bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Real-time Predictors of Engagement
Authors: Sharek David , Wiebe Eric
Published: March 2015

Engagement is a worthwhile psychological construct to examine in the context of video games and online training. In this context, previous research suggests that the more engaged a person is, the more likely they are to experience overall positive affect while performing at a high level. This research builds on theories of engagement, Flow Theory, and Cognitive Load Theory, to operationalize engagement in terms of cognitive load, affect, and performance. An adaptive algorithm was then developed to test the proposed operationalization of engagement. Using a puzzle-based video game, player performance and engagement was compared across three conditions: adaptive gameplay, a traditional linear gameplay, and choice-based gameplay. Results show that those in the adaptive gameplay condition performed higher compared to those in the other two conditions without any degradation of overall affect or self-report of engagement.
The Effects of a Knowledge Management-Based Model for Teacher Professional Development in Hands-On Approach
Authors: Ho Thang Vinh , Nakamori Yoshiteru , Ho T.B. , Nguyen Sy-Duc
Published: March 2015

The purposes of the study are (1) to examine the effectiveness of a teacher-training course based on a knowledge management model in blended learning environment; (2) to determine underlying factors that contributed to the success of the course. The employed knowledge management model, which consists of four processes: knowledge co-creation, internalization, sharing and evaluation. Thirty-one in-service secondary school teachers of Hoabinh province participated in a 24-hours teacher-training course for Hands-on approach. The repeated measure analysis of variance revealed that the course improved learners' knowledge and teaching skills for Hands-on approach. Moreover, the content analysed findings indicated that access, interactive activities, formation of learning community, flexibility, time and cost effectiveness, and involvement of administrators and school leaders were underlying factors that contributed to the success of the course. Further implications and suggestions for the courses are presented.
A Generation Method of Network Security Hardening Strategy Based on Attack Graphs
Authors: Zhao Chao , Wang Huiqiang , Lin Junyu , Lv Hongwu , Zhang Yushu
Published: March 2015

Analyzing attack graphs can provide network security hardening strategies for administrators. Concerning the problems of high time complexity and costly hardening strategies in previous methods, a method for generating low cost network security hardening strategies is proposed based on attack graphs. The authors' method assesses risks of attack paths according to path length and the common vulnerability scoring system, limits search scope with a threshold to reduce the time complexity, and lowers cost of hardening strategies by using a heuristic algorithm. The experimental results show that the authors' method has good scalability, and significantly reduces cost of network security hardening strategies with reasonable running time.
Temporal-Aware QoS-Based Service Recommendation using Tensor Decomposition
Authors: Li Zhi , Cao Jian , Gu Qi
Published: March 2015

The number of services on the Internet is growing rapidly. Thus, the problem of selecting proper services for most users becomes serious and service recommendation is widely needed. Besides functions, QoS information is also an important factor to be considered when making recommendations to users. However, QoS changes with time. To address and solve these challenges, this paper proposes a temporal-aware QoS-based service recommendation framework, and also comes up with a prediction algorithm based on Tucker decomposition. Moreover, the authors use real-world datasets to verify our method with results better than traditional methods.
Infusing a Research Culture
Authors: Dayaratne Ranjith
Published: March 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/besl.v11i2.7605Built-environment: Sri Lanka Vol.11(2) 2015
Developing and integrating tactics to slow ash (Oleaceae) mortality caused by emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Authors: McCullough Deborah G. , Mercader Rodrigo J. , Siegert Nathan W.
Published: March 2015

Practical and effective strategies to manage emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennisFairmaire; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are increasingly important given economic and ecological impacts of this invader. While EAB detection remains challenging, tactics are available to protect individual ash (FraxinusLinnaeus; Oleaceae) trees and slow EAB population growth, thereby delaying ash mortality. Simulations with a coupled map lattice model, parameterised with data from numerous field studies, showed treating trees with a highly effective systemic insecticide (TREE-äge™; emamectin benzoate), would be more effective in slowing EAB population growth than girdling trees to attract ovipositing females then destroying trees before larvae develop, while harvesting ash to reduce available phloem would have the least effect. From 2008 to 2012, cooperators participated in a pilot project to implement an integrated strategy for an EAB infestation in Upper Michigan, United States of America. Ash was inventoried and EAB density monitored using girdled ash detection trees supplemented with baited artificial traps across the >750 km2project area. While only a tiny fraction of ash trees in the project area were girdled (444–855 trees annually) or injected with TREE-äge™ (<360 roadside trees annually), and treatment distribution was restricted, both treatments slowed EAB population growth. Coupling TREE-äge™ injections with other tactics will likely yield additive or synergistic outcomes.
Unique Roles of Infiltrating Myeloid Cells in the Murine Uterus during Early to Midpregnancy
Authors: Zhao Hui , Kalish Flora , Schulz Stephanie , Yang Yang , Wong Ronald J. , Stevenson David K.
Published: March 2015

