bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obtaining sub-daily new snow density from automated measurements in high mountain regions
Authors: Helfricht Kay , Hartl Lea , Koch Roland , Marty Christoph , Olefs Marc
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The density of new snow is sometimes monitored by meteorological or hydrological services at daily time intervals, or occasionally measured in local field studies. However, meteorological conditions and thus settling of the freshly deposited snow rapidly alter the new snow density until measurement. Physically based snow models and now-casting applications make use of hourly weather data to determine the water equivalent of the snowfall and snow depth. In previous studies, a number of empirical parameterizations were developed to approximate the new snow density by meteorological parameters. These parameterizations are largely based on new snow measurements derived from local in-situ measurements. In this study a data set of automated snow measurements at four stations located in the European Alps is analysed for several winter seasons. Hourly new snow densities are calculated from the height of new snow and the water equivalent of snowfall. Considering the settling of the new snow and the old snow pack, the average hourly new snow density is 68 kg m−3 with a standard deviation of 9 kg m−3. Seven existing parameterizations for estimating new snow densities were tested against these data, and most calculations overestimate the hourly automated measurements. Two of the tested parameterizations were capable of simulating low new snow densities observed at sheltered inner-alpine stations. The observed variability in new snow density from the automated measurements could not be described with satisfactory statistical significance by any of the investigated parameterizations, but relationships between new snow density and wet bulb temperature are partly visible in the automated measurements data. Wind speed is a crucial parameter for the inter-station variability of new snow density, with higher new snow density at more windy locations. Whereas snow measurements using ultrasonic devices and snow pillows are appropriate for calculating station mean new snow densities, we recommend instruments with higher accuracy e.g. optical devices for better investigations of the variability of new snow densities on sub daily intervals.
Opinion paper: Linking Darcy's equation to the linear reservoir
Authors: Savenije Hubert H. G.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. In groundwater hydrology, two simple linear equations exist describing the relation between groundwater flow and the gradient driving it: Darcy's equation and the linear reservoir. Both equations are empirical and straightforward, but work at different scales: Darcy's equation at the laboratory scale and the linear reservoir at the watershed scale. Although at first sight they appear similar, it is not trivial to upscale Darcy's equation to the watershed scale without detailed knowledge of the structure or shape of the underlying aquifers. This paper shows that these two equations, combined by the water balance, are indeed identical provided there is equal resistance in space for water entering the subsurface network. This implies that groundwater systems make use of an efficient drainage network, a mostly invisible pattern that has evolved over geological time scales. This drainage network provides equally distributed resistance for water to exit the system, connecting the active groundwater body to the stream, much like a leaf is organized to provide all stomata access to moisture at equal resistance. As a result, the residence time of the linear reservoir appears to be inversely proportional to Darcy's conductance, the proportionality being the product of the porosity and the resistance to entering the drainage network. The main question remaining is which physical law lies behind pattern formation in groundwater systems, evolving in a way that resistance to drainage is constant in space. But that is a physical question that is equally relevant for understanding the hydraulic properties of leaf veins in plants or of blood veins in animals.
Improving calibration and validation of cosmic-ray neutron sensors in the light of spatial sensitivity
Authors: Schrön Martin , Köhli Markus , Scheiffele Lena , Iwema Joost , Bogena Heye R. , Lv Ling , Martini Edoardo , Baroni Gabriele , Rosolem Rafael , Weimar Jannis , Mai Juliane , Cuntz Matthias , Rebmann Corinna , Oswald Sascha E. , Dietrich Peter , Schmidt Ulrich , Zacharias Steffen
Published: October 2017

