6,622 research outputs found
Transient simulations of the carbon and nitrogen dynamics in northern peatlands: from the Last Glacial Maximum to the 21st century
The development of northern high-latitude peatlands played an important role in the carbon (C) balance of the land biosphere since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). At present, carbon storage in northern peatlands is substantial and estimated to be 500 ± 100 Pg C (1 Pg C = 1015 g C). Here, we develop and apply a peatland module embedded in a dynamic global vegetation and land surface process model (LPX-Bern 1.0). The peatland module features a dynamic nitrogen cycle, a dynamic C transfer between peatland acrotelm (upper oxic layer) and catotelm (deep anoxic layer), hydrology- and temperature-dependent respiration rates, and peatland specific plant functional types. Nitrogen limitation down-regulates average modern net primary productivity over peatlands by about half. Decadal acrotelm-to-catotelm C fluxes vary between â20 and +50 g C mâ2 yrâ1 over the Holocene. Key model parameters are calibrated with reconstructed peat accumulation rates from peat-core data. The model reproduces the major features of the peat core data and of the observation-based modern circumpolar soil carbon distribution. Results from a set of simulations for possible evolutions of northern peat development and areal extent show that soil C stocks in modern peatlands increased by 365â550 Pg C since the LGM, of which 175â272 Pg C accumulated between 11 and 5 kyr BP. Furthermore, our simulations suggest a persistent C sequestration rate of 35â50 Pg C per 1000 yr in present-day peatlands under current climate conditions, and that this C sink could either sustain or turn towards a source by 2100 AD depending on climate trajectories as projected for different representative greenhouse gas concentration pathways
CARI Project Postdoctoral Recruitment - Role, Interview Questions, and Information
These materials were primarily intended for internal recruitment purposes; however, these are made available in the interest informing future police-academia collaborations
Gamification for Teaching and Learning Computer Security in Higher Education
In many cases students in higher education are driven by assessments and achievements rather than the âlearning journeyâ that can be achieved through full engagement with provided material. Novel approaches are needed to improve engagement in and out of class time, and to achieve a greater depth of learning. Gamification, âthe use of game design elements in nongame contextsâ, has been applied to higher education to improve engagement, and research also suggests that serious games can be used for gamesbased learning, providing simulated learning environments and increasing motivation. This paper presents the design and evaluation of a gamified computer security module, with a unique approach to assessed learning activities. Learning activities (many developed as open educational resources (OER)) and an assessment structure were developed. A new free and open source software (FOSS) virtual learning environment (VLE) was implemented, which enables the use of three types of experience points (XP), and a semiautomated marking scheme for timely, clear, transparent, and feedbackoriented marking. The course and VLE were updated and evaluated over two years. Qualitative and descriptive results were positive and encouraging. However, ultimately the increased satisfaction was not found to have statistical significance on quantitative measurements of motivation, and the teaching workload of the gamified module was noteworthy
Generalized Spring Tensor Algorithms: with Workflow Scheduling Applications in Cloud Computing
In Cloud Computing, designing an efficient workflow scheduling algorithm is considered as a main goal. Load balancing is one of the most sophisticated methodologies, which can optimize workflow scheduling by distributing the load evenly among available resources. A well-designed load balancing algorithm has significant impact on performance and output in Cloud Computing. Therefore, designing robust load balancing techniques to manage the networks' load has always been a priority. Researchers have proposed and examined different load balancing methods; there is, however, a large knowledge gap in adopting an efficient load balancing algorithm in the Cloud system. This paper describes how a generalized spring tensor, an evolutionary algorithm with mathematical apparatus, can be utilized for a more efficient and effective load management in Cloud Computing. Considering the fluctuation and magnitude of the load, a novel application of workflow scheduling is investigated in the context of various mathematical patterns. The preliminary results of the research show that defining the dependency ratio between workflow tasks in Cloud Computing, results in better resource management, maximized performance and minimized response time while dealing with customer's requests
Student Led Data Recovery Services: Providing Digital Forensics students with relevant work experience
Digital Forensics is a growth market; however, obtaining real world work experience as a student can be challenging due to the high levels of competition, legal, ethical, and confidential aspects of the work. This paper presents a solution to providing students practical work experience that will aid them in obtaining future employment in Forensics. Currently under development at Leeds Beckett University is a student led data recovery service, which will be provided to all staff and students, using mixed level groupings of students. This service is designed to provide a rich, interactive environment that enables students to gain hands-on experience in an unknown and dynamically changing environment. Plans have received positive support from both Faculty Leadership and students. The service is due to start in September 2016
Generating randomised virtualised scenarios for ethical hacking and computer security education: SecGen implementation and deployment
Computer security students benefit from having hands-on experience with hacking tools and with access to vulnerable systems that they can attack and defend. However, vulnerable VMs are static; once they have been exploited by a student there is no repeatable challenge as the vulnerable boxes never change. A new novel solution, SecGen, has been created and deployed. SecGen solves the issue by creating vulnerable machines with randomised vulnerabilities and services, with constraints that ensure each scenario is catered to specific skills or concepts. SecGen was successfully deployed to generate VMs for a second year undergraduate team module. Future plans are discussed
Psychological career resources and subjective work experiences of working adults: an exploratory study
The objective of this study was to determine the relationshipbetween the psychological career resources (as measured by thePsychological Career Resources Inventory) and the subjective workexperiences of a sample of working adults (as measured by a fouritemglobal work experiences scale). The research also aimed toexplore broad trends regarding how the participants diff ered onthese variables in terms of their socio-demographic characteristics(marital status, educational level, age, gender and race). A sampleof 2 997 working adults, registered as students at a South Africanhigher distance education institution, participated in this study.Stepwise regression analyses indicated dimensions of psychologicalcareer resources as signifi cant predictors of the four subjective workexperiences: life satisfaction, job/career satisfaction, happinessand perceptions of work as a valuable activity. The results furtherindicated signifi cant diff erences between participants with regardto their socio-demographic characteristics and their psychologicalcareer resources and subjective work experiences. Considering thatthe employment equity context in South Africa contributes to a morediversifi ed workforce, the fi ndings add valuable new knowledge thatcan be used to inform organisational career development practicesconcerned with promoting experiences of psychological careersuccess
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