bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal variation of CO over Alberta using measurements from satellite, aircrafts, and ground stations
Authors: Marey H. S. , Hashisho Z. , Fu L. , Gille J.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Alberta is Canada's largest oil producer and its oil sand deposits comprise 30% of the world's oil reserves. The process of bitumen extraction and upgrading releases trace gases and aerosols to the atmosphere. In this study we present satellite-based analysis to explore, for the first time, various contributing factors that affect tropospheric carbon monoxide (CO) levels over Alberta. The multispectral product that uses both near-infrared (NIR) and the thermal-infrared (TIR) radiances for CO retrieval from the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) are examined for the 12 year period from 2002–2013. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) thermal anomaly product from 2001 to 2013 is employed to investigate the seasonal and temporal variations of forest fires. Additionally, in situ CO measurements at industrial and urban sites are compared to satellite data. Furthermore, the available MOZAIC/IAGOS (Measurement of Ozone, Water Vapor, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide by Airbus In-Service Aircraft/In service Aircraft for Global Observing System) aircraft CO profiles (April 2009–December 2011) are used to validate MOPITT CO data. The climatological time curtain plot and spatial maps for CO over northern Alberta indicate the signatures of transported CO for two distinct biomass burning seasons, summer and spring. Distinct seasonal patterns of CO at the urban site s (Edmonton and Calgary cities) point to the strong influence of traffic. Meteorological parameters play an important role on the CO spatial distribution at various pressure levels. Northern Alberta shows stronger upward lifting motion which leads to larger CO total column values while the poor dispersion in central and south Alberta exacerbates the surface CO pollution. Inter-annual variations of satellite data depict a slightly decreasing trend for both regions while the decline trend is more evident from ground observations, especially at the urban sites. MOPITT CO vertical averages and MOZAIC/IAGOS aircraft profiles were in good agreement within the standard deviation at all pressure levels. There is consistency between the time evolution of high CO episodes monitored by satellite and ground measurements and the fire frequency peak time which implies that biomass burning has affected the tropospheric CO distribution in northern Alberta. These findings have further demonstrated the potential use of MOPITT V5 multispectral (NIR+TIR) product for assessing a complicated surface process.
Carbon and nitrogen dynamics of native Leymus chinensis grasslands along a 1000 km longitudinal precipitation gradient in northeastern China
Authors: Ma L. , Yuan S. , Guo C. , Wang R.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Understanding how ecosystem carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles respond to the variability of precipitation can help us assess the effects of global climate change on terrestrial ecosystem structure and function. We investigated the contributions of aboveground biomass, litter, root, soil and microbial communities to ecosystem C and N processes at 14 sites along a 1000 km precipitation gradient in native Leymus chinensis grasslands of northeastern China. The results show that aboveground biomass C and N increased gradually, while no significant regional trends in litter and root biomass were found with increasing mean annual precipitation (MAP) along the gradient. Soil respiration increased first and then decreased from the dry to mesic sites, which could be ascribed to the relative changes in temperature, soil fungal : bacterial biomass and N availability. Surprisingly, N mineralization varied only slightly along the gradient, likely due to the decreases of soil organic matter quality (i.e., C : N). Stepwise regression models indicated regional soil C and N content positively correlated with MAP and clay content. Overall, C and N sequestration increased 3.2- and 1.8-fold with increasing MAP in terms of C and N storage in aboveground biomass, roots, litter and soil. It was concluded from the current study that regional precipitation variability strongly influences ecosystem C and N dynamics. The ecosystem C and N sequestration are primarily modulated by annual precipitation and soil texture, while the C and N turnover are largely controlled by microbial community composition, temperature and soil quality in L. chinensis grasslands across the large-scale precipitation gradient.
Neotectonics, flooding patterns and landscape evolution in southern Amazonia
Authors: Lombardo U.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. The paper examines the role of neotectonic activity in the evolution of the landscape in southern Amazonia during the Holocene. It uses both new and published data based on the analysis of remote sensing imagery and extensive field work in the Llanos de Moxos, Bolivian Amazon. The study of the region's modern and palaeorivers, ria lakes, palaeosols and topography provides a strong case in favour of the thesis that the northern part of the Llanos de Moxos constitutes the southern margin of the Fitzcarrald Arch and that it has experienced uplift during the Holocene. The paper assesses the extent and timing of the neotectonic activity in light of the new data and reconstructs the evolution of the landscape since the late Pleistocene. The evidence suggests that at least two uplift events took place: a first uplift in the late Pleistocene, which caused the formation of Lake Oceano, and a second uplift during the mid-Holocene, which formed Lake Rogaguado. These two uplifts appear to be linked to the knickpoints observed close to the towns of Guayaramerín and Puerto Siles respectively. The backwater effect due to these uplifts transformed the region's major rivers in seasonal ria lakes, causing the deposition of thick organic clay layers along the Beni, Mamoré and Madre de Dios river banks. I argue that neotectonic episodes could have dramatically changed the drainage of the Llanos de Moxos, determining its flooding regime, soil properties and forest–savannah ecotone. These results stress the need for geomorphologists, palaeo-ecologists and archaeologists to take into account neotectonics when reconstructing the region's past.
Agro-hydrology and multi-temporal high-resolution remote sensing: toward an explicit spatial processes calibration
