bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy-based Gain Adaptive Scheme for Set-Point Modulated Model Reference Adaptive Controller
Authors: Pal A. K. , Naskar Indrajıt , Paul Sampa
Published: October 2018

In model reference adaptive controller (MRACs), the adaptive gain of the controller is varied according to the process dynamic variation as it is directly related with the system stability. In MRAC, there is no provision of an automatic selection of adaptive gain and adaptation rate. To get rid of this problem and for the automatic selection of adaptive gain, a fuzzy-based scheme is presented in this article. In the proposed fuzzy-based technique, the controller output gain is illustrated as the function of input process parameters, which is continuously amended for any process parameter variations. A set-point modulation scheme is also incorporated to tackle the undesired process parameter variations and to improve performance indices of the process under control. The performance of the proposed set-point modulated fuzzy-based model reference adaptive controller (SFMRAC) is demonstrated on different second order linear, marginally stable and nonlinear models. The scheme is also explored on a real-time twin arm overhead crane for transport of material without pendulation.
An Improved LBP Blockwise Method for Face Recognition
Authors: Kumar Nikhil , Behal Sunny
Published: October 2018

Face recognition is considered as one of toughest and most crucial leading domains of digital image processing. The human brain also uses a similar kind of technique for face recognition. When scrutinizing a face, the human brain signifies the result. Aside from AN automatic processing system, this technique is very sophisticated, owing to the image variations on account of the picture varieties in as far as area, size, articulation, and stance. In this article, the authors have used the options of native binary pattern and uniform native binary pattern for face recognition. They compute a number of classifiers on publicly available benchmarked ORL image databases to validate the proposed approach. The results clearly show that the proposed LBP-piece shrewd strategy has outperformed the traditional LBP system.
Motivational Influences for Higher Education (HE) Students
Authors: Costello Robert , Lambert Murray
Published: October 2018

This article offers a novel innovative gamification approach for undergraduates within higher education. To support the innovative approach, a mixed method data analysis investigation was conducted to capture the case study. The authors propose a gamification model to support student's perceptions and views while they were undertaking their Level 5 Games Technologies and Level 6 Games Development courses at a higher education institute within the northeast of the United Kingdom. The model used within gamification will provide a supportive approach for game thinking challenges, to help build upon excitement and motivational influences to improve retention, engagement, motivation, and problem solving, whilst using a competition between the two-year groups as an incentive. The authors' analysis suggests there are key factors between competition and using motivation through gamification to influence the learners.
OnGIS
Authors: Smid Marek
Published: October 2018

Geospatial data sources are heterogeneous and backed by different data management technologies. This brings problems in data integration as well as their subsequent interpretation. This article proposes a technique for choosing the relevant data source out of many such sources, given a complex spatial query. Each source is described with a set of prototypical queries that are algorithmically arranged into a lattice. Upon query execution, the lattice is searched for an element matching best the input query. The matching algorithm makes use of the GeoSPARQL query containment enhanced with OWL 2 QL semantics. The technique is implemented in a prototypical system called OnGIS.
Ghosts in the Machine?
Authors: Churchill Robert Paul
Published: October 2018

In keeping with the theme of this special journal issue, the crosspollination discussed here includes technologies of cyberspace and the internet, psychological sub-disciplines concerned with personality and identity-formation, philosophy, and the neurosciences. Ordinarily, “crosspollination” connotes the emergence of something positive: a new birth, for instance, or an interesting hybrid. However, contrary to a rosy outlook, this article reflects concern about the effects of cyberspace technologies on personality and identity. “Progress” is an extremely powerful metaphor, or mental frame, and once new social media platforms, and virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are equated with progress, it is extremely difficult to contemplate their possible disadvantages. Nevertheless, glancing-backwards, one can readily concede that eager receptivity for the prospective benefits of new technologies should have been matched with sobriety about unforeseen or unintended consequences.
Tijuana Jones e os caçadores das pirâmides perdidas
Authors: Goldschmidt Andréa Inês , Santos Cintia Daniele Silva dos , Rehbein Eliani Teichmann
Published: October 2018

O artigo buscou investigar a importância do uso de jogos educativos para o ensino de ciências nos anos iniciais, por meio da elaboração e avaliação de uma metodologia lúdica, dinâmica e multidisciplinar, envolvendo um jogo educativo. A estratégia consiste em um jogo denominado “Tijuana Jones e os caçadores das pirâmides perdidas”. A atividade parte de uma história que mescla fatos e informações reais com dados fictícios, associando às pirâmides do Egito e sua história com a Pirâmide Alimentar e sua importância para a manutenção de uma alimentação e vida saudável. O jogo educativo foi testado com alunos de quartoano do ensino fundamental, em uma escola pública de Cachoeira do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul e, diante de uma análise qualitativa, foi muito bem avaliado. Na prática, os educandos puderam se envolver numa busca desafiadora e estimulante, a fim de desvendar um dos mistérios deixados pelo jovem faraó Tutankamon, o que repercutiu em grande interesse, participação e aprendizagem.
Facetas da (im)potência viril na Revista Careta: educação e masculinidades no Estado Novo (1937-1945)
Authors: Vasconcelos Larissa Meira , Fialho Lia Machado Fiuza , Machado Charliton José Dos Santos
Published: October 2018

