bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Egg size and taxon: their influence on survival and development of chrysopid hatchlings after food and water deprivation
Authors: Tauber Catherine A. , Tauber Maurice J. , Tauber Michael J.
Published: February 2008

Genus- and species-level differences characterize the pattern of life-history variation in two distinct phylogenetic lineages of chrysopids, Chrysopa and Chrysoperla. Species in the genus Chrysopa exhibit significant variation in egg size, and this variation is positively correlated with the ability of hatchlings to withstand periods of food and water deprivation prior to their initial feeding. The variation is also significantly correlated with larval size, as measured by the tibial length of first-instar larvae. Although the six Chrysopa species differ in several other life-history traits (i.e, the incubation period and rate of first-instar larval development), the variation is unrelated to egg size. It appears that maternal allocation of resources to eggs largely serves to enhance embryonic growth and the survival of hatchlings during searching. That is, within the Chrysopa lineage egg size varies; larger eggs yield larger, more robust hatchlings. These hatchlings may or may not develop faster than congeners from small eggs. In comparison with Chrysopa, the genus Chrysoperla has less variability in egg size and developmental rate. Furthermore, although Chrysoperla eggs are relatively small, the ability of hatchlings to endure periods of food or water deprivation is at least as great as it is in the Chrysopa species with large eggs. We conclude that maternal investment in larval fitness has different ontogenetic pathways, ecological roles, and phylogenetic histories in the two genera.
Maternal and environmental influences on growth and survival of embryonic and hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)
Authors: Brooks Ronald J. , Bobyn Michele L. , Galbraith David A. , Layfield James A. , Nancekivell E. Graham
Published: February 2008

Clutches of six female snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) each were distributed among six incubators set at one of three constant temperatures (22.0, 25.6, and 28.6 °C) in either a wet (−100 kPa) or a dry (−500 kPa) vermiculite substrate. We tested for influences of egg mass, clutch, and incubation temperature and moisture on survival of embryos and hatchlings, on size at hatching, and on rate of post-hatching growth over 7 months. Intraclutch variation in egg mass had no effect on embryonic mortality. Mass at hatching was correlated with egg mass, but neither variable was related significantly to post-hatching survival or rate of growth. Eggs incubated at the highest temperature produced smaller hatchlings which subsequently grew more slowly than those from eggs incubated at the low and intermediate temperatures. Eggs incubated at the intermediate temperature produced larger turtles at 7 months post-hatching than did eggs incubated at the low or high temperatures. Eggs incubated in wet substrates produced larger hatchlings than those in dry substrates, but post-hatching growth rates were independent of these effects of moisture. Eggs incubated at the two extreme temperatures produced mostly females; those at 25.6 °C produced only males. Interclutch variation was significant for egg mass, mass at hatching, and survival of embryos, and was the most important influence on variation in post-hatching rates of growth. These results indicate that egg size and size at hatching may not be useful indicators of intraspecific variation in egg quality or post-hatching success in turtles, unless differences among clutches and embryonic thermal experience are also considered, particularly in relation to parental investment in the amount, quality, and apportionment of the egg's yolk.
Diet and habitat selection of wood bison in relation to seasonal changes in forage quantity and quality
Authors: Larter Nicholas C. , Gates Cormack C.
Published: February 2008

Diet and habitat selection of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) were studied in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, Northwest Territories, between February 1986 and April 1988. Wood bison showed pronounced seasonal changes in diet. Sedges constituted 96.1–98.8% of the winter diet. During summer, the diet became a more diverse mix of sedge (Carex spp.), grass (Graminae), and willow (Salix spp.). Lichen (Cladina mitis) became a major dietary component in fall. Summer browsing on willows increased when sedge standing crops were reduced. Forage availability was the main factor determining habitat selection. Wet sedge meadows provided the most available crude protein in winter and were the preferred winter habitat. Willow savannas provided the most available crude protein in summer and were the preferred summer habitat. Between June and October, all forages except lichen decreased in nitrogen content and increased in fibre content. The lack of distinct habitat preference in fall corresponded to dispersion of animals into forested habitats, increased use of lichen as forage, and more homogeneous availability of crude protein among habitats. Snow conditions were harsher in 1987–1988 than in 1986–1987, which affected forage availability and caused a noticeable shift in habitat use.
Sex determination in Cagle's map turtle: implications for evolution, development, and conservation
Authors: Wibbels Thane , Killebrew Flavius C. , Crews David
Published: February 2008

