bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Docosahexaenoic Acid in Combination with Dietary Energy Restriction for Reducing the Risk of Obesity Related Breast Cancer
Authors: Manni Andrea , El-Bayoumy Karam , Thompson Henry
Published: December 2017

There is strong evidence that obesity poses a significant risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer. There are multiple mechanisms by which obesity can predispose to breast cancer, prominent among which is the creation of a pro-inflammatory milieu systemically in the visceral and subcutaneous tissue, as well as locally in the breast. Although dietary intervention studies have shown in general a favorable effect on biomarkers of breast cancer risk, it is still unclear whether losing excess weight will lower the risk. In this manuscript, we will review the evidence that omega-3 fatty acids, and among them docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in particular, may reduce the risk of obesity related breast cancer primarily because of their pleotropic effects which target many of the systemic and local oncogenic pathways activated by excess weight. We will also review the evidence indicating that intentional weight loss (IWL) induced by dietary energy restriction (DER) will augment the tumor protective effect of DHA because of its complementary mechanisms of action and its ability to reverse the obesity-induced alterations in fatty acid metabolism predisposing to carcinogenesis. We believe that the combination of DER and DHA is a promising safe and effective intervention for reducing obesity-related breast cancer risk which needs to be validated in appropriately designed prospective, randomized clinical trials.
The Components of Bone and What They Can Teach Us about Regeneration
Authors: Le Bach , Nurcombe Victor , Cool Simon , Van Blitterswijk Clemens , De Boer Jan , LaPointe Vanessa
Published: December 2017

The problem of bone regeneration has engaged both physicians and scientists since the beginning of medicine. Not only can bone heal itself following most injuries, but when it does, the regenerated tissue is often indistinguishable from healthy bone. Problems arise, however, when bone does not heal properly, or when new tissue is needed, such as when two vertebrae are required to fuse to stabilize adjacent spine segments. Despite centuries of research, such procedures still require improved therapeutic methods to be devised. Autologous bone harvesting and grafting is currently still the accepted benchmark, despite drawbacks for clinicians and patients that include limited amounts, donor site morbidity, and variable quality. The necessity for an alternative to this “gold standard” has given rise to a bone-graft and substitute industry, with its central conundrum: what is the best way to regenerate bone? In this review, we dissect bone anatomy to summarize our current understanding of its constituents. We then look at how various components have been employed to improve bone regeneration. Evolving strategies for bone regeneration are then considered.
Development of Amplifier Circuit by Active-Dummy Method for Atmospheric Corrosion Monitoring in Steel Based on Strain Measurement
Authors: Purwasih Nining , Kasai Naoya , Okazaki Shinji , Kihira Hiroshi
Published: December 2017

This paper describes an amplifier circuit fabricated by the active-dummy method for atmospheric corrosion monitoring based on strain measurement. The circuit was used to determine the relationship between the voltage and strain. Experiments involving the thickness reduction of low-carbon steel test pieces induced by galvanostatic electrolysis were carried out with the amplifier circuit. The circuit was capable of accurately measuring signals induced by the thickness reduction of the test piece. Moreover, the circuit was assessed for the effects of environmental temperature drift, and was found to exhibit a high tolerance. The proposed amplifier circuit would be suitable for atmospheric corrosion monitoring in many types of infrastructure.
Research on Characteristics, Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of Dihydroquercetin and Its Complexes
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yu Juan , Dong Xiao-Dan , Ji Hai-Yu
Published: December 2017

Dihydroquercetin is a kind of dihydroflavonol compounds with antioxidant, antitumor, antivirus and radioresistance activities. This study attempted to produce the dihydroquercetin complexes with lecithin and β-cyclodextrin, and research their characteristics and bioactivities via ultraviolet spectrum (UV), infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD), and MTT assay. Results showed that the complexes with lecithin and β-cyclodextrin could improve the solubility and dissolution rate, and remove the characteristic endothermic peak of dihydroquercetin. IR spectra proved their interaction, and results of SEM and XRD showed the amorphous characteristics of the dihydroquercetin compounds. These results indicated that dihydroquercetin was combined by lecithin or β-cyclodextrin with better physical and chemical properties, which would effectively improve the application value in the food and drug industries.
Automating the Timed Up and Go Test Using a Depth Camera
Authors: Dubois Amandine , Bihl Titus , Bresciani Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2017

