bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate simulation of transient landscape evolution by eliminating
numerical diffusion: the TTLEM 1.0 model
Authors: Campforts Benjamin , Schwanghart Wolfgang , Govers Gerard
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Landscape evolution models (LEM) allow studying the earth surface response to a changing climatic and tectonic forcing. While much effort has been devoted to the development of LEMs that simulate a wide range of processes, the numerical accuracy of these models has received much less attention. Most LEMs use first order accurate numerical methods that suffer from substantial numerical diffusion. Numerical diffusion particularly affects the solution of the advection equation and thus the simulation of retreating landforms such as cliffs and river knickpoints with potential unquantified consequences for the integrated response of the simulated landscape. Here we present TTLEM, a spatially explicit, raster based LEM for the study of fluvially eroding landscapes in TopoToolbox 2. TTLEM prevents numerical diffusion by implementing a higher order flux limiting total volume method that is total variation diminishing (TVD-TVM) and solves the partial differential equations of river incision and tectonic displacement. We show that the choice of the TVD-TVM to simulate river incision significantly influences the evolution of simulated landscapes and the spatial and temporal variability of catchment wide erosion rates. Furthermore, a 2D TVD-TVM accurately simulates the evolution of landscapes affected by lateral tectonic displacement, a process whose simulation is hitherto largely limited to LEMs with flexible spatial discretization. By providing accurate numerical schemes on rectangular grids, TTLEM is a widely accessible LEM that is compatible with GIS analysis functions from the TopoToolbox interface.
Radio frequency interference mitigating hyperspectral L-band radiometer
Authors: Toose Peter , Roy Alexandre , Solheim Frederick , Derksen Chris , Watts Tom , Royer Alain , Walker Anne
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) can significantly contaminate the measured radiometric signal of current spaceborne L-band passive microwave radiometers. These spaceborne radiometers operate within the protected passive remote sensing and radio astronomy frequency allocation of 1400–1427 MHz, but despite this are still subjected to frequent RFI intrusions. We present a unique surface-based/airborne hyperspectral 385 channel, dual polarization, L-band Fourier transform, RFI detecting radiometer designed with a frequency range from 1400 through ≈ 1550 MHz. The extended frequency range was intended to increase the likelihood of detecting adjacent RFI-free channels to increase the signal, and therefore increase the thermal resolution, of the radiometer instrument. The external instrument calibration uses three targets (sky, ambient, and warm) and validation from independent stability measurements shows a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.0 K for ambient and warm targets, while the MAE is 1.5 K for sky. A simple but effective RFI removal method which exploits the large number of frequency channels is also described. This method separates the desired thermal emission from RFI intrusions, and was evaluated with synthetic microwave spectra generated using a Monte Carlo approach and validated with surface-based and airborne experimental measurements.
Brief Communication: An update of the article "Modelling flood damages under climate change conditions – a case study for Germany"
Authors: Hattermann Fred Fokko , Huang Shaochun , Burghoff Olaf , Hoffmann Peter , Kundzewicz Zbigniew W.
Published: July 2016

Abstract. In our first study on possible flood damages under climate change in Germany, we reported that a considerable increase in flood-related losses can be expected in a future warmer climate. However, the general significance of the study was limited by the fact that outcome of only one global climate model (GCM) was used as a large-scale climate driver, while many studies report that GCMs are often the largest source of uncertainty in impact modelling. Here we show that a much broader set of global and regional climate model combinations as climate drivers show trends which are in line with the original results and even give a stronger increase of damages.
Development of high-resolution multi-scale modelling system for simulation
of coastal-fluvial urban flooding
Authors: Olbert Agnieszka Indiana , Comer Joanne , Nash Stephen , Hartnett Michael
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Urban developments in coastal zones are often exposed to natural hazards such as flooding. In this research, a state-of-the-art, multi-scale nested flood (MSN_Flood) model is applied to simulate complex coastal-fluvial urban flooding due to combined effects of tides, surges and river discharges. Cork City on Ireland’s southwest coast is a study case. The flood modelling system comprises of a cascade of four dynamically linked models that resolve the hydrodynamics of Cork Harbour and/or its sub region at four scales 90 m, 30 m, 6 m and 2 m. Results demonstrate that the internalisation of the nested boundary through a use of ghost cells combined with a tailored adaptive interpolation technique creates a highly dynamic moving boundary that permits flooding and drying of the nested boundary. This novel feature of MSN_Flood provides a high degree of choice regarding the location of the boundaries to the nested domain and therefore flexibility in model application. The nested MSN_Flood model through dynamic downscaling facilitates significant improvements in accuracy of model output without incurring the computational expense of high spatial resolution over the entire model domain. The urban flood model provides full characteristics of water levels and flow regimes necessary for flood hazard identification and flood risk assessment.
Alpine tectonic wedging and crustal delamination in the Cantabrian Mountains
(NW Spain)
Authors: Gallastegui Jorge , Pulgar Javier A. , Gallart Josep
Published: July 2016

