bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software Literacy
Authors: Khoo Elaine , Hight Craig
Published: September 2018

Software is not neutral. It comes with social and cultural assumptions that afford particular actions while constraining others. The notion of software literacy is emerging as one way to conceptualize the repertoires of skills and understandings needed for people to be critical and creative users of software packages and systems in a software saturated culture. This conceptual model is a response to current digital literacy frameworks which do not identify the implications of the choice of software on what can be achieved. Studies on information literacy and on ways of mastering software have tended to ignore the role of software itself. The study of software is only now emerging as a field of study. This contribution argues for the relevancy of software literacy as part of understanding the ways people engage with software and how its affordances influences knowledge representation, generation, and critique. It will define the term and set out three progressive tiers of development towards software literacy.
The What, How, and When of Formal Methods
Authors: Dasso Aristides , Funes Ana
Published: September 2018

Questions such as what are formal methods, how are formal methods implemented, how are they used in software engineering, and when should they be used, among other related questions are the main objective of this chapter. Some definitions are given to answer some of these questions; the chapter also states the aims of FM as well as giving their main characteristics. An example that shows how formal methods can be used for specifying not only software requirements but also the rest of the stages in a software development process is given. A discussion about when they should be used, explaining the reasons why they should be applied when security and reliability are important requirements of the software under development, is presented. Finally, some arguments about how they can also be used as a complement to traditional development methods are provided.
The Economics of Internetization
Authors: Passaris Constantine E.
Published: September 2018

Internetization is a new word and concept that has gained currency with the advent of the new global economy of the 21st century. Prior to the ascendance of internetization, economists had embraced the term globalization to describe the operational parameters of the new economy. The problem with the word globalization is that it is neither a new concept nor is it an appropriate descriptive for the contemporary transformational change precipitated by the spectacular technological inventions on the international economic landscape. The new word, internetization, describes more succinctly the transformative powers of the world wide web and the electronic information highway on the evolving dynamics of interconnectivity for the new global economy of the 21st century. Indeed, internetization captures the pervasive influence of technological change and electronic innovations on the global economy and all aspects of human endeavor for our civil society in the 21st century.
Internet Phenomenon
Authors: Konzack Lars
Published: September 2018

Internet phenomenon is a new field of research. An internet phenomenon is an occurrence on the internet about somebody, a website, or a picture that for some reason captures the attention of numerous internet users and develops a craze that quickly spreads throughout the internet. The most common internet phenomenon is an internet meme, but also internet celebrities, political campaigns, or simply something out of the ordinary. Internet phenomenona have often been compared to folklore and urban legends; however, there is one significant difference in that folklore was passed on in an oral culture of illiterates. Internet sharing are mostly done among literates and often stored on servers for other people to see. In this sense, sharing internet phenomenona are closer to chain letters except the internet technology makes the process a lot easier and faster and may spread globally within minutes.
Search Engine Optimization
Authors: Giomelakis Dimitrios , Veglis Andreas A.
Published: September 2018

In this chapter, the authors discuss at length the subject of search engine optimization (SEO), its different characteristics, and why basic SEO knowledge is considered as a useful tool for any web business. The chapter will address both the theoretical and practical issues related to the design and implementation of SEO and also will cover previous research done on this topic. In order to give a better understanding of the importance of SEO in the current state of the internet and in information search, basic knowledge of how search engines operate along with their recent updates will also be provided. The development of World Wide Web (Web 2.0) along with the growth of search engines over the last decade has brought significant changes in web content. In this context, the authors show how SEO has evolved over the years. Nowadays, social media and social signals have increasingly become one of the many factors search engines take seriously into account, which is another issue that this chapter will address.
Investigating Diachronic Variation and Change in New Varieties of English
Authors: Calabrese Rita
Published: September 2018

This contribution focuses on processes of language feature convergence which gradually lead to linguistic stabilization over time, whereby specific attention will be given to the process of Englishization in the South-Asian area. The chapter outlines some basic concepts pertaining language universals, contact, and change, as well as descriptive approaches to world varieties of English by referring to the feature classification proposed by Meshtrie and Bhatt. Then, as an explanatory case, it presents the results of a study of verb-particle constructions in a well-established variety of English (i.e., Indian English) obtained by sampling data from sources varying in time, genre, and register with a special focus on the methodological procedures and the analysis tools adopted to extract specific information from the data. Finally, the implications of those findings for future research on the process of language standardization in new varieties of English will be further explored.
Chemistry Learning Through Designing Digital Games
Authors: Osman Kamisah , Lay Ah-Nam
Published: September 2018

