bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell-Based Reporter Release Assay to Determine the Potency of Proteolytic Bacterial Neurotoxins
Authors: Pathe-Neuschäfer-Rube Andrea , Neuschäfer-Rube Frank , Haas Gerald , Langoth-Fehringer Nina , Püschel Gerhard Paul
Published: September 2018

Despite the implementation of cell-based replacement methods, the mouse lethality assay is still frequently used to determine the activity of botulinum toxin (BoNT) for medical use. One explanation is that due to the use of neoepitope-specific antibodies to detect the cleaved BoNT substrate, the currently devised assays can detect only one specific serotype of the toxin. Recently, we developed a cell-based functional assay, in which BoNT activity is determined by inhibiting the release of a reporter enzyme that is liberated concomitantly with the neurotransmitter from neurosecretory vesicles. In theory, this assay should be suitable to detect the activity of any BoNT serotype. Consistent with this assumption, the current study shows that the stimulus-dependent release of a luciferase from a differentiated human neuroblastoma-based reporter cell line (SIMA-hPOMC1-26-GLuc cells) was inhibited by BoNT-A and-C. Furthermore, this was also inhibited by BoNT-B and tetanus toxin to a lesser extent and at higher concentrations. In order to provide support for the suitability of this technique in practical applications, a dose–response curve obtained with a pharmaceutical preparation of BoNT-A closely mirrored the activity determined in the mouse lethality assay. In summary, the newly established cell-based assay may represent a versatile and specific alternative to the mouse lethality assay and other currently established cell-based assays.
Paralytic Shellfish Toxins Occurrence in Non-Traditional Invertebrate Vectors from North Atlantic Waters (Azores, Madeira, and Morocco)
Authors: Silva Marisa , Rey Verónica , Barreiro Aldo , Kaufmann Manfred , Neto Ana Isabel , Hassouani Meryem , Sabour Brahim , Botana Ana , Botana Luis M. , Vasconcelos Vitor
Published: September 2018

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are potent alkaloids of microalgal and cyanobacterial origin, with worldwide distribution. Over the last 20 years, the number of poisoning incidents has declined as a result of the implementation of legislation and monitoring programs based on bivalves. In the summer of 2012 and 2013, we collected a total of 98 samples from 23 different species belonging to benthic and subtidal organisms, such as echinoderms, crustaceans, bivalves, and gastropods. The sampling locations were Madeira, São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago), and the northwestern coast of Morocco. The samples were analyzed using post-column oxidation liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detection method. Our main goal was to detect new vectors for these biotoxins. After reporting a total of 59 positive results for PSTs with 14 new vectors identified, we verified that some of the amounts exceeded the limit value established in the EU. These results suggest that routine monitoring of saxitoxin and its analogs should be extended to more potential vectors other than bivalves, including other edible organisms, for a better protection of public health.
Estimating the Infiltration Area for Concentrated Stormwater Spreading over Grassed and Other Slopes
Authors: Tyner John S. , Yoder Daniel C. , Parker Jacob , Credille William C.
Published: September 2018

This research developed a new approach for calculating the area over which water spreads after being released from a confined conduit onto a sloped planar surface with defined roughness. In particular, the goal was to predict how stormwater would spread onto a sloped grass lawn after being discharged from a disconnected gutter downspout or through a parking lot curb cut. The need for this stems primarily from regulators increasingly requiring developers to infiltrate more of the runoff created by site development, but designers not having good tools for estimating the infiltration area associated with such “overflow” practices. The model is largely based on Manning’s equation applied at multiple cross-sectional areas of flow downslope, with additional modifications allowing the water to spread laterally. The model results were compared to laboratory experiments of water spreading across a roughened painted surface and two different artificial turfs. The new model predicted the wetting area with average absolute errors of 6.0% and 5.9% for a fine-bladed artificial turf and a coarse-bladed artificial turf, respectively. In addition, while validating the modeled flow spreading across a range of roughnesses, the model had an absolute error of 5.2% for a rough painted surface meant to represent unfinished concrete.
IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION USING GREY DEMATEL APPROACH: CASE OF CHINA
Authors: Han Yanhu , Wang Lufan
Published: September 2018

Off-site construction (OSC) methods have been widely adopted in the construction industry around the world. However, in a lot of developing countries, the application of OSC still lags behind. Although a number of research efforts have focused on identifying the OSC barriers, they are limited to qualitative descriptions, which lacks the understanding of the interrelationships among the barriers. To address this gap, this paper proposed a methodology for identifying the OSC barriers and their cause-effect relationships. The proposed methodology is composed of three phases: (1) a comprehensive literature review and in-depth interview with the OSC industry experts, (2) questionnaire survey and focus group discussion, and (3) grey DEMATEL analysis. The proposed methodology was applied in the context of China’s construction industry. The results of the grey DEMATEL analysis provided the cause-effect relationships of the 35 identified OSC barriers, which indicated six important aspects be taken into deeper consideration, such as governmental regulations and incentives, OSC practices and experiences, as well as traditional construction method transformation. The outcomes of this study will support policymakers and OSC participants to identify the influencing OSC barriers and their interrelationships, as well as propose appropriate strategies for overcoming the barriers and broadening the OSC application.
On the Dynamics of the Inclination Instability
Authors: Madigan Ann-Marie , Zderic Alexander , McCourt Michael , Fleisig Jacob
Published: September 2018

