bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-fire soil erosion mitigation: a review of the last research and techniques developed in Portugal
Authors: Prats S. , Malvar M. , Martins M.A.S. , Keizer J.J.
Published: May 2015

Post-fire soil erosion risk assessment is not exempt of uncertainties. In many parts of the world post-fire soil erosion can have devastating effects over forest ecosystems, infrastructures and human life. However, in the Mediterranean countries, it has been defined as “low” and it was attributed to a long history of intense land use. This review paper integrates the last research assessing post-fire runoff and soil erosion as well as mitigation techniques focussing inPortugal. In the case of north-centralPortugal, recent research assessing wildfire and ground preparation effects leads to the conclusion that post-fire soil losses was as high as 5-10 Mg ha-1yr-1, while ground preparations soil losses doubled these figures. Since those values are higher than the estimates for tolerable soil losses, further considerations must be taken in order to guarantee a sustainable land use. The advantages of post-fire soil erosion control with straw mulching are well known worldwide. Recently, other treatments were assessed in recently burnt eucalypt and pine plantations in Portugal: 1) the eucalypt chopped bark mulch; 2) the slash logging mulch (unchopped twigs, stems and leaves); 3) the hydromulch, a mixture of water, organic fibres, seeds, nutrients and a surfactant with good performance in cut slopes rehabilitation; and 4) the polyacrylamides (PAM), a chemical agent with good performance in agricultural soil erosion control and high potential due to its low application rate. The more effective treatments were those increasing the ground cover, one of the most important key factors for soil erosion. For this reason, the eucalypt chopped bark mulch and the hydromulch reduced the runoff in 50% and the soil erosion in 80-90%, while the PAM did not achieved the required reduction effect. In areas where the ground cover was high (due to the presence of a needle carpet) the slash logging mulch was not effective since soil erosion was already low in the untreated areas.
Geomorfología y restauración fluvial: seguimiento del derribo de presas en Gipuzkoa
Authors: Ollero A. , Ibisate A. , Acín V. , Ballarín D. , Besne P. , Díaz E. , Ferrer-Boix C. , Granado D. , Herrero X. , Horacio J. , Martín-Vide J.P. , Mesanza A. , Mora D. , Sánchez I.
Published: May 2015

Se presenta la metodología diseñada para el seguimiento geomorfológico del derribo de azudes, así como los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en dos casos concretos: las presas de Mendaraz (río Urumea) e Inturia (río Leitzaran) en Gipuzkoa. Se han realizado secciones transversales, abundantes mediciones de procesos sobre testigos, análisis de los nuevos depósitos generados y muestreos granulométricos y morfométricos. En el caso de Mendaraz se han registrado rápidas movilizaciones de sedimentos e importantes cambios geomorfológicos aguas arriba y abajo del obstáculo. Este proceso de recuperación de la dinámica fluvial natural y de regularización del cauce fue favorecido y acelerado por la crecida extraordinaria de noviembre de 2011. Además de sus beneficios para el estado ecológico, se ha constatado que el derribo de presas es una medida eficaz para la restauración de la dinámica geomorfológica en cauces fluviales. El seguimiento geomorfológico es una labor fundamental para cuantificar y valorar la dinámica generada a raíz del derribo de la presa y toda su evolución posterior.
Estabilidad de los agregados de un suelo quemado a diferentes intensidades de fuego dieciocho años después de un incendio forestal
Authors: Velasco A. , Úbeda X.
Published: May 2015

En 2012, dieciocho años después de un incendio forestal que tuvo lugar en 1994 y quemó una plantación de Pinus pinaster, se analiza la estabilidad de los agregados del suelo comparándolos con los agregados de una zona control sin quemar. El área quemada, justo después del incendio, se dividió en tres zonas, baja, media y alta intensidad de fuego, dependiendo de la intensidad a la que se quemaron cada una de las tres áreas. Los resultados de este muestreo en 2012 se comparan con los análisis de los agregados del suelo efectuados en 1994 y en 1995. Los resultados muestran que dieciocho años después del incendio los agregados son menos estables en las zonas quemadas basados en dos métodos de análisis y que las diferencias entre las zonas quemadas no son significativas. El hecho que el suelo de la zona control tenga más materia orgánica y más concentración de elementos químicos, como el calcio, magnesio y hierro, parece ser el factor determinante de una mayor estabilidad de los agregados más superficiales en la zona control.
Revisión de las investigaciones a nivel molecular sobre el impacto del fuego en la materia orgánica del suelo: progresos en el siglo XXI
Authors: De la Rosa J.M. , Knicker H. , González-Pérez J.A. , González-Vila F.J. , Jiménez-Morillo N.T. , Almendros G.
Published: May 2015