Abstract. In the last few years the method of cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) has gained popularity among hydrologists, physicists, and land-surface modelers. The sensor provides continuous soil moisture data, averaged over several hectares and tens of decimeters in depth. However, the signal still may contain unidentified features of hydrological processes, and many calibration datasets are often required in order to find reliable relations between neutron intensity and water dynamics. Recent insights into environmental neutrons accurately described the spatial sensitivity of the sensor and thus allowed one to quantify the contribution of individual sample locations to the CRNS signal. Consequently, data points of calibration and validation datasets are suggested to be averaged using a more physically based weighting approach. In this work, a revised sensitivity function is used to calculate weighted averages of point data. The function is different from the simple exponential convention by the extraordinary sensitivity to the first few meters around the probe, and by dependencies on air pressure, air humidity, soil moisture, and vegetation. The approach is extensively tested at six distinct monitoring sites: two sites with multiple calibration datasets and four sites with continuous time series datasets. In all cases, the revised averaging method improved the performance of the CRNS products. The revised approach further helped to reveal hidden hydrological processes which otherwise remained unexplained in the data or were lost in the process of overcalibration. The presented weighting approach increases the overall accuracy of CRNS products and will have an impact on all their applications in agriculture, hydrology, and modeling.
Is annual recharge coefficient a valid concept in arid and semi-arid regions?
Authors: Cheng Yiben , Zhan Hongbin , Yang Wenbin , Dang Hongzhong , Li Wei
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Deep soil recharge (DSR) (at depth greater than 200 cm) is an important part of water circulation in arid and semi-arid regions. Quantitative monitoring of DSR is of great importance to assess water resources and to study water balance in arid and semi-arid regions. This study used a typical bare land on the eastern margin of Mu Us Sandy Land in the Ordos Basin of China as an example to illustrate a new lysimeter method of measuring DSR to examine if the annual recharge coefficient is valid or not in the study site, where the annual recharge efficient is the ratio of annual DSR over annual total precipitation. Positioning monitoring was done on precipitation and DSR measurements underneath mobile sand dunes from 2013 to 2015 in the study area. Results showed that use of an annual recharge coefficient for estimating DSR in bare sand land in arid and semi-arid regions is questionable and could lead to considerable errors. It appeared that DSR in those regions was influenced by precipitation pattern and was closely correlated with spontaneous strong precipitation events (with precipitation greater than 10 mm) other than the total precipitation. This study showed that as much as 42 % of precipitation in a single strong precipitation event can be transformed into DSR. During the observation period, the maximum annual DSR could make up 24.33 % of the annual precipitation. This study provided a reliable method of estimating DSR in sandy areas of arid and semi-arid regions, which is valuable for managing groundwater resources and ecological restoration in those regions. It also provided strong evidence that the annual recharge coefficient was invalid for calculating DSR in arid and semi-arid regions. This study shows that DSR is closely related to the strong precipitation events, rather than to the average annual precipitation, as well as the precipitation patterns.
Identifying, characterizing and predicting spatial patterns of lacustrine groundwater discharge
Authors: Tecklenburg Christina , Blume Theresa
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) can significantly affect lake water balances and lake water quality. However, quantifying LGD and its spatial patterns is challenging because of the large spatial extent of the aquifer–lake interface and pronounced spatial variability. This is the first experimental study to specifically study these larger-scale patterns with sufficient spatial resolution to systematically investigate how landscape and local characteristics affect the spatial variability in LGD. We measured vertical temperature profiles around a 0.49 km2 lake in northeastern Germany with a needle thermistor, which has the advantage of allowing for rapid (manual) measurements and thus, when used in a survey, high spatial coverage and resolution. Groundwater inflow rates were then estimated using the heat transport equation. These near-shore temperature profiles were complemented with sediment temperature measurements with a fibre-optic cable along six transects from shoreline to shoreline and radon measurements of lake water samples to qualitatively identify LGD patterns in the offshore part of the lake. As the hydrogeology of the catchment is sufficiently homogeneous (sandy sediments of a glacial outwash plain; no bedrock control) to avoid patterns being dominated by geological discontinuities, we were able to test the common assumptions that spatial patterns of LGD are mainly controlled by sediment characteristics and the groundwater flow field. We also tested the assumption that topographic gradients can be used as a proxy for gradients of the groundwater flow field. Thanks to the extensive data set, these tests could be carried out in a nested design, considering both small- and large-scale variability in LGD. We found that LGD was concentrated in the near-shore area, but alongshore variability was high, with specific regions of higher rates and higher spatial variability. Median inflow rates were 44 L m−2 d−1 with maximum rates in certain locations going up to 169 L m−2 d−1. Offshore LGD was negligible except for two local hotspots on steep steps in the lake bed topography. Large-scale groundwater inflow patterns were correlated with topography and the groundwater flow field, whereas small-scale patterns correlated with grain size distributions of the lake sediment. These findings confirm results and assumptions of theoretical and modelling studies more systematically than was previously possible with coarser sampling designs. However, we also found that a significant fraction of the variance in LGD could not be explained by these controls alone and that additional processes need to be considered. While regression models using these controls as explanatory variables had limited power to predict LGD rates, the results nevertheless encourage the use of topographic indices and sediment heterogeneity as an aid for targeted campaigns in future studies of groundwater discharge to lakes.
Feature-based data assimilation in geophysics
Authors: Morzfeld Matthias , Adams Jesse , Lunderman Spencer , Orozco Rafael
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Many applications in science require that computational models and data be combined. In a Bayesian framework, this is usually done by defining likelihoods based on the mismatch of model outputs and data. However, matching model outputs and data in this way can be unnecessary or impossible. For example, using large amounts of steady state data is unnecessary because these data are redundant, it is numerically difficult to assimilate data in chaotic systems, and it is often impossible to assimilate data of a complex system into a low-dimensional model. These issues can be addressed by selecting features of the data, and defining likelihoods based on the features, rather than by the usual mismatch of model output and data. Our goal is to contribute to a fundamental understanding of such a feature-based approach that allows us to assimilate selected aspects of data into models. Specifically, we explain how the feature-based approach can be interpreted as a method for reducing an effective dimension, and derive new noise models, based on perturbed observations, that lead to computationally efficient solutions. Numerical implementations of our ideas are illustrated in four examples.
SYNTHESIS AND TEMPERATURE-RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR OF N-VINYLCAPROLACTAM-GRAFTED NR
Authors: Phetrong S. , Sansuk C. , Paoprasert P.
Published: October 2017

