bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and practices of visual acuity screening by primary school educators
Authors: Juggernath Yentl M. , Knight Stephen E.
Published: November 2015

Background: The World Health Organization estimates that 12 million children worldwide between the ages of 5 and 15 years have visual impairment owing to uncorrected refractive error.Aim: To assess whether the knowledge and practices of visual acuity (VA) screening improved after structured training of Grade 5 educators.Setting: Primary schools in Chatsworth, a suburb of Durban, South Africa.Method: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted. Bioethics approval and informed consent was obtained. Thirty-eight of 41 schools were randomised to an intervention or control group. Each Grade 5 classroom was given a Snellen chart, and educators from the intervention schools received structured training on VA screening and how to recognise visual impairment in learners. Data were collected from the 19 intervention and 18 control educators using a self-administered questionnaire at outset (baseline) and 6 weeks later in both groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to measure the significance of changes.Results: The proportion of trained primary school educators who had adequate knowledge of VA screening increased significantly from 5.3% to 100% in the intervention group. In the control group, educators’ knowledge of VA screening stayed the same. The proportion of trained educators who performed VA screening of children increased from 0% to 79% (p < 0.001).Conclusion: A simple structured VA screening programme presented to primary school educators increased their knowledge and led to improved visual screening practices in the classroom.
Forgiveness: A Christocentric perspective
Authors: Möller Francois P.
Published: November 2015

Forgiveness is at the core of Christianity and is a gift of God in conquering sin and its destructive fruits. It is therefore important to understand the biblical principles and norms in this regard. This will be done from a dogmatic-ethical view that will be motivated by aC hristocentric perspective. Central to forgiveness is what God has done in Christ to move towards us in brokenness and sin whilst inviting our repentant response. Christ has done a complete work in this regard, and therefore God is faithful and righteous to Christ to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. A Christocentric view accentuates God’s initiative in forgiveness and necessitates us to differentiate between God’s unconditional offering of forgiveness and his conditional applying of forgiveness. It is shown that this differentiation is crucial in the understanding and application of forgiveness as portrayed in the Bible. Christ is normative in offering forgiveness, and therefore it should be done in his name. Christ is also normative in the realisation of forgiveness and therefore he is the Subject of forgiveness, not a human being. In conclusion the problem of offered forgiveness that does not evoke repentance and confession is dealt with.Vergifnis: ’n Christosentriese perspektief. Vergifnis is wesenlik deel van die Christendom en ’n gawe van God in die oorwinning van sonde en sy vernietigende gevolge. Dit is daarom belangrik om die bybelse beginsels en norme in hierdie verband te begryp. Dit sal gedoenword vanuit ’n dogmaties-etiese benadering gemotiveer deur ’n Christosentriese perspektief. Dit wat God in Christus gedoen het deur na ons uit te reik in ons gebrokenheid en sonde in afwagting op ons berouvolle reaksie, staan in die kern van vergifnis. Christus het in hierdie verband ’n volkome werk gedoen, en daarom is God getrou en regverdig teenoor Christus om ons sondes te vergewe en ons van alle ongeregtigheid te reinig. ’n Christosentriese perspektief aksentueer God se inisiatief in vergifnis en noop ons om tussen die onvoorwaardelike aanbieding van vergifnis en die voorwaardelike realisering daarvan te onderskei. Daar word aangetoon dat hierdie onderskeid essensieel is vir die verstaan en toepassing van vergifnis soos dit in die Bybel voorgehou word. Christus is normatief in die aanbieding van vergifnis, en daarom moet dit in sy Naam geskied. Christus is ook normatief in die realisering van vergifnis, en daarom is Hy die Subjek van vergifnis, nie die mens nie. Ten slotte word die problem van aangebode vergifnis behandel, wat nie berou en belydenis tot gevolg het nie.
Self-similar Lie algebras
Authors: Bartholdi Laurent
Published: November 2015

We give a general definition of branched, self-similar Lie algebras, and show that important examples of Lie algebras fall into that class. We give sufficient conditions for a self-similar Lie algebra to be nil, and prove in this manner that the self-similar algebras associated with Grigorchuk’s and Gupta–Sidki’s torsion groups are nil as well as self-similar.We derive the same results for a class of examples constructed by Petrogradsky, Shestakov and Zelmanov
Actores políticos y sociales de los telediarios: Una tarea pendiente de las televisoras mexicanas
Authors: Martinez Garza Francisco Javier , González Macías Rubén Arnoldo , Miranda Villanueva Oscar Mario
Published: November 2015

