The Impact of Language on Website Use and User Satisfaction: Project Description

This paper describes ongoing research investigating the ways in which language affects both the way users seek and find information on a website, and their eventual level of satisfaction with the site’s offering. Our aim is to understand how language may form a barrier to accessing information, and to identify ways of overcoming these boundaries. We build on the Theory of Information Foraging, which predicts web-page access based on the benefit compared to the costs of accessing additional information. We identify aspects of language that determine the costs and values of a search, thus determining a website’s language-related information value. Behavioural and attitudinal outcomes of perceived information value - website use and satisfaction - are discussed. We formulate hypotheses and a model that are currently empirically evaluated. Advantages of this model are a theoretically grounded derivation of core determinants of perceived information value, and a demonstration that data describing these determinants can be inferred from data that are easily accessible over the Internet. Expected results will provide support for investment decisions concerning website translations and adaptations. Such design decisions can help improve access and participation among citizens from different linguistic backgrounds, thus reducing digital divides arising from language-related factors

Using the object modeling system for hydrological model development and application

State of the art challenges in sustainable management of water resources have created demand for integrated, flexible and easy to use hydrological models which are able to simulate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the hydrological cycle with a sufficient degree of certainty. Existing models which have been de-veloped to fit these needs are often constrained to specific scales or purposes and thus can not be easily adapted to meet different challenges. As a solution for flexible and modularised model development and application, the Object Modeling System (OMS) has been developed in a joint approach by the USDA-ARS, GPSRU (Fort Collins, CO, USA), USGS (Denver, CO, USA), and the FSU (Jena, Germany). The OMS provides a modern modelling framework which allows the implementation of single process components to be compiled and applied as custom tailored model assemblies. This paper describes basic principles of the OMS and its main components and explains in more detail how the problems during coupling of models or model components are solved inside the system. It highlights the integration of different spatial and temporal scales by their representation as spatial modelling entities embedded into time compound components. As an exam-ple the implementation of the hydrological model J2000 is discussed

Darstellung und Analyse hydrologischer Topologien auf der Basis künstlicher neuronaler Netze

Die Sicherung und nachhaltige Nutzung der Ressource Wasser stellt eine globale Problematik dar, die nur durch eine Vielzahl von Einzelanstrengungen auf lokaler bis regionaler Ebene gelöst werden kann. Hierbei gilt es, ein ausgewogenes Verhältnis zwischen der Berücksichtigung von Anforderungen an die Wasserqualität auf der einen und der Bewirtschaftung der zugehörigen Einzugsgebiete auf der anderen Seite zu finden. Gerade die Bewirtschaftung landwirtschaftlich genutzter Flächen ist hierbei von vielen, häufig unbekannten Parametern abhängig wie etwa den spezifischen, physiografischen Eigenschaften der Einzelfläche oder auch individuellen Präferenzen der Bewirtschafter. Der anthropogen verursachte Stickstoffeintrag ist hierbei aufgrund der engen Verknüpfung mit der Bewirtschaftung geeignet, als Leitparameter zu fungieren. Eine Konfiguration optimierter Stickstoffeinträge kann dann in Verknüpfung mit den übrigen Parametern der realweltlichen Problemstellung zur Formulierung optimierter Bewirtschaftungskonfigurationen herangezogen werden. Sollen dabei jedoch topologische Beziehungen, die in reliefierten Einzugsgebieten z.B. in Form lateraler Stoffflüsse zwischen Einzelflächen auftreten, berücksichtigt werden, so stellt die Ermittlung solcher Konfigurationen ein bislang ungelöstes Problem dar. Zur Bearbeitung dieser Problemstellung wurde im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit ein neuartiges Verfahren auf der Basis künstlicher neuronaler Netze entwickelt, welches gezielt nach optimalen Stickstoffeinträgen suchen und dabei topologische Beziehungen, große Datenmengen sowie detaillierte Prozessbeschreibungen verarbeiten kann

In situ Formation of Polymer Microparticles in Bacterial Nanocellulose Using Alternative and Sustainable Solvents to Incorporate Lipophilic Drugs

Bacterial nanocellulose has been widely investigated in drug delivery, but the incorporation of lipophilic drugs and controlling release kinetics still remain a challenge. The inclusion of polymer particles to encapsulate drugs could address both problems but is reported sparely. In the present study, a formulation approach based on in situ precipitation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) within bacterial nanocellulose was developed using and comparing the conventional solvent N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the alternative solvents poly(ethylene glycol), Cyrene TM and ethyl lactate. Using the best-performing solvents N -methyl-2-pyrrolidone and ethyl lactate, their fast diffusion during phase inversion led to the formation of homogenously distributed polymer microparticles with average diameters between 2.0 and 6.6 µm within the cellulose matrix. Despite polymer inclusion, the water absorption value of the material still remained at ~50% of the original value and the material was able to release 32 g/100 cm 2 of the bound water. Mechanical characteristics were not impaired compared to the native material. The process was suitable for encapsulating the highly lipophilic drugs cannabidiol and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid and enabled their sustained release with zero order kinetics over up to 10 days. Conclusively, controlled drug release for highly lipophilic compounds within bacterial nanocellulose could be achieved using sustainable solvents for preparation

How Climate Extremes Influence Conceptual Rainfall-Runoff Model Performance and Uncertainty

