bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How can ICTs Contribute towards a More Sustainable Future?
Authors: Antonova Albena
Published: June 2015

Since antiquity technological innovations endanger environmental balance and there is major need to keep this balance in check. Any new technology generates more business activity, leading to increased resource extraction and waste and directly affecting natural ecosystems. Thus technological progress and economic growth are based on unsustainable practices. In the last few decades, information and communication technologies (ICT) accelerated globalized business activity by making the world smaller, more connected and smarter. ICT gradually transformed all aspects of human life including work, learning, and leisure; it has a global impact on business processes and practices, communication, logistics and transportation, finance, and commerce among other aspects. This resulted in wealth accumulation, resource depletion and social divide which have led to problems, directly and indirectly, such as scarcity of natural resources, global warming, climate change, population growth, and increasing youth unemployment. This chapter outlines some of the challenges of the new technologies and ICT practices. It proposes a practice-oriented framework for adoption of more sustainable ICT strategy in companies.
Object Architected Design and Efficient Dynamic Adjustment Mechanism of Distributed Web Crawlers
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Hung , Ku Tsun , Chien Wu-Fan
Published: June 2015

As the global socialnomics rise, big data makes enterprises face the tremendous tide of data at any time. How to efficiently process, analyze these unstructured data and dig useful information from them has been an issue for every level of enterprises to face and settle. Gartner conducted a survey (Gartner CIO Agenda) over 2300 CIOs worldwide and found out that the business intelligence based on big data has been the primary issue (IBM, 2013). Hence, by understanding the above developing trend of social media, this research is mainly based on the authors' previously proposed paper in ises face the tremendous ti:Design and Implementation of a Web Crawlers Based in Social Networkst any time. How to efficiently process, analyze these unstructured data and dig useful infed architecture of web crawler. This new architecture is added with the concept of object structure for the design and implementation of the whole system. The authors will also investigate the improved object structure that brings the convenience of system maintenance.
Cell-Intrinsic gp130 Signaling on CD4+ T Cells Shapes Long-Lasting Antiviral Immunity
Authors: Harker James A. , Wong Kurt A. , Dolgoter Aleksandr , Zuniga Elina I.
Published: June 2015

The IL-6 cytokine family utilizes the common signal transduction molecule gp130, which can mediate a diverse range of outcomes. To clarify the role of gp130 signaling in vivo during acute viral infection, we infected Cd4-cre Il6stfl/fl mice, in which gp130 is conditionally ablated in T cells, with acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. We found that by day 12, but not at day 8, after infection the number of virus-specific CD4+ T cells was reduced in the absence of gp130, and this was sustained for up to 2 mo postinfection. Additionally, gp130-deficient T follicular helper cells had lower expression of Maf, IL-21, and ICOS, and this was accompanied by a reduction in the proportion of germinal center B cells and plasmablasts. Remarkably, at 2 mo postinfection the proportion of IgG2a/c+ memory B cells and the systemic levels of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus–specific IgG2 Abs were dramatically decreased, whereas there was a corresponding increase in IgG1+ memory B cells and virus-specific IgG1 Abs. In the same animals gp130-deficient virus-specific CD8+ T cells showed a reduced proportion of memory cells, which expressed lower levels of Tcf7, and displayed diminished recall responses on secondary infection. Mixed bone marrow chimeras revealed that the aforementioned gp130 effects on CD4+ T cells were cell intrinsic. Overall, our data show that gp130 signaling in T cells influences the quantity and quality of long-lasting CD4+ T cell responses as well as CD8+ T cell– and Ab-mediated immunity after acute viral infection.
Regulatory Rebound in IL-12–Treated Tumors Is Driven by Uncommitted Peripheral Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Li Qingsheng , Virtuoso Lauren P. , Anderson Charles D. , Egilmez Nejat K.
Published: June 2015

IL-12 promotes a rapid reversal of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. However, the adjuvant activity of IL-12 is short-lived due to regulatory T cell (Treg) reinfiltration. Quantitative analysis of Treg kinetics in IL-12–treated tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes revealed a transient loss followed by a rapid 4-fold expansion of tumor Treg between days 3 and 10. Subset-specific analysis demonstrated that the posttreatment rebound was driven by the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ neuropilin-1low peripheral Treg (pTreg), resulting in a 3–5-fold increase in the pTreg to CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ neuropilin-1high thymic Treg ratio by day 10. The expanding pTreg displayed hypermethylation of the CpG islands in Treg-specific demethylated region, CTLA-4 exon 2, and glucocorticoid-induced TNFR exon 5, were phenotypically unstable, and exhibited diminished suppressive function consistent with an uncommitted in vitro–induced Treg–like phenotype. In vitro culture of posttherapy Treg populations under Th1-promoting conditions resulted in higher levels of IFN-γ production by pTreg compared with thymic Treg, confirming their transitional state. Blockade of selected molecular mechanisms that are known to promote Treg expansion identified IDO-positive dendritic cells as the primary mediator of post–IL-12 pTreg expansion. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
The structuring considerations of a Ricoeurian hermeneutic employed in a reading of Proverbs 14:2
Authors: Viljoen Anneke
Published: June 2015

