bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Anti-Inflammatory Phytocompounds
Authors: Conte Raffaele , Marturano Valentina , Peluso Gianfranco , Calarco Anna , Cerruti Pierfrancesco
Published: March 2017

Phytocompounds have been used in medicine for decades owing to their potential in anti-inflammatory applications. However, major difficulties in achieving sustained delivery of phyto-based drugs are related to their low solubility and cell penetration, and high instability. To overcome these disadvantages, nanosized delivery technologies are currently in use for sustained and enhanced delivery of phyto-derived bioactive compounds in the pharmaceutical sector. This review focuses on the recent advances in nanocarrier-mediated drug delivery of bioactive molecules of plant origin in the field of anti-inflammatory research. In particular, special attention is paid to the relationship between structure and properties of the nanocarrier and phytodrug release behavior.
Silk: Optical Properties over 12.6 Octaves THz-IR-Visible-UV Range
Authors: Balčytis Armandas , Ryu Meguya , Wang Xuewen , Novelli Fabio , Seniutinas Gediminas , Du Shan , Wang Xungai , Li Jingliang , Davis Jeffrey , Appadoo Dominique , Morikawa Junko , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: March 2017

Domestic (Bombyx mori) and wild (Antheraea pernyi) silk fibers were characterised over a wide spectral range from THz 8 cm −1 ( λ = 1.25 mm, f = 0.24 THz) to deep-UV 50 × 10 3 cm − 1 ( λ = 200 nm, f = 1500 THz) wavelengths or over a 12.6 octave frequency range. Spectral features at β-sheet, α-coil and amorphous fibroin were analysed at different spectral ranges. Single fiber cross sections at mid-IR were used to determine spatial distribution of different silk constituents and revealed an α-coil rich core and more broadly spread β-sheets in natural silk fibers obtained from wild Antheraea pernyi moths. Low energy T-ray bands at 243 and 229 cm −1 were observed in crystalline fibers of domestic and wild silk fibers, respectively, and showed no spectral shift down to 78 K temperature. A distinct 20±4 cm−1 band was observed in the crystalline Antheraea pernyi silk fibers. Systematic analysis and assignment of the observed spectral bands is presented. Water solubility and biodegradability of silk, required for bio-medical and sensor applications, are directly inferred from specific spectral bands.
Time Trends and Patterns of Reported Egg Consumption in the U.S. by Sociodemographic Characteristics
Authors: Conrad Zach , Johnson LuAnn K. , Roemmich James N. , Juan WenYen , Jahns Lisa
Published: March 2017

Eggs have the potential to contribute essential nutrients to nutritionally vulnerable populations on limited food budgets. Further research is needed to better understand patterns of egg consumption across diverse sociodemographic groups in order to inform clinical practice to improve nutrient adequacy. Data on demographics and egg intake of 29,694 U.S. adults were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2012. The National Cancer Institute’s usual intake methodology was used to estimate the distribution of egg intake. Linear and logistic regression models were used to test for time trends in egg consumption and for differences between sociodemographic groups. The proportion of the U.S. population, overall (21%–22%; p = 0.311) and by sociodemographic group (p > 0.05 for all groups), that reported consuming eggs remained unchanged from 2001 to 2012. Mean egg consumption increased overall from 23.0 (95% CI, 20.8–25.2) g/day in 2001–2002 to 25.5 (22.7–28.4) g/day in 2011–2012 (p = 0.012), but not among food insecure individuals (p = 0.816) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (p = 0.399). No differences in the odds of egg consumption were observed by income level, food security status, or SNAP participation status (p > 0.05 for all groups). Given the nutritional benefits of eggs, as well as their low cost and culinary versatility, the results presented here have important implications for reducing disparities in health outcomes and diet quality, in particular among food insecure individuals and SNAP participants. Further research is needed to examine factors that influence egg consumption and associated nutrient intake, and to identify potential barriers to increasing egg consumption, such as egg price changes, across diverse sociodemographic groups.
Daily Mapping of 30 m LAI and NDVI for Grape Yield Prediction in California Vineyards
Authors: Sun Liang , Gao Feng , Anderson Martha , Kustas William , Alsina Maria , Sanchez Luis , Sams Brent , McKee Lynn , Dulaney Wayne , White William , Alfieri Joseph , Prueger John , Melton Forrest , Post Kirk
Published: March 2017

