bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining NCBI and BOLD databases for OTU assignment in metabarcoding and metagenomic datasets: The BOLD_NCBI _Merger
Authors: Macher Jan-Niklas , Macher Till-Hendrik , Leese Florian
Published: December 2017

Metabarcoding and metagenomic approaches are becoming routine techniquesfor use in biodiversity assessment and in ecological studies. The assignment of taxonomic information to millions of sequences obtained via high-throughput sequencing is challenging, as many DNA reference libraries are lacking information on certain taxonomic groups and can contain erroneous sequences. Combining different reference databases is therefore a promising approach for maximising taxonomic coverage and reliability of results.

The “BOLD_NCBI_Merger” bash script is introduced, which combines sequence data obtained from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) and prepares it for taxonomic assignment with the software MEGAN.
La transition du Néolithique à l’âge du Bronze dans le Nord-Ouest de la façade atlantique : entre révolutions techniques et transformations sociales
Authors: Ripoche Julien
Published: December 2017

La transition du Néolithique à l’âge du Bronze dans l’Ouest de l’Europe est marquée par de nombreux changements. Dès la fin du Néolithique, le phénomène campaniforme se répand dans la majeure partie du continent et en homogénéise les pratiques culturelles. La fin du IIIe millénaire av. J.-C. voit de plus l’avènement d’une nouvelle hiérarchisation sociale, visible dans les pratiques funéraires. En Bretagne, les découvertes récentes permettent de renouveler notre compréhension de cette période. Elles nous permettent de plus de s’interroger sur la nature des relations entretenues par la Bretagne avec d’autres régions du Nord-Ouest de l’Europe. Pour le démontrer, cet article va comparer la Bretagne avec deux autres régions richement documentées : Les Pays-Bas et le Sud de l’Angleterre.
L’évolution de l’armement par le prisme de l’art rupestre dans la région de Najrân (Arabie saoudite)
Authors: Poliakoff Charly
Published: December 2017

En Arabie du Sud, l’armement a connu certaines phases d’évolution pour s’adapter aux contraintes du milieu et aux avancées techniques. Les étapes caractéristiques de ce développement ont marqué l’imaginaire des hommes d’autrefois, qui ont immortalisé ces représentations dans les parois rocheuses au nord de la ville de Najrân (Arabie Saoudite). En effet, depuis de nombreux millénaires, les massifs de l’Arabie du Sud ont enregistré les témoignages des voyageurs, caravaniers et mercenaires qui transitaient ou vivaient dans la région. En 2006, la mission franco-saoudienne de Najrân dans le programme « Oasis de l’Arabie déserte » a commencé un inventaire systématique de ces pétroglyphes. Les premiers résultats de l’étude des représentations rupestres livrent des informations sur ces marges désertiques, longtemps ignorées de la recherche archéologique. Il faut cependant déterminer dans quelles mesures cette iconographie peut-elle être comparée aux artefacts afin d’en préciser la chronologie et la signification ? Cette question sera abordée à travers les représentations de la zone entre le Jabal al-Kawkab et le Jabal al-Qâra, depuis les gravures des armes archaïques à celles mettant en scène la révolution de l’arme à feu.
Hoë voorkomskoers van bakteriële vaginose en Chlamydia in ’n lae-inkomste, hoë-bevolkingsdigtheid gemeenskap in Kaapstad
Authors: Lennard Katie S. , Dabee Smritee , Barnabas Shaun L. , Havyarimana Enock , Jaumdally Shameem Z. , Botha Gerrit , Mkhize Nonhlanhla N. , Bekker Linda-Gail , Gray Glenda , Mulder Nicola , Passmore Jo-Ann , Jaspan Heather B.
Published: December 2017

OpsommingJong Suid-Afrikaanse vroue uit hulpbron-arm gemeenskappe staar verskeie uitdagings in die gesig in terme van hulle seksuele en reproduktiewe gesondheid. Hier beskryf ons die voorkoms van vaginale mikrobiota en seksueel oordraagbare infeksies (SOI’s) onder 102; 16–22-jarige MIV-negatiewe Suid-Afrikaanse vroue uit ’n lae-inkomste, hoë-bevolkingsdigtheid gemeenskap in Kaapstad. Vaginale mikrobiota is met behulp van 16S rRNA amplikon volgorde-bepaling geprofileer; bakteriese vaginose (BV) status is met behulp van ’n Nugent-telling vasgestel; en SOI’s is deur middel van ’n multipleks polimerase kettingreaksie bepaal. SOI’s was algemeen, met 55% van die vroue wat ten minste een SOI gehad het; 41% wat met hoë-risiko menslike papillomavirus (MPV) besmet was, en ’n verdere 28% wat met laerisiko-MPV besmet was; 44% van die vroue was met Chlamydia besmet waarvan 16% een of meer addisionele SOI gehad het. BV persentasies was ook baie hoog met 55% van die vroue wat as BV-positief (Nugent-telling ≥7) geklassifiseer is, 7% as BV-intermediêr (Nugent-telling 3–6), en 38% as BV-negatief (Nugent-telling 0–2). Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae), die grootste oorsaak van neonatale sepsis, was teenwoordig in 25% van die BV-positiewe vroue en 28% van die BV-negatiewe vroue, en was dus meer onder BV-negatiewe vroue. Chlamydia-infeksie sowel as BV kan reproduktiewe gesondheid nadelig beïnvloed en verhoog hierdie vroue se risiko vir die verkryging van MIV. Die voorkoms van veral Prevotella amnii kan die MIV-risiko verhoog as gevolg van sy inflammatoriese kapasiteit. Laboratorium-gebaseerde toetsing vir SOI’s (veral Chlamydia en Gonorrhoeae) blyk in hierdie gemeenskap geregverdig te wees, tesame met verdere monitering en/of behandeling van BV.Navorsing korrelasie: Hierdie artikel is die vertaalde weergawe en is beskikbaar gestel om ‘n breër lesersgroep te bereik. Die oorspronklike Engelse artikel is beskikbaar hier: https://doi.org/10.4102/satnt.v36i1.1484
Monodromy of the Gauss–Manin connection for deformation by group cocycles
Authors: Yamashita Makoto
Published: December 2017

