bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint Plan of Action on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Authors: Abtahi Hirad
Published: October 2014

On November 24, 2013, the Islamic Republic of Iran, together with the E3/EU–comprised of France, Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK)–as well as the People’s Republic of China (China), the Russian Federation (Russia), and the United States of America (US) agreed to the Joint Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program (Joint Plan of Action). The Joint Plan of Action aims at ensuring the Islamic Republic of Iran’s exclusive peaceful nuclear program through mutually-agreed steps between the so-called E3/EU+3 and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Though much has been said about the Joint Plan of Action since its adoption, not enough attention has been paid to its historical context; such neglect risks the Joint Plan of Action being, at best, viewed in isolation. This note bridges that gap by providing an overview of the events that led the Islamic Republic of Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and Germany (P5+1) to agree on the Joint Plan of Action.
“Diaphanous Irony”:
Authors: Naughton Yulia Pushkarevskaya
Published: October 2014

This is a comparative article exploring the use of exilic irony in the work of a Russian–French writer, Gaito Gazdanov, and Russian–American author, Vladimir Nabokov. I argue that both Gazdanov's Night Roads, written in Russian, and Nabokov's The Real Life of Sebastian Knight, written in English, employ a multilayered irony to deal with exile. Irony remains the driving force of both narratives, but, precisely because so much emotional and aesthetic weight is attached to it, it also becomes their potential breaking point. By combining close readings of these texts with theoretical insights into the phenomenon of exilic irony, chiefly from Kierkegaardian existentialism and Lacanian/Kristevian psychoanalysis, this essay will examine the different levels of irony in these novels. Since the primary focus of attention here is exilic irony rather than exile per se, I contend that this combined theoretical perspective is more compelling than traditional approaches to exile. Via my analysis, I hope to establish two paradigms of exilic irony that may become applicable to a larger body of exilic literature: the one that is insistent on exilic experience and is easily collapsible, and the one that transcends exilic experience and is energizing—intellectually, aesthetically, and metaphysically.
CONTRADIÇÕES NO COMÉRCIO DE MADEIRA CERTIFICADA EM UMA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DO NORDESTE DO BRASIL
Authors: Silva Douglas Marques , De Araújo Marlyete Chagas , Silva Victor Farias , Bernard Enrico
Published: October 2014

A exploração ilegal de madeira é forte agente de desmatamento, comprometendo biodiversidade e serviços ambientais. A certificação florestal é uma forma de oposição ao mercado ilegal de madeira, e vendedores e compradores responsáveis e bem informados são fundamentais no comércio dessa madeira. O comércio de madeira certificada na Região Metropolitana de Recife, Pernambuco, foi investigado de forma a 1) avaliar o conhecimento dos vendedores sobre a certificação de produtos madeireiros, 2) acessar o estado do mercado local e 3) identificar dificuldades e perspectivas sobre o consumo desse tipo de produto na região. Em entrevistas em 33 empresas, foi identificado que o comércio local de madeira certificada é marcado por contradições. Cerca de 75% dos vendedores não sabem indicar corretamente o produto certificado e quase metade desconhece os selos e as informações de identificação. De maneira geral, vendedores não dominam conceitos, marcos legais e instrumentos de certificação. Embora declarem-se sensíveis ao impacto da extração madeireira, as empresas pouco se engajam em projetos ambientais ou campanhas sobre o uso de madeira certificada. Apesar das contradições, há um ambiente favorável para a disseminação da certificação e comercialização desses produtos, mas ajustes – sobretudo no fluxo de informação – são necessários nesse processo.Palavras-chave: Certificação florestal; Conselho Brasileiro de Manejo Florestal; FSC. AbstractContradictions in the certified wood trade in a metropolitan area in northeastern Brazil. Illegal timber extraction is an important driver of deforestation, compromising biodiversity and its environmental services. Certification is a strategy to oppose illegal market, and responsible and well-informed sellers and buyers are crucial players. Here, the trade of certified wood in the Metropolitan Area of Recife, Pernambuco, is investigated in order to a) evaluate the level of knowledge from local sellers on the certification process, b) access the status of the certified market, and c) identify difficulties and perspectives for certified timber in the region. Based on 33 interviews, we identified that the local certified wood trade is marked by contradictions. About 75% of salespeople do not know how to correctly indicate a certified product, and almost half ignore certification seals and how to correctly identify certified wood. In general, sellers are unaware of basic certification concepts, legal frameworks and certification protocols. Although declaring some environmental concern, selling companies are rarely engaged in environmental projects or campaigns on the use of certified wood. Despite the contradictions, there is a favorable environment for the spread of the certification concept and marketing of these products, but adjustments – especially on the information flow – are necessary in this process.Keywords: Conselho Brasileiro de Manejo Florestal; forest certification; FSC.
AVALIAÇÃO DA GERMINAÇÃO EM DIFERENTES TEMPERATURAS E SUBSTRATOS E MORFOLOGIA DO FRUTO, SEMENTE E PLÂNTULA DE Sebastiania brasiliensis
Authors: Bassaco Marcos Vinícius , Nogueira Antônio Carlos , Cosmo Nelson Luis
Published: October 2014

