bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoelectrochemical and Raman characterization of In2O3 mesoporous films sensitized by CdS nanoparticles
Authors: Malashchonak Mikalai V , Poznyak Sergey K , Streltsov Eugene A , Kulak Anatoly I , Korolik Olga V , Mazanik Alexander V
Published: April 2013

The method of successive ion layer adsorption and reaction was applied for the deposition of CdS nanoparticles onto a mesoporous In2O3 substrate. The filling of the nanopores in In2O3 films with CdS particles mainly occurs during the first 30 cycles of the SILAR deposition. The surface modification of In2O3 with CdS nanoparticles leads to the spectral sensitization of photoelectrochemical processes that manifests itself in a red shift of the long-wavelength edge in the photocurrent spectrum by 100–150 nm. Quantum-confinement effects lead to an increase of the bandgap from 2.49 to 2.68 eV when decreasing the number of SILAR cycles from 30 to 10. The spectral shift and the widening of the Raman line belonging to CdS evidences the lattice stress on the CdS/In2O3 interfaces and confirms the formation of a close contact between the nanoparticles.
Milieux économiques belges et occupation allemande de 1914 à 1918 : une stratégie du moindre mal
Authors: Tilly Pierre , Deloge Pascal
Published: April 2013

Confrontés, pendant l’occupation allemande durant la Première Guerre mondiale, à une situation difficile, les entrepreneurs belges ont subi de nombreuses mises sous séquestre (215 en totalité, décrétées à partir de février 1915). Certains ont refusé toute collaboration avec l’occupant, tel Alexandre Galopin, alors l’un des dirigeants de la Fabrique nationale d’armes de Herstal. Plus souvent, à l’image d’Évence Coppée, propriétaire de nombreux charbonnages dans le Centre et en Campine, ils ont continué à produire, encourant ainsi le risque d’être dénoncés pour attitude antipatriotique après 1918. L’examen de la politique suivie par la Société Générale de Belgique dans ses participations charbonnières montre une stratégie orientée là aussi vers le maintien de l’activité et la limitation des pertes, sous l’impulsion du gouverneur Jean Jadot qui se qualifie lui-même de « patriote pratique ». En ce domaine, contrairement à une historiographie souvent marquée par l’anti-germanisme de l’immédiat après-guerre, les choix des entrepreneurs anticipent ceux auxquels ils seront conduits durant la seconde occupation, celle de 1940-1944.
Types de réactions et modalités d'action des entreprises de la Ruhr face à l'occupation franco-belge de 1923
Authors: Heith Holger
Published: April 2013

L’occupation franco-belge de la Ruhr en 1923 a lourdement affecté les entreprises du bassin. Les grands groupes charbonniers, malgré la résistance passive décrétée par le gouvernement du Reich, durent livrer leur production aux autorités d’occupation qui avaient réquisitionné les installations. Au lendemain d’incidents sanglants avec la troupe, Gustav Krupp se lança dans une confrontation qui déboucha sur son arrestation et sa condamnation par des tribunaux militaires qui firent de lui un héros national. Les syndicats des charbonnages et de la sidérurgie, dont l’attitude envers les occupants fut parfois ambiguë, connurent une chute spectaculaire de leurs adhérents. Cependant les subventions gouvernementales ont afflué vers les entreprises. La concentration s’est accrue, l’appareil de production a été modernisé, la rationalisation a progressé, de nouvelles sources de financement ont été trouvées pour pallier l’assèchement des trésoreries dû à l’hyperinflation. Même si elle a contraint les entreprises du bassin à s’adapter, l’occupation n’a donc aucunement ruiné leur puissance.
Petits arrangements entre ennemis ou comment l'Arbed utilisa la Première Guerre mondiale pour devenir le premier groupe sidérurgique européen
Authors: Arboit Gérald
Published: April 2013

Les deux principaux dirigeants du groupe sidérurgique luxembourgeois Arbed, constitué trois ans seulement avant les débuts de la Première Guerre mondiale, Gaston Barbanson et Émile Mayrisch, se trouvent durant la guerre dans des camps opposés : le premier en France où il travaille pour le compte du gouvernement belge en exil, le second dans le Grand-Duché, occupé par l’Allemagne à partir d’août 1914, où il gère l’entreprise. L’un se déclare favorable à un rapprochement économique avec la France une fois la paix revenue, nouant des contacts étroits avec le groupe Schneider, tandis que l’autre développe ses relations avec les grands groupes sidérurgiques allemands. Cela ne les empêche pas de garder entre eux le contact et de se rencontrer secrètement à plusieurs reprises en territoire suisse. Malgré leurs orientations respectives, ils ont en commun le souci de la prééminence future de leur groupe sidérurgique. Leur activité, qui mêle à la transmission de renseignements les contacts au plus haut niveau avec les milieux politiques et patronaux, montre comment une entreprise peut tirer paradoxalement avantage d’une situation d’occupation militaire durant un conflit.
Les charbonnages d'Orange-Nassau (1940-1948) : a French company on Dutch soil during the German occupation and in the aftermath of war
Authors: Rutten Willibrord
Published: April 2013

