bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements on Age-Related Cataracts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Li-Quan , Li Liang-Mao , Zhu Huang ,   The Epidemiological Evidence-Based Eye Disease Study Research Group
Published: February 2014

Antioxidant vitamins supplements have been suggested as a strategy to decrease the risk of age-related cataract development. However, the results from observational studies and interventional trials of associations between antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E and cataract development have been inconsistent. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of multivitamin/mineral supplements for decreasing the risk of age-related cataracts by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. In September 2013, we searched multiple databases to identify relevant studies including both cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Twelve prospective cohort studies and two RCTs were included. Pooled results from the cohort studies indicated that multivitamin/mineral supplements have a significant beneficial effect in decreasing the risk of nuclear cataracts (RR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.64–0.82), cortical cataracts (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68–0.94), and any cataracts (RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.39–0.93). In addition, there were no decreases in the risk of posterior capsular cataracts (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.72–1.20) or cataract surgery (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.92–1.08). The two RCTs demonstrated that multivitamin/mineral supplements could decrease the risk of nuclear cataracts. There is sufficient evidence to support the role of dietary multivitamin/mineral supplements for the decreasing the risk of age-related cataracts.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Pharmaceutics in 2013
Authors: Pharmaceutics Editorial Office
Published: February 2014

The editors of Pharmaceutics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2013. [...]
Vicarious Radiometric Calibration of a Multispectral Camera on Board an Unmanned Aerial System
Authors: Del Pozo Susana , Rodríguez-Gonzálvez Pablo , Hernández-López David , Felipe-García Beatriz
Published: February 2014

Combinations of unmanned aerial platforms and multispectral sensors are considered low-cost tools for detailed spatial and temporal studies addressing spectral signatures, opening a broad range of applications in remote sensing. Thus, a key step in this process is knowledge of multi-spectral sensor calibration parameters in order to identify the physical variables collected by the sensor. This paper discusses the radiometric calibration process by means of a vicarious method applied to a high-spatial resolution unmanned flight using low-cost artificial and natural covers as control and check surfaces, respectively.
Nonlinearity Analysis and Parameters Optimization for an Inductive Angle Sensor
Authors: Ye Lin , Yang Ming , Xu Liang , Zhuang Xiaoqi , Dong Zhaopeng , Li Shiyang
Published: February 2014

Using the finite element method (FEM) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), a nonlinearity analysis based on parameter optimization is proposed to design an inductive angle sensor. Due to the structure complexity of the sensor, understanding the influences of structure parameters on the nonlinearity errors is a critical step in designing an effective sensor. Key parameters are selected for the design based on the parameters’ effects on the nonlinearity errors. The finite element method and particle swarm optimization are combined for the sensor design to get the minimal nonlinearity error. In the simulation, the nonlinearity error of the optimized sensor is 0.053% in the angle range from −60° to 60°. A prototype sensor is manufactured and measured experimentally, and the experimental nonlinearity error is 0.081% in the angle range from −60° to 60°.
Contour-Based Corner Detection and Classification by Using Mean Projection Transform
Authors: Kahaki Seyed , Nordin Md , Ashtari Amir
Published: February 2014

Image corner detection is a fundamental task in computer vision. Many applications require reliable detectors to accurately detect corner points, commonly achieved by using image contour information. The curvature definition is sensitive to local variation and edge aliasing, and available smoothing methods are not sufficient to address these problems properly. Hence, we propose Mean Projection Transform (MPT) as a corner classifier and parabolic fit approximation to form a robust detector. The first step is to extract corner candidates using MPT based on the integral properties of the local contours in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Then, an approximation of the parabolic fit is calculated to localize the candidate corner points. The proposed method presents fewer false-positive (FP) and false-negative (FN) points compared with recent standard corner detection techniques, especially in comparison with curvature scale space (CSS) methods. Moreover, a new evaluation metric, called accuracy of repeatability (AR), is introduced. AR combines repeatability and the localization error (Le) for finding the probability of correct detection in the target image. The output results exhibit better repeatability, localization, and AR for the detected points compared with the criteria in original and transformed images.
DNA/MVA Vaccines for HIV/AIDS
Authors: Iyer Smita , Amara Rama
Published: February 2014

Since the initial proof-of-concept studies examining the ability of antigen-encoded plasmid DNA to serve as an immunogen, DNA vaccines have evolved as a clinically safe and effective platform for priming HIV-specific cellular and humoral responses in heterologous “prime-boost” vaccination regimens. Direct injection of plasmid DNA into the muscle induces T- and B-cell responses against foreign antigens. However, the insufficient magnitude of this response has led to the development of approaches for enhancing the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. The last two decades have seen significant progress in the DNA-based vaccine platform with optimized plasmid constructs, improved delivery methods, such as electroporation, the use of molecular adjuvants and novel strategies combining DNA with viral vectors and subunit proteins. These innovations are paving the way for the clinical application of DNA-based HIV vaccines. Here, we review preclinical studies on the DNA-prime/modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-boost vaccine modality for HIV. There is a great deal of interest in enhancing the immunogenicity of DNA by engineering DNA vaccines to co-express immune modulatory adjuvants. Some of these adjuvants have demonstrated encouraging results in preclinical and clinical studies, and these data will be examined, as well.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Vaccines in 2013
Authors: Vaccines Editorial Office
Published: February 2014

