bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die boek van Esegiël in/en die Nuwe Testament
Authors: Van Rooy Herculaas F.
Published: March 2016

Ezekiel in the New Testament. In studies of the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, the book of Ezekiel has not received much attention, with Revelation the exception to the rule. In these studies, the focus has shifted from the use of quotations and allusion to the issue of intertextuality. This article discusses the use of Ezekiel in the four Gospels and Acts, in the letters of Paul, in Hebrews and the general epistles. There are only two clear quotations of Ezekiel in this corpus, namely in 2 Corinthians 6. The text of Ezekiel quoted or alluded to in the New Testament usually agrees with the Greek Old Testament, with an important exception in Jude verse 12. Although the evidence is not very strong, it seems as if the section of Ezekiel 36 lacking in Papyrus 967 was known to (some of) the New Testament authors. The two quotations in 2 Corinthians areused in a typical Pauline manner as part of a series of quotations used for contemporary application, in which the original context does not play an important role. There are quite a number of allusions to Ezekiel in the rest of the corpus. The metaphor of the shepherd in Ezekiel 34 and 37 is very important for the depiction of Jesus as the (good) shepherd in the New Testament.The importance of hook-term connections has been indicated for linking different passages together, including passages from Ezekiel. Although Ezekiel was not used as much as books like Genesis, Psalms and Isaiah, there are enough indications of its use in the corpus that was studied.Keywords: Ou Testament; Nuwe testament; Esegiël; Aanhaling; intertekstuele eksegese
Chest X-ray patterns of pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children in a high HIV-prevalence setting
Authors: Manikkam Samuel , Archary Moherndran , Bobat Raziya
Published: March 2016

Background: Paediatric multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) necessitates a prolonged duration of treatment with an intensive treatment regimen. The chest X-ray patterns of pulmonary TB depend on a multiplicity of factors, including immune status, and therefore identifying the influence of HIV on the chest X-ray appearances of MDR-TB may assist with improving the diagnostic criteria. Objectives: To describe the demographic characteristics and chest X-ray patterns of children with pulmonary MDR-TB and to compare the chest X-ray patterns of pulmonary MDR-TB between children who are HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected.Method: Retrospective chart review of hospital notes and chest X-rays of children with pulmonary MDR-TB at King Dinuzulu Hospital, Durban. The chest X-rays were systematically reviewed for the presence of the following variables: hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy, bronchopneumonic opacification, segmental/lobar consolidation, cavities, miliary opacification and pleural effusion.Results: Forty-five children (mean age, 6.29 years; median age, 6.00 years) with pulmonary MDR-TB met the inclusion criteria. The most common chest X-ray finding was consolidation (53.5%), followed by lymphadenopathy (35.6%), bronchopneumonic opacification (33.3%) and cavities (31.1%). Cavities were more common (OR 6.1; 95% CI 1.52–24.66) in children who had been initiated on standard anti-TB treatment for the current TB episode. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the chest X-ray patterns in HIV-uninfected (n = 22) compared with HIV-infected (n = 20) children. Conclusion: The most common chest X-ray finding was consolidation, followed by lymphadenopathy, bronchopneumonic opacification and cavities. The finding of a significantly higher frequency of cavities in children who had received prior standard anti-TB treatment for the current TB episode could reflect poor disease containment and increased parenchymal damage, owing to a delay in the recognition of MDR-TB. The development of cavitation in chest X-rays of children with TB could raise concern for the possibility of MDR-TB, and prompt further testing.
Diagnostic Implication and Clinical Relevance of Ancillary Techniques in Clinical Pathology Practice
Authors: Makki Jaafar S.
Published: March 2016

Hematoxylin-eosin-stained slide preparation is one of the most durable techniques in medicine history, which has remained unchanged since implemented. It allows an accurate microscopic diagnosis of the vast majority of tissue samples. In many circumstances, this technique cannot answer all the questions posed at the initial diagnostic level. The pathologist has always been looking for additional ancillary techniques to answer pending questions. In our daily histopathology practice, we referred to those techniques as special stains, but nowadays, they are more than stains and are collectively called ancillary tests. They include a wide range of techniques starting from histochemical stains and ending in one or more advanced techniques, such as immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, molecular studies, cytogenetic studies, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction.
Milestones: Critical Elements in Clinical Informatics Fellowship Programs
Authors: Lehmann Christoph , Munger Benson , Silverman Howard
Published: March 2016

Milestones refer to points along a continuum of a competency from novice to expert. Resident and fellow assessment and program evaluation processes adopted by the ACGME include the mandate that programs report the educational progress of residents and fellows twice annually utilizing Milestones developed by a specialty specific ACGME working group of experts. Milestones in clinical training programs are largely unmapped to specific assessment tools. Residents and fellows are mainly assessed using locally derived assessment instruments. These assessments are then reviewed by the Clinical Competency Committee which assigns and reports trainee ratings using the specialty specific reporting Milestones.

