bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUBSTRUCTURE WITHIN THE SSA22 PROTOCLUSTER AT z ≈ 3.09*
Authors: Topping Michael W. , Shapley Alice E. , Steidel Charles C.
Published: June 2016

We present the results of a densely sampled spectroscopic survey of the SSA22 protocluster at z ≈ 3.09. Our sample with Keck/LRIS spectroscopy includes 106 Lyα emitters (LAEs) and 40 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) at z = 3.05–3.12. These galaxies are contained within the 9′ × 9′ region in which the protocluster was discovered, which also hosts the maximum galaxy overdensity in the SSA22 region. The redshift histogram of our spectroscopic sample reveals two distinct peaks, at z = 3.069 (blue; 43 galaxies) and z = 3.095 (red; 103 galaxies). Furthermore, objects in the blue and red peaks are segregated on the sky, with galaxies in the blue peak concentrating toward the western half of the field. These results suggest that the blue and red redshift peaks represent two distinct structures in physical space. Although the double-peaked redshift histogram is traced in the same manner by LBGs and LAEs, and brighter and fainter galaxies, we find that 9 out of 10 X-ray AGNs in SSA22, and all 7 spectroscopically confirmed giant Lyα “blobs,” reside in the red peak. We combine our data set with sparsely sampled spectroscopy from the literature over a significantly wider area, finding preliminary evidence that the double-peaked structure in redshift space extends beyond the region of our dense spectroscopic sampling. In order to fully characterize the three-dimensional structure, dynamics, and evolution of large-scale structure in the SSA22 overdensity, we require the measurement of large samples of LAE and LBG redshifts over a significantly wider area, as well as detailed comparisons with cosmological simulations of massive cluster formation.
Université populaire de parents. Parents en recherche, pratiques professionnelles en question
Authors: Renaud Béatrice , Pachod Laurent
Published: June 2016

Les parents aidés en protection de l’enfance ont-ils des ressources ? Groupe de parents constitués depuis 2013 en Université populaire de parents ( upp ), tout au long de cet article, nous constaterons que les parents ont des savoirs. Parfois, ils ne les soupçonnent pas et les professionnels peuvent les aider à en prendre conscience. D’autres fois, les professionnels ne les reconnaissent pas. Mais l’intérêt de la mesure pour les parents est lié à la reconnaissance de leurs savoirs.
Une sexualité en santé et enchantée pour les personnes âgées
Authors: Dupras André
Published: June 2016

Le tabou sexuel à l’égard des personnes âgées s’estompe graduellement à mesure que les discours scientifiques cherchent à démythifier la sexualité des aînés. Cette démythification adopte les caractéristiques du désenchantement. Les aînés sont invités à bien vieillir en adoptant une démarche rationnelle qui leur assurera une bonne santé sexuelle. À son discrédit, le désenchantement atrophie la place accordée à l’imagination et au symbolique pour privilégier la raison et la technique. S’il y a d’un côté un gain de connaissances, il y a de l’autre une perte de sens. Réenchanter la sexualité des aînés implique d’élargir la question en abordant le bonheur sexuel.
Le « pauvre d’abord ». Une analyse des dynamiques circulatoires de la participation populaire au développement
Authors: Parizet Raphaëlle
Published: June 2016

Largement critiquées pour avoir imposé des programmes de développement dans les pays dits du Sud dans les années 1970-1980, les organisations internationales de développement adoptent dans les années 1990-2000 une approche participative du développement. L’ensemble des institutions et des acteurs du développement semble converti à l’idée « du pauvre d’abord ». Peut-on qualifier pour autant cet engouement de « tournant participatif mondial » dans les arènes internationales ? À partir de l’analyse de la littérature grise produite par la Banque mondiale et le PNUD et d’un programme de développement participatif du PNUD mis en œuvre sur le terrain mexicain, cet article propose d’analyser le rôle d’acteurs spécifiques et des instruments qui font circuler l’argumentaire participationniste et les représentations qui y sont liées au sein des organisations internationales de développement ainsi que les moyens qui sont utilisés au service de la production de la norme participative au sein de ces espaces. Explorer les dynamiques circulatoires du développement participatif permet de retracer l’évolution des modalités d’intervention des organisations internationales et de lever le voile sur le renforcement de puissantes arènes internationales à travers l’intégration de l’approche participative dans leurs interventions de développement.
Les arènes de la normalisation internationale à l’épreuve de la participation : le projet INTERNORM
Authors: Hauert Christophe , Audétat Marc , Bütschi Danielle , Kaufmann Alain , Graz Jean-Christophe
Published: June 2016

Cet article présente les résultats de la recherche-action INTERNORM qui visait à favoriser l’implication des acteurs associatifs dans l’élaboration des normes internationales de type ISO. Il analyse les effets d’un dispositif participatif sur l’environnement institutionnel de la diplomatie technique et contribue à une réflexion sur la démocratisation du champ de la normalisation internationale. Cette réflexion se situe au croisement des travaux de relations internationales sur les nouvelles formes de gouvernance de la mondialisation et des études sociales des sciences et des techniques.
Moyen-Orient : en attendant la nouvelle administration américaine
Authors: McLaughlin John , Tarpinian Cécile
Published: June 2016

