on Children
Authors: Dilci Tuncay , Eranıl Anıl Kadir
Published: June 2018

This chapter examines the impacts of social media on children. Advantages and disadvantages of social media are always available. Positive aspects of social media include allowing children to be brought up as multicultural individuals, enabling education and training environments to design for purposes, using as the main or supplementary source of education, a great power in creating and sharing information. Its negative aspects include leading to a reduction of their academic, social, and cognitive skills in the early periods when children were exposed to the social media, causing the children to develop obesity, mostly bringing up as consumption-centered individuals, perceive the world as a screenshot, and have low critical, creative, and reflective thinking skills. Therefore, one of the most important tasks undertaken to reduce or eliminate the negative effects is to raise and educate media-literate individuals.
Rethinking E-Learning and Digital Natives
Authors: Tombul Işıl
Published: June 2018

Prensky calls the generation which was born after the 1980s and into this culture the digital natives, and he calls the generation which was born before the 1980s the digital immigrants. Digital natives are the ones who were born into technological development, grew up with technology, were educated with technology, and use technology very much. However, Prensky's differentiation has been criticized for being strict and his attitude has been criticized for being technology lover. Prensky accepts the intensive interest of the children towards technology and that's why he claims that they learn from technology. With this point of view, a critical perspective will be shown towards Prensky's digital immigrant and digital native terms, and e-learning of the children in this digital culture will be observed in this study. For this purpose, related approaches and studies have been scanned.
Digital Media Literacy
Authors: Atar Özge Gürsoy
Published: June 2018

Since the new generation called “digital natives” uses digital media extensively more than the traditional media, the necessity of the evolution of the traditional media literacy to digital media literacy has emerged. The traditional media literacy courses, which are based on the examination of television and newspaper contents, cannot be effective in the media education of youngsters who are surrounded by digital media. Recent research reveals that TV watching hours have decreased among youngsters but online video watching and computer game playing times have increased rapidly. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with the parents of 12 elementary school students, and the study aimed to reveal the necessity of digital media literacy. In-depth interviews were conducted with the parents, and media usage times of the students, their state of being influenced by media, and their purposes of using digital media in their daily lives were all examined, and as a result, the necessity of the evolution of traditional media literacy to digital media literacy will be discussed.
Digital Games and Violence
Authors: Çat Arzu Kalafat
Published: June 2018

Play plays an important role in the child's emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Children play a role in social relations with social behavior, coming from the top of social conflict, social maturation, and self-esteem. The experiences gained while playing games give the child the ability to find solutions to the problems they face in the social environment. The game, which is the main object of amusement, has moved from the social environment to the virtual atmosphere as a result of technological developments. The main theme of this research is violent games, which are often played by children in elementary school age. Many have come up with the fact that violent visual and textual codes are being used. In this context, in regional surveys conducted in Bolu province, digital games played mostly by 8- to 12-year-old children were determined by face-to-face interview with children. Violent elements in these digital games have been discussed within the framework of relevant theoretical approaches through three games that children play most.
Mechanism That Handles Child's Control Cartoons
Authors: Kanak Mehmet
Published: June 2018

Today, advances in technology are causing changes in the child's habits in daily life. Technological tools such as televisions, tablets, mobile phones, and computers have become easily accessible for children. Studies show that children spare most of their time to cartoons on the mass media. Spending so much time in front of the screen reveals a changing childhood image. The consumer child is an exhausted child, too. This chapter takes a look at the effects of cartoons on the development of children.
An Enhanced Clustering Method for Image Segmentation
Authors: Mishra Bikram Keshari , Rath Amiya Kumar
Published: June 2018

The findings of image segmentation reflect its expansive applications and existence in the field of digital image processing, so it has been addressed by many researchers in numerous disciplines. It has a crucial impact on the overall performance of the intended scheme. The goal of image segmentation is to assign every image pixels into their respective sections that share a common visual characteristic. In this chapter, the authors have evaluated the performances of three different clustering algorithms used in image segmentation: the classical k-means, its modified k-means++, and proposed enhanced clustering method. Brief explanations of the fundamental working principles implicated in these methods are presented. Thereafter, the performance which affects the outcome of segmentation are evaluated considering two vital quality measures, namely structural content (SC) and root mean square error (RMSE). Experimental result shows that the proposed method gives impressive result for the computed values of SC and RMSE as compared to k-means and k-means++. In addition to this, the output of segmentation using the enhanced technique reduces the overall execution time as compared to the other two approaches irrespective of any image size.
A Systematic Design Model for Gamified Learning Environments
Authors: Aldemir Tugce , Ataş Amine Hatun , Celik Berkan
Published: June 2018

