bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Project Management Methodologies on Project Performance
Authors: Rozenes Shai
Published: December 2012

The project management domain includes many well-defined methodologies such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBoK (Project Management Institute, 2008). On the other hand, project failures rate is quite high (Woolridge, Hale, Hale, & Sharpe, 2009). An interesting question is: Does using these methods improve project performances? This paper reports on a study that was performed to investigate the added value of using a project management methodology versus an intuitive managing approach. The results indicate that the project performances improved by using a systematic approach.
A Single-Objective Recovery Phase Model
Authors: Mehlhorn Sandy , Racer Michael , Ivey Stephanie , Lipinski Martin
Published: December 2012

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified the four phases of disaster related planning as mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery. The recovery phase is characterized by activity to return life to normal or improved levels. Very little research considers the recovery phase, which encompasses restoring services and rebuilding disaster stricken areas of the highway transportation network. Existing recovery phase models deal primarily with travel times and do not focus on specific routes for reconstruction. This research proposes a plan for repair and restoration of bridges to restore a highway network that allows accessibility to key facilities in the area. This research differs from other recovery phase models in that actual routes are chosen for recovery based on given criteria. The single-objective optimization model developed in this paper is a flexible model that can be applied to a variety of natural disaster situations and other situations that involve damage to transportation components where decisions on recovery strategies must be made.
Innovating and Serving the Poor with Antiretroviral Drug Systems
Authors: Baracat Maria Matilde Zraik , Nobre Farley Simon
Published: December 2012

This chapter presents an exploratory study about the Brazilian program on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It highlights the social and technological contributions, which have resulted from the production of antiretroviral drugs by the pharmaceutical industry in Brazil. First, this chapter reviews literature on the history of HIV epidemic and presents the HIV context as a pathology that affects the health of countries, putting at risk their economic and social development. Second, it analyzes the current situation of this epidemic in Brazil, by characterizing the Brazilian Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI). Third, this chapter elucidates the Brazilian production of antiretroviral drugs mainly based on aspects of patent law and Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Results show that the adoption of the Brazilian program for HIV has been successful and encouraged its diffusion to, and adoption by, other countries due to its capability for wide and unrestricted distribution of medicines.
Phenomena of Adoption of Wireless Handheld Devices
Authors: Hafeez-Baig Abdul , Gururajan Raj
Published: December 2012

There has been little empirical research into the adoption of wireless technology in healthcare. Although there is a growing interest dedicated to the analysis of technical and operational aspects of wireless devices, there is little research into factors that would lead to the successful adoption of wireless technology in healthcare. Thorough literature reviews were conducted to synthesise adoption theories in the domain of information systems, and shortcomings in the existing literature were highlighted in the context of wireless technology in healthcare. Syntheses demonstrated that there is a need either to expand the existing body of knowledge, or develop new frameworks to accommodate adoption of wireless technology in healthcare. This study has combined the most prominent variables for adoption, identified in the literature, and data collected through healthcare professionals have, to suggest a new adoption model.
Sustainability Reporting and Financial Reporting
Authors: Pinto Teresa Cunha , Bandeira Ana Maria
Published: December 2012

In the business world, there are issues such as globalisation, environmental awareness, and the rising expectations of public opinion which have a specific role in what is required from companies as providers of information to the market. This chapter refers to the current state of corporate reporting (financial reporting and sustainability reporting) and demonstrates the need for evolution to a more integrated method of reporting which meets the stakeholders’ needs. This research offers a reflection on how this development can be achieved, which notes the ongoing efforts by international organisations in implementing the diffusion and adoption, as well as looking at the characteristics which are needed for this type of reporting. It also makes the link between an actual case of a company that is one of the world references in sustainable development and integrated reporting. Whether or not the integrated reporting is the natural evolution of the history of financial and sustainability reporting, it still cannot yet claim to be infallible. However, it may definitely be concluded that a new approach is necessary to meet the needs which are continuously developing for a network of stakeholders.
Electric Public Transport in Puerto Princesa City
Authors: Matias Denise Margaret S.
Published: December 2012

This chapter examines the factors that enabled a low carbon initiative from a non-government organization (NGO) to be institutionalized by a local government in the Philippines. In 1991, the Local Government Code was passed and this devolved responsibilities to local governments. While the national government supports local administrations in terms of policies, it is the latter, which carries out political action on the ground. Puerto Princesa City’s cooperation with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (iCSC) implemented a closed-loop electric public transportation. This effort demonstrates the local government’s willingness to cooperate with sectors other than the national government, as long as this endeavor is in sync with the local government’s priorities.
Hydrology and Integrated Water Resource Management for Sustainable Watershed Management in Kenya
Authors: Ondieki Christopher Misati
Published: December 2012

