bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La problématique des « droits sur le carbone » dans REDD+
Authors: Karsenty Alain , Vogel Aurélie , Blas Driss Ezzine de , Fétiveau Judicaël
Published: November 2012

Dans les projets de réduction d’émissions au titre du Mécanisme pour un développement propre (MDP), il est admis que les crédits carbone reviennent aux investisseurs. Pourtant, la question des droits sur le carbone se révèle potentiellement conflictuelle pour le futur mécanisme REDD+. Soulevée à propos du partage des bénéfices par ceux qui supposent que les promoteurs de projets REDD+ vont tirer d’importants profits de la vente de crédits carbone au détriment des propriétaires ou gestionnaires effectifs de la ressource forestière, cette question est, au mieux, mal posée. Alors que l’architecture comme le financement du mécanisme restent à définir, on peut montrer que la question ne fait sens que dans le cas d’une rémunération de projets, en général à travers la vente de crédits carbone. Elle dépend aussi du modèle économique associé à l’activité REDD+. À une démarche de rémunération des services environnementaux correspond une rémunération pour la protection d’un stock de carbone forestier par ses propriétaires légaux et/ou coutumiers. Ceci relève alors d’une « rente de conservation », dont l’efficacité est contestée par les économistes. À une démarche de rémunération d’une « contribution active » à un objectif environnemental correspond la création d’un droit distinct de celui sur la ressource. Dans ce cas, l’argument des droits de propriété ne peut être invoqué que pour le partage de la seule « rente carbone », si celle-ci existe. Clarifier le débat relatif aux droits sur le carbone revient aussi à lever la confusion entre les notions de bénéfice et de rente.
Mannose-Capped Lipoarabinomannan from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Preferentially Inhibits Sphingosine-1-Phosphate–Induced Migration of Th1 Cells
Authors: Richmond Jillian M. , Lee Jinhee , Green Daniel S. , Kornfeld Hardy , Cruikshank William W.
Published: November 2012

Chemokine receptor cross-desensitization provides an important mechanism to regulate immune cell recruitment at sites of inflammation. We previously reported that the mycobacterial cell wall glycophospholipid mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) could induce human peripheral blood T cell chemotaxis. Therefore, we examined the ability of ManLAM to desensitize T cells to other chemoattractants as a potential mechanism for impaired T cell homing and delayed lung recruitment during mycobacterial infection. We found that ManLAM pretreatment inhibited in vitro migration of naive human or mouse T cells to the lymph node egress signal sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Intratracheal administration of ManLAM in mice resulted in significant increases in T cells, primarily CCR5+ (Th1) cells, in lung-draining lymph nodes. To investigate the selective CCR5 effect, mouse T cells were differentiated into Th1 or Th2 populations in vitro, and their ability to migrate to S1P with or without ManLAM pretreatment was analyzed. ManLAM pretreatment of Th1 populations inhibited S1P-induced migration but had no effect on Th2 cell S1P-directed migration, suggesting a differential effect by S1P on the two subsets. The PI3K/AKT inhibitor Ly294002 inhibited S1P-directed migration by Th1 cells, whereas the ERK inhibitor U0126 inhibited Th2 cell S1P-directed migration. These observations demonstrate that S1P-induced migratory responses in Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes occurs via different signaling pathways and suggests further that the production of ManLAM during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection may function to sequester Th1 cells in lung-draining lymph nodes, thereby delaying their recruitment to the lung.
IL-7 Abrogates Suppressive Activity of Human CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells and Allows Expansion of Alloreactive and Autoreactive T Cells
Authors: Heninger Anne-Kristin , Theil Anke , Wilhelm Carmen , Petzold Cathleen , Huebel Nicole , Kretschmer Karsten , Bonifacio Ezio , Monti Paolo
Published: November 2012

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) control the activation and expansion of alloreactive and autoreactive T cell clones. Because uncontrolled activation and expansion of autoreactive T cells occur in an IL-7–rich environment, we explored the possibility that IL-7 may affect the function of Treg. We show that the functional high-affinity IL-7R is expressed on both naive and memory Tregs, and exposure to IL-7 results in STAT-5 phosphorylation. Naive, but not memory, Tregs proliferated greatly and acquired a memory phenotype in the setting of a suppression assay when IL-7 was present. Importantly, the presence of IL-7 abrogated the capacity of Tregs to suppress proliferation of conventional T cells in response to TCR activators, including alloantigens and autoantigens. Removal of IL-7 restored the suppressive function of Tregs. Preblocking of the IL-7R on the Tregs also restored suppressor function, indicating that IL-7 directly affected Treg function. Thus, prolonged periods of homeostatic expansion can temporarily release natural regulatory brakes on T cells, thereby providing an additional mechanism for activating and expanding alloreactive and autoreactive T cells.
On the Role of Regulatory T Cells during Viral-Induced Inflammatory Lesions
Authors: Veiga-Parga Tamara , Suryawanshi Amol , Mulik Sachin , Giménez Fernanda , Sharma Shalini , Sparwasser Tim , Rouse Barry T.
Published: November 2012

