bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of visual feedback on classroom noise levels
Authors: Van Tonder Jessica , Woite Nadia , Strydom Suzaan , Mahomed Faheema , Swanepoel De Wet
Published: March 2016

This study explored the effect of visual feedback on classroom noise levels, using a SoundEar II device that monitors noise levels in real time with feedback on intensity levels using a lighting system. During phase one, noise levels from three classrooms in the same school were measured over 36 h of classroom activities. For phase two, six teachers from two schools completed a questionnaire describing their experiences using the device. Visual feedback resulted in a 1.4-dBA reduction in the average noise levels. Classroom noise levels were above 70 dBA for 33% of the time in the baseline period compared to 24% in the intervention period with visual feedback provided on noise levels. Teacher perceptions indicated that visual feedback was beneficial to classroom noise levels and positively influenced the behaviour of learners. Visual feedback reduced overall classroom noise and can provide a cost-effective, noninvasive tool to create a more enabling classroom environment.
Towards a leadership programme for primary school principals as instructional leaders
Authors: Naidoo Parvathy , Petersen Nadine
Published: March 2016

This study set out to explore primary school principals’ instructional leadership. The study addressed a key issue in the school improvement literature, pertaining to the curriculum leadership of principals. The literature is not entirely clear about which leadership characteristic is more likely to produce the most favourable outcomes in terms of improved learner outcomes, in other words, how the curriculum has been implemented and how leadership in this regard has been effected. The article argues that robust training and development in instructional leadership practices become necessary to support school leaders in this regard. In South Africa, based on numerous reports of poor learner outcomes in schools, we question whether principals possess the necessary skills required to lead and manage curriculum in schools. In this article, the views of five principals, who have completed the Advanced Certificate in Education: School Leadership and Management (ACESLM) programme, are examined. Findings indicate that not all principals who participated in the study are fully conversant with their roles and responsibilities as instructional leaders. They mainly interpret their functions to be purely managerial and to be leaders and administrators of schools. Thus, whilst some understanding of instructional leadership was apparent in some of the principals’ responses, it is the authors’ views that ACESLM, as a leadership development programme, needs to be redesigned to include greater focus on instructional leadership.
Research in the interest of children: SAJCE after five years
Authors: Henning Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

No abstract available.
Increasing Capacity for Experiential Rotations for Pharmacy Learners: Lessons Learned from a Multisite Teaching Hospital
Authors: Cameron Karen , Fernandes Olavo , Lap Sum Musing Emily , Raymond Colette
Published: March 2016

-
Should Traditional Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Models Incorporating Clinical Pharmacists with Full-Time AMS Responsibilities Be Replaced by Models in Which Pharmacists Simply Participate in AMS Activities as Part of Their Routine Ward or Team-Based Pharmaceutical Care?
Authors: Gorman Sean K , Slavik (Pro) Richard S , Dresser Linda D , Bunce (Con) Paul E
Published: March 2016

-
CSHP Professional Practice Conference 2016: Poster Abstracts / Conférence sur la pratique professionnelle 2016 de la SCPH : Résumés des affiches
Authors: Authors Various
Published: March 2016

*
After the Launch of the CSHP Strategic Plan, What’s Next?
Authors: Saulnier Lauza
Published: March 2016

-
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Inkoo Virus in Northern Sweden
Authors: Evander Magnus , Putkuri Niina , Eliasson Mats , Lwande Olivia Wesula , Vapalahti Olli , Ahlm Clas
Published: March 2016

The mosquito-borne Inkoo virus (INKV) is a member of the California serogroup in the family Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus. These viruses are associated with fever and encephalitis, although INKV infections are not usually reported and the incidence is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anti-INKV antibodies and associated risk factors in humans living in northern Sweden. Seroprevalence was investigated using the World Health Organization Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease study, where a randomly selected population aged between 25 and 74 years (N = 1,607) was invited to participate. The presence of anti-INKV IgG antibodies was determined by immunofluorescence assay. Seropositivity for anti-INKV was significantly higher in men (46.9%) than in women (34.8%; P < 0.001). In women, but not in men, the prevalence increased somewhat with age (P = 0.06). The peak in seropositivity was 45–54 years for men and 55–64 years for women. Living in rural areas was associated with a higher seroprevalence. In conclusion, the prevalence of anti-INKV antibodies was high in northern Sweden and was associated with male sex, older age, and rural living. The age distribution indicates exposure to INKV at a relatively early age. These findings will be important for future epidemiological and clinical investigations of this relatively unknown mosquito-borne virus.
The Burden of Dengue and the Financial Cost to Colombia, 2010–2012
Authors: Castro Rodríguez Raúl , Carrasquilla Gabriel , Porras Alexandra , Galera-Gelvez Katia , Lopez Yescas Juan Guillermo , Rueda-Gallardo Jorge A.
Published: March 2016

Data on the burden of dengue and its economic costs can help guide health policy decisions. However, little reliable information is available for Colombia. We therefore calculated the burden of the disease, expressed in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), for two scenarios: endemic years (average number of cases in non-epidemic years 2011 and 2012) and an epidemic year (2010, when the highest number of dengue cases was reported in the study period). We also estimated the total economic cost of the disease (U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for 2012), including indirect costs to households derived from expenses such as preventing entry of mosquitos into the home and costs to government arising from direct, indirect, and prevention and monitoring activities, as well as the direct medical and non-medical costs. In the epidemic year 2010, 1,198.73 DALYs were lost per million inhabitants versus 83.88 in endemic years. The total financial cost of the disease in Colombia from a societal perspective was US$167.8 million for 2010, US$129.9 million for 2011, and US$131.7 million for 2012. The cost of mosquito prevention borne by households was a major cost driver (accounting for 46% of the overall cost in 2010, 62% in 2011, and 64% in 2012).
Refractory and/or Relapsing Cryptococcosis Associated with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Clinical Features, Genotype, and Virulence Factors of Cryptococcus spp. Isolates
Authors: Nascimento Erika , Vitali Lucia H. , Tonani Ludmilla , Kress Marcia R. Von Zeska , Takayanagui Osvaldo M. , Martinez Roberto
Published: March 2016

