bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterprise risk management: Factors associated with effective implementation
Authors: Mensah Godson K. , Gottwald Werner D.
Published: November 2016

Risk management is undergoing a great change, as organizations shift from the traditional and compartmental to an enterprise wide approach. Consequently, enterprise risk management (ERM) is gaining global attention among risk management professionals and academics. The demand for the adoption of ERM has led to several companies embracing it, yet its implementation has become challenging. Research shows that ERM approach emphasizes a holistic approach for assessing and evaluating the risks that an organization faces as against the “silo” approach of the traditional methods. The extant literature shows that through the reduction of the risk that an organization faces, ERM is capable of improving the performance and value. The study used a non-experimental correlational approach to explore the relationship between the presence of a chief risk officer (CRO) and an audit committee (AC), and the support of top management (TM) in relation to the implementation of ERM. A survey instrument was provided to self-identified risk-management professionals who are members of Survey Monkey Audience Service database. The target sample frame requested for analysis using a power of .95 was (n = 119). However, the final number analyzed was (n = 134). Frequencies and percentages were conducted on the demographic survey items and regression and correlational analyses were also performed. The study findings show that there was a significant relationship between the role of a CRO, the presence of an AC, and the support of TM and the level of ERM deployment. The study also found significant correlations between management support level and CRO, and AC. In addition, a much strong positive correlation was noted between the presence of a CRO and an AC.
Analysis of viscoelastic behavior of a filled elastomer under action of different loads
Authors: Gligorijevic Nikola , Zivkovic Sasa , Kovacevic Nenad , Dimitrijevic Nenad , Pavkovic Bojan , Pavic Milos , Rodic Vesna
Published: November 2016

Mechanical properties of viscoelastic filled polymers strongly depend on temperature and strain rate and vary for several orders of magnitude. During service life, a viscoelastic body, especially carboxy-terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) composite solid rocket propellant grain, is subjected to many stress-inducing loads. Its structural integrity analysis (hereafter: ?structural analysis?), unlike elastic bodies, is quite complex and sometimes impossible under the action of just a single load. An even greater problem occurs when multiple different types of loads act simultaneously. This study is based on a complete uniaxial mechanical characterization of a viscoelastic CTPB composite rocket propellant, made in MTI- -Belgrade, whose results were used for the analysis of the propellant grain reliability. Through an example, this paper shows a behavior of the viscoelastic propellant grain when it is subjected to extremely different environmental loads at the same time. Similar explicit examples are difficult to found in the literature, except in the form of recommended principles for analysis. It is shown that the tensile strength under the action of fast load due to the pressure may be almost 20 times greater than the tensile strength under the slow temperature load. A probabilistic approach is presented in evaluation the reliability and service life. An example is shown for a rocket propellant grain as a viscoelastic body. The presented principles of the analysis can be applied to any arbitrary viscoelastic body in other areas.
Study of a conceptual accelerator driven system loaded with thorium dioxide mixed with transuranic dioxides in TRISO particles
Authors: Bakir Gizem , Genc Gamze , Yapici Huseyin
Published: November 2016

Nuclear spent fuel management is one of the top major subjects in the
utilization of nuclear energy. Hence, solutions to this problem have been
increasingly researched in recent years. The basic aim of this work is to
examine the fissile breeding and transuranic fuel transmutation potentials of
a gas cooled accelerator-driven system. In line with this purpose, firstly,
the conceptually designed system is optimized by using several target
materials and fuel mixtures, from the point of neutronic. Secondly, three
different material compositions, namely, pure lead bismuth eutectic (LBE),
LBE+natural UO2, and LBE+15 % enrichment UO2, are considered as target
material. The target zone is separated to two sub-zones but as one within the
other. The outer sub-zone is pure LBE target, and the inner sub-zone is
either UO2 or pure LBE target. The UO2 target sub-zone is cooled with helium
gas. Finally, the thorium dioxide mixed with transuranic dioxides, discharged
from PWR-MOX spent fuel, in pebbles composed of graphite and TRISO-coated
spherical fuel particles, is used for breeding fissile fuel and transmuting
transuranic fuels. Three different thorium-transuranic mixtures, (Th, Pu)O2,
(Th, Cm)O2, (Th, Pu, MA)O2, are examined with various mixture fractions. The
packing fractions of the fuel pebbles in the transmutation core and the
tristructural-isotropic coated fuel particles in a pebble are assumed as 60 %
and 29 %, respectively. The transmutation core is also cooled with a
high-temperature helium coolant. In order to produce high-flux neutrons that
penetrate through the transmutation core, the target is exposed to the
continuous beams of 1 GeV protons. The computations have been carried out
with the high-energy Monte Carlo code MCNPX using the LA150 library. The
numerical outcomes show that the examined accelerator-driven system has
rather high neutronic data in terms of the energy production and fissile fuel
breeding.
Simulation and analysis of a WWER-1000 reactor under normal and transient conditions
Authors: Baghban Ghonche , Shayesteh Mohsen , Bahonar Majid , Sayareh Reza
Published: November 2016

