bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aharon Appelfeld, lalangue perdue ?
Authors: Wiener Simone
Published: November 2012

Résumé Lacan propose le terme de lalangue, en un seul mot, en le présentant d’abord comme si c’était un lapsus. Ce qu’il nomme ainsi désigne ce qu’il en est pour chacun de lalangue maternelle en tant qu’elle échappe à la communication. Elle nous affecte et dépasse ce dont on peut rendre compte au titre du langage. Elle fraye entre mot d’esprit, territoire perdu du corps, souvenirs sonores plus ou moins effacés et traces de l’enfance. Je voudrais reprendre « lalangue » à partir de l’histoire de l’écrivain Aharon Appelfeld telle qu’il en fait récit. Il a traversé en effet une expérience radicale de perte de sa langue maternelle, l’allemand, après la disparition de sa mère. Ce phénomène si particulier peut-il nous apprendre quelque chose sur la question de lalangue ? Il semble que la disparition du corps maternel ait soufflé sa parole. Dans la suite de cette perte, il égare l’usage des mots. « Sans langue maternelle, l’homme est un infirme », dit-il. Après la guerre, la vie revient peu à peu pour lui de différentes manières : par la langue, les sensations qu’elle convoque mais aussi par le sommeil et les rêves. Y a-t-il une place pour les rêves dans la théorisation de Lacan sur lalangue ? L’écriture sera-t-elle pour lui une façon de retrouver les traces de son enfance, la voix qui le mène à lalangue ?
Tirer lalangue
Authors: Henry Paul
Published: November 2012

Résumé Ainsi que l’a posé Jean-Claude Milner il y a déjà fort longtemps, quelque chose échappe à la linguistique conçue comme le projet d’une représentation formalisée ou formalisable de la langue, quelque chose de non représentable et de non formalisable, dont elle ne saurait rendre compte, mais dont elle se voit cependant appelée à restituer les effets dans sa notation : l’énonciation et le sujet qui la supporte. Pour surmonter cette impasse, le linguiste a recours à des artifices d’écriture hétérogènes à sa propre notation. Il ne s’agit pas ici de reprendre l’exposé de ces analyses mais d’explorer la signification et la portée de cette singulière situation. Il ne va pas de soi que, inscrite dans l’axe de ce projet, la linguistique soit néanmoins possible. Dès lors de quoi cela atteste-t-il ? Cette possibilité n’est en rien différente de celle qui permet les mots d’esprit, les jeux de mots, les calembours, les lapsus, la métaphore, la poésie, voire le mot d’ordre ou le slogan, ou encore le travail analytique. Car tout cela passe nécessairement par les formes que la linguistique représente en dehors desquelles rien ne peut se dire ou s’énoncer, alors même qu’elle n’a rien à en dire par elle-même. Que la linguistique soit possible, qu’elle se plie à de la formalisation, indique que les contraintes que la langue impose sont de pure forme. Qu’il y ait métaphore, quand bien même cela se réalise dans la langue, n’en dépend aucunement. Que la métaphore puisse faire signe, c’est-à-dire sens, ne tient qu’à ce qu’un signifiant puisse représenter un sujet pour un autre signifiant, soit donc qu’il ait lalangue, ce par quoi un être puisse être dit parlant. Il s’ensuit que jouer sur lalangue concerne le sujet comme parlêtre et non la langue, ce sujet ponctuel et évanouissant qui peut s’en trouver affecté.
L'homme sans couleurs
Authors: Dal Bon Christine
Published: November 2012

Résumé Au petit matin du 27 mars 1926 les carabiniers de la ville de Turin arrêtent un homme : il est confus, suicidaire, très angoissé et ne se souvient pas de son nom. Après un non-lieu judiciaire il est hospitalisé à l’asile pendant un an. Puis sa famille le retrouve : il s’agit d’un professeur de Vérone spécialisé en néo-scolastique, ayant disparu dix ans auparavant pendant la guerre dans les Carpates. Mais les autorités fascistes décident de son destin et lui assignent une autre identité que la sienne, celle d’un malfrat recherché par la police, avec quatre mandats de capture. Les scientifiques convoqués par le pouvoir réalisent des expertises de tout genre. Toutes – mais principalement la très volumineuse expertise psychiatrique – donnent à voir un certain maniement du positivisme.
« Feilen packen »
Authors: Longé Thierry
Published: November 2012

Résumé La lettre du 3 décembre 1897 de Freud à Fliess recèle une citation du célèbre physiologiste Emil du Bois-Reymond dont les éditeurs français et allemand des Lettres à Fliess ont laissé l’origine en suspens. Sa relecture est l’occasion de résoudre cette inscription énigmatique.
La « maladie des mots » : Alejandra Pizarnik et Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Authors: Elfakir Véronique
Published: November 2012

