bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Motorways of the Sea Multicountry Transportation Network
Authors: Tsamboulas Dimitrios , Lekka Anna Maria , Rentziou Aikaterini
Published: August 2013

The continuous increase in freight transportation demand necessitates the promotion of nonroad mode alternatives. In this context, the motorways of the sea (MoS) initiative is intended to establish more efficient, frequent, and high-quality maritime-based logistics services between countries. Although the benefits of MoS development, which include economic development, territorial cohesion, environmental protection, and relief of road transportation congestion, are apparent, realization requires further investigation. A methodology was devised for the development of a MoS network that would connect several countries. The network would consist of market-attractive intermodal international corridors that would serve the freight demand of a multicountry region. Three main phases were proposed as part of the methodology: ( a) the definition of zones, transportation network, and trade characteristics of a study area that included several countries; ( b) forecasts of freight flows; and ( c) assignment of freight flows network and development of a MoS multicountry transportation network. The methodology was applied in the Adriatic region to develop a MoS network between six countries: Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, and Montenegro. Interaction between the established MoS international corridors and their potential performance for freight attraction was analyzed. Interested stakeholders can use the proposed methodology to evaluate the establishment of new MoS links within the framework of a wider intermodal multicountry transportation network.
Analysis of Factors Contributing to Criteria for Selection of European Container Terminals
Authors: Saeed Naima , Aaby Bernt Christoffer
Published: August 2013

The selection criteria used by container shipping lines when choosing European container terminals were studied to determine what factors were crucial. Data were collected through a questionnaire given to shipping lines calling at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the port of Antwerp in Belgium, and the port of Hamburg in Germany, which were the main container hubs in Europe (as measured by the 20-ft equivalent units handled annually). Descriptive statistics revealed that the loading or discharging rate, handling charges, and service quality were the main attributes that influenced port selection. The least important selection factors were personal contacts, investments by shipping lines, and value-added activities. The analysis also showed that hinterland connections were more important than value-added activities. This finding suggested that ports should focus on developing good hinterland connections rather than on providing value-added activities. Factor analysis of the aggregate data was used to determine whether the attributes could be partitioned into fewer, more meaningful factors. According to the results, 12 variables were loaded into two factors, which also appeared to contain distinct elements: Factor 1 contained port attributes, and Factor 2 contained the variables related to formal and informal relationships between ports and shipping lines. Results of the study can be used by port authorities and terminal operators seeking to improve the efficiency and productivity of their ports according to the requirements of their customers, that is, shipping lines.
Selection of Dredging Projects for Maximizing Waterway System Performance
Authors: Mitchell Kenneth Ned , Wang Bruce X. , Khodakarami Mohammadadel
Published: August 2013

Budget allocation to annual maintenance dredging projects conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is addressed. Of the many projects requested, only a subset may be selected for funding because of budgetary constraints. The benefits of conducting maintenance dredging at one dredging project depend on other projects in the system that also are being dredged to take advantage of transportation efficiency gains derived from deeper navigable waterways. The proposed integer programming models and heuristic solution algorithms selected dredging projects for funding, while taking into account interdependent benefits. The models considered the waterway network topology, which was derived from flow data of historic waterborne cargo. The solution algorithms ensured efficient computational performance and quality of solutions. The models and algorithms were tested on example port systems from the Great Lakes region, as well as from mainline coastal ports and inland waterways. The models were shown to increase the amounts of system cargo throughput directly supported by dredging relative to traditional rank-order approaches that did not consider project interdependencies. This result was true especially for scenarios in which the overall budget was small relative to the total of all funding requests in question.
Vessel Speed, Course, and Path Analysis in the Botlek Area of the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands
Authors: Shu Yaqing , Daamen Winnie , Ligteringen Han , Hoogendoorn Serge
Published: August 2013

Because vessel traffic in ports and waterways is growing quickly, much attention has been given to maritime traffic safety and port capacity. Many simulation models have been used for predicting traffic safety and port capacity in ports and waterways. However, maritime traffic models have considered only a few aspects; the influence on safety of human behavior and external factors has not been included. An analysis based on data from an automatic identification system was performed under various external conditions in an investigation of vessel behavior and external influencing factors. The study area included a junction and a slight bend with high maritime traffic density within the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Vessels were classified according to type and gross tonnage. Equidistant cross sections approximately perpendicular to the navigation direction were used for investigation of vessel behavior, including speed, course, and path for each vessel category. The influence of external factors (wind and visibility) on vessel behavior was identified through a comparison with the behavior of unhindered vessels. In the analysis, specific thresholds were set for selecting external conditions and eliminating the influence of encounters. The analysis of unhindered vessels for each vessel category provided insight into vessel behavior. The results revealed that wind had an influence on vessel speed and that visibility affected vessel speed, course, and path. Analysis results can be used as input for the development of a new maritime traffic model, as well as for its verification and validation.
Risk Perception and Communication in International Maritime Shipping in Japan after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
Authors: Wang Xiaoyi , Kato Hironori , Shibasaki Ryuichi
Published: August 2013

