bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APIFAUNA (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) EM ÁREA DE RESTINGA NO SUL DE SANTA CATARINA, BRASIL
Authors: Patricio Robson Siqueira , Pereira Andressa Da Silva , Elias Samuel Galvão , Furlanetto Camila Brulezi , Cascaes Mainara Figueiredo , Vinholes Alexandra Rocha , Rosado João Luis Osório , Marques Birgit Harter
Published: December 2015

Inventários biológicos são importantes ferramentas para o conhecimento da biodiversidade e auxiliam no entendimento das alterações provenientes de processos antrópicos ou naturais. Inventários de comunidades de abelhas são especialmente relevantes e ainda escassos em ambiente de restinga na região sul do Estado de Santa Catarina. Nosso objetivo foi analisar a comunidade de abelhas em área de restinga arbórea no município de Araranguá, extremo sul catarinense.
PARQUE NATURAL MUNICIPAL CAMINHO DO PEABIRU: UMA UNIDADE DE CONSERVAÇÃO ENTRE CONFLITOS E EXPECTATIVAS
Authors: Kistner Jonathas
Published: December 2015

Criado pelo Decreto Municipal 428/2007, o Parque Natural Municipal Caminho do Peabiru tem área de 4.285.300m² e conta com remanescentes de antigas ocupações humanas pré-coloniais, como o Sambaqui Faisqueira I. Mas, a atual situação do Parque é no mínimo incerta. Um caso onde uma Unidade de Conservação é criada, os valores de indenização de terras são recebidos, e o projeto fica suspenso vítima de desentendimentos entre sociedade civil e poder público.
REGISTRO DE IMAGEM DIGITAL EFETUADO POR MEIO DE MODELOS POLINOMIAIS
Authors: Ladwig Nilzo Ivo , Silveira Leonard Niero de , Medeiros Diego
Published: December 2015

O registro de uma imagem digital (genericamente denominada de georreferenciamento pelos profissionais da área da geomensura) é a transformação geométrica na qual se relaciona as coordenadas da imagem com as coordenadas geodésicas ou geográficas, sendo estas esferoidais ou planas (projeção cartográfica). O artigo tem como objetivo o registro de imagem digital utilizando modelos polinomiais de 1ª, 2ª e 3ª ordens. Foram definidos 36 pontos rastreados com receptores GNSS marca Geomax, modelo Zenith25 e processados com os softwares Geomax geo Office e Topcon Tools. O software utilizado para o registro da imagem foi o Quantum GIS (QGIS) versão 2.4. Os resultados demonstraram que os modelos polinomiais apresentam suas restrições para o modelamento dos pontos, o de 1ª ordem foi que apresentou os melhores resultados entre as três ordens utilizadas na quantidade de pontos com pixels residuais inferior a 1 (um) não conseguindo ajustar todos. Conclui-se que o produto cartográfico em formato raster registrado pode ser trabalhado em uma escala maior que 1:10000 em se tratando de planimetria conforme consta no DECRETO Nº 89.817 DE 20 DE JUNHO DE 1984 que estabelece as Instruções Reguladoras das Normas Técnicas da Cartografia Nacional.
Assessing local population vulnerability with branching process models: an application to wind energy development
Authors: Erickson Richard A. , Eager Eric A. , Stanton Jessica C. , Beston Julie A. , Diffendorfer Jay E. , Thogmartin Wayne E.
Published: December 2015

Quantifying the impact of anthropogenic development on local populations is important for conservation biology and wildlife management. However, these local populations are often subject to demographic stochasticity because of their small population size. Traditional modeling efforts such as population projection matrices do not consider this source of variation whereas individual‐based models, which include demographic stochasticity, are computationally intense and lack analytical tractability. One compromise between approaches is branching process models because they accommodate demographic stochasticity and are easily calculated. These models are known within some sub‐fields of probability and mathematical ecology but are not often applied in conservation biology and applied ecology. We applied branching process models to quantitatively compare and prioritize species locally vulnerable to the development of wind energy facilities. Specifically, we examined species vulnerability using branching process models for four representative species: A cave bat (a long‐lived, low fecundity species), a tree bat (short‐lived, moderate fecundity species), a grassland songbird (a short‐lived, high fecundity species), and an eagle (a long‐lived, slow maturation species). Wind turbine‐induced mortality has been observed for all of these species types, raising conservation concerns. We simulated different mortality rates from wind farms while calculating local extinction probabilities. The longer‐lived species types (e.g., cave bats and eagles) had much more pronounced transitions from low extinction risk to high extinction risk than short‐lived species types (e.g., tree bats and grassland songbirds). High‐offspring‐producing species types had a much greater variability in baseline risk of extinction than the lower‐offspring‐producing species types. Long‐lived species types may appear stable until a critical level of incidental mortality occurs. After this threshold, the risk of extirpation for a local population may rapidly increase with only minimal increases in wind mortality. Conservation biologists and wildlife managers may need to consider this mortality pattern when issuing take permits and developing monitoring protocols for wind facilities. We also describe how our branching process models may be generalized across a wider range of species for a larger assessment project and then describe how our methods may be applied to other stressors in addition to wind.
Parasitism and food web dynamics of juvenile Pacific salmon
Authors: Peacock Stephanie J. , Krkošek Martin , Bateman Andrew W. , Lewis Mark A.
Published: December 2015