Students in the 21st century need to become proficient in both chemistry and the 21st century skills. Chemistry is often called the central science. Indeed, the knowledge of chemistry is the foundation for innovation, scientific literacy, and most notably, problem solving in connection with sustainable development. Apart from knowledge, innovation and problem solving in the 21st century requires a new range of skills known as 21st century skills. Unfortunately, chemistry is usually considered difficult. Moreover, there are fewer studies that focus simultaneously on enhancing conceptual understanding and developing the 21st century skills. Therefore, the authors initiated an innovation by designing a new module, known as MyKimDG, to support the acquisition of concepts and provide opportunities for them to apply the 21st century skills. The purpose of this chapter is to present conceptual framework of MyKimDG and demonstrate a brief lesson in MyKimDG to the teaching and learning of a specific chemistry unit.
Clinical Use of Video Games
Authors: Tran Ben
Published: September 2018

Despite the extreme popularity of video games among adolescents, researchers in the fields of developmental and social psychology examining video games have focused mainly on the association between video game use and negative outcomes, while research on positive outcomes is more limited. Video game, and the usage of video games, in (adolescent) therapy and (adolescent) psychotherapy is anything but ubiquitous. The research and clinical potential for combining video games and the communicative possibilities of the internet are immense. Hence, the purpose of this chapter is on video game and their usages in (adolescent) therapy and psychotherapy. This chapter will cover the history of video games, video games in psychotherapy, and the different types of video games and their usages in psychotherapy.
Nominalizations in Requirements Engineering Natural Language Models
Authors: Litvak Claudia S. , Hadad Graciela Dora Susana , Doorn Jorge Horacio
Published: September 2018

It is a usual practice to use natural language in any document intended for clients and users in the requirements engineering process of a software development. This facilitates the comprehension of the requirements engineer's proposals to clients and users. However, natural language introduces some drawbacks, such as ambiguity and incompleteness, which attempt a good comprehension of those documents. Glossaries help by reducing ambiguity, though they introduce their own linguistic weaknesses. The nominalization of verbs is one of them. There are sometimes appreciable differences between using a verb form or its nominal form, while in other cases they may be synonyms. Therefore, the requirements engineer must be aware of the precise meaning of each term used in the application domain in order to correctly define them and properly use them in every document. In this chapter, guidelines about treatment of verb nominalization are given when constructing a specific glossary called Language Extended Lexicon.
The Internet Behavior of Older Adults
Authors: Mazur Elizabeth , Signorella Margaret L. , Hough Michelle
Published: September 2018

Older adults are increasingly joining younger ones in using the internet, including social media, although use decreases with age, especially after age 74. Most older adults who become first-time internet users are enthusiastic users, frequently going online. Barriers to their use of the internet remain, such as physical and cognitive limitations. Attitudinal barriers may exist, but it is unclear whether this result from lack of experience or aging. Marketing research has found that older persons are less likely to engage in online purchasing. Research still has not clarified whether the ongoing pace of change in technology, along with changes associated with aging, may mean that there will always be fewer older than younger adults using the newest technologies. However, as current internet users age into the senior population, they are likely to maintain positive attitudes towards technology and continue frequent use, which the research suggests may benefit mental health and social relationships.
Angústia e Anguish: a fragmentação moral, mental e social
Authors: Morinaka Eliza Mitiyo
Published: September 2018

Utilizando o arcabouço teórico-metodológico dos Estudos Descritivos da Tradução, o objetivo desse artigo é apresentar o cotejo entre Angústia (1941), de Graciliano Ramos, e sua tradução para o inglês, Anguish (1946), de Louis C. Kaplan, a fim de verificar as modificações textuais feitas à tradução para acomodá-las ao sistema literário estadunidense. O resultado do cotejo mostra que apesar do controle governamental estadunidense sobre o projeto tradutório do qual Angústia fez parte, a tradução preservou a fragmentação moral, mental e social do protagonista Luís da Silva, potencializando e desdobrando essa representação em língua inglesa. Para analisar essa nova textualização, recorre-se às pesquisas que descortinam as condições literárias e sociais que possibilitaram determinadas obras surgirem ou circularem em certos espaços ou períodos. Assim, o segundo movimento deste estudo concentra-se nos fatores literários e sociais que possibilitaram a circulação de Anguish no sistema literário estadunidense.
Study of liver in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Stereology shows quantitative differences in liver structure
Authors: Moudi Bita , Heidari Zahra , Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb Hamidreza
Published: September 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the main consequences of liver chronic disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma-related changes may be seen in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aim of the current study was to quantitate liver tissue elements by stereological technique in patients with hepatitis B-related cancer and compare the results with control and only hepatitis B group. Needle liver biopsies from 40 patients with only chronic hepatitis B infection, from 41 patients with only early hepatocellular carcinoma, from 40 patients with early hepatitis B-related cancer and 30 healthy subjects (control group) were analyzed by stereological method using systematic uniform random sampling method. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections were used. The numerical density of hepatocytes, hepatocyte volume, numerical density of Kupffer cells, volume density of the connective tissue in the portal space, and volume density of the connective tissue were assessed. Quantitative analysis of liver samples indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the numerical density of hepatocytes, hepatocyte volume, numerical density of Kupffer cells, volume density of the connective tissue in the portal space, and volume density of the connective tissue between control and hepatitis B-related cancer and hepatitis B groups. Quantitative, stereological technique is simple and reliable for evaluating HCC in chronic hepatitis B. It is useful for assessing the liver tissue parameters. Stereology is recommended for the diagnosis of people prone to cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
An Examination of Relationships Among Resiliency, Hardiness, Affectivity, and Work-Life Balance in Collegiate Athletic Trainers
Authors: Mazerolle Stephanie M. , Eason Christianne M. , Goodman Ashley
Published: September 2018

