bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Item Bank, Version 1.0: Physical Function Assessment for Athletic Patient Populations
Authors: Madsen Leif P. , Evans Todd A. , Snyder Kelli R. , Docherty Carrie L.
Published: October 2016

Context:

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) item banks have been validated for general populations, but their application to high-functioning patient populations remains speculative.

Objective:

To examine the measurement properties of the PROMIS physical function item bank, version 1.0, when applied to individuals representing high levels of physical ability.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and III collegiate athletic training rooms and intramural events.

Patients or Other Participants:

A heterogeneous sample of 215 adults from Division I or Division III collegiate or recreational sports volunteered for this study. Participants were divided into 4 groups depending on sport activity and injury status: healthy collegiate (HC; 33 men, 37 women; age = 19.7 ± 1.1 years), injured and currently active in sport (IP; 21 men, 29 women; age = 19.9 ± 1.2 years), injured and currently not active in sport (INP; 12 men, 18 women; age = 19.7 ± 1.3 years), and healthy recreational (HR; 47 men, 18 women; age = 20.1 ± 1.4 years).

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Participants completed 2 assessments: (1) an injury-history questionnaire and (2) the PROMIS physical function item bank, version 1.0, in computer-adaptive form. Mean PROMIS physical function scores were determined for each group.

Results:

The PROMIS physical function score for the HC group (61.7 ± 6.0) was higher than for the IP (54.9 ± 7.5) and INP (44.1 ± 8.2) groups (P < .001). The IP group had a higher score than the INP group (P < .001). Mean PROMIS scores were not different between the HC and HR participants (mean difference = 1.9, P = .10).

Conclusions:

The computer-adaptive PROMIS physical function item bank, version 1.0, accurately distinguished injury status in elite-level athletes on a physical function latent trait continuum. Although it was unable to distinguish HC athletes from HR athletes, exposing a possible ceiling effect, it offers potential for use as an outcome instrument for athletic trainers and other sports medicine clinicians.
Relationships are building blocks to social justice: Cases of biblical justice and African Ubuntu
Authors: Kgatla Selaelo T.
Published: October 2016

The entire Bible is full of themes calling humans to live justly with one another and fear God who is the author of justice. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, carries the story of God’s relationship with his people. Their relationship is bound by social justice and mutual love in reciprocity. This article argues that African Ubuntu has an affinity with the Bible’s message of justice and mutual caring for one another. Ubuntu presupposes that humans were created in God’s image and indicates that characteristics such as kindness, charity, equality, love of one’s neighbours and voluntarily dispensing justice to others are present in human life. God created humans to be bound to one another in caring love, coexistence and total dependence. In today’s world, social justice requires good judgement from those who are in privileged positions to implement it.
Deep incarnation: From deep history to post-axial religion
Authors: Gregersen Niels Henrik
Published: October 2016

This article presents in broad outline the theological concept of deep incarnation and brings it into dialogue with correlative ideas of deep history and deep sociality. It will be argued that neither Christology, nor evolution, can be properly understood from a chronocentric perspective. Evolution is not only about development but also about the exploration of ecospace. Likewise, a contemporary Christology should explicate incarnation as a divine assumption of the full ecospace of the material world of creation. It will then be argued that an interactionist view of deep history is preferable to the evolutionary cognitive theory of religion (ECTR). Against this background, the paper will explore Jesus of Nazareth’s role in the context of post-axial mentalities.
Personal growth initiative among Industrial Psychology students in a higher education institution in South Africa
Authors: De Jager-van Straaten Angelique , Jorgensen Lené , Hill Carin , Nel Jan Alewyn
Published: October 2016

Orientation: Personal growth initiative (PGI) is an important characteristic of workplace counsellors. Industrial and organisational (I-O) psychologists often assist employees with counselling for work-related and personal problems, and therefore PGI is an important research topic for this profession.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the PGI of I-O psychology students in a higher education institution in South Africa, as well as to explore differences in PGI between demographic groups.Motivation: According to the scope of practice for psychologists, growth and development of employees form part of an I-O psychologist’s responsibilities. PGI is an important characteristic of I-O psychologists as it enables them to efficiently assist employees in growth and development processes.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A purposive non-probability sample (N = 568) of I-O psychology students was taken from a higher education institution in South Africa. A biographical questionnaire and the personal growth initiative scale (PGIS) were used as measuring instruments.Main findings: The results indicated that (1) the PGIS is a valid and reliable measure of PGI, (2) PGI is prevalent amongst I-O psychology students and (3) PGI differs between certain demographic groups.Practical implications: The findings of this study will assist in the future development of a training programme for I-O psychology students to equip them with the counselling skills they need to function in a counselling role.Contribution: This study contributes to knowledge regarding the importance of PGI for I-O psychology students. The study will also assist higher education institutes to adapt their training programmes in order to prepare I-O psychology students for their role as counsellors. More knowledge will also be provided with regard to the functioning of the PGIS.
Copeptin levels and blood lipid profile in borderline patients with or without self-mutilation
Authors: Korkmaz Sevda , Üstündağ Bilal , Özer Ömer , Taşçı Gülay , Kaya Şüheda , Ateşçelik Metin , Atmaca Murad
Published: October 2016

Purpose: Self-mutilation, known as self-harming behaviour of an individual without the intention of suicide, is commonly observed in individuals with borderline personality disorder. The objective of this study is to compare copeptin levels that are known to be related to aggressive behaviour and blood lipid profiles in borderline patients with and without self-mutilation.