Refractory and relapsing crytocococcosis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients have a poor prognosis. The risk factors for this complicated infection course were evaluated by comparing refractory and/or relapsing cryptococcosis in human immunodeficiency virus–coinfected patients (cohort 1) with another group of AIDS patients who adequately responded to antifungals (cohort 2). Except for one isolate of Cryptococcus gattii from a cohort 2 case, all other isolates were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, sex type α, genotype VNI, including Cryptococcus reisolated from the relapse or in the refractory state. No differences were observed with respect to Cryptococcus capsule size and in the melanin and phospholipase production. The cohort 1 patients presented higher prevalence of cryptococcemia, cerebral dissemination, chronic liver disease, and leucopenia, and have increased death rate. Apparently, the refractory and/or relapsing cryptococcosis in the AIDS patients were more related to the host and the extent of the infection than to the fungal characteristics.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Decrease Job Burnout in First-Year Internal Medicine Residents Using a Facilitated Discussion Group Intervention
Authors: Ripp Jonathan A. , Fallar Robert , Korenstein Deborah
Published: March 2016

Burnout is common in internal medicine (IM) trainees and is associated with depression and suboptimal patient care. Facilitated group discussion reduces burnout among practicing clinicians.Background

 We hypothesized that this type of intervention would reduce incident burnout among first-year IM residents.Objective

 Between June 2013 and May 2014, participants from a convenience sample of 51 incoming IM residents were randomly assigned (in groups of 3) to the intervention or a control. Twice-monthly theme-based discussion sessions (18 total) led by expert facilitators were held for intervention groups. Surveys were administered at study onset and completion. Demographic and personal characteristics were collected. Burnout and burnout domains were the primary outcomes. Following convention, we defined burnout as a high emotional exhaustion or depersonalization score on the Maslach Burnout Inventory.Methods

 All 51 eligible residents participated; 39 (76%) completed both surveys. Initial burnout prevalence (10 of 21 [48%] versus 7 of 17 [41%], P = .69), incidence of burnout at year end (9 of 11 [82%] versus 5 of 10 [50%], P = .18), and secondary outcomes were similar in intervention and control arms. More residents in the intervention group had high year-end depersonalization scores (18 of 21 [86%] versus 9 of 17 [53%], P = .04). Many intervention residents revealed that sessions did not truly free them from clinical or educational responsibilities.Results

 A facilitated group discussion intervention did not decrease burnout in resident physicians. Future discussion-based interventions for reducing resident burnout should be voluntary and effectively free participants from clinical duties.Conclusions
Combating Grade Inflation in Nephrology Clinical Rotation Evaluations Using Faculty Education and a 5-Point Centered Rating Scale
Authors: Yuan Christina M , Nee Robert , Abbott Kevin C , Oliver James D
Published: March 2016

From 2010 to 2011, more than 70% of the clinical rotation competency evaluations for nephrology fellows in our program were rated “superior” using a 9-point Likert scale, suggesting some degree of “grade inflation.”Background

 We sought to assess the efficacy of a 5-point centered rotation evaluation in reducing grade inflation.Objective

 This retrospective cohort study of the impact of faculty education and a 5-point rotation evaluation on grade inflation was measured by superior item rating frequency and proportion of evaluations without superior ratings. The 5-point evaluation centered performance at the level expected for stage of training. Faculty education began in 2011–2012. The 5-point centered evaluation was introduced in 2012–2013 and used exclusively thereafter. A total of 68 evaluations, using the 9-point Likert scale, and 63 evaluations, using the 5-point centered scale, were performed after first-year fellow clinical rotations. Nine to 12 faculty members participated yearly.Methods

 Faculty education alone was associated with fewer superior ratings from 2010–2011 to 2011–2012 (70.5% versus 48.3%, P = .001), declining further with 5-point centered scale introduction (2012–2013; 48.3% versus 35.6%; P = .012). Superior ratings declined with 5-point centered versus 9-point Likert scales (37.3% versus 59.3%, P = .001), specifically for medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, and professionalism. On logistic regression, evaluations without superior scores were more likely for 5-point centered versus 9-point Likert scales (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 8.26; 95% CI 1.53–44.64; P = .014) and associated with faculty identifier (aOR= 1.18; 95% CI 1.03–1.35; P = .013), but not fellow identifier or training year quarter.Results

