(Un)safe routes : maternal mortality and Ethiopia's development agenda

This study juxtaposed women's experiences of birth at home in rural Ethiopia where it is 'safe' with that in a modern health care setting where it is 'unsafe' because the distance from international maternal health policy to its implementation is vast and the 'pathway to maternal survival' can be circuitous.

Many routes lead to Rome : potential causes for the multi-route migration system of Red Knots, Calidris canutus islandica

Migrants, such as birds or representatives of other taxa, usually make use of several stopover sites to cover the distance between their site of origin and destination. Potentially, multiple routes exist, but often little is known about the causes and consequences of alternative migration routes. Apart from their geographical distribution, the suitability of potential sites might play an important role in the animals’ decisions for a particular itinerary. We used an optimal-migration model to test three nonmutually exclusive hypotheses leading to variations in the spring migration routes of a subspecies of Red Knot, Calidris canutus islandica, which migrates from wintering grounds in Western Europe to breeding grounds in Greenland and the Canadian Arctic: the breeding location hypothesis, the energy budget hypothesis, and the predation risk hypothesis. Varying only breeding location, the model predicted that birds breeding in the Canadian Arctic and on West Greenland stop over on Iceland, whereas birds breeding in East and Northeast Greenland migrate via northern Norway, a prediction that is supported by empirical findings. Energy budgets on stopover sites had a strong influence on the choice of route and staging times. Varying foraging-intensity and mass-dependent predation risk prompted the birds to use less risky sites, if possible. The effect of simultaneous changes in the energy budget and predation risk strongly depended on the site where these occurred. Our findings provide potential explanations for the observations that C. canutus islandica uses a diverse array of migration routes. Scrutinizing the three alternative driving forces for the choice of migratory routes awaits further, specific data collection in rapidly developing fields of research (e.g., predation risk assessment, GPS tracking). Generally, the type of modeling presented here may not only highlight alternative explanations, but also direct follow-up empirical research.

Fidelity to foraging sites, consistency of migration routes and habitat modulation of home range by sea turtles

Aim  Resources can shape patterns of habitat utilization. Recently a broad foraging dichotomy between oceanic and coastal sites has been revealed for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Since oceanic and coastal foraging sites differ in prey availability, we might expect a gross difference in home-range size across these habitats. We tested this hypothesis by equipping nine adult male loggerhead sea turtles with GPS tracking devices. Location  National Marine Park of Zakynthos (NMPZ) Greece, central and eastern Mediterranean (Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas). Methods  In 2007, 2008 and 2009, Fastloc GPS-Argos transmitters were attached to nine male loggerheads. In addition, a Sirtrack PTT unit was attached to one male in 2007. Four of the turtles were tracked on successive years. We filtered the GPS data to ensure comparable data volumes. Route consistency between breeding and foraging sites of the four re-tracked turtles was conducted. Foraging site home range areas and within site movement patterns were investigated by the fixed kernel density method. Results  Foraging home range size ranged between circa 10 km2 at neritic habitats (coastal and open-sea on the continental shelf) to circa 1000 km2 at oceanic sites (using 90% kernel estimates), the latter most probably reflecting sparsely distributed oceanic prey. Across different years individuals did not follow exactly the same migration routes, but did show fidelity to their previous foraging sites, whether oceanic or neritic, with accurate homing in the final stages of migration. Main conclusions  The broad distribution and diverse life-history strategies of this population could complicate the identification of priority marine protected areas beyond the core breeding site.

Controlled modification of the inorganic and organic bricks in an Al-based MOF by direct and post-synthetic synthesis routes