A pesar de que la televisión abierta es el principal medio de comunicación en México, su oferta informativa en el ámbito político es limitada; puesto que sus noticieros tienden a destacar la versión oficial por encima de otras fuentes de información. Metodología: Para demostrar lo anterior, se recurrió a un análisis de contenido en el que se midió cuáles son los personajes de la política nacional que destacan dichos programas, qué tan diversos son y con qué frecuencia son presentados. Además del tratamiento estadístico común en esta técnica, los resultados fueron sometidos al Índice Gini, que mide el grado de desigualdad en la distribución – en este caso – del tiempo otorgado a cada actor político. Resultados: Los resultados que se discutirán a lo largo de este texto indican que los personajes mayormente representados pertenecen al Gobierno Federal y, en menor medida, al Poder Legislativo y al Gobierno Estatal. Asimismo, y dado que es el partido gobernante, el Partido Revolucionario Institucional es el que mayor presencia tiene en comparación con los otros institutos políticos. Por tanto, no resulta inesperado que los principales temas abordados en las noticias hayan sido la economía, seguridad y política; puesto que son justamente los temas incluidos en la agenda de los actores políticos. Conclusiones: Esta situación refuerza la tesis de la falta de modernización del periodismo mexicano, caracterizado por la ausencia de investigación periodística y por ceder el control de la agenda al gobierno, principalmente el federal.
Reconstrucción virtual del palacio medieval de Pedro I en los Reales Alcázares de Sevilla: the architect´s cut
Authors: Rodríguez Moreno Concepción
Published: November 2015

Obviously, we cannot do a rigorous and scientific reading of our Architectural Heritage without an adequate archaeological and historical analysis but always it is not so clear that we should also assess factors that differentiate the architecture itself from other artistic productions: the functionality, the logic of space composition, the importance of light, color and beauty, the meanings and emotions that architecture should have transmitted, etc. We believe that the study of historic architecture that has been done, and partly still is, does not provide the requirements for fully understand the architectural phenomena of a certain age. The sensitive and vital view of the architects, with all the subjectivity that it implies, is often forgotten.
Combinación de módulos en la metrología clásica
Authors: Roldán Francisco
Published: November 2015

The results obtained in the graphic analysis of the modulation of the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo building in Granada, Spain, (ROLDÁN, 2011) have provided new insights to further approach the research on possible use the double-scale in historical monumental architecture. We propose the characterization of the singularities of the system, from the implications and graphic representation required by the metrological scheme identified, as well as the variety of typologies that are presented in their modular frames, and the iterative combination of two-scale modules which allow operational approximations to fractions and ratios not explicitly present in the system.
Il santuario di Giove Anxur a Terracina. Una ricostruzione tipologica come ausilio alla visita in situ
Authors: Gabellone Francesco
Published: November 2015

The reconstructive study of Giove Anxur sanctuary in Terracina (Lazio, Italy) is part of a wider valorization project to develop a musealization intervention that provides in-site visit, aimed at understanding the existents archaeological structures and to the creation of digital contents and multimedia solutions useful to stimulate the curiosity and interest of the visitors. The entire project was done in collaboration with the Archaeological Superintendence of Lazio, the Officina Rambaldi and the Syremont spa, in order to make a digital movie that describes the historical and archaeological features of one the most important republican sanctuaries in central Italy. The planimetric reconstruction returns the spatial sense and architectural complexity of the various levels on which articulates the original path of cult.
La recuperación y restauración de la pintura mural romana en el sureste español
Authors: Santiago Godos Victoria
Published: November 2015

Recovery of the Roman wall painting in the southeast Spanish is done, by a party's own excavations in the archaeological site, where you can find this mural in two ways, still located in the walls of Roman villas or at the foot of these walls collapsed, fragmented and even buried, making it necessary cooperation in the recovery work of the archaeologist and restorer. You can also recall Roman wall paintings in the collections of archaeological museums, as many boxes remain innumerable multitude of fragments of mural pieces found in excavations and record stored there pending further study, grading and restoration. Examples of the above are discussed.
Visualización virtual de la Quintilla
Authors: Flores Gutiérrez Mariano , Romero Soria Álvaro , Martínez García Juan , Ramallos Asensio Sebastián F. , Fernández Díaz Alicia
Published: November 2015

In this article we give an overview of the production process of the virtual reconstrucción virtual archeology. While Referring to the Roman town of Lorca Limerick show the proper steps virtualizatión purchase.
Reconstrucción Virtual de la Villa Romana de la Quintilla de Lorca a partir de las evidencias físicas existentes sobre dicha construcción así como de referencias comparativas científicamente razonadas
Authors: Ramallos Asensio Sebastián F. , Fernández Díaz Alicia , Flores Gutiérrez Mariano , Romero Soria Álvaro , Martínez García Juan
Published: November 2015

The virtual reconstruction of archaeological sites using computer graphics is a very important tool for the verification or refutation of hypotheses in scientific research. It also is an excellent way to spread awareness Heritage with realistic images of scientific rigor.
Computer Simulation of Multidimensional Archaeological Artefacts
Authors: Moitinho de Almeida Vera , Barceló Juan Anton
Published: November 2015

The main purpose of this ongoing research is to understand possible function(s) of archaeological artefacts through Reverse Engineering processes. In addition, we intend to provide new data, as well as possible explications of the archaeological record according to what it expects about social activities and working processes, by simulating the potentialities of such actions in terms of input-output relationships. Our project focuses on the Neolithic lakeside site of La Draga (Banyoles, Catalonia). In this presentation we will begin by providing a clear overview of the major guidelines used to capture and process 3D digital data of several wooden artefacts. Then, we shall present the use of semi-automated relevant feature extractions. Finally, we intend to share preliminary computer simulation issues.
The Growth Effects of R&D Spending in the EU: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kokko Ari , Tingvall Patrik Gustavsson , Videnord Josefin
Published: November 2015

