bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual Acoustics at the Service of Music Performance and Recording
Authors: Woszczyk Wieslaw , Ko Doyuen , Leonard Brett 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Virtual or active acoustics refers to the generation of a simulated room response by means of electroacoustics and digital signal processing. An artificial room response may include sound reflections and reverberation as well as other acoustic features mimicking the actual room. They will cause the listener to have an impression of being immersed in virtual acoustics of another simulated room that coexists with the actual physical room. Using low-latency broadband multi-channel convolution and carefully measured room data, optimized transducers for rendering of sound fields, and an intuitive touch control user interface, it is possible to achieve a very high perceived quality of active acoustics, with a straightforward adjustability. The electroacoustically coupled room resulting from such optimization does not merely produce an equivalent of a back-door reverberation chamber, but rather a fully functional complete room superimposed on the physical room, yet with highly selectable and adjustable acoustic response. The utility of such active system for music recording and performance is discussed and supported with examples.
Bailing Out Collapsing Social Infrastructure in Developing Countries Through Sports: How Football is Contributing to Healthcare Improvement in Urban Nigeria
Authors: Ingwe Richard , Mboto Walter , Ojong Felix , Angiating Ikwun 
Published: May 2012

Bailing Out Collapsing Social Infrastructure in Developing Countries Through Sports: How Football is Contributing to Healthcare Improvement in Urban Nigeria
Although the role of sports in shaping/changing urban and regional landscapes through megalomaniac building of stadia, golf courses, among other spectacular artifacts have recently attracted tremendous academic research interests, sports' role in improving collapsing health-care infrastructure in developing countries is poorly documented. Here, we show the potentials of football in multi-stakeholder mobilization for financing/improving/ in urban health-care Nigeria using contributions towards heart diseases treatment by Kanu Heart Foundation and campaigns by Nigeria's international footballers. Geo-demographic analysis of secondary data is applied to highlight inadequacy of healthcare in urban Cross River State, like of urban (like rural) Nigeria. How various diplomacy concepts could be employed by urban managements to mobilize sports-heroes, stakeholders (professionals: players, managers, clubs; civil society, etc) for fund-raising towards improving healthcare in Nigeria is described. The policy implication of this paper includes employing multi-dimensional diplomacy for managing multi-stakeholder urban sports and health development programmes as a means of surmounting the problem of inadequate funding for urban health development in Cross River State, Nigeria. Although this article focuses on Nigeria, its description of health-care deficits and findings speak for much of sub-Saharan Africa and developing countries.
Semicolonial nesting and conservation of the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus in rapeseed fields in Southern Podlasie (eastern Poland)
Authors: Krupiński Dominik , Lewtak Jerzy , Szulak Krzysztof 
Published: May 2012

Semicolonial nesting and conservation of the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus in rapeseed fields in Southern Podlasie (eastern Poland)
Agrocoenosis are important nest sites for Montagu's harriers. In 2009, a large semicolony of 14 Montagu's harrier pairs was recorded in a rapeseed field in eastern Poland. The breeding colony arose due to a shortage of crops of suitable height in the period of nest building, caused by unfavourable weather conditions and a delayed onset of vegetation growth. The mean clutch size and hatchling number was 3.62, and the mean number of chicks in pairs that bred successfully was 2.00. Losses in broods due to predation and farming treatments were low (2% and 6%, respectively).
Caching Eurasian skylarks Alauda arvensis by the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus
Authors: Krupiński Dominik , Lewtak Jerzy 
Published: May 2012

Caching Eurasian skylarksAlauda arvensisby the Montagu's harrierCircus pygargusWe observed caching Eurasian skylarks by a radio-tracked male Montagu's harrier in eastern Poland. This strategy, in combination with the courtship feeding of the female, was an important element of courtship. Frequent food transfers to the female could reflect a good condition of the male and its good hunting abilities.
The summary on raptors and owls ringing in Slovakia in 2009
Authors: Slobodník Vladimír , Slobodník Roman 
Published: May 2012