Sex determination was investigated in Cagle's map turtle, Graptemys caglei, which has a restricted distribution which is the southernmost of all Graptemys species. This species exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination, with high incubation temperatures producing only females and low temperatures producing only males. The estimated pivotal temperature (approximately 30.0 °C) is higher than those reported for other species of Graptemys in North America; however, the interspecific variations in pivotal temperature are small (approximately 0.5–1.0 °C). Temperature appears to affect the ovarian or testicular nature of the gonads in an "all or none" fashion, but exerts a graded effect on the length of ovaries. In addition, temperature appears to exert a graded effect on the regression of the oviducts in males. The occurrence of temperature-dependent sex determination in this species is also of conservational importance, since alterations to a single river system could potentially impact the reproductive success of this species by changing nest temperatures and, thus, population sex ratio(s).
The use of solar cues as migratory orientation guides by the plains garter snake, Thamnophis radix
Authors: Lawson Peggy A. , Secoy Diane M.
Published: February 2008

The ability of adult plains garter snakes, Thamnophis radix, to use solar cues as orientation guides during their fall return to a communal hibernaculum in southern Canada was examined. Snakes were displaced from dens and tested in circular arenas that restricted their view of terrestrial landmarks. The results were analyzed by circular statistics. Snakes oriented along the homeward axis, indicating type II or type III orientation. A bidirectional pattern of responses suggests that polarized light may be an orientation cue.
Effect of Shear Stress on the Expression of Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Factors in Both Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells in a Co-Culture Model
Authors: Helenius G. , Hagvall S.H. , Esguerra M. , Fink H. , Söderberg R. , Risberg B.
Published: February 2008

Blood vessels are subjected to forces due to the flow. Endothelial cells (EC) are recipients, cross-talk with smooth muscle cells (SMC), and regulate physiology. It was hypothesized that both EC and SMC respond to shear stress, which alters the expression of factors in coagulation and fibrinolysis. Methods: A co-culture of human saphenous vein EC (HSVEC) and human saphenous vein SMC (HSVSMC) was exposed to shear, following which the cells were separated. Gene expression of tissue factor, thrombomodulin (TM), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) were analyzed with real-time RT-PCR. Protein expression was studied with ELISA. In HSVEC, the expression of PAI-1 (×2.1), tPA (×1.8), uPA (×1.6), tissue factor (×2.5) and TM (×1.9) was upregulated after 4 h of shear compared to controls. After 24 h of shear, expression was still upregulated in tPA (×2.3) and TM (×1.6). In HSVSMC, change in expression of PAI-1 (×2.1) was present after 4 h and in uPA (×2.1), and TM (×0.4) after 24 h. Both HSVEC and HSVSMC responded to shear, which led to altered expression of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors. This indicates that SMC, and interactions between EC and SMC, are more important in the regulation of vascular wall hemostasis than earlier studies have reported.
Leukopoiesis Is Not Affected after Intravenous Treatment with the Novel Antineoplastic Agent Taurolidine
Authors: Braumann C. , Menenakos C. , Atanassov V. , Pfirrmann R.W. , Guenther N. , Jacobi C.A.
Published: February 2008

Background/Aim: Chemotherapy can induce serious leukopenia. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects on leukopoiesis when the antineoplastic agent taurolidine (TRD) is administered by a bolus injection or during repetitive treatment (21 cycles) over 7 days in rats. Methods: Rats were intravenously treated with a single injection (A) or by a 7-day treatment (B) with increasing doses of TRD versus control (isotone sodium) in a standardized animal model. Hematological adverse effects on leukopoiesis were analyzed in peripheral blood. Results: (A) Neither the highest TRD concentration (3%) nor 1 or 2% caused a significant difference between the control and TRD groups (p > 0.085) in the perioperative course after bolus administration. (B) The administration of TRD 3% led to a slight change of granulocyte and monocyte counts compared to the control group particularly on postoperative day 7, but this difference was not significant. In both protocols a slight postoperative increase in leukocytes was observed. Conclusion: We report that TRD administered intravenously in an antitumor dose does not affect leukopoiesis in rats. Thus, the agent offers a promising and safe means in cancer treatment. The effects are currently investigated in incurable cancer patients.
Malaria Parasitemia Associated with Febrile Neutropenia in African Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Haematological Malignancies
Authors: Rapoport Bernardo L. , Uys Almarie
Published: February 2008

Background: Very little is documented in the medical literature on the association between malaria parasitemia and febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. Methods: This report will concentrate on the clinical presentation and outcome of 3 patients with haematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy who developed febrile neutropenia and malaria parasitemia concurrently. Results: Three patients infected with documented malaria during a febrile neutropenic episode are presented. Two patients (1 with Hodgkin’s disease and the other with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) were successfully treated and are alive after a follow-up period of 120 and 90 months, respectively. A third patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia developed renal failure as a complicating factor of malaria and died. Conclusion: It is suggested that malaria should be considered as a possible cause or a complicating factor of febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy in endemic malaria areas.
The Combination of Clofarabine and Cytarabine in Pediatric Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report
Authors: Gidwani Pooja , Ramesh K.H. , Liu Yingxian , Kolb Edward Anders
Published: February 2008

