bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of methane emission rates from coal mine ventilation shafts using airborne remote sensing data
Authors: Krings T. , Gerilowski K. , Buchwitz M. , Hartmann J. , Sachs T. , Erzinger J. , Burrows J. P. , Bovensmann H.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The quantification of emissions of the greenhouse gas methane is essential for attributing the roles of anthropogenic activity and natural phenomena in global climate change. Our current measurement systems and networks whilst having improved during the last decades, are deficient in many respects. For example, the emissions from localised and point sources such as landfills or fossil fuel exploration sites are not readily assessed. A tool developed to better understand point sources of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane is the optical remote sensing instrument MAMAP, operated from aircraft. After a recent instrument modification, retrievals of the column averaged dry air mole fractions for methane XCH4 (or for carbon dioxide XCO2) derived from MAMAP data, have a precision of about 0.4% or better and thus can be used to infer emission rate estimates using an optimal estimation inverse Gaussian plume model or a simple integral approach. CH4 emissions from two coal mine ventilation shafts in Western Germany surveyed during the AIRMETH 2011 measurement campaign are used as examples to demonstrate and assess the value of MAMAP data for quantifying CH4 from point sources. While the knowledge of the wind is an important input parameter in the retrieval of emissions from point sources and is generally extracted from models, additional information from a turbulence probe operated on-board the same aircraft was utilised to enhance the quality of the emission estimates. Although flight patterns were optimised for remote sensing measurements, data from an in-situ analyser for CH4 were found to be in good agreement with retrieved dry columns of CH4 from MAMAP and could be used to investigate and refine underlying assumptions for the inversion procedures. With respect to the total emissions of the mine at the time of the overflight, the inferred emission rate of 50.4 kt CH4 yr−1 has a difference of less than 1% compared to officially reported values by the mine operators, while the uncertainty, which reflects variability of the sources and conditions as well as random and systematic errors, is about ±13.5%.
The climate dependence of the terrestrial carbon cycle; including parameter and structural uncertainties
Authors: Smith M. J. , Vanderwel M. C. , Lyutsarev V. , Emmott S. , Purves D. W.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The feedback between climate and the terrestrial carbon cycle will be a key determinant of the dynamics of the Earth System over the coming decades and centuries. However Earth System Model projections of the terrestrial carbon-balance vary widely over these timescales. This is largely due to differences in their carbon cycle models. A major goal in biogeosciences is therefore to improve understanding of the terrestrial carbon cycle to enable better constrained projections. Essential to achieving this goal will be assessing the empirical support for alternative models of component processes, identifying key uncertainties and inconsistencies, and ultimately identifying the models that are most consistent with empirical evidence. To begin meeting these requirements we data-constrained all parameters of all component processes within a global terrestrial carbon model. Our goals were to assess the climate dependencies obtained for different component processes when all parameters have been inferred from empirical data, assess whether these were consistent with current knowledge and understanding, assess the importance of different data sets and the model structure for inferring those dependencies, assess the predictive accuracy of the model, and to identify a methodology by which alternative component models could be compared within the same framework in future. Although formulated as differential equations describing carbon fluxes through plant and soil pools, the model was fitted assuming the carbon pools were in states of dynamic equilibrium (input rates equal output rates). Thus, the parameterised model is of the equilibrium terrestrial carbon cycle. All but 2 of the 12 component processes to the model were inferred to have strong climate dependencies although it was not possible to data-constrain all parameters indicating some potentially redundant details. Similar climate dependencies were obtained for most processes whether inferred individually from their corresponding data sets or using the full terrestrial carbon model and all available data sets, indicating a strong overall consistency in the information provided by different data sets under the assumed model formulation. A notable exception was plant mortality, in which qualitatively different climate dependencies were inferred depending on the model formulation and data sets used, highlighting this component as the major structural uncertainty in the model. All but two component processes predicted empirical data better than a null model in which no climate dependency was assumed. Equilibrium plant carbon was predicted especially well (explaining around 70% of the variation in the withheld evaluation data). We discuss the advantages of our approach in relation to advancing our understanding of the carbon cycle and enabling Earth System Models make better constrained projections.
Urbanization susceptibility maps: a dynamic spatial decision support system for sustainable land use
Authors: Cerreta M. , De Toro P.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Recent developments in land consumption assessment identify the need to implement integrated evaluative approaches, with particular attention to the identification of multidimensional tools for guiding and managing sustainable land use. Policy decisions defining land use are mostly implemented through spatial planning and related zoning, and this involves trade-offs between many sectoral interests and conflicting challenges aimed at win-win solutions. In order to identify a decision-making process for land use allocation, the paper proposes a methodological approach for a Dynamic Spatial Decision Support System (DSDSS), named Integrated Spatial Assessment (ISA), supported by Geographical Information Systems (GIS) combined with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Through the empirical investigation in an operative case study, an integrated evaluative approach implemented in a DSDSS helps to elaborate "urbanization susceptibility maps", where spatial analysis combined with a multi-criteria method proved to be useful for facing the main issues related to land consumption and minimizing environmental impacts of spatial planning.
What can flux tracking teach us about water age distributions and their temporal dynamics?
Authors: Hrachowitz M. , Savenije H. , Bogaard T. A. , Tetzlaff D. , Soulsby C.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The complex interactions of runoff generation processes underlying the hydrological response of streams remain incompletely understood at the catchment scale. Extensive research has demonstrated the utility of tracers for both inferring flow paths distributions and constraining model parameterizations. While useful, the common use of linearity assumptions, i.e. time-invariance and complete mixing, in these studies provides only partial understanding of actual process dynamics. Here we use long term (< 20 yr) precipitation, flow and tracer (chloride) data of three contrasting upland catchments in the Scottish Highlands to inform integrated conceptual models investigating different mixing assumptions. Using the models as diagnostic tools in a functional comparison, water and tracer fluxes were tracked with the objective of characterizing water age distributions in the three catchments and establishing the wetness-dependent temporal dynamics of these distributions. The results highlight the potential importance of partial mixing which is dependent on the hydrological functioning of a catchment. Further, tracking tracer fluxes showed that the various components of a model can be characterized by fundamentally different water age distributions which may be highly sensitive to catchment wetness, available storage, mixing mechanisms, flow path connectivity and the relative importance of the different hydrological processes involved. Flux tracking also revealed that, although negligible for simulating the runoff response, the omission of processes such as interception evaporation can result in considerably biased water age distributions. Finally, the modeling indicated that water age distributions in the three study catchments do have long, power-law tails, which are generated by the interplay of flow path connectivity, the relative importance of different flow paths as well as by the mixing mechanisms involved. In general this study highlights the potential of customized integrated conceptual models, based on multiple mixing assumptions, to infer system internal transport dynamics and their sensitivity to catchment wetness states.
Influence of Age on Prognosis of Young Patients with Uveal Melanoma: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kaliki Swathi , Shields Carol L. , Mashayekhi Arman , Ganesh Anuradha , Furuta Minoru , Shields Jerry A.
Published: October 2012

