bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by A. Liu
Authors: Kulyk Tamzen
Published: April 2016

Liu, Alex. Little White Duck: A Childhood in China. Minneapolis: Graphic Universe, 2012. Print. ​ This graphic memoir is co-written by author/illustrator Andrès Vera Martinez and his wife Na Liu.  Martinez, an accomplished and award winning illustrator, accurately captures Na Liu’s childhood perspective of China during the 1970’s and early 80’s.  Little White Duck: A Childhood in China is composed of eight insightful short stories of Na Liu and her younger sister Xiao Qin’s childhood experiences in Wuhan, China.   The table of contents, glossary, timeline, map, and translations are helpful features that enable readers to gain background knowledge and context while reading. Each story in this memoir provides the reader with an opportunity to explore aspects of China’s history and traditions in a subtle yet striking visual format that complements the deeply reflective narrative voice of Na Liu.  Although the stories are not directly connected, they each offer a unique perspective and understanding of Chinese culture and history. What stands out about this graphic novel memoir is more than just memories, but rather the eloquently captured events and stories that have no doubt shaped Na Liu into the person she is today.  For example, when Na Liu went to visit her cousins in the countryside, she discovered that life was different there and times were tough. Although not explicitly stated, but inferred through the illustrations, the reader is left knowing that Na Liu was touched by the kindness and acceptance of her cousins and also recognized the sacrifices that her dad made to provide her with the life she had. Crisp, simple images combined with appropriate amounts of text make this an extremely accessible book for younger audiences.  The wisdom and perspective Da Qin shares acknowledges that her experiences as a child set her life apart from the one her parents and others experienced.  A message that transcends culture and place, and one that is important for children to consider and begin to understand centres around sacrifices that parents make, and that events that shape their lives and their identity. Highly recommended for school libraries as a multitude of connections can be made across the curriculum. It is appropriate for a wide range of grade and reading levels, and it is an excellent addition to enhance culturally responsive collections. ​ Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Tamzen Kulyk Tamzen Kulyk is a teacher-librarian at two elementary schools in the Saskatoon Public School Division in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The Lowdown on Denim by T. L. Kyi
Authors: Polkinghorne Sarah
Published: April 2016

Kyi, Tanya Lloyd. The Lowdown on Denim. Illus. Clayton Hanmer. Toronto: Annick Press, 2011. Print. It’s springtime: time to pick up a pair of the latest blue jeans for the new season. This year, however, thanks to The Lowdown on Denim, young fashionistas can also read about their pants, and consider the cultural, economic, political, and environmental issues surrounding them. The Lowdown on Denim provides an entertaining introduction to how jeans have evolved, who makes them, and what they’ve meant throughout the world. Author Tanya Lloyd Kyi, based in British Columbia, has created a wide variety of curiosity-sparking non-fiction titles; including 50 Underwear Questions (reviewed by T. Chatterley in this issue) and 50 Poisonous Questions (reviewed by K. Frail in Vol. 1, No. 1, 2011). Here, she applies an unobtrusive narrative frame; protagonists JD and Shred are sent to detention, having been caught blue-handed running their teacher’s jeans up the school flagpole. In detention, JD and Shred are tasked with writing a report on the history of jeans, which, as Shred points out, “have been around way longer than Google”. Kyi takes her protagonists on a tour of jeans beginning in the mid-19th century, and illustrator Clayton Hanmer carries the reader along by placing JD and Shred in each time and place along the way. They begin by panning for gold in California in garments woefully lacking in ruggedness. They go on to explore wartime periods, the cold war, rock’n’roll, disco, punk, hip hop, and more. Throughout, Kyi and Hanmer also touch upon issues including trade globalization, factory working conditions, marketing strategies, gender norms, and pesticide-intensive cotton. Hanmer’s award-winning illustrations are well-known thanks to publications such as OWL Magazine, National Geographic Kids, and The Globe & Mail, as well as several books. Here he effectively captures JD and Shred’s bewilderment at their whirlwind tour, while highlighting key moments of insight. The Lowdown on Denim is unfortunately mistitled. Kyi and Hanmer have actually given us The Lowdown on Jeans Beginning with Levi Strauss. Readers may unfortunately be left with the impression that jeans were a solely American invention; denim fabric’s European origins, for example, go unmentioned. Despite this, The Lowdown on Denim is a detailed, readable, engaging commodity history. It will draw in pre-teen and early teen readers, and could serve as a great launching point for a variety of classroom discussions and projects. Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sarah PolkinghorneSarah is a Public Services Librarian at the University of Alberta. She enjoys all sorts of books.
Optimization of the coagulation–flocculation process for the removal of natural organic matter fractions present in drinking water sources
Authors: Alfaro Oswaldo Cerón , Martín Domínguez Alejandra , Rigas Fotis , Solís-López Myriam , Ramírez-Zamora Rosa-María
Published: April 2016