Axisymmetric disks of eccentric Kepler orbits are vulnerable to an instability that causes orbits to exponentially grow in inclination, decrease in eccentricity, and cluster in their angle of pericenter. Geometrically, the disk expands to a cone shape that is asymmetric about the mid-plane. In this paper, we describe how secular gravitational torques between individual orbits drive this “inclination instability”. We derive growth timescales for a simple two-orbit model using a Gauss N-ring code, and generalize our result to larger N systems with N-body simulations. We find that two-body relaxation slows the growth of the instability at low N and that angular phase coverage of orbits in the disk is important at higher N. As

, the e-folding timescale converges to that expected from secular theory.
Introduction
Authors: Dujin Anne
Published: September 2018

Il faut s’interroger sur le recul des idéaux de justice sociale, réduite à l’égalité des chances, et esquisser des voies de refondation de la solidarité, en prêtant une attention particulière aux représentations des inégalités au cinéma et dans la littérature.
Le bruit et l’odeur
Authors: Desbarats Carole
Published: September 2018

Dans les comédies populaires récentes du cinéma français, les oppositions de classe se résolvent de manière consensuelle ou sont éclipsées par des oppositions ethniques qui peuvent renforcer les stéréotypes
De Clinton à Trump, et au-delà
Authors: Fraser Nancy , Chalier Jonathan
Published: September 2018

L’alliance de la dérégulation de la finance et de la reconnaissance des minorités s’est longtemps imposée aux États-Unis. Après son effondrement, la rhétorique réactionnaire de Trump l’a remplacée. Seul un populisme progressiste peut s’y opposer.
Face aux passions identitaires, un monde commun
Authors: Fabre Thierry
Published: September 2018

Alors que de plus en plus de pays font le choix du repli nationaliste et identitaire, il nous revient de fabriquer un monde commun aux Européens de toute confession, inspiré de l’espace méditerranéen.
Programmes de littérature : travail du texte, travail en classe
Authors: Bazile Sandrine , Dupuy Catherine , Torterat Frédéric
Published: September 2018

L’article rend compte d’un travail de recherche en cours « Du texte à la classe » (TALC), porté par une équipe de didacticiens français et littérature du laboratoire LIRDEF (Montpellier). Il vise à décrire et analyser les pratiques des enseignants de cycle 3 (Cours moyen et Sixième) en classe de littérature. À partir de questionnaires préalables, de captations de la séance consacrée à la lecture du texte Le Petit Chaperon Uf de J.-C. Grumberg et des entretiens d’autoconfrontation et croisés, l’analyse permet de dresser un premier état des lieux de la maitrise des contenus et orientations des nouveaux programmes 2015 par les enseignants à travers leurs compétences à organiser une lecture littéraire plurielle et collective. L’étude identifie ainsi des « pratiques effectives » qui relèvent des ajustements des nouveaux programmes resitués dans le cadrage épistémologique et didactique de la lecture littéraire du théâtre-jeunesse.
Recherche en théorie de la littérature et programmes de 2015 des cycles 3 et 4
Authors: Brinker Virginie , Di Rosa Geneviève
Published: September 2018

Comment les programmes de 2015, plus particulièrement ceux qui concernent l’enseignement de la littérature aux cycles 3 et 4, tirent-ils partie des différentes recherches fondamentales sur la lecture littéraire ? L’article retrace leur prise en compte en s’attachant aux réflexions les plus récentes. Tout en rappelant les notions déjà bien connues de « lecture subjective » et de « texte de lecteur », l’étude montre comment celles-ci ont ouvert la voie à une attention accrue portée à la lecture sensible des œuvres, et favorisé les échanges avec les théoriciens de « l’arrière-texte » et les chercheurs réceptifs aux approches cognitives. Mais cette montée en puissance et en connaissance du sujet réel permet aussi de reposer la question des limites de l’interprétation. Elles ne tiennent pas forcément à la cohérence interne au texte, telle que théorisée par U. Eco, mais aux normes de la communauté interprétative qui s’en empare face à l’actualisation féconde des virtualités de la langue des textes, comme le suggère Y. Citton. C’est sur cette question que certaines résistances se lisent toujours, entre les lignes, dans ces nouveaux programmes de « français ».
La suppression du sujet d’invention à l’épreuve anticipée du baccalauréat
Authors: Houdart-Merot Violaine , Petitjean AMarie
Published: September 2018

