bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of an Ultra-Fine Grained Pure Titanium with High Strength and Good Ductility via ECAP plus Cold Rolling
Authors: Wu Haoran , Jiang Jinghua , Liu Huan , Sun Jiapeng , Gu Yanxia , Tang Ren , Zhao Xincan , Ma Aibin
Published: December 2017

Microstructure evolutions and mechanical properties of a commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti, grade 2) during multi-pass rotary-die equal-channel angular pressing (RD-ECAP) and cold rolling (CR) were systematically investigated in this work, to achieve comprehensive property for faster industrial applications. The obtained results showed that the grain size of CP-Ti decreased from 80 μm of as-received stage to 500 nm and 310 nm after four passes and eight passes of ECAP, respectively. Moreover, abundant dislocations were observed in ECAP samples. After subsequent cold rolling, the grain size of ECAPed CP-Ti was further refined to 120 nm and 90 nm, suggesting a good refining effect by combination of ECAP and CR. XRD (X-ray diffractometer) analysis and TEM (transmission electron microscope) observations indicated that the dislocation density increased remarkably after subsequent CR processing. Room temperature tensile tests showed that CP-Ti after ECAP + CR exhibited the best combination of strength and ductility, with ultimate tensile strength and fracture strain reaching 920 MPa and 20%. The high strength of this deformed CP-Ti originated mainly from refined grains and high density of dislocations, while the good ductility could be attributed to the improved homogeneity of UFG (ultra-fine grained) microstructure. Thus, a high strength and ductility ultra-fine grained CP-Ti was successfully prepared via ECAP plus CR.
Effect of Flowing Water on Sr Sorption Changes of Hydrous Sodium Titanate
Authors: Takahatake Youko , Shibata Atsuhiro , Nomura Kazunori , Sato Tsutomu
Published: December 2017

Radioactive contaminated water has been generated at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power station (F1NPS). Hydrous sodium titanate (SrTreat®) is able to remove radioactive Strontium (Sr) from this water. Knowing the amount of radioactive nuclides in the used as-received SrTreat® is important for effective disposal and deposition of the F1NPS waste. This study investigated changes in the ability of SrTreat® to sorb Sr, and to understand the causes of changes in the sorbing. An investigation of the Sr sorption ability of SrTreat® is important for calculating the initial radioactive inventory of used SrTreat®. This study carries out Sr sorption studies with acid-base titrations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to characterize the properties. After exposure to simulated treated water for 99 h, the surface structure of the SrTreat® was changed, and the percentage of sorbed Sr and the buffer capacity for protons decreased. When the amount of radioactive nuclides contained in the used SrTreat® is calculated from the sorption data of the as-received SrTreat®, the radioactive Sr content will be overestimated with a concomitant increase in the deposition and disposal costs of the used SrTreat®.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Interactions between hLDH5 and Its Inhibitors
Authors: Poli Giulio , Granchi Carlotta , Aissaoui Mohamed , Minutolo Filippo , Tuccinardi Tiziano
Published: December 2017

Inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenase (hLDH5)—the enzyme responsible for the conversion of pyruvate to lactate coupled with oxidation of NADH to NAD+—are promising therapeutic agents against cancer because this enzyme is generally found to be overexpressed in most invasive cancer cells and is linked to their vitality especially under hypoxic conditions. Consequently, significant efforts have been made for the identification of small-molecule hLDH5 inhibitors displaying high inhibitory potencies. X-ray structure of hLDH5 complexes as well as molecular modeling studies contribute to identify and explain the main binding modes of hLDH5 inhibitors reported in literature. The purpose of this review is to analyze the main three-dimensional interactions between some of the most potent inhibitors and hLDH5, in order to provide useful suggestions for the design of new derivatives.
Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis and Equivalent Circuit Modeling of Graphene Oxide Solutions
Authors: Yoon Youngbin , Jo Jeonghoo , Kim Seungdu , Lee In , Cho Byung , Shin Myunghun , Hwang Wan
Published: December 2017

The optical and electrical characteristics of a graphene oxide solution (GS) with different graphene oxide (GO) concentrations in de-ionized water are investigated via the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method. The measurement results produced by the EIS for the GS are represented with both Bode and Nyquist plots in a frequency range from 1 kHz to 10 MHz. Using these results, we develop an equivalent circuit model as a function of the GO concentration, representing the GS as a mixed circuit of two-dimensional (2D) GO dispersed in parallel in de-ionized (DI) water. The underlying physics of the current-flowing behavior in the GS are explained and interpreted using empirical circuit models; the circuit model also shows that highly resistive GO becomes conductive in GS form in the DI water. The findings in this work should draw new attention toward GSes and related applications, including functional composite materials, catalysts, and filter membranes.
Effect of Monthly, High-Dose, Long-Term Vitamin D on Lung Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sluyter John , Camargo Carlos , Waayer Debbie , Lawes Carlene , Toop Les , Khaw Kay-Tee , Scragg Robert
Published: December 2017

