bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Livelihood Adaptation in Dam-Affected Volta Delta, Ghana: Lessons of NGO Support
Authors: Ofori Benjamin D. , Lawson Elaine T. , Ayivor Jesse S. , Kanlisi Roland
Published: May 2016

The costs of the multiple benefits of large-scale dam development are disproportionately borne by displaced people upstream and downstream riparian communities whose livelihood strategies have depended on the flood regime of rivers and resources in their natural surroundings. Downstream dam-affected populations are compelled to adapt to post-dam flood plain ecosystems in order to rebuild their livelihoods. However, they are usually confronted with many challenges due to limited local capacity, levels of vulnerability and impoverishment and, very often, inadequate and slow governmental and institutional support. In this paper, we examined the support of an international non-governmental organisation for four island communities of the Volta Delta in Ghana whose livelihoods were disrupted by the damming of the Volta River upstream at Akosombo, 80km from its mouth. The study was situated within the context of the sustainable livelihood analysis framework and the methodology adopted involved discussions and interviews with project beneficiaries and implementers. The study findings indicated that there were initial benefits from the livestock component of the project but that could not be sustained as the beneficiaries could not buy feed on regular basis. However, the communal agroforestry undertaken by the groups provided the impetus for establishment of individually-owned woodlots which are harvested for fuel. A key lesson from the project is that local leadership is crucial in the success of community livelihood support programmes. Also, adequate sensitization and education about the project along with re-orientation of peoples’ minds are essential ingredients for achieving acceptability of the project by local communities and ensuring project sustainability.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Poveda Cesar A.
Published: May 2016

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION for Health and Social Services. Rae Walker and Wendy Mason (Eds.). (2015). Clayton South, VC: CSIRO Publishing, 280 pp., $62.95, ISBN: 9781486302529 (paperback)
Biofuel Production Induced Land-use Land-cover Change in Selected Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria
Authors: Balogun Bolarinwa O. , Salami Ayobami T.
Published: May 2016

Biofuel production activities have been reported in Nigeria but with not much focus on the environmental impacts. The study was restricted to three geographical zones of Nigeria where industrial-scale biofuel production activities have been reported. An in-situ visit to each zone was used to select the Area of Interest (AoI), which comprised of an industrial-scale production activity and its environment. The AoI was clipped on Landsat 2006 and NigeriaSat-X 2012 images. The feature space of the AoI was classified into the different land use and land cover classes to derive the change statistics. Changes in the vegetation density of the AoI were also carried out. The results showed increased human presence and decreased vegetation in the three zones, while there was an increase in the area occupied by farm land or cultivated areas and bare ground. The study concluded on the need for an early monitoring of the biofuel production activities in Nigeria so that the country can maximize the benefits.
Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Zambia – The Case of Chongwe District
Authors: Chompolola Abson , Kaonga Oliver
Published: May 2016

The Zambian government and its cooperating partners have been trying to promote the use of conservation agriculture for improved food security and promotion of environmental sustainability. The methods used to promote conservation agriculture however are not adequately informed because no Zambia-specific studies have been done to explain adoption behaviour. This study aimed at explaining the factors that affect the adoption of conservation agriculture in Zambia using a case study.

A cross section survey of 200 randomly selected small scale farmers in Chongwe district was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Information collected included demographic characteristics of participating households, economic, as well as social characteristics. Respondents also provided information on the farming practices they are currently using vis a vis conservation agriculture.
A decision model was estimated using logistic regression and the results indicate that the adoption of conservation agriculture in the survey area is basically influenced by ownership of draft power, availability of labour, and the frequency of contact with the farmer support extension system. Potential to increase the adoption rate is plenty, but can only be tapped into if strategies and policies take into account the behavioural aspects of the adoption of the technology.
Lifestyle Factors and Asthma in India—A Case-Control Study
Authors: Poongadan Mohammed , Gupta Nitesh , Kumar Raj
Published: May 2016

Introduction: There has been a recent trend of increasing prevalence of asthma in developing countries; prevalence in the Indian population is reported to be 2%. The link between lifestyle factors and asthma has been mostly derived from western literature. The present study intended to study relationship if any, between life style factors and asthma in a representative Indian population. Material and methods: The study is a case-control study performed for a period of one year, between 2014 and 2015. 125 asthma and correspondingly age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited for the purpose of study. A self-reported questionnaire has been prepared based on routine lifestyle habits of Indian population. Results: The hours of TV watching and hours of sleep were significantly higher in asthma patients, and also duration of sports activity showed inverse relation with asthma. Smoking, tobacco, chewing as well as alcohol consumption were higher in asthma patients in comparison to controls, though neither was statistically significant. The mental stress as assessed on scale of 1−10, was significantly higher in asthma patients (p < 0.001). Asthma patients had significantly lower travel duration/week (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study concluded increased TV watching, increased mental stress, reduced hours of physical activity and travel may be correlated with asthma in India. With growing evidence of increasing association of asthma and sedentary lifestyle, it is imperative to reduce acquaintance to as well as incidence of these factors through public health policies, which may impact prevalence of asthma in Indian population.
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in Six Patients with Bronchiectasis
Authors: Modaresi Mohammadreza , Sadeghi Bamdad , Mohammadinejad Payam , Sayedi Sayed , Masiha Farzad , Shirzadi Rohola , Azizi Gholamreza , Aghamohammadi Asghar
Published: May 2016