Au-delà d’une histoire marquée par l’intervention des puissances, le Moyen-Orient est traversé aujourd’hui de conflits entrecroisant dimensions politiques, ethniques ou religieuses. Les États-Unis ne peuvent abdiquer leur leadership dans la région. La prochaine administration américaine devra donc se confronter au-delà de la question syrienne, à une multiplicité de problèmes, sans imaginer qu’ils pourraient se résoudre d’un coup, et redéfinir le réseau de ses partenariats dans la région.
L’émancipation contrainte de la politique étrangère saoudienne
Authors: Blin Louis
Published: June 2016

Le retrait progressif des États-Unis du Moyen-Orient a profité à l’Iran. Cette situation n’est pas acceptable pour l’Arabie Saoudite qui s’affirme comme une puissance régionale de plus en plus active. Pour freiner l’expansion iranienne, Riyad n’hésite pas à s’impliquer militairement, que ce soit en Syrie ou au Yémen. L’affrontement saoudo-iranien ne doit pas être vu comme un choc entre sunnites et chiites : la politique étrangère saoudienne ne suit pas des considérations religieuses.
Le plurilatéralisme commercial, une chance pour les pays en développement ?
Authors: Dupuy Michel
Published: June 2016

Les dernières décennies ont vu l’enlisement du cycle de Doha et la multi­plication des accords bilatéraux et régionaux en matière de commerce international. Dans ce contexte défavorable au renforcement du multilatéralisme, le plurilatéralisme, réhabilité, constitue une réelle opportunité pour les pays en développement. L’analyse pousse cependant à formuler des propositions en vue de réduire les risques que comporte pour ces pays la libéralisation plurilatérale des échanges.
Vieillissement de la population et géopolitique
Authors: Dumont Gérard-François
Published: June 2016

L’actuel vieillissement de la population est, à l’échelle mondiale, inédit. Il se traduit par un accroissement de la proportion des personnes âgées, par l’augmentation de leur nombre absolu, et une augmentation globale de la féminisation, triple processus destiné à se poursuivre dans les décennies à venir. Ce vieillissement est inégalement réparti dans le monde, et annonce des effets politiques, en interne, et géopolitiques, sur le système international, eux aussi très diversifiés.
Achieving Sustainable Cities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abubakar Ismaila Rimi , Aina Yusuf Adedoyin
Published: June 2016

This chapter highlights the challenges of rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia and the implications of its burgeoning urban population on urban sustainability. The first section of the chapter reviews the trend of urbanization in the Third World, and Saudi Arabia in particular, and the factors responsible for rapid urban growth. The second section critically analyzes major urbanization challenges in Saudi Arabia and their impacts on the people and the environment. The final section assesses the extent to which some sustainability initiatives being implemented by the government are meeting the competing and sometimes conflicting urbanization challenges. The chapter concludes with some policy implications.
A Tale of Four Developing Cities
Authors: Garcia Blanca C.
Published: June 2016

This chapter aims to provide a better understanding on how leveraging relational capital triggers multiple possibilities for the construction of knowledge-based development initiatives in city-regions. This chapter therefore explores key aspects of knowledge-based networks and systems existing in four selected emerging cities and regions. Such aspects are part of a capital systems scope known as the Generic Capital System (GCS). Essentially, the GCS is a tool to benchmark how cities are leveraging their capacity for knowledge-based development. For the purposes of this chapter, some elements of GSC's are emphasized to observe the convergence of learning, economy and urban social network opportunities in four distinct city-regions as a strategy for development. A context-based model like GSC seemingly illustrates how knowledge-based initiatives are making a difference in cities of the developing world building a place and a unique identity in the global arena. In such intriguing context, drivers such as social capital through clustering, networks and other institutional capacities is advanced in this chapter. This perspective is expected to shed some light on how cities and communities can add value to their development strategies.
Authenticity and Commodification of Cultural Events for the Maldivian Tourism Industry
Authors: Moosa Zakiyya
Published: June 2016

Authentication and commodification of cultural events for the tourists has been practiced for a long time. These practices have had both positive and negative effects on the host community and its cultural heritage. Tourism deals with experiences sold to tourists which has had to be authentic. Therefore, this paper aims to look at the authenticity and commodification of cultural events presented for the benefit of tourists throughout the resorts in the Maldives and its implications on authenticity of cultural products offered to the tourists. Authenticity played a wide role in tourist experiences and repeat business for the destination. Commodification on the other hand is a byproduct of making the events authentic in order for it to be presented to the tourists since these events cannot be presented in its original form or length. Hence, the events are ‘staged' for the benefit of the tourists because cross cultural encounters drive authenticity of the tourism experience and create more business to the destination.
Improved Personalized Recommendation based on Causal Association Rule and Collaborative Filtering
Authors: Lei Wu , Qing Fang , Zhou Jin
Published: June 2016

