bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biotraitement en réacteur de polluants organiques contenus dans les sols argileux
Authors: Hau Jean-Michel , Morin Dominique
Published: June 2015

Static bioremediation of clayey soils polluted by contaminating organics is very difficult because, most of the time, both reagents and reaction products mass transfer between the solids particles and the aqueous or gaseous phases are limited. Dynamic treatment, by means of agitated and aerated bioreactors, applied to the remediation of sludge or soils represents an attractive alternative process route.

Les sols argileux pollués par des molécules organiques posent problème pour tout traitement de dépollution biologique en voie statique, car, par nature, les transferts des réactifs et des produits de réaction entre la phase solide et la phase liquide ou gazeuse sont fortement limités. Le concept du traitement dynamique en réacteur agité permet d'envisager de pallier ces obstacles et donc d'envisager favorablement de traiter ces sols.
Les contraintes financières pour les collectivités locales françaises dans la gestion des déchets
Authors: Cabanes Alain
Published: June 2015

Waste precollection, collection and treatment is more and more expensive. As the quality of collection and treatment get better, its cost is increasing. ln 2002, according to the objectives of the law, a local authority will attain 20% to 25% of recycling, 20% of composting and 55% to 65% of incineration with energy recovery. The operation cost will be around 1.300 FF/ waste ton including TVA: 220 FF.

La précollecte, la collecte et le traitement des déchets coûtent de plus en plus cher. Au fur et à mesure que la qualité de la collecte et du traitement s'améliore, son coût augmente. A l'échéance 2002, une collectivité conforme aux objectifs atteindra de 20 à 25 % de recyclage, 20 % de compostage, et 55 à 60 % d'incinération avec production d'énergie. Le coût global TTC de l'opération se situera à 1 300 F environ, dont 220 F de TVA.
Les techniques de traitement physique des matières premières minérales appliquées aux déchets: La séparation inox austénitique – graphite de déchets de l’industrie nucléaire
Authors: Védrine Henri , Clin François , Guiroy Jean-Jacques
Published: June 2015

The BRGM group applies its know-how, inherited from mineral processing, to waste treatment and environment. As an application in association with Framatome the build up of a grinding and magnetic separation processfor a stainless/graphite waste from nuclear industry is presented. After a set-up at pilot scale this process is used at industrial scale on a contamined medium. This example shows the interest of using mechanical preparation and magnetic sorting techniques to separate wastes components.

Le groupe BRGM met au service du traitement des déchets et de l'environnement ses savoir-faire hérités du traitement des matières premières minérales. Un cas concret est présenté : la mise en oeuvre, avec la société Framatome d'un procédé de broyage et de séparation magnétique de déchets inox - graphite de l'industrie nucléaire qui, après une phase pilote de mise au point, est utilisé à l'échelle industrielle en milieu hostile. Cet exemple montre l'intérêt de l'utilisation de techniques de préparations mécaniques et de tris magnétiques pour séparer des constituants de déchets.
Valorisation de mâchefers stabilisés pour le confortement de carrières souterraines: Étude du comportement à long terme
Authors: Bouchelaghem Abdelkarim , Magnié Marie-Claude , Mayeux Valérie , Gobbey Anne , Philippe Patrice
Published: June 2015

With the new development of the Beaulieu District in Caen (France), the city of Caen awarded to Soletanche Bachy support works for underground quarries.In place of traditional material used for this kind of works, a new mortar, based on MSWI bottom ash and specially developed by Inertec, was monitoring panel, set up by the supervisory agencies.In application of French and European normalization works on long term behavior determination (X30- 407 methodology), an assessment study has been started by Inertec, in collaboration with Ademe (French Agency for Environment). The first results of the study, presented in this paper, are indicating that bottom ash mortar in the quarries will have a negligible impact on underground water quality.These first results will have to be compared to on site results during several years, in order to have a reliable validation.

Dans le cadre de l'aménagement de la ZAC Beaulieu, la ville de Caen (France) a confié à Solétanche Bachy des travaux de confortement de carrières souterraines. En remplacement des matériaux d'extraction habituellement utilisés dans ce type de chantier, un nouveau mortier, développé tout spécialement par Inertec à partir de mâchefers d'incinération d'ordures ménagères, a été injecté en carrières par pompage.Cette opération innovante a été soumise pendant toute sa durée à des contrôles très stricts, à la fois par un plan d'assurance qualité interne et par une commission de suivi, regroupant différents organismes de surveillance (Drire, Services Municipaux,...).En application des travaux français et européens de normalisation sur la détermination du comportement à long terme (norme expérimentale X30-407), une étude d'impact a été entreprise par Inertec, en collaboration avec l'Ademe. Les premiers résultats de l'étude, présentés ici, semblent montrer que la présence du mortier de mâchefers stabilisés dans les carrières aura un impact négligeable sur la qualité des eaux souterraines.Ces premiers résultats seront à comparer aux données recueillies sur site pendant plusieurs années, de façon à établir une validation fiable.
Le logiciel Traces : un outil d'aide à la gestion des risques liés aux sites et sols pollués
Authors: Viet-Long Duong , Formisyn Pascal , Bourgois Jacques , Abadie Jean-Marie
Published: June 2015