Wine grape quality and quantity are affected by vine growing conditions during critical phenological stages. Field observations of vine growth stages are too sparse to fully capture the spatial variability of vine conditions. In addition, traditional grape yield prediction methods are time consuming and require large amount grape samples. Remote sensing data provide detailed spatial and temporal information regarding vine development that is useful for vineyard management. In this study, Landsat surface reflectance products from 2013 and 2014 were used to map satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) over two Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot Noir vineyards in California, USA. The spatial correlation between grape yield maps and the interpolated daily time series (LAI and NDVI) was quantified. NDVI and LAI were found to have similar performance as a predictor of spatial yield variability, providing peak correlations of 0.8 at specific times during the growing season, and the timing of this peak correlation differed for the two years of study. In addition, correlations with maximum and seasonal-cumulative vegetation indices were also evaluated, and showed slightly lower correlations with the observed yield maps. Finally, the within-season grape yield predictability was examined using a simple strategy in which the relationship between grape yield and vegetation indices were calibrated with limited ground measurements. This strategy has a strong potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of yield estimation in comparison with traditional approaches used in the wine grape growing industry.
Prioritizing Seafloor Mapping for Washington’s Pacific Coast
Authors: Battista Timothy , Buja Ken , Christensen John , Hennessey Jennifer , Lassiter Katrina
Published: March 2017

Remote sensing systems are critical tools used for characterizing the geological and ecological composition of the seafloor. However, creating comprehensive and detailed maps of ocean and coastal environments has been hindered by the high cost of operating ship- and aircraft-based sensors. While a number of groups (e.g., academic research, government resource management, and private sector) are engaged in or would benefit from the collection of additional seafloor mapping data, disparate priorities, dauntingly large data gaps, and insufficient funding have confounded strategic planning efforts. In this study, we addressed these challenges by implementing a quantitative, spatial process to facilitate prioritizing seafloor mapping needs in Washington State. The Washington State Prioritization Tool (WASP), a custom web-based mapping tool, was developed to solicit and analyze mapping priorities from each participating group. The process resulted in the identification of several discrete, high priority mapping hotspots. As a result, several of the areas have been or will be subsequently mapped. Furthermore, information captured during the process about the intended application of the mapping data was paramount for identifying the optimum remote sensing sensors and acquisition parameters to use during subsequent mapping surveys.
Methods and Tools of Digital Triage in Forensic Context: Survey and Future Directions
Authors: Jusas Vacius , Birvinskas Darius , Gahramanov Elvar
Published: March 2017

Digital triage is the first investigative step of the forensic examination. The digital triage comes in two forms, live triage and post-mortem triage. The primary goal of the live triage is a rapid extraction of an intelligence from the potential sources. The live triage raises legitimate concerns. The post-mortem triage is conducted in the laboratory and its main goal is ranking of the seized devices for the possible existence of the relevant evidence. The digital triage has the potential to quickly identify items that are likely to contain the evidential data. Therefore, it is a solution to the problem of case backlogs. However, existing methods and tools of the digital triage have limitations, especially, in the forensic context. Nevertheless, we have no better solution for the time being. In this paper, we critically review published research works and the proposed solutions for digital triage. The review is divided into four sections as follows: live triage, post-mortem triage, mobile device triage, and triage tools. We conclude that many challenges are awaiting for the developers in creating methods and tools of digital triage in order to keep pace with the development of new technologies.
Enhanced Joint and Separable Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Images with High Payload
Authors: Khanam Fatema-Tuz-Zohra , Kim Sunghwan
Published: March 2017

Recently, much attention has been paid to reversible data hiding (RDH) in encrypted images, since it preserves the data that the original image can be perfectly recovered after data extraction while protecting the confidentiality of image content. In this paper, we propose joint and separable RDH techniques using an improved embedding pattern and a new measurement function in encrypted images with a high payload. The first problem in recent joint data hiding is that the encrypted image is divided into blocks, and the spatial correlation in the block cannot fully reflect the smoothness of a natural image. The second problem is that half embedding is used to embed data and the prediction error is exploited to calculate the smoothness, which also fails to give good performance. To solve these problems, we divide the encrypted image into four sets, instead of blocks; the actual value of pixels is considered, rather than an estimated value, and the absolute difference between neighboring pixels is used in preference to prediction error to calculate the smoothness. Therefore, it is possible to use spatial correlation of the natural image perfectly. The experimental results show that the proposed joint and separable methods offer better performance over other works.
NF‐κB Signaling in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Sokolova Olga , Naumann Michael
Published: March 2017

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Diet, obesity, smoking and chronic infections, especially with Helicobacter pylori, contribute to stomach cancer development. H. pylori possesses a variety of virulence factors including encoded factors from the cytotoxin‐associated gene pathogenicity island (cagPAI) or vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA). Most of the cagPAI‐encoded products form a type 4 secretion system (T4SS), a pilus‐like macromolecular transporter, which translocates CagA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. Only H. pylori strains carrying the cagPAI induce the transcription factor NF‐κB, but CagA and VacA are dispensable for direct NF‐κB activation. NF‐κB‐driven gene products include cytokines/chemokines, growth factors, anti‐apoptotic factors, angiogenesis regulators and metalloproteinases. Many of the genes transcribed by NF‐κB promote gastric carcinogenesis. Since it has been shown that chemotherapy‐caused cellular stress could elicit activation of the survival factor NF‐κB, which leads to acquisition of chemoresistance, the NF‐κB system is recommended for therapeutic targeting. Research is motivated for further search of predisposing conditions, diagnostic markers and efficient drugs to improve significantly the overall survival of patients. In this review, we provide an overview about mechanisms and consequences of NF‐κB activation in gastric mucosa in order to understand the role of NF‐κB in gastric carcinogenesis.
Outcome prioritisation tool for medication review in older patients with multimorbidity: a pilot study in general practice
Authors: van Summeren Jojanneke JGT , Schuling Jan , Haaijer-Ruskamp Flora M , Denig Petra
Published: March 2017