Conclusions 

Grade inflation was reduced with faculty education and the 5-point centered evaluation scale.
Mixing layer height and its implications for air pollution over Beijing, China
Authors: Tang Guiqian , Zhang Jinqiang , Zhu Xiaowan , Song Tao , Münkel Christoph , Hu Bo , Schäfer Klaus , Liu Zirui , Zhang Junke , Wang Lili , Xin Jinyuan , Suppan Peter , Wang Yuesi
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The mixing layer is an important meteorological factor that affects air pollution. In this study, the atmospheric mixing layer height (MLH) was observed in Beijing from July 2009 to December 2012 using a ceilometer. By comparison with radiosonde data, we found that the ceilometer underestimates the MLH under conditions of neutral stratification caused by strong winds, whereas it overestimates the MLH when sand-dust is crossing. Using meteorological, PM2.5, and PM10 observational data, we screened the observed MLH automatically; the ceilometer observations were fairly consistent with the radiosondes, with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.9. Further analysis indicated that the MLH is low in autumn and winter and high in spring and summer in Beijing. There is a significant correlation between the sensible heat flux and MLH, and the diurnal cycle of the MLH in summer is also affected by the circulation of mountainous plain winds. Using visibility as an index to classify the degree of air pollution, we found that the variation in the sensible heat and buoyancy term in turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is insignificant when visibility decreases from 10 to 5 km, but the reduction of shear term in TKE is near 70 %. When visibility decreases from 5 to 1 km, the variation of the shear term in TKE is insignificant, but the decrease in the sensible heat and buoyancy term in TKE is approximately 60 %. Although the correlation between the daily variation of the MLH and visibility is very poor, the correlation between them is significantly enhanced when the relative humidity increases beyond 80 %. This indicates that humidity-related physicochemical processes is the primary source of atmospheric particles under heavy pollution and that the dissipation of atmospheric particles mainly depends on the MLH. The presented results of the atmospheric mixing layer provide useful empirical information for improving meteorological and atmospheric chemistry models and the forecasting and warning of air pollution.
Chamber simulation on the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) from diesel vehicle exhaust in China
Authors: Deng Wei , Hu Qihou , Liu Tengyu , Wang Xinming , Zhang Yanli , Ding Xiang , Sun Yele , Bi Xinhui , Yu Jianzhen , Yang Weiqiang , Huang Xinyu , Zhang Zhou , Huang Zhonghui , He Quanfu , Mellouki A. , George Christian
Published: March 2016

