bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the visual status of dyslexic and non-dyslexic schoolchildren in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Wajuihian S. O. , Naidoo K. S.
Published: October 2016

Background:   Reading difficulties constitute an impediment to the learning process and in the educational achievement of a child. Consequently, several studies examined the visual status of dyslexic children in the Caucasian populations. Such studies are lacking in the African populations.Aim: To determine the prevalence of vision defects and investigate if there is an association between dyslexia and vision in a South African population of dyslexic school children.  Methods:  This comparative study assessed the visual function of 62 children (31 dyslexic and 31 normally-reading children), mean age 13 ± 1.42 years and 11.90 ± 0.93 years respectively. The participants were matched for gender, race and socio-economic status. The visual functions evaluated and the techniques used were: visual acuity (LogMAR acuity chart), refraction (static retinos-copy), ocular alignment (cover test) near point of convergence (RAF rule), accommodation facility (± 2 D flipper lenses), amplitude of accommodation (push-up method) relative accommodation(trial lenses) accommodation posture (monocular estimation technique) and vergence reserves (prism bars). Results:   In the following, results are  provided for the dyslexic versus control:  Refractive errors: (hyperopia 6.5% vs 3%,) (myopia 6.5% vs 6.5%), (astigmatism 10% vs 13%), (anisometropia 6.5% vs 6.5%) (amblyopia 6.5% vs 0%), (remote NPC 33% vs 48%) (esophoria at near 3%  vs 0%) (exophoria at near 9.5% vs 0%), (accommodative infacility at near  54% vs 33%), lag of accommodation 39.28% vs 41,93%,  (poor positive fusional amplitude at near, 25% vs 16%). Only the binocular accommodative facility at near was significantly associated with dyslexia (p=0.027). Conclusion: The prevalence of vision defects was similar between the dyslexic and non-dyslexic participants, which suggest that an association between dyslexia and vision variables investigated, cannot be inferred.  This study provides a research perspective on the prevalence of vision defects in a Black South African population of dyslexic children and has clinical relevance and implications for the assessment, detection and management of vision anomalies in dyslexic schoolchildren. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(1) 29-43)
Intraocular pressure in postmenopausal Nigerian women with and without systemic hypertension
Authors: Ebeigbe J. A. , Ebeigbe P. N. , Ighoroje A. D. A
Published: October 2016

Background: Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in postmenopausal women has been reported higher than that in menstruating women. Also, intraocular pressure is said to be positively correlated with systemic blood pressure. No previous study in Nigeria has compared intraocular pressure in postmenopausal women with and without systemic hypertension. Purpose: To investigate the effects of menopause on intraocular pressure in subjects with and without high blood pressure. Methods: Normotensive and hypertensive premenopausal and postmenopausal subjects in the   same agerange of 45 to 55 years were studied. Intraocular pressure was measured with the hand-held Kowa applanation tonometer.  Blood pressure was taken in the sitting position at the right upper arm using a manual mercury sphygmomanometer with the right cuff size. The average of two readings was recorded. Results: Mean IOP for premenopausal normotensive women was 14.58 ± 2.56 mmHg whilethat of postmenopausal normotensive women was16.15 ± 1.80 mmHg (p<0.05).  Also, the difference in mean IOP between premenopausal hypertensive (16.58 ± 3.23 mmHg) and postmenopausal hypertensive women (18.24 ± 3.89 mmHg)was statistically significant (p<0.05). A statistically significant and positive correlation was observed between IOP and systemic blood pressure in postmenopausal hypertensive women, p<0.05.Conclusion: Menopause significantly increases intraocular pressure. Mean intraocular pressure of hypertensive postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that of normotensive post-menopausal women, (p<0.05). Knowledge of the normal level of intraocular pressure during various stages of the female reproductive cycle may help during glaucoma screening. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(3) 117-122)
A review of malarial retinopathy in severe malaria
Authors: Sithole H. L.
Published: October 2016

The ocular manifestations of severe malaria in patients with cerebral malaria (CM) include retinal whitening, vessel discolouration, retinal haemorrhages and papilloedema. A large prospective study of Malawian children with CM found that the severity of retinal signs, including the number of retinal haemorrhages, was related to the outcome and length of coma in survivors of malaria. In a smaller number of Kenyan children with cerebral malaria, retinal haemorrhages were associated with deep coma and severe anaemia. A study on the effect of malarial retinopathy on vision found no detectable effect on visual acuity (VA) but where malaria isaggravated by failure to receive treatment this may possibly affect VA. The failure to receive treatment may be directly linked to the socio-economic status (SES) of those affected and this may occur in the KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa where malaria is endemic. This suggests the need for effective health education and health promotion amongst those affected by malaria especially in severely affected provinces of South Africa. Also, in view of the direct ocular consequences of severe malaria, optometrists should engage communities in health education and health promotion. This is particularly relevant because in some communities, a large majority of those suffering from malarial infections do not visit formal health facilities for treatment. In so doing, optometrists in South Africa will be contributing positively to the Millennium Development Goals which seek, amongst others, to reduce unwarranted sources of morbidity worldwide. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(3) 129-135)
Anterior diffuse scleritis diagnosed as conjunctivitis
Authors: Mashige K. P.
Published: October 2016