Introduction: Primary ciliary dyskinesia [PCD] is generally considered as a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Previous studies reported various prevalence of PCD among patients with bronchiectasis. Material and methods: Six PCD patients who were diagnosed during the investigation of 40 patients with bronchiectasis were enrolled in this study. Ultra structural studies for both epithelium and cilia were performed, and the deformities in detailed electron microscopic images confirmed the diagnosis of PCD. Results: Four patients experienced the first symptoms shortly after the birth, 1 by the age of 1 and 1 by the age of 4 years. Except of 1 case that was diagnosed 2 months after the onset of disease, diagnosis delay was longer than 5 years in all patients. Consanguineous marriage was observed in the parents of all patients. Upper respiratory tract infections were documented for all patients. Conclusions: PCD should be considered as a probable underlying disorder in patients with bronchiectasis. Past medical history of otitis media and history of similar clinical findings in family members should raise suspicion toward PCD.
A Case of Systemic Melioidosis: Unravelling the Etiology of Chronic Unexplained Fever with Multiple Presentations
Authors: Mohanty Srujana , Pradhan Gourahari , Panigrahi Manoj , Mohapatra Prasanta , Mishra Baijayantimala
Published: May 2016

Melioidosis, caused by the environmental saprophyte, Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an important public health problem in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. It is being increasingly reported from other parts, including India, China, and North and South America expanding the endemic zone of the disease. We report a case of systemic melioidosis in a 58-year-old diabetic, occupationally-unexposed male patient, who presented with chronic fever, sepsis, pneumonia, pleural effusion and subcutaneous abscess, was undiagnosed for long, misidentified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection elsewhere, but was saved due to correct identification of the etiologic agent and timely institution of appropriate therapy at our institute. A strong clinical and microbiological suspicion for melioidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute pyrexia of unknown origin, acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute onset of sepsis, especially in the tropics.
What Factors May Influence Epidemiological Situation of Tuberculosis in Poland and in the World?
Authors: Rowińska-Zakrzewska Ewa , Korzeniewska-Koseła Maria , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa , Szturmowicz Monika
Published: May 2016

The authors present the review of factors influencing epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in Poland and in the world. The groups of increased risk of tuberculosis, and clinical conditions predisposing to activation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) such as HIV, uremia, diabetes mellitus, transplantation of organs, treatment with glucocorticosteroids and with antibodies to TNF and to its receptors, were presented. The higher prevalence and worse prognosis of tuberculosis in elderly people was emphasised. The methods of LTBI recognition, according to recent recommendations, with special consideration to patients in immunosupression, were shown. Methods of treatment to prevent LTBI activation, according to WHO experts, were also presented. All data were discussed in relation to the actual epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in Poland.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha as an Asthma Biomarker in Early Childhood
Authors: Majak Paweł
Published: May 2016

Research on biomarkers of asthma in early childhood could be explained by at least three reasons [...]
Prognostic Value of TH1/TH2 Cytokines in Infants with Wheezing in a Three Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Chkhaidze Ivane , Zirakishvili Dali , Shavshvishvili Natalia , Barnabishvili Neli
Published: May 2016

Introduction: The immune system is known to play a key role in the development of viral-induced wheeze, but the pattern of cytokine response is not clear. The aim of the study was to determine whether plasma cytokine levels during the acute wheezing illness in infants are associated with the subsequent development of persistent recurrent wheezing (PRW). Material and methods: 43 infants admitted to Iashvili Central Children Hospital, Tbilisi, Georgia, were selected. The concentrations of IFN-g, TNF-a and IL-6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total serum IgE level was also determined. IgM and IgG antibodies to RSV, Chlamydophila pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumonia were tested by ELISA. All children were followed-up during 3 years period. Results: There was no significant association with PRW and atopy in the infant or parental atopy, low maternal age, low birth weight, serum level of IL-6, serum level of IFN-g, serum level of total IgE and the particular pathogen. There was a tendency for the association with male sex, bottle feeding and household cigarette smoking, although the relation was not significant. There was just TNF-a which was strongly associated with the risk of PRW after three years of follow up. Conclusion: We have identified TNF-a, as a biomarker, which can be detected in children under 3 years of age and may be useful in the prediction of development of persistence of wheezing later. To further evaluate the usefulness of this and other markers and establish cutoff levels for prediction and use in clinical practice, a larger prospective follow-up study is needed.
Fungal Infection of Cystic Fibrosis Patients—Single Center Experience
Authors: Garczewska Barbara , Jarzynka Sylwia , Kuś Jan , Skorupa Wojciech , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa
Published: May 2016

