A Preliminary Check-List of the Marine Algae of the Moss Landing Jetty: An Annotated Floristic Compilation. Annual Report, Part 7, 1973

(PDF contains 55 pages

Numerical Investigation of Granular Flow Dynamics Over Complex Topography: Quantifying the Efficacy of In-Path Engineered Structures to Control Granular Flow Mobility and Impact Velocity

Rapid mass movement events pose a significant threat to people, infrastructure and property. These processes initiate suddenly, can reach speeds in excess of 10 m/s, and can travel distances greater than a kilometer beyond the steep terrain where they initiated. Rapid mass movements are especially dangerous when they initiate in close proximity to populated regions where they can cause a loss of life, damage property, and decrease land production. Due to the significant threats mass movements pose to populated areas, and the difficulties associated with source area stabilization, it is important to understand their mechanics such that accurate assessments of the hazards they pose to downslope communities can be made and effectively mitigated.Of key importance are accurate predictions of flow characteristics, such as runout distance and impact velocity, as these properties set the extent and severity of potential damage. Traditionally, empirical methods are used to relate path-averaged properties, such as total drop height or average slope, to these important flow runout characteristics. However, it is well known that work done by frictional processes that lead to flow resistance are dependent on the path taken and hence should depend on flow path shape. The following study investigates how the inclusion of flow path shape, as opposed to using path-average properties, effect the accuracy of flow runout predictions and to what degree the inclusion of engineered structures placed along the channel can decrease hazardous characteristics of the flow (e.g., runout distance, flow front impact velocity, and total system kinetic energy). A suite of numerical experiments, using the Discrete Element Method (DEM), were conducted in which dry gravity-driven granular flows were allowed to flow down flumes with check dams of varying heights and locations along the flow path. Confidence in the flow dynamics stimulated by the model was gained by first validating the model against a benchtop granular avalanche experiment conducted by Iverson et al. (2004). No model tuning was required because DEM input parameters were constrained using independently tested granular properties reported by Iverson. The validation study concluded that the DEM can accurately simulate the initiation of flow from a static state, the rapid granular flow down complex three-dimensional topography, and the resulting deposition patterns at the base of the slope. The addition of a sensitivity analysis that investigated particle stiffness, size, and shape highlighted the DEM’s dependency to particle diameter; where, smaller particle diameter simulations decreased particle runout distances. The DEM also had a slight dependency on particle shape; however, the sensitivity was notably higher for static particle conditions compared to dynamic particle conditions; however, the validation investigation demonstrated that a majority of the bulk dynamic properties of the flow were adequately represented by means of a constant directional torque rolling friction parameter. Lastly, DEM simulations were found to be insensitive to particle stiffness for Young’s Modulus values within the rigidity definition outlined by da Cruz et al. (2005). A reduction in stiffness values significantly reduced model runtimes allowing for subsequent investigations to increase model complexities. The results of the numerical experiments investigating the influence of check dam height and location along the flow path demonstrated that flow kinetic energy and impact velocity decreased with increasing check dam height and were sensitive to the proximity of the dam in relation to the base of the slope. Events that traversed a linear flume compared to those with a check dam, at full sediment capacity, encountered up to a 40% reduction of peak kinetic energy. Although runout distance had clear trends with increasing dam height and dam location, observed changes were comparatively small. These numerical experiments highlighted the importance of including the specifics of flow path shape, as opposed to just using path-average properties, when predicting runout characteristics. They also provided some first-order guidance for engineers if the situation allows for flexibility in check dam height or placement along the flow path. With increased knowledge of the capabilities that engineered structures have to decrease the hazardous nature of a flow, engineers can more successfully repurpose their design

Sustainable Development in a Refugee Hosting Community. A study of hindering and facilitating factors for an INGO in the host community around the Dadaab refugee camps

Background In the surroundings of the Dadaab Refugee Camps in Kenya lives a large pastoral population under less favourable conditions than the people inside the refugee camps. Many international NGO’s have started to support the hosting community, but there seems to be a lack of long term oriented development work. This project is based on a wonder over why it apparently is difficult for an international NGO to engage in long term, sustainable development directed at the host community of the camps. Aim & Research question The aim of the project is to shed some light on the overall issue of sustainable development in a refugee hosting community. This is done through the research question: What hinders and facilitates employment of a long term, sustainable development approach in the host community around the Dadaab refugee camps for the Danish Refugee Council? Methodology The study is based on internal and external documents from DRC and other bodies as well as interviews with DRC employees and an employee under the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The philosophy of science for this study is critical realism. Theory David Lewis’ conceptual framework for NGO management with the four components: (i) context, (ii) activities (iii) organisation and (iiii) relationships Conclusion DRC has some facilitating factors when it comes to conducting sustainable host community (HoC) work. For instance the organisations regional perspective on the Horn of Africa and the overall participatory approach it employs. However, we have found that the hindrances DRC is facing are very structural and difficult to overcome. DRC is mainly a refugee organisation and conducting successful HoC work would mean changing the organisational strategy. There are also external hindrances that are difficult for DRC to change: lack of competent partners specialised in development work and absence of a leading body. In light of these insights about hindrances, we have found reason to question whether DRC and similar refugees oriented INGOs should actually be undertaking HoC development in a setting like Dadaab