Abstract. In China primary particulate matter emission from on-road vehicles is predominantly coming from diesels, yet secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed from diesel emission may be also of greater significance due to more intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOC) in the exhaust. Here we introduced exhaust from in-use diesel vehicles under warm idling condition directly into an indoor smog chamber with a 30 m3 Teflon reactor, and investigated the SOA formation as well as chemical aging of organic aerosols during photo-oxidation. The emission factors of primary organic aerosol (POA) and black carbon (BC) for the three typical Chinese diesel vehicles ranged 0.18–0.91 and 0.15–0.51 g kg-fuel−1, respectively; and the SOA production factors ranged 0.50–1.8 g kg-fuel−1 with an average SOA/POA ratio of 1.6. Aromatic hydrocarbons could only explain less than 3 % of SOA formed during aging, and IVOC and oxygenated VOC might contribute substantially to SOA formation. High resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) resolved that POA dominated by CH classes (alkanes, cycloalkanes and alkenes) with high abundances of the CnH2n+1 and CnH2n-1 fragments, and after photo-oxidation the fraction of CH classes and the H/C ratios decreased, while the fraction of CHO, as well as the ratios of O/C and of organic matter to organic carbon (OM/OC), all increased. The plot of f44 (ratio of m/z 44 to the total signal in a mass spectrum) versus f43 indicated that diesel SOA were semi-volatile oxygenated organic aerosols (SV-OOA). The slopes of O:C versus H:C element ratios in the Van Krevelen diagram ranged from −0.47 to −0.68, suggesting a combination of carboxylic acid and alcohols/peroxides formed during the aging of diesel exhaust.
HCOOH distributions from IASI for 2008–2014: comparison with ground-based FTIR measurements and a global chemistry-transport model
Authors: Pommier M. , Clerbaux C. , Coheur P.-F. , Mahieu E. , Müller J.-F. , Paton-Walsh C. , Stavrakou T. , Vigouroux C.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Formic acid (HCOOH) is one of the most abundant volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. It is a major contributor to rain acidity in remote areas. There are however large uncertainties on its sources and sinks, and HCOOH is misrepresented by global chemistry-transport models. This work presents global distributions from 2008 to 2014 as derived from the measurements of the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), based on conversion factors between brightness temperature differences and representative retrieved total columns over seven regions: Africa N, Africa S, Amazonia, Atlantic, Australia, Pacific and Russia. The dependence of the thermal contrast is taking account in the conversion method. This conversion presents errors lower than 20 % for total columns ranging between 0.5 and 1 × 1016 molec/cm2 but reaches higher values, up to 78 %, for columns lower than 0.3 × 1016 molec/cm2. Signatures from biomass burning events are highlighted, such as in the Southern Hemisphere and in Russia, as well as biogenic emission sources, e.g. over Eastern US. A comparison between 2008 and 2014 with ground-based FTIR measurements obtained at 4 locations (Maido and Saint-Denis at La Réunion, Jungfraujoch and Wollongong) is shown. Although IASI columns are found to correlate well with FTIR data, a large bias (> 100 %) is found over the two sites at La Réunion. A better agreement is found at Wollongong with a negligible bias. The comparison also highlights the difficulty for IASI to retrieve the total columns over mountainous regions such as Jungfraujoch. A comparison of the retrieved columns with the global chemistry-transport model IMAGESv2 is also presented, showing the good representation of the seasonal and inter-annual cycles over America, Australia, Asia and Siberia. A global model underestimation of the distribution and a misrepresentation of the seasonal cycle over India are also noted. A small positive trend in the IASI columns is also observed over Australia, Amazonia and India over 2008–2014 (from 0.7 to 1.5 %/year), while a decrease of ~ 0.8 %/year is measured over Siberia.
From pixels to patches: a cloud classification method based on a bag of micro-structures
Authors: Li Qingyong , Zhang Zhen , Lu Weitao , Yang Jun , Ma Ying , Yao Wen
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Automatic cloud classification has attracted more and more attention with the increasing development of whole sky imagers, but it is still in progress for ground-based cloud observation. This paper proposes a new cloud classification method, named bag of micro-structures (BoMS). This method treats an all-sky image as a collection of micro-structures mapped from image patches, rather than a collection of pixels. It represents the image with a weighted histogram of micro-structures. Based on this representation, BoMS recognizes the cloud class of the image by a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Five classes of sky condition are identified: cirriform, cumuliform, stratiform, clear sky, and mixed cloudiness. BoMS is evaluated on a large data set, which contains 5000 all-sky images captured by a total-sky cloud imager located in Tibet (29.25° N, 88.88° E). BoMS achieves an accuracy of 90.9 % for 10-fold cross-validation, and it outperforms state-of-the-art methods with an increase of 19 %. Furthermore, influence of key parameters in BoMS is investigated to verify their robustness.
Unambiguous evidence of old soil carbon in grass biosilica particles
Authors: Reyerson Paul E. , Alexandre Anne , Harutyunyan Araks , Corbineau Remi , Martinez De La Torre Hector A. , Badeck Franz , Cattivelli Luigi , Santos Guaciara M.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Plant biosilica particles (phytoliths) contain small amounts of carbon called phytC. Based on the assumptions that phytC is of photosynthetic origin and a closed system, claims were recently made that phytoliths from several agriculturally important monocotyledonous species play a significant role in atmospheric CO2 sequestration. However, anomalous phytC radiocarbon (14C) dates suggested contributions from a non-photosynthetic source to phytC. Here we address this non-photosynthetic source hypothesis using comparative isotopic measurements (14C and δ13C) of phytC, plant tissues, atmospheric CO2, and soil organic matter. State-of-the-art methods assured phytolith purity, while sequential stepwise-combustion revealed complex chemical-thermal decomposability properties of phytC. Although photosynthesis is the main source of carbon in plant tissue, it was found that phytC is partially derived from soil carbon that can be several thousand years old. The fact that phytC is not uniquely constituted of photosynthetic C limits the usefulness of phytC either as a dating tool or as a significant sink of atmospheric CO2. It additionally calls for further experiments to investigate how SOM-derived C is accessible to roots and accumulates in plant biosilica, for a better understanding of the mechanistic processes underlying the silicon biomineralization process in higher plants.
Impacts of climate and humans on the vegetation in northwestern Turkey: palynological insights from Lake Iznik since the Last Glacial
Authors: Miebach Andrea , Niestrath Phoebe , Roeser Patricia , Litt Thomas
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The Marmara region in northwestern Turkey provides a unique opportunity for studying the vegetation history in response to climate changes and anthropogenic impacts because of its location between different climate and vegetation zones and its long settlement history. Geochemical and mineralogical investigations of the largest lake in the region, Lake Iznik, already registered climate-related changes of the lake level and the lake mixing. However, a palynological investigation encompassing the Late Pleistocene to Middle Holocene was still missing. Here, we present the first pollen record of the last ca. 31 ka cal BP (calibrated kilo years before 1950) inferred from Lake Iznik sediments as an independent proxy for paleoecological reconstructions. Our study reveals that the vegetation in the Iznik area changed generally between (a) steppe during glacials and stadials indicating dry and cold climatic conditions, (b) forest-steppe during interstadials indicating milder and moister climatic conditions, and (c) oak-dominated mesic forest during interglacials indicating warm and moist climatic conditions. Moreover, a pronounced succession of pioneer trees, cold temperate, warm temperate, and Mediterranean trees appeared since the Lateglacial. Rapid climate changes, which are reflected by vegetation changes, can be correlated with Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events such as DO-4, DO-3, and DO-1, the Younger Dryas, and probably also the 8.2 event. Since the mid-Holocene, the vegetation was influenced by anthropogenic activities. During early settlement phases, the distinction between climate-induced and human-induced changes of the vegetation is challenging. Still, evidence for human activities consolidates since the Early Bronze Age (ca. 4.8 ka cal BP): cultivated trees, crops, and secondary human indicator taxa appeared, and forests were cleared. Subsequent fluctuations between extensive agricultural uses and regenerations of the natural vegetation become apparent.
Representativeness errors in comparing chemistry transport and chemistry climate models with satellite UV–Vis tropospheric column retrievals
Authors: Boersma K. F. , Vinken G. C. M. , Eskes H. J.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) satellite retrievals of trace gas columns of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO) are useful to test and improve models of atmospheric composition, for data assimilation, air quality hindcasting and forecasting, and to provide top-down constraints on emissions. However, because models and satellite measurements do not represent the exact same geophysical quantities, the process of confronting model fields with satellite measurements is complicated by representativeness errors, which degrade the quality of the comparison beyond contributions from modelling and measurement errors alone. Here we discuss three types of representativeness errors that arise from the act of carrying out a model–satellite comparison: (1) horizontal representativeness errors due to imperfect collocation of the model grid cell and an ensemble of satellite pixels called superobservation, (2) temporal representativeness errors originating mostly from differences in cloud cover between the modelled and observed state, and (3) vertical representativeness errors because of reduced satellite sensitivity towards the surface accompanied with necessary retrieval assumptions on the state of the atmosphere. To minimize the impact of these representativeness errors, we recommend that models and satellite measurements be sampled as consistently as possible, and our paper provides a number of recipes to do so. A practical confrontation of tropospheric NO2 columns simulated by the TM5 chemistry transport model (CTM) with Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) tropospheric NO2 retrievals suggests that horizontal representativeness errors, while unavoidable, are limited to within 5–10 % in most cases and of random nature. These errors should be included along with the individual retrieval errors in the overall superobservation error. Temporal sampling errors from mismatches in cloud cover, and, consequently, in photolysis rates, are of the order of 10 % for NO2 and HCHO, and systematic, but partly avoidable. In the case of air pollution applications where sensitivity down to the ground is required, we recommend that models should be sampled on the same mostly cloud-free days as the satellite retrievals. The most relevant representativeness error is associated with the vertical sensitivity of UV–Vis satellite retrievals. Simple vertical integration of modelled profiles leads to systematically different model columns compared to application of the appropriate averaging kernel. In comparing OMI NO2 to GEOS-Chem NO2 simulations, these systematic differences are as large as 15–20 % in summer, but, again, avoidable.
On the near-inertial variations of meridional overturning circulation in the South China Sea
Authors: Xiao Jingen , Xie Qiang , Wang Dongxiao , Yang Lei , Shu Yeqiang , Liu Changjian , Chen Ju , Yao Jinglong , Chen Gengxin
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We examine near-inertial variability of the meridional overturning circulation in the South China Sea (SCSMOC) using a global 1 / 12° ocean reanalysis. Based on wavelet analysis and power spectrum, we suggest that deep SCSMOC has a significant near-inertial band. The maximum amplitude of the near-inertial signal in the SCSMOC is nearly 4 Sv. The spatial structure of the signal features regularly alternating counterclockwise and clockwise overturning cells. It is also found that the near-inertial signal of SCSMOC mainly originates from the region near the Luzon Strait and propagates equatorward at a speed of 1–3 m s−1. Further analyses suggest that the near-inertial signal in the SCSMOC is triggered by high-frequency wind variability near the Luzon Strait, where geostrophic shear always exists due to Kuroshio intrusion.
Kony 2012: Intervention Narratives and the Saviour Subject
Authors: Chazal Nerida , Pocrnic Adam
Published: March 2016

