bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Factors Influencing Viability of Wave Energy Converters in Off-Grid Luxury Resorts and Small Utilities
Authors: Sandberg Aksel , Klementsen Eirik , Muller Gerrit , De Andres Adrian , Maillet Jéromine
Published: December 2016

This paper examines technical and non-technical factors that are critical to the viability of commercialization of wave energy converters in off-grid luxury resorts and small utilities. Critical factors are found by investigating Levelized Cost of Energy, and using the tools PESTEL and Porter’s five competitive forces. Identified factors are then applied on three business cases to investigate their impact on viability. The results show that one of the main challenges facing off-grid commercialization is the few wave energy converter units installed per location, negating the economy of scale that large wave energy farms count on to achieve competitive cost levels. In addition, factors like current cost of energy, available wave resources, distance from shore, infrastructure, supply chain logistics, and electricity demand are found to be deciding factors for viability. Despite these challenges, it is found that there are potentially viable off-grid business cases for commercialization of wave energy converters.
Life-Cycle Assessment of Seismic Retrofit Strategies Applied to Existing Building Structures
Authors: Vitiello Umberto , Salzano Antonio , Asprone Domenico , Di Ludovico Marco , Prota Andrea
Published: December 2016

In the last few years, the renovation and refurbishment of existing buildings have become the main activities of the construction industry. In particular, many studies have recently focused on the mechanical and energy performances of existing retrofitted/refurbished facilities, while some research has addressed the environmental effects of such operations. The present study aims to assess the environmental impact of some retrofit interventions on an existing reinforced concrete (RC) building. Once the structural requirements have been satisfied and the environmental effects of these retrofit solutions defined, the final purpose of this study is to identify the most environmentally sustainable retrofit strategy. The environmental impact of the structural retrofit options is assessed using a life-cycle assessment (LCA). This paper sets out a systematic approach that can be adopted when choosing the best structural retrofit option in terms of sustainability performance. The final aim of the study is to also provide a tool for researchers and practitioners that reflects a deep understanding of the sustainability aspects of retrofit operations and can be used for future researches or practical activities.
Sustainability as Social Contract: Textile and Apparel Professionals’ Value Conflicts within the Corporate Moral Responsibility Spectrum
Authors: LoMonaco-Benzing Rachel , Ha-Brookshire Jung
Published: December 2016

Current discussions of sustainability in the textile and apparel (T&A) supply chain tend to focus on consumer behavior or methods of production. Few studies investigate how T&A supply chain members experience corporate sustainability initiatives within their own moral value spectrum. This study was designed to describe the gaps that might exist between personal and corporate moral values of T&A supply chain members, and how individuals manage such gaps to align personal and corporate identities. The researchers investigated the views of ten T&A supply chain members residing in the United States, both as employees and consumers of T&A companies, through semi-structured interviews. Dunfee’s extant social contracts and Schwartz’s theory of basic values were used as theoretical frameworks to better understand the participants’ lived experiences in negotiating personal and corporate expectations. The findings revealed three themes: (a) nature of the value gap; (b) frustration due to the value gap; and (c) strategies to manage the value gap. The strategies used to realign values split into either those that held sustainability as their responsibility and worked to move corporate values toward their personal values; or those that shifted the blame to others so that their values could remain untouched.
Beyond Apprenticeship: Knowledge Brokers and Sustainability of Apprentice-Based Clusters
Authors: Zhu Huasheng , Chen Kelly , Dai Juncheng
Published: December 2016

Knowledge learning and diffusion have long been discussed in the literature on the dynamics of industrial clusters, but recent literature provides little evidence for how different actors serve as knowledge brokers in the upgrading process of apprentice-based clusters, and does not dynamically consider how to preserve the sustainability of these clusters. This paper uses empirical evidence from an antique furniture manufacturing cluster in Xianyou, Fujian Province, in southeastern China, to examine the growth trajectory of the knowledge learning system of an antique furniture manufacturing cluster. It appears that the apprentice-based learning system is crucial during early stages of the cluster evolution, but later becomes complemented and relatively substituted by the role of both local governments and focal outsiders. This finding addresses the context of economic transformation and provides empirical insights into knowledge acquisition in apprentice-based clusters to question the rationality based on European and North American cases, and to provide a broader perspective for policy makers to trigger and sustain the development of apprentice-based clusters.
Optimal Operation and Management of Smart Grid System with LPC and BESS in Fault Conditions
Authors: Shigenobu Ryuto , Noorzad Ahmad , Muarapaz Cirio , Yona Atsushi , Senjyu Tomonobu
Published: December 2016