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common monogenetic autosomal recessive disease in the human population. This systemic disease is characterized by changes in multiple organs, mainly in the lung tissue and digestive tract. More than 59% of CF patients become sensitized to fungal spores, mostly Aspergillus fumigatus. 5−15% of CF patients develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of yeast and filamentous fungi of the respiratory infections in CF patients and evaluation of drug resistance. Material and methods: Between 2006 and 2014, mycological evaluation of 42 patients hospitalized at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases was carried out. Results: 217 specimens from pulmonary tract were collected from 42 patients with cystic fibrosis. 205 (68%) strains of yeast and 96 (32%) filamentous fungi strains were cultured. The most common mould strain was A. fumigatus—22.2% (67 species). All isolates of filamentous fungi were in vitro 100% susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and amphotericin B. Conclusions: A. fumigatus and C. albicans were the most common etiological agents of fungal respiratory pathogens associated with CF patients. A. fumigatus strains were in vitro 100% susceptible to azole and amphotericin B. Two strains of C. albicans and one strain of C. tropicalis were non-susceptible to azole (fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole). Scedosporium apiospermum was resistant to amphotericin B (MIC > 32 mg/l) and susceptible to voriconazole (MIC 0.094 mg/l).
Dietary Pattern and Asthma in India
Authors: Poongadan Mohammed , Gupta Nitesh , Kumar Raj
Published: May 2016

Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate the association between food consumption pattern and asthma in Indian population. Material and methods: 125 asthma and corresponding age and sex matched healthy controls were recruited for the purpose of a study. A self- reported food-frequency questionnaire (NNR-Dietary Pattern in Asthma Questionnaire) comprising of 80 food and drink items, belonging to 15 groups, was developed based on routine dietary habits and ISAAC phase two and phase three questionnaires. Results: There was no significant difference of gender, height, weight, BMI and socioeconomic status between asthma and control groups (p > 0.05). The consumption of fast food, salted snacks, fried snacks; nuts and dry fruits were significantly higher in asthmatics (p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a tendency to higher consumption of fats and oil, sugar and carbonated drink in asthmatics (p > 0.05). On the contrary, consumption of cereals, milk and milk products, non-vegetarian food, fruits and fruit juice tends to be higher in healthy controls, though neither of them could reach a statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of fast food, salted snacks, fried snacks, fats and oils nuts, dry fruits, carbonated drinks may be associated with asthma in India. Hence, it is imperative to reduce consumption and increase awareness of influence of fast food on asthma through public health policies.
Pulmonary Mycotic Pseudo-Aneurysm with a Prior History of Ventricular Septal Defect. Case Report with Review of Literature
Authors: Walasangikar Vishal , Dey Amit , Sharma Rajaram , Murumkar Vivek , Gadewar Rohit , Hira Priya , Mittal Kartik
Published: May 2016

In general aneurysms of the pulmonary arteries are less frequent than intracranial, aortic or other vascular locations. Infectious causes include bacteria such as Staphylococcus sp and Streptococcus sp, mycobacteria, Treponema pallidium (syphilis) and rarely fungi. We report a 7 year old female with two right-sided parahilar pseudo-aneurysm of fungal origin with a prior history of ventricular septal defect. Pulmonary mycotic pseudo-aneurysms are very rare and require a high suspicion to diagnose. If a patient is still symptomatic for fever and cough for a long time, and consolidation on x-ray is not improving on antibiotics, contrast-enhanced computed tomography is indicated. It can be suspected that the „friable mass attached to ventricular septal defect patch” was a source of fungeal emboli to pulmonary arteries thus giving weight to the infective endocarditis etiology. A prior history of ventricular septal defect repair could favour fungal endocarditis.
Comorbidities in Lung Cancer
Authors: Dutkowska Agata , Antczak Adam
Published: May 2016

Comorbidity is the occurrence of concomitant disease in addition to an index disease of interest or the simultaneous occurrence of multiple diseases in an individual. Lung cancer is associated with age and smoking, and both age and smoking are strongly associated with comorbidity. Lung cancer is the most common malignancy in the world. Comorbidity, such as diseases of cardiovascular, pulmonary and other systems may influence prognosis in lung cancer as well as complicate its treatment. In this paper we tried to conclude the significance of the individual comorbidities in lung cancer and their impact on particular treatment method.
Aspergilloma in Atypical Localisation in Severe Asthma Patient—Case Report
Authors: Zieliński Michał , Mazur-Zielińska Henryka , Ziora Dariusz
Published: May 2016

Pulmonary aspergillosis is a condition caused by the fungi Aspergillus. The form of disease depends on the immunological condition of the host organism and other concomitant illnesses that influence the pulmonary tissue. Asthmatic patients, in particular with the severe form of disease, who require the use of systemic glucocorticoids, are predisposed to develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Development of aspergilloma in the lung is preceded by the formation of pathological cavity in the course of another illness. The study reports a case of a severe asthma patient who developed aspergilloma in atypical localisation, without the presence of predisposing anatomical changes and illnesses.
Finite difference model of a four-electrode conductivity measurement system
Authors: Montgomery Noel D. , Lancaster Jack L.
Published: May 2016

A finite difference model of a four-electrode tissue conductivity measurement system was developed and shown to be within 10% of theory. The model is useful for explaining the behavior of conductivity measurement electrodes in tissue.
Simulation of impedance measurements at human forearm within 1 kHz to 2 MHz
Authors: Anand Gautam , Lowe Andrew , Al-Jumaily Ahmed M.
Published: May 2016