In 2012, the Kony 2012 Campaign became the most watched human rights video to date, garnering over 100 million views in just six days. The Campaign relied on easily digestible narratives that encouraged an imperialistic military-legal response to the Lord’s Resistance Army’s use of child soldiers in Uganda. Drawing on Mutua’s (2001) framework of savages, victims and saviours, this article analyses the Kony 2012 phenomenon to illustrate how a digital campaign can validate and reproduce subjectivities and structures of domination rather than stimulate sustainable reform-based change. The article critically reflects on the use of digital technology by the Kony 2012 campaign and considers the potential for ‘slacktivism’ and ‘clicktivism’.
Critical Criminology: Guest Editors' Introduction
Authors: Flynn Asher , Halsey Mark
Published: March 2016

This issue of the International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy stems from selected papers delivered at the 2013 and 2014 Critical Criminology conferences convened in, respectively, Adelaide (Flinders University) and Melbourne (Monash University). This was the final occasion when the Critical Criminology event would be held in successive years. In future, this conference will alternate with the Crime, Justice and Social Democracy Conference (hosted biennially by the Queensland University of Technology). As guest editors and the conferences’ facilitators, we examined the abstracts across both events and listened to as many speakers as possible with the view to inviting submissions from a mix of Australian and international delegates, including a selection of postgraduate and early career researchers.The papers published in this issue provide solid evidence of not only the liveliness of critical criminological thought, but also its relevance to the twenty-first century problems besetting various governments and communities around the world.To find out more about this special edition, download the PDF file from this page.
The Metamorphosis of the Victim of Crime: From Crime to Culture and the Implications for Justice
Authors: Walklate Sandra
Published: March 2016

Beck (2015: 81) observes, metamorphosis ‘is proceeding latently, behind the mind walls of unintended side effects, which are being constructed as ‘natural’ and ‘self-evident’. Thus Beck’s concept of metamorphosis conceives of social change as unnoticed and unacknowledged. Such change is evident in the contemporary ever present invocation of the ‘victim’ in a wide range of different, crime-soaked circumstances. This paper is concerned to explore this metamorphosis of the ‘victim’ in reflecting on two narratives: the victim narrative and the trauma narrative. The contemporary conflation of these two narratives has led Agamben (1999: 13) to suggest that policy has proceeded as if ‘“testis” (the testimony of a person as a third party in a trial or a law suit) can be conflated with “superstes” (a person who has lived through something and can thereby bear witness to it)’. The paper makes the case that this conflation has consequences for understandings of justice.
Listening to and learning from the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to facilitate success
Authors: Barney Katelyn
Published: March 2016

Drawing on interviews with current and past Indigenous undergraduate students at the University of Queensland (UQ), this paper reports on findings from a project that explored the experiences of Indigenous Australian students and identified inhibitors and success factors for students. It also discusses one of the outcomes of the project and planned future developments that aim to provide better support for Indigenous Australian students at UQ. By knowing and acting upon the kinds of mechanisms that can assist Indigenous students, their experiences of tertiary study can be enhanced, leading to more students enrolling in and completing university study.
Improving operating room start times in a community teaching hospital
Authors: Darwish Alex , Mehta Pratik , Mahmoud Ahmed , El-Sergany Amr , Culberson David
Published: March 2016