Este artigo é fruto do diálogo entre dois campos distintos e coextensivos: a Educação e a discussão sobre gênero, especialmente, no que concerne às masculinidades. Objetiva-se compreender de que maneira a revista Careta, impresso de circulação nacional, atualizava nos anúncios publicitários a reprodução de estereótipos de gênero presentes na educação masculina no período estadonovista (1937-1945). Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo documental, amparada teoricamente na História Cultural, que utiliza como fonte primária a revista Careta. Os resultados apontaram 466 números publicados entre 1937 e 1945, no interior dos quais 4.325 anúncios podem ser lidos dentro da chave interpretativa das masculinidades. Destes, foram selecionados para estudo os cinco que mais se repetiam e galgavam lugar de destaque nas edições. A análise constatou que a referida revista – popular, jocosa e com larga distribuição no país – reproduziu estereótipos de gênero, encorajando os homens a manifestarem comportamentos propriamente viris, bem como expressou o temor masculino da senilidade e da impotência.
Cinema como lugar de memória da formação musical e prática docente
Authors: Monti Ednardo Monteiro Gonzaga do
Published: October 2018

Este trabalho traz à baila a Coleção Pianistas Brasileiras, constituída por três documentários biográficos, referindo-a como um lugar de memória. Numa perspectiva da História da Educação, tem-se como objetivo analisar de que maneira Norma Bengell, mentora da obra cinematográfica, abordou a formação pianística e a atuação docente das três brasileiras nos filmes que compõem a coleção; a saber: Infinitamente Guiomar Novaes (2003); Antonietta Rudge: o êxtase em movimento (2003) e Magda Tagliaferro: o mundo dentro de um piano (2004). Destacam-se também, no decorrer do artigo, as fontes escritas, iconográficas e orais mobilizadas pela cineasta nesses filmes. Como resultado, foi possível compreender que a produção cinematográfica em questão releva o apoio familiar na consolidação da formação musical das concertistas, proporcionando-lhes períodos de estudo na Europa; e estabelece a ação docente das três como um mecanismo de circularidade do saber musical no Brasil.
The characterisation of the Spiritual Christian: In conversation with God according to 1 Corinthians 2
Authors: Van der Merwe Dirk
Published: October 2018

Irrespective of the short academic history of Christian spirituality, a vast number of academic and popular publications ensued and is still dynamically growing. Many definitions have been proposed to define (Christian) spirituality. Spirituality is also no longer connected only to religion, although in this research the focus will fall on Christian spirituality. This research intends to partake in the continuing academic dialogue to define Christian spirituality. Christian spirituality is interpreted from the perspective of the divine-human conversation. This research consists of three sections. In the first section, a working definition of Christian spirituality is formulated. In the second section, various aspects that constitute spiritualities are distinguished and discussed. In the last section, the constituents of Christian spirituality are pointed out and are reviewed from a conversational perspective. The focus will be on ‘the experience of the divine’ when living a life that resonates with the Christian life.
Perceptions about family-centred care among adult patients with chronic diseases at a general outpatient clinic in Nigeria
Authors: Yakubu Kenneth , Malan Zelra , Colon-Gonzalez Maria C. , Mash Bob
Published: October 2018

Background: Few studies in Africa have described patients’ perceptions about family-centred care (FCC).Aim: The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of FCC among patients with chronic diseases.Setting: The study was conducted at a general outpatient clinic (GOPC) in Jos, north-central Nigeria.Methods: We used a mixed-methods phenomenological study design and conducted structured and semi-structured interviews with 21 adult patients with chronic diseases at a general outpatient clinic in north-central Nigeria.Results: Patients described FCC using progressive levels of family engagement including the doctor inquiring about history of similar disease in the family, information sharing with family members and fostering of family ties. They described current family involvement in their care as either inquiring about their health, accompanying them to the clinic or offering material or social support and health advice. Also, patients considered the value of FCC based on how it meets information needs of the family, influences individual health behaviour and addresses family dynamics. Those who were literate and older than 50 years of age favoured FCC during history taking. Those who were literate, aged lesser than 50 years and had poor disease control showed preference for FCC during treatment decision-making.Conclusion: The acceptability of FCC is a complex synthesis of age, socio-economic status, literacy and disease outcomes. Patients older than 50 years, with good treatment outcomes, and those without formal education may need further education and counselling on this approach to care.
Laminectomy versus laminoplasty in the surgical management of long-segment intradural spinal tumors: Any difference in neurological outcomes?
Authors: Onyia Chiazor , Menon Sajesh
Published: October 2018

