bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Dust Downfall Time in Dusty Days using the
Correlation between PM10 and Sunphotometer Data
Authors: Zolfaghari Nikanjam Samira , Khalesifard Hamid Reza , Abedini Yousefali
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Urban air pollution has become a serious challenge in all societies. Nowadays, pollutants are measured by various tools and devices, including local particulate measurement instruments and ground-based remote sensing devices. This paper aims to estimate dust downfall time in dusty days of Zanjan city using the data obtained from ground-based aerosol sampling device and sunphotometer. The particulates with the size of less than 10 micrometers (PM10) were measured by ground-based measurement device in the height of 3 meters above the ground, while aerosol optical depth (AOD), which represents the amount of aerosols in vertical column of atmosphere, was measured by sunphotometer. According to correlation coefficient diagram, PM10 and AOD reached a maximum of 2, 6, 3 and 3 hours in dusty days of 9, 10, 24 and 25 June 2010. In other words, dust downfall took 2, 6, 3 and 3 hours respectively in the aforementioned days. Keywords: Downfall, dust, sunphotometer, correlation
Response of export production and dissolved oxygen concentrations in oxygen minimum zones to pCO2 and temperature stabilization scenarios in the biogeochemical model HAMOCC 2.0
Authors: Beaty Teresa , Heinze Christoph , Hughlett Taylor , Winguth Arne M. E.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the ocean is an important component of marine biogeochemical cycles and will be greatly altered as climate change persists. In this study a global oceanic carbon cycle model (HAMOCC 2.0) is used to address how mechanisms of oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) expansion respond to changes in CO2 radiative forcing. Atmospheric pCO2 is increased at a rate of 1 % annually and the model is stabilized at 2 ×, 4 ×, 6  ×, and 8 × preindustrial pCO2 levels. With an increase in CO2 radiative forcing, the OMZ in the Pacific Ocean is controlled largely by changes in particulate organic carbon (POC) export, resulting in increased remineralization and thus expanding the OMZs within the tropical Pacific Ocean. A potential decline in primary producers in the future as a result of environmental stress due to ocean warming and acidification could lead to a substantial reduction in POC export production, vertical POC flux, and thus increased DO concentration particularly in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 600–800 m. In contrast, the vertical expansion of the OMZs within the Atlantic is linked to increases POC flux as well as changes in oxygen solubility with increasing seawater temperature. Changes in total organic carbon and increase sea surface temperature (SST) also lead to the formation of a new OMZ in the western subtropical Pacific Ocean. The development of the new OMZ results in dissolved oxygen concentration of  ≤  50 µmol kg−1 throughout the equatorial Pacific Ocean at 4 times preindustrial pCO2. Total ocean volume with dissolved oxygen concentrations of  ≤  50 µmol kg−1 increases by 2.4, 5.0, and 10.5 % for the 2 ×, 4 ×, and 8 × CO2 simulations, respectively.
Bayesian calibration of terrestrial ecosystem models: A study of advanced Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Lu Dan , Ricciuto Daniel , Walker Anthony , Safta Cosmin , Munger William
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Calibration of terrestrial ecosystem models is important but challenging. Bayesian inference implemented by Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling provides a comprehensive framework to estimate model parameters and associated uncertainties using their posterior distributions. The effectiveness and efficiency of the method strongly depend on the MCMC algorithm used. In this study, a Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM) algorithm was used to estimate posterior distributions of 21 parameters for the data assimilation linked ecosystem carbon (DALEC) model using 14 years of daily net ecosystem exchange data collected at the Harvard Forest Environmental Measurement Site eddy-flux tower. The DREAM is a multi-chain method and uses differential evolution technique for chain movement, allowing it to be efficiently applied to high-dimensional problems, and can reliably estimate heavy-tailed and multimodal distributions that are difficult for single-chain schemes using a Gaussian proposal distribution. The results were evaluated against the popular Adaptive Metropolis (AM) scheme. DREAM indicated that two parameters controlling autumn phenology have multiple modes in their posterior distributions while AM only identified one mode. The calibration of DREAM resulted in a better model fit and predictive performance compared to the AM. DREAM provides means for a good exploration of the posterior distributions of model parameters. It reduces the risk of false convergence to a local optimum and potentially improves the predictive performance of the calibrated model.
Tracing the origin of the oxygen-consuming organic
matter in the hypoxic zone in a large eutrophic estuary:
the lower reach of the Pearl River Estuary, China
Authors: Su Jianzhong , Dai Minhan , He Biyan , Wang Lifang , Gan Jianping , Guo Xianghui , Zhao Huade , Yu Fengling
Published: February 2017

