bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La comptabilité par activités et la gestion des activités : comparaison entre le Canada et la France
Authors: Bescos Pierre-Laurent , Cauvin Éric , Gosselin Maurice
Published: April 2013

La comptabilité par activités et la gestion des activités sont sans contredit les innovations les plus importantes de la dernière décennie du xx e siècle dans le domaine de la comptabilité de gestion. Le processus de diffusion de ces innovations varie d’un pays à l’autre selon de nombreux facteurs, comme la tradition en matière de comptabilité de gestion, la taille des entreprises ou les secteurs d’activités. L’objectif de cet article est de présenter les résultats comparatifs de deux enquêtes réalisées récemment au Canada et en France à l’aide du même questionnaire.
Les provisions pour risques et charges en France et en Allemagne à la lumière des évolutions internationales récentes
Authors: Dick Wolfgang , Eberhartinger Éva
Published: April 2013

Les provisions pour risques et charges sont d’importance majeure dans les états financiers. D’un point de vue théorique, elles reflètent les principes comptables de base sur lesquels le système comptable d’un pays donné est basé (en particulier le principe de prudence et le principe de séparation des exercices). Dans la pratique, les provisions pour risques et charges offrent une marge considérable d’appréciation en ce qui concerne leur évaluation. Elles laissent ainsi des possibilités pour de la « comptabilité créative ». Par conséquence, elles font l’objet d’un intérêt d’analyse tout particulier. Cet article examine le traitement des provisions pour risques et charges en France et en Allemagne. La première partie décrit et discute les normes comptables à ce sujet dans les deux pays en intégrant des considérations fiscales. La deuxième partie analyse les différences en référant notamment au contexte historique et aux évolutions internationales. La troisième et dernière partie met en évidence les conséquences des résultats obtenus pour l’analyse financière comparative de rapports annuels français et allemands. L’article montre que, malgré leurs racines communes en matière de comptabilité financière et malgré l’harmonisation et l’internationalisation de ce domaine, des différences considérables existent entre la France et l’Allemagne notamment en ce qui concerne la présentation des provisions pour risques et charges en général, le traitement des provisions pour engagements de retraite et celui de certaines provisions pour travaux de maintenance. C’est particulièrement ce dernier point qui peut représenter un obstacle lors de l’analyse comparative de rapports annuels français et allemands.
Le genre des troubles musculo-squelettiques
Authors: Caroly Sandrine , Major Marie-Eve , Probst Isabelle , Molinié Anne-Françoise
Published: April 2013

Cet article porte sur l’intérêt d’une analyse ergonomique de l’activité pour comprendre la survenue de troubles musculo-squelettiques liés au travail, ainsi que les stratégies développées par les travailleuses et les travailleurs afin de gérer leurs douleurs. Après un cadrage statistique, deux cas de recherche-intervention, l’un avec des hommes et des femmes dans le secteur de l’automobile et l’autre avec des femmes dans le secteur de l’agroalimentaire, mettent en exergue des différences d’exposition selon la division sexuée du travail. L’intégration d’une approche tenant compte du genre en ergonomie apporte un nouveau regard sur le travail des unes et des autres et sur le corps souffrant au travail.
La précarité des ouvrières du nettoyage en Belgique
Authors: De Troyer Marianne , Lebeer Guy , Martinez Esteban
Published: April 2013

Les conditions de travail dans le secteur du nettoyage sont pénibles et contraignantes ; elles résultent de la superposition des dérégulations introduites par le recours généralisé à la sous-traitance et au travail à temps partiel décalé qui touchent, particulièrement, les ouvrières du nettoyage. Cet article rend compte de réponses, encore rares et émergentes, aux inégalités de sexe et à la précarité du travail que produit l’organisation des chantiers dans ce secteur d’activité. Certaines de ces réponses peuvent être qualifiées de collectives car elles sont le fruit d’initiatives prises par les partenaires sociaux du secteur. En revanche, la dernière expérience présentée résulte d’une initiative individuelle et privée, fondée sur la connaissance et la prise en compte, par les responsables d’une entreprise de nettoyage, de la pénibilité des conditions de travail sur les chantiers et des difficultés, pour les travailleuses, à articuler les temps professionnels et les temps familiaux.
Nuevos registros de Hippidion (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) en el Pleistoceno tardío de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Prado José Luis , Bonini Ricardo , Alberdi María Teresa , Scanferla Agustín , Pomi Lucas H. , Fucks Enrique
Published: April 2013

