bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sensitivity of Southern Ocean aerosols and cloud microphysics to sea spray and sulfate aerosol production in the HadGEM3-GA7.1 chemistry-climate model
Authors: Revell Laura E. , Kremser Stefanie , Hartery Sean , Harvey Mike , Mulcahy Jane P. , Williams Jonny , Morgenstern Olaf , McDonald Adrian J. , Varma Vidya , Bird Leroy , Schuddeboom Alex
Published: August 2019

Abstract. With low concentrations of tropospheric aerosol, the Southern Ocean offers a natural laboratory for studies of aerosol-cloud interactions. Aerosols over the Southern Ocean are produced from biogenic activity in the ocean, which generates sulfate aerosol via dimethylsulfide (DMS) oxidation, and from strong winds and waves that lead to bubble bursting and sea-spray emission. Here we evaluate the representation of Southern Ocean aerosols in the HadGEM3-GA7.1 chemistry-climate model. Compared with aerosol optical depth (AOD) observations from two satellite instruments (the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, MODIS-Aqua c6.1 and the Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer, MISR), the model simulates too-high AOD during winter and too-low AOD during summer. By switching off DMS emission in the model, we show that sea spray aerosol is the dominant contributor to AOD during winter. In turn, the simulated sea spray aerosol flux depends on near-surface wind speed. By examining MODIS AOD as a function of wind speed from the ERA-Interim reanalysis and comparing it with the model, we show that the sea spray aerosol source function in HadGEM3-GA7.1 overestimates the wind speed dependency. We test a recently-developed sea spray aerosol source function derived from measurements made on a Southern Ocean research voyage in 2018. In this source function the wind speed dependency of the sea spray aerosol flux is less than in the formulation currently implemented in HadGEM3-GA7.1. The new source function leads to good agreement between simulated and observed wintertime AOD over the Southern Ocean, however reveals partially compensating errors in DMS-derived AOD. While previous work has tested assumptions regarding the seawater climatology or sea-air flux of DMS, we test the sensitivity of simulated AOD, cloud condensation nuclei and cloud droplet number concentration to three atmospheric sulfate chemistry schemes. The first scheme adds DMS oxidation by halogens and the other two test a recently-developed sulfate chemistry scheme for the marine troposphere; one tests gas-phase chemistry only while the second adds extra aqueous-phase sulfate reactions. We show how simulated sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid profiles over the Southern Ocean change as a result, and how the number concentration and particle size of the soluble Aitken, accumulation and coarse aerosol modes are affected. The new DMS chemistry scheme leads to a 20 % increase in the number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei and cloud droplets, which improves agreement with observations. Our results highlight the importance of atmospheric chemistry for simulating aerosols and clouds accurately over the Southern Ocean.
Biomass-burning derived particles from a wide variety of
fuels: Part 1: Properties of primary particles
Authors: McClure Crystal D. , Lim Christopher Y. , Hagan David H. , Kroll Jesse H. , Cappa Christopher D.
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Relationships between various optical, physical, and chemical properties of biomass combustion derived particles are characterized for particles produced from a wide range of fuels and burn conditions. The modified combustion efficiency (MCE), commonly used to parameterize biomass particle emissions and properties, is shown to generally have weak predictive capabilities, especially for more efficient combustion conditions. There is, however, a strong relationship between many intensive optical properties (e.g. single scatter albedo, Ångstrom absorption exponent, mass absorption efficiency) and the organic aerosol-to-black carbon ([OA] / [BC]) mass ratio over a wider range than previously considered (0.3 to 105). The properties of brown carbon (BrC, i.e. light absorbing organic carbon) also vary with [OA] / [BC]. The contribution of coating-induced enhancements (i.e. lensing effects) to absorption by black carbon are shown to be negligible for all conditions. The BC-OA mixing state varies strongly with [OA] / [BC]; the fraction of OA that is internally mixed with BC decreases with [OA] / [BC] while the relative amount of OA coated on BC increases. In contrast, there is little relationship between many OA bulk chemical properties and [OA] / [BC], with the O : C and H : C atomic ratios and the relative abundance of a key marker ion (m/z = 60, linked to levoglucosan) all showing no dependence on [OA] / [BC]. In contrast, both the organic nitrate fraction of OA and the OA volatility do depend on the [OA] / [BC]. Neither the total particle or BC-specific size distributions exhibit any clear dependence on the burn conditions or [OA] / [BC], although there is perhaps a dependence on fuel type. Overall, our results expand on existing knowledge to contribute new understanding of the properties of particles emitted from biomass combustion.
Harmonization and comparison of vertically resolved atmospheric state observations: methods, effects, and uncertainty budget
Authors: Keppens Arno , Compernolle Steven , Verhoelst Tijl , Hubert Daan , Lambert Jean-Christopher
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Many applications of atmospheric composition and climate data involve the comparison or combination of vertically resolved atmospheric state variables. Calculating differences and combining data require harmonization of data representations in terms of physical quantities and vertical sampling at least. If one or both datasets result from a retrieval process, knowledge of prior information and averaging kernel matrices in principle allows retrieval differences to be accounted for as well. Spatiotemporal mismatch of the sensed air masses and its contribution to the data discrepancies can be estimated with chemistry transport modeling support. In this work an overview of harmonization or matching operations for atmospheric profile observations is provided. The effect of these manipulations on the information content of the original data and on the uncertainty budget of data comparisons is examined and discussed.
Constraining the Accuracy of Flux Estimates Using OTM 33A
Authors: Edie Rachel , Robertson Anna M. , Field Robert A. , Soltis Jeffrey , Snare Dustin A. , Zimmerle Daniel , Bell Clay S. , Vaughn Timothy L. , Murphy Shane M.
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Other Test Method 33A (OTM 33A) is a near-source flux measurement method developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primarily used to locate and estimate emission fluxes of methane from oil and gas (O&G) production facilities without requiring site access. A recent nation-wide estimate of methane emissions from O&G production included a large number of flux measurements of upstream O&G facilities made using OTM 33A and concluded the EPA National Emission Inventory underestimates this sector by a factor of ~ 2.1 (Alvarez et al., 2018). The study presented here investigates the accuracy of OTM 33A through a series of test releases performed at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC), a facility designed to allow quantified amounts of natural gas to be released from decommissioned O&G equipment to simulate emissions from real facilities (Fig. 1). This study includes test releases from single and multiple points, from equipment locations at different heights, and spanned methane release rates ranging from 0.16 to 2.15 kg h-1. Approximately 95 % of individual measurements (N = 45) fell within ±70 % of the known release rate. A simple linear regression of OTM 33A versus known release rates at the METEC site gives an average slope of 0.96 with 95 % CI (0.66,1.28), suggesting that an ensemble of OTM 33A measurements may have a small but statistically insignificant low bias.
Modelling ice sheet evolution and atmospheric CO2 during the Late Pliocene
Authors: Berends Constantijn J. , de Boer Bas , Dolan Aisling M. , Hill Daniel J. , van de Wal Roderik S. W.
Published: August 2019

