bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Que valent les engagements des régimes de retraite envers les retraités en France ?
Authors: Daniel Christophe , Lavigne Anne , Mottet Stéphane , Nze Obame Jesus-Herell , Séjourné Bruno , Tagne Christian
Published: December 2017

En nous appuyant sur les Échantillons Inter-régimes des retraités (EIR) de 2008 et de 2012, nous calculons l’équivalent patrimonial des droits à la retraite (EPDR) à un niveau agrégé, tout en présentant le détail par régime et par caisse. Pour ce faire, nous raisonnons en système fermé, à savoir que seules les pensions de droit direct déjà liquidées ou à verser aux actuels retraités sont prises en compte. Il apparaît que si l’EPDR global est peu sensible au taux d’actualisation, tel n’est pas le cas lorsqu’on se concentre sur celui à verser. Or, de ce point de vue, certaines caisses se caractérisent par un EPDR à verser nettement plus important. Par ailleurs, quel que soit le type d’EPDR envisagé (par régime, par caisse...), celui-ci a nettement progressé depuis 2008 sauf pour le régime de base des exploitants agricoles. Enfin, les indicateurs de dispersion et de concentration de l’EPDR sont à des niveaux élevés, nettement supérieurs à ceux observés sur les revenus d’activité. Il apparaît de plus grandes inégalités dans le secteur privé, particulièrement dans le cadre des régimes complémentaires.
Économie de la représentation nationale et rémunération des parlementaires français
Authors: Jaaidane Touria
Published: December 2017

Dans cette contribution, nous avons rassemblé des données chiffrées dans une perspective d’amélioration de la connaissance du Parlement et des parlementaires à travers leurs différentes missions (travail législatif, représentation et contrôle du gouvernement). L’analyse des faits relatifs aux effectifs, aux caractéristiques des représentants et à leur activité d’une part et celle des budgets des assemblées d’autre part révèlent un certain nombre d’évolutions. On constate tout d’abord une diminution en termes réels de la masse des indemnités parlementaires qui s’accompagne d’une augmentation des dépenses de secrétariat parlementaire et d’un régime de retraite généreux ; ensuite une composition de l’assemblée nationale très stable dans le temps avec très peu de représentativité et une prévalence du cumul des mandats et enfin un accroissement de l’activité parlementaire. Les évolutions dont rendent compte les faits permettent de faire apparaître des enjeux en termes de sélection (recrutement et renouvellement du personnel politique et représentativité) et d’incitation au travail qui sont importants pour le bon fonctionnement des démocraties représentatives.
The Medico-Social Institutes Directors’ perception of performance
Authors: Lux Gulliver
Published: December 2017

Dans le cadre des mouvements de type New Public Management (NPM) de nombreuses organisations du secteur public ou de la délégation de service public ont été contraintes de s’inscrire dans une logique de mesure et d’amélioration des performances. Si nombre de travaux ont étudié le devenir des outils de gestion dans ces organisations peu se sont intéressés aux rapports des acteurs opérationnels de ces organisations avec le concept de performance. Dans le cadre de cet article, nous étudions la représentation de la performance des directeurs d’Établissements et Services Médico-Sociaux du champ du handicap (ESMS). Nous nous appuyons pour cela sur la réalisation de 32 entretiens semi-directifs de directeurs d’établissements médico-sociaux. Nous montrons que le concept de performance est appréhendé de différentes façons par les acteurs des organisations et que ces conceptions peuvent être éloignées des définitions proposées au sein de la littérature académique ou par les pouvoirs publics. Nous identifions ainsi cinq types de représentations de la performance : du rejet total du concept à son acceptation dans une approche multidimensionnelle (financière, organisationnelle, sociale et sociétale). Ces types semblent correspondre à des postures idéologiques parfois divergentes autour de la performance et amènent à réflexion sur le devenir des réformes de type NPM dans les structures médico-sociales.
Effect of IL-7 Therapy on Phospho-Ribosomal Protein S6 and TRAF1 Expression in HIV-Specific CD8 T Cells in Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Wang Chao , Edilova Maria I. , Wagar Lisa E. , Mujib Shariq , Singer Meromit , Bernard Nicole F. , Croughs Thérèse , Lederman Michael M. , Sereti Irini , Fischl Margaret A. , Kremmer Elisabeth , Ostrowski Mario , Routy Jean-Pierre , Watts Tania H.
Published: December 2017

