bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metazoan endoparasites diversity of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) as an indicator of environmental alterations on a tropical aquatic system
Authors: Ribeiro Thamy , Lizama Maria , Takemoto Ricardo
Published: August 2014

The aim of the present study was to detect the alterations of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans parasite infracommunity structure, after the construction of the Porto Primavera dam on the high Paraná River floodplain. The execution of this research was based on 119 host specimens collected between March 2011 and September 2012, and the results were compared to studies performed on periods before the reservoir’s construction, when 110 fishes were collected between March 1992 and February 1993. Five parasite species still remain on the environment, despite the environmental modifications: Choanoscolex abscissus, Spasskyelina spinulifera, Nomimoscolex pertierrae, Harriscolex kaparari and Contracaecum sp 2. The Berger-Parker dominance index, calculated to the parasite fauna of 1992, did not show the dominance of any species, while, on the present days, this same index accused the dominance of Nomimoscolex pertierrae (49%) and Choanoscolex abscissus (50%). The present study reports the disappearance of Megathylacus travassosi, Contracaecum sp. 1, Contracaecum sp. 3, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) sp. and Cucullanus pseudoplatystomae, suggesting the possibility of a local extinction or a host switch of these species. It has also been registered an Acanthocephala specimen, a genus not observed on this host yet. The results here presented show that the antropic influences on natural systems alter the environmental conditions, what is reflected on the richness and diversity parasite levels.
Seven new species of helminths for reptiles from Armenia
Authors: Nelli Sargsyan , Felix Danielyan , Marine Arakelyan
Published: August 2014

Helminthic infections of reptiles habiting in the territory of Armenia are examined. Seven species of helminths new for reptiles from Armenia are registered: Parapharyngodon skrjabini, Oswaldocruzia goezei, Neoxysomatium sp., Telorchis assula, Nematotaenia tarentolae, Mesocestoides lineatus and Spirometra erinacei europea. Descriptions and pictures of them are given.
Repeat region of Brugia malayi sheath protein (Shp-1) carries Dominant B epitopes recognized in filarial endemic population
Authors: Jawaharlal Jeya , Madhumathi Jayaprakasam , Prince Rajaiah , Kaliraj Perumal
Published: August 2014

Transmission of lymphatic filariasis is mediated through microfilariae (L1 stage of the parasite) which is encased in an eggshell called sheath. The sheath protein Shp-1 stabilizes the structure due to the unique repeat region with Met-Pro-Pro-Gln-Gly sequences. Microfilarial proteins could be used as transmission blocking vaccines. Since the repeat region of Shp-1 was predicted to carry putative B epitopes, this region was used to analyze its reactivity with clinical samples towards construction of peptide vaccine. In silico analysis of Shp-1 showed the presence of B epitopes in the region 49–107. The polypeptide epitopic region Shp-149–107 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Antibody reactivity of the Shp-149–107 construct was evaluated in filarial endemic population by ELISA. Putatively immune endemic normals (EN) showed significantly high reactivity (P < 0.05) when compared to all the other categories. Antibody reactivity of Shp-1 repeat region was similar to that of whole protein proving that this region carries B epitopes responsible for its humoral response in humans. Thus this can be employed for inducing anti-microfilarial immunity in the infected population that may lead to reduction in transmission intensity and also it could be used along with other epitopes from different stages of the parasite in order to manage the disease effectively.
A new brachycladiid species (Digenea) from Gervais’ beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus in north-western Atlantic waters
Authors: Fraija-Fernández Natalia , Aznar Francisco , Raga Juan , Gibson David , Fernández Mercedes
Published: August 2014

A new species of the digenean family Brachycladiidae Odhner, 1905 is described from the bile ducts of a Gervais’ beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus Gervais (Ziphiidae) stranded on the North Atlantic coast of Florida. These parasites were assigned to Brachycladium Looss, 1899 and differed from other species of the genus in the relative size of the oral and ventral suckers, the form and size of the eggs and their extremely small body size. A canonical discriminant analysis was used to examine differences between these specimens and the smallest available individuals of B. atlanticum (Abril, Balbuena and Raga, 1991) Gibson, 2005, considered the morphologically closest species. The overall results exhibited significant differences between the two samples and a jack-knife classification showed that 96.2% of the specimens were correctly classified to their group. In view of evidence from morphological data, the specimens from M. europaeus are considered as new to science and are designated as Brachycladium parvulum n. sp.
Metazoan parasites from herring (Clupea harengus L.) as biological indicators in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Unger Patrick , Klimpel Sven , Lang Thomas , Palm Harry
Published: August 2014

