bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Disaster Risk Reduction Preparedness and Resilience Approaches in Emergency Response Interventions in African Countries
Authors: Tambo Ernest
Published: April 2018

Increasing globalization, increasing intense urbanization and climate changes have been linked to communities’ hazards and disasters vulnerabilities reported across Africa. Less data and information are documented on national to community disaster risk workforce readiness and resilience capacity in emergency humanitarian crises interventions. The lack of coherent and integrated disaster risk analysis and preparedness, response and recovery programs implementation is a major challenged in the region for decades. This paper highlights natural and man-made emergency hazards and disasters nature and exposure, potential approaches in Africa context. Our findings showed that man-made disasters events were the most documented, uneven in their nature, pattern and trend of occurrence and exposure consequences over time. Emerging and re-emerging outbreaks (Cholera, Polio, HIV, Ebola, Influenza, Rift Valley fever and Meningitis) were the most common, followed by conflicts and hunger, floods and land-sliding disproportionately spread across Africa. We also documented differential inadequacies in effective community risk assessment to emergency management, weak community disaster risk knowledge and attitudes to poorly integrated mitigation and recovery strategies. Leveraging on digital and social media network platforms advances coupled with existing fire, emergency facilities and proven effective hazard/disaster response lessons learnt and experiences are resources in strengthening laboratory capacity and laboratory networks, scaling up proactive displaced people/refugee security and safety standards support and best practice. Strengthening the national Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SDRRF) stewardship and investment (2015-2030) implementation is crucial in improving evidence-based, robust, and effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) community-based programs, in ensuring emergency public health readiness and resilient response capacities and ownership strategies in Africa.
Regional Variation in Attitude of Mental Health Professionals Towards Tackling Illicit Drug-use and Drug-related Disorders
Authors: Akinola Olubusayo , Kuo Wen-Hung , Oswald John , Obisesan Olawunmi
Published: April 2018

This study sought to assess the attitudes of Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) towards tackling illicit drug use and drug-related disorders in Nigeria and to explore regional variations in attitude. Based on the validated Substance Abuse Attitude Survey (SAAS), a quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in a randomized sample of 292 MHPs practicing in neuropsychiatric hospitals and mental health departments of teaching hospitals from four geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A response rate of 81.1% was achieved. MHPs tended towards non-permissive, moralistic and stereotypic spectrum and exhibited distinctly defined attitude towards their professional role. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis established significant regional variation in the attitude of multidisciplinary MHPs, H (3)=18.727, p< .0001 reflecting a stochastic domination across the region; therefore a step-down follow-up analysis was conducted. This analysis revealed that the distribution of attitude total-score varies significantly between the South-south and the Southwestern region (p< .0001), the northeastern and southwestern region of the country (p< .028).  A holistic approach towards standardization of drug treatment and care that takes into consideration possible regional variation in attitudes of MHPs should be implemented to foster the reintegration and rehabilitation of drug-using populations into the mainstream society.
Timing and Determinants of Tuberculosis Treatment Interruption in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Jepchumba Violet , Karanja Simon , Amukoye Evans , Muthami Lawrence , Kipruto Hillary
Published: April 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment is a key pillar in the management and control of TB. Service delivery within the treatment facilities plays an important role in ensuring treatment adherence by TB patients. A prospective cohort study involving 25 health facilities, 25 facility in-charge officers and 291 patients diagnosed as new sputum smear positive (SM+) between December 2014 and July 2015 was undertaken. The aim of the study was to estimate the median time to treatment interruption, associated factors and overall predictors of non-adherence to TB treatment. A total of 19 (6.5%) treatment interruptions were observed. The median time to default was 56 [95% CI, 36-105] days. Treatment in a non-public facility [AOR=0.210, 95% CI (0.046-0.952)] and facilities perceived to have adequate number of health care workers to offer Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) [AOR=0.195, 95% CI (0.068-0.56)] showed a lower odds of treatment interruption whereas attainment of secondary level education [AOR=5.28, 95% CI (1.18-23.59)] indicated a higher odds of treatment interruption. Non-clinical aspects of health care service delivery influence patient adherence to TB treatment. Health seeking behavior of groups considered to be high risk for treatment interruption should be incorporated into the design and delivery of TB treatment.
Developing Primary Liaison Psychiatric Services for HIV/AIDS Patients in Community
Authors: Ahsan Ahsan , Lestari Retno
Published: April 2018

