bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency nurses’ ways of coping influence their ability to empower women to move beyond the oppression of intimate partner violence
Authors: Van der Wath Annatjie , Van Wyk Neltjie , Van Rensburg Elsie Janse
Published: April 2016

Background: Millennium Developmental Goal 3 (MDG 3) aims at enhancing gender equity and empowerment of women. Emergency nurses who often encounter women injured by their intimate partners are at risk of developing vicarious traumatisation, which may influence their ability to empower women to move beyond the oppression of intimate partner violence.Aim: This article aims to, (1) describe emergency nurses’ ways of coping with the exposure to survivors of intimate partner violence, and (2) recommend a way towards effective coping that will enhance emergency nurses’ abilities to empower women to move beyond the oppression of intimate partner violence to contribute to the achievement of MDG 3.Setting: The study was conducted in emergency units of two public hospitals in an urban setting in South Africa.Method: A qualitative design and descriptive phenomenological method was used. Emergency nurses working in the setting were purposively sampled and interviewed. The data were analysed by searching for the essence and meaning attached to the exposure of emergency nurses to survivors of intimate partner violence.Results: Emergency nurses’ coping responses were either aimed at avoiding or dealing with their exposure to survivors of intimate partner violence. Coping aimed at dealing with the exposure included seeking support, emotion regulation and accommodative coping.Conclusion: Emergency nurses employ either effective or ineffective ways of coping. Less effective ways of coping may increase their risk of vicarious and secondary traumatisation, which in turn may influence their ability to empower women to move beyond the oppression of intimate partner violence.
Remembering and constructing Israelite identity in postexilic Yehud: Some remarks on the penitential prayer of Nehemiah 9:6�37
Authors: Mtshiselwa V. Ndikhokele N.
Published: April 2016

That there is a growing focus and elaboration of prayers in the Old Testament scholarship on the postexilic biblical writings suggests that such prayers received an authoritative status in postexilic Yehud. Firstly, this paper argues that not only did the remembrance of the story of Israel confer an authoritative status to Nehemiah 9:6�37, it also served the purpose of casting a hopeful and prophetic imagination of a liberated community in Yehud. Secondly, it is argued in this paper that the prayer of Nehemiah 9:6�37 shaped the identity of the Jews in Yehud amidst socio-economic injustices. This identity was linked to the patriarch Abraham (cf. Neh 9:7�8), to the liberation of the Jews from Pharaoh under the leadership of Moses (cf. Neh 9:9�15, 21), to the possession of the Promised Land (cf. Neh 9:22�25), to the caution about the consequence of disobedience to Yahweh � the exile (cf. Neh 9:16�21, 26�30)- and to the demise of the kingdom in the Babylonian exile (cf. Neh 9:31�37). On the whole, it is argued in this paper that the prayer of Nehemiah 9:6�37 was composed and transmitted with the view to remember and construct the identity of the Jews in postexilic Yehud.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Not only does this article explore the religious aspect of Nehemiah 9:6�37, it equally investigates the socio-economic and political undertones in the text in order to determine the context from which the penitential prayer emerged. It is argued here that in the postexilic Yehud context, Nehemiah 9:6�37 served to remember and construct the identity of the Jews.Keywords: Nehemiah; story of Israel; identity construction; prayer; prophetic imaginations; socio-economic injustice
Epidemiology of cancers among adolescents and young adults from a tertiary cancer center in Delhi
Authors: Singh Randeep , Shirali Rashmi , Chatterjee Sonali , Adhana Arun , Arora Ramandeep Singh
Published: April 2016

Background and Objectives: Although cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is increasingly an area of focus, there is a paucity of clinical and epidemiological data from developing countries. Our objective was to analyze the geographical distribution, sex ratio, histology, and disease patterns of cancers in AYA. Materials and Methods: All patients aged 15-29 years with the diagnosis of cancer who were registered with two hospitals in New Delhi during a 12-month period from January 2014 to December 2014 were included. Basic demographic information on age, sex, location of stay, and nationality was available. Using cancer site and morphology codes, the cancers were grouped by the Birch classification of AYA cancers. Clinical information on disease and treatment status, was retrospectively studied. Results: There were 287 patients (57.5% male, 85.4% Indian origin) registered with 54 (18.8%), 97 (33.8%), and 136 (47.4%) patients in the 15-19, 20-24, and 25-29 years age groups, respectively. The three most common cancer groups were carcinomas (40.8%), lymphomas (12.9%), and leukemias (10.4%). The three most common sites in carcinomas were gastrointestinal tract (GIT), genitourinary tract, and breast. The most prevalent cancers in younger AYA (15-19 years) were leukemias, lymphomas, central nervous system neoplasms, and in contrast, older AYA (25-29 years) suffered mainly from GIT Carcinomas, lymphomas. The leading cancers were breast and GIT carcinomas in females and lymphomas and GIT carcinomas in males. Conclusion: The occurrence of cancer in AYA in India has been described. The distribution differs from the only previous report from India as well as the US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database, which can be attributed to a referral bias along with the factual difference in cancer etiology and genetics.
ABVE-PC and modified BEACOPP regimen in Indian children with Hodgkin lymphoma: Feasibility and efficacy
Authors: Jayabose Somasundaram , Viswanathan Kasi , Kumar Vignesh , Annamalai Annapoorani , Srinivasan Arathi , Scott Julius Xavier , Rathnam Krishnakumar
Published: April 2016

