bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PNPLA3 rs738409 Polymorphism Predicts Development and Severity of Hepatic Steatosis but Not Metabolic Syndrome in Celiac Disease
Authors: Tortora Raffaella , Rispo Antonio , Alisi Anna , Imperatore Nicola , Crudele Annalisa , Ferretti Francesca , Nobili Valerio , Miele Luca , Gerbino Nicolò , Caporaso Nicola , Morisco Filomena
Published: September 2018

Metabolic syndrome (MS) and hepatic steatosis (HS) have been described in patients with celiac disease (CD) after starting a gluten-free diet (GFD), but data on predictive factors for these conditions are scarce. Recently, the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 has been identified as a key factor for HS development in the general population. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of PNPLA3 rs738409 in the development of MS and HS in CD patients after starting GFD. Between June 2014 and September 2016, we consecutively enrolled CD patients with HS, while those without steatosis served as a control group. All patients underwent anthropometric and serologic investigations, ultrasonography (US) to assess the degree and severity of HS, and genotyping of the PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism. Finally, 370 subjects were enrolled (136 with and 234 without HS). At genotyping assays, the CC genotype was found in 194 subjects (52.4%), the CG genotype in 138 subjects (37.3%), and the GG genotype in 38 subjects (10.2%). At binary logistic regression, only CG and GG alleles were predictive for the development of HS (odds ratio (OR) 1.97; p < 0.01 for CG and OR 6.9; p < 0.001 for GG). Body mass index (BMI) (OR 3.8; p < 0.001) and waist circumference (OR 2.8; p = 0.03) at CD diagnosis were the only independent factors for the development of MS. Intergroup comparisons showed that the severe grade of HS was more frequently observed in GG than in CC carriers (74% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001, OR 21.8). PNPLA3 CG and GG carriers with CD have a higher susceptibility to hepatic steatosis, but not to metabolic syndrome. Moreover, patients with GG alleles display more severe forms of HS based on ultrasound.
Co-Amorphous Screening for the Solubility Enhancement of Poorly Water-Soluble Mirabegron and Investigation of Their Intermolecular Interactions and Dissolution Behaviors
Authors: An Ji-Hun , Lim Changjin , Kiyonga Alice Nguvoko , Chung In Hwa , Lee In Kyu , Mo Kilwoong , Park Minho , Youn Wonno , Choi Won Rak , Suh Young-Ger , Jung Kiwon
Published: September 2018

In the present study, the screening of Mirabegron (MBR) co-amorphous was performed to produce water-soluble and thermodynamically stable MBR co-amorphous with the purpose of overcoming the water solubility problem of MBR. MBR is Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II drug used for the treatment of an overreactive bladder. The co-amorphous screening was carried out by means of the vacuum evaporation crystallization technique in methanol solvent using three water-soluble carboxylic acids, characterized by a pKa difference greater than 3 with MBR such as fumaric acid (FA), l-pyroglutamic acid (PG), and citric acid (CA). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) results suggested that all solid materials produced at MBR-FA (1 equivalent (eq.)/1 equivalent (eq.)), MBR-PG (1 eq./1 eq.), and MBR-CA (1 eq./1 eq.) conditions were amorphous state solid materials. Furthermore, by means of solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H, 13C, and 2D) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, we could assess that MBR and carboxylic acid molecules were linked via ionic interactions to produce MBR co-amorphous. Besides, solid-state cross polarization (CP)/magic angle spinning (MAS) 13C-NMR analysis was conducted for additional assessment of MBR co-amorphous. Afterwards, dissolution tests of MBR co-amorphouses, MBR crystalline solid, and MBR amorphous were carried out for 12 h to evaluate and to compare their solubilities, dissolution rates, and phase transformation phenomenon. Here, the results suggested that MBR co-amorphouses displayed more than 57-fold higher aqueous solubility compared to MBR crystalline solid, and PXRD monitoring result suggested that MBR co-amorphouses were able to maintain their amorphous state for more than 12 h. The same results revealed that MBR amorphous exhibited increased solubility of approximatively 6.7-fold higher compared to MBR crystalline solid. However, the PXRD monitoring result suggested that MBR amorphous undergo rapid phase transformation to crystalline form in just 35 min and that within an hour all MBR amorphous are completely converted to crystalline solid. Accordingly, the increase in MBR co-amorphous’ solubility was attributed to the presence of ionic interactions in MBR co-amorphous molecules. Moreover, from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) monitoring results, we predicted that the high glass transition temperature (Tg) of MBR co-amorphous compared to MBR amorphous was the main factor influencing the phase stability of MBR co-amorphous.
Synthesis and in Vitro Cytocompatibility of Segmented Poly(Ester-Urethane)s and Poly(Ester-Urea-Urethane)s for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: González-García Dulce María , Marcos-Fernández Ángel , Rodríguez-Lorenzo Luis M. , Jiménez-Gallegos Rodrigo , Vargas-Becerril Nancy , Téllez-Jurado Lucía
Published: September 2018