Fall prevention is a human, economic and social issue. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is widely used to identify individuals with a high fall risk. However, this test has been criticized because its “diagnostic” is too dependent on the conditions in which it is performed and on the healthcare professionals running it. We used the Microsoft Kinect ambient sensor to automate this test in order to reduce the subjectivity of outcome measures and to provide additional information about patient performance. Each phase of the TUG test was automatically identified from the depth images of the Kinect. Our algorithms accurately measured and assessed the elements usually measured by healthcare professionals. Specifically, average TUG test durations provided by our system differed by only 0.001 s from those measured by clinicians. In addition, our system automatically extracted several additional parameters that allowed us to accurately discriminate low and high fall risk individuals. These additional parameters notably related to the gait and turn pattern, the sitting position and the duration of each phase. Coupling our algorithms to the Kinect ambient sensor can therefore reliably be used to automate the TUG test and perform a more objective, robust and detailed assessment of fall risk.
Integration of High-Resolution Laser Displacement Sensors and 3D Printing for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Chang Shu-Wei , Lin Tzu-Kang , Kuo Shih-Yu , Huang Ting-Hsuan
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a novel experimental design for complex structural health monitoring (SHM) studies achieved by integrating 3D printing technologies, high-resolution laser displacement sensors, and multiscale entropy SHM theory. A seven-story structure with a variety of composite bracing systems was constructed using a dual-material 3D printer. A wireless Bluetooth vibration speaker was used to excite the ground floor of the structure, and high-resolution laser displacement sensors (1-μm resolution) were used to monitor the displacement history on different floors. Our results showed that the multiscale entropy SHM method could detect damage on the 3D-printed structures. The results of this study demonstrate that integrating 3D printing technologies and high-resolution laser displacement sensors enables the design of cheap, fast processing, complex, small-scale civil structures for future SHM studies. The novel experimental design proposed in this study provides a suitable platform for investigating the validity and sensitivity of SHM in different composite structures and damage conditions for real life applications in the future.
Early Identification of Herbicide Stress in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging Technology
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Pei , Weber Jonas , Gerhards Roland
Published: December 2017

Herbicides may damage soybean in conventional production systems. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging technology has been applied to identify herbicide stress in weed species a few days after application. In this study, greenhouse experiments followed by field experiments at five sites were conducted to investigate if the chlorophyll fluorescence imaging is capable of identifying herbicide stress in soybean shortly after application. Measurements were carried out from emergence until the three-to-four-leaf stage of the soybean plants. Results showed that maximal photosystem II (PS II) quantum yield and shoot dry biomass was significantly reduced in soybean by herbicides compared to the untreated control plants. The stress of PS II inhibiting herbicides occurred on the cotyledons of soybean and plants recovered after one week. The stress induced by DOXP synthase-, microtubule assembly-, or cell division-inhibitors was measured from the two-leaf stage until four-leaf stage of soybean. We could demonstrate that the chlorophyll fluorescence imaging technology is capable for detecting herbicide stress in soybean. The system can be applied under both greenhouse and field conditions. This helps farmers to select weed control strategies with less phytotoxicity in soybean and avoid yield losses due to herbicide stress.
Authors: MOZAFARI Shadan , REZAZADEH Mehdi , DOLATKHAH TAKLOO Somayeh , MARDANI Mohsen
Published: December 2017

Due to the wide usage of rotary equipment and the necessity of their testing for maintenance and repair, test rigs have become necessary. The mechanical closed-loop test rig developed in Sharif University of Technology branch of ACECR (Academic Centre of Education, Culture and Research) is a test rig with low energy losses that is suitable for testing high power gearboxes such as aerospace or wind turbine gearboxes. It can be loaded up to 489Hp at a maximum speed of 3000 rpm, and the test components can be tested in different testing conditions including a variety of torques and speeds. This paper describes the preliminary, conceptual, and detailed design, steps including frame work design, control system design, hydraulic system and torque generator design asn well as a dynamic and static analysis of the whole system. Also a simplified model of the system is presented and qualified, and some data of test rig’s working conditions is presented. These data includes the temperature change of the gearboxes, their vibration in time, and also the variation of torque, hydraulic pressure, and motor speed. Furthermore, the relation between these parameters is investigated to determine the behaviour of the system. The validity of the system’s dynamic modelling is also investigated and verified.
AIRCRAFT OPERATION DEPENDING UPON THE UNCERTAINTY OF MAINTENANCE ALTERNATIVES
Authors: Goncharenko Andriy
Published: December 2017

The paper considers the theoretical explanation and construction of some mathematical models of the aircraft operational process in reference to maintenance organizations preferred by aviation experts and aircraft operators. The uncertainty of such operational multi-alternativeness is evaluated on the basis of subjective entropy of preferences demonstrated by aircraft operators and aviation experts. When applying the maximum principle of subjective entropy, the optimal distributions of the preferences are obtained. The proposed concept allows finding the optimal distribution of the aircraft fleet according to the available maintenance alternatives. To optimize the above mentioned distribution, one may take into account the possible development and improvement of maintenance organizations and so called “shadow” components. The paper also discusses a significant approach that helps to evaluate the effectiveness of organizations functioning in the area of aviation. This evaluation can be carried out at both global and continental levels as well as state, operator, and airline levels. The respective modeling has been performed and is illustrated with diagrams.
Des marchés au service de l’État ?
Authors: Ansaloni Matthieu , Smith Andy
Published: December 2017

Ce dossier prend pour objet une modalité de régulation politique centrale, celle par laquelle les agents de l’État, pour prendre en charge un problème public, initient un marché. La réflexion s’organise autour de deux questions : la première traite de la généralisation, à partir des années 1980, de cette pratique gouvernementale ; la seconde porte sur ses effets, notamment la contribution des agents de l’État à peser sur les régulations économiques et sociales. Prenant pour appui les études de cas que regroupe ce dossier, cette introduction suggère deux lignes d’analyse : la première est que cette modalité de régulation, qui puise principalement dans les phénomènes traditionnels de délégation (privé et public), présente une faible innovation instrumentale. Son essor résulte non pas tant d’un grand dessein politique, mais davantage d’une série d’expérimentations qui ont gagné des secteurs toujours plus nombreux. Rejetant le débat clivé entre gouvernement à distance versus désengagement de l’État, la seconde ligne d’analyse est que la capacité de cette modalité de régulation politique à orienter les comportements des individus dépend de l’autonomie du segment administratif qui la porte, ainsi que des instruments que leurs agents développent.
La mise en marché de la frontière, un produit d’État
Authors: Infantino Federica
Published: December 2017