Purpose.

To determine the influence of patient age on life prognosis in patients with uveal melanoma.

Design.

Matched retrospective cohort study of 122 patients in each age category (young [≤20 years], mid-adults [21–60 years], older adults [>60 years]).

Results.

Kaplan-Meier estimates of tumor-related metastasis at 3, 5, and 10 years were 1%, 8%, and 8% in young; 8%, 11%, and 26% in mid-adults; and 13%, 16%, and 24% in older adults. After exclusion of iris melanoma, Kaplan-Meier estimates of tumor-related metastasis at 3, 5, and 10 years were 2%, 11%, and 18% in young; 9%, 14%, and 21% in mid-adults; and 9%, 34%, and 33% in older adults. Risk factors for metastasis based on multivariate analysis included increasing age in young (p=0.05, hazard ratio [HR] 1.33), male gender in mid-adults (p=0.046, HR 4.23), and larger tumor basal diameter in mid-adults (p=0.002, HR 1.37) and older adults (p=0.001, HR 1.30). After adjusting for tumor diameter, the metastatic rate was lower in young patients compared to mid-adults (0=0.042, HR 3.00) and older adults (p=0.007, HR 4.20).

Conclusions.

Younger patient age at the time of diagnosis of uveal melanoma is associated with lower rate of metastasis compared to mid-adults and older adults.
The Debate Over Eating Meat
Authors: Sapontzis Steve F.
Published: October 2012

During the past four decades, four questions have shaped the debate over eating meat: (1) What hurts the most? (2) Are animal lovers nature haters? (3) Are vegetarians bigots? (4) Do animals have rights? The following conclusions are advocated: (1) Where general welfare is the issue, numbers count, and they will always count against a small minority profiting by repeatedly exploiting the majority. However, how most effectively to respond to this injustice is not obvious. (2) Despite disagreements about the relationship between biology and morals, vegetarians and environmentalists agree that factory farming is immoral because of what it does either to suffering animals or to the natural order. (3) Whether humans using animals for food can be a respectful relation-especially when we humans make all the decisions-is the real question here. So far, this extension of fairness beyond our own species is one for which we have shown little capacity. (4) Whether or not animals have "rights," morally concerned Westerners should not partake of factory-farmed products and should work for the abolition of such farms.
Animals Made Americans Human: Sentient Creatures and the Creation of Early America’s Moral Sensibility
Authors: Smith Bill Leon
Published: October 2012

This article analyzes the first animal cruelty conviction in the United States. Members of America’s founding generation worked to enhance awareness of animal cruelty, while drawing out its ethical implications and linking them to the nation’s birth struggles. They then took action to alter how animals were viewed in the inchoate American legal system. Perhaps the solution to contemporary animal cruelty lies in reexamining our past. A conviction for animal cruelty was unprecedented in 18th-century America. A revolution of thought regarding animals needed to occur. Dusting off centuries-old documents may reveal how we can have a revolution of thought today.
“Endemic Aliens”: Grey-Headed Flying-Foxes at the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens
Authors: Perry Dan
Published: October 2012