Leukocyte infiltration into the uterus is a characteristic feature in early to midpregnancy, but the composition and function of these leukocytes are not well understood. Using a pregnant murine model, we showed that myeloid cells and uterine NK (uNK) cells were the predominant populations in uteri during early to midgestation, whereas T and B cells were constrained. Uterine myeloid populations included cells that infiltrated from the circulation (myeloid-derived suppressor cells [MDSCs], monocyte-derived macrophages [Mφs], and dendritic cells [DCs]) or proliferated from resident precursors (resident Mφs [Re-Mφs] and DCs). CD11bhiLy6-Ghi cells, representing neutrophils in both blood and uterine MDSCs, significantly increased from embryonic days 8.5 to 9.5. To understand their putative functions, we used anti–Gr-1 Ab to deplete circulating neutrophils and uterine MDSCs. In the absence of MDSC suppression, uterine DCs, T cells, and regulatory T cells expanded. Conversely, uterine MDSCs responded to LPS-induced inflammation and transformed into CD14+-activated neutrophils, resulting in an upregulation of tolerogenic DCs. A high dose of LPS (2.5 μg/mouse) significantly increased the influx of neutrophils and production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α, resulting in the reduction of Re-Mφs and uNK cells, and led to placental hemorrhages and fetal deaths. In summary, uterine MDSCs are important in early to midpregnancy by responding to the maternal immunologic milieu and protecting uNK cells and Re-Mφs via MDSC’s suppressive and anti-inflammatory functions. Upsetting this delicate immune balance by factors leading to either insufficient MDSCs or excessive neutrophil infiltration in the fetomaternal interface may contribute to pregnancy failure.
The Upregulation of LAG-3 on T Cells Defines a Subpopulation with Functional Exhaustion and Correlates with Disease Progression in HIV-Infected Subjects
Authors: Tian Xiaoling , Zhang Anli , Qiu Chao , Wang Wei , Yang Yu , Qiu Chenli , Liu Aiping , Zhu Lingyan , Yuan Songhua , Hu Huiliang , Wang Wanhai , Wei Qiang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Jianqing
Published: March 2015

T cells develop functional defects during HIV-1 infection, partially due to the upregulation of inhibitory receptors such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) and CTLA-4. However, the role of lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3; CD223), also known as an inhibitory receptor, in HIV infection remains to be determined. In this study, we revealed that LAG-3 on T cells delivers an inhibitory signal to downregulate T cell functionality, thereby playing an immunoregulatory role during persistent HIV-1 infection. We observed that HIV-1 infection results in a significant increase in LAG-3 expression in both the peripheral blood and the lymph nodes. The upregulation of LAG-3 is dramatically manifested on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and is correlated with disease progression. As expected, prolonged antiretroviral therapy reduces the expression of LAG-3 on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The ex vivo blockade of LAG-3 significantly augments HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, whereas the overexpression of LAG-3 in T cells or the stimulation of LAG-3 on T cells leads to the reduction of T cell responses. Furthermore, most LAG-3 and PD-1 are expressed in different T cell subsets. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the LAG-3/MHC class II pathway plays an immunoregulatory role, thereby providing an important target for enhancing immune reconstitution in HIV-infected patients. Additionally, the LAG-3/MHC class II pathway may synergize with PD-1/PD ligand to enhance T cell–mediated immune responses.
CD4+ T Cell–Derived IL-21 and Deprivation of CD40 Signaling Favor the In Vivo Development of Granzyme B–Expressing Regulatory B Cells in HIV Patients
Authors: Kaltenmeier Christof , Gawanbacht Ali , Beyer Thamara , Lindner Stefanie , Trzaska Timo , van der Merwe Johannes Andreas , Härter Georg , Grüner Beate , Fabricius Dorit , Lotfi Ramin , Schwarz Klaus , Schütz Catharina , Hönig Manfred , Schulz Ansgar , Kern Peter , Bommer Martin , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Kirchhoff Frank , Jahrsdörfer Bernd
Published: March 2015

IL-21 can induce both plasma cells and regulatory B cells. In this article, we demonstrate that untreated HIV patients display CD4+ T cells with enhanced IL-21 expression and high in vivo frequencies of regulatory B cells overexpressing the serine protease granzyme B. Granzyme B–expressing regulatory B cells (GraB cells) cells from HIV patients exhibit increased expression of CD5, CD43, CD86, and CD147 but do not produce IL-10. The main functional characteristic of their regulatory activity is direct granzyme B–dependent degradation of the TCR-ζ–chain, resulting in significantly decreased proliferative T cell responses. Although Th cells from HIV patients secrete IL-21 in a Nef-dependent manner, they barely express CD40L. When culturing such IL-21+CD40L− Th cells with B cells, the former directly induce B cell differentiation into GraB cells. In contrast, the addition of soluble CD40L multimers to T cell/B cell cultures redirects B cell differentiation toward plasma cells, indicating that CD40L determines the direction of IL-21–dependent B cell differentiation. As proof of principle, we confirmed this mechanism in a patient lacking intact CD40 signaling due to a NEMO mutation. The majority of peripheral B cells from this patient were GraB cells and strongly suppressed T cell proliferation. In conclusion, GraB cells represent potent regulatory B cells in humans that are phenotypically and functionally distinct from B10 cells and occur in early HIV infection. GraB cells may contribute significantly to immune dysfunction in HIV patients, and may also explain ineffective Ab responses after vaccination. The use of soluble CD40L multimers may help to improve vaccination responses in HIV patients.
Distinct Modes of Antigen Presentation Promote the Formation, Differentiation, and Activity of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells In Vivo
Authors: Weissler Katherine A. , Garcia Victoria , Kropf Elizabeth , Aitken Malinda , Bedoya Felipe , Wolf Amaya I. , Erikson Jan , Caton Andrew J.
Published: March 2015

