bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling radiation exposure in homes from siporex blocks by using exhalation rates of radon
Authors: Nikolic Mladen , Simovic David , Zecevic Milija , Cibulic Violeta
Published: February 2016

Building materials are the second major source of indoor radon, after soil.
The contribution of building materials to indoor radon amount depends upon
the radium content and exhalation rates, which can be used as a primary index
for radon levels in the dwellings. This paper presents the results of using
the experimentally determined exhalation rates of siporex blocks and concrete
plates, to assess the radiation exposure in dwellings built of siporex
blocks. The annual doses in rooms have been estimated depending on the
established modes of ventilation. Realistic scenario was created to predict
an annual effective dose for an old person, a housewife, a student, and an
employed tenant, who live in the same apartment, spending different periods
of time in it. The results indicate the crucial importance of good
ventilation of the living space.
Stability of electric characteristics of solar cells for continuous power supply
Authors: Stojanovic Nebojsa , Stankovic Koviljka , Stojic Tomislav , Lazarevic Djordje
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the output characteristics of photovoltaic solar
cells working in hostile working conditions. Examined cells, produced by
different innovative procedures, are available in the market. The goal was to
investigate stability of electric characteristics of solar cells, which are
used today in photovoltaic solar modules for charging rechargeable batteries
which, coupled with batteries, supply various electronic systems such as
radio repeaters on mountains tops, airplanes, mobile communication stations
and other remote facilities. Charging of rechargeable batteries requires up
to 25 % higher voltage compared to nominal output voltage of the battery.
This paper presents results of research of solar cells, which also apply to
cases in which continuous power supply is required.
Sociology of law in the region: From histories of socio-legal thinking to new research and teaching agendas
Authors: Vukovic Danilo , Fekete Balázs
Published: February 2016

nema
Informal networks and interstitial arenas of power in the making of civil society law in Serbia
Authors: Mikus Marek
Published: February 2016

This paper adopts an anthropological perspective on law to examine the social
processes surrounding the making of a set of recent civil society laws in
Serbia. In line with the dominant liberal assumptions about civil society
involvement as a way of making policy- and law-making more representative and
democratic, there has been significant civil society participation in these
legal reforms. Their stated aim was to bring greater ?efficiency? and
?transparency? to the activities of civil society and its relationships with
the state. They were a part of the greatly intensified law-making activity in
Serbia that reflects an ideology of legalism linked to the global neoliberal
turn to depoliticised ?governance.? My analysis reveals that these reforms
contradicted their own objectives since they were consistently dominated by a
small and relatively stable network of organisations and individuals
connected by informal relationships. It also shows that, through their
protracted domination over the making of civil society law, these actors
created a new political arena in the interstices of the state and civil
society in which they pursued their own political and ideological agendas.
These findings challenge the assumptions about the relationship between civil
society participation and democratisation as well as the ideology of
legalism.
The role of case law in judicial decision-making: A sociological perspective
Authors: Stajnpihler Tilen
Published: February 2016

The article attempts to verify a common conception that has by now become an
integral part of legal culture in civil law jurisdictions, namely, the
conception that despite its unresolved legal status, case law (i.e. the body
of past judicial decisions) is widely used by the courts when they are
justifying their interpretative choices. For this purpose, an exploratory
empirical study of court citation practices was conducted. The study focused
on a sample of the officially reported decisions of the Supreme Court of the
Republic of Slovenia and the appellate (Higher) courts on civil matters in
2011 that were publicly accessible on the official internet database of the
Slovene courts. The aim of the study, which provides the first systematic
outline of the use of case law in the judicial decision making process within
the Slovene legal system, was to verify whether case law in fact constitutes
an important factor in judicial decision-making. It did so by focusing on the
extent and the manner in which Slovene courts refer to case law, as these may
be inferred from the reasoning of their decisions.
Come on Over: Analyst/Investor Days as a Disclosure Medium
Authors: Kirk Marcus P. , Markov Stanimir
Published: February 2016

Our study introduces analyst/investor days, a new disclosure medium that allows for private interactions with influential market participants. We also highlight interdependencies in the choice and information content of analyst/investor days and conference presentations, a well-researched disclosure medium that similarly allows for private interactions. Analyst/investor days are less frequent, but with longer duration and greater price impact than conference presentations. They are mostly hosted by firms that already have opportunities to interact with investors at conferences, but whose complex and diverse activities make the short duration and rigid format of a conference presentation an imperfect solution to these firms' information problems. Analyst/investor days and conference presentations tend to occur in different quarters, consistent with their competing for the time and attention of senior management. When these two mediums are scheduled in close temporal proximity to each other, analyst/investor days diminish the information content of conference presentations, but not vice versa, consistent with managers' favoring analyst/investor days over conference presentations as a disclosure medium.

JEL Classifications: D82; M41; G11; G12; G14.

Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper.
Relation between Auditor Quality and Tax Aggressiveness: Implications of Cross-Country Institutional Differences
Authors: Kanagaretnam Kiridaran , Lee Jimmy , Lim Chee Yeow , Lobo Gerald J.
Published: February 2016

Using an international sample of firms from 31 countries, we study the relation between auditor quality and corporate tax aggressiveness. Employing an indicator variable for tax aggressiveness when the firm's corporate tax avoidance measure is within the top quintile of each country-industry combination, we find strong evidence that auditor quality is negatively associated with the likelihood of tax aggressiveness, even after controlling for other institutional determinants such as home-country tax system characteristics. We also find that the negative relation between auditor quality and the likelihood of tax aggressiveness is more pronounced in countries where investor protection is stronger, auditor litigation risk is higher, the audit environment is better, and capital market pressure is higher.

JEL Classifications: M42; M48; H20; F30.
Impact of Common Diabetes Risk Variant in MTNR1B on Sleep, Circadian, and Melatonin Physiology
Authors: Lane Jacqueline M. , Chang Anne-Marie , Bjonnes Andrew C. , Aeschbach Daniel , Anderson Clare , Cade Brian E. , Cain Sean W. , Czeisler Charles A. , Gharib Sina A. , Gooley Joshua J. , Gottlieb Daniel J. , Grant Struan F.A. , Klerman Elizabeth B. , Lauderdale Diane S. , Lockley Steven W. , Munch Miriam , Patel Sanjay , Punjabi Naresh M. , Rajaratnam Shanthakumar M.W. , Rueger Melanie , St. Hilaire Melissa A. , Santhi Nayantara , Scheuermaier Karin , Van Reen Eliza , Zee Phyllis C. , Shea Steven A. , Duffy Jeanne F. , Buxton Orfeu M. , Redline Susan , Scheer Frank A.J.L. , Saxena Richa
Published: February 2016

The risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increased by abnormalities in sleep quantity and quality, circadian alignment, and melatonin regulation. A common genetic variant in a receptor for the circadian-regulated hormone melatonin (MTNR1B) is associated with increased fasting blood glucose and risk of T2D, but whether sleep or circadian disruption mediates this risk is unknown. We aimed to test if MTNR1B diabetes risk variant rs10830963 associates with measures of sleep or circadian physiology in intensive in-laboratory protocols (n = 58–96) or cross-sectional studies with sleep quantity and quality and timing measures from self-report (n = 4,307–10,332), actigraphy (n = 1,513), or polysomnography (n = 3,021). In the in-laboratory studies, we found a significant association with a substantially longer duration of elevated melatonin levels (41 min) and delayed circadian phase of dim-light melatonin offset (1.37 h), partially mediated through delayed offset of melatonin synthesis. Furthermore, increased T2D risk in MTNR1B risk allele carriers was more pronounced in early risers versus late risers as determined by 7 days of actigraphy. Our results provide the surprising insight that the MTNR1B risk allele influences dynamics of melatonin secretion, generating a novel hypothesis that the MTNR1B risk allele may extend the duration of endogenous melatonin production later into the morning and that early waking may magnify the diabetes risk conferred by the risk allele.
Haploinsufficiency of the Insulin Receptor in the Presence of a Splice-Site Mutation inPpp2r2aResults in a Novel Digenic Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Goldsworthy Michelle , Bai Ying , Li Chi-Ming , Ge Huanying , Lamas Edwin , Hilton Helen , Esapa Christopher T. , Baker Dan , Baron Will , Juan Todd , Véniant Murielle M. , Lloyd David J. , Cox Roger D.
Published: February 2016

Insulin resistance in mice typically does not manifest as diabetes due to multiple compensatory mechanisms. Here, we present a novel digenic model of type 2 diabetes in mice heterozygous for a null allele of the insulin receptor and an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea–induced alternative splice mutation in the regulatory protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subunit PPP2R2A. Inheritance of either allele independently results in insulin resistance but not overt diabetes. Doubly heterozygous mice exhibit progressive hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and impaired glucose tolerance from 12 weeks of age without significant increase in body weight. Alternative splicing of Ppp2r2a decreased PPP2R2A protein levels. This reduction in PPP2R2A containing PP2A phosphatase holoenzyme was associated with decreased serine/threonine protein kinase AKT protein levels. Ultimately, reduced insulin-stimulated phosphorylated AKT levels were observed, a result that was confirmed in Hepa1-6, C2C12, and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells knocked down using Ppp2r2a small interfering RNAs. Altered AKT signaling and expression of gluconeogenic genes in the fed state contributed to an insulin resistance and hyperglycemia phenotype. This model demonstrates how genetic changes with individually small phenotypic effects interact to cause diabetes and how differences in expression of hypomorphic alleles of PPP2R2A and potentially other regulatory proteins have deleterious effects and may therefore be relevant in determining diabetes risk.
Evaluation of 2-Stage Injection Technique in Children
Authors: Sandeep Valasingam , Kumar Manikya , Jyostna P. , Duggi Vijay
Published: February 2016

