bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards an Enhanced Interoperability Service Utility
Authors: Matzakou Irene , Sarraipa João , Markaki Ourania I. , Ergazakis Kostas , Askounis Dimitris
Published: February 2014

This chapter suggests an innovative approach towards establishing Enterprise Interoperability in the everyday electronic transactions among the contemporary enterprise information systems. Based on the rather cutting-edge concept of the “Interoperability Service Utility (ISU),” enriched with a concrete methodology for ontologies’ reconciliation, the authors suggest an enhanced ISU that would serve as a mediator among the incompatible enterprise information systems, providing semantic harmonization of the exchanged knowledge and a fertile ground for achieving Enterprise Interoperability and Collaboration. The authors’ proposition and methodology can constitute a high quality scientific and supportive material for any stakeholder in the enterprise field, giving useful directions for any other similar implementation and contributing to the scientific aspect of Enterprise Interoperability.
Providing Rational and Normative Policy Evaluation with Hedonic Estimation in Developing and Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Erakovich Rodney , Poppe Gerald , Shampton John F. , Pai Kalpana
Published: February 2014

Market economy and democratic evolution in public policy requires a shift from a comprehensive rational and positivism approach to including normative considerations through a social participatory thesis. The key question of this chapter’s examination is: Do the fundamental ideas of econometric evaluation of land value as a basis for public policy contribute worth for the society as a whole? Policy that exploits market mechanisms cannot be developed in isolation of the larger societal needs that are required to enrich democracy. To do this, the authors provide an econometric model of valuation of land to test and predict policy outcomes to enhance democratic transition. Establishing market value is a tool that supports policy economic development goals and normative outcomes desired through political transparency in the emergence to democratic processes. The authors conclude with recommendations for implementation to support stakeholders in the policymaking process.
Estimation of Agricultural Production
Authors: Gupta P. C.
Published: February 2014

The successful implementation of e-governance mainly depends on the reliability of its database, as this can be efficiently utilized to give more precise estimates of future production. These predications can be made the basis of the policy for import and export of products like food grain or other crops, which are presently growing in the agricultural fields. Knowing the previous record of the product, as auxiliary variable, one can estimate its future production. This chapter, by constructing practical situational caricatures, emphasizes that the statistical tool like ratio analysis and regression analysis may be helpful in estimating the parameters of the variable in the agriculture field. It includes five illustrations to put forth the idea of application of statistical tools to make effective policy in the field of agriculture.
A Statistical Modeling for Policy Making
Authors: Ghosh D. K.
Published: February 2014

The concept of regression was first introduced by Sir Francis Galton in the context of inheritance of stature. Karl Pearson found the regression of son’s height on father’s height to be a biometrical fact. Soon the use of regression technique became too common for a variety of problems. The relationship between variables, if it exists, may be linear or curvilinear. In this chapter, a detailed discussion of linear regression is carried out. The regression analysis is an important statistical tool to find the relationship between different variables that can also be applied to the field of governance.
Policy Intervention of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram in Jaipur City, Rajasthan
Authors: Sharma Manju , Sharma Sudhanshu
Published: February 2014

The government of India launched Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (henceforth JSSK) to benefit pregnant women and newborns. The JSSK provides completely free and cashless services to pregnant women including normal deliveries and caesarean operations and sick newborns (up to 30 days after birth) in government health institutions. This chapter studies the utilization of the JSSK scheme by the beneficiaries and the strategy of free entitlements implemented under JSSK through the selected policy targets. The study was carried out in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India, and was conducted on a medium-sized sample, who have availed the benefits of JSSK in the past year to measure the correlation between three variables, policy targets, service delivery management, and utilization pattern of beneficiaries. The chapter concludes that JSSK is a good scheme but gaps in resources and lack of quality of services needs to be adequately dealt with to make it efficient.
Students’ Privacy Concerns on the Use of Social Media in Higher Education
Authors: Aymerich-Franch Laura , Fedele Maddalena
Published: February 2014

Social media is principally used by students in the private sphere. However, its implementation for educational purposes in higher education is rapidly expanding. This chapter looks into undergraduate students’ perceptions of using social media in the university context. In particular, it examines students’ privacy concerns regarding faculty use of social networks to support classroom work and video calling or online chats to meet for work discussion. Two-hundred-forty-four undergraduate students completed a survey and four focus groups were carried out. The results reveal that although students generally accept using social media in the instructional arena, privacy concerns can easily emerge. Educational institutions are encouraged to take these concerns seriously. Using applications specifically created for learning purposes and developing some guidelines for a correct implementation of these resources for the faculty to follow might contribute to alleviate these concerns.
#OccupyWallStreet
Authors: Gismondi Adam
Published: February 2014

