bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faut-il en finir avec la réforme de l'État ?
Authors: Casteigts Michel , Blais Dominique , Cotten Michel , Trosa Sylvie
Published: October 2012

La réforme de l’État traverse les époques comme une vis sans fin. Si elle est incessante, l’idée même de réforme a-t-elle encore un sens ? Ne sertelle pas à masquer des évolutions de fond comme la montée des préoccupations financières, le besoin d’adaptation à la diversité des territoires, les rapports de force internes aux acteurs publics et l’épuisement du tandem expert-législateur pour changer la société ?
Un, deux, trois... soleil
Authors: Bouleau Nicolas
Published: October 2012

Quels que soient les engagements issus des négociations de Copenhague, pris sur le papier, ils seront insuffisants pour éviter un réchauffement maîtrisé. Et ils ne garantissent aucunement des comportements plus vertueux des États, pris dans les logiques de compétition et de rivalité. Comment échapper à cette course au moins-disant et aux ajournements des décisions ?
Fin de l'emploi sans développement durable
Authors: Cohn-Bendit Daniel , Roman Joël
Published: October 2012

Le député européen d’Europe écologie explique comment, selon lui, nos sociétés peuvent s’orienter vers des économies plus « vertes ». Il faut remplacer le « toujours plus » et la crainte de la pénurie par une inflexion vers la qualité de vie dans tous les domaines, en s’attachant à défendre l’autonomie des individus dans la société.
Environnement, social et économie : surmonter les dilemmes
Authors: Chérèque François , Roman Joël
Published: October 2012

Défendre l’emploi, n’est-ce pas d’abord vouloir le maintien d’un système de production dépassé ? Au contraire, pour le secrétaire général de la CFDT, notre changement de modèle offrira aussi des opportunités, à condition que le syndicalisme se renouvelle, intègre de nouvelles dimensions dans les négociations mais garde en perspective la cohésion sociale et l’ouverture des choix démocratiques.
L'environnement, un défi pour la gauche
Authors: Roman Joël
Published: October 2012

Contre-offensive ? Alliance ? Les partis de gauche hésitent depuis longtemps sur l’attitude à adopter face aux partis verts et, plus largement, devant les thématiques environnementales. Ils s’inquiètent tardivement de l’effritement de leur électorat sans voir que c’est désormais leur corpus lui-même qui doit être repensé. Inventaire des chantiers à ouvrir.
La « ville durable ». Paradoxes et limites d'une doctrine d'urbanisme émergente
Authors: Levy Albert
Published: October 2012

Comme en témoignent le Grenelle de l’environnement et une indéniable prise de conscience écologique, un « nouveau grand récit urbanistique » est en train d’émerger autour de la « ville durable » qui succède à celui de la Charte d’Athènes marquée par le fonctionnalisme et un modernisme formaliste. En prenant l’exemple du projet Seine-Arche-Défense, l’auteur en souligne les aspects inédits et positifs tout en dénonçant sa faiblesse sur le plan de la démocratie urbaine.
Prolonged Neutrophil Dysfunction after Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Is Related to Hemolysis and Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction
Authors: Cunnington Aubrey J. , Njie Madi , Correa Simon , Takem Ebako N. , Riley Eleanor M. , Walther Michael
Published: October 2012

It is not known why people are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as nontyphoid Salmonella during and after a malaria infection, but in mice, malarial hemolysis impairs resistance to nontyphoid Salmonella by impairing the neutrophil oxidative burst. This acquired neutrophil dysfunction is a consequence of induction of the cytoprotective, heme-degrading enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in neutrophil progenitors in bone marrow. In this study, we assessed whether neutrophil dysfunction occurs in humans with malaria and how this relates to hemolysis. We evaluated neutrophil function in 58 Gambian children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria [55 (95%) with uncomplicated disease] and examined associations with erythrocyte count, haptoglobin, hemopexin, plasma heme, expression of receptors for heme uptake, and HO-1 induction. Malaria caused the appearance of a dominant population of neutrophils with reduced oxidative burst activity, which gradually normalized over 8 wk of follow-up. The degree of neutrophil impairment correlated significantly with markers of hemolysis and HO-1 induction. HO-1 expression was increased in blood during acute malaria, but at a cellular level HO-1 expression was modulated by changes in surface expression of the haptoglobin receptor (CD163). These findings demonstrate that neutrophil dysfunction occurs in P. falciparum malaria and support the relevance of the mechanistic studies in mice. Furthermore, they suggest the presence of a regulatory pathway to limit HO-1 induction by hemolysis in the context of infection and indicate new targets for therapeutic intervention to abrogate the susceptibility to bacterial infection in the context of hemolysis in humans.
Impact of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Cell Surface Expression Levels on Effector Mechanisms of EGFR Antibodies
Authors: Derer Stefanie , Bauer Philip , Lohse Stefan , Scheel Andreas H. , Berger Sven , Kellner Christian , Peipp Matthias , Valerius Thomas
Published: October 2012

