bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harmonizing Biomarker Measurements in Longitudinal Studies of Children’s Health and the Environment
Authors: Etzel Ruth , Charles Marie-Aline , Dellarco Michael , Gajeski Katie , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Hirschfeld Steven , Kamijima Michihiro , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Kolossa-Gehring Marike , Nakayama Shoji , Schmidt Börge , Tian Ying , Wolz Birgit , Zaros Cécile , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2014

Large scale studies of environmental influences on children’s health and development are being planned or conducted in many places, including Japan, France, Shanghai (China), the United States, and Germany. The objective of these “next generation” studies is to better understand a broad range of environmental and social factors that influence the health and well-being of children. Some of these studies are designed to enroll tens of thousands of children and follow them for many years to investigate the influence of the environment on child growth, development and health. Environment is broadly defined in these studies and includes investigation of chemical, biological, physical and socioeconomic factors. An international group composed of study teams from Japan, France, Shanghai (China), the United States, and Germany has been meeting since 2011 to exchange information and work towards harmonization of processes that would provide the opportunity to compare methods and develop procedures to conduct combined analyses of results and data pooling procedures. Harmonization of infant health outcomes, biomarkers, environmental measurements, socioeconomic and migration status has been initiated. This manuscript provides an overview of the Environment and Child Health International Birth Cohort Group and its history, describes the progress of work, and discusses the advantages of this international collaborative effort.
Lost in Translation: The Social Shaping of Marketing Messaging
Authors: Kozinets Robert V. , de Valck Kristine , Wojnicki Andrea , Wilner Sarah J. S.
Published: November 2014

Word of mouth marketing (WOMM) does not travel as unidirectionally and straight as previously assumed. Rather, consumers are active co-producers of value and translate and transform marketing meanings. Word of mouth resulting from marketing communications can be anything from euphoric to resistant, and the discourse evolving around a product seeding has a strong impact on how this product is perceived. As messages become translated into meaningful, communally shared material, particular cultural restraints cause possibilities open up, rules to become less constraining, and the principles and guidelines for successful social branding engagement to become much more about human relationships than one-way communication.
Social brand engagement is a genuine, natural interconnection between brand mentions and consumer-to-consumer social experiences. Therefore, simply observing the reach and valence of product mentions is too short sighted. To effectively attain social brand engagement, promotions need to seem authentic and congruent with people, media, other content and the offline or online context. A deep analysis of what is going on in the prospective environment of a message to be seeded is a precondition for the optimal design of a WOMM campaign and the accurate interpretation of its success.
Selective determination of penicillin G from tap water and milk samples using surface molecularly imprinted polymers as solid-phase extraction sorbent
Authors: Du Wei , Zhou Huiyan , Luo Zhimin , Zheng Penglei , Guo Pengqi , Chang Ruimiao , Chang Chun , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2014

In this study, a selective sample preparation method coupling surface molecularly imprinting polymers (SMIPs) with solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed for the determination of penicillin G from tap water and milk samples. SMIPs for penicillin G were synthesized by using silica gel as supporting matrix, methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the cross-linker, methanolacetonitrile (1:1,v/v) as the solvents and 2,2′-azo-bisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator. Characterization and adsorption experiments revealed that SMIPs exhibited large adsorption capacity, high recognition ability and high rate of mass transfer. Application of SMIPs in SPE followed by HPLC was done to selectively determine penicillin G from tap water and milk samples. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method demonstrated high linearity with the concentration of penicillin G ranging from 0.12 to 200 μg mL
Latitude Error in Compass Deviation: Mathematical Method to Determine the Latitude Error in Magnetic Compass Deviation
Authors: Iribar Imanol Basterretxea , Muñoz Jesús Angel Vila , Labajos Carlos Angel Pérez
Published: November 2014

This article aims to provide the seafarer with a tool to calculate the deviation for a righted ship in any geographical position using only the information available on board. In this way the accidental errors in the deviation card are reduced and the latitude error is made negligible. Moreover, an experimental application of this method is carried out on board a tanker to compare the latitude error in different positions at sea.
CFD and FEM Model of an Underwater Vehicle Propeller
Authors: Chruściel Tadeusz , Ciba Ewelina , Dopke Julita
Published: November 2014

Within the framework of the project for design and optimization of the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), research on its propulsion has been carried out. Te entire project was supported by CFD and FEM calculations taking into account the characteristics of the underwater vehicle. One of the tasks was to optimize the semi-open duct for horizontal propellers, which provided propulsion and controllability in horizontal plane. In order to create a measurable model of this task it was necessary to analyze numerical methodology of propeller design, along with the structure of a propellers with nozzles and contra-rotating propellers. It was confronted with theoretical solutions which included running of the analyzed propeller near an underwater vehicle. Also preliminary qualitative analyses of a simplified system with contra-rotating propellers and a semi-open duct were carried out. Te obtained results enabled to make a decision about the ROVs duct form. Te rapid prototyping SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) method was used to fabricate a physical model of the propeller. As a consequence of this, it was necessary to verify the FEM model of the propeller, which based on the load obtained from the CFD model. Te article contains characteristics of the examined ROV, a theoretical basis of propeller design for the analyzed cases, and the results of CFD and FEM simulations.
Computational Simulation of Motion of a Rescue Module During its Launching from Ship at Rough Sea
Authors: Dymarski Czesław , Dymarsk Paweł
Published: November 2014

