bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remote Monitoring via EEG of Persons in Severe Depression
Authors: Paul Sudip , Sinha Tapas Kumar
Published: May 2018

Mental illness in the form of depression or suicidal tendencies is found in one out of every four Indians. Severe depression usually leads to suicides. The numbers of well trained professionals, brilliant students at premier institutes who have committed suicide due to depression are on the rise. Recently the pilot of a major German airline, suffering from severe depression, deliberately plunged the aircraft into the Swiss Alps killing both himself and all the passengers in the plane. It is therefore important to develop a technique via which one can identify unambiguously who is suffering from depression. There are no general behavioral characteristics via which one can identify such people. However, analysis of the EEG spectra can accurately estimate the mental health of the patient. By making it mandatory for students/employees of an organization to have their EEG done periodically, one can isolate the people who are suffering from this disease.
Gamification in E-Learning
Authors: Topal Murat , Karaca Ozan
Published: May 2018

This chapter is structured to help give readers a general impression about gamification and its relationship with e-learning from the perspective of basic sources of gamification. Gamification is important for e-learning, which can share the same digital environment with digital game components because it has the potential to increase the engagement of the learners in digital environment. This chapter on gamification has primarily tried to explain the reasons for prompting people to play and the kinds of actions of the players after defining the game and gamification. Afterwards, explaining the components of the gamification design models, some gamification applications are stated as successful examples that can be used in e-learning. The chapter concludes by giving information about the limits, criticism, and future of gamification.
M100S Project
Authors: Soares Filomena , Lopes Ana Paula
Published: May 2018

This chapter presents the M100S project, a math MOOC platform from the e-learning unit of the Polytechnic of Porto (P.PORTO). Reference is made to all motivational, structural, and fundamental steps of this process of creation and development, from its origin to the present day, and a brief analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of these recent educational resources. The general structure adopted for these mathematics MOOCs is presented, with all its features, and the difficulties inherent to the development of these courses from scratch are analyzed, both regarding the technological and financial support available as well as the human resources enrolled. Finally, several internal practices and applications made by means of the most varied open resources, specifically developed for these MOOCs and other existing ones from the MatActiva project, in Portuguese, both in a b-learning perspective and in the development of flipped teaching strategies, are mentioned.
Risk Management Practices in Indian Microfinance Sector
Authors: Sana Ashish Kumar , Biswas Bappaditya
Published: May 2018

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are exposed to a great number of risks such as institutional risks, operational risks, financial management risks, and external risks that threaten effective services to clients, financial stability, and future sustainability. In this background, the objectives of the chapter are (1) to understand the concept risk and risk management of MFIs and (2) to examine the risk management practices of select MFIs in West Bengal. Based on the objectives, a structured questionnaire has been prepared to examine risk management practices of MFIs and problems associated with implementing risk management tools and techniques. The study found that most of the MFIs have not adopted risk management tools and techniques so far in their institutions to minimize risks. The study also found that the small MFIs are lacking qualified and professional persons in management and hence facing more strategic and governance risks.
Impact of Microfinance on Investment Decision and Consumption Smoothing
Authors: Mukherjee Arundhati , Das Ramesh Chandra
Published: May 2018

Microfinance has emerged as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation in developing countries. The main objective of microfinance is to provide a cost-effective mechanism for providing financial service to the poor. This chapter attempts to highlight the effect of credit constraints on the productive investment decision of poor households and scope of microfinance in this respect. This chapter promotes the role of microfinance services in consumption smoothing and thus highlights the effect on investment decision of rural poor farming households. As an insured household is motivated to allocate a greater part of its resources away from consumption and saving in favor of investments, this chapter emphasizes the importance of insurance service in product basket of microfinance services.
Performance of SHGs in the Backward Districts of West Bengal
Authors: Mazumdar Debashis , Bisai Santanu , Bhattacharjee Mainak
Published: May 2018

One of the escape routes for the low-level development trap in the backward regions of India has been the formation of self-help groups (SHGs) and the provision of microfinance to the SHGs. This chapter analyzes the performance of such SHGs in some of the economically backward districts of West Bengal based on primary data collected from some sample drought-prone and non-drought-prone blocks of Paschim Medinipur and Bankura districts of West Bengal. The performance of sample SHGs in these drought-prone areas has been measured by (1) per-capita deposit, (2) per-capita credit, (3) credit-deposit ratio, and (4) repayment-credit ratio. An intra-regional difference in this performance has been observed in SHGs functioning in drought-prone and non-drought-prone blocks within the backward districts. Further, applying Probit model, it is observed that the SHG can climb easily upon the performance ladder with younger and educated members, greater percentage of members above the poverty level, better utilization of credit received, and so on.
Determinants of Sustainability Reporting in Medium Enterprises
Authors: Paiva Inna Sousa , Gavancha Irina Filipa
Published: May 2018