We consider the 2-cocycle deformation of algebras graded by discrete groups. The action of the Maurer–Cartan form on cyclic cohomology is shown to be cohomologous to the cup product action of the group cocycle. This allows us to compute the monodromy of the Gauss–Manin connection in the strict deformation setting.
Representability of cohomological functors over extension fields
Authors: Rizzardo Alice
Published: December 2017

We generalize a result of Orlov and Van den Bergh on the representability of a cohomological functor

H:D^{b}_{\mathrm{Coh}}(X)\to \underline{\mathrm{mod}}_{L}

to the case where

L

is a field extension of the base field

k

of the variety

X

, with trdeg

_k L\leq 1

or

L

purely transcendental of degree 2.

This result can be applied to investigate the behavior of an exact functor

F:D^{b}_{\mathrm{Coh}}(X)\to D^{b}_{\mathrm{Coh}}(Y)

with

X

and

Y

smooth projective varieties and dim

Y\leq 1

or

Y

a rational surface. We show that for any such

F

there exists a "generic kernel"

A

in

D^{b}_{\mathrm{Coh}}(X\times Y)

, such that

F

is isomorphic to the Fourier–Mukai transform with kernel

A

after composing both with the pullback to the generic point of

Y

.
Sheaf cohomology on network codings: maxflow-mincut theorem
Authors: Nguemo Miradain Atontsa , Tcheka Calvin
Published: December 2017

Surveying briefly a novel algebraic topological application sheaf theory into directed network coding
problems, we obtain the weak duality in multiple source scenario by
using the idea of modified graph. Furthermore,we establish the
maxflow-mincut theorem with network coding sheaves in the case of multiple source.
A decomposition of normality via a generalization of $\kappa$-normality
Authors: Das Ananga Kumar , Bhat Pratibha
Published: December 2017

A simultaneous generalization of  $\kappa$-normality and weak $\theta$-normality is introduced. Interrelation of this generalization of normality with existing variants of normality is studied.In the process of investigation a new decomposition of normality is obtained.
Existence of common fixed points of improved F-contraction on partial metric spaces
Authors: Nazam Muhammad , Arshad Muhammad , Abbas Mujahid
Published: December 2017

Following the approach of $F$- contraction introduced by Wardowski \cite{DW}, in this paper, we introduce improved $F$-contraction of rational type in the framework of partial metric spaces and used it to obtain a common fixed point theorem for a pair of self mappings. We show, through example, that improved $F$-contraction is more general than $F$- contraction and guarantees fixed points in those cases where $F$-contraction fails to provide. Moreover, we apply this fixed point result to show the existence of common solution of the system of integral equations.
Optical Characterization of Three Reference Dobsons in the ATMOZ Project – Verification of G. M. B. Dobson's Original Specifications
Authors: Köhler Ulf , Nevas Saulius , McConville Glen , Evans Robert , Smid Marek , Stanek Martin , Redondas Alberto , Schönenborn Fritz
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Three reference Dobsons (regional standards Dobsons No. 064 Hohenpeissenberg – Germany and No. 074 Hradec Kralove – Czech Republic and primary = world standard Dobson No. 083 Boulder – USA) were optically characterized at PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig) in 2015 and at CMI (Czech Metrology Institute in Prague) in 2016 within the EMRP ENV 059 project Traceability for the total column ozone. Bandpass functions and the related parameters of the instruments were measured and compared with G. M. B. Dobson's specification in his handbook. A predominantly good match of the bandpass functions and the peak (centroid) wavelengths of D083, D064 and D074 with the nominal values could be observed. Slightly larger deviations from the nominal Dobson data can be seen in the longer wavelengths, especially in the D-wavelength. As consequence of these findings the differences of the derived Effective Absorptions Coefficients (EACs) for ozone to Dobson's nominal ones are not too large in both old Bass-Paur (BP) and new IUP-ozone absorption cross sections. Their consideration in the calculation of the total ozone column (TOC) leads to improvements of significantly less than ±1 % in the AD- and between −1 % and −2 % in the CD-wavelengths pairs. Besides this positive effect of the achievement of data with higher quality needed for trend analyses and satellite validation, it will be possible to explain uncommon behaviours of field Dobsons during calibration services.
The usefulness of Poynting's theorem in magnetic turbulence
Authors: Treumann Rudolf A. , Baumjohann Wolfgang
Published: December 2017