Distributed generators (DG) using renewable energy sources (RESs) have been attracting special attention within distribution systems. However, a large amount of DG penetration causes voltage deviation and reverse power flow in the smart grid. Therefore, the smart grid needs a solution for voltage control, power flow control and power outage prevention. This paper proposes a decision technique of optimal reference scheduling for a battery energy storage system (BESS), inverters interfacing with a DG and voltage control devices for optimal operation. Moreover, the reconfiguration of the distribution system is made possible by the installation of a loop power flow controller (LPC). Two separate simulations are provided to maintain the reliability in the stable power supply and economical aspects. First, the effectiveness of the smart grid with installed BESS or LPC devices is demonstrated in fault situations. Second, the active smart grid using LCPs is proposed. Real-time techniques of the dual scheduling algorithm are applied to the system. The aforementioned control objective is formulated and solved using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with an adaptive inertia weight (AIW) function. The effectiveness of the optimal operation in ordinal and fault situations is verified by numerical simulations.
Land-Based Mitigation Strategies under the Mid-Term Carbon Reduction Targets in Indonesia
Authors: Hasegawa Tomoko , Fujimori Shinichiro , Boer Rizaldi , Immanuel Gito , Masui Toshihiko
Published: December 2016

We investigated the key mitigation options for achieving the mid-term target for carbon emission reduction in Indonesia. A computable general equilibrium model coupled with a land-based mitigation technology model was used to evaluate specific mitigation options within the whole economic framework. The results revealed three primary findings: (1) If no climate policy were implemented, Indonesia’s total greenhouse gas emissions would reach 3.0 GtCO2eq by 2030; (2) To reduce carbon emissions to meet the latest Intended Nationally-Determined Contributions (INDC) target, ~58% of total reductions should come from the agriculture, forestry and other land use sectors by implementing forest protection, afforestation and plantation efforts; (3) A higher carbon price in 2020 suggests that meeting the 2020 target would be economically challenging, whereas the INDC target for 2030 would be more economically realistic in Indonesia.
Evolution of the Cytolytic Pore-Forming Proteins (Actinoporins) in Sea Anemones
Authors: Macrander Jason , Daly Marymegan
Published: December 2016

Sea anemones (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, and Actiniaria) use toxic peptides to incapacitate and immobilize prey and to deter potential predators. Their toxin arsenal is complex, targeting a variety of functionally important protein complexes and macromolecules involved in cellular homeostasis. Among these, actinoporins are one of the better characterized toxins; these venom proteins form a pore in cellular membranes containing sphingomyelin. We used a combined bioinformatic and phylogenetic approach to investigate how actinoporins have evolved across three superfamilies of sea anemones (Actinioidea, Metridioidea, and Actinostoloidea). Our analysis identified 90 candidate actinoporins across 20 species. We also found clusters of six actinoporin-like genes in five species of sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis, Stomphia coccinea, Epiactis japonica, Heteractis crispa, and Diadumene leucolena); these actinoporin-like sequences resembled actinoporins but have a higher sequence similarity with toxins from fungi, cone snails, and Hydra. Comparative analysis of the candidate actinoporins highlighted variable and conserved regions within actinoporins that may pertain to functional variation. Although multiple residues are involved in initiating sphingomyelin recognition and membrane binding, there is a high rate of replacement for a specific tryptophan with leucine (W112L) and other hydrophobic residues. Residues thought to be involved with oligomerization were variable, while those forming the phosphocholine (POC) binding site and the N-terminal region involved with cell membrane penetration were highly conserved.
Fibroblast Growth Factor-23—A Potential Uremic Toxin
Authors: Kuczera Piotr , Adamczak Marcin , Wiecek Andrzej
Published: December 2016

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a circulating member of the FGF family produced mainly by the osteocytes and osteoblasts that can act as a hormone. The main action of FGF23 is to lower phosphatemia via the reduction of urinary phosphate reabsorption and the decrease of 1,25(OH)2-D generation in the kidney. In the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD), plasma FGF23 concentration rises early, most probably to compensate the inability of the deteriorating kidneys to excrete an adequate amount of phosphate. However, this comes at the cost of FGF23-related target organ toxicity. Results of clinical studies suggest that elevated plasma FGF23 concentration is independently associated with the increased risk of CKD progression, occurrence of cardio-vascular complications, and mortality in different stages of CKD. FGF23 also contributes to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, vascular calcification, and endothelial dysfunction. The impact of FGF23 on heart muscle is not dependent on Klotho, but rather on the PLCγ–calcineurin–NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) pathway. Among the factors increasing plasma FGF23 concentration, active vitamin D analogues play a significant role. Additionally, inflammation and iron deficiency can contribute to the increase of plasma FGF23. Among the factors decreasing plasma FGF23, dietary phosphate restriction, some intestinal phosphate binders, cinacalcet (and other calcimimetics), and nicotinamide can be enumerated. Anti-FGF23 antibodies have also recently been developed to inhibit the action of FGF23 in target organs. Still, the best way to normalize plasma FGF23 in maintenance hemodialysis patients is restoring kidney function by successful kidney transplantation.
Assessment of Managed Aquifer Recharge through Modeling—A Review
Authors: Ringleb Jana , Sallwey Jana , Stefan Catalin
Published: December 2016

