bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology, composition and performance of a ceramic filter for household water treatment in Indonesia
Authors: Matthies K. , Bitter H. , Deobald N. , Heinle M. , Diedel R. , Obst U. , Brenner-Weiss G.
Published: June 2015

People in rural developing areas often depend on point-of-use water treatment for safe drinking water. A very popular and efficient technology for this is the use of ceramic filters, as promoted by the non-governmental organization Potters for Peace. These filters are already used in many countries worldwide, including Indonesia, where they are manufactured in Bandung, Java by Pelita Indonesia. The filters are made of local clay and combustible material, and coated with silver after firing. However, data available on them are very scarce. The structure, composition, and physico-chemical and microbiological performance of the filter were examined. Pore sizes mostly ranged from 1 to 40 µm and flow rate was about 1.3 L/h. Silver, arsenic and manganese were leaching from the filter in remarkable concentrations. While values for silver were about 0.01–0.02 mg/L, manganese was washed out after a few liters and leaching of arsenic fell below 0.02 mg/L after filtering some liters. With a log reduction of 3–5, efficiency in bacteria reduction was satisfactory in contrast to virus removal which was not sufficient according to the World Health Organization guidelines, with a log reduction below 1.
Management of inflow forecasting studies
Authors: Hidalgo I. G. , Barbosa P. S. F. , Francato A. L. , Luna I. , Correia P. B. , Pedro P. S. M.
Published: June 2015

In hydroelectric systems, water inflow is important to coordinate a cascade and define the energy price. This paper presents a method for managing inflow forecasting studies with a specific module for advanced assessment. The main goal is to provide a structure that facilitates the analysis of water inflow prediction models. A case study has been applied to five mathematical models based on linear regression, artificial neural networks, and hydrologic simulation. These models present daily and monthly inflow forecasts for a set of hydroelectric plants and monitoring stations. The benefits of the proposed method are analyzed in four situations: water inflow prediction, performance evaluation of a specific model, research tool for inflow forecasting, and comparison tool for distinct models. The results show that implementation of the proposed method provides a useful tool for managing inflow forecasting studies and analyzing models. Therefore, it can assist researchers and engineering professionals alike by improving the quality of water inflow predictions.
Short-term effects of nicotine on orthodontically induced root resorption in rats
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Xuxia , Li Na , Zhenga Dehua , Su Yuran , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2015

Objective: 

To investigate the effect of nicotine exposure on root resorption in an in vivo rat model of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), and its association with odontoclastogenesis and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) expression.

Materials and Methods: 

Forty-eight 10-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The negative control group was untreated. The left maxillary first molars in the nicotine-treated group and the positive control group received OTM with an initial force of 0.6 N in the mesial direction. Also, the nicotine-treated group received intraperitoneal injection of nicotine at 7 mg/kg per day. After 21 days, the rats were humanely killed. Eight rats from each group were randomly chosen for crater volume analysis by micro-computed tomography. For the remaining eight rats in each group, specimen slices were generated for histologic examination to determine the odontoclast number and the mean optical density value of RANKL.

Results: 

The resorption volumes in the nicotine-treated group were significantly larger than those in the control groups. Also, the nicotine-treated group displayed significantly higher number of odontoclasts and elevated RANKL expression compared to the control groups.

Conclusions: 

In an in vivo rat model, nicotine exposure promotes odontoclastogenesis and RANKL expression, evoking aggravated root resorption during OTM.
Status of medico legal service in Nepal: Problems along with suggestions
Authors: Subedi ND , Deo S
Published: June 2015

Forensic medicine deals with the application of medicine for the purpose of law. It is now commonly used to describe all aspects of forensic caseworks; including forensic pathology, that branch of forensic medicine which investigates death, and clinical forensic medicine, which involves interaction between the law, judiciary and the police involving (generally) living persons. The medico legal investigation system in our country still lags far behind the developed countries. The doctors doing the medico legal and post-mortem work at the district level hospitals are often untrained in this sensitive job. It is a job of great responsibility and to leave it to inexperienced doctors is actually doing injustice to the society. Forensic experts handle a very small part of total medico-legal work as most of them work in private medical colleges which are not permitted to handle the work. Mortuaries are housed in outdated facilities. Exposure to the medical students on medico legal cases including autopsy is done only on a sporadic basis taking them to nearby government hospitals and even if they visit the hospitals, inadequate infrastructure prevents better learning. Private medical colleges are conducting postgraduate course in forensic medicine without handling medico legal cases. There should be a post of forensic medicine specialist, at least at the zonal hospitals and the district hospitals handling more medico legal cases. The private medical colleges, especially those enrolling postgraduate students in the field, must seek permission to conduct medico legal works and the government also should not be reluctant in permitting so as it’s not producing adequate experts in itself as per the need of the country. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v10i1.12769 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2014, Vol.10(1); 49-54
The response of fabric variations to simple shear and migration recrystallization
Authors: Kennedy Joseph H. , Pettit Erin C.
Published: June 2015

