bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex Network for Solar Active Regions
Authors: Daei Farhad , Safari Hossein , Dadashi Neda
Published: August 2017

In this paper we developed a complex network of solar active regions (ARs) to study various local and global properties of the network. The values of the Hurst exponent (0.8–0.9) were evaluated by both the detrended fluctuation analysis and the rescaled range analysis applied on the time series of the AR numbers. The findings suggest that ARs can be considered as a system of self-organized criticality (SOC). We constructed a growing network based on locations, occurrence times, and the lifetimes of 4227 ARs recorded from 1999 January 1 to 2017 April 14. The behavior of the clustering coefficient shows that the AR network is not a random network. The logarithmic behavior of the length scale has the characteristics of a so-called small-world network. It is found that the probability distribution of the node degrees for undirected networks follows the power law with exponents of about 3.7–4.2. This indicates the scale-free nature of the AR network. The scale-free and small-world properties of the AR network confirm that the system of ARs forms a system of SOC. Our results show that the occurrence probability of flares (classified by GOES class

, M, and X flares) in the position of the AR network hubs takes values greater than that obtained for other nodes.
Les banques et le financement des PME en France pendant les années 1920
Authors: Lescure Michel
Published: August 2017

Quelle est la portée du “financial gap” dont ont été victimes les PME en matière d’endettement bancaire ? Pour tenter de répondre à cette question, l’article étudie l’importance et la nature des crédits bancaires dans le financement des entreprises clientes du Crédit National pendant les années 1920. Il montre que si la décennie étudiée est bien une période de transition partielle entre un financement par les banques régionales et un financement par les nouveaux établissements para-publics créés au lendemain de la guerre, cette transition s’ est mal passée. Ceci s’explique par le fait que les nouveaux établissements para-publics ont subi les mêmes contraintes de financement et de gestion que les banques commerciales.
A l’origine de la grande distribution, le succursalisme : Casino, Saint-Etienne (1898-1948)
Authors: Zancarini-Fournel Michelle
Published: August 2017

Le succursalisme est l’une des formes commerciales qui se développent dans la première moitié du XX e siècle et qui contribuent à la rationalisation de la distribution et au déclin du commerce traditionnel. L’entreprise Casino, société en commandite par actions, met en place un réseau de succursales dans le sud-est de la France, à partir de la maison-mère stéphanoise où se concentrent l’administration et la fabrication. Une gestion familiale et corporatiste permet l’enracinement du personnel. En même temps, la rationalisation de l’entre-deux-guerres et le passage au libre-service au début des années cinquante font de ce groupe familial un des leaders de la grande distribution.
Charles Pathé’s American business
Authors: Wilkins Mira
Published: August 2017

Charles Pathé, entrepreneur et pionnier de l’ère du film muet, devint au début du XX e siècle le leader de l’industrie cinématographique mondiale et créa une entreprise multinationale. Celle-ci développa une active filiale aux États-Unis. En tant qu’industriel du cinéma, Pathé avait besoin de se fournir en pellicule, ce qui le mit en relations avec Eastman Kodak. La grande filiale américaine de Pathé, Pathe Exchange, fut vendue en 1921 à Merrill Lynch. En 1924, les sociétés Pathé de France et d’Amérique constituèrent avec Du Pont une entreprise conjointe pour produire de la pellicule aux États-Unis. En 1926 Cecil B. de Mille et Joseph Kennedy rachetèrent Pathe Exchange. Entre temps Pathé Cinéma était devenue la plus grande entreprise photographique de France. En 1927 se forma la société Kodak-Pathé. À la fin des années 1920 l’industrie cinématographique française dut se résigner à l’hégémonie de l’Amérique. Charles Pathé décida donc de se retirer des affaires.
Un exemple d’histoire d’entreprise en Italie : la Manifattura Lane G. Marzotto & Figli de Valdagne
Authors: Roverato Giorgio
Published: August 2017

Fondé en 1836, la Manifattura Lane G. Marzotto & Figli est le principal producteur européen dans le travail de la laine, du lin et dans le vêtement masculin. Le cas Marzotto est représentatif de la situation Italienne de l’histoire de l’entreprise - une méfiance des dirigeante à l’égard de la recherche proposée et une richesse d’archives conservées de façon très fortuite. L’originalité de Marzotto s’explique par l’ancienneté, le maintien du contrôle familial du capital en dépit d’une expansion multinationale, le rayonnement de l’activité productive et la politique paternaliste tant envers les ouvriers qu’envers la population du lieu d’implantation du siège social. D’abord il a fallu obtenir le droit d’accéder aux archives et ensuite de procéder à une sorte d’élimination pour différencier les documents nécessaires à la reconstitution historique de l’entreprise. L’état des comptes mensuel, les dossiers des factures, les livres d’inventaire constituent les trois types de documents qui se sont révélés être particulièrement fructueux. Les documents comptables publics étant complètement hermétiques, les états comptables internes ont permis une estimation de la situation financière. Les factures ont permis de déterminer le rapport types de produits/prix et la répartition par région et type de client. Les livres d’inventaire ont permis de reconstituer la gamme de produits et les politiques de gestion, ainsi qu’une idée de la potentialité des services techniques. Les livres de copie des lettres et les rapports internes, qui couvrent presque un demi siècle, ont permis de repérer les nœuds essentiels de l’organisation de la production. Les archives graphiques (cartes, plans et photos) aident à apprécier la « modernité » de la structure de l’entreprise. Avant sa diversification dans le prêt-à-porter, Marzotto voulut limiter les interventions publicitaires directes, préférant les effets induits par ses initiatives dans le domaine de l’assistance et du social. Enfin, l’auteur souligne l’importance de l’histoire orale (entretiens) afin de guider le chercheur sur des pistes difficiles à trouver sur le seul biais des archives.
Le conseil, un espace professionnel autonome ?
Authors: Henry Odile
Published: August 2017

