bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebrolysin improves cognitive performance in rats after mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhang Yanlu , Chopp Michael , Meng Yuling , Zhang Zheng Gang , Doppler Edith , Winter Stefan , Schallert Timothy , Mahmood Asim , Xiong Ye
Published: January 2015

OBJECT

Long-term memory deficits occur after mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), and effective treatment modalities are currently unavailable. Cerebrolysin, a peptide preparation mimicking the action of neurotrophic factors, has beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries. The present study investigated the long-term effects of Cerebrolysin treatment on cognitive function in rats after mTBI.

METHODS

Rats subjected to closed-head mTBI were treated with saline (n = 11) or Cerebrolysin (2.5 ml/kg, n = 11) starting 24 hours after injury and then daily for 28 days. Sham animals underwent surgery without injury (n = 8). To evaluate cognitive function, the modified Morris water maze (MWM) test and a social odor–based novelty recognition task were performed after mTBI. All rats were killed on Day 90 after mTBI, and brain sections were immunostained for histological analyses of amyloid precursor protein (APP), astrogliosis, neuroblasts, and neurogenesis.

RESULTS

Mild TBI caused long-lasting cognitive memory deficits in the MWM and social odor recognition tests up to 90 days after injury. Compared with saline treatment, Cerebrolysin treatment significantly improved both long-term spatial learning and memory in the MWM test and nonspatial recognition memory in the social odor recognition task up to 90 days after mTBI (p < 0.05). Cerebrolysin significantly increased the number of neuroblasts and promoted neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, and it reduced APP levels and astrogliosis in the corpus callosum, cortex, dentate gyrus, CA1, and CA3 regions (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that Cerebrolysin treatment of mTBI improves long-term cognitive function, and this improvement may be partially related to decreased brain APP accumulation and astrogliosis as well as increased neuroblasts and neurogenesis.
A Simple Risk Score for Identifying Individuals with Impaired Fasting Glucose in the Southern Chinese Population
Authors: Wang Hui , Liu Tao , Qiu Quan , Ding Peng , He Yan-Hui , Chen Wei-Qing
Published: January 2015

This study aimed to develop and validate a simple risk score for detecting individuals with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) among the Southern Chinese population. A sample of participants aged ≥20 years and without known diabetes from the 2006–2007 Guangzhou diabetes cross-sectional survey was used to develop separate risk scores for men and women. The participants completed a self-administered structured questionnaire and underwent simple clinical measurements. The risk scores were developed by multiple logistic regression analysis. External validation was performed based on three other studies: the 2007 Zhuhai rural population-based study, the 2008–2010 Guangzhou diabetes cross-sectional study and the 2007 Tibet population-based study. Performance of the scores was measured with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and ROC c-statistic. Age, waist circumference, body mass index and family history of diabetes were included in the risk score for both men and women, with the additional factor of hypertension for men. The ROC c-statistic was 0.70 for both men and women in the derivation samples. Risk scores of ≥28 for men and ≥18 for women showed respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 56.6%, 71.7%, 13.0% and 96.0% for men and 68.7%, 60.2%, 11% and 96.0% for women in the derivation population. The scores performed comparably with the Zhuhai rural sample and the 2008–2010 Guangzhou urban samples but poorly in the Tibet sample. The performance of pre-existing USA, Shanghai, and Chengdu risk scores was poorer in our population than in their original study populations. The results suggest that the developed simple IFG risk scores can be generalized in Guangzhou city and nearby rural regions and may help primary health care workers to identify individuals with IFG in their practice.
Evaluating the Performance of a Climate-Driven Mortality Model during Heat Waves and Cold Spells in Europe
Authors: Lowe Rachel , Ballester Joan , Creswick James , Robine Jean-Marie , Herrmann François , Rodó Xavier
Published: January 2015

The impact of climate change on human health is a serious concern. In particular, changes in the frequency and intensity of heat waves and cold spells are of high relevance in terms of mortality and morbidity. This demonstrates the urgent need for reliable early-warning systems to help authorities prepare and respond to emergency situations. In this study, we evaluate the performance of a climate-driven mortality model to provide probabilistic predictions of exceeding emergency mortality thresholds for heat wave and cold spell scenarios. Daily mortality data corresponding to 187 NUTS2 regions across 16 countries in Europe were obtained from 1998–2003. Data were aggregated to 54 larger regions in Europe, defined according to similarities in population structure and climate. Location-specific average mortality rates, at given temperature intervals over the time period, were modelled to account for the increased mortality observed during both high and low temperature extremes and differing comfort temperatures between regions. Model parameters were estimated in a Bayesian framework, in order to generate probabilistic simulations of mortality across Europe for time periods of interest. For the heat wave scenario (1–15 August 2003), the model was successfully able to anticipate the occurrence or non-occurrence of mortality rates exceeding the emergency threshold (75th percentile of the mortality distribution) for 89% of the 54 regions, given a probability decision threshold of 70%. For the cold spell scenario (1–15 January 2003), mortality events in 69% of the regions were correctly anticipated with a probability decision threshold of 70%. By using a more conservative decision threshold of 30%, this proportion increased to 87%. Overall, the model performed better for the heat wave scenario. By replacing observed temperature data in the model with forecast temperature, from state-of-the-art European forecasting systems, probabilistic mortality predictions could potentially be made several months ahead of imminent heat waves and cold spells.
IgG and IgA with Potential Microbial-Binding Activity Are Expressed by Normal Human Skin Epidermal Cells
Authors: Jiang Dongyang , Ge Jing , Liao Qinyuan , Ma Junfan , Liu Yang , Huang Jing , Wang Chong , Xu Weiyan , Zheng Jie , Shao Wenwei , Lee Gregory , Qiu Xiaoyan
Published: January 2015