This paper investigated the contamination-related impact of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster in Japan on seaport activities and international maritime shipping. Risk perception and risk communication after the disaster were analyzed. The maritime-related newspaper articles published in Japan after this disaster were extensively reviewed. Eleven maritime-related agents, including port managers, governments, shipping companies, port operators, and shippers, were interviewed. These interviews were conducted from June to December 2011. The results of the interviews revealed that the contamination-related impact of the power plant disaster comprised impacts on ( a) major Japanese ports, including Keihin ports, that were skipped (not called at) by 42 container vessels operated by non-Japanese shipping companies; ( b) foreign ports and the measurement of radiation of Japanese cargo; and ( c) actions taken by the Japanese government and port managers. The framework of social amplification of risk communication was used to explain the events observed after the disaster. Use of this framework suggests that the risk communication made by maritime stakeholders successfully reduced the amplification of risk among stakeholders at various levels of information sources, information channels, and stations. A summary of lessons from the study includes the identification of factors that influenced the amplification of risk, quick responses, and appropriate countermeasures by authorities and port managers, and the introduction of systematic radiation measurement under the international agreement.
Evolution of a Bridge Damage-Detection Algorithm
Authors: Phares Brent , Lu Ping , Wipf Terry , Greimann Lowell , Seo Junwon
Published: August 2013

Several of the steps, iterations, and refinements required to develop one of the many pieces of the structural health monitoring (SHM) system puzzle are described. These steps include devising initial concepts, alpha testing, analytical investigation, beta testing, concept upgrades, and field evaluations. Although not necessarily a blueprint for the development of such systems, the report serves as a case study for taking an initial concept through multiple steps that culminate in a validated approach. As SHM becomes a more widely adopted and accepted bridge evaluation protocol, it will be imperative that developers understand the steps required to develop such systems. The work presented is one example of such a process.
Using airborne Ku-band altimeter waveforms to investigate winter accumulation and glacier facies on Austfonna, Svalbard
Authors: Hawley Robert L. , Brandt Ola , Dunse Thorben , Hagen Jon Ove , Helm Veit , Kohler Jack , Langley Kirsty , Malnes Eirik , Høgda Kjell-Arild
Published: August 2013

Winter balance is an important metric for assessing the change on glaciers and ice caps, yet measuring it using ground-based techniques can be challenging. We use the European Space Agency prototype Airborne SAR/Interferometric Radar Altimeter System (ASIRAS) to extract snow depths from the received altimeter waveforms over Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard. Additionally, we attempt to distinguish the long-term firn area from other glacier facies. We validate our results using snow depth and glacier facies characterizations determined from ground-based radar profiles, snow pits and a multi-look satellite synthetic aperture radar image. We show that the depth of the winter snowpack can be extracted from the altimeter data over most of the accumulation zone, comprising wet snow zone and a superimposed ice zone. The method struggles at lower elevations where internal reflections within the winter snowpack are strong and the winter snow depth is less than ∼1 m. We use the abruptness of the reflection from the last summer surface (LSS) to attempt to distinguish glacier facies. While there is a general correlation between LSS abruptness and glacier facies, we do not find a relationship that warrants a distinct classification based on ASIRAS waveforms alone.
An Insight into the Effect of Advanced Injection Strategies on Pollutant Emissions of a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine
Authors: Meloni Roberto , Naso Vincenzo
Published: August 2013

An advanced numerical investigation has been carried out in order to study the effect of multiple injection strategies on Caterpillar heavy-duty diesel engine emissions. Both different injected fuel percentages for each pulse and several dwells between main and post phase were investigated via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and large eddy simulation (LES). Two sets of simulations were taken into account for 10% and 20% exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) fractions. In the first one, the main injection was split into two identical phases, while in the second one into three pulses. Within each set, three strategies were considered, increasing the amount of fuel injected during the main and concurrently decreasing the post pulse. Overall, 48 simulations were employed, since four different dwells between the last phase of the main and post injection were considered. Results show that the pollutant emissions minimization has been obtained for the Schemes injecting 65% and 70% of fuel for both two and three split strategies, but for different values of dwell. In fact, emissions very close to each other for NOx and particulate matter have been reached for these cases. Reductions of about −30% and −71% were respectively obtained for NOx and soot in comparison with experimental emissions related to the single injection case.
Extricating Sex and Gender in Air Pollution Research: A Community-Based Study on Cardinal Symptoms of Exposure
Authors: Oiamo Tor , Luginaah Isaac
Published: August 2013