Abstract. We assess the relative contributions of differently sourced organic matter, marine vs. terrestrial, to oxygen consumption in an emerging hypoxic zone in the lower Pearl River Estuary (PRE), a large eutrophic estuary located in Southern China. Our cruise, conducted in July 2014, contained two legs before and after a passing through of Typhoon Rammasun, which destroyed the water stratification. The stratification recovered rather quickly within one day after the typhoon. We observed, in both legs, algal blooms in the surface water with hypoxias underneath in the bottom water. The repeated samplings at the initial hypoxic station showed severe oxygen depletion down to 30.3 μmol kg−1 before the typhoon and a clear drawdown of dissolved oxygen after the typhoon. Based on a three end-member mixing model and the mass balance of dissolved inorganic carbon and its isotopic composition, we derived the δ13C of the remineralized organic carbon as −21.8±0.6 ‰ in the hypoxia. We estimated that 73±10 % of the oxygen-consuming organic matter was marine sourced and, the rest 27±10 % was terrestrially sourced. Contrasting to the hypoxic site in the East China Sea off the Changjiang Estuary where eutrophication-stimulated marine sourced organic matter prevailed the oxygen consumption, the terrestrially sourced organic matter significantly contributed to the formation and maintenance of the hypoxia in the present study site. The difference in oxygen sinks in different systems has important implications in better understanding to the controls of hypoxias and their mitigations.
Past and future influence of climate change on spatially heterogeneous vegetation activity in China
Authors: Gao Jiangbo , Jiao Kewei , Wu Shaohong , Ma Danyang , Zhao Dongsheng , Yin Yunhe , Dai Erfu
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Climate change is a major driver of vegetation activity, and thus their complex relationships become a frontier and difficulty in global change research. In this paper, the spatial distribution and dynamic variation of climate change impacts on vegetation activity from 1980s to 2050 in China were investigated by the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model, based on the combined datasets of satellite vegetation index, climate observation and projection, and future vegetation productivity simulation. Our results noted that the significant positive precipitation–vegetation relationship was and will be almost distributed in the north of China, except the northeast and northwest China with significant but varying influence of temperature rising, while the regions with temperature dominated vegetation activity mainly located in the southern part of China. There will be different climatic dominators for vegetation activity in some regions such as northwest China, and even opposite correlation in the northeast China, and further the responding patterns of vegetation activity to precipitation variation will be moving southward in the future three decades. It is indicated that although high warming rate will restrain the vegetation activity, precipitation variability can mediate the hydrothermal conditions for vegetation activity, for example the enhanced vegetation activity in the Tibetan Plateau and the weakened vegetation activity in the East and Middle China in the future. Furthermore, coupling the responding patterns and the dynamic variation, it can be found that during the period from 2021 to 2050, vegetation in most of north China may adapt to an arid environment, while in many southern parts it will be repressed due to water shortage. However, the continuous and dynamic responding process of vegetation activity to climate change will be determined by the spatial heterogeneity in climate change and vegetation cover.
Snow observations in Mount-Lebanon (2011–2016)
Authors: Fayad Abbas , Gascoin Simon , Faour Ghaleb , Fanise Pascal , Drapeau Laurent , Somma Janine , Fadel Ali , Al Bitar Ahmad , Escadafal Richard
Published: February 2017

Abstract. We present a unique meteorological and snow observational dataset in Mount-Lebanon, a mountainous region with a Mediterranean climate, where snowmelt is an essential water resource. The study region covers the recharge area of three karstic river basins (total area of 1092 km2 and an elevation up to 3088 m). The dataset consists of: (1) continuous meteorological and snow height observations; (2) snowpack field measurements; and (3) medium resolution satellite snow cover data. The continuous meteorological measurements at three automatic weather stations (MZA 2296 m, LAQ 1840 m, and CED 2834 m a.s.l.) include surface air temperature and humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction, incoming and reflected shortwave irradiance, and snow height, at 30 minute intervals for the snow seasons (November–June) between 2011 and 2016 for MZA and 2014–2016 for CED and LAQ. Precipitation data was filtered and corrected for Geonor undercatch. Observations of snow height (HS), snow water equivalent, and snow density were collected at 30 snow courses located at elevations between 1300 and 2900 m a.s.l. during the two snow seasons 2014–2016 with an average revisit time of 11 days. Daily gap-free snow cover extent (SCA) and snow cover duration (SCD) maps derived from MODIS snow products are provided for the same period (2011–2016). We used the dataset to characterize mean snow height, snow water equivalent (SWE), and density for the first time in Mount-Lebanon. Snow seasonal variability was characterized with high HS and SWE variance and a relatively high snow density mean equal to 467 kg m−3. We find that the relationship between snow depth and snow density is specific to the Mediterranean climate. The current model explained 34 % of the variability in the entire dataset (all regions between 1300 and 2900 m a.s.l.) and 62 % for high mountain regions (elevation 2200–2900 m a.s.l.). The dataset is suitable for the investigation of snow dynamics and for the forcing and validation of energy balance models. Therefore, this data set bears the potential to greatly improve the quantification of snowmelt and mountain hydrometeorological processes in this data-scarce region of the Eastern Mediterranean. The doi for the data is: 10.5281/zenodo.291405.
Exploring new topography-based subgrid spatial structures for improving land surface modeling
Authors: Tesfa Teklu K. , Leung Lai-Yung Ruby
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Topography plays an important role in land surface processes through its influence on atmospheric forcing, soil and vegetation properties, and river network topology and drainage area. Land surface models with a spatial structure that captures spatial heterogeneity, which is directly affected by topography, may improve the representation of land surface processes. Previous studies found that land surface modeling, using subbasins instead of structured grids as computational units, improves the scalability of simulated runoff and streamflow processes. In this study, new land surface spatial structures are explored by further dividing subbasins into subgrid structures based on topographic properties, including surface elevation, slope and aspect. Two methods (local and global) of watershed discretization are applied to derive two types of subgrid structures (geo-located and non-geo-located) over the topographically diverse Columbia River basin in the northwestern United States. In the global method, a fixed elevation classification scheme is used to discretize subbasins. The local method utilizes concepts of hypsometric analysis to discretize each subbasin, using different elevation ranges that also naturally account for slope variations. The relative merits of the two methods and subgrid structures are investigated for their ability to capture topographic heterogeneity and the implications of this on representations of atmospheric forcing and land cover spatial patterns. Results showed that the local method reduces the standard deviation (SD) of subgrid surface elevation in the study domain by 17 to 19 % compared to the global method, highlighting the relative advantages of the local method for capturing subgrid topographic variations. The comparison between the two types of subgrid structures showed that the non-geo-located subgrid structures are more consistent across different area threshold values than the geo-located subgrid structures. Overall the local method and non-geo-located subgrid structures effectively and robustly capture topographic, climatic and vegetation variability, which is important for land surface modeling.
A method to estimate freezing rain climatology from ERA-Interim reanalysis over Europe
Authors: Kämäräinen Matti , Hyvärinen Otto , Jylhä Kirsti , Vajda Andrea , Neiglick Simo , Nuottokari Jaakko , Gregow Hilppa
Published: February 2017