Il est admis que les ingénieurs-conseils ont joué et jouent encore un rôle important dans l’importation et la diffusion des différentes façons de penser « l’organisation du travail ». Cependant, on ignore encore quelle a été la position occupée par les consultants dans les états successifs du rapport de forces entre le patronat, les ingénieur, les ouvriers et l’Etat et pourquoi, c’est-à-dire par quelle nécessité sociale, un espace professionnel du conseil s’est développé entre les deux guerres. Cet espace n’est pas homogène et se structure, dés les années 1920, entre deux pôles : l’un plus Intellectuel et lié à l’Etat et l’autre plus commercial et proche des attentes patronales. L’étude présentée ici obsédé comment ces deux pôles se sont progressivement consolidés au cours de l’histoire et souhaite apporter une première contribution à une analyse plus générale qui porterait sur la façon dont émerge, s’autonomise et se spécifie le champ du conseil.
« Vers nous, ni forteresse ni tour » : l’entrée de la recherche en sciences sociales à la Régie Renault (1948-1968)
Authors: Perriaux Anne-Sophie
Published: August 2017

Chez Renault, cinq années seulement séparent les premières études sociologiques menées en 1948 à Billancourt de la création d’un « Service d’études des problèmes du personnel » à la Direction des Relations Sociales en 1953. L’idée selon laquelle la Régie Nationale est un lieu de recherche, y compris pour ses propres salariés, est défendue par son président, Pierre Lefaucheux. La recherche s’insère ainsi dans le projet de modernisation de l’entreprise, au moment même où autour de Georges Friedmann, la sociologie française découvre la recherche empirique. L’urgence d’élaborer une politique sociale ne rend que plus importante la tâche de ceux qui entrent au « Service d’Etudes ». Dotés d’une formation universitaire de haut niveau, le plus souvent littéraire, ceux-ci sont à la fois des chercheurs et des administrateurs. Insérés dans le monde de la recherche où ils présentent leurs études (qui portent aussi bien sur le travail que sur les conditions de vie des salariés), ce sont également eux qui accueillent les chercheurs en quête de « terrain » et, dès la fin des années 1950, les premiers chercheurs contractuels. Les recherches n’ont pas eu dans l’entreprise le rôle de « conseil social » escompté ; non seulement cette vocation semble s’être peu à peu émoussée, mais l’usage qui fut fait des recherches resta essentiellement documentaire.
Utilisation et intégration des sciences sociales dans quelques grandes entreprises françaises
Authors: Beillan Véronique
Published: August 2017

Les années 1980, en France, marquent le début de l’intégration des sciences sociales dans l’entreprise. Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude menée auprès d’une vingtaine de responsables d’étude et de recherche en sciences sociales ou de responsables ayant recours à ces sciences, dans plusieurs grandes entreprises françaises. Sont tour à tour abordées les questions de l’intégration d’une activité en sciences sociales dans l’entreprise, de son point d’ancrage dans l’organisation, de son contenu, du partenariat et, plus généralement, de la place des sciences sociales dans l’entreprise.
Special Topic Interoperability and EHR: Combining openEHR, SNOMED, IHE, and Continua as approaches to interoperability on national eHealth
Authors: Stanimirović Dalibor , Beštek Mate
Published: August 2017

Objectives: The main aims of the paper comprise the characterization and examination of the potential approaches regarding interoperability. This includes openEHR, SNOMED, IHE, and Continua as combined interoperability approaches, possibilities for their incorporation into the eHealth environment, and identification of the main success factors in the field, which are necessary for achieving required interoperability, and consequently, for the successful implementation of eHealth projects in general.

Methods: The paper represents an in-depth analysis regarding the potential application of openEHR, SNOMED, IHE and Continua approaches in the development and implementation process of eHealth in Slovenia. The research method used is both exploratory and deductive in nature. The methodological framework is grounded on information retrieval with a special focus on research and charting of existing experience in the field, and sources, both electronic and written, which include interoperability concepts and related implementation issues.

Results: The paper will try to answer the following inquiries that are complementing each other:

1. Scrutiny of the potential approaches, which could alleviate the pertinent interoperability issues in the Slovenian eHealth context.

2. Analyzing the possibilities (requirements) for their inclusion in the construction process for individual eHealth solutions.

3. Identification and charting the main success factors in the interoperability field that critically influence development and implementation of eHealth projects in an efficient manner.