There are usually limited user evaluation of resources on a recommender system, which caused an extremely sparse user rating matrix, and this greatly reduce the accuracy of personalized recommendation, especially for new users or new items. This paper presents a recommendation method based on rating prediction using causal association rules. First, users and items are mapped into two feature vectors, which would be minded later to get the causal association rules from the perspective of data mining; then based on the casual association rules, the authors create a preference matrix which would predict the rating of the items that users have not rated; finally a nearest neighbor similarity measure method is designed for personalized recommendation. Experiment shows that the algorithm efficiently improves the recommendation comparing to traditional methods.
An Adaptive E-Learning System based on Student's Learning Styles
Authors: Drissi Samia , Amirat Abdelkrim
Published: June 2016

Personalized e-learning implementation is recognized as one of the most interesting research areas in the distance web-based education. Since the learning style of each learner is different one must fit e-learning with the different needs of learners. This paper presents an approach to integrate learning styles into adaptive e-learning hypermedia. The main objective was to develop a new Adaptive Educational Hypermedia System based on Honey and Mumford learning style model (AEHS-H&M) and assess the effect of adapting educational materials individualized to the student's learning style. To achieve the main objectives, a case study was developed. An experiment between two groups of students was conducted to evaluate the impact on learning achievement. Inferential statistics were applied to make inferences from the sample data to more general conditions was designed to evaluate the new approach of matching learning materials with learning styles and their influence on student's learning achievement. The findings support the use of learning styles as guideline for adaptation into the adaptive e-learning hypermedia systems.
Applying Augmented Reality to a Mobile-Assisted Learning System for Martial Arts using Kinect Motion Capture
Authors: Hsu Wen-Chun , Shih Ju-Ling
Published: June 2016

In this study, to learn the routine of Tantui, a branch of martial arts was taken as an object of research. Fitts' stages of motor learning and augmented reality (AR) were applied to a 3D mobile-assisted learning system for martial arts, which was characterized by free viewing angles. With the new system, learners could rotate the viewing angle of an image freely in a three-dimensional space, zoom in or zoom out the image, and adjust its playback speed. The experimental participants were divided into two groups, i.e., the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). The same coach instructed the EG through the 3D mobile-assisted learning system with AR capability while the CG was taught through a 2D video-based learning system on common mobile devices. Finally, a one-way ANOVA was performed to investigate the differences in learning performance between the two groups. Also, questionnaire surveys and interviews were conducted to understand whether the 3D free viewing angle of AR was helpful to cognitive learning of motor skills, learning motivation, learning satisfaction, and conditions of technology acceptance. It is expected that this findings herein will contribute to mobile-assisted learning and martial arts teaching in the future.
Analysis of Healthcare Workflows in Accordance with Access Control Policies
Authors: Lakaraju Sandeep , Xu Dianxiang , Wang Yong
Published: June 2016

Healthcare information systems deal with sensitive data across complex workflows. They often allow various stakeholders from different environments to access data across organizational boundaries. This elevates the risk of exposing sensitive healthcare information to unauthorized personnel, leading ‘controlling access to resources' a major concern. To prevent unwanted access to sensitive information, healthcare organizations need to adopt effective workflows and access control mechanisms. Many healthcare organizations are not yet considering or do not know how to accommodate the ‘context' element as a crucial element in their workflows and access control policies. The authors envision the future of healthcare where ‘context' will be considered as a crucial element. They can accommodate context through a new element ‘environment' in workflows, and can accommodate context in policies through well-known attribute based access control mechanism (ABAC). This research mainly addresses these problems by proposing a model to integrate workflows and access control policies and thereby identifying workflow activities that are not being protected by access control policies and improving the workflow activities and/or existing access control policies using SARE (Subject, Action, Resource, and environment) elements.
Development of an Emergency Response Management using Mobile Devices for Hospital Infrastructures Affected by Power Grid Failures
Authors: Attia Safa , Boubetra Abdelhak , Saoud Manel Saad
Published: June 2016

In the case of a partial or general power blackout in a hospital infrastructure, the most important issue becomes how to secure at maximum the patients' lives, especially those who are depending on electrical systems. In this paper, a novel web mobile-based evacuation support system has been developed. The proposed solution is consolidated by the improvement of several parameters such as communication quality, prioritization, staffing management and coordination. To evaluate the performance of the proposed solution, real tests were conducted in a hospital. The results showed that the proposed evacuation support system, compared to the classical solutions, is more efficient in terms of the actions execution time reduction and the information quality improvement.
Combination of Access Control and De-Identification for Privacy Preserving in Big Data
Authors: Rahmani Amine , Amine Abdelmalek , Hamou Reda Mohamed
Published: June 2016