Ocular HSV-1 infection can result in stromal keratitis, a blinding immunoinflammatory lesion that represents an immunopathological response to the infection. CD4+ T cells are the main orchestrators, and lesions are more severe if the regulatory T cell (Treg) response is compromised from the onset of infection. Little is known about the role of Foxp3+CD4+ Tregs during ongoing inflammatory reactions, which is the topic of this article. We used DEREG mice and depleted Tregs at different times postinfection. We show that lesions became more severe even when depletion was begun in the clinical phase of the disease. This outcome was explained both by Tregs’ influence on the activity of inflammatory effector T cells at the lesion site and by an effect in lymphoid tissues that led to reduced numbers of effectors and less trafficking of T cells and neutrophils to the eye. Our results demonstrate that Tregs can beneficially influence the impact of ongoing tissue-damaging responses to a viral infection and imply that therapies boosting Treg function in the clinical phase hold promise for controlling a lesion that is an important cause of human blindness.
AUTOLOGOUS STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION FOR AGGRESSIVE LYMPHOMAS
Authors: Visani Giuseppe , Picardi Paola , Tosi Patrizia , Isidori Alessandro
Published: November 2012

The role of high-dose therapy (HDT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the treatment armamentarium of aggressive B- and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is still a matter of debate. In the pre-Rituximab era, the PARMA study demonstrated the superiority of HDT/ASCT over conventional salvage chemotherapy in chemosensitive, relapsed patients. Subsequently, HDT/ASCT has become a standard approach for relapsed NHL. With the advent of Rituximab in the landscape of NHL, transplantation as part of first-line therapy has been challenged. However, no benefit in terms of disease-free or overall survival of HDT/ASCT over standard therapy was shown when Rituximab was added to both arms. Moreover, the superiority of HDT/ASCT over conventional salvage therapy in patients relapsing from first-line therapy including Rituximab was not confirmed. From these disappointing results, novel strategies, which can enhance the anti-lymphoma effect, at the same time reducing toxicity have been developed, with the aim of improving the outcome of HDT/ASCT in aggressive NHL.In T-cell lymphoma, few publications demonstrated that consolidation of complete remission with HDT/ASCT is safe and feasible. However, up to one-third of patients may never receive transplant, mostly due to progressive disease, and relapse still remains a major concern even after transplant.
Research on undergraduate mathematics education: A South African perspective.
Authors: Harding Ansie , Engelbrecht Johann
Published: November 2012

Research on undergradute mathematics education is a relatively new field that originated less than 20 years ago in the United States of America (USA), and that is known under the acronymn RUME (Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education). In South Africa researchers in this field form a small but strong group that originated at the University of Pretoria. In this article a brief overview is firstly given on the international increase in interest and activities in this research field. Secondly the research field is viewed from a South African perspective. Examples of research projects are discussed, as well as the career path that leads to research in this field. Finally local activities and existing international ties are considered. The aim of this article is to give a South African overview of the research field and activities, hoping to motivate and stimulate research in this important and growing field.
Phylogenetic Analysis and Comparative Genomics of Purine Riboswitch Distribution in Prokaryotes
Authors: Singh Payal , Sengupta Supratim
Published: November 2012

Riboswitches are regulatory RNA that control gene expression by undergoing conformational changes on ligand binding. Using phylogenetic analysis and comparative genomics we have been able to identify the class of genes/operons regulated by the purine riboswitch and obtain a high-resolution map of purine riboswitch distribution across all bacterial groups. In the process, we are able to explain the absence of purine riboswitches upstream to specific genes in certain genomes. We also identify the point of origin of various purine riboswitches and argue that not all purine riboswitches are of primordial origin, and that some purine riboswitches must have originated after the divergence of certain Firmicute orders in the course of evolution. Our study also reveals the role of horizontal transfer events in accounting for the presence of purine riboswitches in some gammaproteobacterial species. Our work provides significant insights into the origin, distribution and regulatory role of purine riboswitches in prokaryotes.
Regularization of Subsolutions in Discrete Weak KAM Theory
Authors: Bernard Patrick , Zavidovique Maxime
Published: November 2012

We expose different methods of regularizations of subsolutions in the context of discrete weak KAM theory that allow us to prove the existence and the density of C1,1 subsolutions. Moreover, these subsolutions can be made strict and smooth outside of the Aubry set.
Mosquito-Producing Containers, Spatial Distribution, and Relationship between Aedes aegypti Population Indices on the Southern Boundary of its Distribution in South America (Salto, Uruguay)
Authors: Basso César , Caffera Ruben M. , García da Rosa Elsa , Lairihoy Rosario , González Cristina , Norbis Walter , Roche Ingrid
Published: November 2012

