bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Un retour du vitalisme ?
Authors: Morange Michel
Published: August 2014

En proposant que les êtres vivants soient radicalement différents des objets inertes, le vitalisme a joué un rôle important dans la naissance de la biologie moderne. Sa place était encore âprement discutée au début du XXe siècle. Puis le terme a progressivement acquis, parmi les biologistes, une valeur péjorative. Quelques articles et deux ouvrages récents nous invitent à « repenser le vitalisme ». S’agit-il simplement de rendre justice à son importance historique ? Peut-il être encore utile aux biologistes en ce début de XXIe siècle ?
INDRA. Naissance d’un « multi-détecteur » en physique nucléaire
Authors: Pouthas Joël
Published: August 2014

Au début de 1993, un nouveau dispositif expérimental de physique nucléaire, INDRA, entrait en fonctionnement sur le site de l’accélérateur Ganil à Caen. À partir de documents d’époque, l’article retrace la genèse de cette aventure partagée par 150 physiciens, ingénieurs, techniciens et administratifs de cinq laboratoires du CNRS et du CEA. Le document analyse les différentes étapes : avant-projets de 1987 et 1988, décisions de construction prises au cours de l’année 1989 et organisation du projet pendant sa phase de réalisation.
Voir bouillir les noyaux atomiques avec INDRA
Authors: Borderie Bernard , Rivet Marie-France
Published: August 2014

En 1993 le multi-détecteur INDRA entrait en fonctionnement auprès du Grand accélérateur national d’ions lourds (Ganil) à Caen. Pendant une vingtaine d’années les physiciens utilisant cet outil d’exception allaient produire des avancées scientifiques dans le domaine des collisions noyau-noyau. La transition de phase des noyaux chauds, comparable au passage d’un fluide de l’état liquide à l’état gazeux, était un des sujets étudiés.
Le Cefres à Prague.
Authors: Grémion Pierre
Published: August 2014

Le Centre français de recherche en sciences sociales (Cefres) de Prague a été créé en 1991 par le ministère des Affaires étrangères, après le retour de la Tchécoslovaquie à la démocratie. Le centre devait ensuite être associé au CNRS. À l’occasion du colloque organisé dans la capitale de la République tchèque pour le vingtième anniversaire du Cefres, Pierre Grémion, qui fut associé au petit groupe au départ de l’initiative, a présenté une communication en forme de témoignage personnel sur les dynamismes d’origine, la coopération entre universitaires et fonctionnaires du ministère des Affaires étrangères, l’utilisation de l’outil par une nouvelle génération de doctorants, sans prétendre traiter du rôle du centre comme interface entre chercheurs français et chercheurs d’Europe Centrale, dimension dont l’analyse requiert naturellement plus que le simple témoignage.
Avatars and Robots as Social Companions in Healthcare
Authors: Lewis Lundy
Published: August 2014

Elder care is of increasing global concern. The aging population is expected to increase two-fold by 2050. It is anticipated that there will not be enough caregivers to assist the elderly very soon, and thus researchers and entrepreneurs are looking at various types of information systems (IS) that will help alleviate the challenges in elder care. This paper examines one such IS: conversational agents in the form of avatars or robots as an aid to (i) decrease loneliness and depression among the elderly, (ii) increase cognitive function and quality of life, and (iii) generally help manage patient care. We discuss the state-of-the-science of research prototypes and commercial off-the-shelf ISs. We propose a novel concept and design, and we discuss the ethical ramifications of elderly patients possibly bonding with inanimate objects as if they were human companions.
Process Alignment, End User Participation for E-Government Programs
Authors: Goel Sameer , Dwivedi Rajeev , Sherry A.M.
Published: August 2014

In recent years, a number of developing countries have identified e-government implementation as a key policy priority and have launched various e-government programs. While there has been a lot of success in these endeavors, evidence of failed programs has drawn attention to the risk involved in implementation and role of four key stakeholders play vital role of success of e-government programs. Based on the literature study, multiple factors have come up which influence the success of e-government programs. Among these factors, alignment of the departmental processes and end user participation are two critical parameters for success of e-government programs. The study of the perception of different stakeholders on these factors is important to understand the improvements which can be made on these variables. Hence the objective of this paper is to; (1) to understand the criticality of these factors in the success of e-government programs. (2) To understand difference in the perception of key stakeholders on these factors. Literature review followed by questionnaire based survey methodology has been followed to achieve the desired objectives. The study was carried out in northern states of India.
CD11a Is Essential for Normal Development of Hematopoietic Intermediates
Authors: Bose Tina O. , Colpitts Sara L. , Pham Quynh-Mai , Puddington Lynn , Lefrançois Leo
Published: August 2014