Methods: Twenty patients with self-mutilation [SM(+)] and 20 patients without self-mutilation [SM(−)] between the ages of 18 and 49, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder based on DSM-IV-TR(8) diagnostic criteria and attended to by Fırat University Psychiatry Polyclinic, participated in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Barrat Impulsivity Scale (BIS) were applied to all participants. Copeptin levels and plasma lipid levels were studied in the blood samples taken from the participants.

Results: Mean copeptin level found in SM(+) group (37.54 ± 18.8 ng/mL) was statistically significantly higher than SM(−) group (18.53 ± 16.6 ng/mL) (p = 0.002). A negative correlation was found between mean copeptin and mean total cholesterol levels (r = −0.436; p = 0.005), and between copeptin and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels (r = −0.403; p = 0.01) in both SM(+) and SM(−) patient groups. HAMA mean score for SM(+) group was found as 36.45 ± 13.2, and for SM(−) group, it was found as 35.7 ± 12.9. There was a statistically significant difference between the depression points achieved by the two groups (p = 0.046). BIS total points average for SM(+) group was determined as 71 ± 9.71, whereas it was determined as 66.8 ± 7.92 in SM(−) group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups based on anxiety points. Barrat planning, Barrat motor and Barrat attention points for SM(+) group were higher than the SM(−) group. However, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Findings of the study demonstrated that as cholesterol and LDL levels decreased, copeptin levels increased, and that could be related to the self-mutilation behaviour.
Fostering public accountability in South Africa: A reflection on challenges and successes
Authors: Munzhedzi Pandelani H.
Published: October 2016

Accountability and oversight are constitutional requirements in all the spheres of government in the Republic of South Africa and their foundation is in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. All spheres of government are charged with the constitutional mandate of providing public services. The level of responsibility and public services provision also goes with the level of capacity of a particular sphere. However, most of the direct and visible services that the public receives are at the local sphere of government. As such, enormous resources are channelled towards this sphere of government so that the said public services could be provided. It is imperative that the three spheres of government account for the huge expenditures during the public service provision processes. The parliaments of national and provincial governments exercise oversight and accountability over their executives and administrations through the Public Accounts Committees, while the local sphere of government relies on the Municipal Public Accounts Committees. This article is theoretical in nature, and it seeks to explore the current state of public accountability in South Africa and to evaluate possible measures so as to enhance public accountability. The article argues that the current public accountability mechanisms are not efficient and effective. It is recommended that these mechanisms ought to be enhanced by inter alia capacitating the legislative bodies at national, provincial and local spheres of the government.
Minimal discs in hyperbolic space bounded by a quasicircle at infinity
Authors: Seppi Andrea
Published: October 2016

We prove that the supremum of principal curvatures of a minimal embedded disc in hyperbolic three-space spanning a quasicircle in the boundary at infinity is estimated in a sublinear way by the norm of the quasicircle in the sense of universal Teichmüller space, if the quasicircle is sufficiently close to being the boundary of a totally geodesic plane. As a by-product we prove that there is a universal constant C independent of the genus such that if the Teichmüller distance between the ends of a quasi-Fuchsian manifold

M

is at most C, then

M

is almost-Fuchsian. The main ingredients of the proofs are estimates on the convex hull of a minimal surface and Schauder-type estimates to control principal curvatures.
La ‘prensa’ digital generalista, como soporte publicitario y los cambios en su modelo de negocio
Authors: Maestro Espínola Lidia , García Santamaría José Vicente , Pérez Serrano María José
Published: October 2016