Zoographical distribution of metazoan fish parasites in herring, Clupea harengus, from the Baltic Sea was analysed in order to use them as potential biological indicators. A total of 210 herring from six different sampling sites were investigated, harbouring 12 different parasite species [five digeneans (D), one cestode (C), three nematodes (N) and three acanthocephalans (A)]. The distribution of the parasite species differed according to region, with a distinct gradient of decreasing species richness towards the east of the Baltic Sea. The western localities at Kiel Bay, Rügen and Poland had the highest parasite diversity, including the marine parasite species Anisakis simplex (s.s.) (N), Brachyphallus crenatus and Hemiurus luehei (both D). The eastern localities had low parasite species richness, predominated by the freshwater digenean Diplostomum spathaceum. We could identify three different Baltic herring stocks, the spring-spawning herring of the western Baltic reaching from the Kattegat to the German and Polish coast, the stock of the central Baltic proper and the northern stock of C. harengus var. membras of the Gulf of Finland. The limited distribution of the herring parasites within the Baltic Sea enables their use as biological indicators for migration patterns and stock separation. The acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus laevis that has already been used as an accumulation bioindicator for heavy metals was only recorded for the western herring stocks. However, the presence of mainly generalistic parasites and their uneven distribution patterns make their use as indicators for regional environmental and global change more difficult.
Identifying phenotypes involved in susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni infection in F1B6CBA mice
Authors: Villar Luis , Vicente Belén , Blanco-Gómez Adrian , Castellanos Andrés , Pérez-Losada Jesús , Muro Antonio
Published: August 2014

Schistosomiasis is a disease with a strong genetic component influenced by socioeconomic and ecological factors. Epidemiological studies have identified several genetic regions involved in the schistosomiasis susceptibility. However, it is not well known what physiological traits are predisposing to the disease. The study of experimental infections in inbred mouse strains with variable genetic susceptibility to the disease offers a good opportunity to tackle this question. F1B6CBA hybrid between the most divergent strains was infected in order to characterize the immunophenotypes that correlate with the susceptibility of schistosomiasis disease in mice. Complete blood counts and immunophenotype were determined at 0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks post infection. Nine weeks after cercariae exposure, animals were perfused and worm recovery was assessed. A large number of hepatic lesions, a reduction in the eosinophil and basophil count in the acute phase of infection and the decreased number of monocytes, neutrophils and B-lymphocytes are phenotypes associated with increased susceptibility to S. mansoni infection.
A new species of Rhinonastes (Monogenoidea, Dactylogyridae), nasal parasite of Prochilodus argenteus (Actinopterygii, Characiformes) from Brazil
Authors: Monteiro Cassandra , Brasil-Sato Marilia
Published: August 2014

A new species of Rhinonastes, hitherto monotypic, is described and illustrated from the nasal cavity of ‘curimat’, Prochilodus argenteus from São Francisco River, Brazil. Rhinonastes curimatae n. sp. presents a male copulatory organ with more than five rings while the type species of the genus is characterized by male copulatory organ with less than two rings. This is the first record of a nasal parasite in P. argenteus.
Municipality Declaration, Urban Imagination and Urban Experience A Case of Putalibazaar and Walling, Syangja, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Amrit Kumar
Published: August 2014

Municipalities, which are basically administrative divisions, have been treated as urban entities in Nepal, though most of them lack even the basic urban amenities. Municipality declaration by government can be taken as an effort to foster the process of urbanization in Nepal. On the basis of firsthand qualitative data collected through interviews, observations and focused group discussions conducted in the two municipalities: Putalibazaar and Walling of Syangja District of Western Nepal, this article attempts to highlight the status of urbanization here after 17 years of municipality declaration. This article reveals that local people were out of sorts about how urbanization flourishes in their area due to municipality declaration. It also divulges that local people themselves, municipality offices and other governmental and non-governmental agencies have not been able to make vibrant contribution in the urbanization process. Therefore, this article concludes that the mere act of municipality declaration cannot foster urbanization; thus local people and municipalities offices need to play collective, more responsible, productive and meaningful role to transform the urban imagination into a reality.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10686 Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 1-21
Representation of Indigenous Nationalities and Minorities in Bank and Financial Institutions: A Study of Pokhara
Authors: Gurung Jas Bahadur
Published: August 2014

This study is carried out to explore the inclusive representation of Indigenous Nationalities and Minorities working in Bank and Financial Institutions (BFIs) in Pokhara. Both descriptive and explorative research design has been used in this study. Primary data have been collected constructing a set of well-structured questionnaire and used in this study. Representation of Indigenous Nationalities is poor i.e. only 32.59 percent in the total employment of BFIs. Madheshi represents only 0.62 percent and Dalits 1.62 percent in the total employment. There is no representation at all from Muslim community in BFIs in Pokhara. The representation of male employee is higher than that of female employees in BFIs even within the said ethnic groups. The level of job they employed is mostly lower levels i.e. assistants and other support staffs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10688   Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 51-63
Assessing Current Situation of Domestic Violence against Women: A Study in Hasandaha, Morang
Authors: Pandey Krishna P , Shrestha Gyanendra
Published: August 2014

