bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating Simplified and Full Life Cycle Approaches in Decision Making for Building Energy Refurbishment: Benefits and Barriers
Authors: Oregi Xabat , Hernandez Patxi , Gazulla Cristina , Isasa Marina
Published: May 2015

The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is a powerful tool that can serve to aid decision making regarding the environmental benefits of refurbishment projects. However, due to the relative complexity of LCA studies, simplified LCA methodologies are frequently used, focusing on just some of the building life cycle phases or a reduced number of indicators. The most common and widespread simplification is to only evaluate the differences a refurbishment project makes on the operational energy use of the building. This paper compares the results of applying full LCA, simplified LCA and operational energy use assessment in a refurbishment case study. Results show that simplified LCA methodologies including building use phase and product manufacturing phase can generally be sufficiently accurate to aid decision making for building energy refurbishment, as other building life cycle phases related to transport of products, on site construction, deconstruction or end of life represent a generally negligible part of the total life cycle impacts, both in terms of resource use or environmental impacts. Barriers and benefits of applying simplified LCA approaches to building energy refurbishment projects are subsequently discussed.
Timing of Drought Triggers Distinct Growth Responses in Holm Oak: Implications to Predict Warming-Induced Forest Defoliation and Growth Decline
Authors: Camarero J. , Franquesa Magí , Sangüesa-Barreda Gabriel
Published: May 2015

Droughts negatively impact forests by reducing growth and increasing defoliation leading to forest dieback as the climate becomes warmer and drier. However, the timing and severity of droughts determine how differently or intensively water shortage affects primary (shoot and leaf formation) and secondary growth (stem radial growth based on tree-ring widths). We compare the impact of two severe droughts (2005, 2012), showing different climatic characteristics on the growth responses of three Mediterranean holm oak stands in northeastern Spain. We also quantify climate trends and drought severity. Then, we use remote sensing data to infer how those droughts impacted forest productivity. Both droughts were characterized by warm and dry spring conditions leading to reduced budburst, low shoot production, asynchrony in primary growth and decreased productivity and scarce radial growth, particularly in 2005. However, defoliation peaked in 2012 when radial growth showed minimum values and early spring and late summer temperatures reached maximum values. We discuss how uncoupled and resilient are the responses of primary and secondary growth to drought. Finally, these findings are used to gain insight into the drought-related drivers of defoliation in Spanish holm oak forests.
Extinction Risk of Pseudotsuga Menziesii Populations in the Central Region of Mexico: An AHP Analysis
Authors: López-Upton Javier , Valdez-Lazalde J. , Ventura-Ríos Aracely , Vargas-Hernández J. , Guerra-de-la-Cruz Vidal
Published: May 2015

Within the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework, a hierarchical model was created considering anthropogenic, genetic and ecological criteria and sub-criteria that directly affect Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.)) risk of extinction in central Mexico. The sub-criteria values were standardized, weighted, and ordered by importance in a pairwise comparison matrix; the model was mathematically integrated to quantify the degree of extinction risk for each of the 29 populations present in the study area. The results indicate diverse levels of risk for the populations, ranging from very low to very high. Estanzuela, Presa Jaramillo, Peñas Cargadas and Plan del Baile populations have very low risk, with values less than 0.25. On the other hand, Vicente Guerrero, Morán, Minatitlán, La Garita and Tonalapa populations have very high risk (>0.35) because they are heavily influenced by anthropogenic (close to roads and towns), ecological (presence of exotic species and little or no natural regeneration) and genetic (presence of mature to overmature trees and geographic isolation) factors. In situ conservation activities, prioritizing their implementation in populations at most risk is highly recommended; in addition, germplasm collection for use of assisted gene flow and migration approaches, including artificial reforestation, should be considered in these locations.
A Scoping Review of Observational Studies Examining Relationships between Environmental Behaviors and Health Behaviors
Authors: Hutchinson Jayne , Prady Stephanie , Smith Michaela , White Piran , Graham Hilary
Published: May 2015

Individual lifestyles are key drivers of both environmental change and chronic disease. We undertook a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies which examined associations between environmental and health behaviors of individuals in high-income countries. We searched EconLit, Medline, BIOSIS and the Social Science Citation Index. A total of 136 studies were included. The majority were USA-based cross-sectional studies using self-reported measures. Most of the evidence related to travel behavior, particularly active travel (walking and cycling) and physical activity (92 studies) or sedentary behaviors (19 studies). Associations of public transport use with physical activity were examined in 18 studies, and with sedentary behavior in one study. Four studies examined associations between car use and physical activity. A small number included other environmental behaviors (food-related behaviors (n = 14), including organic food, locally-sourced food and plate waste) and other health behaviors ((n = 20) smoking, dietary intake, alcohol). These results suggest that research on individual environmental and health behaviors consists largely of studies examining associations between travel mode and levels of physical activity. There appears to be less research on associations between other behaviors with environmental and health impacts, and very few longitudinal studies in any domain.
Technical Efficiency and Organ Transplant Performance: A Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: De-Pablos-Heredero Carmen , Fernández-Renedo Carlos , Medina-Merodio Jose-Amelio
Published: May 2015

