bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suitability of Inexpensive Eye-Tracking Device for User Experience Evaluations
Authors: Burger Gregor , Guna Jože , Pogačnik Matevž
Published: June 2018

We present the results of a study evaluating the suitability of an inexpensive eye-tracking device for the enhancement of user experience evaluations. Ensuring a comfortable user experience is an important part of the mobile application design process. Evaluation of user experience is usually done through questionnaires and interviews, but it can be improved using eye tracking sensors for user experience studies. We conducted a user experience study of DriveGreen, a mobile application devoted to ecodriving for a transition to a low-carbon society. We used an inexpensive eye-tracking device in addition to standard User Experience Questionnaire and Single Ease Question questionnaires. The results show that the inexpensive eye-tracking device data correlate with data from User Experience Questionnaire and Single Ease Question questionnaires and interviews with users. We conclude that an enhancement of user experience evaluations with inexpensive eye-tracking device is possible.
Joint Cache Content Placement and Task Offloading in C-RAN Enabled by Multi-Layer MEC
Authors: Mei Haibo , Wang Kezhi , Yang Kun
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we work on a Cache and Multi-layer MEC enabled C-RAN (CMM-CRAN) to handle various user tasks with minimized latency and energy cost. We intend to solve two particular problems of CMM-CRAN. First, because CMM-CRAN has to maximally cache the most frequently requested data from Service Provide Server (SPS) to Remote Radio Head (RRH) and later offered to proximity mobile users, the cache content placement from SPSs to RRHs becomes a many-to-many matching problem with peer effects. Second, because of multi-layer MEC, a user task has to be dynamically controlled to be offloaded to the best fit cloud, i.e., either local MEC or remote MEC, to get served. This dynamic task offloading is a Multi-Dimension Multiple-Choice Knapsack (MMCK) problem. To solve these two problems, we provide a Joint Cache content placement and task Offloading Solution (JCOS) to CMM-CRAN that utilizes Proportional Fairness (PF) as the user scheduling policy. JCOS applies a Gale-Shaply (GS) method to work out the cache content placement, and a Population Evolution (PE) game theory coupled with a use of Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) to work out the dynamic user task offloading. According to the simulation results, CMM-CRAN with JCOS is proved to be able to provide highly desired low-latency communication and computation services with decreased energy cost to mobile users.
An Evaluation System for the Contact Electrification of a Single Microparticle Using Microelectromechanical-Based Actuated Tweezers
Authors: Yamaguchi Daichi
Published: June 2018

The image quality of laser and multi-function printers that make use of electrophotography depends on the amount of surface charge generated by contact electrification on the toner particles. However, because it has been impossible to experimentally evaluate such amounts under controlled contact conditions using macroscopic measurements, theoretical elucidation of the contact electrification mechanism has not progressed sufficiently. In the present study, we have developed a system to experimentally evaluate the contact electrification of a single particle using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanotweezers (microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based actuated tweezers). This system performs, in succession, (i) a contact test that makes use of the nanotweezers and three piezoelectric stages, and (ii) an image force measurement using the AFM cantilever. Using this system, contact electrification was evaluated under controlled conditions, such as the contact number and the indentation depth. In addition, differences in contact electrification due to the amount of external surface additives were investigated. The results reveal that a coating with external additives leads to a decrease in the amount of contact electrification due to a reduction in the contact area with the substrate.
Towards Drylands Biorefineries: Valorisation of Forage Opuntia for the Production of Edible Coatings
Authors: Nájera-García Alba Iris , López-Hernández Raúl Eduardo , Lucho-Constantino Carlos Alexander , Vázquez-Rodríguez Gabriela A.
Published: June 2018

Species of the genus Opuntia may be a well-suited feedstock for biorefineries located in drylands, where biomass is scarcer than in humid or temperate regions. This plant has numerous uses in Mexico and Central America, and its mucilage is a specialty material with many promising applications. We extracted the mucilage from a forage species, O. heliabravoana Scheinvar, and mixed it with a thermoplastic starch to produce an edible coating. The coating was applied to blackberries, which were then evaluated in terms of several physicochemical and microbiological variables. During a 10-day evaluation period, the physicochemical variables measured in the coated fruits were not significantly different from those of the control group. However, the microbiological load of the coated fruits was significantly lower than that of the uncoated fruits, which was attributed to a decreased water activity under the edible coating. Multivariate analysis of the physicochemical and microbial variables indicated that the storage time negatively affected the weight and size of the coated and uncoated blackberries. Although some sensory attributes have yet to be optimised, our results support the use of the mucilage of forage Opuntia for the formation of edible coatings, as well as their valorisation through a biorefinery approach.
Agent-Based Evaluation of the Airplane Boarding Strategies’ Efficiency and Sustainability
Authors: Delcea Camelia , Cotfas Liviu-Adrian , Paun Ramona
Published: June 2018