Conclusions: Provided insights and identified success factors could serve as a constituent of the strategic starting points for continuous integration of interoperability principles into the healthcare domain. Moreover, the general implementation of the identified success factors could facilitate better penetration of ICT into the healthcare environment and enable the eHealth-based transformation of the health system especially in the countries which are still in an early phase of eHealth planning and development and are often confronted with differing interests, requirements, and contending strategies.

Citation: Beštek M, Stanimirovic D. Special Topic Interoperability and EHR: Combining openEHR, SNOMED, IHE, and Continua as approaches to interoperability on national eHealth. Appl Clin Inform 2017; 8: 810–825 https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2017-01-RA-0011
Measurement of interferences associated with the detection of the hydroperoxy radical in the atmosphere using laser-induced fluorescence
Authors: Lew Michelle M. , Dusanter Sebastien , Stevens Philip S.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. One technique used to measure concentrations of the hydroperoxy radical (HO2) in the atmosphere involves chemically converting it to OH by addition of NO and subsequent detection of OH. However, some organic peroxy radicals (RO2) can also be rapidly converted to HO2 (and subsequently OH) in the presence of NO, interfering with measurements of ambient HO2 radical concentrations. This interference must be characterized for each instrument to determine to what extent various RO2 radicals interfere with measurements of HO2 and to assess the impact of this interference on past measurements. The efficiency of RO2 to HO2 conversion for the Indiana University Laser-Induced Fluorescence – Fluorescence Assay by Gas Expansion (IU-FAGE) instrument was measured for a variety of RO2 radicals. Known quantities of OH and HO2 radicals were produced from the photolysis of water vapor at 184.9 nm, and RO2 radicals were produced by the reaction of several volatile organic compounds with OH. The conversion efficiency of RO2 radicals to HO2 was measured when NO was added to the sampling cell for conditions employed during several previous field campaigns. For these conditions, approximately 80 % of alkene derived RO2 radicals and 20 % of alkane derived RO2 radicals were converted to HO2. Based on these measurements, interferences from various RO2 radicals contributed to approximately 35 % of the measured HO2 signal during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) 2006 campaign, where the measured VOCs consisted of a mixture of saturated and unsaturated species. However, this interference can contribute more significantly to the measured HO2 signal in forested environments dominated by unsaturated biogenic emissions such as isoprene.
The fossil history of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)
Authors: Harms Danilo , Dunlop Jason A.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Pseudoscorpions, given their resemblance to scorpions, have attracted human attention since the time of Aristotle, although they are much smaller and lack the sting and elongated tail. These arachnids have a long evolutionary history but their origins and phylogenetic affinities are still being debated. Here, we summarise their fossil record based on a comprehensive review of the literature and data contained in other sources. Pseudoscorpions are one of the oldest colonisers of the land, with fossils known since the Middle Devonian (ca. 390 Ma). The only arachnid orders with an older fossil record are scorpions, harvestmen and acariform mites, plus two extinct groups. Pseudoscorpions do not fossilise easily, and records from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic consist almost exclusively of amber inclusions. Most Mesozoic fossils come from Archingeay and Burmese ambers (Late Cretaceous) and those from the Cenozoic are primarily from Eocene Baltic amber, although additional fossils from, for example, Miocene Dominican and Mexican ambers, are known. Overall, 16 of the 26 families of living pseudoscorpions have been documented from fossils and 49 currently valid species are recognised in the literature. Pseudoscorpions represent a case of morphological stasis and even the Devonian fossils look rather modern. Indeed, most amber fossils are comparable to Recent groups despite a major gap in the fossil record of almost 250 Myr. Baltic amber inclusions indicate palaeofauna inhabiting much warmer climates than today and point to climatic shifts in central Europe since the Eocene. They also indicate that some groups (e.g. Feaellidae and Pseudogarypidae) had much wider Eocene distributions. Their present-day occurrence is relictual and highlights past extinction events. Faunas from younger tropical amber deposits (e.g. Dominican and Mexican amber) are comparable to Recent ones. Generally, there is a strong bias in the amber record towards groups that live under tree bark, whereas those from litter habitats are underrepresented. We also discuss challenges in interpreting fossils: their cryptic morphology warranting novel techniques of morphological reconstruction, the massive gap in the fossil record between the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic, and problems with the classification of (historically) old amber material. Finally, we discuss aspects of the palaeoecology and biology of the fossils compared with the Recent fauna, such as phoresy.
Ensemble modeling of stochastic unsteady open-channel flow in terms of its time-space evolutionary probability distribution: theoretical development
Authors: Dib Alain , Kavvas M. Levent
Published: August 2017

