bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Relational Norms on User Interests in PPP Projects: Mediating Effect of Project Performance
Authors: Zheng Xiaodan , Yuan Jingfeng , Guo Jiyue , Skibniewski Mirosław J. , Zhao Sujun
Published: June 2018

Protecting user interests is one of the most important public sector responsibilities in PPP (public-private partnership) projects. However, user interests could be damaged by poor project performance. Therefore, this study focuses on the protection of user interests in PPP projects and analyzes the relationships among relational norms, project performance, and user interests in PPP projects. A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect the opinions of professionals from the public sector and private sector. Upon analyzing 109 valid questionnaires, the results demonstrate that the relational norms between the public sector and private sector have a positive effect on project performance, and project performance has a positive relationship on user interests. Moreover, project performance has a positive mediating effect on the relationships between relational norms and user interests. This finding can provide a theoretical foundation and suggest practical measures to help the public sector better protect user interests in PPP projects.
The Role of Environment in Sustainable Entrepreneurial Orientation. The Case of Family Firms
Authors: Hernández-Perlines Felipe , Ibarra Cisneros Manuel Alejandro
Published: June 2018

This study analyzes the role of the environment in the sustainable entrepreneurial orientation on the international performance of family firms. The results have been analyzed with Partial Least Squares regression. The three most important contributions of this work are: (1) The definition of sustainable business orientation as a third-order composite that integrates entrepreneurial orientation and corporate social responsibility is adequate as it presents appropriate values of reliability and validity; (2) entrepreneurial orientation is the main component of sustainable entrepreneurial orientation, with having corporate social responsibility a plus for entrepreneurial orientation; and (3) sustainable entrepreneurial orientation manages to explain 58.6% of the variability in the international performance of family firms and, finally, the environment has a positive moderating role, increasing up to 73.5%.
The Distribution of Residual Controls and Risk Sharing: A Case Study of Farmland Transfer in China
Authors: Han Hongyun , Li Hanning
Published: June 2018

Structuring contracts to share interest and risk is the central premise of farmland transfer, yet the contract framework and its determinants have rarely been empirically tested based on micro-level data. In this study, we aim to examine factors underlying the balanced distribution of residual controls and risk sharing on contract framework by using field surveyed data of 353 individual farmland transfer contracts. Our evidence shows that the policy of farmland property rights registration has a significant effect on the contract framework and supports the implication of enforcement costs exerted by the effects of the scale ratio and the contract form, contract duration, conversion way, and long-lived assets input. Although our findings fail to support the typical implication of risk sharing as an explanation of contract framework of farmland transfer, given the symmetric positions of two contracted parties of rural farmer households, it is proved that right confirmation and contract duration are two important factors underlying contract options.
A Hybrid Neutrosophic Group ANP-TOPSIS Framework for Supplier Selection Problems
Authors: Abdel-Basset Mohamed , Mohamed Mai , Smarandache Florentin
Published: June 2018

One of the most significant competitive strategies for organizations is sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). The vital part in the administration of a sustainable supply chain is the sustainable supplier selection, which is a multi-criteria decision-making issue, including many conflicting criteria. The valuation and selection of sustainable suppliers are difficult problems due to vague, inconsistent and imprecise knowledge of decision makers. In the literature on supply chain management for measuring green performance, the requirement for methodological analysis of how sustainable variables affect each other, and how to consider vague, imprecise and inconsistent knowledge, is still unresolved. This research provides an incorporated multi-criteria decision-making procedure for sustainable supplier selection problems (SSSPs). An integrated framework is presented via interval-valued neutrosophic sets to deal with vague, imprecise and inconsistent information that exists usually in real world. The analytic network process (ANP) is employed to calculate weights of selected criteria by considering their interdependencies. For ranking alternatives and avoiding additional comparisons of analytic network processes, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) is used. The proposed framework is turned to account for analyzing and selecting the optimal supplier. An actual case study of a dairy company in Egypt is examined within the proposed framework. Comparison with other existing methods is implemented to confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Evaluation of Mycotoxin Residues on Ready-to-Eat Food by Chromatographic Methods Coupled to Mass Spectrometry in Tandem
Authors: Carballo Dionisia , Font Guillermina , Ferrer Emilia , Berrada Houda
Published: June 2018

