bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parent problem gambling: A systematic review of prevention programs for children
Authors: Kourgiantakis Toula , Stark Sasha , Lobo Daniela S S. , Tepperman Lorne
Published: September 2016

Parent problem gambling (PG) has pervasive adverse effects on children. These children experience considerable losses such as loss of trust, loss of safety and stability, as well as financial and emotional losses. They are at greater risk for maltreatment and mental health disorders, and they are also at risk for intergenerational transmission of PG. These children are two to four times more likely to develop PG than children of non-PG parents. To date, there has been a dearth of research examining the impact of parent PG on children, and even less research focusing on reducing risks in children of PG parents. The goal of this systematic review was to identify PG prevention programs for children and examine the types of prevention used and whether these programs target specific subgroups. Our search retained 16 studies examining PG prevention programs for children. Results indicated that all of the PG prevention programs in the selected studies are universal and do not target children of PG parents or any other specific subgroups. A large gap is the absence of secondary and tertiary PG prevention programs for children. Another gap is the lack of family focused prevention strategies which the substance use literature has shown to be the most effective form of prevention. Further research is needed on parent PG and ways of reducing risks and increasing protective factors in children and families. A public health framework must be adopted to delay onset, reduce risks and minimize consequences in children of PG parents.
Addressing the Needs of Problem Gamblers With Co-Morbid Issues: Policy and Service Delivery Approaches
Authors: Martyres Kathya , Townshend Phil
Published: September 2016

Most people with gambling problems have at least one co-occurring condition and many experience multiple co-occurring conditions simultaneously. In many Western jurisdictions, a specialist service response has developed, with separate agencies and workforces established to respond to gambling problems. Despite the number of co-occurring issues that occur alongside gambling, research is limited on the prevalence of problem gambling across some service systems, such as mental health and family service sectors. However, it is reasonable to conclude that significant numbers of people with gambling problems are currently engaged in other health and welfare service sectors. Partnership work with other service sectors is therefore vital to respond to the needs of these people. In Victoria, Australia, a partnership program was established in gambling help services to improve integration and co-ordination between gambling, alcohol and drug, family support, and mental health service sectors. From the experience acquired in developing the program, we seek in this article to outline the benefits and challenges of implementing a cross-sector approach in gambling treatment service systems and to recommend effective strategies to develop a cross-sector approach, including creating an authorising environment at the government policy level.
Analysis of particulate emissions from tropical biomass burning using a
global aerosol model and long-term surface observations
Authors: Reddington Carly L. , Spracklen Dominick V. , Artaxo Paulo , Ridley David A. , Rizzo Luciana V. , Arana Andrea
Published: September 2016

