bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measles Imported to the United States by Children Adopted From China
Authors: Su Qiru , Zhang Yanyang , Ma Yating , Zheng Xiang , Han Tongwu , Li Feng , Hao Lixin , Ma Chao , Wang Huaqing , Li Li , Luo Huiming
Published: March 2015

In July 2013, the National Immunization Program of China was notified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that measles was detected in 3 newly adopted, special needs children with cerebral palsy (CP) from China. We report an investigation of measles transmission in China that led to infection of these children. Interviews were conducted with welfare institute staff and panel physicians; health records of the potentially exposed population were reviewed; and immunization coverage was assessed among institute residents. Five residents with CP, all unvaccinated against measles, among who were the 3 adoptees, were linked epidemiologically into 3 generations of measles transmission antecedent to the US outbreak. In a random sample of residents, first dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV1) and MCV2 coverage was 16 of 17 (94%) and 7 of 11 (64%) among children with CP, and 100% (32 of 32) and 96% (21 of 22) among children without CP. Vaccinators reported reluctance to vaccinate children with CP because the China pharmacopeia lists encephalopathy as a contraindication to vaccination. Panel physicians reported to investigators no necessity of vaccination for adoptees to the United States if US parents sign an affidavit exempting the child from vaccination. We recommend that the China pharmacopeia vaccine contraindications be reviewed and updated, the United States should reconsider allowing vaccination exemptions for internationally adopted children unless there are true medical contraindications to vaccination, and US pediatricians should counsel adopting parents to ensure that their child is up-to-date on recommended vaccinations before coming to the United States.
13-Year-Old Girl With Recurrent, Episodic, Persistent Vomiting: Out of the Pot and Into the Fire
Authors: Felton Diana , Zitomersky Naamah , Manzi Shannon , Lightdale Jenifer R.
Published: March 2015

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a well-established cause of recurrent vomiting in the pediatric population. Severe vomiting with chronic cannabis use, known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, has recently been more widely recognized as an etiology of persistent episodic vomiting. In turn, patients presenting with frequent episodes of CVS are now increasingly being screened for cannabinoid use. Because patients with persistent vomiting are also frequently prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for their gastrointestinal symptoms, it is important to be aware of the potential for a PPI to cause an interaction that can lead to false-positive urine cannabinoid screening. We describe a case of a false-positive urine cannabinoid screen in a patient with CVS who received a dose of intravenous pantoprazole. The primary reference regarding drug screen interference from PPIs can be found in the pantoprazole package insert that refers to pre–Food and Drug Administration approval data. Although multiple sources on the Internet report the possibility of positive cannabinoid screens from pantoprazole, there are no known published reports of the phenomenon in the medical literature.
Early Intervention for Toddlers With Language Delays: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Roberts Megan Y. , Kaiser Ann P.
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE:

Early interventions for toddlers with expressive and receptive language delays have not resulted in positive expressive language outcomes. This randomized controlled trial tested the effects on language outcomes of a caregiver-implemented communication intervention targeting toddlers at risk for persistent language delays.

METHODS:

Participants included 97 toddlers, who were between 24 and 42 months with language scores at least 1.33 SDs below the normative mean and no other developmental delays, and their caregivers. Toddlers were randomly assigned to the caregiver-implemented intervention or a usual-care control group. Caregivers and children participated in 28 sessions in which caregivers were taught to implement the intervention. The primary outcome was the Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition, a broad-based measure of language. Outcome measurement was not blinded.

RESULTS:

Caregivers in the intervention improved their use of all language facilitation strategies, such as matched turns (adjusted mean difference, intervention-control, 40; 95% confidence interval 34 to 46; P < .01). Children in the intervention group had significantly better receptive language skills (5.3; 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 10.4), but not broad-based expressive language skills (0.37, 95% confidence interval −4.5 to 5.3; P = .88).

CONCLUSIONS:

This trial provides preliminary evidence of the short-term effects of systematic caregiver instruction on caregiver use of language facilitation strategies and subsequent changes in children’s language skills. Future research should investigate the ideal dosage levels for optimizing child outcomes and determine which language facilitation strategies are associated with specific child outcomes. Research on adaptations for families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is needed.
Clinical Features of Celiac Disease: A Prospective Birth Cohort
Authors: Agardh Daniel , Lee Hye-Seung , Kurppa Kalle , Simell Ville , Aronsson Carin Andrén , Jörneus Ola , Hummel Michael , Liu Edwin , Koletzko Sibylle ,   for the TEDDY Study Group
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate clinical features of celiac disease (CD) and their association with risk factors for CD in a genetic risk birth cohort.

METHODS:

Children from 6 clinical centers in 4 countries positive for HLA-DR3-DQ2 or DR4-DQ8 were annually screened for tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) and assessed for symptoms by questionnaires. Associations of symptoms with anthropometrics, known risk factors for CD, tTGA levels, and mucosal lesions in those biopsied were examined.