Temperature-responsive polymers are smart materials that respond to changes in temperature, making them suitable for a range of applications. We report the synthesis and temperature-responsive behavior of N-vinylcaprolactam-grafted natural rubber. The grafting reaction was carried out using deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex, with 2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the free radical initiator. The temperature responsiveness of the graft copolymers was investigated using water swelling and contact angle measurement and compared with that of pure DPNR. The graft copolymer was found to be temperature responsive in the range 32–34 °C, whereas the DPNR was not responsive to temperature. Since the temperature responsiveness of graft copolymer is near the human body temperature, it can be used to fabricate biomedical and sensing materials. Dye adsorption studies revealed the Langmuir isotherm, indicating monolayer coverage. The novel temperature-responsive natural rubber demonstrated in this study has potential uses in a wide range of applications.
INFLUENCES OF PROCESS VARIABLES AND SUBCRITICAL FLUIDS ON EPDM-ASSISTED DEVULCANIZATION OF SBR-BASED GROUND TIRE RUBBER
Authors: Zhang Tao , Cao Jinxing , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Ling , Zhang Yuncan
Published: October 2017

The devulcanization reaction of SBR-based ground tire rubber (GTR) in GTR/EPDM blend was investigated through a co-rotating twin-screw extruder by increasing the screw rotation speed in the presence of subcritical fluids (water, ethanol, and propanol). The influences of the screw rotation speed, the promoting agents, and temperature were investigated. The results show that subcritical fluid, which is a swelling agent and reaction medium, promotes the devulcanization reaction, increases the selectivity of crosslink breakage, keeps the extrusion material from oxidative degradation, reduces the gel particle size of the devulcanized blends, and significantly improves the mechanical properties of the revulcanizate. Among different subcritical fluids (water, ethanol, propanol), the influence of subcritical ethanol is significantly obvious. When promoting agent 450 is added under the best reaction conditions (ethanol, 200 °C, 2.2 Mpa, and 600 rpm), the tensile strength and elongation at break of the revulcanizate retains 99.6% and 209% of vulcanized SBR (24.0 MPa, 356%), respectively.
Implementation of Performance Management in Professional Nursing Program at Hang Tuah School of Health Science (STIKES) Pekanbaru (Case Study)
Authors: Ennimay Ennimay , Efendy Hady
Published: October 2017

The era of globalization requires business and public organizations have competitive advantage, competitiveness in order to survive the increasingly violent competition. The competitiveness of the organization may only be enhanced if the organization is able to adapt to environmental changes. An organization is required to improve its performance, by applying performance management effectively and efficiently. This research analyzes the implementation of performance management of profession nurse coordinator by using descriptive analysis method with literature study approach and case study. The results of the study show that every problem in the field of eye counseling practice and professional coordination and clinical counselors will hold a meeting and discuss the solution. Problems that cannot be resolved in the field of practice will be discussed with the chairperson of the study program and the eye counselor in a meeting on campus. In this study concluded that open communication between professional coordinator, eye counselor, academic counselor and preceptor practice field, facilitate in overcoming any problems found during professional practice activities.
Skin closure following fractured neck of femur surgery: a survey of orthopaedic surgeons’ practices
Authors: Hill Daniel S. , Freudmann Matthew , Sergeant Jamie C. , Board Tim N.
Published: October 2017

Introduction:

Surgical intervention for patients presenting with a fractured neck of femur is common, however the best method of skin closure remains unclear. It has been suggested that the use of metallic skin clips in the closure of hip wounds may increase the rate of surgical site infections, however there are few high quality studies evaluating this.

Methods:

We designed a survey to assess surgeons preferred skin closure method and their reasons for choosing it. This was sent to 545 consultant orthopaedic surgeons.

Results:

The positive response rate to our survey was 68% (n = 370). The survey showed that 44% of surgeons used metallic skin clips, and this was the most common method of closure reported. Hip surgeons were less likely to use metallic skin clips when compared to surgeons with other principal subspecialty practices. Surgeons using clips were most likely to state the rationale for use as convenience, whereas those using non-clip skin closure methods were more likely to cite reduced rates of wound inflammation, discharge, and infection as the rationale for use. Only a small proportion of surgeons indicate that their decisions were evidence based.

Conclusions:

Skin closure following surgery for fractured neck of femur is not consistent amongst surgeons and is not driven by evidence. Greater levels of evidence in this field are required to improve outcomes in this patient group.
A Novel Insight into the Role of Entry Tears in Type B Aortic Dissection: Pressure Measurements in an in Vitro Model
Authors: Marconi Stefania , Lanzarone Ettore , De Beaufort Hector , Conti Michele , Trimarchi Santi , Auricchio Ferdinando
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Predicting aortic growth in acute type B dissection is fundamental in planning interventions. Several factors are considered to be growth predictors in the literature and, among them, size and location of entry tears have been recognized to particularly influence the false lumen pressure. In this study, we develop an in vitro setting to analyze the actual impact of size and location of the entry tears on false lumen pressure, in the absence of other confounding factors such as the deformability of the aortic wall.

