bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
XBAER-derived aerosol optical thickness from OLCI/Sentinel-3 observation
Authors: Mei Linlu , Rozanov Vladimir , Vountas Marco , Burrows John P. , Richter Andreas 
Published: February 2018

Abstract. A cloud identification algorithm used for cloud masking, which is based on the spatial variability of reflectances at the top of
the atmosphere in visible wavelengths, has been
developed for the retrieval of aerosol properties by MODIS. It is shown that the spatial pattern of cloud reflectance, as observed
from space, is very different from that of aerosols. Clouds show a high spatial variability in the scale of a hundred metres to a
few kilometres, whereas aerosols in general are homogeneous. The concept of spatial variability of reflectances at the top of
the atmosphere is mainly applicable over the ocean, where the surface background is sufficiently homogeneous for the separation
between aerosols and clouds. Aerosol retrievals require a sufficiently accurate cloud identification to be able to mask these ground scenes. However, a conservative mask will
exclude strong aerosol episodes and a less conservative mask could introduce cloud contamination that biases the retrieved
aerosol optical properties (e.g. aerosol optical depth and effective radii). A detailed study on the effect of cloud contamination on
aerosol retrievals has been performed and parameters are established determining the threshold value for the MODIS aerosol cloud mask
(3×3-STD) over the ocean. The 3×3-STD algorithm discussed in this paper is the operational cloud mask used for MODIS
aerosol retrievals over the ocean. A prolonged pollution haze event occurred in the northeast part of China during the period 16–21 December 2016. To assess the impact of such
events, the amounts and distribution of aerosol particles, formed in such events, need to be quantified. The newly launched Ocean Land
Colour Instrument (OLCI) onboard Sentinel-3 is the successor of the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS). It provides
measurements of the radiance and reflectance at the top of the atmosphere, which can be used to retrieve the aerosol optical thickness
(AOT) from synoptic to global scales. In this study, the recently developed AOT retrieval algorithm eXtensible Bremen AErosol
Retrieval (XBAER) has been applied to data from the OLCI instrument for the first time to illustrate the feasibility of
applying
XBAER to the data from this new instrument. The first global retrieval results show similar patterns of aerosol optical thickness, AOT, to those from MODIS and MISR aerosol products. The AOT retrieved
from OLCI is validated by comparison with AERONET observations and a correlation coefficient of 0.819 and bias (root mean square) of
0.115 is obtained. The haze episode is well captured by the OLCI-derived AOT product. XBAER is shown to retrieve AOT well from the
observations of MERIS and OLCI.
Changes in glacier dynamics in the northern Antarctic Peninsula since 1985
Authors: Seehaus Thorsten , Cook Alison J. , Silva Aline B. , Braun Matthias 
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The climatic conditions along the northern Antarctic Peninsula have shown significant changes within the last 50 years. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of temporally and spatially detailed observations of the changes in ice dynamics along both the east and west coastlines of the northern Antarctic Peninsula. Temporal evolutions of glacier area (1985–2015) and ice surface velocity (1992–2014) are derived from a broad multi-mission remote sensing database for 74 glacier basins on the northern Antarctic Peninsula ( <  65° S along the west coast and north of the Seal Nunataks on the east coast). A recession of the glaciers by 238.81 km2 is found for the period 1985–2015, of which the glaciers affected by ice shelf disintegration showed the largest retreat by 208.59 km2. Glaciers on the east coast north of the former Prince Gustav Ice Shelf extent in 1986 receded by only 21.07 km2 (1985–2015) and decelerated by about 58 % on average (1992–2014). A dramatic acceleration after ice shelf disintegration with a subsequent deceleration is observed at most former ice shelf tributaries on the east coast, combined with a significant frontal retreat. In 2014, the flow speed of the former ice shelf tributaries was 26 % higher than before 1996. Along the west coast the average flow speeds of the glaciers increased by 41 %. However, the glaciers on the western Antarctic Peninsula revealed a strong spatial variability of the changes in ice dynamics. By applying a hierarchical cluster analysis, we show that this is associated with the geometric parameters of the individual glacier basins (hypsometric indexes, maximum surface elevation of the basin, flux gate to catchment size ratio). The heterogeneous spatial pattern of ice dynamic evolutions at the northern Antarctic Peninsula shows that temporally and spatially detailed observations as well as further monitoring are necessary to fully understand glacier change in regions with such strong topographic and climatic variances.