The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, when viewed within proper historical context, can be considered part of an American tradition of higher education activism. The movement’s pioneering use of social media, which was in part inspired by activists within the Arab Spring, allowed OWS to organize and disseminate information with efficiency. Social media also helped to build the connections that were made between OWS activists and those within higher education, while subsequently providing documentation of these same connections in online forums. This chapter’s analysis of OWS tactics provides evidence that social media will be integral to the organization and promotion of future activist movements within higher education and beyond.
Internationalization Strategies of Chinese Pharmaceutical Firms
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Lian Yunshan , Zhao Jingyuan
Published: February 2014

Chinese pharmaceutical market value is about USD 110 billion in 2009, and it has become the world’s second largest market. Chinese pharmaceutical firms are becoming a growing player in global pharmaceutical chains. In this paper, sample firms are selected and surveyed with a focus on effective internationalization strategies and paths, through an empirical research, this paper summarizes the internationalization of Chinese pharmaceutical firms, and finds the effective strategies of international market entry are product upgrading along the industrial chains, international certification and cooperation, outsourcing and licensing, and other paths of overseas expansion. The implication for pharmaceutical firms in emerging market is to choose the suitable strategies based on own advantages, learn from the experience of other emerging market and domestic leading companies of internationalization, and gradually enter the standard market. This study not only provides international market entry strategies for the latecomers of Chinese pharmaceutical firms, but also enriches the internationalization theory of emerging market.
Lost Student Tracking in an Incomplete and Imprecise Information Environment Using Soft Computing Paradigm
Authors: Dash Satya Ranjan , Rayaguru Susil , Dehuri Satchidananda , Cho Sung-Bae
Published: February 2014

In a country like India, the growth rate of the number of academic institutions is at par with the lost student rate. Hence when a lost student is found we need to identify the student on the basis of information such as name of the student, institution name where he studies, class or branch of the student, etc. But the fact is that in most of the cases one never gets complete and precise information to identify a lost student. Hence, in such environment a soft computing model can be an attractive alternative to identify a lost student on the basis of imprecise or partial information. This paper presents a soft computing model for identifying lost student on the basis of imprecise and partial information. In this model student information is represented as a symbolic student object. Symbolic student object is further processed using a fuzzy symbolic model for identifying the lost student. The authors have devised a symbolic knowledge base which acts as a repository of information pertaining to student of different institutions that assist in creating student object and identifying the lost student. A fuzzy technique “symbolic similarity measure” is devised for generating symbolic student object and mapping the symbolic student object with student information present in knowledge base. This system has been tested scrupulously and an efficiency of above 90% has been achieved in identifying the lost student.
A New Mechanical Algorithm for Calculating the Amplitude Equation of the Reaction-Diffusion Systems
Authors: Liu Houye , Wang Weiming
Published: February 2014

Amplitude equation may be used to study pattern formatio. In this article, the authors establish a new mechanical algorithm AE_Hopf for calculating the amplitude equation near Hopf bifurcation based on the method of normal form approach in Maple. The normal form approach needs a large number of variables and intricate calculations. As a result, deriving the amplitude equation from diffusion-reaction is a difficult task. Making use of our mechanical algorithm, we derived the amplitude equations from several biology and physics models. The results indicate that the algorithm is easy to apply and effective. This algorithm may be useful for learning the dynamics of pattern formation of reaction-diffusion systems in future studies.
Flash-Aware Buffer Management for Database Systems
Authors: Ou Yi , Jin Peiquan , Härder Theo
Published: February 2014

Classical buffer replacement policies, e. g., LRU, are suboptimal for database systems having flash disks for persistence, because they are not aware of the distinguished characteristics of flash-based storage devices. The authors introduce the basic principles of buffer management for such devices and present two efficient buffer algorithms that apply these principles. These algorithms significantly improve the performance of flash-based databases, as confirmed by our trace-driven performance study.
Data Mining for Biologists
Authors: Tsuda Koji
Published: February 2014

In this tutorial article, the author reviews basics about frequent pattern mining algorithms, including itemset mining, association rule mining, and graph mining. These algorithms can find frequently appearing substructures in discrete data. They can discover structural motifs, for example, from mutation data, protein structures, and chemical compounds. As they have been primarily used for business data, biological applications are not so common yet, but their potential impact would be large. Recent advances in computers including multicore machines and ever increasing memory capacity support the application of such methods to larger datasets. The author explains technical aspects of the algorithms, but do not go into details. Current biological applications are summarized and possible future directions are given.
A New Approach to Knowledge Management Strategies
Authors: Naghizadeh Reza , Ravasan Ahad Zare , Naghizadeh Mohammad
Published: February 2014

