bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blended Learning in Mathematics
Authors: Polly Drew , Casto Amanda R.
Published: February 2019

The term blended learning continues to gain momentum in K-12 classrooms around the United States. While the idea of implementing blended learning environments is becoming more popular, there is a need to gain a deeper understanding of how these environments look and how they influence student learning. This chapter takes a step in that direction by examining four instances of blended learning in mathematics classrooms, described as vignettes, that examine the model of blended learning, shifts in teachers' instruction while trying to implement blended learning, as well as teachers' reported benefits and barriers to teaching mathematics in this way. Implications cite a need to focus on the quality of mathematical tasks posed by teachers as well as in technology-rich environments and the need for more in-depth examination about teachers' instructional decisions and rationales related to blended learning and how those decisions influence student learning.
Inclusive Pedagogical Practices in Online Courses
Authors: Nash Christina M.
Published: February 2019

This chapter examines the best practices for creating inclusive online courses, focused at the K–12 level. It presents a theoretical framework that is rooted in teacher reflectivity and social justice in the classroom. Teachers should not only present voices from a diverse population, but also ask students to evaluate the dominant voices still left in the curriculum and how those voices shape societal institutions. Strategies recommended include, but are not limited to, being aware of cultural differences through both information gathering and experience; providing opportunities for communication that honor both students cultural and learning preferences; providing explicit course guidelines, expectations, and extended descriptions of course assignments; addressing the implementation of collaborative work with students of diverse backgrounds; and promoting students' cultural awareness through the critique of content.
Engaging Teachers in Science Practices and Discourse Through Online Professional Development
Authors: Mawn Mary V. , Davis Kathleen S.
Published: February 2019

Online professional development courses and programs provide science teachers with ongoing and relevant professional development opportunities that overcome time, distance, and budget pressures. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, this chapter presents a case study of elementary and middle school teachers enrolled in two online courses in chemistry and science education. Based on this work, three themes emerged: the ability to incorporate inquiry-based teaching and learning in online environments, the importance of online discourse and reflection, and the role of linking theory with practice. Specifically, teacher participants reported increased experience exploring content via inquiry, felt actively engaged with their peers as they constructed their knowledge, and expected to adapt inquiry-based activities in their classrooms as a result of these online courses.
Moving K-12 Coursework Online
Authors: Journell Wayne , Schouweiler David
Published: February 2019

Online learning is part of the future of K-12 education. However, few online K-12 instructors have been formally trained in online pedagogy. This chapter describes best practices in creating online courses for K-12 students. Many aspects of online learning are the same regardless of the age of the students taking the courses, but adolescents often experience online instruction differently than university students or adult learners. Although far from comprehensive, this chapter describes basic guidelines and offers recommendations for K-12 educators wishing to create engaging online learning opportunities for their students.
An Organic Model for edTPA Exploration and Implementation
Authors: Tanguay Carla Lynn , Many Joyce E. , Ariail Mary , Bhatnagar Ruchi , Emerson Judith
Published: February 2019

Teacher educators share their experiences in response to the adoption of a high-stakes policy in Georgia regarding the use of edTPA®. Their efforts followed an organic model characterized by the inclusion of three important concepts: (1) distributed leadership, (2) ongoing communication, and (3) a commitment to the evolution of responsibilities and support structures. Stories highlight the importance of collegiality, shared decision making, and clear and open communication within the institution to ensure the success of a policy imperative at the grass-roots level. Since the policy of edTPA for licensure in Georgia carried high stakes for teacher educators and teacher candidates alike, the transition period allowed faculty to engage in conversations and practices that paid attention to the policy imperative, simultaneously allowing them time to consider how to conserve the values and cultural assets of the institution.
Examining edTPA's Educative Nature and Its Alignment to Standards of Effective Teaching
Authors: Polly Drew , Byker Erik Jon
Published: February 2019

This chapter advances the idea that completing the edTPA project is an educative experience that has potential to support teachers' development of high-leverage instructional practices. An inductive analysis of teacher candidates' reflections about completing the practice edTPA indicated that teacher candidates found value in some aspects of the project, such as planning, examining their video, and assessing students' work, but many of the participants perceived that the writing of the commentaries was not relevant. The chapter also describes a strategy called edPASR, which support teacher candidates through the edTPA process as an educative experience based in performance assessment. The chapter examines vignettes of teacher candidates experiences with the edTPA portfolio and concludes with a discussion of the relationship between edTPA and the day-to-day practice of teaching.
Solar Concentrators
Authors: Shokhzoda Bekhruzi Talbi , Tyagunov Mikhail Georgievich
Published: February 2019

