bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing specialist outreach and support services to rural populations in the Eden and Central Karoo districts of the Western Cape
Authors: Schoevers Johan , Jenkins Louis 
Published: April 2015

Background: Access to health care often depends on where one lives. Rural populations have significantly poorer health outcomes than their urban counterparts. Specialist outreach to rural communities is one way of improving access to care. A multifaceted style of outreach improves access and health outcomes, whilst a shifted outpatients style only improves access. In principle, stakeholders agree that specialist outreach and support (O&S) to rural populations is necessary. In practice, however, factors influence whether or not O&S reaches its goals, affecting sustainability.Aim and setting: Our aim was to better understand factors associated with the success or failure of specialist O&S to rural populations in the Eden and Central Karoo districts in the Western Cape.Methods: An anonymous parallel three-stage Delphi process was followed to obtain consensus in a specialist and district hospital panel.Results: Twenty eight specialist and 31 district hospital experts were invited, with response rates of 60.7% – 71.4% and 58.1% – 74.2% respectively across the three rounds. Relationships, communication and planning were found to be factors feeding into a service delivery versus capacity building tension, which affects the efficiency of O&S. The success of the O&S programme is dependent on a site-specific model that is acceptable to both the outreaching specialists and the hosting district hospital.Conclusion: Good communication, constructive feedback and improved planning may improve relationships and efficiency, which might lead to a more sustainable and mutually beneficial O&S system.
Non-allopathic adjuvant management of osteoarthritis by alkalinisation of the diet
Authors: Van Velden David P. , Reuter Helmuth , Kidd Martin , Müller F. Otto 
Published: April 2015

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs recommended for treatment have serious adverse effects. A compelling body of anecdotal evidence alerted the authors to the therapeutic potential of dietary supplementation with Multiforce® (MF) Alkaline Powder for relief of OA symptoms.Aim: The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with MF relieves clinical signs and symptoms of OA of the hands.Setting: The study was done at the MEDSAC hospital in Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa.Methods: The research was conducted in two stages. An open interventional study (n = 40) confirmed the notion that MF 7.5 g twice daily is likely to be an effective alternative or adjunct for relief of symptoms of OA of the hands. The main study was conducted with 100 eligible, consenting volunteers (aged 47–89 years) according to a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Study duration was 56 days, 28 days per regimen; crossover to alternate regimens took place on day 28.Results: Compared to placebo, MF intake over 28 days was associated with significant reductions ( p < 0.005) in pain, tenderness and stiffness of interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand. Confirmation of systemic alkalinisation by MF, which is rich in organic anions in the form of citrate salts, was reflected by a significant and sustained increase in urine pH.Conclusion: A dietary supplement, Multiforce® Alkaline Powder, containing citrate salts which are converted into bicarbonate in vivo, was efficacious and safe as sole therapeutic intervention, significantly attenuating OA-associated signs and symptoms of the hands.
Combination of Rotational Atherothrombectomy and Paclitaxel-Coated Angioplasty for Femoropopliteal Occlusion
Authors: Scheer F , Lüdtke CW , Kamusella P , Wiggermann P , Vieweg H , Schlöricke E , Lichtenberg M , Andresen R , Wissgott C 
Published: April 2015

Objective The rotational atherothrombectomy with Straub Rotarex® is a safe and efficient treatment of acute/subactute vascular occlusions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of paclitaxel-coated angioplasty after rotational atherothrombectomy over an observation period of six months. Materials and Methods Overall, 29 patients were treated with the Rotarex catheter in combination with paclitaxel-coated angioplasty. All patients had acute/subacute and chronic occlusions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and/or popliteal arteries. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was detected before the intervention, after the procedure, and after six months. Also clinical examination and ultrasound scans were done in the observation period. Results There were no technical failures. The ABI shows a significant increase from 0.52 ± 0.17 to 0.91 ± 0.25 in the follow-up. By ultrasound examination, there were found two (6.9%) restenoses during the follow-up. There was one dissection during the intervention (3.5%). Conclusion The rotational atherothrombectomy in combination with paclitaxel-coated angioplasty might be an effective and safe method with a promising low rate of restenosis at six months.
Characterizing flowability of granular materials by onset of jamming in orifice flows
Authors: Mort Paul 
Published: April 2015

This paper describes methods to measure flow rate and jamming onset of granules discharged through a flat-bottom cylindrical hopper with a circular orifice. The intrinsic jamming onset for ideal particles (spherical, monodisperse, smooth) is experimentally measured by two independent methods, with good agreement. For non-ideal particles, the normalized jamming onset increases with elongated granule shape, broadened size distribution and increased friction as measured by the drained angle of repose. An empirical model of the jamming onset is introduced to quantify these effects over the range of materials investigated. The jamming onset can be used as a measure of differentiation between relatively free-flowing granules.Received: 17 Novembre 2014, Accepted: 2 March 2015; Edited by: L. A. Pugnaloni; Reviewed by: G. Lumay, University of Liège, Belgium; DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.4279/PIP.070004Cite as: P Mort, Papers in Physics 7, 070004 (2015)This paper, by Paul Mort, is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0.
