bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A finite element enthalpy technique for solving coupled nonlinear heat conduction/mass diffusion problems with phase change
Authors: McAdie R.L. , Cross J.T. , Lewis R.W. , Gethin D.T.
Published: June 2006

A rigorous Finite Element (FE) formulation based on an enthalpy
technique is developed for solving coupled nonlinear heat conduction/mass
diffusion problems with phase change. The FE formulation consists of a fully
coupled heat conduction and solute diffusion formulation, with solid‐liquid
phase change, where the effects of pressure and convection are neglected. A
full enthalpy method is employed eliminating singularities which result from
abrupt changes in heat capacity at the phase interfaces. The FE formulation
is based on the fixed grid technique where the elements are two dimensional,
four noded quadrilaterals with the primary variables being enthalpy and
average solute concentration. Temperature and solid mass fraction are
calculated on a local level at each integration point of an element. A fully
consistent Newton‐Raphson method is used to solve the global coupled
equations and an Euler backward difference scheme is used for the temporal
discretization. The solution of the enthalpy‐temperature relationship is
carried out at the integration points using a Newton‐Raphson method. A secant
method employing the regula falsi technique takes into account sudden jumps
or sharp changes in the enthalpy‐temperature behaviour which occur at the
phase zone interfaces. The Euler backward difference integration rule is used
to calculate the solid mass fraction and its derivatives. A practical
example is analysed and results are presented.
Numerical experiments in turbulent natural and mixed convection in
internal flows
Authors: Pérez‐Segarra C.D. , Oliva A. , Costa M. , Escanes F.
Published: June 2006

In this paper a numerical simulation, based on finite difference
techniques, has been developed in order to analyse turbulent natural and
mixed convection of air in internal flows. The study has been restricted to
two‐dimensional cavities with the possibility of inlet and outlet
ports, and with internal heat sources. Turbulence is modelled by means of
two‐equation k‐ε turbulence models, both in the simplest
form using wall functions and in the more general form of
low‐Reynolds‐number k‐ε models. The couple time
average governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy, and
turbulence quantities) are solved in a segregated manner using the
SIMPLEX method. An implicit control volume formulation of the
differential equations has been employed. Some illustrative numerical results
are presented to study the influence of geometry and boundary conditions in
cavities. A comparison of different k‐ε turbulence models has also
been presented.
Numerical prediction of fully developed turbulent swirling flows in an
axially rotating pipe by means of a modified k—ε turbulence
model
Authors: Torii Shuichi , Yang Wen‐Jei
Published: June 2006

A numerical study is performed to investigate turbulent flow
characteristics in a pipe rotating around the axis. Emphasis is placed on the
effect of pipe rotation on the friction coefficient and velocity distribution
in the hydrodynamically, fully‐developed flow region. The
k—ε turbulence model is modified by taking the swirling effect into
account, in which the model function including the Richardson number is
introduced to the ε equation. The governing boundary‐layer
equations are discretized by means of a control volume
finite‐difference technique for numerical computation.
Results obtained from the modified model agree well with experiment data in
the existing literature. It is found from the study that (i) an
axial rotation of the pipe induces an attenuation in the turbulent kinetic
energy, resulting in a reduction in the friction coefficient, the turbulent
and (ii) an increase in the velocity ratio causes substantial
decreases in the friction coefficient, the turbulent kinetic energy and the
streamwise velocity gradient near the wall.
The nirvana scheme applied to one‐dimensional advection
Authors: Leonard B.P. , Lock A.P. , Macvean M.K.
Published: June 2006

The NIRVANA project is concerned with the development of a
nonoscillatory, integrally reconstructed,
volume‐averaged numerical advection
scheme. The conservative, flux‐based finite‐volume algorithm is
built on an explicit, single‐step, forward‐in‐time
update of the cell‐average variable, without restrictions on the size
of the time‐step. There are similarities with semi‐Lagrangian
schemes; a major difference is the introduction of a discrete integral
variable, guaranteeing conservation. The crucial step is the interpolation of
this variable, which is used in the calculation of the fluxes; the
(analytic) derivative of the interpolant then gives sub‐cell
behaviour of the advected variable. In this paper, basic principles are
described, using the simplest possible conditions: pure
one‐dimensional advection at constant velocity on a uniform grid.
Piecewise Nth‐degree polynomial interpolation of the discrete
integral variable leads to an Nth‐order advection scheme, in
both space and time. Nonoscillatory results correspond to convexity
preservation in the integrated variable, leading naturally to a
large‐Δt generalisation of the universal limited. More
restrictive TVD constraints are also extended to large
Δt. Automatic compressive enhancement of step‐like
profiles can be achieved without exciting “stair‐casing”.
One‐dimensional simulations are shown for a number of different
interpolations. In particular, convexity‐limited cubic‐spline
and higher‐order polynomial schemes give very sharp, nonoscillatory
results at any Courant number, without clipping of extrema. Some practical
generalisations are briefly discussed.
Numerical simulations of a three‐dimensional nozzle, from inviscid to
turbulent flows
Authors: Aubert S. , Hallo L. , Ferrand P. , Buffat M.
Published: June 2006