Simultaneous determination of twenty-seven mycotoxins in ready-to-eat food samples using “Quick Easy Cheap Rough and Safe” (QuEChERS) extraction and chromatographic methods coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem is described in this study. Mycotoxins included in this survey were aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2), enniatins (A, A1, B, B1), beauvericin (BEA), fumonisins (FB1, FB2), sterigmatocystin (STG), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON), nivalenol (NIV), neosolaniol (NEO), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), fusarenon-X (FUS-X), zearalenone (ZEA), α-zearalanol (αZAL), β-zearalenone (βZAL), α-zearalenol (αZOL), β-zearalenol (βzol), T2, and HT-2 toxin. The method showed satisfactory extraction results with recoveries ranging from 63 to 119% for the different food matrix samples. Limits of detection (LODS) and quantification (LOQs) were between 0.15–1.5 µg/kg and 0.5–5 µg/kg, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of 25 ready-to-eat food samples. Results showed presence of deoxynivalenol at 36% of samples (2.61–21.59 µg/kg), enniatin B at 20% of samples (9.83–86.32 µg/kg), HT-2 toxin at 16% of samples (9.06–34.43 µg/kg), and aflatoxin G2 at 4% of samples (2.84 µg/kg). Mycotoxins were detected mainly in ready-to-eat food samples prepared with cereals, vegetables, and legumes, even at levels below those often obtained from raw food.
A Simple and Robust Approach for Evaluation of Antivirals Using a Recombinant Influenza Virus Expressing Gaussia Luciferase
Authors: Li Ping , Cui Qinghua , Wang Lin , Zhao Xiujuan , Zhang Yingying , Manicassamy Balaji , Yang Yong , Rong Lijun , Du Ruikun
Published: June 2018

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes seasonal epidemics and occasional but devastating pandemics, which are major public health concerns. Because the effectiveness of seasonal vaccines is highly variable and the currently available drugs are limited in their efficacy because of the emergence of drug resistance, there is an urgent need to develop novel antivirals. In this study, we characterized a recombinant IAV-carrying Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) gene and determined its potential as a tool for evaluating therapeutics. We demonstrated that this recombinant IAV is replication-competent in tissue culture and pathogenic in mice, although it is slightly attenuated compared to the parental virus. Luciferase expression correlated well with virus propagation both in vitro and in vivo, providing a simple measure for viral replication in tissue culture and in mouse lungs. To demonstrate the utility of this virus, ribavirin and oseltamivir phosphate were used to treat the IAV-infected cells and mice, and we observed the dose-dependent inhibition of viral replication by a luciferase assay. Moreover, the decreased luciferase expression in the infected lungs could predict the protective efficacy of antiviral interventions as early as day 2 post virus challenge. In summary, this study provides a new and quantitative approach to evaluate antivirals against IAV.
Horizontal Circulation Patterns in a Large Shallow Lake: Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Liu Sien , Ye Qinghua , Wu Shiqiang , Stive Marcel J. F.
Published: June 2018

Wind induced hydrodynamic circulations play significant roles in the transport and mixing process of pollutants and nutrients in large shallow lakes, but they have been usually overlooked, while environmental, biological, and ecological aspects of eutrophication problems get the most focus. Herein we use a three-dimensional model, driven by steady/unsteady wind, river discharge, rainfall, evaporation to investigate the spatially heterogeneous, large-scale hydrodynamic circulations and their role in transporting and mixing mechanisms in Taihu Lake. Wind direction and velocity determines the overall hydrodynamic circulation structure, i.e. direction, intensity, and position. A relative stable hydrodynamic circulation pattern has been formed shortly with steady wind (~2 days). Vertical profiles of horizontal velocities are linearly correlated to the relative shallowness of water depth. Volume exchange between subbasins, influenced by wind speed and initial water level, differs due to the complex topography and irregular shape. With unsteady wind, these findings are still valid to a high degree. Vertical variations in hydrodynamic circulation are important in explaining the surface accumulation of algae scums in Meiliang Bay in summers. Vorticity of velocity field, a key indicator of hydrodynamic circulation, is determined by wind direction, bathymetry gradient, and water depth. The maximum change of velocity vorticity happens when wind direction is perpendicular to bathymetry gradient. Furthermore, Lagrangian-based tracer transport is used to estimate emergency pollution leakage impacts, and also to evaluate operational management measurements, such as, the large-scale water transfer. The conclusion is that the large-scale water transfer does not affect the hydrodynamic circulation and volume exchanges between subbasins significantly, but succeeds to transport and then mix the fresh, clean Yangtze River water to a majority area of Taihu Lake.
Efficiency Evaluation of Water Consumption in a Chinese Province-Level Region Based on Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Hu Ping , Chen Na , Li Yongjun , Xie Qiwei
Published: June 2018

Due to the large volume of sewage in China, the efficiency of water consumption evaluated by the traditional model may be inaccurate. This paper evaluates the water consumption efficiency more scientifically. First, this paper uses the CCR model to evaluate the resource efficiency and environmental efficiency separately. The latter is generally lower than the former, which means the issue of water pollution is more serious than the problem of water resource consumption. Then, the water consumption efficiency is integrally evaluated by an eco-inefficiency model which focuses on undesirable outputs. The results are in good agreement with the results of the CCR model: (1) Only Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai are eco-efficient in terms of water consumption, water consumption efficiency in the southeastern coastal areas is higher than in the Midwest, and the overall water environment is bad; (2) China needs to focus on reducing industrial wastewater; (3) the output of water consumption has a lot of room for improvement; and (4) the output improvement schemes of all provinces have some similarities and are related to many features. So, this paper has made a clustering analysis of the improvement schemes and given detailed suggestions for improving the eco-efficiency of water consumption in China according to the clustering result.
Navigating the Water-Energy Governance Landscape and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in the Northern Patagonia Region of Argentina
Authors: Forni Laura , Escobar Marisa , Cello Pablo , Marizza Marta , Nadal Gustavo , Girardin Leonidas , Losano Fernando , Bucciarelli Lisandro , Young Charles , Purkey David
Published: June 2018

