bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Comfort Temperature in Indonesia, an Initial Step to Reduce Cooling Energy Consumption
Authors: Karyono Tri
Published: July 2015

Indonesia has no reliable thermal comfort standard that is based on research works. The current national standard (SNI 6390:2011) states only a single range of comfort temperature that is 25.5 °C Ta, with a range of +1.5 °C Ta. Previous thermal studies in a number of different buildings in Indonesia showed that the neutral (comfort) temperatures of subjects were about 27 to 28 °C, which is higher than the values stated in the standard. As a big country with various ambient temperatures, Indonesian needs a better and more reliable thermal comfort predictor which can be applied properly across the country. This study is an attempt to propose an initial Indonesian thermal predictor, in the form of a simple equation, which could predict comfort temperatures properly across the country. Reanalysing the previous comfort studies in Indonesia, a simple regression equation is constructed as to be used as the initial Indonesian comfort predictor. Using this predictor, the comfort temperatures in a lowland or coastal cities like Jakarta is found to be higher than the current comfort standard. It is expected that this predictor would help to provide a better indoor thermal environment and at the same reduce the cooling energy in air conditioning (AC) building, thus reducing a building’s carbon emissions.
The Impact of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway on DNA Repair Mechanisms in Human Cancer
Authors: Meng Erhong , Hanna Ann , Samant Rajeev , Shevde Lalita
Published: July 2015

Defined cellular mechanisms have evolved that recognize and repair DNA to protect the integrity of its structure and sequence when encountering assaults from endogenous and exogenous sources. There are five major DNA repair pathways: mismatch repair, nucleotide excision repair, direct repair, base excision repair and DNA double strand break repair (including non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination repair). Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is a feature of many cancer types. The Hh pathway has been documented to be indispensable for epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis, cancer stemness, and chemoresistance. The functional transcription activators of the Hh pathway include the GLI proteins. Inhibition of the activity of GLI can interfere with almost all DNA repair types in human cancer, indicating that Hh/GLI functions may play an important role in enabling tumor cells to survive lethal types of DNA damage induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thus, Hh signaling presents an important therapeutic target to overcome DNA repair-enabled multi-drug resistance and consequently increase chemotherapeutic response in the treatment of cancer.
Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy from Diagnosis to Management: A Very Different Journey for General Practitioners and Parents
Authors: Lozinsky Adriana , Meyer Rosan , Anagnostou Katherine , Dziubak Robert , Reeve Kate , Godwin Heather , Fox Adam , Shah Neil
Published: July 2015

Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in infants and can affect a family’s quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the knowledge and experience of general practitioners (GPs) in terms of CMPA diagnosis and management and to explore the views of parents on the current diagnostic process. Two surveys were conducted in June 2014, which collected data from GPs and parents of infants diagnosed with CMPA in the United Kingdom. The questionnaires included quantitative and qualitative questions, which measured self-reported knowledge, management and perceived treatment progression, and the educational needs of GPs. We also explored parents’ experiences of local healthcare support in relation to CMPA. A total of 403 GPs and 300 parents completed the surveys. The main symptoms of CMPA and diagnosis period differed between GPs and parents. Other key points include different perceptions on symptom presentation and improvement, lack of awareness from GPs about current guidelines, and the significant burden on both families and GPs. This is the first study attempting to establish GP and parental experience in diagnosing CMPA. It is notable that the difference can be improved through training, appropriate diagnostic tools and improved communication between physicians and parents.
A Note on the Asymptotic Normality of the Kernel Deconvolution Density Estimator with Logarithmic Chi-Square Noise
Authors: Zu Yang
Published: July 2015

This paper studies the asymptotic normality for the kernel deconvolution estimator when the noise distribution is logarithmic chi-square; both identical and independently distributed observations and strong mixing observations are considered. The dependent case of the result is applied to obtain the pointwise asymptotic distribution of the deconvolution volatility density estimator in discrete-time stochastic volatility models.
Morphogenesis, Flowering, and Gene Expression of Dendranthema grandiflorum in Response to Shift in Light Quality of Night Interruption
Authors: Park Yoo , Muneer Sowbiya , Jeong Byoung
Published: July 2015

The impact of shifts in the spectral quality of light on morphogenesis, flowering, and photoperiodic gene expression during exposure to light quality of night interruption (NI) was investigated in Dendranthema grandiflorum. The circadian rhythms of plants grown in a closed walk-in growth chamber were interrupted at night for a total of 4 h, using light-emitting diodes with an intensity of 10 μmol·m−2·s−1 PPF. The light quality of the NI was shifted from one wavelength to another after the first 2 h. Light treatments consisting of all possible pairings of blue (B), red (R), far-red (Fr), and white (W) light were tested. Plants in the NI treatment groups exposed to Fr light grew larger than plants in other treatment groups. Of plants in NI treatment groups, those in the NI-WB treatment grew the least. In addition, the impact of shifts in the light quality of NI on leaf expansion was greater in treatment groups exposed to a combination of either B and R or R and W light, regardless of their order of supply. Flowering was observed in the NI-RB, NI-FrR, NI-BFr, NI-FrB, NI-WB, NI-FrW, NI-WFr, NI-WR, and SD (short-day) treatments, and was especially promoted in the NI-BFr and NI-FrB treatments. In a combined shift treatment of B and R or B and W light, the NI concluded with B light (NI-RB and NI-WB) treatment induced flowering. The transcriptional factors phyA, cry1 and FTL (FLOWERING LOCUS T) were positively affected, while phyB and AFT were negatively affected. In conclusion, morphogenesis, flowering, and transcriptional factors were all significantly affected either positively or negatively by shifts in the light quality of NI. The light quality of the first 2 h of NI affected neither morphogenesis nor flowering, while the light quality of the last 2 h of NI significantly affected both morphogenesis and flowering.
The Measurement of Personal Self-Efficacy in Preparing for a Hurricane and Its Role in Modeling the Likelihood of Evacuation
Authors: Stewart Alan
Published: July 2015