Résumé Peut-on être poète sans toutefois parvenir à habiter pleinement le langage ? Tel est le paradoxe que cet article a pour but d’illustrer à travers la lecture des écrits intimes d’Alejandra Pizarnick et de la célèbre lettre à lord Chandos de l’écrivain Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Pour ces deux auteurs, les mots sont porteurs d’une sorte d’inquiétante étrangeté, que le recours à la poésie est venu en fait redoubler en mettant l’accent principalement sur le signifiant. La pulvérisation du sens propre à la structure poétique, bien loin de leur permettre de pacifier ce réel qui les encombre, n’a fait qu’exacerber son collapsus avec le langage. Ainsi poètes par fatalité, ils ne cesseront d’aspirer à écrire de la prose en un ultime recours pour tenter de se doter d’une assise symbolique en recréant de l’imaginaire et du sens.
Prevención de la emisión de PCDD/Fs en un incinerador de lodos de depuradora de aguas residuales urbanas a través de un mayor control del aerosol de cobre
Authors: Peña E. , Elcoroaristizabal S. , Larrión M. , Legarreta J. A. , Gutiérrez-Cañas C.
Published: November 2012

La incineración de lodos de aguas residuales urbanas acarrea la formación de compuestos derivados de combustiones incompletas, incluyendo especies cloradas como dioxinas y furanos (PCDD/Fs). Otros contaminantes, como metales pesados, se emiten como consecuencia de las trazas del lodo, las cuales dependen de las actividades del entorno. El objetivo principal es determinar si la separación de catalizadores potenciales en reacciones de formación de PCDD/Fs (cobre o zinc) puede abrir vías para prevenir la emisión de contaminantes traza, considerando que ninguna de las técnicas de prevención actuales aseguran emisiones estables de metales pesados o PCDD/Fs. Se determinan concentraciones de metales pesados segregados por tamaño de partícula a lo largo de la línea de incineración. Los resultados muestran concentraciones elevadas de cobre en el aerosol de máxima penetración del electrofiltro (0,6 μm - 1,0 μm), y cómo concentraciones bajas de aerosol total y metálico (en masa) son compatibles con episodios de emisión no explicados de PCDD/Fs.
Pan-European Survey and Database of Environmental Assessment Factors
Authors: Ewald Julie A. , Sharp Robin J.A. , Beja Pedro , Kenward Robert
Published: November 2012

In order to design TESS, it was necessary to determine how and what information is utilized across Europe when decisions affecting the environment are made at present, and which systems now in place appear to be working in terms of environmental protection and conservation. The authors used a Pan-European survey to determine not only which systems are currently in place but also what further information is needed by national and local governments as well as stakeholders. Results from this survey, together with published information from previous projects, the European Union and the United Nations, were collated into a database for further analysis. Here, the authors describe both the Pan-European survey methodology and also the database.
Posterior fossa meningioma "our experience" in 64 cases
Authors: Velho Vernon , Agarwal Vivek , Mally Rahul , Palande D
Published: November 2012

Background: Posterior fossa meningiomas are 20% of all intracranial meningiomas. These are slow-growing tumors thus become large before presentation. Microsurgical resection is the treatment of choice for the majority of these lesions, but variable locations, large size at diagnosis, frequent encroachment of neural and vascular structures, and their potentially invasive behavior are some of the features of these tumors that make their resection challenging.
Materials and Methods: We studied 64 cases of posterior fossa meningioma operated in last 6 years, and analysed the technical difficulties encountered during excision of these tumors. Postoperative complications and outcomes of these patients were also analysed.
Results : Gross total excision was achieved in 72% cases. Partial excision or subtotal excision was more in petroclival, jugular foramen with extra cranial extension, tentorial with intrasinus extension and ventral foramen magnum. Postoperative complication in form of new or aggravation of existing neurological deficit was found in 33% cases and CSF leak in 12.5% cases. We encountered the recurrence of total 10 cases (16%) over mean follow-up of 4 years. Most of the recurrent cases were seen in petroclival and tentorial subgroups with partial or subtotal excision.
Conclusion : Posterior fossa meningiomas are difficult to excise due to close relation to cranial nerves and vessels. Use of microscope, CUSA, intraoperative nerve monitor help in removal and preserving surrounding important anatomical structures. Although neurological deterioration is common postoperatively, recovery does occur completely after total removal thus increasing the recurrence free period and improving the outcome.
Giant cell glioblastoma in a child: A rare case report
Authors: Jain S , Sundar I , Sinha V , Sharma Vinod , Bhasme Vishal , Goel Ravishankar
Published: November 2012

Giant cell glioblastoma (GCG) is a subtype of Glioblastoma multiforme that is rare in incidence and distinct in features and histopathological examination. It is reported to have better prognosis than common glioblastomas. The incidence of GCG in children is even more rare. We report a case of GCG in a 10-year-old boy along with a review of the relevant literature focusing on the differentiating points from common glioblastoma.
The role of honey in healing of bedsores in cancer patients
Authors: Saha Aramita , Chattopadhyay Subrata , Azam Md. , Sur Prabir Kr.
Published: November 2012