Nepal like many other countries represents a multicultural characteristics having patriarchal social structure. Recognizing the need to effectively reduce the incidences of violence against women, Nepal ratified the CEDAW in 1991. But the incidences of DVAW have been repeatedly reported and the challenge to the human rights of the Nepalese women has been added. The heterogeneity of Nepalese society and social interaction among the different caste/ethnic groups make the issue of DVAW more complicated that eventually requires sociological study. The people of Hasandaha, Morang, represent the caste/ethnic heterogeneity and could be the representation of Nepalese villages. The women of that village are also suffering from multiple forms of violence against them. Physical assault, sexual abuse to psychological torture is among the forms of violence that they aspire to escape from. Rigid caste norms and patriarchal values constrict the freedom of movement among the women of Hasandaha village. These women express that the government, NGOs and civil society should have decisive roles with regard to the elimination of domestic violence against women. For this, effective mobilization of local communities, awareness generation among them and changes in the state’s attitude towards DVAW only as of private concern are key to reduce the incidences of DVAW in Hasandaha village of Morang district, Nepal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10689   Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 64-85
A Cultural Anthropology of Head Porterage: Fresh Insights into Unique Markets
Authors: Akanle Olayinka , Chioma Chukwu
Published: August 2014

In this article, we examined the repertoire of existences, processes and practises as well as mechanisms of open market place trading that is a definitive character of trading and associated dealings in many Sub-Saharan Africa countries which is as a result of the nature and structure of social and economic organizations cum cultural relational infrastructures of these Sub-Saharan societies. One stop shops and shopping malls that commonly punctuate American and European societies are rare necessitating special, unique and innovative ways of transporting goods and services across locations. It is within this socio-cultural, relational and economic infrastructural milieu that head porterage (Alabaru) subsists. Unfortunately, not many works exist in the areas of Anthropology and Cultural Studies on head porterage (Alabaru) which has assumed important character in the existences of most Sub-Saharan African markets with implications for global markets and world distribution/supply chains. This article therefore deployed robust Anthropological and qualitative methodology to examine the critical contours of the problematic. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10716   Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 166-186
Suitably Altering Amid Predicaments in Rural Nepal
Authors: Upadhyay Prakash
Published: August 2014

The major argument of this article is that societies and cultures are dynamic and triggered by various dynamics. However the past legacy of quandary affects the present societal development. To this zing, the rural communities in Bandipur who have been the victims of apathy and desertion in the past are more susceptible to quandary underneath the obsessive pressure of tourism and modernization at the present. This has created circumstances with a high probability of cultural conflict between tourists and locals, entrepreneurs and the commons. Nevertheless, local entrepreneurs involved in tourism business perceive tourism’s upshot more optimistically and sturdily in immediate sense than tourisms cultural consequences and insinuation in the long nudge. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v6i0.10717   Himalayan Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.6 2014: 187-202
Effect of Pre-Molding Process and Additive of Injection Molded Wood/PP Composites
Authors: Yu Y. , Yang Q. Y. , Nomura M. , Hamada H.
Published: August 2014

Injection molded composites are becoming more widespread in recent years because of their high quality and low cost. However, compared to synthetic fiber composites, it is difficult to maintain a constant fiber volume fraction and uniform distribution for natural fiber composites during the direct injection process. This is mainly because natural fibers are more easily twisted during feeding into the injection machine, owing to their rough surfaces. These feeding difficulties are particularly due to the low bulk densities of natural fibers, especially natural fillers. Additional challenges to the injection process include the concentration and, especially for natural filler reinforced composite. To address these problems, the current study investigates the mechanical properties and morphologies of polypropylene (PP) reinforced by wood powder. Two pre-molding processes, dry-blending and compounding, were compared, and the effects of an additive (crystalline polyalpha olefin (CPAO)) on the mechanical properties of the wood/PP composites were investigated. This investigation is based on tensile, three point bending, and Izod impact tests, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of the fracture surfaces. Results indicated that the composites molded through compounding exhibited better mechanical properties than the samples molded through the direct dry-blending process. In addition, the tensile and bending properties of the composites produced through compounding were found to increase with the addition of CPAO content, because of improved wood powder distribution in the PP matrix.
The Porous Structure and Mechanical Properties of Injection Molded HA/PA66 Scaffolds
Authors: Zhou S. , Li Y.-B. , Wang Y.-Y. , Zuo Y. , Gao S.-B. , Li M. , Zhang L.
Published: August 2014

Hydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 (HA/PA66) composite scaffolds were prepared using injection-molding technique, and also analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and mechanical testing. Compared with common methods including solvent casting/particulate leaching, phase separation and so forth to fabricate scaffolds, this process is of a rapid and convenient manner. The increase of HA content can increase the stiffness of composite scaffolds accompanied by the reduction of impact strength, pore size and porosity. The storage modulus of composite scaffolds increases with increasing HA content and with decreasing porosity. The damping (tan δ) of PA66 decreases with the increase of HA content, and the α and β relaxation peaks of PA66 for the foamed HA/PA66 composites slightly shift to lower value, indicating that both HA and gas in the foamed HA/PA66 composites have an effect on the chain mobility of the polymer and the interaction between the polymer chains. The microstructure of the 30 wt% and 40 wt% HA/PA66 composite scaffolds with porosity more than 59 % and pore size ranging from 100 to 500 μm is similar to that of dry human trabecular bone. The obtained composite scaffolds with 30 wt% and 40 wt% HA have a compressive modulus of 232 to 443 MPa, and a compressive strength of 9.3 to 9.8 MPa, similar to or a little higher than those of trabecular bone, and close to those of the cancellous bone.
Development of Composites of Highly Filled Phenol Formaldehyde Resin – Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Endocarp Particles
Authors: Lengowski E. C. , Nisgoski S. , de Oliveira Tanobe V. , Bolzon de Muniz G. I. , Magalhães W. L. E. , Satyanarayana K. G.
Published: August 2014

