bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Review of SME Regulation Optimization in Serbia
Authors: Milošević Olgica
Published: December 2019

The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Serbia have recognized the importance of SMEs and are developing accordingly the institutional framework of this sector. In the process of EU accession, Serbia has to fulfil political, economic and legal requirements by implementing systemic reforms of its legal system in order to align it with the EU acquis. Some of these requirements have a direct or indirect impact on SME regulations, to which our chapter has been dedicated within a series of our papers on developing the SME regulatory framework. This paper will try to present the importance of innovating legal development of these companies. Furthermore, modern concepts will be introduced together with very important tools of legal forms of SME organization. The intention is to clearly define specific legal goals of SMEs, expressed through targeted legal forms. The modern regulatory framework relating to SMEs should combine the existing solid theoretical base and innovative models from the practice.
Using Electronic Payment Programs as an Anti-Corruption Strategy in Africa
Authors: Aliyu Olayemi Abdullateef , Arasanmi Chris Niyi , Ekundayo Samuel M.
Published: December 2019

The theft of public revenues is a daily ethical failing associated with corruption in African countries. Yet many government sectors and agencies in Africa have failed to use ICTs to create the required culture of transparency. What do recent literature and empirical research findings reveal about solutions to these problems? Thus, the primary focus of this chapter is to conduct an extensive literature review on how electronic payment programs can be used as an anti-corruption strategy in Africa. Given the complex nature of corruption, the focus in this proposed chapter is to understand how other developing countries like Malaysia have successfully used electronic payment programs to reduce corruption and improve national accountability. A critical review of the observed ambiguity in the contemporary definition of corruption from different cultures in Africa will be reviewed. The ambiguity of the true commitment of African power elites in fighting corruption will also be examined with alternative solutions from existing literature.
Impact of Mobile Payment Applications and Transfers on Business
Authors: Thuita Gladys Wanjiku
Published: December 2019

Despite Kenya having over 40 banks, only three banks are accessible to the residents of Kibera Slum. Kibera Slum is located on the outskirts of Nairobi and is home to approximately 0.75 million people. A majority of the population in Kibera Slum comprises of either unemployed or casually employed adults whose income levels are considerably low, making it impossible for many of them to operate formal bank accounts. However, the evolution of mobile money technologies has made financial inclusion and innovation possible for Kibera Slum residents. The mobile-banking facility known as M-Pesa enables mobile money remittances and has an outstanding record of financial inclusion and innovation. The objective of this research was therefore to examine financial inclusion and innovation in the Kibera Slum. The study used self-administered questionnaires to answer to two objectives. The study found out that M-Pesa services are accessible and widely used in Kibera Slum. The study also found that M-Pesa business is rated average as a source of income to M-Pesa agent. Ultimately, the study observed that financial inclusion and financial innovation are prevalent in Kibera Slum. These findings have significant implications: the study sheds light on the fact that the slum dwellers have embraced the use of M-Pesa services as a platform to access financial services, establishing more innovative financial services that will help the low income earners expand their businesses and training M-Pesa agents will enhance sustainable business growth and promote innovation.
Effect of Temperature, Strain and Strain Rate on Efficiency of Power Dissipation during Hot Deformation of Fe-28Ni-17Co-11.5Al-2.5Ta-0.05B (at. %) Shape Memory Alloy Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Adarsh S.H. , Sampath Vedamanickam
Published: December 2019

Recently a ferrous-based Fe-28Ni-17Co-11.5Al-2.5Ta-0.05B (at.%) shape memory alloy (abbreviated NCATB) has attracted attention because of its huge superelasticity (～13%). In order to manufacture this alloy on a large scale, a deeper knowledge of the plastic deformation behaviour of the alloy is required. During hot deformation, temperature and strain rate exert significant effect on the mechanical properties. The main objective of the work, therefore, is to investigate the influence of deformation parameters, such as temperature, strain rate and strain, on flow behaviour of an NCATB shape memory alloy. Flow behaviour tests on an NCATB alloy were performed on a Gleeble-3800 thermomechanical simulator at deformation temperatures of 1100, 1150 and 1200°C and strain rates of 0.1, 1.0 and 10s-1 with the strains maintained at 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. The workpiece is considered asa dissipater of power, and the features of power dissipation will,therfore, be seen as changes in the microstructure. These features of power dissipation are measured by a parameter called efficiency of power dissipation (η). It is directly related to the strain rate sensitivity parameter(m). Taguchi method is used to evaluate the influence of deformation temperature, strain rate and strain on efficiency of power dissipation. Based on the results, optimum parameters for higher efficiency of power dissipation are: 1150°C (temperature), 0.1 s-1 (strain rate) and 0.2 (strain). An analysis of experimental results in terms of percentage contribution reveals that strain rate plays a more predominant role (39.73%) compared to temperature (24.03%) and strain (32.73%) on NCATB alloy.
Studies on the Mechanical Characterization of Jute Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Resin Based Composites: Effect of Weave Structure and Yarn Density
Authors: Keya Kamrun N. , Kona Nasrin A. , Khan Ruhul A.
Published: December 2019

