bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Development of a Portable SPR Bioanalyzer for Sensitive Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Wang Shun , Xie Jiufeng , Jiang Min , Chang Keke , Chen Ruipeng , Ma Liuzheng , Zhu Juanhua , Guo Qingqian , Sun Haifeng , Hu Jiandong
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to develop a portable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bioanalyzer for the sensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in comparison with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The experimental setup mainly consisted of an integrated biosensor and a homemade microfluidic cell with a three-way solenoid valve. In order to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 using the SPR immunoassay, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) was chemisorbed onto a gold surface via covalent bond for the immobilization of biological species. 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) were used as crosslinker reagents to enable the reaction between 3-MPA and Escherichia coli O157:H7 antibodies by covalent –CO–NH– amide bonding. The experimental results were obtained from the Escherichia coli O157:H7 positive samples prepared by 10-, 20-, 40-, 80-, and 160-fold dilution respectively, which show that a good linear relationship with the correlation coefficient R of 0.982 existed between the response units from the portable SPR bioanalyzer and the concentration of Escherichia coli O157:H7 positive samples. Moreover, the theoretical detection limit of 1.87 × 103 cfu/mL was calculated from the positive control samples. Compared with the Escherichia coli O157:H7 ELISA kit, the sensitivity of this portable SPR bioanalyzer is four orders of magnitude higher than the ELISA kit. The results demonstrate that the portable SPR bioanalyzer could provide an alternative method for the quantitative and sensitive determination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in field.
A Method to Estimate Sunshine Duration Using Cloud Classification Data from a Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (FY-2D) over the Heihe River Basin
Authors: Wu Bingfang , Liu Shufu , Zhu Weiwei , Yu Mingzhao , Yan Nana , Xing Qiang
Published: November 2016

Sunshine duration is an important variable that is widely used in atmospheric energy balance studies, analysis of the thermal loadings on buildings, climate research, and the evaluation of agricultural resources. In most cases, it is calculated using an interpolation method based on regional-scale meteorological data from field stations. Accurate values in the field are difficult to obtain without ground measurements. In this paper, a satellite-based method to estimate sunshine duration is introduced and applied over the Heihe River Basin. This method is based on hourly cloud classification product data from the FY-2D geostationary meteorological satellite (FY-2D). A new index—FY-2D cloud type sunshine factor—is proposed, and the Shuffled Complex Evolution Algorithm (SCE-UA) was used to calibrate sunshine factors from different coverage types based on ground measurement data from the Heihe River Basin in 2007. The estimated sunshine duration from the proposed new algorithm was validated with ground observation data for 12 months in 2008, and the spatial distribution was compared with the results of an interpolation method over the Heihe River Basin. The study demonstrates that geostationary satellite data can be used to successfully estimate sunshine duration. Potential applications include climate research, energy balance studies, and global estimations of evapotranspiration.
Synthesis and Biological Activities of Camphor Hydrazone and Imine Derivatives
Authors: Da Silva Emerson , Da Silva Araújo Adriele , Moraes Adriana , De Souza Leidiane , Silva Lourenço Maria , De Souza Marcus , Wardell James , Wardell Solange
Published: November 2016

Both sonochemical and classical methodologies have been employed to convert camphor, 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, C9H16C=O, into a number of derivatives including hydrazones, C9H16C=N-NHAr 3, imines, C9H16C=N-R 7, and the key intermediate nitroimine, C9H16C=N-NO2 6. Reactions of nitroamine 6 with nucleophiles by classical methods provided the desired compounds in a range of yields. In evaluations of activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, compound 7j exhibited the best activity (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 3.12 µg/mL), comparable to that of the antitubercular drug ethambutol. The other derivatives displayed modest antimycobacterial activities at 25–50 µg/mL. In in vitro tests against cancer cell lines, none of the synthesized camphor compounds exhibited cytotoxic activities.
In Vivo Anticonvulsant Activity of Extracts and Protopine from the Fumaria schleicheri Herb
Authors: Prokopenko Yuliya , Tsyvunin Vadim , Shtrygol’ Sergey , Georgiyants Victoriya
Published: November 2016

The present study aimed to investigate the role of several biologically active compounds from Fumaria schleicheri Soy.-Will. in anticonvulsant models. The flavonoid fraction, alkaloid fraction, individual alkaloid protopine, and polysaccharide-protein complex were isolated from the Fumaria schleicheri herb and studied along with Fumaria schleicheri dry extract in mice with pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. According to empirical results, the expressed anticonvulsant effect of Fumaria schleicheri dry extract depends on the synergism of biologically active compounds in herbal medicine, although some individual substances (mostly protopine and the protein-polysaccharide fraction) have shown moderate anti-seizure activity.
Simplified Method of Optimal Sizing of a Renewable Energy Hybrid System for Schools
Authors: Kim Jiyeon , Kim Eui-Jong
Published: November 2016

