bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalog Maintenance and Authority Control in Discovery Systems
Authors: Harpel-Burke Pamela
Published: July 2012

With the implementation of discovery systems, cataloging maintenance and authority control activities need to be re-evaluated. The online survey product Qualtrics™1 was used to solicit completion of only one survey per library (275) who has adopted a discovery system. Questions about changes in tasks and staffing before and after implementation of commercial discovery systems (AquaBrowser®2, EBSCO Discovery Services™3, Encore™4, Primo®5, Summon™6, and WorldCat®7 Local) were central to the survey. Ninety-eight libraries responded with usable surveys (36% response rate). Results indicated that there were no significant differences between maintenance and authority control tasks before and after discovery implementation. Although the length of time since implementation compared to workflow changes indicates that change decreases over time, effects of the discovery system may not yet have reached maintenance and authority control staff. Cataloging staff were also surveyed to measure their awareness on how local holdings in the new discovery environment are presented to the public. Results also indicate that significantly more survey respondents anticipate that their legacy OPAC will persist alongside their discovery system.
Primo Central
Authors: Poulter Dale
Published: July 2012

Vanderbilt University implemented Primo Central™ in early 2010. Although several factors went into the decision to adopt Primo Central™1 early in its development, this chapter focuses on the initial reasons that Vanderbilt considered using Primo Central™, methods used to determine if the service was being used, and challenges encountered, both during implementation and ongoing. The chapter also discusses items that should be considered when subscribing to and implementing the Primo Central™ Index. The last portion of the chapter discusses possible ways Primo Central™ content can be leveraged for future services.
The Single-Search Project
Authors: Palmisano Jennifer
Published: July 2012

The mission of this chapter is to demonstrate one research/cultural institution’s discovery solution journey. This includes information about the Center for Jewish History, its history and development as an organization, how these factors affect implementation at the Center, and the Center’s selection and implementation of Primo. This chapter delves into the challenges faced by smaller cultural and research institutions with special collections that wish to stay ahead of the curve in what some consider a “library-centric” environment and the challenges inherent in the search and implementation process. It discusses how digital, archival, and museum data, in conjunction with library data, shaped the development and needs of this project from its inception. Other topics described include phased implementation, authentication, customization of data sources, and evaluating impact of a discovery tool. Most importantly, this chapter shows how usability concerns have been resolved for the Center’s researchers and staff alike.
Implementing Primo for the Michiana Academic Library Consortium (MALC)
Authors: Bales Aaron B. , Dehmlow Mark
Published: July 2012

The University of Notre Dame and the Michiana Academic Library Consortium (MALC) have implemented Ex Libris’™1 Primo®2 as its next generation discovery system. The consortium initially implemented the system in public beta and transitioned Primo® to the default discovery system for the Libraries in the Spring of 2011. This chapter discusses the rationale for acquiring Primo®, the implementation and customization, user response, and long term hopes for the system. It also touches on the early evaluation and implementation steps for the Primo Centralized Index.
Simplifying Resource Discovery and Access in Academic Libraries
Authors: Thoburn June , Coates Annette , Stone Graham
Published: July 2012

The University of Huddersfield and Northumbria University were two of the first adopters of the Summon™ Web-scale commercial discovery system in Europe. Both universities were moved to implement a discovery tool because they had encountered issues with their existing federated searching products, with students and staff expressing dissatisfaction. This chapter describes the selection, implementation, and testing of Summon™ at both universities drawing out common themes and differences, with suggestions for those intending to implement Summon™ and some ideas for future development. User feedback from surveys, focus groups, and user testing is described, and instruments are appended. User testing evaluated user search refinement, satisfaction with relevancy ranking, comprehension of results presentation, and feature approval responses. The perceived success rate in comparison with Google search results is briefly described. Other concepts described include launching new functionality, key points for effective implementation, MARC mapping, staff training, and marketing a discovery tool.
Tiptoeing Forward
Authors: Goldberg Tyler , Johnson Anna Marie , Kuehn Randy
Published: July 2012

This chapter describes the implementation of the WorldCat®1 Local discovery tool in a multiple-library system at a mid-sized university. The catalog data preparation required for implementation is a key focus, including discussion of the use of the OCLC holdings reclamation process. Special circumstances and limitations regarding government documents records are described. The challenge that WorldCat® Local’s architecture presents for a library system with multiple processing units is explained. Additional concepts discussed are the decisions regarding configuration and presentation on the Library’s Web interface, the challenges faced by librarians and staff, and the impact on instruction and reference. Comparisons between the number of searches in the traditional library catalog and WorldCat® Local are presented as well as interlibrary loan requests statistics pre and post implementation. Various difficulties encountered and the applied solutions are explained and discussed as well as ongoing challenges and issues.
Forecasting the Imminent Market Shares Pertinent to HTC Corporation Domestically
Authors: Chen Yi-Fen , Hsieh Chang-Lung , Tsai Chia-Wen , Chen Wen-Yu , Lin Wei-Hung
Published: July 2012

