bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness of Obstetric Danger Signs among Pregnant Women in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Authors: Kumare Bhavna , Vijay Nikita R , Yerlekar Dnyanda S
Published: April 2016

Due to lack of awareness about the danger signs of pregnancy women fail to seek care in the right time for life-threatening complications of pregnancy and child birth. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the knowledge regarding danger signs among pregnant women. A self structured questionnaire was used in the study. For this, 100 women attending antenatal outpatient department (OPD) were enrolled. Chi-square test has been used to demonstrate the difference between study subject characteristics and level of significance selected for this study (p. 0.05). About 6.38% of subjects having good awareness about danger signs are from age group 20 to 25 years and 10.25% of subjects with good awareness are from 25 to 30 years. In case of 20% of subjects have fair knowledge that means they know about 50 to 75% of obstetric danger signs while 73% of subject has poor knowledge about danger signs. Among which majority, i.e. 46.48% of subjects are from age 20 to 25 years and 93.33% from large family size have poor awareness about danger signs. Majority of subjects having good knowledge about obstetric danger signs have completed their secondary (7.69%) and university (9.52%) education. About 61% of the subjects know about danger signs of pregnancy. Among which major source of knowledge is health personnel (57.37%) and other source of knowledge is mass media (42.63%). In case of 50% of subjects knows about bleeding. Thus, it is the most common obstetrical danger sign that is known by subject population.

How to cite this article

Vijay NR, Kumare B, Yerlekar DS. Awareness of Obstetric Danger Signs among Pregnant Women in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):171-175.
Clostridium sordellii Infection of Female Genital Tract: A Rare but Fulminating Reaction
Authors: Pathak Anu , Pathak Manisha
Published: April 2016

Clostridium sordellii, an anaerobic pathogen, is ubiquitously distributed in the environment and causes fatal necrotizing infections in approximately 70% of all reported cases.

Characteristic clinical features include absence of fever and rash, dramatic leukemoid reaction (LR), capillary leak and fluid sequestration with hemoconcentration, refractory tachycardia and hypotension, and marked edema of infected tissues without gas production or extensive myonecrosis. C. sordellii has rarely been identified in the genital tract, other Clostridium species colonize the vagina in 4 to 18% of healthy women and commonly are associated with postpartum endometritis and septic abortion. Pregnancy, childbirth, or abortion may predispose a some women to acquire C. sordellii in the vaginal tract. Dilatation of the cervix may lead to ascending infection of necrotic decidual tissue. The acidic pH of the vaginal tract may enhance the cytopathic effects of C. sordellii lethal toxin C. sordellii infections pose difficult clinical challenges and are usually fatal.

How to cite this article

Agrawal PK, Garg R, Singh R, Pathak A, Pathak M. Clostridium sordellii Infection of Female Genital Tract: A Rare but Fulminating Reaction. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):197-198.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Pregnancy
Authors: Sundari N , Swaroop Asha , Krupa BM , Madhusudhan BK , Chaitra S
Published: April 2016

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a cliniconeuroradiological entity characterized by several symptoms of varied etiologies. The common symptoms are headache, confusion, seizures, cortical visual disturbances or blindness. Here, we report a 22 years old lady with 32 weeks of gestation who presented with complaints of acute onset of headache, sudden loss of vision with elevated blood pressure (BP), whose magnetic resonance venogram (MR venogram) revealed bilateral occipital T2 hyperintensity with restriction of diffusion suggestive of PRES. Early identification and treatment usually results in complete reversal of the deficits and delayed diagnosis and improper management can lead to irreversible sequelae.

How to cite this article

Krupa BM, Sundari N, Madhusudhan BK, Swaroop A, Chaitra S. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Pregnancy. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):205-206.
Pentalogy of Cantrell: A Rare Multiple Congenital Malformation Syndrome
Authors: Kaur Balwinder , Kaur Parneet , Kaur Khushpreet , Mittal Princy
Published: April 2016

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare multiple congenital malformation syndrome characterized by combination of five features: abdominal wall defect, defect of lower sternum, defect of diaphragmatic pericardium, defect of anterior diaphragm and congenital cardiac anomalies. These defects can be diagnosed as early as 1st trimester of pregnancy. The complexity of these anomalies, in particular the presence of cardiac defects, determines the management as well as prognosis.

How to cite this article

Kaur P, Kaur K, Kaur B, Mittal P. Pentalogy of Cantrell: A Rare Multiple Congenital Malformation Syndrome. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):210-212.
A Case of Vaginal Leiomyoma: A Rare Entity
Authors: Bansal Neeta , Jain Vidushi Jyala , Gupta Vineeta , Bharadwaj Aparna
Published: April 2016

Although uterine fibroids are common, vaginal fibroids are very rare. We report one such rare case of a woman who presented with a big mass projecting in the vagina with complaints of dyspareunia, dysuria and passage of dark, altered collected blood per vaginum. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reported it as a cervical fibroid. It was enucleated successfully through vaginal route and histopathology report confirmed diagnosis of benign vaginal leiomyoma. Diagnosis of vaginal leiomyoma is rather challenging and its complete removal should be done to prevent recurrence, rule out sarcomatous change and relieve symptoms.