A Ricoeurian hermeneutic affords readers of the Old Testament an opportunity to access the biblical text anew as a source and norm for faith. Reese gave a convenient summarising description of Ricoeur’s hermeneutical approach. Ricoeur organised his considerations around four poles, namely distanciation, objectification, projecting of a world, and appropriation. These operate as the structuring considerations of a Ricoeurian hermeneutic and were illustrated with a sample proverb (i.e. Pr 14:2) from the collection Proverbs 10:1–15:33.
’n Transformerende Bybelreis om die waarheid van die Skrif vir vandag te ontsluit
Authors: Steyn Karel P.
Published: June 2015

No abstract available.
Oppressive and liberative: A Zimbabwean woman's reflections on ubuntu
Authors: Manyonganise Molly
Published: June 2015

Ubuntu as an African ethic has been embraced in Africa as one that defines an individual�s African-ness. Its influence has gone beyond the African borders with other continents pondering how it can be embraced in their contexts. Scholars from Africa and beyond have eulogised the indispensability of ubuntu. However, it is a fact that most academic writings on the concept by various scholars have neglected to look at ubuntu and how it intersects with gender � especially with a particular focus on its ambivalence in the lives of women in Africa. This article, therefore, seeks to make a critical reflection on the ambivalence of the concept focussing mainly on the cultural traditions of the Shona of Zimbabwe from the perspective of a womanist.
The role of convective overshooting clouds in tropical stratosphere–troposphere dynamical coupling
Authors: Kodera K. , Funatsu B. M. , Claud C. , Eguchi N.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. This paper investigates the role of deep convection and overshooting convective clouds in stratosphere–troposphere dynamical coupling in the tropics during two large major stratospheric sudden warming events in January 2009 and January 2010. During both events, convective activity and precipitation increased in the equatorial Southern Hemisphere as a result of a strengthening of the Brewer–Dobson circulation induced by enhanced stratospheric planetary wave activity. Correlation coefficients between variables related to the convective activity and the vertical velocity were calculated to identify the processes connecting stratospheric variability to the troposphere. Convective overshooting clouds showed a direct relationship to lower stratospheric upwelling at around 70–50 hPa. As the tropospheric circulation change lags behind that of the stratosphere, outgoing longwave radiation shows almost no simultaneous correlation with the stratospheric upwelling. This result suggests that the stratospheric circulation change first penetrates into the troposphere through the modulation of deep convective activity.
Parameterization of convective transport in the boundary layer and its impact on the representation of the diurnal cycle of wind and dust emissions
Authors: Hourdin F. , Gueye M. , Diallo B. , Dufresne J.-L. , Escribano J. , Menut L. , Marticoréna B. , Siour G. , Guichard F.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. We investigate how the representation of the boundary layer in a climate model impacts the representation of the near-surface wind and dust emission, with a focus on the Sahel/Sahara region. We show that the combination of vertical turbulent diffusion with a representation of the thermal cells of the convective boundary layer by a mass flux scheme leads to realistic representation of the diurnal cycle of wind in spring, with a maximum near-surface wind in the morning. This maximum occurs when the thermal plumes reach the low-level jet that forms during the night at a few hundred meters above surface. The horizontal momentum in the jet is transported downward to the surface by compensating subsidence around thermal plumes in typically less than 1 h. This leads to a rapid increase of wind speed at surface and therefore of dust emissions owing to the strong nonlinearity of emission laws. The numerical experiments are performed with a zoomed and nudged configuration of the LMDZ general circulation model coupled to the emission module of the CHIMERE chemistry transport model, in which winds are relaxed toward that of the ERA-Interim reanalyses. The new set of parameterizations leads to a strong improvement of the representation of the diurnal cycle of wind when compared to a previous version of LMDZ as well as to the reanalyses used for nudging themselves. It also generates dust emissions in better agreement with current estimates, but the aerosol optical thickness is still significantly underestimated.
Influence of biomass aerosol on precipitation over the Central Amazon: an observational study
Authors: Gonçalves W. A. , Machado L. A. T. , Kirstetter P.-E.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Understanding the influence of biomass burning aerosol on clouds and precipitation in the Amazon is key to reducing uncertainties in simulations of climate change scenarios with regard to deforestation fires. Here, we associate rainfall characteristics obtained from an S-band radar in the Amazon with in situ measurements of biomass burning aerosol for the entire year of 2009. The most important results were obtained during the dry season (July–December). The results indicate that the influence of aerosol on precipitating systems is modulated by the atmospheric degree of instability. For less unstable atmospheres, the higher the aerosol concentration is, the lower the precipitation is over the region. In contrast, for more unstable cases, higher concentrations of black carbon are associated with greater precipitation, increased ice content, and larger rain cells; this finding suggests an association with long-lived systems. The results presented are statistically significant. However, due to limitations imposed by the available data set, important features, such as the contribution of each mechanism to the rainfall suppression, need further investigation. Regional climate model simulations with aircraft and radar measurements would help clarify these questions.
An online aerosol retrieval algorithm using OMI near-UV observations based on the optimal estimation method
Authors: Jeong U. , Kim J. , Ahn C. , Torres O. , Liu X. , Bhartia P. K. , Spurr R. J. D. , Haffner D. , Chance K. , Holben B. N.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. An online version of the OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) near-ultraviolet (UV) aerosol retrieval algorithm was developed to retrieve aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and single scattering albedo (SSA) based on the optimal estimation (OE) method. Instead of using the traditional look-up tables for radiative transfer calculations, it performs online radiative transfer calculations with the Vector Linearized Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (VLIDORT) model to eliminate interpolation errors and improve stability. The OE-based algorithm has the merit of providing useful estimates of uncertainties simultaneously with the inversion products. The measurements and inversion products of the Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Network campaign in Northeast Asia (DRAGON NE-Asia 2012) were used to validate the retrieved AOT and SSA. The retrieved AOT and SSA at 388 nm have a correlation with the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) products that is comparable to or better than the correlation with the operational product during the campaign. The estimated retrieval noise and smoothing error perform well in representing the envelope curve of actual biases of AOT at 388 nm between the retrieved AOT and AERONET measurements. The forward model parameter errors were analyzed separately for both AOT and SSA retrievals. The surface albedo at 388 nm, the imaginary part of the refractive index at 354 nm, and the number fine mode fraction (FMF) were found to be the most important parameters affecting the retrieval accuracy of AOT, while FMF was the most important parameter for the SSA retrieval. The additional information provided with the retrievals, including the estimated error and degrees of freedom, is expected to be valuable for future studies.
