bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weâ€™re Working On It: Transferring the Sloan Digital Sky Survey from Laboratory to Library
Authors: Sands Ashley E. , Borgman Christine L. , Traweek Sharon , Wynholds Laura A.
Published: October 2014

This article reports on the transfer of a massive scientific dataset from a national laboratory to a university library, and from one kind of workforce to another. We use the transfer of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) archive to examine the emergence of a new workforce for scientific research data management. Many individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and domain experience are involved in SDSS data management: domain scientists, computer scientists, software and systems engineers, programmers, and librarians. These types of positions have been described using terms such as research technologist, data scientist, e-science professional, data curator, and more. The findings reported here are based on semi-structured interviews, ethnographic participant observation, and archival studies from 2011-2013. The library staff conducting the data storage and archiving of the SDSS archive faced two performance problems. The preservation specialist and the system administrator worked together closely to discover and implement solutions to the slow data transfer and verification processes. The team overcame these slow-downs by problem solving, working in a team, and writing code. The library team lacked the astronomy domain knowledge necessary to meet some of their preservation and curation goals. The case study reveals the variety of expertise, experience, and individuals essential to the SDSS data management process. A variety of backgrounds and educational histories emerge in the data managers studied. Teamwork is necessary to bring disparate expertise together, especially between those with technical and domain education. The findings have implications for data management education, policy and relevant stakeholders. This article is part of continuing research on Knowledge Infrastructures.
Emerging problems in approximation theory for the numerical solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Fermo L. , Van Mee , Seatzu S.
Published: October 2014

We present some open problems pertaining to the approximation theory involved
in the solution of the Nonlinear Schr?dinger (NLS) equation. For this
important equation, any Initial Value Problem (IVP) can be theoretically
solved by the Inverse Scattering Transform (IST) technique whose main steps
involve the solution of Volterra equations with structured kernels on
unbounded domains, the solution of Fredholm integral equations and the
identification of coefficients and parameters of monomial-exponential sums.
The aim of the paper is twofold: propose a method for solving the above
mentioned problems under particular hypothesis; arise interest in the issues
illustrated to achieve an effective method for solving the problem under
more general assumptions.
Generalized coherent pairs on the unit circle and Sobolev orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Marcellán Francisco , Pinzón-Cortés Natalia
Published: October 2014

A pair of regular Hermitian linear functionals (U, V) is said to be an
(M,N)-coherent pair of order m on the unit circle if their corresponding
sequences of monic orthogonal polynomials {?n(z)}n>0 and {?n(z)}n?0 satisfy
?Mi=0 ai,n?(m) n+m?i(z) = ?Nj=0 bj,n?n?j(z), n ? 0, where M,N,m ? 0, ai,n
and bj,n, for 0 ? i ? M, 0 ? j ? N, n > 0, are complex numbers such that
aM,n ? 0, n ? M, bN,n ? 0, n ? N, and ai,n = bi,n = 0, i > n. When m = 1,
(U, V) is called a (M,N)-coherent pair on the unit circle. We focus our
attention on the Sobolev inner product p(z), q(z)?= (U,p(z)q(1/z))+ ?(V,
p(m)(z)q(m)(1/z)), ? > 0, m ? Z+, assuming that U and V is an (M,N)-coherent
pair of order m on the unit circle. We generalize and extend several recent
results of the framework of Sobolev orthogonal polynomials and their
connections with coherent pairs. Besides, we analyze the cases (M,N) = (1,
1) and (M,N) = (1, 0) in detail. In particular, we illustrate the situation
when U is the Lebesgue linear functional and V is the Bernstein-Szeg? linear
functional. Finally, a matrix interpretation of (M,N)-coherence is given.
On a convergent process of Bernstein
Authors: Szili László , Vértesi Péter
Published: October 2014

Bernstein in 1930 defined a convergent interpolation process based on the
roots of the Chebyshev polynomials. We prove a similar statement for certain
Jacobi roots.
Effects of approach and injection volume on diffusion of mepivacaine hydrochloride during local analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve in horses
Authors: Claunch Kevin M. , Eggleston Randy B. , Baxter Gary M.
Published: October 2014

Objective—To compare the effects of 2 approaches and 2 injection volumes on diffusion of mepivacaine hydrochloride for local analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) in horses.

Design—Experimental study.

Animals—16 adult horses.

Procedures—Either 2 mL (low volume) or 8 mL (high volume) of mepivacaine hydrochloride-iohexol (50:50 mixture) was injected by means of 1 of 2 techniques to produce analgesia of the DBLPN. For technique 1, the needle was inserted 15 mm distal to the head of the fourth metatarsal bone and directed perpendicular to the limb. For technique 2, the needle was inserted 20 mm distal to the head of the fourth metatarsal bone and was directed in a proximodorsal direction. Lateromedial radiographs were obtained before and 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after injection. Radiographs were evaluated to determine the proximal and distal extent of diffusion of the contrast solution and presumably anesthetic agent and whether contrast agent appeared to be present in the tarsal sheath or tarsometatarsal joint.

