bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Zucchini and Its Distinctive Components in the Modulation of Degenerative Processes: Genotoxicity, Anti-Genotoxicity, Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects
Authors: Martínez-Valdivieso Damián , Font Rafael , Fernández-Bedmar Zahira , Merinas-Amo Tania , Gómez Pedro , Alonso-Moraga Ángeles , Del Río-Celestino Mercedes
Published: July 2017

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo) is a seasonal vegetable with high nutritional and medical values. Many useful properties of this fruit are attributed to bioactive compounds. Zucchini fruits (“Yellow” and “Light Green” varieties) and four distinctive components (lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid) were selected. Firstly, the lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin and dehydroascorbic acid contents were determined in these fruits. Then, in order to evaluate the safety and suitability of their use, different assays were carried out: (i) genotoxicity and anti-genotoxicity tests to determine the safety and DNA-protection against hydrogen peroxide; (ii) cytotoxicity; and (iii) DNA fragmentation and Annexin V/PI (Propidium Iodide) assays to evaluate the pro-apoptotic effect. Results showed that: (i) all the substances were non-genotoxic; (ii) all the substances were anti-genotoxic except the highest concentration of lutein; (iii) “Yellow” zucchini epicarp and mesocarp exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 > 0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively); and (iv) “Light Green” zucchini skin induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, β-carotene being the possible molecule responsible for its pro-apoptotic activity. To sum up, zucchini fruit could play a positive role in human health and nutrition due to this fruit and its components were safe, able to inhibit significantly the H2O2-induced damage and exhibit anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities toward HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cells) tumor cells. The information generated from this research should be considered when selecting potential accessions for breeding program purposes.
Effects of Consuming Xylitol on Gut Microbiota and Lipid Metabolism in Mice
Authors: Uebanso Takashi , Kano Saki , Yoshimoto Ayumi , Naito Chisato , Shimohata Takaaki , Mawatari Kazuaki , Takahashi Akira
Published: July 2017

The sugar alcohol xylitol inhibits the growth of some bacterial species including Streptococcus mutans. It is used as a food additive to prevent caries. We previously showed that 1.5–4.0 g/kg body weight/day xylitol as part of a high-fat diet (HFD) improved lipid metabolism in rats. However, the effects of lower daily doses of dietary xylitol on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism are unclear. We examined the effect of 40 and 200 mg/kg body weight/day xylitol intake on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in mice. Bacterial compositions were characterized by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and targeted real-time PCR. Luminal metabolites were determined by capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Plasma lipid parameters and glucose tolerance were examined. Dietary supplementation with low- or medium-dose xylitol (40 or 194 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively) significantly altered the fecal microbiota composition in mice. Relative to mice not fed xylitol, the addition of medium-dose xylitol to a regular and HFD in experimental mice reduced the abundance of fecal Bacteroidetes phylum and the genus Barnesiella, whereas the abundance of Firmicutes phylum and the genus Prevotella was increased in mice fed an HFD with medium-dose dietary xylitol. Body composition, hepatic and serum lipid parameters, oral glucose tolerance, and luminal metabolites were unaffected by xylitol consumption. In mice, 40 and 194 mg/kg body weight/day xylitol in the diet induced gradual changes in gut microbiota but not in lipid metabolism.
Dietary Phytochemicals Promote Health by Enhancing Antioxidant Defence in a Pig Model
Authors: Selby-Pham Sophie , Cottrell Jeremy , Dunshea Frank , Ng Ken , Bennett Louise , Howell Kate
Published: July 2017

Phytochemical-rich diets are protective against chronic diseases and mediate their protective effect by regulation of oxidative stress (OS). However, it is proposed that under some circumstances, phytochemicals can promote production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro, which might drive OS-mediated signalling. Here, we investigated the effects of administering single doses of extracts of red cabbage and grape skin to pigs. Blood samples taken at baseline and 30 min intervals for 4 hours following intake were analyzed by measures of antioxidant status in plasma, including Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. In addition, dose-dependent production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by the same extracts was measured in untreated commercial pig plasma in vitro. Plasma from treated pigs showed extract dose-dependent increases in non-enzymatic (plasma TEAC) and enzymatic (GPx) antioxidant capacities. Similarly, extract dose-dependent increases in H2O2 were observed in commercial pig plasma in vitro. The antioxidant responses to extracts by treated pigs were highly correlated with their respective yields of H2O2 production in vitro. These results support that dietary phytochemicals regulate OS via direct and indirect antioxidant mechanisms. The latter may be attributed to the ability to produce H2O2 and to thereby stimulate cellular antioxidant defence systems.
Retrieval of Biophysical Crop Variables from Multi-Angular Canopy Spectroscopy
Authors: Danner Martin , Berger Katja , Wocher Matthias , Mauser Wolfram , Hank Tobias
Published: July 2017

