bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining diagnostic procedures for the management of leishmaniasis in areas with high prevalence of Leishmania guyanensis
Authors: Benicio Ednelza de Almeida , Nunes Gadelha Ellen Pricilla , Talhari Anette , Silva Jr Roberto Moreira da , Ferreira Luis Carlos , Santos Mayara Cristina Cordeiro dos , Mira Marcelo Távora , Oliveira Cintia Mara Costa de , Talhari Carolina , Talhari Sinésio , Machado Paulo Roberto , Schriefer Albert
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: The Amazon region corresponds to approximately 40% of the cases of leishmaniasis in Brazil. We report a prospective study with 180 patients conducted in a health care unit that diagnoses 10% of the cases of leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Amazon. The study addresses how a combination of procedures improves diagnosis in areas with high prevalence of Leishmania guyanensis. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate diagnostic methods in areas with high prevalence of Leishmania guyanensis. METHODS: All subjects were amastigote-positive by direct microscopic examination of lesion scarifications. We conducted skin biopsy and histopathology, polymerase chain reaction and parasite cultivation. RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction detected almost ninety percent of infections when two amplification protocols were used (mini-exon and HSP-70). HSP-70 specific polymerase chain reaction matched the sensitivity of parasite cultivation plus histopathology. CONCLUSION: The best combination was polymerase chain reaction plus histopathology, which increased diagnostic sensitivity to 94%. Species discrimination by polymerase chain reaction disclosed prevalence of human infections with Leishmania guyanensis of 94% and with Leishmania braziliensis of 6% for this region
Alterações cutâneas no Kwashiorkor: relato de caso de um homem adulto após cirurgia abdominal
Authors: Mann Danielle , Presotto Carolina , Queen Stella Maria Facó , Oliveira Elisa Fontenelle de , Gripp Alexandre Carlos
Published: January 2012

Kwashiorkor é um tipo de desnutrição proteico-energética em que há deficiência dietética de proteína, embora a ingestão de calorias se mantenha adequada. As manifestações cutâneas incluem pele xerótica, com aspecto de esmalte descascado, típica coloração avermelhada a branco-acinzentada dos cabelos, o sinal da bandeira e edema mais evidente, nos membros inferiores e na face, dando aspecto de lua cheia. O presente artigo relata o caso de um paciente adulto, do sexo masculino, previamente submetido à duodenopancreatectomia para tratamento de pancreatite crônica associada ao pseudotumor em cabeça de pâncreas que evoluiu com alterações cutâneas de kwashiorkor após tuberculose pulmonar.
Aspectos dermatoscópicos do siringocistoadenoma papilífero associado a nevo sebáceo
Authors: Bruno Carolina Barbosa , Cordeiro Fernanda Nóbrega , Soares Fernando do Espírito Santo , Takano Gustavo Henrique Soares , Mendes Larissa Sena Teixeira
Published: January 2012

O siringocistoadenoma papilífero é uma neoplasia anexial benigna rara, com frequente diferenciação apócrina. Localiza-se preferencialmente no couro cabeludo e está associado ao nevo sebáceo em 40% dos casos. Apesar da variabilidade clínica, a histologia é característica. Há relatos da dermatoscopia de tumores anexiais, como poroma écrino, hidradenoma e angio-histiocitoma; porém, até o momento, não há descrição da dermatoscopia do siringocistoadenoma. Apresentamos aspectos dermatoscópicos de um caso de siringocistoadenoma associado a nevo sebáceo, visualizando-se padrão vascular polimorfo e vasos em ferradura.
Nódulos reumatoides: avaliação comparativa da resposta terapêutica com triancinolona e fluoruracil intralesional
Authors: Diniz Michelle dos Santos , Almeida Luiz Maurício Costa , Machado-Pinto Jackson , Alves Marcos Felipe Fonseca , Alvares Maria Carolina Barbosa
Published: January 2012

Os nódulos reumatoides correspondem à manifestação extra-articular mais comum da artrite reumatoide, ocorrendo em cerca de 20-25% dos pacientes. A etiologia é desconhecida. Apesar de os nódulos poderem apresentar remissão espontânea durante o tratamento, eles, em geral, representam um desafio terapêutico. Apresenta-se um caso no qual se avaliou a resposta dos nódulos reumatoides por meio de ultrassonografia após infiltração de triancinolona e 5-fluoruracil.
Atributos físicos do solo e produtividade de soja em sistema de consórcio milho e braquiária
Authors: Chioderoli Carlos A. , Mello Luiz M. M. de , Grigolli Paola J. , Furlani Carlos E. A. , Silva José O. R . , Cesarin André L.
Published: January 2012