Considering the growing interest in the development of new materials based on renewable materials, this paper presents the results of experiments carried out with high content (80 to 95 %) of coconut endocarp particles in phenol formaldehyde resin for the development of composite material by compression molding. The morphology of the particles and chemical composition and thermal stability of both the particles and the resin were evaluated. Tensile and flexural properties of the composites exhibited significant improvements with increasing resin content, attributed to good bonding between the resin and the particles and the presence of fewer voids in the composites as well as to the microstructural homogeneity, as corroborated by the fractographic studies. The thermal stability of the composites is influenced by the proportion of particles, while the swelling characteristics are affected by the amount of resin. The results taken together suggest that the developed composite can be used for various applications.
Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Johansen Truls , Naber Kurt
Published: August 2014

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most frequently acquired infections in the community, but also in hospitals and other health care institutions, causing a huge amount of antibiotic consumption. During the last decade we have seen significant changes in the field of urinary tract infections regarding causative pathogens and antibiotic treatment calling for an update of current trends. The worldwide increase of uropathogens resistant to former first line antibiotics, such as cotrimoxazole, fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, has had detrimental consequences not only for treatment but also for prophylaxis of infectious complications after urological interventions. A paradigm shift concerning asymptomatic bacteriuria has had a great impact on the definition and management of UTIs today [1–4]. [...]
Where 2.0 Australia’s Environment? Crowdsourcing, Volunteered Geographic Information, and Citizens Acting as Sensors for Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Clark Alister
Published: August 2014

Crowdsourcing, volunteered geographic information (VGI) and citizens acting as sensors are currently being used in Australia via GeoWeb 2.0 applications for environmental sustainability purposes. This paper situates the origins of these practices, phenomena and concepts within the intersection of Web 2.0 and emerging online and mobile spatial technologies, herein called the GeoWeb 2.0. The significance of these origins is akin to a revolution in the way information is created, curated and distributed, attributed with transformative social impacts. Applications for environmental sustainability have the potential to be similarly transformative or disruptive. However, Web 2.0 is not described or conceptualised consistently within the literature. Australian examples implementing the GeoWeb 2.0 for environmental sustainability are diverse, but the reasons for this are difficult to ascertain. There is little published by the creators of such applications on their decisions, and Australian research is nascent, occurring across a variety of disciplinary approaches. While a substantial research literature emanates from North America and Europe, its transferability to Australia requires careful assessment. This paper contributes to this assessment by providing a review of relevant literature in the context of Australian examples for environmental sustainability.
Kinetics and Quantitative Structure—Activity Relationship Study on the Degradation Reaction from Perfluorooctanoic Acid to Trifluoroacetic Acid
Authors: Gong Chen , Sun Xiaomin , Zhang Chenxi , Zhang Xue , Niu Junfeng
Published: August 2014

Investigation of the degradation kinetics of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been carried out to calculate rate constants of the main elementary reactions using the multichannel Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory and canonical variational transition state theory with small-curvature tunneling correction over a temperature range of 200~500 K. The Arrhenius equations of rate constants of elementary reactions are fitted. The decarboxylation is role step in the degradation mechanism of PFOA. For the perfluorinated carboxylic acids from perfluorooctanoic acid to trifluoroacetic acid, the quantitative structure–activity relationship of the decarboxylation was analyzed with the genetic function approximation method and the structure–activity model was constructed. The main parameters governing rate constants of the decarboxylation reaction from the eight-carbon chain to the two-carbon chain were obtained. As the structure–activity model shows, the bond length and energy of C1–C2 (RC1–C2 and EC1–C2) are positively correlated to rate constants, while the volume (V), the energy difference between EHOMO and ELUMO (ΔE), and the net atomic charges on atom C2 (QC2) are negatively correlated.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis in the Management of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Pregnancies
Authors: Bustamante-Aragones Ana , Perlado-Marina Sara , Trujillo-Tiebas Maria , Gallego-Merlo Jesús , Lorda-Sanchez Isabel , Rodríguez-Ramirez Luz , Linares Concepcion , Hernandez Corazón , De Alba Marta
Published: August 2014

Prenatal diagnosis (PD) is recommended in pregnancies after a Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). However, conventional PD entails a risk of fetal loss which makes PGD patients reluctant to undergo obstetric invasive procedures. The presence of circulating fetal DNA in maternal blood allows performing a non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) without risk for the pregnancy outcome. This work shows the introduction of NIPD for confirmation of PGD results in eight pregnancies. In those pregnancies referred to PGD for an X-linked disorder (six out of eight), fetal sex determination in maternal blood was performed to confirm fetal sex. One pregnancy referred to PGD for Marfan syndrome and one referred for Huntington disease (HD) were also analyzed. In seven out of eight cases, PGD results were confirmed by NIPD in maternal blood. No results were obtained in the HD pregnancy. NIPD in PGD pregnancies can be a reliable alternative for couples that after a long process feel reluctant to undergo PD due to the risk of pregnancy loss.
Importance of Beta Cell Function for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Saisho Yoshifumi
Published: August 2014