Two series of segmented polyurethanes were obtained and their mechanical and thermal properties as well as their biodegradability and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The chemical nature of the polyurethanes was varied by using either 1,4 butanediol (poly-ester-urethanes, PEUs) or l-lysine ethyl ester dihydrochloride (poly-ester-urea-urethanes, PEUUs) as chain extenders. Results showed that varying the hard segment influenced the thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained polymers. PEUs showed strain and hardness values of about 10–20 MPa and 10–65 MPa, respectively. These values were higher than the obtained values for the PEUUs due to the phase segregation and the higher crystallinity observed for the polyester-urethanes (PEUs); phase segregation was also observed and analyzed by XRD and DSC. Moreover, both series of polymers showed hydrolytic degradation when they were submerged in PBS until 90 days with 20% of weight loss. In vitro tests using a Human Osteoblastic cell line (Hob) showed an average of 80% of cell viability and good adhesion for both series of polymers.
Water Electrolysis Anode Based on 430 Stainless Steel Coated with Cobalt Recycled from Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Garcia Eric M. , Taroco Hosane A.
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a new environmentally-friendly anode for hydrogen production was developed based on 430 stainless steel with an electrodeposited cobalt layer. The novelty of this work is the cobalt source once the electrodeposition bath was obtained from acid dissolution of a spent Li-ion battery cathode. The oxygen evolution reaction on electrodeposited cobalt in 1 M KOH is compatible with the E. Kobussen mechanism. The water discharge is related with reaction determinant step in low overpotential. The cobalt electrodeposition (3 Ccm−2) promotes a significant improvement of 430 stainless steel anodic properties for oxygen evolution reaction. When the overpotential reaches 370 mV, the density current for 430 stainless steel with electrodeposit cobalt is 19 mA·cm−2 against 0.80 mA·cm−2 for 430 stainless steel without cobalt. Thus, the anode construction described in this paper is an excellent option for Li-ion battery recycling.
Matter in Motion: A Dogon Kanaga Mask
Authors: Van Beek Walter E. A.
Published: September 2018

Dogon masks have been famous for a long time—and none more so than the kanaga mask, the so-called croix de Lorraine. A host of interpretations of this particular mask circulate in the literature, ranging from moderately exotic to extremely exotic. This contribution will focus on one particular mask situated within the whole mask troupe, and it will do so in the ritual setting to which it belongs: a second funeral, long after the burial. A description of this ritual shows how the mask troupe forms the constantly moving focus in a captivating ritual serving as second funeral. Thus, the mask rites bridge major divides in Dogon culture, between male and female, between man and nature, and between this world and the supernatural one. They are able to do so because they themselves are in constant motion, between bush and village and between sky and earth. Masks are matter in motion and symbols in context. Within imagistic religions such as the Dogon one, these integrative functions form a major focus of Dogon masks rituals—and hence, to some extent, of African mask rituals in general. In the Dogon case, the ritual creates a virtual reality through a highly embodied performance by the participants themselves. Then, the final question can be broached, that of interpretation. What, in the end, do these masquerades signify? And our kanaga mask, what does it stand for?
Transhepatic Vascular Access for Implantation of a Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device
Authors: Morcos Ramez , Al Tahii Haider , Bansal Priya , Manam Rupesh , Maini Brijeshwar
Published: September 2018

Conventional access through femoral veins may be limited due to tortuosity and venous occlusion secondary to venous thrombosis or congenital anomalies. Another alternative is subclavian veins, but the difficulty in catheter manipulation and stability makes it less favorable in comparison to the transhepatic access for the delivery of the Watchman device.
A Microwave Tomography Strategy for Underwater Imaging via Ground Penetrating Radar
Authors: Ludeno Giovanni , Capozzoli Luigi , Rizzo Enzo , Soldovieri Francesco , Catapano Ilaria
Published: September 2018

Detection and monitoring of underwater structures is one of the most challenging applicative scenarios for remote sensing diagnostic techniques, among which ground penetrating radar (GPR). With this aim, an imaging strategy belonging to the family of microwave tomographic approaches is proposed herein. This strategy allows the imaging of objects located into a wet sand medium below a freshwater layer and it can find application in investigation of lakes, rivers, and hydraulic structures. The proposed strategy accounts for the layered structure of the scenario under test by exploiting a spatially variable equivalent permittivity in the inverse scattering model. This allows a reliable reconstruction of depth and horizontal size of underwater hidden objects. The imaging capabilities of the strategy are verified by processing experimental data referred to a laboratory environment reproducing a submerged archeological site at scale 1:1. The results are compared with those obtained by modelling the reference scenario as a homogeneous medium, in order to verify the effective improvement in terms of reconstruction accuracy.
Structured-Light Based 3D Reconstruction System for Cultural Relic Packaging
Authors: Song Limei , Li Xinyao , Yang Yan-gang , Zhu Xinjun , Guo Qinghua , Liu Hui
Published: September 2018