The editors of Vaccines would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2013. [...]
Les libéraux chinois dans la Chine post-Tiananmen
Authors: Chongyi Feng
Published: February 2014

Cet article s’intéresse aux intellectuels libéraux chinois durant les deux décennies qui ont suivi les événements du 4 juin 1989. Il analyse l’évolution de leurs idées, mais aussi de leurs attitudes à l’égard de l’État-Parti, de la réforme économique ou encore de la mondialisation. Il rend compte de leurs efforts pour faire entendre leur voix dans le domaine politique ainsi que de leur contribution à la promotion d’un projet de démocratie constitutionnelle en Chine.
L’impact des événements de Tiananmen sur la transition économique chinoise
Authors: Naughton Barry , Douay Nicolas
Published: February 2014

Le modèle économique et social qui a résulté de la crise politique de juin 1989 est profondément différent de celui qui avait été envisagé avant les événements. La Chine a opéré une transition vers un modèle de développement caractérisé par une forte croissance et des investissements importants. Le consensus, assez largement partagé par les manifestants, en faveur de réformes à la fois économiques et politiques a disparu avec le développement de l’économie et l’amélioration de la situation économique d’une partie de la population. Dans la période post-Tiananmen, une logique économique forte a coïncidé avec une logique politique qui l’était également afin de produire un ensemble de politiques remarquablement constantes.
Réveil religieux et sortie de la religion en Chine contemporaine
Authors: Vermander Benoît
Published: February 2014

Cet article étudie à la fois le renouveau d’organisations et de pratiques religieuses en Chine et ce que l’on pourrait appeler une «sortie de la religion » caractérisée par la perte de tout socle religieux soudant le lien social et par une instrumentalisation des pratiques et des discours religieux. Il défend l’idée suivant laquelle la prise en compte de ce double phénomène de «renouveau » et de «sortie » facilite non seulement notre compréhension de la sphère religieuse et de ses évolutions, mais aussi celle de la configuration sociopolitique dans laquelle le pays est engagé.
L’opinion publique et le débat sur la peine de mort en Chine
Authors: Zhang Ning
Published: February 2014

Quel rôle joue l’opinion publique dans le débat actuel sur la peine de mort en Chine ? Doit-on en rester à l’image d’une opinion unanime en faveur de la peine capitale ? Cet article part d’une étude sur la prise de conscience par des juristes chinois, dans les années 2000, du rôle particulier de l’opinion publique. Devant l’opposition violente soulevée par le projet d’abolir la peine de mort appliquée aux crimes économiques, les juristes font part de leurs préoccupations devant une telle pression populaire pouvant évoquer certaines pratiques maoïstes. À travers l’analyse de quelques cas récents, l’auteur souhaite néanmoins faire apparaître les autres dimensions constitutives de l’opinion publique, afin de s’interroger sur cette notion ambiguë et problématique dans le contexte de la Chine d’aujourd’hui.
La remise en cause du modèle d’urbanisme hongkongais par l’émergence d’une approche collaborative de la planification
Authors: Douay Nicolas
Published: February 2014

La pratique de la planification urbaine à Hong Kong se transforme avec l''essor de la société civile et la structuration de différents mouvements communautaires. Ceux-ci, en remettant en cause les politiques urbaines actuelles, créent les conditions d’une approche collaborative de la planification urbaine porteuse de stratégies urbaines alternatives.
Periacetabular bone metabolism following hip revision surgery
Authors: Kotzerke J. , Hofheinz F. , Zessin J. , Stiehler M. , Günther K.-P. , Bernstein P. , Beuthien-Baumann B.
Published: February 2014

The treatment of loosened total hip replacement (THR) acetabular components may require the management of severe bone defects. Although being applied for decades, there is only limited scientific data about the osteointegration of cancellous bone allografts (CBA) and other void fillers. Monitoring of periprosthetic bone regeneration could possibly help to optimize this process thereby reducing late failure rates. The aim of this study was to show osteometabolic changes in periprosthetic CBA after THR revision with the use of sodium-[18F]-fluoride (NaF) and positron emission tomography (PET). Patients, methods: Twelve patients undergoing THR revision with the use of CBA were prospectively enrolled in the study. Nine patients completed all necessary examinations and were included in the evaluation. The temporal pattern of osteointegration was assessed via NaF-PET at one (PET1) and six weeks (PET2) after surgery. CBA, tantalum implants, supraacetabular regions ipsilateral and contralateral, and parasymphyseal pubic bones were delineated as volumes of interest (VOI) in postop CT scans, which were then merged with the PET data. Results: In comparison to the contralateral supraacetabular reference bone, a significant 1.5-fold increase of osteometabolic activity from PET1 to PET2 was seen in the CBA region. Also, the ipsilateral supraacetabular host bone showed a higher NaF-in- flux in week 6, compared to the first postoperative week. The supraacetabular site exhibited a significantly 1.8- to 2-fold higher influx and uptake than bone regions in non-operated sites. Tantalum implants had a low NaF influx at both time points investigated. Conclusion: Using NaF-PET osteometabolic changes of CBA and implant- bone-interfaces can be monitored. Applying this method we demonstrated early periprosthetic temporal bone regeneration patterns in THR cup revision patients.
Oriented attachment explains cobalt ferrite nanoparticle growth in bioinspired syntheses
Authors: Wolff Annalena , Hetaba Walid , Wißbrock Marco , Löffler Stefan , Mill Nadine , Eckstädt Katrin , Dreyer Axel , Ennen Inga , Sewald Norbert , Schattschneider Peter , Hütten Andreas
Published: February 2014