The innate immune system of the skin is thought to depend largely on a multi-layered mechanical barrier supplemented by epidermis-derived antimicrobial peptides. To date, there are no reports of antimicrobial antibody secretion by the epidermis. In this study, we report the expression of functional immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), previously thought to be only produced by B cells, in normal human epidermal cells and the human keratinocyte line HaCaT. While B cells express a fully diverse Ig, epidermal cell-expressed IgG or IgA showed one or two conservative VHDJH rearrangements in each individual. These unique VDJ rearrangements in epidermal cells were found neither in the B cell-derived Ig VDJ databases published by others nor in our positive controls. IgG and IgA from epidermal cells of the same individual had different VDJ rearrangement patterns. IgG was found primarily in prickle cells, and IgA was mainly detected in basal cells. Both epidermal cell-derived IgG and IgA showed potential antibody activity by binding pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, the most common pathogenic skin bacteria, but the microbial-binding profile was different. Our data indicates that normal human epidermal cells spontaneously express IgG and IgA, and we speculate that these Igs participate in skin innate immunity.
Insight into the Molecular and Functional Diversity of Cnidarian Neuropeptides
Authors: Takahashi Toshio , Takeda Noriyo
Published: January 2015

Cnidarians are the most primitive animals to possess a nervous system. This phylum is composed of the classes Scyphozoa (jellyfish), Cubozoa (box jellyfish), and Hydrozoa (e.g., Hydra, Hydractinia), which make up the subphylum Medusozoa, as well as the class Anthozoa (sea anemones and corals). Neuropeptides have an early evolutionary origin and are already abundant in cnidarians. For example, from the cnidarian Hydra, a key model system for studying the peptides involved in developmental and physiological processes, we identified a wide variety of novel neuropeptides from Hydra magnipapillata (the Hydra Peptide Project). Most of these peptides act directly on muscle cells and induce contraction and relaxation. Some peptides are involved in cell differentiation and morphogenesis. In this review, we describe FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs), GLWamide-family peptides, and the neuropeptide Hym-355; FPQSFLPRGamide. Several hundred FLPs have been isolated from invertebrate animals such as cnidarians. GLWamide-family peptides function as signaling molecules in muscle contraction, metamorphosis, and settlement in cnidarians. Hym-355; FPQSFLPRGamide enhances neuronal differentiation in Hydra. Recently, GLWamide-family peptides and Hym-355; FPQSFLPRGamide were shown to trigger oocyte maturation and subsequent spawning in the hydrozoan jellyfish Cytaeis uchidae. These findings suggest the importance of these neuropeptides in both developmental and physiological processes.
Fatal Attraction: How Bacterial Adhesins Affect Host Signaling and What We Can Learn from Them
Authors: Stones Daniel , Krachler Anne-Marie
Published: January 2015

The ability of bacterial species to colonize and infect host organisms is critically dependent upon their capacity to adhere to cellular surfaces of the host. Adherence to cell surfaces is known to be essential for the activation and delivery of certain virulence factors, but can also directly affect host cell signaling to aid bacterial spread and survival. In this review we will discuss the recent advances in the field of bacterial adhesion, how we are beginning to unravel the effects adhesins have on host cell signaling, and how these changes aid the bacteria in terms of their survival and evasion of immune responses. Finally, we will highlight how the exploitation of bacterial adhesins may provide new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections.
Energy Efficient Strategy for Throughput Improvement in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Jabbar Sohail , Minhas Abid , Imran Muhammad , Khalid Shehzad , Saleem Kashif
Published: January 2015