La relación entre la prensa y la publicidad ha sufrido una fuerte transformación durante la migración digital. Tradicionalmente la prensa mantenía un alto índice de eficacia publicitaria que le aseguraba un cuantioso porcentaje de ingresos. Pero los media han sufrido una fuerte transformación durante los años de la crisis, y aunque la prensa generalista cerró el año 2015 con diecisiete millones de lectores diarios, sus ingresos publicitarios continúan sin alcanzar un nivel de equilibrio. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las causas de esta pérdida de equilibrio y examinar los cambios en el modelo de negocio.  Metodología. Se ha desarrollado una investigación con enfoque cualitativo (entrevistas en profundidad a una veintena de medios que representan a la mayor parte de la audiencia de los diarios online). Además, y con el fin de dar solidez científica al proyecto, se ha llevado a cabo una profunda revisión bibliográfica. Resultados y conclusiones. Aunque las ediciones digitales de la prensa han experimentado en estos últimos años un gran crecimiento, la prensa en papel factura –con datos de 2015- un 241% más que sus homólogos digitales.
Trend of atmospheric mercury concentrations at Cape Point for 1995–2004 and since 2007
Authors: Martin Lynwill G. , Labuschagne Casper , Brunke Ernst-Günther , Weigelt Andreas , Ebinghaus Ralf , Slemr Franz
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Long-term measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations at Cape Point, South Africa, reveal a downward trend between September 1995 and December 2005 and an upward one since March 2007 until June 2015 implying a change in trend sign between 2004 and 2007. The trend change is qualitatively consistent with the trend changes in GEM concentrations observed at Mace Head, Ireland, and in mercury wet deposition over North America suggesting a change in worldwide mercury emissions. Seasonally resolved trends suggest a modulation of the overall trend by regional processes. The trends in absolute terms (downward in 1995–2004 and upward in 2007–2015) are the highest in austral spring (SON) coinciding with the peak in emissions from biomass burning in South America and southern Africa. The influence of trends in biomass burning is further supported by a biennial variation in GEM concentration found here and an ENSO signature in GEM concentrations reported recently.
Sensitivity of local air quality to the interplay between small- and
large-scale circulations: a Large Eddy Simulation study
Authors: Wolf-Grosse Tobias , Esau Igor , Reuder Joachim
Published: October 2016