Abstract. A method for estimating the occurrence of freezing rain (FZRA) in gridded atmospheric data sets was evaluated, calibrated against SYNOP weather station observations, and applied to the ERA-Interim reanalysis for climatological studies of the phenomenon. The algorithm, originally developed at the Finnish Meteorological Institute for detecting the precipitation type in numerical weather prediction, uses vertical profiles of relative humidity and temperature as input. Reanalysis data in 6 h time resolution were analysed over Europe for the period 1979–2014. Mean annual and monthly numbers of FZRA events, as well as probabilities of duration and spatial extent of events, were then derived. The algorithm was able to accurately reproduce the observed, spatially averaged interannual variability of FZRA (correlation 0.90) during the 36-year period, but at station level rather low validation and cross-validation statistics were achieved (mean correlation 0.38). Coarse-grid resolution of the reanalysis and misclassifications to other freezing phenomena in SYNOP observations, such as ice pellets and freezing drizzle, contribute to the low validation results at station level. Although the derived gridded climatology is preliminary, it may be useful, for example, in safety assessments of critical infrastructure.
Reversing land degradation through grasses: a systematic meta-analysis in the Indian tropics
Authors: Mandal Debashis , Srivastava Pankaj , Giri Nishita , Kaushal Rajesh , Cerda Artemi , Alam Nurnabi Meherul
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Although intensive agriculture is necessary to sustain the world's growing population, accelerated soil erosion contributes to a decrease in the environmental health of ecosystems at local, regional and global scales. Reversing the process of land degradation using vegetative measures is of utmost importance in such ecosystems. The present study critically analyzes the effect of grasses in reversing the process of land degradation using a systematic review. The collected information was segregated under three different land use and land management situations. Meta-analysis was applied to test the hypothesis that the use of grasses reduces runoff and soil erosion. The effect of grasses was deduced for grass strip and in combination with physical structures. Similarly, the effects of grasses were analyzed in degraded pasture lands. The overall result of the meta-analysis showed that infiltration capacity increased approximately 2-fold after planting grasses across the slopes in agricultural fields. Grazing land management through a cut-and-carry system increased conservation efficiencies by 42 and 63 % with respect to reduction in runoff and erosion, respectively. Considering the comprehensive performance index (CPI), it has been observed that hybrid Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) and sambuta (Saccharum munja) grass seem to posses the most desirable attributes as an effective grass barrier for the western Himalayas and Eastern Ghats, while natural grass (Dichanthium annulatum) and broom grass (Thysanolaena maxima) are found to be most promising grass species for the Konkan region of the Western Ghats and the northeastern Himalayan region, respectively. In addition to these benefits, it was also observed that soil carbon loss can be reduced by 83 % with the use of grasses. Overall, efficacy for erosion control of various grasses was more than 60 %; hence, their selection should be based on the production potential of these grasses under given edaphic and agro-ecological conditions. The present analysis also indicated that grass must be used as a vegetative strip to maintain soil quality in sloppy arable areas (8.5 Mha) of Indian hilly regions. Similarly, due attention should be paid for establishing grasses in 3 Mha of degraded pasture lands and 3.5 Mha of shifting cultivation areas in India to reverse the land degradation.
Calving localization at Helheim Glacier using multiple local seismic stations
Authors: Mei M. Jeffrey , Holland David M. , Anandakrishnan Sridhar , Zheng Tiantian
Published: February 2017

Abstract. A multiple-station technique for localizing glacier calving events is applied to Helheim Glacier in southeastern Greenland. The difference in seismic-wave arrival times between each pairing of four local seismometers is used to generate a locus of possible event origins in the shape of a hyperbola. The intersection of the hyperbolas provides an estimate of the calving location. This method is used as the P and S waves are not distinguishable due to the proximity of the local seismometers to the event and the emergent nature of calving signals. We find that the seismic waves that arrive at the seismometers are dominated by surface (Rayleigh) waves. The surface-wave velocity for Helheim Glacier is estimated using a grid search with 11 calving events identified at Helheim from August 2014 to August 2015. From this, a catalogue of 11 calving locations is generated, showing that calving preferentially happens at the northern end of Helheim Glacier.
PERFIL DE UTILIZAÇÃO DE ANTICONCEPCIONAL DE EMERGÊNCIA EM SERVIÇOS DE ATENDIMENTO FARMACÊUTICO DE UMA REDE DE FARMÁCIAS COMUNITÁRIAS
Authors: Cavalcante Márcio De Souza , Soares Marília Almeida , Feijó Cristiane Macêdo , De França Fonteles Marta Maria
Published: February 2017