The process of lymphopoiesis begins in the bone marrow (BM) and requires multiple cellular intermediates. For T cell production, lymphoid progenitors exit the BM and home to the thymus where maturation and selection ensue. These processes are dependent on a number of factors, including chemokines and adhesion molecules. Although the β2 integrin CD11a plays an important role in the migration of lymphocytes to lymph nodes, the role of CD11a in T cell development is largely undefined. Our studies now show that, in CD11a−/− mice, thymic cellularity was decreased and early T cell development was partially impaired. Remarkably, CD11a was critical for generation of common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) and lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors. However, in intact CD11a−/− mice, peripheral B and T cell subsets were only modestly altered, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms were operating. In contrast, competitive BM-reconstitution assays revealed an essential role for CD11a in the generation of thymocytes and mature T and B cells. This defect was linked to the requirement for CD11a in the development of CLPs. Furthermore, our results identified CLPs, and not lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors, as the requisite CD11a-dependent precursor for lymphocyte development. Thus, these findings established a key role for CD11a in lymphopoiesis.
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Inhibition Extends Cellular Lifespan in Dendritic Cells by Preserving Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Amiel Eyal , Everts Bart , Fritz Daniel , Beauchamp Saritha , Ge Burong , Pearce Erika L. , Pearce Edward J.
Published: August 2014

TLR-mediated activation of dendritic cells (DCs) is associated with a metabolic transition in which mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is inhibited by endogenously synthesized NO and the cells become committed to glucose and aerobic glycolysis for survival. We show that inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) extends the lifespan of TLR-activated DCs by inhibiting the induction of NO production, thereby allowing the cells to continue to use their mitochondria to generate ATP, and allowing them the flexibility to use fatty acids or glucose as nutrients to fuel core metabolism. These data provide novel mechanistic insights into how mTOR modulates DC metabolism and cellular longevity following TLR activation and provide an explanation for previous findings that mTOR inhibition enhances the efficacy of DCs in autologous vaccination.
The Role of Metalloproteinase ADAM17 in Regulating ICOS Ligand–Mediated Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Marczynska Joanna , Ozga Aleksandra , Wlodarczyk Agnieszka , Majchrzak-Gorecka Monika , Kulig Paulina , Banas Magdalena , Michalczyk-Wetula Dominika , Majewski Pawel , Hutloff Andreas , Schwarz Jeanette , Chalaris Athena , Scheller Jürgen , Rose-John Stefan , Cichy Joanna
Published: August 2014

Immune cells regulate cell surface receptor expression during their maturation, activation, and motility. Although many of these receptors are regulated largely at the level of expression, protease-mediated ectodomain shedding represents an alternative means of refashioning the surface of immune cells. Shedding is largely attributed to a family of a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain (ADAM) metalloproteases, including ADAM17. Although ADAM17 is well known to contribute to the innate immune response, mainly by releasing TNF-α, much less is known about whether/how this metalloprotease regulates adaptive immunity. To determine whether ADAM17 contributes to regulating adaptive immune responses, we took advantage of ADAM17 hypomorphic (ADAM17ex/ex) mice, in which ADAM17 expression is reduced by 90–95% compared with wild-type littermates. In this study, we show that that ADAM17 deficiency results in spleen and lymph node enlargement, as well as increased levels of Ag-specific class-switched Ig production following immunization with OVA together with anti-CD40 mAbs and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Moreover, we demonstrate that the costimulatory ligand ICOS ligand (ICOSL) is selectively downregulated on the surface of B cells in an ADAM17-specific manner, although it is not proteolitically processed by recombinant ADAM17 in vitro. Finally, we show that higher cell surface levels of ICOSL in ADAM17ex/ex mice may contribute to the development of excessive Ab responses. Therefore, our data suggest a functional link between ADAM17 and ICOSL in controlling adaptive immune responses.
Secretion and Immunogenicity of the Meningioma-Associated Antigen TXNDC16
Authors: Harz Christian , Ludwig Nicole , Lang Sven , Werner Tamara V. , Galata Valentina , Backes Christina , Schmitt Katja , Nickels Ruth , Krause Elmar , Jung Martin , Rettig Jens , Keller Andreas , Menger Michael , Zimmermann Richard , Meese Eckart
Published: August 2014

In a previous study, we identified thioredoxin domain containing 16 (TXNDC16) as a meningioma-associated Ag by protein macroarray screening. Serological screening detected autoantibodies against TXNDC16 exclusively in meningioma patients’ sera and not in sera of healthy controls. TXNDC16 was previously found to be an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–luminal glycoprotein. In this study, we show an additional ER-associated localization of TXNDC16 in the cytosol by in vitro synthesis, molecular mass shift assay, and flow cytometry. We were able to show TXNDC16 secretion in different human cell lines due to masked and therefore nonfunctional ER retrieval motif. A previously indicated exosomal TXNDC16 secretion could not be confirmed in HEK293 cells. The secreted serum protein TXNDC16 is bound in circulating immune complexes, which were found both in meningioma and healthy blood donor sera. Employing a customized array with 163 overlapping TXNDC16 peptides and measuring autoantibody reactivity, we achieved discrimination of meningioma sera from healthy controls with an accuracy of 87.2% using a set of only five immunogenic TXNDC16 epitopes.
Thymic Epithelium Determines a Spontaneous Chronic Neuritis in Icam1tm1JcgrNOD Mice
Authors: Meyer zu Horste Gerd , Mausberg Anne K. , Cordes Steffen , El-Haddad Houda , Partke Hans-Joachim , Leussink Verena I. , Roden Michael , Martin Stephan , Steinman Lawrence , Hartung Hans-Peter , Kieseier Bernd C.
Published: August 2014