A study was conducted in the city of Salto, Uruguay, to identify mosquito-producing containers, the spatial distribution of mosquitoes and the relationship between the different population indices of Aedes aegypti. On each of 312 premises visited, water-filled containers and immature Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were identified. The containers were counted and classified into six categories. Pupae per person and Stegomyia indices were calculated. Pupae per person were represented spatially. The number of each type of container and number of mosquitoes in each were analyzed and compared, and their spatial distribution was analyzed. No significant differences in the number of the different types of containers with mosquitoes or in the number of mosquitoes in each were found. The distribution of the containers with mosquito was random and the distribution of mosquitoes by type of container was aggregated or highly aggregated.
Bromoform production from seawater treated with bromoperoxidase
Authors: Lin Chia Yu , Manley Steven L.
Published: November 2012

Bromoform (CHBr3; 11–486 fmol L−1 h−1), dibromomethane (CH2Br2; 0–9.4 fmol L−1 h−1), and low amounts of chloride‐substituted chlorobromomethanes were produced from southern California coastal surface seawater upon the addition of algal bromoperoxidase (BrPO) and hydrogen peroxide. Production was greater from water collected near shore than 16 km offshore, presumably reflecting the difference in the reactive dissolved organic matter (DOMreact) concentrations. In the spring, there was an increase in phytoplankton abundance, and CHBr3 production from BrPO incubations was greater, presumably due to increased DOMreact. In the winter, CH2Br2 production was enhanced, although still lower than CHBr3, suggesting a qualitative change in DOM composition due to terrestrial runoff. During the month of the highest precipitation, CHBr3 and CH2Br2 production was enhanced in samples obtained from the mouth of an urban river, suggesting a higher concentration of DOMreact of terrestrial origins. DOM was fractionated by ultrafiltration and subject to the BrPO incubation. The higher molecular weight fractions contained a higher concentration of DOM that was susceptible to BrPO bromination, yielding polybromomethanes. Polybromomethane and iodomethane production associated with phytoplankton blooms results from the reaction between the surrounding DOM, and hypobromous acid (HOBr) and hypoiodous acid released from extracellular (apoplastic) BrPO. The reaction of HOBr and DOM (biological bleaching) could represent a significant DOM degradation pathway. Cell‐free BrPO, derived from dead cells, could remain catalytically active in seawater and produce low amounts of polyhalomethanes prior to biological degradation.
A size‐structured food‐web model for the global ocean
Authors: Ward B. A. , Dutkiewicz S. , Jahn O. , Follows M. J.
Published: November 2012

We present a model of diverse phytoplankton and zooplankton populations embedded in a global ocean circulation model. Physiological and ecological traits of the organisms are constrained by relationships with cell size. The model qualitatively reproduces global distributions of nutrients, biomass, and primary productivity, and captures the power‐law relationship between cell size and numerical density, which has realistic slopes of between −1.3 and −0.8. We use the model to explore the global structure of marine ecosystems, highlighting the importance of both nutrient and grazer controls. The model suggests that zooplankton : phytoplankton (Z : P) biomass ratios may vary from an order of 0.1 in the oligotrophic gyres to an order of 10 in upwelling and high‐latitude regions. Global estimates of the strength of bottom‐up and top‐down controls within plankton size classes suggest that these large‐scale gradients in Z : P ratios are driven by a shift from strong bottom‐up, nutrient limitation in the oligotrophic gyres to the dominance of top‐down, grazing controls in more productive regions.
Politics and Islamization in African Public Spheres
Authors: Tayob Abdulkader
Published: November 2012

Public Islam and Muslim publics provide a useful framework for understanding how technology and new social and political contexts have impacted discourses of religion in the public sphere. This article proposes that scholarly attention on Muslim publics has been guided by the different impacts of Wilfred Cantwell Smith and Jürgen Habermas. Smith’s theory of reification has focused attention on the production of Islam(s), while Habermas’s work has focused attention on the production of new values for democratic politics. Muslim publics in Africa and elsewhere point to a diversity of engagements that call for more critical reflection and analysis. This article suggests that politics and Islamization are the main preoccupations of Muslim public debates in Africa, and should be the focus of comparative and historical analysis.
Urdu as an African Language: A Survey of a Source Literature
Authors: Green Nile
Published: November 2012