Pour mesurer l’incidence d’une suppression du sujet d’invention au baccalauréat, il est particulièrement instructif de prendre le temps d’une contextualisation historique sur le temps long des programmes. L’abandon de la rhétorique, au nom d’un idéal de réflexion personnelle, a entrainé un effet paradoxal. Au fil des réformes du lycée et des débats sur l’enseignement littéraire, une inflation des pratiques de commentaire se constate et, davantage encore, une prévalence de la lecture reproduisant des discours d’autorité. L’examen des programmes actuels confirme cette inflexion et permet de distinguer deux cultures de l’écriture selon les niveaux considérés. Le souci d’une didactique de l’écriture favorisant le processus sur le produit et la sollicitation d’une posture d’auteur se perd à partir du cycle 4. L’enjeu, très tôt audible, de préparation des épreuves du baccalauréat trouve seulement dans le sujet d’invention la possibilité de ne pas cantonner le cours de français à une information sur des objets d’études distincts de toute pratique personnelle. La menace qui pèse aujourd’hui sur le sujet d’invention à l’Épreuve anticipée de français (EAF) met à mal « l’appropriation personnelle des savoirs et la créativité » encore visées par les programmes, et s’appréhende comme à contrecourant de l’émergence récente de l’écriture créative dans les cursus universitaires français.
Pour une ethnographie des savoirs géographiques à l’école élémentaire
Authors: Baudinault Alexandra
Published: September 2018

Cet article, tiré de ma thèse, propose une nouvelle approche des savoirs géographiques dans un contexte scolaire en étudiant un double angle mort des recherches en didactique de la géographie : celui de l’école élémentaire et celui des savoirs. Il s’agit de montrer dans un premier temps comment on peut penser et analyser de manière alternative la place et le rôle des savoirs géographiques en classe en proposant une méthodologie nouvelle. J’ébauche ensuite une ligne de relecture, fondée sur une démarche ethnographique, de la place des gestes et du maniement des outils. Colorier, tracer des traits, écrire sont autant d’agir qui constituent selon nous, une matrice originelle de l’élaboration des savoirs géographiques. Cette réflexion invite à repositionner clairement l’apprentissage de la géographie et du rapport au monde dans une matérialité inhérente au contexte de la classe. Pour finir, j’adresse une invite globale, réflexive et de nature épistémologique, afin que nous, géographes, réfléchissions de manière collective, à ce qui fonde nos élémentarités dans le contexte contemporain de recompositions de nos savoirs.
Tomber dans la cour de récréation : la « bonne figure » à l’épreuve de l’espace
Authors: Monnard Muriel
Published: September 2018

Cet article est issu des résultats d’une thèse sur les spatialités des jeunes adolescents dans le contexte scolaire du secondaire obligatoire à Genève (12-15 ans). La recherche interroge le phénomène de « lutte des places » (en référence à Lussault 2009) dans le temps de la pause. Partant d’une méthode ethnographique qui croise un an d’observation et des entretiens de groupe, l’approche interactionniste contribue à dresser une micro-géographie de l’espace scolaire avec une focale sur les espaces de transition (hall, escaliers, couloirs, cour). La maîtrise des métriques et des mobilités tolérées pour accéder à et tenir une place au sein des pairs apparaît comme un apprentissage essentiel des trois années. Lorsque l’individu chute, sa position allongée, inadéquate, devient une fausse note stigmatisante. Questionner ce phénomène de la chute c’est explorer un moment grain de sable où apparaissent, par contraste, les normes qui organisent la société des pairs et les interactions convenues, les attentes en termes d’occupation spatiale et du corps « juste » dans l’espace. L’événement de la chute révèle les règles sociales et spatiales de la culture des pairs.
Géographie scolaire et pensée de la complexité
Authors: Hertig Philippe
Published: September 2018

Quelles que soient les thématiques étudiées en géographie à l’école, elles mettent en relation de nombreux facteurs ressortissant aux sciences sociales et aux sciences de la nature. Le jeu des multiples interactions entre ces éléments peut être le révélateur d’enjeux politiques et éthiques cruciaux, qui renvoient aux grands problèmes auxquels les sociétés humaines sont confrontées. Dans une perspective de formation citoyenne, il importe que les élèves apprennent à déchiffrer ces enjeux, ce qui suppose qu’ils développent une capacité à appréhender et à penser la complexité. La géographie est une des disciplines scolaires susceptibles de contribuer à ces apprentissages.
Le cheminement intellectuel et pratique d'un maître non spécialiste confronté à la préparation de séances de géographie au cycle 3 de l'école primaire
Authors: Charpentier Philippe
Published: September 2018

Cet article a pour objet de rendre compte du cheminement intellectuel et pratique d'un enseignant de cycle 3 au prise avec une discipline, la géographie, qu'il avouait ne pas maîtriser. Il permet de montrer toute l'importance de la répétition des gestes, du temps nécessaire de l'appropriation des finalités de la discipline, de son vocabulaire, de ses méthodes mais aussi de l'engagement professionnel du maître à vouloir dépasser un état pour entrer dans un processus de développement professionnel ainsi que de la formation des maîtres ; que celle-ci soit initiale ou continue.
Regard sur la géographie enseignée à l’école primaire : une étude de cas au cycle 3
Authors: Glaudel Anne
Published: September 2018