Effective pain control during local anesthetic injection is the cornerstone of behavior guidance in pediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practical efficacy of a 2-stage injection technique in reducing injection pain in children. This was a split-mouth, randomized controlled crossover trial. One hundred cooperative children aged 7 to 13 years in need of bilateral local anesthetic injections (inferior alveolar nerve block, posterior superior alveolar nerve block, or maxillary and mandibular buccal infiltrations) for restorative, endodontic, and extraction treatments were recruited for the study. Children were randomly allocated to receive either the 2-stage injection technique or conventional technique at the first appointment. The other technique was used at the successive visit after 1 week. Subjective and objective evaluation of pain was done using the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (FPS) and Sound Eye Motor (SEM) scale, respectively. The comparison of pain scores was done by Wilcoxon sign-rank test. Both FPS and SEM scores were significantly lower when the 2-stage injection technique of local anesthetic nerve block/infiltration was used compared with the conventional technique. The 2-stage injection technique is a simple and effective means of reducing injection pain in children.
Potent Inhalational Anesthetics for Dentistry
Authors: Satuito Mary , Tom James
Published: February 2016

Nitrous oxide and the volatile inhalational anesthetics have defined anxiety and pain control in both dentistry and medicine for over a century. From curious experimentation to spectacular public demonstrations, the initial work of 2 dentists, Horace Wells and William T. G. Morton, persists to this day in modern surgery and anesthesia. This article reviews the history, similarities, differences, and clinical applications of the most popular inhalational agents used in contemporary dental surgical settings.
Dentists' and Parents' Attitude Toward Nitrous Oxide Use in Kuwait
Authors: Alkandari Sarah A. , Almousa Fatemah , Abdulwahab Mohammad , Boynes Sean G.
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude of dentists in Kuwait toward the use of nitrous oxide sedation as a behavior management technique (BMT) for pediatric patients and assess their training in nitrous oxide sedation. In addition, we assessed parents' knowledge of and attitude toward the use of nitrous oxide as a BMT for their children. The objective was to determine if nitrous oxide sedation is being provided and utilized as a means to enhance dental care for pediatric patients. A cross-sectional survey was randomly distributed to both groups of interest: parents accompanying their children to the dentist and licensed dentists in Kuwait. Participants had to meet certain inclusion criteria to be included in the survey and had to complete the entire questionnaire to be part of the analysis. A total of 381 parents completed the questionnaires. The majority of parents responded that they were unaware of nitrous oxide sedation and were not aware of it as a BMT (79%). Two thirds of the parent would accept nitrous oxide sedation if recommended by a dentist treating their children. Two hundred and one dentists completed the survey and met the inclusion criteria. The majority (74.5%) of dentists were willing to use nitrous oxide as a BMT. However, only 6% were utilizing nitrous oxide sedation and providing it to their child patient if indicated. The main reasons for this huge gap are lack of facilities/equipment and lack of training as indicated by the dentists. This study showed that parents are accepting nitrous oxide sedation as a BMT for their children. It also showed the willingness of the dentists to provide such BMT to their patients. The lack of training and lack of equipment are the main barriers to providing such service to the patients. More training courses and more facilities should be provided to eliminate such barriers.
Ultra-wide angle lens design with relative illumination analysis
Authors: Sun W.-S. , Tien C.-L. , Chen Y.-H. , Chu P.-Y.
Published: February 2016

An ultra-wide angle lens design with relative illumination analysis is presented. The half field angle of 80°, the relative illumination of the image plane will be reduced. It is necessary to increase the image numerical aperture ratio for X and Y direction, and decrease the angle between the chief ray and optical axis in the image space. However the ultra-wide angle lens induces great barrel distortion causing image extrusion. Therefore, we use F-theta distortion to replace optical distortion. Seven lenses and two pieces of flat glass are used for a sensor 1/6” sensor with 2.1 million pixels. The final result for the lens is a half viewing angle of 80°, F/2.4, a focal length 1.1 mm, a length of 22.37 mm, F-theta distortion of less than 2%, and relative illumination greater than 83%.
Liquid crystal cells based on photovoltaic substrates
Authors: Lucchetti L. , Kushnir K. , Zaltron A. , Simoni F.
Published: February 2016

Liquid crystal cells with LiNbO3:Fe crystals as substrates, are described. The photovoltaic field generated by the substrates is able to reorient the liquid crystal director thus giving rise to a phase shift on the light propagating through the cell, as in liquid crystal light valves. The process does not require the application of an external electric field, thus being potentially useful for applications requiring a high degree of compactness. An efficient optical switch with a high transmission contrast, based on the described optically-induced electric field, is also proposed.
Outcome of pregnancies in women with prosthetic mechanical heart valves
Authors: Sharma Poonam
Published: February 2016

