bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple sclerosis and herpesvirus interaction
Authors: Olival Guilherme Sciascia do , Lima Bruna Mendonca , Sumita Laura M. , Serafim Vitor , Fink Maria Cristina , Nali Luis Henrique , Romano Camila Malta , Thomaz Rodrigo Barbosa , Cavenaghi Vitor Breseghello , Tilbery Charles Peter , Penalva-de-Oliveira Augusto Cesar
Published: October 2013

Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and its etiology is believed to have both genetic and environmental components. Several viruses have already been implicated as triggers and there are several studies that implicate members of the Herpesviridae family in the pathogenesis of MS. The most important characteristic of these viruses is that they have periods of latency and exacerbations within their biological sanctuary, the central nervous system. The Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6 and human herpesvirus 7 viruses are the members that are most studied as being possible triggers of multiple sclerosis. According to evidence in the literature, the herpesvirus family is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, but it is unlikely that they are the only component responsible for its development. There are probably multiple triggers and more studies are necessary to investigate and define these interactions.
“Do They See Nothing Wrong with This?”: Bullying, Bystander Complicity, and the Role of Homophobic Bias in the Tyler Clementi Case
Authors: Byers David S.
Published: October 2013

Despite intense national and international media coverage, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the role of the many bystanders in the bullying and suicide of Rutgers University student, Tyler Clementi. This article examines the case as an exemplar for careful review of the discrepancy between academic literature and popular understanding of the role of bystanders in bullying processes, integrating research on bystander effect, bullying, and homophobia. The case reveals a process in which bystanders come to disavow their complicity by either denying the harm done or scapegoating the bully after the fact. Both processes may inhibit future educational efforts and bystander interventions. Implications for clinical social work practice in schools, university settings, and communities are discussed.
Environmental controls over bacterial communities in polar desert soils
Authors: Geyer Kevin M. , Altrichter Adam E. , Van Horn David J. , Takacs-Vesbach Cristina D. , Gooseff Michael N. , Barrett J. E.
Published: October 2013

Productivity‐diversity theory has proven informative to many investigations seeking to understand drivers of spatial patterns in biotic communities and relationships between resource availability and community structure documented for a wide variety of taxa. For soil bacteria, availability of organic matter is one such resource known to influence diversity and community structure. Here we describe the influence of environmental gradients on soil bacterial communities of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, a model ecosystem that hosts simple, microbially‐dominated foodwebs believed to be primarily structured by abiotic drivers such as water, organic matter, pH, and electrical conductivity. We sampled 48 locations exhibiting orders of magnitude ranges in primary production and soil geochemistry (pH and electrical conductivity) over local and regional scales. Our findings show that environmental gradients imposed by cryptogam productivity and regional variation in geochemistry influence the diversity and structure of soil bacterial communities. Responses of soil bacterial richness to carbon content illustrate a productivity‐diversity relationship, while bacterial community structure primarily responds to soil pH and electrical conductivity. This diversity response to resource availability and a community structure response to environmental severity suggests a need for careful consideration of how microbial communities and associated functions may respond to shifting environmental conditions resulting from human activity and climate variability.
Whole‐plant trait spectra of North American woody plant species reflect fundamental ecological strategies
Authors: Stahl Ulrike , Kattge Jens , Reu Björn , Voigt Winfried , Ogle Kiona , Dickie John , Wirth Christian
Published: October 2013

The adaptation of plant species to their biotic and abiotic environment is manifested in their traits. Suites of correlated functional traits may reflect fundamental tradeoffs and general plant strategies and hence represent trait spectra along which plant species can vary according to their respective strategies. However, the functional interpretation of these trait spectra requires the inspection of their relation to plant performance. We employed principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) to quantify fundamental whole‐plant trait spectra based on 23 traits for 305 North American woody species that span boreal to subtropical climates. We related the major axes of PCoA to five measures of plant performance (i.e., growth rate, and tolerance to drought, shade, water‐logging and fire) for all species and separately for gymnosperms and angiosperms. Across all species a unified gymnosperm‐angiosperm trait spectrum (wood density, seed mass, rooting habit) is identified, which is correlated with drought tolerance. Apart from this, leaf type and specific leaf area (SLA) strongly separate gymnosperms from angiosperms. For gymnosperms, one trait spectrum emerges (seed mass, rooting habit), which is positively correlated with drought tolerance and inversely with shade tolerance, reflecting a tradeoff between these two strategies due to opposing trait characteristics. Angiosperms are functionally more diverse. The trait spectra related to drought tolerance and shade tolerance are decoupled and three distinct strategies emerge: high drought tolerance (low SLA, dense wood, heavy seeds, taproot), high shade tolerance (high SLA, shallow roots, high toxicity, opposite arranged leaves), and fast growth/stress intolerance (large maximum heights, soft wood, light seeds, high seed spread rate). In summary, our approach reveals that complex suits of traits and potential tradeoffs underlie fundamental performance strategies in forests. Studies relying on small sets of plant traits may not be able to reveal such underlying strategies.
Second order BVPs with state dependent impulses via lower and upper functions
Authors: Rachůnková Irena , Tomeček Jan
Published: October 2013