The summary on raptors and owls ringing in Slovakia in 2009The article provides basic information about the number, species and recoveries of ringed birds of prey and owl species in Slovakia in 2009. The report follows similar papers from the following periods: 2002-2004, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008. In 2009 a total of 1,222 individuals were ringed in Slovakia, of which 856 individuals were birds of prey (18 species) and 366 individuals were owls (8 species). From the total number, 719 birds of prey and 257 owl nestlings were ringed. In comparison with the previous year the number of ringed birds of prey and owls increased by 43%.
The Protective Role of Sphenocentrum Jollyanum Leaf Extract on Beta Cells Morphology of Alloxan Treated Rabbits
Authors: Mbaka Godwin Oyebueke , Adeyemi Olufunmilayo Olaide 
Published: May 2012

Objective: To assess the protective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SJ) (Menispermaceae) on beta cells against alloxan treated rabbits. Material & Methods: Rabbits of both sexes, divided into 6 groups (8 per group) received oral treatment as follows: groups A and B received Tween 80 (2 %) solution; group C received 10 mg/kg of glibenclamide; groups D, E and F received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of SJ. A week later (day 0), basal glycaemia was determined (72.4±3.5) followed by alloxan challenge at 170 mg/kg intravenously with the exception of group A. Blood was collected at days 0, 3, 5, 10 and 15 and analyzed. Inflammatory activity was evaluated using C - reactive protein (CRP) as biomarker. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) were used to assess oxidative activity. Results: At day 3, glycaemic increase of 157.2 ± 4.7, 153.2 ± 8.2 and 150.2 ± 9.5 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was observed in the group that received SJ. Decrease however occurred from day 5 which continued to the last day of the experiment. On the contrary, progressive increase occurred in diabetic control. Tissue histology of the extract group showed no lesion. The CRP level which was slightly elevated in the extract group at day 3, decreased appreciably at day 15. Decrease in SOD and CAT activities which occurred at day 3 in SJ treated increased at day 15. Also, the elevated levels of hepatic GSH in extract treated demonstrated an enhanced biosynthesis of antioxidative enzymes. Conclusion: SJ leaf effectively protected the beta cells against oxidative damage.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.3400 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 195-201
Assessment of Physical Fitness Status of Young Sikkimese Residing in High-Hill Temperate Regions of Eastern Sikkim under the Influence of Climate and Socio-Cultural Factors
Authors: Sengupta Pallav 
Published: May 2012

Objective: The least populated state of India, Sikkim is situated over 6,000 ft as of the sea level. The health of people residing at high altitude is shaped not only by the low-oxygen environment, but also by population ancestry and socio-cultural determinants. These factors may also have an influence over their physical fitness level. Thus the present survey work was designed in order to assess the influence of high altitude on physical fitness and anaerobic power. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in randomly selected young adult male residents of Gangtok, Sikkim (mean age 22.0) and the college students of Kolkata (mean age 21.9) served as controls. Some parameters of physical fitness and endurance were measured using resting heart rate, blood pressure, PFI, energy expenditure, VO2max etc. Results: A significant difference (p<0.05) in blood pressure, PFI, energy expenditure, BF% and anaerobic power were found in Sikkimese. Conclusion: This study implies health of young Sikkimese is not only under the influence of low-oxygen environment but also by their socio-cultural factors over their physical parameters. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.5368 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 169-174
Frequency of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and Impaired Glycemia in a Teaching Hospital of South-Western Nepal
Authors: Pokharel DR , Gautam N , Archana J , Nagamma T , Kumar R , Sapkota R M 
Published: May 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among patients visiting a tertiary level teaching hospital in south-western Nepal. Material & Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted among subjects (n=17082) who visited outpatient department of the Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UCMSTH), Bhairahawa, Nepal for their medical checkup. Data related to age, sex, hospital number and blood glucose concentration of the study subjects were collected from hospital records and analyzed for the frequency study. Results: The average frequency of type 2 diabetes was found to be 6.1% over a period of five years and it was significantly (p=0.0232) higher in males (3.4%) than in females (2.8%). Frequency of IFG and IGT were found to be 2.31% and 2.70% respectively. The frequency of type 2 diabetes, IFG and IGT was significantly higher in males and age group of 51-60 years. Conclusion: The frequency of type 2 diabetes and impaired glycemia is increasing every year in south-western part of Nepal. We recommend that efforts be made by all the stakeholders to curb this emerging medical problem before it becomes epidemic in the general population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.5485 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 202-206
Physician-industry conflict of interest: public opinion regarding industry-sponsored research
Authors: Fisher Charles G. , DiPaola Christian P. , Noonan Vanessa K. , Bailey Christopher , Dvorak Marcel F. S. 
Published: May 2012

