bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Solvent Composition on the Performance of Spray-Dried Co-Amorphous Formulations
Authors: Mishra Jaya , Rades Thomas , Löbmann Korbinian , Grohganz Holger
Published: April 2018

Ball-milling is usually used to prepare co-amorphous drug–amino acid (AA) mixtures. In this study, co-amorphous drug–AA mixtures were produced using spray-drying, a scalable industrially preferred preparation method. The influence of the solvent type and solvent composition was investigated. Mixtures of indomethacin (IND) and each of the three AAs arginine, histidine, and lysine were ball-milled and spray-dried at a 1:1 molar ratio, respectively. Spray-drying was performed at different solvent ratios in (a) ethanol and water mixtures and (b) acetone and water mixtures. Different ratios of these solvents were chosen to study the effect of solvent mixtures on co-amorphous formulation. Residual crystallinity, thermal properties, salt/partial salt formation, and powder dissolution profiles of the IND–AA mixtures were investigated and compared to pure crystalline and amorphous IND. It was found that using spray-drying as a preparation method, all IND–AA mixtures could be successfully converted into the respective co-amorphous forms, irrespective of the type of solvent used, but depending on the solvent mixture ratios. Both ball-milled and spray-dried co-amorphous samples showed an enhanced dissolution rate and maintained supersaturation compared to the crystalline and amorphous IND itself. The spray-dried samples resulting in co-amorphous samples were stable for at least seven months of storage.
TUNEL Assay and DAPI Staining Revealed Few Alterations of Cellular Morphology in Naturally and Artificially Aged Seeds of Cultivated Flax
Authors: Fu Yong-Bi , Ahmed Zaheer , Yang Hui , Horbach Carolee
Published: April 2018

In a search for useful seed aging signals as biomarkers for seed viability prediction, we conducted an experiment using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining to analyze morphological and molecular changes in naturally aged (NA) and artificially aged (AA) flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds. A total of 2546 sections were performed from 112 seeds of 12 NA and AA seed samples with variable germination rates. Analyzing 1384 micrographs generated from TUNEL assay and DAPI staining revealed few alterations of the cellular morphology of the NA and AA seeds. Also, the revealed DNA degradations in the aged flax seeds appeared to be associated with seed samples of low germination rates. These results suggest that oily flax seed aging may alter the cellular morphology differently than starchy wheat seed aging. The results also imply that the TUNEL assay and DAPI staining may not yield informative assessments on cellular alterations and DNA degradation after the aging of oily seeds.
Reinforced PEI/PVdF Multicore-Shell Structure Composite Membranes by Phase Prediction on a Ternary Solution
Authors: Chae Jihye , Park Sejoon , Kim Dong , Joh Han-Ik , Kim Jong , Lee Sungho , Jo Seong
Published: April 2018

To construct a polyetherimide (PEI)-reinforced polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) composite membrane with multicore-shell structure, a ternary solution was prepared and electrospun by single-nozzle electrospinning. A theoretical prediction was made for the feasibility of complete distinction of two phases. The diameters of the membrane fibers and the PEI multi-core fibrils varied with the PEI ratio and the spinning time, respectively. The tensile strength and modulus were improved to 48 MPa and 1.5 GPa, respectively. The shrinkage of the membrane was only 6.6% at 180 °C, at which temperature the commercial PE separator melted down. The reinforcement in mechanical and thermal properties is associated with multiple PEI nanofibrils oriented along the fiber axis. Indeed, the unique morphology of self-assembled multicore-shell fibers plays an important role in their properties. All in all, PEI/PVdF membranes are appropriate for a lithium-ion battery application due to their high mechanical strength, excellent thermal stability, and controllable textural properties.
Operational Choices for Risk Aggregation in Insurance: PSDization and SCR Sensitivity
Authors: Milhaud Xavier , Poncelet Victorien , Saillard Clement
Published: April 2018

This work addresses crucial questions about the robustness of the PSDization process for applications in insurance. PSDization refers to the process that forces a matrix to become positive semidefinite. For companies using copulas to aggregate risks in their internal model, PSDization occurs when working with correlation matrices to compute the Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR). We examine how classical operational choices concerning the modelling of risk dependence impacts the SCR during PSDization. These operations refer to the permutations of risks (or business lines) in the correlation matrix, the addition of a new risk, and the introduction of confidence weights given to the correlation coefficients. The use of genetic algorithms shows that theoretically neutral transformations of the correlation matrix can surprisingly lead to significant sensitivities of the SCR (up to 6%). This highlights the need for a very strong internal control around the PSDization step.
Lake Area Changes and Their Influence on Factors in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions along the Silk Road
Authors: Tan Chao , Guo Bo , Kuang Honghai , Yang Hong , Ma Mingguo
Published: April 2018