Abstract. The Saint-Venant equations are commonly used as the governing equations to solve for modeling the spatially varied unsteady flow in open channels. The presence of uncertainties in the channel or flow parameters renders these equations stochastic, thus requiring their solution in a stochastic framework in order to quantify the ensemble behavior and the variability of the process. While the Monte Carlo approach can be used for such a solution, its computational expense and its large number of simulations act to its disadvantage. This study proposes, explains, and derives a new methodology for solving the stochastic Saint-Venant equations in only one shot, without the need for a large number of simulations. The proposed methodology is derived by developing the nonlocal Lagrangian–Eulerian Fokker–Planck Equation of the characteristic form of the stochastic Saint-Venant equations for an open-channel flow process, with an uncertain roughness coefficient. A numerical method for its solution is subsequently devised. The application and validation of this methodology are provided in a companion paper, in which the statistical results computed by the proposed methodology are compared against the results obtained by the Monte Carlo approach.
A comparative survey of the impacts of extreme rainfall in two international case studies
Authors: Spekkers Matthieu , Rözer Viktor , Thieken Annegret , ten Veldhuis Marie-Claire , Kreibich Heidi
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Flooding is assessed as the most important natural hazard in Europe, causing thousands of deaths, affecting millions of people and accounting for large economic losses in the past decade. Little is known about the damage processes associated with extreme rainfall in cities, due to a lack of accurate, comparable and consistent damage data. The objective of this study is to investigate the impacts of extreme rainfall on residential buildings and how affected households coped with these impacts in terms of precautionary and emergency actions. Analyses are based on a unique dataset of damage characteristics and a wide range of potential damage explaining variables at the household level, collected through computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI) and an online survey. Exploratory data analyses based on a total of 859 completed questionnaires in the cities of Münster (Germany) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands) revealed that the uptake of emergency measures is related to characteristics of the hazardous event. In case of high water levels, more efforts are made to reduce damage, while emergency response that aims to prevent damage is less likely to be effective. The difference in magnitude of the events in Münster and Amsterdam, in terms of rainfall intensity and water depth, is probably also the most important cause for the differences between the cities in terms of the suffered financial losses. Factors that significantly contributed to damage in at least one of the case studies are water contamination, the presence of a basement in the building and people's awareness of the upcoming event. Moreover, this study confirms conclusions by previous studies that people's experience with damaging events positively correlates with precautionary behaviour. For improving future damage data acquisition, we recommend the inclusion of cell phones in a CATI survey to avoid biased sampling towards certain age groups.
Distinguishing between old and modern permafrost sources in the northeast Siberian land–shelf system with compound-specific δ2H analysis
Authors: Vonk Jorien E. , Tesi Tommaso , Bröder Lisa , Holmstrand Henry , Hugelius Gustaf , Andersson August , Dudarev Oleg , Semiletov Igor , Gustafsson Örjan
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Pleistocene ice complex permafrost deposits contain roughly a quarter of the organic carbon (OC) stored in permafrost (PF) terrain. When permafrost thaws, its OC is remobilized into the (aquatic) environment where it is available for degradation, transport or burial. Aquatic or coastal environments contain sedimentary reservoirs that can serve as archives of past climatic change. As permafrost thaw is increasing throughout the Arctic, these reservoirs are important locations to assess the fate of remobilized permafrost OC.We here present compound-specific deuterium (δ2H) analysis on leaf waxes as a tool to distinguish between OC released from thawing Pleistocene permafrost (ice complex deposits; ICD) and from thawing Holocene permafrost (from near-surface soils). Bulk geochemistry (%OC; δ13C; %total nitrogen, TN) was analyzed as well as the concentrations and δ2H signatures of long-chain n-alkanes (C21 to C33) and mid- to long-chain n-alkanoic acids (C16 to C30) extracted from both ICD-PF samples (n =  9) and modern vegetation and O-horizon (topsoil-PF) samples (n =  9) from across the northeast Siberian Arctic. Results show that these topsoil-PF samples have higher %OC, higher OC ∕ TN values and more depleted δ13C-OC values than ICD-PF samples, suggesting that these former samples trace a fresher soil and/or vegetation source. Whereas the two investigated sources differ on the bulk geochemical level, they are, however, virtually indistinguishable when using leaf wax concentrations and ratios. However, on the molecular isotope level, leaf wax biomarker δ2H values are statistically different between topsoil PF and ICD PF. For example, the mean δ2H value of C29 n-alkane was −246 ± 13 ‰ (mean ± SD) for topsoil PF and −280 ± 12 ‰ for ICD PF. With a dynamic isotopic range (difference between two sources) of 34 to 50 ‰; the isotopic fingerprints of individual, abundant, biomarker molecules from leaf waxes can thus serve as endmembers to distinguish between these two sources. We tested this molecular δ2H tracer along with another source-distinguishing approach, dual-carbon (δ13C–Δ14C) isotope composition of bulk OC, for a surface sediment transect in the Laptev Sea. Results show that general offshore patterns along the shelf-slope transect are similar, but the source apportionment between the approaches vary, which may highlight the advantages of either. This study indicates that the application of δ2H leaf wax values has potential to serve as a complementary quantitative measure of the source and differential fate of OC thawed out from different permafrost compartments.
SUBSTUIÇÃO DE CIMENTO PORTLAND POR CINZA VOLANTE NA PRODUÇÃO DE BLOCOS DE CONCRETO CELULAR ESPUMOSO
Authors: Tonello Rafael Dutra , Artusi Raul Aita Aita , Donato Maciel
Published: August 2017

