bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CXCL14 deficiency does not impact the outcome of influenza or Escherichia coli infections in mice
Authors: Sidahmed Abubaker ME , Leon Alberto J , Banner David , Kelvin Alyson A , Rowe Thomas , Boudakov Ivo , Degousse Norbert , Rubin Barry B , Kelvin David J
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Chemokines are small proteins that regulate different cellular functions, such as leukocyte activation, chemoattraction and inflammation. The chemokine CXCL14 (BRAK) is a highly conserved gene among species and through evolution. It has been shown that CXCL14 is locally upregulated during viral infections, also, it has been found that this chemokine possesses direct antibacterial activities. Nonetheless, the exact role that CXCL14 plays during infection remains elusive. Methodology: CXCL14 deficient mice were generated in a C57B6/129 background and followed by phenotypic characterization. Later, the effect of CXCL14 deficiency during influenza infection and E. coli challenge was assessed. Results: Other than a slight weight reduction, CXCL14 deficient mice exhibited no phenotypic alterations. CXCL14 deficiency did not influence the outcome of influenza virus infection or challenge with E. coli, and no statistically significant differences in clinical signs, cellular responses and histopathological findings were observed. Conclusions: CXCL14 does not seem to play a pivotal role during influenza and E. coli infections of the lung; these results are suggestive of functional overlap between CXCL14 and other chemokines that are present during lung infection.
Evaluation of tularemia cases focusing on the oculoglandular form
Authors: Eren Gok Sebnem , Kocagul Celikbas Aysel , Baykam Nurcan , Atay Buyukdemirci Ayse , Eroglu Mustafa Necati , Evren Kemer Ozlem , Dokuzoguz Basak
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. The oculoglandular form is one of the rarest forms. In this study, evaluated tularemia patients, focusing on the ocular form and the efficacy of early antibiotic therapy. Methodology: During a tularemia outbreak, the epidemiological and clinical findings, laboratory assays, and drugs used for the treatment of 48 patients were recorded prospectively. The diagnosis of tularemia was confirmed with microagglutination test (MAT) as well as clinical findings. Results: The mean age of the subject was 48.6 years; 23 (47.9%) of them were female. Thirty-six (81.25%) patients had clinical presentation compatible with oropharyngeal tularemia, seven (14.58%) with oculoglandular tularemia, and two (4.1%) with ulceroglandular tularemia. The most common symptoms were fever (91.6%) and sore throat (81.2%), and the most common findings were lymphadenopathy (91.6%) and tonsillopharyngitis (81.2%). In the oculoglandular form, fever, lymphadenopathy, periorbital edema, conjunctival injection, and chemosis were found. The most distinctive ophthalmic feature was follicular conjunctivitis and conjunctival epithelial defects. Forty-five cases had positive serological results with MAT. All the patients were treated with antibiotics considered effective against F. tularensis, and topical antimicrobial treatment was given to the patients with oculoglandular tularemia. Twenty-six (54.16%) patients, who were admitted within three weeks of the onset of symptoms, recovered without sequel. Conclusions: During tularemia outbreaks, ocular involvement should be considered carefully. The early administration of appropriate treatment will be more effective in resolving the infection and preventing complications. Along with systemic antibiotic therapy, topical treatment will help recovery.
HIV point-of-care diagnostics: meeting the special needs of sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Aleku Godwin Abazho , Adoga Moses P , Agwale Simon M
Published: October 2014

Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 70% of the 35 million people living with HIV worldwide, obviously carries the heaviest burden of the HIV epidemic. Moreover, the region’s poor health system occasioned by limited resources and inadequate skilled clinical personnel usually makes decentralization of HIV care difficult. Therefore, quality diagnostics that are easy to use, inexpensive, and amenable for use at point of care (POC) are a dire necessity. Clearly, such diagnostics will significantly lessen the pressure on the existing over-stretched centralized HIV laboratory services. Thankfully, some POC diagnostics are already being validated, while others are in the pipeline. As POC test kits emerge, implementation hurdles should be envisaged and planned for. This review examines emerging HIV diagnostic platforms, HIV POC product pipelines, gaps, perceived POC implementation challenges, and general recommendations for quality care.
Risk factors of prolonged hospital stay in children with viral severe acute respiratory infections
Authors: El Kholy Amani A , Mostafa Nadia A , Ali Aliaa Adel , El-Sherbini Seham Awad , Ismail Reem Ibrahim , Magdy Rania Ismail , Soliman May Sherif , Said Mayar M.
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Severe acute lower respiratory infections (SARIs) are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children, especially in developing countries. The present study focused on detection of risk factors for prolonged hospital stays among children with viral SARIs. Methodology: A sentinel surveillance study was conducted at Cairo University Hospital (CUH) between February 2010 and May 2011. Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs were collected from all children admitted with SARIs. Viruses were identified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Out of 1,046 children, 380 (36%) were positive for one or more viruses; these included respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (22.9%), adenovirus (6.2%), parainfluenza viruses (PIVs1-3) (5.1%), human metapneumovirus (HMPV) (4.5%), influenza A (1.4%), and influenza B (0.6%). Viral etiology was mainly detected in children under one year of age (88.9%). Prolonged length of stay was independently associated with the presence of cyanosis and underlying chronic illness (OR 7.4, CI: 1.8-30.32 [p = 0.005], OR 2.5, CI: 1.36-4.64 [p = 0.004], respectively). Virus type did not affect the length of hospital stay (p > 0.05). Oxygen therapy was required in 91% of the patients. A total of 43 patients (11.6%) required intensive care admission. Twenty-one patients (5.5%) died, and 15 of them (71.4%) had an underlying chronic illness. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the important burden of respiratory viruses as a cause of SARI in hospitalized children in a tertiary Egyptian hospital. Cyanosis and underlying chronic illness were significantly associated with prolonged length of stay.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia in China
Authors: Shangguan Zongxiao , Sun Qingfeng , Zhang Minghua , Ding Jiguang , Yi Lingao , Gao Yuantong , Zhan Aixia , Zhao Renguo , Ci Xiao
Published: October 2014

