bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus anthracis - As Biological Weapons
Authors: Daniszewski Piotr
Published: May 2015

Terrorism is defined as use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to indulge fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, social or religious. Bioterrorism is terrorism by intentional release or dissemination of biological agents, mainly bacteria or viruses. Use of biological weapons is attractive from the terrorists’ point of view because of low production costs, major range and easiness of transmission. The first mention of the use of primitive biological weapons date back to the 6th century. Use of plague-infested corpses as offensive means in the 14th century caused a spread of bubonic plague through the whole Europe. The biggest development of biological weapons took place in the interwar period and in the cold war era. Biological weapon trails and research were conducted by super powers such as USSR, UK, USA and Japan. At the beginning of the 20th century a new form of bioterrorism occurred, which put humanity in the face of a terrifying threat.
Test article 2
Authors: Suen Colin
Published: May 2015

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UOJM editor training: results from the 2013 editor satisfaction survey and highlights from 2013-2014 training workshops
Authors: Suen Colin , Cheung Loretta
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND UOJM recognizes that editor competency and preparedness directly impacts the quality of peer review, which holds the key to producing a great publication. We believe that success of our journal is based on a central goal of promoting physician competency in medical communication and developing leaders in medicine. In the age of evidence-based medicine, there are surprisingly few, if at all, opportunities for medical trainees to gain formal training in scientific writing and critical appraisal. Over the last two years, the UOJM has aimed to address these gaps and worked on developing a training program to equip participants with these important skills. Indeed, the merits of involvement in a peer reviewed journal at this stage of medical/research training have been recognized by its trainee participants, and have been reviewed extensively by Kevin Lee [1]. Following the success of the 2013 issue, UOJM made considerable strides to further improve the quality of content in the journal. In 2012-2013, 30 students participated as reviewers on the editorial board and received a practical experience in peer reviewed research. We conducted a year-end survey to identify issues and areas for improving the editor experience.
The advancement of medical education through innovative research and simulation learning: A discussion with Dr. Viren Naik, medical director of the University of Ottawa’s Skills and Simulation Centre
Authors: Cheung Loretta , Noel Ariana
Published: May 2015

A B S T R A C TThe spotlight of UOJM’s 4th issue is medical education. We met with Dr. Viren Naik, anesthesiologist, associate professor at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa), and Medical Director of the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre (uOSSC). He is also a core team member of the Academy of Innovation in Medical Education (AIME), uOttawa’s centre for advancing medical education research. Dr. Naik is actively involved in research, with over 60 peer-reviewed publications and grants. He was also the previous chair of the Written Examination in Anesthesia with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In this interview, we discuss the advancement of medical education with the skills and simulation centre, the future of the medical curriculum, and how to be involved in medical education as students. R É S U M ÉDans cette 4e édition du JMUO, le sujet mis en lumière est l’éducation médicale. Nous avons rencontré le Dr Viren Naik, anesthésiologiste, professeur agrégé de l’Université d’Ottawa (uOttawa) et directeur médical du Centre de compétences et simulation de l’Université d’Ottawa (CCSUO). C’est aussi un membre important de l’Académie pour l’innovation en éducation médicale (AIME), le centre de l’Université d’Ottawa qui a pour but de faire avancer la recherche en éducation médicale. Dr Naik est un chercheur très dynamique qui a plus de 60 publications et subventions évaluées par les pairs à son actif. Dans le passé, il a aussi présidé l’examen écrit en anesthésiologie du Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada. Durant l’entrevue, nous avons discuté de l’avancement de l’éducation médicale au Centre de compétences et simulation, de l’avenir du cursus médical et de la façon que les étudiants peuvent participer à l’éducation médicale.
Are Branched Narratives and Virtual Patient Models Acceptable Means of Reforming Case-based Learning?
Authors: Whelan Alexander
Published: May 2015

Case-Based Learning (CBL) has become a major component of medical curricula and is featured prominently at the University of Ottawa. In this article, CBL is defined as a pedagogical method that uses fictional cases to reinforce important clinical skills [1]. Cases are organized into written sections pertaining to the patient’s chief complaint, a history and physical examination, laboratory and diagnostic investigations, as well as management and follow-up plans [1]. These cases are delivered through selfdirected online teaching modules or through group-oriented discussions. With either method, learners are expected to identify salient points from a given section, in order to anticipate the next steps in the management plan [1]. For example, if the history section describes a patient suffering from epigastric pain, students are encouraged to identify potential pain sources and use this knowledge to recognize the components that should be included in their approach to the physical examination. The ability to synthesize information to direct decision-making is a necessary competency of medicine supported by CBL [1-2]...
Between a rock and a hard place: the incommensurate ethics of emotionally-related living organ donation
Authors: Cox Gemma
Published: May 2015