In 1980 grey-headed flying-foxes, a species now listed as "vulnerable to extinction," made camp at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (RBGM). In May 2000 the RBGM started to kill bats. The killing was halted when Humane Society International (HSI) filed for the bats’ protection under federal and state conservation laws. Over the next 13 months, conservationists, garden officials and scientists, politicians, animal activists, and others all played a part in a chain of events that demonstrates the tangled web of scientific involvement in politics and how different views within the scientific community may lead to conflicting positions on conservation strategies.
Configurable Embedded CPG-Based Control for Robot Locomotion
Authors: Barron-Zambrano Jose Hugo , Torres-Huitzil Cesar , Girau Bernard
Published: October 2012

Recently, the development of intelligent robots has benefited from a deeper understanding of the biomechanics and neurology of biological systems. Researchers have proposed the concept of Central Pattern Generators (CPGs) as a mechanism for generating an efficient control strategy for legged robots based on biological locomotion principles. Although many studies have aimed to develop robust legged locomotion controllers, relatively few of them have focused on adopting the technology for fully practical embedded hardware implementations. In this contribution, a reconfigurable hardware implementation of a CPG-based controller which is able to generate several gaits for quadruped and hexapod robots is presented. The proposed implementation is modular and configurable in order to scale up to legged robots with different degrees of freedom. Experimental results for embedded Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) implementations for quadruped and hexapod robot controllers are presented and analysed.
Cooperative Tasks between Humans and Robots in Industrial Environments
Authors: Corrales J. A. , Gómez G. J. García , Torres F. , Perdereau V.
Published: October 2012

Collaborative tasks between human operators and robotic manipulators can improve the performance and flexibility of industrial environments. Nevertheless, the safety of humans should always be guaranteed and the behaviour of the robots should be modified when a risk of collision may happen. This paper presents the research that the authors have performed in recent years in order to develop a human-robot interaction system which guarantees human safety by precisely tracking the complete body of the human and by activating safety strategies when the distance between them is too small. This paper not only summarizes the techniques which have been implemented in order to develop this system, but it also shows its application in three real human-robot interaction tasks.
Embedded Face Detection and Recognition
Authors: Günlü Göksel
Published: October 2012

The need to increase security in open or public spaces has in turn given rise to the requirement to monitor these spaces and analyse those images on-site and on-time. At this point, the use of smart cameras – of which the popularity has been increasing – is one step ahead. With sensors and Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), smart cameras generate ad hoc results by analysing the numeric images transmitted from the sensor by means of a variety of image-processing algorithms. Since the images are not transmitted to a distance processing unit but rather are processed inside the camera, it does not necessitate high-bandwidth networks or high processor powered systems; it can instantaneously decide on the required access. Nonetheless, on account of restricted memory, processing power and overall power, image processing algorithms need to be developed and optimized for embedded processors. Among these algorithms, one of the most important is for face detection and recognition. A number of face detection and recognition methods have been proposed recently and many of these methods have been tested on general-purpose processors. In smart cameras – which are real-life applications of such methods – the widest use is on DSPs. In the present study, the Viola-Jones face detection method – which was reported to run faster on PCs – was optimized for DSPs; the face recognition method was combined with the developed sub-region and mask-based DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform). As the employed DSP is a fixed-point processor, the processes were performed with integers insofar as it was possible. To enable face recognition, the image was divided into sub-regions and from each sub-region the robust coefficients against disruptive elements – like face expression, illumination, etc. – were selected as the features. The discrimination of the selected features was enhanced via LDA (Linear Discriminant Analysis) and then employed for recognition. Thanks to its operational convenience, codes that were optimized for a DSP received a functional test after the computer simulation. In these functional tests, the face recognition system attained a 97.4% success rate on the most popular face database: the FRGC.
A Shape Memory Alloy-Actuated Bio-Inspired Mesoscale Jumping Robot
Authors: Ho Thanhtam , Lee Sangyoon
Published: October 2012

Jumping may be considered to be quite a useful means of mobile robot locomotion, but acquiring a stable landing has been a difficult problem. This paper reports on the design, analysis, simulation and experiments of a mesoscale jumping robot that is capable of stable landing. A jumping mechanism inspired by jumping insects is introduced and an actuation scheme using only one shape memory alloy (SMA) spring is described. Experimental results show that a robot with a 17 gram weight and 13 cm diameter can jump forward as far as 1.2 times its body diameter and vertically as high as 1.5 times its body diameter. In addition, the robot is able to land in a stable manner and recover its initial posture after landing.
Gait Selection and Transition of Passivity-Based Bipeds with Adaptable Ankle Stiffness
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Qining
Published: October 2012

Stable bipedal walking is one of the most important components of humanoid robot design, which can help us better understand natural human walking. In this paper, to study gait selection and gait transition of efficient bipedal walking, we proposed a dynamic bipedal walking model with an upper body, flat feet and compliant joints. The model can achieve stable cyclic motion with different walking gaits. The hip actuation and ankle stiffness behavior of the model are quite similar to those of human normal walking. In simulation, we studied the influence of hip actuation and ankle stiffness on walking performance of each gait. The effects of ankle stiffness on gait selection are also analyzed. Gait transition is realized by adjusting ankle stiffness during walking.
Distance Adaptive Tensor Discriminative Geometry Preserving Projection for Face Recognition
Authors: Wang Ziqiang , Sun Xia , Sun Lijun
Published: October 2012