The development of the smartphone will intensify in the future. Recently, many Taiwan’s manufacturers are investing in the smartphone market. The present research used the grey envelope analysis to forecast the smartphone industry market share of High Tech Computer Corporation (HTC) in Taiwan. The average residual error of up and down envelope is 6.1825% from 2003 to 2007, and the predicted market share in 2012 is 3.334%. The forecasting results showed that the market share of HTC will decrease in the future. The founding of research offers meaningful information for HTC to decide the new strategy. For government, the result could also help to implement adequate policies to support the development of smartphone industry in the future.
Influences of Demographic Information as Moderating Factors in Adoption of M-Learning
Authors: Yadegaridehkordi Elaheh , Iahad Noorminshah A.
Published: July 2012

In today’s world, interests of mobile devices for educational processes anytime and anywhere has been on the rise. However, adoption of this new technology by students is complicated. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence the adoption of M-learning by students and to propose an appropriate model for its adoption. Three external variables, namely Perceived Mobility Value, Prior Use of Electronic Learning and Self-efficacy, were incorporated into the Technology Acceptance Model and tested in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Quantitative research approach was used to survey 350 students. Empirical data from multiple regression analyses indicates that Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of use, Perceived Mobility Value, Prior Use of Electronic Learning, Self-efficacy, and Attitude toward using, can positively affect the adoption of M-learning. Results are explored further in this study
Individual and Contextual Determinants of Citizens Use of Government Websites
Authors: Fudge Marc , Van Ryzin Gregg
Published: July 2012

As government websites emerged as central features of e-government and even as public service delivery, concerns have grown about the digital divide—the separation of society into online and off-line citizens with varying access to this new source of government services and information. Yet, little is known about the characteristics of citizens that use, or do not use, government websites and utilizing data from the 2004 General Social Survey, a nationally representative sample, the authors examine the factors associated with citizens’ use of government websites at this key period in the evolution of the Internet. They consider various personal characteristics, such as socioeconomic status, race, gender, as well as political attitudes and behavior. Considered also are contextual characteristics, such as region of the country, type of employment and household structure. The results of this study are found further into the article.
Clinical Research: Together, Stronger, Bolder
Authors: Curley Martha A. Q.
Published: July 2012

Clinical inquiry is the ongoing process of questioning and evaluating practice, providing informed practice based on best-available data, and innovating practice though research. It is about noticing subtle differences at the bedside and asking “what if” questions. Critically ill patients and their families require care that is based on our best-available evidence. In the quantitative research paradigm, the highest level of evidence is derived from randomized controlled clinical trials. Currently, few adequately powered clinical trials support our practice, but this is changing. In critical care, clinical research should be conducted in the same manner as we practice, collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Our core value of the primacy of patient and family, our spirit of inquiry, and our passion for innovation centers our practice. During this year’s Distinguished Research Lecture, Martha Curley describes how together, we can build stronger, bolder clinical research.
Trends in missional ecclesiology
Authors: Niemandt Cornelius J.P.
Published: July 2012

Missional ecclesiology emerged as one of the significant trends in mission studies and ecumenical discussion in the last couple of years. What were these trends in missional ecclesiology? What kind of missional theology formed and fuelled the renewed interest in missional ecclesiology? What impact flowed from the important ecumenical events in 2010 (Edinburgh 2010 World Mission Conference, World Communion of Reformed Churches and Lausanne III)? This article explained the term ‘missional church’ and explored missional theology as participating in the life of the Trinity and thus mission as ‘joining in with the Spirit’. It explained the relationship between ecclesiology and missiology. The trends in missional ecclesiology were tracked by focusing on an incarnational approach to the church; relationality in the community of believers; the role of the kingdom of God; discernment as the first act in mission; imago Dei and creativity; the ecclesia and local community and finally mission and ethics.
Mission to the Gentiles: The construction of Christian identity and its relationship with ethics according to Paul
Authors: Nicklas Tobias , Schlögel Herbert
Published: July 2012

Paul allowed pagans to become members of the newly founded communities of Christ-believers and thus members of God’s covenant people, Israel, without becoming circumcised. However, even if many of the ‘pagan Christians’ who became members of the new messianic movement had a background as God-Fearers in the frame of diaspora synagogues, the radicalism of their ‘step in faith’ can hardly be overestimated. With their turn from different pagan cults and their gods to the mysterious God of Israel and his crucified and risen Son, Jesus Christ, a whole coordinate system of human relationships, expectations, hopes and norms must have changed. This paper explores the construction of Christian identity and its relationship with ethics according to Paul. It is illustrated how Paul himself describes the system of changed relationships: turning away from the idols towards the living God, being in Christ or – together with others – part of the ‘body of Christ’. Moreover, these three dimensions of new relations – to God, to Christ and to the fellow believers in Christ – correspond to three reference points for ethical decisions in Pauline communities: the command to love one another, the idea of human conscience (as a voice coming from God) and the idea of the ‘ethos of Christ’.
John Chrysostom and the mission to the Goths: Rhetorical and ethical perspectives
Authors: De Wet Chris L.
Published: July 2012