Although observational studies suggest positive vitamin D-lung function associations, randomized trials are inconsistent. We examined effects of vitamin D supplementation on lung function. We recruited 442 adults (50–84 years, 58% male) into a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Participants received, for 1.1 years (median; range = 0.9–1.5 years), either (1) vitamin D3 200,000 IU, followed by monthly 100,000 IU doses (n = 226); or (2) placebo monthly (n = 216). At baseline and follow-up, spirometry yielded forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; primary outcome). Mean (standard deviation) 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased from 61 (24) nmol/L at baseline to 119 (45) nmol/L at follow-up in the vitamin D group, but was unchanged in the placebo group. There were no significant lung function improvements (vitamin D versus placebo) in the total sample, vitamin D-deficient participants or asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) participants. However, among ever-smokers (n = 217), the mean (95% confidence interval) FEV1 increase in the vitamin D versus placebo was 57 (4, 109) mL (p = 0.03). FEV1 increases were larger among vitamin D-deficient ever-smokers (n = 54): 122 (8, 236) mL (p = 0.04). FEV1 improvements were largest among ever-smokers with asthma/COPD (n = 60): 160 (53, 268) mL (p = 0.004). Thus, vitamin D supplementation did not improve lung function among everyone, but benefited ever-smokers, especially those with vitamin D deficiency or asthma/COPD.
Recombinant PrP and Its Contribution to Research on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies
Authors: Charco Jorge , Eraña Hasier , Venegas Vanessa , García-Martínez Sandra , López-Moreno Rafael , González-Miranda Ezequiel , Pérez-Castro Miguel , Castilla Joaquín
Published: December 2017

The misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the disease-associated isoform (PrPSc) and its accumulation as amyloid fibrils in the central nervous system is one of the central events in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Due to the proteinaceous nature of the causal agent the molecular mechanisms of misfolding, interspecies transmission, neurotoxicity and strain phenomenon remain mostly ill-defined or unknown. Significant advances were made using in vivo and in cellula models, but the limitations of these, primarily due to their inherent complexity and the small amounts of PrPSc that can be obtained, gave rise to the necessity of new model systems. The production of recombinant PrP using E. coli and subsequent induction of misfolding to the aberrant isoform using different techniques paved the way for the development of cell-free systems that complement the previous models. The generation of the first infectious recombinant prion proteins with identical properties of brain-derived PrPSc increased the value of cell-free systems for research on TSEs. The versatility and ease of implementation of these models have made them invaluable for the study of the molecular mechanisms of prion formation and propagation, and have enabled improvements in diagnosis, high-throughput screening of putative anti-prion compounds and the design of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide an overview of the resultant advances in the prion field due to the development of recombinant PrP and its use in cell-free systems.
A Novel Human-Like Collagen Hydrogel Scaffold with Porous Structure and Sponge-Like Properties
Authors: Song Xi , Zhu Chenhui , Fan Daidi , Mi Yu , Li Xian , Fu Rong , Duan Zhiguang , Wang Ya , Feng Rui
Published: December 2017

The aim of this research was to prepare a novel sponge-like porous hydrogel scaffold based on human-like collagen (HLC) that could be applied in cartilage tissue regeneration. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a porogen to prepare the porous hydrogel, which had not been previously reported. Glutamine transaminase (TGase) was used as the cross-linker of the hydrogel, because it could catalyze the cross-linking of BSA. During the crosslinking process, BSA and HLC were mixed together, which affected the cross-linking of HLC. When the cross-linking was completed, the non-crosslinked section formed pores. The microstructure, porosity, swelling properties, and compressive properties of the hydrogel were studied. The results showed that the pore size of the hydrogel was between 100 and 300 μm, the porosity reached up to 93.43%, and the hydrogel had rapid water absorption and suitable mechanical properties. Finally, we applied the hydrogel to cartilage tissue engineering through in vitro and in vivo research. The in vitro cell experiments suggested that the hydrogel could promote the proliferation and adhesion of chondrocytes, and in vivo transplantation of the hydrogel could enhance the repair of cartilage. In general, the hydrogel is promising as a tissue engineering scaffold for cartilage.
Photo Irradiation-Induced Core Crosslinked Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(aspartic acid) Micelles: Optimization of Block Copolymer Synthesis and Characterization of Core Crosslinked Micelles
Authors: Shiraishi Kouichi , Yusa Shin-ichi , Ito Masanori , Nakai Keita , Yokoyama Masayuki
Published: December 2017

