bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suppression of Subsequent N1m Amplitude When the Masker Frequency is Different from the Signal
Authors: Uratani Yuka , Nishimura Tadashi , Nakagawa Seiji , Okayasu Tadao , Yamanaka Toshiaki , Hosoi Hiroshi
Published: January 2014

When two tones are presented in a short interval of time, the presentation of the preceding tone (masker) suppresses the response evoked by the subsequent tone (signal). To address the processing in forward suppression, we applied 2- and 4-kHz maskers, followed by a 1-kHz signal at varying signal delays (0 to 320 ms) and measured the signal-evoked N1m. A two-way analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant effect for signal delay in both masker presentation conditions. The N1m peak amplitude at the signal delay of 320 ms was significantly larger than those of 10, 20, 40, and 80 ms ( p < 0.05). No significant enhancement for the very short signal delay was observed. The results suggest that the enhancement of N1m peak amplitude for short signal delay conditions is maximized when the frequency of the masker is identical to that of the signal.
Cohort Study of Intracameral Moxifloxacin in Postoperative Endophthalmitis Prophylaxis
Authors: Galvis Virgilio , Tello Alejandro , Sánchez Mary Alejandra , Camacho Paul Anthony
Published: January 2014

We conducted a cohort study to evaluate post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis rates in relation to prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin administration. A total of 2332 patients (2674 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification by a single surgeon from January 2007 through December 2012 were included in the study. A total of 1056 eyes did not receive intracameral prophylactic moxifloxacin and the antibiotic was injected in 1618 eyes. The incidence of presumed postoperative endophthalmitis in the 2 groups was calculated. The rate of presumed infectious endophthalmitis after cataract surgery between January 2007 and June 2009 (without intracameral moxifloxacin) was 0.094%. The rate in the second period, from July 2009 to December 2012 (with prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin), was 0%. In our patients, a decline in the incidence of presumed infectious postoperative endophthalmitis appeared to be associated with the application of intracameral moxifloxacin.
On Semisimple Hopf Algebras of Dimension pqn
Authors: Dai Li , Dong Jingcheng
Published: January 2014

Let p, q be prime numbers with p2 < q, n ∊ ℕ, and H a semisimple Hopf algebra of dimension pqn over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0. This paper proves that H must possess one of the following two structures: (1) H is semisolvable; (2) H is a Radford biproduct R#kG, where kG is the group algebra of group G of order p and R is a semisimple Yetter–Drinfeld Hopf algebra in of dimension qn.
Let Our Voices Be Heard: Urban Minority Adolescents Share Their Perspectives regarding Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages
Authors: Reid Robert J. , Garcia-Reid Pauline , Forenza Brad , Eckert Caitlin , Carrier Melissa , Drag Stephanie
Published: January 2014

Purpose.

This study explored the substance abuse and human immunodeficiency virus prevention needs of urban minority adolescents.

Design.

Six 1-hour focus groups.

Setting.

Two high schools and two community-based organizations located in the city of Paterson, New Jersey.

Participants.

The sample included 41 African-American and Latino youth, ranging in ages from 13 to 18 years.

Method.

Data were collected through six focus group interviews. Each group discussion was audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative software was then used to facilitate the processes of thematic analysis, until emergent themes transcended the data. To bolster the rigor and confirmability of analysis, additional researchers coded stratified selections of transcript.

Results.

Study participants were able to identify the environmental threats and structural deficits impacting their city. Few of the youth were able to recognize substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention messages in their immediate surroundings. Additionally, most participants indicated that prevention messages must be delivered in authentic ways from relatable sources in order to resonate with their audience.

Conclusion.

Our findings emphasize the importance of infusing the adolescents' voices into the design and implementation of health promotion messages, which could serve to increase their receptivity and responsiveness, and the overall resonance of the interventions.
Homogamy for birthplaces and cultural diversity
Authors: Tamura Kohei
Published: January 2014

