bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Future Sea Level Rise Through Melting Glaciers
Authors: Singh Manoj Kumar , Singh Bharat Raj
Published: June 2015

The aim of this paper is to project 21st century volume changes of all mountain glacier and ice caps and to provide systematic analysis of uncertainties originating from different sources in the and their contribution to sea level rise and the assessment of uncertainties. Trends in global climate warming and sea level rise are observed during the last 100-years which both, according to global climate models, will continue in the future Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) State-of-threat knowledge on climate, ocean and land processes identifies melting mountain glaciers and ice caps, after ocean thermal expansion, as the currently second major contributor to sea level rise. However, both the observations and models on sea level changes carry a variety of uncertainties. In this section, by following the question-answer concept, I will briefly present the importance of global sea level change for society, the current state of knowledge of sea level changes in response to climate change and the attempts to project future sea level changes until 2100 including discussion on related uncertainties.
Melting mountain glaciers and ice caps (MG and IC) are the second largest contributor to rising sea level after thermal expansion of the oceans and are likely to remain the dominant glaciological contributor to rising sea level in the 21st century. The aim of this work is to project 21st century volume changes of all MG and IC and to provide systematic analysis of uncertainties originating from different sources in the calculation. I provide an ensemble of 21st century volume rojections for all MG and IC from the World Glacier Inventory by modeling the surface mass balance coupled with volume-area-length scaling and forced with temperature and precipitation scenarios from four Global Climate Models (GCMs). By upscaling the volume projections through a regionally differentiated approach to all MG and IC outside Greenland and Antarctica (514,380 km2) I stimated total volume loss for the time period 2001-2100 to range from 0.039 to 0.150 m sea level equivalent. While three GCMs agree that Alaskan glaciers are the main contributors to the projected sea level rise, one GCM projected the largest total volume loss mainly due to Arctic MG and IC.
Experimental and Computational Determination of LBV of Hydrogen Enriched Methane Mixtures
Authors: Yadav Vinod Kumar , Singha Ranjeet , Pandey Abhishek Kumar , . Saumya , Singh Ashish Kumar , Maheshwari Amit , Kumari Archana
Published: June 2015

One of the major causes of environmental pollution and ozone layer depletion is the emissions coming out of the combustion devices including industrial burners, automobile vehicles and household appliances. Most of the conventional fuels used now days have high GWP and ODP. So the greatest challenges among the combustion researchers and scientists are to develop some sustainable and non conventional sources of energy that possesses capability to replace the conventional ones. One of the important gaseous fuels in non conventional category is hydrogen, which is a cleaner fuel and reduces pollution enormously. In the present work, experimental and computational analysis of laminar burning velocity (LBV) of premixed gaseous fuels (primary focus on Hydrogen enrichment) was carried out. For experimental investigation the experimental set up available in Fuel and pollution lab of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is used. Experiments were carried out on mixtures of methane- Air and Methane-Hydrogen-Air for wide range of equivalence ratios and compared with the computational results of PREMIX with full GRI-Mech 3.0 mechanism. Most of the experiments available in literature were carried out at 298 K. In the present work it has been tried to relate the effect of low temperatures on laminar burning velocity of mixtures. The experiments have been conducted at 1 bar pressure and around 292 Kelvin with equivalence ratio ranging from 0.8 to 1.2. Methane gas is enriched with hydrogen in varying proportions and the effect of hydrogen enrichment on its laminar burning velocity studied. The objective of the addition of hydrogen to methane was to increase its laminar burning velocity as well as to extend its lean flammability limits at lower ambient temperatures.
A Legal Protective Tool: Environmental Laws
Authors: Upadhyay Vijay Kumar , Tewari Amit K.
Published: June 2015

In the Constitution of India it is clearly stated that it is the duty of the state to ‘protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country’. It imposes a duty on every citizen ‘to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife’. Reference to the environment has also been made in the Directive Principles of State Policy as well as the Fundamental Rights. The Department of Environment was established in India in 1980 to ensure a healthy environment for the country. This later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985.
Global Threat HIV/Aids: Burden, Trends And Hope
Authors: Srivastava Manindra Kumar , Tenguria Abha
Published: June 2015

In this present review work, we seek to provide the basic characteristics of HIV/AIDS, brief statistics of HIV/ AIDS epidemic with respect to global level and Indian level and also with the description of controlling efforts against it. We also provided brief methodology of mathematical models of HIV/AIDS as hope for prevention strategies by shaping the disease burden and trends.
Effect of Cavity in Bi-periodic Photonic Crystal Switch
Authors: Singh Jitendra Bahadur , Dixit Ashutosh
Published: June 2015

In this paper designing of Narrow Band Pass filter which is based on the Bi-periodic structure and its performance is analyzed considering the knowledge of cavity as resonator with the optiFDTDTM software.
A review Report on Nanostructured Ferrites as Liquefied Petroleum Gas Sensor
Authors: Singh Satyendra , Yadav B C , Singh Monika , Kothari Richa
Published: June 2015

The present review paper reports the synthesis methods, status, prospects for further development, and sensing
applications of spinel ferrites. It introduces the inspiration of the nanostructured ferrites as gas sensors. It also explains
the types of gas sensors, sensing mechanism and requirement of liquefied petroleum gas sensor.
Setting Training Standards For Emergency Response: A Case Study Of Training Rescue Teams In Remote Areas
Authors: Case G.. , Davis Gordon , Daher E..
Published: June 2015

A safety company was tasked with training and certifying a rescue service for a major oil and gas facility in Southern Africa. In developed regions, the training criteria and requirements for emergency response workers are set by government legislation. Industry associations also play a lead role in setting training standards. The provision of a highly trained rescue team without the benefits of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities is a challenge in remote areas.