Bacground: Honey was used to treat infected wounds as long as 2000 years before bacteria were discovered. It has been reported to have inhibitory action to around 50 species of bacteria and fungi (aspergillus, penicillium). Usually, Metronidazole powder is used in our palliative clinic for wound healing due to low cost & effectivity. Honey is cheap, easily available ingredient with high astringent activity. Objective: Objectives of the study were to find out the effectiveness of Honey in terms of rate of wound healing & pain control in bedsores of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: 40 cancer patients with bedsore wounds were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio i.e. 20 in each arm) for Study Arm (Honey plus Metronidazole powder) and Control Arm (only Metronidazole powder), attending Palliative clinic of our department in between July 2010 to September 2011. Washing of the wound with normal saline done daily before application of above medicaments. Change of posture & soft bed were encouraged in both groups. A pre designed interview proforma, standardised Bates Jensen Wound Assessment Tool and Visual Analogue Pain assessment scale were used to collect and assess data. Results: There was significant difference in wound healing status (F value = 6.523; Critical Difference =14.03, P&nit;0.05) from day 10 and pain reduction also (F value = 6.638 and Critical Difference = 1.667, P&nit;0.05) from day 7 in study arm. Conclusion: Application of honey dressing provides a better wound healing, rapid pain relief in cancer patients with bedsores in palliative settings.
Fluoride levels and osteosarcoma
Authors: Kharb Simmi , Sandhu Ravindra , Kundu Zile Singh
Published: November 2012

Context: Osteosarcoma is a rare malignant bone tumor, commonly occurring in the age group of 10 to 24 years. Recent reports have indicated that there is a link between fluoride exposure and osteosarcoma. Aims: The present study was planned to analyze serum levels of fluoride in patients of osteosarcoma and fluoride content of their drinking water. Settings and Design: The present study was carried out comparing 10 patients of osteosarcoma and 10 healthy volunteers (who served as controls). Materials and Methods: Serum and drinking water fluoride levels were estimated by ion selective electrode. Statistical analysis used: The data were computed as mean ± SD and Student’s t test was applied. Results: Both, the serum and drinking water fluoride levels, were significant by higher in patients with osteosarcoma as compared to controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: These results suggest a link between fluoride exposure and osteosarcoma.
Generalized Frobenius Algebras and Hopf Algebras
Authors: Cristian Iovanov Miodrag
Published: November 2012