À l’heure où le programme de géographie de cycle 3 est profondément renouvelé par l’introduction du concept d’habiter au cours moyen, la géographie effectivement enseignée à l’école primaire reste une réalité mal connue. Les discours relatifs aux réalités spatiales produits par les enseignants polyvalents en situation d’enseignement et d’apprentissage de savoirs géographiques ont été peu étudiés. C’est pourquoi nous proposons une étude de cas qui repose sur l’analyse approfondie de quatre séquences d’enseignement complètes en géographie construites et menées par des enseignants de l’école primaire avec des élèves de CE2, CM1 et CM2. Une méthodologie qui articule l’observation des séquences d’enseignement et l’analyse des discours produits lors d’entretiens d’autoconfrontation simple et croisée nous permet de contribuer à la connaissance de la géographie enseignée à l’école primaire.
Fault Prediction Modelling in Open Source Software Under Imperfect Debugging and Change-Point
Authors: Khurshid Shozab , Shrivastava A. K. , Iqbal Javaid
Published: September 2018

Instant demand of products and services by technologically active users has increased the demand for open source software (OSS)-based applications. Unfortunately, with the complexity and lack of understanding of OSS-based systems, it becomes difficult for a testing team to remove the faults and the fault removal rate becomes low in comparison to what it should be. This also results in generating new faults during removal. Also, the rate at which the testing team detects/corrects fault need not be same during the entire process of testing due to various reasons viz. change in testing strategy, understanding of code, change in resources, etc. In the existing literature on OSS, authors have developed many models considering the above aspects separately. In this article, all of the above aspects have been combined to develop a general framework for predicting the number of faults in OSS. The comparison of eight models on the basis of their prediction capability on two well-known Open Source Software datasets is created and then ranked using normalized criteria distance approach.
Application of System Engineering to Project Management
Authors: Galli Brian J.
Published: September 2018

System engineering in complex systems has transitioned into a well detailed, universally accepted, client-oriented methodology. Unfortunately, this approach hasn't been adopted in most commercially mandated research and development organizations. This article acknowledges that to improve the success of projects, it is essential to understand the benefits of managing product requirement with system engineering. In discussion is the application of system engineering in improving the success rate through better requirement handling. It presents the elements of the relationship between system engineering and project management. The findings suggest that the full importance of applying system engineering can only be enjoyed if other pre-requisites on prudent decision-making are applied. Furthermore, the findings suggest guidance on ways of adopting system-engineering (SE) practices when implementing in large-scale engineering projects.
The Dynamic Impacting Study of Competitive Strategies to Import Retail E-Commerce Sellers
Authors: Zhang Xuanxuan
Published: September 2018

The authors investigated several import retail e-commerce sellers through questionnaires and selected several types of variables based on Porter's competitive strategy theory. Then the authors used the panel data to empirically verify theoretical consumptions based on samples got by Python method from Jingdong Global Purchases and Tmall International, the top two e-commerce platforms in China. Results validated the three major competitive strategies that could enhance the competitive advantages to import retail e-commerce sellers. As it was not applied to all platforms and commodities, sellers should make different strategies through different platforms and commodities. This article has theoretical significance that filled in the gaps on import retail e-commerce sellers' competition. It also has certain practical significance by providing references for sellers on how to improve their competitive advantages, promote healthy competition and development of the import retail e-commerce, even to facilitate the structure adjustment of consumption and foreign trade in China.
Exercise training in patients with chronic heart failure: A new challenge for Cardiac Rehabilitation Community
Authors: Giallauria Francesco , Piccioli Lucrezia , Vitale Giuseppe , Sarullo Filippo M.
Published: September 2018

Exercise training (ET) is strongly recommended in patients with chronic stable heart failure (HF). Moderate-intensity aerobic continuous ET is the best established training modality in HF patients. In the last decade, however, high-intensity interval exercise training (HIIT) has aroused considerable interest in cardiac rehabilitation community. In HF patients, HIIT exerts larger improvements in exerciseÂ  capacity compared to moderate-continuous ET. Since better functional capacity translates into symptoms relief and improvement in quality of life in patients with HF, this training modality is collecting growing interest and consensus, not revealing major safety issues. HIIT should not replace other training modalities in HF but should rather complement them. Inspiratory muscle training, another promising training modality in patients with HF, exerts beneficial effect on inspiratory muscle strength and inspiratory endurance, on exercise capacity and quality of life. In conclusion, taking into consideration the complecity of HF syndrome, combining and tailoring different ET modalities according to each patientâ€™s baseline clinical characteristics (i.e. exercise capacity, comorbidity, frailty status, personal needs, preferences and goals) seem the most wily approach for exercise prescription.
Psalm 5 and the polarity between those who may stand before Yahweh and those who may not
Authors: Botha Philippus J.
Published: September 2018

Psalm 5 is often described as an example of a prayer of someone who has been falsely accused of wrongdoing. Based on the contents of the middle part of the psalm, its wisdom features and especially the parallels it forms with Psalm 1, it is argued in this article that the editors of the Psalter attempted to present the psalm as a prayer of David at the time of his flight from Absalom. In this prayer of the endangered king, he (prophetically) pronounced judgement on the actions and attitudes of his opponents and respectfully entrusted himself to the care of Yahweh. In its literary context, the psalm was therefore probably meant to censure arrogant and irreligious compatriots of the editors, because they exploited fellow Jews, and also to provide hope and encouragement to those exploited members of the in-group.
Aneurysm of the Saphenous Vein Graft after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Soman Suman Omana , Vijayaraghavan G. , Muneer A. R. , Ankudinov A. S.
Published: September 2018