We used photo irradiation to design core crosslinked polymeric micelles whose only significant physico-chemical change was in their physico-chemical stability, which helps elucidate poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-related immunogenicity. Synthetic routes and compositions of PEG-b-poly(aspartic acid) block copolymers were optimized with the control of n-alkyl chain length and photo-sensitive chalcone moieties. The conjugation ratio between n-alkyl chain and the chalcone moieties was controlled, and upon the mild photo irradiation of polymeric micelles, permanent crosslink proceeded in the micelle cores. In the optimized condition, the core crosslinked (CCL) micelles exhibited no dissociation while the non-CCL micelles exhibited dissociation. These results indicate that the photo-crosslinking reactions in the inner core were successful. A gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement revealed a difference between the micellar-formation stability of CCL micelles and that of the non-CCL micelles. GPC experiments revealed that the CCL micelles were more stable than the non-CCL micelles. Our research also revealed that photo-crosslinking reactions did not change the core property for drug encapsulation. In conclusion, the prepared CCL micelles exhibited the same diameter, the same formula, and the same inner-core properties for drug encapsulation as did the non-CCL micelles. Moreover, the CCL micelles exhibited non-dissociable micelle formation, while the non-CCL micelles exhibited dissociation into single block copolymers.
The Effect of Plasma Treated PLGA/MWCNTs-COOH Composite Nanofibers on Nerve Cell Behavior
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Nuan , Ramakrishna Seeram , Tian Lingling , Mo Xiumei
Published: December 2017

Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds which can mimic the architecture of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) are potential candidates for peripheral nerve repair application. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used in peripheral nerve repair due to their ability to promote neurite extension and support neural network formation. In this study, surface-modified nanofibrous scaffolds composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and various ratios of carboxyl-modified MWCNTs (MWCNTs-COOH) (PC0, PC2, PC4 and PC8) were fabricated by electrospinning. The effects of MWCNTs-COOH on the fibers’ morphology, diameter distribution, mechanical properties and surface hydrophilicity were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), ImageJ software, tensile testing and water contact angle. Furthermore, air plasma treatment was applied to improve the surface hydrophilicity of the scaffolds, and the optimal treatment condition was determined in terms of surface morphology, water contact angle and PC12 cell adhesion. Plasma treated nanofibers (p-PC0, p-PC2, p-PC4 and p-PC8) under optimal treatment conditions were used for further study. PC12 cell proliferation and differentiation were both improved by the addition of MWCNTs-COOH in scaffolds. Additionally, the proliferation and maturation of Schwann cells were enhanced on scaffolds containing MWCNTs-COOH. The neurite outgrowth of rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons was promoted on MWCNTs-COOH-containing scaffolds, and those cultured on p-PC8 scaffolds showed elongated neurites with a length up to 78.27 μm after 3 days culture. Our results suggested that plasma treated nanofibers under appropriate conditions were able to improve cell attachment. They also demonstrated that plasma treated scaffolds containing MWCNTs-COOH, especially the p-PC8 nanofibrous scaffold could support the proliferation, differentiation, maturation and neurite extension of PC12 cells, Schwann cells and DRG neurons. Therefore, p-PC8 could be a potential candidate for peripheral nerve regeneration application.
Google Earth Engine, Open-Access Satellite Data, and Machine Learning in Support of Large-Area Probabilistic Wetland Mapping
Authors: Hird Jennifer , DeLancey Evan , McDermid Gregory , Kariyeva Jahan
Published: December 2017

Modern advances in cloud computing and machine-leaning algorithms are shifting the manner in which Earth-observation (EO) data are used for environmental monitoring, particularly as we settle into the era of free, open-access satellite data streams. Wetland delineation represents a particularly worthy application of this emerging research trend, since wetlands are an ecologically important yet chronically under-represented component of contemporary mapping and monitoring programs, particularly at the regional and national levels. Exploiting Google Earth Engine and R Statistical software, we developed a workflow for predicting the probability of wetland occurrence using a boosted regression tree machine-learning framework applied to digital topographic and EO data. Working in a 13,700 km2 study area in northern Alberta, our best models produced excellent results, with AUC (area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve) values of 0.898 and explained-deviance values of 0.708. Our results demonstrate the central role of high-quality topographic variables for modeling wetland distribution at regional scales. Including optical and/or radar variables into the workflow substantially improved model performance, though optical data performed slightly better. Converting our wetland probability-of-occurrence model into a binary Wet-Dry classification yielded an overall accuracy of 85%, which is virtually identical to that derived from the Alberta Merged Wetland Inventory (AMWI): the contemporary inventory used by the Government of Alberta. However, our workflow contains several key advantages over that used to produce the AMWI, and provides a scalable foundation for province-wide monitoring initiatives.
Low Cost Plastic Optical Fiber Pressure Sensor Embedded in Mattress for Vital Signal Monitoring
Authors: Sartiano Demetrio , Sales Salvador
Published: December 2017

The aim of this paper is to report the design of a low-cost plastic optical fiber (POF) pressure sensor, embedded in a mattress. We report the design of a multipoint sensor, a cheap alternative to the most common fiber sensors. The sensor is implemented using Arduino board, standard LEDs for optical communication in POF (λ = 645 nm) and a silicon light sensor. The Super ESKA® plastic fibers were used to implement the fiber intensity sensor, arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix. During the breathing cycles, the force transmitted from the lungs to the thorax is in the order of tens of Newtons, and the respiration rate is of one breath every 2–5 s (0.2–0.5 Hz). The sensor has a resolution of force applied on a single point of 2.2–4.5%/N on the normalized voltage output, and a bandwidth of 10 Hz, it is then suitable to monitor the respiration movements. Another issue to be addressed is the presence of hysteresis over load cycles. The sensor was loaded cyclically to estimate the drift of the system, and the hysteresis was found to be negligible.
High-Speed Video System for Micro-Expression Detection and Recognition
Authors: Borza Diana , Danescu Radu , Itu Razvan , Darabant Adrian
Published: December 2017

