bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PRP For the Treatment of Cartilage Pathology
Authors: Kon Elizaveta , Filardo Giuseppe , Di Matteo Berardo , Marcacci Maurilio
Published: May 2013

In recent years biological strategies are being more widely used to treat cartilage lesions. One of the most exploited novel treatments is Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP), whose high content of growth factors is supposed to determine a regenerative stimulus to cartilaginous tissue. Despite many promising in vitro and in vivo studies, when discussing clinical application a clear indication for the use of PRP cannot be assessed. There are initial encouraging clinical data, but only a few randomized controlled trials have been published, so it is not possible to fully endorse this kind of approach for the treatment of cartilage pathology. Furthermore, study comparison is very difficult due to the great variability in PRP preparation methods, cell content and concentration, storage modalities, activation methods and even application protocols. These factors partially explain the lack of high quality controlled trials up to now. This paper discusses the main aspects concerning the basic biology of PRP, the principal sources of variability, and summarizes the available literature on PRP use, both in surgical and conservative treatments. Based on current evidence, PRP treatment should only be indicated for low-grade cartilage degeneration and in case of failure of more traditional conservative approaches.
Bilateral Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment by Ganglion Cyst Associated with Superior Labral Lesion
Authors: Rizzello Giacomo , Longo Umile Giuseppe , Trovato Ugo , Fumo Caterina , Khan Wasim Sardar , Maffulli Nicola , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: May 2013

Suprascapular nerve compression is a rare cause of shoulder pain. We report the clinical features, radiological findings, arthroscopic management and outcome of three patients with suprascapular nerve compression caused by labral ganglion cyst associated with SLAP lesion. We performed simultaneous suture anchor SLAP repair and cyst decompression with a blunt probe. Upon a two-year follow-up, patients recovered full shoulder function without pain or limitations in activities of daily living.
Finance capitalism: A look at the European financial accounts
Authors: Cingolani Massimo
Published: May 2013

The paper explores the financial accounts database of Eurostat, a rich set of
data that is largely unexploited. It describes the main financial
developments at EU level during the 1990-2010 period, both in terms of
institutional agents and financial products. The paper provides evidence on
the consequences of asset price inflation for wealth distribution between
institutional agents and argues that the conceptual scheme of the ?double
monetary circuit? of existing and recycled savings helps in describing and
explaining the observed patterns of financialisation.
The Euro zone peripheral countries’ sovereign debt crisis: Also a case of non-mature democracies?
Authors: Fernandes Abel , Mota Paulo
Published: May 2013

The euro zone peripheral countries face a profound sovereign debt crisis
threatening the very existence of the euro as we know it. Therefore, the
study of the various factors contributing to this crisis is of the utmost
importance. Given the set of the twelve initial member States, the euro zone
peripheral countries (Portugal, Greece, and Spain) have in common the fact
that they are recent democracies. Independently from other valid approaches
to this question, the specific contribution of this paper is to focus on the
role played by institutional and political variables in the behavior of
fiscal variables. We show that the behavior of these variables is indeed
statistically different from the one observed for the other euro zone
countries, which are mature democracies. These outcomes are also in line with
what that literature expects from the relationship between non-mature
democracies and the incidence of election year budget cycles.
The EU financial transactions tax: Antecedents and current debate
Authors: Kitromilides Yiannis , González Ana
Published: May 2013

The paper deals with the development of the Financial Transactions Tax (FTT)
policy idea and its feasibility in the absence of global coordination. New
taxes are evaluated in terms of how they fit into existing national tax
systems. Increasingly, however, cross-border issues assume greater
significance in tax design and this is particularly pertinent in the case of
FTT which has a long history. The various changes in tax systems and the
economic environments within which they operate since the original ?Tobin
Tax? proposal are noted and the way they affect the debate on FTT are
discussed. The proposal to introduce a unilateral FTT in the EU and its
feasibility are examined. In terms of achieving its fundamental objectives
the feasibility of the tax is crucial unless, as may be the case in the UK,
the need to rebalance the economy away from the financial sector is a more
urgent priority.
Fuzzy Arithmetical Analysis of Multibody Systems with Uncertainties
Authors: Walz Nico-Philipp , Hanss Michael
Published: May 2013

The consideration of uncertainties in numerical simulation is generally reasonable and is often indicated in order to provide reliable results, and thus is gaining attraction in various fields of simulation technology. However, in multibody system analysis uncertainties have only been accounted for quite sporadically compared to other areas.

The term uncertainties is frequently associated with those of random nature, i.e. aleatory uncertainties, which are successfully handled by the use of probability theory. Actually, a considerable proportion of uncertainties incorporated into dynamical systems, in general, or multibody systems, in particular, is attributed to so-called epistemic uncertainties, which include, amongst others, uncertainties due to a lack of knowledge, due to subjectivity in numerical implementation, and due to simplification or idealization. Hence, for the modeling of epistemic uncertainties in multibody systems an appropriate theory is required, which still remains a challenging topic. Against this background, a methodology will be presented which allows for the inclusion of epistemic uncertainties in modeling and analysis of multibody systems. This approach is based on fuzzy arithmetic, a special field of fuzzy set theory, where the uncertain values of the model parameters are represented by socalled fuzzy numbers, reflecting in a rather intuitive and plausible way the blurred range of possible parameter values. As a result of this advanced modeling technique, more comprehensive system models can be derived which outperform the conventional, crisp-parameterized models by providing simulation results that reflect both the system dynamics and the effect of the uncertainties.