Results—A high degree of variability in contrast solution diffusion was noted among injections. High-volume injections diffused significantly further proximally and distally than did low-volume injections. Contrast agent was documented within the tarsal sheath in 5 of 32 (16%) injections and within the tarsometatarsal joint in 2 of 32 (6%) injections. No significant difference was found for risk of inadvertent tarsal sheath or tarsometatarsal joint injection between the 2 techniques or the 2 volumes of anesthetic used. Mepivacaine diffused significantly further distally with technique 1 than with technique 2 but diffused significantly further proximally with technique 2 than with technique 1. For both techniques, diffusion in the distal but not the proximal direction significantly increased over time.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that the proximal and distal diffusion of the mepivacaine-iohexol solution was quite variable following either DBLPN nerve block technique.
Three simultaneous, food-borne, multi-country outbreaks of hepatitis A virus infection reported in EPIS-FWD in 2013: what does it mean for the European Union?
Authors: Gossner C M , Severi E
Published: October 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Identification of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O117:H7 in men who have sex with men, England, November 2013 to August 2014
Authors: Simms I , Gilbart V L , Byrne L , Jenkins C , Adak G  K , Hughes G , Crook P D
Published: October 2014

Between November 2013 and August 2014, nine cases of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O117:H7 VT1 were confirmed in adult men. Further investigation using semi-structured interviews revealed that eight cases were United Kingdom (UK)-born men who have sex with men (MSM) who had sexually acquired infection in the UK. Most were HIV-positive with high numbers of sexual partners. This behavioural profile resembles that associated with the recent rapid increase in other sexually acquired infections in MSM.
Welche Faktoren bestimmen den Erfolg der Moderholzverjüngung im Fichtenurwald Scatlè?
Authors: Stroheker Sophie , Martin Salome , Sieber Thomas N. , Bugmann Harald , Weiss Marc
Published: October 2014

Which factors determine regeneration on nurse logs in the Scatlè virgin forest?

Harsh environmental conditions in subalpine forests render Norway spruce regeneration difficult, limiting germination and establishment to a few microsites such as decaying logs. In 2002, spruce regeneration was studied on coarse woody debris (CWD) in the Swiss virgin forest Scatlè. In 2012, regeneration status and the factors characterizing environmental conditions were re-assessed. The statistical model that had been parameterized with the 2002 data also performed well with the explanatory variables measured in 2012, indicating that regeneration on CWD is a non-random, complex process resulting from the interaction of several ecological factors. A 5.5-fold increase of regeneration density was observed over the past ten years, which is most likely attributable to a higher abundance of suitable microsites on CWD: 1) an increase of moderately and strongly decayed wood, 2) average sunshine duration in June of 50 to 120 minutes per day, 3) a decrease of the plot-to-ground distance with little competition by the surrounding ground vegetation, 4) an increase of the thickness of moss cover. The mast years of 2009 and 2011 certainly were influential for the increase of regeneration density. Establishment of regeneration may start as early as six years after tree death, but logs older than 23 years were most suitable. Natural regeneration on rotten wood thus is a slow and long-lasting process, and the sustainability of regeneration requires a continuous supply of dead wood of different decay stages. Besides the important role of dead and dying trees for spruce regeneration, we also found an important role of CWD for biodiversity, as fifteen species of decay fungi were detected, two of them having the status of endangered species.
Looking through drumlins: testing the application of ground-penetrating rada
Authors: Spagnolo Matteo , King Edward C. , Ashmore David W. , Rea Brice R. , Ely Jeremy C. , Clark Chris D.
Published: October 2014

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is becoming a commonly applied technique in geomorphology. However, its use in the study of subglacial bedforms has yet to be fully explored and exploited. This paper presents the results of a GPR feasibility study conducted on a drumlinized terrain in Cumbria, UK, where five drumlins were investigated using multiple radar antenna frequencies. The site was selected for the presence of nearby bedrock outcrops, suggesting a shallow drumlinized diamict–bedrock contact and a permeable lithology. Despite the clayey sediment and unfavourable weather conditions, a considerable penetration depth of ~12 m was achieved when using a 50 MHz antenna, with a separation of 1 m, trace spacing of 1 m and 128-fold vertical stack. Results indicate that the drumlinized diamict is in direct erosional contact with the bedrock. While the internal drumlin geometry is generally chaotic on the stoss side, evidence of layering dipping downflow at an angle greater than the drumlin surface profile was found on the lee side. The inter-drumlin areas comprise ~4 m of infill sediment that masks part of the original drumlin profile. Overall, this study indicates that GPR can be deployed successfully in the study of glacial bedform sedimentary architecture.
Electrical and Optical Properties of Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Banyamin Ziad , Kelly Peter , West Glen , Boardman Jeffery
Published: October 2014

Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coatings have been prepared using the mid-frequency pulsed DC closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique in an Ar/O2 atmosphere using blends of tin oxide and tin fluoride powder formed into targets. FTO coatings were deposited with a thickness of 400 nm on glass substrates. No post-deposition annealing treatments were carried out. The effects of the chemical composition on the structural (phase, grain size), optical (transmission, optical band-gap) and electrical (resistivity, charge carrier, mobility) properties of the thin films were investigated. Depositing FTO by magnetron sputtering is an environmentally friendly technique and the use of loosely packed blended powder targets gives an efficient means of screening candidate compositions, which also provides a low cost operation. The best film characteristics were achieved using a mass ratio of 12% SnF2 to 88% SnO2 in the target. The thin film produced was polycrystalline with a tetragonal crystal structure. The optimized conditions resulted in a thin film with average visible transmittance of 83% and optical band-gap of 3.80 eV, resistivity of 6.71 × 10−3 Ω·cm, a carrier concentration (Nd) of 1.46 × 1020 cm−3 and a mobility of 15 cm2/Vs.
Five New Taraxerene-Type Triterpenes from the Branch Barks of Davidia involucrata
Authors: Tan Qing-Wei , Ouyang Ming-An , Chen Qi-Jian , Wu Zu-Jian
Published: October 2014

Five new taraxerene-type triterpenes, 2-nor-D-friedoolean-14-en-28-ol (1), 2-nor-d-friedoolean-14-en-3α,28-diol (2), 6α-hydroxy-2-nor-D-friedoolean-14-en-3,21-dione (3), 6α,11α,29-trihydroxy-D-friedoolean-14-en-3,16,21-trione (4), and 6α,23,29-trihydroxy-D-friedoolean-14-en-3,16,21-trione (5), were isolated from the MeOH extract of the branch barks of Davidia involucrata, together with five known compounds. Their structures were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic analyses. Five of the identified compounds showed moderate cytotoxicities against the cell proliferation of SGC-7901, MCF-7, and BEL-7404.
Snacking for a Cause: Nutritional Insufficiencies and Excesses of U.S. Children, a Critical Review of Food Consumption Patterns and Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake of U.S. Children
Authors: Hess Julie , Slavin Joanne
Published: October 2014

The objective of this review was to identify dietary insufficiencies and excesses in children aged two to 11 in the United States (U.S.) and eating habits that merit concern in terms of nutrient and energy density to improve overall diet quality. Data from the What We Eat in America (WWEIA) tables from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were examined as well as survey data from the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study (SNDA). Analysis of survey data revealed that children consume insufficient Vitamin D, calcium, and potassium and excess energy, carbohydrates, and sodium. Dietary modifications are necessary to prevent serious deficiencies and the development of chronic illness. Snacking has steadily increased in this population since the 1970s, and snacks provide necessary nutrients. However, carbohydrates and added sugars tend to be over-consumed at snacking occasions. Replacement of current snack choices with nutrient-dense foods could lower the risks of nutrient deficiencies and help lower excess nutrient consumption. Increased consumption of low sugar dairy foods, especially yogurt, at snack times could increase intake of important micronutrients without contributing to dietary excesses.
Environmental Tracers
Authors: Elliot Trevor
Published: October 2014

Environmental tracers continue to provide an important tool for understanding the source, flow and mixing dynamics of water resource systems through their imprint on the system or their sensitivity to alteration within it. However, 60 years or so after the first isotopic tracer studies were applied to hydrology, the use of isotopes and other environmental tracers are still not routinely necessarily applied in hydrogeological and water resources investigations where appropriate. There is therefore a continuing need to promote their use for developing sustainable management policies for the protection of water resources and the aquatic environment. This Special Issue focuses on the robustness or fitness-for-purpose of the application and use of environmental tracers in addressing problems and opportunities scientifically, to promote their wider use and to address substantive issues of vulnerability, sustainability, and uncertainty in (ground)water resources systems and their management.
A simple, inexpensive, and field‐relevant microcosm tidal simulator for use in marsh macrophyte studies
Authors: MacTavish Rachel M. , Cohen Risa A.
Published: October 2014

• Premise of the study: A microcosm unit with tidal simulation was developed to address the challenge of maintaining ecologically relevant tidal regimes while performing controlled greenhouse experiments on smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora.

• Methods and Results: We designed a simple, inexpensive, easily replicated microcosm unit with tidal simulation and tested whether S. alterniflora growth in microcosms with tidal simulation was similar to that of tidally influenced plants in the field on Sapelo Island, Georgia. After three months of exposure to either natural or simulated tidal treatment, plants in microcosms receiving tidal simulation had similar stem density, height, and above‐ and belowground biomass to plants in field plots.

• Conclusions: The tidal simulator developed may provide an inexpensive, effective method for conducting studies on S. alterniflora and other tidally influenced plants in controlled settings to be used not only to complement field studies, but also in locations without coastal access.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel N-α-haloacylated homoserine lactones as quorum sensing modulators
Authors: Syrpas Michail , Ruysbergh Ewout , Stevens Christian V , De Kimpe Norbert , Mangelinckx Sven
Published: October 2014

Novel N-α-haloacylated homoserine lactones, in which a halogen atom was introduced at the α-position of the carbonyl function of the N-acyl chain, have been studied as quorum sensing (QS) modulators and compared with a library of natural N-acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs). The series of novel analogues consists of α-chloro, α-bromo and α-iodo AHL analogues. Furthermore, the biological QS activity of the synthetic AHL analogues compared to the natural AHLs was evaluated. Halogenated analogues demonstrated a reduced activity in the Escherichia coli JB523 bioassay, with the α-iodo lactones being the less active ones and the α-chloro AHLs the most potent QS agonists. Most of the α-haloacylated analogues did not exhibit a significant reduction when tested in the QS inhibition test. Therefore, these novel analogues could be utilized as chemical probes for QS structure–activity studies.
Attend to This: The Relationship between Auditory Processing Disorders and Attention Deficits
Authors: Gyldenkærne Pia , Dillon Harvey , Sharma Mridula , Purdy Suzanne C
Published: October 2014

