bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interannual variability of the atmospheric CO2 growth rate: relative contribution from precipitation and temperature
Authors: Wang J. , Zeng N. , Wang M. R.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The interannual variability (IAV) in atmospheric CO2 growth rate (CGR) is closely connected with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. However, sensitivities of CGR to temperature and precipitation remain largely uncertain. This paper analyzed the relationship between Mauna Loa CGR and tropical land climatic elements. We find that Mauna Loa CGR lags precipitation by 4 months with a correlation coefficient of −0.63, leads temperature by 1 month (0.77), and correlates with soil moisture (−0.65) with zero lag. Additionally, precipitation and temperature are highly correlated (−0.66), with precipitation leading by 4–5 months. Regression analysis shows that sensitivities of Mauna Loa CGR to temperature and precipitation are 2.92 ± 0.20 Pg C yr−1 K−1 and −0.46 ± 0.07 Pg C yr−1 100 mm−1, respectively. Unlike some recent suggestions, these empirical relationships favor neither temperature nor precipitation as the dominant factor of CGR IAV. We further analyzed seven terrestrial carbon cycle models, from the TRENDY project, to study the processes underlying CGR IAV. All models capture well the IAV of tropical land–atmosphere carbon flux (CFTA). Sensitivities of the ensemble mean CFTA to temperature and precipitation are 3.18 ± 0.11 Pg C yr−1 K−1 and −0.67 ± 0.04 Pg C yr−1 100 mm−1, close to Mauna Loa CGR. Importantly, the models consistently show the variability in net primary productivity (NPP) dominates CGR, rather than soil respiration. Because NPP is largely driven by precipitation, this suggests a key role of precipitation in CGR IAV despite the higher CGR correlation with temperature. Understanding the relative contribution of CO2 sensitivity to precipitation and temperature has important implications for future carbon-climate feedback using such "emergent constraint".
Regime shifts in annual maximum rainfall across Australia – implications for intensity–frequency–duration (IFD) relationships
Authors: Verdon-Kidd D. C. , Kiem A. S.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Rainfall intensity–frequency–duration (IFD) relationships are commonly required for the design and planning of water supply and management systems around the world. Currently, IFD information is based on the "stationary climate assumption" that weather at any point in time will vary randomly and that the underlying climate statistics (including both averages and extremes) will remain constant irrespective of the period of record. However, the validity of this assumption has been questioned over the last 15 years, particularly in Australia, following an improved understanding of the significant impact of climate variability and change occurring on interannual to multidecadal timescales. This paper provides evidence of regime shifts in annual maximum rainfall time series (between 1913–2010) using 96 daily rainfall stations and 66 sub-daily rainfall stations across Australia. Furthermore, the effect of these regime shifts on the resulting IFD estimates are explored for three long-term (1913–2010) sub-daily rainfall records (Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne) utilizing insights into multidecadal climate variability. It is demonstrated that IFD relationships may under- or over-estimate the design rainfall depending on the length and time period spanned by the rainfall data used to develop the IFD information. It is recommended that regime shifts in annual maximum rainfall be explicitly considered and appropriately treated in the ongoing revisions of the Engineers Australia guide to estimating and utilizing IFD information, Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR), and that clear guidance needs to be provided on how to deal with the issue of regime shifts in extreme events (irrespective of whether this is due to natural or anthropogenic climate change). The findings of our study also have important implications for other regions of the world that exhibit considerable hydroclimatic variability and where IFD information is based on relatively short data sets.
Estimating drought risk across Europe from reported drought impacts, hazard indicators and vulnerability factors
Authors: Blauhut V. , Stahl K. , Stagge J. H. , Tallaksen L. M. , De Stefano L. , Vogt J.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Drought is one of the most costly natural hazards in Europe. Due to its complexity, drought risk, the combination of the natural hazard and societal vulnerability, is difficult to define and challenging to detect and predict, as the impacts of drought are very diverse, covering the breadth of socioeconomic and environmental systems. Pan-European maps of drought risk could inform the elaboration of guidelines and policies to address its documented severity and impact across borders. This work (1) tests the capability of commonly applied hazard indicators and vulnerability factors to predict annual drought impact occurrence for different sectors and macro regions in Europe and (2) combines information on past drought impacts, drought hazard indicators, and vulnerability factors into estimates of drought risk at the pan-European scale. This "hybrid approach" bridges the gap between traditional vulnerability assessment and probabilistic impact forecast in a statistical modelling framework. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to predict the likelihood of impact occurrence on an annual basis for particular impact categories and European macro regions. The results indicate sector- and macro region specific sensitivities of hazard indicators, with the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index for a twelve month aggregation period (SPEI-12) as the overall best hazard predictor. Vulnerability factors have only limited ability to predict drought impacts as single predictor, with information about landuse and water resources as best vulnerability-based predictors. (3) The application of the "hybrid approach" revealed strong regional (NUTS combo level) and sector specific differences in drought risk across Europe. The majority of best predictor combinations rely on a combination of SPEI for shorter and longer aggregation periods, and a combination of information on landuse and water resources. The added value of integrating regional vulnerability information with drought risk prediction could be proven. Thus, the study contributes to the overall understanding of drivers of drought impacts, current practice of drought indicators selection for specific application, and drought risk assessment.
Multivariate localization methods for ensemble Kalman filtering
Authors: Roh S. , Jun M. , Szunyogh I. , Genton M. G.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. In ensemble Kalman filtering (EnKF), the small number of ensemble members that is feasible to use in a practical data assimilation application leads to sampling variability of the estimates of the background error covariances. The standard approach to reducing the effects of this sampling variability, which has also been found to be highly efficient in improving the performance of EnKF, is the localization of the estimates of the covariances. One family of localization techniques is based on taking the Schur (element-wise) product of the ensemble-based sample covariance matrix and a correlation matrix whose entries are obtained by the discretization of a distance-dependent correlation function. While the proper definition of the localization function for a single state variable has been extensively investigated, a rigorous definition of the localization function for multiple state variables that exist at the same locations has been seldom considered. This paper introduces two strategies for the construction of localization functions for multiple state variables. The proposed localization functions are tested by assimilating simulated observations experiments into the bivariate Lorenz 95 model with their help.
Geometry of the inverted Cretaceous Chañarcillo Basin based on 2-D gravity and field data – an approach to the structure of the western Central Andes of northern Chile
Authors: Martínez F. , Maksymowicz A. , Ochoa H. , Díaz D.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. This paper discusses an integrated approach that provides new ideas about the structural geometry of the NNE-striking, Cretaceous Chañarcillo Basin located along the eastern Coastal Cordillera in the western Central Andes of northern Chile (27–28° S). The results obtained from the integration of two transverse (E–W) gravity profiles with previous geological information show that the architecture of this basin is defined by a large NNE–SSE-trending and east-vergent anticline ("Tierra Amarilla Anticlinorium"), which is related to the positive reactivation of a former Cretaceous normal fault (Elisa de Bordos Master Fault). Moreover, intercalations of high and low gravity anomalies and steep gravity gradients reveal a set of buried, west-tilted half-grabens associated with a synthetic normal fault pattern. These results, together with the uplift and folding style of the Cretaceous synextensional deposits recognized within the basin, suggest that its structure could be explained by an inverted fault system linked to the shortening of pre-existing Cretaceous normal fault systems. Ages of the synorogenic deposits exposed unconformably over the frontal limb of the Tierra Amarilla Anticlinorium confirm a Late Cretaceous age for the Andean deformation and tectonic inversion of the basin.
Atmospheric significance of aeolian salts in the sandy deserts of northwestern China
Authors: Zhu B.-Q.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Large sandy deserts in the middle latitudes of northwestern China were investigated for soluble salt variations in modern and ancient aeolian sediments, aiming to explore the environmental significance of "aeolian salts". Results revealed that aeolian salt variations have a clear relationship with the changing meridional and zonal gradients of the desert locations and the aeolian differentiation effect, but are weakly linked to local geological conditions. It suggests that the natural system of aeolian salts is hydrologically open and the chemistry of the parent brines are different from that predicted for hydrologically closed systems. Atmospheric depositions of water-soluble chemical species are an important process/source contributing to aeolian salt. Sequential variations of soluble salts in sedimentary profiles interbedded with aeolian and non-aeolian deposits and their palaeoenvironmental implications in the hinterland areas of these deserts were further evaluated, based on the constraints of OSL dating and radiocarbon dating data. The results indicate that the inorganic salts may be a latent geoproxy in revealing regional palaeoclimatic changes in desert areas for the sediments deposited under onefold depositional environment, but the interpretation should be more careful for the sediments deposited under diverse depositional conditions. This study presents the evidence of atmospheric origin of aeolian salt in sandy deserts, with limited climatic significance in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.
Offshore Processing of Asylum Seekers – Is Australia Complying With Its International Legal Obligations
Authors: Archbold Lisa Jane
Published: December 2015