Methods

We formalize some indexes that synthetically describe the false lumen pressure with respect to the true lumen pressure. Then, we experimentally derive their values in several configurations of the in vitro setting, and we look for trends in the indexes with respect to the size and location of entry tears.

Results:

Results show that the tears have a relevant impact on the false lumen pressure, but that their size and location alone are not enough to explain the phenomena observed in vivo.

Conclusions

To predict the behavior of acute type B dissection, we therefore recommend not limiting to size and location, as many effects may derive from the interactions between these parameters and other patient characteristics.
Tubeless versus standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nouralizadeh Akbar , Simforoosh Nasser , Shemshaki Hamidreza , Soltani Mohammad H. , Sotoudeh Mehdi , Ramezani Mehdi H. , Nikravesh Maryam , Golshan Alireza , Ansari Anahita
Published: October 2017

Background:

This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the post-operative outcomes between tubeless and standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) among children.

Methods:

Literature searches were performed following the Cochrane guidelines. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that included three trials investigating the outcomes including the length of hospital stay, operation time, hemoglobin decrease, blood transfusion rate, perirenal fluid presence, post-operative fever, stone clearance rate, and the need for a second operation.

Results:

The patients who underwent tubeless PCNL had shorter length of hospitalization compared to standard PCNLs (mean difference -1.57, 95% confidence interval -3.2 to 0.07, p = 0.06). No significant decrease was detected in hemoglobin after tubeless PCNL compared to standard PCNL (mean difference 0.05, 95% confidence interval -0.03 to 0.13, p = 0.21). There were no significant differences in operation time (p = 0.7), perirenal fluid presence (p = 0.15), post-operative fever (p = 0.72), stone clearance (p = 0.68), and the need for a second operation (p = 0.90).

Conclusions:

This study showed no significant difference between tubeless and standard PCNLs in children. However, due to the lack of data, the results should be mentioned prudently. Future randomized trials with more sample sizes and longer follow-ups are warranted.
O SIGNIFICADO DO TRABALHO PARA TRABALHADORES PORTUÁRIOS DA ESTIVA
Authors: Matsuzaki Karen Tiemi , Motter Arlete Ana , Pazinatto da Veiga Souza Tharcila , Ramos Mahamut Halline , De Souza Gonçalves Schäfer Tatiane
Published: October 2017

O termo “trabalho” corresponde às atividades físicas e intelectuais executadas por seres humanos, possuindo uma variação dos significados. Esta variação é decorrente, principalmente, da diversidade de experiências vividas, influência da sociedade e fatores históricos. Considerando o valor do trabalho, pode-se associá-lo à condição humana existencial, dando sentido à vida. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar o significado do trabalho na perspectiva de estivadores portuários. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) do Setor de Ciências da Saúde da UFPR, sob o número de registro CEP/SD: 816.151.09.10. A pesquisa abrangeu 15 estivadores do gênero masculino, do Porto de Paranaguá- PR, com idade entre 40 e 59 anos e tempo de trabalho na estiva entre 2 a 26 anos. Foram realizadas entrevistas que questionavam, dentre outros fatores, os aspectos positivos e negativos do trabalho e se os trabalhadores gostam das atividades que realizam. Verificou-se que o significado do trabalho varia na percepção de cada indivíduo, os que gostam do trabalho destacam que o amor se sobressai, sendo válido assumir qualquer risco, pois consideram que isso dá sentido ao ato de viver; a contribuição financeira; a possibilidade de sustento, de crescimento pessoal; construção de amizades; inexistência de patrão; autodescoberta em meio às funções realizadas e a oportunidade para novos aprendizados. Percebe-se, assim, a importância do trabalho em diversos aspectos, fator que leva os seres humanos a ultrapassar seus próprios limites, superar obstáculos, enfrentar adversidades e assumir qualquer risco pelo significado que o trabalho representa em suas vidas.
INTERROGANDO NARRATIVAS COM AS CRIANÇAS: RELATO DE VIVÊNCIA EXTENSIONISTA
Authors: Gandin Rosangela Valachinski , Ferreira Luciana , De Oliveira Tatiellen , Margerum Tatiani Ribeiro
Published: October 2017

A leitura é individual e está associada aos contextos sociais do leitor e os textos não explicitam tudo na sua superfície e requerem, assim, a utilização das inferências para o encontrar o que não está explícito. O presente relata, então, as atividades extensionistas de leitura realizadas com 200 crianças matriculadas no 3º, 4º e 5º ano do ensino fundamental de uma escola municipal de Matinhos – Paraná. Ao todo foram realizadas por acadêmicos 07 sessões de leitura com o emprego da metodologia de leitura que consiste em ensinar a ler antes da leitura procurando ativar o conhecimento prévio e elaboração de hipóteses, ensinar a inferir durante a leitura e após, identificar a ideia principal e o tema e resumir para obter a compreensão global do texto. Os resultados obtidos com uma amostra de 10% dascrianças demonstraram que esses apreciaram as sessões de leitura por estas serem legais e criativas e o relato da escola confirmou as informações das crianças, uma vez que aumentou a procura por livros na biblioteca.
PRODUÇÃO DE BANANA NO LITORAL DO PARANÁ - REFLEXÕES ACERCA DO PAPEL SOCIAL DA UNIVERSIDADE NO CONTEXTO DO DESENVOLVIMENTO RURAL NA REGIÃO
Authors: Da Silva Luiz Everson , Gurgatz Bruno Martins Gurgatz Martins , Santiago Dyego Ferreira , Da Veiga Maria Carolina Nico Pinheiro , Reis Rodrigo Arantes , De Oliveira Adriana Lucinda
Published: October 2017