Context: 

A multilevel model has been used to describe the complex nature of work-life balance in sport organizations. Organizational aspects such as work scheduling, hours worked, job demands, and decreased perceived value have been reported as factors that can positively or negatively affect work-life balance. However, the individual factors that contribute to this balance have not been well studied.

Objective: 

To better understand the individual factors (emotional stability and coping) that may facilitate or inhibit work-life balance among athletic trainers (ATs).

Design: 

Cross-sectional online survey.

Setting: 

National Collegiate Athletic Association athletic training setting.

Patients or Other Participants: 

A total of 423 (193 men, 230 women) ATs employed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association setting.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

Data were collected via a Web-based survey instrument consisting of demographic and Likert-scale questions related to resiliency, hardiness, affectivity, work-family conflict (WFC), and work-family enrichment (WFE). Likert responses were summed and demographic information was analyzed for frequency and distribution. Independent t tests, analysis of variance, and Spearman correlations were calculated to evaluate the relationships among variables.

Results: 

Participants exhibited moderate hardiness scores of 3.9 ± 4.0 (range, −9 to 15). Positive affectivity was weakly negatively correlated with WFC (r = −0.212, P < .001) and moderately positively correlated with WFE (r = 0.448, P < .001). Resiliency was weakly negatively correlated with WFC (r = −0.25, P < .001) and weakly positively correlated with WFE (r = 0.228, P < .001). Additionally, individuals with less than 10 years of experience had lower positive affectivity scores than those with more than 10 years of experience. Men scored higher than women only in resiliency.

Conclusions: 

Collegiate ATs demonstrated moderate levels of coping behaviors that allow them to manage their personal and professional lives. Athletic trainers with more years of experience displayed a more positive affect.
The role of information and communication technologies in the delivery of health services in rural communities: Experiences from Malawi
Authors: Nyasulu Chimango , Chawinga Winner D.
Published: September 2018

Background: In recent years, Africa has experienced a boom in information and communication technologies (ICTs). These ICTs have been hailed by the health sector as impetus for heath service delivery in rural areas. In this regard, stakeholders in the health sector have made attempts to reinforce frontline health workers with technological tools. Although there is much evidence that ICTs play a key role in the health sector, it remains unknown how the health sector in Malawi is exploiting ICTs in its delivery of day-to-day operations.Objectives: In this study, we investigate the role that ICTs play in rural health. This study will specifically determine the purposes that health surveillance assistants (HSAs) use ICTs for, assess the ICT skills and expertise of HSAs, analyse benefits of ICTs and study the problems faced by HSAs in the effective use of ICTs.Method: In this study, a quantitative research method approach was adopted to address the research objectives. Both research sites and respondents were selected using a convenient sampling method. We self-administered and collected the questionnaire from the respondents. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data.Results: We find that HSAs have made headways in the adoption of various forms of ICTs such as mobile phones alongside their applications (Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp). However, efforts to maximise the appropriation of ICTs by HSAs are punctuated by various hindrances including high cost of ICT gadgets, high cost of Internet bundles, inadequate training in ICTs and lack of support from senior management in the Ministry of Health.Conclusion: Use of ICTs in community health is slowly but surely possible. In a nutshell, the study has shown that, regardless of perceivable hindrances associated with use of ICTs, HSAs use some ICTs in their work and personal activities. It is evident that using mobile phones to improve performance is an important area and that there is little interest in evaluating such interventions.
Timely Identification of Pregnancy in Noncommunicating Horn of Unicornuate Uterus by Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasonography
Authors: Tolani Aarti Deenadayal , Kadambari  , Deenadayal Anupama , Donthi Suhasini , Yellenki Indira Rani , Deenadayal Mamata
Published: September 2018

Pregnancy in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus is uncommon and needs to be diagnosed at early stages to avoid uterine rupture to avert the high morbidity and mortality. In this case report, we discussed the advantage of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasonography (3D TV-USG) in assessing the early pregnancy in the noncommunicating rudimentary horn of uterus. A 23-year-old woman approached us for routine pregnancy scan. The location of 5-week pregnancy was confirmed in the right noncommunicating horn of a unicornuate uterus by 3D TV-USG. She has undergone laparohysteroscopy, and excision of a gravid rudimentary horn was done. After an interval of 6 months, the patient received fertility treatment and conceived consequently. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent way of diagnosing uterine anomalies, the procedure is expensive, time-consuming, and not widely available. 3D USG is less expensive and more readily accessible for early diagnosis of uterine anomalies, particularly in health-care centers where MRI is not readily available or affordable.
A Collaborative Multidisciplinary and Without-Walls Research Curriculum in Global Health
Authors: Asgary Ramin
Published: September 2018