Network lifetime and throughput are one of the prime concerns while designing routing protocols for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, most of the existing schemes are either geared towards prolonging network lifetime or improving throughput. This paper presents an energy efficient routing scheme for throughput improvement in WSN. The proposed scheme exploits multilayer cluster design for energy efficient forwarding node selection, cluster heads rotation and both inter- and intra-cluster routing. To improve throughput, we rotate the role of cluster head among various nodes based on two threshold levels which reduces the number of dropped packets. We conducted simulations in the NS2 simulator to validate the performance of the proposed scheme. Simulation results demonstrate the performance efficiency of the proposed scheme in terms of various metrics compared to similar approaches published in the literature.
What is Good for Tourists Should Be Good for Residents Too: The Relationship Between the Quality of the Touristic Offer and Subjective Well-Being of Residents
Authors: Lipovčan Ljiljana Kaliterna , Brajša-Žganec Ndreja , Poljanec-Borić Saša
Published: January 2015

The aim of this article is to examine the relationship between the quality of tourist destinations and the subjective well-being of people living in the destination. Two data sets were used for the analysis: one related to the subjective well-being of Croatian citizens and the other
related to the quality of tourist destinations in the country. Subjective well-being measures included: overall happiness, life satisfaction and satisfaction with the standard of living, health, achievements in life, relationships, safety, community connectedness, and future security, using
a scale from 0 to 10. The final data set included 2,171 residents (aged 15–64) from 41 destinations with varying touristic quality. The destinations were grouped into three categories according to the touristic quality. Results of the ANCOVAs for quality of tourist destination as independent
variable, subjective well-being of residents as dependent variables, and sociodemographics as covariates (age, gender, education, monthly income, level of urbanization) showed that the quality of tourist destination was related to residents' life satisfaction and happiness, as well as the
satisfaction with personal life domains. The residents of destinations with the higher evaluated quality of tourist offer were more happy, more satisfied with their lives in general, with their material status, personal health, achievements in life, relationships with family and friends, feelings
of physical safety, acceptance by the community, and future security than the residents from the destinations with medium and lower quality of tourist offer.
Tourism Entrepreneurs' Perception of Quality of Life: An Explorative Study
Authors: Peters Mike , Schuckert Markus
Published: January 2015

This article analyzes entrepreneurs' perception of their quality of life (QOL) as well as their entrepreneurial activities. For smaller businesses in particular, business growth is not only a management decision; small business entrepreneurs' QOL considerations play an important role
when planning the future of their firm. This holds true for many businesses in the tourism industry, where we find a large number of small and family-owned businesses. Based on a literature review, the authors develop a qualitative study that aims at investigating the role of QOL perception
for tourism businesses' growth. Within this industry, the authors identify lifestyle entrepreneurial behaviors, and highlight how QOL perceptions are interrelated with individuals' perception of entrepreneurship in tourism. It can be stated that the motives and the level of these entrepreneurs'
growth orientation seem to be highly congruent to the definition of lifestyle entrepreneurs. They clearly perceive the need for a balance between enterprise growth and a good work–life relationship (QOL), and they tend to put a stronger emphasis on QOL. The majority of entrepreneurs
are much more driven to pursue the perfect balance between entrepreneurship and QOL.
Work During Vacation: Not So Bad After All
Authors: Nawijn Jeroen , Damen Yvette
Published: January 2015

Work during vacation is publicly and theoretically seen as detrimental to vacationers' quality of life. This study investigated whether work during vacation affects vacationers' quality of life in terms of intensity of felt emotions and needs fulfillment. A sample of international tourists
in the Netherlands (N = 374) took part in a street survey. Findings indicate that workers' and nonworkers' emotional experience is not statistically different during vacation. The fulfillment of needs is also identical between workers and nonworkers. Ninety-seven percent of workers
are satisfied with the balance between work and leisure time during vacation. These findings suggest that working tourists effectively combine work and leisure. Some dissatisfaction did arise from the lack of certain work facilities. Implications for the tourism industry and suggestions for
further research are provided.
Revising the “Five-Fold Framework” in Human Resource Management Practices: Insights from a Small-Scale Travel Agent
Authors: Hassan Azizul
Published: January 2015

This article focuses on recruitment and selection, an important area of human resource management, with reference to a small-scale family-owned travel agent. Travelmania Limited, a London-based agent, is the case under consideration. Also, this study outlines the theoretical facts of
the “Five-Fold Framework,” justifying its relevancy in this identified context. This framework, as outlined by John Munro Fraser in 1954, is represented through five points: impact on others, qualifications and experience, innate abilities, motivation, and emotional adjustments.
Results show that, where a typical form of family relation is attached to ownership and management, external employees are less likely to be offered any preference. In such circumstances, family influences become more dominant than relevant qualifications, experience, and working capacities.
In certain situations, employees outside of the family relationship network can become vulnerable to poor motivation and emotional suppression. This study underlines the broader mindset of the employer and practicing rational human resource management strategies.
Comparative phylogeography of the wild‐rice genus Zizania (Poaceae) in eastern Asia and North America
Authors: Xu Xin‐Wei , Wu Jin‐Wei , Qi Mei‐Xia , Lu Qi‐Xiang , Lee Peter F. , Lutz Sue , Ge Song , Wen Jun
Published: January 2015

• Premise of the study: Comparative phylogeography of intercontinental disjunct taxa allowed us not only to elucidate their diversification and evolution following geographic isolation, but also to understand the effect of climatic and geological histories on the evolutionary processes of closely related species. A phylogeographic analysis was conducted on the eastern Asian‐North American disjunct genus Zizania to compare intracontinental phylogeographic patterns between different continents.