The paper deals with the following second order Dirichlet boundary value problem with p ∈ ℕ state-dependent impulses: z″(t) = f (t,z(t)) for a.e. t ∈ [0, T], z(0) = z(T) = 0, z′(τ i+) − z′(τ i−) = I i(τ i, z(τ i)), τ i = γ i(z(τ i)), i = 1,..., p. Solvability of this problem is proved under the assumption that there exists a well-ordered couple of lower and upper functions to the corresponding Dirichlet problem without impulses.
The Mukai conjecture for log Fano manifolds
Authors: Fujita Kento
Published: October 2013

For a log Fano manifold (X,D) with D ≠ 0 and of the log Fano pseudoindex ≥2, we prove that the restriction homomorphism Pic(X) → Pic(D 1) of Picard groups is injective for any irreducible component D 1 ⊂ D. The strategy of our proof is to run a certain minimal model program and is similar to Casagrande’s argument. As a corollary, we prove that the Mukai conjecture (resp. the generalized Mukai conjecture) implies the log Mukai conjecture (resp. the log generalized Mukai conjecture).
Effect of integrated weed management practices on performance of dry direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Bhurer KP , Yadav DN , Ladha JK , Thapa RB , Pandey K
Published: October 2013

Weeds are serious problem in dry direct seeded rice (DDSR). A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 2010 and 2011 at research farm of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) Parwanipur, to study the effect of integrated weed management practices on the performance of dry direct seeded rice. Ten treatment combinations viz; weedy, weed free (weekly), Pendimethalin fb (followed by) Bispyribac, Pendimethalin fb two hand weeding, Stale seedbed fb Bispyribac, Stale seedbed fb Pendimethalin fb Bispyribac, Mulch 4 t/ha fb Bispyribac fb one hand weeding, Stale seedbed fb mulch 4 t/ha fb Bispyribac, Pendimethalin and Sesbania co-culture fb 2,4-D Na salt fb one hand weeding and Pendimethalin fb 2,4-D fb one hand weeding were tested in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Observations were taken on weed, plant growth and yield attributes, yield, and socio-economic parameters. All weed control treatments significantly reduced the weed density and dry weight of weed resulting significant increase in yield of DSR over weedy check in both years. Weed free treatment resulted the highest yield, however, it was not economical due to high cost of cultivation. The use of Pendimethalin fb 2,4-D fb one hand weeding produced yield (5161 in 2010 and 6160 kg/ha in 2011) which were statistically at par with yield (5305 in 2010 and 6319 kg/ha in 2011) obtained under the weed free treatment. Further, the highest benefit cost ratio (CBR) 1.77 and 2.22 and net return Rs 47700 and 75084/ha during 2010 and 2011, respectively, were obtained under this treatment indicating its superiority over other treatments. The grain yield, yield attributing characters viz. panicles per m2, panicle weight, filled grain per panicle, thousand grain weight as influenced by different weed management practices revealed that higher yield resulted from weed free plot followed by Pendimethalin followed by two hand weeding and Pendimethalin followed by 2,4-D followed by one hand weeding. However, the net return per unit investment resulted highest in Pendimethalin followed by 2,4-D followed by one hand weeding. This proved that amid increasing wage rate and labor scarcity integrated weed management through Pendimethalin 30 EC (stomp) @ 1 kg a. i./ha as pre- emergence herbicide application followed by 2,4-D sodium salt 80 WP @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha followed by one hand weeding or stale seed bed followed by Pendimethalin 30 EC (stomp) @ 1 kg a. i./ha followed by Bispyribac (nominee gold) @ 25 g a. i./ha 10 % @ 200 ml/ha at 20 days of seeding resulted best alternative for manual hand weeding practices giving higher net return per unit investment. Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 3. 2013, Page 53-63 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v3i0.9006
Productivity and soil attributes as influenced by resource conservation technologies under rice- wheat system in Nepal
Authors: Sah G , Shah SC , Sah SK , Thapa RB , McDonald A , Sidhu HS , Gupta RK , Wall P
Published: October 2013

Rice-wheat system provides food, income, and employment to over 83 % of the people and contributes to national food security in Nepal. Sustainability of the system is under threat because of increasing cultivation cost and declining soil fertility. On-farm experiments were carried out to determine the effects of tillage and crop establishment methods, crop residue management, and nitrogen levels that affect soil attributes and productivity of the rice-wheat system during 2010- 2011at Bara, Nepal. The treatment consisted of three tillage and crop establishment methods viz. Conventional tillage (CT), Permanent bed planting (PB), and Zero-tillage (ZT); two residue management levels viz. Residue retention and Residue removal; and three nitrogen levels viz. Zero nitrogen, farmer’s dose (80 and 100 kgha-1 N for rice and wheat, respectively), and abundant nitrogen (120 kgha-1 N for both rice and wheat crop). The experiments were laid out in strip-split plot design with three replications. The research results revealed that rice grain yield was significantly higher in the plots receiving N level as applied by farmers that was similar to abundant nitrogen dose. Wheat grain yield was significantly higher with zero tillage compared to permanent bed planting and conventional tillage. Significantly higher wheat grain yield was also obtained due to abundant nitrogen dose than zero dose nitrogen which was similar to farmers’ dose of N as well. There was no significant difference in grain yield of rice and wheat due to residue retention, although, it improved soil moisture. In wheat crop, zero-till planting and increased nitrogen application conserved soil moisture, enhanced soil electrical conductivity and lowered soil temperature. It can be concluded that rice and wheat can be grown successfully with zero tillage and farmer’s nitrogen dose without any yield penalty. Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 3. 2013, Page 64-72 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v3i0.9007
Intercropping of chick pea and mustard on control of botrytis grey mold in western Terai, Nepal
Authors: Khadka R , Joshi S , Chaudhary RB
Published: October 2013