Longitudinal and collaborative global health research curricula to train a well-versed global health corps through skills building in assessment and evaluation are lacking. A without-walls research curriculum was offered to medical and public health students between 2007 and 2015. Mentored cross-disciplinary research projects were developed and implemented in partnership with communities. A multilevel mixed methods design, including semi-structured interviews, post-curriculum surveys, presentations, publications, postgraduation metrics, and feedback from project sites, evaluated educational outcomes. Students (N = 25; aged 27 ± 1.9 years; 90.5% female) participated in the studies in 12 countries, resulting in 26 national-level presentations and 24 peer-reviewed publications, including per student average and range of Institutional Review Board submission (0.95; 0–3), poster presentation (0.85; 0–3), oral presentation (0.65; 0–2), and peer-reviewed submission (1.05; 0–4). On average, the studies (40% mixed methods) lasted 2 years. Analyses and manuscript writing were the most challenging; data collection and presentations were the most rewarding. Majority of the participants strongly agreed with achieving skills in community engagement, interviewing techniques, research design and implementation, research dissemination, and career development. Interview themes included expectations and learning goals, effective mentorship, impact on career goals, and ethical learning. Mentorship qualities were accessibility, real-time problem solving, research expertise, advocate, and balancing guidance with independence. Project sites’ feedback was overwhelmingly positive regarding the projects’ impact. Postgraduation participants hold positions in humanitarian organizations, research programs serving the underserved, and primary care residencies, fellowships, and faculty. This experience illustrates the feasibility and effectiveness of mentored global health research and underlines the crucial link between community collaboration and scholarship for effective global health practice.
Development and Evaluation of a Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Hookworm Species in Human Stool
Authors: Hii Sze Fui , Senevirathna Dammika , Llewellyn Stacey , Inpankaew Tawin , Odermatt Peter , Khieu Virak , Muth Sinoun , McCarthy James , Traub Rebecca J.
Published: September 2018

Hookworm disease caused by Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum affects half a billion people worldwide. The prevalence and intensity of infection of individual hookworm species are vital for assessing morbidity and generating targeted intervention programs for their control. The present study aims to evaluate a multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to determine the prevalence and egg intensity of all three hookworm species and compare this with standard microscopy and published genus-based conventional and real-time multiplex qPCRs. Performance of the diagnostic assays was evaluated using DNA extracted from 192 fecal samples collected as part of a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) survey in northern Cambodia. The prevalence of hookworms as detected by the multiplex hookworm qPCR of 84/192 (43.8%) was significantly higher than that using microscopy of 49/192 (25.5%). The hookworm multiplex qPCR showed very good agreement for the detection of both N. americanus (Kappa 0.943) and Ancylostoma spp. (Kappa 0.936) with a multiplex STH qPCR. A strong and moderate quantitative correlation between cycle threshold and eggs per gram (EPG) feces was obtained for the hookworm qPCR for seeded DNA egg extracts (R2 ≥ 0.9004) and naturally egg-infected individuals (R2 = 0.6848), respectively. The newly developed hookworm quantitative multiplex qPCR has the potential for application in anthelmintic efficacy trials and for monitoring the success of mass deworming programs targeting individual species of anthroponotic and zoonotic hookworms.
Praziquantel Resistance in the Zoonotic Cestode Dipylidium caninum
Authors: Jesudoss Chelladurai Jeba , Kifleyohannes Tsegabirhan , Scott Janelle , Brewer Matthew T.
Published: September 2018

Dipylidium caninum is a cosmopolitan cestode infecting dogs, cats, and humans. Praziquantel is a highly effective cestocidal drug and resistance in adult cestodes has not been reported. From 2016 to 2018, a population of dogs with cestode infections that could not be eliminated despite multiple treatments with praziquantel or epsiprantel was identified. Cases of D. caninum were clinically resistant to praziquantel and could not be resolved despite increasing the dose, frequency, and duration of treatment. Resistant isolates were identified and characterized by sequencing the 28S, 12S, and voltage-gated calcium channel beta subunit genes. Cases were only resolved following treatment with nitroscanate or a compounded pyrantel/praziquantel/oxantel product. Clinicians should be aware of this alarming development as treatment options for cestodes are limited in both human and veterinary medicine.
Macroeconomic dynamics and the IS puzzle
Authors: Hawkins Raymond J. , Nguyen Chau N.
Published: September 2018

The authors solve the IS puzzle for the G7 countries. They find that five of the G7 countries have the expected significant negative relationship between the output gap and the realrate gap; the time series of the remaining two show material deviation from expected IScurve behavior. The authors show that the observed time dependence of the interaction between the output and real-rate gaps can be represented in a parsimonious and practical manner using the theory of anelasticity that unifies partial-adjustment specifications of the IS curve.
Factors of depression among patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kwiatkowska Brygida , Kłak Anna , Maślińska Maria , Mańczak Małgorzata , Raciborski Filip
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between symptoms of depression and the course and clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material and methods

120 patients with RA were included in the study: 104 (87%) female patients and 16 (13%) male patients. All studied patients completed the following questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The serum levels of IL-1b, TNF-, and IL-6 were measured using standard ELISA assays at the time of the first questionnaire assessment.