This work presents a simulation analysis of the bioimpedance measurements at the human forearm. The Ansys® High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) has been used to analyze the electrical response of a section of human forearm with three domains of dielectric behavior – fat, muscle and artery (blood). The impedance values were calculated as the ratio of the output voltage at the electrodes to the applied known current (1 mA). A model was developed and was simulated for impedance values obtained within a frequency range of 1 kHz to 2 MHz. The measurements were done at three instances of radial artery diameter. The maximum resistance and reactance values were calculated as 445 Ω and 178.5 Ω, 356 Ω and 138 Ω, and 368 Ω and 144.3 Ω for diameters 2.3 mm, 2.35 mm, and 2.4 mm respectively. The set of impedance values obtained followed the Cole-plot trend. The results obtained were found to be in excellent agreement with the Cole modelling. The set of values obtained at three different diameters reflected the effect of blood flow on impedance values.
On a Hopping-Points SVD and Hough Transform-Based Line Detection Algorithm for Robot Localization and Mapping
Authors: Ravankar Abhijeet , Ravankar Ankit A. , Hoshino Yohei , Emaru Takanori , Kobayashi Yukinori
Published: May 2016

Line detection is an important problem in computer vision, graphics and autonomous robot navigation. Lines detected using a laser range sensor (LRS) mounted on a robot can be used as features to build a map of the environment, and later to localize the robot in the map, in a process known as Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). We propose an efficient algorithm for line detection from LRS data using a novel hopping-points Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Hough transform-based algorithm, in which SVD is applied to intermittent LRS points to accelerate the algorithm. A reverse-hop mechanism ensures that the end points of the line segments are accurately extracted. Line segments extracted from the proposed algorithm are used to form a map and, subsequently, LRS data points are matched with the line segments to localize the robot. The proposed algorithm eliminates the drawbacks of point-based matching algorithms like the Iterative Closest Points (ICP) algorithm, the performance of which degrades with an increasing number of points. We tested the proposed algorithm for mapping and localization in both simulated and real environments, and found it to detect lines accurately and build maps with good self-localization.
Monocular Road Detection Using Structured Random Forest
Authors: Xiao Liang , Dai Bin , Liu Daxue , Zhao Dawei , Wu Tao
Published: May 2016

Road detection is a key task for autonomous land vehicles. Monocular vision-based road-detection algorithms are mostly based on machine learning approaches and are usually cast as classification problems. However, the pixel-wise classifiers are faced with the ambiguity caused by changes in road appearance, illumination and weather. An effective way to reduce the ambiguity is to model the contextual information with structured learning and prediction. Currently, the widely used structured prediction model in road detection is the Markov random field or conditional random field. However, the random field-based methods require additional complex optimization after pixel-wise classification, making them unsuitable for real-time applications. In this paper, we present a structured random forest-based road-detection algorithm which is capable of modelling the contextual information efficiently. By mapping the structured label space to a discrete label space, the test function of each split node can be trained in a similar way to that of the classical random forests. Structured random forests make use of the contextual information of image patches as well as the structural information of the labels to get more consistent results. Besides this benefit, by predicting a batch of pixels in a single classification, the structured random forest-based road detection can be much more efficient than the conventional pixel-wise random forest. Experimental results tested on the KITTI-ROAD dataset and data collected in typical unstructured environments show that structured random forest-based road detection outperforms the classical pixel-wise random forest both in accuracy and efficiency.
Velocity Tracking Control of Wheeled Mobile Robots by Iterative Learning Control
Authors: Lu Xiaochun , Fei Juntao
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an iterative learning control (ILC) strategy to resolve the trajectory tracking problem of wheeled mobile robots (WMRs) based on dynamic model. In the previous study of WMRs’ trajectory tracking, ILC was usually applied to the kinematical model of WMRs with the assumption that desired velocity can be tracked immediately. However, this assumption cannot be realized in the real world at all. The kinematic and dynamic models of WMRs are deduced in this chapter, and a novel combination of D-type ILC algorithm and dynamic model of WMR with random bounded disturbances are presented. To analyze the convergence of the algorithm, the method of contracting mapping, which shows that the designed controller can make the velocity tracking errors converge to zero completely when the iteration times tend to infinite, is adopted. Simulation results show the effectiveness of D-type ILC in the trajectory tracking problem of WMRs, demonstrating the effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm in the condition of random bounded disturbance. A comparative study conducted between D-type ILC and compound cosine function neural network (NN) controller also demonstrates the effectiveness of the ILC strategy.
Two new species of Tetrastigma (Miq.) Planch. (Vitaceae) from Thailand
Authors: Kochaiphat Phongsakorn , Trias-Blasi Anna , Pornpongrungrueng Pimwadee
Published: May 2016

Two new species of Tetrastigma from Thailand, T. calcicola Kochaiph. & Trias-Blasi sp. nov. and T. jaichagunii C.L.Li ex Kochaiph. & Trias-Blasi sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Tetrastigma calcicola sp. nov. is a slender climber restricted to the open areas on limestone mountains at high elevation in the northern part of Thailand. The other species, T. jaichagunii sp. nov., is similar to T. harmandii Planch., but differs from it by having more densely verrucose young branches, broader leaflets, 4-lobed thick discs, bigger globose berries and oblongoid seeds. This species occurs along streams or in forest margins in evergreen forest and it is widely distributed in several parts of Thailand.
Knitting mochilas: A sociocultural, developmental practice in Arhuaco indigenous communities
Authors: Rodríguez-Burgos Lilian Patricia , Rodríguez-Castro Jennifer , Bojacá-Rodríguez Sandra Milena , Izquierdo-Martínez Dwrya Elena , Amórtegui-Lozano Allain Alexander , Prieto-Castellanos Miguel Angel
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this article is to analyze the psycho-cultural processes involved in knitting “mochilas” (traditional bags), a common craft in the Arhuaco indigenous community located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. The article is structured in three parts, as follows: first, issues related to child development are discussed; then, the analysis method used to study the processes involved in the practice of knitting is presented and, finally, we reflect on the importance of recovering the sense and meaning of this everyday practice as a way to study child development.
Scoring divergent thinking tests by computer with a semantics-based algorithm
Authors: Beketayev Kenes , Runco Mark A.
Published: May 2016