IL-7 therapy has been evaluated in patients who do not regain normal CD4 T cell counts after virologically successful antiretroviral therapy. IL-7 increases total circulating CD4 and CD8 T cell counts; however, its effect on HIV-specific CD8 T cells has not been fully examined. TRAF1, a prosurvival signaling adaptor required for 4-1BB–mediated costimulation, is lost from chronically stimulated virus-specific CD8 T cells with progression of HIV infection in humans and during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis infection in mice. Previous results showed that IL-7 can restore TRAF1 expression in virus-specific CD8 T cells in mice, rendering them sensitive to anti–4-1BB agonist therapy. In this article, we show that IL-7 therapy in humans increases the number of circulating HIV-specific CD8 T cells. For a subset of patients, we also observed an increased frequency of TRAF1+ HIV-specific CD8 T cells 10 wk after completion of IL-7 treatment. IL-7 treatment increased levels of phospho-ribosomal protein S6 in HIV-specific CD8 T cells, suggesting increased activation of the metabolic checkpoint kinase mTORC1. Thus, IL-7 therapy in antiretroviral therapy–treated patients induces sustained changes in the number and phenotype of HIV-specific T cells.
Innate Sex Bias of Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection Is Driven by α-Hemolysin
Authors: Castleman Moriah J. , Pokhrel Srijana , Triplett Kathleen D. , Kusewitt Donna F. , Elmore Bradley O. , Joyner Jason A. , Femling Jon K. , Sharma Geetanjali , Hathaway Helen J. , Prossnitz Eric R. , Hall Pamela R.
Published: December 2017

Numerous studies have reported sex bias in infectious diseases, with bias direction dependent on pathogen and site of infection. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), yet sex bias in susceptibility to S. aureus SSTI has not been described. A search of electronic health records revealed an odds ratio of 2.4 for S. aureus SSTI in males versus females. To investigate the physiological basis of this bias, we compared outcomes between male and female mice in a model of S. aureus dermonecrosis. Consistent with the epidemiological data, female mice were better protected against SSTI, with reduced dermonecrosis followed later by increased bacterial clearance. Protection in females was disrupted by ovariectomy and restored by short-term estrogen administration. Importantly, this sex bias was mediated by a sex-specific response to the S. aureus–secreted virulence factor α-hemolysin (Hla). Infection with wild-type S. aureus suppressed inflammatory cytokine production in the skin of female, but not male, mice when compared with infection with an isogenic hla deletion mutant. This differential response was conserved following injection with Hla alone, demonstrating a direct response to Hla independent of bacterial burden. Additionally, neutrophils, essential for clearing S. aureus, demonstrated sex-specific S. aureus bactericidal capacity ex vivo. This work suggests that sex-specific skin innate responsiveness to Hla and neutrophil bactericidal capacity play important roles in limiting S. aureus SSTI in females. Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling this sex bias may reveal novel targets to promote host innate defense against S. aureus skin infection.
Clinical Outcome of Pneumatic Dilatation in Patients with Achalasia Cardia: A Single-Center Prospective Study
Authors: Shejal Amit Hanmant , Ramachandran Thazhath Mavali , Kumar N Sunil
Published: December 2017

Background and Aim: Pneumatic balloon dilation is one of the most commonly used and effective methods for treating patients with achalasia cardia. This study was performed to assess immediate and long-term response of pneumatic dilatation (PD) in these patients. Materials and Methods: Forty-four achalasia cardia patients, who underwent PD in our center from January 2013 to December 2015, were prospectively studied. Data from these patients were analyzed for clinical improvement in symptoms after dilatation procedure over this period as per Eckardt score. Patients who required repeated procedure and factors influencing remission of symptoms were analyzed. Results: A total of 44 patients underwent PD, among which three lost to follow up. Of the 41 patients, 21 were male (51.22%) and 20 were females (48.78%). Mean age was 38.68 (13–64) years. Median symptom duration before first dilatation was 18 months (2–240). Major symptoms at presentation were dysphagia (n = 41, 100%), regurgitation (n = 38 92.68%), chest pain (n = 31, 75.6%), and weight loss (n = 20, 48.78%). Mean follow-up period was 22.22 months (9–38). Forty (97.56%) patients had immediate clinical improvement after 1 dilatation, of which 38 (92.68%) patients did not require any further treatment. Mean Eckardt score was 6.82 (4–11) at the time of first dilatation which improved to 0.66 during follow-up. Two patients required second dilatation (one 5 months and other 18 months after the first procedure). Conclusion: PD is a safe and effective long-term therapy for achalasia cardia and has a good long-term clinical remission.
Comparison of Diagnostic Yield of Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided
Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology and Cell Block in Solid Lesions
Authors: Balekuduru Avinash Bhat , Dutta Amit Kumar , Nagaruru Sanjeev Kumar , Sheik Shamim , Kurella Suneetha Parandhamaiah , Subbaraj Satyaprakash Bonthala
Published: December 2017

Background and Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a procedure of choice for the diagnostic evaluation of submucosal and periluminal lesions. Tissue sample can be obtained by EUS-FNA cytology (FNAC) or cell block (CB). The aim of the present study is to compare diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA CB and cytology in the absence of onsite pathologist following a protocol-based EUS-FNA approach in solid lesions. Patients and Methods: Participants who underwent EUS-FNA at our center for solid submucosal or periluminal lesions (pancreas, lymph node, and liver) between 2014 and 2016 were included, retrospectively. The indication for the procedure along with the clinical and other investigation details and the final etiological diagnosis were recorded on uniform structured data forms. The diagnostic yield of cytology and CB were compared using McNemar’s test. The P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: EUS-FNA for solid lesion was performed in 130 lesions in 101 patients during the study period. Their mean age was 52.5 ± 12 years and 42.5% were female. Pancreatic masses were the most common lesions (37.7%) followed by lymph nodes (36.9%). Submucosal lesions (17.7%) and liver lesions (7.7%) accounted for rest of the cases. The overall diagnostic yield for EUS-FNAC (70%) and CB (74.6%) was not significantly different (P = 0.3) and their combined yield was 85.3%. For the 23 patients with submucosal lesion, diagnostic yield of CB (82.6%) was significantly better than cytology (47.8%, P = 0.04). Conclusions: EUS-guided CB has better yield compared to cytology in gastrointestinal submucosal lesions. The combination of CB with cytology improves the overall yield of the procedure; and hence, they should be considered complimentary rather than alternatives.
The Obata sphere theorems on a quaternionic contact manifold of dimension bigger than seven
Authors: Ivanov Stefan , Petkov Alexander , Vassilev Dimiter
Published: December 2017