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical and radiographic features, and antibiotic responses of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infections in hospitalized adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China. Methodology: Serum specimens collected from 189 CAP patients in both acute phase and convalescence were tested for IgG, IgA, and IgM mixed antibodies specific to M. pneumoniae. The clinical and radiographic characteristics and efficacy of three antibiotic regimens were compared between patients with M. pneumoniae infection and those without. Results: Among 189 CAP patients, 88 (46.6%) were positive for M. pneumoniae infection. Compared to the negative patients, patients with M. pneumoniae infection were significantly younger, had higher rates of dry cough, and had white blood cell counts of <1010/L, but had less purulent sputum. Radiography further showed more centrilobular nodules, ground-glass opacities, tree-in-bud patterns and thickened bronchovascular bundles, but less pleural effusion and larger tracts of real opacities in patients with M. pneumoniae infections. Among the three regimens used, patients with moxifloxacin required significantly shorter fever abatement, treatment, and hospitalization times than those with azithromycin plus ceftriaxone and ceftriaxone only. Conclusions: M. pneumoniae infection was present in almost half of the CAP population in east China, with some distinct clinical and radiographic features. Moxifloxacin was an effective antibiotic for this infection.
Antimicrobial profile of essential oils extracted from wild versus cultivated Origanum ehrenberjii against enteric bacteria
Authors: Barbour Elie K , Dankar Samar K , Shaib Houssam A , Kumosani Taha , Azhar Esam , Masaudi Saad , Iyer Archana , Harakeh Steve
Published: October 2014

Introduction: The role of Origanum ehrenberjii against bacteria that cause enteric diseases is well known. Salmonella and Enterococcus cause high rates of enteric infections around the world. The aim of this study was to extract essential oils from cultivated and naturally growing O. ehrenberjii, compare the chemical profiles of the extracts and estimate their antimicrobial efficacy against enteric pathogens. Methodology: Sixteen compounds were recovered consistently from essential oils extracted from O. ehrenberjii of wild and cultivated origin. The chemical profiles were determined using GC-MS. Safety of the essential oils was determined by observing mortality of chicks after intramuscular administration of the oils. The antimicrobial efficacy of the oils against the enteric pathogens was determined by the Kirby-Bauer Single Disk Diffusion assay. Results: The levels of thymol, carvacrol, para cymene and γ-terpinene were significantly different in the two oils. A significant difference in in vitro antimicrobial activity of the two oils against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was observed. Intramuscular administration of the two oils in one day-old chicks resulted in significant differences in mortality of 60% vs. 5% (p < 0.05) for wild and cultivated herbs respectively, reflecting the higher safety of the cultivated herb due to the differences in the levels of certain active ingredients. Conclusions: The chemical profile of essential oil of wild vs. cultivated O. ehrenberjii differ significantly at compound level, suggesting the reason for their significant difference in efficacy against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and also significant differences in the toxicity of the two oils.
Therapeutic itinerary of severe malaria in adults admitted to a teaching hospital in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Diop Sylvie Audrey , Attinsounon Cossi Angelo , Fortes-Deguenonvo Louise , Cisse Dialo Viviane Marie Pierre , Seydi Moussa
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Despite prevention efforts, malaria remains a public health problem. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted between October and December 2010 that aimed to describe the therapeutic route of adults presenting with severe malaria prior to being admitted to Fann Teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. Results: A total of 90 patients were included. The majority of them had consulted a public or private health care facility (92%) prior to admission. First consultation occurred on average two days after the onset of the disease. Self-medication (67.4%) and traditional medicine (26.1%) were the main causes of delaying care. Conclusions: Early care and adequate management are needed to reduce malaria mortality.
Parents dans les situations de phobies scolaires
Authors: Birraux Annie
Published: October 2014

L’auteur illustre combien les résistances parentales peuvent faire le lit de la psychopathologie de l’adolescent. L’exposé d’une situation problématique de suivi thérapeutique permet de rappeler quelques principes concernant la prise en charge des familles. Il propose de penser la phobie scolaire comme un syndrome post-traumatique plutôt que comme une histoire névrotique, mais insiste sur le poids, dans le développement de l’adolescent, des idéaux infantiles parentaux non introjectés.
Un enfant « confié » à la France ?
Authors: Bouaziz Nora , Yanga Edwige , Ah-Pet Sakellarides Margaret , Chenu Marie , Moro Marie Rose
Published: October 2014