• Methods: Surveys were conducted of 514 individuals using three chloroplast DNA fragments and three nuclear microsatellite loci. These individuals included 246 from 45 populations of Zizania latifolia in eastern Asia, and the following from North America: 154 individuals from 26 populations of Z. aquatica, 84 individuals from 14 populations of Z. palustris, and 30 individuals from one population of Z. texana.

• Key results: The genetic diversity of North American Zizania was significantly higher than that of eastern Asian Zizania. High levels of genetic differentiation among populations and no signal of population expansion were detected in three widespread species. No phylogeographic structure was observed in Z. latifolia, and discordant patterns of cpDNA and microsatellite markers were observed in North American Zizania.

• Conclusions: Reduced variation in Zizania latifolia likely reflects its perennial life history, the North American origin of Zizania, and the relative homogeneity of aquatic environments. High levels of genetic differentiation suggest limited dispersal among populations in all Zizania species. The more complex patterns of diversification and evolution in North American Zizania may be driven by the greater impact of glaciation in North America relative to eastern Asia.
Supratentorial metastasis of medulloblastoma in adults
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Handa Amit , Jha Deepak , Choudhary Ajay
Published: January 2015

Two adults, 31 and 20 years of age, developed supratentorial metastasis 3½ years and 11 months, respectively, after gross total removal of their posterior fossa medulloblastoma. The first case developed spinal metastasis as well. Both had undergone craniospinal irradiation. Case 1 underwent laminectomy and case 2 underwent craniotomy because their presenting symptoms required so.
Self inflicted stab with a knife: An unusual mode of penetrating brain injury
Authors: Qazi Zeeshan , Ojha Bal , Chandra Anil , Singh Sunil , Srivastava Chhitij , Verma Nishant , Patil Tushar
Published: January 2015

Self-inflicted penetrating injuries have been very rarely described in the medical literature. We describe a middle-aged woman, who had driven a long knife inside her skull with the help of a brick. She had done this to get relief from chronic headache, which was troubling her for 10 years. Patient was hemodynamically stable and had Glassgow Coma scale score of 15. She was immediately operated to remove the knife and evacuate the acute subdural hematoma. Patient made a steady postoperative recovery. Psychiatric and neurological evaluation in the postoperative period revealed features of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder with migraine, for which she was started on treatment. Management of such cases needs a team approach with inputs from neurosurgeon, neurophysician and psychiatrist.
Glioblastoma with signet ring cell morphology: A diagnostic challenge
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Naveen , Veldore Vidya , Sridhar P , Govindrajan M , Prabhudesai Shilpa , Hazarika Digantha , Ajaikumar B
Published: January 2015

Glioblastoma (WHO Grade IV), the most frequent malignant brain tumor, can have varied morphologic variations like epithelial/glandular structures, granular cells, and lipidized cells. Glioblastoma with signet ring cell morphology is very unusual and can mimic a metastatic carcinoma. These rare tumors may be just a morphological variant or may signify a different carcinogenic pathway.
Confounding features of ectopic craniopharyngioma: A differential for tumors showing diffusion restriction
Authors: Karnan Sudha , Krishnamoorthy Vanitha , Natarajan Kailasanathan , Sathyanathan Babu
Published: January 2015

Craniopharyngiomas comprise approximately 1-3% of all intracranial tumors and arise from squamous epithelial rests along remnants of Rathke's cleft. They have bimodal age distribution. The ectopic sites reported are the nasopharynx, sphenoid bone, pineal region, cerebellopontine angle and third ventricle. We report a case of ectopic craniopharyngioma in the Foramen of Monro with restricted diffusion, which have is an unusual feature, not commonly reported and is a potential pitfall.
Multiple spinal extradural arachnoidal cysts: An uncommon cause of thoracic cord compression
Authors: Nayak Raghavendra , Chaudhuri Anupkumar , Sadique Shahid , Attry Sanjeev
Published: January 2015

Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts are one of the rare causes of symptomatic spinal cord compression. Among them, occurrence of multiple cysts at the same spinal segment is rarely described in the literature. They appear to be extradural outpouchings of arachnoid that communicate with the intraspinal sub-arachnoid space through a small defect in the dura, filled by cerebrospinal fluid. Pathogenesis of these lesions is still unclear. Surgical excision is considered as the gold standard treatment. We present a 7-year-old female child who presented with spastic paraparesis. Her magnetic resonance imaging showed a thoracic posterior extradural arachnoid cyst, whereas, intraoperatively we found multiple cysts, which were excised completely. Neurological symptoms gradually recovered after surgical decompression.
Intracranial abscesses: Retrospective analysis of 32 patients and review of literature
Authors: Udoh David , Ibadin Emmanuel , Udoh Mojisola
Published: January 2015