This paper represents a comparative study of the different weave structures of jute woven fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites. The weave structures were selected as plain (1/1), twill (2/1), twill (3/1) and basket (2/2). Composites (50% fiber by wt.) were prepared by using hand lay-up technique. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS) and impact strength (IS) of the composites were evaluated and compared. It was found that basket weave/UPR based composite showed the highest mechanical properties. The optimum value of TS, BS, TM, BM and IS of the composite were found to be 47 MPa, 80 MPa, 1.4 GPa, 4.8 GPa and 27 KJ/m2.To find out the effect of yarn density on mechanical properties of the composites, 2/1 twill structure was selected and found significant improvement in the mechanical properties with the increase of Ends/Inch (EPI) and Picks/Inch (PPI) in the fabric. Water uptake and degradation behavior in aqueous medium of the composites was also observed.
Enriching Methods of Porous Fillers
Authors: Grigoryan Vardges , Grigoryan Vahan
Published: December 2019

The work relates to introduce the quality improvement of construction materials, in particular the enrichment of macadam which is one of the main constituents of concrete. The proposed technology improves the quality of the concrete without essential equipment transformation. As a result, the broken stone acquires physic-mechanical and qualitative new properties, increases concrete strength, and decreases the unit of cement in concrete consumption.
Software Processing of the Test Results of Building Materials
Authors: Pirumyan Narine , Stakyan Mihran , Galstyan Gagik
Published: December 2019

A method for processing data from tests of building materials is proposed in order to identify the optimal functional relationships between the physicomechanical characteristics and the technological parameters of building materials. The least squares method (MLS) was used and to improve the accuracy of calculations, a three-level optimization of calculations was introduced using groups of transforming functions (180 items). Taking into account the increased volume of statistical computations, computer subroutines have been developed, which, together with standard MLS computational programs, make it possible to realize the choice of the indicated optimal functional connections.
Stress State of an Inhomogeneous Elastic Layer Made of Heterogeneous Materials with a Coin-Like Rigid Inclusion under Torsion
Authors: Davtyan Zaven , Gasparyan Anush , Melkonyan Avetik
Published: December 2019

Problems on cracks and inclusions closely relate to problems of determination of the stress-strain state of homogeneous and inhomogeneous elastic solids that contain stress concentrators. Due to their theoretical and practical importance to the issues of construction structures, machines and their parts in machinery, in the calculation of hydro-technical structures as well as in various other spheres of applied mechanics, these problems have become a subject of investigation for many authors. This paper studies the problem of determination of the stress-strain state of a piecewise homogeneous elastic layer under torsion. The upper and lower surfaces of the compound layer are loaded with tangential forces and the interface of the heterogeneous layers contains a thin absolutely rigid coin-like inclusion. It is required to determine stress jumps on the boundary of the inclusion as well as intensity coefficients of the stresses (ICS).
Saint Petersburg Flood Protection Dam as Tool to Solve the Environmental Tasks
Authors: Tsvetkova Ludmila
Published: December 2019

The paper grounds the necessity to conduct the large-scale field experiment on manoeuvring with the floodgates of Saint Petersburg Flood Protection Complex (FPC). The paper presents the results of I-stage experiment and the program of II-stage experiment. The aim of the experiment is the verification of the possibility to manage the hydrological, sanitary and ecological state of the Neva Bay and the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic sea by means of manoeuvring with Flood Protection Complex floodgates. In order to develop the program of field experiment implementation it was necessary to assess the sanitary and ecological state of water ecosystem under present conditions. The assessment was based on monitoring data concerning the certain priority parameters obtained from the selected representative measuring points. On the basis of the analysis of water quality and the state of the Neva Bay and the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland the scheme for manoeuvring with floodgates of the FPC together with the sequence of order of their opening and closing was developed. Recommendations regarding the conditions and terms of conducting the experiment were developed.
The Analytical Aspect of Pressure Dependence and the Change of Edge Crack Propagation of Horizontal Layer
Authors: Ter-Petrosyan Gevorg
Published: December 2019

The receiving of plain problem by analytical appearance with horizontal edges on the endless layer of propagation of the vertical crack and the dependence of the inner pressure of crack is observed. It supposed that the bottom edge of the layer is fixed to absolutely hard semi-flatness, but the upper edge is free. In this respect, we have tried to get the propagation measure of the opening and the analytical aspect of pressure change dependence acting inside it, by method of local modifications using the received solutions. The corresponding methods of approximate illustration of functional dependence are used. In the environment of the opening and the received measure of crack propagation the analytical expressions of distribution of stresses give the full image of peculiarities of those dependences for that immeasurable domain and correspond to the received results by method of modifications. The received formulas may be applied by solving concrete applicable problems and in studies of opportunities of cracks’ propagation for environment of fragile material. Those opportunities are increasing moreover if we take into account that the solutions are received for immeasurable environment.
Techno-Economic and Material Science Expediency of Modernization and the Renaissance of Large-Panel House Building in Armenia
Authors: Galstyan Gagik , Arzumanyan Avetik , Galoyan Hripsime
Published: December 2019