This paper is a continuation of the work titled: “A computational model for simulation of motion of rescue module during its launching from stern ramp of a ship at rough sea”. It presents results of computer simulations of motion of a rescue module with embarked persons during its launching on rollers along stern ramp of a ship at rough sea. Te simulations were conducted for a selected ship fitted with a launching ramp, for a few selected scenarios of sea conditions. It was assumed that during this operation the ship drifts across direction of wave propagation.
The Influence of Wind, Wave and Loading Condition on Total Resistance and Speed of the Vessel
Authors: Szelangiewicz Tadeusz , Wiśniewski Bernard , Želazny Katarzyna
Published: November 2014

Optimising the ship route is one of the most important tasks related to the operation of the vessel, its safety, and economic aspects of transport. Nevertheless, from a mathematical point of view, this problem has not been solved yet sufciently precisely due to very high complexity of the model to be used to describe the motion of the ship along the shipping line, and time- and space-dependent average values of statistical weather parameters recorded during ship sailing. Tat is why various approximate methods are used, which, among other procedures, utilize ship speed characteristics, having the form of very simple relations between basic dimensions of the ship and the expected speed decrease at the assumed weather parameters. Te paper presents a new method of calculating the speed decrease depending on technical and operating parameters of a given vessel. A computer code prepared based on this method is used for research on forecasting ship speed in real weather conditions.
Application of Alcohols to Dual - Fuel Feeding the Spark-Ignition and Self-Ignition Engines
Authors: Stelmasiak Zdzisław
Published: November 2014

This paper concerns analysis of possible use of alcohols for the feeding of self - ignition and spark-ignition engines operating in a dual- fuel mode, i.e. simultaneously combusting alcohol and diesel oil or alcohol and petrol. Issues associated with the requirements for application of bio-fuels were presented with taking into account National Index Targets, bio-ethanol production methods and dynamics of its production worldwide and in Poland. Te considerations are illustrated by results of the tests on spark- ignition and self- ignition engines fed with two fuels: petrol and methanol or diesel oil and methanol, respectively. Te tests were carried out on a 1100 MPI Fiat four- cylinder engine with multi-point injection and a prototype collector fitted with additional injectors in each cylinder. Te other tested engine was a SW 680 six- cylinder direct- injection diesel engine. Influence of a methanol addition on basic operational parameters of the engines and exhaust gas toxicity were analyzed. Te tests showed a favourable influence of methanol on combustion process of traditional fuels and on some operational parameters of engines. An addition of methanol resulted in a distinct rise of total efficiency of both types of engines at maintained output parameters (maximum power and torque). In the same time a radical drop in content of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas was observed at high shares of methanol in feeding dose of ZI (petrol) engine, and 2-3 fold lower smokiness in case of ZS (diesel) engine. Among unfavourable phenomena, a rather insignificant rise of CO and NOx content for ZI engine, and THC and NOx - for ZS engine, should be numbered. It requires to carry out further research on optimum control parameters of the engines. Conclusions drawn from this work may be used for implementation of bio-fuels to feeding the combustion engines.
Measurements of Texture of Soils Formed from Glaciolimnic Sediments by Areometric Method, Pipette Method and Laser Diffraction Method
Authors: Orzechowski Mirosław , Smó;lczyński Sławomir , Długosz Jacek , Pozniak Paweł
Published: November 2014

The aim of the research was to compare the results of texture analyses of glaciolimnic sediments deposited in the basins of ice-dammed lakes origin in north eastern Poland. The study was carried out using aerometric method, pipette method and laser diffraction method. The studied soils were classified as Haplic and Mollic Vertisol, Vertic Cambisol, and Gleyic Chernozem. The soils were formed from clayey (clay, heavy clay), loamy (loam, clay loam, sand clay loam) and silty (silt loam, clay loam) deposits. The studied soils did not contain fractions > 2.0 mm. The amounts of clay fraction (< 0.002 mm) measured by areometric and pipette methods were similar and strongly correlated. In comparison to laser diffraction method, these amounts were 3-4-fold higher. The sub-fraction of fine silt (0.02-0.002 mm) predominated in soil formations analyzed by laser diffraction method. In comparison to areometric or pipette method, the amounts of fine silt were 2-4 fold higher. Basing on the calculated sedimentological indices, it was stated that the examined soils were well sorted and the mean grain diameter (GSS) was very low and did not exceed 0.005 mm in areometric and pipette methods, and 0.011 mm in laser diffraction method for clay sediments.
Interrater and Intrarater Reliability of Transverse Abdominal and Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Thickness in Subjects With and Without Low Back Pain
Authors: Djordjevic Olivera , Djordjevic Aleksandar , Konstantinovic Ljubica
Published: November 2014

Study Design

Two-group, repeated-measures reliability study.