Background:Children clinically diagnosed with auditory processing disorders (APDs) are often described as easily distracted and inattentive, leading some researchers to propose that APDs might be a consequence of underlying attention difficulties or a subtype of attention disorders.Purpose:The
aim of this study was to investigate the link between AP and attention by determining the relationship between performance on an auditory and visual sustained attention task and performance on a common APD test battery.Research Design:This study was a cross-sectional correlation study
of school-aged children.Study Sample:Participants were a clinical group of 101 children considered by their parents or teachers to have listening difficulties, and a control group of 18 children with no suspected listening difficulties. All children were 7‐12 yr old.Data Collection
and Analysis:All children passed a standard peripheral audiologic assessment and were assessed using a clinical APD test battery and reading accuracy, nonverbal intelligence, and visual and auditory continuous performance tests.Results:There were significant correlations within
the APD test scores except for masking level difference values, which did not correlate significantly with any other measure. Dichotic Digit and Frequency Pattern scores also correlated significantly with Nonverbal Intelligence and Sustained Auditory and Visual Attention scores. Within the
clinical group, there were twice as many children outside normal limits on both the APD test battery and the attention tests as there were children who were outside normal limits on only the APD test battery or only the attention tests. Significant predictors of reading ability were the Frequency
Pattern, Gaps In Noise, and Nonverbal Intelligence scores.Conclusions:The degree of correlation between the APD and attention measures indicates that although deficits in both AP and sustained attention co-occur in some children (more than would be expected from chance alone), and the
two conditions may have similar symptoms, they are separate, largely independent conditions.
Are MOOCs Promising Learning Environments?
Authors: Bartolomé-Pina Antonio Ramón , Steffens Karl
Published: October 2014

This article reflect upon MOOCs as technology enhanced learning environments. The increase in numbers of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has been dramatic in recent years. MOOCs may be considered to be a new form of virtual technology enhanced learning environments. Two types of MOOCs may be distinguished: cMOOCs as proposed by Siemens, based on his ideas of connectivism, and xMOOCs developed in institutions such as Stanford and MIT. Although they have received a great deal of attention, they have also met with criticism. The time has therefore come to critically reflect upon this phenomenon. While there is still relatively little empirical research on the effects of MOOCs on learning, this study tries to shed light on the issue from a theoretical point of view. It will first explore positive and negative expectations regarding MOOCs. MOOCs might constitute a good option if they can be delivered on a large scale, and this will only be possible for a few big institutions. There is no empirical research which would uphold the claims concerning their positive effects. It will then review classical and more recent learning theories with respect to their capability to explain the process of learning in order to compare traditional online courses, xMOOC and cMOOC with respect to their potential to support learning and its self-regulation.

Este trabajo reflexiona sobre los MOOC como entornos de aprendizaje. El número de cursos masivos abiertos y en línea (MOOC) ha crecido exponencialmente en pocos años desde que fueron introducidos. Los MOOC son considerados una nueva forma de entornos virtuales de aprendizaje potenciados por la tecnología. Se consideran dos tipos de MOOC: unos los organizados por Siemens y Downes (cMOOC) y otros los desarrollados en lugares como Stanford, con muchos estudiantes y loables objetivos (xMOOC); estos tienen también sus debilidades. Aunque han sido recibidos con altas expectativas, también han encontrado una fuerte oposición que está aumentando con el tiempo, lo que nos permite estudiar este fenómeno en profundidad. Aunque todavía hay pocas investigaciones empíricas sobre los efectos de los MOOC en el aprendizaje, este estudio trata de arrojar luz sobre el tema desde un punto de vista teórico. En primer lugar exploraremos las expectativas positivas y negativas generadas. Los MOOC pueden constituir una buena propuesta a gran escala, lo que solo es posible para unas pocas grandes instituciones. No hay estudio de mercado, ni modelo de negocio, ni investigaciones empíricas que permitan confirmar los anuncios de sus efectos positivos. Revisaremos las teorías del aprendizaje recientes y clásicas respecto a su capacidad para explicar el proceso de aprendizaje y compararemos los cursos en línea tradicionales, los xMOOC y los cMOOC en relación a su potencial para apoyar el aprendizaje y su auto-regulación.
Campaigning Online, Locally
Authors: Lev-On Azi
Published: October 2014

How do candidates for municipal office use the Internet in their campaigns, and are there differences between candidates according to the character of the constituencies and the races? This is the first a country-wide study of website usage in low-visibility political campaigns for municipal offices. Data were collected during municipal elections campaigns that took place in Israel in three cycles between November 2007 and February 2009, in 143 different municipalities and involving almost 500 candidates across Israel. 1The paper explores the characteristics of municipal campaigning, including the scope of website usage, the features available in candidates' websites, variables predicting website usage, and the perceptions of candidates regarding websites' effectiveness. While Websites were used by half of the candidates, they tended to be static and include very few interactive features. The characteristics of the constituencies and the races were correlated with the scope of Website usage by contenders.
French Primary Elections and the Internet, the Social Network of the Socialist Party, the Coopol
Authors: De Luca Marino , Theviot Anaïs
Published: October 2014