Knowledge management (KM) has been regarded as a critical issue for the practitioners and academicians in these years. Recently, knowledge management strategies have been highly considered in organizations. The article tries to explore knowledge management strategies from different aspects and explains the most important factors in its success. Here, nine main factors are considered for the success of the knowledge management strategies and it has been tried to present a new framework for knowledge management strategies based on experts’ opinions and exploring two case studies. The presented strategies for knowledge management include two relation and substitution strategies. Also, characteristics of each strategy are investigated and the differences with current strategies in the field are discussed.
Evaluating Mobile Applications in Virtual Environments
Authors: Delikostidis Ioannis , Fechner Thore , Fritze Holger , AbdelMouty Ahmed Mahmoud , Kray Christian
Published: February 2014

Context plays a central role in mobile applications but is very difficult to control, and therefore, the evaluation of context-aware applications can be challenging. Traditionally, researchers had to choose either field-based or lab-based studies but recently, virtual environments have been proposed as a middle-ground between those two methods. In this paper, the authors review previous work on using virtual environments to evaluate mobile applications. the authors identify and classify different approaches to simulate specific aspects of the real world, and analyse their relative properties with respect to evaluating different facets of context-aware mobile applications. Based on this analysis, the authors derive criteria and selection strategies that can help researchers in picking specific evaluation approaches. The authors also point out a number of research challenges in this area as well as a number of promising areas for future research.
The Social Order of Open Source Software Production
Authors: Gläser Jochen
Published: February 2014

This article contributes to the sociological understanding of open source software (OSS) production by identifying the social mechanism that creates social order in OSS communities. OSS communities are identified as production communities whose mode of production employs autonomous decentralized decision making on contributions and autonomous production of contributions while maintaining the necessary order by adjustment to the common subject matter of work. Thus, OSS communities belong to the same type of collective production system as scientific communities. Both consist of members who not only work on a common product, but are also aware of this collective work and adjust their actions accordingly. Membership is based on the self-perception of working with the community’s subject matter (software or respectively scientific knowledge). The major differences between the two are due to the different subject matters of work. Production communities are compared to the previously known collective production systems, namely, markets, organizations, and networks. They have a competitive advantage in the production under complete uncertainty, that is, when neither the nature of a problem, nor the way in which it can be solved, nor the skills required for its solution are known in advance.
Open Source E-Learning Systems
Authors: Olla Phillip
Published: February 2014

E-learning applications are becoming commonplace in most higher education institutions, and some institutions have implemented open source applications such as course management systems and electronic portfolios. These e-learning applications initiatives are the first step to moving away from proprietary software such as Blackboard and WEBCT toward open source. With open source, higher education institutions can easily and freely audit their systems. This article presents evaluation criteria that was used by a higher education institution to evaluate an open source e-learning system.
Electricity Demand Forecasting
Authors: Elkarmi Fawwaz , Abu Shikhah Nazih
Published: February 2014

Forecasting is the backbone of any planning process in all fields of interest. It has a great impact on future decisions. It is also of great importance to the operation and control of business, which is reflected as profits or losses to the entity. This paper aims to provide the planner with sufficient knowledge and background of the different scopes of forecasting methods, in general, and when applied to power system field, in particular. Various load and energy forecasting models, and theoretical techniques are discussed from different perspectives, time frames, and levels. The paper presents the attributes and importance of forecasting through several cases of research conducted by the author for the Jordanian power system. In all cases the methodologies selected cover short, medium and long term forecasting periods and the results are accurate.
From Creative Destruction to Intelligent Design
Authors: Jelen Jonatan
Published: February 2014

When the late Steve Jobs prominently adopted Wayne Gretzky’s slogan wanting to “skate where the puck will go, not to where it has been”, it sounded simply as a pragmatic response to the limitations of chasing the elusive ‘environmental fit’ (for the notion of strategy as a fit with the environment, see Porter, 1996, 1998). Yet, it prefigured a truly paradigmatic leap. With information technology becoming the dominant technology of the day, firms are no longer confined to either being simply part of the problem, part of the solution or part of the landscape. They now can quickly capture and move the entire landscape; but even more importantly, they can become an entire landscape in their own right. Firms need no longer be mired in perpetual reform efforts, endlessly defining, designing, and developing themselves form the inside out as transactional systems, configuring dimensions of strategy, structure, scale, and scope hopelessly imperfectly given environmental turbulence, technological transience, and socio-politico-economic complexity, and perpetually, almost wastefully tuning their internal synergies to merely becoming incrementally agile and increasingly nimble. The commonality among the recently quickly emerging complex information technology-intensive firms that are breaking the mold, especially represented by the social-media movement, is their deliberate and explicit social positioning. These firms are demonstrating a level of creative intelligence that allows them to aspire to, design, and construct, in their entirety, the very environments into which they want to project themselves. To enable and to leverage this new transformational nature they cultivate and nurture two additional dimensions that define such social positioning: scheme and soul. Scheme represents their agenda for social stance, positioning, action, and change. And soul is their intentionality to go beyond economic rationality and business logic in order to create logos from chaos. But while people may have overcome the controversy of creating social outcomes with economic means, one now has the mandate to design and govern how one creates economic outcomes with social means.
Knowledge Accumulation and Reuse for Spinning off Firms from Learning Organizations
Authors: Della Peruta Maria Rosaria , Del Giudice Manlio
Published: February 2014