Football Italia
Authors: Doidge Mark 
Published: April 2015

Football has undergone a period of transformation over the last thirty years. Despite these global processes, different national leagues have adapted in different ways. After an initial period of success directly after Italia ’90, Italian football has gone through a period of sustained crisis. It has been blighted by financial mismanagement, corruption scandals and fan violence. This has impacted Italy’s ability to compete on a global stage.
Football Italia accounts for the development of Italian football in relation to the wider global transformations impacting football and addresses the reasons for Serie A’s initial success and current malaise. Theoretically, this book locates Italian football within the wider power network of the state and how this has impacted political engagement. After an historical overview of the Italian political economy, Football Italia highlights how football is part of the wider political network. Football clubs are owned by powerful businessmen (and they are all men) who are also politicians. This centralisation of power within a small hegemonic group inhibits change. Within this broader structure, wider corruption scandals continue; from regular match-fixing scandals to doping. Meanwhile, stadiums are crumbling and police over-aggressive. It is within this context that we must place the fans. Both the ultras and supporters who attend official supporters’ clubs are disaffected and without the power to change the status quo. Consequently, Italian football has been in decline throughout the 21st century.
The impact of current CH4 and N2O atmospheric loss process uncertainties on calculated ozone abundances and trends
Authors: Fleming Eric L. , George Christian , Heard Dwayne E. , Jackman Charles H. , Kurylo Michael J. , Mellouki Wahid , Orkin Vladimir L. , Swartz William H. , Wallington Timothy J. , Wine Paul H. , Burkholder James B. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe atmospheric loss processes of N2O and CH4, their estimated uncertainties, lifetimes, and impacts on ozone abundance and long‐term trends are examined using atmospheric model calculations and updated kinetic and photochemical parameters and uncertainty factors from Stratospheric Processes and their Role in Climate (SPARC) (2013). The uncertainty ranges in calculated N2O and CH4 global lifetimes computed using the SPARC estimated uncertainties are reduced by nearly a factor of 2 compared with uncertainties from Sander et al. (2011). Uncertainties in CH4 loss due to reaction with OH and O(1D) have relatively small impacts on present‐day global total ozone (±0.2–0.5%). Uncertainty in the Cl + CH4 reaction affects the amount of chlorine in radical versus reservoir forms and has a modest impact on present‐day southern hemisphere (SH) polar ozone (~±6%) and on the rate of past ozone decline and future recovery. Uncertainty in the total rate coefficient for the O(1D) + N2O reaction results in a substantial range in present‐day stratospheric odd nitrogen (±20–25%) and global total ozone (±1.5–2.5%). Uncertainty in the O(1D) + N2O reaction branching ratio for the O2 + N2 and 2NO product channels results in moderate impacts on odd nitrogen (±10%) and global ozone (±1%), with uncertainty in N2O photolysis resulting in relatively small impacts (±5% in odd nitrogen, ±0.5% in global ozone). Uncertainties in the O(1D) + N2O reaction and its branching ratio also affect the rate of past global total ozone decline and future recovery, with a range in future ozone projections of ±1–1.5% by 2100, relative to present day.
Sunshine duration variability and trends in Italy from homogenized instrumental time series (1936–2013)
Authors: Manara Veronica , Beltrano Maria Carmen , Brunetti Michele , Maugeri Maurizio , Sanchez‐Lorenzo Arturo , Simolo Claudia , Sorrenti Simona 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA data set of quality checked daily sunshine duration measurements was collected from 104 Italian sites over the 1936 to 2013 period. Monthly mean values were homogenized, projected onto a grid, and subjected to principle component analysis, which identified two significantly different regions: North and South. Sunshine duration temporal evolution is presented, and possible reasons for differences between the two regions are discussed in the light of a comparison with the trends found in observations of total cloud cover and with results from two neighboring regions: the Alps and Spain. In addition, trends for irradiance records, estimated from sunshine duration records using the Ångström‐Prescott formula, are presented too. The major feature of the trends, an increase in sunshine duration from the mid‐1980s, was common to both northern and southern Italy; the decrease in the preceding 30 year period was not, as northern Italy had a lower rate of decrease than southern Italy. The few records available during the earliest period of the data set indicate that sunshine duration in Italy increased from the mid‐1930s to the mid‐1950s. The further steps needed to identify and quantify the mechanisms giving rise to the observed trends and to the reported regional differences in dimming and brightening are outlined.