How to cite this article

Bansal N, Jain VJ, Gupta V, Bharadwaj A. A Case of Vaginal Leiomyoma: A Rare Entity. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):231-233.
Study on Perspectives and Practice of Contraception in Women
Authors: Shetty Vishma H
Published: April 2016

Purpose of the study

This study is undertaken to determine the knowledge, preferences, practice, experiences and perspectives of women toward contraception and also to note down the various factors influencing the acceptance and usage of contraception among women.

Methodology

Five hundred women of age group 15 to 49 years who were currently married were studied. Sexually active unmarried women were excluded from the study. The study data were obtained using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided under four broad headings: personal details, knowledge, usage and expectations. The data collected was analyzed. Changing trends, knowledge, usage and expectations of the women toward various contraceptive methods were noted.

Results

The most common method used was female sterilization (41.4%), followed by intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) (14.8%) and condom (9%). Among the sociodemographic patterns, women belonging to lower socioeconomic status, with rural background, younger women, Christians and illiterate women the prevalence of contraceptive use was lower compared to their counterparts. Spacing methods was most commonly used by women residing in urban and women with higher education background. Couple protection rate in this study was 77%. The unmet need was 9.8%. Knowledge of female sterilization was most common in 93% followed by oral contraceptives (OCP) 73.2%. The knowledge was higher among upper socioeconomic status and urban women. 78.8% had discussion with spouse. More than 70% had preference for male child.

Conclusion

This study stresses upon the fact that contraception services should be affordable delivered by informed choice and sensitive to individual's needs. The unmet need of contraception can be reduced by improving female literacy, contraceptive counseling, male involvement and availability of contraceptive services. These measures will indeed reduce unwanted pregnancies, improve self-esteem of women as they will have control over their fertility and in future reduce population explosion to some extent by limiting the family.

Capsule

Fertility control is an important medical discipline, it is essential for the welfare of the individual, family and the nation. The usage of contraceptive method depends on knowledge, preference, acceptance and experience.

Objectives of the study

• To determine the awareness, perception and acceptance of contraceptive methods

• To study the contraception usage by the women.

How to cite this article

Shetty VH, Nagarathnamma R. Study on Perspectives and Practice of Contraception in Women. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2016;8(1):16-20.
Depression and Anxiety in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Biochemical Associates
Authors: Ambreen Afshaan , Sheikh Attia , Faryad Numeera , Batool Saima , Ahmed Farhat ul ain
Published: April 2016

Objective

To assess the prevalence of mood depression and anxiety in women with prospectively diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials and methods

A cohort study at Fatima Memorial Hospital was conducted with a total of 137 patients with PCOS and a similar number of controls, attending gynecology clinic; all participants of the study were required to complete hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaire. Later the biochemical assessment was done between PCOS with depression to PCOS without depression in order to find its associates.

Results

Study shows an increased prevalence of depression and anxiety in women with PCOS as compared to control, general population.

How to cite this article

Batool S, Ul ain Ahmed F, Ambreen A, Sheikh A, Faryad N. Depression and Anxiety in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Biochemical Associates. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2016;8(1):44-47.
A Prospective Study to study the Efficacy and Side Effects of Ormeloxifene in Regression of Mastalgia and Fibroadenoma: Is It the Ideal Drug?
Authors: Gupta Nidhi
Published: April 2016

Ormeloxifene (Centchroman) is a novel nonsteroidal, selective estrogen receptor modulator birth control pill which has also been used recently for the treatment of mastalgia and fibroadenoma. Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast tumors in women but worrisome for women fearing cancer. Mastalgia whether cyclic or noncyclic may be severely incapacitating for women.

This study aims to analyze the effect of this new drug on the regression of mastalgia and fibroadenoma as an alternative to presently available steroid-based drugs with significant side effects.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective study involving 100 women of reproductive age group (up to 35 years of age) attending the outpatient department (OPD) in Malhotra Nursing Home, Agra and Rainbow Hospital Pvt Ltd., Agra, India, from August 2011 to August 2014, complaining of mastalgia and/ or fibroadenoma and fulfilling the inclusion criteria.

After informed consent, these women were divided into a mastalgia group who had mastalgia with or without nodularity and a fibroadenoma group having sizes 1.5 to 2 cm, single or multiple in one or both breasts. Ormeloxifene 30 mg on alternate days was administered for 3 months in both the groups. Patients were followed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks to assess response to therapy. Clinical examination, change in nodularity by palpation, breast lump size by ultrasonography, change in visual analog score (VAS) and breast tenderness were monitored. Results were analyzed using ‘t’ test.

