bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
eHealth 2015 Special Issue: Effects of an assistance service on the quality of life of elderly users
Authors: Schneider C. , Feichtenschlager M. , Willner V.
Published: July 2015

Background: The ‘Confidence’ smartphone application aims to support elderly people’s independence as long as possible.

Objective: This paper presents first findings on the impact of the system on elderlies’ lives.

Methods: 41 end-users tested ‘Confidence’ for six weeks in their daily routine. Before and after the test period the participants assessed their quality of life (QoL). These assessments were analyzed together with additional QoL statements and the usage of ‘Confidence’ which were collected with questionnaires.

Results: Six participants assessed their QoL after the trial better than before and six participants assessed it as worse. Five individuals felt that ‘Confidence’ positively influenced their life and these five testers had a positive attitude towards ‘Confidence’ from the start of the trial. After the trial 38 % of the participants said that they felt safer, 37 % communicated more with others, 27 % forgot less, 13 % felt better oriented outside, and 7 % were more on the move due to ‘Confidence’. Three percent said that they were less on the move, two percent felt more unsafe and two percent were less outside.

Conclusion: ‘Confidence’ has the potential to affect elderly users’ lives. However, within this analysis positive or negative effects of its usage were not correlated with the QoL assessment. A connection between positive attitude towards technology prior use and a positive impact afterwards was found.

Citation: Willner V, Schneider C, Feichtenschlager M. Effects of an assistance service on the quality of life of elderly users. Appl Clin Inform 2015; 6: 429–442

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2015-03-RA-0033
The Theatre and Films of Martin McDonagh
Authors: Lonergan Patrick
Published: July 2015

Martin McDonagh is one of the world's most popular dramatists. This is a highly readable and illuminating analysis of his career to date that will appeal to the legions of fans of his stage plays and the films Six Shooter and In Bruges. As a resource for students and practitioners it is unrivalled, providing an authoritative and enquiring approach to his work that moves beyond the tired discussions of national identity to offer a comprehensive critical exploration.