Storm surges require that coastal residents make necessary preparations and evacuate the coast prior to hurricane landfall. An important individual characteristic in preparing for tropical cyclones is hurricane personal self-efficacy. Coastal residents who believe that it is possible to prepare for and evacuate ahead of a hurricane (hurricane response possibilities) and, further, believe that they personally can prepare and evacuate (hurricane personal self-efficacy) will be better prepared for hurricanes. In this study the author used a sample of 334 people to evaluate an 8-item self-report measure, the Hurricane Personal Self-Efficacy Scale (HPSES). This measure can be used to assess beliefs that it is possible in general to prepare for a hurricane and that the respondent him or herself can make these preparations and evacuate ahead of a hurricane. A factor analysis confirmed that the items measured two characteristics: (1) beliefs that is it possible for people in general to prepare for a hurricane; and (2) beliefs that the respondent personally could prepare for a hurricane and evacuate. The author also examined the functionality of the measure within a framework that was informed by Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Hurricane response possibility beliefs, prior experiences with hurricane evacuation and hurricane-related property damages, and a tendency for people to sense and observe the weather were all predictive of personal self-efficacy in preparing for hurricanes, R2adj = 0.36. In operationalizing other constructs associated with PMT using weather-related psychological measures in a path analysis model, it was found that personal self-efficacy, fear of consequences of the severe and extreme weather, and appraisal of the threats posed by behaviors that could result in injury or death during severe weather together predicted the self-reported likelihood of evacuating, R2adj = 0.26. The implications of the study for coastal engineers and planners, ways of increasing hurricane personal self-efficacy in preparing for hurricanes, and the study's limitations are discussed.
Mechanics of Biological Tissues and Biomaterials: Current Trends
Authors: Zadpoor Amir
Published: July 2015

Investigation of the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and biomaterials has been an active area of research for several decades. However, in recent years, the enthusiasm in understanding the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and biomaterials has increased significantly due to the development of novel biomaterials for new fields of application, along with the emergence of advanced computational techniques. The current Special Issue is a collection of studies that address various topics within the general theme of “mechanics of biomaterials”. This editorial aims to present the context within which the studies of this Special Issue could be better understood. I, therefore, try to identify some of the most important research trends in the study of the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and biomaterials.
Notched Long-Period Fiber Grating with an Amine-Modified Surface Nanostructure for Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensing
Authors: Wu Janw-Wei , Chiang Chia-Chin
Published: July 2015

This paper presents the fabrication and application of a notched long-period fiber grating (NLPFG) with an amine-modified surface nanostructure for carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sensing. The NLPFG with the modified surface nanostructure was fabricated by using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching with an Ag nanoparticle etching barrier. The experimental results show that the spectra were changed with the CO2 gas flow within 12 min. Thereafter, the spectra of the NLPFG remained steady and unchanged. During the absorption process, the transmission loss was decreased by approximately 2.019 dB, and the decreased rate of transmission loss was 0.163 dB/min. The sensitivity was about −0.089 dB/%. These results demonstrate that the NLPFG CO2 gas sensor has the advantages of steady performance, repeatability, and low cost. Therefore, the NLPFG can be utilized as a reliable CO2 gas sensor.
Molecular Docking and Multivariate Analysis of Xanthones as Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents
Authors: Bernal Freddy , Coy-Barrera Ericsson
Published: July 2015

Xanthones are secondary metabolites which have drawn considerable interest over the last decades due to their antimicrobial properties, among others. A great number of this kind of compounds has been therefore reported, but there is a limited amount of studies on screening for biological activity. Thus, as part of our research on antimicrobial agents of natural origin, a set of 272 xanthones were submitted to molecular docking (MD) calculations with a group of seven fungal and two viral enzymes. The results indicated that prenylated xanthones are important hits for inhibition of the analyzed enzymes. The MD scores were also analyzed by multivariate statistics. Important structural details were found to be crucial for the inhibition of the tested enzymes by the xanthones. In addition, the classification of active xanthones can be achieved by statistical analysis on molecular docking scores by an affinity-antifungal activity relationship approach. The obtained results therefore are a suitable starting point for the development of antifungal and antiviral agents based on xanthones.
Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Structurally Correlated p-Menthane Derivatives
Authors: Andrade Luciana , Lima Tamires , Amaral Ricardo , Pessoa Cláudia , Filho Manoel , Soares Bruno , Nascimento Lázaro , Carvalho Adriana , De Sousa Damião
Published: July 2015

