bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OERlabs: Strategies for University-wide OER Advancement
Authors: Lukács Bence , Hofhues Sandra
Published: July 2019

As part of the project ‘OERlabs – jointly training student(-teachers) for Open Educational Resources (OER) use’ at the University of Cologne, Germany, various university stakeholders participated in an open developmental process through attending Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues (MSD). The goal was to sensitize and educate student teachers for Open Educational Resources. During a 6-month process the stakeholders collaboratively explored the challenges and developed solutions for initiating and advancing the use of OER during teacher training. This paper provides the solutions developed by the participants with the help of an impact-effort-matrix, which enabled the stakeholders to assess and evaluate all solutions accordingly. A key to this development was the participatory nature and open dialogue process among all relevant stakeholders, i.e. student teachers, administrators, lecturers and university leadership. A majority of the solutions can be described as low-effort but high-impact, therefore showing a promising outlook for further innovation and organizational development in regards to implementing new technologies.
Approaches to promote self-directed learning in Software Engineering
Authors: Schulz Kristina Maria
Published: July 2019

Software engineering is a profession, that requires expertise, but also underlies fast changes of contents and requirements. To cope with these challenges students in this subject need self-directed learning competencies. This paper explores Just-in-Time Teaching as one exemplary teaching method known to support self-directed learning processes. The focus in this analysis lies on a didactical evaluation of the sensitive use of this method concerning the special target group of software engineering students, the teaching content and material. The aim is to avoid a mere transfer of didactical approaches to students without additional value for the learners. Additional didactial consideration are directed towards (already existing) learning strategies of the students, which are essential for enabling students to efficiently benefit from self-directed learning arrangements. Resulting issues need to be evaluated through a serious data collection and analysis, that will be carried out in the subject of software engineering.
Teachers’ perceptions about the use of the Learning ePortfolio as learning and assessment tool in Mondragon Unibertsitatea
Authors: SantaCruz Sirats , Ipiña Nagore , Astigarraga Eugenio
Published: July 2019

The aim of the present study is to analyse teachers’ initial perceptions about the use of the Learning ePortfolio as the main learning and assessment tool in Early Years Education and Primary Education Degrees. This is a piece of a major longitudinal research being carried out in the Faculty of Humanities and Education in Mondragon Unibertsitatea. Results show that teachers are aware of the flexibility offered by the Learning ePortfolio to assess students’ learning processes. Indeed, teachers think the Learning ePortfolio is a valuable tool for both students and teachers. However, there are still some outstanding issues to discuss with all the teachers involved in the use of the Learning ePortfolio. Conclusions drawn from this study show that the Learning ePortfolio constitutes a helpful and valuable tool for both students and teachers and it helps when carrying out formative assessment processes. Nevertheless, more training is needed to solve the gaps identified for its use.
Online short course for learning management system training in an African university of technology
Authors: Van Heerden Leanri
Published: July 2019

With the use of technology in the classroom growing every year, lecturers are expected to blend facilitations by making use of learning management systems. At the Central University of Technology, Free State this poses a problem for the learning designers in charge of training lecturers in educational technologies as there is limited space and time to not only teach lecturers the skills, but also to apply them in their own contexts. The purpose of this paper is to present participant perspectives of an online short course in which they learned how to use Blackboard and other educational technologies needed for blending teaching and learning. An exploratory design was implemented with descriptive statistics involving quantitative analysis of the collected data to determine the participants’ perspective on their skills gained. An online survey tool was used to collect the data. Eighty-four percent of particpants felt that they were able to communicate via the system’s announcements, 82% felt confident that they would be able to customize the space and 94% felt that they were now able to add content, such as files. When asked if they felt like they learned the skills they expected from the online course, 94% of particpants replied positively. Keywords: e-learning; learning management system; Blackboard; instructional design; online course; educational technology.
Student Mentoring in the Master Programme “Pedagogy”: the case of University of Latvia
Authors: Baranova Sanita , Nimante Dita
Published: July 2019

There is a developing interest in mentoring and tutoring in the higher education in Latvia. Mentoring is looked at as a retention strategy to support students to remain and continue studies and as a tool to prevent students’ drop out from the university. Since academic year 2016/2017 several programmes of tutoring and mentoring in basic studies (bachelor level studies)have been developed and financially supported at the University of Latvia, but so far mentoring has not been used for Master level students. The Master program “Pedagogy” includes a theoretical course “Methods of Mentoring at the Educational Institution”. Since academic year 2018/2019 new tasks were introduced for the second year Master students to become peer mentors for the first year students, thus, integrating their theoretical knowledge into the practice, making a closer connection to the 1st year students, by sharing their Master student experience. Data were collected (reflection, portfolios, focus group discussion) both from (14) the 1st year Master students and (14) 2nd year Master students at the end of the course and were analysed qualitatively to reveal the results of peer mentoring experience. The results suggest that both the mentors and the mentees benefited from their involvement in mentoring. The research presents some new benefits and challenges for the professional development of academic staff and student-centred learning in the Master level programme. Keywords: Peer mentoring, Student-centred learning, Reflection, Quality ensuring.
Student ratings to evaluate the teaching effectiveness: Factors should be considered
Authors: Coelho Lia Alencar , Ribeiro Marcelo Machado De Luca de Oliveira
Published: July 2019