Abstract. We rewrite Poynting's theorem, already used in a previous publication Treumann and Baumjohann (2017a) to derive relations between the turbulent magnetic and electric power spectral densities, to make explicit where the mechanical contributions enter. We then make explicit use of the relativistic transformation of the turbulent electric fluctuations to obtain expressions which depend only on the magnetic and velocity fluctuations. Any electric fluctuations play just an intermediate role. Equations are constructed for the turbulent conductivity spectrum in Alfvénic and non-Alfvénic turbulence in extension of the results in the above citation. An observation-based discussion of their use in application to solar wind turbulence is given. The inertial range solar wind turbulence exhibits signs of chaos and self-organization.
Inverse stochastic–dynamic models for high-resolution Greenland ice core records
Authors: Boers Niklas , Chekroun Mickael D. , Liu Honghu , Kondrashov Dmitri , Rousseau Denis-Didier , Svensson Anders , Bigler Matthias , Ghil Michael
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Proxy records from Greenland ice cores have been studied for several decades, yet many open questions remain regarding the climate variability encoded therein. Here, we use a Bayesian framework for inferring inverse, stochastic–dynamic models from δ18O and dust records of unprecedented, subdecadal temporal resolution. The records stem from the North Greenland Ice Core Project (NGRIP), and we focus on the time interval 59–22 ka b2k. Our model reproduces the dynamical characteristics of both the δ18O and dust proxy records, including the millennial-scale Dansgaard–Oeschger variability, as well as statistical properties such as probability density functions, waiting times and power spectra, with no need for any external forcing. The crucial ingredients for capturing these properties are (i) high-resolution training data, (ii) cubic drift terms, (iii) nonlinear coupling terms between the δ18O and dust time series, and (iv) non-Markovian contributions that represent short-term memory effects.
LakeSST: Lake Skin Surface Temperatures in French inland water bodies for 1999–2016 from Landsat archives
Authors: Prats Jordi , Reynaud Nathalie , Rebière Delphine , Peroux Tiphaine , Tormos Thierry , Danis Pierre-Alain
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The spatial and temporal coverage of the Landsat satellite imagery make it an ideal resource for studies on the long term evolution of lake surface temperature and for geographical studies of temperature patterns. The Lake Skin Surface Temperature (LakeSST) data set contains skin surface temperature data for 442 French water bodies (natural lakes, reservoirs, ponds, gravel pit lakes and quarry lakes) for the period 1999–2016 obtained from the thermal band of Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 archive images. The skin temperature measured by satellites differs slightly from water temperature in the first meters of the water column because of cool skin and warm layer effects. Nevertheless surface temperature parameterizations originally developed for the sea can be used to adjust LakeSST to commonly used lake water temperature, e.g. surface temperature or temperature of the first 1~2 m. Moreover, theoretically small differences are to be expected between the freshwater and seawater case for low wind speeds. In fact, at the reservoir of Bimont, the estimated cool skin effect was about −0.3 ºC and −0.6 ºC most of time, while the warm layer effect at 0.55 m was negligible in average, but could occasionally attain several degrees and a cool layer was often observed in the night. The overall accuracy of the satellite-derived temperature measurements was about 1.5 ºC, similar to other applications of satellite images to estimate freshwater surface temperatures. The LakeSST data are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1041746.
The atmospheric branch of the hydrological cycle over the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins
Authors: Sorí Rogert , Nieto Raquel , Drumond Anita , Vicente-Serrano Sergio M. , Gimeno Luis
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The atmospheric branch of the hydrological cycle over the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins (IRB, GRB, and BRB respectively) in the South Asian region was investigated. The 3-dimensional model FLEXPART v9.0 was utilized. An important advantage of this model is that it permits the computation of the freshwater budget on air parcel trajectories both backward and forward in time from 0.1 to 1000 hPa in the atmospheric vertical column. The analysis was conducted for the westerly precipitation regime (WPR) (November–April) and the monsoonal precipitation regime (MPR) (May–October) in the period from 1981 to 2015. The main terrestrial and oceanic climatological moisture sources for the IRB, GRB, and BRB and their contribution to precipitation over the basins were identified. For the three basins, the most important moisture sources for precipitation are (i) in the continental regions, the land masses to the west of the basins (in this case called western Asia), the Indian region (IR), and the basin itself, and (ii) from the ocean, the utmost sources being the Indian Ocean (IO) and the Bay of Bengal (BB), and it is remarkable that despite the amount of moisture reaching the Indus and Ganges basins from land sources, the moisture supply from the IO seems to be first associated with the rapid increase or decrease in precipitation over the sources in the MPR. The technique of the composites was used to analyse how the moisture uptake values spatially vary from the sources (the budget of evaporation minus precipitation (E − P) was computed in a backward experiment from the basins) but during the pre-onset and pre-demise dates of the monsoonal rainfall over each basin; this confirmed that over the last days of the monsoon at the basins, the moisture uptake areas decrease in the IO. The Indian region, the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the basins themselves are the main sources of moisture responsible for negative (positive) anomalies of moisture contribution to the basins during composites of driest (wettest) WPR and MPR.
Assessment of social vulnerability to natural hazards in Nepal
Authors: Gautam Dipendra
Published: December 2017