Despite of its emergence and advantages in various domains, big data still suffers from major disadvantages. Timeless, scalability, and privacy are the main problems that hinder the advance of big data. Privacy preserving has become a wide search era within the scientific community. This paper covers the problem of privacy preserving over big data by combining both access control and data de-identification techniques in order to provide a powerful system. The aim of this system is to carry on all big data properties (volume, variety, velocity, veracity, and value) to ensure protection of users' identities. After many experiments and tests, our system shows high efficiency on detecting and hiding personal information while maintaining the utility of useful data. The remainder of this report is addressed in the presentation of some known works over a privacy preserving domain, the introduction of some basic concepts that are used to build our approach, the presentation of our system, and finally the display and discussion of the main results of our experiments.
Adopting Cloud Computing in Global Supply Chain
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: June 2016

The objective of this article is to review the adoption of cloud computing in global supply chain. The literature review describes the overviews of cloud computing and supply chain management (SCM); the emerging trends of cloud computing in global supply chain; and the adoption of cloud computing in global supply chain. The findings suggest that cloud-based supply chain represents a network of interconnected organizations in the cloud computing area involved in the provision of products and services required by customers. The advent of cloud computing services as well as their steady improvement in such areas as security and reliability make these solutions a logical choice for executives in the supply chain organizations who require the latest innovations, functionality, and efficiency as well as cost effectiveness.
Search of Web Service based on Weighted Association Rule
Authors: Wang Lei , Xu Lingyu , Xue Yunlan , Zhang Gaowei , Luo Xiangfeng
Published: June 2016

The rapid growth of web services need efficiently discovering the desired web services for the users. Web service interfaces are defined with WSDL that is described by a bag of terms. Many similarity metrics are proposed to solve this problem, it is hardly to resolve the problem that only few pairs of terms between two services have high semantic distance, the semantic distance of other terms between two services are low. Using traditional keyword search metrics may acquire a wrong result that these two web services are similar, in addition, semantics of the web services is hardly to exploit. In this work the authors firstly help the request service to find the services that belong to the same class, and then they use association rule to find terms that are often appear together and find the most similar terms. The authors weaken the weight of the most similar term contained in an association rule and enhance the other terms' weight contained in an association rule to solve the situation above. The experiments show that our approach outperforms some searching methods.
Inverse Correlation between IL-10 and HIF-1α in Macrophages Infected with Histoplasma capsulatum
Authors: Fecher Roger A. , Horwath Michael C. , Friedrich Dirk , Rupp Jan , Deepe George S.
Published: June 2016

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a transcription factor that regulates metabolic and immune response genes in the setting of low oxygen tension and inflammation. We investigated the function of HIF-1α in the host response to Histoplasma capsulatum because granulomas induced by this pathogenic fungus develop hypoxic microenvironments during the early adaptive immune response. In this study, we demonstrated that myeloid HIF-1α–deficient mice exhibited elevated fungal burden during the innate immune response (prior to 7 d postinfection) as well as decreased survival in response to a sublethal inoculum of H. capsulatum. The absence of myeloid HIF-1α did not alter immune cell recruitment to the lungs of infected animals but was associated with an elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Treatment with mAb to IL-10 restored protective immunity to the mutant mice. Macrophages (Mϕs) constituted most IL-10–producing cells. Deletion of HIF-1α in neutrophils or dendritic cells did not alter fungal burden, thus implicating Mϕs as the pivotal cell in host resistance. HIF-1α was stabilized in Mϕs following infection. Increased activity of the transcription factor CREB in HIF-1α–deficient Mϕs drove IL-10 production in response to H. capsulatum. IL-10 inhibited Mϕ control of fungal growth in response to the activating cytokine IFN-γ. Thus, we identified a critical function for Mϕ HIF-1α in tempering IL-10 production following infection. We established that transcriptional regulation of IL-10 by HIF-1α and CREB is critical for activation of Mϕs by IFN-γ and effective handling of H. capsulatum.
Transcriptional Profiling of Th2 Cells Identifies Pathogenic Features Associated with Asthma
Authors: Seumois Grégory , Zapardiel-Gonzalo Jose , White Brandie , Singh Divya , Schulten Veronique , Dillon Myles , Hinz Denize , Broide David H. , Sette Alessandro , Peters Bjoern , Vijayanand Pandurangan
Published: June 2016

Allergic asthma and rhinitis are two common chronic allergic diseases that affect the lungs and nose, respectively. Both diseases share clinical and pathological features characteristic of excessive allergen-induced type 2 inflammation, orchestrated by memory CD4+ T cells that produce type 2 cytokines (Th2 cells). However, a large majority of subjects with allergic rhinitis do not develop asthma, suggesting divergence in disease mechanisms. Because Th2 cells play a pathogenic role in both these diseases and are also present in healthy nonallergic subjects, we performed global transcriptional profiling to determine whether there are qualitative differences in Th2 cells from subjects with allergic asthma, rhinitis, and healthy controls. Th2 cells from asthmatic subjects expressed higher levels of several genes that promote their survival as well as alter their metabolic pathways to favor persistence at sites of allergic inflammation. In addition, genes that enhanced Th2 polarization and Th2 cytokine production were also upregulated in asthma. Several genes that oppose T cell activation were downregulated in asthma, suggesting enhanced activation potential of Th2 cells from asthmatic subjects. Many novel genes with poorly defined functions were also differentially expressed in asthma. Thus, our transcriptomic analysis of circulating Th2 cells has identified several molecules that are likely to confer pathogenic features to Th2 cells that are either unique or common to both asthma and rhinitis.
Heterogeneity in a communal cattle-farming system in a zone endemic for foot and mouth disease in South Africa
Authors: Van Schalkwyk Ockert Louis , De Clercq Eva M. , De Pus Claudia , Hendrickx Guy , Van den Bossche Peter , Knobel Darryn L.
Published: June 2016