Background: Previous comparative studies have shown that apart from lack of any significant difference in neurologic outcomes between laminoplasty and laminectomy following resection of intradural spinal tumours, spinal column issues such as postoperative deformities, malalignment, and adjacent level disease have also been clearly demonstrated to be quite similar for both techniques. However, there is no study yet that describes any difference in neurologic outcomes for long-segment intradural lesions as a rare subset of these lesions (in terms of number of spinal segments involved) following surgical management between these two techniques. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of surgical treatment with either laminectomy or laminoplasty done for patients with long-segment intradural tumors at a tertiary health-care institution in India. Results: Out of over 167 patients surgically treated for intradural tumors during the study period, a total of 60 patients were included in the evaluation. The long-segment tumors were intramedullary in 22 (36.7%) patients and intradural-extramedullary in the remaining 38 (63.3%) patients. No patient in both cohorts had any revisional surgery after initial resection or any serious complications. The incidence of neurologic function remaining unchanged at the end of follow-up was similar between laminoplasty and laminectomy (12.5% vs. 11.1%). There was no significant correlation between the preoperative McCormick score and postoperative McCormick score (P > 0.05 at 95% degree of confidence; Spearman's rho = 0.028), suggesting that functional outcomes were not dependent on the initial neurologic status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that : the two independent variables (Extent of surgery and Choice of procedure) were not significant predictors of the dependent variable (Functional outcome following surgery) (odds ratio = 3.836; p = 0.071). Conclusion: This retrospective evaluation demonstrates laminoplasty not to be more or less likely to have any better functional outcome or need for revision compared to laminectomy in the resection of long-segment intradural lesions. A quality randomized controlled study on a much larger scale will be required to validate this finding.
Pólya's conjecture fails for the fractional Laplacian
Authors: Kwaśnicki Mateusz , Laugesen Richard S. , Siudeja Bartłomiej A.
Published: October 2018

The analogue of Pólya's conjecture is shown to
fail
for the fractional Laplacian

(-\Delta)^{\alpha/2}

on an interval in 1-dimension, whenever

0 < \alpha < 2

. The failure is total: every eigenvalue lies below the corresponding term of the Weyl asymptotic.

In 2-dimensions, the fractional Pólya conjecture fails already for the first eigenvalue, when

0 < \alpha < 0.984

.
Spectral flow for skew-adjoint Fredholm operators
Authors: Carey Alan L. , Phillips John , Schulz-Baldes Hermann
Published: October 2018

An analytic definition of a

\mathbb Z_2

-valued spectral flow for paths of real skew-adjoint Fredholm operators is given. It counts the parity of the number of changes in the orientation of the eigenfunctions at eigenvalue crossings through 0 along the path. The

\mathbb Z_2

-valued spectral flow is shown to satisfy a concatenation property and homotopy invariance, and it provides an isomorphism on the fundamental group of the real skew-adjoint Fredholm operators. Moreover, it is connected to a

\mathbb Z_2

-index pairing for suitable paths. Applications concern the zero energy bound states at defects in a Majorana chain and a spectral flow interpretation for the

\mathbb Z_2

-polarization in these models.
Subelliptic resolvent estimates for non-self-adjoint semiclassical Schrödinger operators
Authors: Bellis Ben
Published: October 2018

In this paper we prove a subelliptic resolvent estimate for a broad class of semiclassical non-self-adjoint Schrödinger operators with complex potentials when the spectral parameter is in a parabolic neighborhood of the imaginary axis.
The scattering operator on asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds
Authors: Sá Barreto Antônio , Wang Yiran
Published: October 2018

We obtain a formula for the Schwartz kernel of the scattering operator in terms of the Schwartz kernel of the forward fundamental solution of the wave operator on asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds. This formula is then used to show that the scattering operator is a Fourier integral operator that quantizes the scattering relation.
New Prototype Screened Doors and Windows for Excluding Mosquitoes from Houses: A Pilot Study in Rural Gambia
Authors: Jawara Musa , Jatta Ebrima , Bell David , Burkot Thomas R. , Bradley John , Hunt Victoria , Kandeh Balla , Jones Caroline , Manjang Aji Matty , Pinder Margaret , Stone Shannon , D’Alessandro Umberto , Knudsen Jakob , Lindsay Steve W.
Published: October 2018

