bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OPERATING SPEEDS OF SUCCESSIVE ROAD DESIGN ELEMENTS IN TWO-LANE RURAL HIGHWAYS
Authors: Eboli Laura , Guido Giuseppe , Mazzulla Gabriella , Pungillo Giuseppe
Published: November 2015

Speed has been identified for a long time as a key risk factor in road traffic. Inappropriate speeds contribute to a relevant part of road crashes, and then to the mortality and disabilities resulting from them. Starting from this consideration this paper investigates road safety by analysing operating speed, which is the 85th percentile speed. Particularly, two regression models are proposed to predict operating speeds for different road elements related to specific road conditions. The case study is represented by a two-lane rural highway. Smartphone-equipped vehicles were used to evaluate the operating speed for each element of the analysed road segment. Continuous speed data were recorded by the vehicles driven by users with different driving behaviours. Since the lack of safety is often linked to an inconsistency roadway geometric design, we effected a preliminary quantitative design consistency evaluation that confirmed the need of having accurate experimental measures of operating speed or appropriate models for predicting it. We propose two types of operating speed models: one for estimating speed profiles for horizontal curves, and the other one for tangents. According to both models, operating speed is predicted by the combination of an independent variable representing a geometric characteristic (curve radius for the curves and length for the tangent elements) and an independent variable relating to the speed, and specifically the operating speed of the previous road element. The models show a good predictive capability, and can be considered as a useful tool for operators and technicians for road management.
ANALYSING FIRM-SPECIFIC AND TYPE-SPECIFIC DETERMINANTS OF ECO-INNOVATION
Authors: DEL RÍO Pablo , ROMERO-JORDÁN Desiderio , PEÑASCO Cristina
Published: November 2015

This paper analyses the main determinants influencing different types of eco-innovations and eco-innovators in Spain. We differentiate between two types of eco-innovations (process vs. product and new-to-the-market (NTM) vs. new-to-the-firm (NTF)) and two different types of ecoinnovators (large vs. small and old vs. new firms). Our findings show that new firms are not more eco-innovative and that smaller firms are certainly less eco-innovative. Although the environmental regulation variable is generally a main driver of eco-innovation, there are specific drivers for some eco-innovator and eco-innovation types. This is the case with internal innovation capabilities, which clearly influence small and new firms to eco-innovate, in contrast to large and old firms. Those capabilities are also a driver of NTM eco-innovation versus NTF eco-innovation. Involvement in external knowledge flows and cooperation is also a crucial variable for small firms to eco-innovate and a main driver of NTM versus NTF eco-innovation. Contrary to expectations, there are a few differential drivers for products vs. process eco-innovations. Energy/material cost reductions and environmental regulation influence both eco-innovation types, whereas the demand-pull from the market is absent for both, probably due to a relatively low degree of environmental consciousness and/or willingness to pay for eco-products by its consumers.
Space Policy through the Prism of the Concept of Strategic Culture
Authors: Fučík Jakub , Suchý Václav
Published: November 2015

The article deals with the issue of creation and realization of space policy. Space programs of individual states are closely connected to decision-making processes of the (general) state (public) policy. Therefore we can raise a question which factors influence these processes and the formulation of space policy and also if they are so unique that could be related only to one particular state. The aim of this article is to focus on one of the factors influencing space policy-strategic culture. Its influence is analysed through case studies of seven nations. Each case study is divided into two parts. First, we identify relevant characteristics of the state's strategic culture. Then, we analyse whether and how the identified characteristics of the respective strategic culture influence the space policy of a state in question. This article seeks to contribute to the growing debate about space as "the next" strategic area and highlights rather overlooked reasons of space exploration.
Native Joint Septic Arthritis: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Microbiological Causes in a New Zealand Population
Authors: Kennedy Nicholas , Chambers Steven T. , Nolan Imogen , Gallagher Kate , Werno Anja , Browne Melanie , Stamp Lisa K.
Published: November 2015

Objective.

To determine the epidemiology, clinical features, and microbiology of adult native joint septic arthritis in Canterbury, New Zealand, over a 5-year period in individuals with and without an underlying rheumatic disorder.

Methods.

Patients with native joint septic arthritis were identified retrospectively and classified by Newman’s criteria. The clinical characteristics were described and comparisons made between those with and without underlying rheumatic disease.

Results.

Two hundred forty-eight cases of native joint septic arthritis (mean age 60, range 16–97 yrs) were identified with an overall incidence rate of 12.0/100,000/year (95% CI 10.6–13.6). Yearly incidence increased with age to a maximum of 73.4/100,000 in those > 90 years of age. Septic arthritis was iatrogenic in 16.9% of cases while 27% had an underlying inflammatory arthritis including gout (14.9%), calcium pyrophosphate disease (8.5%), and rheumatoid arthritis (4%). Few patients were taking immunosuppressant therapy, with just 1 taking a biological agent.Staphylococcus aureuswas the most commonly identified organism. Those with underlying inflammatory arthritis were significantly older (73.6 yrs vs 55.6 yrs; p < 0.001), more likely to be female (55.2% vs 26.0%; p < 0.001), and to have septic polyarthritis (16.4% vs 4.4%; p = 0.002). The 30-day mortality was 2%, increasing to 6% at 90 days.