An accurate analysis of the flow transient is very important in safety
evaluation of a nuclear power plant. In this study, analysis of a WWER-1000
reactor is investigated. In order to perform this analysis, a model is
developed to simulate the coupled kinetics and thermal-hydraulics of the
reactor with a simple and accurate numerical algorithm. For thermal-hydraulic
calculations, the four-equation drift-flux model is applied. Based on a
multi-channel approach, core is divided into some regions. Each region has
different characteristics as represented in a single fuel pin with its
associated coolant channel. To obtain the core power distribution, point
kinetic equations with different feedback effects are utilized. The
appropriate initial and boundary conditions are considered and two situations
of decreasing the coolant flow rate in a protected and unprotected core are
analyzed. In addition to analysis of normal operation condition, a full range
of thermal-hydraulic parameters is obtained for transients too. Finally, the
data obtained from the model are compared with the calculations conducted
using RELAP5/MOD3 code and Bushehr nuclear power plant data. It is shown that
the model can provide accurate predictions for both steady-state and
transient conditions.
A method of approximate green's function for solving reflection of particles in plane geometry
Authors: Belic Cedomir , Simovic Rodoljub , Stankovic Koviljka
Published: November 2016

A method for approximate analytical solution of transport equation for
particles in plane geometry is developed by solving Fredholm integral
equations. Kernels of these equations are the Green's functions for infinite
media treated approximately. Analytical approximation of Green's function is
based on decomposition of the functions into terms that are exactly
analytically solved and those which are approximately obtained by usual low
order DPN approximation. Transport of particles in half-space is treated, and
reflection coefficient is determined in the form of an analytical function.
Comparison with the exact numerical solution and other approximate methods
justified the proposed analytical technique.
Radon exhalation rates from common building materials in India: Effect of back diffusion
Authors: Kumar Amit , Chauhan Pal
Published: November 2016

A radon exhalation study for building materials was carried out by closed
accumulator technique using plastic track detector LR-115 type-II, taking
into account the effect of back diffusin. The back diffusion of radon into
the materials causes an underestimate of free exhalation rates. The results
showed that radon exhalation rates of soil, sand, brick powder, and crasher
were found to be high as compared to rice husk ash, wall putty, and plaster
of Paris. The radon exhalation rates from building materials varied from 0.45
? 0.07 mBq/kgh to 1.55 ? 0.2 mBq/kgh and 3.4 ? 0.7 mBq/m2h to 28.6 ? 3.8
mBq/m2h as measured without considering back diffusion. The radon exhalation
rates of building materials oblivious of back diffusion varied from 4.3 ? 0.8
mBq/m2h to 44.1 ? 5.9 mBq/m2h. The radon exhalation rates from building
materials can be used for estimation of radon wall flux and indoor radon
concentration. Thus, it is necessary to make correction in the measured
exhalation rates by back diffusion.
Determination of natural radioactivity, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates and radiation hazards of fly ash and fly ash brick used in Baotou, China
Authors: Li Yuxin , Lu Xinwei , Zhang Xiaolan
Published: November 2016

Natural radioactivity levels, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates and radiation
hazards of fly ash and fly ash brick used in Baotou, China were determined.
The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in fly ash samples
ranged from 38.81 to 93.73, 40.34 to 135.17, and 66.92 to 290.86 Bq/kg with
an average of 76.52, 109.95, and 170.72 Bq/kg, respectively; while in fly ash
brick samples, these radionuclides ranged from 42.43 to 71.60, 76.65 to
208.37, and 94.32 to 489.42 Bq/kg with an average of 53.83, 101.93, and
266.48 Bq/kg, respectively. The exhalation rates of 222Rn and 220Rn in all
determined samples were in the range of 1.13-20.50 and 15.60-113.00 mBq/m2s,
respectively. The calculated results of the radium equivalent activity,
external hazard index, internal hazard index, indoor annual effective dose
and outdoor annual effective dose indicated that fly ashes and fly ash bricks
collected from some brick factories of Baotou would pose excessive radiation
risks to inhabitants and that they are not suitable for use in building
construction. The natural radioactivity level of fly ash and fly ash brick
needs to be constantly monitored considering the radiation safety of the
local residents.
A sequential approach to ultradistribution spaces
Authors: Maksimovic Snjezana , Mincheva-Kamińska Svetlana , Pilipovic Stevan , Sokoloski Petar
Published: November 2016

We introduce and investigate two types of the space U* of
s-ultradistributions meant as equivalence classes of suitably defined
fundamental sequences of smooth functions; we prove the existence of an
isomorphism between U* and the respective space D?* of ultradistributions:
of Beurling type if * = (p!t) and of Roumieu type if * = {p!t}. We also
study the spaces T * and ?T * of t-ultradistributions and
?t-ultradistributions, respectively, and show that these spaces are
isomorphic with the space S?* of tempered ultradistributions both in the
Beurling and the Roumieu case.
Degenerate multi-term fractional differential equations in locally convex spaces
Authors: Kostic Marko
Published: November 2016

We investigate, in the setting of sequentially complete locally convex
spaces, degenerate multi-term fractional differential equations with Caputo
derivatives. The obtained theoretical results are illustrated with some
examples.
Bivariate generalized Bernstein operators and their application to Fredholm integral equations
Authors: Occorsio Donatella , Russo Grazia
Published: November 2016

