Repository logo

Browsing by Author "MDPI, publisher"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Accurate characterization of winter precipitation using multi-angle snowflake camera, visual hull, advanced scattering methods and polarimetric radar
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016-06-11) Notaroš, Branislav M., author; Bringi, Viswanathan N., author; Kleinkort, Cameron, author; Kennedy, Patrick, author; Huang, Gwo-Jong, author; Thurai, Merhala, author; Newman, Andrew J., author; Bang, Wonbae, author; Lee, GyuWon, author; MDPI, publisher
    This article proposes and presents a novel approach to the characterization of winter precipitation and modeling of radar observables through a synergistic use of advanced optical disdrometers for microphysical and geometrical measurements of ice and snow particles (in particular, a multi-angle snowflake camera-MASC), image processing methodology, advanced method-of-moments scattering computations, and state-of-the-art polarimetric radars. The article also describes the newly built and established MASCRAD (MASC + Radar) in-situ measurement site, under the umbrella of CSU-CHILL Radar, as well as the MASCRAD project and 2014/2015 winter campaign. We apply a visual hull method to reconstruct 3D shapes of ice particles based on high-resolution MASC images, and perform "particle-by-particle" scattering computations to obtain polarimetric radar observables. The article also presents and discusses selected illustrative observation data, results, and analyses for three cases with widely-differing meteorological settings that involve contrasting hydrometeor forms. Illustrative results of scattering calculations based on MASC images captured during these events, in comparison with radar data, as well as selected comparative studies of snow habits from MASC, 2D video-disdrometer, and CHILL radar data, are presented, along with the analysis of microphysical characteristics of particles. In the longer term, this work has potential to significantly improve the radar-based quantitative winter-precipitation estimation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Dialogue between Confucianism and Holmes Rolston, III—its significance for theology in the planetary climate crisis
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Zhang, Haoran, author; MDPI, publisher
    Holmes Rolston, III examined the significance of Asian thought for Western evaluations of nature and questioned whether Asian Romanticism can inform the realistic decision making required for practice. However, Rolston ignored Confucianism. Confucianism is grounded on an "anthropocosmic" worldview and bases its environmental ethics on the "virtue of life and growth" and the related vision of "unity of heaven and human beings"; it is thus an objective environmental virtue ethics. Confucianism should adopt Rolston's recommendation for Asian thought concerning the incorporation of evolutionary biology. Rolston is vital to the dialogue for theology in the planetary climate crisis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Evaluating the consistency of subjective activity assessments and their relation to cognition in older adults
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021-07-28) Hatt, Cassandra R., author; Brydges, Christopher R., author; Mogle, Jacqueline A., author; Sliwinski, Martin J., author; Bielak, Allison A. M., author; MDPI, publisher
    (1) Background: Research examining whether activity engagement is related to cognitive functioning in older adults has been limited to using retrospective reports of activity which may be affected by biases. This study compared two measurements (estimated weekly versus reported daily), and whether these activity assessments were related to cognition in older adults; (2) Methods: Participants from US (n = 199) and Australian (n = 170) samples completed a weekly estimate of activity, followed by 7 consecutive days of daily reporting. Differences between weekly estimates and daily reports were found, such that estimations at the weekly level were lower than self-reported daily information. Multivariate multiple regression was used to determine whether total activity, activity domains and the discrepancy between assessment types (i.e., weekly/daily) predicted cognitive performance across three cognitive domains (fluid, verbal, memory); (3) Results: When activity assessments were totaled, neither predicted cognition; however, when activity was grouped by domain (cognitive, social, physical), different domains predicted different cognitive outcomes. Daily reported cognitive activity significantly predicted verbal performance (β = 1.63, p = 0.005), while weekly estimated social activity predicted memory performance (β = –1.81, p = 0.050). Further, while the magnitude of discrepancy in total activity did not significantly predict cognitive performance, domain specific differences did. Differences in physical activity reported across assessments predicted fluid performance (β = –1.16, p = 0.033); (4) Conclusions: The significant discrepancy between the measurement types shows that it is important to recognize potential biases in responding when conducting activity and cognition research.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Millennial consumers' responses to cause-related marketing in support of LGBTQ homeless youth
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019-08-14) Hensley, Cammie, author; Diddi, Sonali, author; Hyllegard, Karen, author; MDPI, publisher
    This study explored Millennial consumers' responses to a cause-related marketing (CRM) initiative for a sensitive social cause—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) homeless youth. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to examine the effctiveness of CRM in generating financial support for LGBTQ homeless youth. Findings revealed that self-cause congruence may be an important factor in determining Millennial consumers' responses to a CRM initiative for LGBTQ homeless youth; whereas, message frame/appeal may be less important for generating response to such an initiative. Findings also indicated that gender, information processing, guilt, and skepticism influenced Millennial consumers' attitudes toward brand, attitudes toward cause, and behavioral intentions toward the CRM initiative. These findings offer implications for brands/companies that may wish to engage in CRM initiative in support of sensitive social causes. By addressing a sensitive social cause-LGBTQ homeless youth-findings provide an original contribution to the CRM literature. Findings reveal that self-cause congruence is an important predictor of behavioral intention toward the LGBTQ social cause. This provides an implication for marketers who want to target their relationship-building efforts toward individuals who have demonstrated prior engagement with a social cause. Findings also have implications for brands/companies that wish to develop CRM initiatives for controversial causes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Risk factors for brain health in agricultural work: a systematic review
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022-03-13) Sturm, Emily Terese, author; Castro, Colton, author; Mendez Colmenares, Andrea, author; Duffy, John, author; Burzynzka, Agnieszka Z., author; Stallones, Lorann, author; Thomas, Michael L., author; MDPI, publisher
    Certain exposures related to agricultural work have been associated with neurological disorders. To date, few studies have included brain health measurements to link specific risk factors with possible neural mechanisms. Moreover, a synthesis of agricultural risk factors associated with poorer brain health outcomes is missing. In this systematic review, we identified 106 articles using keywords related to agriculture, occupational exposure, and the brain. We identified seven major risk factors: non-specific factors that are associated with agricultural work itself, toluene, pesticides, heavy metal or dust exposure, work with farm animals, and nicotine exposure from plants. Of these, pesticides are the most highly studied. The majority of qualifying studies were epidemiological studies. Nigral striatal regions were the most well studied brain area impacted. Of the three human neuroimaging studies we found, two focused on functional networks and the third focused on gray matter. We identified two major directions for future studies that will help inform preventative strategies for brain health in vulnerable agricultural workers: (1) the effects of moderators such as type of work, sex, migrant status, race, and age; and (2) more comprehensive brain imaging studies, both observational and experimental, involving several imaging techniques.