As a best practice, the safety company followed the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and training procedures employed in North America. Due to the remote location of the site, the confined space training had to be done using simulators and mock-up training towers. To ensure that safety standards were in place and not “watered down” for the field, rescue managers conducted a thorough review of industry best practices and brainstorming sessions with peers before and after trial runs.

The operator needed to see proof that the safety company and its local personnel were up to the task. The company had training facilities for other operations on the base. A well jacket simulator with a hatch in the landing deck area made a great location for the high angle practice and vertical confined space. Sea containers with plywood partitions and man ways cut out allowed for horizontal confined space practice. To support the project, the operator provided mockups of actual working structures and situations including a twenty-foot high representative section of a crude tower constructed from scaffold and plywood and wrapped in landscape fabric. A section of the deethanizer tower was also fabricated to ensure the rescue team could extract someone from what some were calling an impossible rescue situation. After a series of trial runs, the safety company successfully trained a team of local personnel with the same skill sets that would be expected in any part of the world. A demonstration of the final rescue procedure assured the operator that local personnel are now equipped to handle emergency rescue and are prepared to meet all situations at any time.

The lack of proper training facilities and legislation governing certification does not have to lead to rescue services that are not up to par with international standards. This paper discusses the standards an operator should expect from its emergency services regardless of location. With a strong commitment to safe work practices and a little creativity from the trainers, operators should not have to settle for anything but best-in-class emergency response utilizing local labor resources.
Drilling Wastewater Post-Treatment by Reverse Osmosis Method. Discussion and Practical Results.
Authors: Chávarro Roa M. R.
Published: June 2015

During the last years, drilling operations have increased into areas where water resources have been affected by different natural phenomena and where strikes and social conflicts have been generated by drilling activities. In addition, current government protocols are more limiting about fresh water abstraction and their use, and wastewater disposal methods. For those reasons, environmental sustainability has become in one of the oil and gas industry's main concerns.

For drilling operations a large volume of water is required, including domestic and industrial processes. Thus, taking into account several experiences in diverse Colombian oil drilling fields operated by Ecopetrol, show that the average of drilling water consumption per drilling rig is roughly 400 barrels of water per day and the wastewater volume to be disposed by different methods is coming from mud dewatering process followed by a physical and chemical treatment. That volume of wastewater contains dissolved salts such as chlorides and sulphates which make it impossible the re-use the water into the drilling mud process due to high content of salts that affects directly the polymers reactions of the drilling mud causing an inadequate fluid rheology.

To tackle that situation, a wastewater management was designed to create a closed loop minimizing the environmental impact in terms of fresh water abstraction and wastewater discharge. Therefore, reverse osmosis process was implemented in those fields located in areas where water resources or disposal methods have been restricted by the environmental licences. As consequence of this wastewater technology as post-treatment step has permitted to re-use, in some cases more than 90% of the wastewater for preparing new drilling mud, fluids dilution and industrial uses. On the other hand, an important decrease of water abstraction was achieved as result of the reverse osmosis implementation.

A discussion about reverse osmosis process as eco-friendly technology and cost-effective management of the drilling wastewater production has been provided, summarising some relevant results obtained in different oil drilling fields operated by Ecopetrol in Colombia. In addition, it is important to show how Ecopetrol is committed with environmental and sustainable development reducing the impact from the drilling operations.
Process Safety: Beyond Personal Safety in Drilling
Authors: Abril C.. , Castañeda C.. , Gomez C..
Published: June 2015

Process Safety… Beyond Personal Safety in Drilling

Various events in oil well drilling led to the development of control and prevention systems for low-probability, high-impact events that can affect lives, ecosystems or the integrity of equipment.

A low-impact loss of containment event on the surface during fracturing operations in the Colombian Piedemonte Llanero region highlights the need for a process safety management system that goes beyond a successful culture focused on personal safety. Operators in particular, supported by hydrocarbon service companies, adopted various approaches in the pursuit of process safety for the highest-impact risks in the value chain, within upstream, midstream and downstream activities. Process safety includes the service provided or scenarios of credible major risks such as control for wells, falling objects and spills.

In addition, companies providing services associated with exploration and production, such as BHI, focused their efforts on the mitigation of events or failures in tools, products or services that may contribute to loss of well control.