Object
The nature of physician-industry conflict of interest (COI) has become a source of considerable concern, but is often not discussed in the research setting. With reduced funding available from government and nonprofit sources, industry support has enthusiastically grown, but along with this comes the potential for COI that must be regulated. In this era of shared decision making in health care, society must have input into this regulation. The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions of a North American population sample on COI regarding industry-funded research and to analyze population subgroups for trends.

Methods
A survey was developed for face and content validity, underwent focus group evaluation for clarity and bias reduction, and was administered via the World Wide Web. Demographic and general survey results were summarized as a percentage for each answer, and subgroup analysis was done using logistic regression. Generalizability of the sample to the US population was also assessed.

Results
Of 541 surveys, 40 were excluded due to missing information, leaving 501 surveys for analysis. The sample population was composed of more females, was older, and was more educated than a representative cross-section of the American population. Respondents support multidisciplinary surgeon-industry COI regulation and trust doctors and their professional societies the most to head this effort. Respondents trust government officials and company representatives the least with respect to regulation of COI. Most respondents feel that industry-sponsored research can involve physicians and be both objective and beneficial to patients.

Conclusions
Most respondents in this study felt that surgeons should be involved in industry-sponsored research and that more research, regardless of funding source, will ultimately benefit patients. The majority of respondents distrust government or industry to regulate COI. The development of evidence-based treatment recommendations requires the inclusion of patient preference. The authors encourage regulatory bodies to follow suit and include society's perspective on regulation of COI in research.
Le collectif Jeudi noir, de nouveaux activistes urbains ? Entre rupture et continuité dans les formes de militantisme
Authors: Boutillon Juliette , Prévot Maryvonne 
Published: May 2012

Résumé Cette contribution est une plongée au sein d’un collectif – Jeudi noir – luttant contre le mal-logement en milieu urbain pour interroger la pertinence des caractéristiques mises en avant par François Dubet à propos des Nouveaux mouvements sociaux, ou de Jacques Ion sur le militantisme « affranchi ». Après avoir analysé les origines, la composition et le fonctionnement du collectif, les auteurs examinent ses principaux répertoires d’action et les liens spécifiques et étroits qu’il entretient avec les médias. C’est sans doute là que réside la nouveauté. Car, même si Jeudi noir s’est distancié du champ partisan, le capital social et militant de certaines de ses « figures », permet toujours, sous certaines conditions, tant une insertion professionnelle dans diverses institutions qu’une accélération de la carrière politique.
De l'égologie selon La Rochefoucauld
Authors: Tourrette Éric 
Published: May 2012

Résumé Les Maximes de La Rochefoucauld offrent des vues pénétrantes sur l’égologie, c’est-à-dire le discours de moi, sur moi, pour moi. Le langage que dépeint le moraliste est obsessionnel, compulsif, inlassablement saturé par le même objet fascinant. C’est aussi un langage centripète, au sens où tous les discours, quel qu’en soit l’enjeu ponctuel, renvoient fondamentalement au même référent : le moi est ainsi contourné et désigné du même mouvement, par le jeu subtil de la métonymie. Au fond, dans ce langage morbide, le prédicat importe moins que le thème : dire du mal de moi, c’est déjà parler de moi, avec une complaisance enamourée. On peut penser que le genre de la maxime est particulièrement adapté à la description du phénomène, puisque par son impersonnalité constitutive, elle évite le reproche virtuel de céder à l’égologie sous prétexte de ladénoncer.
Sous le regard de Kracauer. Socio-anthropologie politique du temps présent
Authors: Vassort Patrick 
Published: May 2012