“Co-Frobenius” coalgebras were introduced as dualizations of Frobenius algebras. We previously showed that they admit left-right symmetric characterizations analogous to those of Frobenius algebras. We consider the more general quasi-co-Frobenius (QcF) coalgebras. The first main result in this paper is that these also admit symmetric characterizations: a coalgebra is QcF if it is weakly isomorphic to its (left, or right) rational dual Rat(C*) in the sense that certain coproduct or product powers of these objects are isomorphic. Fundamental results of Hopf algebras, such as the equivalent characterizations of Hopf algebras with nonzero integrals as left (or right) co-Frobenius, QcF, semiperfect or with nonzero rational dual, as well as the uniqueness of integrals and a short proof of the bijectivity of the antipode for such Hopf algebras all follow as a consequence of these results. This gives a purely representation theoretic approach to many of the basic fundamental results in the theory of Hopf algebras. Furthermore, we introduce a general concept of Frobenius algebra, which makes sense for infinite dimensional and for topological algebras, and specializes to the classical notion in the finite case. This will be a topological algebra A that is isomorphic to its complete topological dual Aν. We show that A is a (quasi)Frobenius algebra if and only if A is the dual C* of a (quasi)co-Frobenius coalgebra C. We give many examples of co-Frobenius coalgebras and Hopf algebras connected to category theory, homological algebra and the newer q-homological algebra, topology or graph theory, showing the importance of the concept.
Sea-spray geoengineering in the HadGEM2-ES earth-system model: radiative impact and climate response
Authors: Jones A. , Haywood J. M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The radiative impact and climate effects of geoengineering using sea-spray aerosols have been investigated in the HadGEM2-ES Earth system model using a fully prognostic treatment of the sea-spray aerosols and also including their direct radiative effect. Two different emission patterns were considered, one to maximise the direct effect in clear skies, the other to maximise the indirect effects of the sea-spray on low clouds; in both cases the emissions were limited to 10% of the ocean area. While the direct effect was found to be significant, the indirect effects on clouds were much more effective in reducing global mean temperature as well as having less of an impact on global mean precipitation per unit temperature reduction. The impact on the distribution of precipitation was found to be similar in character, but less in degree, to that simulated by a previous study using a much simpler treatment of this geoengineering process.
Modeling air pollution in Lebanon: evaluation at a suburban site in Beirut
Authors: Waked A. , Seigneur C. , Couvidat F. , Kim Y. , Sartelet K. , Afif C. , Borbon A. , Formenti P. , Sauvage S.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, which is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean basin, experiences high air pollution episodes. Annual average concentrations of coarse and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx) often exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Therefore, improving air quality in this region is essential. The Polyphemus/Polair3D modeling system is used here to investigate air pollution episodes in Beirut during 2–18 July 2011. The modeling domain covers two nested grids of 1 and 5 km horizontal resolution over the greater Beirut and Lebanon, respectively. The anthropogenic emission inventory was developed earlier (Waked et al., 2012). The Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) model is used to generate the meteorological fields and the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) is used for biogenic emissions. The results of the study are compared to measurements from a field campaign conducted in the suburb of Beirut during 2–18 July 2011. The model reproduces satisfactorily the concentrations of most gaseous pollutants, the total mass of PM2.5 as well as PM2.5 elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and sulfate.
Validation of IASI FORLI carbon monoxide retrievals using FTIR data from NDACC
Authors: Kerzenmacher T. , Dils B. , Kumps N. , Blumenstock T. , Clerbaux C. , Coheur P.-F. , Demoulin P. , García O. , George M. , Griffith D. W. T. , Hase F. , Hadji-Lazaro J. , Hurtmans D. , Jones N. , Mahieu E. , Notholt J. , Paton-Walsh C. , Raffalski U. , Ridder T. , Schneider M. , Servais C. , De Mazière M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Carbon monoxide (CO) is retrieved daily and globally from space-borne IASI radiance spectra using the Fast Optimal Retrievals on Layers for IASI (FORLI) software developed at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The IASI CO total column product for 2008 from the most recent FORLI retrieval version (20100815) is evaluated using correlative CO profile products retrieved from ground-based solar absorption Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) observations at the following FTIR spectrometer sites from the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC): Ny-Ålesund, Kiruna, Bremen, Jungfraujoch, Izaña and Wollongong. In order to have good statistics for the comparisons, we included all IASI data from the same day, within a 100 km radius around the ground-based stations. The individual ground-based data were adjusted to the lowest altitude of the co-located IASI CO profiles. To account for the different vertical resolutions and sensitivities of the ground-based and satellite measurements, the averaging kernels associated with the various retrieved products have been used to properly smooth coincident data products. It has been found that the IASI CO total column products compare well on average with the co-located ground-based FTIR total columns at the selected NDACC sites and that there is no significant bias for the mean values at all stations.
Primary production in forests and grasslands of China: contrasting environmental responses of light- and water-use efficiency models
Authors: Wang H. , Prentice I. C. , Ni J.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. An extensive data set on net primary production (NPP) in China's forests is analysed with the help of two simple theoretically derived models based on the light use efficiency (LUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) concepts, respectively. The two models describe the data equally well, but their implied responses to [CO2] and temperature differ substantially. These responses are illustrated by sensitivity tests in which [CO2] is kept constant or doubled, temperatures are kept constant or increased by 3.5 K, and precipitation is changed by ±10%. Precipitation changes elicit similar responses in both models. But NPP in South China, especially, is reduced by warming in the LUE model, whereas it is increased in the WUE model. The [CO2] response of the WUE model is much larger than that of the LUE model. It is argued that the two models provide upper and lower bounds for this response, with the LUE model more realistic for forests. The differences between the two models illustrate some potential causes of the large differences (even in sign) in the global NPP response of different global vegetation models to temperature and [CO2].
Copepod community growth rates in relation to body size, temperature, and food availability in the East China Sea: a test of metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Lin K. Y. , Sastri A. , Gong G. C. , Hsieh C. H.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Zooplankton play an essential role in marine food webs and understanding how community-level growth rates of zooplankton vary in the field is critical for predicting how marine ecosystem function may vary in the face of environmental changes. Here, we used the artificial cohort method to examine the effects of temperature, body size, and chlorophyll concentration (a proxy for food) on weight-specific growth rates for copepod communities in the East China Sea. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that copepod community growth rates can be described by the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE), linking spatio-temporal variation of copepod growth rate with temperature and their body size. Our results generally agree with predictions made by the MTE and demonstrate that weight-specific growth rates of copepod communities in our study area are positively related with temperature and negatively related to body size. However, the regression coefficients of body size do not approach the theoretical predictions. Furthermore, we find that the deviation from the MTE predictions may be partly attributed to the effect of food availability (which is not explicitly accounted for by the MTE). In addition, significant difference in the coefficients of temperature and body size exists among taxonomic groups. Our results suggest that considering the effects of food limitation and taxonomy is necessary to better understand copepod growth rates under in situ conditions, and such effects on the MTE-based prediction needs further investigation.
