bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of SOBO 20 in the Measurement of Salt on Winter Pavements
Authors: Lysbakken Kai Rune , Lalagüe Anne
Published: July 2013

The use of chemicals is essential in snow and ice control operations. Sodium chloride (salt) is normally used, because it is efficient, widely available, and relatively inexpensive. However, it is harmful for the environment if large quantities are used, and currently there is much attention placed on the importance of reducing the usage of salt while road serviceability and safety are maintained. Optimizing the use of salt requires accurately knowing how much salt is already on a pavement surface. Unfortunately, there is currently no well-documented method available to determine this quantity. SOBO 20 is one of the most common instruments used by the winter maintenance community to calculate salt amounts, although the reliability of the instrument has not yet been shown. The present work aims to fill this gap by carrying out measurements on brine (dissolved salt), dry salt particles, and recrystallized salt. The presented results support the conclusion that SOBO 20 is an accurate and reliable instrument for measuring brine on asphalt pavements. However, the instrument largely underestimates the amount of dry or recrystallized salt, and more attention should be paid when SOBO 20 is used on dry pavements. Compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the proportion of acetone in the measuring fluid is also essential for accurate salt readings. These results on the instrument performance should lead to a better understanding of salt distribution and action time.
Control Strategy for Rural Variable Speed Limit Corridor
Authors: Sabawat Vijay , Young Rhonda K.
Published: July 2013

Speed and speed variance of vehicles are important factors related to safety, especially during severe weather conditions. A variable speed limit system was implemented in 2009 by the Wyoming Department of Transportation to change the posted, enforceable speed limits in an effort to improve safety. During the initial years of implementation, decisions regarding the posted speed limit were made by maintenance, highway patrol, and traffic management center personnel. This paper discusses the development of a methodology to support speed posting decisions based on the real-time observed vehicle speeds and weather variables. The results from simulations performed with the proposed methodology indicate that there could be a significant increase in speed compliance and reduced speed variation with the implementation of an automated control strategy over the current manual protocol.
Many a Standard at a Time
Authors: Aymes Marc
Published: July 2013

This article aims to explore the consequences of including Ottoman studies in the larger field of imperial studies. It strives to combine a close reading of the Ottoman imperial epithets with considerations of how the Ottomans may contribute to theorizing empire as a model. In particular, the article engages in a discussion of whether the "sublime sultanate" developed into a colonial pattern of empire over its final century of existence. As it turns out, the Ottoman practice of administration did not come down to a simulacrum of European colonialism; the article points instead to a semiotics of empire that took its cue from a multidimensional logic of governmentality. Accordingly, archival idiosyncrasies are taken to imply the contrary of an Ottoman exceptionalism. They serve rather to highlight that concepts carry with them a vast repertoire of meanings to be activated in practice.
Single-nucleotide Polymorphism and Haplotypes of TNIP1 Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhang Dong-Mei , Cheng Li-Qing , Zhai Zhi-Fang , Feng Lin , Zhong Bai-Yu , You Yi , Zhang Na , Song Zhi-Qiang , Yang Xi-Chuan , Chen Fang-Ru , Hao Fei
Published: July 2013

Objective.

To determine the association of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TNIP1 gene and compare the expression of this gene in cases and controls from a Chinese Han population in this replication study.

Methods.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to genotype 19 SNP in TNIP1 in Chinese Han patients with SLE (n = 341) and controls (n = 356). Genotypes were analyzed by codominant, dominant, and recessive models. Analysis of allele frequencies and linkage disequilibrium was also performed. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to measure the expression of these genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE cases and controls.

Results.

Seven SNP loci were significantly associated with SLE in our population (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Two TNIP1 gene haplotypes (ATTGCGC and GTCCTAT) were associated with SLE (p = 0.0246 and p = 0.0024, respectively). Western blotting and qRT-PCR results provide evidence that patients with SLE had significantly reduced expression of TNIP1/ABIN-1 relative to controls.

Conclusion.

Analysis of SNP in the TNIP1 gene and expression of this gene in peripheral blood lymphocytes indicated these SNP were associated with the occurrence of SLE in Han Chinese patients. Future studies should examine the roles of these SNP in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Relationship Between Hip Dysplasia, Pain, and Osteoarthritis in a Cohort of Patients with Hip Symptoms
Authors: Morvan Johanne , Bouttier Ronan , Mazieres Bernard , Verrouil Evelyne , Pouchot Jacques , Rat Anne-Christine , Guellec Dewi , Guillemin Francis , Coste Joel , Saraux Alain ,   The KHOALA Cohort Study Group
Published: July 2013

Objective.

The relationship between acetabular dysplasia (HD) and hip osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear, especially for mild forms of dysplasia. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of HD in a population-based sample with symptoms and to evaluate potential associations linking HD, hip OA, and hip pain.

Methods.

Individuals 40 to 75 years of age with symptoms in 1 or both hips were recruited during a multiregional prevalence survey. All study participants underwent examination and radiographs. Radiographs were evaluated using Kellgren-Lawrence staging (with stages ≥ 2 indicating hip OA) and HD measures [center-edge (CE) angle, acetabular inclination angle (HTE), acetabular depth (AD), and vertical center-anterior margin angle].

Results.