Beyond traditional places for exchanges within organizations (for example, ward or branch meetings), virtual communication forums give members of political parties an opportunity to express their opinions on line. The social network of the Parti Socialiste (PS) in France, the Coopol, was created on January 12, 2010, and seems to hold out new prospects for public debate. The mediated exchanges which took place on this platform have allowed us to analyze the political debate among activists between July and October 2011. The results are based on different types of data (statistical analysis of text, web surveys and qualitative interviews) gathered while observing the debate on the forum and through interviews with voters and activists. The rationale for the use of three different approaches is related to the fact that the article presents several studies that can be evaluated in their totality, but should be taken singly in each case. The information provided by this article makes it an important case study which explains in an empirical way the latest theoretical approaches within this research field.
Robust Optimization Model for Runway Configurations Management
Authors: Zhang Rui , Kincaid Rex
Published: October 2014

The Runway Configuration Management problem governs what combinations of airport runways are in use at a given time for an airport or a collection of airports. Runway configurations (groupings of runways), operate under Runway Configuration Capacity Envelopes (RCCEs) which limit arrival and departure capacities. The RCCE identifies unique capacity constraints based on which runways are used for arrivals, departures, and their direction of travel. When switching between RCCEs, due to a change in weather conditions or a change in the demand pattern, a decrement in arrival and departure capacities is incurred during the transition. This paper reports computational experience with two distinct models—a robust optimization model that addresses uncertainty in the arrival demand, and a previously studied model that does not include uncertainty in any of the parameters. Test case scenarios are based on data from the John F. Kennedy international airport in New York.
Efficient Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making Models with Correlation Coefficient of Vague Sets
Authors: Robinson John , Amirtharaj Henry
Published: October 2014

A new approach for multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems where the attribute weights and the expert weights are real numbers and the attribute values take the form of vague values, is presented in this paper. Since families of ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operators are available in the literature, and only a few available for vague sets, the vague ordered weighted averaging (VOWA) operator and the induced vague ordered weighted averaging (IVOWA) operator are introduced in this paper and utilized for aggregating the vague information. The correlation coefficient for vague sets is used for ranking the alternatives and a new MAGDM model is developed based on the IVOWA operator and the vague weighted averaging (VWA) operator. In addition to the proposed model, two different models are proposed based on Linguistic Quantifiers for the situation when the expert weights are completely unknown. An illustrative example is given and a comparison is made between the models to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach of MAGDM.
Why Has Project Management (PMBOK) Hindered Instead of Advanced Transformational e-Government?
Authors: Furlong Shauneen
Published: October 2014

Transformational e-Government offered the hope and promise to revitalize and modernize public services; reinvigorate and improve services to citizens, business, and governments; and create an exciting environment for employees to work and contribute. Countries world-wide are inexorably engaged and urged forward by both push-and-pull motivational pressures to use technology to improve democratic participation, social harmony, and economic sustainability. While e-Government's first decade has been much more transactional than transformational, radical changes affecting e-Government are needed in this decade. But progress achieved thus far was not without struggle. The project failure rate is so high that transformational e-Government progress is stalling. This paper identifies a synergistic compendium of ten key challenges that prevent progress in transformational e-Government and assesses the effectiveness of the North American standard for project management, the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), in managing these challenges - and finds it wanting.
Social Networks Discovery Based on Information Retrieval Technologies and Bees Swarm Optimization
Authors: Drias Yassine , Drias Habiba
Published: October 2014

Unlike the previous works where detecting communities is performed on large graphs, our approach considers textual documents for discovering potential social networks. More precisely, the aim of this paper is to extract social communities from a collection of documents and a query specifying the domain of interest that may link the group. We propose a methodology that develops an information retrieval system capable to generate the documents that are in relationship with any topic. The authors of these documents are linked together to constitute the social community around the given thematic. The search process in the information retrieval system is designed using BSO, the bee swarm optimization method in order to optimize the retrieval time for large amount of documents. Our approach was implemented and tested on CACM and DBLP and the time of building a social network is quasi instant.
An Extensive Antigenic Footprint Underpins Immunodominant TCR Adaptability against a Hypervariable Viral Determinant
Authors: Nivarthi Usha K. , Gras Stephanie , Kjer-Nielsen Lars , Berry Richard , Lucet Isabelle S. , Miles John J. , Tracy Samantha L. , Purcell Anthony W. , Bowden David S. , Hellard Margaret , Rossjohn Jamie , McCluskey James , Bharadwaj Mandvi
Published: October 2014