Automated ice-core layer-counting with strong univariate signals
Authors: Wheatley J. J. , Blackwell P. G. , Abram N. J. , McConnell J. R. , Thomas E. R. , Wolff E. W.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. We present an automated process for determining the annual layer chronology of an ice-core with a strong annual signal, utilising the hydrogen peroxide record from an Antarctic Peninsula ice-core as a test signal on which to count annual cycles and explain the methods. The signal is de-trended and normalised before being split into sections with a deterministic cycle count and those that need more attention. Possible reconstructions for the uncertain sections are determined which could be used as a visual aid for manual counting, and a simple method for assigning probability measures to each reconstruction is discussed. The robustness of this process is explored by applying it to versions of two different chemistry signals from the same stretch of the NGRIP (North Greenland Ice Core Project) ice-core, which shows more variation in annual layer thickness, with and without thinning to mimic poorer quality data. An adapted version of these methods is applied to the more challenging non-sea-salt sulphur signal from the same Antarctic Peninsula core from which the hydrogen peroxide signal was taken. These methods could readily be adapted for use on much longer datasets, thereby reducing manual effort and providing a robust automated layer-counting methodology.
A framework to assess the realism of model structures using hydrological signatures
Authors: Euser T. , Winsemius H. C. , Hrachowitz M. , Fenicia F. , Uhlenbrook S. , Savenije H. H. G.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The use of flexible hydrological model structures for hypothesis testing requires an objective and diagnostic method to identify whether a rainfall-runoff model structure is suitable for a certain catchment. To determine if a model structure is realistic, i.e. if it captures the relevant runoff processes, both performance and consistency are important. Performance describes the ability of a model structure to mimic a specific part of the hydrological behaviour in a specific catchment. This can be assessed based on evaluation criteria, such as the goodness of fit of specific hydrological signatures obtained from hydrological data. Consistency describes the ability of a model structure to adequately reproduce several hydrological signatures simultaneously, while using the same set of parameter values. In this paper we describe and demonstrate a new evaluation Framework for Assessing the Realism of Model structures (FARM). The evaluation framework tests for both performance and consistency using a principal component analysis on a range of evaluation criteria, all emphasizing different hydrological behaviour. The utility of this evaluation framework is demonstrated in a case study of two small headwater catchments (Maimai, New Zealand and Wollefsbach, Luxembourg). Eight different hydrological signatures and eleven model structures have been used for this study. The results suggest that some model structures may reveal the same degree of performance for selected evaluation criteria, while showing differences in consistency. The results also show that some model structures have a higher performance and consistency than others. The principal component analysis in combination with several hydrological signatures is shown to be useful to visualize the performance and consistency of a model structure for the study catchments. With this framework performance and consistency can be tested to identify which model structures suit a catchment better than other model structures.
The link between the Barents Sea and ENSO events simulated by NEMO model
Authors: Stepanov V. N. , Zuo H. , Haines K.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. An analysis of observational data in the Barents Sea along a meridian at 33°30' E between 70°30' and 72°30' N has reported a negative correlation between El Niño/La Niña Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and water temperature in the top 200 m: the temperature drops about 0.5 °C during warm ENSO events while during cold ENSO events the top 200 m layer of the Barents Sea is warmer. Results from 1 and 1/4-degree global NEMO models show a similar response for the whole Barents Sea. During the strong warm ENSO event in 1997–1998 an anomalous anticyclonic atmospheric circulation over the Barents Sea enhances heat loses, as well as substantially influencing the Barents Sea inflow from the North Atlantic, via changes in ocean currents. Under normal conditions along the Scandinavian peninsula there is a warm current entering the Barents Sea from the North Atlantic, however after the 1997–1998 event this current is weakened. During 1997–1998 the model annual mean temperature in the Barents Sea is decreased by about 0.8 °C, also resulting in a higher sea ice volume. In contrast during the cold ENSO events in 1999–2000 and 2007–2008, the model shows a lower sea ice volume, and higher annual mean temperatures in the upper layer of the Barents Sea of about 0.7 °C. An analysis of model data shows that the strength of the Atlantic inflow in the Barents Sea is the main cause of heat content variability, and is forced by changing pressure and winds in the North Atlantic. However, surface heat-exchange with the atmosphere provides the means by which the Barents sea heat budget relaxes to normal in the subsequent year after the ENSO events.
Constraining projections of summer Arctic sea ice
Authors: Massonnet F. , Fichefet T. , Goosse H. , Bitz C. M. , Philippon-Berthier G. , Holland M. M. , Barriat P.-Y.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. We examine the recent (1979–2010) and future (2011–2100) characteristics of the summer Arctic sea ice cover as simulated by 29 Earth system and general circulation models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 5 (CMIP5). As was the case with CMIP3, a large intermodel spread persists in the simulated summer sea ice losses over the 21st century for a given forcing scenario. The 1979–2010 sea ice extent, thickness distribution and volume characteristics of each CMIP5 model are discussed as potential constraints on the September sea ice extent (SSIE) projections. Our results suggest first that the future changes in SSIE with respect to the 1979–2010 model SSIE are related in a complicated manner to the initial 1979–2010 sea ice model characteristics, due to the large diversity of the CMIP5 population: at a given time, some models are in an ice-free state while others are still on the track of ice loss. However, in phase plane plots (that do not consider the time as an independent variable), we show that the transition towards ice-free conditions is actually occurring in a very similar manner for all models. We also find that the year at which SSIE drops below a certain threshold is likely to be constrained by the present-day sea ice properties. In a second step, using several adequate 1979–2010 sea ice metrics, we effectively reduce the uncertainty as to when the Arctic could become nearly ice-free in summertime, the interval [2041, 2060] being our best estimate for a high climate forcing scenario.
Anterior Segment Parameters Measured with 2 Optical Devices Compared to Ultrasonic Data
Authors: Nemeth Gabor , Hassan Ziad , Szalai Eszter , Berta Andras , Modis Laszlo
Published: November 2012