In the context of global warming, the changes in major lakes and their responses to the influence factors in arid and semi-arid regions along the Silk Road are especially important for the sustainable development of local water resources. In this study, the areas of 24 lakes were extracted using MODIS NDVI data, and their spatial-temporal characteristics were analyzed. In addition, the relationship between lake areas and the influence factors, including air temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, land use and land cover change (LULCC) and population density in the watersheds, were investigated. The results indicated that the areas of most lakes shrank, and the total area decreased by 22,189.7 km2 from 2001 to 2016, except for those of the lakes located on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The air temperature was the most important factor for all the lakes and increased at a rate of 0.113 °C/a during the past 16 years. LULCC and the increasing population density markedly influenced the lakes located in the middle to western parts of this study area. Therefore, our results connecting lake area changes in the study region highlight the great challenge of water resources and the urgency of implementation of the green policy in the One Belt and One Road Initiative through international collaboration.
SWOT Spatial Scales in the Western Mediterranean Sea Derived from Pseudo-Observations and an Ad Hoc Filtering
Authors: Gómez-Navarro Laura , Fablet Ronan , Mason Evan , Pascual Ananda , Mourre Baptiste , Cosme Emmanuel , Le Sommer Julien
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study is to assess the capacity of the Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite to resolve fine scale oceanic surface features in the western Mediterranean. Using as input the Sea Surface Height (SSH) fields from a high-resolution Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM), the SWOT Simulator for Ocean Science generates SWOT-like outputs along a swath and the nadir following the orbit ground tracks. Given the characteristic temporal and spatial scales of fine scale features in the region, we examine temporal and spatial resolution of the SWOT outputs by comparing them with the original model data which are interpolated onto the SWOT grid. To further assess the satellite’s performance, we derive the absolute geostrophic velocity and relative vorticity. We find that instrument noise and geophysical error mask the whole signal of the pseudo-SWOT derived dynamical variables. We therefore address the impact of removal of satellite noise from the pseudo-SWOT data using a Laplacian diffusion filter, and then focus on the spatial scales that are resolved within a swath after this filtering. To investigate sensitivity to different filtering parameters, we calculate spatial spectra and root mean square errors. Our numerical experiments show that noise patterns dominate the spectral content of the pseudo-SWOT fields at wavelengths below 60 km. Application of the Laplacian diffusion filter allows recovery of the spectral signature within a swath down to the 40–60 km wavelength range. Consequently, with the help of this filter, we are able to improve the observation of fine scale oceanic features in pseudo-SWOT data, and in the estimation of associated derived variables such as velocity and vorticity.
Examining the Effects of Hydropower Station Construction on the Surface Temperature of the Jinsha River Dry-Hot Valley at Different Seasons
Authors: Wang Dongchuan , Wang Feicui , Huang Yong , Duan Xingwu , Liu Jinya , Hu Bingxu , Sun Zhichao , Chen Junhe
Published: April 2018

On the completion of a large-scale hydropower station, the change of the water area can cause a corresponding change of local weather. To examine such changes, this paper analyzed the effect of the reservoir in the head area of the Xiluodu hydropower station based on the temperature data of MODIS MYD11A2. The temperature differences (TD) between various locations in the study area and the reservoir were calculated to explore the TD in different seasons. The reservoir effect change intensity (RECI) was established to explore the impact of the reservoir on local weather changes in different flood seasons. The combination of the TD and RECI was applied to explore the role of the hydropower station in regulating the temperature of the surrounding reservoir. The results showed the following: (1) after hydropower station construction (HSC), the TD in the valleys decreased and the TD in the dry season was lower than that in the wet season; (2) the RECI had different distribution characteristics in different flood seasons of the reservoir, and the RECI was stronger in the wet season than that in the dry season; and (3) unlike in the plains, cooling and warming effects existed simultaneously in different parts of the mountains.
Biomass Growth from Multi-Temporal TanDEM-X Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Observations of a Boreal Forest Site
Authors: Askne Jan , Persson Henrik , Ulander Lars
Published: April 2018

Forest growth estimation is important in forest research and forest management, but complex to analyze in diverse forest stands. Twelve summertime TanDEM-X acquisitions from the boreal test site, Krycklan, in Sweden, with a known digital terrain model, DTM, have been used to study phase height and aboveground biomass change over 3.2 years based on the Interferometric Water Cloud Model, IWCM. The maximum phase height rate was determined to 0.29 m/yr, while the mean phase height rate was 0.16 m/yr. The corresponding maximum growth rate of the aboveground dry biomass, AGB, was 4.0 Mg/ha/yr with a mean rate of 1.9 Mg/ha/yr for 27 stands, varying from 23 to 183 Mg/ha. The highest relative AGB growth was found for young stands and high growth rates up to an age of 150 years. Growth rate differences relative a simplified model assuming AGB to be proportional to the phase height were studied, and the possibility to avoid a DTM was discussed. Effects of tree species, thinning, and clear cutting were evaluated. Verifications using in situ data from 2008 and a different in situ dataset combined with airborne laser scanning data from 2015 have been discussed. It was concluded that the use of multi-temporal TanDEM-X interferometric synthetic aperture radar observations with AGB estimates of each individual observation can be an important method to derive growth rates in boreal forests.
Improving Efficiency of Passive RFID Tag Anti-Collision Protocol Using Dynamic Frame Adjustment and Optimal Splitting
Authors: Memon Muhammad , He Jingsha , Yasir Mirza , Memon Aasma
Published: April 2018

