bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
US Weather Bureau Chief Willis Moore and the Reimagination of Uncertainty in Long-Range Forecasting
Authors: Pietruska Jamie L.
Published: January 2011

This article examines competing modes of knowledge production in the context of long-range weather forecasting in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. The US Weather Bureau, a newly constituted civilian organisation in 1891, sought to build its institutional reputation based on authoritative short-term 24-hour forecasts by discrediting the popular and ubiquitous 'weather prophets' who made long-range predictions. Chief Willis L. Moore, at the helm of the Weather Bureau from 1895 to 1913, initially condemned long-range forecasting as superstition and quackery inherently inferior to professional meteorological expertise. But the Weather Bureau, which began issuing its own weekly forecasts in 1908, reimagined long-range forecasting to accept the very indeterminacy it had formerly denounced, thereby rationalising the uncertainty of weather prediction into its weekly forecasts and into its vision of modern scientific meteorology.
Race, Class and Gender Disparities in Clara Barton's Late Nineteenth-Century Disaster Relief
Authors: Moser Jones Marian
Published: January 2011

This case study explores how civil society bodies developed to respond to US disasters in the context of the erratic nineteenth-century American state. It focuses on the American Red Cross, whose founder, Clara Barton, transplanted the Red Cross concept from its native Swiss soil to the US and changed the organisation's principal mission from assistance of wounded soldiers to disaster relief. Barton also transplanted the Geneva Conventions' ideal of 'neutrality' from the national fault lines of Europe to the social fault lines of the US. Just as the Conventions called for impartial medical assistance to wounded combatants regardless of national affiliation, Barton aimed to offer impartial medical and material aid to disaster sufferers regardless of race, gender or religion. This study comparatively examines the organisation's execution of these ideals in its response to two major US disasters, the 1889 Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania, and the Sea Islands Hurricane in South Carolina. Late nineteenth-century social ideologies of class, race and gender shaped public perception of these events and consequently the degree and type of assistance offered to the survivors. While Barton's ideal of neutrality somewhat mitigated this disparity, she was unable to counter or escape the pervasive ideologies of difference that led to cruel inequalities in state and societal responses to disasters. This study suggests that civil society organisations cannot mitigate such inequalities when not supported by an egalitarian state, and that they work more effectively when supplementing rather than supplanting the state's emergency social welfare functions.
Countering Brutality to Wildlife, Relationism and Ethics: Conservation, Welfare and the ‘Ecoversity’
Authors: Garlick Steve , Matthews Julie , Carter Jennifer
Published: January 2011

Wildlife objectification and cruelty are everyday aspects of Australian society that eschew values of human kindness, empathy, and an understanding of the uniqueness and importance of non-human life in the natural world. Fostered by institutional failure, greed and selfishness, and the worst aspects of human disregard, the objectification of animals has its roots in longstanding Western anthropocentric philosophical perspectives, post colonialism, and a global uptake of neoliberal capitalism. Conservation, animal rights and welfare movements have been unable to stem the ever-growing abuse of wildlife, while ‘greenwash’ language such as ‘resource use’, ‘management’, ‘pests’, ‘over-abundance’, ‘conservation hunting’ and ‘ecology’ coat this violence with a respectable public veneer. We propose an engaged learning approach to address the burgeoning culture of wildlife cruelty and objectification that comprises three elements: a relational ethic based on intrinsic understanding of the way wildlife and humans might view each other [1-3]; geography of place and space [4], where there are implications for how we ascribe contextual meaning and practice in human-animal relations; and, following [5], engaged learning designed around our ethical relations with others, beyond the biophysical and novel and towards the reflective metaphysical. We propose the ‘ecoversity’ [6], as a scholarly and practical tool for focusing on the intersection of these three elements as an ethical place-based learning approach to wildlife relationism. We believe it provides a mechanism to help bridge the gap between human and non-human animals, conservation and welfare, science and understanding, and between objectification and relationism as a means of addressing entrenched cruelty to wildlife.
Welcome to Biosensors: A New Open-Access Journal
Authors: Newman Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2011

The journal Biosensors has been started as a peer-reviewed, open access journal. As editors, we believe that it will fulfill an important role in the community of researchers and developers in the field of biosensors. The addition of a “free access” journal to the existing, high quality publications in this field is something that we believe is very important in a field which is now so entwined with commercial activity and where researchers aim, not only at academic research, but on the development of products at a potentially massive scale. For these researchers, it is important that they can publish their results in a journal that guarantees quality that comes from peer-review, but that at the same time breaks the traditional boundaries of academic journals which need a subscription or a pay-per-view option to access the published data. [...]
Diagnostic Management of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Dabizzi Emanuele , Assef Mauricio Saab , Raimondo Massimo
Published: January 2011