The challenge and opportunity facing the nascent specialty of Clinical Informatics is how to optimally utilize this framework across a growing number of accredited fellowships. The authors review how a mapped milestone framework, in which each required sub-competency is mapped to a single milestone assessment grid, can enable the use of milestones for multiple uses including individualized learning plans, fellow assessments, and program evaluation. Furthermore, such a mapped strategy will foster the ability to compare fellow progress within and between Clinical Informatics Fellowships in a structured and reliable fashion. Clinical Informatics currently has far less variability across programs and thus could easily utilize a more tightly defined set of milestones with a clear mapping to sub-competencies. This approach would enable greater standardization of assessment instruments and processes across programs while allowing for variability in how those sub-competencies are taught.

A mapped strategy for Milestones offers significant advantages for Clinical Informatics programs.
A modelling case study of a large-scale cirrus in the tropical tropopause layer
Authors: Podglajen Aurélien , Plougonven Riwal , Hertzog Albert , Legras Bernard
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We use the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model to simulate a large-scale tropical tropopause layer (TTL) cirrus in order to understand the formation and life cycle of the cloud. This cirrus event has been previously described through satellite observations by Taylor et al. (2011). Comparisons of the simulated and observed cirrus show a fair agreement and validate the reference simulation regarding cloud extension, location and life time. The validated simulation is used to understand the causes of cloud formation. It is shown that several cirrus clouds successively form in the region due to adiabatic cooling and large-scale uplift rather than from convective anvils. The structure of the uplift is tied to the equatorial response (equatorial wave excitation) to a potential vorticity intrusion from the midlatitudes. Sensitivity tests are then performed to assess the relative importance of the choice of the microphysics parameterization and of the initial and boundary conditions. The initial dynamical conditions (wind and temperature) essentially control the horizontal location and area of the cloud. However, the choice of the microphysics scheme influences the ice water content and the cloud vertical position. Last, the fair agreement with the observations allows to estimate the cloud impact in the TTL in the simulations. The cirrus clouds have a small but not negligible impact on the radiative budget of the local TTL. However, for this particular case, the cloud radiative heating does not significantly influence the simulated dynamics. This result is due to (1) the lifetime of air parcels in the cloud system, which is too short to significantly influence the dynamics, and (2) the fact that induced vertical motions would be comparable to or smaller than the typical mesoscale motions present. Finally, the simulation also provides an estimate of the vertical redistribution of water by the cloud and the results emphasize the importance in our case of both rehydration and dehydration in the vicinity of the cirrus.
Significant increase of surface ozone at a rural site, north of eastern China
Authors: Ma Zhiqiang , Xu Jing , Quan Weijun , Zhang Ziyin , Lin Weili , Xu Xiaobin
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Ozone pollution in eastern China has become one of the top environmental issues. Quantifying the temporal trend of surface ozone helps to assess the impacts of the anthropogenic precursor reductions and the likely effects of emission control strategies implemented. In this paper, ozone data collected at the Shangdianzi (SDZ) regional atmospheric background station from 2003 to 2015 are presented and analyzed to obtain the variation in the trend of surface ozone in the most polluted region of China, north of eastern China or the North China Plain. A modified Kolmogorov–Zurbenko (KZ) filter method was performed on the maximum daily average 8 h (MDA8) concentrations of ozone to separate the contributions of different factors from the variation of surface ozone and remove the influence of meteorological fluctuations on surface ozone. Results reveal that the short-term, seasonal and long-term components of ozone account for 36.4, 57.6 and 2.2 % of the total variance, respectively. The long-term trend indicates that the MDA8 has undergone a significant increase in the period of 2003–2015, with an average rate of 1.13 ± 0.01 ppb year−1 (R2 = 0.92). It is found that meteorological factors did not significantly influence the long-term variation of ozone and the increase may be completely attributed to changes in emissions. Furthermore, there is no significant correlation between the long-term O3 and NO2 trends. This study suggests that emission changes in VOCs might have played a more important role in the observed increase of surface ozone at SDZ.
Study of Arabian Red Sea coastal soils as potential mineral dust sources
Authors: Prakash P. Jish , Stenchikov Georgiy , Tao Weichun , Yapici Tahir , Warsama Bashir , Engelbrecht Johann
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Both Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) satellite observations suggest that the narrow heterogeneous Red Sea coastal region is a frequent source of airborne dust that, because of its proximity, directly affects the Red Sea and coastal urban centers. The potential of soils to be suspended as airborne mineral dust depends largely on soil texture, moisture content, and particle size distributions. Airborne dust inevitably carries the mineralogical and chemical signature of a parent soil. The existing soil databases are too coarse to resolve the small but important coastal region. The purpose of this study is to better characterize the mineralogical, chemical and physical properties of soils from the Red Sea Arabian coastal plane, which in turn will help to improve assessment of dust effect on the Red Sea and land environmental systems and urban centers. Thirteen surface soils from the hot-spot areas of wind-blown mineral dust along the Red Sea coastal plain were sampled for analysis. Analytical methods included Optical Microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), Ion Chromatography (IC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Laser Particle Size Analysis (LPSA). We found that the Red Sea coastal soils contain major components of quartz and feldspar, as well as lesser but variable amounts of amphibole, pyroxene, carbonate, clays, and micas, with traces of gypsum, halite, chlorite, epidote and oxides. The wide range of minerals in the soil samples was ascribed to the variety of igneous and metamorphic provenance rocks of the Arabian Shield forming the escarpment to the east of the Red Sea coastal plain. The analysis revealed that the samples contain compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron that are essential nutrients to marine life. The analytical results from this study will provide a valuable input into dust emission models used in climate, marine ecology, and air-quality studies.