Micro-expressions play an essential part in understanding non-verbal communication and deceit detection. They are involuntary, brief facial movements that are shown when a person is trying to conceal something. Automatic analysis of micro-expression is challenging due to their low amplitude and to their short duration (they occur as fast as 1/15 to 1/25 of a second). We propose a fully micro-expression analysis system consisting of a high-speed image acquisition setup and a software framework which can detect the frames when the micro-expressions occurred as well as determine the type of the emerged expression. The detection and classification methods use fast and simple motion descriptors based on absolute image differences. The recognition module it only involves the computation of several 2D Gaussian probabilities. The software framework was tested on two publicly available high speed micro-expression databases and the whole system was used to acquire new data. The experiments we performed show that our solution outperforms state of the art works which use more complex and computationally intensive descriptors.
Dark Side of Development: Modernity, Disaster Risk and Sustainable Livelihoods in Two Coastal Communities in Fiji
Authors: Becker Per
Published: December 2017

The world is changing rapidly, as are the remotest rural communities. Modernity is spreading across the world under the guise of development and it is transforming disaster risk. This raises issues concerning how disaster risk is changing in such milieus. Using a sustainable livelihood approach, this article investigates access to different types of capital that central to the vulnerability of two coastal communities in Fiji that are affected by modernity to different extents. This comparative case study is based on semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observation. The results indicate that modernity transforms access to and use of key capitals (natural, physical, financial, human, and social capital) on both community and household levels, increasing dependence on external resources that are unequally distributed, while undermining social cohesion and support. Although disaster risk might be of a similar magnitude across the board at the community level, modernity transforms vulnerability significantly and skews the distribution of disaster risk, to the detriment of the households left behind by development.
Cover Crop Residue Amount and Quality Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Mineralization
Authors: Ghimire Binod , Ghimire Rajan , VanLeeuwen Dawn , Mesbah Abdel
Published: December 2017

Decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) and the associated impacts on crop production under conventional farming raises concerns on how alternative management practices increase SOC sequestration and improve agricultural sustainability. This study aimed to understand SOC mineralization kinetics with different cover crop (CC) residue amendments. Soil samples were collected from a fallow and three CC (pea, oat, and canola) plots. Soil samples from the CC plots were manipulated with zero, five, and 10 Mg ha−1 of the respective CC residues. All soil samples were incubated for eight weeks, SOC mineralization was monitored, and the first order kinetic and parabolic equation models were fitted to the observed data for estimating labile SOC (C0), and the decomposition rate constant (k). Subsequent comparisons of fitted model parameters were based on the first order kinetic model. The C0 varied with the residue amount while k varied with CC type. C0 was 591–858% greater with 10 Mg ha−1 and 289–456% greater with five Mg ha−1 residue additions while k was 122–297% greater with 10 Mg ha−1 and 94–240% greater with five Mg ha−1 residue additions when compared to the fallow treatment. The CC residue stimulated cumulative carbon mineralization (Cmin) irrespective of CC type, suggesting that cover cropping has potential to improve SOC cycling in agroecosystems.
Growing ‘Smart’? Urbanization Processes in the Pune Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Butsch Carsten , Kumar Shamita , Wagner Paul , Kroll Mareike , Kantakumar Lakshmi , Bharucha Erach , Schneider Karl , Kraas Frauke
Published: December 2017

The Indian city of Pune witnessed rapid growth and deep transformation processes in the last three decades. This paper assesses past developments and recent structures and processes against the concept of urban sustainability. Following an overview of the historical development, the dimensions of sustainability are discussed separately, based on empirical findings. Urban growth puts enormous pressure on Pune’s land and water resources, changing the ecology of the area. The increasing water demand of Pune’s growing population competes with growing energy and water demands. An assessment of future climate change impacts indicates that the storage capacity of the reservoirs is more frequently not met during the rainy season. In addition, extreme dry years can aggravate the effects of land use change on water resources in the future. The city’s growth and especially the large in-migration has also changed Pune’s social fabric significantly. Wealth is distributed unevenly in the city and social disparities can be observed along two fault lines, namely along classes and caste groups. The population development and the increasing socioeconomic polarization are linked to the economic development of the city. Pune’s formal economy has a robust base. However, as in many cities of the Global South, the informal economy is the most relevant source of income for large parts of the population. Pune’s development is challenged by informality, poor infrastructure and inadequate planning and governance. Recently new approaches towards urban renewal and smart city development were launched. These new approaches aim at overcoming blockades in the traditional planning. A special challenge for urban planning is the transformation of urban fringe areas of the city, as this process is currently taking place in an unsustainable manner. The paper concludes that urban development has to become holistic, integrative and participative and should abandon the stereotype vision of the world class city in favor of a sustainable, locally adjusted pathway of development.
Water Gender Indicators in Agriculture: A Study of Horticultural Farmer Organizations in Senegal
Authors: Centrone Francesca , Mosso Angela , Busato Patrizia , Calvo Angela
Published: December 2017