Los incendios forestales son un factor de perturbación importante en muchos ecosistemas, especialmente en las áreas Mediterráneas. Es bien conocido que los incendios forestales producen cambios significativos en la materia orgánica del suelo (MOS), tanto a nivel cualitativo como cuantitativo. Estos cambios, a su vez, afectan propiedades relevantes y estrechamente relacionadas con la MOS, como es el caso de su respuesta frente a la erosión, su capacidad de retención hídrica o la agregación del suelo. Los efectos de las elevadas temperaturas en la MOS son altamente variables y dependen de varios factores interrelacionados. Por todo ello, el contenido en MOS puede variar desde una desaparición casi total a un notable incremento debido a la incorporación de necromasa procedente de la vegetación parcialmente carbonizada. Además de la pérdida de C orgánico o del incremento debido a la necromasa acumulada en el suelo, la MOS preexistente en el suelo transformarse en formas pirogénicas de C debido al efecto de las altas temperaturas; estas formas de material pirogénico comúnmente denominadas “black carbon” o carbono negro, han sido descritas desde los años 90 como formas de materia orgánica (MO) altamente condensadas, considerándose que presentan un carácter recalcitrante frente a la degradación biológica, por lo que podrían contribuir significativamente al secuestro efectivo de C y N a largo plazo en el suelo. Este trabajo presenta una revisión práctica de los conocimientos aportados durante los últimos diez años en la investigación dedicada al estudio del impacto del fuego sobre la estructura molecular de la MOS. Durante este periodo, algunas metodologías se han optimizado y son hoy en día de utilidad en la caracterización de cambios producidos por el fuego a nivel molecular en la MOS. Por otra parte, han aparecido herramientas analíticas para predecir los índices de recuperación de la calidad de la MOS en los suelos afectados por incendios. Finalmente, algunos estudios recientes parecen indicar que la MOS pirogénica generada por efecto del fuego es, en muchos casos, considerablemente menos recalcitrante de lo que se pensaba.
Análisis e interpretación de los perfiles longitudinales en la red fluvial del sur y sureste de Mallorca
Authors: Capó A. , Garcia C.
Published: May 2015

El análisis de los perfiles longitudinales de los ríos a través de la topografía del cauce, derivada de modelos digitales de elevación, es de especial utilidad para la extracción de indicadores geomorfológicos. La interacción entre fuerzas tectónicas y climáticas crea el modelado del paisaje. Cada contexto, definido por sus características climáticas, historia geológica y estado de las fuerzas tectónicas actuales definen un carácter, transitorio o estacionario, a este paisaje, que puede describirse a través de la forma del perfil. En este trabajo se han interpretado 74 perfiles longitudinales de 60 cuencas de drenaje localizadas en el sur y sureste de la isla de Mallorca, con características climáticas semiáridas, tasas de baja actividad tectónica y escasas dataciones cuaternarias. El objetivo es extraer y describir indicadores geomorfológicos y los factores que intervienen. A través de indicadores de forma como la concavidad y convexidad, los resultados muestran que existen zonas en claro estado de inmadurez y desequilibrio con tramos fluviales convexos y otras en cambio con patrones de concavidad en equilibrio dinámico. Se ha podido comprobar que existen 6 zonas con características propias en ocasiones afectadas por una topografía local determinada que obedece a basculamientos y estructuras tectónicas neógenas que perturban ese equilibrio. Las diferentes litologías carbonatadas, con su contraste de comportamiento ante la erosión y los fenómenos de disolución, generan puntos de ruptura en la concavidad y la pendiente, llamados knickpoints. En 31 de los 37 tramos donde el río atraviesa el contacto entre los materiales pliocenos o cuaternarios y las calcarenitas del Tortoniense–Mesiniense se han encontrado knickpoints litológicos. Por otra parte, para el contexto fisiográfico de la zona de estudio, se ha encontrado un umbral en el área de drenaje mínima, entre 2.3×105 y 7.2×105 m2, a partir del cual se genera un knickpoint debido a la escorrentía concentrada. El knickpoint en el perfil longitudinal de un río es un factor que genera un estado transitorio en la evolución de la red de drenaje. Además, la reconstrucción de paleoperfiles a partir de knickpoints es útil para determinar bajadas del nivel eustático o saltos de falla bajo determinadas condiciones. En un tramo del sur de la zona de estudio se ha registrado un salto de 30 m que puede indicar un movimiento vertical de bloques no cartografiado.
Variabilidad espacial de los cambios de cauce en una rambla mediterránea en las seis últimas décadas (1946-2006)
Authors: Sanchis-Ibor C. , Segura-Beltrán F.
Published: May 2015

En el presente trabajo se realiza un análisis de los cambios morfológicos ocurridos en la cuenca y el cauce de la Rambla de Cervera, situada en la parte oriental del Sistema Ibérico. El tramo de estudio (16.5 km) discurre primero confinado en un horst (5.5 km), y posteriormente en un graben (11 km). Los cambios en el cauce han sido estudiados y cartografiados a partir de la fotografía aérea y levantamientos topográficos realizados con un GPS-RTK, para ser después analizados mediante SIG. Entre 1946 y 2006 la rambla redujo la anchura de su cauce en un 68.5%, la superficie del canal de gravas se redujo en un 47.5% y se registró una incisión media de 3.5 m. Estos cambios, al igual que en otros ríos mediterráneos, se han atribuido a la progresiva disminución del caudal y del sedimento disponible a lo largo del siglo XX, producidos fundamentalmente por los cambios de usos del suelo, la extracción de áridos y la variabilidad hidroclimática. Los cambios observados presentan una interesante variabilidad temporal, con una reducción máxima del canal de gravas entre 1946 y 1956 y un segundo período entre 1977-1991, mientras que la incisión se aceleró a partir de 1977. El trabajo se centra en el análisis del comportamiento diferencial entre los sectores del horst y el graben del tramo fluvial. El primero muestra una tendencia evolutiva más regular, mientras que el segundo sector presenta periodos de inversión de tendencias. En el presente trabajo se analizan esas diferencias y se establece un modelo explicativo sobre los factores locales que influyen en este contrastado comportamiento. Los cambios en la geometría hidráulica provocados por el confinamiento y por la incisión, así como la variabilidad hidrológica espacio-temporal son responsables de las diferencias entre ambos sectores. Así, el cambio de un sector confinado a otro no confinado y el incremento del radio hidráulico influyen en el comportamiento de las crecidas a lo largo del período.
Effects of controlled fire on hydrology and erosion under simulated rainfall
Authors: Keesstra S.D. , Maroulis J. , Argaman E. , Voogt A. , Wittenberg L.
Published: May 2015