Purpose.

Ophthalmic parameters can be measured with different techniques and devices. Our aim was to measure anterior segment parameters using 2 optical devices and to compare the data to ultrasonic technique.

Methods.

Axial length (AL) was measured with IOLMaster; anterior chamber depth (ACD) was determined using IOLMaster, Visante® optical coherence tomography (OCT), and Pentacam® HR; and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured with Pentacam® HR and with ultrasound.

Results.

In 45 eyes of 45 patients (age 62.73±15.31), the AL was 23.35±1.49 mm. The CCT was 541.7±39.9 μm with Visante OCT, 549.7±39.2 μm with Pentacam® HR, and 534.3±41.3 μm with ultrasonic device. The ACD was 3.0±0.42 mm with IOLMaster, 3.26±0.95 mm with Visante OCT, and 3.06±0.41 mm with Pentacam® HR. In case of CCT measurements, data obtained with Pentacam HR correlated with the results of ultrasonic measurements (r=0.89; p<0.001) and Visante OCT measurements (r=0.88; p<0.001). Regarding ACD results, a significant correlation was observed between Pentacam HR and IOLMaster (r=0.95; p<0.0001) but they did not significantly correlate to Visante OCT data (r=0.23; p=0.12). Correlation was significant between AL and ACD measured with IOLMaster (r=0.67; p<0.001).

Conclusions.

The CCT and ACD data show strong correlation between different devices.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility Type: An Underdiagnosed Hereditary Connective Tissue Disorder with Mucocutaneous, Articular, and Systemic Manifestations
Authors: Castori Marco
Published: November 2012

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type, constituting a phenotypic continuum with or, perhaps, corresponding to the joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS/EDS-HT), is likely the most common, though the least recognized, heritable connective tissue disorder. Known for decades as a hereditary condition with predominant rheumatologic manifestations, it is now emerging as a multisystemic disorder with widespread manifestations. Nevertheless, the practitioners’ awareness of this condition is generally poor and most patients await years or, perhaps, decades before reaching the correct diagnosis. Among the various sites of disease manifestations, skin and mucosae represent a neglected organ where the dermatologist can easily spot diagnostic clues, which consistently integrate joint hypermobility and other orthopedic/neurologic manifestations at physical examination. In this paper, actual knowledge on JHS/EDS-HT is summarized in various sections. Particular attention has been posed on overlooked manifestations, including cutaneous, mucosal, and oropharyngeal features, and early diagnosis techniques, as a major point of interest for the practicing dermatologist. Actual research progresses on JH/EDS-HT envisage an unexpected link between heritable dysfunctions of the connective tissue and a wide range of functional somatic syndromes, most of them commonly diagnosed in the office of various specialists, comprising dermatologists.
Inhibitory Effects of Commercial and Enriched Green Tea Extracts on the Growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli
Authors: Rozoy Elodie , Bazinet Laurent , Araya-Farias Monica , Guernec Anthony , Saucier Linda
Published: November 2012

The major catechin found in green tea, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), have been reported to have antimicrobial properties. In this study, we examined in vitro the antimicrobial effects of a commercial green tea extract sold in a capsule form, and two prepared green tea extracts enriched in catechins against Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonsas putida and Escherichia coli which have been associated with meat spoilage. The antimicrobial activity of the different tea extracts was evaluated by Spot-On-Lawn and Well Diffusion assays and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was also determined in Brain Heart Infusion broth. The three methods used showed an inhibition of Brochothrix thermosphacta, whereas the inhibition of Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli was only detected with the MIC assay. The determination of the MIC in broth culture appeared to be the most reliable method to determine the inhibitory activity of catechin compounds.
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Ethiopian‐born HIV patients in Israel
Authors: Tzur F , Chowers M , Mekori Y , Hershko A
Published: November 2012

During the mid‐1980s and early 1990s the majority of Ethiopian Jews immigrated to Israel. Diabetes mellitus (DM) rates were exceedingly low upon their arrival, reaching 0–0.4%, but rose to 16.6% at 10–16 years post‐arrival. This may be a challenging factor in HIV patients, since metabolic abnormalities are a major concern in individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In this study we assessed the prevalence of DM in HIV‐positive Ethiopian immigrants. Data were retrospectively obtained from 245 HIV patients treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases at the Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel. DM was determined according to the following: fasting glucose >127 mg/dl; hemoglobin A1C >6.5%; blood glucose >200 mg/dl; diagnosis of DM in patient problem list. Comparison between Ethiopian and non‐Ethiopian Israelis was done by Student's t‐test and p<0.05 was considered as significant. The cohort included 176 Ethiopians and 69 other Israelis. The rate of DM in the Ethiopian group was remarkably high (22.9% vs. 4.3%, p<0.0001). We therefore analyzed both conventional as well as HIV‐related factors which may contribute to the development of DM. The data indicated that the mean age of the Ethiopian subjects was 5.5 years greater (47±1.1 SD vs. 41.5±1.4 SD, p=0.0056). Surprisingly, body mass index (BMI) was not increased among the Ethiopians, as compared with other Israelis (24.2±0.5 vs. 26.1±1.1, p=0.057). In terms of HIV‐related features, both groups received similar rates of HAART and had comparable levels of viral loads. The Ethiopian group had lower CD4 levels (477.0±18.0 /mm3 vs. 550.1±34.7/mm3, p=0.046), and disclosed longer periods of time elapsed from diagnosis of HIV (8.7±0.4 years vs. 6.0±0.6, p=0.0001). In conclusion, we report a considerably high prevalence of DM among Ethiopian immigrants in Israel, who are HIV patients. Plausible risk factors are ethnic background and older age. Low CD4 levels and a longer HIV‐carrier state were also noted, which had been proposed by others to increase insulin resistance by enhanced inflammation. The possibility of an exaggerated impact of HAART protocols on glucose levels in this cohort is currently being investigated. Intriguingly, BMI was not increased in the Ethiopian group, a finding that warrants further study, and implies a lower threshold to develop DM. Our data underscores the importance of defining HIV subpopulations with increased susceptibility to DM, especially among immigrants.
HIV infection stage at diagnosis and epidemiological features of late presentation
Authors: Rodríguez V , Freuler C , Ezcurra C , Sanchez V
Published: November 2012