O incremento de atividades na construção civil observado nos anos recentemente transcorridos justifica e impulsiona estudos de novas técnicas que tem como objetivo aprimorar práticas obsoletas, que reprimem a liberdade de criatividade dos projetistas e vão contra o necessário e difundido pensamento sustentável. Nesse sentido, estudou-se características físicas do Bloco de Concreto Celular Espumoso (BCCE) quando se substitui Cimento Portland pelo resíduo industrial Cinza Volante. Desde a extração dos minerais necessários para a produção do Cimento Portland, a calcinação dos mesmos, processo de moagem e de transporte, resultam em elevados índices de emissão de dióxido de carbono, principal gás causador do efeito estufa. Sabe-se que vários setores da indústria brasileira são referência no que tange a pegada ecológica, apresentando índices de emissão de CO2 25% menores em relação à média mundial. Uma boa explicação para esse dado positivo se da na utilização das adições como escória de alto forno, cinza volante e cinza de casca de arroz, resíduos que apresentam características físicas e químicas que possibilitam o uso em larga escala na fabricação de derivados de cimento, além de ser possível oferecer uma destinação adequada a esses materiais. Dentre os métodos de produção de blocos de concreto celular espumoso, testou-se o qual é inserida a espuma já preparada junto à argamassa. Foi utilizado o dispositivo gerador de espuma produzido por Lencina, confeccionando blocos referência, sem a substituição de Cimento Portland por cinza volante e blocos com teores de 10%, 15% e 20 % de cinza volante, substituindo o cimento. Analisando os resultados finais, observou-se um incremento da resistência conforme se aumentava o teor de cinza volante. No que tange a densidade, os BCCE ficaram de acordo com o que apresenta a NBR12644/1992.
Persuasion strategies in Polish advertisements addressed to young people
Authors: Walotek-Ściańska Katarzyna
Published: August 2017

The aim of the paper is to analyze the persuasive techniques used in the Polish advertisements addressed to children and youth. It describes the main and the most frequently used psychological mechanisms found in the persuasive acts intended for children and youth. I emphasize the precise analysis of the lifestyle and the hierarchy of needs in the target group is the factor determining the right choice of a persuasion strategy. I present examples of advertising campaigns that were the most memorable and were considered as exerting the strongest influence — according to the students I have worked with in focus groups. I point out that a contemporary young individual is a representative of the network generation, homo irretitus, a prosumer rather than a consumer, used to non-linear thinking, irritated by the amount of information, expecting fascinating stories and messages that stir emotions.
Cycle on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and the level of underpricing of venture capital and private equity funds over 2000-2013
Authors: Zasępa Piotr
Published: August 2017

Investments of venture capital and private equity funds are made in young fast growing companies whose founders are characterized by a lack of capital for their development. Fund investment cycle is assumed to follow the process of divestment after a period of rapid growth and dynamic growth of the company. One of the methods used willingly completion of the investment by the funds is to put the company on the stock exchange. It is quite a long and expensive process, however, that the valuation of the fund may obtain a public market is often the highest possible. The process has, however, affected by the condition of the public market and current trends in the market for initial public offering. This is also reflected in the so-called underpricing of the offer or the difference between the opening and closing of the first day of trading of the company. This article aims to analyze the impact of trends on the stock exchange on the level of underestimation of the value of the transaction IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in the period 2000-2013.
Acidic C-terminal domains autoregulate the RNA chaperone Hfq
Authors: Santiago-Frangos Andrew , Jeliazkov Jeliazko R , Gray Jeffrey J , Woodson Sarah A
Published: August 2017

The RNA chaperone Hfq is an Sm protein that facilitates base pairing between bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) and mRNAs involved in stress response and pathogenesis. Hfq possesses an intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain (CTD) that may tune the function of the Sm domain in different organisms. In Escherichia coli, the Hfq CTD increases kinetic competition between sRNAs and recycles Hfq from the sRNA-mRNA duplex. Here, de novo Rosetta modeling and competitive binding experiments show that the acidic tip of the E. coli Hfq CTD transiently binds the basic Sm core residues necessary for RNA annealing. The CTD tip competes against non-specific RNA binding, facilitates dsRNA release, and prevents indiscriminate DNA aggregation, suggesting that this acidic peptide mimics nucleic acid to auto-regulate RNA binding to the Sm ring. The mechanism of CTD auto-inhibition predicts the chaperone function of Hfq in bacterial genera and illuminates how Sm proteins may evolve new functions.
Spatiotemporal distribution of Lekanesphaera species in relation to estuarine gradients within a temperate European estuary (SW Spain) with regulated freshwater inflow
Authors: Castañeda E , Drake P
Published: August 2017