Abstract. In order to investigate the relation between ice sheets
and climate in a warmer-than-present world, recent research has focussed on
the Late Pliocene, 3.6 to 2.58 million years ago. It is the most recent
period in Earth's history when such a warm climate state existed for a
significant duration of time. Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) M2 (∼3.3 Myr ago) is a strong positive excursion in benthic oxygen records in the
middle of the otherwise warm and relatively stable Late Pliocene. However,
the relative contributions to the benthic δ18O signal from
deep ocean cooling and growing ice sheets are still uncertain. Here, we
present results from simulations of the Late Pliocene with a hybrid
ice-sheet–climate model, showing a reconstruction of ice sheet geometry,
sea level and atmospheric CO2. Initial experiments simulating the last
four glacial cycles indicate that this model yields results which are in
good agreement with proxy records in terms of global mean sea level, benthic
oxygen isotope abundance, ice-core-derived surface temperature and
atmospheric CO2 concentration. For the Late Pliocene, our results show
an atmospheric CO2 concentration during MIS M2 of 233–249 ppmv and
a drop in global mean sea level of 10 to 25 m. Uncertainties are larger
during the warmer periods leading up to and following MIS M2. CO2
concentrations during the warm intervals in the Pliocene, with sea-level
high stands of 8–14 m above the present day, varied between 320 and 400 ppmv,
lower than indicated by some proxy records but in line with earlier model
reconstructions.
Blieschow on Jasmund – geomorphology and glacigenic landforms: keys to understanding the deformation chronology of Jasmund
Authors: Gehrmann Anna , Harding Chris
Published: August 2019

Abstract. The late Weichselian glacitectonic framework of the
Jasmund peninsula forms surface expressions of subparallel ridges and
elongated valleys in between. Geomorphological mapping and landform analyses
based on lidar-derived digital elevation models (DEMs) give rise to a revised
genetic model for Jasmund, including three evolutional stages that are
characterised by different ice flow patterns.
Late Glacial to Holocene dune development at southern Krakower See
Authors: Lorenz Sebastian , Rother Henrik , Kenzler Michael , Kaphengst Sara
Published: August 2019

Abstract. The site at the southern shore of Krakower See shows the Quaternary geology of the surrounding area. The local Quaternary sequence comprises a thickness of 50–100 m of Quaternary deposits while the surface morphology is dominated by the ice marginal position of the Pomeranian moraine, which passes through the area. The bathymetry of the lake basin of Krakower See indicates a predominant genesis by glaciofluvial erosion in combination with glacial exaration. Past research in this area has focussed on the reconstruction of Pleniglacial to Holocene environmental changes, including lake-level fluctuations, aeolian dynamics, and pedological processes and their modification by anthropogenic land use.
Impacts of future agricultural change on ecosystem service indicators
Authors: Rabin Sam S. , Alexander Peter , Henry Roslyn , Anthoni Peter , Pugh Thomas A. M. , Rounsevell Mark , Arneth Almut
Published: August 2019

