bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycemia and Hyperinsulinemia-Like Conditions Independently Induce Inflammatory Responses in Human Chondrocytes
Authors: Rufino Ana , Ribeiro Madalena , Pinto Ferreira João , Judas Fernando , Mendes Alexandrina
Published: May 2017

To elucidate the mechanisms by which type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) constitutes a risk factor for the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), this work determined whether high glucose and/or high insulin, the hallmarks of DM2, are capable of activating the transcription factor, Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB), which plays a critical role in OA by inducing the expression of pro-inflammatory and catabolic genes. For this, we analyzed NF-κB activation by measuring the nuclear levels of p65 by western blot. As readouts of NF-κB activity, Interleukin-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were analyzed by real time RT-PCR and western blot. Culture of the human chondrocytic cell line, C28-I2, in high glucose (30 mM) increased nuclear NF-κB p65 levels in a time-dependent manner, relative to cells cultured in medium containing 10 mM glucose (regular culture medium). High glucose-induced NF-κB activation was inhibited by co-treatment with its specific inhibitor, Bay 11-7082, 5 µM. Culture of primary human chondrocytes under high glucose for 24 h increased IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA levels by 97% (p = 0.0066) and 85% (p = 0.0045), respectively, while iNOS mRNA and protein levels and NO production increased by 61% (p = 0.0017), 148% (p = 0.0089), and 70% (p = 0.049), respectively, relative to chondrocytes maintained in 10 mM glucose. Treatment of chondrocytic cells with 100 nM insulin was also sufficient to increase nuclear NF-κB p65 levels, independently of the glucose concentration in the culture medium. This study shows that hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are independently sufficient to induce inflammatory responses in human chondrocytes, namely by activating NF-κB. This can be a relevant mechanism by which DM type 2 and other conditions associated with impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis, like obesity and the metabolic syndrome, contribute to the development and progression of OA.
Analysis of Magneto-hydrodynamics Flow and Heat Transfer of a Viscoelastic Fluid through Porous Medium in Wire Coating Analysis
Authors: Khan Zeeshan , Khan Muhammad , Islam Saeed , Jan Bilal , Hussain Fawad , Ur Rasheed Haroon , Khan Waris
Published: May 2017

Wire coating process is a continuous extrusion process for primary insulation of conducting wires with molten polymers for mechanical strength and protection in aggressive environments. Nylon, polysulfide, low/high density polyethylene (LDPE/HDPE) and plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are the common and important plastic resin used for wire coating. In the current study, wire coating is performed using viscoelastic third grade fluid in the presence of applied magnetic field and porous medium. The governing equations are first modeled and then solved analytically by utilizing the homotopy analysis method (HAM). The convergence of the series solution is established. A numerical technique called ND-solve method is used for comparison and found good agreement. The effect of pertinent parameters on the velocity field and temperature profile is shown with the help of graphs. It is observed that the velocity profiles increase as the value of viscoelastic third grade parameter β increase and decrease as the magnetic parameter M and permeability parameter K increase. It is also observed that the temperature profiles increases as the Brinkman number B r , permeability parameter K , magnetic parameter M and viscoelastic third grade parameter (non-Newtonian parameter) β increase.
Metabolic Portraits of Breast Cancer by HR MAS MR Spectroscopy of Intact Tissue Samples
Authors: Haukaas Tonje , Euceda Leslie , Giskeødegård Guro , Bathen Tone
Published: May 2017

Despite progress in early detection and therapeutic strategies, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women globally. Due to the heterogeneity and complexity of tumor biology, breast cancer patients with similar diagnosis might have different prognosis and response to treatment. Thus, deeper understanding of individual tumor properties is necessary. Cancer cells must be able to convert nutrients to biomass while maintaining energy production, which requires reprogramming of central metabolic processes in the cells. This phenomenon is increasingly recognized as a potential target for treatment, but also as a source for biomarkers that can be used for prognosis, risk stratification and therapy monitoring. Magnetic resonance (MR) metabolomics is a widely used approach in translational research, aiming to identify clinically relevant metabolic biomarkers or generate novel understanding of the molecular biology in tumors. Ex vivo proton high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR MAS) MR spectroscopy is widely used to study central metabolic processes in a non-destructive manner. Here we review the current status for HR MAS MR spectroscopy findings in breast cancer in relation to glucose, amino acid and choline metabolism.
Microbial Diversity in Extreme Marine Habitats and Their Biomolecules
Authors: Poli Annarita , Finore Ilaria , Romano Ida , Gioiello Alessia , Lama Licia , Nicolaus Barbara
Published: May 2017