The NOD mouse strain spontaneously develops autoimmune diabetes. A deficiency in costimulatory molecules, such as B7-2, on the NOD genetic background prevents diabetes but instead triggers an inflammatory peripheral neuropathy. This constitutes a shift in the target of autoimmunity, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that NOD mice deficient for isoforms of ICAM-1, which comediate costimulatory functions, spontaneously develop a chronic autoimmune peripheral neuritis instead of diabetes. The disease is transferred by CD4+ T cells, which infiltrate peripheral nerves together with macrophages and B cells and are autoreactive against peripheral myelin protein zero. These Icam1tm1JcgrNOD mice exhibit unaltered numbers of regulatory T cells, but increased IL-17–producing T cells, which determine the severity, but not the target specificity, of autoimmunity. Ab-mediated ICAM-1 blockade triggers neuritis only in young NOD mice. Thymic epithelium from Icam1tm1JcgrNOD mice features an altered expression of costimulatory molecules and induces neuritis and myelin autoreactivity after transplantation into nude mice in vivo. Icam1tm1JcgrNOD mice exhibit a specifically altered TCR repertoire. Our findings introduce a novel animal model of chronic inflammatory neuropathies and indicate that altered expression of ICAM-1 on thymic epithelium shifts autoimmunity specifically toward peripheral nerves. This improves our understanding of autoimmunity in the peripheral nervous system with potential relevance for human diseases.
Helminth-Conditioned Dendritic Cells Prime CD4+ T Cells to IL-4 Production In Vivo
Authors: Connor Lisa M. , Tang Shiau-Choot , Camberis Mali , Le Gros Graham , Ronchese Franca
Published: August 2014

Dendritic cells (DC) are critical for the initiation of immune responses; however, their role in priming IL-4–producing Th2 cells in vivo is not fully understood. We used a model of intradermal injection with fluorescent-labeled, nonviable larvae from the helminth parasite nonviable Nippostrongylus brasiliensis L3 larvae (Nb), a strong inducer of Th2 responses, together with IL-4–GFP reporter mice that enable a sensitive detection of IL-4 production to examine the contribution of DC to the priming of IL-4–producing CD4+ T cells in vivo. We found that parasite material is taken up by two distinct DC populations in draining lymph nodes: a mostly CD11cintMHC class II (MHCII)hiCD11b+Ly6C− dermal DC population and a CD11chiMHCIIintCD11b+Ly6C+ monocyte-derived DC population. After Nb treatment, these two DC populations appeared in the draining lymph nodes in comparable numbers and with similar kinetics; however, treatment with pertussis toxin blocked the migration of dermal DC and the priming of IL-4–producing T cells, but only partially affected monocyte-derived DC numbers. In line with this observation, transfer of OVA-loaded CD11cintMHCIIhi DC from Nb-treated mice into naive hosts could sensitize OVA-specific CD4+ T cells to IL-4 production, whereas transfer of CD11cintMHCIIhi DC from naive mice, or CD11chiMHCIIint DC from Nb-treated or naive mice, induced CD4+ T cell expansion but no IL-4 production. Phenotypic analysis of Nb-loaded CD11cintMHCIIhi DC revealed expression of programmed death ligand 2, CD301b, IFN regulatory factor 4, and moderate upregulation of OX40 ligand. However, thymic stromal lymphopoietin and OX40 ligand were not required for Th2 priming. Thus, our data suggest that appropriate stimuli can induce DC to express the unique signals sufficient to direct CD4+ T cells to Th2 differentiation.
Trafficking of LAG-3 to the Surface on Activated T Cells via Its Cytoplasmic Domain and Protein Kinase C Signaling
Authors: Bae Joonbeom , Lee Suk Jun , Park Chung-Gyu , Lee Young Sik , Chun Taehoon
Published: August 2014

Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3; CD223), a structural homolog of CD4, binds to MHC class II molecules. Recent research indicated that signaling mediated by LAG-3 inhibits T cell proliferation, and LAG-3 serves as a key surface molecule for the function of regulatory T cells. Previous reports demonstrated that the majority of LAG-3 is retained in the intracellular compartments and is rapidly translocated to the cell surface upon stimulation. However, the mechanism by which LAG-3 translocates to the cell surface was unclear. In this study, we examined the trafficking of human LAG-3 under unstimulated as well as stimulated conditions of T cells. Under the unstimulated condition, the majority of LAG-3 did not reach the cell surface, but rather degraded within the lysosomal compartments. After stimulation, the majority of LAG-3 translocated to the cell surface without degradation in the lysosomal compartments. Results indicated that the cytoplasmic domain without Glu-Pro repetitive sequence is critical for the translocation of LAG-3 from lysosomal compartments to the cell surface. Moreover, protein kinase C signaling leads to the translocation of LAG-3 to the cell surface. However, two potential serine phosphorylation sites from the LAG-3 cytoplasmic domain are not involved in the translocation of LAG-3. These results clearly indicate that LAG-3 trafficking from lysosomal compartments to the cell surface is dependent on the cytoplasmic domain through protein kinase C signaling in activated T cells.
Hoover′s sign
Authors: Mehndiratta MM , Kumar M , Nayak R , Garg H , Pandey S
Published: August 2014