Mixed methods research is interesting to understand complex processes. Organ transplants are complex processes in need of improved final performance in times of budgetary restrictions. As the main objective a mixed method approach is used in this article to quantify the technical efficiency and the excellence achieved in organ transplant systems and to prove the influence of organizational structures and internal processes in the observed technical efficiency. The results show that it is possible to implement mechanisms for the measurement of the different components by making use of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The analysis show a positive relationship between the levels related to the Baldrige indicators and the observed technical efficiency in the donation and transplant units of the 11 analyzed hospitals. Therefore it is possible to conclude that high levels in the Baldrige indexes are a necessary condition to reach an increased level of the service offered.
Convergence Studies on Monte Carlo Methods for Pricing Mortgage-Backed Securities
Authors: Pang Tao , Yang Yipeng , Zhao Dai
Published: May 2015

Monte Carlo methods are widely-used simulation tools for market practitioners from trading to risk management. When pricing complex instruments, like mortgage-backed securities (MBS), strong path-dependency and high dimensionality make the Monte Carlo method the most suitable, if not the only, numerical method. In practice, while simulation processes in option-adjusted valuation can be relatively easy to implement, it is a well-known challenge that the convergence and the desired accuracy can only be achieved at the cost of lengthy computational times. In this paper, we study the convergence of Monte Carlo methods in calculating the option-adjusted spread (OAS), effective duration (DUR) and effective convexity (CNVX) of MBS instruments. We further define two new concepts, absolute convergence and relative convergence, and show that while the convergence of OAS requires thousands of simulation paths (absolute convergence), only hundreds of paths may be needed to obtain the desired accuracy for effective duration and effective convexity (relative convergence). These results suggest that practitioners can reduce the computational time substantially without sacrificing simulation accuracy.
Response of Different Genotypes of Faba Bean Plant to Drought Stress
Authors: Siddiqui Manzer , Al-Khaishany Mutahhar , Al-Qutami Mohammed , Al-Whaibi Mohamed , Grover Anil , Ali Hayssam , Al-Wahibi Mona , Bukhari Najat
Published: May 2015

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that are a threat to crop production worldwide. Drought stress impairs the plants growth and yield. Therefore, the aim of the present experiment was to select the tolerant genotype/s on the basis of moprpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics of 10 Vicia faba genotypes (Zafar 1, Zafar 2, Shebam, Makamora, Espan, Giza Blanka, Giza 3, C4, C5 and G853) under drought stress. We studied the effect of different levels of drought stress i.e., (i) normal irrigation (ii) mild stress (iii) moderate stress, and (iv) severe stress on plant height (PH) plant−1, fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) plant−1, area leaf−1, leaf relative water content (RWC), proline (Pro) content, total chlorophyll (Total Chl) content, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of genotypes of faba bean. Drought stress reduced all growth parameters and Total Chl content of all genotypes. However, the deteriorating effect of drought stress on the growth performance of genotypes “C5” and “Zafar 1” were relatively low due to its better antioxidant enzymes activities (CAT, POD and SOD), and accumulation of Pro and Total Chl, and leaf RWC. In the study, genotype “C5” and “Zafar 1” were found to be relatively tolerant to drought stress and genotypes “G853” and “C4” were sensitive to drought stress.
Archaeal Lineages within the Human Microbiome: Absent, Rare or Elusive?
Authors: Horz Hans-Peter
Published: May 2015

Archaea are well-recognized components of the human microbiome. However, they appear to be drastically underrepresented compared to the high diversity of bacterial taxa which can be found on various human anatomic sites, such as the gastrointestinal environment, the oral cavity and the skin. As our “microbial” view of the human body, including the methodological concepts used to describe them, has been traditionally biased on bacteria, the question arises whether our current knowledge reflects the actual ratio of archaea versus bacteria or whether we have failed so far to unravel the full diversity of human-associated archaea. This review article hypothesizes that distinct archaeal lineages within humans exist, which still await our detection. First, previously unrecognized taxa might be quite common but they have eluded conventional detection methods. Two recent prime examples are described that demonstrate that this might be the case for specific archaeal lineages. Second, some archaeal taxa might be overlooked because they are rare and/or in low abundance. Evidence for this exists for a broad range of phylogenetic lineages, however we currently do not know whether these sporadically appearing organisms are mere transients or important members of the so called “rare biosphere” with probably basic ecosystem functions. Lastly, evidence exists that different human populations harbor different archaeal taxa and/or the abundance and activity of shared archaeal taxa may differ and thus their impact on the overall microbiome. This research line is rather unexplored and warrants further investigation. While not recapitulating exhaustively all studies on archaeal diversity in humans, this review highlights pertinent recent findings that show that the choice of appropriate methodological approaches and the consideration of different human populations may lead to the detection of archaeal lineages previously not associated with humans. This in turn will help understand variations found in the overall microbiomes from different individuals and ultimately may lead to the emergence of novel concepts/mechanisms impacting human health.
There Are Quantum Jumps
Authors: Brändas Erkki
Published: May 2015