This study investigated sex and gender differences in cardinal symptoms of exposure to a mixture of ambient pollutants. A cross sectional population-based study design was utilized in Sarnia, ON, Canada. Stratified random sampling in census tracts of residents aged 18 and over recruited 804 respondents. Respondents completed a community health survey of chronic disease, general health, and socioeconomic indicators. Residential concentrations of NO2, SO2, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o/m/p-xylene were estimated by land use regression on data collected through environmental monitoring. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was used to identify variables that interacted with sex and cardinal symptoms of exposure, and a series of logistic regression models were built to predict the reporting of five or more cardinal symptoms (5+ CS). Without controlling for confounders, higher pollution ranks increased the odds ratio (OR) of reporting 5+ CS by 28% (p < 0.01; Confidence Interval (CI): 1.07–1.54). Females were 1.52 (p < 0.05; CI: 1.03–2.26) times more likely more likely to report 5+ CS after controlling for income, age and chronic diseases. The CART analysis showed that allergies and occupational exposure classified the sample into the most homogenous groups of males and females. The likelihood of reporting 5+ CS among females was higher after stratifying the sample based on occupational exposure. However, stratifying by allergic disease resulted in no significant sex difference in symptom reporting. The results confirmed previous research that found pre-existing health conditions to increase susceptibility to ambient air pollution, but additionally indicated that stronger effects on females is partly due to autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, gender differences in occupational exposure confound the effect size of exposure in studies based on residential levels of air pollution.
Potential Targets for Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Authors: Temraz Sally , Mukherji Deborah , Shamseddine Ali
Published: August 2013

The step-wise development of colorectal neoplasia from adenoma to carcinoma suggests that specific interventions could delay or prevent the development of invasive cancer. Several key factors involved in colorectal cancer pathogenesis have already been identified including cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), survivin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Clinical trials of COX-2 inhibitors have provided the “proof of principle” that inhibition of this enzyme can prevent the formation of colonic adenomas and potentially carcinomas, however concerns regarding the potential toxicity of these drugs have limited their use as a chemopreventative strategy. Curcumin, resveratrol and quercetin are chemopreventive agents that are able to suppress multiple signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis and hence are attractive candidates for further research.
Oxidative Stress and MicroRNAs in Vascular Diseases
Authors: Magenta Alessandra , Greco Simona , Gaetano Carlo , Martelli Fabio
Published: August 2013

Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to play a causal role in different vascular diseases, such as hypertension, diabetic vasculopathy, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Indeed, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is known to impair endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell functions, contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules that modulate the stability and/or the translational efficiency of target messenger RNAs. They have been shown to be modulated in most biological processes, including in cellular responses to redox imbalance. In particular, miR-200 family members play a crucial role in oxidative-stress dependent endothelial dysfunction, as well as in cardiovascular complications of diabetes and obesity. In addition, different miRNAs, such as miR-210, have been demonstrated to play a key role in mitochondrial metabolism, therefore modulating ROS production and sensitivity. In this review, we will discuss miRNAs modulated by ROS or involved in ROS production, and implicated in vascular diseases in which redox imbalance has a pathogenetic role.
Dynamic Nature of Noncoding RNA Regulation of Adaptive Immune Response
Authors: Curtale Graziella , Citarella Franca
Published: August 2013

Immune response plays a fundamental role in protecting the organism from infections; however, dysregulation often occurs and can be detrimental for the organism, leading to a variety of immune-mediated diseases. Recently our understanding of the molecular and cellular networks regulating the immune response, and, in particular, adaptive immunity, has improved dramatically. For many years, much of the focus has been on the study of protein regulators; nevertheless, recent evidence points to a fundamental role for specific classes of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in regulating development, activation and homeostasis of the immune system. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) are the most comprehensive and well-studied, a number of reports suggest the exciting possibility that long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) could mediate host response and immune function. Finally, evidence is also accumulating that suggests a role for miRNAs and other small ncRNAs in autocrine, paracrine and exocrine signaling events, thus highlighting an elaborate network of regulatory interactions mediated by different classes of ncRNAs during immune response. This review will explore the multifaceted roles of ncRNAs in the adaptive immune response. In particular, we will focus on the well-established role of miRNAs and on the emerging role of lncRNAs and circulating ncRNAs, which all make indispensable contributions to the understanding of the multilayered modulation of the adaptive immune response.
The Thermal Transformation Arrest Phenomenon in NiCoMnAl Heusler Alloys
Authors: Xu Xiao , Ito Wataru , Tokunaga Masashi , Kihara Takumi , Oka Kengo , Umetsu Rie , Kanomata Takeshi , Kainuma Ryosuke
Published: August 2013