We used an experimental design to determine the best coagulation–flocculation mechanism and the optimal operating conditions for the maximum removal of the natural organic matter fractions (hydrophobic acid (HPOA) and hydrophilic neutral (HPIN)), which are the main factors responsible for irreversible membrane fouling and the generation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). Charge neutralization and sweep mechanisms (SM) were studied using the jar test experiment, and synthetic waters prepared with different hydrophobic/hydrophilic (HPO/HPI) weight ratios by adding model compounds to represent the dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions. Significant influence factors were identified for both coagulation mechanisms. The SM was the best one for DOM removal independent of the HPO/HPI weight ratio. The SM removed HPOA and HPIN fractions with efficiencies of 87.5–90.5% and 73.6–89.8%, respectively. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) values of all met the recommendation proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2 mg total organic carbon (TOC)/L or 1.8 mg DOC/L) for DBPs (<100 μg/L). Furthermore, all effluents met the DOC and silt density index recommended values by membrane suppliers (<3 mg DOC/L and <5%/min, respectively) to minimize fouling potential and to extend the membrane life.
Type 2 Diabetes: Why We Are Winning the Battle but Losing the War? 2015 Kelly West Award Lecture
Authors: Narayan K.M. Venkat
Published: April 2016

Diabetes is among the biggest of the 21st-century global health challenges. In the U.S. and other high-income countries, thanks to investments in science, dedication to implementing these findings, and measurement of quality of care, there have been improvements in diabetes management and declines in rate of diabetes complications and mortality. This good news, however, is overshadowed by the ever-increasing absolute numbers of people with diabetes and its complications and the unprecedented growth of diabetes in low- and middle-income countries of the world. To comprehensively win the war against diabetes requires 1) concerted attention to prevention and 2) expansion of global research to better inform population-level policies to curb diabetes but also to better understand individual- and population-level variations in pathophysiology and phenotypes globally so that prevention and treatment can be tailored. For example, preliminary data show that thin people in low- and middle-income countries such as India commonly experience type 2 diabetes. Global studies comparing these thin Asian Indians with other high-risk groups such as Pima Indians, a population with a high mean BMI, suggest that type 2 diabetes may not be a single pathophysiological entity. Pima Indians may represent the well-studied phenotype of poor insulin action (type 2A), whereas Asian Indians represent the grossly understudied phenotype of poor insulin secretion (type 2B). This has major implications for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment and highlights the mismatch between where diabetes burdens occur (i.e., low- and middle-income countries) and where research happens (i.e., high-income countries). Correcting this imbalance will advance our knowledge and arsenal to win the global war against diabetes.
Do Hydrogen Bonds Influence Excitonic Splittings?
Authors: Balmer Franziska A. , Ottiger Philipp , Leutwyler Samuel
Published: April 2016

The excitonic splitting and vibronic quenching of the inversion-symmetric homodimers of benzonitrile, (BN)2, and meta-cyanophenol, (mCP)2, are investigated by two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. These systems have very different hydrogen
bond strengths: the OH···N?C bonds in (mCP)2 are ?10 times stronger than the CH···N?C hydrogen bonds in (BN)2. In (BN)2 the S0(1Ag) ? S1(1Ag)
transition is electric-dipole forbidden, while the S0(1Ag) ? S2(1Bu) transition is allowed. The opposite holds for (mCP)2 due to the different transition dipole moment vector alignment. The
S0 ? S1S2 spectra of the dimers are compared and their excitonic splittings and vibronic quenchings are investigated by measuring the 13C-substituted heterodimer isotopomers, for which the centrosymmetry is broken and both
transitions are allowed. The excitonic splittings are determined as ?exc = 2.1 cm–1 for (BN)2 and ?exc = 7.3 cm–1 for (mCP)2. The latter exhibits a much stronger vibronic quenching, as the purely electronic
splitting resulting from ab initio calculations is determined to be ?calc = 179 cm–1, while in (BN)2 the calculated splitting is ?calc = 10 cm–1. The monomer site-shifts upon dimerization and comparing certain vibrations
that deform the hydrogen bonds confirm that the OH···N?C hydrogen bond is much stronger than the CH···N?C bond. We show that the H-bonds have large effects on the spectral shifts, but little or no influence on the excitonic splitting.
Synthesis and Spectral Studies of a Novel Benzoxazole-Derived Fluorescent Probe for Hg2+
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Yi-Chao , Mei Jia-Geng , Yang Na-Na , Wang Wei-Na , Ai Si-Fan , Fang Zhi-Qiang
Published: April 2016

A novel turn-off fluorescent probe bearing a benzoxazole fluorophore has been synthesised and characterised. Its recognition properties towards different metal ions have been researched by spectrometry. The probe was highly selective and sensitive to Hg2+ and showed a complexation ratio towards Hg2+ of 1:1. Its fluorescence intensity varied almost linearly with the concentration of Hg2+ (1.6~8.6 μmol L−1), and the detection limit of Hg2+ was estimated to be 0.68 μmol L−1.
Modernism, Empiricism, and Rationalism
Authors: Squires Geoffrey
Published: April 2016

Modernism is usually defined historically as the composite movement at the beginning of the twentieth century which led to a radical break with what had gone before in literature and the other arts. Given the problems of the continuing use of the concept to cover subsequent writing, this essay proposes an alternative, philosophical perspective which explores the impact of rationalism (what we bring to the world) on the prevailing empiricism (what we take from the world) of modern poetry, which leads to a concern with consciousness rather than experience. This in turn involves a re-conceptualisation of the lyric or narrative I, of language itself as a phenomenon, and of other poetic themes such as nature, culture, history, and art. Against the background of the dominant empiricism of modern Irish poetry as presented in Crotty's anthology, the essay explores these ideas in terms of a small number of poets who may be considered modernist in various ways. This does not rule out modernist elements in some other poets and the initial distinction between a poetics of experience and one of consciousness is better seen as a multi-dimensional spectrum that requires further, more detailed analysis than is possible here.
‘The history of Ireland he knew before he went to school’: The Irish Tom Raworth
Authors: Cummins James
Published: April 2016