Abstract. We present an analysis of the interaction between a topographically forced recirculation of the large-scale flow above an urbanized coastal valley and a local breeze-like circulation. We found that such an interaction can enhance the stagnation inside the valley under cold air pool conditions. Analysis of a large dataset of air quality measurements in Bergen, Norway, revealed that the most extreme cases of recurring winter-time air pollution episodes are usually accompanied by an increased wind speed above the valley. The 10 m ERA-Interim wind-speed distribution against local NO2 measurements had a maximum at 3 m s−1 in contrast to a monotonic decrease, as it would be expected from theory developed for flat, homogenous surfaces. We conducted a set of 16 Large Eddy Simulation (LES) experiments with the PALM model to account for the realistic orography of the mountains surrounding the city. The simulations were driven by the typical circulation above the valley during observed air pollution episodes, and a heterogeneous combination of constant temperatures over water and a constant negative sensible surface heat flux over land. The LES revealed a strong steering of the local circulation during cold air pool conditions by a land-breeze between the warm sea and the cold land. This breeze circulation is counteracted by a recirculation of the flow above the valley. For certain combinations of both, this leads to a maximum in the local stagnation. Furthermore, a relatively small local water body acted as a barrier for the dispersion of air pollutants along the valley bottom, dispersing them vertically and hence diluting them. These findings have important implications for the air quality predictions over urban areas. Any prediction not resolving these, or similar local dynamic features, might not be able to correctly simulate the dispersion of pollutants in cities.
Large-eddy simulation of radiation fog: Part 1: Impact of dynamics
on microphysics
Authors: Mazoyer Marie , Lac Christine , Thouron Odile , Bergot Thierry , Masson Valery , Musson-Genon Luc
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of a radiation fog event occurring during ParisFog experiment have been studied with a view of analyzing the impact of the dynamics on the microphysics. The LES, performed with the Meso-NH model at 5 m resolution horizontally and 1 m vertically, and with a 2-moment microphysical scheme, included the drag effect of a trees barrier and deposition on vegetation. The model shows a good agreement with the measurements of the near surface dynamic and thermodynamic parameters as well as the cloud water content, but overestimates the cloud droplet sizes and concentration. The blocking effect of the trees induced elevated fog formation, like in the observation, and horizontal heterogeneities, and limited the cooling and the cloud water production. The deposition process was found to exert the most significant impact on the fog prediction, as it not only erodes the fog near the surface, but also modifies the fog life cycle and induces vertical heterogeneities. The comparison with the 2 m horizontal resolution simulation exhibited small differences meaning that the grid convergence was achieved. Conversely, increasing numerical diffusion through a wind advection operator of lower order led to an overestimation of the near surface microphysical fields and had almost a similar effect than removing the effect of the trees barrier. This study allows to establish the major dynamical ingredients necessary to perform correctly the fog life cycle prediction at high resolution.
Resolution dependence of uncertainties in gridded emission
inventories: a case study in Hebei, China
Authors: Zheng Bo , Zhang Qiang , Tong Dan , Chen Chuchu , Hong Chaopeng , Li Meng , Geng Guannan , Lei Yu , Huo Hong , He Kebin
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Gridded emission inventories are essential inputs for chemical transport models and climate models. Spatial proxies are applied to allocate emissions from regional totals to spatially resolved grids when the exact locations of emissions are absent, with additional uncertainties arising due to the spatial mismatch between the locations of emissions and spatial proxies. In this study, we investigate the impact of spatial proxies on the accuracy of gridded emission inventories at different spatial resolutions by comparing gridded emissions developed from different spatial proxies (proxy-based inventory) with a highly spatially disaggregated bottom-up emission inventory developed from the extensive use of locations of emitting facilities (bottom-up inventory) in Hebei Province, China. We find that proxy-based inventories are generally comparable to bottom-up inventories for grid sizes larger than 0.25º because spatial errors are largely diminished at coarse resolutions. However, for gridded emissions with finer resolutions, large positive biases in urban centers and negative biases in suburban and rural regions are identified in proxy-based inventories and are then propagated into significant biases in urban-scale chemical transport modeling. Compared to bottom-up inventories, the use of proxy-based emissions exhibits similar modeling results, with biases varying from 3 %–13 % in predicting surface concentrations of different pollutants at 36 km resolution and an additional 8 %–73 % at 4 km resolution. The resolution dependence of uncertainties in proxy-based gridded inventories can be explained by the decoupling of emission facility locations from spatial surrogates, especially because industry facilities tend to be located away from urban centers. This distance results in a divergence between emission distributions and the allocation of proxies on smaller grids. The decoupling effects are weakened when the grid size increases to cover both urban and rural regions. We conclude that proxy-based inventories are of sufficient quality to support regional and global models (larger than 0.25º in this case study); however, to support urban-scale models with accurate emission inputs, bottom-up inventories incorporating the exact locations of emitting facilities should be developed instead of proxy-based inventories.
Seasonal variations of triple oxygen isotopic compositions of
atmospheric sulfate, nitrate and ozone at Dumont d'Urville, coastal
Antarctica
Authors: Ishino Sakiko , Hattori Shohei , Savarino Joel , Jourdain Bruno , Preunkert Susanne , Legrand Michel , Caillon Nicolas , Barbero Albane , Kuribayashi Kota , Yoshida Naohiro
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Reconstruction of the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere is of great importance to understanding climate change, because of its key role in determining the life times of trace gases. Triple oxygen isotopic compositions (Δ17O = δ17O − 0.52 × δ18O) of atmospheric sulfate (SO42−) and nitrate (NO3−) in the Antarctic ice cores have shown potential as stable proxies, because they reflect the oxidation chemistry involved in their formation processes. However, observations of Δ17O values of SO42−, NO3− and ozone in the present-day Antarctic atmosphere are very limited, and their complex chemistry is not fully understood in this region. We present the first simultaneous measurement of Δ17O values of atmospheric sulfate, nitrate, and ozone collected at Dumont d'Urville station (66°40' S, 140°01' E) throughout 2011. Δ17O values of sulfate and nitrate exhibited seasonal variation characterized by summer minima and winter maxima, within the ranges of 0.9–3.4 ‰ and 23.0–41.9 ‰, respectively. In contrast, Δ17O values of ozone showed no significant seasonal variation, with values of 26 ± 1 ‰ through the year. These contrasting seasonal trends suggest that Δ17O(O3) is not the major factor determining seasonal changes in Δ17O(SO42−) and Δ17O(NO3−) values. The summer/winter trends for Δ17O(SO42−) and Δ17O(NO3−) values are caused by sunlight-driven changes in O3/ROX ratios, which decrease in summer through ozone destruction and photo-oxidants production, resulting in co-variation between ozone mixing ratios and Δ17O(SO42−) and Δ17O(NO3−) values. However, despite similar ranges of ozone mixing ratios in spring (September to November) and fall (March to May), Δ17O(SO42−) values observed in spring were lower than in fall. The relatively low sensitivity of Δ17O(SO42−) values to the ozone mixing ratio in spring is possibly explained by (i) lower O3/ROX ratios caused by NOX emission from snowpack and/or (ii) SO2 oxidation by hypohalous acids (HOX = HOCl + HOBr) in the aqueous phase.
A broad supersaturation scanning (BS2) approach for rapid measurement of
aerosol particle hygroscopicity and cloud condensation nuclei activity
Authors: Su Hang , Cheng Yafang , Ma Nan , Wang Zhibin , Wang Xiaoxiang , Pöhlker Mira L. , Nillius Björn , Wiedensohler Alfred , Pöschl Ulrich
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The activation and hygroscopicity of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are key to the understanding of aerosol–cloud interactions and their impact on climate. They can be measured by scanning the particle size and supersaturation in CCN measurements. The scanning of supersaturation is often time-consuming and limits the temporal resolution and performance of CCN measurements. Here we present a new approach, termed the broad supersaturation scanning (BS2) method, in which a range of supersaturation is simultaneously scanned, reducing the time interval between different supersaturation scans. The practical applicability of the BS2 approach is demonstrated with nano-CCN measurements of laboratory-generated aerosol particles. Model simulations show that the BS2 approach may also be applicable for measuring CCN activation of ambient mixed particles. Due to its fast response and technical simplicity, the BS2 approach may be well suited for aircraft and long-term measurements. Since hygroscopicity is closely related to the fraction of organics/inorganics in aerosol particles, a BS2-CCN counter can also serve as a complementary sensor for fast detection/estimation of aerosol chemical compositions.
Comparison of OMI NO2 observations and their seasonal and
weekly cycles with ground-based measurements in Helsinki
Authors: Ialongo Iolanda , Herman Jay , Krotkov Nick , Lamsal Lok , Boersma K. Folkert , Hovila Jari , Tamminen Johanna
Published: October 2016