In this paper we conduct a meta-analysis to examine the link between R&D spending and economic growth in the EU and other regions. The results suggest that the growth-enhancing effect of R&D in the EU15 countries does not differ from that in other countries in general, but it is less significant than that for other industrialized countries. A closer inspection of the data reveals that the weak results for the EU15 stem from comparisons with the US – the US has been able to generate a stronger growth response from its R&D spending. Possible explanations for the US advantage include higher private sector investment in R&D and stronger public-private sector linkages than in the EU. Hence, to reduce the “innovation gap” vis-à-vis the US, it may not be enough for the EU to raise the share of R&D expenditures in GDP: continuous improvements in the European innovation system will also be needed, with focus on areas like private sector R&D and public-private sector linkages.
New particle-dependent parameterizations of heterogeneous freezing processes: sensitivity studies of convective clouds with an air parcel model
Authors: Diehl K. , Mitra S. K.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Based on the outcome of laboratory results, new particle-dependent parameterizations of heterogeneous freezing were derived and used to improve and extend a two-dimensional spectral microphysics scheme. They include (1) a particle-type-dependent parameterization of immersion freezing using the numbers of active sites per mass, (2) a particle-type and size-resolved parameterization of contact freezing, and (3) a particle-type-dependent description of deposition freezing. The modified microphysical scheme was embedded in an adiabatic air parcel model with entrainment. Sensitivity studies were performed to simulate convective situations and to investigate the impact of ice nuclei concentrations and types on ice formation. As a central diagnostic parameter, the ice water fraction (IWF) was selected, which is the relation of the ice water content to the total amount of water in the condensed form. The following parameters were varied: initial aerosol particle number size distributions, types of ice nucleating particles, final temperature, and the fractions of potential ice nucleating particles. Single and coupled freezing processes were investigated. The results show that immersion freezing seems to be the most efficient process. Contact freezing is constrained by the collision kernel between supercooled drops and potential ice nucleating particles. The importance of deposition freezing lies in secondary ice formation; i.e., small ice particles produced by deposition nucleation trigger the freezing of supercooled drops by collisions. Thus, a broader ice particle spectrum is generated than that by immersion and contact freezing. During coupled immersion–contact and contact–deposition freezing no competition was observed, and both processes contribute to cloud ice formation but do not impede each other. As already suggested in the literature, mineral dust particles seem to be the most important ice nucleating particles. Biological particles are probably not involved in significant ice formation. The sensitive parameters affecting cloud properties are temperature, aerosol particle composition and concentration, and particle size distribution.
Modeling of the anthropogenic heat flux and its effect on air quality over the Yangtze River Delta region, China
Authors: Xie M. , Liao J. , Wang T. , Zhu K. , Zhuang B. , Han Y. , Li M. , Li S.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Anthropogenic heat (AH) emissions from human activities caused by urbanization can affect the city environment. Based on the energy consumption and the gridded demographic data, the spatial distribution of AH emission over the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region is estimated. Meanwhile, a new method for the AH parameterization is developed in the WRF/Chem model, which incorporates the gridded AH emission data with the seasonal and the diurnal variations into the simulations. By running this upgraded WRF/Chem for two typical months in 2010, the impacts of AH on the meteorology and air quality over the YRD region are studied. The results show that the AH fluxes over YRD have been growing in recent decades. In 2010, the annual mean values of AH over Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are 14.46, 2.61 and 1.63 W m−2 respectively, with the high values of 113.5 W m−2 occurring in the urban areas of Shanghai. These AH emissions can significantly change the urban heat island and urban-breeze circulations in the cities of the YRD region. In Shanghai, 2 m air temperature increases by 1.6 °C in January and 1.4 °C in July, the planetary boundary layer height rises up by 140 m in January and 160 m in July, and 10 m wind speed is enhanced by 0.7 m s−1 in January and 0.5 m s−1 in July, with higher increment at night. And the enhanced vertical movement can transport more moisture to higher levels, which causes the decrease of water vapor at the ground level and the increase in the upper PBL, and thereby induces the accumulative precipitation to increase by 15–30 % over the megacities in July. The adding AH can impact the spatial and vertical distributions of the simulated pollutants as well. The concentrations of primary air pollutants decrease near surface and increase at the upper levels, due mainly to the increases of PBLH, surface wind speed and upward air vertical movement. But surface O3 concentrations increase in the urban areas, with maximum changes of 2.5 ppb in January and 4 ppb in July. Chemical direct (the rising up of air temperature directly accelerate surface O3 formation) and indirect (the decrease in NOx at the ground results in the increase of surface O3) effects can play a significant role in O3 changes over this region. The meteorology and air pollution predictions in and around large urban areas are highly sensitive to the anthropogenic heat inputs, suggesting that AH should be considered in any climate and air quality assessment.
Edaphic, structural and physiological contrasts across Amazon Basin forest–savanna ecotones suggest a role for potassium as a key modulator of tropical woody vegetation structure and function
Authors: Lloyd J. , Domingues T. F. , Schrodt F. , Ishida F. Y. , Feldpausch T. R. , Saiz G. , Quesada C. A. , Schwarz M. , Torello-Raventos M. , Gilpin M. , Marimon B. S. , Marimon-Junior B. H. , Ratter J. A. , Grace J. , Nardoto G. B. , Veenendaal E. , Arroyo L. , Villarroel D. , Killeen T. J. , Steininger M. , Phillips O. L.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Sampling along a precipitation gradient in tropical South America extending from ca. 0.8 to 2.0 m a−1, savanna soils had consistently lower exchangeable cation concentrations and higher C / N ratios than nearby forest plots. These soil differences were also reflected in canopy averaged leaf traits with savanna trees typically having higher leaf mass per unit area but lower mass-based nitrogen (Nm) and potassium (Km). Both Nm and Km also increased with declining mean annual precipitation (PA), but most area-based leaf traits such as leaf photosynthetic capacity showed no systematic variation with PA or vegetation type. Despite this invariance, when taken in conjunction with other measures such as mean canopy height, area-based soil exchangeable potassium content, [K]sa , proved to be an excellent predictor of several photosynthetic properties (including 13C isotope discrimination). Moreover, when considered in a multivariate context with PA and soil plant available water storage capacity (θP) as covariates, [K]sa also proved to be an excellent predictor of stand-level canopy area, providing drastically improved fits as compared to models considering just PA and/or θP. Neither calcium, nor magnesium, nor soil pH could substitute for potassium when tested as alternative model predictors (ΔAIC > 10). Nor for any model could simple soil texture metrics such as sand or clay content substitute for either [K]sa or θP. Taken in conjunction with recent work in Africa and the forests of the Amazon Basin, this suggests – in combination with some newly conceptualised interacting effects of PA and θP also presented here – a critical role for potassium as a modulator of tropical vegetation structure and function.