This paper intends to contribute to the debate on gender equality and water within the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs 5 and 6. Farmers organizations are often considered key stakeholders whose participation should be fostered to achieve a good water governance in agriculture and irrigation programs. Nonetheless, many water management interventions tackle participation as an instrumental and formal process. A common assumption is that granting sufficient space for women in water management will automatically ensure a greater gender empowerment. Nevertheless, often low importance is given to assessing who really actively participates and benefits from water development projects, favoring the technical aspects. This paper addresses the articulation between gender, water management and indicators, using male, female and mixed farmer organizations as touchstones in three regions of Senegal. The authors defines a system of water gender indicators grouped into five sections. The first results show more similarities between mixed and female organizations, while the main gender inequalities are visible in the water technique and economic domains. Thanks to this study, we can see how a gender-based analysis may allow to more deeply understand some more or less “hidden” water governance mechanisms and their related implications in terms of project management and policy making.
Une comparaison des politiques de conservation et de mise en valeur du patrimoine industriel de la modernisation au Japon
Authors: Morishima Toshiyuki
Published: December 2017

Depuis les années 1970, de multiples enquêtes ont été menées au Japon par différentes instances publiques ou associations pour repérer le patrimoine industriel. La construction d’une base de données intégrant l’ensemble des résultats de ces enquêtes a rendu possible leur analyse à différentes échelles : celle du territoire, notamment « les blocs départementaux », et par secteur économique, en lien avec l’histoire industrielle des territoires concernés. Ce travail permet d’éclairer l’action du ministère de l’Économie et de l’Industrie, sa politique de classement et de valorisation des sites patrimoniaux de la modernisation depuis près de 50 ans, et de la comparer à celle de l’Agence de la Culture. Il souligne aussi les divergences et les difficultés dans les politiques institutionnelles mises en place selon les acteurs.
Un site unique à l’Isle de France, ancienne colonie française : le complexe du moulin à poudre
Authors: Teelock Vijayalakshmi
Published: December 2017

Le patrimoine de l’industrie esclavagiste est un champ de recherche encore peu exploré et mis en valeur. Le cas de l’Île Maurice et de sa poudrerie est exceptionnel. Celle-ci est construite au XVIII e siècle par Joseph-François de Cossigny. Sa conception technique est originale et se distingue des poudreries installées dans le royaume de France. Elle a fonctionné de 1775 à 1810 et produit plus de 300 000 livres de poudre, une capacité très importante à l’époque. Cette poudre, destinée aux navires du Roi et au marché local, a aussi été utilisée pendant la traite en échange de marchandises et d’esclaves à Madagascar. Le fonctionnement du site était également particulier, de même que le traitement des esclaves, regroupés dans le « camp des Noirs » et rares esclaves à être armés. L’Université de Maurice a mené une étude historique et patrimoniale sur ce site. Le recours à l’archéologie industrielle a permis d’en retrouver les traces matérielles et d’établir ces singularités. La conclusion mentionne les ré-usages postérieurs, tout aussi significatifs : prison, orphelinat et léproserie.
« Jusqu’où ne pas aller trop loin ? » Les bailleurs sociaux face aux enjeux de sécurité
Authors: Gosselin Camille , Malochet Virginie
Published: December 2017

Pour les bailleurs sociaux, la sécurité est devenue un vrai sujet qui leur ouvre un champ d’action à part entière. Sous la pression de leurs locataires, de leurs personnels et des pouvoirs publics, ils s’impliquent davantage en ce domaine tout en s’interrogeant sur leur contribution légitime quant à savoir comment et dans quelles limites intervenir, « jusqu’où ne pas aller trop loin ». À l’appui d’une enquête de terrain, cet article vise à saisir comment les bailleurs sociaux se positionnent face à ces enjeux, les investissent et y répondent. Entre tranquillité résidentielle et sécurité publique, les politiques qu’ils développent reposent, pour l’essentiel, sur la protection de leurs agents de proximité, la sécurisation de leur patrimoine et le partenariat avec la police et les villes. Elles contribuent à redéfinir les contours de leur cœur de métier et reflètent plus largement les évolutions des modes de gouvernance et de coproduction de la sécurité locale.
La vengeance, ressort mobilisateur de l’État islamique
Authors: Benraad Myriam
Published: December 2017

Au cœur des motivations des terroristes de l’État islamique figure la vengeance, contre un Occident vu comme l’héritier du colonialisme, et plus généralement comme agresseur des musulmans. La dimension émotionnelle est donc forte, qui induit la définition d’une identité collective et la déshumanisation de l’adversaire. Si le revanchisme est au cœur du récit djihadiste, il faut démonter sur le long terme ce discours, qui ne disparaîtra pas avec l’emprise territoriale de Daech.
Corée du Nord/États-Unis : jusqu’où ira la confrontation ?
Authors: Bondaz Antoine
Published: December 2017