The two last centuries of uncontrolled industrialization have produced large amounts of brownfields, wastes dumps, landfills... in most of occidental countries. These sites, having used or produced hazardous or toxic substances, are potentially contaminated sites. The last official inventory of the Ministry of Environment in France has established 896 polluted sites for an estimated 200,000 potentially contaminated sites from the professionals of this domain.The problem related to these sites is the capability of the pollution to migrate from the soil to the surface water, the groundwater, and the air and finally to have an impact on living organisms (human, fauna, flora). Questions which are to be solved are then the extent and impact of the contamination and the alternatives to remediate it.The scientific and technical complexity added to the lack of (public or private) money make it hard to correctly manage these sites.For this purpose, a decision support system was developed in order to provide a rational, standardized and easy approach of potentially contaminated sites, and was called Traces (Tool for Risk Assessment from Chemical Exposure to Soils).

Deux siècles d'industrialisation souvent incontrôlée ont apporté quantités de friches industrielles, de dépôts de déchets, de décharges, etc dans la plupart des pays industrialisés. Ces sites ayant utilisé, produit ou généré des produits dangereux ou toxiques constituent autant de lieux potentiellement pollués. Le dernier recensement du ministère de l'Environnement fait état de 896 sites pollués sur un gisement estimé par les professionnels de la dépollution des sols à plus de 200000 potentiellement pollués. Le problème lié aux sites pollués réside dans la capacité de la pollution à migrer dans le sol et à contaminer l'eau de surface par ruissellement, l'eau souterraine par infiltration, l'air par volatilisation : il y a donc un impact potentiel sur les organismes vivants (homme, faune, flore). Comment déterminer l'étendue et l'impact exacts de la contamination et comment conjurer cette contamination devient une vraie question. La complexité technique et scientifique du problème ainsi que le manque de moyens financiers (publics ou privés) rendent la gestion de ces sites difficile (traitement dans l'urgence). Afin de faciliter ce traitement, un outil d'aide à la gestion des sites potentiellement pollués a été développé permettant une approche rationnelle, standardisée et simple des sites et sols pollués. Le logiciel Traces (Tool for Risk Assessment from Chemical Exposure to Soils) a été mis au point pour répondre à cette problématique.
The Lived Experience of Online Educators: Insights from Construction Management
Authors: Sher Willy , Williams Anthony , Northcote Maria
Published: June 2015

Academics in higher education institutions often experience the conflicting demands of teaching, research and administration. With the growth of online education these staff are frequently required to design, develop, teach, facilitate and, in some cases, administer online courses. Cumulatively these additional tasks challenge academics, not only in terms of the personal professional development but also in accommodating the range of tasks expected of them. This paper reports the findings of a study which investigated the lived experience of construction management academics teaching at universities in Australia. The study adopted a lived experience research approach that enabled the lives of construction management academics to be investigated through the collection of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data. The study provides empirical evidence of a range of challenges facing those delivering online courses. Recommendations for online teachers and online course designers emerged from this study with application to both faculty-based and institution-wide practices. The findings are relevant to those in the higher education sector who are involved in online teaching, course design for online delivery and professional development related to online initiatives.
Closing the water balance with cosmic-ray soil moisture measurements and assessing their spatial variability within two semiarid watersheds
Authors: Schreiner-McGraw A. P. , Vivoni E. R. , Mascaro G. , Franz T. E.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Soil moisture dynamics reflect the complex interactions of meteorological conditions with soil, vegetation and terrain properties. In this study, intermediate scale soil moisture estimates from the cosmic-ray sensing (CRS) method are evaluated for two semiarid ecosystems in the southwestern United States: a mesquite savanna at the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) and a mixed shrubland at the Jornada Experimental Range (JER). Evaluations of the CRS method are performed for small watersheds instrumented with a distributed sensor network consisting of soil moisture sensor profiles, an eddy covariance tower and runoff flumes used to close the water balance. We found an excellent agreement between the CRS method and the distributed sensor network (RMSE of 0.009 and 0.013 m3 m−3 at SRER and JER) at the hourly time scale over the 19-month study period, primarily due to the inclusion of 5 cm observations of shallow soil moisture. Good agreement was obtained in soil moisture changes estimated from the CRS and watershed water balance methods (RMSE = 0.001 and 0.038 m3 m−3 at SRER and JER), with deviations due to bypassing of the CRS measurement depth during large rainfall events. This limitation, however, was used to show that drier-than-average conditions at SRER promoted plant water uptake from deeper layers, while the wetter-than-average period at JER resulted in leakage towards deeper soils. Using the distributed sensor network, we quantified the spatial variability of soil moisture in the CRS footprint and the relation between evapotranspiration and soil moisture, in both cases finding similar predictive relations at both sites that are applicable to other semiarid ecosystems in the southwestern US. Furthermore, soil moisture spatial variability was related to evapotranspiration in a manner consistent with analytical relations derived using the CRS method, opening up new possibilities for understanding land-atmosphere interactions.
Challenging Authority
Authors: Chew Pat K.
Published: June 2015