Background: Intracranial abscess collections, though uncommon, are dreaded complications of head trauma, neurosurgical operations, meningitis, and otogenic, mastoid, and paranasal air sinus infections. Combining surgical evacuation with the appropriate antibiotic therapy is the effective treatment for intracranial abscesses. However, literature on surgical treatment is replete with several procedures which, on their own, may not
determine outcome.
Objectives: To determine the epidemiology and outcomes (of various treatment modalities) of intracranial abscesses in our institution, a major referral center for neurosurgical conditions in the midwestern region of Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of demographic data as well as indications, treatment modalities, and outcomes of various surgical procedures for evacuation of intracranial abscesses between September 2006 and December 2011.
Results: We carried out 40 procedures in 32 (23 male and 9 female) patients with various intracranial abscesses. These represented approximately 5.6% of all operative neurosurgical procedures in our unit since inception. Most abscesses [16, i.e. 50%] occurred in the second decade. In the first decade, there were 7 (22%), and after the age of 30 years, there were 4 (12.5%). The most susceptible single year of life was infancy with 4 (12.5%) cases of intracranial abscesses. None of the infants had features of congenital heart disease. The predisposing factors were mostly otolaryngologic (9) or posttraumatic (6). Most abscesses (41%) were located in the frontal region, and intraparenchymal (i.e. intracerebral or intracerebellar) (50%) lesions were commoner than extradural, subdural, or intraventricular lesions. The commonest procedure performed (50%) was burr hole evacuation. Four patients (12.5% of cases) died. Prognosis appears to worsen with meningitis as the predisposing infection, ventriculitis, multiple abscesses especially in infants, and immunosuppression.
Conclusion: The relative rarity of intracranial abscesses and the frequent delays in making the diagnosis render the condition a significant challenge to the clinician. A high index of suspicion, close interaction between the neurosurgeon and infectious disease specialist, with early treatment by adequate abscess drainage and appropriate antimicrobial treatment are important in their management.
The question of objectivity, its implications for the social sciences in the era of postmodernism: Africa in perspective
Authors: Atabor AA
Published: January 2015

This paper problematizes the question of objectivity as it pertains to the social sciences. The paper accentuates the difficulty with postmodernism which tries to deny the possibility of objective truth in the social sciences. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to evaluate the postmodernists’ quest for relativity and subjectivity of truth and to expose whether objectivity is attainable in the social sciences in the same way it is attainable in the natural sciences. This paper upholds that objectivity in the social science is important in working out a holistic global ideology, and since this global ideology hopes to provide for and project justice and respect for persons and communities as well as provide a basis for the minimizing and resolving of conflicts locally and internationally, Africa can on this grounds dare to be part of this global project without fear of playing a “western script” called globalization.Keywords: Modernism, postmodernism, Social Science, Hermeneutics, Objectivity
Can Africana women truly embrace ecological feminism?
Authors: Mangena F
Published: January 2015

My starting point in this essay is that, if it can be ascertained that there is something called Black African feminism (which represents the interests of some Black African women) as claimed by feminists and other like-minded African women, then the existence of Black African ecological feminism should be a matter of deduction. In this essay, I interrogate this position using Karen Warren’s version of ecological feminism which holds that there are important historical and conceptual connections between the domination of women in society and the domination of nature. This interrogation also prompts me to trace the history of traditional feminism with a view to showing that while, in the West, there could be important connections – historical, symbolic and theoretical between the oppression of women and the cruel treatment of nature, the same cannot be said of Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa where nature is owned or guarded by the spirit world. Using the Africana womanist perspective and the deductive method in philosophy, I argue that traditional feminism together with Warren’s ecological feminism completely ignore the experiences and aspirations of Black African women, thereby ruling out the possibility of the existence – in the truest sense – of both Black African feminism and Black African ecological feminism.Keywords: Ecological feminism, Feminism, Oppression, Patriarchal Conceptual Framework, Deductive Logic, Validity, Africana Womanism
Investigation of mechanical properties of luffa cylindrica fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composite
Authors: Mohanta Niharika , Acharya S. K.
Published: January 2015

In this present work, the effect of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of untreated luffa cylindrica and glass fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites has been investigated experimentally. Composite laminates were fabricated by hand lay-up technique. All the composites were made with a total of 4 plies, by varying the number and position of glass layers so as to obtain six different stacking sequences. One group of neat epoxy samples was also fabricated for comparison purpose. Samples were analysed for their mechanical and flexural properties to establish the effect of various stacking sequence. It is found that the optimum properties (tensile and flexural strength) are achieved from hybrid laminate (S5) i.e. by placing two luffa cylindrica fibre mats at the middle when supported by two glass fibre mats on either side.Keywords: Luffa cylindrica-glass hybrid, Tensile strength, Flexural strength, ILSS, SEM
Modelling flow dynamics in water distribution networks using artificial neural networks - A leakage detection technique
Authors: Makaya Eugine , Hensel Oliver
Published: January 2015

