bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic characterisation of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from commercial broiler chickens in the Durban metropolitan area, South Africa
Authors: Mkize Nelisiwe , Zishiri Oliver T. , Mukaratirwa Samson
Published: April 2017

Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in human and veterinary medicine is a serious worldwide problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of S. aureus in commercial broiler chickens as well as to establish antimicrobial susceptibility and the distribution of genetic determinants conferring resistance and virulence. One hundred and ninety-four samples were aseptically collected from broiler chicken slaughterhouses and retail outlets around the Durban metropolitan area in South Africa. Microbiological and molecular methods were used to detect the presence of S. aureus as well as its resistance- and virulence-associated genes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the presence of S. aureus by amplifying the nuc gene. Approximately 54% of 194 samples were positive for S. aureus. The disc diffusion technique was used to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the S. aureus isolates to a battery of 10 antimicrobial agents, namely ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, erythromycin, cefoxitin, kanamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, vancomycin and trimethoprim. The results demonstrated that S. aureus isolates of abattoir origin had a high level (79.4%) of resistance to tetracycline, followed by ampicillin, vancomycin, cefoxitin, trimethoprim, erythromycin and streptomycin with resistance rates of 65.1%, 61.9%, 60.3%, 58.7%, 57.1% and 46.0%, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus isolates of retail origin exhibited higher antimicrobial resistance prevalence rates than those of abattoir origin. Tetracycline had the highest resistance rate (100%), followed by cefoxitin (91.7%), erythromycin (83.3%), streptomycin (83.3%) and kanamycin (66.7%). All isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents. Out of the four virulence genes that were screened, only two were detected (coagulase and protein A); however, their prevalence rates were very low. All antimicrobial resistance genes screened were detected (mecA, BlaZ and tetK), although their prevalence did not correspond with antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
A conservation assessment of the terrestrial invertebrate fauna of Mkambati Nature Reserve in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism
Authors: Hamer Michelle L. , Slotow Rob
Published: April 2017

Mkambati Nature Reserve (NR) falls within the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, which is part of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany global biodiversity hotspot. The biodiversity status of this area is based largely on its flora, and the invertebrates are poorly known. The area is under threat from various proposed developments. We surveyed 14 orders in three invertebrate phyla at 26 sites with two main objectives: (1) to assess the fauna in terms of conservation value, and, (2) to identify habitats and sites of conservation concern. From the survey, 3231 samples were sent for identification and 425 species were identified. A minimum of 18 new species were confirmed. Mkambati NR shows exceptional diversity for molluscs (Gastropoda, 51 species), bees (Apoidea, 48 species) and true bugs (Heteroptera, 65 species). At least 43 species collected from the Reserve are South African endemics, 31 have a restricted distribution within South Africa and 18 are only known from the Reserve itself.Conservation implications: The authors provide the first assessment of the invertebrate fauna of the Mkambati NR, which indicates that it is a rich and important fauna. The results highlight the need to consider invertebrates in other biodiversity assessments in the Pondoland region. In terms of habitats, for both forest and grassland there was a large difference in the invertebrate communities at different sites, even over relatively short distances in grassland; shared habitat attributes clustered sites with more similar communities, for example, rocky ledges or the sea shore. All forest patches are a priority for protection.
Paediatric doctors’ error rate in detection of paediatric elbow injuries in Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital
Authors: Magano Gopolang , Pillay Tanyia , Lucas Susan
Published: April 2017

No abstract available
On the way to the best possible science: An intellectual travel guide
Authors: Wessels Jacobus S.
Published: April 2017

Abstract not available.
Epidemiological & clinical profile of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infections during 2015 epidemic in Rajasthan
Authors: Malhotra Bharti , Singh Ruchi , Sharma Pratibha , Meena Deepa , Gupta Jyoti , Atreya Aditya , Meena B. R.
Published: April 2017

Background & objectives:

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus emerged in 2009 and caused pandemic with high morbidity and mortality in India and worldwide. The number of H1N1-positive cases varied in different years in Rajasthan. The objective of the study was to present the epidemiological profile of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus cases in Rajasthan from January to March 2015.

Methods:

A retrospective descriptive, record-based analysis of suspected and confirmed cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in Rajasthan, India, from January to March 2015 was performed. Testing was done as per the Centers for Disease Control guidelines at nine laboratories approved by the Government of Rajasthan. Data were analyzed in terms of demographic characteristics, clinical presentation and outcome.

Results:

Among 18,187 tested cases, 6203 (34.10%) were positive. Death occurred in 378 cases, with six per cent case fatality rate. Maximum number of cases (n=2801) and deaths (n=101) were from Jaipur zone. The highest number of cases, 47.60 per cent (2953/6203) and deaths, 52.11 per cent (197/378) were in the age group of 26-50 yr; 52.64 per cent (199/378) of deaths occurred in females. The highest number (63.5%) of deaths was from urban areas. Associated risk factors were observed in 59.44 per cent of the death cases, pregnancy being the predominant predisposing factor. In 61.92 per cent of patients, death occurred within three days of hospitalization.