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly solid tumors, with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Due to a non-specific clinical presentation, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and is rarely amenable for curative treatment. Therefore early diagnosis and appropriate staging are still essential to define the best care and to improve patient survival. Several imaging modalities are currently available for the evaluation of pancreatic cancer. This review focuses on different techniques and discusses the diagnostic management of patients with pancreatic cancer. This review was conducted utilizing Pubmed and was limited to papers published within the last 5 years. The search key words pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic tumors, diagnosis, radiology, imaging, nuclear imaging, endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and biochemical markers were used.
Spin-Currents and Spin-Pumping Forces for Spintronics
Authors: Wegrowe Jean-Eric , Drouhin Henri-Jean
Published: January 2011

A general definition of the Spintronics concept of spin-pumping is proposed as generalized forces conjugated to the spin degrees of freedom in the framework of the theory of mesoscopic non-equilibrium thermodynamics. It is shown that at least three different kinds of spin-pumping forces and associated spin-currents can be defined in the most simple spintronics system: the Ferromagnetic/Non-Ferromagnetic metal interface. Furthermore, the generalized force associated with the ferromagnetic collective variable is also introduced on an equal footing to describe the coexistence of the spin of the conduction electrons (paramagnetic spins attached to s-band electrons) and the ferromagnetic-order parameter. The dynamical coupling between these two kinds of magnetic degrees of freedom is presented and interpreted in terms of spin-transfer effects.
Lagrange Equations Coupled to a Thermal Equation: Mechanics as Consequence of Thermodynamics
Authors: Gruber Christian , Brechet Sylvain D.
Published: January 2011

Following the analytic approach to thermodynamics developed by Stückelberg, we study the evolution equations of a closed thermodynamic system consisting of point particles in a fluid. We obtain a system of coupled differential equations describing the mechanical and the thermal evolution of the system. The coupling between these evolution equations is due to the action of a viscous friction term. Finally, we apply our coupled evolution equations to study the thermodynamics of an isolated system consisting of identical point particles interacting through a harmonic potential.
Comparison of Ferry Boat and Highway Bridge Energy Use
Authors: Cottrell Wayne D.
Published: January 2011

Passenger ferries serve a variety of transport needs in the U.S., such as providing vital links across bodies of water, and supplementing highway bridges. In some cases in which there is a ferry connection but no bridge, a bridge would be impractical; in other cases, a bridge might be feasible. The paper compares the energy consumption of ferries and motor vehicles on bridges, to determine which link is more fuel efficient. One finding is that limited data are available on ferry boat fuel consumption: despite there being 208 ferry boat operators in the U.S. as of 2008, only eight were providing energy use data to the National Transit Database. Examinations of three of the systems found that the passenger-MPG of the ferries ranged from 2.61 to 14.00 (1.11 to 5.95 km/L), while that of the motor vehicles on adjacent highway bridge connections ranged from 25.34 to 32.45 (10.77 to 13.79 km/L). Data from the eight systems are used to develop a ferry MPG model. The model is used to show that the Ryer Island and Charles Hall Ferries are less fuel efficient than hypothetical bridges in those locations. The fuel efficiencies and consumptions of the ferries would equal those of motor vehicles on the bridges, however, if smaller vessels were used, and if the frequency of service was reduced.
Neighbourhood Environment Correlates of Physical Activity: A Study of Eight Czech Regional Towns
Authors: Sigmundová Dagmar , El Ansari Walid , Sigmund Erik
Published: January 2011

An adequate amount of physical activity (PA) is a key factor that is associated with good health. This study assessed socio-environmental factors associated with meeting the health recommendations for PA (achieving 10,000 steps per day). In total, 1,653 respondents randomly selected from across eight regional towns (each >90,000 inhabitants) in the Czech Republic participated in the study. The ANEWS questionnaire assessed the environment in neighbourhoods, and participants’ weekly PA was objectively monitored (Yamax Digiwalker SW-700 pedometer). About 24% of participants were sufficiently active, 27% were highly active; 28% participants were overweight and 5% were obese. Although BMI was significantly inversely associated with the daily step counts achieved only in females, for both genders, BMI was generally not significantly associated with the criterion of achieving 10,000 steps per day during the week. Increased BMI in both genders was accompanied with a decline in participation in organized PA and with increasing age. As regards to the demographic/lifestyle factors, for females, more participation in organized PA was significantly positively correlated with the achieved daily step counts. In contrast, older age and higher BMI (for females) and smoking (for males) were significantly negatively correlated with the achieved daily step counts. In terms of the environmental aspects, pleasant environments were significantly positively correlated to daily step counts for both genders. Additionally, for males, better residencies (more family homes rather than apartment blocks) in the neighbourhood were significantly positively correlated with their daily step counts. For females, less accessibility of shops and non-sport facilities (depending on walking distance in minutes) were significantly negatively correlated to the achieved daily step counts. Individuals who lived in pleasant neighbourhoods, with better access to shops and who participated in organized PA (≥2 times a week) tended to meet the recommendations for health-enhancing PA levels. The creation of physical activity-friendly environments could be associated with enhancing people’s achieved daily step counts and meeting the health criteria for PA.
Field-Scale Spatial Variation of Saline-Sodic Soil and Its Relation with Environmental Factors in Western Songnen Plain of China
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhang Guangxin , Yin Xiongrui , Liu Zhijun
Published: January 2011