How the formation and activity of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are shaped by TCR recognition of the diverse array of peptide:MHC complexes that can be generated from self-antigens and/or foreign Ags in vivo remains poorly understood. We show that a self-peptide with low (but not high) stimulatory potency promotes thymic Treg formation and can induce conventional CD4+ T cells in the periphery to become Tregs that express different levels of the transcription factor Helios according to anatomical location. When Tregs generated in response to this self-peptide subsequently encountered the same peptide derived instead from influenza virus in the lung-draining lymph nodes of infected mice, they proliferated, acquired a T-bet+CXCR3+ phenotype, and suppressed the antiviral effector T cell response in the lungs. However, these self-antigen–selected Tregs were unable to suppress the antiviral immune response based on recognition of the peptide as a self-antigen rather than a viral Ag. Notably, when expressed in a more immunostimulatory form, the self-peptide inhibited the formation of T-bet+CXCR3+ Tregs in response to viral Ag, and Ag-expressing B cells from these mice induced Treg division without upregulation of CXCR3. These studies show that a weakly immunostimulatory self-peptide can induce thymic and peripheral Foxp3+ Treg formation but is unable to activate self-antigen–selected Tregs to modulate an antiviral immune response. Moreover, a strongly immunostimulatory self-peptide expressed by B cells induced Tregs to proliferate without acquiring an effector phenotype that allows trafficking from the draining lymph node to the lungs and, thereby, prevented the Tregs from suppressing the antiviral immune response.
Miospores from the Middle and Early Upper Devonian rocks of the western Queen Elizabeth Islands, Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Owens B
Published: March 2015

Seventy-three forms of miospores are recorded from the Weatherall and Griper Bay Formations, of Middle and early Upper Devonian age, from the western Queen Elizabeth Islands, Arctic Archipelago. Thirty seven of the species described are new , twenty three are
records of previously described species although ten of these have been reassigned to different genera, the remain twenty three are r e cords of previously described species although ten of these have been reassigned to different genera, the remaining thirteen forms are described as spore types .
Two new genera are proposed, Verl"Uairetusispora n . gen. and Contagisporites n. gen. and the concept of one genus Geminospora Balme 1960 emended. The problems of generic assignment of the large numbers of specimens found in most of the samples which resemble forms assigned by Russian palynologists
to Archaeozonotriletes sensu Naumova are discussed, and the relationship between Archaeozonotriletes sensu Naumova and Archaeozonotriletes (Naumova) Allen and between Archaeozonotriletes sensu Naumova and Geminospora Balme emend. is considered in detail. The composition of the assemblages from both
formations is discussed and the value of the assemblages for stratigraphic correlation purposes is assessed. Direct comparisons are made between the Weatherall and Griper Bay Formation assemblages and those of similar Middle and early Upper Devonian age from the U.S.A., Spitsbergen, England,
Scotland, Belgium, France, Australia and various regions of the U.S.S.R. Certain broad stratigraphical conclusions a r e proposed particularly between the Canadian assemblages and those from Scotland, France and certain parts of the U.S.S.R.
Trichomonas vaginalis Associated with Chronic Penile Ulcers and Multiple Urethral Fistulas
Authors: Gosnell Bernadett I. , Costiniuk Cecilia T. , Mathaba Elias , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus S.
Published: March 2015

The case of a 29-year-old, HIV-infected man presenting with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV)–associated chronic penile ulcers and multiple urethral fistulas is described. To our knowledge, this is the first description of chronic TV infection being implicated as the probable cause of a destructive lesion leading to sinus drainage and fistula formation.
Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System Database as a Surveillance Tool for Travel-Associated Infectious Diseases
Authors: Olson Daniel , Birkholz Meghan , Gaensbauer James T. , Asturias Edwin J. , Todd James K.
Published: March 2015

The Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database collects admission, diagnostic, and treatment data among 44 children's hospitals across the United States (U.S.) and presents an opportunity for travel-associated infectious disease (TAID) surveillance. We calculated cumulative incidence rates among children admitted to 16 PHIS hospitals for dengue, malaria, and typhoid, and pooled TAID using discharge codes from 1999 to 2012. We compared incidence rates before, during, and after the 2007–2009 economic recession. Among 16 PHIS hospitals during the study period (1999–2012), incidence of dengue and pooled TAID (malaria, dengue, typhoid fever) increased significantly, and rates of malaria and typhoid trended upward. Admissions for dengue and pooled TAIDs increased significantly among 16 children's hospitals across the United States from 1999 to 2012. The PHIS database may provide a useful surveillance tool for TAIDs among children in the United States.
Formation of secondary organic aerosol in the Paris pollution plume and its impact on surrounding regions
Authors: Zhang Q. J. , Beekmann M. , Freney E. , Sellegri K. , Pichon J. M. , Schwarzenboeck A. , Colomb A. , Bourrianne T. , Michoud V. , Borbon A.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Secondary pollutants such as ozone, secondary inorganic aerosol, and secondary organic aerosol formed in the plume of megacities can affect regional air quality. In the framework of the FP7/EU MEGAPOLI project, an intensive campaign was launched in the Greater Paris Region in July 2009. The major objective was to quantify different sources of organic aerosol (OA) within a megacity and in its plume. In this study, we use airborne measurements aboard the French ATR-42 aircraft to evaluate the regional chemistry-transport model CHIMERE within and downwind the Paris region. Slopes of the plume OA levels vs. Ox (= O3 + NO2) show secondary OA (SOA) formation normalized with respect to photochemical activity and are used for specific evaluation of the OA scheme in the model. Simulated and observed slopes are in good agreement, when the most realistic "high-NOx" yields are used in the Volatility-Basis-Set scheme implemented into the model. In addition, these slopes are relatively stable from one day to another, which suggest that they are characteristic for the given megacity plume environment. Since OA within the plume is mainly formed from anthropogenic precursors (VOC and primary OA, POA), this work allows a specific evaluation of anthropogenic SOA and SOA formed from primary semi-volatile and intermediate volatile VOCs (SI-SOA) formation scheme in a model. For specific plumes, this anthropogenic OA build-up can reach about 10 μg m−3. For the average of the month of July 2009, maximum increases occur close to the agglomeration for primary OA are noticed at several tens (for POA) to hundred (for SI-SOA) kilometers of distance from the Paris agglomeration.
Modeling of rain attenuation and site diversity predictions for tropical regions
Authors: Semire F. A. , Mohd-Mokhtar R. , Ismail W. , Mohamad N. , Mandeep J. S.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Presented in this paper is an empirical model for long-term rain attenuation prediction and statistical prediction of site diversity gain on a slant path. Rain attenuation prediction on a slant path is derived using data collected from tropical regions, and the formula proposed is based on Gaussian distribution. The proposed rain attenuation model shows a considerable reduction in prediction error in terms of standard deviation and root-mean-square (rms) error. The site diversity prediction model is derived as a function of site separation distance, frequency of operation, elevation angle and baseline orientation angle. The novelty of the model is the inclusion of low elevation angles and a high link frequency up to 70 GHz in the model derivation. The results of comparison with Hodge, Panagopoulos and Nagaraja empirical predictions show that the proposed model provides a better performance for site separation distance and elevation angle. The overall performance of the proposed site diversity model is good, and the percentage error is within the allowable error limit approved by International Telecommunication Union – Region (ITU-R).
A halocarbon survey from a seagrass dominated subtropical lagoon, Ria Formosa (Portugal): flux pattern and isotopic composition
Authors: Weinberg I. , Bahlmann E. , Eckhardt T. , Michaelis W. , Seifert R.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. In this study we report fluxes of chloromethane (CH3Cl), bromomethane (CH3Br), iodomethane (CH3I), and bromoform (CHBr3) from two sampling campaigns (summer and spring) in the seagrass dominated subtropical lagoon Ria Formosa, Portugal. Dynamic flux chamber measurements were performed when seagrass patches were either air-exposed or submerged. Overall, we observed highly variable fluxes from the seagrass meadows and attributed them to diurnal cycles, tidal effects, and the variety of possible sources and sinks in the seagrass meadows. The highest emissions with up to 130 nmol m−2 h−1 for CH3Br were observed during tidal changes, from air exposure to submergence and conversely. Furthermore, during the spring campaign, the emissions of halocarbons were significantly elevated during tidal inundation as compared to air exposure. Accompanying water sampling performed during both campaigns revealed elevated concentrations of CH3Cl and CH3Br, indicating productive sources within the lagoon. Stable carbon isotopes of halocarbons from the air and water phase along with source signatures were used to allocate the distinctive sources and sinks in the lagoon. Results suggest that CH3Cl was rather originating from seagrass meadows and water column than from salt marshes. Aqueous and atmospheric CH3Br was substantially enriched in 13C in comparison to source signatures for seagrass meadows and salt marshes. This suggests a significant contribution from the water phase on the atmospheric CH3Br in the lagoon. A rough global upscaling yields annual productions from seagrass meadows of 2.3–4.5 Gg yr−1, 0.5–1.0 Gg yr−1, 0.6–1.2 Gg yr−1, and 1.9–3.7 Gg yr−1 for CH3Cl, CH3Br, CH3I, and CHBr3 respectively. This suggests a minor contribution from seagrass meadows to the global production of CH3Cl and CH3Br with about 0.1 and 0.7%, respectively. In comparison to the known marine sources for CH3I and CHBr3, seagrass meadows are rather small sources.
Water column biogeochemistry of oxygen minimum zones in the eastern tropical North Atlantic and eastern tropical South Pacific Oceans
Authors: Löscher C. R. , Bange H. W. , Schmitz R. A. , Callbeck C. M. , Engel A. , Hauss H. , Kanzow T. , Kiko R. , Lavik G. , Loginova A. , Melzner F. , Neulinger S. C. , Pahlow M. , Riebesell U. , Schunck H. , Thomsen S. , Wagner H.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Recent modeling results suggest that oceanic oxygen levels will decrease significantly over the next decades to centuries in response to climate change and altered ocean circulation. Hence the future ocean may experience major shifts in nutrient cycling triggered by the expansion and intensification of tropical oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). There are numerous feedbacks between oxygen concentrations, nutrient cycling and biological productivity; however, existing knowledge is insufficient to understand physical, chemical and biological interactions in order to adequately assess past and potential future changes. We investigated the pelagic biogeochemistry of OMZs in the eastern tropical North Atlantic and eastern tropical South Pacific during a series of cruise expeditions and mesocosm studies. The following summarizes the current state of research on the influence of low environmental oxygen conditions on marine biota, viruses, organic matter formation and remineralization with a particular focus on the nitrogen cycle in OMZ regions. The impact of sulfidic events on water column biogeochemistry, originating from a specific microbial community capable of highly efficient carbon fixation, nitrogen turnover and N2O production is further discussed. Based on our findings, an important role of sinking particulate organic matter in controlling the nutrient stochiometry of the water column is suggested. These particles can enhance degradation processes in OMZ waters by acting as microniches, with sharp gradients enabling different processes to happen in close vicinity, thus altering the interpretation of oxic and anoxic environments.