Cloud microphysical relationships and their implication on entrainment and mixing mechanism for the stratocumulus clouds measured during the VOCALS project
Authors: Yum Seong Soo , Wang Jian , Liu Yangang , Senum Gunnar , Springston Stephen , McGraw Robert , Yeom Jae Min 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCloud microphysical data obtained from G‐1 aircraft flights over the southeastern Pacific during the Variability of the American Monsoon Systems Ocean‐Cloud‐Atmosphere‐Land Study Regional Experiment field campaign were analyzed for evidence of entrainment mixing of dry air from above cloud top. Mixing diagram analysis was made for the horizontal flight data recorded at 1 Hz and 40 Hz. The dominant observed feature, a positive relationship between cloud droplet mean volume (V) and liquid water content (L), suggested occurrence of homogeneous mixing. On the other hand, estimation of the relevant scale parameters (i.e., transition length scale and transition scale number) consistently indicated inhomogeneous mixing. Importantly, the flight altitudes of the measurements were significantly below cloud top. We speculate that mixing of the entrained air near the cloud top may have indeed been inhomogeneous; but due to vertical circulation mixing, the correlation between V and L became positive at the measurement altitudes in midlevel of clouds, because during their descent, cloud droplets evaporate, faster in more diluted cloud parcels, leading to a positive correlation between V and L regardless of the mixing mechanism near the cloud top.
Detectability of historical trends in station‐based precipitation characteristics over the continental United States
Authors: Anderson Bruce T. , Gianotti Daniel J. , Salvucci Guido D. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to detect secular trends in observed, station‐based precipitation variations and extreme event occurrences over the United States. By definition, detectable trends are those that are unlikely to have arisen from internal variability alone. To represent this internal variability, we use station‐specific, seasonally varying, daily time scale stationary stochastic weather models—models in which the simulated interannual‐to‐multidecadal precipitation variance is purely the result of the random evolution of daily precipitation events within a given time period—to first estimate the trends in various means and extremes that can occur even with fixed, climatological daily precipitation characteristics. Detection of secular trends in the observed climate—whether naturally or anthropogenically induced—can then be defined relative to this stochastic variability, i.e., as trends in the means and/or extremes that are likely to have occurred only through a change in the underlying precipitation characteristics. The derived results have two important ramifications. First, they identify “hot spot” regions in which trends in precipitation characteristics are already emerging from within the envelope of stochastic variability, including (but not limited to) positive trends in annual occurrence across most of the U.S. and positive trends in annual intensity and heavy‐event accumulations across the Interior Plains and around the Great Lakes. Further, they identify “sentinel” metrics which show the greatest detectability—e.g., annual precipitation occurrence and intensity—as well as those which show the least detectability and hence are unlikely to produce any statistically meaningful signals—e.g., seasonal total precipitation and extremes.
Performance assessment of lower VHF band for short‐range communication and geolocation applications
Authors: Dagefu Fikadu T. , Choi Jihun , Sheikhsofla Morteza , Sadler Brian M. , Sarabandi Kamal 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe focus of this paper is to characterize near‐ground wave propagation in the lower very high frequency (VHF) band and to assess advantages that this frequency band offers for reliable short‐range low‐data rate communications and geolocation applications in highly cluttered environments as compared to conventional systems in the microwave range. With the advent of palm‐sized miniaturized VHF antennas, interest in low‐power and low‐frequency communication links is increasing because (1) channel complexity is far less in this frequency band compared to higher frequencies and (2) significant signal penetration through/over obstacles is possible at this frequency. In this paper, we quantify the excess path loss and small‐scale fading at the lower VHF and the 2.4 GHz bands based on short‐range measurements in various environments. We consider indoor‐to‐indoor, outdoor‐to‐indoor, and non‐line‐of‐sight outdoor measurements and compare the results with measurements at higher frequencies which are used in conventional systems (i.e., 2.4 GHz). Propagation measurements at the lower VHF band are carried out by using an electrically small antenna to assess the possibility of achieving a miniaturized, mobile system for near‐ground communication. For each measurement scenario considered, path loss and small‐scale fading are characterized after calibrating the differences in the systems used for measurements at different frequencies, including variations in antenna performance.