In South Africa, communal livestock farming is predominant in the foot and mouth disease control zone adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park (KNP), where infected African buffaloes are common. During routine veterinary inspections of cattle in this area, a large amount of production and demographic parameters were being recorded. These data were collated for a five-year period (2003-2007) in three study sites to better understand the temporal dynamics and spatial heterogeneity in this system. A decreasing gradient from South to North with respect to both human and cattle population densities was observed. Rainfall and human population density alone could explain 71% of the variation in cattle density. Northern and central sites showed an overall decrease in total cattle numbers (15.1 and 2.9%, respectively), whereas a 28.6% increase was recorded in the South. The number of cattle owners in relation to cattle numbers remained stable during the study period. Only 4.0% of households in the South own cattle, compared to 13.7 and 12.7% in the North and Centre. The overall annual calving rate was 23.8%. Annual mortality rates ranged from 2.4 to 3.2%. Low calf mortality (2.1%) was recorded in the North compared to the South (11.6%). Annual off-take in the form of slaughter averaged 0.2, 11.7, and 11.0% in the North, Central and South sites, respectively. These figures provide valuable baseline data and demonstrate considerable spatial heterogeneity in cattle demography and production at this wildlife-livestock interface, which should be taken into consideration when performing disease risk assessments or designing disease control systems.
Trends in obesity at the national and local level among South Korean adolescents
Authors: Han Kyungsoo , Park Sejin , Symanzik Jürgen , Choi Sookhee , Ahn Jeongyong
Published: June 2016

Obesity is a global phenomenon affecting all socioeconomic groups, irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity. In many countries, obesity trends are causing serious public health concerns threatening the viability of basic health care delivery. In this article, we examine the trends of adolescent obesity at the national level in South Korea introducing a new approach for visualising data at the local level based on linked micromap plots. Our analysis shows that the obesity rates for 2013 have only increased slightly since 2006 for South Korean adolescents of both genders in various age groups. However, considerable increases could be observed for the subgroup of adolescent males and adolescent females living in rural areas. Trends at the local level show a slight increase of the prevalence of obesity in most regions of the country, with the highest obesity prevalence found in the Northeast.
How much incident lung cancer was missed globally in 2012? An ecological country-level study
Authors: Sartorius Benn , Sartorius Kurt
Published: June 2016

Lung cancer incidence is increasing in many low-to-middle-income countries and is significantly under-reported in Africa, which could potentially mislead policy makers when prioritising disease burden. We employed an ecological correlation study design using countrylevel lung cancer incidence data and associated determinant data. Lagged prevalence of smoking and other exposure data were used to account for exposure-disease latency. A multivariable Poisson model was employed to estimate missed lung cancer in countries lacking incidence data. Projections were further refined to remove potential deaths from infectious/external competing causes. Global lung cancer incidence was much lower among females vs males (13.6 vs 34.2 per 100,000). Distinct spatial heterogeneity was observed for incident lung cancer and appeared concentrated in contiguous regions. Our model predicted a revised global lung cancer incidence in 2012 of 23.6 compared to the Globocan 2012 estimate of 23.1, amounting to ~38,101 missed cases (95% confidence interval: 28,489-47,713). The largest relative under-estimation was predicted for Africa, Central America and the Indian Ocean regions (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Seychelles). Our results suggest substantial underreporting of lung cancer incidence, specifically in developing countries (e.g. Africa). The missed cost of treating these cases could amount to >US$ 130 million based on recent developing setting costs for treating earlier stage lung cancer. The full cost is not only under-estimated, but also requires substantial additional social/family inputs as evidenced in more developed settings like the European Union. This represents a major public health problem in developing settings (e.g. Africa) with limited healthcare resources.
Spatial and temporal changes in household structure locations using high-resolution satellite imagery for population assessment: an analysis in southern Zambia, 2006-2011
Authors: Shields Timothy , Pinchoff Jessie , Lubinda Jailos , Hamapumbu Harry , Searle Kelly , Kobayashi Tamaki , Thuma Philip E. , Moss William J. , Curriero Frank C.
Published: June 2016