Compounds isolated from essential oils play an important role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Monoterpenes are natural products, and the principal constituents of many essential oils. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic potential of p-menthane derivatives. Additionally, analogues of perillyl alcohol, a monoterpene with known anticancer activity, were evaluated to identify the molecular characteristics which contribute to their cytotoxicity, which was tested against OVCAR-8, HCT-116, and SF-295 human tumor cell lines, using the MTT assay. The results of this study showed that (−)-perillaldehyde 8,9-epoxide exhibited the highest percentage inhibition of cell proliferation (GI = 96.32%–99.89%). Perillyl alcohol exhibited high cytotoxic activity (90.92%–95.82%), while (+)-limonene 1,2-epoxide (GI = 58.48%–93.10%), (−)-perillaldehyde (GI = 59.28%–83.03%), and (−)-8-hydroxycarvotanacetone (GI = 61.59%–94.01%) showed intermediate activity. All of the compounds tested were less cytotoxic than perillyl alcohol, except (−)-perillaldehyde 8,9-epoxide (IC50 = 1.75–1.03 µL/mg). In general, replacement of C-C double bonds by epoxide groups in addition to the aldehyde group increases cytotoxicity. Furthermore, stereochemistry seems to play an important role in cytotoxicity. We have demonstrated the cytotoxic influence of chemical substituents on the p-menthane structure, and analogues of perillyl alcohol.
Increased Intake of Foods with High Nutrient Density Can Help to Break the Intergenerational Cycle of Malnutrition and Obesity
Authors: Troesch Barbara , Biesalski Hans , Bos Rolf , Buskens Erik , Calder Philip , Saris Wim , Spieldenner Jörg , Verkade Henkjan , Weber Peter , Eggersdorfer Manfred
Published: July 2015

A workshop held at the University Medical Center in Groningen, The Netherlands, aimed at discussing the nutritional situation of the population in general and the role diet plays during critical windows in the life course, during which the body is programmed for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are increasingly prevalent as our society ages, and nutrition is well known to play an important role in determining the risk and the time of onset of many common NCDs. Even in affluent countries, people have difficulties to achieve adequate intakes for a range of nutrients: Economic constraints as well as modern lifestyles lead people to consume diets with a positive energy balance, but low in micronutrients, resulting in increasing prevalence of obesity and suboptimal nutritional status. Information about nutrient density, which refers to the content of micronutrients relative to energy in food or diets, can help identify foods that have a low calorie to nutrient ratio. It thus allows the consumption of diets that cover nutritional needs without increasing the risk of becoming obese. Given the impact a nutrient dense, low energy diet can have on health, researchers, food industry and governments jointly should develop options for affordable, appealing nutrient-rich food products, which, in combination with physical activity, allow for optimal health throughout the life-course.
Dynamics of a Dispersion-Managed Passively Mode-Locked Er-Doped Fiber Laser Using Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Nishizawa Norihiko , Jin Lei , Kataura Hiromichi , Sakakibara Youichi
Published: July 2015

We investigated the dynamics of a dispersion-managed, passively mode-locked, ultrashort-pulse, Er-doped fiber laser using a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) device. A numerical model was constructed for analysis of the SWNT fiber laser. The initial process of passive mode-locking, the characteristics of the output pulse, and the dynamics inside the cavity were investigated numerically for soliton, dissipative-soliton, and stretched-pulse mode-locking conditions. The dependencies on the total dispersion and recovery time of the SWNTs were also examined. Numerical results showed similar behavior to experimental results.
Groundwater Abstraction for Irrigation and Its Impacts on Low Flows in a Watershed in Northwest Germany
Authors: Wittenberg Hartmut
Published: July 2015

Low flows of the Ilmenau River (1434 km2) in northwest Germany have decreased by about 25% over the last 50 years. In the same period, moderate climate changes have taken place and annual groundwater abstractions for sprinkler irrigation have increased by up to 50 hm3 (million m3), with a strong variation due to the respective prevailing weather conditions. Time-series analyses with multiple regression analysis allow detecting and quantifying different influences on low flows. It is also shown that farmers allocate irrigation water volumes carefully according to seasonal precipitation and temperatures. Decline of groundwater levels in summer and the low flow situation are aggravated by the cumulative effect of higher irrigation in drier years. Groundwater recharge and recovery of the water table have been observed subsequently during the winter season.
Validation of the Surface Downwelling Solar Irradiance Estimates of the HelioClim-3 Database in Egypt
Authors: Eissa Yehia , Korany Mohamed , Aoun Youva , Boraiy Mohamed , Abdel Wahab Magdy , Alfaro Stephane , Blanc Philippe , El-Metwally Mossad , Ghedira Hosni , Hungershoefer Katja , Wald Lucien
Published: July 2015