Extreme marine environments have been the subject of many studies and scientific publications. For many years, these environmental niches, which are characterized by high or low temperatures, high-pressure, low pH, high salt concentrations and also two or more extreme parameters in combination, have been thought to be incompatible to any life forms. Thanks to new technologies such as metagenomics, it is now possible to detect life in most extreme environments. Starting from the discovery of deep sea hydrothermal vents up to the study of marine biodiversity, new microorganisms have been identified, and their potential uses in several applied fields have been outlined. Thermophile, halophile, alkalophile, psychrophile, piezophile and polyextremophile microorganisms have been isolated from these marine environments; they proliferate thanks to adaptation strategies involving diverse cellular metabolic mechanisms. Therefore, a vast number of new biomolecules such as enzymes, polymers and osmolytes from the inhabitant microbial community of the sea have been studied, and there is a growing interest in the potential returns of several industrial production processes concerning the pharmaceutical, medical, environmental and food fields.
Service and Pro-Existence in the Thought of the Romanian Theologian Dumitru Staniloae: A Path for the Orthodox Church Facing the Challenges of Globalization
Authors: Untea Ionut
Published: May 2017

“Pro-existence” is a concept developed by 20th century western Christian theologians to describe the service of the Church facing contemporary challenges. The leading Romanian theologian Dumitru Staniloae (1903–1993) took this further by expressing his Orthodox understanding of the relationship between service and pro-existence. The article explores Staniloae’s call for Orthodox Christians to serve not only people from other denominations, but those from other religions, as well as atheists. He depicted human pro-existence as an “existential impetus” towards serving the one in need, an impetus that the Orthodox Church should more visibly exercise. In a gentle, non-critical approach, Staniloae argues that the Orthodox Churches concentrated on liturgical service to God, while leaving service to people underdeveloped. The path ahead for the Orthodox Church will be the development of a harmonious multi-level understanding of pro-existence to hear and respond, as a “Serving” Church, to the needs of any human being.
Estimation and Mapping of Winter Oilseed Rape LAI from High Spatial Resolution Satellite Data Based on a Hybrid Method
Authors: Wei Chuanwen , Huang Jingfeng , Mansaray Lamin , Li Zhenhai , Liu Weiwei , Han Jiahui
Published: May 2017

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key input in models describing biosphere processes and has widely been used in monitoring crop growth and in yield estimation. In this study, a hybrid inversion method is developed to estimate LAI values of winter oilseed rape during growth using high spatial resolution optical satellite data covering a test site located in southeast China. Based on PROSAIL (coupling of PROSPECT and SAIL) simulation datasets, nine vegetation indices (VIs) were analyzed to identify the optimal independent variables for estimating LAI values. The optimal VIs were selected using curve fitting methods and the random forest algorithm. Hybrid inversion models were then built to determine the relationships between optimal simulated VIs and LAI values (generated by the PROSAIL model) using modeling methods, including curve fitting, k-nearest neighbor (kNN), and random forest regression (RFR). Finally, the mapping and estimation of winter oilseed rape LAI using reflectance obtained from Pleiades-1A, WorldView-3, SPOT-6, and WorldView-2 were implemented using the inversion method and the LAI estimation accuracy was validated using ground-measured datasets acquired during the 2014–2015 growing season. Our study indicates that based on the estimation results derived from different datasets, RFR is the optimal modeling algorithm amidst curve fitting and kNN with R2 > 0.954 and RMSE <0.218. Using the optimal VIs, the remote sensing-based mapping of winter oilseed rape LAI yielded an accuracy of R2 = 0.520 and RMSE = 0.923 (RRMSE = 93.7%). These results have demonstrated the potential operational applicability of the hybrid method proposed in this study for the mapping and retrieval of winter oilseed rape LAI values at field scales using multi-source and high spatial resolution optical remote sensing datasets. Details provided by this high resolution mapping cannot be easily discerned at coarser mapping scales and over larger spatial extents that usually employ lower resolution satellite images. Our study therefore has significant implications for field crop monitoring at local scales, providing relevant data for agronomic practices and precision agriculture.
Sound Power Estimation for Beam and Plate Structures Using Polyvinylidene Fluoride Films as Sensors
Authors: Mao Qibo , Zhong Haibing
Published: May 2017

The theory for calculation and/or measurement of sound power based on the classical velocity-based radiation mode (V-mode) approach is well established for planar structures. However, the current V-mode theory is limited in scope in that it can only be applied to conventional motion sensors (i.e., accelerometers). In this study, in order to estimate the sound power of vibrating beam and plate structure by using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films as sensors, a PVDF-based radiation mode (C-mode) approach concept is introduced to determine the sound power radiation from the output signals of PVDF films of the vibrating structure. The proposed method is a hybrid of vibration measurement and numerical calculation of C-modes. The proposed C-mode approach has the following advantages: (1) compared to conventional motion sensors, the PVDF films are lightweight, flexible, and low-cost; (2) there is no need for special measuring environments, since the proposed method does not require the measurement of sound fields; (3) In low frequency range (typically with dimensionless frequency kl < 4), the radiation efficiencies of the C-modes fall off very rapidly with increasing mode order, furthermore, the shapes of the C-modes remain almost unchanged, which means that the computation load can be significantly reduced due to the fact only the first few dominant C-modes are involved in the low frequency range. Numerical simulations and experimental investigations were carried out to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
Simultaneous Wireless Power Transfer and Secure Multicasting in Cooperative Decode-and-Forward Relay Networks
Authors: Lee Jong-Ho , Sohn Illsoo , Kim Yong-Hwa
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we investigate simultaneous wireless power transfer and secure multicasting via cooperative decode-and-forward (DF) relays in the presence of multiple energy receivers and eavesdroppers. Two scenarios are considered under a total power budget: maximizing the minimum harvested energy among the energy receivers under a multicast secrecy rate constraint; and maximizing the multicast secrecy rate under a minimum harvested energy constraint. For both scenarios, we solve the transmit power allocation and relay beamformer design problems by using semidefinite relaxation and bisection technique. We present numerical results to analyze the energy harvesting and secure multicasting performances in cooperative DF relay networks.
A Robust Method to Detect BeiDou Navigation Satellite System Orbit Maneuvering/Anomalies and Its Applications to Precise Orbit Determination
Authors: Ye Fei , Yuan Yunbin , Tan Bingfeng , Ou Jikun
Published: May 2017