In Indonesia, the number of HIV/AIDS patients has grown at significant level. HIV can be a source of major stress which can lead to changes in mental health, such as persistent sadness, feeling empty and anxiety. The ability of liaison officer could help patients reduce their psychiatric problems and at the same time it can greatly affect patients' risks for transmission of HIV to others. This study aimed to analyze the effect of developing primary liaison psychiatric services for HIV/AIDS patients on the abilities of health care workers to provide treatments. This study used a quasi experimental design with one group pretest-posttest which included 64 health care workers aged between 20 and 50 years from the Community-Integrated Health Care in East Java. The inclusion criteria were nurses and physician in Community-Integrated Health Care. The respondents were assessed using the Abilities of Health Care Workers Checklist pre-treatment and post-treatment. The outcomes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. There was a significant increased in the abilities of health care workers to provide psychiatric services after treatment (p<0.05). The liaison psychiatric services were considered to be effective in increasing the abilities of health care workers in improving the treatment of HIV/AIDS.
The Use of Sterile Razors as an Efforts to HIV Transmission Prevention
Authors: Wardani Yuniar , Sofiana Liena , Ayu Suci Musvita , Gustiina Erni , Wibowo Marsiana , Astuti Fardhiasih Dwi , Jatmika Septian Emma Dwi
Published: April 2018

HIV Transmission can also occur as a result of the employment relationship.In addition to health workers there are other workers who are in close contact with his client was a barber, hairdresser, masseur, tattoo, ear piercer and acupuncturist. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavior of a barber in the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS with the use of a sterile razor blade. The study design was cross-sectional survey and data analysis is performed simultaneously with quantitative descriptive approach. This study was conducted in the district of Yogyakarta Special Region of Yogyakarta. Subjects of the study were all traditional barber in the study area. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with certain criteria under the terms set by the researchers. The data analysis used Spearman. The average age of respondents was 30.91, the number of consumers 31.28. Mean knowledge is 34.09, attitudes and behavior amounting to 31.06. Based on the rate most people are able to reach a price set by a razor because the tariff ranges between IDR 6,000-10,000 and an average tariff of IDR 8,230. On average shaver have 32 customers each month. There was a correlation between knowledge, attitude with behavior of a barber in the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS. There was a correlation between knowledge, attitude and behavior to conduct barber in the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Demography and Feeding Practices of ICU Patient of Government and Private Hospitals of Jorhat District, Assam
Authors: PL Bordoloi , MS Barooah , Gogoi M.
Published: April 2018

The aim of the present study was to analyze the characteristics and feeding practices of patient admitted to medicine ICUs. All relevant clinical and dietary information were collected for patients admitted to ICUs of selected Government and private hospitals of Jorhat district, Assam. This information was abstracted with the help of pre-structured schedule from the Medical Record Department and Intensive Care Unit team and analysed. A total of 1034 patients were admitted during the study period. Majority of the patients (49.61%) were from the age group of 60years and above. Majority incidence of diseases is a reason of admission in ICUs of both the hospitals was non-communicable diseases and patients were admitted via emergency OPD. Highest length of stay of 10-15 days was observed among the majority of patient from government hospital while it was shorter (6-10 days) for private hospital. The daily feeding pattern of each of the patients was recorded. Patients dependent on homemade blenderized foods for nutritional support were more in Government hospital while compare to the patient using both the commercial formulae as well as homemade food till the last day of stay in private hospitals. Increased cost of hospitalization and better outcome of patient in terms of short stay at hospitals and better nutritional status of the patient admitted to private hospitals were not feasible for low income groups patients admitted in Government hospital. The results of the present study will help the need of formulation and development of patient specific homemade foods with its ingredients used and nutritional requirement in it are taken account for both oral and enteral feedings in the hospitals with higher standard values with all demonstration on the development of protocols for clean techniques in the preparation, safe handling and storage of handmade enteral feeds.
Abilities of Village Health Volunteers in Determining Drug Related Problems for Diabetes and Hypertension Patients
Authors: Pathalung Parina Na , Thepaksorn Phayong
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to assess the Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) on their knowledge and skills for determining drug-related problems (DRPs) for hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM) patients. This study was conducted among 36 VHVs between March and October, 2014 in ten districts of Trang Province. The semi-structured questionnaire interviews and tests have been developed according to knowledge and skills based health determinants for DRPs. The DRPs training program was assigned including, 1) a short course training (2-day) and hands-on training (1-week) followed up, 2) field work for determining DRPs (16-week) and 3) an assessment for determining DRPs in knowledge and competent skills. All completed data of 25 female VHVs were analyzed with age of 42.93 years old on average. About 68% were age higher than 40 years old and most of them were Para rubber farmers (76%). Most of them had a primary education level (60%) and almost a half had more than ten years in VHVs’ service (n =12; 48%). Their knowledge scores for determining DRPs were 12.88 on average, in total of 15 points. Their overall scores for skills presented were 35.48 out of 50 points in total. In conclusion, this program can enhance VHVs’ abilities for determining DRPs for HTN and DM patients. Our findings may contribute to future development of VHVs program for improving VHVs competent skills for DRPs chronic diseases.
The Role of Wijaya Kusuma's Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) on Adolescent Health Problems
Authors: Isni Khoiriyah , Matahari Ratu
Published: April 2018