Abstract. A future of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, changing climate, growing human populations, and shifting socioeconomic conditions means that the global agricultural system will need to adapt in order to feed the world. These changes will affect not only agricultural land, but terrestrial ecosystems in general. Here, we use the coupled land use and vegetation model LandSyMM to quantify future land use change and resulting impacts on ecosystem service indicators including carbon sequestration, runoff, and nitrogen pollution. We additionally hold certain variables, such as climate or land use, constant to assess the relative contribution of different drivers to the projected impacts. While indicators of some ecosystem services (e.g., flood and drought risk) see trends that are mostly dominated by the direct effects of climate change, others (e.g., carbon sequestration) depend critically on land use and management. Scenarios in which climate change mitigation is more difficult (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 3 and 5) have the strongest impacts on ecosystem service indicators, such as a loss of 13–19 % of land in biodiversity hotspots and a 28 % increase in nitrogen pollution. Evaluating a suite of ecosystem service indicators across scenarios enables the identification of tradeoffs and co-benefits associated with different climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and socioeconomic developments.
Seismic risk: the biases of earthquake media coverage
Authors: Devès Maud H. , Le Texier Marion , Pécout Hugues , Grasland Claude
Published: August 2019

Abstract. The capacity of individuals to cope with threatening situations depends
directly on their capacity to anticipate what will come next. The media
should play a key role in that respect, but an extensive analysis of
earthquake media coverage by the international news reveals systematic
biases. Exploring a corpus of 320 888 news articles published by 32
worldwide newspapers in 2015 in English, Spanish or French, we found that
the press covers a very small number of events: 71 % of the news about
seismic events was dedicated to only 3 earthquakes (among the 1559
magnitude 5+ events). A combination of frequency and content analysis reveals a
typical framing of the “earthquake news”. Except for the “Nepal quake”, the
duration of the coverage is usually very short. Thus, the news tends to focus
on short-term issues: the event magnitude, tsunami alerts, human losses,
material damage and rescue operations. Longer-term issues linked to the
recovery, restoration, reconstruction, mitigation and prevention are barely
addressed. Preventive safety measures are almost never mentioned. The news
on impacts shows a peculiar appetency for death counts, material damage
estimates and sensationalism. News on the response tends to emphasize the
role played by the international community in helping the “poor and
vulnerable”. The scientific content of the coverage is often restricted to
mentions of the magnitude, with the concept of the seismic intensity being
largely ignored. The notion of the “seismic crisis” also seems unclear, with
aftershocks sometimes being treated as isolated events. Secondary hazards
are barely mentioned, except in the case of tsunami alerts. Together, these
biases contribute to fatalistic judgments that damage cannot be prevented.
If scientific messages are to be communicated, they should be broadcast a
few hours after an event. Why not take the opportunity to familiarize
people with the real timeline of seismic disasters?
Widespread Decline in Terrestrial Water Storage and Its Link to
Teleconnections across Asia and Eastern Europe
Authors: Liu Xianfeng , Feng Xiaoming , Ciais Philippe , Fu Bojie
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Recent global changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) and associated freshwater availability raise major concerns over the sustainability of global water resources. However, our knowledge regarding the long-term trend in TWS and its components is still not well documented. In this work, we characterize the spatiotemporal variations in TWS and its components over the Asian and Eastern European regions during the period of April 2002 to June 2017 using multiple sources of data, including Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite observations, land surface model simulations and precipitation observations. The connections of TWS and global major teleconnections (TCs) are also discussed. The results indicate a widespread decline in TWS during 2002–2017, and five hotspots of TWS negative trends were identified with trends between −8.94 mm yr−1 and −21.79 mm yr−1. TWS partitioning suggests that these negative trends are primarily attributed to the intensive overextraction of groundwater and warm-induced surface water loss, but the contributions of each hydrological component vary among hotspots. The results also indicate that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation are the three largest, dominant factors controlling the variations in TWS through the covariability effect on climate variables. However, seasonal results suggest a divergent response of hydrological components to TCs among seasons and hotspots. Our findings provide insights into changes in TWS and its components over the Asian and Eastern European regions, where there is a growing demand for food grains and water supplies.
Impact of revegetation of the Loess Plateau of China on the regional growing season water balance
Authors: Ge Jun , Pitman Andrew J. , Guo Weidong , Zan Beilei , Fu Congbin
Published: August 2019