Integrated management strategies are required to minimize botrytis grey mold disease of chickpea (CICER ARIETINUM L.) caused by Botrytis cineria. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of cultivars and seed ratio in chickpea-mustard intercropping system on the severity of botrytis grey mold. Three chickpea varieties Abarodhi, KGP59 and ICCCV 97207 were intercropped with Bikash variety of mustard in different combinations. These two crops were grown at RARS, Khajura in three replications in 2012 at the ratio of sole chickpea, 3.1 ICCV97207.Bikash, 3.1 KPG-59.Bikash, 2.1 KPG59.Bikash, 2.1 ICCV-97207.Bikash,2.2 ICCV97207.Bikash, 2.2 KPG- 59.Bikash,1.2 ICCV97207.Bikash, and 1.2 KPG 59.Bikash. Among the three tested varieties, highest disease score and AUDPC was recorded in Abarodhi (7.00, 0.83), followed by KPG59 (6.444, 0.79), and lowest in ICCV97207 (4.77, 0.58). Similarly in sole cropping, highest yield per plant was found in KPG59 (5.47g), followed by ICCCV9720 (4.46 g) and Abarodhi (3.46 g). Among the tested intercropping system, lowest disease incidence was recorded in 1.2 ICCV97207. Bikas followed by 1.2 KPG59. Bikash. From this research, it can be suggested that intercropping chickpea with mustard can significantly reduce BG of chickpea and thus it could be developed into an environment-friendly cropping system for BG control in chickpea fields. The combination, in which disease incidence was lowest, can be replicated in the areas where BG is a major constraint in chickpea production. Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 3. 2013, Page 89-96 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v3i0.9010
Your Participation Isgreatly/highlyAppreciated: Amplifier Collocations in L2 English
Authors: Edmonds Amanda , Gudmestad Aarnes
Published: October 2013

Abstract:

The current study sets out to investigate collocational knowledge for a set of 13 English amplifiers among native and nonnative speakers of English, by providing a partial replication of one of the projects reported on in Granger (1998). The project combines both phraseological and distributional approaches to research into formulaic language to examine whether natives and nonnatives demonstrate similar patterns of saliency and agreement in their judgments of adverb-adjective collocations. A total of 55 English native speakers and 120 Francophone learners of English (first-year university students, third-year university students, and Master’s students) completed two tasks targeting such collocations. Our quantitative analysis reveals that Master’s students and native speakers performed similarly on the different tasks, and that both groups differed significantly from the first- and third-year university learners. This pattern holds for all analyses of salience and for all but one analysis of agreement. We interpret these findings as evidence of development toward nativelike patterns with respect to the collocations under study.
The accuracy of predicting survival in individual patients with cancer
Authors: Kondziolka Douglas , Parry Phillip V. , Lunsford L. Dade , Kano Hideyuki , Flickinger John C. , Rakfal Susan , Arai Yoshio , Loeffler Jay S. , Rush Stephen , Knisely Jonathan P. S. , Sheehan Jason , Friedman William , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Francis Lanie , Lieberman Frank , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Linskey Mark E. , McDermott Michael , Sperduto Paul , Stupp Roger
Published: October 2013

Object

Estimating survival time in cancer patients is crucial for clinicians, patients, families, and payers. To provide appropriate and cost-effective care, various data sources are used to provide rational, reliable, and reproducible estimates. The accuracy of such estimates is unknown.

Methods

The authors prospectively estimated survival in 150 consecutive cancer patients (median age 62 years) with brain metastases undergoing radiosurgery. They recorded cancer type, number of brain metastases, neurological presentation, extracranial disease status, Karnofsky Performance Scale score, Recursive Partitioning Analysis class, prior whole-brain radiotherapy, and synchronous or metachronous presentation. Finally, the authors asked 18 medical, radiation, or surgical oncologists to predict survival from the time of treatment.

Results

The actual median patient survival was 10.3 months (95% CI 6.4–14). The median physician-predicted survival was 9.7 months (neurosurgeons = 11.8 months, radiation oncologists = 11.0 months, and medical oncologist = 7.2 months). For patients who died before 10 months, both neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists generally predicted survivals that were more optimistic and medical oncologists that were less so, although no group could accurately predict survivors alive at 14 months. All physicians had individual patient survival predictions that were incorrect by as much as 12–18 months, and 14 of 18 physicians had individual predictions that were in error by more than 18 months. Of the 2700 predictions, 1226 (45%) were off by more than 6 months and 488 (18%) were off by more than 12 months.