Background: Despite significant advances in treatment and survival rates in pediatric acute leukemias, relapse remains a common reason for treatment failure. Survival following relapse is dismal for most patients. Clofarabine, a purine nucleoside analog, has recently been approved for use in relapsed and refractory pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clofarabine and cytarabine together may be synergistic and have been used safely in adult leukemia patients. Case Report: We describe the administration of this combination to a 9-year-old boy with multiple relapsed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who failed to achieve remission after the third attempt. He achieved complete morphologic and cytogenetic remission with 1 cycle of this combination. Conclusion: This case is the first report of successful remission induction in a multiple relapsed pediatric leukemia patient using the clofarabine and cytarabine combination. Although it is a single case, it highlights the need for further studies to assess safety and efficacy of this combination in pediatric patients.
In utero Repair of Myelomeningocele: Rationale, Initial Clinical Experience and a Randomized Controlled Prospective Clinical Trial
Authors: Danzer Enrico , Flake Alan W.
Published: February 2008

Myelomeningocele (MMC), one of the most common congenital malformations, can result in severe lifelong disabilities, including paraplegia, hydrocephalus, Arnold-Chiari II malformation, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, skeletal deformations, and mental impairment. MMC was the first nonlethal anomaly to be treated by fetal surgery. Studies in animals provide compelling evidence that the primary cause of the neurological deficit associated with MMC is not simply incomplete neurulation but rather chronic mechanical injury and amniotic-fluid-induced chemical trauma that progressively damage the exposed neural tissue during gestation. Initial results suggest that the surgical repair of MMC before 25 weeks of gestation may preserve neurological function, reverse the hindbrain herniation of the Arnold-Chiari II malformation, and obviate the need for postnatal placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. As it is currently unknown whether fetal surgery for MMC is truly beneficial compared to standard postnatal care, a randomized, controlled clinical trial has been initiated within the United States.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Hourly Precipitation over the Eastern Contiguous United States from Stage IV Multisensor Analyses
Authors: Kursinski Ana L. , Mullen Steven L.
Published: February 2008

The statistical character of precipitation events from hourly stage IV analyses is documented for the eastern United States during the cool [December–February (DJF)] and the warm [June–August (JJA)] seasons for the four years of 2002–05. Isotropic e-folding distances and in situ e-folding times are computed for mesh sizes that vary from 4 km (the minimal stage IV pixel size) to 32 km for two thresholds: light (1 mm h−1) and heavy (5 mm h−1) precipitation rates. Marked seasonal variability characterizes the e-folding times. They typically run between 2 and 3 h during winter and 1 and 2 h during summer for light events, and they run an hour shorter for heavy rainfall during both seasons. Spatial decorrelation estimates also reveal considerable seasonal and geographical variability; e-folding distances typically lie between 60 and 180 km during the winter and between 30 and 60 km during the summer for light episodes, and they are approximately a factor of 2 to 3 shorter for heavy events. Anisotropic statistics are estimated by a simple geometric model. Hourly precipitation patterns show a preference for a southwest–northeast orientation during both seasons with greater elongation during the winter. Mean propagation velocities of precipitating systems are faster and are more closely aligned with the dilatation axis during the winter. These statistics should provide useful guidance for diagnosing and improving the spatiotemporal variance characteristics of precipitation for downscaling algorithms and numerical models of hydrometeorological prediction systems.
Probabilistic Quantitative Precipitation Forecast for Flood Prediction: An Application
Authors: Reggiani P. , Weerts A. H.
Published: February 2008

This paper outlines a methodology to produce probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts by means of a dedicated uncertainty processor for weather model output. The uncertainty processor is developed as a component of a Bayesian forecasting system for river flow prediction. In this context the quantitative precipitation forecast is envisaged as a mixed binary–continuous predictand. The processor is applied to the quantitative precipitation forecasts and to precipitation observations covering a 5-yr period, whereby the forecasted and observed relative air humidity are used as ancillary meteorological indicators. The application of the processor to the selected dataset highlights a significantly larger skill of the quantitative precipitation forecast in predicting event occurrence rather than event depth and provides an objective quantification of the forecast uncertainty. The methodology applied here remains restricted to small basins, in which spatial variability of precipitation can be considered negligible. The need for processing the uncertainty induced by spatial variability of rainfall is briefly addressed.
Correcting Errors in Streamflow Forecast Ensemble Mean and Spread
Authors: Wood Andrew W. , Schaake John C.
Published: February 2008