This study examines the role of John Chrysostom as bishop-missionary to the Goths in Constantinople. After Theodosius declared Nicene orthodoxy to be the only valid and legal faith, a potent programme to establish orthodoxy in Constantinople had begun, with bishops like Gregory Nazianzen and Nectarius promoting the cause. During and shortly after Chrysostom’s arrival in Constantinople, most of the Arians were Goths, and Chrysostom became personally involved in their affairs. In the light of this, the study specifically looks at how Chrysostom constructs and negotiates barbarian identity, with special emphasis on the rhetorical and ethical dimensions of his involvement; with emphasis on the trajectories provided by Foucault and De Certeau for understanding rhetoric, ethics and identity. It is specially asked whether Chrysostom could escape the classical Graeco-Roman habitus of barbarism and the normativity of the free, male Roman body.
Effect of bacterial ice nuclei on the frequency and intensity of lightning activity inferred by the BRAMS model
Authors: Gonçalves F. L. T. , Martins J. A. , Albrecht R. I. , Morales C. A. , Silva Dias M. A. , Morris C. E.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Many studies from the last decades have shown that airborne microorganisms can be intrinsically linked to atmospheric processes. Certain bacteria may constitute the most active ice nuclei found in the atmosphere and might have some influence on the formation of ice crystals in clouds. This study deals with the ice nucleation activity of Pseudomonas syringae inside of thunderstorms through numerical simulations using BRAMS (Brazilian Regional Atmospheric Model System). The numerical simulations were developed in order to investigate the effect on the total amount of rainwater as a function of ice nuclei (IN) P. syringae concentrations with different scenarios (classified as S2 to S4 scenarios) corresponding to a maximum of 102 to 104 IN bacteria per liter of cloud water plus the BRAMS default (classified as S5 scenario). Additionally, two other scenarios were included without any IN (S1) and the sum of RAMS default and S4 scenario (classified as S6). The chosen radiosonde data is for 3 March 2003, typical summertime in São Paulo City which presents a strong convective cell. The objective of the simulations was to analyze the effect of the IN concentrations on the BRAMS modeled cloud properties and precipitation. The simulated electrification of the cloud permitted analysis of the total flashes estimated from precipitable and non-precipitable ice mass fluxes in two different lightning frequencies. Among all scenarios, only S4 and S6 presented a tendency to decrease the total cloud water, and all bacteria scenarios presented a tendency to decrease the total amount of rain (−8%), corroborating other reports in the literature. All bacteria scenarios also present higher precipitable ice concentrations compared to S5 scenario, the RAMS default. The main results present the total flash number per simulation as well. From the results, the total flash numbers, from both lightning frequencies, in S4 and S6 scenarios, are from 3.1 to 3.7 higher than the BRAMS default. Even the lower bacterial concentrations (scenarios S2 and S3) produced 3 time higher number of flashes, compared to S5 scenario. This result is a function of the hydrometeors in each simulation. In conclusion, IN bacteria could affect directly the thunderstorm structure and lightning formation with many other microphysical implications.
Aerosol hygroscopicity at a regional background site (Ispra) in Northern Italy
Authors: Adam M. , Putaud J. P. , Martins dos Santos S. , Dell'Acqua A. , Gruening C.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. This study focuses on the aerosol hygroscopic properties as determined from ground-based measurements and Mie theory. Usually, aerosol ground-based measurements are taken in dry conditions in order to have a consistency within networks. The dependence of the various aerosol optical characteristics (e.g. aerosol absorption, scattering, backscattering or extinction coefficients) on relative humidity has therefore to be established in order to determine their values in the atmosphere, where relative humidity can reach high values. We calculated mean monthly diurnal values of the aerosol hygroscopic growth factor at 90% relative humidity GF(90) based on measurements performed at the atmospheric research station in Ispra (Italy) with a Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer over eight months in 2008 and 2009. Particle hygroscopicity increases with particle dry diameter ranging from 35 to 165 nm for all seasons. We observed a clear seasonal variation in GF(90) for particles larger than 75 nm, and a diurnal cycle in spring and winter for all sizes. For 165 nm particles, GF(90) averages 1.32 ± 0.06. The effect of the particle hygroscopic growth on the aerosol optical properties (scattering, extinction, absorption and backscatter coefficients, asymmetry parameter and backscatter faction) was computed using the Mie theory, based on data obtained from a series of instruments running at our station. We found median enhancement factors (defined as ratios between the values of optical variables at 90% and 0% relative humidity) equal to 1.1, 2.1, 1.7, and 1.8, for the aerosol absorption, scattering, backscattering, and extinction coefficients, respectively. All except the absorption enhancement factors show a strong correlation with the hygroscopic growth factor. The enhancement factors observed at our site are among the lowest observed across the world for the aerosol scattering coefficient, and among the highest for the aerosol backscatter fraction.
An empirical model of optical and radiative characteristics of the tropospheric aerosol over West Siberia in summer
Authors: Panchenko M. V. , Zhuravleva T. B. , Terpugova S. A. , Polkin V. V. , Kozlov V. S.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. An empirical model of the vertical profiles of aerosol optical characteristics is described. This model was developed based on data acquired from multi-year airborne sensing of optical and microphysical characteristics of the tropospheric aerosol over West Siberia. The main initial characteristics for the creation of the model were measurement data of the vertical profiles of the aerosol angular scattering coefficients in the visible wavelength range, particle size distribution functions and mass concentrations of black carbon (BC). The proposed model allows us to retrieve the aerosol optical and radiative characteristics in the visible and near-IR wavelength range, using the season, air mass type and time of day as input parameters. The columnar single scattering albedo and asymmetry factor of the aerosol scattering phase function, calculated using the average vertical profiles, are in good agreement with data from the AERONET station located in Tomsk. For solar radiative flux calculations, this empirical model has been tested for typical summer conditions. The available experimental database obtained for the regional features of West Siberia and the model developed on this basis are shown to be sufficient for performing these calculations.
A method for cloud detection and opacity classification based on ground based sky imagery
Authors: Ghonima M. S. , Urquhart B. , Chow C. W. , Shields J. E. , Cazorla A. , Kleissl J.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Digital images of the sky obtained using a total sky imager (TSI) are classified pixel by pixel into clear sky, optically thin and optically thick clouds. A new classification algorithm was developed that compares the pixel red-blue ratio (RBR) to the RBR of a clear sky library (CSL) generated from images captured on clear days. The difference, rather than the ratio, between pixel RBR and CSL RBR resulted in more accurate cloud classification. High correlation between TSI image RBR and aerosol optical depth (AOD) measured by an AERONET photometer was observed and motivated the addition of a haze correction factor (HCF) to the classification model to account for variations in AOD. Thresholds for clear and thick clouds were chosen based on a training image set and validated with set of manually annotated images. Misclassifications of clear and thick clouds into the opposite category were less than 1%. Thin clouds were classified with an accuracy of 60%. Accurate cloud detection and opacity classification techniques will improve the accuracy of short-term solar power forecasting.
Detection and characterization of drizzle cells within marine stratocumulus using AMSR-E 89 GHz passive microwave measurements
Authors: Miller M. A. , Yuter S. E.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. This empirical study demonstrates the feasibility of using 89 GHz Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) passive microwave brightness temperature data to detect heavily drizzling cells within marine stratocumulus. A binary heavy drizzle product is described that can be used to determine areal and feature statistics of drizzle cells within the major marine stratocumulus regions. Current satellite liquid water path (LWP) and cloud radar products capable of detecting drizzle are either lacking in resolution (AMSR-E LWP), diurnal coverage (MODIS LWP), or spatial coverage (CloudSat). The AMSR-E 89 GHz data set at 6 × 4 km spatial resolution is sufficient for resolving individual heavily drizzling cells. Radiant emission at 89 GHz by liquid-water cloud and precipitation particles from drizzling cells in marine stratocumulus regions yields local maxima in brightness temperature against an otherwise cloud-free background brightness temperature. The background brightness temperature is primarily constrained by column-integrated water vapor and sea surface temperature. Clouds containing ice are screened out. Once heavily drizzling pixels are identified, connected pixels are grouped into discrete drizzle cell features. The identified drizzle cells are used in turn to determine several spatial statistics for each satellite scene, including drizzle cell number and size distribution. The identification of heavily drizzling cells within marine stratocumulus regions with satellite data facilitates analysis of seasonal and regional drizzle cell occurrence and the interrelation between drizzle and changes in cloud fraction.