Divergent thinking (DT) tests are useful for the assessment of creative potentials. This article reports the semantics-based algorithmic (SBA) method for assessing DT. This algorithm is fully automated: Examinees receive DT questions on a computer or mobile device and their ideas are immediately compared with norms and semantic networks. This investigation compared the scores generated by the SBA method with the traditional methods of scoring DT (i.e., fluency, originality, and flexibility). Data were collected from 250 examinees using the “Many Uses Test” of DT. The most important finding involved the flexibility scores from both scoring methods. This was critical because semantic networks are based on conceptual structures, and thus a high SBA score should be highly correlated with the traditional flexibility score from DT tests. Results confirmed this correlation (r = .74). This supports the use of algorithmic scoring of DT. The nearly-immediate computation time required by SBA method may make it the method of choice, especially when it comes to moderate- and large-scale DT assessment investigations. Correlations between SBA scores and GPA were insignificant, providing evidence of the discriminant and construct validity of SBA scores. Limitations of the present study and directions for future research are offered.
On the emergence of mental space in psychology: Interview with Lucas Albert Charles Derks
Authors: Derks Lucas Albert Charles , Manea Alexandru Ioan
Published: May 2016

In this interview we have the chance to talk with Lucas Albert Charles Derks, founder of the International Laboratory for Mental Space Research and of the Society for Mental Space Psychology and the creator of the Social Panorama approach, about the paradigm that evolved in the last 25 years, entitled Mental Space Psychology, with roots from Cognitive Linguistics, Spatial Cognition and Neuroscience. Today we shall explore the psychotherapeutic approaches which use the Mental Space Psychology, their applicability and their limitations, with a special focus on his own approach, entitled Social Panorama.
Dirvožemio terminis režimas Lietuvoje
Authors: Mačiulytė Viktorija , Rimkus Egidijus
Published: May 2016

Tyrimo tikslas – išnagrinėti dirvožemio temperatūros režimą bei sąsajas su oro temperatūra ir sezoninio dirvožemio įšalo rodikliais Lietuvos teritorijoje. Tyrime panaudoti 17 Lietuvos meteorologijos stočių išmatuoti dydžiai. Analizuojama dirvožemio temperatūros iki 3,2 m gylio kaita per metus (1981–2010), daugiametės kaitos tendencijos (1961–2010), dirvožemio temperatūros ryšys su oro temperatūra bei maksimaliu įšalo gyliu ir trukme. Nustatyta, kad dirvožemio temperatūra glaudžiai koreliuoja su oro temperatūra, o gilesniuose sluoksniuose temperatūros svyravimai vėluoja paviršiaus atžvilgiu. Analizuojamuoju laikotarpiu greičiausiai augo vidutinė metinė paviršiaus temperatūra (vidutiniškai 0,4 °C per dešimtmetį), o gilesniuose dirvožemio sluoksniuose šis dydis kito nuo 0,26 (0,2 m gylyje) iki 0,29 °C per dešimtmetį (0,8 m gylyje). Teigiami statistiškai reikšmingi pokyčiai visoje Lietuvos teritorijoje dirvožemio paviršiuje nustatyti balandžio mėn., o didesnėje jos dalyje – gegužę, liepą ir rugpjūtį. Neigiami statistiškai nereikšmingi pokyčiai beveik visoje Lietuvoje užfiksuoti spalį, o birželį – pusėje šalies teritorijos. Gilesniuose sluoksniuose fiksuojami tik teigiami temperatūros pokyčiai, kurių absoliuti dauguma yra statistiškai reikšmingi. Dirvožemio įšalo rodikliai priklauso nuo šaltojo laikotarpio (lapkričio–balandžio) oro temperatūros. Augant šaltojo sezono oro temperatūrai, įšalo trukmė 1961–2010 m. visoje šalies teritorijoje statistiškai reikšmingai sumažėjo (vidutiniškai 9 dienomis per dešimtmetį). Vidutinis maksimalus įšalo gylis taip pat sumažėjo (vidutiniškai 8 cm per dešimtmetį), o daugumoje meteorologijos stočių pokyčiai yra statistiškai reikšmingi.
Ežerų socialinių funkcijų spektro įvertinimo pagal pakrantės kraštovaizdžio natūralumą galimybės (Šventosios baseino pavyzdžiu)
Authors: Valiuškevičius Gintaras , Daubarienė Jurgita
Published: May 2016