The past years have seen a remarkable increase in knowledge based start-ups. In Europe, as in the USA, the debate over the role of universities and firms as knowledge clusters and as sources of new spin-off companies has intensified since the publication of recent reports. Giving the inadequacy of the classic patterns to exploit and transfer many knowledge assets, our study looked at the spin off processes from learning organizations as a way to transfer them for stimulating new entrepreneurship (i.e., in a perspective of reusing the knowledge previously accumulated). The authors’ research showed that academic and corporate spin offs are differently influenced by the knowledge accumulated in the contexts of origin. The authors also discuss some managerial implications of the proposed model.
Business Strategy, Market Governance and Performance
Authors: Della Peruta Maria Rosaria , Maggioni Marina
Published: February 2014

The evidences, the paradoxes, the questions that emerge from academic research into the mechanisms by which businesses generate profits are at the centre of an important theoretical debate. A large body of literature in strategic management emphasizes a particular perspective or theory (namely, the industry- resource- and institution-based views), leading to the accumulation of research findings that are difficult to compare and integrate. The current streams of thinking on the sustainability of competitive advantages have missed the aim of giving a decisive and/or exclusive relevance to paradigms through which one is accustomed to study, interpret, or suggest interventions for the enterprise as a whole or some of its parts. It is not enough to call once more for a diversity of competing views: the authors recommend that research be designed in ways that enable multiple theoretical lenses of reality to be treated. The validity of theories will remain quite limited until we significantly consider the types of conditions to which the variety of organizations in the world today has been exposed. The case of Wal-Mart illustrates how a top-performing firm competes for resources to legitimate intentions and achievements in a global context.
Towards a Specification Language for Mobile Applications
Authors: Redouane Abdesselam
Published: February 2014

Mobile applications are increasingly being developed by many developers using different environments for diverse devices. However, there is no method or formal language that helps these developers specify their requirements before the coding stage. In this paper, the author describes a specification language that helps in this context. To achieve rigor, the language is based on an extended first order predicate calculus and allows specifiers to modularize their specifications. The language is founded on two concepts: a pristine which can be seen as a unit of cognition and a definition which is a logical rule based on pristines and other definitions. Furthermore, the language allows specifiers to express constraints which are fundamental features in mobile applications. A use of this language is shown by an example.
High Performance Reversible Data Hiding for Mobile Applications and Human Interaction
Authors: Liu Fong-Hao , Lo Hsiang-Fu , Su Chun-Te , Lou Der-Chyuan , Lee Wei-Tsong
Published: February 2014

Reversible data hiding with predictive error-based difference expansion to conceal personal and sensitive information in mobile applications and human interaction activities through hand-held devices recently has drawn lots of interest. It can not only completely restore the original image after extraction, but also keep the protected privacy information imperceptible against the eavesdroppers. A reversible data hiding method based on prediction-error and pixel-value difference was proposed in this paper. The suitable situations for reversible algorithms and embedded value are selected depended on the differences between image regions and the characteristics of embedded data. Experimental results show that our proposed scheme provides a 57956 bits (0.24 ppb) hiding capacity and a 53.81dB PSNR on F16 image without generating noticeable visual artifacts. The proposed method is additionally applied with different predictors.
Meditation Painting and Pain Management
Authors: Garlock Lisa Raye
Published: February 2014

This article chronicles an art therapist’s experience of having osteoarthritis in both right and left trapeziometacarpal joints and subsequent surgery which provided the opportunity to use art making to manage pain during the recovery period. Meditative painting was used whenever pain was experienced post-surgery, and two series of twelve seven-inch paintings were created. Simple criteria were set and followed for at least three weeks post-surgery, and the questions asked were: Will meditative painting relieve post-surgery pain? Can meditative painting be used to reduce or eliminate the need for pain medication? Are there patterns in the artwork that can be seen in the healing process? It was found that meditative painting minimized pain to the extent that pain medication was unnecessary. Patterns were seen in both series that may illustrate aspects of the healing process.
Characterisation of a new protocol for mortar dating: 14C evidences
Authors: Marzaioli Fabio , Lubritto Carmine , Nonni Sara , Passariello Isabella , Capano Manuela , Ottaviano Luca , Terrasi Filippo
Published: February 2014