The airplane turnaround time costs money to the airline companies and, over the years, it has been determined that the best way to reduce it is by using efficient boarding strategies. Many boarding strategies have been proposed but a consensus as to which is the best method has not been reached yet. The aim of this paper is to gather and test all these strategies considering the same initial conditions in order to help airline companies identify the best boarding strategy. Minimizing the costs not only contributes to airlines’ sustainability and long-term performance, but also influences their ticketing policy, and has an impact on their customers’ choices. Moreover, airports can benefit from the fact that the airline companies are optimizing their boarding strategies as they can extend the number of services offered to more airlines during one day without investing in new infrastructure. Thus, this paper considers 24 boarding strategies and builds a configurable agent-based model using NetLogo 6.0.2 to perform different simulations. The results are analysed using grey systems theory considering the aircraft dimensions, aircraft occupancy and whether or not passengers are carrying hand luggage that may need storage.
Sustainability Transitions and the Spatial Interface: Developing Conceptual Perspectives
Authors: Levin-Keitel Meike , Mölders Tanja , Othengrafen Frank , Ibendorf Jens
Published: June 2018

Sustainability transitions research lacks a crucial perspective: the spatial dimension. The interrelations between space and sustainability transition processes are thus underexposed. The spatial dimension is, of course, implicitly addressed in transition research but it often remains unclear which spatial concept is used and how the spatial conditions are embedded in the transition processes. This paper approaches the problem in two steps: (1) analysing the various understandings of transitions research and their implications for different spatial concepts relating to spatial sustainability transition; and (2) focusing on different spatial concepts (from a positivist mode to relational and socio-cultural approaches) and their reflections in different disciplines of social, natural and technical sciences as well as in practice. By identifying the links between sustainable transition approaches on the one hand and spatial conceptualizations on the other hand, this paper aims at deepening both the spatial perspective and the understanding of sustainable transition research. The results of this paper are three conceptual perspectives wherein space or spatial conceptualizations can provide added value for sustainability transition research in inter- and transdisciplinary modes. These three perspectives include (1) space as a “bridging concept,” (2) space as a “normative concept,” and (3) space as an “approach to action.”
A Location-Inventory Problem in a Closed-Loop Supply Chain with Secondary Market Consideration
Authors: Guo Hao , Li Congdong , Zhang Ying , Zhang Chunnan , Lu Mengmeng
Published: June 2018

To design sustainable supply chain systems in today’s business environment, this paper studies a location-inventory problem in a closed-loop supply chain by considering the sales of new and used products in the primary and secondary markets, respectively. This problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear program to optimize facility location and inventory management decisions jointly, and the logistics flows between the two markets are modeled dynamically. To solve this problem efficiently, a new heuristic approach is also developed by introducing an effective adaptive mechanism into differential evolution. Finally, numerical experiments are presented to validate the solution approach and provide valuable managerial insight. This paper makes a meaningful contribution to the literature by incorporating the secondary market into the study of closed-loop supply chains, and practically, it is also greatly beneficial to improve the sustainability and efficiency of modern supply chains.
Fumonisin-Exposure Impairs Age-Related Ecological Succession of Bacterial Species in Weaned Pig Gut Microbiota
Authors: Mateos Ivan , Combes Sylvie , Pascal Géraldine , Cauquil Laurent , Barilly Céline , Cossalter Anne-Marie , Laffitte Joëlle , Botti Sara , Pinton Philippe , Oswald Isabelle P.
Published: June 2018

Pigs are highly affected by dietary mycotoxin contamination and particularly by fumonisin. The effects of fumonisin on pig intestinal health are well documented, but little is known regarding its impact on gut microbiota. We investigate the effects of the fumonisin (FB1, 12 mg/kg feed) on the fecal microbiota of piglets (n = 6) after 0, 8, 15, 22, and 29 days of exposure. A control group of six piglets received a diet free of FB1. Bacterial community diversity, structure and taxonomic composition were carried out by V3–V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Exposure to FB1 decreases the diversity index, and shifts and constrains the structure and the composition of the bacterial community. This takes place as early as after 15 days of exposure and is at a maximum after 22 days of exposure. Compared to control, FB1 alters the ecological succession of fecal microbiota species toward higher levels of Lactobacillus and lower levels of the Lachnospiraceae and Veillonellaceae families, and particularly OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) of the genera Mitsuokella, Faecalibacterium and Roseburia. In conclusion, FB1 shifts and constrains age-related evolution of microbiota. The direct or indirect contribution of FB1 microbiota alteration in the global host response to FB1 toxicity remains to be investigated.
High Speed Cylindrical Gravitational Collapse with Anisotropic Pressure
Authors: Iqbal Quaid , Shah Hasrat Hussain , Ahmad Zahid
Published: June 2018

This paper focuses on the cylindrical symmetric gravitational collapse in the presence of anisotropic fluid. The high speed approximation scheme was used. In this perspective, the effect of anisotropy of pressure in fluid distribution on the collapsing process with the Equation of State (EoS)

p
t

=
λ
ρ

and

p
r

=
l
ρ
,

(
l
+
2
λ
<
-
1
)

. The effect of pressure on collapse in radial and tangential direction was observed for all values of

λ

and l. It is determined that, for some values of constants, i.e.,

λ

and l, collapse results in a Naked Singularity (NS) while, for some values of constants, it does not form NS or Black Hole (BH). This study presents the effect on the collapsing process for all values of

