bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concepciones de salud en mujeres que trabajan en el sector formal e informal de la ciudad de León, Nicaragua
Authors: Soto Vanegas Arlen , Conde Gutiérrez del Álamo Fernando
Published: March 2014

Este artículo tiene como propósito dar a conocer cómo las mujeres de la ciudad de León-Nicaragua conciben, conceptualizan y describen la salud desde su propio contexto. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con siete grupos de mujeres trabajadoras en la economía formal e informal. Por medio de un análisis de contenido y del discurso se identificaron cinco concepciones de salud: 1.Tradicional o campesina, 2.Maternal, 3.Social, 4.Equilibrio y 5.Biomédica. El conocimiento de estas concepciones podría ser utilizado para ajustar culturalmente los programas de prevención y promoción de salud en atención primaria en el país.
Sobre los modos de visibilización mediático-política de la violencia de género en España: consideraciones críticas para su reformulación
Authors: Gámez Fuentes María José
Published: March 2014

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo situar discusiones recientes que han focalizado en la visibilización mediática de la violencia de género en España atendiendo a presentarlas en relación, por un lado, a los ejes discursivos del marco de reconocimiento establecido y, por otro, a las implicaciones teórico-políticas de este. Nuestra hipótesis es que la forma de visibilizar la violencia de género, en particular respecto de la judicialización como estrategia mediatizadora, no solo desactiva las posibilidades de transformarla sino que reproduce marcos de reconocimiento donde las mujeres no son sujetos agentes. El sujeto mujer configurado como víctima denunciante se encuentra supeditado al saber y control judicial y, por tanto, desprovisto de agencia. Para contribuir a la transformación de esta configuración, apuntaremos vías de intervención basadas en la innovación representacional.
En los límites de la exclusión social: las personas sin hogar en España
Authors: Sánchez Morales María Rosario H.
Published: March 2014

El hilo conductor de este texto tratar de mostrar, ¿a qué obedece el fenómeno de sinhogarismo, como hecho social propio de los países desarrollados? A partir de esta cuestión, los objetivos son presentar la terminología que se utiliza para referirse a este grupo de población, plantear la dialéctica entre los viejos y los nuevos perfiles de “sin hogar”. Trataremos de demostrar cómo históricamente se ha asumido que se trata un sector social improductivo y peligroso socialmente. En estrecha relación con lo anterior, nos hemos propuesto romper, con datos recientes, algunos de los principales estereotipos que juegan en desfavor de estas personas. Por último, analizaremos los procesos de exclusión propios de sus itinerarios vitales y ofreceremos algunas pinceladas sobre el futuro previsible en relación a esta problemática humana y social.
The extent of south-north pollen transfer in Finnish Scots pine
Authors: Varis Saila , Pakkanen Anne , Galofré Aina , Pulkkinen Pertti
Published: March 2014

In order to evaluate the possibility of long distance gene flow in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), we measured the amount and germinability of airborne pollen and flowering phenology in central, northern, and northernmost Finland during 1997â2000. Totally 2.3% of the detected germinable pollen grains were in the air prior to local pollen shedding. The mean number of germinable pollen grains m air per day was lower prior to local pollen shedding, but in the year 2000 there were more germinable pollen grains in the air of central study site prior to local pollen shedding. Prior to the onset of pollen shedding, 7.5% of female strobili which we observed were receptive. On average female strobili became receptive three days earlier than local pollen shedding started. During the period of pollen shedding in the central study site, we detected germinable airborne pollen in the northern site in years 1997, 1999 and 2000. At the northermost site, we detected germinable airborne pollen during the pollen-shedding period of the northern site in 2000. Our detection of germinable airborne pollen and synchrony of strobili maturation from south to north suggest that populations of Scots pine in central and northern Finland may provide genetic material to populations in northern and northernmost Finland, respectively.â3
Snag abundance and species composition in a managed forest landscape in central Japan composed of Larix kaempferi plantations and secondary broadleaf forests
Authors: Nagaike Takuo
Published: March 2014

Larix kaempferi is the main plantation species in the low-snow, cool-temperate zone of Japan. I studied L. kaempferi plantations of various stand ages in central Japan to examine and compare the effect of stand age on the abundance, size, and species composition of snags (standing dead trees) compared to those in secondary broadleaf forests. Plantations that were older than the standard rotation age had more and larger snags than young plantations, and the species diversity of snags was positively correlated with stand age. Because the density of living planted L. kaempferi showed little correlation with snag variables, whereas that of naturally regenerated tree species was positively correlated with snag variables, the density dependence of snag occurrence was stronger in naturally regenerated trees than in planted L. kaempferi. Snag species that were positively correlated with stand age were the main species in secondary broadleaf forests in this area. Basal area, density, and number of species of snags in standard-rotation plantations were significantly lower than in long-rotation plantations and secondary broadleaf forests. Long-rotation plantations are useful for retaining snags compared to standard-rotation plantations.
Late termination of freezer storage increases the risk of autumn frost damage to Norway spruce seedlings
Authors: Hänninen Heikki , Luoranen Jaana , Rikala Risto , Smolander Heikki
Published: March 2014

