Last Week Of November Research Articles

The 100 most-cited papers in general thoracic surgery: A bibliography analysis

BackgroundThe status of citations can reflect the impact of a paper and its contribution to surgical practice. The aim of our study was to identify and review the 100 most-cited papers in general thoracic surgery. Materials and methodsRelevant papers on general thoracic surgery were searched through Thomson Reuters Web of Science in the last week of November 2017. Results were returned in descending order of total citations. Their titles and abstracts were reviewed to identify whether they met our inclusion criteria by two thoracic surgeons independently. Characteristics of the first 100 papers, including title, journal name, country, first author, year of publication, total citations, citations in latest 5 years and average citation per year (ACY) were extracted and analyzed. ResultsOf the 100 papers, the mean number of citations was 322 with a range from 184 to 921. 19 journals published the papers from 1956 to 2012. Annals of Surgery had the largest number (29), followed by Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (22) and Annals of Thoracic Surgery (21). The majority of the papers were published in 2000s (48) and originated from United States of America (62). There were 65 retrospective studies, 13 RCTs and 11 prospective studies. Orringer MB and Grillo HC contributed 4 first-author articles respectively. There were 53 papers on esophagus, 36 on lung, 6 on pleura and 5 on trachea. ConclusionsOur study identified the most-cited papers in the past several decades and offered insights into the development and advances of general thoracic surgery. It can help us understand the evidential basis of clinical decision-making today in the area.

Agro Climatic Characterization in the Selected Woredas of Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Agro-climatic characterization of western Oromia was performed using indigenous knowledge and historical meteorological data indices in a statistical software. Rainfall and temperature of selected meteorological stations representing different Agro-ecological zones (lowland, midland and highland) of western Oromia were analyzed on annual, seasonal and monthly time scales using long period data. Quantitative data were analyzed through SPSS and qualitative data through content analysis. Instant Statistical Packages for Agro-climatological data was used in analyzing the 30 years meteorological data of western Oromia meteorological stations. This study looks at growing season dates in terms of dry spell lengths, onset, cessation and length of growing season among others using INSTAT software. The spatial distributions of different annual and seasonal rainfall variables were mapped. A survey research design was used, and data collected through focus group discussions, questionnaires and key informant interviews. Simple random and purposive sampling methods were used, where 210 small scale farmers and 30 key informants from western Oromia participated. The study conducted surveys of 210 households in the selected woredas of Western Oromia to characterize the agro climate of smallholder farmers. Rainfall, minimum temperature and maximum temperature data of western Oromia (1980-2014) were analyzed to assess agro-climatic characterization and climatic trend of the area. The rainfall and temperature data over the western Oromia are analyzed on an annual basis using historical datasets. Over western Oromia, the observed average total annual rainfall showed a significant decreasing trend (43.67 mm per decade) in the last 30 years analysis period, with a relatively large inter-annual variability, while the maximum, mean and minimum temperatures have increased at a rate of 0.22°C and 0.21 8°C per decade, respectively. The study revealed that most significant change has been unpredictable rains (60.48%), very hot season (20.95%) and prolonged drought (14.29%). The historical climate results across the selected stations shown that a late start has an early end of rainfall hence a short growing season observed. Farmers’ perceived late on set of rain, poor distribution within the season, and sometimes early cessation. Local community perceived the onset date of Kiremt (Ganna) rainfall of study area was on the first week of May and the cessation date of Kiremt rainfall starting from the last week of November over the last 20 years. But, the historical climate results show the onset date of the growing season was in the early June and the cessation date of Kiremt rainfall on the mid October. Therefore, Knowledge on the date of onset and cessation rains and length of growing period (LGP) will help to plan the agricultural operations better, particularly, land preparation and sowing.

Modeling identifies optimal fall planting times and irrigation requirements for canola and camelina at locations across California

In California, Brassica oilseeds may be viable crops for growers to diversify their cool-season crop options, helping them adapt to projected climate change and irrigation water shortages. Field trials have found germination and establishment problems in some late-planted canola, but not camelina at the same locations. We used computer modeling to analyze fall seedbed conditions to better understand this phenomenon. We found seedbeds may be too dry, too cold, or both, to support germination of canola during late fall. Based on seedbed temperatures only, canola should be sown no later than the last week of November in the Central Valley. Camelina has broader temperature and moisture windows for germination and can be sown from October to December with less risk, but yields of camelina are lower than canola yields. In areas without irrigation, growers could plant canola opportunistically when seedbed conditions are favorable and use camelina as a fallback option.

