bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Amphiphilic Cyclic and Linear Peptides Composed of Hydrophobic and Positively-Charged Amino Acids as Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Riahifard Neda , Mozaffari Saghar , Aldakhil Taibah , Nunez Francisco , Alshammari Qamar , Alshammari Saud , Yamaki Jason , Parang Keykavous , Tiwari Rakesh Kumar
Published: October 2018

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contain amphipathic structures and are derived from natural resources. AMPs have been found to be effective in treating the infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and thus, are potential lead compounds against ARB. AMPs’ physicochemical properties, such as cationic nature, amphiphilicity, and their size, will provide the opportunity to interact with membrane bilayers leading to damage and death of microorganisms. Herein, AMP analogs of [R4W4] were designed and synthesized by changing the hydrophobicity and cationic nature of the lead compound with other amino acids to provide insights into a structure-activity relationship against selected model Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Clinical resistant strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were used in the studies. Our results provided information about the structural requirements for optimal activity of the [R4W4] template. When tryptophan was replaced with other hydrophobic amino acids, such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, alanine, leucine, and isoleucine, the antibacterial activities were significantly reduced with MIC values of >128 µg/mL. Furthermore, a change in stereochemistry caused by d-arginine, and use of N-methyltryptophan, resulted in a two-fold reduction of antibacterial activity. It was found that the presence of tryptophan is critical for antibacterial activity, and could not be substituted with other hydrophobic residues. The study also confirmed that cyclic peptides generally showed higher antibacterial activities when compared with the corresponding linear counterparts. Furthermore, by changing tryptophan numbers in the compound while maintaining a constant number of arginine, we determined the optimal number of tryptophan residues to be four, as shown when the number of tryptophan residues increased, a decrease in activity was observed.
Anchoring Gated Mesoporous Silica Particles to Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Films for Smart Packaging Applications
Authors: Muriel-Galet Virginia , Pérez-Esteve Édgar , Ruiz-Rico María , Martínez-Máñez Ramón , Barat José Manuel , Hernández-Muñoz Pilar , Gavara Rafael
Published: October 2018

This work is a proof of concept for the design of active packaging materials based on the anchorage of gated mesoporous silica particles with a pH triggering mechanism to a packaging film surface. Mesoporous silica micro- and nanoparticles were loaded with rhodamine B and functionalized with N-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine. This simple system allows regulation of cargo delivery as a function of the pH of the environment. In parallel, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) films, EVOH 32 and EVOH 44, were ultraviolet (UV) irradiated to convert hydroxyl moieties of the polymer chains into –COOH functional groups. The highest COOH surface concentration was obtained for EVOH 32 after 15 min of UV irradiation. Anchoring of the gated mesoporous particles to the films was carried out successfully at pH 3 and pH 5. Mesoporous particles were distributed homogeneously throughout the film surface and in greater concentration for the EVOH 32 films. Films with the anchored particles were exposed to two liquid media simulating acidic food and neutral food. The films released the cargo at neutral pH but kept the dye locked at acidic pH. The best results were obtained for EVOH 32 irradiated for 15 min, treated for particle attachment at pH 3, and with mesoporous silica nanoparticles. This opens the possibility of designing active materials loaded with antimicrobials, antioxidants, or aromatic compounds, which are released when the pH of the product approaches neutrality, as occurs, for instance, with the release of biogenic amines from fresh food products.
Local Tandem Repeat Expansion in Xist RNA as a Model for the Functionalisation of ncRNA
Authors: Brockdorff Neil
Published: October 2018

Xist, the master regulator of the X chromosome inactivation in mammals, is a 17 kb lncRNA that acts in cis to silence the majority of genes along the chromosome from which it is transcribed. The two key processes required for Xist RNA function, localisation in cis and recruitment of silencing factors, are genetically separable, at least in part. Recent studies have identified Xist RNA sequences and associated RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that are important for these processes. Notably, several of the key Xist RNA elements correspond to local tandem repeats. In this review, I use examples to illustrate different modes whereby tandem repeat amplification has been exploited to allow orthodox RBPs to confer new functions for Xist-mediated chromosome inactivation. I further discuss the potential generality of tandem repeat expansion in the evolution of functional long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).
Formulation and Characterization of Carvedilol Leciplex for Glaucoma Treatment: In-Vitro, Ex-Vivo and In-Vivo Study
Authors: Hassan Doaa H. , Abdelmonem Rehab , Abdellatif Menna M.
Published: October 2018