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a widely expressed Ag that is successfully targeted in tumor patients by mAbs or tyrosine kinase inhibitors. A clinical study in non-small cell lung cancer patients demonstrated a positive correlation between EGFR expression levels and the therapeutic efficacy of the EGFR mAb cetuximab. However, the impact of EGFR expression on the different mechanisms of action (MoAs) triggered by the EGFR mAb has not been defined. In this study, BHK-21 cells were stably transfected to express different EGFR levels, which were quantified by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry and compared with EGFR levels of clinical non-small cell lung cancer samples. These cells were used to systematically investigate the impact of target Ag expression levels on Fab- or Fc-mediated MoAs of EGFR mAb. A negative correlation between EGFR levels and potency of Fab-mediated MoA was observed. Interestingly, Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) by NK cells, monocytes, or polymorphonuclear cells as well as complement-dependent cytotoxicity positively correlated with the number of EGFR molecules. In comparison with ADCC by mononuclear cells, polymorphonuclear cell-mediated ADCC and complement-dependent cytotoxicity required higher EGFR expression levels and higher mAb concentrations to trigger significant tumor cell killing. This correlation between EGFR expression levels and Fc-mediated MoA was confirmed in an independent panel of human tumor cell lines carrying diverse genetic alterations. Furthermore, RNA interference-induced knockdown experiments reinforced the impact of EGFR expression on tumor cell killing by EGFR mAb. In conclusion, these results suggest that EGFR expression levels may determine distinct patterns of MoAs that contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of EGFR mAb.
Taxanes for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Gradishar W.J.
Published: October 2012

Taxanes have remained a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment over the past three decades, improving the lives of patients with both early- and late-stage disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current role of taxanes, including an albumin-bound formulation that enhances delivery of paclitaxel to tumors, in the management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Since the introduction of Cremophor EL-paclitaxel to the clinic in the mid-1990s, a substantial amount of investigation has gone into subjects such as formulation, dose, schedule, and taxane resistance, allowing physicians greater flexibility in treating patients with MBC. This review will also examine how the shrinking pool of taxane-naive patients, a result of the expansion of taxanes into the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, will respond to taxane retreatment for metastatic disease. Taxane treatment seems likely to continue to play an important role in the treatment of MBC.
All Might Have Won, But Not all have the Prize: Optimal Treatment for Substance abuse among Adolescents with Conduct Problems
Authors: Spas Jayson , Ramsey Susan , Paiva Andrea L. , Stein L.A.R.
Published: October 2012

Considerable evidence from the literature on treatment outcomes indicates that substance abuse treatment among adolescents with conduct problems varies widely. Treatments commonly used among this population are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step facilitation, multisystemic therapy (MST), psychoeducation (PE), and motivational interviewing (MI). This manuscript thoroughly and systematically reviews the available literature to determine which treatment is optimal for substance-abusing adolescents with conduct problems. Results suggest that although there are several evidence-based and empirically supported treatments, those that incorporate family-based intervention consistently provide the most positive treatment outcomes. In particular, this review further reveals that although many interventions have gained empirical support over the years, only one holds the prize as being the optimal treatment of choice for substance abuse treatment among adolescents with conduct problems.
Dimension Functions of Self-Affine Scaling Sets
Authors: Fu Xiaoye , Gabardo Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2012

In this paper, the dimension function of a self-affine generalized scaling set associated with an n×n integral expansive dilation A is studied. More specifically, we consider the dimension function of an A-dilation generalized scaling set K assuming that K is a self-affine tile satisfying BK = (K+d1)[ (K + d2), where B = At , A is an n×n integral expansive matrix with |det A| = 2, and d1, d2 ∊ ℝn. We show that the dimension function of K must be constant if either n = 1 or 2 or one of the digits is 0, and that it is bounded by 2|K| for any n.
A Model of Human Occupation, Part 4. Assessment and Intervention
Authors: Kielhofner Gary , Burke Janice Posetary , Igi Cynthia Heard
Published: October 2012

This paper, the last of four, completes the presentation of a model of human occupation. Its purpose is to illustrate how a model of occupation can be applied in clinical practice. Three major assumptions concerning occupational therapy that underlie this model are described, the three parts of the model presented earlier are reviewed, and the use of the model in assessment to generate plans for treatment is discussed. Four case histories are used to demonstrate assessment and intervention.
Fieldwork Performance, Academic Grades, and Pre-selection Criteria of Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: Katz Gary M. , Mosey Anne Cronin
Published: October 2012

To assess the relationship between pre-selection criteria, academic grades, and fieldwork performance, 45 basic master’s occupational therapy students who graduated from New York University between October 1974 and October 1977 were selected. The students’ undergraduate and occupational therapy records were reviewed for undergraduate grade point averages (GPA), prerequisites, major, occupational therapy grades, and Field Work Performance Report scores (FWPR). The results indicated that undergraduate GPA and occupational therapy GPA correlated with both psychosocial dysfunction and physical disability FWPR scores. However, a student’s participation in a Fieldwork I experience was unrelated to the score received on the FWPR for a Fieldwork II experience. Discussion also focused on the limited usefulness of the FWPR as an evaluative tool since the mean scores were very high and its variability was rather low.
Eye and Head Movements in Reading-Disabled and Normal Children
Authors: Petri Janet L. , Anderson Marjorie E.
Published: October 2012