Increasing coccolithophore abundance in the subtropical North Atlantic from 1990 to 2014
Authors: Krumhardt K. M. , Lovenduski N. S. , Freeman N. M. , Bates N. R.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. As environmental conditions evolve with rapidly increasing atmospheric CO2, biological communities will change as species reorient their distributions, adapt, or alter their abundance. In the surface ocean, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) has been increasing over the past several decades as anthropogenic CO2 dissolves into seawater, causing acidification (decreases in pH and carbonate ion concentration). Calcifying phytoplankton, such as coccolithophores, are thought to be especially vulnerable to ocean acidification. How coccolithophores will respond to increasing carbon input has been a subject of much speculation and inspired numerous laboratory and mesocosm experiments, but how they are currently responding in situ is less well documented. In this study, we use coccolithophore pigment data collected at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site together with satellite estimates (1998–2014) of surface chlorophyll and particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) to show that coccolithophore populations in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre have been increasing significantly over the past two decades. Over 1991–2012, we observe a 37 % increase in euphotic zone-integrated coccolithophore abundance at BATS. We further demonstrate that variability in coccolithophore abundance here is positively correlated with variability in DIC (and especially the bicarbonate ion) in the upper 30 m of the water column. Previous studies have suggested that coccolithophore photosynthesis may benefit from increasing CO2, but calcification may eventually be hindered by low pHT (< 7.7). Given that DIC has been increasing at BATS by ∼ 1.4 μmol kg−1 yr−1 over 1991 to 2012, we speculate that coccolithophore photosynthesis and perhaps calcification may have increased in response to anthropogenic CO2 input.
Attribution in the presence of a long-memory climate response
Authors: Rypdal K.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Multiple, linear regression is employed to attribute variability in the global surface temperature to various forcing components and prominent internal climatic modes. The purpose of the study is to asses how sensitive attribution is to long-range memory (LRM) in the model for the temperature response. The model response to a given forcing component is its fingerprint and is different for a zero response time (ZRT) model and one with an LRM response. The fingerprints are used as predictors in the regression scheme to express the response as a linear combination of footprints. For the instrumental period 1880–2010 CE (Common Era) the LRM response model explains 89 % of the total variance and is also favoured by information-theoretic model selection criteria. The anthropogenic footprint is relatively insensitive to LRM scaling in the response and explains almost all global warming after 1970 CE. The solar footprint is weakly enhanced by the LRM response, while the volcanic footprint is reduced by a factor of 2. The natural climate variability on multidecadal timescales has no systematic trend and is dominated by the footprint of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. The 2000–2010 CE hiatus is explained as a natural variation. A corresponding analysis for the last millennium is performed, using a Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstruction. The Little Ice Age (LIA) is explained as mainly due to volcanic cooling or as a long-memory response to a strong radiative disequilibrium during the Medieval Warm Anomaly, and it is not attributed to the low solar activity during the Maunder Minimum.
Efficient Bayesian inference for natural time series using ARFIMA processes
Authors: Graves T. , Gramacy R. B. , Franzke C. L. E. , Watkins N. W.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Many geophysical quantities, such as atmospheric temperature, water levels in rivers, and wind speeds, have shown evidence of long memory (LM). LM implies that these quantities experience non-trivial temporal memory, which potentially not only enhances their predictability, but also hampers the detection of externally forced trends. Thus, it is important to reliably identify whether or not a system exhibits LM. In this paper we present a modern and systematic approach to the inference of LM. We use the flexible autoregressive fractional integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model, which is widely used in time series analysis, and of increasing interest in climate science. Unlike most previous work on the inference of LM, which is frequentist in nature, we provide a systematic treatment of Bayesian inference. In particular, we provide a new approximate likelihood for efficient parameter inference, and show how nuisance parameters (e.g., short-memory effects) can be integrated over in order to focus on long-memory parameters and hypothesis testing more directly. We illustrate our new methodology on the Nile water level data and the central England temperature (CET) time series, with favorable comparison to the standard estimators. For CET we also extend our method to seasonal long memory.
Organic wastes from bioenergy and ecological sanitation as soil fertility improver: a field experiment in a tropical Andosol
Authors: Krause A. , Nehls T. , George E. , Kaupenjohann M.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Andosols require the regular application of phosphorus (P) to sustain crop productivity. In a practice oriented field experiment at an Andosol site in NW Tanzania, the effects of various soil amendments (standard compost, urine, biogas slurry and CaSa-compost [biochar and sanitized human excreta]) on (i) the productivity of locally grown crop species, on (ii) the plants' nutrient status and on (iii) the soil's physico-chemical properties were studied. None of the amendments had any significant effect on soil moisture, so the observed variation in crop yield and plant nutrition reflected differences in nutrient availability. The application of CaSa-compost increased the level of available P in the top-soil from 0.5 to 4.4 mg kg−1 and the soil pH from 5.3 to 5.9. Treatment with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost increased the above-ground biomass of Zea mays by, respectively, 140, 154 and 211 %. The grain yields of maize on soil treated with biogas slurry, standard compost and CaSa-compost were, respectively, 2.63, 3.18 and 4.40 t ha−1, compared to only 1.10 t ha−1 on unamended plots. All treatments enhanced crop productivity and increased the uptake of nutrients into the maize grains. The CaSa-compost was especially effective in mitigating P deficiency and soil acidification. We conclude that all treatments are viable as substitute for synthetic fertilizers. However, further steps are required to integrate the tested soil amendments into farm-scale nutrient management and to balance the additions and removals of nutrients, so that the loop can be closed.
Changing surface–atmosphere energy exchange and refreezing capacity of the lower accumulation area, West Greenland
Authors: Charalampidis C. , van As D. , Box J. E. , van den Broeke M. R. , Colgan W. T. , Doyle S. H. , Hubbard A. L. , MacFerrin M. , Machguth H. , Smeets C. J. P. P.
Published: November 2015