Abstract. We present the comparison of satellite-based OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) NO2 products with ground-based observations in Helsinki. OMI NO2 total columns, available from NASA's standard product (SP) and KNMI DOMINO product, are compared with the measurements performed by the Pandora spectrometer in Helsinki in 2012. The relative difference between Pandora no. 21 and OMI SP total columns is 4 and −6 % for clear-sky and all-sky conditions, respectively. DOMINO NO2 retrievals showed slightly lower total columns with median differences about −5 and −14 % for clear-sky and all-sky conditions, respectively. Large differences often correspond to cloudy fall–winter days with solar zenith angles above 65°. Nevertheless, the differences remain within the retrieval uncertainties. The average difference values are likely the result of different factors partly canceling each other: the overestimation of the stratospheric columns causes a positive bias partly compensated by the limited spatial representativeness of the relatively coarse OMI pixel for sharp NO2 gradients. The comparison between Pandora and the new version (V3) of OMI NO2 retrievals shows a larger negative difference (about −30 %) than the current version (V2.1) because the revised spectral fitting procedure reduces the overestimation of the stratospheric column. The weekly and seasonal cycles from OMI, Pandora and NO2 surface concentrations are also compared. Both satellite- and ground-based data show a similar weekly cycle, with lower NO2 levels during the weekend compared to the weekdays as a result of reduced emissions from traffic and industrial activities. The seasonal cycle also shows a similar behavior, even though the results are affected by the fact that most of the data are available during spring–summer because of cloud cover in other seasons. This is one of few works in which OMI NO2 retrievals are evaluated in a urban site at high latitudes (60° N). Despite the city of Helsinki having relatively small pollution sources, OMI retrievals have proved to be able to describe air quality features and variability similar to surface observations. This adds confidence in using satellite observations for air quality monitoring also at high latitudes.
Multi-gas and multi-source comparisons of six land use emission datasets and
AFOLU estimates in the Fifth Assessment Report, for the tropics for
2000–2005
Authors: Roman-Cuesta Rosa Maria , Herold Martin , Rufino Mariana C. , Rosenstock Todd S. , Houghton Richard A. , Rossi Simone , Butterbach-Bahl Klaus , Ogle Stephen , Poulter Benjamin , Verchot Louis , Martius Christopher , de Bruin Sytze
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector contributes with ca. 20–25 % of global anthropogenic emissions (2010), making it a key component of any climate change mitigation strategy. AFOLU estimates, however, remain highly uncertain, jeopardizing the mitigation effectiveness of this sector. Comparisons of global AFOLU emissions have shown divergences of up to 25 %, urging for improved understanding of the reasons behind these differences. Here we compare a variety of AFOLU emission datasets and estimates given in the Fifth Assessment Report for the tropics (2000–2005) to identify plausible explanations for the differences in (i) aggregated gross AFOLU emissions, and (ii) disaggregated emissions by sources and gases (CO2, CH4, N2O). We also aim to (iii) identify countries with low agreement among AFOLU datasets to navigate research efforts. The datasets are FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Statistics Division), EDGAR (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research), the newly developed AFOLU “Hotspots”, “Houghton”, “Baccini”, and EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) datasets. Aggregated gross emissions were similar for all databases for the AFOLU sector: 8.2 (5.5–12.2), 8.4, and 8.0 Pg CO2 eq. yr−1 (for Hotspots, FAOSTAT, and EDGAR respectively), forests reached 6.0 (3.8–10), 5.9, 5.9, and 5.4 Pg CO2 eq. yr−1 (Hotspots, FAOSTAT, EDGAR, and Houghton), and agricultural sectors were with 1.9 (1.5–2.5), 2.5, 2.1, and 2.0 Pg CO2 eq. yr−1 (Hotspots, FAOSTAT, EDGAR, and EPA). However, this agreement was lost when disaggregating the emissions by sources, continents, and gases, particularly for the forest sector, with fire leading the differences. Agricultural emissions were more homogeneous, especially from livestock, while those from croplands were the most diverse. CO2 showed the largest differences among the datasets. Cropland soils and enteric fermentation led to the smaller N2O and CH4 differences. Disagreements are explained by differences in conceptual frameworks (carbon-only vs. multi-gas assessments, definitions, land use vs. land cover, etc.), in methods (tiers, scales, compliance with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, legacies, etc.) and in assumptions (carbon neutrality of certain emissions, instantaneous emissions release, etc.) which call for more complete and transparent documentation for all the available datasets. An enhanced dialogue between the carbon (CO2) and the AFOLU (multi-gas) communities is needed to reduce discrepancies of land use estimates.
Ideas and perspectives: Heat stress: more than hot air
Authors: De Boeck Hans J. , Van De Velde Helena , De Groote Toon , Nijs Ivan
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Climate models project an important increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves. In gauging the impact on plant responses, much of the focus has been on air temperatures, while a critical analysis of leaf temperatures during heat extremes has not been conducted. Nevertheless, direct physiological consequences from heat depend primarily on leaf rather than on air temperatures. We discuss how the interplay between various environmental variables and the plants' stomatal response affects leaf temperatures and the potential for heat stress by making use of both an energy balance model and field data. The results demonstrate that this interplay between plants and environment can cause leaf temperature to vary substantially at the same air temperature. In general, leaves tended to heat up when radiation was high and when stomates were closed, as expected. But perhaps counterintuitively, high air humidity also raised leaf temperatures, while humid conditions are typically regarded as benign with respect to plant survival since they limit water loss. High wind speeds brought the leaf temperature closer to the air temperature, which can imply either cooling or warming (i.e. abating or reinforcing heat stress) depending on other prevailing conditions. The results thus indicate that heat waves characterized by similar extreme air temperatures may pose little danger under some atmospheric conditions but could be lethal in other cases. The trends illustrated here should give ecologists and agronomists a more informed indication about which circumstances are most conducive to the occurrence of heat stress.
Sequential Nutrient Uptake by Phytoplankton Maintains High Primary Productivity and Balanced Nutrient Stoichiometry
Authors: Yin Kedong , Harrison Paul J.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. We hypothesize that phytoplankton have the sequential nutrient uptake strategy in order to maintain nutrient stoichiometry and high primary productivity in the water column. Nutrient limited phytoplankton are capable of taking up the limiting nutrient first and they take up non-limiting nutrients when the limiting nutrient debt has been overcome. We used high resolution continuous vertical profiles of nutrients, nutrient ratios and on-board ship incubation experiments to test this hypothesis in the Strait of Georgia. At the surface in summer, ambient nitrate was depleted with excess phosphate and silicate remaining, and as a result, both N : P and N : Si ratios were low. The two ratios increased to about 10 : 1 and 0.45 : 1, respectively, at 20 m. Time series of vertical profiles showed that the leftover phosphate continued to be removed, resulting in additional phosphorus storage by phytoplankton. There were various shapes of vertical profiles of N : P and at the nutricline it changed quickly in response to mixing events. A field incubation of seawater also demonstrated the sequential uptake of nitrate (the most limiting nutrient) and then phosphate and silicate (the non-limiting nutrients). This sequential uptake strategy allows phytoplankton to acquire additional cellular phosphorus and silicon when they are available and wait for nitrogen to become available through frequent mixing of nitrate (or pulsed regenerated ammonium). Thus, phytoplankton show variability of nutrient stoichiometry and are capable of maintaining high productivity by taking advantage of vigorous mixing regimes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the dynamics of continuous vertical profiles of N : P and N : Si ratios and to examine the responses of phytoplankton to nutrients supplied naturally by mixing events. The continuous nutrient profiles provided insight into the in situ dynamics of nutrient stoichiometry in the water column and the transient status of nutrient stoichiometry of phytoplankton in the field.
Soil water regulates the control of photosynthesis on diel hysteresis
between soil respiration and temperature
Authors: Wang Ben , Zha TianShan , Jia Xin , Gong Jinnan , Bourque Charles , Feng Wei , Tian Yun , Wu Bin , Zhang YuQing , Heli Peltola Heli
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Causes for diel hysteresis between soil respiration (Rs) and temperature remain highly controversial. Explanations for the occurrence of hysteresis have involved both biological and physical mechanisms. The specifics of these explanations, however, tend to vary with the particular ecosystem or biome being studied. This study examined the seasonal variation in diel hysteresis and its controlling factors in a desert-shrub ecosystem in northwest (NW) China. The study was based on continuous measurements of Rs, air temperature (Ta), soil temperature at the surface and below (Tsurf and Ts), volumetric soil water content (SWC), and photosynthesis over a year 2013. Trends in diel Rs were observed to vary with SWC over the growing season. Diel variations in Rs were more closely associated with Tsurf than with photosynthesis as SWC increased, leading to Rs being in phase with Tsurf, particularly when SWC > 0.08 m3 m−3. However, as SWC decreased below 0.08 m3 m−3, diel variations in Rs were more closely related to variations in photosynthesis, leading to a pronounced diel hysteresis and asynchronicity between Rs and Tsurf. It was indicated that SWC regulates the relative control between photosynthesis and temperature on diel Rs by changing the relative contribution of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration to total Rs, and thus, causing seasonal variation in diel hysteresis between Rs and temperature. Our findings highlight the importance of biologically-based mechanisms and the role of SWC in regulating diel hysteresis between Rs and temperature.
Estimation of pre-industrial nitrous oxide emissions from the land biosphere
Authors: Xu Rongting , Tian Hanqin , Lu Chaoqun , Pan Shufen , Chen Jian , Yang Jia , Zhang Bowen
Published: October 2016

