bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aquatic macrophytes can be used for wastewater polishing but not for purification in constructed wetlands
Authors: Tang Yingying , Harpenslager Sarah F. , van Kempen Monique M. L. , Verbaarschot Evi J. H. , Loeffen Laury M. J. M. , Roelofs Jan G. M. , Smolders Alfons J. P. , Lamers Leon P. M.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The sequestration of nutrients from surface waters by aquatic macrophytes and sediments provides an important service to both natural and constructed wetlands. While emergent species take up nutrients from the sediment, submerged and floating macrophytes filter nutrients directly from the surface water, which may be more efficient in constructed wetlands. It remains unclear, however, whether their efficiency is sufficient for wastewater purification and how plant species and nutrient loading affects nutrient distribution over plants, water and sediment. We therefore determined nutrient removal efficiencies of different vegetation (Azolla filiculoides, Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum spicatum) and sediment types (clay, peaty clay and peat) at three nutrient input rates, in a full factorial, outdoor mesocosm experiment. At low loading (0.43 mg P m−2 d−1), plant uptake was the main pathway (100 %) for phosphorus (P) removal, while sediments showed a net P release. A. filiculoides and M. spicatum showed the highest biomass production and could be harvested regularly for nutrient recycling, whereas C. demersum was outcompeted by spontaneously developing macrophytes and algae. Higher nutrient loading only stimulated A. filiculoides growth. At higher rates ( ≥  21.4 mg P m−2 d−1), 50–90 % of added P ended up in sediments, with peat sediments becoming more easily saturated. For nitrogen (N), 45–90 % was either taken up by the sediment or lost to the atmosphere at loadings  ≥  62 mg N m−2 d−1. This shows that aquatic macrophytes can indeed function as an efficient nutrient filter but only for low loading rates (polishing) and not for high rates (purification). The outcome of this controlled study not only contributes to our understanding of nutrient dynamics in constructed wetlands but also shows the differential effects of wetland sediment types and plant species. Furthermore, the acquired knowledge may benefit the application of macrophyte harvesting to remove and recycle nutrients from both constructed wetlands and nutrient-loaded natural wetlands.
Isotopic composition of nitrate and particulate organic matter in a pristine dam reservoir of western India: implications for biogeochemical processes
Authors: Bardhan Pratirupa , Naqvi Syed Wajih Ahmad , Karapurkar Supriya G. , Shenoy Damodar M. , Kurian Siby , Naik Hema
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Isotopic composition of nitrate (δ15N and δ18O) and particulate organic matter (POM; δ15N and δ13C) were measured in the Tillari Reservoir, located at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, western India. The reservoir, which is stratified during spring–summer and autumn seasons but gets vertically mixed during the southwest monsoon (SWM) and winter, is characterized by diverse redox nitrogen transformations in space and time. The δ15N and δ18O values of nitrate were low (δ15N  =  2–10 ‰, δ18O  =  5–8 ‰) during normoxic conditions but increased gradually (the highest at δ15N  =  27 ‰, δ18O  =  29 ‰) when anoxic conditions facilitated denitrification in the hypolimnion during spring–early summer. Once nitrate was fully utilized and sulfidic conditions set in, NH4+ became the dominant inorganic N species, with δ15N ranging from 1.3 to 2.6 ‰. Low δ15N (∼ −5 ‰) and δ13C (−37 to −32 ‰) of POM co-occurring with high NH4+ and CH4 in sulfidic bottom waters were probably the consequence of microbial chemosynthesis. Assimilation of nitrate in the epilimnion was the major controlling process on the N isotopic composition of POM (δ15N  =  2–6 ‰). Episodic low δ15N values of POM (−2 to 0 ‰) during early summer, coinciding with the absence of nitrate, might arise from N fixation, although further work is required to confirm the hypothesis. δ13C POM in the photic zone ranged between −29 and −27 ‰ for most parts of the year. The periods of mixing were characterized by uniform δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3− at all depths. Higher POM (particulate organic carbon, POC, as well as particulate organic nitrogen, PON) contents and C ∕ N values with lower δ13C POM during the SWM point to allochthonous inputs. Overall, this study, the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent, provides an insight into biogeochemistry of Indian reservoirs, using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes as a tool, where the monsoons play an important role in controlling vertical mixing and dynamics of carbon and nutrients.
Biogenic sediments from coastal ecosystems to Beach-Dune Systems: implications for the adaptation of mixed and carbonate beaches to future sea level rise
Authors: De Falco Giovanni , Molinaroli Emanuela , Conforti Alessandro , Simeone Simone , Tonielli Renato
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Coastal ecosystems store carbonate particles, which play a significant role in the carbonate dynamics of coastal areas and may contribute to the sediment budget of adjacent beaches. In the nearshore seabed of temperate zones, marine biogenic carbonates are mainly produced inside seagrass meadows. This study quantifies the contribution of biogenic sediments, mainly produced in Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and secondarily in photophilic algal communities, to the sediment budget of a Mediterranean beach-dune system (San Giovanni beach, western Sardinia, western Mediterranean Sea). A set of geophysical, petrographic and sedimentological data were used to estimate the sediment volume and composition of the beach-dune system as a whole. The San Giovanni beach-dune system contains ~ 2106 m3 of sediments, about 83 % of which are located in the coastal wedge, 16 % in the dune fields and 1 % in the beachface. The sediments are composed of mixed modern bioclastic and relict biogenic and siliciclastic grains from various sources. The system receives a large input of modern bioclastic grains, mainly composed of Rhodophytes, Molluscs and Bryozoans, which derive from sediment production by present-day carbonate factories, particularly P. oceanica seagrass meadows. Radiocarbon dating of modern bioclastic grains indicated that they were produced during the last 4.37 ka. This value was used to estimate the long-term deposition rates of modern bioclastic sediments in the various beach compartments. The total deposition rate of modern bioclastic grains is 46 000 ± 5000 tons century−1, mainly deposited in the coastal wedge (85 %) and dunes (15 %). This deposition rate is equivalent to ~ 26 000 m3 century−1, and 26 000 m3 represents ~ 1.2 % of the total beach-dune sediment volume. Carbonate production from coastal ecosystems was estimated to be 132 000 ÷ 307 000 tons century−1, 28 % (15 % ÷ 34 %) of which is transported to the beach. The contribution to the beach sediment budget represents a further ecosystem service provided by P. oceanica, and our data can help quantify the value of this specific service in addition to the others provided by this seagrass. The dependence of the beach sediment budget on carbonate production associated with coastal ecosystems has several implications for the adaptation of mixed and carbonate beaches to the loss of seagrass meadows due to local impacts and the changes expected to occur over the next few decades in coastal ecosystems following sea level rise.