Em virtude da carência de trabalhos com sementes florestais nativas, este estudo objetivou conhecer as principais características morfológicas e germinativas de Sebastiania brasiliensis (Spreng.). Na descrição morfológica, foram observadas as características internas e externas dos frutos e sementes e o desenvolvimento inicial da plântula. Os testes de germinação foram realizados em dois substratos (areia e vermiculita) e sob três temperaturas (25 ºC, 30 ºC e 35 ºC). O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 3, com cinco repetições, calculando-se a porcentagem de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) e o tempo médio. No estudo da morfologia, observou-se que os frutos são do tipo cápsula com três cocas (uma semente/coca). A semente é endospérmica, a testa é do tipo glabra, possuindo uma coloração marrom com pequenas manchas claras. O embrião é axial, foliáceo e espatulado. As plântulas têm desenvolvimento fanerocotiledonar, epígeo, com cotilédones foliáceos fotossintetizantes. Nos testes de germinação, as sementes submetidas à temperatura de 30 ºC e em vermiculita germinaram 86%, com IVG de 7,05 e melhor tempo médio de 3,39 na temperatura de 25 ºC em substrato vermiculita. Conclui-se que a temperatura de 30 ºC no substrato vermiculita propiciou a melhor germinação, e a morfologia indica características típicas para o gênero.Palavras-chave: Branquilho-leiteiro; análise germinativa; caracterização morfológica. AbstractGermination evaluation in distinct temperatures and substrates, and morphology of fruit, seed and seedling of Sebastiania brasiliensis. Due the lack of surveys/researches regarding native forest seeds, this study aimed to identify the main morphological and germination features/patterns of Sebastiania brasiliensis (Spreng.). For the morphological description, it was observed the internal and external features of fruits and seeds and early seedling development. We tested germination in two substrates (sand and vermiculite) and three temperatures (25 ºC, 30 ºC and 35 ºC). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 3 factorial with five replications, aiming to calculate the percentage, rate index and average time of germination. The fruit is a capsule with three cokes (one seed per coke). The seed is endospermic; testa is glabrous, brown with small spots. The axial embryo is foliaceous and spatulate. Seedlings have phanerocotylar epigeal development with foliaceous photosynthetic cotyledons. Seeds planted in vermiculite under 30 ºC of temperature revealed the best germination (86%), and an IVG of 7.05; the best average time was 3.39 at 25 ºC in vermiculite. As conclusion, vermiculite with 30 ºC of temperature led to better germination, and the morphology indicates typical characteristics for the genus Sebastiania.Keywords: Branquilho-leiteiro; germination analysis; morphological characterization.
HEIGHT-DIAMETER EQUATIONS FOR BRAZIL NUT INTERCROPPED WITH RUBBER TREE IN THE SOUTH OF MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Ribeiro Sabina Cerruto , Caetano Aldenir De Carvalho , De Macedo Renato Luiz Grisi , Dias Bruna Anair Souto
Published: October 2014

AbstractBrazil nut is a worldwide-recognized species due to its nuts, traded around the globe playing an important social and economic role in the Amazon. Several studies published information on issues related to nuts production and effects of seed gathering in the species regeneration. Nonetheless, to our knowledge there are no studies focusing on dendrometric parameters for Brazil nut outside its natural occurrence area. Thus, our study aimed to adjust height-diameter equations for Brazil nut intercropped with rubber tree in the South of Minas Gerais. Four standard models were tested using an ordinary least squares-regression analysis. The goodness-of-fit criteria used were the adjusted coefficient of determination ( 2), the percent standard error of estimate (SEE%) and the residual distribution analysis. The best-fit equation for the estimation of height was from model 1 ( 2 = 0.950;SEE% = 9.768). The adjusted height-diameter equations had comparable 2 and SEE%to other published studies on Brazil nut trees and further species. The adjusted height-diameter equation provided by this study can give support to future forest mensuration and management researches with this species, especially in the South-Central region of Brazil.Keywords: Bertholletia excelsa; height; Amazon. ResumoEquações hipsométricas para castanheira-da-amazônia cultivada em consórcio com seringueira no sul de Minas Gerais. A castanheira-da-amazônia é uma espécie reconhecida mundialmente por sua castanha, que é comercializada no mundo todo e tem um papel social e econômico importante na Amazônia. Diversos estudos publicaram informações sobre questões relacionadas com a produção das castanhas e os efeitos da coleta das mesmas sobre a regeneração dessa espécie. No entanto, até onde vai o nosso conhecimento, não existem estudos que avaliaram parâmetros dendrométricos da castanheira-da-amazônia fora da sua área de ocorrência natural. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo ajustar equações hipsométricas para castanheira-da-amazônia em consórcio com a seringueira no sul de Minas Gerais. Quatro modelos foram testados usando análise de regressão pelo método dos mínimos quadrados. Os critérios usados para a avaliação do ajuste foram o coeficiente de determinação ajustado ( ), o erro padrão da estimativa (Syx%) e a análise gráfica dos resíduos. A equação de melhor ajuste para a estimativa da altura foi o modelo 1 ( 2 = 0,950; Syx% = 9,768). As equações hipsométricas ajustadas tiveram 2 e Syx% comparáveis a outros estudos publicados para castanheiras-da-amazônia e outras espécies nativas. A equação hipsométrica ajustada neste estudo pode dar suporte para futuras pesquisas de mensuração e manejo florestal dessa espécie, especialmente na região Centro-Sul do Brasil.Palavras-chave: Bertholletia excelsa; altura; Amazônia.
COMPARAÇÃO DE MÉTODOS DE AMOSTRAGEM EM FRAGMENTOS DE FLORESTA OMBRÓFILA MISTA, EM LEBON RÉGIS, SC
Authors: Téo Saulo Jorge , Schneider Chaiane Rodrigues , Fiorentin Luan Demarco , Costa Reinaldo Hoinacki da
Published: October 2014

