bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Battery System Modeling for a Military Electric Propulsion Vehicle with a Fault Simulation
Authors: Ham Hyeongjin , Han Kyuhong , Lee Hyeongcheol
Published: October 2013

This paper describes the development process and results of a battery system model with a fault simulation for electric propulsion vehicles. The developed battery system model can be used to verify control and fault diagnosis strategies of the supervisory controller in an electric propulsion vehicle. To develop this battery system model, three sub-models, including a battery model, a relay assembly model, and a battery management system (BMS) model, are connected together like in the target real battery system. Comparison results between the real battery system hardware and the battery system model show a similar tendency and values. Furthermore, the fault injection test of the model shows that the proposed battery system model can simulate a failure situation consistent with a real system. It is possible for the model to emulate the battery characteristics and fault situation if it is used in the development process of a BMS or for supervisory control strategies for electric propulsion systems.
Respiratory Disease Related Mortality and Morbidity on an Island of Greece Exposed to Perlite and Bentonite Mining Dust
Authors: Sampatakakis Stefanos , Linos Athena , Papadimitriou Eleni , Petralias Athanasios , Dalma Archontoula , Papasaranti Eirini , Christoforidou Eleni , Stoltidis Melina
Published: October 2013

A morbidity and mortality study took place, focused on Milos Island, where perlite and bentonite mining sites are located. Official data concerning number and cause of deaths, regarding specific respiratory diseases and the total of respiratory diseases, for both Milos Island and the Cyclades Prefecture were used. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were computed, adjusted specifically for age, gender and calendar year. Tests of linear trend were performed. By means of a predefined questionnaire, the morbidity rates of specific respiratory diseases in Milos, were compared to those of the municipality of Oinofita, an industrial region. Chi-square analysis was used and the confounding factors of age, gender and smoking were taken into account, by estimating binary logistic regression models. The SMRs for Pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) were found elevated for both genders, although they did not reach statistical significance. For the total of respiratory diseases, a statistically significant SMR was identified regarding the decade 1989–1998. The morbidity study revealed elevated and statistically significant Odds Ratios (ORs), associated with allergic rhinitis, pneumonia, COPD and bronchiectasis. An elevated OR was also identified for asthma. After controlling for age, gender and smoking, the ORs were statistically significant and towards the same direction.
Improving the Psychosocial Work Environment at Multi-Ethnic Workplaces: A Multi-Component Intervention Strategy in the Cleaning Industry
Authors: Smith Louise , Hviid Kirsten , Frydendall Karen , Flyvholm Mari-Ann
Published: October 2013

Global labour migration has increased in recent years and immigrant workers are often recruited into low status and low paid jobs such as cleaning. Research in a Danish context shows that immigrants working in the cleaning industry often form social networks based on shared languages and backgrounds, and that conflict between different ethnic groups may occur. This paper evaluates the impact of a multi-component intervention on the psychosocial work environment at a multi-ethnic Danish workplace in the cleaning sector. The intervention included Danish lessons, vocational training courses, and activities to improve collaboration across different groups of cleaners. Interviews about the outcome of the intervention were conducted with the cleaners and their supervisor. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire was used as a supplement to the interviews. The results suggest that the psychosocial work environment had improved after the intervention. According to the interviews with the cleaners, the intervention had led to improved communication, trust, and collaboration. These findings are supported by the questionnaire where social support from supervisor and colleagues, social community, trust, and teamwork seem to have improved together with meaning of work, rewards, and emotional demands. The design of the intervention may provide inspiration for future psychosocial work environment interventions at multi-ethnic work places.
Simplified Occupancy Grid Indoor Mapping Optimized for Low-Cost Robots
Authors: Gonzalez-Arjona David , Sanchez Alberto , López-Colino Fernando , De Castro Angel , Garrido Javier
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a mapping system that is suitable for small mobile robots. An ad hoc algorithm for mapping based on the Occupancy Grid method has been developed. The algorithm includes some simplifications in order to be used with low-cost hardware resources. The proposed mapping system has been built in order to be completely autonomous and unassisted. The proposal has been tested with a mobile robot that uses infrared sensors to measure distances to obstacles and uses an ultrasonic beacon system for localization, besides wheel encoders. Finally, experimental results are presented.
HKT Transporters—State of the Art
Authors: Almeida Pedro , Katschnig Diana , De Boer Albertus
Published: October 2013

The increase in soil salinity poses a serious threat to agricultural yields. Under salinity stress, several Na+ transporters play an essential role in Na+ tolerance in plants. Amongst all Na+ transporters, HKT has been shown to have a crucial role in both mono and dicotyledonous plants in the tolerance to salinity stress. Here we present an overview of the physiological role of HKT transporters in plant Na+ homeostasis. HKT regulation and amino acids important to the correct function of HKT transporters are reviewed. The functions of the most recently characterized HKT members from both HKT1 and HKT2 subfamilies are also discussed. Topics that still need to be studied in future research (e.g., HKT regulation) as well as research suggestions (e.g., generation of HKT mutants) are addressed.
Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of Calanthe tsoongiana, a Rare and Endemic Orchid in China
Authors: Qian Xin , Wang Cai-xia , Tian Min
Published: October 2013