In an interview in 1971 Tom Raworth states ‘I don't really see any reason for a term like “English poet”’ and throughout his career Raworth has resisted such simple national classifications. His work is often discussed in relation to the strong relationship he fostered with American poets and poetics. Raworth, for many, exemplifies the transatlantic conversation that flourished during the 1960s onward. He was influenced by numerous schools of American poetry and would in turn act as an influence to many American writers. As Ted Berrigan states ‘he's as good as we are, & rude a thing as it is to say, we don't expect that, from English poets today, (I wonder is he better?)’. However, considering Raworth's mother was Irish and that since 1990 Raworth himself has travelled under an Irish passport this simple duality of British / American does not go far enough in exploring Raworth's complex national poetic identity. Using a combination of contextual and biographical information alongside close readings of a number of collected and uncollected poems this essay explores the influence Ireland, its culture, religion and history, has had on Raworth's upbringing, his sense of national identity and his poetry.
Autoantibodies in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Authors: Hoffmann Carolin , Zong Shenghua , Mané-Damas Marina , Molenaar Peter , Losen Mario , Martinez-Martinez Pilar
Published: April 2016

Little is known about the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. The identification of autoantibodies targeting the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R), which causes neurological and psychiatric symptoms, has reinvigorated the hypothesis that other patient subgroups may also suffer from an underlying autoimmune condition. In recent years, a wide range of neuropsychiatric diseases and autoantibodies targeting ion-channels or neuronal receptors including NMDA-R, voltage gated potassium channel complex (VGKC complex), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPA-R), γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA-R) and dopamine receptor (DR) were studied and conflicting reports have been published regarding the seroprevalence of these autoantibodies. A clear causative role of autoantibodies on psychiatric symptoms has as yet only been shown for the NMDA-R. Several other autoantibodies have been related to the presence of certain symptoms and antibody effector mechanisms have been proposed. However, extensive clinical studies with large multicenter efforts to standardize diagnostic procedures for autoimmune etiology and animal studies are needed to confirm the pathogenicity of these autoantibodies. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of neuronal autoantibodies in the major neuropsychiatric disorders: psychotic, major depression, autism spectrum, obsessive-compulsive and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders.
The Effects of Smoking on Ultrasonographic Thickness and Elastosonographic Strain Ratio Measurements of Distal Femoral Cartilage
Authors: Gungor Harun , Agladioglu Kadir , Akkaya Nuray , Akkaya Semih , Ok Nusret , Ozçakar Levent
Published: April 2016

Although adverse effects of smoking on bone health are all well known, data on how smoking interacts with cartilage structure in otherwise healthy individuals remains conflicting. Here, we ascertain the effects of cigarette smoking on sonoelastographic properties of distal femoral cartilage in asymptomatic adults. Demographic characteristics and smoking habits (packets/year) of healthy volunteers were recorded. Medial, intercondylar, and lateral distal femoral cartilage thicknesses and strain ratios on the dominant extremity were measured with ultrasonography (US) and real time US elastography. A total of 88 subjects (71 M, 17 F; aged 18–56 years, N = 43 smokers and N = 45 nonsmokers) were evaluated. Mean amount of cigarette smoking was 10.3 ± 8.9 (1–45) packets/year. Medial, intercondylar and lateral cartilage were thicker in smokers than nonsmokers (p = 0.002, p = 0.017, and p = 0.004, respectively). Medial distal femoral cartilage strain ratio was lower in smokers (p = 0.003). The amount of smoking was positively correlated with cartilage thicknesses and negatively correlated with medial cartilage strain ratios (p < 0.05). Femoral cartilage is thicker in smokers but has less strain ratio representing harder cartilage on the medial side. Future studies are needed to understand how these structural changes in the knee cartilage should be interpreted with regard to the development of knee osteoarthritis in smokers.
Sulforaphane Analogues with Heterocyclic Moieties: Syntheses and Inhibitory Activities against Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Shi Ye-Hui , Dai Dong-Fang , Li Jing , Dong Yan-Wei , Jiang Yin , Li Huan-Gong , Gao Yuan , Chong Chuan-Ke , Li Hui-Ying , Chu Xiao-Qian , Yang Cheng , Zhang Quan , Tong Zhong-Sheng , Bai Cui-Gai , Chen Yue
Published: April 2016

Recent studies have shown that sulforaphane (SFN) selectively inhibits the growth of ALDH+ breast cancer stem-like cells.Herein, a series of SFN analogues were synthesized and evaluated against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and SUM-159, and the leukemia stem cell-like cell line KG-1a. These SFN analogues were characterized by the replacement of the methyl group with heterocyclic moieties, and the replacement of the sulfoxide group with sulfide or sulfone. A growth inhibitory assay indicated that the tetrazole analogs 3d, 8d and 9d were significantly more potent than SFN against the three cancer cell lines. Compound 14c, the water soluble derivative of tetrazole sulfide 3d, demonstrated higher potency against KG-1a cell line than 3d. SFN, 3d and 14c significantly induced the activation of caspase-3, and reduced the ALDH+ subpopulation in the SUM159 cell line, while the marketed drug doxrubicin(DOX) increased the ALDH+ subpopulation.
Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review
Authors: Mazahery Hajar , Camargo Carlos , Conlon Cathryn , Beck Kathryn , Kruger Marlena , Von Hurst Pamela
Published: April 2016