Interpretation & conclusions:

H1N1 epidemic caused high morbidity and mortality in early 2015, particularly in the younger and middle-aged population and pregnant women in Rajasthan State of India. The study highlights the regular surveillance of influenza like illness, early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy in suspected cases.
Асимптотическое интегрирование сингулярно возмущенного уравнения Вольтерра в случае спектральной особенности 1-го
порядка
Authors: Eliseev Aleksandr Georgievich , Shaposhnikova Dar'ya Alekseevna
Published: April 2017

В статье предложен метод построения асимптотического решения
сингулярно возмущенного интегрального уравнения Вольтерра
в случае спектральной особенности 1-го порядка.
Библиография: 6 названий.
О второй когомологии алгебраической группы и ее алгебры Ли в положительной характеристике
Authors: Ibraev Sherali Shapatayevich
Published: April 2017

Получены необходимые и достаточные условия изоморфности
второй группы когомологии алгебраической группы с неприводимой
системой корней над алгебраически замкнутым полем характеристики
$p\ge 3h-3$, где $h$ - число Кокстера, и соответствующей второй
группы когомологии ее алгебры Ли с коэффициентами в простых
модулях, а также найдены некоторые нетривиальные примеры
изоморфизмов вторых групп когомологии простых модулей.
В частности, из полученных результатов следует, что среди
простых алгебраических групп $\mathrm{SL}_2(k)$, $\mathrm{SL}_3(k)$, $\mathrm{SL}_4(k)$,
$\mathrm{Sp}_4(k)$, $G_2$ такие нетривиальные изоморфизмы существуют
только для $\mathrm{SL}_4(k)$ и $G_2$. В первом случае имеются два простых
модуля с нетривиальными вторыми когомологиями, а во втором случае -
один. Все полученные нетривиальные примеры второй когомологии
одномерны.
Библиография: 16 названий.
Условная функциональная предельная теорема для разложимых ветвящихся процессов с двумя типами частиц
Authors: Vatutin Vladimir Alekseevich
Published: April 2017

Рассматривается критический разложимый ветвящийся процесс с двумя типами частиц, в котором частицы первого типа производят в конце жизни как потомков первого типа, так и потомков второго типа, а частицы второго типа порождают в момент гибели лишь потомков своего типа.
Доказана функциональная предельная теорема, описывающая распределение совокупного числа частиц второго типа, появившихся в процессе за время $Nt$, $0\leq t<\infty$, в предположении, что количество частиц первого типа, появившихся в процессе за время его эволюции, равно $N$.
Библиография: 24 названия.
Адиабатическое приближение для модели циклотронного движения
Authors: Kalyakin Leonid Anatol'evich
Published: April 2017

На примере конкретной задачи показана ограниченность подхода,
который ведет к адиабатическому приближению. Рассматривается
система дифференциальных уравнений, моделирующая циклотронное
движение заряженной релятивистской частицы
в электромагнитной волне. Исследуется вопрос о захвате
частицы в резонанс, когда ее энергия значительно меняется.
Основной результат состоит в описании области захвата -
множества начальных точек на фазовой плоскости, из которых
стартуют резонансные траектории. Такое описание получено
методом усреднения в асимптотическом приближении по малому
параметру, который соответствует скорости изменения
магнитного поля. Выявлена непригодность такого приближения
при малой амплитуде электромагнитной волны.
Библиография: 17 названий.
О некотором аналоге теоремы Пойа для многозначных аналитических функций с конечным числом точек ветвления
Authors: Suetin Sergey Pavlovich
Published: April 2017

Получен аналог теоремы Пойа об оценке трансфинитного диаметра для некоторого класса многозначных аналитических функций с конечным числом точек ветвления и соответствующего такой функции класса допустимых компактов, расположенных на ассоциированной с этой функцией двулистной римановой поверхности Шталя.
Библиография: 18 названий.
Равномерная асимптотика граничных значений решения линейной задачи о набеге волн на пологий берег
Authors: Dobrokhotov Sergey Yur'evich , Nazaikinskii Vladimir Evgen'evich , Tolchennikov Anton Aleksandrovich
Published: April 2017

Для двумерного волнового уравнения с переменной скоростью
рассматривается задача Коши в области $\Omega$ с пространственно локализованными
начальными условиями. Предполагается, что скорость вырождается на
границе $\partial\Omega$ области как корень квадратный
из расстояния до $\partial\Omega$.
В частности, такая задача описывает в линейном приближении набег волн
цунами на пологий берег, причем в ней имеется естественный малый
параметр - отношение характерных размеров источника и бассейна,
что позволяет изучать ее асимптотическими методами. В работе
"Характеристики с особенностями и граничные значения асимптотического
решения задачи Коши для вырождающегося волнового уравнения" [1] было показано, что
сужение на границу области асимптотического решения этой задачи,
задаваемого модифицированным каноническим оператором Маслова на
лагранжевом многообразии, образованном сопоставляемыми задаче
нестандартными характеристиками, можно выразить через канонический
оператор на лагранжевом подмногообразии кокасательного расслоения
границы. Открытым, однако, оставался вопрос о том, как это сужение
соотносится с сужением на границу точного решения задачи. В данной
работе показано, что если начальное возмущение задается быстро
убывающей на бесконечности функцией, то сужение указанного
асимптотического решения на границу дает асимптотику граничных
значений решения в равномерной норме. Для этого, в частности,
доказывается теорема о следах для нестандартных пространств
соболевского типа с вырождением на границе.
Библиография: 15 названий.
Fraguar la memoria. Dos obras de Diener & Diener Architekten en Berlín
Authors: Garcia Odiaga Iñigo , Begiristain Mitxelena Iñaki
Published: April 2017