Daugelio gamtinių kompleksų plėtros kryptis, tempai ir galimybės pastaruoju metu vis labiau priklauso nuo jų pritaikomumo ir socialinių funkcijų įvairovės. Abipusė natūralizacijos ir socializacijos procesų sąveika ypač juntama tankiai apgyvendintų sričių vidaus vandens telkiniuose. Lietuvoje bene aktyviausi gamtinės ir kultūrinės terpės balanso pokyčiai vyksta ežerų pakrantėse. Straipsnyje įvertinami kriterijai, apibūdinantys ežero socialines funkcijas formuojančius veiksnius, nuo kurių labiausiai priklauso ežero panaudojimo galimybės. Siekta išryškinti geriausiai ežero socialinių funkcijų spektrą apibrėžiančių rodiklių ribines reikšmes ir nustatyti jų tinkamumą ežerų tipizavimui. Straipsnyje analizuojami vieno iš ežeringiausių Lietuvos regionų – Šventosios (Neries intako) baseino – ežerai. Tyrimo metu nustatytos pagrindinės ežerų funkcijos, įvertintos ežerų pasiekiamumo galimybės, paežerėse vyraujantys žemės dangos tipai, išana­lizuota ežeruose vykdomų veiklų struktūra ir jos priklausomybė nuo šių rodiklių. Darbo rezultatai svarbūs vertinant Lietuvos (o galimai ir didesnės Šiaurės Europos regiono dalies) ežerų socialines funkcijas lemiančių sąlygų bendrąjį foną ir potencialios jo kaitos poveikį ežerų panaudojimui.
La paradoja del suspenso anómalo
Authors: Argüello Manresa Gemma
Published: May 2016

En este trabajo se aborda lo que en los debates recientes de filosofía del cine se ha denominado la paradoja del suspenso, la cual radica en el hecho de que los espectadores  sienten suspenso frente a una narración que ya conocían, partiendo del presupuesto de que la incertidumbre sobre la cual descansa esta emoción no se repite y por lo tanto no podrían sentirla. Se analizan diversas propuestas en torno a la paradoja y se ofrece una alternativa de explicación a la misma en la que se recupera la simpatía como un elemento mediador en la recepción de la obra.
Dewey: el significado democrático de la primacía de los hábitos.
Authors: Mougan Rivero Juan Carlos
Published: May 2016

La relevancia que Dewey concede a los hábitos en la deliberación sirve de clave para precisar la manera en que entendió la democracia. Aunque es posible encuadrarlo dentro de los defensores de la democracia deliberativa, la importancia que da a los factores no estrictamente epistémicos hace que rechace los supuestos intelectualistas que suelen caracterizar aquellas posiciones. La consecuencia es una teoría política normativa que entiende que la democracia requiere no sólo el cultivo de las capacidades cognitivas, sino el desarrollo de un ethos que haga posible la extensión de los valores democráticos.
Los nudos del poder en la subjetividad. Nota crítica sobre "Del gobierno de los vivos. Curso en el Collège de France (1979-1980)", de Michel Foucault
Authors: Litvinoff Diego Ezequiel
Published: May 2016

Nota crítica que aborda la problematización de la relación entre el poder y la subjetividad, a propósito de la reciente publicación del curso dictado por Michel Foucault en el Collège de France titulado Del gobierno de los vivos, Buenos Aires, Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2014, 441 pp.
GALINDO HERVÁS, Alfonso, Pensamiento impolítico contemporáneo. Ontología (y) política en Agamben, Badiou, Esposito y Nancy, Madrid, Sequitur, 2015, 270 pp
Authors: Soto Carrasco David
Published: May 2016

Reseña de:

GALINDO HERVÁS, Alfonso, Pensamiento impolítico contemporáneo. Ontología (y) política en Agamben, Badiou, Esposito y Nancy, Madrid, Sequitur, 2015, 270 pp.
DE LUCA, Pina y LAURENZI, Elena: Por amor de materia. Ensayos sobre María Zambrano. Un entramado a cuatro manos. Traducción de Consuelo Pascual Escagedo, Madrid, Plaza y Valdés, 2014
Authors: Palomar Galdón Patricia
Published: May 2016

Reseña de DE LUCA, Pina y LAURENZI, Elena: Por amor de materia. Ensayos sobre María Zambrano. Un entramado a cuatro manos. Traducción de Consuelo Pascual Escagedo, Madrid, Plaza y Valdés, 2014.
SAN MARTÍN, Javier: La nueva imagen de Husserl. Lecciones de Guanajuato, Madrid, Trotta, 2015.
Authors: Expósito Ropero Noé
Published: May 2016

Reseña del libro: SAN MARTÍN, Javier: La nueva imagen de Husserl. Lecciones de Guanajuato,  Madrid, Trotta, 2015, 204 pp.
VON UEXKÜLL, Jacob Johann: Cartas Biológicas a una dama
Authors: Campero María Belén
Published: May 2016

Se trata de un pequeño texto de reciente traducción al español en el que puede darse cuenta de lo interesante y original de las ideas de Uexküll, al que algunos declaran como el pionero de la ecología y de la biosemiótica. Las páginas de este texto, sin duda, conforman un compendio de sus principales ideas. Evidentemente, por su alcance mucho más allá de la fisiología, que era su especialidad, puede notarse aquí que sus conceptos entran en el dominio de la filosofía de la naturaleza. El texto, además de las sorpresas propias que depara el singular pensamiento de Uexküll, contagia desde su prólogo el entusiasmo por el logro de descubrir (al español) a este autor hasta entonces poco accesible, que fuese citado y elogiado por filósofos tan diversos –de Benjamin a Deleuze, pasando por Merleau-Ponty o Agamben–, lo que abonara a su aura como pensador con una producción no tan extensa como influyente para todo aquel que haya estudiado de alguna forma u otra la filosofía de lo viviente, sobre todo en la primer mitad del siglo XX. 
WHITE, Hayden: The practical past. Illinois, Northwestern University Press, 2014.
Authors: Pérez Baquero Rafael
Published: May 2016