Two numerical methods, based on high order finite volume formulations
and upwind schemes, are used to compute the two‐ and three‐dimensional flow
field in a transonic nozzle. The influence of numerical diffusivity, boundary
treatment and mesh structure is explored for inviscid and turbulent
configurations. First order computations provide significantly different
inviscid results. However, high order methods lead to similar solutions. An
explanation of the error generated through the shockwave is proposed in this
case. The two‐dimensional interaction of the shock with the thin turbulent
boundary layer developing on the bump wall is also presented. Good agreement
between both approaches is obtained considering the rapid thickening of the
boundary layer due to the shock. Furthermore, the downstream velocity
recovery is almost identical. Only slight discrepancies occur in the main
flow, near the outer edge of the boundary layer. These seem to be related to
the way the turbulence model deals with the free stream turbulence. Finally,
preliminary three‐dimensional unstructured turbulent results are presented
and discussed.
Linking piscivory to spatial–temporal distributions of pelagic prey fishes with a visual foraging model
Authors: Mazur M. M. , Beauchamp D. A.
Published: June 2006

A visual foraging model (VFM) used light‐dependent reaction distance and capture success functions to link observed prey fish abundance and distribution to predation rates and the foraging performance of piscivorous cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki in Lake Washington (WA, U.S.A.). Total prey density did not correlate with predation potential estimated by the foraging model for cutthroat trout because prey were rarely distributed in optically favourable conditions for detection. Predictions of the depth‐specific distribution and timing of cutthroat trout foraging were qualitatively similar to diel stomach fullness patterns observed in field samples. Nocturnal foraging accounted for 34–64% of all prey fish consumption in simulations for 2002 and 2003. Urban light contamination increased the access of nocturnally foraging cutthroat trout to vertically migrating prey fishes. These results suggest that VFMs are useful tools for converting observed prey fish density into predictions of predator consumptions and behavioural responses of predators to environmental change.
First record of Cyclopterus lumpus L., 1758 (Osteichthyes: Cyclopteridae) in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Dulčić J. , Golani D.
Published: June 2006

The Atlantic lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus (343 mm total length) is recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. The specimen was collected in the night between 16 and 17 September 2004 off Molunat Bay, Croatia, southern Adriatic Sea. This record may present a case of a vagrant specimen.
Anatomical changes to the gonad during protogynous sex change in the half‐moon grouper Epinephelus rivulatus (Valenciennes)
Authors: Mackie M. C.
Published: June 2006

Anatomical changes to the gonad during sex change in the protogynous grouper Epinephelus rivulatus are described from histological observations. A decrease in ovarian mass occurred soon after the onset of sex change as oocytes atrophied and were removed from the gonad. Blood supply and abundance of unidentified somatic cells increased at this time as proliferation of sperm tissue commenced. As the gonad was cleared of ovarian tissue, the rate of spermatogenesis increased and the lamellae soon became dominated by sperm and connective tissue. Putative Leydig cells, the probable sites of male steroid production, appeared in transitional gonads and were most abundant in the testes of immature males. Peripheral sperm sinuses subsequently formed within basal tissue layers of the tunica and expanded as they filled with spermatids. The process of sex change, occurring as a result of experimental manipulation of wild populations at the start of the spawning season, took c. 3 weeks. This appears rapid compared to other hermaphroditic species and may reduce the impacts of fishing on reproductive output by E. rivulatus populations.
Egg cannibalism in Barents Sea capelin in relation to a narrow spawning distribution
Authors: Slotte A. , Mikkelsen N. , Gjøsæter H.
Published: June 2006

The spawning distribution of Barents Sea capelinMallotus villosusoff northern Norway in 2002 was restricted to a narrow area at the easternmost spawning grounds. There was an increase in abundance and a marked shift in aggregation area from east towards west during 11 March to 4 April, as the capelin went from prespawning through spawning to spent stages. The capelin stomachs were either empty or contained capelin eggs, often mixed with sand. Both the occurrence of cannibals and stomach fullness increased with stage of maturity, being highest in spent fish, and higher in males than in females. No differences were found between cannibals and non‐cannibals of the same sex when adjusted for total length (LT), age,LTat age and condition factor. At similar stomach fullness, the females had consumed more eggs than the males. This was attributed to a higher proportion of empty and broken eggs and less sand in females compared to males. In the full stomachs, the mean consumption in females and males was 623 and 334 eggs, respectively, whereas the respective maximum egg consumption was 871 and 683 eggs. The minimum estimates (given no digestion) of mean ± 95% CL egg consumption in spent females and males were 75·4 ± 6·9 and 58·4 ± 12·0 eggs, respectively, implying a minimum mortality of 1–2% of the total egg production caused by cannibalism.
Seasonal sex role changes in the blenniid Petroscirtes breviceps, a nest brooder with paternal care
Authors: Shibata J. , Kohda M.
Published: June 2006