On a compact quaternionic contact (qc) manifold of dimension bigger than seven and satisfying a Lichnerowicz type lower bound estimate we show that if the rst positive eigenvalue of the sub-Laplacian takes the smallest possible value then, up to a homothety of the qc structure, the manifold is qc equivalent to the standard 3-Sasakian sphere. The same conclusion is shown to hold on a non-compact qc manifold which is complete with respect to the associated Riemannian metric assuming the existence of a function with traceless horizontal Hessian.
Dictionnaire - Guide pour l’industrie alimentaire. Technologies, opérations et produits
Authors: Rasanescu Loan , Otel Ioan
Published: December 2017

Le problème d’un dictionnaire pour l’industrie alimentaire est examiné en détail. Les différents secteurs relatifs à l’hygiène des aliments nécessitent de répertorier environ 6500 mots. Dans ce domaine, essentiel pour l’exercice des médecins vétérinaires, l’importance et l’influence de la culture et de la langue française sont soulignées.
Rôles des toxines Apx dans la virulence d’Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
Authors: Nicolet Jacques
Published: December 2017

La pleuropneumonie du porc est une maladie préoccupante dans l’élevage industriel. L’étude des hémolysines de l’agent pathogène Actino-bacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) a permis de caractériser des toxines appartenant à la famille des toxines RTX. Ces toxines de App sont dénommées Apx et on en dénombre actuellement trois. Selon les sérotypes une ou deux de ces toxines sont sécrétées. Les sérotypes les plus virulents sécrètent Apxl et ApxIII, alors que d’autres sécrètent ApxII et III et sont moins virulents. Les sérotypes ne sécrétant qu’une Apx (I, II ou III) sont nettement moins pathogènes. L’identification des Apx devrait permettre d’améliorer l’efficacité des vaccins et offre une possibilité de distinguer les souches à caractère épidémique.
Notas sobre cortesía/descortesía en Cervantes y Borges
Authors: Sagrario del Río Zamudio María
Published: December 2017

En este artículo el objetivo principal es ver si se pueden aplicar las estrategias de cortesía/descortesía tanto de la novela de Cervantes, Don Quijote de la Mancha, como del relato de Borges, Pierre Ménard, autor del Quijote, autores que tienen como obra en común el Quijote y que compondrá el corpus de este trabajo siguiendo como base un artículo de Haverkate del 2001 (129-148). Todo ello se hará desde la perspectiva de la Pragmalingüística que considera las estrategias verbales índices del comportamiento en la interacción entre, en este caso, los personajes y las posibles aplicaciones del análisis de la conversación.
Consideraciones glotológicas en torno al femenino genérico
Authors: San Julián Solana Javier
Published: December 2017

Como es bien sabido, para un sector del feminismo la lengua española es esencialmente sexista, rasgo este que encontraría su máximo exponente en el llamado masculino genérico, es decir, en el empleo de las formas masculinas para aludir a seres de uno y otro sexo.Al concebir este recurso como una vía de ocultación de la mujer y como el vehículo de una ambigüedad intrínseca, dicho movimiento ideológico ha lanzado propuestas encaminadas a evitar su uso. Destacan los desdoblamientos de género (a veces sintetizados en la escritura mediante barras, arrobas u otros símbolos) y la utilización de sustantivos colectivos o expresiones afines.
Sobre la oración subordinada en función de atributo
Authors: Veselko Vita
Published: December 2017

La noción de atributo y las formas bajo las que se manifiesta han sido y siguen siendo uno de los temas más discutidos de la sintaxis española y, por consiguiente, uno de los terrenos más resbaladizos en la tradición sintáctica del español, siendo este una lengua viva, con infinitas posibilidades de expresión.
Interferencia italiana en el español renacentista y áureo. Las formas de tratamiento
Authors: Zieliński Andrzej
Published: December 2017

El contacto entre lenguas es una de las principales causas del cambio lingüístico, dado que a través de diversos mecanismos, un determinado código se enriquece con nuevos elementos que se integran (préstamos) o se adaptan (calcos) según las necesidades intrínsecas y comunicativas del momento. Gracias a ellos la lengua receptora puede disponer —a veces de manera pasajera— de unidades más claras, más transparentes y mejor adaptadas a la constante evolución de la sociedad.
Jorge Luis Borges lector y prologuista de autores italianos
Authors: Tallarini Nicola
Published: December 2017