Water scientists often find themselves interacting with decision-makers with varying levels of technical background. The sustainable management of water resources is complex by nature, and future conditions are highly uncertain, requiring modeling approaches capable of accommodating a variety of parameters and scenarios. Technical findings from these analyses need to be positioned and conducted within the governance institutions to ensure decision-makers utilize them. This paper examines the water resource challenges for a large basin in northern Patagonia, Argentina and utilizes the Robust Decision Support (RDS) framework to evaluate trade-offs and strategies in a participatory process that included researchers and decision-makers. Integrated water resources models using simulation modeling and decision space visualization show significant climate change impacts, which are augmented with irrigated agriculture expansion and increasing hydropower production.
Know your full potential: Quantitative Kelvin probe force microscopy on nanoscale electrical devices
Authors: Axt Amelie , Hermes Ilka M , Bergmann Victor W , Tausendpfund Niklas , Weber Stefan A L
Published: June 2018

In this study we investigate the influence of the operation method in Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) on the measured potential distribution. KPFM is widely used to map the nanoscale potential distribution in operating devices, e.g., in thin film transistors or on cross sections of functional solar cells. Quantitative surface potential measurements are crucial for understanding the operation principles of functional nanostructures in these electronic devices. Nevertheless, KPFM is prone to certain imaging artifacts, such as crosstalk from topography or stray electric fields. Here, we compare different amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) KPFM methods on a reference structure consisting of an interdigitated electrode array. This structure mimics the sample geometry in device measurements, e.g., on thin film transistors or on solar cell cross sections. In particular, we investigate how quantitative different KPFM methods can measure a predefined externally applied voltage difference between the electrodes. We found that generally, FM-KPFM methods provide more quantitative results that are less affected by the presence of stray electric fields compared to AM-KPFM methods.
CALIBRATION OF LÉVY PROCESSES USING OPTIMAL CONTROL OF KOLMOGOROV EQUATIONS WITH PERIODIC BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: Annunziato Mario , Gottschalk Hanno
Published: June 2018

We present an optimal control approach to the problem of model calibration for Lévy processes based on an non-parametric estimation procedure of the measure. The optimization problem is related to the maximum likelihood theory of sieves [25] and is formulated with the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov approach [3, 4].

We use a generic spline discretization of the Lévy jump measure and select an adequate size of the spline basis using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) [12]. The first order necessary optimality conditions are derived based on the Lagrange multiplier technique in a functional space. The resulting Partial Integral-Differential Equations (PIDE) are discretized, numerically solved using a scheme composed of Chang-Cooper, BDF2 and direct quadrature methods, jointly to a non-linear conjugate gradient method. For the numerical solver of the Kolmogorov's forward equation we prove conditions for non-negativity and stability in the L1 norm of the discrete solution.
VIBRATION CONTROL OF A VISCOELASTIC FLEXIBLE MARINE RISER WITH VESSEL DYNAMICS
Authors: Seghour Lamia , Berkani Amirouche , Tatar Nasser-eddine , Saedpanah Fardin
Published: June 2018

In this work, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of solutions of a viscoelastic flexible marine riser with vessel dynamics. Under a suitable control applied at the top end of the riser, we establish explicit decay rates for a large class of relaxation functions. In particular, exponentially and polynomially (or power type) decaying functions are included in this class. Our method is based on the multiplier technique. Numerical simulations justifying the effectiveness of the proposed boundary control to suppress the vibrations of the flexible marine riser are provided.
Bryophytes of Ghana
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi Anthony , Hodgetts Nick
Published: June 2018

There is currently limited information on plant biodiversity from Ghana. Most of the information openly available has been published by the Ghana Herbarium at the Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, University of Ghana. The Ghana Herbarium has over 100,000 specimens from Ghana and other West African countries. Of these approximately 85% of the specimen labels have been digitized. The database contains information including species names, taxonomic family, barcode number, name of collector(s), locality data, date of collection, description of species and uses of the plants. Data were captured using Botanical Research and Herbarium Management Software (BRAHMS) software and is openly available on Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (http://www.gbif.org/country/GH/publishing). Less than 1% of the herbarium collection contains bryophyte information of Ghana.

Even though bryophytes are an often overlooked flora, Ghana has a high diversity of bryophytes. Indeed Ghana has an enormous biomass of bryophytes, particularly in the humid forest areas, that is bound to contribute significantly to the water-retentive capacity of the Ghanaian forest, absorbing water quickly and releasing it slowly. It is clear that the bryophytes are an important part of the ecosystem generally, helping to stabilize the hillsides and acting as a source of water. As very little is known about Ghana's bryophyte flora, a short expedition was undertaken in the Atewa Forest in 2014. A total of 164 species were added to the herbarium collection, including about 58 new to Ghana and at least one new species (Cololejeunea sp. yet to be described).