Pour ce couple franco-ivoirien, pris dans une grande solitude sociale et élaborative, être parents se vivait douloureusement, dans un métissage traumatique qui réclamait un espace transculturel. Cet espace a permis de penser les parcours de vie de chacun, la migration, la confrontation des représentations culturelles (relatives aux enfants, la parentalité, la conjugalité...), mais aussi les liens et les places au sein de la famille.
Enfants mineurs isolés
Authors: Radjack Rahmethnissah , Guzman Gabriela , Moro Marie Rose
Published: October 2014

Les situations des mineurs isolés étrangers sont paradigmatiques des difficultés que les professionnels peuvent traverser lorsque les parents sont absents. Le travail clinique requiert précisément de faire exister les parents dans le récit, en nous basant sur la capacité du jeune à se narrer pour construire une adolescence métissée entre deux mondes. Nous illustrons ces propos par deux vignettes cliniques issues de consultations individuelles dans une Maison des Adolescents, en présence d’un interprète.
L'espace dans une résidence pour jeunes inuit
Authors: Fraser Sarah L. , Jaimes Annie , Hassan Ghayda , Nadeau Lucie , Kasudluak Rebecca
Published: October 2014

Environ 30 % des Inuit du Nunavik (Québec) sont signalés à la Protection de la Jeunesse. En 2010, une Résidence a été développée spécifiquement pour ces jeunes afin de répondre à leurs besoins cliniques et culturels. L’objectif de la présente étude est d’explorer l’utilisation que font les jeunes de cet espace résidentiel. Les résultats suggèrent d’une part que la résidence constitue une « institution perméable », permettant une certaine continuité chez les jeunes malgré les nombreuses ruptures qu’ils vivent, d’autre part que les jeunes qui se trouvent généralement à la marge ont tendance à graviter vers le relationnel et vers le centre lorsqu’ils ont l’espace pour le faire.
Freud adolescent : recherches et trouvailles
Authors: Houssier Florian
Published: October 2014

La présentation d’un article sur l’adolescence de Freud ouvre un champ de recherche historique essentiel, faisant apparaître la théorie freudienne comme une œuvre non pas auto-engendrée mais plutôt biographico-créée.
Évaluation des étudiants infirmiers en situation simulée : en quête de sens et d'éthique
Authors: Homerin Marie-Pierre , Roumanet Marie-Cécile
Published: October 2014

Un questionnement autour de l’évaluation en situation simulée 1 est à l’origine de cette recherche-action menée au sein de l’IFSI de Savoie. En effet, les différences de modalités d’évaluation selon les unités d’enseignement qui prévoient ce genre de validation ainsi que le taux de réussite insatisfaisant lors de ces mises en situations simulées ont amené des formatrices à poser la question suivante : « Comment, lors de ces évaluations, donner du sens et être cohérent par rapport à la finalité de la formation (Former des praticiens autonomes et réflexifs) » ? Ce questionnement a été éclairé à l’aide de concepts tels que le socioconstructivisme, la simulation en santé, l’évaluation et avec l’apport théorique des principes éthiques. La modification des pratiques a consisté en l’application des principes de l’évaluation formatrice selon G. Nunziatti en impliquant fortement les étudiants dans le processus d’évaluation. Pour évaluer l’impact de ces changements de pratiques, un questionnaire anonyme en ligne a été proposé à l’ensemble des étudiants qui ont bénéficié de ce type d’évaluation. Les résultats de deux promotions d’étudiants qui n’ont pas eu les mêmes modalités d’évaluation ont également été comparés. Les objectifs poursuivis étaient de mesurer la satisfaction des étudiants, de comparer les taux d’échec obtenus selon les différentes méthodes de validation en situation simulée et d’apprécier le respect des principes éthiques, lors de la mise en œuvre d’une évaluation de type formatrice. Cette étude a montré la satisfaction des étudiants face à ces nouvelles modalités d’évaluation en situation simulée, une meilleure réussite aux épreuves et la possibilité d’appliquer les principes éthiques à cette façon de procéder. Cependant, les principes de justice et de non malfaisance restent difficiles à mettre en œuvre. Cette réflexion sur les modalités d’évaluation en situation simulée a permis de faire évoluer les pratiques et la conception de l’évaluation chez les formateurs.
Développement professionnel infirmier en promotion de la santé
Authors: Hardy Anne-France , Eneau Jérôme , Nagels Marc
Published: October 2014

Cette recherche se propose d’éclairer le développement professionnel du personnel infirmier éducateur de santé en milieu scolaire. Les missions d’éducation et de promotion de la santé relèvent du savoir spécifique infirmier et correspondent, en dehors du champ habituel de la prescription, aux pratiques relevant du rôle propre. L’hypothèse d’un lien entre rôle spécifiquement infirmier et développement professionnel guide ce travail. L’étude compare (N=30) des approches professionnelles d’infirmières d’établissement d’enseignements en poste sur le département d’« Ille-et-Vilaine ». L’expérience des acteurs est interrogée pour tenter de dégager les éléments de ce développement professionnel autour de trois indicateurs clés : la posture, les dynamiques identitaires et la dimension collective de l’activité. L’enquête de type qualitative emprunte les outils d’une méthode hybride qui recourt à l’analyse parallèle de contenus recueillis sous deux modalités différentes : l’entretien compréhensif et l’écrit réflexif.
Impossible négociation ?
Authors: Sartori Enrica
Published: October 2014