Degradation of watersheds and diminishing water resources lead to unsustainable environmental and socio- economic development. The hydrological characteristics are desirable for sustainable water resource exploitation. Hydrological and water resources research were examined in three case watersheds in Kenya leading to the need for integrated water resources management, environmental conservation, and watershed management plans as a result of the major challenges of climate change and variability and uncoordinated watershed resource utilization. Well-managed hydro-meteorological networks at different scales of hydrological systems have been proposed to assess potential for optimal resource use and harmony involving all stakeholders for reduced water stress and future water conflicts. Updates of information and methodologies for watershed management that emphasize collaborative efforts and use of sustainable best practices would require input of various stakeholders including Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA), Basin Authorities, and National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
Assessment of Smallholders’ Barriers to Adopt Sustainable Practices
Authors: Chalil Diana
Published: December 2012

The significant increase in oil palm areas has led to concerns about the sustainability of the associated farming practices. To address these issues, the Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) organization formulated principles and criteria (P&C) for sustainable practices for members of the oil palm industry. Initially, only big companies applied for RSPO’s certificate of sustainable product. However, with the growing proportion of smallholders, they are strongly suggested to get involved. Currently, only a few smallholders have obtained the certificate. One possible reason is that the RSPO P&C might be too complicated for smallholders. Using a descriptive and correlation method, this study found that lack of information, cost of adoption and incompability with the stage of farm development, social values and farming conditions, inadequate managerial skills, and profitability explain the barriers for smallholders to adopt the RSPO’s P&C. These barriers need to be addressed in order to improve the adoption of sustainable practices among oil palm smallholders.
Integrating Mobile Learning, Digital Storytelling and Social Media in Vocational Learning
Authors: Eriksson Miikka , Tuomi Pauliina , Vuojärvi Hanna
Published: December 2012

In this chapter, the focus falls on integrating mobile learning, digital storytelling, and social media into vocational learning practices. The literature review introduces the development of mobile learning and digital storytelling and presents ways in which these concepts can piggyback the interactive features of social media. A case study during which participating students used mobile phones and videos with a mobile social video application (MoViE) to design and produce representative digital stories based on local tourism attractions is also presented. Twenty-five students participated in the internet inquiry about student attitudes towards the use of social media as part of their vocational expertise and their learning experiences with mobile devices and MoViE. This chapter illustrates the benefits as well as the shortcomings of the used learning concept in order to produce more concrete knowledge of the use of mobile devices and social video applications in learning.
Enhancing Social Presence and Communities of Practice in Distance Education Courses through Social Media
Authors: Holcomb Lori B. , Krüger-Ross Matthew
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact social media has on the development of communities of practice and social development in distance education courses. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the integration of social media tools including Ning in Education (an educational social networking tool), Twitter, and WordPress into three distance education courses in instructional technology. The social media tools were examined to identify the educational and pedagogical benefits each tool affords. Utilizing a mixed-method methodology, student data was collected through a series of three online surveys coupled with student interviews. The pre-/post- data collected as part of this study provides empirically based findings indicating that social media technologies can help support online communities of practice as well as the development of social presence. Data analyzed from student interviews provides data triangulation in addition to a richer and deeper understanding of the pedagogical affordances social media tools provide.
Social Media Audit and Analytics
Authors: Adi Ana
Published: December 2012

Beyond influencing the ways we communicate and we do business, social media is currently challenging traditional higher education in many respects: from the way in which courses are delivered and students interact with each other and with their lecturers to the content that the courses cover. In particular, the emergence of the social media specialist working in marketing-communications, creative industries or journalism, and their use of ever-changing content management and analytics tools require adaptation of courses to the constant changes in industry. Starting from two case studies of teaching social media auditing and analytics as part of courses taught in Belgium and Bahrain, this chapter aims to present a model exercise for marketing and public relations classrooms covering these topics. The discussion of the challenges of teaching social media audit and analytics emphasizes the need of more and constant collaboration between academia and industry as well as the need to ensure that students have a high level of media literacy before they embark on such a career route.
Functions of Social Media in Higher Education
Authors: Serbu Violeta Maria
Published: December 2012

This chapter aims to explore some critical functions that social media is playing for the internal processes included in an alternative higher education model – The Alternative University, developed in Romania, since 2007. This case study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with using these new communication as well as information technologies in order to generate effective learning environments. The collaborative and student-centered traits of higher education models using social media for learning activities are mainly dealt with in this study. Functions such as connecting people, sharing knowledge, collaboratively generating knowledge, community building, management platform, accumulation and construction of knowledge, knowledge assessment, raising learning motivation, personal branding, and networking are identified as important assets of social media for their use in a higher education setting.
Digital Social Media Detox (DSMD)
Authors: White Theresa Renee
Published: December 2012