Low vitamin D status in early development has been hypothesised as an environmental risk factor for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), given the concurrent increase in the prevalence of these two conditions, and the association of vitamin D with many ASD-associated medical conditions. Identification of vitamin D-ASD factors may provide indications for primary and secondary prevention interventions. We systematically reviewed the literature for studies on vitamin D-ASD relationship, including potential mechanistic pathways. We identified seven specific areas, including: latitude, season of conception/birth, maternal migration/ethnicity, vitamin D status of mothers and ASD patients, and vitamin D intervention to prevent and treat ASD. Due to differences in the methodological procedures and inconsistent results, drawing conclusions from the first three areas is difficult. Using a more direct measure of vitamin D status—that is, serum 25(OH)D level during pregnancy or childhood—we found growing evidence for a relationship between vitamin D and ASD. These findings are supported by convincing evidence from experimental studies investigating the mechanistic pathways. However, with few primary and secondary prevention intervention trials, this relationship cannot be determined, unless randomised placebo-controlled trials of vitamin D as a preventive or disease-modifying measure in ASD patients are available.
The Effects of in Situ-Formed Silver Nanoparticles on the Electrical Properties of Epoxy Resin Filled with Silver Nanowires
Authors: Song Gwang-Seok , Lee Dai , Kang Ilho
Published: April 2016

A novel method for preparing epoxy/silver nanocomposites was developed via the in situ formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within the epoxy resin matrix while using silver nanowires (AgNWs) as a conductive filler. The silver–imidazole complex was synthesized from silver acetate (AgAc) and 1-(2-cyanoethyl)-2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (imidazole). AgNPs were generated in situ during the curing of the epoxy resin through the thermal decomposition of the AgAc–imidazole complex, which was capable of reducing Ag+ to Ag by itself. The released imidazole acted as a catalyst to cure the epoxy. Additionally, after the curing process, the in situ-generated AgNPs were stabilized by the formed epoxy network. Therefore, by using the thermal decomposition method, uniformly dispersed AgNPs of approximately 100 nm were formed in situ in the epoxy matrix filled with AgNWs. It was observed that the nanocomposites containing in situ-formed AgNPs exhibited isotropic electrical properties in the epoxy resins in the presence of AgNWs.
What’s the Score? Walkable Environments and Subsidized Households
Authors: Kim Young-Jae , Woo Ayoung
Published: April 2016

Neighborhood walkability can influence individual health, social interactions, and environmental quality, but the relationships between subsidized households and their walkable environment have not been sufficiently examined in previous empirical studies. Focusing on two types of subsidized housing developments (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Public Housing (PH)) in Austin, Texas, this study evaluates the neighborhood walkability of place-based subsidized households, utilizing objectively measured Walk Score and walking-related built environment data. We also used U.S. Census block group data to account for the socio-demographic covariates. Based on various data, we employed bivariate and multivariate analyses to specify the relationships between subsidized households and their neighborhood walkable environment. The results of our bivariate analyses show that LIHTC households tend to be located in car-dependent neighborhoods and have more undesirable walking-related built environment conditions compared with non-LIHTC neighborhoods. Our regression results also represent that LIHTC households are more likely to be exposed to neighborhoods with low Walk Score, less sidewalk coverage, and more highways and major roads, while there are no significant associations for PH households. These findings imply that more attention and effort toward reducing the inequitable distributions of walkable neighborhood features supporting rather than hindering healthy lifestyles must be provided to subsidized households.
Measles Virus Fusion Protein: Structure, Function and Inhibition
Authors: Plattet Philippe , Alves Lisa , Herren Michael , Aguilar Hector
Published: April 2016

Measles virus (MeV), a highly contagious member of the Paramyxoviridae family, causes measles in humans. The Paramyxoviridae family of negative single-stranded enveloped viruses includes several important human and animal pathogens, with MeV causing approximately 120,000 deaths annually. MeV and canine distemper virus (CDV)-mediated diseases can be prevented by vaccination. However, sub-optimal vaccine delivery continues to foster MeV outbreaks. Post-exposure prophylaxis with antivirals has been proposed as a novel strategy to complement vaccination programs by filling herd immunity gaps. Recent research has shown that membrane fusion induced by the morbillivirus glycoproteins is the first critical step for viral entry and infection, and determines cell pathology and disease outcome. Our molecular understanding of morbillivirus-associated membrane fusion has greatly progressed towards the feasibility to control this process by treating the fusion glycoprotein with inhibitory molecules. Current approaches to develop anti-membrane fusion drugs and our knowledge on drug resistance mechanisms strongly suggest that combined therapies will be a prerequisite. Thus, discovery of additional anti-fusion and/or anti-attachment protein small-molecule compounds may eventually translate into realistic therapeutic options.
Sentinel Animals in a One Health Approach to Harmful Cyanobacterial and Algal Blooms
Authors: Backer Lorraine , Miller Melissa
Published: April 2016