Mutations in T cell epitopes are implicated in hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence and can impinge on vaccine development. We recently demonstrated a narrow bias in the human TCR repertoire targeted at an immunodominant, but highly mutable, HLA-B*0801–restricted epitope (1395HSKKKCDEL1403 [HSK]). To investigate if the narrow TCR repertoire facilitates CTL escape, structural and biophysical studies were undertaken, alongside comprehensive functional analysis of T cells targeted at the natural variants of HLA-B*0801–HSK in different HCV genotypes and quasispecies. Interestingly, within the TCR–HLA-B*0801–HSK complex, the TCR contacts all available surface-exposed residues of the HSK determinant. This broad epitope coverage facilitates cross-genotypic reactivity and recognition of common mutations reported in HCV quasispecies, albeit to a varying degree. Certain mutations did abrogate T cell reactivity; however, natural variants comprising these mutations are reportedly rare and transient in nature, presumably due to fitness costs. Overall, despite a narrow bias, the TCR accommodated frequent mutations by acting like a blanket over the hypervariable epitope, thereby providing effective viral immunity. Our findings simultaneously advance the understanding of anti-HCV immunity and indicate the potential for cross-genotype HCV vaccines.
La construcción colaborativa de bancos de datos abiertos como instrumento de empoderamiento ciudadano
Authors: Álvarez García Sergio , Gértrudix Barrio Manuel , Rajas Fernández Mario
Published: October 2014

En el contexto actual de medios y redes sociales digitales, cuando la ciudadanía pasa de consumidora a ‘prosumidora’ de información, comienza a demandar transparencia a los poderes públicos y a tomar conciencia de su potencialidad colectiva para cambiar el mundo en el que vive, compra y vota. Metodología: Este artículo recurre a la técnica del estudio de casos para analizar portales de datos en abierto e identificar los elementos tecnológicos y estratégicos que facilitan una reutilización y redifusión colaborativas de la información para la toma de decisiones y la construcción social de la realidad por los ciudadanos. Resultados y conclusiones: Puede hablarse de un ‘movimiento’ de iniciativas basadas en datos abiertos, que liberan información pública de temática fundamentalmente financiera y política; que la organizan atendiendo principalmente a criterios geopolíticos; y que la ponen a disposición de los ciudadanos mediante estándares tecnológicos y modelos de participación que señalan el camino de los cambios.
Apprentissage et diagnostic des lésions à l'abattoir : le logiciel ASADIA®
Authors: Carlier Vincent Richard Didier , Augustin Jean-Christophe , Tassin Pierre , Grandmontagne Claude
Published: October 2014

Teaching and diagnosis of lesions in slaughterhouses : ASADIA® software

In 2000-2002, over 1600 slides on pathology applied to meat inspection, coming from various sources, have been put together in a CD-Rom and circulated to all veterinary inspection services in France. The objective was to keep a trace of increasingly rare lesions and unify the terminology, as well as provide a teaching tool for meat inspectors.
Contamination de l'environnement par les dioxines autour d'une usine d'incinération des déchets ménagers, en Savoie, octobre 2001
Authors: Quere de Kerleau Martine
Published: October 2014

Au début de l’automne 2001, a débuté une crise sanitaire sans précédent due à une pollution par des émissions de dioxines provenant de l’incinérateur d’ordures ménagères (UIOM) de Gilly sur Isère. Les premiers résultats d’analyses sur l’environnement immédiat sont catastrophiques et ont conduit le Préfet de la Savoie à une suspension de l’activité de l’usine d’incinération.

La direction départementale des services vétérinaires a mis en place, sans délai, des mesures sanitaires sur la chaîne alimentaire pour préserver la santé publique : périmètre sous contrôle (10 km) et périmètre sous surveillance (10 – 20 km) de l’ensemble des exploitations agricoles, réalisation de nombreuses analyses dioxines sur des denrées alimentaires, sur des fourrages destinés à l’alimentation des ruminants, et également sur des sols et de l’herbe au printemps 2002.

Les résultats d’analyses ont conduit à des retraits importants de produits non conformes aux normes définies par l’Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA) : des laits, des fromages, des oeufs, des volailles et des viandes.

Cette crise sanitaire a duré un an, avant une levée définitive des périmètres, à l’issue d’une requalification des cheptels laitiers et de l’abattage systématique des troupeaux à viande (moutons – vaches allaitantes) situés dans le périmètre sous contrôle.

Au total : 2 981 bovins, 3 460 ovins, 470 caprins, 45 équidés ont été abattus, 2 230 000 litres de lait et 30 tonnes de fromages détruits et environ 10 000 tonnes de foins contaminés retirés des exploitations agricoles.

Cet épisode a mis en évidence le risque grave de contamination de l’environnement autour des UIOM non conformes à la réglementation, même dans le cas d’incinérateurs de faible capacité (moins de 6t/ heure).
Présentation des bases moléculaires des voies de signalisation des dioxines
Authors: Pineau Thierry , Martin Pascal , Calleja Cécile
Published: October 2014

Dioxin derivatives sustain a substantial and versatile toxicity in rodent species, which remains challenging to investigate in human. As exemplified by several recent environmental contaminations reported by the media, humans remain under the threat of being accidentally exposed to dioxins. Firstly, we will describe a molecular signaling pathway that explains mainly the toxic effects of dioxins. It involves a pair of proteins that display a ''PAS'' active domain : the Aryl-hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) and its dimerization partner (Arnt). This active dimer transactivates the transcription of a battery of target genes. Nevertheless, their identification does not provide evidence for all toxic actions attributed to dioxins. Transgenic murine models have provided novel physiological and developmental links to this receptor dimer, which appears to be recruited by several dietary chemicals. A recent investigation exposed the connection, at the protein level, between the AHRdioxin pathway and the Estrogen Receptor pathway, thus providing a novel meaning to some puzzling estrogenic effects sustained by dioxin derivatives.
Cursus actuel des études vétérinaires françaises
Authors: Bourdoiseau Gilles
Published: October 2014