Ensuring suitable synergy, in terms of methods and controls, can be developed in projects such as those implemented in high-impact locations such as the Colombian Piedemonte Llanero, wherein the use of the service procurement method developed by Equion Energy, makes it possible to manage process safety through the models of both the operator and the service companies.

This paper presents the experience in harnessing this synergy, and emphasizing the methods adopted by Equion Energy and Baker Hughes. The paper highlights the creation of a process safety culture, which is reflected by the industry with personal safety through the utilization of advances in management systems.

Developing a culture of process safety is the starting point and culmination of strategies focused on identifying the greatest hazards, determining the reliability of barriers and preparing for emergency response and continuous learning, to consistently reduce hazards associated with the loss of hydrocarbon containment during the lifecycle of a well.
Water Management: What We Have Learned and What We Need to Consider for Developing a Shale Play in Argentina
Authors: Bonapace J. C. , Alric F. G. , Angeloni A.. , Zangari L..
Published: June 2015

Hydraulic fracturing has been active in Argentina since the 1960s. The first jobs were performed using oil-based fluids. Throughout the years, new water-based fluids were introduced to replace alcohol-based fluids and foams based on reservoir requirements, economics, and safety and environmental issues. Currently, more than 95% of hydraulic fractures performed in the country are made using aqueous-based fluids.

Recently, exploration and development of resource shale plays, such as the Vaca Muerta, have begun. To achieve commercial production, this type of reservoir must be stimulated by hydraulic fracturing using large volumes of water. From 2009 to present, various exploration techniques have been performed in different shales, such as Los Molles, Vaca Muerta, Agrio (Neuquén Basin), Cacheuta (Cuyo Basin), and the D-129 (Golfo San Jorge Basin).

This paper discusses aspects of water logistics necessary during the well completion phase, fracture treatment designs applied in Vaca Muerta, and laboratory studies performed on flowback and produced waters to help evaluate the potential for water reuse.

The focus is on three different phases of water cycles for these projects. Water sources and stimulation: information for vertical and horizontal wells based on physical-chemical characteristics of various freshwater for stimulation, volume of water used, type of fracture treatment, and fracture fluid and additives used.Logistics: evolution of different water storage and transport options used for shale projects on single or multiple well pads.Reuse of flowback and produced water: laboratory tests on different flowback and produced water and/or blends (freshwater-flowback-water), treated and untreated including:–Physico-chemical characteristic of water (flowback and produced) from different wells.–Formation sensitivity tests with different water sources and usage possibilities.–Fracture fluids, conventional borate fluids, and a new low-residue CMHPG-metal formulated fluid using no traditional water treated and untreated with high total dissolved solids (TDS).
Molecular mechanisms governing aerobic granular sludge processes
Authors: Zhou Yan , Xu HuiJuan , Liu Yu
Published: June 2015

The aerobic granular sludge process is a promising technology for wastewater treatment. The formation and structure of aerobic granules are traditionally thought to depend highly on selection pressures, while the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. It is well known that bacteria coordinate their behavior using small signaling molecules, known as quorum sensing (QS). This paper is an attempt to provide updated information on QS mechanisms governing granular sludge processes. It is shown that QS-mediated cellular communication has a significant role throughout aerobic granulation, including granule development, structural stability and integrity maintenance. Such understanding is helpful for developing novel aerobic granular sludge processes.
Dual-conditioning of sludge using chitosan and metal cations
Authors: Lau S. W. , Tang S. D. , Ang H. M. , Sen T. K. , Chua H. B.
Published: June 2015

Sludge dewatering is important in sludge management and disposal. In practice, chemical conditioners are often introduced to aid sludge dewatering. This study investigated the simultaneous application of chitosan and metal cations as dual-conditioners to improve sludge dewaterability. The dewatering performance of sludge was evaluated using three common measurements, i.e. capillary suction time, specific resistance to filtration, and moisture content of the filtered sludge cake. The effectiveness of metal cations in sludge conditioning and dewatering was found, in ascending order, to be Na+ < K+ ≈ Mg2+ < Ca2+ < Al3+ < Fe3+. Dual-conditioning using chitosan and metal cations further enhanced dewaterability. Cations may have significant effects on sludge conditioning by neutralization of negative surface charges, bridging of floc components, and the salting out effect, leading to improved dewaterability when used in conjunction with chitosan.
Cardio Renal Syndromes 2015: Is there a Silver Lining to the Dark Clouds?
Authors: Jamboti Jagadish
Published: June 2015

Kidneys have a pivotal role in maintaining our homeostasis. Kidneys and heart work in tandem to maintain volume homeostasis. Heart failure impacts renal function in many ways including renal hypo perfusion but also due to increased venous pressure along with stimulation of various neuro-humoral responses. Renal failure induces cardiac damage and dysfunction by causing volume overload, inflammation and cardiomyocyte fibrosis. Concomitant comorbidities like Hypertension and Diabetes also play important role resulting in Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS). Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative, 2007 recognized the bidirectional nature and different manifestations of CRS in acute and chronic settings.