Tout en restant une activité emblématique de l’exercice de la souveraineté, le contrôle des frontières se réalise de plus en plus avec l’appui de compagnies privées. À partir d’une enquête essentiellement ethnographique, cette contribution offre une lecture sociologique du processus qui a conduit à l’adoption de la coopération public-privé afin de mettre en œuvre la politique du visa Schengen dans les consulats. L’article montre quelles sont les configurations d’acteurs privés et publics à l’origine de la délégation de « tâches administratives » à des entreprises privées. En suivant la fabrication de cette politique, des enceintes européennes jusqu’aux ministères nationaux et les organisations privées et publiques qui la traduisent en pratiques, cet article met en exergue le décalage entre le cadrage qui entend la coopération comme stratégie d’amélioration du service public et les logiques étatiques de ce choix. Dans un contexte de réforme des règles européennes, les États signataires de l’accord de Schengen ont utilisé la coopération avec des compagnies privées pour d’autres objectifs : réduire les coûts du contrôle européanisé, se défaire du fardeau de la mise en œuvre, dégager la responsabilité des gouvernants.
Une construction sociale de l’utilité publique
Authors: Gaboriaux Chloé
Published: December 2017

Cet article envisage le rapport entre l’État et la philanthropie à travers la procédure de reconnaissance d’utilité publique des associations et fondations telle qu’elle est pratiquée au début de la Troisième République. Plus précisément, il s’interroge sur la façon dont les membres du Conseil d’État, que le gouvernement doit consulter en la matière, jugent de la recevabilité des demandes qui leur sont soumises. Il montre qu’au-delà des critères juridiques, malléables, ces grands serviteurs de l’État s’appuient sur leur connaissance des œuvres, partielle et partiale puisque limitée à la « nébuleuse réformatrice » dont ils font partie.
Petits arrangements avec l’égalitarisme
Authors: Le Renard Saba A.
Published: December 2017

L’article analyse les positionnements ambivalents des résidentes françaises de Dubaï qui emploient des domestiques vivant à demeure. À travers un travail moral de justification, ces personnes, structurellement avantagées dans un ordre social qu’elles jugent injuste, cherchent à se distinguer des employeurs « locaux » perçus comme esclavagistes. Elles s’identifient à un « Occident » pensé comme égalitaire et déploient plusieurs arguments : elles n’auraient aucune influence sur des sociétés vivant dans une époque jugée antérieure à la leur ; elles permettraient aux employées domestiques d’échapper à des employeurs maltraitants. Leurs propos égalitaristes façonnent des exigences particulières vis-à-vis des employées domestiques, dont il est attendu qu’elles masquent autant que possible l’asymétrie de la relation.
Les courtiers-producteurs du développement agricole : Tabaculture et différenciation sociale en zone rurale au Malawi
Authors: Grassin Paul
Published: December 2017

Au Malawi, le contrôle de la production du tabac repose sur la cooptation d’une frange de la population productrice chargée d’assurer la traduction et la diffusion du discours productiviste au sein des communautés paysannes. Se déployant à l’interface entre la filière du tabac, sa « culture du business » et les contraintes sociales, morales et matérielles du village, les trajectoires sociales de ces « courtiers-producteurs » sont l’occasion d’observer les modalités pratiques de l’enchâssement des relations d’échange et de production dans leurs contextes socio-politiques locaux.
« La lettre morte » – Friedrich Kittler en correspondance avec les poststructuralistes
Authors: Schwerzmann Katia
Published: December 2017

Quand un document reste sans effets, on parle de « lettre morte ». Une telle « lettre » a certes été adressée mais n’a pas encore trouvé son destinataire. La Medientheorie allemande, dont Friedrich Kittler est l’un des fondateurs et l’un des plus importants représentants, est conçue dans cet article à partir de la circulation de lettres philosophiques entre la France et l’Allemagne. Une origine possible de cet échange est la Lettre sur l’humanisme de Heidegger qui provoqua les envois-réponses de Lacan, Foucault et Derrida, lesquels suscitèrent, dans l’Allemagne des années 1980, la Medientheorie de Friedrich Kittler. La réponse kittlérienne étant restée à ce jour en grande partie lettre morte en France, il s’agit de reconstruire, par le biais de la correspondance de Kittler avec les poststructuralistes, le trajet de ces lettres théoriques afin de raviver celle de Medientheorie.
Más allá de la imaginación política y de la teoría crítica eurocéntricas
Authors: Santos Boaventura de Sousa
Published: December 2017

