bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Land Cover/Land Use Changes on the Regional Climate of the USA High Plains
Authors: Mutiibwa Denis , Kilic Ayse , Irmak Suat
Published: August 2014

We present the detection of the signatures of land use/land cover (LULC) changes on the regional climate of the US High Plains. We used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) as a proxy of LULC changes and atmospheric CO2 concentrations as a proxy of greenhouse gases. An enhanced signal processing procedure was developed to detect the signatures of LULC changes by integrating autoregression and moving average (ARMA) modeling and optimal fingerprinting technique. The results, which are representative of the average spatial signatures of climate response to LULC change forcing on the regional climate of the High Plains during the 26 years of the study period (1981–2006), show a significant cooling effect on the regional temperatures during the summer season. The cooling effect was attributed to probable evaporative cooling originating from the increasing extensive irrigation in the region. The external forcing of atmospheric CO2 was included in the study to suppress the radiative warming effect of greenhouse gases, thus, enhancing the LULC change signal. The results show that the greenhouse gas radiative warming effect in the region is significant, but weak, compared to the LULC change signal. The study demonstrates the regional climatic impact of anthropogenic induced atmospheric-biosphere interaction attributed to LULC change, which is an additional and important climate forcing in addition to greenhouse gas radiative forcing in High Plains region.
Geophysical Methods for Monitoring Temperature Changes in Shallow Low Enthalpy Geothermal Systems
Authors: Hermans Thomas , Nguyen Frédéric , Robert Tanguy , Revil Andre
Published: August 2014

Low enthalpy geothermal systems exploited with ground source heat pumps or groundwater heat pumps present many advantages within the context of sustainable energy use. Designing, monitoring and controlling such systems requires the measurement of spatially distributed temperature fields and the knowledge of the parameters governing groundwater flow (permeability and specific storage) and heat transport (thermal conductivity and volumetric thermal capacity). Such data are often scarce or not available. In recent years, the ability of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), self-potential method (SP) and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to monitor spatially and temporally temperature changes in the subsurface has been investigated. We review the recent advances in using these three methods for this type of shallow applications. A special focus is made regarding the petrophysical relationships and on underlying assumptions generally needed for a quantitative interpretation of these geophysical data. We show that those geophysical methods are mature to be used within the context of temperature monitoring and that a combination of them may be the best choice regarding control and validation issues.
Economicism and Nihilism in the Eclipse of Humanism
Authors: Talavera Pedro
Published: August 2014

This article is based on the conviction that the major problems nowadays are not technical, but ethical, and are incumbent on homo qua homo. The origin of these problems is the advancement of economicism as a supreme interpretation of human and social reality, which means the primacy of the “market” and considering human beings in terms of what they have rather than what they are. Economicism emerges in “modernity” and assumes that everything that does not have market value is either devaluated or rejected. In consequence, the human being has been devaluated and has turned into a simple object of the market. “Postmodernity” mixes economicism and techno-scientificism (chrematistics and instrumental rationality) with nihilism (absence of values), giving way to a technological and decadent capitalism that has erased “humanism” and the very idea of the human being. Thus, we are in urgent need of a humanist recovery of the “human” based on a rehabilitation of ontology.
Toward an Effective Long-Term Strategy for Preventing Motor Vehicle Crashes and Injuries
Authors: Mawson Anthony , Walley E.
Published: August 2014

Casualties due to motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) include some 40,000 deaths each year in the United States and one million deaths worldwide. One strategy that has been recommended for improving automobile safety is to lower speed limits and enforce them with speed cameras. However, motor vehicles can be hazardous even at low speeds whereas properly protected human beings can survive high-speed crashes without injury. Emphasis on changing driver behavior as the focus for road safety improvements has been largely unsuccessful; moreover, drivers today are increasingly distracted by secondary tasks such as cell phone use and texting. Indeed, the true limiting factor in vehicular safety is the capacity of human beings to sense and process information and to make rapid decisions. Given that dramatic reductions in injuries and deaths from MVCs have occurred over the past century due to improvements in safety technology, despite increases in the number of vehicles on the road and miles driven per vehicle, we propose that an effective long-term strategy for reducing MVC-related injury would be continued technological innovation in vehicle design, aimed at progressively removing the driver from routine operational decision-making. Once this is achieved, high rates of speed could be achieved on open highways, with minimal risk of crashes and injury to occupants and pedestrians.
Global Monitoring of Water Supply and Sanitation: History, Methods and Future Challenges
Authors: Bartram Jamie , Brocklehurst Clarissa , Fisher Michael , Luyendijk Rolf , Hossain Rifat , Wardlaw Tessa , Gordon Bruce
Published: August 2014