Abstract. The Cantabrian Mountains have been interpreted as a Paleozoic basement block uplifted during an Alpine deformation event that led to the partial closure of the Bay of Biscay and the building of the Pyrenean range in the Cenozoic. A detailed interpretation of deep seismic reflection profile ESCIN-2 and the two-dimensional seismic modelling of the data allowed us to construct a N–S geological cross section along the southern border of the Cantabrian Mountains and the transition to the Duero Cenozoic foreland basin, highlighting the Alpine structure. The proposed geological cross section has been constrained by all geophysical data available, including a 2-D gravity model constructed for this study as well as refraction and magnetotelluric models from previous studies. A set of south-vergent thrusts dipping 30 to 36° to the north, cut the upper crust with a ramp geometry and sole in the boundary with the middle crust. These thrusts are responsible for the uplift and the main Alpine deformation in the Cantabrian Mountains. A conspicuous reflective Moho shows that the crust thickens northwards from the Duero basin, where subhorizontal Moho is 32 km deep, to 47 km in the northernmost end of ESCIN-2, where Moho dips to the north beneath the Cantabrian Mountains. Further north, out of the profile, Moho reaches a maximum depth of 55 km, according to wide-angle/refraction data. ESCIN-2 indicates the presence of a tectonic wedge of the crust of the Cantabrian margin beneath the Cantabrian Mountains, which is indented from north to south into the delaminated Iberian crust, forcing its northward subduction.
Design of a scanning laser meter for monitoring the spatio-temporal
evolution of snow depth and its application in the Alps and in Antarctica
Authors: Picard Ghislain , Arnaud Laurent , Panel Jean-Michel , Morin Samuel
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Although both the temporal and spatial variations of the snow depth are usually of interest for numerous applications, available measurement techniques are either space-oriented (e.g. terrestrial laser scans) or time-oriented (e.g. ultrasonic ranging probe). Because of snow heterogeneity, measuring depth in a single point is insufficient to provide accurate and representative estimates. We present a cost-effective automatic instrument to acquire spatio-temporal variations of snow depth. The device comprises a laser meter mounted on a 2-axis stage and can scan  ≈  200 000 points over an area of 100–200 m2 in 4 h. Two instruments, installed in Antarctica (Dome C) and the French Alps (Col de Porte), have been operating continuously and unattended over 2015 with a success rate of 65 and 90 % respectively. The precision of single point measurements and long-term stability were evaluated to be about 1 cm and the accuracy to be 5 cm or better. The spatial variability in the scanned area reached 7–10 cm (root mean square) at both sites, which means that the number of measurements is sufficient to average out the spatial variability and yield precise mean snow depth. With such high precision, it was possible for the first time at Dome C to (1) observe a 3-month period of regular and slow increase of snow depth without apparent link to snowfalls and (2) highlight that most of the annual accumulation stems from a single event although several snowfall and strong wind events were predicted by the ERA-Interim reanalysis. Finally the paper discusses the benefit of laser scanning compared to multiplying single-point sensors in the context of monitoring snow depth.
News Coverage about Direct-Democratic Campaigns in a Period of Structural Crisis
Authors: Udris Linards , Eisenegger Mark , Schneider Jörg
Published: July 2016

This article examines whether money talks in political campaign coverage. Analyzing news coverage about twenty-nine recent direct-democratic campaigns in Switzerland, it shows that votes involving expensive campaigns and populist proposals—and ideally both—correlate with high media attention. This favors especially Switzerland's largest party with the most resources, the right-wing populist Swiss People's Party (SVP). A case study of one vote on media policy confirms these patterns and shows that news coverage is also shaped by the vested (self-)interests of media organizations. The results imply that news media, affected by the crisis in journalism, fail to cover a truly wide diversity of actors and topics.
Inter- and intra-speaker variation in French schwa
Authors: Bayles Andrew , Kaplan Aaron , Kaplan Abby
Published: July 2016

Quantitative constraint-based theories of optionality typically aim to model the frequency with which an individual speaker’s grammar maps one input onto various output forms. But existing studies in this area use population-level frequency data as a proxy for the frequencies produced by an individual speaker’s grammar. This practice is problematic for three reasons. First, population-level variation could result from aggregation over individuals with differing categorical behavior, not individual variation at all. Second, some theories predict that individuals with identical relative constraint rankings/weights can produce those outputs with different frequencies, while others predict uniform frequencies across speakers; these prediction cannot be tested without individual-level data. Third, if indeed individuals differ in their output frequencies, population-level averages may disguise true patterns of individual variation. This paper addresses these shortcomings through a corpus study of optional schwa deletion in French. We find that individual speakers do in fact show variable omission of schwa. We also find variation between speakers in the frequency of schwa’s appearance. Taken together, these results confirm that for French schwa, formal theories are correct to ascribe variation to a single speaker’s grammar, and they favor theories that decouple the means of producing variation from the account of output frequency.
TENDÊNCIAS DO CONTROLE CLIMÁTICO OCEÂNICO SOB A VARIABILIDADE TEMPORAL DA PRECIPITAÇÃO NO NORDESTE DO BRASIL (CONTROL TRENDS OCEANIC CLIMATE UNDER TEMPORARY VARIABILITY OF RAINFALL IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL)
Authors: Nóbrega Ranyére Silva , Santiago Gabriela Ayane Chagas Felipe , Soares Deivide Benicio
Published: July 2016