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar e comparar métodos de amostragem de Área Fixa, Bitterlich, Strand e Prodan em fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista em Lebon Régis, SC. O processo de amostragem utilizada foi aleatória simples. Em cada unidade amostral, foram avaliadas todas as árvores de diâmetro à altura do peito maior ou igual a 5 cm. Para o método de Área Fixa, utilizou-se dimensões 10 x 50 m (500 m²); para Bitterlich e Strand, adotou-se Fator de Área Basal igual a 2; e para Prodan, foram avaliadas as 6 árvores mais próximas. Apenas o método de amostragem da Área Fixa apresentou suficiência amostral, porém também apresentou o maior tempo de execução no campo, com resultados significativamente diferentes dos demais. Já a eficiência relativa apresentou-se maior para o método de Strand, porém sem diferença estatística significativa com relação aos demais. Não houve diferenças significativas entre o número de árvores e área basal por hectare, estimados pelos diferentes métodos de amostragem.Palavras-chave: Inventário Florestal; eficiência relativa; floresta com araucária. AbstractComparison of sampling methods in Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest fragments, in Lebon Régis - SC. The objective of this research was to evaluate and compare sampling methods Fixed Area, Bitterlich, Strand and Prodan, in fragments of Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest, in Lebon Régis, SC state, Brazil. The forest inventory applies a simple random sampling. At each sampling unit, we evaluated every tree with diameter at breast height greater than or equal to 5 cm. For the method of Fixed Area we used dimensions of 10 x 50 m (500 m²), for Bitterlich and Strand we adopted Basal Area Factor equal to 2, and for Prodan we evaluated the 6 nearest trees. Only the Fixed Area method presented sampling sufficiency, however, it presented highest execution time in the field as well, with results significantly different from the other sampling methods. The relative efficiency was higher for Strand, but without statistical significance compare to the other methods. There were no significant differences between the number of trees and basal area per hectare, estimated by the different sampling methods.Keywords: Forest inventory; relative efficiency; araucaria forest.
PROJECTION OF DIAMETRIC DISTRIBUTION AND CARBON STOCK OF A MANAGED FOREST IN MANAUS/AM
Authors: Souza Cintia Rodrigues de , Azevedo Celso Paulo de , Rossi Luiz Marcelo Brum , Dos Santos Joaquim , Higuchi Niro
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe projection of forest growth is important for forest management, to plan the subsequent cutting cycles and to show the tendencies that the forest will present in the future. This study evaluated the use of a stochastic model - the Markov Chain - in the projection of the future diametric distribution and carbon stock of a forest subjected to experimental selective logging in Manaus / AM. The data used were obtained from an experiment conducted since the 1980s by the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (Inpa). The forest inventories were conducted in the years 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010. The main variable used was the diameter at breast height (DBH). The Markov Chain was used to project the diameter distribution and the carbon stock for 2015. With respect to the stock of carbon expected, this should exceed the existing stock in 2010, reaching about 157 t/ha. With these results it is possible to conclude that, if the dynamics projection will be confirmed, the studied forest will continue growing and increasing its carbon stock, thus acting as a CO2 sink.Keywords: Markov Chain; forest dynamics; forest management; climate change. ResumoProjeção da distribuição diamétrica e do estoque de carbono de floresta manejada na Amazônia. A prognose do crescimento de florestas é importante para o manejo florestal, para o planejamento dos ciclos de corte subsequentes e para mostrar as tendências que a floresta apresentará no futuro. Este trabalho avaliou a utilização de um modelo estocástico - a Cadeia de Markov - na projeção da distribuição diamétrica e do estoque de carbono de uma floresta submetida à exploração seletiva experimental em Manaus/AM. Foram utilizados dados de experimento desenvolvido desde 1980 pelo Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (Inpa). Os inventários florestais foram realizados nos anos de 2005, 2007, 2009 e 2010. A principal variável utilizada foi o diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP). A Cadeia de Markov foi utilizada para projetar a distribuição diamétrica e o estoque de carbono para o ano de 2015. No que diz respeito ao estoque de carbono esperado, este deverá superar o estoque existente no ano de 2010, atingindo cerca de 157 t/ha. Com esses resultados, pode-se concluir que, se for confirmada a projeção da dinâmica, a floresta estudada continuará crescendo e aumentando seu estoque de carbono, atuando, assim, como sumidouro de CO2.Palavras-chave: Cadeia de Markov; dinâmica florestal; manejo florestal; mudanças climáticas.
The Genus Caulerpa from Central Visayas, Philippines
Authors: Menez Ernani G. , Calumpong Hilconida P.
Published: October 2014