RESULTS:

Of 6706 screened children, 914 developed persistent positive tTGA, 406 underwent biopsies, and 340 had CD. Compared with age-matched tTGA-negative children, those with persistent tTGA were more likely to have symptoms at 2 (34% vs 19%, P < .001) and 3 years of age (28% vs 19%, P = .009) but not at 4 years (27% vs 21%, NS). Z-scores for height, weight, and BMI did not differ between groups. In children with persistent tTGA, having ≥1 symptom was associated with family history of CD (odds ratio = 2.59, 95% confidence interval, 1.21–5.57) but not with age, gender, or HLA-DR3-DQ2 homozygosity. At seroconversion, tTGA levels were higher in symptomatic than asymptomatic children (P < .001), in those from CD families (P < .001), and in US participants (P < .001) but not associated with age, gender, or HLA genotype. tTGA levels correlated with severity of mucosal lesions both in symptomatic (r = 0.53, P < .001) and asymptomatic children (r = 0.22, P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

A majority of children detected with persistent tTGA in screenings are asymptomatic and have normal growth by age 4 years. tTGA levels correlate more strongly with severity of mucosal lesions in symptomatic as compared with asymptomatic children.
Formation of the Fe2Hf Laves Phase through Eutectoid Type Reaction of δ→γ+Fe2Hf in Ferritic Heat Resistant Steels
Authors: Kobayashi Satoru
Published: March 2015

Periodically arrayed rows of fine Fe2Hf Laves phase particles were found to form in 9Cr ferritic steel. Microstructural observation demonstrates that the particles were formed on cooling through the interphase precipitation on the phase transformation from the δ ferrite to the γ austenite along the eutectoid transformation route of δ → γ+Fe2Hf and subsequently a phase transformation from the austenite to the α ferrite took place. This eutectoid route is expected to be effectively used for improving the long term creep strength of ferritic steels with Laves phase.
Method comparison analysis of dwellings' temperatures in the UK
Authors: Amoako-Attah Joseph , B-Jahromi Ali
Published: March 2015

The credibility and confidence in usage of a simulation program must be underpinned by an acceptably robust validation process. Over the years, various techniques have been employed to validate thermal simulation programs of buildings to facilitate continuous improvement of software development and acceptability. This study introduces the Bland–Altman method comparison analysis as a simulation validation tool to statistically evaluate the agreement between monitored temperatures and predicted thermal analysis simulated operating temperatures of detached dwellings in the UK. The findings of this work give the indication that there is very strong agreement between the monitored temperatures and the thermal simulation analysis results.
Environmental load for design of airport concrete pavements
Authors: Park Joo-Young , Yeom Woo-Seong , Kim Sung-Hee , Jeong Jin-Hoon
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a method for calculating the environmental load that is essential to the mechanistic design of airport concrete pavements, based on the equivalent linear temperature difference (ELTD) between the top and bottom of the slab. To assess its application, the total ELTDs at 17 airports (military and civilian) across the Korean peninsula, representing the full range of regional climates in the country, were calculated according to slab thickness. Based on the results, a multiple regression model was developed. The environmental load can be considered by simply inputting the ambient temperature, relative humidity and slab thickness into the proposed models. The results can be applied worldwide.
Comparative review of the nutritional value of cold-pressed pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seed oil of different origins
Authors: Rabrenovic Biljana , Vujasinovic Vesna , Novakovic Miroslav , Corbo Selma , Basic Zorica
Published: March 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of seven
samples of cold pressed a pumpkin oil of different origins and influence of
seed origin on the content of the most important bioactive components. Four
samples of a pumpkin oil is obtained by cold pressing of the seeds of
domestic and Austrian varieties, and three samples of cold pressed oils were
obtained from the seeds of unknown origin, taken by free choice in the
market. As indicators of the nutritional values are determined by the
composition and content of fatty acids, tocopherols and sterols. In the
composition of the fatty acid were oleic dominant (34,2?0,09 - 43,9?0,04%)
and linolenic fatty acid (30,8?0,09 - 46,9?0,015%). This study confirmed that
the oil pumpkin dominant ?+?-tocopherol, whose contents ranged from
34,65?0,03 to 44,59?0,69 mg/100g. We determine the composition and content of
?7 phytosterols, especially for specific oil pumpkins. Was detected five ?7
sterol: Spinasterol, ?7,22,25-stigmastatrienol, ?7,25-stigmastadienol,
?7-stigmasterol and ?7-avenasterol. Dominant its content was
?7,22-stigmastadienol or Spinasterol with 39,98 to 50,31% of the total
content of sterols.
Artificial Photosynthesis with Semiconductor–Liquid Junctions
Authors: Guijarro Néstor , Formal Florian Le , Sivula Kevin
Published: March 2015

Given the urgent need to develop a sustainable, carbon neutral energy storage system on a global scale, intense efforts are currently underway to advance the field of artificial photosynthesis: i.e. solar fuel engineering. In this review we give an overview of the field of artificial
photosynthesis using a semiconductor–electrolyte interface employed in a photoelectrochemical device or as a heterogeneous photocatalyst. First we present a basic description of the operation principles of a semiconductor–liquid junction based device. The role of nanotechnology
in the recent advances in the field is highlighted and common material systems under current study are briefly reviewed. The importance of the material surfaces are further scrutinized by presenting recent advances in interfacial engineering. Technical challenges and an outlook towards industrialization of the technology are given.
“If We Can’t Do It, Our Children Will Do It One Day”
Authors: Roubeni Sonia , De Haene Lucia , Keatley Eva , Shah Nira , Rasmussen Andrew
Published: March 2015