This study evaluated the efficacy of cationic nanoparticle (leciplex) to deliver carvedilol to ocular surface for glaucoma treatment as recent studies pointed out the effect of topical carvedilol on intraocular pressure, therefore carvedilol loaded leciplex formulae were prepared using soy phosphatidyl choline (SPC) and cationic surfactant (CTAB/DDAB) and characterized for morphology, entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential and ex-vivo corneal permeation. Then the selected formula was evaluated via in-vivo studies in comparison with carvedilol solution. Leciplex nanoparticles appeared spherical in shape with entrapment efficiency exceeded 95% in all formulae. Leciplex formula composed of SPC and DDAB in (1:1) molar ratio showed the smallest particle size (16.04 ± 1.2 nm), highest zeta potential value (53.9 ± 0.91 mv) and highest apparent corneal permeability coefficient (0.1157 cm/h). Carvedilol leciplex reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) to normal range in ocular hypertensive rabbits after 30 min and duration of action lasted for 24 h, while carvedilol solution reduced IOP to normal value after 60 min and duration of action lasted for 6 h. Furthermore, histological examination of eyeballs of rabbits treated with carvedilol leciplex showed improvement of retinal atrophy of glaucomatous eyes. This study concluded that leciplex improve transcorneal permeation and bioavailability of carvedilol.
Changes in Particle Size Composition under Seepage Conditions of Reclaimed Soil in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Zizhao , Sui Wanghua , Wang Kaikai , Tang Guobin , Li Xiaoping
Published: October 2018

The distribution of reclaimed soil particle size under seepage conditions after the management period will directly determine the success or failure of reclamation work. The geotechnical experimental method was used in this paper to study the changes in the granulometric composition of soil. The results show that the granulometric composition of the reclaimed soil varied obviously at different depths. The granulometric composition of the soil at a depth of 10 cm was not much different from undisturbed reclaimed soil (URS). At a depth of 30 cm, as the sharp decrease of the content of fine particles resulted in coarser reclaimed soil, the soil became more uniform, with an increase in porosity and water content. At a depth of 50 cm, the fine particle content was generally slightly lower than that of URS. At a depth of 70 cm, the fine particle content of the soil greatly exceeded that of the URS, with the finest soil particles and lowest porosity. The main reason for the above-mentioned changes of granulometric composition in the reclaimed soil was the seepage in soil caused by irrigation during the management period. The research results can provide a reference for management after land reclamation at non-metallic mines in Xinjiang, China.
Effect of Tariff Policy and Battery Degradation on Optimal Energy Storage
Authors: Corengia Mariana , Torres Ana I.
Published: October 2018

In the context of an increasing participation of renewable energy in the electricity market, demand response is a strategy promoted by electricity companies to balance the non-programmable supply of electricity with its usage. Through the use of differential electricity prices, a switch in energy consumption patterns is stimulated. In recent years, energy self-storage in batteries has been proposed as a way to take advantage of differential prices without a major disruption in daily routines. Although a promising solution, charge and discharge cycles also degrade batteries, thus expected savings in the energy bill may actually be non-existent if these savings are counterbalanced by the capacity lost by the battery. In this work a convex optimization problem that finds the operating schedule for a battery and includes the effects of current-induced degradation is presented. The goal is to have a tool that facilitates for a consumer the evaluation of the convenience of installing a battery-based energy storage system under different but given assumptions of electricity and battery prices. The problem is solved assuming operation of a commercial Li-ion under two very different yet representative electricity pricing policies.
Inhibiting Arginine Methylation as a Tool to Investigate Cross-Talk with Methylation and Acetylation Post-Translational Modifications in a Glioblastoma Cell Line
Authors: Samuel Sabrina Francesca , Marsden Alistair James , Deepak Srihari , Rivero Francisco , Greenman John , Beltran-Alvarez Pedro
Published: October 2018

Glioblastomas (GBM) are the most common grade 4 brain tumours; patients have very poor prognosis with an average survival of 15 months after diagnosis. Novel research lines have begun to explore aberrant protein arginine methylation (ArgMe) as a possible therapeutic target in GBM and ArgMe inhibitors are currently in clinical trials. Enzymes known as protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT1-9) can lead to mono- or di-ArgMe, and in the latter case symmetric or asymmetric dimethylation (SDMA and ADMA, respectively). Using the most common GBM cell line, we have profiled the expression of PRMTs, used ArgMe inhibitors as tools to investigate post-translational modifications cross-talk and measured the effect of ArgMe inhibitors on cell viability. We have identified novel SDMA events upon inhibition of ADMA in GBM cells and spheroids. We have observed cross-talk between ADMA and lysine acetylation in GBM cells and platelets. Treatment of GBM cells with furamidine, a PRMT1 inhibitor, reduces cell viability in 2D and 3D models. These data provide new molecular understanding of a disease with unmet clinical needs.
We Spring from that History: Bernard Lazare, between Universalism and Particularism
Authors: Swanson Joel
Published: October 2018