Calanthe tsoongiana is a rare terrestrial orchid endemic to China, and this species has experienced severe habitat loss and fragmentation. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were employed to assess the genetic diversity and differentiation of six populations of C. tsoongiana. Based on 124 discernible fragments yielded by eleven selected primers, high genetic diversity was revealed at the species level; however, genetic diversity at the population level was relatively low. High-level genetic differentiation among populations was detected based on analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), indicating potential limited gene flow. No significant relationship was observed between genetic and geographic distances among the sampled populations. These results suggested that restricted gene flow might be due to habitat fragmentation and reduced population size as a result of human activities. Based on the findings, several conservation strategies were proposed for the preservation of this threatened species.
Characterization of 42 Microsatellite Markers from Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans (Anacardiaceae)
Authors: Hsu Tsai-Wen , Shih Huei-Chuan , Kuo Chia-Chi , Chiang Tzen-Yuh , Chiang Yu-Chung
Published: October 2013

Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans, and poison oaks, T. diversilobum and T. pubescens, are perennial woody species of the Anacardiaceae and are poisonous, containing strong allergens named urushiols that cause allergic contact dermatitis. Poison ivy is a species distributed from North America to East Asia, while T. diversilobum and T. pubescens are distributed in western and eastern North America, respectively. Phylogreography and population structure of these species remain unclear. Here, we developed microsatellite markers, via constructing a magnetic enriched microsatellite library, from poison ivy. We designed 51 primer pairs, 42 of which successfully yielded products that were subsequently tested for polymorphism in poison oak, and three subspecies of poison ivy. Among the 42 loci, 38 are polymorphic, while 4 are monomorphic. The number of alleles and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 1 to 12 and from 0.10 to 0.87, respectively, in poison ivy, while varied from 2 to 8 and, from 0.26 to 0.83, respectively in poison oak. Genetic analysis revealed distinct differentiation between poison ivy and poison oak, whereas slight genetic differentiation was detected among three subspecies of poison ivy. These highly polymorphic microsatellite fingerprints enable biologists to explore the population genetics, phylogeography, and speciation in Toxicodendron.
Inhibition of Melanogenesis by Gallic Acid: Possible Involvement of the PI3K/Akt, MEK/ERK and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways in B16F10 Cells
Authors: Su Tzu-Rong , Lin Jen-Jie , Tsai Chi-Chu , Huang Tsu-Kei , Yang Zih-Yan , Wu Ming-O , Zheng Yu-Qing , Su Ching-Chyuan , Wu Yu-Jen
Published: October 2013

Gallic acid is one of the major flavonoids found in plants. It acts as an antioxidant, and seems to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of gallic acid on melanogenesis, including the activation of melanogenesis signaling pathways. Gallic acid significantly inhibited both melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and decreased the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins, such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (Dct). In addition, gallic acid also acts by phosphorylating and activating melanogenesis inhibitory proteins such as Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Using inhibitors against PI3K/Akt (LY294002) or MEK/ERK-specific (PD98059), the hypopigmentation effect was suppressed, and the gallic acid-initiated activation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt was also revoked. Gallic acid also increased GSK3β and p-β-catenin expression but down-regulated p-GSK3β. Moreover, GSK3β-specific inhibitor (SB216763) restored gallic acid-induced melanin reduction. These results suggest that activation of the MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways is involved in the melanogenesis signaling cascade, and that activation by gallic acid reduces melanin synthesis via down-regulation of MITF and its downstream signaling pathway. In conclusion, gallic acid may be a potentially agent for the treatment of certain skin conditions.
Combined Taurine, Epigallocatechin Gallate and Genistein Therapy Reduces HSC-T6 Cell Proliferation and Modulates the Expression of Fibrogenic Factors
Authors: Li Yan , Luo Ying , Zhang Xuerong , Lin Xing , He Min , Liao Ming
Published: October 2013

Hepatic fibrogenesis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which synthesize excess extracellular matrix and contribute to the development of liver fibrosis. In a prior study we tested the effect of combined treatment with taurine, epigallocatechin gallate and genistein on the development of alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in vitro. In this study, the biological activity of the combination of these molecules was assessed by measuring its effect on cell proliferation, fibrosis-related gene expression, and proteomic expression profiling in the activated HSC cell line, HSC-T6. HSC-T6 cells were incubated with different concentrations of the drug combination taurine, epigallocatechin gallate and genistein. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type I (Col-I), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) mRNA were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Proteomic profiling of HSC-T6 cells was also performed by SELDI-TOF-MS. Combined drug treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation and TGF-β1, Col-I, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression in activated HSC-T6 cells, while the expression of MMP-2 mRNA increased. A total of 176 protein m/z peaks were identified. The intensities of 10 protein peaks were downregulated and two protein peaks were upregulated in HSC-T6 cells after combined drug treatment. In conclusion, combined drug treatment with taurine, epigallocatechin gallate and genistein can inhibit HSC proliferation, and impact fibrosis-related gene and protein expression. The antifibrotic effects of this drug combination may be due to its effects on the expression of fibrogenic genes.
Molecular Cloning, Sequence Characterization and Expression Analysis of a CD63 Homologue from the Coleopteran Beetle, Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Patnaik Bharat , Kang Seong , Seo Gi , Lee Hyo , Patnaik Hongray , Jo Yong , Tindwa Hamisi , Lee Yong , Lee Bok , Kim Nam , Bang In , Han Yeon
Published: October 2013