Depuis l’arrivée au pouvoir de Kim Jong-Un, le régime nord-coréen a considérablement renforcé ses capacités nucléaires et balistiques. L’arsenal nucléaire nord-coréen apparaît désormais consubstantiel au régime. À long terme, l’objectif de la communauté internationale demeure la dénucléarisation de la Corée du Nord, mais à court terme, il s’agit d’éviter que l’escalade verbale entre Donald Trump et Kim Jong-Un ne se transforme en une guerre au coût élevé et aux résultats incertains.
Les think tanks chinois : ambitions et contradictions
Authors: Ekman Alice
Published: December 2017

Depuis l’arrivée de Xi Jinping à la tête de la Chine, le nombre de think tanks chinois a substantiellement augmenté. Ces organismes sont incités à s’ouvrir à l’international afin de recueillir des analyses étrangères et de promouvoir les concepts officiels chinois. Les chercheurs sont contraints de travailler sur des sujets utiles au Parti. Ils font également l’objet d’un contrôle politique plus strict qui pourrait nuire, à terme, à leur crédibilité internationale.
Gestes signifiants, à travers l’imitation, dans la maladie d’Alzheimer au stade sévère : vécus subjectifs
Authors: Brossard Frédéric , Caron Rosa
Published: December 2017

A partir d’un accompagnement psychologique au long cours d’une résidente atteinte de la maladie d’Alzheimer au stade sévère et en prenant appui sur une approche phénoménologique et résolument clinique, nous avons pu mettre à l’épreuve notre hypothèse : lorsque le langage fait défaut, le langage du corps peut exprimer le désir, toujours présent, du patient. Le déroulé de différentes vignettes cliniques viendra étayer une réflexion élaborée par le biais d’allers-retours entre clinique et théorisations. Les gestes imitatifs sont repositionnés dans le contexte des rencontres. Accompagnant une certaine palette d’affects, les imitations pourraient entrer en corrélation avec différents mouvements psychiques adressés au thérapeute, témoignant ainsi d’une certaine conscience de soi et de l’Autre. Cette gestuelle, en quelque sorte reproductive, s’avère un levier intéressant dans l’accompagnement psychothérapique.
Jeux de mots
Authors: Di Rocco Vincent
Published: December 2017

Les travaux de recherche récents sur les médiations thérapeutiques, le processus créateur et le développement psychique de l’enfant soulignent le rôle du jeu dans les processus de transformation psychique et d’appropriation subjective. Cette exploration des fonctions psychiques du jeu permet de dégager progressivement un véritable modèle de compréhension de certains aspects des processus engagés dans les dispositifs thérapeutiques, permettant de soutenir la mise en place d’un fonctionnement associatif dans la clinique des états psychotiques de l’adulte.
Dynamique du processus de transfert de connaissances au sein des fusions & acquisitions
Authors: Aribou Mohamed-Larbi , Liouville Jacques
Published: December 2017

La question de Knowledge Management est souvent ignorée durant la réalisation de l’intégration post-fusion. Cette absence constitue un manque à la compréhension de la réussite des opérations de fusions & acquisitions. De nombreux transferts inter et intra-organisationnels échouent parce que les managers s’engagent dans un processus d’intégration dont ils ne maîtrisent pas les leviers. C’est pourquoi, il est primordial de savoir comment s’opère le processus avant de s’y engager. L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser les facteurs favorisant la réussite du processus de transfert complexe au sein de cinq cas de fusions & acquisitions. Notre investigation permet d’identifier trois phases d’intégration post-fusion, dans lesquelles, le transfert est compris comme un processus dynamique de routines et d’apprentissage interactionnel socialisant qui prend forme entre les entreprises fusionnées.
Mieux comprendre le processus d’ empowerment du patient
Authors: Fayn Marie-Georges , des Garets Véronique , Rivière Arnaud
Published: December 2017

Co-décideur de son traitement, co-rédacteur des lois, le patient est sorti du silence et de l’invisibilité. Sa prise de pouvoir s’étend à la production de connaissances et de solutions nouvelles. Cet article propose une meilleure compréhension du processus d’empowerment du patient chronique. Après une revue de littérature multidisciplinaire autour des concepts d’empowerment et de Patient-Centered-Care, une étude exploratoire a été réalisée auprès de quatre experts. Elle conduit à l’identification de quatre phases structurant le processus d’empowerment du patient : individuel, collectif, collaboratif et productif. Phénomène social, l’empowerment des patients transforme la relation de soin en une nouvelle alliance plus symétrique.
Leveraging Library Instruction in a Digital Age
Authors: Hallis Robert
Published: December 2017