Abstract. To resolve a series of ecological and environmental problems over the Loess Plateau, the Grain for Green Program (GFGP) was initiated at the end of 1990s. Following the conversion of croplands and bare land on hillslopes to forests, the Loess Plateau has displayed a significant greening trend with soil erosion being reduced. However, the GFGP has also affected the hydrology of the Loess Plateau which has raised questions whether the GFGP should be continued in the future. We investigated the impact of revegetation on the hydrology of the Loess Plateau using high resolution simulations and multiple realisations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Results suggests that land cover change since the launch of the GFGP has reduced runoff and soil moisture due to enhanced evapotranspiration. Further revegetation associated with the GFGP policy is likely to increase evapotranspiration further, and thereby reduce runoff and soil moisture. The increase in evapotranspiration is associated with biophysical changes, including deeper roots that deplete deep soil moisture stores. However, despite the increase in evapotranspiration our results show no impact on rainfall. Our study cautions against further revegetation over the Loess Plateau given the reduction in water available for agriculture and human settlements, without any significant compensation from rainfall.
Three-dimensional inverse modeling of EM-LIN data for the exploration of coastal sinkholes in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Authors: Perez-Flores Marco A. , Ochoa-Tinajero Luis E. , Villela y Mendoza Almendra
Published: August 2019

Abstract. In the Yucatán Peninsula (YP), southern Mexico, cities and towns
are settled on a platform of calcareous sedimentary sequence, where karst
processes have formed numerous sinkholes, underground water conduits, and
caverns. Anthropogenic activities there threaten the only source of
freshwater supply, which is in a regional unconfined aquifer; there are no
lakes or rivers on the surface. For the sustainable management of this
resource in the YP, mathematical tools are needed in order to model
groundwater. To determine the geometry of the aquifer, for example the
positions of caves, sinkholes, and underground principal conduits, we
modified a software to invert three-dimensional electromagnetic
low-induction number (3-D EM-LIN) data for a set of profiles at arbitrary
angles. In this study we used the EM-LIN geophysical method to explore the
Chac-Mool sinkhole system in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. We performed
inverse modeling in 3-D using the EM-34 instrument for vertical and
horizontal magnetic dipoles. The 3-D inversion process yields models that
enable us to correlate the path of the underground principal conduits with
the subsurface electrical resistivity. In this work we show that inverse
modeling of EM-LIN data can give us information about how close to surface the underground water conduits and the location of the boundary between
fresh and salty water are.
How size and trigger matter: analyzing rainfall- and earthquake-triggered landslide inventories and their causal relation in the Koshi River basin, central Himalaya
Authors: Zhang Jianqiang , van Westen Cees J. , Tanyas Hakan , Mavrouli Olga , Ge Yonggang , Bajrachary Samjwal , Gurung Deo Raj , Dhital Megh Raj , Khanal Narendral Raj
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Inventories of landslides caused by different triggering
mechanisms, such as earthquakes, extreme rainfall events or anthropogenic
activities, may show different characteristics in terms of distribution,
contributing factors and frequency–area relationships. The aim of this
research is to study such differences in landslide inventories and the
effect they have on landslide susceptibility assessment. The study area is
the watershed of the transboundary Koshi River in the central Himalaya, shared
by China, Nepal and India. Detailed landslide inventories were generated
based on visual interpretation of remote-sensing images and field
investigation for different time periods and triggering mechanisms. Maps and
images from the period 1992 to 2015 were used to map 5858
rainfall-triggered landslides, and after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, an
additional 14 127 coseismic landslides were mapped. A set of topographic,
geological and land cover factors were employed to analyze their correlation
with different types and sizes of landslides. The frequency–area
distributions of rainfall- and earthquake-triggered landslides (ETLs) have a similar cutoff value and power-law exponent, although the ETLs might have a larger
frequency of a smaller one. In addition, topographic factors varied considerably for
the two triggering events, with both altitude and slope angle showing
significantly different patterns for rainfall-triggered and
earthquake-triggered landslides. Landslides were classified into two size
groups, in combination with the main triggering mechanism (rainfall- or
earthquake-triggered). Susceptibility maps for different combinations of
landslide size and triggering mechanism were generated using logistic
regression analysis. The different triggers and sizes of landslide data were
used to validate the models. The results showed that susceptible areas for
small- and large-size rainfall- and earthquake-triggered landslides differed
substantially.
Eemian Greenland ice sheet simulated with a higher-order model shows strong sensitivity to surface mass balance forcing
Authors: Plach Andreas , Nisancioglu Kerim H. , Langebroek Petra M. , Born Andreas , Le clec'h Sébastien
Published: August 2019

Abstract. The Greenland ice sheet contributes increasingly to global sea level
rise. Its history during past warm intervals is a valuable reference
for future sea level projections. We present ice sheet simulations for
the Eemian interglacial period (∼130 000 to 115 000 years ago), a period with warmer-than-present summer climate over Greenland. The evolution of the Eemian Greenland ice sheet is simulated with a 3-D higher-order ice sheet model, forced with a surface mass balance derived from regional climate simulations. Sensitivity experiments with various surface mass balances, basal friction, and ice flow approximations are discussed. The surface mass balance forcing is identified as the
controlling factor setting the minimum in Eemian ice volume, emphasizing the importance of a reliable surface mass balance model. Furthermore, the results indicate that the surface mass balance forcing is more important than the representation of ice flow for simulating the large-scale ice sheet evolution. This implies that modeling of the future contribution of the Greenland ice sheet to sea level rise highly depends on an accurate surface mass balance.
Conflict Resolution Towards a Sustainable Peace: A Lesson from The Indonesian Military Ordinariate
Authors: Wuli Rofinus Neto , Luddin Muchlis R , Suyatno Thomas
Published: August 2019