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is the purposeful recharge of an aquifer for later recovery or environmental benefits and represents a valuable method for sustainable water resources management. Models can be helpful tools for the assessment of MAR systems. This review encompasses a survey and an analysis of case studies which apply flow and transport models to evaluate MAR. The observed modeling objectives include the planning or optimization of MAR schemes as well as the identification and quantification of geochemical processes during injection, storage and recovery. The water recovery efficiency and the impact of the injected water on the ambient groundwater are further objectives investigated in the reviewed studies. These objectives are mainly solved by using groundwater flow models. Unsaturated flow models, solute transport models, reactive geochemical models as well as water balance models are also frequently applied and often coupled. As each planning step to setup a new MAR facility requires cost and time investment, modeling is used to minimize hazard risks and assess possible constraints of the system such as low recovery efficiency, clogging and geochemical processes.
Effects of Environmental Factors on the Temporal Stability of Phytoplankton Biomass in a Eutrophic Man-Made Lake
Authors: Tian Wang , Zhang Huayong , Zhao Lei , Xiong Yuanwu , Huang Hai
Published: December 2016

The stability of phytoplankton biomass is important in maintaining the health of an aquatic ecosystem. In this study, the main environmental factors and phytoplankton biomass were investigated monthly from May 2011 to April 2013 in a eutrophic lake. The influence of both the mean values and variability (standard deviation) of environmental factors on the temporal stability index (TSI, measured as coefficient of variation) of phytoplankton was analyzed. Complex relationships were observed between the mean environmental factors and phytoplankton TSI: a positive relationship for dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH, a negative relationship for total nitrogen (TN) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), a unimodal relationship for total phosphorus (TP), and no relationship for water temperature (WT). Mean values of DO and pH mainly influenced the stability of phytoplankton through increasing the average total biomass. However, mean TN and NH4+-N concentrations destabilized phytoplankton TSI primarily through increasing the variability of community biomass. There were also complex relationships between the variability of environmental factors and phytoplankton TSI: a negative relationship for TN, a unimodal relationship for NH4+-N and TP, and no relationship for WT, DO, and pH. The variability of nutrient concentrations mainly affected phytoplankton TSI through influencing the variability of community biomass, while their influence on the average total biomass was weak. Results in this research will be helpful in understanding the influence of environmental factors on the temporal stability of phytoplankton.
Assessment of the Potential of UAV Video Image Analysis for Planning Irrigation Needs of Golf Courses
Authors: Perea-Moreno Alberto-Jesús , Aguilera-Ureña María-Jesús , Meroño-De Larriva José-Emilio , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: December 2016

Golf courses can be considered as precision agriculture, as being a playing surface, their appearance is of vital importance. Areas with good weather tend to have low rainfall. Therefore, the water management of golf courses in these climates is a crucial issue due to the high water demand of turfgrass. Golf courses are rapidly transitioning to reuse water, e.g., the municipalities in the USA are providing price incentives or mandate the use of reuse water for irrigation purposes; in Europe this is mandatory. So, knowing the turfgrass surfaces of a large area can help plan the treated sewage effluent needs. Recycled water is usually of poor quality, thus it is crucial to check the real turfgrass surface in order to be able to plan the global irrigation needs using this type of water. In this way, the irrigation of golf courses does not detract from the natural water resources of the area. The aim of this paper is to propose a new methodology for analysing geometric patterns of video data acquired from UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) using a new Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) algorithm. A case study concerning maintained turfgrass, especially for golf courses, has been developed. It shows very good results, better than 98% in the confusion matrix. The results obtained in this study represent a first step toward video imagery classification. In summary, technical progress in computing power and software has shown that video imagery is one of the most promising environmental data acquisition techniques available today. This rapid classification of turfgrass can play an important role for planning water management.
Development of highly variable microsatellite markers for the tetraploid Silene stellata (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Zhou Juannan , Dudash Michele R. , Fenster Charles B. , Zimmer Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2016

Premise of the study:

We designed and tested microsatellite markers for the North American native species Silene stellata (Caryophyllaceae) to investigate its population genetic structure and identify selection on floral design through male reproductive success.

Methods and Results:

A total of 153 candidate microsatellite loci were isolated based on next‐generation sequencing. We identified 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci in three populations of S. stellata, with di‐ or trinucleotide repeats. Genotyping results showed the number of alleles per locus ranged from six to 45 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.511 to 0.951. Five of these loci were successfully amplified in S. virginica and S. caroliniana and were also polymorphic.

Conclusions:

The microsatellite markers reported here provide a valuable tool for paternity analysis in S. stellata. They will also be useful for investigating the population genetic structures of S. stellata and related species.
Scheduling for yard cranes based on two-stage hybrid dynamic programming
Authors: Bian Zhan , Xu Qi , Li Na , Jin Zhihong
Published: December 2016

Making operational plans for Yard Cranes (YCs) to enhance port efficiency has become vital issues for the container terminals. This paper discusses the load-scheduling problem of multiple YCs. The problem is to schedule two YCs at different container blocks, which serve the loading operations of one quay crane so as to minimize the total distance of visiting paths and the make-span at stack area. We consider the container handling time, the YC visiting time, and the waiting time of each YC when evaluating the make-span of the loading operation by YCs. Both the container bay visiting sequences and the number of containers picked up at each visit of the two YCs are determined simultaneously. A mathematical model, which considers interference between adjacent YCs, is provided by means of time-space network to formulate the problem and a two-stage hybrid algorithm composed of greedy algorithm and dynamic programming is developed to solve the proposed model. Numerical experiments were conducted to compare performances of the algorithm in this study with actual scheduling rules.
THE ROLE OF KELVIN–HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY FOR PRODUCING LOOP-TOP HARD X-RAY SOURCES IN SOLAR FLARES
Authors: Fang Xia , Yuan Ding , Xia Chun , Doorsselaere Tom Van , Keppens Rony
Published: December 2016