International monitoring of drinking water and sanitation shapes awareness of countries’ needs and informs policy, implementation and research efforts to extend and improve services. The Millennium Development Goals established global targets for drinking water and sanitation access; progress towards these targets, facilitated by international monitoring, has contributed to reducing the global disease burden and increasing quality of life. The experiences of the MDG period generated important lessons about the strengths and limitations of current approaches to defining and monitoring access to drinking water and sanitation. The methods by which the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) of WHO and UNICEF tracks access and progress are based on analysis of data from household surveys and linear regression modelling of these results over time. These methods provide nationally representative and internationally comparable insights into the drinking water and sanitation facilities used by populations worldwide, but also have substantial limitations: current methods do not address water quality, equity of access, or extra-household services. Improved statistical methods are needed to better model temporal trends. This article describes and critically reviews JMP methods in detail for the first time. It also explores the impact of, and future directions for, international monitoring of drinking water and sanitation.
The Association between Season of Pregnancy and Birth-Sex among Chinese
Authors: Xu Tan , Lin Dongdong , Liang Hui , Chen Mei , Tong Weijun , Mu Yongping , Feng Cindy , Gao Yongqing , Zheng Yumei , Sun Wenjie
Published: August 2014

Objective: although numerous studies have reported the association between birth season and sex ratio, few studies have been conducted in subtropical regions in a non-Western setting. The present study assessed the effects of pregnancy season on birth sex ratio in China. Methods: We conducted a national population-based retrospective study from 2006–2008 with 3175 children-parents pairs enrolled in the Northeast regions of China. Demographics and data relating to pregnancy and birth were collected and analyzed. A multiple logistical regression model was fitted to estimate the regression coefficient and 95% confidence interval (CI) of refractive error for mother pregnancy season, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: After adjusting for parental age (cut-off point was 30 years), region, nationality, mother education level, and mother miscarriage history, there is a significant statistical different mother pregnancy season on birth-sex. Compared with mothers who were pregnant in spring, those pregnant in summer or winter had a high probability of delivering girls (p < 0.05). The birth-sex ratio varied with months. Conclusions: Our results suggested that mothers pregnant in summer and winter were more likely to deliver girls, compared with those pregnant in spring. Pregnancy season may play an important role in the birth-sex.
Toxicological Effects of Nickel Chloride on IgA+ B Cells and sIgA, IgA, IgG, IgM in the Intestinal Mucosal Immunity in Broilers
Authors: Wu Bangyuan , Cui Hengmin , Peng Xi , Fang Jing , Zuo Zhicai , Deng Junliang , Huang Jianying
Published: August 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicological effects of dietary NiCl2 on IgA+ B cells and the immunoglobulins including sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM in the small intestine and cecal tonsil of broilers by the methods of immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two hundred and forty one-day-old avian broilers were randomly divided into four groups and fed on a control diet and three experimental diets supplemented with 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg NiCl2 for 42 days. Compared with the control group, the IgA+ B cell number and the sIgA, IgA, IgG, and IgM contents in the NiCl2-treated groups were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). It was concluded that dietary NiCl2 in the excess of 300 mg/kg had negative effects on the IgA+ B cell number and the abovementioned immunoglobulin contents in the small intestine and the cecal tonsil. NiCl2-reduced sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM contents is due to decrease in the population and/or the activation of B cell. The results suggest that NiCl2 at high levels has intestinal mucosal humoral immunotoxicity in animals.
Rapamycin-Induced Apoptosis in HGF-Stimulated Lens Epithelial Cells by AKT/mTOR, ERK and JAK2/STAT3 Pathways
Authors: Tian Fang , Dong Lijie , Zhou Yu , Shao Yan , Li Wenbo , Zhang Hong , Wang Fei
Published: August 2014

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced the proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) and may be a major cause of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), which is the most frequent postoperative complication of cataract surgery. To date, several agents that can block LECs proliferation have been studied, but none have been used in clinic. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR (mammalian target of Rapamycin), was associated with the induction of apoptosis in LECs. The purpose of our study was to investigate the potential effects of rapamycin on HGF-induced LECs and the underlying mechanisms by which rapamycin exerted its actions. Using cell proliferation, cell viability and flow cytometric apoptosis assays, we found that rapamycin potently not only suppressed proliferation but also induced the apoptosis of LECs in a dose-dependent manner under HGF administration. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism using siRNA transfection revealed that rapamycin could promote apoptosis of LECs via inhibiting HGF-induced phosphorylation of AKT/mTOR, ERK and JAK2/STAT3 signaling molecules. Moreover, the forced expression of AKT, ERK and STAT3 could induce a significant suppression of apoptosis in these cells after treatment of rapamycin. Together, these findings suggested that rapamycin-induced apoptosis in HGF-stimulated LECs is accompanied by inhibition of AKT/mTOR, ERK and JAK2/STAT3 pathways, which supports its use to inhibit PCO in preclinical studies and provides theoretical foundation for future possible practice.
Heterosis in Early Maize Ear Inflorescence Development: A Genome-Wide Transcription Analysis for Two Maize Inbred Lines and Their Hybrid
Authors: Ding Haiping , Qin Cheng , Luo Xirong , Li Lujiang , Chen Zhe , Liu Hongjun , Gao Jian , Lin Haijian , Shen Yaou , Zhao Maojun , Lübberstedt Thomas , Zhang Zhiming , Pan Guangtang
Published: August 2014