When hydrological models are used for probabilistic streamflow forecasting in the Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP) framework, the deterministic components of the approach can lead to errors in the estimation of forecast uncertainty, as represented by the spread of the forecast ensemble. One avenue for correcting the resulting forecast reliability errors is to calibrate the streamflow forecast ensemble to match observed error characteristics. This paper outlines and evaluates a method for forecast calibration as applied to seasonal streamflow prediction. The approach uses the correlation of forecast ensemble means with observations to generate a conditional forecast mean and spread that lie between the climatological mean and spread (when the forecast has no skill) and the raw forecast mean with zero spread (when the forecast is perfect). Retrospective forecasts of summer period runoff in the Feather River basin, California, are used to demonstrate that the approach improves upon the performance of traditional ESP forecasts by reducing errors in forecast mean and improving spread estimates, thereby increasing forecast reliability and skill.
Characterization of Errors in a Coupled Snow Hydrology–Microwave Emission Model
Authors: Andreadis Konstantinos M. , Liang Ding , Tsang Leung , Lettenmaier Dennis P. , Josberger Edward G.
Published: February 2008

Traditional approaches to the direct estimation of snow properties from passive microwave remote sensing have been plagued by limitations such as the tendency of estimates to saturate for moderately deep snowpacks and the effects of mixed land cover within remotely sensed pixels. An alternative approach is to assimilate satellite microwave emission observations directly, which requires embedding an accurate microwave emissions model into a hydrologic prediction scheme, as well as quantitative information of model and observation errors. In this study a coupled snow hydrology [Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC)] and microwave emission [Dense Media Radiative Transfer (DMRT)] model are evaluated using multiscale brightness temperature (TB) measurements from the Cold Land Processes Experiment (CLPX). The ability of VIC to reproduce snowpack properties is shown with the use of snow pit measurements, while TB model predictions are evaluated through comparison with Ground-Based Microwave Radiometer (GBMR), aircraft [Polarimetric Scanning Radiometer (PSR)], and satellite [Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E)] TB measurements. Limitations of the model at the point scale were not as evident when comparing areal estimates. The coupled model was able to reproduce the TB spatial patterns observed by PSR in two of three sites. However, this was mostly due to the presence of relatively dense forest cover. An interesting result occurs when examining the spatial scaling behavior of the higher-resolution errors; the satellite-scale error is well approximated by the mode of the (spatial) histogram of errors at the smaller scale. In addition, TB prediction errors were almost invariant when aggregated to the satellite scale, while forest-cover fractions greater than 30% had a significant effect on TB predictions.
The Seasonal Cycle of Gravity Wave Drag in the Middle Atmosphere
Authors: Pulido Manuel , Thuburn John
Published: February 2008

Using a variational technique, middle atmosphere gravity wave drag (GWD) is estimated from Met Office middle atmosphere analyses for the year 2002. The technique employs an adjoint model of a middle atmosphere dynamical model to minimize a cost function that measures the differences between the model state and observations. The control variables are solely the horizontal components of GWD; therefore, the minimization determines the optimal estimate of the drag. For each month, Met Office analyses are taken as the initial condition for the first day of the month, and also as observations for each successive day. In this way a three-dimensional GWD field is obtained for the entire year with a temporal resolution of 1 day. GWD shows a pronounced seasonal cycle. During solstices, there are deceleration regions of the polar jet centered at about 63° latitude in the winter hemisphere, with a peak of 49 m s−1 day−1 at 0.24 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere; the summer hemisphere also shows a deceleration region but much weaker, with a peak of 24 m s−1 day−1 centered at 45° latitude and 0.6 hPa. During equinoxes GWD is weak and exhibits a smooth transition between the winter and summer situation. The height and latitude of the deceleration center in both winter and summer hemispheres appear to be constant. Important longitudinal dependencies in GWD are found that are related to planetary wave activity; GWD intensifies in the exit region of jet streaks. In the lower tropical stratosphere, the estimated GWD shows a westward GWD descending together with the westward phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation. Above, GWD exhibits a semiannual pattern that is approximately out of phase with the semiannual oscillation in the zonal wind. Furthermore, a descending GWD pattern is found at those heights, similar in magnitude and sign to that in the lower stratosphere.
Mechanisms of Low Cloud–Climate Feedback in Idealized Single-Column Simulations with the Community Atmospheric Model, Version 3 (CAM3)
Authors: Zhang Minghua , Bretherton Christopher
Published: February 2008

This study investigates the physical mechanism of low cloud feedback in the Community Atmospheric Model, version 3 (CAM3) through idealized single-column model (SCM) experiments over the subtropical eastern oceans. Negative cloud feedback is simulated from stratus and stratocumulus that is consistent with previous diagnostics of cloud feedbacks in CAM3 and its predecessor versions. The feedback occurs through the interaction of a suite of parameterized processes rather than from any single process. It is caused by the larger amount of in-cloud liquid water in stratus clouds from convective sources, and longer lifetimes of these clouds in a warmer climate through their interaction with boundary layer turbulence. Thermodynamic effects are found to dominate the negative cloud feedback in the model. The dynamic effect of weaker subsidence in a warmer climate also contributes to the negative cloud feedback, but with about one-quarter of the magnitude of the thermodynamic effect, owing to increased low-level convection in a warmer climate.
Retrieval of Reflectivity in a Networked Radar Environment
Authors: Chandrasekar V. , Lim S.
Published: February 2008