The Ghana Herbarium recognises the growing need for digitization across its collections. Data from bryophytes specimens in the Ghana Herbarium and other Ghanaian herbaria as well as other data types on Ghanaian bryophytes will need to be captured using appropriate workflows, technologies and comply with Darwin Core standards. There is also paucity of observational and bryophyte abundance data. This presentation will review the current status of biodiversity information on bryophytes from Ghana and biodiversity informatics activities at Ghana Herbarium. It will also explore ways forward for digitization which incudes capturing the information on the already existing bryophyte specimens in the Ghana Herbarium and the newly added collections using BRAHMS software.
The Lectin Pathway of Complement Activation in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Troldborg Anne , Thiel Steffen , Trendelenburg Marten , Friebus-Kardash Justa , Nehring Josephine , Steffensen Rudi , Hansen Søren Werner Karlskov , Laska Magdalena Janina , Deleuran Bent , Jensenius Jens Christian , Voss Anne , Stengaard-Pedersen Kristian
Published: June 2018

Objective.

The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involves complement activation. Activation of complement through the classical pathway (CP) is well established. However, complement activation through pattern recognition not only happens through the CP, but also through the lectin pathway (LP). We investigated the hypothesis that the LP is activated in SLE and involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Methods.

Using immunoassays developed in-house, we measured concentrations of LP proteins in a cohort of 372 patients with SLE and 170 controls. We estimated complement activation measuring total C3, and investigated whether LP protein concentrations were associated with complement activation and disease activity. Protein changes and disease activity over time were assessed in a cohort of 52 patients with SLE followed with repeated samples over a 5-year period.

Results.

Concentrations of LP proteins in SLE were altered compared with controls. The differences observed in LP proteins associated with complement activation were reflected by a decrease in total C3. The pattern recognition molecules (M-ficolin, CL-L1, and CL-K1), the serine protease (MASP-3), and the associated protein (MAp19) displayed a negative correlation with disease activity. Changes in MASP-2 concentrations over time correlated significantly with increased disease activity. Association between active proteinuria and serum concentration was observed for MASP-3 and MAp19.

Conclusion.

In patients with SLE, we measured specific changes in LP proteins that are associated with complement activation and disease activity, indicating that the LP is activated in patients with SLE. These novel findings substantiate the involvement of the LP in SLE.
Sex-associated Treatment Differences and Their Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from the METEOR Register
Authors: Bergstra Sytske Anne , Allaart Cornelia F. , Ramiro Sofia , Chopra Arvind , Govind Nimmisha , Silva Cândida , Murphy Elizabeth A. , Landewé Robert B.M.
Published: June 2018

Objective.

To assess differences in initial treatment and treatment response in male and female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice.

Methods.

The proportion of patients with RA starting different antirheumatic treatments (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; DMARD) and the response to treatment were compared in the international, observational METEOR register. All visits from start of the first DMARD until the first DMARD switch or the end of followup were selected. The effect of sex on time to switch from first to second treatment was calculated using Cox regression. Linear mixed model analyses were performed to assess whether men and women responded differently to treatments, as measured by Disease Activity Score (DAS) or Health Assessment Questionnaire.

Results.

Women (n = 4393) more often started treatment with hydroxychloroquine, as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) or a glucocorticoid, and men (n = 1142) more often started treatment with MTX and/or sulfasalazine. Time to switch DMARD was shorter for women than for men. Women had a statistically significantly higher DAS over time than men (DAS improvement per year β −0.69, 95% CI −0.75 to −0.62 for men and −0.58, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.55 for women). Subanalyses per DMARD group showed for the conventional synthetic DMARD combination therapy a slightly greater decrease in DAS over time in men (−0.89, 95% CI −1.07 to −0.71) compared to women (−0.59, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.51), but these difference between the sexes were clinically negligible.

Conclusion.

This worldwide observational study suggests that in daily practice, men and women with RA are prescribed different initial treatments, but there were no differences in response to treatment between the sexes.
Role of MiR-98 and Its Underlying Mechanisms in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Xie Lin , Xu Jinhua
Published: June 2018

Objective.

T-lymphocyte apoptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis in SLE remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of miR-98 in SLE and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods.

Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to analyze miR-98 and Fas expression. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify miR-98 targets. To modify miRNA levels, miR-98 mimics and inhibitor were transfected into cells. A lentiviral construct was used to overexpress the level of Fas in SLE CD4+ T cells. Gene and protein expression were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis levels were evaluated by annexin V staining and flow cytometry.

Results.