Background and Aims: Rheumatic heart disease is still prevalent in Nepal. Many young women had to undergo cardiac surgery before or at their childbearing age. Due to teratogenic effect and maternal risk, pregnancy is generally not advised to those women who are under oral anticoagulant for prosthetic mechanical heart valves. We aim to evaluate the pregnancy outcome and thromboembolic events during pregnancy in patients with mechanical heart valves.Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from January 2012 to June 2015. All the pregnant patients with mechanical heart valves who attended our antenatal clinic were included in this study.Results: Eighteen women attended our antenatal clinic at different gestational age. Among them fifteen women arrived early and took LMWH in first trimester as well after 36 weeks or before delivery. Three women attended antenatal clinic after the first trimester and took LMWH only in third trimester before delivery. In those patients who took LMWH at first trimester, all had favorable outcome except one. In those women who continued oral anticoagulants in first trimester one had intrauterine fetal death.Conclusion: : Our study suggests that pregnancies in prosthetic mechanical heart valves women have a favorable outcome even in the low-resource country like Nepal.Nepalese Heart Journal 2016; 13(1): 5-7
Endothelial dysfunction and the role of hypertension in Nepalese subjects with major coronary risk factors
Authors: Gautam Mani Prasad , Gautam Samir , Ghimire Usha , Guruprasad Sogunuru , Bhattacharya Rabin , Subramanyam Gangapatnam
Published: February 2016

Background and Aims: Hypertension is one of the major coronary heart disease risk factors. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be the preclinical vascular changes in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and it its major manifestation; coronary heart disease. This study was designed to assess the endothelial function in subjects with major coronary risk factors including hypertension.Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary referral centre in Central Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted on the cohort of 100 subjects with at least one out of six major coronary heart disease risk factors. JNC 7 criteria were used to define hypertension. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation was measured using high-resolution ultrasound. Endothelial dysfunction was defined as flow-mediated dilation value <9.99%. The association between endothelial dysfunction and hypertension was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: Out of 100 subjects with coronary risk factors (mean age 46.75±9.95 years, mean number of risk factors 2.81± 1.17), 65% subjects were hypertensive and 35% were non-hypertensive. Hypertension as a risk factor was evident in 80.39% and 48.98% subjects with abnormal and normal endothelial response respectively (p = 0.001). In addition, 63.08% and 28.57% subjects with and without hypertension had endothelial dysfunction respectively (p=0.01). Hypertension was the only coronary risk factor associated with endothelial dysfunction in a multivariate model (p=0.04).Conclusion: Hypertension was strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction and it could be the best predictor of endothelial dysfunction and subsequent coronary heart disease in coronary heart diseases risk factor cohorts.Nepalese Heart Journal 2016; 13(1): 13-18
Perioperative pregabalin for reducing pain, analgesic consumption, and anxiety and enhancing sleep quality in elective neurosurgical patients: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical study
Authors: Shimony Nir , Amit Uri , Minz Bella , Grossman Rachel , Dany Marc A. , Gonen Lior , Kandov Karina , Ram Zvi , Weinbroum Avi A.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess in-hospital (immediate) postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption (primary goals) and preoperative anxiety and sleep quality (secondary goals) in patients who underwent craniotomy and were treated with pregabalin (PGL). Whenever possible, out-of-hospital pain scores and analgesics usage data were obtained as well.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, double-blind and controlled study was conducted in consenting patients who underwent elective craniotomy for brain tumor resection at Tel Aviv Medical Center between 2012 and 2014. Patients received either 150 mg PGL (n = 50) or 500 mg starch (placebo; n = 50) on the evening before surgery, 1.5 hours before surgery, and twice daily for 72 hours following surgery. All patients spent the night before surgery in the hospital, and no other premedication was administered. Opioids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were used for pain, which was self-rated by means of a numerical rating scale (score range 0–10).

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients completed the study. Data on the American Society of Anesthesiologists class, age, body weight, duration of surgery, and intraoperative drugs were similar for both groups. The pain scores during postoperative Days 0 to 2 were significantly lower in the PGL group than in the placebo group (p < 0.01). Analgesic consumption was also lower in the PGL group, both immediately and 1 month after surgery. There were fewer requests for antiemetics in the PGL group, and the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower. The preoperative anxiety level and the quality of sleep were significantly better in the PGL group (p < 0.01). There were no PGL-associated major adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative use of twice-daily 150 mg pregabalin attenuates preoperative anxiety, improves sleep quality, and reduces postoperative pain scores and analgesic usage without increasing the rate of adverse effects.

Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01612832 (clinicaltrials.gov)
Aneurysm remnant after clipping: the risks and consequences
Authors: Jabbarli Ramazan , Pierscianek Daniela , Wrede Karsten , Dammann Philipp , Schlamann Marc , Forsting Michael , Müller Oliver , Sure Ulrich
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

The complete clipping of a cerebral aneurysm usually warrants its sustained occlusion, while clip remnants may have far-reaching consequences. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for clip remnants requiring retreatment and/or exhibiting growth.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with primary aneurysm clipping performed at University Hospital of Essen between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2013, were eligible for this study. Aneurysm occlusion was judged on obligatory postoperative digital subtraction angiography and the need for repeated vascular control. The identified clip remnants were correlated with various demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, aneurysm features, and surgery-related aspects.