Diuretics are the most common drugs to treat the most common symptoms of CRS i.e., peripheral edema and pulmonary congestion. Diuretics could nevertheless contribute to worsening renal function (WRF). Initially it was accepted that WRF during the course of treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) uniformly resulted in worse prognosis. However, in view of a few recent studies, the significance of WRF early in response to treatment of ADHF is being debated. The optimal dose and method of delivery of diuretics is still undecided.

Isolated ultrafiltration does not improve renal function in patients with CRS despite the early promise. A large, multicentre trial ruled out any survival benefits with Recombinant Brain Natriuretic Peptide (Nesiritide). Despite good physiological basis and early promise with smaller studies, many drugs like Dobutamine, Rolofylline and Tolvaptan failed to show survival benefit in larger studies. However, two recent studies involving Relaxin and Neprilysin have shown good survival advantage. There had been little progress in treatment of CRS until studies involving Relaxin and Neprilysin inhibitor combination with ARB were published.

There may after all, be a glimmer of hope in the field of CRS bogged by multiple negative studies.
Effects of Surface Wettability and Roughness on the Heat Transfer Performance of Fluid Flowing through Microchannels
Authors: Cui Jing , Cui Yanyu
Published: June 2015

The surface characteristics, such as wettability and roughness, play an important role in heat transfer performance in the field of microfluidic flow. In this paper, the process of a hot liquid flowing through a microchannel with cold walls, which possesses different surface wettabilities and microstructures, is simulated by a transient double-distribution function (DDF) two-phase thermal lattice Boltzmann BGK (LBGK) model. The Shan-Chen multiphase LBGK model is used to describe the flow field and the independent distribution function is introduced to solve the temperature field. The simulation results show that the roughness of the channel wall improves the heat transfer, no matter what the surface wettability is. These simulations reveal that the heat exchange characteristics are directly related to the flow behavior. For the smooth-superhydrophobic-surface flow, a gas film forms that acts as an insulating layer since the thermal conductivity of the gas is relatively small in comparison to that of a liquid. In case of the rough-superhydrophobic-surface flow, the vortex motion of the gas within the grooves significantly enhances the heat exchange between the fluid and wall.
Towards Improved Airborne Fire Detection Systems Using Beetle Inspired Infrared Detection and Fire Searching Strategies
Authors: Bousack Herbert , Kahl Thilo , Schmitz Anke , Schmitz Helmut
Published: June 2015

Every year forest fires cause severe financial losses in many countries of the world. Additionally, lives of humans as well as of countless animals are often lost. Due to global warming, the problem of wildfires is getting out of control; hence, the burning of thousands of hectares is obviously increasing. Most important, therefore, is the early detection of an emerging fire before its intensity becomes too high. More than ever, a need for early warning systems capable of detecting small fires from distances as large as possible exists. A look to nature shows that pyrophilous “fire beetles” of the genus Melanophila can be regarded as natural airborne fire detection systems because their larvae can only develop in the wood of fire-killed trees. There is evidence that Melanophila beetles can detect large fires from distances of more than 100 km by visual and infrared cues. In a biomimetic approach, a concept has been developed to use the surveying strategy of the “fire beetles” for the reliable detection of a smoke plume of a fire from large distances by means of a basal infrared emission zone. Future infrared sensors necessary for this ability are also inspired by the natural infrared receptors of Melanophila beetles.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: A Potential Multifunctional Approach towards Rheumatoid Arthritis Theranostics
Authors: Albuquerque João , Moura Catarina , Sarmento Bruno , Reis Salette
Published: June 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common joint-related autoimmune disease and one of the most severe. Despite intensive investigation, the RA inflammatory process remains largely unknown and finding effective and long lasting therapies that specifically target RA is a challenging task. This study proposes a different approach for RA therapy, taking advantage of the new emerging field of nanomedicine to develop a targeted theranostic system for intravenous administration, using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), a biocompatible and biodegradable colloidal delivery system, surface-functionalized with an anti-CD64 antibody that specifically targets macrophages in RA. Methotrexate (MTX) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were co-encapsulated inside the SLNs to be used as therapeutic and imaging agents, respectively. All the formulations presented sizes under 250 nm and zeta potential values lower than −16 mV, suitable characteristics for intravenous administration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photographs indicated that the SPIONs were encapsulated inside the SLN matrix and MTX association efficiency values were higher than 98%. In vitro studies, using THP-1 cells, demonstrated that all formulations presented low cytotoxicity at concentrations lower than 500 μg/mL. It was proven that the proposed NPs were not cytotoxic, that both a therapeutic and imaging agent could be co-encapsulated and that the SLN could be functionalized for a potential future application such as anti-body specific targeting. The proposed formulations are, therefore, promising candidates for future theranostic applications.
Antibacterial Activities and Antibacterial Mechanism of Polygonum cuspidatum Extracts against Nosocomial Drug-Resistant Pathogens
Authors: Su Pai-Wei , Yang Cheng-Hong , Yang Jyh-Ferng , Su Pei-Yu , Chuang Li-Yeh
Published: June 2015