This study examined migration narratives of West African immigrants for the connections between experiences of loss and educational aspirations for their children. The qualitative design consisted of three interviews per family in which parents ( N = 20, 12 families) were asked to narrate their families’ migration histories. Transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory followed by thematic coding. Discussions of loss were markedly proximal to discussions of children’s education. Schooling was described as providing upward mobility but conflicting with education at home, which was seen as fostering traditional values. Discussion contextualizes findings using Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory and Kagitçibasi’s family change theory. Implications include salience of loss to educational aspirations and school-family partnerships for immigrants.
Jobs-Housing Balance of Bus Commuters in Beijing
Authors: Zhou Jiangping , Long Ying
Published: March 2015

Jobs-housing studies have rarely used smart card data provided by public transportation agencies or focused on bus commuters. In this study, massive smart card data were used to estimate 216,844 bus commuters’ workplace and residence locations in Beijing. These data enabled a jobs-housing study of bus commuters in the metropolis with a much larger sample size than in most other studies. The study found that Beijing's bus commuters had a shorter actual required commute (ARC) and a shorter minimum required commute (MRC) than commuters in four other auto-dependent Western cities with comparable population and land use size. The study also indicated that Beijing's bus commuters had a longer ARC and a longer MRC than commuters of all modes in Guangzhou, a metropolis in southern China half the size of Beijing. Consultations with local experts, field surveys, and information provided by online housing search engines were used to supplement the smart card data. The study established five land use prototypes of jobs-housing imbalance and proposed countermeasures to address the imbalance.
Evaluation of Presignals at Oversaturated Signalized Intersections
Authors: Guler S. Ilgin , Menendez Monica
Published: March 2015

One of the major causes of bus delays in urban environments is signalized intersections. A commonly used solution to give priority to buses at signalized intersections is to dedicate a lane for bus use only. This strategy allows the bus to skip the car queues and minimizes the bus delay experienced at the signal. However, especially for low bus flows, the strategy can waste valuable green time at signals and impose additional car delays. Overall, even when bus passengers enjoy reduced travel times, the total person hours of delay in the system can increase. To avoid this problem and utilize the full capacity of the main signal while still providing bus priority, the use of a presignal has been proposed. The goal of this research was to quantify the benefits of the use of presignals in system wide total person hours of delay, specifically for oversaturated intersections. Theoretical formulas were developed to quantify the effects of a presignal on traffic flow, and the formulas were empirically verified. The theoretical model was used to compare the total delay with a presignal strategy with the total delay with a dedicated bus lane or fully mixed lanes. Bounds on bus-to-car occupancy ratios were quantified for which presignals provided the lowest delay compared with a dedicated lane or mixed lane strategy. The results showed that for oversaturated intersections, presignals were better for the system than dedicated bus lanes. Moreover, presignals could decrease the total person hours of delay compared with mixed lanes for large car demands.
Optimal Connected Urban Bus Network of Priority Lanes
Authors: Hadas Yuval , Ceder Avishai (Avi)
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a new approach and modeling for selecting an optimal network of public transport (PT) priority lanes. Bus priority schemes and techniques on urban roads and highways have proved effective for almost half a century. Many bus priority studies have been published and demonstrated worldwide, but none has dealt with optimal connected networks of PT priority lanes. The approach used in this study was based on a system wide concept to obtain optimal PT network coverage. Such a PT priority lane network would enable fast and less interrupted vehicle movement, would increase the reliability of transfers, and would provide better adherence to schedule performance. The study developed a model for the optimal selection of a set of PT priority lanes that maximized the total travel time savings and, at the same time, maintained balanced origin and destination terminals, given a budget constraint. An efficient CPLEX model was developed and tested. The model was used in a case study of Petah Tikva, a midsize city in Israel, and produced a successful, optimal network of priority lanes.
Regulating Intercity Bus Stops in New York City
Authors: Sugiura Aaron , Beaton Eric B. , Edulakanti Reddy , Ricks Karina
Published: March 2015

The intercity bus industry has grown significantly in recent years and has become an increasingly popular option for people traveling to and from New York City. Hundreds of intercity buses depart from New York City streets daily. Although these buses provide a useful, low-cost transportation option for New Yorkers, the fact that the buses were legally able to stop in any “No Standing” zone led to disruption to the local traffic network through increased sidewalk and street congestion. The New York State Legislature passed a law in August 2012 allowing the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement a permit system for intercity bus operators. The New York City DOT has developed a rule that requires intercity bus operators to apply online for a permit from the New York City DOT before the operators can make on-street stops in the city. Bus operators must submit detailed operating information to the New York City DOT, in addition to a permit fee based on the weekly number of arrivals and departures at the proposed stop. The permit-approval process includes the New York City DOT evaluation based on public health and safety criteria and consultation with local community boards and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where appropriate. Following an application period, police will be able to enforce the law against intercity buses not carrying permits or not properly utilizing their assigned stop, and thereby the city can manage this industry within the constraints of federal and state laws.
Designing Traffic Signal Yellow and Change Intervals considering Truck Impacts
Authors: Rakha Hesham A. , Baird Michael J. , El-Shawarby Ihab
Published: March 2015