This taxonomic study of Caulerpa shows 20 taxa occurring in Central Visayas, Philipines, including Caulerpa reyesii, new species. Of these, three are newly reported from the Philippines and seven taxa are new records from Central Visayas.
Cannabidiol: Promise and Pitfalls
Authors: Welty Timothy E. , Luebke Adrienne , Gidal Barry E.
Published: October 2014

Over the past few years, increasing public and political pressure has supported legalization of medical marijuana. One of the main thrusts in this effort has related to the treatment of refractory epilepsy—especially in children with Dravet syndrome—using cannabidiol (CBD). Despite initiatives in numerous states to at least legalize possession of CBD oil for treating epilepsy, little published evidence is available to prove or disprove the efficacy and safety of CBD in patients with epilepsy. This review highlights some of the basic science theory behind the use of CBD, summarizes published data on clinical use of CBD for epilepsy, and highlights issues related to the use of currently available CBD products.

Cannabidiol is the major nonpsychoactive component of Cannabis sativa. Over the centuries, a number of medicinal preparations derived from C. sativa have been employed for a variety of disorders, including gout, rheumatism, malaria, pain, and fever. These preparations were widely employed as analgesics by Western medical practitioners in the 19th century ( 1 ). More recently, there is clinical evidence suggesting efficacy in HIV-associated neuropathic pain, as well as spasms associated with multiple sclerosis ( 1 ).
Charting African Higher Education: Perspectives at a Glance
Authors: Teferra Damtew
Published: October 2014

Higher education in Africa is undergoing a transformation wrought by massive expansion, which has implications for every facet of the sector. What makes Africa’s growth unique is that it has seen a “flash flood” of growth with consequent implications that range from quality to funding, from governance to employment. Ironically, however, despite this massive growth, the system still remains the world’s least developed. This introduction to the International Journal of African Higher Education’s inaugural issue is intended to capture the state of higher education around the themes featured in this volume, based on recent as well as in-press sources. L’enseignement supérieur en Afrique connaît une transformation provoquée par une expansion massive, qui touche de nombreux aspects de ce secteur. Ce qui rend la croissance africaine unique, c’est sa rapidité qui engendre des conséquences qui vont de la qualité au financement, de la gouvernance au recrutement. Ironiquement, malgré cette croissance massive, le système reste le moins développé du monde. Cette introduction au premier numéro du Journal International sur l’Enseignement Supérieur en Afrique a pour objectif de présenter la situation de l’enseignement supérieur autour de thèmes abordés dans ce numéro. Cet article est basé sur des recherches récemment publiées ou encore sous presse.
Confronting the Challenges of Graduate Education in Sub-Saharan Africa and Prospects for the Future
Authors: Hayward Fred M. , Ncayiyana Daniel J.
Published: October 2014

This study examines the current status of graduate education in Sub- Saharan Africa. How has it been affected by the decline in donor funding, economic crises in much of Africa, the phenomenal growth in undergraduate education, and a shortage of faculty members with PhDs. One of the authors suggested in an earlier study that a short-term response to the shortage of high quality graduate education might be regional graduate centers. Has that taken place? To what extent has graduate education improved and expanded? Where has growth taken place? We explore challenges facing the development of high quality graduate education including those of recruitment and retention, efforts to improve the qualifications of faculty members, funding issues, as well as research and publications. Several innovative graduate programs are examined. Finally, we make recommendations for the growth and quality improvement of graduate education including rekindling a culture of research, a focus on quality teaching, and the critical need for major investments in high quality graduate education. Cette analyse s’intéresse au statut des études de master et de doctorat en Afrique subsaharienne. Comment ont-elles été affectées par la diminution des dons financiers, les crises économiques dans toute l’Afrique, la croissance phénoménale du nombre d’étudiants en licence, et le manque de professeurs titulaires d’un doctorat ? Un des auteurs a suggéré dans de précédents travaux une réponse à court-terme à la pénurie de diplômés de master et de doctorat d’excellent niveau : des centres régionaux consacrés aux études de masters et de doctorat. Ceci a t-il été mis en place ? Dans quelle mesure les formations de master et de doctorat se sont-elles améliorées et leur nombre a t-il augmenté ? Où la croissance a t-elle eu lieu ? Nous nous attardons sur les obstacles au développement de formations de master et de doctorat de qualité, en particulier ceux de recrutement et de rétention des étudiants, les efforts pour améliorer les qualifications des professeurs, la situation financière ainsi que la recherche et les publications. Plusieurs formations innovantes de master et de doctorat sont examinées. Finalement, nous proposons des recommandations pour la croissance et l’amélioration de la qualité des études de master et de doctorat, notamment raviver la culture de recherche, se concentrer sur la qualité de l’enseignement, et le besoin critique d’investissements majeurs dans des masters et doctorats de qualité.
Quoi, t'as pas Facebook?: evolving French negation in social media
Authors: Hadshi Catherine
Published: October 2014