People, domestic animals, and wildlife are all exposed to numerous environmental threats, including harmful algal blooms (HABs). However, because animals exhibit wide variations in diet, land use and biology, they are often more frequently or heavily exposed to HAB toxins than are people occupying the same habitat, making them sentinels for human exposures. Historically, we have taken advantage of unique physiological characteristics of animals, such as the sensitivity of canaries to carbon monoxide, to more quickly recognize threats and help protect human health. As HAB events become more severe and widespread worldwide, exposure and health outcome data for animals can be extremely helpful to predict, prevent, and evaluate human exposures and health outcomes. Applying a One Health approach to investigation of HABs means that lessons learned from animal sentinels can be applied to protect people, animals and our shared environment.
Chronique de droit privé de l'environnement, civil et commercial
Authors: Camproux-Duffrène Marie-Pierre , Curzydlo Alexia
Published: April 2016

Cette chronique a débuté en 2007 (RJE, n° 1/2007). Elle a pour objectif de rendre compte de la montée en puissance du droit privé de l'environnement. Elle présente, d'une part, l'action en réparation civile du dommage causé à l'environnement. Il est fait état d'un assouplissement des conditions de recevabilité de ce type d'actions dans le domaine de la justice civile. On constate donc l'émergence de la qualification d'un préjudice écologique. D'autre part, la chronique présente les interactions entre le droit commercial et le droit de l'environnement, et notamment sur le plan des marchés financiers, de l'information environnementale ainsi que de la remise en état des sites pollués.
Les OGM : en avoir ou pas ? A propos de la loi du 25 juin 2008 relative aux organismes génétiquement modifiés
Authors: Van Lang Agathe
Published: April 2016

Après sa condamnation pour non-transposition de directive et ses travaux issus du Grenelle de l'environnement, la France s'est décidée à relancer le processus législatif, qui a abouti à la loi n° 2008-595 du 25 juin 2008 relative aux organismes génétiquement modifiés. Au vu des avis partagés que suscitent un sujet comme les OGM, le législateur devait agir sur le terrain du principe de précaution mais aussi sur le terrain de la transparence permettant de répondre à l'obligation d'information et de participation du public. Cet article a pour but de vérifier si ses dispositions participent à la mise en œuvre de ces principes structurants de la matière.
La régulation des ressources naturelles à Madagascar : théorie et pratique du régime de la sanction dans la loi Gélose
Authors: Karpé Philippe , Randrianarison Mino
Published: April 2016

Riches, uniques et utiles, les ressources naturelles sont, à Madagascar, menacées. Depuis des décennies, des politiques publiques sont poursuivies pour y remédier, en vain. Ceci marque l'échec d'une certaine conception de la sanction. Dans le contexte spécifique de l'accès au droit à Madagascar, la sanction ne peut plus être entendue comme une simple répression ou punition. Sa signification doit être autre. Tout en demeurant une norme étatique classique, la loi Gélose (loi n° 96-025 relative à la gestion locale des ressources naturelles renouvelables) introduit une autre conception de la sanction. Bien loin de constituer une création théorique, décalée, incompréhensible, inapplicable et donc inutile, cette forme nouvelle de sanction a été mise en œuvre, complétée et enrichie par des projets, des programmes et des organismes de développement durable. Elle est ainsi bien réelle et fonctionnelle.
Les implications juridiques du mouvement constitutionnel du 18 janvier 1996 en matière d'environnement au Cameroun
Authors: Andela Jacques-Joël
Published: April 2016

La constitutionnalisation du phénomène environnemental au Cameroun ne s'est pas faite en marge des grandes orientations définies à l'échelle internationale. Par la révision constitutionnelle du 18 janvier 1996, en effet, le constituant camerounais a fait de l'environnement un droit fondamental de l'homme dont la mise en œuvre suppose l'action concertée de tous les acteurs économiques et sociaux. Cependant, il n'en demeure pas moins que le contenu dudit droit reste marqué d'un anthropocentrisme étriqué que treize années d'activités législatives et réglementaires n'ont pas suffi à dépasser ; preuve que la protection de l'environnement va au-delà de considérations purement juridiques.
Neo-Iranian Nationalism: Pre-Islamic Grandeur and Shi'i Eschatology in President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's Rhetoric
Authors: Fozi Navid
Published: April 2016

In 2009, Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad began to invoke nationalist sentiments by paying homage to Iran's pre-Islamic history; a significant shift from 30 years of disparaging this period. Tracing the religious and political genealogies of Ahmadinejad's discourse, this article
analyzes the climate that rendered both the Islamic Republic's Shi'i-oriented nationalism and the secular alternative proposed by the Pahlavi dynasty politically inadequate. Such a climate provided conditions to amalgamate, albeit incompletely, a “neo-Iranian” nationalist discourse
based on restoring ancient Persia's grandeur and bolstered by Shi'i eschatology.
DETERMINATION AND EVALUATION OF RAILWAY AGGREGATE SUB-BALLAST GRADATION AND OTHER PROPERTIES VARIATION
Authors: NAVIKAS Deividas , BULEVIČIUS Matas , SIVILEVIČIUS Henrikas
Published: April 2016