Use of the isotope flux ratio approach to investigate the C18O16O and 13CO2 exchange near the floor of a temperate deciduous forest
Authors: Santos E. , Wagner-Riddle C. , Lee X. , Warland J. , Brown S. , Staebler R. , Bartlett P. , Kim K.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Stable isotopologues of CO2, such as 13CO2 and C18OO, have been used to study the CO2 exchange between land and atmosphere. The advent of new measuring techniques has allowed near-continuous measurements of stable isotopes in the air. These measurements can be used with micrometeorological techniques, providing new tools to investigate the isotope exchange in ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of the isotope flux ratio method (IFR) near the forest floor of a temperate deciduous forest and to study the temporal dynamics of δ18O of CO2 flux near the forest floor by comparing IFR estimates with estimates of δ18O of net soil CO2 flux provided by an analytical model. Mixing ratios of 12C16O2, 13CO2 and C16O18O were measured within and above a temperate deciduous forest, using the tunable diode laser spectroscopy technique. The half-hourly compositions of the CO2 flux near the forest floor (δ13CF and δ18OF) were calculated by IFR and compared with estimates provided by a modified Keeling plot technique (mKP) and by a Lagrangian dispersion analysis (WT analysis). The mKP and IFR δ18OF estimates showed good agreement (slope = 1.03 and correlation, R2 = 0.80). The δ13CF estimates from the two methods varied in a narrow range of −32.7 and −23‰; the mean (± SE) mKP and IFR δ13CF values were −27.5‰ (±0.2) and −27.3‰ (±0.1), respectively, and were statistically identical (p>0.05). WT analysis and IFR δ18OF estimates showed better correlation (R2 = 0.37) when only turbulent periods (u*>0.6 m s−1) were included in the analysis. The large amount of data captured (~95 % of half-hour periods evaluated) for the IFR in comparison with mKP (27 %) shows that the former provides new opportunities for studying δ18OF dynamics within forest canopies. Values of δ18OF showed large temporal variation, with values ranging from −31.4‰ (DOY 208) to −11.2‰ (DOY 221). Precipitation events caused substantial variation (~8‰) in δ18OF over a period of approximately 24 h. A diel trend of δ18OF was observed, with more depleted values present during the daytime. Model simulations indicate that the activity of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme was quite variable during the evaluated period. These simulations indicate that more frequent sampling of δ18O of soil water could improve the estimates of δ18O of net soil CO2 flux.
Feedbacks of CO2 dependent dissolved organic carbon production on atmospheric CO2 in an ocean biogeochemical model
Authors: Bordelon-Katrynski L. A. , Schneider B.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. We use an ocean biogeochemical model to test whether a potential CO2 dependence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) production may have an influence on marine carbon sequestration via particle aggregation and so may represent a potentially larger ocean sink for anthropogenic CO2. The hypothesis is based on mesocosm experiments that have shown enhanced carbon uptake by phytoplankton when more CO2 is available, and where the extra carbon was probably directly routed into DOC instead of the particulate phase. Sensitivity experiments are carried out where phytoplankton exudation of DOC is systematically increased with and without a parallel rise in atmospheric CO2. We find that under a fourfold increase of the DOC formation rate, there is a slight reduction of global particle export, which results in a shallower turnover of nutrients and carbon. As a consequence, a positive feedback loop develops, such that the ocean becomes a weak source of CO2 to the atmosphere. The effect is amplified under high CO2 conditions due to the decreased CO2 buffer capacity of the ocean, however, it is rather low compared to the total anthropogenic perturbation. The positive feedback is in contrast to a very similar study, where a slight stimulation of particle export was found. Therefore, we conclude that the sign of the feedback depends on the actual pathway the extra carbon is taking and on the overall background conditions of marine primary production and ocean circulation.
Assessing impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and drainage canals on saltwater intrusion to coastal aquifer
Authors: Rasmussen P. , Sonnenborg T. O. , Goncear G. , Hinsby K.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Groundwater abstraction from coastal aquifers is vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise because both may potentially impact saltwater intrusion and hence groundwater quality depending on the hydrogeological setting. In the present study the impacts of sea level rise and changes in groundwater recharge are quantified for an island located in the Western Baltic Sea. Agricultural land dominates the western and central parts of the island, which geologically are developed as push moraine hills and a former lagoon (later wetland area) behind barrier islands to the east. The low-lying central area of the island was extensively drained and reclaimed during the second half of the 19th century. Summer cottages along the beach on the former barrier islands dominate the eastern part of the island. The main water abstraction is for holiday cottages during the summer period (June–August). The water is abstracted from 11 wells drilled to a depth of around 20 m in the upper 5–10 m of a confined chalk aquifer. Increasing chloride concentrations have been observed in several abstraction wells and in some cases the WHO drinking water standard has been exceeded. Using the modeling package MODFLOW/MT3D/SEAWAT the historical, present and future freshwater–sea water distribution is simulated. The model is calibrated against hydraulic head observations and validated against geochemical and geophysical data from new investigation wells, including borehole logs, and from an airborne transient electromagnetic survey. The impact of climate changes on saltwater intrusion is found to be sensitive to the boundary conditions of the investigated system. For the flux-controlled aquifer to the west of the drained area only changes in groundwater recharge impacts the freshwater–sea water interface whereas sea level rise do not result in increasing sea water intrusion. However, on the barrier islands to the east of the reclaimed area below which the sea is hydraulically connected to the drainage canal, and the boundary of the flow system therefore controlled, the projected changes in sea level, groundwater recharge and stage of the drainage canal all have significant impacts on saltwater intrusion and hence the chloride concentrations found in the abstraction wells.
Estimating field-scale soil water dynamics at a heterogeneous site using multi-channel GPR
Authors: Pan X. , Zhang J. , Huang P. , Roth K.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. We explore the feasibility to quantify the field-scale soil water dynamics through time series of GPR (ground-penetrating radar) measurements. They bridge the gap between accurate and well-established point measurements and the field-scale where soil hydrology issues are addressed. Working on a 40 m × 50 m area in a heterogeneous agricultural field, we obtain a time series of radargrams after a heavy rainfall event. On the one hand, these yield a three-dimensional representation of the subsurface architecture, in particular of the layer boundary that originates from paleo-sand dunes and of a number of clay inclusions in an otherwise rather uniform sand. On the other hand, the total soil water volume between the surface and the layer boundary is obtained. We assess the precision and the accuracy of these quantities and conclude that the method is sensitive enough to capture the spatial structure of the changing soil water content. While the sensitivity of the method still needs to be improved, it already produced useful information to understand the observed patterns in crop height and it yielded insight into the dynamics of soil water content at this site including the effect of evaporation.
Streamflow droughts in the Iberian Peninsula between 1945 and 2005: spatial and temporal patterns
Authors: Lorenzo-Lacruz J. , Morán-Tejeda E. , Vicente-Serrano S. M. , López-Moreno J. I.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. In this study we analyzed the spatio-temporal variability of streamflow droughts in the Iberian Peninsula from 1945 to 2005. Streamflow series (187) homogeneously distributed across the study area were used to develop a streamflow index (the Standardized Streamflow Index; SSI), which facilitated comparison among regimes and basins, regardless of streamflow magnitudes. A principal component analysis was performed to identify homogeneous hydrological regions having common features, based on the temporal evolution of streamflows. Identification of drought events was carried out using a threshold level approach. We assessed the duration and magnitude of drought episodes and the changes that occurred between two contrasting periods for each hydrological region. The results showed a trend to greater drought severity in the majority of regions. Drought duration, magnitude and spatial coverage was found to depend mainly on the climatic conditions and the water storage strategies in each basin. In some basins these strategies have altered river regimes, and in others created a high level of dependence on storage and water transfer rates.
Entrepreneurship Education: Ireland's Solution to Economic Regeneration?
Authors: O'Connor John , Fenton Mary , Barry Almar
Published: July 2012