Coordination of eye and head movements on nonreading tasks was investigated in 16 reading-disabled and 18 normal children aged 6 to 11 years. Types of eye movements are described and mechanisms controlling eye and head movement are reviewed. Significant differences were found between the two groups in sequencing of eye and head movements that were made in response to the appearance of visual stimuli at unexpected times and positions. Some reading-disabled children also were found to require more eye movements to achieve fixation on targets at known positions. It is suggested that the vestibular system may be implicated as a factor in the results obtained from the reading-disabled children and that the atypical eye-head movement patterns observed may aid in stabilizing their visual world.
How have both cultivation and warming influenced annual global isoprene and monoterpene emissions since the preindustrial era?
Authors: Tanaka K. , Kim H.-J. , Saito K. , Takahashi H. G. , Watanabe M. , Yokohata T. , Kimoto M. , Takata K. , Yasunari T.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. To examine the influence of both crop cultivation and surface air temperatures (SATs) on annual global isoprene and monoterpene emissions, which can lead to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), we simulated, on a monthly basis, the annual emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the period 1854–2000. The model estimates were based on historical climate data such as SATs, and downward solar radiation (DSR) reproduced with an atmospheric-ocean circulation model, as well as a time series of the global distribution of cropland (to test the hypothesis that conversion of forests into croplands lowers emissions). The simulations demonstrated that global SAT, DSR, the combination of SAT and DSR, and the expansion of cropland all affected emissions. The effect of cropland expansion (i.e., forest conversion) on annual emissions during this period was larger for isoprene (~7% reduction on a global scale) than for monoterpenes (~2% reduction), mainly because of the reduction in broadleaf evergreen forests (BEFs) in Southeast Asia, which have the highest and most constant emissions of isoprene and where both temperature and radiation are high all year round. The reduction in the Amazon region and in parts of Africa, which are other primary sources of annual global isoprene emissions, but where the conversion of BEF to cropland has been much smaller than in Southeast Asia, was less remarkable, probably because the broadleaf deciduous forests and C4 grasslands in these areas have lower and seasonal emissions; hence, their conversion has less effect. On the other hand, the difference in the emission factors (ε) between cropland and the other vegetation types was much lower for monoterpenes than for isoprene, although the ε for cropland was generally the lowest for both compounds. Thus, the expansion of cropland also contributed to the reduction in monoterpene emissions to some degree, but had less effect. A ~5% increase in emissions due to rising SAT was more than offset by the decrease in isoprene emissions and a concurrent ~2% reduction caused by a decrease in DSR. Overall, annual global isoprene emissions in 2000 were lower than in 1854 by 13 TgC yr−1, whereas annual global monoterpene emissions were higher by 2.3 TgC yr−1.
Mapping the uncertainty in global CCN using emulation
Authors: Lee L. A. , Carslaw K. S. , Pringle K. J. , Mann G. W.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In the last two IPCC assessments aerosol radiative forcings have been given the largest uncertainty range of all forcing agents assessed. This forcing range is really a diversity of simulated forcings in different models. An essential step towards reducing model uncertainty is to quantify and attribute the sources of uncertainty at the process level. Here, we use statistical emulation techniques to quantify uncertainty in simulated concentrations of July-mean cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) from a complex global aerosol microphysics model. CCN was chosen because it is the aerosol property that controls cloud drop concentrations, and therefore the aerosol indirect radiative forcing effect. We use Gaussian process emulation to perform a full variance-based sensitivity analysis and quantify, for each model grid box, the uncertainty in simulated CCN that results from 8 uncertain model parameters. We produce global maps of absolute and relative CCN sensitivities to the 8 model parameter ranges and derive probability density functions for simulated CCN. The approach also allows us to include the uncertainty from interactions between these parameters, which cannot be quantified in traditional one-at-a-time sensitivity tests. The key findings from our analysis are that model CCN in polluted regions and the Southern Ocean are mostly only sensitive to uncertainties in emissions parameters but in all other regions CCN uncertainty is driven almost exclusively by uncertainties in parameters associated with model processes. For example, in marine regions between 30° S and 30° N model CCN uncertainty is driven mainly by parameters associated with cloud-processing of Aitken-sized particles whereas in polar regions uncertainties in scavenging parameters dominate. In these two regions a single parameter dominates but in other regions up to 50% of the variance can be due to interaction effects between different parameters. Our analysis provides direct quantification of the reduction in variance that would result if a parameter could be specified precisely. When extended to all process parameters the approach presented here will therefore provide a clear global picture of how improved knowledge of aerosol processes would translate into reduced model uncertainty.
On the structure of the extra-tropical transition layer from in-situ observations