Mantener una distancia respecto a la tradición eurocéntrica equivale a ser consciente del hecho de que la diversidad de la experiencia del mundo es inagotable, y que, por consiguiente, no la puede explicar ninguna teoría general única. Guardar esa distancia posibilita lo que yo denomino la doble sociología transgresiva de las ausencias y las emergencias. Tal sociología transgresiva es, de hecho, un paso epistemológico que consiste en contraponer las epistemologías del Sur a las epistemologías dominantes del Norte global.
The Recolonization of the Indian Mind
Authors: deSouza Peter Ronald
Published: December 2017

One of the most pernicious consequences of colonialism was what K. C. Bhattacharya described as the ‘enslavement of minds’. It produced a feeling of inferiority, an erasure of memory and cultures, an alien conceptual vocabulary and a hegemonic perspective from which to view the world. This article describes these consequences in some detail to demonstrate the huge conceptual challenges that a decolonisation of the mind has to confront as it attempts to move the society, and public discourse, towards a truly emancipatory future. In addition to these conceptual challenges the article also describes the worrisome new recolonisation of the Indian mind that is taking place by the knowledge producing agencies that are outside the university and that are driven by the interests of global capital in its unrelenting desire for domination. These knowledge agencies produce a discourse that is embedded in interest and, in a grave departure, is delinked from the pursuit of truth.
Democratisation beyond the Crisis of Liberalism, Bringing Civil Society within the State
Authors: Gianolla Cristiano
Published: December 2017

Philosophers, sociologists and political scientists may analyse political crises by looking at the relationship between the liberal and democratic pillars of liberal-democratic regimes. Social questioning of representation (abstention, apathy and protest) is a democratic response to the failure of the liberal pillar to democratise access to political power, therefore, the crisis of liberalism. M. K. Gandhi developed an alternative theory based on intercultural perspectives and on local, ethical communities. Through Boaventura de Sousa Santos’ “epistemologies of the South”, this article analyses how Gandhi’s work can be mobilised to foster democratisation theory. The study contends that to overcome the crises, democratisation of the liberal pillar is both paramount and achievable with a new interplay of the state and civil society.
Una nuova specie del genere Halbherria Conci & Tamanini, 1951 del massiccio del Monte Baldo e considerazioni sulla “barriera” biogeografica della Valle dell’Adige (Coleoptera Cholevidae Leptodirinae)
Authors: Vailati Dante
Published: December 2017

Nel presente lavoro viene descritta Halbherria carlini nuova specie del massiccio del Monte Baldo, appartenente ad un genere di Cholevidae leptodirinae finora noto del settore delle Prealpi Venete compreso tra i fiumi Brenta e adige. La scoperta di Halbherria sul M. Baldo riapre la discussione sul ruolo di “barriera” della Valle dell’adige, che potrebbe essere stata superata da parte dei precursori di alcuni taxa alla fine del Pliocene, comunque anteriormente alle glaciazioni pleistoceniche, quando l’assetto idrografico della valle era diverso dall’attuale.
Hesperoides, a new “hairy” flea beetle genus from southern Africa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae, Alticini)
Authors: Biondi Maurizio
Published: December 2017

Hesperoides afromeridionalis gen. nov. and sp. nov. from the Republic of South Africa (Western and Eastern Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal) is described. Despite some similarities with Hespera Weise, it exhibits major affinities with the genera attributed to the subtribe Aphthonini, especially with Aphthona Chevrolat and Montiaphthona Scherer. Data on distribution are supplied, along with preliminary ecological notes. Photomicrographs of main morphological characters, including male and female genitalia, and metafemoral extensor tendon are provided. Key to the six “hairy” flea beetle genera occurring in sub-Saharan African and their habitus photos are also given.
On the piecewise approximation of bi-Lipschitz curves
Authors: Pratelli Aldo , Radici Emanuela
Published: December 2017

In this paper we deal with the task of uniformly approximating an

L

-bi-Lipschitz curve by means of piecewise linear ones. This is rather simple if one is satisfied to have approximating functions which are

L'

-bi-Lipschitz, for instance this was already done with

L'=4L

in [3, Lemma 5.5]. The main result of this paper is to do the same with

L'=L+\epsilon

(which is of course the best possible result); in the end, we generalize the result to the case of closed curves.
On the Theriault conjecture for self homotopy equivalences
Authors: Ben El Krafi Badr , Mamouni My Ismail
Published: December 2017

Our main purpose in this paper is to resolve, in a rational homotopy theory context, the following open question asked by S. Theriaul: given a topological space

X

, what one may say about the nilpotency of aut

_1(X)

when the cocategory of its classifying space Baut

_1(X)

is finite? Here aut

_1(X)

denotes the path component of the identity map in the set of self homotopy equivalences of

X

. More precisely, we prove that

\mathrm {HNil}_\mathbb Q(\mathrm {aut}_1(X))\leqslant\mathrm {cocat}_\mathbb Q(\mathrm {Baut}_1(X)),

when

X

is a simply connected CW-complex of finite type and that the equality holds when Baut

_1(X)

is coformal. Many intersections with other popular open questions will be discussed.
Local loop near-rings
Authors: Franetič Damir
Published: December 2017