The objectives of this study were to investigate the degree of spatial variability and variance structure of salinization parameters using classical and geostatistical method in Songnen Plain of China, which is one of largest saline-sodic areas in the World, and to analyze the relationship between salinization parameters, including soil salinity content (SC), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and pH, and seven environmental factors by Pearson and stepwise regression analysis. The environmental factors were ground elevation, surface ponding time, surface ponding depth, and soil moistures at four layers (0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, 30–60 cm, and 60–100 cm). The results indicated that SC, EC, and SAR showed great variations, whereas pH exhibited low variations. Four salinization parameters showed strongly spatial autocorrelation resulting from the compound impact of structural factors. The empirical semivariograms in the four parameters could be simulated by spherical and exponential models. The spatial distributions of SC, EC, SAR and pH showed similar patterns, with the coexistence of high salinity and sodicity in the areas with high ground elevation. By Pearson analysis, the soil salinization parameters showed a significant positive relationship with ground elevation, but a negative correlation with surface ponding time, surface ponding depth, and soil moistures. Both correlation and stepwise regression analysis showed that ground elevation is the most important environmental factor for spatial variation of soil sanilization. The results from this research can provide some useful information for explaining mechanism of salinization process and utilization of saline-sodic soils in the Western Songnen Plain.
Socioeconomic Variation in the Prevalence, Introduction, Retention, and Removal of Smoke-Free Policies among Smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey
Authors: King Brian A. , Hyland Andrew J. , Borland Ron , McNeill Ann , Cummings K. Michael
Published: January 2011

Introduction: Exposure to secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in non-smokers and indoor smoke-free policies have become increasingly prevalent worldwide. Although socioeconomic disparities have been documented in tobacco use and cessation, the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and smoke-free policies is less well studied. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2006 and 2007 Waves of the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey (ITC-4), a prospective study of nationally representative samples of smokers in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Telephone interviews were administered to 8,245 current and former adult smokers from October 2006 to February 2007. Between September 2007 and February 2008, 5,866 respondents were re-interviewed. Self-reported education and annual household income were used to create SES tertiles. Outcomes included the presence, introduction, and removal of smoke-free policies in homes, worksites, bars, and restaurants. Results: Smokers with high SES had increased odds of both having [OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.27–2.87] and introducing [OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.04–2.13] a total ban on smoking in the home compared to low SES smokers. Continuing smokers with high SES also had decreased odds of removing a total ban [OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26–0.73]. No consistent association was observed between SES and the presence or introduction of bans in worksites, bars, or restaurants. Conclusions: The presence, introduction, and retention of smoke-free homes increases with increasing SES, but no consistent socioeconomic variation exists in the presence or introduction of total smoking bans in worksites, bars, or restaurants. Opportunities exist to reduce SES disparities in smoke-free homes, while the lack of socioeconomic differences in public workplace, bar, and restaurant smoke-free policies suggest these measures are now equitably distributed in these four countries.
Copper 5,10,15,20-Tetra(N-ethyl-3-carbazolyl) Porphyrin
Authors: Tidwell Cynthia P. , Fondren L. Dalila , Nikles David E.
Published: January 2011

The copper complex of 5,10,15,20-Tetra(N-ethyl-3-carbazolyl) porphyrin was synthesized and characterized by electronic absorption spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry. The spectral data were in agreement with the proposed structure. The copper complex exhibited a shift in the Soret band in comparison to the non-metallated porphyrin and the extinction coefficient for the Soret band was on the order of 105 cm−1M−1. Trends observed in the oxidation and reduction potentials were consistent with the nature of the porphyrin. That is, the electron donating group in 5,10,15,20-tetra(N-ethyl-3-carbazolyl) porphyrin enhances oxidation and inhibits reduction.
Coalescence and Collisions of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Antúnez-García Joel , Mejía-Rosales Sergio , Pérez-Tijerina Eduardo , Montejano-Carrizales Juan Martín , José-Yacamán Miguel
Published: January 2011

We study the assembling of small gold clusters subject to collisions and close contact coalescence by using molecular dynamics simulations to simulate events that occur typically in the sputtering process of synthesis. Our results support the notion that the kinetics of coalescence processes strongly determine the geometry and structure of the final particle. While impact velocities, relative orientations, and the initial shape of the interacting particles are unlikely to strictly determine the structural details of the newly formed particle, we found that high initial temperatures and/or impact velocities increase the probability of appearance of icosahedral-like structures, Wulff polyhedra are likely to be formed as a product of the interactions between nanospheres, while the appearance of fcc particles of approximately cuboctahedral shape is mainly due to the interaction between icosahedra.
Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Activities of Smenospongine, a Marine Sponge Sesquiterpene Aminoquinone
Authors: Kong Dexin , Yamori Takao , Kobayashi Motomasa , Duan Hongquan
Published: January 2011