Abstract. This paper investigates district-wide social vulnerability to natural hazards in Nepal. Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, epidemics, and droughts are common in Nepal. Every year thousands of people are killed and huge economic and environmental losses occur in Nepal due to various natural hazards. Although natural hazards are well recognized, quantitative and qualitative social vulnerability mapping has not existed until now in Nepal. This study aims to quantify the social vulnerability on a local scale, considering all 75 districts using the available census. To perform district-level vulnerability mapping, 13 variables were selected and aggregated indexes were plotted in an ArcGIS environment. The sum of results shows that only 4 districts in Nepal have a very low social vulnerability index whereas 46 districts (61 %) are at moderate to high social vulnerability levels. Vulnerability mapping highlights the immediate need for decentralized frameworks to tackle natural hazards in district level; additionally, the results of this study can contribute to preparedness, planning and resource management, inter-district coordination, contingency planning, and public awareness efforts.
A Comparison of Data Quality Assessment Checks in Six Data Sharing Networks
Authors: Callahan Tiffany J. , Bauck Alan E. , Bertoch David , Brown Jeff , Khare Ritu , Ryan Patrick B. , Staab Jenny , Zozus Meredith N. , Kahn Michael G.
Published: December 2017

Objective: To compare rule-based data quality (DQ) assessment approaches across
multiple national clinical data sharing organizations.Methods: Six organizations with
established data quality assessment (DQA) programs provided documentation or source code
describing current DQ checks. DQ checks were mapped to the categories within the data
verification context of the harmonized DQA terminology. To ensure all DQ checks were
consistently mapped, conventions were developed and four iterations of mapping
performed. Difficult-to-map DQ checks were discussed with research team members until
consensus was achieved.Results: Participating organizations provided 11,026 DQ checks,
of which 99.97 percent were successfully mapped to a DQA category. Of the mapped DQ
checks (N=11,023), 214 (1.94 percent) mapped to multiple DQA categories. The majority of
DQ checks mapped to Atemporal Plausibility (49.60 percent), Value Conformance (17.84
percent), and Atemporal Completeness (12.98 percent) categories.Discussion: Using the
common DQA terminology, near-complete (99.97 percent) coverage across a wide range of
DQA programs and specifications was reached. Comparing the distributions of mapped DQ
checks revealed important differences between participating organizations. This
variation may be related to the organization’s stakeholder requirements, primary
analytical focus, or maturity of their DQA program. Not within scope, mapping checks
within the data validation context of the terminology may provide additional insights
into DQA practice differences.Conclusion: A common DQA terminology provides a means to
help organizations and researchers understand the coverage of their current DQA efforts
as well as highlight potential areas for additional DQA development. Sharing DQ checks
between organizations could help expand the scope of DQA across clinical data
networks.
The Spatial Distribution of Adult Obesity Prevalence in Denver County, Colorado: An
Empirical Bayes Approach to Adjust EHR-Derived Small Area Estimates
Authors: Tabano David C. , Bol Kirk , Newcomer Sophia R , Barrow Jennifer C. , Daley Matthew F.
Published: December 2017

Objectives: Measuring obesity prevalence across geographic areas should account
for environmental and socioeconomic factors that contribute to spatial autocorrelation,
the dependency of values in estimates across neighboring areas, to mitigate the bias in
measures and risk of type I errors in hypothesis testing. Dependency among observations
across geographic areas violates statistical independence assumptions and may result in
biased estimates. Empirical Bayes (EB) estimators reduce the variability of estimates
with spatial autocorrelation, which limits the overall mean square-error and controls
for sample bias.Methods: Using the Colorado Body Mass Index (BMI) Monitoring System, we
modeled the spatial autocorrelation of adult (≥ 18 years old) obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg m2)
measurements using patient-level electronic health record data from encounters between
January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. Obesity prevalence was estimated among census
tracts with >=10 observations in Denver County census tracts during the study period.
We calculated the Moran’s I statistic to test for spatial autocorrelation across census
tracts, and mapped crude and EB obesity prevalence across geographic areas.Results: In
Denver County, there were 143 census tracts with 10 or more observations, representing a
total of 97,710 adults with a valid BMI. The crude obesity prevalence for adults in
Denver County was 29.8 percent (95% CI 28.4-31.1%) and ranged from 12.8 to 45.2 percent
across individual census tracts. EB obesity prevalence was 30.2 percent (95% CI
28.9-31.5%) and ranged from 15.3 to 44.3 percent across census tracts. Statistical tests
using the Moran’s I statistic suggest adult obesity prevalence in Denver County was
distributed in a non-random pattern. Clusters of EB obesity estimates were highly
significant (alpha=0.05) in neighboring census tracts. Concentrations of obesity
estimates were primarily in the west and north in Denver County.Conclusions: Statistical
tests reveal adult obesity prevalence exhibit spatial autocorrelation in Denver County
at the census tract level. EB estimates for obesity prevalence can be used to control
for spatial autocorrelation between neighboring census tracts and may produce less
biased estimates of obesity prevalence.
Analytical Methods for a Learning Health System: 1. Framing the Research
Question
Authors: Stoto Michael , Oakes Michael , Stuart Elizabeth , Savitz Lucy , Priest Elisa L. , Zurovac Jelena
Published: December 2017