We introduce and study the sequence of bivariate Generalized Bernstein
operators {Bm,s}m,s, m, s ? N, Bm,s=I?(I?Bm)s, Bi m = Bm(Bi?1 m),
where Bm is the bivariate Bernstein operator. These operators generalize the
ones introduced and studied independently in the univariate case by
Mastroianni and Occorsio [Rend. Accad. Sci. Fis. Mat. Napoli 44 (4) (1977),
151- 169] and by Micchelli [J. Approx. Theory 8 (1973), 1-18] (see also
Felbecker [Manuscripta Math. 29 (1979), 229-246]). As well as in the
one-dimesional case, for m fixed the sequence {Bm,s(f)}s can be successfully
employed in order to approximate ?very smooth? functions f by reusing the
same data points f (i/m,j/m), i=0,1,...,m, j=0,1,...,m,
since the rate of convergence improves as s increases. A stable and
convergent cubature rule on the square [0,1]2, based on the polynomials
Bm,s(f) is constructed. Moreover, a Nystrom method based on the above
mentioned cubature rule is proposed for the numerical solution of
two-dimensional Fredholm integral equations on [0, 1]2. The method is
numerically stable, convergent and the involved linear systems are well
conditioned. Some algorithm details are given in order to compute the
entries of the linear systems with a reduced time complexity. Moreover the
procedure can be significantly simplified in the case of equations having
centrosymmetric kernels. Finally, some numerical examples are provided in
order to illustrate the accuracy of the cubature formula and the
computational efficiency of the Nystrom method.
The fourth power moment of the double zeta-function
Authors: Kiuchi Isao
Published: November 2016

We prove the fourth power moment of the Euler-Zagier type double
zeta-function ?2(s1, s2) and provide an improvement on the ? results of
Kiuchi, Tanigawa, and Zhai. We also calculate the double integral under
certain conditions.
Hermite-Hadamard inequalities for differentiable p-convex functions using hypergeometric functions
Authors: Noor Muhammad , Awan Muhammad , Mihai Marcela , Noor Khalida
Published: November 2016

We derive some new integral identities for differentiable functions. Then
using these auxiliary results, we obtain new Hermite-Hadamard type
inequalities for differentiable p-convex functions. Some special cases are
also discussed.
Purely periodic β-expansions in cubic Salem base in Fq((x−1))
Authors: Mahjoub Faïza
Published: November 2016

Let Fq be the finite field with q elements and ? Salem series in Fq((X?1)).
It is proved in [15] that, in this case, all elements in Fq(X,?) have
purely periodic ?-expansion. We characterize the formal power series f in
Fq(X,?) with purely periodic ?-expansions by the conjugate vector ~f when ?
is a cubic unit. No similar results exist in the real case.
Decompositions of 2 × 2 matrices over local rings
Authors: Chen Huanyin , Halicioglu Sait , Kose Handan
Published: November 2016

An element a of a ring R is called perfectly clean if there exists an
idempotent e ? comm2(a) such that a?e ? U(R). A ring R is perfectly clean in
case every element in R is perfectly clean. In this paper, we completely
determine when every 2 ? 2 matrix and triangular matrix over local rings are
perfectly clean. These give more explicit characterizations of strongly
clean matrices over local rings. We also obtain several criteria for a
triangular matrix to be perfectly J-clean. For instance, it is proved that
for a commutative local ring R, every triangular matrix is perfectly J-clean
in Tn(R) if and only if R is strongly J-clean.
Au-delà du binaire : penser le genre, la loi et le droit des personnes transgenres en Belgique
Authors: Simon Caroline
Published: November 2016

Partant de l'analyse critique de la Loi du 10 mai 2007 relative à la transsexualité adoptée en Belgique et des travaux préparatoires ayant mené à son élaboration, cette contribution interroge dans un premier temps les conceptions contemporaines du genre telles que produites par le droit belge, principalement au regard du droit au changement de prénom et à la modification du sexe dans les registres d'état civil. Un examen approfondi du contenu de ces dispositions permettra de mettre à jour certains écueils de la loi, parmi lesquels une tendance à la psychiatrisation des personnes transgenres, une conception rigide et binaire du genre et des procédures médicales lourdes allant parfois jusqu'à imposer la stérilisation. Un bref survol de l'état de la législation en matière de droit des personnes transgenres dans les autres pays européens permettra ensuite d'élargir la réflexion menée à partir du contexte belge et de mettre en lumière les toutes récentes avancées consacrées par la Cour européenne des Droits de l'Homme dans son arrêt Y.Y. c Turquie rendu le 10 mars 2015. Forte de ces développements, nous entreprendrons de dépasser le premier constat relativement pessimiste du droit comme seul instrument de domination en suggérant une mobilisation de la législation comme moyen d'évolution des rapports de sexes et de genres inspirée des travaux de Sally Engle Merry, pour aboutir à une redéfinition du sens même de la loi et du droit des personnes en général.
La réglementation de l'assistance médicale à la procréation en Italie : le droit face à une nouvelle conception de la famille
Authors: Bracchi Enrica , Simoncini Carolina
Published: November 2016