Authors: Ferrant S. , Gascoin S. , Veloso A. , Salmon-Monviola J. , Claverie M. , Rivalland V. , Dedieu G. , Demarez V. , Ceschia E. , Probst J.-L. , Durand P. , Bustillo V.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. The growing availability of high-resolution satellite image series offers new opportunities in agro-hydrological research and modeling. We investigated the possibilities offered for improving crop-growth dynamic simulation with the distributed agro-hydrological model: topography-based nitrogen transfer and transformation (TNT2). We used a leaf area index (LAI) map series derived from 105 Formosat-2 (F2) images covering the period 2006–2010. The TNT2 model (Beaujouan et al., 2002), calibrated against discharge and in-stream nitrate fluxes for the period 1985–2001, was tested on the 2005–2010 data set (climate, land use, agricultural practices, and discharge and nitrate fluxes at the outlet). Data from the first year (2005) were used to initialize the hydrological model. A priori agricultural practices obtained from an extensive field survey, such as seeding date, crop cultivar, and amount of fertilizer, were used as input variables. Continuous values of LAI as a function of cumulative daily temperature were obtained at the crop-field level by fitting a double logistic equation against discrete satellite-derived LAI. Model predictions of LAI dynamics using the a priori input parameters displayed temporal shifts from those observed LAI profiles that are irregularly distributed in space (between field crops) and time (between years). By resetting the seeding date at the crop-field level, we have developed an optimization method designed to efficiently minimize this temporal shift and better fit the crop growth against both the spatial observations and crop production. This optimization of simulated LAI has a negligible impact on water budgets at the catchment scale (1 mm yr−1 on average) but a noticeable impact on in-stream nitrogen fluxes (around 12%), which is of interest when considering nitrate stream contamination issues and the objectives of TNT2 modeling. This study demonstrates the potential contribution of the forthcoming high spatial and temporal resolution products from the Sentinel-2 satellite mission for improving agro-hydrological modeling by constraining the spatial representation of crop productivity.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in post-fire soils of drained peatlands in western Meshchera (Moscow region, Russia)
Authors: Tsibart A. , Gennadiev A. , Koshovskii T. , Watts A.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are priority pollutants that arrive in the environment from numerous anthropogenic and natural sources, but the data on their natural sources including wildfires remain insufficient. The level of contamination and the composition of PAHs in soils of the areas affected by wildfires were studied in this work. The study was conducted in the Moscow region (Russia) in areas occupied by drained peatland and strongly damaged by fires in 2002, 2010 and 2012. The features of PAH accumulation and the profile distributions in histosols and histic podzols after the fires of different times were analyzed. It was shown that new soil horizons formed after the fires – Cpir, Hpir and incipient O horizons – and that these horizons differ in PAH accumulation rate. Maximal total concentrations of 14 PAHs were detected in charred peat horizons Hpir (up to 330 ng g−1) and in post-fire incipient O horizons (up to 180 ng g−1), but the high-molecular-weight PAHs (benz(ghi)perylene, benz(a)pyrene, benz(k)fluoranthene) were revealed only in charry peat horizons. The trends of higher PAH concentrations were found in cases when smoldering combustion resulted in rather thick residual peat horizons. In cases of almost complete pyrogenic destruction of He horizons, total PAH concentrations were no more than 50 ng g−1. Also, PAH accumulation in upper horizons of soils near the sites of the latest fires was observed.
Microscale strain partitioning? Differential quartz crystallographic fabric development in Phyllite, Hindu Kush, Northwestern Pakistan
Authors: Larson K. P. , Lamming J. L. , Faisal S.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Spatially referenced quartz c axis fabrics demonstrate the preservation of multiple, distinct fabrics in a specimen collected from northwestern Pakistan. The overall fabric yielded by the specimen is dominated by a single population of quartz grains, while the fabric signatures of two other unique, spatially distinct populations are overwhelmed. It is these minor fabrics, however, that provide information on temperature of deformation (403 ± 50 °C), differential stress (8.6 + 2.6/−1.5 MPa to 15.0 +3.8/−2.5 MPa), strain rate (10−16 s−1 to 10−15 s−1), and strain partitioning recorded by the specimen.
Deglaciation of the Caucasus Mountains, Russia/Georgia, in the 21st century observed with ASTER satellite imagery and aerial photography
Authors: Shahgedanova M. , Nosenko G. , Kutuzov S. , Rototaeva O. , Khromova T.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Changes in the map area of 498 glaciers located on the Main Caucasus ridge (MCR) and on Mt. Elbrus in the Greater Caucasus Mountains (Russia and Georgia) were assessed using multispectral ASTER and panchromatic Landsat imagery with 15 m spatial resolution in 1999/2001 and 2010/2012. Changes in recession rates of glacier snouts between 1987–2001 and 2001–2010 were investigated using aerial photography and ASTER imagery for a sub-sample of 44 glaciers. In total, glacier area decreased by 4.7 ± 2.1% or 19.2 ± 8.7 km2 from 407.3 ± 5.4 km2 to 388.1 ± 5.2 km2. Glaciers located in the central and western MCR lost 13.4 ± 7.3 km2 (4.7 ± 2.5%) in total or 8.5 km2 (5.0 ± 2.4%) and 4.9 km2 (4.1 ± 2.7%) respectively. Glaciers on Mt. Elbrus, although located at higher elevations, lost 5.8 ± 1.4 km2 (4.9 ± 1.2%) of their total area. The recession rates of valley glacier termini increased between 1987–2000/01 and 2000/01–2010 (2000 for the western MCR and 2001 for the central MCR and Mt.~Elbrus) from 3.8 ± 0.8, 3.2 ± 0.9 and 8.3 ± 0.8 m yr−1 to 11.9 ± 1.1, 8.7 ± 1.1 and 14.1 ± 1.1 m yr−1 in the central and western MCR and on Mt. Elbrus respectively. The highest rate of increase in glacier termini retreat was registered on the southern slope of the central MCR where it has tripled. A positive trend in summer temperatures forced glacier recession, and strong positive temperature anomalies in 1998, 2006, and 2010 contributed to the enhanced loss of ice. An increase in accumulation season precipitation observed in the northern MCR since the mid-1980s has not compensated for the effects of summer warming while the negative precipitation anomalies, observed on the southern slope of the central MCR in the 1990s, resulted in stronger glacier wastage.
Defining Information Policy
Authors: Braman Sandra
Published: December 2014