This formative research study is an attempt to develop a design model for gamified learning experiences situated in real-life educational contexts. This chapter reports on the overall gamification model with the emphasis on the contexts and their interactions. With this focus, this chapter aims to posit an alternative perspective to existing gamification design praxis in education which mainly focuses on separate game elements, by arguing that designing a gamified learning experience needs a systematic approach with considerations of the interrelated dimensions and their interplays. The study was conducted throughout the 2014-15 academic year, and the data were collected from two separate groups of pre-service teachers through observations and document collections (n=118) and four sets of interviews (n=42). The results showed that gamification design has intertwined components that form a fuzzy design model: GELD. The findings also support the complex and the dynamic nature of gamified learning design, and the need for a more systematic approach to design and development of such experiences.
Accessible Mobile Rehabilitation Games for Special User Groups
Authors: Merilampi Sari , Koivisto Antti , Sirkka Andrew
Published: June 2018

This chapter presents viewpoints of 104 users upon trials on four mobile games which combine cognitive stimulation and physical exercise in rehabilitation. The first game requires users to control by tilting a mobile phone embedded in a balance board; the second game can be controlled by tilting the tablet computer; the third game is a modified version of Trail Making Test A—a memory test that can be played by tapping figures on the screen of tablet computer; and the fourth game is an activation game with a special controller, dedicated for people with severe physical limitations. Users welcomed the use of games as self-rehabilitation tools that can be adjusted according to personal skills and limitations. The games not only gave them meaningful activities, but also saved time and efforts of professional care takers who might be unable to socialize frequently with clients.
Exploring the Use of Prediction Markets as Digital Games to Support Learning in a Project Management Context
Authors: Remidez Herbert , Stodnick Michael , Beldona Sri
Published: June 2018

A growing area of study is the management of complex projects involving stakeholders dispersed across organizations. Key to the success of complex projects is encouraging stakeholders to learn and communicate useful information about work progress and potential risks. Increasingly, companies are using a gaming approach to encourage workers to learn and communication useful information. This chapter looks at one such gaming vehicle, namely prediction markets. Prediction markets are games in the form of marketplaces that adapt many of the same structures found in stock markets to aggregate information about the probability of future events. This chapter traces the developmental history and application of prediction markets, discusses issues in marketplace design, and explores how game-based learning principles can support the use of prediction markets in this context. The concluding section discusses the application of a prediction market to support the management of an IT project.
Cultivating Holocaust Memory in the IDF
Authors: Ganor Lea
Published: June 2018

This chapter discusses the transformation in the Education Corps' approach to the conceptualization of Holocaust memory among its soldiers between 1987 and 2004, and the factors that influenced this change. The historical events are the background for the milestones in the IDF's approach to the Holocaust, which is the foundation for this discussion. The Education Corps, which is in charge of the IDF's educational activities, is poised between the IDF and society and was therefore selected as the object of this study, through which we can gain an understanding of the IDF in general. In particular, the diversity of voices of delegation members—who come from different backgrounds, different personal situations, are of different ages, and serve in different positions in the IDF—reflects the complex nature of the experience and the trip's personal impact on the commanders.
A Decision Support Tool for Agricultural Applications Based on Computational Social Choice and Argumentation
Authors: Karanikolas Nikos , Bisquert Pierre , Buche Patrice , Kaklamanis Christos , Thomopoulos Rallou
Published: June 2018

In the current article, the authors describe an applied procedure to support collective decision making for applications in agriculture. An extended 2-page abstract of this paper has been accepted by the EFITA WCCA congress and this manuscript is an extended version of this submission. The problem the authors are facing in this paper is how to reach the best decision regarding issues coming from agricultural engineering with the aid of Computational Social Choice (CSC) and Argumentation Framework (AF). In the literature of decision-making, several approaches from the domains of CSC and AF have been used autonomously to support decisions. It is our belief that with the combination of these two fields the authors can propose socially fair decisions which take into account both (1) the involved agents' preferences and (2) the justifications behind these preferences. Therefore, this article implements a software tool for decision-making which is composed of two main systems, i.e., the social choice system and the deliberation system. In this article, the authors describe thoroughly the social choice system of our tool and how it can be applied to different alternatives on the valorization of materials coming from agriculture. As an example, that is demonstrated an application of our tool in the context of Ecobiocap European project where several decision problems are to be addressed. These decision problems consist in finding the best solutions for questions regarding food packaging and end-of-life management.
Implementation of CTR Dairy Model Using the Visual Basic for Application Language of Microsoft Excel
Authors: Ahmadi A. , Robinson P. H. , Elizondo F. , Chilibroste P.
Published: June 2018