The future German Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) mission, due to launch in late 2019, will deliver high resolution hyperspectral data from space and will thus contribute to a better monitoring of the dynamic surface of the earth. Exploiting the satellite’s ±30° across-track pointing capabilities will allow for the collection of hyperspectral time-series of homogeneous quality. Various studies have shown the possibility to retrieve geo-biophysical plant variables, like leaf area index (LAI) or leaf chlorophyll content (LCC), from narrowband observations with fixed viewing geometry by inversion of radiative transfer models (RTM). In this study we assess the capability of the well-known PROSPECT 5B + 4SAIL (Scattering by Arbitrarily Inclined Leaves) RTM to estimate these variables from off-nadir observations obtained during a field campaign with respect to EnMAP-like sun–target–sensor-geometries. A novel approach for multiple inquiries of a large look-up-table (LUT) in hierarchical steps is introduced that accounts for the varying instances of all variables of interest. Results show that anisotropic effects are strongest for early growth stages of the winter wheat canopy which influences also the retrieval of the variables. RTM inversions from off-nadir spectra lead to a decreased accuracy for the retrieval of LAI with a relative root mean squared error (rRMSE) of 18% at nadir vs. 25% (backscatter) and 24% (forward scatter) at off-nadir. For LCC estimations, however, off-nadir observations yield improvements, i.e., rRMSE (nadir) = 24% vs. rRMSE (forward scatter) = 20%. It follows that for a variable retrieval through RTM inversion, the final user will benefit from EnMAP time-series for biophysical studies regardless of the acquisition angle and will thus be able to exploit the maximum revisit capability of the mission.
100 Years of Competition between Reduction in Channel Capacity and Streamflow during Floods in the Guadalquivir River (Southern Spain)
Authors: Bohorquez Patricio , Del Moral-Erencia José
Published: July 2017

Reduction in channel capacity can trigger an increase in flood hazard over time. It represents a geomorphic driver that competes against its hydrologic counterpart where streamflow decreases. We show that this situation arose in the Guadalquivir River (Southern Spain) after impoundment. We identify the physical parameters that raised flood hazard in the period 1997–2013 with respect to past years 1910–1996 and quantify their effects by accounting for temporal trends in both streamflow and channel capacity. First, we collect historical hydrological data to lengthen records of extreme flooding events since 1910. Next, inundated areas and grade lines across a 70 km stretch of up to 2 km wide floodplain are delimited from Landsat and TerraSAR-X satellite images of the most recent floods (2009–2013). Flooded areas are also computed using standard two-dimensional Saint-Venant equations. Simulated stages are verified locally and across the whole domain with collected hydrological data and satellite images, respectively. The thoughtful analysis of flooding and geomorphic dynamics over multi-decadal timescales illustrates that non-stationary channel adaptation to river impoundment decreased channel capacity and increased flood hazard. Previous to channel squeezing and pre-vegetation encroachment, river discharges as high as 1450 m3·s−1 (the year 1924) were required to inundate the same areas as the 790 m3·s−1 streamflow for recent floods (the year 2010). We conclude that future projections of one-in-a-century river floods need to include geomorphic drivers as they compete with the reduction of peak discharges under the current climate change scenario.
Estimating Tropical Cyclone Size in the Northwestern Pacific from Geostationary Satellite Infrared Images
Authors: Lu Xiaoqin , Yu Hui , Yang Xiaoming , Li Xiaofeng
Published: July 2017

Thirty-year (1980–2009) tropical cyclone (TC) images from geostationary satellite (GOES, Meteosat, GMS, MTSAT and FY2) infrared sensors covering the Northwestern Pacific were used to build a TC size dataset based on objective models. The models are based on a correlation between the size of TCs, defined as the mean azimuth radius of 34 kt surface winds (R34) and the brightness temperature radial profiles derived from satellite imagery. Using satellite images between 2001 and 2009, we obtained 16,548 matchup samples and found the correlation to be positive in the TC’s inner core region (in the annulus field 64 km from the TC center) and negative in its outer region (in the annulus field 100–250 km from the TC center). Then, we performed a stepwise regression to select the dominant variables and derived the associated coefficients for the objective models. Independent validation against best track archives shows the median estimation error to be between 27 and 65 km, which are not significantly different to other satellite series data. Finally, we applied the models to 721 TCs and made 13,726 measurements of TC size. The difference of mean TC size derived from our models, and also that from the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best track archives is 19 km. The developed database is valuable in the research fields of TC structure, climatology, and the initialization of forecasting models.
Urban Land-Cover Dynamics in Arid China Based on High-Resolution Urban Land Mapping Products
Authors: Pan Tao , Lu Dengsheng , Zhang Chi , Chen Xi , Shao Hua , Kuang Wenhui , Chi Wenfeng , Liu Zhengjia , Du Guoming , Cao Liangzhong
Published: July 2017