Results

A total of 100 patients were included in this study. Eighty percent women belonged to the age group 25 to 35 years with a mean age of 28, 31.2 and 27.2 years in groups IA, IB and group B respectively. Mean interval between drug therapy and onset of response was 6 ± 2 days in mastalgia group and 15 ± 2 days in fibroadenoma group. 97.6 to 100% of women in the mastalgia group reported complete relief at 12 weeks of therapy with a decrease in VAS score from 10 to 3 in the first week of therapy itself while 28% of fibroadenoma group reported complete relief at 12 weeks of therapy, partial relief in 31% and equivocal response in 41%. Side effects observed were allergic rash development (2%) and a delay in menstruation of 7 to 10 days (14%) during therapy.

Conclusion

Ormeloxifene is a novel nonsteroidal drug found to be effective in treatment of mastalgia and partially in treatment of fibroadenoma in a short period of 3 months. As compared to the drugs presently in use namely danazol and bromocriptine, ormeloxifene is safer as suggested by its side-effect profile and is cost-effective too. There is need for prospective large randomized studies to compare this low-cost drug with the standard but costly drugs being prescribed at present.

How to cite this article

Gupta N. A Prospective Study to Study the Efficacy and Side Effects of Ormeloxifene in Regression of Mastalgia and Fibroadenoma: Is it the Ideal Drug? J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2016;8(1):48-56.
Source apportionment of ambient particle number concentrations in central Los Angeles using positive matrix factorization (PMF)
Authors: Sowlat Mohammad Hossein , Hasheminassab Sina , Sioutas Constantinos
Published: April 2016