Background

Several methods have been developed to conduct and support medication reviews in older persons with multimorbidity. Assessing the patient’s priorities for achieving specific health outcomes can guide the medication review process. Little is known about the impact of conducting such assessments.

Aim

This pilot study aimed to determine proposed and observed medication changes when using an outcome prioritisation tool (OPT) during a medication review in general practice.

Design and setting

Participants were older patients with multimorbidity (aged ≥69 years) with polypharmacy (five or more chronic medications) from the practices of 14 GPs.

Method

Patients were asked to prioritise four universal health outcomes — remaining alive, maintaining independence, reducing pain, and reducing other symptoms — using an OPT. GPs used this prioritisation to review the medication and to propose and discuss medication changes with the patient. The outcomes included the proposed medication change as documented by the GP, and the observed medication change in the electronic health record at follow-up. Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine medication changes according to the prioritised health outcomes.

Results

A total of 59 patients using 486 medications prioritised the four health outcomes. GPs proposed 34 changes of medication, mainly stopping, for 20 patients. At follow-up, 14 medication changes were observed for 10 patients. The stopping of medication (mostly preventive) was particularly observed in patients who prioritised ‘reducing other symptoms’ as most important.

Conclusion

Using an OPT leads mainly to the stopping of medication. Medication changes appeared to be easiest for patients who prioritised ‘reducing other symptoms’ as most important.
Néotectonique dans les massifs karstiques, un exemple dans les Préalpes de Nice : la grotte des Deux Gourdes
Authors: Gilli Eric
Published: March 2017

Neotectonics in karst region (example in the Nice Prealps)

Speleothem observations may give interesting informations about early tectonic phenomenon in karstic areas. It is also possible with calcite datation to give an age to these phenomenons.

An example in Nice Prealps (France) : Deux Gourdes cave, shows some datas about this type of research.
Risk Factors and Outcomes of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Colonization in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Single-Center Study in Hong Kong
Authors: Yeung Ching-Shan , Cheung Chi-Yuen , Chan Yiu-Han , Chak Wai-Leung
Published: March 2017

Background

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization is common among patients with chronic kidney disease. However, data concerning VRE colonization among patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) is lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors and various clinical outcomes for VRE colonization among PD patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of 166 PD patients who were hospitalized between 1 August 2013 and 31 July 2014. They were screened for VRE colonization status during a major VRE outbreak in Hong Kong in 2013 and were then categorized into 2 groups: VRE-positive and VRE-negative. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality while the secondary outcomes included VRE infection, PD-related peritonitis, and length of hospitalization.

Results

Twenty-eight patients (16.9%) belonged to the VRE-positive group. Multivariate analysis showed that previous contact with VRE-positive patients (odds ratio [OR]: 417.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.21 – 10,147.26, p < 0.01), vancomycin use in previous 3 months (OR: 130.32; 95% CI: 5.35 – 3,176.30, p < 0.01), and old age (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02 – 1.24, p = 0.02) were the independent risk factors for VRE colonization. Patients in the VRE-positive group had significantly longer length of hospitalization, but there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality and peritonitis-free survival.

Conclusion

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization is important among hospitalized PD patients. Cautious use of antibiotics and infection control measures are necessary to prevent VRE spreading, especially in high-risk patients.
Conjecture and hypothesis: The importance of reality checks
Authors: Deamer David
Published: March 2017

In origins of life research, it is important to understand the difference between conjecture and hypothesis. This commentary explores the difference and recommends alternative hypotheses as a way to advance our understanding of how life can begin on the Earth and other habitable planets. As an example of how this approach can be used, two conditions have been proposed for sites conducive to the origin of life: hydrothermal vents in salty seawater, and fresh water hydrothermal fields associated with volcanic landmasses. These are considered as alternative hypotheses and the accumulating weight of evidence for each site is described and analyzed.
Effects of Early- and Late-Arriving Room Reflections on the Speech-Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response
Authors: Al Osman Rida , Giguère Christian , Dajani Hilmi R.
Published: March 2017