Professor Braman introduces the first issue of the journal with an exploration of the definition, scope, and relevance of the concept of “information policy.” She sets forth the five criteria which define it as a coherent field of study, and notes the timeliness of its having a journal, as information policy increasingly shapes the world in which we live.
The Next Broadband Challenge: Wireless
Authors: Middleton Catherine A. , Given Jock
Published: December 2014

Is fiber optics to virtually all homes a sensible policy goal? Perhaps not. At least, so argue Professors Middleton and Given, who suggest that, although wireless broadband may not be as fast as fiber, its adoption will be more rapid because it offers other attractive characteristics. Mobile broadband may have a disruptive effect on the overall broadband market, making fiber to the home less attractive. If this is so, should universal service obligations be extended to mobile broadband? And should governments rethink their plans for a ubiquitous fiber optic infrastructure? Middleton and Given argue that they should.
Regulation, Resources, and Innovation: The Argentinean Telecommunications Case
Authors: Garcia-Murillo Martha A.
Published: December 2014

Regulatory processes can directly impair or enhance telecommunications innovation, according to Dr. Garcia-Murillo. Using the telecommunications sector in Argentina as a case study, and based on extensive interviews and analysis, her paper demonstrates the relationship between regulation, resources, and innovation. Regulatory independence, transparency, and accountability enhance innovation, but investment in telecommunications innovation also requires timely and predictable policy decisions, and Dr. Garcia-Murillo concludes that these must be fairly enforced.
Looking For the User in Media Pluralism Regulation: Unraveling the Traditional Diversity Chain and Recent Trends of User Empowerment in European Media Regulation
Authors: Valcke Peggy
Published: December 2014

Are increases in diverse media content meaningless if this additional content is ignored by the audience? If, in the end, consumption of diverse media is what matters, how should states shape policies to address the “empowered” user? Professor Valcke's article reviews the traditional approaches of the European Union and its Member States toward media diversity, which focused on sources and content with limited attention to media use. She argues that, without abandoning traditional measures, regulators must broaden their scope and consider how to promote use diversity. She sees the proposed European Pluralism Monitor as helpful in this regard and makes some suggestions for further regulatory improvements.
Giving the Audience a Voice: The Role of Research in Making Media Regulation More Responsive to the Needs of the Audience
Authors: Hasebrink Uwe
Published: December 2014

Accountability for media quality and diversity would be significantly improved by expanded public participation in media governance processes, argues Professor Hasebrink. European regulators, he suggests, have been too slow to recognize the value of including the audience's interests as citizen-participants and not just as consumers. To realize the value of the audience's interests, innovative research is needed both on the nature of the dual role of audiences, and on the multiple forms of their potential involvement in the policy discourse.
A Proposed Device Attachment Statute for Converged Networks
Authors: Jordan Scott , Shaffer Gwen
Published: December 2014

Interconnection of user-side devices and applications to networks has long been a contentious issue, compounded by the emergence of converged broadband networks. Doctors Jordan and Shaffer offer a “unified” draft statute to ensure users the right to connect devices and applications of their choice while ensuring providers the right to reasonable network management. Analyzing current attachment rules for telephony, cable, MVPDs, mobile services, and the Internet, they propose a single set of rules for operating in a converged broadband network environment. They acknowledge that there are difficult issues involved and try to apply a balancing of interests to resolve them.
Race- and Gender-Conscious Policies: Toward a More Egalitarian Communications
Future
Authors: Byerly Carolyn M. , Park Yong Jin , Miles Reginald D.
Published: December 2014

In this essay the authors, all faculty at Howard University, advocate more egalitarian ownership of broadcast media, especially with respect to minorities and women. They designate five areas for attention: objective standards for judging public interest performance; strengthening public oversight; strengthening localism; identifying metrics for diversity and localism; and mechanisms to promote minority and female ownership. They offer recommendations for the implementation of each area. In a larger sense, they argue that media ownership policies remain blocked by corporate-oriented neoliberalism, and the current media oligopoly needs to be dismantled under an antitrust model to insure robust discussion of issues of common interest into the future.
E-Governance Policy for Modernizing Government through Digital Democracy in India
Authors: Prasad Kiran
Published: December 2014

