bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitudes and practice toward cervical cancer screening among Sikkimese nursing staff in India
Authors: Rahman Hafizur , Kar Sumit
Published: June 2015

Objectives: To assess baseline knowledge of cancer cervix, screening and practice of Pap smear screening among Sikkimese staff nurses in India. Materials and Methods: Between April 2012 and February 2013, a predesigned, pretested, self -administered multiple responses questionnaire survey was conducted among staff nurses′ working in various hospitals of Sikkim. Questionnaire contained information about their demographics, knowledge of cervical cancer, its risk factors, screening methods, attitudes toward cervical cancer screening and practice of Pap smear amongst themselves. Results: Overall, 90.4% nurses responded that they were aware of cancer cervix. Three quarter of the staff nurses were not aware of commonest site being cancer cervix in women. Of the 320 participants, who had heard of cancer cervix, 253 (79.1%) were aware of cancer cervix screening. Pap smear screening should start at 21 years or 3 years after sexual debut was known to only one-third of the nursing staff. Age was found to be a significant predictor of awareness of Pap smear screening among nursing staff. Awareness was significantly more prevalent among older staff (P < 0.007). Married nursing staffs were significantly more likely to be aware of screening methods, and nursing staff of Christian and Buddhist religion were 1.25 times and 2.03 times more likely to aware of screening methods than Hindu religion respectively. Only 16.6% nurses, who were aware of a Pap smear (11.9% of the total sample), had ever undergone a Pap smear test. Most common reason offered for not undergoing Pap smear test were, they felt they were not at risk (41%), uncomfortable pelvic examination (25%) and fear of a bad result (16.6%). Conclusion: Knowledge of cancer cervix, screening and practice of Pap smear was low among Sikkimese nursing staff in India. There is an urgent need for re-orientation course for working nurses and integration of cervical cancer prevention issues in the nurses′ existing curriculum in India and other developing countries.
Malaria in Zhejiang Province, China, from 2005 to 2014
Authors: Chen Hualiang , Yao Linong , Zhang Lingling , Zhang Xuan , Lu Qiaoyi , Yu Kegen , Ruan Wei
Published: June 2015

To summarize the changing epidemiological characteristics of malaria in Zhejiang Province, China, we collected data on malaria from the Chinese Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NDRS) and analyzed them. A total of 2,738 malaria cases were identified in Zhejiang Province from 2005 to 2014, of which 2,018 were male and 720 were female. Notably, only 7% of malaria cases were indigenous and the other cases were all imported. The number of malaria cases increased from 2005 to 2007, peaked in 2007, and then decreased from 2007 to 2011. There were no indigenous cases from 2012 to 2014. Of all cases, 68% of cases contracted Plasmodium vivax, 27% of cases contracted P. falciparum, and two cases contracted P. malariae. About 88% of malaria cases during 2005–2011 occurred yearly between May and October, but the number of malaria cases in different months during 2012–2014 was similar. The median age was 33 years, and 1,892 cases occurred in persons aged 20–50 years. The proportion of businessmen increased and the proportion of migrant laborers decreased in recent years. The median time from illness onset to confirmation of malaria cases was 5 days and it decreased from 2005 to 2014. Some epidemiological characteristics of malaria have changed, and businessmen are the emphases to surveillance in every month.
A Comparison of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Syrian and Turkish Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Turan Enver , Yeşilova Yavuz , Sürücü Hacer Altun , Ardic Nurittin , Doni Nebiye , Aksoy Mustafa , Yesilova Abdullah , Oghumu Steve , Varikuti Sanjay , Satoskar Abhay R.
Published: June 2015

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a significant public health problem with increasing incidence, especially in extreme circumstances. In this study, we compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 685 Syrian CL patients afflicted by the Syrian conflict and 685 Turkish CL patients in 2012. Patient age, gender, duration of disease, lesion size, type, and localization were evaluated. The duration of CL disease in Syrian CL patients (4.5 ± 4.3 weeks) was shorter than that of Turkish CL patients (11.9 ± 9.7 weeks). The number of lesions was greater in Syrian patients (2.46 ± 2.43) than in Turkish patients (1.93 ± 1.47). Lesion sizes were comparable between both groups (Syrian, 11.2 ± 8.7 mm; Turkish, 10.7 ± 7.7 mm). In Syrian CL patients, nodular type lesions were the most common (325 patients, 49.1%), whereas, in Turkish CL patients, ulcer type lesions were the most common (352 patients, 51.5%). Our results indicate variations in the clinicoepidemiological features of CL between Turkish and Syrian patients within Sanliurfa province. This highlights the impact of social unrest and environmental conditions on the epidemiology of CL within this region. Approaches to prevention, control, and treatment of CL in these areas should take into consideration the emerging changes in clinicoepidemiological parameters of the disease.