Background:Room reverberation alters the acoustical properties of the speech signals reaching our ears, affecting speech understanding. Therefore, it is important to understand the consequences of reverberation on auditory processing. In perceptual studies, the direct sound and
early reflections of reverberated speech have been found to constitute useful energy, whereas the late reflections constitute detrimental energy.Purpose:This study investigated how various components (direct sound versus early reflections versus late reflections) of the reverberated
speech are encoded in the auditory system using the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR).Research Design:Speech-evoked ABRs were recorded using reverberant stimuli created as a result of the convolution between an ongoing synthetic vowel /a/ and each of the following room
impulse response (RIR) components: direct sound, early reflections, late reflections, and full reverberation. Four stimuli were produced: direct component, early component, late component, and full component.Study Sample:Twelve participants with normal hearing participated in this study.Data
Collection and Analysis:Waves V and A amplitudes and latencies as well as envelope-following response (EFR) and fine structure frequency‐following response (FFR) amplitudes of the speech-evoked ABR were evaluated separately with one-way repeated measures analysis of variances to
determine the effect of stimulus. Post hoc comparisons using Tukey’s honestly significant difference test were performed to assess significant differences between pairs of stimulus conditions.Results:For waves V and A amplitudes, a significant difference or trend toward significance
was found between direct and late components, between direct and full components, and between early and late components. For waves V and A latencies, significant differences were found between direct and late components, between direct and full components, between early and late components,
and between early and full components. For the EFR and FFR amplitudes, a significant difference or trend toward significance was found between direct and late components, and between early and late components. Moreover, eight, three, and one participant reported the early, full, and late stimuli,
respectively, to be the most perceptually similar to the direct stimulus.Conclusions:The stimuli that are acoustically most similar (direct and early) result in electrophysiological responses that are not significantly different, whereas the stimuli that are acoustically most different
(direct and late, early and late) result in responses that are significantly different across all response measures. These findings provide insights toward the understanding of the effects of the different components of the RIRs on auditory processing of speech.
La justice sociale à l’épreuve de la crise écologique
Authors: Drique Marie , Lejeune Caroline
Published: March 2017

La mobilisation des mouvements de justice environnementale souligne l’importance d’intégrer l’environnement au sein des règles de la coopération sociale. Mais l’équation est-elle soluble dans la justice distributive telle qu’elle est pensée aujourd’hui ? Le contexte écologique interroge cette perspective. Il introduit la réalité d’une finitude et d’une interdépendance qui tend à contrarier certains fondements éthiques des théories classiques de la justice. Comment alors considérer les termes de la justice sociale dans un monde fini ? Étudier la convergence entre la durabilité environnementale et la justice sociale conduit à émettre l’hypothèse d’une justice élargie aux écosystèmes – c’est-à-dire une coopération écologique entre les milieux humains et avec les milieux naturels – et d’en déduire les implications politiques pour le régime démocratique.
Research on Pseudo-Node Detection Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Yu Wenjin , Li Yong , Xu Yuangeng
Published: March 2017

With the wide application of the wireless sensor network, the security of the sensor network is becoming increasingly important. In this paper, based on node ranging, a new intrusion node detection algorithm has been proposed for external pseudo-node detection in wireless sensor networks. The presence of the nodes under copying-attack and the pseudo-nodes in the network can be detected through inter-node ranging with appropriate use of various sensors of nodes themselves and comprehensive analysis of ranging results. Operating in a stand-alone or embedded manner, this method has remedied the defects in the traditional principle of attack detection. The simulation results show that the proposed method has excellent applicability in wireless sensor security detection.
Research on Localization of Unknown Nodes in Wireless Sensor Network based on Centroid Iteration
Authors: Li Dina
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes the localization of unknown nodes based on the centroid iteration algorithm. It uses the range-free localization method and proposes the iteration stopping criterion for centroid iteration algorithm and node localization flow chart according to the location of the unknown nodes based on the plane enclosed by N beacon nodes and those where the received signals of the unknown node are gradually weakened, and finally achieves the accurate localization of unknown communication nodes. Simulation results show that with the proportion of beacon nodes increasing, the relative error of calculation is gradually reduced; when the proportion of beacon nodes remains the same, with the radio range of the node increasing, the relative error of localization gradually decreases. When the radio range is small (R=15m, R=20m), with the proportion of beacon nodes increasing, the relative error of localization increases instead of decreasing. Compared with other three traditional centroid localization algorithms, the algorithm proposed in this paper can achieve the minimum relative localization error at different radio ranges. Under this algorithm, the localization is accurate and highly resistant to RSSI errors. Calculation results show that the optimal radio range R = 30m.
The Patient Centered Organizational Model in Italian Hospitals
Authors: Gorli Mara , Liberati Elisa G. , Galuppo Laura , Scaratti Giuseppe
Published: March 2017