We studied both hips of 842 individuals (1684 hips), among whom 203 had hip OA. Compared to left hips, right hips had significantly smaller CE angles and significantly greater AD and HTE values (p ≤ 0.001). Overall, the prevalence of HD ranged from 7.6% to 22.2% of the hips depending on the measure used. The prevalence of HD was higher in individuals with hip OA, with significant differences for abnormal HTE (19.1% vs 11.4%; p < 0.0001) and abnormal CE (11.3% vs 7.5%; p = 0.04). By logistic regression, only abnormal HTE remained associated with OA. Same-side hip pain was not statistically more common in individuals with HD after stratification on OA status (p = 0.12).

Conclusion.

Our study confirms the relationship between OA and HD, particularly as defined based on the HTE angle.
Formalization of UML Composition in OCL
Authors: Chavez Hector M. , Shen Wuwei
Published: July 2013

With the increasing use of design models during the development process, developers now face a daunting task to maintain consistency between the design models and their implementation. Consistency maintenance is particularly challenging when a design model language introduces constructs that have no direct counterpart in programming languages. For example, the UML composition, an important relationship in software development, reflects some important principles in software engineering such as encapsulation. Unfortunately, influenced by the ownership model, existing approaches supporting UML composition require the non-accessibility property. However, composition in the UML specification does not support the ownership model. In this paper we present a UML composition formalization using the Object Constraint Language (OCL) that strictly adheres to the UML specification.
The Contribution of Social Simulation in the Advancement of Marketing Issues and Challenges
Authors: Gonzalez-Fuentes Mario
Published: July 2013

For some years now, marketers have been praising for a more holistic approach of a company’s marketing efforts across all areas. However, traditional models show serious limitations to address the complexities of managing all of a company’s touch points with a customer. Agent-based modeling (ABM) has opened the door to explore the unfolding behaviors and outputs of an increasingly connected and interactive marketplace. The contribution of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it provides researchers with a state-of-the-art repository for this strand of research. This facilitates the identification of relevant gaps in the literature and future research avenues. Second, it contributes to assess the way ABM has improved our understanding of the dynamics of markets and its participants when marketing strategies are implemented. Both goals aim at showing the various ways that social simulation has expanded our understanding of marketing and the future research opportunities for both, marketing and computer scientists.
Simulation of HIV Infection Propagation Networks
Authors: Tirado-Ramos Alfredo , Kelley Chris
Published: July 2013

Simulating the transmission of HIV requires a model framework that can account for the complex nature of HIV transmission. In this paper the authors present the current state of the art for simulating HIV with agent-based models and highlight some of the significant contributions of current research. The authors then propose opportunities for future work including their plan that involves identifying and monitoring high-risk drug users that can potentially initiate high-risk infection propagation networks.
Evaluating IPv6 in Peer-to-Peer Gigabit Ethernet for TCP using Modern Windows and Linux Systems
Authors: Sarkar Nurul I. , Soorty Burjiz K.
Published: July 2013

IPv6 is the next generation Internet protocol that is already in process of replacing the current IPv4 on corporate networks worldwide. Most of the latest MS Windows and Linux-based client/server operating systems (OSs) support IPv6. However, deploying IPv6 in a corporate network requires an evaluation to determine which modern OS will give the best bandwidth-latency for TCP applications. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate IPv6 against IPv4 in a peer-to-peer Gigabit Ethernet for TCP using four of the latest Windows and Linux systems and to find out the OS that provides the best system performance over IPv6 networks. It is obvious that implementing IPv6 on a Gigabit Ethernet will have drawbacks of lower bandwidth and higher latency as a result of its larger address space. In this paper the authors quantify the performance degradation of IPv6 using empirical study. They measure the quality of service (QoS) parameters, such as TCP throughput, round-trip-time, jitter, and CPU utilization using a customized testbed setting. The effect of packet length on system performance is also reported. The analysis and empirical results reported in this paper provide some insights into IPv6 performance with respect to the impact of modern client/server OS on system performance. This study may help network researchers and engineers to overcome the remaining challenging issues in the deployment of IPv6 on corporate networks.
A Scene-Based Episodic Memory System for a Simulated Autonomous Creature
Authors: Castro Elisa C. , Gudwin Ricardo R.
Published: July 2013

In this paper the authors present the development of a scene-based episodic memory module for the cognitive architecture controlling an autonomous virtual creature, in a simulated 3D environment. The scene-based episodic memory has the role of improving the creature’s navigation system, by evoking the objects to be considered in planning, according to episodic remembrance of earlier scenes testified by the creature where these objects were present in the past. They introduce the main background on human memory systems and episodic memory study, and provide the main ideas behind the experiment.
B Cell–Specific Deficiencies in mTOR Limit Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Zhang Shuling , Pruitt Margaret , Tran Dena , Du Bois Wendy , Zhang Ke , Patel Rushi , Hoover Shelley , Simpson R. Mark , Simmons John , Gary Joy , Snapper Clifford M. , Casellas Rafael , Mock Beverly A.
Published: July 2013