Oriented attachment has created a great debate about the description of crystal growth throughout the last decade. This aggregation-based model has successfully described biomineralization processes as well as forms of inorganic crystal growth, which could not be explained by classical crystal growth theory. Understanding the nanoparticle growth is essential since physical properties, such as the magnetic behavior, are highly dependent on the microstructure, morphology and composition of the inorganic crystals. In this work, the underlying nanoparticle growth of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles in a bioinspired synthesis was studied. Bioinspired syntheses have sparked great interest in recent years due to their ability to influence and alter inorganic crystal growth and therefore tailor properties of nanoparticles. In this synthesis, a short synthetic version of the protein MMS6, involved in nanoparticle formation within magnetotactic bacteria, was used to alter the growth of cobalt ferrite. We demonstrate that the bioinspired nanoparticle growth can be described by the oriented attachment model. The intermediate stages proposed in the theoretical model, including primary-building-block-like substructures as well as mesocrystal-like structures, were observed in HRTEM measurements. These structures display regions of substantial orientation and possess the same shape and size as the resulting discs. An increase in orientation with time was observed in electron diffraction measurements. The change of particle diameter with time agrees with the recently proposed kinetic model for oriented attachment.
Opera: Use of Pegylated Interferon plus Ribavirin for Treating HCV–HIV Coinfection in Interferon-Naive Patients
Authors: Carosi Giampiero , Bruno Raffaele , Cariti Giuseppe , Nasta Paola , Gulminetti Roberto , Galli Massimo , Angarano Gioacchino , Verucchi Gabriella , Pontali Emanuele , Capetti Amedeo , Raise Enzo , Ravasio Veronica , Maida Ivana , Iannacone Claudio , Caputo Antonietta , Puoti Massimo
Published: February 2014

Background

The Optimized Pegylated interferons Efficacy and anti-Retroviral Approach (OPERA) study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety profile of treatment with pegylated interferons (PEG-IFNs) in interferon-naive patients with chronic HCV and HIV infection in routine clinical practice.

Methods

This was a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study conducted at 98 Italian referral centres for the treatment of chronic HCV and HIV coinfection. Adult subjects ( n=1,523) with a confirmed diagnosis of HCV and stable HIV coinfection were followed between April 2005 and March 2011; of these, 1,284 were interferon-naive and were the focus of this analysis. Patients received PEG-IFN-α2a or -α2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. The choice of treatment and dose was at the investigator's discretion, according to the summary of product characteristics and current guidelines. The primary efficacy end point was sustained virological response (SVR). Secondary end points included rates of rapid viral response, early viral response and response at end of treatment.

Results

SVR was achieved by 40.0% of patients; the highest SVR rate was observed in patients with HCV genotypes 2 and 3. More genotype 2 and 3 than genotype 1 and 4 patients achieved rapid and early viral responses, and end of treatment responses. Higher SVR rates were also associated with ≥80% anti-HCV treatment compliance and lower baseline HCV levels.

Conclusions

The OPERA study results show that PEG-IFN plus ribavirin is an effective treatment for HCV–HIV coinfection in interferon-naive patients. Independent predictors of SVR include HCV genotype, undetectable baseline HIV RNA and baseline HCV RNA<500,000 IU/ml.
Amino Acid Sequence Analysis in Patients with Chronic HCV Genotype 1B Infection during Pegylated Interferon-α2A and Ribavirin Therapy
Authors: Fu Juan-Juan , Kong Wei-Jing , Jiang Dong , Pan Xiu-Cheng , Wei Lai
Published: February 2014

Background

Amino acid variations in several HCV genomic regions have been reported to be associated with response to interferon (IFN)-α plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy. However, the results remain controversial. In this study, we further investigated the amino acid variation of full-length HCV genome and its correlation to the response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2a and RBV combination therapy in patients with HCV genotype 1b (HCV-1b).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 18 chronic HCV-1b patients (9 with rapid virological response and 9 non-response to therapy) treated with PEG-IFN-α2a plus RBV for 48 weeks. The nearly full-length HCV genome sequence was amplified by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR followed by cloning and sequencing. Genetic diversity differences between two groups were analysed including the number of amino acid variations in the HCV polyprotein and the mean pair-wise protein distance.