Rapid urbanization has occurred in northwestern China, threatening the sustainability of its fragile dryland ecosystems. A lack of precise urban land-cover information has limited our understanding on the urbanization in the dryland. Here, we examined urban land-cover changes from 2000 to 2014 in 21 major cities that comprise over 50% of the developed land in arid China, using Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus and Operational Land Imager data, and a hybrid classification method. The 15-m resolution urban land-cover products (including impervious surfaces, vegetation, bare soil, and water bodies) had an overall accuracy of 90.37%. Based on these new land use products, we found the urbanization in arid China was characterized by the dramatic expansion of impervious surface (+13.23%) and reduction of bare soil (−13.41%), while the proportions of vegetation (+0.27%) and water (−0.10%) remained stable. The observed dynamic equilibrium of vegetated ratio implies an increasing harmonization of urbanization and greening, which was particularly important for the sustainability of fragile urban ecosystems in arid regions. From an economic perspective, gross domestic product and population were significantly correlated with impervious surfaces, and oasis cities displayed a stronger ability to attract new residents than desert cities.
Phenoliner: A New Field Phenotyping Platform for Grapevine Research
Authors: Kicherer Anna , Herzog Katja , Bendel Nele , Klück Hans-Christian , Backhaus Andreas , Wieland Markus , Rose Johann , Klingbeil Lasse , Läbe Thomas , Hohl Christian , Petry Willi , Kuhlmann Heiner , Seiffert Udo , Töpfer Reinhard
Published: July 2017

In grapevine research the acquisition of phenotypic data is largely restricted to the field due to its perennial nature and size. The methodologies used to assess morphological traits and phenology are mainly limited to visual scoring. Some measurements for biotic and abiotic stress, as well as for quality assessments, are done by invasive measures. The new evolving sensor technologies provide the opportunity to perform non-destructive evaluations of phenotypic traits using different field phenotyping platforms. One of the biggest technical challenges for field phenotyping of grapevines are the varying light conditions and the background. In the present study the Phenoliner is presented, which represents a novel type of a robust field phenotyping platform. The vehicle is based on a grape harvester following the concept of a moveable tunnel. The tunnel it is equipped with different sensor systems (RGB and NIR camera system, hyperspectral camera, RTK-GPS, orientation sensor) and an artificial broadband light source. It is independent from external light conditions and in combination with artificial background, the Phenoliner enables standardised acquisition of high-quality, geo-referenced sensor data.
Enhanced Handover Decision Algorithm in Heterogeneous Wireless Network
Authors: Abdullah Radhwan , Zukarnain Zuriati
Published: July 2017

Transferring a huge amount of data between different network locations over the network links depends on the network’s traffic capacity and data rate. Traditionally, a mobile device may be moved to achieve the operations of vertical handover, considering only one criterion, that is the Received Signal Strength (RSS). The use of a single criterion may cause service interruption, an unbalanced network load and an inefficient vertical handover. In this paper, we propose an enhanced vertical handover decision algorithm based on multiple criteria in the heterogeneous wireless network. The algorithm consists of three technology interfaces: Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). It also employs three types of vertical handover decision algorithms: equal priority, mobile priority and network priority. The simulation results illustrate that the three types of decision algorithms outperform the traditional network decision algorithm in terms of handover number probability and the handover failure probability. In addition, it is noticed that the network priority handover decision algorithm produces better results compared to the equal priority and the mobile priority handover decision algorithm. Finally, the simulation results are validated by the analytical model.
Modelling Dissolved Oxygen Depression in an Urban River in China
Authors: Huang Jingshui , Yin Hailong , Chapra Steven , Zhou Qi
Published: July 2017

Dissolved oxygen (DO) depression in urban rivers appears to be increasing in developing countries, which causes severe aquatic ecosystem stresses. One urban river which suffers DO depression under low flow conditions and requires systematic research for effective mitigation strategies is the Nanfei River (Hefei, China). We investigated its longitudinal profiles of DO and other related water constituents with high spatial resolution monitoring at low flow. A mechanistic DO model for the reach was customized and calibrated with the data obtained. We found that the daily average DO levels within the 11 km study reach shifted from supersaturation (11.5 mg L−1) upstream of the Wangtang Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to serious depletion (3.6 mg L−1) downstream. Process analysis indicated that DO production via strong algal photosynthesis overwhelmed the DO consumptions upstream from the WWTP. In contrast, DO sources could not compensate for DO consumptions, wherein carbonaceous deoxygenation was the largest consumer of the DO (approximately 70%) downstream the WWTP. Rather than directly contributing labile organics, the WWTP effluent affected the DO balance by shifting the metabolism from upstream autotrophy to downstream heterotrophy. Finally, mitigation strategies for DO depression in rivers in rapidly-urbanizing regions were suggested accordingly.
DEVELOPING A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO EVALUATE AND PREDICT BUILDING SERVICE LIFE
Authors: CHEN Chien-Jung , JUAN Yi-Kai , HSU Yin-Hao
Published: July 2017

Analyzing the reasonable service life of buildings is a critical step to evaluate the decision for building utilization, reuse, or disposal. If buildings manifest service value, sustainable refurbishment and reuse methods can be employed to extend their service life. Previous studies on building service life largely focused on physical obsolescence. Few studies have analyzed other aspects. The objective of the present study was to propose a systematic approach to evaluate and predict the reasonable service life of buildings. First, the Fuzzy-Delphi Method (FDM) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were adopted to determine the final evaluation criteria and weights. Second, a mathematical model for predicting building service life was developed by combining the evaluation criteria, six obsolescence factors, and diagnostic scores. Finally, the model was applied to four case studies. The results produced by the model were consistent with those determined by an expert panel, verifying its effectiveness as a tool for decision making for formulating favorable suggestions concerning asset disposal, urban renewal, and renovation. Later obsolescence of buildings can be reduced by taking into account the proposed obsolescence criteria in the construction of new buildings to avoid implementing designs that are prone to obsolescence, thereby enhancing building service life.
Calibration Errors in Interferometric Radio Polarimetry
Authors: Hales Christopher A.
Published: July 2017