Schools are a suitable public building for renewable energy systems. Renewable energy hybrid systems (REHSs) have recently been introduced in schools following a new national regulation that mandates renewable energy utilization. An REHS combines the common renewable-energy sources such as geothermal heat pumps, solar collectors for water heating, and photovoltaic systems with conventional energy systems (i.e., boilers and air-source heat pumps). Optimal design of an REHS by adequate sizing is not a trivial task because it usually requires intensive work including detailed simulation and demand/supply analysis. This type of simulation-based approach for optimization is difficult to implement in practice. To address this, this paper proposes simplified sizing equations for renewable-energy systems of REHSs. A conventional optimization process is used to calculate the optimal combinations of an REHS for cases of different numbers of classrooms and budgets. On the basis of the results, simplified sizing equations that use only the number of classrooms as the input are proposed by regression analysis. A verification test was carried out using an initial conventional optimization process. The results show that the simplified sizing equations predict similar sizing results to the initial process, consequently showing similar capital costs within a 2% error.
Spatiotemporal Variation of China’s State-Owned Construction Land Supply from 2003 to 2014
Authors: Jiang Min , Xin Liangjie , Li Xiubin , Tan Minghong
Published: November 2016

State-owned construction land is the dominant legal land source for construction in China and its supply influences urban expansion, house prices, and economic development, among other factors. Surprisingly, limited attention has been directly devoted to the spatiotemporal variation in land supply or the driving factors. This paper applied a centroid model and hotspot analysis, and created a newly increased construction land dependence-degree index (NCD) to present the spatiotemporal variations of China’s construction land supply magnitude and pattern from 2003 to 2014, using land supply data from 339 cities. A two-way fixed effect model was introduced to reveal the influence of the socio-economic driving factors. The results showed that China’s state-owned construction land supply area (CLSA) and newly increased construction land supply area (NCSA) both increased during the period from 2003 to 2014, the geographic centroid of CLSA and NCSA moved northwest. NCD showed an overall increasing trend, and hotspots with high NCD migrated from the east region to the west region and shifted from an “east hot and west cold” pattern in 2003 to an “east cold and west hot” pattern in 2014. The gross domestic product (GDP) has a U-shape effect on CLSA and NCD. The population, average annual wage of workers, and investment in fixed assets (fiv) have positive effects on CLSA, and fiv also has a positive effect on NCD. The increasing ratio of tertiary industry added value to secondary industry added value reduces CLSA and NCD, and the effects of state policies vary from year to year. Different land supply policies should be implemented for cities in different development stages.
Event-Centered Maze Generation Method for Mobile Virtual Reality Applications
Authors: Jeong Kisung , Kim Jinmo
Published: November 2016

This study proposes a method of effectively creating mobile virtual reality scenes centered at events for the purpose of providing new experiences in virtual reality environment to users. For this purpose, this paper uses Prim’s maze generation algorithm to automatically create maze environments that have different patterns every time and to compute mazes with finite paths. This paper designs a scheme of creating virtual reality scenes based on event-centered mazes to maximize users’ tension and immersion. Here, event components that are appropriate for the maze environment are defined and maze patterns are created centered at the event point where events that are appropriate for the maze pattern are automatically created. Finally, the paper analyzes whether the proposed virtual reality scene based on event-centered mazes is helpful in enhancing users’ immersion and arousing their interest through diverse experiments.
A Solution of the Mitra Paradox
Authors: Grøn Øyvind
Published: November 2016

The “Mitra paradox” refers to the fact that while the de Sitter spacetime appears non-static in a freely falling reference frame, it looks static with reference to a fixed reference frame. The coordinate-independent nature of the paradox may be gauged from the fact that the relevant expansion scalar, θ = 3 Λ , is finite if Λ > 0 . The trivial resolution of the paradox would obviously be to set Λ = 0 . However, here it is assumed that Λ > 0 , and the paradox is resolved by invoking the concept of “expansion of space”. This is a reference-dependent concept, and it is pointed out that the solution of the Mitra paradox is obtained by taking into account the properties of the reference frame in which the coordinates are co-moving.
Targeting Immune Regulatory Networks to Counteract Immune Suppression in Cancer
Authors: Camisaschi Chiara , Vallacchi Viviana , Vergani Elisabetta , Tazzari Marcella , Ferro Simona , Tuccitto Alessandra , Kuchuk Olga , Shahaj Eriomina , Sulsenti Roberta , Castelli Chiara , Rodolfo Monica , Rivoltini Licia , Huber Veronica
Published: November 2016

The onset of cancer is unavoidably accompanied by suppression of antitumor immunity. This occurs through mechanisms ranging from the progressive accumulation of regulatory immune cells associated with chronic immune stimulation and inflammation, to the expression of immunosuppressive molecules. Some of them are being successfully exploited as therapeutic targets, with impressive clinical results achieved in patients, as in the case of immune checkpoint inhibitors. To limit immune attack, tumor cells exploit specific pathways to render the tumor microenvironment hostile for antitumor effector cells. Local acidification might, in fact, anergize activated T cells and facilitate the accumulation of immune suppressive cells. Moreover, the release of extracellular vesicles by tumor cells can condition distant immune sites contributing to the onset of systemic immune suppression. Understanding which mechanisms may be prevalent in specific cancers or disease stages, and identifying possible strategies to counterbalance would majorly contribute to improving clinical efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we intend to highlight these mechanisms, how they could be targeted and the tools that might be available in the near future to achieve this goal.
Taxonomy of Means and Ends in Aquaculture Production—Part 4: The Mapping of Technical Solutions onto Multiple Treatment Functions
Authors: Vilbergsson Bjorgvin , Oddsson Gudmundur , Unnthorsson Runar
Published: November 2016