Aims: To study the toxicity of ABVE-PC (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone and cyclophosphamide) and modified-BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide,vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) in intermediate-risk and high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma patients. Methods: High-risk patients received 4 cycles of modified-BEACOPP (m-BEACOPP) plus 4 cycles of ABVD. Intermediate-risk patients received 4 cycles of ABVE-PC plus 2 cycles of ABVD. Results: From 2010 to 2014, 17 patients received 66 cycles of m-BEACOPP and 9 patients received 40 cycles of ABVE-PC. In the m-BEACOPP and ABVE-PC courses, respectively, significant thrombocytopenia (<50,000/mm3) occurred in 10.6% vs 0% of courses; anemia (Hb. <8 gm/dl) in 27.3% vs 15%; neutropenia (ANC<500/mm3) in 46.9% vs 32.5%; and febrile neutropenia in 33.3% vs. 22.5%. Only episode of documented infection (hepatic abscess) occurred in ABVE-PC. There were no episodes of sepsis, typhlitis or pneumonia in either group. All 26 patients are in remission with a median follow-up of 35 months (range, 17-61); and there have been no relapses. Two of 26 (7.7%) patients failed to achieve rapid early response after 2 cycles and complete remission after 4 cycles of chemotherapy; both achieved remission with more intensive regimens followed by radiation. The remaining 24 patients did not receive radiation therapy. Conclusions: Both m-BEACOPP and ABVE-PC regimens have acceptable toxicity; and thus can be used in most centres with optimum supportive care facilities. They offer promising response rate and relapse free survival without the need for radiation therapy in most patients; and thus may be considered for children with high-risk and intermediate-risk Hodgkin lymphoma.
Estimation of tumor volume and its prognostic significance to study the biological behavior of carcinoma of cervix
Authors: Dawson Leelavathi , Garg Ketan , Choudhary Sakshi
Published: April 2016

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess a correlation between tumor volume, the spread and metastatic potential of the tumor.

Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done on 40 cases of carcinoma of cervix with stage IIb or less. The hysterectomy specimens alongwith the lymph nodes were sent to the histopathology department. Clinical details were taken from gynecology department. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were prepared and seen. Tumor volume was calculated by using the formula TV = π/6×Length×Width×Depth. Immunohistochemistry for Fibronectin and LN5 was also done.

Results: The median age of the patients in this group was 47.5 years, with a range of 30–80 years. The major histological type of carcinoma among 40 cases is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (in 90% of cases), and 10% had adenocarcinoma. Pathological staging of the carcinoma cervix showed stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IVa (35%, 20%, 40%, and 5%). Tumor volume estimated on pathological specimens of 40 cases ranged from 230 cumm to 49,760 cumm with a mean of 14,844 cumm. 12 (30%) cases had tumor volume more than 15,000 cumm, 12 (30%) cases had tumor volume <5000 cumm and 16 (40%) cases had tumor volume between 5000 and 15,000 cumm. 17% of the tumors with tumor volume <5000 cumm showed lymph node metastases, whereas 67% (out of 12cases) of cases with tumor volume more than 15,000 cumm showed lymph node metastases. 67% of the tumors with tumor volume <5000 cumm showed 0/4 organs involvement, whereas all cases with tumor volume more than 15,000 cumm showed more than one organ involvement among vagina, uterus, parametrium or bladder/rectum. Fibronectin positivity was seen in 22 out of 44 cases (55%). Macrophages were seen surrounding the group of tumor cells by LN5 immunostaining.

Conclusion: Tumor volume can be considered as an independent prognostic factor to assess the spread of the tumor. Cases with tumor volume <5000 cumm show low risk in terms of parametrial involvement and lymph node metastasis and those with tumor volume more than 15,000 cumm showed more organ spread. Fibronectin positivity carries some importance in low-risk cases. For macrophages, further detailed study needs to be carried out.
Management of public water and sewage services by municipalities in Goiás, GO, Brasil
Authors: Arruda Poliana Nascimento , Lima Aline Souza Carvalho , Scalize Paulo Sérgio
Published: April 2016