Patrick Lonergan provides a detailed analysis of each of his plays and films, their original staging, critical reception, and the connections within and between the Leenane Trilogy, the Aran Islands plays and more recent work. It includes an interview with Garry Hynes, artistic director of Druid Theatre Company, and offers four critical essays on key features of McDonagh's work by leading international scholars: Joan Dean, Eamonn Jordan, Jose Lanters and Karen O'Brien. A series of further resources including a chronology, glossary, notes on McDonagh's use of language and a list of further reading makes this the perfect companion to one of the most exciting dramatists writing today.
Experimental investigation of ion–ion recombination under atmospheric conditions
Authors: Franchin A. , Ehrhart S. , Leppä J. , Nieminen T. , Gagné S. , Schobesberger S. , Wimmer D. , Duplissy J. , Riccobono F. , Dunne E. M. , Rondo L. , Downard A. , Bianchi F. , Kupc A. , Tsagkogeorgas G. , Lehtipalo K. , Manninen H. E. , Almeida J. , Amorim A. , Wagner P. E. , Hansel A. , Kirkby J. , Kürten A. , Donahue N. M. , Makhmutov V. , Mathot S. , Metzger A. , Petäjä T. , Schnitzhofer R. , Sipilä M. , Stozhkov Y. , Tomé A. , Kerminen V.-M. , Carslaw K. , Curtius J. , Baltensperger U. , Kulmala M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. We present the results of laboratory measurements of the ion–ion recombination coefficient at different temperatures, relative humidities and concentrations of ozone and sulfur dioxide. The experiments were carried out using the Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber at CERN, the walls of which are made of conductive material, making it possible to measure small ions. We produced ions in the chamber using a 3.5 GeV c−1 beam of positively charged pions (π+) generated by the CERN Proton Synchrotron (PS). When the PS was switched off, galactic cosmic rays were the only ionization source in the chamber. The range of the ion production rate varied from 2 to 100 cm−3 s−1, covering the typical range of ionization throughout the troposphere. The temperature ranged from −55 to 20 °C, the relative humidity (RH) from 0 to 70 %, the SO2 concentration from 0 to 40 ppb, and the ozone concentration from 200 to 700 ppb. The best agreement of the retrieved ion–ion recombination coefficient with the commonly used literature value of 1.6 × 10−6 cm3 s−1 was found at a temperature of 5 °C and a RH of 40 % (1.5 ± 0.6) × 10−6 cm3 s−1. At 20 °C and 40 % RH, the retrieved ion–ion recombination coefficient was instead (2.3 ± 0.7) × 10−6 cm3 s−1. We observed no dependency of the ion–ion recombination coefficient on ozone concentration and a weak variation with sulfur dioxide concentration. However, we observed a more than fourfold increase in the ion–ion recombination coefficient with decreasing temperature. We compared our results with three different models and found an overall agreement for temperatures above 0 °C, but a disagreement at lower temperatures. We observed a strong increase in the recombination coefficient for decreasing relative humidities, which has not been reported previously.
Measurement of carbonaceous aerosol with different sampling configurations and frequencies
Authors: Cheng Y. , He K.-B.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. A common approach for measuring the mass of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in airborne particulate matter involves collection on a quartz fiber filter and subsequent thermal–optical analysis. Although having been widely used in aerosol studies and in PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) chemical speciation monitoring networks in particular, this measurement approach is prone to several types of artifacts, such as the positive sampling artifact caused by the adsorption of gaseous organic compounds onto the quartz filter, the negative sampling artifact due to the evaporation of OC from the collected particles and the analytical artifact in the thermal–optical determination of OC and EC (which is strongly associated with the transformation of OC into char OC and typically results in an underestimation of EC). The presence of these artifacts introduces substantial uncertainties to observational data on OC and EC and consequently limits our ability to evaluate OC and EC estimations in air quality models. In this study, the influence of sampling frequency on the measurement of OC and EC was investigated based on PM2.5 samples collected in Beijing, China. Our results suggest that the negative sampling artifact of a bare quartz filter could be remarkably enhanced due to the uptake of water vapor by the filter medium. We also demonstrate that increasing sampling duration does not necessarily reduce the impact of positive sampling artifact, although it will enhance the analytical artifact. Due to the effect of the analytical artifact, EC concentrations of 48 h averaged samples were about 15 % lower than results from 24 h averaged ones. In addition, it was found that with the increase of sampling duration, EC results exhibited a stronger dependence on the charring correction method and, meanwhile, optical attenuation (ATN) of EC (retrieved from the carbon analyzer) was more significantly biased by the shadowing effect. Results from this study will be useful for the design of China's PM2.5 chemical speciation monitoring network, which can be expected to be inaugurated in the near future.
A better understanding of POLDER's cloud droplet size retrieval: impact of cloud horizontal inhomogeneity and directional sampling
Authors: Shang H. , Chen L. , Bréon F.-M. , Letu H. , Li S. , Wang Z. , Su L.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The principles of the Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectance (POLDER) cloud droplet size retrieval requires that clouds are horizontally homogeneous. Nevertheless, the retrieval is applied by combining all measurements from an area of 150 km × 150 km to compensate for POLDER's insufficient directional sampling. Using the POLDER-like data simulated with the RT3 model, we investigate the impact of cloud horizontal inhomogeneity and directional sampling on the retrieval, and then analyze which spatial resolution is potentially accessible from the measurements. Case studies show that the sub-scale variability in droplet effective radius (CDR) can mislead both the CDR and effective variance (EV) retrievals. Nevertheless, the sub-scale variations in EV and cloud optical thickness (COT) only influence the EV retrievals and not the CDR estimate. In the directional sampling cases studied, the retrieval is accurate using limited observations and is largely independent of random noise. Several improvements have been made to the original POLDER droplet size retrieval. For example, the measurements in the primary rainbow region (137–145°) are used to ensure accurate large droplet (> 15 μm) retrievals and reduce the uncertainties caused by cloud heterogeneity. We apply the improved method using the POLDER global L1B data for June 2008, the new CDR results are compared with the operational CDRs. The comparison show that the operational CDRs tend to be underestimated for large droplets. The reason is that the cloudbow oscillations in the scattering angle region of 145–165° are weak for cloud fields with CDR > 15 μm. Lastly, a sub-scale retrieval case is analyzed, illustrating that a higher resolution, e.g., 42 km × 42 km, can be used when inverting cloud droplet size parameters from POLDER measurements.
EARLINET: potential operationality of a research network
Authors: Sicard M. , D'Amico G. , Comerón A. , Mona L. , Alados-Arboledas L. , Amodeo A. , Baars H. , Belegante L. , Binietoglou I. , Bravo-Aranda J. A. , Fernández A. J. , Fréville P. , García-Vizcaíno D. , Giunta A. , Granados-Muñoz M. J. , Guerrero-Rascado J. L. , Hadjimitsis D. , Haefele A. , Hervo M. , Iarlori M. , Kokkalis P. , Lange D. , Mamouri R. E. , Mattis I. , Molero F. , Montoux N. , Muñoz A. , Muñoz Porcar C. , Navas-Guzmán F. , Nicolae D. , Nisantzi A. , Papagiannopoulos N. , Papayannis A. , Pereira S. , Preißler J. , Pujadas M. , Rizi V. , Rocadenbosch F. , Sellegri K. , Simeonov V. , Tsaknakis G. , Wagner F. , Pappalardo G.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. In the framework of ACTRIS summer 2012 measurement campaign (8 June–17 July 2012), EARLINET organized and performed a controlled exercise of feasibility to demonstrate its potential to perform operational, coordinated measurements and deliver products in near-real time. Eleven lidar stations participated to the exercise which started on 9 July 2012 at 06:00 UT and ended 72 h later on 12 July at 06:00 UT. For the first time the Single-Calculus Chain (SCC), the common calculus chain developed within EARLINET for the automatic evaluation of lidar data from raw signals up to the final products, was used. All stations sent in real time measurements of 1 h of duration to the SCC server in a predefined netcdf file format. The pre-processing of the data was performed in real time by the SCC while the optical processing was performed in near-real time after the exercise ended. 98 and 84 % of the files sent to SCC were successfully pre-processed and processed, respectively. Those percentages are quite large taking into account that no cloud screening was performed on lidar data. The paper shows time series of continuous and homogeneously obtained products retrieved at different levels of the SCC: range-square corrected signals (pre-processing) and daytime backscatter and nighttime extinction coefficient profiles (optical processing), as well as combined plots of all direct and derived optical products. The derived products include backscatter- and extinction-related Ångström exponents, lidar ratios and color ratios. The combined plots reveal extremely valuable for aerosol classification. The efforts made to define the measurements protocol and to configure properly the SCC pave the way for applying this protocol for specific applications such as the monitoring of special events, atmospheric modelling, climate research and calibration/validation activities of spaceborne observations.