The plasticity of the sex roles in the blenniid fish Petroscirtes breviceps, a nest brooder with exclusive paternal care, was studied throughout an 8 month breeding season. Males performed most courtships early and late in the breeding season, whereas females performed most in the middle of the season. These results indicated that the sex of individuals initiating courtship changed seasonally, with courtship role reversal in the middle of the season. Intrasexual aggression in both sexes occurred much more frequently in mid‐season than in the early and late seasons. Males frequently fought when available nest sites were limited, regardless of the presence of females, suggesting that males competed for nests in order to qualify to mate (resource competition). In contrast, courting females fought only in mid‐season, when females’ relative success in entering nests decreased, indicating that females competed for limited mating opportunities (mating competition). The reversed courtship roles and female mating competition in mid‐season suggested that the sex roles in P. breviceps changed seasonally from the conventional roles to reversed roles and back again during one breeding season. This study provides the first empirical evidence of multiple changes in the sex roles of animals within a breeding season.
Territorial defence by the Brazilian damselStegastes fuscus(Teleostei: Pomacentridae)
Authors: Osório R. , Rosa I. L. , Cabral H.
Published: June 2006

Territorial defence by Brazilian damselfishStegastes fuscuswas studied in north‐east Brazil through underwater observations. The fish mostly fed onGellidiumsp. and strongly defended a territory with a mean size of 2 m2(range 1·27–3·07 m2); its mean ±s.d.feeding rate was 8·73 ± 2·44 bites min−1.Stegastes fuscusresponded similarly to all intruding fish species, with aggressive behaviour becoming more pronounced only with an increase in the number of fishes in the sampled area. Analysis of attacks elicited by different fish species placed withinS. fuscus’ territory, however, showed that it launched more attacks on conspecifics than on other fishes.
Adaptive spatial utilization of host mussels by the Japanese rosy bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus kurumeus
Authors: Kitamura J.
Published: June 2006

The spatial pattern of resource utilization for oviposition in the Japanese rosy bitterling Rhodeus ocellatus kurumeus was investigated in two field experiments. The distribution of rosy bitterling eggs deposited in the four demibranchs of the gills of the test mussel species, Anodonta woodiana, differed with mussel reproductive state in pair spawnings, but not in group spawnings. In pair spawnings, female rosy bitterling may have had more time to select the site of oviposition in the gill in relation to the sex and reproductive state of the mussel, thereby maximizing embryo survival. Thus, the inner gill of female mussels may have been selected in preference to the outer gills to avoid mortalities of eggs due to the presence of the mussel's own embryos (glochidia) in the outer gill chambers. In male mussels, female rosy bitterling distributed their eggs equally among all parts of the mussel gill, thereby minimizing density‐dependent mortality of embryos. During group spawnings, however, female rosy bitterling may have been more constrained in their decision making, ovipositing in the inner gills irrespective of mussel sex.
Opercular beat rate for rainbow darters Etheostoma caeruleum exposed to chemical stimuli from conspecific and heterospecific fishes
Authors: Gibson A. K. , Mathis A.
Published: June 2006

Opercular beat rates of rainbow darters Etheostoma caeruleum were used as a measure of a physiological response to chemical stimulation. Rainbow darters responded significantly to some chemical cues (active and ambush predators, competitors, novel stimuli and to conspecific and heterospecific alarm cues) with increases in opercular movements; neutral cues and novel alarm cues did not elicit significant changes. Changes in opercular movements may be a good bioassay for determining detection of chemical stimuli by rainbow darters.
Unique perspectives on the influence of size and age on consumer δ15N from a rainbow smelt complex
Authors: Jardine T. D. , Curry R. A.
Published: June 2006

Analysis of covariance indicated size had a greater influence than age on δ15N in three rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax morphotypes of Lake Utopia, New Brunswick, Canada. The distinction in size between the three forms allowed a unique analysis and separation of size and age effects, which is not commonly possible because of the strong correlation between size and age. These results provide support for the continued use of δ15N as a trophic level indicator in food web studies. While a slight increase in δ15N with age (P≤ 0·05) in intermediate‐sized smelt raises questions about a potential accumulation of 15N with age, the effect of size was far stronger in governing δ15N values. The possible confounding influence of age when interpreting trophodynamics of short‐lived consumers appears to be small.
Embryos of common thresher shark Alopias vulpinus in southern Brazil, South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Mancini P. L. , Amorim A. F.
Published: June 2006

Eight embryonic thresher sharks Alopias vulpinus (53·9–124 cm total length) were collected from two females caught by commercial longline off southern Brazil in September and November 2004. Morphometric measurements are provided.
A peritonitis model with low mortality and persisting intra‐abdominal abscesses
Authors: Buyne Otmar R. , Bleichrodt Robert P. , Verweij Paul E. , Groenewoud Hans M. M. , Van Goor Harry , Hendriks Thijs
Published: June 2006