L'analyse des normes du Code civil et de la Constitution italienne consacrées à la famille et de leurs effets juridiques montre comment la notion de famille était, à l'origine de l'histoire républicaine de la péninsule, inséparable des notions de mariage et de procréation. Sans mariage, il n'y avait pas de famille et sans famille, il n'y avait pas de procréation. Cette tendance du législateur est confirmée, plus récemment, par la loi n° 40 de 2004 qui réglemente l'assistance médicale à la procréation, de manière stricte et sévère. Toutefois, la jurisprudence de la Cour européenne des droits de l'homme et de la Cour constitutionnelle a conduit à dissocier ce qui semblait indissociable en « ouvrant » la notion de famille et en redéfinissant les contours de la loi n° 40/2004. Une plus grande liberté dans la formation de sa propre famille et dans la manière d'engendrer ses enfants, grâce à la médecine de la reproduction, a ainsi été accordée au (futur) couple conjugal et parental. Dans cette contribution, nous nous proposons d'analyser le processus de construction du genre dans le droit italien de la famille, avec une double perspective : juridique et terminologique. Dans l'étude des textes juridiques retenus (Constitution, Code civil et jurisprudence), nous nous concentrerons sur le choix des dénominations et des termes adoptés par le législateur et sur l'interprétation des concepts véhiculés par ces mêmes termes. Cette approche nous permettra de montrer si et comment le système juridique italien s'ouvre à de nouvelles formes de famille, prenant ou non en compte les différences de sexe qui se dessinent dans la société italienne contemporaine.
Les femmes et le travail de soins aux enfants : quelle reconnaissance par les régimes étatiques d'indemnisation ?
Authors: Valentini Mathilde
Published: November 2016

Cet article explore le traitement réservé au travail non rémunéré de soins aux enfants par les trois principaux régimes étatiques d'indemnisation des lésions au Québec, soit celui des accidentés de la route, des accidentés du travail et des victimes d'actes criminels. Dans un premier temps, l'auteure présente brièvement les trois régimes et expose les principales dispositions permettant une compensation pour la perte de capacité à prendre soin d'un enfant. Dans un deuxième temps, elle examine la jurisprudence qui accorde ou non des indemnités ou remboursements pour frais de garde d'enfant. Enfin, l'auteure conclut à la timide reconnaissance du travail de soins aux enfants par les régimes étatiques d'indemnisation. La Loi sur l'assurance automobile est celle qui le reconnaît davantage, mais le dédommagement prévu en pareil cas demeure faible, tandis que les deux autres lois renferment des dispositions trop restrictives qui ne trouvent pratiquement jamais application.
Targeted sequencing of SMO and AKT1 in anterior skull base meningiomas
Authors: Strickland Matthew R. , Gill Corey M. , Nayyar Naema , D'Andrea Megan R. , Thiede Christian , Juratli Tareq A. , Schackert Gabriele , Borger Darrell R. , Santagata Sandro , Frosch Matthew P. , Cahill Daniel P. , Brastianos Priscilla K. , Barker Fred G.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

Meningiomas located in the skull base are surgically challenging. Recent genomic research has identified oncogenic SMO and AKT1 mutations in a small subset of meningiomas.

METHODS

The authors performed targeted sequencing in a large cohort of patients with anterior skull base meningiomas (n = 62) to better define the frequency of SMO and AKT1 mutations in these tumors.

RESULTS

The authors found SMO mutations in 7 of 62 (11%) and AKT1 mutations in 12 of 62 (19%) of their cohort. Of the 7 meningiomas with SMO mutations, 6 (86%) occurred in the olfactory groove. Meningiomas with an SMO mutation presented with significantly larger tumor volume (70.6 ± 36.3 cm3) compared with AKT1-mutated (18.2 ± 26.8 cm3) and wild-type (22.7 ± 23.9 cm3) meningiomas, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined, these data demonstrate clinically actionable mutations in 30% of anterior skull base meningiomas and suggest an association between SMO mutation status and tumor volume. Genotyping of SMO and AKT1 is likely to be high yield in anterior skull base meningiomas with available surgical tissue.
Visual pathway impairment by pituitary adenomas: quantitative diagnostics by diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Lilja Ylva , Gustafsson Oscar , Ljungberg Maria , Starck Göran , Lindblom Bertil , Skoglund Thomas , Bergquist Henrik , Jakobsson Karl-Erik , Nilsson Daniel
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

Despite ample experience in surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas, little is known about objective indices that may reveal risk of visual impairment caused by tumor growth that leads to compression of the anterior visual pathways. This study aimed to explore diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as a means for objective assessment of injury to the anterior visual pathways caused by pituitary adenomas.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with pituitary adenomas, scheduled for transsphenoidal tumor resection, and 20 healthy control subjects were included in the study. A minimum suprasellar tumor extension of Grade 2–4, according to the SIPAP (suprasellar, infrasellar, parasellar, anterior, and posterior) scale, was required for inclusion. Neuroophthalmological examinations, conventional MRI, and DTI were completed in all subjects and were repeated 6 months after surgery. Quantitative assessment of chiasmal lift, visual field defect (VFD), and DTI parameters from the optic tracts was performed. Linear correlations, group comparisons, and prediction models were done in controls and patients.