There is an increasing realization of the diverse mechanisms by which parasites and pathogens influence the dynamics of host populations and communities. In multi‐host systems, parasites may mediate food web dynamics with unexpected outcomes for host populations. Models have been used to explore the potential consequences of interactions between hosts, parasites and predators, but connections between theory and data are rare. Here, we consider sea louse parasites (Lepeophtheirus salmonis), which directly increase mortality of juvenile salmon hosts (Oncorhynchus spp.). We use mathematical models and field‐based experiments to investigate how the indirect effects of parasitism via predation influence mortality of sympatric juvenile chum salmon (O. keta) and pink salmon (O. gorbuscha). Our experiments show that coho salmon predators (O. kisutch) selectively prey on pink salmon and on parasitized prey. Preference for pink salmon increased slightly when prey were parasitized by sea lice, although there was considerable uncertainty regarding this result. Despite this uncertainty, we show that even the small increase in preference that we observed may be biologically significant. We calculate a critical threshold of pink salmon abundance above which chum salmon may experience a parasite‐mediated release from predation as predation shifts towards preferred prey species. This work highlights the importance of considering community interactions, such as predation, when assessing the risk that emerging parasites and pathogens pose to wildlife populations.
Ethical Considerations Regarding the Use of Smart Home Technologies for Older Adults: An Integrative Review
Authors: Chung Jane , Demiris George , Thompson Hilaire J.
Published: December 2015

Problem: With the wide adoption and use of smart home applications, there is a need for examining ethical issues regarding smart home use at the intersection of aging, technology, and home environment. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of ethical considerations and the evidence on these ethical issues based on an integrative literature review with regard to the utilization of smart home technologies by older adults and their family members. Review Design and Methods: We conducted an integrative literature review of the scientific literature from indexed databases (e. g., MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO). The framework guiding this review is derived from previous work on ethical considerations related to telehealth use for older adults and smart homes for palliative care. Key ethical issues of the framework include privacy, informed consent, autonomy, obtrusiveness, equal access, reduction in human touch, and usability. Results: Six hundred and thirty-five candidate articles were identified between the years 1990 and 2014. Sixteen articles were included in the review. Privacy and obtrusiveness issues appear to be the most important factors that can affect smart home technology adoption. In addition, this article recommends that stigmatization and reliability and maintenance of the system are additional factors to consider. Implications: When smart home technology is used appropriately, it has the potential to improve quality of life and maintain safety among older adults, ultimately supporting the desire of older adults for aging in place. The ability to respond to potential ethical concerns will be critical to the future development and application of smart home technologies that aim to enhance safety and independence.
Cemental Tear in an Autotransplanted Tooth That Had Been Functioning for 15 Years
Authors: Nagata Mutsumi , Kanie Takahito , Shima Kaori
Published: December 2015

Introduction: Cemental tears have been described as specific types of root surface fractures that are seen infrequently but can cause rapid collapse of the periodontal tissue. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, cases of cemental tears in autotransplanted teeth and their recovery by autotransplantation have not been reported previously. This case report presents the clinical and histopathologic features of a rare case of a cemental tear that occurred on an autotransplanted tooth. This meant a total long‐term treatment course of 20 years involving two separate treatment procedures.

Case Presentation: In 1995, the mandibular left second molar of a 40‐year‐old woman was extracted, and autogenous tooth transplantation was performed simultaneously using a third molar from the same side. Good clinical and radiologic progress was observed for >10 years after tooth transplantation. After discovery of a vertical bone defect in the distal area in 2006, conservative periodontal treatment was conducted on the diseased periodontal pocket over the course of several years. In 2010, autogenous tooth transplantation and a subsequent histopathologic examination of the extracted tooth were performed. After recovery treatment, a 5‐year follow‐up examination provided good results.

Conclusions: This case report concerns the suspected contributing factors of cemental tears and the recovery treatment. When cemental tears are suspected after radiographic and other clinical examinations, interventional surgical treatment should be performed immediately. When autogenous tooth transplantation is performed, following careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of appropriate treatment and proper selection, continuous monitoring should be a prerequisite because of the possible occurrence of cemental tear.
The Effect of Melatonin on Bone Loss, Diabetic Control, and Apoptosis in Rats With Diabetes With Ligature‐Induced Periodontitis
Authors: Balci Yuce Hatice , Karatas Ozkan , Aydemir Turkal Humeyra , Pirim Gorgun Emine , Ocakli Seda , Benli Ismail , Cayli Sevil
Published: December 2015

Background: The aim of this study examines the effect of systemic melatonin administration on proinflammatory cytokine levels, apoptosis, alveolar bone loss (ABL), lipid metabolism, and diabetic control in in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) and ligature‐induced periodontitis.