Looking at the history of solar energy and renewable energy in general, the authorities and scientists have been paying much attention to the recent period, due to the depletion of fossil energy resources and the growing difficulties in solving environmental problems. The development of solar energy has led to the use of solar energy concentrators. Concentrators are used to concentrate sunlight onto PV cells. This allows for a reduction in the cell area required for producing a given amount of power. The goal is to significantly reduce the cost of electricity generated by replacing expensive PV converter area with less expensive optical material. In this chapter, the authors talk about concentrators in solar energy, especially about modules based on holographic films. Holographic solar panels (HSP) in recent decades have appeared in large-scale production and been actively used in solar energy. Evaluations of other types of existing concentrators are presented.
Designing Solar Power Plant Due to Consumer Load Schedule, Solar Energy Potential, and Electricity Prime Cost
Authors: Daus Yuliia , Kharchenko Valeriy , Yudaev Igor Viktorovich , Dyachenko Vera , Klychev Shavkat
Published: February 2019

The object of research in the chapter is the solar power plant as the source of additional economically expedient power supply of the electrical energy consumer. The purpose of this research is to analyze the options for the layout of solar power plant, taking into account the solar energy potential of the district, the design features of the proposed location, the load curve of the consumer, and the cost of the generated electrical energy. The chapter presents the results of calculation and selection of the parameters of solar power plant elements on the roof of the consumer's production building. The chapter presents the results of research of the dependence of the cost of the electricity generated by the solar power plant on the number of installed panels, which in order to increase the realized solar energy potential of the district also allows adding photoelectric modules and accumulating devices in the layout of the operating station at tariff growth. The chapter presents the results of researching these areas, that are conducted by the authors and which are completely original.
The Exploitation of Wind Systems in Rural Electrical Network
Authors: Kozyrskyi Volodymyr , Petrenko Andrii , Trehub Mykola , Charyev Yangibay
Published: February 2019

The activity of farm enterprises is directly connected with the efficient use of resources such as electrical energy and water. Taking such conditions as factors of economic expediency and ecological safety into account, it is more reasonable to use wind stations in order to provide consumers with energy and water. The use of conventional wind and electrical stations is an easy and reliable solution. However, annual wind velocity on most settled territories does not exceed 6 m/s or even 4 m/s. It makes the efficient use of wind electrical stations more complicated. One of the solutions can probably be the use of wind and electrical stations on the basis of slow speed non-transmission arc-shaped-stator inductor-type generators with an integrated radial and ring-shaped rotor. Another efficient solution to provide areas with water and electrical energy is to use a combined wind station with a crank-and-rod mechanism and the rod of the driving mechanism of the back-and-forth motion of the core of a magnetic and electrical linear generator and the piston of a plunger pump.
Impact of KIR/HLA Incompatibilities on NK Cell Reconstitution and Clinical Outcome after T Cell–Replete Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Posttransplant Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Willem Catherine , Makanga Dhon Roméo , Guillaume Thierry , Maniangou Bercelin , Legrand Nolwenn , Gagne Katia , Peterlin Pierre , Garnier Alice , Béné Marie C. , Cesbron Anne , Le Bourgeois Amandine , Chevallier Patrice , Retière Christelle
Published: February 2019

Little is known regarding the effect of KIR/HLA incompatibilities (inc.) in the setting of T-replete haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). In this retrospective study, the impact of KIR/HLA inc. on clinical outcomes and NK cell reconstitution was studied in a cohort of 51 consecutive patients receiving a T cell–replete haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after a reduced-intensity conditioning using peripheral blood stem cells as the source of the graft and PTCy as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis. The NK cell repertoire reconstitution was examined by multiparameter flow cytometry in 34 of these 51 patients from day 0 to day 100 posttransplant. Genetic KIR2DL/HLA inc. were found to be significantly associated with more GvHD (81.2 versus 45.7%, p = 0.01) and less relapse (6.2 versus 42.8%, p = 0.008) in this context. GvHD is associated with increased levels of differentiated and activated NK cells. A significant loss of KIR2DL2/3+ NK cells was observed at day 30 in patients with inhibitory KIR/HLA inc., suggesting that responsive KIR NK cells are particularly targeted by the immunosuppressive PTCy treatment. Further investigations are needed from a larger cohort with an identical clinical approach to consolidate these results and to identify the NK cell subsets that may be beneficial for the graft-versus-leukemia effect observed. Because many haploidentical donors can be identified in a family, the prediction of KIR NK cell alloreactivity could be of crucial importance for donor selection and patient outcome.
Types of terrorism: From the Red Brigades to Al Qaeda, from the Palestinian Brigade to ISIS
Authors: Gravante Manuela
Published: February 2019

It is necessary to link the phenomenon of terrorism to the concept of information and communication. Information that comes from the propaganda that every terrorist organization makes of itself and from the communication produced by the media to inform the public opinion about the facts. In the 70's, in Italy, the Red Brigades used flyers as real ideological treatises, intended for the media. Thirty years later, the jihadist organization of Al Qaeda inaugurated the season of the new global terrorism; on 11th of September 2001, a new type of propaganda was born, which exploited the television channels and the web, reaching all the rest of society. Nowadays, we are faced with ISIS, which has managed to set up a very articulated and complex recruitment work based on online propaganda, through the diffusion of photos, audio and video messages on the Internet, succeeding in making proselytes even among Europeans. The aim of this in-depth study is to demonstrate how all terrorist movements are organised and lucidly determined to plan their actions and messages. The historical context that gave birth to the organizations, the internal structure, the ideology, the modus operandi and the media dimension; the role of women and children, the enrolment, the new scenarios and the extra-European measures of prevention in the fight against terrorism have been deepened.
Gevolgen van marktdifferentiatie voor diversiteit, inclusie en kansengelijkheid in kindercentra, een vergelijkende casestudy
Authors: van der Werf Willeke , Slot Pauline , Kenis Patrick , Leseman Paul
Published: February 2019