RESULTS

Both the degree of VFD and chiasmal lift were significantly correlated with the radial diffusivity (r = 0.55, p < 0.05 and r = 0.48, p < 0.05, respectively) and the fractional anisotropy (r = −0.58, p < 0.05 and r = −0.47, p < 0.05, respectively) but not with the axial diffusivity. The axial diffusivity differed significantly between controls and patients with VFD, both before and after surgery (p < 0.05); however, no difference was found between patients with and without VFD. Based on the axial diffusivity and fractional anisotropy, a prediction model classified all patients with VFD correctly (sensitivity 1.0), 9 of 12 patients without VFD correctly (sensitivity 0.75), and 17 of 20 controls as controls (specificity 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

DTI could detect pathology and degree of injury in the anterior visual pathways that were compressed by pituitary adenomas. The correlation between radial diffusivity and visual impairment may reflect a gradual demyelination in the visual pathways caused by an increased tumor effect. The low level of axial diffusivity found in the patient group may represent early atrophy in the visual pathways, detectable on DTI but not by conventional methods. DTI may provide objective data, detect early signs of injury, and be an additional diagnostic tool for determining indication for surgery in cases of pituitary adenomas.
Cortical herniation through compressive subdural membrane in an infant with a history of a large bihemispheric subdural hematoma and subdural-peritoneal shunt: case report
Authors: Scoco Aleka , Emily Bennett E. , Recinos Violette
Published: November 2016

Cortical herniation through subdural membrane formation is a rare complication of chronic subdural fluid collections and may occur following subdural shunting. The authors present a unique case of progressive cortical herniation through a compressive subdural membrane that occurred concomitant with a functioning subdural-peritoneal shunt.
Discriminative Properties of Hippocampal Hypoperfusion in Marijuana Users Compared to Healthy Controls: Implications for Marijuana Administration in Alzheimer’s Dementia
Authors: Amen Daniel G. , Darmal Borhan , Raji Cyrus A. , Bao Weining , Jorandby Lantie , Meysami Somayeh , Raghavendra Cauligi S.
Published: November 2016

Background: Few studies have evaluated the impact of marijuana use on regional cerebral blood flow.

Objective: To determine whether perfusion in specific brain regions on functional neuroimaging, including those affected by Alzheimer’s disease pathology, are abnormal in marijuana users compared to controls.

Method: Persons with a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder by DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria ( n = 982) were compared to controls ( n = 92) with perfusion neuroimaging with SPECT at rest and at a concentration task. Perfusion estimates were quantified using a standard atlas. Cerebral perfusion differences were calculated using one-way ANOVA. Diagnostic separation was determined with discriminant analysis of all subjects. Feature selection with a minimum redundancy maximum relevancy (mRMR) identified predictive regions in a subset of marijuana users ( n = 436) with reduced psychiatric co-morbidities.

Results: Marijuana users showed lower cerebral perfusion on average ( p < 0.05). Discriminant analysis distinguished marijuana users from controls with correct classification of 96% and leave one out cross-validation of 92%. With concentration SPECT regions, there was correct classification of 95% with a leave-one-out cross validation of 90%. AUC analysis for concentration SPECT regions showed 95% accuracy, 90% sensitivity, and 83% specificity. The mRMR analysis showed right hippocampal hypoperfusion on concentration SPECT imaging was the most predictive in separating marijuana subjects from controls.

Conclusion: Multiple brain regions show low perfusion on SPECT in marijuana users. The most predictive region distinguishing marijuana users from healthy controls, the hippocampus, is a key target of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. This study raises the possibility of deleterious brain effects of marijuana use.
Valuable Subversions: Gendered Generativity and Sorcerous Production in Central Mozambique
Authors: Enge Bertelsen Bjørn
Published: November 2016

How is one to analyze the existence of a subterranean dwarfish couple (zwidoma) occupying the space underneath cooking places and whose central purpose is to reinforce a market woman’s sales—but simultaneously feeding off her very body? Using urban and rural ethnographic material from central Mozambique, where such assemblages comprising the zwidoma and a woman are integral to economic life and social orders, this article contextualizes such constellations—effectively interferences within various domains of value—by undertaking an analysis of gendered modalities of generativity. Further, by meditating on various understandings of cosmology and, ultimately, the dynamics constituting the realms of the real, it presents an alternative to influential analyses of capitalism, such as the notion of “occult economies.” An argument is made not only for value’s dynamic and changeable nature but also for the necessity to appreciate instances of its subversion with destructive effects. The article underlines, therefore, how such subversions of value, in various forms, is in line with Tsing’s (2015) general argument that critical explorations of capitalism and regimes of valuation and production are best undertaken in peri-capitalist zones—such as urban and rural Mozambique.
Carbon Valuation: Alternatives, Alternations and Lateral Measures?
Authors: Dalsgaard Steffen
Published: November 2016