RESULTS

Of 616 primarily clipped aneurysms, postoperative angiography revealed 112 aneurysms (18%) with clip remnants requiring further control (n = 91) or direct retreatment (n = 21). Seven remnants exhibited growth during follow-up, whereas 2 cases were associated with aneurysmal bleeding. Therefore, a total of 28 aneurysms (4.5%) were retreated as clip remnants (range 1 day to 67 months after clipping). In the multivariate analysis, the need for retreatment of clip remnant was correlated with the aneurysm's initial size (> 12 mm; OR 3.22; p = 0.035) and location (anterior cerebral artery > internal carotid artery > posterior circulation > middle cerebral artery; OR 1.85; p = 0.003). Younger age with a cutoff at 45 years (OR 33.31; p = 0.004) was the only independent predictor for remnant growth.

CONCLUSIONS

The size and location of the aneurysm are the main risk factors for clip remnants requiring retreatment. Because of the risk for growth, younger individuals (< 45 years old) with clip remnants require a long-term (> 5 years) vascular follow-up.

Clinical trial registration no: DRKS00008749 (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien)
Long-term follow-up of endoscopic third ventriculostomy performed in the pediatric population
Authors: Stovell Matthew G. , Zakaria Rasheed , Ellenbogen Jonathan R. , Gallagher Mathew J. , Jenkinson Michael D. , Hayhurst Caroline , Mallucci Conor L.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an effective treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus and avoids the risk for foreign-body infection associated with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. The short-term failure rate of ETV strongly depends on the indications for its use but is generally thought to be lower in the long term than that of VP shunts. However, few studies are available with long-term follow-up data of ETV for hydrocephalus in children. The authors reviewed the long-term success of ETV at their institution to investigate the rate of any late failures of this procedure.

METHODS

Between April 1998 and June 2006, 113 children (including neonates and children up to 16 years old) had primary or secondary ETV for different causes of hydrocephalus. The patients' medical records and the authors' electronic operation database were reviewed for evidence of additional surgery (i.e., repeat ETV or VP shunt insertion). These records were checked at both the pediatric and adult neurosurgical hospitals for those patients who had their care transferred to adult services.

RESULTS

The median length of follow-up was 8.25 years (range 1 month to 16 years). Long-term follow-up data for 96 patients were available, 47 (49%) of whom had additional ETV or VP shunt insertion for ETV failure. Twenty patients (21%) had a second procedure within 1 month, 17 patients (18%) between 1 and 12 months, 7 patients (7%) between 1 and 5 years, and 3 patients (3%) between 5 and 8 years.

CONCLUSIONS

In the authors' series, ETV had an initial early failure rate for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus as reported previously, and this rate significantly depended on patient age and hydrocephalus etiology. Once stabilized and effective, ETV appeared to be durable but not guaranteed, and some late decline in effectiveness was observed, with some ETV failures occurring many years later. Thus, successful ETV in children cannot be guaranteed for life, and some form of follow-up is recommended long term into adulthood.
Maximum Power Point Tracking and Harmonic Reducing Control Method for Generator-Based Exercise Equipment
Authors: Wang Meng-Hui , Huang Mei-Ling , Jiang Wei-Jhe
Published: February 2016

This study uses a sliding mode control (SMC) in a generator-based exercise equipment (GBEE) with nonlinear P-V characteristic curves. A P-V characteristics curve can be influenced by varying the pedaling speed of the generator. The traditional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control method is used with perturb and observe algorithms (P&O), extremum seeking control (ESC), etc. However, these control methods are not robust enough for control. SMC is created by two pattern methods for robustness control, approaching and sliding conditions. However, SMC allows infinite high-frequency switching of the sign function. If the sign function is used to switch the converter, it will cause the converter and switch life to be cut short, and also to form high frequency noise. Therefore, this study proposes an extension theory for an intelligent control method that will effectively improve conversion efficiency and responsiveness. This study compares generator input current waveforms for fast Fourier transform (FFT) for three different control methods. Finally, using simulation validates the stability and FFT analysis with power simulation (PSIM) software. The results of upgrading overall efficiency are about a 5% increase in efficiency and a faster response speed of about 0.5 s. The amount of generator input current harmonic is greatly reduced.
Influence of Electrode Density on the Performance of Li-Ion Batteries: Experimental and Simulation Results
Authors: Smekens Jelle , Gopalakrishnan Rahul , Steen Nils , Omar Noshin , Hegazy Omar , Hubin Annick , Van Mierlo Joeri
Published: February 2016