Continuous records of the atmospheric greenhouse gases CO2, CH4,
and N2O and their radiative forcing since the penultimate glacial
maximum
Authors: Köhler Peter , Nehrbass-Ahles Christoph , Schmitt Jochen , Stocker Thomas F. , Fischer Hubertus
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Continuous records of the atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) CO2, CH4, and N2O are necessary input data for transient climate simulations and their related radiative forcing important components in analyses of climate sensitivity and feedbacks. Since the available data from ice cores are discontinuous and partly ambiguous a well-documented decision process during data compilation followed by some interpolating post-processing are necessary to obtain those desired time series. Here we document our best-guess data compilation of published ice core records and recent measurements on firn air and atmospheric samples covering the time window from the penultimate glacial maximum (∼ 156 kyr BP) to the beginning of year 2016 CE. A smoothing spline method is applied to translate the discrete and irregularly spaced data points into continuous time series. These splines are assumed to represent the evolution of the atmospheric mixing ratios for the three GHGs. Global- mean radiative forcing for each GHG is computed using well-established, simple formulations. Newest published age scales are used for the ice core data. While CO2 is representing an integrated global signal, we compile only a southern hemisphere record of CH4 and identify how much larger a northern hemisphere or global CH4 record might have been due to its interhemispheric gradient. Data resolution and uncertainties are considered in the spline procedure and typical cutoff periods, defining the degree of smoothing, range from 5000 years for the less resolved older parts of the records to 4 years for the densely-sampled recent years. The data sets describe seamlessly the GHG evolution on orbital and millennial time scales for glacial and glacial-interglacial variations and on centennial and decadal time scales for anthropogenic times. Data connected with this paper, including raw data and final splines, are available at https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.871273.
Reconstruction of spatially detailed global map of NH4+ and NO3− application in synthetic nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Nishina Kazuya , Ito Akihiko , Hanasaki Naota , Hayashi Seiji
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Currently, available historical global N fertilizer map as an input data to global biogeochemical model is still limited and existing maps were not considered NH4+ and NO3− in the fertilizer application rates. This paper provides a method for constructing a new historical global nitrogen fertilizer application map (0.5°  ×  0.5° resolution) for the period 1961–2010 based on country-specific information from Food and Agriculture Organization statistics (FAOSTAT) and various global datasets. This new map incorporates the fraction of NH4+ (and NO3−) in N fertilizer inputs by utilizing fertilizer species information in FAOSTAT, in which species can be categorized as NH4+- and/or NO3−-forming N fertilizers. During data processing, we applied a statistical data imputation method for the missing data (19 % of national N fertilizer consumption) in FAOSTAT. The multiple imputation method enabled us to fill gaps in the time-series data using plausible values using covariates information (year, population, GDP, and crop area). After the imputation, we downscaled the national consumption data to a gridded cropland map. Also, we applied the multiple imputation method to the available chemical fertilizer species consumption, allowing for the estimation of the NH4+ ∕ NO3− ratio in national fertilizer consumption. In this study, the synthetic N fertilizer inputs in 2000 showed a general consistency with the existing N fertilizer map (Potter et al., 2010) in relation to the ranges of N fertilizer inputs. Globally, the estimated N fertilizer inputs based on the sum of filled data increased from 15 to 110 Tg-N during 1961–2010. On the other hand, the global NO3− input started to decline after the late 1980s and the fraction of NO3− in global N fertilizer decreased consistently from 35 to 13 % over a 50-year period. NH4+-forming fertilizers are dominant in most countries; however, the NH4+ ∕ NO3− ratio in N fertilizer inputs shows clear differences temporally and geographically. This new map can be utilized as input data to global model studies and bring new insights for the assessment of historical terrestrial N cycling changes. Datasets available at doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.861203.
Sea-ice evaluation of NEMO-Nordic 1.0: a NEMO–LIM3.6 based
ocean–sea ice model setup for the North Sea and Baltic Sea
Authors: Pemberton Per , Löptien Ulrike , Hordoir Robinson , Höglund Anders , Schimanke Semjon , Axell Lars , Haapala Jari
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The Baltic Sea is a seasonally ice covered marginal sea in northern Europe with intense wintertime ship traffic and a sensitive ecosystem. Understanding and modeling the evolution of the sea-ice pack is important for climate effect studies and forecasting purposes. Here we present and evaluate the sea-ice component of a new NEMO–LIM3.6 based ocean–sea ice setup for the North Sea and Baltic Sea region. The setup includes a new depth-based fast ice parametrization for the Baltic Sea. The evaluation focuses on long-term statistics, from a 45-year long hindcast, although short-term daily performance is also briefly evaluated. Different sea-ice metrics such as sea-ice extent, concentration and thickness are compared to the best available observational dataset to identify model biases. Overall the model agrees well with the observations in terms of the long-term mean sea-ice extent and thickness. The variability of the annual maximum Baltic Sea ice extent is well in line with the observations but the 1961–2006 trend is underestimated. Based on the simulated ice thickness distribution we estimate the undeformed and deformed ice thickness and concentration in the Baltic Sea, which compares reasonably well with observations. We conclude that the new North Sea/Baltic Sea ocean–sea ice setup is well suited for further climate studies and sea ice forecasts.
A case study of field-scale maize irrigation patterns in western Nebraska: implications for water managers and recommendations for hyper-resolution land surface modeling
Authors: Gibson Justin , Franz Trenton E. , Wang Tiejun , Gates John , Grassini Patricio , Yang Haishun , Eisenhauer Dean
Published: February 2017