The importance of the relationship between sustainability and accountability in the business world has increased in the last few years. This chapter examines the determinants of sustainability reporting in 100 medium enterprises operating in Portugal with an excellent financial performance over the past three years. The main results demonstrate that firm characteristics, such as size, ownership structure, and sales growth, contribute significantly to explaining sustainability in these firms. The authors also find that medium firms exhibit a lack of interest in changing their business conduct to improve sustainability. Sustainability accounting is in a relatively early phase of development and the authors hope that this study will further the understanding of the firm characteristics that explain sustainability in medium enterprises.
Energy Management and Auditing in Indian MSMEs
Authors: Basak Shounak , Saha Kushal , Shekhar Sudhanshu
Published: May 2018

Energy management has emerged as a comprehensive framework for implementing sustainable accounting initiatives. This chapter elaborates and explains the energy management and auditing practices in the context of Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs form a neglected but a large part of the Indian economy. The chapter delves upon the importance of implementing energy management in MSMEs. Moreover, MSMEs are generally inefficient in their energy usage due to lack of technological upgradation. Therefore, energy management initiatives are of greater relevance for this sector. Energy management requires the coordination among a network of organizations including the focal organization, the government bodies, NGOs, and trained energy consultants. For energy management practices to take root, a business ecosystem perspective is required. The chapter highlights the theoretical dimensions of energy management and emerging ecosystem of energy management through case studies of the Firozabad glass industry and the Morbi ceramic tiles industry.
Innovation, Sustainability, and Organizational Change in a Social Portuguese Organization
Authors: Barbosa Fernando , Romero Fernando Cabrita , Cunha Jorge
Published: May 2018

Social economy has been a prominent topic among scholars, politicians, and practitioners. Social economy organizations are mission-driven with the purpose of creating social value, overcoming a social problem, and contributing to attain sustainable social development. In this chapter, a particular weakness underlying those organizations is addressed: lack of managerial skills and the importance of a well-structured process of strategic management and organizational innovation. Based on the analysis of a Portuguese case study, the goal is to increase the knowledge on the facilitating factors and barriers to the improvement of the quality of service and the efficiency of the management of a social economy organization, in order to understand how it creates and delivers social value and ensures its future sustainability. The findings highlight a number of best practices in the design of a structured innovation process which were supported by the Portuguese program Q3-qualifying the third sector, which may help similar organizations to improve their innovation and organizational processes.
Sustainable Management Accounting Systems for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
Authors: Gunarathne Nuwan , Cooray Thilini
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of environmental and sustainability management accounting (EMA) systems that can be adopted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It presents a detailed description of how and why corporate sustainability performance is important for SMEs while placing EMA as a decision support tool to aid sustainability-related corporate strategies. Having discussed various EMA tools and techniques, the chapter also provides an integrative framework for EMA adoption which is based on the evolutionary stages of environmental management. This framework aims to guide SMEs to progress from compliance-orientation towards higher order sustainability outcomes. The chapter stresses the need for the SMEs to continuously take deliberate managerial actions with the support of EMA systems to reach the advanced stages of sustainability in an ever-changing business environment.
Facing the Challenges of Nostalgia International Markets
Authors: Carrizo Moreira António , Alves Vitor , Martins Tatiana , Pereira João Branco , Conceição Sónia
Published: May 2018

Internationalization is a business strategy that normally aims at expanding the business of the firm outside its domestic market. It may also involve the creation of an integrated network of contacts and partners. The aim of this chapter involves a firm that distributes high-end wines and other alcoholic drinks to the domestic market and is seeking to expand its activities abroad. Taking into account the “nostalgia market,” with many Portuguese living throughout Europe, this chapter seeks to analyze how a Portuguese firm seeks to embrace the internationalization strategy of serving these ex-pats, through local retailers, and afterwards the possibility of serving the market abroad using the contacts so far developed. As such, the firm seeks to serve both the ex-pats and the local market alike. The chapter analyzes the Spanish, French, and German market, and it is possible to conclude that France is the market with the higher likelihood of success, economically and culturally.
Sustainable Competitive Advantage Through Business Model Innovation
Authors: Nandamuri Purna Prabhakar , Rao K. S. Venu Gopala , Mishra Mukesh Kumar
Published: May 2018

Conventionally, businesses focus on their offerings for growth. But the increasingly unpredictable business environment is making them irrelevant in the market. So, businesses should resort to a system of dynamic management by innovating on the business models rather than a single aspect of the business. Business model innovation demands neither new technologies nor creation of new markets, but cares about delivering the existing products produced by existing technologies to the existing markets, through a unique model. Hence, defining, innovating, and evolving new business models have become the new basis of competition. A differentiated, hard-to-imitate, effective, and efficient business model is more likely to ensure higher profits and long-term survival. In this context, the present chapter attempts to furnish multiple global evidences and discuss the Indian perspective of business model innovation.
Monitoring Magma Under Volcanoes: The Future Of Eruption Forecasting And Geothermal Energy
Authors: Eichelberger John
Published: May 2018