Computational approaches can be used to detect leakages in water distribution networks. One such approach is the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) technique. The advantage of ANNs is that they are robust and can be used to model complex linear and non-linear systems without making implicit assumptions. ANNs can be trained to forecast flow dynamics in a water distribution network. Such flow dynamics can be compared with water demands in a particular district metered area. The objective of this study was to model flow dynamics in four district metered areas of the City of Harare, Zimbabwe using the ANNs technique in an effort to detect systems leakages. A multi-layer feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network was used for modelling the flow and simulate water demand using a Matlab Neural Network Toolkit. The difference between actual water consumed (metered consumption) and the simulated water demand for a district metered area represents the water leakage in the water distribution network of the district metered area. It was discovered that an ANN could be trained and be used to forecast flow with up to 99% confidence. Thus, ANNs technique is a flexible and efficient approach to detection of leakages in water distribution networks.Keywords: Artificial neural network; Leakage detection technique; Water distribution; Leakages
The Influence of the Cations in Anti-Icing Brines on the Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel in Synthetic Concrete Pore Solution
Authors: Hunt M.J. , Hansson C.M.
Published: January 2015

Concentrated salt solutions are currently being used as antiicing and deicing agents on the roads and highways in Ontario, Canada. The four commonly-used brines are predominantly CaCl2, NaCl, MgCl2, or a multi-chloride (CaCl2/NaCl) mix. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the different cation(s) of the brine have an influence on the chloride threshold concentration for corrosion initiation of reinforcing steel and on the subsequent active corrosion rates. The tests were carried out in synthetic pore solution in order to allow for control of the chloride content and observation of any corrosion. The results show that the MgCl2 results in a significant drop in pH of the solution and a corresponding high level of corrosion, while the NaCl solution has the lowest chloride threshold value and most anodic corrosion potential.
Facies, origin, and palaeontological inventory of an Early Carboniferous neptunian dyke in the Devonian reef limestone near Rösenbeck (Brilon Anticline, Rhenish Mountains)
Authors: Heuer F. , Korn D. , Belka Z. , Hairapetian V.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. The Devonian reef limestone complex of Rösenbeck near Brilon (Rhenish Mountains) shows numerous neptunian dykes and other hollows which have been filled with Carboniferous siliciclastic as well as fossil-rich carbonate sediments with ammonoids, conodonts, and chondrichthyan fish. While the shales of the infill can be interpreted as autochthonous sediments, the carbonates represent erratic blocks of sediments which were deposited in elevated areas but subsequently eroded and transported as erratic blocks into the karstic cavities. The biota of the carbonates demonstrates that two stratigraphic intervals are represented: (1) the Tournaisian–Viséan boundary interval, which can be identified by the presence of trilobites, and (2) the late Viséan (Asbian–Brigantian), proven by the presence of ammonoids and conodonts embedded in shales that probably have an early Serpukhovian age. Two carbonate facies can be distinguished in the Late Viséan blocks: (1) low-energy micritic sediments with Goniatites crenistria, which are probably equivalent to the crenistria Limestone and (2) high-energy (tempestite) sediments with numerous ammonoid specimens and in a more subordinate role other to fossil groups.
Future projections of extreme precipitation using Advanced Weather Generator (AWE-GEN) over Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Syafrina A. H. , Zalina M. D. , Juneng L.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. A stochastic downscaling methodology known as the Advanced Weather Generator, AWE-GEN, has been tested at four stations in Peninsular Malaysia using observations available from 1975 to 2005. The methodology involves a stochastic downscaling procedure based on a Bayesian approach. Climate statistics from a multi-model ensemble of General Circulation Model (GCM) outputs were calculated and factors of change were derived to produce the probability distribution functions (PDF). New parameters were obtained to project future climate time series. A multi-model ensemble was used in this study. The projections of extreme precipitation were based on the RCP 6.0 scenario (2081–2100). The model was able to simulate both hourly and 24-h extreme precipitation, as well as wet spell durations quite well for almost all regions. However, the performance of GCM models varies significantly in all regions showing high variability of monthly precipitation for both observed and future periods. The extreme precipitation for both hourly and 24-h seems to increase in future, while extreme of wet spells remain unchanged, up to the return periods of 10–40 years.
Evaluation of the effects of underlying surface change on catchment hydrological response using the HEC-HMS model
Authors: Yao C. , Chang L. , Ding J. , Li Z. , An D. , Zhang Y.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Due to rapid population growth, China, and urbanization, the Dongwan catchment, with a drainage area of 2856 km2 and located in Henan Province, has been subjected to considerable land-use changes since the 1990s. Distributed or semi-distributed models have been widely used in catchment hydrological modeling, along with the rapid development of computer and GIS technologies. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of underlying surface change on catchment hydrological response using the Hydrologic Engineering Center's Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS), which is a distributed hydrological model. Specifically, 21 flood events were selected for calibrating and validating the model parameters. The satisfactory results show that the HEC-HMS model can be used to simulate the rainfall–runoff response in the Dongwan catchment. In light of the analyses of simulation results, it is shown that the flood peaks and runoff yields after 1990 moderately decrease in comparison with that before 1990 at the same precipitation level. It is also indicated that the underlying surface change leads to the increased flood storage capacity after 1990 in this region.
