bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Background Subtraction Method Based on Kernel Density Estimation
Authors: Lee Jeisung , Park Mignon
Published: September 2012

In this paper, a pixel-based background modeling method, which uses nonparametric kernel density estimation, is proposed. To reduce the burden of image storage, we modify the original KDE method by using the first frame to initialize it and update it subsequently at every frame by controlling the learning rate according to the situations. We apply an adaptive threshold method based on image changes to effectively subtract the dynamic backgrounds. The devised scheme allows the proposed method to automatically adapt to various environments and effectively extract the foreground. The method presented here exhibits good performance and is suitable for dynamic background environments. The algorithm is tested on various video sequences and compared with other state-of-the-art background subtraction methods so as to verify its performance.
Fall Detection with the Support Vector Machine during Scripted and Continuous Unscripted Activities
Authors: Liu Shing-Hong , Cheng Wen-Chang
Published: September 2012

In recent years, the number of proposed fall-detection systems that have been developed has increased dramatically. A threshold-based algorithm utilizing an accelerometer has been used to detect low-complexity falling activities. In this study, we defined activities in which the body’s center of gravity quickly declines as falling activities of daily life (ADLs). In the non-falling ADLs, we also focused on the body’s center of gravity. A hyperplane of the support vector machine (SVM) was used as the separating plane to replace the traditional threshold method for the detection of falling ADLs. The scripted and continuous unscripted activities were performed by two groups of young volunteers (20 subjects) and one group of elderly volunteers (five subjects). The results showed that the four parameters of the input vector had the best accuracy with 99.1% and 98.4% in the training and testing, respectively. For the continuous unscripted test of one hour, there were two and one false positive events among young volunteers and elderly volunteers, respectively.
Mouse Models for Filovirus Infections
Authors: Bradfute Steven B. , Warfield Kelly L. , Bray Mike
Published: September 2012

The filoviruses marburg- and ebolaviruses can cause severe hemorrhagic fever (HF) in humans and nonhuman primates. Because many cases have occurred in geographical areas lacking a medical research infrastructure, most studies of the pathogenesis of filoviral HF, and all efforts to develop drugs and vaccines, have been carried out in biocontainment laboratories in non-endemic countries, using nonhuman primates (NHPs), guinea pigs and mice as animal models. NHPs appear to closely mirror filoviral HF in humans (based on limited clinical data), but only small numbers may be used in carefully regulated experiments; much research is therefore done in rodents. Because of their availability in large numbers and the existence of a wealth of reagents for biochemical and immunological testing, mice have become the preferred small animal model for filovirus research. Since the first experiments following the initial 1967 marburgvirus outbreak, wild-type or mouse-adapted viruses have been tested in immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice. In this paper, we review how these types of studies have been used to investigate the pathogenesis of filoviral disease, identify immune responses to infection and evaluate antiviral drugs and vaccines. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of murine models for filovirus research, and identify important questions for further study.
Synthesis and evaluation of new guanidine-thiourea organocatalyst for the nitro-Michael reaction: Theoretical studies on mechanism and enantioselectivity
Authors: Shubina Tatyana E , Freund Matthias , Schenker Sebastian , Clark Timothy , Tsogoeva Svetlana B
Published: September 2012

A new guanidine-thiourea organocatalyst has been developed and applied as bifunctional organocatalyst in the Michael addition reaction of diethyl malonate to trans-β-nitrostyrene. Extensive DFT calculations, including solvent effects and dispersion corrections, as well as ab initio calculations provide a plausible description of the reaction mechanism.
Crosstalk between Human IgG Isotypes and Murine Effector Cells
Authors: Overdijk Marije B. , Verploegen Sandra , Ortiz Buijsse Antonio , Vink Tom , Leusen Jeanette H. W. , Bleeker Wim K. , Parren Paul W. H. I.
Published: September 2012

Development of human therapeutic Abs has led to reduced immunogenicity and optimal interactions with the human immune system in patients. Humanization had as a consequence that efficacy studies performed in mouse models, which represent a crucial step in preclinical development, are more difficult to interpret because of gaps in our knowledge of the activation of murine effector cells by human IgG (hIgG) remain. We therefore developed full sets of human and mouse isotype variants of human Abs targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and CD20 to explore the crosstalk with mouse FcγRs (mFcγRs) and murine effector cells. Analysis of mFcγR binding demonstrated that hIgG1 and hIgG3 bound to all four mFcγRs, with hIgG3 having the highest affinity. hIgG1 nevertheless was more potent than hIgG3 in inducing Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis with mouse NK cells, mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and mouse macrophages. hIgG4 bound to all mFcγRs except mFcγRIV and showed comparable interactions with murine effector cells to hIgG3. hIgG4 is thus active in the murine immune system, in contrast with its inert phenotype in the human system. hIgG2 bound to mFcγRIIb and mFcγRIII, and induced potent ADCC with mouse NK cells and mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes. hIgG2 induced weak ADCC and, remarkably, was unable to induce Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis with mouse macrophages. Finally, the isotypes were studied in s.c. and i.v. tumor xenograft models, which confirmed hIgG1 to be the most potent human isotype in mouse models. These data enhance our understanding of the crosstalk between hIgGs and murine effector cells, permitting a better interpretation of human Ab efficacy studies in mouse models.
The Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Outer Membrane Protein Ail Recruits the Human Complement Regulatory Protein Factor H
Authors: Ho Derek K. , Riva Rauna , Skurnik Mikael , Meri Seppo
Published: September 2012