Access to ICTs alone does not make for successful national e-governance projects in developing countries, argues Dr. Prasad. India's National e-Governance Plan, key to its administrative reform agenda, proposes to extend the Internet to the remotest of villages. Making this relevant at the local level requires participatory efforts to promote democratic practices. The foundation of this initiative is a program of e-literacy, capacity building, and installation of ubiquitous broadband-enabled computer kiosks based on entrepreneurial public-private partnerships. The best example of this is the Akshaya Centres project in Kerala, a potential model for the rest of India and other developing nations.
From Switches to Packets: The New World of Interconnection
Authors: Cunningham Brendan M. , Alexander Peter
Published: December 2014

As the telecommunications market transitions from POTS to VoIP, interconnection plays a key role. How will migration from a termination regime to a peering regime impact carriers and subscribers? Cunningham and Alexander model the potential results under conditions of both traffic symmetry and asymmetry. Competition for subscribers, they find, is the key factor in holding interconnection costs down, although possibly increasing prices for subscribers. Under symmetry, this may ultimately increase firms' profits. Under asymmetry, some firms will lose profits. The consequences of this may be somewhat offset by public policies. This has implications for universal service, antitrust law, and network neutrality.
The Case for Reforming Regulation of PSTN Voice Services
Authors: Clarke Richard N.
Published: December 2014

Have competitive conditions in the voice services market changed sufficiently to justify lifting most current economic and social regulation on the public switched telephone network (PSTN)? Yes, argues Richard Clarke, describing in detail the ongoing changes in the supply and demand structures of the voice market and their impact on reducing the economic power of the traditional incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). Based on this argument, and on evolving technology, Clarke notes that both the PSTN and the voice services it supports are “inexorably going away,” to be replaced by new services and technologies, making current regulatory requirements superfluous.
The Baidu Music Settlement: A Turning Point for Copyright Reform In China?
Authors: Dong Xue “Snow” , Jayakar Krishna
Published: December 2014

Why did Baidu, China's largest Internet search service, settle a 2011 music copyright infringement case with three large western music publishers when it had prevailed on previous such claims against it? Dong and Jayakar explore four possible reasons for the Baidu settlement, and conclude that while one may not have been enough, all of them taken together likely led to the result, representing a major shift in Baidu's position on music copyrights. The authors then ask if this case may be exemplary of a major shift of China's overall attitude towards copyright and intellectual property.
Broadband Availability and Employment: An Analysis of County-Level Data from the National Broadband Map
Authors: Jayakar Krishna , Park Eun-A
Published: December 2014

Does investment in broadband infrastructure reduce unemployment? Yes, answer Jayakar and Park, reviewing broadband availability data from the National Broadband Map and unemployment statistics. Their study covers eight states selected according to a variety of demographic and economic criteria to represent a range of comparable states. The level of analysis was the county, and the sample was all 415 counties in the selected states. Jayakar and Park conclude that counties with better broadband availability had lower unemployment rates in 2011 even after controlling for other factors.
Creating, Clarifying, and Enforcing an Effective Non-Work Related Computing Policy: A Legal Perspective
Authors: Fichtner J. Royce , Strader Troy J. , Scullen Steven E.
Published: December 2014

What should the consequences be for an employee who uses the employer's computer for non-work related computing (NWRC)? Can the employer prevent the employee from receiving the unemployment benefits for which he/she is eligible if the grounds for dismissal are engaging in NWRC during working hours? Professors Fichtner, Strader, and Scullen discuss common scenarios in which organizations lost their bid to disqualify a terminated employee from receiving benefits, and recommend specific changes to organizations' NWRC policies to limit unemployment compensation claims. They conclude that existing unemployment compensation policies regarding NWRC suffer from vague statutory definitions and that policymakers should consider rewriting rules and regulations to more clearly address whether certain behaviors indeed constitute misconduct.
Measuring Performance when Broadband is the New PSTN
Authors: Lehr William , Bauer Steven , Clark David D.
Published: December 2014

The transition of telecommunications services from the old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to the broadband Internet does not alleviate the needs of consumers for basic services. The Internet universe, however, is mostly unregulated. As broadband becomes the new PSTN, how do we ensure that services are delivered appropriately, and how can this be measured? Doctors Lehr, Bauer, and Clark propose an updated set of measurements and address the policy considerations they raise, in order to ensure that broadband services indeed serve the public interest.
An Empirical Analysis of Internet Top-Level Domain Policy
Authors: Nicholls Tom
Published: December 2014

The process of introducing new top-level domain names (TLDs) for use on the Internet, which is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is fraught with rhetoric about an increase in costs and abuses, or an increase in choice and reduction in scarcity. Mr. Nicholls argues that there has been very little empirical research on the potential impact of new TLDs, and analyzes issues of cost and scarcity in domain name registration practices. Mr. Nicholls concludes that some of the perceived threats of new TLDs have not manifested though others have, and that data-driven research is necessary.
Spectrum Policy Reforms: Supporting Democracy and Economic Development in Jordan
Authors: Sweis Rana F. , Lennett Benjamin , Glaisyer Tom
Published: December 2014