At the end of 2007, over 71,000 candidates in the United States were awaiting a kidney transplant. That same year, 16,622 kidney transplants took place [1]. The growing shortage of organs in the face of escalating need has placed pressure on transplant centers to accept organs from voluntary living donors. Emotionally- related living organ donation (ERLOD) is becoming increasingly common. In ERLOD, donors and recipients are genetically unrelated but linked by close emotional ties. In the case of kidney transplants, ERLOD achieved over 90% success rates after only one year [2]. However, the significant need and efficacy of this practice are not sufficient for its justification; this program must also be ethically acceptable [3]. Living organ donation in general raises concerns regarding the acceptable standards of medical practice and ERLOD in particular poses unique challenges. This article examines, within a clinical care framework, the ethical concerns surrounding ERLOD and why these concerns may be difficult to reconcile from this perspective alone. Discussion may benefit from using the ethical framework of clinical research in adjunction with the clinical care framework to offer a more flexible scope of analysis.
The challenges facing Ontario’s health care system moving forward: a health policy perspective
Authors: Micieli Andrew
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this commentary is to inform Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on the province’s current top health priorities and the factors that have pushed these priorities to the top of the agenda. It will include the three most important health policy priorities that should top the health agenda in Ontario over the next 5 years, outlining their incentives and challenges and stating Ontario’s number one top health policy priority
Is Next-Generation Sequencing Appropriate for the Clinic?
Authors: Hassouneh Ramzi
Published: May 2015

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has ignited a revolution in genomic medicine by eliminating the inherent limitations of conventional sequencing methods. Due to its high throughput and low-cost, clinics can use NGS to perform targeted and genome sequencing to make diagnoses or pre-screen for risk to future disease. Despite its clinical uses, many challenges exist before NGS becomes a mainstay in the clinic. There is a lack of understanding of the impact of genetic variants on health and disease and how to best apply genetic information to patient care. Nevertheless, the translation of base pair reads to clinical applications has truly begun.
White coat over a blue gown: perspectives and e-management tips from a medical student with diabetes
Authors: Pasqua Melissa Rosina
Published: May 2015

(Humanities piece, therefore not applicable)
The Potential of Video in Patient Education Post Skin Biopsies
Authors: Cho Natalie , Chambers Reid
Published: May 2015

Plastic surgeons perform excisional skin biopsies that may be in aesthetically sensitive areas.  Excisional biopsies are performed on an outpatient basis and therefore patients are expected to perform wound care at home. The current standard of patient education for post-procedural care is verbal information along with a written set of instructions to take home. However, a patient’s comprehension of verbal directions and literacy level can greatly affect the transmission of knowledge, and verbal instructions are not standardized across each patient encounter. The importance of patient education in self-care with the use of video has great potential in promoting improved outcomes.
Analysis of Reservoir Applicability of Hydrophobically Associating Polymer
Authors: Xie Kun , Lu Xiangguo , Li Qiang , Jiang Weidong , Yu Qin
Published: May 2015

In this paper, the reservoir characteristics and fluid properties of a reservoir of the Bohai Sea oil field were taken as the research platform. It was confirmed that there exists compatibility between hydrophobically-associating-polymer (HAP) molecular aggregation and pore-throat size. The experiment for oil displacement in heterogeneous cores indicated that there exists applicability of HAP for a heterogeneous reservoir and the applicability can be influenced by polymer concentration. The experiment for oil displacement of parallel cores demonstrated the effect of polymer concentration on the applicability of HAP for reservoir heterogeneity from two aspects of the dynamic behavior of oil displacement and the effectiveness of oil displacement. The results show that with the increase of HAP concentration, the association degree between polymer molecules increases, molecular-clew dimension enlarges, and the compatible size of pore throats of the core increases. The change of HAP concentration not only has an effect on the amount of liquid suctioned by different permeability layers and on the time of profile inversion, but also has an effect on the displacement ability of polymer solution within different layers. As polymer concentration changes, the adaptability of HAP for reservoir heterogeneity changes and the oil-recovery efficiency also changes.
Processing Snap Bean Variety Responses to Applied Nitrogen and Irrigation in the North Central United States
Authors: Wang Yi , Ruark Matthew D. , Gevens Amanda J. , Caine Don T. , Raster Amanda L. , Goeser Nicholas J. , Bussan Alvin J.
Published: May 2015