This paper examines the evolution of Jewish identity in the works of writer and critic Bernard Lazare. It suggests that Lazare’s oeuvre elucidates one of the central tensions in modern Jewish thought: the division between those thinkers who use the reputedly universalist Greek philosophical tradition as a lens to analyze and critique Judaism, and those who use the Jewish textual tradition to challenge and reconceive non-Jewish philosophy. Lazare situated himself on both sides of this divide during his life. In his early work, he used the universalist, laical ideology of French republicanism to attack what he perceived as the inflexible, regressive, anti-modernist character of Talmudic Judaism. Lazare’s thought later shifted in the wake of his involvement in the Dreyfus Affair, and he sought to reclaim an ethnic, nationalist conception of Jewish identity as the source for a communal Jewish political response to rising anti-Semitism. Yet through a close reading of Lazare’s writings, the paper suggests that Lazare’s intellectual evolution was never as complete or totalizing as he perhaps wished. His earlier work occasionally used Jewish sources to critique philosophical universalism, while hints of philosophical critiques of the particularism of Jewish texts such as the Talmud remained in his later revalorization of Jewish identity. Lazare thereby reveals how universalism and particularism remain mutually implicated within modern Jewish thought. The paper thus suggests avenues for Lazare to be productively read within the broader canon of modern Jewish thinkers.
Application of a Three-Dimensional Radiative Transfer Model to Retrieve the Species Composition of a Mixed Forest Stand from Canopy Reflected Radiation
Authors: Levashova Natalia , Lukyanenko Dmitry , Mukhartova Yulia , Olchev Alexander
Published: October 2018

The paper introduces a three-dimensional model to derive the spatial patterns of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reflected and absorbed by a non-uniform forest canopy with a multi-species structure, as well as a model algorithm application to retrieve forest canopy composition from reflected PAR measured along some trajectory above the forest stand. This radiative transfer model is based on steady-state transport equations, initially suggested by Ross, and considers the radiative transfer as a function of the structure of individual trees and forest canopy, optical properties of photosynthesizing and non-photosynthesizing parts of the different tree species, soil reflection, and the ratio of incoming direct and diffuse solar radiation. Numerical experiments showed that reflected solar radiation of a typical mixed forest stand consisting of coniferous and deciduous tree species was strongly governed by canopy structure, soil properties and sun elevation. The suggested algorithm based on the developed model allows for retrieving the proportion of different tree species in a mixed forest stand from measured canopy reflection coefficients. The method accuracy strictly depends on the number of points for canopy reflection measurements.
Detection and Characterization of Damage in Quasi-Static Loaded Composite Structures Using Passive Thermography
Authors: Zalameda Joseph , Winfree William
Published: October 2018

Real-time nondestructive evaluation is critical during composites load testing. Of particular importance is the real time measurement of damage onset, growth, and ultimate failure. When newly formed damage is detected, the loading is stopped for further detailed characterization using ultrasound inspections or X-ray computed tomography. This detailed inspection data are used to document failure modes and ultimately validate damage prediction models. Passive thermography is used to monitor heating from damage formation in a hat-stiffened woven graphite epoxy composite panel during quasi-static seven-point load testing. Data processing techniques are presented that enable detection of the small transient thermographic signals resulting from damage formation in real time. It has been observed that the temperature rise due to damage formation at the surface is composed of two thermal responses. The first response is instantaneous and conforms to the shape of the damage. This heating is most likely due to irreversible thermoelastic, plastic deformation, and microstructural heating. The second response is a transient increase in temperature due to mechanical heating at the interface of failure. Two-dimensional multi-layered thermal simulations based on quadrupole method are used to investigate the thermal responses. In particular, the instantaneous response is used as the transient response start time to determine damage depth. The passive thermography measurement results are compared to ultrasonic measurements for validation.
Queen Phiona and Princess Shuri—Alternative Africana “Royalty” in Disney’s Royal Realm: An Intersectional Analysis
Authors: Harris Heather E.
Published: October 2018

This paper explores the representations of two of Disney’s Africana royals, Phiona from the Queen of Katwe and Princess Shuri from Black Panther. Taking into consideration the pedagogical impact of media to reinforce ideologies of White supremacy and privilege, the depictions of these alternative royals in Disney’s royal realm are analyzed using intersectionality theory. The girls’ intersecting identities are juxtaposed with Collins’ matrix of domination concept. The analysis revealed that, while both Phiona and Shuri are challenged by the legacy of colonialization, capitalism, and globalization that constitute the matrix of domination, their approaches to these challenges are different as a result of the unique ways that their identities intersect. The author stresses that while it is commendable of Disney, and Hollywood, to allow for the affirming portrayals of these Africana girls on screen, the gesture is baseless unless a tipping point is reached where such films, and those depicting other non-dominant groups, become the norm rather than the exceptions. In other words, the challenge for those in the industry is not to resist the matrix of domination that stymies the creation of films that reflect the spectrum of the lived and fantastical experiences of Africana, and people of color; rather, the challenge is to dismantle it.
The Relationships of School-Based Discrimination and Ethnic-Racial Socialization to African American Adolescents’ Achievement Outcomes
Authors: Banerjee Meeta , Byrd Christy , Rowley Stephanie
Published: October 2018