Magma represents the most extreme environment in Earth's crust. Typical conditions at the top of a magma body are > 50 MPa and > 800°C. The location and conditions of magma storage were entirely speculative until recently when geothermal drilling encountered magma in Iceland, Kenya, and Hawaii. The door is now open, if appropriate sensors can be developed, to monitor conditions at the source of eruptions. This will move eruption forecasting, a concern for 10% of the world's population, from recognizing patterns in proxy surface measurements towards the reliability of weather forecasting. It can also aid in achieving a huge increase in productivity of geothermal energy, a clean, small-footprint, bed-load source. Aqueous fluids associated with magma are superheated to supercritical, providing 10× more effective transport of thermal energy and 3.5× more efficient conversion to electricity than conventional geothermal. As an added benefit, extraction from magma of 1 GWt for 30 years would render > 1 km3 of magma uneruptable.
Conductive Fusion Technology Advanced Die Attach Materials for High Power Applications
Authors: Patelka Maciej , Krasco Nicholas , Ikeda Sho , Sato Toshiyuki , Goni Miguel , Ziade Elbara , Schmidt Aaron J.
Published: May 2018

High power semiconductor applications require a die attach material with high thermal conductivity to efficiently release the heat generated from these devices. Current die attach solutions such as eutectic solders and high thermal conductive silver epoxies and sintered silver adhesives have been industry standards, however may fall short in performance for high temperature or high stress applications. This presentation will focus on development of a reinforced, sintered silver die attach solution for high power semiconductor applications with focus on a pressure-less, low temperature sintering technology that offers high reliability for high temperature (250°C) applications.

The electronic, optoelectronic, and semiconductor industries have the need for high performance adhesives, in particular, high power devices require low-stress, high thermal conductivity, thermally stable, and moisture resistant adhesives for the manufacture of high reliability devices. This paper introduces a new reinforced sintered silver adhesive based on the “resin-free” Conductive Fusion Technology. The high performance adhesive offers a robust solution for high temperature, high reliability applications.

Conductive Fusion Technology consists of a high thermal conductivity silver component blended with a non-conductive, low-modulus powder component. The non-conductive powder component comprises an organically modified inorganic material that exhibits excellent thermal stability at temperatures exceeding 250°C. Properties of the sintered silver adhesive, such as storage modulus, can be modified by varying the content of the non-conductive component.
Digital Logic Synthesis for 470 Celsius Silicon Carbide Electronics
Authors: Chiolino N. , Francis A. M. , Holmes J. , Barlow M.
Published: May 2018

Advancements in Silicon Carbide (SiC) digital integrated circuit (IC) design have enabled the ability to design complex, dense, digital blocks. Because of the large number of transistors, these complex digital designs make the time and risk of hand-crafted digital design, which has been the norm for SiC, too costly and risky. For large scale integrated digital circuits, computer aided design (CAD) tools are necessary, specifically the use of automatic synthesis, rule-based placement and signal routing software. The tools are used in progression as a design flow and are necessary for the timely and accurate creation of high-density digital designs. Application of an automated digital design flow to high-temperature SiC processes presents new challenges, such as extraction of timing characteristics at high temperatures, specifically above 400°C, as well as managing the complexity of synthesis, optimization of cell placement, verification of timing enclosure, and identifying routing constraints. These activities all require a willingness to extend and enhance the CAD software. Presented is a high temperature SiC digital synthesis flow. This flow is fully integrated with the characterization of a standard cell library that considers the variation of voltage, temperature, and process characteristics.

A digital controller for a 10,000-pixel UV focal plan array (FPA) in a SiC CMOS process was designed using this high temperature digital flow. The controller is comprised of a finite state machine (FSM), that monitors several counters, shift registers and combinational logic feedback signals. The FSM is configured to optimize the FPA for different applications and exposures. The Register-Transfer Level (RTL) design of the FSM produces between 900 and 1,000 gates, depending on the temperature-dependent time closure with a total footprint of 14mm2. Typical SiC processes present a non-monotonic clock speed over temperature. The advantage of this digital design flow is that it allows the designer to target a temperature corner for the netlist design but verify its operation over a > 400°C operating range. This flow is currently being enhanced for use with NASA's SiC JFET-R process to create a high temperature communication protocol interface.
Configurable Digital Logic for Extreme Environments
Authors: Rea Richard
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a multiple-configuration IC that implements a number of sequential or combinatorial logic functions for extreme environment electronics. Operating temperature is −55°C to +300°C. Combinatorial functions include AND, OR, XOR, muxes, bi-directional transceiver, priority-encoder, magnitude comparator, etc. Sequential functions include 8-bit DFF, counter, latch, programmable clock-divider, etc. The majority of 7400 logic parts are covered by this part. Special test circuitry is included for in-situ monitoring of the part during production. Endurance testing and monitoring of part lifetime at elevated stress temperature (+350°C) is also built-in.
Robust Reliability of Ceramic Capacitors for Power Electronics
Authors: Gurav Abhijit , Bultitude John , McConnell John , Phillips Reggie
Published: May 2018