Social media provides its users with a myriad of benefits: easy event planning, communication with old friends, instant messaging, and, of course, a convenient medium by which to share all of the mundane vicissitudes of modern life. Yet within this innocent sea of friends’ photographs and enemies’ status updates, a linguistic revolution is constantly under way. Every living language, naturally, is evolving. But in French, and in social media, that evolution becomes identifiable, perhaps even traceable. By focusing on one element in the language of social media—that ubiquitous ne...pas we all encountered in Elementary French—linguistic researchers can uncover a very specific shift in usage within French’s overall grammatical system.
Translating Magic: balancing art and science in the translation of Harry Potter
Authors: Destruel Mathieu
Published: October 2014

Literature is rightfully regarded as an art, but when translation enters the fray, it can require a somewhat scientific approach. Throw in a little bit of “Harry Potter” magic, and it can really become tricky. Translation is challenging, as it requires us to look not only at problems such as equivalence and the use of names, but also culture itself. Linguistic factors are also an issue, as a certain type of word might be abundant in the source language, but not very common in the target language. The role of the translator is therefore to distinguish what in a text is potentially translatable from what is fundamentally not. From there, one must walk the thin line between the art of translation – our personal hunches – and the science of translation – which is often too literal. In the case of J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series, another difficulty arises. She has revealed herself as a wordsmith, not only with her writing skills, but also through her ability to coin and construct original words. Whether using terms from ancient mythologies, extinct languages or everyday life, her writing is known for an abundance of puns, linguistic jokes and other allusions that are mixed to create a brand new lexicon. Some examples include Harry Potter’s school, Hogwarts, the magical sport, Quidditch, as well as an array of supernatural creatures such as Thestrals and Jobberknolls. This may be the reason why her books have caught the interest of the linguistics and translation studies communities; their richness and diversity make the possibilities nearly endless. Each name or word created comes with a baggage of undertones and veiled references that translators must track and recognize before they attempt to translate them. As an additional complication, the Harry Potter books were first thought to be children’s literature, and only later attracted an older audience more prone to read between the lines and detect the hidden meanings of words. As a result, the series is known for its ambivalence, since children and adults alike can enjoy it for different reasons. Keeping these facts in mind, this research aims at using today’s linguistic theories and looking at word creation in both English and French in order to establish patterns of translation, and suggest possible equivalents for some of J. K. Rowling’s inventions.
Shekh Ma Shieraki Anni: Typology of a fictional language created for artistic purposes
Authors: Destruel Matt
Published: October 2014

The goal of this paper is to establish a descriptive survey of Dothraki, using typological data as the main source of information, and then applying linguistic tools to determine if the language is typologically tractable. In order to do so, I selected Greenberg’s (1963) work on linguistic universals, based on its relevance and prevalence even to this day, despite the many other contributions that have been made in the field of typology. Each universal will therefore be applied to the Dothraki language, in order to see if it indeed conforms to most – if not all – of them.
Assassination: A brief exegesis
Authors: Boboc Paul
Published: October 2014

A brief overview of the uses of the words assassination and assassinate in the English language.
Shedding Light on Denigration: Its etymology and uses
Authors: O'Neil Kaitlin Anne
Published: October 2014

In this short piece, I offer a brief overview of the etymology of the word denigration, outline its semantic development in the English language, and consider controversial implications of the word in modern usage.
A new decision model for economic evaluation of novel therapies for HCV
Authors: Ruggeri Matteo , Cicchetti Americo , Coretti Silvia , Cammà Carlo , Caporaso Nicola , Gasbarrini Antonio
Published: October 2014

In 2014, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has given the license to two new direct-acting antiviral: sofosbuvir and simeprevir. The evidence provided by the studies, reported a high rate of SVR even in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. This and other innovative elements are potentially adept at changing the entire natural course of HCV. However, the dramatic prevalence rates of HCV observed in Italy, and the high prices that are expected to be required by the pharmaceutical industry, raises some critical issues about how to regulate access to such drugs. The objective of this article is to present a new decision model for the evaluation of novel therapies for HCV. This model is intended to provide a tool for the decision-maker that seeks to address the main issues related to the introduction of HCV new treatments. The model that we have structured follows the classic Bayesian approach, using data from reference literature for staging the action of treatments depending on the level of fibrosis (F0, F1, F2, F3, F4). The model is designed to consider patients with all genotypes and allows to make comparisons between innovative and traditional therapies (dual, triple, IFN free, PI combinations, etc.), for both experienced and naïve patients. In addition, the model is used to simulate mixed cohorts of patients, representing a population with HCV with different levels of fibrosis and different genotypes. To show the potential of the model, we created some simple scenarios assuming different levels of SVR and pricing. The results of our model show that, even assuming an SVR rate of 100%, the administration of new treatments for HCV subjects F1 / 2 has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio not sustainable. In contrast, for the subjects F3 and F4, low incremental SVR rates and an incremental cost of the innovative therapy of € 40,000 would be cost effective. The added value of this model is its versatility and applicability to diverse assessment needs. In addition, the model offers an opportunity for reflection even to the industry, which in the years to come will have to develop strategies for entering the market and offer sustainable prices for decision-makers and at the same time remunerate the investment in research and development consistently with the expectations of the shareholders.
Le rapatriement constitutionnel de 1982
Authors: Boulianne François
Published: October 2014