Intra‐abdominal abscesses are a potential source of recurrent or residual infection after surgical intervention for secondary peritonitis. The development of therapies requires a model which combines low mortality with the formation of persisting abscesses and which is also suitable to study the local inflammatory response. Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with a mixture of sterile rat faeces, increasing doses of E. coli (104−108 cfu/ml) and a fixed dose of B. Fragilis (104 cfu/ml). After one h a laparotomy was performed and the peritoneal cavity was debrided. Blood samples were taken under anaesthesia after 6 and 24 h. Abdominal fluid samples were collected (by laparotomy) after 24 and 72 h. The rats were killed after 5 days and the abdomen was inspected for abscesses. Mortality was 90% in the two groups with the highest doses of E. coli and 30% in those with the two lowest doses. In the latter groups all surviving rats but one showed intraabdominal abscesses and bacteremia was encountered frequently, especially after 24 h in the 105 cfu E. coli group. The groups receiving 104−106 cfu E. coli showed similar plasma IL‐6 concentrations after 6 h which were lowered significantly after 24 h. No circulating TNF‐α was found. Considerable concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and IL‐10, were found in the peritoneal fluid after 24 h but no differences were observed between the contro groups and those receiving 104−106 cfu E. coli. At 72 h cytokine levels were reduced significantly and remained the highest in the animals dosed with 106 cfu E. coli. The present model is suitable to study the mechanisms involved in, and prevention of, intra‐abdominal abscess formation after surgical treatment of generalized peritonitis.
Falciparum malaria in the north of Laos: the occurrence and implications of the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) gene haplotype SVMNT
Authors: Dittrich Sabine , Alifrangis Michael , Stohrer Jörg M , Thongpaseuth Vonthalom , Vanisaveth Viengxay , Phetsouvanh Rattanaxay , Phompida Samlane , Khalil Insaf F , Jelinek Tomas
Published: June 2006

Objective  The Pfcrt‐gene encodes a transmembrane protein located in the Plasmodium falciparum digestive vacuole. Chloroquine resistant (CQR) strains of African and Southeast Asian origin carry the Pfcrt‐haplotype (c72–76) CVIET, whereas most South American and Papua New Guinean CQR stains carry the SVMNT haplotype.

Method  Eighty‐eight samples from an area with reported in vivo Chloroquine and in vitro Amodiaquine‐resistance were screened for the K76T mutation and their Pfcrt‐haplotype (c72–76) using a new SSOP‐ELISA.

Results  Hundred percent of the analysed samples showed the K76T mutation which is highly associated with in vivo drug failure. This very high rate of a CQR‐marker is alarming in an area were CQ is still used as first line drug. The distribution of the three main Pfcrt‐haplotypes was as follows: 68% CVIET, 31% SVMNT, 0% CVMNT.

Conclusions  These data show, for the first time, the South American/PNG ‐haplotype (SVMNT) on mainland Southeast Asia. SVMNT‐haplotype and others might be associated with a decreased efficacy of Amodiaquine and could therefore be potential markers for of amodiaquine resistance (AQR). If there is a correlation between AQR and the SVMNT‐haplotype as suggested, 31% prevalence of a potential resistance marker is cause for concern.
Emergence of W135 meningococcal meningitis in Ghana
Authors: Forgor Abudulai Adams , Leimkugel Julia , Hodgson Abraham , Bugri Akalifa , Dangy Jean‐Pierre , Gagneux Sébastien , Smith Tom , Pluschke Gerd
Published: June 2006

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135, well known for a long time as a cause of isolated cases of meningococcal meningitis, has recently increasingly been associated with disease outbreaks of considerable magnitude. Burkina Faso was hit by W135 epidemics in the dry seasons of 2002–2004, but only four W135 meningitis cases were recorded between February 2003 and March 2004 in adjoining Ghana. This reconfirms previous findings that bottlenecks exist in the spreading of new epidemic N. meningitidis clones within the meningitis belt of sub‐Saharan Africa. Of the four Ghanaian W135 meningitis patients one died and three survived, of whom one had profound neurosensory hearing loss and speech impairment. All four disease isolates were sensitive to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime and had the multi‐locus sequence type (ST) 11, which is the major ST of the ET‐37 clonal complex. Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of the Ghanaian disease isolates and recent epidemic isolates from Burkina Faso were largely identical. We conducted meningococcal colonization surveys in the home communities of three of the patients and in the Kassena Nankana District located at the border to Burkina Faso. W135 carriage rates ranged between 0% and 17.5%. When three consecutive surveys were conducted in the patient community with the highest carrier rate, persistence of W135 colonization over a period of 1 year was observed. Differences in PFGE profiles of carrier isolates taken at different times in the same patient community were indicative of rapid microevolution of the W135 bacteria, emphasizing the need for innovative fine typing methods to reveal the relationship between W135 isolates.
Oesophagostomum bifurcum in non‐human primates is not a potential reservoir for human infection in Ghana
Authors: van Lieshout Lisette , de Gruijter Johanna M. , Adu‐Nsiah Michael , Haizel Michael , Verweij Jaco J. , Brienen Eric A. T. , Gasser Robin B. , Polderman A. M.
Published: June 2006