CD63, a member of the tetraspanin membrane protein family, plays a pivotal role in cell growth, motility, signal transduction, host-pathogen interactions and cancer. In this work, the cDNA encoding CD63 homologue (TmCD63) was cloned from larvae of a coleopteran beetle, Tenebrio molitor. The cDNA is comprised of an open reading frame of 705 bp, encoding putative protein of 235 amino acid residues. In silico analysis shows that the protein has four putative transmembrane domains and one large extracellular loop. The characteristic “Cys-Cys-Gly” motif and “Cys188” residues are highly conserved in the large extracellular loop. Phylogenetic analysis of TmCD63 revealed that they belong to the insect cluster with 50%–56% identity. Analysis of spatial expression patterns demonstrated that TmCD63 mRNA is mainly expressed in gut and Malphigian tubules of larvae and the testis of the adult. Developmental expression patterns of CD63 mRNA showed that TmCD63 transcripts are detected in late larval, pupal and adult stages. Interestingly, TmCD63 transcripts are upregulated to the maximum level of 4.5 fold, in response to DAP-type peptidoglycan during the first 6 h, although other immune elicitors also caused significant increase to the transcript level at later time-points. These results suggest that CD63 might contribute to T. molitor immune response against various microbial pathogens.
Attitudes towards Social Networking and Sharing Behaviors among Consumers of Direct-to-Consumer Personal Genomics
Authors: Lee Sandra , Vernez Simone , Ormond K.E. , Granovetter Mark
Published: October 2013

Little is known about how consumers of direct-to-consumer personal genetic services share personal genetic risk information. In an age of ubiquitous online networking and rapid development of social networking tools, understanding how consumers share personal genetic risk assessments is critical in the development of appropriate and effective policies. This exploratory study investigates how consumers share personal genetic information and attitudes towards social networking behaviors. Methods: Adult participants aged 23 to 72 years old who purchased direct-to-consumer genetic testing from a personal genomics company were administered a web-based survey regarding their sharing activities and social networking behaviors related to their personal genetic test results. Results: 80 participants completed the survey; of those, 45% shared results on Facebook and 50.9% reported meeting or reconnecting with more than 10 other individuals through the sharing of their personal genetic information. For help interpreting test results, 70.4% turned to Internet websites and online sources, compared to 22.7% who consulted their healthcare providers. Amongst participants, 51.8% reported that they believe the privacy of their personal genetic information would be breached in the future. Conclusion: Consumers actively utilize online social networking tools to help them share and interpret their personal genetic information. These findings suggest a need for careful consideration of policy recommendations in light of the current ambiguity of regulation and oversight of consumer initiated sharing activities.
Enhanced Anti-Obesity Activities of Red Mold Dioscorea When Fermented Using Deep Ocean Water as the Culture Water
Authors: Wang Li-Chun , Lung Tzu-Ying , Kung Yi-Hsin , Wang Jyh-Jye , Tsai Tsung-Yu , Wei Bai-Luh , Pan Tzu-Ming , Lee Chun-Lin
Published: October 2013

Deep ocean water (DOW) has, in previous studies, been found to be a novel anti-obesity drink and useful in raising Monascus-produced monascin and ankaflavin levels. This may resolve the limited anti-obesity ability of red mold dioscorea (RMD) known as the Monascus purpureus-fermented Disocorea batatas. This study aims to compare the anti-obesity effect of DOW-cultured RMD (DOW-RMD) and ultra-pure water-cultured RMD (UPW-RMD) in rats fed on a high fat diet. Moreover, the effect of ions composition of DOW and DOW-influenced functional metabolites change of RMD on the differentiation and lipogenesis regulation were investigated using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. In the animal test, compared to UPW-RMD, DOW-RMD possessed better ability to inhibit increases in weight gain, and better feed efficiency, body-fat pad and cross-sectional area of adipocytes. In the cell test, the anti-obesity abilities of DOW-RMD in inhibiting PPARγ and C/EBPα expression in differentiation and lipoprotein lipase activity in lipogenesis were contributed to by the DOW-increased monascin and ankaflavin levels and the ions of DOW, respectively.
Counting and Correcting Thermodynamically Infeasible Flux Cycles in Genome-Scale Metabolic Networks
Authors: De Martino Daniele , Capuani Fabrizio , Mori Matteo , De Martino Andrea , Marinari Enzo
Published: October 2013