Compared to those of healthy donors, miR-98 was downregulated in SLE CD4+ T cells, whereas Fas mRNA and protein expression were upregulated. Upregulation of miR-98 by mimic transfection protected Jurkat cells against Fas-mediated apoptosis at both mRNA and protein levels, while miR-98 inhibitor induced the completely opposite effect. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that miR-98 directly targeted Fas mRNA. Further, miR-98 inhibitor induced apoptosis in primary healthy CD4+ T cells through the Fas-caspase axis, while upregulation of miR-98 in SLE CD4+ T cells led to the opposite effect.

Conclusion.

The current study revealed that downregulation of miR-98 induces apoptosis by modulating the Fas-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in SLE CD4+ T cells. These results suggest that miR-98 might serve as a potential target for SLE treatment.
La protection du consommateur de produits financiers : quel rôle pour les recours en réparation d'un préjudice ?
Authors: Fluet Claude
Published: June 2018

Cet article discute du rôle des recours en réparation d'un préjudice, judiciaires ou extrajudiciaires, dans la régulation des produits et des services financiers destinés aux particuliers à la lumière des réglementations adoptées depuis une quinzaine d'années. Les recours en réparation sont complémentaires des réglementations et constituent un mécanisme de contrôle a posteriori des produits et des services, susceptibles de présenter un avantage de coût intrinsèque sur les contrôles a priori dans la dissuasion des comportements inappropriés chez les prestataires de services financiers. Classification JEL : G28, K22, K41.
Vincennes, 50 ans déjà... Ce qu’ Hérodote doit à Vincennes
Authors: Giblin Béatrice
Published: June 2018

1968-2018 : Yves Lacoste et moi, nous nous devions de célébrer le cinquantenaire de la création de « Vincennes » ; car sans Vincennes il se pourrait qu’ Hérodote n’ait jamais existé. Cette université fut créée comme une réponse à la révolte universitaire de Mai 68, ce qui lui valut d’avoir un statut exceptionnel et de pouvoir déroger aux normes classiques des cursus universitaires de l’époque, ayant en partie pour modèle celui des universités américaines. Avant même de venir à Vincennes, Lacoste avait l’idée de faire une revue de géographie et j’ai eu la chance qu’il associe à son projet notre petit groupe d’étudiants en histoire, séduits par sa géographie. Au printemps 1976 sortent, presque en même temps, le premier numéro d’ Hérodote et le célèbre petit livre bleu de Lacoste La géographie, ça sert d’abord à faire la guerre . L’Institut français de géopolitique (IFG) de Paris-8 est, à ce jour, unique en France car c’est la seule formation exclusivement géopolitique. Pourquoi cette exception à Paris-8 ? J’y vois la survivance de l’exceptionnalité vincennoise : il est encore possible de proposer de nouveaux domaines de recherche et de formation, ce qui est rare dans l’enseignement supérieur.
Démographie, agriculture familiale et développement rural en Amérique latine. Éléments pour un débat
Authors: Requier-Desjardins Denis
Published: June 2018

En agriculture familiale, la main-d’œuvre permanente est principalement familiale. On s’interroge sur l’impact des tendances démographiques sur son évolution en Amérique latine. La région connaît, en effet, au contraire des autres zones en développement, outre une trajectoire quasi « lewisienne » de développement agricole, un avancement de sa transition démographique qui affecte les structures familiales et la fécondité. Ces tendances concernent également les zones rurales dans un nombre significatif de pays et peuvent affecter la composition des unités familiales, ce qui mène à une interrogation sur la durabilité du modèle de l’agriculture familiale dans la région.
A Literature Review on Image Encryption Techniques
Authors: Geetha S , Punithavathi P , Infanteena A Magnus , Sindhu S Siva Sivatha
Published: June 2018

Encryption is one of the techniques that ensure the security of images used in various domains like military intelligence, secure medical imaging services, intranet and internet communication, e-banking, social networking image communication like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter etc. All these images travel in a free and open network either during storage or communication; hence their security turns out to be a crucial necessity in the grounds of personal privacy and confidentiality. This article reviews and summarizes various image encryption techniques so as to promote development of advanced image encryption methods that facilitate increased versatility and security.
Procedure for the Continuous Sampling and Measurement of Non-Volatile Particulate Matter Emissions from Aircraft Turbine Engines
Authors:   E-31P Particulate Matter Committee
Published: June 2018

This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) describes recommended sampling conditions, instrumentation, and procedures for the measurement of non-volatile particle number and mass concentrations from the exhaust of aircraft gas turbine engines. Procedures are included to estimate sampling system loss performance. This ARP is not intended for in-flight testing, nor does it apply to engines operating in the afterburning mode.