The failure to detect anomalies and maneuvering of the orbits of navigation satellite sensors will deteriorate the performance of positioning and orbit determination. Motivated by the influence of the frequent maneuvering of BDS GEO and IGSO satellites, this paper analyzes the limitations of existing methods, where BDS orbit maneuvering and anomalies can be detected, and develops a method to solve this problem based on the RMS model of orbit mutual differences proposed in this paper. The performance of this method was assessed by comparison with the health flag of broadcast ephemeris, precise orbit products of GFZ, the O-C values of a GNSS station and a conventional method. The results show that the performance of the method developed in this paper is better than that of the conventional method when the periodicity and trend items are obvious. Meanwhile, three additional verification results show that the method developed in this paper can find error information in the merged broadcast ephemeris provided by iGMAS. Furthermore, from the testing results, it can be seen that the detection of anomaly and maneuvering items do not affect each other based on the robust thresholds constructed in this paper. In addition, the precise orbit of the maneuvering satellites can be determined under the circumstances that the maneuver information detected in this paper is used, and the root mean square (RMS) of orbit overlap comparison for GEO-03/IGSO-03 in Radial, Along, Cross, 1D-RMS are 0.7614/0.4460 m, 1.8901/0.3687 m, 0.3392/0.2069 m, 2.0657/0.6145 m, respectively.
A Combined Independent Source Separation and Quality Index Optimization Method for Fetal ECG Extraction from Abdominal Maternal Leads
Authors: Billeci Lucia , Varanini Maurizio
Published: May 2017

The non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) technique has recently received considerable interest in monitoring fetal health. The aim of our paper is to propose a novel fECG algorithm based on the combination of the criteria of independent source separation and of a quality index optimization (ICAQIO-based). The algorithm was compared with two methods applying the two different criteria independently—the ICA-based and the QIO-based methods—which were previously developed by our group. All three methods were tested on the recently implemented Fetal ECG Synthetic Database (FECGSYNDB). Moreover, the performance of the algorithm was tested on real data from the PhysioNet fetal ECG Challenge 2013 Database. The proposed combined method outperformed the other two algorithms on the FECGSYNDB (ICAQIO-based: 98.78%, QIO-based: 97.77%, ICA-based: 97.61%). Significant differences were obtained in particular in the conditions when uterine contractions and maternal and fetal ectopic beats occurred. On the real data, all three methods obtained very high performances, with the QIO-based method proving slightly better than the other two (ICAQIO-based: 99.38%, QIO-based: 99.76%, ICA-based: 99.37%). The findings from this study suggest that the proposed method could potentially be applied as a novel algorithm for accurate extraction of fECG, especially in critical recording conditions.
Compact Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperpnoea Apparatus for Exercise-Induced Respiratory Disease Detection
Authors: Wang Lulu , Al-Jumaily Ahmed
Published: May 2017

Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) challenge provides objective criteria for exercise-induced asthma (EIA) or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), and it was recommended to justify the use of inhaled β2-agonists by athletes for the Olympics. This paper presents the development of a compact and easy-to-use EVH apparatus for assessing EIB in human subjects. The compact apparatus has been validated on human subjects and the results have been compared to the conventional EVH system. Twenty-two swimmers, including eleven healthy subjects and eleven subjects who had been physician-diagnosed with asthma, were recruited from sport and recreation centers throughout Auckland, New Zealand. Each subject performed two EVH challenge tests using the proposed breathing apparatus and the conventional Phillips EVH apparatus on separate days, respectively. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was measured before and after the challenges. A reduction in FEV1 of 10% or more was considered positive. Of the eleven subjects who were previously diagnosed with asthma, EIB was present in all subjects (100%) in the compact EVH group, while it was presented in ten subjects (90.91%) in the conventional EVH challenge group. Of the eleven healthy subjects, EIB was present in one subject (4.55%) in the compact EVH group, while it was not present in the conventional EVH group. Experimental results showed that the compact EVH system has potential to become an alternative tool for EIB detection.
An Improved DOA Estimation Approach Using Coarray Interpolation and Matrix Denoising
Authors: Guo Muran , Chen Tao , Wang Ben
Published: May 2017