Conclusion.

The incidence of septic arthritis in Canterbury, New Zealand, is higher than in previous studies. Crystal arthropathy commonly coexisted with infection although autoimmune arthritis and immunosuppression was less of a factor than anticipated.
Evaluating Disease Severity in Chronic Pain Patients with and without Fibromyalgia: A Comparison of the Symptom Impact Questionnaire and the Polysymptomatic Distress Scale
Authors: Friend Ronald , Bennett Robert M.
Published: November 2015

Objective.

To compare the relative effectiveness of the Polysymptomatic Distress Scale (PSD) with the Symptom Impact Questionnaire (SIQR), the disease-neutral revision of the updated Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), in their ability to assess disease activity in patients with rheumatic disorders both with and without fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods.

The study included 321 patients from 8 clinical practices with some 16 different chronic pain disorders. Disease severity was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36). Univariate analyses were used to assess the magnitude of PSD and SIQR correlations with SF-36 subscales. Hierarchical stepwise regression was used to evaluate the unique contribution of the PSD and SIQR to the SF-36. Random forest regression probed the relative importance of the SIQR and PSD components as predictors of SF-36.

Results.

The correlations with the SF-36 subscales were significantly higher for the SIQR (0.48 to 0.78) than the PSD (0.29 to 0.56; p < 0.001). Stepwise regression revealed that the SIQR was contributing additional unique variance on SF-36 subscales, which was not the case for the PSD. Random forest regression showed SIQR Function, Symptoms, and Global Impact subscales were more important predictors of SF-36 than the PSD. The single SIQR pain item contributed 55% of SF-36 pain variance compared to 23% with the 19-point WPI (the Widespread Pain Index component of PSD).

Conclusion.

The SIQR, the disease-neutral revision of the updated FIQ, has several important advantages over the PSD in the evaluation of disease severity in chronic pain disorders.
NOVEL INTEGRATED DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR NET-ZERO-ENERGY SOLAR BUILDINGS (NZESBS) IN NANJING, CHINA
Authors: Peng Changhai , Huang Lu , Wan Bangwei
Published: November 2015

The connotations and denotations of the term net-zero-energy solar buildings (NZESBs) have been in constant flux because of continuous developments in solar heating technology, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, building energy-storage technology, regional energy-storage technology, and energy-management systems. This paper focuses on innovative strategies for implementing NZESBs in Nanjing, China. These strategies include integrated architectural design, including passive solar design (respecting climatic characteristics and conducting integrated planning based on the environment, building orientation, distance between buildings, building shape, ratio of window area to wall area, and building envelope) and active solar design (integration of the solar-energy-collecting end of the system – collectors and PV panels – with the building surface – roof, wall surfaces, balconies, and sun-shading devices – and the integration of solar-energy transfer and storage equipment with the building). Some Nanjing-specific recommendations and findings on NZESBs are proposed. The results illustrate that NZESBs can be realized in Nanjing if solar energy technologies are appropriately integrated with the characteristics of Nanjing's geography, climate and buildings.
Use of sonoelastography to evaluate texture modifications of mozzarella di bufala campana D.O.P. during storage at different temperatures
Authors: Costanzo Nicola , Santoro Adriano Michele Luigi , Sarno Eleonora , Di Loria Antonio , Grembiale Rosa Daniela , Britti Domenico , Capuano Federico
Published: November 2015

Mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk is a fresh, stringy-textured dairy product, exhibiting a porcelain white colour, a smooth, bright, and humid surface, an extremely thin rind and delicate taste. The high humidity typical of this cheese, reduces its shelf-life and it is cause of dramatic organoleptic changes during storage. In this study we tested sonoelastography to evaluate texture changes of mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk during storage. Cheeses form local market produced in the same condition were divided in three batches and stored in different conditions: the first (B1) was stored in preserving liquid at room temperature (20°C); the second (B2) was stored without preserving liquid at 4°C; and the third (B3) was stored at 4°C in preserving liquid. In B1 sonoelastography showed a reduction of the hardness and stiffness of rind, while in B2 inelastic tissue increased its thickness. Best results were obtained in B3, where no significant difference was evidenced during storage.
Конструктивные разреженные тригонометрические приближения и другие задачи для функций смешанной гладкости
Authors: Temlyakov Vladimir Nikolaevich
Published: November 2015

Исследуется несколько задач теории приближений для классов функций смешанной гладкости. Техника, основанная на комбинации результатов, полученных в 1980-90-х гг. в теории приближений
многочленами с гармониками из гиперболических крестов, и недавних результатов по жадным аппроксимациям, используется для вывода точных оценок наилучших $m$-членных приближений по тригонометрической системе. Приводятся некоторые наблюдения относительно численного интегрирования и приближенного восстановления функций смешанной гладкости. Доказаны оценки снизу, показывающие, что точность разреженных сеточных методов с сеткой из $\asymp 2^nn^{d-1}$ узлов нельзя улучшить добавлением $2^n$ произвольных точек. В применении к численному интегрированию эти оценки дают
наилучшие из известных оценок снизу точности вычислений с помощью оптимальных кубатурных формул или кубатурных формул, основанных на редких сетках.
Библиография: 31 название.
Аналитическое продолжение объема и гипотеза кузнечных мехов в пространствах Лобачевского
Authors: Gaifullin Alexander Aleksandrovich
Published: November 2015