Effect of the Holiday Season on Weight Gain: A Narrative Review.

Several studies suggest that the holiday season, starting from the last week of November to the first or second week of January, could be critical to gaining weight. This study aims to review the literature to determine the effects of the holidays on body weight. In studies of adults, a significant weight gain was consistently observed during this period (0.4 to 0.9 kg, p < 0.05). The only study in college students found an effect on body fat but not on weight (0.1 kg, p = 0.71). The only study found in children did not show an effect on BMI percentile (−0.4%, p > 0.05) during this period. Among individuals with obesity who attempt to lose weight, an increase in weight was observed (0.3 to 0.9 kg, significant in some but not in all studies), as well as increase in weight in motivated self-monitoring people (0.4 to 0.6%, p < 0.001). Programs focused on self-monitoring during the holidays (phone calls and daily mailing) appeared to prevent weight gain, but information is limited. The holiday season seems to increase body weight in adults, even in participants seeking to lose weight and in motivated self-monitoring people, whereas in children, adolescents, and college students, very few studies were found to make accurate conclusions.

Influence of sowing time on performance of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different linseed varieties (Binwa, Himani, Baner and Nagarkot) during different time of sowing (last week of October, first week of November and last week of November). Among different times of sowing, the crop sown during first week of November and last week of October being at par with each other had recorded significantly higher plant stand, more plant height and higher number ofsecondary branches/plant and capsules/plant, which have contributed in getting significantly higher seed yield and economic return over November last week sown crop. The increase of 37.6 and 35.0 per cent in seed yield and ` 5110 and 4281/ha in net returns were obtained when sowing was done during first week of November and last week of October, respectively over crop sown on last week of November. Among varieties, Nagarkot has recorded significantly highest plant population/ha, which was followed by Himani and Baner varieties. Nagarkot was found to significantly superior for recording higher number of primary and secondary branches and Himani for number of capsules/plant, which have resulted higher seed yield of 1062 and 1012 kg/ha and economic parameters (B:C ratio of 1.62 and 1.50) with Himani and Nagarkot varieties, respectively.

Early harvest of monsoon rice to address seasonal hunger in northwest Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a high global hunger index with grave impacts of seasonal hunger. Short duration varieties (SDV) and direct seeding of rice (DSR) were introduced to farmers in NW Bangladesh during the monsoon season or kharif-2 to overcome seasonal hunger or monga. These technology options allow early harvest, which increased household food security and livelihood opportunities during and beyond the hunger season. The farmers who used short duration varieties and/or direct seeding were able to harvest three weeks earlier than those who used the traditional practice of long duration varieties and transplanting. More than 70 % of the SDV_DSR farmers completed harvest by mid-October, and all had done so by the end of October, whereas fewer than 5 % of farmers who grew long duration rice varieties that were transplanted, had harvested within the monga period, with most of them (80 %) harvesting during the last week of November. Early harvesting of rice generated significant, multifaceted impacts on the lives of rice farming communities in northwest Bangladesh by increasing rice production, and providing and/or increasing income along with creating additional jobs for the landless or agriculture day laborers in the lean or monga period. We estimated that during the monsoon season, the average hired labor demand was 40 person days/ha, with around 67 % of this labor generated by SDV_DSR. Further, there were improvements in access and availability of food during deficit times of the year. These technology options for rice production could be scaled out in similar agro-environments to reduce seasonal hunger and produce positive benefits on a range of factors.

Monitoring Tamil Nadu flood of 2015 using satellite remote sensing

Satellite based remote sensing technique is used in this short communication to analyze the flood events of Tamil Nadu (TN) during November–December 2015. It is reported that few districts of TN received continuous multiday intense rainfall (in the range of 200–340 mm/day) during second week of November and first week of December. Results reveal that intense and long rainy spells during second, last week of November and first week of December resulted in heavy flooding over TN.

Safe emergency evacuation of a Tertiary Care Hospital during the "once in a century" floods in Chennai, India.

The coastal city of Chennai, India, was inundated by unprecedented heavy rains during the last week of November 2015, in what was billed as a “once in a century” floods. Over 350 people lost their lives in the floods. Global Hospital, a 250-bedded tertiary care hospital in Chennai, was heavily flooded leaving more than 100 patients and their relatives stranded inside with access totally cutoff from the rest of the world. This article describes how these patients, many in the Intensive Care Unit on ventilators, were safely managed within the hospital for over 48 h on very limited power supply and resources and then safely evacuated by fishing boats to three other city hospitals. Careful planning, anticipating hazards, identifying critical areas, effective communication and team work contributed to the successful management of this situation.