Co-prime arrays can estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) of O ( M N ) sources with O ( M + N ) sensors, and are convenient to analyze due to their closed-form expression for the locations of virtual lags. However, the number of degrees of freedom is limited due to the existence of holes in difference coarrays if subspace-based algorithms such as the spatial smoothing multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm are utilized. To address this issue, techniques such as positive definite Toeplitz completion and array interpolation have been proposed in the literature. Another factor that compromises the accuracy of DOA estimation is the limitation of the number of snapshots. Coarray-based processing is particularly sensitive to the discrepancy between the sample covariance matrix and the ideal covariance matrix due to the finite number of snapshots. In this paper, coarray interpolation based on matrix completion (MC) followed by a denoising operation is proposed to detect more sources with a higher accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is based on the capability of MC to fill in holes in the virtual sensors and that of MC denoising operation to reduce the perturbation in the sample covariance matrix. The results of numerical simulations verify the superiority of the proposed approach.
Acute Effects of Block Jumps in Female Volleyball Players: The Role of Performance Level
Authors: Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Nikolaidis Pantelis , Camacho-Cardenosa Alba , Camacho-Cardenosa Marta , Timón Rafael , Olivares Pedro
Published: May 2017

Although the role of jumping ability in female volleyball players is well recognised, the effect of fatigue on this ability is not well known. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a series of block jumps (BJ) on jumping ability and whether it varies by performance level. Ten elite (EG) and 11 amateur (AG) female volleyball players performed a fatigue intervention consisting of 45 BJ, being tested for squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and BJ before and after the intervention. Elasticity index (EI): (100 × (CMJ − SJ)/SJ) and upper limbs coordination index (ULCI): (100 × (BJ − CMJ)/CMJ) were calculated. After the intervention, EG showed a decrease of 4.40% in BJ height (p = 0.04; ES = 0.40), whereas AG presented an increase of 1.27%, which was not significant (p = 0.57; ES = 0.07). However, EG and AG presented no significant differences in SJ (p = 0.965 and p = 0.655) and CMJ (p = 0.742 and p = 0.211) when comparing baseline with post-intervention. Although EI and ULCI showed no significant differences after intervention in any group (AG: p = 0.989 and p = 0.114; EG: p = 0.242 and p = 0.205, respectively), AG presented a medium effect size (ES = 0.50) in EI and a small one in ULCI (ES = 0.37), also EG showed a medium-large effect in ULCI (ES = 0.75). These findings suggest that EG performance in BJ tends to decrease at the end of a specific jump training practice. Therefore, coaches and fitness trainers working with elite volleyball players should focus on exercises to maintain jumping ability during a match.
Developing and Understanding Design Interventions in Relation to Industrial Symbiosis Dynamics
Authors: Lange Kasper , Korevaar Gijsbert , Oskam Inge , Herder Paulien
Published: May 2017

Symbiotic Urban Agriculture Networks (SUANs) are a specific class of symbiotic networks that intend to close material and energy loops from cities and urban agriculture. Private and public stakeholders in SUANs face difficulties in the implementation of technological and organisational design interventions due to the complex nature of the agricultural and urban environment. Current research on the dynamics of symbiotic networks, especially Industrial Symbiosis (IS), is based on historical data from practice, and provides only partly for an understanding of symbiotic networks as a sociotechnical complex adaptive system. By adding theory and methodology from Design Science, participatory methods, and by using agent-based modelling as a tool, prescriptive knowledge is developed in the form of grounded and tested design rules for SUANs. In this paper, we propose a conceptual Design Science method with the aim to develop an empirically validated participatory agent-based modelling strategy that guides sociotechnical design interventions in SUANs. In addition, we present a research agenda for further strategy, design intervention, and model development through case studies regarding SUANs. The research agenda complements the existing analytical work by adding a necessary Design Science approach, which contributes to bridging the gap between IS dynamics theory and practical complex design issues.
A Spatially Explicit Optimization Model for Agricultural Straw-Based Power Plant Site Selection: A Case Study in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Ma Xiaoya , Wang Kun , Long Yuqing , Zhang Dongjie , Xiao Zhanchun
Published: May 2017

Using agricultural straw to generate electricity is an effective approach for relieving the pressure of procuring a reliable energy supply and reducing environmental pollution. Because the locations of the power plants have a significant impact on the supply of raw materials and the cost of transportation, it is important to choose reasonable locations for power plants. To solve the problem of straw-based power plant site selection (SPPSS), in this paper, a spatially explicit optimization model is proposed. Compared to the existing research, the present study makes the following major contributions: (1) The agricultural land quality evaluation dataset, combined with the cropping system and theoretical yield information, is used as the basic data to estimate agricultural straw yields, thereby increasing the accuracy of the straw yield and spatial distribution estimates. (2) Geographic information system (GIS) techniques are employed to improve an artificial immune system (AIS), which is an effective and flexible approach for solving optimization problems. The Chinese province of Hubei is selected as the experimental area to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The experimental results demonstrate that of the 34.89 million tons of agricultural straw produced in Hubei Province each year, 17.45 million tons can be used for electricity generation. The optimization schemes generated by the proposed model are feasible. Our results are expected to provide an important decision-making basis for straw-based power plant (SPP) development planning in Hubei Province.
The Relationship between Training Satisfaction and the Readiness to Transfer Learning: The Mediating Role of Normative Commitment
Authors: Ben Mansour Jamal , Naji Abdelhadi , Leclerc André
Published: May 2017