This article presents a case of anterior diffuse scleritis that initially was diagnosed as conjunctivitis. Anterior diffuse scleritis (ADS) is a potentially vision-threatening inflammation of the sclera whose etiology may include autoimmune and systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis. The signs and symptoms of ADS include pain, tearing, tenderness, redness, painful sensitivity to light and decreased visual acuity. Ocular and physical examinations including blood tests to rule out underlying causes are important. Medications such as corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflam-matory drugs and possibly immune-suppressants are used in the management of ADS. If care is not taken, ADS can be mis-diagnosed as conjunctivitis because the redness is similar in both conditions. Such mis-diagnosis can be sight-threatening and therefore it is essential that primary eye care practitioners are cautious in all diagnoses of red eye conditions. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 51-54)
Short-term variation in central corneal thick- ness and intraocular pressure using the Tono-Pachymeter NT530P (Tonopachy™)
Authors: Mashige R. M. , Rampersad N.
Published: October 2016

Measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT) and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) are important for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term variation and intra-subject repeatability of CCT and IOP measurements made with the Tono-Pachymeter NT530P (Tonopachy™). Fifty one consecutive automatic measurements of CCT and IOP were taken for the right eyes of 15 subjects (11 females and 4 males) aged 20 to 57 years (mean = 32.3 ± 13.5 years). The measured values (CCT and IOP) were compared against each other to establish the intra-subject repeatability and bias of each individual measurement with respect to the means, standard deviations and variances. Three different  statistical tests of normality: Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S),Lilliefors and Shapiro-Wilks (SW) tests suggested that most of the data was normally distributed,with a few exceptions. The inter-subject or overall mean values and standard deviations for the CCT and IOP samples were 528.2 ± 27.4 μm and 14.4 ±4.3 mmHg respectively. Although possible outliers increased the variability of the measurements of both parameters (CCT and IOP), the data generally showed good repeatability. The results of this study suggest that over short periods of time, the Tonopachy™ gives precise and repeatable measures of CCT and IOP. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(1)12-21)
Neurobiology of developmental dyslexia Part 2: A review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the corpus callosum
Authors: Wajuihian S. O.
Published: October 2016

This paper forms part two of a review of the neurobiology of developmental dyslexia (DD) and here the focus is on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the corpus callosum (CC) of dyslexic and non-dyslexic subjects. The CC is a bundle of nerve fibres connecting the left and the right hemisphere of the brain. Due to the role of this structure in inter-hemispheric transfer and integration between thehemispheres, the CC is significant in the search for the neurobiological basis of DD. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(1) 39-45)
Within-subject repeatability of scotopic ERG measurements
Authors: Gillan W. D. H.
Published: October 2016

Therepeatability of data collected during clinical or research measurements needs to be considered by clinicians and researchers. Conclusions made relating to such measurements might be influenced improperly if an instrument proves to not be repeatable or accurate. The aim of this study was to invetigate the within-subject repeatability of scotopic electroretinogram (ERG) measurements.Ten ERGrecordings were recorded for each eye from six volunteers using a CSO Retimax electrophysiology system. Only one eye was dilated. The results of this study support other researchers in their cautious approach regarding repeated ERG measurements. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(2) 64-69)
Effects of short-term wear of silicone hydrogel contact lenses on refractive behaviour
Authors: Gillan W. D. H.
Published: October 2016

Contact lens wear is known to induce change in both the cornea and refractive state. Often a shift towards increased myopia is noted. Historically investigations into the effects of contact lenses onrefractive state have often been incomplete in terms of statistical analysis whereby nearest equivalent sphere is used or the spherical, cylindrical and axis components are analyzed in isolation. The aim ofthis study was to investigate the short-term effects of silicone hydrogel contact lenses on refractive behaviour. Seven volunteers agreed to wear a silicone hydrogel lens on one eye for a period of thirty minutes. Prior to lens wear, after ten minutes of lens wear and after thirty minutes of lens wear 50 autorefractor measurements were taken of refractive state from each subject. Data were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. Scatter plots and other multivariate statistics are used to show how lens wear influences refractive behaviour. The results of this study show that silicone hydrogel contact lenses do influence refractive behaviour in both a spherical as well as an antistigmatic (astigmatism) fashion. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(2) 78-85)
Ray transference of a system with radial gradi- ent index
Authors: Harris W. F.
Published: October 2016