Over the last few years it has become increasingly common in artificial forest regeneration to extend the planting period by using freezer-stored seedlings for early summer plantings. Developmentally, however, planted freezer-stored seedlings lag behind seedlings planted earlier in the spring. As freezer-stored seedlings also start hardening later, they are more susceptible to early autumn frosts, especially in years when the thermal growing season ends and the first autumn frosts come earlier than usual. By means of computer simulations with a simple temperature sum model and long-term air-temperature data from three locations in Finland, we examined the effect of the freezer-storage termination date on the risk of autumn frost damage to the seedlings. The long-term simulations revealed a drastic effect of year-to-year variation in the thermal conditions during the growing season on the occurrence of autumn frost damage. Such results provide crucial information complementary to those obtained in field experiments, which are always restricted to a relatively short time period. Together with earlier field data, the present results suggest that at an average regeneration site in central Finland, the planting of seedlings whose storage has terminated on 15 June and 22 June involve autumn frost damage every tenth and every fifth year, respectively. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the temperature sum requirement of maturation has a great effect on the risk of autumn frost damage, thus pinpointing the need for experimental studies addressing this ecophysiological trait of the seedlings.
Effectiveness of sermon policy instruments: forest management planning practices applying the activity theory approach
Authors: Hokajärvi Raili , Hujala Teppo , Leskinen Leena , Tikkanen Jukka
Published: March 2014

Recent and ongoing societal changes have brought about a need to foster multiple-use forestry and to strengthen customer orientation in family forestry outreach. The study assesses how forest management planning in family forest holdings could be developed to tackle these challenges. The approach introduces a new way of evaluating the effectiveness of information- and communication-based policy instruments. Here, the cultural-historical activity theory is applied in studying the interwoven practices of present-day planning and the associated advisory services targeted at landowners. The data, comprising semi-structured in-depth interviews with 19 professional planners, were qualitatively examined, and a forest management planning activity model was constructed with the emphasis placed on the inherent contradictions of planning work. As the main contradiction, the forest and the forest owner compete as objects. The aims of making the forest productive and advising the landowners towards an increased activeness motivate forest management planning but the planners feel that they lack the opportunity to respond to the needs of the landowner. A wood-production-emphasizing interpretation of the benefits to the national economy frustrates the policy goal of genuinely promoting the goals of multiple-use forestry. The conclusion drawn is that the actors engaged in forest management planning can reveal the needs for change by discussing their opinions and practical innovations. This can be done with the aid of facilitation by e.g. researchers oriented to developmental work study.
A techno-economic evaluation of Bracke and M-planter tree planting devices
Authors: Rantala Juho , Harstela Pertti , Saarinen Veli-Matti , Tervo Leo
Published: March 2014

Techno-economically reasonable mechanization of tree planting has proved to be a difficult task in the Nordic working conditions. Although planting machines and combinations of base machine and planting device have been developed since the 1970s, mechanized planting has not been cost-competitive to manual planting. The aim of this study was to find out work time distributions, productivities, costs and effects of different work difficulty factors on productivities and costs of the state-of-the-art Nordic planting devices, Swedish Bracke and Finnish M-Planter, and to compare the devices with each other. The theory of comparative time studies was the base for the experimental design of this study. In the average working conditions, productivity (E15) of M-Planter (236 seedlings/hour) was 36.0% higher than that of Bracke (174 seedlings/hour). Here, M-Planter performed planting work 23.4% cheaper than Bracke. However, the difference depended greatly on the working conditions; the more stones or stumps the smaller the difference, and the more slash the bigger the difference.
Growth strain in Eucalyptus nitens at different stages of development
Authors: Biechele Tobias , Nutto Leif , Becker Gero
Published: March 2014

Eucalypts are renowned for their high growth stress levels. These stresses cause splitting, warping and dimensional instability when cutting, processing and drying the wood. In Chile, large Eucalyptus nitens plantations can be found, which, due to these problems, are scarcely utilised for solid wood products (veneer, sawn wood). This study aims to determine the factors influencing growth stress at different stages of treeâs development, and to identify whether the factors influencing growth stress change over time. In five stands of different ages, growth strain, as an indicator of growth stress, was measured at different tree heights with the single hole drilling method. The tree variables DBH, tree height, slenderness (height/diameter ratio) and crown parameters also were measured. A correlation analysis of tree variables and growth strains was undertaken. The results obtained indicate a high variability in growth strain values. It was concluded that growth strain is not correlated with a single growth parameter, but with a combination of factors that variously influence it at different ages and tree heights.
Tracheid cross-sectional dimensions in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) – distributions and comparison with Norway spruce (Picea abies)
Authors: Havimo Mikko , Rikala Juha , Sirviö Jari , Sipi Marketta
Published: March 2014