The methodology is illustrated by an exemplary application of multibody dynamics which reveals that advanced modeling and simulation techniques using some well-thought-out inclusion of the presumably limiting uncertainties can provide significant additional benefit.
An exponential observer and a controller for a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Hammami Mohamed Ali , Zribi Mohamed , Kallel Jalel
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we study the observer design problem for a class of nonlinear systems. Specifically, we design an exponential observer for a separately excited DC motor. Moreover, a stabilizing controller is designed for the system to ensure the exponential stability of the solutions toward their desired values. Simulations results show that proposed observer is able to reconstruct the states of the system. In addition, the simulation results indicate that the designed controller works well
Multiphase Z-source inverter using maximum constant boost control
Authors: Kouzou Abdellah , Abu-Rub Haitham
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with the impedance source (Z-source) multiphase inverter, where the maximum constant boost control method is studied and analyzed in the general case of number of phases. On the other side the impact of the modulation index and the number of phases on the duty cycle shoot-through and on the gain of the output voltage ranges is presented. To validate advantages of the Z-source multiphase inverter, the proposed topology and the maximum constant boost control are implemented in simulation and in real time experimentation with Z-source five phase inverter. The output voltage is applied to two parallel loads, a five phase resistive load and a five phase induction machine.
In vitro antimicrobial activity and phytochemical analysis of Cassia auriculata Linn
Authors: Raja Devados Kumarasamy , Jeganathan Nattanmai Sundararaman , Manavalan Rajappan
Published: May 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aerial parts of chloroform extract of Cassia auriculata L. The chloroform extract of C. auriculata were shown to possess an antimicrobial activity against two gram positive and two gram negative human pathogenic bacteria and fungi, viz. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and fungus cultures Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by using disc diffusion method. The extract showed antibacterial activity at all concentrations selected, but only the extract with the concentration of 300µg/ml showed maximum antibacterial activity against all the organisms except Pseudomonas aeruginosa which are comparable with the standard control, amikacin. The anti fungal activity of chloroform extract of C. auriculata revealed significant effect against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger with the net inhibition zone of 14 and 14 mm, respectively at 300µg/ml concentration, which is almost comparable with standard control, ketokonazole used as an antifungal agent. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, fixed oils, fats, tannins, gum & mucilage, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, lignin and sterols. It is concluded that the antimicrobial activity showed by the plant was due to the presence of these phytochemicals. Further studies are highly needed for future drug development.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i6.14869 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, May 2013, 2(6): 105-108
Fighting words: a corpus analysis of gender representations in sports reportage
Authors: Aull Laura L. , Brown David West
Published: May 2013

In this study, we explore linguistic constructions of gender in US sports reportage concerning two related basketball altercations: the Pacers–Pistons NBA fight in 2004 and the Shock–Sparks WNBA fight in 2008. We use a combined corpus and qualitative textual analysis to investigate coverage from the days immediately following the fights and to compare that coverage to sports reportage more generally. Our analysis reveals key differences in narrative focus; for example, that NBA coverage is most interested in blame assignation in the isolated event, while WNBA coverage concerns gender and the league writ large. Such patterns, which are realised linguistically in both explicit and implicit ways, contribute to the ‘othering’ of women and women athletes in the increasingly important sports-media-commercial complex.
‘The Serried Maze’: Terrain, Consciousness and Textuality in Machen's The Hill of Dreams
Authors: Boyiopoulos Kostas
Published: May 2013

This essay looks at Arthur Machen's underexplored experimental masterpiece The Hill of Dreams (1897/1907), his personal novel rooted in the Decadent nineties. Its daringness does not just lie in the subject matter but also in the manner its stylistic techniques evoke. The present investigation is interested in Machen's multifarious use of the image of the maze/labyrinth – or Welsh caerdroia – an apt symbol for the presentation of London. Machen's labyrinth is a motif, a metaphor for the thought process, and a metafictional device. In the story of Lucian Taylor, the troubled self-destructive litterateur, the labyrinthine characterises not only setting, terrain, self-movement, mind, and textual tissue, but also the way these components, or modalities, come together. Aside from showcasing the various ways the labyrinth materialises in The Hill of Dreams, the essay argues that Machen's achievement consists of a discursive meta-labyrinth that cuts across, or combines, the different spheres of consciousness, terrain, and textuality. The concepts of pattern recognition, liminal thresholds, and ‘infolding’ are employed in support of the claims made.
Chemical Constituents from the Rhizomes of Smilax glabra and Their Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Xu Shuo , Shang Ming-Ying , Liu Guang-Xue , Xu Feng , Wang Xuan , Shou Cheng-Chao , Cai Shao-Qing
Published: May 2013