The ray transference is central to the understanding of the first-order optical character of an optical system including the visual optical system of the eye.  It can be calculated for dioptric and catadioptric systems from a knowledge of curvatures, tilts and spacing of surfaces in the system provided the material between successive surfaces has a uniform index of refraction.  However the index of the natural lens of the eye is not uniform but varies with position.  There is a need, therefore, for a method of calculating the transference of systems containing such gradient-index elements.  As a first step this paper shows that the transference of elements in which the index varies radially can be obtained directly from published formulae.  The transferences of radial-gradient systems are examined.  Expressions are derived for several properties including the power, the front- and back-surface powers and the locations of the cardinal points.  Equations are obtained for rays through such systems and for the locations of images of object points through them.  Numerical examples are presented in the appen-dix. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(2) 57-63)
Colour spaces - a review of historic and modern colour models*
Authors: Hastings G. D. , Rubin A.
Published: October 2016

Although colour is one of the most interesting and integral parts of vision, most models and methods of colourimetry (the measurement of colour) available to describe and quantify colour have been developed outside of optometry. This article presents a summary of some of the most popularcolour models and a brief history of the advancements that have led to our current understanding of the complicated phenomenon of colour. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(3) 133-143)
Riboflavin and Ultraviolet A radiation crosslinking for keratoconus management: a review*
Authors: Van Zyl A. M. E. , Gillan W. D. H.
Published: October 2016

No abstract available
A comparison of the occurence of dry eye between arthritic and non-arthritic subjects
Authors: Oghre E. , Amiebenomo O. M.
Published: October 2016

Various studies have reported that dry eye is a common occurrence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis but not much has been done to determine its occurrence in other forms of arthritis. Thisstudy was designed to compare the symptoms of dry eye, tear film breakup time and tear production respectively in arthritic and non-arthritic subjects and also between rheumatoid arthritic patients and patients with other forms of arthritis. A total of 106 subjects within the age range of 41-90 years were included. Fifty-nine were non-arthritic with mean age and standard deviation (SD) of 58.2 ± 11.9 years, while 47 had arthritis with mean age and SD of 63.4 ± 13.3 years. Of the 47 arthritic patients 34 had osteoarthritis, 10 had rheumatoid arthritis, two had ankylosing spondylitis and one had gout. Subjects were evaluated using a McMonnies and Ho Dry Eye Questionnaire, invasive tear break-up-time test, Schirmer I test and fluorescein staining. The percentage of subjects with dry eyesymptoms in both the arthritic and non-arthritic groups was quite small (<10%) however, there was a statistically significant difference in dry eye symptoms between both groups (Mann-Whitney: U = 1035.5, p = 0.025) even though both groups were largely asymptomatic. There was no significant difference in tear breakup time (Mann-Whitney:  U = 175,  p  > 0.05), or tear quantity respectively (Unpaired  t-test: p > 0.05) between both groups. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in symptoms of dry eye, tear break up time, or tear quantity respectively between rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis (Unpaired t-test: p > 0.05). In conclusion, the occurrence of dry eye is largely independent of the presence of arthritis even though arthritic subjects may be slightly more symptomatic and the presence of dry eye is independent of the form of arthritis.  (S Afr Optom 2013 72(1) 34-40)
Effects of corn silk aqueous extract on intraocular pressure of ocular hypertensive human subjects
Authors: George G.O. , Idu F.K. , Obika L.F.O.
Published: October 2016

Stigma/style of Zea mays L (Corn silk) has been documented to have hypotensive effect on blood pressure and to relieve oedema. However we are not aware of any literature on its hypotensive effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of humans or animals. We studied the effects of water only, masked doses of corn silk aqueous extract (60 mg/kg, 130 mg/kg, 192.5 mg/kg and 260 mg/kg body weight) on the IOP and blood pressure (BP) of twenty normotensives and twenty ocular hypertensive subjects. Also we compared the effects of the varied doses of corn silk aqueous extract (CSAE) with masked doses (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg body weight) of acetazolamide on IOP of ocular hypertensive subjects only. The results showed that the last three doses of CSAE lowered IOP and BP significantly (p<0.001) within eight hours of administration. The peak effect on IOP was observed after four hours while the peak effect on BP was observed after three hours of administration in the normotensives and ocular hypertensive subjects likewise the hypotensive effect was dose-dependent. The results also showed that 130 mg/kg body weight of CSAE produced the same hypotensive effect on IOP of ocular hypertensive subjects as 5 mg/kg body weight of acetazolamide. Therefore CSAE may have some IOP lowering effects that require further investigation in the management of ocular hypertension. (S Afr Optom 2013 72(3) 133-143)
Yves Le Grand on matrices in optics with application to vision: Translation and critical analysis
Authors: Harris William Frith
Published: October 2016