The issue of adolescent health is important for national development. Adolescents need a place that can provide facilities in the form of correct information and life skills improvement programs. So as to deal with various health problems of adolescent. Government efforts to overcome these problems through the establishment of the Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) that can be done in schools. PIK-R in schools that have been formed can be assessed its role to adolescent health problems. The purpose of this research is to know the role of PIK-R Wijaya Kusuma in overcoming the health problem of adolescent among non-members of PIK-R. The research used qualitative design with case study approach. The data were collected by focus group discussion (FGD) technique on 10 non PIK-R member students. The results of the study reported that PIK-R Wijaya Kusuma has an important role as health information source for non PIK-R member students in facing adolescent health problems. Besides, teachers and NGOs. Awareness of non-members of PIK-R Wijaya Kusuma related to adolescent's vulnerability to high adolescent health problems, peers and family plays an important role in adolescent health behavior.
Sources of Cardiovascular Health Information and Channels of Health Communication among Urban Population in Nigeria
Authors: Ezika Ejiofor Augustine , Cross Beth , Lewitt Moira
Published: April 2018

This study employed mixed methods to investigate the preferred sources of health information and later explored the views of community healthcare workers on the enablers, barriers and ways of overcoming barriers to health communication. The study found that majority of the participants preferred their source of CV (cardiovascular) health information from the healthcare workers including the medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. On the other hand, the least preferred source of health information was from friends, family members, and community leaders. Some of the identified enablers to community health communication include awareness programme via Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations such as faith-based organisations and healthcare facilities. Others are traditional media and social media. The identified barriers to community-based health communication include lack of knowledge and poverty, language barriers, and other miscellaneous issues including misuse of internet, lack of basic amenities and religious beliefs. The community-based healthcare providers articulated ways to overcome the identified barriers, including enlightenment programmes, using the language of the target audience, funding health awareness programmes, and monitoring of health education interventions. This study concludes that dissemination of health information using numerous channels is essential in ensuring population-wide primary prevention of diseases.
Spatial Patterns of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Analysing Rainfall Patterns in Visual Formation
Authors: Rohman Hendra
Published: April 2018

Management sustainability related tuberculosis patient treatment was limited. Tuberculosis analysis was still in the form of data aggregation. This is cross sectional survey using geographical information system, analyzed by descriptive methods, the sample included 162 pulmonary tuberrculosis patient in 2014. The variables were pulmonary tuberrculosis patients and isohyet data. Mycrobacterium tuberculosis will be survive and multiply during rainy season. Rainfall data was an increasing pattern from first quarter to fourth quarter in 2014, however data in 2011, 2012 and 2013, which each quarter was largely experiencing sustained increase and decline. Pulmonary tuberrculosis patients were most prevalent in 2014. It was increase in the rainy season. The most high rainfall intensity (> 2400 mm) in east of Lendah and western of Kokap areas, while the lowest intensity (< 1500 mm) in east of Nanggulan, in the south of Panjatan and Galur areas. It was mostly located in areas with high rainfall intensity (2200 - 2400 mm) which spreads and stretches in Sentolo, Wates, and Panjatan areas. Pulmonary tuberrculosis occurred over the rainy season. Spatial pattern distribution of pulmonary tuberrculosis patients in high rainfall intensity spreads and stretches from east to west areas. Active case monitoring program should be performed by tuberculosis program that concerned in areas of high rainfall intensity.
Determinant Factors of Work-Related Complaints
Authors: Sagita Qoni Mulia , Setyaningsih Yuliani , Sulistiyani Sulistiyani
Published: April 2018

Home-based workers of Footwear industries in Semarang Regency are all womans. The employment status of home-based workers usually unrecognized or unregulated by the employer or their itermediaries so that they did not paid close attention about HWBs’s working condition. They often work on inadequate working environment such as poor ventilation system, bad lighting, humid working space (damp wall and floor), and also poor layout of furnitures and work equipments. That condition exaberated by lack of HWBs’s knowledge and awareness regarding their health and safety at work. In addition HBWs often with little to none education, work on long extended working hours and working under intensive labor.This research was aimed to determine the relationship between respondent characteristics, medical history, and use of PPE with work-related complaints on home workers of shoe industry in Semarang regency. This was an observational analytic study using cross sectional approach. Population in this study was 80 home workers of shoe industry in Semarang regency. The samples are 66 home workers were taken using stratified random sampling method. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution and Chi-Square test. The results of this study showed that there were some variables that have significant association with work-related complaints (p≤ 0.05) including, length of work, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE). While the variables of age, body mass index (BMI), and medical history did not show significant association with work-related complaints (p> 0.05). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed the duration of work had the most powerful influence to the work-related complaints. The conclusion of this study was important for home workers to maintain health condition by doing exercise to avoid work-related complaints. Home workers that have long duration of work should increase the use of PPE such as masks and gloves.
Affective Disorders in The Elderly: The Risk of Sleep Disorders
Authors: Rosa Eni Folendra , Rustiaty Nelly
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study is to look at the relationship of sleep disorders to the incidence of affective disorders. In addition, assess whether the relationship remains significant after controlled variable bullies that also affect the occurrence of sleep disorders and or affective disorders in elderly. Observational study with unmatched case control study design. Individual population age 60 years or older, sampling probability proportional to size, consist of case group that is experiencing sleep disturbance (n=165) and control group (n=330). Respondent sleep disturbance affective disorder 23.6%. There is a significant relationship of sleep disorders to affective disorders. Sleep disorders at risk 2.47 times affective disorder. Sleep disorders can be insomnia, awakening at night or waking up too early which can lead to psychological disorders such as psychological disorders such as anger, unstable emotions, sadness, distress, anxiety is also a physical disorder such as pain in the body. If not immediately addressed can continue to occur depression and even threaten psychiatric disorders. Further research needs to be done to overcome sleep disorders in the elderly.
 