A system for reflectivity and attenuation retrieval for rain medium in a networked radar environment is described. Electromagnetic waves backscattered from a common volume in networked radar systems are attenuated differently along the different paths. A solution for the specific attenuation distribution is proposed by solving the integral equation for reflectivity and attenuation. The set of governing integral equations describing the backscatter and propagation of common resolution volume are solved simultaneously with constraints on total path attenuation. The proposed algorithm is evaluated based on simulated X-band radar observations synthesized from S-band measurements collected by the Colorado State University–University of Chicago–Illinois State Water Survey (CSU–CHILL) radar.

Retrieved reflectivity and specific attenuation using the proposed method show good agreement with simulated reflectivity and specific attenuation. Preliminary demonstration of the network-based retrieval using data from the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) IP-1 radar network are also presented.
Stability and Change in Counseling Psychologists' Identities, Roles, Functions, and Career Satisfaction Across 15 Years
Authors: Goodyear Rodney K. , Murdock Nancy , Lichtenberg James W. , McPherson Robert , Koetting Kristin , Petren Suzanne
Published: February 2008

The authors examined changes in the profession of counseling psychology by comparing results of similar surveys of Society of Counseling Psychology (SCP) members administered 15 years apart (in 1985 and 2000). The authors found the roles and settings of SCP members were relatively stable across this period but observed that notably fewer respondents were engaged in vocational counseling or vocational assessment and that the proportion of women SCP members nearly doubled over this time period. Year 2000 data also included the responses of counseling psychologists who were not SCP members. Numerous differences emerged from a comparison of SCP members and nonmembers. For example, members were more likely than nonmembers to (a) be employed in university settings, (b) identify as academics, (c) be either an American Psychological Association (APA) fellow or an American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) diplomate, and (d) publish in professional outlets.
Envisioning a Counseling Psychology of the World
Authors: Kwan Kwong-Liem Karl , Gerstein Lawrence H.
Published: February 2008

The International Forum (IF) has been a feature of the The Counseling Psychologist for two decades. The current coeditors of the IF offer their observations about why a manuscript might have been rejected in the past, offer suggestions on how to increase a document's potential for being published, and discuss new features of this forum. They also invite authors to contribute articles to the IF on a host of specific topics.
Export industries and handicraft production under the Sultans of Kashmir
Authors: Digby Simon
Published: February 2008

This article examines the evidence of change and growth in the external trade of the Vale of Kashmir under the rule of the independent Sultans of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The fertility and temperate climate of the enclosed lacustrine plain (‘Vale’) of Kashmir, situated on a caravan-route between hot and cold zones, was capable of sustaining a considerable artisanal population. The historical vectors of an industrial expansion at the beginning of the fifteenth century included the changed political configuration of Transoxania and Iran, which followed the conquests of Amir Timur Gurkan (d.1405 AC). From this direction, innovatory techniques of manufacture and novel aesthetic criteria were probably introduced into Kashmir via the presence of recently imported artisans in Timur's new metropolis of Samarqand. Of importance among the profitable export handicrafts produced in this favourable location were the famous Kashmir shawls made from the fine hair of high-altitude (‘Tibetan’) goats, woven in a ‘twill-tapestry’ technique. The looms for these textiles, which are of a type not attested at an earlier date elsewhere on the Indian subcontinent, may be derived from those of weavers recently deported and settled in Samarqand as a result of Timur's military campaigns and conquests. The planned import into Kashmir of innovations in weaving and other handicraft industries intended for export can be attributed to the Sultan Zayn al-‘Abidin (r., 1520–70 AC). There is also evidence of the continued production in Kashmir of such manufactures for export through the sixteenth century. These manufactures were of economic importance when Kashmir was annexed to the Indian Mughal Empire at the close of the sixteenth century. After the extension of Mughal rule to Kashmir, visitors to the valley noted the prosperity of Kashmiri merchants engaged in long-distance export trade.
The orphaned colony
Authors: Sen Satadru
Published: February 2008

This article examines British encounters with Indian, Andamanese, white and African orphans in colonial India in the second half of the nineteenth century. It argues that orphans provided colonial administrators with opportunities to articulate increasingly scientific constructions of race, which might undergird contemporary imperialism, and simultaneously to explore the limits of colonial authority. The absence of parents was doubly helpful to these discoveries. At one level, the removal of the parent isolated the child from the contamination of culture. This left it available to experts, who wished to study the nature of the biological material or to leave their own impressions. At another level, it eliminated a source of political interference in the relationship between the child and the unrelated adult, which could now be interpreted largely in terms of scientific, bureaucratic or political necessity, including the language of savage-repression that constitutes a part of the prose of counter-insurgency. Orphaning was not only a metaphor for governance, it was also a problem of governance, and in some situations, a technique for the management of colonised populations.
The Home, the World and the United States: Young India's Tagore
Authors: Ahmad Dohra
Published: February 2008