Satellite imagery is increasingly available at high spatial resolution and can be used for various purposes in public health research and programme implementation. Comparing a census generated from two satellite images of the same region in rural southern Zambia obtained four and a half years apart identified patterns of household locations and change over time. The length of time that a satellite image-based census is accurate determines its utility. Households were enumerated manually from satellite images obtained in 2006 and 2011 of the same area. Spatial statistics were used to describe clustering, cluster detection, and spatial variation in the location of households. A total of 3821 household locations were enumerated in 2006 and 4256 in 2011, a net change of 435 houses (11.4% increase). Comparison of the images indicated that 971 (25.4%) structures were added and 536 (14.0%) removed. Further analysis suggested similar household clustering in the two images and no substantial difference in concentration of households across the study area. Cluster detection analysis identified a small area where significantly more household structures were removed than expected; however, the amount of change was of limited practical significance. These findings suggest that random sampling of households for study participation would not induce geographic bias if based on a 4.5-year-old image in this region. Application of spatial statistical methods provides insights into the population distribution changes between two time periods and can be helpful in assessing the accuracy of satellite imagery.
Validation of an interactive map assessing the potential spread of Galba truncatula as intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica in Switzerland
Authors: Baggenstos Rhea , Dahinden Tobias , Torgerson Paul R. , Bär Hansruedi , Rapsch Christina , Knubben-Schweizer Gabriela
Published: June 2016

Bovine fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica, is widespread in Switzerland. The risk regions were modelled in 2008 by an interactive map, showing the monthly potential risk of transmission of F. hepatica in Switzerland. As this map is based on a mathematical model, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the interactive map by means of a field survey taking different data sources into account. It was found that the interactive map has a sensitivity of 40.7-88.9%, a specificity of 11.4-18.8%, a positive predictive value of 26.7-51.4%, and a negative predictive value of 13.1-83.6%, depending on the source of the data. In conclusion, the grid of the interactive map (100 x 100 m) does not reflect enough detail and the underlying model of the interactive map is lacking transmission data.
Spatial analysis of the regional variation of hypertensive disease mortality and its socio-economic correlates in South Korea
Authors: Park Seong-Yong , Kwak Jin-Mi , Seo Eun-Won , Lee Kwang-Soo
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a cross-sectional study based on the cause of death statistics in 2011 extracted from all 229 local governments in South Korea. The standardised hypertensive disease mortality rate (SHDMR) was defined by age- and sex-adjusted mortality by hypertensive diseases distinguished by International Classification of Disease- 10 (ICD-10). Variables taken into account were the number of doctors per 100,000 persons, the proportion with higher education (including university students and high school graduates), the number of recipients of basic livelihood support per 100,000 persons, the annual national health insurance premium per capita and the proportion of persons classified as high-risk drinkers. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were applied to identify the potential associations. The statistical analysis was conducted with SAS ver. 9.3, while ArcGIS ver. 10.0 was utilised for the spatial analysis. The OLS results showed that the number of basic livelihood recipients per 100,000 persons had a significant positive association with the SHDMR, and the proportion with higher education had a significant negative one. GWR coefficients varied depending on region investigated and some regional variables had various directions. GWR showed higher adjusted R2 than that of OLS. It was found that the SHDMR was affected by socio-economic status, but as the effects observed were not consistent in all regions of the country, the development of health policies will need to consider the potential for regional variation.
Mapping, cluster detection and evaluation of risk factors of ovine toxoplasmosis in Southern Italy
Authors: Condoleo Roberto , Musella Vincenzo , Maurelli Maria Paola , Bosco Antonio , Cringoli Giuseppe , Rinaldi Laura
Published: June 2016

Toxoplasmosis, an important cause of reproductive failure in sheep, is responsible for significant economic losses to the ovine industry worldwide. Moreover, ovine meat contaminated by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii is considered as a common source of infection for humans. The aim of this study was to develop point and risk profiling maps of T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep bred in Campania Region (Southern Italy) and analyse risk factors associated at the flock-level. We used serological data from a previous survey of 117 sheep flocks, while environmental and farm management information were obtained from an analysis based on geographical information systems and a questionnaire purveyance, respectively. An univariate Poisson regression model revealed that the type of farm production (milk and meat vs only meat) was the only independent variable associated with T. gondii positivity (P<0.02); the higher within-flock seroprevalence in milking herds suggests that milking practices might influence the spread of the infection on the farm. Neither environmental nor other management variables were significant. Since a majority of flocks were seasonally or permanently on pasture, the animals have a high exposure to infectious T. gondii oocysts, so the high within-flock seroprevalence might derive from this management factor. However, further studies are needed to better assess the actual epidemiological situation of toxoplasmosis in sheep and to clarify the factors that influence its presence and distribution.
Church, mission and ethics. Being church with integrity
Authors: Dreyer Wim
Published: June 2016