Residual calibration errors are difficult to predict in interferometric radio polarimetry because they depend on the observational calibration strategy employed, encompassing the Stokes vector of the calibrator and parallactic angle coverage. This work presents analytic derivations and simulations that enable examination of residual on-axis instrumental leakage and position-angle errors for a suite of calibration strategies. The focus is on arrays comprising alt-azimuth antennas with common feeds over which parallactic angle is approximately uniform. The results indicate that calibration schemes requiring parallactic angle coverage in the linear feed basis (e.g., the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) need only observe over 30°, beyond which no significant improvements in calibration accuracy are obtained. In the circular feed basis (e.g., the Very Large Array above 1 GHz), 30° is also appropriate when the Stokes vector of the leakage calibrator is known a priori, but this rises to 90° when the Stokes vector is unknown. These findings illustrate and quantify concepts that were previously obscure rules of thumb.
An in situ Comparison of Electron Acceleration at Collisionless Shocks under Differing Upstream Magnetic Field Orientations
Authors: Masters A. , Sulaiman A. H. , Stawarz Ł. , Reville B. , Sergis N. , Fujimoto M. , Burgess D. , Coates A. J. , Dougherty M. K.
Published: July 2017

A leading explanation for the origin of Galactic cosmic rays is acceleration at high-Mach number shock waves in the collisionless plasma surrounding young supernova remnants. Evidence for this is provided by multi-wavelength non-thermal emission thought to be associated with ultrarelativistic electrons at these shocks. However, the dependence of the electron acceleration process on the orientation of the upstream magnetic field with respect to the local normal to the shock front (quasi-parallel/quasi-perpendicular) is debated. Cassini spacecraft observations at Saturn’s bow shock have revealed examples of electron acceleration under quasi-perpendicular conditions, and the first in situ evidence of electron acceleration at a quasi-parallel shock. Here we use Cassini data to make the first comparison between energy spectra of locally accelerated electrons under these differing upstream magnetic field regimes. We present data taken during a quasi-perpendicular shock crossing on 2008 March 8 and during a quasi-parallel shock crossing on 2007 February 3, highlighting that both were associated with electron acceleration to at least MeV energies. The magnetic signature of the quasi-perpendicular crossing has a relatively sharp upstream–downstream transition, and energetic electrons were detected close to the transition and immediately downstream. The magnetic transition at the quasi-parallel crossing is less clear, energetic electrons were encountered upstream and downstream, and the electron energy spectrum is harder above ∼100 keV. We discuss whether the acceleration is consistent with diffusive shock acceleration theory in each case, and suggest that the quasi-parallel spectral break is due to an energy-dependent interaction between the electrons and short, large-amplitude magnetic structures.
Determinations of the 12C/13C Ratio for the Secondary Stars of AE Aquarii, SS Cygni, and RU Pegasi*
Authors: Harrison Thomas E. , Marra Rachel E.
Published: July 2017

We present new moderate-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy of three CVs obtained using GNIRS on Gemini-North. These spectra covered three 13CO bandheads found in the K-band, allowing us to derive the isotopic abundance ratios for carbon. We find small 12C/13C ratios for all three donor stars. In addition, these three objects show carbon deficits, with AE Aqr being the most extreme ([C/Fe] = −1.4). This result confirms the conjecture that the donor stars in some long-period CVs have undergone considerable nuclear evolution prior to becoming semi-contact binaries. In addition to the results for carbon, we find that the abundance of sodium is enhanced in these three objects, and the secondary stars in both RU Peg and SS Cyg suffer magnesium deficits. Explaining such anomalies appears to require higher mass progenitors than commonly assumed for the donor stars of CVs.
Accretion-induced Collapse from Helium Star + White Dwarf Binaries
Authors: Brooks Jared , Schwab Josiah , Bildsten Lars , Quataert Eliot , Paxton Bill
Published: July 2017

Accretion-induced collapse (AIC) occurs when an O/Ne white dwarf (WD) grows to nearly the Chandrasekhar mass (

), reaching central densities that trigger electron captures in the core. Using Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), we present the first true binary simulations of He star + O/Ne WD binaries, focusing on a

He star in a 3 hr orbital period with

O/Ne WDs. The helium star fills its Roche lobe after core helium burning is completed and donates helium on its thermal timescale to the WD,

, which is a rate high enough that the accreting helium burns stably on the WD. The accumulated carbon/oxygen ashes from the helium burning undergo an unstable shell flash that initiates an inwardly moving, carbon burning flame. This flame is only quenched when it runs out of carbon at the surface of the original O/Ne core. Subsequent accumulation of fresh carbon/oxygen layers also undergo thermal instabilities, but no mass loss is triggered, which allows

, and then triggers the onset of AIC. We also discuss the scenario of accreting C/O WDs that experience shell carbon ignitions to become O/Ne WDs, and then, under continuing mass transfer, lead to AIC. Studies of the AIC event rate using binary population synthesis should include all of these channels, especially this latter channel, which has been previously neglected but might dominate the rate.
Encadrement et leadership
Authors: Progin Laetitia
Published: July 2017