Résumé Ancien ambassadeur de France, Stéphane Hessel a mis, à 79 ans, son expérience de la négociation au service des sans-papiers de Saint-Bernard, en participant au collège des médiateurs créé à l’initiative d’Ariane Mnouchkine. Mais comment jouer les intermédiaires lorsque l’un des interlocuteurs refuse de reconnaître l’existence même de l’autre ? Gilles Deleuze écrivait : « si modeste que soit une revendication, elle présente toujours un point que le pouvoir ne peut supporter, lorsque les gens réclament de poser eux-mêmes leurs propres problèmes. » Quelle place, alors, pour la négociation ?
Zacage dans le XXème
Authors: Glatron Sandrine , Nahapétian Naïri
Published: October 2014

Résumé La rénovation de pans entiers du 20e arrondissement de Paris est censé participer à l’éternel embellissement de la capitale idéale des touristes. La mairie de Paris dispose de nombreux instruments pour mener à bien cette tâche. Les habitants s’en créent d’autres pour y faire face.
Bonnes conduites ? / 2
Authors: Mangeot Philippe
Published: October 2014

Résumé Petite histoire du « politiquement correct » (2/2).
le bourreau des bourreaux
Authors: Mesnard Philippe
Published: October 2014

Résumé Mutatis mutandis, la question des bourreaux reste à l’ordre du jour. Les Bourreaux volontaires de Hitler, de Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, le montre parfaitement.
Le septième commandement
Authors: Pinto Emmanuel
Published: October 2014

Résumé En quête d’identité. Enquête identitaire. Les fils des réponses à la question qui suis-je ? Se nouent, jusqu’à former une pelote inextricable. Tirer sur ces fils, c’est se déchirer un peu.
Il paraît que le mouvement gai a 100 ans...
Authors: Celse Michel
Published: October 2014

Résumé La communauté gaie a toutes raisons de s’intéresser aujourd’hui à son histoire, et nul doute que la conquête d’une sorte de « droit à l’histoire » représente pour elle, depuis 25 ans, un enjeu politique majeur. La partie est pourtant loin d’être gagnée. Le bilan de cette lutte, pour l’heure, reste désastreux, particulièrement en France.
Altered Peptide Ligands Revisited: Vaccine Design through Chemically Modified HLA-A2–Restricted T Cell Epitopes
Authors: Hoppes Rieuwert , Oostvogels Rimke , Luimstra Jolien J. , Wals Kim , Toebes Mireille , Bies Laura , Ekkebus Reggy , Rijal Pramila , Celie Patrick H. N. , Huang Julie H. , Emmelot Maarten E. , Spaapen Robbert M. , Lokhorst Henk , Schumacher Ton N. M. , Mutis Tuna , Rodenko Boris , Ovaa Huib
Published: October 2014

Virus or tumor Ag–derived peptides that are displayed by MHC class I molecules are attractive starting points for vaccine development because they induce strong protective and therapeutic cytotoxic T cell responses. In thus study, we show that the MHC binding and consequent T cell reactivity against several HLA-A*02 restricted epitopes can be further improved through the incorporation of nonproteogenic amino acids at primary and secondary anchor positions. We screened more than 90 nonproteogenic, synthetic amino acids through a range of epitopes and tested more than 3000 chemically enhanced altered peptide ligands (CPLs) for binding affinity to HLA-A*0201. With this approach, we designed CPLs of viral epitopes, of melanoma-associated Ags, and of the minor histocompatibility Ag UTA2-1, which is currently being evaluated for its antileukemic activity in clinical dendritic cell vaccination trials. The crystal structure of one of the CPLs in complex with HLA-A*0201 revealed the molecular interactions likely responsible for improved binding. The best CPLs displayed enhanced affinity for MHC, increasing MHC stability and prolonging recognition by Ag-specific T cells and, most importantly, they induced accelerated expansion of antitumor T cell frequencies in vitro and in vivo as compared with the native epitope. Eventually, we were able to construct a toolbox of preferred nonproteogenic residues with which practically any given HLA-A*02 restricted epitope can be readily optimized. These CPLs could improve the therapeutic outcome of vaccination strategies or can be used for ex vivo enrichment and faster expansion of Ag-specific T cells for transfer into patients.
Uncovering the Peptide-Binding Specificities of HLA-C: A General Strategy To Determine the Specificity of Any MHC Class I Molecule
Authors: Rasmussen Michael , Harndahl Mikkel , Stryhn Anette , Boucherma Rachid , Nielsen Lise Lotte , Lemonnier François A. , Nielsen Morten , Buus Søren
Published: October 2014