Despite compelling evidence that modern housing protects against malaria, houses in endemic areas are still commonly porous to mosquitoes. The protective efficacy of four prototype screened doors and two windows designs against mosquito house entry, their impact on indoor climate, as well as their use, durability and acceptability was assessed in a Gambian village. A baseline survey collected data on all the houses and discrete household units, each consisting of a front and back room, were selected and randomly allocated to the study arms. Each prototype self-closing screened door and window was installed in six and 12 units, respectively, with six unaltered units serving as controls. All prototype doors reduced the number of house-entering mosquitoes by 59–77% in comparison with the control houses. The indoor climate of houses with screened doors was similar to control houses. Seventy-nine percentage of door openings at night occurred from dusk to midnight, when malaria vectors begin entering houses. Ten weeks after installation the doors and windows were in good condition, although 38% of doors did not fully self-close and latch (snap shut). The new doors and windows were popular with residents. The prototype door with perforated concertinaed screening was the best performing door because it reduced mosquito entry, remained fully functional, and was preferred by the villagers. Screened doors and windows may be useful tools for reducing vector exposure and keeping areas malaria-free after elimination, when investment in routine vector control becomes difficult to maintain.
A National Analysis of School-Based Agricultural Education Involvement, Graduation, STEM Achievement, and Income
Authors: McKim Aaron J. , Velez Jonathan J. , Sorensen Tyson J.
Published: October 2018

The progression of research on school-based agricultural education (SBAE) has been limited, in part, due to a lack of nationwide, student data detailing the effectiveness of SBAE. Using an ecological systems perspective, the relationships between SBAE enrollment; graduation rates; postsecondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) achievement; and income were explored using data from a nation-wide, longitudinal study conducted from 2002 to 2012. Results indicate SBAE students were more likely to be male, white, and have a lower socioeconomic status than students not enrolled in SBAE. With regard to graduation rates, SBAE enrollment was a statistically significant, positive predictor of high school graduation. In fact, students enrolled in SBAE were 1.16 times more likely to graduate high school than students not enrolled in SBAE. In the analysis of STEM achievement, SBAE enrollment was a statistically significant, negative predictor of postsecondary science, math, and overall STEM GPA. With regard to income, each additional Carnegie unit of SBAE was related to $1,850.67 more annual income for high school graduates and $457.40 more annual income for postsecondary graduates. Findings are discussed in relation to the ecological systems theory, with an emphasis on recommendations for research and practice.
Predicting Consumers’ Local Food Attitude with Personal Values and Local Food Online Videos
Authors: Qu Shuyang , Lamm Alexa , Rumble Joy , Telg Ricky
Published: October 2018

This study assessed how the personal value associated with local food messages in an online video format influenced U.S. consumers’ attitudes toward local food. To accomplish this, we created two video treatments focusing on how local food supports the local economy and strengthens social connections, respectively. We developed two scales to measure the personal values (personal value of supporting the local economy and personal value of strengthening social connection). These values were associated to the video treatments’ message frames. Descriptive analyses revealed a neutral personal value of supporting local economy and strengthening social connection among U.S. consumers, and a positive attitude toward local food. Multiple regression indicated that the personal value associated with the video treatment was not always a stronger predictor of attitude than the other personal value. In fact, we found that the personal value of supporting the local economy was a more significant predictor of local food attitude than personal value of strengthening social connection in both video treatments.
National Participation in School-Based Agricultural Education: Considering Ethnicity, Sex, and Income
Authors: Velez Jonathan J. , Clement Haley Q. , McKim Aaron J.
Published: October 2018

An empirical understanding of the value school-based agricultural education (SBAE) offers has been limited due to lack of widespread, longitudinal studies addressing the impacts of student participation in SBAE. Grounded in the theory of involvement, data from a nation-wide, longitudinal study were analyzed to explore ethnicity and income among students with varying levels of vocational club and SBAE involvement. Results indicated Black males had high involvement in non-SBAE vocational clubs but low involvement in SBAE-vocational clubs. Black and Hispanic females enrolled in SBAE at rates close to the percentages in the high school population; however, Black and Hispanic females rarely attained officer roles in SBAE-vocational clubs. White females, on the other hand, dominated officer roles within SBAE vocational clubs. Results also indicate females enrolled in SBAE who served as officers earned an additional $10,507 annually compared to non-SBAE, female officers. However, regarding the impact of involvement in SBAE on males who serve as officers, results indicate decreased income compared to their nonSBAE peers. Findings are discussed in relation to the theory of involvement, with an emphasis on recommendations for further research.
Exploring the Effect of Personal Norms and Perceived Cost of Water on Conservation
Authors: Ali Amanda D. , Ramey Cameron N. , Warner Laura A.
Published: October 2018

In recent studies, between 50% to 75% of residential water was used for outdoor irrigation (Milesi et al., 2012). Turfgrass lawns are widely used in outdoor landscapes and are the largest irrigated crop by total area in the United States (Milesi et al., 2005). Consequently, as more American homes utilize turfgrass lawns, outdoor irrigation is expected to increase (Devitt, Carstensen, & Morris, 2008). Increases in outdoor water usage coupled with urbanization pressures water resources and intensifies the need for conservation. This study utilized hierarchical multiple regression to determine factors affecting urban residents’ intent to engage in water conservation. It also evaluated the effect of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables on intent to conserve water, then included perceived cost of water and personal norms as additional factors affecting intent to conserve. A total of 1,809 urban residents in the U.S. were surveyed via a researcher-developed questionnaire using non-probability purposive sampling. Findings revealed both social and personal norms had strong effects on intent to conserve water. Recommendations follow that social and personal norms be made known to target audiences and used collectively in extension water conservation programs to promote behavior change.
Instrument Validity in Manuscripts Published in the Journal of Agricultural Education between 2007 and 2016
Authors: Gates Hailey R , Johnson Donald M. , Shoulders Catherine W.
Published: October 2018