This ARP is intended as a guide toward standard practice and is subject to change to keep pace with experience and technical advances.
Mood Disorder in the Personal Correspondence of Robert Burns: Testing a Novel Interdisciplinary Approach
Authors: Hansen M , Smith DJ , Carruthers G
Published: June 2018

Robert Burns has long been recognised as someone who experienced episodes of melancholia, but no detailed, systematic and objective assessment of his mental health has been undertaken. We tested a novel methodology, combining psychiatric and literary approaches, to assess the feasibility of using Burns's extensive personal correspondence as a source of evidence for assessing the presence of symptoms of a clinically significant mood disorder. We confirmed the potential of this approach and identified putative evidence of episodes of depression and hypomania within the correspondence. While not conclusive of a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder, this work highlights a need for further systematic examination of Burns's mental health and how this may have influenced his work.
The Origins of Sport for Disabled People
Authors: Silver JR
Published: June 2018

The disabled sports movement is considered to have started in 1948 when, under the aegis of Ludwig Guttmann, England hosted the first wheelchair games at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. In this review, we challenge the assumption that sport for disabled people started after the Second World War and contend that it was already practised in an organised fashion in France, Germany and the UK before and after the First World War.
A study of the approaches used to retrieve aerosol extinction, as applied to limb observations made by OSIRIS and SCIAMACHY
Authors: Rieger Landon A. , Malinina Elizaveta P. , Rozanov Alexei V. , Burrows John P. , Bourassa Adam E. , Degenstein Doug A.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Limb scatter instruments in the UV–vis spectral range have provided long-term global records of stratospheric aerosol
extinction important for climate records and modelling. While comparisons with occultation instruments show generally good
agreement, the source and magnitude of the biases arising from retrieval assumptions, approximations in the radiative
transfer modelling and inversion techniques have not been thoroughly characterized. This paper explores the biases
between SCIAMACHY v1.4, OSIRIS v5.07 and SAGE II v7.00 aerosol extinctions through a series of coincident comparisons as
well as simulation and retrieval studies to investigate the cause and magnitude of the various systematic differences.
The effect of a priori profiles, particle size assumptions, radiative transfer modelling, inversion techniques and the
different satellite datasets are explored. It is found that the assumed a priori profile can have a large effect near
the normalization point, as well as systematic influence at lower altitudes. The error due to particle size assumptions
is relatively small when averaged over a range of scattering angles, but individual errors depend on the particular
scattering angle, particle size and measurement vector definition. Differences due to radiative transfer modelling
introduce differences between the retrieved products of less than 10 % on average, but can introduce vertical
structure. The combination of the different scenario simulations and the application of both algorithms to both datasets
enable the origin of some of the systematic features such as high-altitude differences when compared to SAGE II to be
explained.
Persistent carbon sink at a boreal drained bog forest
Authors: Minkkinen Kari , Ojanen Paavo , Penttilä Timo , Aurela Mika , Laurila Tuomas , Tuovinen Juha-Pekka , Lohila Annalea
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Drainage of peatlands is expected to turn these ecosystems into carbon
sources to the atmosphere. We measured carbon dynamics of a drained forested
peatland in southern Finland over 4 years, including one with severe drought
during growing season. Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide
(CO2) was measured with the eddy covariance method from a mast
above the forest. Soil and forest floor CO2 and methane
(CH4) fluxes were measured from the strips and from ditches with
closed chambers. Biomass and litter production were sampled, and soil
subsidence was measured by repeated levellings of the soil surface. The
drained peatland ecosystem was a strong sink of carbon dioxide in all studied
years. Soil CO2 balance was estimated by subtracting the carbon
sink of the growing tree stand from NEE, and it showed that the soil itself
was a carbon sink as well. A drought period in one summer significantly
decreased the sink through decreased gross primary production. Drought also
decreased ecosystem respiration. The site was a small sink for CH4,
even when emissions from ditches were taken into account. Despite the
continuous carbon sink, peat surface subsided slightly during the 10-year
measurement period, which was probably mainly due to compaction of peat. It
is concluded that even 50 years after drainage this peatland site acted as a
soil C sink due to relatively small changes in the water table and in plant
community structure compared to similar undrained sites, and the
significantly increased tree stand growth and litter production. Although the
site is currently a soil C sink, simulation studies with process models are
needed to test whether such sites could remain C sinks when managed for
forestry over several tree-stand rotations.
Reviews and syntheses: Carbon use efficiency from organisms to ecosystems – Definitions, theories, and empirical evidence
Authors: Manzoni Stefano , Čapek Petr , Porada Philipp , Thurner Martin , Winterdahl Mattias , Beer Christian , Brüchert Volker , Frouz Jan , Herrmann Anke M. , Lindahl Björn D. , Lyon Steve W. , Šantrůčková Hana , Vico Giulia , Way Danielle
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The cycling of carbon (C) between the Earth surface and the atmosphere is controlled by biological and abiotic processes that regulate C storage in biogeochemical compartments and release to the atmosphere. This partitioning is quantified using various forms of C-use efficiency (CUE) – the ratio of C remaining in a system over C entering that system. Biological CUE is the fraction of C taken up allocated to new biomass. In soils and sediments C storage depends also on abiotic processes, so the term C-storage efficiency (CSE) can be used. Here we first review and reconcile CUE and CSE definitions proposed for autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms and communities, food webs, whole ecosystems, and soils and sediments using a common mathematical framework. Second, we identify general CUE patterns, such as the CUE increase with improving growing conditions, and apparent decrease due to turnover. We then synthesize > 6000 CUE estimates showing that CUE decreases with increasing biological and ecological organization – from unicellular to multicellular organisms, and from individuals to ecosystems. We conclude that CUE is an emergent property of coupled biological-abiotic systems, and it should be regarded as a flexible and scale-dependent index of the capacity of a given system to effectively retain C.
Collection Profile: Catholic University's Gilded Age and Progressive Era Labor Collections
Authors: Shepherd William John
Published: June 2018