Generation of high-affinity Abs in response to Ags/infectious agents is essential for developing long-lasting immune responses. B cell maturation and Ab responses to Ag stimulation require Ig somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class-switch recombination (CSR) for high-affinity responses. Upon immunization with either the model Ag 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl hapten (NP) conjugated to chicken γ globulin lysine (NP-CGG) or heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular type 14 protein (Pn14), knock-in (KI) mice hypomorphic for mTOR function had a decreased ability to form germinal centers, develop high-affinity anti-NP–specific or anti-Pn14–specific Abs, and perform SHM/CSR. Hypomorphic mTOR mice also had a high mortality (40%) compared with wild-type (WT) (0%) littermates and had lower pneumococcal surface protein A–specific Ab titers when immunized and challenged with live S. pneumoniae infection. Mice with mTOR deleted in their B cell lineage (knockout [KO]) also produced fewer splenic germinal centers and decreased high-affinity Ab responses to NP-CGG than did their WT littermates. CSR rates were lower in mTOR KI and KO mice, and pharmacologic inhibition of mTOR in WT B cells resulted in decreased rates of ex vivo CSR. RNA and protein levels of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a protein essential for SHM and CSR, were lower in B cells from both KI and B cell–specific KO mice, concomitant with increases in phosphorylated AKT and FOXO1. Rescue experiments increasing AID expression in KI B cells restored CSR levels to those in WT B cells. Thus, mTOR plays an important immunoregulatory role in the germinal center, at least partially through AID signaling, in generating high-affinity Abs.
Serum Amyloid A3 Binds MD-2 To Activate p38 and NF-κB Pathways in a MyD88-Dependent Manner
Authors: Deguchi Atsuko , Tomita Takeshi , Omori Tsutomu , Komatsu Akiko , Ohto Umeharu , Takahashi Satoshi , Tanimura Natsuko , Akashi-Takamura Sachiko , Miyake Kensuke , Maru Yoshiro
Published: July 2013

Serum amyloid A (SAA) 3 is a major component of the acute phase of inflammation. We previously reported that SAA3 served as an endogenous peptide ligand for TLR4 to facilitate lung metastasis. Because these experiments were performed with SAA3 recombinant proteins purified from Escherichia coli or mammalian cells, we could not rule out the possibility of LPS contamination. In this study, we used SAA3 synthetic peptides to eliminate the presence of LPS in SAA3. We found that the SAA3 synthetic peptide (aa 20–86) (20–86) stimulated cell migration and activated p38 in a manner dependent on TLR4, MD-2, and MyD88. SAA3 (20–86) also activated NF-κB and Rho small GTPase. Using surface plasmon resonance analysis, the binding constant KD values between SAA3 (20–86) or SAA3 (43–57) and TLR4/MD-2 protein highly purified by the baculovirus system were 2.2 and 30 μM, respectively. FLAG-tagged SAA3 tightly bound to protein A–tagged MD-2, but not to TLR4 in baculovirus coinfection experiments. Although SAA3 (20–86) caused a low, but appreciable level of endocytosis in TLR4, it induced the upregulation of both IL-6 and TNF-α, but not IFN-β1. An i.v. injection of SAA3 (43–57) induced the lung recruitment of CD11b+Gr-1+ cells at an estimated serum concentration around its KD value toward TLR4/MD-2. Taken together, these results suggest that SAA3 directly binds MD-2 and activates the MyD88-dependent TLR4/MD-2 pathway.
microRNA-17–92 Regulates IL-10 Production by Regulatory T Cells and Control of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: de Kouchkovsky Dimitri , Esensten Jonathan H. , Rosenthal Wendy L. , Morar Malika M. , Bluestone Jeffrey A. , Jeker Lukas T.
Published: July 2013

microRNAs (miRNA) are essential for regulatory T cell (Treg) function but little is known about the functional relevance of individual miRNA loci. We identified the miR-17–92 cluster as CD28 costimulation dependent, suggesting that it may be key for Treg development and function. Although overall immune homeostasis was maintained in mice with miR-17–92–deficient Tregs, expression of the miR-17–92 miRNA cluster was critical for Treg accumulation and function during an acute organ-specific autoimmune disease in vivo. Treg-specific loss of miR-17–92 expression resulted in exacerbated experimental autoimmune encephalitis and failure to establish clinical remission. Using peptide-MHC tetramers, we demonstrate that the miR-17–92 cluster was specifically required for the accumulation of activated Ag-specific Treg and for differentiation into IL-10–producing effector Treg.
Multiplex and Genome-Wide Analyses Reveal Distinctive Properties of KIR+ and CD56+ T Cells in Human Blood
Authors: Chan Wing Keung , Rujkijyanont Piya , Neale Geoffrey , Yang Jie , Bari Rafijul , Das Gupta Neha , Holladay Martha , Rooney Barbara , Leung Wing
Published: July 2013