For Armenia, the main criterion of reliability and durability of buildings is the level of their seismic resistance. The experience of the 1988 Spitak devastating earthquake showed that the only type of apartment buildings that did not collapse and did not cause any loss of life or material damage were large paneled houses, which were designed for lower levels of seismic impact. In spite of the undeniable fact of high seismic stability and effective technical and economic indicators given in the article, further, due to low heat-insulating indicators of applied wall protection panels and limited spans up to 6m, the construction of such buildings in the republic was gradually reduced and has already undeservedly reached almost complete cessation. In this regard, it should be noted that at present there are already a lot of highly effective thermal insulation materials and technologies that allow to easily solve this problem of external walls and get large paneled buildings with a high level of energy saving. As for the limitation of spans, it cannot be considered a decisive factor, because spans up to 6m are quite acceptable for the construction of social apartment buildings. 80% of the population has a strong demand for such housing. The country has an acute shortage of affordable, high-seismic safe houses and this is especially acute now in the Spitak earthquake zone, where after more than 30 years, many still live in temporary houses. We believe that the construction of large-panel buildings would have solved this problem long ago. From all given it is possible to conclude that modernization according to achievements of a science and revival of large-panel housing construction for republic has quite reasonable technical-economic and town-planning basis.
Acoustic Materials Based on Expanded Obsidian
Authors: Safaryan Artsruni , Melyan Hripsime
Published: December 2019

Increasing attention is paid to noise control and provision of the required acoustic comfort. This is due to an increase in the noise of the environment, the concentration of people in the cities, development of industry, transport and aviation. Currently, mass construction does not have the necessary number of sound-proof products and this demand is constantly increasing. Therefore, the development of new efficient sound-proof products, especially on the base of industrial waste, is of particular importance. While separating obsidian during the production of rubble and sand from lithoid pumice and perlite - it turns into a waste product. With the expansion of obsidian with grain sizes from 5 to 20 mm in a duration of 3-10 minutes at temperatures from 1050 to 11500С, it is possible to obtain a lightweight porous material with the lowest average density of 200–350 kg/m3 (in a piece of stone) and thereby solve environmental issues - to recycle production wastes. The requirements for mechanical strength and decorativeness of sound-absorbing materials are increased, since they are used for tiling internal walls, so they must have low water absorption capacity, low hygroscopicity, and be fire and bio resistant. On the base of expanded obsidian, it is possible to obtain acoustic materials: cellular concrete and plasters with cement and gypsum with an average bending strength of 2.229 and 5.679, and 6.2095 and 12.670 MPa for compression.
Influence of Cracks on Frequency of the Self-Vibration of Reinforced Concrete T Beam of Road Bridges
Authors: Sargsyan Artashes , Sargsyan Grigor , Resnik Boris
Published: December 2019

The main goal of bridge health monitoring is to show the condition of structure in real time mode with using special sensors, which can measure different characteristics, which can indicate about the changes in structure. One of the easier measured indicators what can be used is frequency of structure vibration. The diagnostic of the health condition of structure is dependent of correct evaluation of changes range of measured indicators. This paper presents the theoretical calculations to study the effect of cracking on the frequency response of typical reinforced concrete T type beams which has widespread in road bridges construction.
IL-10 Impairs Local Immune Response in Lung Granulomas and Lymph Nodes during EarlyMycobacterium tuberculosisInfection
Authors: Wong Eileen A. , Evans Stephanie , Kraus Carolyn R. , Engelman Kathleen D. , Maiello Pauline , Flores Walter J. , Cadena Anthony M. , Klein Edwin , Thomas Kayla , White Alexander G. , Causgrove Chelsea , Stein Brianne , Tomko Jaime , Mattila Joshua T. , Gideon Hannah , Lin P. Ling , Reimann Keith A. , Kirschner Denise E. , Flynn JoAnne L.
Published: December 2019

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, continues to be a major global health problem. Lung granulomas are organized structures of host immune cells that function to contain the bacteria. Cytokine expression is a critical component of the protective immune response, but inappropriate cytokine expression can exacerbate TB. Although the importance of proinflammatory cytokines in controlling M. tuberculosis infection has been established, the effects of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10, in TB are less well understood. To investigate the role of IL-10, we used an Ab to neutralize IL-10 in cynomolgus macaques during M. tuberculosis infection. Anti–IL-10–treated nonhuman primates had similar overall disease outcomes compared with untreated control nonhuman primates, but there were immunological changes in granulomas and lymph nodes from anti–IL-10–treated animals. There was less thoracic inflammation and increased cytokine production in lung granulomas and lymph nodes from IL-10–neutralized animals at 3–4 wk postinfection compared with control animals. At 8 wk postinfection, lung granulomas from IL-10–neutralized animals had reduced cytokine production but increased fibrosis relative to control animals. Although these immunological changes did not affect the overall disease burden during the first 8 wk of infection, we paired computational modeling to explore late infection dynamics. Our findings support that early changes occurring in the absence of IL-10 may lead to better bacterial control later during infection. These unique datasets provide insight into the contribution of IL-10 to the immunological balance necessary for granulomas to control bacterial burden and disease pathology in M. tuberculosis infection.
Generalizations of Menchov–Rademacher Theorem and Existence of Wave Operators in Schrödinger Evolution
Authors: Denisov Sergey , Mohamed Liban
Published: December 2019