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, contributes to superior agronomic performance of hybrids compared to their inbred parents. Despite its importance, little is known about the genetic and molecular basis of heterosis. Early maize ear inflorescences formation affects grain yield, and are thus an excellent model for molecular mechanisms involved in heterosis. To determine the parental contributions and their regulation during maize ear-development-genesis, we analyzed genome-wide digital gene expression profiles in two maize elite inbred lines (B73 and Mo17) and their F1 hybrid using deep sequencing technology. Our analysis revealed 17,128 genes expressed in these three genotypes and 22,789 genes expressed collectively in the present study. Approximately 38% of the genes were differentially expressed in early maize ear inflorescences from heterotic cross, including many transcription factor genes and some presence/absence variations (PAVs) genes, and exhibited multiple modes of gene action. These different genes showing differential expression patterns were mainly enriched in five cellular component categories (organelle, cell, cell part, organelle part and macromolecular complex), five molecular function categories (structural molecule activity, binding, transporter activity, nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity and catalytic activity), and eight biological process categories (cellular process, metabolic process, biological regulation, regulation of biological process, establishment of localization, cellular component organization or biogenesis, response to stimulus and localization). Additionally, a significant number of genes were expressed in only one inbred line or absent in both inbred lines. Comparison of the differences of modes of gene action between previous studies and the present study revealed only a small number of different genes had the same modes of gene action in both maize seedlings and ear inflorescences. This might be an indication that in different tissues or developmental stages, different global expression patterns prevail, which might nevertheless be related to heterosis. Our results support the hypotheses that multiple molecular mechanisms (dominance and overdominance modes) contribute to heterosis.
Design of Experiments: Optimizing the Polycarboxylation/Functionalization of Tungsten Disulfide Nanotubes
Authors: Raichman Daniel , Strawser David , Lellouche Jean-Paul
Published: August 2014

Design of experiments (DOE) methodology was used to identify and optimize factors that influence the degree of functionalization (polycarboxylation) of WS2 INTs via a modified acidic Vilsmeier–Haack reagent. The six factors investigated were reaction time, temperature and the concentrations of 2-bromoacetic acid, WS2 INTs, silver acetate and DMF. The significance of each factor and the associated interactive effects were evaluated using a two-level factorial statistical design in conjunction with statistical software (MiniTab® 16) based on quadratic programming. Although statistical analysis indicated that no factors were statistically significant, time, temperature and concentration of silver acetate were found to be the most important contributors to obtaining maximum functionalization/carboxylation. By examining contour plots and interaction plots, it was determined that optimal functionalization is obtained in a temperature range of 115–120 °C with a reaction time of 54 h using a mixture of 6 mL DMF, 200 mg INTs, 800 mg 2-bromoacetic acid and 60 mg silver acetate.
The Influence of Different Recycling Scenarios on the Mechanical Design of an LED Weatherproof Light Fitting
Authors: Camañes Víctor , Elduque Daniel , Javierre Carlos , Fernández Ángel
Published: August 2014

This paper analyzes the high relevance of material selection for the sustainable development of an LED weatherproof light fitting. The research reveals how this choice modifies current and future end of life scenarios and can reduce the overall environmental impact. This life cycle assessment has been carried out with Ecotool, a software program especially developed for designers to assess the environmental performance of their designs at the same time that they are working on them. Results show that special attention can be put on the recycling and reusing of the product from the initial stages of development.
High Purity and Yield of Boron Nitride Nanotubes Using Amorphous Boron and a Nozzle-Type Reactor
Authors: Kim Jaewoo , Seo Duckbong , Yoo Jeseung , Jeong Wanseop , Seo Young-Soo , Kim Jaeyong
Published: August 2014

Enhancement of the production yield of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with high purity was achieved using an amorphous boron-based precursor and a nozzle-type reactor. Use of a mixture of amorphous boron and Fe decreases the milling time for the preparation of the precursor for BNNTs synthesis, as well as the Fe impurity contained in the B/Fe interdiffused precursor nanoparticles by using a simple purification process. We also explored a nozzle-type reactor that increased the production yield of BNNTs compared to a conventional flow-through reactor. By using a nozzle-type reactor with amorphous boron-based precursor, the weight of the BNNTs sample after annealing was increased as much as 2.5-times with much less impurities compared to the case for the flow-through reactor with the crystalline boron-based precursor. Under the same experimental conditions, the yield and quantity of BNNTs were estimated as much as ~70% and ~1.15 g/batch for the former, while they are ~54% and 0.78 g/batch for the latter.
Chloride Permeability of Damaged High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cement Composite by Repeated Compressive Loads
Authors: Lee Byung , Hyun Jung , Kim Yun , Shin Kyung
Published: August 2014