En este estudio se describen dos nuevos cráneos referidos a Hippidion principale (Lund) y varios elementos del esqueleto apendicular referidos a H. devillei procedentes de dos localidades clásicas de la provincia de Buenos Aires, las márgenes de los ríos Salado y Quequén Grande. Para la identificación taxonómica de los restos apendiculares, se realizó un análisis multivariante en el que se incluyeron los metacarpianos y falanges descritos y los registrados en varias localidades de Argentina y Brasil. Para la determinación de los cráneos se realizó un estudio comparativo con otros cráneos de diversas localidades. Estos hallazgos incrementan el registro de Hippidion en América del Sur y aportan nuevas evidencias sobre la cronología de sus especies en Argentina. Se realizó una datación por AMS para el ejemplar de Río Salado (MHM-P54) que ha suministrado una edad 14C 14120 ± 50 BP. En general, los sedimentos portadores en ambas localidades son referibles a la Edad Lujanense, Biozona de Equus (Amerhippus) neogeus.
Size resolved airborne particulate polysaccharides in summer high Arctic
Authors: Leck C. , Gao Q. , Mashayekhy Rad F. , Nilsson U.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Size-resolved aerosol samples for subsequent determination of polysaccharides (monosaccharides in combined form) were collected in air over the central Arctic Ocean during the biologically most active period between the late summer melt season and into the transition to autumn freeze-up. The analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography coupled with highly selective and sensitive tandem mass spectrometry. Polysaccharides were detected in all sizes ranging from 0.035 to 10 μm in diameter with distinct features of heteropolysaccharides, enriched in xylose, glucose + mannose as well as a substantial fraction of deoxysugars. Polysaccharides containing deoxysugars showed a bimodal structure with about 60% of their mass found in the Aitken mode over the pack ice area. Pentose (xylose) and hexose (glucose + mannose) showed a weaker bimodal character and were largely found in the coarse mode in addition to a minor fraction apportioned in the sub-micrometer size range. The concentration of total hydrolysable neutral sugars (THNS) in the samples collected varied over 3 orders of magnitude (1 to 692 pmol m−3) in the super-micrometer size fraction and to a lesser extent in sub-micrometer particles (4 to 88 pmol m−3). Lowest THNS concentrations were observed in air masses that had spent more than 5 days over the pack ice. Within the pack ice area, about 53% (by mass) of the total mass of polysaccharides were found in sub-micrometer particles. The relative abundance of sub-micrometer polysaccharides was closely related to the length of time that the air mass spent over pack ice, with highest fraction (> 90%) observed for > 7 days of advection. The ambient aerosol particles collected onboard ship showed similar monosaccharide composition, compared to particles generated experimentally in situ at the open lead site. This supports the existence of a primary source of particulate polysaccharides from open leads by bubble bursting at the air-sea interface. We speculate that the presence of biogenic polysaccharides, due to their surface active and hygroscopic nature, could play a potential role as cloud condensation nuclei in the pristine high Arctic.
Model analyses of atmospheric mercury: present air quality and effects of transpacific transport on the United States
Authors: Lei H. , Liang X.-Z. , Wuebbles D. J. , Tao Z.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric mercury is a toxic air and water pollutant that is of significant concern because of its effects on human health and ecosystems. A mechanistic representation of the atmospheric mercury cycle is developed for the state-of-the-art global climate-chemistry model, CAM-Chem (Community Atmospheric Model with Chemistry). The model simulates the emission, transport, transformation and deposition of atmospheric mercury (Hg) in three forms: elemental mercury (Hg(0)), reactive mercury (Hg(II)), and particulate mercury (PHg). Emissions of mercury include those from human, land, ocean, biomass burning and volcano related sources. Land emissions are calculated based on surface solar radiation flux and skin temperature. A simplified air–sea mercury exchange scheme is used to calculate emissions from the oceans. The chemistry mechanism includes the oxidation of Hg(0) in gaseous phase by ozone with temperature dependence, OH, H2O2 and chlorine. Aqueous chemistry includes both oxidation and reduction of Hg(0). Transport and deposition of mercury species are calculated through adapting the original formulations in CAM-Chem. The CAM-Chem model with mercury is driven by present meteorology to simulate the present mercury air quality during the 1999–2001 periods. The resulting surface concentrations of total gaseous mercury (TGM) are then compared with the observations from worldwide sites. Simulated wet depositions of mercury over the continental United States are compared to the observations from 26 Mercury Deposition Network stations to test the wet deposition simulations. The evaluations of gaseous concentrations and wet deposition confirm a strong capability for the CAM-Chem mercury mechanism to simulate the atmospheric mercury cycle. The results also indicate that mercury pollution in East Asia and Southern Africa is very significant with TGM concentrations above 3.0 ng m−3. The comparison to wet deposition indicates that wet deposition patterns of mercury are more affected by the spatial variability of precipitation. The sensitivity experiments show that 22% of total mercury deposition and 25% of TGM concentrations in the United States are resulted from domestic anthropogenic sources, but only 9% of total mercury deposition and 7% of TGM concentrations are contributed by transpacific transport. However, the contributions of domestic and transpacific sources on the western United States levels of mercury are of comparable magnitude.
Groundwater and porewater as major sources of alkalinity to a fringing coral reef lagoon (Muri Lagoon, Cook Islands)
Authors: Cyronak T. , Santos I. R. , Erler D. V. , Eyre B. D.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. To better predict how ocean acidification will affect coral reefs, it is important to understand how biogeochemical cycles on reefs alter carbonate chemistry over various temporal and spatial scales. This study quantifies the contribution of shallow porewater exchange (as quantified from advective chamber incubations) and fresh groundwater discharge (as traced by 222Rn) to total alkalinity (TA) dynamics on a fringing coral reef lagoon along the southern Pacific island of Rarotonga over a tidal and diel cycle. Benthic alkalinity fluxes were affected by the advective circulation of water through permeable sediments, with net daily flux rates of carbonate alkalinity ranging from −1.55 to 7.76 mmol m−2 d−1, depending on the advection rate. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) was a source of TA to the lagoon, with the highest flux rates measured at low tide, and an average daily TA flux of 1080 mmol m−2 d−1 at the sampling site. Both sources of TA were important on a reef-wide basis, although SGD acted solely as a delivery mechanism of TA to the lagoon, while porewater advection was either a sink or source of TA dependent on the time of day. This study describes overlooked sources of TA to coral reef ecosystems that can potentially alter water column carbonate chemistry. We suggest that porewater and groundwater fluxes of TA should be taken into account in ocean acidification models in order to properly address changing carbonate chemistry within coral reef ecosystems.
Marine denitrification rates determined from a global 3-D inverse model
Authors: DeVries T. , Deutsch C. , Rafter P. A. , Primeau F.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. A major impediment to understanding long-term changes in the marine nitrogen (N) cycle is the persistent uncertainty about the rates, distribution, and sensitivity of its largest fluxes in the modern ocean. We use a global ocean circulation model to obtain the first 3-D estimate of marine denitrification rates that is maximally consistent with available observations of nitrate deficits and the nitrogen isotopic ratio of oceanic nitrate. We find a global rate of marine denitrification in suboxic waters and sediments of 120–240 Tg N yr−1, which is lower than many other recent estimates. The difference stems from the ability to represent the 3-D spatial structure of suboxic zones, where denitrification rates of 50–77 Tg N yr−1 result in up to 50% depletion of nitrate. This depletion reduces the effect of local isotopic enrichment on the rest of the ocean, allowing the N isotope ratio of oceanic nitrate to be achieved with a sedimentary denitrification rate about 1.3–2.3 times that of suboxic zones. This balance of N losses between sediments and suboxic zones is shown to obey a simple relationship between isotope fractionation and the degree of nitrate consumption in the core of the suboxic zones. The global denitrification rates derived here suggest that the marine nitrogen budget is likely close to balanced.
Vertical distributions of plutonium isotopes in marine sediment cores off the Fukushima coast after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident
Authors: Bu W. T. , Zheng J. , Aono T. , Tagami K. , Uchida S. , Zhang J. , Honda M. C. , Guo Q. J. , Yamada M.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident led to the release of large amounts of radionuclides into the atmosphere as well as direct discharges into the sea. In contrast to the intensive studies on the distribution of the released high volatility fission products, such as 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs, similar studies of the actinides, especially the Pu isotopes, are limited. To obtain the vertical distribution of Pu isotopes in marine sediments and to better assess the possible contamination of Pu from the FDNPP accident in the marine environment, we determined the activities of 239+240Pu and 241Pu as well as the atom ratios of 240Pu/239Pu and 241Pu/239Pu in sediment core samples collected in the western North Pacific off Fukushima from July 2011 to July 2012. We also measured surface sediment samples collected from seven Japanese estuaries before the FNDPP accident to establish the comprehensive background baseline data. The observed results of both the Pu activities and the Pu atom ratios for the sediments in the western North Pacific were comparable to the baseline data, suggesting that the FDNPP accident did not cause detectable Pu contamination to the studied regions prior to the sampling time. The Pu isotopes in the western North Pacific 30 km off the Fukushima coast originated from global fallout and Pacific Proving Ground close-in fallout.
The role of East-Tethys seaway closure in the middle Miocene climatic transition (ca. 14 Ma)
Authors: Hamon N. , Sepulchre P. , Lefebvre V. , Ramstein G.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. The middle Miocene climatic transition (MMCT, approximately 14 Ma) is a key period in Cenozoic cooling and cryospheric expansion. Despite it is well documented in isotopic record, the causes of the MMCT are still a matter of debate. Among various hypotheses, some authors suggested that it was linked with the final closure of the East-Tethys seaway and subsequent oceanic circulation reorganisation. The aim of the present study is to quantify the impact of varying East-Tethys seaway depths on middle Miocene ocean and climate, in order to better understand its role in the MMCT. We present four sensitivity experiments with a fully coupled ocean-atmosphere generalized circulation model. Our results indicate the presence of a warm and salty water source in the northern Indian Ocean when the East-Tethys is deep-open (4000 or 1000 m), which corresponds to the Tethyan Indian Saline Water (TISW) described on the basis of isotopic studies. This water source is absent in the experiments with shallow (250 m) and closed East-Tethys, inducing strong changes in the latitudinal density gradient and ultimately the reinforcement of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). Moreover, when the East-Tethys seaway is shallow or closed, there is a westward water flow in the Gibraltar Strait that strengthens the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) compared to the experiments with deep-open East-Tethys. Our results therefore suggest that the shoaling and final closure of the East-Tethys seaway played a major role in the oceanic circulation reorganisation during the middle Miocene. The results presented here provide new constraints on the timing of the East-Tethys seaway closure, and particularly indicate that, prior to 14 Ma, a deep-open East-Tethys should have allow the formation of TISW. Moreover, whereas the final closure of this seaway likely played a major role in the MMCT, we suggest that it was not the only driver of the global cooling and Antarctica ice sheet growth. Here, we propose that the initiation of the MMCT may have been an atmospheric pCO2 drawdown and that the oceanic Changes due to the East-Tethys seaway closure amplified the response of global climate and East-Antarctic Ice Sheet.
A technique for generating consistent ice sheet initial conditions for coupled ice-sheet/climate models
Authors: Fyke J. G. , Sacks W. J. , Lipscomb W. H.
Published: April 2013