The true role of new communications technologies in the dramatic events of the “Arab Spring” in 2011 is still under discussion, but wireless communications were certainly used widely by activists and protesters. This article uses events in Jordan as a case study, and the authors argue that reform of that country's spectrum licensing policies and speech laws is essential for future democratic progress and economic development. The authors combine research into Jordan's emergent high-tech industry, and successful and equitable spectrum policies in the United States, to form a series of policy recommendations for the Jordanian government.
The Impact of Intra-Platform Competition on Broadband Prices and Speeds
Authors: Smith Ron , Northall Peter , Ovington Tom , Santamaría Juana
Published: December 2014

What type of broadband competition has produced the best results for European consumers? To answer this question, the authors compare different types of competition for their impacts on both price and speed, using data from the EU27 countries for 2008–2011. They examine both inter-platform (DSL, cable, fiber, satellite, and wireless local loop) and intra-platform (unbundled local loop [ULL], bitstream, and resale) competition. The authors find that inter-platform competition and ULL access-based entry are both associated with lower prices and higher speeds, with inter-platform competition having the greater impact, and ULL being the most effective form of intra-platform competition.
ANÁLISE DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS HIDROLÓGICAS DE TRÊS SUB-BACIAS DO RIO CARAPÁ (CANINDEYÚ, PARAGUAI) EM FUNÇÃO DAS MUDANÇAS DA COBERTURA VEGETAL
Authors: Reys César Daniel Riveros , Rizzi Nivaldo Eduardo , Araki Hideo
Published: December 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o comportamento hidrológico em três sub-bacias da bacia hidrográfica do rio Carapá, localizadas no Departamento de Canindeyú, Paraguai em 1985, 1999 e 2007, através de análise multitemporal do uso do solo e análise da resposta hidrológica pelo método de Curva Número com ênfase no parâmetro de Coeficiente de escoamento superficial (CE). A metodologia de estudo foi dividida em duas etapas: classificação dos usos do solo e análise das mudanças da vegetação nativa e análise das classes geradas com adição de tipologias de solos para gerar os parâmetros hidrológicos nas três condições de umidade antecedente: normal (NII), seco (NI) e próximo da saturação (NIII). Os resultados indicaram diminuição da cobertura florestal nas três sub-bacias. Das três, o coeficiente de escoamento superficial nas três situações de umidade antecedente da sub-bacia 49 no período de 1985 e 1999 foi a mais alta (NI=6,42; NII=30,88; NIII=57,86) e a que indica maior possibilidade de degradação. No período de 2007, o coeficiente de escoamento superficial nas três situações de umidade antecedente da sub-bacia 01 foi a mais alta (NI=17,03; NII=45,18; NIII=69,32), indicando maior possibilidade de degradação na sub-bacia por conta da ação da erosão hídrica.Palavras-chave: Bacia hidrográfica; análise multitemporal; curva número; escoamento superficial. AbstractAnalysis of hydrologic characteristics of three sub-basins of Carapa River basin (Canindeyú, Paraguay) in relation to changes of plant cover. The objective of this study was to analyze the hydrological behavior in three sub-basins of the river basin, Carapa, located in the Department of Canindeyú, Paraguay in 1985, 1999 and 2007 through multitemporal analysis of land use and hydrologic response analysis method Curve Number with emphasis on parameter runoff coefficient (EC). The methodology was divided into two steps: classification of land use and analysis of changes in vegetation and analysis of the generated classes with the addition of soil types to generate the hydrological parameters in the three antecedent moisture conditions: normal (NII) cleaning (NI) and close to saturation (NIII). The results showed decrease in forest cover in the three sub-basins. From the three parameters, the runoff coefficient in three different moisture history of the sub-basin 49 between 1985 and 1999 was the highest (NI = 6.42, NII = 30.88, NIII = 57.86) and indicates a higher possibility of degradation. During 2007, the runoff coefficient in three different moisture history of the sub-basin 01 was the highest (NI = 17.03, NII = 45.18, NIII = 69.32), indicating a greater possibility of degradation the sub-basin due to the action of water erosion.Keywords: Hydrographic basin; multitemporal analysis; curve number; runoff.
EFEITO DA EXPLORAÇÃO NA RIQUEZA FLORÍSTICA E DIVERSIDADE EM UMA FLORESTA ECOTONAL DA REGIÃO NORTE MATO-GROSSENSE
Authors: Colpini Chirle , Silva Versides Sebastião de Moraes e , Soares Thelma Shirlen , Assumpção José Vespasiano Lisboa , Chiaranda Roberto
Published: December 2014