This essay examines how the New York-based nationalist periodical Young India selectively reprinted the works of Rabindranath Tagore that accorded with its message of pluralist nationalism. Though Tagore used his poetry, fiction and lectures to express his vehement opposition to Western-style (and Japanese-style) nationalism, the exile periodical carefully culled his work in order to capitalize on his high status in the West while deflecting his criticism of its nationalist project. Under the leadership of Lala Lajpat Rai, Young India in effect manufactured its own Tagore for export to its American audience. Young India's Tagore offers a view into the development of anti-colonial thought outside India.
The Melancholic Structure of Memory in Dionne Brand's At the Full and Change of the Moon
Authors: Moynagh Maureen
Published: February 2008

In this paper I argue that the melancholic approach to the losses of slavery and colonialism in Dionne Brand's novel At the Full and Change of the Moon offers a critique of the exclusions and disavowals of modernity. Both in her novel and in her memoir A Map to the Door of No Return Brand represents the black diaspora in the Americas as an allegory about the incorporation of loss and links worldly losses to their psychic remains. She does not thereby pathologize the black diaspora so much as she enables a critical apprehension of the ways modernity's intimate relation to colonialism and slavery may be understood as pathological. As readers of these texts, moreover, we engage in a psychoanalytic and politic hermeneutics that potentially takes us in the direction of protest and political engagement.
Sol Plaatje's Native Life in South Africa: Melancholy Narratives, Petitioning Selves and the Ethics of Suffering
Authors: Peterson Bhekizizwe
Published: February 2008

Using Sol Plaatje as a representative figure and his Native Life in South Africa as its primary text, this article explores the political and ethical imperatives that informed the act of writing amongst the first generation of African writers in South Africa. Native Life in South Africa was written as an appeal to the British government and public to denounce the passing of the Land Act of 1913 and the book is a fascinating manifestation of the layered aims, ambiguities and paradoxes that inhere in petitioning. The article examines the petition as a genre that allows Plaatje to inscribe his imagined multiple readers of the text and their mutual obligations to each other. The act of petitioning also allows Plaatje to engage in modes of self-definition that include a critique of colonial modernity and laying claim to his status as a modern African.
Citashe's Apostrophe — “Zimkile! Mfo wohlanga”: The Unfinished “Preface” to an African Modernity
Authors: Mkhize Khwezi
Published: February 2008

The poem “Zimkile! Mfo wohlanga” has had a sustained salutary presence in South African literary and cultural criticism of the past three decades, especially when it has been concerned with the experiences of Christianized, modern Africans. The criticism of the poem provides an entry-point into how “Zimkile!” itself has been reproduced and used. I contend that, although this scholarship has done much to illuminate some of the complexities of the modern African's responses to European modernity, it has ignored dealing with the moment of its production and circulation in the late nineteenth century.“Zimkile! Mfo wohlanga” formed part of a larger text in which its author, in this instance signing himself as I.W.W. Citashe, was concerned with formulating strategies for dealing with the incarceration of Xhosa regents who were seen as figureheads of the Xhosa nation. The modes of address undertaken in the poem, as the clinching resolution of the issues presented in the larger text, meant that in addressing an African readership, its author mobilized complex narrative strategies that interpellated the African intellectual's traditional heritage into his modern sensibilities at a time when modern Africans had to contend with the antinomies of a colonial existence.
Commonplace Intersections Within a High School Mathematics Leadership Institute
Authors: Sack Jacqueline J.
Published: February 2008

This narrative inquiry weaves Schwab's commonplaces of curriculum and Clandinin, Pushor, and Murray Orr's narrative commonplaces through stories of conflict between a professional developer and 30 high school lead teachers. In her role as manager of a mathematics leadership institute situated between two urban public school districts and a partnering university in the mid-Southwestern United States, the inquirer describes how she and the professional developer learned how to deal with commonplace disconnections through reflective discourse around these experiences. The inquirer provides additional examples of deliberative enactment of curriculum through Schwab's commonplaces.
Prisoners' families and offender management: Mobilizing social capital
Authors: Mills Alice , Codd Helen
Published: February 2008