Abstract. A new technique for generating ice sheet preindustrial 1850 initial conditions for coupled ice-sheet/climate models is developed and demonstrated over the Greenland Ice Sheet using the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Paleoclimate end-member simulations and ice core data are used to derive continuous surface mass balance fields which are used to force a long transient ice sheet model simulation. The procedure accounts for the evolution of climate through the last glacial period and converges to a simulated preindustrial 1850 ice sheet that is geometrically and thermodynamically consistent with the 1850 preindustrial simulated CESM state, yet contains a transient memory of past climate that compares well to observations and independent model studies. This allows future coupled ice-sheet/climate projections of climate change that include ice sheets to integrate the effect of past climate conditions on the state of the Greenland Ice Sheet, while maintaining system-wide continuity between past and future climate simulations.
The incidence of prostate cancer and urothelial cancer in the prostate in cystoprostatectomy specimens in a tertiary care Canadian centre
Authors: Sivalingam Sri , Drachenberg Darrel
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Radical cystoprostatectomy remains the gold standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, given the treatment related complications of compromised potency and continence with this procedure, prostate/sexuality sparing cystectomyin orthotopic neobladder candidates has emerged in an effort to minimize these quality of life concerns. Recent evidence suggests only a marginal functional benefit from these technical refinements. We sought to determine the incidence of occult prostate cancer and urothelial cancer of the prostate in cystoprostatectomy specimens conducted for muscle invasive bladder cancer.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 83 male patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer between April 2004 and March 2007. The median age ofour study group was 71 years. Pathologic findings of prostate/urothelia lcancer in the prostate were identified. Clinically significant prostate cancer was defined as Gleason score >6, tumour volume >0.5cc, extracapsular extension or perineural invasion.Results: Our review yielded a 30% (±10%, 0.95 CI) rate of prostate cancer, with 19% (± 8.5%, 0.95 CI) of total specimens being positive for clinically significant prostate cancer. Urothelial cancer in the prostate was identified in 16% (±8.5%, 0.95 CI) of patients, with an overlap with prostate cancer in 2 patients. The overall rate of an underlying cancer within the prostate of our cystoprostatectomy specimens was about 46% (±10.7%, 0.95 CI).Conclusion: These findings suggest that the oncological risk of leaving behind residual cancer may not justify the practice of prostate sparing cystectomies.
Simultaneous saline irrigation during retrograde rigid ureteroscopic lasertripsy for the prevention of proximal calculus migration
Authors: Sun Lu , Peng Fang-li
Published: April 2013