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as mudanças ocorridas na riqueza e diversidade de espécies em uma floresta ecotonal na região norte mato-grossense. Os dados foram coletados em três ocasiões (2001, antes da exploração, e em 2003 e 2007, após a exploração), em 74 parcelas de 0,25 ha, sendo 69 para estudar a floresta não explorada e 5 para a explorada, com a retirada dos fustes de árvores com diâmetros comercialmente aceitos no mercado. Todos os indivíduos com diâmetro a 1,3 m de altura do solo (Dap) ≥ 17 cm foram mensurados e identificados. A diversidade florística foi avaliada por meio do quociente de mistura de Jentsch e pelo índice de Shannon-Wiener e a equabilidade pelo índice de Pielou. A variação da riqueza e diversidade de espécies antes e após a exploração madeireira foi pequena, o que confirma o baixo impacto da exploração na composição e diversidade das espécies da floresta.Palavras-chave: Diversidade; equabilidade; Amazônia Meridional. AbstractLogging effects on floristic richness and species diversity in an ecotonal forest in northern region of Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in relation to floristic richness and species diversity in an ecotonal forest in northern region of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Data had been collected along three different moments (2001 [before logging], in 2003 and 2007 [after logging]) in 74 0.25-ha plots (69 in unlogged forest and 5 in logged forest). Trees with diameter ≥ 17 cm and 1.3 m height (dbh) had been measured and identified. Floristic diversity was evaluated by Jentsch Coefficient of Mixture and Shannon-Wiener index as well as its equability by Pielou’s Index. There were little variations before and after logging in relation to floristic richness and species diversity, it confirms low impact of exploration on floristic composition and species diversity of the forest.Keywords: Diversity; equability; Southern Amazonia.
EFEITO DO DESBASTE E DA FERTILIZAÇÃO NA PORCENTAGEM DE CASCA E CONICIDADE DE TORAS DE Eucalyptus grandis
Authors: Lima Israel Luiz de , Garcia José Nivaldo
Published: December 2014

O uso de espécies do gênero Eucalyptus, como madeira serrada, já é uma realidade, porém estudos de técnicas silviculturais que podem influenciar no aproveitamento da madeira serrada tornam-se necessários. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a influência do desbaste e da fertilização na porcentagem de casca e na conicidade de toras de uma população de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, aos 21 anos de idade, em Lençóis Paulista/SP. Para tanto, foram analisadas três intensidades de desbastes seletivos (37, 50 e 75%), presença ou ausência de fertilizantes na época de início dos desbastes, e duas classes de DAP (classe 1 para valores entre 25 e 30 e classe 2 para valores entre 30 e 35 cm). As amostras, em forma de toras de 3 m, foram coletadas em duas posições verticais ao longo da altura do fuste comercial (tora 1 de 1,7 a 4,7 e tora 2 de 6,4 a 9,4 m), tratadas de forma independente. A porcentagem de casca foi influenciada pelo desbaste e pela fertilização, porém somente na tora 1. A classe de diâmetro não exerceu nenhum efeito nessa característica da árvore. A conicidade variou somente com a classe de diâmetro, sendo maior nas toras da 2ª classe.Palavra-chave: Manejo florestal; qualidade das toras; características dendrométricas. AbstractEffects of thinning and fertilization onpercentage of bark and log taper of Eucalyptus grandis. Genus Eucalyptus species used as sawn wood is already reality, although it is still necessary more research on silvicultural techniques that may influence sawn wood usage. This research aim to analyze influence of thinning and fertilization on percentage of bark and log taper of a planted population of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, 21 years-old, in Lençóis Paulista, SP. It focused three thinning intensities (37, 50 and 75%), presence or absence of fertilizers and two DBH classes (class 1 for values between 25 and 30 and class 2 for values between 30 and 35 cm). Samples of 3 m. long logs had been collected from two vertical positions at the height of tree commercial stem (log 1 from 1.7 to 4.7 and log 2 from 6.4 to 9.4 m), and treated independently. Bark percentage was influenced by thinning intensity and fertilization, but only in log 1. The percentage of bark was influenced by thinning intensity and fertilization but only in log 1. Diameter class did not bring any effect on such tree characteristic. Log tapering varied only accordingly to the diameter class, and it was larger for 2nd class logs.Keywords: Forest management; quality of logs; dendrometric characteristics.
RIQUEZA ESPECÍFICA EM ÁREAS DE CAMPO NATIVO IMPACTADAS POR VISITAÇÃO TURÍSTICA E PASTEJO NO PARQUE NACIONAL DOS CAMPOS GERAIS, PR
Authors: Dalazoana Karine , Moro Rosemeri Segecin
Published: December 2014