Résumé Depuis quelques années, la France (re)découvre les travaux de Siegfried Kracauer dans une uvre qui résiste aux classements et aux catégories. Sa vie, comme celle de nombreux intellectuels juifs de la première partie du 20e siècle, est marquée par la situation sociale et politique allemande dont il se saisit. Profondément réceptif aux évolutions urbaines, il observe des images qui lui donnent l'occasion de proposer des « aperçus de l'Allemagne nouvelle ». Sa relation aux réalités sociétales se manifeste au travers de « regards » qui concernent tant l'urbanisation dans sa globalité que l'organisation des loisirs et des divertissements, l'organisation du travail ou la production culturelle au sein de la société capitaliste. Ce texte propose donc deux hypothèses. La première concerne la méthode d'observation et d'énonciation du Kracauer d'avant l'exil. Il est possible que celui-ci vise, contrairement à ce qui est énoncé le plus fréquemment, à la construction d'une totalité, à la compréhension d'une société totale. La seconde hypothèse est que le travail de Kracauer donne des éléments épistémologiques, socio-anthropologiques et politiques permettant l'analyse des sociétés contemporaines.
La femme-Mab : essai de mythologie sandienne
Authors: Le Scanff Yvon 
Published: May 2012

La reine Mab est un des rares poèmes de George Sand. Il a paru pour la première fois le 15 décembre 1832 dans les Soirées littéraires de Paris , dans un keepsake publié par les soins de Madame Amable Tastu. Le traitement sandien de la figure de la Reine Mab met en place une configuration thématique qui va structurer, par la suite, dans l’ensemble de l’œuvre romanesque de Sand, un type de représentation spécifique de la féminité que par commodité nous appellerons la « femme-Mab ». À la fois muse et nymphe, profondément ambiguë et ambivalente, cette figure révèle moins l’être de la femme que sa représentation fantasmatique par un regard masculin où la Femme-Mab se trouve être, à la fois et contradictoirement, objet et médiatrice d’un désir illusoire, finalement dénoncé par la vérité du roman.
Population stability of a tree-galling aphid, Baizongia pistaciae, at three spatial scales
Authors: Lamb Robert J. , MacKay Patricia A. , Wool D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe population stability of Baizongia pistaciae (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on its primary host, the tree Pistacia palaestina Boissier (Anachardiaceae), was investigated using 17–20 years of data from a study of gall abundance on individual trees in Israel. Abundance varied by at least an order of magnitude among adjacent trees, among locations, and among years. Stability was quantified for the alternate-year cohorts as population variability (PV) and persistence, at three spatial scales. PV (a proportion between 0 and 1) was similar between cohorts and declined with population scale – subpopulation (a tree): 0.676 ± 0.092 (±1 SD, n = 40); population: 0.581 ± 0.098 (±1 SD, n = 6); region: 0.424 (0.345 and 0.503, n = 2). Persistence (proportion of years that galls were present) was usually near 0.9, but 0.1 for some subpopulations, and 1.0 at the population and regional scales. Although protected within large galls on long-lived trees, the PV of B. pistaciae was similar to that of native, free-living aphid species on more ephemeral herbaceous hosts, but lower than for introduced aphid species. Persistence of B. pistaciae decreased as abundance decreased but not as PV increased. PV did not increase with the length of the study period; and declined with increasing population scale, because abundance was not synchronised among subpopulations or populations. PV was similar among populations, suggesting this parameter is characteristic of the species, although positive correlations between cohorts on a tree showed that PV was affected by the site-specific tree–grass habitats in which this species lives.
The Skin, a Novel Niche for Recirculating B Cells
Authors: Geherin Skye A. , Fintushel Sarah R. , Lee Michael H. , Wilson R. Paul , Patel Reema T. , Alt Carsten , Young Alan J. , Hay John B. , Debes Gudrun F. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