Recently, drug resistance due to the extensive abuse and over-use of antibiotics has become an increasingly serious problem, making the development of alternative antibiotics a very urgent issue. In this study, the Chinese herbal medicine, Polygonum cuspidatum, was extracted with 95% ethanol and the crude extracts were further purified by partition based on solvent polarity. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts and fractions were determined by the disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. The results showed that the ethyl ether fraction (EE) of the ethanol extracts possesses a broader antimicrobial spectrum and greater antimicrobial activity against all of the tested clinical drug-resistant isolates, with a range of MIC values between 0.1–3.5 mg/mL. The active extract showed complete inhibition of pathogen growth and did not induce resistance to the active components. In addition, according to scanning electron microscope observations, EE resulted in greater cell morphological changes by degrading and disrupting the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, whereby ultimately this cell membrane integrity damage led to cell death. In conclusion, the EE extracts from Polygonum cuspidatum may provide a promising antimicrobial agent for therapeutic applications against nosocomial drug-resistant bacteria.
Wind Resource Quality Affected by High Levels of Renewables
Authors: Diakov Victor
Published: June 2015

For solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind resources, the capacity factor is an important parameter describing the quality of the resource. As the share of variable renewable resources (such as PV and wind) on the electric system is increasing, so does curtailment (and the fraction of time when it cannot be avoided). At high levels of renewable generation, curtailments effectively change the practical measure of resource quality from capacity factor to the incremental capacity factor. The latter accounts only for generation during hours of no curtailment and is directly connected with the marginal capital cost of renewable generators for a given level of renewable generation during the year. The Western U.S. wind generation is analyzed hourly for a system with 75% of annual generation from wind, and it is found that the value for the system of resources with equal capacity factors can vary by a factor of 2, which highlights the importance of using the incremental capacity factor instead. The effect is expected to be more pronounced in smaller geographic areas (or when transmission limitations imposed) and less pronounced at lower levels of renewable energy in the system with less curtailment.
Deliberation on Design Strategies of Automatic Harvesting Systems: A Survey
Authors: Bachche Shivaji
Published: June 2015

In Asia, decreasing farmer and labor populations due to various factors is a serious problem that leads to increases in labor costs, higher harvesting input energy consumption and less resource utilization. To solve these problems, researchers are engaged in providing long term and low-tech alternatives in terms of mechanization and automation of agriculture by way of efficient, low cost and easy to use solutions. This paper reviews various design strategies in recognition and picking systems, as well as developments in fruit harvesting robots during the past 30 years in several countries. The main objectives of this paper are to gather all information on fruit harvesting robots; focus on the technical developments so far achieved in picking devices; highlight the problems still to be solved; and discuss the future prospects of fruit harvesting robots.
Individual Tree Segmentation from LiDAR Point Clouds for Urban Forest Inventory
Authors: Zhang Caiyun , Zhou Yuhong , Qiu Fang
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study is to develop new algorithms for automated urban forest inventory at the individual tree level using LiDAR point cloud data. LiDAR data contain three-dimensional structure information that can be used to estimate tree height, base height, crown depth, and crown diameter. This allows precision urban forest inventory down to individual trees. Unlike most of the published algorithms that detect individual trees from a LiDAR-derived raster surface, we worked directly with the LiDAR point cloud data to separate individual trees and estimate tree metrics. Testing results in typical urban forests are encouraging. Future works will be oriented to synergize LiDAR data and optical imagery for urban tree characterization through data fusion techniques.
Application of Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy to the Detection of Nitric Oxide, Carbonyl Sulphide, and Ethane—Breath Biomarkers of Serious Diseases
Authors: Wojtas Jacek
Published: June 2015

The paper presents one of the laser absorption spectroscopy techniques as an effective tool for sensitive analysis of trace gas species in human breath. Characterization of nitric oxide, carbonyl sulphide and ethane, and the selection of their absorption lines are described. Experiments with some biomarkers showed that detection of pathogenic changes at the molecular level is possible using this technique. Thanks to cavity enhanced spectroscopy application, detection limits at the ppb-level and short measurements time (<3 s) were achieved. Absorption lines of reference samples of the selected volatile biomarkers were probed using a distributed feedback quantum cascade laser and a tunable laser system consisting of an optical parametric oscillator and difference frequency generator. Setup using the first source provided a detection limit of 30 ppb for nitric oxide and 250 ppb for carbonyl sulphide. During experiments employing a second laser, detection limits of 0.9 ppb and 0.3 ppb were obtained for carbonyl sulphide and ethane, respectively. The conducted experiments show that this type of diagnosis would significantly increase chances for effective therapy of some diseases. Additionally, it offers non-invasive and real time measurements, high sensitivity and selectivity as well as minimizing discomfort for patients. For that reason, such sensors can be used in screening for early detection of serious diseases.
An Overview of the Running Performance of Athletes with Lower-Limb Amputation at the Paralympic Games 2004–2012
Authors: Hassani Hossein , Ghodsi Mansi , Shadi Mehran , Noroozi Siamak , Dyer Bryce
Published: June 2015