This research quantifies the effect of heavy vehicles on the design of yellow and all-red intervals. With empirical data from previous studies and truck performance characteristics, models are developed to simulate driver perception–reaction times and truck deceleration levels at signalized intersections. These models consider roadway surface and weather conditions (dry, fog, or rain); driver attributes (age and gender); roadway grade; approach speed; and time and distance to the intersection at the onset of the yellow indication. An agent-based approach is used to develop driver- and vehicle-specific yellow times. The yellow timings for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles are then combined and consider different percentages of heavy vehicles in the traffic stream. Lookup tables are developed for grades, precipitation types and levels, and percentages of trucks to provide practical guidelines for the design of yellow and all-red signal timings. In general, the research demonstrates that adding trucks to the traffic stream increases yellow times by 2% to 20%, depending on approach speed, grade, and weather conditions, with the most significant increases occurring on dry roadways with high positive gradients at lower speeds. In absolute terms, the yellow time is increased from approximately 0.1 to 0.6 s when trucks constitute 5% of the traffic stream to 0.6 to 1.4 s when trucks are 30% of the traffic stream. The study also demonstrates a need to increase the all-red time by up to 0.5 s when trucks comprise 30% of the traffic stream.
Accelerated Pavement Testing of Warm-Mix Asphalt for Heavy-Traffic Airfields
Authors: Mejías-Santiago Mariely , Doyle Jesse D. , Rushing John F.
Published: March 2015

The results from accelerated pavement testing on warm-mix asphalt (WMA) mixtures designed for airfield pavements are presented. Three WMA mixtures and one hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixture produced in an asphalt plant were evaluated under simulated heavy aircraft traffic. The evaluation was conducted at extreme traffic conditions, including heavy aircraft loading, high tire pressure, and high pavement temperature. Pavement structural response and rutting were evaluated to assess the susceptibility to permanent deformation of WMA mixtures compared with that of HMA produced with the same aggregate blend. Test results indicated that WMA was a viable product for surface mixtures on airfield pavements.
Prediction of Asphalt Pavement Temperature Profile with Finite Control Volume Method
Authors: Alavi Mohammad Z. , Pouranian Mohammad R. , Hajj Elie Y.
Published: March 2015

The accurate prediction of the pavement temperature profile and history is critical for the calculation of the viscoelastic response of asphalt concrete pavements under traffic and thermal loadings. An accurate prediction is also essential in the estimation of the asphalt binder oxi-dative aging. A sound alternative approach is proposed to predict the pavement temperature profile with the finite control volume method in a fully implicit scheme. The model for the finite control volume method provides a fundamental and clear understanding of the heat energy balance, including the incoming and outgoing thermal energies, in addition to the dissipated heat in the system. Also, the variability in the materials’ thermal properties in a multilayered pavement structure can be remedied by assigning appropriate thermal properties to each control volume or cell. The fully implicit scheme improved the time efficiency of the calculation significantly. Moreover, enhancements were made by defining the accurate heat balance equations for the pavement surface and the bottom boundary conditions. With reliable meteorological data, solar radiation, and monthly variable pavement surface radiation properties, accurate prediction of the pavement temperature profile was made possible as validated by comparison with field measurements. Consequently, Windows-compatible software has been developed on the basis of the proposed model, which is capable of effectively predicting the pavement temperature profile and history.
Simple Design Procedure for New Flexible Pavement Structures Based on Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide
Authors: Abdullah Ali , Romanoschi Stefan A. , Bendana Luis J. , Nyamuhokya Tito
Published: March 2015

This study developed a set of design tables to be used by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to design new flexible pavement structures. To use the tables, the designer selects the design life of the pavement (10 or 15 years), the type of subgrade soil, and the average daily truck traffic volume in the design lane in the first year. The design tables were built for each of the 11 regions of the New York State DOT by assembling the design solutions obtained by running the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide software starting from typical design scenarios. The scenarios followed the design solutions given in the Comprehensive Pavement Design Manual (CPDM) currently used by the New York State DOT. The work included the analysis of New York State DOT traffic data, the compilation of a database of material characterization data for the pavement materials used in New York State, and the regional calibration of distress models used in the design guide for new flexible pavements. The comparison of the newly created design tables with those given in the CPDM shows that the new design solutions are more sensitive to traffic volume than are the design solutions provided in the CPDM. For low traffic volume–-annual average daily truck traffic (AADTT) < 500 vehicles per day–-the recommended total thickness for the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) layers is less in the new design table than in the CPDM, whereas for medium and high traffic volume (AADTT > 500), the recommended total thickness for the HMA layers is slightly higher in the new design tables than in the CPDM.
‘To see what's down there’: Embodiment, Gestural Archaeologies and Materializing Futures
Authors: Piccini Angela
Published: March 2015

