bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial: How is the money to combat human trafficking spent?
Authors: Dottridge Mike
Published: October 2014

This Issue—Following the Money: Spending on anti-traffickingThis edition of the Anti-Trafficking Review explores what happens to the money that is allocated by governments and private donors to stop human trafficking and to assist people who have been trafficked.It has been an honour to play the role of guest editor, though it has not been easy to steer a route between amazement (at the sums apparently involved), concern (at the lack of real insight into how money is allocated and spent) and cynicism (at what appear to be rather modest achievements).It was challenging for potential authors to choose a method of analysing anti-trafficking spending. Should they simply describe what money is available and the drawbacks of the ways which donors make it available to organisations to use? Some authors take this descriptive approach. Should articles be about the efficiency and effectiveness of aid flows in general, in which case the shortcomings in anti-trafficking funding may mirror the generic flaws in aid flows? Only one author (Ucnikova) has tackled this. Or, should studies focus on the way the purse strings are controlled by a small number of donors who appear poorly informed about the needs of trafficked persons or the factors that cause them to be trafficked? Several of the articles touch on this (e.g. those of Hoff and Nwogu).Early on, it became apparent to the editorial team that people working for large organisations with anti-trafficking programmes were wary of contributing articles on this topic. In this sense, although the Anti-Trafficking Review aims to promote public debate, we have not yet found the best way of opening up a debate about funding, for practitioners evidently fear that writing about their own sources of funding could result in the tap being turned off! So, it is mainly the Debate section that tackles the question of funding strategies. Even these contributions do not make assessments of the various actors involved (donors and the organisations they fund) in as full and frank a way as is needed.The articles in this edition represent a start on the topic of anti-trafficking funding, but a great deal remains to be explored.
OECD and Modern Slavery: How much aid money is spent to tackle the issue?
Authors: Ucnikova Martina
Published: October 2014

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) donor countries spend millions of dollars each year on programmes to end modern slavery across the globe. Exactly how much is spent, however, has previously been unclear. The Walk Free Foundation has conducted research to estimate how much these countries are spending.This article examines international spending on modern slavery programmes by twelve OECD countries, explores how countries report on modern slavery funding and, ultimately, hopes to serve as a building block for broader discussions about donor spending on anti-slavery initiatives.A major finding of the article is that between 2003 and 2012, donor countries contributed a combined average of USD 124 million annually, predominantly funding projects in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.La OCDE y las formas modernas de esclavitud: ¿cuánta ayuda monetaria se destina a afrontar el problema?ResumenTodos los años, los países donantes de la Organización de Cooperación y Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE) gastan millones de dólares en programas destinados a acabar con las formas modernas de esclavitud en todo el mundo; no obstante, la cantidad exacta de este gasto no ha quedado clara hasta la fecha. La Walk Free Foundation ha llevado a cabo una investigación destinada a calcular cuánto están gastando estos países.Este artículo analiza el gasto internacional en programas relacionados con las formas modernas de esclavitud realizado por doce países de la OCDE, analiza cómo informan los países acerca de la financiación en esta materia y, en última instancia, tiene la esperanza de servir como piedra angular para generar debates a mayor escala acerca del gasto de los donantes en iniciativas contra la esclavitud.Uno de los mayores descubrimientos del artículo es que, entre 2003 y 2012, los países donantes aportaron una media combinada de 124 millones de dólares anuales, destinados en su mayoría a financiar proyectos en el sureste de Asia, en el este de Europa y en el África subsahariana.
Adverse effects and intoxications related to medicinal/harmful plants
Authors: VONČINA Mateja , BARIČEVIČ Dea , BRVAR Miran
Published: October 2014

Many wild plants around us have beneficial effects on our body and can be used as food. People are more and more interested in the medicinal plants. Many of them began gathering and preparing plants for the relief of symptoms of diseases or as a food dietary. Due to the lack of knowledge of plants, mistaking plants that contain toxins for medical plants may happen and cause adverse effects or even poisoning. The Poison Control Centre in Ljubljana keeps records of patients who have been admitted to the department because of adverse effects from the ingestion of certain plants. We analysed 64 cases, which were registered by the Poison Control Centre between January 2000 and December 2013. The aim of the present study was to determine which plants cause the most intoxications in Slovenia.
Alpha-Band Hypersynchronization in Progressive Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Magnetoencephalography Study
Authors: López María Eugenía , Bruña Ricardo , Aurtenetxe Sara , Pineda-Pardo José Ángel , Marcos Alberto , Arrazola Juan , Reinoso Ana Isabel , Montejo Pedro , Bajo Ricardo , Maestú Fernando
Published: October 2014