We study loop near-rings, a generalization of near-rings, where the additive structure is not necessarily associative.We introduce local loop near-rings and prove a useful detection principle for localness.
Positive solutions of singular semilinear elliptic problems in NTA-cones
Authors: Gharbi Lassaad , Ben Boubaker Mohamed Amine
Published: December 2017

We study the existence, the uniqueness and the asymptotic behavior of positive solutions of the nonlinear equation

\Delta v+ f(.,v)=0,

in an NTA-cone in

\mathbb R^n( n\geq 3

), when a positive Borel measurable function

f(.,.)

is continuous and non-increasing with respect to the second variable and satisfies a certain condition related to a Kato class.
On finite $p$-groups minimally of class greater than two
Authors: Brandl Rolf , Corsi Tani Gabriella , Serena Luigi
Published: December 2017

Let

G

be a finite nilpotent group of class three whose proper subgroups and proper quotients are nilpotent of class at most two. We show that

G

is either a 2-generated

p

-group or a 3-generated 3-group. In the first case the groups of maximal order with respect to a given exponent are all isomorphic except in the cases where

p=2

and

\mathrm {exp}(G)= 2^r

,

r\geq 4

. If

G

is 3-generated, then we show that there is a unique group of maximal order and exponent 3; but a similar result is not valid for exponent 9.
Simplicial arrangements on convex cones
Authors: Cuntz Michael , Mühlherr Bernhard , Weigel Christian J.
Published: December 2017

We introduce the notion of a Tits arrangement on a convex open cone as a special case of (infinite) simplicial arrangements. Such an object carries a simplicial structure similar to the geometric representation of Coxeter groups. The standard constructions of subarrangements and restrictions, which are known in the case of finite hyperplane arrangements, work as well in this more general setting.
The Horizontal Ice Nucleation Chamber (HINC): INP measurements at conditions relevant for mixed-phase clouds at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch
Authors: Lacher Larissa , Lohmann Ulrike , Boose Yvonne , Zipori Assaf , Herrmann Erik , Bukowiecki Nicolas , Steinbacher Martin , Kanji Zamin A.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. In this work we describe the Horizontal Ice Nucleation Chamber (HINC) as a new instrument to measure ambient ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentrations for conditions relevant to mixed-phase clouds. Laboratory verification and validation experiments confirm the accuracy of the thermodynamic conditions of temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) in HINC with uncertainties in T of ±0.4 K and in RH with respect to water (RHw) of ±1.5 %, which translates into an uncertainty in RH with respect to ice (RHi) of ±3.0 % at T > 235 K. For further validation of HINC as a field instrument, two measurement campaigns were conducted in winters 2015 and 2016 at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch (JFJ; Switzerland, 3580 m a. s. l. ) to sample ambient INPs. During winters 2015 and 2016 the site encountered free-tropospheric conditions 92 and 79 % of the time, respectively. We measured INP concentrations at 242 K at water-subsaturated conditions (RHw = 94 %), relevant for the formation of ice clouds, and in the water-supersaturated regime (RHw = 104 %) to represent ice formation occurring under mixed-phase cloud conditions. In winters 2015 and 2016 the median INP concentrations at RHw = 94 % was below the minimum detectable concentration. At RHw = 104 %, INP concentrations were an order of magnitude higher, with median concentrations in winter 2015 of 2.8 per standard liter (std L−1; normalized to standard T of 273 K and pressure, p, of 1013 hPa) and 4.7 std L−1 in winter 2016. The measurements are in agreement with previous winter measurements obtained with the Portable Ice Nucleation Chamber (PINC) of 2.2 std L−1 at the same location. During winter 2015, two events caused the INP concentrations at RHw = 104 % to significantly increase above the campaign average. First, an increase to 72.1 std L−1 was measured during an event influenced by marine air, arriving at the JFJ from the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea. The contribution from anthropogenic or other sources can thereby not be ruled out. Second, INP concentrations up to 146.2 std L−1 were observed during a Saharan dust event. To our knowledge this is the first time that a clear enrichment in ambient INP concentration in remote regions of the atmosphere is observed during a time of marine air mass influence, suggesting the importance of marine particles on ice nucleation in the free troposphere.
Temperature uniformity in the CERN CLOUD chamber
Authors: Dias António , Ehrhart Sebastian , Vogel Alexander , Williamson Christina , Almeida João , Kirkby Jasper , Mathot Serge , Mumford Samuel , Onnela Antti
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) experiment at CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) investigates the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles under atmospheric conditions and their activation into cloud droplets. A key feature of the CLOUD experiment is precise control of the experimental parameters. Temperature uniformity and stability in the chamber are important since many of the processes under study are sensitive to temperature and also to contaminants that can be released from the stainless steel walls by upward temperature fluctuations. The air enclosed within the 26 m3 CLOUD chamber is equipped with several arrays (strings) of high precision, fast-response thermometers to measure its temperature. Here we present a study of the air temperature uniformity inside the CLOUD chamber under various experimental conditions. Measurements were performed under calibration conditions and run conditions, which are distinguished by the flow rate of fresh air and trace gases entering the chamber at 20 and up to 210 L min−1, respectively. During steady-state calibration runs between −70 and +20 °C, the air temperature uniformity is better than ±0.06 °C in the radial direction and ±0.1 °C in the vertical direction. Larger non-uniformities are present during experimental runs, depending on the temperature control of the make-up air and trace gases (since some trace gases require elevated temperatures until injection into the chamber). The temperature stability is ±0.04 °C over periods of several hours during either calibration or steady-state run conditions. During rapid adiabatic expansions to activate cloud droplets and ice particles, the chamber walls are up to 10 °C warmer than the enclosed air. This results in temperature differences of ±1.5 °C in the vertical direction and ±1 °C in the horizontal direction, while the air returns to its equilibrium temperature with a time constant of about 200 s.
An aircraft gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer System for Organic Fast Identification Analysis (SOFIA): design, performance and a case study of Asian monsoon pollution outflow
Authors: Bourtsoukidis Efstratios , Helleis Frank , Tomsche Laura , Fischer Horst , Hofmann Rolf , Lelieveld Jos , Williams Jonathan
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important for global air quality and oxidation processes in the troposphere. In addition to ground-based measurements, the chemical evolution of such species during transport can be studied by performing in situ airborne measurements. Generally, aircraft instrumentation needs to be sensitive, robust and sample at higher frequency than ground-based systems while their construction must comply with rigorous mechanical and electrical safety standards. Here, we present a new System for Organic Fast Identification Analysis (SOFIA), which is a custom-built fast gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system with a time resolution of 2–3 min and the ability to quantify atmospheric mixing ratios of halocarbons (e.g. chloromethanes), hydrocarbons (e.g isoprene), oxygenated VOCs (acetone, propanal, butanone) and aromatics (e.g. benzene, toluene) from sub-ppt to ppb levels. The relatively high time resolution is the result of a novel cryogenic pre-concentration unit which rapidly cools (∼ 6 °C s−1) the sample enrichment traps to −140 °C, and a new chromatographic oven designed for rapid cooling rates (∼ 30 °C s−1) and subsequent thermal stabilization. SOFIA was installed in the High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft (HALO) for the Oxidation Mechanism Observations (OMO) campaign in August 2015, aimed at investigating the Asian monsoon pollution outflow in the tropical upper troposphere. In addition to a comprehensive instrument characterization we present an example monsoon plume crossing flight as a case study to demonstrate the instrument capability. Hydrocarbon, halocarbon and oxygenated VOC data from SOFIA are compared with mixing ratios of carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4), used to define the pollution plume. By using excess (ExMR) and normalized excess mixing ratios (NEMRs) the pollution could be attributed to two air masses of distinctly different origin, identified by back-trajectory analysis. This work endorses the use of SOFIA for aircraft operation and demonstrates the value of relatively high-frequency, multicomponent measurements in atmospheric chemistry research.
Evaluation of the moisture sources in two extreme landfalling atmospheric river events using an Eulerian WRF tracers tool
Authors: Eiras-Barca Jorge , Dominguez Francina , Hu Huancui , Garaboa-Paz Daniel , Miguez-Macho Gonzalo
Published: December 2017