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. Recent evidence has emerged that beta cell dysfunction is a common pathogenetic feature of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and T2DM never develops without beta cell dysfunction. Therefore, treatment of T2DM should aim to restore beta cell function. Although the treatment of T2DM has greatly improved over the past few decades, remaining issues in the current treatment of T2DM include (1) hypoglycemia; (2) body weight gain; (3) peripheral hyperinsulinemia and (4) postprandial hyperglycemia, which are all associated with inappropriate insulin supplementation, again underpinning the important role of endogenous and physiological insulin secretion in the management of T2DM. This review summarizes the current knowledge on beta cell function in T2DM and discusses the treatment strategy for T2DM in relation to beta cell dysfunction.
Antifungal Plant Defensins: Mechanisms of Action and Production
Authors: Vriens Kim , Cammue Bruno , Thevissen Karin
Published: August 2014

Plant defensins are small, cysteine-rich peptides that possess biological activity towards a broad range of organisms. Their activity is primarily directed against fungi, but bactericidal and insecticidal actions have also been reported. The mode of action of various antifungal plant defensins has been studied extensively during the last decades and several of their fungal targets have been identified to date. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of well-characterized antifungal plant defensins, including RsAFP2, MsDef1, MtDef4, NaD1 and Psd1, and points out the variety by which antifungal plant defensins affect microbial cell viability. Furthermore, this review summarizes production routes for plant defensins, either via heterologous expression or chemical synthesis. As plant defensins are generally considered non-toxic for plant and mammalian cells, they are regarded as attractive candidates for further development into novel antimicrobial agents.
Rumphellaones B and C, New 4,5-Seco-Caryophyllane Sesquiterpenoids from Rumphella
Authors: Chung Hsu-Ming , Wang Wei-Hsien , Hwang Tsong-Long , Li Jan-Jung , Fang Lee-Shing , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: August 2014

Two new 4,5-seco-caryophyllane sesquiterpenoids, rumphellaones B (1) and C (2), which were found to possess unprecedented γ-lactone moieties, were obtained from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and compound 2 was found to display modest inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils at a concentration of 10 μg/mL
Design of a Device for Sky Light Polarization Measurements
Authors: Wang Yujie , Hu Xiaoping , Lian Junxiang , Zhang Lilian , Xian Zhiwen , Ma Tao
Published: August 2014

ky polarization patterns can be used both as indicators of atmospheric turbidity and as a sun compass for navigation. The objective of this study is to improve the precision of sky light polarization measurements by optimal design of the device used. The central part of the system is composed of a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera; a fish-eye lens and a linear polarizer. Algorithms for estimating parameters of the polarized light based on three images are derived and the optimal alignments of the polarizer are analyzed. The least-squares estimation is introduced for sky light polarization pattern measurement. The polarization patterns of sky light are obtained using the designed system and they follow almost the same patterns of the single-scattering Rayleigh model. Deviations of polarization angles between observation and the theory are analyzed. The largest deviations occur near the sun and anti-sun directions. Ninety percent of the deviations are less than 5° and 40% percent of them are less than 1°. The deviations decrease evidently as the degree of polarization increases. It also shows that the polarization pattern of the cloudy sky is almost identical as in the blue sky.
Automated In-Situ Laser Scanner for Monitoring Forest Leaf Area Index
Authors: Culvenor Darius , Newnham Glenn , Mellor Andrew , Sims Neil , Haywood Andrew
Published: August 2014

An automated laser rangefinding instrument was developed to characterize overstorey and understorey vegetation dynamics over time. Design criteria were based on information needs within the statewide forest monitoring program in Victoria, Australia. The ground-based monitoring instrument captures the key vegetation structural information needed to overcome ambiguity in the estimation of forest Leaf Area Index (LAI) from satellite sensors. The scanning lidar instrument was developed primarily from low cost, commercially accessible components. While the 635 nm wavelength lidar is not ideally suited to vegetation studies, there was an acceptable trade-off between cost and performance. Tests demonstrated reliable range estimates to live foliage up to a distance of 60 m during night-time operation. Given the instrument’s scan angle of 57.5 degrees zenith, the instrument is an effective tool for monitoring LAI in forest canopies up to a height of 30 m. An 18 month field trial of three co-located instruments showed consistent seasonal trends and mean LAI of between 1.32 to 1.56 and a temporal LAI variation of 8 to 17% relative to the mean.
Enclosed Electronic System for Force Measurements in Knee Implants
Authors: Forchelet David , Simoncini Matteo , Arami Arash , Bertsch Arnaud , Meurville Eric , Aminian Kamiar , Ryser Peter , Renaud Philippe
Published: August 2014