Using IASI to simulate the total spectrum of outgoing long-wave radiances
Authors: Turner E. C. , Lee H.-T. , Tett S. F. B.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. A new method of deriving high-resolution top-of-atmosphere spectral radiances in 10 181 bands, over the whole outgoing long-wave spectrum of the Earth, is presented. Correlations between different channels measured by the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interfermeter (IASI) on the MetOp-A (Meteorological Operation) satellite and unobserved wavenumbers are used to estimate far infrared (FIR) radiances at 0.5 cm−1 intervals between 25.25 and 644.75 cm−1 (the FIR), and additionally between 2760 and 3000 cm−1 (the NIR – near infrared). Radiances simulated by the line-by-line radiative transfer model (LBLRTM) are used to construct the prediction model. The spectrum is validated by comparing the Integrated Nadir Long-wave Radiance (INLR) product spanning the whole 25.25–3000 cm−1 range with the corresponding broadband measurements from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument on the Terra and Aqua satellites at points of simultaneous nadir overpass. There is a mean difference of 0.3 W m−2 sr−1 (0.5% relative difference). This is well within the uncertainties associated with the measurements made by either instrument. However, there is a noticeable contrast when the bias is separated into night-time and daytime scenes with the latter being significantly larger, possibly due to errors in the CERES Ed3 Spectral Response Functions (SRF) correction method. In the absence of an operational spaceborne instrument that isolates the FIR, this product provides a useful proxy for such measurements within the limits of the regression model it is based on, which is shown to have very low root mean squared errors. The new high-resolution spectrum is presented for global mean clear and all skies where the FIR is shown to contribute 44 and 47% to the total INLR, respectively. In terms of the spectral cloud effect (Cloud Integrated Nadir Long-wave Radiance – CINLR), the FIR contributes 19% and in some subtropical instances appears to be negative; results that would go unobserved with a traditional broadband analysis.
Characteristics of 1 year of observational data of VOCs, NOx and O3 at a suburban site in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zou Y. , Deng X. J. , Zhu D. , Gong D. C. , Wang H. , Li F. , Tan H. B. , Deng T. , Mai B. R. , Liu X. T. , Wang B. G.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Guangzhou, one of China's megacities, is beset with frequent occurrence of high-concentration ozone events. In this study, online instruments were used to simultaneously monitor ozone, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at GPACS (the Guangzhou Panyu Atmospheric Composition Station) of the China Meteorological Administration, from June 2011 to May 2012, in order to determine their characteristics, the effect of VOCs on ozone photochemical production and the relationship between VOC / NOx ratio and ozone formation. The results showed that during the observation period, the seasonal variation of ozone concentration was lower in spring and winter compared to summer and autumn, which is opposite that for VOCs and NOx. In terms of VOCs, aromatics had the largest ozone formation potential, among which toluene, xylenes, ethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene were the most important species, with a total contribution of about 44%. As the VOC / NOx ratios were very high during high-concentration ozone events that occur all year round, we speculate ozone production was likely to be NOx-limited regime (12:00–16:00 LT) in Guangzhou. Further investigation based on numerical models is needed in the future to obtain more detailed and robust conclusions.
Response of soil microorganisms to radioactive oil waste: results from a leaching experiment
Authors: Galitskaya P. , Biktasheva L. , Saveliev A. , Ratering S. , Schnell S. , Selivanovskaya S.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Oil wastes produced in large amounts in the processes of oil extraction, refining, and transportation are of great environmental concern because of their mutagenicity, toxicity, high fire hazardousness, and hydrophobicity. About 40% of these wastes contain radionuclides; however, the effects of oil products and radionuclides on soil microorganisms are frequently studied separately. The effects on various microbial parameters of raw waste containing 575 g of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) kg−1 waste, 4.4 of 226Ra, 2.8 of 232Th, and 1.3 kBq kg−1 of 40K and its treated variant (1.6 g kg−1 of TPH, 7.9 of 226Ra, 3.9 of 232Th, and 183 kBq kg−1 of 40K) were examined in a leaching column experiment to separate the effects of hydrocarbons from those of radioactive elements. The raw waste sample (H) was collected from tanks during cleaning and maintenance, and a treated waste sample (R) was obtained from equipment for oil waste treatment. Thermal steam treatment is used in the production yard to reduce the oil content. The disposal of H waste samples on the soil surface led to an increase in the TPH content in soil: it became 3.5, 2.8, and 2.2 times higher in the upper (0–20 cm), middle (20–40 cm), and lower (40–60cm) layers, respectively. Activity concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th increased in soil sampled from both H- and R- columns in comparison to their concentrations in control soil. The activity concentrations of these two elements in samples taken from the upper and middle layers were much higher for the R-column compared to the H-column, despite the fact that the amount of waste added to the columns was equalized with respect to the activity concentrations of radionuclides. The H waste containing both TPH and radionuclides affected the functioning of the soil microbial community, and the effect was more pronounced in the upper layer of the column. Metabolic quotient and cellulase activity were the most sensitive microbial parameters as their levels were changed 5–1.4 times in comparison to control ones. Changes in soil functional characteristics caused by the treated waste containing mainly radionuclides were not observed. PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction – single strand conformation polymorphism) analysis followed by MDS (metric multidimensional scaling) and clustering analysis revealed that the shifts in microbial community structure were affected by both hydrocarbons and radioactivity. Thus, molecular methods permitted to reveal the effects on soil microbial community not only from hydrocarbons, which significantly altered functional characteristics of soil microbiome, but also from radioactive elements.