Com significante diferença na distribuição espaço-temporal da chuva, prolongados períodos de deficiência hídrica, solos problemáticos e ausência de rios perenes, o sertão nordestino é a região mais vulnerável as mudanças climáticas no Brasil. Baseado em análise de dados climatológicos, este trabalho objetiva identificar tendências nas temperaturas da superfície do mar nos oceanos Atlântico Norte, Atlântico Sul, Pacífico Leste e Pacífico Central e a relação com a variabilidade temporal da precipitação em Pernambuco em períodos recentes. Foram utilizados três métodos para alcançar o objetivo proposto. Para evidenciar a relação entre os oceanos e as chuvas no NEB foi utilizado o Índice de Anomalia de Chuva. Na investigação de tendências nas TSM´s foi utilizado o método de Mann-Kendall, sugerido pela World Meteorological Organization (WOM). Para evidenciar se há mudanças na precipitação atual foram utilizados os índices climáticos sugeridos pela Equipe de Especialista em Detecção, Monitoramento e Índices de Mudanças Climáticas. Os índices de mudanças climáticas indicaram que vem ocorrendo mudanças nos padrões de pluviometria, com tendência de aumento no volume de chuva (com exceção do litoral leste) e distribuição sazonal mais concentrada. A análise estatística das TSM’s sobre o oceano Pacífico e Atlântico permitiu observar que há tendência de aquecimento e que, quando analisados isoladamente a ocorrência de anomalias positivas sobre o Pacífico leste (El Niño) e anomalias negativas sobre o Atlântico Sul (dipolo positivo), as secas são mais severas, baseado na análise do índice de anomalia de chuva. Também baseado no IAC, conclui-se que ambos os eventos quando ocorrem isoladamente exercem influência na precipitação da região, no entanto, quando agem em conjunto percebesse que essa influência é mais acentuada, alterando o comportamento da circulação geral da atmosfera meridionalmente (célula de Hadley) e zonalmente (célula de Walker).
Cardiovascular Toxicity of Bevacizumab in Long-term Survival of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Pan Yi
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Bevacizumab has been shown to improve progression-free survival in women with ovarian cancer in multiple clinical trials. Cardiovascular toxicity is reported in the case of a long term survivor of recurrent ovarian cancer. Case Report: A 47-year-old woman was diagnosed as stage IIIC, Grade 3 endomitriod adenocarcinoma of the ovary. She had been treated with 4 debulking surgeries and 6 different chemotherapy regimens for 9 years. However, remission diminished over this time period to only one month. Bevacizumab was administrated with additional chemotherapies, and prolonged survival was demonstrated over the next 5 years, including ongoing remission of 18 months to date. New onset hypertension was developed at the 10th month of bevacizumab treatment, and proteinuria was found at the 12th month. Patient presented symptoms of coronary artery disease during the 31th month of bevacizumab treatment, and was soon treated with 4 stents, whereby symptoms resolved. After the 36th month of bevacizumab, the patient had non ST elevated myocardial infarction and peripheral vascular disease. Bevacizumab was terminated thereafter. In the following 18 months, the patient was treated with angioplasty 2 times for coronary artery occlusion, and with an additional stent. This was followed with coronary artery bypass graft. She also had an angioplasty for right femoral artery stenosis. Throughout most of the 14 year disease course, the patient maintained a good quality of life. As patients achieve long term survival from bevacizumab treatment, cardiovascular complications should be recognized and treated aggressively to minimize the adverse effects of cancer therapy.
Heterobeltiosis in French Marigold (Tagetes patula L.)
Authors: Priyanaka Kanwar , Gupta Y. C. , Dhiman S. R. , Dogra R. K. , Madhu Sharma , Monika Bansal
Published: July 2016

The studies on heterosis were carried with four male sterile lines namely; ms7, ms8, ms9, ms10 and 18 diverse pollinators as tester by using line × tester crossing programme. The 72 F1 hybrids were produced and evaluated along with 22 parental lines during summer 2009 and rainy season 2009 in Randomized Block Design. Observations were recorded on nine quantitative traits during both the seasons. Highly significant variances for all the traits indicated the sufficient variability in the parental material for all the characters under study. The performance of F1 hybrids was much better than the mean performance of parents during both the crop seasons. Appreciable heterosis was observed in all the characters, except flower weight in summer and plant height in rainy season.
Biomass Distribution and Development of Allometric Equations for Non-Destructive Estimation of Carbon Sequestration in Grafted Mango Trees
Authors: Ganeshamurthy A. N. , Ravindra V. , Venugopalan R. , Mathiazhagan Malarvizhi , Bhat R. M.
Published: July 2016