The study discusses the student ratings of a professor teaching sociology disciplines in different undergraduate courses. The data were obtained from questionnaires consisting of a series of inquiries about the discipline, focusing on how it fits in the curricular structure (discipline evaluation) and, also, on teacher’s performance (professor evaluation). A total of 480 students answered the questionnaire and, for each question they had a total of five possible answers: very poor (1 point), poor (2 points), fair (3 points), good (4 points) and excellent (5 points). Considering discipline and professor evaluations, students from Animal Science, Food Engineering and Veterinary Medicine courses consider "fair" the performance of the sociology professor. Regarding to the professor evaluation, the students of the three undergraduate courses considered the performance of the teacher "good". For discipline evaluation, the Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine students considered the discipline "fair" and the Food Engineering students considered the discipline "poor". The results obtained can serve as a basis for the design of a institutional evaluation system of teaching based on student ratings, however the evaluation of the discipline and the performance of the teacher must be considered separately.
Teaching Operations research, the experience of the Catholic University in Bolivia
Authors: Córdova Eguívar Hector Reynaldo
Published: July 2019

The Catholic University of Bolivia undertook an experience to develop profesional competencies in students of Operations research and to position the tools of this specialty to help improve the management of private companies. The paper presents the implementation of a new methodology (Project Based Learning) for teaching the subject of Operations Research to a group of students from different fields at a national context during a period of 5 years. Students must perform a project on  small companies in order to gain the competences related to the course of Operational Research. The paper analyzes the change of methods (from traditional ones based on the passive role of students to a participative model where student applies their knowledge to their daily activity)  teaching mathematics in Bolivia. The company representatives play an active role monitoring and assessing the implementation process. The evaluation of the students shows that the competency has been developed to the expected level and Operations research has now a place in the management of small companies.
Beyond Attrition and Retention: Working With Students to Enhance the First Year Experience
Authors: Gerodetti Natalia , Nixon Darren
Published: July 2019

Student retention and attrition rates have been established as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for course teams in the Higher Education landscape in the UK. Against this quantified (and neoliberal) auditable undertaking, in this paper we offer an examination of a set of alternative qualitative efforts which are intended to improve the first year student experience by helping students transition into their course, and university life more generally. Working with students to enhance the first year experience is at the centre of our ontological position and we draw heavily on the idea of a “long thin” induction which continues throughout the first year at university. We explore the benefits of facilitating ‘students as producers’ and incorporating ‘student intelligence’ into university teaching and learning practices before presenting a series of activities that are designed to help students transition successfully and build a strong course identity. Having offered students different ways of structured integration into the course we reflect on how these activites can help first-year students develop the kinds of skills and knowledge base that contributes to a better experience of the transition and acculturation into university life in all of its facets.
Teaching essential graduate attributes via digital cultural heritage: An assessment model from communication students in Hong Kong
Authors: Mak Angela , Ching Helen
Published: July 2019

Teaching essential graduate attributes has always been a challenge to educators because these “soft skills” are hard to be taught inside classroom. While many innovative initiatives seek an outside-in perspective, very few of them look at how to further develop students’ learning experience from understanding the central, enduring, and distinctive features of their own school and/or university. Stemming from the first digital heritage project among communication schools in Greater China, this exploratory study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using such an inside-out approach to enhance the impact on learning, as well as cognitive and emotional changes of current students toward attaining essential graduate attributes in the communication profession. In the first year of this two-year project, we selected students in six classes to participate (N = 183) in an online survey and received 97 completed responses from four selected classes (N = 127). Regression analysis showed that students’ personal involvement and evaluations of the interview sharing and teaching methods were all positively correlated with self-perceived learning outcomes. Results also predicted that self-perceived learning outcomes was positively associated with cognitive and affective changes. Qualitative feedback from students, course instructors, and alumni also demonstrated the effectiveness of this inside-out approach.
Interdisciplinary Medical Communication Training at the University of Pécs
Authors: Eklics Kata , Kárpáti Eszter , Cathey Robin Valerie , Lee Andrew J. , Koppán Ágnes
Published: July 2019