Abstract. To accurately assess how increased global nitrous oxide (N2O) emission has affected the climate system requires a robust estimation of the pre-industrial N2O emissions since only the difference between current and pre-industrial emissions represents net drivers of anthropogenic climate change. However, large uncertainty exists in previous estimates of pre-industrial N2O emissions from the land biosphere, while pre-industrial N2O emissions at the finer scales such as regional, biome, or sector have not yet well quantified. In this study, we applied a process-based Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM) to estimate the magnitude and spatial patterns of pre-industrial N2O fluxes at the biome-, continental-, and global-level as driven by multiple environmental factors. Uncertainties associated with key parameters were also evaluated. Our study indicates that the mean of the pre-industrial N2O emission was approximately 6.20 Tg N yr−1, with an uncertainty range of 4.76 to 8.13 Tg N yr−1. The estimated N2O emission varied significantly at spatial- and biome-levels. South America, Africa, and Southern Asia accounted for 34.12 %, 23.85 %, 18.93 %, respectively, together contributing of 76.90 % of global total emission. The tropics were identified as the major source of N2O released into the atmosphere, accounting for 64.66 % of the total emission. Our multi-scale estimates with a reasonable uncertainty range provides a robust reference for assessing the climate forcing of anthropogenic N2O emission from the land biosphere.
A new aerosol wet removal scheme for the Lagrangian particle model FLEXPART
Authors: Grythe Henrik , Kristiansen Nina I. , Groot Zwaaftink Christine D. , Eckhardt Sabine , Ström Johan , Tunved Peter , Krejci Radovan , Stohl Andreas
Published: October 2016