HelioClim-3 (HC3) is a database providing time series of the surface downwelling solar irradiance that are computed from images of the Meteosat satellites. This paper presents the validation results of the hourly global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and direct normal irradiance (DNI), i.e., beam irradiance at normal incidence, of versions four and five of HC3 at seven Egyptian sites. The validation is performed for all-sky conditions, as well as cloud-free conditions. Both versions of HC3 provide similar performances whatever the conditions. Another comparison is made with the estimates provided by the McClear database that is restricted to cloud-free conditions. All databases capture well the temporal variability of the GHI in all conditions, McClear being superior for cloud-free cases. In cloud-free conditions for the GHI, the relative root mean square error (RMSE) are fairly similar, ranging from 6% to 15%; both HC3 databases exhibit a smaller bias than McClear. McClear offers an overall better performance for the cloud-free DNI estimates. For all-sky conditions, the relative RMSE for GHI ranges from 10% to 22%, except one station, while, for the DNI, the results are not so good for the two stations with DNI measurements.
Multiscale Trend Analysis for Pampa Grasslands Using Ground Data and Vegetation Sensor Imagery
Authors: Scottá Fernando , Da Fonseca Eliana
Published: July 2015

This study aimed to evaluate changes in the aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of grasslands in the Pampa biome by using experimental plots and changes in the spectral responses of similar vegetation communities obtained by remote sensing and to compare both datasets with meteorological variations to validate the transition scales of the datasets. Two different geographic scales were considered in this study. At the local scale, an analysis of the climate and its direct influences on grassland ANPP was performed using data from a long-term experiment. At the regional scale, the influences of climate on the grassland reflectance patterns were determined using vegetation sensor imagery data. Overall, the monthly variations of vegetation canopy growth analysed using environmental changes (air temperature, total rainfall and total evapotranspiration) were similar. The results from the ANPP data and the NDVI data showed the that variations in grassland growth were similar and independent of the analysis scale, which indicated that local data and the relationships of local data with climate can be considered at the regional scale in the Pampa biome by using remote sensing.
Physical Activity and Gastrointestinal Cancers: Primary and Tertiary Preventive Effects and Possible Biological Mechanisms
Authors: Steindorf Karen , Clauss Dorothea , Wiskemann Joachim , Schmidt Martina
Published: July 2015

Gastrointestinal cancers account for 37% of all cancer deaths worldwide, underlining the need to further investigate modifiable factors for gastrointestinal cancer risk and prognosis. This review summarizes the corresponding evidence for physical activity (PA), including, briefly, possible biological mechanisms. Despite high public health relevance, there is still a scarcity of studies, especially for tertiary prevention. Besides the convincing evidence of beneficial effects of PA on colon cancer risk, clear risk reduction for gastroesophageal cancer was identified, as well as weak indications for pancreatic cancer. Inverse associations were observed for liver cancer, yet based on few studies. Only for rectal cancer, PA appeared to be not associated with cancer risk. With regard to cancer-specific mortality of the general population, published data were rare but indicated suggestive evidence of protective effects for colon and liver cancer, and to a lesser extent for rectal and gastroesophageal cancer. Studies in cancer patients on cancer-specific and total mortality were published for colorectal cancer only, providing good evidence of inverse associations with post-diagnosis PA. Overall, evidence of associations of PA with gastrointestinal cancer risk and progression is promising but still limited. However, the already available knowledge further underlines the importance of PA to combat cancer.
Perceptions of Different Stakeholders on Reclaimed Water Reuse: The Case of Beijing, China
Authors: Chen Weiping , Bai Yanying , Zhang Weiling , Lyu Sidan , Jiao Wentao
Published: July 2015

Public involvement is critical to the successful implementation of reclaimed water reuse programs. Based on the participatory research method, we studied the attitudes of the stakeholders who are involved in reclaimed water reuse in Beijing, China. Results showed that the general public’s knowledge on water resources was poor, while their awareness on reclaimed water reuse was high. The general public showed a strong acceptance of non-contact and non-potable reclaimed water reuse, but their acceptance of the three major water reuse types of river water supplement, park water supplement, and agriculture irrigation was not high. The beneficial use of reclaimed water was admired by water resource managers, industrial sectors, and researchers, and these stakeholders strongly supported the advancement of reclaimed water reuse. However, some of the stakeholders showed concerns about the potential risks from reclaimed wastewater reuse. Among them, risks from waste water treatment facilities were the biggest concern. Stakeholders’ perception of reclaimed water was influenced by their social-economic attributes. This study will enrich the current survey findings on public perception of reclaimed water reuse, particularly in developing countries.
Biochemical Characterization of a Recombinant UDP-glucosyltransferase from Rice and Enzymatic Production of Deoxynivalenol-3-O-β-D-glucoside
Authors: Michlmayr Herbert , Malachová Alexandra , Varga Elisabeth , Kleinová Jana , Lemmens Marc , Newmister Sean , Rayment Ivan , Berthiller Franz , Adam Gerhard
Published: July 2015