There is a growing interest in dimensionality reduction techniques for face recognition, however, the traditional dimensionality reduction algorithms often transform the input face image data into vectors before embedding. Such vectorization often ignores the underlying data structure and leads to higher computational complexity. To effectively cope with these problems, a novel dimensionality reduction algorithm termed distance adaptive tensor discriminative geometry preserving projection (DATDGPP) is proposed in this paper. The key idea of DATDGPP is as follows: first, the face image data are directly encoded in high-order tensor structure so that the relationships among the face image data can be preserved; second, the data-adaptive tensor distance is adopted to model the correlation among different coordinates of tensor data; third, the transformation matrix which can preserve discrimination and local geometry information is obtained by an iteration algorithm. Experimental results on three face databases show that the proposed algorithm outperforms other representative dimensionality reduction algorithms.
Emotional Interaction with a Robot Using Facial Expressions, Face Pose and Hand Gestures
Authors: Ju Myung-Ho , Kang Hang-Bong
Published: October 2012

Facial expression is one of the major cues for emotional communications between humans and robots. In this paper, we present emotional human robot interaction techniques using facial expressions combined with an exploration of other useful concepts, such as face pose and hand gesture. For the efficient recognition of facial expressions, it is important to understand the positions of facial feature points. To do this, our technique estimates the 3D positions of each feature point by constructing 3D face models fitted on the user. To construct the 3D face models, we first construct an Active Appearance Model (AAM) for variations of the facial expression. Next, we estimate depth information at each feature point from frontal- and side-view images. By combining the estimated depth information with AAM, the 3D face model is fitted on the user according to the various 3D transformations of each feature point. Self-occlusions due to the 3D pose variation are also processed by the region weighting function on the normalized face at each frame. The recognized facial expressions - such as happiness, sadness, fear and anger - are used to change the colours of foreground and background objects in the robot displays, as well as other robot responses. The proposed method displays desirable results in viewing comics with the entertainment robots in our experiments.
Rozumění pedagogickému jsoucnu: k duchovní obnově pedagogiky a škol
Authors: Ries L.
Published: October 2012

Pedagogické jsoucno jako veškeré pedagogické dění má vzhledem k současné situaci člověka a jeho světa doznat hlubokých proměn. Rozumění povaze hierarchické struktury pedagogického jsoucna je možným předpokladem těchto proměn. Hierarchická struktura je tvořena těmito sedmi rovinami: 1. náprava věcí lidských; 2. mezilidské vztahy; 3. specifikum oblastí poznávání a konání; 4. vázanost oblastí poznávání a konání; 5. kulturní, filosofické (světonázorové) potence poznávání a konání; 6. poznávání a prožívání smyslu, vyšších hodnot, spirituality; 7. činy, jednání, chování, užití. Předpokladem žádoucích proměn edukace je základová první rovina a vrcholové roviny pátá až sedmá.
Tacitní znalosti jako most mezi teorií a praxí v pedagogické přípravě budoucích učitelů
Authors: Švec V.
Published: October 2012

Studie si všímá tacitních znalostí v pedagogické přípravě budoucích učitelů. Tyto znalosti chápe jako – metaforicky řečeno – most mezi teorií a praxí. Charakterizuje pojem tacitní znalosti, který u nás není dosud v pedagogické literatuře příliš frekventován. Tacitní znalosti jsou osobní, individuální znalosti, které vznikají na základě zkušeností subjektu a vyznačují se těmito rysy: jsou procedurální, ale obtížně navenek vyjádřitelné, jsou relevantní pro dosahování cílů, které subjekt považuje za důležité, vznikají jen s malou pomocí druhých nebo zcela bez této pomoci, jsou vázány na kontext. V pedagogické přípravě si je student učitelství osvojuje řešením praktických situací. Rozvoj a tedy i zdokonalování tacitních znalostí studentů předpokládá, že jsou tyto znalosti zexplicitněny. Nástrojem zexplicitnění je sebereflexe, avšak ta sama o sobě nestačí k tomu, aby si student uvědomil, jak jeho činnost vypadá a jak ji lze zlepšit. K tomuto cíli lze dospět sdílením zkušeností a tacitních znalostí studentů s kolegy a vzdělavatelem učitelů (cvičným učitelem na škole, oborovým didaktikem apod.).
Origene e il dibattito sulla divinità del Logos nella prima metà del secolo III
Authors: Bartolozzi Giuseppe ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

This study intends to show how the essential elements in the debate over the divinity of the Son provoked by Arianism are already present within the Alessandrian Church during the first decades of the 3rd century. From the works of Origen it becomes apparent that his teaching on the eternity of the Logos intends to oppose those who asserted a temporal beginning thus separating the Logos from the divinity of the Father, which allows us to define them as radical supporters of the theology of the Logos. Against this doctrine, there is an identified opposition which probably utilized the term ὁμοούσιος to indicate to the contrary the divinity of the Son; nevertheless Origen, while proposing that the Son is generated from the ousia of the Father, does not share this teaching because in his theology the Son remains subordinate to the Father.
Il “Magnificat” (Lc. 1, 46-55) nella interpretazione di Origene e di Ambrogio
Authors: De Lorenzi Clara Burini ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