Designing aquaculture production units will require decisions on which treatment to include, e.g., the intensification of the system, and then a decision on a technical solution for each treatment function selected to implement. To complicate matters, each technical solution is not unique to each treatment function, but has a multiple effect on the system. This interaction of a technical solution to multiple treatment functions will play a part in the decision making process. Previous work by the authors has made a taxonomy of all technical solutions for the treatment function, and in this article, how technical solutions affect treatment functions is mapped. The article views the aquaculture production system as a transformation process with three sets of functions, input, treatment and output. Based on a comprehensive literature review where all technical solutions were found and categorized into a taxonomy, their effect on treatment function was mapped using a quality function deployment (QFD). The result is a matrix that gives an evaluation on the interaction. This work is a step towards an aquaculture engineering design methodology.
Taxonomy of Means and Ends in Aquaculture Production—Part 3: The Technical Solutions of Controlling N Compounds, Organic Matter, P Compounds, Metals, Temperature and Preventing Disease
Authors: Vilbergsson Bjorgvin , Oddsson Gudmundur , Unnthorsson Runar
Published: November 2016

This is the third part of the taxonomy of technical solutions and treatment functions in aquaculture. This article builds on the premiss that the aquaculture production system can be viewed as a transformation process with three sets of functions, input, treatment and output. This work creates an overview of all of the technical solutions of treatment functions for the purpose of both design and further research. This is done with a comprehensive literature review where all technical solutions are identified and then categorized into a taxonomy. The result is a visual taxonomy of the treatment functions controlling N compounds, organic matter, P compounds, metals, temperature and preventing disease. A total taxonomy is finally presented where the results from Part 2 and Part 3 (this part) have been combined.
Microcystin-LR Biodegradation by Bacillus sp.: Reaction Rates and Possible Genes Involved in the Degradation
Authors: Kansole Michelline , Lin Tsair-Fuh
Published: November 2016

Harmful cyanobacteria blooms may deteriorate freshwater environments, leading to bad water quality that can adversely affect the health of humans, animals, and aquatic life. Many cyanobacteria can produce toxic metabolites, with Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) being the most commonly detected cyanotoxin in fresh water bodies. In this study, a MC-LR degrading Bacillus sp. strain was isolated from Hulupi Lake (HLPL), Taiwan and tested for its degradability of the cyanotoxin. The results showed that the degradation of Microcystin-LR by the isolated Bacillus sp. was temperature-dependent with an optimum MC-LR removal at 37 °C and a first order degradation constant rate for 0.22 day−1. The degradation rate was also found to increase with decreasing MC-LR concentrations and increasing Bacillus sp. concentrations. Biomolecular monitoring of three types of genes (mlrA, CAAX, and GST) involved in the degradation indicated that mlrA, and CAAX genes were present in the indigenous bacteria in HLPL water samples. However, for the isolated Bacillus sp. strain, only CAAX genes were detected. The absence of the mlrA gene in the isolated Bacillus sp. strain shows that the degradation of MC-LR does not necessarily follow the pathways with mlrA, and can also follow the pathways involved with CAAX type II amino-terminal protease.
A detailed view on 1,8-cineol biosynthesis by Streptomyces clavuligerus
Authors: Rinkel Jan , Rabe Patrick , zur Horst Laura , Dickschat Jeroen S
Published: November 2016

The stereochemical course of the cyclisation reaction catalysed by the bacterial 1,8-cineol synthase from Streptomyces clavuligerus was investigated using stereospecifically deuterated substrates. In contrast to the well investigated plant enzyme from Salvia officinalis, the reaction proceeds via (S)-linalyl diphosphate and the (S)-terpinyl cation, while the final cyclisation reaction is in both cases a syn addition, as could be shown by incubation of (2-13C)geranyl diphosphate in deuterium oxide.
IMPROVED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC CALIBRATION OF THE SDSS-III BOSS QUASAR SAMPLE
Authors: Margala Daniel , Kirkby David , Dawson Kyle , Bailey Stephen , Blanton Michael , Schneider Donald P.
Published: November 2016

We present a model for spectrophotometric calibration errors in observations of quasars from the third generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) and describe the correction procedure we have developed and applied to this sample. Calibration errors are primarily due to atmospheric differential refraction and guiding offsets during each exposure. The corrections potentially reduce the systematics for any studies of BOSS quasars, including the measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations using the Lyα forest. Our model suggests that, on average, the observed quasar flux in BOSS is overestimated by ∼19% at 3600 Å and underestimated by ∼24% at 10,000 Å. Our corrections for the entire BOSS quasar sample are publicly available.
AN INVESTIGATION OF TIME LAG MAPS USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIMULATIONS OF HIGHLY STRATIFIED HEATING
Authors: Winebarger Amy R. , Lionello Roberto , Downs Cooper , Mikić Zoran , Linker Jon , Mok Yung
Published: November 2016