Late presentation of HIV‐infected individuals is gaining attention because of the negative impact on the patient and the society at a whole. In January 2011 the European Late Presenter Consensus working group published a consensus definition of “late presentation” and asked researchers to implement it. Objective: to identify presentation stage of HIV‐infected individuals at diagnosis at the German Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and describe epidemiological features of them. The German Hospital is an acute care community hospital that assists around 600 000 out‐patient consultations per year. We examine the clinical reports of all our HIV patients, diagnosed 1984–2011, and grouped them as “late” or “not late” presentation according their status following the consensus definition criteria. We also looked for data, such as age, sex and year of diagnosis, that could differ between the groups. We reviewed 284 clinical records, 7 of which were excluded because of lack of data; 105 belonged to last century records. Median age for 1984–1999 group: 32 (16–73), for 2000–2010 group: 40 (180–78). 77% of the first group were men, and 88% of the second one.

1984–1999
1984–1999 No late
1984–1999 Late
1984–1999 % (Late/total)
1984–1999 Total
2000–2010 No late
2000–2010 Late
2000–2010 % (Late/total)
2000–2010 Total

Total
61
44
42
105
102
70
40,7
172

Age group

<20
6
0
0
6
3
3
50
6

21–30
25
13
34,2
38
33
7
17,5
40

31–40
14
15
51,7
29
35
18
34
53

41–50
10
12
54,5
22
16
18
52,9
34

51–60
6
1
14,3
7
9
17
65,4
26

61–70
0
2
100
2
6
4
40
10

>71
0
1
100
1
0
3
100
3

Sex

Female
18
6
25
24
8
8
38
21

Male
43
38
47
81
62
62
41
151

In 55,5% of the 1984–1999 group diagnosis was due to an opportunistic infection, whereas the same applied to only 32,8% of the 2000–2010 group. In both groups there were a high proportion of male, due to the population profile of our hospital. The most frequent reason for testing was screening, but there is still a high number of late diagnosis and OI as first sign of the infection. Younger people are more aware of the need of testing. Female have the advantage of being tested when planning or becoming pregnant. We could not find statistical differences comparing data of both centuries. Forty percent of infections were diagnosed in a “not late” stage, but that was more evident in younger people. People in general and physicians in particular should be more aware of HIV in elderly people.
Aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue in a group of long‐term diagnosed HIV‐infected individuals
Authors: Fumaz C , Muñoz‐Moreno J , Ferrer M , Gonzalez‐Garcia M , Perez‐Alvarez N , Negredo E , Chamorro A , Clotet B
Published: November 2012

Background

The significant decrease in mortality has resulted in a large number of individuals aged over 50 living with HIV infection. Additionally, the coexistence of certain pathologies suggests premature aging. In this scenario, the presence of aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue is yet to be explored.

Methods

Cross‐sectional observational study to evaluate the presence of aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue and to explore the possible differences between genders in a sample of 100 HIV‐1 infected subjects diagnosed at least 15 years ago. The survey assessed questions/comments made by the patient, questions/comments made by the physician and patients’ interest in obtaining more information than was provided. Number of patients and percentages were given and compared using the w2 or Fisher exact test (as appropriate).