Six new phenolic compounds, named smiglabrone A (1), smiglabrone B (2), smilachromanone (3), smiglastilbene (4), smiglactone (5), smiglabrol (6), together with fifty-seven known ones 7–63 were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax glabra. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, as well as by comparison with literature data. Twenty-seven of these compounds were obtained from and identified in the genus Smilax for the first time. The absolute configuration of (2S)-1,2-O-di-trans-p-coumaroylglycerol (43) was determined for the first time using the exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) method. Thirty isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against three Gram-negative bacteria, three Gram-positive bacteria and one fungus, and the corresponding structure-activity relationships were also discussed. Eighteen compounds were found to be antimicrobial against the microorganisms tested and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were in the range of 0.0794–3.09 mM. Among them, compound 1 showed antimicrobial activity against Canidia albicans with MIC value of 0.146 mM, which was stronger than cinchonain Ia with an MIC of 0.332 mM. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC values of 0.303 and 0.205 mM, respectively. The results indicated that these antimicrobial constituents of this crude drug might be responsible for its clinical antimicrobial effect.
Synthesis of phenanthridines via palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed sequential C–H functionalization
Authors: Pearson Ryan , Zhang Shuyu , He Gang , Edwards Nicola , Chen Gong
Published: May 2013

We report a new synthesis of phenanthridines based on palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed sequential C–H functionalization reactions starting from readily available benzylamine and aryl iodide precursors. Under the catalysis of Pd(OAc)2, the ortho-C–H bond of benzylpicolinamides is first arylated with an aryl iodide. The resulting biaryl compound is then subjected to palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed intramolecular dehydrogenative C–H amination with PhI(OAc)2 oxidant to form the corresponding cyclized dihydrophenanthridines. The benzylic position of these dihydrophenanthridines could be further oxidized with Cu(OAc)2, removing the picolinamide group and providing phenathridine products. The cyclization and oxidation could be carried out in a single step and afford phenathridines in moderate to good yields.
Fostering Healthy Work Environments Through Nursing Education Initiatives
Authors: McNamee Mary Anne , Attonito Kathleen C. , Woolforde Launette
Published: May 2013

In this era of value-based health care, the knowledge, competence, and professionalism of the front-line nurse and other clinical staff are paramount. Everyone involved in patient care must maximize their skill set and drive high performance in the clinical arena. Healthy work environments will be key to achieving and sustaining quality outcomes and developing and retaining high-performing teams.

J Contin Educ Nurs
2013;44(5):199–200.
Les marais salants de la prévôté d’Hiers d’après les terrages de 1478
Authors: Périsse Sébastien
Published: May 2013

Le golfe de Brouage s’affirme à la fin du Moyen Âge comme une des principales aires d’approvisionnement en sel de la côte atlantique, mais la structuration de cet espace est méconnue par manque de documents antérieurs au xviie siècle. Les terrages du sel de la prévôté d’Hiers pour la moitié de l’année 1478 mettent en évidence un domaine salicole dans une phase de reprise des marais après la Guerre de Cent Ans. La perception des redevances en sel montrent que la qualité du sel produit d’une saline à l’autre est inégale et que, dans ce paysage de marais, le réseau hydrographique est primordial. C’est essentiellement par voie d’eau que les redevances en sel parviennent à Hiers ; les grains, le bois, la pierre et autres denrées sont apportés également par ce réseau.
Théâtre et Pouvoir à Brest au XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Kerdraon-Duconte Nolwenn
Published: May 2013

Lorsque la ville de Brest naît véritablement dans la seconde moitié du XVIIe siècle, l’activité théâtrale y est fortement déconsidérée, marginalisée, presque illicite. Les autorités du port la considèrent tout d’abord avec crainte, comme une occasion pour leurs hommes de se divertir, avant de l’envisager désormais comme un mal nécessaire, capable d’en éviter de pires. La fondation du théâtre de la marine, première salle bâtie en Bretagne, assure ainsi la légitimité et la régularité de la pratique de cet art au cœur de la cité. Mais c’est finalement l’institutionnalisation qui accentue les tensions. Dans les dernières années de l’Ancien Régime, la salle brestoise est toujours le lieu de représentation du pouvoir, mais cette fois, ce pouvoir s’est inversé. Si l’art dramatique alarme les autorités de la marine à la fin du XVIIe siècle, malgré leurs tentatives de supervision, il les tourmente tout autant cent ans plus tard.
À propos d’un livre récent : le Dictionary of Irish Saints de Pádraig Ó Riain
Authors: Merdrignac Bernard
Published: May 2013

Le Dictionary of Irish Saints  que vient de publier Pádraig Ó Riain, professeur émérite d’« Early & Medieval Irish » à l’University College de Cork (Irlande), fera date. L’ouvrage qui couronne plusieurs décennies de recherches rassemble les notices de plus d’un millier de saints antérieurs au xiiie siècle. Le public intéressé par l’hagiographie celtique y puisera bien entendu de précieuses informations. Plus largement, le présent article entend attirer l’attention des lecteurs concernés par l’histoire religieuse et socio-culturelle du Moyen Âge sur la fécondité des méthodes mises en œuvre dans ce dictionnaire. En exploitant rigoureusement des sources aussi variées que les Vies de saints, les Martyrologes, les généalogies, les Annales, les données de la toponymie et des traditions folkloriques, le livre soulève une question de fond : quelle est la teneur de la religion médiévale, « Paganisme christianisé » ou « christianisme folklorisé » ? Cette publication est aussi l’occasion de revenir sur l’avancement d’un projet de « Base de données » sur les saints bretons entrepris naguère et susceptible de rendre quelques services aux chercheurs comme à un plus large public.
Aux origines du monachisme en Gaule : Les communautés martiniennes du IVe siècle
Authors: Bord Lucien-Jean
Published: May 2013