The significance of entrepreneurship has come into sharper focus as enterprise and innovation are being flagged as solutions to regenerate the Irish economy. The Irish Innovation Task Force believes that Ireland could become an ‘innovation hub’, attracting foreign risk capital and international and indigenous entrepreneurs to start and grow companies in Ireland. To realize these ambitions, Ireland needs to create a favourable and stable ecosystem for entrepreneurs through policy, tax, regulation, supply of finance, education and R&D. Irish higher education institutions are being exhorted to play a pivotal role in the development of an enterprise culture through entrepreneurship education (EE) and the production of graduate entrepreneurs. If HEIs are to contribute to Ireland's economic recovery they need to produce graduates capable of applying their knowledge to start and grow their own businesses. Existing paradigms provide an inadequate understanding of the complexities inherent in the provision of entrepreneurship education in Irish HEIs and its role in producing greater numbers of graduate entrepreneurs. There is a need to bridge the credibility gap between government expectations and harsh entrepreneurial realities to determine whether EE is having a positive impact on graduate enterprise development. This paper focuses on EE in Irish higher education and addresses the difficulty of measuring its effectiveness in producing graduate entrepreneurs.
The Context of Enterprise Education: Insights into Current Practices
Authors: Penaluna Kathryn , Penaluna Andy , Jones Colin
Published: July 2012

