bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN ADAPTIVE WEB-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING IN SCHOOLS
Authors: Wolf N. , Fuchsgruber V. , Riembauer G. , Siegmund A.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Satellite images have great educational potential for teaching on environmental issues and can promote the motivation of young people to enter careers in natural science and technology. Due to the importance and ubiquity of remote sensing in science, industry and the public, the use of satellite imagery has been included into many school curricular in Germany. However, its implementation into school practice is still hesitant, mainly due to lack of teachers’ know-how and education materials that align with the curricula. In the project “Space4Geography” a web-based learning platform is developed with the aim to facilitate the application of satellite imagery in secondary school teaching and to foster effective student learning experiences in geography and other related subjects in an interdisciplinary way. The platform features ten learning modules demonstrating the exemplary application of original high spatial resolution remote sensing data (RapidEye and TerraSAR-X) to examine current environmental issues such as droughts, deforestation and urban sprawl. In this way, students will be introduced into the versatile applications of spaceborne earth observation and geospatial technologies. The integrated web-based remote sensing software “BLIF” equips the students with a toolset to explore, process and analyze the satellite images, thereby fostering the competence of students to work on geographical and environmental questions without requiring prior knowledge of remote sensing. This contribution presents the educational concept of the learning environment and its realization by the example of the learning module “Deforestation of the rainforest in Brasil”.
KERNEL FEATURE CROSS-CORRELATION FOR UNSUPERVISED QUANTIFICATION OF DAMAGE FROM WINDTHROW IN FORESTS
Authors: Pirotti F. , Travaglini D. , Giannetti F. , Kutchartt E. , Bottalico F. , Chirici G.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. In this study estimation of tree damage from a windthrow event using feature detection on RGB high resolution imagery is assessed. An accurate quantitative assessment of the damage in terms of volume is important and can be done by ground sampling, which is notably expensive and time-consuming, or by manual interpretation and analyses of aerial images. This latter manual method also requires an expert operator investing time to manually detect damaged trees and apply relation functions between measures and volume which are also error-prone. In the proposed method RGB images with 0.2 m ground sample distance are analysed using an adaptive template matching method. Ten images corresponding to ten separate study areas are tested. A 13x13 pixels kernel with a simplified linear-feature representation of a cylinder is applied at different rotation angles (from 0° to 170° at 10° steps). The higher values of the normalized cross-correlation (NCC) of all angles are recorded for each pixel for each image. Several features are tested: percentiles (75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99, max) and sum and number of pixels with NCC above 0.55. Three regression methods are tested, multiple regression (mr), support vector machines (svm) with linear kernel and random forests. The first two methods gave the best results. The ground-truth was acquired by ground sampling, and total volumes of damaged trees are estimated for each of the 10 areas. Damaged volumes in the ten areas range from ~1.8 x102 m3 to ~1.2x104 m3. Regression results show that smv regression method over the sum gives an R-squared of 0.92, a mean of absolute errors (MAE) of 255 m3 and a relative absolute error (RAE) of 34% using leave-one-out cross validation from the 10 observations. These initial results are encouraging and support further investigations on more finely tuned kernel template metrics to define an unsupervised image analysis process to automatically assess forest damage from windthrow.
SOIL SALINITY MAPPING USING MULTITEMPORAL LANDSAT DATA
Authors: Azabdaftari A. , Sunar F.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Soil salinity is one of the most important problems affecting many areas of the world. Saline soils present in agricultural areas reduce the annual yields of most crops. This research deals with the soil salinity mapping of Seyhan plate of Adana district in Turkey from the years 2009 to 2010, using remote sensing technology. In the analysis, multitemporal data acquired from LANDSAT 7-ETM+ satellite in four different dates (19 April 2009, 12 October 2009, 21 March 2010, 31 October 2010) are used. As a first step, preprocessing of Landsat images is applied. Several salinity indices such as NDSI (Normalized Difference Salinity Index), BI (Brightness Index) and SI (Salinity Index) are used besides some vegetation indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), RVI (Ratio Vegetation Index), SAVI (Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index) and EVI (Enhamced Vegetation Index) for the soil salinity mapping of the study area. The field’s electrical conductivity (EC) measurements done in 2009 and 2010, are used as a ground truth data for the correlation analysis with the original band values and different index image bands values. In the correlation analysis, two regression models, the simple linear regression (SLR) and multiple linear regression (MLR) are considered. According to the highest correlation obtained, the 21st March, 2010 dataset is chosen for production of the soil salinity map in the area. Finally, the efficiency of the remote sensing technology in the soil salinity mapping is outlined.
A METHOD FOR THE EXTRACTION OF LONG-TERM DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS OF LONG-SPAN HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY BRIDGES USING HIGH-RESOLUTION SAR IMAGES
Authors: Jia H. G. , Liu L. Y.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Natural causes and high-speed train load will result in the structural deformation of long-span bridges, which greatly influence the safety operation of high-speed railway. Hence it is necessary to conduct the deformation monitoring and regular status assessment for long-span bridges. However for some traditional surveying technique, e.g. control-point-based surveying techniques, a lot of human and material resources are needed to perform the long-term monitoring for the whole bridge. In this study we detected the long-term bridge deformation time-series by persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PSInSAR) technique using the high-resolution SAR images and external digital elevation model. A test area in Nanjing city in China is chosen and TerraSAR-X images and Tandem-X for this area have been used. There is the Dashengguan bridge in high speed railway in this area as study object to evaluate this method. Experiment results indicate that the proposed method can effectively extract the long-term deformation of long-span high-speed railway bridge with higher accuracy.
A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF INSOLATION ON REMOTE SENSING-BASED LANDCOVER AND LANDUSE DATA EXTRACTION
Authors: Becek K. , Borkowski A. , Mekik Ç.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. We examined the dependency of the pixel reflectance of hyperspectral imaging spectrometer data (HISD) on a normalized total insolation index (NTII). The NTII was estimated using a light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-derived digital surface model (DSM). The NTII and the pixel reflectance were dependent, to various degrees, on the band considered, and on the properties of the objects. The findings could be used to improve land cover (LC)/land use (LU) classification, using indices constructed from the spectral bands of imaging spectrometer data (ISD). To study this possibility, we investigated the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at various NTII levels. The results also suggest that the dependency of the pixel reflectance and NTII could be used to mitigate the shadows in ISD. This project was carried out using data provided by the Hyperspectral Image Analysis Group and the NSF-funded Centre for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM), University of Houston, for the purpose of organizing the 2013 Data Fusion Contest (IEEE 2014). This contest was organized by the IEEE GRSS Data Fusion Technical Committee.
IR SPECTRAL MAPPING OF THE MARTIAN SOUTH POLAR RESIDUAL CAP USING CRISM
Authors: Campbell Jacqueline , Sidiropoulos Panagiotis , Muller Jan-Peter
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be important in theories of abiogenesis (Allamandola, 2011) . There is evidence that PAHs have been detected on two icy Saturnian satellites using the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on the Cassini spacecraft (Cruikshank et al., 2007). The hypothesised presence of PAHs in Mars south polar cap has not been systematically examined even though the Mars south polar cap may allow the preservation of organic molecules that are typically destroyed at the Martian surface by UV radiation (Dartnell et al. 2012). This hypothesis is supported by recent analyses of South Polar Residual Cap (SPRC) structural evolution (Thomas et al., 2009) that suggest the possibility that seasonal and long term sublimation may excavate dust particles from within the polar ice. Periodic sublimation is believed to be responsible for the formation of so-called “Swiss Cheese Terrain”, a unique surface feature found only in the Martian south polar residual cap consisting of flat floored, circular depressions (Byrne, 2009). We show the first examples of work towards the detection of PAHs in Swiss Cheese Terrain, using data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM), on board NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). CRISM is designed to search for mineralogical indications of past and present water, thus providing extensive coverage of the south polar cap. In this work, we discuss whether CRISM infrared spectra can be used to detect PAHs in Swiss Cheese Terrain and demonstrate a number of maps showing shifts in spectral profiles over the SPRC.
EVALUATING THE INITIALIZATION METHODS OF WAVELET NETWORKS FOR HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGE CLASSIFICATION
Authors: Hsu Pai-Hui
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The idea of using artificial neural network has been proven useful for hyperspectral image classification. However, the high dimensionality of hyperspectral images usually leads to the failure of constructing an effective neural network classifier. To improve the performance of neural network classifier, wavelet-based feature extraction algorithms can be applied to extract useful features for hyperspectral image classification. However, the extracted features with fixed position and dilation parameters of the wavelets provide insufficient characteristics of spectrum. In this study, wavelet networks which integrates the advantages of wavelet-based feature extraction and neural networks classification is proposed for hyperspectral image classification. Wavelet networks is a kind of feed-forward neural networks using wavelets as activation function. Both the position and the dilation parameters of the wavelets are optimized as well as the weights of the network during the training phase. The value of wavelet networks lies in their capabilities of optimizing network weights and extracting essential features simultaneously for hyperspectral images classification. In this study, the influence of the learning rate and momentum term during the network training phase is presented, and several initialization modes of wavelet networks were used to test the performance of wavelet networks.
Frequency and distribution of winter melt events from passive microwave satellite data in the pan-Arctic, 1988–2013
Authors: Wang Libo , Toose Peter , Brown Ross , Derksen Chris
Published: June 2016