El rasgo más distintivo del hormigón como es su capacidad para pasar de estado líquido a pétreo durante el fraguado. Esto implica moldear, contener el hormigón fluido. Es ahí donde el hormigón se vuelve dependiente de su molde, de la forma, de la textura y también en parte de la historia de éste. Ante dos actuaciones en Berlín, una ciudad con una convulsa historia, los arquitectos Diener & Diener,  plantean sendos edificios, en los que el hormigón se convierte en la clave para enlazar la arquitectura con la memoria, la identidad y la historia del lugar, desde una visión contemporánea que mira al futuro.
Casa en Sunami
Authors: Fujimoto Kazunori , Hirabayashi Aki
Published: April 2017

Arquitectos / Architects: Kazunori Fujimoto Architect & Associates. Kazunori Fujimoto (principal responsable / principal-in-charge), Aki Hirabayashi · Localización / Location: Mihara, Hiroshima, Japan · Redacción de proyecto / Project Planning: 2007 · Período de construcción / Construction term: 2009 · Superficie de la parcela / Site area: 308.54 m2 · Superficie del edificio / Building area: 117.17 m2 · Ocupación en planta / Total floor area: 115.58 m2 · Ingeniero estructural / Structural engineer: Mitsuda Structural Consultants · Dirección de obra / Construction Team: Daiwa Kensetsu Co.,Ltd. · Fotografía / Photography: Kazunori Fujimoto
¿Es siempre la familia el principal factor de riesgo en la violencia filioparental?
Authors: March Ortega Rafael
Published: April 2017

Muchos de los programas que se llevan a cabo sobre violencia filioparental (VFP) inciden fundamentalmente sobre las víctimas. El hecho de que la familia sea el principal agente de socialización hace que tratemos de buscar las causas de los trastornos de niños y adolescentes en este ámbito. Así la mayor parte de los autores entienden la VFP como situaciones familiares de «alto riesgo» en las que los menores no son adecuadamente atendidos, la consecuencia de contextos degradados, estilos de crianza erróneos, límites difusos, hostilidad y negligencia; el producto de un perfil patológico de los padres, relaciones conflictivas entre la pareja y desapego con los hijos que llegan a ser considerados, al tiempo, como víctimas y verdugos. Numerosas investigaciones parecen corroborar esta visión, pero ¿esto es así en todos los casos? Dicho de otro modo: ¿es siempre la familia el principal factor de riesgo en la VFP?
Prácticas socioeducativas para mejorar la convivencia escolar. Una experiencia en un Centro de Acción Educativa Singular (Valencia, España).
Authors: Grau Vidal Roser , García-Raga Laura
Published: April 2017

En la actualidad, las dificultades relacionadas con la convivencia, la indisciplina, la violencia escolar y las conductas disruptivas en las escuelas, son motivo de preocupación de profesionales, alumnado, familias y barrio. De esta manera, la sociedad en general y la comunidad educativa en particular están reclamando desde ya hace tiempo respuestas pedagógicas que permitan mejorar las problemáticas señaladas. En este trabajo, enmarcado en una investigación más amplia, se expondrán los resultados obtenidos después de la aplicación de cuatro estrategias educativas en un Centro de Acción Educativa Singular (C.A.E.S) situado en la ciudad de Valencia (España): la asamblea de aula, el apadrinamiento lector, el aula de juegos y el arte y los Derechos Humanos. El proyecto se ha llevado a cabo durante el curso escolar 2014-2015, trabajándose con un total de 80 niños y niñas de 4 a 11 años. Para comprobar la mejora de la convivencia del centro objeto estudio se ha utilizado una metodología cuantitativa, siendo el cuestionario el instrumento de recogida de información inicial y final. Los resultados muestran que después de la implementación del proyecto, el clima de convivencia ha mejorado muy notablemente, ya que el alumnado transmite que en la escuela han dejado de ser frecuentes los enfrentamientos, las peleas, las discusiones y la violencia, dando paso a una convivencia más pacífica centrada en el diálogo y la participación.
El sistema de atención socio-educativa en Brasil: contribuciones para un análisis crítico de la política
Authors: Souza Candida De , Silva Daniele Nunes Henrique
Published: April 2017