Glycosylation is an important plant defense mechanism and conjugates of Fusarium mycotoxins often co-occur with their parent compounds in cereal-based food and feed. In case of deoxynivalenol (DON), deoxynivalenol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (D3G) is the most important masked mycotoxin. The toxicological significance of D3G is not yet fully understood so that it is crucial to obtain this compound in pure and sufficient quantities for toxicological risk assessment and for use as an analytical standard. The aim of this study was the biochemical characterization of a DON-inactivating UDP-glucosyltransferase from rice (OsUGT79) and to investigate its suitability for preparative D3G synthesis. Apparent Michaelis constants (Km) of recombinant OsUGT79 were 0.23 mM DON and 2.2 mM UDP-glucose. Substrate inhibition occurred at DON concentrations above 2 mM (Ki = 24 mM DON), and UDP strongly inhibited the enzyme. Cu2+ and Zn2+ (1 mM) inhibited the enzyme completely. Sucrose synthase AtSUS1 was employed to regenerate UDP-glucose during the glucosylation reaction. With this approach, optimal conversion rates can be obtained at limited concentrations of the costly co-factor UDP-glucose. D3G can now be synthesized in sufficient quantity and purity. Similar strategies may be of interest to produce β-glucosides of other toxins.
Amino Terminal Region of Dengue Virus NS4A Cytosolic Domain Binds to Highly Curved Liposomes
Authors: Hung Yu-Fu , Schwarten Melanie , Hoffmann Silke , Willbold Dieter , Sklan Ella , Koenig Bernd
Published: July 2015

Dengue virus (DENV) is an important human pathogen causing millions of disease cases and thousands of deaths worldwide. Non-structural protein 4A (NS4A) is a vital component of the viral replication complex (RC) and plays a major role in the formation of host cell membrane-derived structures that provide a scaffold for replication. The N-terminal cytoplasmic region of NS4A(1–48) is known to preferentially interact with highly curved membranes. Here, we provide experimental evidence for the stable binding of NS4A(1–48) to small liposomes using a liposome floatation assay and identify the lipid binding sequence by NMR spectroscopy. Mutations L6E;M10E were previously shown to inhibit DENV replication and to interfere with the binding of NS4A(1–48) to small liposomes. Our results provide new details on the interaction of the N-terminal region of NS4A with membranes and will prompt studies of the functional relevance of the curvature sensitive membrane anchor at the N-terminus of NS4A.
Groundwater Modeling as an Alternative Approach to Limited Data in the Northeastern Part of Mt. Hermon (Syria), to Develop a Preliminary Water Budget
Authors: Asmael Nazeer , Dupuy Alain , Huneau Frédéric , Hamid Salim , Coustumer Philippe
Published: July 2015

In developing countries such as Syria, the lack of hydrological data affects groundwater resource assessment. Groundwater models provide the means to fill the gaps in the available data in order to improve the understanding of groundwater systems. The study area can be considered as the main recharge area of the eastern side of Barada and Awaj basin in the eastern part of Mt. Hermon. The withdrawal for agricultural and domestic purposes removes a considerable amount of water. The steady-state three-dimensional (3D) groundwater model (FEFLOW which is an advanced finite element groundwater flow and transport modeling tool), was used to quantify groundwater budget components by using all available data of hydrological year 2009–2010. The results obtained may be considered as an essential tool for groundwater management options in the study area. The calibrated model demonstrates a good agreement between the observed and simulated hydraulic head. The result of the sensitivity analysis shows that the model is highly sensitive to hydraulic conductivity changes and sensitive to a lesser extent to water recharge amount. Regarding the upper aquifer horizon, the water budget under steady-state condition indicates that the lateral groundwater inflow from the Jurassic aquifer into this horizon is the most important recharge component. The major discharge component from this aquifer horizon occurs at its eastern boundary toward the outside of the model domain. The model was able to produce a satisfying estimation of the preliminary water budget of the upper aquifer horizon which indicates a positive imbalance of 4.6 Mm3·y−1.
Defining an Ecologically Ideal Shallow Groundwater Depth for Regional Sustainable Management: Conceptual Development and Case Study on the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China
Authors: Wang Xihua , Zhang Guangxin , Xu Yi , Shan Xiangjun
Published: July 2015

The depth and fluctuation of shallow groundwater influence water supply to land surface vegetation. Knowledge of an ecologically ideal depth range of shallow groundwater for a vegetation ecosystem can be crucial for sustainability of regional water resource management and ecological conservation. In this study, we developed a conceptual model that identifies an upper and a lower boundary of shallow groundwater for sustaining present vegetation ecosystems, termed ecologically ideal shallow groundwater depth (EISGD). We then applied the conceptual model to the Sanjiang Plain (10.9 × 104 km2) in northeast China in order to gain insights into sustainable shallow groundwater usage in this intensively irrigated agricultural region. Using soil capillary rise, plant rooting depth, extinction depth, and the actual groundwater depth, we identified an upper boundary range of EISGD between 0.5 and 2.8 m and a lower boundary range of EISGD between 2.0 and 14.3 m for different vegetation covers in the Sanjiang Plain. Based on the ranges, we estimated allowable shallow groundwater withdrawal (i.e., without degrading the present vegetation ecosystem) for the region and identified an area of 2.54 × 1010 m2 with a total of 9.14 × 108 m3 water deficit. Currently, the entire Sanjiang Plain has a total volume of 45.30 × 108 m3 EISGD allowable shallow groundwater withdrawal, thus the plain’s northeast region can be considered as having a high allowable pumping capacity. This study demonstrates that application of an EISGD concept can be useful for developing regional management strategies and plans for ecological protection and sustainable groundwater utilization.
Une inscription magique d'El Jem
Authors: Foucher Louis
Published: July 2015