In this report, we present findings of systematic research on NiCoMnAl alloys, with the purpose of acquiring a higher thermal transformation arrest temperature (TA). By systematic research, TA in the NiCoMnAl alloy systems was raised up to 190 K, compared to the highest TA of 130 K in NiCoMnIn. For a selected alloy of Ni40Co10Mn33Al17, magnetization measurements were performed under a pulsed high magnetic field, and the critical magnetic field-temperature phase diagram was determined. The magnetic phase diagram for Ni50-xCoxMn50-yAly was also established. Moreover, from the discussion that the formerly called “kinetic arrest phenomenon” has both thermodynamic and kinetic factors, we suggest a terminology change to the “thermal transformation arrest phenomenon”.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Inhibition Constrains Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) Activity in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cells
Authors: Iachininoto Maria , Nuzzolo Eugenia , Bonanno Giuseppina , Mariotti Andrea , Procoli Annabella , Locatelli Franco , Cristofaro Raimondo , Rutella Sergio
Published: August 2013

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) metabolizes L-tryptophan to kynurenines (KYN), inducing T-cell suppression either directly or by altering antigen-presenting-cell function. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins, is over-expressed by several tumours. We aimed at determining whether COX-2 inhibitors down-regulate the IFN-g-induced expression of IDO1 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells. IFN-γ at 100 ng/mL up-regulated COX-2 and IDO1 in HL-60 AML cells, both at mRNA and protein level. The increased COX-2 and IDO1 expression correlated with heightened production of prostaglandin (PG)E2 and kynurenines, respectively. Nimesulide, a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, down-regulated IDO1 mRNA/protein and attenuated kynurenine synthesis, suggesting that overall IDO inhibition resulted both from reduced IDO1 gene transcription and from inhibited IDO1 catalytic activity. From a functional standpoint, IFN-g-challenged HL-60 cells promoted the in vitro conversion of allogeneic CD4+CD25− T cells into bona fide CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, an effect that was significantly reduced by treatment of IFN-γ-activated HL-60 cells with nimesulide. Overall, these data point to COX-2 inhibition as a potential strategy to be pursued with the aim at circumventing leukaemia-induced, IDO-mediated immune dysfunction.
Protein Structure Validation and Identification from Unassigned Residual Dipolar Coupling Data Using 2D-PDPA
Authors: Fahim Arjang , Mukhopadhyay Rishi , Yandle Ryan , Prestegard James , Valafar Homayoun
Published: August 2013

More than 90% of protein structures submitted to the PDB each year are homologous to some previously characterized protein structure. The extensive resources that are required for structural characterization of proteins can be justified for the 10% of the novel structures, but not for the remaining 90%. This report presents the 2D-PDPA method, which utilizes unassigned residual dipolar coupling in order to address the economics of structure determination of routine proteins by reducing the data acquisition and processing time. 2D-PDPA has been demonstrated to successfully identify the correct structure of an array of proteins that range from 46 to 445 residues in size from a library of 619 decoy structures by using unassigned simulated RDC data. When using experimental data, 2D-PDPA successfully identified the correct NMR structures from the same library of decoy structures. In addition, the most homologous X-ray structure was also identified as the second best structural candidate. Finally, success of 2D-PDPA in identifying and evaluating the most appropriate structure from a set of computationally predicted structures in the case of a previously uncharacterized protein Pf2048.1 has been demonstrated. This protein exhibits less than 20% sequence identity to any protein with known structure and therefore presents a compelling and practical application of our proposed work.
Understanding the Nucleophilic Character and Stability of the Carbanions and Alkoxides of 1-(9-Anthryl)ethanol and Derivatives
Authors: Ramírez Ramsés , García-Martínez Cirilo , Méndez Francisco
Published: August 2013

The nucleophilic character and stability of the carbanions vs. alkoxides derived from 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol and 1-(9-anthryl)ethanol containing X electron-releasing and X electron-acceptor substituents attached to C-10, have been studied at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. Results analyzed in terms of the absolute gas-phase acidity, Fukui function, the local hard and soft acids and bases principle, and the molecular electrostatic potential, show that the central ring of the 9-anthryl group confers an ambident nucleophilic character and stabilizes the conjugated carbanion by electron-acceptor delocalization.
2013 Update on Celiac Disease and Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Pellicano Rinaldo , De Angelis Claudio , Ribaldone Davide , Fagoonee Sharmila , Astegiano Marco
Published: August 2013

Celiac disease is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder, characterized by small intestinal inflammation and villous atrophy after the ingestion of gluten by genetically susceptible individuals. Several extraintestinal manifestations have been associated to celiac disease. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a primary disorder of the esophagus characterized by upper gastrointestinal symptoms, absence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and more than 15 eosinophils per high-power field in biopsy specimens. Both celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis are caused by aberrant, but distinct, immune responses to ingested antigens and can be responsive to restricted food intake. The aim of this review is to assess whether there is an association between these two pathologies. In the majority of the studies examined, including the studies in pediatric population, the prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in subjects with celiac disease was about 10-times that of the general population. We suggest searching for eosinophilic esophagitis in all children undergoing endoscopy for suspicious celiac disease.
An Analysis of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) Discourse Using an Ability Expectation Lens
Authors: Noga Jacqueline , Wolbring Gregor
Published: August 2013