Abstract. In many agricultural regions, the human use of water for irrigation is often ignored or poorly represented in land surface models (LSMs) and operational forecasts. Because irrigation increases soil moisture, feedback on the surface energy balance, rainfall recycling, and atmospheric dynamics is not represented and may lead to reduced model skill. In this work, we describe four plausible and relatively simple irrigation routines that can be coupled to the next generation of hyper-resolution LSMs operating at scales of 1 km or less. The irrigation output from the four routines (crop model, precipitation delayed, evapotranspiration replacement, and vadose zone model) is compared against a historical field-scale irrigation database (2008–2014) from a 35 km2 study area under maize production and center pivot irrigation in western Nebraska (USA). We find that the most yield-conservative irrigation routine (crop model) produces seasonal totals of irrigation that compare well against the observed irrigation amounts across a range of wet and dry years but with a low bias of 80 mm yr−1. The most aggressive irrigation saving routine (vadose zone model) indicates a potential irrigation savings of 120 mm yr−1 and yield losses of less than 3 % against the crop model benchmark and historical averages. The results of the various irrigation routines and associated yield penalties will be valuable for future consideration by local water managers to be informed about the potential value of irrigation saving technologies and irrigation practices. Moreover, the routines offer the hyper-resolution LSM community a range of irrigation routines to better constrain irrigation decision-making at critical temporal (daily) and spatial scales (< 1 km).
On the consistency of scale among experiments, theory, and simulation
Authors: McClure James E. , Dye Amanda L. , Miller Cass T. , Gray William G.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. As a tool for addressing problems of scale, we consider an evolving approach known as the thermodynamically constrained averaging theory (TCAT), which has broad applicability to hydrology. We consider the case of modeling of two-fluid-phase flow in porous media, and we focus on issues of scale as they relate to various measures of pressure, capillary pressure, and state equations needed to produce solvable models. We apply TCAT to perform physics-based data assimilation to understand how the internal behavior influences the macroscale state of two-fluid porous medium systems. A microfluidic experimental method and a lattice Boltzmann simulation method are used to examine a key deficiency associated with standard approaches. In a hydrologic process such as evaporation, the water content will ultimately be reduced below the irreducible wetting-phase saturation determined from experiments. This is problematic since the derived closure relationships cannot predict the associated capillary pressures for these states. We demonstrate that the irreducible wetting-phase saturation is an artifact of the experimental design, caused by the fact that the boundary pressure difference does not approximate the true capillary pressure. Using averaging methods, we compute the true capillary pressure for fluid configurations at and below the irreducible wetting-phase saturation. Results of our analysis include a state function for the capillary pressure expressed as a function of fluid saturation and interfacial area.
Geostatistical upscaling of rain gauge data to support uncertainty analysis of lumped urban hydrological models
Authors: Muthusamy Manoranjan , Schellart Alma , Tait Simon , Heuvelink Gerard B. M.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. In this study we develop a method to estimate the spatially averaged rainfall intensity together with associated level of uncertainty using geostatistical upscaling. Rainfall data collected from a cluster of eight paired rain gauges in a 400 m  ×  200 m urban catchment are used in combination with spatial stochastic simulation to obtain optimal predictions of the spatially averaged rainfall intensity at any point in time within the urban catchment. The uncertainty in the prediction of catchment average rainfall intensity is obtained for multiple combinations of intensity ranges and temporal averaging intervals. The two main challenges addressed in this study are scarcity of rainfall measurement locations and non-normality of rainfall data, both of which need to be considered when adopting a geostatistical approach. Scarcity of measurement points is dealt with by pooling sample variograms of repeated rainfall measurements with similar characteristics. Normality of rainfall data is achieved through the use of normal score transformation. Geostatistical models in the form of variograms are derived for transformed rainfall intensity. Next spatial stochastic simulation which is robust to nonlinear data transformation is applied to produce realisations of rainfall fields. These realisations in transformed space are first back-transformed and next spatially aggregated to derive a random sample of the spatially averaged rainfall intensity. Results show that the prediction uncertainty comes mainly from two sources: spatial variability of rainfall and measurement error. At smaller temporal averaging intervals both these effects are high, resulting in a relatively high uncertainty in prediction. With longer temporal averaging intervals the uncertainty becomes lower due to stronger spatial correlation of rainfall data and relatively smaller measurement error. Results also show that the measurement error increases with decreasing rainfall intensity resulting in a higher uncertainty at lower intensities. Results from this study can be used for uncertainty analyses of hydrologic and hydrodynamic modelling of similar-sized urban catchments as it provides information on uncertainty associated with rainfall estimation, which is arguably the most important input in these models. This will help to better interpret model results and avoid false calibration and force-fitting of model parameters.
Design Considerations of Artificial Mangrove Embankments for Mitigating Coastal Floods – Adapting to Sea-level Rise and Long-term Subsidence
Authors: Takagi Hiroshi
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Mangrove plantation belts are expected to act as natural infrastructural buffers against coastal hazards. However, their performance will not endure over time if the platform is not appropriately designed. In fact, despite massive funds dedicated to the rehabilitation of mangrove forests, the long-term survival rates of mangroves are generally low. This paper investigates the function of mangrove embankments in attenuating the amplitudes of ocean tides through a coupled numerical model that reproduces shallow-water wave propagations under the progress of soil consolidation. The developed model is capable of simulating tidal propagation over an artificial embankment, which will inevitably change its ground surface elevation with the passage of time because of sea-level rise, land subsidence, vegetation growth and sediment accretion. A parametric analysis demonstrates that high tides could be effectively mitigated only if the embankment is appropriately designed to maintain an equilibrium state among these multiple influences over the long term. On the other hand, an embankment designed without considering geomorphological transitions will become submerged under the rising sea level, resulting in no significant effect on tidal damping. Therefore, the artificial mangrove embankment must be carefully designed to function not only during the initial stage of its lifetime but also over time, to avoid system failure in the future.
Detecting Changes in Forced Climate Attractors with Wasserstein Distance
Authors: Robin Yoann , Yiou Pascal , Naveau Philippe
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The climate system can been described by a dynamical system and its associated attractor. The dynamics of this attractor depends on the external forcings that influence the climate. Such forcings can affect the mean values or variances, but regions of the attractor that are seldom visited can also be affected. It is an important challenge to measure how the climate attractor responds to different forcings. Currently, the Euclidean distance or similar measures like the Mahalanobis distance have been favoured to measure discrepancies between two climatic situations. Those distances do not have a natural building mechanism to take into account the attractor dynamics. In this paper, we argue that a Wasserstein distance, stemming from optimal transport theory, offers an efficient and practical way to discriminate between dynamical systems. After treating a toy example, we explore how the Wasserstein distance can be applied and interpreted to detect non-autonomous dynamics from a Lorenz system driven by seasonal cycles and a warming trend.
Ensemble Kalman filter for the reconstruction of the Earth's mantle
circulation
Authors: Bocher Marie , Fournier Alexandre , Coltice Nicolas
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Recent advances in mantle convection modelling led to the release of a new generation of convection codes, able to generate self-consistently plate-like tectonics at their surface. Those models physically link mantle dynamics to surface tectonics. Combined with plate tectonic reconstructions, they have the potential to produce a new generation of mantle circulation models that use data assimilation methods and where uncertainties on plate tectonic reconstructions are taken into account. We recently provided a proof of this concept by applying a suboptimal Kalman Filter to the reconstruction of mantle circulation (Bocher et al., 2016). Here, we propose to go one step further and apply the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) to this problem. The EnKF is a sequential Monte Carlo method particularly adapted to solve high dimensional data assimilation problems with nonlinear dynamics. We tested the EnKF using synthetic observations consisting of surface velocity and heat flow measurements, on a 2D-spherical annulus model and compared it with the method developed previously. The EnKF performs on average better and is more stable than the former method. Less than 300 ensemble members are sufficient to reconstruct an evolution. We use covariance adaptive inflation and localization to correct for sampling errors. We show that the EnKF results are robust over a wide range of covariance localization parameters. The reconstruction is associated with an estimation of the error, and provides valuable information on where the reconstruction is to be trusted or not.
Experimental observation of transient δ18O interaction between snow and advective airflow under various temperature gradient conditions
Authors: Ebner Pirmin P. , Steen-Larsen Hans Christian , Stenni Barbara , Schneebeli Martin , Steinfeld Aldo
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Stable water isotopes (δ18O) obtained from snow and ice samples of polar regions are used to reconstruct past climate variability, but heat and mass transport processes can affect the isotopic composition. Here we present an experimental study on the effect on the snow isotopic composition by airflow through a snow pack in controlled laboratory conditions. The influence of isothermal and controlled temperature gradient conditions on the δ18O content in the snow and interstitial water vapor is elucidated. The observed disequilibrium between snow and vapor isotopes led to exchange of isotopes between snow and vapor under non-equilibrium processes, significantly changing the δ18O content of the snow. The type of metamorphism of the snow had a significant influence on this process. These findings are pertinent to the interpretation of the records of stable isotopes of water from ice cores. These laboratory measurements suggest that a highly resolved history is relevant for the interpretation of the snow isotopic composition in the field.
Políticas públicas para la economía solidaria en Colombia, antecedentes y perspectivas en el posconflicto
Authors: Martínez Collazos Jarrison
Published: February 2017