Previous investigations characterizing the mechanism(s) of complement resistance in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis showed that the outer membrane protein Ail can functionally recruit the regulator of the classical and lectin pathways of complement, C4b-binding protein. In this study, we extend these observations and show that Ail can also recruit the regulator of the alternative pathway (AP), factor H (fH). Binding to fH was dependent on Ail expression and observed in the context of full-length LPS. Inactivation of ail resulted in loss of fH binding. Ail expression conferred resistance to AP-mediated killing. Bound fH was functional as a cofactor for factor I-mediated cleavage and inactivation of C3b. Ail alone is sufficient to mediate fH binding and resistance to AP-mediated killing, because Ail expression in a laboratory Escherichia coli strain conferred both of these phenotypes. Binding was specific and inhibited by increasing heparin and NaCl concentrations. Using a panel of fH recombinant fragments, we observed that both short consensus repeats 5–7 and 19–20 regions are responsible for mediating the interaction with Ail. Collectively, these results suggest that fH recruitment is an additional mechanism of complement resistance of Ail. Recruitment of both fH and C4BP by Ail may confer Y. pseudotuberculosis with the ability to resist all pathways of complement activation.
Ganglioside Inhibition of CD8+ T Cell Cytotoxicity: Interference with Lytic Granule Trafficking and Exocytosis
Authors: Lee Hee Chul , Wondimu Assefa , Liu Yihui , Ma Jennifer S. Y. , Radoja Saša , Ladisch Stephan
Published: September 2012

Granule exocytosis-mediated cytotoxicity by CD8+ CTL plays a crucial role in adaptive immunity to tumors and to intracellular pathogens. This T cell effector function has been shown to be defective in various murine tumor models and in human cancer. However, factors and their mechanisms that cause inhibition of CD8+ T cell lytic function in tumor-bearing hosts remain to be fully defined. We postulate that gangliosides, highly expressed on tumor cell membranes, actively shed into the tumor microenvironment, and having well-established immunosuppressive properties, may be such a factor. We exposed primary mouse CD8+ CTL to gangliosides derived from three sources (tumors and normal brain). This significantly inhibited cytotoxicity-mediated by granule exocytosis, that is, cytotoxicity of alloantigen-specific and polyclonal CD8+ CTL in vitro. These molecules did not interfere with the interaction of CD8+ T cells with their cognate targets. Rather, they inhibited lytic granule release in response both to TCR engagement and to stimuli that induce granule release in a nonpolarized manner. At the subcellular level, confocal microscopic imaging identified inhibition of polarization of lytic granules to the immunological synapse upon target cell recognition. Thus, tumor-shed gangliosides suppress lytic activity of CD8+ T cells by a novel mechanism, that is, inhibition of trafficking of lytic granules in response to TCR engagement, as well as by interfering with the process of granule exocytosis in CD8+ T cells.
Regulation of B Cell Linker Protein Transcription by PU.1 and Spi-B in Murine B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Xu Li S. , Sokalski Kristen M. , Hotke Kathryn , Christie Darah A. , Zarnett Oren , Piskorz Jan , Thillainadesan Gobi , Torchia Joseph , DeKoter Rodney P.
Published: September 2012

B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is frequently associated with mutations or chromosomal translocations of genes encoding transcription factors. Conditional deletion of genes encoding the E26-transformation–specific transcription factors, PU.1 and Spi-B, in B cells (ΔPB mice) leads to B-ALL in mice at 100% incidence rate and with a median survival of 21 wk. We hypothesized that PU.1 and Spi-B may redundantly activate transcription of genes encoding tumor suppressors in the B cell lineage. Characterization of aging ΔPB mice showed that leukemia cells expressing IL-7R were found in enlarged thymuses. IL-7R–expressing B-ALL cells grew in culture in response to IL-7 and could be maintained as cell lines. Cultured ΔPB cells expressed reduced levels of B cell linker protein (BLNK), a known tumor suppressor gene, compared with controls. The Blnk promoter contained a predicted PU.1 and/or Spi-B binding site that was required for promoter activity and occupied by PU.1 and/or Spi-B as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Restoration of BLNK expression in cultured ΔPB cells opposed IL-7–dependent proliferation and induced early apoptosis. We conclude that the tumor suppressor BLNK is a target of transcriptional activation by PU.1 and Spi-B in the B cell lineage.
Homeostatic Division Is Not Necessary for Antigen-Specific CD4+ Memory T Cell Persistence
Authors: Corbo-Rodgers Evann , Wiehagen Karla R. , Staub Elizabeth S. , Maltzman Jonathan S.
Published: September 2012

