bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Fiber Bragg Grating Spectrum Degradation on the Performance of Sensor Interrogation Algorithms
Authors: Lamberti Alfredo , Vanlanduit Steve , De Pauw Ben , Berghmans Francis
Published: December 2014

The working principle of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is mostly based on the tracking of the Bragg wavelength shift. To accomplish this task, different algorithms have been proposed, from conventional maximum and centroid detection algorithms to more recently-developed correlation-based techniques. Several studies regarding the performance of these algorithms have been conducted, but they did not take into account spectral distortions, which appear in many practical applications. This paper addresses this issue and analyzes the performance of four different wavelength tracking algorithms (maximum detection, centroid detection, cross-correlation and fast phase-correlation) when applied to distorted FBG spectra used for measuring dynamic loads. Both simulations and experiments are used for the analyses. The dynamic behavior of distorted FBG spectra is simulated using the transfer-matrix approach, and the amount of distortion of the spectra is quantified using dedicated distortion indices. The algorithms are compared in terms of achievable precision and accuracy. To corroborate the simulation results, experiments were conducted using three FBG sensors glued on a steel plate and subjected to a combination of transverse force and vibration loads. The analysis of the results showed that the fast phase-correlation algorithm guarantees the best combination of versatility, precision and accuracy.
Towards Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Alternative Passenger Vehicles
Authors: Onat Nuri , Kucukvar Murat , Tatari Omer
Published: December 2014

Sustainable transportation and mobility are key components and central to sustainable development. This research aims to reveal the macro-level social, economic, and environmental impacts of alternative vehicle technologies in the U.S. The studied vehicle technologies are conventional gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid with four different all-electric ranges, and full battery electric vehicles (BEV). In total, 19 macro level sustainability indicators are quantified for a scenario in which electric vehicles are charged through the existing U.S. power grid with no additional infrastructure, and an extreme scenario in which electric vehicles are fully charged with solar charging stations. The analysis covers all life cycle phases from the material extraction, processing, manufacturing, and operation phases to the end-of-life phases of vehicles and batteries. Results of this analysis revealed that the manufacturing phase is the most influential phase in terms of socio-economic impacts compared to other life cycle phases, whereas operation phase is the most dominant phase in the terms of environmental impacts and some of the socio-economic impacts such as human health and economic cost of emissions. Electric vehicles have less air pollution cost and human health impacts compared to conventional gasoline vehicles. The economic cost of emissions and human health impact reduction potential can be up to 45% and 35%, respectively, if electric vehicles are charged through solar charging stations. Electric vehicles have potential to generate income for low and medium skilled workers in the U.S. In addition to quantified sustainability indicators, some sustainability metrics were developed to compare relative sustainability performance alternative passenger vehicles. BEV has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and ecological land footprint per $ of its contribution to the U.S. GDP, and has the lowest ecological footprint per unit of its energy consumption. The only sustainability metrics that does not favor the BEV is the water-energy ratio, where the conventional gasoline vehicle performed best.
Analysis and Projection of the Relationship between Industrial Structure and Land Use Structure in China
Authors: Jin Qin , Deng Xiangzheng , Wang Zhan , Shi Chenchen , Li Xing
Published: December 2014

Based on the computable general equilibrium (CGE) modelling method, this research analyzes the relationship between industrial structure and land use structure in China. The results show that our model is feasible, and the simulation results are of a certain stability. Under the scenario analysis and projection of the relationship between the industrial structure and land use structure of the thirty-one provinces in China from 2010 to 2020, the proportions of secondary and tertiary industry in each province have been increasing; correspondingly, the proportion of agriculture has been decreasing. This means that the industrial structure of China is changing. As for land use, in general, the trend is similar to the industrial structure changes. The transformation of the structure of industrial development and land use has driven economic structure changes in China. The economic structure has an inclination to transform from agriculture to both secondary and tertiary industry. Along with industrial transformation, the cultivated land in China shows a trend of continuous decline. Empirical analysis results indicate that a decrease of cultivated land is acceptable under the scenario of economic growth in the next ten years. This shows a possibility that the economic efficiency of land use for cultivation and business services will decline, and more attention ought to be paid to increasing the economic efficiency of land use.
Direct Activation of Ribosome-Associated Double-Stranded RNA-Dependent Protein Kinase (PKR) by Deoxynivalenol, Anisomycin and Ricin: A New Model for Ribotoxic Stress Response Induction
Authors: Zhou Hui-Ren , He Kaiyu , Landgraf Jeff , Pan Xiao , Pestka James
Published: December 2014