Organizations are becoming increasingly demanding in regard to training cost rationalization and justification, and to the associated result achievement obligation. In practice, these pressures result in the introduction of more or less adequate efficiency indicators in relation to training programs. The goal of this study is to understand the relationship between training and training efficiency indicators at the individual level, using a mediation model. This study proposes a three-factor mediation model estimated using a databank of 578 cases. The results first show a positive relation between training satisfaction and normative commitment. Normative commitment has a positive effect on readiness to transfer learning and a negative effect on absenteeism. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in light of these findings.
Low Carbon Strategy Analysis of Competing Supply Chains with Different Power Structures
Authors: Liu Bin , Li Tao , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: May 2017

This paper investigates the emission reduction performance for supply chain members in both single-channel and exclusive dual-channel cases. Two game scenarios (Manufacturer Stackelberg and Retailer Stackelberg) are examined under different channel structures. Furthermore, we introduce government subsidies as an impact factor of low-carbon strategy adoption. In the single-channel (Case 1), we mainly examine the influence of consumers’ price-sensitivity on channel members’ optimal decisions. In the dual-channel (Case 2), we focus on the joint impact of product substitutability and different channel power structures on the optimal decisions under asymmetric related channel status. The analysis suggests that the Stackelberg leaders always perform better than their corresponding followers before emission reduction, while they may not necessarily yield more benefits after emission reduction. The implementation of low-carbon strategy depends on parameters like product substitutability and channel base demand. Finally, all the supply chain members will encounter a Prisoner’s Dilemma when the product substitutability is relatively high.
Decision-Making and Building Resilience to Nexus Shocks Locally: Exploring Flooding and Heatwaves in the UK
Authors: Howarth Candice , Brooks Katya
Published: May 2017

There has been a policy shift towards localism in the UK driving responses and decision-making processes to respond to the impacts of climate change. This shift capitalizes on local expertise and knowledge, empowering communities to take ownership of response strategies, with an increased focus on building resilience to nexus shocks. This comes at a time when the ability of local authorities to lead responses to nexus shocks is decreasing due to lack of capacity, funding and a statutory requirement to better respond to the impacts of climate change. We examine local resilience to nexus shocks and climate impacts as a complex process of collaboration, communication, adaptation, learning from past events and preparing for future shocks. Drawing on examples of resilience to extreme weather events in the UK, this review paper assesses: (1) local responses to nexus shocks in the UK; (2) how and what evidence is used to inform decision-making in response to nexus shocks; and (3) how stakeholders increase local resilience to nexus shocks when faced with gaps in knowledge. We outline possible ways to extrapolate these insights beyond the UK context.
Factors Influencing Farmer Willingness to Fallow Winter Wheat and Ecological Compensation Standards in a Groundwater Funnel Area in Hengshui, Hebei Province, China
Authors: Xie Hualin , Cheng Lingjuan , Lv Tiangui
Published: May 2017

Land use/land cover change will have a certain impact on the regional ecological environment. This study uses the questionnaire survey method, an opportunity cost method and a logistic model to evaluate the suitability of an ecological compensation standard for a winter- wheat-fallow cropping system in a groundwater funnel area in Hebei. The main factors affecting farmers’ willingness to fallow fields provide a theoretical basis for scientifically and rationally developing a rotation policy in the groundwater funnel area. The results indicate the following: (1) nearly 87% of the surveyed farmers would accept a winter-wheat-fallow policy, whereas 13% would not; (2) farmer educational level, the total number of participants in the agricultural labor force, dependency rate, farmers’ attitudes toward a winter wheat-fallow policy in the groundwater funnel area and the farmer level of trust in government policy have significant positive effects farmer intention to fallow, whereas the number of days of participation in farming, the cultivated land quality and the per capita area of cultivated land have a significant negative effect on farmers’ fallowing intentions; (3) considering only the impact of winter wheat on groundwater, the proposed compensation standard for farmers who accept the policy is 0.00095 $/hm2; (4) some policy implications are put forward to improve the effectiveness of the winter wheat fallowing policy in the groundwater funnel.
Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in the Ovine Dairy Chain and in Farm-Related Humans
Authors: Macori Guerrino , Giacinti Giuseppina , Bellio Alberto , Gallina Silvia , Bianchi Daniela , Sagrafoli Daniele , Marri Nicla , Giangolini Gilberto , Amatiste Simonetta , Decastelli Lucia
Published: May 2017