People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show a high risk to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD; Petersen et al., 2001). Nonetheless, there is a lack of studies about how functional connectivity patterns may distinguish between progressive (pMCI) and stable (sMCI) MCI patients. To examine whether there were differences in functional connectivity between groups, MEG eyes-closed recordings from 30 sMCI and 19 pMCI subjects were compared. The average conversion time of pMCI was 1 year, so they were considered as fast converters. To this end, functional connectivity in different frequency bands was assessed with phase locking value in source space. Then the significant differences between both groups were correlated with neuropsychological scores and entorhinal, parahippocampal, and hippocampal volumes. Both groups did not differ in age, gender, or educational level. pMCI patients obtained lower scores in episodic and semantic memory and also in executive functioning. At the structural level, there were no differences in hippocampal volume, although some were found in left entorhinal volume between both groups. Additionally, pMCI patients exhibit a higher synchronization in the alpha band between the right anterior cingulate and temporo-occipital regions than sMCI subjects. This hypersynchronization was inversely correlated with cognitive performance, both hippocampal volumes, and left entorhinal volume. The increase in phase synchronization between the right anterior cingulate and temporo-occipital areas may be predictive of conversion from MCI to AD.
Distinct Roles for Alpha- and Beta-Band Oscillations during Mental Simulation of Goal-Directed Actions
Authors: Brinkman Loek , Stolk Arjen , Dijkerman H. Chris , de Lange Floris P. , Toni Ivan
Published: October 2014

Rhythmic neural activity within the alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (15–25 Hz) frequency bands is modulated during actual and imagined movements. Changes in these rhythms provide a mechanism to select relevant neuronal populations, although the relative contributions of these rhythms remain unclear. Here we use MEG to investigate changes in oscillatory power while healthy human participants imagined grasping a cylinder oriented at different angles. This paradigm allowed us to study the neural signals involved in the simulation of a movement in the absence of signals related to motor execution and sensory reafference. Movement selection demands were manipulated by exploiting the fact that some object orientations evoke consistent grasping movements, whereas others are compatible with both overhand and underhand grasping. By modulating task demands, we show a functional dissociation of the alpha- and beta-band rhythms. As movement selection demands increased, alpha-band oscillatory power increased in the sensorimotor cortex ipsilateral to the arm used for imagery, whereas beta-band power concurrently decreased in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex. The same pattern emerged when motor imagery trials were compared with a control condition, providing converging evidence for the functional dissociation of the two rhythms. These observations call for a re-evaluation of the role of sensorimotor rhythms. We propose that neural oscillations in the alpha-band mediate the allocation of computational resources by disengaging task-irrelevant cortical regions. In contrast, the reduction of neural oscillations in the beta-band is directly related to the disinhibition of neuronal populations involved in the computations of movement parameters.
Munc13-3 Superprimes Synaptic Vesicles at Granule Cell-to-Basket Cell Synapses in the Mouse Cerebellum
Authors: Ishiyama Shimpei , Schmidt Hartmut , Cooper Benjamin H. , Brose Nils , Eilers Jens
Published: October 2014

Munc13-3 is a presynaptic protein implicated in vesicle priming that is strongly expressed in cerebellar granule cells (GCs). Mice deficient of Munc13-3 (Munc13-3−/−) show an increased paired-pulse ratio (PPR), which led to the hypothesis that Munc13-3 increases the release probability (pr) of vesicles. In the present study, we analyzed unitary synaptic connections between GCs and basket cells in acute cerebellar slices from wild-type andMunc13-3−/−mice. Unitary EPSCs recorded fromMunc13-3−/−GCs showed normal kinetics and synaptic latency but a significantly increased PPR and fraction of synaptic failures. A quantal analysis revealed that neither the charge of single quanta nor the binominal parameterNwere affected by loss of Munc13-3 but thatprwas almost halved inMunc13-3−/−. Neither presynaptic Ca2+influx was affected by deletion of Munc13-3 nor replenishment of the readily releasable vesicle pool. However, a high concentration of EGTA led to a reduction in EPSCs that was significantly stronger inMunc13-3−/−. We conclude that Munc13-3 is responsible for an additional step of molecular and/or positional “superpriming” that substantially increases the efficacy of Ca2+-triggered release.
Endothelial cells and the IGF system
Authors: Bach Leon A
Published: October 2014

Endothelial cells line blood vessels and modulate vascular tone, thrombosis, inflammatory responses and new vessel formation. They are implicated in many disease processes including atherosclerosis and cancer. IGFs play a significant role in the physiology of endothelial cells by promoting migration, tube formation and production of the vasodilator nitric oxide. These actions are mediated by the IGF1 and IGF2/mannose 6-phosphate receptors and are modulated by a family of high-affinity IGF binding proteins. IGFs also increase the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells, which may contribute to protection from atherosclerosis. IGFs promote angiogenesis, and dysregulation of the IGF system may contribute to this process in cancer and eye diseases including retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy. In some situations, IGF deficiency appears to contribute to endothelial dysfunction, whereas IGF may be deleterious in others. These differences may be due to tissue-specific endothelial cell phenotypes or IGFs having distinct roles in different phases of vascular disease. Further studies are therefore required to delineate the therapeutic potential of IGF system modulation in pathogenic processes.
Ten-year evaluation of a Neonatal Screening Program for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Nascimento Marilza Leal , Cristiano Anísia Nhelety Baptista , Campos Tatiane de , Ohira Masanao , Cechinel Edson , Simoni Genoir , Lee Juliana van de Sande , Linhares Rose Marie Muller , Silva Paulo Cesar Alves da
Published: October 2014