Изгибаемый многогранник в $n$-мерном пространстве постоянной кривизны $\mathbb X^n$ - это многогранник с жесткими (неизгибаемыми) $(n-1)$-мерными гранями и шарнирами в $(n-2)$-мерных гранях. Гипотеза кузнечных мехов утверждает, что при $n\geqslant 3$ объем всякого изгибаемого многогранника постоянен в процессе изгибания. Гипотеза кузнечных мехов в евклидовых пространствах $\mathbb{E}^n$ была доказана И. Х. Сабитовым для $n=3$ (1996 г.) и автором для $n\geqslant 4$ (2012 г.). Контрпримеры к гипотезе кузнечных мехов в открытых полусферах $\mathbb{S}^n_+$ были построены В. А. Александровым для $n=3$ (1997 г.) и автором для $n\geqslant 4$ (2015 г.). В этой статье мы доказываем гипотезу кузнечных мехов для ограниченных изгибаемых многогранников в нечетномерных пространствах Лобачевского. Доказательство основано на изучении аналитического продолжения объема симплекса в пространстве Лобачевского как функции гиперболических косинусов длин ребер.
Библиография: 37 названий.
“Fotogrametría Involuntaria”: rescatando información geométrica en 3D de fotografías de archivo
Authors: Aparicio Resco Pablo , Carmona Barrero Juan D. , Fernández Díaz Miguel , Martín Serrano Pere M.
Published: November 2015

Nowadays digital photogrammetry has become one of the most efficient techniques for Heritage documentation. The creation of three-dimensional models from images taken with digital cameras is the usual procedure. The aim of this paper is showing the results obtained by photogrammetric analysis of library pictures, taken mainly in archaeological excavations, to recover three-dimensional information that maybe latent, although the shots had not been made with the purpose of creating 3D models. In this way we have generated three-dimensional models in which can be recovered geometric data that were not reflected in the drawings or photographs made during fieldwork.
Metodologie digitali per il rilievo e la valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale ipogeo
Authors: Santagati Cettina
Published: November 2015