Abstract. In this study, the positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model (version 5.0) was used to identify and quantify major sources contributing to particulate matter (PM) number concentrations, using PM number size distributions in the range of 13 nm to 10 µm combined with several auxiliary variables, including black carbon (BC), elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC), PM mass concentrations, gaseous pollutants, meteorological, and traffic counts data, collected for about 9 months between August 2014 and 2015 in central Los Angeles, CA. Several parameters, including particle number and volume size distribution profiles, profiles of auxiliary variables, contributions of different factors in different seasons to the total number concentrations, diurnal variations of each of the resolved factors in the cold and warm phases, weekday/weekend analysis for each of the resolved factors, and correlation between auxiliary variables and the relative contribution of each of the resolved factors, were used to identify PM sources. A six-factor solution was identified as the optimum for the aforementioned input data. The resolved factors comprised nucleation, traffic 1, traffic 2 (with a larger mode diameter than traffic 1 factor), urban background aerosol, secondary aerosol, and soil/road dust. Traffic sources (1 and 2) were the major contributor to PM number concentrations, collectively making up to above 60 % (60.8–68.4 %) of the total number concentrations during the study period. Their contribution was also significantly higher in the cold phase compared to the warm phase. Nucleation was another major factor significantly contributing to the total number concentrations (an overall contribution of 17 %, ranging from 11.7 to 24 %), with a larger contribution during the warm phase than in the cold phase. The other identified factors were urban background aerosol, secondary aerosol, and soil/road dust, with relative contributions of approximately 12 % (7.4–17.1), 2.1 % (1.5–2.5 %), and 1.1 % (0.2–6.3 %), respectively, overall accounting for about 15 % (15.2–19.8 %) of PM number concentrations. As expected, PM number concentrations were dominated by factors with smaller mode diameters, such as traffic and nucleation. On the other hand, PM volume and mass concentrations in the study area were mostly affected by sources with larger mode diameters, including secondary aerosols and soil/road dust. Results from the present study can be used as input parameters in future epidemiological studies to link PM sources to adverse health effects as well as by policymakers to set targeted and more protective emission standards for PM.
Atmospheric Lifetimes, Infrared Absorption Spectra, Radiative Forcings and Global Warming Potentials of NF3 and CFC-115
Authors: Totterdill Anna , Kovács Tamás , Feng Wuhu , Dhomse Sandip , Smith Christopher J. , Gómez–Martín Juan Carlos , Chipperfield Martyn P. , Forster Piers M. , Plane John M. C.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Fluorinated compounds such as NF3 and C2F5Cl (CFC-115) are characterised by very large global warming potentials (GWPs) which result from extremely long atmospheric lifetimes and strong infrared absorptions in the atmospheric window. In this study we have experimentally determined the infrared absorption cross-sections of NF3 and CFC-115, calculated the radiative forcing and efficiency using two radiative transfer models and identified the effect of clouds and stratospheric adjustment. The infrared cross sections are in good agreement with previous measurements, whereas the resulting radiative forcings and efficiencies are, on average, around 10 % larger. A whole atmosphere chemistry-climate model was used to determine the atmospheric lifetimes of NF3 and CFC-115 to be (616 ± 34) years and (492 ± 22) years, respectively. The GWPs for NF3 are estimated to be 14 600, 19 400 and 21 400 over 20, 100 and 500 years, respectively. Similarly, the GWPs for CFC-115 are 6120, 8060 and 8630 over 20, 100 and 500 years, respectively.
Assessment of recent advances in measurement techniques for atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane observations
Authors: Zellweger Christoph , Emmenegger Lukas , Firdaus Mohd , Hatakka Juha , Heimann Martin , Kozlova Elena , Spain T. Gerard , Steinbacher Martin , van der Schoot Marcel V. , Buchmann Brigitte
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Until recently, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) measurements were made almost exclusively using Non-dispersive Infrared (NDIR) absorption and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) techniques, respectively. Recently, commercially available instruments based on spectroscopic techniques such as Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (CRDS), Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have become more widely available and affordable. This resulted in a widespread use of these techniques at many measurement stations. This manuscript is focused on the comparison between a CRDS "travelling instrument" that has been used during performance audits within the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with instruments incorporating other, more traditional techniques for measuring CO2 and CH4 (NDIR and GC/FID). We demonstrate that CRDS instruments and likely other spectroscopic techniques are suitable for WMO GAW stations and allow a smooth continuation of historic CO2 and CH4 time series. Moreover, the analysis of the audit results indicates that the spectroscopic techniques have a number of advantages over the traditional methods which will lead to the improved accuracy of atmospheric CO2 and CH4 measurements.
Estimation of background gas concentration from differential absorption lidar measurements
Authors: Harris Peter , Smith Nadia , Livina Valerie , Gardiner Tom , Robinson Rod , Innocenti Fabrizio
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Approaches are considered to estimate the background concentration level of a target species in the atmosphere from an analysis of the measured data provided by the National Physical Laboratory's differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system. The estimation of the background concentration level is necessary for an accurate quantification of the concentration level of the target species within a plume, which is the quantity of interest. The focus of the paper is on methodologies for estimating the background concentration level and, in particular, contrasting the assumptions about the functional and statistical models that underpin those methodologies. An approach is described to characterise the noise in the recorded signals, which is necessary for a reliable estimate of the background concentration level. Results for measured data provided by a field measurement are presented, and ideas for future work are discussed.
Cirrus cloud optical and microphysical property retrievals from eMAS during SEAC4RS using bi-spectral reflectance measurements within the 1.88  µm water vapor absorption band
Authors: Meyer Kerry , Platnick Steven , Arnold G. Thomas , Holz Robert E. , Veglio Paolo , Yorks John , Wang Chenxi
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Previous bi-spectral imager retrievals of cloud optical thickness (COT) and effective particle radius (CER) based on the Nakajima and King (1990) approach, such as those of the operational MODIS cloud optical property retrieval product (MOD06), have typically paired a non-absorbing visible or near-infrared wavelength, sensitive to COT, with an absorbing shortwave or mid-wave infrared wavelength sensitive to CER. However, in practice it is only necessary to select two spectral channels that exhibit a strong contrast in cloud particle absorption. Here it is shown, using eMAS observations obtained during NASA's SEAC4RS field campaign, that selecting two absorbing wavelength channels within the broader 1.88 µm water vapor absorption band, namely the 1.83 and 1.93 µm channels that have sufficient differences in ice crystal single scattering albedo, can yield COT and CER retrievals for thin to moderately thick single-layer cirrus that are reasonably consistent with other solar and IR imager-based and lidar-based retrievals. A distinct advantage of this channel selection for cirrus cloud retrievals is that the below-cloud water vapor absorption minimizes the surface contribution to measured cloudy top-of-atmosphere reflectance, in particular compared to the solar window channels used in heritage retrievals such as MOD06. This reduces retrieval uncertainty resulting from errors in the surface reflectance assumption and reduces the frequency of retrieval failures for thin cirrus clouds.
Environmental drivers of coccolithophore abundance and calcification across Drake Passage (Southern Ocean)
Authors: Charalampopoulou Anastasia , Poulton Alex J. , Bakker Dorothee C. E. , Lucas Mike I. , Stinchcombe Mark C. , Tyrrell Toby
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Although coccolithophores are not as common in the Southern Ocean as they are in sub-polar waters of the North Atlantic, a few species, such as Emiliania huxleyi, are found during the summer months. Little is actually known about the calcite production (CP) of these communities, or how their distribution and physiology relates to environmental variables in this region. In February 2009, we made observations across Drake Passage (between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula) of coccolithophore distribution, CP, primary production, chlorophyll-a and macronutrient concentrations, irradiance and carbonate chemistry. Although CP represented less than 1 % of total carbon fixation, coccolithophores were widespread across Drake Passage. The B/C morphotype of E. huxleyi was the dominant coccolithophore, with low estimates of coccolith calcite (~ 0.01 pmol C coccolith−1) from biometric measurements. Both cell-normalised calcification (0.01–0.16 pmol C cell−1 d−1) and total CP (< 20 μmol C m−3 d−1) were much lower than those observed in the sub-polar North Atlantic where E. huxleyi morphotype A is dominant. However, estimates of coccolith production rates were similar (0.1–1.2 coccoliths cell−1 h−1) to previous measurements made in the sub-polar North Atlantic. A multivariate statistical approach found that temperature and irradiance together were best able to explain the observed variation in species distribution and abundance (Spearman's rank correlation ρ = 0.4, p < 0.01). Rates of calcification per cell and coccolith production, as well as community CP and E. huxleyi abundance, were all positively correlated (p < 0.05) to the strong latitudinal gradient in temperature, irradiance and calcite saturation states across Drake Passage. Broadly, our results lend support to recent suggestions that coccolithophores, especially E. huxleyi, are advancing pole-wards. However, our in situ observations indicate that this may owe more to sea-surface warming and increasing irradiance rather than increasing CO2 concentrations.
Coupling of the regional climate model COSMO-CLM using OASIS3-MCT with regional ocean, land surface or global atmosphere model: description and performance
Authors: Weiher Stefan , Akhtar Naveed , Brauch Jennifer , Breil Marcus , Davin Edouard , Ho-Hagemann Ha T. M. , Maisonnave Eric , Thürkow Markus , Will Andreas
Published: April 2016