El siguiente artículo reflexiona sobre las políticas públicas que se han diseñado e implementando para la economía solidaria en Colombia. Sostiene que en el país se institucionalizó una visión restrictiva que la define a partir de ciertas formas organizativas jurídicamente reconocidas, lo que ha tenido profundas consecuencias en el desarrollo de este sector y en las políticas implementadas hacia él. Hoy cuando la sociedad colombiana busca poner fin a un conflicto armado que la ha afectado por décadas y construir una sociedad en paz, se requiere volver la mirada sobre lo sustantivo de la solidaridad y la economía solidaria, lo cual implica revisar los paradigmas establecidos.
An Examination and Critique of the Use of Knowledge Management in Achieving and Sustaining Competitive Advantage in Business
Authors: Si Xue Colin Ting
Published: February 2017

Today Knowledge Management and innovation have become factors for success. Organizations must compete in such complex and competitive environment in order to stay competitive. The organizations must know how to implement and distribute knowledge in the organizational process in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantages. The organizations have invested heavily in building Knowledge Management Systems. Knowledge Management is essentially important especially in airline industry. In order to prove the previous statement, an airline industry – British Airways has been chosen to show how the industry has applied and used Knowledge Management in managing their business. British Airways has applied Knowledge Management in strategic planning, communication and customer experience.
Integrating True Short Stories into English Classes: The Case of Foundation Students in Oman
Authors: Siyabi Munira Said Al
Published: February 2017