Thermodynamics constrains the flow of matter in a reaction network to occur through routes along which the Gibbs energy decreases, implying that viable steady-state flux patterns should be void of closed reaction cycles. Identifying and removing cycles in large reaction networks can unfortunately be a highly challenging task from a computational viewpoint. We propose here a method that accomplishes it by combining a relaxation algorithm and a Monte Carlo procedure to detect loops, with ad hoc rules (discussed in detail) to eliminate them. As test cases, we tackle (a) the problem of identifying infeasible cycles in the E. coli metabolic network and (b) the problem of correcting thermodynamic infeasibilities in the Flux-Balance-Analysis solutions for 15 human cell-type-specific metabolic networks. Results for (a) are compared with previous analyses of the same issue, while results for (b) are weighed against alternative methods to retrieve thermodynamically viable flux patterns based on minimizing specific global quantities. Our method, on the one hand, outperforms previous techniques and, on the other, corrects loopy solutions to Flux Balance Analysis. As a byproduct, it also turns out to be able to reveal possible inconsistencies in model reconstructions.
Understanding the Molecular Aspects of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol as Antioxidants
Authors: Borges Rosivaldo , Batista João , Viana Rommel , Baetas Ana , Orestes Ednilsom , Andrade Marcieni , Honório Káthia , Da Silva Albérico
Published: October 2013

An antioxidant mechanism of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) were compared with a simplified model of α-tocopherol, butylhydroxytoluene and hydroxytoluene in order to understand the antioxidant nature of THC and CBD molecules using DFT. The following electronic properties were evaluated: frontier orbitals nature, ionization potential, O-H bond dissociation energy (BDEOH), stabilization energy, and spin density distribution. An important factor that shows an influence in the antioxidant property of THC is the electron abstraction at the phenol position. Our data indicate that the decrease of the HOMO values and the highest ionization potential values are related to phenol, ether, and alkyl moieties. On the other hand, BDEOH in molecules with the cyclohexenyl group at ortho position of phenol are formed from lower energies than the molecules with an ether group at the meta position. In the light of our results, the properties calculated here predict that THC has a sightly higher antioxidant potential than CBD.
Nanomaterials in Sensors
Authors: BelBruno Joseph
Published: October 2013

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials is focused on the continuing implementation of nanomaterials and nanostructures in the development of more sensitive and more specific sensing devices. As a result, these new devices employ smaller sensing elements and provide more “real time” capability. Often, the inclusion of nanomaterials leads to sensing elements for targets that were previously inaccessible. [...]
Calcium Signals from the Vacuole
Authors: Schönknecht Gerald
Published: October 2013

The vacuole is by far the largest intracellular Ca2+ store in most plant cells. Here, the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of vacuolar Ca2+ release and Ca2+ uptake is summarized, and how different vacuolar Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ pumps may contribute to Ca2+ signaling in plant cells is discussed. To provide a phylogenetic perspective, the distribution of potential vacuolar Ca2+ transporters is compared for different clades of photosynthetic eukaryotes. There are several candidates for vacuolar Ca2+ channels that could elicit cytosolic [Ca2+] transients. Typical second messengers, such as InsP3 and cADPR, seem to trigger vacuolar Ca2+ release, but the molecular mechanism of this Ca2+ release still awaits elucidation. Some vacuolar Ca2+ channels have been identified on a molecular level, the voltage-dependent SV/TPC1 channel, and recently two cyclic-nucleotide-gated cation channels. However, their function in Ca2+ signaling still has to be demonstrated. Ca2+ pumps in addition to establishing long-term Ca2+ homeostasis can shape cytosolic [Ca2+] transients by limiting their amplitude and duration, and may thus affect Ca2+ signaling.
Hydrophobic Poly(ionic liquid) for Highly Effective Separation of Methyl Blue and Chromium Ions from Water
Authors: Mi Hao , Jiang Zhiguo , Kong Jie
Published: October 2013

The hydrophobic poly(ionic liquid) of poly(3-ethyl-1-vinylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) (PVI-TFSI) containing imidazolium cations and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anions was synthesized for the separation of methyl blue and chromium ions [Cr(VI)] from water. The adsorption of methyl blue and Cr(VI) in PVI-TSFI/water system reached equilibrium stage within 60 min and 12 h, and the maximum adsorbed percentage for methyl blue and Cr(VI) was 97.6% and 98.0%, respectively. The adsorption regi me of either methyl blue or Cr(VI) for PVI-TFSI was in correspondence with the Langmuir adsorption model. The maximum adsorption capacity of PVI-TFSI for methyl blue and Cr(VI) was determined as 476.2 and 17.9 mg/g, respectively. The hydrophobic poly(ionic liquid) with a remarkable adsorbent capacity of methyl blue and Cr(VI) can be conveniently synthesized and shows potential in water treatment for the effective separation of organic dyes or heavy metal ions.
Mandates and the Contributions of Open Genomic Data
Authors: Xia Jingfeng
Published: October 2013