O Parque Nacional dos Campos Gerais (PNCG) detém áreas de campos de altitude sob forte pressão antrópica, com a expansão das atividades agrícolas, pecuária, silvicultura e visitação turística desordenada. Devido ao impacto gerado, existe uma tendência à diminuição da riqueza específica, através da seletividade de espécies. Este trabalho analisa a resposta das comunidades campestres em termos de composição de espécies aos impactos de pastejo, roçada e pisoteio humano. Em quatro estações de coleta, foram determinados 107 táxons distribuídos em 23 famílias botânicas. As famílias com maior riqueza específica foram Asteraceae e Poaceae, ambas com 24 táxons, e Fabaceae, com 14 táxons. A riqueza específica variou de 27 a 75 espécies, com maior riqueza na estação não pastejada nem roçada, apenas visitada por turistas. O levantamento mostrou que, apesar da pressão antrópica, as áreas estudadas exibem considerável riqueza específica quando comparadas a outros trabalhos na região, mantendo ainda seu potencial biótico dinâmico. Floristicamente, os impactos gerados por gado ou por manejo com roçadeira se equivalem. Seis gêneros têm potencial para serem utilizados como bioindicadores de áreas conservadas: Croton, Galactia, Periandra, Cuphea, Pavonia e Commelina, mas há necessidade de ampliação das áreas estudadas para estabelecer mais claramente seu valor de bioindicação.Palavras-chave: Campo nativo; Campos Gerais; área impactada; pastejo; visitação turística. AbstractThe species diversity in native grassland areas that are under impact of tourism and grazing at Campos Gerais National Park, Parana, Brazil. Campos Gerais National Park (PNCG) has areas of grassland under high anthropogenic pressure, as expansion of agricultural activities, livestock, forestry and disorderly tourism. Due to these impacts, there is a tendency to decrease local biodiversity by selection of more resistant species. This paper focuses the grassland community answers to mowing, grazing and tourism. In four sampling sites it was determined 107 taxa belonging to 23 botanic families. The main families are Asteraceae (24 taxa), Poaceae (24 taxa) and Fabaceae (14 taxa). Species diversity varied from 27 to 75 species. In relation to species number, non-grazed areas presented greater diversity than other ones; it points to that touristic visitation may cause lower impact than grazing or mowing. In spite of the anthropogenic factors, the focused sites presented high specific diversity in relation to related areas. In relation to species diversity, grazing or mowing are equal. Six genera presented potentiality as bioindicators of preserved environments: Croton, Galactia, Periandra, Cuphea, Pavonia, and Commelina, although more sample areas are necessary to reliable results.Keywords: Grasslands; Campos Gerais; impacted area; grazing; touristic activities.
Development of a novel classification system for anatomical variants of the puboprostatic ligaments with expert validation
Authors: Kim Michael , Boyle Shawna L , Fernandez Alfonso , Matsumoto Edward D , Pace Kenneth T , Anidjar Maurice , Kozak Gregory N , Dave Sumit , Welk Blayne K , Johnson Marjorie I , Pautler Stephen E
Published: December 2014

Introduction: We propose a novel classification system with a validation study to help clinicians identify and typify commonly seen variants of the puboprostatic ligaments (PPL).Methods: A preliminary dissection of 6 male cadavers and a prospective dataset of over 300 robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RARP) recorded on video were used to identify 4 distinct ligament types. Then the prospectively collected database of surgical videos was used to isolate images of the PPL from RARP. Over 300 surgical videos were reviewed and classified with 1 to 5 pictures saved for reference of the type of PPL. To validate the new classification system, we selected 5 independent, blinded expert robotic surgeons to classify 100 ligaments based on morphology into a 4-type system: parallel, V-shaped, inverted V-shape, and fused. One week later, a subset of 25 photographs was sent to the same experts and classified. Statistical analyses were performed to determine both the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the proposed system.Results: Inverted V-shaped ligaments were noted most frequently (29.97%), parallel and V-shaped ligaments were found at 19.19% and 11.11%, respectively and fused ligaments were noted less frequently (6.06%). There was good intra-rater agreement (κ = 0.66) and inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.67) for the classification system.Conclusions: This classification system provided standardized descriptions of ligament variations that could be adopted universally to help clinicians categorize the variants. The system, validated by several blinded expert surgeons, demonstrated that surgeons were able to learn and correctly classify the variants. The system may be useful in helping to predict peri- and postoperative outcomes; however, this will require further study.
Long-term administration of single-agent carboplatin (AUC 4) for advanced testicular seminoma safely achieved complete response in an 80-year-old man with chronic heart failure: A case report
Authors: Fukuhara Hiroki , Yagi Mayu , Ando Kaoru , Tomita Yoshihiko
Published: December 2014

Carboplatin is often used instead of cisplatin as an alternative treatment for advanced testicular cancer. However, the safety, optimal dose, and optimal duration of this agent are unclear in patients with cardiac complications. We report the safety and effectiveness of long-term single-agent carboplatin for the treatment of testicular cancer in a patient with chronic heart failure (CHF). An 80-year-old man was referred to our institution for evaluation of painless swelling of the left scrotum. Computed tomography revealed lung metastases. Left radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed, and pathologic examination revealed a pure seminoma. Because he had CHF, there was high possibility of onset of acute heart failure secondary to fluid administration. Thus, single-agent carboplatin (AUC 4) was selected for therapy. A complete response was achieved after 8 of 13 cycles, and no serious adverse events occurred, including cardiac problems. Neither recurrence nor metastasis was detected during the 6-month follow-up. Low-dose, long-term carboplatin is likely effective for patients who are unfit for cisplatin administration because of comorbidities, especially CHF.
Attitudes and experiences of residents in pursuit of postgraduate fellowships: A national survey of Canadian trainees
Authors: Touma Naji J. , Siemens D. Robert
Published: December 2014