In this communication we take up the age-old problem of the possibility to incorporate quantum jumps. Unusually, we investigate quantum jumps in an extended quantum setting, but one of rigorous mathematical significance. The general background for this formulation originates in the Balslev-Combes theorem for dilatation analytic Hamiltonians and associated complex symmetric representations. The actual jump is mapped into a Jordan block of order two and a detailed derivation is discussed for the case of the emission of a photon by an atom. The result can be easily reassigned to analogous cases as well as generalized to Segrè characteristics of arbitrary order.
Composition of the Essential Oil of Salvia ballotiflora (Lamiaceae) and Its Insecticidal Activity
Authors: Cárdenas-Ortega Norma , González-Chávez Marco , Figueroa-Brito Rodolfo , Flores-Macías Antonio , Romo-Asunción Diana , Martínez-González Diana , Pérez-Moreno Víctor , Ramos-López Miguel
Published: May 2015

Essential oils can be used as an alternative to using synthetic insecticides for pest management. Therefore, the insectistatic and insecticidal activities of the essential oil of aerial parts of Salvia ballotiflora (Lamiaceae) were tested against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The results demonstrated insecticidal and insectistatical activities against this insect pest with concentrations at 80 µg·mL−1 resulting in 20% larval viability and 10% pupal viability. The larval viability fifty (LV50) corresponded to a concentration of 128.8 µg·mL−1. This oil also increased the duration of the larval phase by 5.5 days and reduced the pupal weight by 29.2% withrespect to the control. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of S. ballotiflora showed its main components to be caryophyllene oxide (15.97%), and β-caryophyllene (12.74%), which showed insecticidal and insectistatical activities against S. frugiperda. The insecticidal activity of β-caryophyllene began at 80 µg·mL−1, giving a larval viability of 25% and viability pupal of 20%. The insectistatic activity also started at 80 µg·mL−1 reducing the pupal weight by 22.1% with respect to control. Caryophyllene oxide showed insecticidal activity at 80 µg·mL−1 giving a larval viability of 35% and viability pupal of 20%.The insectistatic activity started at 400 µg·mL−1 and increased the larval phase by 8.8% days with respect to control. The LV50 values for these compounds were 153.1 and 146.5 µg·mL−1, respectively.
Antimycobacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Substituted Chalcones Focusing on an Anti-Tuberculosis Dual Treatment Approach
Authors: Ventura Thatiana , Calixto Sanderson , Abrahim-Vieira Bárbara , Souza Alessandra , Mello Marcos , Rodrigues Carlos , Miranda Leandro , De Souza Rodrigo , Leal Ivana , Lasunskaia Elena , Muzitano Michelle
Published: May 2015

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem aggravated by the emergence of M. tuberculosis (Mtb) strains resistant to multiple drugs (MDR). Delay in TB treatment, common in the MDR-TB cases, can lead to deleterious life-threatening inflammation in susceptible hyper-reactive individuals, encouraging the discovery of new anti-Mtb drugs and the use of adjunctive therapy based on anti-inflammatory interventions. In this study, a series of forty synthetic chalcones was evaluated in vitro for their anti-inflammatory and antimycobacterial properties and in silico for pharmacokinetic parameters. Seven compounds strongly inhibited NO and PGE2 production by LPS-stimulated macrophages through the specific inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression, respectively, with compounds 4 and 5 standing out in this respect. Four of the seven most active compounds were able to inhibit production of TNF-α and IL-1β. Chalcones that were not toxic to cultured macrophages were tested for antimycobacterial activity. Eight compounds were able to inhibit growth of the M. bovis BCG and Mtb H37Rv strains in bacterial cultures and in infected macrophages. Four of them, including compounds 4 and 5, were active against a hypervirulent clinical Mtb isolate as well. In silico analysis of ADMET properties showed that the evaluated chalcones displayed satisfactory pharmacokinetic parameters. In conclusion, the obtained data demonstrate that at least two of the studied chalcones, compounds 4 and 5, are promising antimycobacterial and anti-inflammatory agents, especially focusing on an anti-tuberculosis dual treatment approach.
Synthesis, Characterization and Gas Sensing Properties of Ag@α-Fe2O3 Core–Shell Nanocomposites
Authors: Mirzaei Ali , Janghorban Kamal , Hashemi Babak , Bonavita Anna , Bonyani Maryam , Leonardi Salvatore , Neri Giovanni
Published: May 2015

Ag@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite having a core–shell structure was synthesized by a two-step reduction-sol gel approach, including Ag nanoparticles synthesis by sodium borohydride as the reducing agent in a first step and the subsequent mixing with a Fe+3 sol for α-Fe2O3 coating. The synthesized Ag@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite has been characterized by various techniques, such as SEM, TEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The electrical and gas sensing properties of the synthesized composite towards low concentrations of ethanol have been evaluated. The Ag@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposite showed better sensing characteristics than the pure α-Fe2O3. The peculiar hierarchical nano-architecture and the chemical and electronic sensitization effect of Ag nanoparticles in Ag@α-Fe2O3 sensors were postulated to play a key role in modulating gas-sensing properties in comparison to pristine α-Fe2O3 sensors.
Residual Axial Capacity Comparison of CFFT and RC Bridge Columns after Fire
Authors: Echevarria Alicia , Zaghi Arash , Christenson Richard , Plank Rachel
Published: May 2015