Hoover's sign was described by Dr. Charles Franklin Hoover more than 100 years back to differentiate between the organic and functional weakness of pyramidal origin. This test is usually performed in the lower limbs and is valuable when on bedside one is not sure about the nature of hemiparesis. A subject with hemiparesis of organic cause while asked to flex the hip of normal leg against resistance will not exert pressure on the hand of examiner placed under the heel on the affected side while in hysterical weakness heightened pressure will be felt on the examiner's hand. The presumed genesis of this sign could be the crossed extensor reflex or the principle of synergistic contraction. It is a useful clinical test in differentiating functional and organic paresis with moderate sensitivity (63%) and high specificity (100%), but there are some limitations which should be kept in mind while evaluating a patient.
Arthritis, a complex connective and synovial joint destructive autoimmune disease
Authors: Naik SR , Wala SM
Published: August 2014

Animal models play a vital role in simplifying the complexity of pathogenesis and understanding the indefinable processes and diverse mechanisms involved in the progression of disease, and in providing new knowledge that may facilitate the drug development program. Selection of the animal models has to be carefully done, so that there is morphologic similarity to human arthritic conditions that may predict as well as augment the effective screening of novel antiarthritic agents. The review describes exclusively animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). The development of RA has been vividly described using a wide variety of animal models with diverse insults (viz. collagen, Freund's adjuvant, proteoglycan, pristane, avridine, formaldehyde, etc.) that are able to simulate/trigger the cellular, biochemical, immunological, and histologic alterations, which perhaps mimic, to a great extent, the pathologic conditions of human RA. Similarly, numerous methods of inducing animal models with OA have also been described (such as spontaneous, surgical, chemical, and physical methods including genetically manipulated animals) which may give an insight into the events of alteration in connective tissues and their metabolism (synovial membrane/tissues along with cartilage) and bone erosion. The development of such arthritic animal models may throw light for better understanding of the etiopathogenic mechanisms of human arthritis and give new impetus for the drug development program on arthritis, a crippling disease.
Age appropriate screening for cancer
Authors: Pandey TS
Published: August 2014

Cancer screening is a well established and integral part of routine care in the Western world including United States. Men and women are recommended to get age-specific screening for common cancers like breast, cervical, prostate, and colon. The goal of screening is primary and secondary prevention. Cancer prevention and early detection of cancers has been shown to improve survival rates and decrease mortality by prompt appropriate treatment. This article serves to outline the current guidelines in the United States for cancer screening and the evidence for them as well as discusses the possibility of a similar model of care in India as well as barriers to such a screening program for cancer. The evidence was mostly obtained from systematic reviews done by the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines and other peer institutions like American Cancer Society and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Computational Identification of Dengue Virus MicroRNA-Like Structures and Their Cellular Targets
Authors: Ospina-Bedoya Maicol , Campillo-Pedroza Natalia , Franco-Salazar Juan P. , Gallego-Gómez Juan C.
Published: August 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene regulation of the cell. Experimental evidence shows that miRNAs have a direct role in different cellular processes, such as immune function, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. In a viral infection context, miRNAs have been connected with the interplay between host and pathogen, occupying a major role in pathogenesis. While numerous viral miRNAs from DNA viruses have been identified, characterization of functional RNA virus-encoded miRNAs and their potential targets is still ongoing. Here, we used an in silico approach to analyze dengue Virus genome sequences. Pre-miRNAs were extracted through VMir software, and the identification of putative pre-miRNAs and mature miRNAs was accessed using Support Vector Machine web tools. The targets were scanned using miRanda software and functionally annotated using ClueGo. Via computational tools, eight putative miRNAs were found to hybridize with numerous targets of morphogenesis, differentiation, migration, and growth pathways that may play a major role in the interaction of the virus and its host. Future approaches will focus on experimental validation of their presence and target messenger RNA genes to further elucidate their biological functions in human and mosquito cells.
Ribosomopathies: Mechanisms of Disease
Authors: Nakhoul Hani , Ke Jiangwei , Zhou Xiang , Liao Wenjuan , Zeng Shelya X. , Lu Hua
Published: August 2014