The location and frequency of coronal energy release provide a significant constraint on the coronal heating mechanism. The evolution of the intensity observed in coronal structures found from time lag analysis of Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) data has been used to argue that heating must occur sporadically. Recently, we have demonstrated that quasi-steady, highly stratified (footpoint) heating can produce results qualitatively consistent with the evolution of observed coronal structures. The goals of this paper are to demonstrate that time lag analysis of 3D simulations of footpoint heating are qualitatively consistent with time lag analysis of observations and to use the 3D simulations to further understand whether time lag analysis is a useful tool in defining the evolution of coronal structures. We find the time lag maps generated from simulated data are consistent with the observed time lag maps. We next investigate several example points. In some cases, the calculated time lag reflects the evolution of a unique loop along the line of sight, though there may be additional evolving structures along the line of sight. We confirm that using the multi-peak AIA channels can produce time lags that are difficult to interpret. We suggest using a different high temperature channel, such as an X-ray channel. Finally, we find that multiple evolving structures along the line of sight can produce time lags that do not represent the physical properties of any structure along the line of sight, although the cross-correlation coefficient of the lightcurves is high. Considering the projected geometry of the loops may reduce some of the line-of-sight confusion.
ON THE FORMATION OF BENZOIC ACID AND HIGHER-ORDER BENZENE CARBOXYLIC ACIDS IN INTERSTELLAR MODEL ICE GRAINS
Authors: McMurtry Brandon M. , Saito Sean E. J. , Turner Andrew M. , Chakravarty Harish K. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: November 2016

With a binary ice mixture of benzene (C6H6) and carbon dioxide (CO2) at 10 K under contamination-free ultrahigh vacuum conditions, the formation of benzene carboxylic acids in interstellar ice grains was studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to probe for the formation of new species during the chemical processing of the ice mixture and during the following temperature-programmed desorption. Newly formed benzene carboxylic acid species, i.e., benzoic acid, as well as meta- and para-benzene dicarboxylic acid, were assigned using newly emerging bands in the infrared spectrum; a reaction mechanism, along with rate constants, was proposed utilizing the kinetic fitting of the coupled differential equations.
Nos censures au miroir de l’ Index librorum prohibitorum
Authors: Amadieu Jean-Baptiste
Published: November 2016

L’Index romain a exercé une censure constante des publications pendant quatre siècles, à travers toute la « République chrétienne », du 16e au 20e siècle. À la lumière de ce dispositif censorial, de son droit et de ses pratiques jurisprudentielles en matière de littérature, le présent article se propose d’interroger les réglementations contemporaines de l’expression publique. Quelques questions traversent l’histoire de la censure en dépit des différences culturelles : s’assume-t-on comme censeur ? Vise-t-on une intention d’auteur, un énoncé ou bien la réception de cet énoncé par le public ? La censure se limite-t-elle aux interdits juridiques ? Une oeuvre offensante est-elle pour autant dangereuse ? La valeur littéraire d’un texte désamorce-t-elle ou aggrave-t-elle le danger ? De quel type d’influence un livre est-il susceptible ? Peut-on et doit-on accorder des dérogations de censure aux lecteurs les moins influençables ?
De la rareté artificielle à l’offre pléthorique
Authors: Barbet Philippe , Maigron Patrick
Published: November 2016

La mise à disposition, donc l’offre, des noms de domaine de premier niveau sur le réseau Internet est assurée, depuis 1998 et de manière monopolistique, par une organisation internationale de droit privé : l’ICANN. Celle-ci a longtemps pratiqué une politique très restrictive et n’a permis la création que d’un nombre très limité de ces extensions. Cette rareté artificielle a conduit, nous le montrons dans une première partie, à la domination d’une des extensions proposées : le « .com », ainsi qu’à la création d’une rente pour la firme qui gère cette extension : Verisign. À la suite de nombreuses critiques, l’ICANN a annoncé en 2008 sa décision de multiplier les possibilités de création de nouvelles extensions et ce mouvement de libéralisation a effectivement commencé à la fin de l’année 2013. Dans une seconde partie, nous examinons les arguments économiques échangés dans la période qui a précédé la décision prise par l’ICANN et notamment la possibilité réelle de réduire la position dominante du « .com » et de Verisign. Enfin, dans une troisième partie, nous détaillons les modalités de création de ce nouveau marché des noms de domaine et faisons un certain nombre d’hypothèses pour le futur.
Penser la radicalisation
Authors: Crettiez Xavier
Published: November 2016