El Sistema Socio-educativo es la política de atención a los adolescentes infractores en Brasil. Esta política tiene el desafío de diferenciarse del sistema de la cárcel, por su carácter pedagógico, juntamente a la sanción a los jóvenes. En este trabajo planteamos hacer un análisis crítico de la implementación de la política de la infancia y adolescencia en Brasil, especialmente del sistema socio-educativo, bajo una concepción crítica, con fundamentación en el materialismo histórico dialéctico. Así que presentaremos la evolución histórica de la atención a los derechos de la infancia y adolescencia en Brasil y apuntaremos las limitaciones y las posibilidades de esta política en la actualidad, además del funcionamiento actual de la política, seguido de un análisis basado en la criminología crítica. Por fin, indicamos que el sistema de justicia juvenil, el sistema socio-educativo y todas las prácticas sociales relativas a las infracciones deben ser vistas como parte de un proceso histórico y social que tiene como punto central la materialidad de las relaciones sociales, la relación entre sociedad, mercado y Estado y las consecuentes contradicciones que están ahí puestas. A medida que el proyecto socio-educativo está vinculado a un Estado neoliberal contemporáneo, él no escapa a la presión del capitalismo. Es decir, no se puede entender las instituciones socio-educativas y la lógica que apoya las políticas de manera desplazada de este sistema socio-político más amplio, que se perpetúa de forma desigual y excluyente.
Adverse Effects of Increasing Drought on Air Quality via Natural
Processes
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Xie Yuanyu , Dong Wenhao , Ming Yi , Wang Jun , Shen Lu
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Drought is a recurring extreme of the climate system with well-documented impacts on agriculture and water resources. The strong perturbation of drought to the land biosphere and atmospheric water cycle will affect atmospheric composition, the nature and extent of which are not well understood. Here we present observational evidence that surface ozone and PM2.5 in the US are significantly correlated with drought severity, with 3.5 ppbv (8 %) and 1.6 μg m−3 (17 %) increases respectively under severe drought. These enhancements show little sensitivity to the decreasing trend of US anthropogenic emissions, indicating natural processes as the primary cause. Elevated ozone and PM2.5 are attributed to the combined effects of drought on natural emissions (wildfires, biogenic VOCs and dust), deposition, and chemistry. Most climate-chemistry models are not able to reproduce the observed responses of ozone and PM2.5 to drought severity, suggesting a lack of mechanistic understanding of drought effects on atmospheric composition. The model deficiencies are partly attributed to the lack of drought-induced changes in land-atmosphere exchanges of reactive gases and particles and misrepresentation of cloud changes under drought conditions. By applying the observed relationships between drought and air pollutants to climate model projected drought occurrences, we estimate an increase of 1–6 % for ground-level O3 and 1–16 % for PM2.5 in the US by 2100 compared to the 2000s due to increasing drought alone. Drought thus poses another aspect of climate change penalty on air quality not recognized before. Improvements in the models are imperative to facilitate better prediction of air quality challenges due to changing hydroclimate and atmospheric composition feedback to climate.
Ensemble using different Planetary Boundary Layer schemes in WRF model for wind speed and direction prediction over Apulia region
Authors: Tateo Andrea , Miglietta Mario Marcello , Fedele Francesca , Menegotto Micaela , Monaco Alfonso , Bellotti Roberto
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The Weather Research and Forecasting mesoscale model (WRF) was used to simulate hourly 10 m wind speed and direction over the city of Taranto, Apulia region (south-eastern Italy). This area is characterized by a large industrial complex including the largest European steel plant and is subject to a Regional Air Quality Recovery Plan. This plan constrains industries in the area to reduce by 10 % the mean daily emissions by diffuse and point sources during specific meteorological conditions named wind days. According to the Recovery Plan, the Regional Environmental Agency ARPA-PUGLIA is responsible for forecasting these specific meteorological conditions with 72 h in advance and possibly issue the early warning. In particular, an accurate wind simulation is required. Unfortunately, numerical weather prediction models suffer from errors, especially for what concerns near-surface fields. These errors depend primarily on uncertainties in the initial and boundary conditions provided by global models and secondly on the model formulation, in particular the physical parametrizations used to represent processes such as turbulence, radiation exchange, cumulus and microphysics. In our work, we tried to compensate for the latter limitation by using different Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) parameterization schemes. Five combinations of PBL and Surface Layer (SL) schemes were considered. Simulations are implemented in a real-time configuration since our intention is to analyze the same configuration implemented by ARPA-PUGLIA for operational runs; the validation is focused over a time range extending from 49 to 72 h with hourly time resolution. The assessment of the performance was computed by comparing the WRF model output with ground data measured at a weather monitoring station in Taranto, near the steel plant. After the analysis of the simulations performed with different PBL schemes, both simple (e.g. average) and more complex post-processing methods (e.g. weighted average, linear and nonlinear regression, and artificial neural network) are adopted to improve the performances with respect to the output of each single setup. The neural network approach comes out as the most promising method.
Dynamics of riverine CO2 in the Yangtze River fluvial network and their implications for carbon evasion
Authors: Ran Lishan , Lu Xi Xi , Liu Shaoda
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Understanding riverine carbon dynamics is critical for not only better estimates of various carbon fluxes but also evaluating their significance in the global carbon budget. As an important pathway of global land–ocean carbon exchange, the Yangtze River has received less attention regarding its vertical carbon evasion compared with lateral transport. Using long-term water chemistry data, we calculated CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) from pH and alkalinity and examined its spatial and temporal dynamics and the impacts of environmental settings. With alkalinity ranging from 415 to > 3400 µeq L−1, the river waters were supersaturated with dissolved CO2, generally 2–20-fold the atmospheric equilibrium (i.e., 390 µatm). Changes in pCO2 were collectively controlled by carbon inputs from terrestrial ecosystems, hydrological regime, and rock weathering. High pCO2 values were observed spatially in catchments with abundant carbonate presence and seasonally in the wet season when recently fixed organic matter was exported into the river network. In-stream processing of organic matter facilitated CO2 production and sustained the high pCO2, although the alkalinity presented an apparent dilution effect with water discharge. The decreasing pCO2 from the smallest headwater streams through tributaries to the mainstem channel illustrates the significance of direct terrestrial carbon inputs in controlling riverine CO2. With a basin-wide mean pCO2 of 2662 ± 1240 µatm, substantial CO2 evasion from the Yangtze River fluvial network is expected. Future research efforts are needed to quantify the amount of CO2 evasion and assess its biogeochemical implications for watershed-scale carbon cycle. In view of the Yangtze River's relative importance in global carbon export, its CO2 evasion would be significant for global carbon budget.
Optimization of Biological Production for Indian Ocean upwelling zones: Part – I: Improving Biological Parameterization via a variable Compensation Depth
Authors: Sreeush Mohanan Geethalekshmi , Valsala Vinu , Pentakota Sreenivas , Prasad Koneru Venkata Siva Rama , Murtugudde Raghu
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Biological modeling approach adopted by the Ocean Carbon Cycle Model Inter-comparison Project (OCMIP-II) provided amazingly simple but surprisingly accurate rendition of the annual mean carbon cycle for the global ocean. Nonetheless, OCMIP models are known to have seasonal biases which are typically attributed to their bulk parameterization of compensation depth. Utilizing the principle of minimum solar radiation for the production and its attenuation by the surface Chl-a, we have proposed a new parameterization for a spatially and temporally varying compensation depth which captures the seasonality in the production zone reasonably well. This new parameterization is shown to improve the seasonality of CO2 fluxes, surface ocean pCO2, biological export and new production in the major upwelling zones of the Indian Ocean. The seasonally varying compensation depth enriches the nutrient concentration in the upper ocean yielding more faithful biological exports which in turn leads to an accurate seasonality in carbon cycle. The export production strengthens by ~ 70 % over western Arabian sea during monsoon period and achieved a good balance between export and new production in the model. This underscores the importance of having a seasonal balance in model export and new production for a better representation of the seasonality of carbon cycle over upwelling regions The study also implies that both the biological and solubility pumps play an important role in the Indian Ocean upwelling zones.
Coupled eco-hydrology and biogeochemistry algorithms enable simulation of water table depth effects on boreal peatland net CO2 exchange
Authors: Mezbahuddin Mohammad , Grant Robert F. , Flanagan Lawrence B.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Water table depth (WTD) effects on net ecosystem CO2 exchange of boreal peatlands are largely mediated by hydrological effects on peat biogeochemistry, and eco-physiology of peatland vegetation. Lack of representation of these effects in carbon models currently limits our predictive capacity for changes in boreal peatland carbon deposits under future drier and warmer climates. We therefore tested whether the effects of WTD variation on net ecosystem CO2 exchange of a Western Canadian boreal fen peatland could be modelled through a process-level coupling of a prognostic WTD dynamic, which arises from equilibrium between vertical and lateral water fluxes, with oxygen transport, which controls energy yields from microbial and root oxidation–reduction reactions, and vascular and non-vascular plant water relations in an ecosystem model ecosys. Ecosys successfully simulated a May–October WTD drawdown by ~ 0.25 m measured in the fen from 2004 to 2008, which was attributed to reduced precipitation relative to evapotranspiration, and reduced lateral recharge relative to discharge. This WTD drawdown hastened oxygen transport to microbial and root surfaces, enabling greater microbial and root energy yields, and peat and litter decomposition, which raised modelled ecosystem respiration (Re) by ~ 0.26 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 per 0.1 m of WTD drawdown. It also augmented nutrient mineralization, and hence root nutrient availability and uptake, which resulted in improved leaf nutrient (nitrogen) status that facilitated carboxylation, and raised modelled vascular gross primary productivity (GPP) and plant growth. The increase in modelled vascular GPP exceeded declines in modelled non-vascular (moss) GPP due to greater shading from increased vascular plant growth, and moss drying from near surface peat desiccation, thereby causing a net increase in modelled growing season GPP by ~ 0.39 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 per 0.1 m of WTD drawdown. Similar increases in GPP and Re left no significant WTD effects on modelled seasonal and interannual variations in net ecosystem productivity (NEP). These modelled trends were corroborated against eddy covariance hourly net CO2 fluxes (modelled vs. measured: R2 ~ 0.8, slopes ~ 1 ± 0.1, intercepts ~ 0.05 μmol m−2 s−1), and against other automated chamber, biometric, and laboratory measurements. Modelled drainage as an analog for climate change showed that this boreal peatland would switch from a large carbon sink (NEP ~ 160 g C m−2 yr−1) to carbon neutrality (NEP ~ 10 g C m−2 yr−1) should water table deepened by a further ~ 0.5 m. Therefore, representing the effects of interactions among hydrology, biogeochemistry and plant physiological ecology on ecosystem carbon, water, and nutrient cycling in global carbon models would improve our predictive capacity for changes in boreal peatland carbon sequestration under changing climates.
Seasonal to interannualvariability of Chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature in the Yellow Sea using MODIS satellite datasets
Authors: Liu Chunli , Sun Qiwei , Wang Sufen , Xing Qianguo , Zhu Lixin , Liang Zhenlin
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The spatial and temporal variability of Chlorophyll-a concentration (CHL) and sea surface temperature (SST) in the Yellow Sea (YS) were examined using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, which was based on the monthly, cloud-free Data INterpolating Empirical Orthogonal Function (DINEOF) reconstruction datasets for 2003–2015. The variability and oscillation periods on an inter-annual timescale were also confirmed using the Morlet wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analyses. At a seasonal time scale, the CHL EOF1 mode was dominated by a seasonal cycle of a spring and a fall bloom, with a spatial distribution that was modified by the strong mixing of the water column of the Yellow Sea Cold Warm Mass (YSCWM) that facilitated nutrient delivery from the ocean bottom. The EOF2 mode was likely associated with a winter bloom in the southern region, where it was affected by the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) that moved from southeast to north in winter. The SST EOF1 explained 99 % of the variance in total variabilities, which was dominated by an obvious seasonal cycle (in response to net surface heat flux) that was inversely proportional to the water depth. At the inter-annual scale, the wavelet power spectrum and global power spectrum of CHL and SST showed significant similar periods of variations. The dominant periods for both spectra were 2–4 years during 2003–2015. A significant negative cross-correlation existed between CHL and SST, with the largest correlation coefficient at time lags of 4 months. The wavelet coherence further identified a negative relationship that was significant statistically between CHL and SST during 2008–2015, with periods of 1.5–3 years. These results provided insight into how CHL might vary with SST in the future.
La COP21 y el Acuerdo de París: una clase magistral en diplomacia en busca de mayor ambición
Authors: Lázaro Lara
Published: April 2017