Objectives

To determine interrater and intrarater reliability of ultrasound measurements of transverse abdominal (TrA) and lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle thickness, during rest and contraction, in subjects with low back pain (LBP) and healthy subjects over 3 consecutive days, performed by an experienced and a novice rater.

Background

Previous reliability studies of TrA or LM thickness did not simultaneously account for muscle state, rater experience, and multiday assessment in large subject samples.

Methods

The 2 raters measured TrA and LM thickness on 3 consecutive days in 42 healthy subjects and 56 subjects with LBP, during rest and contraction, and calculated the percent thickness change from rest to contraction. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,k) and 95% minimal detectable change in thickness were derived for a single measure (day 1) and an average measure (days 1–3).

Results

The interrater ICC2,1 values for single-measure thickness (LBP group, 0.71–0.87; healthy group, 0.94–1.00) were similar to those for average-measure thickness (LBP group, 0.73–0.84; healthy group, 0.93–1.00). Both interrater ICC2,1 and ICC2,3 were lower for the relative thickness change (0.61–0.96). Intrarater ICC2,1 values across 3 consecutive days were high for both raters across the 2 groups (LBP group, 0.95–1.00; healthy group, 0.93–1.00), albeit lower for the relative thickness change (0.79–0.99). The 95% minimal detectable changes were less than 0.3 mm for the TrA and less than 2 mm for the LM (but, in most cases, less than 10% of average thickness).

Conclusion

Both experienced and trained novice raters provided reliable measurements of TrA and LM thickness in participants with LBP and healthy participants, during rest and contraction. One-time measurements were similar to averaged measurements. Small absolute errors were observed. Public trial registry: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613001077752. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(12):979–988. Epub 3 November 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5141
Atomistic nano-scale 3D simulations about effects of Cr percentage on the molecular dynamics parameters of Fe-9–12% Cr alloys at fusion reactor temperature conditions
Authors: Korkut T. , Sen S.
Published: November 2014

9–12% Cr ferritic steel structures at atomic scale were modeled by LAMMPS (Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator) Molecular Dynamics package with high accuracy. Embedded-Atom Model (EAM) potential parameters were applied for Fe–Fe, Fe–Cr and Cr–Cr atomic interactions. Nuclear reactor temperature conditions were used in the simulations. Heat flux, kinetic energy, potential energy, total energy, pressures, and atomic displacements of Fe–Cr steels including 9%, 10%, 11%, and 12% Cr were given.
A finite volume approach to the problem of heat transfer in axisymmetric annulus geometry with internal heating element using local analytical solution techniques
Authors: Salama A.
Published: November 2014

In this paper we implement the local analytical solution technique to the problem of heat transfer in axisymmetric annulus geometry with internal heating element. This method has shown to be very accurate in estimating the temperature field for axisymmetric problems even for coarse mesh. It is shown that this method reduces to the analytical solution for unidirectional heat transfer in the radial direction in homogeneous media. The technique is based on finding an analytical expression for the temperature field in the radial direction within each grid cell. This means that the temperature field in each cell is allowed to change in a nonlinear fashion along the radial direction. We compare this technique with the traditional finite volume technique and show that; with only few cells in the radial direction, this technique arrives at the mesh-independent solution quite accurately whereas it required denser mesh to arrive closer to this solution using traditional techniques. This method is proposed to the 1D codes that are currently being used to simulate thermalhydraulic characteristics of reactor systems. Furthermore, we also implement the experimental temperature field algorithm in which the governing equations are approximated for each cell as it would without extra manipulation to the governing equations. This technique is very simple and separates the physics from the solving part.
Estimating Emissions Benefits of Bicycle Facilities with Stand-Alone Software Tools
Authors: Hood Jeffrey , Erhardt Gregory , Frazier Christopher , Schenk Anais
Published: November 2014

To improve their capability to estimate the emissions reduction benefits of new bicycle facilities, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District in California sought to develop a new software tool. The tool was required not only to deliver accurate forecasts with a small development budget but also to operate independently of other models, run on a platform that could be freely distributed without special software licenses, and provide user-friendly access to planners in multiple agencies with varying levels of technical skill. For these requirements to be satisfied, an incremental nested logit mode choice model was developed that pivoted off static exports of trip tables from the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments’ existing four-step travel model. GPS traces collected from smartphone users in the region were analyzed to estimate a path-size logit route choice model, and the California Household Travel Survey was used to estimate a scaling coefficient on the best route utility. The model was implemented in an Adobe ActionScript graphical user interface. After the user edits the bicycle network in the user interface, new bicycle levels of service are skimmed, and new shares for each mode are calculated from their original shares in the no-build alternative and the change in the bicycle level of service. Finally, the emissions reduction is estimated on the basis of the distance and average speed of the vehicle trips replaced by bicycle travel. The result is an accurate, fast, freely distributable, user-friendly tool that is consistent with the forecasts produced by the four-step model.
Encapsulating and Visualizing Disaggregated Origin–Destination Desire Lines to Identify Demand Corridors
Authors: Bahbouh Kinan , Morency Catherine
Published: November 2014