Abstract. We present 5 years (2009–2013) of automatic weather station measurements from the lower accumulation area (1840 m a.s.l. – above sea level) of the Greenland ice sheet in the Kangerlussuaq region. Here, the summers of 2010 and 2012 were both exceptionally warm, but only 2012 resulted in a strongly negative surface mass budget (SMB) and surface meltwater run-off. The observed run-off was due to a large ice fraction in the upper 10 m of firn that prevented meltwater from percolating to available pore volume below. Analysis reveals an anomalously low 2012 summer-averaged albedo of 0.71 (typically ~ 0.78), as meltwater was present at the ice sheet surface. Consequently, during the 2012 melt season, the ice sheet surface absorbed 28 % (213 MJ m−2) more solar radiation than the average of all other years. A surface energy balance model is used to evaluate the seasonal and interannual variability of all surface energy fluxes. The model reproduces the observed melt rates as well as the SMB for each season. A sensitivity analysis reveals that 71 % of the additional solar radiation in 2012 was used for melt, corresponding to 36 % (0.64 m) of the 2012 surface lowering. The remaining 64 % (1.14 m) of surface lowering resulted from high atmospheric temperatures, up to a +2.6 °C daily average, indicating that 2012 would have been a negative SMB year at this site even without the melt–albedo feedback. Longer time series of SMB, regional temperature, and remotely sensed albedo (MODIS) show that 2012 was the first strongly negative SMB year, with the lowest albedo, at this elevation on record. The warm conditions of recent years have resulted in enhanced melt and reduction of the refreezing capacity in the lower accumulation area. If high temperatures continue, the current lower accumulation area will turn into a region with superimposed ice in coming years.
An electricity market model with generation capacity expansion under uncertainty
Authors: Schroeder Andreas
Published: November 2015