Mortars represent a class of material basically constituted by a mixture of different phases (i.e. binder, aggregates, water) and widespread used for constructive uses and artworks. Current scientific literature regarding the possibility of mortar radiocarbon dating reports different and still contradictory results. Most of the observed inaccuracy of the dating method often derives from the presence of carbonaceous residuals of limestone origins drastically increasing the mortar age estimation contributing with significant aliquots of dead carbon. Most of the existing methodologies aim to isolate binder from other materials, preserving a trace of the 14C signature of the atmosphere absorbed during mortar setting. In this work a series of measurements (i.e. %C and 14C) of different matrices involved in the mortar production process simulated in a simplified version in the laboratory environment will be shown. More in detail the isotopic signature of the CO2 present in the laboratory air during mortar setting is compared with the signal extracted from the synthesised mortar by means of a separation protocol of the binder. Our analyses are performed with the aim to evaluate this procedure of dead C suppression efficiency for accurate mortar radiocarbon dating.
Integral geophysical study to characterise archaeological structures in Los Teteles De Ocotitla, Mexico
Authors: López-García Pedro , Argote-Espino Denisse L. , Tejero-Andrade Andres , Chávez Segura Rene E.
Published: February 2014

In archaeology, geophysical methods had been applied usually in a qualitative form, limited only to the use of filters that enhance the data display. The main objective in this work is the implementation of an integral geophysical study complemented by 3D modelling techniques that allowed us to reconstruct the geometry and depth of buried bodies in the archaeological site of Los Teteles de Ocotitla, in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. The distribution and shape of underlying archaeological remains were inferred by geophysical methods and corroborated by archaeological excavations. Highresolution magnetic, ground penetrating radar and electric prospection were carried out in selected terraces. This investigation demonstrates the potential of quantitative geophysical methods for the characterisation of archaeological structures, in extension and depth.
The power of praise psalms to encourage awareness of ecological issues amongst worshippers
Authors: De Klerk Barend J.
Published: February 2014

The liturgy ought to sensitise believers anew to glorifying God as the Creator and the Recreator of the universe. The Book of Psalms may be used to great effect to sharpen the ecological awareness of believers. The topic is investigated on the basis of three creation psalms, namely Psalm 19, 104 and 148. In particular, it asks how the praise of the so-called creation psalms serves to alert believers not only to conserve nature in their own context, but also, together with nature, to praise God in word and deed? The fact that the ecological crisis directly concerns our earth, air and water, that is, our basic sustenance ought to lead worshippers in the worship service to serious reflection. The destruction of ecological systems has a direct effect on every other problem faced by plant, human and animal. The focus of Psalm 19 on the heavens puts air pollution, global warming and damage to the ozone layer on the agenda of every worship-service participant. In the songs of praise in Psalm 104 and 148, humans are seen as part of the artistic creation web which ought to be conserved.Die liturgie behoort opnuut ’n sensitiwiteit by gelowiges te skep om God as die Skepper én Herskepper van die heelal te verheerlik. Die psalms kan met groot vrug gebruik word om gelowiges se ekologiese bewussyn op te skerp. Die saak word aan die hand van drie skeppingspsalms ondersoek, naamlik Psalm 19, 104 en 148. Dit vra veral hoe die lof in hierdie sogenaamde skeppingspsalms daartoe bydra om gelowiges in hulle eie konteks op te skerp om nie net die natuur te bewaar nie, maar om deur die natuur God met woord en daad te verheerlik. Omdat die ekologiese krisis ons aarde, lug en water, met ander woorde ons basiese lewensmiddele regstreeks raak, behoort aanbidders in die erediens ernstig oor hulle betrokkenheid by die ekologie te laat besin. Die verwoesting van ekologiese sisteme het ‘n regstreekse uitwerking op alle ander probleme en nood wat deur plant, mens en dier ervaar word. Die klem van Psalm 19 op die hemelruim plaas lugbesoedeling, aardverwarming en die skade aan die osoonlaag op die agenda van elke deelnemer aan die erediens. In die lofliedere in Psalm 104 en 148 is die mens deel van die kunstige skeppingsweb wat bewaar behoort te word.
Intracoronary versus Intravenous Adenosine-Induced Maximal Coronary Hyperemia for Fractional Flow Reserve Measurements
Authors: Khashaba Ahmed , Mortada Ayman , Omran Azza
Published: February 2014

Background

Maximal hyperemia is the critical prerequisite for fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment. Despite intravenous (IV) adenosine currently being the recommended approach, intracoronary (IC) administration of adenosine constitutes a valuable alternative in everyday practice. However, it is surprisingly unclear which IC strategy allows the achievement of FFR values that are comparable to IV adenosine.

Objectives

This study sought to compare increasing doses of IC adenosine versus IV adenosine for FFR.