None.
Biomedicina y biotecnología ante la violencia prenatal. Legislación comparada con el Derecho Español
Authors: Zárate Cuello Amparo de Jesús , Tomas y Garrido Gloria María
Published: June 2015

Presentar brevemente la radiografía de una obra bien hecha es un desafío al cual me he lanzado. Deseo sincera y científicamente que estas palabras conduzcan solamente a una cosa: a que todas aquellas personas interesadas en el respeto y la defensa de la vida embrionaria puedan leerlo, y colaboren con la autora, en la medida de sus posibilidades, para que el contenido de este libro llegue a influir eficazmente en las leyes que deberían regir �porque se lo merece� en Colombia. Sí, para que las leyes busquen y respondan a la verdad biológica y biográfica de los seres humanos, comenzando precisamente con la fase inicial de la vida, la embrionaria.
Is genetic Information Family Property? Expanding on the Argument of Confidentiality Breach and Duty to Inform Persons at Risk
Authors: Enríquez Canto Yordanis , Osinami Barbara
Published: June 2015

Considerar la información genética como una propiedad familiar es una tendencia actual en Bioética. El artículo examina con un método crítico, desde un enfoque lógico conceptual la propuesta de Matthew Liao, que sugiere como justificación de la obligación de compartir información entre familiares y para la ruptura de la confidencialidad, la naturaleza familiar de la información genética. Se amplía el tema mediante la relación entre los argumentos de la probabilidad y naturaleza familiar de la información genética y analiza el concepto de daño en el contexto del riesgo genético. Por último examina del concepto de daño en relación con el tipo de situaciones en que el posible receptor de la información no es la persona directamente afectada por el riesgo.
La huelga de hambre como suicidio intencional. Una propuesta de valoración moral desde la tradición central de la ética
Authors: Miranda Montecinos Alejandro , García-Huidrobo Correa Joaquín , Contreras Aguirre Sebastián
Published: June 2015

El problema ético de la huelga de hambre ha dado cabida a soluciones contrapuestas, incluso en el contexto de teorías éticas que rechazan el suicidio. Algunos piensan que la sola honestidad del fin subjetivo basta para justificar la acción del huelguista. Otros, aunque son minoría, sostienen que la huelga de hambre es un acto reprobable per se, porque implica un atentado directo contra la vida o salud del sujeto. En este trabajo se defiende esta última interpretación. A juicio de los autores, la huelga de hambre es un caso de suicidio intencional. Luego, nunca es lícito, bajo ningún aspecto, llevar adelante una acción de esta naturaleza.
Corporate Governance and Profitability of Nigerian Banks
Authors: Akinyomi Oladele John , Adedayo OLUTOYE Ebenezer
Published: June 2015

The Nigerian banking environment is a vibrant and challenging financial environment and is endemic with systemic governance problems, capacity constraints and defaulting in compliance and implementation of laws which has inhibited economic growth. Therefore the current investigation focuses on association between organizational governance and profitability of deposits money banks in Nigeria. Three indicators of corporate governance mechanism (board composition, board size and directors’ interests) were incorporated in the study. Relevant information was extracted from audited financial statements of the selected banks. The results of the regression analysis revealed the existence of positive but non-statistically significant association between board composition and profitability on one hand; and board size and profitability on the other hand. However, a non beneficial and non-significant association exists between directors’ interests and profitability in the Nigerian banks. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends that in order to prevent distress in the banking sector, there should be a regular review of the corporate governance codes so as to reflect current social, environmental, technological and economic situations.
The ethics of pedophilia
Authors: Moen Ole Martin
Published: June 2015

Pedophilia is bad. But how bad is it? And in what ways, and for what reasons, is it bad? This is a thorny issue, and sadly, one seldom discussed by ethicists. In this paper it is argued that pedophilia is bad only because, and only to the extent that, it causes harm to children, and that pedophilia itself, as well as pedophilic expressions and practices that do not cause harm to children, are morally all right. It is further argued that the aim of our social and legal treatment of pedophilia should be to minimize harm to children, and that current practice is often counterproductive in this respect.
Comparing the Effects of Two Feeding Methods on Metabolic Bone Disease in Newborns with Very Low Birth Weights
Authors: Lotfi Asghar , Shiasi Kobra , Amini Razieh , Jahangiri Mohammad , Sharif Mohammad Reza , Akbari Hossein , Talari Hamidreza , Hajmobini Zahra , Hami Kamran , Kashani Hamed Haddad
Published: June 2015

INTRODUCTION: Bone metabolic disease is an important issue in newborns with very low birth weight. The 80 percent of the transport of calcium (Ca) and phosphor (P) from mother to fetus takes place in the third trimester of pregnancy. This transport process is impaired with the preterm delivery of the newborn. On the other side, breast milk and formula are not competent resources to supply sufficient amounts of Ca and P to meet the requirements of the preterm newborn, thereby a greater reduction in the storage of these minerals. The current study has been done with the purpose of comparing the effects of two feeding methods on the indices of metabolic bone disease in newborns with very low birth weights (VLBW).