Abstract. This study presents an algorithm for detecting winter melt events in seasonal snow cover based on temporal variations in the brightness temperature difference between 19 and 37 GHz from satellite passive microwave measurements. An advantage of the passive microwave approach is that it is based on the physical presence of liquid water in the snowpack, which may not be the case with melt events inferred from surface air temperature data. The algorithm is validated using in situ observations from weather stations, snowpit surveys, and a surface-based passive microwave radiometer. The results of running the algorithm over the pan-Arctic region (north of 50º N) for the 1988–2013 period show that winter melt days are relatively rare averaging less than 7 melt days per winter over most areas, with higher numbers of melt days (around two weeks per winter) occurring in more temperate regions of the Arctic (e.g. central Quebec and Labrador, southern Alaska, and Scandinavia). The observed spatial pattern was similar to winter melt events inferred with surface air temperatures from ERA-interim and MERRA reanalysis datasets. There was little evidence of trends in winter melt frequency except decreases over northern Europe attributed to a shortening of the duration of the winter period. The frequency of winter melt events is shown to be strongly correlated to the duration of winter period. This must be taken into account when analyzing trends to avoid generating false increasing trends from shifts in the timing of the snow cover season.
Efecto de una intervención de promoción de la parentalidad positiva sobre el estrés parental
Authors: Vásquez Noelia , Ramos Pilar , Molina M. Cruz , Artazcoz Lucia
Published: June 2016