Origin–destination (O-D) data contain relevant information on the spatial structure of transportation demand; the data reveal the raw travel demand, notwithstanding transportation supply or networks. Visualizing an O-D matrix to identify demand corridors for small sets of data can be simple. In contrast, with the increasing complexity of travel paths, the amount of data collected is large and contains more information that needs to be analyzed. This process is challenging with significant conceptual and imaginary barriers. Spatial aggregation methods are usually used to reduce the complexity of O-D data. Such treatment, especially in an urban context, reduces the richness of data substantially. An approach is proposed to visualize an O-D matrix and to identify major corridors; this approach aims to cluster desire lines—the shortest and most direct trajectory between an origin and destination—so that the main concentrations of flow can be identified. The clustering of desire lines instead of O-D points allows the identification of what can be labeled raw demand corridors. Demand corridors may be used to identify collective trajectories, to evaluate transportation networks, and to propose strategies more adapted to transportation demand. The notion of corridors was clarified, and various applications of observed O-D sets from a survey in Montreal, Canada, were examined to identify major demand corridors. Results showed that demand collective corridors could be used as planning or decision-making tools. These corridors allow planners to encapsulate travel patterns, an approach that can assess the performance of current networks, identify potential development axes, or allow evaluation of corridor projects by comparing them with a reference unit.
Global Stability Analysis of a Curzon–Ahlborn Heat Engine under Different Regimes of Performance
Authors: Reyes-Ramírez Israel , Barranco-Jiménez Marco , Rojas-Pacheco Adolfo , Guzmán-Vargas Lev
Published: November 2014

We present a global stability analysis of a Curzon–Ahlborn heat engine considering different regimes of performance. The stability theory is used to construct the Lyapunov functions to prove the asymptotic stability behavior around the steady state of internal temperatures. We provide a general analytic procedure for the description of the global stability by considering internal irreversibilities and a linear heat transfer law at the thermal couplings. The conditions of the global stability are explored for three regimes of performance: maximum power (MP), efficient power (EP) and the so-called ecological function (EF). Moreover, the analytical results were corroborated by means of numerical integrations, which fully validate the properties of the global asymptotic stability.
RETRACTED: Dinitrosopiperazine-Mediated Phosphorylated-Proteins Are Involved in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Metastasis
Authors: Tan Gongjun , Tang Xiaowei , Huang Damao , Li Yuejin , Liu Na , Peng Zhengke , Zhang Zhenlin , Duan Chaojun , Lu Jinping , Yan Guangrong , Tang Faqing
Published: November 2014

N,N'-dinitrosopiperazine (DNP) with organ specificity for nasopharyngeal epithelium, is involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis, though its mechanism is unclear. To reveal the pathogenesis of DNP-induced metastasis, immunoprecipitation was used to identify DNP-mediated phosphoproteins. DNP-mediated NPC cell line (6-10B) motility and invasion was confirmed. Twenty-six phosphoproteins were increased at least 1.5-fold following DNP exposure. Changes in the expression levels of selected phosphoproteins were verified by Western-blotting analysis. DNP treatment altered the phosphorylation of ezrin (threonine 567), vimentin (serine 55), stathmin (serine 25) and STAT3 (serine 727). Furthermore, it was shown that DNP-dependent metastasis is mediated in part through ezrin at threonine 567, as DNP-mediated metastasis was decreased when threonine 567 of ezrin was mutated. Strikingly, NPC metastatic tumors exhibited a higher expression of phosphorylated-ezrin at threonine 567 than the primary tumors. These findings provide novel insight into DNP-induced NPC metastasis and may contribute to a better understanding of the metastatic mechanisms of NPC tumors.
Role of NADPH Oxidase and Xanthine Oxidase in Mediating Inducible VT/VF and Triggered Activity in a Canine Model of Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Martins James , Chaudhary Ashok , Jiang Shuxia , Kwofie Michael , Mackie Prescott , Miller Francis
Published: November 2014

Background: Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF) of focal origin due to triggered activity (TA) from delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) is reproducibly inducible after anterior coronary artery occlusion. Both VT/VF and TA can be blocked by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase would block VT/VF. Methods: 69 dogs received apocynin (APO), 4 mg/kg intraveneously (IV), oxypurinol (OXY), 4 mg/kg IV, or both APO and OXY (BOTH) agents, or saline 3 h after coronary occlusion. Endocardium from ischemic sites (3-D mapping) was sampled for Rac1 (GTP-binding protein in membrane NADPH oxidase) activation or standard microelectrode techniques. Results (mean ± SE, * p < 0.05): VT/VF originating from ischemic zones was blocked by APO in 6/10 *, OXY in 4/9 *, BOTH in 5/8 * or saline in 1/27; 11/16 VT/VFs blocked were focal. In isolated myocardium, TA was blocked by APO (10−6 M) or OXY (10−8 M). Rac1 levels in ischemic endocardium were decreased by APO or OXY. Conclusion: APO and OXY suppressed focal VT/VF due to DADs, but the combination of the drugs was not more effective than either alone. Both drugs inhibited ischemic Rac1 with inhibition by OXY suggesting ROS-induced ROS. The inability to totally prevent VT/VF suggests that other mechanisms also contribute to ischemic VT.
Overexpression of the CaTIP1-1 Pepper Gene in Tobacco Enhances Resistance to Osmotic Stresses
Authors: Yin Yan-Xu , Wang Shu-Bin , Xiao Huai-Juan , Zhang Huai-Xia , Zhang Zhen , Jing Hua , Zhang Ying-Li , Chen Ru-Gang , Gong Zhen-Hui
Published: November 2014