Endless cold: a seasonal reconstruction of temperature and precipitation in the Burgundian Low Countries during the 15th century based on documentary evidence
Authors: Camenisch C.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. This paper applies the methods of historical climatology to present a climate reconstruction for the area of the Burgundian Low Countries during the 15th century. The results are based on documentary evidence that has been handled very carefully, especially with regard to the distinction between contemporary and non-contemporary sources. Approximately 3000 written records deriving from about 100 different sources were examined and converted into seasonal seven-degree indices for temperature and precipitation. For the Late Middle Ages only a few climate reconstructions exist. There are even fewer reconstructions which include winter and autumn temperature or precipitation at all. This paper therefore constitutes a useful contribution to the understanding of climate and weather conditions in the less well researched but highly interesting 15th century.
The Scaling LInear Macroweather model (SLIM): using scaling to forecast global scale macroweather from months to decades
Authors: Lovejoy S. , del Rio Amador L. , Hébert R.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. At scales of ≈ 10 days (the lifetime of planetary scale structures), there is a drastic transition from high frequency weather to low frequency macroweather. This scale is close to the predictability limits of deterministic atmospheric models; so that in GCM macroweather forecasts, the weather is a high frequency noise. But neither the GCM noise nor the GCM climate is fully realistic. In this paper we show how simple stochastic models can be developped that use empirical data to force the statistics and climate to be realistic so that even a two parameter model can outperform GCM's for annual global temperature forecasts. The key is to exploit the scaling of the dynamics and the enormous stochastic memories that it implies. Since macroweather intermittency is low, we propose using the simplest model based on fractional Gaussian noise (fGn): the Scaling LInear Macroweather model (SLIM). SLIM is based on a stochastic ordinary differential equations, differing from usual linear stochastic models (such as the Linear Inverse Modelling, LIM) in that it is of fractional rather than integer order. Whereas LIM implicitly assumes there is no low frequency memory, SLIM has a huge memory that can be exploited. Although the basic mathematical forecast problem for fGn has been solved, we approach the problem in an original manner notably using the method of innovations to obtain simpler results on forecast skill and on the size of the effective system memory. A key to successful forecasts of natural macroweather variability is to first remove the low frequency anthropogenic component. A previous attempt to use fGn for forecasts had poor results because this was not done. We validate our theory using hindcasts of global and Northern Hemisphere temperatures at monthly and annual resolutions. Several nondimensional measures of forecast skill – with no adjustable parameters – show excellent agreement with hindcasts and these show some skill even at decadal scales. We also compare our forecast errors with those of several GCM experiments (with and without initialization), and with other stochastic forecasts showing that even this simplest two parameter SLIM model is somewhat superior. In future, using a space–time (regionalized) generalization of SLIM we expect to be able to exploiting the system memory more extensively and obtain even more realistic forecasts.
Implementing marine organic aerosols into the GEOS-Chem model
Authors: Gantt B. , Johnson M. S. , Crippa M. , Prévôt A. S. H. , Meskhidze N.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Marine-sourced organic aerosols (MOAs) have been shown to play an important role in tropospheric chemistry by impacting surface mass, cloud condensation nuclei, and ice nuclei concentrations over remote marine and coastal regions. In this work, an online marine primary organic aerosol emission parameterization, designed to be used for both global and regional models, was implemented into the GEOS-Chem (Global Earth Observing System Chemistry) model. The implemented emission scheme improved the large underprediction of organic aerosol concentrations in clean marine regions (normalized mean bias decreases from −79% when using the default settings to −12% when marine organic aerosols are added). Model predictions were also in good agreement (correlation coefficient of 0.62 and normalized mean bias of −36%) with hourly surface concentrations of MOAs observed during the summertime at an inland site near Paris, France. Our study shows that MOAs have weaker coastal-to-inland concentration gradients than sea-salt aerosols, leading to several inland European cities having >10% of their surface submicron organic aerosol mass concentration with a marine source. The addition of MOA tracers to GEOS-Chem enabled us to identify the regions with large contributions of freshly emitted or aged aerosol having distinct physicochemical properties, potentially indicating optimal locations for future field studies.
Increasing vertical mixing to reduce Southern Ocean deep convection in NEMO
Authors: Heuzé C. , Ridley J. K. , Calvert D. , Stevens D. P. , Heywood K. J.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Most CMIP5 models unrealistically form Antarctic Bottom Water by open ocean deep convection in the Weddell and Ross Seas. To identify the triggering mechanisms leading to Southern Ocean deep convection in models, we perform sensitivity experiments on the ocean model NEMO forced by prescribed atmospheric fluxes. We vary the vertical velocity scale of the Langmuir turbulence, the fraction of turbulent kinetic energy transferred below the mixed layer, and the background diffusivity and run short simulations from 1980. All experiments exhibit deep convection in the Riiser-Larsen Sea in 1987; the origin is a positive sea ice anomaly in 1985, causing a shallow anomaly in mixed layer depth, hence anomalously warm surface waters and subsequent polynya opening. Modifying the vertical mixing impacts both the climatological state and the associated surface anomalies. The experiments with enhanced mixing exhibit colder surface waters and reduced deep convection. The experiments with decreased mixing are warmer, open larger polynyas and have deep convection across the Weddell Sea until the simulations end. Extended experiments reveal an increase in the Drake Passage transport of 4 Sv each year deep convection occurs, leading to an unrealistically large transport at the end of the simulation. North Atlantic deep convection is not significantly affected by the changes in mixing parameters. As new climate model overflow parameterisations are developed to form Antarctic Bottom Water more realistically, we argue that models would benefit from stopping Southern Ocean deep convection, for example by increasing their vertical mixing.