Objective: To analyze the clinical efficacy of Simultaneous saline irrigation method in treating upper-mid ureteral stone migration and overall efﬁciency during ureteroscopic lasertripsy. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 78 patients with a total of 95 upper-mid ureteral stones, which were treated with holmium: YAG lasertripsy. These patients were randomized into two groups. In group I (39 cases with 44 ureteral stones), conventional ureteroscopic lasertripsy was performed in like manner. While in group II (39 cases with 51 ureteral stones), the Simultaneous saline irrigation method was used during lasertripsy. There was no significant difference between the groups with regards to stone site, size or state of the upper urinary tract by spiral computed tomography or excretory urography. Data were analyzed regarding stone migration, lengths of time, and ureteral clearing for various stages of each procedure. Results: One patients (2%) occurred upward stone migration in group II, while in group I it occurred in eight patients (20%).The operative time in group I ranged between 35 to 55 minutes (mean, 44.8±5.3), while in group II it ranged between 40 to 69 minutes (mean, 50.4±3), The operative time was no significant difference between the groups  (p<0.05). Ureteral perforation, urinoma, and urosepsis were not seen in both groups. Conclusion：Simultaneous saline irrigation method demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over the conventional methods. Operation can be performed persistently under clear vision, and the calculus can not be moved upwards, the fragmentation easily to be flushed out. Our data suggest that this method is simple，safe and effective in preventing proximal stone migration during ureteroscopic lasertripsy.
A rare but serious complication of GreenLight HPS photoselective vaporization of the prostate: prostatic capsular perforation with bilateral thigh urinomas and osteitis pubis
Authors: Harriman David , Mayson Brian E. , Leone Ercole F.
Published: April 2013

The use of lasers to perform photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) has been widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia with very few reported complications. To date, most of the published data report outcomes for the 80-W potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser. A more potent laser, the 120-W GreenLight HPS, was introduced in 2006 and provides more efficient vaporization of prostatic tissue and decreased operating times. Despite these benefits, the increased energy applied to the prostate evokes concerns of potential serious complications, including capsular perforation and injury to adjacent structures. A more powerful laser system, the 180-W GreenLight XPS laser (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN) has recently become available. We report a rare but serious complication of GreenLight HPS PVP resulting in prostatic capsular perforation with urinary extravasation, presenting with bilateral thigh urinomas and osteitis pubis.
Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) as an optional treatment method on pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder
Authors: Ahn Sun Gook , Jang Hoon , Han Dong Seok , Lee Jung Uee , Yuk Seung Mo
Published: April 2013

Pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is rare. We have experienced a case of unexpected pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder in a 45-year-old female. An ultrasonographic, computed tomography scan and cystoscopic examination showed a submucosal bladder mass. After transurethral resection of bladder tumour was performed, the bladder mass was confirmed as pheochromocytomaby a pathologist. After surgery, the patient underwent a subsequent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and I131-methyliodobenzylguanidine (I131-MIBG). An image study showed no residual tumour sites and no lymphaticmetastasis. The patient has had no tumour recurrence and no voiding symptoms 3 years after the surgery.
Clinical and pathological variables that predict changes in tumour grade after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Sfoungaristos Stavros , Perimenis Petros
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Preoperative Gleason score is crucial, in combination with other preoperative parameters, in selecting the appropriate treatment for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. The aim of the present study is to determine the clinical and pathological variables that can predict differences in Gleason score between biopsy and radical prostatectomy.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 302 patients who had a radical prostatectomy between January 2005 and September 2010. The association between grade changes and preoperative Gleason score, age, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, number of biopsy cores, presence of prostatitis and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was analyzed. We also conducted a secondary analysis of the factors that influence upgrading in patients with preoperative Gleason score ≤6 (group 1) and downgrading in patients with Gleason score ≤7 (group 2).Results: No difference in Gleason score was noted in 44.3% of patients, while a downgrade was noted in 13.7% and upgrade in 42.1%. About 2/3 of patients with a Gleason score of ≤6 upgraded after radical prostatectomy. PSA density (p = 0.008) and prostate volume (p = 0.032) were significantly correlated with upgrade. No significant predictors were found for patients with Gleason score ≤7 who downgraded postoperatively.Conclusion: Smaller prostate volume and higher values of PSA density are predictors for upgrade in patients with biopsy Gleason score ≤6 and this should be considered when deferred treatment modalities are planned.
A 5-Day Method for Determination of Soluble Silicon Concentrations in Nonliquid Fertilizer Materials Using a Sodium Carbonate-Ammonium Nitrate Extractant Followed by Visible Spectroscopy with Heteropoly Blue Analysis: Single-Laboratory Validation
Authors: Sebastian Dennis , Rodrigues Hugh , Kinsey Charles , Korndörfer Gaspar , Pereira Hamilton , Buck Guilherme , Datnoff Lawrence , Miranda Stephen , Provance-Bowley Mary
Published: April 2013

A 5-day method for determining the soluble silicon (Si) concentrations in nonliquid fertilizer products was developed using a sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)–ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) extractant followed by visible spectroscopy with heteropoly blue analysis at 660 nm. The 5-Day Na2CO3-NH4NO3 Soluble Si Extraction Method can be applied to quantify the plant-available Si in solid fertilizer products at levels ranging from 0.2 to 8.4% Si with an LOD of 0.06%, and LOQ of 0.20%. This Si extraction method for fertilizers correlates well with plant uptake of Si (r2= 0.96 for a range of solid fertilizers) and is applicable to solid Si fertilizer products including blended products and beneficial substances. Fertilizer materials can be processed as received using commercially available laboratory chemicals and materials at ambient laboratory temperatures. The single-laboratory validation of the 5-Day Na2CO3-NH4NO3 Soluble Si Extraction Method has been approved by The Association of American Plant Food Control Officials for testing nonliquid Si fertilizer products.
GreenLight™ Model 960
Authors: Fernandes Richard , Carey Conn , Hynes James , Papkovsky Dmitri
Published: April 2013

The importance of food safety has resulted in a demand for a more rapid, high-throughput method for total viable count (TVC). The industry standard for TVC determination (ISO 4833:2003) is widely used but presents users with some drawbacks. The method is materials- and labor-intensive, requiring multiple agar plates per sample. More importantly, the method is slow, with 72 h typically required for a definitive result. Luxcel Biosciences has developed the GreenLight™ Model 960, a microtiter plate-based assay providing a rapid high-throughput method of aerobic bacterial load assessment through analysis of microbial oxygen consumption. Results are generated in 1–12 h, depending on microbial load. The mix and measure procedure allows rapid detection of microbial oxygen consumption and equates oxygen consumption to microbial load (CFU/g), providing a simple, sensitive means of assessing the microbial contamination levels in foods (1). As bacteria in the test sample grow and respire, they deplete O2, which is detected as an increase in the GreenLight probe signal above the baseline level (2). The time required to reach this increase in signal can be used to calculate the CFU/g of the original sample, based on a predetermined calibration. The higher the initial microbial load, the earlier this threshold is reached (1).
Validation of the Soleris® NF-TVC Method for Determination of Total Viable Count in a Variety of Foods
Authors: Mozola Mark , Gray Lucas R , Feldpausch Jill , Alles Susan , McDougal Susan , Montei Carolyn , Sarver Ron , Steiner Brent , Cooper Christine , Rice Jennifer
Published: April 2013