Spatiotemporal analysis of nitrogen cycling in a mixed coniferous forest of the northern United States
Authors: Howard I. , McLauchlan K. K.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Nitrogen (N) is the limiting nutrient to primary productivity in a variety of temperate forests, and N cycling is undergoing a variety of anthropogenic changes, notably a doubling of reactive N (Nr) on a global scale. Yet, the magnitude of these changes to N cycling has been difficult to document in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in old-growth forests. To determine the trajectory of N cycling and the potential impacts of anthropogenic influences at local scales, we measured the composition of stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in wood from living red pine trees (Pinus resinosa) at a single site in northern Minnesota, USA. A synchronous decline in wood δ15N values began approximately in the 1920s in 17 individual trees at different topographic positions, indicating a common driver. The decline in wood δ15N values corresponded with declines in sedimentary δ15N recorded in lacustrine sediments of the same catchment. Disturbance regime and species composition began to change at the turn of the 20th century with park establishment, providing a likely mechanism of decline in δ15N values toward present. While other mechanisms of this change are possible, we conclude that while there may be consequences of increased influxes of various forms of anthropogenic Nr into terrestrial ecosystems at the global level, these changes are not being expressed at a local level in this temperate forest ecosystem.
Challenges in modelling spatiotemporally varying phytoplankton blooms in the Northwestern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman
Authors: Sedigh Marvasti S. , Gnanadesikan A. , Bidokhti A. A. , Dunne J. P. , Ghader S.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. We examine interannual variability of phytoplankton blooms in northwestern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Satellite data (SeaWIFS ocean color) shows two climatological blooms in this region, a wintertime bloom peaking in February and a summertime bloom peaking in September. A pronounced anti-correlation between the AVISO sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) and chlorophyll is found during the wintertime bloom. On a regional scale, interannual variability of the wintertime bloom is thus dominated by cyclonic eddies which vary in location from one year to another. These results were compared against the outputs from three different 3-D Earth System models. We show that two coarse (1°) models with the relatively complex biogeochemistry (TOPAZ) capture the annual cycle but neither eddies nor the interannual variability. An eddy-resolving model (GFDL CM2.6) with a simpler biogeochemistry (miniBLING) displays larger interannual variability, but overestimates the wintertime bloom and captures eddy-bloom coupling in the south but not in the north. The southern part of the domain is a region with a much sharper thermocline and nutricline relatively close to the surface, in which eddies modulate diffusive nutrient supply to the surface (a mechanism not previously emphasized in the literature). We suggest that for the model to simulate the observed wintertime blooms within cyclones, it will be necessary to represent this relatively unusual nutrient structure as well as the cyclonic eddies. This is a challenge in the Northern Arabian Sea as it requires capturing the details of the outflow from the Persian Gulf.
Microbial carbon recycling: an underestimated process controlling soil carbon dynamics
Authors: Basler A. , Dippold M. , Helfrich M. , Dyckmans J.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The mean residence times (MRT) of different compound classes of soil organic matter (SOM) do not match their inherent recalcitrance to decomposition. One reason for this is the stabilisation within the soil matrix, but recycling, i.e. the reuse of "old" organic material to form new biomass may also play a role as it uncouples the residence times of organic matter from the lifetime of discrete molecules in soil. We analysed soil sugar dynamics in a natural 30 years old labelling experiment after a~wheat-maize vegetation change to determine the extent of recycling and stabilisation in plant and microbial derived sugars: while plant derived sugars are only affected by stabilisation processes, microbial sugars may be subject to both, stabilisation and recycling. To disentangle the dynamics of soil sugars, we separated different density fractions (free particulate organic matter (fPOM), light occluded particulate organic matter (≤1.6 g cm−3; oPOM1.6), dense occluded particulate organic matter (≤2 g cm−3; oPOM2) and mineral-associated organic matter (>2 g cm−3; Mineral)) of a~silty loam under long term wheat and maize cultivation. The isotopic signature of sugars was measured by high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HPLC/IRMS), after hydrolysis with 4 M Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). While apparent mean residence times (MRT) of sugars were comparable to total organic carbon in the bulk soil and mineral fraction, the apparent MRT of sugars in the oPOM fractions were considerably lower than those of the total carbon of these fractions. This indicates that oPOM formation was fuelled by microbial activity feeding on new plant input. In the bulk soil, mean residence times of the mainly plant derived xylose (xyl) were significantly lower than those of mainly microbial derived sugars like galactose (gal), rhamnose (rha), fucose (fuc), indicating that recycling of organic matter is an important factor regulating organic matter dynamics in soil.
Controls on dissolved organic matter (DOM) degradation in a headwater stream: the influence of photochemical and hydrological conditions in determining light-limitation or substrate-limitation of photo-degradation
Authors: Cory R. M. , Harrold K. H. , Neilson B. T. , Kling G. W.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. We investigated how absorption of sunlight by chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) controls the degradation and export of DOM from Imnavait Creek, a beaded stream in the Alaskan Arctic. We measured concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), as well as concentrations and characteristics of CDOM and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM), during ice-free periods of 2011–2012 in the pools of Imnavait Creek and in soil waters draining to the creek. Spatial and temporal patterns in CDOM and FDOM in Imnavait Creek were analyzed in conjunction with measures of DOM degradation by sunlight and bacteria and assessments of hydrologic residence times and in situ UV exposure. CDOM was the dominant light attenuating constituent in the UV and visible portion of the solar spectrum, with high attenuation coefficients ranging from 86 ± 12 m−1 at 305 nm to 3 ± 1 m−1 in the photosynthetically active region (PAR). High rates of light absorption and thus light attenuation by CDOM contributed to thermal stratification in the majority of pools in Imnavait Creek under low-flow conditions. In turn, thermal stratification increased the residence time of water and DOM, and resulted in a separation of water masses distinguished by contrasting UV exposure (i.e., UV attenuation by CDOM with depth resulted in bottom waters receiving less UV than surface waters). When the pools in Imnavait Creek were stratified, DOM in the pool bottom water closely resembled soil water DOM in character, while the concentration and character of DOM in surface water was reproduced by experimental photo-degradation of bottom water. These results, in combination with water column rates of DOM degradation by sunlight and bacteria, suggest that photo-degradation is the dominant process controlling DOM fate and export in Imnavait Creek. A conceptual model is presented showing how CDOM amount and lability interact with incident UV light and water residence time to determine whether photo-degradation is "light-limited" or "substrate-limited". We suggest that degradation, and thus export, of DOM in CDOM-rich streams or ponds similar to Imnavait is typically light-limited under most flow conditions.
The pCO2 estimates of the late Eocene in South China based on stomatal density of Nageia Gaertner leaves