Modification of turbulent dissipation rates by a deep Southern Ocean eddy
Authors: Sheen K. L. , Brearley J. A. , Naveira Garabato A. C. , Smeed D. A. , Laurent L. St. , Meredith M. P. , Thurnherr A. M. , Waterman S. N. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe impact of a mesoscale eddy on the magnitude and spatial distribution of diapycnal ocean mixing is investigated using a set of hydrographic and microstructure measurements collected in the Southern Ocean. These data sampled a baroclinic, middepth eddy formed during the disintegration of a deep boundary current. Turbulent dissipation is suppressed within the eddy but is elevated by up to an order of magnitude along the upper and lower eddy boundaries. A ray tracing approximation is employed as a heuristic device to elucidate how the internal wave field evolves in the ambient velocity and stratification conditions accompanying the eddy. These calculations are consistent with the observations, suggesting reflection of internal wave energy from the eddy center and enhanced breaking through critical layer processes along the eddy boundaries. These results have important implications for understanding where and how internal wave energy is dissipated in the presence of energetic deep geostrophic flows.
The global distribution of largest, deepest, and most intense precipitation systems
Authors: Liu Chuntao , Zipser Edward J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBy grouping the contiguous precipitating area detected by the precipitation radar on board the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) core satellite, snapshots of precipitation systems are summarized as precipitation features (PFs), and their properties are cataloged from 1 year GPM observations. These PFs are categorized by their area and depth and convective intensity based on the 20 and 40 dBZ radar echo tops, respectively. The largest PFs are found mainly over ocean at the mid‐high latitudes, especially over southern ocean. The deepest PFs are mainly over tropical land, the West Pacific Warm Pool, and the Great Plains of the United States and Argentina. The most convectively intense PFs are dominant over land regions, including midlatitude and high latitude. The zonal precipitation contribution from extremely large precipitation systems is greater in midlatitude and high latitude than in the tropics. These extreme precipitation systems are rare but contribute significantly to the global precipitation. It is important to include their impacts in global climate models to correctly describe the global water cycle.
Longriba fault zone in eastern Tibet: An important tectonic boundary marking the westernmost edge of the Yangtze block
Authors: Guo Xiaoyu , Gao Rui , Xu Xiao , Keller G. Randy , Yin An , Xiong Xiaosong 
Published: April 2015

AbstractGlobal Positioning System (GPS) measurements across eastern Tibet reveal a sharp velocity gradient zone located about 150 km west of the Longmen Shan frontal thrust zone, where eastward block motion of Tibet decreases from ~12 mm/yr to ~3 mm/yr over a distance of less than 10 km. In order to investigate the tectonic cause for this rapid change in GPS velocity, together with systematic review on the available geological and geophysical data in easternmost Tibet, we provide new constraints on the tectonic feature of the Longriba fault zone from Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar data. We propose that the NE striking Longriba fault zone is the key structure responsible for the observed sharp gradient in GPS velocities. In addition, the evidence indicates that the Longriba fault zone, instead of the Longmen Shan fault zone, marks the westernmost edge of the Yangtze crustal block. Given the irregular western margin of the Yangtze block, the Longriba fault zone represents part of the actual tectonic boundary between the Songpan‐Ganzi terrane and the Yangtze block. The newly identified western edge of the Yangtze block implies a paleocontinent‐ocean boundary at depth. This boundary was a potential weak zone and may have been exploited during the formation of the Longriba fault zone. The results of this paper should advance our understanding of the tectonic relationship between the Songpan‐Ganzi terrane and Yangtze block and provide additional constraints for studies of the geodynamic response of eastern Tibet to the ongoing India‐Eurasia collision.
Balancing water scarcity and quality for sustainable irrigated agriculture
Authors: Assouline Shmuel , Russo David , Silber Avner , Or Dani 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe challenge of meeting the projected doubling of global demand for food by 2050 is monumental. It is further exacerbated by the limited prospects for land expansion and rapidly dwindling water resources. A promising strategy for increasing crop yields per unit land requires the expansion of irrigated agriculture and the harnessing of water sources previously considered “marginal” (saline, treated effluent, and desalinated water). Such an expansion, however, must carefully consider potential long‐term risks on soil hydroecological functioning. The study provides critical analyses of use of marginal water and management approaches to map out potential risks. Long‐term application of treated effluent (TE) for irrigation has shown adverse impacts on soil transport properties, and introduces certain health risks due to the persistent exposure of soil biota to anthropogenic compounds (e.g., promoting antibiotic resistance). The availability of desalinated water (DS) for irrigation expands management options and improves yields while reducing irrigation amounts and salt loading into the soil. Quantitative models are used to delineate trends associated with long‐term use of TE and DS considering agricultural, hydrological, and environmental aspects. The primary challenges to the sustainability of agroecosystems lies with the hazards of saline and sodic conditions, and the unintended consequences on soil hydroecological functioning. Multidisciplinary approaches that combine new scientific knowhow with legislative, economic, and societal tools are required to ensure safe and sustainable use of water resources of different qualities. The new scientific knowhow should provide quantitative models for integrating key biophysical processes with ecological interactions at appropriate spatial and temporal scales.