Methods: Fifty‐two male Wistar rats were used in this study. Study groups were as follows: 1) non‐ligated control (NL, n = 6); 2) streptozotocin (STZ, n = 8); 3) STZ and melatonin (STZ+Mel, n = 8); 4) ligature (L, n = 6); 5) ligature and melatonin (L+Mel, n = 8); 6) STZ and ligature (STZ+L, n = 8); and 7) STZ, ligature, and melatonin (STZ+L+Mel, n = 8). DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg). Melatonin was administered by intraperitoneal injection of a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Silk ligatures were placed subgingivally around the mandibular right first molars. The study period was 4 weeks, and animals were sacrificed at the end of 4 weeks. Morphometric analysis of bone loss was performed. Tissues were histopathologically examined. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and B‐cell lymphoma‐2‐associated X (bax) protein expressions, serum interleukin (IL)‐1β levels, and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase–positive (TRAP+) osteoclast numbers were also evaluated.

Results: After 4 weeks, the highest ABL was observed in the STZ+L group, and the difference was significant (P <0.05). Systemically administered melatonin significantly decreased ABL in the STZ+L+Mel group compared with that in the STZ+L group (P <0.05). TRAP+ osteoclast numbers were the highest in the STZ+L group, and melatonin significantly decreased osteoclast numbers (P <0.05) but had no effect on iNOS, IL‐1β, or bax levels.

Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that systemic melatonin treatment may decrease osteoclastic activity and reduce ABL in the model using rats with DM.
Severity of Periodontitis and Metabolic Syndrome: Is There an Association?
Authors: Gomes‐Filho Isaac Suzart , das Mercês Magno Conceição , de Santana Passos‐Soares Johelle , Seixas da Cruz Simone , Teixeira Ladeia Ana Marice , Trindade Soraya Castro , de Moraes Marcílio Cerqueira Eneida , Freitas Coelho Julita Maria , Marques Monteiro Fernanda Maria , Barreto Maurício Lima , Pereira Vianna Maria Isabel , Nascimento Costa Maria da Conceição , Seymour Gregory John , Scannapieco Frank A.
Published: December 2015

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Causal factors for MetS are not well defined or yet unidentified. Preliminary investigations suggest that infections and inflammation may be involved in the etiology of this syndrome. This study aims to estimate the association between the severity of periodontitis (exposure) and MetS (outcome).

Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 419 participants recruited from the Diabetes and Hypertensive Treatment Center, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. After administration of a questionnaire, general and oral clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed. Diagnosis of periodontitis and MetS was performed according to various criteria. The analysis of the effect of periodontitis on MetS used logistic regression analysis with adjustment for confounders.

Results: The prevalence of periodontitis was found to be between 34.61% and 55.37%, depending on the classification definitions used, and the prevalence of MetS ranged from 60.86% to 67.06%. In the group with periodontitis, 14.08% had severe and 41.29% had moderate levels of periodontitis. There was an association between severe periodontitis and MetS after adjustment for sex, age, household density, alcoholic beverage consumption, smoking habit, and cardiovascular disease (odds ratio ORadjusted_6 = 2.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.01 to 4.40, P = 0.05).

Conclusions: The results suggest that periodontitis is associated with MetS, and that MetS prevalence is related to severe periodontitis.
Effect of Periodontal Therapy With Amoxicillin–Metronidazole on Pharyngeal Carriage of Penicillin‐ and Erythromycin‐Resistant Viridans Streptococci
Authors: Mombelli Andrea , Cionca Norbert , Almaghlouth Adnan , Cherkaoui Abdessalam , Schrenzel Jacques , Giannopoulou Catherine
Published: December 2015

Background: Previous studies have focused on antibiotic resistance of Gram‐negative bacteria before and after periodontal therapy. The purpose of this analysis is to assess changes in resistance patterns of the commensal Gram‐positive microbiota. The viridans group streptococci (VGS) have been suggested to serve as reservoirs of resistance genes for more pathogenic streptococci and may be implicated in some non‐oral infections.

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 80 patients with periodontitis are distributed randomly into two groups. In group A, patients received 375 mg amoxicillin and 500 mg metronidazole three times per day for 7 days during the non‐surgical treatment phase (T1). In group B, the antibiotics were administered during the surgical phase (T2). Resistance of VGS to penicillin and erythromycin was determined by the epsilometer test.

Results: At baseline, VGS from 12.5% (group A) and 11.8% (group B) of patients had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >2 μg/mL to penicillin. Three months after T1, VGS from 15.6% and 16.7% of patients had an MIC >2 μg/mL, respectively. Six months after T2 VGS from 5.9% and 5.9% and 12 months after T2 VGS from 6.1% and 6.3% patients had an MIC >2 μg/mL. There was no effect of therapy with antibiotics, administered either in T1 or T2, on the carriage of penicillin‐resistant VGS. Erythromycin resistance was high at baseline and remained unchanged throughout the study. MICs for penicillin and erythromycin were correlated (P <0.05).