Schools provide a place of learning for adolescents and can be considered safe havens. However, in some cases, African American adolescents are subjected to discrimination by peers and teachers, which can impact their own academic engagement and abilities. Applying a risk and resilience framework, the present study examined the relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of school-based discrimination and academic outcomes in a sample of African American middle school students. Adolescents’ reports of perceived school-based discrimination and racial socialization were identified as predictors of academic outcomes (i.e., academic persistence, academic self-efficacy, and academic self-concept). The study also investigated whether racial socialization moderated the relationship between school-based discrimination and achievement outcomes. The study sample comprised 74 African American adolescents (49% female) and one of their parents. Hierarchical regressions showed that racial discrimination by peers was negatively related to academic outcomes. Furthermore, we found that dimensions of racial socialization buffered the effects of school-based discrimination on academic outcomes. Implications for the importance of investigating race-related factors in the academic outcomes of African American youth will be discussed.
Using the Lens of ‘Possible Selves’ to Explore Access to Higher Education: A New Conceptual Model for Practice, Policy, and Research
Authors: Harrison Neil
Published: October 2018

The concept of ‘aspiration-raising’ has been ubiquitous in the discussion of differential rates of participation in higher education in England for many years. Potential students from disadvantaged backgrounds are constructed as setting their sights too low and therefore not considering higher education or ignoring elite universities that they could access. However, it is increasingly understood that aspiration-raising is unable to explain patterns of participation and that it risks ‘blaming the victim’ by failing to appreciate the structural constraints forged through their sociocultural context. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative lens in the form of ‘possible selves’. This is drawn from the discipline of psychology and aims to explain how we all conceive and develop visions of ourselves in future states. These images create a motivational impetus for actions in the present in order to achieve a like-to-be self—or evade a like-to-avoid self. Notably, the theory takes specific account of the individual’s expectations and the importance of having a clear pathway towards a long-term destination. This paper provides an overview of the foundational theory and empirical evidence for a general readership, before presenting a new conceptual model focused on access to higher education. This is then used to explore the principles that might underpin interventions to support participation from disadvantaged groups within highly stratified systems, as well as suggesting a new policy agenda and priorities for future research.
QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL COMPOSITION IN THE COUNTRY’S REGIONS
Authors: Ginevičius Romualdas , Gedvilaitė Dainora , Stasiukynas Andrius
Published: October 2018

To this date, insufficient number of reasoned methods for assessing the industrial composition in the country or in the region in an integrated and quantitative manner is on offer. The existing proposals are basically intended for explaining the drivers of change in the industrial composition as well as the reasons thereof. Following this analysis, the most export-oriented industries are determined. Hence, the focus is not on assessing the industrial composition of a country or a region itself in a quantitative manner, but rather the impact of the changes thereof on economic indicators, i.e. derivative measures of industrial composition. The industrial composition of a country or a region can be described through indicators that reflect three key aspects, i.e. the variety of active economic entities by their number, size and types of economic activities. The proposed methodology is suitable for assessing the industrial composition of a country’s region.
New records of bees of the genus Sphecodes Latreille in the Palaearctic part of China (Hymenoptera, Halictidae)
Authors: Astafurova Yulia V. , Proshchalykin Maxim Yu. , Niu Ze-qing , Zhu Chao-dong
Published: October 2018

The available information about the cleptoparastic bees of the genusSphecodesin the Palaearctic part of China is summarized. Twenty-four species are currently known from this area including 16 newly recorded. Based on type specimens, new synonymies have been proposed forSphecodescristatusHagens, 1882 =S.alfkeniMeyer, 1922,syn. n.;S.longulusHagens, 1882 =S.subfasciatusBlüthgen, 1934,syn. n.;S.nipponMeyer, 1922 =S.kansuensisBlüthgen, 1934,syn. n.;SphecodespieliCockerell, 1931 =S.orientalisAstafurova & Proshchalykin, 2014,syn. n.Lectotypes are designated forSphecodesalfkeniMeyer, 1922 andS.pellucidusniveipennisMeyer, 1925. Illustrated keys to males and females of all species known from Palaearctic China and an updated checklist of the 33 Chinese species ofSphecodesare provided.
Théories sans frontières ?
Authors: Dumont Lucile
Published: October 2018

Cet article étudie la construction d’un espace transnational des théories littéraires élaborées en France dans les années 1960 et 1970 autour du structuralisme. En repérant la production théorique développée autour de Roland Barthes et de Gérard Genette, on observe l’apparition d’instances spécifiques à la production théorique (colloques, revues, associations) qui témoignent de la manière dont elle se constitue selon des logiques propres aux espaces nationaux tout en leur opposant d’emblée des formes de reconnaissance internationale. L’émergence des théories autour d’une controverse nationale immédiatement positionnée dans un espace transnational est indissociable des espaces internationalisés dans lesquels se déploient la « nouvelle critique » et la poétique, comme des trajectoires transnationales de leurs principales figures. L’international fait également l’objet d’usages stratégiques (importation, travail d’intermédiation, contournement des disciplines nationales, fabrique d’un universel littéraire) qui font apparaître à la fois l’ampleur des circulations internationales dont les théories littéraires sont le produit et dont elles font l’objet.
Des morales de classe ?
Authors: Caveng Rémy , Darbus Fanny , Denord François , Serre Delphine , Thine Sylvain
Published: October 2018