The concepts of patient-centered care and patient engagement are often used interchangeably in health policy debates. In fact, it is frequently – and implicitly – assumed that putting patients at the centre of care will more or less spontaneously lead to fully engaged patients. This chapter questions these assumptions. By focusing on the hospital's patient-centered reform in Italy, the chapter discusses the overlaps but also the discrepancies between the practices of putting patients at the centre and those of engaging patients. Discrepancies may appear at three levels: the new hospital model may challenge the establishment of a close alliance between patients and professionals, the new hospital spaces may not be perceived as a catalyst for improving patients' experiences, and the inter- and intra- professional struggles derived from the new configuration of hospital teams at an early stage may hinder patient care delivery. The chapter proposes some strategies for patient-centered hospitals to increase their capacity to engage patients and families in the management of their care plan.
Clinical Practice Ontology Automatic Learning from SOAP Reports
Authors: Mendes David , Rodrigues Irene Pimenta , Baeta Carlos Fernandes
Published: March 2017

We show how we implemented an end-to-end process to automatically develop a clinical practice knowledge base acquiring from SOAP notes. With our contribution we intend to overcome the “Knowledge Acquisition Bottleneck” problem by jump-starting the knowledge gathering from the most widely available source of clinical information that are natural language reports. We present the different phases of our process to populate automatically a proposed ontology with clinical assertions extracted from daily routine SOAP notes. The enriched ontology becomes a reasoning able knowledge base that depicts accurately and realistically the clinical practice represented by the source reports. With this knowledge structure in place and novel state-of-the-art reasoning capabilities, based in consequence driven reasoners, a clinical QA system based in controlled natural language is introduced that reveals breakthrough possibilities regarding the applicability of Artificial Intelligence techniques to the medical field.
Waiting for Health Care Services
Authors: Janzek-Hawlat Stefan , Tellioğlu Hilda
Published: March 2017

Waiting for health care services have impact on people from several perspectives. First of all, seen from patients' point of view, due to psychologically and physically burden short waiting times are an indication of quality. Second, seen from health care systems' point of view, short waiting times can be a competitive advantage for health care providers. Finally, short-waiting times can contribute to a more effective system applied in health care. In this chapter, the impact of waiting times of patients are analyzed on all three levels based on quantitative and qualitative study carried out by the authors as well as on the foregoing literature review. The situation of patients and their requirements are shown, strategies to reduce waiting times are presented by also considering the role of information and communication technologies, and several relevant questions raised are answered.
A Pharmaco-Cybernetics Approach to Patient Safety
Authors: Yap Kevin Yi-Lwern
Published: March 2017

Pharmaco-cybernetics is an upcoming interdisciplinary field that supports our use of medicines and drugs through the combined use of computational technologies and techniques with human-computer-environment interactions to reduce or prevent drug-related problems. The advent of pharmaco-cybernetics has led to the development of various software, tools, and Internet applications that can be used by healthcare practitioners to deliver optimum pharmaceutical care and health-related outcomes. Patients are becoming more informed through health information on the Internet, which empowers them to better participate in the management of their own conditions. Focusing on patients with cancer, this chapter describes the use of a pharmaco-cybernetics approach to identify clinically relevant predictors of two debilitating adverse drug reactions, which are a cause of patient safety – chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and febrile neutropenia. The early identification of such clinical predictors enables clinicians to prevent or reduce the occurrence of adverse drug reactions in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy through appropriate management strategies. The computational methods used in this approach involve two unsupervised machine-learning techniques – principal component and multiple correspondence analyses. Using two case examples, this chapter shows the potential of machine-learning techniques for identifying patients who are at greater risks of these adverse drug reactions, thus enhancing patient safety. This chapter also aims to increase the awareness among healthcare professionals and clinician-scientists about the usefulness of such techniques in clinical patient populations, so that these can be considered as part of clinical care pathways to enhance patient safety and effectively manage cancer patients on chemotherapy.
Conversando con... Kathryn Gustafson
Authors: Pérez Igualada Javier
Published: March 2017

Kathryn Gustafson es una paisajista norteamericana reconocida a nivel internacional. Tras estudiar arte y diseño de moda, se formó como paisajista en Francia, en la Escuela de Versalles. En este país realizó sus primeras obras, entre las que destacan los mágicos Jardines de L´Immaginaire. Actualmente, Kathryn Gustafson desarrolla su práctica profesional a través de dos estudios diferentes: Gustafson Porter, afincado en Londres, y Gustafson Nicol Guthrie, con oficinas en Seattle. Entre sus obras más relevantes podemos citar el parque cultural de la Westergasfabriek en Amsterdam o el Lurie Garden, en el Millenium Park de Chicago, el memorial de la princesa Diana en Hyde Park, su propuesta para la 11ª Bienal de Venecia y el proyecto ganador del concurso para Union Square, en el National Mall de Washington.