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR) is a critical upstream mediator of the ribotoxic stress response (RSR) to the trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON) and other translational inhibitors. Here, we employed HeLa cell lysates to: (1) characterize PKR’s interactions with the ribosome and ribosomal RNA (rRNA); (2) demonstrate cell-free activation of ribosomal-associated PKR and (3) integrate these findings in a unified model for RSR. Robust PKR-dependent RSR was initially confirmed in intact cells. PKR basally associated with 40S, 60S, 80S and polysome fractions at molar ratios of 7, 2, 23 and 3, respectively. Treatment of ATP-containing HeLa lysates with DON or the ribotoxins anisomycin and ricin concentration-dependently elicited phosphorylation of PKR and its substrate eIF2α. These phosphorylations could be blocked by PKR inhibitors. rRNA immunoprecipitation (RNA-IP) of HeLa lysates with PKR-specific antibody and sequencing revealed that in the presence of DON or not, the kinase associated with numerous discrete sites on both the 18S and 28S rRNA molecules, a number of which contained double-stranded hairpins. These findings are consistent with a sentinel model whereby multiple PKR molecules basally associate with the ribosome positioning them to respond to ribotoxin-induced alterations in rRNA structure by dimerizing, autoactivating and, ultimately, evoking RSR.
CPB1 of Aedes aegypti Interacts with DENV2 E Protein and Regulates Intracellular Viral Accumulation and Release from Midgut Cells
Authors: Tham Hong-Wai , Balasubramaniam Vinod , Tejo Bimo , Ahmad Hamdan , Hassan Sharifah
Published: December 2014

Aedes aegypti is a principal vector responsible for the transmission of dengue viruses (DENV). To date, vector control remains the key option for dengue disease management. To develop new vector control strategies, a more comprehensive understanding of the biological interactions between DENV and Ae. aegypti is required. In this study, a cDNA library derived from the midgut of female adult Ae. aegypti was used in yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screenings against DENV2 envelope (E) protein. Among the many interacting proteins identified, carboxypeptidase B1 (CPB1) was selected, and its biological interaction with E protein in Ae. aegypti primary midgut cells was further validated. Our double immunofluorescent assay showed that CPB1-E interaction occurred in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the Ae. aegypti primary midgut cells. Overexpression of CPB1 in mosquito cells resulted in intracellular DENV2 genomic RNA or virus particle accumulation, with a lower amount of virus release. Therefore, we postulated that in Ae. aegypti midgut cells, CPB1 binds to the E protein deposited on the ER intraluminal membranes and inhibits DENV2 RNA encapsulation, thus inhibiting budding from the ER, and may interfere with immature virus transportation to the trans-Golgi network.
Synthesis and characterization of fluorescence-labelled silica core-shell and noble metal-decorated ceria nanoparticles
Authors: Herrmann Rudolf , Rennhak Markus , Reller Armin
Published: December 2014

The present review article covers work done in the cluster NPBIOMEM in the DFG priority programme SPP 1313 and focuses on synthesis and characterization of fluorescent silica and ceria nanoparticles. Synthetic methods for labelling of silica and polyorganosiloxane/silica core–shell nanoparticles with perylenediimide derivatives are described, as well as the modification of the shell with thiol groups. Photometric methods for the determination of the number of thiol groups and an estimate for the number of fluorescent molecules per nanoparticles, including a scattering correction, have been developed. Ceria nanoparticles decorated with noble metals (Pt, Pd, Rh) are models for the decomposition products of automobile catalytic converters which appear in the exhaust gases and finally interact with biological systems including humans. The control of the degree of agglomeration of small ceria nanoparticles is the basis for their synthesis. Almost monodisperse agglomerates (40 ± 4–260 ± 40 nm diameter) can be prepared and decorated with noble metal nanoparticles (2–5 nm diameter). Fluorescence labelling with ATTO 647N gave the model particles which are now under biophysical investigation.
DECISION-MAKING UNDER RISK AND UNCERTAINTY AND ITS APPLICATION IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
Authors: Merigó José M.
Published: December 2014

We introduce a new decision-making model that unifies risk and uncertain environments in the same formulation. For doing so, we present the induced probabilistic ordered weighted averaging (IPOWA) operator. It is an aggregation operator that unifies the probability with the OWA operator in the same formulation and considering the degree of importance of each concept in the aggregation. Moreover, it also uses induced aggregation operators that provide a more general representation of the attitudinal character of the decision-maker. We study its applicability and we see that it is very broad because all the previous studies that use the probability or the OWA operator can be revised and extended with this new approach. We briefly analyze some basic applications in statistics such as the implementation of this approach with the variance, the covariance, the Pearson coefficient and in a simple linear regression model. We focus on a multi-person decision-making problem in strategic management. Thus, we are able to construct a new aggregation operator that we call the multi-person IPOWA operator. Its main advantage is that it can deal with the opinion of several persons in the analysis so we can represent the information in a more complete way.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIRM SIZE, RESOURCES, AGE AT ENTRY AND INTERNATIONALIZATION: THE CASE OF SLOVENIAN SMES
Authors: Ruzzier Mitja , Ruzzier Maja Konecnik
Published: December 2014