Both the gene expression and activity of water channel protein can control transmembrane water movement. We have reported the overexpression of CaTIP1-1, which caused a decrease in chilling tolerance in transgenic plants by increasing the size of the stomatal pore. CaTIP1-1 expression was strongly induced by salt and mannitol stresses in pepper (Capsicum annuum). However, its biochemical and physiological functions are still unknown in transgenic tobacco. In this study, transient expression of CaTIP1-1-GFP in tobacco suspension cells revealed that the protein was localized in the tonoplast. CaTIP1-1 overexpressed in radicle exhibited vigorous growth under high salt and mannitol treatments more than wild-type plants. The overexpression of CaTIP1-1 pepper gene in tobacco enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities and increased transcription levels of reactive oxygen species-related gene expression under osmotic stresses. Moreover, the viability of transgenic tobacco cells was higher than the wild-type after exposure to stress. The pepper plants with silenced CaTIP1-1 in P70 decreased tolerance to salt and osmotic stresses using the detached leaf method. We concluded that the CaTIP1-1 gene plays an important role in response to osmotic stresses in tobacco.
Data-Driven Methods for the Detection of Causal Structures in Process Technology
Authors: Kühnert Christian , Beyerer Jürgen
Published: November 2014

In modern industrial plants, process units are strongly cross-linked with eachother, and disturbances occurring in one unit potentially become plant-wide. This can leadto a flood of alarms at the supervisory control and data acquisition system, hiding the originalfault causing the disturbance. Hence, one major aim in fault diagnosis is to backtrackthe disturbance propagation path of the disturbance and to localize the root cause of thefault. Since detecting correlation in the data is not sufficient to describe the direction of thepropagation path, cause-effect dependencies among process variables need to be detected.Process variables that show a strong causal impact on other variables in the process comeinto consideration as being the root cause. In this paper, different data-driven methods areproposed, compared and combined that can detect causal relationships in data while solelyrelying on process data. The information of causal dependencies is used for localization ofthe root cause of a fault. All proposed methods consist of a statistical part, which determineswhether the disturbance traveling from one process variable to a second is significant, and aquantitative part, which calculates the causal information the first process variable has aboutthe second. The methods are tested on simulated data from a chemical stirred-tank reactorand on a laboratory plant.
Dual-Frequency Piezoelectric Transducers for Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Martin K. , Lindsey Brooks , Ma Jianguo , Lee Mike , Li Sibo , Foster F. , Jiang Xiaoning , Dayton Paul
Published: November 2014

For many years, ultrasound has provided clinicians with an affordable and effective imaging tool for applications ranging from cardiology to obstetrics. Development of microbubble contrast agents over the past several decades has enabled ultrasound to distinguish between blood flow and surrounding tissue. Current clinical practices using microbubble contrast agents rely heavily on user training to evaluate degree of localized perfusion. Advances in separating the signals produced from contrast agents versus surrounding tissue backscatter provide unique opportunities for specialized sensors designed to image microbubbles with higher signal to noise and resolution than previously possible. In this review article, we describe the background principles and recent developments of ultrasound transducer technology for receiving signals produced by contrast agents while rejecting signals arising from soft tissue. This approach relies on transmitting at a low-frequency and receiving microbubble harmonic signals at frequencies many times higher than the transmitted frequency. Design and fabrication of dual-frequency transducers and the extension of recent developments in transducer technology for dual-frequency harmonic imaging are discussed.
Sensor Fusion of Cameras and a Laser for City-Scale 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Bok Yunsu , Choi Dong-Geol , Kweon In
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a sensor fusion system of cameras and a 2D laser sensorfor large-scale 3D reconstruction. The proposed system is designed to capture data on afast-moving ground vehicle. The system consists of six cameras and one 2D laser sensor,and they are synchronized by a hardware trigger. Reconstruction of 3D structures is doneby estimating frame-by-frame motion and accumulating vertical laser scans, as in previousworks. However, our approach does not assume near 2D motion, but estimates free motion(including absolute scale) in 3D space using both laser data and image features. In orderto avoid the degeneration associated with typical three-point algorithms, we present a newalgorithm that selects 3D points from two frames captured by multiple cameras. The problemof error accumulation is solved by loop closing, not by GPS. The experimental resultsshow that the estimated path is successfully overlaid on the satellite images, such that thereconstruction result is very accurate.
Le juge naturel - Principe fondamental en Europe
Authors: Picardi Nicola
Published: November 2014