Cell wall thickness and tracheid radial and tangential diameter are important characteristics in papermaking. These fibre cross-sectional dimensions affect paper properties such as light scattering, and tear and tensile indexes. In the authorsâ previous article, the mean values and distributions of tracheid cross-sectional dimensions were obtained for Norway spruce (Picea abies). This article characterises the cross-sectional tracheid properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) using exactly the same methodology as in the previous study on Norway spruce, which enables the comparison between the tree species. The distributions for Scots pine cell wall thickness and tracheid radial diameter were similar: a narrow peak due to earlywood tracheids, and a wide peak due to latewood tracheids. The tangential diameter distributions for Scots pine were very similar in both earlywood and latewood, having one wide peak. Also, the distributions in whole stem, top pulpwood and sawmill chip assortments were quite similar. The differences between Scots pine and Norway spruce tracheid cross-sectional dimensions were fairly marginal. This is at least the case when comparing large tracheid populations, in which differences tend to even out. The situation may be different on a more detailed level of observation, for example, when individual annual rings in the different tree species are compared.
Growth and wood property traits in narrow crowned Norway spruce (Picea abies f. pendula) clones grown in southern Finland
Authors: Zubizarreta Gerendiain Ane , Peltola Heli , Pulkkinen Pertti
Published: March 2014

We investigated the growth, yield, wood density traits and fibre properties in 13 narrow crowned Norway spruce (Picea abies f. pendula) clones grown at a spacing of 2 m x 1.5 m (about 3300 seedlings/ha) in a field trial established in 1988 in southern Finland on a forest soil. For comparison, we used 3 normal crowned Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) genetic entries grown as a mixture in the same trial representing southern Finnish breeding regions. We found that wood density traits and fibre properties showed, on average, lower phenotypic variation than growth and yield traits regardless of crown type. Narrow crowned clones also had, on average, lower stem volume and fibre length, but higher overall wood density. More over, the phenotypic correlations between studied growth and wood properties ranged, on average, from moderate (normal crown) to high (narrow crown). These results were opposite to previous findings for narrow and normal crowned genetic entries grown in narrower spacing (1 m x 1 m) in southern Finland. Thus, this indicates lower plasticity of narrow crowned clones to the increasing growing space compared to normal crowned ones, so, they should be grown at denser spacing in order to fully utilise its space efficiency capacity. However, this field trial was established as a mixture of normal and narrow crown trees, so that 90% of genetic entries were narrow crowned ones, and therefore the crown competition would be much higher for normal crowned trees when the whole trial would consist of that entry alone. In the latter case, we could expect significantly lower productivity of normal crowned genetic entries with this spacing.
Spatial structure of alpine trees in Mountain Baima Xueshan on the southeast Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Qiaoying , Zhang Yunchun , Peng Shaolin , Yirdaw Eshetu , Wu Ning
Published: March 2014

Most of the trees at treeline on the Tibetan Plateau are endemic to the Plateau. Yet little is known about these species. The study focused on the population structure, spatial patterns and associations of the treeline species Abies forestii var. georgei and Juniperus saltuaria at treeline and timberline in Mountain Baima Xueshan on the southeast Tibetan Plateau. These species form monodominant communities on the north- and south-facing slopes, respectively. Stem density, DBH-distribution, distribution pattern of different tree size classes, and intraspecific spatial association between different tree size classes of both species were analyzed. Spatial structure varied between A. forestii var. georgei and J. saltuaria, and for the same species, the spatial structures were also different from timberline to treeline. Stem density, mean tree height and young individuals of A. forestii var. georgei were significantly higher than those of J. saltuaria. For the same species, they were different from timberline to treeline, i.e., stem density and mean tree height of both species became lower. Size classes of both species were mainly clustered either at treeline or at timberline but at different scales, and spatial patterns of young J. saltuaria were mainly dominated by random patterns. Clumps of trees created more favorable microenvironments in harsh environments at treeline and timberline. Most tree size classes showed positive intraspecific spatial associations, but positive associations between size classes of J. saltuaria were not as significant as those of A. forestii var. georgei. The south-facing slope was usually subjected to varying intensities of pastoralism. Livestock disturbance greatly changed the microhabitat and reduced the number of young individuals. The potential of trees to regenerate was greatly inhibited, while A. forestii var. georgei showed greater regeneration potential. Spatial structures of J. saltuaria were also modified by this kind of human impact.
Cold acclimation of Norway spruce roots and shoots after boron fertilization
Authors: Räisänen Mikko , Repo Tapani , Lehto Tarja
Published: March 2014