Qualitative soil moisture assessment in semi-arid Africa: the role of experience and training on inter-rater reliability
Authors: Rinderer M. , Komakech H. , Müller D. , Seibert J.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Soil and water management is particularly relevant in semi-arid regions to enhance agricultural productivity. During periods of water scarcity soil moisture differences are important indicators of the soil water deficit and are traditionally used for allocating water resources among farmers of a village community. Here we present a simple, inexpensive soil wetness classification scheme based on qualitative indicators which one can see or touch on the soil surface. It incorporates the local farmers' knowledge on the best soil moisture conditions for seeding and brick making in the semi-arid environment of the study site near Arusha, Tanzania. The scheme was tested twice in 2014 with farmers, students and experts (April: 40 persons, June: 25 persons) for inter-rater reliability, bias of individuals and functional relation between qualitative and quantitative soil moisture values. During the test in April farmers assigned the same wetness class in 46% of all cases while students and experts agreed in about 60% of all cases. Students who had been trained in how to apply the method gained higher inter-rater reliability than their colleagues with only a basic introduction. When repeating the test in June, participants were given improved instructions, organized in small sub-groups, which resulted in a higher inter-rater reliability among farmers. In 66% of all classifications farmers assigned the same wetness class and the spread of class assignments was smaller. This study demonstrates that a wetness classification scheme based on qualitative indicators is a robust tool and can be applied successfully regardless of experience in crop growing and education level when an in-depth introduction and training is provided. The use of a simple and clear layout of the assessment form is important for reliable wetness class assignments.
Adsorption, desorption and fractionation of As(V) on untreated and mussel shell-treated granitic material
Authors: Seco-Reigosa N. , Cutillas-Barreiro L. , Nóvoa-Muñoz J. C. , Arias-Estévez M. , Álvarez-Rodríguez E. , Fernández-Sanjurjo M. J. , Núñez-Delgado A.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. As(V) adsorption and desorption were studied on granitic material, coarse and fine mussel shell and granitic material amended with 12 and 24 t ha−1 fine shell, investigating the effect of different As(V) concentrations and different pH as well as the fractions where the adsorbed As(V) was retained. As(V) adsorption was higher on fine than on coarse shell. Mussel shell amendment increased As(V) adsorption on granitic material. Adsorption data corresponding to the unamended and shell-amended granitic material were satisfactory fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Desorption was always <19% when the highest As(V) concentration (100 mg L−1) was added. Regarding the effect of pH, the granitic material showed its highest adsorption (66%) at pH <6, and it was lower as pH increased. Fine shell presented notable adsorption in the whole pH range between 6 and 12, with a maximum of 83%. The shell-amended granitic material showed high As(V) adsorption, with a maximum (99%) at pH near 8, but decreased as pH increased. Desorption varying pH was always <26%. In the granitic material, desorption increased progressively when pH increased from 4 to 6, contrary to what happened to mussel shell. Regarding the fractionation of the adsorbed As(V), most of it was in the soluble fraction (weakly bound). The granitic material did not show high As(V) retention capacity, which could facilitate As(V) transfer to water courses and to the food chain in case of As(V) compounds being applied on this material; however, the mussel shell amendment increased As(V) retention, making this practice recommendable.
Evolution of a highly dilatant fault zone in the grabens of Canyonlands National Park, Utah/USA – integrating field work, ground penetrating radar and airborne imagery analysis
Authors: Kettermann M. , Grützner C. , van Gent H. W. , Urai J. L. , Reicherter K. , Mertens J.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The grabens of the Canyonlands National Park are a young and active system of sub-parallel, arcuate grabens, whose evolution is the result of salt movement in the subsurface and a slight regional tilt of the faulted strata. We present results of ground penetrating radar surveys in combination with field observations and analysis of high resolution airborne imagery. GPR data show intense faulting of the Quaternary sediments at the flat graben floors, implying a more complex fault structure than visible at the surface. Direct measurements of heave and throw at several locations to infer fault dips at depth, combined with observations of primary joint surfaces in the upper 100 m suggest a model of the highly dilatant fault geometry in profile. Sinkholes observed in the field as well as in airborne imagery give insights in local massive dilatancy and show where water and sediments are transported underground. Based on correlations of paleosols observed in outcrops and GPR profiles, we argue that the grabens in Canyonlands National Park are either older than previously assumed, or that sedimentation rates were much higher in the Pleistocene.
Influence of freshwater input on the skill of decadal forecast of sea ice in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Zunz V. , Goosse H.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Recent studies have investigated the potential link between the freshwater input derived from the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet and the observed recent increase in sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean. In this study, we assess the impact of an additional freshwater flux on the trend in sea ice extent and concentration in simulations with data assimilation, spanning the period 1850–2009, as well as in retrospective forecasts (hindcasts) initialised in 1980. In the simulations with data assimilation, the inclusion of an additional freshwater flux that follows an autoregressive process improves the reconstruction of the trend in ice extent and concentration between 1980 and 2009. This is linked to a better efficiency of the data assimilation procedure but can also be due to a better representation of the freshwater cycle in the Southern Ocean. The results of the hindcast simulations show that an adequate initial state, reconstructed thanks to the data assimilation procedure including an additional freshwater flux, can lead to an increase in the sea ice extent spanning several decades that is in agreement with satellite observations. In our hindcast simulations, an increase in sea ice extent is obtained even in the absence of any major change in the freshwater input over the last decades. Therefore, while the additional freshwater flux appears to play a key role in the reconstruction of the evolution of the sea ice in the simulation with data assimilation, it does not seem to be required in the hindcast simulations. The present work thus provides encouraging results for sea ice predictions in the Southern Ocean, as in our simulation the positive trend in ice extent over the last 30 years is largely determined by the state of the system in the late 1970s.
De stad als lab voor sociale verandering
Authors: Karré Philip Marcel , Vanhommerig Iris , van Bueren Ellen
Published: March 2015