We previously reported that smenospongine, a sesquiterpene aminoquinone isolated from the marine sponge Dactylospongia elegans, showed antiproliferative or cytotoxic activities on leukemia cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of smenospongine on solid tumors. Since angiogenesis is well known to be closely involved in growth and metastasis of solid tumors, the antiangiogenic effect of smenospongine was determined. We found that smenospongine inhibited proliferation, migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Moreover, the inhibitory activity of smenospongine on growth of solid tumor cells was investigated. Smenospongine inhibited the growth of 39 human solid cancer cells in vitro, with a mean Log GI50 value of −5.55. In conclusion, smenospongine exhibits antitumor activity on solid tumors via two mechanisms, an antiangiogenic effect on endothelial cells and direct inhibition of growth of tumor cells.
Bacterial Diversity and Bioprospecting for Cold-Active Hydrolytic Enzymes from Culturable Bacteria Associated with Sediment from Nella Fjord, Eastern Antarctica
Authors: Yu Yong , Li Hui-Rong , Zeng Yin-Xin , Chen Bo
Published: January 2011

The diversity and cold-active hydrolytic enzymes of culturable bacteria associated with sandy sediment from Nella Fjord, Eastern Antarctica (69°22′6″ S, 76°21′45″ E) was investigated. A total of 33 aerobic heterotrophic bacterial strains were isolated at 4 °C. These bacterial isolates could be sorted into 18 phylotypes based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence belonging to four phyla, namely Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Only seven isolates were psychrophilic, 15 isolates were moderately psychrophilic, and 11 isolates were psychrotolerant. More than 72% of the isolates required sodium chloride to grow. Esterase, b-glucosidase and proteases activities at 4 °C were detected in more than 45% of the strains while approximately 21%, 15% and 12% of the strains possessed lipase, amylase and chitinase, respectively. These results indicate that a relatively high culturable bacterial diversity is present within marine sediment of Nella Fjord and it could serve as an ideal candidate region for bioprospecting.
Tannin Fingerprinting in Vegetable Tanned Leather by Solid State NMR Spectroscopy and Comparison with Leathers Tanned by Other Processes
Authors: Romer Frederik H. , Underwood Andrew P. , Senekal Nadine D. , Bonnet Susan L. , Duer Melinda  J. , Reid David G. , Van der Westhuizen Jan H.
Published: January 2011

Solid state 13C-NMR spectra of pure tannin powders from four different sources – mimosa, quebracho, chestnut and tara – are readily distinguishable from each other, both in pure commercial powder form, and in leather which they have been used to tan. Groups of signals indicative of the source, and type (condensed vs. hydrolyzable) of tannin used in the manufacture are well resolved in the spectra of the finished leathers. These fingerprints are compared with those arising from leathers tanned with other common tanning agents. Paramagnetic chromium (III) tanning causes widespread but selective disappearance of signals from the spectrum of leather collagen, including resonances from acidic aspartyl and glutamyl residues, likely bound to Cr (III) structures. Aluminium (III) and glutaraldehyde tanning both cause considerable leather collagen signal sharpening suggesting some increase in molecular structural ordering. The 27Al-NMR signal from the former material is consistent with an octahedral coordination by oxygen ligands. Solid state NMR thus provides easily recognisable reagent specific spectral fingerprints of the products of vegetable and some other common tanning processes. Because spectra are related to molecular properties, NMR is potentially a powerful tool in leather process enhancement and quality or provenance assurance.
Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Capsaicin
Authors: Reyes-Escogido Maria  de Lourdes , Gonzalez-Mondragon Edith G. , Vazquez-Tzompantzi Erika
Published: January 2011

Capsaicin is a unique alkaloid found primarily in the fruit of the Capsicum genus and is what provides its spicy flavor. Generally extracted directly from fruit, high demand has driven the use of established methods to increase production through extraction and characterization. Over time these methods have improved, usually be applying existing techniques in conjunction. An increasingly wide range of potential applications has increased interest in capsaicin. Especially compelling are the promising results of medical studies showing possible beneficial effects in many diseases. Capsaicin’s pungency has limited its use in clinical trials to support its biological activity. Characterization and extraction/ synthesis of non-pungent analogues is in progress. A review is made of capsaicin research focusing mainly on its production, synthesis, characterization and pharmacology, including some of its main potential clinical uses in humans.
Oligomeric Nucleic Acids as Antivirals
Authors: Mescalchin Alessandra , Restle Tobias
Published: January 2011

Based on the natural functions and chemical characteristics of nucleic acids, a variety of novel synthetic drugs and tools to explore biological systems have become available in recent years. To date, a great number of antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference-based tools, CpG‑containing oligonucleotides, catalytic oligonucleotides, decoys and aptamers has been produced synthetically and applied successfully for understanding and manipulating biological processes and in clinical trials to treat a variety of diseases. Their versatility and potency make them equally suited candidates for fighting viral infections. Here, we describe the different types of nucleic acid-based antivirals, their mechanism of action, their advantages and limitations, and their future prospects.
Advances in SXFA-Coated SAW Chemical Sensors for Organophosphorous Compound Detection
Authors: Wang Wen , He Shitang , Li Shunzhou , Liu Minghua , Pan Yong
Published: January 2011