Conclusions

Although crucial, predicting the survival of cancer patients is difficult. In this study all physicians were unable to accurately predict longer-term survivors. Despite valuable clinical data and predictive scoring techniques, brain and systemic management often led to patient survivals well beyond estimated survivals.
Morphological and clinical risk factors for posterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture
Authors: Matsukawa Hidetoshi , Fujii Motoharu , Akaike Gensuke , Uemura Akihiro , Takahashi Osamu , Niimi Yasunari , Shinoda Masaki
Published: October 2013

Object

Recent studies have shown that posterior circulation aneurysms, specifically posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms, are more likely to rupture than other aneurysms. To date, few studies have investigated the factors contributing to PCoA aneurysm rupture. The authors aimed to identify morphological and clinical characteristics predisposing to PCoA aneurysm rupture.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed 134 consecutive patients with PCoA aneurysms managed at their facility between July 2003 and December 2012. The authors divided patients into groups of those with aneurysmal rupture (n = 39) and without aneurysmal rupture (n = 95) and compared morphological and clinical characteristics. Morphological characteristics were mainly evaluated by 3D CT angiography and included diameter of arteries (anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and internal carotid artery), size of the aneurysm, dome-to-neck ratio, neck direction of the aneurysmal dome around the PCoA (medial, lateral, superior, inferior, and posterior), aneurysm bleb formation, whether the PCoA was fetal type, and the existence of other intracranial unruptured aneurysm(s).

Results

Patients with ruptured PCoA aneurysms were significantly younger (a higher proportion were < 60 years of age) and a significantly higher proportion of patients with ruptured PCoA aneurysms showed a lateral direction of the aneurysmal dome around the PCoA, had bleb formation, and the aneurysm was > 7 mm in diameter and/or the dome-to-neck ratio was > 2.0. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age < 60 years (OR 4.3, p = 0.011), history of hypertension (OR 5.1, p = 0.008), lateral direction of the aneurysmal dome around the PCoA (OR 6.7, p = 0.0001), and bleb formation (OR 11, p < 0.0001) to be significantly associated with PCoA aneurysm rupture.

Conclusions

The present results demonstrated that lateral projection of a PCoA aneurysm may be related to rupture.
Gene Expression of Glucose Transporter 1 (GLUT1), Hexokinase 1 and Hexokinase 2 in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Correlation with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and Cellular Proliferation
Authors: Binderup Tina , Knigge Ulrich , Federspiel Birgitte , Sommer Peter , Hasselby Jane , Loft Annika , Kjaer Andreas
Published: October 2013

Neoplastic tissue exhibits high glucose utilization and over-expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs) and hexokinases (HKs), which can be imaged by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of glycolysis-associated genes and to compare this with FDG-PET imaging as well as with the cellular proliferation index in two cancer entities with different malignant potential. Using real-time PCR, gene expression of GLUT1, HK1 and HK2 were studied in 34 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in comparison with 14 colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRAs). The Ki67 proliferation index and, when available, FDG-PET imaging was compared with gene expression. Overexpression of GLUT1 gene expression was less frequent in NETs (38%) compared to CRAs (86%), P = 0.004. HK1 was overexpressed in 41% and 71% of NETs and CRAs, respectively (P = 0.111) and HK2 was overexpressed in 50% and 64% of NETs and CRAs, respectively (P = 0.53). There was a significant correlation between the Ki67 proliferation index and GLUT1 gene expression for the NETs (R = 0.34, P = 0.047), but no correlation with the hexokinases. FDG-PET identified foci in significantly fewer NETs (36%) than CRAs (86%), (P = 0.04). The gene expression results, with less frequent GLUT1 and HK1 upregulation in NETs, confirmed the lower metabolic activity of NETs compared to the more aggressive CRAs. In accordance with this, fewer NETs were FDG-PET positive compared to CRA tumors and FDG uptake correlated with GLUT1 gene expression.
MiR-205 Is Progressively Down-Regulated in Lymph Node Metastasis but Fails as a Prognostic Biomarker in High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kalogirou Charis , Spahn Martin , Krebs Markus , Joniau Steven , Lerut Evelyne , Burger Maximilian , Scholz Claus-Jürgen , Kneitz Susanne , Riedmiller Hubertus , Kneitz Burkhard
Published: October 2013

The treatment of high-risk prostate cancer (HRPCa) is a tremendous challenge for uro-oncologists. The identification of predictive moleculobiological markers allowing risk assessment of lymph node metastasis and systemic progression is essential in establishing effective treatment. In the current study, we investigate the prognostic potential of miR-205 in HRPCa study and validation cohorts, setting defined clinical endpoints for both. We demonstrate miR-205 to be significantly down-regulated in over 70% of the HRPCa samples analysed and that reconstitution of miR-205 causes inhibition of proliferation and invasiveness in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines. Additionally, miR-205 is increasingly down-regulated in lymph node metastases compared to the primary tumour indicating that miR-205 plays a role in migration of PCa cells from the original location into extraprostatic tissue. Nevertheless, down-regulation of miR-205 in primary PCa was not correlated to the synchronous presence of metastasis and failed to predict the outcome for HRPCa patients. Moreover, we found a tendency for miR-205 up-regulation to correlate with an adverse outcome of PCa patients suggesting a pivotal role of miR-205 in tumourigenesis. Overall, we showed that miR-205 is involved in the development and metastasis of PCa, but failed to work as a useful clinical biomarker in HRPCa. These findings might have implications for the use of miR-205 as a prognostic or therapeutic target in HRPCa.
Glycosyltransferase GLT8D2 Positively Regulates ApoB100 Protein Expression in Hepatocytes
Authors: Wei Hong-Shan , Wei Hong-Lian , Zhao Fei , Zhong Le-Ping , Zhan Yu-Tao
Published: October 2013