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of clinical infections in humans and its enterotoxins cause foodborne disease. In the present study, we tested a total of 51 isolates of S. aureus from small-ruminant dairy farms with artisan dairy facilities, all located in Latium, Italy. The farms have a known history of a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Most of the MRSA isolates (27 of 51) belonged to spa-type t127 (43.1%), followed by t2678 (3.9%), t044 (2%), t1166 (2%), and t1773 (2%). PFGE performed on mecA positive strains identified one cluster (≥ 80% of similarity), comprising 22 MRSA. Nine of twenty-two MRSA isolates were assigned human host origin, and 13 isolates did not belong to a specific host. During the characterization study, one strain isolated from bulk tank milk samples harbored the pvl gene; the strain was not enterotoxigenic with a non-specific host according to the biotyping scheme, highlighting the possible emerging risk of transmission of bacterial virulence factors by foods, the environment, and foodhandlers. These findings stress the importance of hygienic measures at all processing steps of the food production chain and underline that monitoring for the presence of MRSA throughout the food chain is essential for public health.
L’évolution des chasseurs-cueilleurs : hypothèse supplétive sur le mariage
Authors: testart Alain
Published: May 2017

Dans cet article posthume, Alain Testart revient sur le délicat passage entre deux structures sociales de chasseurs-cueilleurs nomades largement évoqué dans Avant l’Histoire (Testart, 2012). Comment expliquer que certains chasseurs-cueilleurs nomades de structure sociale non évolutive, comme il l’expose dans cet ouvrage, puissent déboucher sur un autre type de société ? Sur quelle base ces sociétés peuvent-elles se transformer alors même qu’elles semblent bloquées dans leur développement technique ? Il aborde ici cette transformation sociale a priori improbable – mais néanmoins envisageable à condition d’adopter une approche probabiliste – et propose le scénario le plus plausible pour son déroulement. Ce raisonnement s’inscrit dans le cadre de ses réflexions sur l’évolution sociale des sociétés, et plus particulièrement sur les critères de classification des sociétés «à richesse » et «sans richesse » ainsi que sur l’opposition irréductible entre deux types de sociétés chez les chasseurs-cueilleurs. Dans cet article, c’est notamment au moyen des institutions matrimoniales qu’il tentera d’expliquer et de reconstituer cette transformation. Ce raisonnement hypothétique suppose donc une bonne connaissance des prestations matrimoniales, dont les traits essentiels et le mode de notation sont brièvement rappelés ici. En première analyse, le scénario proposé est une transformation des obligations viagères (prestations matrimoniales où sont régulièrement fournis des produits alimentaires) en un prix de la fiancée composé essentiellement de nourritures traitées pour être conservées (poisson surtout). Cependant, tout – facteurs techniques et économiques, données ethnographiques, etc. – s’oppose à cette idée. On est donc conduit à imaginer une forme de mariage plus complexe dans laquelle les obligations viagères sont remplacées par une combinaison de deux types de prestations (le service pour la fiancée et le prix de la fiancée) et dans laquelle sont remis non seulement de la nourriture mais également des matières premières animales (peaux, matières osseuses, etc.), voire des objets manufacturés à partir de ces matières. Cette transformation est toutefois un changement radical qui n’a pas dû prendre forme brutalement. Sans doute introduit au départ comme une exception (valable pour certains mariages seulement, par exemple le mariage avec la fille aînée), ce nouveau mode de mariage aurait ensuite évolué graduellement jusqu’à ce que l’ancien système des obligations viagères devienne résiduel, puis caduc. L’auteur termine en ouvrant une prospective beaucoup plus générale. Il se questionne en se demandant si l’on peut parler de chasseurs-cueilleurs sédentaires stockeurs dès le Paléolithique supérieur sur certaines côtes de l’Europe occidentale. Si oui, leur art nous permettrait-il incontestablement de les distinguer des chasseurs-cueilleurs nomades ?
Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy Allows Continuation of Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Khambati Aziz , Fitzgerald Mary Kate , Perry Kent T. , Nadler Robert B.
Published: May 2017

Patient outcomes for retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RLRN) in adults on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have not been described in the literature. This is the first series on the successful application of RLRN for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) among adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on PD. In our series of 5 patients, all were able to promptly resume PD, no wound complications were noted at postoperative visits, and no evidence of recurrence was identified on surveillance imaging at follow-up. We propose that RLRN should be considered in PD patients as it allows immediate reinstitution of PD and prevents the morbidity and complications associated with interim hemodialysis.
Inhomogeneities and the Modeling of Radio Supernovae
Authors: Björnsson C.-I. , Keshavarzi S. T.
Published: May 2017

Observations of radio supernovae (SNe) often exhibit characteristics not readily accounted for by a homogeneous, spherically symmetric synchrotron model; e.g., flat-topped spectra/light curves. It is shown that many of these deviations from the standard model can be attributed to an inhomogeneous source structure. When inhomogeneities are present, the deduced radius of the source and, hence, the shock velocity, is sensitive to the details of the modeling. As the inhomogeneities are likely to result from the same mechanism that amplify the magnetic field, a comparison between observations and the detailed numerical simulations now under way may prove mutually beneficial. It is argued that the radio emission in Type Ib/c SNe has a small volume filling factor and comes from a narrow region associated with the forward shock, while the radio emission region in SN 1993J (Type IIb) is determined by the extent of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability emanating from the contact discontinuity. Attention is also drawn to the similarities between radio SNe and the structural properties of SN remnants.
The Weakly Nonlinear Magnetorotational Instability in a Local Geometry
Authors: Clark S. E. , Oishi Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2017