Is it possible to distinguish different organizational designs of childcare centers? If so, do different organizational designs differ in diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy? This study explores in a qualitative case study amongst thirteen childcare centers on their design and strategy. More specifically, are attention for differences in ethnicity, color and social-economic backgrounds of staff, clients and children (diversity) and efforts to ensure sense of belonging and uniqueness (inclusion) of everyone involved part of the organizational strategy? By interviewing location managers, information on organizational strategies, design and D&I strategy was obtained. Analysis indicates the existence of different D&I strategies, which are related to different organizational designs, in accordance with characteristics from a configurational organization theory. D&I strategy in organizational strategy and design was found mainly as a ‘multicultural-loving’ strategy in most expensive market-oriented childcare centers, and mainly out of necessity embedded in cheapest public childcare centers. However, D&I strategy was also related to client diversity, showing segregation and inequality. This exploration provides questions for further research on organizational designs and its relation to D&I strategy at different organizational levels.
Discriminatie op de arbeidsmarkt: waarom hebben ‘Marokkaanse’ en ‘Surinaams-Hindoestaanse’ Nederlanders minder kans op een baan?
Authors: van der Ent Barbara
Published: February 2019

‘Moroccan’ and ‘Surinamese-Hindustani’ Dutch have fewer chances on the Dutch labour market compared to ‘autochthonous’ Dutch. Although both groups face labour market discrimination, Andriessen et al. (2015) show that discrimination works differently for both groups. ‘Moroccan’ Dutch can compensate for the ethnic penalty by having more work experience than ‘autochthonous’ Dutch. ‘Surinamese-Hindustani’ Dutch can compensate by stressing their integration into Dutch society. This article shows why discrimination works differently for these groups, and explains when and how symbolic boundaries between social categories become permeable and can be crossed. To reveal the stereotypes, expectations and emotions employers have, twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with employers in the hospitality and retail sector. It is shown that discrimination of ‘Surinamese-Hindustani’ Dutch candidates is not caused by negative stereotypes of the group, but rather by the fact that their name is not recognized as Surinamese-Hindustani but just as ‘stranger’: since they are unknown, they are unloved. For ‘Moroccan’ Dutch candidates, negative stereotypes and expectations do play a role. This group is more negatively evaluated and different types of anxiety play a crucial role. For ‘Moroccan’ Dutch candidates holds that: as they are known, they are unloved. This article adds complexity to classical discrimination theory and emphasizes the importance of emotions in symbolic boundary drawing and crossing.
(Nog eens) een theorie van een kameleonklasse
Authors: De Keere Kobe
Published: February 2019

(Nog eens) een theorie van een kameleonklasse.Boekbespreking: Elizabeth Currid-Halkett (2017) The Sum of Small Things: A Theory of the Aspirational Class.
First-generation Turkish women in the 2060 neighbourhood of Antwerp
Authors: Segers Ruth
Published: February 2019

This paper reports on a small-scale case study using an intersectional approach that reflects on sense of place in first-generation Turkish migrant women who migrated to Belgium in the 1970s and who live in Antwerp 2060 (Belgium). It shows how migrant women have taken on efforts to re-enact and renegotiate places in search of interpersonal connection within their new environment. The case study focuses on three significant time periods in the life cycle of the women: before migration, in the extended arrival period, and today. It is empirically supported by semi-structured personal interviews covering place-related life stories situated at the intersection of four social identity categories, i.e. age, gender, socio-economic background, and culture. The analysis illustrates how the benefit of economic migration for these migrant women comes with the sacrifice of social connectedness, a consequence of their ‘deduplicated’ feeling of belonging.
Trans-inquiring into gender and sexuality constructions in Belgian workplaces
Authors: Aguirre-Sánchez-Beato Sara , Closon Caroline
Published: February 2019