Assessing risks for integrated water resource management: coping with uncertainty and the human factor
Authors: Polo M. J. , Aguilar C. , Millares A. , Herrero J. , Gómez-Beas R. , Contreras E. , Losada M. A.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Risk assessment for water resource planning must deal with the uncertainty associated with excess/scarcity situations and their costs. The projected actions for increasing water security usually involve an indirect "call-effect": the territory occupation/water use is increased following the achieved protection. In this work, flood and water demand in a mountainous semi-arid watershed in southern Spain are assessed by means of the stochastic simulation of extremes, when this human factor is/is not considered. The results show how not including this call-effect induced an underestimation of flood risk after protecting the floodplain of between 35 and 78 % in a 35-year planning horizon. Similarly, the pursued water availability of a new reservoir resulted in a 10-year scarcity risk increase up to 38 % when the trend of expanding the irrigated area was included in the simulations. These results highlight the need for including this interaction in the decision-making assessment.
Assessing basin heterogeneities for rainfall–runoff modelling of the Okavango River and its transboundary management
Authors: Baumberg V. , Helmschrot J. , Steudel T. , Göhmann H. , Fischer C. , Flügel W.-A.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. The neighbouring river systems Cubango and Cuito drain the southeastern part of the Angolan Highlands and form the Okavango River after their confluence, thus providing 95% of the Okavango River discharge. Although they are characterised by similar environmental conditions, runoff records indicate remarkable differences regarding the hydrological dynamics. The Cubango River is known for rapid discharges with high peaks and low baseflow whereas the Cuito runoff appears more balanced. These differences are mainly caused by heterogeneous geological conditions or terrain features. The Cubango headwaters are dominated by crystalline bedrock and steeper, v-shaped valleys while the Cuito system is characterised by wide, swampy valleys and thick sand layers, thus attenuating runoff. This study presents model exercises which have been performed to assess and quantify these effects by applying the distributive model J2000g for each sub-basin. The models provide reasonable results representing the spatio-temporal runoff pattern, although some peaks are over- or underestimated, particularly in the Cuito catchment. This is explained by the scarce information on extent and structure of storages, such as aquifers or swamps, in the Cuito system. However, the model results aid understanding of the differences of both tributaries in runoff generation and underpin the importance of floodplains regarding the control of runoff peaks and low flows in the Cuito system. Model exercises reveal that basin heterogeneity needs to be taken into account and must be parameterised appropriately for reliable modelling and assessment of the entire Okavango River basin for managing the water resources of the transboundary Okavango River in a harmonious way.
Developing a dynamic framework to examine the interplay between environmental stress, stakeholder participation processes and hydrological systems
Authors: Carr G. , Blöschl G. , Loucks D. P.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Stakeholder participation is increasingly discussed as essential for sustainable water resource management. Yet detailed understanding of the factors driving its use, the processes by which it is employed, and the outcomes or achievements it can realise remains highly limited, and often contested. This understanding is essential to enable water policy to be shaped for efficient and effective water management. This research proposes and applies a dynamic framework that can explore in which circumstances environmental stress events, such as floods, droughts or pollution, drive changes in water governance towards a more participatory approach, and how this shapes the processes by which participation or stakeholder engagement takes place, and the subsequent water management outcomes that emerge. The framework is able to assess the extent to which environmental events in combination with favourable contextual factors (e.g. institutional support for participatory activities) lead to good participatory processes (e.g. well facilitated and representative) that then lead to good outcomes (e.g. improved ecological conditions). Through applying the framework to case studies from the literature it becomes clear that environmental stress events can stimulate participatory governance changes, when existing institutional conditions promote participatory approaches. The work also suggests that intermediary outcomes, which may be tangible (such as reaching an agreement) or non-tangible (such as developing shared knowledge and understanding among participants, or creating trust), may provide a crucial link between processes and resource management outcomes. If this relationship can be more strongly confirmed, the presence or absence of intermediary outcomes may even be used as a valuable proxy to predict future resource management outcomes.
The origins of water sources in the region of Annaba: confirmation using isotopic tools