Radio frequency identification is a wireless communication technology, which enables data gathering and identifies recognition from any tagged object. The number of collisions produced during wireless communication would lead to a variety of problems including unwanted number of iterations and reader-induced idle slots, computational complexity in terms of estimation as well as recognition of the number of tags. In this work, dynamic frame adjustment and optimal splitting are employed together in the proposed algorithm. In the dynamic frame adjustment method, the length of frames is based on the quantity of tags to yield optimal efficiency. The optimal splitting method is conceived with smaller duration of idle slots using an optimal value for splitting level M o p t , where (M > 2), to vary slot sizes to get the minimal identification time for the idle slots. The application of the proposed algorithm offers the advantages of not going for the cumbersome estimation of the quantity of tags incurred and the size (number) of tags has no effect on its performance efficiency. Our experiment results show that using the proposed algorithm, the efficiency curve remains constant as the number of tags varies from 50 to 450, resulting in an overall theoretical gain in the efficiency of 0.032 compared to system efficiency of 0.441 and thus outperforming both dynamic binary tree slotted ALOHA (DBTSA) and binary splitting protocols.
Scientific Coverage in Community-Based Tourism: Sustainable Tourism and Strategy for Social Development
Authors: Álvarez-García José , Durán-Sánchez Amador , Del Río-Rama María
Published: April 2018

In the last decades in developing countries, the tourism sector has been immersed in an intense process of strengthening the participation of local communities through the so-called community tourism initiatives, whose main objective is to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of host communities, ensuring the subsistence of traditional culture. Its growing momentum as a means for sustainable tourism and a strategy for social development has generated a large amount of academic literature, and it is necessary to analyze its presence in the main multidisciplinary databases. Thus, the main purpose of our article is to show the current state of scientific production on community tourism through a bibliometric comparative study of the documents indexed in the WoS and Scopus databases, dealing with aspects such as their coverage, correlation between both bases, overlapping of documents and journals, growth, dispersion or concentration of articles, among others. For this purpose, and by means of an advanced search by terms, a representative set of 115 articles in WoS and 185 in Scopus were selected, with the time limit set in 2017. These form the ad-hoc basis of the analysis. In view of the results, it is concluded that, although WoS and Scopus databases differ in terms of scope, volume of data, and coverage policies, both information systems are complementary but not exclusive. Although the documents and the results of their analysis are in many aspects similar, Scopus has a better coverage in the specific area of community tourism due to collecting a greater number of articles, journals and signatures, and its articles receiving a greater number of citations.
Rapid Excavation and Stability Control of Deep Roadways for an Underground Coal Mine with High Production in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Xie Zhengzheng , Zhang Nong , Qian Deyu , Han Changliang , An Yanpei , Wang Yang
Published: April 2018

For large underground coal mines producing 10 million tons a year, rapid excavation and stability of deep roadways are pivotal to ensure sustainable, safe, and efficient production. This paper provides a case study of Hulusu Coal Mine in Inner Mongolia, where roadway excavation speed was insufficient to meet production needs. Moreover, deformation in the roofs of the roadways was severe. To achieve rapid excavation and control the stability of deep roadways, a new support system was proposed and constructed in a roadway at a depth of 640 m. The system consisted of long flexible bolts pretensioned to high levels and spaced at large intervals. Roadway excavation and construction of a support system were conducted simultaneously. Field measurements indicated that the new support system effectively controlled deformation and fracture development during excavation and mining. Maximum displacements of the roof during excavation and mining were 10 and 30 mm, respectively. The axial load on bolts surged during excavation as a result of slight deformations caused by excavation operations. This active response of the bolts is beneficial to the prevention of roof deformation during excavation and mining. During mining, fissures propagated up to only a depth of 1.4 m into the surrounding rock mass. The new support system formed a thick reinforced anchorage zone, which greatly improved the bearing capacity of the roof. Compared with the previous support system, the new system allowed the maximum excavation speed (31.5 m/day) to increase by 85.3%. This successful case provides a practical reference for similar roadway projects.
Improving the Green Building Evaluation System in China Based on the DANP Method
Authors: Shao Qi-Gan , Liou James , Weng Sung-Shun , Chuang Yen-Ching
Published: April 2018

Against the background of sustainable development, green building practices could be part of the strategy for solving environmental and energy problems in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to explore a system for the assessment of green buildings in China that provides the government and stakeholders with ways to improve their strategies for green building development. We apply a hybrid model, developed by integrating the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory and Analytical Network Process (called DANP) method, to build an influential network relationship map (INRM) between assessment systems and to derive the criterion weights. The INRM and derived weights can help us to understand this complex assessment system and to set improvement priorities for green building development. The results demonstrate that indoor environment, materials, and smart facilities are the top three critical factors for green building evaluation. Finally, we discuss some management implications based on an actual case study with solutions provided using this model.
First and Second Law Analyses of Trans-critical N2O Refrigeration Cycle Using an Ejector
Authors: Aghazadeh Dokandari Damoon , S. Mahmoudi S. M. , Bidi M. , Haghighi Khoshkhoo Ramin , Rosen Marc A.
Published: April 2018