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology further enabled the information revolution by powering smartphones and tablets, allowing these devices an unprecedented performance against reasonable cost. Currently, this battery technology is on the verge of carrying the revolution in road transport and energy storage of renewable energy. However, to fully succeed in the latter, a number of hurdles still need to be taken. Battery performance and lifetime constitute a bottleneck for electric vehicles as well as stationary electric energy storage systems to penetrate the market. Electrochemical battery models are one of the engineering tools which could be used to enhance their performance. These models can help us optimize the cell design and the battery management system. In this study, we evaluate the ability of the Porous Electrode Theory (PET) to predict the effect of changing positive electrode density in the overall performance of Li-ion battery cells. It can be concluded that Porous Electrode Theory (PET) is capable of predicting the difference in cell performance due to a changing positive electrode density.
In-Plane Behaviour of a Reinforcement Concrete Frame with a Dry Stack Masonry Panel
Authors: Lin Kun , Totoev Yuri , Liu Hongjun , Guo Tianyou
Published: February 2016

In order to improve the energy dissipation of the masonry infilled frame structure while decreasing the stiffening and strengthening effects of the infill panels, a new dry stacked panel (DSP) semi-interlocking masonry (SIM) infill panel has been developed. In this paper, the material properties of DSP and a traditional unreinforced masonry (URM) panel have been evaluated experimentally. A series of cyclic tests were performed to investigate the cyclic behaviour of the reinforcement concrete (RC) frame with different infill panels. The failure modes, damage evolution, hysteretic behaviour, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation were compared and analysed. We concluded that DSP is capable of significantly improving the seismic energy dissipation due to its hysteretic behaviour when the frame is in elastic stage without increasing the stiffness of the frame. Therefore, DSP or SIM panels can be considered as frictional dampers. Based on the experimental results, the influence of DSP was examined. Using the parallel model, the hysteretic loops of DSP subjected to different load cases were achieved. The typical full hysteretic loop for DSP could be divided into three distinct stages of behaviour: packing stage, constant friction stage and equivalent strut stage. The connection between the panel and the frame had a great effect on the transferring of different mechanical stages. The constant friction stage was verified to provide substantial energy dissipation and benefits to the ductility of the structure, which, therefore, is suggested to be prolonged in reality.
Research on the Thermal Decomposition Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism of Pyridinol-Blocked Isophorone Diisocyanate
Authors: Guo Sen , He Jingwei , Luo Weixun , Liu Fang
Published: February 2016

A series of pyridinol-blocked isophorone isocyanates, based on pyridinol including 2-hydroxypyridine, 3-hydroxypyridine, and 4-hydroxypyridine, was synthesized and characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and FTIR spectra. The deblocking temperature of blocked isocyanates was established by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the CO2 evaluation method. The deblocking studies revealed that the deblocking temperature was increased with pyridinol nucleophilicity in this order: 3-hydroxypyridine > 4-hydroxypyridine > 2-hydroxypyridine. The thermal decomposition reaction of 4-hydroxypyridine blocked isophorone diisocyanate was studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis. The Friedman–Reich–Levi (FRL) equation, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) equation, and Crane equation were utilized to analyze the thermal decomposition reaction kinetics. The activation energy calculated by FRL method and FWO method was 134.6 kJ·mol−1 and 126.2 kJ·mol−1, respectively. The most probable mechanism function calculated by the FWO method was the Jander equation. The reaction order was not an integer because of the complicated reactions of isocyanate.
Culture-Sustainability Relation: Towards a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Soini Katriina , Dessein Joost
Published: February 2016

Several individual scholars and international organizations have attempted to conceptualize “culture” in its different meanings in sustainability. Despite those efforts, a tangle of different approaches are being used, reflecting the various disciplines and policy aims. In this paper we propose an interdisciplinary framework for identifying the different roles of culture in sustainability in an attempt to guide the research and policy activities in this complex field. The framework is comprised of three representations defined by a literature review on “cultural sustainability”, which are further explored through eight organizing dimensions that mark the similarities and differences between the three representations. The article reveals that the three representations are partly interlinked and that they also reveal gradients in the dynamics of the system, as well as in the human/nature interface.
ADVANCED DATA VISUALIZATION IN ASTROPHYSICS: THE X3D PATHWAY
Authors: Vogt Frédéric P. A. , Owen Chris I. , Verdes-Montenegro Lourdes , Borthakur Sanchayeeta
Published: February 2016