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) was hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 20–22, 2012, 20 years after the first Earth Summit, with the intention of creating solutions to current global environmental issues. In this paper we present the results of an analysis of academic and newspaper articles that covered the Rio +20 summit, using an ability expectation lens. Articles were collected from academic databases such as EBSCO, as well as from newspapers such as the Globe and Mail (Canada) and China Daily; the articles collected were coded for ability expectations using an extensive list of codes which has been designed to identify ability expectations. Analysis of the discourse has revealed a number of ability expectations, such as the ability to produce and consume, the ability to work, and the ability to control. These ability expectations reveal what is seen as a necessary part of development. The opportunities and challenges which occur during development may be related to the expectations of the public, academic, private and not-for-profit sectors. The authors submit that in order to move forward towards universal sustainable development, it is critical to consider the ability expectations which are both explicitly and implicitly included in the Rio +20 discourse.
Introduction. La “Raison” de l'éducation, le “social” et l'étude de la scolarisation
Authors: Popkewitz Thomas S.
Published: August 2013

L’auteur discute d’abord la raison comme historique, autant à travers les thèses scolaires et culturelles sur la façon dont l’enfant est et devrait vivre que comme effet des pratiques sociales et culturelles qui génèrent des principes sur ce qui est vu, mis en acte, discuté et espéré. Centrée sur les principes des sciences de l’éducation et des sciences sociales comme pratiques formant des thèses culturelles sur les modes de vie, cette introduction du dossier cerne l’idée de personne raisonnable. Elle met en évidence que les distinctions comparatistes et le continuum des valeurs dans la scolarisation sont des processus d’inclusion/exclusion et d’abjection –notion qui correspond au rejet et à l’exclusion de qualités particulières des individus. Enfin, elle considère la raison comme un élément de la vie matérielle et de ce qui constitue le social, possédant une matérialité, omise dans les études contemporaines et anglo-américaines de l’éducation. Deux approches méthodologiques sont privilégiées. L’historicité du présent qui permet de considérer les assemblages, connexions et déconnexions qui rendent le présent intelligible. La façon dont ce qui est vu et agi émerge à travers une grille de lecture des pratiques qui devient visible sur certains points, ce que Foucault appelle des seuils et Deleuze et Guattari des plateaux.
Prosternation, malaise et honte en éducation dans la Chine contemporaine ? La servitude volontaire comme nouveau mode de gouvernement
Authors: Zhao Weili
Published: August 2013

Depuis 1997, des étudiants sont appelés à se prosterner devant leurs parents ou leurs enseignants en signe de gratitude. L’examen des controverses nées de ces rituels met en évidence un assemblage ou un désassemblage de principes culturels et sociaux imbriqués dans les débats de la société chinoise contemporaine. L’article problématise ces principes culturels et historiques autour de trois dimensions croisées : confusion Soi-corps, tension identitaire élève/enseignant et logique de représentation symbolique. Un raisonnement binaire sur la prosternation –vue comme l’expression la plus haute du confucianisme ou un rituel féodal de servilité– écarte toute autre interprétation des acteurs. En s’appuyant sur le prendre soin éthique de soi et des autres de Foucault et le raisonnement de Confucius sur le rite dans les Analectes, l’auteur veut recréer un espace social et culturel théorique pour repenser ces prosternations controversées. Pour lui, le glissement, à la lumière de la théorie de la servitude volontaire, de ce qui devrait être à ce qui peut être, rend explicite la valeur éducative et sociale que les rites de prosternation peuvent apporter à la réforme de l’enseignement en Chine. Il enrichit les dynamiques de gouvernance de Foucault et offre une nouvelle perspective pour repenser la gouvernance dans ce qu’elle crée de subjectivité dans la recherche en éducation et en sociologie.
Apprendre au-delà des frontières : entre nomadismes et mobilités
Authors: Charlier Bernadette
Published: August 2013

Par la médiation des personnes et des technologies, les frontières imaginaires structurant les représentations des apprentissages dans, hors et après la formation se trouvent aujourd’hui profondément transformées. La visée de cet article est de proposer une voie pour décrire, analyser et comprendre ces transformations. Prenant appui sur une perspective socioculturelle et médiationnelle reconnaissant les médiateurs de diverses natures (langage, médias, personnes, etc.) dans le processus d’apprentissage, il s’agit de proposer un cadre théorique permettant d’aborder les questions suivantes : « Comment les adultes vivent-elles/ils leurs apprentissages à travers les lieux (reconnus comme éducatifs ou non) et le temps ? » ; « Dans quelle mesure leurs environnements personnels d’apprentissage (EPA) sont-ils médiateurs de cette expérience ? ».
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS STUDY OF PULL AND PLUG FLOW BOUNDARY CONDITION ON NASAL AIRFLOW
Authors: Zubair Mohammed , Riazuddin Vizy Nazira , Abdullah Mohammad Zulkifly , Rushdan Ismail , Shuaib Ibrahim Lutfi , Ahmad Kamarul Arifin
Published: August 2013