For applications using Wide Band Gap (WBG) semiconductors, and for electronics for down-hole drilling, oil exploration, geothermal energy generation and power electronics, there is a growing need for capacitors that have robust reliability at temperatures of 125°C, 150°C or above. The development of more energy efficient power converters and inverters based on WBG semiconductors is driving the adoption of higher temperatures in a growing number of power electronics and automotive circuits since these operate at higher junction temperatures than traditional silicon. This has led to a growing need for high temperature capacitors with robust reliability. A Class-I C0G dielectric has been developed using Nickel electrodes for high temperature application up to 200°C and beyond. Since it is a paraelectric linear dielectric, these capacitors exhibit highly stable capacitance as a function of temperature and voltage, possess low loss (DF) and can conduct high RMS currents with a low temperature rise compared to other capacitor solutions. To maximize the capacitance density and achieve a high degree of mechanical robustness, stacks and leaded form factors are commonly needed. Materials for assembly of stacks are of interest due to the challenge of higher cost of attachment materials based on gold-solders or nano-silver pastes, as well as due to the presence of lead (Pb) in common high melting point (HMP) solders. This paper will report electrical properties and reliability test data on these Class-I C0G ceramic capacitors and stacks at high temperatures. It will also review thermal robustness and electrical characteristics of stacks assembled using Pb-free transient liquid phase sintering (TLPS) materials based on Sn-Cu and In-Ag.
Training language teachers to sustain self-directed language learning: an exploration of advisers' experiences on a web-based open virtual learning environment
Authors: Bailly Sophie , Ciekanski Maud , Guély-Costa Eglantine
Published: May 2018

This article describes the rationale for pedagogical, technological and organizational choices in the design of a web-based and open virtual learning environment (VLE) promoting and sustaining self-directed language learning. Based on the last forty years of research on learner autonomy at the CRAPEL according to Holec's definition (1988), we designed a global VLE for researchers working on language learning autonomy, teachers with various degrees of practice and experience in self-directed learning, and language learners. The VLE is thus divided into three spaces for the different types of participant, each offering dedicated social networking possibilities and resources to enrich the others.

Our study focuses on the space dedicated to teacher training, the main objective being to help them build knowledge and skills for a new educational role in the paradigm of language learning autonomy (LLA). This space contains specially created Web-TV resources and audio podcasts of self-directed learning advising sessions, is based on reflective analysis and relies on a professional social network, following the principles of the “community of practice” (Wenger, 1998). In line with the principles of self-directed learning, teachers acting as trainers in the VLE mainly enact supportive and facilitative functions as advisers do in face-to-face interactions. We explore how training for advisers is organized in this online environment characterized by a high degree of openness (Jézégou, 2010). We report on findings from the way teachers within their dedicated space, using quantitative and qualitative data collected from interviews, questionnaires and analysis of logs. We look at the tensions that emerge as teachers conceive their new role and engage in new training practices given the opportunities afforded by the environment. The data provide insights to how the VLE can support training practices based on reflection, participation and collaboration.
Multi-model study of HTAP II on sulfur and nitrogen deposition
Authors: Tan Jiani , Fu Joshua S. , Dentener Frank , Sun Jian , Emmons Louisa , Tilmes Simone , Sudo Kengo , Flemming Johannes , Jonson Jan Eiof , Gravel Sylvie , Bian Huisheng , Davila Yanko , Henze Daven K. , Lund Marianne T. , Kucsera Tom , Takemura Toshihiko , Keating Terry
Published: May 2018