Most modern astrophysical data sets are multi-dimensional; a characteristic that can nowadays generally be conserved and exploited scientifically during the data reduction/simulation and analysis cascades. However, the same multi-dimensional data sets are systematically cropped, sliced, and/or projected to printable two-dimensional diagrams at the publication stage. In this article, we introduce the concept of the “X3D pathway” as a mean of simplifying and easing the access to data visualization and publication via three-dimensional (3D) diagrams. The X3D pathway exploits the facts that (1) the X3D 3D file format lies at the center of a product tree that includes interactive HTML documents, 3D printing, and high-end animations, and (2) all high-impact-factor and peer-reviewed journals in astrophysics are now published (some exclusively) online. We argue that the X3D standard is an ideal vector for sharing multi-dimensional data sets because it provides direct access to a range of different data visualization techniques, is fully open source, and is a well-defined standard from the International Organization for Standardization. Unlike other earlier propositions to publish multi-dimensional data sets via 3D diagrams, the X3D pathway is not tied to specific software (prone to rapid and unexpected evolution), but instead is compatible with a range of open-source software already in use by our community. The interactive HTML branch of the X3D pathway is also actively supported by leading peer-reviewed journals in the field of astrophysics. Finally, this article provides interested readers with a detailed set of practical astrophysical examples designed to act as a stepping stone toward the implementation of the X3D pathway for any other data set.
PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS STUDIES OF TURBULENCE IN OPTICALLY THICK GAS
Authors: Correia C. , Lazarian A. , Burkhart B. , Pogosyan D. , Medeiros J. R. De
Published: February 2016

In this work we investigate the sensitivity of principal component analysis (PCA) to the velocity power spectrum in high-opacity regimes of the interstellar medium (ISM). For our analysis we use synthetic position–position–velocity (PPV) cubes of fractional Brownian motion and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations, post-processed to include radiative transfer effects from CO. We find that PCA analysis is very different from the tools based on the traditional power spectrum of PPV data cubes. Our major finding is that PCA is also sensitive to the phase information of PPV cubes and this allows PCA to detect the changes of the underlying velocity and density spectra at high opacities, where the spectral analysis of the maps provides the universal −3 spectrum in accordance with the predictions of the Lazarian & Pogosyan theory. This makes PCA a potentially valuable tool for studies of turbulence at high opacities, provided that proper gauging of the PCA index is made. However, we found the latter to not be easy, as the PCA results change in an irregular way for data with high sonic Mach numbers. This is in contrast to synthetic Brownian noise data used for velocity and density fields that show monotonic PCA behavior. We attribute this difference to the PCA's sensitivity to Fourier phase information.
Teaching ethics in the university through multicultural online dialogue
Authors: Briones Elena , Lara Laura
Published: February 2016

This paper presents the results of an international collaboration on ethics teaching for personal and professional values within the area of formal higher education using new communication technologies. The course design was based on the dialogic technique and was aimed at clarifying the students’ own values, defining their own positions related to ethical dilemmas, developing argumentative strategies and an ethical commitment to their profession and contribution to society. The online dialogue between heterogeneous groups of students based on their cultural background –the main innovation of this training– was possible thanks to the technological and administrative support of the participating universities. To analyze the effect of this innovative training we employed a quasi-experimental design using a control group, i.e., without the option of online dialogue with students from another culture. University students from Spain (University of Cantabria) and Chile (Universidad Autónoma de Chile) participated in this study. The positive results, which included better scores and positive assessments of both debate involvement and intercultural contact by students who participated in the new teaching program, support the main conclusion that the opening of international dialogue on moral dilemmas through new communication technologies contributes significantly to improve ethics training in higher education.

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de una colaboración internacional para la formación ética centrada en valores personales y profesionales dentro de la educación formal superior empleando las nuevas tecnologías de la comunicación. La formación diseñada basada en la técnica dialógica pretende que el estudiante clarifique sus valores, se posicione ante dilemas éticos y desarrolle estrategias argumentativas, así como un compromiso ético con su profesión y contribución a la sociedad. La principal innovación de esta formación es la incorporación del diálogo online entre grupos de estudiantes heterogéneos por su origen cultural, esto fue posible gracias a la colaboración de dos universidades y al apoyo tecnológico y administrativo aportado por las mismas. Para analizar el efecto de esta formación innovadora se ha empleado un diseño cuasi-experimental con grupo control, en el que se formaba en valores pero no existía la posibilidad de un diálogo online con estudiantes de otra cultura. En este estudio participaron estudiantes de la Universidad Autónoma de Chile y de la Universidad de Cantabria (España). Entre los resultados obtenidos destacamos las mejores calificaciones y positiva valoración de la participación en los debates y del contacto intercultural por parte de los estudiantes que siguieron la formación más innovadora. Estos resultados permiten concluir que la apertura internacional del diálogo gracias al uso de las tecnologías de la comunicación contribuye de forma significativa a la formación ética en la educación superior.
Un parlement mondial du travail ?
Authors: Louis Marieke
Published: February 2016

Depuis sa création en 1919, l’Organisation internationale du travail, chargée de réglementer les relations professionnelles entre États et d’instaurer entre eux des principes de justice sociale, prétend incarner un véritable « parlement mondial du travail ». Sur quels dispositifs concrets et stratégies d’acteurs s’appuie une telle prétention ? Comment l’OIT a-t-elle construit, défendu et réformé sa représentativité au cours du temps ? L’étude socio-historique des dispositifs représentatifs en place et de leur contestation par des acteurs s’estimant mal représentés (gouvernements, organisations syndicales et patronales, coopératives, organisations non gouvernementales) permet, sur le temps long, de déconstruire l’analogie parlementaire et de dévoiler certaines caractéristiques d’une représentation à la fois internationale et tripartite : non électorale, sélective, technocratique mais aussi parfois accommodante, voire improvisée.
Le tribunal de l’histoire ? Vérité historique et vérité judiciaire
Authors: Hulak Florence
Published: February 2016