Les charbonnages d’Orange-Nassau (1940-1948) : une compagnie minière française aux Pays-Bas sous l’occupation allemande et dans l’immédiat après-guerre Propriétaires depuis 1908 du gisement d’Orange-Nassau, l’un des plus importants du Limbourg, les Wendel envisagent durant l’entre-deux-guerres de s’en séparer, vu sa médiocre rentabilité et son incapacité à fournir du coke sidérurgique. L’approche de la guerre les conduit, à partir de 1936, à renoncer à ce projet, espérant que, si les Pays-Bas restent en dehors du conflit, Orange-Nassau permettra d’approvisionner les usines françaises, voire de maintenir des liens commerciaux avec l’Allemagne. Ces espoirs sont déçus en 1940. Le gisement, placé sous séquestre, maintient toutefois sa production, désormais destinée aux besoins intérieurs néerlandais et à l’économie de guerre allemande, même si la productivité chute lourdement, du fait de l’embauche de jeunes mineurs dépourvus de qualification. À la Libération, le contrôle sur la production et les mesures sociales prises par le gouvernement néerlandais mettent un terme au paternalisme traditionnel. Toujours possédé par les de Wendel, le gisement est désormais pleinement intégré aux structures économiques et sociales nationales.
Autisme et psychanalyse
Authors: Ribas Denys
Published: April 2013

Loin des polémiques qui ressurgissent sur l’origine de l’autisme et la responsabilité maternelle, l’investigation psychanalytique des spécificités d’organisation psychique des états autistiques rencontre les travaux cognitifs en soulignant la difficulté d’organiser la limite interne et externe et les troubles des espaces psychiques et de la temporalité. Le défaut de projection y participe et est un enjeu de la thérapeutique. Adhésivité et démantèlement témoignent d’une désintrication pulsionnelle majeure. Les angoisses agoniques doivent être reconnues pour être soulagées. La recherche doit porter sur l’accès à la symbolisation, conditionnée par la tiercéité.
Fidélité et infidélité de la mémoire
Authors: Balsamo Maurizio
Published: April 2013

La découverte freudienne montre qu’il y a plusieurs types de mémoire. Dans la clinique, on est confronté à un ensemble de phénomènes et de forme mnésiques ainsi qu’à un complexe rapport entre la « fidélité » de l’événement traumatique et la nécessaire infidélité de sa reconstitution dans la cure. Dans la dimension analytique, on est donc confrontés soit à la « mémoire » de ce qui est arrivé au sujet, soit, encore plus radicalement, à la mémoire de ce que nous n’avons jamais pu (encore) vivre. Autrement dit, la question est toujours, dans ce cas : comment arriver à construire le passé.
La mémoire du rêve. Un conflit épistémique dans la théorie freudienne
Authors: Botella Sára
Published: April 2013

La notion de « mémoire du rêve » ( Traumgedächtnis ) apparaît d’emblée dans l’œuvre freudienne, dès le premier chapitre de L’Interprétation du rêve (1900). Elle témoigne de l’intérêt de Freud pour « les expériences vécues » et « les impressions sensorielles » du « tout premier temps de l’enfance ». Mais l’importance accordée à cette mémoire du « vécu » de la première enfance que seul le rêve est capable de conserver, une « mémoire sans souvenir », s’effacera, notamment à partir des années 1910, au profit de la mémoire du « transfert infantile », des évènements refoulés, porteurs des souvenirs représentés. Pour l’auteur, Freud impose ainsi une limitation à sa méthode et rétrécit le champ de la remémoration ; ce qui rend encore plus marquant le retour de la conception de 1900 à la fin de l’œuvre freudienne. En 1938, dans l’ Abrégé de Psychanalyse , la reprise de la notion de « mémoire du rêve » est à comprendre comme le lieu d’élargissement de la méthode, comme l’indication par Freud de la voie à suivre pour accéder aux traces non représentables des traumas du « tout premier temps de l’enfance », sans quoi l’analyse échoue, telle celle de l’Homme aux loups.
L'objet de la philosophie politique contemporaine
Authors: Miourberg Irina I.
Published: April 2013

La disparition de la pression idéologique soviétique n’a pas suffi pour que renaissent en Russie de façon spontanée les traditions de pensée politique. Mais on peut entrevoir des signes avant-coureurs d’une nouvelle école de philosophie politique qui se forge une identité en dialoguant avec les disciplines apparentées (« philosophie de la politique » et « science politique »). C’est là un virage en philosophie phénoménologique, même si, à l’intérêt husserlien pour les phénomènes de conscience (c’est-à-dire pour les valeurs intersubjectives et globales), se substitue l’étude des « processus » de la morale. Le transfert de la morale politique vers la sphère de compétence de l’éthique conséquentielle dessine le champ d’une nouvelle théorie où l’on trouve de nouvelles notions (« inversion temporelle », « violence politique », etc.). Tout cela est bien illustré par l’œuvre de Kapoustine.
La poétique de Dostoïevski. De la voix à l'ouïe
Authors: Podoroga Valeri A.
Published: April 2013

Selon Bakhtine interprétant Dostoïevski, la voix implique le dialogue et par là l’intervention de la conscience , et aussi le sens  ; on arrive ainsi à la personne . Mais cette interprétation laisse de côté, même chez Dostoïevski, d’autres moments essentiels : par exemple les bruits spontanés et surtout l’ écoute . Il faudrait en outre faire une analyse plus juste des rapports du dialogue et de la rencontre .
Rwagasore for ever ?
Authors: Deslaurier Christine
Published: April 2013