Learning from Country
Authors: Wheatley Nadia 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
This article describes the author's journey through the collaborative process of making six award-winning books, all of which begin with the principle of “Learning from Country,” which the author encountered while working in the Aboriginal community of Papunya (Northern Territory, Australia) and later used with culturally diverse urban students in Sydney. This experience confirms that Indigenous principles of education are best-practice pedagogical principles, no matter where the learning takes place. Whatever “country” (whether city or bush) students live on, and whatever “country” (geopolitical nation) their families originally come from, a way of learning that puts the Aboriginal sense of Country (encompassing home, homeland, environment, and habitat) at the center is the holistic way of learning that young people need in the twenty-first century if they are to sustain the very planet they live on. This model of learning, collaborative and co-operative, also confirms students both in their individual identity and in their sense of belonging to their neighborhood community.
Two new rapacious nematodes from intertidal sediments, Gammanema magnum sp. nov. and Synonchium caudatubatum sp. nov. (Nematoda, Selachinematidae)
Authors: Shi Benze , Xu Kuidong 
Published: February 2018

Two new species of the family Selachinematidae Cobb, 1915 from an intertidal sandy flat in the East China Sea are described. Both species are distinct rapacious nematodes, preying on other nematodes. Gammanema magnum sp. nov. is characterized by its leaf-like labial setae, large loop-shaped amphideal fovea in the male and small spiral ones in the female, an anterior buccal cavity reinforced by 12 rhabdia, each rhabdion with about six denticles, and two unequally long spicules. Gammanema magnum sp. nov. is a striking species, exhibiting extreme sexual dimorphism in the amphideal fovea, but lacking a gubernaculum or precloacal supplements, all features by which it can be differentiated from congeneric species. Synonchium caudatubatum sp. nov. is characterized by a posterior buccal cavity, with three mandibles each with a large tooth flanked by three smaller teeth on both sides, a transverse oval-shaped multispiral amphideal fovea, and a bluntly rounded tail with a protuberant caudal duct. Synonchium caudatubatum sp. nov. is unique in the genus in having a protuberant caudal duct in the tail end. Furthermore, it differs from its congeners by its mandibles, which have seven teeth each. Synonchium caudatubatum sp. nov. lacks a gubernaculum and a precloacal supplement, both features present in congeners except S. depressum Gerlach, 1954.
Effect of Inter-sentential vs Intra-sentential Code-Switching: With a Focus on Past Tense
Authors: Kashi Hanieh 
Published: February 2018

The current study aimed at the comparative effect of inter-sentential vs intra-sentential code-switching on learning past tense. Initially, through non-random convenient sampling, the researcher chose 90 female EFL learners at the elementary level. Next, Key English Test (KET) was administered to the 90 learners and the results were used to select 60 participants for the purpose of this study. The participants were then divided into two groups each consisting of 30 learners. Afterwards, a grammar pretest having 30 items focusing on past simple tense was given to both groups. Following that, the grammatical explanations were provided for the two groups for ten sessions using code-switching. The first experimental group received inter-sentential code switching in line with Reyes’s (2004) as a switch between two languages, where a sentence in one of the languages is completed and the next sentence starts with the other language (Reyes, 2004). In the second experimental group, in line with Reyes’s (2004), the switching occurred within a sentence. The results of statistical analysis indicated that inter-sentential code-switching proved more effective compared to intra-sentential code-switching on the learning of past tense by EFL learners. Based on the findings of the present study, EFL teachers are encouraged to use inter-sentential code-switching more compared to intra-sentential code-switching when it comes to teaching grammar.
Bad Study Habits of EFL Learners as Indicators of their Poor Performance: A Case of the University of Bisha
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Maqtri 
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study was to identify the study habits of the college students of English, and examine their role on the their performance as assessed by the instructors. The study was intended to be a preliminary and exploratory one and to be followed by a more at a larger scale study. The participants were 150 students distributed between males (60%) and females (40%). They were selected purposefully representing the different academic years from the Departments of English, Colleges of Sciences and Arts, University of Bisha, An-namas, KAS. Three different tools were used to collect the data: a self-prepared 19-item survey questionnaire, informal observations, and informal meetings with the instructors of the intended groups. The percentile and frequency techniques were used to analyze the collected data. The results showed that the majority of the students, boys in particular, devoted less time to their study, revised less frequently, never took notes, did not plan their study time, and study mainly to take examinations or please parents. They studied alone in their rooms and rarely study at library. All this corresponded with the instructors' assessment that the participants’ performance was below the expectations. Though this was true of both genders, females, however, did better than males in many of these respects. Their study habits were less negative; they were more motivated and therefore their performance was reported to be better than those of the males. The study concluded with some recommendations and suggestions for future actions.
Ground beetles in city forests: does urbanization predict a personality trait?