A major goal of anthropology is to understand the forces maintaining cultural variation. Although theoretical studies have proposed various mechanisms that may homogenize cultural diversity, recent empirical studies have suggested that there is considerable within-population cultural variation. In the present study, by analyzing marriage patterns in Japan in 1967, I show that the degree of homogamy in a prefecture was significantly affected by the diversity of birth prefectures of the inhabitants, indicating that a more culturally diverse prefecture might be more likely to resist the evolutionary forces that homogenize cultural diversity.
Air quality and radiative forcing impacts of anthropogenic volatile organic compound emissions from ten world regions
Authors: Fry M. M. , Schwarzkopf M. D. , Adelman Z. , West J. J.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) influence air quality and global climate change through their effects on secondary air pollutants and climate forcers. Here we simulate the air quality and radiative forcing (RF) impacts of changes in ozone, methane, and sulfate from halving anthropogenic NMVOC emissions globally and from 10 regions individually, using a global chemical transport model and a standalone radiative transfer model. Halving global NMVOC emissions decreases global annual average tropospheric methane and ozone by 36.6 ppbv and 3.3 Tg, respectively, and surface ozone by 0.67 ppbv. All regional reductions slow the production of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), resulting in regional to intercontinental PAN decreases and regional NOx increases. These NOx increases drive tropospheric ozone increases nearby or downwind of source regions in the Southern Hemisphere (South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia). Some regions' NMVOC emissions contribute importantly to air pollution in other regions, such as East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, whose impact on US surface ozone is 43%, 34%, and 34% of North America's impact. Global and regional NMVOC reductions produce widespread negative net RFs (cooling) across both hemispheres from tropospheric ozone and methane decreases, and regional warming and cooling from changes in tropospheric ozone and sulfate (via several oxidation pathways). The 100 yr and 20 yr global warming potentials (GWP100, GWP20) are 2.36 and 5.83 for the global reduction, and 0.079 to 6.05 and −1.13 to 18.9 among the 10 regions. The NMVOC RF and GWP estimates are generally lower than previously modeled estimates, due to the greater NMVOC/NOx emissions ratios simulated, which result in less sensitivity to NMVOC emissions changes and smaller global O3 burden responses, in addition to differences in the representation of NMVOCs and oxidation chemistry among models. Accounting for a fuller set of RF contributions may change the relative magnitude of each region's impacts. The large variability in the RF and GWP of NMVOCs among regions suggest that regionally specific metrics may be necessary to include NMVOCs in multi-gas climate trading schemes.
The changing oxidizing environment in London – trends in ozone precursors and their contribution to ozone production
Authors: von Schneidemesser E. , Vieno M. , Monks P. S.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Ground-level ozone is recognized to be a threat to human health (WHO, 2003), have a deleterious impact on vegetation (Fowler et al., 2009), is also an important greenhouse gas (IPCC, 2007) and key to the oxidative ability of the atmosphere (Monks et al., 2009). Owing to its harmful effect on health, much policy and mitigation effort has been put into reducing its precursors – the nitrogen oxides (NOx) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs). The non-linear chemistry of tropospheric ozone formation, dependent mainly on NOx and NMVOC concentrations in the atmosphere, makes controlling tropospheric ozone complex. Furthermore, the concentration of ozone at any given point is a complex superimposition of in-situ produced or destroyed ozone and transported ozone on the regional and hemispheric-scale. In order to effectively address ozone, a more detailed understanding of its origins is needed. Here we show that roughly half (5 μg m−3) of the observed increase in urban (London) ozone (10 μg m−3) in the UK from 1998 to 2008 is owing to factors of local origin, in particular, the change in NO : NO2 ratio, NMVOC : NOx balance, NMVOC speciation, and emission reductions (including NOx titration). In areas with previously higher large concentrations of nitrogen oxides, ozone that was previously suppressed by high concentrations of NO has now been "unmasked", as in London and other urban areas of the UK. The remaining half (approximately 5 μg m−3) of the observed ozone increase is attributed to non-local factors such as long-term transport of ozone, changes in background ozone, and meteorological variability. These results show that a two-pronged approach, local action and regional-to-hemispheric cooperation, is needed to reduce ozone and thereby population exposure, which is especially important for urban ozone.
G-band atmospheric radars: new frontiers in cloud physics
Authors: Battaglia A. , Westbrook C. D. , Kneifel S. , Kollias P. , Humpage N. , Löhnert U. , Tyynelä J. , Petty G. W.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Clouds and associated precipitation are the largest source of uncertainty in current weather and future climate simulations. Observations of the microphysical, dynamical and radiative processes that act at cloud-scales are needed to improve our understanding of clouds. The rapid expansion of ground-based super-sites and the availability of continuous profiling and scanning multi-frequency radar observations at 35 and 94 GHz have significantly improved our ability to probe the internal structure of clouds in high temporal-spatial resolution, and to retrieve quantitative cloud and precipitation properties. However, there are still gaps in our ability to probe clouds due to large uncertainties in the retrievals. The present work discusses the potential of G-band (frequency between 110 and 300 GHz) Doppler radars in combination with lower frequencies to further improve the retrievals of microphysical properties. Our results show that, thanks to a larger dynamic range in dual-wavelength reflectivity, dual-wavelength attenuation and dual-wavelength Doppler velocity (with respect to a Rayleigh reference), the inclusion of frequencies in the G-band can significantly improve current profiling capabilities in three key areas: boundary layer clouds, cirrus and mid-level ice clouds, and precipitating snow.
Integrating microbial physiology and physiochemical principles in soils with the MIcrobial-MIneral Carbon Stabilization (MIMICS) model
Authors: Wieder W. R. , Grandy A. S. , Kallenbach C. M. , Bonan G. B.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Previous modeling efforts document divergent responses of microbial explicit soil biogeochemistry models when compared to traditional models that implicitly simulate microbial activity, particularly following environmental perturbations. However, microbial models are needed that capture current soil biogeochemical theories emphasizing the relationships between litter quality, functional differences in microbial physiology, and the physical protection of microbial byproducts in forming stable soil organic matter (SOM). To address these limitations we introduce the MIcrobial-MIneral Carbon Stabilization (MIMICS) model. In MIMICS, the turnover of litter and SOM pools are governed by temperature sensitive Michaelis–Menten kinetics and the activity of two physiologically distinct microbial functional types. The production of microbial residues through microbial turnover provides inputs to SOM pools that are considered physically or chemically protected. Soil clay content determines the physical protection of SOM in different soil environments. MIMICS adequately simulates the mean rate of leaf litter decomposition observed at a temperate and boreal forest sites, and captures observed effects of litter quality on decomposition rates. Initial results from MIMICS suggest that soil C storage can be maximized in sandy soils with low-quality litter inputs, whereas high-quality litter inputs may maximize SOM accumulation in finely textured soils that physically stabilize microbial products. Assumptions in MIMICS about the degree to which microbial functional types differ in the production, turnover, and stabilization of microbial residues provides a~mechanism by which microbial communities may influence SOM dynamics in mineral soils. Although further analyses are needed to validate model results, MIMICS allows us to begin exploring theoretical interactions between substrate quality, microbial community abundance, and the formation of stable SOM.
Unravelling the enigmatic origin of calcitic nanofibres in soils and caves: purely physicochemical or biogenic processes?
Authors: Bindschedler S. , Cailleau G. , Braissant O. , Millière L. , Job D. , Verrecchia E. P.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Calcitic nanofibres are ubiquitous habits of secondary calcium carbonate (CaCO3) accumulations observed in calcareous vadose environments. Despite their widespread occurrence, the origin of these nanofeatures remains enigmatic. Three possible mechanisms fuel the debate: (i) purely physicochemical processes, (ii) mineralization of rod-shaped bacteria, and (iii) crystal precipitation on organic templates. Nanofibres can be either mineral (calcitic) or organic in nature. They are very often observed in association with Needle Fibre Calcite (NFC), another typical secondary CaCO3 habit in terrestrial environments. This association has contributed to some confusion between both habits, however they are truly two distinct calcitic features and their recurrent association is likely to be an important fact to help understanding the origin of nanofibres. In this manuscript the different hypotheses that currently exist to explain the origin of calcitic nanofibres are critically reviewed. In addition to this, a new hypothesis for the origin of nanofibres is proposed based on the fact that current knowledge attributes a fungal origin to NFC. As this feature and nanofibres are recurrently observed together, a possible fungal origin for nanofibres which are associated with NFC is investigated. Sequential enzymatic digestion of the fungal cell wall of selected fungal species demonstrates that the fungal cell wall can be a source of organic nanofibres. The obtained organic nanofibres show a striking morphological resemblance when compared to their natural counterparts, emphasizing a fungal origin for part of the organic nanofibres observed in association with NFC. It is further hypothesized that these organic nanofibres may act as templates for calcite nucleation in a biologically-influenced mineralization process, generating calcitic nanofibres. This highlights the possible involvement of Fungi in CaCO3 biomineralization processes, a role still poorly documented at present-day. Moreover, on a global scale, the organomineralization of organic nanofibres into calcitic nanofibres might have a great, however overlooked, impact on the biogeochemical cycles of both Ca and C.
Similarity estimators for irregular and age-uncertain time series