The present study propose a comparison between Origen and Ambrose with regard to Magnificat’s exegesis: Origen (HLc VIII) explain the hymn for above all to prove the manifestation of the Spirit in Mary and in Mary as well as in every perfect soul but the soul’s perfection be realized only by using virtuous life following the virtuous Mary’s example. Whereas the Ambrose’s exegesis (Exp. in Lc. 2,26-28) emphasize the Mary’s faith, model for our faith. “Anima mea magnificat Dominum” in Origen’s exegesis convey primarily a psychic and spiritual typus while a ethic typus in Ambrose's interpretation.
What names did the Anti-nicenes use for Catholics and Arians?
Authors: Moorhead John ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

The parties involved in the Trinitarian disputes that led to and followed the Council of Nicaea are generally referred to as Catholics and Arians. But suchterminology reproduces that of the party that was ultimately victorious, and this paper utilizes the evidence of Latin texts from the fourth to the sixth centuries to enquire into the language used by the other side. It will draw attention to the use of such terms as Homousians and Romans for those better known as Catholics, and the application of such general concepts as lex and religio.
Liberatus de Carthage ou l’historiographie comme service diaconal
Authors: Blaudeau Philippe ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

A participant in the Three Chapters controversy, the deacon Liberatus wants to revive resistance against the unacceptable movement of counciliar revisionism. In view of such an aim, his tale may seem to be confusing on the following points: geographical displacement, to the extent that Alexandria becomes the main place of his story; chronological distance, in order to stop his statement just before the explosion of the actual controversy. But this narratological approach allows him to take advantage of Tertullian’s praescriptio haereticorum principle. Indeed, from Liberatus’ point of view, all that he writes about Nestorianism and Eutychianism is enough to demonstrate to the faithful that his opponents have no legitimacy in appealing to holy scriptures and tradition.
Un chiarimento
Authors: Gori Franco ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

The Author does not offer a ‘ reply to a reply ’ by Dorothea Weber, but rather a clarification that is useful for the scholar who intends to do research on De vocatione omnium gentium.
Contrasting ecclesial functions in the second century
Authors: Batovici Dan ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

The collection of texts we read today under the name of Apostolic Fathers has proved to be a very productive source for surveys of the second century Christianity. Due to its heterogeneity, it is hardly a surprise that the question of diakonia, in this corpus, forms a composite image. The aim of this paper is to reassess on comparative basis the material on diakonoi, episkopoi and presbyteroi in the Shepherd of Hermas and Ignatius of Antioch‟s Letters.
L'accusa di magia e i cristiani nella tarda antichità
Authors: Marasco Gabriele ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

It is generally held that in late antiquity the accusation of magic was used by Christians to attack the pagans. However, there is quite ample documentationto show that Christians themselves resorted to this, in doctrinal disputes, to strike at their respective adversaries, in particular the bishops and their principal collaborators. With such a charge, they not only aroused the fears of the masses, but also provoked the intervention of the imperial authorities, bringing about the removal and the exile of those condemned and even, in the case of Priscilian, their execution. The efficacy of this accusation was facilitated by a widespread faith and the terror of magic, but also by the ambiguity of the powers of the magician, which could be easily confused with the supernatural powers of a saint. In fact, the distinction depended on the source of those powers, respectively, demons and God.
Uno strano modo di pregare. I passalorinchiti alle origini dell'esicasmo ?
Authors: Nardi Carlo ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

Important issues of Sinaitic and Byzantine hesychasm suggest the hypothesis of ancient derivations from the movement of the Passalorynchites or theTascodrugites, which has connections with the Montanist world. This religious experience, still alive in the fourth century, had peculiar modalities of prayer connected with breathing discipline, similar to respiration techniques present in hesychasm during the first centuries of second millennium. The article emphasizes spiritual ways that demonstrate an underground continuity between ancient uses and noteworthy aspects of Byzantine monasticism and its developments, especially in Slavic traditions.
Filologia E Logica Utilità Della Logica Come Strumento Complementare Della Filologia
Authors: Malatesta Michele ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

Synchronic and diachronic philology is a necessary but insufficient condition for studying rhetoricians and philosophers of the Ancient world. Knowledge of formal logic in order to understand their works is also required. As a rhetorician-turned-philosopher Augustine not only utilized Stoic and Aristotelian logic but also exceeded the boundary of such formal languages using both original inference patterns unknown to such formal systems and disclosing new horizons to Western philosophy.
Cristianesimo/Cristianesimi nell’antichità, Ovvero Dell'Attenzione Alle Tracce Leggere
Authors: Prinzivalli Emanuela ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