Boron deficiency, manifested as shoot dieback, is a problem in conifer stands growing on soils with high nitrogen availability in Fennoscandia. Earlier observations on Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) suggest that freezing tolerance is decreased by boron deficiency. Here, the effect of boron fertilization on cold acclimation of Norway spruce was studied in a young stand with initially low boron status two years after fertilization. Buds, stems, needles and roots were collected at five sampling times during cold acclimation and subsequently exposed to series of freezing temperatures. Lethal temperatures of organs were assessed by electrolyte leakage method (EL) and visual scoring of damage (VS). Freezing tolerance of buds was measured also by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The mean boron (B) concentration in needles was 4 mg kgâ1 in unfertilized and 21 mg kgâ1 in B-fertilized trees while critical level of B deficiency is considered to be 5 mg kgâ1. The risk for increased freezing injuries in the low-B trees was not evident since all trees achieved cold hardiness that would be sufficient in central Finland. At two sampling times out of five, shoots or stem of B-fertilized trees were slightly more freezing tolerant than non-fertilized trees. However, the present study does not give strong evidence for the hypothesis that decreased freezing tolerance in B deficiency would be a triggering factor for leader dieback in Norway spruce at the B levels studied.
Frost hardening and risk of a second flush in Norway spruce seedlings after an early-season short-day treatment
Authors: Luoranen Jaana , Konttinen Kyösti , Rikala Risto
Published: March 2014

There have been years in Finland when container seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) planted in the summer have been damaged by early-autumn frosts. For August and September plantings, the seedlings can be hardened by means of short-day (SD) treatment, but little information is available about its usability for earlier plantings. We studied the effects of early-season SD treatment on the frost hardiness and risk of a second flush of Norway spruce seedlings. In three successive years, second-year seedlings were grown in a greenhouse or outdoors in the spring and early summer and then subjected to two or three-week SD treatment beginning on the second, third, or fourth week of June. We monitored the height growth cessation, bud formation, and frost hardiness of the seedlings in the nursery. All SD treatments made the height growth cease, but the risk of a second flush increased if the temperature sum was less than 300 d.d. before the beginning of the SD treatment or more than 450 d.d. between the end of the treatment and mid-August. Clearly, then, SD treatment reduced the risk of a second flush in seedlings that had been grown in a greenhouse in the spring. Early-season SD treatment increased the frost hardiness of both needles and stems for late July to early September in comparison with untreated seedlings. Later in the autumn, however, the differences disappeared. Before recommending the use of early-season SD-treated seedlings for summer planting, the method has to be tested in practical field conditions.
Frost heaving of Picea abies seedlings as influenced by soil preparation, planting technique, and location along gap-shelterwood gradients
Authors: Chantal Michelle , Rita Hannu , Bergsten Urban , Löfvenius Mikaell , Grip Harald
Published: March 2014

The effects of soil preparation, planting technique and location along gap-shelterwood gradients (position and orientation) on frost heaving damage to seedlings were studied in Vindeln Experimental Forests, northern Sweden. The forest was harvested in a grid pattern in winter 2004â2005, forming gaps and shelterwood areas of 30 x 40 m each. Gap-shelterwood gradients were delimited in four orientations and subdivided into five positions: 7 m and 15 m into the gap and shelterwood, and at the gap edge. At each position, three replicates of three soil preparations were made: exposed E and B horizons and HuMinMix (milled vegetation and humus layers mixed with surface mineral soil). In early October 2005, one-year-old containerized Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedlings were planted using four techniques: normal and deep planting, and mobile and fixed experimental containers. After one winter, frost heaving damage was highest for seedlings on B horizon combined with the mobile container (51 Â± 6%) and normal planting (43Â±6%). Normal- or deep-planted seedlings in HuMinMix had the least damage (5â6.6 Â± 2.5%). Compared to normal planting, deep planting reduced frost heaving damage only on B horizon. When considering the orientation, seedlings in the experimental containers had more or similar frost heaving damage than normal- or deep-planted seedlings. Along the eastern gradient, seedlings incurred more frost heaving damage in the center of the gap than under the canopy.
Differences in stand characteristics between brook-side key habitats and managed forests in southern Finland
Authors: Siitonen Juha , Hottola Jenni , Immonen Auli
Published: March 2014

Preservation of small habitat patches termed as âwoodland key habitatsâ or âespecially important habitatsâ in the Finnish Forest Act has become an integral part of biodiversity-oriented forest management. Forest Act habitats belong to particular habitat types defined in the act, and they are supposed to have natural-like stand characteristics. However, very little is known about the actual stand structure in the designated habitats. Our aim was to compare stand characteristics between brook-side key habitats and comparable managed forests as controls. Seven study areas were selected from four regions across southern Finland. Within each study area ten key habitats and ten controls (140 stands) were randomly selected. Living and dead trees and cut stumps were measured in each stand within a 0.2 ha plot. The average degree of previous cutting was significantly lower whereas the volume of dead wood, volume of deciduous trees, and stand diversity were each significantly higher in key habitats than controls. The average volume of dead wood was 11.7 m ha in key habitats and 6.5 m ha in controls. However, there was considerable variation among individual stands, and a large part of key habitats could not be distinguished from randomly selected control stands with respect to stand characteristics. The preservation of natural brook channels with their immediate surroundings is undoubtedly important for maintaining aquatic and semiaquatic biodiversity. Nevertheless, when complementing the forest conservation network in the future, main emphasis in selecting potentially valuable stands should be placed on important structural features such as dead wood and old trees.3â13â1
The assessment of the uncertainty of updated stand-level inventory data
Authors: Haara Arto , Leskinen Pekka
Published: March 2014