Irrigated processing snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Wisconsin, mostly in the central sands region, ranks first in both yield and harvested hectarage in the U.S. However, there is little information assessing N need across processing snap bean varieties under different irrigation strategies on sandy soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of N rate and irrigation on yield, pod quality, and other agronomic traits across different varieties with known differences in nodulation. Results indicated that nodulating varieties such as DMC04‐95 consistently produced higher yields than the non‐nodulating variety Huntington by 3.5 to 4.3 Mg ha−1. Yield and pod quality responses to in‐season supplemental N fertilizer at the rates of 0 to 135 kg ha−1 varied across varieties. In each year, Huntington responded the most to N fertilizer, and had the lowest harvest index and the poorest pod quality. Reduced irrigation on sandy soils did not significantly reduce yield and pod quality when applied in minimal quantities sufficient to avoid permanent drought stress during blossom and pod set. Across years, the optimal in‐season N rate was 90 kg N ha−1. This, together with the 22 kg N ha−1 applied as starter fertilizer, suggests 112 kg N ha−1 is the optimal N rate for irrigated snap beans on sandy soils in the central sands region of Wisconsin. This rate is greater than recommended from previous studies conducted in other soil types, and may be warranted only when high yielding varieties are grown.
Improving Productivity of Managed Potato Cropping Systems in Eastern Canada: Crop Rotation and Nitrogen Source Effects
Authors: Nyiraneza Judith , Peters Rick D. , Rodd Vernon A. , Grimmett Mark G. , Jiang Yefang
Published: May 2015

Strategies to improve sustainability are important in intensively managed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) systems. This study has assessed rotation systems and N sources to mitigate potato yield and soil organic matter decline in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Three‐year potato rotation systems were initiated in 2006: continuous potato (CP); potato–barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) underseeded with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)–red clover (PBR); and potato–barley–sorghum sudan grass ([Sorghum bicolor L.) used as green manure])/winter rape (Brassica napus subsp. rapifera) (PBSW); and potato–barley–canola ([Brassica napus susbsp. napus] used as green manure)/winter rape (PBCW). Three different N sources (mineral N fertilizer, liquid hog manure, and lobster flake) were applied in a split‐plot fashion during the potato phase. Potatoes were grown in 2006, 2009, 2012, and again in 2013 to evaluate residual effects. In 2012, total N or total C in the whole soil, in particulate organic matter or in the slurry fractions were not affected by N sources or rotation systems. The PBSW and PBCW rotations generated significantly higher potato yields in 2009 and 2013, whereas the CP rotation produced significantly lower potato yields in 2 of 4 yr. The addition of lobster flake suppressed yield compared with other N sources in 3 of 4 yr. The PBR rotation, which is common in PEI can increase nitrate losses over winter. Alternatively, the PBSW and PBCW rotations may represent a good substitute to the PBR rotation as they can increase potato yield while minimizing nitrate losses.
Radiation Interception and Use Efficiency Contributes to Higher Yields of Newer Maize Hybrids in Northeast China
Authors: Zhao Jin , Yang Xiaoguang , Lin Xiaomao , Sassenrath Gretchen F. , Dai Shuwei , Lv Shuo , Chen Xiaochao , Chen Fanjun , Mi Guohua
Published: May 2015

A significant trend of decreasing solar radiation has been observed in Northeast China over the past six decades. Such a decline in solar radiation could negatively impact maize (Zea mays L.) production. The improved cultivated hybrids may have adapted to these changes in solar radiation. In this study, four commonly cultivated maize hybrids in Northeast China were selected for a 2‐yr field study. Two hybrids were released in the 1970s and the other two were released in the 1990s. In comparison with the maize hybrids released in the 1970s, the maize hybrids released in the 1990s exhibited significant increases in both dry matter at maturity (P < 0.05) and grain yields (P < 0.05), although the harvest index (HI) showed no significant difference. The greater dry matter accumulation was primarily responsible for the yield increase observed in the 1990s’ hybrids. The greater dry matter accumulation occurred primarily during the tasseling‐to‐maturity stage. Our results indicated significant improvements (P < 0.05) in crop growth rate and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in 1990s’ hybrids, particularly during the tasseling‐to‐maturity stage. Additionally, the net photosynthetic rate (NPR) of the ear‐leaf before 1200 h was also significantly improved in the 1990s’ hybrids. The fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception on the third leaf above the ear‐leaf was increased during the tasseling‐to‐maturity stage and significantly correlated with maize grain yields (P < 0.01), indicating that the increase in the fraction of PAR interception at this layer contributed to the higher grain yield in the 1990s hybrids.
Effect of Three Tillage Depths on Sugarbeet Response and Soil Penetrability Resistance
Authors: Jabro Jalal D. , Iversen William M. , Stevens William Bart , Evans Robert G. , Mikha Maysoon M. , Allen Brett L.
Published: May 2015