This article refers to carbon valuation as the practice of ascribing value to, and assessing the value of, actions and objects in terms of carbon emissions. Due to the pervasiveness of carbon emissions in the actions and objects of everyday lives of human beings, the making of carbon offsets and credits offers almost unlimited repertoires of alternatives to be included in contemporary carbon valuation schemes. Consequently, the article unpacks how discussions of carbon valuation are interpreted through different registers of alternatives - as the commensuration and substitution of variants on the one hand, and the confrontational comparison of radical difference on the other. Through the reading of a wide selection of the social science literature on carbon markets and trading, the article argues that the value of carbon emissions itself depends on the construction of alternative, hypothetical scenarios, and that emissions have become both a moral and a virtual measure pitting diverse forms of actualised actions or objects against each other or against corresponding nonactions and non-objects as alternatives.
Design and Simulation of the Robust ABS and ESP Fuzzy Logic Controller on the Complex Braking Maneuvers
Authors: Aksjonov Andrei , Augsburg Klaus , Vodovozov Valery
Published: November 2016

Automotive driving safety systems such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and an electronic stability program (ESP) assist drivers in controlling the vehicle to avoid road accidents. In this paper, ABS and the ESP, based on the fuzzy logic theory, are integrated for vehicle stability control in complex braking maneuvers. The proposed control algorithm is implemented for a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and investigated for braking on different surfaces. The results obtained for the vehicle software simulator confirm the robustness of the developed control strategy for a variety of road profiles and surfaces.
Scenario Analysis of Carbon Emissions of China’s Electric Power Industry Up to 2030
Authors: Wu Qunli , Peng Chenyang
Published: November 2016

In this paper, the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model is constructed to simulate six scenarios for forecasting national electricity demand in China. The results show that in 2020 the total electricity demand will reach 6407.9~7491.0 billion KWh, and will be 6779.9~10,313.5 billion KWh in 2030. Moreover, under the assumption of power production just meeting the social demand and considering the changes in the scale and technical structure of power industry, this paper simulates two scenarios to estimate carbon emissions and carbon intensity till 2030, with 2012 as the baseline year. The results indicate that the emissions intervals are 4074.16~4692.52 million tCO2 in 2020 and 3948.43~5812.28 million tCO2 in 2030, respectively. Carbon intensity is 0.63~0.64 kg CO2/KWh in 2020 and 0.56~0.58 kg CO2/KWh in 2030. In order to accelerate carbon reduction, the future work should focus on making a more stringent criterion on the intensity of industrial power consumption and expanding the proportion of power generation using clean energy, large capacity, and high efficiency units.
Hybrid Short Term Wind Speed Forecasting Using Variational Mode Decomposition and a Weighted Regularized Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Huang Nantian , Yuan Chong , Cai Guowei , Xing Enkai
Published: November 2016

Accurate wind speed forecasting is a fundamental element of wind power prediction. Thus, a new hybrid wind speed forecasting model, using variational mode decomposition (VMD), the partial autocorrelation function (PACF), and weighted regularized extreme learning machine (WRELM), is proposed to improve the accuracy of wind speed forecasting. First, the historic wind speed time series is decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Second, the partial correlation of each IMF sequence is analyzed using PACF to select the optimal subfeature set for particular predictors of each IMF. Then, the predictors of each IMF are constructed in order to enhance its strength using WRELM. Finally, wind speed is obtained by adding up all the predictors. The experiment, using real wind speed data, verified the effectiveness and advancement of the new approach.
Financing Innovations for the Renewable Energy Transition in Europe
Authors: Bointner Raphael , Pezzutto Simon , Grilli Gianluca , Sparber Wolfram
Published: November 2016

Renewable energy sources are vital to achieving Europe’s 2030 energy transition goals. Technological innovation, driven by public expenditures on research and development, is a major driver for this change. Thus, an extensive dataset on these expenditures of the European Member States and the European Commission, dating back to the early 1970s, was created. This paper creates predictive scenarios of public investment in renewable energy research and development in Europe based on this historical dataset and current trends. Funding from both, European Member States and the European Commission, between today and 2030 are used in the analysis. The impact on the cumulative knowledge stock is also estimated. Two projection scenarios are presented: (1) business as usual; and (2) an advanced scenario, based on the assumption that the Mission Innovation initiative causes public expenditures to increase in the coming years. Both scenarios are compared to the European 2030 climate and energy framework target sets. Results indicate that Member States in Europe currently tend to fund renewables more than the European Commission, but funding from both sources is expected to increase in the future. Furthermore, the European Commission distributes its funding more equally across the various renewable energy sources than Member States.
Two Dimensional Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis for a Packed Bed Regenerator Used in a Reheating Furnace
Authors: Lin Chien-Nan , Jang Jiin-Yuh , Lai Yi-Shiun
Published: November 2016