Estimation of Wheat/Rice Residue Burning Areas in Major Districts of Haryana, India, Using Remote Sensing Data

Haryana has emerged as an important state for Rice & Wheat production in India contributing significantly in the central pool. Mechanized combine harvesting technologies, which have become common in Rice Wheat System (RWS) in India, leave behind large quantities of straw in the field for open burning of residue. Besides causing pollution, the burning kills the useful micro flora of the soil causing soil degradation. There is no field survey (Girdawari) data available with the Government for the areas where stubble burning is taking place. The present paper describes the methodology and results of wheat and rice residue burning areas for three districts of Haryana namely Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Karnal for the year 2010 using complete enumeration approach of multi-date IRS-P6 AWiFS and LISS-III data. In season ground truth was collected using hand held GPS and used to identify area of burnt wheat/rice residues, associated crops and land features. After geo-referencing the satellite images, district images were masked-out and multi-date image data stacks were created. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of each date was generated and used at the time of classification along with other spectral bands. The non-agricultural classes in the image included: forest, wasteland, water bodies, urban/settlement and permanent vegetation etc. The vector of these non-agriculture classes were extracted from the land use, imported and mask was generated. During the classification non-agriculture area was excluded by using mask of these classes. From this the agricultural area could be separated out. The area was estimated by computing pixels under the classified image mask. In season multi-date AWiFS data along with available single-date LISS-III data between third week of April to last week of May are found to be useful for estimation of wheat residue burning areas estimation. The data between second week of October to last week of November is useful for estimation of rice residue burning areas estimation at district level.

Characterization of Temporal Changes in Rainfall, Temperature, Flooding Hazard and Dry Spells over Zambia

Zambian rural communities are vulnerable to climate change because most farmers depend on rainfed agriculture. While efforts on adaptation are being spearheaded, information on the extent of climatic shifts and occurrence of extreme climatic events is limited. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess changes in climatic variables of rainfall and temperature in Zambia's Agro-ecological zones. The objective of the study was to assess the extent of change in rainfall and temperature and to ascertain the occurrence pattern of extreme climatic events. Daily climatic data records were obtained from the Meteorological department in Zambia. Time series plots were prepared for trend detection in the inter-annual mean rainfall and temperature. A five year moving average was used to obtain the regression equations. Floods were defined to extremes greater than 40 mm in a day and to obtain their return period (T) in year, the cumulative probabilities, F, was transformed by using T=1/(1-F) or T = 100/(100-P) for percentages. A distribution free approach was fitted for estimation of return periods of dry spells in cases where rainfall totals may be zero. Results among the five stations (Choma, Petauke, Mpika, Serenje and Chipepo) considered, indicated that mean temperatures had an increasing trend which was statistically significant only for Choma district. Rainfall trends were variable with some stations (Mpika and Chipepo) showing increasing trends while others (Petauke and Serenje) showing decreasing trends. Floods were frequent in all stations analysed from January to March rather than October to November. Dry spell of 4 days duration were much more frequent than those of 7 and 10 days. Choma was found to be the most susceptible to dry spells while Mpika was the least affected. The study further revealed that the optimal planting widow was the last week of November up to the first week of December for rainfed crop production.

Seasonal Incidence ofTetranychus urticaeKoch on Ashwagandha in Relation to Key Abiotic Factors

The studies on the seasonal incidence of mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, on ashwagandha revealed that the infestation commenced in the last week of November 2011. The population increased gradually and reached to peak in the fourth week of December. The mite population declined from first week of January and decreased to negligible level in the fourth week of January 2012. The abiotic factors had no relationship with the population fluctuation of T. urticae.