Introduction: The operating room (OR) is an expensive entity to manage. Efficiency in hospital resource utilization is critical for hospital financial solvency. One measure of efficiency in the OR is percentage of on-time starts for cases at the beginning of each day. This study looks at a community teaching hospital where measures were taken to identify and address causes of tardiness in the OR.Methods: An interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff came together to implement a three-phase agenda. In Phase I, staff identified causes of tardiness. In Phase II, potential solutions to address each specific task were drawn up. Phase III involved maintenance of efficiency measures created in Phase II and documentation of progress for future analysis.Results and Discussion: Over twelve months, the percentage of cases that started on time steadily increased from 14% to 68%. Additionally, of the cases that were late, the average number of minutes late decreased significantly. Of the identified causes of tardiness, surgeon arriving late was found to be the most prevalent. We analyzed the relationship between average minutes late each month and the cost and revenue per unit of service (UOS). Average minutes late per month and hospital revenue per UOS showed a strong inverse correlation of -0.83, while average minutes late per month and cost er UOS showed a moderate positive correlation of 0.62. We analyzed the relationship between average minutes late each month and the cost and revenue per UOS. Average minutes late per month and hospital revenue per UOS showed a strong inverse correlation of -0.83, while average minutes late per month and cost per UOS showed a moderate positive correlation of 0.62.Conclusions: Identifying causes of tardiness based on input from a multidisciplinary healthcare team and addressing each cause with a specific measure to combat it was effective in improving the percentage of on-time starts in the OR. We demonstrated that reducing delays in OR start times can both decrease cost and increase revenue. Documenting progress of efficiency measures is critical in distinguishing measures that work from those that do not. Furthermore, continued analysis of efficiency is required to maintain efficiency standards.
Do Saudi EFL Teachers Promote Creativity in Their Classrooms?
Authors: Al-Qahtani Abdulaziz Ali
Published: March 2016

Despite the efforts made by the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, there is still much to be done in order to nourish creativity in schools. According to a number of studies, there is an urgent need to reconsider the role of creativity in the current educational programmes because there is an increasing gap between the reality of the classrooms and the expectations that students and others, such as parents, might have. Studies have shown that Saudi public school students lack the necessary creative thinking skills, especially in language classrooms. In fact, as claimed by some researchers, Saudi students’ low level of achievement in English is mainly a result of the approaches and methods practiced in schools that do not promote creativity. The current study explores whether or not EFL teachers promote creativity in their classrooms in Saudi Arabia, while also taking into consideration their own perceptions and attitudes towards this important concept.

The sample in this study included 45 Saudi EFL teachers and six EFL supervisors. After teachers responded to a creativity questionnaire that explored their attitudes and the extent to which they promote creativity in language classrooms, eight of the teachers and the six EFL supervisors were interviewed. The results revealed that most Saudi EFL teachers put little effort into fostering creativity in their teaching practices. Also, their attitudes towards creativity seem to be divided. The study identified a number of factors as being responsible for these results. They highlight the need to familiarize textbook designers, EFL supervisors, and teachers with the importance of creativity and its various applications. The study concludes with important practical recommendations and suggestions for future research.
A Comparison of Seventh Grade Thai Students’ Reading Comprehension and Motivation to Read English through Applied Instruction Based on the Genre-Based Approach and the Teacher’s Manual
Authors: Sawangsamutchai Yutthasak , Rattanavich Saowalak
Published: March 2016

The objective of this research is to compare the English reading comprehension and motivation to read of seventh grade Thai students taught with applied instruction through the genre-based approach and teachers’ manual. A randomized pre-test post-test control group design was used through the cluster random sampling technique. The data were analyzed by basic statistics, the t-test for independent samples and the t-test for dependent samples. The experimental group students taught with applied instruction through the genre-based approach showed significantly higher scores in reading comprehension of and motivation to read English than those in the control group taught by methods according to the teacher’s manual at a .05 confidence level.
Profiling of Up-Regulated Genes Response to Acute Hypo-Osmotic Stress in Hepatopancreas and Gill of the Pacific White Shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Liu Hong-yu , Sun Wu-wei , Dong Xiao-hui , Chi Shu-yan , Yang Qi-hui , Li Yuan-you , Tan Bei-ping
Published: March 2016

Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was applied to screen responsively up-regulation genes in hepatopancreas and gill of Litopenaeus vannamei induced by acute hypo-osmotic stress. In the hepatopancreas, 196 clones were randomly selected and sequenced. 131 non-redundant transcripts, corresponding to 41 genes, were found with elevated expressions. They were functionally clustered into eight biological processes which were protein synthesis and processing, carbohydrate metabolism and energy production, transport, cell growth, apoptosis, cytoskeletal component, cell defense and homeostasis, signal transduction, accounting for 26.2%, 14.3%, 16.7%, 4.7%, 4.7%, 2.3%, 11.9% and 7.1%, respectively. When confirmed by real time qRT-PCR, the gene expression levels of MnSOD, glutathione and glutamine synthetase showed significant increases (2.64-folds, 3.44-folds and 2.16-folds, respectively) in hepatopancreas (P<0.05). Totally 81 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained by random sequencing from the gill SSH cDNA library, and 52 unigenes, including 15 contigs and 37 singlets, after CP3 online matching were gained by clustering and assembling. The sequence alignment results revealed that 30 of them had significant homology to previously identified Genbank database sequences, while 22 unigenes did not match any sequence in the datebase and presumably represented unidentified cDNAs. Functionally, the unigenes were classified into six clusters, including ion channels and transport proteins (1); protein synthesis, translation and transcription factor (2); stress resistance and antioxidant factors (3); energy metabolism (4); signal receptor and transduction (5); cell fibrin and cytoskeletal proteins (6) with proportion of 23.3%, 20.0%, 20.0%, 16.7%, 10.0% and 10.0% respectively. Real time qRT-PCR confirmation revealed significant elevation of Arginine kinase, Carbonic anhydrase and NaK-ATPase-α-subunit expressions (3.73-folds, 2.55-folds and 5.83-folds, respectively) in the gill after acute low-osmotic stress (P < 0.05). These results provided insight into critical physiology processes and pathways constituting the hypo-osmotic stress adaption program in hepatopancreas and gill of L. vannamei.
МОНГОЛЫН ЗАГАСНЫ АЙМГИЙН ЗАРИМ ТӨРӨЛ ЗҮЙЛИЙГ МОЛЕКУЛ-ФИЛОГЕНЕТИКИЙН АРГААР СУДАЛСАН ДҮНГЭЭС
Authors: Дулмаа Аюур
Published: March 2016