This article provides the first survey of the development of Urdu literature in Africa, with a particular emphasis on East and South Africa. Dealing with the colonial and postcolonial periods, the survey encompasses the early evolution of Indian settler descriptions of Africa before moving on to the range of other genres of African Urdu, including travel writing, hagiography, poetry, and historiography. While in many cases these sources display Islamic cultural and religious concerns, other texts were written by non-Muslim settlers from Punjab. The emergence of these source materials is placed in its historical contexts, particularly colonial South Asian labor and merchant migration and settlement in Africa. Where possible, the Urdu sources are compared to sources in Gujarati and other regional languages.
Relationships between Brewer-Dobson circulation, double tropopauses, ozone and stratospheric water vapour
Authors: Castanheira J. M. , Peevey T. R. , Marques C. A. F. , Olsen M. A.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Statistical relationships between the variability of the area covered by double tropopause events (DTs), the strength of the tropical upwelling, the total column ozone and of the lower stratospheric water vapour are analyzed. The QBO and ENSO signals in the double tropopause and tropical upwelling as well as their influence on the statistical relationships are also presented. The analysis is based on both reanalysed data (ERA-Interim) and satellite data. Significant anticorrelations were found between the area covered by DTs and the total column ozone in the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. This relationship is confirmed by a large positive correlation between the areas covered by ozone laminae and double tropopause events as found in the HIRDLS satellite dataset. Significant anticorrelations were also found between the global area of double tropopause events and the near global (50° S–50° N) water vapour in the lower stratosphere. The correlations of DT variables with total column ozone and ozone laminae are both consistent with the poleward displacement of tropical air with lower ozone mixing ratio and with tropospheric intrusions of tropical tropospheric air into the lower extratropical stratosphere. The association of DTs with the poleward displacements of the tropical air is also consistent with a strong positive correlation between the area covered by DTs and the wave activity in the lower most stratosphere, between the first and second lapse rate tropopauses, as found in the ERA-Interim reanalysis. Finally, a significant anticorrelation was found between the tropical upwelling and the near global lower stratospheric water vapour. Moreover, the step like decrease in the lower stratospheric water vapour after 2001 is mirrored by a step like increase in the tropical upwelling.
Thermodynamics of reactions of ClHg and BrHg radicals with atmospherically abundant free radicals
Authors: Dibble T. S. , Zelie M. J. , Mao H.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Quantum calculations are used to determine the stability of reactive gaseous mercury (Hg(II)) compounds likely to be formed in the Br-initiated oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg(0)). Due to the absence of any evidence, current models neglect the possible reaction of BrHg with abundant radicals such as NO, NO2, HO2, ClO, or BrO. The present work demonstrates that BrHg forms stable compounds, BrHgY, with all of these radicals except NO. Additional calculations on the analogous ClHgY compounds reveal that the strength of the XHg-Y bond (for X = Cl, Br) varies little with the identity of the halogen. Calculations further suggest that HO2 and NO3 do not form strong bonds with Hg(0), and cannot initiate Hg(0) oxidation in the gas phase. The theoretical approach is validated by comparison to published data on HgX2 compounds, both from experiment and highly refined quantum chemical calculations. Quantum calculations on the stability of the anions of XHgY are carried out in order to aid future laboratory studies aimed at molecular-level characterization of gaseous Hg(II) compounds. Spectroscopic data on BrHg is analyzed to determine the equilibrium constant for its formation, and BrHg is determined to be much less stable than previously estimated. An expression is presented for the rate constant for BrHg dissociation.
Aerosol radiative forcing during African desert dust events (2005–2010) over Southeastern Spain
Authors: Valenzuela A. , Olmo F. J. , Lyamani H. , Antón M. , Quirantes A. , Alados-Arboledas L.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The daily (24 h) averages of the aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) at the surface and the top of the atmosphere (TOA) were calculated during desert dust events over Granada (southeastern Spain) from 2005 to 2010. A radiative transfer model (SBDART) was utilized to simulate the solar irradiance values (0.31–2.8 μm) at the surface and TOA, using as input aerosol properties retrieved from CIMEL sun photometer measurements via an inversion methodology that uses the sky radiance measurements in principal plane configuration and a spheroid particle shape approximation. This inversion methodology was checked by means of simulated data from aerosol models, and the derived aerosol properties were satisfactorily compared against well-known AERONET products. Good agreement was found over a common spectral interval (0.2–4.0 μm) between the simulated SBDART global irradiances at surface and those provided by AERONET. In addition, simulated SBDART solar global irradiances at the surface have been successfully validated against CM-11 pyranometer measurements. The comparison indicates that the radiative transfer model slightly overestimates (mean bias of 3%) the experimental solar global irradiance. These results show that the aerosol optical properties used to estimate ARF represent appropriately the aerosol properties observed during desert dust outbreak over the study area. The ARF mean monthly values computed during desert dust events ranged from −13 ± 8 W m−2 to −34 ± 15 W m−2 at surface, from −4 ± 3 W m−2 to −13 ± 7 W m−2 at TOA and from +6 ± 4 to +21 ± 12 W m−2 in the atmosphere. We have checked if the differences found in aerosol optical properties among desert dust sectors translate to differences in ARF. The mean ARF at surface (TOA) were −20 ± 12 (−5 ± 5) W m−2, −21 ± 9 (−7 ± 5) W m−2 and −18 ± 9 (−6 ± 5) W m−2 for sector A (northern Morocco; northwestern Algeria), sector B (western Sahara, northwestern Mauritania and southwestern Algeria), and sector C (eastern Algeria, Tunisia), respectively. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test revealed that daily {ARF} values at TOA for sector A were significantly different from the other two sectors, likely as a result of the lower values of single scattering albedo obtained for sector A. The mean values of aerosol radiative forcing efficiency at surface (TOA) were −74 ± 12 W m−2 (−17 ± 7 W m−2) for sector A, −70 ± 14 W m−2 (−20 ± 9 W m−2) for sector B, and −65 ± 16 W m−2 (−22 ± 10 W m−2) for sector C, and thus comparable between the three sectors in all seasons.