We obtain generalizations of the classical Menchov–Rademacher theorem to the case of continuous orthogonal systems. These results are applied to show the existence of Moller wave operators in Schrödinger evolution.
A framework to align patient records management practices with healthcare provisions in the public hospitals in Limpopo province
Authors: Marutha Ngoako
Published: December 2019

Records management frameworks have always played a central role in ensuring effective records management in organisations, but if not properly aligned with business systems and workflow, patients’ records become difficult to manage effectively. The ineffective management of records creates problems for service providers or records end-users and their clients. For instance, records may be lost or misfiled, which eventually makes it impossible for patients healthcare service providers or records end-users and their clients to access the patient’s health and medical history. This study sought to propose a framework for use by healthcare institutions to align their medical records management processes with the healthcare service business process or workflow in the Limpopo province, South Africa. The researcher used a questionnaire to collect quantitative data, supported by data collected using the observation method. The author discovered that the current practice of records management in the healthcare institutions of the Limpopo province in South Africa is not aligned with healthcare service delivery, which has a negative impact on the safety and security of medical records. This resulted in healthcare providers not having access to the medical records of their patients, which is vital in assessing patients’ medical status. The recommendation made here is that healthcare institutions should use a recommended medical records management framework to align their records management processes with healthcare service delivery, so as to strengthen safety and security and allow healthcare providers appropriate access to medical records, as part of the workflow process.
Perspectiva de discapacidad y derechos humanos en el contexto de una educación superior inclusiva.
Authors: Palacios Agustina
Published: December 2019