Work is one of the main areas of discrimination against trans people, both in Belgium and the European Union as a whole. This fact points to the inseparability of symbolic and material aspects in discrimination and exclusion. In this sense, the creation and justification of differences and hierarchies become essential to understand work discrimination. Although gender analyses of work and the economy abound, these usually rely on unalterable and dichotomous gender categories. In this paper, we argue that, because of the destabilisation of the categories that it entails, ‘trans-inquiring’ is a fruitful critical approach to examine common-sense notions about gender and sexuality at work. Our objective is to identify workers’ discourses about ‘difference’ related to gender issues at work and the implications for the inclusion/exclusion of trans people. Our corpus consisted of the transcriptions of five group interviews carried out with co-workers from five work organisations in Brussels. The analysis was carried out using a discursive psychology approach through the identification of rhetorical devices and interpretative repertoires. Diverse and often contradictory discourses were identified. These contradictory discourses carry out a rhetorical work by setting a distinction between (gender and sexuality) indifference, (useful) diversity, and (unacceptable) difference. This distinction has the function of both expressing an adherence to equality principles while at the same time maintaining hegemonic views on gender and sexuality in the workplace – namely cisgenderism, sexism, and heteronormativity – and denying discrimination against trans people, women, and homosexual people.
Physicochemical uptake and release of volatile organic compounds by soil in coated-wall flow tube experiments with ambient air
Authors: Li Guo , Cheng Yafang , Kuhn Uwe , Xu Rongjuan , Yang Yudong , Meusel Hannah , Wang Zhibin , Ma Nan , Wu Yusheng , Li Meng , Williams Jonathan , Hoffmann Thorsten , Ammann Markus , Pöschl Ulrich , Shao Min , Su Hang
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in atmospheric chemistry.
Emission and deposition on soil
have been suggested as important sources and sinks of atmospheric trace
gases. The exchange characteristics and heterogeneous chemistry of VOCs on
soil, however, are not well understood. We used a newly designed differential
coated-wall flow tube system to investigate the long-term variability of
bidirectional air–soil exchange of 13 VOCs under ambient air conditions of
an urban background site in Beijing. Sterilized soil was investigated to
address physicochemical processes and heterogeneous/multiphase reactions
independently from biological activity. Most VOCs revealed net deposition
with average uptake coefficients (γ) in the range of
10−7–10−6 (referring to the geometric soil surface area),
corresponding to deposition velocities (Vd) of
0.0013–0.01 cm s−1 and soil surface resistances (Rc) of
98–745 s cm−1, respectively. Formic acid, however, was emitted at a
long-term average rate of ∼6×10-3 nmol m−2 s−1,
suggesting that it was formed and released upon heterogeneous oxidation of
other VOCs. The soil–atmosphere exchange of one individual VOC species can
be affected by both its surface degradation/depletion caused by surface
reactions and by competitive uptake or heterogeneous formation/accommodation
of other VOC species. Overall, the results show that physicochemical
processing and heterogeneous oxidation on soil and soil-derived dust can act
as a sink or as a source of atmospheric VOCs, depending on molecular
properties and environmental conditions.
Comparison of equatorial wave activity in the tropical tropopause
layer and stratosphere represented in reanalyses
Authors: Kim Young-Ha , Kiladis George N. , Albers John R. , Dias Juliana , Fujiwara Masatomo , Anstey James A. , Song In-Sun , Wright Corwin J. , Kawatani Yoshio , Lott François , Yoo Changhyun
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Equatorial Kelvin and mixed Rossby-gravity (MRG) waves in the tropical tropopause layer and stratosphere represented in recent reanalyses for the period of 1981–2010 are compared in terms of spectral characteristics, spatial structures, long-term variations and their forcing of the quasi-biennial oscillation. For both wave types, the spectral distributions are broadly similar among most of the reanalyses, while the peak amplitudes exhibit considerable spread. The longitudinal distributions and spatial patterns of wave perturbations show reasonable agreement between the reanalyses. A few exceptions to the similarity of the spectral shapes and spatial structures among them are also noted. While the interannual variations of wave activity appear to be coherent for both the Kelvin and MRG waves, there is substantial variability in long-term trends among the reanalyses. Most of the reanalyses which assimilate satellite data exhibit large increasing trends in wave variance (~ 15–50 % increase in the 30 years at 100–10 hPa), whereas one reanalysis (JRA-55C) produced without satellite data does not. Several discontinuities are found around 1998 in the time series of the Kelvin and MRG wave variances, which manifest in different ways depending on the reanalysis, and are indicative of impacts of the transition of satellite measurements during that year. The equatorial wave forcing of the quasi-biennial oscillation, estimated by the Eliassen–Palm flux divergence, occurs in similar phase-speed ranges among the reanalyses, while the forcing magnitudes show considerable spread. The forcing maxima of the Kelvin waves exhibit slightly different altitudes between the reanalyses (by ~ 3 km at around 15 hPa). In addition, at around 20 hPa, a wave signal which appears only in easterly mean winds with westward phase speeds is found and discussed.
Effects of atmospheric CO2 variability of the past 800 ka on the biomes of Southeast Africa
Authors: Dupont Lydie M. , Caley Thibaut , Castañeda Isla S.