Tillage can alter soil properties and affect crop yield and quality. A 4‐yr study was conducted on a Lihen sandy loam soil loam (sandy, mixed, frigid Entic Haplustoll) to evaluate the effect of tillage depth on sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) root yield, root quality, and soil penetration resistance (PR). Tillage treatments consisted of no‐tillage (NT), shallow tillage (ST), and deep tillage (DT). Soil PR was measured with a penetrometer in 2.5‐cm increments to a 40‐cm depth at three locations within each plot. Roots were hand harvested from each plot and each sample consisted of roots of two adjacent rows. Sugarbeet root yield and adjusted sucrose yield were not significantly affected by the depth of tillage in 2008, 2009, and 2011. In 2010, root yield was significantly greater (16.5%) in DT than in NT. The average sugarbeet yields across 4 yr were 58.77, 60.30, and 63.03 Mg ha−1 for NT, ST, and DT, respectively. Root yield was lower in 2011 than other 3 yr due to cold and wet weather conditions in the spring. Soil PR values were significantly lower in DT than in ST and NT from 5‐ to 30‐cm depth. However, significant differences were found between ST and NT at the 5‐ to 7.5‐cm depth. Overall, DT enhanced soil physical environment but on average across 4 yr had no statistically significant effect on sugarbeet root yield and quality compared to both ST and NT practices, though a trend was noted that as tillage depth increased root yield increased.
Measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy unanesthetized inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Schuster Eva J. , Strueve Julia , Fehr Michael J. , Mathes Karina A.
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of rebound and applanation tonometry for the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) and to assess diurnal variations in and the effect of topical anesthesia on the IOP of healthy inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

ANIMALS 56 bearded dragons from 4 months to 11 years old.

PROCEDURES For each animal following an initial ophthalmic examination, 3 IOP measurements were obtained on each eye between 9 AM and 10 AM, 1 PM and 2 PM, and 5 PM and 7 PM by use of rebound and applanation tonometry. An additional measurement was obtained by rebound tonometry for each eye in the evening following the application of a topical anesthetic to evaluate changes in the tolerance of the animals to the tonometer. Descriptive data were generated, and the effects of sex, time of day, and topical anesthesia on IOP were evaluated.

RESULTS Bearded dragons did not tolerate applanation tonometry even following topical anesthesia. Median daily IOP as determined by rebound tonometry was 6.16 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 5.61 to 6.44 mm Hg). The IOP did not differ significantly between the right and left eyes. The IOP was highest in the morning, which indicated that the IOP in this species undergoes diurnal variations. Topical anesthesia did not significantly affect IOP, but it did improve the compliance for all subjects.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that rebound tonometry, but not applanation tonometry, was appropriate for measurement of IOP in bearded dragons. These findings provided preliminary guidelines for IOP measurement and ophthalmic evaluation in bearded dragons.
Optimal cutoff points of entropy indices for use in predicting responses elicited during determination of minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs
Authors: Mahidol Chulabhorn , Thengchaisri Naris
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVE To investigate values of spectral indices for use in predicting responses in dogs during determination of minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane.

ANIMALS 15 healthy German Shepherd Dogs.

PROCEDURES Sevoflurane MAC was determined by use of tail clamping. Entropy indices consisting of response entropy and state entropy were recorded during MAC determination. Optimal cutoff points of response entropy and state entropy for use in predicting responses to tail clamping were analyzed with multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS Sevoflurane MAC ranged from 1.8% to 2.6% (mean ± SD, 2.2 ± 0.3%). Response entropy and state entropy were significantly higher during positive responses to tail clamping (88 ± 2 and 76 ± 2, respectively) than during negative responses to tail clamping (63 ± 3 and 52 ± 3, respectively). The difference between the 2 entropy indices did not differ between positive (11 ± 1) and negative (13 ± 1) responses to tail clamping. Response entropy and state entropy served as independent predictors of a positive response, with areas under the curve for receiver operating characteristic curves 0.810 (95% confidence interval, 0.716 to 0.903) and 0.828 (95% confidence interval, 0.741 to 0.916), respectively. Optimal cutoff points to predict a positive response were 75 for response entropy and 65 for state entropy, which corresponded to mean ± SD ORs of 25.2 ± 15.6 and 14.9 ± 7.9, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Response entropy and state entropy were good predictors of responses to tail clamping elicited during determination of sevoflurane MAC in healthy dogs.
Comparison of ultrasound biomicroscopy and standard ocular ultrasonography for detection of canine uveal cysts
Authors: Taylor LaTisha N. , Townsend Wendy M. , Heng Hock Gan , Stiles Jean , Moore George E.
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVE To compare ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) with standard ocular ultrasonography for detection of canine uveal cysts and to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver agreement for detection of uveal cysts with UBM.

SAMPLE 202 enucleated eyes from 101 dogs.

PROCEDURES 2 examiners examined 202 eyes by means of UBM (50 MHz) to identify uveal cysts. A board-certified radiologist then examined 98 of the 202 eyes by means of standard ocular ultrasonography (7- to 12-MHz linear transducer). Subsequently, 1 examiner dissected all 202 eyes under magnification from an operating microscope to definitively identify uveal cysts. Each examiner was masked to other examiners’ findings. Sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver agreement were calculated for detection of cysts by UBM.