Medical communication training is being challenged to meet the demands of a more internationalized world. As a result, interdisciplinary simulation-based education is designed to advance clinical skill development, specifically in doctor-patient interactions. The Standardized Patient Program has been applied in American Medical Schools since the 1960s, implementing patient profiles based on authentic cases. At the University of Pécs, Medical School in Hungary, this model is being adapted to facilitate improving patient-interviewing, problem-solving, and medical reporting skills. The interdisciplinary program operates in Hungarian, German and English languages, utilizing actors to perform as simulated patients under the close observation of medical specialists and linguists. This innovative course is designed to train students to successfully collect patient histories while navigating medical, linguistic, emotional, and socio-cultural complexities of patients. Experts in medicine and language assess student performance, offering feedback and providing individualized training that students might improve their professional and communicative competencies. This paper examines how this interdisciplinary course provides valuable opportunities for more efficient patient-oriented communication practices. Through responding to medical emergencies, miscommunications, and conflicts in a safe environment, medical students prepare to deal with a diverse patient context, that more qualified and empathetic health personnel may be employed throughout clinics worldwide. Keywords: interdisciplinary simulation-based education, doctor-patient interaction, MediSkillsLab, medical history taking, language for specific purposes competencies
Assessing L2 listening in CALL and listening strategy use
Authors: Pardo-Ballester Cristina
Published: July 2019

This longitudinal study examines students’ learning strategies of 222 Spanish intermediate learners when taking several listening tests. It also examines the effect of different instructional formats (online-hybrid vs. face2face-blended) on the learners’ strategy use. There were four versions of the same text: an audio format, a video format, a redundancy-enhanced version in audio format, and a redundancy-enhanced version in video format. A pseudo-cross over design was utilized  for this study with four listening tests used with each group. Participants completed a questionnaire immediately after each listening test to learn about learners’ strategies before, during and after listening in order to elicit information about the particular strategies that learners used to complete each listening test. Results indicated that there was a listening comprehension strategy development over time without explicit instruction, but participants from different instructional formats developed different strategies. There was a statistically significant difference for intermediate-low learners when perceiving the use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies, but the effect of redundancy does not seem to have an impact. Intermediate-mid learners did not perceive a difference with the use of strategies when completing listening tests with or without redundancy.
Collaborative creation between students and teachers for the development of an evaluation gameboard in class.
Authors: Hurtado Jairo A. , Real Yenny A
Published: July 2019

Prehispanopolis is the result of a pedagogical, dynamic and innovative proposal for teaching, learning and evaluation of students through the creation of a board game developed between teacher and students. As part of the activities of evaluation, the students are proposed to create a game that involves the subjects and concepts of the course, and it can later be used as an evaluation tool.The pilot test was conducted in the subject called Arquitectura Hispanoamericana (Hispano-American Architecture) of the Architecture program and limited to pre-Hispanic architecture and urbanism, hence the origin of the name of the game.The main objective in the proposal of the creation of this game is to generate greater motivation and interest in students for learning in classes that have high theoretical content and are passive, monotonous and dense both in its content and in its class methodology. History of architecture meets these characteristics among students, for this reason it was decided to start with the project in this class.Results show a high motivation and participation of the students, both in the development of the game and at the time of being used as an evaluation tool. Likewise, the academic results corresponding to the subjects evaluated with the game were improved.Keywords: Boardgame, game-based learning, gamification, motivation, methodology.
New University: liberal education and arts in Brazil
Authors: De Podestá Nathan Tejada , Berg Silvia Maria Pires Cabrera
Published: July 2019

This paper is part of an ongoing research on the issue of music education in Brazilian universities. It aims to identify educational models that structure pedagogical practice at this level of studies. It distinguishes the types of professional and human education promoted in each one of the presented models (French, German and American) as well as liberal education, identified as a global trend. Relating the current socio-cultural political and economic context with education with the support of Godwin (2015), Berg (2012) and Jansen (1999) we argue that liberal education provides a structure can favor the development of competences and skills demanded on the current conjuncture. In this frame, we will analyze, with the help of Paula (2008) and Santos & Filho (2008), the historical dynamics of Brazilian higher education and show how liberal education and post-colonial philosophy is restructuring Brazilian universities. This “new university” allows the implementation of a multicultural, multi-epistemic pedagogy that overcome fragmentary disciplinary views and renders feasible the proposition of new ways of conceiving training, studying, teaching and research in music and arts.
Class observations from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa highlight the need for active learning strategies to support diverse students in large classes
Authors: Engels Jennifer , Bruno Barbara , Dasalla Noelle , Böttjer-Wilson Daniela
Published: July 2019