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Very little is known about the impact of atmospheric carbon dioxide pressure (pCO2) on the shaping of biomes. The development of pCO2 throughout the Brunhes Chron may be considered a natural experiment to elucidate relationships between vegetation and pCO2. While the glacial periods show low to very low values (~ 230 to ~ 190 ppmv, respectively), the pCO2 levels of the interglacial periods vary from intermediate to relatively high (~250 to ~ 270, respectively). To study the influence of pCO2 on the Pleistocene development of SE African vegetation, we used the pollen record of a marine core (MD96-2048) retrieved from Maputo Bay south of the Limpopo River mouth in combination with stable isotope and geochemical proxies. Applying endmember analysis, four pollen assemblages could be distinguished representing different biomes: heathland, mountain forest, shrubland and woodland. We find that the vegetation of the Limpopo River catchment and the coastal region of southern Mozambique is not only influenced by hydroclimate but by also temperature and atmospheric pCO2. Our results suggest that the extension of either open ericaceous vegetation including C4 sedges or mountain forest depended on glacial pCO2 levels, and that the main development of woodlands in the area took place after the Mid-Brunhes Event when interglacial pCO2 levels rose over 270 ppmv.
Multiproxy evidence of the Neoglacial expansion of Atlantic Water to eastern Svalbard: Does ancient environmental DNA complement sedimentary and microfossil records?
Authors: Pawłowska Joanna , Łącka Magdalena , Kucharska Małgorzata , Pawlowski Jan , Zajączkowski Marek
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The main goal of this study was to reconstruct the paleoceanographic development of Storfjorden during the Neoglacial (~ 4 cal ka BP). A multiproxy approach was applied to provide evidence for interactions between the inflow of Atlantic Water (AW) and sea-ice coverage, which are the major drivers of environmental changes in Storfjorden. The sedimentary and microfossil records indicate that a major reorganization of oceanographic conditions in Storfjorden occurred at ~ 2.7 cal ka BP. A general cooling and the less pronounced presence of AW in Storfjorden during the early phase of the Neoglacial are prerequisite conditions for the formation of an extensive sea-ice cover. The period after ~ 2.7 cal ka BP was characterized by alternating short-term cooling and warming intervals. Warming was associated with pulsed inflows of AW and sea-ice melting that stimulated phytoplankton blooms and organic matter supply to the bottom. The cold phases were characterized by heavy and densely packed sea ice resulting in a decrease in productivity. The ancient environmental DNA (aDNA) records of foraminifera and diatoms reveal the timing of the major pulses of AW (~ 2.3 and ~ 1.7 cal ka BP) and the variation in sea-ice cover. The AW inflow was marked by an increase in the percentage of DNA sequences of monothalamous foraminifera associated with the presence of fresh phytodetritus, while cold and less productive intervals were marked by an increased proportion of monothalamous taxa known only from environmental sequencing. The diatom aDNA record indicates that primary production was continuous during the Neoglacial regardless of sea-ice conditions. However, the colder periods were characterized by the presence of diatom taxa associated with sea ice, whereas the present-day diatom assemblage is dominated by open-water taxa.
Identifying and improving AGU collaborations using network analysis and scientometrics
Authors: Narock Tom , Hasnain Sarah , Stephan Ronie
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is an Earth and space science
professional society based in the United States. Research conducted by AGU
members ranges from the Earth's deep interior to the outer planets of our
solar system. However, little research exists on the AGU meeting itself. In
this work, we apply network analysis and scientometrics to 17 years of AGU
Fall Meetings. We are interested in the AGU network structure and what its
properties can tell us about how the procedures of the AGU Fall Meeting can
be enhanced to facilitate better scientific communication and collaboration.
We quantify several network properties and illustrate how this type of
analysis can enhance meeting planning and layout. We conclude with practical
strategies for the AGU Program Committee.
Spatially-distributed tracer-aided runoff modelling and dynamics of
storage and water ages in a permafrost-influenced catchment
Authors: Piovano Thea I. , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Carey Sean K. , Shatilla Nadine J. , Smith Aaron , Soulsby Chris
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Permafrost strongly controls hydrological processes in cold regions, and our understanding of how changes in seasonal and perennial frozen ground disposition and linked storage dynamics affects runoff generation processes remains limited. Storage dynamics and water redistribution are influenced by the seasonal variability and spatial heterogeneity of frozen ground, snow accumulation and melt. Stable isotopes provide a potentially useful technique to quantify the dynamics of water sources, flow paths and ages; yet few studies have employed isotope data in permafrost-influenced catchments. Here, we applied the conceptual model STARR (Spatially distributed Tracer-Aided Rainfall-Runoff model), which facilitates fully distributed simulations of hydrological storage dynamics and runoff processes, isotopic composition and water ages. We adapted this model to a subarctic catchment in Yukon Territory, Canada, with a time-variable implementation of field capacity to include the influence of thaw dynamics. A multi-criteria calibration based on stream flow, snow water equivalent and isotopes was applied to three years of data. The integration of isotope data in the spatially distributed model provided the basis to quantify spatio-temporal dynamics of water storage and ages, emphasizing the importance of thaw layer dynamics in mixing and damping the melt signal. By using the model conceptualisation of spatially and temporally variant storage, this study demonstrates the ability of tracer-aided modelling to capture thaw layer dynamics that cause mixing and damping of the isotopic melt signal.