This chapter presents the findings of an empirical, qualitative, one-day intervention, in which 25 college students were invited to leave all digital technology at home and participate in ten hours of face-to-face communication. The project involved alternative activities providing an opportunity for students to socialize and interact without the distraction of digital technology, while affording the investigators an opportunity to observe patterns of social behavior and communication. Those findings are offered to illuminate the potential effects of overuse of digital social media, the pedagogical challenges in a contemporary educational environment, and the social problems we face as a result.
Usage and Impact of Model-Based User Authorization
Authors: Juhrisch Martin , Dietz Gunnar
Published: December 2012

Identity management projects are often a great challenge for organizations. This is not due to the technical complexity of these projects, but due to the fact that managing access to resources and services involves a deep understanding of organizational responsibilities, workflows, and processes. The presented approach aims at enabling domain experts to deal with that complexity without the support of external expertise. To accomplish this, the approach involves the organizational dimension of role engineering. The integration of the organizational layer is achieved by seamlessly integrating model data from process optimization projects. Conceptual models carry knowledge about the structure of an organization and its processes. The role engineering process is driven by the information in these models. The presented approach is not limited to the technical level and thus allows a high degree of automation. This research deals with – in addition to a practical illustration – a theoretical answer to the question whether it is even possible to integrate semi-formal models in an automated transformation process of transformation and requirements for such a process. The aim of this paper is to give a first positive answer to this question and to provide a way to automatically generate a useful setting for configuring identity management systems based on semi-formal models.
Apoptotic Programs Are Determined during Lineage Commitment of CD4+ T Effectors: Selective Regulation of T Effector-Memory Apoptosis by Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase
Authors: Purushothaman Divya , Marcel Nimi , Garg Megha , Venkataraman Rasika , Sarin Apurva
Published: December 2012

Lineage-committed T effectors generated in response to Ag during the inflammatory phase are destined to die during termination of the immune response. We present evidence to suggest that molecular signatures of lineage commitment are reflected in apoptotic cascades activated in CD4+ T effectors. Exemplifying this, ablation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protected effector-memory T (TEM) cells, but not TNaive or central-memory T cells, activated in vitro, from apoptosis triggered by cytokine deprivation. Furthermore, attrition of T effectors generated in the secondary, but not the primary, response to Ag was substantially reduced in mice, which received iNOS inhibitors. Distinct patterns of iNOS expression were revealed in wild-type TEM effectors undergoing apoptosis, and ablation of iNOS protein in primary and TEM wild-type effectors confirmed observations made in iNOS−/− cells. Describing molecular correlates of this dependence, mitochondrial damage, activation of the protein Bax, and release from mitochondria of the apoptosis-inducing factor were selectively abrogated in iNOS−/− TEM effectors. Suggesting that iNOS dependence was linked to the functional identity of T cell subsets, both iNOS induction and apoptosis were compromised in IFN-γ−/− TEM effectors, which mirrored the response patterns of iNOS−/− TEM. Collectively, these observations suggest that programs regulating deletion and differentiation are closely integrated and likely encoded during lineage commitment of T effectors.
Toward Animal Cell Culture–Based Influenza Vaccine Design: Viral Hemagglutinin N-Glycosylation Markedly Impacts Immunogenicity
Authors: Hütter Julia , Rödig Jana V. , Höper Dirk , Seeberger Peter H. , Reichl Udo , Rapp Erdmann , Lepenies Bernd
Published: December 2012

The glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase are the major determinants of host range and tissue tropism of the influenza virus. HA is the most abundant protein in the virus particle membrane and represents the basis of most influenza vaccines. It has been reported that influenza virus HA N-glycosylation markedly depends on the host cell line used for virus production. However, little is known about how differential glycosylation affects immunogenicity of the viral proteins. This is of importance for virus propagation in chicken eggs as well as for innovative influenza vaccine production in mammalian cell lines. In this study, we investigated the impact of the differential N-glycosylation patterns of two influenza A virus PR/8/34 (H1N1) variants on immunogenicity. Madin–Darby canine kidney cell–derived and Vero cell–derived glycovariants were analyzed for immunogenicity in a TCR-HA transgenic mouse model. Next-generation pyrosequencing validated the congruence of the potential HA N-glycosylation sites as well as the presence of the HA peptide recognized by the TCR-HA transgenic T cells. We show that differential HA N-glycosylation markedly affected T cell activation and cytokine production in vitro and moderately influenced IL-2 production in vivo. Cocultivation assays indicated that the difference in immunogenicity was mediated by CD11c+ dendritic cells. Native virus deglycosylation by endo- and exoglycosidases dramatically reduced cytokine production by splenocytes in vitro and markedly decreased HA-specific Ab production in vivo. In conclusion, this study indicates a crucial importance of HA N-glycosylation for immunogenicity. Our findings have implications for cell line–based influenza vaccine design.
Intracranial metallic foreign bodies in a man with a headache
Authors: Pelin Zerrin , Kaner Tuncay
Published: December 2012