Mediterranean forests are frequently subject to wildfires, inducing risks of high runoff and loss of nutrient-rich topsoil. The mechanisms influencing these post-fire effects are spatially variable due to differences in vegetation density, litter composition, soil texture and structure, and fire intensity, and therefore difficult to separate. The characteristics of the soil surface in the immediate post-fire period are of critical importance to the hydrological response and erosion susceptibility of the burnt hillslope and catchment. In laboratory experiments, uniform soil, controlled temperature and rain regimes were used to create a controlled environment to isolate the impact of certain influencing parameters. In this study, for a Rendzina soil, we investigated the post-fire impacts of laboratory fire and two successive rainfall (rotating disktype) simulation experiments to evaluate short-term effects of fire on soil hydrological and erodibility parameters by examining (i) soil water repellency (WR) levels and distribution, (ii) surface cover features, and (iii) infiltration, runoff and erosion responses to simulated rain on control (bare and pineneedle covered) and burnt (with and without ash cover) samples. Fire-induced surface WR tested in the laboratory by grid-wise Water Drop Penetration Time tests (WDPT), revealed moderate WR, which decreased for all treatments after rainfall. The response to rain (33 mmh-1) differed for the two simulation runs. The rates of drainage and runoff of the burnt samples in the first run varied between the values of cover (low runoff, high infiltration) and bare (high runoff, low infiltration). Drainage in the ash-covered samples was twice as high as ashremoved samples. In the second run, both samples showed a similar response compared to bare conditions. These laboratory observations suggest that WR and protection by ash are factors to consider in assessing the erosion susceptibility of a burnt forest soil. Furthermore, possible management implications based upon this research are that: 1) ash can have several important roles immediately after a forest fire by protecting the forest soil from rain splash erosion, and with its high water holding capacity, absorbs rainfall, thereby reducing runoff; and 2) ash has no negative influence upon soil infiltration demonstrating the important benefits of ensuring the longer term maintenance of post-fire ash within the burnt landscape. Finally, management actions including mulching further enhance soil stability and minimize soil erosion.
Más leña al fuego: el tratamiento informativo de los incendios forestales
Authors: Domínguez M. , González C. , Pineda F.
Published: May 2015

En este artículo se analiza el tratamiento informativo de los incendios forestales que tuvieron lugar durante junio y julio de 2012 en la Comunidad Valenciana. Así mismo, el estudio también se centra en la caracterización de los recursos léxicos, con la presencia de un alto registro de metáforas y figuras retóricas. Los resultados apuntan a un predominio de las informaciones de tinte social y económico por encima del ecológico y a una alta politización en la cobertura del suceso, con un significativo sesgo en función de la tendencia política del medio de comunicación. Esta parcialidad impidió en muchas ocasiones a los periodistas la realización de un análisis más profundo que pudiese tener en cuenta otros elementos, de diverso carácter, que necesariamente entran en juego durante los incendios. Además, se advierte un tono sensacionalista y catastrofista que silencia cualquier otro tipo de reflexión, fruto de una concepción antropocéntrica del paisaje, que se ha ido desarrollando en las sociedades europeas desde el siglo XIX. Este artículo deja constancia de la necesidad urgente de una mayor divulgación científica de la naturaleza del fuego y de su relación con el ecosistema mediterráneo. Con este fin, se proponen algunas pautas a seguir en la cobertura informativa de los incendios forestales tales como la contextualización del fuego en el funcionamiento del ecosistema, la comprensión de la diversidad y la complejidad de sus causas y la apuesta por la protección del patrimonio forestal, especialmente en las zonas rurales que se encuentran cada vez más abandonadas. Una actitud más responsable por parte de los medios de comunicación debería servir para concienciar a la ciudadanía de la necesidad de abandonar ciertos planteamientos erróneos y propiciar un debate colectivo más riguroso sobre la gestión de los bosques, que puede ser útil a la hora de afrontar los incendios forestales que se producen en las zonas mediterráneas
UOJM: Preface
Authors: Suen Colin , Cheung Loretta
Published: May 2015