La educación inclusiva no se limita al derecho de las personas con discapacidad al acceso, permanencia y egreso en igualdad de oportunidades. Supone e implica asimismo una metodología y una serie de contenidos tanto en la formación académica como en la investigación, extensión y transferencia universitaria. Dichos contenidos se corresponden con la perspectiva en discapacidad y derechos humanos desde una mirada transversal, interseccional y transdisciplinar, que favorezca la consolidación de saberes diversos e integrales. A dichos fines, se hace necesario generar conciencia, formar y vincularnos desde los principios que sustentan una mirada centrada en la persona, potenciando y habilitando su autonomía y protagonismo.
The efficiency of transport into the stratosphere via the Asian and North American summer monsoon circulations
Authors: Yan Xiaolu , Konopka Paul , Ploeger Felix , Podglajen Aurélien , Wright Jonathon S. , Müller Rolf , Riese Martin
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Transport of pollutants into the stratosphere via the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) or North American summer monsoon (NASM) may affect the atmospheric composition and climate both locally and globally. We identify and study the robust characteristics of transport from the ASM and NASM regions to the stratosphere using the Lagrangian chemistry transport model CLaMS driven by both the ERA-Interim and MERRA-2 reanalyses. In particular, we quantify the relative influences of the ASM and NASM on stratospheric composition and investigate the transport pathways and efficiencies of transport of air masses originating at different altitudes in these two monsoon regions to the stratosphere. We release artificial tracers in several vertical layers from the middle troposphere to the lower stratosphere in both ASM and NASM source regions during July and August 2010–2013 and track their evolution until the following summer. We find that more air mass is transported from the ASM and NASM regions to the tropical stratosphere, and even to the southern hemispheric stratosphere, when the tracers are released clearly below the tropopause (350–360 K) than when they are released close to the tropopause (370–380 K). For tracers released close to the tropopause (370–380 K), transport is primarily into the northern hemispheric lower stratosphere. Results for different vertical layers of air origin reveal two transport pathways from the upper troposphere over the ASM and NASM regions to the tropical pipe: (i) quasi-horizontal transport to the tropics below the tropopause followed by ascent to the stratosphere via tropical upwelling, and (ii) ascent into the stratosphere inside the ASM/NASM followed by quasi-horizontal transport to the tropical lower stratosphere and further to the tropical pipe. Overall, the tropical pathway (i) is faster than the monsoon pathway (ii), particularly in the ascending branch. The abundance of air in the tropical pipe that originates in the ASM upper troposphere (350–360 K) is comparable to the abundance of air ascending directly from the tropics to the tropical pipe 10 months after (the following early summer) the release of the source tracers. The air mass contributions from the ASM to the tropical pipe are about 3 times larger than the corresponding contributions from the NASM. The transport efficiency into the tropical pipe, the air mass fraction inside this destination region normalized by the mass of the domain of origin, is greatest from the ASM region at 370–380 K. Although the contribution from the NASM to the stratosphere is less than that from either the ASM or the tropics, the transport efficiency from the NASM is comparable to that from the tropics.
Why the Indo-Gangetic Plain is the region with the largest NH3 column in the globe during summertime?
Authors: Wang Tiantian , Song Yu , Xu Zhenying , Liu Mingxu , Xu Tingting , Liao Wenling , Yin Lifei , Cai Xuhui , Kang Ling , Zhang Hongsheng , Zhu Tong
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Satellite observations show a global maximum in ammonia (NH3) over the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), with a peak in summer. However, it has never been explained explicitly. In this study, we investigated the causes of high NH3 loading over the IGP in summer using WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled to chemistry). IGP has relatively high NH3 emission fluxes (0.4 t km−2 month−1) due to intensive agricultural activities and high air temperature in summer. Additionally, low sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and high air temperature limit the gas-to-particle conversion of NH3, particularly for ammonium nitrate formation. Moreover, the barrier effects of the Himalayas in combination with the surface convergence weaken the horizontal diffusion of NH3. The high NH3 loading over the IGP mainly results from the low gas-to-particle partitioning of NH3 caused by low SO2 and NOx emissions. It contrasts to those in the North China Plain, where high SO2 and NOx emissions promote the conversion of gaseous NH3 into particulate ammonium.
Evaluation and Calibration of a Low-cost Particle Sensor in Ambient Conditions Using Machine Learning Technologies
Authors: Si Minxing , Xiong Ying , Du Shan , Du Ke
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Particle sensing technology has shown great potential for monitoring particulate matter (PM) with very few temporal and spatial restrictions because of low-cost, compact size, and easy operation. However, the performance of low-cost sensors for PM monitoring in ambient conditions has not been thoroughly evaluated. Monitoring results by low-cost sensors are often questionable. In this study, a low-cost fine particle monitor (Plantower PMS 5003) was co-located with a reference instrument, named Synchronized Hybrid Ambient Real-time Particulate (SHARP) monitor, in Calgary Varsity air monitoring station from December 2018 to April 2019. The study evaluated the performance of this low-cost PM sensor in ambient conditions and calibrated its readings using simple linear regression (SLR), multiple linear regression (MLR), and two more powerful machine learning algorithms using random search techniques for the best model architectures. The two machine learning algorithms are XGBoost and feedforward neural network (NN). Field evaluation showed that the Pearson r between the low-cost sensor and the SHAPR instrument was 0.78. Fligner and Killeen (F-K) test indicated a statistically significant difference between the variances of the PM2.5 values by the low-cost sensor and by the SHARP instrument. Large overestimations by the low-cost sensor before calibration were observed in the field and were believed to be caused by the variation of ambient relative humidity. The root mean square error (RMSE) was 9.93 when comparing the low-cost sensor with the SHARP instrument. The calibration by the feedforward NN had the smallest RMSE of 3.91 in the test dataset, compared to the calibrations by SLR (4.91), MLR (4.65), and XGBoost (4.19). After calibrations, the F-K test using the test dataset showed that the variances of the PM2.5 values by the NN and the XGBoost and by the reference method were not statistically significantly different. From this study, we conclude that feedforward NN is a promising method to address the poor performance of the low-cost sensors for PM2.5 monitoring. In addition, the random search method for hyperparameters was demonstrated to be an efficient approach for selecting the best model structure.
Continuous methane concentration measurements at the Greenland Ice Sheet-atmosphere interface using a low-cost low-power metal oxide sensor system
Authors: Jørgensen Christian Juncher , Mønster Jacob , Fuglsang Karsten , Christiansen Jesper Riis
Published: December 2019