Now available online in digital format are the papers of John Mitchell, Terence V. Powderly, and John W. Hayes, three Gilded Age and Progressive Era labor leaders of significant national importance with strong ties to Pennsylvania. Powderly was active in union work, eventually rising to national leadership; in addition, he served as mayor of Scranton, practiced law, and became a Republican Party operative before working for the federal government. He was also a world traveler, talented photographer, and author. John William Hayes also became active with unions and was an ally of Powderly until 1893 when Hayes joined with the socialists and populist agrarians in order to oust Powderly from his leadership role in the Knights of Labor. John Mitchell began working as a farm laborer as a child, then became a coal miner. He was first a member of the Knights of Labor and then, successively, legislative agent, organizer, vice president, and president of the fledgling United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).
BIOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND BREAKING OF DORMANCY OF SEEDS OF Piptadenia viridiflora (Kunth) Benth
Authors: Vieira Cangussu Anne Caroline , Caetano Ana Paula Oliveira , Santos Jerffson Lucas , Castro Filho Manoel Nelson de , Cardoso Adriana Dias
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study is to evaluate the biometric characteristics and the efficiency of treatments using mechanical scarification and immersion in water at different temperatures to break the dormancy of seeds of surucucu [Piptadenia viridiflora (Kunth) Benth], a tree with several uses and adapted to the semiarid conditions of the northeast of Brazil. The biometric analysis of the seeds was conducted using a digital caliper. The mean length, width, and thickness of 100 seeds were measured. The study adopted a completely randomized experimental design, with six treatments and four repetitions of 25 seeds per plot, totaling 100 seeds per treatment. The experiment consisted of control treatment (seeds without scarification), treatment with mechanical scarification on sandpaper, and heat treatment at 60, 70, 80 and 90 ºC for 5 min. The average size of the seeds was 8.050 mm in length, 6.529 mm in width, and 0.997 mm in thickness. For breaking dormancy, scarification on sandpaper and water immersion at 70 °C produced higher percentages of germination and emerged seedlings.
PARTITIONING OF RAINFALL IN EXPERIMENTAL PLANTATIONS OF Eucalyptus urophylla AND Pinus elliottii
Authors: Arcova Francisco Carlos Soriano , Ranzini Maurício , Cicco Valdir De
Published: June 2018

In a period of 36 months, the partitioning of rainfall was studied in plantations of 30-year-old Eucalyptus urophylla and Pinus elliottii cultivated in flat drainage lysimeters. Gross precipitation was measured with one rain gauge installed in an open area located near the plantations; throughfall was determined by the arithmetic mean of five rain gauges located under the canopy of each species; stemflow was obtained with polyurethane foam collars connected to plastic containers installed on four trees of each species. The mean proportions of throughfall, stemflow and interception in relation to gross rainfall for eucalyptus were 89.0%, 5.4% and 5.6%, respectively, and for pine, they were 79.8%, 1.0 % and 19.2%, respectively. The interannual variation in the percentages of interception for the two species had an amplitude of approximately 6%. There was marked variation in the proportion of stemflow depending on the season for eucalyptus, averaging 8.7% between April and September and 4.6% from October to March. There was a large number of events with negative interception for eucalyptus. One of the likely causes of the negative interception was capture of fog water by the canopy. Linear regressions estimated that rainfall amounts were responsible for approximately 99% and 70% of the variation in throughfall and stemflow, respectively, in the two plantations.
Spinopelvic Dissociation: A Retrospective Case Study and Review of Treatment Controversies
Authors: Chou Daud Tai Shan , El-Daly Ibraheim , Ranganathan Arun , Montgomery Alexander , Culpan Paul , Bates Peter
Published: June 2018

Introduction:

Spinopelvic dissociation is a rare injury resulting in discontinuity between the spine and pelvis. We review the English- language literature and discuss critical treatment controversies. We present a series of spinopelvic dissociation cases from a level I trauma center.

Methods:

In this retrospective review of 18 consecutive cases treated surgically over a period of 4 years, we collected patient, injury, and surgical demographics and clinical and radiographic outcome measures.

Results:

Twelve patients had associated injuries, five were intubated on arrival, and six had neurologic deficits at presentation. No patient had spinal decompression, and all patients underwent closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. There were no cases of iatrogenic nerve injury, despite the use of partially threaded sacroiliac screws and closed reduction techniques. Five patients showed progressive neurologic improvement postoperatively. After reduction, eight patients (44%) had radiographic loss of the sacrococcygeal angle at the latest follow-up, but correction of fracture translation was preserved in all.