CD4+ memory T cells are generated in response to infection or vaccination, provide protection to the host against reinfection, and persist through a combination of enhanced survival and slow homeostatic turnover. We used timed deletion of the TCR-signaling adaptor molecule Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) with MHC:peptide tetramers to study the requirements for tonic TCR signals in the maintenance of polyclonal Ag-specific CD4+ memory T cells. SLP-76–deficient I-Ab:gp61 cells are unable to rapidly generate effector cytokines or proliferate in response to secondary infection. In mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or Listeria monocytogenes expressing the LCMV gp61–80 peptide, SLP-76–deficient I-Ab:gp61+ cells exhibit reduced division, similar to that seen in in vitro-generated CD44hi and endogenous CD4+CD44hi cells. Competitive bone marrow chimera experiments demonstrated that the decrease in homeostatic turnover in the absence of SLP-76 is a cell-intrinsic process. Surprisingly, despite the reduction in turnover, I-Ab:gp61+ Ag-specific memory cells persist in normal numbers for >30 wk after LCMV infection in the absence of SLP-76. These data suggest the independent maintenance of a population of Ag-specific CD4+ memory T cells in the absence of SLP-76 and normal levels of homeostatic division.
Grieving experiences amongst adolescents orphaned by AIDS: Analysis from event history calendars
Authors: Thupayagale-Tshweneagae Gloria
Published: September 2012

Mental health is an essential component of adolescent health and wellbeing. Mental health practitioners assess adolescents’ mental health status to identify possible issues that may lead to mental health problems. However, very few of the tools used to assess the mental health status of adolescents include assessment for grieving and coping patterns. The current tools used for assessing an individual’s mental health are lengthy and not comprehensive. The purpose of this study was to assess grieving patterns of adolescents orphaned by AIDS and to appraise the sefulness of an event history calendar as an assessment tool for identifying grieving experiences, in order to guide and support these adolescents through the grieving process. One hundred and two adolescents aged 14–18 years, who had been orphaned by AIDS, completed an event history calendar, reviewed it with the researcher and reported their perceptions of it. Thematic analysis of the event history calendar content revealed that it is an effective, time-efficient, adolescent-friendly tool that facilitated identification and discussion of the orphaned adolescents’ grieving patterns. Crying, isolation, silence and violent outbursts were the main grieving patterns reported by adolescents orphaned by AIDS. The researcher recommends use of the event history calendar for identification of orphaned adolescents’ grieving experiences. Early identification would enable mental health practitioners to support them in order to prevent the occurrence of mental illness due to maladaptive grieving.
Disclosing HIV diagnosis to children in Odi district, South Africa: Reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure
Authors: Mahloko Johanna M. , Madiba Sphiwe E.
Published: September 2012