The characteristics of services provided and the regulations governing their cost both contribute to the satisfaction of the consumer. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the quality of public water and sewage services in 21 municipalities of Goiás, to include billing procedures and consumer satisfaction, and taking into account whether or not the operations were regulated. To accomplish this, we conducted on-site visits to complete questionnaires relating to our interviews with managers to obtain technical information and with consumers to determine their level of satisfaction. It was observed that systems are managed by local authorities in ten municipalities, four by city hall departments or appointed officials, and seven did not have any specific regulatory oversight. Seven municipalities had no water treatment; of those, six had no specific regulatory oversight, revealing the lack of a planned management system. In 57.1% of the municipalities, there was no sewage treatment and sewage was dumped in soak pits. These had no governing body, and the price-charging adjustments were established in three ways: i) approval of the project by the Town Hall councilors; ii) decree by the mayor; and iii) analysis by the Municipal Sanitation Council (CMS). The satisfaction of the consumers was related to economic, cultural and, especially, political factors, and the existence of a management system improved infrastructure conditions.
Carbon storage in soil and aggregates of Inceptisols under different land use management systems in southern Amazonas
Authors: Campos Milton César Costa , Soares Marcelo Dayron Rodrigues , Nascimento Mailson Ferreira , Silva Douglas Marcelo Pinheiro
Published: April 2016

Land use and management systems are factors that can influence carbon stock and its aggregate stability. This study assessed the carbon stock and aggregate stability of Inceptisols under different land use and management systems. The study was conducted on five properties located in the southern region of Amazonas state. Five areas were selected with different traditional land use systems (agroforestry, cassava, sugarcane, pasture and native forest). On each site, grids of 50 m x 50 m, with regular spacing of 10 by 10 meters were outlined for a sampling of 36 points in each mesh at a depth 0.00-0.10 m. We determined the bulk density, aggregate stability, total organic carbon and carbon stock. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. We found that the highest values of carbon stocks were found in areas under sugar cane and pasture, followed by the areas under cassava, agroforestry and native forest. Carbon stocks and aggregate stability were significantly altered by land use management systems.
Investigating the Selectivity of KcsA Channel by an Image Charge Solvation Method (ICSM) in Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Baker Katherine , Chen Duan , Cai Wei
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we study the selectivity of the potassium channel KcsA by a recently developed image-charge solvation method (ICSM) combined with molecular dynamics simulations. The hybrid solvation model in the ICSM is able to demonstrate atomistically the function of the selectivity filter of the KcsA channel when potassium and sodium ions are considered and their distributions inside the filter are simulated. Our study also shows that the reaction field effect, explicitly accounted for through image charge approximation in the ICSM model, is necessary in reproducing the correct selectivity property of the potassium channels.
Evaluation of maize growth in Bombax buonopozense plantation
Authors: Williams OA , Bolanle-Ojo OT , Ogunwande OA , Adegoke FF
Published: April 2016

This experiment was conducted on the Bombax buonopozense plantation at the arboretum of the Forestry Institute of Nigeria during the wet planting season of year 2014. There were three treatments viz: maize planted within rows of trees under non pruned bombax trees, pruned bombax trees and the control which was an open space with no tree. Data were collected on the height, vigour score, leaf production and shoot dry matter of the maize planted in the different treatments from 3 to 12 weeks after planting. The data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated by Duncan Multiple range tests. It was observed from this study that there were significant differences in the height, crop vigour score, stem diameter, leaf production and shoot dry matter. Maize plants under control performed better than the maize plants under non-pruned and pruned trees but the growth of the maize plants from the three treatments are comparable. This study revealed that maize can be planted in a 5 years old bombax plantation. Farmers interested in timber production can plant trees alongside with their and apply pruning techniques to increase the duration of crop production.Keywords: Agroforestry, pruning, annual crop production, timber, light interception
Determinants of market participation in non-timber forest products among the rural households of rain forest in Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Balogun OL , Yusuf SA , Osalusi CS , Olowe OO , Ayo-Bello TA
Published: April 2016

Market participation by the rural household on Non-Timber forest products has been found to be important as a means of breaking from the traditional semi-subsistence to fully commercialised production. This study examined the determinants of market participation in Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP)s among the rural households in rain forest zone of Ondo state, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of well structured questionnaire from one hundred and twenty-two households using multistage sampling technique. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, probit and tobit regressions analysis. The result showed that household size, income from other occupation, labour cost and durable input cost significantly affected the decision and level of participation in extraction and marketing of NTFPs in the area of study. It was also revealed from the study that kolanut and bitter kola were more profitable and efficient out of the seven NTFPs examined. It is recommended that forest management strategies and intervention design should be aimed at those people who settle inside or at the edge of the forest, because they are in a better position to continuously assess the existing situation of the forest and forest resources.Keywords: Traditional semi-subsistence, Fully commercialised, Forest management, Budgetary analysis, Profitable
Gender analysis of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) collection, processing and marreting in rural enclaves of Omo biosphere, Nigeria
Authors: Kola-Oladiji KI , Ige IO , Obafunsho OE , Ogunsola AJ
Published: April 2016