A polymer-coated surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based chemical sensor for organophosphorous compound sensing at extremely low concentrations was developed, in which a dual-delay-line oscillator coated with fluoroalcoholpolysiloxane (SXFA) acted as the sensor element. Response mechanism analysis was performed on the SXFA-coated chemical sensor, resulting in the optimal design parameters. The shear modulus of the SXFA, which is the key parameter for theoretical simulation, was extracted experimentally. New designs were done on the SAW devices to decrease the insertion loss. Referring to the new phase modulation approach, superior short-term frequency stability (±2 Hz in seconds) was achieved from the SAW oscillator using the fabricated 300 MHz delay line as the feedback element. In the sensor experiment on dimethylmethylphosphonate (DMMP) detection, the fabricated SXFA-coated chemical sensor exhibited an excellent threshold detection limit up to 0.004 mg/m3 (0.7 ppb) and good sensitivity (~485 Hz/mg/m3 for a DMMP concentration of 2~14 mg/m3).
Long Period Gratings in Random Hole Optical Fibers for Refractive Index Sensing
Authors: Wang Ke , Pickrell Gary
Published: January 2011

We have demonstrated the fabrication of long period gratings in random hole optical fibers. The long period gratings are fabricated by a point-by-point technique using a CO2 laser. The gratings with a periodicity of 450 µm are fabricated and a maximum coupling efficiency of −9.81 dB has been achieved. Sensing of different refractive indices in the surrounding mediums is demonstrated by applying standard liquids with refractive indices from 1.400 to 1.440 to the long period grating.
Secure Chaotic Map Based Block Cryptosystem with Application to Camera Sensor Networks
Authors: Guo Xianfeng , Zhang Jiashu , Khan Muhammad Khurram , Alghathbar Khaled
Published: January 2011

Recently, Wang et al. presented an efficient logistic map based block encryption system. The encryption system employs feedback ciphertext to achieve plaintext dependence of sub-keys. Unfortunately, we discovered that their scheme is unable to withstand key stream attack. To improve its security, this paper proposes a novel chaotic map based block cryptosystem. At the same time, a secure architecture for camera sensor network is constructed. The network comprises a set of inexpensive camera sensors to capture the images, a sink node equipped with sufficient computation and storage capabilities and a data processing server. The transmission security between the sink node and the server is gained by utilizing the improved cipher. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that the improved algorithm can overcome the flaws and maintain all the merits of the original cryptosystem. In addition, computational costs and efficiency of the proposed scheme are encouraging for the practical implementation in the real environment as well as camera sensor network.
The Properties of Terrestrial Laser System Intensity for Measuring Leaf Geometries: A Case Study with Conference Pear Trees (Pyrus Communis)
Authors: Balduzzi Mathilde A.F. , Van der Zande Dimitry , Stuckens Jan , Verstraeten Willem W. , Coppin Pol
Published: January 2011

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology can be a valuable tool for describing and quantifying vegetation structure. However, because of their size, extraction of leaf geometries remains complicated. In this study, the intensity data produced by the Terrestrial Laser System (TLS) FARO LS880 is corrected for the distance effect and its relationship with the angle of incidence between the laser beam and the surface of the leaf of a Conference Pear tree (Pyrus Commmunis) is established. The results demonstrate that with only intensity, this relationship has a potential for determining the angle of incidence with the leaves surface with a precision of ±5° for an angle of incidence smaller than 60°, whereas it is more variable for an angle of incidence larger than 60°. It appears that TLS beam footprint, leaf curvatures and leaf wrinkles have an impact on the relationship between intensity and angle of incidence, though, this analysis shows that the intensity of scanned leaves has a potential to eliminate ghost points and to improve their meshing.
Sensing Phosphatidylserine in Cellular Membranes
Authors: Kay Jason G. , Grinstein Sergio
Published: January 2011

Phosphatidylserine, a phospholipid with a negatively charged head-group, is an important constituent of eukaryotic cellular membranes. On the plasma membrane, rather than being evenly distributed, phosphatidylserine is found preferentially in the inner leaflet. Disruption of this asymmetry, leading to the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the surface of the cell, is known to play a central role in both apoptosis and blood clotting. Despite its importance, comparatively little is known about phosphatidylserine in cells: its precise subcellular localization, transmembrane topology and intracellular dynamics are poorly characterized. The recent development of new, genetically-encoded probes able to detect phosphatidylserine within live cells, however, is leading to a more in-depth understanding of the biology of this phospholipid. This review aims to give an overview of the current methods for phosphatidylserine detection within cells, and some of the recent realizations derived from their use.
A Stereovision Matching Strategy for Images Captured with Fish-Eye Lenses in Forest Environments
Authors: Herrera Pedro Javier , Pajares Gonzalo , Guijarro María , Ruz José J. , Cruz Jesús M.
Published: January 2011