Héros de l’indépendance du Burundi, le prince Rwagasore est aujourd’hui l’un des rares hommes politiques du pays à faire l’unanimité dans une histoire récente mouvementée et disputée. Leader du principal Parti nationaliste de la décolonisation, il fut assassiné en 1961, au lendemain d’une victoire électorale écrasante de sa formation et juste avant l’échéance souveraine de juillet 1962. Sa mort, vécue à l’époque comme un cataclysme, est depuis commémorée tous les ans, son image est présente dans tout le pays, et sa mémoire est convoquée dans les grands discours publics. Depuis cinquante ans, un culte a été bâti autour de sa figure héroïque, dont les paradoxes ne sont pas moindres : on encense un prince en République, le fondateur d’un Parti qui devint unique pendant vingt-cinq ans, un Tutsi (ou presque), dans un pays où la question ethnique est tout sauf vide. L’analyse de l’itinéraire éphémère du prince et des usages divers qui en ont été faits éclaire ces apparentes contradictions et, par-delà, les obsessions de la société burundaise actuelle.
Jomo Kenyatta et les méandres de la mémoire de l'indépendance du Kenya
Authors: Charton Hélène
Published: April 2013

Cet article explore les modalités de la construction et de la déconstruction de la figure de Jomo Kenyatta, héros et père de la nation kenyane. Le processus de construction d’une mythologie nationale centrée sur l’action et la personnalité du premier président du Kenya épouse étroitement les contours de la vie politique du Kenya. La vague de démocratisation des années 1990 a sérieusement écorné les mythes sur lesquels ces premiers régimes souvent autoritaires s’étaient construits. Cinquante ans après l’indépendance du pays, on assiste à l’élaboration d’un nouveau récit de la nation basé sur la pluralité de la mémoire de l’indépendance et la diversité de la contribution de ses héros qui contribue à la redéfinition des contours de l’imaginaire national.
Alfred Cortot et la mobilisation des musiciens français pendant la Première Guerre mondiale
Authors: Anselmini François
Published: April 2013

Connu pour ses engagements vichystes, le pianiste Alfred Cortot participa auparavant de manière active à l’effort de guerre entre 1914 et 1918. Dès 1914, il mobilise les musiciens français dans le conflit en créant des œuvres venant en aide aux artistes privés de ressources par l’arrêt des spectacles. Mais il est surtout le fondateur d’entreprises de spectacles telles que les Matinées nationales ou le Théâtre aux armées, qui permettent la diffusion, par la musique, de l’idéologie de la France en guerre. Son action s’inscrit ensuite dans un cadre étatique, puisqu’il dirige de 1916 à 1918 un service de propagande au sein de l’administration des Beaux-Arts ; il organise les tournées de nombreux artistes dans les pays neutres et alliés, ce qui fait de lui le pionnier de l’action artistique à l’étranger. L’exemple de Cortot est donc celui d’un engagement total et multiforme dans le conflit et manifeste sa volonté constante d’utiliser la musique comme un moyen d’action politique et sociale.
La conversion au bonheur en France dans la seconde moitié du 20e siècle
Authors: Pawin Rémy
Published: April 2013

Le bonheur subsume désormais sous ses auspices l’ensemble des autres idées régulatrices. Longtemps, il n’est pourtant resté qu’une « idée neuve » peu valorisée. Fondé sur des analyses quantitatives et qualitatives d’ouvrages sur le bonheur et de films à succès, cet article met en évidence la conversion au bonheur de la société française : relativement récente, elle n’intervient que dans la seconde moitié du 20 e siècle. Ce sacre du bonheur procède de la perte d’influence des autres finalités (notamment des normes religieuses), d’une réflexion éthique nouvelle (le bonheur est désormais jugé efficient) et d’une instrumentalisation marchande de la vie heureuse. Ce processus, initié par les États-Unis, touche l’ensemble de monde occidental, mais est freiné en France : la force du modèle communiste et la vigueur des idéaux humanistes y ralentissent la formidable évolution de l’univers normatif.
Application of artificial neural networks to determine the authentication of fattening diets of Iberian pigs according to their triacylglycerol profiles
Authors: Narváez-Rivas M. , Gallardo E. , Jurado J. M. , Viera-Alcaide I. , Pablos F. , León-Camacho M.
Published: April 2013

The triacylglycerols in the subcutaneous fat from Iberian pigs reared on four different feeding types, Montanera, Recebo, extensive Cebo and intensive Cebo, have been determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Analyses were performed in a column coated with a bonded stationary phase (50% phenyl-50% methylpolysiloxane) with hydrogen as the carrier gas. Lipids were extracted by melting the subcutaneous fat in a microwave oven and then filtering and dissolving it in hexane. A total amount of 2783 samples from several campaigns were considered. Using the triacylglycerols as chemical descriptors, a study on the discriminating power to differentiate samples according to the pig feeding type and system was performed. With this aim, pattern recognition techniques, such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks (MLPANN), have been used. ANN performed better than LDA, with a mean prediction ability of approximately 97% in the differentiation of fattening diets such as Montanera, extensive Cebo and intensive Cebo. In the case of including the recebo fattening diet, the model presents a mean performance of 82%. The differentiation of fattening systems has also been achieved by means of ANN, with a mean performance of 96%.
Statistical model for classifying the feeding systems of Iberian pigs through Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS)
Authors: Delgado-Chavero C. L. , Zapata-Márquez E. , García-Casco J. M. , Paredes-Torronteras A.
Published: April 2013