The observable microstructures in ice are the result of many dynamic and competing processes. These processes are influenced by climate variables in the firn. Layers deposited in different climate regimes may show variations in fabric which can persist deep into the ice sheet; fabric may ‘remember’ these past climate regimes. We model the evolution of fabric variations below the firn–ice transition and show that the addition of shear to compressive-stress regimes preserves the modeled fabric variations longer than compression-only regimes, because shear drives a positive feedback between crystal rotation and deformation. Even without shear, the modeled ice retains memory of the fabric variation for 200 ka in typical polar ice-sheet conditions. Our model shows that temperature affects how long the fabric variation is preserved, but only affects the strain-integrated fabric evolution profile when comparing results straddling the thermal-activation-energy threshold (∼−10°C). Even at high temperatures, migration recrystallization does not eliminate the modeled fabric’s memory under most conditions. High levels of nearest-neighbor interactions will, however, eliminate the modeled fabric’s memory more quickly than low levels of nearest-neighbor interactions. Ultimately, our model predicts that fabrics will retain memory of past climatic variations when subject to a wide variety of conditions found in polar ice sheets.
Satellite observations show no net change in the percentage of supraglacial debris-covered area in northern Pakistan from 1977 to 2014
Authors: Herreid Sam , Pellicciotti Francesca , Ayala Alvaro , Chesnokova Anna , Kienholz Christian , Shea Joseph , Shrestha Arun
Published: June 2015

Spatial evolution of supraglacial debris cover on mountain glaciers is a largely unmonitored and poorly understood phenomenon that directly affects glacier melt. Supraglacial debris cover for 93 glaciers in the Karakoram, northern Pakistan, was mapped from Landsat imagery acquired in 1977, 1998, 2009 and 2014. Surge-type glaciers occupy 41% of the study area and were considered separately. The time series of debris-covered surface area change shows a mean value of zero or near-zero change for both surging and non-surging glaciers. An increase in debris-covered area is often associated with negative regional mass balances. We extend this logic to suggest that the stable regional mass balances in the Karakoram explain the zero or near-zero change in debris-covered area. This coupling of trends combined with our 37 year time series of data suggests the Karakoram anomaly extends further back in time than previously known.
Linking Management, Environment and Morphogenetic and Structural Components of a Sward for Simulating Tiller Density Dynamics in Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum)
Authors: Hirata Masahiko
Published: June 2015

A model which describes tiller density dynamics in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) swards has been developed. The model incorporates interrelationships between various morphogenetic and structural components of the sward and uses the inverse of the self-thinning rule as the standard relationship between tiller density and tiller weight (a density-size equilibrium) toward which tiller density progressively changes over time under varying nitrogen (N) rates, air temperature and season. Water and nutrient limitations were not considered except partial consideration of N. The model was calibrated against data from swards subjected to different N rates and cutting intensities, and further validated against data from a grazed sward and swards under different cutting intensities. As the calibration and validation results were satisfactory, the model was used as a tool to investigate the responses of tiller density to various combinations of defoliation frequencies and intensities. Simulations identified defoliation regimes required for stabilizing tiller density at an arbitrary target level, i.e., sustainable use of the sward. For example, the model predicted that tiller density can be maintained at a medium level of about 4000 m−2 under conditions ranging from weekly cuttings to an 8 cm height to 8-weekly cuttings to 4 cm. More intense defoliation is needed for higher target tiller density and vice versa.
Aflatoxin Accumulation in a Maize Diallel Cross
Authors: Williams W. , Windham Gary
Published: June 2015

Aflatoxins, produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, occur naturally in maize. Contamination of maize grain with aflatoxin is a major food and feed safety problem and greatly reduces the value of the grain. Plant resistance is generally considered a highly desirable approach to reduction or elimination of aflatoxin in maize grain. In this investigation, a diallel cross was produced by crossing 10 inbred lines with varying degrees of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in all possible combinations. Three lines that previously developed and released as sources of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation were included as parents. The 10 parental inbred lines and the 45 single crosses making up the diallel cross were evaluated for aflatoxin accumulation in field tests conducted in 2013 and 2014. Plants were inoculated with an A. flavus spore suspension seven days after silk emergence. Ears were harvested approximately 60 days later and concentration of aflatoxin in the grain determined. Parental inbred lines Mp717, Mp313E, and Mp719 exhibited low levels (3–12 ng/g) of aflatoxin accumulation. In the diallel analysis, both general and specific combining ability were significant sources of variation in the inheritance of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. General combining ability effects for reduced aflatoxin accumulation were greatest for Mp494, Mp719, and Mp717. These lines should be especially useful in breeding for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. Breeding strategies, such as reciprocal recurrent selection, would be appropriate.
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Approach to Combating Clostridium Difficile
Authors: Wenzler Eric , Mulugeta Surafel , Danziger Larry
Published: June 2015