The general equations available/developed for forest/wild mango trees based on measurement of diameter at breast height (DBH) (cannot be used) are not applicable for mango orchards which are predominantly established with grafted plants. Hence allometric equations were developed with destructive sampling of grafted mango trees. The selected parameters showed that allometric parameters were significantly related with age of the trees. The proportion of roots (22%) in grafted mangos was found to be higher than those reported for tropical forest trees (18%) with a R ratio of 0.291. The biomass expansion factor (BEF) varied with age. Initially the BEF was very high followed by a decreasing phase and finally a steady phase by and large attained stability beyond 20 years. The equations generally fitted the data well, and in most cases more than 50% of the observed variation in biomass was explained by primary branch girth (PBG) × number of primary branches (NPB). All equations were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for both scaling parameters, a and b. Based on the R2 values the best fit model for estimation of above ground biomass of grafted mango trees is a power model using PBG × NPB as the best dimension: There was a good agreement between the observed and the predicted biomass using this equation.
Gossypium barbadense: An Approach for in Situ Conservation in Cerrado, Brazil
Authors: Castro Andrezza Arantes , Hoffmann Lúcia Vieira , Lima Thiago Henrique , Oliveira Aryanny Irene Domingos , Brito Rafaela Ribeiro , Mendes Letícia de Maria Oliveira , Pereira Caio César Oliveira , Malafaia Guilherme , Menezes Ivandilson Pessoa Pinto de
Published: July 2016

Abandonment of planting of Gossypium barbadense has endangered its existence. The objective was to determine the characteristicof the maintenance of Gossypium barbadense in the Central-West Region of Brazil, with the aim to foster the conservation of the species. Expeditions were conducted in 2014-2015 in Southeast Goiás, where cotton collection has not been reported before. Data from previous collections in Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Distrito Federal available in Albrana database were considered this study. In the Central-West Region of Brazil, 466 accesses of G. barbadense were recorded, found most frequently in backyards (91.4%), but also spontaneous plants (7.5%), farm boundary (0.8%) and commercial farming (0.2%) have also been found. The main use indicated by VDU was as medicinal plant (0.66), therefore this is the main reason for in situ preservation. However, this cultural habit has been abandoned, causing uncertainty about the continuity of preservation. There was presence of lint almost only in seeds of plants of the variety brasiliense. The most common fiber color was white, not cream color, suggesting that plants are derived from commercial cultivars used in the past. Hence, until 2015, the conservation relies on single plants almost exclusively in backyards for medicinal use, and there are no crops of this type of cotton for commercial purpose. The exploitation of the possible use both of the fiber as a medicinal plant would foster ex situ and in situ preservation of this important genetic resource.
Inequities in access to HIV prevention services for transgender men: results of a global survey of men who have sex with men
Authors: Scheim Ayden I , Santos Glenn‐Milo , Arreola Sonya , Makofane Keletso , Do Tri D , Hebert Patrick , Thomann Matthew , Ayala George
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Free or low‐cost HIV testing, condoms, and lubricants are foundational HIV prevention strategies, yet are often inaccessible for men who have sex with men (MSM). In the global context of stigma and poor healthcare access, transgender (trans) MSM may face additional barriers to HIV prevention services. Drawing on data from a global survey of MSM, we aimed to describe perceived access to prevention services among trans MSM, examine associations between stigma and access, and compare access between trans MSM and cisgender (non‐transgender) MSM.

Methods

The 2014 Global Men's Health and Rights online survey was open to MSM (inclusive of trans MSM) from any country and available in seven languages. Baseline data (n=3857) were collected from July to October 2014. Among trans MSM, correlations were calculated between perceived service accessibility and anti‐transgender violence, healthcare provider stigma, and discrimination. Using a nested matched‐pair study design, trans MSM were matched 4:1 to cisgender MSM on age group, region, and HIV status, and conditional logistic regression models compared perceived access to prevention services by transgender status.

Results

About 3.4% of respondents were trans men, of whom 69 were included in the present analysis. The average trans MSM participant was 26 to 35 years old (56.5%); lived in western Europe, North America, or Oceania (75.4%); and reported being HIV‐negative (98.6%). HIV testing, condoms, and lubricants were accessible for 43.5, 53.6, and 26.1% of trans MSM, respectively. Ever having been arrested or convicted due to being trans and higher exposure to healthcare provider stigma in the past six months were associated with less access to some prevention services. Compared to matched cisgender controls, trans MSM reported significantly lower odds of perceived access to HIV testing (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.33, 0.98) and condom‐compatible lubricants (OR=0.54, 95% CI=0.30, 0.98).

Conclusions

This first look at access to HIV prevention services for trans MSM globally found that most reported inadequate access to basic prevention services and that they were less likely than cisgender MSM to have access to HIV testing and lubricants. Results indicate the need to enhance access to basic HIV prevention services for trans MSM, including MSM‐specific services.
HIV prevalence and demographic determinants of condomless receptive anal intercourse among trans feminine individuals in Beirut, Lebanon
Authors: Kaplan Rachel L , McGowan Justine , Wagner Glenn J
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Growing evidence suggests increased HIV incidence in the Middle East and North Africa among “key populations.” To date, epidemiological data have not accurately included and measured HIV prevalence and risk among trans feminine individuals in the region. Through the lens of the Gender Affirmation Framework, we assessed demographic correlates of risk behaviour and the prevalence of HIV among trans feminine individuals in Lebanon.