Christianity is a complex phenomenon, especially during the initial period. The use of the plural “Christianities” in historiography aims to emphasize this complexity. This paper offers some examples to highlight the different ways of life, the manifold interpretations of Jesus, the diverse organizations of churches and of worship during the first two centuries. The paper goes on to discuss the concept of Christianity and proposes a definition deriving from the impact of Jesus on believers. This impact led to his veneration, whether in an exclusive sense or not, but always in a decisive manner, given that, as the eschatological envoy, Jesus is the cause of salvation.
Cristianesimo/Cristianesimi nell’antichità Una Prospettiva Unitaria
Authors: Dell’Osso Carlo ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

The conviction that from the beginning believers in Christ possessed an awareness of their own faith and that they strove to avoid dissolving into different beliefs or doctrines, was the impulse for the author of this article to argue in a point by point manner in favor of the strong collective identity of the first believers in Christ. From the margins the author offers evidence of the liminality of the believers in Christ with respect to Jews and Pagans; from the contents he offers some reflections on the canonical Gospels, the day of celebration, the organization of the community and communication between the communities. The unitive outlook with which the author approaches the first testimony of Christianity distances his point of view from the pluralistic visions which are more in fashion among historians, who prefer to speak ofChristianities and not of a Christianity.
Nota alla tavola rotonda
Authors: Riedweg Christoph ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: October 2012

This short note underscores the pivotal part that the Apostle Paul played in promoting the socio-cultural heterogeneity characteristic of early Christianity: Without his role in the extension of evangelisation also to the Gentiles, Christianity, as a Hebrew “sect”, would have remained much more uniform, adhering mostly to the traditional way of life handed down from its ancestors (liturgy, rituals). Paul‟s missionary turn opened the way to many other, and also more “gentile”, forms of being Christian.
Les stratégies d’intervention sociopolitique favorables à l’action collective
Authors: Comeau Yvan
Published: October 2012

Cet article rend compte d’une démarche empirique ayant pour objectif d’identifier des principes stratégiques d’intervention en faveur de l’action collective revendicative. La recension des écrits met en évidence deux besoins de connaissances : 1. la désignation des stratégies en intervention sociopolitique appuyée par des considérations théoriques et empiriques; 2. les influences que le contexte de la lutte impose sur le choix de ces stratégies. La réalisation de 27 monographies sur des luttes sociales permet d’identifier des stratégies et des phénomènes qui amènent les acteurs à réaliser des plans qui ne sont pas toujours prévus au point de départ. Pour conclure, l’auteur retient de ses observations certains principes permettant à tout intervenant de devenir un peu plus stratège.
La dimension « tacite » des connaissances expérientielles individuelles : une mise en perspective théorique et méthodologique
Authors: Rix-Lièvre Géraldine , Lièvre Pascal
Published: October 2012

La question des connaissances « tacites » fait débat en management des connaissances notamment sur la possibilité de les transformer en un savoir explicite. De nombreux travaux en économie et en gestion attestent que l’enjeu est considérable. Nous nous focalisons strictement sur les connaissances individuelles. Nous prolongeons les travaux de Polanyi, en substituant la notion de « connaissance en acte » au sens de Piaget à celle de « connaissance tacite ». La dimension « tacite » en est l’une des caractéristiques, révélatrice d’un niveau de conscience spécifique : le pré-réfléchi. Des outils radicalement distincts de l’entretien sociologique permettent d’approcher cette connaissance non conscientisée de l’expliciter et de la formaliser.
Can Open Source projects succeed when the producers are not users? Lessons from the data processing field1
Authors: Jullien Nicolas , Roudaut Karine
Published: October 2012

Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) proposes an original way to solve the incentive dilemma for the production of information goods, based on von Hippel (1988)’s user-as-innovator principle: as users benefit from innovation, they have incentive to produce it, and as they can expect cumulative innovation on their own proposition, they have incentive to share it. But what is the incentive for producers when they are not users? We discuss this question via a qualitative study of FLOSS projects in “algorithm-based industries”. We find that in this case producers hardly participate in such projects.
Thickness‐Dependent Structure–Property Relationships in Strained (110) SrRuO3 Thin Films
Authors: Kan Daisuke , Aso Ryotaro , Kurata Hiroki , Shimakawa Yuichi
Published: October 2012

Thickness‐dependent structure–property relationships in strained SrRuO3 thin films on GdScO3 (GSO) substrates are reported. The film is found to have epitaxially stabilized crystal structures that vary with the film thickness. Below 16 nm, the √2apc × √2apc × 2apc monoclinic structure is stabilized while above 16 nm the film has the apc × 2apc × apc tetragonal structure. The thickness‐dependent structural changes are ascribed to the substrate‐induced modification in the RuO6 octahedral rotation pattern, which highlights the significance of the octahedral rotations for the epitaxial strain accommodation in the coherently‐grown films. Close relationships between the structural and physical properties of the films are also found. The monoclinic film has the uniaxial magnetic easy axis 45° away from the [110]GSO direction while the tetragonal film has the one that lies along the in‐plane [1–10]GSO direction. The results demonstrate that the octahedral rotations in the strained perovskite oxide thin films are a key factor for determining their structure phases and physical properties.
PEGylated Peptide Based Reductive Polycations as Efficient Nonviral Gene Vectors
Authors: Yang Juan , Wang Hui‐Yuan , Yi Wen‐Jie , Gong Yu‐Hui , Zhou Xiang , Zhuo Ren‐Xi , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: October 2012