The non-contact three-dimensional measurement and reconstruction techniques have played a significant role in the packaging and transportation of precious cultural relics. This paper develops a structured light based three-dimensional measurement system, with a low-cost for cultural relics packaging. The structured light based system performs rapid measurements and generates 3D point cloud data, which is then denoised, registered and merged to achieve accurate 3D reconstruction for cultural relics. The multi-frequency heterodyne method and the method in this paper are compared. It is shown that the relative accuracy of the proposed low-cost system can reach a level of 1/1000. The high efficiency of the system is demonstrated through experimental results.
A Novel Adsorbent Magnetic Graphene Oxide Modified with Chitosan for the Simultaneous Reduction of Mycotoxins
Authors: Abbasi Pirouz Atena , Abedi Karjiban Roghayeh , Abu Bakar Fatimah , Selamat Jinap
Published: September 2018

A novel magnetic graphene oxide modified with chitosan (MGO-CTS) was synthesised as an adsorbent aimed to examine the simultaneous removal of mycotoxins. The composite was characterised by various procedures, namely Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption evaluation was considered via pH effects, initial mycotoxin concentration, adsorption time and temperature. Adsorption isotherm data and kinetics experiments were acquired at the optimum pH 5 fit Freundlich isotherm as well as pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The thermodynamic results indicated that the adsorption of the mycotoxins was spontaneous, endothermic and favourable.
Cognitive Demand and Accommodative Microfluctuations
Authors: Hynes Niall J. , Cufflin Matthew P. , Hampson Karen M. , Mallen Edward A. H.
Published: September 2018

Previous studies have shown cognition to have an influence on accommodation. Temporal variation in the accommodative response occurs during the fixation on a stationary target. This constantly shifting response has been called accommodative micro-fluctuations (AMFs). The aim of this study is to determine the effects of increasing task cognitive demand on the ocular accommodation response. AMFs for 12 myopes and 12 emmetropes were measured under three conditions of varying cognitive demand and comprising reading of numbers (Num), simple arithmetic (SA), and complex arithmetic (CA). Fast Fourier transforms were used to analyze the different frequency band components of the AMFs. Other aspects of AMFs including root mean square accommodation values and chaos analysis was applied. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of cognition in the mean power of the high frequency component (HFC) (F2,44 = 10.03, p < 0.005). Pairwise analyses revealed that these differences exist between SA and CA tasks (p < 0.005) and the Num and CA (p < 0.005) tasks with the HFC power being the highest for the CA condition. It appears that the difficulty of a task does affect active accommodation but to a lesser extent than other factors affecting accommodation.
Quantification of Daily Water Requirements of Container-Grown Calathea and Stromanthe Produced in a Shaded Greenhouse
Authors: Beeson Richard C. , Chen Jianjun
Published: September 2018

Irrigating plants based on their water requirements enhances water use efficiency and conservation; however, current irrigation practices for container-grown greenhouse plants largely relies on growers’ experiences, resulting in leaching and/or runoff of a large amount of water. To address water requirements of greenhouse-grown plants, this study adapted a canopy closure model and investigated actual evapotranspiration (ETA) of Calathea G. Mey. ‘Silhouette’ and Stromanthe sanguinea Sond. from transplanting to marketable sizes in a shaded greenhouse. The daily ETA per Calathea plant ranged from 3.55 mL to 59.39 mL with a mean cumulative ETA of 4.84 L during a 224 day growth period. The daily ETA of S. sanguinea varied from 7.87 mL to 97.27 mL per plant with a mean cumulative ETA of 6.81 L over a 231 day production period. The best fit models for predicting daily ETA of Calathea and Stromanthe were developed, which had correlation coefficients (r2) of 0.82 and 0.73, respectively. The success in modelling ETA of the two species suggested that the canopy closure model was suitable for quantifying water use of container-grown greenhouse plants. Applying the research-based ETA information in production could reduce water use and improve irrigation efficiency during Calathea and Stromanthe production.
Threshold Responses of Macroinvertebrate Communities to Stream Velocity in Relation to Hydropower Dam: A Case Study from The Guayas River Basin (Ecuador)
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hanh Tien , Forio Marie Anne Eurie , Boets Pieter , Lock Koen , Damanik Ambarita Minar Naomi , Suhareva Natalija , Everaert Gert , Van der heyden Christine , Dominguez-Granda Luis Elvin , Hoang Thu Huong Thi , Goethals Peter
Published: September 2018