Abstract. A new 3-D tracer tool is coupled to the WRF model to analyze the origin of the moisture in two extreme atmospheric river (AR) events: the so-called Great Coastal Gale of 2007 in the Pacific Ocean and the Great Storm of 1987 in the North Atlantic. Results show that between 80 and 90 % of moisture advected by the ARs, and a high percentage of the total precipitation produced by the systems have a tropical origin. The tropical contribution to precipitation is in general above 50 % and largely exceeds this value in the most affected areas. Local convergence transport is responsible for the remaining moisture and precipitation. The ratio of tropical moisture to total moisture is maximized as the cold front arrives on land. Vertical cross sections of the moisture content suggest that the maximum in tropical humidity does not necessarily coincide with the low-level jet (LLJ) of the extratropical cyclone. Instead, the amount of tropical humidity is maximized in the lowest atmospheric level in southern latitudes and can be located above, below or ahead of the LLJ in northern latitudes in both analyzed cases.
Modelling deep-water formation in the north-west Mediterranean Sea with a new air–sea coupled model: sensitivity to turbulent flux parameterizations
Authors: Seyfried Léo , Marsaleix Patrick , Richard Evelyne , Estournel Claude
Published: December 2017

Abstract. In the north-western Mediterranean, the strong, dry, cold winds, the Tramontane and Mistral, produce intense heat and moisture exchange at the interface between the ocean and the atmosphere leading to the formation of deep dense waters, a process that occurs only in certain regions of the world. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the ability of a new coupled ocean–atmosphere modelling system based on MESONH-SURFEX-SYMPHONIE to simulate a deep-water formation event in real conditions. The study focuses on summer 2012 to spring 2013, a favourable period that is well documented by previous studies and for which many observations are available. Model results are assessed through detailed comparisons with different observation data sets, including measurements from buoys, moorings and floats. The good overall agreement between observations and model results shows that the new coupled system satisfactorily simulates the formation of deep dense water and can be used with confidence to study ocean–atmosphere coupling in the north-western Mediterranean. In addition, to evaluate the uncertainty associated with the representation of turbulent fluxes in strong wind conditions, several simulations were carried out based on different parameterizations of the flux bulk formulas. The results point out that the choice of turbulent flux parameterization strongly influences the simulation of the deep-water convection and can modify the volume of the newly formed deep water by a factor of 2.
Snow depth on Arctic sea ice from historical in situ data
Authors: Shalina Elena V. , Sandven Stein
Published: December 2017