The study addresses the problems of acquisition and enhancement in the field of underground sites with particular regard to the Catacomb of St. John in Syracuse. In addition to the proposed survey methodology, the research highlightes that only through a reliable and objective documentation you can understand and study in depth these places. 3D documentation of these places hidden from the eyes of the city and, therefore, very complex to interpret has provided a powerful tool for investigation as it has allowed to show the relationships between the plano-altimetric environments and to study from a geometrical point of view the spatiality of these places providing new and valuable information to scholars of the monument.
Impact of atmospheric circulations on aerosol distributions in autumn over eastern China: observational evidence
Authors: Zheng X. Y. , Fu Y. F. , Yang Y. J. , Liu G. S.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Regional heavy pollution events in eastern China (110–122° E, 28–40° N) are causing serious environmental problems. In this study, the relationship between the degree of regional pollution and the patterns of large-scale atmospheric circulation over eastern China in October is investigated using 10-year (2001–2010) Terra/MODIS aerosol optical depth and NCEP reanalysis data by both case study and composite analysis. Eighteen polluted and 10 clean episodes are selected and categorised into six polluted types and three clean types respectively. Generally speaking, weather patterns such as a uniform surface pressure field in eastern China or a steady straight westerly in the middle troposphere, particularly when being at the rear of the anticyclone at 850 hPa, are typically responsible for heavy pollution events. Meanwhile, clean episodes occur when strong southeastward cold air advection prevails below the middle troposphere or air masses are transported from sea to land. Uniform descending motion prevails over the study region, trapping pollutants in the lower atmosphere. Therefore, the value of vertical velocity averaged from 1000 to 100 hPa and divergence of wind field in the lower troposphere are used in this study to quantify the diffusion conditions in each circulation type. The results reveal that it is often a clean episode when both the mean downward motion (larger than 2.56 × 10−2 Pa s−1) and the divergence of low-level winds (larger than 1.79 × 10−2 s−1) are strong. Otherwise, it is more likely to be a polluted episode.
Ammonia in the summertime Arctic marine boundary layer: sources, sinks and implications
Authors: Wentworth G. R. , Murphy J. G. , Croft B. , Martin R. V. , Pierce J. R. , Côté J.-S. , Courchesne I. , Tremblay J.-É. , Gagnon J. , Thomas J. L. , Sharma S. , Toom-Sauntry D. , Chivulescu A. , Levasseur M. , Abbatt J. P. D.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Continuous hourly measurements of gas-phase ammonia (NH3(g)) were taken from 13 July to 7 August 2014 on a research cruise throughout Baffin Bay and the eastern Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Concentrations ranged from 30–650 ng m−3 (40–870 pptv) with the highest values recorded in Lancaster Sound (74°13' N, 84°00' W). Simultaneous measurements of total ammonium ([NHx]), pH and temperature in the ocean and in melt ponds were used to compute the compensation point (χ), which is the ambient NH3(g) concentration at which surface–air fluxes change direction. Ambient NH3(g) was usually several orders of magnitude larger than both χocean and χMP (< 0.4–10 ng m3) indicating these surface pools are net sinks of NH3(g). Flux calculations estimate average net downward fluxes of 1.4 and 1.1 ng m-2 s-1 for the open ocean and melt ponds, respectively. Sufficient NH3(g) was present to neutralize non-sea salt sulphate (nss-SO42-) in the boundary layer during most of the study. This finding was corroborated with a historical dataset of PM2.5 composition from Alert, NU (82°30' N, 62°20' W) wherein the median ratio of NH4+/nss-SO42- equivalents was greater than 0.75 in June, July and August. The GEOS-Chem chemical transport model was employed to examine the impact of NH3(g) emissions from seabird guano on boundary-layer composition and nss-SO42- neutralization. A GEOS-Chem simulation without seabird emissions underestimated boundary layer NH3(g) by several orders of magnitude and yielded highly acidic aerosol. A simulation that included seabird NH3 emissions was in better agreement with observations for both NH3(g) concentrations and nss-SO42- neutralization. This is strong evidence that seabird colonies are significant sources of NH3(g) in the summertime Arctic, and are ubiquitous enough to impact atmospheric composition across the entire Baffin Bay region. Large wildfires in the Northwest Territories were likely an important source of NH3(g), but their influence was probably limited to the Central Canadian Arctic. Implications of seabird-derived N-deposition to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are also discussed.
Explaining darker deep convective clouds over the western Pacific than over tropical continental convective regions
Authors: Sohn B.-J. , Choi M.-J. , Ryu J.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. This study attempted to explain why deep convective clouds (DCCs) over the western Pacific are generally darker than those found over tropical African and South American land regions. The western Pacific domain was further divided into its land and ocean regions to deduce the general differences in DCC characteristics between convectively active tropical land and ocean regions. DCC in this study is defined as a single-layer cloud whose thickness is greater than 15 km, and it is determined from CloudSat-measured reflectivity profiles. Corresponding MODIS-measured reflectivities at 0.645 μm were examined, along with the analysis of cloud products from Cloud Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) measurements. From an analysis of the four January months of 2007–2010, a distinct difference in ice water path (IWP) between the ocean region of the western Pacific and the three tropical land regions was revealed. Distinct differences in the effective radius between land and ocean were also found. The findings lead to a conclusion that smaller IWP over the western Pacific ocean region than over the tropical land regions, which should be caused by different cloud microphysics between land and ocean, is the main cause of smaller reflectivity there.
Model estimates of climate controls on pan-Arctic wetland methane emissions
Authors: Chen X. , Bohn T. J. , Lettenmaier D. P.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Climate factors including soil temperature and moisture, incident solar radiation, and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration are important environmental controls on methane (CH4) emissions from northern wetlands. We investigated the spatiotemporal distributions of the influence of these factors on northern high-latitude wetland CH4 emissions using an enhanced version of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) land surface model. We simulated CH4 emissions from wetlands across the pan-Arctic domain over the period 1948–2006, yielding annual average emissions of 36.1 ± 6.7 Tg CH4 yr−1 for the period 1997–2006. We characterized historical sensitivities of CH4 emissions to air temperature, precipitation, incident long- and shortwave radiation, and atmospheric [CO2] as a function of average summer air temperature and precipitation. Emissions from relatively warm and dry wetlands in the southern (permafrost-free) portion of the domain were positively correlated with precipitation and negatively correlated with air temperature, while emissions from wetter and colder wetlands further north (permafrost) were positively correlated with air temperature. Over the entire period 1948–2006, our reconstructed CH4 emissions increased by 20 %, the majority of which can be attributed to an increasing trend in summer air temperature. We estimated future emissions in response to 21st century warming as predicted by CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) model projections to result in end-of-century CH4 emissions 38–53 % higher than our reconstructed 1997–2006 emissions, accompanied by the northward migration of warmer and drier than optimal conditions for CH4 emissions, implying a reduced role for temperature in driving future increases in emissions.
Abrupt climate and vegetation variability of eastern Anatolia during the last glacial