The Joint Mongolian-Russian Complex Biological Expedition is the biggest biological expedition in iterms of Water ecosystems of Mongolia. Over 40 years, large - scale integrated research has been analysis of natural and antropogenic processes and basic principles of rational exploitation. The aim is to fulfill complex hydrobiological, ichthyological and hydrological estimation of water resources state and propose measures for their protectionInterrelation of global and local geo-climatic changes in territory of Mongolia in Cenozoic Era with evolution of endemic fishes of genera Oreoleuciscus is analysed. It is shown , that all basic stages of geo-climatic transformation directly defined occurrence, formation of species, morpho-ecological specialization and formation of geographic areas of species and their population organization.Evolutionary and population characteristics of the Altai osmans are given on the basis of genetically analysis of locuses mtDNA and the nuclear locuses coding isoenzymes.According to recent findings and investigations fauna of Lampreys and fishes of Mongolia consist of about 75 species of 14 families and 2 orders. 11 new species of fish, including one new invader bream (Abramis brama) were noted in the country waters last 15 years. According to new results two species of the Altai osmans (Oreoleuciscus angusticephalus, O.dsapchynensis) and one species of graylings (Thymallus arcticus) are excluded from the list of fish fauna of Mongolia. Recently Almai osmans were found not only in the waters of the Central-Asian closed basin, but also in rivers and small lakes of the Selenga River basin (Dgebuadze, Dulmaa, Munkhbayar 2003; Dulmaa A.,Munkhbayar Kh.Nakagawa M.,2004).Esseantial climate change and increasing of human impact transformed Mongolian fish population during last 40 years. As a result bias on ratio of ecological guilds, pathology number increasing, local diversity declining, and changes in species distribution, rate of growth and fecundity of many species of fish are observed. One of the main factors, influencing on fish populations, is gold mining in the rivers Arctic Ocean basin. In new conditions more attention demand both commercially important species as taimen, lenok, Baikal and Amur graylings, Amur carp, goldfish, Amur catfish, Amur and northern pikes, minnows, burbot, dace, and endangered and endemic species as Altai osman, Mongolian upper Enisey and Kosogol graylings, stone loaches and sculpin.Anthropogenic load on the water bodies of the Central-Asian closed basin is connected, first of all, with the constraction of hydraulic structures (dams in the basin of the Kobdo and Dzavkhan rivers), increase of pullution, and intensification of fishery. Evaluation of modern condition of water ecosystems and fish population parateters of this basin remains the main purpose of research for the years immediately ahead.
МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН ГАДААД БОДЛОГЫН “ГУРАВДАГЧ ХӨРШ”-ИЙН АСУУДАЛД
Authors: Лхам Ц
Published: March 2016

Монгол Улсын XX зууны түүхээс харахад Монгол Улсын гадаад орчны нөхцөл байдалд томоохон өөрчлөлт явагдаж, Монгол Улс харьцангуй бие даасан гадаад бодлого явуулах боломж бүрдэх бүрд гуравдагч улсуудтай холбоо тогтоохыг оролдсон байдаг. Тухайлбал, 1911 онд Богд хаант Монгол Улсыг байгуулсны дараахан Гадаад хэргийг бүгд ерөнхийлөн шийтгэх яамнаас Франц, Англи, Герман, АНУ, Бельги, Япон, Дани, Нидерланд, Австри гэсэн есөн улсад ноот бичиг илгээж, дипломат төлөөлөгчид солилцох, харилцан гэрээ байгуулах, худалдаа нэвтрүүлэх саналыг тавьж байв.
МОНГОЛ ДАХЬ ОРОС СУДЛАЛ
Authors: Алтай Д
Published: March 2016

ШУА-ийн  Олон  Улс  Судлалын   Хүрээлэнд  /цаашид  ОУСХ/ Орос  судлал  бие  даасан  салбарын  хувьд   2000  оноос  төлөвшин  хөгжиж  байна. Энэ салбарыг  шинжлэх  ухааны  доктор, Төрийн  соёрхолт  О.Батсайхан  тэргүүлдэг  ба  энд  нийт 9  судлаач  ажилладаг.  Орос  судлалын  салбарын  онцлог  нь  Орос  орны  түүх,  өнөөдрийн  байдлыг  бодитоор  судлахдаа  орон  судлалын  чиглэлтэй  хослуулах,  гадаад  бодлого  болон  олон  улсын  харилцаанд  ОХУ-ын  үзүүлэх  нөлөөг  цогц  байдлаар   судалдагт  оршдог. Судалгааны  үндсэн  чиглэлд  ОХУ ын  дотоод,  гадаад  бодлогын  тулгамдсан  асуудлууд, Монгол-Оросын  харилцаа, түүний түүх,  өнөөгийн   байдал,  ирээдүйн  хандлага, даяаршилын  эрин  үе  дэх  Орос  орны  хөгжлийн  стратегийн  асуудлууд  ордог.
ГАЗАР ХӨДЛӨЛТИЙН ХҮЧИЙГ СЕЙСМ ДОЛГИОНЫ ҮРГЭЛЖИЛСЭН ХУГАЦААГААР ТОДОРХОЙЛОХ НЬ
Authors: Мөнгөнсүрэн Д , Өлзийбат М
Published: March 2016