La obra de Kathryn Gustafson ha sido ampliamente publicada internacionalmente, y ha obtenido un número impresionante de premios y distinciones. Algunos de los más recientes son el Arnold Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture de 2012, de la Academia Americana de Artes y Letras, en reconocimiento a su contribución a la arquitectura como arte, y el premio Obayashi en 2014. Kathryn Gustafson recibió en 2015 un Doctorado Honoris Causa por la Universitad Politècnica de València.

Kathryn Gustafson ha tenido siempre una voz propia dentro del paisajismo contemporáneo, una voz relevante, innovadora y significativa en muchos aspectos. Esta voz destaca, especialmente, por la forma en que aborda el modelado del terreno en sus proyectos, un modelado escultural y sensual, que podemos apreciar también en su proyecto para el Parque Central de Valencia, un proyecto que surge como resultado de un concurso internacional, en el que Gustafson Porter, junto con las Ingenierías Nova y Grupotec y el estudio Borgos Pieper, presentó una propuesta que recibió el primer premio, suscitando después una opinión favorable absolutamente unánime.
De la traza al detalle: analizando la construcción a través del dibujo
Authors: González Redondo Esperanza
Published: March 2017

Las trazas originales de las casas, aunque poco desarrolladas, definían el proyecto y determinaban la construcción. La investigación se apoya en una selección de documentos gráficos, entendidos como modelos de estudio o casos-tipo que se repiten, y se detiene en la línea y sus distintas expresiones, la sombra, el color, las texturas de los materiales empleados y en los primeros planos acotados. La introducción de los nuevos materiales y técnicas constructivas y la necesidad de una nueva definición gráfica de los proyectos permiten situar el origen del detalle constructivo y estudiar su evolución. La construcción de casas en el centro histórico de Madrid y su formalización gráfica se funden en un objetivo principal, el análisis del contenido gráfico de los proyectos y su definición constructiva (1600-1900). La posibilidad reciente de obtener reproducciones de los originales en color aporta un nuevo enfoque a este singular estudio.
Anastilosis digital: un ejercicio de reconstrucción de la Plaza Mayor de México s. XVI
Authors: Pastrana Salcedo Tarsicio , Janireth Bohórquez Alicia
Published: March 2017

Este artículo trata sobre la reconstrucción hipotética de la Plaza Mayor de México en el siglo xvi. El objetivo fue realizar una representación gráfica que evidencie la configuración y ordenamiento espacial de los edificios que existieron alrededor de la plaza, con el fin de establecer métodos de análisis que apoyados en medios gráficos permitan el estudio de arquitectura patrimonial y su evolución Esta representación fue elaborada por medio de modelos tridimensionales a partir de la interpretación de crónicas y planos de la época de estudio. Es importante aclarar que los edificios de estudio fueron destruidos o muy modificados por la inundación de 1629, por lo que el modelo obtenido representan una etapa que hoy en día no existe.
Analysis of extinction properties as a function of relative humidity using a κ-EC-Mie model in Nanjing
Authors: Zhang Zefeng , Shen Yan , Li Yanwei , Zhu Bin , Yu Xingna
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The relationship between relative humidity (RH) and extinction properties is of widespread concern. In this study, a hygroscopic parameter (κ) and the volume fraction of elemental carbon (EC) were used to characterize the chemical characteristics of particles, and a core-shell model was built based on these characteristics. The size distribution, chemical composition, and RH were measured in Nanjing from 15 October to 13 November 2013. The model-derived extinction coefficients of particles were fit with the program of coated spheres according to Bohren and Huffman (2008) (BHCOAT), and the modeled values correlated well with the measurement-derived extinction coefficients (r2 = 0. 81), which suggested that the core-shell model produced reasonable results. The results show that more than 81 % of the extinction coefficient in Nanjing was due to particles in the 0.2–1.0 µm size range. Under dry conditions, the higher mass fraction of particles in the 0.2–1.0 µm size range caused the higher extinction coefficient. An increase in RH led to a significant increase in the extinction coefficient, although the increases differed among the different size segments. For λ = 550 nm, the extinction coefficient from the 0.01–0.2, 0.2–0.5, and 1.0–2.0 µm size ranges increased significantly with the increase in RH, whereas the extinction contributions from the 0.5–1.0 and 2.0–10.0 µm size ranges to the extinction coefficient decreased slightly.
Light-induced protein nitration and degradation with HONO emission
Authors: Meusel Hannah , Elshorbany Yasin , Kuhn Uwe , Bartels-Rausch Thorsten , Reinmuth-Selzle Kathrin , Kampf Christopher J. , Li Guo , Wang Xiaoxiang , Lelieveld Jos , Pöschl Ulrich , Hoffmann Thorsten , Su Hang , Ammann Markus , Cheng Yafang
Published: March 2017