Strong modification of stratospheric ozone forcing by cloud and sea ice adjustments
Authors: Xia Y. , Hu Y. , Huang Y.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We investigate the climatic impact of stratospheric ozone recovery (SOR) with a focus on the surface temperature change in atmosphere-slab-ocean coupled climate simulations. We find that although SOR would cause significant surface warming (global mean: 0.2 K) in a climate free of clouds and sea-ice, it may result in surface cooling (−0.06 K) in the real climate. The results here are especially interesting in that the stratosphere-adjusted radiative forcing is positive in both cases. Radiation diagnosis shows that the surface cooling is mainly due to a strong radiative effect resulting from significant reduction of global high clouds and, to a lesser extent, from an increase in high-latitude sea ice. Our simulation experiments suggest clouds and sea ice are sensitive to stratospheric ozone perturbation, which constitutes a significant radiative adjustment that influences the sign and magnitude of the global surface temperature change.
A new algorithm for detecting cloud height using OMPS/LP measurements
Authors: Chen Zhong , DeLand Matthew , Bhartia Pawan K.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite Limb Profiler (OMPS/LP) ozone product requires the determination of cloud height for each event to establish the lower boundary of the profile for the retrieval algorithm. We have created a revised cloud detection algorithm for LP measurements that uses the spectral dependence of the vertical gradient in radiance between two wavelengths in the visible and near-IR spectral regions. This approach provides better discrimination between clouds and aerosols than results obtained using a single wavelength. Observed LP cloud height values show good agreement with coincident Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) measurements.
Reviews and Syntheses: Ocean acidification and its potential impacts on marine ecosystems
Authors: Mostofa Khan M. G. , Liu Cong-Qiang , Zhai WeiDong , Minella Marco , Vione Davide , Gao Kunshan , Minakata Daisuke , Arakaki Takemitsu , Yoshioka Takahito , Hayakawa Kazuhide , Konohira Eiichi , Tanoue Eiichiro , Akhand Anirban , Chanda Abhra , Wang Baoli , Sakugawa Hiroshi
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Ocean acidification, a complex phenomenon that lowers seawater pH, is the net outcome of several contributions. They include the dissolution of increasing atmospheric CO2 that adds up with dissolved inorganic carbon (dissolved CO2, H2CO3, HCO3−, and CO32−) generated upon mineralization of primary producers (PP) and dissolved organic matter (DOM). The aquatic processes leading to inorganic carbon are substantially affected by increased DOM and nutrients via terrestrial runoff, acidic rainfall, increased PP and algal blooms, nitrification, denitrification, sulfate reduction, global warming (GW), and by atmospheric CO2 itself through enhanced photosynthesis. They are consecutively associated with enhanced ocean acidification, hypoxia in acidified deeper seawater, pathogens, algal toxins, oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species, and thermal stress caused by longer stratification periods as an effect of GW. We discuss the mechanistic insights into the aforementioned processes and pH changes, with particular focus on processes taking place with different timescales (including the diurnal one) in surface and subsurface seawater. This review also discusses these collective influences to assess their potential detrimental effects to marine organisms, and of ecosystem processes and services. Our review of the effects operating in synergy with ocean acidification will provide a broad insight into the potential impact of acidification itself on biological processes. The foreseen danger to marine organisms by acidification is in fact expected to be amplified by several concurrent and interacting phenomena.
Nitrous oxide emissions from a peatbog after thirteen years of experimental nitrogen deposition
Authors: Leeson Sarah R. , Levy Peter E. , van Dijk Netty , Drewer Julia , Robinson Sophie , Jones Matthew R. , Kentisbeer John , Washbourne Ian , Sutton Mark A. , Sheppard Lucy J.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Nitrogen deposition was experimentally increased on a Scottish peat bog over a period of thirteen years (2002–2015). Nitrogen was applied in three forms, NH3 gas, NH4+ solution, and NO3− solution, at rates ranging from ambient (8) to 64 kg N ha−1 y−1, and higher near the NH3 fumigation source. An automated system was used to apply the nitrogen, such that the deposition was realistic in terms of rates and high frequency of deposition events. We measured the response of nitrous oxide (N2O) flux to the increased nitrogen input. Prior expectations, based on the IPCC default emission factor, were that 1 % of the added nitrogen would be emitted as N2O. In the plots treated with NH4+ and NO3− solution, no response was seen, and there was a tendency for N2O fluxes to be reduced by additional nitrogen, though this was not significant. Areas subjected to high NH3 emitted more N2O than expected, up to 8.5 % of the added nitrogen. Differences in the response are related to the impact of the nitrogen treatments on the vegetation. In the NH4+ and NO3− treatments, all the additional nitrogen is effectively immobilised in the vegetation and top 10 cm of peat. In the NH3 treatment, much of the vegetation was killed off by high doses of NH3, and the nitrogen was presumably more available to denitrifying bacteria. The design of the wet and dry experimental treatments meant that they differed in statistical power, and we are less likely to detect an effect of the the NH4+ and NO3− treatments, though they avoid issues of pseudo-replication.
Tracking the direct impact of rainfall on groundwater at Mt. Fuji by multiple analyses including microbial DNA
Authors: Sugiyama Ayumi , Masuda Suguru , Nagaosa Kazuyo , Tsujimura Maki , Kato Kenji
Published: March 2016