Objective Evaluate the Neonatal Screening Program (NSP) for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) of the Department of Health of the State of Santa Catarina (Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de Santa Catarina, SES/SC), and provide information to improve the program. Subjects and methods Descriptive, retrospective study of 748,395 children screened between January 2001 and December 2010. We analyzed the coverage of the NSP-SES/SC prevalence of CAH, child’s age when the first sample for 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) measurement was collected, levels of 17OHP, mean age at treatment onset and main clinical manifestations. Results The NSP-SES/SC covered 89% of the live newborns in the State. It diagnosed 50 cases of CAH, yielding an incidence of 1:14,967. Mean age at collection of the first sample was 7.3 days and mean level of 17OHP was 152.9 ng/mL. The most frequent manifestations were virilized genitalia with nonpalpable gonads, clitoromegaly and genital hyperpigmentation. In three girls, the genre established at birth was incorrect. The salt-wasting form was present in 74% of the cases. There was no occurrence of shock or death. Mean age at treatment onset in the salt-wasting form was 17.4 days compared with 54.9 days in those without the salt-wasting form of the disease. All children were treated with hydrocortisone, and those with salt-wasting CAH were also treated with fludrocortisone. Conclusions The incidence of CAH was 1 case to 14,967 live newborns. Collection of the first sample occurred outside the recommended time, resulting in delays in treatment onset.
Barreiras percebidas por médicos do Distrito Federal para a promoção da alimentação saudável
Authors: Oliveira Kathleen Sousa , Silva Denise Oliveira e , Souza Wayner Vieira de
Published: October 2014

Objetivo: Analisar quais são as barreiras enfrentadas pelos médicos do Distrito Federal para realizar a promoção da alimentação saudável. Métodos: Foram considerados dados dos médicos que participaram da pesquisa "Promoção da Alimentação Saudável no SUS-DF: conhecimento, atitudes e práticas", conduzida pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) em 2008. Examinaram-se os dados referentes às características demográficas e profissionais, bem como as barreiras percebidas. A determinação dos tipos de barreiras foi feita por análise de componentes principais. Resultados: A maioria dos médicos participantes da pesquisa era composta por mulheres (61%) com idade média de 45 anos e média de atividade profissional de 18,7 anos. A análise resultou em uma solução de 4 componentes e que correspondeu a uma explicação de 59% da variância total: (i) barreiras socioculturais dos usuários, (ii) barreiras relacionadas ao processo gerencial; (iii) barreiras de estrutura do serviço de saúde; e (iv) barreiras educacionais e de comunicação. Conclusão: As barreiras que limitam a promoção da alimentação saudável pelos profissionais de saúde são múltiplas e complexas. Os resultados demonstram que o usuário, em última instância, traduz a dificuldade de promover a sua saúde. Ou seja, os médicos consideram a cultura e as condições sociais como barreiras para a promoção da alimentação saudável. A capacidade do processo gerencial do serviço de saúde também parece contribuir para isso. Desse modo, investimentos em materiais educacionais, treinamento e infraestrutura para a promoção da alimentação saudável, aliados a um aprimoramento na formação médica, são recomendações importantes para a superação dessas barreiras.
Cargas elevadas de treinamento alteram funções cognitivas em jogadores de futebol
Authors: Matos Felipe de Oliveira , Samulski Dietmar Martin , Lima Jorge Roberto Perrout de , Prado Luciano Sales
Published: October 2014

INTRODUÇÃO: No esporte de rendimento, altas cargas de treinamento são necessárias para que ocorram adaptações biológicas que levem ao aprimoramento da forma física e do desempenho esportivo.OBJETIVO: Investigar o comportamento de variáveis psicológicas e fisiológicas, possíveis indicadores dos estados de estresse e recuperação, em jogadores de futebol ao longo da temporada esportiva, e a possibilidade da utilização desses como marcadores dos estados de treinabilidade dos atletas para prevenir quedas do desempenho e o overtraining.MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 14 jogadores de futebol (18,4 ± 0,6 anos, 9,64 ± 1,61 % com gordura e VO2máx49,46 ± 2,88 ml/kg/min) da categoria júnior de uma equipe de primeira divisão do Brasil. Foram monitorados a percepção de estresse e a recuperação por meio do questionário RESTQ-Sport, a variabilidade de frequência cardíaca (VFC) de repouso, analisada no domínio do tempo e da frequência, e o tempo de reação simples. Efetuaram-se três coletas de dados, um controle (C), outra após quatro semanas de treinamentos intensos (T1), e finalmente depois de quatro semanas de treinamentos leves (T2) realizados após T1.RESULTADOS: Não foi encontrada diferença significativa em nenhuma das escalas do RESTQ-Sport e na VFC nos três momentos de coletas. O tempo de reação simples apresentou um aumento significativo(p = 0,047) em T1 em relação a C.CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados indicam que o tempo de reação foi a única variável sensível às alterações do treinamento estudado, podendo ser considerado um bom indicador da treinabilidade dos atletas.
Experimental investigation on the use of steel-concrete bond tests for estimating axial compressive strength of concrete. Part 2: APULOT
Authors: Silva B. V. , Barbosa M. P. , Silva Filho L. C. P. , Lorrain M. S.
Published: October 2014