Le monachisme martinien, inscrit dans une tradition qui trouve ses origines dans les milieux patristiques orientaux et revendiquant une idiorythmie des communautés, représente néanmoins un nouveau type de vie monastique où l’alliance du monachisme et de la cléricature remplace en Occident celui du cénobitisme et de l’érémitisme qui structurait le milieu monastique égyptien. Pour connaître le genre de vie que menaient les disciples de Martin, il nous faut scruter les écrits de Sulpice Sévère qui, outre la célèbre description de la vie des frères à Marmoutier, contiennent bon nombre d’indications éparses nous permettant de reconstituer ce que fut ce premier monachisme d’Occident, tant à Ligugé que dans la fondation tourangelle.
Aux sources du monachisme martinien, Les Vies de Martin en prose et en vers
Authors: Labarre Sylvie
Published: May 2013

La Vie de saint Martin et les Dialogues de Sulpice Sévère abordent par le biais du récit les thèmes essentiels de la vie monastique : séparation du monde, vie en communauté, ascèse, vêtement, prière, séparation des sexes et exaltation de la virginité. Ces œuvres en prose tracent le portrait d’un évêque-moine tourné vers l’action et pratiquant un idéal de vie mixte qui allie action et méditation, solitude et présence au monde. Paulin de Périgueux, dans sa Vie de saint Martin en vers, décrit précisément le site de Marmoutier. Il amplifie la description en imitant Virgile : il fait par exemple du locus horridus un lieu de prière pour le saint. Il insiste sur le travail des copistes qui unifie le corps humain par la spiritualité. À la différence de Sulpice Sévère il ne compare plus Martin aux moines d’Orient. Un siècle plus tard, le poète Venance Fortunat réduit la fondation de Marmoutier à un cliché épique et une antithèse.
La place de saint Martin dans le monachisme anglo-saxon
Authors: Mullins Juliet
Published: May 2013

Cette communication étudie le culte anglo-saxon de saint Martin et l'influence du modèle martinien sur le monachisme anglais du haut Moyen Âge. La Vita Martini de Sulpice Sévère a été connue en Angleterre et en Irlande à partir d'une date très précoce et a inspiré certains des plus anciens textes insulaires, fournissant un modèle pour les hagiographes locaux qui ont composé des vies de saints insulaires. Cette communication se concentrera sur le culte plus tardif de saint Martin et sa vénération au xe siècle, quand apparaissent les premières traductions vernaculaires de sa Vie. On considérera l'image de Martin façonnée par les auteurs anglais écrivant sur l'arrière-plan de la réforme bénédictine et on examinera comment son portrait en tant que missionnaire, moine et évêque a été manipulé de manière à rejoindre les exigences idéologiques du monachisme anglo-saxon tardif.
Le patronage martinien au Xe siècle
Authors: Judic Bruno
Published: May 2013

Odon de Cluny (vers 879-942) fut chanoine de Saint-Martin-de-Tours au début de sa carrière religieuse. Il garda toute sa vie un profond attachement à la figure de saint Martin, comme pionnier et héros du monachisme. La basilique de Saint-Martin à Tours fut ravagée à plusieurs reprises par des incendies; celui de 903 eut pour témoin le jeune Odon qui s’en souvenait encore, à la fin de sa vie, vers 940-942, lorsqu’il rédigea un sermon sur l’incendie dans lequel se manifestent certains thèmes de la réforme monastique en relation avec la figure martinienne. On rappellera aussi qu’au xe et xie siècles le patronage martinien fut associée à des fondations (ou des refondations) appelées à un grand avenir : Cologne, Albelda, Laon, Tournai, Pontoise, et particulièrement à Paris, la grande abbaye de Saint-Martin des Champs qui, à la fin du xie siècle, devint une des « filles » de Cluny.
Aux origines du monastère de Marmoutier : le témoignage de l’archéologie
Authors: Lorans Élisabeth
Published: May 2013

Prenant comme point de départ la célèbre – et très concise – évocation des lieux qui apparaît dans la Vita Sancti Martini, cet article examine les principales caractéristiques topographiques du site de Marmoutier pendant les premiers siècles de son occupation, à la lumière des données archéologiques. Celles-ci livrent une autre image du site marquée à la fois par une accessibilité aisée, au moins au ive siècle où l’existence d’un pont reliant les deux rives est très probable, et par une occupation continue à partir des ier-iie siècles, l’ermitage de l’évêque ayant utilisé les bâtiments d’une villa suburbaine. Le tracé du coteau et son aménagement par la création de terrasses et le creusement de grottes sont abordés, de même que le fort impact de la Loire dont le trait de rive s’est déplacé vers le sud, selon une chronologie qui reste à définir.
Navigation entre la France et l’Écosse d’après le récit de l’ambassade de Regnault Girard auprès de Jacques ier Stuart (1434-1436)
Authors: Bochaca Michel
Published: May 2013