Information management is an indispensable skill in the twenty-first century because finding credible information is now more complicated than ever before. Students continue to experience difficulty locating accurate information, especially for their academic assignments. Studies reveal that a number of factors undermine students' success in locating relevant information and that personal intervention may prove to be the most efficient means of teaching this proficiency. Librarians, however, seldom have more than a class period in which to intervene. Even an hour is enough to mentor students in appropriate techniques in order to allow them to complete their assignment, if virtual support is effective. This chapter illustrates how learning objectives can effectively serve to separate classroom activities in a face-to-face environment from virtually accessed digital instruction. An assignment from a second semester composition class serves as an example of how a teacher can leverage instruction in a face-to-face environment through providing supplemental online content.
Library in Your Pocket Delivery of Instruction Service Through Library Mobile Apps
Authors: Kumar Kutty
Published: December 2017

Mobile devices such as smart phones, iPads and tablet computers are swiftly flourishing in the world and changing the way information is organized, acknowledged and circulated. Accordingly, the libraries have to adopt mobile services which capitalize on and adapt to these momentous technological changes. The traditional library services are now poignant to mobile library information services. Mobile applications have made communication and information access very convenient and timely to users. Adapting instruction delivery services through mobile application perceptive the traditional relationships between libraries and their users and introduces new confronts to reader privacy. The mobile applications are becoming an essential part of everyday life and are changing the way one connects and interacts with the world. The focus of this paper is on available mobile apps concerning to reading, productivity and organization at work, giving presentation, white board teaching and demonstration. This paper highlights the delivery of instruction services through library mobile apps.
Capacity Decision in Emergency Hospital Operation Rooms
Authors: Silva Ana Carolina Pereira de Vasconcelos , Assad Daniel Bouzon Nagem , Spiegel Thais
Published: December 2017

The operations management is a multidisciplinary field that investigates, for instance, the design, management and processes improvement focused on the development, production, distribution and delivery of products and services, encompassing activities such as the implementation of policies, making quota decisions, identification and problem solving, response to uncertainty, among others. Regarding the resources dimensioning in hospitals, the Brazilian scenario is limited to legislative instruments that assume a prior and added sizing. This chapter uses a discrete event simulation tool to set the amount of operation rooms needed for patient care in an emergency department, so that emergency patients have guaranteed compliance, minimizing the cancellation of elective surgeries because of this type of demand. As a result, it was found that the minimum amount established by normative instruments was not appropriate to the specific requirements of the organization.
Towards an Intelligent System for the Territorial Planning
Authors: Benaouda AMRI , García-Peñalvo Francisco José
Published: December 2017

This chapter concerns the conceptualization of an intelligent system for the territorial planning, taking as an example the agriculture case as a tool in decision making. It is started by giving a comparison between the geographical information system (GIS) and the intelligent system (IS), demonstrating the limits of the GIS and the appeal to the artificial intelligence. Also, the chapter gives an overview of the application of decision support systems (DSSs), modeling and simulation applied in forest management, agriculture, ecology, and environment. Finally, the chapter proposes the methodology and the intelligent system proposed, setting up some indicators which help to aid decision making.
E-Health Service Model for Asian Developing Countries
Authors: Sukkird Vatcharapong , Shirahada Kunio
Published: December 2017

Electronic healthcare (eHealth) in Asian developing countries is required to support trends of the aging population through lack of resources in health system. Health services for elderly people are required to support primary care and communicate with caregivers in community health. Challenges of eHealth development in Asian developing countries are preparation health system with basic communication technology on resource limitation. There is a need to adapt Emergency Medical Service (EMS) with eHealth service through smart phones to enhance a primary health service for elderly people. This research aims to promote an eHealth service model to face with elderly patient demands in aging societies of Asian developing countries. The researchers use systematic reviews to identify components of health situation and EMS structure. A conceptual service modeling approach is adopted in the eHealth service model development with value co-creation concept. EMS eHealth service model is a point of healthcare service transformation in many countries through the advancement of ICT.
Visual Perception from Object Scanning as Revealed by Electrooculography
Authors: Banerjee Anwesha , Mazumder Ankita , Ghosh Poulami , Tibarewala D. N.
Published: December 2017

We the human beings are blessed by the nature to become well competent for performing highly precise and copious visual processes with how ever a restricted field of view. Howbeit, this process of visual perception is, to a great extent, controlled by the saccades or more commonly the eye movements. The positioning and accommodation of eyes allows an image to be placed (or fixed) in the fovea centralis of the eyes but although we do so to fix our gaze at a particular object, our eyes continuously move. Even though these fixational eye movements includes magnitude that should make them visible to us yet we remain oblivious to them. Microsacades, drifts and tremors that occurs frequently during fixational eye movements, contribute largely to the visual perception. We use saccades several times per second to move the fovea between points of interest and build an understanding of our visual environment.
A Comparative Study on Diabetic Retinopathy Detection Using Texture-Based Feature Extraction Techniques
Authors: Bidgoli Azam Asilian , Ebrahimpour-Komleh Hossein , Mousavirad Seyed Jalaleddin
Published: December 2017