The Guayas River basin is one of the most important water resources in Ecuador, but the expansion of human activities has led to a degraded water quality. The purpose of this study was (1) to explore the importance of physical-chemical variables in structuring the macroinvertebrate communities and (2) to determine if the thresholds in stream velocity related to macroinvertebrate community composition could be identified in the Guayas River basin. Thus, macroinvertebrates and physical–chemical water quality variables were sampled at 120 locations during the dry season of 2013 in the Guayas River basin. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was performed to identify relevant physical–chemical characteristics of the river influencing the distribution of the macroinvertebrate communities. Threshold indicator taxa analysis (TITAN) was used to discriminate between the macroinvertebrate community related to stagnant waters (Daule–Peripa reservoir) and to running waters. CCA indicates that the most important environmental factors influencing the distribution of macroinvertebrate communities were stream velocity, chlorophyll concentration, conductivity, temperature and elevation. Tipping points for the macroinvertebrate community were defined by stream velocity at 0.03 m/s and 0.4 m/s, i.e., stagnant-water (including dam-related reservoirs) taxa start to quickly decrease in abundance and frequency at 0.03 m/s while running-water taxa start to quickly increase in abundance and frequency at 0.03 m/s until a stream velocity of 0.4 m/s. The results provide essential information to define environmental flows to further support water management plans of the Guayas River basin. Information obtained will be useful for management of similar rivers in South America, as well as the rest of the world.
Hydropower Future: Between Climate Change, Renewable Deployment, Carbon and Fuel Prices
Authors: Ranzani Alessandro , Bonato Mattia , Patro Epari Ritesh , Gaudard Ludovic , De Michele Carlo
Published: September 2018

Hydropower represents an interesting technology: affordable, renewable, and flexible. However, it must cope with climate changes and new energy policies that jeopardize its future. A smooth transition to sustainability requires decision makers to assess the future perspectives of hydropower: about its future revenue and related uncertainty. This investigation requires a multidisciplinary approach as both streamflow and energy mix will evolve. We simulated future streamflow based on eight climate scenarios using a semi-distributed hydrological model for our case study, the Tremorgio hydropower plant located in southern Switzerland. Next, using a hydropower management model we generated income according to these streamflows and twenty-eight electricity price scenarios. Our results indicate that climate change will modify the seasonality of inflows and volumes exploitable for hydropower generation. However, adaptive strategies in the management of reservoirs could minimize revenue losses/maximize revenue gains. In addition, most market scenarios project an increase in revenues, except in the case of high wind and solar energy penetration. Markets do not provide the right incentive, since the deployment of intermittent energy would benefit from more flexible hydropower.
Willingness to Pay for Rainwater Tank Features: A Post-Drought Analysis of Sydney Water Users
Authors: Tapsuwan Sorada , Cook Stephen , Moglia Magnus
Published: September 2018

The Millennium Drought across Australia during the 2000s placed cities under pressure in providing urban water security. In Sydney, Australia’s largest city, a comprehensive water demand programme triggered a significant reduction in per capita water consumption. The water demand programme included incentives for the installation of rainwater tanks. This paper explores the willingness to pay (WTP) for rainwater tank features in the post-drought context. Rainwater tanks have been demonstrated as an effective measure to reduce mains water demand, but they also provide broader environmental and economic benefits, such as the reduction of urban runoff to waterways and deferred capital investment in augmenting capacity of water supply system. Therefore, there is the need to better understand WTP for rainwater tank features across the community. An online survey was administered to a sample of Sydney households, with 127 respondents completing a rainwater tank choice experiment that explored their WTP for different rainwater tank features and the socio-psychological constructs that might influence their tendency to adopt rainwater tanks. The results demonstrated that householders surveyed valued slimline rainwater tanks, as they are likely to be less obstructive, particularly given the trend for smaller lot sizes and increased building size. Householders also placed greater value on connecting the rainwater tank to outdoor demands, which may be influenced by perceived vulnerability of outdoor uses to water restrictions relative to indoor uses. The survey analysis also identified that the householders most receptive to installing a rainwater tank are likely to be conformists, who compare themselves to peers, and spend significant effort when making decisions, and are already taking actions to conserve water. The findings are of significance when targeting future education programmes and designing financial incentives to encourage rainwater tank adoption.
The Contribution of Different Restored Habitats to Fish Diversity and Population Development in a Highly Modified River: A Case Study from the River Günz
Authors: Pander Joachim , Geist Juergen
Published: September 2018

Despite of structural deficits, highly modified water bodies (HMWB) contain remnant populations of endangered fish that have high conservation value. Restoration in HMWBs underlies different principles when compared to natural rivers because of impaired river dynamic processes. The objective herein was to assess the contribution of restored habitats of the River Günz, Germany to fish diversity and restoration success of target species. All habitat restoration types, including bank habitats, fast flowing habitats with gravel, structured shallow water zones, nature like fish passes, and a former river course below a spillway were assessed. None of them comprised the full set of 27 fish species or size classes, indicating that the diversity and interlinkage of the restored habitats is most crucial to sustainable fish populations and high biodiversity. When considering the rheophilic target species Chondrostoma nasus and Barbus barbus, only fish passes and the former river course with their high flow current contributed much to their population development, particularly to young specimens <20 cm. The results of this study indicate that measures inside the main channel are unlikely to mitigate deficiencies in HMWBs concerning specialized riverine fish. Instead, interlinkage of a diversity of restoration measures and investment of resources for restoration in HMWBs into nature-like fish passes or former river courses below spillways with dynamically managed discharges seem most useful.
The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping Survey. II. Precision Cluster Abundances for APOGEE Using SDSS DR14
Authors: Donor John , Frinchaboy Peter M. , Cunha Katia , Thompson Benjamin , O’Connell Julia , Zasowski Gail , Jackson Kelly M. , McGrath Brianne Meyer , Almeida Andrés , Bizyaev Dmitry , Carrera Ricardo , García-Hernández D. A. , Nitschelm Christian , Pan Kaike , Zamora Olga
Published: September 2018