The recent advances in the computer based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software tools in the study of airflow behavior in the nasal cavity have opened an entirely new field of medical research. This numerical modeling method has provided both engineers and medical specialists with a clearer understanding of the physics associated with the flow in the complicated nasal domain. The outcome of any CFD investigation depends on the appropriateness of the boundary conditions applied. Most researchers have employed plug boundary condition as against the pull flow which closely resembles the physiological phenomenon associated with the breathing mechanism. A comparative study on the effect of using the plug and pull flow boundary conditions are evaluated and their effect on the nasal flow are studied. Discretization error estimation using Richardson's extrapolation (RE) method has also been carried out. The study is based on the numerical model obtained from computed tomographic data of a healthy Malaysian subject. A steady state Reynold averaged Navier–Stokes and continuity equations is solved for inspiratory flow having flow rate 20 L/min representing turbulent boundary conditions. Comparative study is made between the pull and plug flow model. Variation in flow patterns and flow features such as resistance, pressure and velocity are presented. At the nasal valve, the resistance for plug flow is 0.664 Pa-min/L and for pull flow the value is 0.304 Pa-min/L. The maximum velocity at the nasal valve is 3.28 m/s for plug flow and 3.57 m/s for pull flow model.
Box-Counting Dimension of Fractal Urban Form
Authors: Jiang Shiguo , Liu Desheng
Published: August 2013

The difficulty to obtain a stable estimate of fractal dimension for stochastic fractal (e.g., urban form) is an unsolved issue in fractal analysis. The widely used box-counting method has three main issues: 1) ambiguities in setting up a proper box cover of the object of interest; 2) problems of limited data points for box sizes; 3) difficulty in determining the scaling range. These issues lead to unreliable estimates of fractal dimensions for urban forms, and thus cast doubt on further analysis. This paper presents a detailed discussion of these issues in the case of Beijing City. The authors propose corresponding improved techniques with modified measurement design to address these issues: 1) rectangular grids and boxes setting up a proper box cover of the object; 2) pseudo-geometric sequence of box sizes providing adequate data points to study the properties of the dimension profile; 3) generalized sliding window method helping to determine the scaling range. The authors’ method is tested on a fractal image (the Vicsek prefractal) with known fractal dimension and then applied to real city data. The results show that a reliable estimate of box dimension for urban form can be obtained using their method.
Online Promotion of the E-Commerce Websites in Retail Market in China
Authors: Zhu Xiaoning , Zhang Qun , Zhang Lingping , Yang Jiaqin
Published: August 2013

For companies to take full advantage of the potential offered by the Web, it is essential that their e-commerce websites be prepared and organized in highly usable manner. Companies with better website quality will save time and money, promote customer satisfaction and continued business, and gain an advantage over their competitors. This paper investigates the current issues and challenges for the top 10 B2C e-commerce websites in terms of promoting and marketing their products and services in China. AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS are employed to evaluate the quality of these websites from the website design, transmission speed, popularity of the website, information quantity and the service quality. The managerial implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Simplicity is Bliss
Authors: Jenkins Jeffrey L. , Durcikova Alexandra , Burns Mary B.
Published: August 2013

User-initiated security breaches are common and can be very costly to organizations. Information security training can be used as an effective tool to improve users’ secure behavior and thus alleviate security breaches. Via the lens of learning, working memory, and cognitive load theories, this research examines how to improve the effectiveness of security training through decreasing extraneous stimuli in the presentation of online security training. The authors conducted a realistic laboratory experiment to examine the influence of training with different levels of extraneous stimuli on secure behavior. They found that training presented with low levels of extraneous stimuli improved secure behavior more than training presented with high levels. The results question the effectiveness of elaborate training programs, and rather suggest that simple, direct training modules are most effective.
Effect of meadow regeneration on bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) abundance and diversity in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Rutgers-Kelly Amy C. , Richards Miriam H.
Published: August 2013

To investigate how bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) communities repopulate habitat following severe disturbances, we compared assemblages in new, regenerating landfill sites planted in 2003, recent landfill sites planted in 2000, and control meadows relatively undisturbed for >40 years. All sites were identically sampled using pan traps and sweep netting, from early May to late September 2003, equalising collection effort among sites. In addition, we carried out five-minute aerial net samplings wherever sites contained large patches of wildflowers. We predicted that abundance and diversity of bees would be highest in recent sites and lowest in new sites. This prediction was partially supported: bees were most abundant in recent sites followed by control, then new sites, but species richness was highest (82 species) in recent sites, followed by new sites (67 species), then control (66 species). A randomisation analysis showed that there were more species than expected in new sites and fewer than expected in control sites. Differences in blossom availability likely explain differences in bee abundance and diversity among habitat regeneration levels. Overall, our results suggest that the bee community recolonised newly available sites immediately in the first year and that bee diversity and abundance increased for at least three years, subsequently declining between three and 40 years.
CD28 Sensitizes TCR Ca2+ Signaling during Ag-Independent Polarization of Plasma Membrane Rafts
Authors: Byrum Jennifer N. , Van Komen Jeffrey S. , Rodgers William
Published: August 2013