Уметност, култура и музичко образование

Целта на трудот е да се поттикнат пошироки размислувања со кои ќе се дефинираат причините за слабостите на музичкото образование. Имплементацијата на реформите во образовниот систем во Р. Македонија претставува реален ризик за згаснување на овој предмет кој тесно е поврзан со уметноста и културата

Nutrition status in hospitalized patients with COPD on non-invasive ventilation

Background: Nutrition is an important aspect of critically ill hospitalized patient care but the lack of consistent nutritional guidelines for sub-critically ill patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) requiring non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) may be putting vulnerable patients at risk. Hand grip strength measurements are an emerging metric for nutritional status. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine if hospitalized patients with COPD on NPPV show a difference in handgrip strength as a marker of nutritional status than those hospitalized patients with COPD not requiring NPPV. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of 10 hospitalized patients not requiring NPPV (Group 1) and 5 hospitalized patients requiring NPPV (Group 2). 3 measurements of handgrip strength on the patient’s dominate hand were averaged every alternating day during hospitalization. Mineral status and physiological parameters were also recorded concurrently with handgrip strength collection. Results: The two groups were similar overall. Group 2 had a longer length of stay, averaging 5.2 (±0.45) days, with group 1 averaging 3.2 (±0.63) days (p=0.001). Mineral status and physiological parameters between the groups were similar. Group 1 had an average change in handgrip strength of 1.59 (±1.82) kg with group 2 having an average change of -1.08 (±1.22) kg (p=0.016). Conclusion: Hospitalized patients with COPD on NPPV may be at risk for a decline in nutritional status compared to those not requiring NPPV as shown by a significant difference in change in handgrip strength

World Peace and Gender Equality: Addressing UN Security Council Resolution 1325’s Weaknesses

The year 2020 marks the twentieth anniversary of the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution (“UNSCR”) 1325, the most important moment in the United Nations’ efforts to achieve world peace through gender equality. Over the past several decades, the international community has strengthened its focus on gender, including the relationship between gender and international peace and security. National governments and the United Nations have taken historic steps to elevate the role of women in governance and peacebuilding. The passage of UNSCR 1325 in 2000 foreshadowed what many hoped would be a transformational shift in international law and politics. However, the promise of gender equality has gone largely unrealized, despite the uncontroverted connection between treatment of women and the peacefulness of a nation. This Article argues for the first time that to achieve international peace and security through gender equality, the United Nations Security Council should transition its approach from making recommendations and suggestions to issuing mandatory requirements under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter. If the Security Council and the international community believe gender equality is the best indicator of sustainable peace, then the Security Council could make a finding under Article 39 with respect to ‘a threat to the peace’—States who continue to mistreat women and girls pose a threat to international peace and security. Such a finding would trigger the Security Council’s mandatory authority to direct States to take specific actions. In exercising its mandatory authority, the Security Council should organize, support, and train grassroots organizations and require States to do the same. It should further require States to produce a reviewable National Action Plan, detailing how each State will implement its responsibilities to achieve gender equality. The Security Council should also provide culturally sensitive oversight on domestic laws which may act as a restraint on true gender equality

Sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome following cerebral fat embolization

To date, there have been no reports of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome (PSHS) associated with cerebral fat embolization. We describe the case of a young male who developed acute brain injury and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to significant fat embolization following a traumatic femur injury. Our patient demonstrated episodes of significant hypertension, tachycardia, fever and extensor posturing. Extensive evaluation lead to the diagnosis and appropriate treatment for PSHS. Ultimately, the patient went on to have a good neurologic recovery after a prolonged hospitalization. We will discuss PSHS diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology and treatment options. This diagnosis should be considered in all brain-injured patients with paroxysms of autonomic instability and abnormal movements

NVivo courses in the library

In 2017, we started a project with the goal of offering a new service to academic staff and PhD candidates at the NTNU University Library: courses and guidance in the use of NVivo, a software to alleviate the workload in structuring and analysing qualitative research data. Such software is useful for a plethora of subjects, like geography, anthropology, sociology, but also subjects like art history. Faculty members and PhD-candidates at NTNU have expressed enthusiasm when contacted about future courses in NVivo. Some employees have experience with NVivo, while others have tried to make their own tools and systems for analysis to fulfil their needs. Based on their feedback, experiences and valuable suggestions, we will offer the course in the fall 2018, either as a standalone library course or as a joint venture with one or more departments in the Humanities and Social Sciences faculties. Our article will focus on how we have identified a new skillset and how we developed a new course for our patrons in close cooperation with them. In our article we will walk you through our ongoing project. We are very interested in feedback and hope to spark a discussion on the creation of new services in the libraries.   &nbsp