In northern Togo and Ghana, human infection with the parasitic nematode Oesophagostomum bifurcum is of major health importance. Elsewhere, oesophagostomiasis is considered a zoonotic infection, non‐human primates being the natural host. We examined 349 faecal samples of the olive baboon, mona monkey and black and white colobus monkey from two geographically distinct areas in Ghana, outside the region endemic for O. bifurcum in humans. Using both microscopy and species‐specific PCR, we found a high prevalence of O. bifurcum (75–99%) in olive baboons and mona monkeys. The majority of the test‐positive faecal samples contained large numbers of larvae after copro‐culture (>100). No O. bifurcum was detected in the faeces of the black and white colobus monkeys. Observational studies on the behaviour of the non‐human primates, focusing on defecation, food consumption and the sharing of habitat with the local human population, indicated favourable conditions for zoonotic transmission. Given that no human infection with O. bifurcum has been reported from either study area, the present findings support the hypothesis that O. bifurcum from humans in the north of Ghana, and O. bifurcum from olive baboons and/or mona monkeys are distinct.
The effects of a treatment protocol for cardiac surgical patients with excessive blood loss on clinical outcomes
Authors: Karkouti K. , Yau T. M. , Rensburg A. van , McCluskey S. A. , Callum J. , Wijeysundera D. N. , Beattie W. S.
Published: June 2006

Background and Objectives  Excessive blood loss (EBL) is a common complication of cardiac surgery that is associated with adverse events. The objective of this before/after study was to determine whether the implementation of a protocol for management of cardiac surgical patients with EBL was associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Materials and Methods  In November 2002, a protocol for prompt identification and aggressive management of cardiac surgical patients with EBL was implemented at our institution. The independent relationship between protocol implementation and adverse outcomes was measured by comparing the outcomes of patients who received ≥ 4 RBC (red blood cell) units within 1 day of surgery and were operated on before protocol implementation (2000–02) with those operated on after protocol implementation (2003–05), using multivariable logistic regression analysis to control for the effects of confounders. The primary outcome was a composite of adverse events that included death, renal failure, stroke, and sepsis. Bootstrapping was used to confirm the validity of the results.

Results  Of the 11 314 patients who underwent surgery during the study period, 1875 (16·6%) received ≥ 4 RBC units within 1 day of surgery, with 958 and 917 in the pre‐ and postprotocol periods, respectively. The composite adverse outcome occurred in 164 (17·1%) patients in the preprotocol period and 115 (12·5%) patients in the postprotocol period (P = 0·005). Protocol implementation was independently associated with reduced odds of the composite adverse outcome (odds ratio 0·67; 95% confidence interval 0·50, 0·91; P= 0·01). This estimate was stable in bootstrap sampling.

Conclusion  Implementation of a protocol to manage EBL in cardiac surgery was independently associated with improved outcomes.
Platelet content and growth factor release in platelet‐rich plasma: a comparison of four different systems
Authors: Leitner G. C. , Gruber R. , Neumüller J. , Wagner A. , Kloimstein P. , Höcker P. , Körmöczi G. F. , Buchta C.
Published: June 2006

Background  Different systems for preparation of platelet‐rich plasma are commercially available, but data for comparison of these systems have not been published so far.

Materials and Methods  We investigated the performance of Vivostat PRF Preparation Kit®, PCCS Platelet Concentrate Collection System®, Harvest® SmartPReP 2 APC 60 Process, and Fibrinet® Autologous Fibrin & Platelet System.

The preparations provided by these systems are platelet concentrates with high numbers of platelets in a small volume of plasma and PDGF‐AB is released continuously during the 5 days after preparation.

Results  Vivostat PRF Preparation Kit, PCCS Platelet Concentrate Collection System, Harvest SmartPReP 2 APC 60 Process are comparable in platelet yield and total amount of released PDGF‐AB after 120 h while with Fibrinet the lowest platelet yield and PDGF‐AB content of supernatant was achieved. The ability of growth factor release was equal in all four systems.

Conclusion  In conclusion, all four systems for preparation of platelet‐rich plasma investigated result in considerable growth factor release. In what extent the total content of PDGF‐AB as a consequence of platelet yield has an impact on wound healing has to be further investigated
The effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on rheumatoid arthritis patients: Extended report
Authors: Bagheri‐Nesami Masoumeh , Mohseni‐Bandpei Mohammad A , Shayesteh‐Azar Masoud
Published: June 2006

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease and has the highest rate of prevalence among rheumatic inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) combined with medication on disease activity in patients with RA. Following ethical approval, 50 consecutive matched patients were selected and allocated into two groups, either an experimental or a control group. Patients in the experimental group received BRT combined with medication and patients in the control group were given only medication. Clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, anxiety, depression and feeling of well‐being were measured before and after intervention to evaluate the effect of BRT. There was a significant difference between the two groups in anxiety, depression and feeling of well‐being. Changes in clinical symptoms and laboratory findings were not large enough to be statistically significant between the two groups, but they indicated decline in disease progress. The results demonstrate that BRT can be an effective technique in reducing disease process in patients suffering from RA. However, in order to support the findings of this trial, studies with large sample size and > 8‐week intervention are recommended.
Gender differences in signs and symptoms presentation and treatment of Jordanian myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Omran Suha , Al‐Hassan Musa
Published: June 2006