In the present work we have analyzed a total of 734 subcutaneous fat samples from Iberian pigs with different feeding systems for fattening (“Bellota”, “Recebo”, “Campo” and “Cebo”) over three consecutive years, 2009-2011. Lipids were extracted from the subcutaneous fat on the rump, and after esterification, they were analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography- Combustion-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). Mean fatty acids and isotope ratios show that there are differences according to the year and feeding systems, two factors that should be taken into account when classifying the animals. The application of different prediction models based on Discriminant analysis has allowed us to establish a method for the classification of animals according to the feeding system type, with a correct percentage of 85% using three or four classification categories (Bellota, Recebo, Campo and/or Cebo) and 91% using only two categories, Cebo and Bellota. This model could provide the basis for appropriate classification of Iberian pigs according to their feeding regime.
Determination of neophytadiene in the subcutaneous fat of Iberian pigs from different feeding systems
Authors: Hernández-Matamoros A. , González E. , García-Casco J. M. , Tejeda J. F.
Published: April 2013

This study was carried out in order to determine the relationship between the content of a branched hydrocarbon (neophytadiene) in the subcutaneous fat and the feeding system of Iberian pigs during the fattening period previous to slaughter. Thirty-six batches of Iberian pigs, belonging to the four categories of feeding systems described in the Spanish legislation (Bellota, Recebo, Campo and Cebo) were studied. These categories differ in their degree of utilization of the natural resources (acorn and pasture) of the extensive rearing system or in their level of replacement by concentrated feed. SPE combined with GC-MS techniques were carried out to isolate and to identify hydrocarbons. Recebo and Bellota batches showed the highest levels of neophytadiene content, followed by Campo batches, and finally, batches of the Cebo category. The results showed a great variability between batches from the same feeding category, mainly from Bellota, Recebo and Campo categories, which makes the classification of the animals in these three categories difficult. However, the animals from the Cebo category were correctly classified when reared in intensive conditions.
Predictive ability of the feeding system in Iberian pig by means of several analytical methods
Authors: García Casco J. M. , Muñoz M. , González E.
Published: April 2013

The reliability of several analytical methods proposed to predict the feeding system received by Iberian pigs during the fattening period has been contrasted. Samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue were analyzed from 38 batches of pigs fattened in three seasons of montanera (acorn and pastures feeding). They corresponded to the four categories described in the Quality Standard for Iberian pig products: 251 samples of bellota, 164 of recebo, 197 of cebo de campo and 137 of cebo. To perform the study, the following analytical methods were used: fatty acid quantification, NIR, alpha and gamma tocopherol, chemical sensor, triacilglycerides, stable isotopes and neophytadiene. The laboratories received the samples without any information about the fattening system to which they belonged and remitted their predictions with respect to the above categories. The results showed a high percentage of accurate predictions of the methods when the fattening type corresponds to the extreme categories (bellota and cebo), however, the methods had difficulty in discerning between samples from a mixed feeding regime with acorn and feed (recebo) and problems when pigs are fattened with compound feeds including vegetable fats with high levels of oleic acid. Although a simplification into only two categories (cebo/campo and recebo/bellota) results in a success rate higher than 90% for some methods, the combination of two or three techniques with problematic samples allows for differentiating among the four categories with the same accuracy.
Pour une histoire comparée des cours européennes. Norbert Elias et Louis Marin : deux modèles d’interprétation
Authors: Visceglia Maria Antonietta
Published: April 2013

Norbert Elias et Louis Marin ont disparu tous deux au début des années 1990 : le sociologue allemand en 1990, à l’âge de quatre-vingt-treize ans ; le philosophe-sémiologue français en 1992, à l’âge de soixante-et-un ans seulement. Les travaux qui leur ont été consacrés ne font pas mention de contacts entre eux et n’établissent pas de relations entre leurs œuvres respectives. Bien que n’étant pas historiens, tous deux élaborèrent, dans le cadre de leur discipline respective, une lecture originale du xviie siècle français, de la société de cour et de l’absolutisme. Ces deux approches influencèrent de manière inégale (Elias beaucoup plus que Marin) la recherche historique et constituent, encore aujourd’hui, des interprétations fondamentales de cette période qui intéressent tous ceux qui se passionnent pour les méthodes et les catégories permettant d’interpréter l’histoire de la cour.
Opening the Black Box: Understanding the Influence of Cropping Systems and Plant Communities on Bacterial and Fungal Population Dynamics
Authors: Fernando WG Dilantha , Li Ru
Published: April 2013

Since the development of agriculture 10,000 years ago, crops and the soil they grow in have interacted and affected each other‟s existence. Soil microbial communities exert an important role in maintaining the health of soil and productivity of crops, and in turn, their population dynamics are influenced by agricultural systems. Researchers have attempted to assess community structure, as well as abundance, distribution, and function of species under different agricultural management systems. The effect of plants, soil, and agricultural management practices on the population dynamics of bacteria and fungi is reviewed, and methods to describe microbial communities are discussed.Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (2): 89-110, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i2.5380
Hemipeneal Morphology of Sri Lankan Dragon Lizards (Sauria: Agamidae)
Authors: Maduwage Kalana , Silva Anjana
Published: April 2013