Concerns with screening embodiment have focused on the way in which cinema invites the spectator to consider a lived sense of the human body as a material subject that feels its own subjectivity. In this paper, I suspend the return of gesture to the transcendental human body. Gesture practises and produces complex and diverse bodies, bodies that do not precede their intra-actions but emerge through them. Drawing on the work of Karen Barad, I consider gesture in television that concerns archaeological practices in order to ask how gesture operates in this televisual subgenre to invite new ways of thinking about the human and other-than-human. Focusing on archaeology on television, I consider entangled gestures as intra-acting, material-discursive boundary-making practices that congeal and fix what we come to know as discrete, bounded bodies.
Hullerhirst Quarry and lime kilns, North Ayrshire
Authors: Alexis Bailey Laura
Published: March 2015

In 2003 archaeological fieldwork was conducted at the Hullerhirst lime kilns, to the north-east of Stevenston in North Ayrshire, in advance of construction of the A78 Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Bypass. Despite past damage, well preserved remains of two lime kilns, juxtaposed in an L-shape, were uncovered. Although they had similar architectural components the configuration of each was strikingly different. Historical records combined with the evidence from the excavations have provided a surprising wealth of detail concerning construction and sequential phasing of the two lime kilns and an insight into the lime production industry as a whole. The unusual design of the Hullerhirst kilns highlights the local and regional diversity in kiln design.
A Production Model for Construction: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Antunes Ricardo , Gonzalez Vicente
Published: March 2015

The building construction industry faces challenges, such as increasing project complexity and scope requirements, but shorter deadlines. Additionally, economic uncertainty and rising business competition with a subsequent decrease in profit margins for the industry demands the development of new approaches to construction management. However, the building construction sector relies on practices based on intuition and experience, overlooking the dynamics of its production system. Furthermore, researchers maintain that the construction industry has no history of the application of mathematical approaches to model and manage production. Much work has been carried out on how manufacturing practices apply to construction projects, mostly lean principles. Nevertheless, there has been little research to understand the fundamental mechanisms of production in construction. This study develops an in-depth literature review to examine the existing knowledge about production models and their characteristics in order to establish a foundation for dynamic production systems management in construction. As a result, a theoretical framework is proposed, which will be instrumental in the future development of mathematical production models aimed at predicting the performance and behaviour of dynamic project-based systems in construction.
Association of PNC, BC, and PM2.5 Measured at a Central Monitoring Site with Blood Pressure in a Predominantly Near Highway Population
Authors: Chung Mei , Wang Ding , Rizzo Amanda , Gachette Darrel , Delnord Marie , Parambi Ron , Kang Choong-Min , Brugge Doug
Published: March 2015

Elevated blood pressure is an indicator of cardiovascular stress and increased risk of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. There is emerging evidence suggesting air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), could promote hypertension, thereby increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Repeated measurement analyses were conducted to examine the associations of three types of PM with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) in 220 participants, (mean age = 58.5 years) from the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health study (CAFEH), most of whom live near a major highway. Ambient levels of air pollutants including particle number concentration (PNC; a measure of ultrafine particle (UFP) concentration), fine PM (PM2.5, Particle diameter <2.5 µm), and black carbon (BC) were measured at a central site <7 km from the study areas. Central sites are good at capturing short-term temporal trends in pollution associated with meteorological changes over regional areas. Linear mixed-effect models that accounted for repeated measures within one person were used to examine the associations between blood pressure variables and daily average of ambient PNC, PM2.5, or BC, controlling for demographic characteristics and major confounders including temperature. Our PNC model predicted that a higher PNC of 10,000 particles/cm3 was associated with higher DBP of 2.40 mmHg (p = 0.03), independent of other factors in the model. There were no significant associations for PM2.5 or BC. Post hoc subgroup analyses by obesity status showed that positive associations of DBP with PNC were more pronounced among obese individuals than non-obese individuals. These results suggested that PNC levels are associated with increased blood pressure, which may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. More research is needed to assess the relationship between PNC and blood pressure and to address possible residual confounding.
A Case of Midbrain and Thalamic Infarction Involving Artery of Percheron
Authors: Almamun Muhammad , Suman Appu , Arshad Syed , Kumar Sonni
Published: March 2015

Blood supply to the thalamus and brainstem have frequent anatomic variations. One of these is where all the perforators to the above areas arise from a single branch of the posterior cerebral artery commonly known as the artery of Percheron. Infarction involving this artery leading to bilateral thalamic and midbrain lesions is not uncommon, but can cause diagnostic difficulties due to the varying clinical presentations possible and the wide differentials. Early brain imaging and diagnosis is important for initiating appropriate treatment. In this case report, we discuss a patient who presented with an artery of Percheron related stroke affecting the mid brain and paramedian thalamic areas. We also discuss the differentials of presentations with similar symptoms.
Image Monitoring of Pharmaceutical Blending Processes and the Determination of an End Point by Using a Portable Near-Infrared Imaging Device Based on a Polychromator-Type Near-Infrared Spectrometer with a High-speed and High-Resolution Photo Diode Array Detector
Authors: Murayama Kodai , Ishikawa Daitaro , Genkawa Takuma , Sugino Hiroyuki , Komiyama Makoto , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: March 2015