Clostridium difficile remains a major public health threat and continues to contribute to excess morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Antimicrobial stewardship programs have demonstrated success in combating C. difficile, primarily through antibiotic restrictive strategies. As the incidence and prevalence of C. difficile associate disease continues to increase both in the hospital and community setting, additional stewardship approaches are needed. This manuscript reviews stewardship interventions that have been successful against C. difficile associated disease and proposes future tactics that antimicrobial stewardship programs may employ to develop a more global approach to combat this difficult pathogen.
Oxygen-Containing Fuels from High Acid Water Phase Pyrolysis Bio-Oils by ZSM−5 Catalysis: Kinetic and Mechanism Studies
Authors: Wei Yi , Lei Hanwu , Zhu Lei , Zhang Xuesong , Yadavalli Gayatri , Liu Yupeng , Yan Di
Published: June 2015

This study developed an upgrading process focusing on acid transformations of water phase pyrolysis bio-oils to esters of oxygen-containing fuels via ZSM−5 catalyst. Temperature was set as a factor with five levels ranging from 60 to 135 °C with reaction time from 1 to 8 h. The results showed that 89% of high acid conversion and over 90% of ester selectivity was obtained from the feedstock via 2 wt % ZSM−5 catalysts in a fixed feedstock to methanol ratio analyzed by HPLC and GC–MS. The upgrading process followed Langmuir–Hinshelwood and reaction constants were calculated to build a practical upgrading model for bio-oil compounds. Thermodynamics of the process showed endothermic properties during the breaking bonds’ reaction on carbonyl of acid while the reaction between the carbon in methanol and electrophile acid intermediate demonstrated exothermic performance. The optimum reaction conditions for the process was at a temperature of 100.1 °C with catalyst loading of 3.98 wt %.
Vertical Distribution of Bacterial Community Diversity and Water Quality during the Reservoir Thermal Stratification
Authors: Zhang Hai-Han , Chen Sheng-Nan , Huang Ting-Lin , Ma Wei-Xing , Xu Jin-Lan , Sun Xin
Published: June 2015

Reservoir thermal stratification drives the water temperature and dissolved oxygen gradient, however, the characteristic of vertical water microbial community during thermal stratification is so far poorly understood. In this work, water bacterial community diversity was determined using the Illumina Miseq sequencing technique. The results showed that epilimnion, metalimnion and hypolimnion were formed steadily in the JINPEN drinking water reservoir. Water temperature decreased steadily from the surface (23.11 °C) to the bottom (9.17 °C). Total nitrogen ranged from 1.07 to 2.06 mg/L and nitrate nitrogen ranged from 0.8 to 1.84 mg/L. The dissolved oxygen concentration decreased sharply below 50 m, and reached zero at 65 m. The Miseq sequencing revealed a total of 4127 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with 97% similarity, which were affiliated with 15 phyla including Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Armatimonadetes, Bacteroidetes, Caldiserica, Chlamydiae, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. The highest Shannon diversity was 4.41 in 45 m, and the highest Chao 1 diversity was 506 in 5 m. Rhodobacter dominated in 55 m (23.24%) and 65 m (12.58%). Prosthecobacter dominated from 0.5 to 50 m. The heat map profile and redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated significant difference in vertical water bacterial community composition in the reservoir. Meanwhile, water quality properties including dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nitrate nitrogen and total nitrogen have a dramatic influence on vertical distribution of bacterial communities.
Flooding and Clostridium difficile Infection: A Case-Crossover Analysis
Authors: Lin Cynthia , Wade Timothy , Hilborn Elizabeth
Published: June 2015

Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that can spread by water. It often causes acute gastrointestinal illness in older adults who are hospitalized and/or receiving antibiotics; however, community-associated infections affecting otherwise healthy individuals have become more commonly reported. A case-crossover study was used to assess emergency room (ER) and outpatient visits for C. difficile infection following flood events in Massachusetts from 2003 through 2007. Exposure status was based on whether or not a flood occurred prior to the case/control date during the following risk periods: 0–6 days, 7–13 days, 14–20 days, and 21–27 days. Fixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of diagnosis with C. difficile infection following a flood. There were 129 flood events and 1575 diagnoses of C. difficile infection. Among working age adults (19–64 years), ER and outpatient visits for C. difficile infection were elevated during the 7–13 days following a flood (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.69; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.84, 3.37). This association was more substantial among males (OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 1.01–10.19). Associations during other risk periods were not observed (p < 0.05). Although we were unable to differentiate community-associated versus nosocomial infections, a potential increase in C. difficile infections should be considered as more flooding is projected due to climate change.
Diverse Land Use and the Impact on (Irrigation) Water Quality and Need for Measures — A Case Study of a Norwegian River
Authors: Johannessen Gro , Wennberg Aina , Nesheim Ingrid , Tryland Ingun
Published: June 2015

Surface water is used for irrigation of food plants all over the World. Such water can be of variable hygienic quality, and can be contaminated from many different sources. The association of contaminated irrigation water with contamination of fresh produce is well established, and many outbreaks of foodborne disease associated with fresh produce consumption have been reported. The objective of the present study was to summarize the data on fecal indicators and selected bacterial pathogens to assess the level of fecal contamination of a Norwegian river used for irrigation in an area which has a high production level of various types of food commodities. Sources for fecal pollution of the river were identified. Measures implemented to reduce discharges from the wastewater sector and agriculture, and potential measures identified for future implementation are presented and discussed in relation to potential benefits and costs. It is important that the users of the water, independent of intended use, are aware of the hygienic quality and the potential interventions that may be applied. Our results suggest that contamination of surface water is a complex web of many factors and that several measures and interventions on different levels are needed to achieve a sound river and safe irrigation.
Biomimetic Coating on Porous Alumina for Tissue Engineering: Characterisation by Cell Culture and Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Kolos Elizabeth , Ruys Andrew
Published: June 2015