An ejector-expansion refrigeration cycle using nitrous oxide was assessed. Thermodynamic analyses, including energy and exergy analyses, were carried out to investigate the effects on performance of several key factors in the system. The results show that the ejector-expansion refrigeration cycle (EERC) has a higher maximum coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency than the internal heat exchanger cycle (IHEC), by 12% and 15%, respectively. The maximum coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency are 14% and 16.5% higher than the corresponding values for the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle (VCRC), respectively. The total exergy destruction for the N2O ejector-expansion cycle is 63% and 53% less than for IHEC and VCRC, respectively. Furthermore, the highest COPs for the vapor-compression refrigeration, the internal heat exchanger and the ejector-expansion refrigeration cycles correspond to a high side pressure of 7.3 MPa, and the highest COPs for the three types of CO2 refrigeration cycles correspond to a high side pressure of 8.5 MPa. Consequently, these lead to a lower electrical power consumption by the compressor.
Deep Learning-Based Image Segmentation for Al-La Alloy Microscopic Images
Authors: Ma Boyuan , Ban Xiaojuan , Huang Haiyou , Chen Yulian , Liu Wanbo , Zhi Yonghong
Published: April 2018

Quantitative analysis through image processing is a key step to gain information regarding the microstructure of materials. In this paper, we develop a deep learning-based method to address the task of image segmentation for microscopic images using an Al–La alloy. Our work makes three key contributions. (1) We train a deep convolutional neural network based on DeepLab to achieve image segmentation and have significant results. (2) We adopt a local processing method based on symmetric overlap-tile strategy which makes it possible to analyze the microscopic images with high resolution. Additionally, it achieves seamless segmentation. (3) We apply symmetric rectification to enhance the accuracy of results with 3D information. Experimental results showed that our method outperforms existing segmentation methods.
Bavachinin Induces Oxidative Damage in HepaRG Cells through p38/JNK MAPK Pathways
Authors: Wang Shan , Wang Min , Wang Min , Tian Yu , Sun Xiao , Sun Guibo , Sun Xiaobo
Published: April 2018

Drug-induced liver injury is one of the main causes of drug non-approval and drug withdrawal by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bavachinin (BVC) is a natural product derived from the fruit of the traditional Chinese herb Fructus Psoraleae (FP). There have been reports of acute liver injury following the administration of FP and its related proprietary medicines. To explore BVC hepatotoxicity and its mechanisms, we used the HepaRG cell line. In our recent research, we showed that BVC induces HepaRG cell death, mainly via BVC-induced oxidative damage. The formation of ROS is closely related to the activation of the stress-activated kinases, JNK and p38, while SP600125 (SP, JNK inhibitor) and SB203580 (SB, p38 inhibitor) pretreatment inhibited the generation of ROS. On the other hand, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) pretreatment prevented the phosphorylation of p38 but not that of JNK. Taken together, these data reveal that BVC induces HepaRG cell death via ROS and the JNK/p38 signaling pathways.
Developing Policy for Urban Autonomous Vehicles: Impact on Congestion
Authors: Metz David
Published: April 2018

An important problem for surface transport is road traffic congestion, which is ubiquitous and difficult to mitigate. Accordingly, a question for policymakers is the possible impact on congestion of autonomous vehicles. It seems likely that the main impact of vehicle automation will not be seen until driverless vehicles are sufficiently safe for use amid general traffic on urban streets. Shared use driverless vehicles could reduce the cost of taxis and a wider range of public transport vehicles could be economic. Individually owned autonomous vehicles would have the ability to travel unoccupied and may need to be regulated where this might add to congestion. It is possible that autonomous vehicles could provide mobility services at lower cost and wider scope, such that private car use in urban areas could decline and congestion reduce. City authorities should be alert to these possibilities in developing transport policy.
Development and Validation of a Microtiter Plate-Based Assay for Determination of Bacteriophage Host Range and Virulence
Authors: Xie Yicheng , Wahab Laith , Gill Jason
Published: April 2018

Bacteriophages, which are the natural predators of bacteria, have re-emerged as an attractive alternative to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria. Phages are highly specific at the species and strain level and measurement of the phage host range plays an important role in utilizing the phage as antimicrobials. The most common method for phage host range determination has been to spot phage lysates on soft agar overlays and observe plaque formation. In this study, a liquid culture-based assay was developed in a 96-well microtiter plate format to measure the phage host range and virulence for a collection of 15 Salmonella phages against a panel of 20 Salmonella strains representing 11 serovars. This method was compared to a traditional spot method. The majority of the host range results from two methods were in agreement including in cases where a bacterial strain was insensitive to the phage. Each method produced a false-negative result in 19/300 (6%) of the measured phage-host combinations when compared to the other method. The spot method tended to indicate greater phage sensitivity than the microtiter assay even though direct comparisons of the response magnitude between the two methods is difficult since they operate on different mechanisms. The microtiter plate assay was able to provide data on both the phage host range and virulence in greater resolution in a high-throughput format.
Anomalies in Moisture Supply during the 2003 Drought Event in Europe: A Lagrangian Analysis
Authors: Stojanovic Milica , Drumond Anita , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis
Published: April 2018