La sociologie de la morale a longtemps raisonné au singulier en procédant à l’exégèse de textes philosophiques ou juridiques. Si une tradition quantitative s’est constituée dans le domaine de la sociologie des valeurs et que la sociologie de la morale a connu un renouveau récent, les interprétations en termes de classes sociales demeurent rares. Pourtant, les inégalités matérielles et symboliques affectent les perceptions du juste et de l’injuste ainsi que les préférences morales. Celles-ci, aussi bien que les goûts et dégoûts, doivent beaucoup à l’appartenance à des groupes qui occupent des positions différenciées dans l’espace social. Grâce à une enquête statistique originale, qui porte sur différents domaines d’application de la moralité, nous identifions les principes qui construisent et légitiment les distances entre groupes sociaux. Nous montrons que l’espace des points de vue moraux est structuré autour de deux systèmes d’opposition (distance versus proximité au légitimisme culturel, principes versus conséquences) et que ces positionnements moraux différenciés permettent d’appréhender les conflits entre groupes, voire en leur sein. Les préférences morales ont des fondements sociaux et leur analyse met au jour la structure de l’espace social contemporain, caractérisé par un rapprochement des élites à capital culturel et à capital économique et par une fragmentation des classes populaires.
Accès aux soins en contexte de désertification médicale : un rôle tampon joué par la « chaîne de secours » ? Le cas des sapeurs-pompiers français
Authors: Alfano Nicolas , Bertolucci Marius , Saint Jonsson Anaïs , Tiberghien Bruno
Published: October 2018

Cet article introduit la notion de « chaîne de secours » dans l’analyse du désert médical. Il s’inscrit dès lors dans un double mouvement exploratoire. D’un côté, il montre en quoi les acteurs de la « chaîne de secours » se voient contraints d’assumer, à l’échelle territoriale, un rôle tampon lorsque l’accès au soin se fait difficile. De l’autre, il met en évidence les transformations internes que les organismes de secours mettent en œuvre lorsqu’ils sont eux-mêmes confrontés à une carence en matière de professionnels de santé.
Un siècle après la mort de Charles de Foucauld : controverses et enjeux
Authors: Prudhomme Claude
Published: October 2018

Cent ans après sa mort, la figure du « frère Charles » reste controversée, en Algérie mais aussi en France, y compris au sein du catholicisme. La succession des biographies est l’illustration de ces divergences qui posent la délicate question de la mission et de la présence du christianisme dans le monde musulman.
Le souci de la pauvreté
Authors: Moulinet Daniel
Published: October 2018

La figure de Charles de Foucauld a été une référence importante pour le groupe d’évêques conciliaires attachés à engager la réforme de l’Église catholique dans le sens d’un retour à la pauvreté évangélique. Soucieux de repenser la mission, ils s’inspirent de son exemple pour demander de dépasser une conception territoriale et donner la priorité à la présence parmi les populations éloignées spirituellement plutôt que géographiquement.
Islam et catholicisme
Authors: Feroldi Vincent
Published: October 2018

Historien et directeur en France du Service national pour les relations avec les musulmans, l’auteur montre en quoi le changement d’appellation de ce service officiel de l’Église catholique correspond à la prise en compte de la profonde recomposition de l’islam en France. Devenu à l’ère de la globalisation pluraliste et polycentrique, il impose de repenser les modalités et les objectifs d’un dialogue interreligieux.
La notion de da’wa dans le texte coranique
Authors: Ismail Mohsen
Published: October 2018

Grâce à une étude scrupuleuse et rigoureuse du texte coranique, l’article propose une exégèse de la catégorie de « da’wa » dans l’islam, souvent comparée à celle de « mission » dans le christianisme. Il en étudie le vocabulaire, montre ses spécificités, rappelle l’importance du contexte historique avec la volonté de faire la distinction entre ce que le texte dit et ce qu’on lui fait dire, sans éviter les questions les plus brûlantes tel le recours à la contrainte et au djihad.
« Ennemis déclarés » ou complices malgré eux ?
Authors: Kandakou Dzianis
Published: October 2018

La ville de Polotsk a été le centre de l’édition jésuite entre 1773 et 1820 après la suppression de la Compagnie. Grâce à la protection de Catherine II, la société de Jésus avait trouvé refuge dans cette ville de Biélorussie où elle continua à mettre en œuvre ses conceptions pédagogiques dans un collège et à participer activement aux grands débats philosophiques de son temps.
Effets du réseau relationnel personnel des entrepreneurs sur la création d’un avantage compétitif : cas des PME tunisiennes
Authors: Ghodbane Adel , Belhadj Tarek , Bani Baghdadi Hella
Published: October 2018

Ce papier vise à proposer une étude fine sur le rôle joué par le réseau relationnel personnel de l’entrepreneur dans la détermination de l’avantage compétitif des petites et moyennes entreprises, tout en examinant les mécanismes relatifs à la capacité d’absorption et l’orientation entrepreneuriale dans le conditionnement de ce rôle. Sur la base d’un échantillon de 201 entrepreneurs, et en nous basant sur un modèle à équations simultanées, nos résultats montrent que la capacité d’absorption, ainsi que le choix d’une orientation entrepreneuriale adéquate constituent de véritables facteurs clés pour mettre aux petites et moyennes entreprises tunisiennes de tirer profit du réseau relationnel et de se concrétiser par un avantage compétitif. Classification JEL : M12, M14.
Institutions et organisations : quelle articulation dans une problématique de l’entrepreneuriat en Algérie ?
Authors: Amir Omar , Bellache Youghourta
Published: October 2018