Results

No single amino acid variations were closely associated with treatment outcome. However, the number of amino acid mutations in the NS5B region especially in the thumb domain and in the NS5A-V3 region was associated with the response to PEG-IFN-α/RBV therapy ( P=0.002 and P=0.029, respectively). The number of substitutions in the NS5B region was significantly correlated with the numbers of substitutions in the V3 region ( r=0.568, P=0.027).

Conclusions

Amino acid substitutions in the NS5B region especially in the thumb domain and the NS5A-V3 region may play a role in the response to combined PEG-IFN-α2a and RBV therapy in HCV-1b patients.
HCV RNA Quantification with Different Assays: Implications for Protease-Inhibitor-Based Response-Guided Therapy
Authors: Fevery Bart , Susser Simone , Lenz Oliver , Cloherty Gavin , Perner Dany , Picchio Gaston , Sarrazin Christoph
Published: February 2014

Background

Response-guided therapy (RGT) for HCV treatment, whereby therapy duration is shortened according to on-treatment virological response, requires patient HCV RNA concentrations below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) or limit of detection (LOD) of the viral load assay at weeks 4 and 12. Concordance of two assays and impact on treatment decisions were investigated.

Methods

Plasma samples ( n=1,411; baseline to week 12) from HCV genotype-1-infected patients ( n=290) receiving simeprevir (TMC435) plus pegylated interferon-α2a/ ribavirin in the PILLAR study (NCT00882908) were analysed using Roche High-Pure-System/COBAS® TaqMan® v2.0 assay (HPS; LLOQ 25 IU/ml and LOD 15 IU/ml; Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN, USA) and reanalysed using Abbott RealTime assay (ART; LLOQ and LOD 12 IU/ml; Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, IL, USA).

Results

Overall, 217/766 (28.3%) samples from different time points with HCV RNA undetectable by HPS had HCV RNA detectable by ART. Conversely, 35/584 (6.0%) samples undetectable by ART were detectable by HPS. For both assays, most discrepant samples (96–100%) had HCV RNA<25 IU/ ml. At week 4, 75.5% of samples were undetectable by HPS, whereas 49.4% were undetectable by ART, resulting in different RGT assessment in 26.1% ( P<0.0001). At week 12, 95.4% and 91.9% of samples were undetectable with HPS and ART, respectively.

Conclusions

Lower rates of undetectable HCV RNA with ART at week 4 suggest that if RGT criteria are determined with ART, the proportion of patients qualifying for shorter treatment duration may be significantly lower (26%). Therefore, different RGT criteria may be necessary for ART to maximize numbers benefiting from shortened treatment. Further testing and validation are required.
Long-Term Treatment with Tenofovir: Prevalence of Kidney Tubular Dysfunction and Its Association with Tenofovir Plasma Concentration
Authors: Ezinga Marieke , Wetzels Jack FM , Bosch Marjolein EW , van der Ven André JAM , Burger David M
Published: February 2014

Background

Monitoring of side effects of long-term HIV treatment has become increasingly important. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a first-line treatment option, is associated with kidney tubular dysfunction (KTD). Our objective was to further investigate the prevalence and risk factors of KTD, in particular its association with TDF plasma concentration in HIV-infected patients treated with TDF for at least one year.

Methods

An observational cross-sectional single-centre study was conducted. KTD was defined as the presence of at least two of the following criteria: urinary α1-microglobulin/creatinine ratio >15 mg/10 mmol; fractional excretion (FE) of phosphate >20% in the presence of hypophosphataemia; FE of uric acid >10% in the presence of hypouricaemia and glucosuria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to study which variable was associated with KTD.

Results

A total of 161 HIV patients were included. Abnormalities in tubular function were observed in 101 patients (62.7%), while 17 patients (10.6%) fulfilled the definition of KTD. Urinary α1-microglobulin/creatinine ratio was the most sensitive parameter to detect KTD. Multivariate logistic regression showed TDF plasma concentration to be the only variable associated with KTD. Post hoc analysis showed a stronger association between the product of TDF plasma concentration and TDF exposure and KTD.