The goal of the article is to implement the CTR Dairy model using the Visual Basic for Application (VBA) language of Microsoft Excel. CTR Dairy is a dynamic simulation model for grazing lactating dairy cows that predicts milk production and profit over feeding based on ruminal digestion and absorption of nutrients under discontinuous feeding schedules. The CTR Dairy model was originally developed as a research tool using a proprietary computer simulation software called SMART that required the SMART client to run the program. As SMART software is now discontinued, and its client is no longer available, rewriting the model in the VBA language using Microsoft Excel for inputs and outputs makes the program available to a broad range of users including dairy farmers, extension advisors, dairy nutrition consultants and researchers. Dairy farmers can use the new version of the CTR Dairy program to manipulate the herbage allowance and the access time to the grazing paddock, as well as the timing of supplemental feeding, to improve the utilization of the pasture and to increase the production of the milk.
A Decision Tree Analysis of a Multi-Player Card Game With Imperfect Information
Authors: Konishi Masato , Okubo Seiya , Nishino Tetsuro , Wakatsuki Mitsuo
Published: June 2018

This article describes how computer Daihinmin involves playing Daihinmin, a popular card game in Japan, by using a player program. Because strong player programs of Computer Daihinmin use machine-learning techniques, such as the Monte Carlo method, predicting the program's behavior is difficult. In this article, the authors extract the features of the player program through decision tree analysis. The features of programs are extracted by generating decision trees based on three types of viewpoints. To show the validity of their method, computer experiments were conducted. The authors applied their method to three programs with relatively obvious behaviors, and they confirmed that the extracted features were correct by observing real behaviors of the programs.
Probably Secure Efficient Anonymous Credential Scheme
Authors: Wu Chien-Nan , Fan Chun-I , Huang Jheng-Jia , Tseng Yi-Fan , Kikuchi Hiroaki
Published: June 2018

This article describes how after the concept of anonymous credential systems was introduced in 1985, a number of similar systems have been proposed. However, these systems use zero-knowledge protocols to authenticate users, resulting in inefficient authentication during the stage of proving credential possession. To overcome this drawback, this article presents a signature scheme that uses partially blind signatures and chameleon hash functions such that both the prover and verifier achieve efficient authentication. In addition to providing a computational cost comparison table showing that the proposed signature scheme achieves a more efficient credential possession proving compared to other schemes, concrete security proofs are provided under a random oracle model to demonstrate that the proposed scheme satisfies the properties of anonymous credentials.
A review of known parasitoids of hemlock looper (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Canada and first records of egg and larval parasitoids in Labrador forests
Authors: Sabbahi Rachid , Royer Lucie , O’Hara James E. , Bennett Andrew M.R.
Published: June 2018

A rearing study of egg and larval parasitoids of hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée); Lepidoptera: Geometridae) was undertaken during an outbreak of this pest in Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Six parasitoid species were found: Telenomus coloradensis Crawford and T. droozi Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), Winthemia occidentis Reinhard and Blondelia eufitchiae (Townsend) (Diptera: Tachinidae), as well as one species of Phobocampe Förster and Mesochorus vittator (Zetterstedt) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). None of them was a new Canadian record. To facilitate understanding of the regional parasitoid assemblage in Labrador, we compiled all published records in Canada and collated all specimen records from the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). This comprehensive list will aid researchers interested in potential biological control candidates for hemlock looper.
Quadriceps Neuromuscular Function in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With or Without Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Norte Grant E. , Hertel Jay , Saliba Susan A. , Diduch David R. , Hart Joseph M.
Published: June 2018

Context: 

Central and peripheral neural adaptations have been identified after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction (ACLR) and are hypothesized to contribute to posttraumatic muscle dysfunction. Limited evidence exists about the temporal nature of neuromuscular adaptations during early and late-term phases of recovery after ACLR, and no researchers have studied patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis.

Objective: 

To compare quadriceps neuromuscular function less than 2 years (early) and more than 2 years (late) after ACLR, including in patients who experienced posttraumatic knee osteoarthritis.

Design: 

Cross-sectional study.

Setting: 

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: 

A total of 72 patients after ACLR, consisting of 34 early (9.0 ± 4.3 months postsurgery), 30 late (70.5 ± 41.6 months postsurgery), and 8 with osteoarthritis (115.9 ± 110.0 months postsurgery), and 30 healthy control volunteers.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

Quadriceps function was measured bilaterally during a single visit to determine normalized Hoffmann reflex (H : M ratio), knee-extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque (Nm/kg), central activation ratio (%), fatigue index (% decline), and active motor threshold (%). Comparisons were made using 2-way analyses of variance to identify the effect of limb and group on each outcome measure. We calculated Cohen d effect sizes to assess the magnitude of difference between ACLR and matched control limbs for each group.