Learning health systems use routinely collected electronic health data (EHD) to
advance knowledge and support continuous learning. Even without randomization,
observational studies can play a central role as the nation’s health care system
embraces comparative effectiveness research and patient-centered outcomes research.
However, neither the breadth, timeliness, volume of the available information, nor
sophisticated analytics, allow analysts to confidently infer causal relationships from
observational data. However, depending on the research question, careful study design
and appropriate analytical methods can improve the utility of EHD.The introduction to a
series of four papers, this review begins with a discussion of the kind of research
questions that EHD can help address, noting how different evidence and assumptions are
needed for each. We argue that when the question involves describing the current (and
likely future) state of affairs, causal inference is not relevant, so randomized
clinical trials (RCTs) are not necessary. When the question is whether an intervention
improves outcomes of interest, causal inference is critical, but appropriately designed
and analyzed observational studies can yield valid results that better balance internal
and external validity than typical RCTs. When the question is one of translation and
spread of innovations, a different set of questions comes into play: How and why does
the intervention work? How can a model be amended or adapted to work in new settings? In
these “delivery system science” settings, causal inference is not the main issue, so a
range of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research designs are needed.We then
describe why RCTs are regarded as the gold standard for assessing cause and effect, how
alternative approaches relying on observational data can be used to the same end, and
how observational studies of EHD can be effective complements to RCTs. We also describe
how RCTs can be a model for designing rigorous observational studies, building an
evidence base through iterative studies that build upon each other (i.e., confirmation
across multiple investigations).
Perceptions of EFL College Students toward Collaborative Learning
Authors: Chen Yingling
Published: December 2017

The purpose of the study was to understand the perceptions of EFL college students toward collaborative learning (CL). This qualitative research design used narrative approach since the study emphasized on each participant’s learning experiences with CL strategy. The data collection instruments for this research were consisted by interview questions. The researcher observed, took notes, and recorded Interview responses from each participant in order to understand their perceptions of collaborative learning. The finding of this study provides inspirations and motivation for English teachers to offer second language learners suitable curriculum and environment. Through collaborative learning, the results show that students quickly realize that they are able to solve problems as a group that they would not be able to solve as individuals. Students were satisfied by peer coaching, and peer review. Students worked together and brought effective strategies into the classroom activity.
Antropologické zhodnocení kosterních pozůstatků ze slavkovské šibenice u Křenovic
Authors: Čuta Martin , Mořkovský Tomáš
Published: December 2017

Při záchranném archeologickém výzkumu slavkovské šibenice byly objeveny lidské kosterní pozůstatky, kumulované v několika shlucích v neanatomickém uspořádání. Při laboratorním zpracování byly určeny základní demografické charakteristiky souboru. Vzhledem k charakteru nálezu nebylo možno identifikovat kompletní kostry jedinců. Minimální počet jedinců (s využitím pravých stehenních kostí) byl stanoven na 15. Tělesná výška byla odhadnuta s využitím metody organické korelace dle Sjøvolda. Nejvyšší jedinec měřil 173,0 cm (±4,52 cm), nejnižší jedinec měřil 157,5 cm (±4,52 cm). Kromě dospělých jedinců byly objeveny i pozůstatky dvou nedospělých jedinců (dožitý věk byl odhadnut na 16–17 let). Všichni dospělí jedinci příslušeli do věkových kategorií adultus a maturus, nejstarší z nich se dožil kolem 50 let. Mezikosterními pozůstatky se nacházely ostatky jedné ženy. V souboru byly také nalezeny některé velmi zřídka se vyskytující anatomické variety (spina bifida anterior et posterior atlantis, os bregmaticum), doklady komplikovaného hojení traumatu i doklady nezhojených fraktur kostí dlouhého typu vzniklých perimortem. U dvou kostí byly též zaznamenány doklady zánětlivého onemocnění (pravděpodobně syfilis).
Berberská etnomedicína: Léčivé rostliny a jejich využití ve Vysokém Atlasu v Maroku
Authors: Půtová Barbora
Published: December 2017

Ve studii se věnuji konceptualizaci medicínského pluralismu v Maroku. Pozornost kladu zejména na berberskou etnomedicínu v pohoří Vysokého Atlasu na základě vlastního terénního výzkumu realizovaného v průběhu let 2014 až 2017. Moje vlastní závěry a poznatky se opírají o studium marockých medicínských systémů v širším vývojovém a kulturním kontextu. V první části studie se zaměřuji na vymezení etnomedicíny a biomedicíny v Maroku. V další části přibližuji berberskou etnomedicínu s důrazem na oblast Vysokého Atlasu, kde charakterizuji roli léčitelek, jejich metody léčby a způsoby využití léčivých rostlin. V obecné rovině pak provádím deskripci léčivých rostlin, jejich účinků a způsobů využití ve zkoumaném areálu. V poslední části studie představuji tradiční model udržitelného využití přírodních zdrojů a aktuální vývoj neudržitelného využití přírodních zdrojů, které se mohou projevovat ve změně berberské etnomedicíny, ale současně také vést až k zániku pluralitního medicínského systému v Maroku.
Les jeunes chercheuses sous la direction d’un directeur de recherche homme : perception de leur relation d’accompagnement1
Authors: Gerard Laëtitia
Published: December 2017