Killer cell Ig–like receptors (KIRs) on NK cells have been linked to a wide spectrum of health conditions such as chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, pregnancy complications, cancers, and transplant failures. A small subset of effector memory T cells also expresses KIRs. In this study, we use modern analytic tools including genome-wide and multiplex molecular, phenotypic, and functional assays to characterize the KIR+ T cells in human blood. We find that KIR+ T cells primarily reside in the CD56+ T population that is distinctively DNAM-1high with a genome-wide quiescent transcriptome, short telomere, and limited TCR excision circles. During CMV reactivation in bone marrow transplant recipients, KIR+CD56+ T cells rapidly expanded in real-time but not KIR+CD56− T cells or KIR+ NK cells. In CMV+ asymptomatic donors, as much as 50% of CD56+ T cells are KIR+, and most are distinguishably KIR2DL2/3+NKG2C+CD57+. Functionally, the KIR+CD56+ T cell subset lyses cancer cells and CMVpp65-pulsed target cells in a dual KIR-dependent and TCR-dependent manner. Analysis of metabolic transcriptome confirms the immunological memory status of KIR+CD56+ T cells in contrast to KIR−CD56+ T cells that are more active in energy metabolism and effector differentiation. KIR–CD56+ T cells have >25-fold higher level of expression of RORC than the KIR+ counterpart and are a previously unknown producer of IL-13 rather than IL-17 in multiplex cytokine arrays. Our data provide fundamental insights into KIR+ T cells biologically and clinically.
CCL19 and CCL28 Augment Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses to HIV-1 gp140 by Mobilizing Responsive Immunocytes into Secondary Lymph Nodes and Mucosal Tissue
Authors: Hu Kai , Luo Sukun , Tong Lina , Huang Xin , Jin Wei , Huang Wenjie , Du Tao , Yan Yan , He Siyi , Griffin George E. , Shattock Robin J. , Hu Qinxue
Published: July 2013

Induction of broad and potent neutralizing Abs at the mucosal portals of entry remains a primary goal for most vaccines against mucosally acquired viral infections. Selection of appropriate adjuvants capable of promoting both systemic and mucosal responses will be crucial for the development of effective immunization strategies. In this study, we investigated whether plasmid codelivery of cytokines APRIL, CCL19, or CCL28 can enhance Ag-induced immune responses to HIV-1 gp140. Our results demonstrated that pCCL19 and pCCL28, but not pAPRIL, significantly enhanced Ag-specific systemic and mucosal Ab responses. gp140-specific Abs in serum enhanced by pCCL19 or pCCL28 were broadly distributed across all four IgG subclasses, of which IgG1 was predominant. The enhanced systemic and mucosal Abs showed increased neutralizing activity against both homologous and heterologous HIV-1, and potency correlated with gp140-specific serum IgG and vaginal IgA levels. Measurement of gp140-specific cytokines produced by splenocytes demonstrated that pCCL19 and pCCL28 augmented balanced Th1/Th2 responses. pCCL19 and pCCL28 also increased IgA+ cells in colorectal mucosal tissue. pCCL19 codelivery resulted in an increase of CCR7+ CD11c+ cells in mesenteric lymph nodes and both CCR7+ CD11c+ cells and CCR7+ CD3e+ cells in spleen, whereas pCCL28 codelivery resulted in an augment of CCR10+ CD19+ cells in both spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Together, our data indicate that pCCL19 and pCCL28 can enhance HIV-1 envelope–specific systemic and mucosal Ab responses, as well as T cell responses. Such enhancements appear to be associated with mobilization of responsive immunocytes into secondary lymphoid organs and mucosal tissues through interactions with corresponding receptors.
Inhibition of CD8+ T Cell–Derived CD40 Signals Is Necessary but Not Sufficient for Foxp3+ Induced Regulatory T Cell Generation In Vivo
Authors: Liu Danya , Ferrer Ivana R. , Konomos Michael , Ford Mandy L.
Published: July 2013

Current models of CD4+ T cell help suggest a major role for CD154 binding to CD40 expressed on dendritic cells, with a lesser role for direct T:T interactions via CD40 expressed on CD8+ T cells. However, the contribution of CD8+ T cell–derived CD40 signals during the donor-reactive T cell response to a transplant has never been studied. In this study, we examined the graft-rejection kinetics and CD4+ and CD8+ donor-reactive T cell responses under conditions in which CD40 was genetically ablated only on APC, as well as under conditions in which CD40 was genetically ablated only on donor-reactive CD8+ T cells. Our results revealed a significant role for CD8+ T cell–expressed CD40 in the augmentation of donor-reactive CD8+ T cell responses following transplantation and showed that CD40 expressed on CD8+ T cells must be inhibited to allow conversion of CD4+ T cells into induced regulatory T cells. Thus, this study identifies a major role for CD8+ T cell–derived CD40 signals as a critical switch factor that both promotes optimal differentiation of cytokine-producing CD8+ effector T cell responses and inhibits the differentiation of Ag-specific Foxp3+ induced regulatory T cells in vivo.
Increased Numbers of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells during Successful Tumor Immunotherapy with Immune-Activating Agents
Authors: Kuhn Sabine , Hyde Evelyn J. , Yang Jianping , Rich Fenella J. , Harper Jacquie L. , Kirman Joanna R. , Ronchese Franca
Published: July 2013