This paper presents the results of an investigation into contextual differences in the development and delivery of enterprise education in higher education globally. Using information gathered from an online survey distributed to enterprise educators, distinct differences in the provision of enterprise education are identified, as are differences of opinion among enterprise educators. The findings demonstrate that although enterprise education is highly diversified in terms of presentation, content and style, there are clear commonalities with regard to expected student outcomes. The respondents reported low levels of business start-up activity among students during enterprise education and/or within one year of graduation. Over 75% of the educators surveyed had personal start-up experience, and there was limited reliance on academic literature, with a preference for referencing broader stakeholder perspectives. With regard to the practical implications of this research, the international metric of enterprise education appears to be a broad set of enterprising skills that equip and enable students to recognize and exploit opportunities in order to navigate future unknowns. The commonly employed metric of business start-up appears less valid in light of this investigation.
Impact of Action Learning on Entrepreneurial Traits and Inclination
Authors: Wong Hilleas Chi Hang , Man Thomas Wing Yan
Published: July 2012

Based on a comparative survey supplemented with focus group interviews, it was found that an action learning activity in an entrepreneurship programme produced both positive and negative results with regard to the entrepreneurial traits of students and their inclination towards entrepreneurship, depending on the influence of external and detrimental factors. The findings imply that further attention needs to be given both to the process and to the context of action learning activities in entrepreneurship education, taking into account economic factors in particular.
Precision Farming in India – A Review
Authors: Tiwari Akhilesh , Jaga Praveen Kumar
Published: July 2012