Predictions of growth and yield are essential in forest management planning. Growth predictions are usually obtained by applying complex simulation systems, whose accuracy is difficult to assess. Moreover, the computerised updating of old inventory data is increasing in the management of forest planning systems. A common characteristic of prediction models is that the uncertainties involved are usually not considered in the decision-making process. In this paper, two methods for assessing the uncertainty of updated forest inventory data were studied. The considered methods were (i) the models of observed errors and (ii) the k-nearest neighbour method. The derived assessments of uncertainty were compared with the empirical estimates of uncertainty. The practical utilisation of both methods was considered as well. The uncertainty assessments of updated stand-level inventory data using both methods were found to be feasible. The main advantages of the two studied methods include that bias as well as accuracy can be assessed.
Energy wood thinning as a part of stand management of Scots pine and Norway spruce
Authors: Heikkilä Jani , Sirén Matti , Ahtikoski Anssi , Hynynen Jari , Sauvula Tiina , Lehtonen Mika
Published: March 2014

The effects of combined production of industrial and energy wood on yield and harvesting incomes, as well as the feasibility of energy wood procurement, were studied. Data for 22 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and 21 Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) juvenile stands in Central and Southern Finland were used to compare six combined production regimes to conventional industrial wood production. The study was based on simulations made by the MOTTI stand simulator, which produces growth predictions for alternative management regimes under various site and climatic conditions. The combined production regimes included precommercial thinning at 4â8 m dominant height to a density of 3000â4000 stems ha and energy wood harvesting at 8, 10 or 12 m dominant height. Combined production did not decrease the total yield of industrial wood during the rotation period. Differences in the mean annual increment (MAI) were small, and the rotation periods varied only slightly between the alternatives. Combined production regime can be feasible for a forest owner if the price of energy wood is 3â5 EUR m in pine stands, and 8â9 EUR m in spruce stands. Energy wood procurement was not economically viable at the current energy price (12 EUR MWh) without state subsidies. Without subsidies a 15 EUR MWh energy price would be needed. Our results imply that the combined production of industrial and energy wood could be a feasible stand management alternative.â1â3â3â1â1
Modelling variability in full-field displacement profiles and Poisson ratio of wood in compression using stochastic neural networks
Authors: Ling Hong , Samarasinghe Sandhya , Kulasiri G.
Published: March 2014

Vertical and horizontal displacement profiles in compression parallel-to-grain in a 20 x 20 mm area (30 x 21 or 630 points) in the TangentialâLongitudinal (TâL) and Radial Longitudinal (RâL) sections of small wood columns were obtained from digital image correlation applied to simultaneously captured images of the two surfaces. These consisted of 21 displacement realisations of 30 points along the length of the specimen. They revealed considerable local variations. Stochastic neural networks were successfully developed to simulate trends and noise across and along a specimen in both displacements as well as Poisson ratios in TâL and RâL sections for two selected load levels of 20kN and 40kN. These networks specifically embed noise characteristics extracted from data to generate realistic displacement and Poisson ratio realisations with inherent variability. Models were successfully validated using independent data extracted based on bootstrapping method with high accuracy with R ranging from 0.79 to 0.91. The models were further validated successfully using a second approach involving Confidence Intervals generated from the data extracted from the models. Models and experimental results revealed that for 20kN load, both vertical and horizontal displacements in TâL section were less heterogeneous across the specimen (smaller vertical shearing and horizontal strain, respectively) than those in the RâL section. For the 40kN load, both displacement profiles in the TâL section were less noisy and more compact than those for the 20kN load indicating less heterogeneity due to compaction of structure. In the RâL section, larger vertical shearing and horizontal strains persisted at 40 kN load. Poisson ratio decreased with load and it was nonlinear in both sections but TâL section showed much less noise across the specimen than the RâL section.2
Common tree definitions for national forest inventories in Europe
Authors: Gschwantner Thomas , Schadauer Klemens , Vidal Claude , Lanz Adrian , Tomppo Erkki , di Cosmo Lucio , Robert Nicolas , Englert Duursma Daisy , Lawrence Mark
Published: March 2014

At the international level, various definitions have been established for the compilation and publication of forest resources assessment results over the last decade. These international definitions frequently rely on terms that are not precisely specified for inventory purposes and do not completely cover the requirements arising from the application of National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. Also, with respect to conventional topics such as forest area and growing stock estimation, several terms and expressions referring to individual trees are not, or are only vaguely, defined until now. Since the individual tree is the basic element of any forest resources assessment, the clarification of tree-related terms is an important part of COST Action E43 to harmonise common reporting of National Forest Inventories. Based on a review of existing definitions and on the requirements for harmonised reporting, common tree-related definitions are established. One objective of this study is to refine and enhance the applicability of available tree and shrub definitions, in particular with regard to the distinction between trees and shrubs. The study also focuses on the parts or âelementsâ of trees and on the distinction between these elements as they are of particular importance in growing stock and biomass definitions. Furthermore, several definitions for tree characteristics such as âlivingâ and âstandingâ, as well as tree variables such as height, length, diameter at breast height, and crown projection area are adjusted with respect to NFI purposes. A concluding discussion reflects upon the reviewed, refined and newly established definitions. The definitions presented in this paper provide a firm basis for a common set of harmonised reference definitions developed by COST Action E43 and contribute to the precise and consistent use of terms.
Functional A Posteriori Error Estimation for Stationary Reaction-Convection-Diffusion Problems
Authors: Eigel Martin , Samrowski Tatiana
Published: March 2014