Em virtude das altas taxas de decomposição do material orgânico em regiões tropicais, um dos problemas para a manutenção e sustentabilidade do sistema de plantio direto é a necessidade de produção de grandes quantidades de palha. Com o objetivo de identificar, no sistema de integração agricultura-pecuária, as variações dos atributos físicos do solo e a produtividade de grãos de soja sobre palhada de braquiárias, este trabalho foi conduzido na FEPE-UNESP de Ilha Solteira, SP, e o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com nove tratamentos em esquema fatorial (3 x 3), com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por três espécies de braquiárias e três modalidades de consórcio das braquiárias com o milho. Os atributos físicos foram determinados antes da implantação do projeto de pesquisa, após a colheita do milho consorciado com as forrageiras e depois da colheita da soja. Na safra de verão a cultura da soja foi semeada sobre a palhada dos consórcios de milho com braquiárias, no espaçamento de 0,45 m, com 14 linhas por parcela e área útil correspondente às 4 linhas centrais de 5 m cada uma. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a consorciação e a sequência de culturas proporcionaram aumento na macroporosidade e porosidade total do solo. A Brachiaria brizantha semeada na época de adubação de cobertura do milho e a Brachiaria decumbens, na linha do milho, promoveram maiores valores de produtividade de grãos de soja.
Hydrothermal characteristics of high-slag cement pastes made with and without silica sand
Authors: Amin Mohammed S. , Habib Amr O. , Abo-El-Enein Salah A.
Published: January 2012

High-temperature steam curing of different cementitious materials is almost always associated with building products having improved physicomechanical and binding characteristics. The properties of these autoclaved products are always governed by the chemical composition and physical state of the formed hydration products which act as the main binding centres. In the present study, high-slag cement (HSC) and HSC–ground sand (GS) specimens were hydrothermally treated at pressures of 8 atm of saturated steam for different autoclaving periods. Compressive strength tests were done on the hydrothermally hardened specimens; then hydration kinetics, phase composition and microstructure of the formed hydrates were studied using the ground, dried samples. The results of compressive strength could be related to the phase composition and microstructure of the formed hydration products. These results were also explained on the basis of reactivity of both HSC and GS towards the hydrothermal reaction.
Estimation of the Bond grindability index from chemical analysis values and modulus of mixture of raw material of marls
Authors: Deniz Vedat
Published: January 2012

In this study, the relationships between Bond grindability index (Gbg) and chemical constituents were investigated on marl samples from the AS cement factory (Burdur/Turkey). First, standard Bond grindability tests were carried out for marl samples. Then, chemical analysis values were performed for six different marl samples. Second, the modulus of mixture of raw materials (lime saturation factor, cementation index, saturation factor, cementation index, alumina modulus, lime and silica modulus, hydraulic modulus, silica modulus) was calculated. Finally, the relationships between the Bond grindability (Gbg) with chemical analysis values (calcium oxide, silicon dioxide and loss on ignition) and modulus of a mixture of raw materials were examined. The validity of the obtained relationship equations have been confirmed with correlation coefficients (r2) of as high as 0·954, outside silica modulus through a simple regression analysis of marl samples. From these relationships, the Bond grindability index of marl samples can be determined with good accuracy.
Violent Couples Seeking Therapy: Bilateral and Unilateral Violence
Authors: Madsen Chelsea A. , Stith Sandra M. , Thomsen Cynthia J. , McCollum Eric E.
Published: January 2012

Little information is available about couples experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) who voluntarily seek couples therapy. We examined the characteristics of 129 couples who sought therapy for IPV to learn more about this population. A majority of the sample, 74%, experienced bilateral physical violence, 16% experienced unilateral male violence, and 5% experienced unilateral female violence. Conflict theory is used to explain the finding that couples experiencing bilateral violence reported higher levels of physical violence and injury than did those experiencing unilateral violence. Bilaterally violent couples also experienced more jealousy and psychological aggression and less relationship satisfaction than either group of unilaterally violent couples. Implications and suggestions for clinicians are offered, as well as ideas for future research.
The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders in a Community Sample of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Nathanson Alison M. , Shorey Ryan C. , Tirone Vanessa , Rhatigan Deborah L.
Published: January 2012

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, devastating, and prevalent problem. IPV places women at risk for negative health consequences, including increased mental health disorders. The majority of research to date has focused on mental health disorders among women in domestic violence shelters, and research is needed that examines mental health disorders among a broader range of women experiencing IPV. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance abuse disorders in a community sample of IPV victims (N = 94) using diagnostic interviews. Results showed that the majority of women met diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder, with PTSD being the most common mental health disorder. Furthermore, psychological abuse was a significant predictor of both PTSD and depression, whereas physical aggression did not predict these outcomes. Implications of these findings for treatment and intervention work with battered women are discussed.
The Case of Children's Literature: Colonial or Anti-Colonial?
Authors: Bradford Clare
Published: January 2012