Abstract. In this paper we analyze snow data from Soviet airborne expeditions Sever that was collected in the Arctic around places of landings in March, April and May and cover much wider area than the region of observations of Soviet North Pole drifting stations. Particularly, there were a lot of Sever observations in the Eurasian seas. We investigate the following snow parameters: average snow depth on the level ice, height and area of sastrugi, depth of snow dunes attached to ice ridges and depth of snow on hummocks. We have built new snow depth climatology for the late winter that was calculated using both Sever expedition and North Pole drifting station observations. Our result refines the description of snow depth in the central Arctic and provides detailed information on snow depth in the marginal seas. In the 1970s–80s the snow cover in the central Arctic had the following characteristics: the snow depth of the undisturbed snow was 21.2 cm, the depth of sastrugi (that occupied about 36 % of the ice surface) was 36.2 cm and the depth of snow assembled near the hummocks and ridges was about 65 cm. For the marginal seas Sever observations revealed that the average depth of undisturbed snow on the level ice changed from 9.8 cm in the Laptev Sea to 15.3 cm in the East Siberian Sea, the topmost value in the East Siberian Sea is explained by the highest proportion of multiyear ice there. Observations demonstrated a very high spatial variability of snow depth in the marginal seas characterized by standard deviation changing from 66 to 100 %. The average height of sastrugi in the Eurasian seas varied from 23 cm to about 32 cm with standard deviation from 50 to 56 %. Average area covered by sastrugi in the marginal seas was estimated as 36.5 % of the area of the ice floe where those features have been observed. The snow map introduced here as a new climatology is built from Sever and North Pole data, with the latter amounted to 6.1 % of the whole data set. On the whole, our snow depth map reveals lower values comparing to Warren climatology in the central Arctic and shows refined information for the Eurasian seas.
A LIQUIDAÇÃO DAS TERRAS PÚBLICAS NO BRASIL: CONTEXTOS, PRETEXTOS E PASSIVOS TERRITORIAIS EM FACE DA LEI 13.465/2017
Authors: Tomiasi Paulino Eliane
Published: December 2017

As profundas modificações sobre a constituição da propriedade privada no Brasil impostas pela Lei 13.465/2017 demandam reflexões sobre suas características, suas implicações e os processos que a antecederam. Sancionada um dia antes de ser votado o parecer da Comissão da Câmara dos Deputados que bloquearia a autorização para o Supremo Tribunal Federal investigar crimes de Michel Temer, Presidente da República, essa medida revela o contexto das oportunidades de classe que os ruralistas conseguiram angariar para si. A isso se atribui duas conquistas estruturais concomitantes aqui analisadas: o ataque ao legado da política de assentamentos no Brasil, mediante a determinação de emancipação compulsória de qualquer um deles implantados há mais de 15 anos; e a premiação aos grandes invasores de terras públicas, denominados grileiros, do definitivo ato do reordenamento territorial, o título de propriedade, mediante exclusividade de comprá-las do Estado a preços irrisórios. Ao problematizar a chancela jurídica da invasão de terras por meio da célere titulação como culminância de um processo persistente, porém aprofundado neste milênio, perscruta-se determinações e implicações da renúncia à primazia do interesse difuso em favor da capacidade de rapina segundo a perspectiva do trunfo de classe em seu apogeu no país.Palavras-chave: Grilagem, regularização fundiária, reforma agrária, passivos territoriais.
A IMPORTÂNCIA DA ASSISTÊNCIA TÉCNICA E EXTENSÃO RURAL (ATER) E DO CRÉDITO RURAL PARA A AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR EM GOIÁS
Authors: Resende Oliveira Guilherme , Moreira de Araújo Fernando , César de Queiroz Carlos
Published: December 2017

O estudo analisa duas importantes políticas públicas, a ATER e o Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar (PRONAF), além de verificar sua inter-relação. Ambas têm um importante papel no desenvolvimento econômico e regional, além do bem-estar dos agricultores familiares. O objetivo geral é traçar o perfil de agricultores familiares de Goiás, identificando as variáveis que influenciam o acesso ao crédito disponibilizado pelo programa, com destaque para a ATER e a sua principal instituição no estado de Goiás, a Agência Goiana Assistência Técnica, Extensão Rural e Pesquisa Agropecuária (Emater). Além disso, levantam-se novas evidências sobre o efeito dessas políticas na economia goiana. A baixa escolaridade do agricultor familiar, a concentração de serviços públicos e das atividades econômicas são fatores que justificam a atuação do extensionista rural e, consequentemente, a contribuição da ATER para reduzir a desigualdade regional. A ATER é mais demandada pelas atividades agropecuárias, correspondendo a 66% (78.879) dos atendimentos realizados. Em 2016, das 5.927 Declaração de Aptidão (DAPs), quase dois terços foram elaboradas para os próprios donos da propriedade. Em relação ao PRONAF, a pecuária se destaca representando 96,8% de todos os recursos financiados em 2016, chegando a um volume de R$ 335 milhões em mais de 6,4 mil contratos, enquanto a agricultura teve quase R$ 11 milhões dos recursos aplicados.Palavras-chave: Políticas Públicas, Agropecuária, Emater, PRONAF.
Tiana, a primeira princesa negra da Disney: olhares analíticos construídos juntos à cultura visual
Authors: Baliscei João Paulo , Calsa Geiva Carolina , Stein Vinícius
Published: December 2017