Fundamentos: los programas de educación parental, promotores de la parentalidad positiva, reducen el estrés parental. En España y Latinoamérica son escasas las evaluaciones que evidencian dichos efectos y en ningún caso exploran los predictores de éxito. Este estudio analiza los cambios producidos por el “Programa de desarrollo de habilidades parentales para familias” (PHP), basado en la educación parental y promovido por enfermeras comunitarias sobre el estrés parental, e identifica los factores sociodemográficos asociados a una mayor reducción de estrés. Métodos: se recogió información sociodemográfica de 257 participantes, antes de la intervención y de estrés parental antes y después de esta. Se empleó la versión española de Parental Stress Scale. Se aplicaron test no paramétricos y una regresión logística binaria. Resultados: el análisis bivariado identificó reducción del estrés parental para todas las categorías de las variables predictoras. El análisis multivariado mostró que los hombres, las personas con menor nivel de estudios y las desempleadas presentaron mayor probabilidad de reducir el estrés. Conclusiones: el PHP es una intervención efectiva para reducir el estrés parental en diferentes grupos poblacionales. Este estudio contribuye a reforzar los incipientes hallazgos de estudios internacionales, y a dar respuesta al vacío de los países latinos, en cuanto al papel de los determinantes sociales como predictores de la reducción del estrés parental generados por los programas de educación parental.
Vivencias de familiares en sala de espera de trabajo de parto
Authors: Giraldo-Montoya Dora Isabel , Calderón-Bejarano Hsirley , Rivera-Cardona Cristian Felipe , Velásquez-Vergara Sandra Milena , Mesa-Ballesteros Heidy
Published: June 2016

Objetivo: describir las vivencias de los familiares en sala de espera de trabajo de parto. Materiales y métodos: estudio cualitativo etnográfico. Se entrevistaron diez participantes y cuatro grupos focales; la saturación se logró cuando los investigadores no encontraron más explicación, interpretación o descripción de la experiencia. Para el análisis, se usó el método de Spradley, se construyeron categorías y dominios, y se realizó análisis taxonómico. Se desarrollaron notas de campo y observación participante. Se utilizó el software Atlas ti. Resultados: los familiares experimentan necesidades de información oportuna y eficiente. El lenguaje verbal y no verbal y el contenido de la información les produjo ansiedad e incertidumbre. Los familiares sienten la necesidad de acompañar a la gestante durante el trabajo de parto para brindarle apoyo. El ambiente en la sala de espera depende de los factores internos del familiar y los factores externos de la sala. La educación en la sala de espera representó una excelente oportunidad para aprovechar el tiempo. Emergieron los dominios: comunicación terapéutica, acompañamiento, ambiente y educación. Conclusión: el significado cultural de esperar es un acontecimiento de la vida altamente significativo, atravesado por cuatro circunstancias: la comunicación, el acompañamiento, el ambiente de la sala y la educación, situaciones que cambiaron la experiencia del nacimiento.
An Overview of the Reformed Local Government in Macedonia
Authors: Sejdini Mirjana Kraja
Published: June 2016

Local government in Westerns Balkans has gone through various public administration reforms resulting from the era of New Public Management (NPM) developments that took place in developed countries. However, such reforms have not yet reached their goal of creating more autonomous (especially financially) local government units that would be efficient and effective enough to provide better services to citizens. Macedonia is perceived a country where fiscal decentralisation has not reached its expected outcome reflected mainly in low shares of finances compared to central government finances. This paper aims to elaborate on the reforms that have shaped the management of local government in Macedonia, as well as its financial position. This is an exploratory study of previous writings about decentralization and local government (mainly) in Macedonia. The paper starts with some theoretical background of NPM and decentralisation that have shaped the local government. Then it follows with a review of the public administration reforms, decentralisation process, and local government finances. The paper is expected to contribute modestly in understanding the nature of local government and its finances along the reforms channelled mainly through the decentralization process. 
Modeling the Influence of Dust-Removing Extraction Fan’S Parameters on the Dust Control Effects in the Tunnel
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Wang Deming , Wang Hetang
Published: June 2016