Results

Symptoms of depression were found in 91 patients (76%), including 79 (87%) women and 12 (13%) men. There were no significant differences between the prevalence of depression in women and men (p = 0.93). Symptoms of depression occurred more often in patients who were professionally inactive, compared with the professionally active patients (p = 0.04). Significant correlations was demonstrated between the value of BDI and the patient’s pain assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS) value (r = 0.36), the disease activity assessed by the patient and the physician evaluated in millimetres on the VAS scale (r = 0.38 and r = 0.30, respectively), the number of painful and swollen joints (r = 0.22 and r = 0.26, respectively), DAS28 (r = 0.31) as well as the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) value (r = 0.46). Longer duration of the disease was observed in patients with symptoms of depression (p = 0.02). Also a significant difference in the assessment of BDI between patients treated with biological drugs and those receiving no such treatment was observed (p = 0.042).

Conclusions

Professional inactivity and longer disease duration are important factors influencing symptoms of depression in patients with RA. Higher values of HAQ increase the probability of the occurrence of depression symptoms. The use of biological drugs that reduce the level of proinflammatory cytokines may have a positive effect on reducing the severity of depressive symptoms.
Antinuclear antibodies in healthy people and non-rheumatic diseases – diagnostic and clinical implications
Authors: Grygiel-Górniak Bogna , Rogacka Natalia , Puszczewicz Mariusz
Published: September 2018

The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is mainly associated with connective tissue diseases (CTD). In addition, their presence is found in healthy people. These antibodies are more common in women and the elderly. Some drugs and xenobiotics are also important for the development of autoimmunity and ANA synthesis. Moreover, the deficiency of vitamin D in the body of patients correlates with occurrence of these antibodies. Unlike the healthy group, a positive ANA count was observed in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and in people with immune disorders. Antinuclear antibodies in low counts are also found in the course of chronic bacterial or viral infection and in patients with hematological malignancies. Also the possibility of false positive results, which may be caused by the choice of method used to determine antibodies, should be borne in mind. Taking into account all these factors, it is concluded that the ANA result itself has no diagnostic value.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura as the first presentation in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Bamidele Opeyemi F. , Akintayo Richard Oluyinka , Bojuwoye Mathew Olumuyiwa , Alabi Tolulope Oyetunde , Akintayo Foluke C. , Bamidele Oluwakemi V.
Published: September 2018

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon, life-threatening disease characterized by severe thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, neurologic abnormalities, renal insufficiency, and fever commonly associated with infections, malignancy, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. Coexistence of TTP with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare, and the emergence of the full manifestation of SLE starting with TTP is even rarer. Black people due to genetic risk factors are at increased risk of TTP. In the present article the authors describe the case of a Nigerian woman who developed classical features of TTP as the first manifestation of SLE. The patient’s condition was stabilized after treatment with intravenous pulses of methylprednisolone and subsequently on oral prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine treatment.
Relative timing of precipitation and ocean circulation changes in the western equatorial Atlantic over the last 45 kyr
Authors: Waelbroeck Claire , Pichat Sylvain , Böhm Evelyn , Lougheed Bryan C. , Faranda Davide , Vrac Mathieu , Missiaen Lise , Vazquez Riveiros Natalia , Burckel Pierre , Lippold Jörg , Arz Helge W. , Dokken Trond , Thil François , Dapoigny Arnaud
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Thanks to its optimal location on the northern Brazilian margin,
core MD09-3257 records both ocean circulation and atmospheric changes. The
latter occur locally in the form of increased rainfall on the adjacent
continent during the cold intervals recorded in Greenland ice and northern
North Atlantic sediment cores (i.e., Greenland stadials). These rainfall
events are recorded in MD09-3257 as peaks in ln(Ti ∕ Ca). New sedimentary
Pa ∕ Th data indicate that mid-depth western equatorial water mass
transport decreased during all of the Greenland stadials of the last 40 kyr.
Using cross-wavelet transforms and spectrogram analysis, we assess the
relative phase between the MD09-3257 sedimentary Pa ∕ Th and
ln(Ti ∕ Ca) signals. We show that decreased water mass transport between
a depth of ∼1300 and 2300 m in the western equatorial Atlantic preceded
increased rainfall over the adjacent continent by 120 to 400 yr at
Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) frequencies, and by 280 to 980 yr at Heinrich-like
frequencies. We suggest that the large lead of ocean circulation changes with respect to
changes in tropical South American precipitation at Heinrich-like
frequencies is related to the effect of a positive feedback involving
iceberg discharges in the North Atlantic. In contrast, the absence of
widespread ice rafted detrital layers in North Atlantic cores during D–O
stadials supports the hypothesis that a feedback such as this was not triggered in
the case of D–O stadials, with circulation slowdowns and subsequent changes
remaining more limited during D–O stadials than Heinrich stadials.
MPAS-Albany Land Ice (MALI): a variable-resolution ice sheet model for Earth system modeling using Voronoi grids
Authors: Hoffman Matthew J. , Perego Mauro , Price Stephen F. , Lipscomb William H. , Zhang Tong , Jacobsen Douglas , Tezaur Irina , Salinger Andrew G. , Tuminaro Raymond , Bertagna Luca
Published: September 2018