A functional type a posteriori error estimator for the finite element discretization of the stationary reaction-convection-diffusion equation is derived.
In case of dominant convection, the solution for this class of problems typically exhibits boundary layers and shock-front like areas with steep gradients.
This renders the accurate numerical solution very demanding and appropriate techniques for the adaptive resolution of regions with large approximation errors are crucial.
Functional error estimators as derived here contain no mesh-dependent constants and provide guaranteed error bounds for any conforming approximation.
To evaluate the error estimator, a minimization problem is solved which does not require any Galerkin orthogonality or any specific properties of the employed approximation space.
Based on a set of numerical examples, we assess the performance of the new estimator.
It is observed that it exhibits a good efficiency also with convection-dominated problem settings.
Effect of CuO on the Thermal Stability of Polyaniline Nanofibers
Authors: Khan Mohammad Mizanur Rahman , Wee Yee Keat , Mahmood Wan Ahmad Kamil
Published: March 2014

Direct evidence of the control of thermal stability of polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers is reported by systematically varying the loadings of CuO in the synthesis process. The addition of Cu was maintained in the range from 0.005 g to 1.0 g. The freshly prepared PANI-CuO composite nanofibers were investigated by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA data showed that the thermal stability of PANI nanofibers was greatly improved when the CuO were added, except for the highest addition of CuO (1.00 g). We also found that 0.01 g loading of CuO is favorable to obtain comparatively more thermally stable PANI than the other amount. The degradation of PANI chains started at 360°C for the PANI-CuO composites obtained at 0.01 g CuO addition, which is the highest temperature compared to PANI and the samples synthesized at other amount of CuO loadings.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Formaldehyde-Free Phenol-Glucose Novolac Resin Cured with an Epoxy
Authors: Zhang Yongsheng , Chen Mingguang , Yuan Zhongshun , Xu Charles (Chunbao)
Published: March 2014

Formaldehyde used in manufacture and curing of phenol formaldehyde (PF) resins is a big challenge for the PF industry with respect to sustainability and human health. Glucose has grand potential to replace formaldehyde in synthesis of bio-based phenolic novolac resins curable with hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA, derived from formaldehyde), an obstacle to achieve formaldehyde-free curing. This study reports the curing of phenol-glucose novolac resin with a bis-phenol-A type epoxy without using HMTA. The curing process was investigated by using dynamic differential scanning calorimetry measurements at different heating rates. Apparent activation energy of the curing reaction is 109.6 kJ/mol. Sestak–Berggren equation model was determined to be the reaction model according to Málek methods. The model-predicted reaction rates showed a good agreement with the experimental results. The results showed that the curing process was complicated; the kinetics expression was shown to be first-order autocatalytic reaction.
Integrating geomatics and structural investigation in post-earthquake monitoring of ancient monumental Buildings
Authors: Dominici Donatella , Galeota Dante , Gregori Amedeo , Rosciano Elisa , Alicandro Maria , Elaiopoulos Michail
Published: March 2014

The old city center of L’Aquila is rich in historical buildings of considerable merit. On April 6
Review on treatment of premenstrual syndrome: from conventional to alternative approach
Authors: Verma Rohit Kumar , Chellappan Dinesh Kumar , Pandey Awanish Kumar
Published: March 2014

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the most common problem associated with women’s health. Most women take alternative therapies for the treatment of PMS along with conventional therapies. A literature search was conducted which investigated various conventional and alternative therapies for the treatment of PMS. Web- and manual-based literature surveys were conducted to assess the information available on conventional and alternative treatment of PMS. Pubmed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases were screened, using the terms ‘PMS and its management’, ‘pharmacotherapy of PMS’, ‘Alternative therapies for the treatment of PMS’. Publications with abstract/full articles and books were reviewed. Based on the available literature, there have been randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and high levels of evidence studies. The review addressed that drosperinone with ethinylestradiol has shown great improvement in symptoms of PMS in various RCTs. Among the alternative therapies use of micronutrients and herbs were found effective in treatment for symptoms of PMS.
A comparative study to evaluate the cardiovascular risk of selective and nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COX-Is) in arthritic patients
Authors: Bhosale Uma A. , Quraishi Nilofar , Yegnanarayan Radha , Devasthale Dileep
Published: March 2014

Background: During the past 2 years, a great deal of evaluation has been accomplished on the cardiovascular (CV) effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nonselective and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (COX-2-Is). Clinical trial databases for nonselective and selective COX-2-Is have shown variable effects on CV risk. There is much controversy regarding the CV safety of these selective and nonselective COX inhibitors (COX-Is). This study was therefore conducted to assess and compare the CV risk of COX-Is in arthritic patients over a period of time.