A Study of Knowledge &amp; Awareness Regarding HIV / AIDS among Nursing Students

Background: HIV/AIDS can be called our modern pandemic, affecting both industrialized and developing countries. According to UNAIDS estimates, there are 33.3 million people living with HIV in which 30.8 millions are adult (15.5 millions are women) and around 2.5 millions are children. During 2009 some 2.6 million people newly infected with HIV and an estimated 1.5 million people died from AIDS. So HIV today is a threat to men, women and children of all continents. Due to frequent and prolonged contact with the patients, nursing students are being identified as a potential high risk group for the HIV/AIDS spread so keeping this thing in mind we have selected the nursing students for the study to assess their level of knowledge&awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Research Question: What is the level of knowledge and awareness among Nursing students regarding various aspects of HIV/AIDS? Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and their awareness regarding HIV/AID Study Design: Cross Sectional Study Setting and Participants: All Nursing Students of SVS Nursing College, Mahabubnagar. Methodology: After the ethical clearance, the Present study was carried out in the last week of November 2011,with the aim to assess the status of knowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among 2nd, 3rd & final year nursing students of SVS college of nursing, Mahabubnagar A.P. For collection of data a pre designed, pre tested questionnaire were given to all the participants to fill up during the class in the lecture gallery who were present on that day. The data was collected and analyzed in descriptive statistical method. Results: Out of total 190 nursing students, 168 (88.42%) students participated in this study, in which 83% were female & 17% were male. Most of the students (96%) were in the age group of 18-24 years. The full form of HIV and AIDS were not known to 48% & 17% participants respectively. Around 83% participants said that sexual route is the most common route for HIV transmission. Around 3.58% participants were having the misconception that HIV transmission is possible through hugging, sharing toilet seats, towels, utensils, shaking hands with HIV infected patients. Most of students (95.23%) were aware regarding the various preventive measures for HIV/AIDS. Around 86.90% participants were aware that most commonly immune System is affected by HIV. Some 14.88% participants said that Vaccine is available for HIV/AIDS&15.47% said that it is curable. Around 31% participants were afraid of cross infection in giving nursing care to HIV/AIDS. Around 44.50% participants said that ART in PEP for HIV/AIDS is not useful.

On the recent seismic activity in North-Eastern Aegean Sea including the &lt;i&gt;M&lt;sub&gt;w&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;/i&gt;5.8 earthquake on 8 January 2013

In the last week of November 2012, we announced that a strong electrotelluric disturbance, which we judged to be a Seismic Electric Signal (SES) activity, was recorded at station Assiros located in Northern Greece. This disturbance was actually followed by an Mw5.8 earthquake on 8 January 2013 in North-Eastern Aegean Sea. Here we show that, by analyzing this SES activity and employing the natural time analysis of subsequent seismicity, we estimated the epicentral location, magnitude and occurrence time which are reasonably compatible with those of the Mw5.8 event.

SPATIAL TEMPORAL SOWING PATTERN OF RAPESEED-MUSTARD CROP IN INDIA USING MULTI-DATE IRS AWIFS DATA

Abstract. This paper highlights the results on spatial pattern of sowing of rapeseed/mustard in four major states in India using multidate Advanced Wide Field Sensor (AWiFS) data for 2010-11 crop season. Geo-referenced, calibrated AWiFS data acquired during October 2010 to February 2011 were used to generate the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) image sets. Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA) based clustering of the multi date NDVI dataset for mustard crop pixels was performed. The clusters were segregated to spectral emergence classes using a spectral profile matching approach with reference to ground truth data. The sowing dates were derived from the spectral emergence data using a lag period based on field observation. Analysis showed the sowing pattern in the study states is spread over around 60 days from mid October to mid December. Three distinct clusters of sowing pattern were observed. The major one (around 40%) is sown between mid October and first week of November. Around 25% area is sown from last week of November to mid December. The other 35% area is sown in between these two periods. Analysis of temperature, a key weather variable influencing the growth of this crop, showed that the crop sowing in northern Rajasthan and Haryana is delayed by about one month to avoid the frost damage during reproductive phase. In the parts of Gujarat, southern parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (MP), an early sowing in the second fortnight of October was observed, mainly to avoid higher mean temperatures during the month of March.

English

&nbsp; &nbsp; This study was conducted to determine Feijoa genotypes grown within seedling population in Sakarya region. In the study, approximately 300 Feijoa plants were surveyed. In these plants, 28 genotypes were labelled and evaluated. Phenological and pomological researches on these genotypes were made for two years. As a result of this study, 16 Feijoa genotypes were selected according to the weighted ranked method in this population. It was determined that fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width and shape index of the selected Feijoa genotypes changed from 21.66 to 40.00 g, 27.74 to 59.95 mm, 23.42 to 39.43 mm and 0.51 to 0.90, respectively. It was deternined that pH and total soluble solids in pulp of Feijoa genotypes varied from 2.84 to 4.55 and 10.00 to 16.00%, respectively. Flowering in the genotypes began in the last week of May and ended in the first week of July. Harvest time of the genotypes began in the second week of October and ended in the last week of November. In addition, it was determined that table properties of both selected and non selected Feijoa genotypes were lower than those of standard Feijoa varieties. However, because of the taste, aroma and yield properties of the selected Feijoa genotypes, studies should be continually done in the next stages of these genotypes.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Feijoa, acca, selection, pomology, phenology. &nbsp;