Cet article s’interroge sur la notion très usitée de radicalisation et propose un état des recherches sur ce sujet. À travers des exemples tirés d’expériences diverses de combat, autant islamistes que nationalistes, il pose un regard non essentialiste sur la notion de radicalisation exagérément reliée aux seules études sur l’islamisme jihadiste. Il propose également un modèle d’analyse des phénomènes d’engagement progressif dans la lutte armée, privilégiant une analyse processuelle de l’engagement et une mise en avant de certains facteurs déterminants. Parmi ceux-ci, l’article privilégie une approche sociologique des formes de socialisation et d’adaptation cognitive à la violence, ainsi que psychosociologique, insistant sur les liens entre recours à la violence et rehausse de l’estime de soi.
Comment réduire les risques qui menacent la pérennité des entreprises familiales
Authors: Le Breton-Miller Isabelle , Miller Danny
Published: November 2016

Vous connaissez la loi des trois générations ? La première génération créé l’entreprise, la deuxième la fait croître et la troisième la détruit. Puisque les entreprises familiales dépendent largement des talents et des ressources des différents membres de la famille et des générations suivantes, comment peuvent-elles assurer leur capacité à travailler ensemble et, dès lors, leur survie ?
Comment instaurer des processus de décision équitables ?
Authors: Blondel Christine
Published: November 2016

Les entreprises familiales sont des endroits où l’équité est à la fois fortement nécessaire et difficile à évaluer. Est-il juste qu’un membre de la famille gère l’entreprise parce que, étant l’aîné, il a été prêt à assumer des responsabilités plus tôt ? Est-il préférable de donner des parts égales à tous ses enfants plutôt que d’en donner une majorité à celui qui dirige ? Certains processus peuvent faire en sorte que chaque membre de la famille se sente traité de manière équitable.
Devenir une entreprise innovante, une question d’état d’esprit
Authors: Delmas Nathalie
Published: November 2016

Comment assurer une multitude d’innovations dans les produits et services et devenir une référence pour l’avenir tout en augmentant de façon significative les résultats de l’entreprise pour obtenir une performance exceptionnelle et durable ?
De l’idéologie institutionnelle à l’élaboration collective
Authors: Guiche Dorothée
Published: November 2016

Dans les institutions sociales, la confrontation de deux courants théoriques différents peut soulever des conflits et des résistances massives, voire prendre des allures idéologiques. Comment s’assurer que des convictions théoriques opposées ne se transforment pas en un symptôme institutionnel ? À travers la présentation d’un cas clinique, seront mises en exergue la nécessité et la capacité de résistance du clinicien face aux attaques de son cadre théorique. C’est en veillant à la reconnaissance de la différence de l’Autre éducatif, qu’il sera garant de la souplesse idéologique de la pensée institutionnelle.
Iniciativa personal y emprendedora del alumnado de Primaria y 1º ciclo Secundaria: Aspectos personales, familiares y escolares
Authors: Romero Tena Rosalia , Espasandín Bustelo Francisco
Published: November 2016

Purpose: Knowing which aspects; family, personal, center, classroom and type of education encourage personal initiatives and entrepreneurship. Describe the current state of affairs.Design/methodology: Develop and validate an assessment tool to know the personal initiative and entrepreneurship of students of Primary and Secondary 1st cycle. Quantitative questionnaire were distributed in Andalusian centers - using different types of items Likert and dichotomous- based on four dimensions; immediate environment; center; educational activities; teaching aids used; school climate and personal initiative.Findings: The student acquires his first experiences on what it means to be an enterprising person of the family and the immediate environment. The type of education of the center and the use of available resources and means provided mark the development of their attitude as entrepreneur. Relationships with their peers and people involved in their lives influences their level of initiative. The findings coming from the Personal Initiative dimensions (leadership, creativity, achievement and perception of control) indicate that student of this age; struggle to explain and defend their ideas; they like to learn things in different ways; but do not have much interest in proposing such ways.Research limitations/implications: Economic, temporal, spatial and the conceptual model.Practical implications: The findings provide guidelines to keep in mind when designing educational programs that work in both the "awareness" and the "preparation" to encourage individual attitudes and entrepreneurship.Social implications: Sensitize the educational community of the center about the importance of involving all members in promoting entrepreneurial culture.Originality/value: When there is an entrepreneurial culture in the center all actions are directed to develop these attitudes, so that its members provide answers with a more horizontal approach and vision of life.
Catalan family companies with high growth during the crisis period
Authors: Arimany-Serrat Nuria , Tarrats-Pons Elisenda
Published: November 2016

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the financial and economic health of the Catalan family companies with high growth during the crisis period (2008-2013), as an engine of job creation and economic development of the territory, identifying the economic and financial characteristics.Design/methodology/approach: The data used comes from the financial statements of the high growth Catalan companies during the crisis period of 2008-2013, in particular it collects a sample of the 140 high growth Catalan companies where a 70% of them are family businesses, there is a financial and economic analysis using descriptive statistics of these family businesses with a regression model to achieve results and conclusions.Findings: During the 2008-2013 crisis, Catalan family companies with high growth that are mostly small businesses have a good economic and financial health, with moderate innovation and a great potential for survival.Research limitations/implications: It would be convenient to make the same study in similar territories where most of the companies are family businesses, in order to compare the financial and economic analysis, valuing the impact of these companies in the business.Practical implications: It allows valuing the projection of these kinds of family companies, mostly in Catalonia, in a financial and economic level, identifying if they have a proper financial strategy.Social implications: The results show that these companies have great financial and economic health and have a better response during a crisis period.Originality / value: The study shows that family businesses have moderate indebtedness and acceptable rendibility in the crisis period, although, since they are small businesses the lack of innovation and patents can lead to future problems.
Crafting New Urban Assemblages and Steering Neighborhood Transition: Actors and Roles in Ecourban Neighborhood Development
Authors: Holden Meg , Li Charling , Molina Ana , Sturgeon Daniel
Published: October 2016