Interest in prisoners' families has grown considerably in recent years as the link between family support and reduced recidivism is increasingly recognized. This article explores the potential role of prisoners' families in reducing re-offending by reviewing the research literature to assess the contribution that family ties can make to effective resettlement and desistance from crime. Like other commentators, such as Farrall (2004) and Wolff and Draine (2004), the authors draw on the concept of `social capital' to provide key insights into the importance of family relationships for encouraging desistance. Potential ways to mobilize this social capital are considered and the article concludes with reflections on the likelihood of such measures being deployed by offender managers in the current penal context, and assesses whether the shift to offender management is likely to boost recognition of prisoners' family relationships.
Fit for purpose? OASys assessments and parole decisions
Authors: Wendy Fitzgibbon Diana
Published: February 2008

This article arose out of the increased focus by the public, government and professions on whether parole board decisions, and the risk assessments that inform those decisions, protect the public sufficiently in the light of recent high profile inquiries into serious further offences (HM Inspectorate of Probation, 2006a, 2006b) and the Joint Thematic Inspection Report Promoting Public Protection (HM Inspectorate of Probation, 2006c). The purpose of this study was to examine whether home probation officer and seconded probation officer parole reports were helpful in terms of assessment of risk and consistent with the OASys risk assessment present in the parole dossiers. The research study revealed a number of interesting findings in terms of quality of reports, and supported other evidence noted in recent publications (Harding, 2006; HM Inspectorate of Probation, 2006c).
Drug testing and court review hearings: Uses and limitations
Authors: McSweeney Tim , Stevens Alex , Hunt Neil , Turnbull Paul J.
Published: February 2008

The ability of the UK criminal justice system to divert drug-dependent offenders into treatment has been enhanced during recent years. Despite the rapid expansion of such coercive measures, research findings to date are equivocal about their impact. This article draws on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with professionals and those mandated to treatment by the courts to assess the uses and limitations of two defining features of court-ordered drug treatment in Britain and elsewhere — drug testing and court review hearings — as a means of promoting and monitoring compliance with the conditions of these disposals.
Role of waste management with regard to climate protection: a case study
Authors: Hackl Albert , Mauschitz Gerd
Published: February 2008

According to the Kyoto Protocol and the burden-sharing agreement of the European Union, Austria is required to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during the years 2008 to 2012 in order to achieve an average reduction of 13%, based on the level of emissions for the year 1990. The present contribution gives an overview of the history of GHG emission regulation in Austria and identifies the progress made towards the realization of the national climate strategy to attain the GHG emission targets. The contribution uses Austria as an example of the way in which proper waste management can help to reduce GHG emissions. The GHG inventories show that everything must be done to minimize the carbon input due to waste deposition at landfill sites. The incineration of waste is particularly helpful in reducing GHG emissions. The waste-to-energy by incineration plants and recovery of energy yield an ecologically proper treatment of waste using state-of-the-art techniques of a very high standard. The potential for GHG reduction of conventional waste treatment technologies has been estimated by the authors. A growing number of waste incinerators and intensified co-incineration of waste in Austrian industry will both help to reduce national GHG emissions substantially. By increasing the number and capacity of plants for thermal treatment of waste the contribution of proper waste management to the national target for reduction of GHG emissions will be in the range of 8 to 14%. The GHG inventories also indicate that a potential CO2 reduction of about 500 000 t year—1 is achievable by co-incineration of waste in Austrian industry.
Methods for determining the biomass content of waste
Authors: Staber Wolfgang , Flamme Sabine , Fellner Johann
Published: February 2008

As CO2 emission trading in Europe has been established it is of essential importance to distinguish between biogenic and fossil emissions. Emissions resulting from bio-fuels and biogenous fractions are categorized as climate-neutral. Determination of plants using only fossil or bio-fuels is simple but categorization becomes more difficult for plants using a mix of fossil and biofuel such as solid recovered fuels. In the meantime, different methods for solving this problem have been developed. Using different approaches and technologies, all of these methods have the same goal: determining the biomass content (biogenic fraction), for example, in solid recovered fuels or in the off-gas of a mono- or co-incineration plant in order to calculate the biogenic carbon dioxide emissions. In the following article, the most common methods for determining the biogenic fraction of fuels, namely the Selective Dissolution Method, the Balance Method and the 14C-Method will be explained in detail.
Exploring the clean development mechanism: Malaysian case study
Authors: Pedersen Anne
Published: February 2008

During 2006 the CDM market in Malaysia became established and by December 2007 a total of 20 Malaysian projects had registered with the CDM Executive Board.The Kyoto Protocol defines the Annex 1 countries, as countries that are obliged to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the clean development mechanism (CDM) allows Annex 1 countries to develop projects, which contribute to emission reduction, in non-Annex 1 (developing) countries. Currently, two projects have been corrected due to request for review and there is one project for which review is requested. Two projects have been rejected by the Executive Board. The broad knowledge of CDM in Malaysia and the number of successful projects are partly due to the well-functioning CDM institutional framework in Malaysia. As an illustration this article focuses on a Malaysian—Danish project and describes the implementation of CDM in Malaysia and refers to this specific project. The project was registered with the CDM Executive Board in May 2007 and is a methane avoidance project in which methane is captured from a landfill and used to generate electricity.
Energy efficiency in waste-to-energy and its relevance with regard to climate control
Authors: Ragoßnig Arne M. , Wartha Christian , Kirchner Andreas
Published: February 2008