Ozonesonde profiles from the West Pacific Warm Pool
Authors: Newton R. , Vaughan G. , M. A. Ricketts H. , L. Pan L. , J. Weinheimer A. , Chemel C.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. We present a series of ozonesonde profiles measured from Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, during February 2014. The experiment formed a part of a wider airborne campaign involving three aircraft based in Guam, to characterise the atmospheric composition above the tropical West Pacific in unprecedented detail. Thirty-nine ozonesondes were launched between 2 and 25 February, of which 34 gave good ozone profiles. Particular attention was paid to measuring the background current of the ozonesonde before launch, as this can amount to half the measured signal in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). An unexpected contamination event affected these measurements and required a departure from standard operating procedures for the ozonesondes. Comparison with aircraft measurements allows validation of the measured ozone profiles and confirms that for well-characterized sondes (background current <50 nA) a constant background current should be assumed throughout the profile, equal to the minimum value measured during preparation just before launch. From this set of 34 ozonesondes, the minimum reproducible ozone concentration measured in the TTL was 12–13 ppbv; no examples of near-zero ozone concentration as reported by other recent papers were measured. The lowest ozone concentrations coincided with outflow from extensive deep convection to the east of Manus, consistent with uplift of ozone-poor air from the boundary layer. However, these minima were lower than the ozone concentration measured through most of the boundary layer, and were matched only by measurements at the surface in Manus.
Sea salt aerosols as a reactive surface for inorganic and organic acidic gases in the arctic troposphere
Authors: Chi J. W. , Li W. J. , Zhang D. Z. , Zhang J. C. , Lin Y. T. , Shen X. J. , Sun J. Y. , Chen J. M. , Zhang X. Y. , Zhang Y. M. , Wang W. X.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Sea salt aerosols (SSA) are dominant particles in the arctic atmosphere and determine the polar radiative balance. SSA react with acidic pollutants that lead to changes of physical and chemical properties of their surface, which in turn alter their hygroscopic and optical properties. Transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry was used to analyze morphology, composition, size, and mixing state of individual SSA at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard in summertime. Individual fresh SSA contained cubic NaCl coated by certain amounts of MgCl2 and CaSO4. Individual partially aged SSA contained irregular NaCl coated by a mixture of NaNO3, Na2SO4, Mg(NO3)2, and MgSO4. The comparison suggests the hydrophilic MgCl2 coating in fresh SSA likely intrigued the heterogeneous reactions at the beginning of SSA and acidic gases. Individual fully aged SSA normally had Na2SO4 cores and an amorphous coating of NaNO3. Elemental mappings of individual SSA particles revealed that as the particles ageing Cl gradually decreased but the C, N, O, and S content increased. 12C14N− mapping from nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry indicates that organic matter increased in the aged SSA compared with the fresh SSA. 12C14N− line scans further show that organic matter was mainly concentrated on the aged SSA surface. These new findings indicate that this mixture of organic matter and NaNO3 on particle surfaces determines their hygroscopic and optical properties. These abundant SSA, whose reactive surfaces absorb inorganic and organic acidic gases in the arctic troposphere, need to be incorporated into atmospheric chemical models.
Global assessment of Vegetation Index and Phenology Lab (VIP) and Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) version 3 products
Authors: Marshall M. , Okuto E. , Kang Y. , Opiyo E. , Ahmed M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Earth observation based long-term global vegetation index products are used by scientists from a wide range of disciplines concerned with global change. Inter-comparison studies are commonly performed to keep the user community informed on the consistency and accuracy of such records as they evolve. In this study, we compared two new records: (1) Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Version 3 (NDVI3g) and (2) Vegetation Index and Phenology Lab (VIP) Version 3 NDVI (NDVI3v) and Enhanced Vegetation Index 2 (EVI3v). We evaluated the two records via three experiments that addressed the primary use of such records in global change research: (1) prediction of the Leaf Area Index (LAI) used in light-use efficiency modeling, (2) estimation of vegetation climatology in Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Transfer models, and (3) trend analysis of the magnitude and phenology of vegetation productivity. Experiment one, unlike previous inter-comparison studies, was performed with a unique Landsat 30 m spatial resolution and in situ LAI database for major crop types on five continents. Overall, the two records showed a high level of agreement both in direction and magnitude on a monthly basis, though VIP values were higher and more variable and showed lower correlations and higher error with in situ LAI. The records were most consistent at northern latitudes during the primary growing season and southern latitudes and the tropics throughout much of the year, while the records were less consistent at northern latitudes during green-up and senescence and in the great deserts of the world throughout much of the year. The two records were also highly consistent in terms of trend direction/magnitude, showing a 30+ year increase (decrease) in NDVI over much of the globe (tropical rainforests). The two records were less consistent in terms of timing due to the poor correlation of the records during start and end of growing season.
Environmental controls on the greening of terrestrial vegetation across northern Eurasia