Millions of people, especially those living in rural areas in developing countries collect Non-Timber Forest products (NTFPs) daily. Women are known to play a prominent role in forestry and agricultural production in Nigeria despite not been captured as economically productive. This work looked into gender dimension associated with collection, processing and marketing of NTFPs in Omo biosphere reserve.Simple random sampling technique was used to select 10 villages within and around the reserve.12 household respondents were interviewed with the aid of structured questionnaires in the selected villages. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and result presented inform of tables and chart.Finding showed the respondents are dominated by males (78.6%) while 90% are married, income earners with over ₦40000/month stood at 15%. It was found that apart from Theobroma cacao which is capital intensive to manage and require land ownership, there was virtually no NTFPs encountered that were not actively involved in by both sexes. Processing was found to be basically female based while collection is done by both sexes. Gender analysis of uses and benefit derived also indicated the involvement of both sexes. Much as women participated actively in collection, processing and marketing of these NTFPs, they should be given necessary opportunities to maximize their potentialsKeywords: Gender, NTFPs, collection, processing and marketing
1064 nm Raman lidar for extinction and lidar ratio profiling: Cirrus case study
Authors: Haarig Moritz , Engelmann Ronny , Ansmann Albert , Veselovskii Igor , Whiteman David N. , Althausen Dietrich
Published: April 2016

Abstract. For the first time, vertical profiles of the 1064 nm particle extinction coefficient obtained from Raman lidar observations at 1058 nm (nitrogen rotational Raman backscatter) are presented. We applied the new technique in the framework of test measurements and performed several cirrus observations of particle backscatter and extinction coefficients, and corresponding extinction-to-backscatter ratios at the wavelengths of 355, 532m and 1064 nm.
Potential of needle trap microextraction – portable gas chromatography – mass spectrometry for measurement of atmospheric volatile compounds
Authors: Barreira Luís Miguel Feijó , Xue Yu , Duporté Geoffroy , Parshintsev Jevgeni , Hartonen Kari , Jussila Matti , Kulmala Markku , Riekkola Marja-Liisa
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in atmospheric chemistry and physics. They participate in photochemical reactions in the atmosphere, which have direct implications on climate through, e.g., aerosol particle formation. Forests are important sources of VOCs, and the limited resources and infrastructures often found in many remote environments call for the development of portable devices. In this research, the potential of needle trap microextraction and portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the study of VOCs at forest site was evaluated. Measurements were performed in summer and autumn 2014 at the Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II) in Hyytiälä, Finland. During the first part of the campaign (summer) the applicability of the developed method was tested for the determination of monoterpenes, pinonaldehyde, aldehydes, amines and anthropogenic compounds. The temporal variation of aerosol precursors was determined, and evaluated against temperature and aerosol number concentration data. The most abundant monoterpenes, pinonaldehyde and aldehydes were successfully measured, their relative amounts being lower during days when particle number concentration was higher. Ethylbenzene, para- and meta-xylene were also found when wind direction was from cities with substantial anthropogenic activity. An accumulation of VOCs in the snow cover was observed in the autumn campaign. Results demonstrated the successful applicability of needle trap microextraction and portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the rapid in-situ determination of organic gaseous compounds in the atmosphere.
Statistical analysis of magnetotail fast flows and related magnetic disturbances
Authors: Frühauff Dennis , Glassmeier Karl-Heinz
Published: April 2016