Export marketing and international business literature support the view that firm size–a reflection of number of employees, and sales–is positively related to export intensity and is a distinguishing factor between internationalized and non-internationalized firms. According to the resource-based view heterogeneous resource profiles that enable firms to achieve competitive advantage in international markets may be also such differentiating factors. On the other hand, as a result of the process of globalization and the increasing number of born global firms, firm age at entry into foreign markets is becoming negatively related to internationalization. Our findings just partly confirm the trends above. Using a regression model on the selected sample of 247 Slovenian small and medium enterprises, we have confirmed the hypotheses that internationalized companies are significantly larger (in terms of sales) and have more specialized resources (human, organizational, and financial resources) than non-internationalized companies. Organizational and human resources and the number of employees were positively and significantly related, while the age of companies at the start of their international activities was negatively related, to the extent of companies’ internationalization. Different implications and conclusions for researchers and entrepreneurs are derived.
DOES ICT CAPITAL AFFECT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE EU-15 AND EU-12 COUNTRIES?
Authors: Hanclova Jana , Doucek Petr , Fischer Jakub , Vltavska Kristyna
Published: December 2014

The paper examines economic growth in old and new member countries of the European Union (EU-15 and EU-12) during the years of 1994–2000 and 2001–2008 mainly due to changes in information and communication technology (ICT) capital development. The first group EU-15 is presented by old EU countries and the second group EU-12 is presented by new member countries that joined the EU in 2004–2007. The threefactor Cobb-Douglas production function is estimated through the panel general least squares method. The input factors that might influence the economic growth are labour, ICT capital services and non-ICT capital services. Since ICT capital growth data are not available for all selected economies, the groups of countries were reduced to EU-14 and EU-7. The estimated panel production functions confirmed that the average growth of GDP in the EU-7 countries was supported by the stable growth of labour quantity and ICT-capital and increasing total factor productivity. A short-term drop in non-ICT capital growth with follow-up stagnation was caused rather by lower labour productivity. The research discovered that the drop in GDP growth in the EU-14 countries was a result of the slower growth of non-ICT capital and total factor productivity and the stagnated growth of ICT capital with low elasticity, and showed that even the compensation of growth in labour quality did not prevent a decrease in total factor productivity and economic growth.
CAN FIRMS WITH THE BEST TRAINING PROGRAM WITHSTAND THE STORM OF ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY?
Authors: Sum Vichet
Published: December 2014

This study examines if firms whose training programs ranked as the best ones in the United States can withstand the changes in economic policy uncertainty. The regression analysis of monthly changes in economic policy uncertainty index, monthly returns on the CRSP value-weighted index, and monthly returns on an equal-weighted portfolio of public firms in the United States ranked consecutively from 2006 to 2011 in the top 50 of the Training Top 125 shows that the increased changes in economic policy uncertainty negatively affect the portfolio returns; however, this effect is not statistically significant at the 1% level. The result from regressing monthly returns on CRSP value-weighted index on the monthly changes of economic policy index yields a statistically significant negative coefficient at the 1% level, and this coefficient is more negative than the coefficient obtained from regressing the monthly portfolio returns on the monthly changes in economic policy uncertainty. This study provides empirical evidence of the ability of firms in the US with the best training program to withstand the storm of economic policy uncertainty better than the whole market. In other words, the findings suggest that firms with the best training program are more prepared than the whole market in responding to the changes in economic policy uncertainty.
EVOLUTIONARY PATTERNS AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS FOR E-GOVERNMENT: A DELPHI-BASED APPROACH TO PERCEPTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Authors: Ferreira Fernando A. F. , Marques Carla S. E. , Reis Melanie M. , Ferreira Neuza C. M. Q. F. , Çipi Amali
Published: December 2014

Information technology is an open door for governments to service citizens in a more timely, cost-efficient and effective manner. Even considering citizen resistance, cultural adversity or changes in the economic agents’ relationship, few would contest that concern over the state of electronic government (e-government) has increased over the years. This concern has been responsible for the emergence of a wide range of new initiatives devoted to development of the information and knowledge society, which occupies a central place in government policies and planning strategies worldwide. In this paper, we aim to analyze the evolutionary patterns of e-government in Portugal and, based on an application of the Delphi technique, provide development prospects considering the perceptions of a panel of administrative agents. Despite the low use of e-government services, our study demonstrates that the administrative agent expresses overall satisfaction with its use. Additionally, the high level of modernization allows us to forecast the increased use of information and communication technologies in terms of e-government services.
DEBT FINANCING AND IMPORTANCE OF FIXED ASSETS AND GOODWILL ASSETS AS COLLATERAL: DYNAMIC PANEL EVIDENCE
Authors: Matemilola Bolaji Tunde , Ahmad Rubi
Published: December 2014