This article is an exercise in Practical Ecclesiology. The author reflects on church, mission and ethics from historical, hermeneutical and strategic perspectives. Using the ecclesiology of Karl Barth as a point of departure, the author argues that the church needs to be church if it wants to be a credible witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Integrity is essential if a church wants to be missional. Integrity means the church has to become what it already is, the body of Christ. This contribution is dedicated to Prof Graham Duncan, professor emeritus of church history (University of Pretoria), a man of integrity and dedicated to the missional calling of the church. Keywords: Ecclesiology; First Clement; Karl Barth; Missional Church; Integrity
Ludwig Tieck’s Puss-in-Boots and Theater of the Absurd: A Commentated bilingual edition
Authors: Van Hertbruggen Anneleen
Published: June 2016

No abstract available.
The story of a narrative: Teaching and assessing English writing in a township school
Authors: Akinyeye Caroline , Plüddemann Peter
Published: June 2016

The new language curriculum in South Africa recommends that extended writing be taught through a combination of text-based (or genre) and process approaches. This article reports on a study of the teaching and assessment of narrative writing in English as a first additional language (FAL) at a time of curriculum change. The setting is a Cape Flats township school. In focusing on a story written by a Grade 9 learner and assessed by her teacher, the study sought evidence of the use of text-based and process approaches. The theoretical frame is informed by genre theory, which draws on Systemic Functional Linguistics and social constructivist approaches to language learning. A qualitative research paradigm was used. Data obtained for this case study included the learner’s writing, interviews with the teacher, and classroom observation. The study finds very little evidence of a scaffolded approach to the teaching and assessment of writing, and explores the constraints on the realisation of the curriculum cycle in English FAL. These relate to the teacher’s understanding of writing as well as to material conditions in township schools.
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Detection of the 5.8S Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Gene Found in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Authors: Nikolskaia Olga V. , Thekisoe Oriel M. M. , Dumler J. Stephen , Grab Dennis J.
Published: June 2016

The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay with its advantages of cost effectiveness, rapidity, and simplicity, has evolved as a sensitive and specific method for the detection of African trypanosomes. Highly sensitive LAMP reactions specific for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense or that recognize but do not discriminate between Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. b. rhodesiense, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, and Trypanosoma evansi have been developed. A sensitive LAMP assay targeting the T. b. gambiense 5.8S ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (5.8S-ITS2) gene is also available but this assay does not target binding sites that span the CCCA (C3A) (557–560 bps) insertion site that further differentiates T. b. gambiense from T. b. brucei. Here we describe 5.8S-ITS2-targeted LAMP assay that fit these criteria. The LAMP primer sets containing the T. b. gambiense-specific C3A tetranucleotide at the start of the outer forward primer sequences showed high specificity and sensitivity down to at least 0.1 fg T. b. gambiense genomic DNA.
Availability and Quality of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care in Bangladesh
Authors: Wichaidit Wit , Alam Mahbub-Ul , Halder Amal K. , Unicomb Leanne , Hamer Davidson H. , Ram Pavani K.
Published: June 2016

Bangladesh's maternal mortality and neonatal mortality remain unacceptably high. We assessed the availability and quality of emergency obstetric care (EmOC) and emergency newborn care (EmNC) services at health facilities in Bangladesh. We randomly sampled 50 rural villages and 50 urban neighborhoods throughout Bangladesh and interviewed the director of eight and nine health facilities nearest to each sampled area. We categorized health facilities into different quality levels (high, moderate, low, and substandard) based on staffing, availability of a phone or ambulance, and signal functions (six categories for EmOC and four categories for EmNC). We interviewed the directors of 875 health facilities. Approximately 28% of health facilities did not have a skilled birth attendant on call 24 hours per day. The least commonly performed EmOC signal function was administration of anticonvulsants (67%). The quality of EmOC services was high in 33% and moderate in 52% of the health facilities. The least common EmNC signal function was kangaroo mother care (7%). The quality of EmNC was high in 2% and moderate in 33% of the health facilities. Approximately one-third of health facilities lack 24-hour availability of skilled birth attendants, increasing the risk of peripartum complications. Most health facilities offered moderate to high quality services for EmOC and low to substandard quality for EmNC.
Associations Between Helminth Infections, Plasmodium falciparum Parasite Carriage and Antibody Responses to Sexual and Asexual Stage Malarial Antigens
Authors: Ateba-Ngoa Ulysse , Jones Sophie , Zinsou Jeannot Fréjus , Honkpehedji Josiane , Adegnika Ayola Akim , Agobe Jean-Claude Dejon , Massinga-Loembe Marguerite , Mordmüller Benjamin , Bousema Teun , Yazdanbakhsh Maria
Published: June 2016