Corrections for OMI SO2 BRD retrievals influenced by row anomalies
Authors: Yan H. , Chen L. , Tao J. , Su L. , Huang J. , Han D. , Yu C.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Since June 2007, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) Earth radiance data at specific viewing angles have been affected by the row anomaly, which causes large biases in sulfur dioxide (SO2) columns retrieved using the band residual difference (BRD) algorithm. To improve global measurements of atmospheric SO2 from OMI, we developed two correction approaches for the row anomaly effects in the northern latitudes and along the full orbit. Firstly the residual correction approach with median residual from a sliding 10° latitude range, and with that near the Equator was used to remove the anomalous high SO2 columns in the northern latitudes. Secondly, in the case of the row anomaly along the full orbit, the SO2 biases caused by the anomalous ozone (O3) column and underestimated Lambertian effective reflectivity (LER) were reduced, respectively, by using unaffected adjacent O3 column and residual correction with median residual from a sliding 10° latitude range. Comparisons with the OMI SO2 columns processed with median residual from a sliding 30° latitude range have illustrated the drastic improvements of our correction approaches under row anomaly conditions. The consistencies among the SO2 columns inside and outside the row anomaly areas have also demonstrated the effectiveness of our correction approaches under row anomaly conditions. The analyses of the underestimation and the errors caused by the O3 column and LER were conducted to understand the limitations of our correction approaches. The proposed approaches for the row anomaly effects can extend the valid range of OMI SO2 Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) data produced using the BRD algorithm.
Improved cloud mask algorithm for FY-3A/VIRR data over the northwest region of China
Authors: Wang X. , Li W. , Zhu Y. , Zhao B.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The existence of various land surfaces has always been a difficult problem for researchers who study cloud detection using satellite observations, especially over bright surfaces such as snow and desert. To improve the cloud mask result over complex terrain, an unbiased daytime cloud detection algorithm for the Visible and InfRared Radiometer (VIRR) on board the Chinese FengYun-3A polar-orbiting meteorological satellite is applied over the northwest region of China. Based on the statistical seasonal threshold tests, the algorithm consists of six main channels centered on the wavelengths of 0.63, 0.865, 10.8, 1.595, 0.455, and 1.36 μm. The combination of the unbiased algorithm and the specific threshold tests for special surfaces has effectively improved the cloud mask results over complex terrain and decreased the false identifications of clouds. The visual images over snow and desert adopting the proposed scheme exhibit better correlations with true-color images than do the VIRR official cloud mask results. The validation with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud mask product shows that the probability of detection for clear-sky regions over snow of the new scheme has increased nearly five times over the official method, and the false-alarm ratio for cloudy areas over desert has reduced by half compared with the official result. With regard to comparisons between ground measurements and cloud mask results, this approach also provides acceptable correspondence with the ground observations except for some cases, which are mainly obscured by cirrus clouds.
Development of high resolution land surface parameters for the Community Land Model
Authors: Ke Y. , Leung L. R. , Huang M. , Coleman A. M. , Li H. , Wigmosta M. S.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. There is a growing need for high-resolution land surface parameters as land surface models are being applied at increasingly higher spatial resolution offline as well as in regional and global models. The default land surface parameters for the most recent version of the Community Land Model (i.e. CLM 4.0) are at 0.5° or coarser resolutions, released with the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Plant Functional Types (PFTs), vegetation properties such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), Stem Area Index (SAI), and non-vegetated land covers were developed using remotely sensed datasets retrieved in late 1990's and the beginning of this century. In this study, we developed new land surface parameters for CLM 4.0, specifically PFTs, LAI, SAI and non-vegetated land cover composition, at 0.05° resolution globally based on the most recent MODIS land cover and improved MODIS LAI products. Compared to the current CLM 4.0 parameters, the new parameters produced a decreased coverage by bare soil and trees, but an increased coverage by shrub, grass, and cropland. The new parameters result in a decrease in global seasonal LAI, with the biggest decrease in boreal forests; however, the new parameters also show a large increase in LAI in tropical forest. Differences between the new and the current parameters are mainly caused by changes in the sources of remotely sensed data and the representation of land cover in the source data. Advantages and disadvantages of each dataset were discussed in order to provide guidance on the use of the data. The new high-resolution land surface parameters have been used in a coupled land-atmosphere model (WRF-CLM) applied to the western US to demonstrate their use in high-resolution modeling. A remapping method from the latitude/longitude grid of the CLM data to the WRF grids with map projection was also demonstrated. Future work will include global offline CLM simulations to examine the impacts of source data resolution and subsequent land parameter changes on simulated land surface processes.