This article presents an electricity dispatch model with endogenous electricity generation capacity expansion for Germany over the horizon 2035. The target is to quantify how fuel and carbon price risk impacts investment incentives of thermal power plants. Results point to findings which are in line with general theory: Accounting for stochasticity increases investment levels overall and the investment portfolio tends to be more diverse.
EFFECTS OF BLEND RATIO AND SBR TYPE ON PROPERTIES OF SILICA-FILLED SBR/NR TIRE TREAD COMPOUNDS
Authors: Sae-oui Pongdhorn , Suchiva Krisda , Thepsuwan Uthai , Intiya Wenussarin , Yodjun Pram , Sirisinha Chakrit
Published: November 2015

The influences of blend ratio between SBR and NR and SBR type, emulsion SBR (E-SBR) and solution SBR (S-SBR), on properties of silica-filled passenger car tire tread–based compounds were investigated. Results reveal that, with increasing NR proportion, cure time and most mechanical and dynamic properties, for example, tensile strength, tear strength, modulus, abrasion resistance, and wet skid resistance of the compounds and vulcanizates, are reduced, whereas the improvements in elongation at break and crack growth resistance are observed. The unexpectedly impaired mechanical and dynamic properties identified in the presence of NR are mainly caused by thermal degradation of NR taking place during the mixing process at high temperature. Compared with E-SBR, S-SBR provides superior properties in many aspects, that is, higher modulus and greater abrasion and wet skid resistances as well as lower heat buildup and rolling resistance. However, E-SBR gives greater tear strength than S-SBR.
Adaptabilidade e estabilidade como critério de seleção de cultivares de trigo no Estado do Paraná
Authors: Tavares César Luis , Carvalho Claudio Guilherme Portela de , Bassoi Manoel Carlos , Foloni José Salvador Simoneti , Prete Cássio Egídio Cavenaghi
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study was compare some techniques to assess the adaptability and stability seeking the selection of wheat genotypes in Paraná State. The grain yield data were obtained from trial experiments of the Value of Cultivation and Use, as assessed in 44 different locations in distributed environments and sowing date. The study of adaptability and stability were evaluated based on Eberhart and Russell (1966), Lin and Binns (1988) revised by Carneiro (1998), Porto, Carvalho and Pinto (2007) and Rocha et al. (2005). The methods of Eberhart and Russell (1966), Lin and Binns (1988) revised by Carneiro (1998), and the method of Porto, Carvalho and Pinto (2007) showed similar results. These methods were superior to the method of Rocha et al. (2005), which was sloppy in the selection process. The method of Porto, Carvalho and Pinto (2007) had the advantage of simplifying the analysis of adaptability and stability.
Efeito da solução nutritiva sob o crescimento e composição mineral em pepino cultivado em substrato de fibra de coco
Authors: Diniz Adriana Araujo , Dias Nildo Da Silva , Souza Francisco Ismael de , Souza Ana Claúdia Medeiros , Mesquita Francisco De Oliveira , Souza Francisco Irael de
Published: November 2015

O pepino é uma importante hortaliça amplamente cultivada por pequenos e médios produtores no semiárido do Brasil. O experimento foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes soluções nutritivas do pepino cultivados em substrato de fibra de coco sob o crescimento e composição mineral de folhas. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. A solução nutritiva padrão foi preparada seguindo a recomendação de 100% sugerida por Furlani para a cultura do pepino. A partir dessa recomendação, foram testadas novas concentrações de nutrientes: 12,5; 17; 25; 50 e 100%, que após a diluição dos nutrientes apresentou condutividades de 1,0; 1,2; 1,5; 2,3 e 3,8 dS m-1, respectivamente. A partir dos sete dias após o transplantio foram medidas as variáveis altura de plantas, diâmetro caulinar e número de folhas. No início da floração (30 dias após o transplantio) foram coletadas de cada parcela duas folhas por planta, a partir do broto terminal, para determinação dos teores de macro e micronutrientes na biomassa seca das folhas. As variáveis de crescimento altura de plantas, diâmetro do caule e número de folhas foram influenciadas pela interação proporção de nutrientes na solução nutritiva × idade das plantas. As plantas de pepineiro estavam adequadamente nutridas em nitrogênio (N), fósforo (P), potássio (K), cálcio (Ca), magnésio (Mg), cobre (Cu), manganês (Mn), ferro (Fe) e zinco (Zn).
Effect of the association of diet, omega-three, and antioxidants in dogs with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Valle Pillar Gomide do , Veado Júlio César Cambraia , Anjos Tathiana Mourão dos , Tassini Luiz Eduardo Souza de , Ferreira Luiz Fernando Lucas , Lucas Leonardo De Freitas
Published: November 2015

 

Para avaliar a contribuição da combinação de drogas de ômega-3, vitamina E, selenito de sódio, gluconato de cobre, gluconato de zinco, sulfato de condroitina, glucosamina e (Gerioox®), 12 cães com doença renal crônica (DRC) em atendimento clínico ambulatorial no Foram estudados hospital veterinário de uma instituição federal de ensino superior. Contagens completas de sangue, urinálise, medições da concentração sérica de cálcio, fósforo, ureia e creatinina, e os cálculos da proteína urinária de creatinina (UPC) e taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) foram realizados antes do início da experiência (T0) e depois 30 (T1), 90 (T2), e 120 dias (T3). Houve uma correlação negativa significativa (P <0,05) entre o TFG ea UPC e entre o TFG ea uréia e creatinina séricas (quando a GFR foi alta, a UPC, uréia e creatinina séricas foram diminuídos). A melhora foi observada no estado clínico dos pacientes estudados, conforme relatado pelos seus proprietários, que indicaram uma melhoria na vitalidade e apetite, e pela observação clínica, que mostrou melhora no estado geral de saúde, casaco, e os parâmetros analisados. A combinação de omega-3, a vitamina E, o selenito de sódio, gluconato de cobre, gluconato de zinco, sulfato de condroitina, glucosamina e encontrado em Gerioox® provou ser um adjuvante importante no tratamento conservador de cães com DRC, causando um aumento na taxa de filtração glomerular com uma redução na proteinúria. Este resultado indica que houve uma melhoria na qualidade de excreção, e não um aumento na excreção de si, o que é um resultado do efeito indesejado de aumento da pressão glomerular.
Diagnostic ultrasonography of the shoulder in dogs – scan techniques and common findings
Authors: Mistieri Maria Lígia De Arruda , Pascon João Paulo Exaltação , Duarte Claudia Acosta
Published: November 2015