Local treatment with selected TLR ligands or bacteria such as bacillus Calmette–Guérin increases antitumor immune responses and delays tumor growth. It is thought that these treatments may act by activating tumor-associated dendritic cells (DCs), thereby supporting the induction of antitumor immune responses. However, common parameters of successful immune activation have not been identified. We used mouse models to compare treatments with different immune-activating agents for the ability to delay tumor growth, improve priming of tumor-specific T cells, and induce early cytokine production and DC activation. Treatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid or a combination of monosodium urate crystals and Mycobacterium smegmatis was effective at delaying the growth of s.c. B16 melanomas, orthotopic 4T1 mammary carcinomas, and reducing 4T1 lung metastases. In contrast, LPS, monosodium urate crystals, or M. smegmatis alone had no activity. Effective treatments required both NK1.1+ and CD8+ cells, and resulted in increased T cell priming and the infiltration of NK cells and CD8+ T cells in tumors. Unexpectedly, both effective and ineffective treatments increased DC numbers and the expression of costimulatory molecules in the tumor-draining lymph node. However, only effective treatments induced the rapid appearance of a population of monocyte-derived DCs in the draining lymph node, early release of IL-12p70 and IFN-γ, and low IL-10 in the serum. These results suggest that the activation of existing DC subsets is not sufficient for the induction of antitumor immune responses, whereas early induction of Th1 cytokines and monocyte-derived DCs are features of successful activation of antitumor immunity.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Pathogens in Developed and Developing Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fletcher Stephanie M. , McLaws Mary-Louise , Ellis John T.
Published: July 2013

Diarrhoeal illness is a leading cause of child mortality and morbidity worldwide. There are no precise or current estimates of the types and prevalence of pathogens associated with diarrheal illnesses in developed and developing settings. This systematic review assessed data from 60 studies published in the English language from five developing regions and developed countries worldwide to provide regional estimates of enteric pathogens affecting children. The random-effect method was used to establish the weighted average prevalence of pathogens in adults and children for each region. Significantly more pathogens were reported by studies from developing regions compared with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries (P<0.016). The identification rates of pathogens from community based and hospital based studies were similar (58.5% and 58.1% respectively, P<0.619). The overall detection of enteric pathogens in developing countries was higher in adults (74.8%; 95% CI 63.1-83.8%) compared with children (56.7%; 95% CI 53.0-60.4%) (P<0.001). Rotavirus was the most frequently detected pathogen in all regions with the highest rate, 24.8% (95% CI 18.0-33.1%), detected in the developed countries. This systematic review is the first to provide an estimate of the prevalence of enteric pathogens associated with diarrhoeal illnesses in adults and children in developed and developing settings. While pathogen detection rate is greater in developing regions the consistently high prevalence of rotavirus in both developed and developing settings underscores the urgent need for access to rotavirus vaccines. Increased travel between developing and developed countries increases disease risk, and hence developed countries have a vested interest in supporting vaccine accessibility in developing settings.
A critical analysis on African Traditional Religion and the Trinity
Authors: Manganyi Jele S. , Buitendag Johan
Published: July 2013

To what extent do the resources of African Traditional Religion (ATR) contribute towards Christian theological discourse and benefit the African church? ATR is accommodated in the African Initiated Churches (AICs). The members of these churches aim to be Christian without losing their African identity. ATR is a religion that was practised throughout Africa before the arrival of the Western missionaries. The core premise of ATR is the maintenance of African culture and its main feature is loyalty to the ancestors and the accompanying rituals that express this loyalty. This study addresses the appropriateness of ATR’s resources in terms of their contribution to the doctrine of the Trinity. When the early church worshipped God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) in the presence of the Holy Spirit, a tension developed. The questions of monotheism versus polytheism and the nature and position of Jesus within the Trinity were put forward and addressed. The doctrine of the Trinity is uniquely Christian and includes the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who alone mediates between God and men. There is, on the other hand, an understanding that Africans worship one Supreme Being and venerate ancestors as intermediaries to the one Supreme Being, without clear roles being ascribed to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This article enquires whether the process of Africanisation and contextualisation consciously or unconsciously downgraded Jesus Christ as Mediator who came to reveal who God is and to reconcile humankind to him.
De Enquiry en het Serampore ‘Form of Agreement’: William Carey als zendingsstrateeg voor de 21ste eeuw
Authors: Kommers Johan
Published: July 2013