Ribosomopathies are diseases caused by alterations in the structure or function of ribosomal components. Progress in our understanding of the role of the ribosome in translational and transcriptional regulation has clarified the mechanisms of the ribosomopathies and the relationship between ribosomal dysfunction and other diseases, especially cancer. This review aims to discuss these topics with updated information.
Spatially resolving methane emissions in California: constraints from the CalNex aircraft campaign and from present (GOSAT, TES) and future (TROPOMI, geostationary) satellite observations
Authors: Wecht K. J. , Jacob D. J. , Sulprizio M. P. , Santoni G. W. , Wofsy S. C. , Parker R. , Bösch H. , Worden J.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. We apply a continental-scale inverse modeling system for North America based on the GEOS-Chem model to optimize California methane emissions at 1/2° × 2/3° horizontal resolution using atmospheric observations from the CalNex aircraft campaign (May–June 2010) and from satellites. Inversion of the CalNex data yields a best estimate for total California methane emissions of 2.86 ± 0.21 Tg a−1, compared with 1.92 Tg a−1 in the EDGAR v4.2 emission inventory used as a priori and 1.51 Tg a−1 in the California Air Resources Board (CARB) inventory used for state regulations of greenhouse gas emissions. These results are consistent with a previous Lagrangian inversion of the CalNex data. Our inversion provides 12 independent pieces of information to constrain the geographical distribution of emissions within California. Attribution to individual source types indicates dominant contributions to emissions from landfills/wastewater (1.1 Tg a−1), livestock (0.87 Tg a−1), and gas/oil (0.64 Tg a−1). EDGAR v4.2 underestimates emissions from livestock, while CARB underestimates emissions from landfills/wastewater and gas/oil. Current satellite observations from GOSAT can constrain methane emissions in the Los Angeles Basin but are too sparse to constrain emissions quantitatively elsewhere in California (they can still be qualitatively useful to diagnose inventory biases). Los Angeles Basin emissions derived from CalNex and GOSAT inversions are 0.42 ± 0.08 and 0.31 ± 0.08 Tg a−1 that the future TROPOMI satellite instrument (2015 launch) will be able to constrain California methane emissions at a detail comparable to the CalNex aircraft campaign. Geostationary satellite observations offer even greater potential for constraining methane emissions in the future.
Quantification of ice nuclei active at near 0 °C temperatures in low-altitude clouds at the Puy de Dôme atmospheric station
Authors: Joly M. , Amato P. , Deguillaume L. , Monier M. , Hoose C. , Delort A.-M.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. The distribution, abundance and nature of ice nucleation active particles in the atmosphere are major sources of uncertainty in the prediction of cloud coverage, precipitation patterns and climate. Some biological ice nuclei (IN) induce freezing at temperatures at which most other atmospheric particles exhibit no detectable activity (> −10 °C). Their actual contribution to the pool of IN in clouds remains poorly known, but numerical studies have suggested a probable significance of biological IN in atmospheric processes. In this study, cloud water was collected aseptically from the summit of Puy de Dôme (1465 m a.s.l., France) within contrasted meteorological and physico-chemical situations. Total and biological (i.e. heat-sensitive) IN were quantified by droplet-freezing assay between −5 °C and −14 °C. We observed that freezing was systematically induced by biological material, between −6 °C and −8 °C in 92% of the samples. Its removal by heat treatment consistently led to a decrease of the onset freezing temperature, by 3 °C or more in most samples. At −10 °C, 0 to ~ 220 biological IN mL−1 of cloud water were measured (i.e. 0 to ~ 22 m−3 of cloud air based on cloud liquid water content estimates), and these represented 65% to 100% of the total IN. Based on back-trajectories and on physico-chemical analyses, the high variability observed resulted probably from a source effect, with IN originating mostly from continental sources. Assuming that biological IN were all bacteria, at maximum 0.6% of the bacterial cells present in cloud water samples could have acted as IN at −8 °C, 1.5% at −10 °C, and 3.1% at −12 °C. The data set generated here will help elucidate the role of biological and bacterial IN on cloud microphysics by numeric modelling, and their impact on precipitation at local scale.
Regional water balance modelling using flow-duration curves with observational uncertainties
Authors: Westerberg I. K. , Gong L. , Beven K. J. , Seibert J. , Semedo A. , Xu C.-Y. , Halldin S.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. Robust and reliable water-resource mapping in ungauged basins requires estimation of the uncertainties in the hydrologic model, the regionalisation method, and the observational data. In this study we investigated the use of regionalised flow-duration curves (FDCs) for constraining model predictive uncertainty, while accounting for all these uncertainty sources. A water balance model was applied to 36 basins in Central America using regionally and globally available precipitation, climate and discharge data that were screened for inconsistencies. A rating-curve analysis for 35 Honduran discharge stations was used to estimate discharge uncertainty for the region, and the consistency of the model forcing and evaluation data was analysed using two different screening methods. FDCs with uncertainty bounds were calculated for each basin, accounting for both discharge uncertainty and, in many cases, uncertainty stemming from the use of short time series, potentially not representative for the modelling period. These uncertain FDCs were then used to regionalise a FDC for each basin, treating it as ungauged in a cross-evaluation, and this regionalised FDC was used to constrain the uncertainty in the model predictions for the basin. There was a clear relationship between the performance of the local model calibration and the degree of data set consistency – with many basins with inconsistent data lacking behavioural simulations (i.e. simulations within predefined limits around the observed FDC) and the basins with the highest data set consistency also having the highest simulation reliability. For the basins where the regionalisation of the FDCs worked best, the uncertainty bounds for the regionalised simulations were only slightly wider than those for a local model calibration. The predicted uncertainty was greater for basins where the result of the FDC regionalisation was more uncertain, but the regionalised simulations still had a high reliability compared to the locally calibrated simulations and often encompassed them. The regionalised FDCs were found to be useful on their own as a basic signature constraint; however, additional regionalised signatures could further constrain the uncertainty in the predictions and may increase the robustness to severe data inconsistencies, which are difficult to detect for ungauged basins.
Simulation of rainfall time series from different climatic regions using the direct sampling technique