Reseña del libro WHITE, Hayden: The practical past. Illinois, Northwestern University Press, 2014.
Efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants in prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism
Authors: Masotti Luca , Becattini Cecilia , Cappelli Roberto , Landini Giancarlo , Pampana Alessandro , Prisco Domenico , Agnelli Giancarlo
Published: May 2016

One of the main innovation emerged in recent years in the field of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been represented by the clinical development and marketing of new oral anticoagulant agents used for prophylaxis and acute treatment. These drugs are represented by direct thrombin inhibitors (anti-factor IIa) and the direct inhibitors of activated factor X (anti-Xa). The main achievement of these new agents is represented by their ease of use without laboratory monitoring or dose adjustment. Dabigatran (anti-factor IIa), rivaroxaban, and apixaban (anti-Xa) are in advanced phase of clinical development with concluded phase III trials. Up to now the results of efficacy and safety of phase III clinical trials are available, while phase IV studies are currently ongoing. Overall, the phase III clinical trials showed the non inferiority of new oral anticoagulants in VTE prophylaxis of patients undergone to major orthopedic surgery, such as hip and knee arthroplasty, compared to conventional prophylaxis represented by subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin with similar safety. Moreover dabigatran has shown to be not inferior when compared to warfarin for the prevention of six months VTE recurrences, with a significative lower incidence of bleedings. Awaiting the results of many other ongoing phase III trials, since now it is possible to think that, in the next future, new oral anticoagulants will be widely diffused in clinical practice for their ease of use and feasibility. In this review the Authors analyse the available results of phase III clinical trials for dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, focusing on the antithrombotic endpoints for prevention and treatment of VTE and the bleeding risk. Moreover synthesis of ongoing trials will be displayed.
The role of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH-monitoring in newborn with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Cresi Francesco , Locatelli Emanuela
Published: May 2016

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a relevant problem in first months of life and its early diagnosis and its appropriate therapy represent a real challenge for neonatologists.Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance associated with esophageal pH-monitoring (MII/pH) has been recently introduced to study GERD in infants. This technique, which is safe and with a good compliance, presents an elevated accuracy in identifying refluxes independently from their pH. The main aim of this review is to analyse data in literature on the use of MII/pH in neonates.We have considered recent studies published in PubMed in which MII is used in neonates and infants with GER: 26 studies focus on GER physiopathology and on the advantages of using MII in addition to pH-monitoring, 13 on symptoms associated with refluxes (in particular cardio-respiratory events and apnoeas) and 13 on therapy (5 on body position, 3 on thickened formulas, 1 on fortified milk and 4 on drugs).We underline the role of MII/pH in studying GERD in neonates, in which non acid-refluxes result prevalent, because of the buffering effects of milk, and in which the majority of symptoms arerelated to non-acid or weakly-acid GER. MII/pH can be considered a good technique even in the evaluation of the temporal relation between refluxes and symptoms and in the analysis of the benefits obtained by pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy.The increasing application of MII/pH can help neonatologists to comprehend GER physiopathology, to diagnose GER and GERD and to treat better its symptoms in first months of life.
Être ou ne pas être
Authors: Thibault Adrien
Published: May 2016

À en croire les acteurs du monde théâtral, la consécration artistique est l’apanage des plus talentueux, et les inégalités de position le fruit d’inégalités de talent. Mais la notion de « talent » fait ici illusion, naturalisant l’origine de ces inégalités. En portant le regard à la fois sur les propriétés sociales des comédiens consacrés et sur les dynamiques structurelles et interactionnelles qui se font jour au sein d’un groupe de jeunes comédiens promis à la consécration, et en armant ce regard d’une triple lunette sociologique (capital, réseau, carrière), il devient toutefois possible de voir ce qui, de manière extrêmement précoce, constitue, au double sens — dispositionnel et processuel — du mot, ce qu’on appelle « le talent ». Ainsi peut-on comprendre l’origine et les fondements proprement sociaux de l’inégalité parmi les hommes et femmes de théâtre.
Accéder à la reconnaissance en tant que femme écrivain belge
Authors: Saunier Émilie
Published: May 2016

Le cas de la romancière belge Amélie Nothomb interroge la tension historique traditionnelle existant entre l’art et l’argent. La romancière présente en effet la caractéristique de cumuler des profits à la fois littéraires et économiques. En mobilisant des données de nature variée, la trajectoire littéraire d’Amélie Nothomb a été reconstruite et pensée comme une suite de positions à l’intersection de contraintes contextuelles et de dispositions et ressources individuelles. Cette démarche permet de mieux saisir les difficultés et enjeux qui se posent habituellement aux écrivaines et écrivains francophones, de mieux identifier certains mécanismes actuels de production de la valeur d’une oeuvre, ainsi que les conditions sociohistoriques de possibilité d’une obtention de profits hétérogènes.
Des crises continuelles aux trajectoires continues : les transformations de la vie littéraire au Québec, 1895-1948
Authors: Lacroix Michel , Savoie Chantal
Published: May 2016