Conclusion: Amoxicillin plus metronidazole did not significantly affect the resistance pattern of the VGS to penicillin or erythromycin.
Commercial morals and ethics in modern advertising and sales promotion
Authors: Ariff Mohamad
Published: December 2015

In today's universe of ferocious rivalry each association is putting vigorously in publicizing. Promoting is important to make another item famous in the business sector and to build the offers of existing brands. Promoting assumes a critical part in brand building and illuminating open about accessible items so they can settle on educated decision among distinctive items or brands. The paper undertakes and concludes the advertising, publicizing and promotion activities along the lines of commercial morals and ethics.
The Ambiguity of Work: Work Practice Stories of Meaningful and Demanding Consultancy Work
Authors: Humle Didde Maria
Published: December 2015

This article contributes to the current debate among organizational and work-life researchers on the double-sided nature of knowledge work, which offers great freedom and satisfaction on the one hand and the potential to be overly demanding and stressful on the other. This contribution involves drawing on the results of an ethnographic case study of a consultancy house; more specifically, it comprises an exploration of the narrative identity work of consultants as they perform work practice stories of self, work, and the organization negotiating why the work they do is both challenging and rewarding. The type of knowledge work explored is characterized by its immaterial nature in the sense that the primary input is the competences, knowledge, and commitment of the consultants and the output is the joy, success, and satisfaction of candidates, clients, and collaborators. The article contributes by showing that some of the elements perceived to make the work meaningful and rewarding are the same ones also described as potentially demanding and challenging. Furthermore, the article contributes by arguing that studying work practice stories as (ante)narrative identity work provides a rich source of empirical material in the examination of how we create meaning in relationship to the work we do and the organizations by which we are employed.
Lack of Commitment? Work Orientations of Finnish Employees in a European Comparison
Authors: Turunen Teemu
Published: December 2015

It has been argued that individuals’ employment commitment, that is, their commitment to work in general is crucial in today’s labor markets where life-long employment relationships are less frequently offered by organizations. In addition, employees’ organizational commitment, that is, their commitment to their own organization is also vital for organizations and firms, affecting many areas of importance to them. This article asks how Finnish employees rank in both employment commitment and affective organizational commitment compared with employees in 15 other European countries. The data were collected in 2005–2007 through the International Social Survey Program (ISSP), Work Orientation Module III. The results show Finnish employees scoring below European averages in both types of commitment when employee-level and organizationlevel factors are taken into account. Employment commitment was highest in Norway and affective organizational commitment highest in Portugal. The perceived intrinsic rewards of the job were the strongest predictor of employment and affective organizational commitment in most of the countries researched, increasing both these types of commitment. However, the perceived social relations between management and employees were found to be the most powerful determinant of affective organizational commitment in Finland, with perceived good relations adding to the affective organizational commitment of employees. The data were analyzed mainly by means of a general linear model procedure.
Increased Participation Among Cleaners as a Strategy to Improve Quality and Occupational Health
Authors: Öhrling Therese
Published: December 2015

Like many other industries, today the cleaning industry is affected more than ever by competition and pressure toward low prices, which leads to a nonadvantageous situation for cleaners. These days many Swedish municipalities choose to outsource cleaning service in order to save money, although the situation for the cleaners appears to be worsening. The aim of this paper is to evaluate an alternative organizational structure within a Swedish public cleaning division to investigate how good work environment for cleaners can be combined with economical savings for a municipality. Like many other cleaning organizations, both national and international, the present cleaning division has been struggling for a long time with high levels of sick leave and early retirements. After years of unsuccessful attempts to improve the situation by reducing the physical load, cleaning managers made a decision to broaden their strategy by changing the structure of their organization. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods have been applied to identify and understand the effects of the organizational change, both on an individual level and on an organizational level. The results show that the organizational change, which leads to increased participation and autonomy for the cleaners, in combination with a high degree of social support, had a positive effect on job satisfaction, work motivation, and pride among the cleaners. Sick leave within the division has decreased, and both the quality and efficiency of the cleaning service have increased. It can be concluded that there are other alternative organizational structures that could be applied within the public sector and prove advantageous, both for the individual cleaners and for the municipality. Further research of similar organizational structures within the private cleaning sector is recommended.
Characterizing a Shallow Groundwater System beneath Irrigated Sugarcane with Electrical Resistivity and Radon (222Rn), Puunene, Hawaii
Authors: Dunbar John , Allen Peter , White Joseph , Neupane Ram , Xu Tian , Wolfe June , Arnold Jeff
Published: December 2015