Abstract. This study presents an investigation on the occurrence of fast flows in the magnetotail using the complete available data set of the THEMIS spacecraft for the years 2007 to 2015. The fast flow events (times of enhanced ion velocity) are detected through the use of a velocity criterion, therefore making the resulting database as large as almost 16 000 events. First, basic statistical findings concerning velocity distributions, occurrence rates, group structures are presented. Second, Superposed Epoch Analysis is utilized to account for average profiles of selected plasma quantities. The data reveal representative time series in near and far tail of the Earth with typical timescales of the order of 1–2 min, corresponding to scale sizes of 3 RE. Last, related magnetic field disturbances are analyzed. It is found that the minimum variance direction is essentially confined to a plane almost perpendicular to the main flow direction while, at the same time, the maximum variance direction is aligned with flow and background field directions. The presentation of the database and first statistical findings will prove useful both as input for magneto-hydrodynamical simulations and theoretical considerations of fast flows.
How seasonal forecast could help a decision maker: an example of climate service for water resource management
Authors: Viel Christian , Beaulant Anne-Lise , Soubeyroux Jean-Michel , Céron Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The FP7 project EUPORIAS was a great opportunity for the climate community to co-design with stakeholders some original and innovative climate services at seasonal time scales. In this framework, Météo-France proposed a prototype that aimed to provide to water resource managers some tailored information to better anticipate the coming season. It is based on a forecasting system, built on a refined hydrological suite, forced by a coupled seasonal forecast model. It particularly delivers probabilistic river flow prediction on river basins all over the French territory. This paper presents the work we have done with "EPTB Seine Grands Lacs" (EPTB SGL), an institutional stakeholder in charge of the management of 4 great reservoirs on the upper Seine Basin. First, we present the co-design phase, which means the translation of classical climate outputs into several indices, relevant to influence the stakeholder's decision making process (DMP). And second, we detail the evaluation of the impact of the forecast on the DMP. This evaluation is based on an experiment realised in collaboration with the stakeholder. Concretely EPTB SGL has replayed some past decisions, in three different contexts: without any forecast, with a forecast A and with a forecast B. One of forecast A and B really contained seasonal forecast, the other only contained random forecasts taken from past climate. This placebo experiment, realised in a blind test, allowed us to calculate promising skill scores of the DMP based on seasonal forecast in comparison to a classical approach based on climatology, and to EPTG SGL current practice.
Projecting the release of carbon from permafrost soils using a perturbed parameter ensemble modelling approach
Authors: MacDougall Andrew H. , Knutti Reto
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The soils of the northern hemispheric permafrost region are estimated to contain 1100 to 1500 Pg of carbon. A substantial fraction of this carbon has been frozen and therefore protected from microbial decay for millennia. As anthropogenic climate warming progresses much of this permafrost is expected to thaw. Here we conduct perturbed model experiments on a climate model of intermediate complexity, with an improved permafrost carbon module, to estimate with formal uncertainty bounds the release of carbon from permafrost soils by the year 2100 and 2300 CE. We estimate that by year 2100 the permafrost region may release between 56 (13 to 118) Pg C under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6 and 102 (27 to 199) Pg C under RCP 8.5, with substantially more to be released under each scenario by the year 2300. Our analysis suggests that the two parameters that contribute most to the uncertainty in the release of carbon from permafrost soils are the size of the non-passive fraction of the permafrost carbon pool and the equilibrium climate sensitivity. A subset of 25 model variants are integrated 8000 years into the future under continued RCP forcing. Under the moderate RCP 4.5 forcing a remnant near-surface permafrost region persists in the high Arctic, eventually developing a new permafrost carbon pool. Overall our simulations suggest that the permafrost carbon cycle feedback to climate change will make a significant contribution to climate change over the next centuries and millennia, releasing a quantity of carbon 3 to 54 % of the cumulative anthropogenic total.
The influence of volcanic eruptions on the climate of tropical South America during the last millennium in an isotope-enabled general circulation model
Authors: Colose Christopher M. , LeGrande Allegra N. , Vuille Mathias
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Currently, little is known on how volcanic eruptions impact large-scale climate phenomena such as South American paleo-Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) position and summer monsoon behavior. In this paper, an analysis of observations and model simulations is employed to assess the influence of large volcanic eruptions on the climate of tropical South America. This problem is first considered for historically recent volcanic episodes for which more observations are available but where fewer events exist and the confounding effects of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) lead to inconclusive interpretation of the impact of volcanic eruptions at the continental scale. Therefore, we also examine a greater number of reconstructed volcanic events for the period 850 CE to present that are incorporated into the NASA GISS ModelE2-R simulation of the last millennium. An advantage of this model is its ability to explicitly track water isotopologues throughout the hydrologic cycle and simulating the isotopic imprint following a large eruption. This effectively removes a degree of uncertainty associated with error-prone conversion of isotopic signals into climate variables, and allows for a direct comparison between GISS simulations and paleoclimate proxy records. Our analysis reveals that both precipitation and oxygen isotope variability respond with a distinct seasonal and spatial structure across tropical South America following an eruption. During austral winter, the heavy oxygen isotope in precipitation is enriched, likely due to reduced moisture convergence in the ITCZ domain and reduced rainfall over northern South America. During austral summer, however, more negative values of the precipitation isotopic composition are simulated over Amazonia, despite reductions in rainfall, suggesting that the isotopic response is not a simple function of the "amount effect". During the South American monsoon season, the amplitude of the temperature response to volcanic forcing is larger than the rather weak and spatially less coherent precipitation signal, complicating the isotopic response to changes in the hydrologic cycle.
HESS Opinions: Advocating process modeling and de-emphasizing parameter estimation
Authors: Bahremand Abdolreza
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Since its origins as an engineering discipline, with its widespread use of "black box" (empirical) modeling approaches, hydrology has evolved into a scientific discipline that seeks a more "white box" (physics-based) modeling approach to solving problems such as the description and simulation of the rainfall–runoff responses of a watershed. There has been much recent debate regarding the future of the hydrological sciences, and several publications have voiced opinions on this subject. This opinion paper seeks to comment and expand upon some recent publications that have advocated an increased focus on process-based modeling while de-emphasizing the focus on detailed attention to parameter estimation. In particular, it offers a perspective that emphasizes a more hydraulic (more physics-based and less empirical) approach to development and implementation of hydrological models.
Major flood dominates 14 year sediment and nutrient budgets for two subtropical reservoirs
Authors: O'Brien Katherine R. , Weber Tony R. , Leigh Catherine , Burford Michele A.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Accurate reservoir budgets are important for understanding regional fluxes of sediment and nutrients. Here we present a comprehensive budget of sediment (based on total suspended solids, TSS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) for two subtropical reservoirs on rivers with highly intermittent flow regimes. The budget is completed from July 1997 to June 2011 on Somerset and Wivenhoe reservoirs in southeast Queensland, Australia, using a combination of monitoring data and catchment model predictions. A major flood in January 2011 accounted for more than 50 % of the water entering and leaving both reservoirs in that year, and more than 30 % of water delivered to and released from Wivenhoe over the 14 year study period. The flood accounted for an even larger proportion of total TSS and nutrient loads: in Wivenhoe 40 % of TSS inputs and 90 % of TSS outputs between 1997 and 2011 occurred during January 2011. During non-flood years, mean historical concentrations provided reasonable estimates of TSS and nutrient loads leaving the reservoirs. Calculating loads from historical mean TSS and TP concentrations during January 2011, however, would have substantially underestimated outputs over the entire study period, by a factor of up to ten. The results have important implications for sediment and nutrient budgets in catchments with highly episodic flow. Firstly, quantifying inputs and outputs during major floods is essential for producing reliable long-term budgets. Secondly, sediment and nutrient budgets are dynamic, not static. Characterizing uncertainty and variability is therefore just as important for meaningful reservoir budgets as accurate quantification of loads.
The evaluation and enhancement of quality, environmental protection and safety in seaports
Authors: Tadic Danijela , Aleksic Aleksandar , Popovic Pavle , Arsovski Slavko , Castelli Ana , Joksimovic Danijela , Stefanovic Miladin
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The evaluation and enhancement of business processes in any organization in an uncertain environment presents one of the main requirements of ISO 9000:2008, and has a key effect on competitive advantage and long-term sustainability. The aim of this paper can be defined as the identification and discussion of some of the most important business processes of seaports, and the performances of business processes and their key performance indicators (KPIs). The complexity and importance of the treated problem calls for analytic methods rather than intuitive decisions. The existing decision variables of the considered problem are described by linguistic expressions which are modelled by triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs). In this paper, the modified fuzzy extended analytic hierarchy process (MFAHP) is proposed. The assessment of the relative importance of each pair of performances and their KPIs are stated as a fuzzy group decision making problem. By using MFAHP, the fuzzy rank of business processes of a seaport is obtained. The model is verified through an illustrative example with real life data, where the obtained data suggest measures which should enhance business strategy and improve KPIs. The future improvement is based on benchmark and knowledge sharing.
Evaluation of Faculty’s Practices in Assessing Students’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Al-Smadi Marwan Saleh
Published: April 2016