In the process of comprehensive mechanized tunnelling in coal mines, forced ventilation is usually adopted to supply air in China. But this ventilation mode could cause the dust rise and diffuse more easily, which has threaten the mine workers’ health seriously. To solve this problem, dust-removing extraction fan is generally used to suck and purify dusty air in mines. However, the optimal arrangement scheme for dust control is rarely systematically studied. In this paper, we took the tunnel in Donghuantuo Mine as an example and use CFD simulation technology to analyze the dust migration law and dust control effects under different conditions. An unsteady state solution is used to simulate the process and the simulation have realized the visualization of dust migration process with time and the results are as follows. Firstly, it’s better for dust control to arrange the inlet of the dust-removing extraction fan to the air return side rather than to the center of the tunnel. Secondly, the dust control effects decrease with the distance between inlet of the dust-removing extraction fan and heading face increases. Thirdly, as the amount of air suction is larger than air supply, the dust control efforts would get worse. Field test results are similar with that obtained from simulation under the optimal arrangement, which proves the reliability of simulation.
Exchange Rate Variability and Manufacturing Sector Performance in Ghana: Evidence from Cointegration Analysis
Authors: Abdul-Mumuni Abdallah
Published: June 2016

This study examined the effect of exchange rate variability on manufacturing sector performance in Ghana. Using time series data from the period 1986-2013 and employing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach, the empirical results show that there exists both a short as well as long run relationship between exchange rate and manufacturing sector performance. Thus, in Ghana as the exchange rate appreciates, the manufacturing sector performance improves and as it depreciates, the sector is adversely affected.  In view of this, it is recommended that policy should be put in place to regulate the importation of goods that could be locally produced so as to improve the performance of the manufacturing sector. In addition, the government should ensure that there is regular electricity supply, good roads, water and a reliable telecommunication system so that the manufacturing sector can perform effectively and efficiently in order to achieve a considerable rate of economic growth.
Helseforskjeller blant nyfødte barn i Oslo
Authors: Rognerud Marit , Stensvold Inger
Published: June 2016

SAMMENDRAGBakgrunn  Materiale og metode  Resultater  Konklusjon  Differences in health among newborns in Oslo.Nor J Epidemiol ENGLISH SUMMARYBackground  Materials and methods  Results  Discussion  : These data do not provide sufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the aetiology of theobserved differences. The differences are considerable, however, and knowledge about the mostimportant aetiologic factors is crucial for selecting interventions. Other types of studies using data onthe individual level should therefore be conducted.: Differences in low birth weight and infant mortality displayed strong correlation to differencesin socio-economic status. The study also showed an association between area differences in low birthweight and smoking habits for women 40-42 years. Differences in malformations were not linked tosocioeconomic or demographic measures, but there was a strong link between the level of malformationsamong Norwegian and non-western newborns in the local authorities.: Ecological analysis of birth statistics (1985-96), indicators of women’s smokinghabits (1985-88) and socio-economic measures (1995) in the local authorities.: «The Oslo health report» presented differences in health and risk factors between the 25local authorities within the city of Oslo. Large differences in child health were demonstrated.1998; 8 (1): 29-35.: De foreliggende datasettene gir ikke grunnlag til å trekke noen sikre konklusjoner omårsaker til de observerte forskjellene. Forskjellene er imidlertid betydelige og kunnskap om de viktigsteårsakene er avgjørende for å kunne målrette tiltak. Undersøkelsen burde derfor følges opp med andretyper studier med data på individnivå for å komme nærmere en etiologisk forklaring.Rognerud M, Stensvold I. : Bydelsvise forskjeller i lav fødselsvekt og spedbarnsdødelighet var nær knyttet til sosioøkonomiskefaktorer på bydelsnivå. Det ble også vist en samvariasjon på bydelsnivå mellom lav fødselsvektog røykevaner for kvinner 40-42 år. Medfødte misdannelser viste ingen samvariasjon med sosioøkonomiskeeller demografiske mål, men det var en sterk samvariasjon mellom medfødte misdannelser hosnorske og ikke-vestlige innvandrere på bydelsnivå.: Økologisk analyse av data fra Medisinsk fødselsregister (1985-96), mål på sosioøkonomiskstatus (1995) og indikatorer på kvinners røykevaner (1985-88) på bydelsnivå.: Oslohelsa presenterte forskjeller i helsetilstand og faktorer som virker inn på denne mellombydelene i Oslo (jf. Kommunehelsetjenestelovens § 1–4). Sentrale indikatorer på nyfødte barns helseviste store variasjoner mellom bydelene.
The geography of prostate cancer incidence in Norway: Are the patterns real?
Authors: Aase Asbjørn , Bentham Graham
Published: June 2016

SUMMARYThe etiology of prostate cancer is to a large extent unknown. There are striking international variations inincidence, which may indicate that factors that show geographical variations can provide further cluesabout etiology. A problem with using incidence data for comparisons in time and space is that the numberof cases reported may be affected by the intensity of diagnosing, since many of the cases are latent andasymptomatic. The purpose of this study is to adjust the observed pattern of prostate cancer in communesand counties of Norway for variations which may be due to diagnostic artefacts. It is assumed that a largeproportion of local cancers may be an indication of more intensive diagnosing. Data of prostate cancerincidence for 1982-91 with tumours specified by degree of spread were provided by the Cancer Registry. Aregression function relating total incidence to % local tumours was used to predict the SIRs adjusted forvariations in % local tumours. The maps comparing incidence patterns before and after adjustement showthat a large part of the significant deviations from the national mean persists, and that the pattern of negativedeviations in the far north is even strengthened. A significant positive correlation between the ratio ofincidence to mortality against % local tumours is found, which supports the main hypothesis of the study.
Regionale sykelighetsforskjeller i Nord-Trøndelag fylke belyst med tall fra ulike datakilder
Authors: Fretland Steinar , Krüger Øystein
Published: June 2016