In this study, we use a combination of electrical resistivity profiling and radon (222Rn) measurements to characterize a shallow groundwater system beneath the last remaining, large-scale sugarcane plantation on Maui, Hawaii. Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company has continuously operated a sugarcane plantation on the western flank of Haleakala Volcano since 1878. The sugarcane is irrigated with a combination of surface water brought through tunnels from the wetter, eastern flank of Haleakala Volcano and groundwater from wells within the plantation. To assess the flow of irrigation water through the shallow subsurface, we collected a representative topo-sequence of four 2-D resistivity profiles that sample different topographic and hydrologic settings within the plantation. The profiles show a down-slope-thickening (0 to 20 m), surficial low-resistivity (10-200 Ohm-m) layer extending from the upslope limit of irrigated sugarcane to the lowest elevations of the plantation. At a canal crossing, the low resistivity layer thickens and is less resistive upslope of the canal. Beneath a reservoir at mid-elevation, the layer thickens to 20 m and curves down slope beneath the reservoir and up to the base of the field beyond. At the base of the slope, the low resistivity layer is 20-m thick below both fields and a second reservoir. An increase in radon concentration in the down-flow direction within the canal system at one location suggests groundwater infiltration into the canal. We attribute the low-resistivity layer to irrigation water that has infiltrated below the root zone and leaked from canals and reservoirs within the plantation. The water flows down slope to the base of the slope and there flows vertically, recharging the basal aquifer. We suggest that seepage from the canals and reservoirs is in part controlled by the local pressure head within the shallow flow system.
Comprehensive Geophysical Data Integration and Stratigraphic Contacts Delineation in a Regional Hydrogeological Characterization Study
Authors: Blouin Martin , Gloaguen Erwan
Published: December 2015

Accurate inference of the interfaces between geological units showing different hydraulic properties is a key step for a reliable hydrogeological characterization of regional aquifers. In this study, we developed a workflow that combines multiple geological and geophysical data sets having different intrinsic resolution to map a stratigraphic interface of the regional aquifer located in Montérégie, Quebec, Canada. One of the principal goals was to optimally assimilate all the data at all stages in the workflow. Firstly, the experimental variogram showed two structures of different ranges: one coming from highly sampled geophysical data and the other from conventional borehole geological markers. Secondly, a secondary variable is constructed with all secondary data (e.g., geological interpretations of low-resolution electromagnetic surveys), each having its own accuracy and resolution. To account for the variable secondary data, different reliability indexes were assigned as weights in a discrete smooth interpolation (DSI). Thirdly, a classic kriging with an external drift (KED) operator was used to interpolate the more reliable well data on the entire region. The approach was tested on the estimation of the bedrock interface elevation in a regional hydrogeological characterization study. The resulting map shows bedrock elevations coherent with geological structure of the region, representing main features such as outcrops and valleys. A cross section is presented to illustrate the philosophy behind the tools employed to achieve the estimation process. It also shows an example of visual quality control undertaken to validate the workflow.
Imaging the Lateral Roots of the Orange Tree using Three-dimensional GPR
Authors: Freeland Robert S.
Published: December 2015

Citrus greening disease (Phytophthora nicotianae), also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a systemic disease caused by a bacterium that is vectored by a psyllid. Huanglongbing infection impacts citrus roots by its restructuring of the root bacterial community. The motivation of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of employing high-frequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to survey orange tree [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] lateral structural roots. Of particular interest was GPR’s ability to discriminate the roots originating from neighboring trees, since these trees may be in a dissimilar stage of HLB infection. Tests groves are situated on the Ridge and Flatwood soils of Florida. The sandy soil and shallow root systems are considered ideal operating parameters for shallow GPR 3-D investigations.

A 2,600-MHz antenna was found to effectively target and discriminate the larger structural roots originating from the target tree from those of its neighbors. The antenna reflections penetrated to 40-cm beneath the ground surface. On both landscapes, the larger 1st and 2nd order structural roots extended laterally outward within a root-zone layer approximately 10–30 cm beneath the surface. The roots increased in depth with their propagation outward. Smaller 2nd order and higher lateral roots were found in an upper layer that ranged approximately 5–5 cm beneath the surface. Those smaller roots provisioning near-surface fibrous roots were found concentrated above the larger structural roots. The roots imaged in the Ridge soils ran slightly deeper in both upper and lower root zones than the roots found in the Flatwood soils. The range of lateral rooting depths for both layers is slightly greater in the Ridge soils.
Subsidence Assessment Using 3-D Seismic Data at Collingwood Park, Brisbane
Authors: Zhou Binzhong , Urosevic Milovan , Shen Baotang
Published: December 2015