An appendix to Le Grand’s 1945 book, Optique Physiologique: Tome Premier: La Dioptrique de l’Œil et Sa Correction, briefly dealt with the application of matrices in optics.  However the appendix was omitted from the well-known English translation, Physiological Optics, which appeared in 1980.  Consequently the material is all but forgotten.  This is unfortunate in view of the importance of the dioptric power matrix and the ray transference which entered the optometricliterature many years later.  Motivated by the perception that there has not been enough care in optometry to attribute concepts appropriately this paper attempts a careful analysis of Le Grand’s thinking as reflected in his appendix.  A translation into English is provided in the appendix to this paper.  The paper opens with a summary of the basics of Gaussian and linear optics sufficient for the interpretation of Le Grand’s appendix which follows.  The paper looks more particularly at what Le Grand says in relation to the transference and the dioptric power matrix though many other issues are also touched on including the conditions under which distant objects will map to clear images on the retina and, more particularly, to clear images that are undistorted.  Detailed annotations of Le Grand’s translated appendix are provided. (S Afr Optom 2013 72(4) 145-166)
Patient comfort following thirty minutes of lens wear: piggy-back versus conventional rigid-lens wear
Authors: Gillan W. D.H.
Published: October 2016

Discomfort when wearing contact lenses, especially rigid contact lenses, is a common complaint amongst neophyte as well as experienced contact lens wearers. Wearing a piggy-back system of contact lenses has been shown to improve comfort and wearing time, especially in keratoconic subjects. Twenty two normal subjects wore a rigid lens or a piggy-back system of lenses for thirty minutes and after a thirty minute break swopped the mode of lens wear and wore the second modality for a thirty minute period. This study suggests that a piggy-back lens system provides improved comfort compared to wearing a rigid lens on its own. The order of lens wear might, however, influence the perceived comfort.
Electronic Cigarette: Role in the Primary Prevention of Oral Cavity Cancer
Authors: Franco Teresa , Trapasso Serena , Puzzo Lidia , Allegra Eugenia
Published: October 2016

Background

Cigarette smoke has been identified as the main cause of oral cavity carcinoma. Recently, the electronic cigarette, a battery-operated device, was developed to help smokers stop their tobacco addiction. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of electronic cigarettes and to establish the possible role of such device in the primary prevention of oral cavity cancer.

Subjects and Methods

This study included 65 subjects who were divided into three groups (smokers, e-cigarette smokers, and nonsmokers). All subjects were submitted to cytologic examination by scraping of oral mucosa. The slides were microscopically evaluated through a micronucleus assay test.

Results

The prevalence of micronuclei was significantly decreased in the e-cigarette smoker group. There were no statistically significant differences in micronuclei distribution according to the type of cigarette, gender, and age.

Conclusions

The use of electronic cigarettes seems to be safe for oral cells and should be suggested as an aid to smoking cessation.
On the Dimension of the Locus of Determinantal Hypersurfaces
Authors: Reichstein Zinovy , Vistoli Angelo
Published: October 2016

The characteristic polynomial PA(x0 , . . . , xr) of an r-tuple A := (A1 , . . . , Ar) of n×n-matrices is defined as

We show that if r E h and A := (A1 , . . . , Ar) is an r-tuple of n × n-matrices in general position, then up to conjugacy, there are only ûnitely many r-tuples A' := (A'1 , . . . , A' r) such that pA = pA' . Equivalently, the locus of determinantal hypersurfaces of degree n in Pr is irreducible of dimension (r − 1)n2 + 1.
Airborne laser scan data: a valuable tool with which to
infer weather radar partial beam blockage in urban environments
Authors: Cremonini Roberto , Moisseev Dmitri , Chandrasekar Venkatachalam
Published: October 2016

Abstract. High-spatial-resolution weather radar observations are of primary relevance for hydrological applications in urban areas. However, when weather radars are located within metropolitan areas, partial beam blockages and clutter by buildings can seriously affect the observations. Standard simulations with simple beam propagation models and digital elevation models (DEMs) are usually not able to evaluate buildings' contribution to partial beam blockages. In recent years airborne laser scanners (ALSs) have evolved to the state-of-the-art technique for topographic data acquisition. Providing small footprint diameters (10–30 cm), ALS data allow accurate reconstruction of buildings and forest canopy heights. Analyzing the three weather C-band radars located in the metropolitan area of Helsinki, Finland, the present study investigates the benefits of using ALS data for quantitative estimations of partial beam blockages. The results obtained applying beam standard propagation models are compared with stratiform 24 h rainfall accumulation to evaluate the effects of partial beam blockages due to constructions and trees. To provide a physical interpretation of the results, the detailed analysis of beam occultations is achieved by open spatial data sets and open-source geographic information systems.
Computationally efficient air quality forecasting tool: implementation of
STOPS v1.5 model into CMAQ v5.0.2 for a prediction of Asian dust
Authors: Jeon Wonbae , Choi Yunsoo , Percell Peter , Souri Amir Hossein , Song Chang-Keun , Kim Soon-Tae , Kim Jhoon
Published: October 2016