A new dataset for systematic assessments of climate change impacts as a function of global warming
Authors: Heinke J. , Ostberg S. , Schaphoff S. , Frieler K. , Müller C. , Gerten D. , Meinshausen M. , Lucht W.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. In the ongoing political debate on climate change, global mean temperature change (ΔTglob) has become the yardstick by which mitigation costs, impacts from unavoided climate change, and adaptation requirements are discussed. For a scientifically informed discourse along these lines systematic assessments of climate change impacts as a function of ΔTglob are required. The current availability of climate change scenarios constrains this type of assessment to a narrow range of temperature change and/or a reduced ensemble of climate models. Here, a newly composed dataset of climate change scenarios is presented that addresses the specific requirements for global assessments of climate change impacts as a function of ΔTglob. A pattern-scaling approach is applied to extract generalized patterns of spatially explicit change in temperature, precipitation and cloudiness from 19 AOGCMs. The patterns are combined with scenarios of global mean temperature increase obtained from the reduced-complexity climate model MAGICC6 to create climate scenarios covering warming levels from 1.5 to 5 degrees above pre-industrial levels around the year 2100. The patterns are shown to sufficiently maintain the original AOGCMs' climate change properties, even though they, necessarily, utilize a simplified relationships between ΔTglob and changes in local climate properties. The dataset (made available online upon final publication of this paper) facilitates systematic analyses of climate change impacts as it covers a wider and finer-spaced range of climate change scenarios than the original AOGCM simulations.
Quantifying and modelling the contribution of streams that recharge the Querença-Silves aquifer in the south of Portugal
Authors: Salvador N. , Monteiro J. P. , Hugman R. , Stigter T. Y. , Reis E.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The water balance of the mesocenozoic aquifers of the Algarve, in the south of Portugal has traditionally been estimated considering only direct ("autogenic") recharge from rainfall occurring in the area of the aquifers. Little importance has been attributed to so-called allogenic recharge, originating from streambed infiltration from runoff generated outside the aquifers, particularly in the Palaeozoic rocks to the north where runoff is high. The Querença-Silves (QS) aquifer is the most important aquifer of the region both for irrigation and public water supply. Several important and sensitive surface/groundwater ecotones and associated groundwater dependent ecosystems exist at the springs of the natural discharge areas of the aquifer system. A numerical flow model has been in constant development over the last few years and currently is able to reproduce the aquifer's responses to estimated direct recharge and abstraction for the years 2001–2010. However, recharge calculations for the model do not take into account allogenic recharge infiltration along influent reaches of streams. The quantification of allogenic recharge may further improve the assessment of water availability and exploitation risks. In this paper an attempt is made to quantify the average annual contribution of allogenic recharge to the QS aquifer, based on monitoring data of the principal water courses that cross the aquifer system. Significant uncertainties related to surface runoff generated within the aquifer area, as well as areal recharge were identified and the consequences for the optimization of spatial distribution of transmissivity in the groundwater flow model are also addressed.
Modelling and mapping climate change impacts on permafrost at high spatial resolution for a region with complex terrain
Authors: Zhang Y. , Wang X. , Fraser R. , Olthof I. , Chen W. , Mclennan D. , Ponomarenko S. , Wu W.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Most spatial modelling of climate change impacts on permafrost has been conducted at half-degree latitude/longitude or coarser spatial resolution. At such coarse resolution, topographic effects on insolation cannot be considered accurately and the modelling results are difficult to use for land managers and ecologists. Here we mapped climate change impacts on permafrost from 1968 to 2100 at 10 m resolution using a process-based model for Ivvavik National Park, a region with complex terrain in northern Yukon, Canada. Soil and drainage conditions were defined based on ecosystem types, which were mapped using SPOT imagery, a digital elevation model and field observations. Leaf area indices were mapped using Landsat imagery and the ecosystem map. Climate distribution was estimated based on elevation and station observations, and the effects of topography on insolation were estimated based on slope, aspect and viewshed. To reduce computation time, we clustered climate distribution and topographic effects on insolation into discrete types. The modelled active-layer thickness and permafrost distribution were comparable with field observations and other studies, demonstrating that it is practical to model and map climate change impacts on permafrost at high spatial resolution for areas with complex terrain. The map portrayed large variations in active-layer thickness, with ecosystem types being the most important controlling variable, followed by climate, including topographic effects on insolation. This study also shows that climate scenarios and ground conditions are the major sources of uncertainty for high resolution permafrost mapping.
Idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: The Progressive Vasculopathy
Authors: Engelbert Michael , Yannuzzi Lawrence A.
Published: November 2012