Total knee arthroplasty is a widely performed surgical technique. Soft tissue force balancing during the operation relies strongly on the experience of the surgeon in equilibrating tension in the collateral ligaments. Little information on the forces in the implanted prosthesis is available during surgery and post-operative treatment. This paper presents the design, fabrication and testing of an instrumented insert performing force measurements in a knee prosthesis. The insert contains a closed structure composed of printed circuit boards and incorporates a microfabricated polyimide thin-film piezoresistive strain sensor for each condylar compartment. The sensor is tested in a mechanical knee simulator that mimics in-vivo conditions. For characterization purposes, static and dynamic load patterns are applied to the instrumented insert. Results show that the sensors are able to measure forces up to 1.5 times body weight with a sensitivity fitting the requirements for the proposed use. Dynamic testing of the insert shows a good tracking of slow and fast changing forces in the knee prosthesis by the sensors.
Analysis of Two Models for Evaluating the Energy Performance of Different Buildings
Authors: Evangelisti Luca , Battista Gabriele , Guattari Claudia , Basilicata Carmine , De Lieto Vollaro Roberto
Published: August 2014

Nowadays it is possible to employ several software packages to evaluate building’s energy performance, each of them based on a different calculation code, with different boundary conditions in terms of environmental temperature, solar radiation, wind velocity and relative humidity. In this contribution, a comparison between two calculation codes, taking into account different types of buildings, has been carried out. In particular, a semi-stationary calculation code and a dynamic one have been employed to determine energy demands of three different building’s types: an old building, a house and a flat. Analyzing semi-stationary conditions (consequently simplified environmental conditions), a software which applies the UNI TS 11300 standard has been considered. This standard defines the procedures for the national implementation of the UNI EN ISO 13790. Furthermore, in order to consider the environmental conditions variation, a well-known dynamic software has been used.
La dimension interinstitutionnelle des études d'impact des reglementations dans l'Union européenne à l'ère de la « réglementation intelligente »
Authors: Delille Thomas
Published: August 2014

Résumé L’institutionnalisation de l’étude d’impact des réglementations dans l’Union européenne a permis une amélioration de la prise de décision. Elle révèle cependant des incohérences dues au trop grand centralisme dans le dessin et la conduite de l’outil. C’est le résultat du volontarisme de la Commission européenne et de la procrastination du Parlement et du Conseil. On observe un réveil bienvenu de ces institutions vis‑à‑vis de l’outil administratif. Il doit cependant être raisonné pour ne pas conduire à d’autres incohérences. Dès lors, un nouvel accord interinstitutionnel, portant notamment sur la coopération des institutions dans leurs comportements pré‑décisionnels, devient urgent.
L'analyse distributive dans les études d'impact, ou comment prendre en compte la répartition des conséquences d'une règlementation
Authors: Livermore Michael A. , Rosenberg Jennifer S.
Published: August 2014

Résumé Cet article examine le rôle joué par l’étude de la répartition des impacts d’une règlementation, laquelle vient en complément de l’analyse « coûts‑avantages ». Il discute les façons dont cette analyse distributive peut affecter l’évaluation d’une politique publique. L’utilité d’une telle étude est accrue pour les pays développés et émergents, dont nombre d’entre eux font face à des problèmes extrêmement pressants de pauvreté et d’inégalité et pour qui la répartition des coûts et des bénéfices peut avoir des conséquences sociales importantes. Examinant les effets distributifs de chacune des options à la disposition des responsables politiques, les auteurs concluent que certains types d’analyse distributive sont susceptibles d’offrir une meilleure prise de décision.
Étudier l'étude d'impact
Authors: Dunlop Claire A. , Fritsch Oliver , Radaelli Claudio M.
Published: August 2014

Résumé Que font exactement les gouvernements, les organisations internationales et d’autres acteurs lorsqu’ils affirment vouloir évaluer de manière systématique tout projet de règlementation ? Les autorités en charge des politiques de régulation utilisent-elles vraiment les résultats produits par les instruments d’analyse fondés sur des données factuelles ? Cet article envisage deux dimensions de l’étude d’impact : le champ et la portée de l’analyse empirique, à la base de toute étude d’impact, et l’utilisation qui en est faite. Celles‑ci servent à dresser une typologie explicative. À partir de ces deux points de vue, nous avons passé systématiquement en revue la littérature existante, pour y repérer les angles morts et en tirer des leçons. Enfin, un tableau retrace les liens entre qualité et utilisation de l’analyse, montrant ainsi la manière dont des recherches ultérieures pourraient devenir moins descriptives.
Quelle architecture institutionnelle pour le développement durable ? La restructuration des services régionaux du ministère de l'écologie
Authors: Le Bourhis Jean-Pierre , Martinais Emmanuel
Published: August 2014

Résumé L’article s’intéresse à la création en France d’une administration du développement durable au niveau régional. Il éclaire les choix de structuration de cette bureaucratie émergente à partir d’une étude décrivant la conception des 21 directions régionales de l’écologie, de l’aménagement et du logement (DREAL) issues de cette réforme. Il présente les principales architectures institutionnelles retenues et met en évidence l’influence respective des acteurs centraux et régionaux sur les choix d’organisation de ces services. Il montre enfin que si les directions régionales reprennent pour partie les modèles ministériels antérieurs, elles sont en même temps des lieux où s’inventent des formatages administratifs originaux, non programmés par l’administration centrale et différenciés selon les régions.
De la psychologie des profondeurs à l'histoire des sensibilités
Authors: Mazurel Hervé
Published: August 2014