Field surveys of three coexisting Lekanesphaera species from a temperate estuary were used to test the hypothesis that their abundance and distribution within this ecosystem were limited mainly by environmental conditions (water temperature, salinity, and turbidity). Monthly samples were collected during each new moon (May 1998 to October 2002) in the last 32 km of the Guadalquivir Estuary (SW Spain). Lekanesphaera hoestlandti was more abundant in the outer estuary from late summer to early autumn, but only when estuarine mean salinity was higher than 15; L. rugicauda showed a clear seasonal pattern, with maximum densities coinciding with the period of increasing temperatures (spring and early summer); and the density of L. hookeri was very low, except in situations of heavy rainfall and/or freshwater inflow, suggesting than the main river course is not its usual habitat. Spatial, salinity-related, and turbidity-related distributions of the three populations indicated that L. hoestlandti is clearly segregated from the other two species, the former inhabiting the more saline and less turbid mass of water of the outer estuary. Furthermore, the high positive effect of salinity on the density of L. hoestlandti (salinity explained 59.4% of the temporal density variance) and its much more restricted spatial and salinity-related distributions indicated that salinity could be primarily determining its population. In contrast, the field distribution of L. rugicauda was biased towards lower salinity waters at least when L. hoestlandti occurred in high densities. According to the field distributions, we hypothesize that the estuarine distribution of the less euryhaline species, such as L. hoestlandti, is controlled mainly by salinity, whereas the distribution of the more euryhaline species, such as L. rugicauda, could be motivated more by competition (food/habitat) avoidance. As previously observed for mysid species, the composition and distribution of Sphaeromatidae species in the Guadalquivir Estuary seem to fit the African rather than the European estuarine pattern.
Induced spawning and larval rearing of spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus, at the Marine Biology Station, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Authors: Boza-Abarca J , Calvo-Vargas E , Solis-Ortiz N , Komen H
Published: August 2017

Wild spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus (n = 400, 60–100 g), were captured and grown out in cages during one year (February 2001 to February 2002). When the mature stage was detected by cannula samples, females (n = 9) were induced to spawn with a total dose of 1600 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) per kilogram of body weight, given in two injections (56% and 44% of the total dose). Males received only one injection of 200 IU HCG kg–1 body weight, at the time of the second female injection. The sex ratio (female:male) was 1:2. Mean female body weight was 604.9 ± 98.8 g (36.4 ± 2.1 cm). Egg release occurred 9–12 hours after the second injection (latent period), at a temperature of 26.3–28.2ºC, salinity of 30–32‰, and oxygen concentration of 5.5–6.6 g L–1. The fertilization rate was 90% of buoyant eggs, with a mean egg diameter of 0.857 ± 0.044 mm. Hatching occurred 15 hours after spawning (h.a.s.) at 26.3–28.2ºC. Larvae started feeding 65 h.a.s. and the postflexion stage was observed 27 days after spawning (d.a.s.). The critical period was observed 3–5 d.a.s., as in other lutjanid species. At 26 d.a.s., the growth rate was 0.243 mm d–1 and the survival rate was 1.5%. The growth rate of the fingerlings (171 d.a.s.) was 0.2 g d–1, with a mean body weight of 33.36 ± 9.13 g. Naturally spawned larvae grew until 30 d.a.s., when massive mortality occurred.
DDT in sediments from the northwest coast of Baja California (Mexico) and its biotransformation by Vibrio sp.
Authors: Orozco-Borbón MV , De la Rosa-Vélez J , Ramírez-Álvarez N , Macías-Zamora V , Gutiérrez-Galindo EA , Muñoz-Barbosa A
Published: August 2017

During December 2003, sediment samples were collected at 20 stations along the northwest coast of Baja California (Mexico). Analyses of DDT were performed by gas chromatography, percentage of particles <63 μm in diameter, organic carbon, and sulphate-reducing bacteria. A bacterium from station 49, which showed the highest concentration of DDT and its metabolites DDE and DDD, was isolated and identified biochemically and molecularly to belong to the genus Vibrio. In the laboratory this bacterium was tested in minimal salts medium plus DDT and incubated at 28ºC under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 90 days. In general, the sediments showed low concentrations of DDT, ranging from undetected to 4.78 ng g–1, and the highest concentrations occurred at the deepest stations containing higher percentages of particles <63 μm and organic carbon concentrations. The isolated Vibrio strain showed an ability to biotransform DDT under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, presenting the o,p′-DDE and o,p′-DDD metabolites after 60 and 90 days of incubation in both conditions.
Reproductive biology of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
Authors: Derbali A , Jarboui O , Ghorbel M
Published: August 2017

The reproductive cycle of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum from the Gulf of Gabes (southern Tunisia) was studied during a one-year period (January to December 2007). The overall samples presented a balanced sex ratio, with males dominating among smaller individuals and females predominating in larger size classes. Males were found to mature between 12 and 20 mm shell length (SL), whereas females matured between 14 and 21 mm SL. The size at which 50% of the population reached maturity was 15.14 and 16.78 mm SL for males and females, respectively. The seasonal changes assessed through macro- and microscopic properties in the gonads of both sexes indicated a clearly defined annual reproductive cycle. Reproductive activity of C. glaucum was greatest from spring to late autumn, with two reproductive peaks (May and November). Gametogenic activity in both sexes was apparently triggered by the rising seawater temperature during spring and summer. These results support previous findings of latitudinal changes in the reproductive behaviour of C. glaucum. Due to the extensive period of gonadal activity, C. glaucum exhibited a short resting phase that occurred simultaneously in both sexes throughout January and February. Upon inspection for parasitic infections, 15% of C. glaucum were found infected by digenean trematode species. The number of specimens showing digenean infestations differed with size class, with a tendency to increase significantly with cockle size.
Isolation and characterization of culturable bacteria from tropical coastal waters
Authors: Lee C-W , Ng A Y-F , Narayanan K , Sim E U-H , Ng C-C
Published: August 2017