Abstract. We use the GLOMAP global aerosol model evaluated against observations of surface particulate matter (PM2.5) and aerosol optical depth (AOD) to better understand the impacts of biomass burning on tropical aerosol over the period 2003 to 2011. Previous studies report a large underestimation of AOD over regions impacted by tropical biomass burning, scaling particulate emissions from fire by up to a factor of 6 to enable the models to simulate observed AOD. To explore the uncertainty in emissions we use three satellite-derived fire emission datasets (GFED3, GFAS1 and FINN1). In these datasets the tropics account for 66–84 % of global particulate emissions from fire. With all emission datasets GLOMAP underestimates dry season PM2.5 concentrations in regions of high fire activity in South America and underestimates AOD over South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. When we assume an upper estimate of aerosol hygroscopicity, underestimation of AOD over tropical regions impacted by biomass burning is reduced relative to previous studies. Where coincident observations of surface PM2.5 and AOD are available we find a greater model underestimation of AOD than PM2.5, even when we assume an upper estimate of aerosol hygroscopicity. Increasing particulate emissions to improve simulation of AOD can therefore lead to overestimation of surface PM2.5 concentrations. We find that scaling FINN1 emissions by a factor of 1.5 prevents underestimation of AOD and surface PM2.5 in most tropical locations except Africa. GFAS1 requires emission scaling factor of 3.4 in most locations with the exception of equatorial Asia where a scaling factor of 1.5 is adequate. Scaling GFED3 emissions by a factor of 1.5 is sufficient in active deforestation regions of South America and equatorial Asia, but a larger scaling factor is required elsewhere. The model with GFED3 emissions poorly simulates observed seasonal variability in surface PM2.5 and AOD in regions where small fires dominate, providing independent evidence that GFED3 underestimates particulate emissions from small fires. Seasonal variability in both PM2.5 and AOD is better simulated by the model using FINN1 emissions. Detailed observations of aerosol properties over biomass burning regions are required to better constrain particulate emissions from fires.
Long-term visibility variation in Athens (1931–2013): a proxy for
local and regional atmospheric aerosol loads
Authors: Founda Dimitra , Kazadzis Stelios , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos , Gerasopoulos Evangelos , Lianou Maria , Raptis Panagiotis I.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. This study explores the interdecadal variability and trends of surface horizontal visibility at the urban area of Athens from 1931 to 2013, using the historical archives of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). A prominent deterioration of visibility in the city was detected, with the long-term linear trend amounting to −2.8 km decade−1 (p < 0.001), over the entire study period. This was not accompanied by any significant trend in relative humidity or precipitation over the same period. A slight recovery of visibility levels seems to be established in the recent decade (2004–2013). It was found that very good visibility (>  20 km) occurred at a frequency of 34 % before the 1950s, while this percentage drops to just 2 % during the decade 2004–2013. The rapid impairment of the visual air quality in Athens around the 1950s points to the increased levels of air pollution on a local and/or regional scale, related to high urbanization rates and/or increased anthropogenic emissions on a global scale at that period. Visibility was found to be negatively/positively correlated with relative humidity/wind speed, the correlation being statistically valid at certain periods. Wind regime and mainly wind direction and corresponding air mass origin were found to highly control visibility levels in Athens. The comparison of visibility variation in Athens and at a non-urban reference site on Crete island revealed similar negative trends over the common period of observations. This suggests that apart local sources, visibility in Athens is highly determined by aerosol load of regional origin. AVHRR and MODIS satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals over Athens and surface measurements of PM10 confirmed the relation of visibility to aerosol load.
Source apportionment of PM2.5 at a regional background site in North
China using PMF linked with radiocarbon analysis: insight into the
contribution of biomass burning
Authors: Zong Zheng , Wang Xiaoping , Tian Chongguo , Chen Yingjun , Qu Lin , Ji Ling , Zhi Guorui , Li Jun , Zhang Gan
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Source apportionment of fine particles (PM2.5) at a background site in North China in the winter of 2014 was done using statistical analysis, radiocarbon (14C) measurement and positive matrix factorization (PMF) modeling. Results showed that the concentration of PM2.5 was 77.6 ± 59.3 µg m−3, of which sulfate (SO42−) concentration was the highest, followed by nitrate (NO3−), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and ammonium (NH4+). As demonstrated by backward trajectory, more than half of the air masses during the sampling period were from the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, followed by Mongolia and the Shandong Peninsula. Cluster analysis of chemical species suggested an obvious signal of biomass burning in the PM2.5 from the Shandong Peninsula, while the PM2.5 from the BTH region showed a vehicle emission pattern. This finding was further confirmed by the 14C measurement of OC and EC in two merged samples. The 14C result indicated that biogenic and biomass burning emission contributed 59 ± 4 and 52 ± 2 % to OC and EC concentrations, respectively, when air masses originated from the Shandong Peninsula, while the contributions fell to 46 ± 4 and 38 ± 1 %, respectively, when the prevailing wind changed and came from the BTH region. The minimum deviation between source apportionment results from PMF and 14C measurement was adopted as the optimal choice of the model exercises. Here, two minor overestimates with the same range (3 %) implied that the PMF result provided a reasonable source apportionment of the regional PM2.5 in this study. Based on the PMF modeling, eight sources were identified; of these, coal combustion, biomass burning and vehicle emission were the main contributors of PM2.5, accounting for 29.6, 19.3 and 15.9 %, respectively. Compared with overall source apportionment, the contributions of vehicle emission, mineral dust, coal combustion and biomass burning increased when air masses came from the BTH region, Mongolia and the Shandong Peninsula, respectively. Since coal combustion and vehicle emission have been considered as the leading emission sources to be controlled for improving air quality, biomass burning was highlighted in the present study.
Impact of emissions of VOCs and NOx on trends of ground-level O3 in Mexico during 1993–2014: Comparison of Monterrey with Mexico City and Guadalajara
Authors: Hernández Paniagua Iván Y. , Clemitshaw Kevin C. , Mendoza Alberto
Published: September 2016

Abstract. In developed countries, long-term trends in O3 have been studied extensively. However, there has been relatively little focus on economically developing countries with significant emissions of pollutant precursors. Here, the dominant role of primary emissions on regional/urban O3 mixing ratios in Mexico is addressed. High-precision and high-frequency UV-photometic measurements of ambient O3 have been made since 1993 at 5 sites within the Monterrey metropolitan area (MMA), in Northeast Mexico. The data sets exhibit variations on time-scales of hours, days, months and years. The O3 diurnal cycles vary with the length of daylight, which influences photochemistry. No differences are observed in the amplitudes of the diurnal cycle (AVd) during weekdays when fossil fuel use and combustion process are higher than during weekends, although larger AVd are observed at polluted sites close to industrial areas. During weekdays, cycle troughs and peaks are typically recorded at 07:00 and 14:00 CDT, respectively, and during weekends, at 06:00 and 13:00 CDT, respectively. The O3 seasonal cycles are driven by the temporal variation of solar radiation, meteorological conditions and changes in emissions of precursors. Maximum O3 mixing ratios are recorded in spring with minimum values in winter. The largest amplitudes of the seasonal cycles (AVs) are typically recorded downwind of an industrial area, whereas the lowest values are recorded in a highly populated area. At all sites, AVs declined during 1993–1998, followed by persistent increases from 1998 to 2014. Wind sector analysis show that, at all sites, the highest mixing ratios are recorded from the E and SE sectors, whilst the lowest ones are recorded in air masses from the W and NW. Wind sector analysis of mixing ratios of O3 precursors revealed that the dominant sources of emissions are located in the industrial regions within the MMA and the surrounding area. At all sites, the largest annual increases in O3 are for the E and SE sectors, 0.50 and 0.66 ppb yr−1, respectively. Overall, during 1993 to 2014, within the MMA, O3 has increased at an average rate of 0.22 ppb yr−1 (p
Chemical characterization of atmospheric ions at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch (Switzerland)
Authors: Frege Carla , Bianchi Federico , Molteni Ugo , Tröstl Jasmin , Junninen Heikki , Henne Stephan , Sipilä Mikko , Herrmann Erik , Rossi Michel J. , Kulmala Markku , Hoyle Christopher R. , Baltensperger Urs , Dommen Josef
Published: September 2016