In the last few decades, many studies have identified an increasing number of natural hazards associated with extreme precipitation and drought events in Europe. During the 20th century, the climate in Central Europe and the Mediterranean region was characterised by an overall temperature increase, and the beginning of the 21st century has been marked by severe and prolonged drought events. The aim of this study is to analyse variations in the moisture supply during the 2003 drought episode that affected large portions of Europe. In order to better characterise the evolution of the episodes across the continent, separate analyses were performed for two spatial domains: Central Europe and the Mediterranean region. These regions were defined according to the 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report. For both regions, this drought episode was most severe from 1980 to 2015, according to the one-month Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI-1) analysis, which was conducted using monthly precipitation and potential evapotranspiration data from the Climate Research Unit. Analyses of precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, pressure velocity at 500 hPa, and vertically integrated moisture flux were conducted to characterise the anomalous patterns over the regions during the event. A Lagrangian approach was then applied in order to investigate possible continental-scale changes in the moisture supply over the Central European and Mediterranean regions during 2003. This approach is based on the FLEXible PARTicle (FLEXPART) dispersion model, integrated with data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF): the ECMWF Re-Analysis ERA-Interim. The results indicate that anomalous subsidence, increased evapotranspiration, and reduced precipitation predominated over both regions during the episode. The most intense reduction in the moisture supply over Central Europe was registered for the Mediterranean Sea (MDS) and the Central European region, while for the Mediterranean region, most intense reduction in the moisture supply was observed in the MDS and—in minor-scale—Gibraltar regions.
Effect of the Junction Angle on Turbulent Flow at a Hydraulic Confluence
Authors: Penna Nadia , De Marchis Mauro , Canelas Olga , Napoli Enrico , Cardoso António , Gaudio Roberto
Published: April 2018

Despite the existing knowledge concerning the hydrodynamic processes at river junctions, there is still a lack of information regarding the particular case of low width and discharge ratios, which are the typical conditions of mountain river confluences. Aiming at filling this gap, laboratory and numerical experiments were conducted, comparing the results with literature findings. Ten different confluences from 45 ∘ to 90 ∘ were simulated to study the effects of the junction angle on the flow structure, using a numerical code that solves the 3D Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the k- ϵ turbulence closure model. The results showed that the higher the junction angle, the wider and longer the retardation zone at the upstream junction corner and the separation zone, and the greater the flow deflection at the entrance of the tributary into the post-confluence channel. Furthermore, it was shown that the maximum streamwise velocity does not necessarily increase with the junction angle and that it is not always located in the contraction section.
Low Flow Regimes of the Tarim River Basin, China: Probabilistic Behavior, Causes and Implications
Authors: Sun Peng , Zhang Qiang , Yao Rui , Singh Vijay , Song Changqing
Published: April 2018

Droughts are a frequent occurrence in Xinjiang, China, and therefore fundamental to determining their hydrologic characteristics is low flow analysis. To that end, 11 probability distribution functions and 26 copulas functions were employed to analyze the changing characteristics of low flow regime (defined as seven-day low flow) of the Tarim River Basin. Results indicated that: (1) The Wakeby distribution satisfactorily described the probabilistic behavior of the low flow regime. According to Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterions (BIC), maximum likelihood, and other residual-based metrics, Tawn copula, Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern copula and Frank copula were the best choice and used in this current study. (2) After 1987, hydrological droughts of longer return periods were prone to higher occurrence frequency. (3) The low flow volume has been increasing in recent years due to the temperature-induced increase of snowmelt and increasing precipitation. However, hydrological droughts can be expected to occur due to the massive increase in water demand from the development of irrigated agriculture, increasing arable land and livestock farming. As a result, the water shortage in the lower Tarim River Basin will be increasingly severe under the influence of climate change and human activities. To alleviate the shortage would call for the development of water-saving agricultural irrigation, water-saving technology, conservation of eco-environment and sustainable development of local socio-economy.
Rainwater Harvesting in Buildings in Brazil: A Literature Review
Authors: Teston Andrea , Geraldi Matheus , Colasio Barbara , Ghisi Enedir
Published: April 2018

This article presents a literature review on rainwater usage in buildings in Brazil. It focuses on economic, environmental and social impacts. The legislation related to rainwater harvesting—including the cities that have made such a practice mandatory—was also assessed. The literature review was based on a search strategy that uses protocols to find and select studies about the main subject, i.e., rainwater harvesting in buildings. The protocols were defined as the site to be investigated (buildings), the intervention (rainwater harvesting), and the expected result (influence on the potable water consumption). Despite the variation of water availability in the country, it was concluded that there is a high potential for potable water savings when using rainwater in buildings in Brazil. Finally, it was observed the need for financial investments in experimental research and innovation technologies in order to improve rainwater management.
The Damage Assessment of Flood Risk Transfer Effect on Surrounding Areas Arising from the Land Development in Tainan, Taiwan
Authors: Yang Song-Yue , Chan Ming-Hsiu , Chang Che-Hao , Chang Ling-Fang
Published: April 2018