In this study porous alumina samples were prepared and then coated using the biomimetic coating technique using a five times Simulated Body Fluid (5.0SBF) as the growth solution. A coating was achieved after pre-treatment with concentrated acid. From elemental analysis, the coating contained calcium and phosphorous, but also sodium and chlorine. Halite was identified by XRD, a sodium chloride phase. Sintering was done to remove the halite phase. Once halite was burnt off, the calcium phosphate crystals were not covered with halite and, therefore, the apatite phases can be clearly observed. Cell culturing showed sufficient cell attachment to the less porous alumina, Sample B, that has more calcium phosphate growth, while the porous alumina, Sample A, with minimal calcium phosphate growth attained very little cell attachment. This is likely due to the contribution that calcium phosphate plays in the attachment of bone-like cells to a bioinert ceramic such as alumina. These results were repeated on both SEM and confocal microscopy analysis. Confocal microscopy was a novel characterisation approach which gave useful information and was a visual aid.
Metabolites Best Paper Awards for 2015
Authors: Meikle Peter
Published: June 2015

Metabolites is instituting annual awards to recognize the most outstanding papers in metabolism and metabolomics published in Metabolites. [...]
Effects of Baffle Configuration on Mixing in a T-Shaped Micro-Channel
Authors: Kang Dong
Published: June 2015

A numerical study was performed for a T-shaped microchannel to enhance mixing performance through a baffle configuration. The mixing performance was analyzed in terms of the DOM (degree of mixing) and the pressure load between the two inlets and outlet. Four different baffle configurations were designed and simulated to determine how they affect the mixing performance of a T-shaped microchannel. Among the four baffle configurations, a cyclic configuration of baffles produced the best results. It exhibited the fastest growth in the DOM along the microchannel. The cyclic configuration means that four baffles are attached to four side walls of the channel in a cyclic order. The mixing improvement occurs in two ways. One is in the baffle region, when the cyclic configuration causes the fluid flow to rotate in the cross section, unlike other configurations. The other improvement is observed in the remaining outlet branch after the baffle region. This improvement is due to twisting and elongation of the boundary between two fluids. The baffle size and the interval between two consecutive baffles are shown to be optimized in terms of the DOM for a given condition.
Psychometric Characteristics of Croatian Version of the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale
Authors: Rakošec Željko , Mikšić Štefica , Juranić Brankica , Batinić Lana
Published: June 2015

Background: The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) has been developed through extensive and qualitative research. Numerous studies have confirmed the reliability and validity of the DSES among different populations. Most of the studies have shown association of the DSES with physical and psychological well-being. Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the DSES in the Croatian population. Method: The 16-item scale was translated through standard translation/back-translation procedures. The scale was afterwards applied to a sample of 535 test subjects (49% men and 51% women), mean age 42.6 years. Results: The coefficient of reliability (Cronbach alpha = 0.945) is very high. The coefficients of discriminant validity were satisfactory for 15 items, whereas only one item (14) has a coefficient of less than 0.30. The factor analysis after oblique rotation resulted in two related factors: the relationship with God and relationship with others. Using these two factors explained the 66.1% of the variance. Conclusion: Based on the data, it can be concluded that DSES has satisfactory psychometric characteristics and can be applied to the Croatian population, but its correlation with other religious and non-religious constructs should be verified in further research.
Assessing the Life-Cycle Performance of Hydrogen Production via Biofuel Reforming in Europe
Authors: Susmozas Ana , Iribarren Diego , Dufour Javier
Published: June 2015

Currently, hydrogen is mainly produced through steam reforming of natural gas. However, this conventional process involves environmental and energy security concerns. This has led to the development of alternative technologies for (potentially) green hydrogen production. In this work, the environmental and energy performance of biohydrogen produced in Europe via steam reforming of glycerol and bio-oil is evaluated from a life-cycle perspective, and contrasted with that of conventional hydrogen from steam methane reforming. Glycerol as a by-product from the production of rapeseed biodiesel and bio-oil from the fast pyrolysis of poplar biomass are considered. The processing plants are simulated in Aspen Plus® to provide inventory data for the life cycle assessment. The environmental impact potentials evaluated include abiotic depletion, global warming, ozone layer depletion, photochemical oxidant formation, land competition, acidification and eutrophication. Furthermore, the cumulative (total and non-renewable) energy demand is calculated, as well as the corresponding renewability scores and life-cycle energy balances and efficiencies of the biohydrogen products. In addition to quantitative evidence of the (expected) relevance of the feedstock and impact categories considered, results show that poplar-derived bio-oil could be a suitable feedstock for steam reforming, in contrast to first-generation bioglycerol.
Learning Task Knowledge from Dialog and Web Access
Authors: Perera Vittorio , Soetens Robin , Kollar Thomas , Samadi Mehdi , Sun Yichao , Nardi Daniele , Van de Molengraft René , Veloso Manuela
Published: June 2015