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by triglyceride (TG) accumulation in hepatocytes. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) is a major secretory product of the liver that transports endogenously synthesized TG. Disrupted VLDL secretion may contribute to the accumulation of TG in hepatocytes. ApoB100 (apolipoprotein B100) is a glycoprotein and an essential protein component of VLDL. Its glycosylation may affect VLDL assembly and secretion. However, which glycosyltransferase catalyzes apoB100 glycosylation is unknown. In this study, we cloned the GLT8D2 (glycosyltransferase 8 domain containing 2) gene from HepG2 cells and generated a series of plasmids for in vitro studies of its molecular functions. We discovered that GLT8D2 was localized in the ER, interacted with apoB100, and positively regulated the levels of apoB100 protein in HepG2 cells. Based on these results, we propose that GLT8D2 is a glycosyltransferase of apoB100 that regulates apoB100 levels in hepatocytes.
Formation of a Volunteer Harmful Algal Bloom Network in British Columbia, Canada, Following an Outbreak of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning
Authors: McIntyre Lorraine , Cassis David , Haigh Nicola
Published: October 2013

Evidence for shellfish toxin illness in British Columbia (BC) on the west coast of Canada can be traced back to 1793. For over two hundred years, domestically acquired bivalve shellfish toxin illnesses in BC were solely ascribed to paralytic shellfish poisonings caused by algal blooms of Alexandrium. This changed in 2011, when BC experienced its first outbreak of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). As a result of this outbreak, Canada’s first DSP symposium was held in November, 2012, in North Vancouver, BC. Three of the objectives of the symposium were to provide a forum to educate key stakeholders on this emerging issue, to identify research and surveillance priorities and to create a DSP network. The purpose of this paper is to review what is known about shellfish poisoning in BC and to describe a novel volunteer network that arose following the symposium. The newly formed network was designed for industry shellfish growers to identify harmful algae bloom events, so that they may take actions to mitigate the effects of harmful blooms on shellfish morbidity. The network will also inform public health and regulatory stakeholders of potentially emerging issues in shellfish growing areas.
Hyperspectral Proximal Sensing of Salix Alba Trees in the Sacco River Valley (Latium, Italy)
Authors: Moroni Monica , Lupo Emanuela , Cenedese Antonio
Published: October 2013

Recent developments in hardware and software have increased the possibilities and reduced the costs of hyperspectral proximal sensing. Through the analysis of high resolution spectroscopic measurements at the laboratory or field scales, this monitoring technique is suitable for quantitative estimates of biochemical and biophysical variables related to the physiological state of vegetation. Two systems for hyperspectral imaging have been designed and developed at DICEA-Sapienza University of Rome, one based on the use of spectrometers, the other on tunable interference filters. Both systems provide a high spectral and spatial resolution with low weight, power consumption and cost. This paper describes the set-up of the tunable filter platform and its application to the investigation of the environmental status of the region crossed by the Sacco river (Latium, Italy). This was achieved by analyzing the spectral response given by tree samples, with roots partly or wholly submerged in the river, located upstream and downstream of an industrial area affected by contamination. Data acquired is represented as reflectance indices as well as reflectance values. Broadband and narrowband indices based on pigment content and carotenoids vs. chlorophyll content suggest tree samples located upstream of the contaminated area are ‘healthier’ than those downstream.
Discriminating Crop, Weeds and Soil Surface with a Terrestrial LIDAR Sensor
Authors: Andújar Dionisio , Rueda-Ayala Victor , Moreno Hugo , Rosell-Polo Joan , Escolá Alexandre , Valero Constantino , Gerhards Roland , Fernández-Quintanilla César , Dorado José , Griepentrog Hans-Werner
Published: October 2013

In this study, the evaluation of the accuracy and performance of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor for vegetation using distance and reflection measurements aiming to detect and discriminate maize plants and weeds from soil surface was done. The study continues a previous work carried out in a maize field in Spain with a LIDAR sensor using exclusively one index, the height profile. The current system uses a combination of the two mentioned indexes. The experiment was carried out in a maize field at growth stage 12–14, at 16 different locations selected to represent the widest possible density of three weeds: Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv., Lamium purpureum L., Galium aparine L.and Veronica persica Poir.. A terrestrial LIDAR sensor was mounted on a tripod pointing to the inter-row area, with its horizontal axis and the field of view pointing vertically downwards to the ground, scanning a vertical plane with the potential presence of vegetation. Immediately after the LIDAR data acquisition (distances and reflection measurements), actual heights of plants were estimated using an appropriate methodology. For that purpose, digital images were taken of each sampled area. Data showed a high correlation between LIDAR measured height and actual plant heights (R2 = 0.75). Binary logistic regression between weed presence/absence and the sensor readings (LIDAR height and reflection values) was used to validate the accuracy of the sensor. This permitted the discrimination of vegetation from the ground with an accuracy of up to 95%. In addition, a Canonical Discrimination Analysis (CDA) was able to discriminate mostly between soil and vegetation and, to a far lesser extent, between crop and weeds. The studied methodology arises as a good system for weed detection, which in combination with other principles, such as vision-based technologies, could improve the efficiency and accuracy of herbicide spraying.
Gene flow and genetic diversity in cultivated and wild cacao (Theobroma cacao) in Bolivia
Authors: Chumacero de Schawe Claudia , Durka Walter , Tscharntke Teja , Hensen Isabell , Kessler Michael
Published: October 2013