Discussion:

Spinopelvic dissociation represents a heterogeneous group of injuries often in the context of polytraumatized patients with other injuries. Our closed reduction and fixation technique resulted in satisfactory outcomes. We present a treatment algorithm for these rare injuries.
Is Fair Value Accounting an Appropriate Measure of Today’s Financial Instruments as More Firms Follow (IFRS)
Authors: Al-Rahamneh Loay
Published: June 2018

The study aimed at identifying whether the fair value accounting is appropriate measure of today’s financial instruments as more firms follow (IFRS). The sample of the study consisted of a number of Jordanian industrial joint stock companies listed in the Amman Stock Exchange (50) out of (78) companies randomly selected. The results show a positive effect of fair value accounting on the appropriateness of the financial statement data in Jordanian industrial joint stock companies away from the use of IFRS. Accordingly the study recommended the need to provide the appropriate environment for the application of fair value accounting standards because of their importance appear in this study.
Ten geleide
Authors: Dekker Fabian
Published: June 2018

Introduction to the dossier

In this feature authors discuss recent research findings that are of interest to readers of Beleid en Maatschappij.
Werken in de klusseneconomie: een literatuurstudie
Authors: Dekker Fabian
Published: June 2018

Working in the gig economy: a literature review

In the last few years, platform work and the so-called ‘gig economy’ have been growing across countries. While policy makers are debating the gig economy, there is no single agreed definition of this new type of work and systematic academic reviews are missing. This literature review provides main findings of relevant papers on working in the gig economy. The article shows that the growth of the gig economy fits well into the increasing hybridisation of work, which raises some political questions.
Van sancties naar schadeclaims?
Authors: Bremmer Linde
Published: June 2018

Van sancties naar schadeclaims?

Natuurlijke personen kunnen nu ruim tien jaar, sinds 1 oktober 2007, door de Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM) een boete opgelegd krijgen voor betrokkenheid bij overtredingen van de Mededingingswet. Het tienjarige jubileum van deze bevoegdheid van de ACM vormt een goede aanleiding de balans op te maken van de handhaving van het mededingingsrecht bij inbreuken door natuurlijke personen. In dit artikel wordt niet alleen een analyse gemaakt van de huidige boetetoemeting aan natuurlijke personen door de ACM. Ook wordt vooruitgekeken naar nieuwe rechtsontwikkelingen op het gebied van (civielrechtelijke) handhaving van het mededingingsrecht met betrekking tot natuurlijke personen. Zo wordt onderzocht in hoeverre het reëel is schadevorderingen jegens feitelijke leidinggevers in te dienen.
Let op! Prijslenen kost geld
Authors: Pliego Selie Alvaro
Published: June 2018

Let op! Prijs lenen kost geld. CBb 12 oktober 2017, ECLI:NL:CBB:2017:325

In de geannoteerde uitspraak had het CBb voor het eerst de mogelijkheid zich uit te spreken over de verenigbaarheid met het mededingingsrecht van de praktijk van ‘prijslenen’ (ook wel: cover pricing) bij aanbestedingen. Met name stond de vraag centraal of deze praktijk moet worden aangemerkt als een gedraging die tot doel heeft de mededinging te beperken. Het CBb beantwoordt deze vraag bevestigend. Ofschoon vaststond dat prijslenen minder evidente mededingingsbeperkende impact zal hebben dan ‘bid rigging’, omdat wel contact plaatsvindt tussen inschrijvers, maar niet gezamenlijk de winnende inschrijver en/of inschrijfprijs wordt bepaald, is het College toch van oordeel dat de te verwachten vervalsing van de mededinging van deze praktijk dusdanig is dat deze, conform de uitspraak van het Hof van Justitie in de zaak Cartes Bancaires, ‘naar zijn aard schadelijk kan worden geacht voor de goede werking van de normale mededinging’. Het CBb wijdt daarnaast interessante overwegingen aan de bagatelgregeling en de door de ACM in acht te nemen functiescheiding.
Added Value or Essential Instruction?: Librarians in the Twenty-First-Century Classroom
Authors: Edwards Julie Biando
Published: June 2018

In recent years, we have seen a proliferation of the amounts of information that we’re exposed to, and our ability to critically navigate that information hasn’t kept pace with the speed at which it’s coming at us. As information professionals we must ask ourselves—what is our role in helping students and patrons navigate information? What value can we add in a world where information is increasingly complex, contradictory, and competitive? Are our traditional methods of delivering information literacy enough? This paper looks at the evolution of information literacy instruction from the skills in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (2000) through the newly adopted Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (2016), using examples from my own experience as a reference and teaching librarian. I will focus on how the ways in which we reach students has changed—from one-shot information literacy sessions to more in-depth interactions with students under the new Framework. I will argue, ultimately, that to truly serve students in our current information age, librarians must consider moving even deeper into the classroom, developing and teaching information literacy and critical thinking skills for credit in the college and university setting, and I will highlight a course I developed at my own institution.How will this change what we do in the classroom?