T cells become polarized during initial interactions with an APC to form an Ag-independent synapse (AIS) composed of membrane rafts, TCR, and TCR-proximal signaling molecules. AISs occur temporally before TCR triggering, but their role in downstream TCR signaling is not understood. Using both human and murine model systems, we studied the signals that activate AIS formation and the effect of these signals on TCR-dependent responses. We show that CD28 produces AISs detectable by spinning disc confocal microscopy seconds following initial interactions between the T cell and APC. AIS formation by CD28 coincided with costimulatory signaling, evidenced by a cholesterol-sensitive activation of the MAPK ERK that potentiated Ca2+ signaling in response to CD3 cross-linking. CD45 also enriched in AISs but to modulate Src kinase activity, because localization of CD45 at the cell interface reduced the activation of proximal Lck. In summary, we show that signaling by CD28 during first encounters between the T cell and APC both sensitizes TCR Ca2+ signaling by an Erk-dependent mechanism and drives formation of an AIS that modulates the early signaling until TCR triggering occurs. Thus, early Ag-independent encounters are an important window for optimizing T cell responses to Ag by CD28.
T Cell–Derived IL-17 Mediates Epithelial Changes in the Airway and Drives Pulmonary Neutrophilia
Authors: Fogli Laura K. , Sundrud Mark S. , Goel Swati , Bajwa Sofia , Jensen Kari , Derudder Emmanuel , Sun Amy , Coffre Maryaline , Uyttenhove Catherine , Van Snick Jacques , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Rao Anjana , Grunig Gabriele , Durbin Joan , Casola Stefano S. , Rajewsky Klaus , Koralov Sergei B.
Published: August 2013

Th17 cells are a proinflammatory subset of effector T cells that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. Their production of the cytokine IL-17 is known to induce local recruitment of neutrophils, but the direct impact of IL-17 on the lung epithelium is poorly understood. In this study, we describe a novel mouse model of spontaneous IL-17–driven lung inflammation that exhibits many similarities to asthma in humans. We have found that STAT3 hyperactivity in T lymphocytes causes an expansion of Th17 cells, which home preferentially to the lungs. IL-17 secretion then leads to neutrophil infiltration and lung epithelial changes, in turn leading to a chronic inflammatory state with increased mucus production and decreased lung function. We used this model to investigate the effects of IL-17 activity on airway epithelium and identified CXCL5 and MIP-2 as important factors in neutrophil recruitment. The neutralization of IL-17 greatly reduces pulmonary neutrophilia, underscoring a key role for IL-17 in promoting chronic airway inflammation. These findings emphasize the role of IL-17 in mediating neutrophil-driven pulmonary inflammation and highlight a new mouse model that may be used for the development of novel therapies targeting Th17 cells in asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases.
Seismicity and seismic hazards
Authors: Adams J J , Basham P
Published: August 2013

Many earthquakes occur along Canada's western margin near the edge of the North American Plate, but others occur within the plate in Arctic and southeastern Canada. Damaging earthquakes have occurred throughout history in both Eastern and Western Canada, and will
undoubtedly recur in the future. Earthquakes have varied geological effects including ground rupture and land-level change, tsunamis, sediment liquefaction, and landslides; past earthquakes, including the prehistoric great Cascadia earthquake of AD 1700, have been studied by these effects.
Historical earthquakes have caused damage to buildings and other structures, chiefly from direct shaking; future earthquakes may result in foundation failures and fires consequent on building damage. Damage can be mitigated by using earthquake-resistant designs. The Geological Survey of Canada has
produced three generations of seismic hazard maps to assign hazard levels across the country; the fourth, which includes recent research developments, is nearing completion.
Tsunamis
Authors: Clague J J
Published: August 2013

Tsunamis are waves produced by earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and meteorite impacts. Large tsunamis strike the British Columbia coast on average once every few hundred years. Some, including one from Alaska in 1964, are produced by distant
earthquakes beneath the Pacific Ocean. Most, however, are triggered by earthquakes at the Cascadia subduction zone, which extends along the Pacific coast from Vancouver Island to northern California. Smaller, more localized tsunamis in British Columbia are triggered by landslides. Tsunamis are
uncommon on the Atlantic and Arctic coasts. In 1929, however, an earthquake beneath the Grand Banks, 250 km south of Newfoundland, triggered a large submarine slump that set off a tsunami that damaged 40 communities in Newfoundland and claimed 28 lives. Tsunamis cannot be prevented, but the damage
they cause can be reduced through a variety of nonstructural and structural measures, including zoning, property relocation, emergency preparedness, public education, dyking, barrier construction, floodproofing, and tsunami-resistant construction.
Landslides
Authors: Evans S G
Published: August 2013