•Premise of the study:The role of pollen flow within and between cultivated and wild tropical crop species is little known. To study the pollen flow of cacao, we estimated the degree of self‐pollination and pollen dispersal distances as well as gene flow between wild and cultivated cacao (Theobroma cacaoL.).

•Methods:We studied pollen flow and genetic diversity of cultivated and wild cacao populations by genotyping 143 wild and 86 cultivated mature plants and 374 seedlings raised from 19 wild and 25 cultivated trees at nine microsatellite loci.

•Key results:A principal component analysis distinguished wild and cultivated cacao trees, supporting the notion that Bolivia harbors truly wild cacao populations. Cultivated cacao had a higher level of genetic diversity than wild cacao, presumably reflecting the varied origin of cultivated plants. Both cacao types had high outcrossing rates, but the paternity analysis revealed 7–14% self‐pollination in wild and cultivated cacao. Despite the tiny size of the pollinators, pollen was transported distances up to 3 km; wild cacao showed longer distances (mean = 922 m) than cultivated cacao (826 m). Our data revealed that 16–20% of pollination events occurred between cultivated and wild populations.

•Conclusions:We found evidence of self‐pollination in both wild and cultivated cacao. Pollination distances are larger than those typically reported in tropical understory tree species. The relatively high pollen exchange from cultivated to wild cacao compromises genetic identity of wild populations, calling for the protection of extensive natural forest tracts to protect wild cacao in Bolivia.
OPTIMIZATION OF MULTISPAN RIBBED PLYWOOD PLATE MACROSTRUCTURE FOR MULTIPLE LOAD CASES
Authors: Šliseris Jānis , Rocēns Kārlis
Published: October 2013

This paper discusses an optimized structural plate of plywood composite that consists of top and bottom plywood flanges and a core of plywood ribs. The objective function is structure's weight. Typical constrains – maximal stress criteria and maximal deformation criteria – are used. The optimization is done by Genetic Algorithm (GA), and optimization results are used to train Feed-Forward Artificial Neural Network. The numerical simulation of plywood structure is done by using classical linear Kirchoff–Love theory of multilayer plate and Finite Element Method. As a result, an effective optimization methodology for plywood composite material is proposed. The most rational (according to strength-stiffness criteria) plywood composite macrostructure is obtained for some typical cases.
SOME INSIGHTS ON THE OPTIMAL SCHEMES OF TALL GUYED MASTS
Authors: Belevičius Rimantas , Jatulis Donatas , Šešok Dmitrij
Published: October 2013

The article presents the technique for simultaneous topology, shape and sizing optimisation of tall guyed masts under wind loadings and self-weight using simulated annealing. The objective function is the mass of the mast structure including guys, while the set of design parameters may consist of up to 10 parameters of different nature. The constraints are assessed according to Eurocodes and include the local and global stability constraints, limitations on the slenderness in mast elements, and strength constraints. The proposed optimisation technique covers three independent parts: the optimisation algorithm, meshing pre-processor that yields computational scheme of mast depending on the design parameters, and finite element program evaluating the objective function and constraints via penalisation technique. As an example the results of optimisation of a typical 60 m tall guyed telecommunication mast with different antenna areas are presented. On the basis of these results, the authors try ascertaining the approximate optimal diapasons of geometry and topology parameters such as the width of the shaft, distance of the guy foundation from the mast axis, heights of the guy attachment levels and so on. The authors hope, this will be helpful for constructors as an initial design of mast topology, shape and element sizing.
Prendre une voix dans ses bras
Authors: Prat Régine
Published: October 2013

La voix, empreinte de la personnalité, est au cœur de la communication ; elle représente le corps du verbe, porte les aspects non verbaux de la communication et transmet les émotions. Elle est, selon l’auteur, indissolublement liée au toucher et à la première expérience du monde dès la vie intra-utérine, organisée par le rythme du touché/lâché. Ces hypothèses psychanalytiques seront confrontées aux données récentes de la recherche en neurosciences, en sciences du langage et en psychologie développementale.
Comment la voix vient-elle aux enfants ?
Authors: Vivès Jean-Michel
Published: October 2013