El presente escrito procura analizar la actividad llevada a cabo por Jorge Luis Borges como prologuista y como colaborador de editoriales, en relación con tres obras de la literatura italiana incluidas en Biblioteca personal. En este contexto, ocupa un lugar central el concepto letterato editore, término elaborado por el italianista Alberto Cadioli (1995) para designar a los intelectuales que trabajan con las editoriales y dirigen colecciones editoriales. Es un trabajo que tuvo gran importancia en Italia durante el siglo XX, especialmente desde la Segunda Guerra Mundial hasta los años ochenta, cuando según Cadioli tiene lugar el fin de la época del letterato editore. Este puede actuar como un «filtro» y ser el «primer lector» de una obra, y también, como en el caso de las obras incluidas en Biblioteca personal, redescubrir algún libro olvidado.
El complemento de régimen preposicional en español y sus traducciones al croata: observaciones preliminares
Authors: Mikelenić Bojana
Published: December 2017

Los complementos verbales en español se clasificaban tradicionalmente en tres grupos: complemento (objeto) directo (CD), indirecto (CI) y circunstancial (CC). Mientras que las primeras dos funciones se definían con recursos formales y se comprobaban con ejemplos transparentes, Alcina Franch y Blecua (1975/1983: 869) notan que la gramática tradicional «distinguía bajo el nombre general de complementos circunstanciales una amplia y variada gama de complementos que se distinguían negativamente por no ser ni el objeto directo ni el indirecto».
Javier Muñoz-Basols, Nina Moreno, Inma Taboada, Manel Lacorte (2017): Introducción a la lingüística hispánica actual: teoría y práctica.
Authors: Markič Jasmina
Published: December 2017

Recientemente se ha publicado un manual de sumo interés para los estudios hispánicos: Introducción a la lingüística hispánica actual: teoría y práctica, escrito en español por cuatro eminentes hispanistas, profesores de cuatro diferentes universidades: Oxford, South Carolina, Illinois y Maryland. Se trata de una obra indispensable para los estudiantes de español en los niveles de grado y posgrado —tanto para los estudiantes cuya lengua materna es el español, como para los que estudian el español como L2—, para docentes como también para cualquier persona con interés académico o profesional en el español y la lingüística hispánica. Como lo indican los mismos autores, el libro presenta un enfoque dinámico de las principales áreas de la lingüística hispánica desde ambas perspectivas, la teórica y la práctica, con claros objetivos pedagógicos, prácticos y actuales destacando la importancia de la reflexión sobre los mecanismos y las estructuras de la lengua en general y de la comunicación en particular.
Javier Muñoz-Basols, Laura Lonsdale, Manuel Delgado (2017): The Routledge Companion to Iberian Studies.
Authors: Markič Jasmina
Published: December 2017

The Routledge Companion to Iberian Studies, publicado en inglés y editado por Javier Muñoz-Basols y Laura Lonsdale, profesores de la Universidad de Oxford, y Manuel Delgado, profesor de la Universidad de Bucknell, es una obra interesante y exhaustiva que versa sobre diversos aspectos de la cultura ibérica teniendo en cuenta su desarrollo en el tiempo. Se trata de una colección notable de 50 ensayos originales escritos por eminentes especialistas desde una perspectiva amplia e interdisciplinaria del mundo ibérico. Son temas muy diversos y, como bien lo afirma el profesor Antonio Monegal en la introducción: “the sum of diverse fragments gives us a view of the whole”.
Acerca del continuum paremiológico
Authors: Pejović Andjelka , Pihler Ciglič Barbara
Published: December 2017

Hace dos décadas Combet (1996: 11-12) señaló que la filosofía expresada en los refranes y proverbios de las culturas y civilizaciones antiguas, incluso desaparecidas, casi no se diferencia de la filosofía en los proverbios actuales: en ella están presentes las mismas cuestiones que tienen que ver con la vida diaria, las relaciones familiares, el amor, el poder, la muerte, etc. Por tanto, los refranes y proverbios ayudan a entender el mundo, la naturaleza, pero también la índole humana, el ser humano (Amando de Miguel, apud Junceda, 2003). Y, como la realidad misma es muy variada y contiene fenómenos contrarios, esas oposiciones también se reflejan en la lengua y de ahí en la fraseología y la paremiología.
Destructive effects of 4-methylimidazole on histomorphology of liver
Authors: Yadav S. , Kalra S. , Wadhwa S.
Published: December 2017

Background & aims: Food coloring is being done commercially in the food products industry these days which include large number of food dyes including caramel colors. 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI) is a component of various caramel colored food products such as bakery products, beer, soy sauces, gravy, colas and other soft drinks which are consumed daily. Humans can be exposed to 4-MEI by ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact. Ingestion is the most common route of exposure. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 4-MEI consumption on liver in albino rats. Adult male Wistar albino rats weighing 150-200 grams were procured for the study and were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental animals were given 4-MEI orally by gavage at a dose of 250mg/kg body weight daily for a period of one month while the control animals received distilled water. The animals were euthanized under ether anesthesia at the end of experiment within 24 hours of last dose by perfusion with formal saline. The liver was dissected out and processed for histopathological examination. Results: The histopathological observations of liver in experimental rats showed features of focal hepatocellular degeneration with mononuclear cell infiltration, kupffer cell hyperplasia, increased polyploidy and hepatocytic vacuolation. The findings in the present study strongly suggest hepatocellular damage caused by ingestion of 4-methylimidazole which is found in caramel colorants used routinely in food industry.
Systemic oxidoreductive balance and vascular function in individuals without clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis
Authors: Majer Marcin , Gackowski Daniel , Różalski Rafał , Siomek-Górecka Agnieszka , Oliński Ryszard , Budzyński Jacek
Published: December 2017