Notre recherche est partie de deux constats : 1) à l’entrée en master, l’étudiant expérimente pour la première fois une nouvelle relation pédagogique, duale, à savoir la relation d’accompagnement de mémoire; 2) en master, les jeunes chercheuses sont plus souvent accompagnées dans leur recherche par un directeur du sexe opposé que les étudiants. Comment les jeunes chercheuses accompagnées dans leur recherche par un directeur - homme perçoivent-elles cette relation pédagogique à deux? Quelles perceptions ont-elles d’elles-mêmes et de leur directeur de recherches, et ce, au niveau des trois dimensions : scientifique, institutionnelle et relationnelle? Pour mener cette recherche, nous avons interrogé onze jeunes chercheuses inscrites en master 2. Les résultats montrent que les jeunes chercheuses perçoivent leur rôle, le rôle de leur directeur et leur relation d’accompagnement de manière très scolaire et hiérarchisée. Elles éprouvent par ailleurs des difficultés à communiquer avec leur directeur de recherches (dimension institutionnelle) et à gérer la relation interpersonnelle (dimension relationnelle). Enfin, la dimension relationnelle est considérée par les jeunes chercheuses comme le point central de la relation d’accompagnement et constitue leur principale source d’insatisfaction.
Migration of chlorinated hydrocarbons in multilayer unconsolidated porous media: a case study from the Po Plain, Italy
Authors: Filippini Maria
Published: December 2017

Chlorinated solvents are the most ubiquitous organic contaminants found in groundwater since the last six decades. Due to their high degree of carcinogenicity/toxicity and the relatively high mobility and persistence, they represent a serious threat against the human health and the environment. These contaminants generally reach groundwater as Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) that can migrate through aquifers easier than aqueous contaminants. The complex phase partitioning to which chlorinated solvent DNAPLs can undergo (i.e. to the dissolved, vapor or sorbed phase), as well as their transformations (e.g. degradation), depend on the physico-chemical properties of the contaminants and on the features of the hydrogeological system in which they migrate. The hydrogeologic setting below the city of Ferrara (Po plain, northern Italy), which is affected by scattered contamination by chlorinated solvents, has been investigated. In particular, a limited-inspace high-resolution investigation was performed in one selected contaminated test-site, known as “Caretti site”. Here, high-resolution vertical profiling of different kind of data (i.e. stratigraphic data, hydraulic heads, hydrochemical composition of water, stable isotopes of water and contaminants) were collected by means of multilevel monitoring systems and other innovative sampling and analytical techniques. The main goals of the research were to assess the intrinsic vulnerability of the aquifers and to identify the dynamics of migration and transformation of the chloroethene contaminants in relationship to the features of the hosting porous medium. The confined aquifers turned out to be more vulnerable to DNAPLs than aqueous contaminants due to the occurrence of microfractures in the overlying clayey aquitards. The presence of organic-rich deposits in the local stratigraphy enhanced the biodegradation of chloroethenes causing accumulation of Vinyl Chloride. The results are useful at the local scale, e.g. to interpret the origin of contamination in other sites of the Ferrara area, and also at the global scale, to better address future remediation and protection actions in similar settings.
Defective STIM-mediated store operated Ca2+ entry in hepatocytes leads to metabolic dysfunction in obesity
Authors: Arruda Ana Paula , Pers Benedicte Mengel , Parlakgul Günes , Güney Ekin , Goh Ted , Cagampan Erika , Lee Grace Yankun , Goncalves Renata L , Hotamisligil Gökhan S
Published: December 2017

Defective Ca2+ handling is a key mechanism underlying hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction in obesity. ER Ca2+ level is in part monitored by the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) system, an adaptive mechanism that senses ER luminal Ca2+ concentrations through the STIM proteins and facilitates import of the ion from the extracellular space. Here, we show that hepatocytes from obese mice displayed significantly diminished SOCE as a result of impaired STIM1 translocation, which was associated with aberrant STIM1 O-GlycNAcylation. Primary hepatocytes deficient in STIM1 exhibited elevated cellular stress as well as impaired insulin action, increased glucose production and lipid droplet accumulation. Additionally, mice with acute liver deletion of STIM1 displayed systemic glucose intolerance. Conversely, over-expression of STIM1 in obese mice led to increased SOCE, which was sufficient to improve systemic glucose tolerance. These findings demonstrate that SOCE is an important mechanism for healthy hepatic Ca2+ balance and systemic metabolic control.
Culture shock
Authors: Molaro Antoine , Malik Harmit S
Published: December 2017

Many different human cell lines, including both normal and cancer cells, appear to converge to a state that contains an unusual number of chromosomes when they are grown in culture.
In VivoDelivery of Nanoparticles into Plant Leaves
Authors: Wu Honghong , Santana Israel , Dansie Joshua , Giraldo Juan P.
Published: December 2017