La voix occupe, parmi les objets pulsionnels, une place particulière en ce qu’elle participe, en étant le vecteur de la parole, à la naissance même du sujet. L’auteur de cet article s’attache à montrer comment la voix vient aux enfants : donnée par l’Autre, dans une improvisation, la voix doit être à la fois accueillie et oubliée. L’infans, pour pouvoir acquérir une voix, doit résonner à celle de l’Autre qui l’invite à devenir, et dans le même temps, se rendre sourd, en constituant ce que l’auteur choisit d’appeler un point sourd, à l’appel à venir se perdre que cette même voix lui adresse.
Ils crient mais on ne les entend pas
Authors: Seytre Aline
Published: October 2013

Si une rééducation vocale est communément demandée par des adultes en souffrance avec leur voix, les enfants ne la sollicitent que de façon exceptionnelle. À ce trouble qui peut gêner l’enfant, la réponse habituelle est le plus souvent comportementale. D’autres voies intègrent la dimension symptomatique de l’altération vocale.
L'adoption, des histoires à construire : l'accompagnement de la consultation adoption du Figuier
Authors: Le Run Jean-Louis
Published: October 2013

L’article évoque la clinique de l’adoption telle qu’elle se présente à la consultation adoption du Figuier. Au-delà des conséquences directes d’une petite enfance chaotique, des troubles de l’attachement ou des pathologies du lien, l’auteur insiste sur les effets de la prise de conscience secondaire de l’abandon, et sur la nécessité pour le sujet de construire des représentations consistantes de son histoire permettant de l’assumer. Il donne des vignettes cliniques évoquant les réponses thérapeutiques proposées notamment par la thérapie familiale psychanalytique, et conclut sur l’intérêt de développer ce type de dispositif spécialisé dans chaque département.
Quel accompagnement dans le milieu associatif ?
Authors: Delannoy Cécile
Published: October 2013

Cet article retrace tout un parcours personnel et associatif de soutien aux familles adoptives, depuis la mise en place de groupes de parole, dont l’auteur aborde le cadre et les contraintes, jusqu’à la création d’une association de personnes morales venant compléter le travail mené par des associations et des organismes autorisés pour l’adoption existants. L’importance d’une complémentarité avec les professionnels au sein d’un espace adoption départemental est également soulignée. La relation de confiance établie entre les différentes associations et les professionnels a été à l’origine d’une orientation complémentaire, autour de la préparation des futurs parents, de plus en plus demandée par les pays d’origine. Enfin, une troisième est en cours d’élaboration, en direction des adoptés eux-mêmes. L’article est illustré de vignettes présentant des situations familiales.
Approche psychoéducative transculturelle en faveur des enfants avec autisme : une étude clinique à Kinshasa, rdc
Authors: Mukau Ebwel Joachim , Roeyers Herbert
Published: October 2013

Cette étude présente l’impact des réunions d’échange d’expériences entre parents dont les enfants ont reçu le diagnostic d’autisme. Quinze familles ont accepté d’être formées et de mettre en place à domicile les stratégies psychoéducatives inspirées du programme teacch . Les parents qui se sont présentés régulièrement aux réunions et qui ont expérimenté le programme à la maison ont augmenté de manière considérable les performances de leur enfant dans les domaines de la communication, l’interaction sociale et l’autonomie de base. Une différence significative a été constatée entre le nombre de participations des parents aux séances et les améliorations observées chez les enfants.
Actions intergénérationnelles et développement durable en milieu rural
Authors: Attias-Donfut Claudine
Published: October 2013

Cet article propose d’examiner la signification des actions intergénérationnelles et de ses enjeux dans les territoires à dominance rurale, dont la spécificité est analysée dans deux directions, d’une part leur insertion dans les nouvelles formes de sociabilités extra-urbaines et d’autre part leur contribution aux particularités du développement durable local, en référence à l’Approche par les Capacités (AC) initiée par A. Sen. La nécessité d’assurer une équité dans les capacités intergénérationnelles passe par l’amélioration de la transmission, qui est un des principaux objectifs de l’intergénération et qui est sous-jacent à tous ses programmes. La réussite de ces actions appelle à la fois un dynamisme « associationniste » et un changement du regard sur le vieillissement des espaces ruraux, pour transformer en atout ce qui est trop souvent perçu uniquement comme un problème.
Identités professionnelles à l'épreuve de la ruralité : adaptations, renouvellement...?
Authors: Salles Mylène
Published: October 2013

Comment la ruralité peut-elle marquer l’identité des professionnels de l’aide à la personne ? Nous avons revisité deux enquêtes qualitatives menées en milieu rural. Sans en douter, l’histoire partagée et l’interconnaissance se juxtaposent à l’identité professionnelle. Cette unicité est remise en question par les espaces d’exercice. En établissement ou à domicile, la ruralité impose des variations à l’identité professionnelle.
Applying Social Marketing to Healthcare
Authors: Cabrita Maria do Rosário , Cabrita Miriam
Published: October 2013