Authors: Dass P. , Rawlins M. A. , Kimball J. S. , Kim Y.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Terrestrial ecosystems of northern Eurasia are greening, yet few studies have provided definitive attribution for the changes. While prior studies point to increasing temperatures as the principle environmental control, influences from moisture and other factors are less clear. We assess how changes in temperature, precipitation, cloudiness and forest fires contribute to the trend in Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) derived from satellite data across northern Eurasia. For the period 1982–2008 we find that GPP, estimated using ensemble satellite NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) observations from GIMMS3g and VIP datasets, is most sensitive to temperature, precipitation and cloudiness during summer, the peak of the growing season. For regional median GPP, summer temperature explains 33.3 % of the variation in GPP, while the other environmental variables explain from 2.2 to 11.8 %. Warming over the period analyzed, even without a sustained increase in precipitation, led to a significant GPP increase over 67.3 % of the region. A significant decrease in GPP was found over 6.2 % of the region, primarily the dryer grasslands in the south-western. For this area, precipitation positively correlates with GPP, as does cloudiness. This shows that the south-western part of northern Eurasia is relatively more vulnerable to drought than other areas. Our results further advance the notion that air temperature is the dominant environmental control for the recent GPP increases across northern Eurasia.
Turbidity in the fluvial Gironde Estuary (southwest France) based on 10-year continuous monitoring: sensitivity to hydrological conditions
Authors: Jalón-Rojas I. , Schmidt S. , Sottolichio A.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Climate change and human activities impact the volume and timing of freshwater input to estuaries. These modifications in fluvial discharges are expected to influence estuarine suspended sediment dynamics, and in particular the turbidity maximum zone (TMZ). Located in southwest France, the Gironde fluvial-estuarine system has an ideal context to address this issue. It is characterized by a very pronounced TMZ, a decrease in mean annual runoff in the last decade, and it is quite unique in having a long-term and high-frequency monitoring of turbidity. The effect of tide and river flow on turbidity in the fluvial estuary is detailed, focusing on dynamics related to changes in hydrological conditions (river floods, periods of low discharge, interannual changes). Turbidity shows hysteresis loops at different timescales: during river floods and over the transitional period between the installation and expulsion of the TMZ. These hysteresis patterns, that reveal the origin of sediment, locally resuspended or transported from the watershed, may be a tool to evaluate the presence of remained mud. Statistics on turbidity data bound the range of river flow that promotes the upstream migration of TMZ in the fluvial stations. Whereas the duration of the low discharge period mainly determines the TMZ persistence, the freshwater volume during high discharge periods explains the TMZ concentration at the following dry period. The evolution of these two hydrological indicators of TMZ persistence and turbidity level since 1960 confirms the effect of discharge decrease on the intensification of the TMZ in tidal rivers; both provide a tool to evaluate future scenarios.
Spatiotemporal variability of oxygen isotope compositions in three contrasting glacier river catchments in Greenland
Authors: Yde J. C. , Tvis Knudsen N. , Steffensen J. P. , Carrivick J. L. , Hasholt B. , Ingeman-Nielsen T. , Kronborg C. , Larsen N. K. , Mernild S. H. , Oerter H. , Roberts D. H. , Russell A. J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Analysis of stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) characteristics is a useful tool to investigate water provenance in glacier river systems. In order to attain knowledge on the diversity of spatio-temporal δ18O variations in glacier rivers, we have examined three glacierized catchments in Greenland with different areas, glacier hydrology and thermal regimes. At Mittivakkat Gletscher River, a small river draining a local temperate glacier in southeast Greenland, diurnal oscillations in δ18O occur with a three-hour time lag to the diurnal oscillations in runoff. Throughout the peak flow season the δ18O composition is controlled by the proportion between snowmelt and ice melt with episodic inputs of rainwater and occasional storage and release of a specific water component due to changes in the subglacial drainage system. At Kuannersuit Glacier River on the island Qeqertarsuaq, the δ18O characteristics were examined after the major 1995–1998 glacier surge event. Despite large variations in the δ18O values of glacier ice on the newly formed glacier tongue, there were no diurnal oscillations in the bulk meltwater emanating from the glacier in the post-surge years 2000–2001. In 2002 there were indications of diurnal oscillations, and in 2003 there were large diurnal fluctuations in δ18O. At Watson River, a large catchment at the western margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet, the spatial distribution of δ18O in the river system was applied to fingerprint the relative runoff contributions from sub-catchments. Spot sampling indicates that during the early melt season most of the river water (64–73 %) derived from the Qinnguata Kuussua tributary, whereas the water flow on 23 July 2009 was dominated by bulk meltwater from the Akuliarusiarsuup Kuua tributary (where 7 and 67 % originated from the Russell Glacier and Leverett Glacier sub-catchments, respectively). A comparison of the δ18O compositions from glacial river water in Greenland shows distinct differences between water draining local glaciers (between −17.4 and −13.7 ‰), large ice caps (between −23.0 and −17.8 ‰) and the Greenland Ice Sheet (between −29.9 and −23.2 ‰).
Forest damage and snow avalanche flow regime
Authors: Feistl T. , Bebi P. , Christen M. , Margreth S. , Diefenbach L. , Bartelt P.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Snow avalanches break, uproot and overturn trees causing damage to forests. The extent of forest damage provides useful information on avalanche frequency and intensity. However, impact forces depend on avalanche flow regime. In this paper, we define avalanche loading cases representing four different avalanche flow regimes: powder, intermittent, dry and wet. Using a numerical model that simulates both powder and wet snow avalanches, we study documented events with forest damage. First we show that in the powder regime, although the applied impact pressures can be small, large bending moments in the tree stem can be produced due to the torque action of the blast. The impact area of the blast extends over the entire tree crown. We find that, powder clouds with velocities over 20 m s-1 can break tree stems. Second we demonstrate that intermittent granular loadings are equivalent to low-density uniform dry snow loadings under the assumption of homogeneous particle distributions. The intermittent regime seldom controls tree breakage. Third we calculate quasi-static pressures of wet snow avalanches and show that they can be much higher than pressures calculated using dynamic pressure formulas. Wet snow pressure depends both on avalanche volume and terrain features upstream of the tree.
The Role of Animals in Eco-functional Intensification of Organic Agriculture
Authors: Vaarst Mette
Published: June 2015