Authors: Liu X.-Y. , Gao Q. , Han M. , Jin J.-H.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. late Eocene pCO2 concentration is estimated based on the species of Nageia maomingensis Jin et Liu from the late Eocene of Maoming Basin, Guangdong Province. This is the first paleoatmospheric estimates for the late Eocene of South China using stomatal data. Studies of stomatal density (SD) and stomatal index (SI) with N. motleyi (Parl.) De Laub., the nearest living equivalent species of the fossil, indicate that the SD inversely responds to atmospheric CO2 concentration, while SI has almost no relationships with atmospheric CO2 concentration. Therefore, the pCO2 concentration is reconstructed based on the SD of the fossil leaves in comparison with N. motleyi. Results suggest that the mean CO2 concentration was 391.0 ± 41.1 ppmv or 386.5 ± 27.8 ppmv during the late Eocene, which is significantly higher than the CO2 concentrations documented from 1968 to 1955 but similar to the values for current atmosphere indicating that the Carbon Dioxide levels during that the late Eocene at that time may have been similar to today.
Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) forcing on the late Holocene Cauca paleolake dynamics, northern Andes of Colombia
Authors: Martínez J. I. , Obrochta S. , Yokoyama Y. , Battarbee R. W.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), is a major driving climate mechanism, in the eastern Caribbean Sea and the South Atlantic Ocean in relation to the dynamics of the South American Monsoon System (SAMS) for the late Holocene. Here we document the AMO signal in the San Nicolás-1 core of the Cauca paleolake (Santa Fé–Sopetrán Basin) in the northern Andes. Wavelet spectrum analysis of the gray scale of the San Nicolás-1 core provides evidence for a 70 yr AMO periodicity for the 3750 to 350 yr BP time interval, whose pattern is analogous to the one documented for the Cariaco Basin. This supports a possible correlation between enhanced precipitation and ENSO variability with a positive AMO phase during the 2000 to 1500 yr BP interval, and its forcing role on the Cauca ria lake deposits, which led to increased precipitation and to the transition from a igapo (black water) to a varzea (white water) environment ca. 3000 yr BP.
Analyses of uncertainties and scaling of groundwater level fluctuations
Authors: Liang X. Y. , Zhang Y.-K.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Analytical solutions were derived for the variance, covariance, and spectrum of groundwater level, h(x, t), in an unconfined aquifer described by a linearized Boussinesq equation, with random source/sink and initial and boundary conditions. It was found that in a typical aquifer, the error in h(x, t) at an early point in time is mainly caused by the random initial condition, and the error reduces as time progresses to reach a constant error at a later time. The duration for which the effect of the random initial condition is significant may be a few hundred days in most aquifers. The constant error in h(x, t) at a later time is due to the combined effects of the uncertainties in the source/sink and flux boundary: the closer to the flux boundary, the larger the error. The error caused by the uncertain head boundary is limited to a narrow zone near the boundary and remains more or less constant over time. The aquifer system behaves as a low-pass filter which filters out high-frequency noises and keeps low-frequency variations. Temporal scaling of groundwater level fluctuations exists in most parts of a low permeable aquifer whose horizontal length is much larger than its thickness, caused by the temporal fluctuations of areal source/sink.
Linking biogeochemistry to hydro-geometrical variability in tidal estuaries: a generic modeling approach
Authors: Volta C. , Laruelle G. G. , Arndt S. , Regnier P.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. This study applies the Carbon-Generic Estuary Model (C-GEM) modeling platform to simulate the estuarine biogeochemical dynamics – in particular the air-water CO2 exchange – in three idealized end-member systems covering the main features of tidal alluvial estuaries. C-GEM uses a generic biogeochemical reaction network and a unique set of model parameters extracted from a comprehensive literature survey to perform steady-state simulations representing average conditions for temperate estuaries worldwide. Climate and boundary conditions are extracted from published global databases (e.g. World Ocean Atlas, GLORICH) and catchment model outputs (GlobalNEWS2). The whole-system biogeochemical indicators Net Ecosystem Metabolism (NEM), C and N filtering capacities (FCTC and FCTN, respectively) and CO2 gas exchanges (FCO2) are calculated across the three end-member systems and are related to their main hydrodynamic and transport characteristics. A sensitivity analysis, which propagates the parameter uncertainties, is also carried out, followed by projections of changes in the biogeochemical indicators for the year 2050. Results show that the average C filtering capacities for baseline conditions are 40, 30 and 22% for the marine, mixed and riverine estuary, respectively. This translates into a first-order, global CO2 outgassing flux for tidal estuaries between 0.04 and 0.07 Pg C yr−1. N filtering capacities, calculated in similar fashion, range from 22% for the marine estuary to 18 and 15% for the mixed and the riverine estuary, respectively. Sensitivity analysis performed by varying the rate constants for aerobic degradation, denitrification and nitrification over the range of values reported in the literature significantly widens these ranges for both C and N. Simulations for the year 2050 indicate that all end-member estuaries will remain net heterotrophic and while the riverine and mixed systems will only marginally be affected by river load changes and increase in atmospheric pCO2, the marine estuary is likely to become a significant CO2 sink in its downstream section. In the decades to come, such change of behavior might strengthen the overall CO2 sink of the estuary-coastal ocean continuum.
An approach to reduce mapping errors in the production of landslide inventory maps
Authors: Santangelo M. , Marchesini I. , Bucci F. , Cardinali M. , Fiorucci F. , Guzzetti F.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Landslide inventory maps (LIMs) show where landslides have occurred in an area, and provide information useful to different types of landslide studies, including susceptibility and hazard modelling and validation, risk assessment, erosion analyses, and to evaluate relationships between landslides and geological settings. Despite recent technological advancements, visual interpretation of aerial photographs (API) remains the most common method to prepare LIMs. In this work, we present a new semi-automatic procedure that exploits GIS technology for the digitalization of landslide data obtained through API. To test the procedure, and to compare it to a consolidated landslide mapping method, we prepared two LIMs starting from the same set of landslide API data, which were digitalized (a) manually adopting a consolidated visual transfer method, and (b) adopting our new semi-automatic procedure. Results indicate that the new semi-automatic procedure is more efficient and results in a more accurate LIM. With the new procedure, the landslide positional error decreases with increasing landslide size following a power-law. We expect that our work will help adopt standards for transferring landslide information from the aerial photographs to a digital landslide map, contributing to the production of accurate landslide maps.
Intercomparison of snow density measurements: bias, precision and spatial resolution
Authors: Proksch M. , Rutter N. , Fierz C. , Schneebeli M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Density is a fundamental property of porous media such as snow. A wide range of snow properties and physical processes are linked to density, but few studies have addressed the uncertainty in snow density measurements. No study has yet considered the recent advances in snow measurement methods such as micro-computed tomography (CT). During the MicroSnow Davos 2014 workshop different approaches to measure snow density were applied in a controlled laboratory environment and in the field. Overall, the agreement between CT and gravimetric methods (density cutters) was 5 to 9 %, with a bias of −5 to 2 %, expressed as percentage of the mean CT density. In the field, the density cutters tend to overestimate (1 to 6 %) densities below and underestimate (1 to 6 %) densities above 296 to 350 kg m−3, respectively, depending on the cutter type. Using the mean per layer of all measurement methods applied in the field (CT, box, wedge and cylinder cutter) and ignoring ice layers, the variation of layer density between the methods was 2 to 5 % with a bias of −1 to 1 %. In general, our result suggests that snow densities measured by different methods agree within 9 %. However, the density profiles resolved by the measurement methods differed considerably. In particular, the millimeter scale density variations revealed by the high resolution CT contrasted the thick layers with sharp boundaries introduced by the observer. In this respect, the unresolved variation, i.e. the density variation within a layer, which is lost by sampling with lower resolution or layer aggregation, is critical when snow density measurements are used as boundary or initial conditions in numerical simulations.
Tipping Points and the Accommodation of the Abuser: Ongoing Incestuous Abuse during Adulthood
Authors: Middleton Warwick
Published: July 2015