We propose a model for the formation of loop-top hard X-ray (HXR) sources in solar flares through the inverse Compton mechanism, scattering the surrounding soft X-ray (SXR) photons to higher energy HXR photons. We simulate the consequences of a flare-driven energy deposit in the upper chromosphere in the impulsive phase of single loop flares. The consequent chromosphere evaporation flows from both footpoints reach speeds up to hundreds of kilometers per second, and we demonstrate how this triggers Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) in the loop top, under mildly asymmetric conditions, or more toward the loop flank for strongly asymmetric cases. The KHI vortices further fragment the magnetic topology into multiple magnetic islands and current sheets, and the hot plasma within leads to a bright loop-top SXR source region. We argue that the magnetohydrodynamic turbulence that appears at the loop apex could be an efficient accelerator of non-thermal particles, which the island structures can trap at the loop-top. These accelerated non-thermal particles can upscatter the surrounding thermal SXR photons emitted by the extremely hot evaporated plasma to HXR photons.
ALMA SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY IN THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD: CO LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE COSMIC DENSITY OF MOLECULAR GAS
Authors: Decarli Roberto , Walter Fabian , Aravena Manuel , Carilli Chris , Bouwens Rychard , da Cunha Elisabete , Daddi Emanuele , Ivison R. J. , Popping Gergö , Riechers Dominik , Smail Ian R. , Swinbank Mark , Weiss Axel , Anguita Timo , Assef Roberto J. , Bauer Franz E. , Bell Eric F. , Bertoldi Frank , Chapman Scott , Colina Luis , Cortes Paulo C. , Cox Pierre , Dickinson Mark , Elbaz David , Gónzalez-López Jorge , Ibar Edo , Infante Leopoldo , Hodge Jacqueline , Karim Alex , Fevre Olivier Le , Magnelli Benjamin , Neri Roberto , Oesch Pascal , Ota Kazuaki , Rix Hans-Walter , Sargent Mark , Sheth Kartik , van der Wel Arjen , van der Werf Paul , Wagg Jeff
Published: December 2016

In this paper we use ASPECS, the ALMA Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field in band 3 and band 6, to place blind constraints on the CO luminosity function and the evolution of the cosmic molecular gas density as a function of redshift up to z ∼ 4.5. This study is based on galaxies that have been selected solely through their CO emission and not through any other property. In all of the redshift bins the ASPECS measurements reach the predicted “knee” of the CO luminosity function (around 5 × 109 K km s−1 pc2). We find clear evidence of an evolution in the CO luminosity function with respect to z ∼ 0, with more CO-luminous galaxies present at z ∼ 2. The observed galaxies at z ∼ 2 also appear more gas-rich than predicted by recent semi-analytical models. The comoving cosmic molecular gas density within galaxies as a function of redshift shows a drop by a factor of 3–10 from z ∼ 2 to z ∼ 0 (with significant error bars), and possibly a decline at z > 3. This trend is similar to the observed evolution of the cosmic star formation rate density. The latter therefore appears to be at least partly driven by the increased availability of molecular gas reservoirs at the peak of cosmic star formation (z ∼ 2).
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Le Coz Pierre
Published: December 2016

Le propre de la vie est de s’opposer à la mort. L’attachement à la vie est viscéral. C’est la vie qui, en nous, se cramponne à elle-même. Nous sommes habités par un impérieux « vouloir-vivre 1  » que Hans Jonas a qualifié de «  principe d’approbation de la nature 2  ». La vie à travers nous s’affirme et se valorise, quand bien même la quantité de misères et de souffrances dépasserait celle des gratifications et des réjouissances. La peur de la mort est la condition de la survie, le prix à payer pour que notre espèce soit toujours présente, 200 000 ans après son apparition. Quiconque ne craint pas la mort accroît ses risques qu’elle vienne le cueillir lors des conduites à risques que lui inspire son insouciance. C’est pourquoi avertir un malade de la probabilité de décès lié à sa maladie demandera toujours au médecin un effort contre-nature.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Pollez Bruno
Published: December 2016

La souffrance qu’exprime une éventuelle demande d’arrêt de vie de la part d’une personne dans une situation de dépendance totale chronique demande une écoute et une analyse attentives et prolongées, et peut être notamment de natures fonctionnelle, existentielle, familiale et sociale : statut de sa vie jugé par la personne trop dépourvu de capacités ou de libertés, pénible, indigne ou inacceptable, épuisement ressenti de l’aidant, éclatement du foyer, isolement social. La première approche consiste donc à s’efforcer de mieux contribuer à ce que ces personnes retrouvent un « projet de vie », un goût de vivre, un sens à leur vie, et leurs proches des conditions de vie acceptables. Servir ces objectifs suppose d’avoir recours à l’esprit d’accompagnement des structures de soins palliatifs, dont c’est l’un des objectifs premiers. Mais il faut pour ces situations que la palette des réponses palliatives soit plus multidimensionnelle encore, pour une recherche active d’apaisement de toutes les composantes de la souffrance exprimée par la personne, et d’investissement dans le présent.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Vigué Bernard , Deciron-Debieuvre Florence , de Crouy Anne-Claire
Published: December 2016