A 3-D reflection seismic trial survey was conducted at Collingwood Park, on the outskirts of Brisbane, Australia, where coal mining activity ceased in the 1980’s and two subsidence events occurred in 1988 and 2008. The objective of the survey was to demonstrate the feasibility of using seismic methods to locate subsurface structures and features such as faults and old mining workings. In spite of the strong contamination of refractions and surface waves, the survey was able to confirm the location of the previously known Waterline fault, as well as identify another fault. It accurately delineated the subsidence zone based on differences in the amplitude of seismic reflections from the surveyed area, and mapped the surface subsidence boundary, which correlated well to existing data from observations in the field. In addition, the seismic data were used to map the failure boundary at the seam level in relation to the subsidence zone. It was found that the mapped area at the seam level was larger than the surface subsidence boundary, with an estimated angle of ~21° between the subsidence failure surface and the vertical depth axis, depending on location. Post 3-D seismic drilling also confirmed that pillar failure extended beyond the Waterline fault. However, the survey failed to image the mine workings because of insufficient seismic resolution. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of 3-D seismic surveying to map deeply buried mining-related geotechnical failure boundaries.
Comparison of MASW and MSOR for Surface Wave Testing of Pavements
Authors: Lin Shibin , Ashlock Jeramy C.
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a computational and experimental study on seismic stiffness profiling of layered pavement systems using the multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and multi-channel simulation with one receiver (MSOR) testing procedures. Development of a new custom-programmed data acquisition system for MASW and MSOR testing using MATLAB software and National Instruments hardware are detailed. A receiver coupling method is presented, which was found to perform the best among several methods examined by the authors. The cross-correlation function is employed to statistically quantify the repeatability of impacts, which is critical for MSOR tests in which multi-channel records are simulated by performing multiple impacts over a range of incremental offsets from a single fixed receiver. Experimental dispersion data from MASW and MSOR tests performed at the same asphalt pavement site with the same testing system are compared, and MASW is found to enable measurement of dispersion data to much higher frequencies using the authors’ methods than MSOR. Inversion results from the MASW and MSOR data at the same asphalt pavement site also are compared, and it is found that MASW is able to provide measurements of the stiffness of the pavement surface layer with reduced variability.
Does Crop Species Diversity Influence Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Pools?
Authors: Chatterjee Amitava , Cooper Kelly , Klaustermeier Aaron , Awale R. , Cihacek Larry J.
Published: December 2015

Crop species composition and richness exert a strong influence on soil C and N dynamics through the proportion of decomposable organic compounds returned to the soil. Under no‐till, soil C and N pools were compared for five crop rotations, (1) continuous corn (Zea mays L.; CC), (2) spring wheat (Triticum spp.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.; SW–S], (3) spring wheat–corn–soybean (SW–C–S), (4) spring wheat–winter wheat–corn–soybean (SW–WW–C–S), and (5) spring wheat–winter wheat–flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)–corn–corn–soybean (SW–WW–F–C–C–S), in the northern Great Plains. Soil organic matter (SOM) content was highest under C–C and significantly higher than SW–WW–C–S (P < 0.05). Highest organic C, C/N ratio and potentially mineralizeable carbon pool (PMC) was observed under SW–C–S rotation, similar to CC and significantly greater than SW–WW–F–C–C–S. Pearson correlation coefficients indicate rotation length had negative relationship with PMC; whereas, PMC had positive relationship with soil organic carbon (SOC) and C/N ratio. Increasing rotation length might increase the substrate diversity that reduces decomposition rate. Similar soil C and N pools of CC and SW–C–S rotations with annual fertilizer N inputs of 220, 111 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively, indicate SW–C–S rotation can be a potential alternative to CC to minimize the fertilizer N input and maintaining species diversity.
Calibration of a passive, in situ, integrative sampler for monitoring of microbial biotoxins in aquatic environments
Authors: Nyoni Hlengilizwe , Mamba Bhekie B. , Msagati Titus A. M.
Published: December 2015

In this work, an integrative passive sampler based on a silicone membrane filled with a suspension of γ-Fe2O3 at pH 3.5 was developed. The novel device was calibrated for the measurement of microcystin concentrations in water. Laboratory calibration studies of the passive sampling devises under controlled conditions of temperature, water turbulence, and analyte concentration were conducted in order to establish how variable environmental conditions affect the novel sampler's performance. The chemical uptake of microcystin (MC)-RR, -LR, and -YR into the passive sampler remained linear and integrative throughout the 28-day exposure. The relative standard deviations of mean concentrations obtained using silicone-based sampler ranged from 1.42 to 3.74% for microcystin-LR, -RR, and -YR. The values for reproducibility from triplicate samplers ranged from 3.5 to 7.1% for microcystin-LR, -RR, and -YR. The detection limits on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with PDA detection for microcystins LR, RR, and YR were 24.7, 17.2, and 23.8 μg L−1 respectively, calculated as three times the signal to noise ratio. The rate of accumulation of most of the MC compounds tested was dependent on temperature and flow velocity. Furthermore, the sample matrix, e.g. humic substances, had no significant effect on the concentration of compounds trapped in the acceptor solution and once these MC compounds were trapped in the acceptor phase they did not diffuse back during the deployment period.
Partially Withdrawn Nasotracheal Tube: An Alternative to the Nasal Trumpet
Authors: Park Yong Hee , Choi Young Jun , Choi Won Cheul , Lee Ui Lyong
Published: December 2015

After 2-jaw surgery, difficulty in breathing through the mouth and the nose is common due to nasal airway obstruction, intraoral bleeding, and sometimes maxillomandibular fixation. A partially withdrawn nasotracheal tube can be used economically with equal efficacy to the nasopharyngeal airway to provide supplemental oxygen after 2-jaw surgery.
Gynaecological and other health problems of postmenopausal women and their health seeking behaviour in rural Terai, Nepal
Authors: Paudel I S , Bhattrai S , Adhikari P , Gautam R , Singh S B
Published: December 2015