L’histoire des sensibilités suscite encore une méfiance persistante, avant tout parce que son projet intellectuel demeure mal identifié, parce que l’historiographie a souvent laissé penser que ses origines s’ancraient uniquement dans la continuité du projet de Lucien Febvre et de l’histoire des mentalités à la française. Or, en vérité, celle-ci n’est autre que la traduction historiographique d’un mouvement philosophique beaucoup plus ample et ancien, né du basculement incarné par Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche et Sigmund Freud, ces penseurs du soupçon, qui nous ont appris à repérer derrière les idées, la raison et la conscience, le rôle des désirs et des appétits, le jeu des pulsions et des sentiments. Rendant ainsi l’homme moins transparent à lui-même, l’historien du sensible vise, outre à restituer l’historicité de notre vie sensible, à réévaluer la part des affects dans la détermination des conduites humaines. Pour ce faire, il s’appuie également sur la riche nébuleuse des savoirs critiques élaborés ensuite, dans l’Allemagne de la première moitié du 20 e  siècle, sous les appellations de « psychologie sociale » ou « historique » ou, à la manière nietzschéenne, de « psychologie des profondeurs ».
Curiosité gastronomique et cuisine exotique dans l'entre-deux-guerres
Authors: Janes Lauren , Bourguignon Hélène
Published: August 2014

La fréquence des recettes et de l’écriture gastronomique sur le thème des colonies dans les revues Le Pot-au-feu et Le Cordon bleu à partir des années 1890 jusqu’à la fin des années 1930 reflètent l’intérêt des Français pour la cuisine coloniale. Malgré leur popularité, notamment pendant l’entre-deux guerres, la gamme des plats sur un thème colonial était très limitée, s’appuyant principalement sur les fruits tropicaux et de la poudre de curry, et ajoutant seulement une touche d’exotisme à la périphérie de la cuisine française. Ces revues ont aussi publié des articles de curiosité gastronomique qui exagéraient l’altérité des peuples non occidentaux, souvent par le trope de dégoût. La représentation des Autres exotiques comme des mangeurs d’aliments dégoûtants marquait les frontières de la cuisine française et limitait l’exploration culinaire. L’exotisme présent dans ces revues éloignait plus encore les Français des non-Occidentaux et renforçait les frontières culturelles entre colon et colonisé en France métropolitaine.
La séparation
Authors: Vidal-Naquet Clémentine
Published: August 2014

En août 1914, la mobilisation générale constitue sans nul doute un phénomène inédit à l’échelle nationale. Pour les couples, l’entrée en guerre signifie avant tout la séparation, expérience éminemment intime mais largement partagée au plan collectif. Cet article propose de saisir le moment décisif de la séparation conjugale en août 1914 à travers des aspects de l’expression des émotions. Il entend réfléchir à la façon dont la tendresse conjugale d’une part, la coulée des larmes d’autre part, sont mises en récit pour devenir des supports de la mobilisation, plaçant les relations de couple au cœur de la fabrication d’un discours sur l’événement. Il souhaite, en outre, par l’étude des premières lettres échangées après le départ du mobilisé, mettre en exergue l’importance, pour les couples séparés, du partage des émotions et des sentiments qu’ils sont contraints, par la distance, de formuler.
Les métamorphoses de l'intimité
Authors: Rebreyend Anne-Claire
Published: August 2014

Cécile et Étienne sont amants. Elle est âgée de trente-six ans, mariée et mère, vit à Paris ; il a dix ans de moins, est célibataire, provincial et sans expérience sexuelle. Leur importante correspondance a été déposée à l’Association pour l’autobiographie et le patrimoine autobiographique (APA) et constitue une source d’une grande richesse. Faisant appel à la micro-histoire et attentive à l’analyse des discours, nous proposons de suivre le développement de l’histoire d’amour de Cécile et Étienne entre 1945 et 1960, en s’attardant sur ses prémices entre 1945 et 1949. L’analyse d’une relation adultère vécue de l’intérieur permet de mieux comprendre les métamorphoses de l’intimité au cours de cette période du baby-boom, en particulier les rôles masculin et féminin. Cette histoire singulière permet aussi d’éclairer, par un jeu de contrastes, les représentations de la conjugalité pendant les décennies d’après-guerre – période de doutes au sujet de l’intimité. En quoi ce couple adultère interroge-t-il et contourne-t-il les normes conjugales, tout en cherchant à s’y conformer ?
De l'invention du traumatisme à la reconnaissance des victimes
Authors: Fassin Didier
Published: August 2014