Methods

Long‐chain referral sampling was used to recruit 53 participants for completion of a behavioural survey and optional free rapid HIV tests. Data were collected using interviewer‐administered questionnaires. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify demographic determinants of HIV risk behaviour.

Results

Fifty‐seven percent of participants reported condomless receptive anal intercourse (CRAI) with male partner(s) in the last three months, 40% of whom reported not knowing the HIV status of the partner(s). Of the participants tested for HIV as part of the study or via self‐report, four (10%) were HIV positive; 13 declined HIV testing. Forty percent of the sample had no prior history of HIV testing. A history of trauma such as sexual abuse/assault was reported by almost half of the participants (49%). Sixty‐eight percent reported experiencing physical violence and 32% police arrest, because of gender identity or presentation. A staggering 98% reported having experienced gender identity or gender presentation‐related discrimination. Sixty‐six percent of the sample reported current sex work; sex work was correlated with CRAI but was not significant in multivariate analysis. In regression analysis, “openness”/“outness” about transgender identity at work or school was significantly associated with CRAI. Surprisingly, a history of sexual abuse/assault was negatively correlated with CRAI, suggesting the need for further inquiry.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide implications for how to address sexual health among trans feminine individuals in Lebanon and the greater Middle East and North Africa region.
Empowering communities and strengthening systems to improve transgender health: outcomes from the Pehchan programme in India
Authors: Shaikh Simran , Mburu Gitau , Arumugam Viswanathan , Mattipalli Naveen , Aher Abhina , Mehta Sonal , Robertson James
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Transgender populations face inequalities in access to HIV, health and social services. In addition, there is limited documentation of models for providing appropriately tailored services and social support for transgender populations in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This paper presents outcomes of the Global Fund‐supported Pehchan programme, which aimed to strengthen community systems and provide HIV, health, legal and social services to transgender communities across 18 Indian states through a rights‐based empowerment approach.

Methods

We used a pre‐ and post‐intervention cross‐sectional survey design with retrospective analysis of programmatic data. Using stratified sampling, we identified 268 transgender participants in six Indian states from a total of 48,280 transgender people served by Pehchan through 186 community‐based organizations. We quantified the impact of interventions by comparing baseline and end line indicators of accessed health social and legal services. We also assessed end line self‐efficacy and collective action with regard to social support networks.

Results

There were significant increases in community‐based demand and use of tailored health, legal, social and psychological services over the time of the Pehchan programme. We report significant increases in access to condoms (12.5%, p<0.001) and condom use at last anal sex with both regular (18.1%, p<0.001) and casual (8.1%, p<0.001) male partners. Access to HIV outreach education and testing and counselling services significantly increased (20.10%, p<0.001; 33.7%, p<0.001). In addition, significant increases in access to emergency crisis response (19.7%, p<0.001), legal support (26.8%, p<0.001) and mental health services (33.0%, p<0.001) were identified. Finally, we note that the Pehchan programme successfully provided a platform for the formation, collectivization and visibility of peer support groups.

Conclusions

The Pehchan programme's community involvement, rights‐based collectivization and gender‐affirming approaches significantly improved both demand and access to tailored HIV, health and social services for transgender individuals across India. Furthermore, the Pehchan programme successfully fostered both self‐efficacy and collective identity and served as a model for addressing the unique health needs of transgender communities. Continued strengthening of health, social and community systems to better respond to the unique needs of transgender communities is needed in order to sustain these gains.
Declining trends in exposures to harmful policing among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Landsberg Adina , Kerr Thomas , Milloy Michael‐John , Dong Huiru , Nguyen Paul , Wood Evan , Hayashi Kanna
Published: July 2016

Introduction

In 2006, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) developed an organization‐wide drug policy approach, which included endorsing harm reduction strategies for people who inject drugs (PWID). We sought to examine rates of potentially harmful policing exposures and associated HIV risk behaviour among PWID in Vancouver, Canada before and after the VPD policy change.

Methods

Data were derived from two prospective cohort studies of PWID. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to examine changes in the risk of confiscation of drug use paraphernalia and physical violence by the police, as well as changes in the relationship between exposures to the two policing practices and sharing of drug use paraphernalia, before and after the policy change.

Results

Among 2193 participants, including 757 (34.5%) women, the rates of experiencing police confiscation of drug use paraphernalia declined from 22.3% in 2002 to 2.8% in 2014, and the rates of reporting experiencing physical violence by the police also declined from 14.1% in 2004 to 2.9% in 2014. In multivariable analyses, the post‐policy change period remained independently and negatively associated with reports of confiscation of drug use paraphernalia (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21 to 0.31) and reported physical violence by the police (AOR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.91). However, experiencing both confiscation of drug use paraphernalia and physical violence by the police (AOR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.10 to 3.33) and experiencing only confiscation of drug use paraphernalia (AOR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.34 to 2.19) remained independently and positively associated with sharing of drug use paraphernalia during the post‐policy change period.