New sustainable neighborhood developments are multiplying worldwide. Embedded in these model neighborhoods are not only particular ideas about better urban form, but also particular ideas about better organization of urban governance and development responsibilities, and how these guide social development and, ultimately, urban life. Numerous frameworks, certifications, and labels have emerged from a range of organizations and actors, intending to offer a level of predictability and certainty in what is included in a sustainable neighborhood, but the majority of these frameworks have yet to be implemented in more than a handful of cases. In this article, we consider two “second generation” ecourban neighborhood frameworks, the Living Community Challenge and EcoDistricts Protocol. We examine these frameworks in terms of seven principles of ecourbanism, and consider the potential of each to guide practice toward an extreme in any particular dimension, or toward an integrated approach. Next, building upon a conceptualization of the demand for intermediary organizations in managing transitions toward urban sustainability, we examine the emergence of these frameworks as they are playing or could play an intermediary or ‘backbone’ role, in building towards collective impact in the realm of ecourbanism. Intermediaries are necessary to advance the practice of transition because none of the key actor groups, while they are necessary and instrumental to bringing particular ecourban neighborhoods into being, are invested with any particular role, responsibility or power to spread the practice of ecourbanism more broadly.
Assessing Neighborhood Livability: Evidence from LEED® for Neighborhood Development and New Urbanist Communities
Authors: Szibbo Nicola A.
Published: October 2016

LEED® for Neighborhood Development has been rapidly adopted as the de-facto green neighborhood standard and is now used to measure the sustainability of neighborhood design in North America and around the world. Similar to previous LEED® green building rating systems, LEED®ND is heavily reliant on physical & environmental design criteria (such as compact urban form and transit accessibility), and is based on an expert-generated point system. LEED®ND excels at measuring ‘environmental sustainability’ through its stringent criteria; however, it fails to critically address important livability factors, namely socio-cultural and socio-economic factors. Furthermore, no study has critically examined how LEED®ND could better incorporate these missing factors through post-occupancy analysis. In fact, very little research at all has been done that examines the role of livability and social sustainability in LEED-ND neighborhoods. This paper assesses livability in four North American neighborhoods: two LEED®ND and two control suburban New Urbanist cases. This article also provides a series of recommendations for the rating system based on key survey findings.
« Promenade »
Authors: Jaspart Alice , Solini Laurent
Published: October 2016

L’objectif de cet article est d’appréhender le fonctionnement d’un quartier pour mineurs depuis l’étude de sa cour. Sa situation au sein du centre pénitentiaire, parallèle à la cour de promenade des majeurs, sa configuration et les transformations dont elle est l’objet en font un lieu à la croisée des opportunités qui donne à voir les limites de l’« étanchéité » d’un quartier pour mineurs pourtant censé rester hermétique à la détention des adultes.
Il ritratto del bellus homo in Mart. 3, 63: realismo e retorica
Authors: Berardi Francesco
Published: October 2016

Gli artifici della retorica sembrano lontani dal realismo della poesia di Marziale. Al contrario, un’attenta analisi degli epigrammi mostra come il meccanismo comico e la vivezza descrittiva che li caratterizzano siano debitori di molti procedimenti espressivi illustrati dai manuali tecnici. Infatti, lo studio del mordace ritratto di un dandy (il bellus homo di 3,63) rivela in filigrana la rielaborazione di un esercizio di scrittura diffuso nelle scuole. Ne scaturisce una nuova possibile chiave di lettura del brillante epigramma.
ELABORATION AND EVALUATION OF A COMPOSITE BONE SUBSTITUTE BASED ON β-TCP/DCPD AND PHBV, PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Authors: Trimeche Monia , Smaoui Hichem , Cheikh Ridha Ben , Smida Mahmoud , Rebaï Tarek , Keskes Hassib , Oudadess Hassane
Published: November 2016