La contribution est centrée sur le leadership pédagogique exercé par des directeurs débutant dans le cadre d’une nouvelle fonction qui n’existait pas auparavant. A été étudiée plus précisément la manière dont ces directeurs tentent d’occuper, de colorer et de faire évoluer ce nouveau rôle, en exerçant différentes formes de leadership et, notamment, un leadership pédagogique dont les recherches n’ignorent plus l’importance majeure pour les établissements. Si la pédagogie est souvent présentée comme un terrain d’action difficilement accessible aux chefs d’établissement scolaire, les données récoltées dans le cadre de cette recherche esquissent des contours plus nuancés. En effet, malgré les obstacles rencontrés (pluralité des activités, prépondérance des tâches administratives, etc.), les directeurs ne renoncent pas au leadership pédagogique qui semble s’exercer par « petites touches » et de multiples manières.
Encadrement et leadership
Authors: Letor Caroline , Garant Michèle
Published: July 2017

Depuis les vingt dernières années, la gestion des Hautes Écoles s’exerce dans un contexte de changement lié à l’accroissement et à la mutation du public étudiant, aux influences européennes et aux décrets promulgués dans la ligne de « Bologne » s’accompagnant de la recomposition du paysage de l’enseignement supérieur et universitaire. Dans ce chapitre nous nous intéressons aux actions de leadership pédagogique qu’exercent les directrices et les directeurs de catégorie au sein des Hautes Écoles en tant que cadre intermédiaire dans des structures récemment fusionnées, dans un contexte contraignant et mouvant. À partir de l’analyse d’entretiens semi-directifs avec les directions de trois Hautes Écoles du réseau de l’enseignement libre subventionné catholique en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, nous nous interrogeons sur les actions pédagogiques que ces directions poursuivent et à ce qui est mis en place pour développer et évaluer ces actions. Nous cherchons d’une part à caractériser le leadership de ces directions, d’autre part à mettre en évidence les tensions qui composent ce nouveau métier.
L’opération Territoires zéro chômeur de longue durée
Authors: Valentin Patrick , de Virville Michel
Published: July 2017

En 1994, Patrick Valentin lance une expérience fondatrice. Après avoir sensibilisé les acteurs de Seiches-sur-le-Loir au chômage de longue durée, il demande aux quatre-vingts personnes concernées ce qu’elles savent et veulent faire, et cinquante-neuf d’entre elles sont prêtes à s’investir. Un projet d’entreprise les employant toutes est mis sur pied, en lui reversant les indemnités perçues par les chômeurs. Mais pour le préfet, il faudrait une loi, ce qui n’est pas possible. Vingt ans plus tard, les conditions semblent réunies pour lancer l’expérience.
À la recherche d’un nouveau modèle d’organisation et de management chez Michelin
Authors: Ballarin Bertrand
Published: July 2017

Après la mise en œuvre d’un schéma très rationnel, le Michelin Manufacturing Way , la productivité augmente, mais le personnel se sent pris dans des contraintes inhibantes, et le Groupe lance un projet pour responsabiliser les acteurs. Pour cela, Bertrand Ballarin propose d’organiser une première étape avec trente-huit îlots de production dans dix-huit usines. Un an plus tard, cinq sites ont pour mission de voir comment généraliser ces expériences, et imaginer de nouveaux principes de direction. Une révolution engagée avec patience et humilité.
Le cheval dans l’Arabie méridionale antique
Authors: Robin Christian Julien , Maigret Sabina Antonini de
Published: July 2017

Jacques Ryckmans avait démontré en 1963 que le cheval apparaissait en Arabie méridionale au Ier siècle de l’ère chrétienne. Les nombreux textes épigraphiques et représentations sculptées publiés depuis lors ne contredisent pas cette hypothèse.Mais sur deux points, il est possible d’être plus précis. Tout d’abord le fait que le cheval apparaisse dans les sources épigraphiques et iconographiques vers la fin du Ier siècle de l’ère chrétienne n’implique pas nécessairement que l’introduction du cheval soit très récente. Cette introduction a dû s’étaler sur une longue période, avec des échecs suivis de nouvelles tentatives.La seconde avancée concerne la rareté du cheval en Arabie méridionale, plus grande qu’on ne le pensait, jusque vers la fin de l’Antiquité. On pouvait déjà deviner cette rareté en se fondant sur la documentation sudarabique. Elle est désormais prouvée par les gravures rupestres de Ḥimā en Arabie saoudite méridionale. Les innombrables dessins de cavaliers s’avèrent être islamiques dans leur très grande majorité. Les gravures représentant un cavalier de date préislamique assurée sont en fait très exceptionnelles.
Le sultan qui aimait les beaux chevaux : l'« arabomania » équine du mamelouk al-Nāṣir Muḥammad
Authors: Carayon Agnès
Published: July 2017