Abstract. We introduce MPAS-Albany Land Ice (MALI) v6.0, a new variable-resolution land ice model that uses unstructured Voronoi grids on a plane or
sphere. MALI is built using the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS)
framework for developing variable-resolution Earth system model components
and the Albany multi-physics code base for the solution of coupled systems of
partial differential equations, which itself makes use of Trilinos solver
libraries. MALI includes a three-dimensional first-order momentum balance
solver (Blatter–Pattyn) by linking to the Albany-LI ice sheet velocity
solver and an explicit shallow ice velocity solver. The evolution of ice
geometry and tracers is handled through an explicit first-order horizontal
advection scheme with vertical remapping. The evolution of ice temperature is
treated using operator splitting of vertical diffusion and horizontal
advection and can be configured to use either a temperature or enthalpy
formulation. MALI includes a mass-conserving subglacial hydrology model that
supports distributed and/or channelized drainage and can optionally be
coupled to ice dynamics. Options for calving include “eigencalving”, which
assumes that the calving rate is proportional to extensional strain rates. MALI is
evaluated against commonly used exact solutions and community benchmark
experiments and shows the expected accuracy. Results for the MISMIP3d
benchmark experiments with MALI's Blatter–Pattyn solver fall between
published results from Stokes and L1L2 models as expected. We use the model
to simulate a semi-realistic Antarctic ice sheet problem following the
initMIP protocol and using 2 km resolution in marine ice sheet regions. MALI
is the glacier component of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM)
version 1, and we describe current and planned coupling to other E3SM
components.
sympl (v. 0.4.0) and climt (v. 0.15.3) – towards a flexible framework for building model hierarchies in Python
Authors: Monteiro Joy Merwin , McGibbon Jeremy , Caballero Rodrigo
Published: September 2018

Abstract. sympl (System for Modelling Planets) and
climt (Climate Modelling and Diagnostics Toolkit) are an
attempt to rethink climate modelling frameworks from the ground up. The aim
is to use expressive data structures available in the scientific Python
ecosystem along with best practices in software design to allow scientists to
easily and reliably combine model components to represent the climate system
at a desired level of complexity and to enable users to fully understand
what the model is doing. sympl is a framework which formulates the model in terms of a
state that gets evolved forward in time or modified within a specific
time by well-defined components. sympl's design facilitates building
models that are self-documenting, are highly interoperable, and provide
fine-grained control over model components and behaviour. sympl
components contain all relevant information about the input they expect and
output that they provide. Components are designed to be easily interchanged,
even when they rely on different units or array configurations.
sympl provides basic functions and objects which could be used in
any type of Earth system model. climt is an Earth system modelling toolkit that contains scientific
components built using sympl base objects. These include both pure
Python components and wrapped Fortran libraries. climt provides
functionality requiring model-specific assumptions, such as state
initialization and grid configuration. climt's programming interface
designed to be easy to use and thus appealing to a wide audience. Model building, configuration and execution are performed through a Python
script (or Jupyter Notebook), enabling researchers to build an end-to-end
Python-based pipeline along with popular Python data analysis and
visualization tools.
Speculations on the application of foliar 13C discrimination to reveal groundwater dependency of vegetation and provide estimates of root depth and rates of groundwater use
Authors: Rumman Rizwana , Cleverly James , Nolan Rachael H. , Tarin Tonantzin , Eamus Derek
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Groundwater-dependent vegetation is globally distributed, having important
ecological, social, and economic value.
Along with the groundwater resources upon which it depends, this vegetation
is under increasing threat through excessive rates of groundwater extraction. In this study we examined one shallow-rooted and two deep-rooted tree species
at multiple sites along a naturally occurring gradient in
depth-to-groundwater. We measured (i) stable isotope ratios of leaves
(δ13C), xylem, and groundwater (δ2H and
δ18O); and (ii) leaf-vein density. We established that foliar
discrimination of 13C (Δ13C) is a reliable indicator
of groundwater use by vegetation and can also be used to estimate rooting
depth. Through comparison with a continental-scale assessment of foliar
Δ13C, we also estimated the upper limits to annual rates of
groundwater use. We conclude that maximum rooting depth for both deep-rooted
species ranged between 9.4 and 11.2 m and that annual rates of groundwater
use ranged from ca. 1400 to 1700 mm for Eucalyptus camaldulensis
and from 600 to 900 mm for Corymbia opaca. Several predictions
about hydraulic and leaf traits arising from the conclusion that these two
species made extensive use of groundwater were supported by additional
independent studies of these species in central Australia.
Teens as Teachers: Positive Outcomes and Recommendations for Promoting Healthy Nutrition in Adolescents
Authors: Weybright Elizabeth H. , Martinez AnaMaria Diaz , Varrella Gary , Deen Mary Katherine , Wright Kevin
Published: September 2018