Map-based prediction of organic carbon in headwaters streams improved by downstream observations from the river outlet
Authors: Temnerud J. , von Brömssen C. , Fölster J. , Buffam I. , Andersson J.-O. , Nyberg L. , Bishop K.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In spite of the great abundance and ecological importance of headwater streams, managers are usually limited by a lack of information about water chemistry in these headwaters. In this study we test whether river outlet chemistry can be used as an additional source of information to improve the prediction of the chemistry of upstream headwaters (size < 2 km2), relative to models based on map information alone. Between 2000 and 2008, we conducted 17 synoptic surveys of streams within 9 mesoscale catchments (size 32–235 km2). Over 900 water samples were collected from catchments ranging in size from 0.03 to 235 km2. First we used partial least square regression (PLS) to model headwater stream total organic carbon (TOC) median and interquartile values for a given catchment, based on a large number of candidate variables including catchment characteristics from GIS, and measured chemistry at the catchment outlet. The best candidate variables from the PLS models were then used in hierarchical linear mixed models (MM) to model TOC in individual headwater streams. Three predictor variables were consistently selected for the MM calibration sets: (1) proportion of forested wetlands in the sub-catchment (positively correlated with headwater stream TOC), (2) proportion of lake surface cover in the sub-catchment (negatively correlated with headwater stream TOC), and (3) whole-catchment river outlet TOC (positively correlated with headwater stream TOC). Including river outlet TOC as a predictor in the models gave 5–15% lower prediction errors than using map information alone. Thus, data on water chemistry measured at river outlets offers information which can complement GIS-based modelling of headwater stream chemistry.
Designing optimal greenhouse gas observing networks that consider performance and cost
Authors: Lucas D. D. , Yver Kwok C. , Cameron-Smith P. , Graven H. , Bergmann D. , Guilderson T. P. , Weiss R. , Keeling R.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Emission rates of greenhouse gases (GHGs) entering into the atmosphere can be inferred using mathematical inverse approaches that combine observations from a network of stations with forward atmospheric transport models. Some locations for collecting observations are better than others for constraining GHG emissions through the inversion, but the best locations for the inversion may be inaccessible or limited by economic and other non-scientific factors. We present a method to design an optimal GHG observing network in the presence of multiple objectives that may be in conflict with each other. As a demonstration, we use our method to design a prototype network of six stations to monitor summertime emissions in California of the potent GHG 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (CH2FCF3, HFC-134a). We use a multiobjective genetic algorithm to evolve network configurations that seek to jointly maximize the scientific accuracy of the inferred HFC-134a emissions and minimize the associated costs of making the measurements. The genetic algorithm effectively determines a set of "optimal" observing networks for HFC-134a that satisfy both objectives (i.e., the Pareto frontier). The Pareto frontier is convex, and clearly shows the tradeoffs between performance and cost, and the diminishing returns in trading one for the other. Without difficulty, our method can be extended to design optimal networks to monitor two or more GHGs with different emissions patterns, or to incorporate other objectives and constraints that are important in the practical design of atmospheric monitoring networks.
Metos3D: a marine ecosystem toolkit for optimization and simulation in 3-D – Simulation Package v0.2
Authors: Piwonski J. , Slawig T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. A general programming interface for parameter identification for marine ecosystem models is introduced. A comprehensive solver software for periodic steady-states is implemented that includes a fixed point iteration (spin-up) and a Newton solver. The software is based on the Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation (PETSc) library and uses transport matrices for efficient off-line simulation in 3-D. In addition to the usage of PETSc's parallel data structures and PETSc's Newton solver, an own load balancing algorithm is implemented. A simple verification is carried out using a well investigated biogeochemical model for phosphate (PO4) and dissolved organic phosphorous (DOP) with 7 parameters. The model is coupled via the interface to transport matrices that correspond to a longitudinal and latitudinal resolution of 2.8125° and 15 vertical layers. Initial tests show that both solvers and the load balancing algorithm work correctly. Further experiments demonstrate the robustness of the Newton solver with respect to parameter variations. Moreover, the numerical tests reveal that, with optimal control settings, the Newton solver converges at least 6 times faster towards a solution than the spin-up. However, additional twin experiments reveal differences between both solvers regarding a derivative-based black-box optimization. Whereas an optimization run with spin-up-based model evaluations is capable to identify model parameters of a reference solution, Newton-based model evaluations result in an inaccurate gradient approximation.