We report the case of a 22-year old man with intracranial metallic foreign bodies who presented complaining of a headache. His history of headaches had begun when he was five years old and continued with increasing severity. Six months before hospital admission, nausea and vomiting began to accompany his headache. Computed tomography scan revealed that 2 metallic foreign bodies were located adjacent to the vertex and another was next to the ambient cistern. The location and position of foreign bodies suggested that they were introduced in infancy through the anterior fontanelle before its closure in an unsuccessful homicide attempt. This case is one of the few reported cases combining headache and intracranial foreign bodies and we discuss the relationship between headache and these metallic materials.
Update on Statural Growth and Pubertal Development in Obese Children
Authors: De Leonibus Chiara , Marcovecchio M. Loredana , Chiarelli Francesco
Published: December 2012

Childhood obesity is a growing and alarming problem, associated with several short-term and long-term metabolic and cardiovascular complications. In addition, it has also been suggested that excess adiposity during childhood influences growth and pubertal development. Several studies have shown that during pre-pubertal years, obese patients present higher growth velocity and that this pre-pubertal advantage tends to gradually decrease during puberty, leading to similar final heights between obese and non-obese children. Excess body weight might also influence pubertal onset, leading to earlier timing of puberty in girls. In addition, obese girls are at increased risk of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary syndrome. In boys, a clear evidence does not exist: some studies suggesting an earlier puberty associated with the obesity status, whereas other have found a delayed pubertal onset. Overall, the existing evidence of an association between obesity and modification of growth and pubertal patterns underlines a further reason for fighting the epidemics of childhood obesity.
Thinking styles of Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy learners: Implications for subject choice
Authors: Spangenberg Erica D.
Published: December 2012

In this article I report on research intended to characterise and compare the thinking styles of Grade 10 learners studying Mathematics and those studying Mathematical Literacy in eight schools in the Gauteng West district in South Africa, so as to develop guidelines as to what contributes to their subject choice of either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10. Both a qualitative and a quantitative design were used with three data collection methods, namely document analysis, interviews and questionnaires. Sixteen teachers participated in one-to-one interviews and 1046 Grade 10 learners completed questionnaires. The findings indicated the characteristics of learners selecting Mathematics and those selecting Mathematical Literacy as a subject and identified differences between the thinking styles of these learners. Both learners and teachers should be more aware of thinking styles in order that the learners are able to make the right subject choice. This article adds to research on the transition of Mathematics learners in the General Education and Training band to Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy in the Further Education and Training band in South Africa.
Escaping from the ghetto
Authors: Br�mmer Vincent
Published: December 2012

�Revealed theology� claims that religious belief derives from divine revelation and can only be justified in the light of such revelation. This entails a retreat into an intellectual ghetto: Only believers can participate in this kind of theology because only believers have access to divine revelation. The usual alternative to revealed theology is �natural theology�, which tries to prove the truth of (Christian) faith in the light of the universally accessible criteria of reason and experience. It is argued that natural theology fails to provide such proof and therefore cannot liberate theology from the intellectual ghetto of revealed theology. This paper argues for a �philosophical theology� which analyses the meaning of (Christian) doctrine rather than proving its truth. Since the methods and criteria of this analysis are universally acceptable and not reserved for believers, this form of theology liberates believers from the intellectual ghetto of revealed theology.
Clinical Utility of the Personal Problems Questionnaire (PPQ) in the Assessment of Non-credible Complaints
Authors: van den Broek M.D. , Monaci L. , Smith J.G
Published: December 2012