This article analyses the effect of fixed assets and goodwill assets on South African firms’ debt ratios. The difference and system generalized method of moment estimation results reveal that fixed assets and goodwill assets have significant and positive relationship with firms’ debt ratios. To secure long-term debt, fixed assets and goodwill assets are required as collateral by creditors. Our results show firms’ adjust to long-run optimal debt level, but at a slow adjustment rate. Our results suggest there are costs preventing South African firms from adjusting faster to their long-run optimal debt level. The practical implication of the paper is that policy makers should promote policies that encourage further development of the capital market. Moreover, firms need both fixed assets and goodwill assets as collateral to raise the desired optimal debt that maximizes firm value.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSON-ORGANIZATION FIT, ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND WORK OUTCOMES
Authors: Demir Mahmut , Demir Sirvan Sen , Nield Kevin
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this research is to analyse the relationship of person-organization fit in hotels through organizational identification, job performance, production deviance behavior, and the intention to remain. To achieve this, first the literature was consulted to provide a conceptual model. Through conducting a face-to-face interview, a total of 582 questionnaires were collected from employees who were full-time employees of the five-star hotels operating within the Mugla region of Turkey. The data obtained from the survey was analysed via the statistics program; within this explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed within the framework of Structural Equation Modelling. The study concluded and identified, that external factors, namely “person-organization fit”, have an effect on internal factors such as “organizational identification”, “job performance”, “production deviance” and the “intention to remain”. The empirical results indicate that person-organization fit has a significant and positive influence on organizational identification, job performance and intention to remain, while has a significant and negative influence on production deviance behavior. The results also indicate that the organizational identification has an important effect on job performance, intention to remain and production deviance behavior.
THE TWIN FOCI OF ORGANISATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AND THEIR RELEVANCE FOR COMMITMENT: A STUDY OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY
Authors: Podnar Klement , Golob Urša
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this paper is to distinguish the two foci of organisational identification and to explore relations among employees’ groups and corporate identification, perceived external prestige, and organisational commitment. Structural equation modelling was applied to data collected by questionnaire from a sample of 145 respondents employed in advertising agencies, to test the relationships between the researched concepts. Organisational identification comprises identification with the organisation both as a collective of individuals and as a social entity. Perceived external prestige augments corporate identification and helps to explain organisational commitment. A strong positive link between corporate identification and organisational commitment was also found. The findings suggest a means for marketing strategists and general managers to predict the consequences of managing reputation for employees and to undertake appropriate initiatives to enhance corporate identification inside the company and thus influence organisational commitment and corporate performance.
MULTIPLE NASH EQUILIBRIUMS AND EVALUATION OF STRATEGIES. NEW APPLICATION OF MCDM METHODS
Authors: Zolfani Sarfaraz Hashemkhani , Maknoon Reza , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: December 2014

There are two different approaches in this study with different implications. The first approach and the main aim of this study is a methodological framework. There are different frameworks in solving game theory topics involving at least two Nash Equilibriums. This study presents a new framework for developing this part of game theory with MCDM framework. The authors believe that at least there is a perspective or paradigm behind each game theory topic, leading to the development of strategies accordingly. For this purpose a hybrid MCDM method based on SWARA-WASPAS is applied in the process of research for evaluating the strategies. The general topic of this research is in supply chain management field. This research also focuses on this issue and implies extend of the complication involved. An additional focus in the present paper is on defining a game. This research addresses developing strategies from only stable strategies to both normal and dynamic strategies. The topic is established to find the best mixed strategy considering current international and economical position of Iran against complicated international relations’ issues and specially sanction.
CONSUMER VALUE CO-CREATION IN ONLINE BUSINESS: THE CASE OF GLOBAL TRAVEL SERVICES
Authors: Smaliukiene Rasa , Chi-Shiun Lai , Sizovaite Indre
Published: December 2014

This paper aims to examine the application of value co-creation approach in online travel service based on service-dominant logic. Drawing on recent works, the research indicates travellers as co-creators of value and emphasizes the development of customer–supplier interaction. The paper presents three case studies to analyse global travel service suppliers’ (service providers) behaviour: CouchSurfing International, Inc.; TripAdvisor LLC, AirBnbINc. Case studies analysis is followed by netnographic research of 22 different discussions (1243 records) in online forums related to selected service suppliers. The research findings suggest that value co-creation approach can be effectively used to analyse processes in global online travel service section. The originality of the paper lies in exploring the contribution of co-creation approach which allowed to identify the patterns of actions and behaviour of the online travel service providers and their consumers. As an additional value of the research, it was found that the online travel service providers integrate customer-to-customer interactions as a value co-creation in their platforms using consumers’ resources such as time, knowledge and experience.
A CUMULATIVE PROSPECT THEORY APPROACH TO CAR OWNER MODE CHOICE BEHAVIOUR PREDICTION
Authors: An Shi , Hu Xiaowei , Wang Jian
Published: December 2014

The uncertain transportation environment makes travel’s mode choice decision-making behaviour become a complex and alterable process. Based on the cumulative prospect theory, this paper analysed the long-standing use of utility theory for the travel’s mode choice behaviour research. Car owner’s generalized cost includes the transport fare, travel time cost and penalty cost (early or delay); cumulative prospect theory was applied to describe the uncertain and risky prospect of car owner under congestion pricing policy. Through analysing two kinds of car owner’s generalized subjective perception costs on the four different transportation modes, including bus, subway, taxi and private car; we calculated the mode choice’s prospect value before and after the implementation of congestion pricing, and compared the difference of numerical example between cumulative prospect theory and expected utility theory. The results indicated that after the implementation of congestion pricing policy, the middle-level income car owner would prefer to choose taxi. Based on a state preference survey on travel’s mode choice behaviour, the survey results further validated our analysis. This paper for the first time adopted cumulative prospect theory to analyse travel’s mode choice behaviour after the implementation of congestion pricing policy, which can better explain car owner’s mode choice decisionmaking process under uncertain and risk condition. This study also can be helpful to many cities that wish to establish and implement the congestion pricing policy in practice.
A FUNCTIONAL ROAD CLASSIFICATION WITH DATA MINING TECHNIQUES
Authors: D’Andrea Antonino , Cappadona Claudio , Rosa Gianluca La , Pellegrino Orazio
Published: December 2014