In this study we isolated and characterized some culturable bacteria from tropical coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia. We obtained between 0.23 and 1.85 × 103 cfu mL–1 in the Zobell 2216E medium, and cultured 0.04% to 0.12% of total bacterial counts. Different bacterial strains were then selected by 16S rDNA RFLP using four restriction enzymes (DdeI, HhaI, RsaI, and Sau3AI), of which HhaI gave the most RFLP patterns. A total of 54 unique strains were obtained and these were identified by their 16S rDNA gene sequence. These bacterial strains could be divided into five classes: 38 strains of γ-Proteobacteria (61.1%); 3 strains of α-Proteobacteria (5.5%); 2 strains of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group (3.7%); 3 strains of high GC, Gram-positive bacteria (5.5%); and 13 strains of low GC, Gram-positive bacteria (24.1%). These isolates have good potential for further biotechnological studies since about 56% of the isolates exhibited amylase activity, whereas 36% and 18% of the isolates had protease and lipase, respectively. Most (>70%) of the isolates also produced poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate.
The artisanal elasmobranch fishery on the east coast of Baja California, Mexico: Characteristics and management considerations
Authors: Smith WD , Bizzarro JJ , Cailliet GM
Published: August 2017

The Mexican elasmobranch fishery ranks among the most important in the world, but details associated with fishing effort and species composition are generally unavailable, particularly for the extensive artisanal fishery. Seasonal surveys were conducted during 1998–1999 in the state of Baja California to determine the extent and activities of the artisanal elasmobranch fishery along its Gulf of California coast. Artisanal fishermen were highly opportunistic, and temporally switched targets depending on the local abundance of teleost, invertebrate, and elasmobranch fisheries resources. At least 17 species of shark, 13 species of ray, and 2 species of skate were identified among the 4495 specimens observed. Small, coastal sharks and rays were typically landed with bottom set gillnets during all surveyed seasons (spring–autumn) and large sharks were targeted with surface set (drift) gillnets during summer and autumn. Sharks and rays contributed similarly to elasmobranch landings, comprising 50.9% and 48.3%, respectively, of the total recorded catch. Overall landings were dominated by mustelid sharks (Mustelus henlei, Mustelus spp.) and the shovelnose guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), with Alopias pelagicus, Gymnura spp., Heterodontus mexicanus, Mobula munkiana, Myliobatis californica, and Squatina californica also representing important components of the landings. Alopias vulpinus had previously been unreported for the Gulf of California and a new maximum size record was documented for Myliobatis longirostris. Catch rates (mean elasmobranchs/vessel/trip ± standard error) were lowest during autumn (17.4 ± 3.9) and highest in spring (35.3 ± 14.1). Adult, commonly gravid, A. pelagicus, Carcharhinus falciformis, and R. productus females comprised a disproportionately greater component of the landings than did their male counterparts. Given the decades of largely unrestricted exploitation of elasmobranchs in Mexican waters, population declines and shifts in size structure are likely to have occurred among those species with the lowest fecundity and latest ages at maturity.
Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
Authors: Spinelli Matthew A. , Ngure Kenneth , Gandhi Monica
Published: October 2024

This JAMA Insights discusses the expanding PrEP options for preventing HIV, including the considerations for initiation and follow-up and implementation challenges of these medications.
Information About Sexual and Gender Minority Services and Policies on US Hospital Websites
Authors: Sandhu Sahil , Liu Michael , Fok King , Kincaid John W. R. , Noel William C. , Keuroghlian Alex S.
Published: October 2024

This cross-sectional study assesses the extent to which hospitals provide information related to sexual and gender minority policies and health services on their websites.
Recovery From COVID-19–Related Disruptions in Cancer Detection
Authors: Kim Uriel , Rose Johnie , Carroll Bryan T. , Hoehn Richard S. , Chen Eric , Bordeaux Jeremy S. , Koroukian Siran M.
Published: October 2024

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the timely diagnosis of cancer, which persisted as the second leading cause of death in the US throughout the pandemic.

Objective

To evaluate the disruption and potential recovery in cancer detection during the first (2020) and second (2021) years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study involved an epidemiologic analysis of nationally representative, population-based cancer incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Included patients were diagnosed with incident cancer from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2021. The analysis was conducted in May 2024 using the April 2024 SEER data release, which includes incidence data through December 31, 2021.

Exposures

Diagnosis of cancer during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020, 2021).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Difference between the expected and observed cancer incidence in 2020 compared with 2021, with additional analyses by demographic subgroups (sex, race and ethnicity, and age group) and community (county-level) characteristics.

Results

The analysis included 15 831 912 patients diagnosed with invasive cancer between 2000 and 2021, including 759 810 patients in 2020 and 825 645 in 2021. The median age was 65 years (IQR, 56-75 years), and 51.0% were male. The percentage difference between the expected and observed cancer incidence was −8.6% (95% CI, −9.1% to −8.1%) in 2020, with no significant difference in 2021 (−0.2%; 95% CI, −0.7% to 0.4%). These translated to a cumulative (2020-2021) deficit in observed vs expected cases of −127 931 (95% CI, −139 206 to −116 655). Subgroup analyses revealed that incidence rates remained substantially depressed from expected rates into 2021 for patients living in the most rural counties (−4.9%; 95% CI, −6.7% to −3.1%). The cancer sites with the largest cumulative deficit in observed vs expected cases included lung and bronchus (−24 940 cases; 95% CI, −28 936 to −20 944 cases), prostate (−14 104 cases; 95% CI, −27 472 to −736 cases), and melanoma (−10 274 cases; 95% CI, −12 825 to −7724 cases).