Authors: Pisso I. , Law K. S. , Fierli F. , Haynes P. H. , Hoor P. , Palazzi E. , Ravegnani F. , Viciani S.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In-situ observations of atmospheric tracers from multiple measurement campaigns over the period 1994–2007 were combined to investigate the Extra-tropical Transition Layer (ExTL) region and the properties of large scale meridional transport. We used potential temperature, equivalent latitude and distance relative to the local dynamical tropopause as vertical coordinates to highlight the behaviour of trace gases in the tropopause region. Vertical coordinates based on constant PV surfaces allowed us to relate the dynamical definition of the tropopause with trace gases distributions and vertical gradients and hence analyse its latitudinal dependence and seasonal variability. Analysis of the available data provides a working definition of the upper limit of the ExTL based on the upper limit of the region of high vertical CO gradient in PV relative coordinates. A secondary local maximum in vertical O3 gradient can be used a proxy for the lower limit, although it is less clearly defined than that of CO. The sloping isopleths of CO and O3 mixing ratios and the CO mixing ratio gradient are consistent with isopleths in purely dynamical diagnostics such as χ30 d, the proportion of air masses in contact with the PBL within one month and underline the differences between the PV based and chemical tropopauses. The use of tropopause relative coordinates allows different seasons to be analysed together to produce climatological means. The weak dependence of dynamical diagnostics of transport on the absolute values of tracer concentrations makes them a suitable process-oriented tool to evaluate global chemical models and make Lagrangian comparisons.
Global impact of contemporary smoke aerosols from landscape fires on climate and the Hadley circulation
Authors: Tosca M. G. , Randerson J. T. , Zender C. S.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Each year landscape fires across the globe emit black and organic carbon smoke particles that can last in the atmosphere for days to weeks. We characterized the climate response to these aerosols using a global Earth system model. We used remote sensing observations of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and global simulations from the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5) to optimize satellite-derived smoke emissions for high biomass burning regions. Subsequent global simulations using the adjusted fire emissions produced AODs that were in closer agreement with surface and space-based measurements. We then used CAM5, which included radiative aerosol effects, to evaluate the climate response to the fire-aerosol forcing. We conducted two 52 yr simulations, one with four sets of monthly cycling 1997–2009 fire emissions and one without. Fire emissions increased global annual mean AOD by 10% (+0.02) and decreased net all-sky surface radiation by 1% (1.3 W m−2). Elevated AODs reduced global surface temperatures by 0.13 ± 0.01 °C. Though global precipitation declined only slightly, patterns of precipitation changed, with large reductions near the Equator offset by smaller increases north and south of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). A combination of increased tropospheric heating and reduced surface temperatures increased equatorial subsidence and weakened the Hadley circulation. As a consequence, precipitation decreased over tropical forests in South America, Africa and equatorial Asia. These results are consistent with the observed correlation between global temperatures and the strength of the Hadley circulation and studies linking tropospheric heating from black carbon aerosols with tropical expansion.
Tropical tropopause ice clouds: a dynamic approach to the mystery of low crystal numbers
Authors: Spichtinger P. , Krämer M.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The occurrence of high, persistent ice supersaturation inside and outside cold cirrus in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) remains an enigma that is intensely debated as the "ice supersaturation puzzle". However, it was recently confirmed that observed supersaturations are consistent with very low ice crystal concentrations, which is incompatible with the idea that homogeneous freezing is the major method of ice formation in the TTL. Thus, the tropical tropopause "ice supersaturation puzzle" has become an "ice nucleation puzzle". To explain the low ice crystal concentrations, a number of mainly heterogeneous freezing methods have been proposed. Here, we reproduce in situ measurements of frequencies of occurrence of ice crystal concentrations by extensive model simulations, driven by the special dynamic conditions in the TTL, namely the superposition of slow large-scale updraughts with high-frequency short waves. From the simulations, it follows that the full range of observed ice crystal concentrations can be explained when the model results of the scenarios are mixed for both heterogeneous/homogeneous and pure homogeneous ice formation occurring in very slow (<1 cm s−1) and faster (>1 cm s−1) large-scale updraughts. This statistical analysis shows that about 80% of TTL cirrus can be explained by "classical" homogeneous ice nucleation, while the remaining 20% stem from heterogeneous and homogeneous freezing occurring within the same environment. The mechanism limiting ice crystal production via homogeneous freezing in an environment full of gravity waves is the shortness of the gravity waves, which stalls freezing events before a higher ice crystal concentration can be formed.
CO2 dispersion modelling over Paris region within the CO2-MEGAPARIS project