Abstract. The ion composition at high-altitude (3450 m a.s.l.) was measured with an Atmospheric Pressure interface Time of Flight mass spectrometer (APi-TOF) during a period of nine months. The negative mass spectra were dominated by the ions of sulfuric, nitric, malonic and methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as well as SO5−. The most prominent positive ion peaks were from amines. The other cations were mainly organic compounds clustered with a nitrogen-containing ion, which could be either NH4+ or an aminium. Occasionally the positive spectra were characterized by groups of compounds each differing by a methylene group. In the negative spectrum, sulfuric acid was always observed during clear sky conditions following the diurnal cycle of sun irradiation. We also measured many events during night time where the signal of sulfuric acid was high and clusters up to the tetramer were observed. A plausible reason for these events could be evaporation from particles at low relative humidity. A remarkably strong correlation between the signals of SO5− and CH3SO3− was observed for the full measurement period. The presence of these two ions during both the day and the night suggests a non-photochemical channel of formation which is possibly linked to halogen chemistry. Halogenated species, especially Br− and IO3−, were frequently observed in air masses that originated mainly from the Atlantic Ocean and occasionally from continental areas based on back trajectory analyses. We measured I2O5 clustered with an ion, a species that was proposed from laboratory and modelling studies. All halogenated species exhibited an unexpected diurnal behaviour with low values during day time. New particle formation (NPF) events were observed and characterized by 1) highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) and low sulfuric acid or 2) ammonia-sulfuric acid clusters. We present characteristic spectra for each of these two event types based on 26 nucleation episodes. The mass spectrum of the ammonia-sulfuric acid nucleation event compares very well with laboratory measurements reported from the CLOUD chamber. A source receptor analysis indicates that new particle formation events at the Jungfraujoch take place within a restricted period of time of 24–48 hours after air masses have had contact with boundary layer. This time frame appears to be crucial to reach an optimal oxidation state and concentration of organic molecules necessary to facilitate nucleation.
Collection efficiency of α-pinene secondary organic
aerosol particles explored via light scattering single
particle aerosol mass spectrometry
Authors: Robinson Ellis Shipley , Onasch Timothy B. , Worsnop Douglas , Donahue Neil M.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. We investigated the collection efficiency and effective ionization efficiency for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles made from α-pinene + O3 using the single-particle capabilities of the Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS). The mean count-based collection efficiency (CEp) for SOA across these experiments is 0.30 (±0.04 S.D.), ranging from 0.25 to 0.40. The mean mass-based collection efficiency (CEm) is 0.49 (±0.07 S.D.). This sub-unit collection efficiency and delayed vaporization is attributable to particle bounce in the vaporization region. Using the coupled optical and chemical detection of the light scattering single-particle (LSSP) module 5 of the AMS, we provide clear evidence that ''delayed vaporization'' is somewhat of a misnomer for these particles: SOA particles that appear within the chopper window do not vaporize at a slow rate; rather, they flash-vaporize, but often not on the initial impact with the vaporizer, and instead upon a subsequent impact with a hot surface in the vaporization region. We also find that the effective ionization efficiency (defined as ions per particle, IPP) decreases with delayed arrival time. CEp is not a function of particle size (for the mobility diameter range investigated, 170–460 nm), but we did see a decrease in CEp with thermodenuder temperature, implying that oxidation state and/or volatility can affect CEp for SOA.
Standardization of a geo-referenced fishing dataset for the IndianOcean Bigeye Tuna, Thunnus obesus (1952–2014)
Authors: Wibawa Teja A. , Lehodey Patrick , Senina Inna
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Geo-referenced catch and fishing ­effort data of the bigeye tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean over 1952–2014 were analysed and standardized to facilitate population dynamics modelling studies. During this sixty-two years historical period of exploitation, many changes occurred both in the fishing techniques and the monitoring of activity. This study includes a series of processing steps used for standardization of spatial resolution, conversion and standardization of catch and effort units, raising of geo-referenced catch into nominal catch level, screening and correction of outliers, and detection of major catchability changes over long time series of fishing data, i.e., the Japanese longline fleet operating in the tropical Indian Ocean. A total of thirty fisheries were finally determined from longline, purse seine and other-gears data sets, from which 10 longline and four purse seine fisheries represented 96 % of the whole historical catch. The geo-referenced records of catch, fishing effort and associated length frequency samples of all fisheries are available at doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.864154.
Expanding HadISD: quality-controlled, sub-daily station data from
1931
Authors: Dunn Robert J. H. , Willett Kate M. , Parker David E. , Mitchell Lorna
Published: September 2016