Conclusions

In our study, two policing practices known to increase HIV risk among PWID have declined significantly since the local police launched an evidence‐based drug policy approach. However, these practices remained independently associated with elevated HIV risk after the post‐policy change. Although there remains a continued need to ensure that policing activities do not undermine public health efforts, these findings demonstrate that a major shift towards a public health approach to policing is possible for a municipal police force.
Determining barriers to creating an enabling environment in Cambodia: results from a baseline study with key populations and police
Authors: Schneiders Mira L , Weissman Amy
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Cambodian law enforcement's limited acceptance of harm reduction has hindered HIV program effectiveness. With funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, FHI 360 supported the Ministry of Interior to implement the Police Community Partnership Initiative (PCPI) in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh. To guide this, FHI 360 conducted a baseline study examining police and key populations’ attitudes and practices towards one another, including fear and occurrence of arrest.

Methods

Between December 2012 and January 2013, a cross‐sectional survey of 199 police post officers, 199 people who use drugs (PWUD) including people who inject drugs (PWID), 199 men who have sex with men (MSM), 200 transgender women (TGW) and 200 female entertainment workers (FEW) was conducted in five Phnom Penh districts. Eligible participants were ≥18 years, members of a key population from selected hotspots or police officers, deputy chiefs or chiefs.

Results

Key populations’ median age was 25 years (IQR: 22–30); 40% had completed only primary school. Police were male (99.5%), with median age 43 years (IQR: 30 to 47), and 45 and 25% high school and university completion rates, respectively. Key populations feared arrest for carrying needles and syringes (67%), condoms (23%) and 19% felt afraid to access health services. Close to 75% of police reported body searching and 58% arresting key populations in the past six months for using drugs (64%), selling or distributing drugs (36%) or being violent (13%). Self‐reported arrests (23% PWUD, 6% MSM, 6% TGW, 12% FEW; p<0.05), being verbally threatened (45% PWUD, 21% MSM, 25% TGW, 27% FEW; p<0.001) and body searched (44% PWUD, 28% MSM, 23% TGW, 8% FEW; p<0.001) was significantly higher among PWUD than other key populations. The majority (94%) of police believed arrest was an appropriate solution to reduce HIV and drug use and reported selling sex (88%) and carrying needles and syringes (55%) as valid reasons for arrest.

Conclusions

Key populations’ fear of accessing harm reduction and health services and police's negative attitudes and practices towards key populations present major barriers to HIV prevention efforts in Cambodia. To create an enabling environment and ensure police are allies in the Cambodian HIV response, interventions should tackle underlying negative attitudes among police towards key populations and vice versa.
Epidermal RAF prevents allergic skin disease
Authors: Raguz Josipa , Jeric Ines , Niault Theodora , Nowacka Joanna Daniela , Kuzet Sanya Eduarda , Rupp Christian , Fischer Irmgard , Biggi Silvia , Borsello Tiziana , Baccarini Manuela
Published: July 2016

The RAS pathway is central to epidermal homeostasis, and its activation in tumors or in Rasopathies correlates with hyperproliferation. Downstream of RAS, RAF kinases are actionable targets regulating keratinocyte turnover; however, chemical RAF inhibitors paradoxically activate the pathway, promoting epidermal proliferation. We generated mice with compound epidermis-restricted BRAF/RAF1 ablation. In these animals, transient barrier defects and production of chemokines and Th2-type cytokines by keratinocytes cause a disease akin to human atopic dermatitis, characterized by IgE responses and local and systemic inflammation. Mechanistically, BRAF and RAF1 operate independently to balance MAPK signaling: BRAF promotes ERK activation, while RAF1 dims stress kinase activation. In vivo, JNK inhibition prevents disease onset, while MEK/ERK inhibition in mice lacking epidermal RAF1 phenocopies it. These results support a primary role of keratinocytes in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, and the animals lacking BRAF and RAF1 in the epidermis represent a useful model for this disease.
Uncertainty leads to persistent effects on reach representations in dorsal premotor cortex
Authors: Dekleva Brian M , Ramkumar Pavan , Wanda Paul A , Kording Konrad P , Miller Lee E
Published: July 2016

Every movement we make represents one of many possible actions. In reaching tasks with multiple targets, dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) appears to represent all possible actions simultaneously. However, in many situations we are not presented with explicit choices. Instead, we must estimate the best action based on noisy information and execute it while still uncertain of our choice. Here we asked how both primary motor cortex (M1) and PMd represented reach direction during a task in which a monkey made reaches based on noisy, uncertain target information. We found that with increased uncertainty, neurons in PMd actually enhanced their representation of unlikely movements throughout both planning and execution. The magnitude of this effect was highly variable across sessions, and was correlated with a measure of the monkeys’ behavioral uncertainty. These effects were not present in M1. Our findings suggest that PMd represents and maintains a full distribution of potentially correct actions.
Heterogeneity and stochastic growth regulation of biliary epithelial cells dictate dynamic epithelial tissue remodeling
Authors: Kamimoto Kenji , Kaneko Kota , Kok Cindy Yuet-Yin , Okada Hajime , Miyajima Atsushi , Itoh Tohru
Published: July 2016