The fire performance of protected concrete-filled fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tube (CFFT) and conventional reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns is studied through two phases of experimental research comprised of fire exposure and residual axial capacity tests. Two one-fifth scale CFFT columns and two one-fifth scale conventional RC columns having similar axial and flexural capacities were subjected to two durations of extreme temperature exposure. The CFFT columns were protected by the Tyfo® CFP fire protection system during the experiments. Subsequently, the post-fire robustness of the columns was quantified by measuring the residual axial capacity characteristics of each column. The protected CFFT columns exhibited superior axial strength and stiffness retention compared to the RC columns after fire exposure.
Synthesis and Characterization of [60]Fullerene-Glycidyl Azide Polymer and Its Thermal Decomposition
Authors: Huang Ting , Jin Bo , Peng Ru , Chen Cong , Zheng Rong , He Yi , Chu Shi
Published: May 2015

A new functionalized [60]fullerene-glycidyl azide polymer (C60-GAP) was synthesized for the first time using a modified Bingel reaction of [60]fullerene (C60) and bromomalonic acid glycidyl azide polymer ester (BM-GAP). The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analyses. Results confirmed the successful preparation of C60-GAP. Moreover, the thermal decomposition of C60-GAP was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis coupled with infrared spectroscopy (TGA-IR), and in situ FTIR. C60-GAP decomposition showed a three-step thermal process. The first step was due to the reaction of the azide group and fullerene at approximately 150 °C. The second step was ascribed to the remainder decomposition of the GAP main chain and N-heterocyclic at approximately 240 °C. The final step was attributed to the burning decomposition of amorphous carbon and carbon cage at around 600 °C.
Mapping of Agricultural Crops from Single High-Resolution Multispectral Images—Data-Driven Smoothing vs. Parcel-Based Smoothing
Authors: Ozdarici-Ok Asli , Ok Ali , Schindler Konrad
Published: May 2015

Mapping agricultural crops is an important application of remote sensing. However, in many cases it is based either on hyperspectral imagery or on multitemporal coverage, both of which are difficult to scale up to large-scale deployment at high spatial resolution. In the present paper, we evaluate the possibility of crop classification based on single images from very high-resolution (VHR) satellite sensors. The main objective of this work is to expose performance difference between state-of-the-art parcel-based smoothing and purely data-driven conditional random field (CRF) smoothing, which is yet unknown. To fulfill this objective, we perform extensive tests with four different classification methods (Support Vector Machines, Random Forest, Gaussian Mixtures, and Maximum Likelihood) to compute the pixel-wise data term; and we also test two different definitions of the pairwise smoothness term. We have performed a detailed evaluation on different multispectral VHR images (Ikonos, QuickBird, Kompsat-2). The main finding of this study is that pairwise CRF smoothing comes close to the state-of-the-art parcel-based method that requires parcel boundaries (average difference ≈ 2.5%). Our results indicate that a single multispectral (R, G, B, NIR) image is enough to reach satisfactory classification accuracy for six crop classes (corn, pasture, rice, sugar beet, wheat, and tomato) in Mediterranean climate. Overall, it appears that crop mapping using only one-shot VHR imagery taken at the right time may be a viable alternative, especially since high-resolution multitemporal or hyperspectral coverage as well as parcel boundaries are in practice often not available.
Mapping Species Composition of Forests and Tree Plantations in Northeastern Costa Rica with an Integration of Hyperspectral and Multitemporal Landsat Imagery
Authors: Fagan Matthew , DeFries Ruth , Sesnie Steven , Arroyo-Mora J. , Soto Carlomagno , Singh Aditya , Townsend Philip , Chazdon Robin
Published: May 2015

An efficient means to map tree plantations is needed to detect tropical land use change and evaluate reforestation projects. To analyze recent tree plantation expansion in northeastern Costa Rica, we examined the potential of combining moderate-resolution hyperspectral imagery (2005 HyMap mosaic) with multitemporal, multispectral data (Landsat) to accurately classify (1) general forest types and (2) tree plantations by species composition. Following a linear discriminant analysis to reduce data dimensionality, we compared four Random Forest classification models: hyperspectral data (HD) alone; HD plus interannual spectral metrics; HD plus a multitemporal forest regrowth classification; and all three models combined. The fourth, combined model achieved overall accuracy of 88.5%. Adding multitemporal data significantly improved classification accuracy (p < 0.0001) of all forest types, although the effect on tree plantation accuracy was modest. The hyperspectral data alone classified six species of tree plantations with 75% to 93% producer’s accuracy; adding multitemporal spectral data increased accuracy only for two species with dense canopies. Non-native tree species had higher classification accuracy overall and made up the majority of tree plantations in this landscape. Our results indicate that combining occasionally acquired hyperspectral data with widely available multitemporal satellite imagery enhances mapping and monitoring of reforestation in tropical landscapes.
Global-Scale Evaluation of Roughness Effects on C-Band AMSR-E Observations
Authors: Wang Shu , Wigneron Jean-Pierre , Jiang Ling-Mei , Parrens Marie , Yu Xiao-Yong , Al-Yaari Amen , Ye Qin-Yu , Fernandez-Moran Roberto , Ji Wei , Kerr Yann
Published: May 2015