Background: The increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and survival of HIV- infected children has posed challenges to caregivers on disclosing the HIV diagnosis to children. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to determine the reasons of caregivers for the disclosure and non-disclosure of the HIV diagnosis to children on ART and to determine the caregivers’ perceptions of children’s reaction to disclosure. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 149 caregivers of children between 4–17 years who receive ART from a district hospital in South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data. Results: The prevalence of disclosure was 40% and the mean age of disclosure was 9.3 years. Reasons for disclosure included that the child was not adhering to treatment (n = 59; 39%); the child was consistently asking questions about the treatment and nature of the disease (n = 59; 39%). Reasons for non-disclosure were that the child was too young (n = 90; 72%); the child would tell others about diagnosis (n = 90; 21.1%); the child would be socially rejected (n = 90; 18.6%); fear of negative consequences for the child (n = 90; 13.3%); and caregivers do not know how to tell or approach disclosure (n = 90; 8.9%). Conclusion: Caregivers disclosed the diagnosis so that their child would adhere to ART medication; non-disclosing caregivers delayed disclosure because their children were too young to understand the HIV diagnosis. Disclosure of HIV to children should be integrated into regular discussions with caregivers of children in ART settings to improve their knowledge and skills to manage disclosure.
The distribution of snow black carbon observed in the Arctic and compared to the GISS-PUCCINI model
Authors: Dou T. , Xiao C. , Shindell D. T. , Liu J. , Eleftheriadis K. , Ming J. , Qin D.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. In this study, we evaluate the ability of the latest NASA GISS composition-climate model, GISS-E2-PUCCINI, to simulate the spatial distribution of snow BC (sBC) in the Arctic relative to present-day observations. Radiative forcing due to BC deposition onto Arctic snow and sea ice is also estimated. Two sets of model simulations are analyzed, where meteorology is linearly relaxed towards National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and towards NASA Modern Era Reanalysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalyses. Results indicate that the modeled concentrations of sBC are comparable with present-day observations in and around the Arctic Ocean, except for apparent underestimation at a few sites in the Russian Arctic. That said, the model has some biases in its simulated spatial distribution of BC deposition to the Arctic. The simulations from the two model runs are roughly equal, indicating that discrepancies between model and observations come from other sources. Underestimation of biomass burning emissions in Northern Eurasia may be the main cause of the low biases in the Russian Arctic. Comparisons of modeled aerosol BC (aBC) with long-term surface observations at Barrow, Alert, Zeppelin and Nord stations show significant underestimation in winter and spring concentrations in the Arctic (most significant in Alaska), although the simulated seasonality of aBC has been greatly improved relative to earlier model versions. This is consistent with simulated biases in vertical profiles of aBC, with underestimation in the lower and middle troposphere but overestimation in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, suggesting that the wet removal processes in the current model may be too weak or that vertical transport is too rapid, although the simulated BC lifetime seems reasonable. The combination of observations and modeling provides a comprehensive distribution of sBC over the Arctic. On the basis of this distribution, we estimate the decrease in snow and sea ice albedo and the resulting radiative forcing. We suggest that the albedo reduction due to BC deposition presents significant space-time variations, with highest mean reductions of 1.25% in the Russian Arctic, which are much larger than those in other Arctic regions (0.39% to 0.64%). The averaged value over the Arctic north of 66° N is 0.4–0.6% during spring, leading to regional surface radiative forcings of 0.7, 1.1 and 1.0 W m−2 in spring 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Assessment of the Level-3 MODIS daily aerosol optical depth in the context of surface solar radiation and numerical weather modeling
Authors: Ruiz-Arias J. A. , Dudhia J. , Gueymard C. A. , Pozo-Vázquez D.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The Level-3 MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD) product offers interesting features for surface solar radiation and numerical weather modeling applications. Remarkably, the Collection 5.1 dataset extends over more than a decade, and provides daily values of AOD over a global regular grid of 1°×1° spatial resolution. However, most of the validation efforts so far have focused on Level-2 products (10-km, at original resolution) and only rarely on Level-3 (at aggregated spatial resolution of 1°×1°). In this contribution, we compare the Level-3 Collection 5.1 MODIS AOD dataset available since 2000 against observed daily AOD values at 550 nm from more than 500 AERONET ground stations around the globe. One aim of this study is to check the advisability of this MODIS dataset for surface shortwave solar radiation calculations using numerical weather models. Overall, the mean error of the dataset is 0.03 (17%, relative to the mean ground-observed AOD), with a root mean square error of 0.14 (73%, relative to the same), albeit these values are found highly dependent on geographical region. For AOD values below about 0.3 the expected error is found very similar to that of the Level-2 product. However, for larger AOD values, higher errors are found. Consequently, we propose new functions for the expected error of the Level-3 AOD, as well as for both its mean error and its standard deviation. Additionally, we investigate the role of pixel count vis-à-vis the reliability of the AOD estimates. Our results show that a higher pixel count does not necessarily turn into a more reliable AOD estimate. Therefore, we recommend to verify this assumption in the dataset at hand if the pixel count is meant to be used. We also explore to what extent the spatial aggregation from Level-2 to Level-3 influences the total uncertainty in the Level-3 AOD. In particular, we found that, roughly, half of the error might be attributable to Level-3 AOD sub-pixel variability. Finally, we use a~radiative transfer model to investigate how the Level-3 AOD uncertainty propagates into the calculated direct normal (DNI) and global horizontal (GHI) irradiances. Overall, results indicate that, for Level-3 AODs smaller than 0.5, the induced uncertainty in DNI due to the AOD uncertainty alone is below 15% on average, and below 5% for GHI (for a solar zenith angle of 30°. However, the uncertainty in AOD is highly spatially variable, and so is that in irradiance.
Assimilation of ground versus lidar observations for PM10 forecasting
Authors: Wang Y. , Sartelet K. N. , Bocquet M. , Chazette P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. This article investigates the potential impact of future ground-based lidar networks on analysis and short-term forecasts of particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 10 μg m−3 (PM10). To do so, an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) is built for PM10 data assimilation (DA) using optimal interpolation (OI) over Europe for one month in 2001. First, using a lidar network with 12 stations, we estimate the efficiency of assimilating the lidar network measurements in improving PM10 concentration analysis and forecast. It is compared to the efficiency of assimilating concentration measurements from the AirBase ground network, which includes about 500 stations in Western Europe. It is found that assimilating the lidar observations decreases by about 54% the root mean square error (RMSE) of PM10 concentrations after 12 h of assimilation and during the first forecast day, against 59% for the assimilation of AirBase measurements. However, the assimilation of lidar observations leads to similar scores as AirBase's during the second forecast day. The RMSE of the second forecast day is improved on average over the summer month by 57% by the lidar DA, against 56% by the AirBase DA. Moreover, the spatial and temporal influence of the assimilation of lidar observations is larger and longer. The results show a potentially powerful impact of the future lidar networks. Secondly, since a lidar is a costly instrument, a sensitivity study on the number and location of required lidars is performed to help defining an optimal lidar network for PM10 forecast. With 12 lidar stations, an efficient network in improving PM10 forecast over Europe is obtained by regularly spacing the lidars. DA with a lidar network of 26 or 76 stations is compared to DA with the previously-used lidar network. The assimilation of 76 lidar stations' measurements leads to a better score than AirBase's during the forecast days.
Cluster analysis of WIBS single particle bioaerosol data
Authors: Robinson N. H. , Allan J. D. , Huffman J. A. , Kaye P. H. , Foot V. E. , Gallagher M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was performed on single-particle multi-spatial datasets comprising optical diameter, asymmetry and three different fluorescence measurements, gathered using two dual Waveband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS). The technique is demonstrated on measurements of various fluorescent and non-fluorescent polystyrene latex spheres (PSL) before being applied to two separate contemporaneous ambient WIBS datasets recorded in a forest site in Colorado, USA as part of the BEACHON-RoMBAS project. Cluster analysis results between both datasets are consistent. Clusters are tentatively interpreted by comparison of concentration time series and cluster average measurement values to the published literature (of which there is a paucity) to represent: non-fluorescent accumulation mode aerosol; bacterial agglomerates; and fungal spores. To our knowledge, this is the first time cluster analysis has been applied to long term online PBAP measurements. The novel application of this clustering technique provides a means for routinely reducing WIBS data to discrete concentration time series which are more easily interpretable, without the need for any a priori assumptions concerning the expected aerosol types. It can reduce the level of subjectivity compared to the more standard analysis approaches, which are typically performed by simple inspection of various ensemble data products. It also has the advantage of potentially resolving less populous or subtly different particle types. This technique is likely to become more robust in the future as fluorescence-based aerosol instrumentation measurement precision, dynamic range and the number of available metrics is improved.
Improving Langley calibrations by reducing diurnal variations of aerosol Ångström parameters
Authors: Kreuter A. , Wuttke S. , Blumthaler M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Errors in the sun photometer calibration constant lead to artificial diurnal variations, symmetric around solar noon, of the retrieved Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and the associated Ångström exponent α and its curvature γ. We show in simulations that within the uncertainty of state-of-the-art Langley calibrations, these diurnal variations of α and γ can be significant in low AOD conditions, while those of AOD are negligible. We implement a weighted Monte-Carlo method of finding an improved calibration constant by minimizing the diurnal variations in α and γ and apply the method to sun photometer data of a clear day in Innsbruck, Austria. The results show that our method can be used to improve the calibrations in two of the four wavelength channels by up to a factor of 3.6.
Accurate measurements of carbon monoxide in humid air using the cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technique