Compelling evidence indicates that “active learning” (learning by doing) is an effective pedagogy regardless of discipline or class size, and can be particularly effective with diverse students.  This study investigated active learning practices in 64 classes at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, a US university with a highly diverse student body, using a “Passivity Indicator” (PI: ratio of class time spent in passive activities to total class time).  For all classes, the mean PI was 43%.  Statistical analysis reveals no significant differences in the PI of classes taught in STEM vs. non-STEM disciplines, or between upper vs. lower division courses.  However, the PI in larger classes was found to be significantly greater than in small classes (64% vs. 39%, respectively; p=0.02).  Moreover, classroom activities aligned with an active learning standard in Language and Literacy Development (e.g., students answering questions) occurred twice as often in small (24%) vs. large classes (12%, with p=0.02).  Altogether, these findings indicate an opportunity for more active learning in large classes.  We present a range of research-based pedagogical strategies that can be readily implemented in large classrooms, and encourage instructors to use their implementation as research opportunities to gather data on student success.
Variability of bulk water vapor content in the marine cloudy boundary layers from microwave and near-infrared imagery
Authors: Millán Luis F. , Lebsock Matthew D. , Teixeira Joao
Published: July 2019

Abstract. This work uses the synergy of collocated microwave radiometry and near-infrared imagery to study the marine boundary layer water vapor. The Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) provides the total column water vapor, while the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) near-infrared imagery provides the water vapor above the cloud layers. The difference between the two gives the vapor between the surface and the cloud top, which may be interpreted as the boundary layer water vapor under certain conditions. As a by-product of this algorithm, we also store cloud top information of the MODIS pixels used, a proxy for the inversion height, as well as the sea surface temperature and total column water vapor from the AMSR measurements. Hence, the AMSR–MODIS dataset provides several of the variables associated with the boundary layer thermodynamic structure. Comparisons against radiosondes and GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) data demonstrate the robustness of these boundary layer water vapor estimates. We explore the annual cycle of the number of observations as a proxy for stratus cloud amount, in well-known stratus regions; we then exploit the 16 years of AMSR–MODIS synergy to study for the first time the annual variations of the boundary layer water vapor in comparison to the sea surface temperature and the boundary layer cloud top height (equivalent to the inversion height) climatologies, and lastly we explore the climatological behavior of these variables on stratocumulus-to-cumulus transitions.
Analysis of temporal and spatial variability of atmospheric CO2 concentration within Paris from the GreenLITETM laser imaging experiment
Authors: Lian Jinghui , Bréon François-Marie , Broquet Grégoire , Zaccheo T. Scott , Dobler Jeremy , Ramonet Michel , Staufer Johannes , Santaren Diego , Xueref-Remy Irène , Ciais Philippe
Published: July 2019

Abstract. In 2015, the Greenhouse gas Laser Imaging Tomography Experiment (GreenLITETM) measurement system was deployed for a long-duration experiment in the center of Paris, France. The system measures near-surface atmospheric CO2 concentrations integrated along 30 horizontal chords ranging in length from 2.3 km to 5.2 km and covering an area of 25 km2 over the complex urban environment. In this study, we use this observing system together with six conventional in-situ point measurements and the WRF-Chem model coupled with two urban canopy schemes (UCM, BEP) at a horizontal resolution of 1 km to analyze the temporal and spatial variations of CO2 concentrations within the Paris city and its vicinity for the 1-year period spanning December 2015 to November 2016. Such an analysis aims at supporting the development of CO2 atmospheric inversion systems at the city scale. Results show that both urban canopy schemes in the WRF-Chem model are capable of reproducing the seasonal cycle and most of the synoptic variations in the atmospheric CO2 point measurements over the suburban areas, as well as the general corresponding spatial differences in CO2 concentration that span the urban area. However, within the city, there are larger discrepancies between the observations and the model results with very distinct features during winter and summer. During winter, the GreenLITETM measurements clearly demonstrate that one urban canopy scheme (BEP) provides a much better description of temporal variations and horizontal differences in CO2 concentrations than the other (UCM) does. During summer, much larger CO2 horizontal differences are indicated by the GreenLITETM system than both the in-situ measurements and the model results, with systematic east-west variations.
Experimental investigation into the volatilities of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM)
Authors: Peräkylä Otso , Riva Matthieu , Heikkinen Liine , Quéléver Lauriane , Roldin Pontus , Ehn Mikael
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) forms a major part of the tropospheric submicron aerosol. Still, the exact formation mechanisms of SOA have remained elusive. Recently, a newly discovered group of oxidation products of volatile organic compounds (VOC), highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM), have been proposed to be responsible for a large fraction of SOA formation. To assess the potential of HOM to form SOA, and to even take part in new particle formation, knowledge of their exact volatilities would be essential. However, due to their exotic, and partially unknown, structures, estimating their volatility is challenging. In this study, we performed a set of continuous flow chamber experiments, supported by box modelling, to study the volatilities of HOM, along with some less oxygenated compounds, formed in the ozonolysis of alpha-pinene, an abundant VOC emitted by the boreal forests. Along with gaseous precursors, we periodically injected inorganic seed aerosol into the chamber to vary the condensation sink (CS) of low volatility vapours. We monitored the decrease of oxidation products in the gas phase in response to increasing CS, and were able to relate the responses to the volatilities of the compounds. We found that HOM monomers are mainly of low volatility, with a small fraction being semi-volatile. HOM dimers were all of at least low volatility, but probably of extremely low volatility: however, our method is not directly able to distinguish between the two. We were able to explain the volatility of the oxidation products in terms of their carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen numbers. We found that increasing levels of oxygenation correspond to lower volatilities, as expected, but that the decrease is less steep than would be expected based on many existing models for volatility, such as SIMPOL. The hydrogen number of a compound also explained its volatility, independently of the carbon number, with higher hydrogen numbers corresponding to lower volatilities. This can be explained in terms of the functional groups making up a molecule: high hydrogen numbers are associated with e.g. hyrdoxy groups, which lower the volatility more than e.g. carbonyls, that are associated with a lower hydrogen number. The method presented should be applicable to systems other than α-pinene ozonolysis, and with different organic loadings in order to study different volatility ranges.
Description of a formaldehyde retrieval algorithm for the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS)
Authors: Kwon Hyeong-Ahn , Park Rokjin J. , González Abad Gonzalo , Chance Kelly , Kurosu Thomas P. , Kim Jhoon , De Smedt Isabelle , Van Roozendael Michel , Peters Enno , Burrows John
Published: July 2019