Determining the origin of lameness and pain in dog shoulder structures is considered a diagnostic challenge. Ultrasonography is an important diagnostic tool, capable of dynamically providing detailed information on muscle-tendon structures at a low cost. Its diagnostic accuracy for shoulder injuries is comparable to that of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, the technique is still underestimated and underused in orthopedic examinations of small animals in Brazil. This study aimed to compile the literature data and explore the findings of ultrasound examinations for the diagnosis of abnormalities in the shoulder joint region of dogs. Scanning maneuvers of the tendons of the biceps brachii, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, humeral head, and brachial plexus muscles were reviewed. The normal ultrasonographic patterns and findings that characterize different illnesses in this region were described.
Análise do efeito da colheita da planta de milho em diferentes estádios reprodutivos e do processamento dos grãos sobre a qualidade da silagem
Authors: Marafon Fabiano , Neumann Mikael , Ribas Tânia Mara Becher , Reinehr Luan Lucas , Poczynek Mateus , Bueno Antonio Vinicius , Fianco Bruno
Published: November 2015

O experimento foi conduzido no Núcleo de Produção Animal (NUPRAN) da Universidade Estadual do Centro Oeste (UNICENTRO), com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da colheita da planta de milho em diferentes estádios reprodutivos e com diferentes processamentos de grãos sobre a digestibilidade da matéria seca, digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro e desempenho animal. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por 4 tratamentos com 4 repetições, onde cada repetição constou de uma baia contendo dois novilhos, totalizando 16 unidades experimentais. Durante a confecção da silagem, foram coletadas amostras homogêneas e representativas das plantas picadas, parte destinada a análise bromatológica antes de sofrer fermentação e outra parte foi inserida em silos “bags”, acomodando estes no perfil de cada silo, sendo considerados como unidades experimentais. O experimento teve duração de 84 dias após abertura dos silos, sendo 14 dias para adaptação dos animais, seguidos de 4 períodos de 21 dias. Assim, silagens colhidas em estádio de grão pastoso apresentaram melhores valores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca e digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro. A utilização da silagem de milho colhida em estádio R5 possibilitou maior desempenho animal com consequente melhor transformação da matéria seca consumida em ganho de peso diário.
Establishment of Urochloa brizantha cultivars intercropped with different cereal grains
Authors: Neves Neto Durval Nolasco , Santos Antonio Clementino dos , Sousa Luciano Fernandes , Santos Perlon Maia dos , Araujo Aridouglas Dos Santos , Alencar Nayara Martins
Published: November 2015