Abstract. A huge amount of groundwater is stored in the subsurface environment of Mt. Fuji, the largest volcanic mountain in Japan. Based on the concept of piston flow transport, residence time of stored groundwater at Mt. Fuji was estimated at ~ 15–30 years by the 36Cl / Cl ratio (Tosaki et al., 2011). This range, however, represents the average residence time of groundwater that was mixed before it flushed out. To elucidate the route of groundwater in a given system, we determined signatures of direct impacts of rainfall on groundwater, using microbial, and stable isotopic (delta 18O), and chemical analyses (concentration of silica). Chemical analysis of the groundwater gave an average value of the water, which was already mixed with waters from various sources and routes in the subsurface environment. The microbial analysis suggested locations of water origin and paths. In situ observation during four rainfall events revealed that the stable oxygen isotopic signature of spring water and shallow groundwater obtained at 726 m a.s.l. (site G1), where the average recharge height from rainfall was 1500–1800 m, became greater than values observed prior to a torrential rain producing more than 300 mm of precipitation. The concentration of silica decreased after this event. In addition, the density of Bacteria in spring water increased, suggesting the influence of the heavy rain. Such changes did not appear when rainfall was less than 100 mm per event. The above findings indicate a rapid flow of rain through the shallow part of the aquifer, which appeared within a few weeks of the torrential rain in the studied geologic setting. Interestingly, we found that after the torrential rain, the density of Archaea increased in the deep groundwater at site G3, ~ 12 km downstream of G1. However, chemical parameters did not show any change after the event. This suggests that strengthened piston flow caused by the heavy rain transported archaeal particles from the geologic layer along the groundwater route. This finding was supported by changes in constituents of Archaea, dominated by Halobacteriales and Methanobacteriales, which were not seen from other observations. Those two groups of Archaea are believed to be relatively tightly embedded in the geologic layer and were extracted from the environment to the examined groundwater through enforced piston flow. Microbial DNA can thus give information about the groundwater route, which is never shown by analysis of chemical materials dissolved in the groundwater.
Arctic sea ice simulation in the PlioMIP ensemble
Authors: Howell Fergus W. , Haywood Alan M. , Otto-Bliesner Bette L. , Bragg Fran , Chan Wing-Le , Chandler Mark A. , Contoux Camille , Kamae Youichi , Abe-Ouchi Ayako , Rosenbloom Nan A. , Stepanek Christian , Zhang Zhongshi
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Eight general circulation models have simulated the mid-Pliocene warm period (mid-Pliocene, 3.264 to 3.025 Ma) as part of the Pliocene Modelling Intercomparison Project (PlioMIP). Here, we analyse and compare their simulation of Arctic sea ice for both the pre-industrial period and the mid-Pliocene. Mid-Pliocene sea ice thickness and extent is reduced, and the model spread of extent is more than twice the pre-industrial spread in some summer months. Half of the PlioMIP models simulate ice-free conditions in the mid-Pliocene. This spread amongst the ensemble is in line with the uncertainties amongst proxy reconstructions for mid-Pliocene sea ice extent. Correlations between mid-Pliocene Arctic temperatures and sea ice extents are almost twice as strong as the equivalent correlations for the pre-industrial simulations. The need for more comprehensive sea ice proxy data is highlighted, in order to better compare model performances.
A universal error source in past climate estimates derived from tree rings
Authors: Rinne Juhani , Alestalo Mikko , Franke Jörg
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Recently it has been shown that climate estimates derived from tree rings often tend to show erroneous long-term oscillations, i.e. there are spectral biases at low frequencies. The result is independent of parameter studied (precipitation or temperature) or measured proxy (tree ring widths or maximum latewood densities). In order to find reasons for such universal errors, a new reconstruction method is introduced where no age dependence of the tree rings is determined. The aim, however, is not to generate better reconstructions but to study error variances of long-term oscillations. It is shown that paucities and data gaps due to missing trees increase the risk for erroneous low-frequency variability. A general approximate formula is introduced in order to estimate the presence of such a risk. A case study using Torneträsk data from Northern Sweden illustrates how longer periods with missing trees cause paucities and gaps leading to erroneous climatic oscillations. Systematic underestimation of the temperature around AD 1600 and after 1950 (“divergence”) is in the study case explained by such data gaps and paucities.
A new species of Cyclotosaurus (Stereospondyli, Capitosauria) from the Late Triassic of Bielefeld, NW Germany, and the intrarelationships of the genus
Authors: Witzmann Florian , Sachs Sven , Nyhuis Christian J.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. A nearly complete dermal skull roof of a capitosaur stereospondyl with closed otic fenestrae from the middle Carnian Stuttgart Formation (Late Triassic) of Bielefeld-Sieker (NW Germany) is described. The specimen is assigned to the genus Cyclotosaurus based on the limited contribution of the frontal to the orbital margin via narrow lateral processes. A new species, Cyclotosaurus buechneri sp. nov., is erected based upon the following unique combination of characters: (1) the interorbital distance is short so that the orbitae are medially placed (shared with C. robustus); (2) the region lateral to the orbitae is only slightly broader than the orbitae (shared with C. posthumus, C. ebrachensis, C. intermedius, and C. mordax); (3) the postorbital region is slender (shared with C. ebrachensis); (4) the preorbital projection of the jugal is shorter than half the length of the snout (shared with C. mordax, C. ebrachensis, C. intermedius, C. posthumus, and C. hemprichi). A phylogenetic analysis of seven Cyclotosaurus species, including C. buechneri, and eight further capitosaur taxa with the Rhinesuchidae as an outgroup finds a monophyletic Cyclotosaurus. In accordance with its stratigraphic occurrence, C. buechneri nests at its base but is more derived than C. robustus. Among the more derived Cyclotosaurus species, C. ebrachensis and C. intermedius, as well as C. posthumus and C. hemprichi, form sister groups, respectively. However, the phylogenetic position of C. mordax with respect to both groups remains unresolved. In the phylogenetic analysis presented here, Cyclotosaurus is the sister group of the Heylerosaurinae (Eocyclotosaurus + Quasicyclotosaurus). Cyclotosaurus buechneri represents the only unequivocal evidence of Cyclotosaurus (and of a cyclotosaur in general) in northern Germany.
Auroral meridian scanning photometer calibration using Jupiter
Authors: Jackel Brian J. , Unick Craig , Creutzberg Fokke , Baker Greg , Davis Eric , Donovan Eric F. , Connors Martin , Wilson Cody , Little Jarrett , Greffen M. , McGuffin Neil
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Observations of astronomical sources provides information that can significantly enhance the utility of auroral data for scientific studies. Jupiter is used for field cross-calibration of 4 multi-spectral auroral meridian scanning photometers during 2011–15 northern hemisphere winters. Seasonal average optical field-of-view and local orientation estimates are obtained with uncertainties of 0.01° and 0.1° respectively. Estimates of absolute photometric sensitivity are repeatable to roughly 5 % from one month to the next, while the relative response between different wavelength channels is stable to better than 1 %. Astronomical field calibrations and darkroom calibration differences are on the order of 10 %. Atmospheric variability is the primary source of uncertainty; this may be reduced with data from co-located instruments such as all-sky imagers.
A new high-precision and low-power GNSS receiver for long-term installations in remote areas
Authors: Jones David H. , Robinson Carl , Gudmundsson G. Hilmar
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We have developed a new high-precision GNSS receiver specifically designed for long-term unattended deployments in remote areas. The receiver reports its status, and can be reprogrammed remotely, through an integrated satellite data link. It uses less power than commercially available alternatives while being equally, if not more, accurate. Data are saved locally on dual SD card slots for increased reliability. Deployments of a number of those receivers in several different locations on the Antarctic ice sheet have shown them to be robust and able to operate flawlessly at low temperatures down to −40 °C.
Regional prioritisation of flood risk in mountainous areas
Authors: Rogelis María Carolina , Werner Micha , Obregón Nelson , Wright Nigel
Published: March 2016