RESULTS Cysts were detected by use of UBM in 55 of 202 (27%) eyes by one examiner and 29 of 202 (14%) eyes by the other. No cysts were detected in the 98 eyes examined with standard ocular ultrasonography. Dissection results revealed that cysts were present in 64 of 202 (32%) eyes, including 29 of 98 (30%) eyes examined by standard ocular ultrasonography. Mean sensitivity of UBM for cyst detection was 47%; mean specificity was 92%. Uveal cysts not identified with UBM were often small (mean diameter, 490 üm). Interobserver agreement was high (κP = 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE UBM was more effective than standard ocular ultrasonography for detection of uveal cysts in enucleated eyes. Small-diameter cysts were difficult to visualize even with UBM.
Induction of thioredoxin-1 in response to oxidative stress in dogs
Authors: Munakata Shuntaro , Tanaka Yoshikazu , Nezu Yoshinori , Harada Yasuji , Yogo Takuya , Hara Yasushi , Tian Hai , Matsuo Yoshiyuki , Tagawa Masahiro , Yodoi Junji
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVE To determine whether thioredoxin (TRX)-1 can be used as a valid biomarker for oxidative stress in dogs.

ANIMALS AND SAMPLES 10 Beagles and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

PROCEDURES Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were used to verify antigen cross-reactivity between human and canine anti–TRX-antibodies. Dogs were assigned to receive 21% or 100% O2 (5 dogs/group) via an artificial respirator during a 3-hour period of isoflurane anesthesia (starting at 0 hours). Blood and urine samples were collected before (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after commencement of inhalation anesthesia. Concentrations of TRX-1 and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in plasma and urine samples were analyzed; urine concentrations were reported as ratios against urine creatinine concentration.

RESULTS Canine TRX-1 was recognized by monoclonal human anti-TRX-1 antibodies (clones of adult T-cell leukemia-derived factor [ADF]-11 and ADF21) by western blot analysis. Results of an ELISA indicated that plasma TRX-1 concentration and urine TRX-1-to-creatinine concentration ratio increased rapidly after the 3-hour period of hyperoxia with maximal peaks at 12 and 6 hours, respectively. Urine 8-OHdG-to-creatinine concentration ratio also increased significantly after hyperoxia induction. However, unlike the rapid increase in urine TRX-1-to-creatinine concentration ratio, maximal urine 8-OHdG-to-creatinine concentration ratio was attained at 48 hours after hyperoxia induction. These variables remained unchanged from baseline in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that human anti-TRX monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with canine TRX, and plasma TRX-1 concentrations were rapidly increased in dogs following an oxidative stress challenge. Thus, TRX may be a valuable clinical biomarker for detecting oxidative stress more rapidly than 8-OHdG in dogs.
Antarctic firn compaction rates from repeat-track airborne radar data: I. Methods
Authors: Medley B. , Ligtenberg S.R.M. , Joughin I. , Van den Broeke M.R. , Gogineni S. , Nowicki S.
Published: May 2015

While measurements of ice-sheet surface elevation change are increasingly used to assess mass change, the processes that control the elevation fluctuations not related to ice-flow dynamics (e.g. firn compaction and accumulation) remain difficult to measure. Here we use radar data from the Thwaites Glacier (West Antarctica) catchment to measure the rate of thickness change between horizons of constant age over different time intervals: 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2009–11. The average compaction rate to ~25 m depth is 0.33 m a−1, with largest compaction rates near the surface. Our measurements indicate that the accumulation rate controls much of the spatio-temporal variations in the compaction rate while the role of temperature is unclear due to a lack of measurements. Based on a semi-empirical, steady-state densification model, we find that surveying older firn horizons minimizes the potential bias resulting from the variable depth of the constant age horizon. Our results suggest that the spatio-temporal variations in the firn compaction rate are an important consideration when converting surface elevation change to ice mass change. Compaction rates varied by up to 0.12 m a−1 over distances <6 km and were on average >20% larger during the 2010–11 interval than during 2009–10.
The role of damage and recrystallization in the elastic properties of columnar ice
Authors: Snyder Scott A. , Schulson Erland M. , Renshaw Carl E.
Published: May 2015

Effects of damage on elastic properties were studied in columnar-grained specimens of freshwater and saline ice, subjected, at −10°C, to varying levels of inelastic strain. The ice was compressed uniaxially at constant strain rates up to 0.20 strain, which caused localized recrystallization and imparted damage in the form of non-propagating cracks. Damage was quantified in terms of dimensionless crack density, which, along with recrystallized area fraction, was determined from thin sections. The change in porosity due to stress-induced cracks served as another indicator of damage. Elastic properties were derived using P-wave and S-wave ultrasonic transmission velocities measured in across-column directions through the damaged ice, either parallel (x1) or perpendicular (x2) to the initial loading direction. In general, as damage increased with greater strain, the ice became more compliant and (particularly freshwater ice) more anisotropic. Furthermore, with increasing strain rate, the magnitude of these effects and crack density tended to increase, in contrast to the recrystallized area fraction, which tended to decrease. We observed compliance to correspond closely with porosity and with dimensionless crack density, for strains up to 0.10. At greater levels of strain these correspondences became less clear due, in part, to the different character of the damage.
Discrimination of Stochastic Frequency Modulation by Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Sheft Stanley , Cheng Min-Yu , Shafiro Valeriy
Published: May 2015