Australia has a number of international legal obligations in relation to asylum seekers and refugees. In the scheme of things, the number of asylum seekers and refugees who attempt to reach Australia by sea without a valid visa is relatively small. Since 2012, Australia has restored its legal framework of processing asylum seekers and refugees who arrive by sea offshore in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. There are a number of concerns with the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees at these offshore processing centres, highlighting concerns Australia is not complying with its international legal obligations. The primary justification of the current policies has been that a strong deterrent is required to deter the people-smuggling trade. However, the deterrent justification lacks evidence to support it, and is unable to justify breaches of some of the most fundamental obligations owed to refugees and asylum seekers.
Diameter versus girth: which variable provides the best estimate of the cross-sectional area?
Authors: Rodríguez Francisco , Blanco Ricardo , Aunós Álvaro
Published: December 2015

Aim of study: Cross-sectional area is one of the most important forest inventory variable since it is highly correlated with growth and yield at both tree and stand levels. In this research, we evaluated the bias, precision and accuracy of three measurements such as cross-sectional area: the girth, the arithmetic mean diameter, and the geometric mean diameter normally used to estimate the cross-sectional area in practical forestry.Area of study: Measurements were taken in a poplar plantation (Populus x euramericana (Dode) Guinier cv. Luisa Avanzo) located in Huesca, Spain.Material and Methods: A total of 5,408 cross-sectional areas from 48 poplar trees were measured with and image based software. To test the differences between real and estimated cross-sectional area based on the three measurements of study, a multilevel mixed-effect model was used.Main Results: All three measurements overestimated the cross-sectional area by (0.47%-2.37%) and were found to be biased. Estimations based on arithmetic or geometric mean diameter of the maximum and minimum axes were more accurate than those using tree girth.Research highlights: There was a strong correlation between estimation errors and departures from a circumference in the cross section i.e. estimation errors were larger in elliptical cross-sections than in those closer to a circumference. In order to avoid overestimation of growth and yield derived from cross-sectional area estimates, we recommend using the geometric mean diameter trying to measure the largest and the smallest diameters of the section, especially on trees that are clearly elliptical.Keywords: diameter; circumference; cross-sectional area; poplar plantations.
Comparison of stem taper equations for eight major tree species in the Spanish Plateau
Authors: Rodríguez Francisco , Lizarralde Iñigo , Bravo Felipe
Published: December 2015

Aim of study: A stem taper function and a compatible merchantable volume system are compared to evaluate which provides a better description of the stem profile for the main species in central Spain.Area of study: This research was carried out in the region of Castile-Leon, located in Central Spain.Material and Methods: A total of 6,357 trees were selected for destructive sampling. All models were fitted using a first-order continuous autoregressive error structure to address the problem of autocorrelation.Main results: In terms of accuracy, the root mean square error (RMSE) in both models ranged from 0.75 to 2.72 depending on the species analyzed, presenting values similar to those reported in other studies. Small differences in the goodness-of-fit for both procedures were also found, and the Stud model provided better accuracy for 6 of the 8 species studied, with RMSE reductions of 0.5% to 8.6%. The RMSE obtained in the cross-validation phase was on average 1.22 times higher than what was obtained in the fitting phase.Research highlights: The non-linear extra sum of squares method indicated that the stem taper differs among the five softwood species and three hardwood species. In hardwoods, the first inflection point is lower than in softwoods (at around 5%) and the second inflection point is higher (at around 85%) than those of softwoods.Keywords: taper function; volume system; Central Spain; softwoods; hardwoods.
Geographic consistency in the seed dispersal patterns of Taxus baccata L. in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Lavabre Jessica E. , García Daniel
Published: December 2015

Aim of the study: Seed dispersal is a crucial process in tree population dynamics. In the case of yew, Taxus baccata L., seeds are dispersed by birds and mammals in a non-random, microhabitat-dependent way, a pattern constraining population renewal and expansion. While skewed dispersal has been frequently found, we lack knowledge on how consistent are spatial restrictions across time and yew’s geographical range. This sort of information is required for the development of trans-regional management tools for this species. Area of study: Three Taxus baccata stands across Spain, namely Cantabrian Range, Sierra de Gredos and Sierra de Cazorla.Material and methods: During two consecutive years, we have been studying the contribution of frugivorous animals to the seed dispersal patterns of Taxus baccata L., in three ecologically contrasted localities of the Iberian Peninsula. Main results: The spatial distribution of the seeds in the landscape was very heterogeneous, with the majority of the seeds consistently dispersed into forested microhabitats and almost none outside the forest. The main seed dispersers were always frugivorous birds, particularly thrushes (Turdus merula, T. viscivorus, T. philomelos and T. iliacus). Research highlights: The results highlighted the large-scale consistency of the seed dispersal system of Taxus baccata. We suggest that the generalized spatially-restricted dispersal contributes to the lack of regeneration and absence of population expansion of the species all over its range. As a trans-regional conservation strategy, we recommend measures aimed at maintaining as much as diverse assemblage of frugivores in order to provide complementary seed dispersal and therefore enhance population regeneration and expansion.Keywords: English Yew; frugivory; seed rain; microhabitats; Turdus spp.; carnivorous mammals; spatially-restricted dispersal.
Response of European yews to climate change: a review
Authors: Thomas Peter , Garcia-Marti Xavier
Published: December 2015