This study aims to evaluate the practices adopted by the faculty of Najran University in the
assessment of students’ academic achievement through surveying students about the extent of
practices adopted by faculty members. To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire
conducted and distributed to 345 male and female students from various colleges. The
questionnaire consisted of 37 items distributed to five domains: Practice assessment within
course description, philosophy of assessment, assessing of participation, assessment of
assignments and test practices. The results showed moderate level of practices adopted by the
faculty members at Najran University in assessment of students’ academic achievement. The
results also showed that there were statistically significant differences due to gender and the
type of college.
Exposure of the Superior Gluteal Neurovascular Bundle for the Safe Application of Acetabular Reinforcement Cages in Complex Revisions
Authors: Smitham Peter J. , Kosuge Dennis , Howie Donald W. , Solomon Lucian B.
Published: April 2016

The posterior approach to the hip is the most common extensile approach used, however exposure is limited superiorly by the superior gluteal neurovascular bundle (SGNB). The extra-pelvic course of the SGNB demonstrates variability between individuals, occasionally located only 1 cm from the acetabular rim. In complex acetabular reconstructions where the application of a reinforcement cage maybe required protecting the SGNB is challenging. The flanges of these cages are designed to sit on the ilium superior to the acetabular rim and to receive screws for fixation. The application of such cages may result in iatrogenic injury to the SGNB by way of forceful retraction or entrapment. We describe a technique that involves exposure and release of the SGNB such that the flanges of cage constructs may be safely applied.
Nerve Injuries in Total HIP Arthroplasty with a Mini Invasive Anterior Approach
Authors: Macheras George A. , Christofilopoulos Panayiotis , Lepetsos Panagiotis , Leonidou Andreas O. , Anastasopoulos Panagiotis P. , Galanakos Spyridon P.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Minimal invasive techniques in total hip arthroplasty (THA) have become increasingly popular during recent years. Despite much debate over the outcome of several minimal invasive techniques, complications arising from the use of anterior minimally invasive surgery (AMIS) for THA on a traction table are not well documented. Our study aims to focus on nerve damage during the AMIS procedure and the possible explanations of these injuries.

Methods

We reviewed all primary THAs performed with the AMIS technique using a traction table, over 5 years and recorded all intraoperative and postoperative complications up to the latest follow-up. We focused on nerve injuries and nerve function impairment following the aforementioned technique.