The scope of this research investigates the feasibility to use steel-concrete bond tests for estimating the compressive strength of concrete to supplementary use it in the quality control of reinforced concrete. Lorrain and Barbosa (2008)[1] and Lorrain et al. (2011)[2] justify the use of a modified bond test, called APULOT, to estimate the compressive strength of concrete, thereby increasing the possibilities for the technological control of reinforced concrete at construction sites. They propose an adaptation of the traditional pull-out test (POT) method, standardized by CEB/FIP RC6:1983[3], as this is a low complexity test with the advantage of reduced costs. The use of the APULOT test as a technological control test of concrete at construction sites requires determining a standard and also adapting it from the experimental laboratory practice to the field. The first part of this work evaluated the potential to perform compressive strength estimates from the bond strength data obtained by the POT test. The second part of this paper will present and discuss the test results achieved by the APULOT method. Two concrete compositions of different classes (25 MPa and 45 MPa) were tested at 3, 7 and 28 days. Ribbed bar specimens (nominal diameters of 8, 10 and 12.5 mm) were also used in the preparation stage of the specimens, totaling 144 APULOT tests. The results show that under standard test conditions, the correlation between the maximum bond strength and the compressive strength of concrete is satisfactory at all ages tested, corroborating the objective of consolidating this test as a complementary alternative for controlling the quality of reinforced concrete.
A regulação das águas no semi-árido baiano
Authors: Santos Elisabete , Rossi Renata
Published: October 2014

Este trabalho discute as formas de articulação entre os instrumentos de comando e controle (C&C) e instrumentos econômicos (I&E) no âmbito da política de recursos hídricos implementada por instituições financeiras bilaterais, como o Banco Mundial, nas bacias hidrográficas do Salitre e do Itapicuru no semi-árido brasileiro. Este trabalho explicita, ainda, as motivações da escolha do semi-árido baiano para a implementação de uma política das águas por parte do Banco Mundial, sua estratégia de intervenção para esta região e os modos de reestruturação das esferas pública e privada decorrentes de sua implementação. O texto discute a hipótese de que a política implementada subordina os instrumentos de comando e controle aos instrumentos econômicos, atribuindo ao mercado o principal papel de regulação das águas. Este novo padrão de gestão coloca como principal desafio o risco de agravamento das condições sócio-ambientais em uma região que se caracteriza pela extrema escassez de recursos hídricos, grandes índices de pobreza e baixa capacidade de organização social. Adicionalmente, a incorporação dos usuários no processo de gestão em um contexto de baixo nível de organização social, particularmente dos segmentos sociais que defendem interesses coletivos e difusos, poderá resultar na privatização da espera pública, desvirtuando, assim, os princípios que associam descentralização e democratização.
Effectiveness of ammonia removal by recirculating sand filters
Authors: McAllister Charles D. , Youngblood Ortiz Alisha , Southards Timothy J.
Published: October 2014

This study examines the ability of in-service domestic wastewater treatment facilities, as opposed to controllable laboratory experiments, to remove ammonia utilising recirculating sand filters (RSFs). Permitted facilities in Missouri, USA, are required to regularly sample, analyse and report discharged water quality. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources stores the results in a central database, which was queried and analysed to assess the performance of these facilities in both the summer and winter seasons and to determine if a correlation exists between ammonia removal and flow capacity. The RSFs were found to discharge ammonia under 44 mg/l 95% of the time in winter and under 30 mg/l in summer. No correlation between performance and flow was found. The results of the study suggest that RSF technology is presently unable to treat ammonia in domestic wastewater to meet acceptable water quality standards for surface discharge.
Assessment of field fluorometers
Authors: Gutierrez A. , Zhang Y. , Assaad A. , France X. , Adouani N. , Pons M. N.
Published: October 2014

Two field fluorometers, devoted either to natural organic matter (NOM) or to tryptophan-like fluorescing substances, were tested for the characterization of a large set of water samples (n = 263) impacted to various degrees by untreated or poorly treated urban sewage. Both fluorometers yielded consistent results when testing discrete samples. A nonlinear correlation (coefficient of determination = 0.98) was found between the tryptophan concentration given by the tryptophan field fluorometer and the fluorescence intensity given by a bench-top fluorometer (excitation = 285 nm, emission = 335 nm), corresponding to tryptophan-like fluorescing substances. A linear correlation with a mediocre coefficient of determination (0.63) was found between the NOM concentration given by the NOM field fluorometer and the fluorescence intensity given by the bench-top fluorometer (excitation = 355 nm, emission = 405 nm). This could be related to the diversity of NOM present, as illustrated by the different shapes of synchronous fluorescence spectra collected for the same samples.
Comparative analysis of the outflow water quality of two sustainable linear drainage systems
Authors: Andrés-Valeri V. C. , Castro-Fresno D. , Sañudo-Fontaneda L. A. , Rodriguez-Hernandez J.
Published: October 2014