The diversity of tribes, religions, races, groups, and cultural expressions in various dimensions make Indonesia one of the most vibrant cultures in the world. However, it cannot be denied, that diversity has the potential to trigger social conflicts that can threaten the unity and unity of the nation and state and disrupt a safe and peaceful shared life. The long history of the Indonesian journey proves that social conflicts often occur due to the differences in ethnic groups, religious, racial background, and inter-group (SARA). Therefore, conflict resolution efforts are a necessity for Indonesia to realize a safe and peaceful shared life. This study was aimed to study the conflict resolution based on the history of the Indonesian Military Ordinariate in mitigating and resolving conflict. In general, there are two approaches to conflict resolution, namely intervention in security or stability and humanitarian intervention. Security interventions (stability) usually use military power to resolve conflicts, whereas humanitarian intervention integrates the strength of culture and local wisdom as a basis for resolving conflicts. Humanitarian intervention in resolving conflicts usually results in sustainable, peaceful reconciliation. A peace that occurs between the parties to the conflict is not due to compulsion under military pressure or State power but is born from the awareness of the parties to create mutually reconciling society.
Raising the Key Issues Facing Resettlement Practice in Development Induced Displacement: Evidences From Households Displaced by Railway Construction in Dukem, Ethiopia
Authors: Suyum Bikila Ayele
Published: August 2019

Development projects are often resulted in massive displacement and resettlement of people. Despite the gradual improvement in resettlement practices and results, the impoverishments caused by development projects’ displacement and resettlement are still widely observed in many developing countries. This study is intended to investigate the key issues facing resettlement practices based on experiences from households displaced by railway corridor construction in Dukem area, central Ethiopia. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and archival file reviews. The study has revealed that policy, legal and practical factors were constraining effective resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced households. The study indicates that the existing Ethiopian policy and legal frameworks on resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced people in the context of development projects were not effectively implemented in the study population context. The practice of valuation, compensation and expropriation were not fair and satisfactory mainly due to lack of objective criteria of evaluation, lack of technically competent valuation experts and widespread corruption in valuation and compensation of properties. The existing policy and legal frameworks on resettlement and rehabilitation of evicted people also lacks a clear statement on the livelihood rehabilitation of displaced households. The current compensation practice is monetary-based, inadequate, delayed and the rehabilitation approach lacks special consideration for vulnerable groups. Therefore, the researcher recommends the need for devising policy, legal and institutional frameworks which have clear provisions on how to deal with the multifaceted problems of displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation. Additionally, ensuring effective reform to the structures of implementing agents of resettlement is very important.
The Motivating Factors of Second Language Acquisition for Young Learners
Authors: Shamsi Ahmad Fawzi
Published: August 2019

Motivation plays a very effective role in teaching foreign languages. It has been suggested that the use of motivation can help in facilitating learning English. This study investigated the motivating factors for young learners in North Cyprus. The researcher aimed to find out the most motivating factor(s) for learning English for grade five pupils at a primary school in North Cyprus. The results show that there are many motivating factors that positively affect the learners’ attitudes towards learning English as a foreign language. Learners are motivated with many different factors: intrinsically, extrinsically, instrumentally, or integratively.
Thoracoacromial artery bleeding manifests as an enlarging chest mass: A rare case report
Authors: Lin Tsung-Han , Huang Tien-Chi , Lee Wen-Hsien , Chu Chun-Yuan , Su Ho-Ming , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Hsu Po-Chao
Published: August 2019

Thoracoacromial artery perforation is a rare complication after coronary angiography. Herein, we reported a 70-year-old male previous post coronary artery bypass surgery being admitted for chest discomfort. Coronary angiography from radial artery approach showed all patent bypassed grafts and the patient was sent back to the ordinary ward. However, enlarging mass over left chest wall as woman’s breast was noted suddenly and we immediately used sandbag and elastic adhesive tape to compress the mass. Emergent chest computed tomography showed a large hematoma at the left chest wall with active bleeding from pectoral branch of thoracoacromial artery. However, left chest wall mass gradually subsided after compression strategy. This patient reminds physicians thoracoacromial artery perforation manifesting as chest wall mass is a rare but possible complication after coronary angiography.
Impact of Capital Structure on Firm’s Performance: Focusing on Non-financial Listed Egyptian Firms
Authors: Sakr Ahmed , Bedeir Amina
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of capital structure decisions on the performance of the firm. The investigation has been performed using a data of 62 listed non-financial Egyptian firms over a period of fourteen years from 2003-2016. This study used two measures for performance the dependent variable which are ROA and ROE, the most common used measures agreed upon on the majority of previous studies. Whereas, for the independent variable “the capital structure, the study uses the three measures of capital structure which are total debt to total assets (TD), total short-term debt to total assets (STD), and total long-term debt to total assets (LTD). The results showed when using ROA as a measure of performance, a significant negative impact of capital structure (TD, STD, and LTD) exists; while in case of using ROE as a measure of performance, there’s a significant negative impact of capital structure only when using STD, otherwise a positive significant impact of capital structure exist.
Examining attitudes toward and ability to interact with an online personal health record: A case study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Mifgai Bandar Faisal , Sharit Joseph , Onar-Thomas Arzu , Asfour Shihab
Published: August 2019