Le sultan al‑Nāṣir Muḥammad portait aux chevaux un amour sans borne. Le fait, en soit, n’a rien d’exceptionnel pour un souverain mamelouk, digne représentant d’une dynastie qui porta les arts de la furūsiyya à leur plus haute expression et qui en fit l’emblème de son règne. L’intensité de sa passion a pourtant été mentionnée, décriée aussi, dans les chroniques. Ce sultan semble s’être démarqué de ses pairs par son goût en matière de chevaux. Aux qualités guerrières des barbes, il préféra la beauté des chevaux arabes. Elle s’accordait parfaitement à son goût pour l’ostentation des parades, qui marquèrent davantage son règne que les campagnes militaires. Ce penchant prononcé pour les belles montures fit la fortune des tribus arabes qui le fournissaient. Le sultan était en effet capable de dépenser une somme très importante pour acheter une seule jument arabe. L’arabomania équine caractérisa ainsi le règne du sultan mamelouk, considéré comme le plus illustre représentant de la « dynastie des cavaliers ».
Horse Armour in the Medieval Islamic Middle East
Authors: Nicolle David
Published: July 2017

L’idée commune suivant laquelle la barde ne fut pas en usage au début de la période islamique dans le Moyen Orient est fausse. Quasi absente des sources iconographiques, l’armure de cheval est explicitement mentionnée dans la documentation écrite et est également attestée par l’archéologie. Toutefois, le domaine demeure énigmatique et peu étudié. Par ailleurs, il est souvent difficile de faire la distinction entre un équipement ayant une fonction de protection ou non. Cette contribution réunit et interprète la documentation disponible de ce point de vue, en portant l’accent sur la péninsule Arabique et les régions voisines.
City Lights and the Emergence of Beat Poetry: How Howl and Other Poems redefined Poetic and Cultural Boundaries in the mid-1950s
Authors: Pacini Peggy
Published: July 2017

This paper examines how City Lights, a San Francisco-based small press, became not only the lighthouse in the Bay for Beat and Beat-related artists and poets but also a countercultural organ of dissent channelling new poetic visions and aesthetics starting from the mid-1950s. By providing an entry into the publishing conditions of experimental works at the time, it sets the frame for understanding, on the one hand, the specificities of City Lights publishers and Ferlinghetti’s creation of the Poet Pockets Series collection, and on the other hand, the issue of publishing Beat works in the mid-1950s. Ginsberg’s seminal opus Howl and Other Poems, number 4 of the Series, will operate as a means to initiate a dialogue on the mutual influence of City Lights Publishers and the Beats, and to discuss the Beats’ legacy on City Lights editorial policy.
A Decision Support System for Sustainable Waste Collection
Authors: Strand Mattias , Syberfeldt Anna , Geertsen André
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a decision support system (DSS) for making the waste collection process more sustainable. Currently, waste collection schedules and routes are created manually in most waste management organizations. This is both very time consuming and likely to result in poor solutions, as the task is extremely difficult due to the large number of bins combined with the many parameters to be considered simultaneously. With a sophisticated DSS, it becomes possible to address the complexities of optimal waste collection and improve sustainability—not least from the environmental perspective. The DSS proposed here is designed to be used on the operational level in the waste management organization and supports daily operations and activities. System evaluation indicates that it can reduce truck operating time by approximately 25%, corresponding to a saving of approximately 21,300 kg of carbon dioxide and 187 kg of nitrogen oxides per year and truck.
Operationalising Sustainability within Smart Cities
Authors: Dowling Conor Mark , Walsh Stephen Diarmuid , Purcell Stephen M , Hynes William M , Rhodes Mary Lee
Published: July 2017

Sustainable decision making for strategic planning requires support frameworks which can analyse and interpret the multiple interactions underpinning complex urban environments. Such frameworks are often based on economic measures, consequently there is a need for a decision support framework designed to aid work towards a more holistic view of sustainable urban planning projects. As an initial step towards this framework, the authors aim to devise sustainable energy indicators designed to be flexible enough to address the vast extent of urban sustainability processes. In addition, we examine how these indicators need be designed to reflect the broad range of data sources that reflect the three pillars of sustainability, namely: environmental; economic; and social elements. The indicators have been developed specifically for the European urban environment and can be used both internally, for identification of “hot spots”, and externally, for sustainability reporting and stakeholder engagement.
City Makers
Authors: Constantinescu Teodora Iulia , Devisch Oswald , Kostov Georgi
Published: July 2017

Having the ability to give form to cooperative environments while easing the process of collective reflection, serious games have been put forward since the sixties, as a way to overcome challenges in participatory processes. This paper discusses the City Makers game prototype and reports on the game development process, with a focus on five key game-testing sessions. The overall aim of the serious game is to foster collective reflection and facilitate knowledge transfer in and across multidisciplinary groups. The hypothesis is that framing the participation process in a game format facilitates idea generation and dialogue between stakeholders. Therefore, the paper concludes with a set of challenges a serious game has to overcome in order to communicate knowledge from one group to another
Improving Urban Planning Information, Transparency and Participation in Public Administrations
Authors: Santos Beatriz
Published: July 2017