We examined authors’ treatment of instrument validity in a stratified random sample (n = 94) of quantitative studies published in the Journal of Agricultural Education from 2007 to 2016. A majority (78.7%) of studies reported use of either a researcher-developed instrument (41.5%) or an existing instrument modified by the researchers (37.2%). In 67.0% of articles, authors validated the instrument for the study reported; in 16.0%, the authors claimed instrument validity based on previous studies. Authors made no claim for instrument validity in 11.7% of articles and claimed an unspecified form of validity in another 11.7%. Among the 72 articles where specific validity claims were made, 67 (93.1%) claimed face and content validity, either alone or in combination with other forms of validity. Claims for content, concurrent, and discriminant validity, either alone or in combination with other forms of validity, were made in 11 (15.3%) of the 72 articles. Among 70 articles claiming face, content, or construct validity, 91.4% included a description of the validation panel; panelists were most often described as ‘experts’ (70.3%), although their area(s) of expertise were specified in only 29.7% of articles. We conclude with specific recommendations intended to shift the profession’s subjective norms related to instrument validity.
A Profile of Exemplary Rural Agricultural Entrepreneurship Education Programs
Authors: Heinert Seth B. , Roberts T. Grady
Published: October 2018

Entrepreneurship in rural areas has been seen as a potential tool to mitigate rural outmigration. Entrepreneurship has long been a part of the comprehensive model for school based agricultural programs in the United States, often emphasized through Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs (SAEP). Using case study methodologies, this study sought to identify programmatic characteristics of exemplary rural agricultural entrepreneurship education programs. Results revealed: (a) entrepreneurship was taught Primarily through SAEP and (b) entrepreneurship was taught a limited amount through coursework. Results also showed that experiential learning related to entrepreneurship was seen primarily through four examples: SAEP, written business plans, scenarios, and Shark Tank type presentations. Recommendations for practice and future research are provided.
Influence of Arctic Stratospheric Ozone on Surface Climate in CCMI models
Authors: Harari Ohad , Garfinkel Chaim I. , Morgenstern Olaf , Zeng Guang , Tilmes Simone , Kinnison Douglas , Deushi Makoto , Jöckel Patrick , Pozzer Andrea , O'Connor Fiona M.
Published: October 2018

Abstract. The Northern Hemisphere and tropical circulation response to interannual variability in Arctic stratospheric ozone is analyzed in a set of the latest model simulations archived for the Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI) project. All models simulate a connection between ozone variability and temperature/geopotential height in the lower stratosphere similar to that observed. A connection between Arctic ozone variability and polar cap sea-level pressure is also found, but additional analysis suggests that it is mediated by the dynamical variability that typically drives the anomalous ozone concentrations. The CCMI models also show a connection between Arctic stratospheric ozone and the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO): the CCMI models show a tendency of Arctic stratospheric ozone variability to lead ENSO variability one to two years later. While this effect is much weaker than that observed, it is still statistically significant. Overall, Arctic stratospheric ozone is related to lower stratospheric variability and may also influence the surface in both polar and tropical latitudes, though these impacts can be masked by internal variability if data is only available for ~ 40 years.
Turbulence Induced Cloud Voids: Observation and Interpretation
Authors: Karpińska Katarzyna , Bodenschatz Jonathan F. E. , Malinowski Szymon P. , Nowak Jakub L. , Risius Steffen , Schmeissner Tina , Shaw Raymond A. , Siebert Holger , Xi Hengdong , Xu Haitao , Bodenschatz Eberhard
Published: October 2018