Abstract. This study suggests a new modeling framework using a hybrid Eulerian–Lagrangian-based modeling tool (the Screening Trajectory Ozone Prediction System, STOPS) for a prediction of an Asian dust event in Korea. The new version of STOPS (v1.5) has been implemented into the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model version 5.0.2. The STOPS modeling system is a moving nest (Lagrangian approach) between the source and the receptor inside the host Eulerian CMAQ model. The proposed model generates simulation results that are relatively consistent with those of CMAQ but within a comparatively shorter computational time period. We find that standard CMAQ generally underestimates PM10 concentrations during the simulation period (February 2015) and fails to capture PM10 peaks during Asian dust events (22–24 February 2015). The underestimation in PM10 concentration is very likely due to missing dust emissions in CMAQ rather than incorrectly simulated meteorology, as the model meteorology agrees well with the observations. To improve the underestimated PM10 results from CMAQ, we used the STOPS model with constrained PM concentrations based on aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI), reflecting real-time initial and boundary conditions of dust particles near the Korean Peninsula. The simulated PM10 from the STOPS simulations were improved significantly and closely matched the surface observations. With additional verification of the capabilities of the methodology on emission estimations and more STOPS simulations for various time periods, the STOPS model could prove to be a useful tool not just for the predictions of Asian dust but also for other unexpected events such as wildfires and oil spills.
Vegetation dynamics and climate seasonality jointly control the interannual
catchment water balance in the Loess Plateau under the Budyko framework
Authors: Ning Tingting , Li Zhi , Liu Wenzhao
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Within the Budyko framework, the controlling parameter (ω in the Fu equation) is widely considered to represent landscape conditions in terms of vegetation coverage (M); however, some qualitative studies have concluded that climate seasonality (S) should be incorporated in ω. Here, we discuss the relationship between ω, M, and S, and further develop an empirical equation so that the contributions from M to actual evapotranspiration (ET) can be determined more accurately. Taking 13 catchments in the Loess Plateau as examples, ω was found to be well correlated with M and S. The developed empirical formula for ω calculations at the annual scale performed well for estimating ET by the cross-validation approach. By combining the Budyko framework with the semi-empirical formula, the contributions of changes in ω to ET variations were further decomposed as those of M and S. Results showed that the contributions of S to ET changes ranged from 0.1 % to 65.6 % (absolute values); therefore, the impacts of climate seasonality on ET cannot be ignored. Otherwise, the contribution of M to ET changes will be estimated with a large error. The developed empirical formula between ω, M, and S provides an effective method to separate the contributions of M and S to ET changes.
Spatial and temporal variability of rainfall and their effects on
hydrological response in urban areas -– a review
Authors: Cristiano Elena , ten Veldhius Marie-Claire , van de Giesen Nick
Published: October 2016

Abstract. In urban areas, hydrological processes are characterised by high variability in space and time, making them sensitive to small-scale temporal and spatial rainfall variability. In the last decades new instruments, techniques and methods have been developed to capture rainfall and hydrological processes at high resolution. Weather radars have been introduced to estimate high spatial and temporal rainfall variability. At the same time, new models have been proposed to reproduce hydrological response, based on small-scale representation of urban catchment spatial variability. Despite these efforts, interaction between input variability and model resolution remains poorly understood, and further investigations are needed. This paper presents a review of our current understanding of hydrological processes in urban environments as reported in the literature, focusing on their spatial and temporal variability. We review recent findings on the effects of rainfall variability on hydrological response and identify gaps where knowledge need to be further developed to improve our understanding of and capability to predict urban hydrological response.
On the intrinsic time-scales of temporal variability in measurements
of the surface solar radiation
Authors: Bengulescu Marc , Blanc Philippe , Wald Lucien
Published: October 2016