The development with filling method might increase the flood risk and damage in the surrounding areas, especially in low-lying areas. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology to assess the damage of flood risk transfer effect on surrounding areas. We studied a development located in Tainan, Taiwan and applied a SOBEK model to analyze the transfer effect of flood risk, and calculated the amount of loss in the surrounding land. After land development, the risk of flooding in the development zone declined. However, the risk of flooding in the southern area of the development zone increased. The development of land changed the original decentralized drainage system to centralized drainage system. The peak outflow discharge of surface runoff increased so much that it was more than the flow capacity of the downstream channel. This resulted in transferring the flood risk to the surrounding areas. Direct losses due to floods for industrial, commercial, residential, and agricultural lands as well as public facilities were calculated by the flood damage curves. Indirect losses were estimated using the industry-related model. The expected annual damages before and after land development in the southern area of the development zone were NT$ 6.38 million and NT$ 7.39 million, showing that the expected annual damage was increased by NT$ 1.01 million after land development.
Le droit du public à l'information
Authors: Giroux Guy
Published: April 2018

En tanto que periodista y funcionario público en el campo de la información, Guy Giroux examina el problema de la información sobre el Estado y de la carencia de información en la democracia. Para concluir su artículo, ofrece una definición del derecho del público a la información.
Vers une représentation conceptuelle de la représentation préconceptuelle
Authors: Lamontagne Claude , Beausoleil Jean-Roch
Published: April 2018

Claude Lamontagne y Jean Roch Beausoleil están profundamente convencidos que a cierto nivel de análisis, las relaciones del tratamiento «infor-macional » inherentes a la neuroñsiología de la sensorimotricidad presentan todas las características esenciales de un modelo de comunicación, y que una vez que se «logre » la concepción de un «desmenuzamiento » en detalle de dicho contexto especíñco, estarán en medida de penetrar «con fuerza » en el campo de la psico-sociología y en el de la sociología de la comunicación.
Navajo spatial representation and Navajo geometry
Authors: Pinxten Rik
Published: April 2018

Rik Pinxten rend compte d'une recherche actuellement en cours. Il traite de la représentation spatiale Navajo, offre quelques notes de perspectives générales sur l'enseignement de la géométrie et un exemple de contexte représentationnel utilisé pour mettre en oeuvre la pensée géométrique en tenant compte du système originaire de représentation spatiale.
L'évolution récente du système canadien de communication
Authors: Tremblay Gaëtan
Published: April 2018

The author retraces and analyses the recent evolution within Canada's communications policy. He recalls the major events which prompted the previous Liberal government to undertake this political reorientation and to which the present Conservative government is fírmly committed.
Le vidéoclip et Dziga Vertov
Authors: Paul Warren
Published: April 2018

Pour envisager l'impact du vidéoclip sur le cinéma de demain , le détour par le cinéaste soviétique des années vingt, Dziga Vertov, afin de remettre en lumière sa théorie des intervalles , nous semble pertinent. En effet , Vertov qui a toujours été considéré comme le père du documentaire nous paraît bien davantage le père du vidéoclip.
Les formes du discours sexuel dans la nouvelle vidéo masculine
Authors: Waugh Thomas
Published: April 2018

Dans la foulée des artistes de vidéo qui jettent les bases d'un nouveau discours sur la sexualité , un nombre grandissant d'hommes réagissent au défi lancé parle mouvement féministe en même temps qu'ils analysent leurs propres désirs. Au Canada , cette tendance «masculine » est représentée par les vidéastes montréalais Jean Gagnon et Marc Paradis, de même que par John Greyson de Toronto qui, chacun à sa manière, explorent plusieurs pistes dans la production de vidéos par l'«homme nouveau ».
Le Canada, la culture et la «technologie » de la communication
Authors: Smythe Dallas
Published: April 2018

Reprenant l'analyse qu'il avait proposée dans Dependency Road, Dallas Smythe veut montrer que la résistance populaire peut reprendre l'hégémonie dont les industries de la conscience se sont emparées depuis un siècle. Pour comprendre l'ampleur de la réorganisation des politiques et des structures que cela impose, Dallas Smythe fait appel aux notions de «réalisme culturel » et d'«écran culturel ».
Le Sida ou l'agonie du désir
Authors: Martineau Normand
Published: April 2018

«Elle court, elle court la maladie d'amour » : Normand Martineau habría podido dar el título de esta canción popular de comienzos de los aûos de 1980 a su artículo. El Sida es analizado aquí como un «atentado » propagado por la producción de los medios de difusión masiva en sus dos reglas que rigen la dinámica social : el deseo y el consumo.
Penser la communication comme une priorité nationale en Afrique et la réinventer dans une perspective d'auto-développement
Authors: Eonè Tjadè
Published: April 2018

L'auteur passe en revue les œuvres classiques qui ont inspiré autant l'idéologie de la toute-puissance des médias au service du développement que sa version diamétralement opposée. Dans la seconde partie, il examine un certain nombre de déterminants posés comme des préalables majeurs à l'établissement de plans prévisionnels de développement en fonction d'objectifs à moyen et à long termes.
Travail intellectuel et écriture assistée par l'ordinateur
Authors: Proulx Serge , Tahon Marie-Blanche
Published: April 2018