SAMMENDRAGNord-Trøndelag fylke inndeles i to sykehusområder, Namdal i nord/nordvest og Innherred i sør. Det ertidligere påvist høyere sykehusforbruk i Namdal enn i Innherred. En undersøkelse fra 80-tallet tydet på atforhold i primærhelsetjenesten forklarte noen av disse forskjellene: større stabilitet blant primærlegene ogbedre samarbeid mellom første- og andrelinjetjenesten i Innherred kunne forklare lavere sykehusforbruk i detteområdet. Forhold knyttet til geografi, næringsstruktur og befolkningssammensetning så ikke ut til å spillenoen vesentlig rolle. Formålet med denne undersøkelsen var å kartlegge eventuelle forskjeller i sykelighetmellom befolkningene i Namdal og Innherred. For å beskrive sykdomsmønstre i fylket har vi hentet data frabefolkningsundersøkelser i fylket, fra sykehusstatistikk, fra registrering hos primærleger, fra kreftregisteret,fra meldingssystemet for infeksjonssykdommer, fra dødsårsaksregisteret, fra fylkets trygdekontor og fraFylkeslegen. Det var høyere forekomst av hjertesykdom og høyere nivåer for risikofaktorer for hjertesykdom(målte gjennomsnittlige kolesterolverdier, høyt blodtrykk, daglig røyking og infarktrisk-skåre) i Namdal enn iInnherred. Regionale ulikheter i sykelighet registrert ved Helseundersøkelsen i Nord-Trøndelag (HUNT) blebekreftet av tilsvarende forskjeller ved innleggelser i sykehus for en rekke sykdommer.Fretland S, Krüger Ø. Regional differences in disease morbidity in Nord-Trøndelag county.Nor J Epidemiol ENGLISH SUMMARYPrevious research has revealed that the population-adjusted number of hospital admissions through manyyears has been higher in Namdal than in Innherred hospital region. This was not explained by differences inpopulation age or sex distributions, but was to some extent associated with the level of primary health care.The aim of this study was to investigate if there were differences in morbidity between the two hospitalregions. We have used different sources to collect information about the disease patterns: The Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey, data from general practitioners in the county, the Cancer Registry of Norway, theNational Institute of Public Health, the hospital registers in the county of Nord-Trøndelag, the National DeathRegister, the public insurance company and from the County Health Office. There was a substantially higheroccurrence of heart disease and risk factors for heart disease (levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, cigarettesmoking and infarction risk score) in Namdal than in Innherred hospital region. The regional differencesin coronary heart disease were clearly confirmed in hospital admission data, and also for several otherdiseases: stroke, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease and arm and hip fractures –1998; 8 (1): 73-78.
Dødelighet av hjerteinfarkt i fylker og helseregioner i perioden 1951-94
Authors: Tverdal Aage
Published: June 2016

SAMMENDRAGBasert på data fra Statistisk sentralbyrå er dødeligheten av hjerteinfarkt i fylkene studert. Dødeligheten ialder 40-69 år økte markert i alle fylker mellom 1951-55 og 1971-75 for deretter å avta jevnt fram til 1991-94. For menn er ingen av fylkene kommet ned på nivået i 1951-55, mens for kvinner er dødeligheten i1991-94 lavere i fire fylker. Endringene varierte i størrelse mellom fylkene slik at rangeringen av fylkeneetter dødelighet er forskjellig i første og siste periode. Det var prosentvis en svakere økning i dødelighetenfor kvinner enn for menn fra 1951-55 til 1971-75 og også en svakere nedgang fra 1971-75 til 1991-94. Dennåværende tendens er meget gunstig i alle helseregioner.Tverdal A. Mortality from myocardial infarction in Norwegian counties and health regions 1951-94.Nor J Epidemiol   ENGLISH SUMMARYData from Statistics Norway on mortality from myocardial infarction in Norwegian counties have beenstudied. The mortality in the age group 40-69 years increased distinctly between 1951-55 and 1971-75 inall counties followed by a gradual decrease until 1991-94. For men none of the counties have yet reachedthe level of 1951-55, whilst for women the mortality is now lower in four of the counties. The changesvaried in magnitude between the counties so that the ranking of the counties by mortality differed betweenthe first and the last period. In per cent the increase in mortality was weaker for women than for men from1951-55 to 1971-75, and there was also a weaker decline from 1971-75 to 1991-94 in women. The existingtendency is very favourable in all health regions.1998; 8 (1): 79-80.
Geografiske mønstre for helse, levekår og helsetjenester i Norge: En utvidet anmeldelse og sammenligning av to helseatlas
Authors: Jørgensen Stig
Published: June 2016