Introduction:  Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as the earliest disorder in the development of atherosclerosis, in the pathogenesis of which oxidative stress plays a crucial role. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between non-invasive parameters of vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Material and methods: Forty-eight individuals without clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis were studied. The plasma concentrations of the following were determined in all 48 subjects: retinol, ascorbic acid, -tocopherol and uric acid, as well as the products of oxidative DNA damage repair: 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in blood leukocytes and urine, and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua) in urine. The following parameters of vascular dysfunction were also examined: flow- (FMD) and nitroglycerin- (NMD) mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, pulse pressure (PP), distensibility coefficient (DC), pulsation (PI) and resistance (RI) index, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and ankle-brachial index (ABI).

Results: Individuals with an FMD value of ≥ 8.8% had significantly higher blood concentrations of antioxidative vitamins and lower concentrations of 8-oxodG in their urine and blood leukocytes than their counterparts. Blood concentration of alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid positively correlated with FMD, PI, RI, DC and ABI and negatively with PP and cIMT. The reverse was the case for 8-oxodG in urine and leukocytes. In multiple regression analysis, markers of oxidative DNA damage positively determined the variance in PP and ABI.

Conclusions: In persons without clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis, oxidative stress was an independent factor associated with vascular wall dysfunction, and a better predictor than smoking and blood concentrations of glucose, lipids and creatinine.
Correcting negatively biased refractivity below ducts in GNSS radio occultation: an optimal estimation approach towards improving planetary boundary layer (PBL) characterization
Authors: Wang Kuo-Nung , de la Torre Juárez Manuel , Ao Chi O. , Xie Feiqin
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) measurements are promising in sensing the vertical structure of the Earth's planetary boundary layer (PBL). However, large refractivity changes near the top of PBL can cause ducting and lead to a negative bias in the retrieved refractivity within the PBL (below ∼ 2 km). To remove the bias, a reconstruction method with assumption of linear structure inside the ducting layer models has been proposed by Xie et al. (2006). While the negative bias can be reduced drastically as demonstrated in the simulation, the lack of high-quality surface refractivity constraint makes its application to real RO data difficult. In this paper, we use the widely available precipitable water (PW) satellite observation as the external constraint for the bias correction. A new framework is proposed to incorporate optimization into the RO reconstruction retrievals in the presence of ducting conditions. The new method uses optimal estimation to select the best refractivity solution whose PW and PBL height best match the externally retrieved PW and the known a priori states, respectively. The near-coincident PW retrievals from AMSR-E microwave radiometer instruments are used as an external observational constraint. This new reconstruction method is tested on both the simulated GNSS-RO profiles and the actual GNSS-RO data. Our results show that the proposed method can greatly reduce the negative refractivity bias when compared to the traditional Abel inversion.
Land cover and vegetation data from an ecological survey of `key
habitat' landscapes in England, 1992–93
Authors: Wood Claire M. , Bunce Robert G. H. , Norton Lisa R. , Smart Simon M. , Barr Colin J.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Since 1978, a series of national surveys (Countryside Surveys) have been carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (formerly the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology) to gather data on the natural environment in Great Britain. As the sampling framework for these surveys is not optimised to yield data on rarer or more specialised habitats, a survey was commissioned by the then Department of the Environment (DOE, now the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, DEFRA), in the 1990s to carry out additional survey work in English landscapes which contained semi-natural habitats that were perceived to be under threat, or which represented areas of concern to the Ministry. The landscapes were: lowland heath, chalk and limestone grasslands, coasts and uplands. These landscapes were chosen from a list identified as `key habitats' in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, an agri-environment scheme initiated in 1991. The survey design was a series of gridded, stratified, randomly selected 1 km squares taken as representative of classes derived from environmental classifications (or spatial masks) for each of the four landscape types in England determined from a statistical land classification. This resulted in a total of 213 of these squares being surveyed in the summers of 1992 and 1993, with information being collected regarding vegetation species, land cover, landscape features and land use. Data from the survey were collected using standardised, repeatable methods, with the database now providing a valuable baseline against which future ecological changes, resulting from a range of different drivers, may be compared. Following the surveys, the data were analysed and described in a series of contract reports showing that valuable habitats were restricted in all landscapes and that the majority were within designated land. The data set provides major potential for analyses, beyond those published in the reports published in 1996, for example in relation to climate change, agri-environment policies and land management. Precise locations of the plots are restricted, largely for reasons of landowner confidentiality. However, the representative nature of the data set makes it highly valuable for evaluating the status of the associated landscapes and vegetation covered. Both land cover data and vegetation plot data were collected during the surveys in 1992 and 1993, and are available via the following DOI: https://doi.org/10.5285/7aefe6aa-0760-4b6d-9473-fad8b960abd4. The spatial masks are also available from: https://doi.org/10.5285/dc583be3-3649-4df6-b67e-b0f40b4ec895.
CHROTRAN 1.0: A mathematical and computational model for in situ heavy metal remediation in heterogeneous aquifers
Authors: Hansen Scott K. , Pandey Sachin , Karra Satish , Vesselinov Velimir V.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Groundwater contamination by heavy metals is a critical environmental problem for which in situ remediation is frequently the only viable treatment option. For such interventions, a multi-dimensional reactive transport model of relevant biogeochemical processes is invaluable. To this end, we developed a model, chrotran, for in situ treatment, which includes full dynamics for five species: a heavy metal to be remediated, an electron donor, biomass, a nontoxic conservative bio-inhibitor, and a biocide. Direct abiotic reduction by donor–metal interaction as well as donor-driven biomass growth and bio-reduction are modeled, along with crucial processes such as donor sorption, bio-fouling, and biomass death. Our software implementation handles heterogeneous flow fields, as well as arbitrarily many chemical species and amendment injection points, and features full coupling between flow and reactive transport. We describe installation and usage and present two example simulations demonstrating its unique capabilities. One simulation suggests an unorthodox approach to remediation of Cr(VI) contamination.
Using a multi-hypothesis framework to improve the understanding of flow dynamics during flash floods
Authors: Douinot Audrey , Roux Hélène , Garambois Pierre-André , Dartus Denis
Published: December 2017