Conclusions

Parameters of KTD are frequently observed in patients on long-term TDF-containing combination antiretroviral therapy. KTD is associated with higher TDF plasma concentrations. A stronger association between the product of TDF plasma concentration and TDF exposure and KTD could suggest cumulative toxicity. A causative role for elevated TDF plasma concentration in development of KTD cannot be demonstrated in this cross-sectional analysis. Longitudinal research is needed to investigate the development and clinical relevance of KTD.
DNA barcoding reveals a new record of Potamogeton distinctus (Potamogetonaceae) and its natural hybrids, P. distinctus × P. nodosus and P. distinctus × P. wrightii (P. ×malainoides) from Myanmar
Authors: Ito Yu , Tanaka Norio , Pooma Rachun , Tanaka Nobuyuki
Published: February 2014

Indo-China floristic region is among the 34 richest floristic regions of the world, and its plant diversity is still under investigation. Here we report a new record of an aquatic plant, Potamogeton distinctus, from Myanmar, a part of the region, that is detected by means of DNA barcoding method. The molecular method further identified the other specimens as hybrids of Potamogeton: one is P. ×malainoides (P. distinctus × P. wrightii), and the other is P. distinctus × P. nodosus. The first of these was thus far genetically confirmed in China, but the parental combination of the hybrid in Myanmar was reciprocal to those reported from China. The second hybrid was also recorded from China, but the maternal lineage was revealed for the first time, in this case it was P. distinctus. The present study showed that 1) nrITS is useful to distinguish closely related Potamogeton species as well as hybrids among them and 2) atpB-rbcL has higher utility than other frequently used plastid DNA markers. We thus propose nrITS and atpB-rbcL as DNA barcoding markers for future Potamogeton studies.
Seismic Response of Rigid Faced Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls
Authors: Bhattacharjee Arup , Krishna A. Murali
Published: February 2014

Reinforced soil walls offer excellent solution to problems associated with earth retaining structures under seismic conditions. Among different types of reinforced soil walls, rigid faced walls are widely used in various infrastructure projects. Presented is the seismic response of such rigid faced reinforced soil retaining walls through numerical models. Development of numerical model for simulating the shaking table tests on rigid faced reinforced soil retaining walls and its application in investigating the seismic response of wall models are presented. These models are discussed in depth in the article. The results obtained from the numerical simulations are validated with that of experimental studies reported in the literature. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to understand the affect of different material properties like backfill friction angle, backfill dilation angle and stiffness of reinforcement on model response.
Sustainability of sunflower cultivation for biodiesel production in central Italy according to the Renewable Energy Directive methodology
Authors: Duca Daniele , Toscano Giuseppe , Foppa Pedretti Ester , Riva Giovanni
Published: February 2014

The use of renewable energies as alternative to fossil fuels has value from different points of view and has effects at environmental, social and economic level. These aspects are often connected to each other and together define the overall sustainability of bioenergy. At European level, the Directive 2009/28/EC gives the basic criteria for the estimation of sustainability of biofuels and indicates a minimum threshold of 35% of greenhouse gas saving for a biofuel in order to be considered sustainable. The Directive gives the possibility to identify standard regional values for the cultivation steps that could be utilized for the certification. This paper aims to give a contribution to the definition of these values considering the RED methodology applied to the sunflower cropped in central Italy which is characterized by a hilly landscape and not-irrigated crops. To determine input and output of sunflower cultivation in the central Italy, the results of PROBIO project, carried out by the Authors, were used. The sustainability of biodiesel produced from sunflower grown in central Italy is variable and depends on the nitrogen input and seasonal climatic conditions that affect the yields. The greenhouse gases savings of the Italian chain is 40% in average, greater than the required 35% and would be possible to assign this value as standard to the biofuel chain biodiesel from sunflower cultivated in central Italy. Using an averaged regional standard value guards against the possibility of considering unsustainable harvesting in unfavourable years and seeing it overestimated in the favourable ones.
The diet of brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) in Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Slater Kerry , Muller Konrad
Published: February 2014

Brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) were introduced to Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province during 2002, but their feeding ecology is poorly understood. Feeding observations of brown hyaena by field guides and the collection of 31 scats from the study area took place over an 11 month period. Standard techniques were used to analyse the scats and identify prey items present. Ten dietary categories were identified from the scats, with a mean of 3.2 dietary categories per scat. Large mammal remains were found in 30 of the 31 scats, with kudu being the most abundant (61.0% of scats). Overall the two methods indicated at least 14 mammal species being fed on by the brown hyaena. The presence of mainly large mammal remains and invertebrates (in 38.7% of all scats), together with the feeding observations of mainly large mammals by field guides, suggests that brown hyaena in Shamwari are mainly scavengers and that sufficient carrion is available, thereby reducing the need for them to hunt. A 52.0% occurrence of plant matter was found in the scats, suggesting that plant material is an important component of their diet. Further studies are underway to investigate the feeding ecology of brown hyaena in Shamwari and surrounding areas.Conservation implications: Comprehensive scat analysis over a number of years, monitoring of individual movement patterns and population numbers of brown hyaena in and around conservation areas will be beneficial in quantifying resource use of this species.
Measures of Noncompactness in Regular Spaces
Authors: Erzakova Nina A.
Published: February 2014

Previous results by the author on the connection between three measures of noncompactness obtained for Lp are extended to regular spaces of measurable functions. An example is given of the advantages of some cases in comparison with others. Geometric characteristics of regular spaces are determined. New theorems for (k,β)-boundedness of partially additive operators are proved.
Ethics in Violence and Abuse Research - a Positive Empowerment Approach
Authors: Downes Julia , Kelly Liz , Westmarland Nicole
Published: February 2014