Abstract. HadISD is a sub-daily, station-based, quality-controlled dataset designed to study past extremes of temperature, pressure and humidity and allow comparisons to future projections. Herein we describe the first major update to the HadISD dataset. The temporal coverage of the dataset has been extended to 1931 to present, doubling the time range over which data are provided. Improvements made to the station selection and merging procedures result in 7677 stations being provided in version 2.0.0.2015p of this dataset. The selection of stations to merge together making composites has also been improved and made more robust. The underlying structure of the quality control procedure is the same as for HadISD.1.0.x, but a number of improvements have been implemented in individual tests. Also, more detailed quality control tests for wind speed and direction have been added. The data will be made available as netCDF files at www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadisd and updated annually.
The Oceanographic Multipurpose Software
Environment
Authors: Pelupessy Inti , van Werkhoven Ben , van Elteren Arjen , Viebahn Jan , Candy Adam , Portegies Zwart Simon , Dijkstra Henk
Published: September 2016

Abstract. In this paper we present the Oceanographic Multipurpose Software Environment (OMUSE). This framework aims to provide a homogeneous environment for existing or newly developed numerical ocean simulation codes, simplifying their use and deployment. In this way, OMUSE facilitates the design of numerical experiments that combine ocean models representing different physics or spanning different ranges of physical scales. Rapid development of simulation models is made possible through the creation of simple high-level scripts, with the low-level core part of the abstraction designed to deploy these simulations efficiently on heterogeneous high performance computing resources. Cross-verification of simulation models with different codes and numerical methods is facilitated by the unified interface that OMUSE provides. Reproducibility in numerical experiments is fostered by allowing complex numerical experiments to be expressed in portable scripts that conform to a common OMUSE interface. Here, we present the design of OMUSE as well as the modules and model components currently included, which range from a simple conceptual quasi-geostrophic solver, to the global circulation model POP. We discuss the types of the couplings that can be implemented using OMUSE and present example applications, that demonstrate the efficient and relatively straightforward model initialisation and coupling within OMUSE. These also include the concurrent use of data analysis tools on a running model. We also give examples of multi-scale and multi-physics simulations by embedding a regional ocean model into a global ocean model, and in coupling a surface wave propagation model with a coastal circulation model.
Study on the effects of storm movement on rainfall-runoff modelling at the basin scale
Authors: Sigarood Shahram Khalighi , Chen Qiuwen
Published: September 2016