The author studies a tabella defixionis amatoria engraved on a patch of terra-cotta found in 1960 in a necropolis South of El Jem. This document mentions for the first time the existence of an officina magica, workshop specialised in magic, whom magician potter is named Donatus.
Carthage : Actualités des fouilles dans le domaine paléochrétien
Authors: Ennabli Liliane
Published: July 2015

The author takes stock of new archaeological research (1988-2000) on Christian Carthage.
Les points de ralliement des gentes
Authors: Hamdoune Christine
Published: July 2015

The inscription CIL Mil, 20627, found by S. Gsell about 60 kms west of Sitifis, in a region where the plains meet the hills, commemorates the creation of an annual fair. Set back into its geographical context and connected with archeological documents found in other places, this testimony shows what the commercial, religious and legal functions of these meeting-points of the North African tribes were like, and how the Roman power controlled regions that still set great store by their traditional way of life.
L'épopée de Sakûmâ
Authors: Siraj Ahmed
Published: July 2015

Sakûmâ is a good example of a necessary but difficult retrospective use ofarabic sources applied to an unknown antic site of Morocco. Rather than a Roman fortress, it seems to correspond to a berber chief town near Fes or Volubilis.
Les Rehāmna depuis leur installation au Sahara jusqu'à 1862
Authors: Essadiki Abderrazzak
Published: July 2015

Some Morrocan litterary sources allow the author to follow the stages and circumstances of the migration of a Ma ͨ quil tribe, the Rehāmna, coming from the East, settle firt in the Morrocan Sahara until XVIth century, then finally transfered near the Atlas mountains. The conditions of life of the tribe, living mainly from breeding, are analysed.
La main et la «segmentante» quinaire chez les Berbères
Authors: Camps Gabriel
Published: July 2015

Le système quinaire, associé aux doigts de la main, est caractéristique de l'organisation socio-politique des tribus berbères comme le montrent de nombreux exemples actuels du Maroc à la Kabylie et au Sahara. Le cas des Quinquegentanei, parmi d'autres, révèle qu'il en était de même dans l'antiquité.
Religio IVXTA Æsculapium
Authors: Christol Michel , Janon Michel
Published: July 2015

Le rapprochement de deux inscriptions de Lambèse permet de mieux appréhender le rôle majeur joué par le culte d'Esculape dans la ville qui était le quartier général de la Legio III Augusta. L 'un de ces textes conduit à apporter quelques précisions sur la personnalité et la carrière de Domitius Zenofilus.
Inscriptions inédites de l'antique Saldae (Béjaia, ex-Bougie)
Authors: Idirène Hakim
Published: July 2015

The author presents the study of six inscriptions which were discovered at the antique Saldae. The first is a colonia Iulia Augusta Salditanorum septimana immunis dedication of an unknown monument to Hadrian, dated between dec. 10th 136 AD and dec. 9th 137 AD. An other one is an epitaph of cohors II Sardorum's auxiliary ,· the settlement of this unit in Mauretania would be dated before 122 AD. The last four inscriptions are simple epitaphs of the IInd century AD. The onomastic study reveals a very romanized society.
L'hellénisme dans le royaume numide au IIe siècle av. J.-C
Authors: Aoulad Tahar Mohamed
Published: July 2015

The reigns of Massinissa and his sons were remarkable by the opening of Numidia to Greek world. This hellenization results from the political willingness of numidian sovereigns to refer to hellenistic model as many others non Greeks states did. The interpretation of litterarian, archaeological, and epigraphic sources allows indeed to reduce the importance of commercial exchanges between Numidia and the Greek world, and to emphazise the political and cultural dimension of such documents.
Catalogue des inscriptions latines inédites de Limisa (Ksar Lemsa)
Authors: Benzina Ben Abdallah Zeïneb
Published: July 2015

Compiling essentially funerary inscriptions (110 epitaphs), the corpus of unedited inscritions from Limissa presented here comprises in a first part publics inscriptions which allow to examine municipal status evolution. In annexe 1, one will find 4 inscriptions preserved in Ksar Lemsa and coming from around ; annexe 2 presents photographs of inscriptions of Limissa already published in CIL VIII and Année épigraphique.
Les noms d'aristocrates et de notables gravés sur les gradins de l'amphithéâtre de Carthage au Bas-Empire
Authors: Hugoniot Christophe
Published: July 2015

The archaeological excavations done by Père Delattre at the end of the XlXth c. within the amphitheatre of Carthage brought to light more than two hundred Roman inscriptions. Some of them were engraved on reserved places occupied by leading citizens and aristocrats of the city. Published in the CIL, those epigraphic documents did not concern scholars until now. Nevertheless, they inform us on the organization of the Carthaginian curie at the end of IVth - beginning of Vth c. They give as well some new informations on the senatorial élite of the city.
Un portrait julio-claudien retrouvé près de Carthage
Authors: Ghalia Taher , Terrer Danièle
Published: July 2015

With the discovery of a Roman portrait in South-West of Tunis, the authors analyze the presence in Africa Proconsularis of such a new representation of a member of the imperial family.
Les inscriptions libyques de Siga
Authors: Rebuffat René
Published: July 2015