Precision farming is expected to become much more widespread in the twenty-first century, symbolizing a better balance between reliance on traditional knowledge, information management and intensive technologies. Five main areas or categories are important: the role of computers, global positioning systems (GPS), geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing and application control. This paper reviews each of these in the context of Indian agriculture, and confirms that precision farming has the potential to reduce overapplication of agricultural inputs, optimize financial performance and enhance agricultural production.
Low-Cost Technologies for Improved Productivity of Dryland Farming in Mali
Authors: Aune J.B. , Traoré C.O. , Mamadou S.
Published: July 2012

This study shows how low-cost options can increase agricultural productivity in the millet-producing areas of Mali. Seed priming increased millet yield by 40% in sites in the Mopti region (low rainfall). When combined with the application of 0.3 g of fertilizer per pocket, millet yield increased by 106%. In the regions further south, the best treatment was a combination of seed priming, an application of 2 g of fertilizer 15 to 20 days after sowing, and seed treatment with fungicides/insecticides. Improved fodder rations were tested and a combination of cowpea haulm and millet bran were found to give a daily weight gain of 210 g for rams, compared with 80 g in the traditional feeding system. A conceptual integrated farm was created using the improved technologies, which was shown to generate a surplus production of both grain and fodder.
Participatory Scenarios for Exploring the Future: Insights from Cherry Farming in South Patagonia
Authors: Contini Caterina , Gabbai Manuela , Zorini Luigi Omodei , Pugh Belén
Published: July 2012

This paper describes a study to construct narrative-based scenarios to complement models for exploring the sustainability of cherry production in South Patagonia. The study is part of a European-funded project (EULACIAS) which focuses on the co-innovation of farming systems in Latin America. The authors' approach involves stakeholders analysing the present state of the farming system and then identifying driving forces for change. Finally, the impact of drivers on the farming sector is assessed via a Delphi exercise to capture expert opinion. The outputs from this exercise describe three possible future scenarios, representing ‘opening to new markets’, ‘quality’ and a ‘regional market’. The characteristics of each of these are described in the context of cherry production.
Current Trends in Dairy Cattle Farming in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey
Authors: Elmaz Özkan , Sipahi Cevat , Saatci Mustafa , Metin Mahiye Özçelik
Published: July 2012

This study assesses the current status of dairy cattle farming in Burdur province, an important region for milk production in Turkey. The study involved 677 enterprises and found that the mean number of cattle per farm was 11.3 and the number of milk cows per farm was 5.9. The estimated amount of concentrated feed consumed was 7.0 ± 2.3 kg/cattle/day; forage consumption was 9.1 ± 5.2 kg/cattle/day; the weaning age for calves was 87.4 ± 13.2 days; average milk yield was 18.7 ± 5.0 l/day; average drying-off time was 6.7 ± 0.5 months; and average age of first insemination was 17.0 ± 1.0 months. Of the 677 enterprises studied, 27.2% used free-stall barns, 20.9% used closed free-stall barns, and 51.9% used tie-stall barns. The mean size of tie-stall barns was 78 ± 51 m2. Milking was performed using portable milking machines in most enterprises (93%). Nearly all (96%) enterprises lacked any form-based recording system and received no regular veterinary treatment. This study provides important new survey data on dairy cattle breeding in Turkey.
Announcement of Retraction
Authors: Yu Gavin
Published: July 2012

The editorial board announced this article has been retracted on September 20, 2019.

If you have any further question, please contact us at: elt@ccsenet.org
Development of Fermented Beverage Using RSM and Nutrients Evaluation – I. Fermented Ashgourd Beverage
Authors: Devaki C. S. , Premavalli K. S.
Published: July 2012

Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) is valued for its nutritive and medicinal properties and further value addition is being attempted by fermentation process. In the present study, the optimization of the fermentation process with reference to yeast concentration and the period has been attempted by using RSM. The statistical design gave 13 formulations, where yeast concentration was from 1 to 5.8% and the fermentation process period varied from 0.5 to 17.5 days. The product varied formulations had total phenols ranged from 24.8 to 43.6mg%, antioxidant 12.3 to 27%, acidity 0.067 to 0.6%, total volatiles 0.0025 to 0.078%, alcohol 4.6-12.4%, overall acceptability 6.9 to 8.4, thiamine 115.7 to 367 ug%, riboflavin 32.4 to 159 ug%, niacin 6.7 to 139.4 ug%, pyridoxine 71.68 to 174.1 ug% and vitamin C from 0.02 to 0.21mg%. Yeast concentration of 3% and fermentation time for 3 days was the optimized process conditions achieved with the best fit of desirability 0.92.
Active Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh-cut Bell Peppers: Effect on Quality Indices
Authors: Manolopoulou Helen , Lambrinos Gregory , Xanthopoulos George
Published: July 2012