Abstract. The phenomenon of cloud voids, i.e., elongated volumes inside a cloud that are devoid of droplets, was observed with laser sheet photography in clouds at a mountain-top station. Two experimental cases, similar in turbulence conditions yet with diverse droplet size distributions and cloud void prevalence, are reported. A theoretical explanation is proposed based on the study of heavy inertial sedimenting particles inside a Burgers vortex. A general conclusion regarding void appearance is drawn from theoretical analysis. Numerical simulations of polydisperse droplet motion with realistic vortex parameters and Mie scattering visual effects accounted for can explain the presence of voids with sizes similar to that of the observed ones. Preferential concentration and sorting effects in a vortex tube are discussed for reasonable cloud conditions.
The SUMup dataset: compiled measurements of surface mass balance components over ice sheets and sea ice with analysis over Greenland
Authors: Montgomery Lynn , Koenig Lora , Alexander Patrick
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Increasing atmospheric temperatures over ice cover affect surface processes,
including melt, snowfall, and snow density. Here, we present the Surface Mass
Balance and Snow on Sea Ice Working Group
(SUMup) dataset, a standardized dataset of Arctic and Antarctic observations
of surface mass balance components. The July 2018 SUMup dataset consists of
three subdatasets, snow/firn density
(https://doi.org/10.18739/A2JH3D23R), at least near-annually resolved
snow accumulation on land ice (https://doi.org/10.18739/A2DR2P790), and
snow depth on sea ice (https://doi.org/10.18739/A2WS8HK6X), to monitor
change and improve estimates of surface mass balance. The measurements in
this dataset were compiled from field notes, papers, technical reports, and
digital files. SUMup is a compiled, community-based dataset that can be and
has been used to evaluate modeling efforts and remote sensing retrievals.
Active submission of new or past measurements is encouraged. Analysis of the
dataset shows that Greenland Ice Sheet density measurements in the top 1 m
do not show a strong relationship with annual temperature. At Summit Station,
Greenland, accumulation and surface density measurements vary seasonally with
lower values during summer months. The SUMup dataset is a dynamic, living
dataset that will be updated and expanded for community use as new
measurements are taken and new processes are discovered and quantified.
Spatial consistency and bias in avalanche forecasts – a case study in the European Alps
Authors: Techel Frank , Mitterer Christoph , Ceaglio Elisabetta , Coléou Cécile , Morin Samuel , Rastelli Francesca , Purves Ross S.
Published: October 2018

Abstract. In the European Alps, the public is provided with regional avalanche
forecasts, issued by about 30 forecast centers throughout the winter,
covering a spatially contiguous area. A key element in these forecasts is the
communication of avalanche danger according to the five-level, ordinal
European Avalanche Danger Scale (EADS). Consistency in the application of the
avalanche danger levels by the individual forecast centers is essential to
avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations by users, particularly those
utilizing bulletins issued by different forecast centers. As the quality of
avalanche forecasts is difficult to verify, due to the categorical nature of
the EADS, we investigated forecast goodness by focusing on spatial
consistency and bias, exploring real forecast danger levels from four winter
seasons (477 forecast days). We describe the operational constraints
associated with the production and communication of the avalanche bulletins,
and we propose a methodology to quantitatively explore spatial consistency
and bias. We note that the forecast danger level agreed significantly less
often when compared across national and forecast center boundaries (about
60 %) than within forecast center boundaries (about 90 %).
Furthermore, several forecast centers showed significant systematic
differences in terms of more frequently using lower (or higher) danger levels
than their neighbors. Discrepancies seemed to be greatest when analyzing the
proportion of forecasts with danger level 4 – high and 5 – very high. The
size of the warning regions, the smallest geographically clearly specified
areas underlying the forecast products, differed considerably between
forecast centers. Region size also had a significant impact on all summary
statistics and is a key parameter influencing the issued danger level, but it
also limits the communication of spatial variations in the danger level.
Operational constraints in the production and communication of avalanche
forecasts and variation in the ways the EADS is interpreted locally may
contribute to inconsistencies and may be potential sources for
misinterpretation by forecast users. All these issues highlight the need to
further harmonize the forecast production process and the way avalanche
hazard is communicated to increase consistency and hence facilitate
cross-border forecast interpretation by traveling users.
Reflections on Teaching The Wire: Developing a Radical Pedagogy
Authors: Johnson Lawrence
Published: October 2018

This essay applies the concept of the white racial frame (Feagin 2010) in a critical reflection of the authors use of the popular HBO series The Wire. By positioning the authors subjectivity and experiences teaching the series as a pedagogical tool, the author argues that issues of race, gender, and agency are problematic for classroom use. Despite its popularity in academia students are generally ill-prepared to understand a long history of housing policy and residential segregation to their understanding of The Wire. By default, the white spatial imaginary undermines the critical nature of the show because it only depicts the ghetto where the critical task is to explain the structures that created the modern American ghetto.
Tomes! Enhancing Community and Embracing Diversity Through Book Arts
Authors: Beene Stephanie J. , González Lauri M. , Schadl Suzanne M.
Published: October 2018

This article highlights important connections between the spoken word, handmade paper, cultural memory and natural sustenance -- in books and in artworks. Two projects were brought together for an exhibition, which serves as an innovative response to the call for multiculturalism, inclusion, and equity at an educational institution in one of the most multilingual and multicultural states in the U.S. Any organization which mounts an exhibition runs the risk of assuming they know what visitors want to see, or ought to see, and how they might choose to experience the works displayed. This exhibit is an attempt to subvert that tendency and extend the continuum of authority, offering visitors multiple modes for leaving their mark on the exhibit. Preliminary comments demonstrate how performative and tactile object-based inquiry leads to transformative learning. How do communities interact with and describe materials whose intent is to push what comfortably translates between English and Spanish? How can we collaborate to provide better access to collections that represent their families, communities, or traditions? What sorts of differences are observed between the ways people handle and describe unique objects if they are not instructed first? The exhibit continues to evolve according to community feedback. This article discusses one approach to collaboration as an effective tool for breaking down barriers to traditional authority and hierarchies.
El concepto de derecho y el conocimiento de lo justo en Francesco Viola
Authors: Hargous Fuentes Vicente José
Published: October 2018