Abstract. This study is concerned with the intrinsic temporal scales of the variability of the surface solar irradiance (SSI). The data consist of decennial time-series of daily means of the SSI spanning ten years, obtained from high quality measure- ments of the broadband solar radiation impinging on a horizontal plane at ground level, issued from different Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) ground stations around the world. First, embedded oscillations roughly sorted by ranges of in- creasing time-scales of the data are extracted by empirical mode decomposition. Next, Hilbert spectral analysis is applied to obtain an amplitude modulation–frequency-modulation (AM–FM) representation of the data. The time-varying nature of the characteristic time-scales of variability, along with the variations of the signal intensity, are thus revealed. A novel, adaptive null-hypothesis based on the general statistical characteristics of noise is employed, in order to discriminate between the different features of the data, those that have a deterministic origin and those being realisations of various stochastic processes. The data has a significant spectral peak corresponding to the yearly variability cycle and features quasi-stochastic high-frequency "weather noise", irrespective of the geographical location or of the local climate. Moreover, the amplitude of this latter feature is shown to be modulated by variations of the yearly cycle, indicative of non-linear multiplicative cross-scale couplings. The study has possible implications on the modelling and the forecast of the surface solar radiation, by clearly discriminating the deterministic from the quasi-stochastic character of the data, at different local time-scales.
Ocean swell within the kinetic equation for water waves
Authors: Badulin Sergei , Zakharov Vladimir
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Results of extensive simulations of swell evolution within the duration-limited setup for the kinetic Hasselmann equation at long times up to 106 seconds are presented. Basic solutions of the theory of weak turbulence, the so-called Kolmogorov–Zakharov solutions, are shown to be relevant to the results of the simulations. Features of self-similarity of wave spectra are detailed and their impact on methods of ocean swell monitoring are discussed. Essential drop of wave energy (wave height) due to wave-wave interactions is found to be pronounced at initial stages of swell evolution (of order of 1000 km for typical parameters of the ocean swell). At longer times wave-wave interactions are responsible for a universal angular distribution of wave spectra in a wide range of initial conditions. Weak power-law attenuation of swell within the Hasselmann equation is not consistent with results of ocean swell tracking from satellite altimetry and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) data. At the same time, the relatively fast weakening of wave-wave interactions makes the swell evolution sensitive to other effects. In particular, as shown, coupling with locally generated wind waves can force the swell to grow at rather light winds.
Development and implementation of a monitoring and information system to increase water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid areas in Limarí, Central Chile (WEIN)
Authors: Berger Erich , Balmert David , Richter Jürgen
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The project WEIN was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF | Berlin, Germany) in the framework of the high-tech strategy of Germany's program "KMU-Innovativ". The project started in 2012 and was completed in 2014. In the scope of the project, an integrated system for analysis, monitoring and information at river basin level was developed, which provides relevant information for all stakeholders that are concerned with water resource issues. The main objective of the project was to improve water use efficiency and hence ensure the agricultural production in the region. The pilot region, in which this system was implemented, is the semi-arid Limarí basin in Northern Central Chile. One of the main parts of the project was the development and implementation of a web- and app-based irrigation water ordering and accounting system for local farmers.
Hydrology and water resources in Caspian Sea
Authors: Haddadi Moghaddam Kourosh
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Precipitation is the main driver of the water balance variability of the water over space and time, and changes in precipitation have very important implications for hydrology and water resources. Variations in precipitation over daily, seasonal, annual, and decadal time scales influence hydrological variability over time in a catchment. Flood frequency is affected by changes in the year-to-year variability in precipitation and by changes in short-term rainfall properties. Desiccation of the Caspian Sea is one of the world's most serious ecosystem catastrophes. The Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) caught under 10 m depth using bottom trawl net by research vessel during winter 2012, summer and winter 2013 and spring 2014 in east, central and west of southern parts of Caspian Sea, then, their diets were investigated. During 136 trawling in the aimed seasons, Persian sturgeon with 1 to 2 years old and 179.67 × 0.2 g (body weight) and 29.97 ± 0.4 cm (Total length) captured. Examination of stomach contents in the sturgeon specimens revealed that the food spectrum was composed of bony fishes (Neogobius sp., Atherina sp. and Clupeonella delicatula), invertebrates belonging to the family Ampharetidae polychaeta worms including (Hypanai sp. and Nereis diversicolor), various crustaceans (Gammarus sp. and Paramysis sp.). Investigation on stomach contents of sturgeon Acipenser persicus caught under 10 m depth in 2012 to 2013 surveys showed that there is significant difference in the consumed food. The most food diversity have been observed in winter 2013, also Polychaeta is the primary consumed food and crustacean is the secondary one (P > 0.05), no new types of food (such as bony fishes or benthics) have been observed on food chain of Acipenser persicus and shows no significant difference (P > 0.05).
The relationship between irrigation water demand and drought in the Yellow River basin
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Weihao , Peng Shaoming , Jiang Guiqin , Wu Jian
Published: October 2016

Abstract. In order to organize water for drought resistance reasonably, we need to study the relationship between irrigation water demand and meteorological drought in quantitative way. We chose five typical irrigation districts including the Qingtongxia irrigation district, Yellow River irrigation districts of Inner Mongolia in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the Fen river irrigation district and the Wei river irrigation district in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and the irrigation districts in the lower reaches of the Yellow River as research area. Based on the hydrology, meteorology, groundwater and crop parameters materials from 1956 to 2010 in the Yellow River basin, we selected reconnaissance drought index (RDI) to analyze occurrence and evolution regularity of drought in the five typical irrigation districts, and calculated the corresponding irrigation water demand by using crop water balance equation. The relationship of drought and irrigation water demand in each typical irrigation district was studied by using grey correlation analysis and relevant analysis method, and the quantitative relationship between irrigation water demand and RDI was established in each typical irrigation district. The results showed that the RDI can be applied to evaluate the meteorological drought in the typical irrigation districts of the Yellow River basin. There is significant correlation between the irrigation water demand and RDI, and the grey correlation degree and correlation coefficient increased with increasing crops available effective rainfall. The irrigation water demand of irrigation districts in the upstream, middle and downstream of the Yellow River basin presented different response degrees to drought. The irrigation water demand increased 105 million m3 with the drought increasing one grade (RDI decreasing 0.5) in the Qingtongxia irrigation district and Yellow River irrigation districts of Inner Mongolia. The irrigation water demand increased 219 million m3 with the drought increasing one grade in the Fen river irrigation district and Wei river irrigation district. The irrigation water demand increased 622 million m3 with the drought increasing one grade in the downstream of Yellow River irrigation districts.
Seasonal forecast of Kharif flows from Upper Jhelum catchment
Authors: Bogacki Wolfgang , Ismail M. Fraz
Published: October 2016