Research governance, including research ethics committees and data protection legislation, is invested in protecting the individual rights of participants in social care and health research. Increasingly funders expect evidence of outcomes that engage with ‘service users’, making research critical in supporting social interventions to compete for scant resources in an economic climate marked by ‘austerity’ ( Sullivan 2011 ). This article focuses on the tensions that can arise from the research governance of violence and abuse research. We argue that increased scrutiny of violence and abuse as a ‘sensitive’ topic that involves ‘vulnerable’ groups has made ethical clearance more challenging, which in turn can lead to a dangerous lack of evidence. This can have a harmful impact upon women and children and leave specialised violence and abuse services facing a precarious future. Drawing on recent debates we describe the ‘positive empowerment’ approach used to engage victim-survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence in Project Mirabal. We conclude with recommendations for ethical decision-making in violence and abuse research: (i) to reconsider participants as active agents and stakeholders; (ii) to prioritise the development of skilled researchers; (iii) to develop situated processes of informed consent and confidentiality; and (iv) to continue to discuss and share practical experiences of feminist research practice that seeks to deliver justice and social change.
Occupy as a Free Space - Mobilization Processes and Outcomes
Authors: Roth Silke , Saunders Clare , Olcese Cristiana
Published: February 2014

Although Occupy has received extensive media and scholarly attention, there has not yet been systematic research on its activists’ recruitment pathways and modes of participation. In this article, we focus on the mobilization success ( Staggenborg 1995 ) of Occupy and adopt the concepts of ‘free space’ and ‘modes of association’ ( Polletta 1999 ) to understand how individuals came to participate in Occupy. We consider biographical and structural availability and make distinctions between those more or less involved. By drawing on qualitative and quantitative data gathered in November and December 2011 in London we find that Occupy activists take a range of pathways into differential forms of involvement (more or less visible or time-consuming, offline and on-line). Some participants had previously been involved in social movement and ‘indigenous’ organisations, like the church. Yet at the same time Occupy attracted novices lacking prior engagement in indigenous or social movement organisations. But what Occupy activists shared was an interest in creating inclusive prefigurative structures where the ‘path was the destination’. In contrast to the mass media's scepticism of the success of Occupy, our focus on mobilization processes and outcomes shows Occupy to be successful in this regard.
Why Has Civic Education Failed to Increase Young People's Political Participation?
Authors: Manning Nathan , Edwards Kathy
Published: February 2014

Recent years have seen a revival of civic education. Advocates of this policy have cited the alleged declining normative political participation of young people as a primary reason for its need. This paper builds on the findings of a recent systematic review that examined the effect of civic education on young people's level of normative political engagement. The review found little evidence for civic education having a clear effect on voting/registering to vote, but did identify modest positive effects on forms of political expression (e.g. signing petitions). Hence, it seems civic education has broadly ‘failed’ in its specified aim. We argue here that this ‘failure’ reflects a mechanistic approach to policy and a naive notion that ‘knowledge will result in action’, neglecting insights from sociological literature that shows structural barriers to young people's political participation and the displacement of electoral politics by new hybrid and creative forms of participation.
Positionality and Ethics in the Qualitative Research of Migrants’ Homes
Authors: Pechurina Anna
Published: February 2014

This article discusses ethical decisions in the qualitative research of homes, with particular focus on a situation, in which a researcher studies his/her own migrant community. While exploring more common topics, such as negotiating access and receiving permission to photograph within participants’ homes, this article will also highlight issues that occur specifically within community-based ethnographic studies among Russian migrants. Using examples from the study of Russian immigrants’ homes in the UK, this article raises important questions of social positioning and power distribution within studied community. It will demonstrate the complexities of ethical decision making at different stages of the research process, which reflects the constantly changing relationship(s) between the cultural and social backgrounds and identities of researchers and participants. The insider and outsider role of the researcher is relative and the constant need to balance it, while simultaneously creating difficult ethical dilemmas, often reveals rich data and moves the whole research process forward.
Multidimensional Deprivation in Contemporary Switzerland across Social Groups and Time
Authors: Lucchini Mario , Butti Christine , Assi Jenny , Spini Dario , Bernardi Laura
Published: February 2014

We have investigated the phenomenon of deprivation in contemporary Switzerland through the adoption of a multidimensional, dynamic approach. By applying Self Organizing Maps (SOM) to a set of 33 non-monetary indicators from the 2009 wave of the Swiss Household Panel (SHP), we identified 13 prototypical forms (or clusters) of well-being, financial vulnerability, psycho-physiological fragility and deprivation within a topological dimensional space. Then new data from the previous waves (2003 to 2008) were classified by the SOM model, making it possible to estimate the weight of the different clusters in time and reconstruct the dynamics of stability and mobility of individuals within the map. Looking at the transition probabilities between year t and year t+1, we observed that the paths of mobility which catalyze the largest number of observations are those connecting clusters that are adjacent on the topological space.
Teenage Mothers, Stigma and Their ‘Presentations of Self’
Authors: Ellis-Sloan Kyla
Published: February 2014