A contracepção de emergência é um método utilizado para prevenir a gravidez após a relação sexual desprotegida. O fácil acesso a esse método, sem nenhuma orientação, levanta preocupações em relação ao seu uso, principalmente no que diz respeito a uma possível substituição de um método contraceptivo regular por este, bem como pelo seu uso, em sua maioria, pelos adolescentes, e por generalização do uso repetitivo. Este estudo propôs avaliar o nível de conhecimento das mulheres usuárias, ou que tinham intenção de uso, do contraceptivo de emergência conhecido como ‘pílula do dia seguinte’, permitindo um melhor acompanhamento da sua utilização, e disponibilização de dados farmacoepidemiológicos úteis para promoção do uso racional desse medicamento. Mulheres usuárias, ou que tinham intenção de uso, da pílula foram convidadas a participar da pesquisa sobre uso de contraceptivo de emergência. Foi aplicado um questionário e os dados foram incluídos em um programa estatístico específico. No total, foram realizadas 74 entrevistas, sendo 54 em um Serviço de Atendimento Farmacêutico, por telefone, ao cliente/consumidor, de uma rede de farmácias comunitárias, e 20 entrevistas aplicadas para clientes, no momento da dispensação do contraceptivo, em uma das filiais dessa Rede. A maioria das entrevistadas pretendia fazer uso ou utilizar contraceptivo de emergência sem orientação/prescrição médica. Estas relataram que obtiveram informações sobre esse medicamento através de amigos, familiares e da mídia (televisão, internet). A maioria informou ter utilizado o contraceptivo de emergência uma ou duas vezes. Um dos principais motivos para justificar a utilização da pílula do dia seguinte foi o sexo desprotegido. Nossos achados alertam para que se tenha uma maior preocupação em relação à possibilidade de uso indevido desse medicamento, e seu fácil acesso nas farmácias comunitárias.

Palavras- chave:

1. Contraceptivo de emergência

2. Farmácia comunitária

3. Serviço de Atendimento farmacêutico
PERFIL DAS INTOXICAÇÕES AGUDAS OCORRIDAS EM UMA CIDADE DO CENTRO-OESTE DE MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Amaral Almeida Thaís Cristina , Couto Charles Cristinan , Drumond Chequer Farah Maria
Published: February 2017

As intoxicações são consideradas tema de grande interesse em saúde pública. O presente estudo tem o objetivo de conhecer o perfil das intoxicações causadas por substâncias exógenas, em pacientes atendidos na Unidade Pronto Atendimento de uma cidade localizada no centro-oeste de Minas Gerais, visando analisar os principais agentes causadores de intoxicações nesta Unidade, quais classes de fármacos que mais ocasionaram as intoxicações e observar quais as populações, com relação ao sexo e à faixa etária, foram mais acometidas. Trata-se de uma análise retrospectiva e descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa, que utilizou dados de prontuários médicos de pacientes intoxicados atendidos entre setembro de 2013 a março de 2015. Foram registrados 188 casos de intoxicações agudas. O maior número de casos ocorreu na faixa etária de 20-30 anos. O sexo feminino foi o que mais se intoxicou e os principais responsáveis pelas intoxicações foram os medicamentos (64,90%) seguidos por praguicidas e drogas (maconha, cocaína e crack). A principal classe de medicamentos responsável pelas intoxicações foi benzodiazepínicos. Esse estudo permitiu conhecer as intoxicações mais prevalentes e principais procedimentos e antídotos utilizados no processo de desintoxicação. Possibilitou o desenvolvimento de um protocolo para maior rapidez e segurança nas tomadas de decisão frente ao paciente intoxicado.
DESENVOLVIMENTO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE FORMULAÇÃO TÓPICA DE EXTRATO DE UVARANA PARA TRATAMENTO DE FERIDAS
Authors: Souza Christiane Caroline de , Pinto Giovana Isabel , Kerppers Ivo Ilvan , De Paula Daniel
Published: February 2017