The morphology of hemipenes, the male external genitalia of reptiles, is considered to be a character of taxonomic importance. It has, however, until recently been used only rarely in agamid systematics. Phylogenies of Sri Lankan Agamidae, constructed using mitochondrial DNA and hemipeneal morphology, have shown remarkable convergence, highlighting the importance of hemipeneal morphology in the taxonomy of these lizards. Here we present descriptions and illustrations of the hemipenes of 17 of the 18 species of Sri Lankan Agamidae and provide a key to the identification of species groups based on this character. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (2): 111-123, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i2.5381
Book Review of 'Conservation Biology: A Primer for South Asia'
Authors: Gunatilleke IAUN
Published: April 2013

Bawa, K. S., Primack, R. B. and Oommen, M. A. (2011). Conservation Biology: a Primer for South Asia. xiv + 589 pages. Universities Press (India) Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad, India. ISBN: 978-81-7371-7246. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (2): 157, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i2.5386
Fine-Tuning of Regulatory T Cell Function: The Role of Calcium Signals and Naive Regulatory T Cells for Regulatory T Cell Deficiency in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Schwarz Alexander , Schumacher Marijana , Pfaff Daniel , Schumacher Kai , Jarius Sven , Balint Bettina , Wiendl Heinz , Haas Jürgen , Wildemann Brigitte
Published: April 2013

The suppressor function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is impaired in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms underlying this deficiency are not fully understood. As Tregs counteract the sustained elevation of intracellular calcium, which is indispensable for full activation of conventional T cells (Tcons), we hypothesized that interference with this pathway might prompt MS-related Treg dysfunction. Using single-cell live imaging, we observed that Tregs rapidly reduce Ca2+ influx and downstream signals in Tcons upon cell contact, yet differ in their potency to efficiently suppress several target cells at the same time. Strikingly, individual Tregs harboring a CD4+CD25+FOXP3+CD45RA+ naive phenotype suppressed significantly more adjacent Tcons than did CD4+CD25+FOXP3+CD45RA− memory Tregs. Some constituents even completely failed to dampen Tcon Ca2+ influx and were contained exclusively in the memory subset. In accordance with their more powerful suppressive performance, the Ca2+ signature was considerably enhanced in naive Tregs in response to TCR triggering, compared with the memory counterparts. MS Tregs displayed a significantly diminished suppression of mean Ca2+ influx in the sum of individual Tcons recorded. This reduced inhibitory activity was closely linked to decreased numbers of individual Tcons becoming suppressed by adjacent Tregs and, in turn, correlated with a marked reduction of naive subtypes and concomitant expansion of nonsuppressive memory phenotypes. We conclude that the superior achievement of naive Tregs is pivotal in maintaining Treg efficiency. As a consequence, MS Tregs become defective because they lack naive subtypes and are disproportionately enriched in memory cells that have lost their inherent downregulatory activity.
HIV-positive patients’ and their families’ comprehension of HIV- and AIDS-related information
Authors: De Wet Gedina E. , Du Plessis Emmerentia , Klopper Hester C.
Published: April 2013

Despite acknowledgement of the importance of sharing HIV- and AIDS-related information with people living with HIV, it is still unclear as to what their actual comprehension is of this information. This research was part of a larger project, Tswaragano, conducted in the North-West Province, South Africa, which explored and described the competence, ability and strengths of the family of the HIV-positive patient during home support. This research focused on Potchefstroom in the North-West Province. This article focuses on research with the objective being to explore and describe the comprehension of HIV-positive patients and their families with regard to HIV- and AIDS-related information, and to formulate recommendations to improve their comprehension of this information. A quantitative, explorative and descriptive survey design was followed. Data were collected by means of questionnaires completed by HIV-positive patients (n = 79) and their family members (n = 34). Descriptive statistical analysis by means of frequency analysis was conducted. Ethical considerations and mechanisms to enhance validity and reliability are discussed. The results indicated that both HIV-positive respondents and their families face social and financial challenges due to unemployment and low income. A strength found in this research is that the majority of respondents are linked to a church, which can be a valuable platform to share information on HIV and AIDS. With regards to sharing, sources and comprehension of HIV- and AIDS-related information, it is apparent that respondents perceived that pre- and post-counselling provided an opportunity for information sharing, but that they need health care workers to spend more time with them, to be non-judgemental and to make more use of visual aids. It furthermore seems that the majority of HIV-positive respondents in this study did comprehend the need for and negotiate for safer sexual practices. It was concluded that although HIV-positive patients and their families have relatively good levels of comprehension of HIV- and AIDS-related information, there are certain gaps in their comprehension of this information. Accordingly, recommendations regarding improving comprehension of HIV-related information were formulated. Recommendations for nursing education, research and practice were formulated. These recommendations highlight the importance of openness in communication, building trust relationships, collaboration, cultural sensitivity and empowering HIV-positive patients and their families.
Classifying the Minimal Varieties of Polynomial Growth
Authors: Giambruno Antonio , La Mattina Daniela , Zaicev Mikhail
Published: April 2013

Let ν be a variety of associative algebras generated by an algebra with 1 over a field of characteristic zero. This paper is devoted to the classification of the varieties ν that are minimal of polynomial growth (i.e., their sequence of codimensions grows like nk, but any proper subvariety grows like nt with t < k). These varieties are the building blocks of general varieties of polynomial growth.