Authors: Pickarski N. , Kwiecien O. , Langgut D. , Litt T.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Detailed analyses of the Lake Van pollen, Ca / K ratio, and stable oxygen isotope record allow the identification of millennial-scale vegetation and environmental changes in eastern Anatolia throughout the last glacial (~ 111.5–11.7 ka BP). The climate of the last glacial was cold and dry, indicated by low arboreal pollen (AP) levels. The driest and coldest period corresponds to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 (~ 28–14.5 ka BP), which was dominated by highest values of xerophytic steppe vegetation. Our high-resolution multi-proxy record shows rapid expansions and contractions of tree populations that reflect variability in temperature and moisture availability. These rapid vegetation and environmental changes can be related to the stadial-interstadial pattern of Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events as recorded in the Greenland ice cores. Periods of reduced moisture availability were characterized by enhanced occurrence of xerophytic species and high terrigenous input from the Lake Van catchment area. Furthermore, the comparison with the marine realm reveals that the complex atmosphere–ocean interaction can be explained by the strength and position of the westerlies, which are responsible for the supply of humidity in eastern Anatolia. Influenced by the diverse topography of the Lake Van catchment, more pronounced DO interstadials (e.g., DO 19, 17–16, 14, 12 and 8) show the strongest expansion of temperate species within the last glacial. However, Heinrich events (HE), characterized by highest concentrations of ice-rafted debris (IRD) in marine sediments, cannot be separated from other DO stadials based on the vegetation composition in eastern Anatolia. In addition, this work is a first attempt to establish a continuous microscopic charcoal record for the last glacial in the Near East. It documents an immediate response to millennial-scale climate and environmental variability and enables us to shed light on the history of fire activity during the last glacial.
The description and validation of a computationally-Efficient CH4-CO-OH (ECCOHv1.01) chemistry module for 3-D model applications
Authors: Elshorbany Y. F. , Duncan B. N. , Strode S. A. , Wang J. S. , Kouatchou J.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. We present the Efficient CH4-CO-OH chemistry module (ECCOH) that allows for the simulation of the methane, carbon monoxide and hydroxyl radical (CH4-CO-OH) system, within a chemistry climate model, carbon cycle model, or earth system model. The computational efficiency of the module allows many multi-decadal sensitivity simulations of the CH4-CO-OH system, which primarily determines the global atmospheric oxidizing capacity. This capability is important for capturing the nonlinear feedbacks of the CH4-CO-OH system and understanding the perturbations to methane, CO and OH and the concomitant impacts on climate. We implemented the ECCOH chemistry module into the NASA GEOS-5 Atmospheric Global Circulation Model (AGCM), performed multiple sensitivity simulations of the CH4-CO-OH system over two decades, and evaluated the model output with surface and satellite datasets of methane and CO. The favorable comparison of output from the ECCOH chemistry module (as configured in the GEOS-5 AGCM) with observations demonstrates the fidelity of the module for use in scientific research.
The sound speed anomaly of Baltic Seawater
Authors: von Rohden C. , Weinreben S. , Fehres F.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. The effect of the anomalous chemical composition of Baltic seawater on the speed of sound relative to seawater with quasi-standard composition was quantified at atmospheric pressure and temperatures of 1 to 46 °C. Three modern oceanographic time-of-flight sensors were applied in a laboratory setup for measuring the speed-of-sound difference δ w in a pure water diluted sample of North Atlantic seawater and a sample of Baltic seawater of the same conductivity, i.e. the same Practical Salinity (SP=7.766). The average δ w amounts to 0.069 ± 0.014 m s−1, significantly larger than the resolution and reproducibility of the sensors and independent of temperature. This magnitude for the anomaly effect was verified with offshore measurements conducted at different sites in the Baltic Sea using one of the sensors. The results from both measurements show values up to one order of magnitude smaller than existing predictions based on chemical models.
Stability and biodegradability of humic substances from Arctic soils of Western Siberia: insights from 13C-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis
Authors: Ejarque E. , Abakumov E.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Arctic soils contain large amounts of organic matter which, globally, exceed the amount of carbon stored in vegetation biomass and in the atmosphere. Recent studies emphasize the potential sensitivity for this soil organic matter (SOM) to be mineralised when faced with increasing ambient temperatures. In order to better refine the predictions about the response of SOM to climate warming, there is a need to increase the spatial coverage of empirical data on SOM quantity and quality in the Arctic area. This study provides, for the first time, a characterisation of SOM from the Gydan Peninsula in the Yamal Region, Western Siberia, Russia. On the one hand, soil humic acids and their humification state were characterised by measuring the elemental composition and diversity of functional groups using solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Also, the total mineralisable carbon was measured. Our results show that there is a uniformity of SOM characteristics throughout the studied region, as well as within soil profiles. Such in-depth homogeneity, together with a predominance of aliphatic carbon structures, suggests the accumulation in soil of raw and slightly decomposed organic matter. Moreover, results on total mineralisable carbon suggest a high lability of these compounds. The mineralisation rate was found to be independent of SOM quality, and to be mainly explained solely by the total carbon content. Overall, our results provide further evidence on the fundamental role that the soils of Western Siberia may have on regulating the global carbon balance when faced with increasing ambient temperatures.
Soil temperature-threshold based runoff generation processes in a permafrost catchment
Authors: Wang G. , Mao T. , Chang J. , Liu G.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. The contributing-area concept was the universal approach in rainfall–runoff processes modelling. However, it is unclear of the role of permafrost in controlling runoff generation processes. The areas that contribute to runoff generation are complex, variable and difficult to determine in permafrost catchments, and thus, there is no suitable quantitative approach for the simulation of runoff generating dynamics. To understand how thaw-freezing cycle in permafrost catchment effect the runoff generation processes, a typical catchment of continuous permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau was measured, and the spring and autumn season when runoff generation obviously differs from non-permafrost regions were focused on in this study. By introducing soil temperature threshold functions for surface saturation excess runoff generation and subsurface groundwater discharge, two dominant runoff generation types for permafrost catchments in different seasons are analysed, and corresponding simple quantitative approach related to the thawing and freezing periods are presented. The results show that the new approach can exactly identify the runoff generation dynamics of spring thawing and autumn freezing processes. In the permafrost headwater catchments of alpine meadows, the surface soil temperature or thawed depth threshold for variable runoff generation area depend on the zero thawing isotherms, which reach a depth of 40 cm. The subsurface groundwater discharge, which is controlled by soil temperature, contributes more than 85 % of the total river discharge in the autumn freezing period. The crucial variable for the spatial–temporal variation of runoff contributing area in the permafrost catchment is the soil temperature rather than soil moisture.
Modelling and forecasting alpine skier visits
Authors: Malasevska Iveta , Haugom Erik , Lien Gudbrand
Published: November 2015