necessário o tratamento farmacológico na forma tópica, geralmente com medicamentos contendo ativos extraídos de plantas. As folhas da Uvarana, Cordyline dracaenoides Kunth, apresentam atividade anestésica e anti-edematogênica, mostrando potencial para o tratamento de feridas. Este estudo visou a obtenção de formulação tópica contendo extrato de folhas de Uvarana, e realização de testes de estabilidade preliminar. Primeiramente, realizou-se a seleção do solvente extrator, sendo que a solução de PG:água (1:1, v/v) demonstrou melhor potencial extrativo e maior estabilidade frente aos testes de pH, temperatura e radiação UV. Posteriormente, preparou-se géis de Alginato de Sódio, Carbopol, CMC sódica e Goma Xantana a 1% (m/v) em água destilada acrescidos de extrato em diversas concentrações. O gel de Carbopol apresentou-se como o melhor veículo para aplicação tópica do extrato de Uvarana, demonstrando comportamento desejável após testes de estabilidade preliminar frente à temperatura e radiação UV. Esta formulação demonstrou consistência e pH adequados para a aplicação na pele não íntegra, e não teve adição de excipientes irritantes, visando uma melhor adesão do paciente ao tratamento.
PROBLEMAS FARMACOTERAPÊUTICOS EM IDOSOS USUÁRIOS DE MEDICAMENTOS DE UMA UNIDADE DE ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE DE MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Machado de Oliveira Rinaldo Eduardo , Gonzaga do Nascimento Mariana Martins , Reis Flávia Jéssica , Oliveira Dias Elber Ruan , Pereira Mariana Linhares
Published: February 2017

Os idosos possuem elevada vulnerabilidade a problemas decorrentes do uso de medicamentos. Isso ocorre devido às alterações farmacocinéticas e farmacodinâmicas do próprio envelhecimento, às múltiplas e complexas doenças e uso concomitante de vários medicamentos. Neste sentido, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar potenciais problemas farmacoterapêuticos de idosos em uma Unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde de Minas Gerais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo realizado com 100 idosos. A amostra foi calculada com base no total de idosos cadastrados na Unidade de Saúde. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas, a partir das quais se obtiveram dados sociodemográficos, relacionados ao uso de medicamentos, condições de saúde, dentre outros. Foram identificados 117 problemas farmacoterapêuticos potenciais sendo 2 duplicidades, 7 sobredoses, 72 potenciais interações medicamento-medicamento e prevalência de 8,5% medicamentos potencialmente inadequados para idosos, segundo o Critério de Beers. Estes resultados são preocupantes e evidenciam a necessidadede implantação de serviços de acompanhamento da terapia medicamentosa em Unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde buscando-se melhorar a qualidade de vida dos idosos.
ESTUDO DA ANATOMIA FOLIAR E CAULINAR E ANÁLISE DOS CONSTITUINTES QUÍMICOS DOS ÓLEOS ESSENCIAIS DAS FOLHAS E CASCAS DOS FRUTOS DE Citrus medica L.
Authors: Santos Danillo Luiz dos , Lobo Ferreira Thatiany Castro , Ferreira Heleno Dias , Sá Stone De , Borges Leonardo Luiz , Faustino Tresvenzol Leonice Manrique , Ferri Pedro Henrique , De Paula José Realino , Fiuza Tatiana De Sousa
Published: February 2017

Citrus medica L. (Rutaceae) é utilizada popularmente como anti-inflamatória, anti-histamínica, diurética e calmante. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: realizar o estudo anatômico das folhas e caules, determinar o teor de umidade do pó das folhas e das cascas dos frutos e analisar os componentes dos óleos essenciais das folhas e cascas dos frutos de C. medica. O estudo anatômico das folhas e caules foi realizado de acordo com as técnicas botânicas convencionais. O teor de umidade foi feita utilizando um analisador de umidade. Os óleos essenciais das folhas e das cascas foram obtidos por hidrodestilação em um aparelho de Clevenger e analisados por CG/EM. Entre os aspectos anatômicos foliares destacam-se as cavidades secretoras contendo material lipídico, estômatos paracíticos e cristais prismáticos. Os componentes majoritários dos óleos essenciais das folhas foram E-cariofileno (16,82%), limoneno (12,35%) e acetato de geranila (11,75%) e das cascas dos frutos o limoneno (85,35% a 90,14%).
The Effects of Web 2.0 Technologies Usage in Programming Languages Lesson on the Academic Success, Interrogative Learning Skills and Attitudes of Students towards Programming Languages
Authors: Gencturk Abdullah Tarik , Korucu Agah Tugrul
Published: February 2017

It is observed that teacher candidates receiving education in the department of Computer and Instructional Technologies Education are not able to gain enough experience and knowledge in “Programming Languages” lesson. The goal of this study is to analyse the effects of web 2.0 technologies usage in programming languages lesson on the academic success, interrogative learning skills and attitudes of students towards programming languages. “Pre-test-Post-test Control Group Quasi-Experimental Design Model” is used as research model in this study. Participants are divided into two groups named experimental group and control group. The work group chosen from the population for this study consists of 75 students in total receiving education in the 2nd grade of Computer and Instructional Technologies Teaching Department of Faculty of Ahmet Keleşoğlu, Necmettin Erbakan University in 2015-2016 academic year. “Academic Success Test” developed by researcher, “Attitude Towards Programming Languages Scale” which is adapted into Turkish by Durak (2013) and “Interrogative Skills Scale” developed by Aldan, Kandemir and Saraçoğlu (2013) are used in the study. As a result of the study, it is concluded that students receiving education within the experimental group are more successful. When analysing their attitudes towards programming languages, it is concluded that attitudes of students in experimental group are more positive than that of those in control group. Analysing the effects of students using and not using cooperative learning environment developed with Web 2.0 technologies on their interrogative learning skills, it is determined that post-test grades of experimental group are higher than those of control group. According to the result of the study, a learning environment designed with Web 2.0 technologies has high-level effects on students’ academic success and attitudes towards programming languages and has medium-level effect on their interrogative learning skills.
The Relationship between Pricing and Consumers Switching Costs: Comparisons between the Myopic and Perfect-foresight Equilibria
Authors: Abdelrahman Omar A.
Published: February 2017