Three different drainage systems were built in a roadside car park located on the outskirts of Oviedo (Spain): two sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), a swale and a filter drain; and one conventional drainage system, a concrete ditch, which is representative of the most frequently used roadside drainage system in Spain. The concentrations of pollutants were analyzed in the outflow of all three systems in order to compare their capacity to improve water quality. Physicochemical water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity and total petroleum hydrocarbons were monitored and analyzed for 25 months. Results are presented in detail showing significantly smaller amounts of outflow pollutants in SUDS than in conventional drainage systems, especially in the filter drain which provided the best performance.
Vegetation effects on anammox spatial distribution and nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands treated with domestic sewage
Authors: Wang Ling , Li Tian
Published: October 2014

In this study, two horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (CWs) (planted and unplanted) were constructed and compared to investigate the effects of vegetation on nitrogen removal and anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) spatial distribution and enrichment. Calamus (Acorus calamus L.), which has a large root system, was selected as the vegetation. Removal of total nitrogen from the planted wetland was much higher than that from the unplanted one. Radial oxygen loss from calamus provided the planted wetland with better oxygen restoration ability, benefitting ammonium removal in the CW, especially when anammox was inhibited under winter temperatures. Enrichment of anammox bacteria in planted wetlands was much greater than that in unplanted ones. The greatest enrichment of anammox bacteria occurred in the middle layer, which had a better anaerobic environment and moderate root system. The reduced rate of metabolism in plants during winter led to a sharp decrease in anammox bacteria copy numbers in the planted wetland. Under cold temperature, the degree of enrichment with anammox bacteria in the planted wetland was similar to or slightly superior to that in the unplanted wetland.
Effects of sodium silicate, calcium carbonate, and silicic acid on ammonium nitrate degradation, and analytical investigations of the degradation process on an industrial scale
Authors: Gezerman Ahmet , Çorbacıoğlu Burcu
Published: October 2014

Ammonium nitrate is an inorganic chemical that has numerous applications in
different industries. However, various problems are associated with both the
production and subsequent storage of ammonium nitrate, including caking,
degradation, unwanted phase transition, and recrystallization. Although
several methods have been developed to attempt to solve these problems, many
of them fail to work in practice. In this study, different compounds
including silicic acid and sodium silicate were added to slow the progress of
or to prevent the degradation of ammonium nitrate. Multiple instrumental
analyses such as ion chromatography and scanning electron microscopy were
used to monitor the degradation process.
Clinical significance of soluble Fas plasma levels in patients with sepsis
Authors: Mikic Dragan , Vasilijic Sasa , Cucuz Milica , Colic Miodrag
Published: October 2014

Background/Aim. The goal of modern clinical and experimental researches in
the field of sepsis is to find one or more sensitive parameters that could
predict the severity of sepsis and its outcome. In this study we investigated
and compared the relationship of initial soluble Fas (sFas) plasma levels as
well as Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II)
score in 58 septic patients with severity and outcome of sepsis. Methods. The
diagnosis and assessment of disease severity was performed on the same day,
based on clinical and laboratory parameters. The blood samples were used for
monitoring of laboratory standard parameters necessary for the diagnosis of
sepsis, organ dysfunction and assessment of disease severity, as well as for
determination of levels of sFas. According to consensus criteria, patients
were divided into those with sepsis (n = 16), severe sepsis (n = 30) or
septic shock (n = 12), those with (n = 26) and without (n = 32) multiple
organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and survivors (n = 45) and non-survivors
(n = 13). Results. Plasma sFas level (9.7 ? 10.1; 0-44.2 U/mL) was elevated
in 54.4% of patients. All the patients with septic shock, 76.9% of the
patients with MODS and 84.6% patients who died had elevated sFas level. We
observed a strong positive correlation between sFas and APACHE II score (p <
0.001). The level of sFas was significantly higher in patients with septic
shock compared to normotensive patients (p < 0.001), patients with MODS
compared to those without MODS (p < 0.001) and survivors compared to
nonsurvivors (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Our results suggest that initial sFas
plasma levels in patients with sepsis correlated with the values of APACHE II
score and separated very well the patients with septic shock versus the
normotensive patients, the patients with and without MODS, and survivors
versus non-survivors.
Electrophysical and structure-sensitive properties of liquid Ga–In alloys
Authors: Plevachuk Yuriy , Sklyarchuk Vasyl , Shevchenko Natalia , Eckert Sven
Published: October 2014

The broad interest in the thermophysical properties of gallium-based melts is stimulated by their extensive use in various applications, such as sliding contacts, heat-sensitive elements of liquid-metal thermometers and thermocouples, carrier liquid for conducting magnetic fluids and the working medium for physical modeling in solidification and magnetohydrodynamic studies. The electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, viscosity, density and thermoelectric power were determined for different alloy compositions in a wide temperature range below and above the liquidus. Respective scaling relations are proposed. A comparison with data available in literature is given.
Resistance, Martyrdom and Death in Mahmoud Darwish's Poetry
Authors: Hamzah Hussain
Published: October 2014