B cells infiltrate the skin in many chronic inflammatory diseases caused by autoimmunity or infection. Despite potential contribution to disease, skin-associated B cells remain poorly characterized. Using an ovine model of granulomatous skin inflammation, we demonstrate that B cells increase in the skin and skin-draining afferent lymph during inflammation. Surprisingly, skin B cells are a heterogeneous population that is distinct from lymph node B cells, with more large lymphocytes as well as B-1–like B cells that coexpress high levels of IgM and CD11b. Skin B cells have increased MHC class II, CD1, and CD80/86 expression compared with lymph node B cells, suggesting that they are well-suited for T cell activation at the site of inflammation. Furthermore, we show that skin accumulation of B cells and Ab-secreting cells during inflammation increases local Ab titers, which could augment host defense and autoimmunity. Although skin B cells express typical skin-homing receptors, such as E-selectin ligand and α-4 and β-1 integrins, they are unresponsive to ligands for chemokine receptors associated with T cell homing into skin. Instead, skin B cells migrate toward the cutaneously expressed CCR6 ligand CCL20. Our data support a model in which B cells use CCR6-CCL20 to recirculate through the skin, fulfilling a novel role in skin immunity and inflammation.
BLyS-Mediated Modulation of Naive B Cell Subsets Impacts HIV Env-Induced Antibody Responses
Authors: Dosenovic Pia , Soldemo Martina , Scholz Jean L. , O’Dell Sijy , Grasset Emilie K. , Pelletier Nadège , Karlsson Mikael C. I. , Mascola John R. , Wyatt Richard T. , Cancro Michael P. , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Neutralizing Abs provide the protective effect of the majority of existing human vaccines. For a prophylactic vaccine against HIV-1, broadly neutralizing Abs targeting conserved epitopes of the viral envelope glycoproteins (Env) are likely required, because the pool of circulating HIV-1 variants is extremely diverse. The failure to efficiently induce broadly neutralizing Abs by vaccination may be due to the use of suboptimal immunogens or immunization regimens, or it may indicate that B cells specific for broadly neutralizing Env determinants are selected against during peripheral checkpoints, either before or after Ag encounter. To investigate whether perturbation of B cell subsets prior to immunization with recombinant Env protein affects the vaccine-induced Ab response in mice, we used B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a cytokine that regulates survival and selection of peripheral B cells. We show that the transient BLyS treatment used in this study substantially affected naive B cell populations; in particular, it resulted in more B cells surviving counter-selection at the transitional stages. We also observed more mature naive B cells, especially marginal zone B cells, in BLyS-treated mice. Intriguingly, provision of excess BLyS prior to immunization led to a consistent improvement in the frequency and potency of HIV-1 Env vaccine-induced neutralizing Ab responses, without increasing the number of Env-specific Ab-secreting cells or the Ab-binding titers measured after boosting. The results presented in this article suggest that an increased understanding of BLyS-regulated processes may help the design of vaccine regimens aimed at eliciting improved neutralizing Ab responses against HIV-1.
The Performance of Textile Companies in the North West Zone of Nigeria: the Role of Infrastructure as a Resource
Authors: Gado N.D. , Nmadu T.M. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract Textile companies in Nigeria have complained of stifling competition against the backdrop of challenges of declining endogenous and exogenous resources. Using electricity and capacity utilization as proxies, we show that electricity supply is a significant determinant of performance. We recommend, among others, that Public electricity supply to the textile companies should be taken as a state of emergency to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply. Government at various levels should embark on intensive advocacy for Nigerians to develop a culture of using locally made goods while leading by example. Opinion molding should be employed both in the public and private sectors.