Quantifying roughness effects on ground surface emissivity is an important step in obtaining high-quality soil moisture products from large-scale passive microwave sensors. In this study, we used a semi-empirical method to evaluate roughness effects (parameterized here by the parameter) on a global scale from AMSR-E (Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS) observations. AMSR-E brightness temperatures at 6.9 GHz obtained from January 2009 to September 2011, together with estimations of soil moisture from the SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) L3 products and of soil temperature from ECMWF’s (European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting) were used as inputs in a retrieval process. In the first step, we retrieved a parameter (referred to as the parameter) accounting for the combined effects of roughness and vegetation. Then, global MODIS NDVI data were used to decouple the effects of vegetation from those of surface roughness. Finally, global maps of the Hr parameters were produced and discussed. Initial results showed that some spatial patterns in the values could be associated with the main vegetation types (higher values of were retrieved generally in forested regions, intermediate values were obtained over crops and grasslands, and lower values were obtained over shrubs and desert) and topography. For instance, over the USA, lower values of were retrieved in relatively flat regions while relatively higher values were retrieved in hilly regions.
Robust Pedestrian Detection by Combining Visible and Thermal Infrared Cameras
Authors: Lee Ji , Choi Jong-Suk , Jeon Eun , Kim Yeong , Le Toan , Shin Kwang , Lee Hyeon , Park Kang
Published: May 2015

With the development of intelligent surveillance systems, the need for accurate detection of pedestrians by cameras has increased. However, most of the previous studies use a single camera system, either a visible light or thermal camera, and their performances are affected by various factors such as shadow, illumination change, occlusion, and higher background temperatures. To overcome these problems, we propose a new method of detecting pedestrians using a dual camera system that combines visible light and thermal cameras, which are robust in various outdoor environments such as mornings, afternoons, night and rainy days. Our research is novel, compared to previous works, in the following four ways: First, we implement the dual camera system where the axes of visible light and thermal cameras are parallel in the horizontal direction. We obtain a geometric transform matrix that represents the relationship between these two camera axes. Second, two background images for visible light and thermal cameras are adaptively updated based on the pixel difference between an input thermal and pre-stored thermal background images. Third, by background subtraction of thermal image considering the temperature characteristics of background and size filtering with morphological operation, the candidates from whole image (CWI) in the thermal image is obtained. The positions of CWI (obtained by background subtraction and the procedures of shadow removal, morphological operation, size filtering, and filtering of the ratio of height to width) in the visible light image are projected on those in the thermal image by using the geometric transform matrix, and the searching regions for pedestrians are defined in the thermal image. Fourth, within these searching regions, the candidates from the searching image region (CSI) of pedestrians in the thermal image are detected. The final areas of pedestrians are located by combining the detected positions of the CWI and CSI of the thermal image based on OR operation. Experimental results showed that the average precision and recall of detecting pedestrians are 98.13% and 88.98%, respectively.
Tracking Diurnal Variation in Photosynthetic Down-Regulation Using Low Cost Spectroscopic Instrumentation
Authors: Van Leeuwen Martin , Kremens Robert , Van Aardt Jan
Published: May 2015

Photosynthetic light-use efficiency (LUE) has gained wide interest as an input to modeling forest gross primary productivity (GPP). The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) has been identified as a principle means to inform LUE-based models, using airborne and satellite-based observations of canopy reflectance. More recently, low-cost electronics have become available with the potential to provide for dense in situ time-series measurements of PRI. A recent design makes use of interference filters to record light transmission within narrow wavebands. Uncertainty remains as to the dynamic range of these sensors and performance under low light conditions, the placement of the reference band, and methodology for reflectance calibration. This paper presents a low-cost sensor design and is tested in a laboratory set-up, as well in the field. The results demonstrate an excellent performance against a calibration standard (R2 = 0.9999) and at low light conditions. Radiance measurements over vegetation demonstrate a reversible reduction in green reflectance that was, however, seen in both the reference and signal wavebands. Time-series field measurements of PRI in a Douglas-fir canopy showed a weak correlation with eddy-covariance-derived LUE and a significant decline in PRI over the season. Effects of light quality, bidirectional scattering effects, and possible sensor artifacts on PRI are discussed.
Group Theory of Wannier Functions Providing the Basis for a Deeper Understanding of Magnetism and Superconductivity
Authors: Krüger Ekkehard , Strunk Horst
Published: May 2015

The paper presents the group theory of optimally-localized and symmetry-adapted Wannier functions in a crystal of any given space group G or magnetic group M. Provided that the calculated band structure of the considered material is given and that the symmetry of the Bloch functions at all of the points of symmetry in the Brillouin zone is known, the paper details whether or not the Bloch functions of particular energy bands can be unitarily transformed into optimally-localized Wannier functions symmetry-adapted to the space group G, to the magnetic group M or to a subgroup of G or M. In this context, the paper considers usual, as well as spin-dependent Wannier functions, the latter representing the most general definition of Wannier functions. The presented group theory is a review of the theory published by one of the authors (Ekkehard Krüger) in several former papers and is independent of any physical model of magnetism or superconductivity. However, it is suggested to interpret the special symmetry of the optimally-localized Wannier functions in the framework of a nonadiabatic extension of the Heisenberg model, the nonadiabatic Heisenberg model. On the basis of the symmetry of the Wannier functions, this model of strongly-correlated localized electrons makes clear predictions of whether or not the system can possess superconducting or magnetic eigenstates.
Intracellular Trafficking of Baculovirus Particles: A Quantitative Study of the HearNPV/HzAM1 Cell and AcMNPV/Sf9 Cell Systems
Authors: Matindoost Leila , Nielsen Lars , Reid Steve
Published: May 2015