The utility of a new questionnaire, the Personal Problems Questionnaire (PPQ), designed to assess cognitive, emotional and physical complaints after traumatic brain injuries, pain, and other acquired conditions, was evaluated. The PPQ comprises twelve Clinical subscales designed to assess common complaints associated with acquired conditions and three Validity scales to evaluate over-reporting of cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms. The Clinical subscales were found to be useful in differentiating between patients with acquired brain injuries, controls, and simulators. The Validity scales were also found to have good sensitivity and specificity in detecting simulated complaints. The PPQ shows promise in assessing disabilities and over-reporting.
A multi-model assessment of the impact of sea spray geoengineering on cloud droplet number
Authors: Pringle K. J. , Carslaw K. S. , Fan T. , Mann G.W. , Hill A. , Stier P. , Zhang K. , Tost H.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Artificially increasing the albedo of marine boundary layer clouds by the mechanical emission of sea spray aerosol has been proposed as a geoengineering technique to slow the warming caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gases. A previous global model study (Korhonen et al., 2010) found that only modest increases (< 20%) and sometimes even decreases in cloud drop number (CDN) concentrations would result from emission scenarios calculated using a windspeed dependent geoengineering flux parameterisation. Here we extend that work to examine the conditions under which decreases in CDN can occur, and use three independent global models to quantify maximum achievable CDN changes. We find that decreases in CDN can occur when at least three of the following conditions are met: the injected particle number is < 100 cm−3, the injected diameter is > 250–300 nm, the background aerosol loading is large (≥ 150 cm−3) and the in-cloud updraught velocity is low (< 0.2 m s−1). With lower background loadings and/or increased updraught velocity, significant increases in CDN can be achieved. None of the global models predict a decrease in CDN as a result of geoengineering, although there is considerable diversity in the calculated efficiency of geoengineering, which arises from the diversity in the simulated marine aerosol distributions. All three models show a small dependence of geoengineering efficiency on the injected particle size and the geometric standard deviation of the injected mode. However, the achievability of significant cloud drop enhancements is strongly dependent on the cloud updraught speed. With an updraught speed of 0.1 m s−1 a global mean CDN of 375 cm−3 (previously estimated to cancel the forcing caused by CO2 doubling) is achievable in only about 50% of grid boxes which have > 50% cloud cover, irrespective of the amount of aerosol injected. But at stronger updraft speeds (0.2 m s−1), higher values of CDN are achievable due to the elevated in-cloud supersaturations. Achieving a value of 375 cm−3 in regions dominated by stratocumulus clouds with relatively weak updrafts cannot be attained regardless of the number of injected particles, thereby limiting the efficacy of sea spray geoengineering.
Temporal evolution of stable water isotopologues in cloud droplets in a hill cap cloud in central Europe (HCCT-2010)
Authors: Spiegel J. K. , Aemisegger F. , Scholl M. , Wienhold F. G. , Collett J. L. , Lee T. , van Pinxteren D. , Mertes S. , Tilgner A. , Herrmann H. , Werner R. A. , Buchmann N. , Eugster W.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. In this work, we present the first study resolving the temporal evolution of δ2H and δ18O values in cloud droplets during 13 different cloud events. The cloud events were probed on a 937 m high mountain chain in Germany in the framework of the Hill Cap Cloud Thuringia 2010 campaign (HCCT-2010) in September and October 2010. The δ values of cloud droplets ranged from −77‰ to −15‰ (δ2H) and from −12.1‰ to −3.9‰ (δ18O) over the whole campaign. The cloud water line of the measured δ values was δ2H=7.8×δ18O+13×10−3, which is of similar slope, but with higher deuterium excess than other Central European Meteoric Water Lines. Decreasing δ values in the course of the campaign agree with seasonal trends observed in rain in central Europe. The deuterium excess was higher in clouds developing after recent precipitation revealing episodes of regional moisture recycling. The variations in δ values during one cloud event could either result from changes in meteorological conditions during condensation or from variations in the δ values of the water vapor feeding the cloud. To test which of both aspects dominated during the investigated cloud events, we modeled the variation in δ values in cloud water using a closed box model. We could show that the variation in δ values of two cloud events was mainly due to changes in local temperature conditions. For the other eleven cloud events, the variation was most likely caused by changes in the isotopic composition of the advected and entrained vapor. Frontal passages during two of the latter cloud events led to the strongest temporal changes in both δ2H (≈ 6‰ per hour) and δ18O (≈ 0.6‰ per hour). Moreover, a detailed trajectory analysis for the two longest cloud events revealed that variations in the entrained vapor were most likely related to rain out or changes in relative humidity and temperature at the moisture source region or both. This study illustrates the sensitivity of stable isotope composition of cloud water to changes in large scale air mass properties and regional recycling of moisture.