This paper analyses the performances of lower-limb amputees in the 100, 200 and 400 m running events from the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. In this paper, four hypotheses are pursued. In the first, it investigates whether the running performance of lower-limb amputees over three consecutive Paralympic Games has changed. In the second, it asks whether a bi-lateral amputee has a competitive advantage over a uni-lateral amputee. In the third, the effect of blade classification has been considered and we attempt to see whether amputees in various classifications have different level of performance. Finally, it is considered whether the final round of competition obtains different levels of performance in comparison to the qualification heats. Based on the outcomes of these investigations, it is proposed that future amputee-based running events should be undertaken with separate and not combined events for the T42, T43 and T44 classifications at the Paralympic Games.
Les départements de la Grande Couronne parisienne et la révision du Schéma Directeur (About the revision of the urban development scheme of the Greater Paris)
Authors: Cavard Jean-Claude
Published: June 2015

Abstract. — Government and regional power are going to bring up the regional planning and urban policies in the Ile-de-France (S. D. A. U.R.I. F., Schéma d'Aménagement et d'Urbanisme de la Région d'Ile-de-France). This paper is a study about the difficulty in conciliating the overspill of the population, the urban growth, and the respect of green areas in the outer belt. The departments are also interested in the preparation of the new scheme. They try and save their environment without preventing economic and urban development.
Les comportements d'achat en centres-villes et périphéries des grandes agglomérations françaises (Purchasing behaviour in french cities)
Authors: Metton Alain
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - During the last 20 years, most of new retail equipements were created in the outskirts of big cities, whereas downtown retail was stagnant. The result is a true sharing of serving between downtown and periphery retail according to types of products and shops. Downtown and suburb populations have elsewhere the same purchasing behaviour : they are both attracted by downtown retail and outskirt retail. The diversification of retail equipements, in downtown and in outskirts, have consequently to be helped in order to avoid a sharing of their purchasing behaviour.
Dynamique métropolitaine et périphérie en Europe de langue allemande (The metropolises in german speaking Europe, history and tendencies)
Authors: Wackermann Gabriel
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Etude des modalités récentes de l'urbanisation en Europe germanophone en fonction des legs historiques. L 'époque post-industrielle bénéficie des acquis du passé dans la recherche d'une certaine cohésion entre les agglomérations et leur périphérie (exemples de Munich, Mannheim-Ludwigshafen). Cela constitue un atout pour les complexes urbains face aux tâches internationales qu'ils ont à assumer.
Le Grand Bornand. Evaluation du caractère exceptionnel et imprévisible de la catastrophe (The Grand Bornand disaster, french Alps, 14.07. 1987)
Authors: Comby Jacques
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - The Grand Bornand disaster has had a great impact on public opinion because of its 23 victims. In the face of its sheer scale, it was soon thought to be an exceptional and unpredictable event. However a precise study of the major factors of the disaster reveals a different type of reality : often said to be isolated the storm is actually due to an organized phenomenon in which elements (different from local conditions) played an important part. Moreover the particularities of the site show that the Borne's overflowing cannot be regarded as an exceptional event.
Un atlas des risques majeurs dans les Hautes-Alpes (Major risks mapping in the Hautes-Alpes, France)
Authors: Fanthou Thierry , Gambier Gilbert
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Présentation d'un atlas des risques majeurs réalisé pour les Hautes-Alpes par une équipe pluridisciplinaire. Il propose une représentation synthétique des risques naturels et technologiques. Il est destiné à la communication d'une information de base en direction d'un public de non spécialistes (administrations, élus). Présentation d'un spécimen de la légende.
Sociétés et risques naturels. De la gestion du risque à la mythologie (Man and natural hazards. From risk management to mythology)
Authors: Neboit-Guilhot René
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - This paper is the conclusion of an A.G.F.'s sitting devoted to relationship between the societies and natural hazards. Risks are clustered into three types. First, those which are related to random and rapid natural events, and involve predictive and preventive problems. Secondly, the man-made hazards, which are the results of man's careless exploitation of his environment. Thirdly, major long-term stresses linked with the global change, which lead to philosophical or mythological responses.
La Suisse, espace charnière des communications européennes. Problèmes et perspectives (Switzerland, a transit country in Europe)
Authors: Billet Jean
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - La Suisse est un espace de transit entre Europe du Nord et du Sud. Les échanges qui se développent provoquent la saturation des axes alpins et des problèmes écologiques. Le choix des autorités helvétiques a privilégié le trafic multimodal par chemin de fer, avec des tunnels «de base» pour franchir la chaîne, et en équipant deux itinéraires (le Gothard et le Loetschberg-Simplon).
Lack of early inbreeding depression and distribution of selfing rates in the neotropical emergent tree Ceiba pentandra: Assessment from several reproductive events
Authors: Lobo Jorge A. , Jiménez Dennis , Solís‐Hernández Wendy , Fuchs Eric J.
Published: June 2015

• Premise of the study: Selfing and mixed mating systems are prevalent in many flowering plants. Purging of genetic load can occur in these species, reducing negative effects of selfing. Long‐term studies of the temporal and spatial variation of selfing rates and inbreeding depression at the individual level are necessary to understand the forces that maintain selfing as a mating strategy in these species.