MHC class I molecules (HLA-I in humans) present peptides derived from endogenous proteins to CTLs. Whereas the peptide-binding specificities of HLA-A and -B molecules have been studied extensively, little is known about HLA-C specificities. Combining a positional scanning combinatorial peptide library approach with a peptide–HLA-I dissociation assay, in this study we present a general strategy to determine the peptide-binding specificity of any MHC class I molecule. We applied this novel strategy to 17 of the most common HLA-C molecules, and for 16 of these we successfully generated matrices representing their peptide-binding motifs. The motifs prominently shared a conserved C-terminal primary anchor with hydrophobic amino acid residues, as well as one or more diverse primary and auxiliary anchors at P1, P2, P3, and/or P7. Matrices were used to generate a large panel of HLA-C–specific peptide-binding data and update our pan-specific NetMHCpan predictor, whose predictive performance was considerably improved with respect to peptide binding to HLA-C. The updated predictor was used to assess the specificities of HLA-C molecules, which were found to cover a more limited sequence space than HLA-A and -B molecules. Assessing the functional significance of these new tools, HLA-C*07:01 transgenic mice were immunized with stable HLA-C*07:01 binders; six of six tested stable peptide binders were immunogenic. Finally, we generated HLA-C tetramers and labeled human CD8+ T cells and NK cells. These new resources should support future research on the biology of HLA-C molecules. The data are deposited at the Immune Epitope Database, and the updated NetMHCpan predictor is available at the Center for Biological Sequence Analysis and the Immune Epitope Database.
Intraclonal Diversity in Follicular Lymphoma Analyzed by Quantitative Ultradeep Sequencing of Noncoding Regions
Authors: Spence Janice M. , Abumoussa Andrew , Spence John P. , Burack W. Richard
Published: October 2014

Cancers are characterized by genomic instability, and the resulting intraclonal diversity is a prerequisite for tumor evolution. Therefore, metrics of tumor heterogeneity may prove to be clinically meaningful. Intraclonal heterogeneity in follicular lymphoma (FL) is apparent from studies of somatic hypermutation (SHM) caused by activation-induced deaminase (AID) in IGH. Aberrant SHM (aSHM), defined as AID activity outside of the IG loci, predominantly targets noncoding regions causing numerous “passenger” mutations, but it has the potential to generate rare significant “driver” mutations. The quantitative relationship between SHM and aSHM has not been defined. To measure SHM and aSHM, ultradeep sequencing (>20,000-fold coverage) was performed on IGH (∼1650 nt) and nine other noncoding regions potentially targeted by AID (combined 9411 nt), including the 5′ untranslated region of BCL2. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were found in 12/12 FL specimens (median 136 SHMs and 53 aSHMs). The aSHM SNVs were associated with AID motifs (p < 0.0001). The number of SNVs at BCL2 varied widely among specimens and correlated with the number of SNVs at eight other potential aSHM sites. In contrast, SHM at IGH was not predictive of aSHM. Tumor heterogeneity is apparent from SNVs at low variant allele frequencies; the relative number of SNVs with variable allele frequency < 5% varied with clinical grade, indicating that tumor heterogeneity based on aSHM reflects a clinically meaningful parameter. These data suggest that genome-wide aSHM may be estimated from aSHM of BCL2 but not SHM of IGH. The results demonstrate a practical approach to the quantification of intratumoral genetic heterogeneity for clinical specimens.
Breeding bird communities in a morain landscape (Affi, North-Western Venetia): a preliminary survey.
Authors: Battisti Corrado , Dodaro Giuseppe
Published: October 2014

A pilot study was conducted on a moraine hilly landscape (Affi, Verona). We found 43 species of birds overall (40 breeding, two migrants, one exotic species). Mosaics showed the largest absolute number of species (n = 25), the higher mean species richness and the highest diversity index. The croplands and wood fragments, on the contrary, pointed out the lowest absolute number of species, the vineyards showed the mean species richness. These bird communities are typical of conditions with high heterogeneity (mosaic environment) to medium-high level of anthropization, with a species composition characterized by the dominance of common and widespread taxa. We observed individuals of Ptyonoprogne rupestris in atypical environments (anthropized river plain). A stronger research effort is necessary in order to complete the knowledge of breeding bird communities in these particular environments.
Distribution and population trend of the Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus, breeding in Italy in the years 1980-2010.
Authors: Brichetti Pierandrea , Grattini Nunzio
Published: October 2014

The present breeding range of the Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus, in Italy is mainly centered in the northern regions, where there is a fairly homogeneous distribution in the east-central Po Valley and along the northern Adriatic coast. On the contrary, in the remaining parts of continental Italy (Tuscany, Abruzzo, Molise, Apulia) and in Sicily, the species is rare or occasionally present. Most birds belong to the ssp. intermedia (“thick-billed”), with only small numbers of the ssp. schoeniclus (“thinbilled”), mainly located in the foothills and lower Alps, in the provinces from Varese to Belluno. In the past three decades, and mainly since 2000, there have been both a reduction in the breeding range and a decrease in numbers, with about 1000-3000 breeding pairs remaining (10,000-30,000 breeding pairs in the mid 80’s).
Libyan birds. the remains of the italian ornithological collection in the Assaray Al-Hamra Museums of Tripoli, Libya
Authors: Masseti Marco
Published: October 2014