Abstract. We describe a formaldehyde (HCHO) retrieval algorithm for
the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) that will be
launched by the Korean Ministry of Environment in 2019. The algorithm
comprises three steps: preprocesses, radiance fitting, and postprocesses.
The preprocesses include a wavelength calibration, as well as interpolation and
convolution of absorption cross sections; radiance fitting is conducted
using a nonlinear fitting method referred to as basic optical absorption
spectroscopy (BOAS); and postprocesses include air mass factor calculations
and bias corrections. In this study, several sensitivity tests are conducted
to examine the retrieval uncertainties using the GEMS HCHO algorithm. We
evaluate the algorithm with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) Level 1B irradiance/radiance data by
comparing our retrieved HCHO column densities with OMI HCHO products of the
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (OMHCHO) and of the Quality Assurance
for Essential Climate Variables project (OMI QA4ECV). Results show that OMI
HCHO slant columns retrieved using the GEMS algorithm are in good agreement
with OMHCHO, with correlation coefficients of 0.77–0.91 and regression
slopes of 0.94–1.04 for March, June, September, and December 2005. Spatial
distributions of HCHO slant columns from the GEMS algorithm are consistent
with the OMI QA4ECV products, but relatively poorer correlation coefficients
of 0.52–0.76 are found compared to those against the OMHCHO products.
Also, we compare the satellite results with ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS)
observations. OMI GEMS HCHO vertical columns are 9 %–25 % lower than
those of MAX-DOAS at Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP) in France, Bremen in
Germany, and Xianghe in China. We find that the OMI GEMS retrievals have
less bias than the OMHCHO and OMI QA4ECV products at OHP and Bremen in
comparison with MAX-DOAS.
Shifting mineral and redox controls on carbon cycling in seasonally flooded mineral soils
Authors: LaCroix Rachelle E. , Tfaily Malak M. , McCreight Menli , Jones Morris E. , Spokas Lesley , Keiluweit Marco
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Although wetland soils represent a relatively small
portion of the terrestrial landscape, they account for an estimated
20 %–30 % of the global soil carbon (C) reservoir. C stored in wetland soils
that experience seasonal flooding is likely the most vulnerable to increased
severity and duration of droughts in response to climate change. Redox
conditions, plant root dynamics, and the abundance of protective mineral
phases are well-established controls on soil C persistence, but their
relative influence in seasonally flooded mineral soils is largely unknown.
To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the relative importance of
environmental (temperature, soil moisture, and redox potential) and
biogeochemical (mineral composition and root biomass) factors in controlling
CO2 efflux, C quantity, and organic matter composition along replicated
upland–lowland transitions in seasonally flooded mineral soils.
Specifically, we contrasted mineral soils under temperature deciduous
forests in lowland positions that undergo seasonal flooding with adjacent
upland soils that do not, considering both surface (A) and subsurface (B and C)
horizons. We found the lowland soils had lower total annual CO2 efflux
than the upland soils, with monthly CO2 efflux in lowlands most
strongly correlated with redox potential (Eh). Lower CO2 efflux as
compared to the uplands corresponded to greater C content and abundance of
lignin-rich, higher-molecular-weight, chemically reduced organic compounds
in the lowland surface soils (A horizons). In contrast, subsurface soils in
the lowland position (Cg horizons) showed lower C content than the upland positions (C horizons), coinciding with lower abundance of root
biomass and oxalate-extractable Fe (Feo, a proxy for protective Fe phases). Our linear mixed-effects model showed that Feo served as the strongest measured predictor of C content in upland soils, yet Feo had
no predictive power in lowland soils. Instead, our model showed that Eh and oxalate-extractable Al (Alo, a proxy of protective Al phases) became significantly stronger predictors in the lowland soils. Combined, our results suggest that low redox potentials are the primary cause for C
accumulation in seasonally flooded surface soils, likely due to selective
preservation of organic compounds under anaerobic conditions. In seasonally
flooded subsurface soils, however, C accumulation is limited due to lower C
inputs through root biomass and the removal of reactive Fe phases under
reducing conditions. Our findings demonstrate that C accrual in seasonally
flooded mineral soil is primarily due to low redox potential in the surface
soil and that the lack of protective metal phases leaves these C stocks
highly vulnerable to climate change.
Cryptic role of tetrathionate in the sulfur cycle: A study from Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone sediments
Authors: Mandal Subhrangshu , Bhattacharya Sabyasachi , Roy Chayan , Rameez Moidu Jameela , Sarkar Jagannath , Fernandes Svetlana , Mapder Tarunendu , Peketi Aditya , Mazumdar Aninda , Ghosh Wriddhiman
Published: July 2019