Authors: Chen H. , Karion A. , Rella C. W. , Winderlich J. , Gerbig C. , Filges A. , Newberger T. , Sweeney C. , Tans P. P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Accurate measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) in humid air have been made using the cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technique. The measurements of CO mole fractions are determined from the strength of its spectral absorption in the near infrared region (∼1.57 μm) after removing interferences from adjacent carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O) absorption lines. Water correction functions that account for the dilution and pressure-broadening effects as well as absorption line interferences from adjacent CO2 and H2O lines have been derived for CO2 mole fractions between 360–390 ppm. The line interference corrections are independent of CO mole fractions. The dependence of the line interference correction on CO2 abundance is estimated to be approximately −0.3 ppb/100 ppm CO2 for dry mole fractions of CO. Comparisons of water correction functions from different analyzers of the same type show significant differences, making it necessary to perform instrument-specific water tests for each individual analyzer. The CRDS analyzer was flown on an aircraft in Alaska from April to November in 2011, and the accuracy of the CO measurements by the CRDS analyzer has been validated against discrete NOAA/ESRL flask sample measurements made on board the same aircraft, with a mean difference between integrated in situ and flask measurements of −0.6 ppb and a standard deviation of 2.8 ppb. Preliminary testing of CRDS instrumentation that employs new spectroscopic analysis (available since the beginning of 2012) indicates a smaller water vapor dependence than the models discussed here, but more work is necessary to fully validate the performance. The CRDS technique provides an accurate and low-maintenance method of monitoring the atmospheric dry mole fractions of CO in humid air streams.
Inverse method for estimating respiration rates from decay time series
Authors: Forney D. C. , Rothman D. H.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Long-term organic matter decomposition experiments typically measure the mass lost from decaying organic matter as a function of time. These experiments can provide information about the dynamics of carbon dioxide input to the atmosphere and controls on natural respiration processes. Decay slows down with time, suggesting that organic matter is composed of components (pools) with varied lability. Yet it is unclear how the appropriate rates, sizes, and number of pools vary with organic matter type, climate, and ecosystem. To better understand these relations, it is necessary to properly extract the decay rates from decomposition data. Here we present a regularized inverse method to identify an optimally-fitting distribution of decay rates associated with a decay time series. We motivate our study by first evaluating a standard, direct inversion of the data. The direct inversion identifies a discrete distribution of decay rates, where mass is concentrated in just a small number of discrete pools. It is consistent with identifying the best fitting "multi-pool" model, without prior assumption of the number of pools. However we find these multi-pool solutions are not robust to noise and are over-parametrized. We therefore introduce a method of regularized inversion, which identifies the solution which best fits the data but not the noise. This method shows that the data are described by a continuous distribution of rates, which we find is well approximated by a lognormal distribution, and consistent with the idea that decomposition results from a continuum of processes at different rates. The ubiquity of the lognormal distribution suggest that decay may be simply described by just two parameters: a mean and a variance of log rates. We conclude by describing a procedure that estimates these two lognormal parameters from decay data. Matlab codes for all numerical methods and procedures are provided.
The climate in the Baltic Sea region during the last millennium simulated with a regional climate model
Authors: Schimanke S. , Meier H. E. M. , Kjellström E. , Strandberg G. , Hordoir R.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Variability and long-term climate change in the Baltic Sea region is investigated for the pre-industrial period of the last millennium. For the first time dynamical downscaling covering the complete millennium is conducted with a regional climate model in this area. As a result of changing external forcing conditions, the model simulation shows warm conditions in the first centuries followed by a gradual cooling until ca. 1700 before temperature increases in the last centuries. This long-term evolution, with a Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and a Little Ice Age (LIA), is in broad agreement with proxy-based reconstructions. However, the timing of warm and cold events is not captured at all times. We show that the regional response to the global climate anomalies is to a strong degree modified by the large-scale circulation in the model. In particular, we find that a positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) simulated during MCA contributes to enhancing winter temperatures and precipitation in the region while a negative NAO index in the LIA reduces them. In a second step, the regional ocean model (RCO-SCOBI) is used to investigate the impact of atmospheric changes onto the Baltic Sea for two 100 yr time slices representing the MCA and the LIA. Besides the warming of the Baltic Sea, the water becomes fresher at all levels during the MCA. This is induced by increased runoff and stronger westerly winds. Moreover, the oxygen concentrations in the deep layers are slightly reduced during the MCA. Additional sensitivity studies are conducted to investigate the impact of even higher temperatures and increased nutrient loads. The presented experiments suggest that changing nutrient loads may be more important determining oxygen depletion than changes in temperature or dynamic feedbacks.
Effects of climate variability on Savannah fire regimes in West Africa
Authors: N'Datchoh E. T. , Konaré A. , Diedhiou A. , Assamoi P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Bushfires are recognized as environmental processes that affect the atmosphere by the gases and particles emitted and have an ecological and climatic impact. However, there are still numerous uncertainties, particularly about the variability of fire occurrence on the intra- and inter-annual scale. Our objective was to distinguish the space-time variability of fires in West Africa through analysis of burned areas using SPOT VEGETATION from L3JRC (1 April 2000 to 31 March 2007) which were obtained from the modification in the algorithm of cells from the GBA 2000 project. We also analyzed the influence of several large scale factors such as the ENSO, SOI, NAO and the north-south Atlantic temperature gradient factor (SSTG) on the variability of the span of burned areas. Based on areas burned monthly, we calculated the frequency of fire passage on the same pixel. This helped characterize the activity of pixels and distinguish the most vulnerable zones (with a lot of fire activity) from the least vulnerable ones (with less activity). Using a correlation calculation, we also found the influence of the quality of precipitations during preceding rainy seasons on burned areas during the dry season along with climate factors such as MEI, SOI, NAO and the SSTG.
Enhancing capacities of riparian professionals to address and resolve transboundary issues in international river basins: experiences from the Lower Mekong River Basin
Authors: Douven W. , Mul M. L. , Fernández-Álvarez B. , Lam Hung S. , Bakker N. , Radosevich G. , van der Zaag P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. This paper analyses the design and impact of capacity building programmes aimed at enhancing capacities of riparian professionals to address and resolve transboundary issues in international river basins. The case study is a programme developed by the Mekong River Commission (MRC). A post-training evaluation was applied to assess its impact in terms of individual capacity enhancement and change (use and application of knowledge, factors hampering application, and change in function and opportunities within the organisation). The design of the Capacity Building Programme of the MRC Flood Management and Mitigation Programme required a well balanced range of subjects (such as IWRM (integrated water resources management), model and decision support systems, and international water law). The post-training evaluation, 6 months after the last training workshop, showed an increase in familiarity with the topics for all 37 respondents, with the highest increase for the respondents with few years of working experience and from training and education institutions. The relevance of the subjects taught was highlighted by 95% of the respondents, and 78% of the participants had already used some of the acquired knowledge in their job. The respondents indicated that they did not have sufficient opportunities to apply all knowledge. The phased implementation and training of lecturers during the training workshops had a good impact, directly through increasing involvement in facilitation and delivery of the capacity building programme and through the use of the knowledge gained in short courses and development of curricula at their institute. For these types of capacity building programmes, a few recommendations can be made. The selection of participants is crucial for the application of the learned knowledge in their work. The integrative nature of transboundary water issues calls for a capacity building programme addressing a wide range of subjects, which can be understood by a wide range of professionals from different sectors. Training methods should also address this integrative nature through, e.g. roleplays and case studies. A successful capacity building programme needs to address the three levels of capacity building (enabling environment, organisations, and individual staff) and involve national and regional training and education institutes.
Spatial variability and its scale dependency of observed and modeled soil moisture under different climate conditions
Authors: Li B. , Rodell M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Past studies on soil moisture spatial variability have been mainly conducted in catchment scales where soil moisture is often sampled over a short time period. Because of limited climate and weather conditions, the observed soil moisture often exhibited smaller dynamic ranges which prevented the complete revelation of soil moisture spatial variability as a function of mean soil moisture. In this study, spatial statistics (mean, spatial variability and skewness) of in situ soil moisture measurements (from a continuously monitored network across the US), modeled and satellite retrieved soil moisture obtained in a warm season (198 days) were examined at large extent scales (>100 km) over three different climate regions. The investigation on in situ measurements revealed that their spatial moments strongly depend on climates, with distinct mean, spatial variability and skewness observed in each climate zone. In addition, an upward convex shape, which was revealed in several smaller scale studies, was observed for the relationship between spatial variability of in situ soil moisture and its spatial mean across dry, intermediate, and wet climates. These climate specific features were vaguely or partially observable in modeled and satellite retrieved soil moisture estimates, which is attributed to the fact that these two data sets do not have climate specific and seasonal sensitive mean soil moisture values, in addition to lack of dynamic ranges. From the point measurements to satellite retrievals, soil moisture spatial variability decreased in each climate region. The three data sources all followed the power law in the scale dependency of spatial variability, with coarser resolution data showing stronger scale dependency than finer ones. The main findings from this study are: (1) the statistical distribution of soil moisture depends on spatial mean soil moisture values and thus need to be derived locally within any given area; (2) the boundedness of soil moisture plays a pivoting role in the dependency of soil moisture spatial variability/skewness on its mean (and thus climate conditions); (3) the scale dependency of soil moisture spatial variability changes with climate conditions.
Les domestiques des communautés religieuses au Canada au XVIIe siècle
Authors: Bessière Arnaud
Published: September 2012