Role of ADAMTS-5 in Aortic Dilatation and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling
Authors: Fava Marika , Barallobre-Barreiro Javier , Mayr Ursula , Lu Ruifang , Didangelos Athanasios , Baig Ferheen , Lynch Marc , Catibog Norman , Joshi Abhishek , Barwari Temo , Yin Xiaoke , Jahangiri Marjan , Mayr Manuel
Published: April 2018

Objective—

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), a degenerative disease of the aortic wall, is accompanied by changes in the structure and composition of the aortic ECM (extracellular matrix). The ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) family of proteases has recently been implicated in TAA formation. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of ADAMTS-5 to TAA development.

Approach and Results—

A model of aortic dilatation by AngII (angiotensin II) infusion was adopted in mice lacking the catalytic domain of ADAMTS-5 (Adamts5
Δcat
). Adamts5
Δcat
mice showed an attenuated rise in blood pressure while displaying increased dilatation of the ascending aorta (AsAo). Interestingly, a proteomic comparison of the aortic ECM from AngII-treated wild-type and Adamts5
Δcat
mice revealed versican as the most upregulated ECM protein in Adamts5
Δcat
mice. This was accompanied by a marked reduction of ADAMTS-specific versican cleavage products (versikine) and a decrease of LRP1 (low-density lipoprotein-related protein 1). Silencing
LRP1
expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells reduced the expression of
ADAMTS5
, attenuated the generation of versikine, but increased soluble ADAMTS-1. A similar increase in ADAMTS-1 was observed in aortas of AngII-treated Adamts5
Δcat
mice but was not sufficient to maintain versican processing and prevent aortic dilatation.

Conclusions—

Our results support the emerging role of ADAMTS proteases in TAA. ADAMTS-5 rather than ADAMTS-1 is the key protease for versican regulation in murine aortas. Further studies are needed to define the ECM substrates of the different ADAMTS proteases and their contribution to TAA formation.
Noncanonical Matrix Metalloprotease 1–Protease-Activated Receptor 1 Signaling Drives Progression of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Rana Rajashree , Huang Tianfang , Koukos Georgios , Fletcher Elizabeth K. , Turner Susan E. , Shearer Andrew , Gurbel Paul A. , Rade Jeffrey J. , Kimmelstiel Carey D. , Bliden Kevin P. , Covic Lidija , Kuliopulos Athan
Published: April 2018

Objective—

Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) is classically activated by thrombin and is critical in controlling the balance of hemostasis and thrombosis. More recently, it has been shown that noncanonical activation of PAR1 by matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP1) contributes to arterial thrombosis. However, the role of PAR1 in long-term development of atherosclerosis is unknown, regardless of the protease agonist.

Approach and Results—

We found that plasma MMP1 was significantly correlated (
R
=0.33;
P
=0.0015) with coronary atherosclerotic burden as determined by angiography in 91 patients with coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome undergoing cardiac catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention. A cell-penetrating PAR1 pepducin, PZ-128, currently being tested as an antithrombotic agent in the acute setting in the TRIP-PCI study (Thrombin Receptor Inhibitory Pepducin-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), caused a significant decrease in total atherosclerotic burden by 58% to 70% (
P
<0.05) and reduced plaque macrophage content by 54% (
P
<0.05) in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. An MMP1 inhibitor gave similar beneficial effects, in contrast to the thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin that gave no improvement on atherosclerosis end points. Mechanistic studies revealed that inflammatory signaling mediated by MMP1–PAR1 plays a critical role in amplifying tumor necrosis factor α signaling in endothelial cells.