O presente artigo aborda resultados preliminares de pesquisas na área rural do litoral do Paraná, com ênfase na produção de bananas que tem sido acompanhada pelo uso de pesticidas e agroquímicos significando uma série de riscos ambientais e para a saúde da população. Neste contexto, defendemos o papel social da Universidade no contexto do desenvolvimento rural da região. O texto apresenta de maneira sucinta o litoral do Paraná, com suas particularidades referente a riqueza ambiental, a população, produção rural e características de desenvolvimento. Aborda ainda o premente compromisso da Universidade, enquanto lócus de produção de conhecimento e espaço formativo que deve estar voltado para as demandas e necessidades da população do seu entorno.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Alano Elsi Do Rocio Cardoso
Published: October 2017

Na primeira edição do volume “dez” da Revista Divers@!, os artigos selecionados são de extrema relevância para a sociedade e trazem no seu escopo a indissociabilidade entre pesquisa, ensino e extensão, a qual é evidenciada no decorrer dos textos. Outro fator relevante, e, que merece destaque, é a própria natureza da Revista Divers@!, a qual têm como essência a interdisciplinaridade, em que se apresenta explicita e implicitamente na composição deste volume. As temáticas apresentadas: Organização, Gestão e Sociedade; Educação; Gênero e Diversidade; Questões Agrárias; Trabalho e Ciências Ambientais são apresentadas no decorrer das cinco produções, em que os leitores poderão confirmar as relações interdisciplinares, que, por vezes, encontram-se entrelaçadas em um mesmo artigo em campos de áreas de saber distintos perpassando assim pelo campo da complexidade, dos saberes constituídos e do pensamento sistêmico.
Animals and African Ethics
Authors: Horsthemke Kai
Published: October 2017

African ethics is primarily concerned with community and harmonious communal relationships. The claim is frequently made on behalf of African moral beliefs and customs that, in stark contrast with Western moral attitudes and practices, there is no comparable objectification and exploitation of other-than-human animals and nature. This article investigates whether this claim is correct by examining the status of animals in religious and philosophical thought, as well as traditional cultural practices, in Africa. I argue that moral perceptions and attitudes on the African continent remain resolutely anthropocentric. Although values like ubuntu (humanness) or ukama (relationality) have been expanded to include nonhuman nature, animals are characteristically not seen to have any rights, and human duties to them are almost exclusively “indirect.” I conclude by asking whether those who, following their own liberation, continue to exploit and oppress other creatures—simply because they can—are not thereby contributing to their own dehumanization.
Anthropocentrism, African Metaphysical Worldview, and Animal Practices: A Reply to Kai Horsthemke
Authors: Etieyibo Edwin
Published: October 2017

In his recently published book Animals and African Ethics, Kai Horsthemke (2015) makes two important and related claims. The first is that most African metaphysical, religious, and ethical positions and perspectives on animals are anthropocentric. Second, he states that if there are one or more principles of duties regarding other animals derivable from these positions and perspectives, they are at best “indirect duties.” In this article, I critically engage with these claims in the context of the ontological beliefs and ethical standpoints that flow from anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. I argue that the African metaphysical worldview and African practices on animals are not anthropocentric. The nub of my argument is that a closer examination of African practices on animals and one dominant African metaphysical worldview—one that Horsthemke engages with in the book—presents us a different conclusion, one that suggests that the worldview and practices are conceivably biocentric or ecocentric rather than anthropocentric.
The Moral Complexities of Eating Meat
Authors: Bernstein Mark
Published: October 2017

The Moral Complexities of Eating Meat is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the moral issues revolving around our eating habits. While much of the volume concerns the so-called causal impotence argument— the idea that since, as individuals, we do little to add to the harm imposed on animals, some opportunistic carnivorism on our parts is not blameworthy—there are thought-provoking essays running the gamut from defending the practice of meat eating more generally to insisting that strict vegetarianism is the only morally permissible way to engage with our food. The essays are, without exception, cogent and accessible and can be usefully incorporated into most classes that deal with animal or applied ethics.
The 1970 British Commonwealth Games: Scottish Reactions to Apartheid and Sporting Boycotts
Authors: Skillen Fiona , McDowell Matthew L.
Published: October 2017