Abstract. Proteins can be nitrated by air pollutants (NO2), enhancing their allergenic potential. This work provides insight into protein nitration and subsequent decomposition in the present of solar radiation. We also investigated light-induced formation of nitrous acid (HONO) from protein surfaces that were nitrated either online with instantaneous gas phase exposure to NO2 or offline by an efficient nitration agent (tetranitromethane, TNM). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ovalbumin (OVA) were used as model substances for proteins. Nitration degrees of about 1 % were derived applying NO2 concentrations of 100 ppb under VIS/UV illuminated condition, while simultaneous decomposition of (nitrated) proteins was also found during long-term (20 h) irradiation exposure. Gas exchange measurements of TNM-nitrated proteins revealed that HONO can be formed and released even without contribution of instantaneous heterogeneous NO2 conversion. However, fumigation with NO2 was found to increase HONO emissions substantially. In particular, a strong dependence of HONO emissions on light intensity, relative humidity (RH), NO2 concentrations and the applied coating thickness were found. The 20 hours long-term studies revealed sustained HONO formation, even if concentrations of the intact (nitrated) proteins were too low to be detected after the gas exchange measurements. A reaction mechanism for the NO2 conversion based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics is proposed.
Towards a more detailed representation of high-latitude
vegetation in the global land surface model ORCHIDEE
(ORC-HL-VEGv1.0)
Authors: Druel Arsène , Peylin Philippe , Krinner Gerhard , Ciais Philippe , Viovy Nicolas , Peregon Anna , Bastrikov Vladislav , Kosykh Natalya , Mironycheva-Tokareva Nina
Published: March 2017

Abstract. To improve the simulation of vegetation-climate feedbacks in the high latitudes, three new circumpolar Plant Functional Types (PFTs) were added in the ORCHIDEE land surface model, namely non-vascular plants (NVPs) representing bryophytes and lichens, arctic shrubs, and arctic C3 grasses. Non-vascular plants are assigned no stomatal conductance, very shallow roots, and can desiccate during dry episodes and become active again during wet periods, which gives them a larger phenological plasticity compared to grasses and shrubs. Shrubs have a specific carbon allocation scheme, and differ from trees by their larger survival rates in winter, due to protection by snow. Arctic C3 grasses have the same equations than in the original ORCHIDEE version, but different parameter values, optimized from in-situ observations of biomass and NPP in Siberia. In situ observations of living biomass and productivity from Siberia were used to calibrate the parameters of the new PFTs using a Bayesian optimization procedure. With the new PFTs, we obtain a lower Net Primary Productivity (NPP) by 31 % (from 55° N), as well as a lower roughness length (−41 %), transpiration (+33 %) and a higher winter albedo (by 3.6 %) due to a larger snow cover. A simulation of the water balance and runoff and drainage in the high northern latitudes using the new PFTs results in an increase of fresh water discharge in the Arctic ocean by 11 % (+140 km−3 y−1), owing to less evapotranspiration. Future developments should focus on the competition between these three PFTs and boreal trees PFTs, in order to simulate their area changes in response to climate change, and the effect of carbon-nitrogen interactions.
Cybersecurity: waar is de bestuurskunde?
Authors: van Leeuwen Michel , Ghaoui Nelly
Published: March 2017

Cybersecurity: where is the public administration?

In this article the case is made that, unjustly, there is a lack of interest in the topic of cybersecurity of on the part of public administration scholars and professionals in the topic of cybersecurity. ICT has become persistent in society and so has cybercrime, cyber sabotage and cyberespionage. The threats are real and growing. There is market failure and consequently there is a need for government intervention. This poses new challenges to governments as jurisdiction problems and sovereignty-issues arise, together with the dominance of private actors. The authors argue that a multistakeholder approach in such a networked environment is crucial but not sufficient. The concepts of Lessig and Thaler/Sunstein are used to sketch new and broader potential policy strategies.
Informatieveiligheid: de digitale veerkracht van Nederlandse overheden
Authors: de Hingh Anne , Lodder Arno R.
Published: March 2017

Cybersecurity: The digital resilience of Dutch governments

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly vulnerable. DDos attacks, phishing e-mails, ransomware, Russian hacker attacks on the head office of a political party are all part of our daily online businesses, for governments too. Governments play various roles here. They are internet users and rely on information on the internet. They are also suppliers of online information and in these roles they are connected to citizens, companies and other governmental organisations. Because of the role they play in society, the government possesses huge quantities of – often sensitive – information. They have the legal and moral obligation to be careful with this information and to secure it properly. Providing adequate security for information, however, is not an easy task for governments, especially because they usually do not operate in isolation. What factors threaten the security of government information and the systems involved? And who is accountable for the security of the information chains that are becoming complex as a consequence of cooperation between organisations?
Het stelsel van informatieveiligheid: een essay over hoe we moeten leren er klaar voor te zijn
Authors: Wesseling Henk , Boot Jeroen , Kisteman Wouter , van der Voort Haiko
Published: March 2017