Results: 

Compared with healthy control limbs, involved-limb maximal voluntary isometric contraction was lower among all patients after ACLR (P < .001, Cohen d values = −1.00 to −1.75). The central activation ratio (P < .001, Cohen d = −1.74) and fatigue index (P = .003, Cohen d = −0.95) were lower among patients only early after ACLR. The active motor threshold was higher among all patients after ACLR (P < .001, Cohen d values = −0.42 to −1.56).

Conclusions: 

Neuromuscular impairments were present in patients early and late after ACLR, regardless of osteoarthritis status. Quadriceps strength and corticospinal excitability were impaired at each time point compared with values in healthy control individuals, suggesting the need to address cortical function early after ACLR.
Future Strategies to Enhance Patient Care Documentation Among Athletic Trainers: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network
Authors: Bacon Cailee E. Welch , Kasamatsu Tricia M. , Lam Kenneth C. , Nottingham Sara L.
Published: June 2018

Context: 

High-quality patient care documentation is an essential component of any health care professional's daily practice. Whereas athletic trainers (ATs) recognize the importance of patient care documentation, several barriers may prevent them from producing high-quality patient care documentation.

Objective: 

To explore beneficial strategies and techniques that ATs perceived would enhance the quality of patient care documentation in the secondary school setting.

Design: 

Qualitative study.

Setting: 

Individual telephone interviews.

Patients or Other Participants: 

Ten ATs who were members of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network and employed in the secondary school setting were interviewed (4 men, 6 women with 7.1 ± 7.8 years of athletic training experience).

Data Collection and Analysis: 

An individual telephone interview was conducted with each participant. Once transcribed, data were analyzed into common themes and categories per the consensual qualitative research tradition. Trustworthiness of the data was achieved through triangulation strategies: (1) the inclusion of multiple researchers to ensure accuracy and representativeness of the data and (2) participant member checking.

Results: 

Participants identified several documentation strategies they perceived would be helpful to improve the quality of patient care documentation, including mode and consistency of documentation and the need for a standardized process as well as the need for system standardization. In addition, participants discussed the need for more education on patient care documentation. Specifically, they identified ways of learning and strategies for future education to enhance patient care documentation across the profession.

Conclusions: 

As athletic training continues to evolve, it is crucial that ATs are well educated on how to produce high-quality patient care documentation as a part of routine practice. Continuing professional development opportunities are needed to promote lifelong learning in the area of patient care documentation.
Posttraumatic Deep Vein Thrombosis in Collegiate Athletes: An Exploration Clinical Case Series
Authors: Hummel Chris , Geisler Paul R. , Reynolds Tim , Lazenby Todd
Published: June 2018

Background: 

Although athletes are typically at low risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), injured and noninjured athletes alike can be exposed to many acquired risk factors, including intense training, dehydration, trauma, immobilization, oral contraceptive use, and long-distance travel. Additionally, the risk of developing VTE might be increased by unidentified genetic clotting disorders. Due to the potential for fatal outcomes, knowledge of VTE pathoetiology and recognition of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presentation should be an inherent part of the evaluation process for all who attend to athletes, regardless of age and apparent risk profile.

Objective: 

To present an exploration clinical case series consisting of 2 otherwise healthy, college-aged female athletes who, despite their ages and relative low risk profiles, experienced DVTs after lower extremity trauma. Each case will be discussed relative to known clinical prediction rules (CPRs) and published evidence.

Conclusions: 

Collectively, both cases reinforce the need for the attending clinicians to perform a thorough history and pay attention to subtle clinical findings, regardless of the relatively low risk in college-aged athletes. Although the Wells' CPRs for DVT can be used as a diagnostic guideline in the general population, it might not fully address the risks inherent in a young, otherwise healthy athletic population. We propose a risk-screening tool that is based on and modified from our experiences with these 2 patients and the known prediction rules and positive probability influences.
Effective Population Size Differences in Calomys musculinus, the Host of Junín Virus: Their Relationship with the Epidemiological History of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever
Authors: Chiappero Marina B. , Piacenza María Florencia , Provensal María Cecilia , Calderón Gladys E. , Gardenal Cristina N. , Polop Jaime J.
Published: June 2018

Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a serious endemic disease in Argentina, produced by Junín virus, whose host is the Sigmodontinae rodent Calomys musculinus. Within the endemic area, human incidence and proportion of infected rodents remains high for 5–10 years after the first appearance of the disease (epidemic [E] zone) and then gradually declines to sporadic cases (historic [H] zone). We tested the hypothesis that host populations within the E zone are large and well connected by gene flow, facilitating the transmission and maintenance of the virus, whereas those in the H and nonendemic (NE) zones are small and isolated, with the opposite effect. We estimated parameters affected by levels of gene flow and population size in 14 populations of C. musculinus: population effective size (Ne), genetic variability, and mean relatedness. Our hypothesis was not supported: the lowest levels of variability and of Ne and the highest genetic relatedness among individuals were found in the H zone. Populations from the NE zone displayed opposite results, whereas those in the E zone showed intermediate values. If we consider that populations are first NE, then E, and finally H, a correlative decrease in Ne was observed. Chronically infected females have a low reproductive success. We propose that this would lower Ne because each cohort would originate from a fraction of females of the previous generation, and affect other factors such as proportion of individuals that develop acute infection, probability of viral transmission, and evolution of virulence, which would explain, at least partly, the changing incidence of AHF.
Association of Fecal Markers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction with Zinc and Iron Status among Children at First Two Years of Life in Bangladesh
Authors: Fahim Shah Mohammad , Das Subhasish , Sanin Kazi Istiaque , Gazi Md. Amran , Mahfuz Mustafa , Islam M. Munirul , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: June 2018

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) causes gut inflammation and increased intestinal permeability leading to deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc and iron. Fecal markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), neopterin (NEO), and alpha-1-anti-trypsin (AAT) can predict EED. The aim of this study was to examine the association between fecal markers of EED with zinc and iron status among children at first 2 years of life. Malnutrition and Enteric Disease Study Bangladeshi birth cohort data were used to conduct this analysis. Multivariable analyses using generalized estimating equations were performed to test the association between individual fecal markers with zinc or iron status of the children. A total of 265 children were enrolled in the study (male:female = 1:1). Of the 627 stool samples collected (N = 222 children), 535, 511, and 577 were accompanied by zinc, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor values, respectively. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) values of AAT, MPO, and NEO were 0.33 (0.18–0.62) mg/g, 3,895.42 (1,563.76–8,432.82) ng/mL, and 890.81 (331.57–2,089.04) nmol/L, respectively. Overall, 60%, 71%, and 97% of samples were above the values considered normal in nontropical settings for AAT, MPO, and NEO, respectively. High AAT levels were significantly associated with low ferritin values after adjusting for age and gender (coefficient = −5.85; 95% confidence interval = −11.23 to −0.47; P value = 0.03). No such association was found between AAT and plasma zinc status. Myeloperoxidase and NEO were not associated with plasma zinc or iron status. The study results imply the importance of enteric protein loss in contributing to reduced ferritin levels at first 2 years of life.
Schistosoma mansoni Mass Drug Administration Regimens and Their Effect on Morbidity among Schoolchildren over a 5-Year Period—Kenya, 2010–2015
Authors: Sircar Anita D. , Mwinzi Pauline N. M. , Onkanga Isaac O. , Wiegand Ryan E. , Montgomery Susan P. , Secor W. Evan
Published: June 2018

Schistosomiasis control programs are designed to reduce morbidity by providing mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel to at-risk populations. We compared morbidity markers between two cohorts of Kenyan schoolchildren that initially had high prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infections. One cohort (N = 416 at year 1) received four rounds of annual MDA in a community-wide treatment (CWT) strategy. The other cohort (N = 386 at year 1) received school-based treatment (SBT) every other year over the 4-year period. We measured infection with S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) as well as subtle morbidity markers at year 1, year 3, and year 5 and compared cohorts with mixed models after controlling for age and gender. At year 5, neither overall S. mansoni prevalence nor the prevalence of high infection–intensity S. mansoni infection was significantly reduced compared with baseline in either the CWT cohort (N = 277 remaining) or the SBT cohort (N = 235 remaining). Nevertheless, by year 5, children in both cohorts demonstrated significant decreases in wasting, ultrasound-detected organomegaly, and STH infection along with significantly improved pediatric quality-of-life scores compared with year 1. Stunting did not change over time, but children who were S. mansoni egg–positive at year 5 had significantly more stunting than children without schistosomiasis. The only significant difference between arms at year 5 was a lower prevalence of STH infections in the CWT group.
Ouders van basisschoolleerlingen in Zuid-Limburg over ouderbetrokkenheid
Authors: Leenders Hélène , Haelermans Carla , de Jong Johan , Monfrance Mélanie
Published: June 2018

Parents’ Perceptions of Parent Teacher Relationship Practices in Dutch Primary Schools – an exploratory pilot study