Aim of study: Being the longest-lived of all European trees, capable of living significantly over 2,000 years, yew is highly likely to be negatively affected by climate change; this paper explores the changes in distribution and abundance. Main results: Yew is unlikely to migrate north due to its slow rate of invasion, its disjunct soil needs and an inability to cope with the expected rate of climate change. It will, however, retreat from the southern end of its range in Spain due to increased evapotranspiration allied to reduced rainfall. In the south, increased drought will be exacerbated by extreme drought and increased fire frequency. In drier areas at the northern edge of its range, yew will decline where growing on well-drained limestone outcrops with little shelter from the sun (increased evaporation) and reduced water availability due to limited root spread.  On wetter northern sites, yew should find better climatic conditions but will be slow to invade new areas due to poorer reproduction affected by reduced pollen production, population fragmentation and limited seed movement. Overall, without our intervention, yew will survive by inertia in the short-term but eventual become extinct in most areas. Of equal concern will be the loss of old veteran individuals and associated biodiversity. Research highlights: There is an urgent need for interventionist management for both old and young trees, relieving the stress on old veteran trees, and planting and maintaining seedlings through vulnerable young age. A list of management priorities is given.Keywords: Yew; Taxus baccata; Temperature; Precipitation; Seedlings; Bioclimate envelope; Species range.
Yew matriarchies of the Sierra de Francia. Dynamics and ecology of recently identified Yew populations in the Central Iberian Mountain Range (Sistema Central)
Authors: Fernández-González Prudencio , Fernández-Morcuende Antonio , García-Gomariz Enrique , Rodríguez-Rivas M. José , Sánchez-Amador Esteban , Vasco-Encuentra Fernando
Published: December 2015

Aim of study: Our study design presents two main objectives: 1) to create a census that details the number of yew individuals and their geographic distribution, and 2) to attempt to unravel possible reproductive relationships and their connection between true population nuclei and meta-population models.Area of study: Recently identified yew populations (Taxus baccata L.) were studied in the western sector of the Sistema Central mountain range of theIberian Peninsula, known as the Sierra de Francia. The study was carried out in five watersheds within Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park.Material and Methods: All yew specimens were counted and assigned to age groups. The notable differences observed in regeneration aof these communities propitiates population analysis aimed at explaining the landscape connectivity relationships between the different population nuclei and the possibility of defining the meta-population set. Ecological niche models were also created to define the main ecological characteristics of the different subpopulations studied, and to compare them.Main results: Yew in the Sierra de Francia live in an array of different Mediterranean forests, indicative of species dynamics in theIberian Peninsula. 2,450 specimens were recorded and classified into the three types of yew forest population dynamics: regressional-, naturally regenerating-, and incipient- (i.e.  colonizing new territories).Research highlights: The essential role of connectivity between populations was recognized and confirmed in this study, specifically among the large female trees located at the headwaters. Based on the role of these female trees, we have created a model called “yew matriarchies”, which serves to express the relevance of large female yew trees in population dynamics.Keywords: Taxus baccata; census; connectivity; seed dispersal.
Taxus globosa Schltdl. (Mexican yew) and Taxus baccata L. (European yew): intra and interspecies analysis of taxol content and biological activity according to different sources
Authors: Osuna-Torres Lidia , García-Martí Xavier , Ventura-Zapata Elsa , López-Upton Javier , Zamilpa-Alvarez Alejandro , González-Cortázar Manases , Herrera-Ruiz Maribel , Tapia-Barrera Nadia
Published: December 2015

Aim of study: Taxus globosa is the only species of Taxus genus that grows in Mexico, and is a tree which is protected by the Mexican Government. This plant shares, with the European species T. baccata, the ability to produce taxanes, such as taxol. The objective of this work was to compare representative samples from two Taxus species: T. globosa Schltdl. (“Mexican yew”), and T.  baccata L. (“European yew”), by employing different methodological chemical and pharmacological tests.Area of study: Representative samples of Mexican yew were collected from states of Nuevo León, Querétaro, Hidalgo, and Oaxaca. The samples of European yew were taken from a clonal live collection located in the CIEF-Vaersa-Valencia (Spain).Materials and Methods: The aerial parts of all samples were extracted with methanol and subjected to TLC and HPLC analysis. Five extracts were selected for their anti-inflammatory evaluation. The extracts were tested on male ICR mice with ear inflammation induced with TPA, at a dose of 3.2 mg/ear. For T. globosa, an acute toxicity assay in female mice, according to OECD, was also conducted. Main results: Taxol was only detected in the yew trees samples collected in States of Hidalgo and Nuevo León (Mexico). In the inflammatory assay, in all treatments (except for that of MX35) induced slight, but significant, inhibition of inflammation, and only European sample M-9 showed inhibition of edema of >50%. T. globosa in the acute toxicity test causes only mild symptoms associated with a general depression of CNS, without being lethal.Research highlights: The aim of the present study was to perform a chemical analysis through quantification of taxol in the Mexican yew compared to European yew. In this research work was evaluated too for the first time the anti-inflammatory effect from both the Mexican and European yew.Keywords: Acute toxicity; anti-inflammatory activity; European yew; HPLC; Mexican yew.
Translation Evaluation: The Suitability of the Argument Macrostructure Model for the Assessment of Translated Texts across Different Fields
Authors: Alwazna Rafat Y.
Published: December 2015