This paper deals with the surviving ornithological stuffed specimens from the former Libyan Museum of Natural History, set up in Tripoli in 1936, in the extant Assaray Al-hamra Museums. The aim of this note is to provide a checklist of the stuffed birds still on display in the cases, while taking the opportunity to furnish a range of additional information that augments our knowledge of the current Libyan ornithofauna and also documenting its past diffusion in the north-African state. All the data recorded were gathered prior to the civil unrest that broke out in Libya in February 2011.
Pragmatic dimensions in parable research and the divine economy of the basileia
Authors: Van Aarde Andries G.
Published: October 2014

Interpreting a parable requires the decoding of the nature of an analogy which will reveal the degree of the deciphering of the riddle communicated through parabolic discourse. In biblical hermeneutics throughout the 20th century Aristotelian logic revived in parable research in that the nature of a ‘meta-phor’ between the subject and the predicate in a comparison (the so-called Ähnlichkeitsrelation) was understood in terms of either ‘epi-phor’ (analogy) or ‘dia-phor’ (disanalogy). This distinction contributes to the disclosure of power relationships concealed in religious discourse by uncovering the subversive dimension of parabolic discourse. This article focuses on aspects from pragmatic linguistics (especially the role of implicature in communication) and antisociety language usage. These two aspects are explained by illustrations from the Jesus tradition (parable of the pearl), Epictetus’s dissertations (meal parable), and Paul’s comments on marriage (1 Cor 7).
Prevalence of cigarette smoking and its predictors among school going adolescents of North India
Authors: Thakur Durgesh , Gupta Anmol , Thakur Anita , Mazta Salig Ram , Sharma Deepak
Published: October 2014

Background: Cigarettes smoking is a common mode of consuming tobacco in India. This habit usually starts in adolescence and tracks across the life course. Interventions like building decision making skills and resisting negative influences are effective in reducing the initiation and level of tobacco use. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of adolescent current cigarette smoking behavior and to investigate the individual and social factors, which influence them both to and not to smoke. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among school going adolescents in Shimla town of North India. After obtaining their written informed consent, a questionnaire was administered. Results: The overall prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 11.8%. The binary logistic regression model revealed that parents′ and peers′ smoking behavior influence adolescent smoking behavior. Individual self-harm tendency also significantly predicted cigarette smoking behavior. Parental active participation in keeping a track of their children′s free time activities predicted to protect adolescents from taking this habit. Conclusion: Our research lends support to the need for intervention on restricting adolescents from taking up this habit and becoming another tobacco industries′ addicted customer. Parents who smoke should quit this habit, which will not only restore their own health, but also protect their children. All parents should be counseled to carefully observe their children′s free time activities.
Prediction of MicroRNA Precursors Using Parsimonious Feature Sets
Authors: Stepanowsky Petra , Levy Eric , Kim Jihoon , Jiang Xiaoqian , Ohno-Machado Lucila
Published: October 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through base pairing with messenger RNAs. Due to the interest in studying miRNA dysregulation in disease and limits of validated miRNA references, identification of novel miRNAs is a critical task. The performance of different models to predict novel miRNAs varies with the features chosen as predictors. However, no study has systematically compared published feature sets. We constructed a comprehensive feature set using the minimum free energy of the secondary structure of precursor miRNAs, a set of nucleotide-structure triplets, and additional extracted sequence and structure characteristics. We then compared the predictive value of our comprehensive feature set to those from three previously published studies, using logistic regression and random forest classifiers. We found that classifiers containing as few as seven highly predictive features are able to predict novel precursor miRNAs as well as classifiers that use larger feature sets. In a real data set, our method correctly identified the holdout miRNAs relevant to renal cancer.
Volitional Weight-Lifting in Rats Promotes Adaptation via Performance and Muscle Morphology prior to Gains in Muscle Mass
Authors: Rader Erik P. , Miller G. Roger , Chetlin Robert D. , Wirth Oliver , Baker Brent A.
Published: October 2014

Investigation of volitional animal models of resistance training has been instrumental in our understanding of adaptive training. However, these studies have lacked reactive force measurements, a precise performance measure, and morphological analysis at a distinct phase of training - when initial strength gains precede muscle hypertrophy. Our aim was to expose rats to one month of training (70 or 700 g load) on a custom-designed weight-lifting apparatus for analysis of reactive forces and muscle morphology prior to muscle hypertrophy. Exclusively following 700 g load training, forces increased by 21% whereas muscle masses remained unaltered. For soleus (SOL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, 700 g load training increased muscle fiber number per unit area by ~20% and decreased muscle fiber area by ~20%. Additionally, number of muscle fibers per section increased by 18% for SOL muscles. These results establish that distinct morphological alterations accompany early strength gains in a volitional animal model of load-dependent adaptive resistance training.
Cognitive Impairment and Psychiatric Morbidity in HIV+ Zambians with New-Onset Seizure
Authors: Kalungwana Lisa , Elafros Melissa A. , Siddiqi Omar K. , Bositis Christopher M. , Sikazwe Izukanji , Koralnik Igor J. , Theodore William H. , Birbeck Gretchen L.
Published: October 2014