We present a novel strategy for computing disparity maps from hemispherical stereo images obtained with fish-eye lenses in forest environments. At a first segmentation stage, the method identifies textures of interest to be either matched or discarded. This is achieved by applying a pattern recognition strategy based on the combination of two classifiers: Fuzzy Clustering and Bayesian. At a second stage, a stereovision matching process is performed based on the application of four stereovision matching constraints: epipolar, similarity, uniqueness and smoothness. The epipolar constraint guides the process. The similarity and uniqueness are mapped through a decision making strategy based on a weighted fuzzy similarity approach, obtaining a disparity map. This map is later filtered through the Hopfield Neural Network framework by considering the smoothness constraint. The combination of the segmentation and stereovision matching approaches makes the main contribution. The method is compared against the usage of simple features and combined similarity matching strategies.
Optically Defined Modal Sensors Incorporating Spiropyran-Doped Liquid Crystals with Piezoelectric Sensors
Authors: Chen Kuan-Ting , Chang Chin-Kai , Kuo Hui-Lung , Lee Chih-Kung
Published: January 2011

We integrated a piezoelectric sensing layer lamina containing liquid crystals (LC) and spiropyran (SP) in a LC/SP mixture to create an optically reconfigurable modal sensor for a cantilever beam. The impedance of this LC/SP lamina was decreased by UV irradiation which constituted the underlying mechanism to modulate the voltage externally applied to the piezoelectric actuating layer. Illuminating a specific pattern onto the LC/SP lamina provided us with a way to spatially modulate the piezoelectric vibration signal. We showed that if an UV illuminated pattern matches the strain distribution of a specific mode, a piezoelectric modal sensor can be created. Since UV illumination can be changed in situ in real-time, our results confirm for the first time since the inception of smart sensors, that an optically tailored modal sensor can be created. Some potential applications of this type of sensor include energy harvesting devices, bio-chips, vibration sensing and actuating devices.
Les provinces détritiques des confins de la Saintonge et du Périgord
Authors: Daniou P.
Published: January 2011

A travers trois régions situées à la limite du Périgord et de la Charente, son définis un ensemble de 10 faciès rapportés jusqu'alors au « Sidérolithique ». Ils comprennent des formations de transport (sables crétacés) ou non (formation à galets) et des formations dues à une évolution in situ faisant une part égale à une transformation post-sédimentaire de l'alumine, de la silice et du fer. Au delà des différents faciès, c'est la notion de Province détritique qui s'impose : cette dernière résulte du mélange des divers faciès : de leurs proportions respectives dépend le modelé de chacune d'entre elles.
Une activité économique peut-elle redéfinir un vieux pays ? Réflexions sur le Penthièvre
Authors: Aubry Marie-Louise , Guellec Agnès
Published: January 2011

The place called Penthièvre has become today a great breeder of pigs. A society whose name is COOPERL is at the head of this breeding, and assumes as well the sale of those animals ; it means that all this has given a greater activity to the area, thus increasing their income. On what scale does this dynamism explain the new look of that area ? There are, for sure, a peculiar economical way of living and an influence which somehow radiates beyond Lamballe.
Cholet et Saumur : Deux politiques d'aménagement du centre en ville moyenne
Authors: Jeanneau Jacques
Published: January 2011

Les deux villes moyennes angevines de Cholet et de Saumur, dissemblables par leur rythme de croissance comme par leur paysage urbain, se trouvent également confrontées au problème de l'inadaptation de leur centre dont elles redoutent le dépérissement. Aussi les Contrats d'aménagement de Villes Moyennes qu'elles ont conclus avec l'État font-ils une large place à la revitalisation du centre-ville. Mais, alors que Saumur, en faible croissance, s'attache surtout à la réhabilitation de son centre historique, Cholet, plus dynamique, pratique une politique de renforcement et d'extension linéaire de son centre tertiaire.
L'exploitation des hydrocarbures en mer du Nord et ses conséquences sur les littoraux
Authors: Carré François
Published: January 2011

RÉSUMÉ

Cet article qui met à jour une étude parue en 1974 dans la même revue, s'attache surtout aux conséquences de l'exploitation des hydrocarbures sur les littoraux de la mer du Nord. Après avoir présenté les découvertes nouvelles faites de 1973 à 1970, Fauteur insiste sur la mise en valeur des gisements, qui caractérise la période actuelle, grâce à la pose de plusieurs conduites sous- marines. L'impact de cette exploitation sous-marine sur les littoraux est inégale, mais parfois assez forte, surtout en Grande-Bretagne, par l'installation de bases logistiques dans des ports préexistants (Aberdeen, Stavanger) et la dissémination d'industries annexes telles que les terminaux, les chantiers de construction de plates-formes, les raffineries et la pétro-chimie. Les littoraux du Nord, jusque là sous-industrialisés, se trouvent vigoureusement stimulés, tandis que de vieilles régions économiques peuvent être régénérées. Les bouleversements les plus importants se manifestent en Ecosse qui devient la province pétrolière du Royaume-Uni et qui est étudiée en détail.
Le massif granitique de Plouaret (Bretagne)
Authors: Garreau Jacques
Published: January 2011