Struggle, personal sacrifice and death play significant roles in Palestinian poetry – a poetry of national struggle whose poets are driven to defend the existence of people and land by way of a fighting poetry which serves as a resistance to occupation. This article traces the evolution of the motifs of resistance and death in the poetry of Palestinian Mahmoud Darwish. It distinguishes between two main types of death in Darwish's poetry; these are collective death, which the author expresses by way of his people's experiences with death, and individual death, as reflected in the poet's own experience with death. The articleexplores each of these types and analyses their conceptual evolution. It shows how the changes which occurred in this motif are reflected in the poetic forms used by Darwish. In this paper we aim to show that Darwish's view of death is multi-faceted and takes into account chronological and geographical, as well as personal aspects. His attitude towards death is complex and is not limited to the ideological aspect. The paper provides a comprehensive investigation into this multiplicity in Darwish's poetry
‘Sometimes you need to think outside their boxes’: An Examination of the Voice of Black Minority Ethnic Women in Post-Devolution Scotland
Authors: Casserly Josephine
Published: October 2014

This article explores the voice of black minority ethnic (BME) women in devolved Scotland. Particular attention is given to examining multicultural policies and devolved political processes and how these impact on the position of BME women in the political life of Scotland.

The study is based on secondary analysis of existing survey and focus group data, and primary data drawn from qualitative interviews conducted with a sample of respondents from political and non-governmental organisations.

Drawing on feminist theories of multiculturalism, culture is perceived as dynamic and contested and the research depicts BME women as agents engaged in shaping Scotland and their own cultures. The findings show that devolution has created a political opportunity structure more favourable to the voices of BME women. However, this voice remains quiet and is limited by barriers within and outside of BME communities. The research also highlights the role of third sector organisations in enabling the voice of BME women. The author concludes by arguing that successive devolved governments’ promotion of multiculturalism in Scotland has benefited BME women but with important limitations.
Suzanne R. Kunkel, J. Scott Brown and Frank J. Whittington. (2014). Global Aging: Comparative Perspectives on Aging and the Life Course. New York: Springer, 311 pp. ISBN: 978 0 8261 0546 2 (pbk)
Authors: Gilleard Chris
Published: October 2014

Not Available
COLLOID RELEASE FROM DIFFERENT SOIL DEPTH
Authors: Chen Gang , Niu Yue , Wang Boya , Tawfiq Kamal
Published: October 2014

Naturally occurring clay colloidal particles are heavily involved in sediment processes in the subsurface soil. Due to the importance of these processes in the subsurface environment, the transport of clay colloidal particles has been studied in several disciplines, including soil sciences, petrology, hydrology, etc. Specifically, in environmental engineering, clay colloid release and transport in the sediments have been extensively investigated, which are motivated by environmental concerns such as colloid-facilitated contaminant transport in groundwater and the subsurface soil. Clay colloid release is resulted from physical alteration of subsurface sediments. Despite the potential importance of clay colloid activities, the detailed mechanisms of release and transport of clay colloidal particles within natural sediments are poorly understood. Pore medium structure, properties and flow dynamics, etc. are factors that affect clay colloid generation, mobilization, and subsequent transport. Possible mechanisms of clay colloid generation in the sediments include precipitation, erosion and mobilization by changes in pore water chemistry and clay colloid release depends on a balance of applied hydrodynamic and resisting adhesive torques and forces. The coupled role of pore water chemistry and fluid hydrodynamics thus play key roles in controlling clay colloid release and transport in the sediments. This paper investigated clay colloidal particle release and transport, especially the colloidal particle release mechanisms as well as the process modeling in the sediments. In this research, colloidal particle release from intact sediment columns with variable length was examined and colloidal particle release curves were simulated using an implicit, finite-difference scheme. Colloidal particle release rate coefficient was found to be an exponential function of the sediment depth. The simulated results demonstrated that transport parameters were not consistent along the depth of the sediment profile.
VERIFICATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN GEOMETRY ON THE NOCTURNAL HEAT ISLAND INTENSITY
Authors: Nakata Camila Mayumi , Souza Léa Cristina Lucas de
Published: October 2014

Nocturnal heat island formation is a prominent phenomenon in urban planning research and thermal comfort. It is characterized by an increased air temperature from the periphery to the center of the cities and is partly caused by the urban geometry. The phenomenon is a result of the influence of the characteristics of urbanization, which alter the energy balance of the cities. Among surveys in this context, the model proposed by Oke (1981) shows its relevance in the area. Using simulations with reduced models, Oke found that the fraction of visible sky negatively correlated with the heat buildup on the surfaces and increased the air temperature. The relationship between the height of the buildings and the width of the path (H/W ratio, height/width) was used to measure the urban geometry in this previous study. Based on that study, this research verified the role of geometry in the formation of an urban heat island in a Brazilian city, aiming to adapt this model to real urban conditions. The methodological procedures rely on the following steps: a study of a theoretical-numerical base model (Oke model, 1981) and adjustment (validation). Thus, the methodology to be employed included urban data collection, which included urban geometry and air temperature, the application of the Oke model and its adjustment. The results found in this investigation corroborate the study of Oke (1981) and demonstrate that urban geometry effectively contributes to the formation of nocturnal heat islands.
Effectiveness of teaching International Caries Detection and Assessment System II and its e-learning program to freshman dental students on occlusal caries detection
Authors: El-Damanhoury Hatem M. , Fakhruddin Kausar Sadia , Awad Manal A.
Published: October 2014