This exploratory study focuses on parents’ perceptions of parental involvement and parent-teacher relationship practices between different types of schools. Using a questionnaire, we compare parents’ perceptions of two special education schools, two schools serving low SES-children, and two mainstream primary education schools in the southern part of the Netherlands. The theoretical framework is based on Epstein’s and Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s models of parental involvement. The results illustrate that parents and teachers of students in special education and low SES schools are more accustomed to align mutual tasks and expectations, in contrast to parents of children in mainstream schools, and that this is valued highly by these parents. Furthermore, in low SES schools parents and teachers are more used to interact with eachother, and parents feel strongly supported in their home-based learning. Regarding inclusive education, mainstream schools may learn from low SES schools and schools for special education.
De Nederlandse middengroepen als wielrenner: doortrappen of achterop raken
Authors: Engbersen Godfried , Snel Erik , Kremer Monique
Published: June 2018

The editors of the report De val van de middenklasse? Het stabiele en kwetsbare midden (The fall of the middle class? The stable and vulnerable middle), published in 2017 by the WRR (The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy), respond to Rineke van Daalen’s reflection (also in this issue) on their approach and main findings.
Trait Rumination Moderates the Effect of Executive Control Training
Authors: Quinn Meghan E. , Keil Daniel C. , Utke Sarah , Joormann Jutta
Published: June 2018