Abstract. A number of studies have emphasized the effects of rainfall movement on runoff simulation; nevertheless, due to the lack of rain gauges inside sub-basins, a method using a hyetograph of the nearest gauges to a sub-basin is usually employed. This study investigated the negative effects of neglecting rainfall movement on overland simulation results in even a middle-sized basin. Simulations were carried out under two conditions: (1) stationary conditions where the nearest gauge hyetograph was used and rainfall movement was ignored, which is quite common in case of a lack of data; (2) moving conditions where a shifted hyetograph based on hyetograph timing recorded in the basin was used. The simulation results were compared with the measured discharge at the outlets. The results revealed that using the shifted hyetograph, which could consider the rainfall movement over sub-basins, decreased the mismatches between the simulated and observed hydrograph. In some of the cases, the shifted hyetograph reduced the relative difference more than 20 %.
Impact of climate change on water resources in a tropical West
African catchment using an ensemble of climate simulations
Authors: Yira Yacouba , Diekkrüger Bernd , Steup Gero , Bossa Aymar Y.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. This study evaluates climate change impacts on water resources using an ensemble of six Regional Climate Models (RCMs)-Global Climate Models (GCMs) in the Dano catchment (Burkina Faso). The applied climate datasets were performed in the framework of the COordinated Regional climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX-Africa) project. After evaluation of the historical runs of the climate models ensemble, a statistical bias correction (Empirical Quantile Mapping) was applied to daily precipitation. Temperature and bias corrected precipitation data from the ensemble of RCMs-GCMs was then used as input for the Water flow and balance Simulation Model (WaSiM) to simulate water balance components. The mean hydrological and climate variables for two periods (1971–2000 and 2021–2050) were compared to assess the potential impact of climate change on water resources up to the middle of the twenty-first century under two greenhouse gas concentration scenarios, the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5. The results indicate: (i) a clear signal of temperature increase of about 0.1 to 2.6 °C for all members of the RCMs-GCMs ensemble; (ii) high uncertainty about how the catchment precipitation will evolve over the period 2021–2050; (iii) individual climate models results lead to opposite discharge change signals; (iv) the RCMs-GCMs ensemble average suggests a +7 % increase in annual discharge under RCP4.5 and a −2 % decrease under RCP8.5; (v) the applied bias correction method only affected the magnitude of climate change signal. Therefore, potential increase and decrease of future discharge has to be considered in climate change adaptation strategies in the catchment. The results further underline on the one hand the need for a larger ensemble of projections to properly estimate the impacts of climate change on water resources in the catchment and on the other hand the high uncertainty associated with climate projections for the West African region. An ecohydrological analysis provides further insight into the behavior of the catchment.
Climate anomalies associated with the occurrence of rockfalls at
high-elevation in the Italian Alps
Authors: Paranunzio Roberta , Laio Francesco , Chiarle Marta , Nigrelli Guido , Guzzetti Fausto
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Climate change is seriously affecting the cryosphere in terms, for example, of permafrost thaw, alteration of rain ∕ snow ratio, and glacier shrinkage. There is concern about the increasing number of rockfalls at high elevation in the last decades. Nevertheless, the exact role of climate parameters in slope instability at high elevation has not been fully explored yet. In this paper, we investigate 41 rockfalls listed in different sources (newspapers, technical reports, and CNR IRPI archive) in the elevation range 1500–4200 m a.s.l. in the Italian Alps between 1997 and 2013 in the absence of an evident trigger. We apply and improve an existing data-based statistical approach to detect the anomalies of climate parameters (temperature and precipitation) associated with rockfall occurrences. The identified climate anomalies have been related to the spatiotemporal distribution of the events. Rockfalls occurred in association with significant temperature anomalies in 83 % of our case studies. Temperature represents a key factor contributing to slope failure occurrence in different ways. As expected, warm temperatures accelerate snowmelt and permafrost thaw; however, surprisingly, negative anomalies are also often associated with slope failures. Interestingly, different regional patterns emerge from the data: higher-than-average temperatures are often associated with rockfalls in the Western Alps, while in the Eastern Alps slope failures are mainly associated with colder-than-average temperatures.
Cultivated grasslands present a higher soil organic carbon sequestration efficiency under leguminous than under gramineous species
Authors: Liu Yu , Tian Fu-Ping , Jia Peng-Yan , Zhang Jing-Ge , Wu Gao-Lin
Published: September 2016

Abstract. The establishment of grassland on abandoned cropland has been proposed as an effective method of mitigating climate change by increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. In this study, five cultivated grasslands were established (three leguminous species – Coronilla varia, Onobrychis viciaefolia, Medicago sativa, and two gramineous species – Poa annua, Agropyron cristatum), one uncultivated, one natural grassland to examine how the SOC storage, sequestration rate and sequestration efficiency to change for 5 years restoration in semi-arid area. Our results showed that the cultivated leguminous grasslands had greater total biomass, SOC storage, SOC sequestration rate and efficiency than gramineous grasslands. The greater soil carbon (C) accumulation in leguminous grassland was mainly attributed to higher biomass production. Leguminous grasslands accumulated more SOC than gramineous grasslands by 0.64 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. The average SOC sequestration efficiency in leguminous grassland (1.00) was about 2 times greater than gramineous grassland (0.34). The results indicate that cultivated leguminous grasslands sequestered more SOC with higher SOC sequestration efficiency than cultivated gramineous grasslands in arid and semi-arid areas.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Snow Depth across the Eurasian Continent from 1966 to 2012
Authors: Zhong Xinyue , Zhang Tingjun , Zheng Lei , Hu Yuantao , Wang Huijuan , Kang Shichang
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Snow depth is one of key physical parameters for understanding the land surface energy balance, soil thermal regimes, regional- and continental-scale water cycles, as well as assessing water resources. In this study, snow depth climatology and spatiotemporal variations were investigated using the long-term (1966–2012) ground-based measurements from 1814 stations across the Eurasian continent. Spatially, mean snow depths of >20 cm were recorded in northeastern European Russia, the Yenisey River basin, Kamchatka Peninsula, and Sakhalin. Annual mean and maximum snow depth increased significantly during 1966–2012. Seasonally, monthly snow depth decreased in autumn, and increased in winter and spring over that period of time. Regionally, snow depth increased dramatically in the areas north of 50° N. Compared with air temperature, snowfall had more influence on snow depth and snow water equivalent during November through March across the former Soviet Union. This study provides a baseline for changes in snow cover, which are significant in climate system changes over the Eurasian continent.
Attribution of Greenland's ablating ice surfaces on ice sheet albedo using unmanned aerial systems
Authors: Ryan Jonathan C. , Hubbard Alun , Stibal Marek , Box Jason E. , team the Dark Snow Project
Published: September 2016