Nasjonalatlas for Norge: Helse. 1996  Helse- og levekårsatlas for Hordaland og Noreg. 1996Hansen FH, Reitan J, Ågotnes J-E, red. Hordaland fylkeskommune og Norges samfunnsvitenskapeligedatatjeneste (NSD), Bergen, 191 sider, tab, ill.(National Atlas of Norway: Health. 1996)Aase A, Storm-Furru I, forfattere; Nilsen S, hovedred. Statens Kartverk, Hønefoss, 239 sider, tab, ill.
The history, status and teaching of Darwinian medicine in Norway
Authors: Mysterud Iver
Published: June 2016

SUMMARYThis paper reviews how the application of the adaptationist program in medicine – Darwinian medicine –has been presented and received in Norway from the time George Williams presented his lecture in 1990,prior to the publishing of the seminal paper "The Dawn of Darwinian Medicine". These ideas found theirway into textbooks in 1996, and are also evaluated for inclusion in the curricula at several Norwegianmedical and nursing schools. This paper also presents how, in one of the textbooks, Darwinian medicineis integrated into an ecological health theory within the framework of human-environment interaction.
Out-patient geriatric assessment by a hospital-based general practitioner: Results and financial implications
Authors: Ranhoff Anette Hylen
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTNorway has few specialists in geriatric medicine, but geriatric services are supposed to be implementedin all local hospitals. I assessed a model for hospital out-patient geriatric service headed by a generalpractitioner. The service was organised in a local hospital. 266 elderly patients were referred for geriatricassessment.Main outcome measures were ICD-9 diagnostic categories, general patient well-being before and afterassessment, patients' and referring doctors' satisfaction, and cost of the service and income received.Age, gender and diagnoses were within the same range as in other studies of out-patient geriatricassessment. Two hundred and three (85.3%) out of 238 patients reached in follow-up interviews weresatisfied with the service and reported improved general well-being. Referring doctors reported satisfactionwith the service. The service was financed by charges paid by the patients and a capitation fee fromthe social security. Cost per patient was £ 94 (1070 NOK).The study shows that in Norway a GP can implement an outpatient geriatric service which improvesthe patients' general well-being and is cost effective.Key words:  general practitioner, geriatric assessment, financial implications, local hospital, out-patient clinic, patient well-being
The paradoxes of gerotranscendence: The theory of gerotranscendence in a cultural gerontological and post-modernist perspective
Authors: Thorsen Kirsten
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTThis article presents a theoretical analysis and discussion of the theory of gerotranscendence, formulatedby Lars Tornstam (University of Uppsala, Sweden). The theory is presented as a meta-theory ofageing, as a theory of universal and general ageing processes. Ageing is seen as an urge (a drive)towards a less engaged posititon in the wordly life, moving towards a higher degree of transcendence,with a more cosmic outlook and another definition of reality. In this article the theory is discussed fromanother theoretical position; Ageing seen in a cultural gerontological perspective, as a varied culturallyand historically situated phenomenon – differing in different times and different cultures. The theoreticalperspective underlines that ageing is complex dialectical processes, an intertwined interplay betweenindividual development and cultural change. The varied individual ageing processes are not seenas the result of «drives». In Western post-modern cultures the ageing processes are becoming manifold,often contradictory. Elderly present versions of the selves that are becoming complex, multiplied (multipleselves), acting at different scenes, stamped by varied cultural values, presenting mixed versions ofactivity and passivity, engagement and retractment, wordliness and transcendence.Key words:  Ageing theories; gerotranscendence; cultural gerontology; postmodernism
Vancomycin extravasation: Evaluation, treatment, and avoidance of this adverse drug event
Authors: Peyko Vincent , Sasson Evan
Published: June 2016