A partir del análisis de cuarenta entrevistas, realizadas en Montreal en 1986, con intelectuales, hombres y mujeres que utilizan el computador para escribir, los autores del artículo llegan a la conclusión que : 1) esta técnica permite la concentración de la persona con lo que está haciendo ; 2) estas nuevas condiciones de producción llevan consigo una posible desmistificación del trabajo intelectual y 3) habrá une interacción particularmente floreciente entre el trabajo de producción intelectual y la práctica de la escritura en el computador.
La culture organisationnelle en crise
Authors: Brunel Gilles
Published: April 2018

Este artículo presenta una crítica del modo como es definido el concepto de cultura de las organizaciones en la mayoría de los trabajos sobre el tema en América del Norte. Después de haber presentado las principales orientaciones de la investigación, el autor del artículo concluye que la definición de la cultural ha sido utilizada principalmente en una perspectiva de gestión, con frecuencia con vistas a mejorar las relaciones de trabajo y la productividad de la organización. Este concepto debe permanecer como metáfora directiva limitada, el cual necesita una metodología original y adecuada.
Les tendances de la radiodiffusion en France, au Royaume-Uni et aux États-Unis
Authors: Lizotte Pierre , Tremblay Gaëtan
Published: April 2018

Les années 80 a été marquée par des changements significatifs dans le secteur de la radiodiffusion. Des trois facteurs de changements, idéologique, technologique et économique, c'est le dernier qui semble dicter sa loi. Cet article, en dressant le bilan de la situation en France, au Royaume-Uni et aux Etats-Unis, fait ressortir des convergences qui trahissent les grandes tendances qui affectent le secteur télévisuel : multiplication des services généralistes et spécialisés ; privatisation ; internationalisation du marché ; concentration de la propriété.
L'échec du discours éthique des journalistes à la lumière de «l'analyse stratégique»
Authors: Demers François
Published: April 2018

L'auteur examine le discours éthique des journalistes à l'aide de concepts empruntés à «l'analyse stratégique», une école de la sociologie des organisations. Cela le conduit à formuler l'hypothèse suivante : l'éthique est un moyen que des journalistes utilisent pour tenter d'améliorer leur position vis-à-vis de certains autres acteurs du système de l'information publique. Leur tentative est demeuré vaine parce que, d'une part, la «zone d'incertitude » qui rend leurs actions imprévisibles n 'est pas considérée par les principaux autres groupes d'acteurs, notamment les patrons de presse, les sources et les politiciens, comme ayant besoin d'être encadrée davantage par un engagement éthique. Et d'autre part, le discours éthique des journalistes, écartelé entre quatre constellations différentes de valeurs, n 'est pas assez cohérent pour être véritablement engageant.
Les stratégies de communication publique de la Centrale de l'enseignement du Québec au cours des négociations de 1971 à 1991
Authors: Beauchamp Michel , Tardif Jean-Claude , Boutet Pierre
Published: April 2018

Cet article vise à dégager les principales caractéristiques du projet de communication publique de la CEQ au cours des vingt dernières années, en particulier en ce qui a trait au type d'objectifs de communication poursuivis et d'activités retenues. De l'étude, il se dégage certaines constatations : conception plus pragmatique de la communication publique, utilisation accrue de certains moyens de communication, prise en considération de l'opinion publique dans le jeu des négociations, et augmentation, diversification et raffinement des activités de communication.
Les médias et les rumeurs en temps de crise : analyse de divers discours sur le sida
Authors: Lazar Judith
Published: April 2018

This article examines the role of media at times of crisis. AIDS is the particular case studied. The author attempts to determine whether media function successfully as information providers or whether rumour takes over. The study reveals that media are "sources of truth" during crisis : Viewers increase their media consumption and consider them to be their primary information source. However, at the moment that media are doubted, rumour returns and has a major role in the development of public opinion.
Des nouveaux usages des médias en temps de crise
Authors: Mattelart Armand , Mattelart Michèle
Published: April 2018

Près de quinze ans après la publication de leur ouvrage De l'usage des médias en temps de crise (1979), les deux auteurs réfléchissent sur l'évolution de la notion même de crise. Pour ce faire, ils choisissent trois domaines. Les changements intervenus dans l'usage que les mouvements sociaux font des médias dans le contexte du déclin des utopies. La faillite des stratégies étatiques de sortie de crise par les hautes technologies de l'information et de la communication. Enfin, ils analysent comment paradoxalement la crise est devenue un élément intégré dans le fonctionnement de nos sociétés. Ce qui leur permet de s'interroger sur la mutation profonde qu'a subie le concept de communication.
Les patterns conventionnels du Temps d'une paix
Authors: Paul Warren
Published: April 2018

L'auteur propose une analyse du téléroman québécois Le temps d'une paix. Son objectif est de montrer que, à travers la simplicité de son articulation interne et la logique de son déroulement linéaire, Le temps d'une paix révèle, de façon exemplaire, les traits les plus typiques du genre téléromanesque québécois : la conventionale des patterns de narrativité cinématographique, le jeu mimétique des comédiens et la priorité de la «parlure ».
Médias acadiens : fondements et limites d'une pratique journalistique militante
Authors: Watine Thierry
Published: April 2018