The magnetorotational instability (MRI) is a fundamental process of accretion disk physics, but its saturation mechanism remains poorly understood despite considerable theoretical and computational effort. We present a multiple-scales analysis of the non-ideal MRI in the weakly nonlinear regime—that is, when the most unstable MRI mode has a growth rate asymptotically approaching zero from above. Here, we develop our theory in a local, Cartesian channel. Our results confirm the finding by Umurhan et al. that the perturbation amplitude follows a Ginzburg–Landau equation. We further find that the Ginzburg–Landau equation will arise for the local MRI system with shear-periodic boundary conditions, when the effects of ambipolar diffusion are considered. A detailed force balance for the saturated azimuthal velocity and vertical magnetic field demonstrates that, even when diffusive effects are important, the bulk flow saturates via the combined processes of reducing the background shear and rearranging and strengthening the background vertical magnetic field. We directly simulate the Ginzburg–Landau amplitude evolution for our system, and demonstrate the pattern formation our model predicts on long scales of length- and timescales. We compare the weakly nonlinear theory results to a direct numerical simulation of the MRI in a thin-gap Taylor Couette flow.
Outcome Measures Used in Arthroplasty Trials: Systematic Review of the 2008 and 2013 Literature
Authors: Richards Bethan L. , Wall Peter D.H. , Sprowson Andrew P. , Singh Jasvinder A. , Buchbinder Rachelle
Published: May 2017

Objective.

Previously published literature assessing the reporting of outcome measures used in joint replacement randomized controlled trials (RCT) has revealed disappointing results. It remains unknown whether international initiatives have led to any improvement in the quality of reporting and/or a reduction in the heterogeneity of outcome measures used. Our objective was to systematically assess and compare primary outcome measures and the risk of bias in joint replacement RCT published in 2008 and 2013.

Methods.

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for RCT investigating adult patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Two authors independently identified eligible trials, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane tool.

Results.

Seventy RCT (30 in 2008, 40 in 2013) met the eligibility criteria. There was no significant difference in the number of trials judged to be at low overall risk of bias (n = 6, 20%) in 2008 compared with 2013 [6 (15%); chi-square = 0.302, p = 0.75]. Significantly more trials published in 2008 did not specify a primary outcome measure (n = 25, 83%) compared with 18 trials (45%) in 2013 (chi-square = 10.6316, p = 0.001). When specified, there was significant heterogeneity in the measures used to assess primary outcomes.

Conclusion.

While less than a quarter of trials published in both 2008 and 2013 were judged to be at low overall risk of bias, significantly more trials published in 2013 specified a primary outcome. Although this might represent a temporal trend toward improvement, the overall frequency of primary outcome reporting and the wide heterogeneity in primary outcomes reported remain suboptimal.
Le Système National d’Innovation en Algérie : entre inertie institutionnelle et sous-apprentissage
Authors: Amdaoud Mounir
Published: May 2017

L’objet de ce papier est d’analyser les capacités de production de connaissances technologiques ainsi que de tenter de comprendre les raisons de blocage de la dynamique d’apprentissage en Algérie. Pour ce faire, nous mobilisons le concept de Système National d’Innovation (SNI) – malgré les limites d’application – du fait, qu’il permet, d’une part, de mieux saisir le processus et les interventions des acteurs à l’origine du progrès technique, et d’autre part, d’éclairer les stratégies de développement économique des pays. Les premiers résultats obtenus dans notre étude montrent que le dispositif juridique et la structure institutionnelle en matière de recherche et de recherche et développement (R&D) ne sont pas éloignés de ceux des économies avancées. Cependant dans les faits, cette tendance ne semble pas se refléter dans les indicateurs de performance technologique et scientifique en Algérie. Codes JEL : O31, O32, O38
Vers une approche créative des politiques territorialisées d’innovation : enseignements tirés de la lecture néo-autrichienne de la « découverte entrepreneuriale »
Authors: Héraud Jean-Alain
Published: May 2017

Les politiques d’innovation, de nos jours souvent territorialisées, correspondent au moins implicitement à des visions de ce qu’est le processus d’innovation, voire à des fondements théoriques précis ( policy rationale ). Pour jeter un regard critique sur ces politiques, nous proposons de revenir sur les grands auteurs, particulièrement Schumpeter et Hayek, afin de comprendre la nature profonde de cet acte créatif. Il nous semble très réducteur de penser l’innovation sur le seul plan de l’économie de la connaissance, d’où notre volonté d’insister sur la dimension entrepreneuriale du phénomène et d’en tirer des conclusions politiques. Pour cela, une relecture de la littérature néo-autrichienne est utile. Elle permet de comprendre le concept de découverte entrepreneuriale qui est cité (sans trop de commentaires) dans les textes fondateurs de la politique européenne de «  smart specialization  » des régions. Nous concluons sur la nécessité de révéler puis de s’appuyer sur des porteurs de projets dans les territoires.
Risque et sérendipité du recrutement : de l’intérêt de la détection des HQI dans l’embauche des nouveaux managers
Authors: Mouillot Philippe , Drillon Dominic
Published: May 2017