Insights into dissolved organic matter complexity in rainwater from continental and coastal storms by ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Mead R. N. , Mullaugh K. M. , Avery G. B. , Kieber R. J. , Willey J. D. , Podgorski D. C.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A series of seven rainwater samples were collected in Wilmington, North Carolina (USA), originating from both continental and coastal storms and analyzed by ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). This data set is unique in that it represents a detailed comparison of the molecular level composition of DOM in rainwater collected from distinctly different air mass back trajectories by FTICR-MS. Approximately 25% of the roughly 2000 assigned CHO molecular formulas are unique to each storm classification indicating the importance of air mass back trajectory on the composition of rainwater dissolved organic matter (DOM). Analysis of the unique molecular formula assignments highlighted distinct groupings of various bio- and geo-molecule classes with coastal storms containing unique formulas representative of lignin and cellulose-like formulas, while continental storms had lipid-like formulas. A series of 18 distinct methylene oligomers were identified in coastal storms with 13 unique methylene oligomers in continental storms suggesting oligomer formation is ubiquitous in rainwater albeit different for each storm classification. Oligomers of small acids and C3H4O2 were detected in both storm types indicating their processing may be similar in both back trajectories. Black carbon (BC) was detected in continental storms with phenol moieties that are not as oxidized as aquatic DOM black carbon. The discovery of BC in continental rainwater has significant ramifications towards climate change, because atmospheric BC is such a potent chromophore that reemits absorbed sunlight at longer wavelengths thereby warming the lower atmosphere.
A robust calibration approach for PM10 prediction from MODIS aerosol optical depth
Authors: Yap X. Q. , Hashim M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Investigating the human health effects of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) using satellite data are gaining more attention due to their wide spatial coverage and temporal advantages. Such epidemiological studies are, however, susceptible to bias errors and resulted in poor predictive output in some locations. Current methods calibrate aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieved from MODIS to further predict PM. The recent satellite-based AOD calibration uses a mixed effects model to predict location-specific PM on a daily basis. The shortcomings of this daily AOD calibration are for areas of high probability of persistent cloud cover throughout the year such as in the humid tropical region along the equatorial belt. Contaminated pixels due to clouds causes radiometric errors in the MODIS AOD, thus causes poor predictive power on air quality. In contrary, a periodic assessment is more practical and robust especially in minimizing these cloud-related contaminations. In this paper, a simple yet robust calibration approach based on monthly AOD period is presented. We adopted the statistical fitting method with the adjustment technique to improve the predictive power of MODIS AOD. The adjustment was made based on the long-term observation (2001–2006) of PM10-AOD residual error characteristic. Besides, we also incorporated the ground PM measurement into the model as a weighting to reduce the bias of the MODIS-derived AOD value. Results indicated that this robust approach with monthly AOD calibration reported an improved average accuracy of PM10 retrieval from MODIS data by 50% compared to widely used calibration methods based on linear regression models, in addition to enabling further spatial patterns of periodic PM exposure to be undertaken.
Anthropogenic carbon dioxide source areas observed from space: assessment of regional enhancements and trends
Authors: Schneising O. , Heymann J. , Buchwitz M. , Reuter M. , Bovensmann H. , Burrows J. P.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Urban areas, which are home to the majority of today's world population, are responsible for more than two-thirds of the global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Given the ongoing demographic growth and rising energy consumption in metropolitan regions particularly in the developing world, urban-based emissions are expected to further increase in the future. As a consequence, monitoring and independent verification of reported anthropogenic emissions is becoming more and more important. It is demonstrated using SCIAMACHY nadir measurements that anthropogenic CO2 emissions can be detected from space and that emission trends might be tracked using satellite observations. This is promising with regard to future satellite missions with high spatial resolution and wide swath imaging capability aiming at constraining anthropogenic emissions down to the point-source scale. By subtracting retrieved background values from those retrieved over urban areas we find significant CO2 enhancements for several anthropogenic source regions, namely 1.3 ± 0.7 ppm for the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region and the Benelux, 1.1 ± 0.5 ppm for the East Coast of the United States, and 2.4 ± 0.9 ppm for the Yangtze River Delta. The order of magnitude of the enhancements is in agreement with what is expected for anthropogenic CO2 signals. The larger standard deviation of the retrieved Yangtze River Delta enhancement is due to a distinct positive trend of 0.3 ± 0.2 ppm yr−1, which is quantitatively consistent with anthropogenic emissions from the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) in terms of percentual increase per year. Potential contributions to the retrieved CO2 enhancement by several error sources, e.g. aerosols, albedo, and residual biospheric signals due to heterogeneous seasonal sampling, are discussed and can be ruled out to a large extent.
Aircraft based four-channel thermal dissociation laser induced fluorescence instrument for simultaneous measurements of NO2, total peroxy nitrate, total alkyl nitrate, and HNO3