Abstract. An operational hydrological forecast model was set-up based on the Snowmelt-Runoff Model (SRM) in order to forecast Kharif flows from Upper Jhelum catchment. Zone-wise degree-day factor functions were derived by diagnostic calibration and are applied according to a defined temperature rule when melting starts. While predicting the depletion of snow-covered area by SRM's modified depletion curve approach, scenario runs with temperature and precipitation of past years are carried out which are evaluated statistically to forecast the seasonal flow volume.
Rainfall as proxy for evapotranspiration predictions
Authors: Collischonn Bruno , Collischonn Walter
Published: October 2016

Abstract. In this work, we evaluated the relationship between evapotranspiration and precipitation, based on the data recently made available by the Brazilian Meteorological Institute. ETP tend to be lower in rainy periods and vice-versa. This relationship was assessed both in physical and statistical ways, identifying the contribution of each explaining variable of ETP. We derived regression equations between monthly rainfall and ETP, which can be useful in studies where ETP time series are not available, such as reservoir design, irrigation management and flow forecast.
Impact of climate change and anthropogenic pressure on the water resources
of India: challenges in management
Authors: Shadananan Nair K.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Freshwater resources of India are getting fast degraded and depleted from the changing climate and pressure of fast rising population. Changing intensity and seasonality of rainfall affect quantity and quality of water. Most of the rivers are polluted far above safety limits from the untreated domestic, industrial and agricultural effluents. Changes in the intensity, frequency and tracks of storms salinate coastal aquifers. Aquifers are also under the threat from rising sea level. Groundwater in urban limits and industrial zones are far beyond safety limits. Large-scale destruction of wetlands for industries and residential complexes has affected the quality of surface and groundwater resources in most parts of India. Measures to maintain food security and the new developments schemes such as river linking will further deteriorate the water resources. Falling water availability leads to serious health issues and various socio-economic issues. India needs urgent and appropriate adaptation strategies in the water sector.
Integrated water resource assessment for
the Adelaide region, South Australia
Authors: Cox James W. , Akeroyd Michele , P. Oliver Danielle
Published: October 2016

Abstract. South Australia is the driest state in the driest inhabited country in the world, Australia. Consequently, water is one of South Australia's highest priorities. Focus on water research and sources of water in the state became more critical during the Millenium drought that occurred between 1997 and 2011. In response to increased concern about water sources the South Australian government established The Goyder Institute for Water Research – a partnership between the South Australian State Government, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Flinders University, University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. The Goyder Institute undertakes cutting-edge science to inform the development of innovative integrated water management strategies to ensure South Australia's ongoing water security and enhance the South Australian Government's capacity to develop and deliver science-based policy solutions in water management. This paper focuses on the integrated water resource assessment of the northern Adelaide region, including the key research investments in water and climate, and how this information is being utilised by decision makers in the region.
Temporary Public Spaces: A Technological Paradigm
Authors: Crowther Philip
Published: October 2016

Contemporary cities no longer offer the same types of permanent environments that we planned for in the latter part of the twentieth century. Our public spaces are increasingly temporary, transient, and ephemeral. The theories, principles and tactics with which we designed these spaces in the past are no longer appropriate. We need a new theory for understanding the creation, use, and reuse of temporary public space. More than a theory, we need new architectural tactics or strategies that can be reliably employed to create successful temporary public spaces.
This paper will present ongoing research that starts that process through critical review and technical analysis of existing and historic temporary public spaces. Through the analysis of a number of public spaces, that were either designed for temporary use or became temporary through changing social conditions, this research identifies the tactics and heuristics used in such projects. These tactics and heuristics are then analysed to extract some broader principles for the design of temporary public space. The theories of time related building layers, a model of environmental sustainability, and the recycling of social meaning, are all explored.
The paper will go on to identify a number of key questions that need to be explored and addressed by a theory for such developments: How can we retain social meaning in the fabric of the city and its public spaces while we disassemble it and recycle it into new purposes? What role will preservation have in the rapidly changing future; will exemplary temporary spaces be preserved and thereby become no longer temporary? Does the environmental advantage of recycling materials, components and spaces outweigh the removal or social loss of temporary public space? This research starts to identify the knowledge gaps and proposes a number of strategies for making public space in the age of temporary, recyclable, and repurposing of our urban infrastructure; a way of creating lighter, cheaper, quicker, and temporary interventions.
Private control and public openness. The development of London’s public spaces since the Mayor’s 2009 manifesto
Authors: De Lima Amaral Camilo Vladimir
Published: October 2016