Quelle est la pertinence du modèle judiciaire pour penser le statut de la vérité historique ? Ce modèle prend deux formes distinctes mais complémentaires. La première conçoit cette vérité par analogie avec la vérité factuelle que le juge d’instruction découvre à travers l’analyse critique des témoignages et des indices. La seconde l’assimile à la vérité partagée qui émane de la confrontation délibérative des récits concurrents devant le tribunal. Contre ce double modèle judiciaire, deux thèses sont défendues. D’abord, l’histoire ne saurait renoncer à une visée proprement scientifique, qui ne se confond pas avec l’imputation de responsabilités. Ensuite, l’hétérogénéité des visées de connaissance et d’imputation ne renvoie pas simplement à un partage entre pratiques professionnelles : si l’historien peut être amené à assigner des responsabilités en mobilisant méthodes ou connaissances historiques, ce n’est pas par cette activité qu’il poursuit une vérité de type historique.
Le cinéma brésilien moderne et la Biennale de São Paulo
Authors: Mendes Adilson
Published: February 2016

Cette étude entend revisiter le processus de formation du cinéma moderne au Brésil au sein du champ des arts plastiques, en particulier dans le cadre de la Biennale de São Paulo, lieu reconnu comme central dans le débat sur un art national. La présence du cinéma dans les premières éditions de la Biennale met en lumière une stratégie de cinéastes, critiques (d’art et de cinéma) et artistes plasticiens pour créer un cinéma indépendant, engagé formellement et socialement. Les premières manifestations du mouvement du Cinema Novo portent les traces de cette proximité entre les champs du cinéma et des arts plastiques, croisement particulièrement visible lors de la VIe Biennale, organisée par le critique Mário Pedrosa et qu’accompagne une grande rétrospective cinématographique qui joua un rôle moteur dans l’avènement du cinéma brésilien moderne.
Penser l’essence de la vie : le matérialisme comme question et comme préalable chez Simondon
Authors: Dereclenne Émilien
Published: February 2016

Dégager le contexte philosophique et scientifique dans lequel la pensée de Simondon s’inscrit permet d’en saisir toute la force et toute l’originalité. Dès 1942, Merleau-Ponty réinvestit le problème de la relation psycho-physiologique qu’il prétend traiter dans les termes d’un antiphysicalisme traditionnel avec lequel Simondon veut rompre. Tout l’enjeu pour Simondon, qui s’intéresse à ce problème à partir de 1952, est de concilier le matérialisme avec la reconnaissance d’une spécificité du fait vital et du fait humain, en d’autres termes, de proposer un matérialisme non réductionniste. C’est dans ce cadre que la notion de vie devient centrale et que le problème sous-jacent de la spécificité du vital par rapport au physique prend toute son importance. Penser l’essence de la vie sans la détacher complètement de sa dimension matérielle exige une intense réflexion ontologique et épistémologique, à l’aune de laquelle seulement le traitement de la relation psycho-physiologique devient possible. Il s’agira ici de montrer comment, face au biologisme goldsteinnien et à la phénoménologie merleau-pontienne qui en hérite directement, la perspective matérialiste de Simondon est révolutionnaire.
Simondon et le langage
Authors: Duhem Ludovic
Published: February 2016

La question du langage dans la pensée de Simondon est une question aporétique. Alors que toutes les conditions semblent réunies pour qu’une théorie originale et cohérente soit élaborée, il n’existe dans son œuvre que des réflexions éparses qui ne donnent pas lieu à une théorie mais plutôt à une critique non systématisée du langage. Deux hypothèses peuvent expliquer cette « absence » de théorie du langage : selon la première, Simondon n’avait pas besoin du langage pour repenser les conditions de la pensée, du sens et de la vérité, la théorie de l’individuation proposant une ontologie, une logique et une épistémologie pour lesquelles le langage n’est ni premier ni central ; selon la deuxième, Simondon a posé autrement la question du langage, sous la forme d’ une théorie de la communication qui se fonde sur le rapport entre information et signification, lequel dépasse et englobe la question du langage. À partir de ces deux hypothèses, il est possible de poser que Simondon a cherché à sortir la philosophie du logocentrisme et de l’anthropocentrisme réductionniste qui le soutient, ce qui implique une relativisation fondamentale du langage. Cet article propose en ce sens de faire un premier « état des lieux » de la question du langage dans l’œuvre de Simondon à travers l’étude :1. de sa critique du langage compris comme condition de la connaissance et de la pensée ;2. des tensions internes au rapport entre technique et langage chez Simondon ;3. des éléments qu’il pose pour une théorie communicationnelle du langage.