L’article met en évidence, du point de vue historique, une profonde évolution du concept de juge naturel. L’idée originelle était celle de mettre la juridiction à l’abri d’interventions de l’exécutif, empêchant ainsi de créer des tribunaux extraordinaires. Par contre, aucune contrainte juridique n’existait pour le législateur, qui aurait pu modifier totalement ou partiellement l’ordre des juridictions par le moyen de lois successives. Mais c’est seulement avec les constitutions rigides du XXe siècle que le principe du juge naturel constituera une barrière aussi pour le pouvoir législatif. L’évolution suivante conduira enfin à retenir que la garantie prise à l’examen doit être respectée même par les organes du pouvoir judiciaire, et par conséquent, elle s’est déplacée surtout sur les mécanismes internes au pouvoir judiciaire pour la détermination du juge. Enfin, du point de vue comparatif, l’analyse des principaux règlements européens démontre que l’idée du juge naturel  même si avec des variables dans l’espace et dans le temps  forme la partie intégrante des traditions communes des États européens. Toutefois, il faut attribuer à la jurisprudence des Cours de Strasbourg et de Luxembourg le mérite d’avoir subsumé le principe du juge naturel à un niveau européen, en reconstruisant ses lignes fondamentales.
Governing Second Homes: A Study of Policy Coherence of Four Policy Areas in Finland
Authors: Rinne Janne , Kietäväinen Asta , Tuulentie Seija , Paloniemi Riikka
Published: November 2014

Peoples' housing practices are changing and their mobility is increasing in contemporary society. An increasing and more diverse use of second homes raises new governance challenges. We apply the concepts of policy integration and policy coherence to analyze the governance of second
homes in Finland. We explore two case study areas rich with second homes by analyzing policy and planning documents and conducting interviews in four policy areas: (i) land use planning policy, (ii) regional and municipal development policies, (iii) tourism policy, and (iv) rural and island
policies. The results show that second homes are often addressed only implicitly or indirectly. Contradicting policy goals between land use planning policy and rural policy are identified at the national level, as well as numerous conflicts at the local level. Interviews reveal that second
homes are considered as a major societal phenomenon that should be addressed more in policy and planning instruments.
The impact of the confinement of reactants on the metal distribution in bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized in reverse micelles
Authors: Tojo Concha , González Elena , Vila-Romeu Nuria
Published: November 2014

A kinetic study on the formation of bimetallic nanoparticles in microemulsions was carried out by computer simulation. A comprehensive analysis of the resulting nanostructures was performed regarding the influence of intermicellar exchange on reactivity. The objects of this study were metals having a difference in standard reduction potential of about 0.2–0.3 V. Relatively flexible microemulsions were employed and the concentration of the reactants was kept constant, while the reaction rate of each metal was monitored as a function of time using different reactant proportions. It was demonstrated that the reaction rates depend not only on the chemical reduction rate, but also on the intermicellar exchange rate. Furthermore, intermicellar exchange causes the accumulation of slower precursors inside the micelles, which favors chemical reduction. As a consequence, slower reduction rates strongly correlate with the number of reactants in this confined media. On the contrary, faster reduction rates are limited by the intermicellar exchange rate and not the number of reactants inside the micelles. As a result, different precursor proportions lead to different sequences of metal reduction, and thus the arrangement of the two metals in the nanostructure can be manipulated.
Carbon nano-onions (multi-layer fullerenes): chemistry and applications
Authors: Bartelmess Juergen , Giordani Silvia
Published: November 2014

This review focuses on the development of multi-layer fullerenes, known as carbon nano-onions (CNOs). First, it briefly summarizes the most important synthetic pathways for their preparation and their properties and it gives the reader an update over new developments in the recent years. This is followed by a discussion of the published synthetic procedures for CNO functionalization, which are of major importance when elucidating future applications and addressing drawbacks for possible applications, such as poor solubility in common solvents. Finally, it gives an overview over the fields of application, in which CNO materials were successfully implemented.
Versatile synthesis of amino acid functionalized nucleosides via a domino carboxamidation reaction
Authors: Gheerardijn Vicky , Van den Begin Jos , Madder Annemieke
Published: November 2014

Functionalized oligonucleotides have recently gained increased attention for incorporation in modified nucleic acid structures both for the design of aptamers with enhanced binding properties as well as the construction of catalytic DNA and RNA. As a shortcut alternative to the incorporation of multiple modified residues, each bearing one extra functional group, we present here a straightforward method for direct linking of functionalized amino acids to the nucleoside base, thus equipping the nucleoside with two extra functionalities at once. As a proof of principle, we have introduced three amino acids with functional groups frequently used as key-intermediates in DNA- and RNAzymes via an efficient and straightforward domino carboxamidation reaction.
Objective Information-Theoretic Algorithm for Detecting Brainstem-Evoked Responses to Complex Stimuli
Authors: Bidelman Gavin M.
Published: November 2014