Objective: To assess the feasibility of teaching International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II and its e-learning program as tools for occlusal caries detection to freshmen dental students in comparison to dental graduates with 2 years of experience. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four freshmen and 32 dental graduates examined occlusal surfaces of molars/premolars (n = 72) after a lecture and a hands-on workshop. The same procedure was repeated after 1 month following the training with ICDAS II e-learning program. Validation of ICDAS II codes was done histologically. Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of ICDAS II severity scores were assessed before and after e-learning using (Fleiss's kappa). Results: The kappa values showed inter-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.53 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 1) to 0.70 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 3) by undergraduates and 0.69 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 1) to 0.95 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 3) by graduates. The inter-examiner reproducibility ranged from 0.64 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 1) to 0.89 (ICDAS II code cut off ≥ 3). No statistically significant difference was found between both groups in intra-examiner agreements for assessing ICDAS II codes. A high statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) in correct identification of codes 1, 2, and 4 from before to after e-learning were observed in both groups. The bias indices for the undergraduate group were higher than those of the graduate group. Conclusions: Early exposure of students to ICDAS II is a valuable method of teaching caries detection and its e-learning program significantly improves their caries diagnostic skills.
Can surface residue alleviate water and heat stress?
Authors: Wang H. , Gan Y. , Brandt K. , He Y. , Qin X. , Li Z.
Published: October 2014

Wang, H., Gan, Y., Brandt, K., He, Y., Qin, X. and Li, Z. 2015. Can surface residue alleviate water and heat stress? Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 197–200. Surface-placed residue increased the near soil surface moisture and reduced root heat stress. The improved micro environment resulted in greater root length for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus) and 34, 8 and 8% higher yield, 7, 52 and 20% more straw and 7, 5, and 7.5 cm taller than the non-residue check for wheat, canola and dry pea (Pisum sativum), respectively.
Radial trends of wood density and components in Pinus nigra Arn. of Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Rodríguez Trobajo E. , Ortega Quero M.
Published: October 2014

Radial trends of wood density, earlywood density, latewood density and latewood proportion in Pinus nigra Arn. are fitted in juvenile wood and mature wood by means of a cubic-linear segmented regression model. This method allows to compare radial trends and to estimate the transition age between juvenile and mature wood. Latewood density and latewood proportion determine wood density and peculiar technologic characteristics of European black pine wood. None significant effect are found between two analyzed provenances (Serranía de Cuenca and Sierras de Cazorla-Segura), but some differences between sites were related to genetic or environmental factors. Site index has a more significant influence on wood density and latewood proportion than earlywood density and latewood density. This unknown effect in bibliography is discussed and the importance of latewood proportion on radial and axial wood patterns is showed.
Characterization and analysis of climatic signal in chronologies of Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus robur L. in the central Cantabrian region, Spain
Authors: Rozas V.
Published: October 2014

In this work, the climatic responses of three beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and three oak (Quercus robur L.) tree-ring chronologies in the central Cantabrian region, were analyzed. Regional temperature and precipitation data, and the climatic teleconnection indices of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), were used as climatic predictors. Very similar interannual ring-width variability among chronologies of different species and localities was displayed. Chronologies of the same species and similar altitudes showed the highest cross-correlations, which were significant at widest timescales. Periodic signals of a variety of frequencies that coincided with signals characteristic of NAO indices, were discovered in the chronologies. Between 52 to 64% of growth variance was explained by regional climate, while 13 to 27% was related to monthly NAO indices. High summer temperatures in the year prior to ring formation and low winter temperatures limited beech growth at altitudes over 700 m. Oak radial growth at lower altitudes was limited by high spring temperatures in the previous year and summer drought in the year the ring was formed. Growth of both species displayed negative relationship with winter NAO indices, in the previous year for beech and in the current year for oak. Moreover, oak exhibited a negative correlation with NAO indices in the late summer of previous year. The obtained results suggest that more exhaustive research, regarding the characterization of radial growth and the analysis of its climatic response along the complete Cantabrian region, is required.
Estimation of above-ground biomass in shrubland ecosystems of southern Spain
Authors: Navarro Cerrillo R. Mª. , Blanco Oyonarte P.
Published: October 2014