Until recently the widespread reality of ongoing incestuous abuse during adulthood had attracted no systematic research. The scientific literature was limited to the occasional case study and brief anecdotal references. This minimal literature was supplemented by biographical works written by or about victims of this form of abuse, and by press reports. With the advent of the Josef Fritzl case there was a very marked increase in the press reporting of such abuse, which in turn provided a reference point for more fine-grained data collection and scientific reporting. This paper introduces the subject of prolonged incest via the lens of organised abuse, summarises research on incestuous abuse and draws on multiple clinical examples to elucidate the mechanisms by which such abuse merges with, or develops into, variations of organised abuse, including that centred on the family, on prostitution, or on that involving abuse networks. The abuse practices, the net-working, and the ploys used to avoid prosecution practiced by the father perpetrating ongoing incestuous abuse during adulthood have much in common with other variants of organised sexual abuse.
Child Grooming and Sexual Exploitation: Are South Asian Men the UK Media’s New Folk Devils?
Authors: Gill Aisha K , Harrison Karen
Published: July 2015

In May 2012, nine men from the Rochdale area of Manchester were found guilty of sexually exploiting a number of underage girls. Media reporting on the trial focused on the fact that eight of the men were of Pakistani descent, while all the girls were white. Framing similar cases in Preston, Rotherham, Derby, Shropshire, Oxford, Telford and Middlesbrough as ethnically motivated, the media incited moral panic over South Asian grooming gangs preying on white girls. While these cases shed light on the broader problem of sexual exploitation in Britain, they also reveal continuing misconceptions that stereotype South Asian men as ‘natural’ perpetrators of these crimes due to culturally-specific notions of hegemonic masculinity. Examining newspaper coverage from 2012 to 2013, this article discusses the discourse of the British media’s portrayal of South Asian men as perpetrators of sexual violence against white victims, inadvertently construing ‘South Asian men’ as ‘folk devils’.
Bad Apples, Bad Barrel: Exploring Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse by Catholic Clergy in Australia
Authors: Death Jodi
Published: July 2015