Chargé par Charles VII de conduire une ambassade auprès de Jacques ier d’Écosse, Regnault Girard ramena en France Marguerite Stuart, promise en mariage au dauphin Louis, et un contingent d’hommes d’armes écossais. Il établit à son retour un rapport circonstancié de sa mission qui dura de 1434 à 1436. Il y relate entre autres les deux traversées par mer entre La Rochelle et l’Écosse. Bien que donnant la vision d’un terrien et non celle d’un marin, le récit permet de suivre les étapes du voyage aller et retour (préparatifs, appareillage, navigation, atterrissement) et d’entrevoir des bribes de la vie à bord d’un navire au xve siècle.
La sardine à l’huile ou le premier aliment industriel
Authors: Brioist Pascal , Fichou Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2013

La conserverie de la sardine à l'huile est née en France, à Nantes et à Bordeaux autour des années 1820. Elle reste longtemps confidentielle jusqu'à l'invention de l'autoclave en 1852 et passe alors à un stade industriel. Après cette date, dans de petites cités bretonnes ou vendéennes, une toute nouvelle industrie alimentaire connaît un essor extraordinaire. Pour parvenir à imposer ce produit inconnu sur le marché, à la présentation et au goût totalement nouveaux, il fallut tout d'abord se faire un nom, une renommée et conquérir les tables royales et bourgeoises du monde entier, en présentant un aliment irréprochable. Alors que toutes les autres conserves ne restent que des succédanés des aliments frais, la conserve de sardines parvient à s'imposer comme un élément singulier, au goût propre qui plus est, se bonifiant en vieillissant. Pour parvenir à ce brillant résultat, de multiples préparations s'avèrent nécessaires ; il faut choisir parmi différents poissons, et plus encore choisir la meilleure huile pour la cuisson et la conservation des petits poissons dorés. Comme il n'existait aucun étalonnage possible avec la cuisine traditionnelle, bourgeoise ou paysanne, pour ce mets nouveau, ne se pose pas la question de produire un goût moyen, mais bien un goût particulier, lui aussi nouveau. Une fois ce goût, au sens propre et figuré, définitif établi,  il ne changera pas, pour les conserves de la meilleure qualité, et ce jusqu'à nos jours.
La terminologie comparée au service de l'enseignement en langue de spécialité en 3e cycle DEA Monnaie-Finance-Banque
Authors: Resche Catherine
Published: May 2013

Depuis trois ans, avec un public d’étudiants de 3e cycle en DEA de Monnaie-Finance-Banque, je m’efforce de construire un pont entre l’enseignement de l’anglais de spécialité et les autres cours de ce DEA économique. Après une introduction aux principes de méthodologie en terminologie comparée, je fais travailler les étudiants à partir d’un corpus de textes techniques authentiques, puis je leur demande de rédiger pour la fin de l’année un mini-mémoire de 30 couples de fiches de terminologie sur le domaine choisi pour leur mémoire général de DEA. Par ce biais, l’identification et la reconnaissance des termes nouveaux deviennent plus méthodiques et leur réutilisation plus spontanée. La compréhension de l’écrit et de l’oral sont facilitées et l’on remarque que l’expression écrite et orale, aussi bien que la traduction, gagnent en qualité.
Gestion Publique ou Privée ? Un benchmarking des services d’eau en France
Authors: Le Lannier Aude , Porcher Simon
Published: May 2013

Nous utilisons une méthode d’Analyse par Enveloppe de Données (DEA) ainsi qu’une méthode d’Analyse par Frontière Stochastique (SFA) pour mesurer l’efficacité relative de 177 services d’eau en France, en 2009. Ces services peuvent être gérés directement par les communes (régies) ou être délégués à des opérateurs privés. L’utilisation de ces deux outils de benchmarking nous permet de distinguer la part de l’inefficience relative des services provenant de l’inefficience managériale, du contexte opérationnel et des bruits statistiques. Nos résultats indiquent tout d’abord que les opérateurs privés opèrent dans des environnements plus difficiles. Après correction de cet environnement d’exploitation, les services d’eau délégués demeurent, en moyenne, très légèrement moins efficients en comparaison des régies. Cependant, cette faible différence se dissipe lorsque les performances relatives sont mesurées économétriquement.
L’efficacité des contrats de partenariat en France : une première évaluation quantitative
Authors: Saussier Stéphane , Tran Phuong Tra
Published: May 2013

Dans cet article, nous proposons une évaluation des contrats de partenariat en nous intéressant à la phase de mise en place de l’infrastructure mais aussi, ce qui est la première fois à notre connaissance, à la phase d’exploitation des projets. À partir d’un questionnaire administré pour une trentaine de projets en cours d’exploitation, nous évaluons l’efficacité de ce type de contrat, en termes de coûts, de délai, de qualité et du rapport qualité/prix. Nous revenons dans une première partie sur la mise en place, le fonctionnement et le développement des contrats de partenariat avant de présenter brièvement leurs avantages et limites potentiels. Nous proposons ensuite un bilan quantitatif, qui s’avère globalement positif, avant de nous interroger sur l’avenir des contrats de partenariat en France.
Avoir les coudes serrés dans le métro parisien : évaluation contingente du confort des déplacements
Authors: Haywood Luke , Koning Martin
Published: May 2013