Abstract. This study uses multi-model ensemble results of 11 models from the second
phase of Task Force Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (HTAP II) to
calculate the global sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition in 2010. Modeled
wet deposition is evaluated with observation networks in North America,
Europe and East Asia. The modeled results agree well with observations, with
76–83 % of stations being predicted within ±50 % of
observations. The models underestimate SO42-, NO3- and
NH4+ wet depositions in some European and East Asian stations but
overestimate NO3- wet deposition in the eastern United States.
Intercomparison with previous projects (PhotoComp, ACCMIP and HTAP I) shows
that HTPA II has considerably improved the estimation of deposition at European
and East Asian stations. Modeled dry deposition is generally higher than the
“inferential” data calculated by observed concentration and modeled
velocity in North America, but the inferential data have high uncertainty,
too. The global S deposition is 84 Tg(S) in 2010, with 49 % in continental
regions and 51 % in the ocean (19 % of which coastal). The global N
deposition consists of 59 Tg(N) oxidized nitrogen (NOy) deposition and
64 Tg(N) reduced nitrogen (NHx) deposition in 2010. About 65 %
of N is deposited in continental regions, and 35 % in the ocean (15 %
of which coastal). The estimated outflow of pollution from land to ocean is
about 4 Tg(S) for S deposition and 18 Tg(N) for N deposition. Comparing our
results to the results in 2001 from HTAP I, we find that the global
distributions of S and N deposition have changed considerably during the
last 10 years. The global S deposition decreases 2 Tg(S) (3 %) from 2001
to 2010, with significant decreases in Europe (5 Tg(S) and 55 %), North
America (3 Tg(S) and 29 %) and Russia (2 Tg(S) and 26 %), and
increases in South Asia (2 Tg(S) and 42 %) and the Middle East (1 Tg(S)
and 44 %). The global N deposition increases by 7 Tg(N) (6 %),
mainly contributed by South Asia (5 Tg(N) and 39 %), East Asia (4 Tg(N)
and 21 %) and Southeast Asia (2 Tg(N) and 21 %). The NHx
deposition increases with no control policy on NH3 emission in North
America. On the other hand, NOy deposition has started to dominate in
East Asia (especially China) due to boosted NOx emission.
Sources and processes that control the submicron organic aerosol in an urban Mediterranean environment (Athens) using high temporal resolution chemical composition measurements
Authors: Stavroulas Iasonas , Bougiatioti Aikaterini , Paraskevopoulou Despina , Grivas Georgios , Liakakou Eleni , Gerasopoulos Evangelos , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos
Published: May 2018

Abstract. Submicron aerosol chemical composition has been studied during a year-long period (26/07/2016–31/07/2017) and two winter-time intensive campaigns (18/12/2013–21/02/2014 and 23/12/2015–17/02/2016), at a central site in Athens, Greece, using an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). Concurrent measurements include a Particle-Into-Liquid Sampler (PILS-IC), a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS), an AE-33 Aethalometer and Ion Chromatography analysis on 24 or 12 hour filter samples. Quality of the ACSM data was assured by comparison versus the above mentioned measurements. The aim of the study was to characterize the seasonal variability of the main fine aerosol constituents and decipher the sources of organic aerosol (OA). Organics were found to contribute almost half of the submicron mass, with concentrations during wintertime reaching up to 200 μg m−3, on occasions. During this season, the primary sources contribute about 34 % of the organic fraction, comprising of biomass burning (10 %), fossil fuel combustion (16 %) and cooking (8 %), while the remaining 66 % is attributed to secondary aerosol. The semi-volatile component of the oxidized organic aerosol (SV-OOA; 31 %) was found to be clearly linked to combustion sources and in particular biomass burning, and even a part of the very oxidized, low-volatility component (LV-OOA; 35 %) could also be attributed to the oxidation of emissions from these primary combustion sources. These results highlight the rising importance of biomass burning in urban environments during wintertime, as revealed through this characteristic example of Athens, Greece, where the economic recessions led to an abrupt shift to biomass burning for heating purposes in winter. During summer, when concentrations of fine aerosols are considerably lower, more than 80 % of the organic fraction is attributed to secondary aerosol (SV-OOA 30 % and LV-OOA 53 %). In contrast to winter, SV-OOA appears to result from a well-mixed type of aerosol, linked to fast photochemical processes and the oxidation of primary traffic and biogenic emissions. Finally, LV-OOA presents a more regional character in summer, owing to the oxidation, within a few days, of organic aerosol.
Validation of ozone profile retrievals derived from the OMPS LP version 2.5 algorithm against correlative satellite measurements
Authors: Kramarova Natalya A. , Bhartia Pawan K. , Jaross Glen , Moy Leslie , Xu Philippe , Chen Zhong , DeLand Matthew , Froidevaux Lucien , Livesey Nathaniel , Degenstein Douglas , Bourassa Adam , Walker Kaley A. , Sheese Patrick
Published: May 2018