Background:Past work has shown that low-rate frequency modulation (FM) may help preserve signal coherence, aid segmentation at word and syllable boundaries, and benefit speech intelligibility in the presence of a masker.Purpose:This study evaluated whether difficulties
in speech perception by cochlear implant (CI) users relate to a deficit in the ability to discriminate among stochastic low-rate patterns of FM.Research Design:This is a correlational study assessing the association between the ability to discriminate stochastic patterns of low-rate
FM and the intelligibility of speech in noise.Study Sample:Thirteen postlingually deafened adult CI users participated in this study.Data Collection and Analysis:Using modulators derived from 5-Hz lowpass noise applied to a 1-kHz carrier, thresholds were measured in terms of
frequency excursion both in quiet and with a speech-babble masker present, stimulus duration, and signal-to-noise ratio in the presence of a speech-babble masker. Speech perception ability was assessed in the presence of the same speech-babble masker. Relationships were evaluated with Pearson
product‐moment correlation analysis with correction for family-wise error, and commonality analysis to determine the unique and common contributions across psychoacoustic variables to the association with speech ability.Results:Significant correlations were obtained between masked
speech intelligibility and three metrics of FM discrimination involving either signal-to-noise ratio or stimulus duration, with shared variance among the three measures accounting for much of the effect. Compared to past results from young normal-hearing adults and older adults with either
normal hearing or a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, mean FM discrimination thresholds obtained from CI users were higher in all conditions.Conclusions:The ability to process the pattern of frequency excursions of stochastic FM may, in part, have a common basis with speech perception
in noise. Discrimination of differences in the temporally distributed place coding of the stimulus could serve as this common basis for CI users.
Coeficiente de dilatación térmica de la fase LPSO
Authors: Garcés Gerardo , Requena Guillermo , Tolnai Domonkos , Pérez Pablo , Adeva Paloma , Jiménez José A. , Stark Andreas , Schell Norbert
Published: May 2015

El coeficiente lineal de expansión térmica de la fase LPSO con estructura cristalográfica 18R se determinó en el intervalo entre temperatura ambiente y 400 °C mediante dilatometría y difracción de radiación sincrotrón. Los resultados muestran claramente que el coeficiente lineal de dilatación térmica de las fases magnesio y LPSO son similares y, por tanto, no se generan tensiones térmicas en su intercara durante el procesado termomecánico de aleaciones bifásicas Mg-Y-Zn.
Everybody Can Do It – The Arts and Technology in Your Classroom
Authors: Power Bianca , Klopper Christopher
Published: May 2015

This chapter presents a “tool for practice” with the purpose of stimulating pedagogical decision-making in the design, delivery, and evaluation of primary school learning experiences that integrate technology with arts education. The tool highlights the unique and innovative practices of arts and technology education currently occurring in primary schools and classrooms in Australia. This identification provides a foundation from which teachers can begin their journey and conversations around the planned, meaningful integration of technologies into and throughout their arts teaching. The tool has the additional potential to support on-going professional development through the application of the tool to act as an evidence-based scaffold for reflexive practice. It encourages users to work collaboratively and collectively to look at their practice from multiple points of view, with careful and calculated consideration of the nine domains of Bamford and Glinkowski's (2010) Effect and Impact Tracking Matrix (EITM) – catalytic, negative loss, social, ethical, cultural, economic, educational, innovation, and personal.
Challenging Scientific Inertia in Fisheries Management
Authors: Ben-Yami Menakhem
Published: May 2015

The chapter reviews and analyses the scientific inertia, prevailing in western fisheries management system, which affects some general assumptions: equilibrium in fishery ecosystems, large spawning stocks, which produces large new generations; and fishing activities as main and only factor, which have an impact on targeted stock size. Due to those subjective assumptions the author observes that the external environmental and social factors might be disregarded. It appear that the management applied only by systems output data – valid for all sorts of fishing systems – is taken as appropriate approach, which by any means appear to be a method that would not take into consideration many other issues in stock condition and sustainability. This system seems to be supported for years by the scientists, governmental institutions and the sector, in spite of the abundance of books, case studies and researches, published by independent experts, which are attempting to set real dimensions in the official fishery science and its consequent management.
Overall Impact of Local and Recreational Fisheries
Authors: Barreiros Joao Pedro
Published: May 2015

This chapter presents and discusses updated information related to fishing in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean from a perspective that focuses on three main interchangeable and multidisciplinary issues: a) local/artisanal fisheries, b) recreational fishing and c) marine protected areas. A comprehensive introduction is followed by an updated literature review. Perspectives and solutions show that recreational and artisanal fisheries are clearly understudied and possibly have several impacts that are being unmeasured and often unknown. Another major issue is the lack of a serious long term European compromise to standardize these fisheries since a strong political interference does dominate the whole issue. No solution is possible without knowledge. No knowledge is possible if countries within the Mediterranean basin and NE Atlantic are not strongly and apolitically committed to a wider research scale with the overall interest of small fisheries sustainability and maintenance of healthy stocks as a major goal.
Transformative Curriculum Design
Authors: Halupa Colleen M.
Published: May 2015