It turns out that for k ≤ 4 there are only a finite number of varieties of polynomial growth nk, but for each k > 4, the number of minimal varieties is at least |F|, the cardinality of the base field, and we give a recipe for their construction.
Estimating medically fragile population in storm surge zones: A geographic information system application
Authors: Wilson, PhD James L. , Little, MPH Ruth , Novick, MD, MPH Lloyd
Published: April 2013

Objective: To develop a simple, cost-effective method for determining the size and geographic distribution of medically fragile (MF) individuals at risk from tropical storm surges for use by emergency management planners.Design: The study used Geographic Information System (GIS) spatially referenced layers based on secondary data sources from both state and federal levels. Setting: The study setting included the eastern North Carolina coastal counties that would be affected by tropical storm surges.Subjects: The initial MF population was extrapolated from national estimates for five conditions and then applied to US Census block population. These conditions included insulin dependent diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, end stage renal disease, and patients receiving long-term oxygen treatment.Main outcomes: The main outcome of this study was a series of local and regional maps that portrayed the geographic distribution and estimated counts of potentially at-risk MF population from a tropical storm surge scenario.Conclusions: Maps depicting the geographic distribution and potential numbers of MF individuals are important information for planning and preparedness in emergency management and potentially engaging the public.
Nurses’ willingness and readiness to report for duty in a disaster
Authors: Fung, DHSc, MPH, BN, RN Olivia Wai Man , Loke, PhD, MN, BSN, RN Alice Yuen
Published: April 2013

Inadequate healthcare workforce during a disaster affects the survival and health outcome of victims. During disaster strikes, nurses may face a dilemma regarding whether or not to report for duty, facing professional duty and their personal and/or family safety that may be at stake. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. This study seeks for a better understanding of the factors affecting nurses’ willingness and readiness to report for duty in a disaster. A total of 269 currently practicing registered nurses completed the questionnaire. Results showed that only 68.7 percent and 53.2 percent of nurses were willing to report to work during a disaster. Male nurses were more likely to report to work than females during disaster (p = 0.007) and infection outbreak (p = 0.002) situations. Nurses with young children were less likely to report to work during an infectious disease outbreak (34.5 percent vs 55.4 percent, p = 0.033). It is concluded that about one-third of nurses indicated that they would not report to work when a disaster strikes. This raises a warning signal for healthcare managers that they need to plan ahead to maintain an adequate workforce when disasters strike. Managers are urged to do more to understand the factors leading to nurses’ unwillingness to report to work and to undertake realistic staffing planning to cope with the extra demand.
First responders and psychological first aid
Authors: Pekevski, PhD Jordan
Published: April 2013