Abstract. A method of multiple working hypotheses was applied to a range of catchments in the Mediterranean area to analyse different types of possible flow dynamics in soils during flash flood events. The distributed, process-oriented model, MARINE, was used to test several representations of subsurface flows, including flows at depth in fractured bedrock, and flows through preferential pathways in macropores. Results show that the most realistic hypothesis for each catchment is consistent with in situ observations and measurements, when available. The study also highlights the potential of distributed modelling and spatial observations to deal with equifinality issues.
Calibration of a parsimonious distributed ecohydrological daily model in a data-scarce basin by exclusively using the spatio-temporal variation of NDVI
Authors: Ruiz-Pérez Guiomar , Koch Julian , Manfreda Salvatore , Caylor Kelly , Francés Félix
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Ecohydrological modeling studies in developing countries, such as sub-Saharan Africa, often face the problem of extensive parametrical requirements and limited available data. Satellite remote sensing data may be able to fill this gap, but require novel methodologies to exploit their spatio-temporal information that could potentially be incorporated into model calibration and validation frameworks. The present study tackles this problem by suggesting an automatic calibration procedure, based on the empirical orthogonal function, for distributed ecohydrological daily models. The procedure is tested with the support of remote sensing data in a data-scarce environment – the upper Ewaso Ngiro river basin in Kenya. In the present application, the TETIS-VEG model is calibrated using only NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data derived from MODIS. The results demonstrate that (1) satellite data of vegetation dynamics can be used to calibrate and validate ecohydrological models in water-controlled and data-scarce regions, (2) the model calibrated using only satellite data is able to reproduce both the spatio-temporal vegetation dynamics and the observed discharge at the outlet and (3) the proposed automatic calibration methodology works satisfactorily and it allows for a straightforward incorporation of spatio-temporal data into the calibration and validation framework of a model.
Incorporating modelled subglacial hydrology into inversions for basal drag
Authors: Koziol Conrad P. , Arnold Neil
Published: December 2017

Abstract. A key challenge in modelling coupled ice-flow–subglacial hydrology is initializing the state and parameters of the system. We address this problem by presenting a workflow for initializing these values at the start of a summer melt season. The workflow depends on running a subglacial hydrology model for the winter season, when the system is not forced by meltwater inputs, and ice velocities can be assumed constant. Key parameters of the winter run of the subglacial hydrology model are determined from an initial inversion for basal drag using a linear sliding law. The state of the subglacial hydrology model at the end of winter is incorporated into an inversion of basal drag using a non-linear sliding law which is a function of water pressure. We demonstrate this procedure in the Russell Glacier area and compare the output of the linear sliding law with two non-linear sliding laws. Additionally, we compare the modelled winter hydrological state to radar observations and find that it is in line with summer rather than winter observations.
Meanings of Breast Cancer Survivorship Among Members of Ethnically-Identified Support Groups
Authors: Dyer K. E. , Coreil J.
Published: December 2017

Research on both cancer survivorship and support needs has been limited in its attention to survivors from culturally-diverse communities.  This study examined the perspectives of members and leaders of ethnically-identified breast cancer support groups regarding the meanings and expectations attached to survivorship.  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 African American and Latina survivors in Central Florida.  Participant narratives invoked themes of spiritual renewal and deepening religious faith, and deemphasized individual responsibility for personal change.  Participants emphasized the importance of shared cultural identity in shaping the survivor experience, and some Latina women drew parallels between survivorship and the challenges of migration to a new country.  An unwavering display of optimism was held to be paramount.  These themes are interpreted within the framework of the interplay between dominant societal discourses of survivorship and locally-constructed meanings.  Findings underscore the importance for healthcare providers to be cognizant and respectful of diverse perspectives on illness.
Medical Anthropology in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Thoughtpiece
Authors: Trundle C.
Published: December 2017