• Methodology: We used microsatellites to estimate selfing rates in seeds and seedlings over 6 years in a population of Ceiba pentandra in southwestern Costa Rica. We studied the correlation of selfing with early seedling vigor variables to test for inbreeding depression.

• Key results: Selfing rates varied widely among maternal trees. However, we found high consistency of selfing rates for individuals among years. Selfing rate did not influence early fitness traits, suggesting a lack of inbreeding depression at this stage. Maternal effects were a predominant source of variation for early vigor variables.

• Conclusions: Variability in selfing rates among trees may be partly explained by genetic variation in a late‐acting self‐incompatibility system or low, early‐acting genetic load in some individuals. This population did not show evidence of early inbreeding depression in traits related to seed vigor probably from complete or partial purging as a result of repeated selfing of a fraction of the population or from strong maternal effects. Expression of genetic load at later developmental stages or in more stressful natural conditions may explain differences in inbreeding levels between seeds and adults.
Foliar secretory structures in Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae): Diversity, anatomy, and evolutionary significance
Authors: Vitarelli Narah C. , Riina Ricarda , Caruzo Maria Beatriz R. , Cordeiro Inês , Fuertes‐Aguilar Javier , Meira Renata M. S. A.
Published: June 2015

• Premise of the study: Phylogenetic and morphological studies have helped clarify the systematics of large and complex groups such as the tribe Crotoneae (Euphorbiaceae). However, very little is known about the diversity, structure, and function of anatomical features in this tribe. Crotoneae comprises the species‐rich pantropical genus Croton and six small neotropical genera. Here we characterized the anatomy of leaf secretory structures in members of this tribe and explored their function and evolutionary significance.

• Methods: Young and mature leaves of 26 species were studied using standard anatomical light microscopy techniques. Three sections of Croton and one representative of Brasiliocroton and Astraea were sampled.

• Key results: We identified five types of secretory structures: laticifers, colleters, extrafloral nectaries, idioblasts, and secretory trichomes. Laticifers were present in all species studied except Croton alabamensis, which instead presented secretory parenchyma cells. Articulated laticifers are reported in Crotoneae for the first time. Colleters of the standard type were observed in the majority of the sampled taxa. Extrafloral nectaries were present in section Cleodora and in B. mamoninha, but absent in section Lamprocroton and Astraea lobata. Idioblasts were spread throughout the palisade and/or spongy parenchyma in most of the studied species. Secretory trichomes were restricted to Lamprocroton except for C. imbricatus.

• Conclusions: This study revealed a high diversity of secretory structures, including novel ones, in one of the largest clades of Euphorbiaceae. Our results are promising for investigations on the anatomical and ecophysiological bases of species diversification within Euphorbiaceae.
Nanomechanical humidity detection through porous alumina cantilevers
Authors: Boytsova Olga , Klimenko Alexey , Lebedev Vasiliy , Lukashin Alexey , Eliseev Andrey
Published: June 2015

We present here the behavior of the resonance frequency of porous anodic alumina cantilever arrays during water vapor adsorption and emphasize their possible use in the micromechanical sensing of humidity levels at least in the range of 10–22%. The sensitivity of porous anodic aluminium oxide cantilevers (Δf/Δm) and the humidity sensitivity equal about 56 Hz/pg and about 100 Hz/%, respectively. The approach presented here for the design of anodic alumina cantilever arrays by the combination of anodic oxidation and photolithography enables easy control over porosity, surface area, geometric and mechanical characteristics of the cantilever arrays for micromechanical sensing.
SLEDAI-2K Does Not Conceal Worsening in a Particular System When There Is Overall Improvement
Authors: Touma Zahi , Gladman Dafna D. , Su Jiandong , Ibañez Dominique , Urowitz Murray B.
Published: June 2015

Objective.

To determine whether the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) is valid in identifying patients who had a clinically important overall improvement with no worsening in other descriptors/systems.

Methods.

Consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with active disease who attended the Lupus Clinic between 2000 and 2012 were studied. Based on the change in the total SLEDAI-2K scores on last visit, patients were grouped as improved, flared/worsened, and unchanged. Patients showing improvement were evaluated for the presence of new active descriptors at last visit compared with baseline visit.

Results.

Of the 158 patients studied, 109 patients had improved, 38 remained unchanged, and 11 flared/worsened at last visit. In the improved group, 11 patients had a new laboratory descriptor that was not present at baseline visit. In those 11 patients, this new laboratory descriptor was not clinically significant and did not require a change in disease management.

Conclusion.