Abstract. We present the prototype of a regional climate system model based on the COSMO-CLM regional climate model coupled with several model components, analyze the performance of the couplings and present a strategy to find an optimum configuration with respect to computational costs and time to solution. The OASIS3-MCT coupler is used to couple COSMO-CLM with two land surface models (CLM and VEG3D), a regional ocean model for the Mediterranean Sea (NEMO-MED12), two ocean models for the North and Baltic Sea (NEMO-NORDIC and TRIMNP+CICE) and the atmospheric component of an earth system model (MPI-ESM). We present a unified OASIS3-MCT interface which handles all couplings in a similar way, minimizes the model source code modifications and describes the physics and numerics of the couplings. Furthermore, we discuss solutions for specific regional coupling problems like handling of different domains, multiple usage of MCT interpolation library and efficient exchange of 3D fields. A series of real-case simulations over Europe has been conducted and the computational performance of the couplings has been analyzed. The usage of the LUCIA tool of the OASIS3-MCT coupler enabled separation of the direct costs of: coupling, load imbalance and additional computations. The resulting limits for time to solution and costs are shown and the potential of further improvement of the computational efficiency is summarized for each coupling. It was found that the OASIS3-MCT coupler keeps the direct coupling costs of communication and horizontal interpolation small in comparison with the costs of the additional computations and load imbalance for all investigated couplings. For the first time this could be demonstrated for an exchange of approximately 450 2D fields per time step necessary for the atmosphere-atmosphere coupling between COSMO-CLM and MPI-ESM. A procedure for finding an optimum configuration for each of the couplings was developed considering the time to solution and costs of the simulations. The optimum configurations are presented for sequential and concurrent coupling layouts. The procedure applied can be regarded as independent on the specific coupling layout and coupling details.
D region ion-neutral coupled chemistry within a whole atmosphere chemistry-climate model
Authors: Kovács Tamás , Plane John M. C. , Feng Wuhu , Nagy Tibor , Chipperfield Martyn P. , Verronen Pekka T. , Andersson Monika , Newnham David A. , Clilverd Mark A. , Marsh Daniel R.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. This study presents a new ion-neutral chemical model coupled into the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). The ionospheric D region (altitudes ~ 50–90 km) chemistry is based on the Sodankylä Ion and Neutral Chemistry (SIC) model, a 1-dimensional model containing 306 ion-neutral and ionrecombination reactions of neutral species, positive and negative ions, and electrons. The SIC mechanism was reduced using the Simulation Error Minimization Connectivity Method (SEM-CM) to produce a reaction scheme of 181 ion-molecule reactions. This scheme describes the concentration profiles at altitudes between 20 km and 120 km of a set of major neutral species (HNO3, O3, H2O2, NO, NO2, HO2, OH, N2O5) and ions (O2+, O4+, NO+, NO+(H2O), O2+(H2O), H+(H2O), H+(H2O)2, H+(H2O)3, H+(H2O)4, O3−, NO2−, O−, O2, OH−, O2−(H2O), O2−(H2O)2, O4−, CO3−, CO3−(H2O), CO4−, HCO3−, NO2−, NO3−, NO3−(H2O), NO3(H2O)2, NO3−(HNO3), NO3−(HNO3)2, Cl−, ClO−), which agree with the full SIC mechanism within a 5 % tolerance. Four 3D model simulations were then performed, using the impact of the January 2005 Solar Proton Event (SPE) on D region HOx and NOx chemistry as a test case of four different model versions: the standard WACCM (no negative ions and a very limited set of positive ions); WACCM-SIC (standard WACCM with the full SIC chemistry of positive and negative ions); WACCM-D (standard WACCM with a heuristic reduction of the SIC chemistry, recently used to examine HNO3 formation following an SPE); and WACCM-rSIC (standard WACCM with a reduction of SIC chemistry using the SEM-CM Method). Standard WACCM misses the HNO3 enhancement during the SPE, while the full and reduced model versions predict significant NOx, HOx and HNO3 enhancements in the mesosphere during solar proton events. The SEM-CM reduction also identifies the important ion-molecule reactions that affect the partitioning of odd nitrogen (NOx), odd hydrogen (HOx), and O3 in the stratosphere and mesosphere.
On the efficiency of the hybrid and the exact second-order sampling formulations of the EnKF: A reality-inspired 3D test case for estimating biodegradation rates of chlorinated hydrocarbons at the port of Rotterdam
Authors: Gharamti M. E. , Valstar J. , Janssen G. , Marsman A. , Hoteit I.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. In this study, we consider the assimilation problem of subsurface contaminants at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. This involves the estimation of solute concentrations and biodegradation rates of four different chlorinated solvents. We focus on assessing the efficiency of an adaptive hybrid ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF-OI) and the exact second-order sampling formulation (EnKFESOS), for mitigating the undersampling of the filter covariance and the observation errors, respectively. A multi-dimensional and multi-species reactive transport model is coupled to simulate the migration of contaminants within a Pleistocene aquifer layer located around 25 m below mean sea level. The biodegradation chain of chlorinated hydrocarbons starting from Tetrachloroethene and ending with Vinylchloride is modelled under anaerobic environmental conditions for five decades. Yearly concentration data is used, in a synthetic setup, to condition the forecast concentration and degradation rates in presence of model and observational errors. Assimilation results demonstrate the robustness of the hybrid EnKF, for accurately calibrating the uncertain biodegradation rates. When implemented serially, the adaptive EnKF-OI scheme efficiently adjusts the weights of the involved covariances for each individual measurement. The relevance of the EnKFESOS is emphasised by a better maintaining of the parameters ensemble spread. On average, a well tuned hybrid EnKF-OI and the EnKFESOS suggest around 48 % and 21 % improved concentration estimates and around 70 % and 23 % improved anaerobic degradation rates, over the standard EnKF respectively.