Conclusions—

These data suggest that targeting the MMP1–PAR1 system may be effective in tamping down chronic inflammatory signaling in plaques and halting the progression of atherosclerosis.
The Actions of Spirit and Appetite: Voluntary Motion in Galen
Authors: Trompeter Julia
Published: April 2018

Galen is criticized for combining Plato’s tripartition-cum-trilocation of the soul, in which each part constitutes its own source of motivation, with the demand that the faculty of voluntary motion is limited to the rational part, being the only one located in the brain and having access to the relevant nerves. While scholars have concentrated on small nerves as connective organs, this paper focuses on thepneuma, blood and innate heat. When the latter is increased, the irrational parts can affect the brain’s function to such an extent that the rational part’s volitions are reduced to their own desires.
Personality and the retention of neophobic predator avoidance in wild caught Trinidadian guppies
Authors: Brown Grant E. , Chuard Pierre J.C. , Demers Ebony E.M. , Ramnarine Indar W. , Chivers Douglas P. , Ferrari Maud C.O.
Published: April 2018

Neophobic predator avoidance allows prey to reduce the risk of predation but is costly in terms of reduced foraging or courtship opportunities if the novel cues do not represent an actual threat. Consequently, neophobic responses to novel cues should wane with repeated exposures in the absence of an actual threat. We tested the prediction that individual personality traits shape the retention of neophobic predator avoidance in wild-caught guppies. Using extinction trials, we demonstrate that personality (measured as latency to escape or approach a novel object) did not influence the initial response of wild-caught Trinidadian guppies to a novel odour; bolder and shyer guppies both exhibited similarly strong avoidance responses. However, after several exposures, shyer guppies maintain an avoidance response, and bolder guppies no longer respond. Our results highlight the complex nature of the antipredator algorithm of prey, whereby past experience, acute risk, and individual tactics shape neophobic predator avoidance patterns.
Holcophloeus caldarai (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Holcorhinini) a new weevil species from Morocco
Authors: BOROVEC ROMAN , KOŠŤÁL MICHAEL , BÁBORSKÁ ZUZANA
Published: April 2018

Holcophloeus caldarai sp. n. is described as a fifth species of the genus from central Morocco. The new species differs from all other species of the genus and, generally the entire tribe, by unique irregularly star-shaped appressed scales.
Second record of Lasiurus ebenus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), with comments on its taxonomic status
Authors: CLÁUDIO VINÍCIUS C. , BARBOSA GEDIMAR P. , NOVAES ROBERTO LEONAN M. , RASSY FABRÍCIO B. , ROCHA VLAMIR J. , MORATELLI RICARDO
Published: April 2018

Lasiurus ebenus was known only from the holotype, which was collected in 1991, in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Ilha do Cardoso State Park, southeastern Brazil. The species was described based on qualitative and quantitative morphological features. Since its original description, based on a single individual, the taxonomic status of Lasiurus ebenus has been questioned. Here we report a second record for the species that comes from Carlos Botelho State Park, São Paulo, ca. 100 km north from the type locality. This new record allowed us to confirm the validity of the species, by presenting additional data that fits in the distinction from sympatric congeners proposed on the original description of L. ebenus.
Alpheus luiszapatai, a new species of rare and colorful deep water alpheid shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae) from Arusí, Chocó Department, Pacific Coast of Colombia
Authors: RAMOS-TAFUR GABRIEL E.
Published: April 2018

A new species of deep water alpheid shrimp, Alpheus luiszapatai sp. nov., from Arusí, Chocó, Pacific coast of Colombia is described. The single female known was collected between the discarded bycatch of deep water shrimp trawls dedicated to the commercial fisheries of the “coliflor” shrimp Solenocera spp. This new species is placed putatively in the Alpheus brevirostris (Olivier, 1811) species group, and share some external morphological characters with Alpheus hephaestus Bracken-Grissom & Felder, 2014. It can be differentiated by the shape and ornamentation of major and minor chelipeds, the propodi and dactyli of third to fifth pereopods, the diaresis of uropodal exopod, the length of the rostral carina, color in life and bathymetric distribution. Additional comparison with another congeners pertaining to this species group complex from the eastern Pacific, western Atlantic and other oceanographic regions is discussed. A key for Alpheus brevirostris species group from the eastern Pacific is presented.
Meeting Report on the Third AMS Symposium on Education
Authors: Smith David R. , Bastiaans Lisa M. , Weinbeck Robert S. , Passow Michael J. , Smith Phillip J. , Rydell Nezette N. , Warthan H. Patricia , Spangler Timothy C. , MacDonald Alexander E.
Published: April 2018