Surface albedo, a primary control on the amount of energy available for melt, has considerable spatial heterogeneity across the Greenland ice sheet ablation area. However, the relative importance of distinct surface types on albedo remains unclear. In this study, the causes of mesoscale (102 to 103 m) albedo variability are assessed using high resolution (decimetre-scale) digital imagery and broadband albedo data acquired by a fixed-wing unmanned aerial system. We characterize the reflectance properties and terrain roughness associated with six distinct surface types identified from a 25 km longitudinal transect across the ablating dark region of the Kangerlussuaq sector. Principal component analysis of the fractional area of each surface type versus coincident Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) albedo data reveals the relative importance of each surface type. The highest correlation with mesoscale albedo was the fractional area of distributed impurities. Although not the darkest surface type, their extensive coverage meant that they could explain 65 % of the albedo variability across the survey transect including the presence of the dark region. In contrast, the 2 % mean surface water coverage across our survey transect could only explain 12 % of albedo variation and crevasses, only 17 %. Localised cryoconite patches have the lowest albedo signature but comprise less than 1 % of the survey area and do not appear to reduce mesoscale albedo. We anticipate further reduction in ablation area albedo under future warming as localized areas of distributed impurities, supraglacial water and crevassing increase in extent and conclude that current bare ice area albedo models may advance significantly by representing the evolution of the surface types identified in this study.
Boas práticas em partos domiciliares: perspectiva de mulheres que tiveram experiência de parto em casa
Authors: Sanfelice Clara Fróes de Oliveira , Shimo Antonieta Keiko Kakuda
Published: September 2016

Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva cujo objetivo foi identificar as boas práticas de partos domiciliares na perspectiva de mulheres que pariram em casa. Os dados foram colhidos por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, aplicadas em 2014, audiogravadas e imediatamente transcritas. A amostra foi composta por 14 mulheres que tiveram uma experiência de parto em casa, planejado e assistido, na cidade de Campinas-SP e região. As falas foram analisadas segundo o método de análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Os resultados originaram quatro categorias emergentes: estrutura ambiental favorável; liberdade de escolhas; apoio e suporte emocional; e comprometimento da equipe de saúde. Tais achados sugerem que os profissionais que prestam assistência à parturiente, tanto no modelo de atendimento domiciliar como no hospitalar, valorizam esses aspectos buscando melhorias na qualidade da assistência. Lacunas relacionadas à satisfação das mulheres, aspectos positivos da experiência, dificuldades vivenciadas, desfechos obstétricos e neonatais indicam possibilidades para novos estudos.
Conhecimento, atitude e prática dos cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes em hemodiálise ou diálise peritoneal
Authors: Batista Alexciana Farias , Caminha Maria de Fátima Costa , Silva Carla Cristina , Sales Clécia Cristiane da Silva
Published: September 2016

Objetivou-se avaliar o conhecimento, atitude e prática dos cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise ou diálise peritoneal e associá-los às condições socioeconômicas. Estudo de corte transversal, tipo inquérito que avalia Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática, realizado com 30 cuidadores. As diferenças das médias dos escores, segundo as condições socioeconômicas, foram comparadas através do Teste t de Student ou ANOVA; considerando como significativo, p <0,05. Os cuidadores apresentaram dificuldades relacionadas ao conhecimento, atitude e prática. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa na dimensão do conhecimento relacionado ao tipo de moradia (p=0,001) e escolaridade (p=0,014). No que se refere à atitude, não houve significância. Com relação à prática, obteve-se diferença estatística quanto ao piso da moradia (p=0,015). Condições socioeconômicas estão associadas ao conhecimento e a prática dos cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise ou diálise peritoneal.
Bank-Specific and Macroeconomic Determinants of Commercial Banks Profitability in Ghana
Authors: Yakubu Ibrahim Nandom
Published: September 2016

This study examines the influence of bank-specific and macroeconomic factors on commercial banks profitability in Ghana. The study employed the ordinary least square regression model to analyse the data obtained from the annual financial statements of five commercial banks from 2010 to 2015. The empirical results suggest that bank size, liquidity, capital adequacy, asset management, expense management, and real interest rate are positively related to profitability. GDP growth and inflation rate on the other hand, are related negatively to profitability. However, only bank size, liquidity, and expense management have a significant effect on commercial banks profitability. It can be observed that commercial banks profitability in Ghana is largely determined by bank-specific factors, whereas macroeconomic factors have an insignificant impact on banks profitability for the period considered. Therefore, it is crucial for management of commercial banks in Ghana to efficiently manage the factors that contribute to their profitability in order to enhance superior performance.
A Comparative Study on Contribution of Governance on Economic Growth Countries in the East African Community
Authors: Orayo Joseph Abuga , Mose George Nyarigoti
Published: September 2016