MATERIALS & METHODS: The study design was cohort and the study was done on a total of 58 newborns with very low birth weights in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital. The newborns were divided into two groups with 29 placed in the group of alternate feeding on preterm formula (preNan) and the other 29 placed in the group of breast milk and preterm formula (preNan). Eventually, the indices of bone metabolic disease were measured in both groups and were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: The difference between the mean serum levels of Ca in different weeks and also between the two groups were significant (p=0.001). However, the changes in mean serum level of P in the two groups were not significant (P=0.151). The comparison of serum levels of alkaline phosphatase between the two groups indicated that their difference was significant and that they had been influenced by the feeding method (P=0.001). The serum level of bicarbonate, when compared between the two groups, was found to make a significant difference (P=0.001). The difference between the two feeding methods in precipitating rickets and osteopenia was not significant.

CONCLUSION: According to the findings of current study, feeding on preterm formula (preNan) is associated with better and more desirable results, though the occurrence of rickets in the two groups had no significant difference.
GATEWAY TO KOREA: COLONIALISM, NATIONALISM, AND RECONSTRUCTING RUINS AS TOURIST LANDMARKS
Authors: Pai Hyung Il
Published: June 2015

This paper traces the evolution of the South Gate (Sungnye-mun) as a must-see destination representing the antiquity, beauty and patrimony of Seoul, the former capital of the 600 year-old Chosŏn dynasty of Korea (1392-1910). Using the case study of the Republic of Korea's premier national treasure, this paper traces the preservation methods, educational, and commercial agendas of the producers, managers, and promoters of heritage remains. The earliest photographic records date back to the late nineteenth century when travel photo- graphs taken by stereo-view companies, photo-studios, and diplomats were recycled in newspapers, postcards, and guidebooks, giving foreigners the first glimpses into the “Hermit Kingdom.” The analysis relies on CRM archives such as photographs, guidebooks, architectural surveys, excavation reports, and material resources compiled by the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) during the five years of excavations and construction of a replica to replace the original destroyed in an arson fire in 2008. The paper concludes with the grand re-opening ceremony to celebrate not only the resurrection of South Gate but to showcase the successes of the government's centralized heritage management policies, and conservation methods dedicated to preserving the city's architectural heritage.
“PLEASE PASS THE SALT” – AN ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF SALT AND SALT FERMENTED FISH PRODUCTION, USE AND TRADE IN NORTHEAST THAILAND.
Authors: Yankowski Andrea , Kerdsap Puangtip , Chang Dr. Nigel
Published: June 2015

Northeast Thailand is known for salt production, both today and in the past.  Prehistoric salt sites are found throughout the region and ethnographic and historical data demonstrates the importance of salt as a commodity as well as for preserving and fermenting fish. This paper explores the archaeology and cultural history of salt and salt fermented fish products in Northeast Thailand and the Greater Mekong Delta region.  Using archaeological, historical and ethnographic data, it addresses how the foods we eat and our preparation methods can be deeply rooted in our cultural history and identity, and discusses the ways in which they can be studied in the archaeological record to learn about the past.
Circular RNA biogenesis can proceed through an exon-containing lariat precursor
Authors: Barrett Steven P , Wang Peter L , Salzman Julia
Published: June 2015

Pervasive expression of circular RNA is a recently discovered feature of eukaryotic gene expression programs, yet its function remains largely unknown. The presumed biogenesis of these RNAs involves a non-canonical ‘backsplicing’ event. Recent studies in mammalian cell culture posit that backsplicing is facilitated by inverted repeats flanking the circularized exon(s). Although such sequence elements are common in mammals, they are rare in lower eukaryotes, making current models insufficient to describe circularization. Through systematic splice site mutagenesis and the identification of splicing intermediates, we show that circular RNA in Schizosaccharomyces pombe is generated through an exon-containing lariat precursor. Furthermore, we have performed high-throughput and comprehensive mutagenesis of a circle-forming exon, which enabled us to discover a systematic effect of exon length on RNA circularization. Our results uncover a mechanism for circular RNA biogenesis that may account for circularization in genes that lack noticeable flanking intronic secondary structure.
Analytical Solution for Elliptical Cloaks Based on The Frequency Selective Surface
Authors: Ghasemi Mizuji E. , Abdolali A. , Derafshi I.
Published: June 2015