A prospective cohort study of new-onset seizure in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Zambia is ongoing to determine the incidence of subsequent epilepsy and risk factors for epileptogenesis in this population. At enrollment, we evaluated this cohort for cognitive impairment and psychiatric morbidity. Over 50% of participants had cognitive impairment and significant psychiatric morbidity. Most participants had advanced HIV disease based on CD4+ T-cell count and World Health Organization stage, but we found no association between cognitive impairment or psychiatric morbidity and HIV disease staging.
Improving the Management of Dysglycemia in Children in the Developing World
Authors: Barennes Hubert , Pussard Eric
Published: October 2014

Improving the availability of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics for glucose is crucial in resource-constrained settings (RCS). Both hypo and hyperglycemia have an appreciable frequency in the tropics and have been associated with increased risk of deaths in pediatrics units. However, causes of dysglycemia, including hyperglycemia, are numerous and insufficiently documented in RCS. Effective glycemic control with glucose infusion and/or intensive insulin therapy can improve clinical outcomes in western settings. A non-invasive way for insulin administration is not yet available for hyperglycemia. We documented a few causes and developed simple POC treatment of hypoglycemia in RCS. We showed the efficacy of sublingual sugar in two clinical trials. Dextrose gel has been recently tested for neonate mortality. This represents an interesting alternative that should be compared with sublingual sugar in RCS. New studies had to be done to document dysglycemia mechanism, frequency and morbid-mortality, and safe POC treatment in the tropics.
Laboratory studies of the aqueous-phase oxidation of polyols: submicron particles vs. bulk aqueous solution
Authors: Daumit K. E. , Carrasquillo A. J. , Hunter J. F. , Kroll J. H.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Oxidation in the atmospheric aqueous phase (cloud droplets and deliquesced particles) has received recent attention as a potential pathway for the formation of highly oxidized organic aerosol. Most laboratory studies of aqueous-phase oxidation, however, are carried out in bulk solutions rather than aqueous droplets. Here we describe experiments in which aqueous oxidation of polyols (water-soluble species with chemical formula CnH2n+2On) is carried out within submicron particles in an environmental chamber, allowing for significant gas–particle partitioning of reactants, intermediates, and products. Dark Fenton chemistry is used as a source of hydroxyl radicals, and oxidation is monitored using a high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). Aqueous oxidation is rapid, and results in the formation of particulate oxalate; this is accompanied by substantial loss of carbon to the gas phase, indicating the formation of volatile products. Results are compared to those from analogous oxidation reactions carried out in bulk solution. The bulk-phase chemistry is similar to that in the particles, but with substantially less carbon loss. This is likely due to differences in partitioning of early-generation products, which evaporate out of the aqueous phase under chamber conditions (in which liquid water content is low), but remain in solution for further aqueous processing in the bulk phase. This work suggests that the product distributions from oxidation in aqueous aerosol may be substantially different from those in bulk oxidation experiments. This highlights the need for aqueous oxidation studies to be carried out under atmospherically relevant partitioning conditions, with liquid water contents mimicking those of cloud droplets or aqueous aerosol.
Microphysical properties of synoptic-scale polar stratospheric clouds: in situ measurements of unexpectedly large HNO3-containing particles in the Arctic vortex
Authors: Molleker S. , Borrmann S. , Schlager H. , Luo B. , Frey W. , Klingebiel M. , Weigel R. , Ebert M. , Mitev V. , Matthey R. , Woiwode W. , Oelhaf H. , Dörnbrack A. , Stratmann G. , Grooß J.-U. , Günther G. , Vogel B. , Müller R. , Krämer M. , Meyer J. , Cairo F.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. In January 2010 and December 2011, synoptic-scale polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) fields were probed during seven flights of the high-altitude research aircraft M-55 Geophysica within the RECONCILE (Reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interaction) and the ESSenCe (ESSenCe: ESA Sounder Campaign) projects. Particle size distributions in a diameter range between 0.46 and 40μm were recorded by four different optical in situ instruments. Three of these particle instruments are based on the detection of forward-scattered light by single particles. The fourth instrument is a grayscale optical array imaging probe. Optical particle diameters of up to 35μm were detected with particle number densities and total particle volumes exceeding previous Arctic measurements. Also, gas-phase and particle-bound NOy was measured, as well as water vapor concentrations. The optical characteristics of the clouds were measured by the remote sensing lidar MAL (Miniature Aerosol Lidar) and by the in situ backscatter sonde MAS (Multiwavelength Aerosol Scatterometer), showing the synoptic scale of the encountered PSCs. The particle mode below 2μm in size diameter has been identified as supercooled ternary solution (STS) droplets. The PSC particles in the size range above 2μm in diameter are considered to consist of nitric acid hydrates, and the particles' high HNO3 content was confirmed by the NOy instrument. Assuming a particle composition of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT), the optically measured size distributions result in particle-phase HNO3 mixing ratios exceeding available stratospheric values. Therefore the measurement uncertainties concerning probable overestimations of measured particle sizes and volumes are discussed in detail. We hypothesize that either a strong asphericity or an alternate particle composition (e.g., water ice coated with NAT) could explain our observations. In particular, with respect to the denitrification by sedimentation of large HNO3-containing particles, generally considered to be NAT, our new measurements raise questions concerning composition, shape and nucleation pathways. Answering these would improve the numerical simulation of PSC microphysical processes like cloud particle formation, growth and denitrification, which is necessary for better predictions of future polar ozone losses, especially under changing global climate conditions. Generally, it seems that the occurrence of large NAT particles – sometimes termed "NAT rocks" – are a regular feature of synoptic-scale PSCs in the Arctic.