Aortocoronary graft aneurysms are rare; it develops as a late complication of coronary artery bypass surgery. We report here an incidental finding of a saphenous graft aneurysm detected during routine evaluation by echocardiography and confirmed by computed tomography coronary angiography.
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Shah Rajesh Krishnachandra
Published: September 2018

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the end result of nearly all cardiac and some noncardiac conditions. It is an important marker of mortality and morbidity. It is also the deciding factor in the management of the etiological conditions, such as the timing of surgery in valvular heart disease, follow-up of pulmonary arterial hypertension, diuretic therapy for diastolic dysfunction, and so on. To add to the problems, early signs and symptoms are nonspecific, and so the diagnosis is attained at a later and advanced stage. Although clinical evaluation is always essential, echocardiography is now the main tool for the evaluation of PH. The aims of echocardiography in PH are: (1) to identify the etiology, (2) assess the effects of PH on the right ventricle, (3) estimation of the severity of the PH, (4) monitoring the progression and therapeutic response in PH, and finally (5) predicting the prognosis. It is hence very important that one measures the pulmonary pressures accurately for proper patient management. The aim of this article is to provide a detailed information of the different parameters of PH in the different echocardiographic views and the technique of measuring these parameters.
Early Detection of a Potentially Fatal Complication of Coronary Stent Implantation using Transthoracic Two-dimensional-echocardiography
Authors: Nawale Jaywant M. , Bedmutha Kshitij R. , Chavan Rajendra Vishwambhar , Chaurasia Ajay S.
Published: September 2018

The number of coronary stent (CS) implantation has significantly increased since its introduction in 1987. CS infection is a rare but potentially fatal complication. No imaging modality is confirmatory for diagnosing CS infection. Positive blood cultures, two-dimensional-echocardiography (especially transesophageal echocardiography), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), coronary angiography, computed tomography-scan, and magnetic resonance imaging are useful. We report a case of a 65-year-old male who presented within a month of CS implantation with high-grade fever and chest pain. TTE showed a localized collection in the right atrioventricular groove clinching the diagnosis to CS infection. The patient responded to higher doses of broad-spectrum antibiotics which were continued for 6 weeks.
Transmission du virus de la leucose bovine (LBE) par tatouage à la pince
Authors: Parodi André-Laurent , Picat D. , Dufour Barbara , Manet Ghislain , Lherminier Philippe , Crespeau François , Yvrard H.
Published: September 2018

Le tatouage à l'oreille effectué sur des taurillons avec une pince ayant servi, immédiatement avant, à tatouer un bovin infecté par le virus leucémogène bovin (BLV) a entraîné une contamination dans plus des 2/3 des cas (17/25).

Aucune relation n’a pu être établie entre le taux d'infection obtenu et l'âge de l'animal donneur, son état de lymphocytose persistante, l'absence ou le développement d’une hémorragie au lieu du tatouage chez le donneur comme chez le receveur.

Ces résultats obtenus dans des conditions très proches de la pratique usuelle, montrent la réalité du risque de transmission de BLV par les opérations de tatouage à la pince.
Possible Modulation of Concurrent Parkinson'S Disease in the Management of Metastatic Gist: A Review of Two Cases
Authors: Watson-Fargie T , Grosset DG , White J , Cowie F
Published: September 2018

Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the mainstay of treatment for resected high-risk (adjuvant and metastatic) gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) - a rare form of sarcoma. There has been recent research into the neuroprotective role and modulation of dopaminergic neurones by imatinib through the abl pathway in Parkinson's disease (PD). We describe two patients from a single cancer centre with concurrent diagnoses of PD and metastatic GIST receiving imatinib and standard PD management. The cases highlight a potential reduction in PD progression using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Further research into repurposing of imatinib for PD may provide additional management options for this neurodegenerative illness.
The climate impact of aerosols on the lightning flash rate: is it detectable from long-term measurements?
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Li Zhanqing , Guo Jianping , Zhao Chuanfeng , Cribb Maureen
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The effect of aerosols on lightning has been noted in many case studies, but much less is known about the long-term impact, relative importance of dynamics–thermodynamics versus aerosol, and any difference by different types of aerosols. Attempts are made to tackle all these factors, whose distinct roles are discovered by analyzing 11-year datasets of lightning, aerosol loading and composition, and dynamic–thermodynamic data from satellite and model reanalysis. Variations in the lightning rate are analyzed with respect to changes in dynamic–thermodynamic variables and indices such as the convective available potential energy (CAPE) and vertical wind shear. In general, lightning has strong diurnal and seasonal variations, peaking in the afternoon and during the summer. The lightning flash rate is much higher in moist central Africa than in dry northern Africa presumably because of the combined influences of surface heating, CAPE, relative humidity (RH), and aerosol type. In both regions, the lightning flash rate changes with aerosol optical depth (AOD) in a boomerang shape: first increasing with AOD, tailing off around AOD  =  0.3, and then behaving differently, i.e., decreasing for dust and flattening for smoke aerosols. The deviation is arguably caused by the tangled influences of different thermodynamics (in particular humidity and CAPE) and aerosol type between the two regions. In northern Africa, the two branches of the opposite trends seem to echo the different dominant influences of the aerosol microphysical effect and the aerosol radiative effect that are more pronounced under low and high aerosol loading conditions, respectively. Under low-AOD conditions, the aerosol microphysical effect more likely invigorates deep convection. This may gradually yield to the suppression effect as AOD increases, leading to more and smaller cloud droplets that are highly susceptible to evaporation under the dry conditions of northern Africa. For smoke aerosols in moist central Africa, the aerosol invigoration effect can be sustained across the entire range of AOD by the high humidity and CAPE. This, plus a potential heating effect of the smoke layer, jointly offsets the suppression of convection due to the radiative cooling at the surface by smoke aerosols. Various analyses were done that tend to support this hypothesis.
Evaluation of the NeQuick model performance under different geomagnetic conditions over South Africa during the ascending phase of the solar cycle (2009–2012)
Authors: Ahoua Sylvain M. , Habarulema John Bosco , Obrou Olivier K. , Cilliers Pierre J. , Zaka Zacharie K.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. In order to provide a scientific base to the NeQuick characterisation under disturbed conditions, the comparison of its performance for quiet and storm days is investigated in the southern mid-latitude. This investigation was realised using the two versions of the NeQuick model which were adapted to local and storm-specific response by using the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) and the propagation factor (M(3000)F2) derived from three South African ionosonde measurements, Hermanus (34.40∘ S, 19.20∘ E), Grahamstown (33.30∘ S, 26.50∘ E) and Louisvale (28.50∘ S, 21.20∘ E). The number of free electrons contained within a 1 m squared column section known as total electron content (TEC) is a widely used ionospheric parameter to estimate its impact on the radio signal passing through. In this study, the TEC derived from the adapted NeQuick version is compared with observed TEC derived from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data from co-located or nearby GNSS dual-frequency receivers. The Hermanus K-index is used to select all the disturbed days (K-index ≥ 5) upon moving from low to high solar activity (from 2009 to 2012). For each disturbed day, a quiet reference day of the same month was chosen for the investigation. The study reveals that the NeQuick model shows similar reliability for both magnetic quiet and disturbed conditions, but its accuracy is affected by the solar activity. The model is much better for moderate solar activity epochs (2009 and 2010), while it exhibits a discrepancy with observations during high solar activity epochs. For instance in Hermanus, the difference between GPS TEC and NeQuick TEC (ΔTEC) is generally lower than 10 TECu in 2009, and it sometimes reaches 20 TECu in 2011 and 2012. It is also noticed that NeQuick 2 is more accurate than NeQuick 1, with an improvement in TEC estimation more significant for the high solar activity epochs. The improvement realised in the latest version of NeQuick is more than 15 % and sometimes reaches 50 %. Keywords. Ionosphere (mid-latitude ionosphere; modelling and forecasting)
Integrated management of a Swiss cropland is not sufficient to preserve its soil carbon pool in the long term
Authors: Emmel Carmen , Winkler Annina , Hörtnagl Lukas , Revill Andrew , Ammann Christof , D'Odorico Petra , Buchmann Nina , Eugster Werner
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Croplands are involved in the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2)
between the atmosphere and the biosphere. Furthermore, soil carbon (C) stocks
play an important role in soil fertility. It is thus of great interest to
know whether intensively managed croplands act as a net source or sink of
atmospheric CO2 and if soil C stocks are preserved over long
timescales. The FluxNet site CH-Oe2 in Oensingen, Switzerland, has been
operational since the end of 2003. This cropland is managed under the Swiss
framework of the Proof of Ecological Performance (PEP, a variant of
integrated management) with a crop rotation centred on winter wheat, which
also includes winter barley, winter rapeseed, peas, potato and intermediate
cover crops. In addition to eddy covariance measurements, meteorological and
soil measurements were available along with information on C imports and
exports from organic fertilisation, sowing and harvesting. This study
investigates cropland C budgets over 13 years and assesses whether the PEP
regulations resulted in a balanced C budget. The strongest CO2 uptake was
observed during cereal seasons. C export through harvest, however, offset the
strong uptake of the cereal crops. The largest net CO2 emissions to
the atmosphere were observed during pea and cover crop seasons. Net biome
production, representing the overall C budget (assuming carbon leaching to
groundwater to be negligible), typically ranged between close to C neutral to
C losses of up to 407 g C m−2 per season, with peas being the largest
source. Overall, the field lost 1674 g C m−2 over 13 years
(129 g C m−2 yr−1), which was confirmed by soil C stock
measurements at the beginning and the end of the study period. Although
managing the field under the regulations of PEP did not result in an overall
C sink, model simulations showed that the use of cover crops reduced the C
losses compared to leaving the field bare. The use of solid manure improved
the C budget by importing substantial amounts of C into the soil, while liquid
manure had only a small effect. We thus conclude that additional efforts are
needed to bring Swiss management practices closer to the goal of preserving
soil C in the long term.
Groundwater salinity variation in Upazila Assasuni (southwestern Bangladesh), as steered by surface clay layer thickness, relative elevation and present-day land use
Authors: Naus Floris Loys , Schot Paul , Groen Koos , Ahmed Kazi Matin , Griffioen Jasper
Published: September 2018