In this paper the elliptical dielectric cylinder which is covered with FSS cloak is considered. Frequency selective surface cloak which Alu named it mantle cloak is one of the recent techniques for cloaking. In this method an appropriate FSS can act as cloaking device for suppressing  the scattering of object  in the desired frequency. With using this method the dimension of the cloaks is extremely reduced. By this proposed structure, the RCS of elliptical cylinder  is reduced about 10-20 dB and designed cloak has an appropriate performance.  The analytical solution for the wave in each layer is presented and with using simulation, the electric field and the scattering pattern has been drawn.
Degradation of zinc in saline solutions, plasma, and whole blood
Authors: Törne Karin , Larsson Mariann , Norlin Anna , Weissenrieder Jonas
Published: June 2015

The initial degradation of zinc has been investigated through exposures to simulated and real body fluids of increasing complexity: phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ringer's saline solution, human plasma, and whole blood. Real body fluids were used to close the electrolyte gap between simulated and in vivo environment. Polarization of zinc in whole blood show a passive response not present in other electrolytes. The analysis shows a decrease in corrosion rate with time for plasma and whole blood and an increase for PBS and Ringer's. During exposure to plasma and whole blood a bi‐layered corrosion product with poor adherence was formed over a uniformly corroding surface. The corrosion products comprise a mixture of inorganic material and biomolecules. Samples degrading in PBS were prone to localized corrosion and formed thick porous corrosion products of primarily zinc phosphates while in Ringer's solution a gel like layer of zinc carbonate was formed over an interface with shallow pits. The use of whole blood or plasma as electrolytes for short term in vitro evaluation of potential biodegradable metals may provide an improved understanding of the behavior in vivo, while Ringer's solution is preferred over PBS for long term degradation studies of zinc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1141–1151, 2016.
The task of time in retirement
Authors: EKERDT DAVID J. , KOSS CATHERYN
Published: June 2015

Retirees' encounter with time has long interested social scientists, especially the negotiation of such an open-ended status. Pursuing theoretical suggestions that daily activities anchor a narrative of self-identity, this project examined the coherence of retirees' representations of their time use. Information is drawn from interviews with 30 retirees in the Midwestern United States of America who were invited to discuss their daily lives and activities. The retirees valued time sovereignty and accounted for their time use by describing schedules of activities in some detail. Daily time was not presented as improvised but rather as structured into routines. Recurring behaviours flowed from situations and structures in which people were implicated, such as body care and living with others. Even in replies to a specific question about the preceding day, people slipped into language about what they typically do. Retirees' ready narratives about routines were also accounts of who they are not. Our findings suggest, first, that daily routines are instrumental for retirees in economising thought and behaviour. Second, the assertion of a routine is an assurance that one's life is ordered and proceeds with purpose, thus solving the task of time. Third, routines can be a means to signal conformity with ideals of active ageing.
Do early successive bilinguals show the English L2 pattern of precocious BE acquisition?
Authors: PARADIS JOHANNE , BLOM ELMA
Published: June 2015

This study investigated the role of age-of-acquisition in determining whether young bilingual children show a pattern of L2/nonnative English, precocious BE acquisition, or whether they show the L1/native English pattern of synchronous acquisition of BE and inflectional morphology. Two groups of children with age-of-acquisition before or after 4;0 and equivalent exposure to L2 English were given production and grammaticality-judgement tasks. The children in both age-of-acquisition groups showed the precocious BE pattern, regardless of L1 background and on both tasks. We conclude that, for this aspect of morphosyntax, bilingual children who begin to learn English after age 3;0 are best characterized as child L2 rather than bilingual L1 learners.
Satellite Measurements May Help Real-Time Water Management
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: June 2015

Upper Niger River study shows that satellite altimetry could help resource managers optimize reservoir releases even on ungauged rivers.
Gelation-driven Dynamic Systemic Resolution: in situ Generation and Self-Selection of an Organogelator
Authors: Hu Lei , Zhang Yang , Ramström Olof
Published: June 2015

An organogelator was produced and identified from a dynamic imine system, resolved and amplified by selective gelation. The formation of the organogel was monitored in situ by 1H NMR, showing the existence of multiple reversible reactions operating simultaneously and the redistribution of the involved species during gelation. The formed organogelator proved effective with a range of organic solvents, including DMSO, toluene and longer, linear alcohols.
Intracellular microRNA profiles form in the Xenopus laevis oocyte that may contribute to asymmetric cell division
Authors: Sidova Monika , Sindelka Radek , Castoldi Mirco , Benes Vladimir , Kubista Mikael
Published: June 2015

Asymmetric distribution of fate determinants within cells is an essential biological strategy to prepare them for asymmetric division. In this work we measure the intracellular distribution of 12 maternal microRNAs (miRNA) along the animal-vegetal axis of the Xenopus laevis oocyte using qPCR tomography. We find the miRNAs have distinct intracellular profiles that resemble two out of the three profiles we previously observed for mRNAs. Our results suggest that miRNAs in addition to proteins and mRNAs may have asymmetric distribution within the oocyte and may contribute to asymmetric cell division as cell fate determinants.
Corrected loop vertex expansion for Φ24 theory
Authors: Rivasseau Vincent , Wang Zhituo
Published: June 2015