Purpose.

To describe the complete sequence of the progressive vasculopathy in macular telangiectasia type 2.

Methods.

This is a report of a case demonstrating the complete vasogenic sequence in macular telangiectasia type 2 over the course of 15 years, and representative images from a collective of 150 patients with macular telangiectasia type 2 employing fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.

Results.

Macular telangiectasia may progress along a predictable vasogenic sequence which consists of nonproliferative stages, characterized by temporal loss of macular luteopigment and inner retinal volume loss in the absence of vascular changes, followed by a progressive proliferative vasculopathy, first involving the deep capillary plexus with eventual extension of the vascular changes circumferentially in the inner retinal capillary plexus. Late proliferative stages may become indistinguishable from advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Conclusions.

While it is rare to observe the complete vasogenic sequence of macular telangiectasia type 2, a classification into nonproliferative and proliferative stages can be established, and may prove helpful as the mechanisms driving the pathogenic process through those stages are identified.
Influence of Prophylactic Antibiotics on Tissue Integration versus Bacterial Colonization on Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)
Authors: Subbiahdoss Guruprakash , Aleyt Thomas , Kuijer Roel , Busscher Henk J. , Van Der Mei Henny C.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Biomaterial-associated infections (BAI) remain a major concern in modern health care. BAI is difficult to treat and often results in implant replacement or removal. Pathogens can be introduced on implant surfaces during surgery and compete with host cells attempting to integrate the implant. Here we studied the influence of prophylactically given cephatholin in the competition between highly virulent Staphylococcus aureus and human osteoblast-like cells (U-2 OS, ATCC HTB-94) for a poly(methyl methacrylate) surface in vitro using a peri-operative contamination model.

Method

S. aureus was seeded on the acrylic surface in a parallel plate flow chamber prior to adhesion of U-2 OS cells. Next, S. aureus and U-2 OS cells were allowed to grow simultaneously under shear (0.14 1/s) in a modified culture medium containing cephatholin for 8 h, the time period this drug is supposed to be active in situ. Subsequently, the flow was continued with modified culture medium for another 64 h.

Results

In the absence of cephatholin, highly virulent S. aureus caused U-2 OS cell death within 18 h. In contrast, the presence of cephatholin for 8 h resulted in survival of U-2 OS cell up to 72 h during simultaneous growth of U-2 OS cells and bacteria. Not all adhering bacteria were killed however, but they showed a delayed growth.

Conclusions

These findings are in line with the recalcitrance of biofilms against antibiotic treatment observed clinically, and represent another support for the use of in vitro co-culture models in mimicking the clinical situation.
Spatially Explicit Nonlinear Models for Explaining the Occurrence of Infectious Zoonotic Diseases
Authors: Jones Stephen , Conner William , Song Bo
Published: November 2012

Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted via an arthropod vector, and disease risk maps are often created based on underlying associative factors within the surrounding landscape of known occurrences. A limitation however is the ability to map disease risk at a meaningful geographic scale, and traditional regression modeling approaches may not always be appropriate. Our objective was to determine if nonlinear modeling could improve explanatory power in describing the occurrence of 2 tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease (LD) and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF)) known to occur in Tennessee. Medically diagnosed cases of LD (ICD-9: 088.81) and RMSF (ICD-9: 082.0) were extracted from a managed care organization data warehouse for the 2000–2009 time period. Four separate modeling techniques were constructed (logistic regression, classification and regression tree (CART), gradient boosted tree (GBT), and neural network (NNET)) and compared for accuracy. Results suggest that areas higher in disease prevalence were not necessarily the same areas having high predicted disease risk. GBT best explained LD occurrence (misclassification rate: 0.232; ROC: 0.789). RMSF prevalence was best explained with an NNET algorithm (misclassification rate: 0.288; ROC: 0.696). Covariates explaining disease risk included forested wetlands, urbanization, and median income. Nonlinear modeling may provide better results than traditional regression-based approaches.
Potential Impact of Male Circumcision, Condom Use, and Microbicides on the Dynamics of HIV/AIDS
Authors: Elias Felix , Tchuenche Jean M.
Published: November 2012

HIV/AIDS remains an important global cause of morbidity and mortality. While medical male circumcision and condom and microbicides use hold great promise for helping to stem the tide of new HIV infections, theoretically providing further evidence of the potential long-term population-level benefit of their combined effects is viable. A deterministic sex-structured model is formulated, the expected lifetime disease reproductive output of an individual (or epidemiological birth) is determined, and the stability of steady states is investigated. To complement HIV treatment with antiretrovirals, which is not yet fully accessible to all those in need, microbicides and nontherapeutic measures such as male circumcision and condoms provide additional potential impact on curtailing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Use of regional clinical data to identify veterans for a multi-center osteoporosis electronic consult quality improvement intervention
Authors: Colón-Emeric Cathleen , Lee Richard , Barnard Karen , Pearson Megan , Lyles Kenneth W.
Published: November 2012