To replace the in vivo production of baculovirus-based biopesticides with a more convenient in vitro produced product, the limitations imposed by in vitro production have to be solved. One of the main problems is the low titer of HearNPV budded virions (BV) in vitro as the use of low BV titer stocks can result in non-homogenous infections resulting in multiple virus replication cycles during scale up that leads to low Occlusion Body yields. Here we investigate the baculovirus traffic in subcellular fractions of host cells throughout infection with an emphasis on AcMNPV/Sf9 and HearNPV/HzAM1 systems distinguished as “good” and “bad” BV producers, respectively. qPCR quantification of viral DNA in the nucleus, cytoplasm and extracellular fractions demonstrated that although the HearNPV/HzAM1 system produces twice the amount of vDNA as the AcMNPV/Sf9 system, its percentage of BV to total progeny vDNA was lower. vDNA egress from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is sufficient in both systems, however, a higher percentage of vDNA in the HearNPV/HzAM1 system remain in the cytoplasm and do not bud out of the cells compared to the AcMNPV/Sf9 system. In both systems more than 75% of the vDNA produced in the nuclear fraction go unused, without budding or being encapsulated in OBs showing the capacity for improvements that could result from the engineering of the virus/cell line systems to achieve better productivities for both BV and OB yields.
Synthesis of multivalent carbohydrate mimetics with aminopolyol end groups and their evaluation as L-selectin inhibitors
Authors: Salta Joana , Dernedde Jens , Reissig Hans-Ulrich
Published: May 2015

In this article a series of divalent and trivalent carbohydrate mimetics on the basis of an enantiopure aminopyran and of serinol is described. These aminopolyols are connected by amide bonds to carboxylic acid derived spacer units either by Schotten–Baumann acylation or by coupling employing HATU as reagent. The O-sulfation employing the SO3·DMF complex was optimized. It was crucial to follow this process by 700 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy to ensure full conversion and to use a refined neutralization and purification protocol. Many of the compounds could not be tested as L-selectin inhibitor by SPR due to their insolubility in water, nevertheless, a divalent and a trivalent amide showed surprisingly good activities with IC50 values in the low micromolar range.
Speech Recognition at the Acceptable Noise Level
Authors: Gordon-Hickey Susan , Morlas Holly
Published: May 2015

Background:The acceptable noise level (ANL) has been proposed as a prehearing aid fitting measure that could be used for hearing aid selection and counseling purposes. Previous work has demonstrated that a listener’s ANL is unrelated to their speech recognition in noise
abilities. It is unknown what criteria a listener uses when they select their ANL. To date, no research has explored the amount of speech recognized at the listener’s ANL.Purpose:To examine the amount of speech recognized at the listener’s ANL to determine whether speech
recognition in noise is utilized as a factor for setting ANL.Research Design:A descriptive quasi-experimental study was completed. For all listeners, ANL was measured and speech recognition in noise was tested at ANL and at two additional signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions based
on the listener’s ANL (ANL + 5 and ANL ‐ 5).Study Sample:Forty-four older adults served as participants. Twenty-seven participants had normal hearing and seventeen participants had mild to moderately-severe, symmetrical, sensorineural hearing loss.Data Collection and
Analysis:Acceptance of noise was calculated from the measures of most comfortable listening level and background noise level. Additionally, speech recognition in noise was assessed at three SNRs using the quick speech-in-noise test materials.Results:A significant interaction effect
of SNR condition and ANL group occurred for speech recognition. At ANL, a significant difference in speech recognition in noise was found across groups. Those in the mid and high ANL groups had excellent speech recognition at their ANL. Speech recognition in noise at ANL decreased with ANL
category.Conclusions:For listeners with mid and high ANLs, speech recognition appears to play a primary role in setting their ANL. For those with low ANLs, speech recognition may contribute to setting their ANL; however, it does not appear to be the primary determiner of ANL. For those
with very low ANLs, speech recognition does not appear to be significant variable for setting their ANL.
Effects of Training on the Use of a Manual Microphone Shutoff on a BiCROS Device
Authors: Kuk Francis , Seper Eric , Lau Chi , Crose Bryan , Korhonen Petri
Published: May 2015