Abstract. The Limb Profiler (LP) is a part of the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite
launched on board of the Suomi NPP satellite in October 2011. The LP measures
solar radiation scattered from the atmospheric limb in ultraviolet and
visible spectral ranges between the surface and 80 km. These measurements of
scattered solar radiances allow for the retrieval of ozone profiles from
cloud tops up to 55 km. The LP started operational observations in April
2012. In this study we evaluate more than 5.5 years of ozone profile
measurements from the OMPS LP processed with the new NASA GSFC version 2.5
retrieval algorithm. We provide a brief description of the key changes that
had been implemented in this new algorithm, including a pointing correction,
new cloud height detection, explicit aerosol correction and a reduction of
the number of wavelengths used in the retrievals. The OMPS LP ozone
retrievals have been compared with independent satellite profile measurements
obtained from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), Atmospheric Chemistry
Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) and Odin Optical
Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS). We document observed
biases and seasonal differences and evaluate the stability of the version 2.5
ozone record over 5.5 years. Our analysis indicates that the mean differences
between LP and correlative measurements are well within required
±10 % between 18 and 42 km. In the upper stratosphere and lower
mesosphere (> 43 km) LP tends to have a negative bias. We find larger
biases in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere, but LP ozone
retrievals have significantly improved in version 2.5 compared to version 2
due to the implemented aerosol correction. In the northern high latitudes we
observe larger biases between 20 and 32 km due to the remaining thermal
sensitivity issue. Our analysis shows that LP ozone retrievals agree well
with the correlative satellite observations in characterizing vertical,
spatial and temporal ozone distribution associated with natural processes,
like the seasonal cycle and quasi-biennial oscillations. We found a small
positive drift ∼ 0.5 % yr−1 in the LP ozone record against
MLS and OSIRIS that is more pronounced at altitudes above 35 km. This
pattern in the relative drift is consistent with a possible 100 m drift in
the LP sensor pointing detected by one of our altitude-resolving methods.
Retrievals of Tropospheric Ozone Profiles from the Synergic
Observation of AIRS and OMI: Methodology and Validation
Authors: Fu Dejian , Kulawik Susan S. , Miyazaki Kazuyuki , Bowman Kevin W. , Worden John R. , Eldering Annmarie , Livesey Nathaniel J. , Teixeira Joao , Irion Fredrick W. , Herman Robert L. , Osterman Gregory B. , Liu Xiong , Levelt Pieternel F. , Thompson Anne M. , Luo Ming
Published: May 2018

Abstract. The Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) on the A-Train Aura satellite was designed to profile tropospheric ozone and its precursors, taking measurements from 2004 to 2018. Starting in 2008, TES global sampling of tropospheric ozone was gradually reduced in latitude with global coverage stopping in 2011. To extend the record of TES, this work presents a multispectral approach that will provide O3 data products with vertical resolution and measurement uncertainty similar to TES by combining the single-footprint thermal infrared (TIR) hyperspectral radiances from the Aqua Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument and the ultraviolet (UV) channels from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). The joint AIR+OMI O3 retrievals are processed through the MUlti-SpEctra, MUlti-SpEcies, MUlti-SEnsors (MUSES) retrieval algorithm. Comparisons of collocated joint AIRS+OMI and TES to ozonesonde measurements show that both systems have similar errors, with mean and standard deviation of the differences well within the estimated measurement uncertainty. AIRS+OMI and TES have slightly different biases (within 5 parts per billion) versus the sondes. Both AIRS and OMI have wide swath widths (~ 1,650 km for AIRS; ~ 2,600 km for OMI) across satellite ground tracks. Consequently, the joint AIRS+OMI measurements have the potential to maintain TES vertical sensitivity while increasing coverage by two orders of magnitude, thus providing an unprecedented new dataset to quantify the evolution of tropospheric ozone.
Integrating Multi-Media Models to Assess Nitrogen Losses from the Mississippi River Basin to the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Yuan Yongping , Wang Ruoyu , Cooter Ellen , Ran Limei , Daggupati Prasad , Yang Dongmei , Srinivasan Raghavan , Jalowska Anna
Published: May 2018

Abstract. This study describes and implements an integrated, multimedia, process-based system-level approach to estimating nitrogen (N) fate and transport in large river basins. The modeling system includes the following components: 1) Community Multi-Scale Air Quality (CMAQ); 2) Water Research and Forecasting (WRF); 3) Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC); and 4) Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The previously developed Fertilizer Emission Scenario Tool for the Community Multiscale Air Quality (FEST-C) system integrated EPIC with the WRF model and CMAQ. FEST-C, driven by process-based WRF weather simulations, includes atmospheric N additions to agricultural cropland, and agricultural cropland contributions to ammonia emissions. Watershed hydrology and water quality models need to be integrated with the system (FEST-C), however, so it can be used in large river basins to address impacts of fertilization, meteorology, and atmospheric N deposition on water quality. Objectives of this paper are to describe how to expand the previous effort by integrating a watershed model with the FEST-C (CMAQ/WRF/EPIC) modeling system, as well as demonstrate application of the Integrated Modeling System (IMS) to the Mississippi River Basin (MRB) to simulate streamflow and dissolved N loadings to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). IMS simulation results generally agree with USGS observations/estimations; the annual simulated streamflow is 218.9 mm and USGS observation is 211.1 mm and the annual simulated dissolved N is 2.1 kg/ha. and the USGS estimation is 2.8 kg/ha. Integrating SWAT with the CMAQ/WRF/EPIC modeling system allows for its use within large river basins without losing EPIC’s more detailed biogeochemistry processes, which will strengthen assessment of impacts of future climate scenarios, regulatory and voluntary programs for nitrogen oxide air emissions, and land use and land management on N transport and transformation in large river basins.
Effect of elevated pCO2 on trace gas production during an ocean acidification mesocosm experiment
Authors: Zhang Sheng-Hui , Ding Qiong-Yao , Yang Gui-Peng , Gao Kun-Shan , Zhang Hong-Hai , Pan Da-Wei
Published: May 2018