Authors: Oriani F. , Straubhaar J. , Renard P. , Mariethoz G.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. The direct sampling technique, belonging to the family of multiple-point statistics, is proposed as a nonparametric alternative to the classical autoregressive and Markov-chain-based models for daily rainfall time-series simulation. The algorithm makes use of the patterns contained inside the training image (the past rainfall record) to reproduce the complexity of the signal without inferring its prior statistical model: the time series is simulated by sampling the training data set where a sufficiently similar neighborhood exists. The advantage of this approach is the capability of simulating complex statistical relations by respecting the similarity of the patterns at different scales. The technique is applied to daily rainfall records from different climate settings, using a standard setup and without performing any optimization of the parameters. The results show that the overall statistics as well as the dry/wet spells patterns are simulated accurately. Also the extremes at the higher temporal scale are reproduced adequately, reducing the well known problem of overdispersion.
New improvement of the combined optical fiber transducer for landslide monitoring
Authors: Zhu Z.-W. , Yuan Q.-Y. , Liu D.-Y. , Liu B. , Liu J.-C. , Luo H.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. Landslide monitoring is important in predicting the behavior of landslides, thereby ensuring environmental, life, and property safety. On the basis of our previous studies, we conducted the double shear test by using a third-generation optical fiber transducer that uses expandable polystyrene (EPS) as base material. However, the third-generation transducer has poor performance when cohesive force is present between the grout and capillary stainless steel pipe of the transducer. Thus, the fourth-generation optical fiber transducer was invented. Similar to the third-generation transducer, the fourth-generation transducer also used EPS as its base material. Single shear test was conducted on the fourth-generation transducer after being grouted with cement mortar (1 : 1 mix ratio). The micro-bend loss mechanism of the optical fiber was considered, and the optical time domain reflectometry instrument was used. The fact that the loss sequence of optical fibers subjected to loading is different at various locations is found. The relationship of the loading-point displacement vs. optical fiber sliding distance and optical loss were measured. Results show that the maximum initial measurement precision of the newly proposed device is 1 mm, the corresponding sliding distance is 21 mm, and the dynamic range is 0–20 mm. The fourth-generation transducer can measure the movement direction of loadings, thus making this transducer applicable for landslide monitoring.
50 years return period wet-snow load estimation based on weather station data for overhead line design purpose
Authors: Ducloux H. , Nygaard B. E.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. Historically, as far as wet-snow loads were concerned, overhead line design was often based on experience or on long-term applications with positive results. New standards like CENELEC EN 50341-1 (2012) take into account for the overhead line design characteristic loads, i.e. 50 years return period loads. This article proposes a method to estimate characteristic wet-snow loads based on meteorological data recorded at weather stations. The model used to calculate those loads is mainly inspired by a recent article written by Nygaard et al. (2013a) in which a new parameterization is proposed for the classical cylindrical wet-snow accretion model as described in ISO 12494 annex C. After a complete description of the model and its parameterization adapted to French wet-snow events, the statistical issues are examined. Then, the model is used with the meteorological data of 87 weather stations in order to calculate wet-snow loads whose relevance has been positively tested according to real damages recorded in a complete wet-snow event database. At last, the characteristic loads of those 87 stations have been determined according to all the loads generated by the model and processed by a POT (Peak Over Threshold) method.
Floods in the Niger basin – analysis and attribution
Authors: Aich V. , Koné B. , Hattermann F. F. , Müller E. N.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. This study addresses the increasing flood risk in the Niger basin and assesses the damages that arise from flooding. Statistics from three different sources (EM-DAT, Darthmouth Flood Observatory, NatCat Munich RE) on people affected by floods show positive trends for the entire basin beginning in the 1980s. An assessment of four subregions across the Niger basin indicates even exponential trends for the Sahelian and Sudanian regions. These positive trends for flooding damage match up to a time series of annual maximum discharge (AMAX): the strongest trends in AMAX are detected in the Sahelian and Sudanian regions, where the population is also increasing the fastest and vulnerability generally appears to be very high. The joint effect of these three factors can possibly explain the exponential increase in people affected by floods in these subregions. In a second step, the changes in AMAX are attributed to changes in precipitation and land use via a data-based approach within a hypothesis-testing framework. Analysis of rainfall, heavy precipitation and the runoff coefficient shows a coherent picture of a return to wet conditions in the basin, which we identify as the main driver of the increase in AMAX in the Niger basin. The analysis of flashiness (using the Richards–Baker Index) and the focus on the "Sahel Paradox" of the Sahelian region reveal an additional influence of land-use change, but it seems minor compared to the increase in precipitation.
A 10 year record of black carbon and dust from a Mera Peak ice core (Nepal): variability and potential impact on melting of Himalayan glaciers
Authors: Ginot P. , Dumont M. , Lim S. , Patris N. , Taupin J.-D. , Wagnon P. , Gilbert A. , Arnaud Y. , Marinoni A. , Bonasoni P. , Laj P.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. A shallow ice core was extracted at the summit of Mera Peak at 6376 m a.s.l. in the southern flank of the Nepalese Himalaya range. From this core, we reconstructed the seasonal deposition fluxes of dust and refractory black carbon (rBC) since 1999. This archive presents well preserved seasonal cycles based on a monsoonal precipitation pattern. According to the seasonal precipitation regime in which 80% of annual precipitation falls between June and September, we estimated changes in the concentrations of these aerosols in surface snow. The analyses revealed that mass fluxes are a few orders of magnitude higher for dust (10.4 ± 2.8 g m−2 yr−1 than for rBC (7.9 ± 2.8 mg m−2 yr−1). The relative lack of seasonality in the dust record may reflect a high background level of dust inputs, whether from local or regional sources. Over the 10-year record, no deposition flux trends were detected for any of the species of interest. The data were then used to simulate changes in the surface snow albedo over time and the potential melting caused by these impurities. Mean potential melting caused by dust and rBC combined was 713 kg m−2 yr−1, and for rBC alone, 342 kg m−2 yr−1 for rBC under certain assumptions. Compared to the melting rate measured using the mass and energy balance at 5360 m a.s.l. on Mera Glacier between November 2009 and October 2010, i.e. 3000 kg m−2 yr−1 and 3690 kg m−2 yr−1 respectively, the impact of rBC represents less than 16% of annual potential melting while the contribution of dust and rBC combined to surface melting represents a maximum of 26%. Over the 10-year period, rBC variability in the ice core signal primarily reflected variability of the monsoon signal rather than variations in the intensity of emissions.
“Seen and Read of Men”
Authors: Lindsey Rachel McBride
Published: August 2014