Characterization of satellite based proxies for estimating nucleation mode particles over South Africa
Authors: Sundström A.-M. , Nikandrova A. , Atlaskina K. , Nieminen T. , Vakkari V. , Laakso L. , Beukes J. P. , Arola A. , van Zyl P. G. , Josipovic M. , Venter A. D. , Jaars K. , Pienaar J. J. , Piketh S. , Wiedensohler A. , Chiloane E. K. , de Leeuw G. , Kulmala M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. In this work satellite observations from the NASA's A-Train constellation were used to derive the values of primary emission and regional nucleation proxies over South Africa to estimate the potential for new particle formation. As derived in Kulmala et al. (2011), the satellite based proxies consist of source terms (NO2, SO2 and UV-B radiation), and a sink term describing the pre-existing aerosols. The first goal of this work was to study in detail the use of satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) as a substitute to the in situ based condensation sink (CS). One of the major factors affecting the agreement of CS and AOD was the elevated aerosol layers that increased the value of column integrated AOD but not affected the in situ CS. However, when the AOD in the proxy sink was replaced by an estimate from linear bivariate fit between AOD and CS, the agreement with the actual nucleation mode number concentration improved somewhat. The second goal of the work was to estimate how well the satellite based proxies can predict the potential for new particle formation. For each proxy the highest potential for new particle formation were observed over the Highveld industrial area, where the emissions were high but the sink due to pre-existing aerosols was relatively low. Best agreement between the satellite and in situ based proxies were obtained for NO2/AOD and UV-B/AOD2, whereas proxies including SO2 in the source term had lower correlation. Even though the OMI SO2 boundary layer product showed reasonable spatial pattern and detected the major sources over the study area, some of the known minor point sources were not detected. When defining the satellite proxies only for days when new particle formation event was observed, it was seen that for all the satellite based proxies the event day medians were higher than the entire measurement period median.
Transport of branched tetraether lipids from the Tagus River basin to the coastal ocean of the Portuguese margin: consequences for the interpretation of the MBT'/CBT paleothermometer
Authors: Zell C. , Kim J.-H. , Balsinha M. , Dorhout D. , Fernandes C. , Baas M. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs), which are thought to be transported from soil to marine sediment by rivers, have been used to reconstruct the mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and soil pH of the drainage basin using the methylation index of branched tetraethers (MBT, recently refined as MBT') and cyclization index of branched tetraethers (CBT) from coastal marine sediment records. In this study, we trace the brGDGTs from source to sink in the Tagus River basin, the longest river system on the Iberian Peninsula, by determining their concentration and distribution in soils, river suspended particulate matter (SPM), riverbank sediments, marine SPM, and marine surface sediments. The concentrations of brGDGTs in river SPM were substantially higher and their distributions were different compared to those of the drainage basin soils. This indicates that brGDGTs are mainly produced in the river itself. In the marine environment, the brGDGT concentrations rapidly decreased with increasing distance from the Tagus estuary. At the same time, the brGDGT distributions in marine sediments also changed, indicating that marine in situ production also takes place. These results show that there are various problems that complicate the use of the MBT'/CBT for paleoreconstructions using coastal marine sediments in the vicinity of a river. However, if the majority of brGDGTs are produced in the river, it might be possible to reconstruct the environmental (temperature and pH) conditions of the river water using appropriate aquatic calibrations, provided that marine core locations are chosen in such a way that the brGDGTs in their sediments are predominantly derived from riverine in situ production.
Performance and robustness of probabilistic river forecasts computed with quantile regression based on multiple independent variables in the North Central USA
Authors: Hoss F. , Fischbeck P. S.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. This study further develops the method of quantile regression (QR) to predict exceedance probabilities of flood stages by post-processing forecasts. Using data from the 82 river gages, for which the National Weather Service's North Central River Forecast Center issues forecasts daily, this is the first QR application to US American river gages. Archived forecasts for lead times up to six days from 2001–2013 were analyzed. Earlier implementations of QR used the forecast itself as the only independent variable (Weerts et al., 2011; López López et al., 2014). This study adds the rise rate of the river stage in the last 24 and 48 h and the forecast error 24 and 48 h ago to the QR model. Including those four variables significantly improved the forecasts, as measured by the Brier Skill Score (BSS). Mainly, the resolution increases, as the original QR implementation already delivered high reliability. Combining the forecast with the other four variables results in much less favorable BSSs. Lastly, the forecast performance does not depend on the size of the training dataset, but on the year, the river gage, lead time and event threshold that are being forecast. We find that each event threshold requires a separate model configuration or at least calibration.