La question de la dynamique entrepreneuriale en Algérie a souvent été analysée indépendamment de l’environnement institutionnel. Le passage d’une économie dirigée à une économie de marché s’est accompagné de changements institutionnels et organisationnels ayant largement modifié le cadre institutionnel et réglementaire de l’entrepreneur Algérien. Notre travail tente ainsi d’analyser la réalité de l’environnement institutionnel après la transition économique et son impact sur la dynamique entrepreneuriale. Il s’agit de voir dans quelle mesure la mauvaise qualité des institutions est responsable de la vulnérabilité du secteur privé en Algérie. Nous avons, à cet effet, adopté une démarche fondée sur l’exploration théorique et l’analyse de données relatives aux entreprises et à leur environnement institutionnel et réglementaire, émanant des institutions tant nationales qu’internationales. Il s’avère que les réformes organisationnelles et institutionnelles définies et partiellement mises en œuvre n’ont pas permis de booster l’entrepreneuriat productif. Classification JEL : B52, L26, O17.
Le développement de la start-up au Maroc à l’aune de la théorie des champs
Authors: Chapus Quentin
Published: October 2018

Le Maroc connait l’émergence récente de nombreux acteurs, notamment associatifs, promouvant l’entrepreneuriat dit « start-up ». En mobilisant la théorie des champs développée par Pierre Bourdieu, cet article étudie comment ces derniers participent à la construction d’un « petit monde », relativement autonome par rapport à l’entrepreneuriat plus traditionnel. S’organise en son sein une lutte pour le profit symbolique, autour du statut de « startuper », qui prend le pas sur la lutte pour le profit économique, critère de hiérarchisation régissant d’ordinaire le champ de l’entrepreneuriat. Séduits par l’image de l’individu créateur, de plus en plus de jeunes marocains s’engagent dans la « start-up » et obtiennent rapidement quelques gratifications symboliques au travers des compétitions et autres prix. Face à la fragilité économique de leur entreprise et aux faibles perspectives de succès par le marché, l’analyse souligne les tensions qui s’instaurent chez eux entre quête de reconnaissance et nécessité de gagner sa vie. Classification JEL : L26, Z13.
Femmes et dealers. Une recherche de terrain au sein du deal de classes moyennes bordelais
Authors: Perrin Sarah
Published: October 2018

Cet article propose d’étudier les situations de femmes socialement insérées dans le deal de stupéfiant bordelais. Être une femme dans le deal implique plusieurs avantages : cela permet de tirer parti de stéréotypes positifs et d’avantages sexués à la fois dans l’achat, la vente de stupéfiants et face à la police. Mais c’est aussi s’exposer à de nombreux risques. En tant que minorité sexuée au sein d’un milieu social perçu comme dangereux, les femmes doivent sans cesse prendre garde à ce que leur genre ne soit pas perçu comme un facteur de vulnérabilité physique et psychologique. Elles doivent faire face à une menace diffuse de violence et courent plus souvent le risque de se faire escroquer. Elles mettent donc en place des stratégies pour être reconnues comme des membres à part entière de cette activité illicite. Elles ressentent également un double décalage, du fait de leurs positions à cheval sur plusieurs univers sociaux : le monde des stupéfiants et les autres sphères légitimes de leurs vies sociales.
Attitudes et croyances soignantes envers des aînés mésusant d’alcool : enquête hospitalière par questionnaire auprès de 315 agents
Authors: Menecier Pascal , Fernandez Lydia , Pichat Michael , Ploton Louis
Published: October 2018

Le mésusage d’alcool de sujets âgés est peu considéré, bien que sa prévalence ne décroisse que peu avec l’âge. Ce décalage peut autant relever de difficultés de repérage que de difficultés de prise en considération, possiblement reliées à des attitudes soignantes peu favorables. Afin d’évaluer les croyances et attitudes de soignants hospitaliers envers des sujets âgés mésusant d’alcool et préciser les variables qui les modulent, une enquête par questionnaire a été menée auprès de 698 médecins et infirmiers de 8 établissements de santé, à propos de leurs représentations, attitudes et connaissances autour du mésusage d’alcool après 65 ans. Les 315 questionnaires exploités (taux de réponse : 45 %), retrouvent que plus de 90 % des agents déclarent soigner des aînés mésusant d’alcool. Les soignants se disent alors majoritairement (75 %) à l’écoute ou disponible, 39 % aidants ou compétant, 32 % mal à l’aise, évitant ou fuyant, et 7 % agressifs, répressifs ou moralisateurs. Les déclarations d’abord positives sont ensuite remises en cause au fil des réponses et recoupements. Les attitudes les plus positives sont associées aux meilleurs niveaux de connaissance, aux expériences d’avoir côtoyé un proche mésusant d’alcool ou d’être soi-même consommateur d’alcool.
« Il arrivera comme les autres mais pas par le chemin de tout le monde »
Authors: Bourjot Aline
Published: October 2018