Background: There is very few data available in menopausal study done in Nepal.   The data is even less on the various gynecological and medical problems postmenopausal women are suffering from. This study was done in Duhabi area, a community in Eastern Nepal, around the Comprehensive Health Service area of a   community hospital under B.P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.Objective: This study was done to document the various gynecological problems among the postmenopausal   women and their relation with the socio-demographic characteristics.Methods: By using specific questionnaire, 234 post-menopausal women were   interviewed regarding menopausal symptoms, other gynaecological problems and   medical problems and their health seeking behaviour. Results: Our study showed   that the most common symptoms among the post-menopausal women were loss of libido (53%) and hot flushes (41.5%). Other noted symptoms found were vaginal   dryness (29.1%) and excessive vaginal bleeding (14.5%). The most common urinary symptoms were urgency (34.2%), dysuria (17.1%) and incontinence (17.1%). Uterine prolapse was reported by 6.4% of respondents. The most common medical condition seen in our study was low back ache (70.1%). Despite majority (62%) seeking medical treatment for their symptoms only 1.7% of the respondents were using hormone replacement therapy.Conclusion: The prevalence of gynaecological problems among the post-menopausal women was high in our study with the main symptoms of loss of libido and hot flushes. Majority of women with postmenopausal   symptoms sought medical care for their problems.   Health Renaissance 2014;12(2): pp: 87-91
Foreign body stone in oesophagus: a unique case
Authors: Sah B P , Chettri S T , Prasad J N. , Gupta P P , Shah S P , Paudel D , Jaiswal R K
Published: December 2015

Foreign body ingestion is a common occurrence in children and in specific high-risk  groups. It is usually diagnosed based on a history of ingestion given by the patient  or an observer. However, children and mentally retarded adults may be unable to  give an accurate history, and a high index of suspicion must be maintained in these  groups. We report a rare case of foreign body stone in an mentally retarded adult  which presented with drooling and impaired feeds, thence enabling for high index  for suspicion.  Health Renaissance 2014;12(2): pp: 140-142
People and Environment in our Changing World
Authors: Matthews Peter J.
Published: December 2015

Not available.International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015
Phenotypic characterization of wheat landraces from mid and far western districts of Nepal
Authors: Dangi Sangharash Raj , Puri Ramesh Raj , Gautam Nutan Raj
Published: December 2015

The study was conducted to evaluate phenotypic variation in one hundred and sixty six wheat landraces from mid and far western districts of Nepal. They were sown in randomized complete block design with two replications at National Wheat Research Program in 2014/15. The observed traits were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis using MINITAB v. 14. The results showed a wide range of phenotypic variability in observed parameters. The results also showed that the highest value of the standard deviation from mean (Sd) was for grain yield (±290.10) followed by plant height (±7.21). Among the traits the lowest deviation from mean (Sd) was for thousand grain weight TGW (±2.68). Wheat landraces grouped in four clusters depending on similarity of the studied traits. The results in this cluster, showed that days to maturity ranged from 97 to111 days, TGW ranged from 16 to17 gm, plant height ranged from 76 to 85 cm, and grain yield ranged from 2800 to 3000 Kg ha-1. Wheat landraces under study are grouped depending on specific traits useful for wheat improvement program. Results of this study can be supportive to detect wheat landraces within species with similar traits. In addition it can be useful for sampling in successive studies and parental selection in wheat breeding program.International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015: 32-44
Weeds distribution and abundance in irrigated fields of White Nile State
Authors: Elkhawad Mohamed , Abdalla Amna , Osman Abosofian
Published: December 2015

Field survey was conducted during the summer season of 2011- 2012 to determine the weed flora and weed dominance at the irrigated sites of White Nile State. The State was divided into six irrigated sites from which a total of thirty- five fields were selected and ten quadrates (1m2) from each field were taken randomly. In each quadrate individual weed species were recorded. Field frequency, uniformity and mean field density were also determined for each weed. Fifty five weed species belonging to twenty- four families (three monocotyledonous and twenty- one dicotyledonous) were recorded. Brachiaria eruciformis, Brachiaria reptans, Thunbergia annua and Ipomoea cordofana were the most dominant weed species in most fields. The highest Abundance Index were recorded by Ipomoea cordofana at El Salam and El Dawium counties (208.16 and 116.35), Brachiaria eruciformis at Um Remta and El Gebalen counties (158.80 and 79.23), Brachiaria reptans at Kosti (116.54) and Momordica balsamina at Gezira Aba county (90.06). Brachiaria eruciformis showed the highest MFD and Uniformity at El Salam and Um Remta Counties (19.11 and 80.00), respectively, and highest frequency value was recorded by Ipomoea cordofana (142.86) at El Salam County. The AI which used as weed survey method is to evaluate the weed management strategies and the change of weed species in weed communities through years.International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015: 45-61
Submergence rice cultivation in southern Bangladesh: farmers opinion and adaptations practices
Authors: Biswas AKM Abdul Ahad , Mamun Md. Abdullah-Al , Rahman Md. Saifur , Sattar Md. Abdus , Zaman AKM Mostafa
Published: December 2015