Searching for practical ways to improve students’ English language skills is a real concern for all English teachers. There is a consensus among ELT practitioners regarding the significance of reading for learning new languages, since reading gives depth to language learning (Stern, 2001). Thus, teachers are obligated to provide their students with interesting and suitable texts to read. Real stories are by far more interesting and involving than scientific and historical texts. The present study aimed to investigate students’ perceptions of reading true short stories and its benefits. The study data were collected through a survey and participant observation of 19 level D students in Oman. The study findings indicated that using stories during English class was an interesting experience and had good potential as a tool to improve English language skills. The meaningful context created by the true short stories made it much easier for the teacher to conduct and run the class.
The Impact of Single and Multiple Mergers and Acquisitions on Shareholders’ Wealth of UK Bidder Firms
Authors: Giannopoulos George , Khansalar Ehsan , Neel Patel
Published: February 2017

This study investigates the impact of takeover announcements on UK acquirer shareholders’ wealth during the period 2002-2006. More specifically, it is investigated whether the impact of single acquirers on shareholders’ wealth is significantly different from the impact of multiple acquirers. Findings suggest that acquirer shareholders experience positive abnormal returns during the announcement period. Moreover, the results indicate single acquirers consistently outperform multiple acquirers when testing for deal characteristics such as: payment method (cash or equity), target status (public or private), target location (domestic or cross-border) and industry relatedness (specification or diversification). Performance declines with sequential acquisitions due to merger programme announcement hypothesis. Successful first time acquirers suffer from hubris whilst unsuccessful first time acquirers learn from their experiences suggested by the organisation learning hypothesis but go on to suffer from hubris. Acquisitions of private firms yield significant abnormal returns whereas public acquisitions reduce the value of UK acquirers. The effect of cash and equity, domestic and foreign, related and unrelated takeovers are inconclusive for the short-term windows investigated by this study.
Causal Nexus between Billing Efficiency and Economic Growth in India: An Analysis Using Vector Autoregression
Authors: Mohanty Asit Ranjan , Chaturvedi Devtosh , Patra Suresh Kumar
Published: February 2017