Packed bed is widely used for different industries and technologies, such as heat exchangers, heat recovery, thermal energy storage and chemical reactors. In modern steel industry, packed bed regenerator is widely utilized in the reheating furnace to increase the furnace efficiency. This study established a two dimensional numerical model to simulate a packed bed used in regenerative furnaces. The physical properties of fluids and packed stuffing (such as density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat) are considered as functions of temperature to adapt the large temperature variation in operation. The transient temperature profiles of the flue gas, packed bed, and air during the heating and regeneration period are examined for various switching time (30, 60, 120, and 240 s). The results reveal that, during the heating period, the spanwise averaged heat transfer coefficient is decreased along the longitudinal downstream direction, while during the regeneration period, the opposite trend is true. Moreover, the regenerator thermal effectiveness is decreased by increasing the switching time.
Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking: Inequalities in Neighbourhood Safety, Pedestrian Infrastructure and Aesthetics
Authors: Zandieh Razieh , Martinez Javier , Flacke Johannes , Jones Phil , Van Maarseveen Martin
Published: November 2016

Older adults living in high-deprivation areas walk less than those living in low-deprivation areas. Previous research has shown that older adults’ outdoor walking levels are related to the neighbourhood built environment. This study examines inequalities in perceived built environment attributes (i.e., safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics) and their possible influences on disparities in older adults’ outdoor walking levels in low- and high-deprivation areas of Birmingham, United Kingdom. It applied a mixed-method approach, included 173 participants (65 years and over), used GPS technology to measure outdoor walking levels, used questionnaires (for all participants) and conducted walking interviews (with a sub-sample) to collect data on perceived neighbourhood built environment attributes. The results show inequalities in perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics in high- versus low-deprivation areas and demonstrate that they may influence disparities in participants’ outdoor walking levels. Improvements of perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetic in high-deprivation areas are encouraged.
Health Effects Due to Radionuclides Content of Solid Minerals within Port of Richards Bay, South Africa
Authors: Masok Felix , Masiteng Paulus , Mavunda Risimati , Maleka Peane
Published: November 2016

This study assessed the radiological health hazards to various body organs of workers working within Transnet Precinct in Richards Bay in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa due to radionuclide content of mineral ores often stored within the facility. Thirty samples were collected from five mineral ores (rock phosphate, rutile, zircon, coal and hematite) and analyzed for 238U, 234U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 235U, 232Th, 228Ra, 228Th and 40K using delayed neutron activation analysis and low energy gamma spectroscopy. Rutile was found to be the most radioactive mineral ore within the facility with 210Pb concentration of 759.00 ± 106.00 Bq·kg−1. Effective annual dose rate in (mSv·y−1) delivered to different organs of the body: testes, bone marrow, whole body, lungs and ovaries from mineral ores were such that dose from mineral ores decreased in the order coal > rutile > rock phosphate > hematite > zircon. The organs with the highest received dose rate were the testes and this received dose was from coal. However, all of the calculated absorbed dose rates to organs of the body were below the maximum permissible safety limits.
Recent Advances on Inorganic Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Wang Fenglin , Li Chengyao , Cheng Jing , Yuan Zhiqin
Published: November 2016

Inorganic nanoparticles have been widely investigated as therapeutic agents for cancer treatments in biomedical fields due to their unique physical/chemical properties, versatile synthetic strategies, easy surface functionalization and excellent biocompatibility. This review focuses on the discussion of several types of inorganic nanoparticle-based cancer therapeutic agents, including gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles and mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Several cancer therapy techniques are briefly introduced at the beginning. Emphasis is placed on how these inorganic nanoparticles can provide enhanced therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment through site-specific accumulation, targeted drug delivery and stimulated drug release, with elaborations on several examples to highlight the respective strategies adopted. Finally, a brief summary and future challenges are included.
Effects of Glycosylation on the Enzymatic Activity and Mechanisms of Proteases
Authors: Goettig Peter
Published: November 2016

Posttranslational modifications are an important feature of most proteases in higher organisms, such as the conversion of inactive zymogens into active proteases. To date, little information is available on the role of glycosylation and functional implications for secreted proteases. Besides a stabilizing effect and protection against proteolysis, several proteases show a significant influence of glycosylation on the catalytic activity. Glycans can alter the substrate recognition, the specificity and binding affinity, as well as the turnover rates. However, there is currently no known general pattern, since glycosylation can have both stimulating and inhibiting effects on activity. Thus, a comparative analysis of individual cases with sufficient enzyme kinetic and structural data is a first approach to describe mechanistic principles that govern the effects of glycosylation on the function of proteases. The understanding of glycan functions becomes highly significant in proteomic and glycomic studies, which demonstrated that cancer-associated proteases, such as kallikrein-related peptidase 3, exhibit strongly altered glycosylation patterns in pathological cases. Such findings can contribute to a variety of future biomedical applications.
Limb Remote Ischemic Postconditioning Reduces Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting NADPH Oxidase Activation and MyD88-TRAF6-P38MAP-Kinase Pathway of Neutrophils
Authors: Chen Gangling , Ye Xinyi , Zhang Jiangwei , Tang Tingli , Li Lin , Lu Peirong , Wu Qi , Yu Boyang , Kou Junping
Published: November 2016