The Open Cluster Chemical Abundances and Mapping (OCCAM) survey aims to produce a comprehensive, uniform, infrared-based spectroscopic data set for hundreds of open clusters, and to constrain key Galactic dynamical and chemical parameters from this sample. This second contribution from the OCCAM survey presents analysis of 259 member stars with [Fe/H] determinations in 19 open clusters, using Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 14 (SDSS/DR14) data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment and ESA Gaia. This analysis, which includes clusters with R
GC ranging from 7 to 13 kpc, measures an [Fe/H] gradient of −0.061 ± 0.004 dex kpc−1. We also confirm evidence of a significant positive gradient in the α-elements ([O/Fe], [Mg/Fe], and [Si/Fe]) and present evidence for a significant negative gradient in iron-peak elements ([Mn/Fe] and [Ni/Fe]).
La littérature des inégalités
Authors: Léger Nicolas
Published: September 2018

La littérature française contemporaine met en lumière l’impossibilité de sortir de la pauvreté. Les tableaux sociologiques pessimistes sont souvent animés par un humour grinçant.
Pour un enseignement explicite de la lecture interprétative… Oui, mais comment ?
Authors: Tailhandier Séverine
Published: September 2018

L’enseignement de la littérature à l’école se caractérise aujourd’hui par des tensions entre l’évolution d’enjeux inscrits dans les programmes, en partie influencés par les apports de la recherche en lecture littéraire, et les pratiques de lecture effectives. On peut alors se demander si la compréhension des enjeux actuels liés à cet enseignement n’est pas une possible cause de ces constats. Une démarche d’apprentissage, nommée ISIS , est ainsi actuellement proposée à des enseignants de cycles 3, 4 et de FLS, dans le cadre d’une formation expérimentale, afin d’accompagner l’appropriation de ces enjeux dans leurs pratiques de lecture. L’une des spécificités de la démarche réside dans la mise en évidence des apports de stratégies de lecture interprétatives et du lien motivé entre ces différentes stratégies de lecture et la représentation mentale de l’élève. Des témoignages d’enseignants permettront d’apprécier certains des impacts de cet enseignement de la littérature en interrogeant notamment la pertinence de l’apprentissage de la lecture interprétative avec des publics d’élèves lecteurs de plus en plus hétérogènes.
Les programmes de français et l’enseignement de la littérature : ruptures et continuités depuis 1995
Authors: Clément Pierre
Published: September 2018

L’article prend appui sur un ensemble de recherches menées au sujet des transformations du curriculum formel, c’est-à-dire la définition officielle des contenus d’enseignement, arrêtée dans les programmes, ainsi que les modalités de leur organisation et de leur articulation. À partir, notamment, d’un travail sur de nombreux fonds d’archives (syndicales, administratives, politiques, etc.) et d’entretiens approfondis avec les principaux acteurs impliqués dans l’élaboration des réformes des programmes, l’étude montre comment, depuis les années 1980, ont été définis de nouveaux dispositifs d’élaboration des programmes scolaires et comment a peu à peu émergé une nouvelle conception des contenus d’enseignement dont les mots d’ordre sont : Socle commun, compétences et approche curriculaire. La particularité de ce nouveau paradigme est qu’il a vocation à s’appliquer à l’ensemble des disciplines et des niveaux d’enseignement, de la maternelle à la fin du lycée. Cependant ses traductions s’avèrent variables selon les disciplines, car celles-ci exercent un effet de réfraction plus ou moins fort sur ces logiques globales, notamment dans le cas particulier des programmes de français et de lettres depuis 1995.
Penser la progression curriculaire d’une thématique « vivre en société ; participer à la société »
Authors: Di Rosa Geneviève , Lewi Olivia
Published: September 2018

L’article analyse une thématique du cycle 4 « vivre en société » qui va de la classe de Cinquième à celle de Troisième et permet de travailler l’argumentation. Il vise ainsi à expliciter les logiques sous-jacentes aux choix des corpus afférents et aux variantes des questionnements déclinant l’entrée thématique par niveau de classe. L’intitulé « vivre en société » est une incitation à appréhender la dimension formative de la littérature qui ne serait pas simple reflet de la société mais lieu d’aptitude au vivre ensemble. Plus précisément, la mise au jour d’un enseignement de l’argumentation et des valeurs conduit à proposer une mise en œuvre de la thématique fondée sur des scènes de procès au théâtre et au cinéma.
Quand les albums parlent d’espace. Enseigner la géographie avec le livre pour enfants
Authors: Meunier Christophe
Published: September 2018