Durant deux siècles, le cursus des études vétérinaires en France n’a pratiquement pas changé : jusqu’en 1995, après l’obtention du baccalauréat, l’étudiant passait une année en classe préparatoire pour le concours d’entrée aux Écoles Nationales Vétérinaires (ENV). Au sein d’une École, l’étudiant passait 4 années au terme desquelles il recevait le diplôme de vétérinaire et était autorisé à soutenir une thèse d’exercice. Depuis 1995, le cursus est divisé en trois cycles : un premier cycle regroupant l’année préparatoire et la première année d’école (concours A) ou deux années en faculté des sciences (DEUG concours B ou DUT ou BTS : concours C) ; un deuxième cycle de trois années au sein d’une ENV ; un troisième cycle soit professionnel court, soit de spécialisation, soit de la voie doctorale. Le cursus actuel présente un certain nombre de progrès et d’avantages par rapport au cursus précédent, sans pour autant satisfaire toutes les exigences actuelles professionnelles et européennes.
Traçabilité du médicament vétérinaire, un des rôles du registre d'élevage : les aspects européens et internationaux
Authors: Vedeau François
Published: October 2014

The European legislation takes into account the traceability of veterinary drugs at all their stages of production and use, from marketing authorization, manufacturing, labelling, and distribution of the drug, all the way to the feeding of livestock.

Ensuring such traceability is more difficult at the international level but harmonization between the different legislations is under way.
Les services vétérinaires dans les pays de l'Union Européenne : La formation des vétérinaires inspecteurs
Authors: Bellemain Véronique
Published: October 2014

Les services vétérinaires des États membres de l’Union Européenne poursuivent des objectifs communs, dans le cadre du marché unique. Cependant, leurs organisations, statuts des personnels et politiques de formation sont extrêmement variables. Ceux-ci sont décrits et analysés schématiquement, puis les choix français sont soulignés.
Un nouveau polyomavirus isolé chez l'oie : de l'identification du virus au développement d'un vaccin
Authors: Guerin Jean-Luc , Gelfi Jacqueline , Léon Olivier , Claverys Carine , Pappalardo Michaël
Published: October 2014

Hemorrhagic nephritis enteritis of geese (HNEG) is a major disease affecting goose. We have isolated its agent and shown that it is a novel member of Polyomavirus genus. The biology of this viral infection has been studied, at the level of both animal and flocks, on breeders and fattening goslings. An inactivated and adjuvanted vaccine has also been prepared and assayed on breeders and goslings. This program should result in the control of the disease on the field. It also addresses the question of the impact of polyomaviruses in animal and public health.
Actualités en pathologie du cheval : les maladies infectieuses
Authors: Zientara Stéphan
Published: October 2014

La pathologie, et plus particulièrement le domaine des maladies infectieuses, constitue un sujet d’intérêt majeur pour la filière équine de par l’importance économique et /ou internationale que certaines de ces maladies peuvent engendrer. Après une succincte présentation des principales maladies infectieuses des équidés et de leurs conséquences pour la filière équine, les travaux de recherche menés en France sont présentés.
Effets du transport routier sur le bien-être des bovins
Authors: Brule Anne
Published: October 2014

Presque tous les bovins adultes sont transportés à un moment de leur vie et le plus souvent par route. La réglementation de l’Union Européenne en vigueur permet que les bovins adultes soient transportés par route pendant des durées de 29 heures (14 heures de transport, une heure pour abreuver et alimenter les animaux, 14 heures de transport). Entre le printemps 1999 et l’été 2000, 17 transports de taurillons et de broutards ont ainsi été effectués avec une bétaillère expérimentale, en conditions froides et en conditions chaudes. Il apparaît que le transport est un peu stressant pour les animaux transportés, cependant les variations des paramètres indicateurs de stress ne sont pas extrêmes et correspondent plutôt à une adaptation normale à une situation nouvelle pour les animaux. Par contre, des animaux transportés pendant 29 heures apparaissent moins fatigués que des animaux restés en bâtiment (ceux-ci présentant alors plus d’interactions entre eux) dans des conditions similaires. Enfin, distribuer de l’eau et de l’aliment à la pause apparaît bénéfique pour les animaux transportés comme pour ceux en bâtiment, et ceci d’autant plus en été.
Endocardiose mitrale de l'épagneul Cavalier King Charles en France: étude épidémiologique, clinique et écho-Doppler de 451 cas
Authors: Chetboul Valérie , Tissier Renaud , Villaret Florence , Nicolle Audrey , Dean Eric , Benalloul Thierry , Laforge Hervé , Pouchelon Jean-Louis
Published: October 2014