In considering what makes New Zealand unique for medical anthropological focus, this think piece sets out four themes. These reflect New Zealand’s particular historical, political, social and cultural landscape, and reveal the relevance of local scholarship for wider global debates about health. By tracing the neoliberal reform of state healthcare, indigenous approaches to wellbeing, local cultural practices of health, and the complex ethics involved in health and illness, this paper spotlights the opportunities that New Zealand medical anthropology affords us for addressing the important health and wellbeing challenges that we face today.
Changes in First-Year Students’ Use of Research Resources: Impacts of an Interdisciplinary Seminar Program on Research and Literacy Learning Outcomes
Authors: Murray Jacqueline , Lachowsky Nathan J
Published: December 2017

The Internet, which has made information ubiquitous and seemingly infinite, has transformed education. Universities are challenged to educate students to navigate and evaluate critically the undifferentiated information of the Internet so that students gain the ability to transform it into knowledge. To better understand the effects of taking a First-Year Seminar we examined the types of research resources students consulted before and after taking an interdisciplinary graded for-credit First-Year Seminar at a midsize comprehensive public university in Canada. We analyzed 2,576 anonymous questionnaires collected across 102 first-year seminars. After completing a first-year seminar, students consulted more reliable and scholarly resources, irrespective of the semester of enrollment. Generally, there were some improvements noted between first and second semester students. However, comparisons between students who had just completed a seminar in semester one with students who were about to begin a seminar in semester two, reveal that the improved results are not solely attributable to the normal transition and maturation process experienced by students in their first semester of university.
L’Internet, qui a rendu l’information omniprésente et apparemment inépuisable, a transformé l’éducation. Les universités sont mises au défi d’enseigner aux étudiants comment naviguer et évaluer de façon critique les informations non différenciées trouvées sur Internet afin que les étudiants puissent apprendre à transformer ces informations en connaissances. Pour mieux comprendre les effets sur les étudiants qui suivent un séminaire de première année, nous avons examiné les divers types de ressources de recherche que les étudiants ont consultées avant et après avoir suivi un séminaire interdisciplinaire noté et menant à l’obtention d’un crédit, dans une université canadienne publique de taille moyenne. Nous avons analysé 2 576 questionnaires anonymes obtenus de 102 séminaires de première année. Après avoir suivi un séminaire de première année, les étudiants ont consulté des ressources plus fiables et plus savantes, indifféremment du semestre dans lequel ils se trouvaient à ce moment-là. En général, on a noté quelques améliorations entre les étudiants de premier semestre et ceux de deuxième semestre. Toutefois, les comparaisons entre les étudiants qui venaient de terminer un séminaire au cours de leur premier semestre et les étudiants qui étaient sur le point de commencer un séminaire au cours de leur deuxième semestre ont révélé que les meilleurs résultats ne sont pas exclusivement attribuables à la transition normale et au processus de maturation dont les étudiants font l’expérience au cours de leur premier semestre.
O MOVIMENTO DE OCUPAÇÃO DE ESCOLAS PÚBLICAS E SUAS CONTRIBUIÇÕES PARA A EMANCIPAÇÃO HUMANA
Authors: Boutin Aldimara Catarina Delabona Brito , Flach Simone De Fátima
Published: December 2017

O presente texto propõe reflexões sobre as contribuições do movimento de ocupação de escolas públicas, ocorrido nos anos de 2015 e 2016 no Brasil, para a formação dos estudantes. Para tanto, a partir de pesquisa bibliográfica, apresenta as dimensões educativas dos movimentos sociais tendo em vista a formação na e para a vida evidenciando o caráter educativo das ocupações das escolas. Com base na análise da organização das ocupações, em cotejamento com a bibliografia, conclui-se que o movimento de ocupação de escolas, contribuiu para a produção de conhecimentos revolucionários imprescindíveis para a emancipação humana.
A modular vascular access training program for higher surgical trainees
Authors: Edwards Mark , Rodway Alexander D. , Ahmed Islam G. , Harvey Richard A. , Foad Tamer S. , El Sakka Karim M.
Published: December 2017

Introduction:

Access surgery is delivered by vascular/transplant surgeons with a division that is defined by historic practice. This has resulted in an inconsistent training pattern. We aimed to design a focused, modular training program (The Brighton Vascular Access Fellowship) providing trainees with a reproducible level of exposure and competence.

Methods:

The programme was 16 days over 8 weeks on a one-to-one basis with candidates expected to be performing procedures as first surgeon with ongoing, formative assessment. The outpatient setting took the format of a one-stop clinic to involve planning and the follow-up. Assessment was through caseload exposure and conventional statistical analyses to obtain median values (as proxy measures of training exposure consistency). Assessment of confidence and capability was through an electronically distributed qualitative survey tool.