Plant nanobiotechnology is an interdisciplinary field at the interface of nanotechnology and plant biology that aims to utilize nanomaterials as tools to study, augment or impart novel plant functions. The delivery of nanoparticles to plantsin vivois a key initial step to investigate plant nanoparticle interactions and the impact of nanoparticles on plant function. Quantum dots are smaller than plant cell wall pores, have versatile surface chemistry, bright fluorescence and do not photobleach, making them ideal for the study of nanoparticle uptake, transport, and distribution in plants by widely available confocal microscopy tools. Herein, we describe three different methods for quantum dot delivery into leaves of living plants: leaf lamina infiltration, whole shoot vacuum infiltration, and root to leaf translocation. These methods can be potentially extended to other nanoparticles, including nanosensors and drug delivery nanoparticles. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
(Re-) Meshing using interpolative mapping and control point optimization
Authors: Voutchkov Ivan , Keane Andy , Shahpar Shahrokh , Bates Ron
Published: December 2017

This work proposes a simple and fast approach for re-meshing the surfaces of smooth-featured geometries prior to CFD analysis. The aim is to improve mesh quality and thus the convergence and accuracy of the CFD analysis. The method is based on constructing an interpolant based on the geometry shape and then mapping a regular rectangular grid to the shape of the original geometry using that interpolant. Depending on the selected interpolation algorithm the process takes from less than a second to several minutes. The main interpolant discussed in this article is a Radial Basis Function with cubic spline basis, however other algorithms are also compared. The mesh can be optimized further using active (flexible) control points and optimization algorithms. A range of objective functions are discussed and demonstrated. The difference between re-interpolated and original meshes produces a metric function which is indicative of the mesh quality. It is shown that the method works for flat 2D surfaces, 3D surfaces and volumes.

Highlights RBF Map is created between key points on an arbitrary shape and an ideal equivalent. The rest of the points are recreated using reverse transformation to the original. Control points are automatically selected based on k-mean clustering. Optimization of the control points position based on desired mesh quality metrics. The method is shown to work both on 2D and 3D shapes as well as 3D surfaces.
S&P 500 Index revisions and credit spreads
Authors: Baran Lindsay , Li Ying , Liu Chang , Liu Zilong , Pu Xiaoling
Published: December 2017

We investigate the impact of S&P 500 Index revisions on credit spreads from 2001 to 2014. Additions have a significant negative impact on credit default swap (CDS) spreads both during the financial crisis period and for speculative grade firms, but deletions show no significant CDS spread changes. After excluding the effect of market integration between the stock and CDS markets, we find that S&P 500 Index inclusion conveys no unique information beyond that due to market integration except during the financial crisis. Furthermore, CDS trading liquidity does not improve after S&P 500 Index inclusion.
Dispute Settlement Reports 2007
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: December 2017

The Dispute Settlement Reports of the World Trade Organization (WTO) include Panel and Appellate Body reports, as well as arbitration awards, in disputes concerning the rights and obligations of WTO members under the provisions of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. These are the WTO authorized and paginated reports in English. An essential addition to the library of all practising and academic trade lawyers, and needed by students worldwide taking courses in international economic or trade law. Among others, DSR 2007: VIII reports on United States – Measures Affecting the Cross-Border Supply of Gambling and Betting Services – Recourse by Antigua and Barbuda to Article 21.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes and Korea – Anti-Dumping Duties on Imports of Certain Paper from Indonesia – Recourse by Indonesia to Article 21.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.
Dispute Settlement Reports 2008
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: December 2017

The Dispute Settlement Reports of the World Trade Organization (WTO) include Panel and Appellate Body reports, as well as arbitration awards, in disputes concerning the rights and obligations of WTO members under the provisions of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. These are the WTO authorized and paginated reports in English. An essential addition to the library of all practising and academic trade lawyers, and needed by students worldwide taking courses in international economic or trade law. Among others, DSR 2008: XX reports on Japan - Countervailing Duties on Dynamic Random Access Memories from Korea - Arbitration under Article 21.3(c) of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (WT/DS336); and United States - Final Anti-Dumping Measures on Stainless Steel from Mexico - Arbitration under Article 21.3(c) of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (WT/DS344).
Dispute Settlement Reports 2011
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: December 2017

The Dispute Settlement Reports of the World Trade Organization (WTO) include Panel and Appellate Body reports, as well as arbitration awards, in disputes concerning the rights and obligations of WTO members under the provisions of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. These are the WTO authorized and paginated reports in English. An essential addition to the library of all practising and academic trade lawyers and needed by students worldwide taking courses in international economic or trade law. DSR 2011: I reports on European Communities and Certain Member States – Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft (WT/DS316).
Nocturnal bird diversity in forest fragments in north-west Ecuador
Authors: Walter Scott T. , Browne Luke , Freile Juan , González Nelson , Loor Julio , Darkes Michael , Gillespie Thomas W. , Karubian Jordan
Published: December 2017