To overcome the critical barriers in gene delivery, a series of reducible polycations (RPCs) based on low molecular weight (LMW) peptides, i.e. PolyHK6H, PolyHK6H‐mPEG1, PolyHK6H‐mPEG2, and PolyHK6H‐mPEG3, with different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) contents, are synthesized and evaluated as nonviral gene vectors. All the RPCs exhibit lower cytotoxicity compared with 25 kDa polyethyleneimine (PEI) and PEGylated PEI (PEI‐mPEG: PEI‐mPEG1, PEI‐mPEG2, and PEI‐mPEG3). PolyHK6H‐mPEG1 and PolyHK6H‐mPEG2 can bind and condense plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (pDNA) efficiently with a particle size of about 200 nm. Moreover, they display much higher transfection efficiency than that of 25 kDa PEI especially in serum‐supplemented medium. Moreover, PolyHK6H‐mPEG1 has equal transfection efficiency with PEI‐mPEG1 which is optimal in the PEI‐mPEG, but PolyHK6H‐mPEG1 exhibits significantly lower cytotoxicity than PEI‐mPEG1. This is attributed to the fact that inter‐peptide disulfide bonds can increase the stability of RPCs/pDNA complexes in extracellular environment and thereafter cleave in cytoplasm to facilitate the release of pDNA in intracellular environment. The PEGylated RPCs demonstrate here improved intracellular gene transfer performance and will have great potential applications in vivo.
Purified Graphene Oxide Dispersions Lack In Vitro Cytotoxicity and In Vivo Pathogenicity
Authors: Ali‐Boucetta Hanene , Bitounis Dimitrios , Raveendran‐Nair Rahul , Servant Ania , Van den Bossche Jeroen , Kostarelos Kostas
Published: October 2012

Prompted by the excitement from the description of single layer graphene, increased attention for potential applications in the biomedical field has been recently placed on graphene oxide (GO). Determination of the opportunities and limitations that GO offers in biomedicine are particularly prone to inaccuracies due to wide variability in the preparation methodologies of GO material in different laboratories, that results in significant variation in the purity of the material and the yield of the oxidation reactions, primarily the Hummers method used. Herein, the fabrication of highly pure, colloidally stable, and evenly dispersed GO in physiologically‐relevant aqueous buffers in comparison to conventional GO is investigated. The purified GO material is thoroughly characterized by a battery of techniques, and is shown to consist of single layer GO sheets of lateral dimensions below 500 nm. The cytotoxic impact of the GO in vitro and its inflammation profile in vivo is investigated. The purified GO prepared and characterized here does not induce significant cytotoxic responses in vitro, or inflammation and granuloma formation in vivo following intraperitoneal injection. This is one of the initial steps towards determination of the safety risks associated with GO material that may be interacting with living tissue.
Influence of Organic Solvents on Enzymatic Asymmetric Carboligations
Authors: Gerhards Tina , Mackfeld Ursula , Bocola Marco , von Lieres Eric , Wiechert Wolfgang , Pohl Martina , Rother Dörte
Published: October 2012

The asymmetric mixed carboligation of aldehydes with thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)‐dependent enzymes is an excellent example where activity as well as changes in chemo‐ and stereoselectivity can be followed sensitively. To elucidate the influence of organic additives in enzymatic carboligation reactions of mixed 2‐hydroxy ketones, we present a comparative study of six ThDP‐dependent enzymes in 13 water‐miscible organic solvents under equivalent reaction conditions. The influence of the additives on the stereoselectivity is most pronounced and follows a general trend. If the enzyme stereoselectivity in aqueous buffer is already >99.9% ee, none of the solvents reduces this high selectivity. In contrast, both stereoselectivity and chemoselectivity are strongly influenced if the enzyme is rather unselective in aqueous buffer. For the S‐selective enzyme with the largest active site, we were able to prove a general correlation of the solvent‐excluded volume of the additives with the effect on selectivity changes: the smaller the organic solvent molecule, the higher the impact of this additive. Further, a correlation to log P of the additives on selectivity was detected if two additives have almost the same solvent‐excluded volume. The observed results are discussed in terms of structural, biochemical and energetic effects. This work demonstrates the potential of medium engineering as a powerful additional tool for varying enzyme selectivity and thus engineering the product range of biotransformations. It further demonstrates that the use of cosolvents should be carefully planned, as the solvents may compete with the substrate(s) for binding sites in the enzyme active site.