El autor explica sistemática y críticamente la visión de Francesco Viola sobre el derecho y su cognoscibilidad. Ambos puntos son, dada la inusual perspectiva de Viola, inseparables, pues, para Viola, el significado focal de diritto es una práctica social constituida por los actos de interpretación que sus participantes hacen de la misma, al reconocerla como valor que se debe seguir. La conclusión de este estudio es que, sin perjuicio de ciertas objeciones que se le deben hacer a Viola –a saber, la incoherencia de su pensamiento, por decirse iusnaturalista a la vez que defiende tesis cercanas al relativismo–, su comprensión del razonamiento práctico como prudencia y la necesidad del casuismo como método jurídico son auténticas contribuciones al debate sobre la ley natural.
Financial Engineering and Its Role in the Growth and Development of Islamic Banking in Palestine
Authors: Jaber Amer S.
Published: October 2018

The study aimed to identify the role of financial engineering in the growth and development of Islamic banking in Palestine; this is through the acknowledgment of the role of the Sharia Supervisory Board represented by the jurisprudential opinions on new Islamic products and tools. Moreover, the role of the regulations and instructions issued by the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) concerning Islamic banks. In addition to the impact of experience and employees’ training, as well as the impact of modern technology on the growth and development of Islamic banking in Palestine.The researcher used the analytical descriptive approach to reach conclusions and recommendations that can be generalized. The study population was employees working at Islamic banks in Palestine, who are (1049) employees. The sample for the study targeted 315 employees, which consists 30% of the total population. The tool used for the study was questionnaires distributed on the sample to collect preliminary data. The number of respondents was (258) employees which composes 81% of the sample.The study has reached many conclusions, and the following are the most important ones: The views of the Sharia Supervisory Board in the banks operating in Palestine play a major role in the growth and development of Islamic banking, while the other areas play a moderate role in the growth and development of Islamic banking in Palestine. The study recommended the need to spread the culture of electronic Islamic banking, and the need to update the regulations and instructions governing Islamic banking. In addition to the need for cooperation and coordination between the Sharia Supervisory Boards of the banks and the unified authority that is affiliated with the PMA.
A Literature Review of Women Empowerment and Development in Zimbabwe: A look at New Insights and Perspectives
Authors: Manuere Faitira , Phiri Neria
Published: October 2018

The concept of “Women empowerment” has received much attention from researchers, government and captains of industry. There are several meanings attached to the concept of women empowerment. This literature review explores the origin of the term women empowerment as it is related to gender and equality. This literature review looks at four power perspectives that are used to explain the increasing need for women empowerment today. The related concepts of power, agency, resources and achievements are used to explain and describe the problems associated with women empowerment globally. The theoretical underpinnings of this literature review are important for policy-makers and government the world over. Finally, the models that can be adopted to empower women, socially, economically and politically are identified and explained.
Leadership Strategy, Behavioural Focus and Firm Performance: A Review of Literature
Authors: Muthimi Janet K. , Kilika James M.
Published: October 2018

The strategic management literature has laid emphasis on the role of leadership at several phases of the strategic management process. The literature has however not addressed the construct of leadership strategy as well as integrating it into the mainstream literature on strategic management. Researches already done to link leadership with performance have been biased in terms of the scope of focus on the dimension of performance and at the same time have registered methodological and conceptual challenges affecting the generalization of findings. In this paper, the authors integrate the extant literature on leadership with that on leadership strategy and identify issues that call for an expanded scope on the construct of leadership. The paper reviews extant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature and raises diverse issues that present a case for a new theoretical model suitable to extend the current understanding on leadership and the phenomenon it brings about in organization into new frontiers in management. This paper proposes an integrated theoretical model for linking leadership strategies and firm performance while providing for the role of leadership paradigms, leadership behavioural focus and firm capabilities. The emerging theoretical propositions and implications for future research are discussed.
Procesowa reprezentacja Skarbu Państwa a reprezentacja
materialnoprawna
Authors: Dziurda Marcin
Published: October 2018

So far, the legal representation of the State Treasury has raised serious doubts in Polish law. They were eliminated by the Act of 16 December 2016 on the principles of state property management. It aligned the provisions on legal (material) representation of the State Treasury with those concerning representation before courts and other authorities.
O kilku problemach działalności arbitrażu w Polsce
Authors: Ereciński Tadeusz
Published: October 2018