Dynamic remodeling of the intrahepatic biliary epithelial tissue plays key roles in liver regeneration, yet the cellular basis for this process remains unclear. We took an unbiased approach based on in vivo clonal labeling and tracking of biliary epithelial cells in the three-dimensional landscape, in combination with mathematical simulation, to understand their mode of proliferation in a mouse liver injury model where the nascent biliary structure formed in a tissue-intrinsic manner. An apparent heterogeneity among biliary epithelial cells was observed: whereas most of the responders that entered the cell cycle upon injury exhibited a limited and tapering growth potential, a select population continued to proliferate, making a major contribution in sustaining the biliary expansion. Our study has highlighted a unique mode of epithelial tissue dynamics, which depends not on a hierarchical system driven by fixated stem cells, but rather, on a stochastically maintained progenitor population with persistent proliferative activity.
Microglia contribute to circuit defects in Mecp2 null mice independent of microglia-specific loss of Mecp2 expression
Authors: Schafer Dorothy P , Heller Christopher T , Gunner Georgia , Heller Molly , Gordon Christopher , Hammond Timothy , Wolf Yochai , Jung Steffen , Stevens Beth
Published: July 2016

Microglia, the resident CNS macrophages, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Rett Syndrome (RTT), an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder. However, the mechanism by which microglia contribute to the disorder is unclear and recent data suggest that microglia do not play a causative role. Here, we use the retinogeniculate system to determine if and how microglia contribute to pathogenesis in a RTT mouse model, the Mecp2 null mouse (Mecp2tm1.1Bird/y). We demonstrate that microglia contribute to pathogenesis by excessively engulfing, thereby eliminating, presynaptic inputs at end stages of disease (≥P56 Mecp2 null mice) concomitant with synapse loss. Furthermore, loss or gain of Mecp2 expression specifically in microglia (Cx3cr1CreER;Mecp2fl/yor Cx3cr1CreER; Mecp2LSL/y) had little effect on excessive engulfment, synapse loss, or phenotypic abnormalities. Taken together, our data suggest that microglia contribute to end stages of disease by dismantling neural circuits rendered vulnerable by loss of Mecp2 in other CNS cell types.
At the double for tumor suppressor
Authors: Sonawane Mahendra
Published: July 2016

Research on zebrafish reveals how a tumor suppressor works in two different types of cells, and how hypotonic stress promotes tumor formation when the function of this tumor suppressor is lost.
Regrowing axons with alternative splicing
Authors: Kramer Nicholas J , Gitler Aaron D
Published: July 2016

The regeneration of axons relies on a previously unknown mechanism that involves the regulation of alternative splicing by CELF proteins.
Hitting an uncertain target
Authors: Stuphorn Veit
Published: July 2016

Experiments in which monkeys have to select or estimate the location of a target are revealing more about the role of the dorsal premotor cortex in decision making.
A comparison study: Direct wafer bonding of SiC–SiC by standard surface-activated bonding and modified surface-activated bonding with Si-containing Ar ion beam
Authors: Mu Fengwen , Iguchi Kenichi , Nakazawa Haruo , Takahashi Yoshikazu , Fujino Masahisa , He Ran , Suga Tadatomo
Published: July 2016

In this study, the results of direct wafer bonding of SiC–SiC at room temperature by standard surface-activated bonding (SAB) and modified SAB with a Si-containing Ar ion beam were compared, in terms of bonding energy, interface structure and composition, and the effects of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 1273 K in Ar gas. Compared with that obtained by the standard SAB, the bonding interface obtained by the modified SAB with a Si-containing Ar ion beam is ∼30% stronger and almost completely recrystallized without oxidation during RTA, which should be due to the in situ Si compensation during surface activation by the Si-containing Ar ion beam.
Measurement of the Casimir force between a spherical gold tip and Si(111)-(7 × 7) surfaces
Authors: Yoshida Naoki , Higashino Kazuhiko , Sueoka Kazuhisa
Published: July 2016

We have performed the measurement of Casimir force between a spherical Au tip and an atomically flat Si(111)-(7 × 7) surface at tip–sample distances ranging from 15 to 50 nm in an ultrahigh vacuum of 1.5 × 10−8 Pa by frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy. Atomically flat Si(111) surfaces provided by the ultrahigh-vacuum condition and a degassed Au tip reduce the contact potential difference that must be compensated. These experimental conditions led to the elucidation of the distance dependence of the Casimir force down to the distance of 15 nm. The observed distance dependence still follows a theory provided by Chen et al. [Phys. Rev. A 74, 022103 (2006)] within these distances.
Design of quasi-one-dimensional phononic crystal cavity for efficient photoelastic modulation
Authors: Kim Ingi , Iwamoto Satoshi , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: July 2016