λ

and l.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 5 Interacts with the NS3 Protein and Promotes Classical Swine Fever Virus Replication
Authors: Lv Huifang , Dong Wang , Guo Kangkang , Jin Mingxing , Li Xiaomeng , Li Cunfa , Zhang Yanming
Published: June 2018

Classical swine fever, caused by classical swine fever virus (CSFV), is a highly contagious and high-mortality viral disease, causing huge economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. CSFV non-structural protein 3 (NS3), a multifunctional protein, plays crucial roles in viral replication. However, how NS3 exactly exerts these functions is currently unknown. Here, we identified tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 5 (TRAF5) as a novel binding partner of the NS3 protein via yeast two-hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation and glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays. Furthermore, we observed that TRAF5 promoted CSFV replication in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). Additionally, CSFV infection or NS3 expression upregulated TRAF5 expression, implying that CSFV may exploit TRAF5 via NS3 for better growth. Moreover, CSFV infection and TRAF5 expression activated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, and inhibition of p38 MAPK activation by the SB203580 inhibitor suppressed CSFV replication. Notably, TRAF5 overexpression did not promote CSFV replication following inhibition of p38 MAPK activation. Our findings reveal that TRAF5 promotes CSFV replication via p38 MAPK activation. This work provides a novel insight into the role of TRAF5 in CSFV replication capacity.
Decision Support for the Design and Operation of Variable Speed Pumps in Water Supply Systems
Authors: Nowak Dimitri , Krieg Helene , Bortz Michael , Geil Christian , Knapp Axel , Roclawski Harald , Böhle Martin
Published: June 2018

The design and operation of water supply systems is a multicriteria task; the energy efficiency should be minimized while, at the same time, respecting technical requirements, such as the balanced operation of available pumps. On one hand, the overall system can be improved by the use of variable speed pumps. They increase the number of operating options. On the other hand, they add more complexity to the operation problem. In this paper, we discuss the difficulties associated with speed control and propose a decision support system to overcome them.
Plant Harvesting Impacts on Soil Water Patterns and Phenology for Shrub-encroached Grassland
Authors: Fan Ying , Li Xiao-Yan , Li Liu , Wei Jun-Qi , Shi Fang-Zhong , Yao Hong-Yun , Liu Lei
Published: June 2018

Harvesting is a common method in grassland management. With shrub encroachment into grassland, special hydrological and physiological dynamics probably occur in the shrub-grass coexisted ecosystem after harvesting, which remains largely unclear. Therefore, this study aims to identify potential effects of harvesting on soil moisture pattern, phenology dynamics, and water utilization in a shrub encroached grassland. We monitored soil water for a year beneath the Caragana microphylla canopy and interspace grassland after harvesting. The results showed that the soil water content increased under shrubs and grass patches after harvesting, especially under later ones. The water storage in soil of 0–100 cm depth increased by 18.9 mm under grass but only 5.5 mm under shrubs. Harvesting also decreased the difference of water storage between shrubs and grass from 19.1 to 5.7 mm. More snowmelt compensation, less evapotranspiration, shorter growing season, and higher water use efficiency may jointly contribute to the water recovery of harvesting soil. This study contributes novel evidence to the ecohydrological impacts of harvesting on shrub-grass co-existed ecosystems, shows application value in controlling shrub encroachment process and provides fundamental insights for the further study on soil water dynamics of similar ecosystems worldwide.
Hydrological Analysis of a Dyke Pumping Station for the Purpose of Improving Its Functioning Conditions
Authors: Machajski Jerzy , Kostecki Stanisław
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a methodology of calculating the water transfer capacity of a dyke pumping station in flood wave conditions in order to improve its functioning, especially with regards to the safety of the areas being drained. The exemplary analysis was carried out for a pumping station situated on a small right-bank tributary of the Odra River in the southwest part of Poland, which, due to the inadequate capacity of its pumps, extensively flooded the surrounding areas in May and June 2010. Hydrological analyses were conducted in order to determine the rate of the designed and control flows using a spatial regression equation, and as a comparison, the rainfall-runoff method was also used. The corresponding flood-wave hydrographs were also determined, which included total precipitation using the German Association For Water Resources and Land Improvement (DVWK) method, effective precipitation using the Natural Resource Conservation Service curve number (NRCS-CN) method, as well as hypothetical waves using the instantaneous unit hydrograph (IUH) method. Flood-wave routing was carried out and alternative solutions for both the output of the required pumps and the retarding reservoir capacity were highlighted on this basis. The paper presents the possibility of a correct pump capacity selection, and in turn, the size of the pumping station retarding reservoir that results from this selection. This will enable pumping station exploitation costs or maintenance costs of the retarding reservoir to be considerably reduced.
The Atmospheric Branch of the Hydrological Cycle over the Negro and Madeira River Basins in the Amazon Region
Authors: Sorí Rogert , Marengo José A. , Nieto Raquel , Drumond Anita , Gimeno Luis
Published: June 2018