Surface predictor of overturning circulation and heat content change in the subpolar North Atlantic
Authors: Desbruyères Damien G. , Mercier Herlé , Maze Guillaume , Daniault Nathalie
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) impacts ocean and atmosphere temperatures on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Here we use observational data sets to validate model-based inferences on the usefulness of thermodynamics theory in reconstructing AMOC variability at low-frequency, and further build on this reconstruction to provide prediction of the near-future (2019–2022) North Atlantic state. An easily-observed surface quantity – the rate of warm to cold transformation of water masses at high latitudes – is found to lead the observed AMOC at 45° N by 5–6 years and to drive its 1993–2010 decline and its ongoing recovery, with suggestive prediction of extreme intensities for the early 2020's. We further demonstrate that AMOC variability drove a bi-decadal warming-to-cooling reversal in the subpolar North Atlantic before triggering a recent return to warming conditions that should prevail at least until 2021. Overall, this mechanistic approach of AMOC variability and its impact on ocean temperature brings new keys for understanding and predicting climatic conditions in the North Atlantic and beyond.
Leads and ridges in Arctic sea ice from RGPS data and a new tracking algorithm
Authors: Hutter Nils , Zampieri Lorenzo , Losch Martin
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Leads and pressure ridges are dominant features of the Arctic sea
ice cover. Not only do they affect heat loss and surface drag, but they also
provide insight into the underlying physics of sea ice deformation. Due to
their elongated shape they are referred to as linear kinematic features (LKFs).
This paper introduces two methods that detect and track LKFs in sea ice
deformation data and establish an LKF data set for the entire observing
period of the RADARSAT Geophysical Processor System (RGPS). Both algorithms
are available as open-source code and applicable to any gridded sea ice drift
and deformation data. The LKF detection algorithm classifies pixels with
higher deformation rates compared to the immediate environment as LKF pixels,
divides the binary LKF map into small segments, and reconnects multiple
segments into individual LKFs based on their distance and orientation
relative to each other. The tracking algorithm uses sea ice drift information
to estimate a first guess of LKF distribution and identifies tracked features
by the degree of overlap between detected features and the first guess. An
optimization of the parameters of both algorithms, as well as an
extensive evaluation of both algorithms against handpicked features in a
reference data set, is presented. A LKF data set is derived from RGPS deformation data for
the years from 1996 to 2008 that enables a comprehensive description of LKFs.
LKF densities and LKF intersection angles derived from this data set agree
well with previous estimates. Further, a stretched exponential distribution
of LKF length, an exponential tail in the distribution of LKF lifetimes, and
a strong link to atmospheric drivers, here Arctic cyclones, are derived from
the data set. Both algorithms are applied to output of a numerical sea ice
model to compare the LKF intersection angles in a high-resolution Arctic
sea ice simulation with the LKF data set.
The Super-Turbine Wind Power Conversion Paradox: Using Machine Learning to Reduce Errors Caused by Jensen’s Inequality
Authors: McCandless Tyler C. , Haupt Sue Ellen
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Wind power is a variable generation resource and therefore requires accurate forecasts to enable integration into the electric grid. Generally, the wind speed is forecast for a wind plant and the forecasted wind speed is converted to power to provide an estimate of the expected generating capacity of the plant. The average wind speed forecast for the plant is a function of the underlying meteorological phenomena being predicted; however, the wind speed for each turbine at the farm is also a function of the local terrain and the array orientation. Conversion algorithms that assume an average wind speed for the plant, i.e., the super-turbine power conversion, assume that the effects of the local terrain and array orientation are insignificant in producing variability in the wind speeds across the turbines at the farm. Here, we quantify the differences in converting wind speed to power at the turbine level compared to a super-turbine power conversion for a hypothetical wind farm of 100 2-MW turbines as well as from empirical data. The simulations with simulated turbines show a maximum difference of approximately 3 % at 11 m s−1 with 1 m s−1 standard deviation of wind speeds and 8 % at 11 m s−1 with 2 m s−1 standard deviation of wind speeds as a consequence of Jensen’s Inequality. The empirical analysis shows similar results with mean differences between converted wind speed to power and measured power of approximately 68 kW per 2 MW turbine. However, using a random forest machine learning method to convert to power reduces the error in the wind speed to power conversion when given the predictors that quantify the differences due to Jensen’s Inequality. These significant differences can lead to wind power forecasters over-estimating the wind generation when utilizing a super-turbine power conversion for high wind speeds, and indicates that power conversion is more accurately done at the turbine level if no other compensatory mechanism is used to account for Jensen’s Inequality.
Additions, corrections and comments to the Red List of bryophytes from mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands
Authors: Sáez Llorenç , Ruiz Elena , Brugués Montserrat
Published: February 2019