This chapter discusses the principles of transformative curriculum design to include: curriculum models, objective outcome creation, scaffolding of curriculum, curriculum mapping, linkage of assessment to objectives and objectives to program outcomes, program evaluation and strategies for curriculum design including technology. In addition, some recent best practices in health program curriculum design are presented as well as emerging models. Last, some specific designs related to health sciences curriculum and programs are presented.
Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Heutagogy
Authors: Halupa Colleen M.
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the theoretical foundations of pedagogy, andragogy and heutagogy. A brief description of the most common pedagogical theories, cognitivism, constructionism and behaviorism, as well as emerging theories such as social pedagogy, Pedagogy 2.0 and Education 3.0 are discussed. In addition, the tenets of andragogy, including its linkages to transformative education are presented. Heutagogy, which is self-determined learning, is also presented. This chapter also provides a discussion of whether pedagogy, andragogy and heutagogy are on a continuum or can be exhibited at any time during the educational experience, particularly with the advent of more advanced educational technologies.
Problem-Based Learning in Transformative Nursing Education
Authors: Yarbrough-Yale Renee
Published: May 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to identify the components and the use of problem-based learning in a transformative nursing education environment. A problem-based learning environment provides adult learners the opportunity to work through realistic problems they may encounter in their clinical environment. Through the use of ill-defined problems, adult learners identify what is known, what is not known, and what needs to be known in order to solve problems. In this style of education, adult learners build upon their own knowledge base in order to solve these problems. This type of learning environment places educators in a unique position to assess the problem solving and critical thinking skills of students and provide feedback as needed.
Transforming Education in Health Care Administration and Opticianry
Authors: McDonald Warren G.
Published: May 2015

Health care administration and opticianry are both health care professions, but moving in different directions and both in need of transformation. Opticianry, once a time-honored endeavor, is now floundering to find a direction for the future, while health administration has flourished and has a very bright future in the changing face of health care delivery. This chapter provides background and insights into the history of both fields and some of the recent changes in technology that have affected them that necessitates transforming the way future students are educated and trained. A review of the current literature of both fields provides ample evidence of the need for transforming curricula as technology and health professions continue to rapidly evolve. This technological evolution demands transformation of the educational process.
Clustering Students Based on Motivation to Learn
Authors: Rentroia-Bonito Maria Alexandra , Gonçalves Daniel , Jorge Joaquim A
Published: May 2015

Technological advances during the last decade have provided huge possibilities to support e-learning. However, there are still concerns regarding Return-on-Investment (ROI) of e-learning, its sustainability within organizational bound-aries and effectiveness across potential learner groups. Much previous research has concentrated on learners' motivation, satisfaction, and retention. This leaves room for further research to identify alternative and innovative ways to center design on students' concerns when learning online. The authors' work focuses on designing workable courseware usability evaluation methods to differentiate students to improve learning-support frameworks from both pedagogical and system perspectives. The authors' results suggest that students can be grouped in three clusters based on their motivation to e-Learn. Instructors could predict which cluster a new student belongs to, making it possible to anticipate usability issues that most affect results. This also facilitates pedagogical interventions that could help at-risk learners, contributing to the retention rate.
Illumination, Pose and Occlusion Invariant Face Recognition from Range Images Using ERFI Model
Authors: Ganguly Suranjan , Bhattacharjee Debotosh , Nasipuri Mita
Published: May 2015

In this paper the pivotal contribution of the authors is to recognize the 3D face images from range images in the unconstrained environment i.e. under varying illumination, pose as well as occlusion that are considered to be the most challenging task in the domain of face recognition. During this investigation, face images have been normalized in terms of pose registration as well as occlusion restoration using ERFI (Energy Range Face Image) model. 3D face images are inherently illumination invariant due its point-based representation of data along three axes. Here, other than quantitative analysis, a subjective analysis is also carried out. However, synthesized datasets have been accomplished to investigate the performance of recognition rate from Frav3D and Bosphorus databases using SIFT and SURF like features. Moreover, weighted fusion of these individual feature sets is also done. Later these feature sets have been classified by K-NN and Sequence Matching Technique and achieved maximum recognition rates of 99.17% and 98.81% for Frav3D and GavabDB databases respectively.
Word-Level Script Identification Using Texture Based Features
Authors: Singh Pawan Kumar , Sarkar Ram , Nasipuri Mita
Published: May 2015