The Amazon region, in South America, contains the largest rainforest and biodiversity in the world, and plays an important role in the regional and global hydrological cycle. In the present study, we identified the main sources of moisture of two subbasins of the Amazon River Basin, the Negro and Madeira River Basins respectively. The source-sink relationships of atmospheric moisture are investigated. The analysis is performed for the period from 1980–2016. The results confirm two main oceanic moisture sources for both basins, i.e., oceanic regions in the Tropical North and South Atlantic oceans. On the continents are, the Negro River Basin itself, and nearby regions to the northeast. For the Madeira River Basin, the most important continental sources are itself, and surrounding regions of the South American continent. Forward-trajectory analysis of air masses over the source regions is used to compute the moisture contribution to precipitation over basins. Oceanic (continental) sources play the most important role in the Negro River Basin (Madeira River Basin). The moisture contribution from the Tropical North Atlantic region modulates the onset and demise of the rainy season in the Negro River Basin; while the moisture contribution from the rest of the Amazon River Basin, the Madeira Basin itself, and Tropical South America leads to the onset of the rainy season in the Madeira River Basin. These regions also played the most important role in decreasing the moisture supply during most severe dry episodes in both basins. During ‘’El Niño’’, generally occurs a reduction (increase) of the moisture contribution to the Negro River Basin (Madeira River Basin; mainly from April to August) from almost all the sources, causing a decrease in the precipitation. Generally, the contrary occurs during ‘’La Niña’’.
Attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours associated with hospital admission avoidance: a qualitative study of high-risk patients in primary care
Authors: Dew Rosie , Wilkes Scott
Published: June 2018

Background

There is little evidence documenting the attitudes, experiences, and behavioural factors of high-risk patients who are associated with avoiding hospital.

Aim

To explore the health, healthcare management, and behavioural factors that contribute to enabling high-risk patients to avoid unplanned hospital admissions.

Design and setting

This was an in-depth qualitative, primary care, interview study with patients who were registered on the Northumberland High Risk Patient Programme (NHRPP) in Northumberland, UK.

Method

There were 30 participants in this study, of who 21 were high-risk patients and nine were carers, spouses, or relatives. A grounded-theory approach was used to explore themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews.

Results

Participants described physical enablers that helped them to avoid hospital including medication, living aids, and resting; however, the benefit of these may be challenged by patient decision making. The strategies that patients used to cope with their health conditions included acceptance, positive reinterpretation, and growth. Participants felt that support networks of family and friends helped them to avoid hospital, although the strain on the spouse should be considered. The majority of patients described having trust and confidence in their healthcare providers, and continuity of care was important to patients.

Conclusion

Reinforcing the importance of the physical enablers, as well as support networks to patients, carers, and healthcare providers, could help patients to avoid hospital. Highlighting the coping strategies that patients use may help patients to manage their health, while promoting continuity of care will also contribute to helping high-risk patients to avoid unplanned hospital admissions.
Le projet et la plateforme « millefeuille » Recherches et outils informatiques pour de nouveaux usages des almanachs administratifs
Authors: Fekete Jean-Daniel , Ogilvie Denise
Published: June 2018

Das Projekt und die Plattform «Millefeuille » sind aus der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Informatikern, Geschichtswissenschaftlern und Archivaren hervorgegangen. Beide zielen darauf ab, eine methodische Reflexion und Arbeitsinstrumente zu entwickeln, die es erlauben, durch informatische Repräsentation ¢ insbesondere durch Visualisierungen ¢ die Wege der Dokumente und ihre Integrierung in Korpora von ihrer Produktion und ihrer vielfältigen Verwendung durch die Verwaltung bis hin zu den diversen Etappen ihrer Archivierung zu identifizieren. Das Projekt hat zur Realisierung der Millefeuille-Plattform geführt, einem Softwarepaket für den Aufbau und dieBenutzung einer strukturierten und mit XML-TEI annotierten Beschreibung der königlichen, nationalen und kaiserlichen Almanache, einer jährlichen Publikation, die die Organe der französischen Regierung und Verwaltung vom 18. bis zum 20. Jahrhundert beschreibt. Die Plattform beinhaltet eine erste Version der Software für die bildliche Darstellung der Entwicklung der Verwaltungsstrukturen, die auf der Analyse ausgewählter Almanache beruht. Sie ist dazu geeignet, andere dokumentarische Einheiten aufzunehmen (Inventare, gesetzgebende Texte) und sie im Hinblick auf die Schaffung einer archivarischen Arbeitsplattform miteinander in Beziehung zu setzen, um so ein innovatives und vertieftes Studium der Korpora und der Bestände zu ermöglichen.
Décrire l’administration : le développement de la notion d’attribution au début du XIXe siècle
Authors: Moullier Igor
Published: June 2018

The concept of «attribution » can be used as a tool for analysing the historical development of administrations. Firstly, the limits between ministries are set by means of decrees defining their attributions (décrets d’attributions). A survey of conflicts of attributions concerning the Ministry of the Interior in the early nineteenth century shows how attributions are also apt to acquire a dynamic dimension. The examples examined in this article show that how far an attribution can be extended depends largely on the resources a ministry is capable of activating around it. The intermediate situation of the word «attribution » in administrative language, halfway between the vocabulary of classification and the language of administrative action, reflects the still evolving nature of the administration during the same period.
L’invention d’une catégorie administrative : la navigation intérieure, XVIIIe-XIXe siècles
Authors: Margairaz Dominique
Published: June 2018