Assessment of valley cold pools and clouds in a very high resolution NWP model
Authors: Hughes J. K. , Ross A. N. , Vosper S. B. , Lock A. P. , Jemmett-Smith B. C.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The formation of cold air pools in valleys under stable conditions represents an important challenge for numerical weather prediction (NWP). The challenge is increased when the valleys which dominate cold pool formation are on scales unresolved by NWP models, which can lead to substantial local errors in temperature forecasts. In this study a two-month simulation is presented using a nested model configuration with a finest horizontal grid spacing of 100 m. The simulation is compared with observations from the recent COLPEX project and the model's ability to represent cold pool formation and the surface energy balance is assessed. The results reveal a bias in the model long-wave radiation which results from the assumptions made about the sub-grid variability in humidity in the cloud parametrization scheme. The cloud scheme assumes relative humidity thresholds below 100% to diagnose partial cloudiness, an approach common to schemes used in many other models. The biases in radiation, and resulting biases in screen temperature and cold pool properties are shown to be sensitive to the choice of critical relative humidity, suggesting that this is a key area which should be improved for very high resolution modelling.
Understanding NMR relaxometry of partially water-saturated rocks
Authors: Mohnke O. , Jorand R. , Nordlund C. , Klitzsch N.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry measurements are commonly used to characterize the storage and transport properties of water-saturated rocks. Estimations of these properties are based on the direct link of the initial NMR signal amplitude to porosity (water content) and of the NMR relaxation time to pore size. Herein, pore shapes are usually assumed to be spherical or cylindrical. However, the NMR response at partial water saturation for natural sediments and rocks may differ strongly from the responses calculated for spherical or cylindrical pores, because these pore shapes do not account for water menisci remaining in the corners of desaturated angular pores. Therefore, we consider a bundle of pores with triangular cross sections. We introduce analytical solutions of the NMR equations at partial saturation of these pores, which account for water menisci of desaturated pores. After developing equations that describe the water distribution inside the pores, we calculate the NMR response at partial saturation for imbibition and drainage based on the deduced water distributions. For this pore model, the NMR amplitudes and NMR relaxation times at partial water saturation strongly depend on pore shape, i.e., arising from the capillary pressure and pore shape-dependent water distribution in desaturated pores with triangular cross sections. Even so, the NMR relaxation time at full saturation only depends on the surface-to-volume ratio of the pore. Moreover, we show the qualitative agreement of the saturation-dependent relaxation-time distributions of our model with those observed for rocks and soils.
Effective damage zone volume of fault zones and initial salinity distribution determine intensity of shallow aquifer salinization in geological underground utilization
Authors: Langer M. , Tillner E. , Kempka T. , Kühn M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Injection of fluids into deep saline aquifers causes a pore pressure increase in the storage formation, and thus displacement of resident brines. Via hydraulically conductive faults, brine may migrate upwards into shallower aquifers, and lead to unwanted salinization of potable groundwater resources. In the present study, we investigated different scenarios for a prospective storage site close to the city of Beeskow in the Northeast German Basin by using a 3-D regional scale model (100 km × 100 km × 1.34 km) that includes four ambient fault zones. The focus was on assessing the impact of fault length and the effect of an overlying secondary reservoir as well as model boundary conditions on the potential salinization of shallow groundwater resources. We employed numerical simulations of brine injection as a representative fluid using the simulator TOUGH2-MP. Our simulation results demonstrate that pressure build-up within the reservoir determines the intensity and duration of fluid flow through the faults, and hence salinization of shallower aquifers. Application of different boundary conditions proved that these have a crucial impact on reservoir fluid displacement. If reservoir boundaries are closed, the fluid migrated upwards into the shallow aquifer, corresponds to the overall injected fluid mass. In that case, a short hydraulically conductive fault length and the presence of an overlying secondary reservoir leads only to retardation in brine displacement up to a factor of five and three, respectively. If the reservoir boundaries are open, salinization is considerably reduced: in the presence of a secondary reservoir, 33% of equivalent brine mass migrates into the shallow aquifer, if all four faults are hydraulically open over their entire length, whereas the displaced equivalent brine mass is only 12% for a single fault of two kilometres length. Taking into account the considered geological boundary conditions, the brine originates in maximum from the upper 4 to 298 m of the investigated faults. Hence, the initial salt–freshwater interface present in the fault is of high relevance for the resulting shallow aquifer salinization. The present study demonstrates that the existence of hydraulically conductive faults is not necessarily an exclusion criterion for potential injection sites, because salinization of shallower aquifers strongly depends on initial salinity distribution, location of hydraulically conductive faults and their length as well as geological boundary conditions. These constraints are location specific, and need to be explored thoroughly in advance of any field activity. They provide the basis for scenario analyses and a reliable risk assessment.