This paper is an extended erratum to Rivasseau and Wang [J. Math. Phys. 53, 042302 (2012); e-print arXiv:1104.3443 [math-ph]], in which the classic construction and Borel summability of the ϕ24 Euclidean quantum field theory was revisited combining a multi-scale analysis with the constructive method called Loop Vertex Expansion (LVE). Unfortunately we discovered an important error in the method of Rivasseau and Wang [J. Math. Phys. 53, 042302 (2012); e-print arXiv:1104.3443 [math-ph]]. We explain the mistake, and provide a new, correct construction of the ϕ24 theory according to the LVE.
A model for the origin of group reproduction during the evolutionary transition to multicellularity
Authors: Maliet Odile , Shelton Deborah E. , Michod Richard E.
Published: June 2015

During the evolution of multicellular organisms, the unit of selection and adaptation, the individual, changes from the single cell to the multicellular group. To become individuals, groups must evolve a group life cycle in which groups reproduce other groups. Investigations into the origin of group reproduction have faced a chicken-and-egg problem: traits related to reproduction at the group level often appear both to be a result of and a prerequisite for natural selection at the group level. With a focus on volvocine algae, we model the basic elements of the cell cycle and show how group reproduction can emerge through the coevolution of a life-history trait with a trait underpinning cell cycle change. Our model explains how events in the cell cycle become reordered to create a group life cycle through continuous change in the cell cycle trait, but only if the cell cycle trait can coevolve with the life-history trait. Explaining the origin of group reproduction helps us understand one of life's most familiar, yet fundamental, aspects—its hierarchical structure.
Glass ceiling and sticky floors: hurdles for Mauritian working women
Authors: Tandrayen-Ragoobur Verena , Pydayya Rajeev
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the gender wage differential at different points of the wage distribution. It investigates the existence of glass ceilings and sticky floors in the Mauritian labour market. There is no previous empirical work studying gender inequality in the labour market for the small island economy of Mauritius.

Design/methodology/approach

– To investigate whether wage differentials are higher at the top or bottom ends of the wage distribution, the authors examine the wage disparities across different quantiles of the wage distribution. The gender wage disparities are assessed using quantile regression and decomposition techniques at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th quantiles. Survey data from the Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Survey from 2006 to 2013 is used.

Findings

– The results reveal that sticky floors are more pronounced than glass ceilings over the years. Further, for the years 2008, 2010 and 2012, it is noted that at the 75th quantiles, the gender wage differentials started to rise showing glass ceiling effects. The combination of both sticky floors and glass ceilings are characterised by the unexplained factors providing evidence for gender discrimination in the Mauritian labour market.

Originality/value

– This is the first study analysing the glass ceilings or sticky floors in the Mauritian labour market. Though the research is limited to Mauritius, the latter being a small island economy can serve as a case study for other island economies and also for the African continent.
Does compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code pay off?
Authors: Kaspereit Thomas , Lopatta Kerstin , Zimmermann Jochen
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to empirically investigate the relationship between the level of compliance with the German Corporate Governance Code’s (GCGC) recommendations and the implied cost of equity capital (ICC). German listed companies are required by law to annually disclose their compliance with the recommendations of the GCGC. Whether the GCGC achieves its aim to promote the trust of stakeholders in the management and supervision is still an open question.

Design/methodology/approach

– ICC is regressed on a score that captures compliance with the GCGC and several control variables. The dataset covers the period of 2003-2012 with declarations of compliance from 447 companies. ICC is chosen as an outcome variable, as it captures general investment risk as well as risk arising from asymmetric information and mistrust of investors in management.

Findings

– The results of the empirical analysis demonstrate that a higher level of GCGC compliance is associated with lower ICC.

Research limitations/implications

– It is expected that the results of this study will strengthen acceptance of the GCGC and empirically support the work of the government commission that is responsible for it. It has not been analyzed yet whether the firms cite good reasons why they do not adhere to certain items.

Originality/value

– This empirical analysis is the first to provide statistically reliable evidence on how compliance with the GCGC affects ICC and whether the work of the government commission reflects good corporate governance as perceived by capital markets.
Talent and student private rented sector bottlenecks: a preliminary UK investigation
Authors: Huston Simon , Jadevicius Arvydas , Minaei Negin
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to sketch the UK housing backdrop, review the student private rented sector (PRS) and assess the experience of post-graduate university student tenants in the PRS.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review puts the issues of student-PRS responsiveness into context and helps to untangle some UK housing issues. The private sector’s size, growth and performance is assessed by reviewing secondary data. In-depth interviews were then conducted at a regional university campus.

Findings

– The study confirms accumulating evidence of an unbalanced UK housing market. The study identified four main PRS issues: first, rapid university expansion without accompanying residential construction has sparked rampant PRS growth with, second, quality issues, third, in tight letting market conditions, rented agent service levels fell and fourth, part of the problem is complex PRS management procedures.