Introduction: The city as a lab for social change

The city is hot: solutions to the world’s everyday problems are increasingly sought at the local level. Local administrations are handed more responsibilities through decentralizations and much is expected of the pragmatic skills of mayors. A great deal of hope is directed at the self-organizing abilities of cities, which can be seen as laboratories for social change and improvement. In this themed issue we will critically review these high expectations of cities and the local level. Can cities live up to these expectations, and at what point does ‘hope’ become ‘hype’? This introductory article mainly focuses on the concept of living labs, which are presented as an accessible, innovative and pragmatic way to address social issues in neighbourhoods.
Intermezzo II: Persoonlijke reflecties uit de praktijk rondom steden als living/urban labs en de samenwerking tussen kennisinstellingen, bedrijfsleven, stedelijk en nationaal bestuur
Authors: van Winden Willem
Published: March 2015

Intermezzo II: Personal reflections on working in living labs

Willem van Winden has done research about and has worked in several living labs at home and abroad. In this contribution he summarizes several practical lessons based on these experiences.
Gedrag als succesformule voor beleid
Authors: Houppermans Meyken
Published: March 2015

Behavioral sciences as success formula for public policy: Do behavioral sights lead to successful public policy?

The economic crisis is forcing Dutch government to deliberate decisions that lead to effective public policy.

There seems to be a trend for the involvement of behavioral insights in the policymaking process, in order to achieve more effective public policy. The Government Strategy Board organized several conferences on this topic and the Scientific Council for Government policy researches this subject.