The current international road standards, in order to give organization and safety, promote the classification of roads according to their technical and functional characteristics beyond their administrative membership, but the procedures are yet strongly based on the expertise’s judgment. In fact, although this activity has a great importance for the consequences that produces in terms of responsibility and allocation of economic resources, it is solely based on the quantification of some variables without specifying methods or analytical procedures. In this paper, after an instrumental survey of the road environment, we applied data mining techniques that consider the ‘vagueness’ of the analysed scenario. The type of algorithms used, therefore, permits to quantify a degree of membership (among 0 and 1) of a road to the groupings provided and to prepare any corrective action in order to direct the final result towards a specific class with greater precision. In addition, this method is very flexible and willing to contain new variables or observations at different times with great easiness. Moreover, the geographical location of the individual observations, as it was done also in this research, can be transferred to a GIS system, with a positive impact on maintenance programs.
FORECASTING CORPORATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE USING SENTIMENT IN ANNUAL REPORTS FOR STAKEHOLDERS’ DECISION-MAKING
Authors: Hajek Petr , Olej Vladimir , Myskova Renata
Published: December 2014

This paper is aimed at examining the role of annual reports’ sentiment in forecasting financial performance. The sentiment (tone, opinion) is assessed using several categorization schemes in order to explore various aspects of language used in the annual reports of U.S. companies. Further, we employ machine learning methods and neural networks to predict financial performance expressed in terms of the Z-score bankruptcy model. Eleven categories of sentiment (ranging from negative and positive to active and common) are used as the inputs of the prediction models. Support vector machines provide the highest forecasting accuracy. This evidence suggests that there exist non-linear relationships between the sentiment and financial performance. The results indicate that the sentiment information is an important forecasting determinant of financial performance and, thus, can be used to support decision-making process of corporate stakeholders.
MULTI CRITERIA DECISION MAKING FOR ASSISTING BUSINESS ANGELS IN INVESTMENTS
Authors: Rostamzadeh Reza , Ismail Kamariah , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: December 2014

The roles of business angels (BAs) are especially important in view of both decreasing the levels of formal venture capital investment and growing the average amount of individual deals. Angel investors typically invest at an earlier stage of growth and provide more business guidance than venture capital providers. Therefore, angel investors are the key players in generating high-growth companies, essential to regional economic development. As a result, they have attracted the attention of policy makers. Thus, this research attempted to improve the conception of decision-making criteria used by the BAs for investment, and reports the findings of an exploratory project that analysed the Malaysian BAs’ decision-making process. A hierarchy of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) model based on fuzzy sets theory and VIKOR (in Serbian: Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) method were proposed in order to look into the decision making process. For this reason, 5 main criteria and 29 sub criteria were developed to be evaluated by 5 well-known BAs to assess and rate the criteria and alternatives using fuzzy linguistic variables. For the purpose of illustration, an empirical case study was conducted on Malaysian BAs and the results are presented with numerical examples. The final finding of the research suggested that Johor is the most suitable city for investment. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Sabahare placed in the subsequent ranks. The proposed framework had been successfully applied for the decision making process, and could be used by other BAs for their cases with slight modifications.
A COMPARISON ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SOFTCOPIES FOR GEODATA PRODUCTION
Authors: Voitechovič Mažena , Ruzgienė Birutė
Published: December 2014

Up-to-date mapping technologies for geodata production are widely applicable in Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Communities. Therefore, the education in Remote Sensing and photogrammetric methods becomes very important using different image processing software for the terrain mapping purposes, spatial data modelling, etc. The use of new methods, technologies and professional widely-known systems demonstrates the desire to increase mapping capability. Despite that, digital didactics photogrammetric systems might be used (particularly in education process) simultaneously, this way getting more efficiency results. The objective of the research is to analyse some aspects of the use of digital photogrammetric softcopies, applied for terrain mapping: professional IMAGE ERDAS with LPS, LISA and Didactics Digital Photogrammetric Systems (DDPS). The experimental investigations lead to contiguity of this different software in consideration of the following criteria: accuracy, flexibility and time. The digital terrain models and orthophoto maps, created using two technologies, are almost the same due to time required for separate image processing steps. However, full workflow on DDPS requires about 2.5 times less time than on LPS. The photogrammetric measurement results demonstrate that there are some differences in accuracy due to stereoscopic measurements. When processing the images, the defined value of accuracy estimators meets the requirements for topographic mapping; however, DEM needs a separate study.
Evaluation of Left Atrial Function by Real-time 3-D Echocardiography in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Li Kulin , Wang Ruxing , Dai Min , Lu Juan , Zou Yaohong , Yang Xiangjun
Published: December 2014

Objective.