Scavando a Siga/Takembrit, porto della Mauretania (Algeria occidentale), Pierre Grimal, nel 1937, ha scoperto due iscrizioni libiche. L'una, di 7 caratteri, ha due voci identiche di 3 caratteri, non spiegate (RLZ), e il « S » indicativo dell'appartenenza. L'altra ha anche lei il « S ». Funeraria, concerna uno « MDY filio di TLLTN ». Caratterizzato dalla voce non spiegata «NBNiYi », porta il titolo di RS'i (conosciuto da 82 testimonianze epigrafiche .· cf. repertorio annesso), che indica uno statuto onorevole o una dignità. Queste iscrizioni hanno una loro originalità. Si leggono con l'alfabeto conosciuto nell'Algeria orientale ed in Tunisia, e non con l'alfabeto più largamente utilizzato nell'Algeria occidentale, ciò che da a pensare che l'utilizzazione dei due alfabeti dipendesse dal livello sociale e non dalla situazione geografica.
Africains des marges vus par des lettrés africains dans l'Anthologia Latina
Authors: Desanges Jehan
Published: July 2015

L'Anthologia Latina a recueilli une série d'épigrammes anonymes, le plus souvent rédigées à l'époque vandale, et des poèmes assignés à Luxorius, un sénatorial familier de la cour des derniers rois vandales. L 'attention est attirée sur deux pièces de vers de chacun de ces ensembles. Elles concernent des individus appartenant à des populations situées dans les marges de l'Empire romain : un Arzuge, mauvais poète, deux Garamantes d'humble condition, dont l'un est assimilé à un Noir, et un uenator « égyptien », également de carnation noire (d'origine nubienne ?), qui s'illustre dans l'amphithéâtre de Carthage.

Assurément, il faut se garder des généralisations à partir d'un très petit nombre de textes. Toutefois on sera enclin à admettre que ces textes révèlent l'état d'esprit de certains lettrés africains qui semblent préférer le contact des Vandales- ou au moins de leur cour royale- à l'irruption de l'« Afrique profonde » dans leur oasis culturelle.
L'écuyer de Lycomède : note d'iconographie
Authors: Balty Janine
Published: July 2015

La mosaïque de Tipasa pone, au registre supérieur, une scène lacunaire dont certains personnages ont été mal identifiés .· Chiron, bien reconnaissable ; trois figures «féminines », très détruites ; un soldat en vêtements du IVe s., qui a été diversement compris (Patrocle, Achille, personnage symbolique ?'). La confrontation avec le plat d'Achille de Kaiseraugst montre que ce soldat est le garde du corps du roi Lycoméde à qui Thétis vient confier son fils, déguisé enfiile. On reconnaîtra donc Lycoméde sur la mosaïque de Tipasa aussi et on décrira la scène comme suit : Chiron, Thétis, Achille (en fille) et le roi de Scyros, accompagné de son écuyer- ce dernier constituant un attribut iconographique de la fonction royale.
Les « lancers de cadeaux » (missilia) en Afrique du Nord romaine
Authors: Briand-Ponsart Claude
Published: July 2015

The practice of gifts-tossing, a specific form of evergetism, designated usually as missilia, which became frequent in Rome at the end of the Republic, reached its peak with the emperors. The African elites copied the imperial model; however, the epigraphical use of this word is only attested in the Cirtean Confederation, in Africa Proconsularis, and in Ostia during the IInd-IIIrd A.D. Moreover, it must be noted that the use of the word with this specific meaning only appears in writings by Suetonius and some jurists from the Antonine period.
Le trésor de Fadhiline (Tunisie). Antoniniani réguliers et irréguliers d'ateliers italiens et gaulois
Authors: Salama Pierre
Published: July 2015

In 1965, I have been able to study and catalogue a hoard of antoniniani found at Fadhiline, in the area of Moknine (Tunisia). Composed of 4,887 coins stricken between Elagabalus and Tetricus, the main part of the hoard (85 %) is formed by Claudius II consecration issues. This hoard, with other unpublished deposits from the third century for which I give here a brief description, is a rare document allowing us to understand better the monetary circulation and the cash supply of Africa during the second half of third century.
Céramique pré-impériale de Thysdrus (El-Jem, Tunisie)
Authors: Ben Jerbania Imed
Published: July 2015

The study of a series of ceramic finds from pre-Roman tombs in Thysdrus reveals a new aspect of this Roman site. Although there is little variation among the forms, this assemblage, which fits perfectly into the Punic repertoire of Byzacena, shows the importance of pre-Roman levels from this inland site of the Sahel. This new pre-Roman material sheds light on the indigenous population and its relations with the Phoenicians.
« Manus lanis occupate… ». Femmes et métiers en Afrique
Authors: Benseddik Nacéra
Published: July 2015

Les sources littéraires présentent souvent une image traditionnelle de la femme romaine ; la documentation épigraphique, en revanche, révèle l’existence de femmes qui gagnaient leur vie en exerçant un métier rémunéré. En Afrique, en dépit d’une documentation partiale et partielle, privilégiant les femmes de statut romain ou romanisées, elles furent nombreuses à ne pas se contenter de filer la laine à la maison. Si la mosaïque du seigneur Iulius à Carthage nous a laissé l’image impérissable d’une belle et riche matrone, les inscriptions gardent le souvenir de toutes celles qui servaient au sein de la familia ou évoluaient à l’extérieur pour augmenter et défendre leurs biens, comme ces nourrices, femmes de chambre, cuisinières, masseuses, aides-coiffeuses, ravaudeuses, bouquetières et fleuristes, musiciennes, chanteuses ou danseuses, mais aussi sages-femmes, médecins, répétitrices et même grammairiennes, commerçantes, femmes d’affaires, exploitantes de grands domaines, prêtresses ou flaminiques.
Evidence-based Health Informatics: How Do We Know What We Know?
Authors: Ammenwerth E.
Published: July 2015

Background: Health IT is expected to have a positive impact on the quality and efficiency of health care. But reports on negative impact and patient harm continue to emerge. The obligation of health informatics is to make sure that health IT solutions provide as much benefit with as few negative side effects as possible. To achieve this, health informatics as a discipline must be able to learn, both from its successes as well as from its failures.