The development of cracking in concrete structures leads to significant permeability and to durability problems as a result. Approaches to controlling crack development and crack width in concrete structures have been widely debated. Recently, it was recognized that a high-performance fiber-reinforced cement composite (HPFRCC) provides a possible solution to this inherent problem of cracking by smearing one or several dominant cracks into many distributed microcracks under tensile loading conditions. However, the chloride permeability of HPFRCC under compressive loading conditions is not yet fully understood. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to explore the chloride diffusion characteristics of HPFRCC damaged by compressive loads. The chloride diffusivity of HPFRCC is measured after being subjected to various repeated loads. The results show that the residual axial strain, lateral strain and specific crack area of HPFRCC specimens increase with an increase in the damage induced by repeated loads. However, the chloride diffusion coefficient increases only up to 1.5-times, whereas the specific crack area increases up to 3-times with an increase in damage. Although HPFRCC shows smeared distributed cracks in tensile loads, a significant reduction in the diffusion coefficient of HPFRCC is not obtained compared to plain concrete when the cyclic compressive load is applied below 85% of the strength.
Synthesis, Immobilization and Catalytic Activity of a Copper(II) Complex with a Chiral Bis(oxazoline)
Authors: Carneiro Liliana , Silva Ana , Shuttleworth Peter , Budarin Vitaly , Clark James
Published: August 2014

A chiral bis(oxazoline) bearing CH2OH groups was synthesized from a commercial bis(oxazoline) and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, high resolution ESI-mass spectrometry and FTIR. The corresponding copper(II) complex was immobilized onto the surface of a mesoporous carbonaceous material (Starbon® 700) in which the double bonds had been activated via conventional bromination. The materials were characterized by elemental analysis, ICP-OES, XPS, thermogravimetry and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The new copper(II) bis(oxazoline) was tested both in the homogeneous phase and once immobilized onto a carbonaceous support for the kinetic resolution of hydrobenzoin. Both were active, enantioselective and selective in the mono-benzoylation of hydrobenzoin, but better enantioselectivities were obtained in the homogeneous phase. The heterogeneous catalyst could be separated from the reaction media at the end of the reaction and reused in another catalytic cycle, but with loss of product yield and enantioselectivity.
Cocoa Bioactive Compounds: Significance and Potential for the Maintenance of Skin Health
Authors: Scapagnini Giovanni , Davinelli Sergio , Di Renzo Laura , De Lorenzo Antonino , Olarte Hector , Micali Giuseppe , Cicero Arrigo , Gonzalez Salvador
Published: August 2014

Cocoa has a rich history in human use. Skin is prone to the development of several diseases, and the mechanisms in the pathogenesis of aged skin are still poorly understood. However, a growing body of evidence from clinical and bench research has begun to provide scientific validation for the use of cocoa-derived phytochemicals as an effective approach for skin protection. Although the specific molecular and cellular mechanisms of the beneficial actions of cocoa phytochemicals remain to be elucidated, this review will provide an overview of the current literature emphasizing potential cytoprotective pathways modulated by cocoa and its polyphenolic components. Moreover, we will summarize in vivo studies showing that bioactive compounds of cocoa may have a positive impact on skin health.
Encapsulated Cells Expressing a Chemotherapeutic Activating Enzyme Allow the Targeting of Subtoxic Chemotherapy and Are Safe and Efficacious: Data from Two Clinical Trials in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Löhr J. , Haas Stephan , Kröger Jens , Friess Helmut , Höft Raimund , Goretzki Peter , Peschel Christian , Schweigert Markus , Salmons Brian , Gunzburg Walter
Published: August 2014

Despite progress in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, there is still a need for improved therapies. In this manuscript, we report clinical experience with a new therapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer involving the implantation of encapsulated cells over-expressing a cytochrome P450 enzyme followed by subsequent low-dose ifosfamide administrations as a means to target activated ifosfamide to the tumor. The safety and efficacy of the angiographic instillation of encapsulated allogeneic cells overexpressing cytochrome P450 in combination with low-dose systemic ifosfamide administration has now been evaluated in 27 patients in total. These patients were successfully treated in four centers by three different interventional radiologists, arguing strongly that the treatment can be successfully used in different centers. The safety of the intra-arterial delivery of the capsules and the lack of evidence that the patients developed an inflammatory or immune response to the encapsulated cells or encapsulation material was shown in all 27 patients. The ifosfamide dose of 1 g/m2/day used in the first trial was well tolerated by all patients. In contrast, the ifosfamide dose of 2 g/m2/day used in the second trial was poorly tolerated in most patients. Since the median survival in the first trial was 40 weeks and only 33 weeks in the second trial, this strongly suggests that there is no survival benefit to increasing the dose of ifosfamide, and indeed, a lower dose is beneficial for quality of life and the lack of side effects. This is supported by the one-year survival rate in the first trial being 38%, whilst that in the second trial was only 23%. However, taking the data from both trials together, a total of nine of the 27 patients were alive after one year, and two of these nine patients were alive for two years or more.
Release of Insulin from Calcium Carbonate Microspheres with and without Layer-by-Layer Thin Coatings
Authors: Sato Katsuhiko , Seno Masaru , Anzai Jun-Ichi
Published: August 2014