Research limitations/implications

– The research has three noteworthy limitations. First, the macroeconomic analysis integrated secondary research without independent modelling. Second, the views of letting agents, university property managers, planning officers or landlords were not canvassed. Finally, the pilot interviews were geographically restricted.

Practical implications

– When they expand, universities, local authorities and industry players need to give due consideration to plan for, design and develop quality student accommodation. Over-reliance on the PRS without informed oversight and coordination could undermine student experience and erode long-term UK competitiveness.

Social implications

– The lack of quality student rented accommodation mirrors a general housing malaise around affordability, polarisation and sustainable “dwelling”. Standards and professionalism in the rented sector is part of the overall quality mix to attract global talent.

Originality/value

– The preliminary investigation uses mixed-methods to investigate PRS service delivery. It illustrates the interplay between professional property management and wider issues of metropolitan productivity, sustainability and resilience.
An assessment of oral cancer curricula in dental hygiene programmes: implications for cancer control
Authors: Thacker KK , Kaste LM , Homsi KD , LeHew CW
Published: June 2015

Purpose

To assess oral cancer prevention and early detection curricula in Illinois associate‐degree dental hygiene programmes and highlight global health applications.

Methods

An email invitation was sent to each Illinois associate‐degree granting dental hygiene programme's oral cancer contact to participate in a survey via a SurveyMonkey™ link to a 21‐item questionnaire. Questions elicited background information on each programme and inquired about curriculum and methods used for teaching oral cancer prevention and early detection.

Results

Eight of the 12 (67%) programmes responded. Three (37.5%) reported having a specific oral cancer curriculum. Five (62.5%) require students to perform examinations for signs and symptoms of oral cancer at each clinic visit. Variations exist across the programmes in the number of patients each student sees annually and the number of oral cancer examinations each student performs before graduation. Seven programmes (87.5%) conduct early detection screening in community settings. All programmes included risk assessment associated with tobacco. All other risk factors measured were treated inconsistently.

Conclusion

Significant differences in training and experience were reported across Illinois dental hygiene programmes. Training is neither standardized nor uniformly comprehensive. Students' preparation for delivering prevention and early detection services to their patients could be strengthened to ensure competence including reflection of risk factors and behaviours in a global context. Regular review of curricular guidelines and programme content would help dental hygienists meet the expectations of the Crete Declaration on Oral Cancer Prevention.
Conversion of Non-Contact LIDAR Velocity Measurements to Spatial Markings and Indication Signals for Commercial Train Systems
Authors: O’Connor Thomas , Andani Masood Taheri , Muñoz Josh , Ahmadian Mehdi
Published: June 2015

The primary purpose of this study is to develop a foot pulse electrical circuit that can be integrated into a LIDAR system used for measuring track speed and curvature. LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) technology is used in a wide variety of applications because it is capable of reliably producing accurate and precise measurements. While application of LIDAR technology is vast, this particular study focuses on its ability to accurately measure velocity and track geometry of rail tracks. A research team at Virginia Tech (VT) has already developed, tested, and proven the capability of LIDAR technology to be used for railway applications [1,2]. Their analysis shows that a railcar-mounted LIDAR system can accurately measure track geometry, centerline velocity, car body dynamics, and several other useful parameters. While this system is reliable and multifunctional, the prototype used for testing is not easily upgraded to include additional features without augmenting the software currently used to analyze and record the LIDAR signal. However, the prototype LIDAR system lacks several capabilities that are desirable for integrating the system with typical commercial systems on trains. One signal that commercial train systems typically have, which the LIDAR prototype does not have, is a foot pulse. The foot pulse is usually generated by a tachometer on the wheel of the train and aims to send out a pulse every time the train has travelled a foot. This signal is used for multiple other systems on the train, so in order to simplify integration of the developed LIDAR prototype into commercial train systems, the prototype was upgraded to include additional features. Other than the foot pulse, the upgrade also included acceleration detection, direction indication, and laser-enable signals to have a more complete prototype. The upgrade was executed using an external microcontroller and accelerometer to provide proof of concept while leaving the current LIDAR prototype’s software (and already proven capabilities) untouched. This paper focuses on using the information generated by the current LIDAR system to implement the additional features in an inexpensive, reliable, and easily retrofittable manner.
Automatic Method for Detecting and Categorizing Train Car Wheel and Bearing Defects
Authors: Deilamsalehy Hanieh , Havens Timothy C. , Lautala Pasi
Published: June 2015