Rice productivity in coastal Bangladesh is lower than the national average and total coastal area is considered to be submergence-prone and higher vulnerable in July to January cropping season. The selected study areas are Kalapara and Patuakhali Sadar Upazila that are too vulnerable to agriculture practices. Field survey was conducted during 01st June to 30th July, 2015 to investigate the impact of submergence on Aman rice cultivation (ARC), existing adopted local adaptation practices with impacts and options to address the submergence problem. Primary data was collected through Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Individual Interview and Key Informant Interview methods and secondary data was collected from different secondary sources. A well-structured pretested questionnaire schedule was developed keeping in mind the objectives and variables under this study. After cyclone SIDR and AILA devastation, the rate of traditional ARC is decreasing every year and in 2015 it was 26.51%. Recently farmers have adopted new cropping practices and strategies like modern ARC in Aman season as single crop; Boro-Aus-Aman season as triple crop and Aus-Aman season as double crop are practicing. Approximately all farmers have adopted to grow stress tolerant rice varieties (STRV); farmer’s curiosities to familiar with and to have the STRV are encouraging. Farmers were fully adopted BRRIdhan52 rice cultivation with positive perceptions of higher yield and lower production cost. Therefore it can be concluded that the intensity of adoption of adaptation and mitigation measures are significantly influenced positively by the STRV yield capability; farmer’s participation in intervention programs; livelihood diversification; frequency of extension personnel contact; submergence and inundation characteristics; tolerance attributes of STRV and availability of STRV cultivation information.International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015: 100-113
Insulin Resistance in firstborn offspring of mother who developed diabetes later in fourth decade: Are both related to possible maternal malnutrition?
Authors: Bajracharya M.R. , Bhattarai M.D. , Karki B.B. , Prajapati S. , Karmacharya D. , Manandhar S. , Rajouria A.D.
Published: December 2015

Back grounds and Aims: Diabetes mellitus is increasing each day. We aimed to study the insulin resistance (IR) in the offspring of people with diabetes and its relation with lifestyle and clinical factors.Methods: This is a cross sectional study of IR in offspring over the age of 18 years and having parents with diabetes. Participants already diagnosed as having diabetes, suffering from any illness or using drugs that may have altered blood sugar levels were excluded. A fasting blood sample was taken for blood glucose and serum insulin level and IR was calculated using homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA –IR).Results: Forty nine participants volunteered for the study of which 24.5% were found to have IR, the cut off value of HOMA –IR being 2.48. As compared to the later born offspring, the firstborn were six times more at risk for IR (Odds ratio 6.25, P value 0.015) and after adjustment for BMI, it was seven times (Odds ratio 7.29 , P value 0.011). IR was more in offspring with maternal diabetes than with paternal one. The mean age of diagnosis of diabetes in mothers having firstborn offspring with IR was 38.5 years as compared to 48.2 years of those having firstborn offspring without IR.Conclusion: Higher risk of IR seen in the firstborn offspring whose mother later developed diabetes at fourth decade indicate the probability of relation of both conditions with possible maternal malnutrition during the first pregnancy. Further larger studies are required focusing on these aspects.Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2014;3(2):56-61
D-penicillamine-induced Status Dystonicus in A Patient with Wilson’s Disease: A Diagnostic & Therapeutic Challenge
Authors: Satyasrinivas A. , Kanni Y.S. , Rajesh N , SaiSravanthi M. , Kumar Vijay
Published: December 2015

Wilson's disease is an autosomal-recessive disorder of copper metabolism resulting from the absence or dysfunction of a copper-transporting protein. The disease is mainly seen in children, adolescents and young adults, and is characterized by hepatobiliary, neurologic, psychiatric and ophthalmologic (Kayser-Fleischer rings) manifestations. Mechanism of status dystonicus in WD is not clear. We present here a case study of Wilson’s disease in 14 year old child with dystonia not responded with routine therapy.Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2014;3(2):62-64
Characterization of Heat Shock Protein (HSP 70) Sequence in Leishmania donovani
Authors: Maharjan Mahendra
Published: December 2015

Heat shock protein HSP70 is the highly conserved protein along the kinetoplastid phylogenetic spectrum. A full length hsp70 gene was amplified, cloned and sequenced. The protein sequence was aligned and phylogentic tree was constructed. The Leishmania donovani HSP70 protein sequence (653 amino acids) is slightly larger than the Human HSP70 protein sequence (641 amino acids) with 72% identity. The putative protein sequence is 98%, 97%, 96% and 92% identical to L. major, L. infantum, L. tarentolae and L. braziliensis respectively. Evolutionary relationship showed that kinetoplastid parasites are closely related to the human compared to prokaryotes, E. coli.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 82-86
Carol J. Oja, Bernstein Meets Broadway: Collaborative Art in a Time of War
Authors: Rogers Bradley
Published: December 2015

Oja’s meticulously prepared book uses archival research, textual analysis, and interviews to explore the creative process behind the 1944 Bernstein–Comden–Green musical On the Town, as well as its remarkably politically progressive staging; highly recommended.