This article contributes to research that seeks to understand experiences of teenage motherhood. Specifically, it focuses on the stigma attached to teenage pregnancy and parenting. Negative stereotypes continue to dominate understandings of teenage pregnancy. Despite research to the contrary, teenage mothering is popularly linked to welfare dependency, promiscuity and irresponsibility. As a result, young mothers report experiences of stigma and discrimination. This paper builds on evidence of such experiences by using first-hand qualitative accounts of young parents to attempt to understand how young mothers cope with a stigmatising identity. Drawing on the work of Erving Goffman (1963 ,1967,1969), this paper describes how young mothers monitor the presentation of self in order to deflect judgment and blame. The evidence demonstrates that stigma is still an important and influential part of the experience of young motherhood.
From Survey to Policy: Community Relations in Northern Ireland
Authors: Devine Paula , Robinson Gillian
Published: February 2014

Public policy is expected to be both responsive to societal views and accountable to all citizens. As such, policy is informed, but not governed, by public opinion. Therefore, understanding the attitudes of the public is important, both to help shape and to evaluate policy priorities. In this way, surveys play a potentially important role in the policy making process.

The aim of this paper is to explore the role of survey research in policy making in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to community relations (better known internationally as good relations). In a region which is emerging from 40 years of conflict, community relations is a key policy area.

For more than 20 years, public attitudes to community relations have been recorded and monitored using two key surveys: the Northern Ireland Social Attitudes Survey (1989 to 1996) and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (1998 to present). This paper will illustrate how these important time series datasets have been used to both inform and evaluate government policy in relation to community relations. By using four examples, we will highlight how these survey data have provided key government indicators of community relations, as well as how they have been used by other groups (such as NGOs) within policy consultation debates. Thus, the paper will provide a worked example of the integral, and bi-directional relationship between attitude measurement and policy making.
Social Theory or Attitudinal Types: A Case Study of Attitudes towards Relationships
Authors: Watt Laura , Elliot Mark
Published: February 2014

Sociological theories can be viewed as models of (sub)-populations. In this paper we explore the possibility of representing social theories as attitudinal types rather than as descriptions of society at large. To test this idea we investigate the relevance of four different theories of couple relationships to the attitudes of 18 to 30 year olds. Rather than testing these theories via aggregate social trends, we investigate the plausibility of treating the four social theories as attitudinal types that can be used to distinguish between the thoughts and feelings of different young adults. A self-completion attitude measure is created and used to gather data from a sample of 18 to 30 year olds living in Preston, UK (n=306). Cluster analysis is then used to identify potential attitude types from among the respondents which are discussed in relation to the four theories.
Using Agent Based Modelling to Integrate Data on Attitude Change
Authors: Chattoe-Brown Edmund
Published: February 2014