The prevalence of overweight and obese status in adolescence points to a need to identify and broadly disseminate effective approaches promoting healthy eating. One promising approach engages teens as teachers to implement a nutrition education curriculum for younger youth. This article highlights qualitative evaluation results of a cross-age peer-teaching program on teen teachers. Results strengthen our knowledge base of cross-age peer teaching and inform policy and practice implications. Teens experienced greater internalization of curriculum content as evidenced by increased knowledge, improved behaviors, and overcoming barriers to healthy eating. These findings are grounded in social learning theory. To disseminate cross-age peer teaching within youth-serving organizations, we recommend the use of an evidence-based framework to guide program implementation and the development of policy to ensure intentional teen teaching opportunities.
Lessons Learned from an After-School Program: Building Personal and Social Responsibility
Authors: Ivy Victoria Nicole , Richards K. Andrew R. , Lawson Michael A. , Alameda-Lawson Tania
Published: September 2018

Drawing from the physical activity and positive youth development literatures, this paper describes a novel after-school effort designed to enhance youths’ life skill development outcomes across school, family, and community settings. This program, which is derived from the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model, is a university-assisted effort serving 1st through 5th graders attending a low-income elementary school. As a part of this model’s approach, pre-service physical education teachers engage in a yearlong course sequence and practicum that enables them to deliver the program. University graduate students and faculty then provide ongoing support, facilitation, and training to the pre-service teachers at the same time they conduct field-based research on the effort. The preliminary data indicate that the program can successfully impact several teaching and life skill development outcomes. However, additional interventions appear to be needed to extend youths’ outcomes to settings outside of the program.
Heart and Shield Family Violence Prevention Program
Authors: Baker-Tingey Jill , Powell Pamela , Powell Crystal
Published: September 2018

Children exposed to domestic violence (DV) inadvertently learn behaviors that make them more likely to become victims and/or perpetrators later in life unless they learn skills to address childhood trauma. This article discusses how two rural community needs assessments identified that DV prevention was a high-priority issue, the effects of DV on youth mental and physical health, and the resulting Heart and Shield Family Violence Prevention Program, a Cooperative Extension program designed to strengthen family relationships and break the cycle of violence. Implications for practice include helping youth build healthy relationships, incorporating DV awareness training in staff/volunteer professional development, collaborating with community partners, and advocating for programs that teach positive parent-child interactions.
On the Intersection of Health, Well-being, and Youth Development
Authors: Arnold Mary Elizabeth , Ferrari Theresa M.
Published: September 2018

This introduction sets forth the thinking that guided the journal’s special issue on youth health and well-being. Three main points provide the foundation: (a) that youth development is predicated on a strengths-based approach, (b) that an ecological approach to youth health is essential for real and lasting change, and (c) that the larger intent of youth development is encompassed in increasing youth well-being, of which youth health is a key component. The guest editors provide an overview of the articles included in the special issue. The articles highlight different settings, describe the processes involved in developing programs, and address organizations’ efforts to enhance youth health and well-being. The reader will also find resources and models that are suitable for use across youth development settings.
FINITELY SCOPED, HIGH RELIABILITY FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH MEASUREMENTS
Authors: Goossens Joshua R. , Mars William V.
Published: September 2018

Classical procedures for characterizing fatigue crack growth behavior often suffer from uncertainties that make it difficult to plan for productive use of test instrument time, and that can result ultimately in too noisy measurements. An enhanced procedure has been implemented that is based on a fixed test time budget, and that establishes operating conditions that produce crack growth rates down to minimum measurable rates. The procedure features (1) a haversine pulse deformation test cycle followed by a rest period, (2) a strain peak that ramps linearly over time, (3) minimum and maximum limits on the strain peak chosen to avoid unproductive test time, and (4) a stress–strain probe cycle for purposes of observing strain energy density. A set of replicates of a carbon black filled, natural rubber bushing compound has been characterized via both procedures, and a statistical analysis is made to compare both. The new procedure significantly improves the quality of crack growth rate curve measurements.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN APPLICATION OF BIO-BASED OILS IN ELASTOMERS
Authors: Li Jiaxi , Isayev Avraam I
Published: September 2018