Objective: This study examined the ability for adults from a developing country to use a personal health record (PHR) to perform health-management tasks. The effects of gender differences as well as differences in attitudes about using the internet to manage health prior to and after exposure to the PHR were also investigated.Methods: A simulation of a PHR based on a well-established U.S. online patient portal was designed and tailored for this particular study population. Two hundred and three adults with a mean age of 40.9 years were recruited from various areas in Saudi Arabia and asked to perform seven common health-management tasks of varying degrees of difficulty. Their electronic health literacy and health numeracy, as well as their attitudes about using online health systems for managing their health prior to and following their interaction with the PHR, were assessed using questionnaires.Results: After controlling for education, perceived health status, and comfort using the internet, electronic health literacy and health numeracy were still found to be significant predictors of participants’ task performance, but only for the more challenging health-management tasks. No important differences based on gender were found. Exposure to the PHR significantly increased the acceptability of using the internet for managing their health.Conclusions: The change in attitudes following interaction with the PHR suggests that many adults in this society could benefit from these electronic health systems, including females who, due to cultural considerations, may desire greater control in managing their health. However, the importance of electronic health literacy and health numeracy suggests the need for designs that minimize the impact of these factors for successful performance of health-management tasks.
Physical Education Teachers’ Using of Teaching Styles Levels and Their Perceptions Towards Styles in Public and Private Schools in Turkey
Authors: Yıldız Mehtap , Karakullukçu Ömür Fatih
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this research is to determine the using of teaching styles of physical education teachers in public andprivate schools in Turkey and related to these styles to find out the value perceptions. The research was performedout with survey model. The research group consisted of simple random sampling method based on the probabilitysampling methods 2017-2018 Academic Year in Turkey in Kayseri province 109 of them work at public schools and47 of them work at private schools and totally 156 physical education teachers. As the data collection tool the“Physical Education Teachers Use of Teaching Styles and Perceptions of Styles Questionnaire”, developed byKulinna and Cothran (2003) and adapted to Turkish by Ince and Hunuk (2010), was used in the research. In theanalysis of the data the Arithmetic mean, standard deviation, independent t-test and variance analysis tests were usedfor repeated measurements. The meaningfulness level was adopted as α=0.05. As a result of the research, it wasdetermined that physical education teachers in public and private schools use teaching centered teaching styles.
Father Involvement in Education Predicates the Mental Health Status of Chinese Primary School Students
Authors: Zhang Junhua , Wang Siyuan , Lu Yuan
Published: August 2019

Previous studies have shown that quality and the quantity of father involvement in education play an important rolein children’s development. The influence of father involvement in education on Chinese children's mental healthstatus still needs further study. To understand the present situation of father involvement in education and its impacton children's mental health, this study will concentrate on the impact of father involvement on the mental healthstatus of primary school students, This study surveyed 1669 primary school students in Yancheng, China. It waspointed out that 45.1% of fathers were not active in children's education, and 25.8% of fathers have not beensufficient time to accompany their children. Children's sex and grade were not associated with father involvement ineducation, which was linked to their father's occupation and education level. Father involvement dramaticallyaffected primary school students' sensitive tendency and impulsive tendency. Father involvement can make childrenmore optimistic and less focus on trifles and suspicious. More father involvement in education leads to better mentalhealth status. These results suggest the importance of increasing father involvement in education in promoting mentalhealth status in primary school students.
Seedlings of cassava varieties are responsive to organic fertilization
Authors: Jala Inácio Mucutai , Silva Caeline Castor da , Sampaio Filho Juraci Souza , Oliveira Eder Jorge , Nóbrega Rafaela Simão Abrahão
Published: August 2019