This paper considers constructions of institutional culture and power in the cover-up of child sexual abuse (CSA) by clergy in the Roman Catholic Church of Australia. The issue of cover-up has previously been considered in international inquiries as an institutional failing that has caused significant harm to victims of CSA by Catholic Clergy. Evidence given by select representatives of the Catholic Church in two government inquiries into institutional abuse carried out in Australia is considered here. This evidence suggests that, where cover-up has occurred, it has been reliant on the abuse of institutional power and resulted in direct emotional, psychological and spiritual harm to victims of abuse. Despite international recognition of cover-up as institutional abuse, evidence presented by Roman Catholic Representatives to the Victorian Inquiry denied there was an institutionalised cover-up. Responding to this evidence, this paper queries whether the primary foundation of cover-up conforms to the ‘bad apple theory’ in that it relates only to a few individuals, or the ‘bad barrel theory’ of institutional structure and culture.
Rewards and Recognition Strategies in Reducing the Employees Attrition Rate: Case Study of a MNC Pharmaceutical Company in Mumbai, India
Authors: Anastasia Syaquera , Jauhar Junaimah
Published: July 2015

The editorial board announced that this article has been retracted on July 01, 2015, If you have any further question, please contact us at: ijld@macrothink.org
Farmer Field Schools: Unexpected Outcomes of Gendered Empowerment in Wartime Nepal
Authors: Westendorp Annemarie , Visser Leontine
Published: July 2015

This article is the outcome of an empirical study of technical training of women and men through Farmer Field Schools in rural Nepal during the last decade. When the Farmer Field Schools started in Nepal as part of the FAO Integrated Pest Management project in 1997, this was also the year that the Maoists declared the People’s Revolution. The article describes the increased participation of women in FFS and its positive effect on food security of their families. After initial failure of FFS to include gender in its policy and activities, the article discusses the gradual acceptance of gender issues in the training. Empowerment is seen as a developmental process rather than as a product somebody or a group can gain access to or own. Different forms and objectives of empowerment of both women and men are discussed, and the unintended outcomes of FFS intervention in the context of rapid social-economic and political change during the Maoist revolution in Nepal.

Keywords: Farmer Field Schools, gender, empowerment, Maoist revolution
Evaluación del sistema de potabilización de agua constituido por filtros de bioarena y dióxido de titanio
Authors: Rivas Gema , Flores Eddysson , Ramírez Javier
Published: July 2015

Un sistema de tratamiento (ST) de operación por lote conformado por un filtro de bioarena (FBA) y otro de medio adsorbentede dióxido de titanio (FMADT) para potabilizar agua fue evaluado durante 121 días, a través del desarrollo de la biocapa,monitoreo del ST, determinación de la calidad del agua cruda y filtrada, las eficiencias de remoción del FBA y FMADT, ymonitoreo del arsénico en el efluente del ST. El desarrollo de la biocapa en la superficie de la arena de filtración del FBA requirió 31 días y éste funcionó estable en la remoción de turbiedad, cuando en el agua cruda cargada varió entre < 1 hasta 31NTU y disminuyendo el pH entre 7.6-8.3. La calidad del agua cruda de pozo “La Corona” sugirió que solamente el manganeso (1.9 mg/L Mn) no cumplió con la NTON 05 007-98, mientras que en el agua filtrada por el ST con la conductividad (502 μS/cm)y la dureza cálcica (53.91 mg/L CaCO) los que exceden la normativa CAPRE. Las eficiencias de remoción más destacadas del FBA son 99.9, 98.46, 91.76 y 62.16% correspondientes a E. coli, turbiedad, hierro total y el amonio, respectivamente. Mientras,las del FMADT son 30% para manganeso y 99.9% para arsénico, removiéndolo de 40-60 μg/L As del agua cruda hasta < 10 μg/L As.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v27i2.1941
Valorización de ceniza de bagazo de caña de la industria azucarera Nicaragüense como sustituto parcial al cemento Portland
Authors: Tórrez-Rivas B.J. , Gaitán-Arévalo J.R. , Espinoza-Pérez L.J. , Escalante-García J.I.
Published: July 2015