Methods: In this prospective comparative study, adult arthritics of either sex who were freshly diagnosed or taking COX-Is for <3 months were included. Patients were grouped into nonselective and selective COX-2-I groups with reference to the treatment they received, whereas arthritics with no history of COX-I treatment were included as controls. CV risk factors like blood pressure (BP), blood sugar level (BSL), lipid profile, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed and compared; the demography of CV risk factors was also studied. Data obtained were analyzed with Student’s t-test using OpenEpi statistical software (Andrew G. Dean and Kevin M. Sullivan, Atlanta, GA, USA).

Results: The study clearly revealed that all NSAIDs exhibit potential CV risk; however, selective COX-2-Is were found to exhibit more CV risk. BMI, BP and lipid profile, the potential CV risk factors, showed significant impairment in a selective COX-2-I group: p<0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively, vs. baseline and p<0.05 for BMI and triglycerides vs. nonselective COX-Is.

Conclusions: This study depicts the impending CV risk of selective COX-2-Is and confirms and reevaluates the results of earlier studies in this regard.
Tests for Price Endogeneity in Differentiated Product Models
Authors: Kim Kyoo il , Petrin Amil
Published: March 2014

We develop simple tests for endogenous prices arising from omitted demand factors in discrete choice models. Our approach only requires one to locate testing proxies that have some correlation with the omitted factors when prices are endogenous. We use the difference between prices and their predicted values given observed demand and supply factors. If prices are exogenous, these proxies should not explain demand given prices and other explanatory variables. We reject exogeneity if these proxies enter significantly in utility as additional explanatory variables. The tests are easy to implement as we show with several Monte Carlos and discuss for three recent demand applications.
On the Robustness of Coefficient Estimates to the Inclusion of Proxy Variables
Authors: Bollinger Christopher R. , Minier Jenny
Published: March 2014

This paper considers the use of multiple proxy measures for an unobserved variable and contrasts the approach taken in the measurement error literature to that of the model specification literature. We find that including all available proxy variables in the regression minimizes the bias on coefficients of correctly measured variables in the regression. We derive a set of bounds for all parameters in the model, and compare these results to extreme bounds analysis. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the performance of our bounds relative to extreme bounds. We conclude with an empirical example from the cross-country growth literature in which human capital is measured through three proxy variables: literacy rates, and enrollment in primary and secondary school, and show that our approach yields results that contrast sharply with extreme bounds analysis.
Mathematical Foci
Authors: Correa Romar
Published: March 2014

We address the converse of a Wald–Vorob'ev theorem. In a non
cooperative game, if the strategy set of any individual player is
precompact, we show that the strategy sets of all the other players is
precompact.
TEM study of Green Rust Sodium Sulphate (GRNa,SO4) Interacted with Neptunyl Ions (NpO2
+)
Authors: Bach David , Christiansen Bo C. , Schild Dieter , Geckeis Horst
Published: March 2014

Green rust (GR) as sodium sulphate form, NaFe(II)6Fe(III)3(OH)18(SO4)2 · 12H2O, is reacted with
an aqueous solution of neptunyl ions (NpO2
+) and the resulting Np(IV) solid phase is investigated at a nanometer scale
by different transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), high-angle annular
dark-field scanning TEM (HAADF-STEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and electron energy-loss spectroscopy
(EELS). The aim of the analyses is to achieve insight into the potential immobilization mechanism for Np(V) in the context of
safety assessment of a nuclear-waste repository. The neptunium is found to be immobilized at the edge of the green rust
platelets, in a rim composed of nanocrystallites about 2–3.5 nm in size. The EELS results and more particularly
the HRTEM findings are consistent with NpO2 crystallizing in a fluorite-type structure. Furthermore, the Np-O4,5
edges recorded by EELS at the Np(IV) phase are presented, expanding the EELS-data set currently available in the literature for
Np.
Erbium-169 labeled hydroxyapatite particulates for use in radiation synovectomy of digital joints – a preliminary investigation
Authors: Chakraborty Sudipta , Das Tapas , Chirayil Viju , Lohar Sharad P. , Sarma Haladhar Dev
Published: March 2014