This research attempts to seek changing patterns of raw data availability and their correlations with implementations of open mandate policies. With a list of 13,785 journal articles whose authors archived datasets in a popular biomedical data repository after these articles were published in journals, this research uses regression analysis to test the correlations between data contributions and mandate implementations. It finds that both funder-based and publisher-based mandates have a strong impact on scholars’ likelihood to contribute to open data repositories. Evidence also suggests that like policies have changed the habit of authors in selecting publishing venues: open access journals have been apparently preferred by those authors whose projects are sponsored by the federal government agencies, and these journals are also highly ranked in the biomedical fields. Various stakeholders, particularly institutional administrators and open access professionals, may find the findings of this research helpful for adjusting data management policies to increase the number of quality free datasets and enhance data usability. The data-sharing example in biomedical studies provides a good case to show the importance of policy-making in the reshaping of scholarly communication.
Development of a Real Time Sparse Non-Negative Matrix Factorization Module for Cochlear Implants by Using xPC Target
Authors: Hu Hongmei , Krasoulis Agamemnon , Lutman Mark , Bleeck Stefan
Published: October 2013

Cochlear implants (CIs) require efficient speech processing to maximize information transmission to the brain, especially in noise. A novel CI processing strategy was proposed in our previous studies, in which sparsity-constrained non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was applied to the envelope matrix in order to improve the CI performance in noisy environments. It showed that the algorithm needs to be adaptive, rather than fixed, in order to adjust to acoustical conditions and individual characteristics. Here, we explore the benefit of a system that allows the user to adjust the signal processing in real time according to their individual listening needs and their individual hearing capabilities. In this system, which is based on MATLABR , SIMULINKR and the xPC TargetTM environment, the input/outupt (I/O) boards are interfaced between the SIMULINK blocks and the CI stimulation system, such that the output can be controlled successfully in the manner of a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, hence offering a convenient way to implement a real time signal processing module that does not require any low level language. The sparsity constrained parameter of the algorithm was adapted online subjectively during an experiment with normal-hearing subjects and noise vocoded speech simulation. Results show that subjects chose different parameter values according to their own intelligibility preferences, indicating that adaptive real time algorithms are beneficial to fully explore subjective preferences. We conclude that the adaptive real time systems are beneficial for the experimental design, and such systems allow one to conduct psychophysical experiments with high ecological validity.
A Fast Smoothing Algorithm for Post-Processing of Surface Reflectance Spectra Retrieved from Airborne Imaging Spectrometer Data
Authors: Gao Bo-Cai , Liu Ming
Published: October 2013

Surface reflectance spectra retrieved from remotely sensed hyperspectral imaging data using radiative transfer models often contain residual atmospheric absorption and scattering effects. The reflectance spectra may also contain minor artifacts due to errors in radiometric and spectral calibrations. We have developed a fast smoothing technique for post-processing of retrieved surface reflectance spectra. In the present spectral smoothing technique, model-derived reflectance spectra are first fit using moving filters derived with a cubic spline smoothing algorithm. A common gain curve, which contains minor artifacts in the model-derived reflectance spectra, is then derived. This gain curve is finally applied to all of the reflectance spectra in a scene to obtain the spectrally smoothed surface reflectance spectra. Results from analysis of hyperspectral imaging data collected with the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data are given. Comparisons between the smoothed spectra and those derived with the empirical line method are also presented.
La situation et les tendances de l'agriculture au printemps 1957 d'après une enquête auprès des chefs d'exploitation
Authors: Maurel Françoise
Published: October 2013

Réduction de la main-d'œuvre permanente plus accentuée ; tendance assez nette de l'orientation de la production vers l'élevage avec réduction des livraisons de bovins à la boucherie ; pessimisme aussi prononcé quant aux prévisions sur l'évolution des prix : hausse des prix des produits nécessaires à l'agriculture et diminution des prix des produits agricoles ; très léger recul des investissements en 1956 par rapport à 1955 ; accroissement prévu de la consommation des engrais en 1957 ; amélioration de la situation des viticulteurs.
La situation agricole de l'Union Soviétique
Authors: Kniazeff Inna
Published: October 2013

Dans la production, peu de changements sont à noter, si ce n'est une augmentation de la production céréalière, dont le volume peut présenter à l'avenir quelques variations, mais qui se situe désormais, et de façon stable, sensiblement au-dessus des réalisations de 1950. L'élevage se développe plus difficilement, mais les efforts qui lui sont consacrés semblent aborder les problèmes avec plus d'efficacité que par le passé. Des mesures portent sur l'amélioration des moyens de production. Elles concernent l'équipement et surtout l'extension des superficies cultivées, qui viennent de s'accroître de façon massive, immédiatement à l'est des anciennes zones de culture de la Russie d'Europe. Par ailleurs, l'organisation de la production a subi des transformations à tous les niveaux (administration, statistique, planification, collectages étatiques, etc.). Ces réformes entraînent des modifications importantes dans la marche des exploitations du secteur étatique et du secteur collectivisé, réformes orientées vers l'amélioration du contrôle et du rendement du travail agricole.