Abstract. In the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh, options for drinking water are limited by groundwater salinity. To protect and improve the drinking water supply, the large variation in groundwater salinity needs to be better understood. This study identifies the palaeo and present-day hydrological processes and their geographical or geological controls that determine variation in groundwater salinity in Upazila Assasuni in southwestern Bangladesh. Our approach involved three steps: a geological reconstruction, based on the literature; fieldwork to collect high density hydrological and lithological data; and data processing to link the collected data to the geological reconstruction in order to infer the evolution of the groundwater salinity in the study area. Groundwater freshening and salinization patterns were deduced using PHREEQC cation exchange simulations and isotope data was used to derive relevant hydrological processes and water sources. We found that the factor steering the relative importance of palaeo and present-day hydrogeological conditions was the thickness of the Holocene surface clay layer. The groundwater in aquifers under thick surface clay layers is controlled by the palaeohydrological conditions prevailing when the aquifers were buried. The groundwater in aquifers under thin surface clay layers is affected by present-day processes, which vary depending on present-day surface elevation. Slightly higher-lying areas are recharged by rain and rainfed ponds and therefore have fresh groundwater at shallow depth. In contrast, the lower-lying areas with a thin surface clay layer have brackish–saline groundwater at shallow depth because of flooding by marine-influenced water, subsequent infiltration and salinization. Recently, aquaculture ponds in areas with a thin surface clay layer have increased the salinity in the underlying shallow aquifers. We hypothesize that to understand and predict shallow groundwater salinity variation in southwestern Bangladesh, the relative elevation and land use can be used as a first estimate in areas with a thin surface clay layer, while knowledge of palaeohydrogeological conditions is needed in areas with a thick surface clay layer.
Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Livestock Snow Disasters in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ye Tao , Liu Weihang , Shi Peijun , Li Yijia , Wu Jidong , Zhang Qiang
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Understanding risk using a quantitative risk assessment offers critical information for risk-informed reduction actions, investing in building resilience, and planning for adaptation. This study develops an event-based probabilistic risk assessment model for livestock snow disasters in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) region and derives risk assessment results based on historical climate conditions (1980–2015) and present-day prevention capacity. In the model a hazard module was developed to identify/simulate individual snow disaster events based on boosted regression trees. Together with a fitted quantitative vulnerability function, and exposure derived from vegetation type and grassland carrying capacity, risk metrics based on livestock mortality and mortality rate were estimated. In our results, high risk regions include the Nyainqêntanglha Range, Tanggula Range, Bayankhar Mountains and the region between the Kailas Range and neighboring Himalayas. In these regions, annual livestock mortality rates were estimated as > 2 % and mortality was estimated as > 2 sheep unit/km2 at a return period of 1/20 a. Prefectures identified with extremely high risk included Yushu in Qinghai Province and Naqu, Shigatse, Linzhi, and Nagri in the Tibet Autonomous Region. In these prefectures, a snow disaster event with return period of 1/20 a or higher can easily claim a total loss of more than 200 000 sheep units. Our results provide a quantitative reference for preparedness and insurance solutions in reducing mortality risk. The methodology developed here can be further adapted to future climate change risk analyses and provide important information for planning climate change adaption in the QTP region.
Seasonal dynamics of Totten Ice Shelf controlled by sea ice buttressing
Authors: Greene Chad A. , Young Duncan A. , Gwyther David E. , Galton-Fenzi Benjamin K. , Blankenship Donald D.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Previous studies of Totten Ice Shelf have employed surface velocity
measurements to estimate its mass balance and understand its sensitivities to
interannual changes in climate forcing. However, displacement measurements
acquired over timescales of days to weeks may not accurately characterize
long-term flow rates wherein ice velocity fluctuates with the seasons.
Quantifying annual mass budgets or analyzing interannual changes in ice
velocity requires knowing when and where observations of glacier velocity
could be aliased by subannual variability. Here, we analyze 16 years of
velocity data for Totten Ice Shelf, which we generate at subannual resolution
by applying feature-tracking algorithms to several hundred satellite image
pairs. We identify a seasonal cycle characterized by a spring to autumn
speedup of more than 100 m yr−1 close to the ice front. The amplitude
of the seasonal cycle diminishes with distance from the open ocean,
suggesting the presence of a resistive back stress at the ice front that is
strongest in winter. Springtime acceleration precedes summer surface melt and
is not attributable to thinning from basal melt. We attribute the onset of
ice shelf acceleration each spring to the loss of buttressing from the
breakup of seasonal landfast sea ice.
Roving Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Wediombo
Authors: Hengky S. H.
Published: September 2018