Abstract. A mesocosm experiment was conducted in Wuyuan Bay (Xiamen), China to investigate the effects of elevated pCO2 on phytoplankton species and production of dimethylsulfide (DMS) and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) as well as four halocarbon compounds (CHBrCl2, CH3Br, CH2Br2, and CH3I). Over a period of 5 weeks, P. tricornutum outcompeted T. weissflogii and E. huxleyi, comprising more than 99 % of the final biomass. During the logarithmic growth phase (phase I), DMS concentrations in high pCO2 mesocosms (1000 µatm) were 28.2 % lower than those in low pCO2 mesocosms (400 µatm). Elevated pCO2 led to a delay in DMSP-consuming bacteria attached to T. weissflogii and P. tricornutum and finally resulted in the delay of DMS concentration in the HC treatment. Unlike DMS, the elevated pCO2 did not affect DMSP production ability of T. weissflogii or P. tricornutum throughout the 5 week culture. A positive relationship was detected between CH3I and T. weissflogii and P. tricornutum during the experiment, and there was a 40.2 % reduction in mean CH3I concentrations in the HC mesocosms. CHBrCl2, CH3Br, and CH2Br2 concentrations did not increase with elevated chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations compared with DMS(P) and CH3I, and there were no major peak in the HC or LC mesocosms. In addition, no effect of elevated pCO2 was identified for any of the three bromocarbons.
Could the outcome of the 2016 US elections have been predicted from past voting patterns?
Authors: Schmitz Peter M. U. , Holloway Jennifer P. , Dudeni-Tlhone Nontembeko , Ntlangu Mbulelo B. , Koen Renee
Published: May 2018

Abstract. In South Africa, a team of analysts has for some years been using statistical techniques to predict election outcomes during election nights in South Africa. The prediction method involves using statistical clusters based on past voting patterns to predict final election outcomes, using a small number of released vote counts. With the US presidential elections in November 2016 hitting the global media headlines during the time period directly after successful predictions were done for the South African elections, the team decided to investigate adapting their meth-od to forecast the final outcome in the US elections. In particular, it was felt that the time zone differences between states would affect the time at which results are released and thereby provide a window of opportunity for doing election night prediction using only the early results from the eastern side of the US. Testing the method on the US presidential elections would have two advantages: it would determine whether the core methodology could be generalised, and whether it would work to include a stronger spatial element in the modelling, since the early results released would be spatially biased due to time zone differences. This paper presents a high-level view of the overall methodology and how it was adapted to predict the results of the US presidential elections. A discussion on the clustering of spatial units within the US is also provided and the spatial distribution of results together with the Electoral College prediction results from both a ‘test-run’ and the final 2016 presidential elections are given and analysed.
Geovisualization of land use and land cover using bivariate maps and Sankey flow diagrams
Authors: Strode Georgianna , Mesev Victor , Thornton Benjamin , Jerez Marjorie , Tricarico Thomas , McAlear Tyler
Published: May 2018

Abstract. The terms ‘land use’ and ‘land cover’ typically describe categories that convey information about the landscape. Despite the major difference of land use implying some degree of anthropogenic disturbance, the two terms are commonly used interchangeably, especially when anthropogenic disturbance is ambiguous, say managed forestland or abandoned agricultural fields. Cartographically, land use and land cover are also sometimes represented interchangeably within common legends, giving with the impression that the landscape is a seamless continuum of land use parcels spatially adjacent to land cover tracts. We believe this is misleading, and feel we need to reiterate the well-established symbiosis of land uses as amalgams of land covers; in other words land covers are subsets of land use. Our paper addresses this spatially complex, and frequently ambiguous relationship, and posits that bivariate cartographic techniques are an ideal vehicle for representing both land use and land cover simultaneously. In more specific terms, we explore the use of nested symbology as ways to represent graphically land use and land cover, where land cover are circles nested with land use squares. We also investigate bivariate legends for representing statistical covariance as a means for visualizing the combinations of land use and cover. Lastly, we apply Sankey flow diagrams to further illustrate the complex, multifaceted relationships between land use and land cover. Our work is demonstrated on data representing land use and cover data for the US state of Florida.
A trial map and GIS class on junior high school with university collaboration in Yokohama, Japan
Authors: Tabe Toshimitsu , Ohnishi Koji
Published: May 2018