Even though there exists an undeniable need for an acceptable translation among translators, translation scholars and translation teachers, the question of acceptability and the criteria against which this acceptability can be determined are still controversial. There is a lack of generally agreed criteria against which translation can possibly be evaluated, despite the fact that international as well as local standards of translation are clearly witnessed. In spite of the fact that some scholars suggest certain parameters that can be utilized for the purpose of translation evaluation, such as quality of TL, accuracy, register, appearance of TT, situationality, and so on, there seems to be no parameter on which evaluators may rely to arrive at an overall quality assessment for the TT. The present paper argues that the argument macrostructure model should be utilised as a translation evaluation parameter to determine the translation quality. This model should comprise several standards and grades peculiar to different translation contexts and situations, so that it can successfully be applied in the case of assessing translation materials within both academic as well as professional settings.

       
The Concept of Women-Beating in (Q 4:34): A Textual and Contextual Analysis
Authors: Taghian Muhammad A. A.
Published: December 2015

This paper is concerned with the textual and contextual analysis of wife-discipline in particular in (Q 4:34) and the concept of women-beating in the Qurʾānic discourse in general. The study makes a special reference to two translations of the Qurʾān, namely: Abdel Haleem’s The Qurʾān: A New Translation (2004); and George Sale's The Qurʾān (1734). This account investigates a psycholinguistic analysis of the meaning of ‘beating’ in the entire scripture, in general, and in (Q 4:34), in particular. To achieve this, an in-depth textual and contextual surgery is performed to uncover new psycholinguistic perspectives. The study reports on attitudes of a sample of 163 Saudi women towards violence against women in KSA. Four constructs will be investigated, namely: 1) social aspects of violence against women; 2) socio-economic status⁄ educational aspects of violence against women; 3) preventive indicators of violence against women and; physical aspects of violence against women. It also highlights the claim of Halliday and Hasan (1976:9) that cohesive ties are the only source of texture. This account runs counter to that claim.
Code Switching in the French School: Examining a Multilingual Setting in Kuwait
Authors: Algharabali Nada A. , Alheidari Fatema A. , Taqi Hanan A.
Published: December 2015

Sociolinguistic studies on code switching have been of interest to educationists; especially when code switching occurs in schools among students. This study aims at analyzing the extensive amount of code switching between students studying in the French School of Kuwait, their preferences of code-switching, choice of language, and frequency of use of each language. The study is based on the data obtained from two questionnaires distributed to teachers and students; in addition to observation and note taking of conversations between students during home time—when the students were waiting to be picked up. It was found that, to students, code switching is a favorable social behavior, students mainly switch to Arabic and English, while French is considered the language of the school medium. The study also indicates that teachers and parents are agents that either encourage or discourage students’ code switching.
Social Realistic Projections of Galsworthy’s Strife
Authors: Hossain Md. Amir
Published: December 2015

In this article, I intend to focus on the dramatic theory of Galsworthy with a view to fostering the realistic and psychological conflicts and dilemma of early 20th century powerful and domineering people in England. Here, this paper can be applied through the critical judgments of two eminent literary critics of Galsworthy for depicting the controversial attitudes of John Antony, the Chairman of the Trenartha Tin Plate Works, and David Roberts, the Strike leader of the workers as reflected in the play-text, Strife. It aims also to look at social realism through the psychological viewpoints of Galsworthy. In this way, the whole submission deals with the analytical projections of social reality, Galsworthy as a realistic dramatist, the impact of social realism in the play, Strife, and its significance as well.
Color as Metaphor—A Study of Joyce’s Use of “Black” and “Green” in Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Authors: Xie Yutong
Published: December 2015

In a literary work, color is often employed to create a certain atmosphere, portray the characters or convey the author’s emotions. The eleven basic colors frequently appear in James Joyce’s two early works, Dubliners and A Portrait, carrying with them rich metaphorical implications. This reveals Joyce’s expert use of color as metaphor.