Left atrial function plays a key role in maintaining an optimal cardiac output. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but its effect on left atrial function has been largely overlooked. Our aim was to assess left atrial performance using real-time 3-D echocardiography (RT3DE) technology in patients with SLE.

Methods.

Our study included 102 patients with SLE without any cardiac symptoms, and 32 healthy controls. According to the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI), all subjects were classified into 3 groups: healthy controls, patients with an SDI = 0, and patients with an SDI ≥ 1.

Results.

Left atrial volume indexed to body surface area was dilated in subjects with SLE, whereas the left atrial passive emptying fraction (EF) was lower. Left atrial active EF was significantly higher in the SDI = 0 group than in controls (46.4 ± 9.1% vs 30.0 ± 10.3%, p < 0.05); however, it was significantly lower in the SDI ≥ 1 group than in the SDI = 0 group (41.2 ± 9.8% vs 46.4 ± 9.1%, p < 0.05). By multivariate linear analysis, the SDI was independently and positively associated with left atrial volume index and inversely associated with left atrial total function.

Conclusion.

Our study demonstrated that left atrial mechanical function and volume are impaired in SLE, particularly in patients with an SDI ≥ 1 and disease activity. RT3DE may have better diagnostic value than traditional echo indexes in detecting subclinical cardiac dysfunction in patients with SLE.
Prevalence and Significance of Persistently Positive Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Women with Preeclampsia
Authors: Gonzalez-Echavarri Cristina , Villar Irama , Ugarte Amaia , Larrieta Rosa , Ruiz-Irastorza Guillermo
Published: December 2014

Objective.

To determine the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and their association with obstetric outcomes in women with preeclampsia.

Methods.

The study included 150 patients. Clinical variables, risk factors, and severity criteria for preeclampsia and aPL were analyzed.

Results.

We found aPL in 4% of patients without risk factors for preeclampsia and in no women with risk factors (p = 0.03). Fifty percent of aPL-positive patients had a fetus with intrauterine growth restriction versus 13.9% (p = 0.04). No relation between aPL and severe preeclampsia was found.

Conclusion.

The prevalence of aPL among women with preeclampsia is low. aPL can predispose women without risk factors to preeclampsia.
Des féminités pieuses et la calcification des normes de genre
Authors: Donnet Claire
Published: December 2014

Cet article, s’inscrivant dans une perspective butlérienne de performativité de la norme, questionne une modalité à part entière de la puissance d’agir : le processus de consolidation des normes. À travers l’étude d’une communauté pieuse, l’association Excellence, nous verrons que la ‘production de l’espace’ lors des rencontres des membres de l’association est l’une des formes de production de la domination et de l’oppression de genre. Cet espace, dans lequel les exigences sociales de piété sont supérieures à celles qui s’appliquent dans l’espace quotidien, favorise la co-construction de sujets sexués et pieux. Les femmes, bénévoles de l’association, déploient ainsi une puissance d’agir paradoxale qui passe par leur assujettissement actif aux normes de genre et non par leur processus de subversion.
Les guildes rurales du Boerenbond en Flandre (1972-1990)
Authors: Bisschop Chantal
Published: December 2014

Résumé Au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le monde agricole européen a connu de profonds et rapides changements : accélération de la modernisation, croissance de la productivité, avènement de la Politique agricole commune (PAC), vieillissement de la population rurale, diminution du nombre d’exploitations, transformation des fonctions des campagnes, etc. En sa qualité de principale organisation agricole de Flandre, le Boerenbond a dû répondre aux défis se posant aux paysans flamands. Héritées de la fin du 19e siècle, ses structures n’étaient toutefois pas en phase avec les nouvelles réalités. Dès le milieu des années 1960, un important processus de réforme a dès lors été initié, qui a abouti en 1971. Désormais, le Boerenbond repose sur deux piliers. D’une part, une organisation professionnelle spécialisée qui regroupe les agriculteurs, les horticulteurs et les éleveurs. D’autre part, un mouvement rural qui s’adresse à l’ensemble des habitants des campagnes, en particulier à travers une institution créée pour la cause : les guildes rurales (landelijke gilden). Par cette nouvelle structure, le Boerenbond entendait s’ouvrir à d’autres personnes qu’aux seuls professionnels de la terre. La réforme s’est également traduite par une atténuation du caractère confessionnel du Boerenbond et par une démocratisation de ses instances décisionnelles. Après avoir étudié ces éléments de contexte général, le présent Courrier hebdomadaire se centre sur la création, la mise en place et les premières décennies d’existence des guildes rurales. Chantal Bisschop montre dans quelle mesure celles-ci ont permis au Boerenbond de s’adapter aux multiples mutations de la société belge, notamment économiques, sociologiques et culturelles.
La préparation des élections fédérales et européennes du 25 mai 2014
Authors: Blaise Pierre , Demertzis Vaïa , Faniel Jean , Pitseys John
Published: December 2014