This article has two goals. Firstly, it shows how a relatively novel technique (Agent Based Modelling, hereafter ABM) can integrate different data types that are often used only in separate strands of research (interviews, experiments and surveys). It does this by comparing a well-known ABM of attitude dynamics with an alternative model using data from surveys and experiments. Secondly, the article explains ABM methodology and why it is important to the distinctiveness of ABM as a research method. In particular, the ramifications of differing approaches to ABM calibration and validation are discussed using the two different ABM as examples. The article concludes by showing how ABM might provide a progressive research strategy for integrating different data types and thus different disciplines in attitude research.
A long-term satellite study of aerosol effects on convective clouds in Nordic background air
Authors: Sporre M. K. , Swietlicki E. , Glantz P. , Kulmala M.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Aerosol-cloud interactions constitute a major uncertainty in future climate predictions. This study combines 10 years of ground-based aerosol particle measurements from two Nordic background stations (Vavihill and Hyytiälä) with MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite data of convective clouds. The merged data are used to examine how aerosols affect cloud droplet sizes and precipitation from convective clouds over the Nordic countries. From the satellite scenes, vertical profiles of cloud droplet effective radius (re) are created by plotting retrieved cloud top re against cloud top temperature for the clouds in a given satellite scene. The profiles have been divided according to aerosol number concentrations but also meteorological reanalysis parameters from the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts). Furthermore, weather radar data from the BALTEX (Baltic Sea Experiment) and precipitation data from several ground-based meteorological measurement stations have been investigated to determine whether aerosols affect precipitation intensity and amount. Small re throughout the entire cloud profiles is associated with high aerosol number concentrations at both stations. However, aerosol number concentrations seem to affect neither the cloud optical thickness nor the vertical extent of the clouds in this study. Cloud profiles with no or little precipitation have smaller droplets than those with more precipitation. Moreover, the amount of precipitation that reaches the ground is affected by meteorological conditions such as the vertical extent of the clouds, the atmospheric instability and the relative humidity in the lower atmosphere rather than the aerosol number concentration. However, lower precipitation rates are associated with higher aerosol number concentrations for clouds with similar vertical extent. The combination of these ground-based and remote-sensing datasets provides a unique long-term study of the effects of aerosols on convective clouds over the Nordic countries.
Global cropland monthly Gross Primary Production in the year 2000
Authors: Chen T. , van der Werf G. R. , Gobron N. , Moors E. J. , Dolman A. J.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Croplands cover about 12% of the ice-free terrestrial land surface. Compared with natural ecosystems, croplands have distinct characteristics due to anthropogenic influences. Their global gross primary production (GPP) is not well constrained and estimates vary between 8.2 and 14.2 Pg C yr−1. We quantified global cropland GPP using a light use efficiency (LUE) model, employing satellite observations and survey data of crop types and distribution. A novel step in our analysis was to assign a maximum light use efficiency estimate (ϵ*GPP) to each of the 26 different crop types, instead of taking a uniform value as done in the past. These ϵ*GPP values were calculated based on flux tower CO2 exchange measurements and a literature survey of field studies, and ranged from 1.20 g CMJ−1 to 2.96 g CMJ−1. Global cropland GPP was estimated to be 11.05 Pg C yr−1 in the year 2000. Maize contributed most to this (1.55 Pg C yr−1), and the continent of Asia contributed most with 38.9% of global cropland GPP. In the continental United States, annual cropland GPP (1.28 Pg C yr−1) was close to values reported previously (1.24 Pg C yr−1) constrained by harvest records, but our estimates of ϵ*GPP values were much higher. Our results are sensitive to satellite information and survey data on crop type and extent, but provide a consistent and data-driven approach to generate a look-up table of ϵ*GPP for the 26 crop types for potential use in other vegetation models.
Fire in ice: two millennia of Northern Hemisphere fire history from the Greenland NEEM ice core
Authors: Zennaro P. , Kehrwald N. , McConnell J. R. , Schüpbach S. , Maselli O. , Marlon J. , Vallelonga P. , Leuenberger D. , Zangrando R. , Spolaor A. , Borrotti M. , Barbaro E. , Gambaro A. , Barbante C.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Biomass burning is a major source of greenhouse gases and influences regional to global climate. Pre-industrial fire-history records from black carbon, charcoal and other proxies provide baseline estimates of biomass burning at local to global scales, but there remains a need for broad-scale fire proxies that span millennia in order to understand the role of fire in the carbon cycle and climate system. We use the specific biomarker levoglucosan, and multi-source black carbon and ammonium concentrations to reconstruct fire activity from the North Greenland Eemian (NEEM) ice cores (77.49° N; 51.2° W, 2480 m a.s.l.) over the past 2000 years. Increases in boreal fire activity (1000–1300 CE and 1500–1700 CE) over multi-decadal timescales coincide with the most extensive central and northern Asian droughts of the past two millennia. The NEEM biomass burning tracers coincide with temperature changes throughout much of the past 2000 years except for during the extreme droughts, when precipitation changes are the dominant factor. Many of these multi-annual droughts are caused by monsoon failures, thus suggesting a connection between low and high latitude climate processes. North America is a primary source of biomass burning aerosols due to its relative proximity to the NEEM camp. During major fire events, however, isotopic analyses of dust, back-trajectories and links with levoglucosan peaks and regional drought reconstructions suggest that Siberia is also an important source of pyrogenic aerosols to Greenland.
Ensemble initialization of the oceanic component of a coupled model through bred vectors at seasonal-to-interannual timescales
Authors: Baehr J. , Piontek R.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. We evaluate the ensemble spread at seasonal-to-interannual timescales for two perturbation techniques implemented in the ocean component of a coupled model: (1) lagged initial conditions as commonly used for decadal predictions; (2) bred vectors as commonly used for weather and seasonal forecasting. We show that relative to an uninitialized reference simulation the implementation for bred vectors can improve the ensemble spread compared to lagged initialization at timescales from one month up to three years. As bred vectors have so far mostly been used at short timescales, we initially focus on the implementation of the bred vectors in the ocean component. We introduce a depth-dependent vertical rescaling norm, accounting for the vertical dependence of the variability, and extending the commonly used upper-ocean rescaling norm to the full water column. We further show that it is sufficient for the (sub-surface) ocean to breed temperature and salinity (i.e., scalar quantities), and rely on the governing physics to carry the temperature and salinity perturbations to the flow field. Using these bred vectors with a rescaling interval of 12 months, we initialize hindcast simulations and compare them to hindcast simulations initialized with lagged initial conditions. We quantify the ensemble spread by analyzing Talagrand diagrams and spread–error ratios. For both temperature and salinity, the lagged initialized ensemble is particularly under-dispersive for the first few months of predictable lead time. The ensemble initialized with bred vectors improves the spread for temperature and salinity for the 0–700 m and 1000–3500 m means, compared to the lagged ensemble at lead times of several months to one year. As the lead time increases to years, the differences between the two ensemble initialization techniques become more difficult to discern. While the results need to be confirmed in an initialized framework, the present analysis represents a first step towards improved ensemble generation at the transition from seasonal to interannual timescales, in particular at lead times up to one year.