Although forest biomass estimates are vital for estimating carbon fluxes, the database for estimating the biomass or carbon pool in Mediterranean shrub ecosystems is lacking. This paper reports the above-ground phytomass estimates obtained for shrub ecosystems in Southern Spain. The phytomass values obtained were 1143 g m–2 for heath, 447 g m–2 for rock rose thicket-heath, 788 g m–2 for rock rose thicket and 1404 g m–2 for gorse thicket formations; the corresponding values for bushes were 695 g m–2 for mancha phytomass and 1966 g m–2 for Pistacia lentiscus formations. The photosynthetic-to-total phytomass ratio ranged from 0.156 for mancha highbush to 0.213 in rock rose thickets, with a mean value of 0.187 for the study ecosystems as a whole. The estimates of sequestered carbon differed between the shrub-type ecosystems in the interval between 2.23 t ha–1 for Cistus ladanifer to 9.83 t ha–1 for Pistacia lentiscus. A better understanding of biomass in Mediterranean shrub communities will provide useful information on the growth pattern of these species, biomass mapping, remote sensing and regional estimations of primary productivity in these areas.
Effects of prescribed fire on heaath in soil properties
Authors: Afif Khouri E. , Oliveira Prendes J. A.
Published: October 2014

The edaphic factors have been evaluated in a sloping segment of 2,68 ha of the «Tuña» woodland municipality of Tineo, affected for descending controlled burns of Erica and Ulex with a yield of 1,5 ha h-1. The soil alterations, immediately after the controlled burns and to the 7, 30 and 90 day, took place to 0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 cm of depth, showing the existence of a temporary increment of the soil fertility (increase of C, N, K, Ca, Mg and specially of available P). Immediately after the fire, clay fraction diminished and sand it increased and vice versa to the 7, 30 and 90 days of the controlled burns. The increase of soil fertility after the fire it could be taken advantage for the quick establishment of a vegetal cover due to the regrowth of the burned vegetation.
Prescribe fire use to establish fire proved stands: «Las Mesas de Ana López» case study, Vega de San Mateo, Gran Canaria, Spain
Authors: Molina Terrén D. , Grillo Delgado F. , García Marco D.
Published: October 2014

Wildland fire regimes are changing in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, SW Spain) and large wildland fires (LWFs) are more likely to occur. This is a major change in the disturbance regime and it is a real threat for biodiversity. This paper studies prescribed burning as a mean to create fire resistant stands to allow wildland fire control. It is based in the recent (2002-2005) prescribed burning program in Gran Canaria. We are interested not only in setting fuel-breaks but in providing strategic locations for those (after Farsite and FlamMap simulations). In this paper, we also show a case study for the Mesas (August 17th, 2004) wildland fire and the prescribed burn fuel breaks established around it in the last years in which this fire was successfully anchor.
System of equations for yield and growth of Pinus taeda including prune variables
Authors: Costas R. , Korth S. , Figueredo S. , Weber E. , Mac Donagh P. , Friedl A. , Heck J. , Alves do Porto M.
Published: October 2014

It were adjusted stand yield functions and dinamic growth models, that compose a compatible system of equations, that include regressors variables associated with prune intensity, beside age, stand density and site index. The data set come from a trial in a Pinus taeda L. plantation, with ages between 4 and 9 years. The response variables analyzed were basal area and volume per hectare. For both variables the models obtained produced lower production and young growth values when the prunes were intensified. Also, it were obtained more precision and a slightly better adjusted quality than equations with excellent statistic behavior without prune variables. The utilization of predictive area basal functions allows to obtain results for quadratic mean diameter according to prune intensity. These functions could be easy employed as a tool to decide when and how much of green branches prune in relation with the production objective. The obtained models appear interesting to develop new regional growth simulation programs of Pinus taeda that include prunes applied in intensive silvicultural systems of forest production.
Social Support, Support Groups, and Breast Cancer: A Literature Review
Authors: Mclean Barbara
Published: October 2014

A review of medical, social science, and “grassroots” literature on support groups and breast cancer, this paper concerns the need among women living with breast cancer and their caregivers for more information on the efficacy of social support as a therapeutic intervention. The literature has been subdivided into reviews of articles dealing with professionally led support groups, community-based support groups, support groups and survival, and support groups and psychological adjustment.
The Challenge of Genuine Power Sharing in Participatory Research: The Gap Between Theory and Practice
Authors: Mason Robin , Boutilier Marie
Published: October 2014

Participatory research is often suggested as a strategy to overcome power imbalances between researchers and research “subjects” because it values equally the knowledge of each individual who participates in the project. However, there is little documentation of the dilemmas that may arise when a complex community service organization attempts to engage in participatory research. In our experience of a participatory research project with multiple partners, power imbalances arose from organizationally based perspectives that were unaccounted for in the participatory research literature, demonstrating that power is a complex and elusive factor in establishing equal relations.
Increasing Access and Building Equity into Mental Health Services: An Examination of the Potential for Change
Authors: Williams Charmaine C.
Published: October 2014

This article explores the use of mental health care services by ethnoracial people in Canada and distinguishes between the reasons for underutilization of services by ethnoracial groups and the barriers which prevent ethnoracial groups from accessing services. Research focusing on Canadian race relations is reviewed to reveal how they are paralleled in the functioning of mainstream mental health care organizations. Existing policies and attitudes are then con-sidered in relation to how they support or impede interventions to increase accessibility to services. Finally, frameworks for organizational change based on multiculturalism and anti-racism are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of both are articulated.