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the Soleris Non-fermenting-Total Viable Count (NF-TVC) automated growth-based method for semiquantitative detection of mesophilic, aerobic microorganisms in a variety of food products. A probability of detection (POD) statistical model was used to compare Soleris results at multiple test thresholds (dilutions) with aerobic plate counts determined using reference dilution plating procedures. Nine naturally contaminated food products were tested, with Soleris testing performed at three or four threshold levels for each food. Using the POD model, all Soleris test results were in statistical agreement with the reference plating procedures with the exception of a single threshold level in two trials with black pepper, and a single threshold level in the independent laboratory trial with cheesecake. Results of ruggedness testing showed that the Soleris method produced accurate results even when minor variances in operating parameters, including sample volume and incubation temperature, were introduced. Results of the internal and independent laboratory validation studies showed that the Soleris NF-TVC method can be used as an accurate alternative to conventional dilution plating procedures for evaluation of microbial counts at threshold levels, while saving 24 h or more in analysis time.
3M™ Petrifilm™ Environmental Listeria Plate
Authors: Benesh DeAnn L , Crowley Erin S , Bird Patrick M
Published: April 2013

A validation study of the 3M™ Petrifilm™ Environmental Listeria (EL) Plate (3M Food Safety, St. Paul, MN) was conducted at Q Laboratories, Inc., Cincinnati, OH. The method was compared to the Health Canada MFHPB-30 reference method for the analysis of stainless steel environmental surfaces. Twenty replicates of the environmental surface were analyzed at a low and a high inoculum level. The low-level sampling area was inoculated with 0.2–2 CFU/5 cm2, and the high-level sampling area was inoculated with 2–5 CFU/5 cm2. Five control replicates were also analyzed at 0 CFU/5 cm2. There was no significant difference in the number of positives detected by the 3M Petrifilm EL Plate method and the Health Canada MFHPB-30 reference method for the environmental surface analyzed in this study.
State-of-the-art Versus Time-triggered Object Tracking in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Authors: Koplin Moritz , Elmenreich Wilfried
Published: April 2013

Most state-of-the-art driver assistance systems cannot guarantee that real-time images of object states are updated within a given time interval, because the object state observations are typically sampled by uncontrolled sensors and transmitted via an indeterministic bus system such as CAN. To overcome this shortcoming, a paradigm shift toward time-triggered advanced driver assistance systems based on a deterministic bus system, such as FlexRay, is under discussion.

In order to prove the feasibility of this paradigm shift, this paper develops different models of a state-of-the-art and a time-triggered advanced driver assistance system based on multi-sensor object tracking and compares them with regard to their mean performance. The results show that while the state-of-the-art model is advantageous in scenarios with low process noise, it is outmatched by the time-triggered model in the case of high process noise, i.e., in complex situations with high dynamic.
Infrared Range Sensor Array for 3D Sensing in Robotic Applications
Authors: Do Yongtae , Kim Jongman
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the design and testing of multiple infrared range detectors arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) array. The proposed system can collect the sparse three-dimensional (3D) data of objects and surroundings for robotics applications. Three kinds of tasks are considered using the system: detecting obstacles that lie ahead of a mobile robot, sensing the ground profile for the safe navigation of a mobile robot, and sensing the shape and position of an object on a conveyor belt for pickup by a robot manipulator. The developed system is potentially a simple alternative to high-resolution (and expensive) 3D sensing systems, such as stereo cameras or laser scanners. In addition, the system can provide shape information about target objects and surroundings that cannot be obtained using simple ultrasonic sensors. Laboratory prototypes of the system were built with nine infrared range sensors arranged in a 3×3 array and test results confirmed the validity of system.
Porosité des pratiques. Étanchéité du discours
Authors: Lefebvre Marie-Thérèse
Published: April 2013

L’analyse du répertoire diffusé à l’époque pionnière de la radio soulève un problème de définition des genres. L’éventail des musiques dites « intermédiaires » que proposent les diffuseurs met en évidence la porosité entre les musiques classique et populaire. Cette musique hybride devient un produit de consommation culturelle largement accessible, mais elle se situe dans un contexte où la radio est tributaire du discours esthétique étanche porté par l’intelligentsia, ces défenseurs de la « bonne musique ». L’origine de ce courant provient d’un puissant groupe de pression américain, le « Make America Musical ». Il a infiltré le discours porté par les élites québécoises qui ont utilisé, sans toutefois être conscientes de son origine, la même rhétorique : la valorisation d’une certaine musique classique au détriment de la musique populaire. Les directeurs radiophoniques ont dû tenir compte de l’impact médiatique que pouvaient susciter leurs choix musicaux. Comment en sont-ils arrivés à contourner ce discours ? En rendant poreuses les frontières musicales étanches défendues par ce mouvement américain entre les différents genres musicaux, la radio a réussi à créer un genre musical radiophonique typique. Cette stratégie offrant un dégradé subtil des genres musicaux a permis à la radio de se développer et de conquérir un large public, au nom de la « démocratisation de la culture ».
L’objet cinéma entre culture populaire et culture savante1
Authors: Lacasse Germain , Lebel Sacha , Sabino Hubert
Published: April 2013