Partant d’un événement dramatique survenu aux États-Unis, la tuerie de Fort Hood en 2009, et des interprétations contradictoires qui en ont été données concernant le rôle du traumatisme dans la genèse du massacre, cet essai propose une réflexion sur l’histoire de cette notion et de ses enjeux politiques. Dans un premier temps, il est montré comment, de catégorie clinique à connotation négative, le traumatisme est devenu, à la fin de la seconde moitié du 20 e  siècle, le marqueur positif d’un événement dramatique dont les conséquences psychiques attestent le bon état mental de la personne qui en souffre. Cette remarquable conversion morale autorise, en l’authentifiant, la reconnaissance d’un statut de victime. Dans un second temps, à partir de trois scènes, dans les suites de l’accident de l’usine AZF, pendant la seconde Intifada et lors de l’évaluation des demandes d’asile, il est analysé comment le traumatisme s’inscrit dans une triple politique de la réparation, du témoignage et de la preuve. Dans ces processus cependant, une inégalité demeure dans la manière dont on reconnaît les victimes.
Analysis of discourse features of an EFL Internet forum debate
Authors: Dechesne Marti A.
Published: August 2014

Un débat sur l’Internet a été mis en place en avril 2000 entre l’Université de Valencia et l’Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis comme un travail collaboratif dans le cadre du projet IDEELS (Intercultural Dynamics in European Education through on-Line Simulation). Le débat a été dirigé par le directeur du projet IDEELS dans une université en Allemagne. L’analyse du discours a été effectuée dans les domaines suivants: conventions sociales, questions, réponses et offres de discussions. Les membres de ce débat ont utilisé des stratégies variées pour comprendre rapidement les conversations en direct avec les étudiants espagnols de niveau supérieur en anglais.
La recherche au ministère chargé de la Culture (1959-2000)
Authors: Dalbéra Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2014

À partir de 1962, le IVe plan, puis ceux qui l’ont suivi, ont permis aux sciences de trouver leur place au sein du ministère des Affaires culturelles. Mais la véritable impulsion a été donnée par la Délégation générale à la recherche scientifique et technique, dès 1975. Des instances de pilotage et de coordination ont alors été mises en place. La progression des crédits et des emplois qui a suivi a conduit ce ministère à occuper, au début des années quatre-vingt-dix, la troisième place des grands acteurs publics en matière de recherche sur le patrimoine, la création artistique, les pratiques culturelles et l’économie de la culture.
L’archéologie, une discipline en partage
Authors: Tarrête Jacques
Published: August 2014

En l’espace de moins de 50 ans, le ministère de la Culture a développé un service archéologique dans chaque région du territoire national, des centres de documentation et de recherche spécifiques et un établissement dédié à l’archéologie préventive. Il s’est efforcé de créer et de maintenir des liens avec les autres acteurs de la discipline, même si la diversité des missions était parfois source de divergences voire d’antagonismes. Des actions communes de recherche et de publication aident à harmoniser les activités de chaque intervenant de même que l’existence d’instances pluri-institutionnelles de conseil et d’évaluation.
Naissance de la recherche scientifique au Laboratoire de recherche des musées de France (LRMF)
Authors: Lahanier Christian
Published: August 2014

Inauguré en 1931, le laboratoire du musée du Louvre s’installe au pavillon de Flore en 1968 et devient le Laboratoire de recherche des musées de France (LRMF). Plusieurs techniques non destructives d’analyse avancée par rayons X y sont développées. Elles permettent de voir par différence d’absorption X et d’analyser par émission spectrale X ou diffraction X les matériaux composant les peintures et les objets. La science et l’art sont associées pour dater, caractériser les techniques d’exécution et les ateliers de fabrication, l’origine des matériaux naturels, déterminer la provenance des objets, identifier la nature des altérations et localiser les restaurations mais aussi détecter des faux, identifier les copies, etc.En 1987, l’accélérateur grand Louvre d’analyse élémentaire (Aglaé) apporte une sensibilité accrue sur de petites surfaces en opérant à l’air et sous vide par faisceau d’ions fixe ou par balayage. Le Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (C2RMF), service à compétence nationale, voit le jour en 1998. Il résulte de la fusion du laboratoire de recherche et du service de restauration des musées de France.
Interview de Christian Lahanier, ancien chef du département documentation et image numérique au Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (C2RMF) et de Geneviève Aitken, chargée de la documentation des collections du musée Rodin
Authors: Lahanier Christian
Published: August 2014

Dès 1990, le LRMF, pionnier dans le numérique, a digitalisé en très haute définition (6000 x 8000 pixels) plus de 150.000 clichés grand format réalisés depuis 1931, avec un scanner à plat développé par la société Thomson-Broadcast (projet Narcisse).Ensuite, la numérisation haute définition directe et multi-vues des objets positionnés sur une table tournante de précision permet de visualiser sur écran un objet en rotation puis, par combinaison de ces vues, de manipuler un modèle 3D ; mais aussi des modèles 3D constitués de points obtenus par balayage laser en noir et blanc puis en couleur. Enfin, la numérisation multi-spectrale des peintures permet la reconstruction de la couleur indépendamment de la source d’éclairage et l’analyse colorimétrique de la couche picturale. Au-delà de la consultation à distance, le numérique ouvre un nouveau domaine de recherche et une palette d’applications sur la caractérisation du contenu scientifique des images 3D multi-spectrales.