Шинжлэх ухаан, технолог улам хурдацтай хөгжихийн хэрээр газар хөдлөлийн судалгааны багаж техник технологи улам боловсронгуй болж газрын гүнд болж буй өчүүхэн эвдрэлээс үүссэн сейсм долгионыг бүртгэж авах боломж нээгдсэнээр сул газар хөдлөлтүүдээс үүссэн доргилтыг нанометрийн (10-9 мм) түвшинд бүртгэн авч тодорхойлж байна. Гэвч энэхүү өндөр мэдрэмжийн сейсмостанцуудын сейсм долгион бүртгэх боломжийн хязгаараас хамаарч хүчтэй, зарим тохиолдолд дунд зэргийн хүчтэй газар хөдлөлтийн сейсм долгионы далайцыг бүртгэж тухайн газар хөдлөлтийн хүчийг тодорхойлоход хүндрэл учирдаг. Тухайн сейсмостанцаас 100 км-ээс дотогш зайд болсон газар хөдлөлтүүдийн хувьд сейсм долгионы замхралт ба орчны геологийн нөхцөл хоорондын зайнаас хамаарсан шулуун хамаарал алдагддаг тул газар хөдлөлтийн хүчийг шууд тодорхойлох боломжгүй. Иймээс газар хөдлөлтийн хүчийг сейсм долгионы үргэлжилсэн хугацаагаар тодорхойлох аргыг хэрэглэдэг болно.Газар хөдлөлийн сейсм долгионыг багажинд бүртгэж эхэлсэн хугацаанаас уг газар хөдлөлтийн бичлэгийн далайцын түвшин замхарсаар газар хөдлөхийн өмнөх түвшинд хүртлэх хугацааг тухайн газар хөдлөлтийн долгионы үргэлжилсэн хугацаа гэнэ.
МОНГОЛ УЛС, БНХАУ-ЫН НАЙРСАГ ХАРИЛЦАА, ХАМТЫН АЖИЛЛАГААНЫ ТУХАЙ ГЭРЭЭНИЙ УЛС ТӨР, ЭРХ ЗҮЙН АЧ ХОЛБОГДОЛ
Authors: Шүрхүү Д
Published: March 2016

Эдүгээгээс яг 20 жилийн өмнө Монгол Улсын Ерөнхий сайд П.Жасрайн урилгаар БНХАУ-ын Төрийн Зөвлөлийн Ерөнхий сайд Ли Пэн Монгол Улсад албан ёсоор айлчлал хийх үеэр хоёр орны Ерөнхий сайд нар “Монгол Улс, БНХАУ-ын найрсаг харилцаа, хамтын ажиллагааны тухай гэрээ”-нд гарын үсэг зурсан билээ. Өнөөгийн өндөрлөгөөс эргэн харахад бүх зүйл жам ёсоор болсон мэт санагдаж магадгүй.  Гэвч архивын баримт, гэрээ байгуулах  бэлтгэл ажлыг гардан хийж байсан  ахмад дипломатуудын дурсамжаас үзэхэд нөхцөл байдал   амаргүй байжээ. Гэрээний гол “зохиогч”-дын нэг Ц.Гомбосүрэн сайд гэрээ байгуулсан түүхийн тухай тодорхой өгүүллээ.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MORPHOLOGY OF VARIOUS FLY ASHES AND POND ASHES FROM DIFFERENT THERMAL POWER STATIONS IN MONGOLIA
Authors: Bayanzul Uyat , Temuujin Jadambaa , Minjigmaa Amgalan , Bekhbaatar Amgalan , Battsetseg B , Mapiravana J. , Dlamini M.
Published: March 2016

In Mongolia coal fired thermal power stations produce over 90% of the country’s electricity. Three thermal power stations located in Ulaanbaatar city produce more than 80% of all electricity produced in Mongolia. The annual output of fly ash and bottom ash from these thermal power stations is about 600,000 tons. The thermal power plants in Ulaanbaatar city use coal from Baganuur and Shivee-Ovoo deposits. This research was conducted to compare morphologies of various fly ashes and pond ashes from TPS in Mongolia. Fly ashes from TPS4 and pond ashes from TPS3 and TPS4 of Ulaanbaatar city were characterized by x-ray fluorescence (XRF), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), laser particle size distribution analyzer, specific surface area measurement (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical compositions of the fly ashes and pond ashes indicate that they are class C ashes. Specific surface areas of the fly ashes and pond ashes varied from 1.04 to 25.2 m2/g. Radiation measurements that were performed by γ-spectroscopy indicate that the radium equivalent changed from 292 to 761 Bq/kg in the various ashes.
THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM OF THE FAMILY APIACEAE IN THE FLORA OF MONGOLIA
Authors: Urgamal M
Published: March 2016

At present time is family Apiaceae consists of 74 species and 37 genera, 5 sub-tribes belong to 12 tribes (4 clades) and 2 sub-families (Saniculoideae and Apioideae) disjunctly distributed in the Mongolian flora. We updated classification system of the family Apiaceae in the flora of Mongolia.