The release of insulin from insulin-containing CaCO3 microspheres was investigated. The microspheres were prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of CaCl2 and Na2CO3 in the presence of insulin. The surface of the insulin-containing CaCO3 microspheres was coated with a layer-by-layer thin film consisting of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(styrene sulfonate) to regulate the release kinetics of insulin. The release rate of insulin from the coated CaCO3 microspheres was significantly suppressed compared with that of uncoated CaCO3 microspheres, and depended on the thickness of the films. Rhombohedral calcite crystals of CaCO3 formed from the microspheres during the release of insulin, suggesting that the CaCO3 microspheres dissolved and recrystallized during the release of insulin.
Validation of Global Evapotranspiration Product (MOD16) using Flux Tower Data in the African Savanna, South Africa
Authors: Ramoelo Abel , Majozi Nobuhle , Mathieu Renaud , Jovanovic Nebo , Nickless Alecia , Dzikiti Sebinasi
Published: August 2014

Globally, water is an important resource required for the survival of human beings. Water is a scarce resource in the semi-arid environments, including South Africa. In South Africa, several studies have quantified evapotranspiration (ET) in different ecosystems at a local scale. Accurate spatially explicit information on ET is rare in the country mainly due to lack of appropriate tools. In recent years, a remote sensing ET product from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MOD16) has been developed. However, its accuracy is not known in South African ecosystems. The objective of this study was to validate the MOD16 ET product using data from two eddy covariance flux towers, namely; Skukuza and Malopeni installed in a savanna and woodland ecosystem within the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Eight day cumulative ET data from the flux towers was calculated to coincide with the eight day MOD16 products over a period of 10 years from 2000 to 2010. The Skukuza flux tower results showed inconsistent comparisons with MOD16 ET. The Malopeni site achieved a poorer comparison with MOD16 ET compared to the Skukuza, and due to a shorter measurement period, data validation was performed for 2009 only. The inconsistent comparison of MOD16 and flux tower-based ET can be attributed to, among other things, the parameterization of the Penman-Monteith model, flux tower measurement errors, and flux tower footprint vs. MODIS pixel. MOD16 is important for global inference of ET, but for use in South Africa's integrated water management, a locally parameterized and improved product should be developed.
Challenges for Sustainable Development and Its Legal Response in China: A Perspective for Social Transformation
Authors: Qin Tianbao
Published: August 2014

With rapid development since the 1970s, China is entering a period of social transformation, which not only creates favorable conditions for sustainable development but also presents new challenges. The transitional period in China is a stage in which two types of social transformation coexist, the first is the social transformation from agricultural society to industrial society; the second is the transition from industrial society to postindustrial society. In this process of social transformation, new challenges arise for sustainable development in China. In the first layer of social transformation, we respond to the challenges presented by the social transformation through the establishment of basic principles of environmental law, legal enforcement mechanisms, basic legal regimes and so on. In the second layer of social transformation, the advent of a risk society raised new challenges to environmental law, including that of adjusting the function of environmental law, strengthening the precautionary principle, diversification of implementation mechanisms, and development of the preventive function of legal regimes. In order to better respond to these challenges, we should proceed with the following aspects: improve the legal functions of environmental law, including guaranteeing public security, ecological security and the coordination of multiple interests; expand and develop the content of the principle of prevention, and replace the polluter pays principle by the causer responsibility principle; combine administrative measures with economic incentives, and while setting government as the main executive body, effectively operate public participation mechanisms; expand the scope of environmental impact assessment of projects, and establish planning environmental impact assessment, build up and improve information disclosure system, and establish environmental risk assessment system and green tax system.
An Update and Review of Unconventional Metals Testing and Treatment
Authors: Felton Diana , Kales Stefanos , Goldman Rose
Published: August 2014

Most patients who receive unconventional testing for metals do not have any remarkable exposure history and typically lack symptoms or objective findings compatible with classic heavy metal intoxication. Unconventional tests results are usually promoted by alternative practitioners as the basis for recommending, promoting, and selling to the patient questionable and often inappropriate therapies/interventions supposedly aimed at “detoxification”. Most of these patients will have no evidence of overexposure to metals on the basis of a thorough history and will have levels of metals on conventional tests performed at reliable laboratories that are undetectable, within population background ranges or above population background, but well below levels associated with toxicity.
Usages, perception et gestion des jachères : comparaison entre une région sèche et une région humide de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Roussel Bernard
Published: August 2014