La main-d'œuvre, encore très peu spécialisée, tend à être mieux encadrée.
Les perspectives économiques en France pour le deuxième semestre 1957 d'après les chefs d'entreprises
Authors: Jankeliowitch R.
Published: October 2013

Les chefs d'entreprises interrogés par l'I.N.S.E.E. au début de mai 1957 estiment dans l'ensemble que l'expansion de l'économie française continuera pendant les six mois suivants : leur opinion à ce sujet n' a pas varié depuis l'automne dernier. Ils s'attendent à un certain redressement des exportations, mais pensent qu'une hausse modérée des prix se produira. Bien qu'ils redoutent encore une aggravation de la pénurie de main-d'œuvre, qui demeure le principal obstacle au progrès de la production, leurs réponses laissent présager une tendance à l'atténuation du déséquilibre entre la demande et les possibilités de l'offre de produits industriels.
L'évolution des charges sociales et des coûts de main-d'œuvre en Europe occidentale et aux États-Unis
Authors: Devaux Andrée
Published: October 2013

Les charges annexes aux salaires se sont accrues depuis la fin de la guerre dans les pays d'Europe occidentale et aux États- Unis, tandis que leur structure se modifiait suivant les orientations de la politique sociale des différents pays. Si Von observe presque généralement une extension des congés payés, d'autres facteurs jouent un rôle non négligeable dans le développement des charges sociales : mesures en facteur de la famille et du logement en Autriche, en France, en Italie, assurances complémentaires en Allemagne occidentale et aux États- Unis, etc. Les effets de cette évolution, joints à ceux de la politique des salaires, se reflètent sur les coûts de main-d'œuvre. Bien que ceux-ci demeurent beaucoup plus élevés aux États-Unis qu'en Europe, l'écart tend à diminuer. Dans l'échelle des coûts européens, la France, qui occupait l'avant- dernier rang en 1949, n'est plus à l'heure actuelle précédée que par la Suède.
L'évolution industrielle des pays nordiques
Authors: Rogé France
Published: October 2013

Les Pays nordiques ont longtemps conservé une économie où les activités agricoles forestières et la pêche prédominaient. Mais depuis la deuxième guerre mondiale, l'industrialisation s'est accélérée les industries hydroélectrique, minière, métallurgique et mécanique se sont développées ; certains secteurs sont davantage orientés vers l'exportation. L'industrialisation a accentué la disparité entre les régions ; l'exode rural et la migration vers les provinces méridionales de la péninsule Scandinave se sont amplifiés. Mais une politique d'aménagement du territoire a été pratiquée ; on lui doit la création d'industries au voisinage du Cercle polaire.
Contribution à l'étude du prix des voitures d'occasion
Authors: Chauvet Lucien
Published: October 2013

Le prix des voitures d'occasion fait l'objet de cotations publiées régulièrement dans les journaux de l'automobile. Un recours à ces cotations a permis d'établir un indice du prix des voitures d'occasion, pour quatre modèles et suivant l'âge des voitures» Si l'on désire remonter assez loin dans le temps, il arrive que le modèle étudié n'existe pas à la date considérée ; d'où la nécessité de procéder à des raccords, c'est-à-dire de trouver des modèles de voiture semblables, mais de fabrication plus ancienne. Depuis 1952, on enregistre une baisse du prix des voitures d'occasion, baisse allant de 0 à 30 %. Pour l'ensemble des quatre modèles étudiés, la baisse moyenne de 1952 à 1956 atteint 15 % pour les voitures de moins de quatre ans, et 25 % pour les voitures de plus de cinq ans.
La structure du vignoble du Vaucluse
Authors: Carrère Paul
Published: October 2013

Cette étude prend place dans la série des études publiées sur la structure du vignoble du midi et tirées du travail en équipe, coordonné par l'I.N.S.E.E.
L'évolution de l'industrie des constructions mécaniques en Allemagne occidentale
Authors: Sebastiani Charles
Published: October 2013

Avant la première guerre mondiale, et entre les deux guerres, l'industrie allemande des machines a joué un rôle de toute première importance dans l'approvisionnement mondial en machines. Gravement atteinte par la dernière guerre, elle a attendu plusieurs années avant de retrouver son niveau d'avant guerre, pour le dépasser rapidement par la suite. Aujourd'hui, elle assure à elle seule 1/5 des exportations allemandes, tout en ayant permis le rééquipement de l'économie.
Ultramicrosensors based on transition metal hexacyanoferrates for scanning electrochemical microscopy
Authors: Komkova Maria A , Holzinger Angelika , Hartmann Andreas , Khokhlov Alexei R , Kranz Christine , Karyakin Arkady A , Voronin Oleg G
Published: October 2013

We report here a way for improving the stability of ultramicroelectrodes (UME) based on hexacyanoferrate-modified metals for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. The most stable sensors were obtained by electrochemical deposition of six layers of hexacyanoferrates (HCF), more specifically, an alternating pattern of three layers of Prussian Blue and three layers of Ni–HCF. The microelectrodes modified with mixed layers were continuously monitored in 1 mM hydrogen peroxide and proved to be stable for more than 5 h under these conditions. The mixed layer microelectrodes exhibited a stability which is five times as high as the stability of conventional Prussian Blue-modified UMEs. The sensitivity of the mixed layer sensor was 0.32 A·M−1·cm−2, and the detection limit was 10 µM. The mixed layer-based UMEs were used as sensors in scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) experiments for imaging of hydrogen peroxide evolution.
ULICE : Une équipe d'intervention de crise dans une psychiatrie en crise
Authors: Bouloudnine Samuel , Mendzat Ruddy , Naudin Jean
Published: October 2013