RESUME

Le massif granitique de Plouaret, situé dans le plateau du Trégor au Nord de la péninsule bretonne, mis en place entre 330 et 310 M. A., est formé par deux plutons associés. Après l'orogenèse hercynienne, les reliefs depuis le Mésozoïque ont été arasés. Les surfaces d'aplanissements ont été dénivelées par des mouvements tectoniques verticaux. L'auteur dans le cadre du levé d'une carte géologique montre l'intérêt de l'enquêle géographique.
La fécondité en Bretagne (1974-1976)
Authors: Lariviere Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2011

Malgré un fort recul, la fécondité de la Bretagne reste en 1975 nettement supérieure à la moyenne française dans les campagnes comme dans les villes, L'étude pour chaque canton rural et chaque ville de Bretagne montre de forts contrastes internes avec essentiellement une opposition entrel'ouest et l'est de la région. Le niveau d'instruction des femmes semble expliquer en grande partie ces contrastes.
Production et commerce des céréales en Deux-Sèvres ; Les nouvelles orientations
Authors: Bernard Gilles
Published: January 2011

Le département des Deux-Sèvres, par sa position géographique, ne constitue pas un important foyer céréalier; puisque la partie centrale appartient au massif ancien et rappelle les productions vendéennes. Seules les plaines sédi- mentaires du Thouarsais et de l'arrondissement de Niort s'intègrent dans l'économie céréalière du Poitou-Char entes. La production de grains devient surtout le domaine des terres légères, les sols froids retournent à l'élevage. Cette orientation s'effectue parmi les exploitations, la rentabilité impose de grandes surfaces et les jeunes exploitants y trouvent une activité qui correspond à leur goût.

Cependant la défaillance de la coopération dans le système commercial empêche une rénovation plus profonde du milieu agricole. Les négociants, par la proximité des débouchés avec les aliments du bétail, supplantent les coopératives, qui deviennent des organismes difficiles à gérer. Ainsi, l'esprit coopératif, né des transformations agricoles de la fin du siècle dernier, traverse une grave crise.
Le Limousin peut-il être une surface acyclique déformée et disséquée ?
Authors: Flageollet Jean-Claude
Published: January 2011

RÉSUMÉ

L'interprétation du relief du Limousin : « un socle à inselbergs flexuré », proposée par Cl. Klein à partir de l'exemple des Monts d'Ambazac et de Saint- Goussaud, est critiquée et refusée car elle n'est en accord ni avec le détail de la morphologie ni avec la nature et l'âge des alluvions présentes en certains secteurs des plateaux.
Le Panégyrique de Constantin VII Porphyrogénète pour la translation des reliques de Grégoire le Théologien (BHG 728)
Authors: Flusin Bernard
Published: February 2011

Le panégyrique en l'honneur du retour des reliques de Grégoire de Naziance BHG 728 a pour auteur Constantin Porphyrogénète. Il est conservé en deux recensions légèrement différentes dont l'une correspond au discours prononcé le 19 janvier 946 : l'empereur célèbre alors l'anniversaire de son accession au pouvoir suprême. Le texte est édité et traduit. Dans l'introduction, l'étude des sources et des modèles — discours de Grégoire ; deux panégyriques en l'honneur du retour des reliques de Jean Chrysostome dus à Léon VI et Constantin VII ; Ancien Testament — permet de déterminer le sens d'un discours et d'une cérémonie qui mettent en scène l'empereur, le patriarche et la sainteté.
Le second mariage d'Andronic II Palaiologos
Authors: Failler Albert
Published: February 2011

REB 57 1999 France p. 225

Albert Failler, Le second manage d'Andronic II Palaiologos. — The second marriage of Andronicus II Paleologus, to Yolande-Irene of Montferrat, took place in 1284. Contrary to what has been thought, neither the History of George Pachymeres nor any other source mentions the new empress' coronation, though it must have followed shortly upon the wedding. The dates of birth of the couple's seven children remain problematic.
Le Roufinion de Pergame au 6e siècle d'après un sceau nouvellement publié
Authors: Feissel Denis
Published: February 2011

Le nom du Roufinion de Pergame, sur un sceau du 6e siècle, remonte au Pergaménien Rufinus, consul en 142 et fondateur du temple de Zeus Asklèpios. Le Roufinion est compté par des sources byzantines au nombre des Merveilles du monde, et les fouilles modernes en ont dégagé les vestiges. Le sceau du Roufinion, qui porte aussi mention de la Mère de Dieu, confirme qu'un établissement chrétien avait au 6e siècle son siège dans l'ancien temple.
Nouveaux documents chypriotes
Authors: Couroupou Matoula , Géhin Paul
Published: February 2011

The article presents four Cypriot manuscripts from the Panaghia collection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The texts transmitted by these manuscripts, as well as the colophons and the annotations they contain, offer much new material for the history of the Church of Cyprus and the topography and prosopography of the island from the second quarter of the fourteenth to the middle of the sixteenth century.
The Reciprocal Relationship Between Corporate and Regional Brands in the Creative Industries: The Case of Sustainable Architecture in Portland, Oregon, USA
Authors: Parkman Ian
Published: January 2011