Lawyers involved in arbitration have doubts about the accuracy of the direction in which the current practice of arbitration is proceeding.
One of the main practical issues of arbitration was the issue of conflicts of interest, arbitration costs, the ethos of arbitration. In Poland, arbitration proceedings took too long.
The author partly criticizes the provisions of the Act of 10 September 2015 on the amendment of certain acts in connection with the support of amicable dispute resolution methods, which among others concerns the shortening of the post-arbitration proceedings. The legislator adopted defective criteria for determining the venue of court of appeal in cases related to the complaint to set aside the arbitration award.
Towarzystwo sporu – przypadek współuczestnictwa specjalnego w sprawie o uzgodnienie treści księgi wieczystej
z rzeczywistym stanem prawnym
Authors: Gudowski Jacek
Published: October 2018

The author presents in a synthetic form the development of institutions of procedural joint participation, starting from the Roman civil process, with particular reference to the regulations contained in the code of civil procedure of 1930 and 1964. He focuses on the contemporary model of joint participation, discussing its types and manifestations. He proves that in addition to the types of participation regulated in the Code of Civil Procedure, there is also a place in the Polish civil proceedings for its other manifestations, including joint special unnamed joint participation, resulting from the „nature of things” or from the essence of a procedural claim submitted for judgment. He points out that a special case of special procedural joint participation appears in the case for reconciliation of the contents of the land and mortgage register with the actual legal status.
Istota i formy ilościowych przekształceń przedmiotowych
w polskim procesie cywilnym
Authors: Wiśniewska Anna
Published: October 2018

The Polish Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) does regulate the amendments of the subject of claim in Art. 193. It must be observed that the Code (similar to the former Code of Civil Procedure of 1932) does not supply a statutory definition of the amendment of claim, leaving this matter to the theory of civil procedure; the regulation is only concerned with the admissibility of a change. Speaking in most general terms, an amendment of a claim is a procedural act which results in transformation of particular elements of the claim, thus directly influencing the proceedings. However, the continuity of the proceedings before and after the amendment must be preserved, in the sense that earlier procedural acts of the parties and evidence collected remain at least partially pertinent.
The claimant’s act amending the claim may as well limit as extend the subject matter of the proceedings. It can also, obviously, contain as well an amendment of the requested remedy as the factual basis of the claim. A separate amendment of only one of those elements seems also possible. As a quantitative amendment of the claim must also be considered the introduction of a new claim besides the original one (a cumulative amendment). Such an amendment is expressly provided by Art. 193 § 2 CCP.
It must be stressed that, as a matter of fact, the extension of the claim in a cumulative form, as regulated in Art. 193§ 2 CPC, shall produce the identical result as if the claimant already in the statement of claim availed of a possibility provided in Art. 191 CCP, namely to cumulate more than one substantive law claim in one statement of claim against the same respondent.
The claimant’s procedural acts aimed at the quantitative amendment of the claim include also the limitation of the claim, thus resulting in the limitation of the subject matter of the proceedings. Undoubtedly, the limitation of the claim is a party’s procedural act bearing upon the court’s decision.
Existem diferenças na prática e na motivação entre alunos iniciantes tocando diferentes instrumentos musicais?
Authors:   UCL - nstitute of Education, University College London, Hallam Susan , Creech Andrea ,   Laval University Quebec, Varvarigou Maria ,   Canterbury Christchurch University
Published: October 2018

Há um número considerável de pesquisas sobre a prática instrumental e a motivação musical. Este trabalho teve como objetivo ampliar a pesquisa nesta temática investigando as relações quanto à prática e à motivação de alunos iniciantes de diferentes instrumentos. Aproximadamente 500 instrumentistas e cantores de nível elementar responderam a um questionário com tópicos variados focalizando o tempo gasto praticando o instrumento, as estratégias da prática instrumental (ou vocal), a organização da prática, a motivação para a prática, o apoio recebido para tocar um instrumento, as autocrenças, a identidade musical, o prazer da performance e as aspirações musicais. Os participantes, que foram divididos em sete grupos instrumentais (cordas, sopro, metais, piano/instrumentos de teclado, violão, bateria e voz), responderam ao questionário em uma escala Likert de sete pontos. A análise multivariada foi realizada em relação ao tempo gasto praticando, às estratégias de prática e às atitudes frente à prática e à motivação. As análises consideraram o grupo instrumental, a idade e o gênero, mostrando a complexa relação entre eles. Os resultados são discutidos em termos de suas implicações para o ensino.
¿Te gusta conducir? Una mirada crítica desde la publicidad de coches y su retórica medioambiental
Authors: García Martín Miguel
Published: October 2018

El desarrollo sostenible —así como algunos otros relatos en la órbita de la conservación medioambiental— suele utilizarse retóricamente como recurso publicitario para mejorar una imagen de marca. En esa línea, se presenta aquí una propuesta didáctica basada en el análisis crítico del discurso de una muestra de anuncios de televisión. Se presta especial atención a la industria del automóvil, por tratarse de una actividad con enormes repercusiones medioambientales, así como por su impacto mediático y en la cultura popular. Se pone así de manifiesto que en torno al coche siguen gravitando discursos persuasivos más emocionales que racionales, como forma de soslayar el verdadero debate en torno a los desafíos sociales y ambientales actuales.