La loi du 22 avril 2005 relative aux droits des malades et à la fin de vie a permis de libérer et de structurer la parole des soignants autour de la question des limitations et arrêts des thérapeutiques chez les patients aux séquelles neurologiques lourdes après des lésions cérébrales aiguës. En dépit de cette attention particulière, aucune loi ne permettra de contourner la question de la responsabilité médicale, qui ne s’exerce pas exclusivement en fin de vie mais tout autant dans le temps de la réanimation précoce et intensive.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Billette de Villemeur Thierry
Published: December 2016

Jamais l’enfant polyhandicapé ne peut exprimer lui-même ce qu’il ressent, pense, comprend, ou souhaite. Évaluer si les traitements nécessaires relèvent d’une obstination déraisonnable met alors le médecin en position d’évaluer pour autrui : déraisonnable, par rapport à la qualité de vie du patient ou au regard de la valeur de cette vie ? Dans le contexte de polyhandicap, il est souvent extrêmement difficile d’acquérir la certitude ou la conviction d’une mort imminente inéluctable. Quelle procédure collégiale mettre en œuvre pour décider au mieux ?
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Davous Dominique
Published: December 2016

Cette réflexion est nourrie de l’expérience acquise dans des groupes de travail réunissant des parents et des soignants 1 , de l’expérience de formation et d’accompagnement du deuil des parents après la mort d’un enfant, ainsi que de ma propre expérience de la maladie et de la mort d’un de mes enfants 2 . Les parents sont capables de comprendre le devenir médical de leur enfant s’il est clairement et simplement exposé et que le temps nécessaire à la compréhension puis à l’assimilation de l’information est laissé : temps de l’intégration mais aussi temps du déni…
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Dumoulin Maryse
Published: December 2016

L’accompagnement lors du décès d’un tout-petit permet un cheminement des parents par étapes successives en leur laissant une grande autonomie quant aux décisions à prendre tout au long de ce difficile parcours. Ce type d’accompagnement exige de la part des soignants et des administratifs concernés une compétence professionnelle, mais aussi humaine – écoute, disponibilité et respect –, qui nécessite une réflexion, une formation, une volonté spécifique et un travail d’équipe. Ce travail autour de la mort, bien que souvent difficile pour des soignants, toujours douloureux pour les parents, est source d’un enrichissement mutuel et d’un progrès vers plus d’humanité.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Le Grand-Sébille Catherine
Published: December 2016

Les rites viennent jalonner la vie en orchestrant ses grands passages 1 . Ils symbolisent la perpétuelle transformation des mortels humains que nous sommes, la valorisent, aident à la vivre et à supporter les pertes qu’elle entraîne, en l’occurrence l’abandon d’un passé qui n’était pas sans avantages et auquel il est douloureux de renoncer. En fait, face à l’action dissolvante de la mort qui approche et qui est toujours menace, puis rupture, dispersion, séparation, le déroulement des rites, les élaborations symboliques, qui s’incarnent dans une configuration religieuse ou non, tendent à une coexistence apaisée des proches avec ceux qui vont les quitter. A-t-on, dans notre société, vraiment oublié la valeur précieuse des rites, qui rendent le deuil public et reconnu ? Non, de multiples indices encore discrets signalent un renouveau de l’activité rituelle autour de la mort.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Bacqué Marie-Frédérique
Published: December 2016

La présence maintenue autour du mourant à l’hôpital confère à la mort sa dimension humaine et sociale. Elle n’est plus la résultante d’un échec de la médecine ou, pire, d’un mésusage des techniques de survie, suivies bientôt de la décision de hâter la fin pour répondre à une rationalisation des soins. Ici seulement, les soignants trouvent leur place : soigner, oui, guérir peut-être, considérer la personne dans sa totalité et dans sa culture. Ils peuvent progressivement s’inscrire dans le contexte historique de l’individu, sans pour autant violer son intimité. S’ils souhaitent veiller un malade ou un mort, participer à la toilette funéraire, dire adieu lors de la cérémonie, cela doit s’inscrire dans leur investissement professionnel. La reconnaissance de l’accompagnement du patient en fin de vie et de sa famille doit faire l’objet d’une démarche de plus en plus forte. Sans pour autant l’assimiler à un soin, nous suggérons que la fonction soignante ne s’arrête plus à l’agonie et à la mort.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Pujol Nicolas
Published: December 2016

L’objet de cette réflexion est de préciser, dans un premier temps, ce que recouvre le concept de « spiritualité » lorsqu’il est convoqué dans le contexte de la maladie grave et de la fin de vie. Dans un second temps, nous chercherons à savoir s’il est réellement pertinent de mettre sur un même plan douleur physique et souffrance spirituelle. Notre souhait est de contribuer à un éclairage nécessaire, à l’heure où la France crée le droit à la sédation profonde et continue.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: de Villers Gérard
Published: December 2016