The use of high quality aggregate mixture, proper technological parameters of laying and compacting as well as the required thickness of the mixture ensures railway sub-ballast layer properties. In this paper gradation, den­sity and water permeability of 49 produced random samples of aggregate sub-ballast (ASB) mixture which were taken from the stockpile in the plant and from the uncompacted railway layer are investigated. The statistical parameters of the ASB mixture quality indicators and histograms with theoretical curves of normal distribution are presented as well. Their conformity to normal distribution was tested through the use of skewness, kurtosis, Pearson, Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov methods. Regression analysis was employed to determine the dependence of standard deviation of percent passing on the mean percent passing through the sieves. In this paper a new method of determining the homo­geneity of ASB according to the variation of gradation using the maximum standard deviation value of this dependence was employed. The minimum size n was calculated with the permissible relative error of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The obtained research findings revealed that due to segregation processes the homogeneity of ASB mixture from the point of its production to application has decreased by about 38%.
ORIGIN OF THE CHAOTIC MOTION OF THE SATURNIAN SATELLITE ATLAS
Authors: Renner S. , Cooper N. J. , Moutamid M. El , Sicardy B. , Vienne A. , Murray C. D. , Saillenfest M.
Published: April 2016

We revisit the dynamics of Atlas. Using Cassini ISS astrometric observations spanning 2004 February to 2013 August, Cooper et al. found evidence that Atlas is currently perturbed by both a 54:53 corotation eccentricity resonance (CER) and a 54:53 Lindblad eccentricity resonance (LER) with Prometheus. They demonstrated that the orbit of Atlas is chaotic, with a Lyapunov time of order 10 years, as a direct consequence of the coupled resonant interaction (CER/LER) with Prometheus. Here we investigate the interactions between the two resonances using the CoraLin analytical model, showing that the chaotic zone fills almost all the corotation sites occupied by the satellite's orbit. Four 70:67 apse-type mean motion resonances with Pandora are also overlapping, but these resonances have a much weaker effect. Frequency analysis allows us to highlight the coupling between the 54:53 resonances, and confirms that a simplified system including the perturbations due to Prometheus and Saturn's oblateness only captures the essential features of the dynamics.
THE FREQUENCY OF GIANT IMPACTS ON EARTH-LIKE WORLDS
Authors: Quintana Elisa V. , Barclay Thomas , Borucki William J. , Rowe Jason F. , Chambers John E.
Published: April 2016

The late stages of terrestrial planet formation are dominated by giant impacts that collectively influence the growth, composition, and habitability of any planets that form. Hitherto, numerical models designed to explore these late stage collisions have been limited by assuming that all collisions lead to perfect accretion, and many of these studies lack the large number of realizations needed to account for the chaotic nature of N-body systems. We improve on these limitations by performing 280 simulations of planet formation around a Sun-like star, half of which used an N-body algorithm that has recently been modified to include fragmentation and hit-and-run (bouncing) collisions. We find that when fragmentation is included, the final planets formed are comparable in terms of mass and number; however, their collision histories differ significantly and the accretion time approximately doubles. We explored impacts onto Earth-like planets, which we parameterized in terms of their specific impact energies. Only 15 of our 164 Earth-analogs experienced an impact that was energetic enough to strip an entire atmosphere. To strip about half of an atmosphere requires energies comparable to recent models of the Moon-forming giant impact. Almost all Earth-analogs received at least one impact that met this criteria during the 2 Gyr simulations and the median was three giant impacts. The median time of the

final

giant impact was 43 Myr after the start of the simulations, leading us to conclude that the time-frame of the Moon-forming impact is typical among planetary systems around Sun-like stars.
Gilbert Rozon, entre l’humour et la mort
Authors: Auger Claudine
Published: April 2016

Impertinent, véritable maître de la controverse et gestionnaire de talents qui n’a jamais eu peur du risque ni de la défaite, Gilbert Rozon prend place à l’émission Dans l’œil du dragon aux côtés d’autres stars de l’entrepreneuriat québécois. Peut-être parce que, malgré un horaire impossible, il lui importe d’apporter un legs de son parcours de leader d’une industrie qu’il a créée de toutes pièces. Sur les traces d’un homme à la réflexion affûtée, qui a su traverser la vie et la mort grâce à l’humour.
Institutions financières : votre réputation est-elle à risque ?
Authors: Bournival Geneviève
Published: April 2016

La Commission européenne inclut désormais l’« impact sur la société » dans sa définition de la responsabilité sociale des entreprises. Dans leur article intitulé « Closing the Trade Finance Sustainability Gap », paru en mars 2015 dans la MIT Sloan Management Review , Olivier Jaeggi et Gina Santos expliquent les effets de cette nouvelle mesure sur les institutions qui financent les activités commerciales.
L’académie BMO groupe financier, une initiative en or
Authors: Desjardins Mariève K. , Desjardins Claude
Published: April 2016

Avec un personnel comptant environ 47 000 membres dans le monde entier, BMO Groupe financier se soucie depuis longtemps du développement du leadership et de la formation de la relève. Son université d’entreprise, l’Académie BMO Groupe financier, a ainsi requis un investissement majeur au cours des dernières années pour favoriser l’apprentissage continu à l’interne et ainsi s’assurer d’une relève compétente. La méthode retenue ? L’apprentissage par l’action, afin de créer une « organisation apprenante ».
Transitions de postes : attention aux dérailleurs de succès !
Authors: Grenier Simon
Published: April 2016