Muchos de los elementos clave que resultaron en el Acuerdo de Copenhague han evolucionado en los últimos seis años. Una mayor evidencia científica, un mayor desarrollo en el análisis económico relativo a las consecuencias del cambio climático, los avances tecnológicos, el desarrollo del sector energético renovable y las transformaciones en la gobernanza climática han posibilitado la adopción del Acuerdo de Paris. El presente artículo analiza algunos de estos factores, los resultados de la COP21 y los retos pendientes. El artículo concluye que el éxito diplomático que culminó en el Acuerdo de París dota al mundo de un nuevo marco global en la gobernanza climática que contiene elementos valiosos en la lucha contra el cambio climático. Sin embargo, los compromisos climáticos actuales llevarán a sobrepasar en aproximadamente un grado el objetivo de limitar el aumento medio de la temperatura global a 2ºC. Es necesario aumentar el grado de ambición. Nuestros esfuerzos de implementación tienen que comenzar sin dilación si hemos de evitar las peores consecuencias del cambio climático. La tarea pendiente es hercúlea ya que resolver el problema climático requiere la profunda transformación de los sistemas productivos y de consumo.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Drought among Agro-pastoral Farmers: Opportunities and Constraints in Nakasongola District, Central Uganda
Authors: Mfitumukiza David , Barasa Bernard , Emmanuel Ntale
Published: April 2017