A validation of an operational wave and surge prediction system for the Dutch coast
Authors: Sembiring L. , van Ormondt M. , van Dongeren A. , Roelvink D.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Knowledge of the actual condition of hydrodynamics in the nearshore and coastal area is essential for coastal monitoring activities. To this end, a coastal operational model system can serve as a tool in providing recent and up-to-date, state-of-the-art hydrodynamics along the coast. In this paper, we apply CoSMoS (Coastal Storm Modeling System), a generic operational wave and tide-surge modelling system applied here to predict waves and water levels along the Dutch coast. The CoSMoS application is not limited to storm impact prediction on the Dutch coast, but can also be applied to other coastal hazards such as rip currents and coastal flooding, in other environments. In this paper, we present the set-up of the CoSMoS system and a validation of the wave and surge model, with deep-water wave buoy data and tidal gauge measurements as ground truth validation material. The evaluation is presented as monthly error measures between computed parameters and observed ones. Hindcast results over the whole year of 2009 show that the simulated wave parameters and surge elevation from the CoSMoS are in good agreement with data, with average root mean square (rms) error over the year of 0.14 m for the surge elevation and 0.24 m for the significant wave height. It is noted that there is a tendency of the wave model to underestimate the height of northerly waves with lower frequencies (swell). Additionally, when a wave separation algorithm is applied on the overall spectrum, results show consistent underestimation of the swell component by the model, which for the Dutch coast will mainly come from the north, where the North Sea is open to the Atlantic Ocean. In the proposed model system, the swell boundary can have a significant effect on the simulated wave results, suggesting room for improvement for the swell boundary conditions to the north and the swell propagation within the Dutch Continental Shelf Model. Finally, we show that in forecast mode, CoSMoS can provide reasonably good wave and surge prediction.
Tracking B-31 iceberg with two aircraft-deployed sensors
Authors: Jones D. H. , Gudmundsson G. H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Icebergs are a natural hazard to maritime operations in polar regions. Iceberg populations are increasing, as is the demand for access to both Arctic and Antarctic seas. Soon the ability to reliably track icebergs may become a necessity for continued operational safety. The temporal and spatial coverage of remote sensing instruments is limited, and must be supplemented with in situ measurements. In this paper we describe the design of a tracking sensor that can be deployed from a fixed-wing aircraft during surveys of Antarctic icebergs, and detail the results of its first deployment operation on iceberg B-31.
Inversion method for initial tsunami waveform reconstruction
Authors: Voronin V. V. , Voronina T. A. , Tcheverda V. A.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. This paper deals with the application of the r-solution method to recover the initial tsunami waveform in a tsunami source area by remote water-level measurements. Wave propagation is considered within the scope of a linear shallow-water theory. An ill-posed inverse problem is regularized by means of least square inversion using a truncated SVD (singular value decomposition) approach. The method presented allows one to control instability of the numerical solution and to obtain an acceptable result in spite of ill-posedness of the problem. It is shown that the accuracy of tsunami source reconstruction strongly depends on the signal-to-noise ratio, the azimuthal coverage of recording stations with respect to the source area and bathymetric features along the wave path. The numerical experiments were carried out with synthetic data and various computational domains including a real bathymetry.
PM10 measurements in urban settlements after lava fountain episodes at Mt Etna, Italy: pilot test to assess volcanic ash hazard on human health
Authors: Andronico D. , Del Carlo P.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In this paper we focus on the potential risks caused by the sub-10 micron fraction of volcanic ash (particulate matter: PM10) after the basaltic explosive eruptions from Mt Etna volcano (Italy), which have dramatically increased in frequency over the last 20 years. We present results deriving from the study of the ash concentration in the air following the lava fountain episode from the New South-East Crater of Etna on 15 November 2011, which caused tephra fallout over the eastern slope of the volcano. Short-duration tests of PM10 measurements were carried out at three different sites using a TSI® DustTrakTM aerosol monitor a few hours after the end of the eruption, and readouts of the air quality were repeated at the same sites a month later without volcanic activity. Furthermore, ash samples were characterized by grain-size, componentry, morphological and petro-chemical analyses. By comparing PM10 levels measured a few hours after the 15 November lava fountain and on 15 December, we found that relatively low amounts (500–1500 g m-2) of tephra fallout cause high levels of PM10 in the air. This is because the coarse particles, like basaltic ash, are readily broken up by traffic and hence remobilized into the air, due to their intrinsic, physical and morphological features. We believe that in the future the impact from ash fallout in the Etnean territory should receive proper attention in order to avoid potential health problems; this may be achieved by accomplishing simple but effective actions, first and foremost the prompt removal of the ash deposits from the urbanized areas.