This article seeks to redress certain historiographical oversights in the study of Father Divine's Peace Mission movement by turning away from exclusive consideration of Divine's own theological agenda and toward the very tactile devotional culture of his diverse followers. Recent scholarship has rightly pointed out the influences of New Thought on Divine's theologies of materialization and on his reconceptualization of cosmic dramas of personal and corporate salvation, developments that can be seen in the theological sensibilities of his followers as well. Yet, the Peace Mission's “living epistles” also had deep histories, whether personal or familial, in Protestant and Catholic traditions that were not simply discarded when they turned to Father Divine. Lastly, much of the current scholarship on Father Divine and the Peace Mission has been limited to the highly charged Harlem decade of the 1930s. Drawing on the rich material archive of subsequent decades, this article looks primarily at the Peace Mission's activities of the 1940s and 1950s, thus yielding insight into the changing racial dynamics of the movement as well as its ongoing relationship with postwar American cultures.
Immanence, Governmentality, Critique: Toward a Recovery of Totality in Rhetorical Theory
Authors: Merchant Jamie
Published: August 2014

Foucault's lectures on neoliberalism provide an implicit critique of the contemporary theoretical emphasis on antirepresentational, immanent theories of discourse, subjectivity, and power. From this standpoint, such immanentism can be understood as a distinct effect of a neoliberal governmental practice directed at the suppression of the idea of totality. To address Foucault's critique, this article argues for a reinterpretation of Lloyd Bitzer's concept of “situation” to recover a working notion of totality that would be useful for critical and material rhetorical inquiry. Historicizing the immanent turn in the critical humanities can open the way for a critical social theory of communication.
Market Power in Power Markets: An Analysis of Residual Demand Curves in California’s Day-ahead Energy Market (1998-2000)
Authors: Prete Chiara Lo , Hobbs Benjamin F.
Published: August 2014

2000, with a focus on its day-ahead energy market and its five non-utility thermal generating companies. Our goal is to assess whether the hourly bids of market participants, together with information on thermal unit characteristics and power output, suggest that the five suppliers were behaving in line with Nash supply function competition, bidding close to their marginal costs or restraining quantities relative to the Nash level. The analysis of residual demand inverse elasticities suggests that the five thermal generators had an incentive to exercise unilateral market power that was not always fully exploited. A comparison of market-clearing prices, estimated marginal costs and marginal revenues finds that firm conduct was broadly consistent with Nash supply function competition or more competitive than Nash behavior in most of our sample.
Grove schuld en opzet in het Curaçaose belastingrecht
Authors: Kenswil Siegfried G.
Published: August 2014

Grove schuld en opzet in het Curaçaose belastingrecht

Indien de belastingplichtige grove schuld of opzet kan worden toegerekend, mag de Belastingdienst een vergrijpboete opleggen. Deze vergrijpboete kan bij opzettelijk handelen oplopen tot 100% van het te weinig betaalde belastingbedrag. Dit artikel tracht inzicht te geven in de invulling van deze strafrechtelijke begrippen in de Curaçaose fiscale praktijk. De kwalificatie van grove schuld of opzet is casuïstisch, waarbij de bewijslast bij de Belastingdienst ligt. Grove schuld is omschreven als een in laakbaarheid aan opzet grenzende mate van verwijtbaarheid dat mede grove onachtzaamheid omvat. Opzet is omschreven als het willens en wetens handelen of nalaten. Indien sprake is van een pleitbaar standpunt, kan de belastingplichtige geen verwijt worden gemaakt. Wanneer een belastingplichtige zijn belastingzaken laat behartigen door een adviseur, kan de schuld van de adviseur niet zonder meer worden toegerekend aan de belastingplichtige.
Zorgvuldig en bedachtzaam
Authors: Bakhuis G.A.H. , Nummerdor H. , Philipsen S. , de Wit J.C.
Published: August 2014