Les dimensions qualitatives des déplacements dans les transports publics sont de plus en plus présentées comme des facteurs altérant le bien-être des voyageurs. Dans cet article, nous nous concentrons sur le confort des déplacements en métro, celui-ci étant défini comme l’espace disponible à l’intérieur des véhicules. L’évaluation contingente du confort – menée à partir d’une enquête récoltée en 2009 sur les quais de la ligne 1 du métro parisien – souligne que le manque d’espace durant les voyages engendre une importante désutilité. La « variation équivalente du coût généralisé » entre niveaux de confort des heures de pointe et des heures creuses est de 5,7-8,1 minutes en moyenne, soit une augmentation de 29 %-42 % de la durée des voyages en véhicule, ou encore 1,01-1,54 € une fois les ressources temporelles monétarisées. L’analyse économétrique des préférences déclarées suggère que les réponses individuelles sont essentiellement influencées par les caractéristiques du voyage (durée en véhicule et niveau de confort, objectif ou subjectif). Ces données permettent finalement de valoriser l’effet externe de congestion dans les métros. Comme nous l’illustrons dans le cas parisien, ce paramètre peut significativement modifier l’évaluation économique des politiques de transports.
Model-Based Functional Safety Analysis and Architecture Optimisation
Authors: Parker David , Walker Martin , Papadopoulos Yiannis
Published: May 2013

The scale and complexity of computer-based safety critical systems pose significant challenges in the safety analysis of such systems. In this chapter, the authors discuss two approaches that define the state of the art in this area: failure logic modelling and behavioural modelling safety analyses. They also focus on Hierarchically Performed Hazard Origin and Propagation Studies (HiP-HOPS)—one of the advanced failure logic modelling approaches—and discuss its scientific and practical contributions. These include a language for specification of inheritable and reusable component failure patterns, a temporal logic that enables assessment of sequences of faults in safety analysis as well as algorithms for top-down allocation of safety requirements to components during design, bottom-up verification via automatic synthesis of Fault Trees and Failure Modes and Effects Analyses, and dependability versus cost optimisation of systems via automatic model transformations. The authors summarise these contributions and discuss strengths and limitations in relation to the state of the art.
A UML-Compliant Approach for Intelligent Reconfiguration of Embedded Control Systems
Authors: Ali Amen Ben Hadj , Khalgui Mohamed , Ben Ahmed Samir , Valentini Antonio
Published: May 2013

The chapter deals with UML-based design of Reconfigurable Embedded Control Systems (RECS). The different software architectural configurations of the control system are described as a set of inter-connected software components. A software agent is defined in order to handle dynamic reconfiguration scenarios. The agent has the ability to interact with users and to monitor the system’s environment in order to apply valid reconfiguration scenarios at different levels of the system’s architecture. In order to address all possible forms of reconfiguration, three architectural levels are defined. A set of UML-compliant metamodels are proposed in order to describe the knowledge about the reconfiguration agent, the system architecture, the reconfiguration scenarios, and the reconfiguration events. The validity of the reconfiguration scenarios is checked by using a UML-based environment that allows evaluation of the architectural and reconfiguration constraints. The proposed reconfiguration approach is applied to two industrial production systems, FESTO and ENAS.
Emerging Real-Time Methodologies
Authors: Buttazzo Giorgio C.
Published: May 2013

The number of computer-controlled systems has increased dramatically in our daily life. Processors and microcontrollers are embedded in most of the devices we use every day, such as mobile phones, cameras, media players, navigators, washing machines, biomedical devices, and cars. The complexity of such systems is increasing exponentially, pushed by the demand of new products with extra functionality, higher performance requirements, and low energy consumption. To cope with such a complex scenario, many embedded systems are adopting more powerful and highly integrated hardware components, such as multi-core systems, network-on-chip architectures, inertial subsystems, and special purpose co-processors. However, developing, analyzing, and testing the application software on these architectures is not easy, and new methodologies are being investigated in the research community to guarantee high predictability and efficiency in next generation embedded devices. This chapter presents some recent approaches proposed within the real-time research community aimed at achieving predictability, high modularity, efficiency, and adaptability in modern embedded computing systems.
Merging and Splitting Petri Net Models within Distributed Embedded Controller Design
Authors: Gomes Luis , Costa Anikó , Barros João Paulo , Moutinho Filipe , Pereira Fernando
Published: May 2013