Understanding the context and importance of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) by agro-pastoralists is important for building climate resilient social and ecological systems amidst the changing climate. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine the EbA to drought by the smallholder farmers in Nakasongola District where a total of 100 respondents were randomly selected and subjected to interviews. To supplement on this information, a land use/cover spatial dataset of 2016 for Uganda was obtained and analysed to characterise and quantify the distribution of ecosystems utilised by the agro-pastoralists in the District. The spatial results revealed that the grassland (1524.6sq.km) and agricultural (agroecosystem) (779.1sq.km) ecosystems were the largest ecosystems followed by the forest/woodland and freshwater ecosystems in terms of coverage. The farmers perceived severe droughts to occur between December to January for the last 30 years with an average of 4 years return period. The agro and grassland ecosystems were the main contributors of drought adaptation opportunities compared to the freshwater and forest/woodland ecosystems. The direct and indirect opportunities involved goods and services such as water provision, mulching materials, food provision, fuelwood, regulation of air quality and water flow. However, the major constraints to EbA included rampant deforestation, limited knowledge on ecosystem conservation and overgrazing. Thus increasing water supplies for domestic and agricultural production is more likely increase the farmer’s adaptation to drought.
Measurement of Regional Financial Performance and Economic Growth: A Lesson from North Sumatra Province, Indonesia
Authors: Siregar Oktarini Khamilah
Published: April 2017