In West Africa, fallows resort is found into agrarian systems of tropical rain forests as into those of sahelo-sudanian areas. As regards botany, stopping of cultivation allows the arrival of a whole series of different stages : the very first are strongly marked by the methods of cultivation. The last few depend of the surrounding biogeographic conditions. As well as rehabilitation of soil fertility, fallows have numerous functions. Theirs plants have medicinal and food uses and supply various materials. Into perennial (yam, cassava) crops systems of wet regions, fallows are reserves of cuttings. In agro-pastoral systems of the sahelo-sudanian zone, fallows are essential components of articulation beetwen cattle-rearing and cereal cultivation. Because the many uses of fallow, countrymen have a very precise perception and management of its in relation with their place into agrarian systems and enclosed cultural representations.
Histoire de l'invasion d'une plante introduite, Miconia calvescens, dans une île polynésienne, Tahiti
Authors: Birnbaum Philippe
Published: August 2014

Miconia calvescens DC (Melastomataceae), a forest understory shrub native of central America was introduced into Tahiti in 1937 due to its ornemental attributes. For about thirty years, it was found near gardens, in secondary forests or as a primary forest understory shrub. Ever since, it's distribution extends from the lowland up to the midland wet forests, bringing about the extinction of several endemic species. It occupies 75 % of the island's surface area, most parts of Moorea island, and is fast spreading on other islands of the Society archipelago. Hazardously dispersed, it starts off by penetrating Tahitian forests which are marked by the small height of their emergent trees. It then gradually reaches the forest cover, outgrows the emergents and makes up a monospecific canopy which now dictates new understory microclimatic conditions incompatible with the ecological requirements of indigenous species. Considering several parameters, some which are intrinsic to the island's ecosystem and others to climatic conditions or to species biology, this paper demonstrates that the fragility of an island's ecosystem towards allochton plants is related not only to fundamental parameters such as forest structure and reproduction biology but is also dependant on hazardous events such as climatic perturbation or the involuntary introduction of a bird...
Les jardins de case des provinces du Centre et du Sud du Cameroun : description et utilisation d'un système agroforestier traditionnel
Authors: Tchatat Mathurin , Puig Henri , Tiki Manga Théophile
Published: August 2014

Home gardens in the forest areas of the central and southern provinces of Cameroon are characterized by the rich biological diversity of local and introduced species. This study is based on several surveys and field observations of 150 households in 5 villages. It describes the main crops found in this garden system, their applications, and traditional processing methods, and proposes several species with multiple applications that could be introduced or developed in these home gardens.
L'abattis contre l'essart, again
Authors: Grenand Françoise
Published: August 2014

Issu de l'histoire de l'Occident, le terme d'essart est utilisé en français pour désigner l'agriculture traditionnelle sur brûlis des Tropiques humides. Bien que les changements de sens soient fréquents, il est intéressant de connaître les réalités fondatrices sur lesquelles repose un mot. Dans l'histoire des techniques culturales médiévales, l'essart temporaire est considéré comme une étape archaïque de la domestication permanente du sol par l'homme. Au contraire, dans une agriculture tropicale sur brûlis en équilibre, la repousse de la forêt ou du moins la repousse d'une forêt secondaire haute, fait intrinsèquement partie du système agraire. À l'heure où l'agriculture de subsistance sur brûlis, trop souvent confondue avec les grands défrichements des fronts pionniers, doit faire la preuve de sa bénignité, il devient gênant d'utiliser les mêmes mots pour un système donné comme archaïque et destructeur et un système non perturbateur et très productif lorsqu'il est utilisé par des populations en équilibre avec leur milieu.
De l'escargot operculé à l'escargot coureur. Pratiques culturelles liées au ramassage et à la consommation de l'Helix pomatia
Authors: Fortier Agnès
Published: August 2014

What has become on the practice of collecting snails or Helix pomatia' ? The dwindling snail population combined with the problem of finding an appropriate but low-cost labour force have led professionals to resort to exportation. As a result, Burgundy snails are now collected for the most part for personal consumption. Yet the development of new preservation methods which appeared in the first half of the 20th century, has also led to major changes in consumption. Active snails have gradually replaced operculated snails even though their culinary value is not as refined and they are harder to prepare. These contraints now seem to hindering the practice of collecting snails.
Le maceron et la mygale — Une enquête ethnobotanique sur les pratiques d'inventaire naturaliste à Paris
Authors: Lizet Bernadette , Aymonin Gérard , Ballot Laurent , Bonvarlet Claude , Delfosse Emmanuel , Douineau Alain , Fradin Yann , Jakubyszyn Michel , Jarry Guy , Macé Bruno , Pauthier Yves , Précigout Guy
Published: August 2014

En octobre 1997, quelques pieds de maceron — un légume depuis longtemps passé de mode (Smyrnium olusatrum L.) — sont découverts sur l'ancienne voie ferrée périphérique de Paris. C'est le point de départ d'une enquête ethnologique sur diverses démarches d'inventaire naturaliste. De la Petite Ceinture au Jardin des Plantes, de l'association ESPACES à la Graineterie du Muséum, le récit suit le déroulement de l'enquête, et met en scène des personnages, des compétences et des institutions sociales qui contribuent à la patrimonialisation des richesses biologiques sauvages dans la ville.
The Safety and Efficacy of Chloral Hydrate Sedation for Pediatric Ophthalmic Procedures: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Wilson Michelle E. , Karaoui Mohammed , Djasim Leyla Al , Edward Deepak P. , Shamrani Mohammad Al , Friedman David S.
Published: August 2014

Purpose:

To determine the safety and efficacy of high-dose oral chloral hydrate for pediatric ophthalmic procedures.