Abstract. In this paper, the performance of a low-cost and low-power methane (CH4) sensing system prototype based on a metal oxide sensor (MOS) sensitive to CH4 is tested in a natural CH4 emitting environment at the Greenland Ice sheet (GrIS). We investigate if the MOS could be used as a supplementary measurement technique for monitoring CH4 emissions from the GrIS with the scope of setting up a CH4 monitoring network along the GrIS. The performance of the MOS is evaluated on basis of parallel measurements using a CRDS reference instrument for v over a field calibration period of approximately 100 h. Results from the field calibration period show that CH4 concentrations measured with the MOS is in very good agreement with the reference CRDS. The absolute concentration difference between the MOS and the CRDS reference values within the measured concentration range of approximately 2–100 ppm CH4 were generally lower than 5 ppm CH4, while the relative concentration deviations between the MOS and the CRDS were generally below 10 %. Calculated mean bias error for the entire field calibration period was −0.05 ppm with a standard deviation of ± 1.69 ppm (n = 37 140). The results confirms that low-cost and low-power MOS can be effectively used for atmospheric CH4 measurements under stable water vapor conditions. The primary scientific importance of the study is that it provides a clear example on how the application of low cost technology can enhance our future understanding on the climatic feedbacks from the cryosphere to the atmosphere.
Global biosphere–climate interaction: a causal appraisal of observations and models over multiple temporal scales
Authors: Claessen Jeroen , Molini Annalisa , Martens Brecht , Detto Matteo , Demuzere Matthias , Miralles Diego G.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Improving the skill of Earth system models (ESMs) in representing climate–vegetation interactions is crucial to enhance our predictions of future climate and ecosystem functioning. Therefore, ESMs need to correctly simulate the impact of climate on vegetation, but likewise feedbacks of vegetation on climate must be adequately represented. However, model predictions at large spatial scales remain subjected to large uncertainties, mostly due to the lack of observational patterns to benchmark them. Here, the bidirectional nature of climate–vegetation interactions is explored across multiple temporal scales by adopting a spectral Granger causality framework that allows identification of potentially co-dependent variables. Results based on global and multi-decadal records of remotely sensed leaf area index (LAI) and observed atmospheric data show that the climate control on vegetation variability increases with longer temporal scales, being higher at inter-annual than multi-month scales. Globally, precipitation is the most dominant driver of vegetation at monthly scales, particularly in (semi-)arid regions. The seasonal LAI variability in energy-driven latitudes is mainly controlled by radiation, while air temperature controls vegetation growth and decay in high northern latitudes at inter-annual scales. These observational results are used as a benchmark to evaluate four ESM simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Findings indicate a tendency of ESMs to over-represent the climate control on LAI dynamics and a particular overestimation of the dominance of precipitation in arid and semi-arid regions at inter-annual scales. Analogously, CMIP5 models overestimate the control of air temperature on seasonal vegetation variability, especially in forested regions. Overall, climate impacts on LAI are found to be stronger than the feedbacks of LAI on climate in both observations and models; in other words, local climate variability leaves a larger imprint on temporal LAI dynamics than vice versa. Note however that while vegetation reacts directly to its local climate conditions, the spatially collocated character of the analysis does not allow for the identification of remote feedbacks, which might result in an underestimation of the biophysical effects of vegetation on climate. Nonetheless, the widespread effect of LAI variability on radiation, as observed over the northern latitudes due to albedo changes, is overestimated by the CMIP5 models. Overall, our experiments emphasise the potential of benchmarking the representation of particular interactions in online ESMs using causal statistics in combination with observational data, as opposed to the more conventional evaluation of the magnitude and dynamics of individual variables.
Two-stage Variational Mode Decomposition and Support Vector Regression for Streamflow Forecasting
Authors: Zuo Ganggang , Luo Jungang , Wang Ni , Lian Yani , He Xinxin
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Streamflow forecasting is a crucial component in the management and control of water resources. Decomposition-based approaches have particularly demonstrated improved streamflow forecasting performance. However, it is not practical to firstly decompose the entire streamflow into several signal components and then divide the data samples of each component into training and validation sets for signal component prediction. This impracticality is due to the fact that some validation information, that is not available in practical streamflow forecasting, is used in that training process. Unfortunately, firstly dividing the entire streamflow into training and validation sets and then decomposing each set separately lead to undesirable boundary effects and complicated forecasting. Moreover, establishing a model for each signal component is quite laborious and summing the component predictions may lead to error accumulation. In addition, summing the decomposition results may sometimes lead to inaccurate reconstruction of the original streamflow. In order to address these shortcomings of decomposition-based models and improve the forecasting performance in basins lacking meteorological observations (e.g., precipitation and temperature), we propose a two-stage decomposition prediction (TSDP) framework, realize this framework using variational mode decomposition (VMD) and support vector machines (SVR), and refer to this realization as VMD-SVR. In the first stage of the TSDP framework, the entire streamflow data was divided into training and validation sets, each of which was then separately decomposed to avoid the influence of validation information on training. In the second stage, a single model for streamflow prediction was established using a set of mixed shuffled samples. This scheme saves the modelling time and reduces the influence of the boundary effects. We demonstrate experimentally the effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of the TSDP framework and its VMD-SVR realization in terms of the boundary effect reduction, decomposition performance, prediction outcomes, time consumption, overfitting, and forecasting capability for long leading times. Specifically, five comparative experiments were conducted based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), singular spectrum analysis (SSA), discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and SVR. The experimental results on monthly runoff collected from three stations at the Wei River show the superiority of the TSDP framework compared to benchmark models.
Evaluation of MODIS and VIIRS cloud-gap-filled snow-cover products for production of an Earth science data record
Authors: Hall Dorothy K. , Riggs George A. , DiGirolamo Nicolo E. , Román Miguel O.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cryosphere products have been available since 2000 – following the 1999 launch of the Terra MODIS and the 2002 launch of the Aqua MODIS – and include global snow-cover extent (SCE) (swath, daily, and 8 d composites) at 500 m and ∼5 km spatial resolutions. These products are used extensively in hydrological modeling and climate studies. Reprocessing of the complete snow-cover data record, from Collection 5 (C5) to Collection 6 (C6) and Collection 6.1 (C6.1), has provided improvements in the MODIS product suite. Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Collection 1 (C1) snow-cover products at a 375 m spatial resolution have been available since 2011 and are currently being reprocessed for Collection 2 (C2). Both the MODIS C6.1 and the VIIRS C2 products will be available for download from the National Snow and Ice Data Center beginning in early 2020 with the complete time series available in 2020. To address the need for a cloud-reduced or cloud-free daily SCE product for both MODIS and VIIRS, a daily cloud-gap-filled (CGF) snow-cover algorithm was developed for MODIS C6.1 and VIIRS C2 processing. MOD10A1F (Terra) and MYD10A1F (Aqua) are daily, 500 m resolution CGF SCE map products from MODIS. VNP10A1F is the daily, 375 m resolution CGF SCE map product from VIIRS. These CGF products include quality-assurance data such as cloud-persistence statistics showing the age of the observation in each pixel. The objective of this paper is to introduce the new MODIS and VIIRS standard CGF daily SCE products and to provide a preliminary evaluation of uncertainties in the gap-filling methodology so that the products can be used as the basis for a moderate-resolution Earth science data record (ESDR) of SCE. Time series of the MODIS and VIIRS CGF products have been developed and evaluated at selected study sites in the US and southern Canada. Observed differences, although small, are largely attributed to cloud masking and differences in the time of day of image acquisition. A nearly 3-month
time-series comparison of Terra MODIS and S-NPP VIIRS CGF snow-cover maps
for a large study area covering all or parts of 11 states in the western US and part of southwestern Canada reveals excellent correspondence between the Terra MODIS and S-NPP VIIRS products, with a mean difference of 11 070 km2, which is ∼0.45 % of the study area. According to our preliminary validation of the Terra and Aqua MODIS CGF SCE products in the western US study area, we found higher accuracy of the Terra product compared with the Aqua product. The MODIS CGF SCE data record beginning in 2000 has been extended into the VIIRS era, which should last at least through the early 2030s.
A Dynamic Bidirectional Coupled Hydrologic-Hydrodynamic Model for Flood Prediction
Authors: Jiang Chunbo , Zhou Qi , Yu Wangyang , Yang Chen , Lin Binliang
Published: December 2019