Determinants of farmers' tree-planting investment decisions as a degraded landscape management strategy in the central highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Gessesse Berhan , Bewket Woldeamlak , Bräuning Achim
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Land degradation due to lack of sustainable land management practices is one of the critical challenges in many developing countries including Ethiopia. This study explored the major determinants of farm-level tree-planting decisions as a land management strategy in a typical farming and degraded landscape of the Modjo watershed, Ethiopia. The main data were generated from household surveys and analysed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The model significantly predicted farmers' tree-planting decisions (χ2 =  37.29, df  =  15, P < 0.001). Besides, the computed significant value of the model revealed that all the considered predictor variables jointly influenced the farmers' decisions to plant trees as a land management strategy. The findings of the study demonstrated that the adoption of tree-growing decisions by local land users was a function of a wide range of biophysical, institutional, socioeconomic and household-level factors. In this regard, the likelihood of household size, productive labour force availability, the disparity of schooling age, level of perception of the process of deforestation and the current land tenure system had a critical influence on tree-growing investment decisions in the study watershed. Eventually, the processes of land-use conversion and land degradation were serious, which in turn have had adverse effects on agricultural productivity, local food security and poverty trap nexus. Hence, the study recommended that devising and implementing sustainable land management policy options would enhance ecological restoration and livelihood sustainability in the study watershed.
Facing policy challenges with inter- and transdisciplinary soil research focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Bouma Johan , Montanarella Luca
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Our current information society, populated by increasingly well-informed and critical stakeholders, presents a challenge to both the policy and science arenas. The introduction of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offers a unique and welcome opportunity to direct joint activities towards these goals. Soil science, even though it is not mentioned as such, plays an important role in realizing a number of SDGs focusing on food, water, climate, health, biodiversity, and sustainable land use. A plea is made for a systems approach to land use studies, to be initiated by soil scientists, in which these land-related SDGs are considered in an integrated manner. To connect with policy makers and stakeholders, two approaches are functional. The first of these is the policy cycle when planning and executing research, which includes signaling, design, decision making, implementation, and evaluation. Many current research projects spend little time on signaling, which may lead to disengagement of stakeholders. Also, implementation is often seen as the responsibility of others, while it is crucial to demonstrate – if successful – the relevance of soil science. The second approach is the DPSIR approach when following the policy cycle in land-related research, distinguishing external drivers, pressures, impact, and responses to land use change that affect the state of the land in the past, present, and future. Soil science cannot by itself realize SDGs, and interdisciplinary studies on ecosystem services (ESs) provide an appropriate channel to define contributions of soil science in terms of the seven soil functions. ESs, in turn, can contribute to addressing the six SDGs (2, 3, 6, 12, 13, and 15) with an environmental, land-related character. SDGs have a societal focus and future soil science research can only be successful if stakeholders are part of the research effort in transdisciplinary projects, based on the principle of time-consuming "joint learning". The internal organization of the soil science discipline is not yet well tuned to the needs of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.
Soil CO2 efflux in an old-growth southern conifer forests (Agathis australis) – magnitude, components, and controls
Authors: Schwendenmann Luitgard , Macinnis-Ng Cate
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Total soil CO2 efflux and its component fluxes, autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration, were measured in a native forest in northern Aotearoa-New Zealand. The forest is dominated by Agathis australis (kauri) and is on an acidic, clay rich soil. Soil CO2 efflux, volumentric soil water content and soil temperature were measured bi-weekly to monthly at 42 locations over 18 months. Trenching and regression analysis was used to partition the total soil CO2 efflux. The effect of tree structure was investigated by calculating an index of local contribution (Ic, based on tree size and distance to the measurement location) followed by correlation analysis between Ic and soil CO2 efflux, root biomass, litterfall and soil characteristics. The mean total soil CO2 efflux was 3.47 μmol m−2 s−1. Using uni- and bivariate models showed that soil temperature (< 40 %) and volumetric soil water content (< 20 %) were poor predictors of the temporal variation in total soil CO2 efflux. In contrast, a stronger temperature sensitivity (around 57 %) was found for heterotrophic respiration. Autotrophic respiration accounted for 25 (trenching) or 28 % (regression analysis) of total soil CO2 efflux. We found significant positive relationships between kauri tree size distribution (Ic) and soil CO2 efflux, root biomass and mineral soil CN ratio within 5–6 m of the measurement points. Using multiple regression analysis revealed that 97 % of the spatial variability in soil CO2 efflux in this kauri dominated stand was explained by root biomass and soil temperature. Our findings highlight the need to consider tree species effects and spatial patterns in soil carbon related studies.
A Two-Station Seismic Method to Localize Glacier Calving
Authors: Mei M. Jeffrey , Holland David M. , Anandakrishnan Sridhar , Zheng Tiantian
Published: April 2016