Infections with helminths and Plasmodium spp. overlap in their geographical distribution. It has been postulated that helminth infections may influence malarial transmission by altering Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis. This cross-sectional study assessed the effect of helminth infections on P. falciparum gametocyte carriage and on humoral immune responses to sexual stage antigens in Gabon. Schistosoma haematobium and filarial infections as well as P. falciparum asexual forms and gametocyte carriage were determined. The antibody responses measured were to sexual (Pfs230, Pfs48/45) and asexual P. falciparum antigens (AMA1, MSP1, and GLURP). A total of 287 subjects were included. The prevalence of microscopically detectable P. falciparum asexual parasites was higher in S. haematobium–infected subjects in comparison to their uninfected counterparts (47% versus 26%, P = 0.003), but this was not different when filarial infections were considered. Plasmodium falciparum gametocyte carriage was similar between Schistosoma- or filaria-infected and uninfected subjects. We observed a significant decrease of Pfs48/45 immunoglobulin G titer in S. haematobium–infected subjects (P = 0.037), whereas no difference was seen for Pfs230 antibody titer, nor for antibodies to AMA1, MSP1, or GLURP. Our findings suggest an effect of S. haematobium on antibody responses to some P. falciparum gametocyte antigens that may have consequences for transmission-blocking immunity.
Two Unusual Cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Negative Patients with Talaromyces marneffei Infection
Authors: Qiu Ye , Pan Mingqi , Zhang Jianquan , Zhong Xiaoning , Li Yu , Zhang Hui , Li Bixun
Published: June 2016

Talaromyces marneffei (formerly known as Penicillium marneffei) is a dimorphic fungus endemic in south and southeast Asia. It is not only commonly found in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients, but also among HIV-negative immunocompromised patients. The infection caused by this pathogen can disseminate hematogenously to other locations. Herein, we report for the first time two cases complicated with a rare disease or involving a rare site: in the first case, T. marneffei infection was complicated by Langerhans cell histiocytosis, whereas the second case showed clear etiological evidence of pleural nodules and pleural effusion caused by T. marneffei and diagnosed by thoracoscopic pleural biopsy.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Kenya, 2007
Authors: Ly Kathleen N. , Kim Andrea A. , Umuro Mamo , Drobenuic Jan , Williamson John M. , Montgomery Joel M. , Fields Barry S. , Teshale Eyasu H.
Published: June 2016

Current estimates put the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Kenya at 5–8%. We determined the HBV infection prevalence in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–negative Kenyan adult and adolescent population based on samples collected from a national survey. We analyzed data from HIV-negative participants in the 2007 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey to estimate the HBV infection prevalence. We defined past or present HBV infection as presence of total hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), and chronic HBV infection (CHBI) as presence of both total HBcAb and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We calculated crude and adjusted odds of HBV infection by demographic characteristics and risk factors using logistic regression analyses. Of 1,091 participants aged 15–64 years, approximately 31.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 28.0–35.3%) had exposure to HBV, corresponding to approximately 6.1 million (CI = 5.4–6.8 million) with past or present HBV infection. The estimated prevalence of CHBI was 2.1% (95% CI = 1.4–3.1%), corresponding to approximately 398,000 (CI = 261,000–602,000) with CHBI. CHBI is a major public health problem in Kenya, affecting approximately 400,000 persons. Knowing the HBV infection prevalence at baseline is important for planning and public health policy decision making and for monitoring the impact of viral hepatitis prevention programs.
Effects of in-yolk-sac administration of carvacrol on cholesterol resorption from yolk residuals and physiological adaptive indicators in broiler chicks exposed to neonatal fasting
Authors: Beiranvand Mir Hasan , Khosravinia Heshmatollah , Azarfar Arash , Rafiei Alavai Ezatollah
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Three hundred and twenty Ross 308 male broiler chicks were used to examine effects of in-yolk-sac (IYS) administration of carvacrol on cholesterol resorption from yolk and physiological adaptive responses of broiler chicks subjected to post-hatch fasting periods of up to 72 h. Effects of the four experimental treatments, namely non-handled control (NHCON), sham injection control (SICON), polysorbate-80 injection (POLS), and carvacrol injection (CARV), were examined in 5 replicates of 10 birds each. Liver proportional weight was greater in carvacrol-injected chicks compared with other birds 24 h post-hatch (P < 0.05). The mean blood glucose concentration was 199.0 mg dL−1 when chicks were removed from the hatcher baskets, and decreased in all birds after being subjected to a 72 h post-hatch fasting. However, the slope of decrease in serum concentration of glucose was slower in carvacrol-injected birds than in the other birds, and they had a greater plasma glucose level compared with NHCON and SICON birds after 72 h post-hatch fasting. Lower plasma cholesterol levels were observed in carvacrol-treated chicks compared with those subjected to the other treatments at 72 h post-hatch (P < 0.05). Blood concentration of calcium (Ca) was greater in carvacrol-injected birds at 24 h post-hatch than in NHCON and SICON birds (P <  0.05), but at 72 h it significantly increased in all birds, with the exception of carvacrol-treated chicks, which had significantly lower blood Ca concentration (11.17 mg dL−1) compared with other birds (P < 0.05). Blood potassium concentration increased in polysorbate-80 and carvacrol-injected chicks 24 h post-hatch compared with the NHCON and SICON birds (P <  0.05). In conclusion, the results of the current study revealed that there was no direct interaction between cholesterol and carvacrol leading to reduced cholesterol absorption from yolk sac in newly hatched broiler chicks.