Purpose: To report the presentation, management, and potential future avoidance of vancomycin extravasation.Summary: An 84-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department due to observed seizures that progressed to statusepilepticus. Status epilepticus was controlled, but the patient developed hospital-acquired pneumonia, requiring treatment withvancomycin and cefepime. During treatment with vancomycin, extravasation occurred during peripheral administration. Coldpacks were immediately applied to the lesion for the next 24 hours with common gauze open dressings with frequent changes, andsilver sulfadiazine 1% topical application once daily were started on the day after extravasation. While skin necrosis developed, itdid not require surgical intervention and common gauze open dressings with frequent changes and silver sulfadiazine 1% topicallywere continued until the wound was healed.Conclusion: Although the package insert warns of extravasation with potential necrosis during vancomycin administration, thiscase highlights a potentially under-reported adverse event. Vancomycin extravasation was successfully managed by utilizing coldcompress for the first 24 hours post-extravasation with common gauze open dressings and silver sulfadiazine 1% until the woundwas healed. With a potential for vancomycin extravasation when administered peripherally, we would recommend central venousadministration.
Validity of the Diabetes, Hypertension and Hyperlipidaemia (DHL) Knowledge Instrument among Medical Students of Karachi
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Haseeb Abdul , Merchant Aleena Zehra , Sher Khan Muhammad Ahad , Adam Arsalan Majeed , Gul Ayesha , Saad Muhammad , Arshad Mohammad Hussham , Yasmin Farah , Saad Muhammad , Gagai Hasan Aslam , Al- Karim Manji Adil , S. Ahmed Taha , Kazani Bahram , Husain Hamza
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND: While there have been a number of studies on DM, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, an instrument which assesses knowledge based on all three conditions has neither been established nor authorized in Pakistan. Hence, the focus of this study was to establish a pre- tested extensive questionnaire to evaluate medical students’ understanding of DM, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and their medications for use.METHODS: A pre-validated and pre-tested DHL instrument was employed on 250 students of Dow Medical and Sindh Medical College and on 45 physicians working in a leading teaching hospital of Karachi. The DHL knowledge instrument was then distributed a second time to the very same set of students, after a period of 2 months, at the end of the foundation module, once they had received some basic formal medical education including diabetes and CVS diseases.RESULTS: The overall internal consistency for the DHL instrument failed to comply with the set standard of more than or equal to 0.7 as our results yielded Cronbach’s α of 0.6. Overall the average difficulty factor of 28 questions is 0.41, which highlighted that the instrument was moderately tough. The mean scores for all domains were substantially lower in the students section in comparison to that of the professional section, which had remarkable impact on the overall mean(SD) knowledge score (40.58 ± 14.63 vs. 63.49 ± 06.67 ; p value = 0.00).CONCLUSION: The instrument can be used to recognize people who require educational programs and keep an account of the changes with the passage of time as it could help in differentiating the knowledge levels among its participants based on their educational status.
The Effect of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthesia Cream (EMLA) on Satisfaction, Pain, and Nausea/Vomiting of Patients Undergoing Gastro-intestinal Endoscopy-A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing EMLA Cream and Gel, Lidocaine Gel and Spray, and Placebo
Authors: Nasiri Jafar , Ahmadi Amin , Ganji Forouzan
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a valuable diagnostic method for the treatment of various diseases that has found a wonderful application in recent years. Yet, controlling patients’ pain and nausea is a fundamental factor to increase patient satisfaction, reduce patients’ discomfort, and increase the patient’s cooperation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthesia (EMLA) cream and gel, as a topical pharyngeal anesthetic on patients’ pharyngeal pain, nausea/vomiting, and satisfaction, in comparison with lidocaine gel and spray and placebo.METHODS: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess patient satisfaction, nausea/vomiting, throat and pharyngeal pain during and after endoscopy by different methods of local anesthesia. Thus, 150 patients were randomly divided into 5 groups of 30 receiving placebo, lidocaine gel, lidocaine spray, EMLA gel and cream 5 to 10 minutes before endoscopy. Then patient satisfaction (measured by GHAA-9 questionnaire), pain or discomfort in the throat, and nausea/vomiting were evaluated half an hour after endoscopy.RESULTS: Patient satisfaction score was not statistically different between the test groups (P>0.05), but the throat pain and discomfort and nausea/vomiting during and after endoscopy was statistically different between groups (P<0.05) and the lowest nausea/vomiting was in the group using EMLA cream.CONCLUSION: Different methods of throat anesthesia had no significant difference on patient satisfaction but EMLA cream and gel caused less nausea/vomiting than lidocaine gel or spray during and after endoscopy.
A Qualitative Exploration of Voice Oriented Quality of Life in Iranian Patients: A Cultural Explanation
Authors: Dehqan Ali , Yadegari Fariba , Asgari Ali , Scherer Ronald C , Dabirmoghadam Peyman
Published: June 2016

PURPOSE: The phrase “health-related quality of life” (HRQOL) refers to patients’ perceptions of the influence of disease and treatment on their physical, psychological, and social function. Also, cultural aspects should be taken into account when evaluating quality of life and should be considered in related surveys.  In the current study, the most prominent voice-related QOL dimensions, including culture-based items in Iranian individuals was examined.

METHODS: A convenience sample (n= 23) of adults was interviewed addressing voice related quality of life areas. Participants consisted of 15 people (13 men and 2 women) over 18 years with voice disorders lasting at least 6 months with mean age 41.46±16.06, 3 people (2 men and 1 woman) with mean age 47.66±6.65 who worked as radio broadcasters with over 20 years of experience in the ﬁeld, and 5 experienced specialists in voice disorders (3 speech therapists and 2 otolaryngologists). A semi-structured interview method was used. The components of voice quality of life based on the interviews were extracted by a fourteen stage process content analysis.

RESULTS: Many of the extracted components were common to both the interviews and those found in the relevant literature and some of them are new. Some of the new components appear to fit best under the category of “cultural”. Eleven cultural elements are “religious beliefs in disease tolerance and promotion of quality of life”, “More support expectation from family”, “Fear about pain and thinking about serious problems (such as Cancer)”,  “Throat strain results in more disappointment  ” “Fatalism in coping with problem and promotion of Quality of life”, “Traditional home remediation”, “Hope for spontaneous recovery”, “Discrimination because of sound problems”, “Pain and globus sensation as a factor in finding remediation more quickly”, “Negative judgments”, “Negative thoughts about people with voice disorders”. These elements appear to have a potentially strong effect on health quality of life especially in the voice domain.