Cet article envisage d’élargir et d’approfondir le champ de l’histoire culturelle en étudiant les relations entre culture académique et culture populaire. Prenant comme exemple diverses pratiques et institutions dans l’histoire du cinéma québécois (le bonimenteur, la censure, la critique), il propose de déconstruire leur histoire pour rappeler les exclusions sur lesquelles elle est souvent fondée. L’article s’inspire de travaux récents qui revalorisent les études culturelles et leur potentiel interdisciplinaire.
Vie culturelle : la turbulence comme métaphore
Authors: Cambron Micheline , Roy André G.
Published: April 2013

La connaissance historique a été marquée depuis ses débuts par quelques métaphores clés, offrant du passage du temps et des changements historiques des images d’une grande portée heuristique. En ce qui concerne l’histoire de la vie culturelle, les métaphores usuelles se sont graduellement émoussées : elles ne sont plus « vives » (Ricoeur). Après un bref examen de ces diverses métaphores usées, nous proposons une nouvelle métaphore, celle de la turbulence, dont nous examinons le potentiel métaphorique à partir des modèles en dynamique des fluides, en suggérant des applications théoriques fondées sur quelques questions en histoire de la vie culturelle québécoise.
Une Constitution pour l’Empire : sur les origines de l’idée fédérale au Québec, 1765-1815
Authors: Harvey Louis-Georges
Published: April 2013

Dans le contexte du réaménagement de la gouvernance impériale qui s’amorce au milieu du XVIIIe siècle et se poursuit après la Révolution américaine, des officiers de la couronne dans les colonies anglo-américaines qui demeureront loyaux après 1783 tentent de jeter les bases d’une structure constitutionnelle impériale par la création d’une fédération des colonies américaines. Développés entre 1783 et 1815 dans les projets de William Smith et Jonathan Sewell, ces projets de fédération forment un pôle important du discours politique bas-canadien et ils définissent les mécanismes de la domination coloniale que les adeptes de l’Empire tentent d’imposer à la colonie après 1822. Dans le contexte politique bas-canadien, le fédéralisme représente donc un mécanisme de domination et un modèle de gouvernance permettant de perpétuer l’hégémonie politique impériale plutôt qu’une pensée annonciatrice de l’avènement du Canada moderne.
D’où venons-nous ? Que sommes-nous ? Où allons-nous ?
Authors: Lefebvre Marie-Thérèse
Published: April 2013

Cet article présente les résultats d’une enquête et ses répercussions sur l’existence d’une culture canadienne-française distincte, suscitée par André Laurendeau dans L’Action nationale au moment de la Seconde Guerre. L’analyse cherche à faire ressortir les perspectives différentes des 53 répondants, entre ceux issus du milieu intellectuel et ceux provenant du milieu artistique.
Jean-Charles Falardeau, sociologue et précurseur de la Révolution tranquille
Authors: Langlois Simon
Published: April 2013

Jean-Charles Falardeau a été le premier sociologue francophone de carrière au sein de l’Université. Il a été l’instigateur de recherches empiriques sur la société québécoise, prenant la ville de Québec comme « laboratoire » dans la tradition de l’École de Chicago. Notre étude analyse quelle a été sa formation au sein de l’École des sciences sociales de l’Université Laval puis au département de sociologie de l’Université de Chicago. Le sociologue de Laval a été l’interprète d’une nouvelle définition de la société québécoise et du Canada français, montrant que le Québec était devenu une société industrialisée et urbaine. Le diagnostic qu’il a posé sur le décalage entre modes de vie et institutions reste dans la littérature sociologique comme un trait caractéristique du Québec d’avant la Révolution tranquille. Notre analyse met en évidence une facette peu connue de sa vie et de sa carrière : son engagement dans la vie publique québécoise et canadienne, faisant de lui un intellectuel et un précurseur de la Révolution tranquille.
La commémoration à Québec, 1828-2012
Authors: Harvey Fernand
Published: April 2013

Québec possède plus d’une centaine de monuments historiques sur son territoire dont la majorité est localisée dans le Vieux-Québec ou sur la colline parlementaire. Cette analyse à la fois historique et sociographique se propose d’en dégager les grandes thématiques commémoratives. Les caractéristiques historiques de cette ville, à la fois place-forte militaire, capitale politique et centre religieux ont orienté le rapport que ses habitants entretiennent avec le passé. Deux grandes vagues de commémoration avec leurs caractéristiques politiques et esthétiques différentes ont pu être identifiées : la première autour des années 1890-1939 et la seconde, de 1980 à 2012. La réalisation de ces monuments et bustes commémoratifs comporte, par ailleurs, sa propre histoire qui reflète les intérêts convergents ou divergents des différents acteurs sociaux en cause. Parmi les caractéristiques générales qui se dégagent de l’analyse, le dualisme commémoratif est particulièrement significatif.
L’art des Huronnes vu par le frère récollet Gabriel Sagard en 1623-1624
Authors: Lacroix Laurier
Published: April 2013

Parmi les récits qui présentent la vie des missionnaires en milieu autochtone, le texte du frère récollet Gabriel Sagard, Le Grand voyage au pays des Hurons, suivi du Dictionnaire de la langue huronne (1632), est reconnu comme le premier qui soit aussi complet sur cette nation. Sagard y relate son séjour de 1623-1624 auprès de la communauté de Carahouga, groupe huron qui n’a encore été que peu exposé directement au contact avec les Blancs. C’est un aspect particulier de sa relation qui m’intéresse ici, soit sa capacité de reconnaître comme des oeuvres d’art les artefacts produits par les femmes autochtones même si ce concept n’existait pas pour les Amérindiens.