On behalf of the entire editorial team, we are very pleased to present you with the fourth issue of the University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine (UOJM). This edition marks the first of two installments in Volume 4. Since its re-launch in 2011, UOJM has continued its growth thanks to the collective efforts of the UOJM Leadership Team and our enthusiastic editors. The UOJM is a student-run, peer-reviewed journal that is dedicated to showcasing the wide variety of ideas and achievement of the Faculty of Medicine students. We accept many types of articles in both English and French, including scientific and non-scientific pieces. Our goals for this year were to increase both medical and graduate student involvement with the journal, and to promote our journal to different departments within the University of Ottawa and externally to other universities. Our ambitions were successfully accomplished this year with an editorial team size of 47 members and a record number of submissions
Double blinding in peer review: is it worth the hype?
Authors: Suen Colin
Published: May 2015

INTRODUCTION Without a doubt, peer review is the measuring stick by which science is judged. Peer review is a longstanding tradition in academic circles as the standard practice for evaluating articles for publication, grants and academic promotions. The term itself conjures up certain connotations and mixed emotions. Knowing that a body of work has successfully gone through peer review immediately increases credibility and, although academics would be hesitant to confess, it is too frequently unquestioned. A recent article by John Bohannon in Science tells the story of how his bogus paper full of glaring fatal flaws was accepted by an astonishing 157 out of 255 open-access “peer reviewed” journals [1], casting doubt on the level of scrutiny from journals claiming to perform peer review. Perhaps it is time to cast aside our blind faith and understand the limitations of peer review.
Personalized medicine hits primary practice as genetic testing is being done for the first time in family practice to better select psychiatric medications for patients: an interview with Dr. Nicholas Voudouris
Authors: Carruthers Martha
Published: May 2015

For the first time in Canada, genetic testing done at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto is being made available to family physicians. This leading-edge research started just over a year ago at the Thornhill Medical Centre in Thornhill, Ontario. The aim of the research is to use genetic testing to better select psychiatric drugs and dosages to improve efficacy and reduce side effects in patients suffering from mental illness. Dr. Nicholas Voudouris, a family physician at the Thornhill Medical Centre who is heavily involved in this project, describes it as leading-edge science that has the possibility of having profound impact on personalized medicine at the primary care level. I spoke with Dr. Voudouris to learn more about him, this project, and the future implications genetic testing could have on personalized medicine and reducing health care spending.
Endovascular Stenting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Khan Faizan , Iancu Dana
Published: May 2015

Transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) is often observed in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Studies show that all symptoms of IIH can be resolved by transverse sinus stent placement. We present a case of a 39-year-old woman diagnosed with IIH presented with papilledema and severe headaches. The consideration of interventional management was necessitated by the preceding failure of several months of medical treatment. Her vascular imaging demonstrated stenosis of the transverse sinus and her intracranial venous pressure measurements indicated elevated pressure with a high pressure gradient across the stenosis. She underwent transverse sinus stent placement across the stenotic segment. After this intervention, her symptoms improved and her intracranial pressure normalized. The imaging follow-up revealed efficacious patency of the stent. Based on a mathematical model, we suggest that a Starling-like resistor demonstrating a collapsible transverse sinus can permanently be replaced by a rigid-walled sinus upon employment of an endovascular stent in the stenotic transverse sinus, which should be considered as an alternative to other surgical procedures for IIH patients.
A New Approach: Patient Portals for Primary Intervention
Authors: Jackson Cody , Bradley Renée
Published: May 2015

N/A
“There’s an App for That”: An Interview with Dr. Jennifer Stinson, an M-Health Expert
Authors: Napoleone Marc
Published: May 2015

Increased adoption of smartphone technology by the general public has opened up an exciting new means by which healthcare professionals can interact with their patients [1]. The smartphone’s unique ability to combine mobile communication and computation offers a novel modality by which physicians can deliver healthcare interventions to their patients. Thus, it is no wonder that the use of smartphones in healthcare settings (so called “m-health”) has become the focus of widespread interest amongst healthcare professionals, with many smartphone-based medical applications already in widespread use amongst physicians and patients [2].   Leading the charge in this m-health revolution is Dr. Jennifer Stinson, a nurse clinician scientist based at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, who aims to capitalize on the popularity of smartphones among adolescents [3]. Dr. Stinson is a pioneer in the field of m-health, creating one of the first electronic pain diaries using the Palm Tungsten PDA to help adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) related pain [4]. More recently, she has created the “Pain Squad” smartphone-based app, a multiple award-winning pain measurement tool for children and adolescents with cancer [5].I was able to speak with Dr. Stinson about her experience with m-health, her views about the future of m-health, and her advice for interested healthcare professionals and trainees who want to integrate mobile technology into their own patient care. The following is an edited version of that conversation.
Low Cost Community Health Interventions to Address the Mental Health Crisis Arising From Greece’s Financial Austerity Measures
Authors: Ramphos Eleni Styliani , Deonandan Raywat
Published: May 2015

In response to the European financial crisis of 2008-2009, Greece reduced funding for social spending as part of its austerity program, which may have reversed past progress in Greece’s mental health system. Significant increases in depression and suicide rates coincided with the start of the crisis. A slower economic recovery may result from the combination of a less productive work force and out-migration of mental health professionals. In order to alleviate the detrimental effects of this crisis, mental health crisis training, as well as low cost community-based programs should be prioritized in Greece.
Cardiovascular pre-participation screening for young competitive athletes
Authors: Law-Vinh Denise , Law Wyanne
Published: May 2015