In the present study we have developed a new version (ND-NIRs) of a polychromator-type near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer with a high-resolution photo diode array detector, which we built before (D-NIRs). The new version has four 5 W halogen lamps compared with the three lamps for the older version. The new version also has a condenser lens with a shorter focal point length. The increase in the number of the lamps and the shortening of the focal point of the condenser lens realize high signal-to-noise ratio and high-speed NIR imaging measurement. By using the ND-NIRs we carried out the in-line monitoring of pharmaceutical blending and determined an end point of the blending process. Moreover, to determinate a more accurate end point, a NIR image of the blending sample was acquired by means of a portable NIR imaging device based on ND-NIRs. The imaging result has demonstrated that the mixing time of 8 min is enough for homogeneous mixing. In this way the present study has demonstrated that ND-NIRs and the imaging system based on a ND-NIRs hold considerable promise for process analysis.
Evaluation of an Educational Model Based on the Development of Sustainable Competencies in Basic Teacher Training in Spain
Authors: Vega-Marcote Pedro , Varela-Losada Mercedes , Álvarez-Suárez Pedro
Published: March 2015

The environmental deterioration of the planet, caused by unsustainable development and an unfair model, requires global change on a political, social and environmental level. To boost this change, it is necessary to redirect education and, specifically, environmental education, to educate citizens so that they are capable of making responsible decisions and behaving sustainably. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an educational teacher training model based on the development of sustainable competencies and on the solving of environmental problems. Its final aim is to search for a model that enables students to participate, individually and collectively, in the solution of socio-environmental problems in their surroundings, but without losing the global perspective, and that fosters sustainable life styles. To do so, a quasi-experimental quantitative research was performed with two pretest-posttest phases to compare the results of an active and participative methodology with another more expository one. The results show significant differences in the knowledge, attitudes and intention of the behavior of the aspiring teachers. Thus, this first analysis shows that the experiential educational model promotes and favors sustainable actions in higher education (the faculty of educational science, responsible for basic teacher training) more efficiently and could be the basis for future proposals in this field.
126 GeV Higgs Boson Associated with D-term Triggered Dynamical Supersymmetry Breaking
Authors: Itoyama Hiroshi , Maru Nobuhito
Published: March 2015

Continuing with our previous work on \(D\)-term triggered dynamical supersymmetry breaking, , we consider a system in which our generic \({\cal N}=1\) action is minimally extended to include the pair of Higgs doublet superfields charged under the overall \(U(1)\) together with μ and Bμ terms. The gauge group is taken to be \(SU(3)_C \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y \times U(1)\). We point out, among other things, that the Higgs mass less than the \(\textit{Z}\)-boson mass at tree level can be pushed up to be around 126 GeV by \(D\)-term contributions of the overall \(U(1)\). This is readily realized by taking a \(U(1)\) gauge coupling to be \({\cal O}(1)\).
Etude statistique des effets de la crise internationale de 1973 sur l'économie de la région de Roanne (A statistical approach of the depression of 1973 in the economy of the Roanne region)
Authors: Guiffault Bernard , Houssel Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2015

Si les effets généraux de la crise de 1973 sont bien connus, on connaît moins bien ses effets précis sur les économies régionales. Pourtant, outre les données classiques sur l'emploi, on dispose des statistiques fournies par les succursales de la Banque de France, concernant le chiffre d'affaires et le mouvement des capitaux. Nous les avons utilisées pour la région de Roanne, qui est le type des régions dont l'économie reste dominée par les activités de la première révolution industrielle, et qui sont situées à l'écart des aires métropolitaines. Ce type de régions est gravement touché par la crise.
Décision politique et grands travaux : le ring d'Anvers (dossier Oosterweel), 2000-2011
Authors: Govaert Serge
Published: March 2015

Le 18 octobre 2009, le collège échevinal de la ville d’Anvers a organisé une consultation populaire invitant les Anversois à se prononcer sur un permis d’urbanisme pour la jonction Oosterweel destinée à terminer le bouclage du ring d’Anvers. C’est le « non » qui l’a emporté, à près de 60 %. Cette consultation populaire fut l’un des moments-clés d’un processus de décision qui a déjà duré près de douze ans et n’est pas encore clos. Différentes phases se sont succédé au gré des rapports de force politiques et économiques. Le dossier Oosterweel présente un intérêt qui transcende largement son ancrage local et ses aspects techniques. Il touche en particulier aux questions relatives aux modes de participation à la décision politique, aux relations entre les pouvoirs publics et le secteur privé, et aux rapports centre-périphérie dans le contexte flamand. Serge Govaert aborde le dossier Oosterweel principalement sous l’angle de la participation à la décision politique. Après un exposé des faits et des points de conflit, il aborde successivement le contrôle parlementaire, les questions liées à la participation citoyenne dans le cadre notamment des travaux d’infrastructure et des projets d’aménagement spatial, la procédure référendaire, et enfin le rôle des partis et des groupes de pression ou d’action.
Histoires en Famille, Histoires de Famille
Authors: Delage Michel
Published: March 2015