Results:

A total of 14 candidates completed the programme by June 2017. Operative exposure was obtained for 11 (79%) with a total of 471 cases of which 286 were conducted as first surgeon. There was a median of 32 cases by each candidate with 25 of the cases performed as first surgeon. Qualitative assessment revealed that 13 of 14 (93%) were either practicing independently or no longer required the trainer to scrub in for the operation. A total of 13 of 14 (93%) strongly agreed that they felt comfortable with offering a basic access service.

Conclusions:

Focused modular training might be one of the answers to the current era of restricted and sometimes inconsistent training in some aspects of surgery. This model is reproducible and may be applicable in other aspects of training.
Neoadjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy in rectal cancer and the correlation of pathological response with diffusion-weighted MRI and apoptotic markers
Authors: Gurdal Necla , Fayda Merdan , Alishev Nijat , Bakir Baris , Tastekin Didem , Aykan Faruk , Gezer Ugur , Balik Emre , Saglam Esra Kaytan , Oral Ethem Nezih , Gulluoglu Mine , Kizir Ahmet
Published: December 2017

Purpose:

In this prospective observational study, we aimed to report the applicability and tolerability of neoadjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-VMAT) and concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), and to evaluate the correlation of pathological response with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) and apoptotic markers.

Methods:

The study enrolled 30 patients with T3 to T4 and/or N+ rectal cancer who preoperatively received SIB-VMAT and concurrent chemotherapy. Before and after the neoadjuvant treatment, apoptotic markers including the nucleosomes and cell-free DNA fragments in the serum samples were examined; DNA integrity was assessed by amplifying the ACTB gene; and the ADC measurements on the DW-MRI were analyzed.

Results:

No patients had acute or chronic grade III-IV toxicity. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 8 patients (27%), while in 10 patients (33%) near-complete pathological response was obtained. Posttreatment ADC was significantly higher in patients with pCR compared with the others (1.28 vs. 1.10, p = 0.017). ROC curve analysis showed that posttreatment ADC values had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 77.3% for distinguishing the patients with pCR from other responders. On the other hand, posttreatment DNA integrity values were revealed lower than the pretreatment values (p = 0.36). Also, the results revealed an insignificant increase in the posttreatment serum level of nucleosomes (p = 0.72).

Conclusions:

Neoadjuvant SIB-VMAT with concurrent chemotherapy was proved to be a feasible treatment regimen in LARC with tolerable side effects, and improved local control rate and pCR rate.
Production and leaf plasticity of rose plants sprayed with paclobutrazol and daminozide
Authors: Carvalho-Zanão Maristela Pereira , Grossi José Antônio Saraiva , Zanão Júnior Luiz Antônio , Ventrella Marília Contin , Pereira Natália
Published: December 2017

The aim of this work was to evaluate morphological and anatomical alterations in leaves of ‘Yellow Terrazza’® and ‘Red White Terrazza’® pot roses sprayed with paclobutrazol (0, 40, 60, 80 mg L-1) and daminozide (0, 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000 mg L-1). The experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions using a factorial treatment design (cultivars x growth retardant doses) with five replications and experimental units arranged in randomized blocks. Cv. Yellow Terrazza ® presented higher plants, greater floral diameter and leaf area than cv. Red White Terrazza ®. Plant height, leaf area, and flower diameter decreased linearly with paclobutrazol and daminozide doses. In addition, paclobutrazol and daminozide applications changed leaf tissue proportions by increasing the thickness of leaf blade, mesophyll, palisade parenchyma, and spongy parenchyma but did not influence the thickness of leaf epidermis.
Natural contents of heavy metals in soils of the southern Amazonas state, Brazil
Authors: Costa Rubia Darivanda Silva , Paula Neto Pérsio , Campos Milton César Costa , Nascimento William Barros do , Nascimento Clistenes Williams Araújo do , Silva Laércio Santos , Cunha José Mauricio da
Published: December 2017

Heavy metals occur naturally in the soil as a product of rock weathering and, are commonly associated with environmental pollution and toxicity to living beings. This association deserves much attention since some heavy metals, such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ni, are essential to plants. Our attention should thus be drawn not only to the element itself, but also to its contents in the soil. This is because its occurrence and quantities are covariates of the geomorphic, geologic, pedologic, and anthropogenic diversity. In this context, the present study aimed to determine the natural contents of heavy metals in the soils of three physiographic regions of the south of Amazonas state, comparing them to natural contents in some other Brazilian soils. Twenty-four soil samples were collected in three physiographic regions (field/forest, animated relief, and flooded/non-flooded areas), in the superficial and subsurface horizons. The digestion of the samples was based on the EPA-3051A method and the determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAnalyst 800 Perkin Elmer). The results indicate a low potential of soils from the south of Amazonas in supplying heavy metals, which were found in the following decreasing order: Ba > Fe > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cu > Mn > Co > Cd. The natural heavy metal contents vary depending on the type of soil, weathering level, and physiographic regions, and are similar or inferior to those observed in other regions of the country; with Neosols presenting the highest natural contents; and Cambisols, the lowest, for most of the metals evaluated.