The ability to regulate emotions during times of stress plays an important role in risk for psychopathology and resilient responding. Individual differences in executive control may critically affect this ability. Training executive control may therefore improve emotional adjustment to stressful events. The aims of the current study were to examine whether executive control training affects biological stress response and to investigate whether trait rumination moderates the training effect. Using a student sample (N = 69), two versions of the n-back task were administered, one with neutral and one with affective stimuli. The training groups were compared to a control condition on changes in salivary cortisol following a stress induction. Results indicate that trait rumination moderated the training effects. For participants low on trait rumination, condition assignment had no effect on cortisol reactivity. For participants high on trait rumination, however, the training compared to the control condition resulted in diminished cortisol reactivity. These results emphasize the importance of examining moderators when investigating the effects of executive control training.
Aerosol chemistry, transport and climatic implications during extreme biomass
burning emissions over Indo-Gangetic Plain
Authors: Singh Nandita , Banerjee Tirthankar , Raju Made P. , Deboudt Karine , Sorek-Hamer Meytar , Singh Ram S. , Mall Rajesh K.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The large-scale emissions of airborne particulates from burning of agricultural residues particularly over the upper Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) have often been associated with frequent formation of haze, adverse health impacts, modification in aerosol climatology and thereby aerosols impact on regional climate. In this study, short-term variations in aerosol climatology during extreme biomass burning emissions over IGP, and thereby to regional climate were investigated. Size-segregated particulate concentration was initially measured and submicron particles (PM1.1) were found to dominate particulate mass within the fine mode (PM2.1). Particulate bound water-soluble ions were mainly secondary in nature, primarily composed of sulfate and nitrate. There was evidence of gaseous NH3 dominating neutralization of acidic aerosol species (SO42−) in submicron particles, in contrast to crustal dominating neutralization in coarser particulates. Variation in black carbon mass ratio was found to be influenced by local sources, while sudden increase in concentration was consistent with high Delta-C, referring to biogenic emissions. Influence of biomass burning emissions were established using specific organic (levoglucosan), inorganic (K+ and NH4+) and satellite (UV Aerosol Index, UVAI) tracers. Levoglucosan was the most abundant within submicron particles (649±177 ng m−3), with a very high ratio (>50) against other anhydrosugars, indicating exclusive emissions from burning of agriculture residues. Temporal variations of all the tracers were consistent, while NH4+ was more closely associated to levoglucosan. Spatio-temporal distribution of aerosol and few trace gases (CO and NO2) were evaluated using both space-borne active and passive sensors, and a significant increase in columnar aerosol loading (AOD: 0.98) was evident during extreme biomass burning emissions, with presence of absorbing aerosols (UVAI > 1.5) having low aerosol layer height (~1.5 km). A strong intraseasonality in aerosol cross-sectional altitudinal profile was even noted from CALIPSO, referring dominance of smoke and polluted continental aerosols across IGP. Possible transport mechanism of biomass smoke was established using cluster analysis and concentration weighted of air mass back-trajectories. Short-wave aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) was further simulated considering intraseasonality in aerosol properties, which resulted in considerable increase of atmospheric ARF (135 Wm−2) and heating rate (4.3 K day−1) during extreme biomass burning emissions compared to non-dominating one (56 Wm−2, 1.8 K day−1). We therefore conclude that influence of biomass burning emissions on regional aerosol climatology must need to be studied in much finer scale to improve parameterization of aerosol/-climate model across the region.
Influence of Relative Humidity on the Heterogeneous Oxidation of Secondary Organic Aerosol
Authors: Li Ziyue , Smith Katherine A. , Cappa Christopher D.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is a complex mixture of hundreds of semi volatile to extremely low volatility organic compounds that are chemically processed in the atmosphere, including via heterogeneous oxidation by gas phase radicals. Relative humidity (RH) has a substantial impact on particle phase, which can affect how SOA evolves in the atmosphere. In this study, SOA from dark α-pinene ozonolysis is heterogeneously aged by OH radicals in a flowtube at low and high RH. At high RH (RH = 89 %) there is substantial loss of particle volume (~ 60 %) at an equivalent atmospheric OH exposure of 3 weeks. In contrast, at low RH (RH = 25 %) there is little mass loss (
The Contributions to the Explosive Growth of PM2.5 Mass due
to Aerosols-Radiation Feedback and Further Decrease in
Turbulent Diffusion during a Red-alert Heavy Haze in
JING-JIN-JI in China
Authors: Wang Hong , Zhang Xioaye , Peng Yao , Liu Hongli , Zhang Meng , Che Huizheng
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The explosive growth (EG) of PM2.5 mass usually resulted in PM2.5 extreme levels and severe haze pollution in east China and they were generally underestimated by current atmospheric chemical models. Based on the atmospheric chemical model GRPAES_CUACE, three experiments of background (EXP_bk), normal turbulent diffusion and aerosols feedback (EXP_td_af), and retaining 20 % of normal turbulent diffusion of chemical tracers of EXP_td_af (EXP_td20_af) are designed to study the contributions to the EG of PM2.5 due to aerosols-radiation feedback (AF) and further decrease in turbulent diffusion (DTD) focusing on a red-alert heavy haze in JING-JIN-JI of China. The study results showed that turbulent diffusion coefficient (DC) calculated by EXP_bk is about 60–70 m2/s on clear day and 30–35 m2/s on haze day. This difference of DC was not enough to discriminate the unstable atmosphere on clear day and extreme stable atmosphere during EG stage of PM2.5, and the inversion calculated by EXP_bk was obviously weaker than the actual atmosphere of sounding observation on haze day. This led to 40–51 % underestimation of PM2.5 EG by EXP_bk; AF reduced about 43–57 % of DC during EG stage of PM2.5, which strengthened the local inversion obviously on haze day and local inversion by EXP_td_af was much closer to the sounding observation than that by EXP_bk. This resulted in 20–25 % reduction of model errors of PM2.5 and it was as low as −16 to −11 %. However, the inversion by EXP_td_af was still weaker than the actual observation and AF could not solve all the problems of PM2.5 underestimation. Based on EXP_td_af, 80 % DTD of chemical tracers resulted in a near-zero turbulent diffusion named as turbulent intermittent atmosphere state in EXP_td20_af resulting in a further 14–20 % reduction of PM2.5 underestimation and the negative PM2.5 errors of was reduced to −11 to 2 % during the EG stage of PM2.5. The combined effects of AF and DTD solved over 79 % underestimation of PM2.5 EG in this case study. The results showed that the online calculation of aerosol-radiation feedback and a further improving arithmetic of PBL scheme focusing on extreme stable atmosphere stratification are indispensable for reasonable description of local turbulent intermittent and more accurate prediction of PM2.5 EG and high levels during the severe haze in Jing-Jin-Ji in China.
Morphodynamic model of Lower Yellow River: flux or entrainment form for sediment mass conservation?
Authors: An Chenge , Moodie Andrew J. , Ma Hongbo , Fu Xudong , Zhang Yuanfeng , Naito Kensuke , Parker Gary
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Sediment mass conservation is a key factor that constrains river morphodynamic processes. In most models of river morphodynamics, sediment mass conservation is described by the Exner equation, which may take various forms depending on the problem in question. One of the most widely used forms of the Exner equation is the flux-based formulation, in which the conservation of bed material is related to the streamwise gradient of the sediment transport rate. An alternate form of the Exner equation, however, is the entrainment-based formulation, in which the conservation of bed material is related to the difference between the entrainment rate of bed sediment into suspension and the deposition rate of suspended sediment onto the bed. In the flux form, sediment transport is regarded to be in local equilibrium (i.e., sediment transport rate locally equals sediment transport capacity). However, the entrainment form does not require this constraint: the sediment transport rate may lag in space and time behind the changing flow conditions. In modeling the fine-grained Lower Yellow River, it is usual to treat sediment conservation in terms of an entrainment (nonequilibrium) form rather than a flux (equilibrium) form, in consideration of the condition that fine-grained sediment may be entrained at one place but deposited only at some distant location downstream. However, the differences in prediction between the two formulations have not been comprehensively studied to date. Here we study this problem by comparing the results of flux-based and entrainment-based morphodynamics under conditions typical of the Lower Yellow River, but simplified for clarity of comparison. We used sediment transport equations specifically designed for the Lower Yellow River. We find that in a treatment of a 200 km reach using a single characteristic bed sediment size, there is little difference between the two forms since the corresponding adaptation length is relatively small. However, a consideration of sediment mixtures shows that the two forms give very different patterns of grain sorting: clear kinematic waves occur in the flux form but are diffused out in the entrainment form. Both numerical simulation and mathematical analysis show that the morphodynamic processes predicted by the entrainment form are sensitive to sediment fall velocity.
On the Holocene evolution of the Ayeyawady megadelta
Authors: Giosan Liviu , Naing Thet , Min Tun Myo , Clift Peter D. , Filip Florin , Constantinescu Stefan , Khonde Nitesh , Blusztajn Jerzy , Buylaert Jan-Pieter , Stevens Thomas , Thwin Swe
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The Ayeyawady delta is the last Asian megadelta whose evolution has remained essentially unexplored so far. Unlike most other deltas across the world, the Ayeyawady has not yet been affected by dam construction, providing a unique view on largely natural deltaic processes benefiting from abundant sediment loads affected by tectonics and monsoon hydroclimate. To alleviate the information gap and provide a baseline for future work, here we provide a first model for the Holocene development of this megadelta based on drill core sediments collected in 2016 and 2017, dated with radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence, together with a reevaluation of published maps, charts and scientific literature. Altogether, these data indicate that Ayeyawady is a mud-dominated delta with tidal and wave influences. The sediment-rich Ayeyawady River built meander belt alluvial ridges with avulsive characters. A more advanced coast in the western half of the delta (i.e., the Pathein lobe) was probably favored by the more western location of the early course of the river. Radiogenic isotopic fingerprinting of the sediment suggests that the Pathein lobe coast does not receive significant sediment from neighboring rivers. However, the eastern region of the delta (i.e., Yangon lobe) is offset inland and extends east into the mudflats of the Sittaung estuary. Wave-built beach ridge construction during the late Holocene, similar to several other deltas across the Indian monsoon domain, suggests a common climatic control on monsoonal delta morphodynamics through variability in discharge, changes in wave climate or both. Correlation of the delta morphological and stratigraphic architecture information on land with the shelf bathymetry, as well as its tectonic, sedimentary and hydrodynamic characteristics, provides insight on the peculiar growth style of the Ayeyawady delta. The offset between the western Pathein lobe and the eastern deltaic coast appears to be driven by tectonic–hydrodynamic feedbacks as the extensionally lowered shelf block of the Gulf of Mottama amplifies tidal currents relative to the western part of the shelf. This situation probably activates a perennial shear front between the two regions that acts as a leaky energy fence. Just as importantly, the strong currents in the Gulf of Mottama act as an offshore-directed tidal pump that helps build the deep mid-shelf Mottama clinoform with mixed sediments from the Ayeyawady, Sittaung and Thanlwin rivers. The highly energetic tidal, wind and wave regime of the northern Andaman Sea thus exports most sediment offshore despite the large load of the Ayeyawady River.
Comparison of observed and modeled cloud-free longwave downward radiation (2010–2016) at the high mountain BSRN Izaña station
Authors: García Rosa Delia , Barreto Africa , Cuevas Emilio , Gröbner Julian , García Omaira Elena , Gómez-Peláez Angel , Romero-Campos Pedro Miguel , Redondas Alberto , Cachorro Victoria Eugenia , Ramos Ramon
Published: June 2018