Bio-based oil is an emerging oil source to replace petroleum oil products in elastomers as a plasticizer. It is renewable, low cost, and has many advantages over conventional petroleum plasticizers. Bio-based oil usually contains multiple functional groups and can be treated, modified, or polymerized for different applications. In this article, a brief overview of bio-based oil and such replacement is provided. An example of modified soybean oil used in carbon black–filled SBR compounds is discussed to show the change brought about by the use of bio-based oils.
TIME AND TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT PIEZORESISTIVE BEHAVIOR OF CONDUCTIVE ELASTOMERIC COMPOSITES
Authors: Bhagavatheswaran Eshwaran Subramani , Stöckelhuber Klaus Werner , Vaikuntam Sankar Raman , Wießner Sven , Pötschke Petra , Heinrich Gert , Das Amit
Published: September 2018

We report about systematic studies on dynamic piezoresistive characteristics of conductive rubber composites. The temporal changes in electrical resistance of flexible electrically conductive rubber composites were simultaneously monitored during dynamic mechanical loading. Thus, influences of physical parameters such as frequency, temperature, strain amplitude, and matrix stiffness were explored in detail, and the mechanisms behind qualitatively discussed. The filler clusters were found to rearrange in the elastomer matrix during dynamic deformation, witnessed by the decrease in electrical resistance over time. Each test parameter had its own specific effect on the piezoresistance response, and the findings offered an understanding on the filler networking inside the solution styrene butadiene rubber matrix from the perspective of the dynamic piezoresistive characteristics. Higher piezoresistive response was observed near the glass transition temperature. We offer a deeper insight into the behavior and temporal changes in corresponding filler clusters during dynamic deformations of conducting rubber systems.
DYNAMIC PROPERTIES AND TIRE PERFORMANCES OF COMPOSITES FILLED WITH CARBON NANOTUBES
Authors: Shao Hong-Qi , Wei Hang , He Jiong-Hao
Published: September 2018

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely studied in rubber goods and tire compounds to improve, for example, antistatic and thermal conductivity performances. CNTs were applied in passenger tire tread compounds to improve comprehensive tire performances, especially wet traction. High frequency dynamic properties of CNT-filled compounds were revealed for the first time. There was good correlation between compound dynamic properties and vehicle tire test results. The influence of CNTs on tire performances and their mechanisms was investigated and explained by the dynamic properties and master curve analysis in the frequency domain. Substituting 50 phr carbon black N234 by 20 phr CNTs could maintain hardness but increased static and dynamic moduli, which was beneficial for the tire handling, with 0.25 point improvement in the subjective testing. For the CNT-filled compounds, 1.5% traction improvement on a dry road and 6.5% traction improvement on a wet road can be explained successfully by the increased hysteresis loss (tan δ) and decreased storage modulus (G′) at high frequency domain (104–108 Hz). It is implied by Williams–Landel–Ferry law calculation that a strong interaction between CNTs and rubber resulted in higher temperature dependence; however, the trade-off was a 7% higher tire rolling resistance coefficient and 33% worse wear resistance for the CNT tires. CNT-filled compounds were demonstrated to have superior handling and traction performances suitable for racing and sports car tires.
Caracterización numérica de la diversidad forestal de 14 de comunidades rurales en cinco municipios de Nicaragua
Authors: Benavides-González Álvaro , Moran-Centeno Juan Carlos
Published: September 2018

Los bosques son importantes para las comunidades rurales y el país, por lo que es necesario identificar las especies y determinar su estado, utilización racional, y establecer políticas de conservación en sus hábitats. El objetivo del estudio fue comparar comunidades rurales considerando la presencia de la diversidad florística arbórea. Mediante encuestas se recopiló información durante el período 2013-2015, identificaron especies forestales en 14 comunidades rurales de Nicaragua en los municipios de Las Sabanas, Nandaime, Somotillo, Villanueva y El Crucero. Se muestrearon 604 Unidades Familiares de Producción (UFP) que contenían 3677 registros. Fueron utilizadas herramientas univariadas (ANDEVA, LSD) y multivariadas (análisis de correspondencia, componentes principales y conglomerados) en la comparación de UFP integrando la clasifi cación taxonómica y uso de los árboles. De igual manera, se utilizaron índices básicos de la diversidad florística (Margalef, Shanon-Wiener, Simpson y Berguer-Parker). Según los resultados, la agricultura es de subsistencia y las comunidades se benefician de las especies. Las herramientas multivariadas e índices de diversidad fueron útiles para comparar las comunidades y su riqueza vegetal. Destacaron 84 especies de árboles, agrupadas en 66 géneros y 38 familias.