Wereldwijd is aandacht gegeven aan de 250ste geboortedag van William Carey. Tot op de dag van vandaag wordt hij herinnerd als een zendingsman die met zijn visie voor de zending van blijvende betekenis is. Zijn leven is het onderwerp geweest van meer dan vijftig biografieën en deelstudies, maar het blijft moeilijk hem onder één noemer te vatten. Hij wordt genoemd de stichter en de vader van de moderne zending (Smith 1885:437), maar óók een groot staatsman, een onderlegde botanist, en een echte vriend van Bengalen en India (Davis 1963:73). Carey was in alle opzichten een pionier, die zich hierin onderscheidde van anderen uit zijn tijd dat zijn zendingswerk diep geworteld was in een verscheidenheid van seculiere wetenschappen. Zijn werk geeft een ‘turning point’ (Neill 1982:261) aan voor het zendingswerk in de 19e eeuw. De geloofscrisis binnen de kerken van het Westen heeft geleid tot een verlies van overtuiging dat het geloof in Christus Jezus zó essentieel is, dat zonder geloof in Hem mensen verloren gaan. We vragen ons af, ’Hoe komt het dat Carey tot op heden in de wereld van de missiologie blijft meetellen?’ Wij doen onszelf te kort wanneer we niet luisteren naar zijn stem, mede omdat ‘in the whole history of the church no nobler man has ever given himself so fully to the service of the Redeemer’ (Neill et al. 1971:83). Hij had een visie op zending, maar ook een concreet plan om tot uitvoering van zijn visie te komen. Carey is met zijn zendingsprincipes voor de 21ste eeuw een modern zendingsstrateeg.Worldwide attention has been given to William Carey’s 250th birthday in 2011. He is remembered today as a man of distinguished importance for his work in India and his vision for missions. Though his life has been the subject of more than fifty biographies and case studies, it is difficult to view him under one common denominator. He has been called the ‘founder and father of modern missions’ (Smith 1885:437) and ‘a great statesman, a skilled botanist and a real friend of Bengal and the rest of India’ (Davis 1963:73). In all aspects he was a pioneer. Distinguishing him from others, we see that his mission work is deeply rooted in a variety of secular disciplines. His work indicates a turning point (Neill 1982:261) in 19th-century mission work. The religious crisis in the Western churches has led to a loss of conviction that belief in Christ Jesus is vital, and that without faith in Him people are lost. We ask the question, ’Why does Carey still feature in the world of missions today?’ We wrong ourselves when we do not listen to his voice, because it has been said that ‘in the whole history of the church no nobler man has ever given himself so fully to the service of the Redeemer’ (Neill et al. 1971:83). He had a vision1 for missions, but also a concrete plan for the realisation of this vision. For the 21st century Carey with his mission principles is a modern mission strategist.
Indications for renal fine needle aspiration biopsy in the era of modern imaging modalities
Authors: Dragoescu Ema A , Liu Lina
Published: July 2013

Background:

Renal fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has become an uncommon procedure in the era of renal helical computed tomography (CT), which has high diagnostic accuracy in the characterization of renal cortical lesions. This study investigates the current indications for renal FNAB. Having knowledge of the specific clinico-radiologic scenario that led to the FNAB, cytopathologists are better equipped to expand or narrow down their differential diagnosis.

Materials and Methods:

All renal FNABs performed during a 6 year interval were retrieved. Indication for the procedure was determined from the clinical notes and radiology reports.

Results:

Forty six renal FNABs were retrieved from 43 patients (14 females and 29 males with a mean age of 52 years [range, 4-81 years]). Twenty one cases (45.6%) were performed under CT-guidance and 25 cases (54.4%) under US-guidance. There were four distinct indications for renal FNAB: (1) solid renal masses with atypical radiological features or poorly characterized on imaging studies due to lack of intravenous contrast or body habitus (30.2%); (2) confirmation of radiologically suspected renal cell carcinoma in inoperable patients (advanced stage disease or poor surgical candidate status) (27.9%); (3) kidney mass in a patient with a prior history of other malignancy (27.9%); and (4) miscellaneous (drainage of abscess, indeterminate cystic lesion, urothelial carcinoma) (14.0%). 36 patients (83.7%) received a specific diagnosis based on renal FNAB cytology.

Conclusions:

Currently, renal fine needle aspiration remains a useful diagnostic tool in selected clinico-radiologic scenarios.
The First Case of Imported Relapsing Fever in Japan
Authors: Kutsuna Satoshi , Kawabata Hiroki , Kasahara Kei , Takano Ai , Mikasa Keiichi
Published: July 2013