No abstract needed.
Development of a mobile application, ImmunizeCA, for the management of patient immunization records: a discussion with Dr. Kumanan Wilson and Katherine Atkinson
Authors: Noel Ariana , Ranganath Nischal
Published: May 2015

Vaccinations have “saved more lives than any other health measure” over the past 50 years [1]. Currently, patient immunization records are managed using the yellow immunization card; however, a team of researchers at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) has recently created a mobile application for all operating systems, inclusive of all provinces and territories, that conveniently stores patient data for every vaccination schedule [2]. The UOJM 2014 – 2015 Editor-in-Chief Team met with Dr. Kumanan Wilson (General Internist, The Ottawa Hospital) and Katherine Atkinson (Research Coordinator, OHRI) to discuss the development of the ImmunizeCA app [3], the first national immunization app to be endorsed by the Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose [4].
Estimation of Solubility and Diffusivity of Gases in Heavy Oils by Use of Late-Time Pressure-Decay Data: An Analytical/Graphical Approach
Authors: Pacheco-Roman Francisco J. , Hejazi S. Hossein
Published: May 2015

Solubility and diffusivity of gases in heavy oils, quantified by Henry's constant (Hij) and the diffusion coefficient (D), respectively, are essential properties for the design of recovery processes that require the injection of gas or vapor solvents into the reservoir. Data, obtained from various experimental procedures such as the pressure-decay technique (PDT), are used to estimate these two parameters. The PDT uses a pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) cell where the gas-phase pressure declines as gas diffuses into heavy oil following an early- and a late-time regime. Current approaches to analyze data from the conventional PDT are either graphical techniques based on early-time data or full numerical simulation. Early-time data, when the diffusing gas has not reached the bottom of the PVT cell, do not provide enough information to simultaneously estimate both the diffusion coefficient and Henry's constant. Hence, existing graphical procedures are limited to diffusion-coefficient estimation.

In this paper, we propose a novel graphical technique to estimate the diffusion coefficient and Henry's constant by use of the late-time data from pressure-decay experiments. Our method is derived from the modeling of gas-phase pressure decay by use of Fick's second law and gas-phase mass-balance equations. We use the integral method to provide an approximate analytical solution to the set of equations. In addition, by use of the resultant solution, we develop a simple graphical method to directly estimate both the diffusion coefficient and Henry's constant. The estimated parameters through the proposed technique for methane/bitumen and carbon dioxide/bitumen experiments are in close agreement with those reported in the literature.
Clustering of Environmental Parameters Discriminates Drought and Heat Stress Bread Wheat Trials
Authors: Bouffier Bruno , Derory Jeremy , Murigneux Alain , Reynolds Matthew , Le Gouis Jacques
Published: May 2015

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most widely cultivated crop worldwide and faces a wide range of stresses. To make effective crop improvement decisions, environmental characterization is of paramount importance. This study presents a new methodology for characterizing the environment that enables replacing the conventional arbitrary classification of the environment by a series of environmental covariates that capture and describe the stresses the plant encounters. Three CIMMYT bread wheat populations, combining complementary heat and drought adaptive traits, were grown over 3 yr in northwestern Mexico under limited irrigation, heat stress, and irrigated conditions. The network comprised 15 trials representing seven treatment × year combinations as experimental environments, referred to here as the “Environment”. Environmental characterization was performed at the trial scale. Twelve stress thresholds related to eight environmental factors were combined to obtain 11 potential growth limiting factors. Thirty‐three environmental covariates were obtained by calculating when these limiting factors occurred for each of three key‐developmental‐phases across all trials. Cluster analysis allowed grouping environmental covariates into six distinct clusters corresponding to six “environmental scenarios”. One representative environmental covariate was extracted from each cluster and taken together explained more than 90% of the variance for yield in the Environment. Principal component analysis discriminated the seven experimental environments and identified its stress characteristics. We conclude that the method developed characterized the main stresses and their impact on average population performance, and the representative covariates efficiently replaced the Environment. As such, they will facilitate the dissection of genotype × environment interaction (GEI) for yield‐related traits.
Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Corn Agronomic Response and Economic Return at Seven Iowa Locations
Authors: Al‐Kaisi Mahdi M. , Archontoulis Sotirios V. , Kwaw‐Mensah David , Miguez Fernando
Published: May 2015