Methods

30 intermediate coronary stenoses undergoing FFR measurement were prospectively and consecutively enrolled. Hyperemia was sequentially induced by bolus of IC adenosine (ADN; 150 μg) followed by IV adenosine (IVADN) infusion over 3 minutes at dose of (140 μg/kg/min). FFR values, symptoms, and development of atrioventricular block were recorded.

Results

150 μg doses of IC adenosine were well tolerated and associated with fewer symptoms than IV adenosine. Intracoronary adenosine doses induced a significant decrease of FFR compared with baseline levels ( P < 0.01). Among the 6 patients with FFR values less than 0.80 identified by IVADN, 4 were correctly identified also by 150 μg bolus IC adenosine. Larger randomized studies with cross-over design are necessary to verify the results.

Conclusions

This small pilot study suggests that IC adenosine might be an alternative to IV adenosine. Larger randomized studies with a cross-over design are necessary.
Using ESPN 30 for 30 to teach economics
Authors: Al‐Bahrani Abdullah , Patel Darshak
Published: February 2014

Education in economics has trended away from “chalk and talk” toward alternative pedagogical approaches in recent years. This article documents one such approach used to illustrate economic concepts, the use of film clips from ESPN 30 for 30. This series can be used to augment traditional principles' classes or as real world examples of concepts discussed in upper division economic courses. The ESPN 30 for 30 film series merges three different areas of interests: film, sports, and history. Through these diverse spectrums, ESPN 30 for 30 films provides instructors with another resource to use in classrooms and creates an environment that facilitates active learning activities.
Incidence of rough and irregular atmospheric ice particles from Small Ice Detector 3 measurements
Authors: Ulanowski Z. , Kaye P. H. , Hirst E. , Greenaway R. S. , Cotton R. J. , Hesse E. , Collier C. T.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The knowledge of properties of ice crystals such as size, shape, concavity and roughness is critical in the context of radiative properties of ice and mixed-phase clouds. Limitations of current cloud probes to measure these properties can be circumvented by acquiring two-dimensional light-scattering patterns instead of particle images. Such patterns were obtained in situ for the first time using the Small Ice Detector 3 (SID-3) probe during several flights in a variety of mid-latitude mixed-phase and cirrus clouds. The patterns are analysed using several measures of pattern texture, selected to reveal the magnitude of particle roughness or complexity. The retrieved roughness is compared to values obtained from a range of well-characterized test particles in the laboratory. It is found that typical in situ roughness corresponds to that found in the rougher subset of the test particles, and sometimes even extends beyond the most extreme values found in the laboratory. In this study we do not differentiate between small-scale, fine surface roughness and large-scale crystal complexity. Instead, we argue that both can have similar manifestations in terms of light-scattering properties and also similar causes. Overall, the in situ data are consistent, with ice particles with highly irregular or rough surfaces being dominant. Similar magnitudes of roughness were found in growth and sublimation zones of cirrus. The roughness was found to be negatively correlated with the halo ratio, but not with other thermodynamic or microphysical properties found in situ. Slightly higher roughness was observed in cirrus forming in clean oceanic air masses than in a continental, polluted one. Overall, the roughness and complexity are expected to lead to increased shortwave cloud reflectivity, in comparison with cirrus composed of more regular, smooth ice crystal shapes. These findings put into question suggestions that climate could be modified through aerosol seeding to reduce cirrus cover and optical depth, as the seeding may result in decreased shortwave reflectivity.
The performance of Aeolus in heterogeneous atmospheric conditions using high-resolution radiosonde data
Authors: Sun X. J. , Zhang R. W. , Marseille G. J. , Stoffelen A. , Donovan D. , Liu L. , Zhao J.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The ESA Aeolus mission aims to measure wind profiles from space. In preparation for launch we aim to assess the expected bias in retrieved winds from the Mie and Rayleigh channel signals induced by atmospheric heterogeneity. Observation biases are known to be detrimental when gone undetected in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). Aeolus processing equipment should therefore be prepared to detect heterogeneous atmospheric scenes and take measures, e.g., reject or reduce the weight of observations when used in NWP. Radiosondes provide the wind vector at about 10 m resolution. We present a method to simulate co-located cloud and aerosol optical properties from radiosonde observations. We show that cloud layers can be detected along the radiosonde path from radiosonde measured relative humidity and temperature. A parameterization for aerosol backscatter and extinction along the radiosonde path is presented based on a climatological aerosol backscatter profile and radiosonde relative humidity. The resulting high-resolution database of atmospheric wind and optical properties serves as input for Aeolus wind simulations. It is shown that Aeolus wind error variance grows quadratically with bin size and the wind-shear over the bin. Strong scattering aerosol or cloud layers may cause biases exceeding 1ms−1 for typical tropospheric conditions and 1 km Mie channel bin size, i.e., substantially larger than the mission bias requirement of 0.4 ms−1. Advanced level-2 processing of Aeolus winds including estimation of atmosphere optical properties is needed to detect regions with large heterogeneity, potentially yielding biased winds. Besides applicable for Aeolus the radiosonde database of co-located high-resolution wind and cloud information can be used for the validation of atmospheric motion wind vectors (AMV) or to correct their height assignment errors.
Characteristics of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in relation to transionospheric satellite links around the northern crest in the Indian longitude sector
Authors: Das A. , Paul K. S. , Halder S. , Basu K. , Paul A.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The poleward gradient of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) introduces more intense propagation effects on transionospheric satellite links in comparison to the equatorward gradient. Characterization of the poleward gradient was performed during March–April, August–October 2011 and March–April 2012 using GPS total electron content (TEC) recorded from a chain of stations located more or less along the same meridian (88.5° E) at Calcutta, Baharampore, Farakka and Siliguri. The poleward gradients calculated on magnetically quiet days at elevation in excess of 50° at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00 LT were found to have a strong correlation with GPS S4 observed from Calcutta during post-sunset-to-midnight hours. A threshold value of poleward TEC gradient is calculated above which there is a probability of scintillation at Calcutta with S4 ≥ 0.4.
Speciation and dynamics of dissolved inorganic nitrogen export in the Danshui River, Taiwan