Since Jacqueline Rose published The Case of Peter Pan in 1984, scholars in the field of children's literature have taken up a rhetorical stance which treats child readers as colonised, and children's books as a colonising site. This article takes issue with Rose's rhetoric of colonisation and its deployment by scholars, arguing that it is tainted by logical and ethical flaws. Rather, children's literature can be a site of decolonisation which revisions the hierarchies of value promoted through colonisation and its aftermath by adopting what Bill Ashcroft refers to as tactics of interpolation. To illustrate how decolonising strategies work in children's texts, the article considers several alphabet books by Indigenous author-illustrators from Canada and Australia, arguing that these texts for very young children interpolate colonial discourses by valorising minority languages and by attributing to English words meanings produced within Indigenous cultures.
‘What Will Sophie Mol Think?’: Thinking Critically about the Figure of the White Child in Arundhati Roy's the God of Small Things
Authors: Hopkins Lucy
Published: January 2012

This article explores the ways in which discourses of whiteness and childhood intersect in Arundhati Roy's novel The God of Small Things to position the Indian children in the novel in inferior relation to the figure of the white child. Drawing the novel into discussions of the ideal of the universal child that shapes hegemonic educational and international development responses to children, the author suggests that the discursive dominance of such a child figure is radically disempowering for the child who is not contained within its boundaries. In The God of Small Things the Indian twins' experiences of ontology are consistently rendered invalid and inauthentic by the spectre of the white child, who appears as their British cousin, Sophie Mol. The author argues that the figuration of the child in this novel highlights the ways in which the universalism of the white child can work to exclude childhoods that exist outside this normative position. At the same time as it draws out the politics of exclusion, the novel can be seen to posit an alternative way of performing/enacting childhood subjectivity, which allows for multiplicity and the privileging of difference.
Parents, Children and the Porous Boundaries of the Sexual Family in Law and Popular Culture
Authors: Gurnham David
Published: January 2012

This article focuses on a perceived ideological overlap between popular cultural and judicial treatments of sex and conjugality that contributes to a discursive construction of parenthood and parenting. The author perceives that in both legal and popular cultural texts, there is a sense in which notions of ‘natural’ childhood are discursively constituted as being put at risk by those who reproduce outside of dominant sexual norms, and that signs of normative sexuality (typically in the form of heterosexual coupling) may be treated as a sign of safety. These ideas are rooted in ancient associations between fertility, sexuality and femininity that can also be traced in the historical development of the English language. With the help of commentators such as Martha Fineman, the article situates parents and children within a discourse of family which prioritises conjugality, with consequences for the ways in which the internal and external boundaries of families are delineated.
Declining Rates of Hospitalization for Nontraumatic Lower-Extremity Amputation in the Diabetic Population Aged 40 Years or Older: U.S., 1988–2008
Authors: Li Yanfeng , Burrows Nilka Ríos , Gregg Edward W. , Albright Ann , Geiss Linda S.
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE

To assess trends in rates of hospitalization for nontraumatic lower-extremity amputation (NLEA) in U.S. diabetic and nondiabetic populations and disparities in NLEA rates within the diabetic population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We calculated NLEA hospitalization rates, by diabetes status, among persons aged ≥40 years on the basis of National Hospital Discharge Survey data on NLEA procedures and National Health Interview Survey data on diabetes prevalence. We used joinpoint regression to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) and to assess trends in rates from 1988 to 2008.

RESULTS

The age-adjusted NLEA discharge rate per 1,000 persons among those diagnosed with diabetes and aged ≥40 years decreased from 11.2 in 1996 to 3.9 in 2008 (APC −8.6%; P < 0.01), while rates among persons without diagnosed diabetes changed little. NLEA rates in the diabetic population decreased significantly from 1996 to 2008 in all demographic groups examined (all P < 0.05). Throughout the entire study period, rates of diabetes-related NLEA were higher among persons aged ≥75 years than among those who were younger, higher among men than women, and higher among blacks than whites.

CONCLUSIONS

From 1996 to 2008, NLEA discharge rates declined significantly in the U.S. diabetic population. Nevertheless, NLEA continues to be substantially higher in the diabetic population than in the nondiabetic population and disproportionately affects people aged ≥75 years, blacks, and men. Continued efforts are needed to decrease the prevalence of NLEA risk factors and to improve foot care among certain subgroups within the U.S. diabetic population that are at higher risk.
Exhaust gas temperature measurements in diagnostic examination of naval gas turbine engines: Part II Unsteady processes
Authors: Korczewski Zbigniew
Published: January 2012

Exhaust gas temperature measurements in diagnostic examination of naval gas turbine engines: Part II Unsteady processes

The second part of the article presents the results of operating diagnostic tests of a two- and three-shaft engine with a separate power turbine during the start-up and acceleration of the rotor units. Attention was paid to key importance of the correctness of operation of the automatic engine load control system, the input for which, among other signals, is the rate of increase of the exhaust gas flow temperature. The article presents sample damages of the engine flow section which resulted from disturbed functioning of this system. The unsteady operation of the compressor during engine acceleration was the source of excessive increase of the exhaust gas temperature behind the combustion chamber and partial burning of the turbine blade tips.
An Analysis of the Impact of the Economy on the Olympic Movement
Authors: Pacut Miroslav
Published: January 2012