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the involvement of citizens in all public affairs that is also extended to urban planning. Spanish Public Administrations have made important changes and progress trying to get urban and spatial planning closer to the citizen. Firstly, a significant effort has been made to generate knowledge services providing citizen access to urban planning information. Secondly, administrations try to involve citizens in urban planning through participation programmes by using the new channels that information and communication technology offers. This paper analyses different instruments and web-based participation systems implemented in Spain in order to check the result of these developments concluding that there is still a long considerable way to go since information and communications technologies offers a lot of options and tools to improve these processes.
Geo-Tagging News Stories Using Contextual Modelling
Authors: Ferdous Md Sadek , Chowdhury Soumyadeb , Jose Joemon M
Published: July 2017

With the ever-increasing popularity of Location-based Services, geo-tagging a document - the process of identifying geographic locations (toponyms) in the document - has gained much attention in recent years. There have been several approaches proposed in this regard and some of them have reported to achieve higher level of accuracy. The existing approaches perform well at the city or country level, unfortunately, the performance degrades during geo-tagging at the street/locality level for a specific city. Moreover, these geo-tagging approaches fail completely in the absence of a place mentioned in a document. In this paper, an algorithm is presented to address these two limitations by introducing a model of contexts with respect to a news story. The algorithm evolves around the idea that a news story can be geo-tagged not only using place(s) found in the news, but also using certain aspects of its context. An implementation of the proposed approach is presented and its performance is evaluated on a unique data set where findings suggest an improvement over existing approaches.
Simulator for Teaching Robotics, ROS and Autonomous Driving in a Competitive Mindset
Authors: Costa Valter , Rossetti Rosaldo , Sousa Armando
Published: July 2017

Interest in robotics field as a teaching tool to promote the STEM areas has grown in the past years. The search for solutions to promote robotics is a major challenge and the use of real robots always increases costs. An alternative is the use of a simulator. The construction of a simulator related with the Portuguese Autonomous Driving Competition using Gazebo as 3D simulator and ROS as a middleware connection to promote, attract, and enthusiasm university students to the mobile robotics challenges is presented. It is intended to take advantage of a competitive mindset to overcome some obstacles that appear to students when designing a real system. The proposed simulator focus on the autonomous driving competition task, such as semaphore recognition, localization, and motion control. An evaluation of the simulator is also performed, leading to an absolute error of 5.11% and a relative error of 2.76% on best case scenarios relating to the odometry tests, an accuracy of 99.37% regarding to the semaphore recognition tests, and an average error of 1.8 pixels for the FOV tests performed.
Analysis of Consideration of Security Parameters by Vendors on Trust and Customer Satisfaction in E-Commerce
Authors: Hamidi Hodjat , Moradi Saba
Published: July 2017

Exchanges in electronic market accomplishes through electronic channels. An electronic market is a meeting point for both the shoppers and the sellers. This article aims for the impact of cultural and security orientation on the customer perception of the seller's ethics regarding the customers' loyalty. A heuristic method is applied to examine dimensions of customer perception of seller ethics. The research community is selected out of a large group of sale experts and directly through electronic survey platform in electronic markets. According to the article findings, electronic customers are of high tendency to better understand the electronic seller's ethics, and the customer's higher perception of electronic sellers increases the shopping. On-time and correct electronic seller's responses affect positively on the customers' loyalty. The consumer loyalty regarding the ethics of electronic retailer's scale is greater completeness to evaluate consumer perceptions of e-retailers' ethics than scales using a one-dimensional approach. This study further examines both individualism and collectivism at the individual level, which is rare in the existing literature.
Obtaining of Graphene Structure Containing Ceramic Composites in High Temperature Vacuum Furnace
Authors: Jalagonia Natia , Marqui Fernand , Barbakadze Karlo , Sanaia Ekaterine , Bokuchava Guram , Kuchukhidze Tinatin
Published: July 2017

We have obtained ceramic composites containing graphene structure, where homogenization process of powdery composite was improved. At first, α-alumina was obtained from local row, which is cheap and available. The obtaining method was developed by our group. Graphene oxide was synthesized from natural graphite. Homogenization was carried out in nanomill with organic binder, which provides for equal distribution and separation of graphene oxide layers (Organic binder behaves as “scotch tape”) during grinding. Some characteristics of ceramic materials have been improved.
Optimization Process during Laser Machining of 2 mm Thick Al/Al2O3 MMC
Authors: Ghosal Arindam , Manna Alakesh , Patil Pravin
Published: July 2017

It is very difficult to machined Al/Al2O3-MMC by Laser as the heat conductivity of this material is very high [1]. This research paper presents experimental study of machining parameters Optimization [2-8] during machining of 2 mm thick Al/Al2O3-MMC. Response surface methodology (RSM) is used to achieve optimization i.e. minimum hole tapering and maximum Material Removal Rate (MRR). Design of Experiment software is used for optimization by RSM method [9-10]. In this experimental set up 1kW ytterbium Fiber Laser machine is used. Fig 4 shows SEM photograph of a drilled hole generated by Ytterbium fiber laser machining of Al/Al2O3 MMC workpiece. It is an experimental result, obtained during laser beam machining at 750 Watt laser power, 700 Hz modulation frequency, 15 bar N2 gas pressure, 0.30s wait time and 70 % pulse width. The shape of the generated hole is round and derbies are found along the periphery and inside the wall of the generated hole. From Fig. 4, it is clear that the difference between the maximum and minimum average diameter of the hole at the opening is very low. The vaporized material overflows at the drilling spot, it is due to supply of high laser power. From Fig 4, it is also clear that the maximum diameter of the hole is 1.008 mm and minimum hole diameter is 1.003 mm. This hole is almost perfect round hole as only 5 μm deviation is observed on diameter at the openings of the generated hole. From table 5 and 6 it is clear that the error during calculation of MRR and taper is very less. For MRR, the difference between actiul value and calculated value from equation 2 is 0.003 g/s and similarly for taper the difference between actiul value and calculated value from equation 3 is 2x10-4rad.
Aluminide Coating Application for Protection of Anodic Current-Supplying Pins in Soderberg Electrolytic Сell for Aluminium Production
Authors: Kovrov Vadim , Zaikov Yuriy , Tsvetov Vladimir , Shtefanyuk Yuriy , Pingin Vitaliy , Golubev Matvey
Published: July 2017