Background: Electronic medical record systems can rapidly identify fracture patients so that healthcare systems can target osteoporosis treatment programs. However, it is not clear what proportion of such patients are actually eligible for treatment. Method: In 3 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, a secondary fracture prevention electronic screening protocol was developed and proceeded in 3 stages. First, all patients with a fracture-related ICD-9 or CPT code for fracture over the preceding 6 months were identified using a SQL server report run regularly on regional clinical data. Additional data was obtained automatically at this stage, and patients were excluded if they were already on bisphosphonate, their fracture was facial or digital, they did not have a primary care provider, they were under age 50 years, or had died. In a second stage, chart abstraction was completed by the project director. Patients were excluded if their fracture occurred after high-impact trauma, the coded fracture was not confirmed on radiograph, the fracture occurred more than 10 years previously, bone density screening had already been obtained, the fracture was pathologic, the patient was receiving palliative care, or the patient had been offered and declined therapy. In the final stage, remaining patients were referred to a bone specialist who reviewed the medical record and generated an electronic consult to the primary provider that gave recommendations for further evaluation and management consistent with current guidelines. Results: Among 986 screened veterans with ICD9 fracture code within the study period, 841 (85%) were ultimately excluded from further intervention. A majority (n=574, 68%) were excluded in the first, automated screening stage [no primary provider (22%), age under 50 years (38%), already on a bisphosphonate (12%), fracture facial or digital (25%), patient had died (3%)]. Chart abstraction was required to exclude 267 (32%) prior to physician review [high trauma (37%), remote injury or no evidence of fracture (36%), palliative care (9%), other reasons (18%)] One hundred three consults were completed, with 80 (78%) recommending osteoporosis treatment or BMD testing. Conclusion: An electronic screening tool was effective at a regional level in identifying recent fracture patients for secondary osteoporosis intervention, but many (85%) are ultimately not eligible for additional interventions. Most exclusions (68%) can be made without additional chart abstraction.
The Effect of Perceived Deterrence on Compliance with Authorities: The Moderating Influence of Procedural Justice
Authors: Verboon Peter , Dijke Marius van
Published: November 2012

In order to stimulate compliance, authorities often use deterrence instruments. However, scientific literature from the fields of criminology, sociology and psychology has not been consistent in when or why deterrence is effective in shaping compliance.
In the present study we investigated the role of procedural justice in relation to deterrence. Procedural justice has strong effects on people’s attitudes and behaviour regarding the social collective, including compliance with authorities. We argued that particularly authorities who are considered procedurally fair are successful in stimulating compliance with the use of deterrence instruments. In support of these ideas, a field survey in which we focused on sanction severity as the first element of deterrence and an experiment in which we focused on detection probability as the second element of deterrence revealed that procedural justice and deterrence instruments interactively strengthen each other’s effect in promoting compliance. These finding may partly explain the sometimes-contradictory results from prior work about the effectiveness of deterrence by supporting a justice perspective on the effectiveness of deterrence in increasing compliance with authorities.
Self Disinfecting Reversible Hydrocolloid Impression Gels: Effect of Composition and Nanosilver on Characteristic Properties and Gelation Temperature
Authors: Miri S. Azemat , Sadeghi Gity Mir Mohamad , Rabiee M.
Published: November 2012

We have developed a new hydrocolloid impression gel to eliminate disinfection process that caused to inaccuracy in dimensions of final mold. At first, the proper sample has been prepared based on recommended formulation in literature as well as trial and errors via experimental works. Formulations prepared by variation amounts of ingredients and also samples prepared by adding nanosilver as an antibacterial agent. Characteristic properties such as tear strength, gel temperature, compressive strength and elastic recovery of prepared hydrocolloid impression gels have been evaluated. The effect of agar, potassium sulfate and di-sodiumtetraborate (Borax) on characteristic properties has been investigated. In addition, role of nanosilver as an antibacterial which can be eliminate disinfecting process, on final properties of gels has been evaluated this work presents the role of ingredient on properties of self disinfecting agar impression gel.
Functional Graphenic Materials Via a Johnson−Claisen Rearrangement
Authors: Sydlik Stefanie A. , Swager Timothy M.
Published: November 2012

Current research in materials has devoted much attention to graphene, with a considerable amount of the chemical manipulation going through the oxidized state of the material, known as graphene oxide (GO). In this report, the hydroxyl functionalities in GO, the vast majority that must be allylic alcohols, are subjected to Johnson−Claisen rearrangement conditions. In these conditions, a [3, 3] sigmatropic rearrangement after reaction with triethyl orthoacetate gives rise to an ester functional group, attached to the graphitic framework via a robust C−C bond. This variation of the Claisen rearrangement offers an unprecedented versatility of further functionalizations, while maintaining the desirable properties of unfunctionalized graphene. The resultant functional groups were found to withstand reductive treatments for the deoxygenation of graphene sheets and a resumption of electronic conductivity is observed. The ester groups are easily saponified to carboxylic acids in situ with basic conditions, to give water‐soluble graphene. The ester functionality can be further reacted as is, or the carboxylic acid can easily be converted to the more reactive acid chloride. Subsequent amide formation yields up to 1 amide in 15 graphene carbons and increases intergallery spacing up to 12.8 Å, suggesting utility of this material in capacitors and in gas storage. Other functionalization schemes, which include the installation of terminal alkynes and dipolar cycloadditions, allow for the synthesis of a highly positively charged, water‐soluble graphene. The highly negatively and positively charged graphenes (zeta potentials of −75 mV and +56 mV, respectively), are successfully used to build layer‐by‐layer (LBL) constructs.