This article is a review of the conservation status of several taxa of bryophytes that were included in the Red List of Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, and those that were omitted, but should have been featured on the basis of most recent data. Of the 33 studied species that were regarded as threatened in the Red List, 31 have been downlisted upon re-evaluation, mostly as a result of better knowledge of species and their distribution. On the other hand, this study highlights the most urgent need to review all taxa assigned to the “Deficient Data” category in the Red List since most of these taxa are precisely the most likely to be truly threatened.
"Geranium biuncinatum" (Geraniaceae): new record for the flora of Iran
Authors: Esfandani-Bozchaloyi Somayeh , Attar Farideh
Published: February 2019

Geranium biuncinatum Kokwaro was collected during a fieldwork around (Khuzestan province, Shoshtar to Masjed Soleyman) in South West of Iran. It is added as a new record for the flora of Iran. Micromorphological features of mericarps and seeds are investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Differences between Geranium biuncinatum and its relatives are discussed. Its diagnostic characters, geographical distribution map and detailed pictures are given.
Distribution, composition and structure of forest communities with non-native "Sambucus" species in Lithuania
Authors: Pratašienė Kristina , Kulbokas Gintaras , Marozas Vitas
Published: February 2019

In the last two hundred years, forest managers introduced non-native woody species. Such species can negatively impact ecosystems by invading and disrupting communities and ecosystems, changing biodiversity, nutrients and water cycling. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of Sambucus species in different age Pinus sylvestris forests and the impact of Sambucus sp. on forest communities composition and structure. The data on the characteristics of pine forest stands with Sambucus sp. and dynamics of Sambucus sp. were retrieved from Standwise Forest Inventory and National Forest Inventory databases. Species composition and structure of forest stands with Sambucus nigra, Sambucus racemosa shrub species and natural forests stands were recorded in 43 sample plots. In each plot stand dendrometric characteristics, soil chemical properties and abundance of vascular plant and moss species were recorded in 2016. Data were analysed using ordination and GLM method. Sambucus sp. were mostly spread in fertile, fresh humidity sites in Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies dominated forest stands of 0.7-0.8 stocking level and 41-80 years old. The abundance of Sambucus sp. increased from 1998 to 2015 in all height and different age stands. The highest increase of Sambucus sp. stems was recorded in 2013-2015 in the stands dominated by deciduous Quercus robur and Alnus incana species. Conditionally natural pine forest and pine forest communities with Sambucus racemosa and Sambucus nigra were different in terms of species composition and soil parameters. The highest number of species was recorded in forest communities with Sambucus racemosa, but forests communities with Sambucus nigra were associated with higher amount of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen.
Purchasing Factors for Travel Insurance by Asian Consumers
Authors: Wang Shao-Ping , Chen Li-Chun , Chen Miao-Sheng , Li Mou-Jian
Published: February 2019

Purpose: This study is mainly to explore the key factors for consumers to purchase travel safety insurance, and to understand the relative importance of evaluation factors from the statistics, so as to sort out the evaluation items of the main and sub-criteria and to evaluation the weights of items.Design/methodology/approach: This study employed a questionnaire and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate and select key factors for travel insurance products. Furthermore, the consistency of each questionnaire item was verified to guarantee the validity of the analytical results.Findings: These results indicate that consumers primarily consider insurance benefits when making overseas travel insurance purchasing decisions, including insurance content and the coverage value. This key factor significantly affects consumers purchasing overseas travel insurance, and helps salespeople and insurance companies understand how to help customers plan their overseas travel insurance.  Originality/Value: 1.Life and property insurance companies sell travel insurance products. 2. Insurance salespeople should also introduce the content of travel insurance so that travelers understand the protection and benefits offered. 3.Property insurance companies target “young people” and advertise travel insurance products on a website. 4.Increasing number of sudden illnesses such as stroke and myocardial infarction occur during travel. 5.Call-in cards are convenient for today’s busy consumers, but also actively promote and explain call-in cards when engaging with consumers to encourage them to sign up sooner. 6.Consumers also emphasize the financial health of insurance companies.
The Structure of Good Corporate Governance and Financial Indicators as Predictor of Financial Distress in Mining Sector Company in Indonesia
Authors: Sumani Sumani
Published: February 2019

The purpose of the paper are: (1) to examine financial indicators, including: current ratio, return on assets, debt to assets ratio, and total asset turn over as a predictor of financial distress in mining sector companies in Indonesia; (2) to examine the structure of Good Corporate Governance including: independent commissioner, audit committee, board of directors, independent audit committee ratios with non-independent, and institutional ownership ratio with managerial ownership as predictor of financial distress in mining sector company in Indonesia. Type of research is quantitative explanatory research. Sampling technique is used purposive sampling method, as many as 20 companies in the mining sector in Indonesia. Analytical techniques in this study uses logistic regression. The results of the research show that: current ratio, debt to asset ratio, total asset turnover, and institutional ownership ratio with managerial ownership are not predictors of financial distress in mining sector in Indonesia. However, return on Assets, independent commissioners, audit committees, boards of directors and independent audit committee ratios with non-independent are predictors of financial distress in mining companies in Indonesia.
UMA ETNOGRAFIA VIRTUAL POSSIBILIDADES METODOLÓGICAS DA ESCOLA DE CHICAGO E DO INTERACIONISMO SIMBÓLICO
Authors: Bueno Franco César
Published: February 2019

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão metodológica. Apresenta-se um diálogo entre teorias sociológicas do século passado e a pesquisa com mídia digital que o autor vem desenvolvendo. O objetivo é discutir como uma etnografia virtual contemporânea pode ser informada pela Escola de Chicago e pelo Interacionismo Simbólico representados pelas obras "Sociedade de Esquina" e "A representação do eu na vida cotidiana". O argumento principal conduz às possibilidades metodológicas atemporais que essas teorias sociológicas têm, mesmo que para objetos virtuais e etnografias contemporâneas.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS?: NOTES FROM A FEMALE PORN SCHOLAR
Authors: Marks Laura Helen
Published: February 2019