Le 25 mai 2014, les citoyens sont appelés à procéder à l’élection directe des 150 membres de la Chambre des représentants, des 21 représentants belges au Parlement européen, des 75 députés du Parlement wallon, des 89 députés du Parlement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, des 124 députés du Parlement flamand et des 25 députés du Parlement de la Communauté germanophone. Indirectement, ils désigneront également 50 des 60 membres du Sénat (les 10 autres étant ensuite cooptés), ainsi que les 94 députés du Parlement de la Communauté française. Ce Courrier hebdomadaire est consacré au renouvellement du Parlement fédéral et à l’élection des représentants belges au Parlement européen. L’étude présente les récentes réformes électorales et rappelle les principales règles en vigueur. Elle aborde notamment les réformes dites de renouveau politique, la scission de la circonscription de BHV et la création du canton électoral de Rhode-Saint-Genèse. Pour le Sénat, le CRISP indique les principales dispositions qui régiront désormais la composition de cette assemblée. Pour la Chambre des représentants, on expose les principales règles qui régissent l’organisation du scrutin, on rappelle le résultat des élections fédérales du 13 juin 2010 et la composition de l’assemblée sortante, puis on analyse les listes de candidats déposées dans chacune des 11 circonscriptions électorales. On procède de même pour la représentation belge au Parlement européen (la comparaison avec le dernier scrutin antérieur portant sur l’élection européenne du 7 juin 2009, et la présentation des listes étant réalisée sur la base des 3 collèges électoraux). Les commentaires des candidatures attirent l’attention sur les stratégies des partis dans la confection de leurs listes : présence de personnalités en ordre utile ou non, présence de mandataires ou d’élus locaux en vue de bénéficier de l’ancrage local du parti, etc.
La singularité des protocoles Rorschach chez une population de femmes en période postnatale
Authors: Belot Rose-Angélique
Published: December 2014

Cet article original fait état des résultats obtenus par 26 femmes non consultantes à l’épreuve Rorschach lors de la phase postnatale (entre un et quatre mois après la naissance). Huit valeurs du psychogramme sont significatives dans l’étude statistique de ce groupe comparé à la population générale. D’autres indices du psychogramme apparaissent significatifs lorsqu’on compare les mères primipares aux mères multipares. Les résultats portent également sur l’indice barrière-pénétration de Fischer et Cleveland et l’indice d’angoisse. Un autre chapitre est consacré à l’analyse des thématiques et des contenus de réponses au Rorschach, tous récurrents et inédits dans la plupart des protocoles. L’ensemble reflète les particularités du fonctionnement psychique durant cette période, tout à fait spécifique, notamment en termes de perméabilité, sensibilité, instabilité identitaire, modifications narcissiques et objectales, porosité des limites du moi.
Instants décisifs
Authors: Gaignard Lise
Published: December 2014

À partir de l’étude d’un fragment du livre Lointain prochain de Fernand Deligny, l’auteure pose la question éthique des conditions de la responsabilité des soignants. C’est dans le tout proche, l’étude attentive des signes, que se forge pour chacun d’entre nous l’expérience du soin. Mais « être avec » hors de toute position hégémonique suppose de prendre en compte les humains en tant que capables du pire.
Le Caméléon, club de clinique institutionnelle
Authors: Coustalat Mathilde , Gozé Tudi , Guillen Abel , Sporer Marie
Published: December 2014

Le club du Caméléon est un collectif d’une vingtaine de jeunes praticiens se réunissant autour de leur intérêt pour la découverte de la clinique institutionnelle. Nous avons été invités à faire part dans cet article de l’expérience de création de ce groupe. Cet atelier clinique ne saurait se substituer aux dispositifs de formation ou de supervision. Nous avons cherché à placer la transmission et l’appropriation au cœur de sa conception.
Un travail permanent
Authors: Crété Pascal
Published: December 2014

Une pratique institutionnelle implique un travail permanent : celui de toujours réinterroger le sens de nos pratiques. La remise en cause actuelle de la psychanalyse, de la psychiatrie de secteur et du mouvement de psychothérapie institutionnelle nous convoque à des stratégies et résistances collectives. Les nouvelles organisations privilégient l’accompagnement et le soin à domicile. Comment pouvons-nous inventer de « nouvelles institutions » qui s’accordent à ces orientations sans perdre de vue l’essentiel – l’accueil de l’autre, la prise en compte du transfert – et sans objectiver le travail institutionnel ? La dialectique entre établissement et institution (Tosquelles) est un outil logique utile pour distinguer les scènes. Au travers de notre expérience (au foyer Léone-Richet), nous tenterons d’éclairer cette question.
Des bêtises, à quel titre ?
Authors: Valentin Jean-Jacques
Published: December 2014

À l’enfant malicieux, acteur de ses bêtises, l’inconscient répondrait : à malin, malin et demi. Car qui saurait embrasser l’horizon de ses bêtises, même petites ? Ainsi saura-t-on gré à la notion de bêtise de se soustraire à toute détermination univoque, tout en marquant sa différence d’avec des notions plus étroitement caractérisées. Une liberté d’approche clinique s’en déduirait, aux bêtises de l’enfant redonnant place et parole.
Bêtises contées
Authors: Chardenet Virginie
Published: December 2014