In Brazil, there is already a recommendation for the production of cassava seed-cuttings for the production of seedlings originated from micropropagation, which may be extended for the production of seedlings obtained from cuttings from healthy plant stems, in order to avoid the spread of diseases. Therefore, it is essential to establish adequate cultivation substrates of easy acquisition which may stimulate the growth of seedlings, both to reduce the nursery period, as well as the seedling’s production costs. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers made from bovine and goat manures, and tree pruning residues, to produce seedlings of three cassava varieties. The plots were set in a completely randomized design, with six replicates. The treatments consisted of three cassava genotypes (BRS Formosa, BRS Tapioqueira and BRS Kiriris) and five proportions of organic fertilizer: soil (0: 100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40 and 80:20). The evaluations were performed 30 and 45 days after planting (DAP). There were isolated effects for shoot dry mass, total dry mass, leaf area and number of leaves. Interactions were verified for root length, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll index, root dry mass and shoot dry mas/root dry mass ratio 45 DAP. The organic fertilizer stimulated the initial growth of cassava seedlings in the three varieties studied in the proportion of 50% of organic fertilizer and 50% of Latosol. Varieties BRS Formosa and BRS Kiriris showed the highest Dickson Quality Scores. Genotypes reacted efficiently to organic fertilization and can be propagated on these easily acquisition cultivation substrates.
Collard green yield and nutritional quality with mineral and organic fertilization
Authors: Steiner Fábio , Zuffo Alan Mario , Echer Márcia de Moraes , Guimarães Vandeir Francisco
Published: August 2019

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on collard green yield, and to assess the macro and micronutrient and heavy metal concentrations of its leaves to assess the potential hazards of manure use. Collard plants (Brassica oleracea var. acephala, cv. couve-manteiga) were grown in 4-L pots filled with a clay soil under greenhouse conditions. The experimental design used was completely randomized design and the treatments in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement: three N sources (pig slurry, poultry manure, and urea) and four N rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg kg-1), with four replicates. Collard greens leaves were harvested 70 days after seedling plantings. The manure application (pig slurry or poultry manure) resulted in collard yield equivalent to the application of mineral fertilizer. However, the pig slurry application resulted in an increase of leaf Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations. Nitrogen application rates up to 300 mg N kg-1 result in the higher yield and nutritional quality of collard leaves. The application of high rates of manure, especially pig slurry, results in the increase of heavy metal (Cd, Cr, and Pb) concentrations. However, the maximum concentrations of 0.042 mg kg-1 Cd, 0.034 mg kg-1 Cr and 0.030 mg kg-1 Pb are well lower than maximum daily intake limit established by the Brazilian legislation, indicating that the consumption of collards from organic production systems with the manure application can be considered safe and without risk to human health.
NPK application in yellow pitaya seedlings grown on sand and organic compost
Authors: Fratoni Mônica Mariana Jorge , Silva Kenneth Roger Rodrigues da , Moreira Adônis
Published: August 2019

Brazil is considered one of the largest fruit producers in the world and one of the fruit groups that has stood out is that of exotic ones, such as the yellow pitaya (Hylocereus megalanthus); however, there are only incipient studies related to this crop. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of an NPK fertilizer formulation (N-P2O5-K2O: 8-20-20) on yellow pitaya grown in greenhouse conditions, using as substrate sand and organic compost (3:2). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of the following rates of the NPK fertilizer: 0, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 g per pot. The parameters evaluated were the rooting rate, height, diameter, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and nutrient content in cladodes. Although the application of 300 g per pot resulted in higher concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, and Zn, the sole use of the organic fertilizer (compost) mixed with sand was enough for adequate FW and DW yield of cladodes.
Mobility of Pratylenchus coffeae in segmented soil columns submitted to water flows and plant stimuli
Authors: Barros Bruno Eduardo Alves , Pedrosa Elvira Maria Regis , Silva Ênio  Farias de França , Rolim Mario Monteiro , Barros Patrícia Ângelo de
Published: August 2019

The root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus spp. causes a high-severity disease, promoting high economic losses in various crops of agricultural importance. The nematode control is difficult, especially after introduction into the area. Studies on the migration of this parasite in the soil are scarce. However, understanding nematode behavior in the soil is fundamental to increase the efficiency of management practices, especially in irrigated agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of water flow and plant stimulus on Pratylenchus coffeae mobility in segmented soil columns. The columns were segmented into 11 rings of 1 cm long filled with washed sand, one of the ends exposed to a bait, and submitted to flows of 0, 3, 7 cm3/min of water. Baits for nematode attraction and repelling consisted of sectioned tubers of yam (Dioscorea cayennensis) and cut leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), respectively, and the absence of baits as the control. Nematodes were injected into the central segment of the column, and migration and presence in water leaching were determined five days after soil infestation. Mobility of P. coffeae varied with water flow and bait type. In the absence of water flow, nematodes migrated in the opposite direction to the neem baits, but migration was well distributed in the presence of yam baits, with specimens present in all column segments. The nematode had significantly higher resistance to water flow of 3 cm3/min in the presence of yam baits. No nematodes were found in the water leached at flows of 3 and 7 cm3/min in the absence of bait. Key words: Azadirachta indica. Dioscorea cayennensis. Lesion nematode. Soil dispersion.
Exploring the role of zinc fertilization methods for agronomic bio-fortification and its impact on phenology, growth and yield characteristics of maize
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Faran , Ali Amjed , Waheed Hasnain , Safdar Muhammad Ehsan , Javaid Muhammad Mansoor , Hayyat Muhammad Sikander , Raza Ali , Farooq Naila , Ali Hafiz Haider
Published: August 2019