Authors: Rehfeld K. , Kurths J.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Paleoclimate time series are often irregularly sampled and age uncertain, which is an important technical challenge to overcome for successful reconstruction of past climate variability and dynamics. Visual comparison and interpolation-based linear correlation approaches have been used to infer dependencies from such proxy time series. While the first is subjective, not measurable and not suitable for the comparison of many data sets at a time, the latter introduces interpolation bias, and both face difficulties if the underlying dependencies are nonlinear. In this paper we investigate similarity estimators that could be suitable for the quantitative investigation of dependencies in irregular and age-uncertain time series. We compare the Gaussian-kernel-based cross-correlation (gXCF, Rehfeld et al., 2011) and mutual information (gMI, Rehfeld et al., 2013) against their interpolation-based counterparts and the new event synchronization function (ESF). We test the efficiency of the methods in estimating coupling strength and coupling lag numerically, using ensembles of synthetic stalagmites with short, autocorrelated, linear and nonlinearly coupled proxy time series, and in the application to real stalagmite time series. In the linear test case, coupling strength increases are identified consistently for all estimators, while in the nonlinear test case the correlation-based approaches fail. The lag at which the time series are coupled is identified correctly as the maximum of the similarity functions in around 60–55% (in the linear case) to 53–42% (for the nonlinear processes) of the cases when the dating of the synthetic stalagmite is perfectly precise. If the age uncertainty increases beyond 5% of the time series length, however, the true coupling lag is not identified more often than the others for which the similarity function was estimated. Age uncertainty contributes up to half of the uncertainty in the similarity estimation process. Time series irregularity contributes less, particularly for the adapted Gaussian-kernel-based estimators and the event synchronization function. The introduced link strength concept summarizes the hypothesis test results and balances the individual strengths of the estimators: while gXCF is particularly suitable for short and irregular time series, gMI and the ESF can identify nonlinear dependencies. ESF could, in particular, be suitable to study extreme event dynamics in paleoclimate records. Programs to analyze paleoclimatic time series for significant dependencies are included in a freely available software toolbox.
Water mass evolution of the Greenland Sea since late glacial times
Authors: Telesiński M. M. , Spielhagen R. F. , Bauch H. A.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Four sediment cores from the central and northern Greenland Sea basin, a crucial area for the renewal of North Atlantic deep water, were analyzed for planktic foraminiferal fauna, planktic and benthic stable oxygen and carbon isotopes as well as ice-rafted debris to reconstruct the environmental variability in the last 23 kyr. During the Last Glacial Maximum, the Greenland Sea was dominated by cold and sea-ice bearing surface water masses. Meltwater discharges from the surrounding ice sheets affected the area during the deglaciation, influencing the water mass circulation. During the Younger Dryas interval the last major freshwater event occurred in the region. The onset of the Holocene interglacial was marked by an increase in the advection of Atlantic Water and a rise in sea surface temperatures (SST). Although the thermal maximum was not reached simultaneously across the basin, benthic isotope data indicate that the rate of overturning circulation reached a maximum in the central Greenland Sea around 7 ka. After 6–5 ka a SST cooling and increasing sea-ice cover is noted. Conditions during this so-called "Neoglacial" cooling, however, changed after 3 ka, probably due to enhanced sea-ice expansion, which limited the deep convection. As a result, a well stratified upper water column amplified the warming of the subsurface waters in the central Greenland Sea, which were fed by increased inflow of Atlantic Water from the eastern Nordic Seas. Our data reveal that the Holocene oceanographic conditions in the Greenland Sea did not develop uniformly. These variations were a response to a complex interplay between the Atlantic and Polar water masses, the rate of sea-ice formation and melting and its effect on vertical convection intensity during times of Northern Hemisphere insolation changes.
An optimisation approach for shallow lake restoration through macrophyte management
Authors: Xu Z. H. , Yin X. A. , Yang Z. F.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Lake eutrophication is a serious global environmental issue. Phytoremediation is a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technology for water quality restoration. However, besides nutrient removal, macrophytes also deeply affect the hydrologic cycle of lake system through evapotranspiration. Changes in hydrologic cycle caused by macrophytes have a great influence on lake water quality restoration. As a result of the two opposite effects of macrophytes on water quality restoration (i.e. an increase in macrophytes can increase nutrient removal and improve water quality while also increasing evapotranspiration, reducing water volume and consequently decreasing water quality), rational macrophyte control through planting and harvest is very important. In this study, a new approach is proposed to optimise the initial planting area and monthly harvest scheme of macrophytes for water quality restoration. The month-by-month effects of macrophyte management on lake water quality are considered. Baiyangdian Lake serves as a case study, using the common reed. It was found that water quality was closest to Grade III on the Chinese water quality scale when the reed planting area was 123 km2 (40% of the lake surface area) and most reeds would be harvested at the end of June. The optimisation approach proposed in this study will be a useful reference for lake restoration.
Global meteorological drought – Part 1: Probabilistic monitoring
Authors: Dutra E. , Wetterhall F. , Di Giuseppe F. , Naumann G. , Barbosa P. , Vogt J. , Pozzi W. , Pappenberger F.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Near-real time drought monitoring can provide decision makers valuable information for use in several areas, such as water resources management, or international aid. One of the main constrains of assessing the current drought situation is associated with the lack of reliable sources of observed precipitation on a global scale available in near-real time. Furthermore, monitoring systems also need a long record of past observations to provide mean climatological conditions. To address these problems a novel probabilistic drought monitoring methodology based on ECMWF probabilistic forecasts is presented where probabilistic monthly means of precipitation were derived from short-range forecasts and merged with the long term climatology of the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) dataset. From the merged dataset, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was estimated. This methodology was compared with the GPCC first guess precipitation product and also SPI calculations using the ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation datasets. ECMWF probabilistic forecasts for near-real time monitoring are similar to GPCC and TRMM in terms of correlation and root mean square errors, with the added value of including an estimate of the uncertainty given by the ensemble spread. The real time availability of this product and its stability, i.e. that it does not depend directly on local rain-gauges or single satellite products, are also beneficial in light of an operational implementation.
The influence of methodological procedures on hydrological classification performance
Authors: Peñas F. J. , Barquín J. , Snelder T. H. , Booker D. J. , Álvarez C.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Hydrological classification has emerged as a suitable procedure to disentangle the inherent hydrological complexity of river networks. This practice has contributed to determine key biophysical relations in fluvial ecosystems and the effects of flow modification. Thus, a plethora of classification approaches, which agreed in general concepts and methods but differed largely in specific procedures, have emerged in the last decades. However, few studies have compared the implication of applying contrasting approaches over the same hydrological data. In this work, using cluster analysis and modelling approaches, we classify the entire river network covering the northern third of the Iberian Peninsula. Specifically, we developed classifications of increasing level of detail, ranging from 2 to 20-class levels, either based on raw and normalized daily flow series and using two contrasting approaches to determine class membership: Classify-Then-Predict (ClasF) and Predict-Then-Classify (PredF). Classifications were compared in terms of their statistical strength, the hydrological interpretation, the ability to reduce the bias associated to the underrepresented parts of the hydrological space and the spatial correspondence. The results highlighted that both the data processing and the classification strategy largely influenced the classification outcomes and properties, although differences among procedures were not always statistically significant. The normalization of flow data removed the effect of flow size and generated more complex classifications in which a wider range of hydrologic characteristics were considered. The application of the PredF strategy produced, in most of the cases, classifications with higher discrimination ability, greater ability to address the bias associated with the presence of distinctive gauges and classifications in which classes were more evenly distributed than using the ClasF strategy.
Modeling volcanic ash resuspension – application to the 14–18 October 2011 outbreak episode in central Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Folch A. , Mingari L. , Osores M. S. , Collini E.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Volcanic fallout deposits from the June 2011 Cordón Caulle eruption on central Patagonia were remobilized in several occasions months after their emplacement. In particular, during 14–18 October 2011, an intense outbreak episode generated widespread volcanic clouds that were dispersed across Argentina, causing multiple impacts in the environment, affecting the air quality and disrupting airports. Fine ash particles in volcanic fallout deposits can be resuspended under favorable meteorological conditions, particularly during strong wind episodes in arid environments with low soil moisture and poor vegetation coverage. As opposed to eruption-formed ash clouds, modeling of resuspension-formed ash clouds has received little attention. In consequence, there are no emission schemes specially developed and calibrated for resuspended volcanic ash, and few operational products exists to model and forecast the formation and dispersal of resuspension ash clouds. Here we implement three dust emission schemes of increasing complexity in the FALL3D tephra dispersal model and use the 14–18 October 2011 outbreak episode as a model test case. We calibrate the emission schemes and validate the results of the coupled WRF–ARW (Weather Research and Forecasting – Advanced Research WRF)/FALL3D modeling system using satellite imagery and measurements of visibility (a quantity related to total suspended particle concentration at the surface) and particulate matter (PM10) concentration at several meteorological and air quality stations located at Argentina and Uruguay. Our final goal is to test the capability of the modeling system to become, in the near future, an operational forecast product for volcanic ash resuspension events.
Review Article: Structural flood-protection measures referring to several European case studies
Authors: Kryžanowski A. , Brilly M. , Rusjan S. , Schnabl S.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The paper presents a review of structural measures that were taken to cope with floods in some cities along the Danube River, such as Vienna, Bratislava, and Belgrade. These cities were also considered as case studies within the KULTURisk project. The structural measures are reviewed and compared to each other according to the type, duration of application, the return period of the design flood event, how the project measures are integrated into spatial planning and the problems that occur in the flood defences today. Based on this review, some suggestions are given on how to improve the flood risk management in flood-prone areas.
Kiobel and the Weakening of Precedent: A Long Walk for a Short Drink
Authors: Steinhardt Ralph G.
Published: January 2014

Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. marks the second time in nine years that the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) does not provide jurisdiction in a high-profile human rights case, a sequence that might suggest an end to the gilded age of human rights litigation that began with Filártiga v. Peña-Irala. On closer analysis, however, Kiobel, like Sosa v. Alvarez-Machain before it, adopts a rhetoric of caution without foreclosing litigation that fits the Filártiga model. To the contrary, Sosa and Kiobel invite considerably more ATS litigation than they resolve or bar and therefore confirm Justice Antonin Scalia’s memorable encapsulation of the Court’s “Never Say Never Jurisprudence.” All four of the opinions in Kiobel confirm that multiple significant issues remain for future resolution, but it is unrealistic to expect answers on the basis of the Court’s decision because what is law in Kiobel isnt clear and what is clear in Kiobel isn’t law.
Theorizing Africana Religions:
Authors: Khabeer Su'ad Abdul , Chireau Yvonne , Johnson Paul Christopher , Byron Gay , Lovejoy Paul E. , Bryant Sherwin , Lofton Kathryn
Published: January 2014

These edited proceedings of a 2013 symposium at Northwestern University are organized around the question of how to theorize the study of Africana religions across wide expanses of time and space. An international body of scholars representing the fields of history, religious studies, anthropology, American studies, sociology, African studies, classics, and African American studies gathered in a two-day event to consider the past, present, and future of their shared commitment to understanding the religions of African and African-descended people. Scholars discuss the challenges of and opportunities for the study of Africana religions from ancient to modern times, across Africa and its diaspora.
Marketed and Original Shea Butters of Côte d’Ivoire: Physicochemical and Biochemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Potential Utilizations
Authors: Megnanou Rose-Monde , Zoue Lessoy T. , Niamke Sebastien
Published: January 2014