Zorgvuldig en bedachtzaam

In dit artikel staat de eerste uitspraak van het Constitutioneel Hof van Sint Maarten centraal. Allereerst worden de mogelijkheden van constitutionele toetsing in het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden geschetst. Aansluitend wordt de toetsingsbevoegdheid van het Hof besproken zoals die is opgenomen in de Staatsregeling van Sint Maarten. Daarna wordt ingegaan op de uitgangspunten die het Hof kiest bij de uitoefening van deze bevoegdheid. Op basis van hetgeen is beschreven, concluderen de auteurs dat het Hof zijn ruime bevoegdheid zorgvuldig en bedachtzaam heeft ingekaderd.
Instructiebevoegdheid en de aansprakelijkheid van de moedervennootschap als medebeleidsbepaler van haar dochter-bv op grond van art. 2:248 lid 7 BW: een kwestie van balans
Authors: Mokhberolsafa D.
Published: August 2014

Samenvatting:

Het geven van concrete instructies kan de moedervennootschap eerder in de gevarenzone brengen om door de curator als medebeleidsbepaler van haar dochter-bv in de zin van art. 2:248 lid 7 BW aansprakelijk te worden gesteld. De aanwezigheid van een concrete instructie kan immers de feitelijke ondergeschiktheidspositie van het dochterbestuur aan de moedervennootschap in zoverre onderstrepen, dat de moedervennootschap eerder gezien kan worden als degene die feitelijk het bestuur uitoefent. Zodoende kan zij als medebeleidsbepaler worden gekwalificeerd en door de rechter aansprakelijk worden gehouden op grond van art. 2:248 lid 7 BW.
Het enquêterecht en het toetsen van besluiten in arbitrage
Authors: Pleiter H.R.
Published: August 2014

Het vernietigen van besluiten is evenals het enquêterecht vanwege de openbare orde non-arbitrabel. De erga omnes-werking van de uitspraak/voorzieningen staat aan de arbitrabiliteit in de weg. De auteur betoogt dat de praktijk baat kan hebben bij een geval-tot-gevalbenadering ten aanzien van arbitrabiliteit van enquêtegeschillen. Met het vernieuwde bv-recht is beoogd de betrokkenen ruimte te geven bij het regelen van de rechtsgevolgen binnen de vennootschap; de rechter moet dit respecteren. De auteur stelt dat met implementatie van het beroepsrecht van art. 26 WOR in Boek 2 BW de erga omnes-werking niet langer aan arbitrabiliteit van besluiten in de weg zal staan.
Hoe effectief straft de keten eigenlijk?
Authors: Van Velthoven Ben
Published: August 2014

The development of the average punishment per criminal offence imposed by the Criminal Justice System in the Netherlands over the period 1995-2012

This paper studies the development of the average punishment per criminal offence, the product of frequency and severity, imposed by the Criminal Justice System in the Netherlands over the period 1995-2012. Available data cover all principal sanctions: (unconditional) prison sentences, community service orders and fines. A decomposition is made to separate the frequency and severity of punishment from size effects (changes in the composition of crime). The decomposition points out that, on average, crime has become more serious over time. The average punishment per criminal offence in 2012 is lower than it was in 1995.
Daar doen we het voor! Opbrengsten en effecten van verslavingsreclassering
Authors: Von Grumbkow Corine , Van Wonderen Ron
Published: August 2014

This is what we are working for! Yields and effects of the rehabilitation and probation of drug-addicted offenders

The SVG aims to improve its ability to show the social relevance of the work done by organizations for the rehabilitation and probation of drug-addicted offenders. As a first step the SVG asked the Verwey-Jonker Institute to develop a monitor which provides structurally insight into the returns of this work. The monitor couples data at the individual client level to relevant indicators. The monitor’s results are very promising. A year after they had come into contact with the rehabilitating institutions, clients committed significantly fewer criminal offences than they did during the year prior to that moment. Contacts with the police decreased as well.
Enige ontwikkelingen op het terrein van de trust
Authors: van de Ven K.M.L.L.
Published: August 2014

Samenvatting

Het fiscale regime voor afgezonderde particuliere vermogens is in 2010 ingevoerd voor rechtsfiguren zoals de Anglo-Amerikaanse discretionary trust en de Curaçaose Stichting Particulier Fonds. Drie jaar na de invoering van het APV-regime is dit door de Belastingdienst geëvalueerd en heeft een wijziging in de aanmerkelijkbelangregeling plaatsgevonden. Voor het overgangsrecht met betrekking tot het recht van schenking is rechtspraak gewezen. Verwacht wordt dat er de komende jaren nog verdere ontwikkelingen te zien zullen zijn. In buurland België is in 2013 een regeling in werking getreden die een meldingsplicht inhoudt van buitenlandse vermogensstructuren, waaronder de trust.
De strijd om de dierenwinkel
Authors: Luijten E.A.A. , Meijer W.R.
Published: August 2014

Samenvatting

Wanneer de erfgenamen de nalatenschap van de erflater beneficiair aanvaard hebben, dient deze te worden vereffend. Alle erfgenamen zijn in principe vereffenaar; onder omstandigheden kan de kantonrechter een buitenstaander tot vereffenaar benoemen. De vraag is wanneer dat zinvol is.