ULICE (Unité Locale d’Intervention de Crise et d’Évaluation) est né, il y a 4 ans, au sein des services de psychiatrie de l’AP-HM à Marseille. Après avoir situé l’action d’ULICE auprès des personnes en crise et parmi ses partenaires, nous questionnons la place d’ULICE, son rapport au monde, en quelque sorte sa « mythologie » au regard de la crise que traversent conjointement la psychiatrie, les sciences médicales et les sciences politiques dans le monde actuel. Nous revendiquons une pratique héritée du champ des thérapies systémiques et familiales et plus précisément du courant constructiviste. Nous questionnons parallèlement les fondements de cette pratique en nous référant au courant phénoménologique, et notamment à la notion de « monde de la vie quotidienne ». Tout le sens de la pratique de crise tient à la possibilité de faire différer théories et expérience pour favoriser le discernement. Cette pratique est particulièrement opportune dans un monde qui se trouve lui-même pris dans une crise sans fin.
BIM-FM Implementation
Authors: Codinhoto Ricardo , Kiviniemi Arto , Kemmer Sergio , Gravina da Rocha Cecilia
Published: October 2013

Considerable amount of research has been developed that investigate the benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for design and construction. However, as suggested in the UK Government Strategy, the relevant gains and difficulties related to the adoption of BIM in the operational stages of the project life cycle are considerably less explored in the available literature. In this respect, a gap of knowledge exists in relation to the value that design and construction information modelling can generate after construction is finished. Moreover, the difficulties involved in shifting from traditional to BIM-Based FM processes are not known. In this article a discussion is proposed that address some of the issues involved in the adoption of BIM from an owners' perspective. In addition, enablers and barriers to BIM implementation in FM are identified. The discussion is drawn from the results of a case study carried out during the design and construction stage of a major re-development project in Manchester, UK. Data was gathered through interviews with designers, contractors and client’s representatives, real-time observation of BIM development and use and documental analysis. Results indicate a lack of awareness related to the benefits that BIM can offer to FM processes. It also suggests that guidance is necessary for the establishment of the necessary steps for the implementation of BIM for FM purposes such as the identification of key deliverables (capabilities), the establishment of the level of integration, the definition of the maturity level and the standard BIM protocols.
Functional Suitability of BIM Tools in Pre-Construction, Construction and Post-Construction Phases of a Building Project
Authors: Desai Vijaya
Published: October 2013

Managing building projects and communication of information between the stakeholders of the projects is getting collaborative and faster, with the availability of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software system. Numerous BIM systems are offered by various software developers. Each one of these systems provides pre-construction, construction, post construction functionalities or all of them. Some are suitable for architects, contractors, engineers, clients or all of them. Therefore there is a need to develop a systematic approach to evaluate the functional suitability of these systems and guidelines to help the project stakeholders to evaluate the BIM software for their need. This paper presents a study of commonly used BIM systems for their functional suitability for Pre-construction, Construction and Post-construction phases of the Building Project. Various functionalities of these three phases are derived. The relevant functional areas in Pre-construction, Construction and Post-construction are identified. A scoring methodology is presented to rate the BIM systems based on these functionalities. This methodology forms the basic guideline for architects/engineers, general contractor, sub-contractors and facility managers to evaluate functional suitability of BIM systems for their respective functions.
Choosing Clouds for an Enterprise
Authors: Chang Ruay-Shiung , Liao Chih-Shan , Liu Chuan-Yu
Published: October 2013

The development of cloud computing has advanced rapidly over the past few years. Benefiting from the dynamic characteristics of cloud computing, enterprises can purchase cloud services based on different aspects in order to save operating expenses. Many companies have seen the opportunities and changes in either cloud service providers or cloud service consumers. For the latter, with so many cloud providers to choose from, there is a need for an evaluation of standards to help find the most suitable service provider. In this paper, the essential factors of enterprise clouds are discussed. An evaluation model is defined, and a web-based enterprise cloud selection application is implemented.
Computational Modeling and Simulations in Life Sciences
Authors: Lazakidou Athina , Petridou Maria , Iliopoulou Dimitra
Published: October 2013

Billions of math operations per second may be performed by computers anymore. Obviously, a human life-time would be needed to do the same number of computations. When used in medication, the groundbreaking potential of the mathematical modeling approach is obvious. In Medicine, mathematical modeling is able to vastly improve both drug creation and clinic technology. Progress in technology and the development of new experimental methods has had a noteworthy effect on the study of disease. This has raised new researching opportunities, such as: gathering in-depth ‘molecular fingerprints’ from patients carrying information, for example, on genotype, gene or protein expression, or metabolism levels; studying intracellular processes in living and diseased tissue through the control of gene activity inside the cells; and creating understandable illness-specific databases that include both patients’ medical history with laboratory and clinical data in addition to storing useful tissue samples. In this article, the authors attempt to provide the readers with a view of current and future use of mathematical modeling in medicine.
Cathelicidins Revisited
Authors: Pavlopoulou Athanasia
Published: October 2013