Instaseis: instant global seismograms based on a broadband waveform database
Authors: van Driel M. , Krischer L. , Stähler S. C. , Hosseini K. , Nissen-Meyer T.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. We present a new method and implementation (Instaseis) to store global Green's functions in a database which allows for near-instantaneous (on the order of milliseconds) extraction of arbitrary seismograms. Using the axisymmetric spectral element method (AxiSEM), the generation of these databases, based on reciprocity of the Green's functions, is very efficient and is approximately half as expensive as a single AxiSEM forward run. Thus, this enables the computation of full databases at half the cost of the computation of seismograms for a single source in the previous scheme and allows to compute databases at the highest frequencies globally observed. By storing the basis coefficients of the numerical scheme (Lagrange polynomials), the Green's functions are 4th order accurate in space and the spatial discretization respects discontinuities in the velocity model exactly. High-order temporal interpolation using Lanczos resampling allows to retrieve seismograms at any sampling rate. AxiSEM is easily adaptable to arbitrary spherically symmetric models of Earth as well as other planets. In this paper, we present the basic rationale and details of the method as well as benchmarks and illustrate a variety of applications. The code is open source and available with extensive documentation at www.instaseis.net .
Impact of land management system on crop yields and soil fertility in Cameroon
Authors: Tsozué D. , P. Nghonda J. , L. Mekem D.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The impact of direct-seeding mulch-based cropping systems (DMC), direct seeding (DS) and tillage seeding (TS) on Sorghum yields, soil fertility and the rehabilitation of degraded soils was evaluated in northern Cameroon. Field work consisted of visual examination, soil sampling, yield and rainfall data collection. Three fertilization rates (F1: 100 kg ha−1 NPK + 25 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC, F2: 200 kg ha−1 NPK + 50 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC and F3: 300 kg ha−1 NPK + 100 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC) were applied to each cropping system (DS, TS and DMC), resulting in nine experimental plots. Two types of chemical fertilizer were used (NPK 22.10.15 and urea) and applied each year from 2002 to 2012. Average Sorghum yields were 1239, 863 and 960 kg ha−1 respectively in DMC, DS and TS at F1, 1658, 1139 and 1192 kg ha−1 respectively in DMC, DS and TS at F2, and 2270, 2138 and 1780 kg ha−1 respectively in DMC, DS and TS at F3. pH values were 5.2 to 5.7 under DMC, 4.9 to 5.3 under DS and TS, and 5.6 in the control sample. High values of cation exchange capacity were recorded in the control sample, TS system and F1 of DMC. Base saturation rates, total nitrogen and organic matter contents were high in the control sample and the DMC than in the others systems. All studied soils were permanently not suitable for Sorghum due to the high percentage of nodules. F1 and F2 of the DS were currently not suitable, while F1 and F3 of DMC, F3 of DS and F1, F2 and F3 of TS were marginally suitable for Sorghum due to low soil pH values.
Psichoaktyvių medžiagų vartojimo žalos mažinimas:koncepcijos pokyčiai ir veiksmingumas
Authors: Istomina Natalja , Perminienė Rožė , Suhonen Riitta , Leino-Kilpi Helena
Published: June 2015

Infectious diseases such as HIV and virus hepatitis B and C are closely connected with drug use. These diseases are one of the hardest drug use results affecting health. The relation between drug injections and infection transmission is undeniable. Therefore, in many countries prevention of drug use harm and its reduction is the aim of societies‘ health policy and strategies of fighting against drugs. The aim of this work: to review the concept of harm reduction, to analyse and present literature material related to particularity of implementation, importance and effectiveness of one element of harm reduction programme - needle and syringe / exchange. The methodology of the study is analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and sources, meta-analysis, structuring and summarizing information.Harm reduction is a policy or programme oriented towards reducing negative drug use effects on health of an individual person and the whole society in general as well as social and economical areas without a strict requirement for a person to give up using drugs. Using clean injection equipment, its sterilization, reducing of risky habits while preparing drug mixtures/solutions and promotion of condom use are especially important kinds of intervention in programmes of reducing HIV, spread of hepatitis, overdosing and other drug connected death cases. However drug harm reduction programmes are not alternatives to other means of treatment for drug use. Harm reduction, widespread worldwide, is being consolidated and integrated with different health care and social services. Usually “packages“ of various services of harm reduction are provided in low threshold centres.
Europos jaunimas – narkomanijos prevencijos programa: Klaipėdos atvejis europos miestų kontekste
Authors: Perminienė Rožė , Istomina Natalja , Drungilienė Danguolė , Razbadauskas Artūras
Published: June 2015

The aim of the paper is to analyse the tendencies of substance use by teenagers of Klaipėda and other European cities and the scale of risk factors influencing these tendencies. In 2006 Iceland, together with the international organization „European Cities Against Drugs“ (ECAD), initiated a decade-long international project „Youth in Europe – a Drug PreventionProgramme“, the aim of which in Europe is to facilitate the development of preventive strategies, which are based on scientific-social factors (those of risk and prevention) influencing the teenagers' life. 12 European cities have entered the project,including Klaipėda. An anonymous written survey has been carried out in all partner cities (Helsinki, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Oslo, Reykjavik,Riga, St. Petersburg, Sofia, Vilnius, Stockholm, Gälve, Orebro),using the questionnaire, which was worked out by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis and its methodology of survey implementation. Students of the 10th grade (15-16 years old) have been surveyed. During the survey, the data of 2213 students (48,4% males and 51,6% females) in 2006 and the data of 1873 students (50,4% males and 49,6% females) from 2008 to 2008. The data of the survey has helped to identify the teenage groups that require attention in reducing the impact of risk factors on them and strengthening their preventive factors.