This study is the first to examine formally what drives variations in skier attendance at Norwegian ski resorts. The authors use a unique data set of the number of daily visitors at a specific ski resort from 2007/2008 to 2013/2014. The main findings suggest that weather conditions, day of the week and holidays significantly affect the number of daily visitors. The time series regression analysis highlights the demand pattern and specific non-linear relationships between visitors and wind chill temperature. The study finds that, if the wind chill temperature is below −9.5°C, a temperature increase has a positive effect on the number of daily visitors. Similarly, if the wind chill temperature is above −9.5°C, a higher temperature leads to a lower number of skier visits, on average. Tourism providers can use these results for decision-making, planning and managing ski resort operations. In addition, the findings could serve as an incentive to implement innovative pricing tactics.
Confiabilidad y validez de la Escala de Ideación Suicida de Roberts
Authors: Rosales Pérez Jose Carlos , Córdova Osnaya Martha , Cortés Granados Ricardo
Published: November 2015

Se presenta una investigación cuyos objetivos son revisar la confiabilidad y validez de la Escala de Ideación Suicida de Roberts y el punto de corte conveniente para registrar la presencia de ideación suicida. Método: A una muestra no aleatoria de 200 hombres (42%) y 276 mujeres (58%), estudiantes del ciclo escolar 2012-2 del Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades plantel Vallejo, se les aplicó el instrumento para la Evaluación de Ideación Suicida en Jóvenes, integrado por tres secciones; Identificación personal, Constructos psicológicos e Ideación Suicida. Se registró la confiabilidad, la validez factorial, convergente y predictiva de la Escala de Ideación Suicida. Y se identificó el punto de corte adecuado de la escala por medio del registro de sensibilidad y especificidad. Resultados: Confiabilidad de .76, validez factorial con agrupación de reactivos en un factor, varianza explicada total del 63.4 %; porcentajes adecuados de pronóstico al grupo de pertenencia; 70 % al 90 %. Correlación positiva con variables psicológicas y de identificación personal asociadas generalmente a la presencia de ideación suicida. Identificación de punto de corte correspondiente a la + 5 DE. Conclusiones: La Escala de Ideación Suicida de Roberts es una opción adecuada para el registro de la presencia de ideación suicida, pero se requiere corroborar los resultados encontrados en investigaciones posteriores.
Aprendizaje comprensivo: evaluación de la habilitación lingüística en modos complementarios
Authors: Tamayo Jairo , Pulido Ávalos Lizbeth
Published: November 2015

Una de las condiciones identificadas en el marco del análisis experimental del aprendizaje comprensivo corresponde a la habilitación lingüística. Esta se ha definido como la facilitación de un desempeño en modo activo lingüístico o no lingüístico como resultado de la exposición a uno reactivo. Se realizó un experimento con el fin de evaluar la habilitación lingüística entre modos reactivos-activos complementarios en el aprendizaje de la propiedad conmutativa de la suma a partir de la exposición a cinco niveles competenciales de diferente complejidad. Participaron 15 estudiantes de sexto grado de educación básica primaria de una escuela pública. Los resultados mostraron que se presentó un mayor número de casos de habilitación cuando los modos fueron leer-escribir. El desempeño al interior de cada nivel pareció ser independiente de los demás y en general fue más favorable en los niveles sustitutivos referenciales y selectores.
Acculturation Process of Arab-Muslim Immigrants in the United States
Authors: Al Wekhian Jamil
Published: November 2015