There is now an emerging view of health care as a sector of the economy. The subject is increasingly gaining the interest of policy makers and health care industry researchers as a way of modifying the incidence and impact of unhealthy behavior and disease. Health-related social marketing is the systematic application of commercial marketing principles to achieve behavioral goals relevant to improving health and reducing health inequalities. Whilst commercial marketing seeks to influence behavior for profit, social marketing encourages behaviors that provide well being for individuals or for society as a whole. Several studies set out the importance of using a social marketing approach to encourage positive health behavior. There are therefore a number of challenges and opportunities for social marketing to be used to change health care consumer behavior. Social marketing has been used to persuade a specific audience, mainly through mass media, to adopt an idea, a practice, a product, or all three. To develop social marketing programs, marketers must know about the problem to be addressed, understand the audience to be targeted, and interpret the environment in which the program will be applied. The premise is that all program planning decisions must emanate from a consideration of the consumers’ wants, demands, and needs. The aim of this chapter is to examine ways in which social marketing can help to promote health care attitudes. Exploring key concepts, the study focuses on the application of social marketing theory and principles to healthcare. Using a social marketing approach, it was examines the program UpForIt, which aims to influence students aged 16-24 years old to increase their levels of physical activity and adopt healthy eating behaviors. By examining strategies implemented, it identifies that young adults are willing to voluntarily change their lifestyle behaviors, given the appropriate target audience.
Attack Graphs and Scenario Driven Wireless Computer Network Defense
Authors: Hawrylak Peter J. , Louthan George , Daily Jeremy , Hal John , Papa Mauricio
Published: October 2013

This chapter describes how to use attack graphs to evaluate the security vulnerabilities of an embedded computer network and provides example cases of this technique. Attack graphs are powerful tools available to system administrators to identify and manage vulnerabilities. Attack graphs describe the steps an adversary could take to reach a desired goal and can be analyzed to quantify risk. The systems investigated in this chapter are embedded systems that span hardware, software, and network communication. The example cases studied will be (1) radio frequency identification (RFID), (2) vehicle networks, and (3) the Smart Grid (the next generation power and distribution network in the USA).
The Blogosphere in the “Land of Smiles”
Authors: Wall Melissa , Kirdnark Treepon
Published: October 2013

Since the turn of the century, Thailand, dubbed as the “Land of Smiles,” has been racked by internal political instability, turmoil, and violence. This study assesses how an ongoing political crisis in Thailand is deconstructed via blogs. A qualitative content analysis of 45 blogs (838 posts) about Thailand indicates that during a peak period of massive anti-government protests in the spring of 2010, blog posts about the crisis tended to fall under three categories: (a) creating a partisan view of the political conflict, which largely mirrored the dominant discourses already present in mainstream media; (b) presenting a dispassionate account that often provided a synthesis of different viewpoints; or (c) offering improvised accounts of what expatriate-tourist bloggers perceived to be important yet having little context to explain. It is argued that although blogging potentially offers new spaces for representing political perspectives in and about Thailand, these perspectives do not always enhance the public’s understanding of the political processes and in some cases fan the flames of inflammatory rhetoric.
A Fuzzy Approach to Disaster Modeling
Authors: Stoklasa Jan
Published: October 2013

The decision making process of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) operations centre during disasters involves a significant amount of uncertainty. Decisions need to be made quickly, and no mistakes are tolerable, particularly in the case of disasters resulting in a large number of injured people. A multiphase linguistic fuzzy model is introduced to assist the operator during the initial phase of the medical disaster response. Based on uncertain input data, estimating the severity of the disaster, the number of injured people, and the amount of forces and resources needed to successfully deal with the situation is possible. The need for reinforcements is also considered. Fuzzy numbers, linguistic variables and fuzzy rule bases are applied to deal with the uncertainty. Outputs provided by the model (severity of the disaster, number of reinforcements needed etc.) are available both as fuzzy sets (for the purposes of disaster planning) and linguistic terms (for emergency call evaluation purposes).
Question Answering and Generation
Authors: Graesser Arthur C. , Rus Vasile , Cai Zhiqiang , Hu Xiangen
Published: October 2013

Automated Question Answering and Asking are two active areas of Natural Language Processing with the former dominating the past decade and the latter most likely to dominate the next one. Due to the vast amounts of information available electronically in the Internet era, automated Question Answering is needed to fulfill information needs in an efficient and effective manner. Automated Question Answering is the task of providing answers automatically to questions asked in natural language. Typically, the answers are retrieved from large collections of documents. While answering any question is difficult, successful automated solutions to answer some type of questions, so-called factoid questions, have been developed recently, culminating with the just announced Watson Question Answering system developed by I.B.M. to compete in Jeopardy-like games. The flip process, automated Question Asking or Generation, is about generating questions from some form of input such as a text, meaning representation, or database. Question Asking/Generation is an important component in the full gamut of learning technologies, from conventional computer-based training to tutoring systems. Advances in Question Asking/Generation are projected to revolutionize learning and dialogue systems. This chapter presents an overview of recent developments in Question Answering and Generation starting with the landscape of questions that people ask.
Strategic Planning for Information Technology Management in State Governments
Authors: Fletcher Patricia Diamond
Published: October 2013

The importance of having a formal strategic plan for managing the information architecture is analyzed in the context of state government. Necessary elements of a successful strategic plan are delineated. The dimensions of strategy and an articulation of a strategic stance are defined and analyzed. The value of information technology and the strategic management of the technology as a valuable organizational asset is assessed in a state government environment. Internal and external variables pertinent to state government are explored and developed with a focus on their import to strategic information technology planning. The strategic plans of three state governments are described and analyzed to provide exemplars of proactive and innovative management of information resources. 