Abstract. A method of determining glacier calving location using seismic wave arrival times from paired local seismic stations is presented. The difference in surface wave arrival times for each pair is used to define a locus (hyperbola) of possible origin. With multiple pairs, this can be used to triangulate for the origin of the seismic wave, which is interpreted as the calving location. This method is motivated by difficulties with traditional seismic location methods that fail due to the emergent nature of calving, which obscures the P and S- wave onsets, and the proximity of the seismometers, which combines body and surface waves into one arrival. Human observed calving events are used to calibrate the seismic velocity for the method, which is then applied to other calving events from August 2014 to August 2015. From this, a catalogue of calving locations is generated, which shows that calving preferentially happens at the northern end of Helheim Glacier.
Fluorescence and Reflectance Spectroscopy for Early Detection of Different Mycorrhized Plantain Plants
Authors: Dibi Wilfried G. , Fotso Beaulys , Y. Brou Casimir , T. Zoueu Jeremie , Zeze Adolphe , Bosson Jocelyne
Published: April 2016

Sustainable agriculture with use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) is an emerging farm management that improves crops nutrient and water use efficiency. Decision making on the effect of AMF is still dependent on agronomic diagnosis which is long, tedious, expensive and destructive. This study demonstrates the applicability of proximal fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy for evaluating and detecting at early stage distinct types of mycorrhized plantain from two cultivars (Musa paradisiaca).

Visible-near infrared (400-1000 nm) reflectance and fluorescence data were collected from control and three levels mycorrhized plants designed in randomized and complete block under greenhouse conditions. Two spectral measurements at a week interval were performed on plant leaves by using an USB spectrometer mounted with an Arduino-based LED driver clip.
A new normalized reflectance water NWI5 index shows with Datt5 alone highly significant differences at P<0.001 respectively for Orishele and fhia21 cultivars. dNIRmin920_980, NDVI3 and GI reflectance index are significant at P<0.01. Seven other reflectance and 3 fluorescence indices ANTH, FRF_R and NBI_R are significant at P<0.05. The two first principal components for each cultivar spectral features explaining 94.1 % of variance were used to build predictive classification models. LogitBoost algorithm indicates accuracy of 90.27% on stratified cross-validation and 87.5% on test split. Our results confirm that fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy is a valuable tool for early assessment of mycorrhization success rate evaluation and pattern recognition. They also show promise for the development of non-destructive and cost-effective detectors in monitoring crops under biofertilizers with arbuscular mycorrhizae.
On the Trigonometric Descriptions of Colors
Authors: Stavek Jirí
Published: April 2016