While globalization has made this world smaller, interdependent, and heterogeneous, clashes among different cultures became inevitable. Immigrants leave their home country for many reasons, by choice or necessity. The U.S. is considered one of the countries that enjoys its cultural diversity. In the case of Arab-Muslim immigrants, they came to the U.S. either seeking a better life, or fleeing prosecution. They come from completely different culture, language, and religion. This move makes them prone to experience one or more challenges: assimilation, integration, separation, or marginalization. Since assimilation is very hard to achieve, integration is the ideal choice for which scholars aspier. This paper investigates the acculturation process of Arab-Muslim immigrants in the U.S. Results showed a variety of potential barriers exist hindering Arab-Muslim immigrants from successful integration into the United States society. Cultural and religious differences, distinctions in moral and ethical values, perception of gender relations, demonization of the Arab population in mass media, and discrimination are the major factors causing the overall struggles of the acculturation process.
A Comparison between Conventional Tilled and Bicropped Winter Wheat Grown in Monoculture over Four Years
Authors: Finnan J. M. , Burke J. I. , Thomas T. M.
Published: November 2015

A four year experiment was conducted at a site in the south-east of Ireland in which medium and high input conventional winter wheat production systems were compared to no input and low input systems in which winter wheat was direct drilled into an understory of white clover. Whole crop and grain yields from all systems were strongly related to external input levels, yields from bicropped treatments were poor. Nitrogen uptake and grain yields from the conventional treatments declined during the course of the study whereas nitrogen uptake and yields from bicropped treatments were more stable. Fertiliser N application significantly depressed biological production efficiency and altered biomass partitioning. The proportion of biomass partitioned to the stem decreased with fertiliser N, differences between treatments persisted until final harvest. Although the clover sward was still present in the fourth year, this component of the bicrop was gradually replaced by weeds as the experiment progressed in spite of several attempts to control weeds. It is suggested that further research is needed to identify a clover management strategy which ensures the persistence of the white clover sward and allows it to enrich soil fertility in such a way as to be of benefit to the accompanying wheat crop.
De zelfstandige AMvB: hoe staat het daarmee?
Authors: Borman T.C.
Published: November 2015

De zelfstandige AMvB: hoe staat het daarmee?

In deze bijdrage wordt een overzicht gegeven van de stand van zaken rond de figuur van de zelfstandige AMvB sinds het jaar 2000. Er wordt een beschrijving gegeven van de vijftien zelfstandige (ontwerp-)AMvB’s die sindsdien tot stand zijn gebracht. Daarbij wordt veel aandacht geschonken aan de opvattingen van de Raad van State en de daarmee niet altijd overeenkomende opvattingen van de regering. Een van de conclusies is dat de vraag hoe de regering de toelaatbaarheid van een zelfstandige AMvB beoordeelt, sterk afhangt van de interpretatie die een individuele minister geeft aan artikel 89 Gw.
Moordamendementen
Authors: Engel N.C. , Schouten H.R.
Published: November 2015

Moordamendementen

Een moordamendement is een paradox: als in een parlement een meerderheid is voor een wetsvoorstel, terwijl een geamendeerd wetsvoorstel het Staatsblad nooit zal bereiken, waarom zou een meerderheid dan voor het amendement stemmen? Strategisch stemgedrag kan een moordamendement altijd voorkomen. Onjuiste verwachtingen over de haalbaarheid van een geamendeerd wetsvoorstel kunnen er echter toe leiden dat er niet strategisch wordt gestemd. Ook kan het gebeuren dat een politicus denkt dat hij een strategische stem tegenover zijn achterban niet zal kunnen uitleggen. In dit artikel komen onder andere voorbeelden aan de orde over abortus en over de gewetensbezwaarde trouwambtenaar, onderwerpen die heel gevoelig liggen bij de kiezer en waarover strategisch stemmen dus geen optie is voor een volksvertegenwoordiger.
Zorgplichten aan het werk
Authors: Timmer W.
Published: November 2015

Zorgplichten aan het werk

Met welke middelen en voorwaarden moet de wetgever de behoorlijke naleving en de handhaving van zorgplichtbepalingen borgen? Zorgplichten bevatten namelijk een open norm en de handhaving ervan is niet eenvoudig. Zorgplichten gedijen bij de professionaliteit en de deskundigheid van de normadressaat. Daarom is vrijwillige naleving van de zorgplicht essentieel; afgedwongen naleving door de handhaver leidt tot minder doelbereik van de zorgplicht. Van belang daarvoor is dat de zorgplicht als een communicatieve norm wordt vormgegeven, functionerend binnen een interpretatiegemeenschap. De handhaver moet bereid zijn tot discours met de normadressaat en moet zo min mogelijk aanvullende regels stellen. Casusonderzoek toont dit aan.
Emergence of Diversity in a Group of Identical Bio-Robots
Authors: Vitanza Alessandra , Patanè Luca , Arena Paolo
Published: November 2015