Abstract. On the new curriculum of high school in Japan, geography will be compulsory subject in Japan from 2022. The indexes of new high school geography as compulsory subject will be 1. Using of maps and GIS, 2. Understanding of the world and International collaboration: Life and culture, issues of world, 3. Disaster prevention and ESD: natural environment and disaster, and construction of ideal society. The instruction of the GIS will be one of the issues for social studies teachers in the new curriculum. The aim of this study is to make the utilize map and GIS education content through trial class in junior high school. Trial class was done on Tsurugamine junior high school in Yokohama city with university and Yokohama city school board collaboration. In the trial class, the teacher indicated the old and new topographical maps to students and asked them to consider the characteristics of the area and the land use change. Transparent sheets overlaying is useful this activity. Transparent usage indicated the GIS function of overlay. It is good activity for students to understand the function of GIS. After the considering land use changes, they considered the future of their town. The several unused lands are spread in this area. Students present their opinions how to develop them. The important thing to carry out map and GIS class through neighborhood area is preparation of adequate maps. For this preparation, collaboration with university geography stuffs or undergraduate students are effective.
A Boundary Delineation System for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Authors: Vandegraft Douglas L.
Published: May 2018

Abstract. Federal government mapping of the offshore areas of the United States in support of the development of oil and gas resources began in 1954. The first mapping system utilized a network of rectangular blocks defined by State Plane coordinates which was later revised to utilize the Universal Transverse Mercator grid. Creation of offshore boundaries directed by the Submerged Lands Act and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act were mathematically determined using early computer programs that performed the required computations, but required many steps. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has revised these antiquated methods using GIS technology which provide the required accuracy and produce the mapping products needed for leasing of energy resources, including renewable energy projects, on the outer continental shelf. (Note: this is an updated version of a paper of the same title written and published in 2015).
Mapping similarities in temporal parking occupancy behavior based on city-wide parking meter data
Authors: Bock Fabian , Xia Karen , Sester Monika
Published: May 2018

Abstract. The search for a parking space is a severe and stressful problem for drivers in many cities. The provision of maps with parking space occupancy information assists drivers in avoiding the most crowded roads at certain times. Since parking occupancy reveals a repetitive pattern per day and per week, typical parking occupancy patterns can be extracted from historical data. In this paper, we analyze city-wide parking meter data from Hannover, Germany, for a full year. We describe an approach of clustering these parking meters to reduce the complexity of this parking occupancy information and to reveal areas with similar parking behavior. The parking occupancy at every parking meter is derived from a timestamp of ticket payment and the validity period of the parking tickets. The similarity of the parking meters is computed as the mean-squared deviation of the average daily patterns in parking occupancy at the parking meters. Based on this similarity measure, a hierarchical clustering is applied. The number of clusters is determined with the Davies-Bouldin Index and the Silhouette Index. Results show that, after extensive data cleansing, the clustering leads to three clusters representing typical parking occupancy day patterns. Those clusters differ mainly in the hour of the maximum occupancy. In addition, the lo-cations of parking meter clusters, computed only based on temporal similarity, also show clear spatial distinctions from other clusters.
Development of a Planet Tool for an interactive School Atlas as eBook
Authors: Wondrak Stephan
Published: May 2018

Abstract. The present thesis describes the development of a planet tool for an interactive school atlas using an eBook format. Especially the technical and cartographical capabilities of the open standard ePUB 3 are evaluated. An eBook application with interactive and dynamic 2-dimensional visualizations is developed especially to show whether the re-al-world dimensions and distances in the solar system can be mapped in a cartographical correct and for students easy understandable manner. In the first part of the work, the requirements of the planet tool are evaluated in co-operation with experts. The open standards PDF and ePUB 3 are investigated with regard to the requirements for the development of the planet tool. Another chapter describes in detail all significant steps of the development process for a prototype of the planet tool. A graphic file originally created for print production is prepared and enhanced with interactive features to generate one of the eBook pages. This serves to show a potential workflow for the generation of eBook pages in a cross-media atlas production. All sample pages of the prototype show different layouts and contain the entire spectrum of interactive features and multimedia content of modern eBooks. The sample pages are presented and discussed in an own chapter. The results of the present work aim at answering the question concerning the suitability of the open standard ePUB 3 for the development of a multimedia eBook for high school education.