The system of cybersecurity: an essay about how we must learn to be prepared

Government cybersecurity requires action from many public and private actors. Both collective knowledge and collective priority are needed to ensure cybersecurity at a government level. This makes collective learning essential. There is a system of arrangements that includes all kinds of governmental organisations and private parties. How can learning be stimulated in this system? And what is the need for steering here? This article provides answers to these questions, based on the contributions in this special issue. We conclude that both central control and self-regulation are essential to cybersecurity, even if they are in conflict. We coin the term ‘complimentary self-regulation’. We also conclude that many arrangements have been developed or are under development, however, it is difficult to institutionalise the coherence between these initiatives. There is a long road ahead in terms of gaining a collective understanding. Cybersecurity and its organisation will probably not vanish from the administrative agenda any time soon.
Solidarity, dialogue and cooperation in a federal state – the Austrian example
Authors: Stolz Armin , Wieser Bernd
Published: March 2017

The article gives an overview over the federalistic system of the Austrian Constitution. Federalism is seen to be one of the leading principles of the Austrian Constitution and can be modified or abolished only by a constitutional majority with a subsequenting obligatory referendum. Thus the articles in the Austrian Constitution describing the competences of the Federation and of the federal provinces (Länder) are of high importance and the system of the division of competences is explained. In a cooperative federal state also agreements between the Federation and the federal provinces are existing and are described. In final remarks it is written down that the above mentioned articles of competences are antiquated and that a reform of the federal state failed.
Unison in Constitutional Interpretation: Doctrinal Developments by the Lithuanian and Moldovan Constitutional Courts
Authors: Birmontiene Toma
Published: March 2017

This article is devoted to the analysis of some decisions of the Constitutional Courts of Lithuania and of the Republic of Moldova, which, according to the author of this article, are indicative of a “constitutional unison”, as the courts, in dealing with similar issues, delivered comparable judgments at times knowing that similar decisions have been rendered by the other court and, at times, possibly, without being fully aware of the existence of similar rationales by the other court, since certain of the aforementioned decisions are separated by more than a decade. The reasons determining this unison, its consistency as well as other issues represent the object of the present research, which, due to its limited scope, can be considered a lead-in to a broader analysis of these matters.
THE PRINCIPLE OF SOLIDARITY WITHIN THE ITALIAN CONSTITUTION AND THE EUROPEAN MIGRANT PROBLEM
Authors: Mangione Gabriella
Published: March 2017

Having been enshrined in the principal European constitutions after the devastation of the Second World War, with the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the subsequent Lisbon Treaty, the term solidarity has taken on central importance also within the new constitutional and institutional framework of the European Union. The Italian republican Constitution asserts the principle of solidarity in a particularly evident manner and marks one of the clearest instances and one of the most strongly enshrined manifestations of the principle within Europe. It is within the historical context that the numerous and precise references - both explicit and implicit - to the vocation of solidarity inherent within the Italian Constitution, must be placed and construed. However, the centrality and pervasive manner in which this watchword of the contemporary political and legal lexicon is used takes on a particular depth in the light of the immense tragedy of the migrants who are daily knocking on the doors of Europe, and which has had a profound effect on the Old Continent. It has been pointed out in this regard from various quarters that it would be appropriate to introduce a binding requirement of solidarity between European governments. The awareness that the full resolution of this crisis will require a profound transformation of the institutional structure of the Union is in fact no longer a prerogative solely of progressive political forces: although the predominant characteristic element of the Union is the economic one, the argument that the Union can only survive the current crisis and prosper if it moves swiftly towards political union is attracting an increasing number of supporters in Italy. And yet, in the words of one of the founding fathers, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, cooperation between European peoples cannot remain an economic and technical affair. It is necessary to give it a soul. Europe will live insofar as it will have conscience of itself.
The constitutional crisis in Poland as a negative model of Hans Kelsen’s constitutional judiciary idea
Authors: Piekarczyk Sławomir
Published: March 2017

In the face of constitutional crisis in Poland, initiated in 2015 and ongoing to this day, it is essential for academics to describe legal events and rationales constituting the crisis using such measures so that issues associated with the crisis are descried in the most objective manner possible. This paper attempts to describe the rationale and activities of antagonistic parties to the dispute from the perspective of relevant issues, which one of the most prominent authors of the European idea of constitutional judiciary - Hans Kelsen pointed out in his paper “Essence and development of constitutional judiciary”, already in 1928. Deliberations covered in this article focus - from general issues - on the issues of systemic political motives as a threat to the guarantee of compliance of normative acts with the Constitution and issues relating to the authority competent to repeal unlawful acts. It also discusses specific problems concerning personal substrate of constitutional court, as well as the related issue of the presumption of constitutionality, and publishing of the court’s judgments. Comparison between topics undertaken by Kelsen with aspects of the constitutional crisis allows to draw a general conclusion that the actions of policy makers resembles a negative model of Kelsen’s idea of effective constitutional judiciary.