In recognition of the educational efforts throughout the atmospheric and oceanic science communities, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) has instituted an annual forum called the Symposium on Education. The third such symposium was held this year in conjunction with the 74th Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. The theme of this year's symposium was “Preparing for the Twenty-First Century.” Thirty-one oral presentations and 26 poster presentations summarized a variety of educational programs or examined issues of importance for both the precollege and university levels. In addition, there was a panel discussion on future directions for the undergraduate degree in the atmospheric and marine sciences. One interesting aspect of this year's symposium was a joint session with the 10th International Conference on Interactive Information and Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography, and Hydrology on new technologies for the classroom. Over 200 people representing a wide spectrum of the Society attended one or more of the sessions in this two-day conference, where they increased their awareness of the educational initiatives of members and institutions associated with the AMS.
Steps toward an Integrated Approach to Hydrometeorological Forecasting Services*
Authors: Zevin Susan F.
Published: April 2018

In the 23 years since Hurricane Camille devastated Virginia with 27 inches of rain in 24 hours, a major area targeted for hydrometeorological forecast service improvements has been flood and flash flood forecasting. The first attempts to tackle the problems were event driven. Numerous poststorm analyses led to the definition of meteorological criteria often associated with various types of major flash flood–producing rainfall situations. Individual forecast offices attempted to use these techniques with inconsistent success. Additionally, verification was not carried out on a routine or systematic basis.

In 1979, the National Weather Service (NWS) Eastern Region began to encourage its offices to use precipitation forecasts routinely to anticipate critical flood conditions, rather than awaiting observations of rainfall. However, the implementation of a broadscale programmatic approach to the routine operational use of quantitative precipitation forecasting faced numerous hurdles. Complexities ran the gamut of operational problems; and broadscale efforts to implement the program floundered. At the same time, public and private sector users continued to request more accurate information with better lead time for response. Academic studies showed that in order to gain enough lead time for effective decision making and response, it is essential to incorporate the uncertainty of the precipitation forecast into flood forecast operations.

Within the last five years, the NWS once again introduced the possibility of a disciplined, systematic, scientific application of these ideas in the field of operational forecasting. The NWS modernization has afforded the vehicle to implement these concepts operationally. In parallel, NWS forecasters and university researchers have collaborated on probabilistic approaches to the rainfall forecast problem, integrating theory, method, process, and operations.

Based on 20 years of progressive learning and operational experience, the NWS now has the tools, the understanding, and the scientific and operational capabilities to expand the efforts nationally.
1994 AMS Project ATMOSPHERE Summer Programs for Teachers
Authors: Smith D. R. , Weinbeck R. S. , Geer I. W. , Snow J. T. , Ginger K. M. , Moran J. M.
Published: April 2018

Project ATMOSPHERE, the K–12 educational program of the American Meteorological Society, has been involved in teacher enhancement for four years. Summer workshops for teachers have been a primary component of the AMS K–12 educational initiatives since its inception. During the summer of 1994, Project ATMOSPHERE conducted four workshops: two of the workshops were for teachers in the Atmospheric Education Resource Agent program; another was for K–12 teachers, including one teacher each from Canada and Australia; and the fourth was for faculty members at community colleges or four-year undergraduate institutions. These workshops provide teachers at all levels with instruction on a variety of atmospheric topics, an introduction to the operational and research activities of the meteorological community, and exposure to atmospheric scientists and their facilities. Such workshops provide enriching experiences for educators who teach about weather and climate topics in their science classrooms.
Workshop on Instrumental and Methodical Problems of Land Surface Flux Measurements
Authors: Foken Thomas , Oncley Steven
Published: April 2018

This report summarizes presentations and discussions that occurred at a workshop held in conjunction with the XIXth General Assembly of the European Geophysical Society (EGS) from 22 to 24 April 1994. The purpose of this workshop was to define the state of the art of micrometeorological flux measurements, to identify problem areas, and to define any additional data that must be taken to solve these problems. This workshop was organized in response to a proposal made at the 1993 EGS conference by T. Foken, T. Delany (National Center for Atmospheric Research), S. Oncley, and L. Tsvang (Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russia) for a new experiment to investigate the problem of the “unclosed” energy balance. Sixty-one scientists from 14 countries participated in the workshop.
Coastal Meteorology and Oceanography: Report of the Third Prospectus Development Team of the U.S. Weather Research Program to NOAA and NSF
Authors: Rotunno Richard , Pietrafesa Leonard J. , Allen John S. , Colman Bradley R. , Dorman Clive M. , Kreitzberg Carl W. , Lord Stephen J. , McPhee Miles G. , Mellor George L. , Mooers Christopher N. K. , Niiler Pearn P. , Pielke Roger A. , Powell Mark D. , Rogers David P. , Smith James D. , Xie Lian
Published: April 2018

U.S. Weather Research Program (USWRP) prospectus development teams (PDTs) are small groups of scientists that are convened by the USWRP lead scientist on a one-time basis to discuss critical issues and to provide advice related to future directions of the program. PDTs are a principal source of information for the Science Advisory Committee, which is a standing committee charged with the duty of making recommendations to the Program Office based upon overall program objectives. PDT-1 focused on theoretical issues, and PDT-2 on observational issues; PDT-3 is the first of several to focus on more specialized topics. PDT-3 was convened to identify forecasting problems related to U.S. coastal weather and oceanic conditions, and to suggest likely solution strategies.