Abstract. A 7-year (2010–2016) comparison study between measured and simulated longwave downward radiation (LDR) under cloud-free conditions was performed at the Izaña Atmospheric Observatory (IZO, Spain). This analysis encompasses a total of 2062 cases distributed approximately evenly between day and night. Results show an excellent agreement between Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) measurements and simulations with libRadtran V2.0.1 and MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission model (MODTRAN) V6 radiative transfer models (RTMs). Mean bias (simulated − measured) of  <  1.1 % and root mean square of the bias (RMS) of  <  1 % are within the instrumental error (2 %). These results highlight the good agreement between the two RTMs, proving to be useful tools for the quality control of LDR observations and for detecting temporal drifts in field instruments. The standard deviations of the residuals, associated with the RTM input parameters uncertainties are rather small, 0.47 and 0.49 % for libRadtran and MODTRAN, respectively, at daytime, and 0.49 to 0.51 % at night-time. For precipitable water vapor (PWV)  >  10 mm, the observed night-time difference between models and measurements is +5 W m−2 indicating a scale change of the World Infrared Standard Group of Pyrgeometers (WISG), which serves as reference for atmospheric longwave radiation measurements. Preliminary results suggest a possible impact of dust aerosol on infrared radiation during daytime that might not be correctly parametrized by the models, resulting in a slight underestimation of the modeled LDR, of about −3 W m−2, for relatively high aerosol optical depth (AOD  >  0.20).