This article focuses on systematically highlighting the ways to optimize waste-to-energy plants in terms of their energy efficiency as an indicator of the positive effect with regard to climate control. Potentials for increasing energy efficiency are identified and grouped into categories. The measures mentioned are illustrated by real-world examples. As an example, district cooling as a means for increasing energy efficiency in the district heating network of Vienna is described. Furthermore a scenario analysis shows the relevance of energy efficiency in waste management scenarios based on thermal treatment of waste with regard to climate control. The description is based on a model that comprises all relevant processes from the collection and transportation up to the thermal treatment of waste. The model has been applied for household-like commercial waste. The alternatives compared are a combined heat and power incinerator, which is being introduced in many places as an industrial utility boiler or in metropolitan areas where there is a demand for district heating and a classical municipal solid waste incinerator producing solely electrical power. For comparative purposes a direct landfilling scenario has been included in the scenario analysis. It is shown that the energy efficiency of thermal treatment facilities is crucial to the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted.
Biotic systems to mitigate landfill methane emissions
Authors: Huber-Humer Marion , Gebert Julia , Hilger Helene
Published: February 2008

Landfill gases produced during biological degradation of buried organic wastes include methane, which when released to the atmosphere, can contribute to global climate change. Increasing use of gas collection systems has reduced the risk of escaping methane emissions entering the atmosphere, but gas capture is not 100% efficient, and further, there are still many instances when gas collection systems are not used. Biotic methane mitigation systems exploit the propensity of some naturally occurring bacteria to oxidize methane. By providing optimum conditions for microbial habitation and efficiently routing landfill gases to where they are cultivated, a number of bio-based systems, such as interim or long-term biocovers, passively or actively vented biofilters, biowindows and daily-used biotarps, have been developed that can alone, or with gas collection, mitigate landfill methane emissions. This paper reviews the science that guides bio-based designs; summarizes experiences with the diverse natural or engineered substrates used in such systems; describes some of the studies and field trials being used to evaluate them; and discusses how they can be used for better landfill operation, capping, and aftercare.
Environmental assessment of waste incineration in a life-cycle-perspective (EASEWASTE)
Authors: Riber Christian , Bhander Gurbakhash S. , Christensen Thomas H.
Published: February 2008

A model for life-cycle assessment of waste incinerators is described and applied to a case study for illustrative purposes. As life-cycle thinking becomes more integrated into waste management, quantitative tools for assessing waste management technologies are needed. The presented model is a module in the life-cycle assessment model EASEWASTE. The module accounts for all uses of materials and energy and credits the incinerator for electricity and heat recovered. The energy recovered is defined by the user as a percentage of the energy produced, calculated on the lower heating value of the wet waste incinerated. Emissions are either process-specific (related to the amount of waste incinerated) or input-specific (related to the composition of the waste incinerated), while mass transfer to solid outputs are governed by transfer coefficients specified by the user. The waste input is defined by 48 material fractions and their chemical composition. The model was used to quantify the environmental performance of the incineration plant in Aarhus, Denmark before and after its upgrading in terms of improved flue gas cleaning and energy recovery. It demonstrated its usefulness in identifying the various processes and substances that contributed to environmental loadings as well as to environmental savings. The model was instrumental in demonstrating the importance of the energy recovery system not only for electricity but also heat from the incinerator.
The potential role of compost in reducing greenhouse gases
Authors: Favoino Enzo , Hogg Dominic
Published: February 2008

The contribution of the agricultural sector to emissions of climate change gases is becoming better understood. At the same time, the potential role of the sector as a means through which to tackle climate change, widely neglected in the past, is becoming more widely acknowledged. The absorption potential of agricultural soils could contribute significantly to constraining growth in greenhouse gas emissions, while also contributing to improvements in soil quality in some areas. In addition to the measures listed above, other benefits of compost application may have some relevance. Some of these measures include replacement of chemical fertilizers (implying avoidance of greenhouse gases related to their production) reduced use of pesticides (avoiding emissions associated with their production), improved tilth and workability (less consumption of fuels). Typically, life-cycle analyses (LCAs) exhibit limitations related to assessing the effects of `time-limited' carbon sequestration in soils. This has tended to obscure the potentially important effect of composting, in which biogenic carbon is held in soils for a period of time before the carbon is released. The paper seeks to understand these effects and offers comments on the contribution of biological treatments to tackling climate change issues. Key issues include the replacement of fertilizers, reduction of N2O emissions, and peat replacement.