The SLEDAI-2K identifies improvement in disease activity overall without concealing clinically important worsening.
Psoriatic Arthritis Mutilans: Clinical and Radiographic Criteria. A Systematic Review
Authors: Haddad Amir , Johnson Sindhu R. , Somaily Mansour , Fazelzad Rouhi , Kron Amie T. , Chau Cathy , Chandran Vinod
Published: June 2015

Objective.

Research on psoriatic arthritis mutilans (PAM), the most severe form of psoriatic arthritis, is impeded by the lack of an accepted classification criteria. We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify and synthesize clinical and radiographic features associated with the definition of PAM.

Methods.

A systematic literature search limited to human studies was conducted without language restriction. Abstracts were independently screened by 2 investigators and studies that reported information on patients with PAM were included. A standardized form was used to independently collect clinical and radiographic items defining PAM, patient’s demographics, disease characteristics, and outcomes.

Results.

There were 8570 citations searched to identify 112 articles for full review and 58 articles for data abstraction. We identified 8 definitions of PAM that were used in 283 subjects with a mean age ± SD at diagnosis of PsA of 33.9 ± 8.2 years. Disease manifestations (prevalence) included dactylitis (29–64%), enthesitis (29–32%), axial disease (14–27%), and nail lesions (47%). PAM definitions include 1 (n = 2 studies) or more (n = 14 studies) joints involving interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, or metatarsophalangeal joints. The most prevalent PAM clinical features were digital telescoping (34%), digital shortening (33%), and flail joints (22%). The most prevalent PAM radiographic items were bone resorption (41%), pencil-in-cup change (16%), total joint erosions (14%), ankylosis (21%), and subluxation (7%).

Conclusion.

We have identified 8 definitions of PAM, and synthesized the clinical and radiographic items that are important for the classification of PAM. We have established the groundwork for future development classification criteria for PAM.
L’élément ludique de la culture. À propos de Homo ludens de Johan Huizinga
Authors: Dewitte Jacques
Published: June 2015

Si les animaux jouent déjà, ne peut-on faire l’hypothèse que la culture humaine suppose l’existence d’un champ premier, irréductible à la simple fonctionnalité et à l’utilité, auquel participent tout à la fois les animaux et les hommes ? Cette hypothèse d’un « champ ludique », qui précède la culture et dont elle procède, conduit alors à reconnaître au jeu une dimension transcendante qui englobe et enveloppe toutes les activités humaines. À l’instar du don, le jeu manifeste, par son archaïsme même, les conditions anthropologiques sans lesquelles la vie sociale serait impossible. Pour autant, le jeu n’est-il pas voué à ne devenir qu’une simple survivance dans nos sociétés contemporaines tant celles-ci semblent devenir comme étrangères à cette alliance de la règle et de la liberté, constitutive de l’esprit du jeu ?
Jeux d’écriture : la tragédie de l’ethnographe
Authors: Illouz Charles
Published: June 2015

Dans Homo ludens , Huizinga étudie le rapport existant entre poésie et situations ludiques agonales. Sous la variété des genres qu’elle connut dans l’histoire, la poésie relève du jeu et du don dès lors que chaque nouvelle production met ceux qui s’y risquent ensuite en dette de nouvelles formes à créer. Toute société fait circuler parmi ses membres une forme de savoir qui repose sur l’expertise de ceux qui suscitent l’enthousiasme ou la critique cinglante. Anticipant la « riposte » d’un auditeur ou d’un lecteur faisant autorité, tout auteur évolue ainsi, selon la remarque de Clifford Geertz visant l’ethnographe, dans un « théâtre de langage ». S’appuyant sur la définition de la « fonction-auteur » de Foucault, cet article définit une fonction-acteur pour décrire le jeu agonistique inhérent à l’écriture anthropologique.
Les origines ludiques de la notion de monnaie
Authors: Wendling Thierry
Published: June 2015

Dans cet article, je rappelle que les théories actuelles font l'impasse sur le rôle essentiel de l'argent dans beaucoup de jeux contemporains pour rendre compte de l'origine de la monnaie. À côté des explications plus économistes comme celle du troc, les regards anthropologiques sur les premiers usages monétaires se focalisent en effet sur le paiement de la fiancée, la dette, les échanges cérémoniels, les sacrifices… mais ne disent mot des paris ou des récompenses qui accompagnent les jeux. De nombreux exemples tant ethnographiques qu'historiques (du wampum nord-amérindien aux jeux homériques) montrent pourtant une association étroite entre les premiers instruments monétaires et les pratiques ludiques. Un double obstacle semble avoir jusqu'aujourd'hui occulté ce constat : la monnaie serait une chose trop sérieuse pour y déceler des origines ludiques, le jeu serait dénaturé dès lors qu'il est attaché à l'argent. Or poser la question des origines ludiques de la monnaie fait revenir aux propos fondateurs de Mauss qui affirmait non seulement la nature (pré)monétaire des cuivres de Colombie britannique mais aussi le caractère ludique du potlatch  ! En conclusion, j'invite à intégrer cette dimension ludique dans la réflexion sur les origines de la monnaie (sans affirmer pour autant que la monnaie n'aurait qu'une origine ludique, ce qui serait absurde).