«   Il arrivera comme les autres mais pas par le chemin de tout le monde. » C’est par ces mots que la mère de Claude, petit garçon présentant des traits autistiques, a soutenu le cheminement de son enfant. Le cas dépliera le parcours de Claude pour sortir de l’enfermement où l’avait plongé un traumatisme précoce. Animé par sa propre ambition de grandir et soutenu par celle de sa mère qui lui reconnaît sa singularité (alors que l’autre le trouve souvent « particulier »), Claude nous mettra en position d’être le guide qui le suit dans son cheminement vers le symbolique.
Prolongements d’ambitions, de mère en fille
Authors: Morel Geneviève
Published: October 2018

Bafouer l’ambition maternelle qui l’enferme dans un carcan, pour l’une ; vivre le rêve deviné de sa mère, tôt disparue, pour une autre. À travers témoignages cliniques, films et littérature, nous interrogeons les avatars de l’ambition féminine à différentes époques et montrons comment les filles déjouent/rejouent les plans de leur mère pour le meilleur ou pour le pire. Nous nous appuyons notamment sur le concept du surmoi et sur la notion de « prolongement du symptôme » (Lacan).
Modelling habitat and spatial distribution of the edible insectHenicus whellani Chop (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae) in south-eastern districts of Zimbabwe
Authors: Chemura A. , Musundire R. , Chiwona-Karltun L.
Published: October 2018

Edible insects present unique opportunities for food and nutrition security in many African communities. However, the characteristics of habitats and spatial distribution of edible insects is not known and yet it is important for understanding their ecology, planning harvesting and conservation activities in the wild. The edible ground cricket (Henicus whellani) Chopard (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae) is an edible insect consumed in south eastern Zimbabwe with protein content >50% on dry matter basis but harvesting is largely random and opportunistic. The aim of this study was to apply the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) presence-only species distribution modelling approach to understand the factors influencing distribution ofH. whellani and map the potential areas for harvesting and conservation of the species. Geographical locations of sites whereH. whellani is currently present were obtained from field reports from communities. Seven geographical factors which are mean annual temperature, temperature seasonality, mean annual precipitation, seasonality of precipitation, soil type, elevation, vegetation density and land cover were used to run the model. The model showed a high prediction accuracy forH. whellani (AUC=0.86) indicating that the model can be used with confidence to predict distribution and potential habitats in S.E Zimbabwe. Results showed that soil type (46.7%) and vegetation density (17.5%) are the most important factors determining the distribution ofH. whellani. The hotspots forH. whellani were identified and closely followed specific soil and vegetation gradients in the area. The model considered temperature (3.9%) and elevation (0.6%) as the least important factors inH. whellani distribution. The produced distributed maps can be used for planning efficient harvesting and conservation of this nutritious edible insect in Zimbabwe.
A Win-Win Strategy to Integrate Sustainability Objectives in Product Design – An Educational Approach
Authors: Soliman Abdelfattah Y. , Al-Bahi Ali M.
Published: October 2018

Most existing educational design approaches focus on discipline-specific modules, while those based on a generic product concept rarely target sustainability goals. With the increasing interest in sustainability and education for sustainable development, it is necessary to rethink the product design approaches to target both customer needs and community requirements for sustainability. The main goal of the integral design approach proposed in the present work is to create a broader picture that integrates the design process, life cycle analysis, and the role of each design and life cycle player. A wider management scheme that sets a clear road map of the contribution of all players is introduced. This scheme is based on a win-win strategy between different players to promote mechanisms to enhance sustainability and min-imize risks and socioeconomic footprints.
Youth Perception of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Amoroso Donald , Roman Francisco Limcaoco
Published: October 2018

This research assesses the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as it affects the perception of millennials regarding the socially responsible corporation that, in turn may influence their intention to purchase. The findings show that loyalty and trust appear stronger among older-age consumers than among the younger-age consumers, but both loyalty and authenticity are strong indicators of continuance intention. Younger-age consumers clearly analyzed authenticity to build trust and advocacy, whereas older-age consumer built trust with clearly communicated awareness of CSR initiatives. The managerial implications clearly highlight the importance of awareness for older-age consumers while authenticity was important for younger-age consumers. This offers opportunities for further development on the behavior of the two categoriews of consumers as well as strategies for practitioners to employ CSR to influence continuous purchases.
Workplace Violence and Social Engineering Among Korean Employees
Authors: Choi Youngkeun
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate if workplace violence has a negative influence on employees who are exposed to social engineering. This article explores if information security culture can be helpful to make them to resist social engineering. In the results, first, job-related bullying and abusive supervision decreases employees' intention to resist social engineering. Second, information security culture decreases the negative effect of job-related bullying, abusive supervision or organizational politics on employees' intention to resist social engineering.
Women Entrepreneurship in Gulf Region
Authors: Mathew Viju
Published: October 2018