Heart disease is the number one killer in the USA. In Jordan, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, and about 34.5% of women die of cardiovascular disease as compared with 44.25% of men. The differences between men and women in heart disease, such as signs and symptoms presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, are becoming more apparent in the literature. There is a dearth of research regarding gender differences among Jordanian myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the differences between Jordanian men and women in signs and symptoms presentation of MI and follow‐up care. A convenience sample of 83 patients (26 women and 57 men) who were diagnosed with MI, mentally competent and haemodynamically stable were used to explore the research questions. An interview guide and chart audit were used to elicit information about initial and associated signs and symptoms and treatment plan of MI patients. Chest pain was the most common initial symptom in both men and women. The four most common associated signs and symptoms reported by both men and women were general weakness, sweating, nausea and fatigue. However, women experienced more general weakness and sweating compared with men. Women were less likely to receive intravenous nitroglycerin, heparin and thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of MI. Chest pain was the initial symptom of MI reported by men and women. Although similarities exist in the associated sings and symptoms, women might experience different associated signs and symptoms from men. Despite these similarities, women are still less likely than men to receive the therapeutic regimen used for men.
Development of palliative care in India: An overview
Authors: Shanmugasundaram Sujatha , Chapman Ysanne , O’Connor Margaret
Published: June 2006

India is a land of ancient civilizations with cities and villages, cultivated fields and works of art dating back 4000 years. Currently, it is sharing the position of the second largest population in the world. Two‐thirds of the population live in rural areas and only one‐third live in urban areas. Because of these disparities in the population locations, the health‐care system faces significant problems of adequate provision in rural areas. A lack of resources, illiteracy, poverty, lack of awareness about the types of available health care make developing palliative‐care services a major challenge in India.
Lake Biwa: Have sustainable development objectives been met?
Authors: Nakamura M.
Published: June 2006

The need to control and manage the effects of urban, industrial and agricultural development on Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, led to the formation of the Lake Biwa Comprehensive Development Project (LBCDP). This article describes the nature and effects of the development, how the LBCDP was conceptualized, implemented and managed, and comments on its effectiveness. Although the basic objective of the project was to promote development of the Keihanshin region by providing additional water, other important objectives included the conservation of the natural environment, the promotion of public welfare, and the restoration of water quality. To achieve objectives on a sustainable basis, extensive political, legislative, social, technological and environmental matters needed comprehensive consideration. This article considers such matters in detail.
Strategies for building partnerships in the context of river basin management: The role of ecotechnology and ecological engineering
Authors: Tundisi J. G. , Straškraba M.
Published: June 2006

The theory of ecosystem management is described and its importance and application to the management of river basins and watersheds is considered. Eleven ecosystem principles and their application within the context of watershed management are discussed. The development of partnerships in river basin management is important. In their development, the research system, public and private sectors, and community participation are seen as key components.
Lake Corangamite, Australia, a permanent saline lake: Conservation and management issues
Authors: Williams W. D.
Published: June 2006

Lake Corangamite in western Victoria, Australia, is the largest permanent lake on the Australian mainland. Its levels and salinities fluctuated naturally until recently. Since about 1960, its major inflow creek has been diverted for management purposes and lake levels have fallen and salinities risen. The changes have been most profound since 1980. Since 1980, salinity has risen from ∼35g/L to >50g/L, water levels have fallen by nearly 2m, and many islands have become peninsulas or have disappeared. The major effect has been a change in the composition of the biota from one that is characteristic of lakes in the region of moderate salinity (>35g/L) to one that is characteristic of more saline lakes (50‐100 g/L). In particular, Austrochiltonia subtenuis (Amphipoda), Coxiella (Gastropoda), Galaxias maculatus (Pisces) and Ruppia (macrophyte) have almost disappeared. The loss of these species has greatly decreased the value of the lake to the avifauna in particular and as a natural resource in general.

The changes to Lake Corangamite resulted largely from the diversion of the inflowing waters from the Woady Yaloak Creek, the major influent stream, into the Barwon River. The diversion scheme, undertaken by the Rural Water Commission of Victoria, was implemented mainly to minimize the possibility of flooding of land adjacent to the lake. The environmental consequences of such diversion were not fully considered. The paper documents the physico‐chemical and biological changes that occurred up to 1992, and discusses issues of conservation and management interest associated with the changes. Changes in the level of Lake Corangamite and associated limnological features accord with the pattern observed in many salt lakes worldwide.
Reservoir system management and environmental flows
Authors: McMahon T. A. , Finlayson B. L.
Published: June 2006

Considerable attention has been paid to the downstream effects of reservoirs on the ecology of rivers, streams and wetlands. However, most reservoirs were constructed well before ecological concerns became prominent. Little attention has been given to the question of what extent existing structures and management systems can accommodate changes. The paper discusses this matter and a range of associated issues. It is concluded that many problems can be rectified by structural means but that such rectification will be very expensive. While based primarily on Australian systems, the conclusions and examination are considered to be globally applicable.
Pollution of Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria, Kenya: A case study for preliminary risk assessment
Authors: Calamari D. , Akech M. O. , Ochumba P. B. O.
Published: June 2006