Apsinuodijimų 2009-2011 m. Klaipėdoje analizė
Authors: Strukčinskienė Birutė , Stasiuvienė Dalija , Šopagienė Diana
Published: June 2015

External causes of deaths are one of the main public health problems globally. Nowadays poisonings are among the leading causes of external causes, along with traffic injury, suicide, drowning, falls, and fire/burn. In Lithuania, injuries are the third leading cause of death for the last several years.There were analysed non-fatal poisonings in Klaipeda over 2009-2011. The document analysis and descriptive statistics were used. For the study, data from Klaipeda Public Health Center was analysed on non-fatal poisonings. All acute poisonings treated the health care institutions in Klaipeda were included in our study.The study revealed that there were 423 patients (53.2% pattern, factors associated with hospitalization, and mortality. male and 46.8% female) treated because of acute poisonings over 2009-2011 in Klaipeda (3.3% as suicide attempts). The majority of patients (89.9%) were children aged 0 to 17 years. The most frequent main toxic agents were alcohol and medications. There were recorded 66% poisonings at home, and 16.8% accidental overdoses with substances of abuse taken during leisure time. The study showed that special attention should be paid to the child and adolescent safety at home and leisure-time safety.
Žmonių su psichine negalia gyvenimo kokybė
Authors: Kreivinienė Brigita , Vaičiulienė Jolanta
Published: June 2015

Quality of Life of people suffering from mental disorder was barely analysed in Lithuania. Analysis of quality of life in medicine usually is based on the measuring quantitative parameters in patients. Such measurements allow gather a lot of valuable and statistically reliable data, though scientific studies show [10; 14] that qualitative analysis can reveal unique and especially sensitive aspects. Because of this reason quality of life was analyzed in qualitative way in the article. Aim of the article is to analyse understanding of quality of life in a case of mental disorder. Two groups of respondents were analysed: the subjective understanding of quality of life was built on the interview with 10 people suffering from mental disorder, the objective is interviewing 29 people not having disability. Research methods: literature analysis, qualitative research (narrative). The research results revealed differences in objectively and subjectively understanding quality of life. People suffering from mental disorder understand their quality of life as having close person in life, employment, ab-sence of control, material safety. Though objectively understand-ing quality of life in society is understood as visits in self-support groups, integration, social participation.
Pedagogių nerimo sutrikimus ir depresiškumą skatinančių veiksnių analizė ir psichoedukacijos galimybės
Authors: Sučylaitė Jūratė
Published: June 2015

Objective. To evaluate factors able to strengthen symptoms of the anxiety disorders and depression and to show possibilities of psycho-education Methods. Qualitative research.10 women ill with anxiety disorders or depression were involved into the psycho-education program. Two groups were organized in Psychiatric department.Each group had 6 meeting during 3 weeks. Having purpose to disclose patients’ personal meanings poetry reading was used in eve-ry group. Poetry served as a source of free associations and helped to develop dialog on various topics important for group members. Existential knowledge and information of the disease mechanism were given during group discussion. Creative artistic methods were used with purpose to express emotions and thoughts in more authentic way. All thoughts were written down and analysed in phenomenological and hermeneutic- interpretative way.Results. Somatic symptoms were more stronger when perception of self identity was lower. Somatic symptoms became stronger when conversation reached question of professional experience. By words of the informants “strong will to do good works and many efforts put to help other people” brought to weakness and exhaustion of psychic energy. A lack of external world impressions and smaller palette of emotions were noticed when the perception of self identity was smaller. Some informants were afraid to understand inner experiences and to disclose qualities of own personality, other had difficulties trying to apply psycho-logical knowledge into management of personal life. They used psychological knowledge to defend their rules associated with their emotional limits. Other had a fear to be wrong trying to dis-close qualities of their personality, and disclosed only negative qualities only or only positive. They confessed that they try to ignore negative emotions and weakness. Rationally they wanted to leave pedagogical practice, but emotional ambiguity was noticed. Low self evaluation blocked will to share the best professional practice with other and lead to low self evaluation, lack of spiritual goals and life meaning. The program improved their ability to communicate in the group, to express inner experiences verbally, give a hope.Conclusion. Somatic symptoms in case of anxiety disorder are stronger when perception of self identity is smaller; when is a lack of openness to impressions of external world and smaller variety of emotions. Professional work gives negative emotions, but trying to escape an experience of these emotions lead to lower self evaluation, spiritual goals disappear and life meaning is lost. Psycho-education reached with creative artistic methods helps to reduce somatic symptoms in case of anxiety disorders, and to reduce symptoms of depression in case of depression or anxiety disorder; bring hope, promotes the skills of verbal and social communication.