CONCLUSIONS: Relative to the development of a Quality of Life questionnaire for voice, important cultural components of Iranian patients were identified in the current study. Identifying these components may help Iranian voice clinicians obtain a more accurate understanding of health-related quality of life aspects within the Iranian culture. This may lead to more effective remediation for voice patients. 
Relation between Democratic Leadership and Organizational Cynicism
Authors: Terzi Ali Riza , Derin Ramazan
Published: June 2016

This study intends to analyze the relation between school principals’ leadership styles and teachers’ perception of organizational cynicism. The study group consists of 268 participants teaching at high schools in the Balıkesir district of Turkey during 2014-2015 academic year. In the study, which used relational survey model, data was collected through Democratic Leadership Scale and Organizational Cynicism Scale and analyzed by mean scores, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and simple linear regression. The results revealed that democratic leadership is a significant predictor of organizational cynicism, and it is negatively connected with organizational cynicism. In addition, it was found that there were significant differences between seniority and gender groups as regards democratic leadership, between seniority groups as regards all dimensions of organizational cynicism, and between gender as regards affective cynicism. All the results of the study showed that the democratic leadership style displayed by school principals influences the organizational cynicism perceived by teachers.
«Los cuentos de Juana»: una obra experimentalista de Álvaro Cepeda Samudio
Authors: Mehrad Nazanin
Published: June 2016

En este artículo se analiza el último libro de Álvaro Cepeda Samudio, Los cuentos de Juana, teniendo en consideración el concepto del autor sobre el género cuentístico. Esta obra experimentalista, formada por una serie de cuentos, gira en torno al personaje extravagante de Juana y pone de relieve el vitalismo del autor y su deseo de improvisar. Los cuentos de Juana, aunque no cumplió las expectativas de muchos críticos cuando fue publicado, merece ser releído y reevaluado ya pasados más de cuarenta años desde su publicación.
Concepción Gimeno, Emilia Serrano y las escritoras mexicanas durante el siglo XIX
Authors: Romero Chumacero Leticia
Published: June 2016

El artículo narra la visita a México de Concepción Gimeno de Flaquer y Emilia Serrano, baronesa de Wilson, durante los primeros años de la década de 1880. También identifica algunas aportaciones de su visita en el ámbito de la escritura de las mujeres mexicanas.
apontaCursos: um Sistema Web para Gerenciar Informações sobre Palestras, Treinamentos e Eventos
Authors: Mahmud Pablo Bizzi , Pasin Marcia
Published: June 2016

Devido à crescente busca de cursos e treinamentos visando qualifica- ção por parte do público consumidor e falta de um website onde a conexão en- tre consumidor e anunciante fosse facilitado, foi vislumbrada a possibilidade de desenvolver um portal que conseguisse abastecer essa lacuna nos nossos meios de comunicação de serviços. A partir dessa problemática, foi desenvolvido um website para facilitar o acesso à qualificação profissional, centralizando infor- mações sobre palestras, cursos, eventos. O Website proporciona, nos meios acadêmicos e empresariais, aproximar anunciantes e público interessado. O principal resultado do trabalho foi a confecção de um Website onde é possível realizar o cadastro e a busca desses serviços de qualificação profissional para que os usuários consigam satisfazer suas necessidades.
Is she mad at me?: tone and conversation in text messaging
Authors: Lucey Katherine
Published: June 2016

The average American college student text messages constantly throughout the day. According to a Boston area Verizon retailer, it is not uncommon for young adults (an age range he did not define) to send 8,000 text messages a month. Texting has become an increasingly more important form of communication in our culture, and our country’s colleges are the hotbeds of linguistic activity and change within this particular medium. Its emergence and popularity have not gone unnoticed in the sociolinguistic community, where text messaging and online conversation have become rich new areas of linguistic data yet unexplored. Most famous in this discussion is British linguist David Crystal, whose recent research, culminating in his 2008 book Txting: The Gr8 Deb8, has incited discussion and suggested fascinating conclusions about the sophistication of this means of communication and its influence on the English language. Crystal writes a great deal about the acronyms and abbreviations within the grammar of the Short Messaging Service (SMS), but in this paper I focused on the relationship of tone and punctuation, a topic that emerged out of a conversation with a fellow student. She was struggling to compose a message to a recent acquaintance (and potential romantic interest), and could not decide on the proper end punctuation for the attitude she wanted to project. The message content, something mundane about her hometown in Maryland, wasn’t the problem; it was deciding the appropriate way to finish the message off, to apply a tone. We ran through the list of options and discussed all of their implications, trying to identify which one would best convey her overall attitude: interested and engaged, but definitely light and casual. After trying a few different combinations of haha’s and exclamation points we landed on something satisfactory and she sent it off. Reflecting on it later, I realized that we had just achieved a pretty complex linguistic act. With limited resources we managed to make sure her recipient knew how she felt; her message served as a vehicle for an emotional transfer. Text messages that are pure content are all business, just an instant communication of needs to another person who could be in any place and engaged in any activity. Without explicit markers of tone, such a message is bold and possibly disconcerting, and not at all analogous to face-to-face conversation, in which politeness is paramount. American college students therefore employ punctuation and add certain particles in order to avoid ambiguity of tone and preserve standards of politeness in text messaging.