Background:The scalp-recorded frequency-following response (FFR), an auditory-evoked potential with putative neural generators in the rostral brainstem, provides a robust representation of the neurophysiologic encoding of complex stimuli. The FFR is rapidly becoming a valuable
tool for understanding the neural transcription of speech and music, language-related processing disorders, and brain plasticity at initial stages of the auditory pathway. Despite its potential clinical and empirical utility, determining the presence of a response is still dependent on the
subjective interpretation by an experimenter/clinician.Purpose:The purpose of the present work was to develop and validate a fully objective procedure for the automatic detection of FFRs elicited by complex auditory stimuli, including speech.Research Design:Mutual information
(MI) was computed between the spectrographic representation of neural FFRs and their evoking acoustic stimuli to quantify the amount of shared time-frequency information between electrophysiologic responses and stimulus acoustics. To remove human subjectivity associated with typical response
evaluation, FFRs were first simulated at known signal-to-noise ratios using a computational model of the auditory periphery. The MI at which model FFRs contained +3 dB Signal-to-noise ratio was taken as the criterion threshold (MI) for the presence of a response. MI was
then applied as a binary classifier on actual neurophysiologic responses recorded previously in human participants (n = 35). Sham recordings, in which no stimulus was presented to participants, allowed us to determine the receiver operating characteristics of the MI metric and the capabilities
of the algorithm to segregate true evoked responses from sham recordings.Results:Results showed high overall accuracy (93%) in the metric’s ability to identify true responses from sham recordings. The metric’s overall performance was considerably better than trained human
observers who, on average, accurately identified only ∼75% of the true neural responses. Complementary results were found in the metric’s receiver operating characteristic test performance characteristics with a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 85%, respectively. Additionally,
MI increased monotonically and was asymptotic with increasing trials (i.e., sweeps) contributing to the averaged FFR and, thus, can be used as a stopping criteria for signal averaging.Conclusions:The present results demonstrate that the mutual information between a complex acoustic
stimulus and its corresponding brainstem response can provide a completely objective and robust method for automated FFR detection. Application of the MI metric to evoked potential speech audiometry testing may provide clinicians with a more robust tool to quantitatively evaluate the presence
and quality of speech-evoked brainstem responses ultimately minimizing subjective interpretation and human error.
Recording and Evaluation of an American Dialect Version of the Four Alternative Auditory Feature Test
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Cox Robyn M.
Published: November 2014

Background:The Four Alternative Auditory Feature test (FAAF) is a word-based closed-set speech recognition test. Because the original test materials were recorded in British English dialect, it is not appropriate for use in the United States.Purpose:The purpose of this
study was to produce an American dialect FAAF (AFAAF).Research Design:The AFAAF materials spoken by a native American-English speaking male were recorded and digitally edited. In the validation study, the AFAAF was administered monaurally at five signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in both
ears for each listener.Study Sample:A total of 20 young adults with normal hearing participated in the validation study.Data Collection and Analysis:For each participant, speech recognition scores were collected in one session. The speech level was fixed at 70 dB SPL and the
steady-state talker-matched noise level was varied, resulting in five SNRs from ‐15 to ‐5 dB. One full list (80 words) was used for each SNR. For each participant, a performance-intensity (PI) function was fit to the discrete mean percent correct scores for the five SNRs according
to a best-fit, three-parameter sigmoid function. In addition, scores for the left and right ears were compared to examine test-retest reliability.Results:Results show that the slope of the PI function is 6% per dB, the mean test-retest difference scores for the five SNRs are within
3 rationalized arcsine units (rau), and the 95% critical difference for the 80-word scores is 12 rau. Compared with the FAAF, the slope of the PI function for the AFAAF is slightly less steep. Test-retest reliability of the AFAAF is at least equal to that of the FAAF.Conclusions:It
is concluded that the AFAAF is similar but not identical to the FAAF. The AFAAF is now available for measuring speech recognition performance in listeners who use American English as a native language.
Modeling DPOAE Input/Output Function Compression: Comparisons with Hearing Thresholds
Authors: Bhagat Shaum P.
Published: November 2014

Background:Basilar membrane input/output (I/O) functions in mammalian animal models are characterized by linear and compressed segments when measured near the location corresponding to the characteristic frequency. A method of studying basilar membrane compression indirectly
in humans involves measuring distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) I/O functions. Previous research has linked compression estimates from behavioral growth-of-masking functions to hearing thresholds.Purpose:The aim of this study was to compare compression estimates from DPOAE
I/O functions and hearing thresholds at 1 and 2 kHz.Research Design:A prospective correlational research design was performed. The relationship between DPOAE I/O function compression estimates and hearing thresholds was evaluated with Pearson product-moment correlations.Study Sample:Normal-hearing
adults (n = 16) aged 22‐42 yr were recruited.Data Collection and Analysis:DPOAE I/O functions (L2 = 45‐70 dB SPL) and two-interval forced-choice hearing thresholds were measured in normal-hearing adults. A three-segment linear regression model
applied to DPOAE I/O functions supplied estimates of compression thresholds, defined as breakpoints between linear and compressed segments and the slopes of the compressed segments. Pearson product-moment correlations between DPOAE compression estimates and hearing thresholds were evaluated.Results:A
high correlation between DPOAE compression thresholds and hearing thresholds was observed at 2 kHz, but not at 1 kHz. Compression slopes also correlated highly with hearing thresholds only at 2 kHz.Conclusions:The derivation of cochlear compression estimates from DPOAE I/O functions
provides a means to characterize basilar membrane mechanics in humans and elucidates the role of compression in tone detection in the 1‐2 kHz frequency range.
Challenges in Ototoxicity Monitoring in the Pediatric Oncology Population
Authors: Bass Johnnie K. , Bhagat Shaum P.
Published: November 2014