An Analysis of the Impact of the Economy on the Olympic Movement

More than a century has passed since Pierre de Coubertin revived the classical Olympic ideal and gave it a modern form. The Olympic Games have become the number one sport event, including in terms of viewer ratings, and related thereto are economic aspects. Since the 1980s, the cash flows going into the Olympic movement have grown on a sustained basis and the projects of the cities organizing the Games have become increasingly megalomaniac. Today, it seems that the changed global economic situation will bring a correction of that trend. This article strives to capture the genesis of the modern Olympic movement in economic terms and to forecast its development trends for the future.
Utiliser les Jeux Vidéos Actifs pour Promouvoir l'Activité Physique
Authors: Pasco Denis , Bossard Cyril , Buche Cédric , Kermarrec Gilles
Published: January 2012

Utiliser les Jeux Vidéos Actifs pour Promouvoir l'Activité Physique

In the research literature, playing electronic video games has been traditionally associated with various risks for both mental and physical health. In recent years, a new type of video games call active video games or exergames have emerged. Exergames involve physical activity as a mean of interacting with the game. There is little evidence about the benefits of exergames to promote physical activity (PA). The goal of this study is to present an overview of the recently published literature on this area. A literature search on international online bibliographic databases was conducted. The expected benefits of exergames were used as categorization scheme. Studies reported that exergames significantly increase energy expenditure and heart rate compare to sedentary video gaming. Evidence is mixed on whether exergames engage children in levels of activity that are consistent with public health recommendations for physical activity and improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Studies suggested that multiplayer classes may increase children's motivation to play exergames. One study report that exergames can enhance students' motor skill. More investigations are necessary to confirm the benefits of exergames to promote PA. We suggest moving from design exergames for entertainment to design exergames for learning.
Free Throw Shooting Effectiveness in Basketball Matches of Men and Women
Authors: Zuzik Pavol
Published: January 2012

Free Throw Shooting Effectiveness in Basketball Matches of Men and Women

Points scored in a basketball match by successful shooting of free throws have a significant share on the total team's score. Free throw shooting in basketball is a specific individual activity of an individual equally important in both men's and women's categories. The aim of the work is to contribute to the knowledge on the successfulness of free throw shooting in men and women in competition basketball matches of the Slovak Basketball Association in various age categories. The main task was to process data in both categories and to compare them mutually. Ex post facto research methodology was used. Methods of documents analysis, percentage of effectiveness and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U- test were employed. The rate of success of free throw shooting was detected and compared separately in men's and women's categories. We mutually compared the rate of success in all age categories. In men's categories the shooting successfulness was slightly oscillating. In women's categories the presumption of a fluent increase in the percentage of free throw shooting successfulness was not confirmed. When comparing the successfulness of men's and women's teams in various age categories, a statistically significant value in favour of women aged 13-14 years and 15-16-years, as well as in favour of men aged 18 and older extraleague players was recorded. In future research we propose age differentiation of the observed men and women in adult category, to analyze in details the reasons for the percentage growth or decrease observed, the rate of success of free throwing especially in youth age categories.
The Role of Organized Sports Participation during Adolescence in Adult Physical Activity Patterns
Authors: de Montes Lorena , Arruza Jose , Arribas Silvia , Irazusta Susana , Telletxea Saioa
Published: January 2012

The Role of Organized Sports Participation during Adolescence in Adult Physical Activity Patterns

An active adult lifestyle is related to higher quality of life regarding physical and psychological well-being. This study investigates the influence of organized sports participation during adolescence in adult physical activity in a retrospective way. A sample of participants living in the north of Spain was asked to report the minutes invested in vigorous, moderate and walking activities during the last seven days. Results showed that those who had been sports club members or had participated in competition prior to the age of 16 had spent a longer time on vigorous activities and a lesser amount of minutes on walking during the last seven days. Implications of adolescent organized sport for continuity of physical activity in adulthood are discussed.
The Social-Psychological Outcomes of Dance Practice: A Review
Authors: Malkogeorgos Alexandros , Zaggelidou Eleni , Manolopoulos Evagelos , Zaggelidis George
Published: January 2012

The Social-Psychological Outcomes of Dance Practice: A Review

Dance involvement among the youth has been described in many terms. Studies regarding the effects of dance practice on youth show different images. Most refer that dance enhanced personal and social opportunities, increased levels of socialization and characteristic behavior among its participants. Socialization in dance differs according to dance forms, and a person might become socialized into them not only in childhood and adolescence but also well into adulthood and mature age. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the major findings of studies concerning the social-psychological outcomes of dance practice. This review revealed that a considerable amount of researches has been conducted over the years, revealed positive social-psychological outcomes of dance practice, in a general population, as well as specifically for adults or for adolescents. According to dance form the typical personality profile of dancers, dancers being introverted, relatively high on emotionality, strongly achievement motivated and exhibiting less favorable self attitudes. It is proposed that a better understanding of the true nature of the social-psychological outcomes of dance practice can be provided if specific influential factors are taken into account in future research (i.e., participants' characteristics, type of guidance, social context and structural qualities of the dance).
Nondestructive Detection of Delamination in Concrete Slabs
Authors: Shokouhi Parisa , Wöstmann Jens , Schneider Gerhard , Milmann Boris , Taffe Alexander , Wiggenhauser Herbert
Published: January 2012