Crop-livestock integration is an alternative method of rehabilitating degraded pastures. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the initial responses of morphostructural characteristics of two different Urochloa brizantha cultivars grown in monocropping or intercropping systems over two agricultural years. U. brizantha cultivars Marandu and Piatã were grown as monocrops or intercropped with corn or sorghum. A randomized block experimental design with a triple factorial scheme, two additional treatments (2x2x2+2) and four replicates was used. The following factors were tested: two U. brizantha cultivars (Marandu or Piatã), two intercropping combinations (with corn or sorghum), and two agricultural years (2010/2011 and 2011/2012). An additional treatment included U. brizantha cultivars grown as monocrops. The morphogenic and structural characteristics and forage gross production rates were evaluated in the different cropping systems. Intercropping with grain crops had a negative effect on the initial productivity of U. brizantha, and areas with intercropping presented higher tiller density, lower rates of leaf emergence and elongation and lower forage gross production rates relative to the monocropping systems. However, intercropping is a viable alternative to conventional monocropping systems, which was indicated by the land equivalent ratio.
Suplementação em sistema de creep-feeding de bezerros de corte lactentes e avaliação nutricional de matrizes de corte
Authors: Barros Lívia Vieira de , Paulino Mário Fonseca , Marquez David Steban Conteras , Cabral Carla Heloisa Avelino , Silva Felipe Gomes da , Caldeira Daniela Soares Alves , Lopes Sidnei Antônio , Moura Felipe Henrique de
Published: November 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the productive and nutritional performance of suckling calves fed only a mineral mix (MM) or different levels of multiple supplement and the milk yield and nutritional parameters of beef cows on Uruchloa decumbens pastures. Thirty-two suckling calves, with an average age of 3 months and average initial weight of 109.3 ± 0.84 kg, and their respective mothers, with an average initial weight of 447.2 ± 47.1 kg, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized. The supplement contained approximately 25% crude protein (CP), and treatments consisted of the supply of different of multiple supplement levels for the calves. The levels of supply of the supplements were 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% of the body weight for treatments N0.2, N0.4, and N0.6, respectively. The animals from the control treatment (MM) received only an MM ad libitum. The average daily gain (ADG) of the calves was 731.2, 810.6, 822.7, and 895.2 grams for treatments MM, N0.2, N0.4, and N0.6, respectively. Supplemented calves showed greater weight gain. The multiple supplement levels offered to the calves had a positive linear effect (P<0.10) on their ADG. The intakes in kg/ day of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), digestible DM, digestible neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were higher (P<0.10) for animals that received multiple supplements compared with those fed only an MM. The levels of supply of multiple supplements had an increasing linear effect on ether extract (EE) intake, and a quadratic effect was found on DM intake, forage DM, OM, forage OM, CP, NFC, digestible DM, and TDN. The total apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, NDF, NFC, and TDN were higher (P<0.10) for the animals that received multiple supplements. With the levels of supply of multiple supplements, an increasing linear effect was observed on EE digestibility. Calf supplementation did not affect the performance, milk yield, or nutritional parameters of the cows (P>0.10).
Chemical composition and energetic values of wheat and its sub-products for broiler chicken
Authors: Broch Jomara , Oliveira Newton Tavares Escocard de , Nunes Ricardo Vianna , Henz Jeffersson Rafael , Silva Idiana Mara da , Frank Rafael , Schone Rodrigo André
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), AME corrected by nitrogen retention (AMEn) and metabolization coefficients (MC and MCn) of different feeds for broilers from the western region of Paraná State. The experiment was conducted at the Physiology of Birds Laboratory at UNIOESTE. Two hundred and sixty male chicks of the Cobb 500 strain, at 21 days old, were distributed in a randomized design with 12 treatments and four replicates of five birds per experimental unit. The feed ingredients studied were ten different wheat middlings, one triticale, one wheat grain and a reference diet. Values for dry matter, nitrogen, gross energy, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, mineral matter, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium composition were determined as well as the geometric mean diameter of the feed particles. To determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) the total excreta collection method was used with growing birds. The chemical composition of the feeds was variable. The values for AME and AMEn ranged from 1. 819-2. 958 and 1. 734-2. 882 kcal. kg-1, respectively. Based on these energetic values and the values for gross energy, the coefficients of metabolizability were calculated. The values ranged from 43. 26-75. 24% for MC and from 42. 28- 73. 31% for MCn.
Acúmulo de óleo em sementes de soja cultivadas in vitro e in vivo
Authors: Bruno José Leonardo , Silva Helder Rodrigues da , Massaro Junior Fernando Luiz , Prete Cássio Egidio Cavenaghi
Published: November 2015

A semente de soja apresenta, cerca de 20% da sua massa seca em óleo e 40% em proteína. Esse teor de óleo pode sofrer influência perante as condições ambientais durante o enchimento das sementes, produzindo modificações na sua composição bioquímica. Em condições de cultivo in vivo é difícil controlar esse fator. Nesse sentido, o cultivo in vitro vem auxiliar a pesquisa, pois a semente fica isolada da planta mãe em ambiente controlado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os teores de óleo das cultivares BRS 184 e BRS 282 cultivadas in vitro e in vivo. O cultivo in vivo ocorreu em casa de vegetação em vasos com a coleta de sementes no estádio R8, e o cultivo in vitro, em laboratório, utilizando sementes imaturas removidas da planta mãe no estádio R5 e cultivadas em meio de cultura líquido contendo 20 mM, 40 mM e 60 mM de glutamina, e concentração de sacarose de 204,5 mM, com agitação constante por oito dias à temperatura de 25 ± 0,2 ºC. Decorrido o tempo para o cultivo in vitro foi avaliado o ganho de massa de matéria fresca das sementes, e após, em ambos os experimentos, foi determinado o teor de óleo para o cultivo em R5, e para R8. O acúmulo de óleo nas sementes de soja apresenta interações complexas, variando entre genótipo e condições ambientais tanto no cultivo in vivo quanto in vitro. Há correlação positiva entre ganho de massa e teor de óleo nas sementes.  

 
State and Provincial Perspectives on the Regulation of Biological Filtration
Authors: Nieminski Eva C. , Perry Samuel A.L.
Published: November 2015

A US/Canadian survey provides insight on how regulatory agencies identify, control, and regulate biological filtration plants and indicates that further guidance is needed for successful widespread implementation.
Environmental Ethics as a Tool for Sustainable Water Resource Management
Authors: Al‐Weshah Radwan A. , Saidan Motasem N. , Al‐Omari Abbas S.
Published: November 2015

Water stress and water scarcity are among the major problems that mankind currently faces and will increasingly face in the future. In the Arab region, the current water crisis is complex and a result of several factors. Environmental ethics can be a tool for sustainable resource management in this region. Designing a strategy for water use ethics needs to draw upon reports and recommendations from existing organizations, and the approach should combine cultural, ethical, and social marketing that propagates social learning; have “bottom‐up” education and communication functions as well as “top‐down,” high‐level applied research aspects; and include industry participation. This article explains how environmental ethics could best contribute to ensuring sustainability through a social code of environmental conduct. It describes new tools and techniques based on participation of relevant stakeholders in decision‐making.