L’album pour enfants iconotextuel est un produit culturel. A ce titre, il peut intéresser le géographe dans la mesure où un certain nombre de ces ouvrages dessinés sont des récits d’espace qui transmettent de la spatialité. Cet article entend montrer, à partir d’une expérimentation menée avec une classe de CE1-CE2, qu’il est possible d’inscrire un enseignement géographique basé sur la lecture analytique et performative d’un album ainsi que sur la production d’un iconotexte par le groupe classe. L’album proposé aux élèves est Madlenka de Peter Sis. Cet ouvrage publié en 2000 en France permet de travailler le multiculturalisme, le repérage et la comparaison d’espaces lointains.
Examining the Role of Technology Leadership on Knowledge Sharing Behaviour
Authors: Srivastava Anugamini Priya , Joshi Yatish
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of technology leadership in knowledge-sharing behaviour through the intervening role of internet self-efficacy and information technology support for knowledge management. The sample for the study was taken from randomly selected hotels operating in different regions of Uttarakhand, India. The findings suggest that the positive relationship between group-level technology leadership and individual level knowledge sharing behaviour. Further, the results indicated that IT support for knowledge management moderates the mediating role of internet self-efficacy such that when IT support for knowledge management is high, the effect of internet self-efficacy on knowledge sharing behaviour improves. The study adds value to knowledge management and leadership literature and provides a way to encourage knowledge sharing behaviour in the service-oriented industry.
Correlation and Performance Estimation of Clone Detection Tools
Authors: Gautam Pratiksha , Saini Hemraj
Published: September 2018

Over the past few decades, many tools and methods have been proposed by several researchers to detect clones automatically in programs and software. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear how to evaluate these tools in terms of accuracy, scalability, and portability. However, all of these tools have some merits and limitations but the application of these tools depends on the user requirements, so it is necessary for the user that they should be aware of the tools and its distinguishing aspects. This article presents the performance of six clone detection tools in terms of accuracy, scalability, and portability. The aim of this study is to make the selection of tools easy for detection of copied code.
The Role of Oil Fund and Institutional Quality in Moderating Volatility in Nigeria
Authors: Ayadi Olusegun Felix , Adegbite Esther O
Published: September 2018

Many oil-endowed countries, including Nigeria, have been unable to use their resources to project long-term economic growth, a condition often referred to as a resource curse. Using the ARDL method and country-specific data, this article explores the long-term equilibrium relationship between economic growth and commodities terms of trade and its volatility in Nigeria between 1984 and 2014. Moreover, the role of oil fund and governance quality in the long-term growth performance is revealed. The results reported in this article show a long-term relationship between commodity terms of trade and economic growth. More importantly, commodity terms of trade, affects economic growth through capital accumulation and total factor productivity. However, the establishment of oil funds in Nigeria has not had any significant impact on economic growth.
Analyzing Africa's Total Factor Productivity Trends
Authors: Nondo Chali , Jaramillo Juan R
Published: September 2018

Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), the authors investigate the productivity changes of 42 African countries by computing the Malmquist productivity indices. Subsequently, the measured Malmquist productivity indices become the dependent variables of a pooled truncated regression. The point estimates of the Malmquist indices indicate that TFP improved at an annual rate of 1.97% over the period 1992-2007. The decomposition of TFP shows that the major contribution of TFP growth is technological progress. Nevertheless, technical efficiency also appears to be trending upwards. Therefore, these results suggest that contrary to the dominant view in previous studies, Africa's TFP since the early 1990s has been accompanied by positive technological change rather than stagnation. The second stage results suggest that improving the quality of human capital and FDI not only augments the quality of labor, but also indirectly improves TFP. Regression results also show that an increase in openness positively affects TFP growth as this facilitates adoption of more efficient techniques of production.
Review of National Park Science: A Century of Research in South Africa by Jane Carruthers
Authors: Novellie Peter A.
Published: September 2018

No Abstract
Unusual Form of Partial Pulmonary Venous Connection
Authors: Tuncer Osman Nuri , Ayik Mehmet Fatih , Bilen Çagatay , Atay Yüksel
Published: September 2018

Success in congenital heart surgery has increased with improvement in surgical technique, anesthesia, and perioperative care. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is regarded as an initial screening and diagnostic method in patients, but it may be limited by lack of an adequate acoustic window and more importantly suboptimal depiction of the extracardiac vasculature. Computed tomography angiography is an important alternative because of its wide availability; short acquisition time can also provide useful information about all anatomical structures. In this article, we present a case of bilateral partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in which TTE is inadequate to show the left vertical vein.
Recurrent Infective Endocarditis Involving Bicuspid Aortic Valve Presenting with a Rare Complication: The Deadly Kiss
Authors: Chaudhury Arnab Ghosh , Bhat Prabhavathi , Manjunath C. N. , Satvic C. M.
Published: September 2018

Bicuspid aortic valve, the most common congenital cardiac lesion, is frequently associated with infective endocarditis (IE), and this combination is notoriously associated with increased prevalence of periannular complications. Mitral valve involvement as a “kissing” lesion secondary to aortic valve endocarditis is a very rare entity. Only few case reports are available describing this lesion. We report a case of recurrent IE involving both cusps of bicuspid aortic valve complicated by “kissing” lesion of the anterior mitral leaflet leading to aneurysm formation. The patient presented with severe aortic regurgitation and moderate mitral regurgitation. The patient was treated successfully with surgical aortic valve reconstruction (Ozaki procedure) with mitral valve repair.
Preferred Water Resource Information Sources and Learning Opportunities in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Mahler Robert L.
Published: September 2018

Core Ideas

This study evaluated how public information sources for water resource information have changed between 2002 and 2017.