Many standards constitute shea butter trading conditions, but the exploitation of this greasy product is submitted to other industrial exigencies. The aim of this study was to characterize and evaluate the utilization potentiality of the artisanal shea butter produced in Côte d’Ivoire, on the basis of the industrials exigencies. Hence, both beige and yellow artisanal (original and market) shea butters were collected and analyzed. The refractive indexes (1.46 ± 0.00) did not vary while specific gravity at 40 °C (0.86 ± 0.00 - 0.92 ± 0.00), unsaponifiable matter (1.80 ± 0.01 - 3.76 ± 0.02%) and pH values (5.39 - 6.69) showed significant differences from a sample to another. The viscosity was very high at 40 °C (86.78 ± 0.89 - 130.10 ± 0.26 mPas) and decreased with the temperature increasing (40 to 65 °C). The UV-Vis spectrum showed a very weak absorption from 300 to 400 nm (UV-B and UV-A domains) while the near infra-red (NIR) one, revealed peaks at 450 and 700 nm for yellow shea butters only and peaks at 1200, 1400, 1725 and 2150 nm for all the samples. The fatty acids profile highlighted four main fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids); saturated fatty acids (56.00 ± 0.20 - 63.00 ± 0.20%) were the most important. All these interesting characteristics should arouse attention for using traditional shea butters in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
Performance Analysis of GPS/GLONASS Precise Point Positioning
Authors: Azab Mohamed , El-Rabbany Ahmed , Shoukry M. Nabil , Khalil Ramadan , Afifi Akram
Published: January 2014