Les matières administratives, de leur traitement à leur archivage, se traduisent dans des catégories conceptuelles dont il importe de reconstituer la genèse et l’évolution. Celle de la «navigation intérieure » émerge ainsi au XVIIIe siècle : elle apparaît dans l’Almanach royal de 1765 comme l’une des attributions du secrétariat d’État de Bertin, avant d’être rattachée en 1773 à l’administration des Ponts et Chaussées. Une division autonome de la Navigation intérieure, formée en l’an VI, disparut dès l’année suivante, victime d’enjeux de pouvoir administratifs, avant même d’être inscrite dans l’Almanach, mais non sans avoir entrepris de rassembler un ambitieux dépôt documentaire, méthodiquement organisé pour servir à la connaissance et à l’action, et dont on peut en partie suivre le trajet ultérieur jusqu’aux Archives nationales. À travers une archéologie des fonds d’archives, il est ainsi possible de recons truire les enjeux d’une histoire administrative qui articule le développement des institutions, leurs pratiques et les corpus qui en résultent.
Archives de la nation, archives de l’assemblée : retour sur un « roman des origines »
Authors: Ogilvie Denise
Published: June 2018

The rules of procedure adopted by the National Constituent Assembly on 29 July 1789 prescribed that the Assembly should provide for «the preservation of national titles and papers » before dissolving. They also established an «archive » where all future «national titles and papers » should be kept for the duration of the session, under the care of an «archivist » to be elected among the deputies. Prior to the depositing of «all original documents pertaining to the proceedings of the Assembly » in said archive, copies or duplicate originals had to be produced for use in the offices of the Assembly’s secretariat, where they would be filed together with the administrative documents to which they pertained. This laborious procedure and the strict and aggressive interpretation immediately promoted by the newly-elected archivist, Armand-Gaston Camus, a lawyer and deputy of the Third-Estate, shed light on the precise objective of the Assembly, i. e. to put together and preserve for its successors a collection of titles that would testify to its constitutional and legislative achievement. But the law of 12 September 1790 altered the original project and maintained it within the Assembly by establishing the deposit before the end of the session under the name «Archives Nationales » .
Des intendances aux départements. Transmission, dispersion et recomposition des archives locales au début de la Révolution française (1790-1791)
Authors: Delmas Bruno
Published: June 2018

Dans les premières années de la Révolution française, la reconstruction complète et radicale des administrations locales par l’Assemblée nationale constituante entraîne un immense partage et brassage des archives administratives de l’Ancien Régime. La dévolution des archives des intendances aux nouvelles administrations départementales n’en représente certes qu’une partie, mais elle est la première de ces dévolutions, et symbolise avec force le changement institutionnel alors opéré. Son étude permet de comprendre comment et pourquoi les archives ont été réparties, selon les lieux, les circonstances et leur état préalable, et comment elles ont été (re) constituées en dossiers et fonds de référence pour les nouvelles institutions. Celles-ci les ont ordonnées pour servir à de nouvelles fonctions dans des bureaux qui, par-delà le redécoupage des attributions et une nouvelle organisation, perpétuaient cependant les méthodes administratives de l’Ancien Régime.
La politique et ses traces : la ville d’Augsbourg et ses archives (XIVe-XVe siècles)
Authors: Adrian Dominique
Published: June 2018

Die schriftlichen Zeugnisse der politischen Institutionen der Reichsstadt Augsburg, die in reichemMasse erhalten sind, stellen die Aktivitäten dieser Einrichtungen naturgemäss unvollständig und verzerrt dar. Man kann einige der wesentlichen Themen der politischen Stadtgeschichte erhellen, indem man diese beträchtliche Überlieferung parallel zu deren Schattenwurf untersucht : Beziehungen zwischen der Politik und der Verwaltung, Gesetzgebungsformen, Entscheidungsprozesse, Schreibkultur, Entwicklung der Kompetenzen der verschiedenen Institutionen. Durch die unterschiedlichen Archivbestände und die einzelnen Dokumente, die von Politikern oder für Politiker geschaffen wurden, wie auch durch die implizite Auswahl, die ihre Überlieferung möglich gemacht hat, zeichnet sich zugleich eine Entwicklung der Gründungsprinzipien des augsburgschen Politiksystems ab, jenseits einer scheinbaren institutionellen Stabilität.
Pour une histoire des bibliothécaires italiens au XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Chapron Emmanuelle
Published: June 2018

During the second half of the eighteenth century, the figure of the librarian underwent essential changes in the writings of Italian literati. Next to the scholar reading by candlelight, they emphasised a new character, hired and paid in exchange for his intellectual and technical expertise. The present survey aims to assess how and to what extent this change in discourse actually reflected the social, institutional and intellectual processes of the time. It begins by gathering contemporary opinions on librarians, what they should know and how they should be hired and paid. Such statements relate to a general context in which «library policies » were being developed by Italian states, libraries were becoming more diverse and intellectual work was gaining recognition as such. By submitting a sample of 175 individuals to a prosopographical survey, and thus constructing a typology of the careers of librarians in eighteenth-century Italy, further light is shed on the social reality of their profession.
Les projets constitutionnels du boulangisme
Authors: Joly Bertrand
Published: June 2018