Une étude rétrospective a été menée dans l’Unité de Cardiologie d’Alfort chez 451 Cavaliers King Charles (CKC). Un souffle systolique apexien gauche a été détecté chez 183 d’entre eux (40,6 %). La prévalence de ce souffle augmentait avec l’âge (18,8 % pour les CKC < 1 an à 100 % pour les CKC > 11 ans). L’endocardiose valvulaire mitrale a représenté 93,3 % des anomalies diagnostiquées à l’échocardiographie. Une corrélation positive a été observée entre l’âge et différents paramètres échographiques (P< 0,01) : le rapport atrium/ aorte, le diamètre diastolique ventriculaire gauche, l’épaisseur des feuillets mitraux et la surface colorimétrique du reflux mitral. Une corrélation positive a aussi été observée entre l’intensité du souffle et ces paramètres échographiques (P< 0,0001). En conclusion, l’endocardiose mitrale est une valvulopathie à la fois précoce et fréquente chez le CKC en France. Certains paramètres cliniques et écho-Doppler ont une valeur prédictive de la gravité de la maladie.
Principes et lignes directrices pour la gestion des risques microbiologiques : état des discussions en cours au sein du Codex alimentarius à propos des concepts de Niveau approprié de protection, d’Objectif de sécurité sanitaire des aliments, d’Objectif de performance et de Critère de performance
Authors: Meyer-Broseta Stéphanie , Evain Loïc
Published: October 2014

This article describes various concepts developed within the Codex alimentarius, to analyse microbiological risks. Risk managers can then use the results of microbiological risk assessments to define or recommend food safety objectives, as well as performance objectives and criteria applicable to foodstuffs throughout the farm-to-table chain.
Objectifs de sécurité des aliments et gestion du risque d’intoxination staphylococcique liée à la consommation de pâtisseries à la crème
Authors: Augustin Jean-Christophe , Carlier Vincent Richard Didier
Published: October 2014

The concept of food safety objectives recently proposed by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) is designed to convert the appropriate level of protection of the consumer health into a sanitary objective applicable to foods. Food safety objectives are hence defined as maximum frequencies and/ or concentrations of microbiological hazards in foodstuffs at the time of consumption. This concept is illustrated using a recently published study on the risk of staphylococcal food poisoning from cream-filled baked goods. Although interesting for its educational aspect, this example evades however some technical difficulties hidden behind such an approach. The definition of food safety objectives demonstrates an important progress in the management of food safety, but refinements must be made to properly integrate this concept into risk estimation schemes.
Du contrôle de la masse adipeuse chez les animaux de rente
Authors: Mourot Jacques
Published: October 2014

Le contrôle du développement de la masse adipeuse chez les animaux de rente est important d’un point de vue économique. Selon les espèces animales, des programmes de sélection ont été mis en place pour réduire cette masse adipeuse soit en agissant sur la diminution de l’épaisseur du tissu adipeux de couverture, soit en augmentant l’efficacité alimentaire ou le développement musculaire. Des résultats spectaculaires ont été obtenus en 50 ans chez le porc. La meilleure connaissance des besoins alimentaires et des matières premières utilisées dans l’alimentation animale permet aussi de réduire cette masse adipeuse. La réduction de la masse adipeuse a été bénéfique pour la carcasse mais ceci peut entraîner des défauts de qualités de la viande. La question reste posée de savoir jusqu’où continuer la réduction de la masse adipeuse ?
L'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE) : normes sanitaires et commerce international
Authors: Angot Jean-Luc
Published: October 2014

L’Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE) est une organisation intergouvernementale créée par l’Arrangement international du 25 janvier 1924, qui compte actuellement 167 Pays Membres. L’organisation est en relation permanente avec plus de 20 autres organisations internationales et régionales et dispose de représentations régionales dans tous les continents. Ses missions consistent à :

• garantir la transparence de la situation des maladies animales dans le monde ;

• collecter, analyser et diffuser l'information scientifique vétérinaire ;

• apporter son expertise et stimuler la solidarité internationale pour contrôler les maladies animales ;

• garantir la sécurité du commerce mondial en élaborant des normes sanitaires pour les échanges internationaux des animaux et de leurs produits, dans le cadre du mandat confié à l’OIE par l’Accord SPS de l’OMC ;

• promouvoir le cadre juridique et les ressources des Services Vétérinaires ;

• mieux garantir la sécurité sanitaire des aliments et promouvoir le bien-être animal en utilisant une approche scientifique. L’OIE élabore notamment des normes destinées aux Pays Membres pour se protéger de l’introduction de maladies, sans pour autant instaurer des barrières sanitaires injustifiées. Il s’agit en particulier du Code sanitaire pour les animaux terrestres, du Code sanitaire pour les animaux aquatiques,

du Manuel des tests de diagnostic et des vaccins pour les animaux terrestres et du Manuel des tests de diagnostic pour les animaux aquatiques. Ces normes sont élaborées sur des bases scientifiques par des Commissions spécialisées élues et des groupes de travail regroupant les meilleurs experts scientifiques mondiaux dans les domaines concernés ; la plupart des experts sont issus du réseau des 170 Centres Collaborateurs et Laboratoires de Référence de l’OIE. Elles sont adoptées par l’Assemblée générale des Pays Membres qui se réunit chaque mois de mai à Paris. Les normes de l’OIE sont reconnues par l’OMC comme des règles sanitaires internationales de référence.