Corn yield (Zea mays L.) and economic return with different tillage systems and crop rotations are highly influenced by regional soil and climate conditions. This study was conducted at seven locations in Iowa from 2003 to 2013. The experiment design was split‐plot with tillage as the main factor, which included five tillage systems (no‐tillage, NT; strip‐tillage, ST; chisel plow, CP; deep rip, DR; and moldboard plow, MP).Three crop rotations of corn–soybean (Glycine max L.), C–S; corn–corn–soybean, C–C–S; and corn–corn, C–C were subplots in a completely randomized block design in four replications. The objectives were to: (i) investigate seasonal variability in corn yield as affected by tillage and crop rotation, (ii) identify appropriate tillage for each crop rotation and location, and (iii) evaluate the magnitude of crop rotation effect on corn yield. Corn yields varied from 2.5 to 15.8 Mg ha−1 with no detectable increase over time. The results showed northern locations have yield of 1.9 Mg ha−1 and economic return of US$329 ha−1 advantage over southern locations. Yield and economic returns for the three rotations were as follow: C–S > C–C–S > C–C. Yield and economic penalty were greater with NT than conventional tillage in the northern locations (poorly‐drained soils) than locations with well‐drained soils. The corn yield penalty associated with C–C was location specific and varied from 11 to 28%. The findings suggest a location specific adoption of tillage and crop rotation for achieving optimum yield.
Participation in Physical Play and Leisure in Children With Motor Impairments: Mixed-Methods Study to Generate Evidence for Developing an Intervention
Authors: Kolehmainen Niina , Ramsay Craig , McKee Lorna , Missiuna Cheryl , Owen Christine , Francis Jill
Published: May 2015

Background

Participation in physical play/leisure (PPP) is an important therapy goal of children with motor impairments. Evidence for interventions promoting PPP in these children is scarce. The first step is to identify modifiable, clinically meaningful predictors of PPP for targeting by interventions.

Objective

The study objective was to identify, in children with motor impairments, body function and structure, activity, environmental, and personal factors related to PPP and modifiable by therapists.

Design

This was a mixed-methods, intervention development study. The World Health Organization framework International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used.

Methods

Participants were children (6–8 years old) with motor impairments, mobilizing independently with or without equipment and seen by physical therapists or occupational therapists in 6 regions in the United Kingdom, and their parents. Self-reported PPP was assessed with the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment. Modifiable-factor data were collected with therapists' observations, parent questionnaires, and child-friendly interviews. The Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment, therapist, and parent data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Interview data were analyzed for emerging themes.

Results

Children's (n=195) PPP (X=18 times per week, interquartile range=11–25) was mainly ‘recreational’ (eg, pretend play, playing with pets) rather than ‘active physical’ (eg, riding a bike/scooter). Parents (n=152) reported positive beliefs about children's PPP but various levels of family PPP. Therapists reported 23 unique impairments (eg, muscle tone), 16 activity limitations (eg, walking), and 3 personal factors (eg, child's PPP confidence). Children interviewed (n=17) reported a strong preference for active play but indicated that adults regulated their PPP. Family PPP and impairment in the child's movement-related body structures explained 18% of the variation in PPP. Family PPP explained most of the variation.

Limitations

It is likely that the study had a degree of self-selection bias, and caution must be taken in generalizing the results to children whose parents have less positive views about PPP.

Conclusions

The results converge with wider literature about the child's social context as a PPP intervention target. In addition, the results question therapists' observations in explaining PPP.
Antarctic firn compaction rates from repeat-track airborne radar data: II. Firn model evaluation
Authors: Ligtenberg S.R.M. , Medley B. , Van Den Broeke M.R. , Kuipers Munneke P.
Published: May 2015

The thickness and density of the Antarctic firn layer vary considerably in time and space, thereby contributing to ice-sheet volume and mass changes. Distinguishing between these mass and volume changes is important for ice-sheet mass-balance studies. Evolution of firn layer depth and density is often modeled, because direct measurements are scarce. Here we directly compare modeled firn compaction rates with observed rates obtained from repeat-track airborne radar data over a 2 year interval (2009–11) in West Antarctica. Spatially, the observed compaction rates exhibit significant variability, but when averaged to scales comparable to the model resolution (20–50 km), the measurements and model results qualitatively agree. A colder and drier period preceding the 2009 survey led to lower compaction rates during the 2009–10 interval, when compared to 2010–11, which is partly captured by the firn model. Spatially, higher compaction rates are observed and modeled in warmer regions with higher accumulation.
La protection sociale libre et volontaire, notamment mutualiste, jusqu’aux années 1930
Authors: Dreyfus Michel
Published: May 2015

La protection sociale française a une longue histoire qui commence bien avant la Sécurité sociale. Elle s’exerce tout d’abord dans le cadre de la bienfaisance, et ce dans une logique caritative. Elle se poursuit tout au long du xix e siècle sous de multiples formes : catholique, protestante et sur un plan un peu différent, patronale. La révolution industrielle favorise également l’essor des sociétés de secours mutuels : dès lors, elles poursuivent leur progression à tel point que le mouvement mutualiste est le plus important du pays en 1914. Depuis deux décennies, l’État commence à s’investir dans la protection sociale mais il faudra attendre les lendemains de la Grande Guerre pour qu’il le fasse davantage, ce qui le conduira à engager de nouveaux rapports avec les acteurs de la protection sociale privée.
Sécurité sociale et assurances sociales : la mise en œuvre de la sécurité sociale
Authors: Laroque Pierre
Published: May 2015