In many markets, consumers face costs of switching to a competitor’s brand that is ex ante undifferentiated even when the two firms’ brands are functionally identical. This study examines the relationship between pricing and consumers witching costs or “brand loyalty”. Moreover, it suggests that in the presence of switching costs, firms will charge lower prices in the first period to gain market share that will be valuable to them in the future and therefore charge higher prices later utilizing the market shares they have gained in the first period. This will give firms a degree of monopoly power over their existing customers, leading to higher prices and profits in the future. This will happen if firms have perfect foresight, and it may lead to either higher or lower equilibrium profits than if firms behave myopically.
Reliability of a Clustered-Task Server under Modulated Correlation
Authors: Traylor Rachel Lunde , Korzeniowski Andrzej
Published: February 2017

Server resource allocation and traffic management is a large area of research and business concern in order to ensure proper functionality and maintenance procedures. As a result, good server reliability models that can incorporate workload and traffic stress are necessary. This paper generalizes previous dynamic server reliability models for partitioned servers with clustered-task selection by relaxing the assumption that the correlation between channels in the server remain constant. We allow the correlation to vary deterministically with time, or as a function of a random process in discrete or continuous time. The explicit form of the survival function is derived in such cases. Numerical illustrations demonstrate the dangers of erroneously assuming independence among channels, which can lead to costly and unnecessary interventions in the system. In addition, we numerically explore the effects of a variable correlation on the survival function.
Assessment and management of retraction pockets
Authors: Cuneyt Alper , Olszewska Ewa
Published: February 2017

This manuscript intends to review types, pathogenesis, associated risk factors, and potential methods of prevention and treatment of the retraction pockets in adults and children. The importance of retraction pockets (RP) lies in loss of original histological and anatomical structure which is associated with development of ossicular chain erosion, cho¬lesteatoma formation and potentially life threatening complications of cholesteatoma. The trans-mucosal exchange each gas in the middle ear (ME) is towards equalizing its partial pressures with the partial pressure in the environ¬ment. MEs that have abnormalities in the volume and ventilation pathways in the epitympanic may be more suscep¬tible to retraction pockets. Sustained pressure differences and/or inflammation leads to destruction of collagen fibers in the lamina propria. Inflammatory mediators and cytokines lead to release of collagenases result in viscoelastic properties of the lamina propria. The process of changes in the tympanic membrane structure may evolve to the cho¬lesteatoma formation. There are many different staging systems that clinicians prioritize in their decision making in the management of RP. The authors discuss the management possibilities in different clinical situations: RP without and with ongoing or intermittent evidence of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD), presence of adenoid hypertrophy or re-growth of adenoids, presence or absence of effusion, invisible depth of RP without effusion. invisible depth of RP with effusion, ongoing RP after VT insertion, and finally suspicion of cholesteatoma in a deep RP with ME effusion. A decision algorithm regarding the management of TM retraction and retraction pockets is provided.
A new vanilla species from Costa Rica closely related to V. planifolia (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Azofeifa-Bolaños José B. , Gigant L. Rodolphe , Nicolás-García Mayra , Pignal Marc , Tavares-González Fabiola B. , Hágsater Eric , Salazar-Chávez Gerardo A. , Reyes-López Delfino , Archila-Morales Fredy L. , García-García José A. , Da Silva Denis , Allibert Agathe , Solano-Campos Frank , Rodríguez-Jimenes Guadalupe Del Carmen , Paniagua-Vásquez Amelia , Besse Pascale , Pérez-Silva Araceli , Grisoni Michel
Published: February 2017

We describe a new vanilla species growing in sympatry with Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews (Orchidaceae) in the province of Limón, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The morphology of the reproductive and vegetative organs observed on vines cultivated under shade-house, the nuclear (Internal Transcribed Spacer) and plastid (matK) nucleotide sequences, as well as the contents of aromatic compounds measured in ripe fruits, show that this species is close to but distinct from V. planifolia. The name V. sotoarenasii M.Pignal, Azofeifa-Bolaños & Grisoni sp. nov. is proposed for this new Vanilla species endemic in Costa Rica. It is especially distinguished from V. planifolia by a reduction of about 30% of the size of the fruits and flowers, by a divergence of ITS sequences for at least two species-conserved nucleotides compared to seven other species of the V. planifolia group, and by the presence of anisic compounds and low content of phenolic compounds (including vanillin) in the fruits. These results confirmed the extension of the area of distribution of V. planifolia southward to Costa Rica, where a recent speciation process occurred. Because of its particular agronomic and aromatic properties, V. sotoarenasii sp. nov. could represent a valuable biological resource for the vanilla industry.
Cross-cultural Theatre Education: Rehearsals and Performance English as Lingua Franca, rewriting process, and poly-glottal text in psycho-physical acting practice
Authors: Henning Lars
Published: February 2017

At Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts, English is the Lingua Franca (ELF) of artistic exploration. With a non-conformist approach to the use of ELF, highlighting a body-mind insight into the language over correctness, a latent, expressive potential of ELF is explored through a psycho-physical training. The predominant technique is Movement Psychology (Laban/Malmgren), which examines the interdependence between, on the one hand, text, language, and narrative and, on the other, the embodiment of the Jungian unconscious.The paper analyses the process and the methods of staging the production entitled Re: ORESTES, based on Mee’s play Orestes 2.0, applying the described methodological exploration. The play was rewritten and remoulded by the performers throughout a rehearsal process, which focused on interlacing the performers’ highly diverse cultural horizons (Gadamer) in a common mega-text, in an attempt to fuse the familiar with the alien, the personal with the collective, and to channel, shape and articulate the material within ELF.The paper details two different examples of this transformative remoulding process. One actor wrote a completely new text, which was performed in the heightened style of "the Queen’s English". Another actor performed a part in a poly-glottal combination of Ancient and Modern Greek (her mother tongue) and ELF. In this process, both performers sought to transcend the preconceived limitations of their individual cultural horizons as well as of the English language.
The Usefulness of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Eyespeak Software in Improving Iraqi EFL Students’ Pronunciation
Authors: Fathi Sidig Sidgi Lina , Jelani Shaari Ahmad
Published: February 2017

The present study focuses on determining whether automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology is reliable for improving English pronunciation to Iraqi EFL students. Non-native learners of English are generally concerned about improving their pronunciation skills, and Iraqi students face difficulties in pronouncing English sounds that are not found in their native language (Arabic). This study is concerned with ASR and its effectiveness in overcoming this difficulty. The data were obtained from twenty participants randomly selected from first-year college students at Al-Turath University College from the Department of English in Baghdad-Iraq. The students had participated in a two month pronunciation instruction course using ASR Eyespeak software. At the end of the pronunciation instruction course using ASR Eyespeak software, the students completed a questionnaire to get their opinions about the usefulness of the ASR Eyespeak in improving their pronunciation. The findings of the study revealed that the students found ASR Eyespeak software very useful in improving their pronunciation and helping them realise their pronunciation mistakes. They also reported that learning pronunciation with ASR Eyespeak enjoyable.
Greene's Selimus (1594): A Scourge of God to the Ottomans
Authors: Taleb Al-Olaqi Fahd Mohammed
Published: February 2017

The Ottomans were represented in the imagination of Elizabethan drama. However, the Ottoman Sultans were remarkably in demand on Elizabethan stage. Robert Greene's Selimus (1594) shows a real interest in exploring and understanding the psyche of the Ottoman Sultan. The play's pattern theme of patricide explores the unnatural characteristics of the Ottoman royal family. The dramatic scenes of the murderous actions are engaging in lawless incursion upon ancient historical claims. Selimus appears as a proud ambitious tyrant, polluted with the blood of his own brothers. The fraternal conflict forms the inevitable bloodshed in transferring power to descendants in the Ottoman Empire. Greene depicts Sultan Selimus as the scourge of God to the Ottoman House. He holds some philosophy which is contrary to Elizabethan ethical and succession rules. Greene's interpretation of his conflict in the domestic scenes is a significant acknowledgement of the settled nature of Turkish sovereignty, and indeed of its complexity, at his own days.
Using visuo-kinetic virtual reality to induce illusory spinal movement: the MoOVi Illusion
Authors: Harvie Daniel S. , Smith Ross T. , Hunter Estin V. , Davis Miles G. , Sterling Michele , Moseley G. Lorimer
Published: February 2017

Background

Illusions that alter perception of the body provide novel opportunities to target brain-based contributions to problems such as persistent pain. One example of this, mirror therapy, uses vision to augment perceived movement of a painful limb to treat pain. Since mirrors can’t be used to induce augmented neck or other spinal movement, we aimed to test whether such an illusion could be achieved using virtual reality, in advance of testing its potential therapeutic benefit. We hypothesised that perceived head rotation would depend on visually suggested movement.

Method

In a within-subjects repeated measures experiment, 24 healthy volunteers performed neck movements to 50oof rotation, while a virtual reality system delivered corresponding visual feedback that was offset by a factor of 50%–200%—the Motor Offset Visual Illusion (MoOVi)—thus simulating more or less movement than that actually occurring. At 50oof real-world head rotation, participants pointed in the direction that they perceived they were facing. The discrepancy between actual and perceived direction was measured and compared between conditions. The impact of including multisensory (auditory and visual) feedback, the presence of a virtual body reference, and the use of 360oimmersive virtual reality with and without three-dimensional properties, was also investigated.

Results

Perception of head movement was dependent on visual-kinaesthetic feedback (p = 0.001, partial eta squared = 0.17). That is, altered visual feedback caused a kinaesthetic drift in the direction of the visually suggested movement. The magnitude of the drift was not moderated by secondary variables such as the addition of illusory auditory feedback, the presence of a virtual body reference, or three-dimensionality of the scene.