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has attracted the attention of many researchers over the past decade. Recently, the Russian global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) has been modernized and restored to near full constellation status, which has made it more attractive for positioning and navigation. Having two healthy systems, namely GPS and GLONASS provides a combination of both constellations, which in turn promises to improve the availability, positioning accuracy, and reliability of PPP solutions.

This study investigates the effect of combining GPS and GLONASS dual-frequency measurements on the static PPP solution and its sensitivity to different processing strategies. Many data sets from five globally distributed International GNSS Service (IGS) tracking stations were processed using the Bernese GPS software package. The addition of GLONASS constellation improved the satellite visibility and geometry by more than 60%, and 40%, respectively, and improves the positioning convergence by up to 41%, 38%, and 19% in east, north, and up directions, respectively.
A 50-year-old man with a long-standing, large-angle exotropia and limitation of adduction in the left eye
Authors: Mehendale Reshma A. , Stemmer-Rachamimov Anat O. , Dagi Linda R.
Published: January 2014

A 50-year-old man was referred for management of a long-standing, large-angle exotropia and limitation of adduction in the left eye. He had a history of poor vision in the left eye since childhood and 4 previous strabismus procedures. The most recent strabismus surgery was 38 years before presentation. Prior records were unavailable, and the patient could not recall any details pertaining to his earlier procedures or alignment in childhood. His wife did not report any recent change in his appearance or alignment.
Cadherin-17 and SATB2 Are Sensitive and Specific Immunomarkers for Medullary Carcinoma of the Large Intestine
Authors: Lin Fan , Shi Jianhui , Zhu Shaobo , Chen Zongming , Li Aihua , Chen Taiying , Wang Hanlin L. , Liu Haiyan
Published: January 2014

Context.—Distinction of medullary carcinoma of the large intestine from other cytokeratin (CK) 7−/CK20− carcinomas can be challenging when working on a tumor of unknown primary because the majority of medullary carcinomas are negative for CK7, CK20, and CDX2.

Objective.—To investigate the expression of cadherin-17 and SATB-2 and other markers in medullary carcinomas of the large intestine and cadherin-17 and SATB2 in a large number of carcinomas and normal tissues from various organs to further test their diagnostic specificity.

Design.—This study evaluated cadherin-17 and SATB2 expression in 18 medullary carcinoma cases and 1941 tumors and 358 normal tissues from various organs. Other immunomarkers, including MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6, CDX2, CK7, CK20, TFF3, MUC4, calretinin, p504S, villin, and synaptophysin, were also tested on the 18 medullary carcinoma cases.

Results.—The results demonstrated (1) loss of MLH1 and PMS2 in more than 80% of medullary carcinomas; (2) expression of cadherin-17 and SATB2 in 89% of medullary carcinomas; (3) focal expression of TFF3, MUC4, calretinin, CDX2, CK20, and synaptophysin in 72%, 72%, 67%, 67%, 28%, and 17% of 18 medullary carcinoma cases, respectively; and (4) expression of SATB2 and cadherin-17 in 97% and 98% of the colorectal adenocarcinomas, respectively, whereas their expression was seen in 3.6% and 3.3% of nongastrointestinal tumors, respectively.

Conclusion.—We concluded that SATB2 and cadherin-17 were highly sensitive and specific markers for colorectal carcinomas and propose including MLH1, cadherin-17, and SATB2 in a routine immunostaining panel when working on a tumor of unknown primary, especially in an elderly patient with a CK7−/CK20− carcinoma.
Reshaping inland concentrate management using pretreatment and electrodialysis reversal
Authors: He Charlie , Westerhoff Paul , Wang Jun , Carpenter Guy
Published: January 2014

A recent study that examined methods for addressing the challenges of concentrate management in reclaimed water produced solutions that are efficient, cost‐effective, and ready for implementation.
Integrating desalinated seawater with existing supplies and delivery systems
Authors: Weinberg Ken , Yamada Robert , Callahan Neil V. , Bianes Vic , Chamberlain Dave , Suydam Tim , Eaton Gary
Published: January 2014

Changing from a gravity‐fed water supply system to a sea‐level system provided unique challenges for the new Carlsbad, Calif., desalination project.
Water Wars in the Southeast
Authors: Charles James E. , Flowers Wayne E.
Published: January 2014