Abstract. In this paper a method is proposed to identify mountainous watersheds with the highest flood risk at the regional level. Through this, the watersheds to be subjected to more detailed risk studies can be prioritised in order to establish appropriate flood risk management strategies. The prioritisation is carried out through an index composed of a qualitative indicator of vulnerability and a qualitative flash flood/debris flow susceptibility indicator. At the regional level, vulnerability was assessed on the basis of a principal component analysis carried out with variables recognised in literature to contribute to vulnerability, using watersheds as the unit of analysis. The area exposed was obtained from a simplified flood extent analysis at the regional level, which provided a mask where vulnerability variables were extracted. The vulnerability indicator obtained from the principal component analysis was combined with an existing susceptibility indicator, thus providing an index that allows the watersheds to be prioritised in support of flood risk management at regional level. Results show that the components of vulnerability can be expressed in terms of three constituent indicators: (i) socio-economic fragility, which is composed of demography and lack of well-being; (ii) lack of resilience and coping capacity, which is composed of lack of education, lack of preparedness and response capacity, lack of rescue capacity, cohesiveness of the community; and (iii) physical exposure, which is composed of exposed infrastructure and exposed population. A sensitivity analysis shows that the classification of vulnerability is robust for watersheds with low and high values of the vulnerability indicator, while some watersheds with intermediate values of the indicator are sensitive to shifting between medium and high vulnerability.
Multi-scale analysis of the Asian Monsoon change in the last millennium
Authors: Jiang TingGui , Lin JiaJia , Lin ZhenShan , Li YuXia
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The change rule and the driving mechanism of the Asian monsoon (AM) is widely concerned. In this paper, we have decomposed the Huangye cave δ18OR datasets (proxy for AM) into variations at different time scales with the Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) method, obtained the main cycles of the Asian monsoon changes and drought and wet periods in the last millennial history, analysed and predicted the precipitation trend at the local site in the future. Meantime, we have also decomposed 10Be (proxy for solar activity) and average Northern Hemisphere Temperature (NHT) datasets with the EEMD method. The relationship among the components of δ18OR, 10Be and NHT shows that NHT as well as solar activity has the obvious driving effect on the AM at millennial scales, and NHT with the frequency and amplitude modulations can influence the intensity of the AM more directly and obviously than the solar activity in the last 1000 years.
Effects of surface current/wind interaction in an eddy-rich general ocean circulation simulation of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Dietze H. , Löptien U.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Deoxygenation in the Baltic Sea endangers fish yields and favours noxious algal blooms. Yet, vertical transport processes ventilating the oxygen-deprived waters at depth and replenishing nutrient-deprived surface waters (thereby fuelling export of organic matter to depth), are not comprehensively understood. Here, we investigate the effects of the interaction between surface currents and winds (also referred to as eddy/wind effects) on upwelling in an eddy-rich general ocean circulation model of the Baltic Sea. Contrary to expectations we find that accounting for current/wind effects does inhibit the overall vertical exchange between oxygenated surface waters and oxygen-deprived water at depth. At major upwelling sites, however, as e.g. off the south coast of Sweden and Finland, the reverse holds: the interaction between topographically steered surface currents with winds blowing over the sea results in a climatological sea surface temperature cooling of 0.5 K. This implies that current/wind effects drive substantial local upwelling of cold and nutrient-replete waters.
POLENET/LAPNET teleseismic P wave travel time tomography model of the upper mantle beneath northern Fennoscandia
Authors: Silvennoinen Hanna , Kozlovskaya Elena , Kissling Eduard
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The POLENET/LAPNET (Polar Earth Observing Network) broadband seismic network was deployed in northern Fennoscandia (Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia) during the third International Polar Year 2007–2009. The array consisted of roughly 60 seismic stations. In our study, we estimate the 3-D architecture of the upper mantle beneath the northern Fennoscandian Shield using high-resolution teleseismic P wave tomography. The P wave tomography method can complement previous studies in the area by efficiently mapping lateral velocity variations in the mantle. For this purpose 111 clearly recorded teleseismic events were selected and the data from the stations hand-picked and analysed. Our study reveals a highly heterogeneous lithospheric mantle beneath the northern Fennoscandian Shield though without any large high P wave velocity area that may indicate the presence of thick depleted lithospheric “keel”. The most significant feature seen in the velocity model is a large elongated negative velocity anomaly (up to −3.5 %) in depth range 100–150 km in the central part of our study area that can be followed down to a depth of 200 km in some local areas. This low-velocity area separates three high-velocity regions corresponding to the cratonic units forming the area.
Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Differential Diagnosis of Adrenal Tumors in Dogs
Authors: Bargellini Paolo , Orlandi Riccardo , Dentini Alfredo , Paloni Chiara , Rubini Giuseppe , Fonti Paolo , Diana Alessia , Peterson Mark E. , Boiti Cristiano
Published: March 2016