Authors: Lac C. , Donnelly R. P. , Masson V. , Pal S. , Donier S. , Queguiner S. , Tanguy G. , Ammoura L. , Xueref-Remy I.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Accurate simulation of the spatial and temporal variability of tracer mixing ratios over urban areas is challenging, but essential in order to utilize CO2 measurements in an atmospheric inverse framework to better estimate regional CO2 fluxes. This study investigates the ability of a high-resolution model to simulate meteorological and CO2 fields around Paris agglomeration, during the March field campaign of the CO2-MEGAPARIS project. The mesoscale atmospheric model Meso-NH, running at 2 km horizontal resolution, is coupled with the Town-Energy Balance (TEB) urban canopy scheme and with the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere and Atmosphere CO2-reactive (ISBA-A-gs) surface scheme, allowing a full interaction of CO2 between the surface and the atmosphere. Statistical scores show a good representation of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) and urban-rural contrasts. Boundary layer heights (BLH) at urban, sub-urban and rural sites are well captured, especially the onset time of the BLH increase and its growth rate in the morning, that are essential for tall tower CO2 observatories. Only nocturnal BLH at sub-urban sites are slightly underestimated a few nights, with a bias less than 50 m. At Eiffel tower, the observed spikes of CO2 maxima occur every morning exactly at the time at which the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) growth reaches the measurement height. The timing of the CO2 cycle is well captured by the model, with only small biases on CO2 concentrations, mainly linked to the misrepresentation of anthropogenic emissions, as the Eiffel site is at the heart of trafic emission sources. At sub-urban ground stations, CO2 measurements exhibit maxima at the beginning and at the end of each night, when the ABL is fully contracted, with a very strong spatio-temporal variability. The CO2 cycle at these sites is generally well reproduced by the model, even if some biases on the nocturnal maxima appear in the Paris plume parly due to small errors on the vertical transport, or in the vicinity of airports due to small errors on the horizontal transport (wind direction). A sensitivity test without urban parameterisation removes UHI and underpredicts nighttime BLH over urban and sub-urban sites, leading to large overestimation of nocturnal CO2 concentration at the sub-urban sites. The agreement of daytime and nighttime BLH and CO2 predictions of the reference simulation over Paris agglomeration demonstrates the potential of using the meso-scale system on urban and sub-urban area in the context of inverse modelling.
A high-resolution and harmonized model approach for reconstructing and analyzing historic land changes in Europe
Authors: Fuchs R. , Herold M. , Verburg P. H. , Clevers J. G. P. W.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Currently, up to 30% of global carbon emission is estimated to originate from land use and land changes. Existing historic land change reconstructions on the European scale do not sufficiently meet the requirements of greenhouse gas (GHG) and climate assessments, due to insufficient spatial and thematic detail and the consideration of various land change types. This paper investigates if the combination of different data sources, more detailed modeling techniques and the integration of land conversion types allow us to create accurate, high resolution historic land change data for Europe suited for the needs of GHG and climate assessments. We validated our reconstruction with historic aerial photographs from 1950 and 1990 for 73 sample sites across Europe and compared it with other land reconstructions like Klein Goldewijk et al. (2010, 2011), Ramankutty and Foley (1999), Pongratz et al. (2008) and Hurtt et al. (2006). The results indicate that almost 700 000 km2 (15.5%) of land cover in Europe changes over the period 1950 to 2010, an area similar to France. In Southern Europe the relative amount was almost 3.5% higher than average (19%). Based on the results the specific types of conversion, hot-spots of change and their relation to political decisions and socio-economic transitions were studied. The analysis indicate that the main drivers of land change over the studied period were urbanization, the reforestation program after the timber shortage since the Second World War, the fall of the Iron Curtain, Common Agricultural Policy and accompanying afforestation actions of the EU. Compared to existing land cover reconstructions, the new method takes stock of the harmonization of different datasets by achieving a high spatial resolution and regional detail with a full coverage of different land categories. These characteristic allow the data to be used to support and improve ongoing GHG inventories and climate research.
A new automatic method for estimating the peak auroral emission height from all-sky camera images
Authors: Whiter D. K. , Gustavsson B. , Partamies N. , Sangalli L.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. This paper presents a new fully automatic method for quickly finding the average peak emission height of an auroral structure from a pair of all-sky camera images with overlapping fields of view. The peak emission height of the aurora must be estimated in order to calculate several other important parameters, such as horizontal spatial scales, optical flow velocities, and ionospheric electric fields. In most cases the height is not measured, but a value is assumed, often about 110 km. It is unclear how accurate this assumption is. A future statistical study of the auroral height in which the method presented here will be applied to many years of observations will lead to more accurate assumptions of the height with quantitative error estimates, and therefore more accurate estimates of parameters derived using these assumed auroral heights. In the present work the performance of the new method is compared to another recent automatic method. It is found that the new method is more suitable for a statistical study, although it would be advantageous to apply both methods to each pair of images. On average the new method produces the correct result, unlike the other recent method, but the new method is less consistent.
Evaluation of roadway Gaussian plume models with large-scale measurement campaigns