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is endemic in discrete areas throughout the world; however, a domestic or imported case of relapsing fever has not been reported in Japan. Here, we report the first imported case. A previously healthy 20-year-old woman presented to our hospital on October 8, 2010, because of recurrent fever and lower leg pain. Before consultation, she had experienced four febrile episodes at 10–12-day intervals after returning from her stay in Uzbekistan from 1 to 8 September. Giemsa stain of peripheral blood showed Borrelia spirochetes. The spirochete was identified as Borrelia persica by sequencing of the amplicons of flaB using polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis. The patient was diagnosed with TBRF, and she completed a 10-day course of minocycline 100 mg twice daily. After treatment, her periodic fever subsided. Physicians should be aware of TBRF in patients with recurrent fever who have returned from TBRF-endemic countries, including areas of the former USSR.
Interaction between dynamics and thermodynamics during tropical cyclogenesis
Authors: Gjorgjievska S. , Raymond D. J.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Observational data of tropical disturbances are analyzed in order to investigate tropical cyclogenesis. Data from 31 cases observed during two field campaigns are used to investigate possible correlations between various dynamic and thermodynamic variables. The results show that a strong mid-level vortex is necessary to promote spin up of the low-level vortex in a tropical cyclone. This paper presents a theory on the mechanism of this process; the mid-level vortex creates a thermodynamic environment conducive to convection with a more bottom-heavy mass flux profile that exhibits a strong positive vertical gradient in a shallow layer near the surface. Mass continuity then implies that the strongest horizontal mass and vorticity convergence occur near the surface. This results in low-level vortex intensification. For two of the disturbances that were observed during several consecutive days, evolution of the dynamics and thermodynamics is documented. One of these disturbances, Karl, was observed in the period before it intensified into a tropical storm; the other one, Gaston, was observed after it unexpectedly decayed from a tropical storm to a tropical disturbance. A hypothesis on its decay is presented.
Cloud discrimination in probability density functions of limb scattered sunlight measurements
Authors: Normand E. N. , Bourassa A. E. , Degenstein D. A.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. A technique characterizing the distribution of cirrus cloud top occurrences from the Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS) limb scattering radiance profiles is presented. The technique involves computing scattering residual profiles by comparing normalized measured radiance and modelled molecular radiance profiles where enhancements in the measured radiance indicate the presence of clouds. Probability density functions of scattering residuals show the distribution is not a continuum measurement; there is a distinction between the cloudy and cloud-free conditions. Observations show high cloud top occurrences in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere region above Indonesia and Central America. Results obtained using this technique with OSIRIS measurements are compared to those obtained by Sassen et al. (2008) with CALIPSO nadir measurements and to those obtained by Wang et al. (1996) with SAGE II solar occultation measurements.
Comments on quiet daily variation derivation in "Identification of the IMF sector structure in near-real time by ground magnetic data" by Janzhura and Troshichev (2011)
Authors: Stauning P.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The description presented in the paper of the relations of the solar wind sector structure to the derivation of the quiet daily variation (QDC) in polar magnetic recordings used for calculation of polar cap (PC) indices is found to be unclear and not properly justified. The presented example on inclusion of a solar sector term in an actual QDC series is found to be questionable even on the authors' premises.
Northward advection of Atlantic water in the eastern Nordic Seas over the last 3000 yr
Authors: Dylmer C. V. , Giraudeau J. , Eynaud F. , Husum K. , De Vernal A.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Three marine sediment cores distributed along the Norwegian (MD95-2011), Barents Sea (JM09-KA11-GC), and Svalbard (HH11-134-BC) continental margins have been investigated in order to reconstruct changes in the poleward flow of Atlantic waters (AW) and in the nature of upper surface water masses within the eastern Nordic Seas over the last 3000 yr. These reconstructions are based on a limited set of coccolith proxies: the abundance ratio between Emiliania huxleyi and Coccolithus pelagicus, an index of Atlantic vs. Polar/Arctic surface water masses; and Gephyrocapsa muellerae, a drifted coccolith species from the temperate North Atlantic, whose abundance changes are related to variations in the strength of the North Atlantic Current. The entire investigated area, from 66 to 77° N, was affected by an overall increase in AW flow from 3000 cal yr BP (before present) to the present. The long-term modulation of westerlies' strength and location, which are essentially driven by the dominant mode of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), is thought to explain the observed dynamics of poleward AW flow. The same mechanism also reconciles the recorded opposite zonal shifts in the location of the Arctic front between the area off western Norway and the western Barents Sea–eastern Fram Strait region. The Little Ice Age (LIA) was governed by deteriorating conditions, with Arctic/Polar waters dominating in the surface off western Svalbard and western Barents Sea, possibly associated with both severe sea ice conditions and a strongly reduced AW strength. A sudden short pulse of resumed high WSC (West Spitsbergen Current) flow interrupted this cold spell in eastern Fram Strait from 330 to 410 cal yr BP. Our dataset not only confirms the high amplitude warming of surface waters at the turn of the 19th century off western Svalbard, it also shows that such a warming was primarily induced by an excess flow of AW which stands as unprecedented over the last 3000 yr.
On the sources of global land surface hydrologic predictability
Authors: Shukla S. , Sheffield J. , Wood E. F. , Lettenmaier D. P.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Global seasonal hydrologic prediction is crucial to mitigating the impacts of droughts and floods, especially in the developing world. Hydrologic predictability at seasonal lead times (i.e., 1–6 months) comes from knowledge of initial hydrologic conditions (IHCs) and seasonal climate forecast skill (FS). In this study we quantify the contributions of two primary components of IHCs – soil moisture and snow water content – and FS (of precipitation and temperature) to seasonal hydrologic predictability globally on a relative basis throughout the year. We do so by conducting two model-based experiments using the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) macroscale hydrology model, one based on ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) and another based on Reverse-ESP (Rev-ESP), both for a 47 yr re-forecast period (1961–2007). We compare cumulative runoff (CR), soil moisture (SM) and snow water equivalent (SWE) forecasts from each experiment with a VIC model-based reference data set (generated using observed atmospheric forcings) and estimate the ratio of root mean square error (RMSE) of both experiments for each forecast initialization date and lead time, to determine the relative contribution of IHCs and FS to the seasonal hydrologic predictability. We find that in general, the contributions of IHCs to seasonal hydrologic predictability is highest in the arid and snow-dominated climate (high latitude) regions of the Northern Hemisphere during forecast periods starting on 1 January and 1 October. In mid-latitude regions, such as the Western US, the influence of IHCs is greatest during the forecast period starting on 1 April. In the arid and warm temperate dry winter regions of the Southern Hemisphere, the IHCs dominate during forecast periods starting on 1 April and 1 July. In equatorial humid and monsoonal climate regions, the contribution of FS is generally higher than IHCs through most of the year. Based on our findings, we argue that despite the limited FS (mainly for precipitation) better estimates of the IHCs could lead to improvement in the current level of seasonal hydrologic forecast skill over many regions of the globe at least during some parts of the year.
Water balance and its intra-annual variability in a permafrost catchment: hydrological interactions between catchment, lake and talik
Authors: Bosson E. , Lindborg T. , Berglund S. , Gustafsson L.-G. , Selroos J.-O. , Laudon H. , Claesson L. L. , Destouni G.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Few hydrological studies have been made in Greenland with focus on permafrost hydrology rather than on the glacial hydrology associated with the Greenland ice sheet. Understanding permafrost hydrology, and its reflection and propagation of hydroclimatic change and variability, however, can be a key to understand important climate change effects and feedbacks in arctic landscapes. This paper presents a new extensive and detailed hydrological dataset, with high temporal resolution of main hydrological parameters, for a permafrost catchment with a lake underlain by a talik close to the Greenland ice sheet in the Kangerlussuaq region, western Greenland. The paper describes the hydrological site investigations and data collection, and their synthesis and interpretation to develop a conceptual hydrological model. The catchment and lake water balances and their intra-annual variability, and uncertainty intervals for key water balance components, are quantified. The study incorporates all relevant hydrological processes within the catchment and, specifically, links the surface water system to both supra-permafrost and sub-permafrost groundwater. The dataset enabled water balance quantification with high degree of confidence. The measured hydraulic gradient between the lake and the groundwater in the talik shows this to be a groundwater recharging talik. Surface processes, dominated by evapotranspiration during the active flow period, and by snow dynamics during the frozen winter period, influence the temporal variation of groundwater pressure in the talik. This shows the hydrology in the catchment as being rather independent from external large-scale landscape features, including those of the close-by ice sheet.
Potential flood volume of Himalayan glacial lakes
Authors: Fujita K. , Sakai A. , Takenaka S. , Nuimura T. , Surazakov A. B. , Sawagaki T. , Yamanokuchi T.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Glacial lakes are potentially dangerous sources of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and represent a serious natural hazard in Himalayan countries. Despite the development of various indices aimed at determining the outburst probability, an objective evaluation of the thousands of Himalayan glacial lakes has yet to be completed. In this study we propose a single index, based on the depression angle from the lakeshore, which allows the lakes to be assessed using remotely sensed digital elevation models (DEMs). We test our approach on five lakes in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet using images taken by the declassified Hexagon KH-9 satellite before these lakes experienced an outburst flood. All five lakes had a steep lakefront area (SLA), on which a depression angle was steeper than our proposed threshold of 10° before the GLOF event, but the SLA was no longer evident after the events. We further calculated the potential flood volume (PFV); i.e., the maximum volume of floodwater that could be released if the lake surface was lowered sufficiently to eradicate the SLA. This approach guarantees repeatability to assess the possibility of GLOF hazards because it requires no particular expertise to carry out, though the PFV does not quantify the GLOF risk. We calculated PFVs for more than 2000 Himalayan glacial lakes using visible band images and DEMs of ASTER data. The PFV distribution follows a power-law function. We found that 794 lakes did not have an SLA, and consequently had a PFV of zero, while we also identified 49 lakes with PFVs of over 10 million m3, which is a comparable volume to that of recorded major GLOFs. This PFV approach allows us to preliminarily identify and prioritize those Himalayan glacial lakes that require further detailed investigation on GLOF hazards and risk.
Routine Duodenal Biopsies in the Absence of Endoscopic Markers of Celiac Disease Are Not Useful: An Observational Study
Authors: Castro Fernando , Shiroky Jennifer , Raju Ramu , Lurix Einar , Erim Tolga , Johnston Yasmin , Ukleja Andrew
Published: July 2013