Authors: Schuett Wiebke , Delfs Berit , Haller Richard , Kruber Sarah , Roolfs Simone , Timm Desiree , Willmann Magdalena , Drees Claudia 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundUrbanization leads to substantial changes in natural habitats with profound effects on wildlife. Understanding behavioural responses to such environmental change is essential for identifying which organisms may adapt, as behaviour is often the first response to altered conditions. Individuals in more urbanized habitats may be expected to be more exploratory and bolder than their conspecifics in less urbanized habitats as they may be better able to cope with novel challenges.MethodsIn a two-year field study we tested ground beetles from differently urbanized forests for their exploratory behaviour (in a novel environment) and their risk-taking (death-feigning). In total, we tested ca. 3,000 individuals of four forest-dwelling ground beetle species from eight within-city forest patches. In the second year, we also transferred ca. 800 tested individuals of two species to the laboratory to test for consistent behavioural differences (i.e. personality differences) under standardised conditions.ResultsIndividuals were generally more exploratory in more urbanized than in less urbanized areas but only in one year of the study. Exploratory behaviour was not predicted by population density but increased with temperature or showed a temperature optimum. Exploration was consistent over time and individuals that were more exploratory also took higher risks.DiscussionWe demonstrated that species which are generally less directly exposed to human activities (e.g., most invertebrates) show behavioural responses to urbanization. Effects of urbanization were year-dependent, suggesting that other environmental conditions interacted with effects of urbanization on beetle behaviour. Furthermore, our results indicate that different personality compositions might cause behavioural differences among populations living in differently urbanized habitats.
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of aqueous leaf extract of Passiflora suberosa L
Authors: Sudasinghe Hasani Prabodha , Peiris Dinithi C. 
Published: February 2018

Leaves of Passiflora suberosa L. (Family: Passifloraceae; common name: wild passion fruit, devil’s pumpkin) are used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine for treating diabetes. The present study investigated the in vivo ability of P. suberosa leaves to manage blood sugar status and associated cholesterol levels. Mechanisms of action and toxicity were also determined. Phytochemical screening of aqueous extracts of P. suberosa leaves and carbohydrate content of the leaves were determined according to previously published methods. In two group of male mice (n = 9), effects on fasting and random blood glucose levels (BGLs) of different acute doses (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of the aqueous leaf extract (ALE) were evaluated at 1, 3, and 5 h post-treatment. In another set of mice, the fasting BGL was evaluated following treatment of 0 or 50 mg/kg ALE (dose prescribed in traditional medicine) for 30 consecutive days. The lipid profile, some mechanism of ALE action (diaphragm glucose uptake, glycogen content in the liver and skeletal muscles) and its toxicity (behavioural observation, food and water intake, hepatoxicity) were also assessed following 30-day treatment. However, sucrose and glucose tolerance tests and intestinal glucose uptake were conducted to determine portion of mechanisms of action following single dose of 50 mg/kg ALE. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, unsaturated sterols, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and proanthocyanidins. Carbohydrate content of the leaves was 12.97%. The maximum hypoglycemic effect was observed after 4 h of 50 and 100 mg/kg ALE administration. The extract decreased fasting BGL (18%) following an oral sucrose challenge and inhibited (79%) glucose absorption from the intestine. Correspondingly, the levels of glycogen in the liver (61%) and in the skeletal muscles (57%) were found be higher than that of the control group. The levels of total cholesterol (17%) and tri-glyceraldehyde levels (12%) found to be reduced in treated groups. Furthermore, no significant toxic effects were observed in treated groups. The present results suggest that the leaves of P. suberosa can be used to manage blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Isolation of active compounds are recommended for further analysis.