The delamination of concrete slabs is the separation along a plane roughly parallel to, and generally near, the surface. Corrosion-induced delamination is a common problem in old concrete bridge decks. If undetected, delaminations could expand, reach the surface, and result in spalling. Early detection of delamination is necessary for planning timely repairs that prevent costly deck replacement projects. Most bridge owners rely on routine visual and traditional surveys of bridge deck conditions. These surveys are highly subjective and can locate only large shallow delaminated zones. Several nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques have recently been employed for bridge deck evaluation to obtain more objective and comprehensive assessment. The reliability of applicable methods needs to be established before a greater role for NDT in routine inspections can be encouraged. This paper presents a validation study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of three NDT techniques, namely impact echo, ultrasound (US) echo, and US linear array, in detection of delamination. This study is unique because the subject test specimens were deteriorated bridge deck segments preserved from the demolition of a prestressed box girder bridge. The results of the tests conducted on one of the specimens are presented and discussed here: impact echo provided satisfactory overall assessment, but the individual results were often difficult to interpret; US echo detected deep delaminations but not shallow ones; and US linear array located the extent of deep delaminations and provided indications of shallow ones.
Nonlinear, Effective-Stress Ground Motion Response Analyses following AASHTO Specifications for Load and Resistance Factor Design Seismic Bridge Design
Authors: Anderson Donald G. , Shin Seungcheol , Kramer Steven L.
Published: January 2012

Nonlinear, effective-stress ground motion response analyses were conducted for a bridge site north of Seattle, Washington. This site was characterized by silt and sand layers in the upper 90 ft (27.4 m) of the soil profile that were expected to liquefy during a 975-year seismic event. Procedures described in the 2009 AASHTO Guide Specifications for LRFD Seismic Bridge Design were followed when site-specific analyses of ground motion response were conducted. Two one-dimensional, nonlinear effective-stress computer programs, D-MOD2000 and PSNL, were used to perform the analyses. Field and laboratory tests were conducted to define soil parameters for the nonlinear soil models. Results of the analyses were used to identify soil layers that were likely to liquefy as well as changes in design response spectra that could result from liquefaction. These results demonstrated important differences in site-response prediction from subtle changes in soil modeling, including the potential for shielding of upper liquefiable soil layers and the importance of soil dilation when lower layers liquefy. This paper provides a summary of the analyses and discusses observations made from comparison of the two sets of analyses. The paper also highlights uncertainties that can occur when nonlinear, analyses of effective-stress ground motion response are conducted.
The triggering of subglacial lake drainage during rapid glacier drawdown: Crane Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Scambos Ted A. , Berthier Etienne , Shuman Christopher A.
Published: January 2012

Ice surface altimetry from ICESat-1 and NASA aircraft altimeter overflights spanning 2002–09 indicate that a region of lower Crane Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula, shows an unusual temporal pattern of elevation loss: a period of very rapid drawdown (~91ma–1 between September 2004 and September 2005) bounded by periods of large but more moderate rates (23ma–1 until September 2004; 12ma–1 after September 2005). The region of increased drawdown is ~4.5 km ×2.2 km based on satellite (ASTER and SPOT-5) stereo-image digital elevation model (DEM) differencing spanning the event. In a later differential DEM the anomalous drawdown feature is not seen. Bathymetry in Crane Glacier fjord reveals a series of flat-lying, formerly subglacial deeps interpreted as lake sediment basins. We conclude that the elevation-change feature resulted from drainage of a small, deep subglacial lake. We infer that the drainage event was induced by hydraulic forcing of subglacial water past a downstream obstruction. However, only a fraction of Crane Glacier’s increase in flow speed that occurred near the time of lake drainage (derived from image feature tracking) appears to be directly attributable to the event; instead, retreat of the ice front off a subglacial ridge 6 km downstream of the lake is likely the dominant cause of renewed fast flow and more negative mass balance in the subsequent 4 years.
Climatic controls of glacier distribution and glacier changes in Austria
Authors: Abermann J. , Kuhn M. , Fischer A.
Published: January 2012