Nous avons tous en tête cette phrase de Louis Pasteur : « Je ne te demande pas quelle est ta race, ta nationalité ou ta religion ; mais quelle est ta souffrance. » Aujourd’hui, je serais tenté d’ajouter ceci : quelle est donc ta souffrance profonde – que je nommerai spirituelle – et qui, elle, peut s’exprimer selon ton origine, ta nationalité, ta religion ? Cette question, je la pose à partir de mon expérience. Tout ce que je peux évoquer s’enracine dans les rencontres que je fais, depuis plus de dix ans, surtout avec des personnes en fin de vie, essentiellement dans des services de maladies infectieuses. Toutes les semaines, au cours de ces dernières années, j’ai participé aussi à la réflexion menée au sein de l’équipe mobile de soins palliatifs, à la Pitié-Salpêtrière. Ma rencontre des personnes malades a, bien sûr, un caractère particulier : chacun se voudrait bien situé par rapport à l’autre ; aucun n’a la prétention d’apporter à l’autre ; mais nous faisons, ensemble, un bout de route où nous aimerions gagner, au moins un peu, l’un et l’autre, les uns les autres. Rencontres « particulières », également, quand la fin de vie semble proche. C’est vrai que je vais chercher la vie, et elle se donne souvent, là où elle est la plus extrême. Et il arrive que la vie se dise, se montre, se risque, à des moments frontières, à des lieux limites. Tout ce que je peux me demander, c’est si ma présence favorise la vie ou pas.
Fins de vie, éthique et société
Authors: Doublet Yves-Marie
Published: December 2016

La loi du 22 avril 2005 relative aux droits des malades et à la fin de la vie, dite « loi Leonetti », a souvent été critiquée pour être méconnue des professionnels de santé. À supposer qu’il soit fondé, ce reproche a perdu beaucoup de poids au cours du débat entretenu autour de cette loi depuis 2012. Entre l’engagement du candidat François Hollande pendant la campagne pour l’élection présidentielle de 2012 avec sa proposition 21 et la promulgation de la loi 2016-87 du 2 février 2016, rarement un texte de loi aura fait l’objet d’autant de discussions au sein d’institutions les plus diverses. Celles-ci ont été nombreuses à être sollicitées sur une évolution possible de la loi Leonetti. Ont contribué à cette réflexion un rapport de l’ancien président du Comité consultatif national d’éthique ( ccne ), un avis du Conseil national de l’ordre des médecins ( cnom ), deux avis du ccne , une conférence des citoyens, un avis de l’Ordre des infirmiers, tandis qu’une proposition de loi de Jean Leonetti renforçant les droits des patients en fin de vie était discutée à l’Assemblée nationale 1 , sans compter les contributions de l’Académie nationale de médecine, des Espaces éthiques, de l’Observatoire national de la fin de vie et de la Société française d’accompagnement et de soins palliatifs ( sfap ).
Obama ou le retour de la Realpolitik
Authors: Struye de Swielande Tanguy
Published: December 2016

Pour Barack Obama, l’heure du bilan a sonné. En matière de politique étrangère, deux axes se dégagent de son double mandat : d’une part, une volonté de désengagement du Moyen-Orient contrariée par l’émergence de Daech, et d’autre part un « pivot » vers l’Asie ayant notamment pour but de freiner la montée en puissance de la Chine. D’une manière générale, Obama a fait preuve de retenue sur la scène internationale, préférant concentrer ses efforts sur le nation building at home . politique étrangère
Homogénéité constitutionnelle et protection des droits fondamentaux et de l’État de droit dans l’ordre juridique européen
Authors: Delledonne Giacomo
Published: December 2016

Cet article vise à approfondir la question de la relation dialectique et du conditionnement mutuel entre le(s) droit(s) constitutionnel(s) des États membres et la constitution de l’Union européenne. Ce faisant, nous puiserons dans les éléments du débat sur un vieux maître-mot des études juridiques du fédéralisme : l’homogénéité constitutionnelle. La contribution expliquera les raisons du nouvel essor d’une notion apparemment usée dans ce système juridique très particulier qu’est celui de l’UE. L’impératif d’homogénéité constitutionnelle, que l’art. 2 TUE consacrerait dans le droit primaire, fait figure de remède possible aux développements constitutionnels dans certains États membres, notamment en Europe centrale et orientale. L’article vise donc à éclairer les potentialités et les limites de l’homogénéité constitutionnelle.
Girault de Prangey à Damas (1843-1844)
Authors: Vigouroux Élodie
Published: December 2016

Dès son invention en 1839, les savants orientalistes, conscients de l’immense potentiel de ce medium s’emparent de la photographie. Un historien de l’architecture formé à la cette technique, Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey, se rend en Orient en 1843. Il visite Damas et les daguerréotypes qu’il rapporte sont les plus anciens clichés de la ville qui nous soient parvenus, six d’entre eux sont conservés à la Bibliothèque nationale de France. Ces images nous renseignent non seulement sur les centres d’intérêt du savant et sur les conditions de travail d’un photographe en Orient aux balbutiements de son art, mais elles nous fournissent également des éléments sur le paysage urbain et le contexte socio-politique damascènes, à l’aube des bouleversements qui accompagnèrent les Tanzimat.
Le discours politique de la caput regni portugaise (XIV e -XV e siècles)
Authors: Millán da Costa Adelaide
Published: December 2016