Abstract. A new, more physically based wet removal scheme for aerosols has been implemented in the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART. It uses three-dimensional cloud water fields from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to determine cloud extent and distinguishes between in-cloud and below-cloud scavenging. The in-cloud nucleation scavenging differentiates between cloud water phases (liquid, ice or mixed-phase) to allow for aerosol and cloud type specific removal. The impaction scavenging scheme parameterizes below-cloud removal as a function of aerosol size and precipitation type (snow or rain) and intensity. Sensitivity tests with the new scavenging scheme and comparisons with observational data were conducted for three distinct types of primary aerosols, which pose different challenges for modelling wet scavenging due to their differences in solubility, volatility and size distribution: (1) 137Cs released during the Fukushima nuclear accident attached mainly to highly soluble sulphate aerosol, (2) black carbon (BC) aerosol, and (3) mineral dust. Calculated e-folding lifetimes of accumulation mode aerosols for these three aerosol types were, 11.7, 16.0, and 31.6 days respectively, when well mixed in the atmosphere. The long lifetimes of mineral dust in particular are primarily a result of slow in-cloud removal which is the primary removal mechanism. Calculated e-folding lifetimes in FLEXPART also have a strong size dependence, with the longest lifetimes found for the accumulation-mode aerosols. For example, for dust particles emitted at the surface the lifetimes were 13.8 days for particles with 1 μm diameter and a few hours for 10 μm particles. A strong size dependence in below cloud scavenging, combined with increased dry deposition and gravitational settling, is the primary reason for the shorter lifetimes of the larger particles. The most frequent removal is in-cloud scavenging (85 % of all scavenging events) but it occurs primarily in the free troposphere, while below-cloud removal is more frequent below 1000 m (52 % of all events) and can be important for the initial fate of species emitted at the surface, such as those examined here. For assumed realistic in-cloud removal efficiencies, both BC and sulphate have a slight overestimation of observed atmospheric concentrations (a factor of 1.6 and 1.2 respectively). However, this overestimation is largest close to the sources and thus appears more related to overestimated emissions rather than underestimated removal.
Skill of a global forecasting system in seasonal ensemble streamflow prediction
Authors: Candogan Yossef Naze , van Beek Rens , Weerts Albrecht , Winsemius Hessel , Bierkens Marc F. P.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. In this study we assess the skill of seasonal streamflow forecasts with the global hydrological forecasting system FEWS-World which has been set up within the European Commission 7th Framework Programme project Global Water Scarcity Information Service (GLOWASIS). FEWS-World incorporates the global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB. We produce ensemble forecasts of monthly discharges for 20 large rivers of the world, with lead times of up to 6 months, forcing the system with bias-corrected seasonal meteorological forecast ensembles from the ECMWF and with probabilistic meteorological ensembles obtained following the ESP procedure. Here, the skill from the ESP ensembles, which contain no actual information on weather, serves as a benchmark to assess the additional skill that may be obtained using ECMWF seasonal forecasts. We use the Brier Score to quantify the skill of the system in forecasting high and low flows, defined as discharges higher than the 75th and lower than the 25th percentiles for a given month respectively. We determine the theoretical skill by comparing the results against model simulations and the actual skill in comparison to discharge observations. We calculate the ratios of actual to theoretical skill in order to quantify the percentage of the theoretical skill that is achieved. The results suggest that the skill of ECMWF S3 forecasts is close to that of the ESP forecasts. While better meteorological forecasts could potentially lead to an improvement in hydrological forecasts, this cannot be achieved yet using the ECMWF S3 dataset.
Benchmarking an operational procedure for rapid risk assessment in Europe
Authors: Dottori Francesco , Kalas Milan , Salamon Peter , Bianchi Alessandra , Alfieri Lorenzo , Feyen Luc
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The development of methods for rapid flood mapping and risk assessment is a key step to increase the usefulness of flood early warning systems, and is crucial for effective emergency response and flood impact mitigation. Currently, flood early warning systems rarely include real–time components to assess potential impacts generated by forecasted flood events. To overcome this limitation, this work describes the benchmarking of an operational procedure for rapid flood risk assessment based on predictions issued by the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS). Daily streamflow forecasts produced for major European river networks are translated into event-based flood hazard maps using a large map catalogue derived from high-resolution hydrodynamic simulations. Flood hazard maps are then combined with exposure and vulnerability information, and the impacts of the forecasted flood events are evaluated in terms of flood prone areas, economic damage and affected population, infrastructures and cities. An extensive testing of the operational procedure is carried out by analysing the catastrophic floods of May 2014 in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. The reliability of the flood mapping methodology is tested against satellite-based and report-based flood extent data, while ground-based estimations of economic damage and affected population are compared against modelled estimates. Finally, we evaluate the skill of risk estimates derived from EFAS flood forecasts with different lead times and combinations of probabilistic forecasts. Results show the potential of the real-time operational procedure in helping emergency response and management.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of snow cover based on multi-source remote sensing data in China
Authors: Huang Xiaodong , Deng Jie , Ma Xiaofang , Wang Yunlong , Feng Qisheng , Hao Xiaohua , Liang Tiangang
Published: October 2016