Results

Our study included 1,512 THAs performed with the AMIS technique in 2 major hip reconstruction centres (KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece and University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland), on 1,238 patients (985 women, 253 men; mean age 65.24 years). Mean follow-up was 29.4 months. We observed 51 cases of transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropraxia (3.37%), 4 cases of femoral nerve paralysis (3 permanent, 1 transient [0.26%]) and 1 case of permanent sciatic nerve paralysis (0.06%). No case of obturator or pudendal nerve injury was noticed. Mean age of these cases was 68.97 years. Sciatic and femoral nerve injuries were confirmed by electromyography, showing axonotmesis of the damaged nerve.

Conclusions

Neurological injuries are a rare but distinct complication of THAs using the AMIS technique. Possible explanations for such referred nerve injuries are direct nerve injury, extreme traction, hyperextension, extreme external rotation of the leg, use of retractors and coexisting spinal deformities. Controlled use of traction in hip extension, cautious use of retractors and potential use of dynamometers may be useful, so that neurological damage can be avoided. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the role of the above factors in AMIS neurological complications.
Arteriovenous Fistula Construction with the VasQ™ External Support Device: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chemla Eric , Velazquez Carmen C. , D'Abate Fabrizio , Ramachandran Veni , Maytham Gary
Published: April 2016

Background and objective

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are currently the gold standard for access, exhibiting the best combination of a low complication profile with a long patency period and attractive pricing. Despite a steady increase in the use of autogenous AVF in recent years, there is still a high rate of non-maturation of native fistulas. VasQ™ (Laminate Medical Technologies, Israel) is an external support device for AVFs designed to improve flow and reduce neointimal hyperplasia at the anastomotic site. Preliminary data are presented of its use, assessing its safety and efficacy for brachiocephalic AVFs in haemodialysis patients.

Design, setting, participants and measurements

A single institution study of VasQ™ use was conducted with placement of the device in patients undergoing a brachiocephalic fistula, followed for 6 months. The VasQ™ was available in three sizes and was deployed externally over the fistula. Patients were assessed for flow, maturation and patency at 1, 3 and 6 months by Doppler ultrasonography.

Results

Twenty patients were implanted. Mean venous flow at 1, 3 and 6 months was 1130, 1426 and 1304 mL/min, respectively. Primary patency rates for these time periods were 95%, 79% and 79%, respectively, with unassisted maturation rates of 80%, 79% and 74%, respectively. There were no device-related serious adverse events. At the end of the follow-up period, 14/15 patients requiring dialysis were able to use the AVF.

Conclusions

VasQ™ is safe with high unassisted maturation and patency rates. The device may prevent perianastomotic stenosis, the leading cause of AVF failure.
“Life Is a Casting Off” inDeath of a Salesman
Authors: Baker Christopher
Published: April 2016

Linda Loman's statement in Arthur Miller's Death of A Salesman that “Life is a casting off” adds meaning to the play in several senses, especially when considered in the context of her needlework. This term means to finish off a completed, knitted item and thus conveys an affirmative sense of accomplishment as well as a more somber recognition of loss. It expresses Linda's effort to unify her family through her domestic duties and frugality. She has also overcome being “cast off” by Willy's infidelities and continually hopes that Willy might, like Ben, “cast off” on new voyages of success. The aphorism expresses the Lomans' upwardly mobile striving in a statement typical of the play's mixed diction that mingles their lower-class origins and lofty social expectations.
Listening to the Lomans
Authors: Brucher Richard
Published: April 2016

These Notes describe impressions made on the actor playing Ben by a community production of Death of a Salesman at the northern frontier of Willy's New England territory in January 2015. The action played out in an intimate, three-level acting space in an 85 seat, octagonal theater converted from a stock judging pavilion on the University of Maine campus. For Ben, who heard the production repeatedly but did not view it, this Salesman became a vivid radio play, a rich array of voices and rhythms, at once colloquial and mannered, lyrical and dissonant, affectionate and cruel. This production captured particularly well the play's fluid time. Scene changes, sound, and lighting revealed how past and present collided and merged; but Willy and Linda's familiarities with one another's quirks, desires, and rants evoked years of family life in between. Playing Ben proved to be a lark in act 1, full of swagger; but playing Ben in act 2 proved difficult, having to be sold on Willy's suicide but realizing by the end fraternal love for his kid brother. To Ben's ear, this production's poignant, energetic domesticity gave it a persuasive reality rising out of dream.
The Case of the Hooked-g Scribe(s) and the Production of Middle English Literature, c. 1460–c. 1490
Authors: Mosser Daniel W. , Mooney Linne R.
Published: April 2016