Habitat preferences and response to habitat conversion remain under-studied for many groups in the tropics, limiting our understanding of how environmental and anthropogenic factors may interact to shape patterns of diversity. To help fill this knowledge gap, we surveyed nocturnal birds such as owls, nightjars and potoos through auditory transect surveys in 22 forest fragments (2.7 to 33.6 ha) in north-west Ecuador. We assessed the relative effect of habitat characteristics (e.g. canopy height and openness, and density of large trees) and fragment attributes (e.g. area, altitude and proportion of surrounding forest cover) on species richness and community composition. Based on our previous work, we predicted that nocturnal bird richness would be highest in relatively larger fragments with more surrounding forest cover. We recorded 11 total species with an average ± SD of 3.4 ± 1.4 (range = 2–7) species per fragment, with higher richness in fragments that were larger, at lower altitudes, and characterized by more open canopies. Nocturnal bird community similarity was not significantly correlated with any measured environmental variable. These results indicate that both landscape (e.g. altitude) and fragment-specific (e.g. size, forest structure) attributes are likely to interact to shape patterns of diversity among this poorly known but ecologically important guild in fragmented tropical landscapes.
Oleic acid in the modulation of oocyte and preimplantation embryo development
Authors: Fayezi Shabnam , Leroy Jo L.M.R. , Ghaffari Novin Marefat , Darabi Masoud
Published: December 2017

Potential reproductive effects are considered as the major aspect of biomolecules functionality in an organism. The recent identification of differential patterns of fatty acids across ovarian follicles and their association with levels of sexual maturity highlights the importance of these biomolecules. It is well known that fatty acids are highly diverse in terms of their functional properties. Oleic acid is chemically classified as an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Besides serving as an important energy source, oleic acid is involved in metabolic and structural roles. Free and esterified oleic acids are compartmentalized into discrete extracellular fluids, cell organelles and found within the cytosol. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the contribution of oleic acid in regulating female fertility, particularly its involvement in female germ cell growth and development. Oleic acid has been identified as a blastomeric and post-cryopreservation survival biomarker in bovine. Several related studies have shown the critical role of oleic acid in counteracting the detrimental effects of saturated fatty acids and in paracrine support of oocyte development. Although available data are not ideally detailed, most data suggest that oleic acid can contribute to normal oocyte and preimplantation embryo development via mechanisms involving metabolic partitioning of fatty acids, change in the membrane structural organization, attenuation of oxidative stress and regulation of intracellular signalling. Thus, oleic acid may play a significant role in oocyte and early embryo development, suggesting that future studies should explore in more detail its potential effects on the physiopathology of female reproduction.
Assessing Procrastination
Authors: Klein Eva M. , Beutel Manfred E. , Müller Kai W. , Wölfling Klaus , Brähler Elmar , Zenger Markus
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The short form of the General Procrastination Scale (GPS-K; Klingsieck & Fries, 2012 ; Lay, 1986 ) is a reliable self-report scale measuring general procrastination. The presumed one-dimensional factor structure of the scale, however, has never been examined. Thus, the purposes of this representative study were to examine its dimensionality and factorial invariance across age and sex, and to provide norm values of the German general population. The GPS-K was administered to a representative community sample ( N = 2,527; age range 14–95 years). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted. To explore convergent validity, standardized scales of distress and life satisfaction were used. Measurement invariance across sex and age was tested. The CFA revealed an unsatisfactory model fit of the presumed unidimensional factor structure of the GPS-K. Therefore, a 5-item one-dimensional version of the scale was suggested (General Procrastination Scale – Screening; GPS-S). Correlations between GPS-S, distress and reduced life satisfaction provide evidence on its convergent validity. The one-dimensional GPS-S can be assumed to be scalar invariant across sex and for participants older than 29 years. The scale can be administered in only a few minutes providing an economic screening for research and practice.
Can the Social Behavior Questionnaire Help Meet the Need for	Dimensional, Transdiagnostic Measures of Childhood and Adolescent	Psychopathology?
Authors: Murray Aja Louise , Eisner Manuel , Ribeaud Denis
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The shift toward transdiagnostic and dimensional approaches to psychopathology research has created a growing need for psychometric assessments that reflect this conceptualization. We aimed to test whether an omnibus measure of psychopathology, the Social Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), has suitable properties to serve as a dimensional, transdiagnostic assessment. We used an item response theory (IRT) approach to evaluate the reliable ranges of measurement of the psychopathology dimensions measured by the SBQ. For the dimensions of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Prosociality, Internalizing, and Externalizing, the SBQ can provide a reliable measure for below average to very high levels in a normative sample.
A Validation Study of the German Complex-Span Tasks and Some General	Considerations on Task Translation Procedures in Cognitive	Psychology
Authors: Rummel Jan , Steindorf Lena , Marevic Ivan , Danner Daniel
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Automated complex-span tasks are widely used to assess working-memory capacity and the English versions show good psychometric properties ( Unsworth, Heitz, Schrock, & Engle, 2005 ). However, it is generally an open question whether translated task versions have the same properties as the original versions and whether results obtained with translated tasks can be interpreted equivalently to those obtained with the original tasks. We translated the complex-span tasks and had a sample of German participants perform these tasks as well as a running-memory-span task and a reasoning test. We assessed the reliabilities of the German complex-span tasks and their construct and criterion-related validities. Extrapolating from cross-cultural literature, we also employed a test of measurement invariance to compare the correlational patterns as well as the construct structure between the German sample and a similar North-American sample. Results show that the German complex-span tasks are reliable and valid indicators of working-memory capacity and that they are metrically and functionally equivalent to the original versions. As measurement equivalence is an important but often neglected topic in basic cognitive psychology, we also highlight the general benefits of using equivalence tests when translating cognitive tasks.