Die Boulangisten, deren Programm aus der Revision der Verfassung besteht, haben sich immer geweigert, ihr eigenes Projekt offiziell zu definieren. Dies geschah einerseits aus Angst, Anhänger abzudrängen, und andererseits vor allem auf Grund unüberbrückbarerMeinungsverschiedenheiten im Kreise ihres Generalstabes. Die Bewegung beharrt auf einer rein kritischen Haltung, nimmt ohne Originalität den bonapartistischen Antiparlamentarismus und die radikale Rhetorik der Jahre 1880-1885 wieder auf und bekundet im Vorhinein ihr Vertrauen zu der zukünftigen verfassungsgebenden Versammlung. Mangels gemeinsamer Projekte kann man dennoch drei mögliche Schemata unterscheiden, welche die überraschende Heterogenität der revisionistischen Bewegung widerspiegeln (ohne Berücksichtigung allerdings der Royalisten) : (1) das alte konventionelle Vorhaben der Intransigenten, die sich um Rochefort versammeln (Nationalversammlung in einer einzigen Kammer ; kein Präsident der Republik, kein Senat) ; (2) die diesem völlig gegenläufigen präsidialen Auffassungen der Patriotenliga, die sich vor allem von den Vereinigten Staaten inspirieren lassen und die den Gaullismus vorbereiten ; (3) zuletzt ein plebiszitäres und ein besonders autoritäres Regime, das von einem «integristischen » Bonapartismus ererbt wurde. Es ist schwer abzuschätzen, was die persönlichen Auffassungen von Boulanger waren, dem in diesen Debatten sichtlich unwohl war und der anscheinend dazu bereit war, alle Formulierungen hinzunehmen, die ihm die Hauptrolle zuweisen würden, wie aus dem Protokoll seiner Anhörung hervorgeht, das von der Kommission der Verfassungsrevision, am 24. Oktober 1888, durchgeführt wurde (im Anhang publiziert).
Pierre de Blois, «dictator egregius». Remarques sur la persistance des figures gorgianiques
Authors: Türk Egbert
Published: June 2018

Si pour les Anciens, l’origine de la rhétorique remontait à deux Siciliens, Corax et Tisias, le mérite d’avoir développé la technè rhètorikè en Grèce revient sans conteste au sophiste Gorgias de Lentini, qui en tira gloire et richesse. Parmi les raffinements stylistiques introduits par Gorgias, nos sources ont retenu l’antithèse, l’isocolie et l’homéotéleute. À travers l’asianisme, ces figures gorgianiques ont marqué des générations de rhéteurs et d’écrivains classiques. Légitimées par la présence tutélaire de l’oeuvre d’Augustin, rhéteur asianiste lui-même, les figures de Gorgias ont continué à exercer leur influence sur les auteurs du Moyen Âge, même si le nom de leur inventeur avait disparu des manuels. C’est ainsi que l’on retrouve les gorgieia rhèmata

chez Pierre de Blois, célèbre dictator du XIIe siècle : il en use particulièrement dans sa correspondance, comme le montre, à titre d’exemple, l’analyse de la lettre de dédicace adressée par lui à Henri II d’Angleterre.
La succession du maréchal de France Oudart du Biez. De sa disgrâce (1547) à la nomination de Pierre Strozzi (1554)
Authors: El Hage Fadi
Published: June 2018

In 1547, when Henry II became king of France, Oudart du Biez, marshal of France, was disgraced on the pretext that he had not prevented the capture of Boulogne by the English three years earlier. Several contemporary witnesses write that he was immediately dismissed and replaced by Robert de La Marck. In fact, he was discharged from office only in 1551, at the end of his trial, and when he died two years later, no successor had yet been appointed. Technically, the marshaldom of La Marck had been created especially for him, and that of the late du Biez was assigned to Piero Strozzi in 1554 : evidence of this is to be found in Strozzi’s letters patent, dated (it seems) 12 March. The problem of the dismissal of Oudart du Biez sheds light on the gradual and still partly unclear development of the title of marshal of France into a lifelong office, conferred on four ordinary holders. It also illustrates the gap between the social reality of institutions, as seen and described by contemporaries, and their strictly legal forms.
Friction force microscopy of tribochemistry and interfacial ageing for the SiOx/Si/Au system
Authors: Petzold Christiane , Koch Marcus , Bennewitz Roland
Published: June 2018