In this study we aim to connect glacier extent in 1998 with general climatic conditions, and glacier changes between 1969 and 1998 with climate change in the Austrian Alps. The investigations are based on two complete glacier inventories, a homogenized gridded precipitation dataset and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts re-analysis (ERA-40) data of air temperature at different levels. A relationship between median glacier elevation, minimal elevation, the general elevation of the surrounding mountains and mean climatic values was found. In the Austrian Alps, the existence of glaciers at low elevations can only be maintained with above-average accumulation or strong dynamic ice supply. For debris-free glaciers, we found a limit of ~2080ma.s.l., where mean summer temperatures (June–August) exceed 4°C. Glacier changes from 1969 to 1998 are strongly negative both in relative area and in mean thickness. There is a weak and regionally varying negative trend in precipitation over this period. A spatially consistent sequence of positive temperature anomalies in the early 1980s and after 1990 offers an explanation for the retreat. The study shows that the observed spatial variability of glacier changes is connected more strongly to the topographic differences than to a regionally different climate change signal.
Tropical glaciers, recorders and indicators of climate change, are disappearing globally
Authors: Thompson Lonnie G. , Mosley-Thompson Ellen , Davis Mary E. , Brecher Henry H.
Published: January 2012

In this paper we review the interaction of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability and warming trends recorded in ice-core records from high-altitude tropical glaciers, discuss the implications of the warming trends for the glaciers and consider the societal implications of glacier retreat. ENSO has strong impacts on meteorological phenomena that directly or indirectly affect most regions on the planet and their populations. Many tropical ice fields have provided continuous annually resolved proxy records of climatic and environmental variability preserved in measurable parameters, especially oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios (δ18O, δD) and the net mass balance (accumulation). These records present an opportunity to examine the nature of tropical climate variability in greater detail and to extract new information on linkages between rising temperatures on tropical glaciers and equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures in critical ENSO indicator regions. The long-term climate records from a collection of high-altitude tropical ice cores provide the longer-term context essential for assessing the significance of the magnitude and rate of current climate changes that are in large measure driving glacier retreat. The well-documented ice loss on Quelccaya in the Peruvian Andes, Naimona’nyi in the Himalaya, Kilimanjaro in eastern Africa and the ice fields near Puncak Jaya in Papua, Indonesia, presents a grim future for low-latitude glaciers. The ongoing melting of these ice fields (response) is consistent with model predictions for a vertical amplification of temperature in the tropics (driver) and has serious implications for the people who live in these areas.
A new glacier inventory for the European Alps from Landsat TM scenes of 2003: challenges and results
Authors: Paul F. , Frey H. , Le Bris R.
Published: January 2012

Meltwater from glaciers in the European Alps plays an important role in hydropower production, and future glacier development is thus of economic interest. However, an up-to-date and alpine-wide inventory for accurate assessment of glacier changes or modelling of future glacier development has not hitherto been available. Here we present a new alpine-wide inventory (covering Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland) derived from ten Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes acquired within 7 weeks in 2003. Combined with the globally available digital elevation model from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, topographic inventory parameters were derived for each of the 3770 mapped glaciers, covering 2050 km2. The area-class frequency distribution is very similar in all countries, and a mean northerly aspect (NW, N, NE) is clearly favoured (arithmetic counting). Mean glacier elevation is ~2900 m, with a small dependence on aspect. The total area loss since the previous glacier inventory (acquired around 1970±15 years) is roughly one-third, yielding a current area loss rate of ~2%a–1. Digital overlay of the outlines from the latest Austrian glacier inventory revealed differences in the interpretation of glacier extents that prohibit change assessment. A comparison of TM-derived outlines with manually digitized extents on a high-resolution IKONOS image returned 1.5% smaller glaciers with TM.
Modeling of firn compaction for estimating ice-sheet mass change from observed ice-sheet elevation change
Authors: Li Jun , Zwally H. Jay
Published: January 2012

Changes in ice-sheet surface elevation are caused by a combination of ice-dynamic imbalance, ablation, temporal variations in accumulation rate, firn compaction and underlying bedrock motion. Thus, deriving the rate of ice-sheet mass change from measured surface elevation change requires information on the rate of firn compaction and bedrock motion, which do not involve changes in mass, and requires an appropriate firn density to associate with elevation changes induced by recent accumulation rate variability. We use a 25 year record of surface temperature and a parameterization for accumulation change as a function of temperature to drive a firn compaction model. We apply this formulation to ICESat measurements of surface elevation change at three locations on the Greenland ice sheet in order to separate the accumulation-driven changes from the ice-dynamic/ablation-driven changes, and thus to derive the corresponding mass change. Our calculated densities for the accumulation-driven changes range from 410 to 610 kgm–3, which along with 900 kgm–3 for the dynamic/ablation-driven changes gives average densities ranging from 680 to 790 kgm–3. We show that using an average (or ‘effective’) density to convert elevation change to mass change is not valid where the accumulation and the dynamic elevation changes are of opposite sign.
Chemical Reaction of Soybean Flavonoids with DNA: A Computational Study Using the Implicit Solvent Model
Authors: Abdallah Hassan H. , Mavri Janez , Repič Matej , Lee Vannajan Sanghiran , Wahab Habibah A.
Published: January 2012