The research aims to provide the input to the Government of City and County in evaluating the financial performance in each region. Using the variables include the ratio of the debt to GDP, income of the original of the region and regional income, debt service ratio, the growth of spending, spending and efficiency ratio expenditure regions to GDP. Additionally, analyzing the ratio which has a strong influence on economic growth in the city of Medan, Binjai and county of Deli Serdang in ranging from 2008 to 2014. The results showed that the ratio of the debt to GDP, the ratio of debt to income of original regions, debt service ratio, debt ratio to income region, growth of expenditure ratio, expenditure ratio efficiency, expenditure regions to GDP simultaneously impact to the centre of economic growth (refer to GDP rates apply) in the Government county of Deli Serdang, Medan and Binjai in North Sumatra. Besides, the results showed the ratio of debt to GDP and debt ratio to income of the original regions partially has affected negatively to GDP (rates apply). Otherwise, debt service ratio, and ratio of regional expenditure to GDP have a positive effect on the GDP (rates apply), debt ratio to income regions, the findings result also shows that partially the growth of spending, and spending efficiency ratio have not effect on the GDP (rates apply) to entire the City Government both in county and city as well as in Deli Serdang region, North Sumatra Province. The research results also showed the Adjusted R Square of the debt ratio to GDP, the debt ratio to the Income of the original of region, debt service ratio, the debt ratio against the income regions, the growth of expenditure, expenditure ratio efficiency, expenditure regions to GDP is 68,80%, whereas 31.20% are caused by another factors such as the ratio of financial dependency of the regions, the growth of debt, the realization of revenue and expenditures and the other financial performance ratios.
Do the Israeli Provident Funds have the Ability to Time the Bond and Stock Markets? An Analysis across Alternative Investments
Authors: Arbaa Ofer , Varon Eva
Published: April 2017

This paper investigates whether Israeli fund managers possess market-timing ability across asset classes over time, using 15 years of monthly data from the Israeli provident funds.  We apply three methodologies based on return based and portfolio holdings approaches. Most of the early return-based timing methods and the most recent portfolio holdings measures suggest that U.S. mutual fund managers do not possess equity timing ability. Our study is the first to test this evidence on multi- asset class provident funds in the Israeli market and compare the timing ability of fund managers in each asset class according to different approaches. We introduce an alternative holdings method that combine the asset allocation theory with that of market timing and use "excess policy" holdings data to predict future market returns.  In addition, previous studies mostly ignore the contribution of other instruments to timing decisions, which may cause any conclusions about managers' timing decisions to be incomplete. Hence, we test equity market timing with respect to all markets using a multiple market index model in the holdings approach. In line with previous research, our empirical results indicate significantly negative market timing in domestic equities according to all the measures used. On the other hand, provident fund managers on average seem to display some timing ability for government bonds.
The Effect of Team-Based Learning on Conventional Pathology Education to Improve Students’ Mastery of Pathology
Authors: Du Bin , Yang Xuesong
Published: April 2017

In recent decades, traditional pathology education methodologies have been noticeably affected by new teaching approaches, including problem-based learning (PBL) and team-based learning (TBL). However, lack of outcome-based studies has hindered the extensive application of the TBL approach in the teaching of pathology in Chinese medical schools. In this study, a pilot TBL format on four topics in pathology was implemented in one session with medical students at Jinan University Medical School and the previous sessions of medical students were able to function as controls. The final exam scores of TBL participants were significantly higher than the scores for non-participants, indicating that the students demonstrated better academic performance at the end of the TBL class. In addition, the follow-up questionnaires revealed that the majority of the TBL participants spent more time studying and were actively and enthusiastically involved in TBL activities. The new teaching format also inspired teachers’ desire to lead discussions and administer quizzes instead of repeating rote didactics. Overall, this pilot study reveals that a combination of the TBL approach and traditional pathology theory can improve pathology education.
An Extensive Compendium on Good Practices in Secondary Education in Greece
Authors: Zacharis Konstantinos
Published: April 2017

The establishment of a competitive, meritocratic and engaging culture inside the educational system is one of thecrucial elements that will determine not only its survival but also its evolution as a vault of social progress andcultural elevation. Within this frame, mechanisms that can establish new relationships for excellence and innovationinside educational organizations are examined and therefore these can become future gnomons. A correlation of datafrom a three-year institution award records, provided by the Greek Ministry of Education, is being attempted, inorder to mine information about the specific characteristics of the eminent institutions.The gain of similar practices for the school community is doublefold: at first, it measures accurately enough, on ascientific basis, the impact and progressiveness on the community and secondly it safely sketches its future status byprojecting on the most popular and easily implemented features. In the meantime, there is a growing discussion onhow these radical changes could be assimilated by the majority of schools, if one imposes them in a top-down policyor if one awaits until they emerge from a cooperative and social responsible action of the school unit level.A new parameter in the idea of excellence is the newly established pilot-experimental schools, which operate alreadyin a completely novel institutional environment. Among the objectives of the ministry of education is to confide inthem a major role, that of “locomotives of excellence”, throughout the whole country. The idea of “excellence”,though quite old, has been severely criticized by members of the community. It is the duty of a research to assess thecontemporary role of that notion in education, defining its strengths and weaknesses.
Degree of Availability of Good Teacher Characteristics among the English Language (EL) Teachers of Basic Stage Schools from Their Principals’ Views in Tafila Governorate
Authors: Roud Atallah A , Qomoul Mohammad
Published: April 2017