L’activité narrative, telle qu’elle se développe en famille, est abordée selon deux dimensions : le comment du récit et la façon dont « l’identité narrative » se dégage pour chacun à travers les histoires des uns et des autres ; le pourquoi du récit, et son rôle par conséquent dans la régulation des émotions, le processus de mentalisation, la mémoire et la transmission. Ces considérations théoriques seront illustrées par une situation clinique qui permet d’illustrer le rôle du thérapeute dans la construction d’une histoire de famille à partir de traumatismes graves et répétés.
Légendes familiales et thérapeutes
Authors: Goldbeter-Merinfeld Édith
Published: March 2015

L’auteur aborde l’impact des légendes familiales sur la reconstruction du présent, aussi bien chez le thérapeute que dans les familles qui le consultent.
Histoires de comptes familiaux
Authors: Michard Pierre
Published: March 2015

Les histoires de familles peuvent être appréhendées sous l’angle des comptes relationnels. Cette option invite à revisiter la prépondérance du don au sein de la famille et à enquêter sur ce que l’on nomme le paradigme du don. Pour ce faire, on confrontera les assises conceptuelles de l’approche contextuelle aux fondements théoriques de l’« Essai sur le don » de Marcel Mauss. Si nos histoires de famille sont traversées par l’esprit du don et le cycle du donner, recevoir et rendre, un levier thérapeutique sera l’ouverture d’un dialogue où se diront les déficits et les excès dans l’équilibre du donner, recevoir et rendre de deux partenaires, eux-mêmes en lien avec les comptes du passé.
Être ou ne pas être joueur
Authors: Weber Niels
Published: March 2015

Si le jeu vidéo est devenu quasi-omniprésent, nous devons certes adopter une attitude responsable et constructive vis-à-vis de ce média, mais nous pouvons également faire appel à l’étude de sa pratique comme source d’informations pertinentes en thérapie. À travers trois propositions de cadre, cet article démontre comment transformer le jeu vidéo en objet de convergence plutôt que de divergence. En explorant l’importance des rôles joués et les liens relationnels qui peuvent en émerger, nous verrons comme le fait de jouer, ou non, contribue à la construction identitaire du joueur et à la définition de la place qu’il occupe dans sa vie familiale, professionnelle ou sociale.
La décentralisation ? Tous contre !
Authors: Estèbe Philippe
Published: March 2015

Il n’y a pas, en France, de véritable désir de décentralisation et les élus comme les notables s’accommodent d’une situation dans laquelle le pouvoir local continue à dépendre largement de l’État. Ce modèle est aujourd’hui en crise : l’État n’apparaît plus comme protecteur, ou plus suffisamment. Et ce sont les villes – les métropoles en particulier – qui émergent et revendiquent une plus grande autonomie politique.
Changer les institutions ou changer les pratiques ?
Authors: Béhar Daniel
Published: March 2015

Le gouvernement local, qui a pu apparaître dans les années 1970 comme une solution pour répondre à la crise, semble aujourd’hui faire partie du problème. Reposant sur un principe de stabilité territoriale et de permanence des habitants, l’échelle locale, et en particulier communale, est déstabilisée par la mobilité des personnes et la circulation des flux économiques. Il est donc nécessaire de transformer le gouvernement local pour faire une politique des liens plutôt qu’une politique des lieux.
La géopolitique pour comprendre le cyberespace
Authors: Douzet Frédérick
Published: March 2015

La croissance exponentielle de l’Internet a révolutionné nos modes de vie, bouleversé notre économie, démultiplié nos moyens de communication mais aussi conduit à une prolifération des conflits entre une multitude d’acteurs à propos de son contrôle et sa régulation ; de l’utilisation des réseaux informatiques dans le cadre de conflits politiques, de combats militaires, de guerre économique, de renseignement ou de politique d’influence diplomatique et culturelle ; et du respect de la vie privée et autres libertés individuelles. Le cyberespace est ainsi devenu à la fois un enjeu de rivalités de pouvoir entre acteurs, un théâtre d’affrontement et une arme redoutable dans les conflits géopolitiques. Pendant longtemps, ces questions sont restées entre les mains d’une petite communauté d’experts de culture scientifique et technique. Les gouvernements, les militaires, les entreprises, les citoyens ont désormais besoin de mieux comprendre les enjeux parce que beaucoup de ces décisions techniques sont devenues politiques et stratégiques. La géopolitique est un outil indispensable pour les analyser.
Les représentations du cyberespace : un outil géopolitique
Authors: Desforges Alix
Published: March 2015