Methods:

This study is a retrospective review of a quality audit of pediatric sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging performed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011, in children aged 1 month to 6 years.

Results:

Three hundred fifty-eight of 380 (94.2%) sedation procedures were successful after a single dose of chloral hydrate, with 356 of 380 (93.7%) children sedated within 45 minutes of the first dose. The total success rate of the sedation procedure increased to 97.9% (372 of 380) when a second dose was administered. Children adequately sedated after a single dose of chloral hydrate were on average younger and weighed less than children who required additional doses. No major adverse events were documented.

Conclusions:

The use of chloral hydrate sedation for ophthalmic evaluation and imaging was safe and effective in this patient population with a high rate of procedure completion.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(3):154–159.]
Medium-Term Outcomes of Three Horizontal Muscle Surgery in Large-Angle Infantile Esotropia
Authors: Bayramlar Hüseyin , Karadag Remzi , Yildirim Aydin , Öçal Ayse , Sari Ünsal , Dag Yasar
Published: August 2014

Purpose:

To evaluate the medium-term motor outcomes of three horizontal muscle surgery in patients with large-angle infantile esotropia.

Methods:

The charts of 18 patients with large-angle (> 55 prism diopters [PD]) infantile esotropia who underwent bilateral medial rectus muscle recession and one lateral rectus muscle resection were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative deviations at last examination, overcorrections and undercorrections, necessity of additional horizontal surgery, and follow-up durations were recorded.

Results:

The median age of patients at surgery was 22 months (range: 10 to 168 months). Orthotropia to within 10 PD or less was achieved in 14 of 18 patients (78%) in a median follow-up of 32 months (range: 5 to 63 months). The mean preoperative deviation of 68.8 ± 9.54 PD decreased to a median of 1 PD (range: esotropia 30 to exophoria 4 PD) postoperatively (
P
< .005). Marked residual esotropia necessitating additional surgery occurred in 4 patients, but significant overcorrection was not observed.

Conclusions:

The success rate of the three horizontal muscle surgeries appears to be high enough in medium-term follow-up in patients with large-angle infantile esotropia. Overcorrection that necessitates additional horizontal muscle surgery does not seem to be significant in the medium term, according to this study.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(3):160–164.]
Propranolol and Periocular Capillary Hemangiomas: Assessment of Refractive Effect
Authors: Glasman Peter , Chandna Arvind , Nayak Harish , Mangat Simran , Kaye Stephen
Published: August 2014

Purpose:

To assess the effects of systemic propranolol on refractive error in infants with periocular capillary hemangiomas.

Methods:

A single-center study of consecutive patients with capillary hemangiomas treated with systemic propranolol. Refractive data were analyzed using Long’s matrix formalism and the methods of Harris and Kaye.

Results:

Seventeen patients were included. At 6 months postoperatively, hemangioma size reduced from 3,214 to 1,806 mm
3
(standard deviation: 4,122 to 2,441). Mean refractive error in the affected eye significantly reduced: −1.25/0.38 × 36 (95% confidence intervals: −5.08/1.20 × 90 to 1.64/1.43 × 180,
P
= .048) with a smaller change (
P
= .06) in the unaffected eye of −1.01/+0.31 × 3.16 (95% confidence intervals: −4.02/+1.12 × 180 to +1.49/+0.51 × 90).

Conclusions:

Propranolol produced a clinically significant reduction in the infants’ refractive error and anisometropia. The reduction in the total refractive error and anisometropia has not been evident in previous analyses, which have concentrated on the change in the “cylinder” as the principal outcome measure.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(3):165–170.]
Comparison of Surgically Induced Astigmatism Following Iris-Claw PIOL Insertion With Scleral, Limbal, or Corneal Incisions
Authors: Kwon Hee Jung , Nam Sang Min , Stulting R. Doyle , Lim Chan Young , Seo Kyoung Yul
Published: August 2014

PURPOSE:

To compare surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) based on incision site and evaluate the clinical results and astigmatic stability of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (Artisan lens; Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands) implantation.

METHODS:

Eighty-five eyes of 53 patients with myopia who underwent Artisan lens implantation with a 6.2-mm incision and follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively observed. SIA was assessed using keratometric astigmatism at 6 months postoperatively for the incision sites of the sclera, limbus, and cornea, and the efficacy, safety, predictability, and astigmatic stability were also calculated.