The study aimed to investigate the Degree of Availability of Good Teacher Characteristics Among English Language(EL) Teachers of Basic Stage Schools from Their Principals’ views in Tafila Governorate. This could be achievedthrough answering the following questions:1-What is the degree of availability of good teacher characteristics among English Language (EL) teachers of basicstage schools from their principals’ views in Tafila Governorate?2-Are there statistically significant differences attributed to the variables of teacher’s gender, and experience?.The sample consisted of (89) male and female teachers which forms about 55% chosen randomly from thepopulation of the study.The results showed that there is a significant difference attributed to gender and no significant difference attributed toexperience or to the interaction of experience and gender. The study found some recommendations.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Statistics and Probability, Vol. 6, No. 3
Authors: Smith Wendy
Published: April 2017

International Journal of Statistics and Probability wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal is greatly appreciated.Many authors, regardless of whether International Journal of Statistics and Probability publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 3 Ali Reza Fotouhi, University of the Fraser Valley, CanadaChin-Shang Li, University of California, USADouglas Lorenz, University of Louisville, USAFarida Kachapova, The Auckland University of Technology, New ZealandFelix Almendra-Arao, UPIITA del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, MéxicoGane Samb Lo, University Gaston Berger, SenegalGerardo Febres, Universidad Simón Bolívar, VenezuelaHaiming Zhou, Northern Illinois University, USAHui Zhang, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, USAJacek Białek, University of Lodz, PolandLuiz Ricardo Nakamura, University of Sao Paulo, BrazilMarcelo Bourguignon, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, BrazilMaryam Eskandarzadeh, Persion Gulf Boshehr University, IranNahid Sanjari Farsipour, Alzahra University, IranPhilip Westgate, University of Kentucky, USARebecca Bendayan, University College London, UKSajid Ali, Bocconi University, ItalyShatrunjai Pratap Singh, John Hancock Financial Services, USAShuling Liu, Yale University, USASohair F. Higazi, University of Tanta, EgyptSubhradev Sen, Alliance University, IndiaTomás R. Cotos-Yáñez, University of Vigo, SpainVyacheslav Abramov, Swinburne University of Technology, AustraliaZaixing Li, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China  Wendy SmithOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Statistics and ProbabilityCanadian Center of Science and Education
Quantitative Analysis of Policy Transfer among China’s National Innovation Independent Demonstration Zones
Authors: Feng Feng , Li Qing
Published: April 2017

Policy transfer is a process in which different organizations learn from each other to achieve policy innovation. It is also considered as an important channel of policy issuance. In China, national independent innovation demonstration zones serve as carriers of not only technological development, but also technological policies issued by China. Along with development of these national independent innovation demonstration zones, policy exchange and cooperation has become increasingly frequent among them. This paper attempts to find out different paths for policy transfer through a textual analysis of policies among China’s national independent innovation demonstration zones. First, quantitative connotation and characteristics of policy transfer are analyzed. Then, a policy transfer quantitative evaluation index system is built based on three dimensions of policy transfer, namely intensity, breadth and speed. Following that, the quantitative evaluation index system is used to analyze policy transfer among national independent innovation demonstration zones. The paper tries to explore favorable policy categories for transfer, and learn the policy development status in these national independent innovation demonstration zones as well as the policy transfer trend from different perspectives. To sum up, this research can provide not only data support for policy innovation of China’s independent innovational demonstration zones and accelerate their in-depth cooperation in terms of policy transfer, but also a new methodological research paradigm for quantitative analysis of policy transfer among parallel organizations.
The Definition of Pharmaceutical Professional Students' Cultural Capital and Its Measure Index Construction
Authors: Huang Yan , Weng Kunling , Fang Qin , Yu Boyang
Published: April 2017

On the basis of learning form many scholars' research achievements, this paper goes into the distinctive group of pharmaceutical professional students. And combined with the requirements of job market for college students' cultural capital, this paper comprehensively analyzes pharmaceutical professional students' cultural capital meanwhile, and puts forward the definition of pharmaceutical professional students' cultural capital for the first time. Through the way of knowledge-transference, environment influence and their own practice, the pharmaceutical professional students translate the human outstanding culture achievements into their character, values and professional spirit, turning into their relatively stable inner quality and behavioral pattern in the process of pharmaceutical education. It is mainly shown as kindheartedness spirit, scientific spirit and craftsman spirit. So far, a unified standard of measuring college students' cultural capital has not formed. In this paper, through literature review and combined with the research purpose, the measurement for pharmaceutical professional students' cultural capital is finally implemented into the measurement for the main connotation of cultural capital, which is kindheartedness spirit, scientific spirit and craftsman spirit. Through the questionnaire survey data, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis are processed, and finally the measurement index system of pharmaceutical professional students' cultural capital is built, which passes the testing of validity and reliability.
Modernising English Criminal Legislation 1267-1970
Authors: McBain Graham
Published: April 2017

Modernising English Criminal Legislation 1267-1970.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Public Administration Research, Vol. 6, No. 1
Authors: Sheng Vivian
Published: April 2017

Reviewer acknowledgements for Public Administration Research, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2017.