Asmenų su fizine judėjimo negalia socialinė integracija Lietuvoje: padėties analizė
Authors: Bartkutė Ingrida , Čižikienė Janina
Published: June 2015

Integration of people with disabilities to the labour market constantly remains in society as particularly timely, because employers are rather cautious about working abilities of people with disabilities. The physical environment is still not enough adapted,also there are left legal gaps. People with disabilities can not evaluate their possibilities to enter into labour market. Professional and social integration concept of the last decades changed in particular. This was influenced by development of information technologies, which allows redefining work and workplace concept. This article examines the professional and social integration is-sues of people with disabilities that are relevant to capacity of professional assessment and follow-up care institutions. This article is oriented to case aspects of the people with physical disabilities.
Studentų mitybos įpročiai
Authors: Samsonienė Laimutė , Zimnicka Vilija
Published: June 2015

Nutrition is the one of the most important factors, determining the human health and life quality. As the young body matures, there are changes in physiological and biochemical processes, i.e. the basic metabolic and energy consumption processes, this nutrition becomes a very important factor directing the organism of a young person favourably as eating habits and nutrition are essential factors assessing the pathogenesis of many diseases in every stage of life. The aim is to determine the VU and LUHS students eating habits. In 2011-2012 we conducted anonymous questionnaire survey involving 863 students. 413 students were from LUHS and 450 from VU: 648 girls and 202 boys. (13 student's did not indicate their gender). Respondents were 20-24 years of age.There were investigated students eating habits, attitudes towards eating habits and addictions. The anonymous questionnaire was composed on the basis ofLithuanian and foreign research literature. It consisted of 31 questions aiming at investigating the peculiarities of students nutrition. Research data were processed using SPSS 17.0 statistical package. The frequency of risk factors (in percent) was compared between the case and the control groups, the level of significance was chosen at 0.05. The differences in the indices were considered to be significant when p value did not exceed 0.05 (p<0.05).Hypothesis about the independence of factors were checked calculating chi square (x2) criterion.Our study found that while people are young, some of them are already complaining about having health problems. Most students choose food according to their taste qualities, consume too few vegetables and fish products, consuming too much salt. Most students like to have a snack between main meals. Boys consumed significantly more alcohol, as well as a high percentage ofVU students smoke. A review of all test results showed that students LUHS eating habits are more favourable to health than VU among students.
Pacientų, sergančių galvos ir kaklo piktybiniais navikais,slaugos problemos: bandomasis tyrimas
Authors: Šiupšinskienė Nora , Švagždytė Ligita , Žiliukas Geriuldas
Published: June 2015

The epidemiological monitoring and clinical studies as well as the results of experimental research are revealing that the amount of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer are increasing in all over the world. The survival rate of head and neck cancer is one of the poorest between basic cancer survival rates and in average is reaching only 5 years. The aim of the study was to analyse nursing problems in the head and neck cancer patients. Anonymous survey with originally composed questionnaire was accomplished by 48 nurses (mean age 43.5±8.7 years.) randomly selected from four departments dealing with head and neck cancer patients. Questionnaire included information about main troubles of cancer patients and nursing problems of such patients. More than two thirds of nurses indicated that the main troubles of head and neck cancer patients are difficulties in speech, voice and swallowing also psycho-emotional distress in connection with cancer diagnosis, prognosis and tumour location. More than a half of study nurses indicated that the main nursing problems for oncologist patients care are painful ulcerations in the head and neck area, large purulent wounds and communication difficulties. Around 90 percent of nurses were experiencing negative emotions associated with the oncological patients care. Irritation and sadness of nurses increased with the nurses’ age and experience of oncological work.
Vertybių refleksija slaugytojo veiklą reglamentuojančiuose dokumentuose
Authors: Butėnas Ričardas , Žydžiūnaitė Vilma
Published: June 2015

Background. Nurses work in health care system and in their activities aspect of values becomes crucial. The nurse becomes a leader in interdisciplinary team and has the unique possibility and the moral duty to serve as an advocate of the patients and their families in important moments of their lives.The focus of the research is the values in regulation documents on nursing.The research issue. Particular values and duties that are mentioned in documentation of medical practitioners and declarations are inseparable of nurses’ activities, but between the nursing practice reality and the norms exists the gap.Research question. What values presuppose documentation content on nursing activities at national and international context?Aim is to distinguish the assumptions of value expression in documents on nursing activities. Sample consisted of eleven documents regarding nursing activity and twenty one articles. Methods. For data analysis was applied the latent qualitative content analysis by Cormack. Results. The analysis of documents on nursing activities, revealed the assumptions of instrumental values. But the content of documents lacks the assumptions of moral, aesthetic and religious value factors that are premises for general values. These are oriented inter-cultural competencies and value-related competencies of nurses.Conclusion. The documentation of nursing activities at the national and international content implies instrumental values, which focus on the general competence of the nurse, but they are only a part of the values that are important to nursing profession