We present KnoWDiaL, an approach for Learning and using task-relevant Knowledge from human-robot Dialog and access to the Web. KnoWDiaL assumes that there is an autonomous agent that performs tasks, as requested by humans through speech. The agent needs to “understand” the request, (i.e., to fully ground the task until it can proceed to plan for and execute it). KnoWDiaL contributes such understanding by using and updating a Knowledge Base, by dialoguing with the user, and by accessing the web. We believe that KnoWDiaL, as we present it, can be applied to general autonomous agents. However, we focus on our work with our autonomous collaborative robot, CoBot, which executes service tasks in a building, moving around and transporting objects between locations. Hence, the knowledge acquired and accessed consists of groundings of language to robot actions, and building locations, persons, and objects. KnoWDiaL handles the interpretation of voice commands, is robust regarding speech recognition errors, and is able to learn commands involving referring expressions in an open domain, (i.e., without requiring a lexicon). We present in detail the multiple components of KnoWDiaL, namely a frame-semantic parser, a probabilistic grounding model, a web-based predicate evaluator, a dialog manager, and the weighted predicate-based Knowledge Base. We illustrate the knowledge access and updates from the dialog and Web access, through detailed and complete examples. We further evaluate the correctness of the predicate instances learned into the Knowledge Base, and show the increase in dialog efficiency as a function of the number of interactions. We have extensively and successfully used KnoWDiaL in CoBot dialoguing and accessing the Web, and extract a few corresponding example sequences from captured videos.
Sensitivity of a Floodplain Hydrodynamic Model to Satellite-Based DEM Scale and Accuracy: Case Study—The Atchafalaya Basin
Authors: Jung Hahn , Jasinski Michael
Published: June 2015

The hydrodynamics of low-lying riverine floodplains and wetlands play a critical role in hydrology and ecosystem processes. Because small topographic features affect floodplain storage and flow velocity, a hydrodynamic model setup of these regions imposes more stringent requirements on the input Digital Elevation Model (DEM) compared to upland regions with comparatively high slopes. This current study provides a systematic approach to evaluate the required relative vertical accuracy and spatial resolution of current and future satellite-based altimeters within the context of DEM requirements for 2-D floodplain hydrodynamic models. A case study is presented for the Atchafalaya Basin with a model domain of 1190 km2. The approach analyzes the sensitivity of modeled floodplain water elevation and velocity to typical satellite-based DEM grid-box scale and vertical error, using a previously calibrated version of the physically-based flood inundation model (LISFLOOD-ACC). Results indicate a trade-off relationship between DEM relative vertical error and grid-box size. Higher resolution models are the most sensitive to vertical accuracy, but the impact diminishes at coarser resolutions because of spatial averaging. The results provide guidance to engineers and scientists when defining the observation scales of future altimetry missions such as the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission from the perspective of numerical modeling requirements for large floodplains of O[103] km2 and greater.
Fast Measurement and Reconstruction of Large Workpieces with Freeform Surfaces by Combining Local Scanning and Global Position Data
Authors: Chen Zhe , Zhang Fumin , Qu Xinghua , Liang Baoqiu
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we propose a new approach for the measurement and reconstruction of large workpieces with freeform surfaces. The system consists of a handheld laser scanning sensor and a position sensor. The laser scanning sensor is used to acquire the surface and geometry information, and the position sensor is utilized to unify the scanning sensors into a global coordinate system. The measurement process includes data collection, multi-sensor data fusion and surface reconstruction. With the multi-sensor data fusion, errors accumulated during the image alignment and registration process are minimized, and the measuring precision is significantly improved. After the dense accurate acquisition of the three-dimensional (3-D) coordinates, the surface is reconstructed using a commercial software piece, based on the Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) surface. The system has been evaluated, both qualitatively and quantitatively, using reference measurements provided by a commercial laser scanning sensor. The method has been applied for the reconstruction of a large gear rim and the accuracy is up to 0.0963 mm. The results prove that this new combined method is promising for measuring and reconstructing the large-scale objects with complex surface geometry. Compared with reported methods of large-scale shape measurement, it owns high freedom in motion, high precision and high measurement speed in a wide measurement range.
Evaluation of Signature Erosion in Ebola Virus Due to Genomic Drift and Its Impact on the Performance of Diagnostic Assays
Authors: Sozhamannan Shanmuga , Holland Mitchell , Hall Adrienne , Negrón Daniel , Ivancich Mychal , Koehler Jeffrey , Minogue Timothy , Campbell Catherine , Berger Walter , Christopher George , Goodwin Bruce , Smith Michael
Published: June 2015