An attempt is presented for the description of the spectral colors using the standard trigonometric tools in order to extract more information about photons. We have arranged the spectral colors on an arc of the circle with the radius R = 1 and the central angle θ = π/3 when we have defined cos (θ) = λ380/λ760 = 0.5. Several trigonometric operations were applied in order to find the gravity centers for the scotopic, photopic, and mesopic visions. The concept of the center of gravity of colors introduced Isaac Newton. We have postulated properties of the long-lived photons with the new interpretation of the Hubble (Zwicky-Nernst) constant H0 = 2.748… * 10-18 kg kg-1 s-1, the specific mass evaporation rate (SMER) of gravitons from the source mass. The stability of international prototypes of kilogram has been regularly checked. We predict that those standard kilograms due to the evaporation of gravitons lost 8.67 μg kg-1 century-1. The energy of long-lived photons was trigonometrically decomposed into three parts that could be experimentally tested: longitudinal energy, transverse energy and energy of evaporated gravitons. We tested the properties of the long-lived photons with the experimental data published for the best available standard candles: supernovae Type Ia. There was found a surprising match of those experimental data with the model of the long-lived photons. Finally, we have proposed a possible decomposition of the big G (Newtonian gravitational constant) and the small kappa κ (Einsteinian gravitational constant) in order to get a new insight into the mysterious gravitational force and/or the curvature concept.
Contemporary Quests and Struggles of Small-Scale Family Farms toward Sustainable Agriculture in Thailand
Authors: Amekawa Yuichiro
Published: April 2016

One of the pillars of Thai Studies is to examine Thai rural society and culture, especially that of small-scale farmers who comprise the majority of rural agriculturalists in Thailand. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the characteristics and challenges of contemporary Thai rural society through elucidating the pursuit and struggles of small-scale family farms toward ‘sustainable agriculture’ in the context of deepening social and environmental challenges associated with modern industrial agriculture. For this objective, an overview is presented with regard to the characteristics of small-scale family agriculture in Thailand, followed by accounts of the contemporary circumstances of integrated farming, organic farming, and public good agricultural practices in which small-scale family farms have been involved.
The Effect of Good Governance Mixture in Governmental Organizations on Promotion of Employees’ Job Satisfaction (Case Study: Employees and Faculty Members of Lorestan University)
Authors: Shahin Mahdi
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of indicators of good governance in public organizations to improve the level of employees’ job satisfaction. The methods were confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling using LISREL software and SPSS18 packages. The population consisted of all faculty members and staff of Lorestan University (N=500), which 217 of them were selected systematically using Kerjisi Morgan table. To collect the data 2 standardized questionnaires consisted of good governance and job satisfaction (residents and Ramadan, 2011) were used and the reliability of the questionnaire was (0.73) by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The results of the study showed that the implementation of the indicators of good governance in the organization will lead to an increase in employees’ job satisfaction.
Perceptions and Preferences of Digital and Printed Text and Their Role in Predicting Digital Literacy
Authors: Seok Soonhwa , DaCosta Boaventura
Published: April 2016

This study explored the relationships between the reading of digital versus printed text among 1,206 South Korean high school students in grades 9 through 12. The Test of Silent Contextual Reading Fluency (2nd ed.), the Digital Propensity Index, and the Reading Observation Scale were among the instruments used to measure reading proficiency and digital propensity. Statistical analysis was comprised of a paired sample t test to compare students’ reading perceptions of digital and printed text; independent sample t tests were used to explore reading preferences and the relationships between digital and printed text; and a multiple linear regression was used to explore digital propensity based on reading behaviors. Among the results, students were found to have higher positive perceptions of the reading of printed text; reading preference depended on the purpose for reading (e.g., learning versus entertainment); and significant mean differences were found among students’ reading scores and digital propensity regarding preferences between the reading of digital and printed text. Although much more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn, the findings suggest several ways to achieve student literacy competency in the use of digital and printed text, while also pointing to additional factors that influence perceptions and behaviors among these two formats.
Designing an E-Portfolio as a Storage, Workspace and Showcase for Social Sciences and Humanities in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Authors: Mohamad Syamsul Nor Azlan , Embi Mohamed Amin , Nordin Norazah Mohd
Published: April 2016

The present articles introduce the e-Portfolio as a storage, workspace and showcase to support teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs). Thus, the mix-method approach was implemented on determining important elements of e-Portfolio as a storage, workspace and showcase for a social sciences and humanities context. This study implemented thematic analysis and Fuzzy Delphi Method to obtain the result. Therefore, 25 experts in instructional technology was participated in the process of the making a decision. As resulted, this study highlighted the fundamental of e-Portfolio consists; workspace, storage and showcase. Eventually, the instructional designer will understand and strategies on how to develop an effective e-Portfolio as learning support tool to enhance the learning experience between facilitator and learner.
Unleashing the Power of Emotional Competency Development Program on Leaders’ Self-Motivation
Authors: Yusof Halimah M.
Published: April 2016

This study attempts to investigate the effects of the emotional competency development program on leaders’ self-motivation. Eighty leaders at a non-profit agency in Malaysia were involved in an experimental/control group research design where the experimental group was given a nine-week emotional competency development program. Pre- and post-test were conducted to assess participants’ self-motivation using the Motivation Sources Inventory. The findings indicate that the emotional competency development program does have an effect on increasing leaders’ self-motivation. However, positive effects were only seen on intrinsic process, self-concept internal and goal internalization. Whereas, the instrumental and self-concept external does not produce any significant changes after the training. As a conclusion, this study has provided some empirical proof on the effectiveness of the EI training program on developing leaders’ emotional intelligence and intrinsic motivation, which might contribute to the theoretical and methodological aspect of leadership development.