Discussion

Virtual reality can be used to augment perceived movement and body position, such that one can perform a small movement, yet perceive a large one. The MoOVi technique tested here has clear potential for assessment and therapy of people with spinal pain.
A statistical study on the F2 layer vertical variation during nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances
Authors: Ssessanga Nicholas , Kim Yong Ha , Jeong Se‐Heon
Published: February 2017

A statistical study on the relationship between the perturbation component (ΔTEC (total electron content)) and the F2 layer peak height (hmF2) during nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances is presented. The results are obtained by using a time‐dependent computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) technique. This was realized by using slant total electron content observations from a dense Global Positioning System receiver network over Japan (with more than 1000 receivers), together with a multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique. Reconstructions from CIT were validated by using ionosonde and occultation measurements. A total of 36 different time snapshots of the ionosphere when medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) were eminent were analyzed. These were obtained from a data set covering years from 2011 to 2014. The reconstructed surface wavefronts of ΔTEC and hmF2 structure were found to be aligned along the northwest‐southeast direction. These results confirm that nighttime MSTIDs are driven by electrodynamic forces related to Perkins instability which explains the northwest‐southeast wavefront alignment based on the F region electrodynamics. Furthermore, from the statistical analysis hmF2 varied quasiperiodically in altitude with dominant peak‐to‐peak amplitudes between 10 and 40 km. In addition, ΔTEC and hmF2 were 60% anticorrelated.
Photochemical escape of oxygen from Mars: First results from MAVEN in situ data
Authors: Lillis Robert J. , Deighan Justin , Fox Jane L. , Bougher Stephen W. , Lee Yuni , Combi Michael R. , Cravens Thomas E. , Rahmati Ali , Mahaffy Paul R. , Benna Mehdi , Elrod Meredith K. , McFadden James P. , Ergun Robert. E. , Andersson Laila , Fowler Christopher M. , Jakosky Bruce M. , Thiemann Ed , Eparvier Frank , Halekas Jasper S. , Leblanc François , Chaufray Jean‐Yves
Published: February 2017

Photochemical escape of atomic oxygen is thought to be one of the dominant channels for Martian atmospheric loss today and played a potentially major role in climate evolution. Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) is the first mission capable of measuring, in situ, the relevant quantities necessary to calculate photochemical escape fluxes. We utilize 18 months of data from three MAVEN instruments: Langmuir Probe and Waves, Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer, and SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition. From these data, we calculate altitude profiles of the production rate of hot oxygen atoms from the dissociative recombination of O2+ and the probability that such atoms will escape the Mars atmosphere. From this, we determine escape fluxes for 815 periapsis passes. Derived average dayside hot O escape rates range from 1.2 to 5.5 × 1025 s−1, depending on season and EUV flux, consistent with several pre‐MAVEN predictions and in broad agreement with estimates made with other MAVEN measurements. Hot O escape fluxes do not vary significantly with dayside solar zenith angle or crustal magnetic field strength but depend on CO2 photoionization frequency with a power law whose exponent is 2.6 ± 0.6, an unexpectedly high value which may be partially due to seasonal and geographic sampling. From this dependence and historical EUV measurements over 70 years, we estimate a modern‐era average escape rate of 4.3 × 1025 s−1. Extrapolating this dependence to early solar system, EUV conditions gives total losses of 13, 49, 189, and 483 mbar of oxygen over 1–3 and 3.5 Gyr, respectively, with uncertainties significantly increasing with time in the past.
Early‐Middle Triassic high Sr/Y granitoids in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Implications for ocean closure in accretionary orogens
Authors: Li Shan , Chung Sun‐Lin , Wilde Simon A. , Jahn Bor‐Ming , Xiao Wen‐Jiao , Wang Tao , Guo Qian‐Qian
Published: February 2017

The key to defining the termination of accretion in an accretionary orogen is to recognize the initial magmatic processes that are generated at the time of ocean closure. We present new age, geochemical, and isotopic data for magmatic rocks related to terminal collision along the Solonker‐Xar Moron suture zone in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) that record such processes following closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. These magmatic rocks were emplaced in the Early‐Middle Triassic (251–245 Ma) and show high Sr/Y signatures. Their low MgO, Cr, and Ni contents and variable whole‐rock εNd(t) values (+5.8 to −5.3), together with the range in zircon εHf(t) (+15.6 to −9.8) and δ18O values (5.1 to 7.9‰), indicate an origin from partial melting of juvenile lower crustal rocks with some old components, including supracrustal recycling under garnet amphibolite facies conditions. Our data, along with available geological and geophysical evidence, lead us to propose a model of final oceanic contraction in the southern CAOB, resulting in sublinear distribution of high Sr/Y melts along the resultant collision zone, thus defining the onset of postaccretionary processes in the southern CAOB. The identification of collision‐related high Sr/Y granitoids from the southern CAOB not only reveals the magmatic process in response to the final episode of orogenic evolution in the CAOB accretionary collision zone but also constrains how and when an archipelago‐type accretionary orogen is terminated.
A rover's geologic field campaign: Exploration of the Kimberley by Curiosity
Authors: Minitti Michelle E.
Published: February 2017

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover undertook comprehensive exploration of the Kimberley waypoint within Gale crater, Mars in order to understand its context within the larger geologic picture of Gale crater and its evidence for past Martian habitability. Coordinated observations from Curiosity's rich science payload revealed important insights into new Martian crustal compositions, the prevalence and diversity of sedimentary processes within Gale crater, and surface erosion rates. Exploration at the Kimberley, in part informed by a decade of orbital observations of Gale crater, underscored the critical synergy between landed and orbital observations and furthered understanding of complex geological processes on Mars.