Abstract. As one of the main natural disasters, flood disaster poses a great threat to township development and property security. Numerous hydrological models and hydrodynamic models have been developed and implemented for flood simulation, risk prediction and inundation assessment. In this study, a dynamic and bidirectional coupled hydrodynamic-hydrologic-hydrodynamic model (DBCM) is developed to predict and evaluate inundation impact in a catchment in mountain area. Based on characteristic theory, the proposed method is able to dynamically adapt and alternate the simulation domain of hydrologic model, and/or hydrodynamic model according to the local flow condition, and a key feature of the proposed model is the dynamic coupling splitting the hydrologic and hydrodynamic simulation domains. The proposed model shows good prediction accuracy and overcomes the shortage existing in previous unidirectional coupling model (UCM). Existing numerical examples and physical experiments were both used to validate the performance of DBCM. Compared to UCM, results from DBCM show good agreements with analytical and measured data which indicates that the proposed model effectively reproduces flood propagation process and accounts for surface flow interaction between non-inundation region and inundation region. Finally, DBCM is applied to predict the flood in the Longxi river basin, and the simulation results show the capability of DBCM in conducting flood event simulation in interested catchment which can support flood risk early warning and future management.
La aportación de las creencias religiosas a la construcción de una ética ambiental
Authors: Monsalve Girón José Alfredo
Published: December 2019

Puede ser que a base de doctrina, se coadyuve en la tarea de concienciar y que este propósito, pueda delinear los planteamientos éticos que requiere y necesita la humanidad para de una vez por todas entender, pues ya percibe, el daño que infringe a la tierra, no obstante apreciarlo, se niega a participar pedagógicamente de soluciones prácticas para su cuidado, con lo cual las diferentes confesiones religiosas ocupan parte de su dinámica de fe y convicción en hacer llamados reiterativos a los colectivos humanos que siguen su discurso, e inyectando dinámicas propias a su estilo particular buscan crear conciencia social en torno a un dilema propuesto, y es la cuestión medioambiental y el rumbo que tomen las afanosas propuestas que algunos de esos líderes presentan en exhortaciones, que se traducen en advertencias y avisos acerca de una debacle ambiental que nos afecta hoy día y que puede ser el detonante de un deterioro de la raza humana y de su entorno, en donde los seres vivos marcharán hacia un asombroso ocaso. La técnica de la mano del hombre aporta grandemente al desarrollo, pero el lastre acompaña la inventiva y la industrialización. Así pues, a lo largo del presente estudio, vamos a analizar la injerencia de los credos religiosos en toda esta parafernalia y por ello es definitivo rescatar la nueva cara que ante esta situación muestran las confesiones de fe, pues es menester advertir que la religión opacó el medio ambiente al punto de condenar a todo aquel que urdiere hacer uso de algunos elementos de la naturaleza, pero esto ya es historia, hoy iniciando una nueva centuria las iglesias y sus practicantes, en un asomo ético buscan primero resarcir lo que antaño afecto con sus diatribas el hábitat, hacer creer al hombre que la tierra era únicamente su despensa fue un error por siglos, ahora participan en coloquios mundiales y hasta producen encíclicas que llaman a la fraternidad y solidaridad con la cuestión ambiental.
Protección ambiental en Argentina y desarrollo sostenible. Impactos de la minería
Authors: Fonseca Mauro Alejandro
Published: December 2019