Diabetic retinopathy is proved to be one of the most important eye disorders in recent decades that late diagnosis of it may cause low vision or even blindness. Specialist are able to detect retinopathy in retinal images using machine learning as a decision support system which helps accelerate and facilitate the diagnosis. The automated diabetic retinopathy is a difficult computer vision problem –with the goal of detecting features of retinopathy. The present chapter is written with the purpose of analyzing and comparing different feature extraction methods to evaluate the best algorithm for detection retinopathy with least error. Extracted features using these methods are used to classify images into normal and altered groups.
A Reversible Data Hiding Scheme for Efficient Management of Tele-Ophthalmological Data
Authors: Singh Abhilasha , Dutta Malay Kishore
Published: December 2017

Advancements in medical sciences and induction of advanced technologies have led to increased role of medical images in tele-diagnosis. This paper proposes a technique for easy, efficient and accurate management of distributed medical databases and alleviates the risk of any distortion in images during transmission. It also provides remedy of issues like tampering, accidentally or intentionally, authentication and reliability without affecting the perceptual properties of the image. The technique is blind and completely reversible. Values of PSNR and BER imply that the changes made to original images are imperceptible to the Human Visual System. Performance of the technique has been evaluated for fundus images and the results are extremely encouraging. The technique is lossless and conforms to the firm necessities of medical data management by maintaining perceptual quality and diagnostic significance of the images, therefore is very practical to be used in health care centers.
Case Study
Authors: Gupta Swarna Biseria , Verma Divya , Singh D. P.
Published: December 2017

Epidemic dropsy is a multi-system disease involving the cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, ocular and other systems. Onset is usually subacute or insidious with watery diarrhea and vomiting. This lasts from a few days to more than a week. Bilaterally symmetrical pitting edema of the lower limbs extending from the ankles up to the scrotum and abdominal wall is a constant feature. It is a toxic disease caused by the unintentional ingestion of Argemone mexicana (prickly yellow poppy) seeds as an adulterant of wheat flour, or more commonly, of cooking oil such as mustard oil. Sanguinarine and dehydrosanguinarine are two major toxic alkaloids of Argemone oil. It is a rare phenomenon for practicing ophthalmologists to observe cases of epidemic dropsy, and the possibility of glaucoma should be kept in mind in cases of epidemic dropsy, when members of same family or village report with raised IOP, pedal edema and history of use of mustard oil for cooking or massage. Glaucoma is hypersecretory in nature; prostaglandin and histamine release may have significant roles in its pathogenesis. The disease has self limiting course but needs good control of intraocular pressure (IOP) medically till it returns to normal and visual field changes have stabilized. Its early diagnosis is very important to prevent grievous complications; hence, all cases should be followed up regularly for IOP measurement and visual field analysis up to 8-12 weeks, because, if ignored, optic atrophy may develop.
Design Analytics of Complex Communication Systems Involving Two Different Sensory Disabilities
Authors: Hossain Gahangir
Published: December 2017

The design of a robust communication among two different sensory disabilities (Deaf vs. Blind) remains an emerging field of research in disability healthcare communication system design. As an important part of modern technology, android and iPhone applications are frequently used in designing such communication systems. However, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' in case of different sensory disability health communication design. Hence, an in-depth understanding of their requirement, media preferences, similarity and difference and up-to-date technology usability are plausible towards universal and personalized communication system design. This research addresses such complex issues and performs a study involving two different types of disabilities (deaf and blind) communication. As a part of healthcare analytics, critical incidences are recorded and corresponding complexities are measured in order to evaluate communication protocol with social signal processing. Communication flow diagram, complexity analysis and critical incidence are quantified to improve communication protocols. Moreover, the uniqueness of disability can be personalized through this process which has valuable implications in rehabilitation and multi-purpose healthcare communication device development.
Beyond Fun
Authors: Martinez-Garza Mario M. , Clark Douglas B. , Killingsworth Stephen S , Adams Deanne M.
Published: December 2017

A central goal of education involves helping students develop deep understandings of complex models at the heart of core learning goals. Interestingly, an analogous goal of commercial recreational digital games involves helping players develop deep understandings of the models at the heart of those games. Given that games can motivate players to engage voluntarily over extended periods of time in developing understandings of complex game models, one may ask whether and how one might foster similar engagement with educational concepts and models. Much fanfare has accompanied claims about games' potential for engagement and motivation, but many of those claims have focused on a shallow idea of “fun”. This chapter takes a deeper view of motivation and learning by employing Pintrich's synthesis of research on motivation to learn as a lens for examining (a) how popular game design conventions currently scaffold motivation to learn and (b) how game design conventions might be augmented to more effectively scaffold motivation to learn in the future.
Can Pre-Service Teachers Create Digital Game-Based Activities Without Coding Knowledge?
Authors: Vu Phu , Gaskill Martonia
Published: December 2017

This chapter examined five cases of pre-service teachers' abilities and attitudes towards creating and using digital games in their future teaching. Participants included five pre-service teachers at a Midwest public university. The participants underwent the same research procedure including: pre-project open-ended interview, training session, and post-project open-ended interview. The researchers analyzed participants' responses to the interviews and the quality of the games they created, using the Educational Electronic Games Rubric. Results showed that students not only enjoyed learning about digital games, but also were able to create quality games without coding knowledge or advanced technology skills. Five participants indicated that they plan on creating and integrating digital games into their future teaching.