Jean le Sot est la figure emblématique des contes facétieux. Il est cet éternel imbécile qui accumule les bêtises et se retrouve Gros-Jean comme devant, dans les situations les plus cocasses, sinon les plus désastreuses. Incapable de s’affranchir de la gouverne maternelle, il reste étranger à lui-même et subvertit, avec les meilleures intentions du monde, tous les repères symboliques au fondement de l’ordre social. Ainsi, toujours disponible pour un tas d’histoires, faute d’accéder à propre histoire, il s’impose comme le héros d’un itinéraire débridé et inachevé qui nous instruit sur les ratés les plus tragiques du processus initiatique masculin.
Bêtises et adoption
Authors: Le Run Jean-Louis
Published: December 2014

En partant de vignettes cliniques, de souvenirs ou d’exemples littéraires, l’auteur aborde la question de la bêtise et des bêtises sous l’angle de la situation d’adoption. Les enfants adoptés marqués par les traumatismes de la petite enfance ont souvent des difficultés à exprimer leur agressivité autrement que de façon détournée dans des actes manqués en forme de « bêtises ». Le statut de celles-ci et leur pérennisation dépendent du regard et des réactions de l’entourage mis en difficulté par des comportements déconcertants. Le rôle du thérapeute est d’ouvrir le placard dans lequel s’enferment les protagonistes.
Arturo
Authors: Valentin Michèle
Published: December 2014

Arturo fait son entrée à l’école. Il vit en famille d’accueil, en marge de sa famille. Son père est en prison, sa mère est toxico. Sa maîtresse dit qu’il fait « des bêtises », un processus comme un autre pour ajuster la réalité. Il attend sa mère, sa mère est en retard, il retarde l’horloge, suspend la réalité. Les bêtises d’Arturo sont à situer en marge d’une réalité douloureuse. Une ruse de l’enfance pour s’affronter au passage du temps et à la violence de l’affect.
L'observation du bébé au Sénégal : entre mauvais œil et mauvaise langue
Authors: Bâ Idrissa , Sandri Rosella , Ly Kane Oumou , Dieng Mame Absa
Published: December 2014

La formation à la méthode d’observation des bébés d’Esther Bick a débuté au Sénégal avec beaucoup d’appréhension du fait de croyances culturelles et des représentations sociales. En effet, au Sénégal, « le mauvais œil » et « la mauvaise langue » sont très souvent convoqués pour expliquer des difficultés, des maladies dans les populations. Très rapidement, le sujet en question est désigné comme ayant été l’objet du mauvais regard, du regard qui tue et de la méchante langue, celle qui nuit. L’on comprend aisément alors les appréhensions à mettre en place une méthode basée exclusivement sur l’observation, quand on sait que la croissance d’un bébé est jalonnée de petites affections, en allant des poussées de fièvre à celles dentaires. Au terme de deux années de formation à l’observation du bébé, les auteurs se proposent, à partir du matériel clinique recueilli au cours de l’observation de deux bébés, de revenir sur les différents moments où le mauvais œil et la mauvaise langue ont pu être évoqués.
Banque, gouvernance d'entreprise et régulation
Authors: Tioumagneng André
Published: December 2014

Le rôle de gouvernance d’entreprise joué par les banques soulève, en raison de la modification subséquente du risque de leurs actifs, la question de la maîtrise de la régulation prudentielle qui demeure un défi épistémologique. Cet article est une contribution au traitement de la question de savoir si la réglementation bancaire doit porter sur l’activité d’offre des crédits ou plutôt sur la participation de la banque au capital des entreprises. Les résultats sont favorables à la première option en révélant que le lien de crédit, contrairement à la relation de capital, sert aux banques à inciter les entreprises étudiées à exercer des activités risquées. La pertinence de la leçon managériale issue de ce constat est interrogée au regard du contexte en développement de l’étude (Cameroun), déjà marqué par le comportement transactionnel des banques.
Une analyse philosophique du management de la RSE : de la difficile conciliation entre l'ordre économique, l'ordre juridique et l'ordre moral
Authors: Frémeaux Sandrine , Noël-Lemaître Christine
Published: December 2014

La responsabilité sociale de l’entreprise (RSE) entretient avec l’économie et la morale des relations ambigües en attente de clarification. Cet article propose justement d’interroger la place de la RSE au sein des différents ordres, économique et moral. En s’appuyant notamment sur la distinction des ordres de la philosophie morale pascalienne et sur sa recontextualisation proposée par Comte-Sponville (2004), nous montrons que la RSE peut relever de l’ordre juridique au sens large et encadrer l’économie tout en étant régulée par la morale. Cette vision hiérarchisée des ordres permet aux managers d’éviter deux tendances dangereuses : la « barbarie libérale » d’une part, laquelle soumet la démarche de RSE à la pure logique économique et « l’angélisme moral » d’autre part, qui pourrait les conduire à transformer tous les problèmes auxquels ils sont confrontés en questions morales. À ces conditions, la RSE peut être - non plus seulement un outil - mais aussi un ensemble d’orientations éthiques pour les managers. C’est ainsi une approche managériale non exclusivement instrumentale de la RSE qui est l’objet de notre étude.