Women are restricted to make any type of business activity, contact outside the family and face other socio-cultural barriers in most of the Gulf countries. Until very recently, the importance of entrepreneurial business, women in business and its contribution to the national economy has been less examined and feels relevant for economic development. This article tries to explore and provide relevant and focused information on the characteristics, contributions and challenges faced by entrepreneurial women in Gulf countries. Several reforms have been done in Gulf countries to bring entrepreneurs into the main stream and affected their upsurge, extension, performance and interest highlighted in this article. Research focuses on empirical evidence to support the analysis highlighting the quantitative measure for the issues of gender differentials in entrepreneurial activities in Middle East countries
Predicting Consumers' Acceptance of Online Shopping on the Internet
Authors: Patro Chandra Sekhar
Published: October 2018

Online shopping environment is a relatively novel perception and has changed the way people communicate and do the business. The rising internet penetration facilitated a shift from conventional marketing to interactive marketing. Online shopping is one such marketing service which is available to the consumers uninterrupted at anytime from anywhere through internet. The online consumers have more control and bargaining power than consumers of conventional stores because the internet offers more interaction between customers and retailers as well as greater availability of information about products and services. In a virtual environment where the website is just a mouse click away, it becomes extensively difficult to understand the consumers' behaviour and take effective measures to make them purchase online. The study focuses on identifying the key dimensions of the perceived advantages and risks that influence on consumers' online purchase behaviour. The findings afford the online retailers in designing well-organized and risk reducing strategies for online consumers.
A Regional Model of Climate Change and Human Migration
Authors: Naugle Asmeret Bier , Backus George A. , Tidwell Vincent C. , Kistin-Keller Elizabeth , Villa Daniel L.
Published: October 2018

As climate change and human migration accelerate globally, decision-makers are seeking tools that can deepen their understanding of the complex nexus between climate change and human migration. These tools can help to identify populations under pressure to migrate, and to explore proactive policy options and adaptive measures. Given the complexity of factors influencing migration, this article presents a system dynamics-based model that couples migration decision making and behavior with the interacting dynamics of economy, labor, population, violence, governance, water, food, and disease. The regional model is applied here to the test case of migration within and beyond Mali. The study explores potential systems impacts of a range of proactive policy solutions and shows that improving the effectiveness of governance and increasing foreign aid to urban areas have the highest potential of those investigated to reduce the necessity to migrate in the face of climate change.
Systems Approach for Modeling Interactions Among the Sustainable Development Goals Part 1
Authors: Zelinka David , Amadei Bernard
Published: October 2018

This article advocates for a systems approach to analyzing the SDGs, categorized as an anthropocentric network. Cross-impact analysis, a semi-qualitative, soft-systems approach is used to explore the connections among the SDGs. This approach can better capture the science underlying the SDGs' interactions in a generic manner compared to existing methods. The suggested approach enables users to: (1) get a better qualitative and quantitative understanding of how the SDGs interact; (2) detect emerging patterns resulting from those interactions; (3) use context-specific information about direct impacts to identify indirect effects; and (4) identify leverage points hidden within the SDGs. The article also discusses how network analysis complements cross-impact analysis as a mathematical approach to understanding patterns of interactions among the SDGs. The term cross-impact network analysis is proposed to describe the synergy between these two analytical methods. This article is the first of two papers systematically analyzing the interactions between the SDGs.
Based on The Document-Link and Time-Clue Relationships Between Blog Posts to Improve the Performance of Google Blog Search
Authors: Chen Lin-Chih
Published: October 2018

Both the blog search engine and the general search engine automatically crawl the pages from the web and produce relevant search results based on the user's query. The first difference between the two types is that the blog search engine focuses on dealing with blog posts and filters out other types of pages. This difference allows bloggers only to care about posts rather than all pages that are indexed by general search engines. The second difference is the post, considering more time-related issues compared to the page. The semantic analysis model is widely used to analyze the various semantic relationships that may arise in the document. In this article, the authors propose a new semantic analysis model to find possible time relationships between posts. The main contribution of this paper has two points: first is that this paper builds a high-performance search system that considers the discussion topic and updated time between posts; second, is that the authors consider the time relationships between posts that can rank the relevant blog topics based on the popularity of the posts.
IT Application Maturity, Management Institutional Capability and Process Management Capability
Authors: Peng Jianping , Quan Jing , Peng Le
Published: October 2018

This article studies the influence of enterprise core competence on IT application maturity (ITAM) from the perspectives of management institutional and process management capabilities. The roles of firm ownership and international organization of standard (ISO) certifications are also studied. Based on reliable and valid measurements of IT applications maturity, management institutional capability, and process management capability, the authors collect corresponding data from 123 companies in China. They find a positive relationship between capabilities and ITAM. Management institutional capability has a stronger relationship with ITAM in Chinese state-owned enterprises or public companies; while multinational companies or joint ventures witness a stronger relationship with process management capability. ISO helps companies with low management institutional capability to improve ITAM. However, for companies with higher management institutional capability, ISO mitigates the relationship and poses a shift of the importance to process management capability in improving ITAM.