The 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh is widely thought to have been a barnstorming success and an excellent advertisement for Scotland. Recent research by the authors, however, shows that the event was a deeply politicized one: reflective of Scotland’s status as a “stateless nation,” of Westminster politics during the era more generally, and of the politics surrounding apartheid South Africa’s sporting contacts with the outside world. The games managed to avert a mass boycott organized by the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SANROC), in retaliation for the Marylebone Cricket Club’s recent invitation of the South African national cricket team. This article will explore Scotland’s place as a nonstate actor within the 1970 crisis. Attention will be given to the domestic political response from Scottish members of Parliament, members of local Scottish councils (particularly within Edinburgh itself), and Scottish National Party (SNP) activists, angered that Scotland should pay for the crimes perceived to be made by an English sporting body. However, our piece goes beyond these discourses, to examine the broader sporting relationship that Scots had with South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), governed by white supremacist regimes during the period. Policy documents, housed in the National Records of Scotland, express UK Cabinet-level concerns about the actions of individual sporting clubs’ tours of the countries. This article will also look at how cabinet ministers, most notably Labour’s Minister for Sport Denis Howell, intervened to shape Scotland’s devolved sporting councils’ policies on contacts with South Africa and Rhodesia.
“Watch Britain”: Movement Education, Transnational Exchanges, and the Contested Terrain of Physical Education in Mid-Twentieth-Century Canada
Authors: Vertinsky Patricia , Gils Bieke
Published: October 2017

The notion that exercise is medicine dominated Canadian physical education in its nineteenth-century inception and continued to circulate through fitness discourses despite the introduction of movement education in the mid-twentieth century, which offered more progressive methods of child-centered teaching. Canada’s approach to physical education in the postwar decades was affected by important transatlantic influences, not only in matters of national fitness but through numbers of émigrée female physical educators from Britain who played a significant role in the transfer and exchange of professional practices. Arriving in British Columbia—the end of the railway line—in the late 1950s and ’60s, these women promoted movement education and gained considerable traction in schools and colleges. Ultimately, however, an increasingly gendered discourse pitted the female-centered tradition of child-centered movement education against a growing appetite for competitive sport-skill-based forms of physical education and biopedagogical interventions supported by an evidence-based medicine approach.
Single-Laboratory Validation for Determination of Total Soluble Proanthocyanidins in Cranberry Using 4-Dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde
Authors: Sintara Marsha , Li Lin , Cunningham David G , Prior Ronald L , Wu Xianli , Chang Tony
Published: October 2017

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is native to Eastern North America. Recent studies have suggested that the A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries are effective in preventing urinary tract infection. To meet the growing interest in the cranberry market, an accurate, reliable, and simple method to determine PAC concentration is needed. In this study, a modified method using 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde to quantify total PACs in cranberry products was validated. Cranberry juice extract powder, cranberry capsules containing juice extract, and cranberry juice concentrate were used as the samples in this study. With the modified method, the calibration curves for proanthocyanidin A2 had correlation coefficients (r2) of >0.99. The recoveries of two different concentrations after spiking were 97.1 and 99.1%, and the RSDs for repeatability and reproducibility were <2.7 and <1.6%, respectively.
Composition and abundance of the mesozooplancton in Sauce Grande shallow lake (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)
Authors: Baleani Carla Alejandra , Menéndez María Clara , Alfonso María Belén , Fornerón Claudia Fernanda , Piccolo María Cintia
Published: October 2017

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la composición y abundancia del mesozooplancton en la laguna Sauce Grande (Provincia. de Buenos Aires, Argentina) durante el invierno y primavera (Hemisferio Sur) de 2010. Las muestras se colectaron mensualmente en tres estaciones, utilizando una red cónica de 200 μm de poro. El zooplancton estuvo representado por siete taxa. La abundancia varió entre 15,9±0,15 (agosto) y 71,7±31,77 ind/L (noviembre). Los grupos mejor representados fueron Copepoda y Cladocera, siendo Boeckella poopoensis y Moina micrura las especies dominantes respectivamente. Copepoda dominó en los meses más fríos del año mientras que Cladócera, lo hizo sobre fines de primavera. Esto último, podría asociarse a la marcada estacionalidad que experimenta la región.

The aim of this study was to analyze the composition and abundance of mesozooplancton in Sauce Grande shallow lake (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) in winter and spring-2010 (Southern Hemisphere). Three stations were sampled monthly using a conic net of 200 µm mesh size. Mesozooplankton was represented by seven taxa. Mean abundance ranged from 15.9±0.15 (August) to 71.7±31.77 ind/L (November). Groups best represented were Copepoda and Cladocera, with Boeckella poopoensis and Moina micrura as dominant species, respectively. While Copepoda dominated in the coldest months of the year, Cladocera was dominant in the late spring. This could be associated with the marked seasonality of the region.
First record of leucism for Carollia castanea Allen, 1890 (Phyllostomidae: Carollinae) in southeastern Costa Rica
Authors: Mejía-Quintanilla David Josué , Gómez-Hoyos Diego , Seisdedos-de-Vergara Rocío , Rodríguez Bernal , González-Maya José
Published: October 2017

Carollia castanea se distribuye desde Honduras hasta Venezuela. Casos de leucismo no han sido reportados para esta especie pero si para otros filostómidos. Capturamos un adulto de C. castanea con leucismo en la Zona Protectora Las Tablas. Presentaba despigmentación en la punta de las alas, debajo del antebrazo y en la parte superior del uropatagio, pero las manchas blancas no cubrían una alta porción de la piel. Algunos casos de leucismo en murciélagos han sido explicados por endogamia en poblaciones pequeñas o aisladas, pero esto no está apoyado por evidencia empírica. Nuestro registro es anecdótico, y no podemos ofrecer una explicación ecológica o genética. Proponemos que los casos de leucismo sean evaluados en cada contexto específico y soportado por estudios poblacionales robustos.