Background. European studies have shown the utility of limiting endoscopic biopsies to diagnose celiac disease (CD) to patients that have high-risk symptoms or present with positive serology. However, many centers in the U.S. have open access endoscopy. Patients are referred without prior serologic testing, and endoscopists often decide whether or not to biopsy at the time of procedure. Aims. Evaluate the yield of duodenal biopsies for the diagnosis of CD in patients undergoing upper endoscopy without prior serologic testing. Methods. This retrospective study evaluated the frequency of CD diagnosis based duodenal biopsies. Researchers were interested in the yield of endoscopic stigmata findings in patients with high-risk symptoms versus low risk. Results. Eight hundred and ten patients met entry criteria at the Cleveland Clinic Florida between 2004 and 2008; 320 presented with high-risk symptoms; and 490 low risk. Sixty-one (7.5%) displayed endoscopic stigmata, and 10/61 (16.3%) were diagnosed with CD. Only patients who exhibited endoscopic stigmata were later diagnosed based on histologic findings. The presence of endoscopic stigmata greatly increased the probability of diagnosing CD, with a positive likelihood ratio of 15.6. Conclusions. When performing upper endoscopy without known serological markers for CD, clinicians should limit duodenal biopsies to patients with high-risk symptoms or endoscopic stigmata.
Continuous Backbone “Continuum” Robot Manipulators
Authors: Walker Ian D.
Published: July 2013

This paper describes and discusses the history and state of the art of continuous backbone robot manipulators. Also known as continuum manipulators, these robots, which resemble biological trunks and tentacles, offer capabilities beyond the scope of traditional rigid-link manipulators. They are able to adapt their shape to navigate through complex environments and grasp a wide variety of payloads using their compliant backbones. In this paper, we review the current state of knowledge in the field, focusing particularly on kinematic and dynamic models for continuum robots. We discuss the relationships of these robots and their models to their counterparts in conventional rigid-link robots. Ongoing research and future developments in the field are discussed.