Authors: Ghrieb L. , Djabri L. , Zerrouki H. , Hani A. , Pulido Bosch A.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. The studied area contains several superficial or deep water tables, which constitute the main sources of groundwater. The complexity of the exchange between groundwater and superficial water, as well as the casting of urban and industrial wastes remain unclear and require the application of isotopic techniques. Hence, a campaign involving 48 samples was conducted. We attempted to find the links between those groundwaters. We noticed that the water levels of oxygen 18 (18O) range from –6.5 ‰ in Orelait to 0.12 ‰ in Oued Meboudja. The majority of oxygen-18 values are homogenous and less than –5 ‰. However, some values belong to the evaporated water area, indicating an enrichment of these waters. The isotopic study showed that evaporation is important in the studied region.
Hydrological studies in experimental and representative basins in Pernambuco State, Brazil
Authors: Montenegro S. M. G. L. , da Silva B. B. , Antonino A. C. D. , Lima J. R. S. , de Souza E. S. , de Oliveira L. M. M. , de Moura A. E. S. S. , Souza R. M. S.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Hydrological studies in experimental and representative basins are of fundamental importance for water resources management. This paper presents some activities of hydrological research in experimental and representative basins of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The study areas are located at Tapacurá and Mundaú representative basins and at the Gameleira experimental basin, and in experimental plots in Pajeú basin. In the Tapacurá basin, three studies were performed: (1) different monthly coefficients "k" of the Thornthwaite method were tested to calculate the effective temperature and, consequently, the reference evapotranspiration, giving rise to the method identified as Modified Thornthwaite; (2) the spatial variability of the retention curve and hydraulic conductivity parameters were analysed using the Beerkan method; (3) changes in vegetation cover were evaluated through the NDVI and NDWI indexes using TM–Landsat 5 images. In the Mundaú representative basin, the performance of different evapotranspiration methods was evaluated and compared to the FAO standard method, Penman-Monteith. In the Pajeú basin, the experimental plot is covered by pasture and sensors were installed to monitor the following variables: rainfall, air temperature, the energy balance components (net radiation, latent and sensible heat, and soil heat flux), wind velocity and CO2 flux into atmosphere, soil moisture and runoff.
The impact of poor governance on water and sediment quality: a case study in the Pitimbu River, Brazil
Authors: Moreira L. , Adamowski J. , Gaskin S. , Saraiva A.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Applying a collaborative approach under a power-sharing institutional structure, coupled with a shift in paradigms, sustainable water resources management often requires political-institutional reform to achieve its goals. Most of Brazil’s river basins are subject to rapid urbanization; however, basin stakeholders generally lack sufficient institutional capacity to address the attending water resource issues. Subject to urbanisation, the Pitimbu River basin supplies potable water to approximately 280 000 people in Brazil’s Natal region. This study investigated how current institutional models influence both water management and fluvial contamination by metals. Sediment samples collected at eight sites along the river revealed elevated levels of Pb, Fe, Al, Ni and Zn, whose sources were linked to industries, vehicles, as well as agricultural and construction wastes. Aluminium enrichment of surface waters was mainly linked to inadequate sanitation infrastructure. In light of this, the region's poor institutional capacity must be addressed through institutional reform, including a new management structure open to public collective water management planning. In so doing, Brazil's water policies should acknowledge capacity building as a critical element of institutional reform.
Social and ecological aspects of the water resources management of the transboundary rivers of Central Asia
Authors: Normatov P.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. The Zeravshan River is a transboundary river whose water is mainly used for irrigation of agricultural lands of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Sufficiently rich hydropower resources in upstream of the Zeravshan River characterize the Republic of Tajikistan. Continuous monitoring of water resources condition is necessary for planning the development of this area taking into account hydropower production and irrigation needs. Water quality of Zeravshan River is currently one of the main problems in the relationship between the Republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and it frequently triggers conflict situations between the two countries. In most cases, the problem of water quality of the Zeravshan River is related to river pollution by wastewater of the Anzob Mountain-concentrating Industrial Complex (AMCC) in Tajikistan. In this paper results of research of chemical and bacteriological composition of the Zeravshan River waters are presented. The minimum impact of AMCC on quality of water of the river was experimentally established.
New monitoring technique for rapid investigation of nitrates pollution in aquatic systems
Authors: Trifu M. C. , Daradici V.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. In situ measurement with a portable multi-parameter sonde was used in the framework of the Cleanwater project – LIFE09 ENV/RO/000612, for a rapid investigation of nitrates pollution in Barlad River basin, in rivers and domestic wells, in addition to laboratory measurements. Water samples were analysed in an accredited laboratory for water monitoring, such as the Vaslui Water Management System from Barlad basin. Sampling campaigns were performed monthly in the period April–November 2011. In order to find the main factors that influence the measurements, the behaviour of equipment was analysed in rivers, for different water sampling points along the river and the cross-sections, taking into account the water level, the turbulence, the vegetation and the obstacles along the river. Results proved the multiparameter sonde as a useful device for rapidly monitoring spatial distributions or temporal trends of nitrates or chlorophyll a, and detecting sudden changes in surface and groundwater quality.