Emergencies and disasters are common and occur on a daily basis. Although most survivors will not experience any long-term negative mental health effects, some will. First responders tend to have first contact with the survivors and, therefore, are in a position to provide needed mental health assistance to survivors. Psychological first aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach to providing support to survivors following a serious crisis event, and it aims to reduce the initial distress of the traumatic event and to promote adaptive functioning and coping. PFA has gained a great deal of attention lately, likely due to the fact that it is easy to provide. This article discusses the potential negative effects of emergencies and disasters on mental health, provides a description of PFA and discusses its application, and provides an overview of the research base of PFA and a discussion on the need for future research.
NOx cycle and tropospheric ozone isotope anomaly: an experimental investigation
Authors: Michalski G. , Bhattacharya S. K. , Girsch G.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. The oxygen isotope composition of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere may be a useful tool for understanding the oxidation of NOx into nitric acid/nitrate in the atmosphere. A set of experiments were conducted to examine changes in isotopic composition of NOx due to O3-NOx photochemical cycling. At low NO2/O2 mixing ratios, NO2 becomes progressively and nearly equally enriched in 17O and 18O over time until it reaches a steady state with Δ17O values of 40.6 ± 1.9‰ and δ18O values of 84.2 ± 4‰, relative to the isotopic composition of the O2 gas. As the mixing ratio increases, isotopic exchange between O atoms and O2 and NOx suppresses the isotopic enrichments. A kinetic model simulating the observed data shows that the isotope effects during ozone formation play a more dominant role compared to kinetic isotope effects during NO oxidation or exchange of NO2. The model results are consistent with the data when the NO + O3 reaction occurs mainly via the transfer of the terminal atom of O3. The model predicts that under tropospheric concentrations of the three reactants, the timescale of NOx isotopic equilibrium ranges from hours (ppbv mixing ratios) to days/weeks (pptv) and yields steady state Δ17O and δ18O values of 46‰ and 115‰ respectively with respect to Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water. Interpretation of tropospheric nitrate isotope data can now be done with the derived rate coefficients of the major isotopologue reactions at various pressures.
Recommendations for the interpretation of "black carbon" measurements
Authors: Petzold A. , Ogren J. A. , Fiebig M. , Laj P. , Li S.-M. , Baltensperger U. , Holzer-Popp T. , Kinne S. , Pappalardo G. , Sugimoto N. , Wehrli C. , Wiedensohler A. , Zhang X.-Y.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Although black carbon (BC) is one of the key atmospheric particulate components driving climate change and air quality, there is no agreement on the terminology that considers all aspects of specific properties, definitions, measurement methods, and related uncertainties. As a result, there is much ambiguity in the scientific literature of measurements and numerical models that refer to BC with different names and based on different properties of the particles, with no clear definition of the terms. The authors present here a recommended terminology to clarify the terms used for BC in atmospheric research, with the goal of establishing unambiguous links between terms, targeted material properties and associated measurement techniques.
Radical chemistry at night: comparisons between observed and modelled HOx, NO3 and N2O5 during the RONOCO project
Authors: Stone D. , Evans M. J. , Walker H. M. , Ingham T. , Vaughan S. , Ouyang B. , Kennedy O. J. , McLeod M. W. , Jones R. L. , Hopkins J. , Punjabi S. , Lidster R. , Hamilton J. F. , Lee J. D. , Lewis A. C. , Carpenter L. J. , Forster G. , Oram D. E. , Reeves C. E. , Bauguitte S. , Morgan W. , Coe H. , Aruffo E. , Dari-Salisburgo C. , Giammaria F. , Di Carlo P. , Heard D. E.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. The RONOCO aircraft campaign during July 2010 and January 2011 made observations of OH, HO2, NO3, N2O5 and a number of supporting measurements at night over the UK, and reflects the first simultaneous airborne measurement of these species. We compare the observed concentrations of these short-lived species with those calculated by a box model, constrained by the concentrations of the longer lived species, using a detailed chemical scheme. OH concentrations were below the limit of detection, consistent with the model predictions. The model systematically underpredicts HO2 by a factor of ~2 and overpredicts NO3 and N2O5 by factors of around 75% and 50%, respectively. Cycling between NO3 and N2O5 is fast and thus we define the NO3x (NO3x = NO3 + N2O5) family. Production of NO3x is overwhelmingly dominated by the reaction of NO2 with O3, whereas its loss is dominated by aerosol uptake of N2O5, with NO3 + VOCs and NO3 + RO2 playing smaller roles. The production of HOx and ROx radicals is mainly due to the reaction of NO3 with VOCs. The loss of these radicals occurs through a combination of HO2 + RO2 reactions, heterogeneous processes and production of HNO3 from OH + NO2, with radical propagation primarily achieved through reactions of NO3 with peroxy radicals. Thus NO3 at night plays a similar role to both OH and NO during the day in that it both initiates ROx radical production and acts to propagate the oxidation chain. Model sensitivity to the N2O5 aerosol uptake coefficient (γN2O5) is discussed, and we find that a value of γN2O5 = 0.05 improves model simulations for NO3 and N2O5, but that these improvements are at the expense of model success for HO2. Improvements to model simulations for HO2, NO3 and N2O5 can be realised simultaneously on inclusion of additional unsaturated volatile organic compounds, however the nature of these compounds is extremely uncertain.
Mid-latitude cirrus classification at Rome Tor Vergata through a multi-channel Raman–Mie–Rayleigh lidar
Authors: Dionisi D. , Keckhut P. , Liberti G. L. , Cardillo F. , Congeduti F.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. A methodology to identify and characterize cirrus clouds has been developed and applied to the multichannel-multiwavelength Rayleigh–Mie–Raman (RMR) lidar in Rome-Tor Vergata (RTV). A set of 167 cirrus cases, defined on the basis of quasi-stationary temporal period conditions, has been selected in a dataset consisting of about 500 h of nighttime lidar sessions acquired between February 2007 and April 2010. The derived lidar parameters (effective height, geometrical and optical thickness and mean back-scattering ratio) and the cirrus mid-height temperature (estimated from the radiosoundings of Pratica di Mare, WMO site #16245) of this sample have been analyzed by the means of a clustering multivariate analysis. This approach identified four cirrus classes above the RTV site: two thin cirrus clusters in mid and upper troposphere and two thick cirrus clusters in mid-upper troposphere. These results, which are very similar to those derived through the same approach in the lidar site of the Observatoire of Haute Provence (OHP), allows characterizing cirrus clouds over RTV site and attests the robustness of such classification. To have some indications about the cirrus generation methods for the different classes, the analyses of the extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio, LReff), in terms of the frequency distribution functions and depending on the mid-height cirrus temperature have been performed. This study suggests that smaller (larger) ice crystals compose thin (thick) cirrus classes. This information, together with the value of relative humidity over ice (110 ± 30%), calculated through the simultaneous WV Raman measurements for the mid-tropospheric thin class, indicates that this class could be formed by an heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. The RTV cirrus results, re-computed through the cirrus classification by Sassen and Cho (1992), shows good agreement to other mid-latitude lidar cirrus observation for the relative occurrence of subvisible (SVC), thin and opaque cirrus classes (10%, 49% and 41%, respectively). The overall mean value of cirrus optical depth is 0.37 ± 0.18 , while most retrieved LReff values ranges between 10–60 sr and the estimated mean value is 31 ± 15 sr, similar to LR values of lower latitude cirrus measurements. The obtained results are consistent with previous studies conducted with different systems and confirm that cirrus classification based on a statistical approach seems to be a good tool both to validate the height-resolved cirrus fields, calculated by models, and to investigate the key processes governing cirrus formation and evolution. These are fundamental elements to improve the characterization of the cirrus optical properties and, thus, the determination of their radiative impact.