Conclusions and Relevance

This cross-sectional study of nationally representative registry data found that cancer incidence recovered meaningfully in 2021 following substantial disruptions in 2020. However, incidence rates need to recover further to address the substantial number of patients with undiagnosed cancer during the pandemic.
Limitations in Activities of Daily Living Among Individuals With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Plantinga Laura C. , Bowling C. Barrett , Pearce Bradley D. , Hoge Courtney , Dunlop‐Thomas Charmayne , Lim S. Sam , Katz Patricia P. , Yazdany Jinoos
Published: October 2024

Objective

We aimed to estimate the burden and identify potential correlates of limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Individuals with SLE were recruited from a population‐based cohort (October 2019 to May 2022) and reported their ability to independently perform various instrumental ADLs (IADLs) and basic ADLs (BADLs) via survey. Limitations were defined as having at least some difficulty performing at least one of the IADLs or BADLs. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations (adjusted odds ratios [aORs]) of various participant characteristics with IADL and BADL limitations were assessed with logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, and race.

Results

The mean age of the 436 participants was 46.2 years; most were female (91.7%) and Black (82.8%). More than half (56.2%) reported limitations in IADLs, most commonly housekeeping (50.7%), laundry (37.2%), and shopping (33.0%); 43.8% reported limitations in independently performing BADLs, most commonly transferring (26.6%), bathing (25.3%), dressing (24.4%), and continence (22.0%). Higher disease activity (greater than or equal to vs less than the median) was strongly associated with IADLs (aOR 6.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.15–10.2) and BADLs (aOR 7.35, 95% CI 4.70–11.5), along with higher depression and perceived stress scores, lower educational attainment and income, and older age.

Conclusion

IADL and BADL limitations may be common in individuals with SLE and more prevalent among those who report higher disease activity, depressive symptoms, and lower income and among those who are older. Research to support evidence‐based strategies for improvement in quality of life and maintenance of independence in the older SLE population is warranted.

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Distributed Consensus Filtering Over Sensor Networks With Asynchronous Measurements
Authors: Hu Yanyan , Lin Xufeng , Peng Kaixiang
Published: October 2024

In practical sensor networks, sensor nodes may operate with different sampling periods and initial sampling time instants, and their observations may also be nonuniform. Unfortunately, the research on distributed state estimation problems over such asynchronous sensor networks is very limited. Thus, this article focuses on the distributed consensus filtering problem over sensor networks with asynchronous measurements. First, the asynchronous measurement from each sensor is synchronized by the continuous‐time state evolution equation to a unified filtering fusion time instant within a given filtering period. After measurement synchronization, the statistical characteristics of measurement noise change. The cross‐correlations between the converted measurement noises are analyzed, as well as one‐step correlations between the converted measurement noises and the process noise. Second, an optimal asynchronous distributed consensus filter is designed based on synchronization measurements under the criterion of minimum mean‐square error with the above correlations between various types of noises taken into account. Meanwhile, a suboptimal distributed consensus filtering algorithm is further proposed to reduce computational complexity. Finally, based on the Lyapunov function method, the stability of the estimation error is theoretically demonstrated with an appropriate selection of consensus filtering gain and validated through simulations.
Linking Metastatic Potential and Viscoelastic Properties of Breast Cancer Spheroids via Dynamic Compression and Relaxation in Microfluidics
Authors: Tavasso Margherita , Bordoloi Ankur D. , Tanré Elsa , Dekker Sanne A. H. , Garbin Valeria , Boukany Pouyan E.
Published: October 2024

The growth and invasion of solid tumors are associated with changes in their viscoelastic properties, influenced by both internal cellular factors and physical forces in the tumor microenvironment. Due to the lack of a comprehensive investigation of tumor tissue viscoelasticity, the relationship between such physical properties and cancer malignancy remains poorly understood. Here, the viscoelastic properties of breast cancer spheroids, 3D (in vitro) tumor models, are studied in relation to their metastatic potentials by imposing controlled, dynamic compression within a microfluidic constriction, and subsequently monitoring the relaxation of the imposed deformation. By adopting a modified Maxwell model to extract viscoelastic properties from the compression data, the benign (MCF‐10A) spheroids are found to have higher bulk elastic modulus and viscosity compared to malignant spheroids (MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231). The relaxation is characterized by two timescales, captured by a double exponential fitting function, which reveals a similar fast rebound for MCF‐7 and MCF‐10A. Both the malignant spheroids exhibit similar long‐term relaxation and display residual deformation. However, they differ significantly in morphology, particularly in intercellular movements. These differences between malignant spheroids are demonstrated to be linked to their cytoskeletal organization, by microscopic imaging of F‐actin within the spheroids, together with cell‐cell adhesion strength.