Cet article dresse à partir des recensements nominatifs canadiens du XVIIe siècle un portrait détaillé des domestiques engagés spécifiquement au service des communautés religieuses. Ces dernières se placent parmi les plus gros employeurs de domestiques au Canada à cette époque. Comparativement à leurs homologues employés chez des laïcs, les domestiques des institutions religieuses sont plus âgés, presque exclusivement masculins, et affectés à des tâches plus diversifiées. Davantage présente dans les communautés riches en propriétés foncières, cette main-d’oeuvre salariée n’en demeure pas moins importante au sein des institutions hospitalières pourtant moins pourvues en terres et seigneuries.
L’Église catholique, acteur de la francophonie en Amérique du Nord. L’exemple de la culture acadienne du Traité de Paris (1763) à nos jours
Authors: Lamarque Gwénael , Léger Maurice Alfred
Published: September 2012

En Amérique du Nord, la pérennité de la francophonie esthistoriquement liée à la résistance et aux actions de l’Église catholique (delangue française), qui est la confession majoritaire de ceux que l’on a longtempsqualifiés par l’appellation générique de Canadiens français. Longtemps lecombat pour la préservation de la langue et de la culture française s’estnaturellement doublé de celui pour la foi catholique. Ce qui est vrai pour leQuébec, l’est encore plus pour des régions périphériques, où les Francophonessont en situation doublement minoritaire, linguistique et religieuse, commec’est le cas pour les Acadiens. Entamer donc une réflexion sur les corrélationsexistantes entre la religion catholique et la culture acadienne pose d’emblée leproblème de la polarisation sociale d’un espace aux frontières évanescentes,éclaté entre plusieurs provinces canadiennes. L’enjeu de cet article est donc dedéfinir au regard de l’histoire acadienne les grands moments de cette relationspéciale entre la religion et la culture et d’en comprendre surtout les évolutionssur un peu plus de deux siècles.
Être journaliste catholique au XXe siècle, un apostolat : les exemples de Jules Dorion et Eugène L’Heureux
Authors: Marquis Dominique
Published: September 2012