Avant le rapatriement constitutionnel de 1982, existait-il une coutume constitutionnelle nécessitant l’accord unanime des provinces pour modifier la Constitution ? Après avoir analysé les éléments constitutifs permettant la reconnaissance d’une coutume en tant que source de droit au niveau international et dans les États de common law, l’auteur établit, dans une perspective historique, politique et juridique, les caractéristiques qui permettent d’utiliser cette norme juridique dans le contexte canadien. Bien que la coutume constitutionnelle n’ait pas été plaidée devant les tribunaux canadiens au moment du rapatriement, l’analyse des modifications constitutionnelles depuis la Confédération, à la lumière des éléments constitutifs de cette règle de droit, permet de croire que l’accord unanime des provinces était nécessaire pour modifier la Constitution. Cette analyse s’avère encore plus crédible lorsqu’elle est confrontée à l’avis des juges majoritaires de la Cour suprême du Canada rendu à l’aube du rapatriement dans le Renvoi : Résolution pour modifier la Constitution. La reconnaissance de cette coutume aurait permis de préserver le caractère inclusif de la Constitution ainsi que le désir commun des provinces de contracter une union fédérale comme cela avait été établi en 1867.
Les politiques canadiennes en matière d’étiquetage alimentaire
Authors: Forcier Mélanie Bourassa , Dufour Geneviève , Plouffe-Malette Kristine
Published: October 2014

Présence d’additifs alimentaires, d’édulcorant, de gras trans ou de sel, voilà autant d’informations qui doivent figurer sur l’étiquette d’un produit préemballé. Quels critères amènent les instances réglementaires à donner la priorité à une information plutôt qu’à une autre ? Le public a-t-il voix au chapitre ? Pour répondre à ces questions, deux exemples de réglementation canadienne en matière d’étiquetage alimentaire serviront de cadre d’analyse : 1) la réglementation en matière d’étiquetage des aliments génétiquement modifiés qui, contrairement aux souhaits des citoyens, préconise l’étiquetage volontaire plutôt qu’obligatoire ; et 2) la réglementation en matière d’étiquetage des allergènes qui, conformément à la volonté des Canadiens, oblige les compagnies à indiquer la présence de certains ingrédients allergènes sur les étiquettes. Les auteures constatent que l’état des politiques canadiennes en matière d’étiquetage alimentaire est le reflet d’un calcul utilitaire de la part du gouvernement en place : tant les intérêts économiques de l’industrie agricole que le bien-être collectif entrent en ligne de compte dans la décision d’imposer l’étiquetage, mais il semble que l’intérêt collectif soit majoritairement déterminé en fonction de la donne scientifique (et économique) au détriment de la volonté collective. La science, souvent produite par l’industrie elle-même, sert-elle alors à appuyer — ou à légitimer — le calcul utilitaire en imposant l’idée selon laquelle le souhait du citoyen n’est pas raisonnable ni rationnel ? Si tel est le cas, le scientifique joue ainsi toujours, pour ne pas dire encore plus maintenant que la donne scientifique est de plus en plus accessible, un rôle social déterminant qu’Antonio Gramsci qualifierait d’hégémonique.
Evaluating the feasibility of hydraulic and physical barriers at contaminated sites by means of multicriteria analysis
Authors: Gigliuto Andrea , Rossetto Rudy
Published: October 2014

Controlling contaminant plumes in groundwater using pump and treat or hydraulic and physical barriers is a common practice to contain and reduce solute contaminants in remediation activities. Recent evolution in engineering techniques also allowed to extend the number of solutions that can be designed and set in practice. As such, the decision-making process assumes great importance in leading the selection of the best suitable technology for a certain case study. This process has to take into account technical, environmental and socioeconomic factors. This paper presents the results of a research project aimed at defining a multi-criteria procedure analysis to support the decision-making process in the barrier technology selection, taking into account technical, economic, social and environmental factors. A multi-criteria analysis methodology has been defined to provide a quantitative tool to guide the selection of the best suitable technology concerning a specific case. The methodology was applied to a real case, selected from many case studies based on data availability and quality, in order to verify the effectiveness of the procedure in evaluating the alternative selections and to highlight the differences between the results of the multi-criteria analysis and the real engineers choices. A sensitivity analysis was performed to analyze the influence of each criterion on the final result of the study. With this paper we aim to start a discussion to deepen the decision making process, in order to develop methodologies allowing to chose the best solution without subjective evaluations.
An integrated approach to the Environmental Monitoring Plan of the Pertuso spring (Upper Valley of Aniene River)
Authors: Sappa Giuseppe , Ferranti Flavia
Published: October 2014