Malgré la sophistication certaine des méthodes de recrutement, nulle place est accordée à l’intelligence en tant que variable mesurée de la richesse du potentiel d’un(e) candidat(e) ou d’un(e) employé(e) ; tout au moins est-elle considérée par certains DRH et entrepreneurs sur une base sérendipitaire, c’est-à-dire accidentelle, sans pour autant en assurer une exploration et une exploitation ultérieures autres que marginales. L’intelligence est pourtant une ressource illimitée de créativité et de polyvalence. A ce titre, elle mérite sans doute d’être positionnée comme variable discriminante positive, que ce soit à l’embauche ou bien à la promotion. Les personnes surdouées fonctionnent certes sur des schémas uniques, néanmoins compatibles avec la plupart des procédures managériales, leur différence étant principalement la vitesse à laquelle elles suggèrent des solutions aux défis soulevés. Notre recherche propose donc de présenter et de valoriser la surdouance de manière à suggérer une mutation des méthodologies de recrutement au travers de mesures quantitatives, ceci afin de limiter les risques d’erreur tout en optimisant la rencontre de systèmes analytiques de réflexion à la fois synergiques et polytechniques. Egalement, elle suggère que l’intelligence ne soit plus seulement une ressource accidentelle ou cachée mais bien un fer de lance de la fonction RH de demain, que ce soit en termes de développement des outils de sélection ou de valorisation de la diversité. Pour cela, nous présentons ici les concepts d’intelligence et de surdouance, puis nous discutons la pertinence pour la fonction RH d’apporter un crédit discriminant à la capacité intellectuelle d’un(e) candidat(e) ou d’un(e) employé(e) lorsque la surdouance est détectée. Nous envisageons notamment la contribution de l’intelligence supérieure à l’organisation à l’aide de l’élaboration de filtres complémentaires aux huit étapes qui jalonnent traditionnellement l’action de recrutement issus de nos entretiens avec des experts RH, psychologues du travail, recruteurs, DRH, consultants de l’APEC et dirigeants.
Management des compétences et évolution du positionnement stratégique sur le marché du bâtiment
Authors: Ruat Thibault
Published: May 2017

Le marché du bâtiment, qui représente 10 % du produit intérieur brut français, n’est pas épargné par la crise. La baisse continue de son activité économique depuis 2008 impacte les entreprises du secteur et notamment les organisations de maîtrise d’œuvre qui se retrouvent contraintes à faire évoluer leur positionnement stratégique sur le marché pour pallier la diminution des commandes. Mais cette évolution subie apparaît souvent en inadéquation avec les compétences internes. Elle renforce les importantes difficultés économiques et sociales de ces structures, mises en évidence par des recherches récentes (Ruat, 2012 ; Zardet, Delattre & Petit, 2012). L’étude a été réalisée à partir d’une méthodologie de recherche-intervention auprès de 23 terrains de recherche. Elle s’attache à identifier comment l’amélioration d’un management des compétences peut aider les organisations de maîtrise d’œuvre à mieux cibler les évolutions de positionnement stratégique à adopter sur le marché du bâtiment afin d’améliorer leur performance économique et sociale.
Evaluation of the Role of Monocular Video Game Play as an Adjuvant to Occlusion Therapy in the Management of Anisometropic Amblyopia
Authors: Singh Archita , Sharma Pradeep , Saxena Rohit
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the role of monocular video game play as an adjuvant to occlusion therapy in the treatment of anisometropic amblyopia.

Methods:

In a prospective randomized study design, 68 children with ages ranging from 6 to 14 years who had anisometropic amblyopia with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the amblyopic eye of better than 6/36 and worse than 6/12 and no manifest strabismus were recruited. They were randomly allocated into two groups: 34 children received 1 hour per day of video game play for the first month plus 6 hours per day of occlusion therapy (video game and occlusion group) and 34 children received 6 hours per day of occlusion therapy alone (occlusion only group). Patients were then evaluated at baseline and 1 and 3 months after treatment for BCVA, stereoacuity, and contrast sensitivity.

Results:

In the video game and occlusion group, BCVA improved from 0.61 ± 0.12 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 0.51 ± 0.14 logMAR (
P
= .001) at 1 month and 0.40 ± 0.15 logMAR (
P
= .001) at 3 months. In the occlusion only group, BCVA improved from 0.65 ± 0.09 logMAR at baseline to 0.60 ± 0.10 logMAR (
P
= .001) at 1 month and 0.48 ± 0.10 logMAR (
P
= .001) at 3 months. There was significantly more improvement in the video game and occlusion group compared to the occlusion only group (
P
= .003 at 1 month and
P
= .027 at 3 months).

Conclusions:

Video game play plus occlusion therapy enhances the visual recovery in anisometropic amblyopia.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2017;54(4):244–249.]