Abstract. To explore the potential role of tetrathionate in the sulfur cycle of marine sediments, the population ecology of tetrathionate-forming, oxidizing, and respiring microorganisms was revealed at 15–30 cm resolution along two, ~ 3-m-long, cores collected from 530- and 580-mbsl water-depths of Arabian Sea, off India’s west coast, within the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Metagenome analysis along the two sediment-cores revealed widespread occurrence of the structural genes that govern these metabolisms; high diversity and relative-abundance was also detected for the bacteria known to render these processes. Slurry-incubation of the sediment-samples, pure-culture isolation, and metatranscriptome analysis, corroborated the in situ functionality of all the three metabolic-types. Geochemical analyses revealed thiosulfate (0–11.1 µM), pyrite (0.05–1.09 wt %), iron (9232–17234 ppm) and manganese (71–172 ppm) along the two sediment-cores. Pyrites (via abiotic reaction with MnO2) and thiosulfate (via oxidation by chemolithotrophic bacteria prevalent in situ) are apparently the main sources of tetrathionate in this ecosystem. Tetrathionate, in turn, can be either converted to sulfate (via oxidation by the chemolithotrophs present) or reduced back to thiosulfate (via respiration by native bacteria); 0–2.01 mM sulfide present in the sediment-cores may also reduce tetrathionate abiotically to thiosulfate and elemental sulfur. Notably tetrathionate was not detected in situ – high microbiological and geochemical reactivity of this polythionate is apparently instrumental in the cryptic nature of its potential role as a central sulfur cycle intermediate. Biogeochemical roles of this polythionate, albeit revealed here in the context of OMZ sediments, may well extend to the sulfur cycles of other geomicrobiologically-distinct marine sediment horizons.
Trawl macrofauna of the Far-Eastern Seas and North Pacific: proportion of commercial species, potential product yield, and price range
Authors: Volvenko Igor V. , Orlov Alexei M. , Gebruk Andrey V. , Katugin Oleg N. , Ogorodnikova Alla A. , Vinogradov Georgy M. , Maznikova Olga A.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. A checklist of 1541 animal species from the Chukchi, Bering, Okhotsk, and Japan seas and the North Pacific Ocean was generated based on 459 research vessel surveys (68903 trawl tows at depths from 5 to 2200 m) in the period 1977–2014 (Volvenko et al., https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.902195, 2019). The study area spanned over 25 million km2. For each species, the scientific name is given, as well as English and Russian common names along with the following details: areas where species were collected, trawl type (benthic/midwater), real or potential commercial importance, possible product yield and minimum wholesale prices. Almost 20 % of species in trawl catches had no commercial value, and > 50 % were cheap or very cheap. Only 3.3 % of species were expensive and very expensive, and their number increased from north to south. About 33 % of species can be considered as unexploited reserve for fisheries. These are mainly small fish and invertebrates, with total biomass many times exceeding that of currently exploited biological resources. Product output for most species exceeded 90 % of the raw weight. Occurrence of such species was much higher in the pelagic zone than on the seafloor. The most abundant local commercial species are characterized by significant natural fluctuations in abundance. Therefore, a sustainable fishery in the region can only be secured by expansion of the assortment of commercial bioresources. A regional supply of bioresources provides such an opportunity. The checklist can be used for development of bioresource management, aquaculture and conservation, assessment of environmental damage caused by anthropogenic impact (hydro-technical constructions, oil/gas extractions, nuclear reactor accidents, etc.).
Vulnerability analysis in Complex Networks under a Flood Risk
Reduction point of view
Authors: Santos Leonardo B. L. , Jorge Aurelienne A. S. , Londe Luciana R. , Reani Regina T. , Bacelar Roberta B. , Sokolov Igor M.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The measurement and mapping of transportation network vulnerability constitute subjects of global interest. During a flood, some elements of a transportation network can be reached, causing damages directly (to people, vehicles and roads/streets) and indirect damages (services) with great economic impacts. The Complex Networks approach may offer a valuable perspective considering one type of vulnerability especially related to Disaster Risk Reduction on critical infrastructures: the topological vulnerability. The topological vulnerability index associated to an element in a graph is defined as the damage (variation) on the network’s average efficiency due to the removal of that element. We have performed a topological vulnerability analysis to the highways in the state of Santa Catarina (Brazil), and produced a risk map considering that index and the flood susceptible areas. Our results can represent an important tool for stakeholders from the transportation sector.
Tidal variability in the Hong Kong region
Authors: Devlin Adam T. , Pan Jiayi , Lin Hui
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Mean sea level (MSL) is rising worldwide, and correlated changes in ocean
tides are also occurring. This combination may influence future extreme sea
levels, possibly increasing coastal inundation and nuisance flooding events
in sensitive regions. Analyses of a set of tide gauges in Hong Kong reveal
complex tidal behavior. Most prominent in the results are strong