Anodic current-supplying pins (ACP) made of low-carbon steel corrode intensively due to the sulfur contamination of the carbon-based Soderberg anode and iron sulfides formation in the present aluminium production technology. The aluminide coatings produced by the liquid-phase method followed by the fluoride flux treatment of the steel samples were applied for the ACP protection. The protective layer based on α-Al2O3 and FeAl2O4 was formed on the steel surface in the course of the test run in the industrial Soderberg anode during the aluminium electrolysis. The aluminized ACP wear rates calculated by the linear extrapolation of data obtained during 150 days workout were 4.0 and 5.4 cm/year for the ACP with the aluminide coating and without it, respectively. The current load on the ACP remained almost the same for the aluminized and original uncoated samples with the exception of the initial “heating” period (400-600°C).
Photoluminescence Properties of Ru(bpy)32+ in TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber Films
Authors: Song Lu Yang , Takahashi Kotaro , Higuchi Takeshi , Aita Tadahiro
Published: July 2017

In this work, photoluminescent properties of Ru (bpy)32+ incorporated in cellulose nanofiber (CNF) film was investigated by comparing with those in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) films. In the polymer films, the luminescence intensity of Ru (bpy)32+ was high and λmax of luminescence spectra was blue-shifted compared with those in aqueous solution. The high luminescence intensity was also observed in cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films but the spectrum was red-shifted. Luminescence decay measurement showed that the decays in polymer films were exponential and the lifetimes were far longer than that in aqueous solution. On the other hand, in CNF films, the decays were composed of fast and slow ones. The luminescence properties of Ru (bpy)32+ in CNF films were discussed based on the stabilization of excited state and the dispersibility of Ru (bpy)32+ in the films.
Preparation of Polymer Nanoparticles and Application on Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber Reinforcement
Authors: Wang Cheng Chien , Chiu Chih Lung , Shen Jian Sheng
Published: July 2017

The different amount of hydrophilic hydroxyl group, including 3, 5, 7 and 10 wt.% copoly (styrene-co - divinyl benzene – co - 2-hydroxylethylenemethacrylate) (poly (St-co-DVB- co -HEMA) s) nanoparticles were synthesized via microemulsion polymerization in the present paper. The average size of the poly (St-co-DVB-co-HEMA) s was ca. 44 nm after zetasizer (DLS) measurement and SEM observation. The characteristic peaks at 3200 ~3600 cm-1 in FTIR was assigned at hydroxyl group of HEMA unit. The NBR/poly (St-co-DVB-co-HEMA) s composites films with 250 μm thickness were prepared simply via latex mixing and followed by spinning coating. The mechanical properties of the poly (St-co-DVB-co-HEMA) s/rubber nanocomposites, including the tensile strength, modulus and elongation, were increased with that of increasing of poly (St-co-DVB-co-HEMA) s adding. In addition, as the poly (St-co-DVB-co-HEMA) s nanoparticles carried out with constant St/HEMA molar ratio of 97:3 and the DVB content in 10 wt.%, the elongation at break that up to more than 3500% and the ultimate stress increased from 0.2 MPa to 0.6 MPa. The poly (St-co-DVB-co-HEMA) s nanoparticles prepared by emulsion polymerization could be successfully enhanced the mechanical properties of rubber latex.
Classification of Stevia rebaudiana Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Multivariate Data Analysis
Authors: Martono Yohanes , Rondonuwu Ferdy S. , Trihandaru Suryasatriya
Published: July 2017

Stevia rebaudiana leaf contains stevioside and rebaudioside A as main diterpene glycosides. These compounds are used as natural sweetener and potentially as drug candidate of diabetes type 2. Rapid and nondestructive method for S. rebaudiana leaves (n = 23) classification based on geographical area and main diterpene glycosides content was carried out using near infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was applied to discriminate S. rebaudiana leaves based on geographical area. Principal component analysis (PCA) was established to classify S. rebaudiana leaves based on main diterpene glycosides content. HPLC analysis was used as reference data to divide PCA result into groups. LDA model correctly classified 95% of the S. rebaudiana leaves based on geographical area. PCA model correctly classified 95% and 90% of S. rebaudiana leaves based on rebaudioside A and stevioside content, respectively. The classification method using near infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis demonstrate potential use of the classification method established as quality control technique of S. rebaudiana leaves.