Limb remote ischemic postconditioning (LRIP) has been confirmed to reduce the ischemia-reperfusion injury but its mechanisms are still not clear. This study clarified the mechanism of LRIP based on the nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-P38 pathway of neutrophils. Rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used in this study. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was carried out by MCAO 1.5 h followed by 24 h reperfusion. LRIP operation was performed to the left femoral artery at 0, 1 or 3 h after reperfusion. Behavioral testing, including postural reflex test, vibrissae-elicited forelimb placing test and tail hang test, showed that LRIP operated at 0 h of reperfusion could significantly ameliorate these behavioral scores. Pathological examinations, infarct size, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity showed that LRIP operated at 0 h of reperfusion could significantly ameliorate the pathological scores, reduce the infarct size and MPO activity in the brain and increase the MPO activity in the left leg. By using Neutrophil counting, immunofluorescence and real-time PCR techniques, we found that LRIP operated at 0 h of reperfusion could reduce neutrophil counts in the peripheral blood and downregulate the activation of neutrophil in the peripheral blood and rat brain. Western blots revealed that MyD88, TRAF6, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) in neutrophils and the phosphorylation of p47phox (Ser 304 and Ser 345) in neutrophil could be downregulated by LRIP. Our study suggests that LRIP inhibits the number and activation of neutrophils in the rat brain and peripheral blood linked to down-regulating the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils by MyD88/TRAF6/p38-MAPK pathway.
Identification and Characterization of MicroRNAs in the Liver of Blunt Snout Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) Infected by Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Cui Lei , Hu Hongtao , Wei Wei , Wang Weimin , Liu Hong
Published: November 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that play key roles in regulation of various biological processes. In order to better understand the biological significance of miRNAs in the context of Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Megalobrama amblycephala, small RNA libraries obtained from fish liver at 0 (non-infection), 4, and 24 h post infection (poi) were sequenced using Illumina deep sequencing technology. A total of 11,244,207, 9,212,958, and 7,939,157 clean reads were obtained from these three RNA libraries, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis identified 171 conserved miRNAs and 62 putative novel miRNAs. The existence of ten randomly selected novel miRNAs was validated by RT-PCR. Pairwise comparison suggested that 61 and 44 miRNAs were differentially expressed at 4 and 24 h poi, respectively. Furthermore, the expression profiles of nine randomly selected miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR. MicroRNA target prediction, gene ontology (GO) annotation, and Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that a variety of biological pathways could be affected by A. hydrophila infection. Additionally, transferrin (TF) and transferrin receptor (TFR) genes were confirmed to be direct targets of miR-375. These results will expand our knowledge of the role of miRNAs in the immune response of M. amblycephala to A. hydrophila infection, and facilitate the development of effective strategies against A. hydrophila infection in M. amblycephala.
Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke Is Associated to Materno-Fetal Immune Activation and Intracranial Arteritis
Authors: Guiraut Clémence , Cauchon Nicole , Lepage Martin , Sébire Guillaume
Published: November 2016

The medium-size intra-cranial arteries arising from the carotid bifurcation are prone to perinatal arterial ischemic strokes (PAIS). PAIS’ physiopathology needs to be better understood to develop preventive and therapeutic interventions that are currently missing. We hypothesized that materno-fetal inflammation leads to a vasculitis affecting selectively the carotidian tree and promoting a focal thrombosis and subsequent stroke. Dams were injected with saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli. A prothrombotic stress was applied on LPS-exposed vs. saline (S)-exposed middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Immunolabeling detected the inflammatory markers of interest. In S-exposed newborn pups, a constitutive higher density of macrophages combined to higher expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) was observed within the wall of intra- vs. extra-cranial cervicocephalic arteries. LPS-induced maternal and placental inflammatory responses mediated by IL-1β, TNF-α and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were associated with: (i) increased density of pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1 phenotype); and (ii) pro-inflammatory orientation of the IL-1 system (IL-1β/IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) ratio) within the wall of LPS-, vs. S-exposed, intra-cranial arteries susceptible to PAIS. LPS plus photothrombosis, but not sole photothrombosis, triggered ischemic strokes and subsequent motor impairments. Based on these preclinical results, the combination of pro-thrombotic stress and selective intra-cranial arteritis arising from end gestational maternal immune activation seem to play a role in the pathophysiology of human PAIS.
Rolling Contact Fatigue Performances of Carburized and High-C Nanostructured Bainitic Steels
Authors: Wang Yanhui , Zhang Fucheng , Yang Zhinan , Lv Bo , Zheng Chunlei
Published: November 2016

In the present work, the nanostructured bainitic microstructures were obtained at the surfaces of a carburized steel and a high-C steel. The rolling contact fatigue (RCF) performances of the two alloy steels with the same volume fraction of undissolved carbide were studied under lubrication. Results show that the RCF life of the carburized nanostructured bainitic steel is superior to that of the high-C nanostructured bainitic steel in spite of the chemical composition, phase constituent, plate thickness of bainitic ferrite, hardness, and residual compressive stress value of the contact surfaces of the two steels under roughly similar conditions. The excellent RCF performance of the carburized nanostructured bainitic steel is mainly attributed to the following reasons: finer carbide dispersion distribution in the top surface, the higher residual compressive stress values in the carburized layer, the deeper residual compressive stress layer, the higher work hardening ability, the larger amount of retained austenite transforming into martensite at the surface and the more stable untransformed retained austenite left in the top surface of the steel.