La période 1895-1948 est cruciale dans le passage d’un espace du pouvoir rassemblant, dans une relative indifférenciation, la majeure partie des producteurs de biens symboliques, dont les écrivains, à la constitution de la sphère littéraire comme espace de trajectoires spécifiques. Elle l’est aussi par la multiplicité de crises, économiques, éditoriales et intellectuelles qui marquent la vie littéraire. Nous montrons dans cet article comment, de 1895 à 1948, la possibilité même d’une carrière spécifiquement littéraire et déployée dans la durée se généralise non pas « malgré » les crises, mais du fait même des conséquences engendrées par celles-ci. Pour ce faire, nous étudions les données rassemblées dans le cadre du projet « La Vie littéraire au Québec », qui concernent un ensemble de 291 acteurs.
Reconversion et consécration : trajectoires de musiciens savants et valorisation de la musique populaire brésilienne
Authors: Rivron Vassili
Published: May 2016

Nous comparons ici les crises vocationnelles et les reconversions consécutives des deux compositeurs, solistes et chefs d’orchestre savants Heitor Villa-Lobos et Radamés Gnattali à deux formes différentes de culture de masse : l’éducation nationale et la radiodiffusion publicitaire. La reconfiguration de l’espace musical a suscité chez eux des stratégies de reconversion qui les éloignaient initialement de leurs aspirations initiales. Mais nous montrons comment ces reconversions contribuent à inventer de nouvelles formes de mécénat (par l’État, par la publicité), et qu’outre les conditions de production, elles permettent de mettre en exergue le rôle actif qu’ils ont pu prendre dans la création d’un public et d’une esthétique nouvelle, correspondant à de nouvelles pratiques musicales, partagées sur le territoire. Ces reconversions se sont finalement avérées être l’une des conditions de leur consécration comme producteurs d’oeuvres savantes emblématiques du collectif national.
Stated product formulation preferences for HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis among women in the VOICE‐D (MTN‐003D) study
Authors: Luecke Ellen H , Cheng Helen , Woeber Kubashni , Nakyanzi Teopista , Mudekunye‐Mahaka Imelda C , van der Straten Ariane ,   on behalf of the MTN‐003D Study Team
Published: May 2016

Introduction

The effectiveness of HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires consistent and correct product use, thus a deeper understanding of women's stated product formulation preferences, and the correlates of those preferences, can help guide future research. VOICE‐D (MTN‐003D), a qualitative ancillary study conducted after the VOICE trial, retrospectively explored participants’ tablet and gel use, as well as their preferences for other potential PrEP product formulations.

Methods

We conducted an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from VOICE‐D participants. During in‐depth interviews, women were presented with pictures and descriptions of eight potential PrEP product formulations, including the oral tablet and vaginal gel tested in VOICE, and asked to discuss which product formulations they would prefer to use and why. Seven of the original product formulations displayed were combined into preferred product formulation categories based on exploratory factor and latent class analyses. We examined demographic and behavioural correlates of these preferred product formulation categories. In‐depth interviews with participants were conducted, coded, and analysed for themes related to product preference.

Results

Of the 68 female participants who completed in‐depth interviews (22 South Africa, 24 Zimbabwe, 22 Uganda), median age was 28 (range 21–41), 81% were HIV negative, and 49% were married or living with a partner. Four preferred product formulation categories were identified via exploratory factor analysis: 1) oral tablets; 2) vaginal gel; 3) injectable, implant, or vaginal ring; and 4) vaginal film or suppository. A majority of women (81%) expressed a preference for product formulations included in category 3. Characteristics significantly associated with each preferred product category differed. Attributes described by participants as being important in a preferred product formulation included duration of activity, ease of use, route of administration, clinic‐ versus self‐administration, and degree of familiarity with product.

Conclusions

While there was interest in a variety of potential PrEP product formulations, a majority of VOICE‐D participants preferred long‐acting methods. More research is needed to gain insight into end‐users’ product formulation preference to inform messaging and market segmentation for different PrEP products and resources to invest in products that target populations are most interested in using.

Clinical Trial Number: NCT02358616
Secretion of protein disulphide isomerase AGR2 confers tumorigenic properties
Authors: Fessart Delphine , Domblides Charlotte , Avril Tony , Eriksson Leif A , Begueret Hugues , Pineau Raphael , Malrieux Camille , Dugot-Senant Nathalie , Lucchesi Carlo , Chevet Eric , Delom Frederic
Published: May 2016

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an instrumental role in determining the spatial orientation of epithelial polarity and the formation of lumens in glandular tissues during morphogenesis. Here, we show that the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-resident protein anterior gradient-2 (AGR2), a soluble protein-disulfide isomerase involved in ER protein folding and quality control, is secreted and interacts with the ECM. Extracellular AGR2 (eAGR2) is a microenvironmental regulator of epithelial tissue architecture, which plays a role in the preneoplastic phenotype and contributes to epithelial tumorigenicity. Indeed, eAGR2, is secreted as a functionally active protein independently of its thioredoxin-like domain (CXXS) and of its ER-retention domain (KTEL), and is sufficient, by itself, to promote the acquisition of invasive and metastatic features. Therefore, we conclude that eAGR2 plays an extracellular role independent of its ER function and we elucidate this gain-of-function as a novel and unexpected critical ECM microenvironmental pro-oncogenic regulator of epithelial morphogenesis and tumorigenesis.