Authors: Lee T.-Y. , Shih Y.-T. , Huang J.-C. , Kao S.-J. , Shiah F.-K. , Liu K.-K.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, including ammonium, nitrite and nitrate) export from land to ocean is becoming dominated by anthropogenic activities and severely altering the aquatic ecosystem. However, rare observational analyses have been conducted in the Oceania, the hotspot of global DIN export. In this study a whole watershed monitoring network (20 stations) was conducted in 2003 to investigate the controlling factors of DIN export in the Danshui River of Taiwan. The results showed that DIN concentration ranged from ∼16 μM in the headwater and up to ∼430 μM in the estuary. However, the dominating DIN species transformed gradually from NO3− in the headwater (∼97%) to NH4+ in the estuary (∼70%), which well followed the descending dissolved oxygen (DO) distribution (from ∼8 mg L−1 to ∼1 mg L−1). NO2− was observed in the transition zone from high to low DO. DIN yield was increasing downstream, ranging from ∼160 to ∼6000 kg N km−2 yr−1 as population density increases toward the estuary, from ∼15 pop km−2 to ∼2600 pop km−2. Although the individual DIN export, ∼2.40 kg N person−1 yr−1, was comparable to the global average, the close-to-top DIN yield was observed owing to abundant rainfall, dense population, and the sensitive response to population increase. The Danshui River occupies 1.8 × 10−3% of the land surface area of the Earth but discharges disproportionately high percentage, ∼60 × 10−3% (∼14 000 t N yr−1) of the annual global DIN export to the ocean. Through this study, regulating factors and the significance of human population on DIN export were identified, and the regional databases were supplemented to promote the completeness of global models.
Qualitative and quantitative reconstructions of surface water characteristics and recent hydrographical changes in the Trondheimsfjord, central Norway
Authors: Milzer G. , Giraudeau J. , Schmidt S. , Eynaud F. , Faust J.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. In the present study we investigated dinocyst assemblages in the Trondheimsfjord over the last 25 to 50 yr from three well-dated multi-cores (210Pb and 137Cs) retrieved along the fjord axis. The downcore distribution of the dinocysts is discussed in view of changes in key hydrographic parameters of the surface waters (sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), sea-surface salinities (SSSs), and river discharges) monitored in the fjord. We examine the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation pattern and of waste water supply from the local industry and agriculture on the fjord ecological state and thus dinocyst species diversity. Our results show that dinocyst production and diversity in the fjord is not evidently affected by human-induced eutrophication. Instead the assemblages appear to be mainly controlled by the NAO-related changes in nutrient availability and the physico-chemical characteristics of the surface mixed layer. Still, discharges of major rivers have been modulated since 1985 by the implementation of hydropower plants, which certainly influences the amounts of nutrients supplied to the fjord. The impact, however, is variable according to the local geographical setting, and barely differentiated from natural changes in river run off. We ultimately test the use of the modern analogue technique (MAT) for the reconstruction of winter and summer SSTs and SSSs and annual primary productivity (PP) in this particular fjord setting. The reconstructed data are compared with time series of summer and winter SSTs and SSSs measured at 10 m water depth, as well as with mean annual PPs along the Norwegian coast and in Scandinavian fjords. The reconstructions are generally in good agreement with the instrumental measurements and observations from other fjords. Major deviations can be attributed to peculiarities in the assemblages linked to the particular fjord setting and the related hydrological structure.
The Wageningen Lowland Runoff Simulator (WALRUS): a lumped rainfall–runoff model for catchments with shallow groundwater
Authors: Brauer C. C. , Teuling A. J. , Torfs P. J. J. F. , Uijlenhoet R.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. We present the Wageningen Lowland Runoff Simulator (WALRUS), a novel rainfall–runoff model to fill the gap between complex, spatially distributed models which are often used in lowland catchments and simple, parametric (conceptual) models which have mostly been developed for mountainous catchments. WALRUS explicitly accounts for processes that are important in lowland areas, notably (1) groundwater-unsaturated zone coupling, (2) wetness-dependent flow routes, (3) groundwater-surface water feedbacks and (4) seepage and surface water supply. WALRUS consists of a coupled groundwater-vadose zone reservoir, a quickflow reservoir and a surface water reservoir. WALRUS is suitable for operational use because it is computationally efficient and numerically stable (achieved with a flexible time step approach). In the open source model code default relations have been implemented, leaving only four parameters which require calibration. For research purposes, these defaults can easily be changed. Numerical experiments show that the implemented feedbacks have the desired effect on the system variables.
A three-component hydrograph separation based on geochemical tracers in a tropical mountainous headwater catchment in northern Thailand
Authors: Hugenschmidt C. , Ingwersen J. , Sangchan W. , Sukvanachaikul Y. , Duffner A. , Uhlenbrook S. , Streck T.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Land-use change in the mountainous parts of northern Thailand is reflected by an increased application of agrochemicals, which may be lost to surface and groundwater. The close relation between flow paths and contaminant transport within hydrological systems requires recognizing and understanding the dominant hydrological processes. To date, the vast majority of studies on runoff generation have been conducted in temperate regions. Tropical regions suffer from a general lack of data, and little is known about runoff generation processes. To fill this knowledge gap, a three-component hydrograph separation based on geochemical tracers was carried out in a steep, remote and monsoon-dominated study site (7 km2) in northern Thailand. Silica and electrical conductivity (EC) were identified as useful tracers and were applied to calculate the fractions of groundwater (similar to pre-event water), shallow subsurface flow and surface runoff on stormflow. K+ was a useful indicator for surface runoff dynamics, and Ca2+ provided insights into groundwater behaviour. Nevertheless, neither measure was applicable for the quantification of runoff components. Cl- and further parameters (e.g. Na+, K+, and Mg2+) were also not helpful for flow path identification, nor were their concentrations distinguishable among the components. Groundwater contributed the largest fractions to stormflow (62–80%) throughout all events, followed by shallow subsurface flow (17–36%) and surface runoff (2–13%). Our results provide important insights into the dynamics of the runoff processes in the study area and may be used to assess the transport pattern of contaminants (i.e. agrochemicals) here.
Aquatic mammal science in Latin America: a bibliometric analysis for the first eight years of the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (2002-2010)
Authors: Palacios Daniel M. , Martins Cristiane C. A. , Olavarría Carlos
Published: February 2014