correlations of MSL variability to tidal variability over the 31-year period
of 1986–2016; these tidal anomaly correlations (TACs) express the
sensitivity of tidal amplitudes and phases (M2, S2, K1,
O1) to MSL fluctuations and are widely observed across the Hong Kong
region. At a few important harbor locations, time series of approximations
of the parameter δ-HAT, computed from combinations of the major
tidal constituents, are found to be highly sensitive to MSL variability,
which may further increase local flood levels under future MSL rise. Other
open-water locations in Hong Kong only show TACs for some individual tidal
constituents but not for combined tidal amplitudes, suggesting that the
dynamics in enclosed harbor areas may be partially frequency dependent and
related to resonance or frictional changes. We also observe positive
correlations of the fluctuations of diurnal (D1) tides to semidiurnal (D2) tides at most locations in the region, which may lead to further
amplified tidal ranges under MSL. It is demonstrated here that tidal changes
in the Hong Kong coastal waters may be important in combination with MSL
rise in impacting future total water levels.
The internal structure and composition of a plate-boundary-scale serpentinite shear zone: the Livingstone Fault, New Zealand
Authors: Tarling Matthew S. , Smith Steven A. F. , Scott James M. , Rooney Jeremy S. , Viti Cecilia , Gordon Keith C.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Deciphering the internal structure and composition of large serpentinite-dominated shear zones will lead to an improved understanding of the rheology of the lithosphere in a range of tectonic settings. The Livingstone Fault in New Zealand is a terrane-bounding structure that separates the basal portions (peridotite; serpentinised peridotite; metagabbros) of the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt from the quartzofeldspathic schists of the Caples and Aspiring Terrane. Field and microstructural observations from 11 localities along a strike length of ca. 140 km show that the Livingstone Fault is a steeply dipping, serpentinite-dominated shear zone tens of metres to several hundred metres wide. The bulk shear zone has a pervasive scaly fabric that wraps around fractured and faulted pods of massive serpentinite, rodingite and partially metasomatised quartzofeldspathic schist up to a few tens of metres long. S–C fabrics and lineations in the shear zone consistently indicate a steep east-side-up shear sense, with significant local dispersion in kinematics where the shear zone fabrics wrap around pods. The scaly fabric is dominated (>98 % vol) by fine-grained (≪10 µm) fibrous chrysotile and lizardite–polygonal serpentine, but infrequent (<1 % vol) lenticular relicts of antigorite are also preserved. Dissolution seams and foliation surfaces enriched in magnetite, as well as the widespread growth of fibrous chrysotile in veins and around porphyroclasts, suggest that bulk shear zone deformation involved pressure–solution. Syn-kinematic metasomatic reactions occurred along all boundaries between serpentinite, schist and rodingite, forming multigenerational networks of nephritic tremolite veins that are interpreted to have caused reaction hardening within metasomatised portions of the shear zone. We propose a conceptual model for plate-boundary-scale serpentinite shear zones which involves bulk-distributed deformation by pressure–solution creep, accompanied by a range of physical (e.g. faulting in pods and wall rocks; smearing of magnetite along fault surfaces) or chemical (e.g. metasomatism) processes that result in localised brittle deformation within creeping shear zone segments.
Converting snow depth to snow water equivalent using climatological variables
Authors: Hill David F. , Burakowski Elizabeth A. , Crumley Ryan L. , Keon Julia , Hu J. Michelle , Arendt Anthony A. , Wikstrom Jones Katreen , Wolken Gabriel J.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. We present a simple method that allows snow depth measurements to
be converted to snow water equivalent (SWE) estimates. These estimates are
useful to individuals interested in water resources, ecological function,
and avalanche forecasting. They can also be assimilated into models to help
improve predictions of total water volumes over large regions. The
conversion of depth to SWE is particularly valuable since snow depth
measurements are far more numerous than costlier and more complex SWE
measurements. Our model regresses SWE against snow depth (h), day of water
year (DOY) and climatological (30-year normal) values for winter (December,
January, February) precipitation (PPTWT), and the difference (TD) between mean
temperature of the warmest month and mean temperature of the coldest month,
producing a power-law relationship. Relying on climatological normals rather
than weather data for a given year allows our model to be applied at
measurement sites lacking a weather station. Separate equations are obtained
for the accumulation and the ablation phases of the snowpack. The model is
validated against a large database of snow pillow measurements and yields a
bias in SWE of less than 2 mm and a root-mean-squared error (RMSE) in SWE of
less than 60 mm. The model is additionally validated against two completely
independent sets of data: one from western North America and one from the
northeastern United States. Finally, the results are compared with three other
models for bulk density that have varying degrees of complexity and that
were built in multiple geographic regions. The results show that the model
described in this paper has the best performance for the validation data
sets.
Por uma ontologia do som enquanto ontologia da escuta
Authors: Oliveira André Luiz Gonçalves de
Published: July 2019