Quantitative assessment of groundwater and surface water is an important tool for sustainable management and protection of these important resources. This paper deals with the design of a multi-disciplinary monitoring plan related to the catchment project of the Pertuso spring, in the Upper Valley of Aniene River, which is going to be exploited to supply an important water network in the South part of Roma district. According to the Legislative Decree 152/2006, as modified by DM 260/2010, any infrastructure design should take in consideration an Environmental Monitoring Plan for the hydrogeological settings of the study area. Thus, the hydrogeological characterization combined with an Environmental Monitoring Plan provides to evaluate the potential adverse environmental impacts due catchment works. For water resources assessment and management, the quantification of groundwater recharge is a preliminary step. As a matter of fact, it has been included the quantitative characterization of the Pertuso spring, in the aim of to protect catchment area, which is directly affect by the natural hydrogeological balance of this aquifer. Thus, a multi-disciplinary monitoring plan has been set up, including quantitative and hydrogeochemical measurements, both for groundwater and surface water of the Upper Valley of Aniene River. The target of this Environmental Monitoring Plan is to set up the background framework on the hydromorphological, physico-chemical and biological properties of water resources in the water basin influenced aim by any potential environmental impact due to the construction activities. The Environmental Monitoring Plan and main features of the monitoring network will be presented in this study.
Managed aquifer recharge in the Marecchia alluvial fan (Rimini - Italy), start of the test and first results
Authors: Severi Paolo , Bonzi Luciana , Ferrari Venusia , Pellegrino Immacolata
Published: October 2014

Among the actions designed to manage the water crisis that have taken place in the summers of recent years in the southeastern part of the Emilia-Romagna Region, it has recently launched a trial of managed aquifer recharge in the alluvial fan of the Marecchia river (Rimini), where annually are withdrawn about 28 million m3 of water, 19 of witch for drinking water use. This test consists in conveying into quarry lake, located in the recharge area of the alluvial fan, an additional volume of water through a channel. The increase in the volume of water in the lake, should result in a rapid increase in the availability of water in the aquifers. To verify the recharge efficacy a special monitoring network consisting of 20 measuring points, 5 of which are specially drilled, it has been implemented. In 9 of these points a data logger for the continuous measure of level, temperature and electric conductivity at 20°C, it has been installed. A data logger has also been positioned in the channel from which the water flows into the lake. For about a month groundwater level was monitored prior to the recharge experiment. On 25 February 2014 managed aquifer recharge began and the volume of water flowing through the canal to lake until April 30, 2014, was approximately 600,000 m3. In this period it was possible to observe that the intervention produces the expected effects, thus inducing an increase in the groundwater level which is maximum near the lake and decreases away from it. The rise in the water level of the lake has been rapid and substantial. Within the area of the lake have settled some protected bird species in need of a precise environmental balance for nesting; an excessive increase of the lake level could put at risk of flooding some nests present. The objective of the following phases of the study will be to calibrate an adequate water level of the lake, to the purposes of managed aquifer recharge and to maintain the existing ecosystem. At the moment, it was decided to stop the flow of water into the lake and then to re-set it at a lower flow rate. In the test area also falls a well field that is not currently used. It will be interesting to check in the future, in the event of a major withdrawal, the influence on the progress of the flow lines in conjunction with the managed aquifer recharge.
The riverbank filtration plant in S. Alessio (Lucca): monitoring and modeling activity within EU the FP7 MARSOL project
Authors: Borsi Iacopo , Mazzanti Giorgio , Barbagli Alessio , Rossetto Rudy
Published: October 2014

The riverbank filtration (RBF) scheme along the Serchio River, Lucca (Tuscany – Italy) allows abstraction of an overall amount of about 1 m3/s groundwater providing drinking water for about 300000 people of the coastal Tuscany (town of Lucca, Pisa and Livorno). Water is derived by means of an RBF scheme by a set of ten vertical wells inducing riverbank filtration into a high yield (10-2 m2/s transmissivity) sand and gravel aquifer including a downstream weir to raise river head and increasing water storage in the aquifer along the river reach. Within the framework of the MARSOL FPVII-ENV-2013 project, the Sant’Alessio well field will be used to demonstrate the sustainability, by a technical, social and market point of view, and the benefits of RBF managing versus the unmanaged option. The Serchio experimental site will involve merging existing and proved technologies, including continuous monitoring of several parameters and analytes and the development of dedicated software tools, to produce a Decision Support System (DSS) based on remote data acquisition and transmission and GIS physically-based fully distributed numerical modeling to continuously monitor and manage the well field, reducing also, prone to error, human operated activities. A set of sensors will be installed to monitor by a quantitative and qualitative point of view hydrologic variables in the river water, in the aquifer, the unsaturated zone and the wells. Data will be continuously acquired and remotely transmitted to a server where they will first be checked for consistency and then sent to a database for processing in a dedicated modelling environment included in the DSS and equipped with an alert system to inform water managers about the scheme performance and reaching limits of infiltration rates or water quality indices. The DSS along with the installed sensors, data transmission and storage tools will constitute a prototype whose potential market exploitation will be tested.
Reconstitution of self-organizing protein gradients as spatial cues in cell-free systems
Authors: Zieske Katja , Schwille Petra
Published: October 2014