Background:Bilateral contralateral routing of signals (BiCROS) hearing aids function to restore audibility of sounds originating from the side of the unaidable ear. However, when speech is presented to the side of the aidable ear and noise to the side of the unaidable ear, a
BiCROS arrangement may reduce intelligibility of the speech signal. This negative effect may be circumvented if an on/off switch is available on the contralateral routing of signals (CROS) transmitter.Purpose:This study evaluated if the proper use of the on/off switch on a CROS transmitter
could enhance speech recognition in noise and sound localization abilities. The participants’ subjective reactions to the use of the BiCROS, including the use of the on/off switch in real-life were also evaluated.Research Design:A between-subjects, repeated-measures design was
used to assess differences in speech recognition (in quiet and in noise) and localization abilities under four hearing aid conditions (unaided, unilaterally aided, fixed BiCROS setting, and adjusted BiCROS setting) with speech and noise stimuli presented from different azimuths. Participants
were trained on the use of the on/off switch on the BiCROS transmitter before testing in the adjusted BiCROS settings. Subjective ratings were obtained with the Speech, Spatial, and Sound Quality (SSQ) questionnaire and a custom questionnaire.Study Sample:Nine adult BiCROS candidates
participated in this study.Data Collection and Analysis:Participants wore the Widex Dream-m-CB hearing aid on the aidable ear for 1 week. They then wore the BiCROS for the remainder of the study. Speech recognition and localization testing were completed in four hearing aid conditions
(unaided, unilateral aided, fixed BiCROS, and adjusted BiCROS). Speech recognition was evaluated during the first three visits, whereas localization was evaluated over the course of the study. Participants completed the SSQ questionnaire before each visit. The CROS questionnaire was completed
at the final visit. A repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc analysis was used to evaluate the significance of the results on speech recognition, localization, and the SSQ.Results:The results revealed that the adjusted BiCROS condition improved speech recognition
scores by 20 rau (rationalized arcsine unit) when speech was presented to the aidable ear and localization by 37% when sounds are presented from the side of the unaidable ear over the fixed BiCROS condition. Statistically significant benefit on the SSQ was also noted with the adjusted BiCROS
condition compared to the unilateral fitting.Conclusions:These findings supported the value of an on/off switch on a CROS transmitter because it allows convenient selective transmission of sounds. It also highlighted the importance of instructions and practice in using the BiCROS hearing
aid successfully.
Les amis ou l’école : faut-il vraiment choisir ?
Authors: Boulin Audrey
Published: May 2015

Avec les internats d’excellence (créés en 2008), la réussite des élèves d’origine modeste et désignés comme « à potentiel » serait rendue possible en les sortant de leur « environnement » pour les placer en internat. Face au projet d’éloignement des pairs émanant des adultes (personnels des établissements scolaires et parents), les adolescents répondent de manière nuancée. C’est à partir d’une enquête qualitative (observations et entretiens) et quantitative (questionnaires) que cet article confronte les préoccupations des adultes et celles des adolescents et montre que la sociabilité de ces derniers s’en trouve enrichie.
Entre idéal d’émancipation et mise au travail
Authors: Houdeville Gérald , Mazaud Caroline
Published: May 2015

L’article porte sur des dispositifs de « deuxième chance » visant à répondre aux difficultés des jeunes chômeurs sans diplôme et évalués au nombre des bénéficiaires accédant à l’emploi ou à la formation qualifiante. Les modalités d’action avec et sur les jeunes consistent en des remises à niveau scolaire, une aide à l’élaboration d’un projet professionnel et, plus discrètement, l’inculcation de dispositions morales, de qualités sociales monnayables sur le marché du travail.
L’émeute est-elle une forme d’expression politique ?
Authors: Cortéséro Régis , Marlière Éric
Published: May 2015

Les émeutes de 2005 ont donné lieu, dès les mois qui suivirent et jusqu’à aujourd’hui, à une profusion d’analyses provenant de l’ensemble du monde universitaire. L’objet de cet article est de proposer un tour d’horizon de ces travaux, en essayant de décrire à la fois la diversité des hypothèses à l’œuvre, et les mutations du regard sociologique sur les « jeunes de cité » dont ils portent la trace. Mais, par-delà cette diversité, l’article s’efforce de saisir l’unicité sous-jacente à ces analyses et d’identifier la perspective depuis laquelle toutes les descriptions sont agencées. Il montre alors que la quasi-totalité des analyses cherchent à circonscrire une « politicité » de l’émeute, abordée du point de vue d’une incarnation politique du populaire.
La sociologie de « l’état en action » au prisme des relations internationales
Authors: Meijer Hugo
Published: May 2015

En intégrant des concepts et des méthodes relevant des relations internationales et de la sociologie de l’action publique, cet article vise à contribuer à l’étude des transformations de l’État en mobilisant une approche internationaliste de la sociologie de l’État. L’articulation entre les dimensions interne et internationale de la capacité de l’État demeure un angle mort dans la littérature. Sur la base d’un large éventail de sources primaires (y compris 170 entretiens), cette étude montre l’évolution dans l’après-guerre froide de la capacité de l’État américain dans un secteur aussi régalien que le contrôle des transferts de biens stratégiques sous le double effet de pressions internes et externes. Par le prisme des relations internationales, il est possible de contribuer à l’analyse de l’État en action en apportant un regard nouveau sur la dichotomie classique État faible/État fort et sur la notion de « capacité d’État ».
Le rôle immatériel de la certification ISO dans le processus d’innovation
Authors: Maurand-Valet Anne
Published: May 2015