Il n’existe pas de texte qui définisse aussi bien l’origine et les buts de la sécurité sociale que la conférence prononcée par Pierre Laroque, directeur général des Assurances sociales, devant les futurs cadres de la Sécurité sociale, le 23 mars 1945 (la Seconde Guerre mondiale n’est pas finie). C’est un texte de combat qui commence par rappeler que « la sécurité sociale doit fournir à tous les hommes et à toutes les femmes en âge de travailler un emploi rémunérateur. Elle commande donc l’élimination du chômage ». La deuxième conférence a été prononcée le 15 février 1947 lors de l’inauguration des nouveaux services de la caisse primaire du département de l’Yonne. Elle permet à Pierre Laroque, directeur général de la Sécurité sociale, de montrer toute l’œuvre accomplie en moins de deux ans. Depuis les deux ordonnances des 4 et 19 octobre 1945, on a fait la réforme des mutuelles, celle des prestations familiales, de la législation des accidents du travail, de l’extension progressive aux non-salariés. Les caisses ont été mises en place, ainsi que la collaboration entre les organismes de Sécurité sociale et le corps médical, le développement de la Protection maternelle et infantile, l’équipement ou la création d’hôpitaux, le renouvellement du service social et un immense effort éducatif afin que les intéressés prennent en main la gestion de leurs propres intérêts.
La démocratie sociale dans la gestion de la Sécurité sociale de 1945 à 1994
Authors: Valat Bruno , Laroque Michel
Published: May 2015

L’instauration d’une gestion de la Sécurité sociale contribuant à une démocratie sociale était l’une des ambitions de ses créateurs. Elle fut effectivement mise en œuvre dans ses toutes premières années, sous l’égide d’une cgt unifiée qui contribua activement à la mise en place des nouvelles caisses. La gestion par les partenaires sociaux se trouva cependant rapidement plongée dans une période de turbulences, marquée par la concurrence syndicale et la contestation patronale. Ces rapports de force ainsi que les difficultés financières ont conduit à la réforme de 1967 : suppression des élections aux conseils d’administration, paritarisme et reconcentration progressive de la gestion au niveau des nouvelles caisses nationales. La généralisation de la sécurité sociale et la compensation entre régimes soulèvent la question des modalités d’un retour à plus de participation sociale, question notamment étudiée dans le cadre des états généraux de la Sécurité sociale de 1987.
La question du financement
Authors: Ferras Benjamin , Matt Jean-Luc
Published: May 2015

La création, en 1945, de la Sécurité sociale a conduit à la mise en œuvre d’un système de financement autonome de l’État. Cette autonomie s’est matérialisée notamment par la constitution d’une organisation financière spécifique et reposant sur des recettes affectées particulières, les cotisations sociales. Par la suite, l’évolution du mode de financement de la Sécurité sociale, du « tout cotisations » vers une part croissante de recettes fiscales affectées, a entraîné une évolution de la gouvernance financière des régimes de Sécurité sociale, avec un renforcement du rôle de pilotage de l’équilibre des régimes par l’État.
La gouvernance de la Sécurité sociale à partir du plan Juppé de 1995
Authors: Ruellan Rolande
Published: May 2015

Le plan Juppé est une réforme majeure dans l’histoire de la Sécurité sociale. Il est intervenu dans un contexte marqué par des déficits importants, des relations conflictuelles entre l’État et les partenaires sociaux et l’adoption prochaine de la monnaie unique. Il traduit la prise de conscience de la place importante de la protection sociale au sein des finances publiques. Ses points forts sont les compétences nouvelles accordées au Parlement par la réforme constitutionnelle de 1996 créant les lois de financement de la sécurité sociale ainsi que l’organisation d’un partenariat entre l’État et les caisses nationales de Sécurité sociale au moyen de la signature de conventions d’objectifs et de gestion. De la clarification des pouvoirs qu’il opère devait résulter une responsabilisation accrue des différents acteurs au service de la maîtrise des dépenses et donc des déficits. La réforme est conçue comme l’an I d’une nouvelle ère : à cette fin, les déficits cumulés sont externalisés dans une structure de défaisance, la Caisse d’amortissement de la dette sociale, alimentée par une nouvelle contribution, la contribution de remboursement de la dette sociale. Le plan Juppé a été accusé d’opérer une étatisation de la gestion de la sécurité sociale en limitant la démocratie sociale au profit des acteurs étatiques. En fait, les mesures de gouvernance adoptées en 1996 et ultérieurement ne sont plus contestées en cette année du 70 e anniversaire de la Sécurité sociale, ce qui montre qu’elles correspondent aux enjeux actuels.
Anciens et nouveaux risques sociaux
Authors: Marie Etienne
Published: May 2015

Le présent article porte un jugement sur les évolutions de la sécurité sociale depuis vingt-cinq ans, d’un double point de vue. En ce qui concerne le contenu des réformes, il classe les vingt-cinq risques sociaux proposés en six catégories selon que ces risques n’ont pas été fondamentalement modifiés, ont été créés, ont été développés, ont été maîtrisés, ont été transférés, ont été supprimés. Du point de vue de l’auteur, c’est essentiellement la dynamique de l’emploi qui explique ces diverses évolutions. Une place particulière est faite à la problématique de la réforme non des droits mais des usages (fondamentalement en matière d’assurance maladie). Enfin, l’article rapporte les différentes réformes menées à la problématique de la redistribution des revenus dans notre pays. En ce qui concerne la technique des réformes, l’article qualifie celles-ci de lentes et de graduelles quoique continues et permanentes, de préférentiellement indolores, de faiblement coordonnées avec les autres collectivités publiques et donc non pas de réformes systémiques ou remettant en cause les constituants initiaux des politiques et des institutions de la sécurité sociale. Dès lors, la poursuite des finalités premières de la sécurité sociale reste un chantier permanent que l’environnement économique, social et politique rend de plus en plus difficile à tenir.
Políticas empresariales de mano de obra y configuración social del empleo en España. Una aproximación desde los trabajos de investigación sociológica
Authors: Pérez de Guzmán Padrón Sofía , Prieto Rodríguez Carlos
Published: May 2015