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), using a second-generation microbubble contrast agent, in differentiating the different types of adrenal mass lesions in 24 dogs. At B-mode ultrasound, 9 lesions involved the right adrenal gland, 14 the left, and 1 was bilateral. Each dog received a bolus of the contrast agent into the cephalic vein, immediately followed by a 5-mL saline flush. The first contrast enhancement of each adrenal lesion was evaluated qualitatively to assess the degree of enhancement and its distribution during the wash-in and wash-out phases, as well as the presence of non-vascularized areas and specific vascular patterns. Pathological diagnoses were determined in all dogs by histopathology or by cytology. Combining enhancement degree and vascularity resulted in the best predictive model, allowing CEUS to differentiate adrenocortical adenoma (n=10), adenocarcinoma (n=7), and pheochromocytoma (n=7) with an accuracy of 91.7% (P < 0.001). Combining enhancement degree and vascularity, CEUS can discriminate malignant versus benign adrenal lesions with a sensitivity of 100.0%, a specificity of 80.0%, and an accuracy of 91.7% (P < 0.001). In conclusion, results of this study confirm that CEUS is useful for differentiating between the different types of adrenal tumors in dogs.
WitchHunter: Tools for the Geo-Semantic Exploration of a Danish Folklore Corpus
Authors: Broadwell Peter M. , Tangherlini Timothy R.
Published: March 2016