Background:Platinum-based chemotherapy and cranial radiation are effective treatment options commonly prescribed for a variety of childhood cancers. These therapies can, and often do, result in early- and late-onset adverse health effects such as hearing loss. Undetected hearing
loss is particularly concerning in young children developing speech and language skills and can negatively affect academic achievement and the psychosocial well-being of both young and older children. Early detection of hearing loss in pediatric oncology patients and early intervention are
critical to help these patients succeed in achieving these developmental milestones.Purpose:The primary goal of this study was to create a tutorial for audiologists concerning the monitoring of ototoxicity in the pediatric oncology population. Monitoring hearing for children receiving
potentially ototoxic cancer treatments presents special issues and challenges for audiologists. This tutorial will orient the reader to these special issues and challenges, and potential solutions will be proposed.Design:This tutorial is organized into sections, including an overview
of platinum compound and cranial radiation treatments commonly used to treat pediatric cancer, modifications of the test battery required to appropriately monitor for ototoxic hearing loss in children, a proposal for a monitoring protocol, and descriptions of the grading scales that are frequently
used by oncologists to determine the severity of ototoxic hearing loss.Conclusions:Identification of ototoxicity is crucial in children receiving cancer treatments because of the impact that acquired hearing loss has on social and educational outcomes in the developing child. Monitoring
hearing in children presents challenges that are unique to this population. Much effort has been put forth in developing and validating the International Society of Pediatric Oncology ototoxicity grading scale for international use in reporting auditory outcomes in clinical trials. In the
future, the development of standardized monitoring protocols will assist audiologists in providing optimal care to children treated for cancer.
Kleist et la « destination de l'homme »
Authors: Anna Macor Laura , Lavigne Jean-François
Published: November 2014

La Kantkrise (« crise kantienne ») est un des aspects les plus étudiés de la pensée de Heinrich von Kleist, aussi bien par les historiens de la philosophie que par les germanistes. Au cours de presque un siècle de recherches sur ce thème 2 , les interprètes ont identifié différemment l’œuvre de Kant – ou l’auteur, autre que Kant 3  – qui aurait déclenché cette crise 4 . Pour la première fois, le présent article cherche à identifier le motif déterminant de la crise dans un concept et permet de réviser l’idée même d’une « crise », entendue comme un événement ponctuel et isolé, pour lui restituer son sens d’événement intérieur, appartenant à un itinéraire intellectuel déjà engagé. Il s’agit d’un concept central pour la réflexion théologique et philosophique de la seconde moitié du XVIII e siècle, qui se trouve aussi en plusieurs textes littéraires : la « destination de l’homme » ( Bestimmung des Menschen ).
Kant avec Kleist
Authors: Sánchez Madrid Nuria
Published: November 2014

Les personnages tragiques de Heinrich von Kleist composent toute une théorie de la conscience totale , installée simultanément dans l’ambivalence du jugement et la quête de l’inconditionné, qui devient le véritable objet d’une critique de la raison pratique cohérente. Dans ce contexte, les figures du Prince de Hombourg et de Michael Kohlhaas représentent deux voies vers la découverte de cette vérité pratique difficile à supporter par le sujet, qu’on pourrait considérer comme la sortie que Kleist trouve pour sa célèbre Kantkrise . Les deux exemples encouragent à conclure que l’exploration de la raison pratique conduit chez Kleist à une théorie du désir pur , propulsé par une pulsion de réalité pure , dont la densité ontologique renvoie plus au monde (sans restrictions pragmatiques) des songes qu’au territoire fini des phénomènes.
Marque BtoB et médias sociaux : enjeux et modalités de la représentation
Authors: Mondon Bénédicte , Riccio Pierre-Michel
Published: November 2014

L’objet de cet article, fondé sur une étude en compréhension dans une démarche sémiotique et communicationnelle, est de rendre compte des questions qu’une entreprise BtoB peut se poser quant à l’impact de sa communication sur les médias sociaux. Il présente : l’émergence à travers les médias sociaux d’un espace de communication attractif pour ces entreprises, propose de prendre un peu de recul à travers l’étude d’espaces de représentation déjà habités, met en évidence le paradoxe de la superposition des marques professionnelle et média, pour terminer par des éléments de recommandations destinés à faciliter l’investissement de ces nouveaux espaces de promotion.