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The sustainability and efficiency of ecotourism regarding biodiversity conservation are under constant scrutiny and often dismissed based on negative effects arising from other types of nature-based tourism. Our study assess the impacts of infrastructure, human activity, and environmental factors on medium-large ground terrestrial species within the Lapa Rios Ecolodge Nature Reserve; results indicate that restoration, preservation, and conservation efforts are responsible for the wide range of species found within their reserve, including increased abundance of highly threatened rodents and ground birds. There is no indication that visitation or tour activities have negative impacts on wildlife; instead, the Ecolodge effectively created a 'human shield' that weakens threats to wildlife arising from hunting, logging, and gold mining. This shield effect ripples across the Osa Peninsula through the socio-economic benefits provided by ecotourism. Our results support a conservation model incorporating private reserves and parks to sustain biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid-state spherical diffusion equation with flux boundary conditions is a standard problem in lithium-ion battery simulations. If finite difference schemes are applied, many nodes across a discretized battery electrode become necessary, in order to reach a good approximation of solution. Such a grid-based approach can be appropriately avoided by implementing analytical methods which reduce the computational load. The pseudo-steady-state (PSS) method is an exact analytical solution method, which provides accurate solid-state concentrations at all current densities. The popularization of the PSS method, in the existing form of expression, is however constrained by a solution convergence problem. In this short communication, a modified PSS (MPSS) expression is presented which provides uniformly convergent solutions at all times. To minimize computational runtime, a fast MPPS (FMPPS) expression is further developed, which is shown to be faster by approximately three orders of magnitude and has a constant time complexity. Using the FMPSS method, uniformly convergent exact solutions are obtained for the solid-state diffusion problem in spherical active particles. • The pseudo-steady-state (PSS) method is an exact analytical solution method for the solid state diffusion problem. • Extensive use of the PSS method in battery modeling is hindered by a solution convergence problem, due to large exponentials. • A modified PSS expression (MPSS) is developed to address the solution convergence problem. • The MPSS is illustrated to provide uniformly convergent solutions at all times while the PSS is shown to have a blow up of solutions. • A fast MPSS (FMPSS) is further presented which is stable and faster than the MPSS by approximately three orders of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The effects of a collagen dressing on hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers (VLUs) were evaluated in this prospective, randomised, controlled study. Method: Patients with hard-to-heal VLU were included and divided into two groups using the block randomisation method. The first group was treated with a collagen and an alginate dressing (group A), and the second group with an alginate dressing alone (group b). both groups also had a short-stretch compression system applied at every dressing change. The dressings were changed twice a week for 12 weeks or until the ulcer was healed. Granulation tissue improvement, wound size, overall dressing performance and dressing comfort were evaluated and recorded. Results: A total of 40 patients completed the study evaluation period. Group A had a 65% increase in granulation tissue compared to 38% in group b. The mean ulcer area was reduced to 45% in group A compared to 20% in group b at 12 weeks. no significant side effects were detected in either group. Patients of both groups were satisfied with their treatment and healing progress. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the effectiveness and safety of a collagen dressing in hard-to-heal VLUs as an adjunctive therapy with compression bandaging. These encouraging results may positively affect the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds. Declaration of interest: The research was funded with an unrestricted grant from medSkin Solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the Balearic so-called 'quicklime burials' of the Iron Age have been considered to be inhumations in quicklime. The general appearance of the bones, however, resembles more closely that of cremated bones. Laboratory tests reveal that the observed features of the bones from these burials, including cracks, thumbnail fractures and warping, cannot be explained by an inhumation in quicklime. The δ 13C value, Fourier transform infrared spectra, SF values and the low carbon content of the apatite moreover indicate a thermal manipulation of the bones. The 14C content is depleted with regard to the accepted archaeological age of the sample, which can best be explained by carbon exchange between bio-apatite and fossil CO2 released during the heating of limestone. This implies that the Balearic 'quicklime burials' must be interpreted as an elaborate cremation practice in presence of limestone. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations acquired by Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission indicate a mass loss of 146 ± 6 mm equivalent water height (EWH) in northern Iraq between 2007 and 2009. These data are used as an independent validation of lake mass variations and a rainfall-runoff model, which is based on local geology and climate conditions. Model inputs are precipitation from Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) observations, and climatic parameters from Global Land Data Assimilation Systems (GLDAS) model parameters. The model is calibrated with observed river discharge and includes a representation of the karstified aquifers in the region to improve model realism. Lake mass variations were derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in combination with satellite altimetry and some in situ data. Our rainfall-runoff model confirms that northern Iraq suffered a drought between 2007 and 2009 and captures the annual cycle and longer trend of the observed GRACE data. The total mass depletion seen by GRACE between 2007 and 2009 is mainly explained by a lake mass depletion of 75 ± 3 mm EWH and a natural groundwater depletion of 39 ± 8 mm EWH. Our findings indicate that anthropogenic groundwater extraction has a minor influence in this region, while a decline in lake mass and natural depletion of groundwater play a key role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the fabrication and construction of a setup for creating lattices of magnetic microtraps for ultracold atoms on an atom chip. The lattice is defined by lithographic patterning of a permanent magnetic film. Patterned magnetic-film atom chips enable a large variety of trapping geometries over a wide range of length scales. We demonstrate an atom chip with a lattice constant of 10 µm, suitable