Script identification is an appealing research interest in the field of document image analysis during the last few decades. The accurate recognition of the script is paramount to many post-processing steps such as automated document sorting, machine translation and searching of text written in a particular script in multilingual environment. For automatic processing of such documents through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, it is necessary to identify different script words of the documents before feeding them to the OCR of individual scripts. In this paper, a robust word-level handwritten script identification technique has been proposed using texture based features to identify the words written in any of the seven popular scripts namely, Bangla, Devanagari, Gurumukhi, Malayalam, Oriya, Telugu, and Roman. The texture based features comprise of a combination of Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG) and Moment invariants. The technique has been tested on 7000 handwritten text words in which each script contributes 1000 words. Based on the identification accuracies and statistical significance testing of seven well-known classifiers, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) has been chosen as the final classifier which is then tested comprehensively using different folds and with different epoch sizes. The overall accuracy of the system is found to be 94.7% using 5-fold cross validation scheme, which is quite impressive considering the complexities and shape variations of the said scripts. This is an extended version of the paper described in (Singh et al., 2014).
An Identity of One’s Own: The Use of Sri Lankan English in Ru Freeman’s A Disobedient Girl
Authors: Harischandra Neshantha
Published: May 2015

"… to convey in a language that is not one’s own, the spirit that is one’s own." Raja Rao, Foreword to KanthapuraThe attempt at establishing a form of English with a Sri Lankan identity goes as far back as 1896, with the publication of Glossary of Native & Foreign Words occurring [sic] in Official Correspondence & Other Documents (Gunesekera, 2005: 84), yet its revival after Independence owes to academics of the calibre of Professors H. A. Passé, Doric de Souza and Thiru Kandiah, and Godfrey Gunatilleke, promoting Sri Lankan English. However, it was as late as the early part of this century that the topic became a general subject of interest, with the media and the public being drawn into the debate. Today we see the symbol of the sword ("kaduwa”" ("lvqj")2, gradually giving way to that of the manna ("ukak"),3 as the new generation of Sri Lankan scholars and writers becomes more and more aware of the need for an English of their own. In this article, I shall discuss Ru Freeman's A Disobedient Girl (2009) in the light of this theory.Sabaragamuwa University Journal Vol.13(2) December 2014; 1-22
Application of Seed Treatments to Increase Germinability of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Seeds under in vitro Conditions
Authors: Dahanayake Nilanthi
Published: May 2015

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) has great commercial value as a spice in Sri Lanka. Due to the presence of hard seed coat, cardamom has low seed germination potential. Therefore the present study was conducted to study the potential to improve the seed germination by applying different mechanical, physical and chemical treatments and to develop a cost effective and rapid seed germination method in in vitro conditions.Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with ten replicates was used for the study. The seeds of cardamom were treated with 40 different seed treatments and surface sterilized by using 20% clorex. MS basal medium was used without plant growth regulators and solidified by 0.6% agar. Anova (DMRT) test showed that there were significant effects at p<0.05 level on seed germination of cardamom seeds with different seed treatments.According to the results 50% HNO3 for 15 min exposure was the best treatment to obtain higher number of germinated seeds (90%) within 6 weeks upto 0.6 cm height. The second and third best treatments were 75% HNO3 for 15 min and 75% HNO3 for 10 min which showed 80% and 65% seed germination percentages respectively. This experiment showed chemical treatment (HNO3) is the best to induce seed germination of E. cardamomum in in vitro conditions. The results obtained in this study will be important for plant breeders and farmers who cultivate these species commercially.Sabaragamuwa University Journal Vol.13(2) December 2014; 23-29
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka - Current Research Evidence Justification: A Review
Authors: Gunatilake Sunethra Kanthi , Samaratunga S. Sunil , Rubasinghe Ruvini Takshala
Published: May 2015

In this article, the current scientific evidence of Chronic Kidney disease with unknown aetiology (CKDu), were critically reviewed and harnessed with other relevant literature with a view to justify the possible causative reason(s) for this chronic health problem. To this end, authors first reviewed the literature on socio-economic, environmental, meteorological, health and geo-environmental/chemical aspects in relation to the CKD of unknown aetiology in Sri Lanka and then studied the known aetiology of CKD (key medical facts) in detail highlighting a comprehensive list of causes. Based on the nature of economic development in the CKDu prevailing area, previous studies have suggested that the causative factor for CKDu is probably environmental and is related to the nature of anthropogenic activities. Therefore, authors investigated subject more into the chronic exposure to heavy metals associated with agricultural activities. Potential sources of heavy metals in the area are mentioned. The geochemical mobility and health effects of three selected elements namely arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) are studied in detail. The current scientific observations reported on CKD were evaluated with established chemical, geochemical, and health risk of As, Cd and Pb. According to the review, it can be justified that CKDu of the North Central Province (NCP) in Sri Lanka is a decease caused by the chronic exposure and cumulative effects of elevated levels of heavy metals associated with agricultural activities.Sabaragamuwa University Journal Vol.13(2) December 2014; 31-58