En este estudio, se presenta la valoración del uso de las cenizas de bagazo de caña (CBCA) proveniente del Ingenio Monte Rosa(Nicaragua) como material alternativo al cemento Portland (CP) mediante estudios de caracterización avanzada y propiedadesmecánicas, en pastas endurecidas de CP sustituidas en 15 y 45 % por CBCA; además se utilizó pastas de referencia con 100 %CP sobre las cuales se evaluó las resistencias mecánicas (RM), el consumo de hidróxido de calcio y el desarrollo de losproductos de reacción. Los resultados revelaron que los valores más altos de RM reportados fueron por el sistema de referencia,indicando que la RM disminuyó con el incremento en el porcentaje de sustitución. Por medio de los análisis de difracción derayos X (DRX) y análisis térmicos por ATG/ATD fue demostrado el consumo de Ca(OH)2 que dio lugar a la formación de gelCSH como principal producto de hidratación y responsable de la ganancia de las propiedades mecánicas. Los productos dereacción fueron observados también por microscopia electrónica de barrido (MEB) donde el mecanismo en estado sólido fuenotable. A partir de estos resultados se puede concluir que las CBCA son un material puzolánico con una mejor reactividadfrente al Ca(OH)2 con 15 % de sustitución.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v27i2.1944
Producción de harina de papa para puré instantáneo
Authors: Alonso J , García-Jarquín K.Z. , González-Lindo K , Benavente M.
Published: July 2015

Este estudio se basó en la producción de harina de papa para puré instantáneo, utilizando las variedades de papas nacionalesProvento y Granola. Para ello, se determinó el porcentaje de humedad de las papas, resultando la variedad Granola con el menorrango de humedad y mayor contenido de materia seca. Adicionalmente, se estudió la efectividad de los tratamientosfisicoquímicos (temperatura, reducción de oxígeno atmosférico y uso de reactivos químicos) para la inhibición de la enzimaPolifenoloxidasa en el tubérculo. Los resultados mostraron que los tratamientos térmicos, sin uso de agentes químicos, fueronla mejor opción para la inhibición enzimática. La determinación de las curvas de secado de la pasta de papa, con tratamientoprevio, se llevó a cabo en un secador de túnel a 60 ºC y una velocidad de aire de 0.2 m/s. Los pre-tratamientos incluyeronescaldado, cocción y el uso de ácido ascórbico y metabisulfito de sodio. Los resultados indicaron que con la aplicación deltratamiento térmico al tubérculo fue suficiente para evitar el pardeamiento enzimático y además, se logra un menor tiempo desecado. Los datos experimentales fueron evaluados usando el modelo de Midilli observándose un buen ajuste con un R > 0.99.Además, se comprobó que el método más óptimo para la producción de harina de papa involucra las siguientes etapas: cocción,enfriamiento y reducción de tamaño en seco. Esto garantiza una harina, que según los resultados de poder de hinchamiento,solubilidad en agua y absorción de agua, alcanza las características de almidón instantáneo lo cual favorece la formación de unpuré de manera rápida. Los rendimientos en la producción de harina oscilan entre 12.55-14.09% para la Granola y entre11.18-15.58% para la provento en base húmeda.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v27i2.1946
Simulation of a continuous plug-flow fluidised bed dryer for rough rice
Authors: Picado Apolinar , Gamero Rafael
Published: July 2015

In this study, a mathematical model to simulate the drying of rough rice in a continuous plug-flow fluidised bed dryer ispresented. Equipment and material models were applied to describe the process. The equipment model was based on thedifferential equations obtained by applying mass and energy balances to each element of the dryer. Concerning the materialmodel, mass and heat transfer rates in a single isolated particle were considered. Mass and heat transfer within the particles wasdescribed by analytical solutions with constant effective transport coefficients. To simulate the dryer, the material model wasimplemented in the equipment model in order to describe the whole process. Calculation results were verified by comparisonwith experimental data from the literature. There was very good agreement between experimental data and simulation. Theeffects of gas temperature and velocity, particle diameter, dry solid flow and solid temperature on the drying process wereinvestigated. It was found that the changes in gas velocity, dry solids flow and solid temperature had essentially no effect ondrying behaviour.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/nexo.v27i2.1947
REFLETINDO SOBRE ALGUMAS TEORIAS DE ENFERMAGEM A PARTIR DO MODELO DE AVALIAÇÃO DE MELEIS
Authors: Piccoli Talita , Nunes Simony Fabiola Lopes , Tramontina Priscilla Cibele , Juliane Roberta Tono de Oliveira , Dos Santos Evangelia Kotzias Atherino , Amante Lúcia Narazeth
Published: July 2015

Este artigo teve como objetivo a realização de uma reflexão comparativa das teorias de enfermagem de Paterson e Zderad, Parse, Watson e Meleis, a partir do modelo de avaliação de teorias e seus componentes funcionais: foco, cliente, enfermagem, saúde, interação paciente-enfermagem, ambiente, problemas e cuidado de enfermagem proposto por Meleis. A escolha das teóricas justificou-se por serem teorias emergentes e que aderem ao paradigma atual, convergindo para visão holística do ser humano. Após reflexão teórica, concluiu-se que nas teorias analisadas a definição de enfermagem é clara e explícita, destacando sua ação na promoção da saúde e da qualidade de vida.
HIPERTENSÃO ARTERIAL EM PACIENTES EM TRATAMENTO HEMODIALÍTICO E FATORES ASSOCIADOS
Authors: Cândido Júlia Sosa Antunes , Milagres Clarice Santana , Siman Andréia Guerra , Carvalho Camilo Amaro , Amaro Marilane Fani
Published: July 2015