Eco-functional intensification is understood as building synergies in multi-functional and resilient agricultural systems in harmony with their surrounding environment and human systems, to the benefit of diversified production of food and beyond, as in, for example, ecosystem services. Integration of animals into eco-functionally intensified agricultural systems to enhance agricultural, ecological and social systems, can contribute to driving a future sustainable development of organic agricultural and food systems. This approach may respond to challenges of an increasing industrialization of livestock in the global north, a process which has led to heavy reliance on external inputs, and, to a large extent, a detachment of animals from farming systems, especially in the global south. Animals are living sentient beings, but often not acknowledged as such. Complex, well-integrated systems can be organized so that they support the health and welfare of animals, and let these animals be valuable resources within the farming system. There must be an emphasis on diverse genetic inheritance and locally adapted species. Complex systems require complex knowledge which must be continuously developed to respond to current challenges in constantly changing environments, e.g., climate change. A necessary driver in transition towards more eco-functionally intensified agricultural and food systems is a governance system which protect the actors without a voice, e.g., ecosystems, pollinators, animals, and future generations through regulation of consumption patterns, flow of external inputs, and resource use. This requires a change in attitudes both acknowledgment of the importance of protecting the environment, consumption, resource use; and seeing agricultural systems as necessary and valuable contributors to nourishing both people and the earth.
Ativos intangíveis e o desempenho econômico-financeiro: comparação entre os portfólios de empresas tangível-intensivas e intangível-intensivas
Authors: Oliveira Marta Olivia Rovedder de , Schossler Douglas Pinheiro , Campus Rogério Estrela , Luce Fernando Bins
Published: June 2015