From the perspective of the theory of conceptual metaphor, this thesis analyzes the complicated metaphorical meanings of the color black in Dubliners and A Portrait, which is the keynote in the two works and also the color green, which is the national color of Ireland, mainly endowed with a metaphorical meaning of rottenness. In these two works, “black” and “green” are found to be endowed with both positive and negative metaphorical meanings, producing an ironic effect, which in some way, reveals Joyce’s complicated feelings about his motherland. His use of the colors black and green as metaphors draws our attention to the fact that when he was writing these two works, he intended to express his detestation of the evilness of the Irish Catholic church, the decay of Irish politics, the corruption of Irish education and the decline of Irish society, though at the same time, he was still emotionally attached to his motherland, Ireland.
Teaching and Learning in C-E Translation Class: A Task-Based Model
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Ma Huijuan
Published: December 2015

Directionality of translation has been traditionally ignored theoretically and practically at home and abroad for a long time, even though some experts have challenged it a lot. The situation in China calls for translation from LA to LB, and of course for translation teaching and learning in this domain. So, based on existing academic and practical contributions in the fields of task, task-based pedagogy, assessing theory and C-E translation competence, the paper tends to construct an integrated pedagogical model of C-E translation teaching and learning.
Language in Game Rules and Game Play: A Study of Emergence in Pandemic
Authors: Masuda Rei , DeHaan Jonathan
Published: December 2015

 

Language and games are both creative activities that can exhibit unexpected behaviors and meanings. Previous studies in the connections between games and language have focused on digital games. The current study investigated the emergence of language in a modern cooperative board game (Pandemic) and used discourse analysis tools to compare and contrast the textual rule book and oral discussions in observed gameplay in terms of speech acts and vocabulary. Unexpected language did emerge in the gameplay, and in general, the longer text and sentences of the rulebook contained more academic vocabulary, and the shorter game play language contained more slang and expressives. Limitations of the study are elucidated and suggestions for future research and uses of analog games for learners of foreign languages are offered.
A Contrastive Study on Translations of Li Qingzhao’s Ru Meng Ling: From the Perspective of Subjectivity and Subjectification
Authors: Deng Liang , Ma Lan
Published: December 2015

Poetry is quite personal in the sense that it is mainly written for the expression of the poets’ personal emotions, feelings, attitudes, point of views, etc. Therefore, it is endowed with strong subjectivity. Poets resort to different linguistic devices to realize their subjectivity in their poetry, which is termed as subjectification. Consequently, poets’ subjectivity constitutes an essential part of the meaning of their poetry. Thus, in the translation of poetry, it is vital for the translator to reconstruct the poets’ subjectivity. This paper attempts to conduct a contrast of thirteen English versions of Ru Meng Ling by Li Qingzhao from the perspective of subjectivity and subjectification. It will first make an analysis of Li Qingzhao’s subjectivity and subjectification in her Ru Meng Ling from the three dimensions, perspective, affect and epistemic modality. Then, a contrast is provided among the thirteen English versions. It is found that it is difficult to achieve a complete equivalence of subjectification due to the translators’ subjectivity in their translation. However, a good translator attempts to eschew his/her own subjectivity and reconstruct the poet’s subjectivity as much as possible.
Structural Models of Titles and Subtitles (on the Materials of the English and Azerbaijani Languages)
Authors: Zeynalli Ilaha
Published: December 2015

This paper explores the investigation of structural models of titles and subtitles on the materials of the English and Azerbaijani languages. The problem has been studied diachronically at first on the materials of the English language and then these issues have been considered on the materials of the Azerbaijani language. Attempts have been made to explain structural models of titles in the following paragraphs of the article.

In this paper a special attention is paid to the expressive devices and semantic variations. Alongside the semantic peculiarities, structural problems associated with the titles and subtitles have been explored as well.

Titles and subtitles of the texts as it is mentioned above is studied in diachronic-historical aspect, mainly dealing with the titles and subtitles of the works of art-literature. As to the view of the author this paper is of practical and theoretical importance and which has been substantiated with theoretical-scientific provisions. In the investigation of the problem comparative-typological, diachronic method has been used.
Concepts of Borrowings in Modern Science of Linguistics, Reasons of Borrowed Words and Some of Their Theoretical Problems in General Linguistics
Authors: Aygun Magami
Published: December 2015

In this article we study the problem of language contacts, the current state of some theories concerning the linguistic loans. For this purpose, the works of many scholars have been our basis for analysis; among them there are French and other European scientists, scholars of the post-Soviet period. We found that the contacts cause the mixture of languages despite the language borders. The various social events, nomadic life, campaigns and the military services, trade, cultural exchange and other factors favor linguistic loans.

In this article we considered and studied different conceptions of matter “language contact”. We also approached, studying the opinions of scientists on the matter of linguistic borrowing of the structurally related and remote languages. The issue of bilingualism has been studied and studies allowed us to conclude about the different possibilities of the typology of bilingualism:

a) the linguistic typology of bilingualism;

b) the sociolinguistic typology of bilingualism;

c) the typology psychological bilingualism.