There were several overriding themes that emerged from the discussion. First, the lack of data in and over critical regions of the ocean, particularly in the atmospheric boundary layer, and the upper-ocean mixed layer were identified as major impediments to coastal weather prediction. Strategies for data collection and dissemination, as well as new instrument implementation, were discussed. Second, fundamental knowledge of air–sea fluxes and boundary layer structure in situations where there is significant mesoscale variability in the atmosphere and ocean is needed. Companion field studies and numerical prediction experiments were discussed. Third, research prognostic models suggest that future operational forecast models pertaining to coastal weather will be high resolution and site specific, and will properly treat effects of local coastal geography, orography, and ocean state. The view was expressed that the exploration of coupled air-sea models of the coastal zone would be a particularly fruitful area of research. PDT-3 felt that forecasts of land-impacting tropical cyclones, Great Lakes-affected weather, and coastal cyclogenesis, in particular, would benefit from such coordinated modeling and field efforts. Fourth, forecasting for Arctic coastal zones is limited by our understanding of how sea ice forms. The importance of understanding air-sea fluxes and boundary layers in the presence of ice formation was discussed. Finally, coastal flash flood forecasting via hydrologic models is limited by the present accuracy of measured and predicted precipitation and storm surge events. Strategies for better ways to improve the latter were discussed.
A Two-Layer Model for Steady-Amplitude Gravity Waves and Convection Generated by a Thermal Forcing
Authors: Sayed A. A. M. , Campbell L. J.
Published: April 2018

A two-dimensional two-layer mathematical model is described representing internal gravity waves and convection generated by a thermal forcing in the lower atmosphere. The model consists of an upper layer with stable stratification, a lower layer with unstable stratification, and a thermal forcing in the form of a nonhomogeneous term in the energy conservation equation. Exact analytical solutions are derived for some simple configurations. Depending on the vertical location and depth of the thermal forcing, the model can be used to represent different configurations in which gravity waves are generated by diabatic heating. When the thermal forcing is centered in the lower layer, convective cells are generated in the lower layer, and gravity waves are forced and propagate upward from the interface between the two layers. When the thermal forcing is centered at the interface, the convection in the lower layer is weaker, and gravity waves are forced by the direct effect of the thermal forcing in the upper layer and the influence of the convective cells below. Steady-amplitude solutions for the vertical profile of the gravity waves and convection are derived and generalized to include cases where there is a spectrum of horizontal wavenumbers or vertical wavenumbers or frequencies present.
Precipitation and Moisture in Four Leading CMIP5 Models: Biases across Large-Scale Circulation Regimes and Their Attribution to Dynamic and Thermodynamic Factors
Authors: Yang Mengmiao , Zhang Guang J. , Sun De-Zheng
Published: April 2018

As key variables in general circulation models, precipitation and moisture in four leading models from CMIP5 (phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project) are analyzed, with a focus on four tropical oceanic regions. It is found that precipitation in these models is overestimated in most areas. However, moisture bias has large intermodel differences. The model biases in precipitation and moisture are further examined in conjunction with large-scale circulation by regime-sorting analysis. Results show that all models consistently overestimate the frequency of occurrence of strong upward motion regimes and peak descending regimes of 500-hPa vertical velocity [Formula: see text]. In a given [Formula: see text] regime, models produce too much precipitation compared to observation and reanalysis. But for moisture, their biases differ from model to model and also from level to level. Furthermore, error causes are revealed through decomposing contribution biases into dynamic and thermodynamic components. For precipitation, the contribution errors in strong upward motion regimes are attributed to the overly frequent [Formula: see text]. In the weak upward motion regime, the biases in the dependence of precipitation on [Formula: see text] and the [Formula: see text] probability density function (PDF) make comparable contributions, but often of opposite signs. On the other hand, the biases in column-integrated water vapor contribution are mainly due to errors in the frequency of occurrence of [Formula: see text], while thermodynamic components contribute little. These findings suggest that errors in the frequency of [Formula: see text] occurrence are a significant cause of biases in the precipitation and moisture simulation.
On the Orographically Generated Low-Level Easterly Jet and Severe Downslope Storms of March 2006 over the Tacheng Basin of Northwest China
Authors: Zhang Guangxing , Zhang Da-Lin , Sun Shufang
Published: April 2018