Authors: Briant R. , Seigneur C. , Gadrat M. , Bugajny C.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Gaussian models are commonly used to simulate atmospheric pollutant dispersion near sources because they provide an efficient compromise between reasonable accuracy and manageable computational time. The Gaussian dispersion formula provides an exact solution to the atmospheric diffusion equation for the dispersion of a pollutant emitted from a point source. However, the Gaussian dispersion formula for a line source, which is convenient to model emissions from on-road traffic, is exact only when the wind is perpendicular to the line source. A novel approach that reduces the error in the line source formula when the wind direction is not perpendicular to the road was recently developed. This model, combined with a Romberg integration to account for the road width, is used to simulate NOx concentrations in a large case study (1371 road sections representing about 831 km). NO2, NO and O3 concentrations are then computed using the photostationary-state approximation. NO2 concentrations are compared with measurements made at 242 locations in the domain area. Model performance is satisfactory with errors ranging from 24% to 31%. Results obtained here are also compared with those obtained with a previous formulation and with a standard model used for regulatory applications, ADMS-Urban. Discrepancies among the results obtained with those models are discussed.
Stable water isotopes in the coupled atmosphere–land surface model ECHAM5-JSBACH
Authors: Haese B. , Werner M. , Lohmann G.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In this study we present first results of a new model development, ECHAM5-JSBACH-wiso, where we have incorporated the stable water isotopes H218O and HDO as tracers in the hydrological cycle of the coupled atmosphere–land surface model ECHAM5-JSBACH. The ECHAM5-JSBACH-wiso model was run under present-day climate conditions at two different resolutions (T31L19, T63L31). A comparison between ECHAM5-JSBACH-wiso and ECHAM5-wiso shows that the coupling has a strong impact on the simulated temperature and soil wetness. Caused by these changes of temperature and the hydrological cycle, the δ18O in precipitation also shows variations from −4.5‰ up to 4.5‰. One of the clearest anomalies is shown over North-East Asia where, depending on an increase of temperature, the δ18O in precipitation increases as well. In order to analyze the sensitivity of the fractionation processes over land, we compare a set of simulations with various implementations of water isotope fractionation processes over the land surface. The simulations allow us to distinguish between no fractionation, fractionation included in the evaporation flux (from bare soil) and also fractionation included in both evaporation and transpiration (from water transport through plants) fluxes. The simulated δ18O and δD in precipitation of these setups generally fit well with the observations and the best agreement between observation and simulation is given in the case where no fractionation over land surface is assumed.
Morphology of Tigris River within Baghdad City
Authors: Ali A. A. , Al-Ansari N. A. , Knutsson S.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In recent years, substantial changes have occurred in the morphology of the River Tigris within Baghdad City. Although huge volumes of sediment are being trapped in recently constructed headwater reservoirs, the number of islands in the Tigris at Baghdad is increasing. The debris of bridges destroyed in the wars of 1991 and 2003 and their subsequent reconstruction have enhanced the development of these islands. As a consequence the ability of the river to carry the peaks of flood waters has been reduced. This has led to potential increase of flooding in parts of the city. The bed of the River Tigris has been surveyed on three occasions (1976, 1991, and 2008). The most recent survey was conducted by the Ministry of Water Resources, extended 49 km from the Al-Muthana Bridge north Baghdad to the confluence with the Diyala River south Baghdad. It yielded cross-section profiles at 250 m intervals. The data are used to predict the maximum flood capacity for the river using the one-dimensional hydraulic model for steady flow "HEC-RAS" modeling. Calibration of the model was carried out using field measurements for water levels along the last 15 km of the reach and the last 10 yr of observation at the Sarai Baghdad gauging station. The model showed a significant predicted reduction in the current river capacity below that which the river had carried during the floods of 1971 and 1988. The three surveys conducted on the same reach of the Tigris indicated that the ability of the river to transport water has decreased.
A critical assessment of simple recharge models: application to the UK Chalk
Authors: Ireson A. M. , Butler A. P.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. A framework for the rigorous quantification of the timing and magnitude of groundwater recharge is proposed. This involves developing a physically based model for the flow processes in the unsaturated and saturated zones that is consistent with the conceptualisation of the system, and with field observations. Subsequently, the essential behaviour of this model is emulated using a simpler model that can be applied within operational groundwater models. We take a UK Chalk aquifer as a case study. Flow processes are simulated convincingly using a dual permeability, equivalent continuum, Richards' equation model, applied to a 2-D hillslope transect along which four monitoring wells recorded water levels in the unconfined aquifer. A simple conventional recharge model that has been widely used was calibrated to reproduce the water table response simulated by the physically based model. The performance in reproducing the water table was surprisingly good, given the known discrepancies between the actual processes and the model representation. However, comparisons of recharge fluxes simulated by each model highlighted problems with the recharge processes in the simple model. Specifically, artificial bypass flow events during the summer were compensating for recharge that should have come from slow, continual drainage of the unsaturated zone. Such a model may still be useful for assessment of groundwater resources on a monthly basis, under non-extreme climatic conditions. However, under extreme wet or dry conditions, or under a changed climate the predictive capacity of such models is likely to be inadequate.
Refractive Surgery for Accommodative Esotropia: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Hutchinson Amy K.
Published: October 2012