Three identical survey questions assessed public information sources in 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017.

The Internet was the information source with the greatest increase in public use over this 15‐year period, increasing from 14.8% in 2002 to 63.0% in 2017.

Both formal education level and age of respondents affected their preferred information source choice.

The American public is overwhelmed by the amount of water resource information that they are exposed to every day. The purpose of this 15‐year study was to determine the information sources that are most widely used by the public and relate this information to water educators. A mail‐based survey process assessed: (1) public‐preferred water information sources, (2) public‐preferred learning opportunities, and (3) events that cause people to change their minds about a water issue. The same survey process was conducted in 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017 in the four Pacific Northwest states. All four surveys received a response exceeding 50%, resulting in a sampling error of less than 5%. In 2002 newspapers, television, and environmental agencies were the major water information sources used by the public. Only 14.8% of survey respondents considered the Internet a major water information source in 2002; however, by 2017 over 60% of adults were using the Internet for water information. The demographic factors of age and education level affected the usage of information sources. Visiting a website was not considered an important learning opportunity in 2002 (11.5%); however, by 2017 over 80% of the public considered visiting a website as their best learning opportunity for water information. Visiting websites also eclipsed reading printed fact sheets as the most popular learning opportunity by 2017. This study is important because it shows educators the best way to reach the public in the Pacific Northwest with water resource information.
Synthetic ozone deposition and stomatal uptake at flux tower sites
Authors: Ducker Jason A. , Holmes Christopher D. , Keenan Trevor F. , Fares Silvano , Goldstein Allen H. , Mammarella Ivan , Munger J. William , Schnell Jordan
Published: September 2018

Abstract. We develop and evaluate a method to estimate O3
deposition and stomatal O3 uptake across networks of eddy
covariance flux tower sites where O3 concentrations and
O3 fluxes have not been measured. The method combines standard
micrometeorological flux measurements, which constrain O3
deposition velocity and stomatal conductance, with a gridded dataset of
observed surface O3 concentrations. Measurement errors are
propagated through all calculations to quantify O3 flux
uncertainties. We evaluate the method at three sites with O3 flux
measurements: Harvard Forest, Blodgett Forest, and Hyytiälä Forest.
The method reproduces 83 % or more of the variability in daily stomatal
uptake at these sites with modest mean bias (21 % or less). At least
95 % of daily average values agree with measurements within a factor of 2
and, according to the error analysis, the residual differences from measured
O3 fluxes are consistent with the uncertainty in the
underlying measurements. The product, called synthetic O3 flux or SynFlux, includes 43
FLUXNET sites in the United States and 60 sites in Europe, totaling 926 site
years of data. This dataset, which is now public, dramatically expands the
number and types of sites where O3 fluxes can be used for ecosystem
impact studies and evaluation of air quality and climate models. Across these
sites, the mean stomatal conductance and O3 deposition velocity is
0.03–1.0 cm s−1. The stomatal O3 flux during the growing
season (typically April–September) is 0.5–11.0 nmol
O3 m−2 s−1 with a mean of 4.5 nmol
O3 m−2 s−1 and the largest fluxes generally occur where
stomatal conductance is high, rather than where O3 concentrations
are high. The conductance differences across sites can be explained by
atmospheric humidity, soil moisture, vegetation type, irrigation, and land
management. These stomatal fluxes suggest that ambient O3 degrades
biomass production and CO2 sequestration by 20 %–24 % at
crop sites, 6 %–29 % at deciduous broadleaf forests, and
4 %–20 % at evergreen needleleaf forests in the United States and
Europe.
Sensitivity to species selection indicates the effect of nuisance variables on marine microfossil transfer functions
Authors: Jonkers Lukas , Kučera Michal
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The species composition of many groups of marine plankton appears well predicted by sea surface temperature (SST). Consequently, fossil plankton assemblages have been widely used to reconstruct past SST. Most applications of this approach make use of the highest possible taxonomic resolution. However, not all species are sensitive to temperature and their distribution may be governed by other parameters. There are thus reasons to question the merit of including information all species, both for transfer function performance and for its effect on reconstructions. Here we investigate the effect of species selection on planktonic foraminifera transfer functions. We assess species importance for transfer function models using a random forest technique and evaluate the performance of models with increasing number of species. Irrespective of using models that use the entire training set (weighted averaging) or models that use only a subset of the training set (modern analogue technique), we find that the majority of foraminifera species does not carry useful information for temperature reconstruction. Less than one third of the species in the training set is required to provide a temperature estimate with a prediction error comparable to a transfer function that uses all species in the training set. However, species selection matters for paleotemperature estimates. We find that transfer function models with different number of species but with the same error may yield different reconstructions of sea surface temperature when applied on the same fossil assemblages. This ambiguity in the reconstructions implies that fossil assemblage change reflects a combination of temperature and other environmental factors. The contribution of the additional factors is site and time specific, indicating ecological and geological complexity in the formation of the sedimentary assemblages. The possibility of obtaining multiple different reconstructions from a single sediment record presents a previously unrecognised source of uncertainty for sea surface temperature estimates based on planktonic foraminifera assemblages. This uncertainty can be evaluated by determining the sensitivity of the reconstructions to species pruning.
The impact of sea-level rise on tidal characteristics around
Australasia
Authors: Harker Alexander , Green J. A. Mattias , Schindelegger Michael
Published: September 2018