Genome sequence analyses of the 2014 Ebola Virus (EBOV) isolates revealed a potential problem with the diagnostic assays currently in use; i.e., drifting genomic profiles of the virus may affect the sensitivity or even produce false-negative results. We evaluated signature erosion in ebolavirus molecular assays using an in silico approach and found frequent potential false-negative and false-positive results. We further empirically evaluated many EBOV assays, under real time PCR conditions using EBOV Kikwit (1995) and Makona (2014) RNA templates. These results revealed differences in performance between assays but were comparable between the old and new EBOV templates. Using a whole genome approach and a novel algorithm, termed BioVelocity, we identified new signatures that are unique to each of EBOV, Sudan virus (SUDV), and Reston virus (RESTV). Interestingly, many of the current assay signatures do not fall within these regions, indicating a potential drawback in the past assay design strategies. The new signatures identified in this study may be evaluated with real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) assay development and validation. In addition, we discuss regulatory implications and timely availability to impact a rapidly evolving outbreak using existing but perhaps less than optimal assays versus redesign these assays for addressing genomic changes.
Antiviral Potential of a Novel Compound CW-33 against Enterovirus A71 via Inhibition of Viral 2A Protease
Authors: Wang Ching-Ying , Huang An-Cheng , Hour Mann-Jen , Huang Su-Hua , Kung Szu-Hao , Chen Chao-Hsien , Chen I-Chieh , Chang Yuan-Shiun , Lien Jin-Cherng , Lin Cheng-Wen
Published: June 2015

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) in the Picornaviridae family causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease, aseptic meningitis, severe central nervous system disease, even death. EV-A71 2A protease cleaves Type I interferon (IFN)-α/β receptor 1 (IFNAR1) to block IFN-induced Jak/STAT signaling. This study investigated anti-EV-A7l activity and synergistic mechanism(s) of a novel furoquinoline alkaloid compound CW-33 alone and in combination with IFN-β Anti-EV-A71 activities of CW-33 alone and in combination with IFN-β were evaluated by inhibitory assays of virus-induced apoptosis, plaque formation, and virus yield. CW-33 showed antiviral activities with an IC50 of near 200 µM in EV-A71 plaque reduction and virus yield inhibition assays. While, anti-EV-A71 activities of CW-33 combined with 100 U/mL IFN-β exhibited a synergistic potency with an IC50 of approximate 1 µM in plaque reduction and virus yield inhibition assays. Molecular docking revealed CW-33 binding to EV-A71 2A protease active sites, correlating with an inhibitory effect of CW33 on in vitro enzymatic activity of recombinant 2A protease IC50 = 53.1 µM). Western blotting demonstrated CW-33 specifically inhibiting 2A protease-mediated cleavage of IFNAR1. CW-33 also recovered Type I IFN-induced Tyk2 and STAT1 phosphorylation as well as 2',5'-OAS upregulation in EV-A71 infected cells. The results demonstrated CW-33 inhibiting viral 2A protease activity to reduce Type I IFN antagonism of EV-A71. Therefore, CW-33 combined with a low-dose of Type I IFN could be applied in developing alternative approaches to treat EV-A71 infection.
Sensitivity and Interaction Analysis Based on Sobol’ Method and Its Application in a Distributed Flood Forecasting Model
Authors: Wan Hui , Xia Jun , Zhang Liping , She Dunxian , Xiao Yang , Zou Lei
Published: June 2015

Sensitivity analysis is a fundamental approach to identify the most significant and sensitive parameters, helping us to understand complex hydrological models, particularly for time-consuming distributed flood forecasting models based on complicated theory with numerous parameters. Based on Sobol’ method, this study compared the sensitivity and interactions of distributed flood forecasting model parameters with and without accounting for correlation. Four objective functions: (1) Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (ENS); (2) water balance coefficient (WB); (3) peak discharge efficiency (EP); and (4) time to peak efficiency (ETP) were implemented to the Liuxihe model with hourly rainfall-runoff data collected in the Nanhua Creek catchment, Pearl River, China. Contrastive results for the sensitivity and interaction analysis were also illustrated among small, medium, and large flood magnitudes. Results demonstrated that the choice of objective functions had no effect on the sensitivity classification, while it had great influence on the sensitivity ranking for both uncorrelated and correlated cases. The Liuxihe model behaved and responded uniquely to various flood conditions. The results also indicated that the pairwise parameters interactions revealed a non-ignorable contribution to the model output variance. Parameters with high first or total order sensitivity indices presented a corresponding high second order sensitivity indices and correlation coefficients with other parameters. Without considering parameter correlations, the variance contributions of highly sensitive parameters might be underestimated and those of normally sensitive parameters might be overestimated. This research laid a basic foundation to improve the understanding of complex model behavior.
Les dynamiques agraires dans les montagnes rifaines et telliennes au Maghreb (Agrarian dynamics in rifain and tellien mountains in Maghreb)
Authors: Maurer G.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - In these mediterranean mountains, the population of which increases rapidly, the study of agrarian dynamics shows a great difference of behaviour according to natural conditions and historical heritage : contrast between agrarian declines and spectacular takeovers but also more often agrarian mobility in detail. In spite of governement initiatives, traditional methods of cultivation live on. Rural society is more heterogeneous. Contrasts become more marked between developing areas and those, neglected, where the main part of ancient rural life can be found.
La pluriactivité des familles en milieu rural marocain (The pluri-activity of families in the moroccan rural environment)
Authors: Jennan Lahsen
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - Among the many changes which have affected the moroccan country-side, on of them concerns the development of pluri-activity which touches a growing number of rural households. The low level of agricultural revenues, the uncertainties of the employment market, the monetarization of social relationships, the extension of new consumer habits and finally the building of social economic and administrative centres in the country-side have all changed family strategies. New forms of investments are now visible, together with a concentration of land ownership ; the consequences have been a proletarization of the rural population which has induced a degraded form of pluri-activity.
Un front pionnier au Sahara tunisien : le Nefzaoua (Nefzawa : a pioneering front in the tunisian Sahara)
Authors: Bisson Jean
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - Official or clandestine agricultural development has now reached large proportions in the tunisian Sahara, especially to the south of the Chott Jerid, in the Nefzawa, an area once nearly exclusively occupied by nomads. The reasons for this development are to be found in the settling-down of the nomads, the fashion for the deglet nour date, which is exported, the importance of artesian water resources and the various programmes for equipping and reclaiming the area. However, as was the case is areas developed to the north of the Chott, there is the risk to see ground-water levels decline an desertification processes accelerate
Le blé du Sahara peut-il contribuer à l'auto-suffisance de l'Algérie ? (Can the wheat grown in the Sahara contribute to algerian food self-sufficiency ?)
Authors: Dubost Daniel
Published: June 2015