Au cours de leur carrière, de 30 % à 50 % des gestionnaires risquent de trébucher avant d’avoir atteint leur plein potentiel, souvent en raison d’une incapacité à adapter leurs comportements à leurs nouvelles fonctions. Pour qu’elle soit réussie, une transition vers un poste de direction doit donc s’anticiper en étant bien au fait des dérailleurs de succès potentiels.
Entretien avec Marshall Goldsmith, le penseur des leaders
Authors: Thomas Marine
Published: April 2016

Coach auprès des plus grands dirigeants, nommé penseur n˚ 1 au monde en matière de leadership en 2015 par la Harvard Business Review et auteur à succès de 35 livres, Marshall Goldsmith est sans conteste l’un des penseurs d’affaires les plus influents sur la planète. Il nous explique comment apporter des changements positifs à nos comportements pour atteindre de plus hauts sommets et devenir un meilleur leader.
Employés à haut potentiel : transparence ou secret ?
Authors: Sabourin Francine
Published: April 2016

Le développement des ressources humaines, tout particulièrement celui des employés dits à haut potentiel, est crucial pour toute organisation. Mais le secret dans un tel processus ne risque-t-il pas de nuire au climat et aux relations de travail ? Doit-on plutôt privilégier la transparence, au risque de démotiver les autres employés ?
Entreprises familiales : comment bien préparer la relève
Authors: Le Breton-Miller Isabelle , Miller Danny
Published: April 2016

L’entreprise familiale est le type d’entreprise le plus répandu au Québec, au Canada et même partout dans le monde. À l’échelle locale, elle génère à elle seule 70 % de la création d’emploi. Toutefois, la succession des entreprises échoue trop souvent, privant ainsi les familles et l’économie nationale d’une importante source de prospérité. Que doit faire la génération actuelle pour mieux préparer la prochaine à reprendre les rênes ?
Cinq étapes pour mettre en œuvre la méthode Kata dans votre entreprise
Authors: Landry Sylvain , Rother Mike , Halin Francis
Published: April 2016

Terme emprunté aux arts martiaux, le kata est un mode de pensée qui privilégie la transmission du savoir au sein d’une organisation grâce à une pratique susceptible d’en accroître la compétitivité. Comment vous en inspirer au sein de votre entreprise ?
Comment accroître son pouvoir organisationnel ?
Authors: Lainey Pierre
Published: April 2016

L’exercice du pouvoir a toujours suscité des questions : pourquoi, avec qui et comment se servir du pouvoir ? Existe-t-il de « bonnes pratiques » en matière d’utilisation du pouvoir ? Comment éviter les dérapages que l’on constate chez ceux qui, dans leur quête du pouvoir, en veulent toujours davantage ? Après des décennies de recherches, les experts commencent enfin à avoir des éléments de réponse...
L’échec vénéré - Au-delà du fantasme
Authors: Barès Franck , Auger Claudine
Published: April 2016

Loin d’être cachés, les détails d’un échec sont désormais bien en vue sur un curriculum vitæ. La déduction est la suivante : ces épisodes qui éprouvent l’individu prouvent également sa valeur. Cette conception à la mode, admise d’emblée, s’exprime avec une force particulière dans le secteur des entreprises en démarrage au potentiel élevé. Mais l’échec n’est-il pas sublimé ? Est-il vraiment un passage obligé vers l’apprentissage ? Et pour que ce soit le cas, ne faut-il pas avant tout savoir en tirer les leçons appropriées ?
Complex Systems Theories and Eclectic Approach in Analysing and Theorising the Contemporary International Security Complex
Authors: Tomé Luis
Published: April 2016

This chapter has a dual purpose: first, it is intended to demonstrate the need and usefulness of Complex systems theories and, in this context, what we call an “Eclectic Approach” for analysing and theorising about International Relations and security; second, it aims to characterise the contemporary international security system. We also develop two basic arguments: that the reality is too complex, heterogeneous and varied to fit into theories that purport to interpret exclusively in the light of its previous cognitive structures; and that the contemporary international security system is a complex of international security systems – competitive, cooperative, collective, and security communities.
Foreign Aid to Africa
Authors: Kakuba Sultan Juma
Published: April 2016

The main objective of this chapter is to provide evidence that foreign Aid to African countries is a barricade to their sustainable development. Both modernisation and Dependency theorists' suggestions have failed to spawn socio-economic and political development in African countries. Complexity theory may provide a better understanding of the linkage between foreign aid and the socio-economic and political underdevelopment. The current foreign aid given to African sovereign states by donor or developed countries seems to perpetuate underdevelopment. In fact, Foreign Aid to most of African countries has not adequately addressed its problems; rather it has succeeded in keeping most of African countries dependent on foreign aid and in the state of underdevelopment. Using both quantitative and qualitative document analysis of records on foreign Aid to Africa reveals that foreign Aid in and out of itself is not a bad thing, it is among those many important resource inputs, which operate in many African countries which if paved with good intention could bring about sustainable socio-economic and political development in Africa.
Enneagram through Chaos Theory
Authors: Tran Ben
Published: April 2016