Cet article explore le discours politique véhiculé par Lisbonne, la capitale des communautés territoriales portugaises, dans sa relation institutionnelle avec la couronne. L’analyse de doléances spécifiques présentées aux assemblées d’états par Lisbonne, aux XIV e et XV e siècles, permet d’identifier et de catégoriser les arguments utilisés par la ville.
Le Crime sans nom
Authors: Giuliani Fabienne
Published: December 2016

Résumé Avec l’inceste, la question du dicible, compris dans un premier temps comme ce que la société autorise à dire puis, dans un deuxième, de ce que la société est capable d’entendre, permet tout particulièrement de comprendre la construction des procédés normatifs à l’œuvre dans la société française du xix e  siècle. Décriminalisé en 1791, l’inceste est objet de débats jusqu’aux années 1830. Si le mot choque parfois, il se scande, il s’utilise et il s’entend dans l’ensemble de la société. Mais autour de la constitution du Code pénal de 1832, les discours et les représentations se transforment. Ce changement est d’abord le fait des élites qui préfèrent désormais suggérer l’inceste, plutôt que de le dire. La création du scandale de l’inceste couplée à la peur de la classe ouvrière naissante entraînent la formation d’une nouvelle morale qui s’impose ensuite à l’ensemble du corps social. Ce dernier, autour des années 1880, n’est plus à même d’accepter d’entendre le crime. Un siècle après sa décriminalisation, les représentations du crime ont donc été profondément retravaillées dans l’ensemble de la société ce qu’une étude croisée des discours publics et de l’écriture privée permet de révéler. Porté par ce processus de mise au silence, le crime d’inceste perd son nom à la fin du xix e  siècle, au profit de formules périphrastiques qui deviennent les seuls discours de vérité désormais acceptables. Dès lors, la constitution du tabou sur l’inceste a des conséquences importantes révélées par l’étude des mots prononcés par les individus appelés à témoigner du crime devant les autorités judiciaires. L’interdiction formelle du dire enferme inéluctablement dans un carcan toutes les paroles sur le crime dans le champ de l’indicible ce qui pose par effet-miroir deux problèmes essentiels à la judiciarisation et à la résolution du crime : celui de la parole des enfants, victime d’un crime désormais sans nom et qui ne peuvent espérer de réparation, et celui de la parole des agresseurs, frappés de monstruosité s’ils avouent ce crime devenu impossible.
Écrire l’inceste en « contre-fiction » et en paradoxes : The Bluest Eye de Toni Morrison
Authors: Harpin Tina
Published: December 2016

Premier roman du Prix Nobel de Littérature Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye ( L’œil le plus bleu ) est paru en 1970 aux États-Unis, soit quelques années après la fin de la ségrégation raciale et l’obtention progressive des droits civiques par les Africains américains. Il relate l’histoire de Pecola Breedlove, une fillette noire vulnérable, qui, victime des viols incestueux de son père, sombre dans la folie et croit qu’elle a les yeux bleus dont elle rêvait. Si le titre de ce récit ne réfère pas au drame de l’inceste mais à celui de l’aliénation, c’est que l’inceste, central dans l’œuvre, y apparaît paradoxalement comme voilé. L’écrivaine n’a commenté ce thème ni dans ses entretiens ni dans les paratextes ajoutés aux éditions de 1993 et de 1998. Pourtant, le premier viol subi par Pecola est narré en détail et ce, selon le point de vue du père agresseur. Cet article examine les paradoxes de l’écriture de ce roman et explique son importance historique en termes d’histoire littéraire et d’histoire des représentations. La variation des points de vue et l’inscription d’un double silence – celui du personnage de Pecola et celui de l’auteur sur l’inceste – contribuent à réécrire le thème tabou de l’inceste à travers une « contre-fiction » qui constitue un effort sans précédent pour dévoiler à la fois le drame de l’inceste et celui du racisme.
Elimination in long-distance endurance rides: insights from the analysis of 7,032 starts in 80 to 160 km competitions
Authors: Younes M. , Barrey E. , Cottin F. , Robert C.
Published: December 2016

In equine long-distance endurance competitions, nearly 40% of the starters are eliminated at a veterinary control. Excessive racing speed, the nature of the race venue and the distance covered have been identified as risk factors for elimination. The objective of the present study was to assess whether speed, venue country and the horse’s age are risk factors for elimination, on the basis of individual electronic timing datasets collected during long-distance endurance competitions. Data were obtained for 7,032 horses entered in 80 to 160 km endurance rides in four countries. For each horse and each competition, the datasets included the distance covered, age, average speed, cardiac recovery time and heart rate measured at Vet gate for each phase of the race, and the outcome of the race (i.e. qualification or elimination). For eliminated horses, the reason and phase of elimination were also recorded. An analysis of variance was used to identify and compare variability factors and differences in recorded variables in qualified vs eliminated horses. In the study population, 39% of the starters were eliminated – mostly due to lameness (64%) or metabolic reasons (15%). The eliminated horses displayed a higher speed and worse recovery during the first phases of the race (P<0.05). The mean speed was higher in events organised in the United Arab Emirates, in 2-star rides and in intermediate/mature horses; these factors were associated with slower cardiac recovery and a greater risk of elimination. Our results confirm that excessive speed is a major risk factor for elimination in endurance rides and further indicate that factors such as the venue country, the event distance and the horse’s age are also involved. With a view to increasing completion rates and reducing fatal injuries in endurance races, preventive measures should take these factors into account.
Governance structures and trust: a study of real estate networks
Authors: Boaventura J.M.G. , Carnaúba A.A.C. , Todeva E. , Azevedo A.C. , Armando E.
Published: December 2016