This article does not pretend to fully reflect all theories that exist on linguistic borrowing.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of English Linguistics, Vol. 5, No. 6
Authors: Xu Diana
Published: December 2015

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of English Linguistics, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2015.
Proposing a Conceptual Model of Corporate Reputation Associated with Relationship Marketing and Customer Loyalty
Authors: Albassami Faisal A. , Alqahtani Saleh S. , Saleh Mahmoud A.
Published: December 2015

Based on the theory of reasoned action and Money and Hillenbrand’s call to study corporate reputation in light of its antecedents and consequences, this article proposes a model in which corporate reputation is a core variable. The proposed model depicts relationship marketing as an independent variable, customer loyalty as a dependent variable, and the cognitive and affective factors of corporate reputation as mediating variables. This research is a conceptual contribution to global research on corporate reputation from the perspective of its implications on building marketing strategies and the positive consequences on a firm’s performance.
The Influence of Price Structures on Experience Quality and Behavior Intention in Hospitality Industry
Authors: Chong Kuok Wei
Published: December 2015

Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world as well as the significant contributors to the world's economy. According to the UNWTO, the export income enervated by international tourism ranks fourth after fuels, chemicals, and automotive product. In 2011, there were over 983 million international tourist arrivals worldwide, representing a growth of 4.6% when compared to 940 million in 2010. The attribution of pricing structures and experience quality played an important in determinant of buying behaviour in the sense where these principles are likely to remain important factors or elements whether shoppers are purchasing online or through another medium such as online travel sites or traditional agents. To narrow down the author research, author is selecting Malaysia as a based to examine how the influences of price structures are has affected the experience quality and customers behaviour intention in selecting a hotel to stay. A theoretical framework is formulated in order to achieve the results by revealing the influence of price structures towards the experience quality and behaviour intention with incorporated the Hedonic pricing model. This study has contribution from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. First, the relationships between price structures and experience quality, and behavioural intentions were examined. Second, little price structure toward experience quality research has been conducted in the area of hospitality context. This paper aims to provide a further study for future researchers, especially hotel managers to have an in depth understanding of price structures towards experience quality in the hospitality industry. While it also helps hotel managers to implement all their pricing strategies where pricing is an issue of paramount importance for practitioners in the hospitality industry and It is the only element in the accommodation marketing mix that impacts directly on revenues.
Impact of Changing Consumer Lifestyles on Intention to Purchase towards Green and Halal Foods of the Chicken Meat Industry in Malaysia
Authors: Toong Foo Weng , Khin Aye Aye , Khatibi Ali
Published: December 2015

The study is to present the impact of changing consumer lifestyle on intention to purchase towards green and Halal foods of the chicken meat industry in Malaysia. The objective of the study is to investigate the factors affecting on intention to purchase towards green and Halal foods of the chicken meat industry in Malaysia. Those factors are natural content, convenience, knowledge of Halal and green foods issue, familiarity, price consciousness, attitude towards purchasing and demographic profile. There are 377 respondents with using simple random sampling and questionnaires for interviewing. Descriptive analysis, correlation, ANOVA and factor analysis will be tested into this study. This study would be provided the benefits of consumers’ lifestyle towards the intention to purchase towards green and Halal foods as the selecting of the chicken meat in consumer market. Moreover, the implication of this study is to get the niche market (which is Halal and green marketing) knowledge and information towards the chicken meat industry in Malaysia.
Critical Barriers to BIM Implementation in the AEC Industry
Authors: Liu Shijing , Xie Benzheng , Tivendal Linda , Liu Chunlu
Published: December 2015

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the most significant technological advances in the building design and construction industry to date. Implementation of BIM has increased significantly over the past decade; and it enables the different stakeholders of a construction project to collaborate better throughout its lifecycle, and improves the opportunities to share data and decrease consumption. However, the implementation of BIM lags far behind its potential due to the existence of various barriers. This paper aims at identifying, classifying, and prioritising these barriers to BIM implementation through a survey. The research findings are expected to assist major stakeholders in the construction industry to promote BIM implementation.
Exploring the Quality of Work Environment at Saudi Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI)
Authors: Alghamdi Ayman Abdulaziz , Kadasah Nasser Akeil
Published: December 2015

This study aims to evaluate the Quality of Work Environment (QWE) in Aircraft Maintenance Sector of Saudi Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI). It covers safety climate (safety, hazard, and injury), employee satisfaction about their jobs and employee satisfaction about management practices. For that purpose, 314 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The study revealed that SAEI employees have neutral evaluations regarding safety climate in the organization and have neutral evaluations regarding their jobs at SAEI as well. On the other hand, the overall values statically indicate that SAEI employees are unsatisfied regarding SAEI management practices. In conclusion, SAEI employees are unsatisfied about the quality of work environment in general with overall median equal 2 and 95% of confidence. The majority of respondents (60.1%) were between unsatisfied and strongly unsatisfied regarding the QWE. Also, the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the employees’ evaluation regarding the QWE according to their job grades, job title, and their departments. These differences can be concluded as following; employees with higher grades were more satisfied with QWE at SAEI, managers, instructors, and auditors were more satisfied with QWE at SAEI and finally TQA employees were the most satisfied employees with QWE at SAEI while Hangar employees were the most unsatisfied. The study suggests some practical recommendations based on the outcomes of this study.
Public-Private Financed Road Infrastructure Development in North-Central Region of Nigeria
Authors: Mudi Adamu , Lowe John , Manase David
Published: December 2015