Introduction: There have been significant pressures on urology training in North America over the last decade due to both the constantly evolving skill set required and the external demands around delivery of urological care, particularly in Canada. We explore the attitudes and experience of Canadian urology residents toward their postgraduate decisions on fellowship opportunities.Methods: The study consisted of a self-report questionnaire of 4 separate cohorts of graduating urology residents from 2008 to 2011. The first cohort graduating in 2008 and 2009 were sent surveys through SurveyMonkey.com after graduation from residency; those graduating in 2010 and 2011 were prospectively invited as a convenience sample attending a Queen’s Urology Examination Skills Training Program review course just prior to graduation. The survey included both open- and closed-ended questions, employing a 5-point Likert scale, and explored the attitudes and experience of fellowship choices. Likert scores for each question were reported as means ± standard deviation (SD). Descriptive and correlative statistics were used to analyze the responses. In addition, an agreement score was created for those responding with “strongly agree” and “agree” on the Likert scale.Results: A total of 104 surveys were administered, with 84 respondents (80.8% response rate). As a whole, 84.9% of respondents agreed that they pursued fellowships; oncology and minimally invasive urology were the most popular choices throughout the 4 years. Respondents stated that reasons for pursuing a fellowship included: interest in pursuing an academic career (mean 3.73± 1.1 (SD): agreement score 61.1%) as well as acquiring marketable skills to obtain an urology position (3.59 ± 1.3: 64.4%). Most agreed or strongly agreed (84.9%) that a reason for pursing a fellowship was an interest in focusing their practice to this sub-specialty area. In comparison, most graduates disagreed that a reason for pursuing a fellowship was that residency did not equip them with the necessary skills to practice urology (2.49 ± 1.2: 19%). Most (81.2%) of graduates agreed they knew enough about academic urology to know if it would be a suitable career choice for them versus 54.7% regarding community urology (p < 0.0001). Surprisingly, only 61.7% of residents agreed that they completed a community elective during training, and most felt they would have benefited from additional elective time in the community.Conclusions: Urology residents graduating from Canadian programs pursue postgraduate training to enhance their surgical skill set and to achieve marketability, but also to facilitate a potential academic career. Responses from the trainees suggest that exposure to community practice appears suboptimal and may be an area of focus for programs to aid in career counselling and professional development.
Total ureterectomy and ileal ureteric replacement for TCC ureter in a solitary kidney
Authors: Banerji John S. , George Arun J.P.
Published: December 2014

Traditional treatment of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is nephroureterectomy with a bladder cuff. This is in keeping with the nature of the disease, in that TCC is a panurothelial disease. However, there are a few rare occasions when this would mean making a subject anephric, as in a TCC in a solitary kidney or bilateral synchronous/metachronous disease. We present a case of a patient with a dysplastic, poorly functioning left kidney and with a TCC of the ureter on the right side.
Symptomatic versus asymptomatic pyeloplasties: A single institution review
Authors: Metcalfe Peter , Assmus Mark , Kiddoo Darcie
Published: December 2014

Introduction: Historically, pyeloplasties have been performed after symptoms and radiographic confirmation of an ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). However, with prenatal ultrasonography, the approach to patients has fundamentally changed. Increasingly, patients are diagnosed and treated before the advent of morbidity, based on imaging findings alone. However, optimum screening strategies and thresholds for intervention vary significantly, are controversial, and are not founded on outcome-based evidence. We examined all pyeloplasties performed at our institution and reviewed their indication for surgery. We hypothesized that, despite ubiquitous screening for UPJO, most pyeloplasties had been performed secondary to symptoms and did not benefit from antenatal screening.Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all pyeloplasties performed at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, over the past 8 years. Patients were categorized according to indication for surgery: symptomatic or asymptomatic.Results: Most (60%) of our pyeloplasties were performed for symptomatic indications. Furthermore, 12% of these patients had antenatally detected hydronephrosis that was thought to have resolved spontaneously during follow-up. Of our symptomatic patients, 37% were undergoing surveillance with the expectation for spontaneous resolution. Of the 29 patients who underwent pyeloplasty, 8 suffered a preoperative loss of function on renal scans; however, only 50% returned to within 90% of their original function.Conclusion: Despite active surveillance of antenatally detected hydronephrosis, most pyeloplasties at our institution were performed for de-novo symptoms. We believe that this simple observation reinforces that our current surveillance strategies are unable to predict and eliminate all morbidity from UPJO.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney
Authors: Benidir Tarik , Coelho de Castilho Tiago Jacometo , Lobo Cherubini Guilherme Rodrigo , De Almeida Luz Murilo
Published: December 2014

Horseshoe kidney has an incidence rate ranging from 1 in 400 to 1 in 1000, with a 2:1 ratio in men. It also has a predilection for chromosomal aneuploidies. From a pathophysiology standpoint, this anomaly occurs during the second to sixth week of gestation when the inferior portion of the metanephric blastema fuses to form an isthmus, commonly in the lower renal pole (90%). As a result of this fusion, the kidney may not bypass the inferior mesenteric artery and is impeded in its ascent. With an aberrant anatomical orientation and location, complications arise including hydronephrosis, renal calculi and a twofold risk of Wilms tumour. Despite these findings, the association of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) within a horseshoe kidney is extremely rare and fewer than 200 cases have been described. Therapeutically speaking, partial nephrectomies are the gold standard of treatment for renal tumours smaller than 4 cm in diameter, with a growing indication to accomplish this procedure by laparoscopic or robotic means. We report a case of an asymptomatic 58-year-old male with an incidental computed tomography scan finding of a 4-cm solid mass in the right moiety of a horseshoe kidney. He was treated by laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. There have only been 2 other reported cases to our knowledge on a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in a horseshoe kidney for RCC. We believe that, in experienced hands, the laparoscopic approach may be used successfully for this clinical situation.