Abstract. - The food deficit from which Algeria is suffering is at the root of the projects for the development of Saharan land. This area has become, in the minds of its promoters, a new wheat-producing El Dorado, and its development is inspired by the Saudi Arabian example. It is however a rather poor commercial enterprise - the development costs being very high - together with the fact that the country is replacing a dependence on food import with a dependence on imported technology. Only agricultural projects integrating the Algerian economic and human ressources context can favour a socially balanced development.
Communautés montagnardes et inondations dans l'Ariège de l'Ancien Régime (Mountaineer communities in Ariège and floods in the 18th century)
Authors: Antoine Jean-Marc
Published: June 2015

Abstract. — This paper is an historical study of floods in the 18th century in the Ariège valley (Pyrénées). The author gives informations upon damages and losses, and their cost, and he studies the perception of hazards by the rural communities.
Etude critique d'un projet de développement rural intégré à caractère pilote : le projet Nord-Togo (Analysis of a rural development project in north Togo)
Authors: Akibodé A.K.
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Le projet Nord-Togo est une opération qui a connu une assez longue période d'activité avec la contribution de beaucoup d'expertise internationale et de financement. Il n'a pas donné de bons résultats. Ce projet a certainement ses mérites : organisation des groupements, amélioration du système d'élevage, introduction de la culture attelée, réalisation d'infrastructures sociales. Mais les thèmes techniques vulgarisés ne présentent rien de particulier à cause d'un manque de continuité dans la recherche, de sorte que la vulgarisation à son tour n'a rien de particulier à présenter et reste sans beaucoup d'influence sur les populations. Finalement, l'incidence des techniques vulgarisées sur les revenus ne semble pas avoir été suffisamment grande pour motiver les paysans à changer leurs habitudes et techniques culturales.
Regio Basiliensis. Une région, trois pays, un avenir européen (Regio Basiliensis. One region, three countries, an european future)
Authors: Briner Hans
Published: June 2015

Zusammenfassung. - Der deutsch-französisch-schweizerische Grenzsektor, welcher durch die Basler Metropole belebt wird, hat sich im Jahre 1976 eine grenzüberschreitende Raumstruktur gegeben, unter dem Begriff «Regio». Dieser europäische Ansatz, der zugleich eine Modellinitiative war, wurde besonders durch die wirtschaftlichen und politischen Kreise von Basel-Stadt und Basel-Landschaft veranlasst. Heute gewähren die einstmals zögernden Nationalregierungen dieser Institution steigende Unterstützung.
La France et la Suisse dans les relations entre la C.E.E. et l'A.E.L.E (France and Switzerland in the relationships between E.E.C. and E.F.T.A.)
Authors: Hays Danielle
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Le premier partenaire commercial de la Suisse est la Communauté Européenne. Parmi les Etats membres, la France occupe la seconde place dans beaucoup de secteurs. Pour la Suisse comme pour ses partenaires de l'A.E.L.E. la question des relations avec la C.E.E. se pose : faut-il une adhésion ? une association ? ou une troisième voie ? C'est cette solution qui semble choisie, avec le projet d'un traité créant l'E.E.E. (Espace Economique Européen) qui devrait réunir dès le 1er janvier 1993 C.E. et A.E.L.E.
The hungarian village in the process of political change (Le village hongrois et le changement politique : 1990-1991)
Authors: Kovács Katalin
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Cette étude décrit les évolutions récentes de la vie politique et économique en Hongrie et leurs implications sur l'agriculture et la société rurale. L'aggravation de la crise en agriculture résulte de la perte du marché soviétique et du déclin de la consommation intérieure. Les subventions à l'industrie alimentaire ont été réduites. L'inflation est responsable d'une élévation des taux de crédit. La hausse rapide des intrants industriels réduit la rentabilité de la production agricole. Cet article apporte des informations sur le processus de privatisation qui a été freiné par les lenteurs du débat politique sur les restitutions.
Conditions et difficultés du passage de l'agriculture tchécoslovaque à l'économie de marché (Economic changes in czechoslovakian agriculture)
Authors: Bockova Ivana
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - L'agriculture tchécoslovaque doit s'adapter à l'économie de marché. La libération des prix entraîne une hausse des produits alimentaires qui ne profite pas aux producteurs. Le retard pris pour adopter une nouvelle loi foncière est significatif des difficultés et des réticences rencontrées pour privatiser l'agriculture.
Les campagnes roumaines en début de transition (1990-1991) (Romanian rural areas in transition : 1990-1991)
Authors: Rey Violette , Ianos Ioan , Leclerc Béatrice
Published: June 2015