Au XXe siècle, les journalistes, catholiques ou non, doivent oeuvrer dans un nouveau type de presse. La grande presse d’information est destinée à un public plus vaste et ceux qui y travaillent doivent suivre de nouvelles règles où l’information prime sur l’opinion s’ils veulent maintenir un certain pouvoir d’attraction sur la population. Le journaliste catholique, souvent associé à un personnage très combatif, a-t-il encore un rôle à jouer si l’opinion cède le pas à l’information? Peut-on être journaliste catholique dans un journal devenu média de masse? Cet article s’intéresse au journalisme catholique du XXe siècle dans la grande presse d’information, plus particulièrement durant la première moitié de ce siècle. Encore considéré comme un apostolat, le journalisme catholique peut prendre plusieurs visages, mais est-il différent de celui exercé au XIXe siècle? Plusieurs individus sont prêts à d’importants sacrifices pour oeuvrer pour cette cause où catholicisme se conjugue souvent avec nationalisme. Une cause qui apparaît toujours aussi importante. Deux exemples illustreront notre propos : Jules Dorion et Eugène L’Heureux. Le premier dirigera durant plus de trente ans le quotidien L’Action catholique, tandis que le second y sera rédacteur en chef, mais exercera aussi son métier de journaliste dans d’autres médias.
Être digne de l’Esto Vir. Une exploration de la socialisation religieuse chez les acéjistes (1904 - 1931)
Authors: Manseau Caroline
Published: September 2012