Zinc (Zn) is a key mineral nutrient for plant and human growth and its deficiency can reduce the plant growth and development, however; agronomic bio-fortification can cure plant and human Zn deficiency. By using different Zn fertilization approaches, this study investigated the role and its impact on phenology, growth and yield of maize during two growing seasons 2015 and 2016. The treatments comprised of: no Zn application (ZnC0), basal application of 10 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnB1), basal application of 15 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnB2), foliar application of 1% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnF3), foliar application of 1.5% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnF4) applied to two hybrids of maize (YSM-112 and DK-6525). The maize hybrid DK-6525 showed superiority in term of growth and yield than YSM-112. The ZnF4 brings early emergence, tasseling and silking that resulted in early crop maturity. However, ZnB2 improved crop growth rate, grain yield and Zn concentration in maize grain by 44, 11.39 and 33.24%, respectively than ZnC0 (control). Regression model indicated that each 1 g increment in 1000-grain weight improved the grain yield by 0.01 and 0.16 t ha-1 of YSM-112 and DK-6525, respectively. Conclusively, it is concluded that DK-6525 with ZnB2 is suitable for optimal growth and yield of maize and would also be helpful to optimize the yield and Zn concentration of maize.
A retrospective study of dogs with vertebral lytic lesions diagnosed tomografically: 28 cases (2012-2017)
Authors: Mendes Gabriela Ribas , Bach Fernando Swiech , Garcia Luiz Fernando Cardoso , Weber Saulo Henrique , Villanova Junior José Ademar
Published: August 2019

Lytic vertebral lesions cause significant pain and variable neurological deficits can cause sensory, motor and proprioceptive loss, and are causes of bones lysis such as discospondylitis, vertebral tumors, bone cysts and osteomyelitis. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vertebral lytic lesions in the canine population, from computed tomographic (CT) image analyses. A retrospective study, based on the descriptive findings from simple and contrast enhanced CT scans of dogs, between the years 2012 to 2017, was performed. The study consisted of the sequential analysis of 371 reports to identify vertebral lytic lesions, in areas with osteopenia and hypoattenuation, based on Hounsfield Unit scores. The Fisher’s exact test and descriptive statistics were used for statistical analyses. Twenty-eight cases (7.54%) of vertebral lytic lesion were observed; 46.42% of these had characteristics of discospondylitis, with a prevalence in males, in the cranial and caudal ends of the vertebrae. Vertebral tumors were identified in 37.71% of the cases, with a higher incidence in defined medium sized breeds, with unifocal lesions in the vertebral body. Single lesion bone cysts were observed in 10.71% of cases and osteomyelitis in 7.14% of cases. A significant association between the number of vertebrae and degree of impairment (unifocal or multifocal) was observed. CT imaging has become a useful tool for evaluating the architecture and vertebral bone density. This study provides perspectives for the analysis of vertebral lytic lesions. In addition to showing the prevalence of lytic lesions, this study emphasizes the importance of using advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, such as CT imaging, for observing and identifying such lesions, thus directing further examinations such as bone biopsy, culture, and antibiogram or histopathology. It can be concluded that lytic lesions have a considerable incidence, impair the architecture of the vertebra and CT imaging is an effective tool for diagnosing them. Prevalence was observed in male dogs, neutered, with defined breed, of medium size, with unifocal lesion and lytic lesions associated with the discspondylitis.
Evaluation of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs using an observational questionnaire
Authors: Krug Fernanda Dagmar Martins , Tillmann Mariana Teixeira , Piñeiro Martha Bravo Cruz , Capellas Sabrina de Oliveira , Costa Aurélio Luciano , Bruhn Fabio Raphael Pascoti , Nobre Marcia de Oliveira
Published: August 2019

The life expectancy of dogs has increased in recent years, mainly due to intensified care by owners, through health care, nutrition, and wellness. Currently, we have a large population of elderly dogs and consequently, the development of age-related conditions, such as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Thus, we aimed to identify signs compatible with canine CDS (CDS) in dogs, through investigation of daily behavioral changes. We collected data from review, interaction with other animals, and the behavior of dogs. An observational questionnaire was used to evaluate behavioral changes. The responses generated a summation of points for the classification of dogs with and without signs compatible with CCDS. We also evaluated the interference of behavioral changes in the cohabitation of the owner with his dog. Of the 178 dogs studied, 40 (22.4%) had signs compatible with CCDS, especially those aged ? 10 years (31.4%). There were no statistical correlations with variables of sex, reproductive status, size, and race. Statistical differences were observed regarding the frequency of behavioral changes between dogs with and without CCDS in relation to disorientation, activity, sleep/wake cycle, house/soil, and socioenvironmental interaction. The owners considered that dogs with CCDS alter their daily routine and were favorable to initiating treatment, although with reduced compliance for life-long medication. We conclude that dogs older than 10 years have signs compatible with CCDS regardless of race, sex, reproductive status, and size. They present changes mainly in behavior related to activity, socioenvironmental interaction, sleep/wake cycle, and house soil and, less frequently, the manifestation of disorientation.