Authors: Di Carlo P. , Aruffo E. , Busilacchio M. , Giammaria F. , Dari-Salisburgo C. , Biancofiore F. , Visconti G. , Lee J. , Moller S. , Reeves C. E. , Bauguitte S. , Forster G. , Jones R. L. , Ouyang B.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A four-channel thermal dissociation laser induced fluorescence (TD-LIF) instrument has been developed for simultaneous measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), total peroxy nitrate (∑PNs), total alkyl nitrate (∑ANs) and nitric acid (HNO3). NO2 is measured directly by LIF at 532 nm, whereas organic nitrates and nitric acid are thermally dissociated at distinct temperatures in the inlet to form NO2, which is then measured by LIF. The concentrations of each dissociated species are derived by the differences in measured NO2 relative to the reference colder inlet channel. The TD-LIF was adapted to fly on board the UK Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe 146-301 atmospheric research aircraft in summer 2010, and to date has successfully flown in five field campaigns. This paper reports novel improvements in the TD-LIF instrumentations including: (1) the use of a single wavelength laser, which makes the system compact and relatively cheap; (2) the use of a single beam laser that allows easy alignment and optical stability against the vibrational aircraft environment and (3) the optical assembly of four detection cells that allow simultaneous and fast (time resolution up to 0.1 s) measurements of NO2, ∑PNs, ∑ANs and HNO3. Laboratory-generated mixtures of PNs, ANs and HNO3 in zero air are converted into NO2 and used to fix the dissociation temperatures of each heated inlet, to test the selectivity of the instrument and potential interferences due to recombination reactions of the dissociated products. The effectiveness of the TD-LIF was demonstrated during the RONOCO aircraft campaign (summer 2010). A chemiluminescence system that was measuring NO2 and a broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectrometer (BBCEAS) that was measuring one of the PNs (N2O5) were installed on the same aircraft during the campaign. The in-flight intercomparison of the new TD-LIF with the chemiluminescence system for NO2 measurements and the intercomparison between ∑PNs measured by the TD-LIF and N2O5 by the BBCEAS are used to assess the performance of the TD-LIF.
Effect of solar cycle on topside ion temperature measured by SROSS C2 and ROCSAT 1 over the Indian equatorial and low latitudes
Authors: Borgohain A. , Bhuyan P. K.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The effect of solar activity on the diurnal, seasonal and latitudinal variations of ion temperature Ti and its relationship with corresponding ion density Ni over the Indian low and equatorial topside ionosphere within 17.5° S to 22.5° N magnetic latitudes are being investigated, combining the data from SROSS C2 and ROCSAT 1 for the 9-year period from 1995 to 2003 during solar cycle 23. Ti varies between 800 K and 1100 K during nighttime and rises to peak values of ~1800 K in the post sunrise hours. Daytime Ti varies from 1000 K to 1500 K. The time of occurrence, magnitude and duration of the morning enhancement show distinct seasonal bias. For example, in the June solstice, Ti increases to ~1650 K at ~06:00 h and exhibits a daytime plateau till 17:00 LT. In the equinoxes, enhanced ion temperature is observed for a longer duration in the morning. There is also a latitudinal asymmetry in the ion temperature distribution. In the equinoxes, the daytime Ti is higher at off equatorial latitudes and lower over the Equator, while in the solstices, Ti exhibits a north–south gradient during daytime. Nighttime Ti is found to be higher over the Equator. Daytime ion temperature exhibits insignificant positive correlation with F10.7 cm solar flux, while nighttime ion temperature decreases with increase in solar flux. Daytime ion temperature and ion density are negatively correlated during solar minimum, while nighttime Ti does not exhibit any correlation. However, during high solar activity, significant positive correlation of Ti with Ni has been observed over the Equator, while at 10° S and 10° N temperature and density exhibit significant negative correlation. The neutral temperature Tn derived from the MSISE 90 model is found to be higher than measured Ti during nighttime, while daytime Ti is higher than model Tn.
Nitrous oxide dynamics in low oxygen regions of the Pacific: insights from the MEMENTO database
Authors: Zamora L. M. , Oschlies A. , Bange H. W. , Huebert K. B. , Craig J. D. , Kock A. , Löscher C. R.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) is believed to be one of the largest marine sources of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Future N2O emissions from the ETP are highly uncertain because oxygen minimum zones are expected to expand, affecting both regional production and consumption of N2O. Here we assess three primary uncertainties in how N2O may respond to changing O2 levels: (1) the relationship between N2O production and O2 (is it linear or exponential at low O2 concentrations?), (2) the cutoff point at which net N2O production switches to net N2O consumption (uncertainties in this parameterisation can lead to differences in model ETP N2O concentrations of more than 20%), and (3) the rate of net N2O consumption at low O2. Based on the MEMENTO database, which is the largest N2O dataset currently available, we find that N2O production in the ETP increases linearly rather than exponentially with decreasing O2. Additionally, net N2O consumption switches to net N2O production at ~ 10 μM O2, a value in line with recent studies that suggest consumption occurs on a larger scale than previously thought. N2O consumption is on the order of 0.01–1 mmol N2O m−3 yr−1 in the Peru-Chile Undercurrent. Based on these findings, it appears that recent studies substantially overestimated N2O production in the ETP. In light of expected deoxygenation and the higher than previously expected point at which net N2O production switches to consumption, there is enough uncertainty in future N2O production that even the sign of future changes is still unclear.