Abstract. An established tidal model, validated for present-day conditions, is used to investigate the effect of large levels of sea-level rise (SLR) on tidal characteristics around Australasia. SLR is implemented through a uniform depth increase across the model domain, with a comparison between the coastal boundary being treated as impenetrable or allowing low-lying land to flood. The complex spatial response of the semi-diurnal constituents, M2 and S2, is broadly similar, with the magnitude of M2's response being greater. The most predominant features of this response are large amplitude changes in the Arafura Sea and within embayments along Australia's north-west coast, and the generation of new amphidromic systems within the Gulf of Carpentaria and south of Papua, once water depth across the domain is increased by 3 and 7 m respectively. Dissipation from M2 increases around the islands in the north of the Sahul shelf region and around coastal features along north Australia, leading to a notable drop in dissipation along Eighty Mile Beach. The diurnal constituent, K1, is found to be amplified within the Gulf of Carpentaria, indicating a possible change of resonance properties of the gulf. Coastal flooding has a profound impact on the response of tidal amplitudes to SLR, particularly K1, by creating local regions of increased tidal dissipation and altering the shape of coastlines.
Local Government Administration and Rural Development in Enugu State, Nigeria (2007-2015)
Authors: Samuel Ogbette, Afamefuna , Otu Idam, Macben , Olumide Kareem, Akeem
Published: September 2018

This study examined Local Government Administration and Rural Development in Enugu State, Nigeria under Sullivan I. Chime’s administration, 2007-2015. The source of information for this study is secondary source. Three research questions and three objectives guided this study. The general objective of the study is the relationship between the local government administration and rural development in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were: to assess the role of the local government administration in rural development in Enugu State, to investigate whether job creation and provision of infrastructures by the government led to decline in rural-urban migration and to find out the relationship between governments budgetary allocation and rural development in Enugu State. Giving the descriptive and argumentative nature of the paper, qualitative method of data gathering and analysis were adopted in the conduct of the research. The method of data presentation and analysis adopted for this study is the content analytical method. Some findings of the study include that Enugu State worked aggressively and assiduously to achieve developmental projects in different communities towards improving the standard of living. The state also came up with different initiatives/programmes like Visit Every Community (VEC), Free Maternal Child Healthcare (FMCH), Free Basic Education Policy and Songhai Initiative for the development of the state, and it was discovered that government budgetary allocations actually affected the overall development of the rural communities over limited resources. As a result of the above findings, the study made some recommendations which include among others; the roles played by the local governments can be said to be very successful. Though, there is need for the government to increase their function capacity of these projects and programmes to be able to cover every area of the state. Local government needs to diversify their internal revenue sources by engaging in some business ventures like filling stations, transportation, and so on, to be able to compliment the poor budgetary allocation given to them by the federal and state government.
Understanding How Public Finances Are Spent Under Devolved System of Government: A Case of Constituency Development Funded Projects in Kasipul Constituency, Kenya
Authors: Andhoga Walter Otieno , Mose George N. , Mavole Johnson N.
Published: September 2018

Devolved system of government in Kenya was introduced in 2010, when a new constitution was promulgated. This drastically changed the way that public funds are allocated, spent and monitored by oversight institutions. Changes in governance structures envisaged devolution as a panacea that would ensure good governance, equity and transparency in the utilization of finances. The study used a case study of a devolved development fund that is implemented by the national government, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Kasipul constituency, Homa-bay County to understand public finance management under devolved system of government. The study employed mixed methods research design involving both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 400 respondents were sampled using multi staged proportionate random sampling techniques involving project beneficiaries, project managers, local governmental officials and the National Government Constituency Development Fund committee members. Data was collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions and interview guides. Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical techniques with the help of STATA version 14. The study found that project financing had a statistically significant and positive effect on the effective management of NG-CDF funded projects. The estimated coefficient of project financing in the model was found to be 1.436 with a statistically significant.  It’s therefore recommended that existing policies should be strengthened and a framework to improve the effectiveness of project management by increasing the levels of project financing. The existing financing model should be reformed to avoid the negative influence on the implementation of beneficiary projects to avoid systematic fund transfer delays.