For the past two decades there has been a more heated war between the two states over water supply. Florida, along with Alabama, claims that Georgia ‐ Atlanta in particular ‐ is taking more than its fair share of water from the Chattahoochee, Flint, and Apalachicola River Basins, which is having adverse effects on the economies and the environments of Florida and Alabama. Florida and Alabama point to Atlanta's burgeoning population and the resultant water demands as the root of the problem. It will be interesting to see how Florida's recent lawsuit, in which one state directly sues another, will turn out and what the implications will be for other states in which similar water disputes exist.
Ohio AWWA Section's Technology Committee helps utilities save millions
Authors: Wolfe Timothy , Le Gouellec Yann , Hopkins Gary , Rodgers Maggie , Whitteberry Bruce
Published: January 2014

Technology guidelines developed for Ohio public water systems are estimated to have saved the state's three largest systems nearly $0.5 billion over the past 15‐20 years.
A Case of Endobronchial Actinomycosis with a Broncholith cured by Cryotherapy through a Flexible Bronchoscope
Authors: Yoo Jin Seok , Cho Eun Ju , Gwoo Sangeon , Kwon Hye Jung , Lim Seong Kyeong , Jang Tae Won , Oak Chul Ho
Published: January 2014

We report the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with obstructive pneumonitis and broncholithiasis. We attempted to remove the broncholith with forceps through a flexible endoscope, but the potential for bleeding due to partial synechia did not allow this. We succeeded in removing it with cryotherapy. The histopathological diagnosis was thoracic actinomycosis associated with broncholithiasis. Endobronchial actinomycosis with a broncholith is very rare. We successfully treated a patient with endobronchial actinomycosis with a broncholith by administering short-term antibiotics after broncholithectomy via cryotherapy through a flexible bronchoscope.
A Case of Pulmonary Hypertension Recurred by Graves’ Disease
Authors: Lee Jun Seop , Choi Young Sik , Lee Jae Woo , Yoo Jin Seok , Choi Youn Jung , Park Dong Hyun
Published: January 2014

A few cases of severe pulmonary hypertension with right heart failure associated with Graves’ disease were reported in the literature. However, cases of pulmonary hypertension with right heart failure recurred by Graves’ disease is very rare. We describe the case of a 60-year old woman who had been treated pulmonary hypertension caused by right pulmonary artery thromboembolism seven years ago. Recently, her pulmonary hypertension with right heart failure was recurred by Graves’ disease. The patient’s symptoms of pulmonary hypertension was resolved after treatment of Graves’ disease.
Current Status of Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
Authors: Kim Taek Sang
Published: January 2014

Recently, nephron-sparing, minimally invasive surgery of small renal masses has become popular. The most typical surgery is laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). However, due to technical difficulties, the indications for LPN had been limited to small, exophytic, and peripheral tumors. This paper introduces current status of oncological outcomes and technical considerations.
Characteristics of Clinical Features between Isolated Left Side Ischemic Colitis and Non-Isolated Left Side Ischemic Colitis
Authors: Heo Jae Joon , Kim Hyung Hun , Song Jun Young , Park Seun Ja , Park Moo In , Moon Won
Published: January 2014

ObjectivesCompared with all other patterns, isolated right colon ischemia has been found to be more associated with coronary artery disease and a poor prognosis. However, there has been no research on comparing isolated left side ischemic colitis (ILIC) and non-ILIC with vascular assessment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings between these two different forms of ischemic colitis (IC). MethodsWe retrospectively investigated differences in clinical features, course, and mesenteric vascular (superior mesenteric artery, SMA; inferior mesenteric artery, IMA) findings between ILIC and non-ILIC patients who were hospitalized at Kosin University Gospel Hospital from 2004 to 2010. ResultsOur study population comprised 221 patients, all of whom met our entry criteria of biopsy-proven or -compatible IC. Of the 221 patients, 46 (20.8%) had non-ILIC. Congestive heart failure and hypercholesterolemia were more frequently observed in the non-ILIC group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.020, respectively). SMA atherosclerosis and SMA stenosis were more frequently observed in the non-ILIC group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.001, respectively). Recovery periods were longer in the non-ILIC group (P = 0.039), and mortality was lower in the ILIC group (6.9% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.026). ConclusionsILIC has favorable outcomes compared with non-ILIC. Furthermore, non-ILIC showed a close relationship with SMA atherosclerosis and SMA stenosis, which should be investigated carefully in the clinical field.
Vous avez dit « continuité des services » ? Les professionnels de l’employabilité face aux catégories de l’immigration et de la jeunesse
Authors: Lendaro Annalisa , Goyette Martin
Published: January 2014

Au Québec, l’ensemble des acteurs concernés par la conception, le financement et la mise en oeuvre des politiques de la jeunesse semblent s’accorder sur une chose : l’objectif à viser est la « continuité des services », c’est-à-dire la complémentarité des programmes, qui permettrait au jeune, en fonction de l’évolution de ses besoins, d’entrer dans l’un de ces derniers sans se retrouver dans un « vide de droits ». Dans un contexte de pénurie de ressources financières et de compétition accrue entre les organismes d’accompagnement, l’article se propose de porter un éclairage sur les enjeux du processus de ciblage des populations à travers le cas des jeunes immigrants. Nous présenterons dans un premier temps le contexte institutionnel, pour ensuite mettre en exergue le rôle des professionnels de l’employabilité, dont les pratiques sont tiraillées entre les objectifs à atteindre et les cas spécifiques des usagers.
Les recompositions culturelles des « jeunes de cité » à l’épreuve des déterminismes sociaux et des effets du chômage, de la discrimination et de la ségrégation urbaine
Authors: Marlière Éric
Published: January 2014