Résumé. - Le large consensus politique lors des élections de 1990 gagnées par le F.S.N. et I. Iliescu, ne préjuge pas de changements prochains sous le double effet de la nouvelle Loi Foncière (analysée ici) et des contraintes alimentaires d'une population à moitié citadine. Les réponses régionales seront probablement très différenciées.
Glycoluril–tetrathiafulvalene molecular clips: on the influence of electronic and spatial properties for binding neutral accepting guests
Authors: Cotelle Yoann , Hardouin-Lerouge Marie , Legoupy Stéphanie , Alévêque Olivier , Levillain Eric , Hudhomme Piétrick
Published: June 2015

Glycoluril-based molecular clips incorporating tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) sidewalls have been synthesized through different strategies with the aim of investigating the effect of electrochemical and spatial properties for binding neutral accepting guests. We have in particular focused our study on the spacer extension in order to tune the intramolecular TTF···TTF distance within the clip and, consequently, the redox behavior of the receptor. Carried out at different concentrations in solution, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical experiments provide evidence of mixed-valence and/or π-dimer intermolecular interactions between TTF units from two closed clips. The stepwise oxidation of each molecular clip involves an electrochemical mechanism with three one-electron processes and two charge-coupled chemical reactions, a scheme which is supported by electrochemical simulations. The fine-tunable π-donating ability of the TTF units and the cavity size allow to control binding interaction towards a strong electron acceptor such as tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) or a weaker electron acceptor such as 1,3-dinitrobenzene (m-DNB).
Recherches sur les pratiques enseignantes et relations chercheurs-praticiens
Authors: Roditi Éric
Published: June 2015

Cet article propose d’étudier la relation entre chercheurs et enseignants lorsque ces derniers sont engagés dans une recherche sur leurs pratiques. Il comporte une analyse des effets de cette relation sur les résultats de la recherche comme sur les apprentissages professionnels qui peuvent en résulter pour les enseignants. Il s’appuie sur trois recherches fondées sur un même cadre théorique, mais avec des problématiques différentes : comprendre des pratiques, résoudre un problème professionnel, et analyser la construction d’une pratique sur dix années d’exercice. Chaque recherche a occasionné un investissement particulier de la part des enseignants ainsi qu’une relation chercheurs-praticiens spécifique. L’analyse de leur spécificité conduit à une discussion sur l’effet de cette relation, sur les pratiques enseignantes étudiées d’une part, et sur les résultats de la recherche sur ces pratiques d’autre part.
Un regard sociologique sur les modalités d’élaboration des réflexions professionnelles des enseignants d’EPS
Authors: Terral Philippe , Collinet Cécile
Published: June 2015

Sur la base d’entretiens et d’observations menés auprès d’enseignants d’éducation physique et sportive, ce travail sociologique tente de caractériser les idées et raisonnements élaborés par ces professionnels pour décrire les situations d’enseignement et prescrire leurs actions. Nous présentons successivement la nature des savoirs produits et leur processus de construction pour nous attarder enfin sur les modalités de constitution et le contenu de ce que nous nommons, par comparaison aux scientifiques, un cadre théorique. Ce dernier doit selon nous être considéré à la fois comme stock des savoirs produits et référent mobilisé dans la démarche de construction de ces savoirs.
The Globalization of the Art Market
Authors: Codignola Federica
Published: June 2015

Background literature and market flow data show evidence of an increasingly global art market. In turn, the global art market, instead of being a single, defined entity appears to be made of various local and diverse art markets. These various markets are progressively converging and integrating thanks to logistic and communication circuits. Key actors and organizations in the art market (e.g. auction houses or leader-dealers) see managers and marketers increasingly encountering cultural diversity alongside with economic heterogeneity. This chapter takes into account the not-yet-conceptualized framework of the art market in cross-cultural context. In so doing the author specifically identifies divergences and convergences concerning consumer behavior and art goods in a global economy. The results support the notion that in the current art market cultural diversity influences consumer attitudes. Such evidence may have specific managerial implications for practitioners and may stimulate further empirical studies to enforce this theoretical claim.