The intangible assets are able to produce future benefits that are important differentiating factors contributing to the achievement of important competitive advantages (CARMELI; TISHLER, 2004; PEREZ; FAMÁ, 2006a). However, traditional approaches to financial evaluation have difficulty in assessing and valuing business with significant intangible assets (LEV, 2001; MIZIK; JACOBSON, 2008; MIZIK; JACOBSON, 2009). Hence, this study sought to compare (by accountancy and financial indexes, during 5 years) the performance of two portfolios: firms with a high proportion of intangibility and one of possessing a small proportion of intangibility, in order to contribute to the literature and generate knowledge about the Brazilian market. The results show a superior performance of the intangible assets portfolio during the most of periods and indexes. It is further evidence that intangible assets are capable of generating competitive advantage for their respective companies, including in the Brazilian scenario.
A influência da origem das empresas no gerenciamento e na avaliação de desempenho organizacional
Authors: Lugoboni Leonardo Fabris , Zittei Marcus Vinicius Moreira , Lopes Roger Marques , Chiareto Joice , Correa Hamilton Luiz , Maclennan Maria Laura Ferranty
Published: June 2015

This work studied the influence of the cultural origin of three companies multinationals in the management and evaluation of the organizational performance. The organizations studied have German, French and Finnish origins with expression in the energy market. It was performed interviews, with managers of these organizations, which were based on the model of the four cultural dimensions of Hofstede (2010) and the evaluation of organizational performance literature. The results indicate that origin of culture has influence on performance management, but have also found some contradictory results to model of Hofstede, which could be explained by relaxing of cultural boundaries generated by globalization results.
A Gestão de Talentos no campo da Gestão de Pessoas: tema emergente?
Authors: Freitag Bárbara Beatriz , Ohtsuki Celi Hiromi , Ferreira Marcos Aurelio de Araujo , Fischer André Luiz , Almeida Kenneth Nunes Tavares de
Published: June 2015

The competitive strategy of organizations and the knowledge era, demand higher innovation capacity, agility and flexibility. This demands have make the work more complex, and in need of qualified workers. In this scene, the human capital of organizations is presented by the quality of its talents. The objective in this study was to analyze the production on Talent Management and to verify the attributes applied to identify the talents at the field of Human Resource Management. It was possible to conclude for the rise of academic production on Talent Management and for the description of competence, performance, and potential as the main attributes on Talent characteristics description.
Le discours sur la lecture et les bibliothèques au Québec depuis 1970
Authors: Lajeunesse Marcel
Published: June 2015

Il y a 50 ans, en décembre 1959, le Québec se donnait une loi des bibliothèques publiques. Une politique de lecture publique pouvait alors être mise en place. Le discours québécois sur la lecture et sur les bibliothèques depuis les années 1970 a pris en compte cette nouvelle donne, et, de ce fait, il tranche avec celui qui était véhiculé antérieurement. On peut y noter des moments forts. Ils se rattachent au plan Vaugeois, à la Politique du livre et de la lecture et à la création de la Grande Bibliothèque.
Cartographie cognitive et milieux documentaires : rencontre et convergence de principes et d’outils
Authors: Houtekier Catherine
Published: June 2015

Mystérieuse pour certains, définitivement adoptée par d’autres, la cartographie cognitive est ici présentée sous les angles de son vocabulaire, des principes qui la régissent, du processus de réalisation, des applications qui en dérivent et des outils qui permettent de la mettre en pratique. Cet article vise essentiellement à fournir des éléments concrets pour mieux comprendre le potentiel de la cartographie en contexte professionnel, qu’il soit générique ou plus spécifiquement documentaire. Il propose également des pistes pour approfondir le sujet. Une carte synthèse du contenu de l’article est proposée en complément de ce résumé textuel.
Que pensent les élus municipaux québécois des missions des bibliothèques publiques ?
Authors: Gazo Dominique
Published: June 2015

Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude menée dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche doctoral. Douze élus municipaux québécois ont été interrogés sur les missions des bibliothèques publiques. Ils s’expriment en tant qu’élu, individu ou usager pour évoquer une bibliothèque qui paraît passive et traditionnelle. Ces élus ne parviennent pas à imaginer une bibliothèque autre que celle qu’ils connaissent présentement et qui les satisfait généralement. Malgré ses limites concernant surtout les valeurs, les publics, le personnel et la variété des services offerts, le discours des élus ressemble étrangement au discours du public et converge avec celui des professionnels.
Quand les bibliothèques concourent et séduisent les architectes
Authors: Lacroix Yvon-André
Published: June 2015

Le gouvernement du Québec a instauré en 1983 une réglementation qui oblige la tenue d’un concours public pour les projets d’équipements culturels de grande valeur et réalisés à l’aide de subventions gouvernementales. C’est grâce à ce programme que des dizaines de bureaux d’architectes ont conçu les plans de bibliothèques publiques; certains d’entre eux ont réalisé des bâtiments d’une qualité remarquable et ont mérité de très hautes distinctions du milieu architectural.
Les bibliothèques et les centres de documentation dans le domaine culturel
Authors: Berger Marilyn , Dufresne Daphne
Published: June 2015

Les bibliothèques d’art au Québec ont une riche histoire qui commence avec la première collection de livres d’architecture chez les Jésuites, en 1632, et l’ouverture de la première galerie d’art canadienne, en 1833. Groupées en trois catégories, les bibliothèques d’art se retrouvent dans les musées, les universités et les centres de documentation. Cet article retrace la genèse de ces importantes bibliothèques et montre comment leurs bibliothécaires sont devenus des professionnels spécialisés partageant leurs ressources en intégrant les nouvelles technologies et en respectant l’intégrité des différentes collections. On y discute aussi des enjeux futurs liés à la profession et à l’adaptation aux changements technologiques.
Associations professionnelles et offre éditoriale à l’intention des professionnels de l’information et de la documentation au Québec
Authors: Hudon Michèle
Published: June 2015