We propose and design a phononic crystal (PnC) cavity for efficient photoelastic modulation. A strongly confined acoustic field in the cavity enhances light-sound interaction, which results in efficient phase modulation of light. As one of the possible configurations, an acoustic cavity formed in a quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) PnC was investigated. By carefully tuning geometrical parameters, we successfully designed a high-Q cavity mode for a longitudinal wave within a complete phononic band gap. The acoustic Q was calculated to be as high as 9.5 × 104. This enables efficient optical modulation by a factor of 2.5 compared with a bar-type structure without PnCs.
The Benefits of Active Video Games for Educational and Physical Activity Approaches: A Systematic Review
Authors: Merino Campos Carlos , del Castillo Fernández Héctor
Published: July 2016

This article sets out to conduct a systematic review of the current literature on active video games as potential educational tools for physical education or physical activity. To begin with, research on active video games for educational and physical purposes has been examined with the purpose of verifying improvement of attitudes, intellectual skills, knowledge, motor skills and physical properties associated with physical activity and physical education. A second aim will be to determine the effectiveness of active video games compared with traditional approaches to physical activity. From this perspective, a systematic literature search from relevant international databases was conducted from January to July 2015 in order to find papers published in journals or conference proceedings from January 2010 onwards. Then, 2648 references were identified in database searches and 100 of these papers met the inclusion criteria. Two main conclusions are to be drawn from this research. Firstly, controlled studies demonstrate that active video games increase capacities in relation to physical activity and education. Secondly, Research also shows that physical activity interventions designed and measured using behavioural theories are more likely to be successful in comparison with traditional exercise activities.
Direct protein–protein interactions and substrate channeling between cellular retinoic acid binding proteins and CYP26B1
Authors: Nelson Cara H. , Peng Chi‐Chi , Lutz Justin D. , Yeung Catherine K. , Zelter Alex , Isoherranen Nina
Published: July 2016

Cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABPs) bind all‐trans‐retinoic acid (atRA) tightly. This study aimed to determine whether atRA is channeled directly to cytochrome P450 (CYP) CYP26B1 by CRABPs, and whether CRABPs interact directly with CYP26B1. atRA bound to CRABPs (holo‐CRABP) was efficiently metabolized by CYP26B1. Isotope dilution experiments showed that delivery of atRA to CYP26B1 in solution was similar with or without CRABP. Holo‐CRABPs had higher affinity for CYP26B1 than free atRA, but both apo‐CRABPs inhibited the formation of 4‐OH‐RA by CYP26B1. Similar protein–protein interactions between soluble binding proteins and CYPs may be important for other lipophilic CYP substrates.
Using practical and social information to influence flood adaptation behavior
Authors: Allaire Maura C.
Published: July 2016

As the prospect for more frequent and severe extreme weather events gains scientific support, many nations are evaluating mitigation and adaptation options. Insurance and home retrofits could reduce household welfare losses due to flood events. Yet even after disasters, households often fail to take risk mitigation actions. This paper presents the first randomized field experiment that tests the effect of information provision on household uptake of flood insurance and home retrofits. A sample of 364 flood‐prone households in Bangkok was randomly split into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received practical details on home retrofits and flood insurance as well as social information regarding the insurance purchase decisions of peers. Results indicate that the information intervention increased insurance purchases by about five percentage points, while no effect was detected for home retrofits. This effect is nearly equal to the increase in uptake that the national insurance program in Thailand has achieved through all other means since its establishment in 2012. If scaled up to include all uninsured, flood‐prone households in Bangkok, nearly 70,000 additional households could be insured. The results suggest that well‐designed information interventions could increase uptake of flood insurance, without additional premium subsidies or mandates.
A snapshot of internal waves and hydrodynamic instabilities in the southern Bay of Bengal
Authors: Lozovatsky Iossif , Wijesekera Hemantha , Jarosz Ewa , Lilover Madis‐Jaak , Pirro Annunziata , Silver Zachariah , Centurioni Luca , Fernando H. J. S.
Published: July 2016

Measurements conducted in the southern Bay of Bengal (BoB) as a part of the ASIRI‐EBoB Program portray the characteristics of high‐frequency internal waves in the upper pycnocline as well as the velocity structure with episodic events of shear instability. A 20 h time series of CTD, ADCP, and acoustic backscatter profiles down to 150 m as well as temporal CTD measurements in the pycnocline at
 = 54 m were taken to the east of Sri Lanka. Internal waves of periods ∼10–40 min were recorded at all depths below a shallow (∼20–30 m) surface mixed layer in the background of an 8 m amplitude internal tide. The absolute values of vertical displacements associated with high‐frequency waves followed the Nakagami distribution with a median value of 2.1 m and a 95% quintile 6.5 m. The internal wave amplitudes are normally distributed. The tails of the distribution deviate from normality due to episodic high‐amplitude displacements. The sporadic appearance of internal waves with amplitudes exceeding ∼5 m usually coincided with patches of low Richardson numbers, pointing to local shear instability as a possible mechanism of internal‐wave‐induced turbulence. The probability of shear instability in the summer BoB pycnocline based on an exponential distribution of the inverse Richardson number, however, appears to be relatively low, not exceeding 4% for Ri < 0.25 and about 10% for Ri < 0.36 (K‐H billows). The probability of the generation of asymmetric breaking internal waves and Holmboe instabilities is above ∼25%.