Un des principaux buts de l’Association catholique de la jeunesse canadienne-française (ACJC) était que ses membres deviennent sincèrement et ouvertement de fervents catholiques. Pourtant, durant les premières décennies du XXe siècle, la démonstration d’une spiritualité profonde chez la jeunesse masculine n’est pas nécessairement valorisée dans la culture populaire. À cet égard, nous profitons de cet article pour présenter quelques aspects du discours et de la pratique acéjiste qui témoignent d’une virilisation de la piété. Par exemple, la pratique religieuse devient une affaire publique, pragmatique et collective. Le recours aux imageries militaires marque également le discours, les membres étant comparés à des soldats, des chevaliers ou des croisés.
Réponse des catholiques progressistes à l’industrialisation, la réforme de l’entreprise (1944-1954)
Authors: Clavette Suzanne
Published: September 2012

Le présent article sur les tenants de la réforme de l’entreprise, qui prônaient la participation à la gestion et le partage des profits, s’attache plus à cerner leur attitude à l’égard de l’industrialisation rapide du Québec et des réformes nécessaires dans le monde du travail. Une attention particulière est portée au débat entourant la Lettre pastorale sur le problème ouvrier de 1950. L’on y montre comment les pressions des éléments conservateurs ont mené à d’importantes modifications de sa première version rédigée par la Commission sacerdotale d’études sociales, un document inédit intitulé Condition ouvrière.
Le paradigme de la mort de Dieu dans les sciences humaines de la religion
Authors: Gagnon Serge
Published: September 2012

Prolongement de la philosophie des Lumières, l’épistémologie du soupçon s’est élaborée progressivement : Niestzsche, Marx et Freud en furent les principaux définisseurs. L’idée que Dieu n’existe pas en est le postulat de base. Chez Niestzsche, philosophe hédoniste, l’ascétisme en vue du Royaume est pourfendu, cependant que Marx considère Dieu comme l’âme des sociétés sans âme, opium des opprimés. Freud et Wilhelm Reich (La révolution sexuelle) qualifieront de névrose la croyance en un être purement imaginaire. Retraçant la présence diffuse de cette épistémologie « régnante » dans l’historiographie religieuse, cet essai étoffe l’idée que, croyants ou incroyants, les anthropologues du religieux ont l’obligation de reconnaître les effets de la croyance sur les populations étudiées.
Entrer chez les ursulines de Trois-Rivières, 1887-1918
Authors: Roy Jean
Published: September 2012

La demande sociale grandissante en enseignement, à la fin du XIXe siècle, et la volonté des évêques trifluviens d’y apporter une réponse les font s’adresser aux ursulines de Trois-Rivières. Les caractéristiques de l’institution : ancienneté de l’implantation, autonomie du monastère, présence de trois catégories de religieuses dans la communauté et vie claustale compliquée par les exigences de l’enseignement sont connues de la part des nombreuses femmes qu’elles recrutent pour satisfaire les besoins de l’enseignement. Cet article s’intéresse à la mise en place de ces caractéristiques et au portait socioéconomique des recrues.
Un tournant de Vatican II
Authors: Routhier Gilles
Published: September 2012

Le 11 octobre 1962, un discours étonnant de Jean XXIII inaugure les travaux de Vatican II. Mais la surprise ne devait pas s’arrêter là. Très vite, les Pères vont s’écarter de l’ordre du jour prévu pour les travaux conciliaires. La demande de report des votes aux différentes commissions conciliaires, la discussion non-planifiée d’un Message à tous les hommes, le renvoi du De fontibus, autant d’événements qui ne correspondaient pas aux plans élaborés par la Curie en vue du Concile. Or, l’examen des documents permet de croire que le retournement du mois d’octobre se préparait déjà depuis le mois de mai, dans les grands évêchés de l’Europe centrale. En Amérique du Nord, seul Léger semble avoir activement participé à cette coalition qui a largement contribué à la réorientation de Vatican II.
Le nom supposé comme outil de transgression, d’« Un illuminé » au « Frère
Untel ». De l’usage de la fausse signature chez les prêtres au Québec
(1809-1979)
Authors: Luneau Marie-Pier
Published: September 2012

De 1809 à 1979, on relève deux cent soixante-deux cas de brochures ou de livres
publiés sous un faux nom par un membre du clergé au Québec. Ce corpus, constituant
environ 20 % de l’ensemble des livres et brochures publiés sous pseudonymes au
Québec, mérite d’être l’objet d’une étude spécifique. Certains membres du clergé
ont, dans l’histoire littéraire, utilisé une fausse signature par pure coquetterie,
d’autres s’en sont servi pour contester l’autorité. Mais dans quelle mesure
exactement les membres du clergé ont-ils usé de ce subterfuge pour court-circuiter
leurs supérieurs? Si la pratique du pseudonyme s’exerce souvent avec la complicité
des supérieurs ecclésiastiques, qu’avaient à protéger ces auteurs? Après avoir
dressé un panorama de l’usage général du pseudonyme chez les prêtres et les frères
au Québec, des cas marquants seront analysés dans leur rapport avec la
transgression.