Energy being a major factor of production plays a pivotal role in inducing a sustained and high economic growth of an economy. This paper attempts to examine the Vector Autoregression (VAR) based Granger causality between billing efficiency and growth rate of per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India using annual time series data for the period 1970-71 to 2014-15. The conventional Augmented Dicky-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests reveal that both the series are non-stationary and individually integrated of order one. Johansen-Juselius cointegration approach finds no evidence on the long-run equilibrium association between these variables. However, the VAR - based Granger causality approach reveals unidirectional causality running from billing efficiency to economic growth without any feedback effect. As regards policy implication, implementation of both the short term and long term measures in improving billing efficiency, through the enhancement of commercial and operational efficiency in electricity distribution sector will undoubtedly aid in achieving sustained and high economic growth in India.
Convergence and Divergence under Global Trade
Authors: Foulkes David Mayer
Published: February 2017

We construct a model of endogenous technological change with trade (in the absence of foreign direct investment separating innovation from production) that displays multiple steady states with divergence in levels and in growth rates. This shows trade can be a force for both development and underdevelopment. Our dynamic model of trade simultaneously explains: comparative advantage, the advantages of being open for the technological leader, that lagging countries might benefit from being closed, the possibility of divergence under trade for lagging countries, and under what circumstances lagging countries can converge to development under trade, possibly overtaking the leader. The sources of divergence we consider are inherent characteristics of the process of technological change (for example as described throughout Aghion and Howitt’s work). The first is the need for absorptive capacity for innovators taking advantage of leading edge technologies. The second is the existence of innovation externalities between goods, the basis of technology spillovers and of the concept of “leading edge technology.” It follows that the more goods are engaged in R&D in any country, the more productive R&D is. We provide a historical discussion of the emergence of development and underdevelopment during the 19th Century and until 1914 that is consistent with and exemplifies the possibilities explained by the model.
Urbanization and Economic Growth in China—An Empirical Research Based on VAR Model
Authors: Yang Zi Li
Published: February 2017

This paper takes the relation between urbanization and economic growth in China as the object of study. By using the time series data ranging from 1982 to 2014 and building VAR model, it analyzes, respectively, the dynamic relations between economic growth and the urbanization rate of resident population, the urbanization rate of land and the quality of urbanization. The paper comes up with the following conclusions: there exists a unidirectional causality between resident population urbanization and China’s economic growth, the former promoting the long-term growth of the latter; unidirectional causality also exists between land urbanization rate and China’s economic growth. However, different from resident population urbanization rate, it is the economic growth of China that promotes the increase of land urbanization rate and the increase of land urbanization rate cannot promote China’s economic growth; the relation between the quality of urbanization and China’s economic growth is a two-way causality. The improvement of urbanization quality has a cumulative positive effect on the economic growth of China, while economic growth has a negative effect on the improvement of urbanization quality in the short term and positive effect on economic growth in the long term.
The Classical Approaches to Testing the Unconditional CAPM: UK Evidence
Authors: Laura Mehnaz Roushan , Fahad Nafiz Ul
Published: February 2017

This empirical study attempts to test the unconditional capital asset pricing model. Two-pass regression models are employed using 86 randomly chosen companies of LSE during 1997 to 2015. A two stage approaches have been applied to investigate whether excess returns can be explained by the market risk. Based on empirical results of the first pass regression, among the 86 companies 81 companies are consistent with the prediction of CAPM except five companies. However, the estimated R-square of the sample companies are very low and indicate that market excess return has low explanatory power. In the second pass regression, empirical result shows that beta coefficient is negative and statistically significant which implies that rate of return has no linear positive relationship with beta. Further, coefficient of residual variance is also observed negative and statistically significant which violates the CAPM assumption as unsystematic risks are assumed to have no impact on rate of return. In conclusion, CAPM predictions are not consistent with the findings of this study; hence CAPM is violated and does not hold.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 1
Authors: Sun Barbara
Published: February 2017

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Education and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2017
Review of Issues Related to Crisis and Its Management in Civil Liability Law
Authors: Mohammadi Zahra , Karimi Ghavam
Published: February 2017

Civil liability is a responsibility, which exist against damage caused and made causing damage to compensate. Civil liability means a liability to pay damages. So wherever someone is responsible for compensation against other one, there is civil liability. Civil liability laws enacted in 1960,there is no definition about responsibility and responsibility of the person has brought based on intentionally or fault of the natural or legal person including ordinary people or government employees and doesn’t say a word of Cairo forces in the realization of civil responsibility of states. There is a special relationship based on the civil liability between prejudicial and injured which is the same compensation. So, civil liability in a general and extensive sense covers contractual liability and tort liability because for both important issues to discuss about compensation. But the basic difference between these two back together the presence or absence of a contract between the parties. The scope of civil liability begins where is not present any contract for the fulfillment of the obligations between the parties. In this paper, the history of civil liability in relation to crisis management and its evolution, as well as the duties of the Supreme Council of the crisis in the form of materials and auxiliaries which have been approved are briefly discussed.
A PRESENÇA DE ROBERTO BURLE MARX NA CIDADE DE TERESINA, PIAUÍ
Authors: Lopes Wilza Gomes Reis , Matos Karenina Cardoso , Mattaraia Regina Ângela , Junior José Hamilton Lopes Leal , Vieira Geovana Alves Rocha , Costa Nayane Áurea Santiago
Published: February 2017