L’introduction des normes managériales (ou normes de système de management – NSM) dans une organisation représente un changement qui questionne en matière d’innovation : en quoi ces NSM représentent-elles une innovation et quelles innovations sont-elles susceptibles de susciter ? Peu de travaux ont étudié le lien entre normes et innovation. S’ils présentent un certain consensus sur les effets organisationnels, ils sont beaucoup plus nuancés sur les effets en matière d’innovation sur le produit, le marché ou les processus de production. La dimension incrémentale du principe d’amélioration continue associée aux NSM, ainsi que la focalisation sur l’analyse des processus ne favoriseraient pas les innovations de rupture mais simplement les améliorations des routines. Par ailleurs, les effets des NSM ne peuvent être isolés du contexte technico-scientifique et de la pratique des autres outils qualité dans l’entreprise. Cela rend difficile l’évaluation exacte du poids des NSM dans les phénomènes d’innovation. Codes JEL : O13, M19
Diaconat et épiscopat. Pour éviter une approche sacerdotale du diaconat
Authors: Delarbre Christian
Published: May 2015

Le diacre est ordonné « non pas en vue du sacerdoce, mais en vue du service ». En revenant aux sources de cette définition de Lumen gentium 29, l’article révise le rapport du diaconat au sacerdoce ministériel en même temps qu’il approfondit sa relation à l’épiscopat. Par la suite, un regard critique est posé sur l’expression définissant le diaconat comme « représentation du Christ serviteur ». Celle-ci, analogue aux expressions du sacerdoce ministériel « représentation sacramentelle du Christ-Tête », rend-elle bien compte de la spécificité du diaconat ou reste-elle trop dépendante d’une comparaison avec le presbytérat ?
Ferguson, poursuivre les luttes
Authors: Hardt Michael , Reyes Alvaro
Published: May 2015

Résumé Une discussion entre Michael Hardt & Alvaro Reyes
L’universel a-t-il jamais été abstrait ?
Authors: Wahnich Sophie
Published: May 2015

Résumé La force émancipatrice de l’universel
Les topographes des droits humains
Authors: Mangeot Philippe , Vermeersch Laure
Published: May 2015

Résumé Rencontre avec Forensic Architecture
Traversée des Balkans, parcours de migrants
Authors: Bacon Lucie
Published: May 2015

Résumé Feuilleton-carte 1
Sabotage Littéraire
Authors: Rabau Sophie
Published: May 2015

Résumé Lecture intéressée. 2.
Primeros registros de Eupompha imperialis (Wellman, 1912) (Coleoptera: Meloidae) en México
Authors: López-Estrada E. Karen , García-París Mario
Published: May 2015

Se localizaron tres poblaciones de Eupompha imperialis (Wellman, 1912) en los estados mexicanos de Baja California y Sonora, en las proximidades de la frontera México-Estados Unidos. Estas poblaciones representan los primeros registros de E. imperialis en México. Los ejemplares de E. imperialis se observaron en zonas arenosas del desierto de Sonora, asociados a ejemplares en flor de Tiquilia palmeri (Boraginaceae). Estos nuevos registros sugieren que, a pesar de la rareza de algunas especies de Eupomphini, el desarrollo de nuevas exploraciones en las áreas más septentrionales de Sonora y Baja California permitiría incrementar el número de especies de Eupomphini y de otras tribus de Meloidae presentes en México.
Iglesia en Plüderhausen, Alemania
Authors: Vogt Fritz
Published: May 2015

El conjunto edificado comprende la iglesia propiamente dicha y dos construcciones adicionales: una, ocupada por la sacristía y la sala para la juventud; y la otra, por la torre-campanario.
El movimiento que presenta la planta, la elevación de los accesos y el juego de volúmenes contribuyen a valorizar y enriquecer la composición arquitectónica del edificio, que ha sido construido a base de hormigón visto.
Piscina cubierta en Taubertsberg Mainz, Alemania
Authors: Apel O. , Beckert H. , Becker G. , Grebner F. , Kny H.
Published: May 2015

El edificio destinado a piscina cubierta, construido en Mainz, consta de dos plantas:
La planta baja aloja la zona de ingreso, el bar, un gimnasio, etc., y las instalaciones para: la calefacción, renovación, depuración y esterilización del agua, etc.
La planta primera, además de los vestuarios —de señoras y de caballeros—, bloques de duchas y aseos, etc., alberga una piscina de 15 m x 25 m y otra de aprendizaje.
El edificio es de estructura mixta y gran diafanidad de cerramientos, lo que proporciona una gran luminosidad y cierto aspecto etéreo que le caracteriza y distingue.
La nueva embajada alemana, en Madrid
Authors: Schoebel Ungria G. , V. Branca Baron , Bobran M. , Maasberg G. , Reich A. , Koenig F.
Published: May 2015

Los dos edificios que componen el conjunto constituyen, por su tratamiento, por su representatividad, por el gusto con que han sido construidos y por el respetuoso trato dado a los volúmenes del aprovechamiento autorizado, un ornato singular en una de las zonas más nobles y vistosas de la capital de España. Todos los materiales empleados son los tradicionales del país anfitrión y fueron elegidos con esmero, conservándolos en toda su pureza plástica de carácter y cromática.
Fábrica de cemento Märker, Alemania
Authors: Ackermann Kurt
Published: May 2015

El conjunto construido, dentro de esta primera fase, es decir, instalaciones de producción, molturación, silos, talleres, etc., se distingue por su atractiva expresión plástica y por el magnífico funcionamiento de todas y cada una de sus instalaciones. Después de varios ensayos se adoptó el sistema de vía seca debido a considerarlo más ventajoso que el tradicional de vía húmeda.