Depuis quelques années, le cyberespace est au cœur de débats et discussions au plus haut des instances gouvernementales et diplomatiques. Qu’il soit question de gouvernance ou de sécurité et de défense, les États se sont pleinement saisis des enjeux d’un cyberespace dont la démocratisation a fait exploser les usages malveillants qui défient leur souveraineté. Mais le cyberespace ne possède pas de définition consensuelle et fait l’objet de représentations qui s’expriment nettement dans les différents enjeux qui lui sont relatifs. Cet article a pour objectif de revenir sur ces différentes représentations et d’identifier leurs emplois aux finalités contradictoires dans le cadre des stratégies développées par les acteurs des conflits pour le contrôle, la maîtrise ou la sauvegarde du cyberespace, qui devient à la fois l’outil et l’objet de ces rivalités.
Le cyberterrorisme : un discours plus qu'une réalité
Authors: Kempf Olivier
Published: March 2015

Le cyberterrorisme est mentionné depuis plus de dix ans comme un des dangers majeurs du cyberespace. Il sert d’ailleurs à justifier nombre de mesures de surveillance généralisée du cyberespace. Pourtant, l’expérience ne donne aucun exemple de « cyberterrorisme » : il semble bien qu’il s’agisse plus d’un discours (d’une représentation) servant à légitimer une politique de « domination » des réseaux. Les États-Unis sont les premiers à développer une telle attitude. Toutefois, cela ne signifie pas pour autant que les terroristes n’utilisent pas le cyberespace, mais selon des voies détournées. Ainsi, le cyberespace serait pour les terroristes plus un outil qu’une cible.
L'art de la guerre revisité. Cyberstratégie et cybermenace chinoises
Authors: Douzet Frédérick
Published: March 2015

À l’heure où les grandes puissances occidentales multiplient les initiatives et les investissements pour développer une stratégie cohérente face aux cybermenaces, la Chine fait paradoxalement figure de leader. Sa capacité à intégrer la dimension cyber dans tous les domaines stratégiques de sa montée en puissance – aussi bien militaire, que politique ou économique – impressionne, inquiète et suscite en réaction de vifs débats qui révèlent les contradictions et les fragmentations de la réflexion stratégique occidentale, dans un contexte de tensions qui rappelle le temps de la guerre froide. Alors que les États-Unis semblent toujours à la recherche d’une stratégie globale à l’égard de la Chine, la représentation de la cybermenace chinoise ne cesse de prendre de l’ampleur dans le discours médiatique et politique américain. Si cette représentation est d’abord fondée sur le positionnement et les actions stratégiques de la Chine dans le cyberespace, elle se nourrit aussi d’autres enjeux et s’inscrit dans un contexte politique tendu aux États-Unis.
Existe-t-il un droit international du cyberespace ?
Authors: Barat-Ginies Oriane
Published: March 2015

Le droit international est un outil exceptionnel par sa capacité à s’adapter aux nouveaux enjeux liés à l’évolution globale des sociétés actuelles. En s’appuyant sur les traités internationaux spécialisés concernant les espaces, sur les conventions de Genève en droit international humanitaire ou encore sur les manuels militaires doctrinaux d’emploi des forces, les sources permettant de répondre aux défis et menaces dans le cyberespace sont nombreuses. Sans volonté de création de nouvelles normes internationales spécifiques aux cyberconflits, le jeu d’analyse et de mise en lumière du droit existant face aux attaques cybernétiques reflète l’intérêt stratégique du domaine pour chaque État. Quelques experts internationaux se sont essayés à cette gymnastique juridique et ont rédigé un manuel de droit international applicable aux cyberguerres. Quel est l’intérêt stratégique, géopolitique et juridique de ce travail de plus de trois ans accueillis par le Centre d’excellence de cyberdéfense de l’Otan ? Quels sont ses atouts et ses principaux écueils ? Pourquoi la France n’y a-t-elle pas participé ?
La guerre économique à l'ère du cyberespace
Authors: d’Elia Danilo
Published: March 2015

Au cours de ces cinq dernières années, les déclarations sur les cyberattaques visant l’exfiltration de données confidentielles des entreprises se sont multipliées sans interruption. Aujourd’hui, dans un contexte de forte compétition à l’échelle mondiale où c’est le savoir-faire industriel et la capacité d’innover qui font la différence, le cyberespionnage est devenu un enjeu sécuritaire majeur pour les États. Le cyberespace apporte-t-il une nouvelle dimension à la guerre économique ? Cet article explore les rivalités de pouvoir et les représentations qui relèvent du – et sont suscitées par – le cyberespionnage.
L'intergouvernementalité dans le cyberespace : étude comparée des initiatives de l'Otan et de l'UE
Authors: Joubert Vincent , Samaan Jean-Loup
Published: March 2015

Alors que le cyberespace est devenu un sujet incontournable des agendas diplomatiques internationaux, il existe peu d’études dédiées à l’analyse de l’adaptation des organisations internationales, et plus particulièrement européennes, à ce phénomène. Cet article propose ainsi une étude comparée des transformations bureaucratiques, institutionnelles et politiques de l’Otan et de l’Union européenne relatives à l’intégration des enjeux de cybersécurité et de cyberdéfense dans leurs missions. Le constat est mitigé, et si les deux institutions ont mis en place les moyens techniques et institutionnels nécessaires pour protéger leurs infrastructures et leurs réseaux, la coopération politique intergouvernementale se heurte au principe de souveraineté, limitant de facto la portée des actions de l’Otan comme de l’UE dans le domaine militaire.