Introduction.

Refractive surgery has the potential to be a definitive treatment for accommodative esotropia, yet it has not been widely embraced. This article reviews the current literature on refractive surgery to treat accommodative esotropia.

Methods.

A literature search was performed using the following terms: refractive surgery, photorefractive keratectomy, laser-assisted keratomileusis, intraocular lens, hyperopia, accommodative esotropia, children, pediatric.

Results.

Fifteen series of patients treated with refractive surgery for accommodative esotropia were identified and summarized.

Conclusions.

Refractive surgery holds promise for the treatment of accommodative esotropia, although treatment risks are present and additional investigation is needed.
Stereo Calibration and Rectification for Omnidirectional Multi-Camera Systems
Authors: Wang Yanchang , Gong Xiaojin , Lin Ying , Liu Jilin
Published: October 2012

Stereo vision has been studied for decades as a fundamental problem in the field of computer vision. In recent years, computer vision and image processing with a large field of view, especially using omnidirectional vision and panoramic images, has been receiving increasing attention. An important problem for stereo vision is calibration. Although various kinds of calibration methods for omnidirectional cameras are proposed, most of them are limited to calibrate catadioptric cameras or fish-eye cameras and cannot be applied directly to multi-camera systems. In this work, we propose an easy calibration method with closed-form initialization and iterative optimization for omnidirectional multi-camera systems. The method only requires image pairs of the 2D target plane in a few different views. A method based on the spherical camera model is also proposed for rectifying omnidirectional stereo pairs. Using real data captured by Ladybug3, we carry out some experiments, including stereo calibration, rectification and 3D reconstruction. Statistical analyses and comparisons of the experimental results are also presented. As the experimental results show, the calibration results are precise and the effect of rectification is promising.
Decentralized Control Performances of an Experimental Web Handling System
Authors: Giannoccaro Nicola Ivan , Nishida Takeshi , Sakamoto Tetsuzo
Published: October 2012

Robust and good tracking control of the speed and the tension in web handling systems in spite of changes of set point is surely one of the important challenges in the web transport systems future development. In this paper, the authors experimentally demonstrate the real applicability of a decentralized robust control to a multi-span web transport system, which is composed of twelve guide rollers, four main sections mutually interconnected with each other. The overlapping methodology has been applied for the system decomposition.

The experimental results carried out using the robust decentralized control show an excellent velocity and tension tracking in each controlled section of the system.
Use of an Evolutionary Inductive Self-Organizing Network for Uncertain Nonlinear and Robotic Systems
Authors: Kim Dong W. , Seo Sam-Jun , Kim Yong-Guk
Published: October 2012

We discuss a new design methodology for an inductive self-organizing network using an evolutionary algorithm and its practical applications. The inductive self-organizing network centres on the idea of a group method for data handling. The performances of this network depend strongly on the number of input variables available to the model and the number of input variables and type (order) of the polynomials to each node. They must be fixed by the designer in advance before the architecture is constructed. So the trial and error method must be used with its heavy computation burden and low efficiency. Moreover it does not guarantee that the obtained model is the best one. In this paper, we propose an evolutionary inductive self-organizing network to alleviate these problems. The order of the polynomial, the number of input variables and the optimum input variables are encoded as a chromosome and the fitness of each chromosome is computed. So the appropriate information for each node is evolved accordingly and tuned gradually throughout the genetic iterations. We can show that the proposed model is a sophisticated and versatile architecture which can construct models for limited data sets, as well as heavy complex robotic systems.
Facial Expression Synthesis Based on Imitation
Authors: Tsai Yihjia , Lin Hwei Jen , Yang Fu Wen
Published: October 2012

It is an interesting and challenging problem to synthesise vivid facial expression images. In this paper, we propose a facial expression synthesis system which imitates a reference facial expression image according to the difference between shape feature vectors of the neutral image and expression image. To improve the result, two stages of postprocessing are involved. We focus on the facial expressions of happiness, sadness, and surprise. Experimental results show vivid and flexible results.
Nonlinear Elastodynamic Behaviour Analysis of High-Speed Spatial Parallel Coordinate Measuring Machines
Authors: Chen Xiulong , Wei Deyong , Li Wenbin , Deng Yu
Published: October 2012

In order to study the elastodynamic behaviour of 4- universal joints- prismatic pairs- spherical joints / universal joints- prismatic pairs- universal joints 4-UPS-UPU high-speed spatial PCMMs(parallel coordinate measuring machines), the nonlinear time-varying dynamics model, which comprehensively considers geometric nonlinearity and the rigid-flexible coupling effect, is derived by using Lagrange equations and finite element methods. Based on the Newmark method, the kinematics output response of 4-UPS-UPU PCMMs is illustrated through numerical simulation. The results of the simulation show that the flexibility of the links is demonstrated to have a significant impact on the system dynamics response. This research can provide the important theoretical base of the optimization design and vibration control for 4-UPS-UPU PCMMs.
Research on Dynamics and Stability in the Stairs-Climbing of a Tracked Mobile Robot
Authors: Tao Weijun , Ou Yi , Feng Hutian
Published: October 2012