Learning capabilities, often guided by competition/cooperation, play a fundamental and ubiquitous role in living beings. Moreover, several behaviours, such as feeding and courtship, involve environmental exploration and exploitation, including local competition, and lead to a global benefit for the colony. This can be considered as a form of global cooperation, even if the individual agent is not aware of the overall effect. This paper aims to demonstrate that identical biorobots, endowed with simple neural controllers, can evolve diversified behaviours and roles when competing for the same resources in the same arena. These behaviours also produce a benefit in terms of time and energy spent by the whole group. The robots are tasked with a classical foraging task structured through the cyclic activation of resources. The result is that each individual robot, while competing to reach the maximum number of available targets, tends to prefer a specific sequence of subtasks. This indirectly leads to the global result of task partitioning whereby the cumulative energy spent, in terms of the overall travelled distance and the time needed to complete the task, tends to be minimized. A series of simulation experiments is conducted using different numbers of robots and scenarios: the common emergent result obtained is the role-specialization of each robot. The description of the neural controller and the specialization mechanisms are reported in detail and discussed.
Direct Synthesis of α-Silicon Nitride Nanowires from Silicon Monoxide on Alumina
Authors: Cui Jiang , Li Bin , Zou Chunrong , Zhang Changrui , Wang Siqing
Published: November 2015

Silicon nitride nanowires were synthesized using silicon monoxide as raw materials and an alumina plate as substrate at 1500°C. The obtained nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry. The results revealed that silicon nitride nanowires possess a diameter of about 200 nm and a length of several hundred micrometres. The preferred growth direction of the nanowires was [100]. The chemical and structural composition of the silicon nitride nanowires were also studied and were shown to have a composition of primarily α-Si3N4. The temperature for fierce oxidation in air was above 1135°C. The formation mechanism of silicon nitride nanowires was assumed to be a vapour-solid (VS) process.
A Learning Trajectory in 6-Year-Olds' Thinking About Generalizing Functional Relationships
Authors: Blanton Maria , Brizuela Bárbara M. , Gardiner Angela Murphy , Sawrey Katie , Newman-Owens Ashley
Published: November 2015

The study of functions is a critical route into teaching and learning algebra in the elementary grades, yet important questions remain regarding the nature of young children's understanding of functions. This article reports an empirically developed learning trajectory in first-grade children's (6-year-olds') thinking about generalizing functional relationships. We employed design research and analyzed data qualitatively to characterize the levels of sophistication in children's thinking about functional relationships. Findings suggest that children can learn to think in quite sophisticated and generalized ways about relationships in function data, thus challenging the typical curricular approach in the lower elementary grades in which children consider only variation in a single sequence of values.
Enriching Practical Knowledge: Exploring Student Teachers' Competence in Integrating Theory and Practice of Mathematics Teaching
Authors: Oonk Wil , Verloop Nico , Gravemeijer Koeno P. E.
Published: November 2015

This study concentrated on the theory–practice problem in mathematics teacher education. We examined 13 student teachers' use of theory when they reflected on teaching practice in a class specifically designed to optimize the chance for theory use. We developed a Reflection Analysis Instrument with which the student teachers' use of theory could be identified univocally and described in a systematic way. We describe a case study that illustrates the nature and level of one student teacher's use of theory and discuss variations in all of the student teachers' reasoning and differences in their depth of theory use.
Talking Circles Promote Equitable Discourse
Authors: Hung Marcus
Published: November 2015

A structured discussion format disrupts patterns of stratified talk and facilitates broader student participation.
Communities for and with Black Male Students
Authors: Jett Christopher C. , Stinson David W. , Williams Brian A.
Published: November 2015

Four strategies can be effective in creating supportive learning environments.
November 2015 Problems
Authors: Roscoe Matt B. , Pelikan Stephan
Published: November 2015

A monthly set of problems is aimed at a variety of ability levels.
Making Fractions Meaningful
Authors: McCormick Kelly K.
Published: November 2015

Sharing submarine sandwiches while touring New York City provides a powerful problem scenario for both elementary school students and preservice teachers to deepen their understanding of foundational concepts.
Unpacking Referent Units in Fraction Operations
Authors: Philipp Randolph A. , Hawthorne Casey
Published: November 2015

Using cups of sugar, this sequence of division tasks for K–grade 12 and adult learners highlights how seeing “wholes” results in fewer “holes” in reasoning.
Modeling of the Deaths Due to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Western Africa
Authors: Milletich Robert J. , Diawara Norou , Jeng Anna
Published: November 2015

Problem: The recent 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in Western Africa is the worst in history. It is imperative that appropriate statistical and mathematical models are used to identify risk factors and to monitor the development and spread of the disease.
Method: Deaths data due to Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone from October 10, 2014 to March 24, 2015 were collected via Situation Reports published by the World Health Organization [1]. Conditional autoregressive (CAR) models were applied to account for the spatial dependency in the countries along with the temporal dimension of the disease. Bayesian change-point models were used to identify key changes in growth and drop time points in the spatial distribution of deaths due to EVD within each country. Country-specific Poisson and negative binomial mixed models of covariate effects were applied to understand the between-country variability in deaths due to EVD.
Results: Both CAR models and generalized linear mixed models identified statistically significant covariate effects; however, the CAR models depended on the interval of data analyzed, whereas the mixed models depended on the underlying distribution assumed. Bayesian change-point models identified one significant change-point in the distribution of deaths due to EVD within each country.
Practical Application: CAR models, Bayesian change-point models, and generalized linear mixed models demonstrate useful techniques in modeling the incidence of deaths due to EVD.