We conducted a meta-analysis of the publication statistics for Vols. 1-8 of the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM), the joint scholarly publication of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuáticos and the Sociedad Mexicana de Mastozoología Marina, with the following purposes: (a) identifying the main patterns in the authorship and content published between 2002 and 2010, and (b) assessing the contributions of these scientific societies in the Latin American and global contexts. With the caveat that the results are only representative of the researchers that chose to publish in LAJAM during the period covered by the study, the metadata from 168 articles indicated that most of the research was conducted on small odontocetes (Sotalia, Pontoporia, Tursiops) and pinnipeds (Arctocephalus, Otaria, Mirounga) of coastal habits. Rorqual whales (Balaenoptera, Megaptera) and oceanic odontocetes (Stenella, Mesoplodon, Orcinus, Delphinus) also were well represented. Studies of distribution (including first records) were the most common, followed by those related to feeding, strandings, health and bycatch. Seventeen countries were represented in the primary affiliation of the lead author, but just five dominated the contribution: Brazil (52%), Argentina (10%), México (7%), Uruguay (5%) and USA (5%). Among institution types, a university was reported as the primary affiliation type by 50% of the authors, while 26% reported a NGO, 17% a government agency and 7% another type of organization. A social network analysis of 404 authors identified a large, well-connected cluster of 263 authors. Within this cluster, 13 authors from Brazil, Perú, Argentina and Colombia were among the most collaborative. The female to male ratio was 1:1.6 among lead authors and 1:3.2 among lead authors that published more than one article, suggesting a gender disparity within this scientific community. According to Google Scholar™, 91 articles in LAJAM were cited in other publications through January 2012, with an average of 7.5 citations per article. The 15 most cited articles had between 13 and 15 citations, were predominantly from Brazil, and were mainly about small cetaceans.