Genistein, daidzein, glycitein and quercetin are flavonoids present in soybean and other vegetables in high amounts. These flavonoids can be metabolically converted to more active forms, which may react with guanine in the DNA to form complexes and can lead to DNA depurination. We assumed two ultimate carcinogen forms of each of these flavonoids, diol epoxide form and diketone form. Density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree-Fock (HF) methods were used to study the reaction thermodynamics between active forms of flavonoids and DNA guanine. Solvent reaction field method of Tomasi and co-workers and the Langevin dipoles method of Florian and Warshel were used to calculate the hydration free energies. Activation free energy for each reaction was estimated using the linear free energy relation. Our calculations show that diol epoxide forms of flavonoids are more reactive than the corresponding diketone forms and are hence more likely flavonoid ultimate carcinogens. Genistein, daidzein and glycitein show comparable reactivity while quercetin is less reactive toward DNA.
Expression Analysis of MYC Genes from Tamarix hispida in Response to Different Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Wang Yucheng , Liu Guifeng
Published: January 2012

The MYC genes are a group of transcription factors containing both bHLH and ZIP motifs that play important roles in the regulation of abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive genes. In the present study, to investigate the roles of MYC genes under NaCl, osmotic and ABA stress conditions, nine MYC genes were cloned from Tamarix hispida. Real-time reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR showed that all nine MYC genes were expressed in root, stem and leaf tissues, but that the levels of the transcripts of these genes in the various tissues differed notably. The MYC genes were highly induced in the roots in response to ABA, NaCl and osmotic stresses after 3 h; however, in the stem and leaf tissues, MYC genes were highly induced only when exposed to these stresses for 6 h. In addition, most of these MYC genes were highly expressed in roots in comparison with stems and leaves. Furthermore, the MYC genes were more highly induced in roots than in stem and leaf tissues, indicating that these genes may play roles in stress responses mainly in the roots rather than the stems and leaves. The results of this present study suggest that MYCs are involved in salt and osmotic stress tolerances and are controlled by the ABA signal transduction pathway.
Windsurfing Risks: Participants' Expectations, Perceptions, and Satisfaction
Authors: Prayag Girish
Published: January 2012

Many studies exist on destination choice risks but few have investigated perceived risk in the adventure sector. Of adventure activities, mountaineering and white-water rafting are the most researched. Also, the use of a comparative framework measuring risk perceptions in relation to
initial expectations is limited. hence, this study evaluates risk expectations and perceptions among a convenience sample of windsurfers to Mauritius. The results indicated the existence of risk “gaps” and perceived risk had a negative relationship with satisfaction. Managerial
implications are suggested.
From Filmic Heritage to Long-Lasting Induced Tourism: The Singular Italian Case of the Once Unknown and Anonymous Brescello
Authors: Provenzano Roberto C.
Published: January 2012

That film can induce viewers to visit a specific destination or to take into consideration a certain type of tourism (cultural, entertaining, or sportive, etc.) instead of another, is something that is widely agreed upon. However, there is still some doubt on how to consider this phenomenon:
whether the effects produced by a film are limited due to the very short-term life of a film, or whether they can be made to last for a longer period, or even for an indefinite time. This article analyzes a singular Italian case that can illustrate some ways of how films can be exploited as
a push factor by tourism bodies to promote tourism to an identifiable destination. It regards the long-lasting effects of a series of five old films of the 1950s that still produce a considerable effect on tourism in brescello, a small and anonymous town on the Po River, in the north
of Italy. It would never become a touristic destination had it not been for the fact that it was the location of those films.
A Field Engages: Papers from the 6th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress
Authors: Miller Marc L. , Auyong Jan , Lück Michael , Orams Mark , Myles Peter B. , Wilks Jeff
Published: January 2012

Coastal and marine tourism has the potential to radically transform natural and social systems. Responsibilities for the condition of complex natural and social systems are properly addressed in the context of sustainable development. Tourism governance—regarded as more than management—concerns
structures and processes that can be described and improved in accordance with societal values. Papers from the 6th International Coastal and Marine Tourism Congress illustrate how the African ubuntu dynamic gives meaning to tourism and facilitates positive touristic
outcomes. Maturation of the field will be stimulated with studies of such issues as globalization and environmental change, cultural and biological diversity, social and ecological health, governance, and social and environmental justice.
Towards a Utilitarian Ethic for Marine Wildlife Tourism
Authors: Dobson John
Published: January 2012

Ethical issues in wildlife tourism have been the subject of increasing academic interest in recent years. This article begins by examining the issues that arise from extending moral consideration to animals through an exploration of the boundaries that can be drawn in order for a being
to be considered part of the moral community. Issues of animal suffering during wildlife tours are then explored using catch and release sport fishing and aquaria as examples. Utilitarianism (with its emphasis on consequentialism, welfare, and ensuring the greatest good for interested parties)
is then introduced and its potential to act as an ethical framework for marine wildlife tourism is considered and evaluated. The article concludes that although utilitarianism has certain weaknesses as an ethical philosophy, its consequentialist focus and its requirement that the interests
of both human and animals involved in wildlife tourism interactions are given equal consideration, can help ensure that more balanced decisions are made regarding the distribution of benefits and costs that result from marine wildlife tours.
The Learning Tourist: The Role of Identity-Related Visit Motivations
Authors: Falk John H.
Published: January 2012