This study sought to explore the relationship between good governance and economic growth among the East Africa Community (EAC) countries. The study utilized panel data to analyse six major World Bank governance indicators namely: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law and Control of Corruption effect on economic growth in the respective country and region for the period 1999-2013. The Random effect model (REM) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) estimation techniques were employed for comparative analysis. The study showed that among the governance indicators, political stability, quality regulatory and control of corruption were significant. The first two indices were negatively related to economic growth rate while the latter was positively related to economic growth rate. From the OLS models, voice and accountability had a significant effect on economic growth rate in Kenya and Uganda. The quality of regulation had significant effect in Kenya and Tanzania while rule of law was found to be significant only in Kenya. The study suggests that in order to advance the economic performance in EAC countries, the EAC states need to invest in more effective regulation on both public and private institutions to enhance social, political and sustainable economic interactions. Similarly, the government needs to encourage national cohesion and peaceful co-existence that would foster political stability and reduce violence. By investing in good governance through establishment of key institutions of governance are likely to spur economic growth.
“Interdisciplinarity” Achieved: A Brief Look at Interdisciplinary Environmentalism in the 1960s
Authors: Baratta Chris
Published: September 2016

This paper looks at the development of a new, pragmatic approach to environmentalism in the 1960s. This new approach, in response to the newly emerged and accepted field of ecology just a decade earlier, opened its reach to a wider variety of scientific and intellectual fields, resulting in a more balanced, interdisciplinary approach to environmentalism that took hold in the 1960s and was given validity with the emergence of some watershed moments in the American environmental movement: that is, Earth Day and the creation of the EPA in 1970. This study looks at some of the well-known figures in the environmental movement of the 1960s, such as Rachel Carson, and some of the lesser-known figures, such as Murray Bookchin and Stewart Brand. The focus of the study is an outline that looks at the various ways that an interdisciplinary approach to environmentalism emerged as an important aspect of the social, cultural, and political discourse of the time. Murray Bookchin's “ecological anarchism” fused social theory with ecological concerns; Rachel Carson, a creative writer in addition to a scientist, merged environmentalism, creative writing, and scientific inquiry; Leo Marx provided a new look at the relationship of technology and the environment in a rapidly changing, postindustrial time; and, in his activism and with the publication of the Whole Earth Catalog, Stewart Brand brought environmental thought and ecological principles into the marketplace. In the 1960s, environmental thought needed to be combined with more applicable and accessible social, political, and economic principles in order to open a larger mainstream environmental dialogue. These figures, through their respective avenues, were able to form this interdisciplinary approach that gave rise to a wider, more diverse approach to environmentalism.
That “Beautiful Art”: Black-and-White Photography in Henry James's “The Jolly Corner”
Authors: Thompson Terry W.
Published: September 2016

In many of his later works, fiction and nonfiction alike, Henry James often sought to “appropriate aspects of photography” by using incredibly precise “verbal constructions of images.” In “The Jolly Corner” (1908), one of his most celebrated short stories, James accomplishes just that. This work, an especially elegant version of the traditional doppelganger tale, has crisp and focused imagery throughout its three chapters. However, there is no color in the story. All of the rich descriptive passages for which the author is so renowned are offered only in subtle gradations of black and white and grey, just like in haunting photographs from the period. In essence, this carefully rendered psychological ghost story, “enchanting and chilling” by turns, is presented as a type of prose photograph album of New York City at the century's turn, a stylish attempt by James, and a successful one, to reproduce with words what he himself once praised as that “beautiful art,” the “art” of black-and-white photography as practiced by Edward Steichen, Katherine McClellan, and the other masters of the new medium.
El Desarrollo Financiero y el Crecimiento Económico
Authors: Montoya Pérez Juan José
Published: September 2016

El presente artículo ofrece una revisión de la literatura a nivel internacional sobre las vinculaciones existentes entre el desarrollo del sistema financiero y el crecimiento de la actividad económica. El rol provisto por los intermediarios financieros como el impacto que su accionar brinda a la hora de mitigar las fricciones de mercado tanto en relación al diseño de incentivos como a la reducción de restricciones de los agentes económicos, afectando las tasas de inversión y ahorro, la innovación tecnológica y, por ende, el crecimiento económico de largo plazo. Como resultado los mercados financieros ofrecen a los inversores información, que cada agente utiliza para estimar la rentabilidad de los proyectos, como factor diversificado del riesgo, reduciendo, las restricciones de liquidez. Estas contribuciones afectan positivamente al crecimiento económico
Efectos espaciales y convergencia económica: herramientas metodológicas para su estudio
Authors: Rabanal Cristian
Published: September 2016