« Elles font […] des paniers de jonc, & d’autres avec des escorces de Bouleaux […] elles font aussi comme une espece de gibesiere de cuir, ou sac à petun, sur lesquels elles font des ouvrages dignes d’admiration, avec du poil de porc espic, coloré de rouge, noir, blanc & bleu, qui sont les couleurs qu’elles font si vives, que les nostres ne semblent point en aprocher. […]. » Son regard émerveillé et curieux détaille ainsi les peintures corporelles, les wampums, les peaux peintes, les bijoux et l’ensemble de la production visuelle.

Sagard reconnaît la richesse et la diversité de leur production et il accorde à ces oeuvres des propriétés décoratives et esthétiques, les objets servant également comme moyens de communication ou comme offrandes lors des cérémonies funéraires. Son système de valeur l’empêche cependant de reconnaître la portée symbolique et mythologique de ces objets. Le texte de Sagard rend visible un moment de la culture matérielle des Hurons à la période de contact, production disparue à laquelle un travail d’interprétation pluridisciplinaire pourra en partie redonner vie.
Unique ZnS–SiO2Morphologies Reflecting a Laser-Induced Heat Distribution
Authors: Mori Tetsuji , Itoh Masahide
Published: April 2013

Unique morphologies including a hemispherical dot and an inverse trapezoid line were fabricated from a mixture of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) using thermal lithography. Depending on the laser power, three types of morphologies were formed for each of the dot and line patterns. The patterns were affected by the concentric heat transfer from the underlying light-absorption layer, and the transverse heat transfer caused by the spatial restriction. These unique morphologies are difficult to fabricate using photolithography, and they are therefore promising for new functional applications involving microscale structures.
Inactivation Process of Penicillium digitatum Spores Treated with Non-equilibrium Atmospheric Pressure Plasma
Authors: Hashizume Hiroshi , Ohta Takayuki , Mori Takumi , Iseki Sachiko , Hori Masaru , Ito Masafumi
Published: April 2013

To investigate the inactivation process of Penicillium digitatum spores treated with a non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma, the spores were observed using a fluorescent microscope and compared with those treated with ultraviolet (UV) light or moist heat. The treated spores were stained with two fluorescent dyes, 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,Y,3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) and diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine (DPPP). The intracellular organelles as well as cell membranes in the spores treated with the plasma were stained with DiI without a major morphological change of the membranes, while the organelles were never stained in the spores treated with UV light or moist heat. Moreover, DPPP staining revealed that organelles were oxidized by plasma treatment unlike UV light or moist heat treatments. These results suggest that only plasma treatment induces a minor structural change or functional inhibition of cell membranes, which leads to the oxidation of the intracellular organelles without a major deformation of the membranes through the penetration of reactive oxygen species generated by the plasma into the cell.
Small-Signal Analysis of the Voltage-Dependent Nonlinearity in High-Power Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodiodes
Authors: Shin Dong-Soo
Published: April 2013

It is demonstrated with small-signal analysis how the voltage-dependent responsivity in the uni-travelling-carrier photodiode (UTC PD) can lead to the intermodulation distortion. A simple expression for the third-order output intercept point (OIP3) is derived and compared with experiments. Reasonable agreements between the theoretical and experimental OIP3 values are observed.
Coevolution: Molecular
Authors: Adkins Ronald M
Published: April 2013

Molecular coevolution is an ongoing process by which a change in the sequence or function of a nucleic acid or protein molecule alters the selective effect of substitutions in another molecule or at other sites in the same molecule. Examples are given that illustrate that coevolution can be the consequence of a variety of forces, including positive selection to maintain compatibility (e.g. gamete recognition proteins) in the interacting molecules or due to relaxation of selective constraints at some sites due to substitutions at other sites with which they interact (e.g. the growth hormone and its receptors). Methods to detect molecular coevolution are constantly developing, and examples of these are provided that generally indicate that explicit consideration of evolutionary relationships and of background neutral rates of substitution improves inferences.

Key Concepts:

The negative or positive selective pressures acting at a site in a molecule are conditional depending on the content of the molecular sites with which it interacts.

The acceptance of mutations into a population that can have important consequences for binding or function can be driven by positive selection for function or by neutral acceptance of formally deleterious mutations rendered permissible by changes at other interacting sites.

Coevolution is frequently accompanied by an increase in the rate of amino acid replacement.

Detection of coevolution is improved by accounting for the underlying patterns of relationship among the species and for the underlying rate of neutral mutation.

Coevolution of interacting molecules may reinforce reproductive isolation between species via gamete recognition or effects on molecular function.