A high-latitude low-level easterly jet (LLEJ) and downslope winds, causing severe dust storms over the Tacheng basin of northwestern China in March 2006 when the dust source regions were previously covered by snow with frozen soil, are studied in order to understand the associated meteorological conditions and the impact of complex topography on the generation of the LLEJ. Observational analyses show the development of a large-scale, geostrophically balanced, easterly flow associated with a northeastern high pressure and a southeastern low pressure system, accompanied by a westward-moving cold front with an intense inversion layer near the altitudes of mountain ridges. A high-resolution model simulation shows the generation of an LLEJ of near-typhoon strength, which peaked at about 500 m above the ground, as well as downslope windstorms with marked wave breakings and subsidence warming in the leeside surface layer, as the large-scale cold easterly flow moves through a constricting saddle pass and across a higher mountain ridge followed by a lower parallel ridge, respectively. The two different airstreams are merged to form an intense LLEJ of cold air, driven mostly by zonal pressure gradient force, and then the LLEJ moves along a zonally oriented mountain range to the north. Results indicate the importance of the lower ridge in enhancing the downslope winds associated with the higher ridge and the importance of the saddle pass in generating the LLEJ. We conclude that the intense downslope winds account for melting snow, warming and drying soils, and raising dust into the air that is then transported by the LLEJ, generated mostly through the saddle pass, into the far west of the basin.
The Impact of Cause Portfolio Focus and Contribution Amount on Stakeholder Evaluations
Authors: Eilert Meike , Robinson Stefanie
Published: April 2018

When companies engage in corporate philanthropy, they can donate to a number of causes supporting a variety of issues, thus establishing cause portfolios. This research examines how the focus of a cause portfolio affects company evaluations. Results from an experiment show that when a company donates a small amount of money, consumers have lower evaluations of a company when the cause portfolio is focused (i.e., supports one issue) versus diverse (i.e., supports many issues). This is because the focused (vs. diverse) portfolio is perceived to have a weaker impact to society. We provide additional evidence of this effect using a data set of Fortune 500 companies’ foundations, showing that cause portfolios are more likely to result in lower stakeholder evaluations when focused (vs. diverse). Again, we find that donation amount alleviates the difference between focused and diverse portfolios. The findings hold important implications for the company’s management of cause portfolios.
Correlation of mechanical and electrical properties with processing variables in MWCNT reinforced thermoplastic nanocomposites
Authors: Doagou-Rad Saeed , Islam Aminul , Søndergaard Jensen Jakob
Published: April 2018

The influence of the processing variables and nanotube content on the mechanical and electrical properties of polyamide 6,6-based nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes is investigated. Results show that variation in the processing variables such as compounding method, injection melt temperature, injection speed, mold temperature, and holding pressure varies the properties significantly. In fact, composites containing similar contents of the nanofillers show variations in mechanical properties up to 30.0% and in the electrical properties up to three orders of magnitude. Different processing parameters required for achieving optimal mechanical and electrical performances are also found. Correlation between processing parameters and microstructure within the nanocomposites is studied. Results show that variation of the processing parameters defines the existence or absence of a nanotube network in the nanocomposite structure. Experimental and micromechanical modeling results show that less control over the nanocomposite morphology and nanotube alignment is achievable in higher nanofiller contents. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the modulation in the properties are also discussed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, rheological and crystallization investigations. The research provides a recipe to manufacture the tailored nanocomposite with the specified properties for various industrial applications.
Investigating the Impact of Child Maltreatment Histories on Drug Court Outcomes
Authors: Zettler Haley R. , Iratzoqui Amaia
Published: April 2018

Although child maltreatment, mental illness, and substance abuse are significantly correlated, only the relationship between mental illness and substance abuse has been documented as potentially affecting the implementation of criminal justice policy. The current study considers the influence of child maltreatment histories in addition to mental health and substance abuse issues in predicting the success of participants in a large drug court in the Southwestern United States. Results indicated that child maltreatment was not predictive of overall court failure. However, child maltreatment had an indirect effect on type of failure, through its effects on mental illness and substance abuse diagnoses. Implications for these findings within drug court and for general criminal justice policy are discussed.
Individual, Service, and Neighborhood Predictors of Aggression Among Persons With Mental Disorders
Authors: Seto Michael C. , Charette Yanick , Nicholls Tonia L. , Crocker Anne G.
Published: April 2018

We examined the predictive validity of individual, service, and neighborhood factors for aggression by 1,491 forensic clients found Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD), under the jurisdiction of a Review Board, and thus subject to supervision conditions. Younger patient age and personality disorder diagnosis were associated with both clinically documented aggression and recidivism. Medication adherence was related to clinically documented aggression, but not criminal recidivism. Number of reports from an institution (possibly reflecting assessor or institutional experience with NCRMD assessments) did not predict clinically documented aggression, but more comprehensive risk reports were associated with fewer such clinical incidents. More community mental health resources within a 45-min drive of an individual’s residence were associated with less recidivism, but not less clinically documented aggression. We conclude that extra-individual factors are related to aggression, the neighborhood to which forensic clients return matters, and effects can differ for criminal recidivism versus clinically documented aggression.