Carollia castanea is distributed from Honduras to Venezuela. Leucism has not been reported for this species but there are reports for other phyllostomid bats. An adult C. castanea with leucism was captured at Las Tablas Protected Zone, Costa Rica. It presented depigmentation on both wing tips, under the and on the upper part of the uropatagium, however the white patches did not cover a high proportion of its skin. Some leucism cases in bats have been explained by inbreeding in small or isolated population, but it is scarcely supported by empirical evidence. Our record is anecdotal therefore we cannot offer an ecological or even a genetic explanation. We propose that leucism cases should be assessed in each specific context where it is recorded, and supported by robust po­pulation studies.
Mechanism of activation at the selectivity filter of the KcsA K+ channel
Authors: Heer Florian T , Posson David J , Wojtas-Niziurski Wojciech , Nimigean Crina M , Bernèche Simon
Published: October 2017

Potassium channels are opened by ligands and/or membrane potential. In voltage-gated K+ channels and the prokaryotic KcsA channel, conduction is believed to result from opening of an intracellular constriction that prevents ion entry into the pore. On the other hand, numerous ligand-gated K+ channels lack such gate, suggesting that they may be activated by a change within the selectivity filter, a narrow region at the extracellular side of the pore. Using molecular dynamics simulations and electrophysiology measurements, we show that ligand-induced conformational changes in the KcsA channel removes steric restraints at the selectivity filter, thus resulting in structural fluctuations, reduced K+ affinity, and increased ion permeation. Such activation of the selectivity filter may be a universal gating mechanism within K+ channels. The occlusion of the pore at the level of the intracellular gate appears to be secondary.
Clearance of beta-amyloid is facilitated by apolipoprotein E and circulating high-density lipoproteins in bioengineered human vessels
Authors: Robert Jerome , Button Emily B , Yuen Brian , Gilmour Megan , Kang Kevin , Bahrabadi Arvin , Stukas Sophie , Zhao Wenchen , Kulic Iva , Wellington Cheryl L
Published: October 2017

Amyloid plaques, consisting of deposited beta-amyloid (Aβ), are a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Cerebral vessels play a major role in AD, as Aβ is cleared from the brain by pathways involving the cerebrovasculature, most AD patients have cerebrovascular amyloid (cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and cardiovascular risk factors increase dementia risk. Here we present a notable advance in vascular tissue engineering by generating the first functional 3-dimensioinal model of CAA in bioengineered human vessels. We show that lipoproteins including brain (apoE) and circulating (high-density lipoprotein, HDL) synergize to facilitate Aβ transport across bioengineered human cerebral vessels. These lipoproteins facilitate Aβ42 transport more efficiently than Aβ40, consistent with Aβ40 being the primary species that accumulates in CAA. Moreover, apoE4 is less effective than apoE2 in promoting Aβ transport, also consistent with the well-established role of apoE4 in Aβ deposition in AD.
Competing scaffolding proteins determine capsid size during mobilization of Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands
Authors: Dearborn Altaira D , Wall Erin A , Kizziah James L , Klenow Laura , Parker Laura K , Manning Keith A , Spilman Michael S , Spear John M , Christie Gail E , Dokland Terje
Published: October 2017

Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs), such as SaPI1, exploit specific helper bacteriophages, like 80α, for their high frequency mobilization, a process termed ‘molecular piracy’. SaPI1 redirects the helper’s assembly pathway to form small capsids that can only accommodate the smaller SaPI1 genome, but not a complete phage genome. SaPI1 encodes two proteins, CpmA and CpmB, that are responsible for this size redirection. We have determined the structures of the 80α and SaPI1 procapsids to near-atomic resolution by cryo-electron microscopy, and show that CpmB competes with the 80α scaffolding protein (SP) for a binding site on the capsid protein (CP), and works by altering the angle between capsomers. We probed these interactions genetically and identified second-site suppressors of lethal mutations in SP. Our structures show, for the first time, the detailed interactions between SP and CP in a bacteriophage, providing unique insights into macromolecular assembly processes.
Building a better blood-brain barrier
Authors: Lane-Donovan Courtney , Herz Joachim
Published: October 2017

A new three-dimensional model of the blood-brain barrier can be used to study processes that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new role for zinc in the brain
Authors: McAllister Brendan B , Dyck Richard H
Published: October 2017

Certain neurons in the auditory cortex release zinc to influence how the brain processes sounds.
Qualitative study of healthcare providers’ current practice patterns and barriers to successful rehydration for pediatric diarrheal illnesses in Kenya
Authors: House Darlene R. , Cheptinga Philip , Rusyniak Daniel E. , Vreeman Rachel C.
Published: October 2017

Background

For children worldwide, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death. These deaths are preventable by fluid resuscitation. Nasogastric tubes (NGs) have been shown to be equivalent to intravenous fluids for rehydration and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in severe dehydration. Despite this, NGs are rarely used for rehydration in Kenya. Our objective was to evaluate clinicians’ adherence to rehydration guidelines and to identify barriers to the use of NGs for resuscitating dehydrated children.