Objectives: To present motivation, vision, and history of evidence-based health informatics, and to discuss achievements, challenges, and needs for action.

Methods: Reflections on scientific literature and on own experiences.

Results: Eight challenges on the way towards evidence-based health informatics are identified and discussed: quality of studies; publication bias; reporting quality; availability of publications; systematic reviews and meta-analysis; training of health IT evaluation experts; translation of evidence into health practice; and post-market surveil-lance. Identified needs for action comprise: establish health IT study registers; increase the quality of publications; develop a taxonomy for health IT systems; improve indexing of published health IT evaluation papers; move from meta-analysis to meta-summaries; include health IT evaluation competencies in curricula; develop evidence-based implementation frameworks; and establish post-marketing surveillance for health IT.

Conclusions: There has been some progress, but evidence-based health informatics is still in its infancy. Building evidence in health informatics is our obligation if we consider medical informatics a scientific discipline.
MOSAIC – A Modular Approach to Data Management in Epidemiological Studies
Authors: Bialke M. , Bahls T. , Havemann C. , Piegsa J. , Weitmann K. , Wegner T. , Hoffmann W.
Published: July 2015

Introduction: In the context of an increasing number of multi-centric studies providing data from different sites and sources the necessity for central data management (CDM) becomes undeniable. This is exacerbated by a multiplicity of featured data types, formats and interfaces. In relation to methodological medical research the definition of central data management needs to be broadened beyond the simple storage and archiving of research data.

Objectives: This paper highlights typical requirements of CDM for cohort studies and registries and illustrates how orientation for CDM can be provided by addressing selected data management challenges.

Methods: Therefore in the first part of this paper a short review summarises technical, organisational and legal challenges for CDM in cohort studies and registries. A deduced set of typical requirements of CDM in epidemiological research follows.

Results: In the second part the MOSAIC project is introduced (a modular systematic approach to implement CDM). The modular nature of MOSAIC contributes to manage both technical and organisational challenges efficiently by providing practical tools. A short presentation of a first set of tools, aiming for selected CDM requirements in cohort studies and registries, comprises a template for comprehensive documentation of data protection measures, an interactive reference portal for gaining insights and sharing experiences, supplemented by modular software tools for generation and management of generic pseudonyms, for participant management and for sophisticated consent management.

Conclusions: Altogether, work within MOSAIC addresses existing challenges in epidemiological research in the context of CDM and facilitates the standardized collection of data with pre-programmed modules and provided document templates. The necessary effort for in-house programming is reduced, which accelerates the start of data collection.
Exploiting Distributed, Heterogeneous and Sensitive Data Stocks while Maintaining the Owner’s Data Sovereignty
Authors: Lablans M. , Kadioglu D. , Muscholl M. , Ückert F.
Published: July 2015

Background: To achieve statistical significance in medical research, biological or data samples from several bio- or databanks often need to be complemented by those of other institutions. For that purpose, IT-based search services have been established to locate datasets matching a given set of criteria in databases distributed across several institutions. However, previous approaches require data owners to disclose information about their samples, raising a barrier for their participation in the network.

Objective: To devise a method to search distributed databases for datasets matching a given set of criteria while fully maintaining their owner’s data sovereignty.

Methods: As a modification to traditional federated search services, we propose the decentral search, which allows the data owner a high degree of control. Relevant data are loaded into local bridgeheads, each under their owner’s sovereignty. Researchers can formulate criteria sets along with a project proposal using a central search broker, which then notifies the bridgeheads. The criteria are, however, treated as an inquiry rather than a query: Instead of responding with results, bridgeheads notify their owner and wait for his/her decision regarding whether and what to answer based on the criteria set, the matching datasets and the specific project proposal. Without the owner’s explicit consent, no data leaves his/ her institution.

Results: The decentral search has been deployed in one of the six German Centers for Health Research, comprised of eleven university hospitals. In the process, compliance with German data protection regulations has been confirmed. The decentral search also marks the centerpiece of an open source registry software toolbox aiming to build a national registry of rare diseases in Germany.

Conclusions: While the sacrifice of real-time answers impairs some use-cases, it leads to several beneficial side effects: improved data protection due to data parsimony, tolerance for incomplete data schema mappings and flexibility with regard to patient consent. Most importantly, as no datasets ever leave their institution, owners can reject projects without facing potential peer pressure. By its lower barrier for participation, a decentral search service is likely to attract a larger number of partners and to bring a researcher into contact with the right potential partners.