The number of tourists visiting Wediombo is targeted to increase by 15% proportionally by Head of Yogyakarta Tourism of Indonesia in 2018. This study was conducted for roving the Wediombi of sustainable coastal tourism for almost a year. The concept would increase tourist motivation to visit it to. The problem indicated the performance of the supporting social communication and infrastructure was important to supporting coastal tourism activities. Therefore, the performance of the coastal tourism can still be improved by increasing some of the factors of sustainable coastal tourism proportionally. It would be discussed further in the discussion on. Without realized, this analyzed found other kind of potential coastal tourism. The local community did not know about for several traditional culinary tourisms. It can also help improve its performance, as well as economic growth of coastal communities and improve their welfare.
Exhaustivity in single bare wh-questions: A differential-analysis of exhaustivity
Authors: Fekete István , Schulz Petra , Ruigendijk Esther
Published: September 2018

Despite a large body of research, the linguistic nature of exhaustivity in single wh-questions is unresolved. Moreover, little empirical evidence exists as to which related structures pattern with bare wh-questions regarding exhaustivity. This paper explores the felicity of various exhaustivity violations in unembedded single bare wh-questions in German and compares them to related structures. In two novel felicity judgment experiments, a total of 441 participants rated exhaustive as well as non-exhaustive plural and non-exhaustive singleton answers to wh-questions or statements in a questionnaire. Answers were based on picture stimuli depicting individuals performing various actions. The felicity of non-exhaustive answers was compared across four main test conditions: bare wh-questions (wer ‘who’), wh-questions with a lexical exhaustivity marker (wer alles ‘who all’), plural definite descriptions contained in a restrictive relative clause (e.g., “the people who are fishing in the garden”), and the scalar quantifier “some” (e.g., “some people who are fishing in the garden”).We employ a novel methodological approach to improve the interpretability of statistical differences between experimental conditions by using the statistical measure of Minimal Important Difference (MID). Our results from estimated MIDs reveal that adults’ felicity judgments of non-exhaustive plural answers to bare wh-questions pattern with those to wer alles-questions and to plural definite descriptions: exhaustivity violations in the bare wh, the wer alles and the plural definite conditions were rated as less felicitous than exhaustivity violations in the some-condition.
Outcomes of Arthroscopic Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Repair: Association With Body Mass Index
Authors: Brophy Robert H. , Wojahn Robert D. , Lillegraven Olivia , Lamplot Joseph D.
Published: September 2018

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to assess the association of outcomes from posterior medial meniscus root repairs with patient age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods:

Patients who underwent arthroscopic posterior medial meniscus root repair completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and reported subsequent surgeries. The association of patient factors with subsequent surgery and clinical osteoarthritis (OA) based on the KOOS score was evaluated.

Results:

Minimum 2-year follow-up was available on 22/25 patients (88%). Two patients (9.1%) had subsequent surgeries, and 10 (45.5%) met the KOOS criteria for OA. A BMI over 35 kg/m2 was associated with repeat surgery (25% versus 0%; P = 0.049) and clinical OA (75% versus 28.6%; P = 0.035).

Conclusion:

Although arthroscopic repair of posterior medial root tears has good clinical outcomes and a low rate of subsequent surgery, an elevated BMI level is associated with worse clinical outcomes and a higher rate of subsequent surgery.
Reporting the Influence of Sex in Research: Trends at AAOS Annual Meetings
Authors: Tisosky Ashley , Logan Catherine , Brook Emily M. , Xu Jen , Matzkin Elizabeth
Published: September 2018

Background:

Several initiatives have urged the inclusion of sex in data analysis, but few studies have examined the prevalence of sex-specific reporting in musculoskeletal research. This study aims at determining the presence of sex-specific analyses reported in research at American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meetings.

Methods:

Abstracts listed in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting programs from 2006 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of research reporting the results of a sex-specific analysis.

Results:

The number of abstracts reporting a sex-specific analysis increased from 48 (2006) to 117 (2013) but accounts for 5.4% of research presented from 2006 to 2013. Hip and knee arthroplasty literature accounted for 37% of included abstracts.

Conclusions:

The reporting of sex-specific analyses has improved over time but accounts for 5.4% of research presented at annual meetings from 2006 to 2013. The inclusion of sex-specific analyses should be required for future research publications to better understand the influence of sex in musculoskeletal medicine.
Solutions to Four-Letter Words in Mathematics
Authors: Gonz´alez-Corona Humberto
Published: September 2018

By trial and error, and observing patterns in existing mathematics, we built our own unorthodox notation to solve mathematical challenges having no known solutions. The imaginary number \textit{i} is real. We determined the significance and applicability of unbalanced equations such as one "equal" to zero, and one "equal" to negative one, solved for multiplications and divisions by zero. Computing coefficients from general solutions with initial conditions turns homogeneous equations into non-homogeneous ones. We computed coefficients from general solutions using periods from their own equations instead of initial conditions. Homogeneous linear second-order equations with real roots have companions with "imaginary" roots, and double-roots. We solved for logarithms having negative arguments, negative bases, or both without the absolute-value notation. The roots of homogeneous linear equations are the frequencies of their signals. Roots/frequencies and periods from linear homogeneous equations are related to electronics. The speed of light is not a limiting factor in special relativity.