Methods

A case-based structured survey was administered to pediatric care providers in western Kenya to determine their choices for alternative rehydration therapies when oral rehydration and intravenous fluids fail. Providers then participated in a qualitative, semi-structured interview to identify barriers to using nasogastric tubes for rehydration. Analysis included manual, progressive coding of interview transcripts to identify emerging central themes.

Results

Of 44 participants, only four (9%) followed WHO guidelines that recommend quickly switching to NG for rehydration in their case responses. Participants identified that placing intravenous lines in dehydrated children is a challenge. However, when discussing NG use, many believed NGs are not effective for rehydration. Other participants’ concerns surrounded knowledge and training regarding guidelines as well as not having NGs available.

Discussion

Healthcare providers in western Kenya do not report using NGs for rehydration in accordance with WHO guidelines for diarrheal illness with severe dehydration. Barriers to the use of NG tubes were lack of knowledge and availability. Education and implementation of guidelines using NG tubes for rehydration may improve outcomes of children suffering from diarrheal illness with severe dehydration.
Effects of invasion history on physiological responses to immune system activation in invasive Australian cane toads
Authors: Selechnik Daniel , West Andrea J. , Brown Gregory P. , Fanson Kerry V. , Addison BriAnne , Rollins Lee A. , Shine Richard
Published: October 2017

The cane toad (Rhinella marina) has undergone rapid evolution during its invasion of tropical Australia. Toads from invasion front populations (in Western Australia) have been reported to exhibit a stronger baseline phagocytic immune response than do conspecifics from range core populations (in Queensland). To explore this difference, we injected wild-caught toads from both areas with the experimental antigen lipopolysaccharide (LPS, to mimic bacterial infection) and measured whole-blood phagocytosis. Because the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is stimulated by infection (and may influence immune responses), we measured glucocorticoid response through urinary corticosterone levels. Relative to injection of a control (phosphate-buffered saline), LPS injection increased both phagocytosis and the proportion of neutrophils in the blood. However, responses were similar in toads from both populations. This null result may reflect the ubiquity of bacterial risks across the toad’s invaded range; utilization of this immune pathway may not have altered during the process of invasion. LPS injection also induced a reduction in urinary corticosterone levels, perhaps as a result of chronic stress.
Anti-apoptotic properties of carbon monoxide in porcine oocyte duringin vitroaging
Authors: Němeček David , Dvořáková Markéta , Heroutová Ivona , Chmelíková Eva , Sedmíková Markéta
Published: October 2017

If fertilization of matured oocyte does not occur, unfertilized oocyte undergoes aging, resulting in a time-dependent reduction of the oocyte’s quality. The aging of porcine oocytes can lead to apoptosis. Carbon monoxide (CO), a signal molecule produced by the heme oxygenase (HO), possesses cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects that have been described in somatic cells. However, the effects of CO in oocytes have yet to be investigated. By immunocytochemistry method we detected that both isoforms of heme oxygenase (HO-1 and HO-2) are present in the porcine oocytes. Based on the morphological signs of oocyte aging, it was found that the inhibition of both HO isoforms by Zn-protoporphyrin IX (Zn-PP IX) leads to an increase in the number of apoptotic oocytes and decrease in the number of intact oocytes during aging. Contrarily, the presence of CO donors (CORM-2 or CORM-A1) significantly decrease the number of apoptotic oocytes while increasing the number of intact oocytes. We also determined that CO donors significantly decrease the caspase-3 (CAS-3) activity. Our results suggest that HO/CO contributes to the sustaining viability through regulation of apoptosis duringin vitroaging of porcine oocytes.
Hearing assessment during deep brain stimulation of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus and dentate cerebellar nucleus in rat
Authors: Smit Jasper V. , Jahanshahi Ali , Janssen Marcus L.F. , Stokroos Robert J. , Temel Yasin
Published: October 2017

Background

Recently it has been shown in animal studies that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of auditory structures was able to reduce tinnitus-like behavior. However, the question arises whether hearing might be impaired when interfering in auditory-related network loops with DBS.

Methods

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured in rats during high frequency stimulation (HFS) and low frequency stimulation (LFS) in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CIC,n = 5) or dentate cerebellar nucleus (DCBN,n = 5). Besides hearing thresholds using ABR, relative measures of latency and amplitude can be extracted from the ABR. In this study ABR thresholds, interpeak latencies (I–III, III–V, I–V) and V/I amplitude ratio were measured during off-stimulation state and during LFS and HFS.

Results

In both the CIC and the CNBN groups, no significant differences were observed for all outcome measures.

Discussion

DBS in both the CIC and the CNBN did not have adverse effects on hearing measurements. These findings suggest that DBS does not hamper physiological processing in the auditory circuitry.