RESULTS:

SIA obtained using Naeser’s polar method (KP[90]
SIA
) was −0.48 ± 0.35 for scleral incisions, −0.99 ± 0.35 for limbal incisions, and −1.14 ± 0.54 for corneal incisions. Corresponding net astigmatism values, as calculated with KP(90)
SIA
and KP(135)
SIA
, were 0.70 ± 0.48 (177°), 1.04 ± 0.37 (175°), and 1.21 ± 0.57 (1°), respectively, with SIA increasing the nearer the incision was to the cornea center. Six months after surgery, the efficacy index was 1.03 and the safety index was 1.08. Ninety-eight percent of patients were within 1.50 diopters of attempted refraction.

CONCLUSIONS:

The values of SIA after Artisan lens insertion showed significant differences among three incision locations, despite the absence of significant differences in preoperative steep corneal axis astigmatism values at the incision locations. It would be applicable for refractive surgery in the aspect of minimizing astigmatism after surgery.

[
J Refract Surg.
2014;30(5):330–335.]
GPR for the inspection of industrial railway tracks
Authors: Hugenschmidt Johannes , Kasa Carl , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: August 2014

Industrial railway tracks are important for the loading and unloading of goods and therefore for the railway system in general. Often, industrial tracks are embedded in concrete and/or asphalt to enable trucks and other traffic across rails. Thus, most of the construction is hidden from visual inspection. If repair work is planned or if damage occurs, details of the construction have to be known for the planning of repair work and for the evaluation of damages. This paper describes the characteristics of industrial railway tracks, frequent problems and the non‐destructive testing on several real sites using GPR. Typical testing problems, most of them related to construction details, are described and the application of GPR for these problems is demonstrated using data from field measurements. Data from different types of equipment are compared and benefits and limits of the method are discussed. It is shown that GPR can provide information that is required to address problems that can be found frequently on industrial railway track sites.
A comprehensive study of parameter determination in a joint MRS and TEM data analysis scheme
Authors: Behroozmand Ahmad A. , Dalgaard Esben , Christiansen Anders Vest , Auken Esben
Published: August 2014

We present a comprehensive study of the parameter determination of magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) models in a joint MRS and transient electromagnetic (TEM) data analysis scheme. The parameter determination is assessed by calculating the model parameter uncertainties based on an a posteriori model covariance matrix. An entire MRS data set, dependent on pulse moment and time gate values, together with TEM data, is used for all analyses and realistic noise levels are assigned to the data.

Sensitivity analyses are studied for the determination of water content as a key parameter estimated during inversion of MRS data. We show the results for different suites of (three‐layer) models, in which we investigate the effect of resistivity, water content, relaxation time, loop side length, number of pulse moments and measurement dead time on the determination of water content in a water‐bearing layer. For all suites of models the effect of a top conductive and a top resistive layer are compared. Moreover, we analyse all models for a long (40 ms) and short (10 ms) measurement dead time. The effect of noise level on the parameter determination is also analysed.

We conclude that, in general, the resistivity of the water‐bearing layer (layer of interest, LOI) does not affect the determination of water content in the LOI but the resistivity of the top layer increases depth resolution; the water content of the LOI does not influence its determination considerably in cases where the signal has a relatively long relaxation time in the LOI; determination of the water content in the LOI is improved by increasing the relaxation time of the signal in the LOI; short measurement dead time will improve the parameter determination for signals with a relatively short relaxation time; increasing loop side length and the number of pulse moments do not necessarily improve the parameter determination.
Faulting and groundwater in a desert environment: constraining hydrogeology using time‐domain electromagnetic data
Authors: Bedrosian Paul A. , Burgess Matthew K. , Nishikawa Tracy
Published: August 2014

Within the south‐western Mojave Desert, the Joshua Basin Water District is considering applying imported water into infiltration ponds in the Joshua Tree groundwater sub‐basin in an attempt to artificially recharge the underlying aquifer. Scarce subsurface hydrogeological data are available near the proposed recharge site; therefore, time‐domain electromagnetic (TDEM) data were collected and analysed to characterize the subsurface. TDEM soundings were acquired to estimate the depth to water on either side of the Pinto Mountain Fault, a major east‐west trending strike‐slip fault that transects the proposed recharge site. While TDEM is a standard technique for groundwater investigations, special care must be taken when acquiring and interpreting TDEM data in a two‐dimensional (2D) faulted environment. A subset of the TDEM data consistent with a layered‐earth interpretation was identified through a combination of three‐dimensional (3D) forward modelling and diffusion time‐distance estimates. Inverse modelling indicates an offset in water table elevation of nearly 40 m across the fault. These findings imply that the fault acts as a low‐permeability barrier to groundwater flow in the vicinity of the proposed recharge site. Existing production wells on the south side of the fault, together with a thick unsaturated zone and permeable near‐surface deposits, suggest the southern half of the study area is suitable for artificial recharge. These results illustrate the effectiveness of targeted TDEM in support of hydrological studies in a heavily faulted desert environment where data are scarce and the cost of obtaining these data by conventional drilling techniques is prohibitive.