Os jardins urbanos representam uma forma de se reencontrar com o meio natural, sendo áreas
importantes para o equilíbrio ambiental das cidades. Roberto Burle Marx é um dos mais representativos
paisagistas brasileiros, de renome internacional. Seus projetos, ligados às ideias nacionalistas
dos arquitetos modernos, mudaram o conceito do paisagismo brasileiro, com a introdução de espécies
autóctones no jardim brasileiro. Neste estudo, são descritos e analisados os três projetos de
jardim de Burle Marx existentes na cidade de Teresina, Piauí, destacando sua importância cultural
para a cidade.
ASPECTOS DA RESTAURAÇÃO SOB A ABORDAGEM DE CARBONARA
Authors: Siluk Andrei Ruppenthal , De Conto Vanessa , Pisani Ângela Grandeaux , Ruppenthal Janis Elisa
Published: February 2017

Este artigo aborda as ideias de restauração e conservação de bens históricos e culturais com base
em Brandi e Carbonara. Posteriormente, utiliza-se desse substrato teórico para discussão das decisões
ocorridas na prática, por meio de casos empíricos. Dessa forma, escolheu-se para análise
mais detalhada o caso da restauração da Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição, em Porto Alegre,
comentando-se os aspectos em relação à teoria de Carbonara. Buscando-se um exemplo oposto, é
apresentada a restauração do prédio da Escola de Artes e Ofícios Hugo Taylor. A metodologia usada
foi a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental.
O SOMBREAMENTO CAUSADO PELOS EDIFÍCIOS ALTOS EM CURITIBA
Authors: Campos Giovana De Almeida Coelho , Júnior Eloy Fassi Casagrande
Published: February 2017

O objetivo do trabalho é a verificação da influência do sombreamento gerado pelos três edifícios mais
altos na zona com maior capacidade de verticalização em Curitiba. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida
em quatro etapas: a primeira, de breve fundamentação teórica; a segunda, com delimitação da área
a ser estudada; a terceira, com simulações computacionais nos softwares Auto CAD e Sketchup; e
a quarta, para discussão dos resultados encontrados. Durante a evolução da pesquisa, verificou-se
que, de fato, o sombreamento causado pelos edifícios analisados compromete consideravelmente
as construções vizinhas a eles e o seu entorno imediato.
PERMACULTURA E BIOARQUITETURA: PERSPECTIVAS NA PRODUÇÃO DO ESPAÇO URBANO
Authors: Pirani Julianna Gavioli
Published: February 2017

Este artigo propõe uma investigação sobre os conceitos de sustentabilidade, permacultura e certificações
ambientais na Arquitetura e tenta estabelecer relações entre adensamento urbano e o desenvolvimento
sustentável, segundo arquitetos e urbanistas contemporâneos. Em seguida, contextualiza
a aplicação dos conceitos e das técnicas alternativas permaculturais dentro do espaço urbano.
Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, empregou-se, além do levantamento da bibliografia especializada,
alguns estudos de caso/análise de situações e aplicação de questionários. Com base nessa
análise, conclui-se que a permacultura confere um importante potencial de realizações à Arquitetura,
aos processos educativos, sociais e ambientais, destacando, para além das perspectivas, questões
concernentes à inserção do tema na sociedade contemporânea e na comunidade acadêmica.
DESENHO URBANO E MOBILIDADE
Authors: Neto Arnoldo Debatin , De Oliveira Jonara Machado
Published: February 2017

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a relação entre a forma urbana e o movimento de pedestres. Para isso foi analisado um trecho de uma via urbana de Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. Foram utilizadas análise sequencial, análise morfológica, sintaxe espacial e contagem de pedestres. A análise sequencial permitiu caracterizar o trecho a partir da perspectiva do pedestre e identificar alguns dos fatores que interferem negativamente na mobilidade. Utilizando a análise morfológica e a sintaxe espacial foi possível caracterizar a forma do espaço e comparar estas informações com a quantidade de pedestres em cada trecho. Na contagem de pedestres identificou-se preferência por uma das calçadas do trecho. A partir da comparação entre os resultados das análises foi possível sintetizar as características da forma urbana da área, relacionar formas e usos, e identificar as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos pedestres ao longo deste trajeto. Foram feitas recomendações para alteração no desenho urbano e levantadas questões para novas pesquisas.
AS REPERCUSSÕES DAS LEIS DE PARCELAMENTO, OCUPAÇÃO E USO DO SOLO NA HOMOGENEIZAÇÃO, HIERARQUIZAÇÃO E FRAGMENTAÇÃO NA (RE)PRODUÇÃO DO ESPAÇO DE BELO HORIZONTE
Authors: De Almeida Reginaldo Magalhães
Published: February 2017