To what extent can behavioral insights be considered a success formula for policy? This article offers a critical consideration from the findings of the thesis ’Two sides of the coin’, that deals with the relationship between the policymaking process and the effectiveness of public policy and makes it clear that behavioral insights are an important condition for successful policy. However, success demands an update of the current dominant scientific perspective on public policy as well as a realistic judgement of the high requirements on policy makers to involve behavioral insights in the policymaking process.
Effecten van detentie op het vinden van werk en een woning
Authors: Dirkzwager Anja , Blokland Arjan , Nannes Kimberley , Vroonland Marieke
Published: March 2015

The effects of imprisonment on finding a job and a place to live. Two field experiments

In this paper we examine to what extent a prison record negatively affects employment and accommodation outcomes after release from prison. Two randomized field experiments were conducted in which we had fictitious persons respond by email to online job openings and online advertisements for rented accommodations. In total, we responded to 384 job openings and to 231 advertisements for rented accommodations. Contrary to expectations, applicants with a prison record were not less likely to receive a positive response from employers than applicants without a prison record. Applicants with a non-western background, however, were less likely to receive a positive response. In the housing experiment, we did find a significant effect of having a prison record. Former prisoners were less likely to receive a positive response during their search for a place to live.
Wederopsluiting na elektronische detentie en reguliere detentie in België
Authors: Blokland Arjan , Wermink Hilde , Robert Luc , Maes Eric
Published: March 2015

Re-imprisonment after electronic monitoring and regular imprisonment in Belgium

Electronic monitoring is increasingly used as an alternative to imprisonment. Compared to imprisonment, electronic monitoring presumably is less costly. Furthermore, compared to imprisonment electronic monitoring may have less collateral consequences, as detainees who are electronically monitored are able to keep their job, housing and social networks, which are in turn associated with reduced recidivism. On the other hand electronic monitoring may have less of a deterrent effect than imprisonment, and deviant networks also remain intact, which may increase the likelihood of future crime and with it the likelihood of re-imprisonment. Here we make use of data from the Belgian penitentiary register to compare re-imprisonment of those having served their sentence under electronic monitoring and those regularly imprisoned, and limit our analyses to offenders with a prison sentence between six months and three years. We use propensity score matching to control for pre-existing differences between these groups. Our findings show that detainees are less likely to be re-imprisoned after electronic monitoring than after regular imprisonment.
Interseção entre a Gestão do Conhecimento e a Cultura Organizacional: Um Estudo sobre a Percepção dos Gerentes de Projetos
Authors: Souza Fernando Henrique , Ziviani Fabricio , Goulart Flávia Monique Fernandes
Published: March 2015

A cultura organizacional e a gestão do conhecimento continuam sendo temas relevantes de estudo dentro da teoria das organizações, e na área de gerenciamento de projetos. Eles podem ter uma importante influência na capacidade de um projeto atingir os seus objetivos, na velocidade com que se adaptem às inovações do mercado e no processo decisório. A cultura e o conhecimento são fatores ambientais da empresa que tem papel significante no comportamento das organizações, os gerentes de projetos devem compreender os diferentes tipos de conhecimentos e culturas organizacionais que podem afetar seus projetos. Dentre os 42 processos do gerenciamento de projetos os fatores ambientais da empresa são considerados como entradas em grande parte deles, o que torna a cultura e o conhecimento um dos aspectos que pode gerar impactos nos objetivos planejados. A maioria das organizações tem culturas exclusivas, composta por diversos elementos, e se manifesta de diversas formas dentre valores, normas, crenças e expectativas, políticas, normas e procedimentos, que são vistos como um sistema de significados que são aceitos publica e coletivamente.
Granuloma annulare and necrobiosis lipoidica with sequential occurrence in a patient: report and review of literature
Authors: Rupley Katherine A. , Riahi Ryan R. , Hooper Deirdre O’Boyle
Published: March 2015

Granuloma annulare (GA) and necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) are granulomatous diseases of undetermined etiology. Rarely, both dermatoses have been reported to occur concomitantly in patients. GA and NL are characterized histologically by areas of necrobiosis of collagen. The two diseases share some common characteristics, which may suggest that these dermatoses could occur as a spectrum in some patients or possibly share a similar pathogenesis. We report on a 67-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of NL on the anterior shins that later developed lesions of GA on the breasts, trunk, and wrist. We also review the literature and discuss the characteristics of patients with concomitant GA and NL.
Melanoma in situ colonizing basal cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Mancebo Silvia E. , Marchetti Michael A. , Hollmann Travis J. , Marghoob Ashfaq A. , Busam Klaus J. , Halpern Allan C.
Published: March 2015

Colonization of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) by melanoma cells is a unique and uncommonly reported cutaneous entity. We describe a bluish nodule on the left forearm found during routine skin cancer surveillance examination with suspicious dermatoscopic findings including central-blue-white veil, sparse atypical dots, and a surrounding pink vascular blush with focal irregular tan-brown pigmentation at the periphery. Histopathology demonstrated a pigmented BCC with an overlying and adjacent melanoma in situ (MIS), as well as colonization of the BCC nodule by melanoma cells. We performed a review of the literature on the topic and discuss other presentations of cutaneous neoplasms composed of both BCC and melanoma, including collision, combined, and biphenotypic tumors. The prognostic and management challenges inherent to this distinctive neoplasm are summarized.
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the cheek—a case report with dermatoscopy and dermatopathology
Authors: Inskip Mike , Magee Jill
Published: March 2015

We present a case report of a microcystic adnexal carcinoma on the cheek of a 67-year-old man. Clinical, dermatoscopic and dermatopathologic images are presented. A search of the literature has not discovered any previously published dermatoscopy images of microcystic adenexal carcinoma.