Objective: In the present study, we investigate the biological performance of a calcium phosphate ceramics (CPC) bone substitute combined with poly-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV). Materials and Methods: A particulate CPC [45% beta-tricalcium phosphate ([Formula: see text]-TCP) and 55% of dihydrated dicalcium phosphate (DCPD)] was incorporated into a biodegradable copolymer PHBV. Two series of the composite, 1 and 2, with CPC–PHBV weight ratios of (40%–60% and 60%–40%), respectively, were prepared using chloroform for dissolving the polymer and a pressure molding process for shaping the composite samples. After particle size analysis, the two composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). In a second step, a 10[Formula: see text]mm bony segmental defect created in the tibias of 20 New Zealand White Rabbits was filled randomly with either composite 1 for group 1 or composite 2 for group 2. There were 10 animals in each group. Clinical, radiological and histological assessments were then carried out to evaluate the biological properties of developed CPC–PHBV composites. Results: For both variants of the developed CPC–PHBV biocomposite, there was evidence of osseous consolidation within three months. An in vivo investigation revealed the biological properties of the biocomposite, namely, biocompatibility, bioactivity, biodegradability and osteoconductivity. The morphological characteristics, granule size and chemical composition, were indeed found to be favorable for osseous cell development. This study likewise showed lower mortality for the variant with weight ratio (40%CPC–60%PHBV). Conclusion: An in vivo investigation revealed that the new biomaterial composed of CPC and PHBV exhibits manifest osteoconductivity and bioactivity with better degradation kinetics than the CPC. Moreover, the variant with 40%CPC/60%PHBV appeared more resistant to infection than the 60%CPC/40%PHBV which is an indicator of biocompatibility.
Big Data Analytics for Predictive Maintenance Strategies
Authors: Lee C. K. M. , Cao Yi , Ng Kam Hung
Published: November 2016

Maintenance aims to reduce and eliminate the number of failures occurred during production as any breakdown of machine or equipment may lead to disruption for the supply chain. Maintenance policy is set to provide the guidance for selecting the most cost-effective maintenance approach and system to achieve operational safety. For example, predictive maintenance is most recommended for crucial components whose failure will cause severe function loss and safety risk. Recent utilization of big data and related techniques in predictive maintenance greatly improves the transparency for system health condition and boosts the speed and accuracy in the maintenance decision making. In this chapter, a Maintenance Policies Management framework under Big Data Platform is designed and the process of maintenance decision support system is simulated for a sensor-monitored semiconductor manufacturing plant. Artificial Intelligence is applied to classify the likely failure patterns and estimate the machine condition for the faulty component.
Supply Chain Coordination Based on Web Service
Authors: Pal Kamalendu
Published: November 2016

The importance of integrating and coordinating supply chain business partners have been appreciated in many industries. In the global manufacturing industry, supply chain business partners' information integration is technically a daunting task due to highly disconnected infrastructures and operations. Information, software applications, and services are loosely distributed among participant business partners with heterogeneous operating infrastructures. A secure, and flexible information exchange architecture that can interconnect distributed information and share that information across global service provision applications is, therefore, immensely advantageous. This chapter describes the main features of an ontology-based web service framework for integrating distributed business processes in a global supply chain. A Scalable Web Service Discovery Framework (SWSDF) for material procurement systems of a manufacturing supply chain is described. Description Logic (DL) is used to represent and explain SWSDF. The framework uses a hybrid knowledge-based system, which consists of Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and Rule-Based Reasoning (RBR). SWSDF includes: (1) a collection of web service descriptions in Ontology Web Language-Based Service (OWL-S), (2) service advertisement using complex concepts, and (3) a service concept similarity assessment algorithm. Finally, a business scenario is used to demonstrate functionalities of the described system.
The Emergence of Student-Centered Teaching in Professional Learning Networks on Twitter
Authors: Noble Anna , McQuillan Patrick , Wangia Shaneé , Soules Kate
Published: November 2016

Too many U.S. high schools are ineffective institutions—nurturing neither the growth and enrichment of students nor that of teachers. To understand these failings, at least in part, one needs to realize that many schools are anonymous, demeaning institutions for students and teachers alike. While there is no simple panacea for the challenges facing secondary school teachers and students, student-centered teaching holds considerable promise, offering a means to enrich learning while empowering both students and teachers. Despite this promise, in the current context teachers face formidable constraints to enacting such practices. Nonetheless, some teachers balance mandated curricular goals with student interests, creating learning environments where student choice and student voice figure prominently. The case studies in this chapter offer a sense for how this can occur, to the betterment of both teachers and students. And in these instances, teachers' use of Twitter networks contributed notably to these outcomes.
Adaptive Coevolution
Authors: Juma Dauglas Wafula , Reuben Makomere , Wang Hongtao , Li Fengting
Published: November 2016

Climate change is having a significant impact on water resources globally; more so in developing countries due to lower resilience and weakened coping mechanisms. Water resource and supply management systems need to be adaptive to the uncertainty and unpredictability posed by this challenge. The current water crisis is mainly that of governance within the water sector. On this premise, this chapter seeks to explore the adaptiveness of water management institutions and systems to climate change impacts, with a focus on Kenya's case. Kenya continues to face numerous challenges relating to water supply, which are further exacerbated by climate change. Prior to the development of key legislative and institutional frameworks, through adoption of the Water Act 2002, the water sector grappled with gross mismanagement, manifested via inefficiency in water service provision and resource degradation. Deploying the conceptual model of adaptive (co)-management institutional prescription of polycentric governance, experimentation, public participation, and management of bioregional scale, this chapter stands to contribute novel insights into designing sustainable, adaptive water governance regimes.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Hamilton Leslie A. , Collins-Yoder Angela , Collins Rachel E.
Published: November 2016