Rainfall-runoff models are frequently used for assessing climate risks by predicting changes in streamflow and other hydrological processes due to anticipated anthropogenic climate change, climate variability, and land management. Historical observations are commonly used to calibrate empirically the performance of conceptual hydrological mechanisms. As a result, calibration procedures are limited when extrapolated to novel climate conditions under future scenarios. In this paper, rainfall-runoff model performance and the simulated catchment hydrological processes were explored using the JAMS/J2000 model for the Berg River catchment in South Africa to evaluate the model in the tails of the current distribution of climatic conditions. An evolutionary multi-objective search algorithm was used to develop sets of parameters which best simulate “wet” and “dry” periods, providing the upper and lower bounds for a temporal uncertainty analysis approach to identify variables which are affected by these climate extremes. Variables most affected included soil-water storage and timing of interflow and groundwater flow, emerging as the overall dampening of the simulated hydrograph. Previous modeling showed that the JAMS/J2000 model provided a “good” simulation for periods where the yearly long-term mean precipitation shortfall was 0.7) during “wet” periods using parameters from a long-term calibration, “wet” parameters were not recommended for the Berg River catchment, but could play a large role in tropical climates. The results of this study are likely transferrable to other conceptual rainfall/runoff models, but may differ for various climates. As greater climate variability drives hydrological changes around the world, future empirically-based hydrological projections need to evaluate assumptions regarding storage and the simulated hydrological processes, to enhanced climate risk management

Development and application of the modelling system J2000-S for the EU-water framework directive

The scientific sound definition of measures to achieve the goals of the EU water framework directive (WFD) acquires spatially distributed analyses of the water and substance dynamics in meso- to macro-scale catchments. For this purpose, modelling tools or systems are needed which are robust and fast enough to be applied on such scales, but which are also able to simulate the impact of changes on single fields or small areas of a specific land use in the catchment. <br><br> To face these challenges, we combined the fully-distributed hydrological model J2000 with the nitrogen transport routines of the Soil Water Assessment Tool SWAT model, which are normally applied in a semi-distributive approach. With this combination, we could extend the quantitative focus of J2000 with qualitative processes and could overcome the semi-distributed limitation of SWAT. For the implementation and combination of the components, we used the Jena Adaptable Modelling System JAMS (Kralisch and Krause, 2006) which helped tremendously in the relatively rapid and easy development of the new resultant model J2000-S (J2000-Substance). <br><br> The modelling system was applied in the upper Gera watershed, located in Thuringia, Germany. The catchment has an area of 844 km<sup>2</sup> and includes three of the typical landscape forms of Thuringia. The application showed, that the new modelling system was able to reproduce the daily hydrological as well as the nitrogen dynamics with a sufficient quality. The paper will describe the results of the new model and compare them with the results obtained with the original semi-distributed application of SWAT

Proinflammatory adipocytokines induce TIMP-1 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

AbstractTissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 is an adipocyte-secreted protein upregulated in obesity which promotes adipose tissue development. Furthermore, the proinflammatory adipocytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-6 induce insulin resistance, and plasma concentrations are increased during weight gain. In the current study, the impact of TNFα and IL-6 on TIMP-1 mRNA and protein expression was determined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, TNFα and IL-6 induced TIMP-1 protein secretion more than 3- and 2-fold, respectively. Furthermore, TIMP-1 mRNA was upregulated in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Inhibitor experiments suggested that nuclear factor κB and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase are involved in both, basal and adipocytokine-induced TIMP-1 expression. Moreover, the thiazolidinedione troglitazone partly reversed TNFα- but not IL-6-induced TIMP-1 synthesis. Taken together, we demonstrate that TIMP-1 expression is selectively upregulated in fat cells by proinflammatory adipocytokines and might play a role in maintaining adipose tissue mass in obesity

Analysis of the Hydrological Budget using the J2000 Model in the Pendjari River Basin, West Africa

In a semi - arid region where water scarcity is a major problem, quantify the water balance variables is very essential for sustainable water management. In a condition where meteorological input data are often not available in a sufficient spatial and temporal resolution, simulating the water balance variables is a big challenge. This research assesses the water balance for the Pendjari River basin, a 23208 km² sub-basin of the Volta basin in West Africa. The main purpose of this study is to assess how much water is available in the Pendjari River basin in terms of blue water and green water. To assess the water balance variables the distributed hydrological model J2000 has been used. The model has been manually and automatically calibrated for the period 1982 – 1990 using 24 parameters and validated for the period 1998 – 2008. 17 of the parameters have been selected for regional sensitivity analysis. The performance of the model has been measured using objective functions: Root Mean Square Error, Percent Bias, Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, Relative Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency and Coefficient of Determination. The findings of this study have indicated that 58.67% of annual rainfall represents the evapotranspiration, which is considered as the amount of green water used to support natural vegetation productivity and agricultural system. The total actual evapotranspiration is estimated at 87% of annual rainfall. 12.53 % of annual rainfall end up as surface runoff and 9.92% of annual rainfall represents the groundwater recharge rate. Approximately 21% of annual rainfall represents the water yield, which is devoted to blue water source in the Pendjari River basin. The meteorological simulations are globally acceptable and the hydro-meteorological component simulation has shown very good model performances in comparison with the observed discharge data, indicating the potential of J2000 model to reproduce the geographical environment of the Pendjari River basin. Keywords: J2000; Green water; Blue water; Hydrological budget; Pendjari Rive