Four new porous CAU-1 derivatives CAU-1–NH2 ([Al4(OH)2(OCH3)4(BDC–NH2)3]·xH2O, BDC–NH22− = aminoterephthalate), CAU-1–NH2(OH) ([Al4(OH)6(BDC–NH2)3]·xH2O), CAU-1–NHCH3 ([Al4(OH)2(OCH3)4(BDC–NHCH3)3]·xH2O) and CAU-1–NHCOCH3 ([Al4(OH)2(OCH3)4(BDC–NHCOCH3)3]·xH2O) all containing an octameric [Al8(OH)4+y(OCH3)8−y]12+ cluster, with y = 0–8, have been obtained by MW-assisted synthesis and post-synthetic modification. The inorganic as well as the organic unit can be modified. Heteronuclear 1H–15N, 1H–13C and homonuclear 1H–1H connectivities determined by solid-state NMR spectroscopy prove the methylation of the NH2 groups when conventional heating is used. Varying reaction times and temperatures allow controlling the degree of methylation of the amino groups. Short reaction times lead to non-methylated CAU-1 (CAU-1–NH2), while longer reaction times result in CAU-1–NHCH3. CAU-1–NH2 can be modified chemically by using acetic anhydride, and the acetamide derivative CAU-1–NHCOCH3 is obtained. Thermal treatment permits us to change the composition of the Al-containing unit. Methoxy groups are gradually exchanged by hydroxy groups at 190 °C in air. Solid-state NMR spectra unequivocally demonstrate the presence of the amino groups, as well as the successful post-synthetic modification. Furthermore 1H–1H correlation spectra using homonuclear decoupling allow the orientation of the NHCOCH3 groups within the pores to be unravelled. The influence of time and temperature on the synthesis of CAU-1 was studied by X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyses, and 1H liquid-state NMR and IR spectroscopy.

An issues paper: the roots/routes of Australian architecture: elements of an alternative architectural history

The dynamism and mobility of architects in their approach to architecturaldesign practice provides a context that emphasises that architecture, likeculture, is not static or rooted in place, but is intricately configured throughthe dual processes of locality and mobility – both physical and theoretical. Theproduction of architecture in Australia, as in other immigrant-rich societies,provides a case for reinforcing the theory that architectural mobility and travelare integral to the architecture of place.This issues paper sets out to re-examine the contribution of geo-culturalinfluences upon Australia’s architectural lineage and considers a diverse rangeof themes across an equally broad timeframe; British colonial transpositions; thedissemination of Modernism in Australia; the latent contribution of mid-twentiethcentury European émigré architects; and the secreted history of Australia’sAsian architecture. Common to all, however, is the notion of architecturaltranslation as a process of influences transmitted, transposed or adapted toother contexts. It uses Australia as the focus from which to consider how globalcriticism, ideas and theories have travelled and continue to travel transverselyacross time and place, from the late-eighteenth century well into the twenty-first.This paper investigates translations through narratives, processes, networks andtraces of architectural manifestations and begins to draw lines of influence.

New walking and cycling routes and increased physical activity: one- and 2-year findings from the UK iConnect study

We evaluated the effects of providing new high-quality, traffic-free routes for walking and cycling on overall levels of walking, cycling, and physical activity.

Prediction of pedestrians routes within a built environment in normal conditions

Modelling and prediction of pedestrian routing behaviours within known built environments has recently attracted the attention of researchers across multiple disciplines, owing to the growing demand on urban resources and requirements for efficient use of public facilities. This study presents an investigation into pedestrians' routing behaviours within an indoor environment under normal, non-panic situations. A network-based method using constrained Delaunay triangulation is adopted, and a utility-based model employing dynamic programming is developed. The main contribution of this study is the formulation of an appropriate utility function that allows an effective application of dynamic programming to predict a series of consecutive waypoints within a built environment. The aim is to generate accurate sequence waypoints for the pedestrian walking path using only structural definitions of the environment as defined in a standard CAD format. The simulation results are benchmarked against those from the A* algorithm, and the outcome positively indicates the usefulness of the proposed method in predicting pedestrians' route selection activities. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Possible Migration Routes Through Maine by Vernal Migrants

In this study we evaluate the possibility of two routes of migration into the state of Maine. The first possible route would be for migrants to continue along the coast, north of the Maine/New Hampshire border, and later swinging inland across the interior. The second path is for migrants who come up the east coast and straight into Maine, spreading across the state as they move north. In order to evaluate these possible routes we utilize a citizen-science project that measures the spring arrival dates of migrants according to the biophysical regions of Maine (Wilson 2007). Independent t-Tests and maps indicate that there is a trend of birds continuing along the coast before moving inland; six of the nine species show this pattern. Of the nine birds studied, only the eastern phoebe showed a significant trend of moving directly inland and moving across the state. Two birds show non-significant patterns of migration which could indicate insufficient data, or random migration patterns. The results are not conclusive because several of the biophysical regions have less reporting, and so the relationships among regions regarding arrival dates are skewed. Continued data collection and analysis is recommended.