Enfants d’ouvriers et d’immigrés pour la plupart, les jeunes dits « de cité » sont les déshérités du monde ouvrier et de son système social. Depuis plus de deux générations, ces jeunes ont développé des modes de vie qui leur sont, en partie, spécifiques : entre « culture de rue », pratiques religieuses musulmanes et, pour contrecarrer le chômage et la précarité, entrée dans une petite délinquance de masse. Bien que les trajectoires sociales soient diverses chez les « jeunes de cité », ces derniers sont confrontés à des difficultés économiques et sociales auxquelles s’ajoutent les effets des discriminations et de la ségrégation urbaine qui en font irrémédiablement des « boucs émissaires ». En réponse à ces nombreux obstacles émerge chez ces jeunes un sentiment d’injustice unanimement partagé.
Des pratiques culturelles contre l’échec et le décrochage scolaires. Sociologie d’un détour
Authors: Bonnéry Stéphane , Renard Fanny
Published: January 2014

L’article porte sur des dispositifs mis en place dans le cadre de partenariats entre l’Éducation nationale, des collectivités territoriales et des associations d’éducation populaire au gré de politiques de « lutte contre le décrochage scolaire » ou de « programmes de réussite éducative ». Répondant aux diagnostics officiels des difficultés scolaires, ces dispositifs proposent des activités artistiques aux élèves de primaire ou de collège. Nous montrons les difficultés que ces dispositifs rencontrent ainsi que leur caractère paradoxal au vu de la persistance des inégalités culturelles. Qu’apportent des activités pédagogiques de détour qui masquent les enjeux scolaires qui les sous-tendent ?
Défis et conditions de l’accompagnement de la sortie de la rue
Authors: Colombo Annamaria
Published: January 2014

Comment comprendre que des programmes d’intervention aident certains jeunes à sortir de la marginalité, mais qu’ils ne représentent pas une aide significative pour d’autres ? Comment expliquer que certains jeunes soient demandeurs d’une aide, alors que d’autres, apparemment dans la même situation, semblent fuir toute relation d’aide ? À partir d’une recherche menée auprès de jeunes sortis de la rue, l’article montre que l’accompagnement de la sortie de la rue ne peut faire l’impasse sur le sens que les jeunes accordent à la relation d’aide, en fonction des attentes de reconnaissance qu’ils ont. Il propose de lire les enjeux qui se jouent aussi bien dans la demande que dans la non-demande d’aide sous leurs différentes formes, à la lumière des trajectoires spécifiques des jeunes.
The vulnerability of men to virologic failure during antiretroviral therapy in a public routine clinic in Burkina Faso
Authors: Penot Pauline , Héma Arsène , Bado Guillaume , Kaboré Firmin , Soré Ibrahim , Sombié Diamasso , Traoré Jean‐Richard , Guiard‐Schmid Jean‐Baptiste , Fontanet Arnaud , Slama Laurence , Sawadogo Adrien Bruno , Laurent Christian
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Gender differences in antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes are critical in sub‐Saharan Africa. We assessed the association between gender and virologic failure among adult patients treated in a public routine clinic (one of the largest in West Africa) in Burkina Faso.

Methods

We performed a case‐control study between July and October 2012 among patients who had received ART at the Bobo Dioulasso Day Care Unit. Patients were eligible if they were 15 years or older, positive for HIV‐1 or HIV‐1+2, and on first‐line ART for at least six months. Cases were all patients with two consecutive HIV loads >1000 copies/mL (Biocentric Generic or Abbott Real Time assays), or one HIV load >1000 copies/mL associated with immunologic or clinical failure criteria. Controls were all patients who only had HIV loads <300 copies/mL. The association between gender and virologic failure was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression, adjusted on age, level of education, baseline CD4+ T cell count, first and current antiretroviral regimens and time on ART.

Results

Of 2303 patients (74.2% women; median age: 40 years; median time on ART: 34 months), 172 had virologic failure and 2131 had virologic success. Among the former, 130 (75.6%) had confirmed virologic failure, 38 (22.1%) had viro‐immunologic failure, and four (2.3%) had viro‐clinical failure. The proportion of men was significantly higher among the cases than among the controls (37.2% vs. 24.9%; p<0.001). Compared to controls, cases were also younger, more immunodeficient at ART initiation, less likely to receive a protease inhibitor‐based antiretroviral regimen and had spent a longer period of time on ART. After adjustment, male gender remained strongly associated with virologic failure (odds ratio 2.52, 95% CI: 1.77–3.60; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Men on ART appeared more vulnerable to virologic failure than women. Additional studies are needed to confirm the poorer prognosis of men in this setting and to determine the causes for their vulnerability in order to optimize HIV care. From now on, efforts should be made to support the adherence of men to ART in the African setting.