Friction force microscopy was performed with oxidized or gold-coated silicon tips sliding on Au(111) or oxidized Si(100) surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum. We measured very low friction forces compared to adhesion forces and found a modulation of lateral forces reflecting the atomic structure of the surfaces. Holding the force-microscopy tip stationary for some time did not lead to an increase in static friction, i.e., no contact ageing was observed for these pairs of tip and surface. Passivating layers from tip or surface were removed in order to allow for contact ageing through the development of chemical bonds in the static contact. After removal of the passivating layers, tribochemical reactions resulted in strong friction forces and tip wear. Friction, wear, and the re-passivation by oxides are discussed based on results for the temporal development of friction forces, on images of the scanned area after friction force microscopy experiments, and on electron microscopy of the tips.
[3 + 2]-Cycloaddition reaction of sydnones with alkynes
Authors: Hladíková Veronika , Váňa Jiří , Hanusek Jiří
Published: June 2018

This review covers all known examples of [3 + 2]-cycloaddition between sydnones and both terminal as well as internal alkynes/cycloalkynes taken from literature since its discovery by Huisgen in 1962 up to the current date. Except enumeration of synthetic applications it also covers mechanistic studies, catalysis, effects of substituents and reaction conditions influencing reaction rate and regioselectivity.
On Estimating the Mass of Keplerian Accretion Disks in H2O Maser Galaxies
Authors: Kuo C. Y. , Reid M. J. , Braatz J. A. , Gao F. , Impellizzeri C. M. V. , Chien W. T.
Published: June 2018

H2O maser disks with Keplerian rotation in active galactic nuclei offer a clean way to determine accurate black hole mass and the Hubble constant. An important assumption made in using a Keplerian H2O maser disk for measuring black hole mass and the Hubble constant is that the disk mass is negligible compared to the black hole mass. A simple and useful model of Huré et al. can be used to test this assumption. In that work, the authors apply a linear disk model to a position–dynamical mass diagram and re-analyze position–velocity data from H2O maser disks associated with active galactic nuclei. They claim that a maser disk with nearly perfect Keplerian rotation could have a disk mass comparable to the black hole mass. This would imply that ignoring the effects of disk self-gravity can lead to large systematic errors in the measurement of black hole mass and the Hubble constant. We examine their methods and find that their large estimated disk masses of Keplerian disks are likely the result of their use of projected instead of three-dimensional position and velocity information. To place better constraints on the disk masses of Keplerian maser systems, we incorporate disk self-gravity into a three-dimensional Bayesian modeling program for maser disks and also evaluate constraints based on the physical conditions for disks that support water maser emission. We find that there is little evidence that disk masses are dynamically important at the ≲1% level compared to the black holes.
Periodic Recurrence Patterns In X-Ray Solar Flare Appearances
Authors: Gyenge N. , Erdélyi R.
Published: June 2018

The temporal recurrence of micro-flare events is studied for a time interval before and after of major solar flares. Our sample is based on the X-ray flare observations by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). The analyzed data contain 1330/301 M-class and X-class GOES/RHESSI energetic solar flares and 4062/4119 GOES/RHESSI micro-flares covering the period elapse since 2002. The temporal analysis of recurrence, by Fast Fourier Transform, of the micro-flares, shows multiple significant periods. Based on the GOES and RHESSI data, the temporal analysis also demonstrates that multiple periods manifest simultaneously in both statistical samples without any significant shift over time. In the GOES sample, the detected significant periods are: 11.33, 5.61, 3.75, 2.80, and 2.24 minutes. The RHESSI data show similar significant periods at 8.54, 5.28, 3.66, 2.88, and 2.19 minutes. The periods are interpreted as signatures of standing oscillations, with the longest period (P
1) being the fundamental and others being higher harmonic modes. The period ratio of the fundamental and higher harmonics (P
1/P

N
) is also analyzed. The standing modes may be signatures of global oscillations of the entire solar atmosphere encompassing magnetized plasma from the photosphere to the corona in active regions.
Quasars Probing Quasars. X. The Quasar Pair Spectral Database
Authors: Findlay Joseph R. , Prochaska J. Xavier , Hennawi Joseph F. , Fumagalli Michele , Myers Adam D. , Bartle Stephanie , Chehade Ben , DiPompeo Michael A. , Shanks Tom , Lau Marie Wingyee , Rubin Kate H. R.
Published: June 2018

The rare close projection of two quasars on the sky provides the opportunity to study the host galaxy environment of a foreground quasar in absorption against the continuum emission of a background quasar. For over a decade the “Quasars probing quasars” series has utilized this technique to further the understanding of galaxy formation and evolution in the presence of a quasar at z > 2, resolving scales as small as a galactic disk and from bound gas in the circumgalactic medium to the diffuse environs of intergalactic space. Presented here is the public release of the quasar pair spectral database utilized in these studies. In addition to projected pairs at z > 2, the database also includes quasar pair members at z < 2, gravitational lens candidates, and quasars closely separated in redshift that are useful for small-scale clustering studies. In total, the database catalogs 5627 distinct objects, with 4083 lying within 5′ of at least one other source. A spectral library contains 3582 optical and near-infrared spectra for 3028 of the cataloged sources. As well as reporting on 54 newly discovered quasar pairs, we outline the key contributions made by this series over the last 10 years, summarize the imaging and spectroscopic data used for target selection, discuss the target selection methodologies, describe the database content, and explore some avenues for future work. Full documentation for the spectral database, including download instructions, is supplied at http://specdb.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.
Distribution of Helicobacter pylori infection and abnormal body- mass index (BMI) in a developing country
Authors: Siddiqui Basit , Yakoob Javed , Abbas Zaigham , Azmat Rabeea , Fatima Syeda Sadia , Awan Safia
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is prevalent in developing nations. We determined the prevalence of H. pylori infection in relation to body-mass index (BMI) of dyspeptic patients and related comorbid conditions.

Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, dyspeptic patients were enrolled and tested for H. pylori infection. “Underweight” was defined as BMI lower than 18.4; “Healthy” 18.5 to 23; “Overweight” 23.1-27.9; and “Obese” greater than 28.

Results: Six hundred and ninety-eight patients were included, with a mean age of 44 ± 16 years. Males were 373/698, 53%. H. pylori was positive in 399/698, 57%. Underweight were 36 (5%); BMI-healthy 168 (24%); overweight 236 (34%) and obese 258 (37%). H. pylori infection was present in 65/273 BMI-healthy patients ; 24% compared to obese 208/273; 76% (P < 0.001). In the H. pylori- positive with a “healthy” BMI, dyslipidemia was seen in 6/65; 8% compared to obese 53/208; 25% (P = 0.005); type 2 diabetes in 8/65; 12% with a “healthy” BMI compared to obese 54/208; 26% (P = 0.022) and coronary artery disease in 4/65; 6% of BMI-healthy compared to obese 38/208; 18% patients (P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that age 31-50 years (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.13-2.77), BMI > 23.1 (OR 2.91, 95% CI infection. 2.01-4.20), and type 2 diabetes (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.43-4.06) were risk factors for H. pylori

Conclusions: H. pylori infection was prevalent in the 31-50-year age group. Abnormal BMI was associated with H. pylori infection.
Pathogenicity and non-opportunistic character of Blastocystis spp.: a hospital-based survey in Central Cameroon
Authors: Jupsa-Mbiandou Stéphanie , Fosso Samuel , Billé Edimo , Mélachio-Tanekou Tito T , Ajeagah-Aghaindum Gideon , Nana-Djeunga Hugues C , Samé-Ekobo Albert , Njiokou Flobert
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Blastocystis spp. is a protist found in humans. Although usually the most frequent protozoa found in stool samples of both symptomatic and healthy subjects, its pathogenic or rather opportunistic role is yet to be clearly elucidated. To attempt to fill this gap, a cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the frequency of Blastocystis spp. in HIV positive (HIV+) versus HIV negative (HIV-) individuals in four health facilities of the Center Region of Cameroon.

Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 283 HIV positive and 245 HIV negative subjects and analyzed using direct diagnostic tests.

Results: A total of 46 (8.7%) individuals were found infected with Blastocystis spp., including 6.7% HIV positive and 11.0% HIV negative. This species was more frequent in urban and semi-urban areas than in rural areas, but evenly distributed among genders and age groups as well as among all sectors of activity. The prevalence of Blastocystis spp. (11.3%) was higher in HIV+ patients with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells / mm3, but no significant difference was found among HIV clinical stages. Likewise prevalence, the mean number of cysts per gram of stool was similar between HIV positive and HIV negative individuals. People infected with Blastocystis spp. showed diverse clinical signs, but only flatulence was significantly more prevalent. The frequencies of these clinical signs were not related to HIV status.

Conclusion: No clear relationship links the infection with Blastocystis spp. to HIV, although its presence was associated with digestive disorder, suggesting that this parasite might not be opportunist.
Influenza A H1N1 virus infection among pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Milosevic Ivana , Korac Milos , Popovic Natasa , Lavadinovic Lidija , Urosevic Aleksandar , Milosevic Branko , Jevtovic Djordje , Pelemis Mijomir , Stevanovic Goran
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe influenza. Our aim was to analyze clinical course and risk factors for fatal outcome in pregnant women with influenza (H1N1) infection.

Methodology: This retrospective study enrolled eleven pregnant women with confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) infection treated in the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Belgrade, Serbia in a 6-years period.

Results: The mean age of pregnant women was 28.9 ± 5.2 years, and mean gestational age was 23.1 ± 7.0 weeks. Nine (81.8%) pregnant women had pneumonia (six had interstitial and three had bacterial pneumonia). Pregnant women developed pneumonia more often than other women in the reproductive period, but without statistical significance (81.8% vs. 65.7%, p = 0.330, OR (95% CI) 2.35 (0.47-11.80)). Nine (81.8%) pregnant women recovered. None of them experienced preterm delivery or abortion. Two women (18.2%) died due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. In one of them fetal death occurred one day before she died. The other one was performed caesarean section three days before death. Her newborn and children of all recovered women were healthy at birth. Prolonged time to initiation of oseltamivir and higher body mass index were statistically significantly associated with fatal outcome (p = 0.002, and p = 0.007, respectively). Gestational week of pregnancy, the etiology of pneumonia and comorbidity were not found to be risk factors for death (p = 0.128, p = 0.499 and p = 1.000, respectively).

Conclusion: Pregnant women with H1N1 infection are at higher risk of pneumonia and death than other women in the reproductive period. Early antiviral therapy reduces the risk of unfavorable outcome.