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can result from both idiosyncratic and intrinsic mechanisms. This article discusses the clinical impact of DILI from a broad range of medications as well as herbal and dietary supplements. Risk factors for idiosyncratic DILI (IDILI) are the result of multiple host, environmental, and compound factors. Some triggers of IDILI often seen in critical care include antibiotics, antiepileptic medications, statins, novel anticoagulants, proton pump inhibitors, inhaled anesthetics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and azathioprine. The mechanism of IDILI due to these medications varies, and the resulting damage can be cholestatic, hepatocellular, or mixed. The primary treatment of IDILI is to discontinue the causative agent. DILI due to acetaminophen is intrinsic because the liver damage is predictably aligned with the dose ingested. Acute acetaminophen ingestion can be treated with activated charcoal or N-acetylcysteine. Future areas of research include identification of mitochondrial stress biomarkers and of the patients at highest risk for DILI.
The Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Syndrome, or When the Innate Immune System Goes Astray
Authors: Clària Joan , Arroyo Vicente , Moreau Richard
Published: November 2016

The acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) syndrome is characterized by acute decompensation of cirrhosis, organ failure, and high 28-d mortality. ACLF displays key features of systemic inflammation and its poor outcome is closely associated with exacerbated systemic inflammatory responses. In this review, we describe the prevailing characteristics of systemic inflammation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF, with special emphasis on the principal features of the cytokine storm the mechanisms underlying this intense systemic inflammatory response (i.e., presence of circulating pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns), and their implication in tissue and organ damage in this condition.
Are Regulatory T Cells Defective in Type 1 Diabetes and Can We Fix Them?
Authors: Visperas Anabelle , Vignali Dario A. A.
Published: November 2016

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical regulators of peripheral immune tolerance. Treg insufficiency can lead to autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). Increasing evidence in mouse models of T1D, as well as other autoimmune disorders, suggests that there are defects in Treg-mediated suppression. Indeed, whereas Treg frequency in the peripheral blood of T1D patients is unaltered, their suppressive abilities are diminished compared with Tregs in healthy controls. Although expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 is a prerequisite for Treg development and function, there are many additional factors that can alter their stability, survival, and function. Much has been learned in other model systems, such as tumors, about the mechanism and pathways that control Treg stability and function. This review poses the question of whether we can use these findings to develop new therapeutic approaches that might boost Treg stability, survival, and/or function in T1D and possibly other autoimmune disorders.
NOVEL DRUGS IN FOLLICULAR LYMPHOMA
Authors: Rossi Giuseppe , Anastasia Antonella
Published: October 2016

Follicular lymphoma(FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma and constitutes 15% to 30% of lymphoma diagnoses. The natural history of the disease is characterized by recurrent relapses and progressively shorter remissions with a median survival of 10yrs. The impossibility of a chieving a definite cure, have prompted investigations into the possible role of more effective and less toxic strategies with innovative therapeutic agents.  Recently Casulo et al demonstrated that approximately 20% of patients with FL actually relapse within 2 years after achieving remission with R-CHOP and have a poor prognosis. It is conceivable that this particularly chemoresistant population would benefit from specifically targeting the biologic and genetic factors that likely contribute to their poor prognosis.Evolving strategies for difficult to treat FL patients have recently considered  immunomodulatory agents, new monoclonal antibodies as well as drugs targeting selective intracellular pathways. The importance of targeting the microenvironment together with the malignant FL cell has been particularly underscored. We review the most promising approaches, such as the combination of anti-CD20 antibodies with immunomodulatory drugs (Lenalidomide), with mAbs directed against other surface antigens such as CD22 and CD23 (epratuzumab, lumiliximab), with immunomodulatory antibodies such as PD-1, or with inhibitors of key steps in the B-cell receptor pathway signaling such as PI3K inibithors(idelalisib, duvelisib). Another highly attractive approach is the application of the bi-specific T-cell engaging (BiTE) antibody blinatumomab which targets both CD19 and CD3 antigens. Moreover, we highlight the potential of these therapies,  taking into account their toxicity. Of course we must wait for Phase III trials results to confirm the benefit of these new treatment strategies toward a new era of chemotherapy-free treatment for follicular lymphoma.
The COPD Assessment Test as a Prognostic Marker in Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Someya Fujiko , Nakagawa Takao , Mugii Naoki
Published: October 2016

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT), which was developed to measure the health status of patients with COPD, was applied to patients with interstitial lung disease, aiming to examine the CAT as a predictor of outcome. Over a follow-up period of more than one year, 101 consecutive patients with interstitial lung disease were evaluated by the CAT. The CAT scores of 40 in total were categorized into four subsets according to the severity. Patients with higher (more severe) scores exhibited lower forced vital capacity and lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with higher scores (log-rank test, P = 0.0002), and the hazard ratios for death of the higher scores and lower lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide were independently significant. These findings suggest that CAT can indicate the risk of mortality in patients with interstitial lung disease.