Evolution of supra-glacial lakes across the Greenland Ice Sheet

We used 268 cloud-free Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images from 2003 and 2005-2007 to study the seasonal evolution of supra-glacial lakes in three different regions of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Lake area estimates were obtained by developing an automated classification method for their identification based on 250 m resolution MODIS surface reflectance observations. Widespread supra-glacial lake formation and drainage is observed across the ice sheet, with a 2-3 week delay in the evolution of total supra-glacial lake area in the northern areas compared to the south-west. The onset of lake growth varies by up to one month inter-annually, and lakes form and drain at progressively higher altitudes during the melt season. A positive correlation was found between the annual peak in total lake area and modelled annual runoff. High runoff and lake extent years are generally characterised by low accumulation and high melt season temperatures, and vice versa. Our results indicate that, in a future warmer climate [Meehl, G. A., Stocker, T. F., Collins W. D., Friedlingstein, P., Gaye, A. T., Gregory, J. M., Kitoh, A., Knutti, R., Murphy, J. M., Noda, A., Raper, S. C. B., Watterson, I. G., Weaver, A. J. & Zhao, Z. C. (2007). Global Climate Projections. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K. B. Averyt, M. Tignor & H. L. Miller (eds.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.], Greenland supra-glacial lakes can be expected to form at higher altitudes and over a longer time period than is presently the case, expanding the area and time period over which connections between the ice sheet surface and base may be established [Das, S., Joughin, M., Behn, M., Howat, I., King, M., Lizarralde, D., & Bhatia, M. (2008). Fracture propagation to the base of the Greenland Ice Sheet during supra-glacial lake drainage. Science, 5877, 778-781] with potential consequences for ice sheet discharge [Zwally, H.J., Abdalati, W., Herring, T., Larson, K., Saba, J. & Steffen, K. (2002). Surface melt-induced acceleration of Greenland Ice Sheet flow. Science, 297, 218-221.].     

Die Rolle der Kultur in der Selbstoffenbarung und Privatsph?re in sozialen Onlinenetzwerken

Social Network Sites (SNSs) rely exclusively on user-generated content to offer engaging and rewarding experience to its members. As a result, stimulating user communication and self-disclosure is vital for the sustainability of SNSs. However, considering that the SNS users are increasingly culturally diverse, motivating this audience to self-disclose requires understanding of their cultural intricacies. Yet existing research offers only limited insights into the role of culture behind the motivation of SNS users to self-disclose. Building on the privacy calculus framework, this study explores the role of two cultural dimensions ?C individualism and uncertainty avoidance ?C in self-disclosure decisions of SNS users. Survey responses of US and German Facebook members are used as the basis for our analysis. Structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis results reveal the distinct role of culture in the cognitive patterns of SNS users. The authors find that trusting beliefs play a key role in the self-disclosure decisions of users from individualistic cultures. At the same time, uncertainty avoidance determines the impact of privacy concerns. This paper contributes to the theory by rejecting the universal nature of privacy calculus processes. The findings provide for an array of managerial implications for SNS providers as they strive to encourage content creation and sharing by their heterogeneous members.     

Schnelle Bestimmung von Furfurol und Hydroxymethylfurfurol in alkoholischen Getr?nken mit Hilfe der Umkehrphasen-Chromatographie

Zusammenfassung Furfurol und Hydroxymethylfurfurol können leicht mit Hilfe der Umkehrphasen-Chromatographie in Alkoholika bestimmt werden. Eine Probenvorbereitung ist nicht notwendig. Die beiden Aldehyde werden UV-spektrometrisch erfaßt, die absolute Nachweisgrenze bei Routinearbeiten beträgt 4–7 mg/100 l reinen Alkohol (entsprechend 0,01–0,03 mg/l im Getränk) und kann für Spurenbestimmungen auf 0,002–0,001 mg/l durch Injektion von größeren Probenvolumen erniedrigt werden. Die Peakhöhen der beiden Furfuroie sind im Bereich von 0,25–3 mg/l Getränk linear von der Konzentration abhängig. Die Gesamtanalyse dauert etwa 12 min. Mit der beschriebenen Methode werden brasilianischer Zukkerrohrschnaps (Cachaça) Bowie eine Reihe in Deutschland käuflicher Alkoholika untersucht.

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Rapid determination of furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural in alcoholic beverages by reverse-phase-chromatographyComparative investigations on the content of furfurals in Brazilian Cachaça and other alcoholic liquors

Summary Furfural and Hydroxymethylfurfural can easily be determined in alcoholic beverages by means of reverse phase chromatography. A special sample preparation is not necessary. The aldehydes are detected by UV-spectrometry, the absolute detection limit in routine work is 4–7 mg/100 liters of pure ethanol (corresponding to 0.016–0.03 mg/l beverage) and can be extended down to 0.002–0.001 mg/l when injecting higher volumes for trace analysis. In the range of 0.25–3 mg/l linear relationship is obtained between peak hight and concentration. The complete assay procedure takes about 12 min. A series of Brazilian Cachaça samples and German commercial liquors were investigated with the here described method.

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Sumário Os autores apresentam um método de determinação de Furfural e Hidroxi-metilfurfural em cachaça e outras bebidas alcoolicas, Cromatografia em alta pressão com colunas de fase reversa (C₈; 5 m; 250 × 4 mm; CH₃CN/H₂O 5/95 como eluente) permite a separação e determinaçã sem pre-tratamento das amostras em 10–12 minutos. A sensibilidade da determinação em UV (254 nm) è 4–7 mg/100 L álcool puro (0.01–0.03 mg/L na bebida respectivamente). Usando um volume maior de injecção, o limite se pode abaixar até 0.002–0.001 mg/L bebida. A altura dos picos é proporçional à concentração entre 0.25–3 mg/L bebida. As cachaças investigadas possuem geralmente um conteúdo de Furfural e de Hidroxi-metilfurfural menor do que suposto e determinato pelo método de anilina recomendado pelo governo (determinação não específica).

     

Cause and effect analysis by fuzzy relational equations and a genetic algorithm

This paper proposes using a genetic algorithm as a tool to solve the fault diagnosis problem. The fault diagnosis problem is based on a cause and effect analysis which is formally described by fuzzy relations. Fuzzy relations are formed on the basis of expert assessments. Application of expert fuzzy relations to restore and identify the causes through the observed effects requires the solution to a system of fuzzy relational equations. In this study this search for a solution amounts to solving a corresponding optimization problem. An optimization algorithm is based on the application of genetic operations of crossover, mutation and selection. The genetic algorithm suggested here represents an application in expert systems of fault diagnosis and quality control.     

Éditorial: Enfin,une voix canadienne!

Abstract

This article investigates some of the specific features involved in accommodating the idea of actual infinity as it appears in set theory. It focuses on the conceptions of two individuals with sophisticated mathematics background, as manifested in their engagement with variations of a well-known paradox: the ping-pong ball conundrum. The APOS theory is used as a framework to interpret participants’ efforts to resolve the paradoxes. The cases discussed focus on how transfinite subtraction may be conceptualized, and they suggest that there is more to accommodating the idea of actual infinity than the ability to act on a completed object—rather, it is the manner in which objects are acted upon that is also significant.