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FOTOCLUBISTA E LAMBE-LAMBE: A CONSTITUIÇÃO DO CAMPO FOTOGRÁFICO DA CIDADE DE CURITIBA
Authors: Da Silva Andressa Ignácio
Published: February 2019

O trabalho apresentado tomou como referência fotógrafos lambe-lambe e do Foto Clube do Paraná, visando compreender a inserção destes no campo fotográfico curitibano. Para tanto se buscou estabelecer o perfil socioeconômico, trajetória de vida, circulação e público consumidor da produção fotográfica dos dois grupos. Conclui-se que ambos os grupos eram socialmente reconhecidos como fotógrafos, embora cada grupo ocupando um espaço no campo fotográfico da cidade de Curitiba, possuindo perspectivas sociais diferentes que se refletiam na sua produção fotográfica, e na recepção desta produção.
TEORIA DEMOCRÁTICA CONTEMPORÂNEA: AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DE ROBERT DAHL
Authors: Kevan Brandão Pereira Antonio
Published: February 2019

Este artigo analisa o conceito de poliarquia na obra de Robert Dahl. O autor faz uma distinção entre “democracia ideal” e “democracia real”. Para ele, a palavra “democracia” evoca o cenário grego original de participação direta, não sendo mais adequada para classificar os regimes representativos contemporâneos. Tais regimes são pobres aproximações dos ideais democráticos, e que por isso devem ser classificados como “poliarquias”. Por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, o trabalho objetiva evidenciar e analisar, mais especificamente, a investigação que o autor realizou no seu clássico livro “Poliarquia: Participação e Oposição”, no qual ele abordou o tema da transição de regimes, procurando compreender quais as condições que favorecem ou impedem a transição de um regime não poliárquico para um regime poliárquico.
SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL E FEDERALISMO: CONTROLE ABSTRATO/CONCENTRADO DE CONSTITUCIONALIDADE COMO MECANISMO PARA LIMITAR A DESCENTRALIZAÇÃO
Authors: Santos de Camargo Fernando
Published: February 2019

Nas federações, a existência de pelo menos dois níveis de governo com atribuições definidas constitucionalmente em uma relação não hierárquica (ao menos formalmente) suscita a questão sobre quem será o árbitro quando as unidades componentes entrarem em conflito. Sistemas federativos demandam, portanto, instrumentos para a composição de disputas federativas. Na maioria das federações o Judiciário, por meio da Suprema Corte, desempenha um importante papel na solução desses conflitos. No Brasil, o papel de arbitro é desempenhado pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) e o principal mecanismo por meio do qual as disputas federativas se desencadeiam é a Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade (ADI), instrumento por meio da qual um Estado pode buscar a invalidação de uma decisão legislativa da União e vice-versa. Nesse contexto, a questão que emerge é, em um cenário marcado pela concentração de competências legislativas no governo central tal como o definido pela Constituição de 1988, qual seria o papel do STF, como arena principal e última dos embates entre entes federados. Os resultados desses processos demonstram o STF favoreceu a expansão da jurisdição legislativa central.
ATORES E REDES NO PROCESSO DE FORMULAÇÃO DO PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE FORTALECIMENTO DA AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR (PRONAF)
Authors: Donatoni Casado Deise
Published: February 2019

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o sistema de formulação do Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar (PRONAF), a partir da atuação dos atores sociais, internacionais e governamentais, utilizando como referencial o conceito de redes e comunidades políticas. A formulação de uma política pública é influenciada pela maneira como os atores interagem em comunidades epistêmicas, redes de políticas e comunidades. O subsistema de uma política pode ser influenciado pelos ‘atores e regimes internacionais’ (consultores internacionais, membros de organizações internacionais, missões de especialistas, observadores, regime internacional com seu arcabouço de regras, normas e procedimentos que regulamentam a relação entre os atores); ‘atores políticos domésticos governamentais’ (estatais e correlatos: políticos eleitos, burocratas, partidos políticos e eleitores); e ‘atores políticos domésticos sociais’ (grupos de interesse ou pressão, think-tanks e organizações de pesquisa, consultores e mídia). Acredita-se que apesar das redes estabelecidas entre os atores nacionais, governamentais e internacionais contribuírem de forma decisiva para abertura de uma janela de oportunidade, fazendo com que a necessidade de elaborar uma política pública de fomento à agricultura familiar entrasse na agenda do governo Cardoso, esses atores não foram cooptados, instrumentalizados ou colonizados pelo Estado. Este trabalho está estruturado da seguinte forma: na primeira parte recuperaremos o conceito de redes e esquematizaremos, de maneira breve, as redes de formulação do PRONAF; em seguida apresentaremos como os atores sociais, internacionais e governamentais contribuíram para criação desta política; por fim, teceremos a conclusão do artigo.