The present study aimed at verifying how different modes of governance structure are linked to different levels of inter-organisational trust. Its theoretical grounding involves Transaction Cost Theory, which studies governance of inter-organisational arrangements and research on trust in the business field. A descriptive and quantitative approach has been adopted to describe the relation between trust amongst business network participants and the mode of governance adopted by the surveyed networks. Hence, a detailed questionnaire has been employed, which was answered by 35 real estate agency managers, whose participation was directly linked to 11 business networks. By using Spearman methods of identification of non-parametric correlation and correspondence analysis, it was possible to verify that certain modes of governance structure associate with different levels of trust. Considering the scarcity of quantitative research on the theme, this paper contributes to the field by presenting results which point out that collectively-managed governance of regional cooperation networks is linked to high levels of trust; whereas governance of dispersed networks with the presence of a lead company are linked to low levels of trust. Medium levels of trust were observed in networks governed by an administrative organisation. Considering the practical aspect of administration in networks, one can conclude that the process of governance structure in such inter-organisational arrangements should include deliberations about the influence of the adopted mode of governance on trust amongst participants. The paper does not allow generalizations of its conclusions beyond its chosen sample.
Using Donor Lenticules Obtained Through SMILE for an Epikeratophakia Technique Combined With Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
Authors: Zhao Jing , Sun Ling , Shen Yang , Tian Mi , Yao Peijun , Zhou Xingtao
Published: December 2016

PURPOSE:

To investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of using a donor lenticule created during small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in an epikeratophakia technique combined with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).

METHODS:

Six patients with decreased visual acuity due to a recurrence of corneal dystrophy were included in this prospective pilot study. PTK was performed using the MEL 80 excimer laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) followed by the transplantation of donor lenticules onto the recipient eyes. These lenticules were extracted during SMILE procedures using the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec) on 6 donors with myopia and served as the epikeratophakia tissue.

RESULTS:

The surgeries and postoperative follow-up examinations were uneventful and no complications were noted over 6 months of follow-up. The epithelium remodelling was achieved within 1 month. At the last measurement, the corrected distance visual acuity of all recipient eyes gained at least two lines. Five eyes (83.3%) gained at least two lines of uncorrected distance visual acuity compared to their preoperative levels. Mean keratometric power increased by 5.97 ± 3.73 diopters and central corneal thickness increased by 55.25 ± 36.38
µ
m. The epithelium healed and the lenticules remained clear over the follow-up period as observed under slit-lamp examination. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography observation showed the lenticule was transparent with a visible demarcation line during the follow-up examination.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of a SMILE lenticule as a donor lenticule for an epikeratophakia technique appears feasible and safe in the short term. The predictability and long-term effects need further investigation.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2016;32(12):840–845.]
RoBlock – Web App for Programming Learning
Authors: Feijoo Garcia Pedro Guillermo , De la Rosa Fernando
Published: December 2016

One of the major challenges related to teaching programming and algorithmics to amateur students is the time spent to explain a language’s syntax. Also, students who undertake computer programming may find problems that hinder their understanding of concepts and the development of their problem-solving and programming skills. This paper presents the results of an experimental approach that evaluated the interaction of a group of Colombian students with a Web solution within the context of Mobile Robotics to learn programming and algorithmics. The designed Web App is oriented towards autodidactic learning by using Visual Blocks Programming through five interactive modules that include concepts to be learned by students such as the following: variables, sensors, conditionals, cycles, and functions. The solution is designed to present virtual scenarios for Mobile Robotics. This proposal was evaluated with middle school students from the Colombian education system and was compared to the results obtained using Scratch as a reference tool.
Analysis of Fire Protection with Focuse on the Specific Conditions of the Historic Roofs
Authors: Benešová Romana , Rusinová Marie , Sibilla Luboš
Published: December 2016

Protecting of historic roofs is an important part of efforts to protect our cultural heritage. These wooden structures carry a lot of information about the authentic tools, technologies and construction processes. Trusses are generally endangered by many risks that could cause irrecoverable damage and loss of information. In addition to the threat wood destroying insect and fungi, should not be forgotten on fire threats that may start from lightning, through electrical installations, to the burning of the surrounding dry grass areas. Historical wooden trusses are with respect to the old wood, indoor climate, the unavailability or the fact that many national cultural monuments are located outside of the inhabited territories, very susceptible to fires. Nevertheless, there are many methods, which are used for new buildings, but unusable for historical truss, and others were proved to be unsuitable by the time. This article analyses the possibilities of modern firefighting arrangements in the historic truss with regard to the specific construction conditions and with regard to the very rare substructure, which should not be damaged.