Results

Participants were 60 men and 40 women, diagnosed with HIV infection a median (IQ) of 18 (15.7–21) years ago, who had a nadir CD4 and CD4 cell count at the study entry of 172 (95–272) and 543 (403–677), respectively. Eighty percent of the subjects had VL <25 copies and 42% were HCV/HIV co‐infected (31 subjects with low fibrosis stage). The infection route had been mainly intravenous drug use (37%) and MSM (32%). Men and women had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Sixty‐two percent of the participants acknowledged asking their physicians about aging‐associated symptoms (58% men vs 66% women; p=0.50), 48% reported that their physicians had provided information without having been asked (48% men vs 55% women; p=0.51) and 75% confirmed that they would like to have more information about aging‐associated symptoms (22% men vs 80% women; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Around half of the men and women interviewed had discussed aging‐associated symptoms with their physician. However, this seemed insufficient for four‐fifths of the women, who would have liked to have obtained more information about aging.
Spatial‐temporal analysis of HIV‐1 PR and RT resistance‐associated mutations of nucleotide sequences from Western Europe, using vircoTYPE™ HIV‐1 assay
Authors: Van den Eede P , Govaert M , Soom Van K , Villacian J , Pattery T
Published: November 2012

Highly effective regimens have drastically improved HIV morbidity and mortality although anti‐retro viral resistance remains a limiting factor in disease management. Therefore, analysis of large sequence datasets may provide better insight into drug resistance & assist policy makers to select optimized treatment strategies. Using a secure, web‐based sequence submission tool (vircoNETTM, Janssen Diagnostics BVBA), centers within EU have been able to retrieve the CE‐marked vircoTYPETM HIV‐1 (VTY) genotyping reports for their patients. The purpose of this study is to perform a descriptive analysis of the prevalence of HIV‐1 PR & RT resistance‐associated mutations (RAMs) from submitted nucleotide sequences, collected during an 8 year period, from 5 West‐European countries & Switzerland. From January 2005‐June 2012, 27,262 sequences were submitted via vircoNETTM & analyzed using VTY. Approximately 50% of the sequences were submitted from Spain (n=14120) & 24% from Italy (n=6415). The remaining sequences were from UK (n=2097), France (n=1508), Germany (n=1041) & Switzerland (n=2081). The majority (80%, 21,647/27,262) of the sequences were Clade B. For NRTI RAMs, M184V was the most prevalent mutation (36%, n=9944) followed by M41L (25%, n=6701). For NNRTI RAMs, K103N mutation was most prevalent (24%, n=6481) followed by Y181C (10% n=2704). For PIs, L90M (16%, n=4453) and M46I (12%, n=3397) were the most prevalent. The overall RAM prevalence has declined over the 8 year period. 7602 (28%) sequences had no major RAMs and were sensitive to all 18 FDA & EMA‐approved drugs present on VTY. In the PI class, VTY predicted 95% (20097/21243) of the sequences as sensitive & 5% (1146/21243) resistant to darunavir, followed by tipranavir, lopinavir & saquinavir with equal sensitivity rate (SR) of 81% & a resistance rate (RR) of 13%, 18% & 19% respectively. In the NNRTI class, etravirine had a better SR (81%, 8628/10683) & RR (19%, 2055/10683) when compared to nevirapine and efavirenz, with a SR of 59% & RR of 41% for both drugs. For NRTIs, the highest SR was found for stavudine (77%, 20889/27262) followed by tenofovir (67%, 18249/27262) with 23% (6499/27262) resistant sequences observed for stavudine & 33% (9114/27262) for tenofovir. The current analysis provides some preliminary insight into HIV mutation pattern prevalence and resistance within Western Europe, suggesting good therapeutic opportunities for regimens containing new generation PIs & NNRTIs.
HIV2EU: supporting standardized HIV‐2 drug resistance interpretation in Europe
Authors: Obermeier M , Camacho R , Charpentier C , Descamps D , Eberle J , Guertler L , Ruelle J , Pironti A , Brun‐Vezinet F , Stürmer M , Kaiser R
Published: November 2012

Various items are complicating the treatment of HIV‐2 infected patients. Compared to HIV‐1 there is much less treatment experience, no evidence from randomized control trials, a reduced number of effective drugs and no broadly available test for viral load monitoring. In case of treatment failure there is only limited guidance and presently no easy accessible tool for nucleic acid sequence interpretation available. To solve this problem, we initiated an expert workshop to address some of these problems. A panel of experts from four different European countries voted on a rule set for interpretation of mutations in the HIV‐2 protease, reverse transcriptase and integrase. Rules were proposed by each member and were then modified during discussion by considering data gained from HIV‐1 and accumulated experience of the follow up of HIV‐2‐infected patients. Based on the HIV‐GRADE internet‐tool an online tool was developed to make the rule set easily accessible and usable. Rules were laid down for the interpretation of HIV‐2 drug resistance to NRTIs, PIs and INIs (integrase inhibitors). Due to natural resistance of HIV‐2, usage of NNRTIs and T‐20 was not recommended as part of an antiretroviral regimen for HIV‐2. These rules were then translated in a machine interpretable format (algorithm specification interface, ASI) and the HIV‐GRADE tool was extended for usage of HIV‐2 sequences. Further consensus sequences were generated from the reference sequence data set provided by Los Alamos National Laboratories. In contrast to HIV‐1, mutations were compared to a group specific consensus sequence (Group A or Group B) and not to a consensus sequence from the most predominant HIV‐2 Group A. This change was necessary due to significant differences between the various HIV‐2 strains. We developed a rule set and an automated tool for HIV‐2 drug resistance analyses. This tool and the rules will be freely available on the internet. Access to the pre‐publication versions can be granted by each of the group members. To keep the algorithm rules up‐to‐date it will be actualized on a yearly basis.