A preliminary risk assessment was undertaken on the Kenyan part of Lake Victoria to identify the major causes of degradation of water quality. Urban, industrial and agricultural loads were quantified and related to geographical and climatic conditions. A few analyses of persistent contaminants were carried out on fish. Monthly limnological investigations were conducted together with river water quality analyses. Phosphorus loads and consequent eutrophication were identified as the major causes of water quality degradation.
Macrobenthic fauna in Thale Sap Songkla, a brackish lake in southern Thailand
Authors: Angsupanich S. , Kuwabara R.
Published: June 2006

The macrobenthic fauna in Thale Sap Songkhla was investigated at 2–3 month intervals from October 1991 to October 1993. The abundance of the benthic fauna ranged from 53 to 9529 individuals m−2. The abundance and species composition were generally higher during the late southwest monsoon (October) than during the mid‐northeast monsoon (December). One hundred and twenty‐two species belonging to six phyla were found. Three major groups of macrobenthic fauna consisted of 44 species of Polychaeta (36%), 44 species of Crustacea (36%) and 28 species of Mollusca (28%). The other six species (5%) were minor groups belonging mainly to the Nematoda, Oligochaeta, Sipunculida and Pisces (fish larvae). The predominant polychaetes were Diopatra neapolitana and Heteromastus filiformis. Diopatra neapolitana was found only at two stations close to the sea (20–1440 individuals m−2), while H. filiformis was found at all stations (6‐2255 individuals m−2). Apseudes sp. 1 (Tanaidacea), Apanthura africana (Isopoda), Amphipoda (many species) and Eupogebia sp. (Anomura) were the main groups of Crustacea. The most abundant crustacean was Apseudes sp. 1., with a maximum density of 5726 individuals m−2. The dendrogram of Jaccard's coefficient shows two clusters of communities. An increase of polychaetes was observed in the second year of the study.
The application of ecological indicators to assess the ecological condition of a lake
Authors: Jørgensen Sven Erik
Published: June 2006

Application of ecological indicators to assess what is called ecosystem health and ecosystem integrity has gained an increasing interest. The idea is in short to find an index which will account for the most crucial properties of ecosystems. Exergy, the amount of potential work that the system possesses, structural exergy (exergy/biomass) and buffer capacities have, in this paper, been proposed as measures of ecosystem health. The applicability of using these three concepts in practical lake management was investigated in 15 case studies.
Schistosomiasis in the Weija Lake: A case study of the public health importance of man‐made lakes
Authors: Ampofo Joseph Addo , Zuta Prince Charles
Published: June 2006

The Weija lake, located 17 km west of Accra, capital of Ghana, has a shoreline of 48 km. The creation of the Weija lake in 1979 by the Government of Ghana to supply piped water and to support irrigation and fisheries programmes has provided ideal conditions for disease transmission. A survey on schistosomiasis conducted in and around the lake from 1991 to 1992 showed prevalence rates ranging between 25 and 89.4%.

Migration of disease‐infected fishermen and peasant farmers, flaws in resettlement programmes, changes in the flow rate of water, proliferation of water weeds and conditions favouring the growth and development of host snails were found to be responsible for the increasing incidence of schistosomiasis in the lake basin.
Long‐term effect of tourism on the recent upward trend of phosphorus in a shallow alpine lake, Japan
Authors: Yajima Kumikoa
Published: June 2006

The trend of total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in May‐October of the tourist season was analyzed to examine the effect of more than 30 years of tourism on a shallow oligo‐mesotrophic lake, Lake Oze‐Numa. Annual mean TP concentrations increased rapidly at the rate of 11.6%/yr, from 7.5mg/m3 to 14.4 mg/m3 in 1982‐90, and a mesotrophic condition of 23.1 mg/m3 is predicted for the year 2000. TP concentrations at the end of the tourist season were higher than at the beginning due to autumn circulation of the bottom sediment, and correlated with the current year TP loadings from tourists. TP concentrations in May were the lowest for the season, and showed good correlation with previous year concentrations. The recent upward trend of phosphorus concentration was mainly brought about by long‐term tourism because 10% of the TP loading by tourists was estimated to accumulate annually in the water column. Phosphorus reduction measures should be taken urgently in such a shallow lake which now shows an accelerated rate of eutrophication.
Effect of selenium on the growth of some selected green and blue‐green algae
Authors: Abdel‐Hamid Mohammad I. , Skulberg Olav M.
Published: June 2006