Design of distributed embedded controllers can benefit from the adoption of a model-based development attitude, where Petri nets modeling can provide support for a comprehensive specification and documentation of the system together with verification capabilities and automatic deployment into implementation platforms. This chapter presents a Petri nets-based development flow based on composition and decomposition of Petri net models, using Input-Output Place-Transition Petri nets (IOPT nets) as the underlying formalism, allowing reusability of models in new situations through a net addition operation, as well as partitioning of the model into components using a net splitting operation. Distributed embedded controllers are addressed adding the concept of time domains to IOPT nets. Finally, a tool chain framework is presented supporting the whole development process, from specification to implementation, including property verification, simulation, and automatic code generation for deployment into implementation platforms (considering hardware-based implementation and VHDL coding or software-oriented implementation and C coding).
New Optimal Solutions for Real-Time Reconfigurable Periodic Asynchronous OS Tasks with Minimizations of Response Times
Authors: Gharsellaoui Hamza , Gharbi Atef , Mosbahi Olfa , Khalgui Mohamed , Valentini Antonio
Published: May 2013

This chapter deals with Reconfigurable Uniprocessor embedded Real-Time Systems to be classically implemented by different OS tasks that we suppose independent, asynchronous, and periodic in order to meet functional and temporal properties described in user requirements. The authors define a schedulability algorithm for preemptable, asynchronous, and periodic reconfigurable task systems with arbitrary relative deadlines, scheduled on a uniprocessor by an optimal scheduling algorithm based on the EDF principles and on the dynamic reconfiguration. Two forms of automatic reconfigurations are assumed to be applied at run-time: Addition-Remove of tasks and just modifications of their temporal parameters: WCET and/or Periods. Nevertheless, when such a scenario is applied to save the system at the occurrence of hardware-software faults, or to improve its performance, some real-time properties can be violated. The authors define a new semantic of the reconfiguration where a crucial criterion to consider is the automatic improvement of the system’s feasibility at run-time by using an Intelligent Agent that automatically checks the system’s feasibility after any reconfiguration scenario to verify if all tasks meet the required deadlines. Indeed, if a reconfiguration scenario is applied at run-time, then the Intelligent Agent dynamically provides otherwise precious technical solutions for users to remove some tasks according to predefined heuristic (based on soft or hard task), or by modifying the Worst Case Execution Times (WCETs), periods, and/or deadlines of tasks that violate corresponding constraints by new ones, in order to meet deadlines and to minimize their response time. To handle all possible reconfiguration solutions, they propose an agent-based architecture that applies automatic reconfigurations in order to re-obtain the system’s feasibility and to satisfy user requirements. Therefore, the authors developed the tool RT-Reconfiguration to support these contributions that they apply to a Blackberry Bold 9700 and to a Volvo system as running example systems and we apply the Real-Time Simulator Cheddar to check the whole system behavior and to evaluate the performance of the algorithm (detailed descriptions are available at the Website: http://beru.univ-brest.fr/~singhoff/cheddar). The authors present simulations of this architecture where they evaluate the agent that they implemented. In addition, the authors present and discuss the results of experiments that compare the accuracy and the performance of their algorithm with others.
Task Migration in Embedded Systems
Authors: Jemai Abderrazak , Smiri Kamel , Smei Habib
Published: May 2013

Task migration has a great consideration is MPSoC design and implementation of embedded systems in order to improve performance related to optimizing execution time or reducing energy consumption. Multi-Processor Systems-on-Chip (MPSoC) are now the leading hardware platform featured in embedded systems. This chapter deals with the impact of task migration as an alternative to meet performance constraints in the design flow. The authors explain the different levels of the design process and propose a methodology to master the migration process at transaction level. This methodology uses some open source tools like SDF3 modified to provide performance estimation at transaction level. These results help the designer to choose the best hardware model in replacement of the previous software implementation of the task object of migration. Using the SDF3 tool, the authors model a multimedia application using SDF graphs. Secondly, they target an MPSoC platform. The authors take a performance constraint to achieve 25 frames per second.
Hardware/Software Implementation for Wireless Sensor Network Applications
Authors: Jmal Mohamed Wassim , Ghorbel Oussema , Gaddour Olfa , Abid Mohamed
Published: May 2013

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are currently attracting great interest and the number of its application domains is varying and increasing. However, some of these applications are very sensitive to the execution time and require huge memory and computation resources, which contrast to the nature of sensor motes with limited capabilities. There have been a lot of software solutions that aim to optimize the memory consumption and to reduce the execution time of WSN applications, but few previous research efforts considered a hardware/software optimization of the sensor mote resources. The limitation of studies on hardware optimization on WSN motivated the authors to write this chapter, with the objective to design a new HW architecture with FPGA technology that allows extending the sensor mote capabilities. An optimal routing protocol to efficiently route messages between motes was chosen. It enables the reduction of different communication problems such as message unreachability, long paths, and traffic congestion. The authors first study one of WSN applications that require great resources, image processing. They demonstrate how the memory and processing capabilities of classical sensor motes are not sufficient for the treatment of this application, and the point-to-point routing cannot be applied in such applications. The authors then survey the most important routing protocols for WSNs in order to select the best routing algorithm. They finally propose a reconfigurable HW/SW architecture based on FPGA for critical WSN applications. Results show that the proposed solution outperforms the performance of the classical sensor motes, and is extensible for application to other WSN applications.
Numerical Simulation of Distributed Dynamic Systems using Hybrid Tools of Intelligent Computing
Authors: Bellamine Fethi H. , Gdouda Aymen
Published: May 2013