O texto propõe um caminho para o conceito de som enquanto fenômeno de escuta. Fundamentado na Fenomenologia da Percepção de M. Merleau-Ponty, parte-se da leitura de D. Ihde sobre problemas com uma ontologia do som nos moldes do dualismo cartesiano. Depois aponta-se a crítica de B. Kane sobre a construção de uma ontologia do som distante dos estudos em escuta cultural. Finalmente apresenta-se ideias de T. Ingold contra o conceito de paisagem sonora e em direção ao entendimento do som enquanto experiência de corpos agindo com outros corpos em espaços específicos. Espera-se contribuir para a discussão da ontologia do som enquanto ontologia da escuta.
Música contemporánea y estrategias de aprendizaje de una nueva pieza musical en la clase de piano
Authors: Cara Jara Michel André
Published: July 2019

El presente trabajo de investigación, se centra en el estudio del proceso de aprendizaje a corto plazo de una nueva pieza de música contemporánea en una clase de piano funcional en la Facultad de Artes de la Universidad de Chile. El estudio sigue un enfoque microgenético (SIEGLER, CROWLEY, 1991). Los participantes (n=10) leen 4 veces la pieza seleccionada y tienen la posibilidad de practicar dos minutos entre cada interpretación. Se analizan los datos de la performance, así como la implicación de la maestra y sus estudiantes en la generación de estrategias dinámicas de aprendizaje. Los resultados sugieren la existencia de proto-perfiles de aprendizaje.
The Impact of Management Information System on the Employees Performance Management in Sultanate of Oman Telecommunication Companies
Authors: Alhosni Said Bin Sulaiman , Lehyeh Salman Mohammed Abu
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to analysis the impact of MIS on its dimensions in performance management In the Sultanate of Oman. The researcher tested the hypothesis of the study using multiple regression analysis, descriptive statistics, and Several conclusions found in the study; namely: There is an impact of management information systems on managing the performance of employees as a whole in telecommunications companies in the Sultanate of Oman. There is an impact of MIS on the performance management (performance planning) on the telecommunications companies in the Sultanate of Oman. While the results indicated that the software components and networks of management information systems do not affect the employee's performance management concerning performance planning.There is an impact of information management systems (human resources, software, networks) on the employees’ performance management represented the performance audit, and follow-up in the telecommunications companies in the Sultanate of Oman. While the results indicated that the material resources, and the MIS database did not affect the employees’ performance management represented by performance review, and follow-up.There is an impact of MIS (Human Resources, material resources, Software, Database) on the performance management of performance appraisal of telecom companies. While the results indicated that the networking component of MIS did not affect the employees’ performance management represented by performance appraisal.There is an impact of MIS on employee performance management of feedback in the telecoms companies. While the results indicated that the IT component of MIS did not affect the employees’ performance management represented by feedback.
Cernuda y Gil de Biedma: monologando la cruda verdad
Authors: Sarango Jaramillo Cristhian Geovany
Published: July 2019

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar el uso del monólogo dramático en dos poemas “Soliloquio del farero” del poemario Invocaciones (1934-1935) de Luis Cernuda y “Contra Jaime Gil de Biedma” de libro Poemas póstumos (1968) de Jaime Gil de Biedma. En los poemas antes mencionados, vemos la prevalencia de esta técnica poética, la cual busca representar al objeto lírico en primera persona, transmitiendo una serie de emociones que los autores señalados muestran en sus creaciones. Cernuda refleja la soledad en su máxima expresión al describir en su farero (poeta) a un sujeto solitario, por otra parte, Gil de Biedma exterioriza la lucha del “yo supremo”, el cual busca la supervivencia en un mundo moderno.