An algal assay procedure using microplate technique was carried out to assess the effect of selenium on the growth of some green and blue‐green algae. Sodium selenite pentahydrate (Na2SeO3.5H2O) and selendioxide (Se2O4) were tested as selenium. The test algae were Selenastrum capricornutum, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella sp., Monoraphidium convolutum, Monoraphidium contortum, Monoraphidium griffithii, Anabaena flos‐aquae, Micro‐cystis aeruginosa, and Oscillatoria agardhii. The blue‐green algae are toxin‐producing strains. Cell number and in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence were the growth parameters of green and blue‐green algae respectively. Dose‐response curves quantify the selenium toxicity in terms of EC50. The lowest selenium concentrations giving no detectable growth (EC100) were visually inspected. The test algae showed distinctly different responses to various selenium treatments. Selenium at concentrations < 0.1 mg L−1 stimulates, to varying degrees, the growth of all the green algae with one exception: S. capricornutum was dramatically inhibited at all treatments. O. agardhii, A. flos‐aquae and M. aeruginosa showed marginal growth stimulation up to 0.1 mg Se L−1, 1.0 mg Se L−1 and 3.2 mg Se L−1 respectively. In terms of EC50, the compound selendioxide was more toxic to greens than sodium selenite. The reverse was indicated for the blue‐greens. In general, the EC50 presented a wide range (0.08–7.2 mg Se L−1), with the lowest values reported for S. obliquus and the highest for M. aeruginosa. All the test algae, except S. obliquus, maintained observable growths at higher selenium levels (EC100>1.0<100mg Se L−1).
Abatement of acidification in mining lakes in Germany
Authors: Klapper Helmut , Geller Walter , Schultze Martin
Published: June 2006

Open‐cast lignite mining has exposed formerly anaerobic layers to the air. Pyrite and marcasite are oxidized to sulfuric acid and iron sulfate, which later hydrolyses to iron hydroxide. When the pit is refilled with groundwater, its pH is 2–3. These geogenically acidified mining lakes are brown, with high iron content. Biological conditions differ greatly from those in most natural lakes and resemble those in sulfur‐acidic lakes impaired by acid rain. The usability of these fish‐free lakes is also restricted for recreational purposes.

Neutralization with lime is expensive. The iron‐buffered water has a high base buffering capacity stabilizing at pH 2–4. The complex of potential measures for neutralization comprises: the revegetation of the waste heaps, the hydrological regime and coupled transport processes, the selection of suitable filling water and in‐lake technologies. Desulfurication takes place with sulfidic binding of iron and natural neutralization under locally anaerobic conditions in the reclaimed overburden heaps, in the deep water of mining lakes, in macrophyte stands and in the sediments.

Anaerobic conditions should be established within the lakes during stratification periods: in the hypolimnion of eutrophic or the monimolimnion of meromictic lakes. Acidic lakes often are not sufficiently productive to achieve deep‐water oxygen depletion. Measures to increase the stability of stratification may be necessary, for example by installation of barriers to establish an environment suitable for biological neutralization. Carbon sources for microbial desulfurication may be added artificially or autochthonically produced by primary producers. Therefore, a controlled eutrophication may be useful in the initial filling stages of acidic mining lakes.
Chenderoh Reservoir, Malaysia: The conservation and wise use of fish biodiversity in a small flow‐through tropical reservoir
Authors: Ali Ahyaudin B.
Published: June 2006

Chenderoh Reservoir on the Perak River, Malaysia, is a small tropical reservoir. Being a flow‐through reservoir, the water‐level management and retention time of the reservoir are dependent on the water management schemes of the three upper reservoirs. The fish biodiversity in the reservoir is relatively higher than that shown by areas downstream of the reservoir. Most species found in the downstream area are‘r’strategists in contrast to those in the reservoir where‘K’strategist species are more abundant. Biodiversity is higher in the reservoir possibly due to the higher number of niches available through the inundation of the shoreline and the creation of various coves and bays. There is, however, a reduction in biodiversity in the reservoir over time. This reduction could be due to environmental perturbation caused by land‐use activities along the shoreline of the reservoir. Although the fish standing stock is relatively low, small artisanal fisheries exist in the reservoir supporting the local communities. In order to maintain sustainability of the fisheries, the local fishers have been practising community‐based management since the early 1980s and prior to the official enactment of the Perak State Fisheries Riverine Rules. In general, because of the sensitivity of tropical reservoirs to environmental perturbation as well as limited living space created by the existence of a permanent thermocline, tropical reservoirs should be properly managed so as to protect and maintain their biodiversity and sustainability through wise use of the aquatic resources.
The invasive capacity of water chestnut as shown in the management of a natural population in Lago di Candia
Authors: Galanti G. , Esposito A. Topa
Published: June 2006

The growth and production of the annual floating‐leaved water chestnut (Trapa natans) were studied during summer 1993 at three sites at Lago di Candia (Northern Italy). These sites were subjected to different levels of harvesting from 1986 to 1992. Site USD was the unharvested control site; site 30S was harvested in alternate years (1987, 1989 and 1991); site 30D was harvested every year from 1986 onwards (except 1989) and moreover was sown during 1990, 1991 and 1992 with 8, 4 and 4 seeds/m2, respectively. Despite differences in seed density in the sediment, reflecting different harvesting and sowing practices, neither the biomass of water chestnut nor the fruit production were statistically different in the three sites although the production of buds, flowers and fertilized ovaries was higher at site 30D. In this site, where the plant density was four times lower, water chestnut increased the number of rosettes per plant two to fourfold. This productivity increased the population's invasive capacity. In Lago di Candia, water chestnut grows to 3 m in depth and it competes successfully with hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) in the littoral zone.