Este artículo tiene un doble objetivo. En primer lugar, presentar un diagnóstico de las políticas empresariales de mano de obra y de sus efectos en la configuración de las condiciones de trabajo y empleo, tomando como base informativa las investigaciones que ha realizado la sociología española sobre este tema en los últimos quince años. En segundo lugar, plantear y defender la tesis de que esas políticas sólo pueden entenderse plenamente si se analizan como parte de un determinado contexto económico, social y político. Este contexto se hallaría constituido por la articulación interactiva de varios conjuntos de prácticas sociales recogido bajo el concepto de Régimen Social de Empleo.
Young Children and Narrative Meaning-Making to Promote Arts and Technology
Authors: Garvis Susanne
Published: May 2015

Around the world, many young children under five years of age engage with arts and technology in their home environments. Engagement with arts and technology becomes a form of sense making and communication for the young child. When children enter early childhood educational settings, the same access to digital technology may not be visible. A divide between home environments and school environments may exist, with different cultural norms. Leven and Arafeh (2002) describe this as digital-disconnect between home-school contexts. This chapter will explore the importance of narrative meaning-making to promote arts and technology communication by young children. Narrative interactions allow children's voices to be at the centre of decisions by the educator regarding arts and technology engagement. By allowing children's voices to be heard around their engagement of arts and technology, we can reflect on reducing the gap between home environments and school environments for learning.
Purposeful Practice
Authors: Mitchell Donna Mathewson
Published: May 2015

This chapter examines the integration of information communication technology to enhance teaching and learning in visual arts classrooms. It draws on a participatory action research project conducted with teachers in schools to explore the distinctive nature of secondary visual arts teaching practice. From this data the author presents three examples that particularly illustrate the use of technology for practice. The first example presents a teacher who uses technology as a vehicle for student-centred learning. The second example provides an account of a teacher who uses social media and mobile technology as a pedagogical tool to connect with students. The third example tells the story of a teacher-educator working in an online environment. Together these examples illustrate a diversity of ways that technology is integrated into teaching at the level of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. The implications of this diversity are explored relative to teacher identity, student experience and relationships to place.
Self-Belief and Confidence to Teach Arts and Digital Technology in K-6 Classrooms
Authors: Lemon Narelle , Garvis Susanne
Published: May 2015

Teacher self-efficacy is an important motivational construct that informs actions associated with teaching. Teacher self-efficacy develops during teacher education. Highly effective teacher education is able to support and enhance self-efficacy. Variation however can occur for a number of reasons. In the case of digital technology and the arts, teacher self-efficacy informs perceived levels of competence in teaching students. This chapter reports on the current levels of teacher self-efficacy of pre-service teachers at three Australian universities. Dance, drama, music, media, visual arts and digital technology were explored. Findings highlight that the different cohorts had different levels of perceived competence. Such findings are important for teacher education and also the professional development of teachers for arts and digital technology education.
Playful Calculation
Authors: Ham Derek
Published: May 2015

A prerequisite to becoming a great computer coder is the ability to think algorithmically. Prior to learning a programming language or soldering hardware, the individual must have an ability to see and think in systems. “Playful Calculation” is a formal method to build foundational algorithmic thinking skills. By teaching students how to create algorithmic rules and schemas in their art process, we are providing a more flexible and intuitive entry point to integrate technology in art education. This chapter examines a case study carried out at the Boston Children's Museum in Boston, MA. In the study children were allowed to play a game in which algorithmic thinking was introduced through the manipulation of physical geometric shapes. The research documents the play process of children and demonstrates how they invent rules and procedures to carry out a creative task. The game itself can be understood as tangible coding for visual thinkers.
Young People, Digital Cameras, and Art Gallery Spaces
Authors: Lemon Narelle
Published: May 2015

Young people can take meaningful photographs and are thus capable users of handheld digital technology such as digital cameras. When their digital photographs are paired with their narratives (creating visual narratives) an intertexuality becomes evident whereby the child's voice is honored. By positioning children as capable photographers who generate images to share their lived experiences, this chapter describes a project (called Ways of Seeing) that was interested in how visual narratives could support participatory learning in an art gallery setting. Johnson, Adams & Witchey (2011) trends for 2011 – 2016 identify six emerging technology topics that resonate well with the projects aims and offer several concrete examples of how technology is used in museums and galleries. They believe that digital technology embedded with a contemporary context reflects the reality of education needs, learning and teaching. It is from this perspective that this chapter shares a project that builds on these notions and shares how a digital camera can be used in the gallery space with young people. A visual narrative of the method and a content analysis of the digital images generated by the young people is presented. This chapter demonstrates how it is possible to take digital technology such as digital cameras and embed them into gallery education programs with young people.