The development and provision of road infrastructure in Nigeria has primarily been through the traditional forms of procurement strategies by the federal, state and local governments through budgetary allocations and door-financed loans and grants this thereby leaves the Nigerian road sector in a precarious situation. In recent time, with the demand for more road infrastructure arising from the population explosion and urban-rural migration coupled with the financial crisis experienced by the Federal Government resulting from global economic and financial crisis the Federal Government of Nigeria therefore sought to involve the private sectors in the development of road infrastructure facilities via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) like the developed countries so as to meet their economic growth.

This paper examined the state of road infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnerships in North-Central Region of Nigeria with emphasis on the strengths and limitation of PPPs. The chapter begins with a review of literature on the concept of PPP road infrastructure development in North-Central Region of Nigeria. Academic literatures were also reviewed on PPP objectives, operational and financial characteristics in road infrastructure development in North-Central Region of Nigeria this was followed with the assessment of the PPP road infrastructure development life-cycle process and its challenges.
The Influences Impacting Staff Turnover in Higher Education
Authors: Figueroa Obed
Published: December 2015

So what is happening within Higher Education where the turnover impacts have contributed to workplace costs in 2008 of 68 million dollars? This review will focus on the multiple influences of staff turnover within Higher Education Institutions and those that are affected. The research findings provide evidence of multiple impacts associated with administrative turnover. This phenomenon crosses all institution types, disciplines, genders, races and ethnicities. Some of the hidden influences can be found among the existing employees that stay behind. As a result these employees experienced the sense of a shared loss and a decrease in their work productivity.
This review hopes to provide clarity on the issues which are impacting organizational structures within Higher Education Institutions resulting in low administrative and faculty retention. The implications for practice are significant and the solutions offered will strengthen the internal operations for Higher Education institutions.
Untwisting the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo
Authors: Christensen Ryan Patrick , Bokinsky Alexandra , Santella Anthony , Wu Yicong , Marquina-Solis Javier , Guo Min , Kovacevic Ismar , Kumar Abhishek , Winter Peter W , Tashakkori Nicole , McCreedy Evan , Liu Huafeng , McAuliffe Matthew , Mohler William , Colón-Ramos Daniel A , Bao Zhirong , Shroff Hari
Published: December 2015

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans possesses a simple embryonic nervous system with few enough neurons that the growth of each cell could be followed to provide a systems-level view of development. However, studies of single cell development have largely been conducted in fixed or pre-twitching live embryos, because of technical difficulties associated with embryo movement in late embryogenesis. We present open-source untwisting and annotation software (http://mipav.cit.nih.gov/plugin_jws/mipav_worm_plugin.php) that allows the investigation of neurodevelopmental events in late embryogenesis and apply it to track the 3D positions of seam cell nuclei, neurons, and neurites in multiple elongating embryos. We also provide a tutorial describing how to use the software (Supplementary file 1) and a detailed description of the untwisting algorithm (Appendix). The detailed positional information we obtained enabled us to develop a composite model showing movement of these cells and neurites in an 'average' worm embryo. The untwisting and cell tracking capabilities of our method provide a foundation on which to catalog C. elegans neurodevelopment, allowing interrogation of developmental events in previously inaccessible periods of embryogenesis.
Synergistic integration of Netrin and ephrin axon guidance signals by spinal motor neurons
Authors: Poliak Sebastian , Morales Daniel , Croteau Louis-Philippe , Krawchuk Dayana , Palmesino Elena , Morton Susan , Cloutier Jean-François , Charron Frederic , Dalva Matthew B , Ackerman Susan L , Kao Tzu-Jen , Kania Artur
Published: December 2015

During neural circuit assembly, axonal growth cones are exposed to multiple guidance signals at trajectory choice points. While axonal responses to individual guidance cues have been extensively studied, less is known about responses to combination of signals and underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we studied the convergence of signals directing trajectory selection of spinal motor axons entering the limb. We first demonstrate that Netrin-1 attracts and repels distinct motor axon populations, according to their expression of Netrin receptors. Quantitative in vitro assays demonstrate that motor axons synergistically integrate both attractive or repulsive Netrin-1 signals together with repulsive ephrin signals. Our investigations of the mechanism of ephrin-B2 and Netrin-1 integration demonstrate that the Netrin receptor Unc5c and the ephrin receptor EphB2 can form a complex in a ligand-dependent manner and that Netrin–ephrin synergistic growth cones responses involve the potentiation of Src family kinase signaling, a common effector of both pathways.