While the creative industries have emerged as an increasingly important domain for research, very little is known about the organization-level elements that may drive firm success. Using a case study approach, this article provides evidence for a complex reciprocal relationship between
the destination brand of Portland, Oregon, USA and the firms within the sector based on a distinctive “terroir” for sustainable architecture. Findings examine how architecture firms within the sector employ aspects of corporate identity, image, and reputation to endow their corporate
brands with authenticity, which has been shown to be the essential feature of their appeal to customers. The article bolsters extant claims that the concept of authenticity offers significant marketing advantage to firms in the creative industries context. The article provides preliminary
evidence for a new conceptualization of authenticity for creative and knowledge-intensive organizations based on seven aspects of corporate image and identity: 1) Appearing above commercial considerations, 2) Production methods as a craft, 3) Valuing internal satisfaction, 4) Formal and informal
classifications, 5) Aura of place, 6) Corporate visual identity, and 7) Peer acclaim and awards/competitions.
Vehicular Networks Security
Authors: Tchepnda Christian , Moustafa Hassnaa , Labiod Houda , Bourdon Gilles
Published: February 2011

This article provides a panorama on the security in vehicular networks’ environments. The special characteristics of these environments are presented and a general classification for the different types of attacks illustrated by some relevant attacks examples is introduced. Consequently, some key security requirements and security challenges are derived, considering Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) or Safety services as well as non-ITS or non-Safety services. Finally, some existing contributions in this subject are presented, and their deployment feasibility is discussed.
Managing Variability of Ambient Intelligence Middleware
Authors: Fuentes Lidia , Gamez Nadia , Sanchez Pablo
Published: February 2011

AmI technologies have to produce software embedded in a wide variety of everyday objects and devices with critical resource limitations. Furthermore, they must provide support to different types of applications and to many different kinds of users. The application of a Software Product Line approach would be very useful to express the different requirements of either devices or applications in terms of commonalities and variabilities when defining a family of AmI middleware platforms. A feature model for the AmI domain will help to specify and automatically derive different configurations of middleware tailored according to a large number of constraints. The aim of this article is to highlight the complexity of managing different types of variability during the development of applications for AmI environments. A generic process for automatically generating a custom configuration of a middleware variant is also presented.
Life in the Pocket--The Ambient Life Project
Authors: Hemmert Fabian
Published: February 2011

The work reported in this article is concerned with the relationship of the user to his mobile phone, especially with the habit of checking the mobile phone for missed events. We present two qualitative studies that have been conducted with mobile phones, symbolizing their status through life-like movements - breath and pulse. It was to be determined whether a continuous, rhythmic and life-like signal would be eligible to ambiently express the phone’s state. The results of the studies were mixed, as some users were simply annoyed by the permanent actuation, while others appreciated the functionality. The response times to occured events seem to be appropriate for an ambient display. The studies raised further questions, regarding the psychological and physiological consequences of such technology.
Beyond Ambient Display
Authors: Vande Moere Andrew , Offenhuber Dietmar
Published: February 2011

With the recent emergence of a wide range of information displays that reach beyond the traditional graphics-based computer screen, it seems that the original definition of ambient display, and its focus on user attention and aesthetics, has become diluted. Instead, we propose a taxonomy of alternative information displays that is mainly based on context, in terms of the data it represents and the environment it is located in. The resulting model described three different categories: visualization as translation, visualization as augmentation and visualization as embodiment. This model aims support visualization designers and developers in considering the correct visualization as well as display medium.
Ambient Communication Experience (ACE)
Authors: Hegarty Rosaleen , Lunney Tom , Curran Kevin , Mulvenna Maurice
Published: February 2011

Ambient Information Systems (AIS), permit a mode of expression that can easily exist at the level of subconscious realisation. Principles of cognition are usually aggregated under the main auditory, visual and often innovative tactile sensory impetus. AIS are designed principally for the aesthetic communication of non-critical information. This research focuses on the development of an Ambient Communication Experience (ACE) system. ACE is a synchronisation framework to provide co-ordinated connectivity across various environmentally distributed devices via sensor data mapping. The intention is to facilitate location-independent and application-responsive screening for the user, leading to the concept of technologically integrated spaces. Technologically integrated spaces have the potential to change our perception of information and our behavioural interactions associated with its provision. The aim is to deliver contextual information without the need for direct user manipulation, and engagement at the level of peripheral perception.
Using Ambient Social Reminders to Stay in Touch with Friends
Authors: Shannon Ross , Kenny Eugene , Quigley Aaron
Published: February 2011

Social interactions among a group of friends will typically have a certain recurring rhythm. Most people interact with their own circle of friends at a range of different rates, and through a range of different modalities (by email, phone, instant messaging, face-to-face meetings and so on). When these naturally recurring interactions are maintained effectively, people feel at ease with the quality and stability of their social network. Conversely, when a person has not interacted with one of their friends for a longer time interval than they usually do, a situation can be identified in that relationship which may require action to resolve. Here we discuss the opportunities we see in using ambient information technology to effectively support a user’s social connectedness. We present a social network visualisation which provides a user with occasional recommendations of which of their friends they should contact soon to keep their social network in a healthy state.