Este trabalho discute os estereótipos raciais reproduzidos pela Disney, que tem como público-alvo o infantil e grande repercussão entre as crianças brasileiras. Para isso, realizamos uma pesquisa bibliográfica a partir dos Estudos Culturais e da Cultura Visual. Discutimos sobre cenas selecionadas do desenho animado A Princesa e o Sapo (2009). Concluímos que, embora haja um avanço na abordagem das relações inter-raciais com a criação de protagonistas negros/as, o filme analisado ainda valoriza estereótipos, uma vez que alguns aspectos contribuem para a marginalização e abjeção de personagens negros/as. AbstractThis paper discusses the racial stereotypes reproduced by Disney productions, whose target audience is the children and has great repercussion among Brazilian children. For this, we carried out a bibliographical research based on Cultural Studies and Visual Culture. We discussed selected scenes from the cartoon The Princess and the Frog (2009). We conclude that, although there is a progress in the approach of interracial relations with the creation of black protagonists, the analyzed film still values stereotypes, since in some aspects they contribute to the marginalization and abjection of black characters. ResumenEste trabajo discute los estereotipos raciales reproducidos por las producciones de Disney, direccionadas a una audiencia de niños y, que tiene una gran repercusión entre los niños brasileños. Para esto, desarrollamos una investigación bibliográfica basada en Estudios Culturales y Cultura Visual. Discutimos algunas escenas seleccionadas del dibujo La princesa y el sapo (2009). Concluimos que, a pesar de los avances en el tratamiento de las relaciones interraciales con la creación de protagonistas negros/as, la película analizada todavía valora los estereotipos, ya que en algunos aspectos contribuyen para la marginación y el rechazo de los/as personajes negros/as.
From Off-Label to Repurposed Drug in Non-Oncological Rare Diseases: Definition and State of the Art in Selected EU Countries
Authors: Minghetti Paola , Lanati Elena P. , Godfrey Josie , Solà-Morales Oriol , Wong Olivier , Selletti Sonia
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Almost 8,000 rare diseases exist worldwide, affecting approximately 350 million people. Nevertheless, only 5% receive a specific authorized or licensed treatment. The need for effective and rapidly available therapies is still unmet for many patients.

Objective

The objective is to define repurposing versus off-label drugs, and to evaluate pathways of repurposed drugs for rare non-oncological diseases in Italy, France, England, and Spain (the EU4 countries).

Methods

This original paper is based on 3 research activities: (i) a nonsystematic literature research; (ii) a questionnaire-based survey to regulatory experts; and (iii) research on approval timelines and therapy prices of repurposed non-oncology orphan drugs. Official approval dates in England are not available if the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not appraise the products.

Results

Only France provides a specific adaptive pathway from off-label to repurposed drugs. Pricing and reimbursement assessment for the drug samples varied across the EU4 countries: time-to-market for repurposed drugs versus new drugs is longer in all analyzed countries; that is, 979 days versus 462 days in Italy, 502 days versus 350 days in France, and 624 versus 378 days in Spain. Repurposed drugs have higher success rates from development to approval than novel drugs (30% vs. 11%). Small- and medium-sized enterprises owned 9 of 12 repurposed non-oncology orphan drugs, of which only 4 were reimbursed in all EU4 countries. Prices were more homogeneous across EU4 although the reimbursement rates were different.

Conclusions

Drug repurposing represents a great opportunity to treat rare non-oncological diseases. However, a more homogenous assessment across EU4 could ensure reimbursement and prices high enough to reward organizations investing in this field.
USA Criminal and Civil Prosecutions Associated with Illicit Online Pharmacies: Legal Analysis and Global Implications
Authors: Guerra Camille , Mackey Timothy K.
Published: December 2017

The rise of digital technologies has created a complex online environment that now includes illicit Internet pharmacies, online facilitators, advertising sites, and foreign entities. Collectively, these networks create significant patient safety risks, including acting as unregulated access points encouraging prescription drug abuse. Although law enforcement is active in combating this form of cybercrime, there are several difficulties in prosecuting individuals involved in online prescription drug distribution. We characterize these challenges by conducting a comprehensive legal review and analysis of USA civil and criminal cases associated with online pharmacies. This is accomplished by reviewing legal documents/filings available via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database, the Drug Enforcement Agency's website, and structured search queries using the Google search engine. We found more than 100 cases, including criminal indictments, sentencing documents, judgments, forfeiture orders, motions, civil complaints, and restitution documents. Our review indicates that current legal tools and regulatory policies do not effectively deter this highly profitable criminal activity. Hence, we issue a “Call to Action,” advocating the need for more robust legal remedies and criminal penalties, and greater legal and policy coherence at the domestic, regional, and global level aimed at improving patient safety and ensuring the integrity of the drug supply chain.