Draft Proposed Public Transportation Routes for Waterville, ME

Currently, there is a public bus transportation route in Waterville, Maine. However, this system could be improved. Our goal was to use GIS to find optimal public transportation routes throughout the city based on given points of interest and high population density areas. Three different groups of points of interest were created in the North, West, and South sections of Waterville. Using the Network Analyst tool, which calculates optimal routes, using existing street data, based on the input of stops, barriers, and impedance, we ran an analysis of what we thought would be the routes that best served the greatest number of people. Two different sets of routes were found: one with length as the impedance (the shortest length between the selected stops was favored), and one with population density as the impedance (the roads with the highest population density were favored). Finally, the times of the resulting routes (given a constant speed limit of 25 mph) were calculated and evaluated.

Effects of meloxicam administered by different routes to control experimental uveitis in dogs

Foram estudados os efeitos do meloxicam, aplicado por diferentes vias, em uveítes experimentais em cães. Realizou-se paracentese de câmara anterior em dois momentos (M0 e M1), com intervalo de cinco horas entre si. em M0 e M1, foram coletados 0,2mL de humor aquoso e determinou-se a concentração de proteína total e de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2). Constituíram-se quatro grupos (n=5), que receberam meloxicam ao final de M0 pelas vias subcutânea (GI), subconjuntival (GII) e tópica (GIII). Um quarto grupo não recebeu tratamento (Controle). Procedeu-se à avaliação histopatológica nos indivíduos do GII. Os resultados foram avaliados estatisticamente (p≤0,05). em todos os grupos, encontrou-se aumento significativo dos níveis protéicos e de PGE2 em M1. Não se observou diferença significativa, em M1, entre os grupos para nenhum dos parâmetros estudados. Exsudado inflamatório de caráter agudo e hemorragia discreta foram vistos à histopatologia após a aplicação do meloxicam. O meloxicam foi ineficaz em inibir a síntese de PGE2 e o influxo de proteínas para a câmara anterior, por qualquer uma das vias testadas.

Effects of carprofen administered by different routes to control experimental uveitis in dogs

Estudaram-se os efeitos do carprofeno, aplicado por diferentes vias, em uveítes experimentais em cães. Realizou-se paracentese de câmara anterior em dois momentos (M0 e M1), com intervalo de cinco horas entre si. em M0 e M1, colheram-se 0,2mL de humor aquoso e determinaram-se as concentrações de proteína total e de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2). Constituíram-se quatro grupos (n = 8), que receberam carprofeno ao final de M0 pelas vias subcutânea (GI), subconjuntival (GII) e tópica (GIII). Um quarto grupo não recebeu tratamento (controle). Procedeu-se à avaliação histopatológica nos indivíduos do GII. em todos os grupos, encontrou-se aumento significativo dos níveis proteicos e de PGE2 em M1. Não se observou diferença significativa, em M1, entre os grupos para nenhum dos parâmetros estudados. Exsudado inflamatório de caráter agudo e hemorragia discreta foram vistos à histopatologia após a aplicação do fármaco. O carprofeno foi ineficaz em inibir a síntese de PGE2 e o influxo de proteínas para a câmara anterior, por qualquer uma das vias testadas. Contudo, a redução de 44% nos níveis de proteínas (via tópica), sugere que por esta via ele pode ser utilizado como adjuvante no controle da uveíte em cães.

Development on polymeric precursor routes to produce superconducting nanoparticles

The well-known polymeric precursor route is a simple and low-cost sol-gel method based on the preparation of an aqueous precursor solution of metals followed by the addition of a water-soluble polymer. This method consists of a polyesterification process between a metal chelate complex by using a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a polyhydroxy alcohol. In this work, citric acid (CA), tartaric acid (TA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are used as the hydroxycarboxylic acid and ethylene glycol (EG) is used as the polyhydroxy alcohol. The effects of the precursor pH solution, time and temperature of polymerization step as well as the combination of different chelating agents in order to obtain nanoscopic YBa2Cu3Oy samples were traced. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimisation of environmental gas cleaning routes for solid wastes cogeneration systems. Part II - Analysis of waste incineration combined gas/steam cycle

In the first paper of this paper (Part I), conditions were presented for the gas cleaning technological route for environomic optimisation of a cogeneration system based in a thermal cycle with municipal solid waste incineration. In this second part, an environomic analysis is presented of a cogeneration system comprising a combined cycle composed of a gas cycle burning natural gas with a heat recovery steam generator with no supplementary burning and a steam cycle burning municipal solid wastes (MSW) to which will be added a pure back pressure steam turbine (another one) of pure condensation. This analysis aims to select, concerning some scenarios, the best atmospheric pollutant emission control routes (rc) according to the investment cost minimisation, operation and social damage criteria. In this study, a comparison is also performed with the results obtained in the Case Study presented in Part I. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.