Product differentiation by marketing and processing cooperatives: A choice experiment with cheese and cereal products
Authors: Grashuis Jasper , Magnier Alexandre 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWith ongoing consolidation of food retailers and segmentation of consumer preferences, agri‐food producers and manufacturers have increased motivation to pursue product differentiation. We study if and how farmer cooperatives can build brand equity to drive or support product differentiation. With emphasis on ownership type and product origin, we conduct two choice experiments with cheese and cereal consumers in the United States. The results of our multinomial logit model indicate farmer cooperatives can command a price premium as compared to store brands, but not as much as non‐cooperatives. Cheese and cereal consumers also indicate a general willingness to pay for product origin and family ownership attributes, but the effects are not always compatible with farmer cooperatives. Overall, although price premiums for cooperative brands and labels may exist across various product categories, the heterogeneity in willingness to pay estimates for other product attributes is suggestive of the difficulties farmer cooperatives face in pursuit of product differentiation. [EconLit citations: Q11, Q13, M30]
From Linear to Angular Isomers: Achieving Tunable Charge Transport in Single‐Crystal Indolocarbazoles Through Delicate Synergetic CH/NH⋅⋅⋅π Interactions
Authors: Jiang Hui , Hu Peng , Ye Jun , Chaturvedi Apoorva , Zhang Keke K. , Li Yongxin , Long Yi , Fichou Denis , Kloc Christian , Hu Wenping 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWeak intermolecular interaction in organic semiconducting molecular crystals plays an important role in molecular packing and electronic properties. Here, four five‐ring‐fused isomers were rationally designed and synthesized to investigate the isomeric influence of linear and angular shapes in affecting their molecular packing and resultant electronic properties. Single‐crystal field‐effect transistors showed mobility order of 5,7‐ICZ (3.61 cm2 V−1 s−1) >5,11‐ICZ (0.55 cm2 V−1 s−1) >11,12‐ICZ (ca. 10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1) and 5,12‐ICZ (ca. 10−6 cm2 V−1 s−1). Theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and polaron transport model revealed that 5,7‐ICZ can reach higher mobilities than the others thanks to relatively higher hole transfer integral that links to stronger intermolecular interaction due to the presence of multiple NH⋅⋅⋅π and CH⋅⋅⋅π(py) interactions with energy close to common NH⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds, as well as overall lower hole‐vibrational coupling owing to the absence of coupling of holes to low frequency modes due to better π conjugation.
Dynamics heterogeneity in silica‐filled nitrile butadiene rubber
Authors: Xu Huilong , Song Yihu , Jia Erwen , Zheng Qiang 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTNanoparticles significantly reinforce rubbers, but their influence on polymer dynamics is far from being understood. Here a comparison study of polymer dynamics in silica‐filled nitrile butadiene rubber compounds and their bound rubber in extracted filler gels is performed. Both the compounds and filler gels contain glassy, restricted, and mobile rubber fractions. The restricted fraction detected by broadband dielectric spectra exhibits a subsegmental relaxation that is two to four orders of magnitude slower than the segmental dynamics of the mobile phase. It is significant that the extractable fraction interacts with both the restricted and mobile fractions in the bound rubber, thus improving the activation energy of restricted relaxation and reducing the fragility of segmental relaxation in the mobile fractions. Meanwhile, the influences of loading, surface nature, and specific surface area of the silica on the dynamics heterogeneity are investigated. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46223.
Modified zeolitic–midazolate framework 8/poly(ether‐block‐amide) mixed‐matrix membrane for propylene and propane separation
Authors: Amedi Hamid Reza , Aghajani Masoud 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTIn this study, we fabricated a dual‐layer PES–poly(ether‐block‐amide) (PEBA) composite membrane that included zeolitic–midazolate framework 8 (ZIF‐8) particles and evaluated it for propylene and propane separation under pure and mixed feed conditions. To improve the performance, compatibility, and distribution of particles in the polymer matrix, the ZIF‐8 particles were modified by 3‐(triethoxysilyl) propyl amine (APTES) and 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl amine (APTMS) amino silane coupling agents. Particle modification did not have much effect on the structure and particle size and slightly reduced the membrane specific surface area. The modified particles tended to be in the soft section. At the high loading rate of modified particles, their appropriate compatibility increased the membrane gas permeability () and selectivity. APTES with the proper chain length compared with APTMS had a higher
and the same selectivity. The best performance (by 32.1 gpu) was found in PES–PEBA–ZIF‐8–APTES 20%. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46273.
Twelve fundamental life histories evolving through allocation‐dependent fecundity and survival
Authors: Johansson Jacob , Brännström Åke , Metz Johan A. J. , Dieckmann Ulf 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn organism's life history is closely interlinked with its allocation of energy between growth and reproduction at different life stages. Theoretical models have established that diminishing returns from reproductive investment promote strategies with simultaneous investment into growth and reproduction (indeterminate growth) over strategies with distinct phases of growth and reproduction (determinate growth). We extend this traditional, binary classification by showing that allocation‐dependent fecundity and mortality rates allow for a large diversity of optimal allocation schedules. By analyzing a model of organisms that allocate energy between growth and reproduction, we find twelve types of optimal allocation schedules, differing qualitatively in how reproductive allocation increases with body mass. These twelve optimal allocation schedules include types with different combinations of continuous and discontinuous increase in reproduction allocation, in which phases of continuous increase can be decelerating or accelerating. We furthermore investigate how this variation influences growth curves and the expected maximum life span and body size. Our study thus reveals new links between eco‐physiological constraints and life‐history evolution and underscores how allocation‐dependent fitness components may underlie biological diversity.