Intracellular protein gradients are significant determinants of spatial organization. However, little is known about how protein patterns are established, and how their positional information directs downstream processes. We have accomplished the reconstitution of a protein concentration gradient that directs the assembly of the cell division machinery in E.coli from the bottom-up. Reconstituting self-organized oscillations of MinCDE proteins in membrane-clad soft-polymer compartments, we demonstrate that distinct time-averaged protein concentration gradients are established. Our minimal system allows to study complex organizational principles, such as spatial control of division site placement by intracellular protein gradients, under simplified conditions. In particular, we demonstrate that FtsZ, which marks the cell division site in many bacteria, can be targeted to the middle of a cell-like compartment. Moreover, we show that compartment geometry plays a major role in Min gradient establishment, and provide evidence for a geometry-mediated mechanism to partition Min proteins during bacterial development.
A Vaping Cessation Text Message Program for Adolescent E-Cigarette Users
Authors: Graham Amanda L. , Cha Sarah , Jacobs Megan A. , Amato Michael S. , Funsten Anna L. , Edwards Giselle , Papandonatos George D.
Published: August 2024

Importance

E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among adolescents. Despite known harms of nicotine exposure among teens, there are no empirically tested vaping cessation interventions.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of a text message program for nicotine vaping cessation among adolescents with assessment-only control.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A parallel, 2-group, double-blind, individually randomized clinical trial with follow-ups at 1 and 7 months after randomization was conducted from October 1, 2021, to October 18, 2023. Participants were recruited via social media ads; the intervention was delivered via text message; and assessments were completed online or by telephone. Eligible individuals were US residents aged 13 to 17 years who reported past 30-day e-cigarette use, were interested in quitting within 30 days, and owned a mobile phone with an active text message plan. To optimize study retention, all participants received monthly assessments via text message about e-cigarette use.

Interventions

Assessment-only controls (n = 744) received only study retention text messages. Intervention participants (n = 759) also received an automated, interactive text message program for vaping cessation that delivers cognitive and behavioral coping skills training and social support.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was self-reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence from vaping at 7 months analyzed as intention-to-treat, with missingness coded as vaping.

Results

Among n = 1503 adolescents randomized, average age was 16.4 (SD, 0.8) years. The sample was 50.6% female, 42.1% male, and 7.4% nonbinary/other; 10.2% Black/African American, 62.6% White, 18.5% multiracial, and 8.7% another race; 16.2% Hispanic; 42.5% sexual minority; and 76.2% vaped within 30 minutes of waking. The 7-month follow-up rate was 70.8%. Point-prevalence abstinence rates were 37.8% (95% CI, 34.4%-41.3%) among intervention participants and 28.0% (95% CI, 24.9%-31.3%) among control participants (relative risk, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.17-1.57]; P < .001). No baseline variables moderated the treatment-outcome relationship. There was no evidence that adolescents who quit vaping transitioned to combustible tobacco products.

Conclusions and Relevance

A tailored, interactive text message intervention increased self-reported vaping cessation rates among adolescents recruited via social media channels.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04919590
Percutaneous Cryoneurolysis for Pain Control After Rib Fractures in Older Adults
Authors: Wang Simeng , Earley Michelle , Kesselman Andrew , Vezeridis Alexander M. , Picel Andrew C. , Kothary Nishita , Forrester Joseph D.
Published: August 2024

This case series evaluates changes in numeric pain scores, opioid use, and other measures before, during, and 30 days after computed tomography–guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis in patients with rib injury.
Achieving Inkjet‐Printed 2D Tin Iodide Perovskites: Excitonic and Electro‐Optical Properties
Authors: Chirvony Vladimir S. , Muñoz‐Matutano Guillermo , Suárez Isaac , Vescio Giovanni , Dirin Dmitry N. , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Garrido Blas , Cirera Albert , Martínez‐Pastor Juan P.
Published: August 2024

Currently, there is a great demand for non‐toxic lead‐free halide perovskites as active materials for solar cells, light‐emitting diodes and other optoelectronic devices. Although an essential progress has been made using tin(II) halide perovskites, still greater efforts are needed to improve their stability and manufacture films and devices under a scalable technology. The first goal of the work is to achieve suitable physical properties of 2D Sn(II) polycrystalline perovskite films obtained by the industrially scalable inkjet printing deposition technique. In the present work, inks of 2D tin(II) halide perovskite 2‐thiopheneethylammonium tin(II) iodide, TEA2SnI4, have been successfully formulated in DMF (toxic) and DMSO (non‐toxic) solutions and using appropriate additives (SnF2 and reducing agents) for improving the stability of the inks and the resulting films. Room‐ and low‐temperature excitonic photoluminescence (PL), charge carrier recombination dynamics and µ‐PL is used to explain the observed two excitonic bands, which are associated to the bulk and edges of perovskite grains nanoplatelet‐like composing the polycrystalline films. Promising electro‐optical properties are also obtained in the TEA2SnI4 films inkjet‐printed from DMSO formulations onto ITO‐interdigitated electrodes, such as low dark currents, ≈10 – 20 nA at 10 V of bias voltage, and high responsivities ≈1–20 A/W.