This research aims to analyse the ongoing privatization of public spaces in London. It also seeks to explore the impact of the 2009 Mayor’s policy document named ‘A Manifesto for Public Space - London’s Great Outdoors’ in this process. The manifesto argues in opposition to the growing ‘corporatisation’ and exclusion of privately controlled spaces and in favour of spaces that are open ‘for all Londoners’ and with a planning process overseen by the Public Sector. In order to understand if these goals were achieved, an initial inventory listed all the developments after 2009. The projects’ examination made it possible to identify the most important cases in each group. This article analyses whether these developments are private public spaces or whether they remain genuinely public, thus examining the manifesto’s effectiveness on London’s lived spaces. In order to do that, a critical approach was constructed upon the literature review, in order to confront the ideas of public space with the spatial experience. This dissection demonstrated how recent complexity of urban space production has created new phenomena in the city, that can be assembled in the concepts of Velvet Ground, Tangled Orbits and Repeated Compulsion of Space Consumption. The concepts clarify the relationship between social control, the democratic openness of public space, and citizenship. The study concludes that a new form of privatized space is taking over the city, and the proposed policies were unable to stop this tendency.
This is My City
Authors: Parra-Agudelo Leonardo
Published: October 2016

For this issue, I was asked to provide a viewpoint on the experience of public space as someone that has been involved in graffiti and street art for more than ten years. My involvement with these two forms of street interventions, that for outsiders co-exist and for insiders collide, is mostly situated in Bogota, Colombia. The living conditions of the inhabitants of the capital city of a country embedded in more than fifty years of internal violence were, and still are, precarious for many but not so much for me. I was raised in a middle class home and was well taken care of.
An open access forum for the discussion and advancement of research about public space
Authors: Bravo Luisa , Guaralda Mirko
Published: October 2016

The discourse about public spaces is generally dominated by exempla coming mainly from Europe and North America, where in the 1960s and 1970s main theories about use and navigation of the built environment have been developed. If on one side cases from these cultural areas are more accessible, on the other side interesting and relevant experiences are today developed all over the world, starting with the innovative and highly socially relevant intervention in South American cities. New types of public spaces are also emerging in the Asia-Pacific region, due to the digital revolution, or in Africa, in consideration of the massive urbanisation this continent is undergoing.Whilst there are several dedicated publications to cities, urban morphologies, urban dynamics and urban design, a forum where to discuss and share research, experiences and projects about public space so far was not provided in a structured and clear way.The Journal of Public Space aims to be the first international, open access journal, integrally dedicated to the discussion of public space in all its different forms and incantations. The objective is to provide a platform where academics and practitioners can share ideas and debate publics breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries. We are willing to engage also artists, to provide a different point of view.
Public Space and the New Urban Agenda
Authors: Andersson Cecilia
Published: October 2016

Cities that improve the quality of life for their citizens experience higher levels of prosperity; they are also likely to find themselves more advanced in terms of sustainability. Such cities strive towards social equity and gender equality by increasing access to the urban commons and public good, preventing private appropriation and expanding the scope for improved quality of life for all. Cities that have a strong notion of the ‘public’ demonstrate a commitment to an improved quality of life for their citizens by providing adequate street space, green areas, parks, recreation facilities and other public spaces.
Public spaces are a vital ingredient of successful cities. They help build a sense of community, civic identity and culture. Public spaces facilitate social capital, economic development and community revitalisation. The liveliness and continuous use of public space as a public good leads to urban environments that are well maintained, healthy and safe, making the city an attractive place in which to live and work.
E-Business Usage in Tourism Industry: Drivers and Consequences
Authors: Ekemen Mehmet Ali , Yıldırım Aytac
Published: October 2016

In seeking empirical evidence of E-business practices and its business implications, this study introduced and tested an interactive, comprehensive and multi-dimensional theoretical model in developing country settings. The model assessed the drivers of E-business usage by looking at technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) factors and established a relationship between E-business usage and business performance by measuring business performance based on the three dimensions; impact on financial, impact on customers, and impact on internal business process. Samples were selected using stratified random sampling which yielded 160 valid questionnaires and the structural equation modelling method was used to evaluate the model. In assessing the drivers of E-business usage, technology competence, web functionalities, firm size, and pressure intensity were found to have significant influence on the extent of E-business usage. Also, E-business usage was found to have significant influence on business performance with positive relationship.