Chaos Theory, which is the study of nonlinear dynamic systems, correlates to organizational systems. Organizations are not physical systems, and when they reach the bifurcation point, also known as the edge of chaos, they start to gain and produce unexpected results. In the past, how this actually happens remains mysterious, primarily because organizations are made up of individuals, and how the edge of chaos concept relates to the individual psyche is unclear. The available evidence suggests that individuals and groups find new energy to create and innovate when their organization is in this state. The available evidence, is known as the Enneagram of Personality, is making it presence known in the social science of organizational behavior within the organizational side of business. The main focus of this chapter is on the innovative strategy of utilizing the Enneagram of Personality as it applies to social sciences through chaos theory.
Evaluating HRM Functions within the Context of Chaos and Complexity Theory
Authors: Gözüm Ayşe Gözde
Published: April 2016

Chaos theory moots that consequences can be predicted in a system of deterministic thinking. Moreover, in general, chaotic systems can be accepted as random as they are predicted. Of course, the prediction depends on how the dimensions are clear. As chaos theory is applied for social sciences, many related studies were done on business management and to its functions. However both the studies on chaos theory and human resources management are satisfactory in numbers, studies on the relationship between these two are scarce. This paper provides a review of literature that underlines the basic principles of chaos and complexity theory, and the functions of human recourses management. In addition to this common practices of human resource management functions will be discussed in the context of chaos and complexity theory. During the text, the question of how HRM can be explained with chaos theory will be answered. It is aimed to fill the gap in the area with showing the connections between two levels of reality. Then, the study was designed to serve the daily business life with is discussions.
Emerging Market Sovereign Debts as a Means for Profit Maximization and Portfolio Diversification
Authors: Yesuf Abdurahman Jemal
Published: April 2016

The case for emerging markets debts (EMD) has convinced many investors. This is an asset class that has been experiencing an increase in inflows and is getting international investors attention. During the past two decades, cross-border inflows into ‘emerging market' debt instruments have rose rapidly. Over twelve trillion dollar is currently invested in ‘Emerging Markets' debt. This asset classes has delivered strong returns over time and deserves consideration. Therefore, this paper is intended to show how and why Emerging Market debts are vital instrument in portfolio diversification by using descriptive analysis. The performance assessment has made by noting the unique statistical attributes of ‘emerging market' bond returns, such as their correlation with other asset classes and also by taking their annualized volatility rate and Sharpe ratios. The assessment has done based on compiled data from known sources such as JP Morgan, Bloomberg and other well known secondary data sources.
The Portrayal of Masculinities in a Kiswahili Novel
Authors: Onyango James Ogola , Musa Yasin S.
Published: April 2016

Although the themes of fate and class struggle have been profoundly explored in the critical analyses that have been undertaken on Nyota ya Rehema, however, in Critical Discourse Analysis and Hegemonic Masculinity perspectives, the question of masculinities is no less vital. Therefore, this paper seeks to give a critical insight into varied shades of masculinity that are manifesting in Nyota ya Rehema. Focussing on relevant texts, we uncover the disproportional masculine ideological and power positions that are explicit in sexuality and socio-economic spheres such as marriage, prostitution, employment and property inheritance that depict the disadvantaged position of female characters. The exploration of masculinities in islands Kiswahili novel that has mainly focussed on class struggle may be a welcome departure.
Persuasion and Propaganda in War and Terrorism
Authors: Steinfatt Thomas , Janbek Dana
Published: April 2016

This chapter focuses on the use of propaganda during times of war, prejudice, and political unrest. Part one distinguishes between persuasion and one of its forms, propaganda. The meaning-in-use of the term ‘propaganda' is essential to understanding its use over time. Part two presents relevant examples of propaganda from the past several centuries in the United States and Europe. These examples include episodes from World War I and II, among others. Propaganda is not a new tool of persuasion, and learning about its use in the past provides a comparison that helps in understanding its use in the present and future. Part three looks at recent examples of how propaganda occurs in actual use in online terrorist mediums by Al-Qaeda and by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Social Media and the Use of Discursive Markers of Online Extremism and Recruitment
Authors: Torok Robyn
Published: April 2016

This chapter examines the shift toward the use of social media to fuel violent extremism, what the key discursive markers are, and how these key discursive markers are used to fuel violent extremism. The chapter then addresses and critiques a number of radicalisation models including but not limited to phase based models. Discursive markers are covered under three broad narrative areas. Narratives of grievance are designed to stimulate strong emotive responses to perceived injustices. Based on these grievances, active agency is advocated in the form of jihad as a path that one should follow. Finally, a commitment to martyrdom is sought as the goal of these discursive markers.
ISIS Discourse in Radical Islamic Online News Media in Indonesia
Authors: Erikha Fajar , Putra Idhamsyah Eka , Sarwono Sarlito Wirawan
Published: April 2016

This article aims to understand how discourses about Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are supported and/or rejected by radical Islamic groups. Data were collected from two Islamic news website: Voa-Islam and Arrahmah. Both websites are categorised as radical Islamic sites. By using the discursive psychology approach, it was found that when ISIS is viewed as a group that actualised the establishment of an Islamic State, it is praised and supported. However, when ISIS is deemed to have killed other fellow Muslims, it is opposed and its movement is considered to be ‘out of Islamic corridors'. Practical implications of these findings are identified and discussed.