Researchers of traditional storytelling are largely limited to existing indices for the discovery of stories. These indices rarely include geo-indexing, despite a fundamental premise of folkloristics that stories are closely related to the physical environment. Consequently, it is often difficult for folklore researchers to address questions that relate story topics to geographic location. To address this problem, we propose WitchHunter, a suite of tools for the geographically based exploration of a large folklore corpus (>30,000 stories). WitchHunter presents visual representations of the latent semantic connections between stories in a map-based navigation and discovery environment. These visualizations of the relationship between places and a first-level approximation of story topics can be used by researchers to build and refine research questions. We illustrate the usefulness of this environment through a series of experiments related to legends about witches, cunning folk, ghosts, revenants, hidden folk, and other supernatural phenomena.
Prevalence and Causes of Self Medication among Medical Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Authors: Zardosht Marziyeh , Dastoorpoor Maryam , Hashemi Farzaneh Bani , Estebsari Fatemeh , Jamshidi Ensiyeh , Abbasi-Ghahramanloo Abbas , Khazaeli Payam
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is a public health concern because of drug misuse/abuse and its medical, social and psychological problems.

AIM: Given the growing prevalence of self-medication, the present study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of self-medication among students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 on 550 students who were selected through multistage sampling from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, in southeast Iran. Data was collected through a self-report questionnaire.  Test-retest reliability and content validity of this questionnaire were confirmed. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics via t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication among students was 50.2%. The most common cause of self-medication was related to students' knowledge about the diseases and medications (58.7%). The majority of drugs consumed arbitrarily included cough and cold medications (94.5%); analgesics (89.9%); antihistamines (80.0%); herbal drugs and distillates (78.9%); vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements and energizers (71.5%); antibiotics (61.8%); and gastrointestinal drugs (54.9%), respectively. The most common illness that led to self-medication was the common cold (95.4%), and the most important source of information regarding self-medication was the students’ own scientific knowledge of medical drugs (80.6%).

CONCLUSION: Due to the adverse effects of self-medication, drug dependency, and microbial resistance and the relatively high prevalence of self-medication among students in this study, it would be advisable to organize awareness campaigns to further educate students about self-medication.
Gender Differences in Self-Rated Health among University Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Do Confounding Variables Matter?
Authors: EL-Ansari Walid , Stock Christiane
Published: March 2016

INTRODUCTION: We assessed gender differences in self-rated health (SRH) while considering physical health, health complaints, health service use, wider wellbeing, and health behaviours.

METHODS: 3706 undergraduates at 7 Universities in the United Kingdom completed a self-administered questionnaire (2009–2008). Logistic regressions with excellent/very good SRH as dependent variable assessed the variables that explained the SRH sex difference. 

RESULTS: Females had more health complaints, illness periods, lower quality of life, more burdens, and took medication/s more often. The crude (unadjusted) odds ratio (OR) proposed that females were less likely to report excellent/very good SRH than males [OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68-0.94]. Adjusting only for physical health and health service use, females’ OR increased considerably, and the association between female sex and SRH was no longer significant. Also, when adjusting only for wider well-being or when adjusting only for health behaviour, the negative association between females and SRH was no longer significant. Adjusting for all the variables simultaneously (physical health, health service use, wider well-being, health behaviours) resulted in considerable increase of females’ OR indicating now a positive association between female sex and SRH [OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.74].  

CONCLUSION: Females’ lower SRH found in the crude analyses was confounded by their higher stress level, lower quality of life, lower physical activity and by more illnesses or health complaints when compared with males. Gender-related SRH research should control for many potential confounders to prevent overestimation of the gender effect. Health promotion programs should consider these factors when tackling gender health disparities.
Dynamics Shaping Access to Reproductive Health Services in Peri-Urban Yangon, Myanmar: A Multi-Methods Study
Authors: Sheehy Grace , Aung Yadanar , Sietstra Cari , Foster Angel M.
Published: March 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to explore and identify the reproductive health needs of women of reproductive age living in peri-urban Yangon, a dynamic series of townships on the periphery of Myanmar’s largest city. Specifically, we sought to identify the availability and accessibility of reproductive health services and products, as well as potential avenues for improving the delivery and accessibility of services. Our overall study focused on maternal health, delivery care, contraception, abortion and post-abortion care. In this paper we focus specifically on the dynamics shaping access to reproductive health services.