Cathelicidins constitute important antimicrobial peptides of innate immunity. In order to elucidate the evolutionary history of cathelicidins, the author performed comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of cathelicidin homologs in all available genomes including those completed recently. The organization of cathelicidin genes, as well as the secondary and tertiary structures of the inferred proteins are conserved. Based on integrated genomic, structural, and functional data, the author identified the last common ancestor of the cathelicidin family in lampreys, thus tracing the evolutionary origin of cathelicidins 550 million years ago. The author’s data suggest that cathelicidins arose concordantly with the adaptive immune system, a new organismal function first acquired in lampreys. The appearance of cathelicidins at the junction of innate and adaptive immunity may explain their dual roles as signal transducing molecules and as antimicrobial peptide precursors. Conserved regulatory elements associated with functions of the immune system were identified in cathelicidin gene promoter sequences invariably from fishes to humans.
Statistical Power and Sample Size in Personalized Medicine
Authors: Rompas Alexander , Tsirmpas Charalampos , Anastasiou Athanasios , Iliopoulou Dimitra , Koutsouris Dimitris
Published: October 2013

Personalized medicine (PM) is a rapidly growing field of healthcare and medicine. The advantage of a personalized medicine is the availability of each person’s unique genetic and genomic print. The healthcare that incorporates personalized medicine provides coordinated, continuous patient-specific data. The goal of personalized medicine is to promote health wellness, satisfaction, and to increase the likelihood of a successful disease prevention, detection and treatment. This form of medicine, apart from patient’s personal data and medicine-biological measurements, uses genomic information data to understand the molecular structure of the disease and to optimize health care strategies and drug therapies. Clinical trials that investigate personalized approaches are subject to special rules, for example, pertain the selection of participating patients. In personalized medicine, a certain genetic profile must be identified so that the treatment can work. This is why potential participants are first screened and selected accordingly for clinical trials. The special design of such clinical trials has an impact on the evaluation of data collected during the given study.
Power and Latency Optimized Deadlock-Free Routing Algorithm on Irregular 2D Mesh NoC using LBDRe
Authors: Verma Renu , Khan Mohammad Ayoub , Zinzuwadiya Amit
Published: October 2013

Efficient routing is challenging and crucial problem in the irregular mesh NoC topologies because of increasing hardware cost and routing tables. In this paper, the authors propose an efficient deadlock-free routing algorithm for irregular mesh NoCs which reduces the latency and power consumption significantly. The problem with degree priority based routing algorithm is that it cannot remove deadlocks in irregular mesh topologies. Therefore, the authors use the extended Logic Based Distributed Routing (LBDRe) to remove deadlock situations without using any virtual channel in the degree priority based routing algorithm. The proposed LBDRe based technique also removes the dependency on routing tables. The authors further apply odd-Even routing algorithm to LBDRe to ensure that some turns are prohibited to remove deadlocks. Experimental results show that the proposed routing algorithm reduces power consumption by 9–22% and overall average latency by 8–12% with the minimum hardware cost for the irregular mesh NoC topologies.
A Buffered Dual-Access-Mode Scheme Designed for Low-Power Highly-Associative Caches
Authors: Chu Yul , Calagos Marven
Published: October 2013

This paper proposes a buffered dual-access-mode cache to reduce power consumption for highly-associative caches in modern embedded systems. The proposed scheme consists of a MRU (most recently used) buffer table and a single cache structure to implement two accessing modes, phased mode and way-prediction mode. The proposed scheme shows better access time and lower power consumption than two popular low-power caches, phased cache and way-prediction cache. The authors used Cacti and SimpleScalar simulators to evaluate the proposed cache scheme by using SPEC benchmark programs. The experimental results show that the proposed cache scheme improves the EDP (energy delay product) up to 40% for instruction cache and up to 42% for data cache compared to way-prediction cache, which performs better than phased cache.
From Entrepreneur to Big Player
Authors: Shaw Ruey-Shiang , Shih Sheng-Pao , Fu Ta-Yu , Tsai Chia-Wen
Published: October 2013

The software industry faces drastic changes in technology and business operations. The research structure of this study is based on the business model for software industries proposed by Rajala in 2003. The researcher employed an ex post facto research design to conduct a case study of the Galaxy Software Service Co., a company that is representative of the software industry in Taiwan. The main research goal of this study is to explore how this particular company developed into a large software company in the Taiwanese software sector, which is characterized by a prevalence of small- and medium-sized businesses, over a period of 25 years. This study employs a case study design and relies on in-depth participation and interviews to acquire a complete data set of the company’s internal operations. The evolution of the business model from the company’s inception until the present day has been divided into four phases: the entrepreneur phase, the growth phase, the stable phase, and the innovative breakthrough phase. The company developed into a major player in the software industry for 3 reasons: it has always insisted on a product differentiation strategy based on the sole reliance on software products, it started out as a software products dealer and gradually developed its own research and development capability, and it built a large-scale project management capability and received CMMI certification. These factors make the company stand out from other System Integrated businesses in the Taiwanese software sector offering both hardware and software products.