Aiming at the functional requirement of climbing up the stairs, the dynamics and stability during a tracked mobile robot's climbing of stairs is studied. First, from the analysis of its cross-country performance, the mechanical structure of the tracked mobile robot is designed and the hardware composition of its control system is given. Second, based on the analysis to its stairs-climbing process, the dynamical model of stairs-climbing is established by using the classical mechanics method. Next, the stability conditions for its stairs-climbing are determined and an evaluation method of its stairs-climbing stability is proposed, based on a mechanics analysis on the robot's backwards tumbling during the stairs-climbing process. Through simulation and experiments, the effectiveness of the dynamical model and the stability evaluation method of the tracked mobile robot in stairs-climbing is verified, which can provide design and analysis foundations for the tracked mobile robots' stairs-climbing.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in geriatric patients after orthopedic surgery
Authors: Gelmanas Arūnas , Bukauskas Tomas , Macas Andrius , Žarskienė Giedrė , Žarskus Ainius
Published: October 2012

The aim of our study was to find out the changes of cognitive functions of geriatric patients after orthopedic surgery and when these differen­ ces are marked. We also tried to find out factors, which have influence on the results of common mental activity, to estimate the dynamics of mental activity and to choose the most optimal intervals of estimation. The population of our investigation consisted of 25 consecutive adult patients, undergoing orthopedic operation, applying regional anesthesia. Neurophysiological assessment where all patients underwent neurophysiological tests consisted of the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), 6 Item Cognitive Impairment test (6CIT), Trail-making test  –  a neuropsychological test of visual attention and task switching. Patients were tested the day before the surgery (MMSE1, 6CIT1, TMT1), on the day of the surgery (MMSE2, 6CIT2, TMT2) and on the third day after the surgery (MMSE3, 6CIT3, TMT3). The day before the surgery reveals that results of MMSE1, 6CIT1 tests were better in a group of younger patients. We found that the results of the MMSE test were significantly worse 3 days after the surgery than those before the procedure in the A group, p = 0.016. The biggest digression was fixed in “copying” and “repeating” after the surgery intervention, p = 0.01, p = 0.04. The orientation in time significantly decreased in the group B after the surgery, p = 0.00. MMSE, 6CIT, TMT test results were significantlt worse in older patients rather than younger ones 3 days after the surgery. We set that the elderly have a significantly shorter duration of education. Younger patients and patients with a longer studying period achieved better results of tests. The results mean that age and lasting of education are significant predictors of POCD. Our pilot study confirmed that POCD develops for older patients, undergoing neuroaxial anesthesia for orthopedic surgery. It is very important to continue studies and reveal how to decrease POCD events, keep the quality of life.
Screening tools for identifying a high probability of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Svaza Juris , Grava Jekaterina , Smolko Jana
Published: October 2012

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical problem that affects up to 5% of the population. The majority of OSA patients are undiagnosed and have a potential for perioperative complications. Our study was conducted to validate the most widely used screening tools for identifying high risk OSA patients and to find the most predictable physical signs and symptoms of OSA. Materials and methods. At the Sleep Laboratory of Riga Stradins University, 100 patients with suspected OSA were asked to fill in patient questionnaires prior to the sleep study. The patients’ anthropometric data, physical signs and medical history were collected. To confirm the diagnosis of OSA, all patients underwent a full night sleep study. To find the possible correlation, the data collected from the questionnaires were compared with the data from sleep studies. Results. Patients (n = 100) at a mean age of 47 yrs. (23–73), 22 women, 78 men. No OSA was found in 17%, mild OSA in 23%, moderate OSA in 21%, severe OSA in 39% of the patients. A strong correlation between the body mass index (BMI; p
Intercostal nerve block in pediatric minimally invasive thoracic surgery
Authors: Lukošienė Laura , Kalibatienė Lina , Barauskas Vidmantas
Published: October 2012

Background. Very severe postoperative pain is observed after minimal­ ly invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE), extremely in the early postoperative period. Pain is usually managed by either thoracic epidu­ ral block (TEB) or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with opioids. But the issue of optimal pain management is still controversial. The purpose of our study was to investigate efficiency and side effects of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) in children after MIRPE in comparison with only PCA. Materials and methods. Records of 20 patients, given PCA with mor­ phine (PCA group), were examined retrospectively. 27 patients, given in­ traoperative ICNB (single shot) and PCA with morphine (ICNB group), were examined prospectively. Postoperatively, we recorded morphine consumption, pain scores and side effects every 3 hours. Results. There was no need of the initial dose of morphine in the ICNB group. Pain scores during the first 3 hours, morphine consumption dur­ ing the first 3 hours and during 12 hours after surgery were significantly higher in the PCA group (p