PRINCIPAL RESULTS: Our findings suggest that barriers to access specific to both urban and rural settings converge in peri-urban Yangon and create significant challenges for service delivery organizations to reach this population, and for this population to reach health care facilities. While contraceptives are relatively affordable and accessible, non-evidence based fears of side effects, including significant and noticeable weight gain, illness, organ damage and infertility, hinder consistent use among peri-urban women. Finally, our findings suggest that unmarried women and young women are largely excluded from reproductive health care and services, and face considerable barriers to access, including discrimination from providers.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate that despite an overarching availability of reproductive health services in peri-urban Yangon, a variety of geographic, socio-economic, information and socio-cultural barriers to access persist and there remains a dearth of services tailored to young and unmarried women. The peri-urban population requires a unique and tailored service delivery approach.
Canadian Civil Justice: Relief in Small and Simple Matters in an Age of Efficiency
Authors: Silver Jonathan , Farrow Trevor C.W.
Published: March 2016

Canadian Civil Justice: Relief in Small and Simple Matters in an Age of Efficiency

Canada is in the midst of an access to justice crisis. The rising costs and complexity of legal services in Canada have surpassed the need for these services. This article briefly explores some obstacles to civil justice as well as some of the court-based programmes and initiatives in place across Canada to address this growing access to justice gap. In particular, this article explains the Canadian civil justice system and canvasses the procedures and programmes in place to make the justice system more efficient and improve access to justice in small and simple matters. Although this article does look briefly at the impact of the global financial crisis on access to justice efforts in Canada, we do not provide empirical data of our own on this point. Further, we conclude that there is not enough existing data to draw correlations between austerity measures in response to the global crisis and the challenges facing Canadian civil justice. More evidence-based research would be helpful to understand current access to justice challenges and to make decisions on how best to move forward with meaningful innovation and policy reform. However, there is reason for optimism in Canada: innovative ideas and a national action plan provide reason to believe that the country can simplify, expedite, and increase access to civil justice in meaningful ways over the coming years.
Europees asielbeleid: van onderling wantrouwen naar een gedeelde verantwoordelijkheid
Authors: Brouwer E.R.
Published: March 2016

Europees asielbeleid: van onderling wantrouwen naar een gedeelde verantwoordelijkheid

Hoewel in het kader van de Europese Unie verschillende instrumenten zijn aangenomen ter verwezenlijking van een geharmoniseerd asielsysteem, lijken deze onvoldoende voor een gezamenlijke aanpak van het huidige vluchtelingenvraagstuk, laat staan een evenredige opvang van asielzoekers in Europa. Veel lidstaten kiezen voor unilaterale en restrictieve maatregelen, zoals aanscherping van migratiewetgeving en herinvoering van binnengrenscontroles, en bestaande EU-asielwetgeving wordt niet of onvolledig nageleefd. In deze bijdrage bespreek ik mede aan de hand van bestaande EU-wetgeving en de maatregelen die in 2015 door de Europese Commissie zijn voorgesteld, de vraag welke maatregelen (verder) nodig zijn voor een solidair, effectief en humanitair asiel- en migratiebeleid.
O estudo de estratégias sob a perspectiva da sustentabilidade corporativa
Authors: Romano André Luiz , Teixeira Isabela Tatiana , Alves Filho Alceu Gomes , Helleno André Luís
Published: March 2016

A incorporação de práticas de responsabilidade tem caracterizado o comportamento de empresas mais integradas e preocupadas com o desempenho organizacional. Pode-se considerar a sustentabilidade como um fim ou objetivo das empresas. Os resultados dessa pesquisa apontam que as empresas do setor de cosmético afirmam ter conhecimentos sobre os conceitos de sustentabilidade, e este é visto como possibilidade de melhoria da eficiência operacional ou vantagem competitiva. A maior parte das empresas tem a sustentabilidade ligada à área de marketing ou comercial, o que pode sinalizar um risco da prática de Greenwashing. A maior parte das empresas considera que às vezes a sustentabilidade é importante para a alta administração, e existe pelo menos algum investimento em tal agenda. A sustentabilidade é às vezes importante estrategicamente para a competitividade, e mudou o “jeito de fazer negócios” das empresas, pois existem indícios de integração entre as estratégias de operação com os conceitos de sustentabilidade.
Utilização do ITIL® V3 no Brasil: uma verificação da aplicação do domínio “Estratégia de Serviços” entre os profissionais de Tecnologia da Informação.
Authors: Abraham Emerson Rodolfo , Mendes dos Reis João Gilberto , Mollo Neto Mario , Beneton Emerson José
Published: March 2016

ITIL® (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) é um padrão desenvolvido pelo Governo Britânico e adotado mundialmente para a gestão de serviços de tecnologia da informação. É uma estrutura de trabalho que não requer a implantação de todos os seus requisitos, apenas sugere a aplicação de boas práticas. Este trabalho buscou verificar através de um Survey on line veiculado para profissionais de Tecnologia da Informação a adoção do ITIL® no Brasil, especificamente o domínio “Estratégia de Serviços”, domínio este que pode ser negligenciado em função da existência de outros com resultados mais imediatos. Os dados coletados foram tratados no software MS Excel ® e carregados no software NetDraw®, produzindo-se as redes de relacionamento entre o ITIL® e seus atores, discutidas neste trabalho. Os resultados apontaram para uma significativa aceitação do domínio Estratégia de Serviços no Brasil.