Este artigo analisa criticamente a influência das leis de parcelamento, ocupação e uso do solo de
Belo Horizonte na (re)produção do espaço urbano do Município. O período a ser analisado situa-se
entre as leis n.º 2.662/1976 e a Lei n.º 9.959/2010, passando pela Lei n.º 8.137/2000. Utiliza-se como
referenciais teóricos publicações de juristas e de especialistas no campo do urbanismo e conceitos
de Henri Lefébvre. Discute-se as repercussões das legislações na (re)produção de Belo Horizonte e
verifica-se que essas legislações, ao estabelecerem regulamentos que visam, entre outros, a proteger
e a garantir a (re)produção do espaço, aumentam o caráter de homogeneização, hierarquização
e fragmentação da cidade de Belo Horizonte.
PAISAGENS CULTURAIS: FRAGILIDADES DE PRESENÇAS IMPRESCINDÍVEIS
Authors: Pimenta Margareth De Castro Afeche
Published: February 2017

As Paisagens Culturais, introduzidas recentemente no Brasil, devem suscitar amplas coadjuvações
de ajustamento. Visando a proteger também os grupos tradicionais inseridos em seu ambiente, significam
um desafio diante das tendências econômicas hegemônicas. Daí decorre sua importância,
mas também sua vulnerabilidade. A deriva desse conceito poderia obstaculizar a efetividade das
políticas públicas nas diversas escalas territoriais, contrariando sua potencialidade de valorização das
práticas socioculturais espacializadas, da memória histórica e da identidade dos lugares.
iMap & CMPaaS – De Ferramenta à Plataforma de Serviços para Mapas Conceituais
Authors: Perin Wagner De  Andrade , Cury Davidson , Menezes Credine Silva
Published: February 2017

This article reports the evolution of a research that aims to create a tool that facilitates the process of analysis and evaluation of concept maps. In addition, this work proposes the specification of a service-oriented platform, aiming at the complete management of concept maps — including map analysis, evaluation, union and conflict checking services. It also highlights, as the starting point for future research, the potential of integrating new services into the proposed platform.
O Uso da Ferramenta Cognitiva Fórum no Processo de Ensino-Aprendizagem na Modalidade a Distância
Authors: Sondermann Danielli Veiga Carneiro , Baldo Yvina Pavan
Published: February 2017

This article qualitative, shows a cutout of an action research in the area of Educational Design Inclusive on the settings of cognitive tool Forum and the impacts caused the interaction of student-student, student-tutor and student-teacher. The research was conducted in a training course for Distance Education at a public institution of education. The action research was organized with three focus groups: Group 1 - production team, Group 2 - Teachers; Group 3 - Students, among students with visual disabilities and three deaf. The results reinforce the importance of the form of mediation as a factor of success for the construction of knowledge.
Artefato Metodológico de Autoria Aplicado aos Mundos Virtuais para Educação
Authors: Oliveira Leander Cordeiro , Espíndola Danúbia Bueno , Amaral Marília Abrahão , Barwaldt Regina , Botelho Silvia Silva da Costa
Published: February 2017

By the growing consolidation of the convergence between technology and education, there are many studies found in the literature that involves virtual worlds in the educational context. By observing low applicability and dissemination of this technology, it is important to have a debate about the authorship of these environments. In the research described here, it is intended to develop a methodological artifact that aims to guide and motivate the development and consequent use of virtual worlds in educational contexts.
Buenas prácticas en educación inclusiva
Authors: Muntaner Guasp Joan Jordi , Rosselló Ramón María Rosa , De la Iglesia Mayol Begoña
Published: February 2017

En estos últimos años, han ido apareciendo una amplia variedad y cantidad de experiencias de aula que han implementado con éxito prácticas inclusivas, así como centros escolares que han iniciado su andadura hacia la inclusión educativa. Sin embargo, todavía no existe un consenso
pleno sobre el tema y, en muchos casos, se producen prácticas que esconden experiencias excluyentes y contradictorias. En este contexto, el artículo parte de la necesidad de revisar qué caracteriza a las buenas prácticas inclusivas y qué actuaciones deben impulsarse para generar
los cambios necesarios para consolidar una escuela inclusiva. En respuesta a tales interrogantes se analizan las principales aportaciones, a la vez que se recogen los cambios sustanciales que deben impulsarse en la cultura de los centros y las aulas.
Las creencias de estudiantes universitarios sobre la escritura en Inglés
Authors: Nicolás Conesa Florentina , Manchón Ruiz Rosa María , Roca de Larios Julio
Published: February 2017

Este estudio investiga las creencias de estudiantes sobre varios aspectos de la composición en un contexto de lengua extranjera. Los participantes eran dos grupos de estudiantes universitarios de inglés con diferente cantidad y tipo de experiencias escritora e instrucción. Los datos provenían de un cuestionario completado por los estudiantes y una entrevista con la profesora de escritura.
Los resultados indican la existencia de creencias bien fundamentadas sobre el potencial de aprendizaje de la escritura en L2, la dimensión estratégica de la escritura y los procesos de retroalimentación. Otras creencias relacionadas con la dimensión personal de la escritura demostraron ser dependientes del contexto de instrucción. Las implicaciones pedagógicas son discutidas.