Worldwide, railways are among the safest transportation services. Nevertheless, every year some serious accidents are reported. A noticeable portion of these accidents are a result of defective wheels, bearings, or brakes. Train wheels are subjected to different types of damage due to their interaction with the brakes and the track and they are required to be periodically inspected to ensure they meet all the safety criteria for proper operation. If the wheel damage remains undetected, it can worsen and result in overheating and severe damage to the wheel and track. There are a variety of wheel damages, classified in different groups based on the type and severity of the defect. The most usual cause of damage is severe braking, which applies directly to the wheel and results in local heating of the wheel. This can stop the wheel from rotating while the train is still moving, producing a defect called a “flat spot” or “hot spot”. Flat-spotted wheels are a serious concern for the railroad industry. Depending on the level of wheel defect, different solutions should be taken. This paper will focus on automatically detecting flat-spotted wheels from thermal imagery using computer vision methods and introduces an algorithm to detect hot bearings. We first extract and segment both the wheel and bearing regions from the whole image, then we introduce a fuzzy inference to categorize the level of wheel damage. The whole process is done automatically and without any need for time consuming and costly manned inspection. Based on the severity of the defect, it can be decided which solution should be taken.
Development of a Crashworthy High Capacity Under Frame CNG Storage Solution for Locomotives
Authors: Stewart Ian , Olson Les , Cook Dave
Published: June 2015

The potential opportunities for fuel cost and emissions reduction as a result of converting from diesel to natural gas (NG) are well known in the rail industry. Recent developments in domestic sources for petroleum have both lowered the cost and stabilized the natural gas market making the adoption of NG more strategically viable than ever before. NG Engine conversion systems for medium speed diesel engines have been available for over 20 years and environmental incentives are helping to further support the adoption of NG not only as an alternate fuel, but possibly as the new primary fuel. The major challenge for railroad transition to NG is now to develop a manageable and cost effective on board storage architecture with capacity to provide sufficient range to meet industry acceptance for general use.

For long haul applications, the solution has been to add a large locomotive NG tender. For short line, switcher and commuter applications, the fuel cost benefits do not warrant the cost and complexity of such a system. For these short to medium range applications, an “on locomotive” storage system with a capacity equivalent to a minimum of 500 diesel gallons is a better solution. This paper summarizes the development of a crashworthy, high capacity, underframe NG storage solution packaged in the form factor normally occupied by the conventional locomotive diesel fuel tank (Fig. 1).

Primary challenges for the CNG storage system solution are to achieve high storage density and crashworthiness while within the confines of existing AAR M-1001Plate C profile. It is expected that the system is to meet both the CFR/FRA structural requirements for diesel tanks and relevant DOT requirements for CNG cylinders used in mobile applications.

The NG storage system presented consists of an outer enclosure which mounts to the locomotive similarly to the existing diesel fuel tank. The enclosure contains and interfaces with NG cylinders specifically designed for the application. The system design withstands the various load requirements defined in 49 CFR Part 238 Appendix D, that simulate both jackknife derailment and class 8 truck side impact scenarios. NG cylinders within the enclosure must be approved for use in this application and have sufficient capacity and maintainability to create new opportunities for NG conversion in the rail industry. The primary design goal for the storage system is to integrate the cylinder size and configuration within the enclosure such that storage volume is maximized and crash impact loads are minimized. Impact loads are distributed through the system ensuring that point loading sufficient to breach one or more of the NG cylinders or fuel lines does not occur. An overview of the development and results of physical derailment and side impact testing performed in support of this effort are presented.
The Effectiveness of Compression Socks for Athletic Performance and Recovery
Authors: Stanek Justin M.
Published: June 2015

Clinical Scenario:

The popularity of compression socks has increased substantially among athletes, particularly those participating in endurance events such as running and triathlon. Companies are increasingly marketing compression stockings to runners, triathletes, and other endurance athletes for the benefits of improved performance and/or decreased recovery time. Originally developed for the treatment of deep-vein thrombosis, compression socks are now marketed as a tool to improve venous return, thus believed to improve both performance and recovery in athletes. The use of compression socks during training aims to help the skeletal-muscle pump, increase deep venous velocity, and/or decrease blood pooling in the calf veins and alleviate delayed-onset muscle soreness. The scenario is a 28-y-old recreational triathlete seeking your advice while training for her first half-Ironman. She occasionally complains of tightness in the calves both during and after running. She wants your opinion on the effectiveness of using compression socks to help her performance and recovery.

Focused Clinical Question:

What is the effectiveness of using graduated compression socks for improving athletic performance and decreasing recovery time in healthy endurance athletes?
DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES AND POLICY FOR THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG
Authors: CHANG JOYCE SAU HAN
Published: June 2015

The author reviews the development of welfare services and policies on the elderly in the past forty years. She identifies three eras, the budding period before 1980, the blossoming golden period, from 1981 to 1996 and the consolidation period, from 1997 to 2012. The author discusses salient features and provides critique on each of the three periods. She traces and analyses the characteristics of each period, and critiques on their trials, outcome achievements and challenges. She focuses on community care and restrains from other major educational, health and housing policies. With regard to future development, the author shares the thoughts of Dr. Butler and ideas from the IFA 2012 Prague Conference so as to stimulate collective thinking for future possible formulation of policy direction. The author also wishes to acknowledge support and advice from many geriatricians and psychiatric geriatricians of the Hospital Authority and Health Development who also played important part in the development of policy and services in the three periods.