Accuracy assessment of water vapour measurements from in-situ and remote sensing techniques during the DEMEVAP 2011 campaign at OHP
Authors: Bock O. , Bosser P. , Bourcy T. , David L. , Goutail F. , Hoareau C. , Keckhut P. , Legain D. , Pazmino A. , Pelon J. , Pipis K. , Poujol G. , Sarkissian A. , Thom C. , Tournois G. , Tzanos D.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. The Development of Methodologies for Water Vapour Measurement (DEMEVAP) project aims at assessing and improving humidity sounding techniques and establishing a reference system based on the combination of Raman lidars, ground-based sensors and GPS. Such a system may be used for climate monitoring, radiosonde bias detection and correction, satellite measurement calibration/validation, and mm-level geodetic positioning with Global Navigation Satellite Systems. A field experiment was conducted in September–October 2011 at Observatoire de Haute Provence. Two Raman lidars, a stellar spectrometer (SOPHIE), a differential absorption spectrometer (SAOZ), a sun photometer (AERONET), 5 GPS receivers and 4 types of radiosondes (Vaisala RS92, MODEM M2K2-DC and M10, and Meteolabor Snow-White) participated in the campaign. A total of 26 balloons with multiple radiosondes were flown during 16 clear nights. This paper presents preliminary findings from the analysis of all these datasets. Several classical Raman lidar calibration methods are evaluated which use either Vaisala RS92 measurements, point capacitive humidity measurements, or GPS integrated water vapour (IWV) measurements. A novel method proposed by Bosser et al. (2010) is also tested. It consists in calibrating the lidar measurements during the GPS data processing. The methods achieve a repeatability of 4–5%. A drift in the IGN-LATMOS Raman lidar calibration of 15% over the 45 days of the experiment is evidenced but not yet explained. When this drift is removed, the precision of the calibration factors improves to 2–3%. However, the variations in the absolute calibration factor between methods and types of reference data remain at the level of 7%. The intercomparison of radiosonde measurements shows good agreement between RS92 and Snow-White measurements up to 12 km. An overall dry bias is found in the measurements from both MODEM radiosondes. Investigation of situations with low RH values (<10%) in the lower and middle troposphere reveals, on occasion, a lower RH detection limit in the Snow-White measurements compared to RS92 due to a saturation of the Peltier device. However, on other occasions, a dry bias is found in RS92, instead. Raman lidar water vapour measurements were useful to distinguish between which of the radiosondes was biased. On average, both RS92 and Snow-White measurements show a slight moist bias at night-time compared to GPS IWV, while the MODEM measurements show a large dry bias. The spectrometer IWV measurements contained a large bias that is currently under investigation. The sun photometer (daytime) and calibrated Raman lidar (night-time) IWV measurements showed excellent agreement with the GPS IWV measurements.
Investigation of radiative effects of the optically thick dust layer over the Indian tropical region
Authors: Das S. K. , Chen J.-P. , Venkat Ratnam M. , Jayaraman A.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Optical and physical properties of aerosols derived from multi-satellite observations (MODIS-Aqua, OMI-Aura, MISR-Terra, CALIOP-CALIPSO) have been used to estimate radiative effects of the dust layer over southern India. The vertical distribution of aerosol radiative forcing and heating rates are calculated with 100 m resolution in the lower atmosphere, using temperature and relative humidity data from balloon-borne radiosonde observations. The present study investigates the optically thick dust layer of optical thickness 0.18 ± 0.06 at an altitude of 2.5 ± 0.7 km over Gadanki, transported from the Thar Desert, producing radiative forcing and heating rate of 11.5 ± 3.3 W m−2 and 0.6 ± 0.26 K day−1, respectively, with a forcing efficiency of 43 W m−2 and an effective heating rate of 4 K day−1 per unit dust optical depth. Presence of the dust layer increases radiative forcing by 60% and heating rate by 60 times at that altitude compared to non-dusty cloud-free days. Calculation shows that the radiative effects of the dust layer strongly depend on the boundary layer aerosol type and mass loading. An increase of 25% of heating by the dust layer is found over relatively cleaner regions than urban regions in southern India and further 15% of heating increases over the marine region. Such heating differences in free troposphere may have significant consequences in the atmospheric circulation and hydrological cycle over the tropical Indian region.
Effects of nitrification inhibitors (DCD and DMPP) on nitrous oxide emission, crop yield and nitrogen uptake in a wheat–maize cropping system
Authors: Liu C. , Wang K. , Zheng X.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. The application of nitrification inhibitors together with ammonium-based fertilizers is proposed as a potent method to decrease nitrous oxide (N2O) emission while promoting crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency in fertilized agricultural fields. To evaluate the effects of nitrification inhibitors, we conducted year-round measurements of N2O fluxes, yield, aboveground biomass, plant carbon and nitrogen contents, soil inorganic nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon contents and the main environmental factors for urea (U), urea + dicyandiamide (DCD) and urea + 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate (DMPP) treatments in a wheat–maize rotation field. The cumulative N2O emissions were calculated to be 4.49 ± 0.21, 2.93 ± 0.06 and 2.78 ± 0.16 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for the U, DCD and DMPP treatments, respectively. Therefore, the DCD and DMPP treatments significantly decreased the annual emissions by 35% and 38%, respectively (p < 0.01). The variations of soil temperature, moisture and inorganic nitrogen content regulated the seasonal fluctuation of N2O emissions. When the emissions presented clearly temporal variations, high-frequency measurements or optimized sampling schedule for intermittent measurements would likely provide more accurate estimations of annual cumulative emission and treatment effect. The application of nitrification inhibitors significantly increased the soil inorganic nitrogen content (p < 0.01); shifted the main soil inorganic nitrogen form from nitrate to ammonium; and tended to increase the dissolved organic carbon content, crop yield, aboveground biomass and nitrogen uptake by aboveground plant. The results demonstrate the roles the nitrification inhibitors play in enhancing yield and nitrogen use efficiency and reducing N2O emission from the wheat–maize cropping system.