Este trabajo estudia el marco geográfico y la situación medioambiental de Argentina, y su sistema de protección, en particular en relación con la minería, desde una perspectiva de desarrollo sostenible con la finalidad de evaluar si dicho sistema es adecuado y eficaz para gestión del medio ambiente. Partiendo de una introducción que sitúa la cuestión ambiental argentina y su interés de estudio, se presenta la perspectiva de desarrollo sostenible para luego abordar el marco geográfico argentino y el marco normativo medioambiental para a continuación desarrollar los principales aspectos de la situación medioambiental general y de la minería en particular. Las principales conclusiones sobre la situación y el sistema de protección ambiental de Argentina, desde la perspectiva del desarrollo sostenible, es que aunque se han hecho avances importantes en la legislación y en la creación de organismos e instituciones de gestión del medio ambiente, la información disponible indica que esas instituciones están carentes de capacidad ejecutiva para corregir cuestiones importantes que afectan a los ecosistemas. En el caso concreto de la minería esto se manifiesta en la falta de mejoras sustanciales en la mitigación de los efectos ambientales que provoca.
El gravamen de la energía eléctrica en España
Authors: Mendoza Hernández David
Published: December 2019

El gravamen de la energía eléctrica en España se caracteriza por una alta dispersión normativa y de instrumentos tributarios que son consecuencia del juego de competencias y poderes del Estado autonómico, así como por una generalizada falta de coherencia de estos instrumentos fiscales con los objetivos medioambientales que proclaman perseguir. Partiendo del déficit de tarifa que lleva arrastrando el sistema eléctrico español durante décadas y que explica el afán recaudatorio de muchas de estas figuras, el presente artículo revisa la configuración de los principales tributos que recaen sobre la energía eléctrica a nivel estatal y autonómico, terminando con una perspectiva a futuro con base en una posible Unión de la Energía y una necesaria reforma fiscal verde en España.
Ações de extensão em farmacologia veterinária e sua contribuição para a sociedade
Authors: PEREIRA DA SILVA GESSIANE , MARTINS RAMOS MATHEUS , ABDON DEMETRIO WERNER CAMILA , CRUZ FERNANDES ABEL JUNIOR , COSTA DE OLIVEIRA DÉBORAH MARA
Published: December 2019

A Liga Acadêmica de Farmacologia Veterinária - LAFAV, da Universidade Federa Rural da Amazônia – UFRA, promove por meio dos acadêmicos de medicina veterinária, ações sociais itinerantes denominadas “PrevAções” para tutores de cães e gatos com finalidade de promover a prevenção primária à saúde dos animais. Essas ações são focadas em três temáticas: risco da prática do uso de medicamentos sem orientação veterinária; acidentes com produtos de limpeza e intoxicação por plantas. Objetivou-se demonstrar os benefícios gerados pelas ações e evidenciar os resultados das avaliações dos tutores para cada tema da ação. As ações demonstraram inovação para a comunidade, de forma organizada e com conteúdo acessível. Assim, as ações de extensão assumem seu papel social na promoção da saúde preventiva animal e promovem o protagonismo do aluno na geração do conhecimento ao utilizar as “PrevAções” como ferramenta de intervenção social.
Tecnologias digitais e usabilidades no ensino a distância
Authors: De Sá Filho Paulo , Martins Mendonça Gomes Roberta
Published: December 2019

Na contemporaneidade, as pessoas têm cada vez mais utilizado as tecnologias em suas atividades diárias, ocorrendo a inserção das diversas tecnologias digitais em vários setores da sociedade. Assim, por serem cada vez mais acessíveis, instantâneas e por poderem ser utilizadas em qualquer lugar, tempo e de múltiplas formas, as tecnologias digitais adentraram também o setor educacional. Em função de mudanças e necessidades da sociedade em resposta aos desafios enfrentados pela educação, a modalidade de educação a distância - EaD, surge como uma possibilidade de estabelecer elo entre inovação, tecnologia e promover estratégias que contribuam na formação profissional e humana. Nessa perspectiva, esse artigo teve como objetivo expor algumas tecnologias digitais, utilizadas como recursos educacionais, no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, observando, em específico, suas usabilidades na Educação a Distância. Assim, esse estudo analisou recursos de interação virtual, realidade aumentada e virtual, gamificação e aprendizagem móvel. Percebe-se, como fator primordial, a análise individual de cada situação para integração de determinada tecnologia, Dessa forma, a usabilidade de um recurso deve levar em consideração características específicas de cada contexto, como objetivo da aula e perfil dos alunos.