Panorama de l’offre éditoriale courante à l’intention des professionnels de l’information et de la documentation francophones québécois, telle que proposée par les principales associations au sein desquelles ils sont regroupés, par les éditeurs commerciaux et même par des associations et entreprises françaises.
Les pratiques d’éveil à la lecture et à l’écriture à la maternelle en milieux défavorisés : quand les parents viennent en classe
Authors: Myre-Bisaillon Julie , Boutin Nancy , Beaudoin Carl
Published: June 2015

Cet article présente une recherche menée auprès de familles et d’enseignantes d’enfants de la maternelle en milieux défavorisés. L’objectif de ce projet était d’outiller les familles pour accompagner leur enfant de cinq ans dans des activités d’éveil à la lecture et à l’écriture (ÉLÉ). Des recherches indiquent que les pratiques éducatives parentales et l’attitude parentale face à la littératie semblent prédire la réussite scolaire des enfants. Plusieurs auteurs suggèrent que les pratiques d’éveil effectuées entre l’école et la famille contribuent au développement des compétences langagières. Cependant, les parents de milieux défavorisés feraient peu d’activités d’ÉLÉ. Les résultats présentés aborderont les pratiques parentales d’ÉLÉ, la nature des ateliers proposés aux parents et le point de vue des enseignantes à l’égard du projet.
Physics of the Switching Kinetics in Resistive Memories
Authors: Menzel Stephan , Böttger Ulrich , Wimmer Martin , Salinga Martin
Published: June 2015

Memristive cells based on different physical effects, that is, phase change, valence change, and electrochemical processes, are discussed with respect to their potential to overcome the voltage–time dilemma that is crucial for an application in storage devices. Strongly non‐linear switching kinetics are required, spanning more than 15 orders of magnitude in time. Temperature‐driven and field‐driven crystallization, threshold switching, ion migration, as well as redox reactions at interfaces are identified as relevant mechanisms. In phase change materials the combination of a reversible threshold switching and extremely large crystal growth velocities at high voltages enables ultra‐fast resistive switching whereas lower voltages will not be sufficient to overcome the energy barrier for crystallization. In electrochemical cells it depends on the voltage regime, which mechanism is the rate‐determining one for switching. While electro‐crystallization dominates at low voltages, electron transfer in the medium voltage range and a mixture of electron transfer and ion migration at high voltages. In valence change materials, ion migration is found to be accelerated by a combined effect of electric field and local temperature increase due to Joule heating. All discussed types of resistive switches can provide sufficient non‐linearity of switching kinetics for overcoming the voltage time dilemma.
Site‐Specific Contributions to the Band Inversion in a Topological Crystalline Insulator
Authors: Koumoulis Dimitrios , Chasapis Thomas Christos , Leung Belinda , Taylor Robert E. , Stoumpos Costas C. , Calta Nicholas P. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Bouchard Louis‐Serge
Published: June 2015

In a topological crystalline insulator (TCI) the inversion of the bulk valence and conduction bands is a necessary condition to observe surface metallic states. Solid solutions of Pb1‐xSnxTe have been shown to be TCI, where band inversion occurs as a result of the band gap evolution upon alloying with Sn. The origins of this band inversion remain unclear. Herein the role of Sn insertion into the PbTe matrix is investigated for the p‐type Pb1‐xSnxTe series with x = 0, 0.35, 0.60, and 1.00 via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and transport measurements. 207Pb, 119Sn, and 125Te line shapes, spin‐lattice relaxation rates, and Knight shifts provide site‐specific characterization of the electronic band structure. This probe of the electronic band structure shows that the band inversion is unaffected by lattice distortions but related to spatial electronic inhomogeneities formed by Sn incorporation into the PbTe matrix. Strong relativistic effects are found to be responsible for the band inversion, regardless of carrier type and concentration, suggesting a novel interpretation of the band gap evolution with composition. The temperature dependences of the NMR parameters reveal a negative temperature coefficient of the direct gap for SnTe and positive coefficient for PbTe.
Creating Highly Active Atomic Layer Deposited NiO Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Nardi Katie L. , Yang Nuoya , Dickens Colin F. , Strickler Alaina L. , Bent Stacey F.
Published: June 2015