Downscale cascades in tracer transport test cases: an intercomparison of the dynamical cores in the Community Atmosphere Model CAM5
Authors: Kent J. , Jablonowski C. , Whitehead J. P. , Rood R. B.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The accurate modeling of cascades to unresolved scales is an important part of the tracer transport component of dynamical cores of weather and climate models. This paper aims to investigate the ability of the advection schemes in the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) to model this cascade. In order to quantify the effects of the different advection schemes in CAM5, four two-dimensional tracer transport test cases are presented. Three of the tests stretch the tracer below the scale of coarse resolution grids to ensure the downscale cascade of tracer variance. These results are compared with a high resolution reference solution, which is simulated on a resolution fine enough to resolve the tracer during the test. The fourth test has two separate flow cells, and is designed so that any tracer in the western hemisphere should not pass into the eastern hemisphere. This is to test whether the diffusion in transport schemes, often in the form of explicit hyper-diffusion terms or implicit through monotonic limiters, contains unphysical mixing. An intercomparison of three of the dynamical cores of the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Community Atmosphere Model version 5 is performed. The results show that the finite-volume (CAM-FV) and spectral element (CAM-SE) dynamical cores model the downscale cascade of tracer variance better than the semi-Lagrangian transport scheme of the Eulerian spectral transform core (CAM-EUL). Each scheme tested produces unphysical mass in the eastern hemisphere of the separate cells test.
Assessing the hydrological effect of the check dams in the Loess Plateau, China by model simulations
Authors: Xu Y. D. , Fu B. J. , He C. S.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Check dams are commonly used for soil conservation. In the Loess Plateau of China, check dams have been widely constructed as the principal means to retain floodwater and intercept soil sediments since the 1970s. However, little research has been done to quantify the hydrological effects of the check dams. In this research, the SWAT model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) was applied to simulate the runoff and sediment in the Yanhe watershed in the Loess Plateau. We treated the 1950s to 1960s as "reference period" since there were very few check dams during the period. The model was first calibrated and validated in the "reference period". The calibrated model was then used in the later periods to simulate the hydrological effects of the check dams. The results showed that the check dams had a regulation effect on runoff and a retention effect on sediment. From 1984 to 1987, the runoff in rainy season (from May to October) decreased by 14.7 to 25.9% due to the check dams, while in dry season (from November to the following April), runoff increased by 60.5 to 101.2%; the sediment in rainy season decreased by 34.6 to 48.0%. From 2006 to 2008, the runoff in rainy season decreased by 15.5 to 28.9%, and the runoff in dry season increased by 20.1 to 46.4%; the sediment in rainy season decreased by 79.4 to 85.5%. Construction of the large number of in the Loess Plateau has enhanced the region's capacity to control the runoff and sediment. In the Yanhe watershed, the annual runoff was reduced by less than 14.3% due to the check dams; and the sediment in rainy season was blocked by up to 85.5%. Thus, check dams are effective measures for soil erosion control in the Loess Plateau.
Supplemental irrigation potential and impact on downstream flow of Karkheh River Basin of Iran
Authors: Hessari B. , Bruggeman A. , Akhoond-Ali A. , Oweis T. , Abbasi F.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Supplemental irrigation of rainfed winter crops improves and stabilizes crop yield and water productivity. Although yield increases by supplemental irrigation are well established at the field level, its potential extent and impact on water resources at the basin level are less researched. This work presents a GIS-based methodology for identifying areas that are potentially suitable for supplemental irrigation and a computer routine for allocating stream flow for supplemental irrigation in different subbasins. A case study is presented for the 42 908 km2 upper Karkheh River Basin (KRB) in Iran, which has 15 840 km2 of rainfed crop areas. Rainfed crop areas within 1 km from the streams, with slope classes 0–5%, 0–8%, 0–12% and 0–20%, were assumed to be suitable for supplemental irrigation. Four stream flow conditions (normal, normal with environmental flow requirements, drought and drought with environmental flow) were considered for the allocation of water resources. Thirty-seven percent (5801 km2) of the rainfed croplands had slopes less than 5%. Sixty-one percent (3559 km2) of this land was suitable for supplemental irrigation, but only 22% (1278 km2) could be served with irrigation in both fall (75 mm) and spring (100 mm), under normal flow conditions. If irrigation would be allocated to all suitable land with slopes up to 20%, 2057 km2 could be irrigated. This would reduce the average annual outflow of the upper KRB by 9%. If environmental flow requirements are considered, a maximum (0–20% slopes) of 1444 km2 could receive supplemental irrigation. Under drought conditions a maximum of 1013 km2 could be irrigated, while the outflow would again be reduced by 9%. Thus, the withdrawal of steam flow for supplemental irrigation has relatively little effect on the outflow of the upper KRB. However, if the main policy goal would be to improve rainfed areas throughout the upper KRB, options for storing surface water need to be developed.