Is advocacy of a cause, an identity, or an ideology compatible with the imperatives of mass media news ? This is clearly one of the major questions raised by journalistic practice in Acadia. In story selection and news values, the professional journalists of this linguistic minority often express partisan views, which can be seen in their accounts of their own practices and in their media output. Even if numerous factors account for -if not legitimate -this partisan approach to news, the commitment of Acadian journalists calls into question some of the major tenets of journalistic ethics.
An Overview of Media Education in Anglophone Quebec
Authors: Brandeis Judy
Published: April 2018

L'auteure retrace la courte histoire de l'éducation aux médias au Québec. Malgré les obstacles tels la pénurie des moyens, la peur des nouvelles technologies et la résistance au changement, des progrès notables sont enregistrés et placent le Québec à l'avant-garde dans le domaine de l'éducation aux médias.
La disparition de l'Association nationale des téléspectateurs et téléspectatrices : quelles leçons pour quel avenir ?
Authors: Proulx Serge , Pichette Michel
Published: April 2018

Les auteurs proposent de réfléchir aux facteurs internes et externes ayant pu entraîner la disparition récente de l'Association nationale des téléspectateurs et téléspectatrices, organisme québécois voué à la défense des droits à l'éducation aux médias et à l'expression publique de la parole des usagers de télévision. Cette situation est-elle le fruit d'une simple conjoncture défavorable ou n'est-elle pas, au contraire, le symptôme d'une tendance structurelle plus profonde qui place aujourd'hui les organismes de défense des consommateurs dans une position d'extrême fragilité ? Dans la deuxième partie, les auteurs discutent ensuite de l'avenir de ce type d'organismes dans un contexte où naissent simultanément de multiples stratégies orientées vers l'éducation aux médias.
The Deepening Market in the West : Commercial Broadcasting on the March
Authors: Herman Edward S.
Published: April 2018

L'essor de la télévision commerciale aux États-Unis s' est fait parallèlement à l'abandon de la notion de service public et à l'appauvrissement de la diversité des points de vue. Cet essor correspond à la diminution graduelle des contenus d'intérêt public, des émissions d'information, des émissions éducatives pour les enfants et à l'augmentation des émissions avec violence. La logique du modèle commercial, en expansion dans le monde, empêche le développement d'une télévision publique indépendante et de ses potentialités éducatives.
Les médias comme espace public : enquête auprès de journalistes québécois
Authors: Gingras Anne-Marie
Published: April 2018

Bien que le concept d'espace public recouvre des réalités fort diverses, aujourd'hui, il est fortement associé aux médias. Cet article traite d'une des conditions d'existence de l'espace public constitué par les médias, l'accessibilité pour les acteurs sociaux . En prenant appui sur des entretiens semi-directifs réalisés auprès de journalistes québécois, l'auteur cherche à lier le rôle sociétal des médias aux pratiques des membres de la profession journalistique.
Dédale dans les entrailles du Minotaure : l'organisation aux prises avec la postmodernité
Authors: Brunel Gilles
Published: April 2018

L'auteur relève ici les traces de la post-modernisation et analyse les symptômes de ce lent passage. Le post-modernisme s'est développé à un rythme important à partir des milieux de création (par exemple, l'architecture) et il a pénétré la culture occidentale sans réussir, pour autant, à s'imposer complètement. Il a également frappé aux portes de l'organisation moderne, aux prises avec la modernité avancée. L'auteur analyse ici cette rencontre de deux mondes.
Représentations et stratégies fondatrices dans le champ de la vulgarisation scientifique québécoise
Authors: Baril Gérald
Published: April 2018

L'objet de cet article est de caractériser la vulgarisation scientifique québécoise, en tant que domaine relativement autonome produisant ses propres représentations de la science et des rapports entre la science et la culture. La thèse proposée est que la vulgarisation scientifique tire en quelque sorte sa force de sa faiblesse, c'est-à-dire qu'elle surmonte sa double dépendance à la science et aux médias en utilisant diverses stratégies de distinction et d'appartenance. L'analyse révèle des stratégies actives de production d'autonomie, notamment par le discours, confirmées par des succès en termes de consolidation et d'expansion dans l'espace social.
La radio d'État à l'ère du savoir
Authors: Le Scouarnec François-Pierre
Published: April 2018

Fondée sur l'information, la société du savoir accentue les distinctions d'ordre cognitif entre les individus, exige une requalification des citoyens et transforme les relations de pouvoir au sein des sociétés modernes. Le contexte général de la radio au Québec est caractérisé par les contraintes de marché, les difficultés de financement et l'homogénéité de l'offre. En dépit des efforts consentis par la radio d'État, certaines pratiques peuvent favoriser le maintien sinon la croissance de l'exclusion sociétale sur la base de l'âge, des facteurs cognitif s et culturels et du sexe. A l'ère du savoir, la mise en oeuvre de la mission de la radio d'État passe par l'inclusion sociétale et l'habilitation des citoyens.