Claude Lévi-Strauss: a Career spanning a century

In this last week of November 2008, Claude Levi-Strauss is celebrating his hundredth birthday. This is a private event, of no concern actually to anyone beyond the circle of his close admirers, friends and family. But this date is more than a sign of the man’s great age, it is also a symbol of the longevity of his work which marked the greater part of the lengthy twentieth century. Claude Levi-Strauss’ first publication dates back to 1926. It was a thin booklet on Gracchus Babeuf, published i...

Gender disparities in China

Chan et al address a number of disparities in children’s health in China focusing on regional differences and certain vulnerable groups.1 However, they make no mention of a very important...

Dani Levy's Lost Battle: A Commentary on the Responses to the Tragi-Comedy Mein Führer (My Fuehrer)

During the last week of November 2007, the Curzon cinema in Soho hosted the 10th annual festival of German films. Along with four documentaries, a jury of UK film-makers and cinema-operators picked a total of eight films, produced over the past two years, from a pool of submissions to the festival’s organizer ‘German Films’ (the successor company to the ‘Export-Union of German Cinema’ (1954) which promoted the dissemination of German films internationally).

Hypertension and insulin resistance in a mixed-breed population of ponies predisposed to laminitis

To determine the metabolic phenotype of a group of laminitis-prone ponies when at pasture in summer, compared with when at pasture in winter. 40 ponies of various breeds predisposed to recurrent pasture-associated laminitis and 40 unaffected control ponies. Body condition score and size of the crest of the neck were assessed, blood samples obtained, and blood pressure measured by use of an indirect oscillometric technique, while ponies were kept on winter pasture (last week of November or beginning of December) and again on summer pasture (June). Serum insulin concentration and plasma glucose, triglyceride, uric acid, and ACTH concentrations were measured. Insulin sensitivity was calculated with proxies derived from basal serum insulin and plasma glucose concentrations. No significant differences were apparent between ponies predisposed to laminitis and control ponies during winter. However, in June, laminitis-prone ponies had increased serum insulin concentration and plasma triglyceride and uric acid concentrations, compared with control ponies. Also, laminitis-prone ponies were relatively insulin resistant, compared with control ponies. Mean blood pressure was significantly higher during summer in laminitis-prone ponies (median [interquartile range], 89.6 mm Hg [78.3 to 96.9 mm Hg]), compared with control ponies (76.8 mm Hg [69.4 to 85.2 mm Hg]). Summer pastures appear to induce metabolic responses in some ponies, leading to expression of the prelaminitic phenotype, which includes hypertension as well as insulin resistance. Signs of this metabolic syndrome may not be apparent in affected ponies during periods of grazing winter pasture. Understanding this syndrome may enable improved countermeasures to be devised to prevent laminitis.

Breeding biology of the Flesh-footed Shearwater (Puffinus carneipes) on Woody Island, Western Australia

The Flesh-footed Shearwater (Puffinus carneipes) is a pelagic seabird that breeds predominantly around southern Australia and New Zealand. Its breeding biology is poorly known, particularly in Western Australia where the species is known to have suffered mortality during long-line fishing operations. We studied the breeding biology of the Flesh-footed Shearwater on Woody Island, off the southern coast of Western Australia, between 2000 and 2003, from the post-migratory return of adults to the colony until the departure of the last fledglings 7 months later. Shearwaters dug single-tunnelled burrows slightly over 1 m long (1050 ± 16 mm (s.e.)) in soil >350 mm deep, during October, before embarking on an unsynchronised pre-laying exodus through November. Eggs were laid in the last week of November, and incubated over 54 ± 7 days during December and January, before hatching in mid- to late January. The fledglings left in late April—early May after spending an average 101 ± 0.9 days in the burrow. A logistic growth model, fitted to weekly measurements of skeletal body components, determined that the head, bill and tarsus grew rapidly during early burrow life, while growth of the wing was slow initially and remained incomplete at fledging. Breeding success was measured as 40% and 53% for two successive seasons, and was greater from burrows on a medium gradient than those on slighter gradients in both seasons. Although baseline data are provided here, longer term studies addressing specific demographic parameters, such as adult survival, juvenile recruitment and fecundity, are needed to assess the population status and guide management actions.