for experiments in quantum information science employing the interaction between atoms in highly excited Rydberg energy levels. The active trapping region contains lattice regions with square and hexagonal symmetry, with the two regions joined at an interface. A structure of macroscopic wires, cutout of a silver foil, was mounted under the atom chip in order to load ultracold 87Rb atoms into the microtraps. We demonstrate loading of atoms into the square and hexagonal lattice sections simultaneously and show resolved imaging of individual lattice sites. Magnetic-film lattices on atom chips provide a versatile platform for experiments with ultracold atoms, in particular for quantum information science and quantum simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results from a Phase 1/2 study of a replication-defective adenovirus encoding human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B formulated in a bovine collagen (Ad-5PDGF-B; 2.6% collagen; GAM501) gel for nonhealing neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers is reported. The primary objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety, maximum-tolerated dose, and preliminary biological activity of GAM501. Fifteen patients enrolled into the study with chronic, nonhealing ulcers received either a single administration of GAM501 at one of three dose levels, or up to four administrations of GAM501 at 1-week intervals. All patients received standard of care treatment including debridement and were required to wear an off-loading shoe. GAM501 was found to be safe and well tolerated with no evidence of systemic or local toxicity at all doses so no maximum-tolerated dose was reached. Serum antibody titers to platelet-derived growth factor-B homodimer and collagen were negative and adenoviral DNA was not detected in the blood. In the 12 patients that completed the study, ulcer closure was observed by Month 3 in 10 patients, seven of whom received a single application of GAM501. In conclusion, GAM501 did not appear to have any toxicity at doses that showed biological activity. GAM501 holds promise as a potentially effective treatment for nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northeast coast of South Africa is a high energy, microtidal environment with a northward longshore drift and sandy beaches backed by high forested dunes. Dune morphology is influenced by longshore currents and winds and repeated transgressions and fluvial deposits. The availability and grain size distribution of sediment has a direct effect on beach and dune morphology. Analysis of grain size distributions and beach profiles provides information related to the processes that lead to the present coastal morphology and management thereof. Coarser sediment accumulates on the south side of headlands due to wave induced transport and strong southerly winds. At Mabibi, on the more sheltered north side of a headland, small grain sizes occur and the beach profile over a four year period has undergone recession that may be both seasonal, due to differences in wave energy, and long term, due to rising sea level. Through understanding coastal processes, insight can be gained as to how coastlines will respond to human impacts and environmental trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN::Survey. OBJECTIVES::Insight in (1) the changes in participation in vocational and leisure activities and (2) satisfaction with the current participation level of people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) after reintegration in society. DESIGN::Descriptive analysis of data from a questionnaire. SETTING::Rehabilitation centre with special department for patients with SCIs, Groningen, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS::A total of 57 patients with traumatic SCI living in the community, who were admitted to the rehabilitation centre two to 12 years before the current assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES::Changes in participation in activities; current life satisfaction; support and unmet needs. RESULTS::Participation expressed in terms of hours spent on vocational and leisure activities changed to a great extent after the SCI. This was mainly determined by a large reduction of hours spent on paid work. While 60%of the respondents successfully reintegrated in work, many changes took place in the type and extent of the job. Loss of work was partially compensated with domestic and leisure activities. Sports activities were reduced substantially. The change in participation level and compensation for the lost working hours was not significantly associated with the level of SCI-specific health problems and disabilities. As was found in other studies, most respondents were satisfied with their lives. Determinants of a negative life satisfaction several years following SCI were not easily indicated. Reduced quality of life was particularly related to an unsatisfactory work and leisure situation. CONCLUSIONS::Most people with SCI in this study group were able to resume work and were satisfied with their work and leisure situation.Spinal Cord (2005) 43, 241-248. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101683; Published online 9 November 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN:: Survey. OBJECTIVES:: To explore the process of reintegration in paid work following a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), including the role of early expectations of individual patients regarding return to work, indicators of success of job reintegration and a description of reintegration interventions and barriers. SETTING:: Dutch rehabilitation centre with special department for patients with spinal cord injuries. METHODS:: Descriptive analysis of data gathered by a mailed questionnaire, which was returned by 57 persons (response 83%) with traumatic SCI, aged 18-60 years, and data of earlier expectations reported by the individual patients during the rehabilitation admission following SCI from 1990 to 1998. RESULTS:: Of 49 respondents who were employed at the moment of the SCI, 45% expected to be able to resume work. These positive expectations were associated with a higher educational level. In 67%, return to work was successful. The chance to reintegrate successfully was better if the patient expected to resume work. Logistic regression analysis did not reveal other significant indicators. About one-third of the 49 respondents working preinjury followed vocational retraining, which was successful for most of them so far. In the majority of work situations modifications have been made, such as job adaptations and reduction of working hours. Several unmet needs regarding reintegration interventions were also reported. CONCLUSIONS:: Positive expectations regarding resumption of work after a SCI are an important indicator of successful reintegration in work. An active role of the rehabilitation team is recommended in drawing up a vocational reintegration plan to prepare the patient, the employer and professionals involved in the reintegration process.Spinal Cord (2004) 42, 177-184. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101581 Published online 3 February 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]