This article and the one by Holly James-Maddocks in this issue demonstrate how different approaches to examining a group of similar manuscripts—paleographical, dialectal, and art historical—applied in combination can provide a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding their production. We employ the first two of these approaches to examine the group of manuscripts attributed to the so-called “hooked-g scribe” (or scribes) to distinguish two primary hands and to identify a circle of scribes associated with them through shared exemplars and artists (see James-Maddocks's article).
What We Talk About When We Talk About Poe
Authors: Faflik David
Published: April 2016

Poe's tales have been known to elicit responses in readers that range from the critical and incisive to the creative and imaginative. What follows is a purposeful (and playful) illustration of a response to Poe that collapses these very categories of reception. On the one hand, Poe's prose writing persuades readers to practice the kind of logical responsiveness that the author himself embodied in his capacity as a critic, and that the more clear-eyed incarnations among his characters and narrators intermittently model in the sober opposition they offer to the improbable and uncanny. On the other hand, Poe's short fiction can occupy an interpretive position akin to compulsion, crafted as it frequently is to induce readers to relax the defenses with which they would normally meet the author's signature exaggerations. Considering the insinuating appeal of the latter response, we might with some justification consider a telling selection of Poe's stories to qualify as a form of captivity narrative. For in their encounters with these works readers often find that their critical instincts are slowly eroded; they are in consequence left “captive” to a pleasing species of release that depends on their submitting to a determining will other than their own.
A Validation of the Family Involvement Questionnaire-High School Version
Authors: Grover Katlyn A. , Houlihan Daniel D. , Campana Kristie
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this study was to validate the Family Involvement Questionnaire (FIQ) for use in high school settings (9th-12th grade). After the FIQ was redesigned for use in the high school setting, 519 parents completed the questionnaire online. Internal consistency was for the 40-item questionnaire was high (α = 0.93). A confirmatory factor analysis failed to substantiate the FIQ-HS to the elementary version from which it was adapted. However, an exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors consistent with the FIQ-E. Family demographics were compared to participant responses, and significant effects of students’ school and special education status were found.
Studies of the Old Romanian Apple Varieties Involved in New Breeding Programs for Resistance to Venturia inaequalis
Authors: Ion Ligia , Badulescu Liliana
Published: April 2016

Breeding for resistance to Venturia inaequalis has become a major objective for many research laboratories. The use of resistant cultivars reduces production costs for apple species. This work is focused on the identification of other sources of resistance to Venturia inaequalis among the old Romanian varieties in Transilvania area (“Turnu”, “Venchi”, “Vanatori 48”, “Sangeriu”, “Costat de Albesti” varieties), on the studies of the quality of these varieties, the use of the most valuable of them in the Romanian breeding program and the screening of the hybrid progenies after artificial infection with Venturia inaequalis for a durable resistance to this important apple disease. Some older Romanian varieties: “Mohorat”, “Viesti” and “Nobile de Geoagiu” were used like genitors in USAMVB’s breeding program.

To identify specific resistance and develop the new plant material is important in this process. Using the domestic apple varieties well adapted to the climate in Romania in the breeding program can be an interesting premise on inducing natural genetic resistance to Venturia inaequalis. After artificial infection we observed that a number of varieties such as “Prescurate”, “Turnu”, “Venchi”, “Gurguiate”, “Rosu Marin” and “Sangeriu” showed some genetic resistance to Venturia inaequalis, falling within Class 0. In total there were 36 plants belonging to class 0 which means no symptoms. In Class 1, 550 plants were assigned, which is also considered resistant. The results are presented in Table 3 and in Figure 6. The variety which recorded the highest values was “Iridium” with 139 plants, followed by the variety “Rosu Marin” with 124 plants and “Venghi” with 123 young plants.
Effects on Soil and Crop Properties of Forms of Sowing, Deferral Intervals and Fertilisation of the Annual Winter Forage in a Crop-Livestock Integration System
Authors: Veiga Milton Da , Pandolfo Carla Maria , Junior Alvadi Antonio Balbinot , Durigon Leandro
Published: April 2016

The use of cropland to grow annual winter forages that are managed using direct grazing can affect the quality of the soil and the yield of summer crops grown in succession. This study aimed to evaluate the effect that the form of sowing (direct sowing and sowing + harrowing), the deferral intervals (ungrazed and grazing stopped at 14 days and 28 days before and on the day of forage desiccation) and the fertilisation of the annual winter forage (with and without application of 8 m3 ha-1 of poultry litter) had on the chemical properties of soil, resistance to penetration, residual forage biomass, soil cover and yield of corn and soybean from the third to the sixth year of experimentation. The forms of sowing did not affect the chemical properties of the soil, resistance to penetration, the residual forage biomass and the yield of the soybean and corn grown in rotation. The grazing of annual winter forage did not affect the chemical properties of soil and the yield of soybean and corn grown in succession, but residual forage biomass was reduced and resistance to penetration was increased with decreasing deferral intervals. In turn, the fertilisation of winter forages improved the quality of the chemical properties of the soil and increased the residual forage biomass and crop yields in most of the four years examined in this experiment.