Developing fast and accurate numerical simulation models for predicting, controlling, designing, and optimizing the behavior of distributed dynamic systems is of interest to many researchers in various fields of science and engineering. These systems are described by a set of differential equations with homogenous or mixed boundary constraints. Examples of such systems are found, for example, in many networked industrial systems. The purpose of the present work is to review techniques of hybrid soft computing along with generalized scaling analysis for the solution of a set of differential equations characterizing distributed dynamic systems. The authors also review reduction techniques. This paves the way to control synthesis of real-time robust realizable controllers.
Multi-Core Embedded Systems
Authors: Bose Ricardo Chessini , Fourtounis Georgios , Harb Naim , Jolczyk Laurent , Possa Paulo Da Cunha , Valderrama Carlos
Published: May 2013

Multiple processors, microcontrollers, or DSPs have been used in embedded systems to distribute control and data flow according to the application at hand. The recent trends of incorporating multiple cores in the same chip significantly expands the processing power of such heterogeneous systems. However, these trends demand new ways of building and programming embedded systems in order to control cost and complexity. In this context, the authors present an overview on multi-core architectures and their inter-core communication mechanisms, dedicated cores used as accelerators, and hardware reconfiguration providing flexibility on today’s multi-core embedded systems. Finally, they highlight tools, frameworks, and techniques for programming multi-cores and accelerators in order to take advantage of their performance in a robust and cost effective manner.
Security and Cryptographic Engineering in Embedded Systems
Authors: Fournaris Apostolos P. , Kitsos Paris , Sklavos Nicolas
Published: May 2013

Strong security is a necessity in the modern IT world and is broadly provided though Hardware Security Modules (HSM) capable of realizing a wide variety of security algorithms and protocols. Such modules are no longer only found in expensive computer systems like servers, corporate PC, or laptops but also in every device where security is required, including embedded systems like smart cards or smart grid, smart environment, automobile, game station, and aviation processors. The chapter provides to the reader the necessary information on how strong security is structured in a hardware embedded system environment from cryptographic engineering point of view. The focus is efficient design on symmetric, asymmetric cryptography and hash function systems, and design approaches that can be used in order to provide strong security to the embedded system user.
Analysis of Constructivist, Network-Based Discourses
Authors: Wessa P. , Poelmans S. , Holliday I. E.
Published: May 2013

The chapter is treated as a non-technical introduction and is illustrated with real examples, visual representations, and empirical findings. Within the setting of a constructivist statistics course, the chapter provides an illustration of what network-based discourse analysis is about (mainly from a methodological point of view), how it is implemented in practice, and why it is relevant for researchers and educators.
Understanding Online Discourse Strategies for Knowledge Building Through Social Network Analysis
Authors: Cucchiara Stefania , Ligorio M. Beatrice , Fujita Nobuko
Published: May 2013

Assessing the development of students’ knowledge building discourse is difficult. It would be beneficial to have clear indicators of such discourse to understand if and how it is developing. The aim of this research is to identify indicators that can monitor how the knowledge building process develops during online discussions. In particular, we analyzed university students’ discourse in an online setting oriented to knowledge building. An innovative mixed-method analysis approach was used. First, a qualitative content analysis was conducted to detect students’ discussion strategies; second, an innovative version of Social Network Analysis (SNA), called Strategy Network Analysis was applied to analyze the relations among discursive strategies and to identify the most typical ones. Results showed that the most often used strategies in the knowledge process were “developing hypothesis” and “asking questions or problems of investigation.” These were also the most effective strategies together with “expressing agreement or disagreement.”
Statistical Discourse Analysis
Authors: Chiu Ming Ming , Chen Gaowei
Published: May 2013

Educators are increasingly using electronic discourse for student learning and problem solving, partially due to its time and space flexibility and greater opportunities for information processing and higher order thinking. When researchers try to statistically analyze the relationships among electronic discourse messages however, they often face difficulties regarding the data (missing data, many codes, non-linear trees of messages), dependent variables (topic differences, time differences, discrete, infrequent, multiple dependent variables) and explanatory variables (sequences of messages, cross-level moderation, indirect effects, false positives). Statistical discourse analysis (SDA) addresses all of these difficulties as shown in analyses of social cues in 894 messages posted by 183 students during 60 online asynchronous discussions. The results showed that disagreements increased negative social cues, supporting the hypothesis that these participants did not save face during disagreements, but attacked face. Using these types of analyses and results, researchers can inform designs and uses of electronic discourse.
Reflections of Professional Practice
Authors: Gimenez Julio
Published: May 2013

Emails have become a central genre in business communication, reflecting both how people communicate and how they go about their professional practices. This chapter examines embedded business emails as reflections of the professional practices of the regulatory and policy department of a multinational based in London, UK. It argues that the nature of online communication in international organisations, with its high levels of intertextuality and interdiscursivity, requires multidimensional analytical approaches that are capable of capturing its complexity and dynamics. To this end, the chapter introduces electronic discourse analysis networks (EDANs) as one example of such approaches. It begins with a brief review of the literature that has informed the study reported on here before it discusses EDANs as its analytical framework. Using a group of embedded emails and a number of networked data sets, the chapter shows how EDANs can be used to further our understanding of professional online communication.