Abbreviations: ApPDC: pyruvate decarboxylase from Acetobacter pasteurianus; DCM: dichloromethane; DIPE: diisopropyl ether; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; ee: enantiomeric excess; EtOAc: ethyl acetate; EtOH: ethanol; GC: gas chromatography; HPLC: high‐performance liquid chromatography; HPP: 2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one; iProp: isopropyl alcohol; LlKdcA: branched‐chain keto acid decarboxylase from Lactococcus lactis; MIBK: methyl isobutyl ketone; MTBE: methyl tert‐butyl ether; MTHF: 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran; PAC: 1‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐one; PfBAL: benzaldehyde lyase from Pseudomonas fluorescens; PpBFD: benzoylformate decarboxylase from Pseudomonas putida; rpd: relative product distribution; TCM: trichloromethane; THF; tetrahydrofuran
Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkylphosphonates from H‐Phosphonates and N‐Tosylhydrazones
Authors: Miao Wenjun , Gao Yuzhen , Li Xueqin , Gao Yuxing , Tang Guo , Zhao Yufen
Published: October 2012

A new catalytic system for the alkylation of H‐phosphonates and diphenylphosphine oxide with N‐tosylhydrazones has been developed. In the presence of copper(I) iodide and base, H‐phosphonates react with N‐tosylhydrazones to afford the corresponding coupled alkylphosphonates in good to excellent yields without any ligands. Alkylphosphonates can also be prepared in a one‐pot process directly from carbonyl compounds without the isolation of tosylhydrazone intermediates.
Catalytic and Structural Studies of Hoveyda–Grubbs Type Pre‐Catalysts Bearing Modified Ether Ligands
Authors: Guidone Stefano , Blondiaux Enguerrand , Samojłowicz Cezary , Gułajski Łukasz , Kędziorek Mariusz , Malińska Maura , Pazio Aleksandra , Woźniak Krzysztof , Grela Karol , Doppiu Angelino , Cazin Catherine S. J.
Published: October 2012

Catalytic and crystallographic studies of Hoveyda–Grubbs type pre‐catalysts M51TM and M52TM were performed. These two new instruments in the olefin metathesis catalyst toolbox were shown to be active at ambient temperature and at low loading, leading to clean formation of ring‐closing, ring‐closing enyne and cross metathesis products.
CSF1R mutations identified in three families with autosomal dominantly inherited leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Mitsui Jun , Matsukawa Takashi , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Higasa Koichiro , Yoshimura Jun , Saito Taro L. , Ahsan Budrul , Takahashi Yuji , Goto Jun , Iwata Atsushi , Niimi Yuki , Riku Yuuichi , Goto Yoji , Mano Kazuo , Yoshida Mari , Morishita Shinichi , Tsuji Shoji
Published: October 2012

Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneities are considerably high in adult‐onset leukoencephalopathy, in which comprehensive mutational analyses of the candidate genes by conventional methods are too laborious. We applied exome sequencing to conduct a comprehensive mutational analysis of genes for autosomal dominant leukoencephalopathies. Genomic DNA samples from four patients of three families with autosomal dominantly inherited adult‐onset leukodystrophy were subjected to exome sequencing. On the basis of the results, 21 patients with adult‐onset sporadic leukodystrophy and one patient with pathologically proven HDLS were additionally screened for CSF1R mutations. Exome sequencing identified heterozygous CSF1R mutations (p.I794T and p.R777W) in two families. I794T has recently been reported as a causative mutation for hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS), and R777W is a novel mutation. Although mutational analysis of CSF1R in 21 sporadic cases revealed no mutations, another novel CSF1R mutation, p.C653Y, was identified in one patient with autopsy‐proven HDSL. These variants were located in the PTK domain where the causative mutations cluster. Functional prediction of the mutant CSF1R as well as cross‐species conservation of the affected amino acids supports the notion that these variants are pathogenic for HDLS. Exome sequencing is useful for a comprehensive mutational analysis of causative genes for hereditary leukoencephalopathies, and CSF1R should be considered a candidate gene for patients with autosomal dominant leukoencephalopathies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Basal lamella relaxing incision improves endoscopic middle meatal access
Authors: Getz Anne E. , Hwang Peter H.
Published: October 2012

Background

Lateralization of the middle turbinate is a commonly cited factor leading to failure of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Inadequate medialization during FESS may require repeat intraoperative attempts, and may lead to destabilization and mucosal trauma. A novel technique is described that increases middle meatal area and provides more definitive medialization at the outset of FESS.

Methods

Twenty‐nine middle turbinate medializations were prospectively evaluated in 18 consecutive patients undergoing primary ESS. Three intraoperative images of the middle meatus were obtained in the native position, after Freer medialization, and after basal lamella relaxing incision (BLRI). Measurements of middle meatal area were then calculated in a blinded and randomized fashion.

Results

Distances measured from the middle turbinate to the lateral nasal wall for each position ranged from 0 to 8 mm (median = 3.00 mm) for the native position, 0.5 to 10 mm (median = 5.00 mm) for standard Freer medialization, and 3 to 21 mm (median = 10.00 mm) for BLRI. Friedman's analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was significant difference between the 3 measurements, and the post hoc Wilcoxon signed ranks tests showed that BLRI distance (median = 10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7‐11.2) was significantly larger than both standard Freer (median = 5; 95% CI, 4‐6.2) and native (median = 3; 95% CI, 2‐3) and that standard Freer was significantly larger than native (all p values <0.001).

Conclusion

BLRI is a safe, controlled technique that provides significantly greater medialization of the middle turbinate compared to standard medialization techniques. BLRI significantly enhances the operative space within the middle meatus.