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) provides a promising route for depositing uniform thin coatings of electrocatalysts useful in many technologies, including the splitting of water. For materials such as NiO
x
that readily form hydrous oxides, however, the smooth, compact films deposited by ALD may result in higher overpotentials due to low catalyst surface area compared to other deposition methods. Here, the use of ALD–NiO thin films as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is explored. Thin films of crystalline ALD­–NiO are deposited and OER activity is tested using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Fe incorporated from the electrolyte can increase the activity of NiO, and it is shown that the turnover frequency (TOF) increases tenfold by going from an Fe‐poor to Fe‐rich KOH electrolyte. Applying a potential exfoliates the NiO, increasing the number of electrochemically accessible Ni sites. Interestingly, by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and CV, it is found that an Fe‐rich electrolyte reduces the amount of restructuring and oxidation is found. It is shown that a high surface area, high TOF catalyst may be created by using a two‐step process in which the sample is sequentially conditioned in Fe‐poor then Fe‐rich KOH. This work highlights the importance of pretreatment on catalytic activity for compact NiO films deposited by ALD.
Growth of Single‐Layered Two‐Dimensional Mesoporous Polymer/Carbon Films by Self‐Assembly of Monomicelles at the Interfaces of Various Substrates
Authors: Fang Yin , Lv Yingying , Tang Jing , Wu Hao , Jia Dingsi , Feng Dan , Kong Biao , Wang Yongcheng , Elzatahry Ahmed A. , Al‐Dahyan Daifallah , Zhang Qichun , Zheng Gengfeng , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: June 2015

Single‐layered two‐dimensional (2D) ultrathin mesoporous polymer/carbon films are grown by self‐assembly of monomicelles at the interfaces of various substrates, which is a general and common modification strategy. These unconventional 2D mesoporous films possess only a single layer of mesopores, while the size of the thin films can grow up to inch size in the plane. Free‐standing transparent mesoporous carbon ultrathin films, together with the ordered mesoporous structure on the substrates of different compositions (e.g. metal oxides, carbon) and morphologies (e.g. nanocubes, nanodiscs, flexible and patterned substrates) have been obtained. This strategy not only affords controllable hierarchical porous nanostructures, but also appends the easily modified and multifunctional properties of carbon to the primary substrate. By using this method, we have fabricated Fe2O3–mesoporous carbon photoelectrochemical biosensors, which show excellent sensitivity and selectivity for glutathione.
Complete Proton Transfer Cycle in GFP and Its T203V and S205V Mutants
Authors: Laptenok Sergey P. , Lukacs Andras , Gil Agnieszka , Brust Richard , Sazanovich Igor V. , Greetham Gregory M. , Tonge Peter J. , Meech Stephen R.
Published: June 2015

Proton transfer is critical in many important biochemical reactions. The unique three‐step excited‐state proton transfer in avGFP allows observations of protein proton transport in real‐time. In this work we exploit femtosecond to microsecond transient IR spectroscopy to record, in D2O, the complete proton transfer photocycle of avGFP, and two mutants (T203V and S205V) which modify the structure of the proton wire. Striking differences and similarities are observed among the three mutants yielding novel information on proton transfer mechanism, rates, isotope effects, H‐bond strength and proton wire stability. These data provide a detailed picture of the dynamics of long‐range proton transfer in a protein against which calculations may be compared.
Preparation of 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole derivatives as latent curing agents and their application in curing epoxy resin
Authors: Lei Dingfeng , Ma Wenshi , Wang Linfeng , Zhang Dongqiao
Published: June 2015

Three kinds of 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole (EMI) derivatives (N‐acetyl EMI, N‐benzoyl EMI, and N‐benzenesulfonyl EMI) were synthesized through the reaction of EMI with acetyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, and benzenesulfonyl chloride, respectively. And the structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) spectra. Furthermore, the synthesized EMI derivatives were applied in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA) as latent curing agent. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to analyze the curing behavior of DGEBA/EMI derivative systems, indicating DGEBA could be efficiently cured by the EMI derivatives at 110∼160°C, and the corresponding curing activation energy ranged from 71 to 86 kJ/mol. Viscosity data proves that the storage life of DGEBA with N‐acetyl EMI (NAEMI), N‐benzoyl EMI (NBEMI), and N‐benzenesulfonyl EMI (NBSEMI) at room temperature was 38 d, 50 d, and 80 d, and that at 10°C was 90 d, 115 d, and 170 d, respectively. Besides, thermogravimetry (TG), izod impact strength (IIS), and tensile shear strength (TSS) were tested to characterize the thermal stability and mechanical properties of DGEBA cured by EMI derivatives. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42563.
Synthesis and Characterization of New 1,2,4‐Triazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines That Extend the Life Span of Caenorhabiditis elegans via Their Anti‐Inflammatory/Antioxidant Effects
Authors: Mekheimer Ramadan A. , Sayed Ahmed A. Radwan , Ahmed Eltaib A. , Sadek Kamal U.
Published: June 2015

In the present study, we describe the synthesis of a new set of 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines and their fused ring systems. The products were assayed for various types of biological activities like anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative activity. Compounds 4c, 4f, 12a, 14, 16, and 19 were found to reduce carrageenan‐ and dextran‐induced inflammation in rats. In addition, compounds 4f and 12a were found to have antioxidative radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, these compounds were tested in the model system Caenorhabiditis elegans and there increased heat stress resistance, reduced the formation of advanced glycation end products, and finally extended the life span.