Canada has a wide range of landslides reflecting the diverse geological and geomorphological environments in the nation's landscape. Rock avalanches and rockfalls are extremely rapid landslides that are common in mountainous regions. Debris avalanches and
channelized debris flows, typically triggered by heavy rains, form another group of rapid landslides. Rapid slides and earthflows (flowslides) in Quaternary sediments include landslides in leda clay of the St. Lawrence Lowland. Slumps and earthflows are slow landslides. Landslides occur in
permafrost terrain and are sensitive to environmental change. Geotechnical failures in waste dumps, embankments, and excavated slopes form an important group of damaging landslides. Underwater slides are common in Canada's lakes and ocean margins. The secondary effects of landslides (landslide dams
and landslide-generated displacement waves) extend the impact of a landslide beyond its debris. Landslides have caused significant loss of life in Canada and have had impacts on Canada's infrastructure, environment, and resources.
Snow Avalanches
Authors: Jamieson B
Published: August 2013

Snow avalanches occur in many areas of Canada, mostly in remote or uninhabited locations. The few that impact society cause significant damage. Snow avalanches have killed over 570 people in Canada since the mid-1800s. Traffic delays and damage to forests cost
millions of dollars annually. Slab avalanches cause most of the hazard to people, property, and infrastructure. They are released by a failure within a weak layer or at a weak interface underlying one or more layers of cohesive snow. Point-release avalanches start in relatively cohesionless snow and
are usually smaller. Slope angle and orientation to wind strongly influence the formation of avalanches. Avalanche hazards to buildings and transportation corridors can be mitigated using structural methods. Ski areas and transportation corridors often require forecasting and control programs to
reduce the avalanche hazard. About half the people buried in avalanches die within 30 minutes. Portable transceivers reduce search times and increase the odds of finding victims alive.
Floods
Authors: Brooks G R , Evans S G , Clague J J
Published: August 2013

In Canada, flooding is caused by hydrometeorological mechanisms individually or in combination, and, less commonly, by the formation and failure of natural dams. Between 1900 and June 1997, there have been 168 known Canadian flood disasters'. These events are
clustered in the south in Eastern Canada, whereas they generally are spread throughout Western Canada, but with some clustering in southern Manitoba and southwestern British Columbia. Floods are an important part of the flow regime of alluvial rivers, with geomorphic effects ranging from
minor/negligible to large-scale erosion and deposition that completely alters the character of the pre-flood channel and valley bottom. Along many rivers, the impacts of flooding have been reduced by the careful management of flood-prone lands and by the construction of flood-protection
infrastructure. Climate change may be altering the frequency of extreme flood events and thus increasing the risk of occupying flood-prone lands along some rivers.
Impact cratering on Earth
Authors: Grieve R A F
Published: August 2013

Approximately 160 known terrestrial impact structures are distributed worldwide, with concentrations in geologically stable areas. The basic types are simple' craters, up to 4 km in diameter, with uplifted and overturned rimrocks surrounding a bowl-shaped
depression, and complex' structures, generally over 3 km in diameter, with a central uplifted peak and/or ring, an annular trough, and a slumped rim. Morphology is used only to identify possible impact structures. The impact origin of smaller craters can often be determined by the presence of
fragments of the impactor. At large craters, however, the impact commonly melts or completely vapourizes the impactor and verification is based on shock metamorphism. The formation of impact craters as small as 20 km reduces sunlight and disrupts temperature in a manner similar to a nuclear
winter. A large impact event at the Cretaceous Tertiary (K T) boundary is the most likely cause of impactor mass extinctions that occurred at that time.
Sea level rise in Canada
Authors: Shaw J , Taylor R B , Forbes D L , Solomon S
Published: August 2013

Canadian coasts are threatened by a global sea-level rise of 49 cm by 2100, due to the effects of climate change. This contribution shows the sensitivity of the coasts of Canada to this increase. The largest region of high sensitivity comprises much of the
coasts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. In the Arctic, the coast of the Beaufort Sea is highly sensitive. On the Pacific coast, areas of high sensitivity are the urbanized Fraser River delta and parts of Graham Island. The chief hazards associated with sea-level rise are
the loss of property and infrastructure as a result of coastal erosion, and the damage to agricultural land, property, and infrastructure by flooding. Four examples are illustrated: Beaufort Sea; Placentia, Newfoundland; eastern shore, Nova Scotia; and head of the Bay of
Fundy.