Estudo transversal, de caráter descritivo-exploratório. Objetivou analisar a presença de hipertensãoarterial em pacientes portadores de doença renal crônica em tratamento hemodialítico e seus fatores associados.Foram entrevistados 140 pacientes de um instituto de nefrologia localizado no interior do estado de Minas Gerais,no período de agosto a outubro de 2013. A prevalência de hipertensão arterial nos pacientes portadores dedoença renal crônica foi de 78,8%. Constatou-se relação entre diabetes mellitus, dislipidemias e desconhecimentoacerca da insuficiência renal com a hipertensão arterial. Identificou-se que 72,2% dos participantes excederamao peso ideal, e destes, 63,3% apresentaram crise hipertensiva no período interdialítico. Conclui-se que ahipertensão arterial está presente significativamente nos indivíduos e os fatores associados são: adesão efetivaao tratamento dialítico e medicamentoso; controle de ingesta hídrica e alimentar; e atividade física.
EXAME FÍSICO DE ENFERMAGEM DO IDOSO HOSPITALIZADO
Authors: Majczak Jéssica Aparecida , Hohl Marilin
Published: July 2015

Estudo exploratório, descritivo de abordagem quantitativa, que teve como objetivo descrever ositens do exame físico utilizados pelos enfermeiros ao avaliar o idoso hospitalizado. Em outubro de 2014 foraminvestigados 19 enfermeiros assistenciais, atuantes em unidades de internação e de terapia intensiva de umHospital de Ensino da cidade de Curitiba, utilizando-se um questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas.De acordo com os resultados obtidos a maioria dos enfermeiros mencionou itens referentes ao exame físicogeral: nível de consciência (32%), estado nutricional (21%) e mobilidade (21%), e ao exame físico específico:integridade da pele citada em diversas regiões anatômicas; simetria torácica (58%); ausculta pulmonar (53%);higiene da cabeça (53%); edema de extremidades (53%); linfonodos do pescoço, perfusão periférica e higieneda genitália com 42% respectivamente. Conclui-se que os itens utilizados pelos enfermeiros ao avaliar o idosohospitalizado são deficitários tanto no conhecimento teórico quanto na habilidade prática.
DIAGNÓSTICOS E INTERVENÇÕES DE ENFERMAGEM PARA PACIENTES COM DOENÇA ENXERTO SUBMETIDOS A TRANSPLANTE DE CÉLULAS-TRONCO HEMATOPOIÉTICA
Authors: Araujo Diogo Dias , Rodrigues Andrea Bezerra , Oliveira Patrícia Peres de , Silva Livia Silveira , Vecchia Bianca Penido , Silveira Edilene Aparecida Araújo da
Published: July 2015

Objetivou-se identificar os principais diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem descritos pelaNorth American Nursing Diagnosis Association e Nursing Intervention Classification, para pacientes com doençaenxerto versus hospedeiro submetidos a transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas alogênico. Realizou-seum estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem quantitativa. Coletaram-se dados de 30 pacientes, em umaunidade de transplante de medula óssea, de um hospital privado de grande porte, localizado no municípiode São Paulo. Identificaram-se nove principais diagnósticos, segundo a North American Nursing DiagnosisAssociation. Propôs-se 11 intervenções de enfermagem baseadas na Nursing Interventions Classification, alémde 40 atividades. Consideram-se os principais diagnósticos, resultados e intervenções/atividades formuladospara mais de 50% dos participantes do estudo. Este estudo permitiu identificar e selecionar diagnósticos eintervenções de enfermagem, com suas respectivas atividades, para aplicação na prática clínica, com vistas asubsidiar o processo de cuidado e o conhecimento das taxonomias de enfermagem.
FAMILIARES DE PESSOAS COM ESQUIZOFRENIA: SENTIMENTOS E ATITUDES FRENTE AO COMPORTAMENTO AGRESSIVO
Authors: Campana Mariana Campos , Soares Marcos Hirata
Published: July 2015

Conhecer as dificuldades vivenciadas pela família constitui-se em necessidade iminente à consolidaçãodo processo de reabilitação psicossocial. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa para conhecimento e análise de formas deenfrentamento de familiares perante o comportamento agressivo de seus parentes, e os sentimentos que tais situaçõesgeram. Como instrumento de coleta de dados empregou-se roteiro de entrevista a dez familiares, residentes na área deabrangência de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde, em Londrina, estado do Paraná, em 2012, cujo acompanhamento doindivíduo com transtorno mental fosse realizado em algum serviço de saúde mental da cidade. Os resultados revelamdificuldades de manejo de crises, busca por auxílio profissional e espiritual, assim como sentimentos em comumà maioria, como a desesperança, o sofrimento, o medo de sofrer agressão, a solidão e o isolamento social. Com afinalidade de aliviar tais dificuldades, acredita-se ser importante a intervenção do serviço de saúde no âmbito familiar.