Erbium-169 [T
1/2 = 9.4 d, E

β( 
max 
) = 342 keV (45%) and 351 keV
(55%), E

γ
 = 110.5 KeV (0.0014%)] is the most preferred radionuclide for radiation synovectomy
(RSV) of digital joints. Radiolabeled particulates of appropriate size, wherein the radionuclide is irreversibly attached to the
preformed particles, offer distinct advantages as the radiopharmaceuticals for use in RSV over other radiotherapeutic agents in terms
of minimal leakage of radioactivity from the joint cavity. Hyroxyapatite (HA) particles, regarded as one of the most suitable carrier
moiety for radiosynoviortheses applications, have been envisaged for labeling with 169Er with an aim to developing an agent
for RSV of digital joints. Erbium-169 was produced with a specific activity of 415 ± 23 MBq/mg and radionuclidic purity of
99.22 ± 0.17% (both at the end of bombardment) by thermal neutron irradiation of enriched (98.2% in
168Er) erbium target at a flux of ∼ 8 · 1013 n/cm2 s for 21 d. HA particles
(1–10 micrometer size),
synthesized in-house, were labeled with 169Er in high yield and radiochemical purity
(> 99%) using 5 mg of HA particulates at pH 7.5. The radiolabeled particulates showed excellent in vitro
stability in normal saline and human serum. Biodistribution and imaging studies (using 171Er-HA) carried out in normal
Wistar rats following intra-articular injection of 169Er-HA particulates in the knee joint showed near-complete retention
of injected radioactivity within the synovial cavity with almost no activity leaching out to the other organs/tissue.
Hexachlorocyclohexane: persistence, toxicity and decontamination
Authors: Nayyar Namita , Sangwan Naseer , Kohli Puneet , Verma Helianthous , Kumar Roshan , Negi Vivek , Oldach Phoebe , Mahato Nitish Kumar , Gupta Vipin , Lal Rup
Published: March 2014

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), a persistent organochlorine insecticide, has been extensively used in the past for control of agricultural pests and vector borne diseases. The use of HCH has indeed accrued benefits, however the unusual production of the insecticidal isomer; γ-HCH (lindane) and unregulated disposal of HCH muck has created various dumpsites all over the world, leading to serious environmental concerns. HCH isomers have been ranked as possible human carcinogens and endocrine disruptors with proven teratogenic, mutagenic and genotoxic effects, hence making its decontamination mandatory. Efforts in this direction have led to the isolation of various HCH degrading bacteria from the dumpsites, reflecting their role in HCH bioremediation. This review summarizes the problem of environmental persistence of HCH isomers along with their toxicity and possible solutions for their decontamination.
The comparison of microstructure and oxidation behaviors of (SiC-C)/PyC/SiC and C/PyCHT/SiC composites in air
Authors: Liu Shanhua , Zhang Litong , Yin Xiaowei , Liu Yongsheng , Cheng Laifei , Li Hui , Zhao Chunnian , Guan Kang
Published: March 2014

Silicon carbide matrix composite reinforced by both SiC and carbon fibers [(SiC-C)/PyC/SiC] to alleviate the thermal residual stresses (TRS) between carbon fiber and SiC matrix, then reduce the microcracks in the SiC coating as well as in the matrix, was fabricated by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process. Compared with C/PyC
Court Officials at Umma in Ur III Times
Authors: Molina Manuel
Published: March 2014

The present paper aims at investigating the role of court officials in the judicial system of Umma during the Ur III period. For this purpose, a prosopographical study of judges, commissioners, military men, merchants, and other members of the royal, provincial and local administrations has been made. In conclusion, a judicial system with the governor as the highest authority, but with a strong presence of the royal administration, and particularly of the military, is sketched.
“Era of Unrest” and Uruk Prebendaries in the Light of a New Document
Authors: Zawadzki Stefan
Published: March 2014

The published document, although it is undated and presents a corrupted copy of the original tablet (with one or two lines missing), is important because it can be safely dated to the ‘era of unrest’ (ca. 626–619 BC) and it gives insight into the prebendary system at the outset of the Neo-Babylonian empire.
Functional Network Architecture Predicts Psychologically Mediated Analgesia Related to Treatment in Chronic Knee Pain Patients
Authors: Hashmi Javeria Ali , Kong Jian , Spaeth Rosa , Khan Sheraz , Kaptchuk Ted J. , Gollub Randy L.
Published: March 2014

Placebo analgesia is an indicator of how efficiently the brain translates psychological signals conveyed by a treatment procedure into pain relief. It has been demonstrated that functional connectivity between distributed brain regions predicts placebo analgesia in chronic back pain patients. Greater network efficiency in baseline brain networks may allow better information transfer and facilitate adaptive physiological responses to psychological aspects of treatment. Here, we theorized that topological network alignments in resting state scans predict psychologically conditioned analgesic responses to acupuncture treatment in chronic knee osteoarthritis pain patients (n= 45). Analgesia was induced by building positive expectations toward acupuncture treatment with verbal suggestion and heat pain conditioning on a test site of the arm. This procedure induced significantly more analgesia after sham or real acupuncture on the test site than in a control site. The psychologically conditioned analgesia was invariant to sham versus real treatment. Efficiency of information transfer within local networks calculated with graph-theoretic measures (local efficiency and clustering coefficients) significantly predicted conditioned analgesia. Clustering coefficients in regions associated with memory, motivation, and pain modulation were closely involved in predicting analgesia. Moreover, women showed higher clustering coefficients and marginally greater pain reduction than men. Overall, analgesic response to placebo cues can be predicted from a priori resting state data by observing local network topology. Such low-cost synchronizations may represent preparatory resources that facilitate subsequent performance of brain circuits in responding to adaptive environmental cues. This suggests a potential utility of network measures in predicting placebo response for clinical use.