Fresh-cut green bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) were stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) made of impermeable high-density polyethylene film. Two in-packaging atmospheres and storage temperatures (0 oC and 5 oC) were tested. The respiration rate of the unpackaged produce and the in-package gas concentration, mass loss, firmness, skin colour, ascorbic acid and visual quality of the packaged produce were estimated. Cutting, increased respiration rate of the unpackaged produce by 24% compared to the intact produce for the same storage temperature. After 5 days of storage at 5 °C, significant O2 depletion of the active modified atmosphere was found. Limited mass loss (0.4-0.5% of the initial mass) and firmness degradation were estimated in both storage temperatures due to the beneficial effect of packaging. The hue angle (h*) reduction was limited in all cases and the initial green colour was preserved. Initial ascorbic acid content was preserved at 0 °C, but significantly increased at 5 °C. The visual quality of the packaged produce was assessed by six trained panelists and found that was not significantly changed at 0 °C storage. In conclusion, the tested active MAP maintained the initial quality indices of fresh-cut peppers (cv. Twingo F1) for up to 10 days at 0 °C but not at 5 °C.
The Ethical Undercurrents of Pension Fund Management: Establishing a Research Agenda
Authors: Ryan Lori Verstegen , Dennis Bryan
Published: July 2012

Over the last two decades, institutional investing has rocked the world of corporate governance in a transformation that has begun to be reflected in the finance, legal, and management literatures. Traditional players have seen their roles change and bases of power shift, and new actors have entered the governance equation. These transitions have entailed an ethical upheaval that is only beginning to be addressed in the business ethics literature.

This paper attempts to facilitate research in this area by integrating various literatures into an examination of a series of business ethics issues related to pension fund activism and portfolio management, fund staffing, and employee compensation. The primary intent of this project is to encourage increased business ethics research in the area of institutional investing in general and pension fund management in particular.
The Integration of Developing Countries Into International Financial Markets: Remarks from the Perspective of an Economic Ethics
Authors: Emunds Bernhard
Published: July 2012

In this paper the co-responsibility of the North for the development of the South, the chance of an authentic development and Rawls’s maximin rule are indicated as the ethical perspectives from which the financial integration of developing countries will be evaluated. It follows a brief economic analysis of possible problems of high inflows of portfolio investments for developing countries. They become more vulnerable to financial and monetary crises and their domestic banking systems are weakened by a higher risk of devaluation. This will lead to an outline of the goals for reshaping the financial integration: among others limitation of capital inflows, strengthening of the domestic banking system and further development of the country’s particular economic style. Finally some regulations of external financial relations and the proposal of a cooperative monetary arrangement between the South and the North are discussed as possible measures to improve this integration.
Who are Our Hairdressers? A Plea for Institutions and Action
Authors: Dienhart John W.
Published: July 2012

This 2001 Presidential Address critically examines the mission of SBE and how it can be fulfilled. I begin with Brother Leo Ryan’s 1994 Presidential Address, in which he asked how the SBE mission can be accomplished given the growing number of organizations that focus on business ethics. I take up his challenge by focusing on one objective of our stated mission: To help develop ethical business organizations. I examine two ways we might promote this objective: the Moral Market Model advocated by John Boatright in his 1998 Presidential Address and the Market of Morality model advocated by Thomas Dunfee in his 1996 Presidential Address. I argue both views are limited because they focus only on market institutions. I conclude with an example of how breast cancer awareness among African-American women was increased by relying on a multi-institutional approach: organizations (beauty parlors), individuals (hairdressers, who distributed the information), personal relationships, culture, and educational and health care institutions. The question remains: Who are our hairdressers?
Corporate Speech as Commercial Speech: A Response to Mayer's Nike V. Kasky Analysis
Authors: Nesteruk Jeffrey
Published: July 2012

Raising the issue of corporate moral agency in our examination of the morality of corporate speech is important for two fundamental reasons. Each reason suggests we exercise caution in conflating corporations and individuals as the law often does. First, raising the issue of corporate moral agency is important to the aim of providing a framework for ethically evaluating corporate speech. It is tempting to proceed as if the nature of corporate speech is self-evident. But this is hardly the case. Corporations are not natural persons, and we mustn't assume corporate speech is indistinguishable from human speech. Before we can ethically evaluate corporate speech, we must first clarify what corporate speech is. This requires an understanding of the fundamental nature of the corporate entity, including its moral status. Second, raising the issue of corporate moral agency is important if we wish to promote morally responsible corporate speech. Any diminished moral capacity on the corporation's part would suggest a core role for the strong legal reinforcement of any ethical aspirations here. In promoting morally responsible corporate speech, ethical injunctions uncoupled from an effective legal regime may hold only limited promise.