Abstract. By combining optical remote sensing snow cover products with passive microwave remote sensing snow depth (SD) data, we produced a MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) cloudless binary snow cover product and a 500 m snow depth product. The temporal and spatial variations of snow cover from December 2000 to November 2014 in China were analyzed. The results indicate that, over the past 14 years, (1) the mean snow-covered area (SCA) in China was 11.3 % annually and 27 % in the winter season, with the mean SCA decreasing in summer and winter seasons, increasing in spring and fall seasons, and not much change annually; (2) the snow-covered days (SCDs) showed an increase in winter, spring, and fall, and annually, whereas they showed a decrease in summer; (3) the average SD decreased in winter, summer, and fall, while it increased in spring and annually; (4) the spatial distributions of SD and SCD were highly correlated seasonally and annually; and (5) the regional differences in the variation of snow cover in China were significant. Overall, the SCD and SD increased significantly in south and northeast China, and decreased significantly in the north of Xinjiang province. The SCD and SD increased on the southwest edge and in the southeast part of the Tibetan Plateau, whereas it decreased in the north and northwest regions.
Reconstructing the mass balance of Brewster Glacier, New Zealand, using
MODIS-derived glacier-wide albedo
Authors: Sirguey Pascal , Still Holly , Cullen Nicolas J. , Dumont Marie , Arnaud Yves , Conway Jonathan P.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. In New Zealand, direct measurements of mass balance are sparse due to the inaccessibility of glaciers in the Southern Alps and the logistical difficulties associated with maintaining a mass balance record. In order to explore the benefit of remotely sensed imaging to monitor mass balance in the Southern Alps, this research assesses the relationship between measurements of glacier surface albedo derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and mass balance observations using the glaciological method on Brewster Glacier over the 2005–2013 period. We confirm that minimum glacier-wide albedo is a reliable predictor for annual mass balance in this maritime environment (R2 = 0.93). Furthermore, we show that regular monitoring of glacier-wide albedo enables a new metric of winter accumulation to be derived, namely the cumulative winter albedo, which is found to correlate strongly with winter mass balance (R2 = 0.88), thus enabling the reconstruction of separate winter and summer mass balance records. This allows the mass balance record for Brewster Glacier to be extended back to the start of MODIS observations in 2000 and to confirm that the annual balance of Brewster Glacier is largely controlled by summer balance (R2  =  92 %). An application of the extended record is proposed whereby the relationship between mass balance and the photographic record of the end-of-summer snowline altitude is assessed. This allowed the annual balance record of Brewster Glacier to be reconstructed over the period 1977–2013, thus providing the longest record of mass balance for a glacier in New Zealand. Over the 37-year period, our results show that Brewster Glacier gained a significant mass of up to 14.5 ± 2.7 m w.e. by 2007. This gain was offset by a marked shift toward negative balances after 2008, yielding a loss of 5.1 ± 1.2 m w.e., or 35 % of the gain accumulated over the previous 30 years. The good correspondence between mass balance of Brewster Glacier and the phase of the Pacific (Inter-)Decadal Oscillation (PDO/IPO), associated with the fast terminus retreat observed between 1978 and 1998, strongly suggests that the observed mass gain of Brewster Glacier since 1977 is only offsetting a longer sequence of dominantly negative balances.