Tourism and leisure patterns are changing in the 21st century; increasing numbers of people view leisure and tourism as an opportunity to expand their understanding of themselves and their world. A research model is described herein that utilizes the construct of identity-related visit motivations as a tool for understanding tourists' visits to free-choice learning settings such as aquariums, coastal preserves, and whale-watching cruises. The model could have important implications for both future tourism research as well as improved tourism practice.
Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for Avena sativa (Poaceae) (oat)
Authors: Wu Bin , Zhang Zongwen , Chen Lingyun , He Minggao
Published: January 2012

• Premise of the study: A new set of microsatellite primers was developed for Avena sativa and characterized to assess the level of genetic diversity among cultivars and wild genotypes.

• Methods and Results: Using an enrichment genomic library, 14 simple sequence repeat markers were identified. The loci of these markers were characterized and found to be polymorphic in size among 48 genotypes of oat from diverse geographical locations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight, while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.031 to 0.75.

• Conclusions: These newly identified microsatellite markers will facilitate genetic diversity studies, fingerprinting, and genetic mapping of oat. Moreover, these new primers for A. sativa will aid future studies of polyploidy and hybridization in other species in this genus.
Rêver ensemble le départ. Construction du mythe chez les jeunes Somaliens réfugiés
Authors: Rousseau Cécile , Said Taher M. , Gagné Marie-Josée , Bibeau Gilles
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les jeunes réfugiés somaliens passent souvent par une longue transition prémigratoire avant de rejoindre leur destination finale. Durant ce difficile passage, ils construisent ensemble un mythe du départ qui structure les stratégies individuelles. La substitution du « voyage rêvé » au « voyage réel » en conduit quelques-uns, surtout si la transition se prolonge, à perdre contact avec la réalité et à basculer dans la folie. Les auteurs fondent leur démonstration sur trois arguments : a) le pastoralisme conduit les Somaliens à valoriser le voyage en tant que moyen de maturation ; b) le groupe d’âges développe une dynamique migratoire spécifique ; c) l’éthique de la solidarité fait participer un grand nombre de personnes à l’aventure des jeunes migrants. Au cours de l’attente, les jeunes s’adonnent à des séances de mastication du qaat durant lesquelles ils se racontent des histoires de migration réussies et leurs rêves de départ. Plus l’attente se prolonge, plus croît la frustration chez certains jeunes, chez qui le « rêve du départ » se transforme en un « rêve de folie », comme l’illustrent les deux cas rapportés. Cet article est basé sur des recherches de terrain faites dans la Corne de l’Afrique et au Canada.
Vingt ans de réforme de la fonction publique à Madagascar
Authors: Razafindrakoto Mireille , Roubaud François
Published: January 2012

Résumé À l’instar de la majorité des pays africains, Madagascar s’est engagée depuis deux décennies dans une succession de réformes de la fonction publique. Cet article se propose d’en dresser le bilan. La thèse centrale de l’étude est que les réformes de la fonction publique ont non seulement été un échec mais qu’elles ont paradoxalement contribué à la dégradation des services publics africains qu’elles étaient censées rendre plus efficaces. Après avoir mis en lumière les principaux dysfonctionnements de l’administration, à l’origine d’une véritable crise de confiance des usagers, à partir d’indicateurs objectifs et subjectifs, les auteurs se penchent sur les facteurs qui ont conduit à une telle situation. Ils mettent l’accent sur l’impact des politiques adoptées, notamment en termes d’emplois et de rémunérations. Pour finir, ils s’interrogent sur l’économie politique de la réforme afin de dégager quelques pistes pour l’avenir.
La sage-femme et le douanier. Cultures professionnelles locales et culture bureaucratique privatisée en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Olivier de Sardan Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les professions de sage-femme et de douanier, apparemment aux antipodes, sont pourtant unanimement décriées et offrent, selon les représentations populaires, quelques similitudes dans leur mépris envers les « usagers anonymes » (en contraste avec l’attention ou la complaisance envers les usagers recommandés) ou le « racket » auquel elles se livrent à leurs dépens, même si les revenus illicites qu’elles procurent sont très différents. On peut, de cette comparaison, déduire un « modèle exploratoire » qui tente de dégager certaines composantes des « normes pratiques » qui, loin des normes officielles, règlent les comportements des agents de l’État en Afrique: d’un côté, des cultures professionnelles locales, propres à chaque métier, où se mélangent des bribes de savoirs appris en formation et des savoir-faire et attitudes appris sur le tas; de l’autre côté, une culture bureaucratique privatisée, commune à tous, avec son « privilégisme », ses « ventes à l’acte », son improductivité, son clientélisme, sa conjonction de déshumanisation et de surpersonnalisation.