El análisis espacial de datos ha sido un tema de creciente interés en los últimos años. En el marco del análisis de convergencia, la inclusión de los efectos espaciales al modelo de beta convergencia constituye una extensión necesaria al modelo, debido al paulatino aumento en la interrelación entre diferentes regiones del mundo.  Este artículo revisa algunas técnicas para la identificación del tipo de autocorrelación espacial y su inclusión en el modelo, junto con la consideración del problema de la heterogeneidad espacial.
Corporate Governance and Auditor Independence in Saudi Arabia: Literature Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework
Authors: Bahrawe Seraj Hamed , Haron Harashid , Hasan Ali Nawari Bin
Published: September 2016

This study aimed to propose a theoretical framework that explains the relationship between internal corporate governance mechanisms namely audit committee and board of directors, and auditor independence. It is a descriptive study that explored the Saudi corporate governance reforms and the Saudi auditing market. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been pursuing corporate governance reforms, as evidenced by the setting up of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in 2003 and the publication of the Saudi Corporate Governance Code (SCGC) in 2006. In the Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA), the accounting standards committee holds the responsibility of developing and reviewing accounting and auditing standards in the country. According to the agency theory, corporate governance mechanisms and external audit have a key role in improving the process of financial reporting. Basing the primary argument on the above premise, this study attempted to achieve the following objectives; 1) to explore the issue of auditor independence, and 2) to determine the extent of the effect of corporate practices in Saudi Arabia on the external audit independence. This conceptual work’s outcomes revealed that the regulatory authorities and the CMA have to expend more efforts to improve the awareness and appreciation level of effective corporate governance practices among major internal mechanisms (audit committee and board of directors) and external mechanisms (external auditors) of corporate governance in Saudi Arabia.
Landscape Changes and Fragmentation Analysis in a Guinea Savannah Ecosystem: Case study of Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East region, Ghana
Authors: Ampofo Steve , Sackey Isaac , Ampadu Boateng
Published: September 2016

Landcover change is an observed natural change dynamics at both the local and regional levels. However, its scales are exacerbated by human interaction with its natural environment. The study examines these spatio-temporal changes in landcover and the level to which the change is accompanied by fragmentation of the identifiable cover types in the Talensi and Nabdam districts in Northern Ghana. The research uses digital classification of Landsat satellite imagery for 1999 and 2007 to produce the cover types which results in good accuracy levels of 66.39% and 63.03% respectively. Fragmentation analysis of the landscape was computed using FRAGSTATS® software for categorical maps obtained from the classified landcover maps for the two years. All cover types increased marginally. However, Bare areas decreased by as much as 17.17% and that of water decreased from 3% to 1%. The changing landscape involving conversions within and among various cover types is accompanied by fragmentation in all classes but more pronounced in the Bare class. The Bare class type which has more patches corresponds to the class with increased cover size and rather strangely decreases in the mean path size.
A review of applications of the six-step method of systematic conservation planning
Authors: Wiersma Yolanda F. , Sleep Darren J.H.
Published: September 2016

Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) is an approach to protected areas planning that follows a step-by-step process. Recent reviews have examined the use of key “biogeographic-concepts”, but an assessment of their use or effectiveness has not been done. We conducted a review of the literature on SCP to assess how the 6-step approach considers these concepts. Most of the 127 papers we reviewed varied in their application of SCP steps. Our findings suggest that protected areas plans are not effectively achieving conservation goals. Only six papers considered data uncertainty. Twenty papers used so-called “data free” conservation targets without clear rationales, and which have been shown to under-represent natural features. The median size of planning units applied (2500 ha) is too small to meet minimum area requirements for many species. We show how an examination of the variation in the ways that SCP is applied helps to identify best practices for achieving conservation effectiveness and efficiency. However, very few SCP efforts have been implemented, making it difficult to assess their effectiveness or efficiency in practice. Detailed examination of how SCP is implemented (perhaps focused on a specific region) can lead to a better understanding of how best to achieve large-scale conservation goals.
The environment in which behaviours are learned: a pilot assessment of high school teaching kitchens as food safety learning environments in Ontario
Authors: Brown Kristin M. , Diplock Kenneth J. , Majowicz Shannon E.
Published: September 2016

Youth represent a unique audience for consumer food safety education and incorporating such education into existing curricula could facilitate delivery. However, successful delivery may depend, in part, on the facilities in which said training occurs. Since little is known about school teaching kitchen set-ups as related to food safety education, we conducted a pilot assessment of the physical learning environment of four Ontario high school teaching kitchen classrooms. We visited each classroom three times and assessed its characteristics using a modified version of the provincial food premises inspection report. Kitchen layout varied by school, and it was the built classroom characteristic with the greatest potential impact. Several characteristics unique to school teaching kitchens were noted, including whether the classroom teaching area and food preparation area were separated. Despite the variation between classrooms, all had physical characteristics sufficient to meet the minimum requirements for food service premises in Ontario. Nevertheless, this pilot assessment highlights nuanced factors unique to high school teaching kitchen classrooms that may impact the delivery of food safety education and the development of safe food handing behaviours. Findings can support conversations between public health, food safety authorities, and school stakeholders to enhance food safety learning environments in schools.